Other books that might interest you

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  From Swamp to Wetland - The...

  Chris Wilhelm

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  This book chronicles the creation of Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Prior to the park's creation, the Everglades was seen as a reviled and useless swamp, unfit for typical recreational or development projects. 
   
   
   
  Park advocates drew on new ideas concerning the value of biota and ecology, the importance of wilderness, and the need to protect habitats, marine ecosystems, and plant life to redefine the Everglades. Using these ideas, the Everglades began to be recognized as an ecologically valuable and fragile wetland—and thus a region in need of protective status. 
   
   
   
  While these new ideas foreshadowed the later emergence of modern environmentalism, tourism and the economic desires of Florida's business and political elites also impacted the park's future. These groups saw the Everglades' unique biology and ecology as a foundation on which to build a tourism empire. 
   
   
   
  Yet, even after the park's creation, conservative landowners successfully fought to limit the park and saw it as a threat to their own economic freedoms. The battle to save the swamp's biodiversity continues, and Everglades Park stands at the center of ongoing restoration efforts.

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  Someone to Kiss

  Robert Lewis

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  Things aren’t going as planned… 
  Cameron Matthews never intended to be a social media celebrity. Now that his public break-up with his fiancé is the latest trending video and meme, he needs to get his act together and escape the world of people who wish to use him for his connections. Thankfully, his Aunt Lexi gets him a job working on a film in Walden Woods. 
  Right before Carlos Rodriguez is about to head out to film at Walden Woods, he learns Dennis is taking a break from the business, and Hunter is moving with Mark to the city. With all these sudden changes just as he got settled, now Carlos has to decide his own future. 
  Walden Woods was the place gay men went to get away from it all and enjoy some clothing-optional fun. Now, they are struggling to keep the place open. Hoping to turn things around, Daddy Lin convinces his friend to create an adult film in the camp. The only problem: an ex-employee with a grudge has other plans for Daddy Lin and his boyfriend, Nathan.

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  American Visions - The United...

  Edward L. Ayers

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  A revealing history of the formative period when voices of dissent and innovation defied power and created visions of America still resonant today. 
   
   
   
  The early decades of the nineteenth century saw the expansion of slavery, Native dispossession, and wars with Canada and Mexico. Mass immigration and powerful religious movements sent tremors through American society. But even as the powerful defended the status quo, others defied it: voices from the margins moved the center; eccentric visions altered the accepted wisdom, and acts of empathy questioned self-interest. Edward L. Ayers’s rich history examines the visions that moved Frederick Douglass, Margaret Fuller, the Native American activist William Apess, and others to challenge entrenched practices and beliefs. 
   
   
   
  Through decades of award-winning scholarship on the Civil War, Edward L. Ayers has himself ventured beyond the interpretative status quo to recover the range of possibilities embedded in the past as it was lived. Here he turns that distinctive historical sensibility to a period when bold visionaries and critics built vigorous traditions of dissent and innovation into the foundation of the nation. Those traditions remain alive for us today.

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  The Indian Mosaic - Successes...

  Sandeep Chavan

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  In "The Indian Mosaic: Successes, Struggles, and Solutions," author Sandeep Chavan takes readers on an enlightening journey through the vibrant tapestry of modern India. This comprehensive exploration delves into the nation's rich cultural heritage, its dynamic economy, and the social transformations shaping its future. 
  From the bustling streets of urban centers to the serene landscapes of rural communities, Chavan paints a vivid picture of India’s diversity, celebrating its achievements while candidly addressing the challenges that persist. The book navigates through key themes such as technological advancements, educational reforms, environmental concerns, and the empowerment of youth, offering a balanced perspective that reflects both hope and realism. 
  As India stands on the brink of its centenary of independence, this book serves as a timely reflection on the path forward. Chavan articulates a compelling vision for the future, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and collaborative efforts between government, civil society, and the private sector. 
  "The Indian Mosaic" is not just a chronicle of a nation; it is a call to action for all Indians—both at home and abroad—to engage in the ongoing dialogue about their country’s trajectory. It invites readers to reflect on their roles in shaping India’s destiny and inspires a collective commitment to nation-building. 
  Whether you are an Indian citizen, a member of the diaspora, or simply someone interested in understanding the complexities of a rapidly evolving nation, this book provides valuable insights and thought-provoking narratives that resonate across borders. Discover the multifaceted identity of India through the eyes of a passionate educator and thinker, and join the journey towards a brighter, more equitable future.

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  Mapping The End of History with...

  Terence McKenna

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  Terrance McKenna's captivating lecture, he delves into his theory of the universe as an engine geared towards generating and preserving novelty, with an escalation in novelty corresponding to an increase in complexity. Drawing from the Chinese divination text, the I-Ching, which he views as a tool rather than the focal point, McKenna elaborates on the concept of the time wave. Time, he proposes, manifests as a colossal wave, gathering density and intensity until its culmination, fueled by novelty in various forms such as information, incidents, and events. 
   
  Throughout history, this wave of novelty has propelled progress and evolution, with each novelty birthing further innovations in a fractal-like manner. McKenna observes an exponential acceleration in novelty in recent times, with the pace of change surpassing anything witnessed in previous eras. The rapid advancements in technology and discovery over the past century exemplify this phenomenon, leaving humanity pondering the trajectory of the future. 
   
  McKenna's thought-provoking ideas challenge conventional notions of time and evolution, prompting speculation on the ultimate culmination of the time wave's journey. Regardless of one's agreement or disagreement with his theories, McKenna's discourse captivates with its depth, originality, and provocative insights into the nature of existence and progress.

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  Cryptic - From Voynich to the...

  Garry J. Shaw

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  An absorbing history of Europe's nine most puzzling texts, including the biggest mystery of all: the Voynich Manuscript Books can change the world. They can influence, entertain, transport, and enlighten. But across the centuries, authors have disguised their work with codes and ciphers, secret scripts and magical signs. What made these authors decide to keep their writings secret? What were they trying to hide? Garry J. Shaw tells the stories of nine puzzling European texts. Shaw explores the unknown alphabet of the nun Hildegard of Bingen; the enciphered manuscripts of the prank-loving physician Giovanni Fontana; and the angel communications of the polymath John Dee. Along the way, we discover how the pioneers of science and medicine concealed their work, encounter demon magic and secret societies, and delve into the intricate symbolism of alchemists searching for the Philosopher's Stone. This highly enjoyable account takes listeners on a fascinating journey through Europe's most cryptic writings—and attempts to shed new light on the biggest mystery of all: the Voynich Manuscript.

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