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  Ancient Greece’s Most Famous...

  Editors Charles River

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  In ancient Greece, “no other practice was so universal than the consultation of oracles.” These holy sites were found in 260 locations around the Greek-speaking world, and they were considered the “most satisfactory means of ascertaining the future.” These sanctuaries were “set apart from the profane, ordinary world” and were in the beginning restricted to natural locations where the divine was thought to be “especially present.” They were set aside for special spiritual functions, and a state of purity was generally required of its participants. A historical tendency toward providing haven for criminals was based on the fear of shedding blood in a holy place, and the “fear that the evil magic would emanate from his curse.” 
  The Oracle of Delphi was one of the greatest religious institutions in Greece and one which played a significant role not only in the formation and collective decisions of Hellenic localities and city-states but also in the personal lives of Greeks known and unknown. The site was dedicated to the god Apollo, and the Greeks believed the god spoke his oracles through his prophetess known as the Pythia. The judgments and decisions rendered by the oracle were so important to the Greeks that they often put them above all other interests, even security threats posed by the likes of the Persians, and Delphi was popular even amongst outsiders. Many authors of antiquity mention the oracle for one reason or another, and there even survive epigraphic collections that preserve the god’s words on stone. 
  The Oracle of Dodona was the oldest of all, and it was one of the few dedicated to Zeus and his consort goddess Dione. The oracular utterances heard at the oracles are generally referred to as “smokiness” in Greek, but at Dodona, the answers came in natural sounds and other peripheral phenomena.

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  Golden Age of Exploration -...

  Katherine Wilkinson

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  Ignite Your Post-Retirement Adventures: Explore US National Parks 
   
  Experience the USA's majestic national parks in your post-retirement years. Our guidebook, "Golden Age of Exploration: Touring US National Parks Post-Retirement," empowers senior travelers with knowledge and planning to fully enjoy these natural wonders. 
   
  This comprehensive guidebook covers fifteen national parks, from American Samoa's tropical beauty to Maine's Acadia National Park. It also addresses health considerations and provides tips for travel planning. Discover highlights, safety measures, accessibility, and itineraries for each park. 
   
  To ensure a seamless journey, the guide addresses potential risks in the appendix and offers a glossary of terms and useful contacts. It's not just about visiting parks; it's about forging a bond with nature. In the conclusion, we encourage readers to stay connected with nature and continue adventuring even after returning home. 
   
  "Golden Age of Exploration: Touring US National Parks Post-Retirement" is your roadmap to the nation's natural heritage. Let this guidebook turn your golden years into an era of exciting exploration!

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  The Han Dynasty - Golden Age of...

  Jun Liu

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  The Han Dynasty, one of the most influential periods in Chinese history, emerged from the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BCE. After years of harsh rule under Qin Shi Huang, widespread unrest and rebellion led to the fall of the Qin. In the power vacuum that followed, Liu Bang, a commoner-turned-military leader, rose to prominence and ultimately established the Han Dynasty. His leadership and political acumen laid the foundation for a dynasty that would last over four centuries, shaping China’s governance, culture, and identity. 
  Liu Bang, later known as Emperor Gaozu, was originally a minor official under the Qin. Unlike his aristocratic rivals, he came from humble origins, making him a unique figure in Chinese history. As the Qin administration crumbled due to heavy taxation and forced labor policies, numerous factions vied for control. The most significant of these was the Chu-Han Contention, a prolonged struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, a powerful general of noble descent. Liu Bang, known for his ability to rally support from various social classes, ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. This victory marked the official beginning of the Han Dynasty, with Liu Bang declaring himself emperor. 
  Once in power, Liu Bang sought to distance his rule from the harsh legalist policies of the Qin. He adopted a more lenient and pragmatic approach, blending Confucian ideals with centralized governance. Although he retained elements of Qin’s bureaucratic structure, he reduced the severity of laws and punishments, earning the trust of the people. To ensure stability, he granted land and titles to his loyal followers, creating a semi-feudal system that allowed regional kings to govern under the central authority of the emperor. This balance between centralization and decentralization was a defining characteristic of early Han rule.

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  Aksumite Empire - Ethiopia's...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Aksumite Empire was one of the most significant and influential civilizations of ancient Africa. Emerging around the first century AD, it became a powerful and sophisticated state that played a crucial role in connecting diverse cultures and trade networks across continents. Its strategic location, bridging the Red Sea and the interior of the African continent, allowed Aksum to flourish as both a political and economic hub, facilitating exchanges between the Mediterranean world, the Arabian Peninsula, and beyond. 
  At the heart of Aksum’s success was its remarkable ability to integrate various cultural and economic influences. The empire was not only a center for commerce but also a melting pot of traditions, languages, and beliefs. This rich cultural mosaic is reflected in its unique art, architecture, and inscriptions, which have provided modern scholars with invaluable insights into the life and achievements of this ancient society. The monuments and stelae scattered across the landscape serve as enduring testaments to the empire's power and its sophisticated understanding of both artistry and engineering. 
  The rise of Aksum was deeply intertwined with the development of its political structures and the establishment of a centralized administration. Early rulers of the empire forged alliances through both diplomacy and military might, thereby securing their territories against external threats and internal discord. As the state grew in power, it adopted innovative approaches to governance that balanced traditional practices with the demands of a rapidly expanding empire. These innovations laid the groundwork for what would later be recognized as the first Christian kingdom in Africa.

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  Strolling with Your Elephant -...

  Diana M. Hechler

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  Do you want to find amazing and unique experiences around the world? “Strolling with Your Elephant: Perfect Moments in Travel” tells travelers of all ages and abilities how to find and enjoy them. Drawing on twenty-three years as President of D. Tours Travel, a boutique luxury travel agency, Diana Hechler outlines almost eighty experiences that are fun, unusual and thrilling, and that many people do not know are available for everyone. 
  Perfect moments range from waltzing at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna to standing in the sky atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Petting a sleeping rhino in South Africa? Renting a Lockmaster’s cottage along the C&O canal just a few miles from Georgetown in Washington, DC? The sky’s the limit. With almost eighty authentic experiences in numerous countries to choose from, all travelers can take advantage of this compact guidebook to enhance their adventures. 
  As Jamie Biesiada of Travel Weekly puts it, “Diana Hechler paints a vibrant picture of those one-of-a-kind experiences that never quite leave the traveler’s mind — especially those you may never have known existed. She weaves a tapestry of sights, sounds, and experiences that will make anyone want to get up and go.” Barbara Peterson, President of New York Travel Writers’ Association writes, “Strolling with Your Elephant is the ideal travel companion, taking you off the beaten path and on to some truly unique experiences, from Roman chariot racing in Jordan to a tea ceremony at a private museum in Japan. Well-written, and full of insider tips — who knew you can witness a reenactment of Julius Caesar's assassination in the very place it happened? — this book will lead you to those moments that are, after all, why we travel in the first place.”

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  You Are My Sunshine - A Story of...

  Sean Dietrich

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  Read by the author. 
  A laugh-out-loud funny true story of a loving relationship, a grand adventure, and a promise kept.  
  It was only a few years after the starry-eyed young couple got married when scary news threatened to take the wind out of their sails. But Sean Dietrich's wife, Jamie, wouldn't let it. She dared to hope for and plan for a great big adventure, and she made him promise to do it with her. For love and the promise of biscuits along the way, Sean--who was never an athlete of any kind--undertook the bike ride of a lifetime and lived to talk about it.  
  In this true-life tale, master storyteller Sean Dietrich--also known as the beloved columnist and creator of the blog and podcast "Sean of the South"--shares their hilarious, touching, and sometimes terrifying story of the long bike ride to conquer The Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath trail. As you laugh out loud through every hard-won mile and lose yourself in his signature poignancy, you'll experience a great adventure that, in the end, will remind you of what's most important in life, the value of keeping your promises, and the importance of connection in your most treasured relationships.  
  A feel-good read you won't be able to put down, You Are My Sunshine dares you to hope for an adventure of your own. 
  An accompanying map is included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

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