Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  Life at Full Tilt - The Selected...

  Ethel Crowley

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  Between these covers we follow in the slipstream of the indefatigable Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy (1931–2022). Here we find descriptions of her beloved Afghanistan from her 1963 masterpiece Full Tilt, with accounts from the Peruvian Andes, of bicycling in South and East Africa and most recently of the journeys she made in the troubled territories of Palestine and Israel, published when she was eighty-five. Editor Ethel Crowley has dug into the archive to unearth her first published journalism – about her cycle through Spain in 1956 when she was just twenty-four – and has selected extracts from each of the twenty-four books which were to follow. Dervla's style of travel, to go somewhere that interested her and see who she met, made for fresh encounters every day, recorded faithfully each evening in her journal. She read hungrily to prepare for these journeys and folded her learning seamlessly into her books. What shines through is her passionate engagement both with those she encountered and the injustices they faced, and her utter independence of mind.

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  A Line in the World - A Year on...

  Dorthe Nors

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  Dorthe Nors's first nonfiction book chronicles a year she spent traveling along the North Sea coast—from Skagen at the northern tip of Denmark to the Frisian Islands in the Wadden Sea. In fourteen expansive essays, Nors traces the history, geography, and culture of the places she visits while reflecting on her childhood and her family and ancestors' ties to the region as well as her decision to move there from Copenhagen. She writes about the ritual burning of witch effigies on Midsummer's Eve; the environmental activist who opposed a chemical factory in the 1950s; the quiet fishing villages that surfers transformed into an area known as Cold Hawaii starting in the 1970s. She connects wind turbines to Viking ships, thirteenth-century church frescoes to her mother's unrealized dreams. She describes strong waves, sand drifts, storm surges, shipwrecks, and other instances of nature asserting its power over human attempts to ignore or control it. 
   
   
   
  Through a deep, personal engagement with this singular landscape, A Line in the World accesses the universal. Its ultimate subjects are civilization, belonging, and change: changes within one person's life, changes occurring in various communities today, and change as the only constant of life on Earth.

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  Pandya Empire - Tamil Kingdoms...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Pandya dynasty was one of the most ancient and influential Tamil kingdoms of South India, with origins deeply rooted in both history and legend. The earliest references to the Pandyas appear in Tamil Sangam literature, which dates back over two thousand years. These texts describe the Pandyas as powerful rulers of Madurai, a city that would become the cultural and political heart of their kingdom. The dynasty’s history is intertwined with mythology, particularly in Tamil literary traditions that claim the Pandyas descended from the gods. Some legends suggest that the first Pandya king was Kulasekara Pandya, a ruler said to be divinely blessed by Lord Shiva himself. 
  Historically, the Pandyas are believed to have established their rule as early as the 6th century BCE, although their presence likely predates this period. The Sangam Age, which spanned from roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE, marks the first well-documented era of Pandya rule. During this time, the kingdom flourished due to its strong trade networks, military strength, and patronage of Tamil poets and scholars. The Pandyas ruled alongside the Chola and Chera dynasties, forming a triad of powerful Tamil polities that competed for dominance in South India. These three kingdoms frequently engaged in alliances, conflicts, and shifting power dynamics that shaped the region’s history. 
  The early Pandyas built their capital in Korkai, an important port city known for its pearl fisheries and maritime trade. However, as their kingdom expanded, Madurai became the political and cultural center of their rule. The Pandyas were known for their patronage of literature and arts, particularly the Tamil Sangam assemblies, where poets and scholars composed some of the most revered works in Tamil history. This period saw the flourishing of Tamil culture, with kings promoting literary works that detailed heroism, love, and governance.

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  Harbours And Their Masters -...

  Mark Ashley-Miller

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  Harbours And Their Masters is the untold story of the Harbour Master and the harbours they manage. For five years, Mark Ashley-Miller set out on an extraordinary voyage, navigating 9,000 nautical miles to visit every corner of the British Isles. His mission? To uncover the hidden world of our harbours and Harbour Masters – those dedicated professionals who safeguard our ports and keep maritime trade flowing. In this captivating book, you'll join Mark as he visits 310 harbours and meets 256 Harbour Masters. Through carefully recorded interviews they reveal to him their unique challenges, stories and traditions. From ancient 'Haveners' to modern-day CEOs, their role has evolved over centuries, yet their influence remains as vital as ever. Whether they're handling burning container ships, managing storm-ravaged harbour walls or juggling the ever-changing demands of commercial shipping, these unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes. This challenge has so far raised £30,000 for The Seafarers' Charity and all author royalties from this book will go to this charity. Perfect for sailors, history lovers and maritime professionals, the book is a treasure trove of insights into Britain and Ireland's harbours. It's a detailed account of a journey describing intimate encounters, unexpected adventures and an inside look at how harbours shape our maritime heritage. If you've ever dreamed of sailing around the British Isles, exploring maritime history or understanding the vital work of those who keep our harbours safe, this is the book for you. It's packed full of over 500 colour photos recording the Harbour Masters met and the stunning beauty of the harbours themselves. Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, has written the Foreword to the book and congratulates and thanks the author for his challenge.

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  Spain - What Everyone Needs to...

  William Chislett

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  In Spain: What Everyone Needs to Know®, a timely addition to Oxford's What Everyone Needs to Know® series, veteran journalist William Chislett provides political and historical context for Spain's current economic and political predicament. Chislett recounts the country's fascinating and often turbulent history, beginning with the Muslim conquest in 711 and ending with the nation's deep economic crisis, sparked by the spectacular collapse of its real estate and construction sectors in 2010. He explains the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy and covers such issues as the creation of a welfare state, the influx of immigrants, internal strife from the separatist Catalan region, the effects of stringent austerity measures, the strengths and weaknesses of the economy, and how the country can create a more sustainable economic model for the future. In a concise, question-and-answer format that allows listeners to quickly access areas of particular interest, the book addresses a wide range of questions, including: What was the legacy of the Muslim presence between 711 and 1492? How did the Spanish Empire Arise? What were the causes of the 1936-39 Civil War? Why did the Socialists win a landslide victory in the 1982 election? What was the impact of European Economic Community membership? What is the violent Basque separatist group ETA? And more.

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  The Joy of Winter Hiking -...

  Derek Dellinger

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  From the author of America's Best Day Hikes, essential tips give you reason to enjoy the season! 
   
   
   
  Your daily dose of nature doesn't have to retreat with the warm weather. The Joy of Winter Hiking is your ultimate guide to getting outdoors in the most underrated season. In fact, author Derek Dellinger believes you should be seeking outdoor adventure in colder months, not just in spite of snow and cloudy days, but because of these factors! From unmatched snow-capped views to the mental and physical health benefits of nature to precious wildlife sightings, the winter holds endless hiking opportunities. 
   
   
   
  Derek prepares listeners to venture safely and securely into nature. There's advice on the gear you need to get going, the wildlife you might expect to find, understanding weather risks, and even the how-tos of cold-weather camping. Made for the winter sportsman, tree hugger, and avid hiker alike, this book is a thorough guide and breathtaking showcase of what's awaiting you on the trail.

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