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  Bucket to Greece - Volume 1

  V.D. Bucket

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  When our hero, Victor, needs a pseudonym to avoid embarrassing his wife after deciding to pen a book about up-sticking to Greece, he dusts off his original name of V. D. Bucket, the name he was stuck with after being abandoned in a bucket as a baby. As Victor adapts to his adopted homeland, he battles an obsession with the exacting hygiene standards he demanded during his illustrious career as a public health inspector, against the rather less exacting standards of rural Greece. His attempts to master the complexities of the language lead to a number of embarrassing misunderstandings. 
   
   
   
  Crossing paths with the local undertaker, Spiros, was a stroke of good luck for Victor and Marigold, since Spiros just happened to have a house to sell in the charming Greek mountain village of Meli. Of course Spiros didn't explain the strange arrangement of an Albanian living in the stone shed at the bottom of the garden, or mention the old lady's next door filthy habit of burning plastic every morning. He also failed to mention his late uncle had plunged to his death from the roof terrace, but did a wonderful job of selling them on the spectacular views.

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  The Folk Tales of the Chupacabra...

  Editors Charles River

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  People have always been fascinated with the hidden, the mysterious, and the unexplained. Every society has its tall tales and ghost stories, its odd legends, and heroes. Also, every society has its stories of strange beasts, dangerous or benign, that live in the twilight world between the everyday and the legendary. Through most of history, people have been closely tied to nature, hunting in forests and having an intimate knowledge of the animals in their regions.  Even as the world becomes more connected, the belief in strange creatures is as strong as ever. 
  In one sense it shouldn’t be surprising that people across the United States have reported seeing weird cryptids, including giant birds, sea serpents, wolfmen, and a creature so bizarre it defies any rational classification. The only thing these monsters have in common is that all have been seen regularly and reported by seemingly sober, rational witnesses in the United States, even as conventional science suggests these monsters cannot exist and that all the sightings are mistakes, misidentifications, or hoaxes.  
  For example, a very strange creature had a series of encounters with several witnesses in 1952 in West Virginia that may have been associated with a UFO, and it eventually became known as the Flatwoods Monster. Others have claimed to see a humanoid frog, a flying creature that seemed to be associated with an accident that killed almost 50 people, and one of the most famous folk legends across the Americas: the chupacabra. 
  Some of the sightings cannot be explained away easily, but at the same time, none of the creatures fit into a rational, conventional view of the world. Either those witnessing these creatures are completely wrong, deluded, or just plain crazy, or the outdoors is way weirder than people might think. 

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  Edo Period - Tokugawa Rule...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Edo period in Japan began with the dramatic rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would bring over two centuries of relative peace and stability to the country. This transformation was not immediate but was set into motion by the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Ieyasu, a powerful daimyo and skilled strategist, emerged victorious in this decisive conflict, defeating rival factions and securing his dominance over the fractured Japanese landscape. This battle marked the end of the Warring States period, a time of nearly constant civil war, and laid the foundation for a new era of centralized feudal rule. 
  In 1603, Ieyasu was granted the title of shogun by the emperor, officially establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate. Although the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead, true political power rested with the shogun. Ieyasu’s government was based in Edo, a small fishing village that quickly developed into a sprawling political and economic center—modern-day Tokyo. From here, the Tokugawa clan implemented a system of governance that emphasized strict control, social hierarchy, and regional oversight. The shogunate devised a complex administrative structure that allowed it to maintain authority over hundreds of semi-autonomous domains ruled by daimyo, while ensuring loyalty through a combination of military strength, economic policy, and social regulation. 
  One of the key strategies used by Tokugawa Ieyasu to solidify his power was the creation of the han system. Under this arrangement, each daimyo governed a specific territory but was subject to strict oversight from the shogunate. The policy of sankin-kotai, or alternate attendance, required daimyo to spend alternating years in Edo, effectively draining their resources and keeping them under close surveillance. Their families were often kept in Edo as virtual hostages, ensuring obedience and discouraging rebellion.

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  Sultan in Oman

  Jen Morris

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  In 1955 the winds of change were beginning to blow across the Sultanate of Oman, a hitherto truly medieval state. Rumours of subversion mingled with the unsettling smell of oil to propel the Sultan on a royal progress across the desert hinterland, from his southern capital of Salala to the northern capital of Muscat. It was an historic journey – the first crossing of the Omani desert by motorcar. Jan Morris accompanied His Highness Sultan Said bin Taimur as a professional observer, and was inspired by the experience to write her major work of imperial history, the Pax Britannica trilogy.

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  Emily in Paris: Paris J'Adore! -...

  Emily in Paris

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  The official authorized companion to the much-loved Netflix show Emily in Paris. Paris, J'Adore! is Emily Cooper's diary about her life in France so far. From leaving her boyfriend in Chicago to starting at marketing firm Savoir in Paris, it reveals all the thrill, fear and confusion Emily experiences as she embarks on her new life. She becomes acquainted not only with French workplace etiquette - the long lunches, the arguments, the determined reluctance to use social media - but also with Gabriel, the hottest chef in town. Some things, though, are beyond comprehension: like why the first floor in a Parisian apartment building is the second floor and the first floor is the ground floor. As the months go by, Emily learns how it's perfectly normal to have a glass of Sancerre for breakfast and how you should never turn up early at work. But more than anything, she learns about love, female friendships, and how exciting it is to step out of your comfort zone in this beautiful and intriguing city. Paris, J'Adore! is also a guidebook to how to be a Parisian, with tips on fashion, romance, and where to capture the perfect selfie in the City of Lights. Written in Emily's voice, it will contain the following sections:  Emily's Fashion Paris - all about Emily's favourite outfits and designers - from Cadault to Chanel - as well as tips on what to wear to the beach, where to find the best boutiques, and how to dress like a Parisian;  Emily's Romantic Paris - the best bridges to kiss and break up on, where you can find the most breathtaking views and the most perfect backstreets, why the magic of the Eiffel Tower twinkling at night is the most intoxicating backdrop to falling in love, and a selection of the most evocative French songs to sing along to;  Emily's Secret Paris - where Parisians show Emily the real Paris, from the hamman in the Mosquée de Paris to the Atelier des Lumières, and from small independent French cinemas to delightful neighbourhood restaurants;   Emily's Workplace Paris - how to navigate tensions and emotions in a French boardroom, lunch and coffee break rituals, Sylvie's own version of Savoir's Employee Handbook, and how to teach the French about social media;   Emily's Escapades from Paris - including the delights of the Champagne region, the sheer glamour of Saint-Tropez and the opulence of the Château de Versailles.  Paris, J'Adore! is a hugely desirable gift for all the fans of the show.

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  Why You Should Go to Hanoi

  Mark Ferdinand

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  Hanoi is a city where tradition and modernity weave seamlessly together. From the serene beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake to the buzz of motorbikes streaming through the Old Quarter, Vietnam’s capital is alive with energy, history, and charm. Ancient temples sit beside French colonial architecture, while bustling street markets offer flavors and experiences you’ll never forget. 
  Mark Ferdinand takes you on a journey through Hanoi’s rich tapestry: the aroma of steaming pho at dawn, the artistry of water puppet theatre, the elegance of tree-lined boulevards, and the timeless rituals of everyday life. Whether you’re exploring vibrant street food stalls, delving into the city’s complex history, or simply savoring a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee, Hanoi will surprise, enchant, and stay with you forever.

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