Other books that might interest you

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  The Shocking Truth about Mental...

  Zoey Fraisers

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  Mental health care has long been shrouded in misconception and stigma. Despite growing awareness, many people still harbor deep misunderstandings about mental health treatments. For decades, the public’s view of mental health has been influenced by outdated notions and portrayals in media that often fail to reflect the true complexity of mental health care. As society advances, the need to challenge these outdated perceptions becomes more urgent, especially given the rising rates of mental health issues worldwide. 
    
  At its core, mental health treatment is a deeply personal journey, one that requires careful consideration, access to the right resources, and ongoing support. However, despite the best efforts of many professionals, the landscape of mental health care is far from perfect. The reality is that treatments often come with hidden pitfalls—cost barriers, lack of regulation, and the dominance of pharmaceutical companies with their own financial interests. These challenges only deepen the complexity of the mental health crisis, making it harder for individuals to get the care they truly need. 
    
  The pharmaceutical industry plays a central role in shaping the narrative around mental health treatment. Psychiatric medications are often the first line of defense against mental health disorders, but the promise of quick fixes is not always the reality. Many individuals find themselves struggling with side effects, dependency, and the question of whether these drugs are providing long-term solutions. On the other hand, psychotherapy, while frequently effective, is often portrayed as a one-size-fits-all solution, despite its varying success rates depending on the individual and their specific condition. Add to this the growing rise of alternative and holistic treatments, which are often hailed as miracles but can lack sufficient scientific backing, and the situation becomes even more confusing.

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  Xia Dynasty - The Myth and...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Xia Dynasty is often considered the first dynasty of China, marking the transition from a prehistoric era dominated by tribal alliances to a structured monarchy. However, much of what is known about the Xia comes from ancient texts written centuries later, blurring the line between history and legend. At the heart of this foundation myth is Yu the Great, a figure credited with taming the catastrophic floods that once plagued the Yellow River region. 
  According to traditional accounts, China before the Xia was ruled by the Five Emperors, semi-mythical sages who brought order and knowledge to early societies. The final ruler of this period, Emperor Shun, recognized Yu for his brilliance and appointed him to control the devastating floods that had threatened agricultural settlements for generations. Unlike his predecessors, who attempted to block or divert the waters, Yu devised a system of dredging and canal-building that allowed the floodwaters to drain naturally into rivers and the sea. His efforts reportedly took over a decade, during which he traveled across the land, surveying the terrain and directing large-scale labor projects. His selfless dedication won him the admiration of the people, and his success in flood control cemented his reputation as a leader with the Mandate of Heaven. 
  The concept of the Mandate of Heaven, though later fully developed under the Zhou Dynasty, has its roots in the Xia period. It suggested that rulers were chosen by divine will and that their legitimacy depended on their ability to maintain order and prosperity. Yu's ability to tame the floods demonstrated both his virtue and his right to rule. Upon Emperor Shun’s abdication, Yu became the first king of the Xia Dynasty, establishing a hereditary monarchy that would continue for generations.

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  The Cop's Sissy - Part One:...

  Kinky Press

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  There's no way Chris will last in prison.  
  When his arresting cop offers to take him home instead of downtown, what will Chris be willing to do to stay out of jail?

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  This Country Hates Our Boys -...

  Mzamo Masito

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  'I do not hate boys, I hate men.'
  This provocative statement sets the stage for a searing exploration of the complex relationship South African society holds with its Black and Coloured men and boys. Dr Mzamo Masito's urgent new book, This Country hates Our Boys, confronts the pervasive 'cold and hot love' that often translates into collective male guilt. When a child goes missing, a collective sigh of relief by men is heard when the blame points to maternal filicide, such as headlines like 'South African woman guilty of kidnapping and trafficking daughter aged 6' (BBC).
  The widely accepted phrase 'amadoda zizinja' – men are dogs – is more than a colloquialism; it's a symptom of a society where positive masculine role models are scarce. This linguistic shortcut flattens the nuanced reality of masculinity into a single, simplistic concept of patriarchy, obscuring the complex, chaotic social issues at play.
  Through the vital work of African Men Care, a non-profit organisation, Dr Masito unpacks the interlocking crises facing Black boys and men: educational disparities, mental health struggles, pervasive violence, and fractured relationships. More crucially, the book illuminates a clear path forward.
  'Every man is every boy' is not merely an observation but a powerful call to action. The struggles of adult men today are often rooted in the unaddressed needs and unrealised potential of the boys they once were. The lament 'awekho amadoda' (there are no men) serves as a stark warning: without decisive intervention, we risk losing entire generations. This book reveals how individual trauma metastasises into a collective crisis. When boys lack robust interior lives and positive identity models, the repercussions echo through families, schools, and communities. Hurt boys mature into hurting men, perpetuating cycles that impact everyone, including the girls and women in their lives.
  ¬This Country Hates Our Boys is essential reading for men, educators, policymakers, community leaders, parents, and anyone committed to breaking cycles of hurt and forging futures where all young people can thrive. The ultimate goal is revolutionary in its simplicity: to empower both girls and boys, ensuring no child is left behind.

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  Drink Water and Mind Your...

  Dr. Donna Oriowo

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  Society was not built with the needs of Black women in mind. As a result, we learn that the only way to feel good about ourselves is to prioritize everyone else's needs over our own. We find our value in being the perfect partner, mother, daughter, employee, and friend. But that is exhausting. Instead of feeling good about how dope we are, we only feel good about what we do for others. 
   
   
   
  Supremacy culture teaches us to hate Black people, to hate women, and to especially hate Black women . . . except when they need us. So in a world where our service is required for acceptance, how could we ever feel good about ourselves while also giving the middle finger to systems of power? How can we live our best lives? The answer: Self-esteem. Self-esteem has been gatekept by the white and male supremacist delusions for far too long. It's time to put power where it actually belongs. 
   
   
   
  In Drink Water and Mind Your Business, Dr. Donna Oriowo helps listeners understand the basic foundations of self-esteem and offers real, meaningful solutions to feel like the most glorious and badass versions of themselves. Based on years of research and Dr. Donna's career as a licensed sex and relationship therapist, this book will help you set boundaries, prioritize your needs, understand your immense worth, and pursue a life that brings you pleasure and joy.

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  The Picnic - A Dream of Freedom...

  Matthew Longo

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  In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists organized a picnic on the border of Hungary and Austria. But this was not an ordinary picnic—it was located on the dangerous militarized frontier known as the Iron Curtain. Tacit permission from the highest state authorities could be revoked at any moment. On wisps of rumor, thousands of East German "vacationers" packed Hungarian campgrounds, awaiting an opportunity, fearing prison, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents. The Pan-European Picnic set the stage for the greatest border breach in Cold War history: hundreds crossed from the Communist East to the longed-for freedom of the West. 
   
   
   
  Drawing on dozens of original interviews, Matthew Longo tells a gripping and revelatory tale of the unraveling of the Iron Curtain and the birth of a new world order. Just a few months after the Picnic, the Berlin Wall fell, and the freedom for which the activists and refugees had risked imprisonment was suddenly available to everyone. But were they really free? And why, three decades since the Iron Curtain was torn down, have so many sought once again to build walls? 
   
   
   
  Cinematically told, The Picnic recovers a time when it seemed possible for the world to change. With insight and panache, Longo explores the opportunities taken—and the opportunities we failed to take—in that pivotal moment.

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