Other books that might interest you

• 

  Tang Dynasty - Golden Age of Art...

  Rolf Hedger

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Tang Dynasty, one of the most prosperous and influential periods in Chinese history, lasted from 618 to 907 CE. Often referred to as a golden age, it was marked by significant cultural, political, and economic developments that shaped the trajectory of Chinese civilization. The dynasty succeeded the Sui Dynasty, which had fallen due to internal strife and excessive military campaigns, and it laid the foundation for many of the political and cultural features that would characterize Chinese history for centuries. The Tang Dynasty's legacy is still visible in the arts, governance, and cultural exchanges that continue to influence China today. 
  The founding of the Tang Dynasty is attributed to Li Yuan, who became Emperor Gaozu after a successful rebellion against the Sui Dynasty in 618. His reign was followed by that of his son, Emperor Taizong, one of the most renowned rulers in Chinese history. Under their leadership, the Tang Empire quickly expanded its territories, establishing control over much of present-day China and extending its influence across Central Asia, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia. This expansion was not only military but also cultural, as the Tang Dynasty became a melting pot of diverse peoples, cultures, and ideas. 
  Politically, the Tang Dynasty introduced several innovations that helped maintain its stability and success. It perfected the imperial examination system, which allowed for a more meritocratic approach to selecting government officials, and it expanded the civil service, ensuring that a large and efficient bureaucracy could handle the empire’s vast territory. The legal system, known as the Tang Code, was influential in shaping the governance of China for centuries and served as a model for other East Asian countries.

  Show book

• 

  Surf-side Eating - Simple &...

  Ryland Peters & Small

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  From the reward of a post-surf brunch to enjoying a lazy lunch by the shore, these delicious recipes will evoke memories of time spent by the ocean.
  Whether you're chasing a wave, reaching for an endless summer or simply answering the call of the ocean, this book of bright and fresh recipes perfectly captures the spirit of the surf and soothing effect of time spent by the ocean. Sun-soaked breakfast recipes are presented in the Rise & Shine chapter, such as smoothie bowls and Corn Fritters with Smashed Avocado. For something vibrant, yet light at lunch, head to Veggies, Salads & Sides and take a beach-side break with bowls of Ouzo Watermelon Salad or Sweet Potato, Smoked Mackerel & Grapefruit. When the day calls for re-fueling with some tasty plates in between the surf, All-Day Dining includes Fish Tacos with Chipotle-lime Cream and Grilled Halloumi with a zingy Jalapeño, Lime & Tequila Relish. Gather round the grill to cook delicious food to share from Beachside BBQ, such as Grilled Lobster or create Sunset Suppers of Thai-steamed Snapper or Sunshine Laksa. As you drift into the dusk, savour desserts that celebrate crisp, ripe produce such as Lychee Sorbet or Yogurt Panna Cotta. Fresh, luscious and creative, these flavourful recipes are inspired by cuisines from the best beaches and surf spots around the globe including Australia, California, Hawaii, Thailand, Indonesia and beyond. So grab your board, or lazy lounger, and graze on these delicious dishes from sunrise to sundown.

  Show book

• 

  Cat Grooming - Keeping Your...

  Angie Tracks

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Grooming is an essential aspect of caring for your cat, extending far beyond aesthetics. It plays a crucial role in maintaining your feline friend's overall health and well-being. While cats are naturally fastidious creatures that often handle much of their grooming on their own, they still rely on you for additional care to ensure they remain healthy, comfortable, and happy. 
  The benefits of grooming your cat are numerous. Regular grooming helps to remove loose hair and reduce shedding, which is especially important for minimizing hairballs—a common issue for many cats. Grooming also allows you to identify potential health problems early, such as skin irritations, parasites, or lumps, which may otherwise go unnoticed. By keeping their coat and skin in good condition, grooming contributes to your cat's comfort and can even improve their mood. 
  Each cat has unique grooming needs based on factors such as their breed, coat length, and age. Long-haired cats, like Persians or Maine Coons, require more frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangling, while short-haired breeds, like American Shorthairs, may need less frequent attention. Senior cats and those with special needs might require gentle handling and extra care to ensure their grooming sessions are stress-free.

  Show book

• 

  A Miscellany Of Men - The third...

  G K Chesterton

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "before I finally desert the illusions of rationalism for the actualities of romance, I should very much like to write one last roaring, raging book telling all the rationalists not to be so utterly irrational... Do not talk such bosh. I implore you, I supplicate you not to talk such bosh. Utterly and absolutely abolish all such bosh—and we may yet begin to discuss these public questions properly." -GKC"the Chesterton wit and charm and gentle satire [and] hard-hitting controversy. And you will also find a distinct thread that ties it all together. [...] first published in 1912, the essays ... often refer to current events and personalities from the early 20th century: coal strikes and railway strikes, game laws, women’s suffrage, and British Imperialism. ... in every case the larger point being made is very clear and is not tied to a time and place – unless it is our time and place. Chesterton’s mere observations of an event, whether in a headline or outside his window could be expounded upon into huge timely treatises. It is because truth has ramifications. And because it is true.The old controversies are still relevant. But each question points to a larger question. How do we assure the dignity and basic rights of the laborer? For whom does he labor: himself or some remote rich man? Does voting make any difference when our choices are so limited, when the choices themselves are not our choices but someone else’s? What is the nature of real democracy?" - Dale Ahlquist"These old articles of mine because they cover a very controversial period, in which I was in nearly all the controversies, whether I was visible there or no. And I wish to gather up into this last article a valedictory violence about all such things; and then pass to where, beyond these voices, there is peace--or in other words, to the writing of Penny Dreadfuls; a noble and much-needed work." -GKC

  Show book

• 

  Banana breads loaf cakes & other...

  Ryland Peters & Small

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  60 recipes for BANANA BREADS, EASY LOAF CAKES and other ONE-BOWL BAKES, perfect for everyday home baking.
  
  FUSS-FREE recipes to suit every taste and need, from CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD to LEMON POLENTA LOAF.
  
  EASY, foolproof recipes requiring NO PREVIOUS BAKING EXPERIENCE, including one-bowl methods.
  
  In 2020, banana bread had a moment. When the first lockdown arrived, anxious shoppers quickly stocked up on food but then found themselves with cupboards full of flour and fruit bowls overspilling with rapidly ageing bananas. The answer was simple and the resulting baking craze intense! But why stop at banana bread? There are plenty of other loaf cakes and easy bakes that you can rustle up in no time to enjoy with your mid-morning coffee or afternoon tea. A loaf cake is, by definition, made in a bread loaf pan (as its name implies) and is sometimes also known as a quick bread for that reason. These fuss-free recipes can incorporate a wide variety of ingredients, from fresh and dried fruit to nuts and seeds, and include delicious flavourings including chocolate, vanilla and warm spices. Popular recipes included here are Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Marmalade & Almond Bread, Lemon Polenta Loaf, Vanilla Pound Cake, Honey Cake and so much more!

  Show book

• 

  The Customer Is Always Wrong -...

  Scott Seiss

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Read by the author. 
  Give the gift of funny to anyone in your life (maybe even yourself!) who could use a dose of irreverent humor about why work stinks. 
  Customers want you to magically produce something from the back room. Bosses schedule you on your day off. Corporate policies are mandated that make zero practical sense. Sound familiar? 
  If you've ever worked in customer service (or any job, really), you know that everyone else—the customer, the boss, the company—is always right, and never the employee. Well, lucky for you, the "Angry Retail Guy" is more furious—and funnier—than ever in this hilariously unhinged guide to all the things we wish we could say out loud at work . . . without getting fired. In The Customer Is Always Wrong, you'll laugh (and maybe cry) at this rant-filled, illustrated attack on all the frustrating things that suck about work. 
  Expanding on the ire-filled, laugh-out-loud viral videos that have made him a (whispered) workplace name, Scott Seiss joyfully eviscerates not only overbearing customers but every annoying aspect of work like purposeless job interview questions, debatable brand values, and the walking human trainwrecks that are our bosses. Scott guides you all the way from first applying to the job, to inevitably gritting your teeth and smiling on your last day when that one manager you despise says, “Come back and visit us!” 
  The Customer Is Always Wrong is for anyone who:Is tired of their "raise" being as close as scientifically possible to 0 percentWants to tell their boss that not even the self-checkout machines want to work hereIs prepared to tell the next customer who asks to see the manager that the manager has no idea what's going on eitherCalls in sick whenever their PTO request is deniedBelieves entering a store five minutes before it closes should be illegalExplains, on a weekly basis, why someone can't use a coupon that expired 17 years agoIs physically repulsed by the phrase, "At this company, we're a family. . . ." 
    
  This tongue-in-cheek commiseration for workers will make you laugh out loud at the things that drive you crazy in the workplace. With Scott's signature rants, funny anecdotes, and absurd musings, this book celebrates and empowers underpaid and overworked employees with an uproarious ode to what we really think about our jobs and the customers that come with them (except the ones who read this book, of course). 
  Comics and graphics can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download. 
   

  Show book