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  Grunwald and Orsha: The History...

  Editors Charles River

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  Like other secretive groups, the mystery surrounding the Teutonic Knights has helped their legacy endure. While some conspiracy theorists attempt to tie the group to other alleged secret societies like the Illuminati, other groups have tried to assert connections with the Teutonic Knights to bolster their own credentials. Who they were and what they had in their possession continue to be a source of great intrigue even among non-historical circles.  
  While the military orders are now often tied to religion or conspiracy theories, they did once wield great power and influence in Europe, and their actions had consequences centuries after they had reached their peak. This was made clear in the wake of a major battle fought between German and Russian forces from August 26-30, 1914 during the First World War. It occurred in Masuria, a region of marshes, woodland, and numerous lakes in northern Poland, almost 400,000 men were involved, and it was a decisive victory for the Germans, who annihilated the Russian army. The Germans named the battle after Tannenberg (Polish Stebark), and the battle, though widely fought over 100 miles, did indeed encompass the village, but there was a historical reason for assigning the name to the battle. On July 15, 1410, Tannenberg was the site of another decisive battle between the army of the Germanic Teutonic Order and that of Poland-Lithuania, a battle now commonly referred to as the Battle of Grunwald (after another nearby village).  
  	In 1514, Orsha was a much smaller town, home to a population of no more than 5,000 as part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but on September 8 of that year, the normally quiet and unpretentious town was thrust into the world’s gaze when over 100,000 troops engaged in one of the 16th century’s biggest battles outside the town walls. The battle pitted the forces of the King of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania against the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

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  Radical Politics - On the Causes...

  Peter D. Thomas

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  The last twenty years have witnessed a proliferation of radical social and political movements around the world. From the International Women's Strike and Occupy, to #BlackLivesMatter and direct action against the climate emergency, a series of common questions have re-emerged as immediate and practical challenges. How should radical political movements relate to the state? What makes emancipatory politics fundamentally different from both technocratic and populist models of "politics as usual"? Which forms of organization are most likely to deepen and extend the dynamics that led to the emergence of these movements in the first place? 
   
   
   
  To investigate the goal, nature, method, and organizational forms of radical political engagement against the neoliberal consensus, Peter D. Thomas draws on the work of Antonio Gramsci, the Italian Communist Party leader and political theorist best known for his ideas about hegemony. Offering a new reading of Gramsci, Thomas contends that hegemony is a process of differentiation in which political culture is always changing, and always with the goal of moving toward expanded freedom. Over the course of the book, Thomas looks at the way in which various theorists have approached the dilemma of how to engage productively in radical politics and explains why hegemony is a method of doing politics rather than an end goal.

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  Treasure Island: A Christian...

  Kristi Simonson

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  Embark on a captivating journey through the beloved classic, Treasure Island. In this insightful guide, author Kristi Simonson invites readers to dive deep into the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless tale with an engaging approach that sparks curiosity and discussion.With thoughtfully crafted prompts and provocative questions, this guide not only illuminates the major and minor themes woven throughout the narrative but also unveils valuable lessons that resonate with readers of all ages. Kristi’s passion for the classics shines through as she provides a rich backdrop to the story, enhancing the literary experience.What sets this guide apart is its unique perspective—each chapter analysis is viewed through a Christian worldview, inviting readers to explore the Biblical lessons that enrich our understanding of the characters, plot, and our own lives. Discover how the adventures on the high seas reflect deeper truths and moral insights that can inspire and challenge us.Perfect for fans of classic literature, homeschool families, book clubs, or anyone keen on deepening their appreciation for the literary greats, this thorough and thoughtful companion to Treasure Island is an essential addition to any library. Join Kristi Simonson on this enlightening journey and uncover the treasures waiting to be found in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. 

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  Bloody Brilliant Women

  Cathy Newman

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  ‘A litany of fresh heroes to make the embattled heart sing’ Caitlin Moran‘Newman is a brilliant writer’ Observer 
  A fresh, opinionated history of all the brilliant women you should have learned about in school but didn’t. 
  For hundreds of years we have heard about the great men of history, but what about herstory? 
  In this freewheeling history of modern Britain, Cathy Newman writes about the pioneering women who defied the odds to make careers for themselves and alter the course of modern history; women who achieved what they achieved while dismantling hostile, entrenched views about their place in society. Their role in transforming Britain is fundamental, far greater than has generally been acknowledged, and not just in the arts or education but in fields like medicine, politics, law, engineering and the military. 
  While a few of the women in this book are now household names, many have faded into oblivion, their personal and collective achievements mere footnotes in history. We know of Emmeline Pankhurst, Vera Brittain, Marie Stopes and Beatrice Webb. But who remembers engineer and motorbike racer Beatrice Shilling, whose ingenious device for the Spitfires’ Rolls-Royce Merlin fixed an often-fatal flaw, allowing the RAF’s planes to beat the German in the Battle of Britain? Or Dorothy Lawrence, the journalist who achieved her ambition to become a WW1 correspondent by pretending to be a man? And developmental biologist Anne McLaren, whose work in genetics paved the way for in vitro fertilisation? 
  Blending meticulous research with information gleaned from memoirs, diaries, letters, novels and other secondary sources, Bloody Brilliant Women uses the stories of some extraordinary lives to tell the tale of 20th and 21st century Britain. It is a history for women and men. A history for our times. 
  Newman's Bloody Brilliant Women is a bestseller that delves into the social and political fabric of Europe, highlighting the significant contributions of women in science and other fields. This biography is an autobiography of sorts, chronicling the lives of women who have been overlooked in studies of history. 
  For fans of Laura Bates (Fix the System, Not the Women), E. Foley (You Goddess!), Anna Russell (Great Women's Speeches), Deborah Coughlin (Outspoken), and Bill O'Neill (Behind the Curtain of Common Sayings).

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  Federalist Papers The: Book...

  Miles Thatcher

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  This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas.
   
  The Federalist Papers is a collection of 85 essays that delve into the principles and challenges of the newly proposed United States Constitution. Originally written to persuade New York state voters to ratify the Constitution, these essays explore themes of governance, federalism, and individual rights. Offering profound insights into the founding framework of American democracy, this timeless work remains essential reading for anyone interested in political theory, constitutional law, or the historical roots of the United States.

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  To Learn About Oneself One Has...

  Jiddu Krishnamurti

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  "To perceive 'what is' is the basis of truth," 7 February 1971. Duration: 86 minutes.
  Where there is division, there must be conflict. A mind in conflict must inevitably be distorted, and therefore it cannot possibly see clearly what is truth.
  
  We need a total change, a deep revolution, psychological revolution, the inward revolution, without which you cannot possibly create a new society. Is it possible to observe, to perceive without the observer?
  
  How are images formed? Can the image building come to an end? Knowledge is absolutely necessary. Is it possible that knowledge, which the brain has accumulated through centuries, does not interfere with relationships?
  
  "Direct perception is freedom," 10 February 1971. Duration: 80 minutes.
  Can the mind living in this world ever be free, not only superficially but profoundly, at the very root of its existence? 'Freedom from' is an abstraction, but freedom in observing 'what is' and going beyond it is actual freedom.
  
  How do I observe greed? Do I observe it as an outsider looking in, or do I observe it without the observer? Without the mind being free, you cannot live in order. Three years have passed; I have no energy to be aware of my reactions. Can we seek God through observation?
  
  "Love is that quality of mind in which there is no division," 14 February 1971. Duration: 89 minutes.
  To live in this world with intelligence, in spite of all the complications. Is it possible to be free of fear, not only the superficial fear in relationship but the deep-rooted fear? Thought nourishes, sustains and gives continuity to fear and pleasure.
  
  When you are learning, your mind is awake. Truth isn't second-hand; you can't get it through a guru, a book; you have to learn about it. The beauty of learning is that you don't know what truth is.
  
  What is love? A man who has not love in his heart but the things made by thought will make a monstrous world, will construct a society that is totally immoral. To find out, you must undo everything that you have done.
  
  What does it mean to die?
  
  "A mind in meditation is concerned only with meditation, not with the meditator," 17 February 1971. Duration: 87 minutes.
  If you can put aside your favourite systems, if you can understand that concentration is merely a resistance and therefore constant conflict and wastage of energy, then we can find out for ourselves what is necessary for a mind that is in a state of meditation. To learn about oneself, a living thing, you have to watch, learn anew each minute.
  
  What is will? Consciousness is heritage, the result of time. Consciousness is the content of itself, which is time, sorrow, confusion, misery. Intelligence has no heritage.
  
  What is a mind that is completely silent? How does one cope with the extraordinary energy that human beings have?

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