Casa editrice: Tales of Terror
Steve Hutchison reviews 50 of the best alien, animal, cultist, demon, ghost, giant, lycanthrope, mutant, revenant, serial killer, vampire, wizard, and zombie movies. Each film is analyzed and discussed with a synopsis and a rating. The movies are ranked from best to worst. How many have you seen?
This is a concise summary and analysis of Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond. It is not the original book and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jared Diamond. Ideal for those seeking a quick and insightful overview. Why did some civilizations rise to global dominance while others remained technologically behind? This sweeping historical analysis explores how environmental factors, geography, and biological advantages—not racial or cultural superiority—shaped the modern world. From the domestication of plants and animals to the spread of disease and technology, this book challenges conventional narratives and provides a powerful, interdisciplinary explanation of human history.Mostra libro
Praised as "suave, soulful, ebullient" (Tom Waits), Elijah Wald is one of the leading popular music critics of his generation. In The Blues, Wald surveys a genre at the heart of American culture. It has been defined by lyrical structure, or as a progression of chords, or as a set of practices reflecting West African "tonal and rhythmic approaches," using a five-note "blues scale." He traces its roots in work and praise songs, and shows how it was transformed by such professional performers as W. C. Handy, who first popularized the blues a century ago. He follows its evolution from Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith through Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix; identifies the impact of rural field recordings of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, and others; explores the role of blues in the development of both country music and jazz; and looks at the popular rhythm and blues trends of the 1940s and 1950s, from the uptown West Coast style of T-Bone Walker to the "down home" Chicago sound of Muddy Waters. Wald brings the story up to the present, touching on the effects of blues on American poetry, and its connection to modern styles such as rap. As with all of Oxford's Very Short Introductions, The Blues tells you—with insight, clarity, and wit—everything you need to know to understand this quintessentially American musical genre.Mostra libro
The Qin state emerged as a formidable power during the turbulent Warring States period (475–221 BCE), a time when rival kingdoms vied for dominance over China. Originally a small and relatively minor state located in the western regions, Qin gradually expanded its influence through strategic warfare, strong leadership, and administrative reforms. Unlike some of the more culturally refined states in the east, Qin was often perceived as a land of rugged warriors and strict discipline, an image that ultimately worked in its favor. One of the key figures in Qin’s rise was Duke Xiao (r. 361–338 BCE), who implemented sweeping reforms with the help of his advisor Shang Yang. Shang Yang, a staunch advocate of Legalism, introduced policies that emphasized merit-based governance, agricultural development, and a powerful military structure. His reforms transformed Qin into a highly efficient and centralized state, strengthening its ability to compete with and eventually surpass its rivals. While Shang Yang's policies greatly benefited Qin, they also led to significant social hardships, as strict laws and severe punishments were imposed to maintain order. Militarily, Qin adopted advanced tactics and weaponry, incorporating iron tools and crossbows that gave its armies a technological edge. The state also developed a well-organized conscription system, ensuring a steady supply of disciplined soldiers. Unlike some of the fragmented alliances among other states, Qin’s centralized command structure allowed for swift and decisive military campaigns. Under leaders such as King Huiwen and later King Zhaoxiang, Qin expanded its territory, securing vital strategic locations that set the stage for its final conquest.Mostra libro
A fun and accessible guide to painting flowers in watercolour with step-by-step exercises. World-renowned artist Trevor Waugh reveals the secrets of painting flowers in watercolour in this fun, easy-to-follow book. Focusing on the techniques that matter the most, you'll be able to start producing better flower paintings in the space of an afternoon. The book includes expert guidance on all aspects of flower painting in watercolour, including the basic shapes and how to combine them, how to design the perfect composition and how to create subtle and evocative effects. The author shares tips on how to use colour to create realistic-looking flowers and foliage, his go-to basic palette and details on how to create beautiful, nuanced colour mixes. There is also a section on how to achieve real artistry in your work, using hard and soft edges, clever observation and different angles to perfect your work. Armed with this beautiful book, packed with breathtaking inspirational paintings and a selection of helpful step-by-step demonstration sequences, you'll become an expert flower painting in no time at all.Mostra libro
Discover how to make purposeful design decisions that create renewing spaces for you to enjoy with family and friends. You don't have to live in your dream house to make your living spaces feel more like home. Home is meant to be a place to belong. A place to gather and connect. A place of beauty. A place to restore your soul. In Restoration House, author and designer Kennesha Buycks will encourage you to embrace your home and your story so you can create mindful spaces that give life to you, your loved ones, and all who enter. Tips from Restoration House have been featured in Better Homes and Garden, Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge, and The Washington Post. Kennesha will teach you how to:Make the best out of your living space, whether you're renting or a homeownerCreate a home your visitors will feel comfortable inDecorate your home on a budgetMake purposeful design decisions that are beautiful and functional Restoration House is ideal for:Christian women of all ages who want to make their houses feel more like homeHousewarming gifts, Mother's Day, birthdays, and holiday gifting Creating a restored home—the kind that you and your loved ones want to return to again and again—is as much about making everyone who enters feel cared for and comfortable as it is about creating a beautiful space. Restoration House will help you make purposeful design decisions as you create renewing spaces to enjoy with family and friends. Whether you live in your dream house or you’re still dreaming about it, you can feel at home in the home you have. Reflection questions and DIY sections are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.Mostra libro
A smart and incisive exploration of everyone’s favorite dinosaur movie and the female dinosaurs who embody what it means to be angry, monstrous, and free The Jurassic Park series is one of the most famous and profitable cinematic experiences of all time, with an entire generation of people who have never known life without these CGI dinosaurs. But while the movie spectacle broke film and merchandising records, pioneered special effects, and made Jeff Goldblum into an unlikely sex symbol, it has also been re-envisioned as a classic of queer feminist storytelling. In Clever Girl, Hannah McGregor argues that the female-only dinosaurs of Jurassic Park are stand-ins for monstrous women, engineered by men to be intelligent, violent, and adaptive, and whose chaos resists the systems designed to control them. As they run wild through their prison, a profit-driven theme park, they destroy the men and structures who mistakenly believed in their own colonialist and capitalist power, showing the audience what it means to be angry, monstrous, and free. The velociraptors were not just jump scares for children, but also revelatory and predatory symbols of feminist rage. Clever girls, indeed. About the Pop Classics Series Short books that pack a big punch, Pop Classics offer intelligent, fun, and accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters.Mostra libro
