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  Sengoku - Warring States and the...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Sengoku period, meaning “Warring States,” was one of the most turbulent and transformative eras in Japanese history. Lasting from the mid-15th century to the early 17th century, it was marked by ceaseless conflict, shifting alliances, and the gradual disintegration of centralized authority. The roots of this period can be traced back to the decline of the Ashikaga Shogunate, the Ōnin War, and the rise of regional warlords known as daimyo, each vying for control over Japan’s fractured political landscape. 
  The Ashikaga Shogunate, which had ruled Japan since the early 14th century, gradually lost its grip on the country due to internal corruption, weak leadership, and an inability to maintain order. By the mid-15th century, the shogunate had become largely symbolic, with real power resting in the hands of feudal lords. These tensions erupted into full-scale conflict with the outbreak of the Ōnin War (1467–1477), a devastating civil war primarily fought in and around Kyoto. What began as a succession dispute within the shogunate spiraled into a nationwide conflict, leading to the destruction of Kyoto and the collapse of central authority. 
  With the Ashikaga Shogunate rendered powerless, Japan entered a chaotic era where military might determined control. Local daimyo, originally appointed as provincial governors, seized the opportunity to establish autonomous domains. These warlords fortified their territories, raised armies, and engaged in relentless battles to expand their influence. The traditional system of hereditary rule began to erode as capable military leaders, often of humble origins, overthrew established families. This period saw the rise of powerful daimyo such as the Takeda, Uesugi, and Hojo clans, each striving to dominate the fractured nation.

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  Going Places

  Brian Dawtrey

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  It is 1962. Imagine leaving behind all that is familiar and comfortable in Norfolk, to travel to an uncharted posting in Tanganyika, with three small children and all your worldly goods, whilst your friends and relations predict doom and disaster in the ‘Dark Continent’. This is the adventure that Brian Dawtrey and his family embarked upon, armed with a black rolled umbrella with a gold band to fight off primitive savages, and a brand new hoover washing machine.From the moment that they leave England’s shores, you are swept along by their enthusiasm and lust for all that face them – from recalcitrant hippopotami, charging elephants and a life-saving leopard, to welcoming tribes-people and the glorious unspoilt African bush. Unfazed by minor setbacks such as the lack of electricity to drive the Hoover, and confrontations with unwelcoming snakes, the Dawtrey family revel in their new surroundings and the challenges of their new life under the Nyerere regime of Uhuru (Freedom).Witty, evocative and awe-inspiring, this charming book is a testament to the pioneering spirit of those who chose to embrace Africa at a time of great change, and to help its people to capitalise on their natural skills and resources.

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  The Ocean Is Calling - A True...

  Ashley Bugge

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  As a young widow, Ashley Bugge was suddenly faced with the task of raising two young children and a newborn child without the support of her spouse. Could she do it alone? The Ocean Is Calling exposes the realities of a life's greatest love and loss: the unexpected death of a spouse, followed by giving birth to a child, alone. Facing insurmountable grief, Ashley Bugge takes readers through a journey like no other—from a bitter dark night with a bottle of sleeping pills in her hand to giving birth alone, to a no-holds-barred expedition through eight countries with her three young children in tow.  Ashley holds nothing back as she includes readers on her real-time voyage through incredible states, countries and oceans. She shares daring, challenging moments of donning scuba diving gear to explore the same water her husband took his last breath, traversing mountains in Switzerland, exploring WWII remains in Poland, and grappling with the struggles of a young widow raising three children on her own. The Ocean Is Calling shares a journey of heartache, discovery, travel, family and exploration. Ashley hopes that her story will encourage readers to be confident and trust that whatever happens in life, there is hope and joy ahead.

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  Gravel Rides Cairngorms &...

  Markus Stitz

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  Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire showcases 15 of the best gravel bike rides across the Cairngorms National Park and south into Perthshire and the Angus Glens. From 14 to 77 kilometres in length and covering a variety of terrain, there is something for every gravel cyclist.
  Explore the fast-rolling gravel of disused railway lines on the Deeside Way and Dava Way, cross the mountain pass of the iconic Burma Road, and discover remote Highland glens such as Little Glen Shee where you're unlikely to meet another soul.
  Researched, ridden and written by Bikepacking Scotland's Markus Stitz, the routes feature clear and easy-to-use Ordnance Survey maps; easy-to-follow directions; details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings; stunning action photography; refreshment stops and local knowledge; and a detailed appendix. Also included is a link to downloadable GPX files.

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  You Did Say Have Another Sausage

  John Meadows

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  Light-hearted, anecdotal true stories as the author shares his wide-ranging experiences as a mischievous art student, bemused psychiatric nurse, reluctant parachutist, harassed teacher, American counsellor and time-traveller. Follow his hilarious escapades with a human skeleton, nude model and a lion, and witness incidents of mistaken identity that create comic situations in a psychiatric ward. Touring America by Greyhound Bus he encounters interesting characters and uncovers some intriguing stories. Occasionally, he takes a detour and travels by time-machine to visit his future self as a teacher supervising school art tours. Each chapter has a different scenario and whimsical, observational humour is the common thread.

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  Travels with Plotinus - A...

  Moin Mir

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  In Travels with Plotinus, Moin Mir follows Plotinus's 1,780-year-old journey of personal discovery across India, Egypt, Italy, Greece and Turkey as he tries to understand the core concept of Plotinian thought, derived from studying the Upanishads – 'Unity and Oneness'.
  
  He uses Plotinus's philosophy to observe how the free will of intellect uses 'Unity' for good and evil. Intimate conversations with refugees escaping war, innocent boatmen drifting down the Nile, simple farmers and monks in Greece along with observations of ancient art and modern technological accomplishments inform his thoughts and writing on the concept of the oneness of humankind – its immense power to bring good and yet its vulnerability to the stealth of intellect to destroy and self-destruct.

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