Verlag: e-artnow
The Spiritual Guidance of Man and of Mankind is a work by Rudolf Steiner. It portrays the spiritual leadership of ancient India, Egypt, and Greece while diving into their beliefs and ceremonial proceedings.
In this beautifully illustrated book that's Song of Achilles meets Secret Life of Trees, readers will discover the plants cultivated by the Greek Gods–many of which can still be experimented with today–for a myriad of uses. In Greek mythology, plants were used for tools, intoxication, warfare, food, medicine, magic, and rituals. When Prometheus stole fire from the Olympian gods and gave it to mankind, he hid it in a stalk of giant fennel. Ancient Greeks waiting to question the oracles were given cannabis as part of their cleansing rituals. A quince fruit started the Trojan war. The goddess Demeter was so distraught when Hades kidnapped her daughter that she caused winter to blanket the earth, killing all plants. Mythic Plants focuses on how the ancient Greeks used plants in their lives and loves and conquests—some of which we can still use. Includes tips throughout for bringing these ancient plants into your garden.Zum Buch
When does nuclear latency—the technical capacity to build the bomb—enable states to pursue effective coercion? In Leveraging Latency, Tristan A. Volpe argues that having greater capacity to build weaponry doesn't translate to greater coercive advantage. Volpe finds that there is a trade-off between threatening proliferation and promising nuclear restraint. States need just enough bomb-making capacity to threaten proliferation, but not so much that it becomes too difficult for them to offer nonproliferation assurances. The boundaries of this sweet spot align with the capacity to produce the fissile material at the heart of an atomic weapon. To test this argument, Volpe includes comparative case studies of four countries that leveraged latency against superpowers: Japan, West Germany, North Korea, and Iran. In doing so, Volpe identifies a generalizable mechanism—the threat-assurance trade-off—that explains why more power often makes compellence less likely to work. This framework illuminates how technology shapes broader bargaining dynamics and helps to refine policy options for inhibiting the spread of nuclear weapons. As nuclear technology continues to cast a shadow over the global landscape, Leveraging Latency provides a systematic assessment of its coercive utility.Zum Buch
The war between the protestant Netherlands, mostly led by William of Orange, and Catholic Spain, was one of the marks in Dutch history. This war has determined the beliefs of many people who now live about the three rivers that go through the country: Most of the people north of the rivers are protestant, and most of the believers below them (even throughout Belgium as well) are Catholic. This is no coincidence. The war in the 1600s has become a symbol of Dutch resistance, independence, and the royal family (of Orange). In that sense, traditions date back hundreds of years, some them that have their roots in this century. Learn more about what caused the 80 years of war between these two countries, how France was involved, and how it helped form the boundaries and borders of those countries today.Zum Buch
E.M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel is an innovative and effusive treatise on a literary form that, at the time of publication, had only recently begun to enjoy serious academic consideration. First given as a series of lectures at Cambridge University, Aspects of the Novel is Forster's analysis of this great literary form. Here he rejects the 'pseudoscholarship' of historical criticism - 'that great demon of chronology' - that considers writers in terms of the period in which they wrote and instead asks us to imagine the great novelists working together in a single room. He discusses aspects of people, plot, fantasy and rhythm, making illuminating comparisons between novelists such as Proust and James, Dickens and Thackeray, Eliot and Dostoyevsky - the features shared by their books and the ways in which they differ. Written in a wonderfully engaging and conversational manner, this penetrating work of criticism is full of Forster's habitual irreverence, wit and wisdom. E. M. Forster (1879-1970) was a noted English author and critic and a member of the Bloomsbury group.Zum Buch
A sizeable body of literature is available on the east-west pathways of the American continent, including the famous wagon train trails that helped to colonize the nation to the shores of the Pacific. Any study of these routes ranging from footpaths to early American highways is accompanied by an equally vibrant collection of popular literature. In the perception of the American history buff, the continent was fully peopled by the advent of the 20th century, and the American mystique began to shrink with the absence of unexplored land. However, those enamored of the primeval American experience can find comfort in a system of north-south trails designed to recapture the natural wonders of the continent, and to provide an escape from commercialism and the inherent noise of the city. The Pacific Crest Trail travels in one form or another from Canada to Mexico, while the Continental Divide Trail lies nearer the center of the county, following some of the highest points of the Rocky Mountains. Most iconic of the major American pathways is the Appalachian Trail that completes the “triple crown” of the national hiking experience. Covering a range from central Maine to Georgia at a distance of 2,193 miles, it is the longest of the three, following the crest of the Alleghenies and Blue Ridge Mountains through 14 states. All in all, it encompasses 465,000 feet in elevation and hosts three million visitors each year for at least a part of the total distance. On an annual basis, approximately 4,000 hikers begin a south to north trek beginning at Springer Mountain, Georgia, with the goal of hiking all the way to Maine. The northerly direction is greatly preferred, in part because of the weather calendar and because the northern terminus closes in mid-October, creating a difficulty for slow travelers.Zum Buch
Archaeology is the scientific study of past human cultures through material remains. It offers invaluable insights into ancient civilizations, their ways of life, and the development of human society over millennia. By examining artifacts, structures, and other remnants of the past, archaeologists reconstruct histories that might otherwise remain unknown. This discipline bridges the gap between history and anthropology, providing a tangible connection to cultures that predate written records. The scope of archaeology is vast, encompassing prehistoric societies, ancient empires, and even more recent historical periods. Archaeologists investigate a wide range of sites, from early human settlements and burial mounds to grand cities and monumental structures. The study of these remains allows researchers to piece together how societies evolved, adapted to their environments, and interacted with one another. Archaeology is not limited to famous civilizations such as the Egyptians, Romans, or Mayans—it also sheds light on lesser-known cultures that played significant roles in shaping human history. One of the core reasons for studying archaeology is to understand the complexities of past human behavior. By analyzing tools, pottery, inscriptions, and architectural remains, scholars can infer how people lived, what they believed, and how they organized their communities. For instance, burial practices provide insights into religious beliefs, while trade artifacts reveal connections between distant societies. Archaeology helps challenge assumptions and correct misconceptions about the past, ensuring a more accurate historical record.Zum Buch
