Weitere Bücher, die Sie mögen werden

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  Living Landmarks of Chicago -...

  Theresa L. Goodrich

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  From the man shipped home in a rum barrel to the most dangerous woman in America, Chicago history comes to life in these tantalizing tales. 
  "A wonderful bible of Chicago." WGN 
  Living Landmarks of Chicago goes beyond the what, when, and where to tell the how and why of fifty Chicago landmarks. More than a book about architecture, these are stories of the people who made Chicago and many of its most popular tourist attractions what they are today. Each chapter is a vignette that introduces the landmark and brings it to life, and the book is organized chronologically to illustrate the development of the city's distinct personality. These fifty landmarks weave an interconnected tale of Chicago between 1836 and 1932 (and beyond). 
  History lines Chicago’s sidewalks. Stroll down LaSalle or Dearborn or State and you’ll see skyscrapers that have been there for a century or more. It’s easy to scurry by, to dismiss the building itself, but a hunt for placards turns up landmarks every few feet, it seems. Here’s a Chicago landmark; there’s a National Historic landmark. They’re everywhere. 
  Ironically, these skyscrapers keep the city grounded; they illustrate a past where visionaries took fanciful, impossible ideas and made them reality. Buildings sinking? Raise them. River polluting the lake and its precious drinking water? Reverse it. Overpopulation and urban sprawl making it challenging to get to work? Build up. From the bare to the ornate, from exposed beams to ornamented facades, the city’s architecture is unrestrainedly various yet provides a cohesive, beautiful skyline that illustrates the creativity of necessity, and the necessity of creativity.

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  Western Han Dynasty - The...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 9 CE) emerged following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, a period marked by harsh legalist rule and widespread rebellion. The fall of the Qin created a power vacuum, leading to years of conflict between rival warlords. Among them was Liu Bang, a peasant-born general who would go on to establish one of China’s most influential dynasties. His leadership, pragmatic policies, and ability to gain the support of both the military and the common people played a crucial role in shaping the early Han state. 
  Liu Bang, later known as Emperor Gaozu, rose to prominence during the rebellion against the Qin. Unlike his rival Xiang Yu, a nobleman known for his military prowess, Liu Bang relied on strategy, diplomacy, and alliances to gain an advantage. In 202 BCE, he decisively defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia, solidifying his control over China and declaring himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty. His rule marked a shift away from the oppressive policies of the Qin, emphasizing stability, leniency, and bureaucratic governance. 
  One of Gaozu’s first major reforms was the reduction of harsh legalist laws that had caused unrest under the Qin. He abolished extreme punishments, lowered taxes, and granted land to military leaders and allies. However, in order to maintain control, he adopted a semi-feudal system, granting large territories to loyal kings while keeping direct control over the central government. This system helped secure loyalty but later posed challenges as regional rulers sought more autonomy.

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  Chaos in a Coupe - Travelling...

  Divya Dugar

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  Once upon a time, there was a family: Divya Dugar, her partner Olivier, their tiny hooman Marius, and their three rescue streeties-Tigress, Marcopolo and Pari. They lived in Delhi. And they wanted to go to other places. 
  So they booked a first-class coupe with the Indian Railways that allowed them to travel with their dogs. The sixsome went on many, many train journeys. It was not just about getting to a place, be it Goa, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, but about seeing it with new eyes-and ears and noses, which is inevitable when half your touring party is canine. As they faced uncanny, hilarious situations and tried their best to grapple with systems designed for human convenience, the high point of the trips was often the adventures in the train compartment, which the dogs made their very own. 
  A witty, whimsical, wry account of those journeys, accompanied by some stunning photographs, Chaos in a Coupe is a book that travellers, pet parents and anyone who likes a good read will enjoy.

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  Venetian Empire - The Grand...

  Kelly Mass

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  When we think of Venice, we think of masks, canals, murals and frescoes, and little “gondoliers” with picturesque boats. Venice, indeed, has an impressive artistic history. But did you know that Venice was also, for a while, a considerably-sized empire? 
  Although no enduring historic records associate with the creation of Venice, the Republic of Venice's history is typically said to start at 12 a.m. on Friday, March 25th, AD 421, when authorities from Padua established the city to develop a trading center in that area of northern Italy. 
  The creation of the Venetian republic is said to have accompanied the starting of the church of St. James at the exact same time. Still, the church (which is believed to be that of Saint Giacomo di Rialto) dates no earlier than the l lth century, and no after the mid-twelfth century. 
  According to legend, the area's first residents were Hun and Germanic refugees escaping succeeding waves of Hun and Germanic intrusions from the mid-second to mid-fifth centuries, who originated from near Roman cities like Padua, Aquileia, Treviso, Altino, and Concordia (contemporary Concordia Sagittaria), and the undefended countryside. 
  Let’s dive deeper into the history of the Venetian Empire. Let’s find out what made them so unique and successful at what they did.

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  Egyptian Science and Technology...

  Omar Khalil

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  Ancient Egypt, renowned for its monumental architecture and sophisticated culture, was also a hub of intellectual and scientific advancements. At the heart of Egyptian knowledge was a unique blend of practical experience, religious beliefs, and cultural traditions. Understanding the foundations of their knowledge requires examining the interplay between mythology, early scientific thought, and the ways this knowledge was transmitted through generations. 
  The role of religion and mythology in ancient Egypt cannot be overstated. Egyptian cosmology deeply influenced how people understood the world around them. Deities associated with creation, the afterlife, and natural phenomena shaped the Egyptians' perception of science and technology. For example, the god Thoth was believed to be the deity of wisdom, writing, and mathematics, and his influence permeated educational practices. Priests and scribes, who were often part of temple schools, acted as custodians of this sacred knowledge. Their training combined religious teachings with practical subjects like astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. 
  Early scientific thought in ancient Egypt was pragmatic rather than theoretical. Egyptians were skilled observers, and much of their knowledge arose from practical problem-solving. Whether it was calculating the Nile's flooding patterns or designing complex irrigation systems, their science emerged from the need to manage everyday challenges. For instance, their understanding of geometry developed out of the necessity to remeasure fields after the annual inundation of the Nile. Similarly, medical practices were rooted in practical observations of ailments and their treatments, blending empirical knowledge with spiritual beliefs.

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  Cougars on the Cliff - One Man's...

  Maurice Hornocker, David Johnson

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  Maurice Hornocker is recognized worldwide as the first scientist to unravel the secrets of America's most enigmatic predator—the mountain lion. A story of redemption, this book is a memoir about the never-before-told adventures, challenges, and controversies surrounding Hornocker's groundbreaking study of cougars in the remote reaches of the Idaho Primitive Area. 
   
   
   
  North America's biggest cat was once killed for bounty dollars, slaughtered with impunity and driven toward extinction. But today's cat of intrigue, despite our lingering fears and misconceptions, has returned to much of its native range in the western United States and gained respect as a predator integral and necessary to wild ecosystems. This turnaround was triggered by one man: Maurice Hornocker. Cougars on the Cliff recounts the early years of his research when he tracked lions following a dog's nose and footprints in the snow—before telemetry was available. Hornocker was first to learn that mountain lions living in stable populations limit their own numbers through territoriality and a concept he called "mutual avoidance." This insight flew in the face of long-held beliefs that cougars were prolific and wanton killers that needed to be controlled as vermin. Thanks to Hornocker's work, today cougars can be found throughout the West and have even started to reclaim their place in New England.

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