Outros livros que poderiam interessá-lo

• 

  One Ukrainian Summer - A memoir...

  Viv Groskop

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  'A memoir that captivates and delights. Fabulous' —Nina Stibbe 
   
   
   
  Autumn 1993. The former USSR. Viv is about to turn twenty-one and is on a study year abroad, supposedly immersed in the language, history, and politics of a world that has just ceased to exist: the Soviet Union. 
   
   
   
  Instead, she finds herself immersed in Bogdan Bogdanovich—the lead guitarist of a Ukrainian punk rock band. As the temperature drops, he promises that if she can get through the freezing Russian winter, he will give her "one Ukrainian summer." But is he serious about her? Or is she just another groupie? 
   
   
   
  At parties, gigs, and dive bars, Viv and her new friends argue over whose turn it is to buy cigarettes, the best places to find Levi's jeans and whether beer counts as a soft drink. No one debates the merits of speaking Ukrainian over Russian, the precise location of the border, or the undeniable brightness of the future. Of course good times are here to stay. Because the Soviet Union is finished. Isn't it? 
   
   
   
  A poignant and often comical account of coming-of-age in the time after the Cold War and before Putin, One Ukrainian Summer is a love letter to a unique moment in history.

  Ver livro

• 

  Ancient Egyptian Festivals -...

  Omar Khalil

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Festivals played a central role in the cultural and religious life of ancient Egypt. These grand celebrations were not just an occasion for communal enjoyment but were deeply tied to the spiritual and societal fabric of the civilization. They served as a means of honoring gods and goddesses, ensuring the prosperity of the land, and reinforcing the divine order, which was vital for the Egyptians. The festivals helped to maintain cosmic balance and provided a way for the people to connect with the divine. 
  The ancient Egyptians viewed the natural and spiritual worlds as intricately linked. Their gods were believed to control all aspects of life, from the annual flooding of the Nile to the harvests and the afterlife. Therefore, festivals were seen as essential in securing divine favor and maintaining order. These events allowed the people to express their devotion, offering prayers, sacrifices, and rituals to appease the gods. For instance, the Festival of Opet, one of the most significant, symbolized the renewal of the king’s power and his bond with the gods. It was an opportunity for the people to reassert their allegiance to the pharaoh, who was seen as the living deity on earth. 
  In addition to reinforcing the divine relationship, festivals also played a key role in community cohesion. The ancient Egyptians, despite the challenges of life, were brought together by shared rituals and celebrations. This unity was expressed in grand processions, feasts, music, and dance, where the people could experience a sense of collective identity. These events transcended social status and served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all people under the divine. Festivals were not just for the elite but were a part of the communal life, extending to all citizens, from farmers to nobles.

  Ver livro

• 

  Hitler's Banker

  Jean-François Bouchard

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  1932. The economic crisis in Germany was unprecedented—a severe recession, 6 million unemployed, and a collapse in the popularity of Chancellor Brüning, who was criticized for his lack of foresight and who stubbornly focused on a single objective—reducing public deficits and restoring the state's finances under pressure from other European countries. All the while far-right parties, which would soon take power, were experiencing an irrepressible rise.
  How can one not be struck by the similarity between the economic and political situation in Germany in 1932 and that of some Western countries in 2022?
  In a fictionalized biography tracing the astonishing career of Hjalmar Schacht, a German financial genius of the last century, Jean-François Bouchard indirectly highlights the interest in drawing inspiration from the economic methods that worked at that time. With this perspective, the current economic situation does not seem to be without a solution.
  It was the end of unemployment that became the factor of social stabilization for Adolf Hitler, and of consolidation of his power and of military hegemony. In this regard, sadly, the incredible story of Hjalmar Schacht is the most painful demonstration of this process.

  Ver livro

• 

  Campus Free Speech - A Pocket Guide

  Cass R. Sunstein

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Free speech is indispensable on college campuses: allowing varied views and frank exchanges of opinion is a core component of the educational enterprise. But free speech does not mean a free-for-all. The First Amendment prohibits "abridging the freedom of speech," yet laws against perjury or bribery, for example, are still constitutional. In the same way, valuing freedom of speech does not stop a university from regulating speech when doing so is necessary for its educational mission. So where is the dividing line? How can we distinguish reasonable restrictions from impermissible infringement? 
   
   
   
  In this pragmatic, no-nonsense explainer, Cass Sunstein takes us through a wide range of scenarios involving students, professors, and administrators. He discusses why it's consistent with the First Amendment to punish students who shout down a speaker, but not those who chant offensive slogans; why a professor cannot be fired for writing a politically charged op-ed, yet a university might legitimately consider an applicant's political views when deciding whether to hire her. He explains why private universities are not legally bound by the First Amendment yet should, in most cases, look to follow it. And he addresses the thorny question of whether a university should officially take sides on public issues or deliberately keep the institution outside the fray.

  Ver livro

• 

  Why It's Normal for Men to Cheat

  A.A. Castor

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In a culture that often condemns male infidelity as a simple moral failing, Why It's Normal for Men to Cheat offers a more nuanced perspective. Author A.A. Castor delves into the deep-seated forces—evolutionary instincts, historical precedents, and psychological drivers—that shape male desire and can lead to unfaithful behavior. Far from excusing betrayal, Castor's aim is to illuminate the complex interplay between biology and culture, ultimately inviting a more compassionate and informed dialogue about what it means to be faithful in a modern world. 
  Drawing on fields such as psychology, anthropology, and relationship studies, Castor examines how factors like testosterone, societal power dynamics, and personal insecurities converge to influence men's actions. Through real-life stories and data-driven insights, readers gain a clearer understanding of how male infidelity can emerge from natural impulses, yet still inflict profound emotional harm on partners and families. 
  At its core, Why It's Normal for Men to Cheat is a call to self-awareness and accountability. Castor underscores that while natural drives are powerful, they do not override the moral responsibility we hold in committed relationships. By unpacking the taboo surrounding male infidelity, the book paves the way for honest conversations about trust, desire, and the boundaries that sustain healthy connections. Whether you have experienced betrayal firsthand or simply wish to understand the complexities of human sexuality, this book offers a balanced exploration that encourages empathy, introspection, and the possibility of genuine healing.

  Ver livro

• 

  Time in the Barrel - A Marine’s...

  James P. Coan

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Con Thien was a United States Marine Corps firebase that was the scene of fierce combat for months on end during 1967. Staving off attacks and ambushes while suffering from ineffectual leadership from Washington as well as media onslaughts, courageous American Marines protected this crucial piece of land at all costs. They would hold Con Thien, but many paid the ultimate price. By the end of the war, more than 1,400 Marines had died and more than 9,000 sustained injuries. 
   
   
    
  For eight months, James P. Coan's five-tank platoon was assigned to Con Thien while attached to various Marine infantry battalions. The author kept a diary recording the thoughts, fears, and frustrations. Time in the Barrel offers an authentic firsthand account of the daily nightmare that was Con Thien. With authentic depictions of combat, it allows listeners to fully grasp the enormity of the fierce struggle for Con Thien. 
   
   
    
  More than a retelling of military movements, Coan's engrossing narratives focus on the sheer sacrifice and misery of one Marine's experience in Vietnam. Through his eyes, we experience the abysmal conditions the Marines endured, from monsoon rainstorms to the constant threat of impending attack. Climatic moments in history are captured through the rare, personal perspective of one particularly astute and observant participant.

  Ver livro