Other books that might interest you

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  Fool - In Search of Henry VIII's...

  Peter K. Andersson

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  In some portraits of Henry VIII there appears another figure—a gaunt and morose-looking man with a shaved head. This is William or "Will" Somer, the king's fool, a celebrated wit who reportedly could raise Henry's spirits and spent many hours with him. Was Somer an "artificial fool," a cunning comic who could speak freely in front of the king, or a "natural fool," someone with intellectual disabilities, like many other members of the profession? Fool is the first biography of Somer—and perhaps the first of a Renaissance fool. 
   
   
   
  After his death, Somer disappeared, and historians struggled to separate myth from reality. Unearthing as many facts as possible, Peter K. Andersson pieces together the fullest picture yet of an enigmatic and unusual man with a strange job. Somer's story provides new insights into how fools lived and what they did for a living, how monarchs and courtiers related to commoners and people with disabilities, and whether aspects of the Renaissance fool live on in the modern comedian. But most of all, we learn how a commoner without property or education managed to become the court's chief mascot and a continuous presence at the center of Tudor power. 
   
   
   
  Fool reveals a little-known world, surprising and disturbing, when comedy was something crueler and more unpleasant than we like to think.

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  Magus - The Art of Magic from...

  Anthony Grafton

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  In literary legend, Faustus is the quintessential occult personality of early modern Europe. The historical Faustus, however, was something quite different: a magus—a learned magician fully embedded in the scholarly currents and public life of the Renaissance. And he was hardly the only one. Anthony Grafton argues that the magus in sixteenth-century Europe was a distinctive intellectual type, both different from and indebted to medieval counterparts as well as contemporaries like the engineer, the artist, the Christian humanist, and the religious reformer. Alongside these better-known figures, the magus had a transformative impact on his social world. 
   
   
   
  Magus details the arts and experiences of several learned magicians. Grafton explores their methods, the knowledge they produced, the services they provided, and the overlapping political and social milieus to which they aspired—often, the circles of kings and princes. During the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, these erudite men anchored debates about licit and illicit magic, the divine and the diabolical, and the nature of "good" and "bad" magicians. Over time, they turned magic into a complex art, which drew on contemporary engineering as well as classical astrology, probed the limits of what was acceptable in a changing society, and promised new ways to explore the self and exploit the cosmos.

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  The Epic of Gilgamesh

  Gilgamesh

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  Embark on a timeless journey through ancient Mesopotamia with "The Epic of Gilgamesh" audiobook, a mesmerizing rendition of one of the world's oldest known literary works. Set against the backdrop of the flourishing city of Uruk, this epic tale follows the legendary King Gilgamesh on his quest for immortality. 
  Narrated with captivating intensity, listeners will be drawn into a world of gods, heroes, and epic adventures as Gilgamesh and his loyal companion, Enkidu, battle mythical beasts, confront divine challenges, and ultimately grapple with the profound questions of life, death, and the human condition. 
  With richly evocative language and vivid imagery, this audiobook brings to life the heart-stirring narrative and enduring wisdom of the ancient Sumerians. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or a newcomer to the epic, immerse yourself in this unforgettable tale of friendship, loss, and the quest for meaning that continues to resonate across millennia.

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  Algorithms of Armageddon - The...

  George Galdorisi, Sam J....

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  It is unclear if U.S. policy makers and military leaders fully realize that we have already been thrust into an artificial intelligence race with authoritarian powers. The United States' peer adversaries—China and Russia—have made clear their intentions to make major investments in AI and insert this technology into their military systems, sensors, and weapons. Algorithms of Armageddon examines this most pressing security issue in a clear, insightful delivery by two experts. 
   
   
   
  The authors cover in depth debates surrounding the AI "genie out of the bottle" controversy, AI arms races, and the resulting impact on policy and the laws of war. Given that global powers are leading large-scale development of AI, it is likely that use of this technology will be global in extent. Will AI-enabled military weapons systems lead to full-scale global war? The later chapters of the work explore these questions, point to the possibility of humans failing to control military AI applications, and conclude that the dangers for the United States are real. 
   
   
   
  Neither a protest against AI, nor a speculative work on how AI could replace humans, Algorithms of Armageddon provides a time-critical understanding of why AI is being implemented through state weaponization, the realities for the global power balance, and more importantly, U.S. national security.

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  Squirrel Pie - A memoir

  Deborah Brannigan

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  Detroit is a thriving blue-collar town in the 1970s, an era when alcoholism and dysfunction thrive behind closed doors. When fifteen-year-old Debbie accepts a new babysitting job she has no idea that it will forever alter her life.  Mac, father of the young children she cares for, slowly begins to groom Debbie with words of praise and flattery. 
  Longing for emotional connection she agrees to run away with Mac, only to find herself trapped in desperate poverty with a violent alcoholic.  She raises three children on roadkill meals and makes herself small and compliant, waiting for someone to save her. 
  When Mac’s violence threatens more than just Debbie's life, she discovers the strength to say, “No more.” Little does she know, however, that leaving her abuser will involve a kidnapping, a murder, and an interstate FBI manhunt. 
  Squirrel Pie is a true story of the painful realities around abuse, addiction, mental illness, and generational trauma. It is also a success story; a story in which perseverance, resilience, compassion, and unexpected allies lead Debbie to a life of healthy connections and choosing joy.

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  Weird History Facts That Will...

  Sleep Trivia

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  "Weird History Facts That Will Put You to Sleep" is a relaxing audiobook that blends curious and unusual historical tidbits with a calming bedtime experience. Narrated by a gentle male voice and set to soothing background music, each fact provides just enough intrigue to capture your attention without keeping you awake. From strange moments in history to quirky tales of the past, this audiobook is crafted to help you unwind, making it the perfect addition to your nightly routine. Let these fascinating but relaxing facts carry you into a peaceful slumber as your mind eases and your worries drift away.

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