Other books that might interest you

• 

  Argentina - Historical Roots and...

  Anya Solace

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Argentina’s economic history is deeply intertwined with its political evolution and the social transformations that have shaped its national identity. From its early days as a Spanish colony to its modern-day status as one of the largest economies in Latin America, Argentina’s economic journey reflects both its potential and its vulnerabilities. The development of Argentina’s economy has been marked by periods of prosperity, such as during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and periods of profound crisis, including the devastating economic collapse of 2001-2002. This chapter introduces the key historical milestones that have influenced the economic landscape of Argentina, providing a foundation for understanding the complex dynamics of its economic structure. 
  The story of Argentina’s economy begins with the indigenous societies that thrived on the land long before European colonization. Spanish colonization, starting in the 16th century, brought profound changes, introducing new economic systems and reshaping local trade practices. Agriculture became the dominant sector under colonial rule, with the Spanish focusing on extracting resources and establishing a trade-based economy that centered on Buenos Aires as a port for export. However, the colonial legacy of resource extraction and the absence of industrialization laid the groundwork for some of Argentina's long-standing economic challenges. 
  Upon gaining independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina faced the daunting task of creating a stable economic framework. The early post-independence years were marked by internal divisions and external conflicts, which stifled economic development. However, by the late 19th century, Argentina began to establish itself as a key global agricultural exporter. The development of railways and ports enabled the country to transport vast quantities of grain, beef, and other commodities to European markets, ushering in a period of unprecedented economic growth.

  Show book

• 

  Toujours La France! - Living the...

  Janine Marsh

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Following on from her hugely popular books, My Good Life in France and My Good Year in France, ex-pat Janine Marsh shares more heart-warming and entertaining stories of her new life in rural France. 
   
   
   
  Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village. 
   
   
   
  Including much-loved village characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette, and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours La France Janine also introduces listeners to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With birthday parties, rural traditions, christenings, and even a funeral, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.

  Show book

• 

  The Twenty - One Woman’s Trek...

  Marianne C. Bohr

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Marianne Bohr and her husband, about to turn sixty, are restless for adventure. They decide on an extended, desolate trek across the French island of Corsica—the GR20, Europe’s toughest long-distance footpath—to challenge what it means to grow old. Part travelogue, part buddy story, part memoir, The Twenty is a journey across a rugged island of stunning beauty little known outside Europe. 
  From a chubby, non-athletic child, Bohr grew into a fit, athletic person with an “I’ll show them” attitude. But hiking The Twenty forces her to transform a lifetime of hard-won achievements into acceptance of her body and its limitations. The difficult journey across a remote island provides the crucible for exploring what it means to be an aging woman in a youth-focused culture, a physically fit person whose limitations are getting the best of her, and the partner of a husband who is growing old with her. More than a hiking tale, The Twenty is a moving story infused with humor about hiking, aging, accepting life’s finite journey, and the intimacy of a long-term marriage—set against the breathtaking beauty of Corsica’s rugged countryside.

  Show book

• 

  The Han Dynasty - Golden Age of...

  Jun Liu

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Han Dynasty, one of the most influential periods in Chinese history, emerged from the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BCE. After years of harsh rule under Qin Shi Huang, widespread unrest and rebellion led to the fall of the Qin. In the power vacuum that followed, Liu Bang, a commoner-turned-military leader, rose to prominence and ultimately established the Han Dynasty. His leadership and political acumen laid the foundation for a dynasty that would last over four centuries, shaping China’s governance, culture, and identity. 
  Liu Bang, later known as Emperor Gaozu, was originally a minor official under the Qin. Unlike his aristocratic rivals, he came from humble origins, making him a unique figure in Chinese history. As the Qin administration crumbled due to heavy taxation and forced labor policies, numerous factions vied for control. The most significant of these was the Chu-Han Contention, a prolonged struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, a powerful general of noble descent. Liu Bang, known for his ability to rally support from various social classes, ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. This victory marked the official beginning of the Han Dynasty, with Liu Bang declaring himself emperor. 
  Once in power, Liu Bang sought to distance his rule from the harsh legalist policies of the Qin. He adopted a more lenient and pragmatic approach, blending Confucian ideals with centralized governance. Although he retained elements of Qin’s bureaucratic structure, he reduced the severity of laws and punishments, earning the trust of the people. To ensure stability, he granted land and titles to his loyal followers, creating a semi-feudal system that allowed regional kings to govern under the central authority of the emperor. This balance between centralization and decentralization was a defining characteristic of early Han rule.

  Show book

• 

  Get Lost - Seven Principles for...

  Erin Leider-Pariser

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  For nearly thirty years, Erin Leider-Pariser has designed women's adventure journeys that empower them to push their physical boundaries, bond through ancient rituals, and learn more about themselves than they ever imagined. Get Lost blends the wisdom and personal insights gleaned from these hiking, biking, and climbing trips through some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes with once-in-a-lifetime tales of dramas in the wild. For Leider-Pariser and her travelers, life is never the same after surviving a flash flood on a remote Columbian trail, getting lost in a Cambodian jungle, receiving shamanic healings in Ecuador, beholding the world from a Himalayan peak, and bonding with friends old and new through an ancient talking stick ceremony around the campfire. Through stories and anecdotes, the listener will witness how women's travel is soulful, flipped-out, hysterical fun—an absolute necessity for travel and everyday life. 
   
   
   
  This inspiring volume includes Leider-Pariser's Seven Principles for Trekking Life with Grace, a set of golden rules for navigating toward your best self. Complete with advice for forming your own group travel adventures on any budget, this energizing and at times hilarious book invites women to ignite their adventurous spirit, whether through travels near or far or taking bold new steps toward their dreams.

  Show book

• 

  A Suitcase Full of Koalas

  Fil Bufalo

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A Suitcase Full of Koalas is a modern, edgy travel book set to test your wits and memory for detail. Gallivanting around London and somewhere distinctly south of the great capital in a sleepy seaside village, the author finds herself handing out tiny furry koalas to the English, to the Polish, to the Italians, in fact to anyone who cares to accept the little fellas as a gift from Australia. In her moochings over a month, she manages to meet a myriad of characters from all walks of life who practically jump off the pavements, à la Mary Poppins and Bert, and into the book.  
   
  This is a book about life and living – about the human condition and quest for feathering one’s own nest. As John Donne observed, ‘No man is an island’, but sometimes we yearn to embrace solitude and sit with ourselves and a good book. A Suitcase Full of Koalas will inevitably tickle your fancy and have you laughing on every other page. But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?

  Show book