Other books that might interest you

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  Rediscovering Republicanism -...

  John Nantz

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  When well-designed institutions function properly, people thrive. Few institutions have been more ingeniously designed than the U.S. federal government via the Constitution in 1787. This auspicious beginning more than two centuries ago helps explain why the U.S. remains a magnet for opportunity seekers, students, entrepreneurs, dissidents, and persecuted believers.Yet for decades now, America’s federal government has been underperforming. Social Security and Medicare face looming insolvency. The federal government’s “war on poverty” has failed to “end poverty” and arguably made it worse. In 2012, the United States Postal Service lost more money than the nation spent on the State Department, and Amtrak has lost money every year since being created in 1971. How can an enduring institution, so thoughtfully crafted, now produce such poor results?The federal government has grown so much because it serves a new and different vision, American Progressivism. American Progressives believed that democratically elected, public-minded federal politicians and employees could use federal programs to solve the nation’s greatest problems in a way no other American institution could. This idea justified the federal government’s massive expansion: today, the federal government runs over 1,500 programs and employs over 5% of the U.S. workforce.Yet federal results do not match Progressive expectations. Three key problems – “windfall politics”, “the government surcharge”, and “complexity failure” – overlooked by American Progressives explain the federal government’s consistent failures. American Progressive’s rosy-eyed view of human nature and political institutions have not been borne out by the evidence.In an era of substantial political fermentation and debate, rediscovering and re-applying American Republicanism represents the best path forward for the United States. The federal government should retain many necessary responsibilities but turn over those where it has failed.

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  The Art of War

  Niccolò Machiavelli

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  ""The Art of War" is a treatise by the Italian Renaissance political philosopher and historian Niccolò Machiavelli. Written between 1519 and 1520, it was published the following year and remains one of his most important works. Unlike the more widely read "The Prince" and "The Discourses", this book focuses specifically on military matters.    Here are the key features of "The Art of War":    Format: The book takes the form of a Socratic dialogue. Lord Fabrizio Colonna, perhaps Machiavelli's persona, declares the purpose at the outset: "To honor and reward virtù, not to have contempt for poverty, to esteem the modes and orders of military discipline, to constrain citizens to love one another, to live without factions, to esteem less the private than the public good." The military is likened to the roof of a palazzo protecting its contents.  Setting: The dialogues occur in the Orti Oricellari, classical-style gardens built by Bernardo Rucellai in the 1490s for Florentine aristocrats and humanists. The discussions take place between Cosimo Rucellai and "Lord Fabrizio Colonna," with other patrizi and captains of the recent Florentine republic.  Fabrizio's Wisdom: Fabrizio is enamored with the Roman Legions of the early to mid Roman Republic. He advocates adapting their strategies to the contemporary situation of Renaissance Florence. His knowledge dominates the discussions, often turning them into monologues where he details how an army should be raised, trained, organized, deployed, and employed.  Practical Insights: Machiavelli's theories are not merely theoretical; they are based on his observations during his fourteen years as secretary to the Chancery of Florence. He reported on the size, composition, weaponry, morale, and logistical capabilities of the most effective militaries of his day.  "The Art of War" serves as a guide to military leaders, including Frederick the Great and Napoleon, and remains an authoritative treatise on the fundamentals of warfare. Its clear and concise style stands in contrast to that of "The Prince"."

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  Dreams - Forging My Own Path

  Rugare Gomo

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  Rugare Gomo's powerful memoir, Dreams, chronicles his extraordinary journey from Zimbabwe to Australia, where he navigates the complexities of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. It will leave readers empowered to embrace their truths, chase their dreams, and create lives of purpose and meaning.

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  Saving Michelangelo’s Dome - How...

  Wayne Kalayjian

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  1742: the famous dome atop Saint Peter's Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is fractured and threatened with collapse. The dome is the pride of Italy and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. And no one knows how to fix it. 
   
   
   
  This engaging and colorful narrative tells the overlooked story of how Michelangelo's Dome was saved from disaster by three mathematicians and Pope Benedict XIV, who had asked them for help. It is a gripping story of decisive leadership, crisis management, and scientific innovation, and the resistance that was faced when sailing into the headwinds of conventional thought. 
   
   
   
  In Saving Michelangelo's Dome, Stanford-trained engineer Wayne Kalayjian illustrates how new ideas in science and mathematics established an entirely new way of looking at the world—as well as solving its complex problems. In the end, listeners will appreciate that in saving Michelangelo's Dome from collapse, these three mathematicians and one determined pope unknowingly invented the profession of engineering as we practice it today. With it, they transformed the architectural world and ushered in generations of future buildings and structures that, otherwise, would never have been built.

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  Konrad Adenauer: A short...

  5 Minutes, 5 Minute Biographies,...

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  Konrad Adenauer, first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany: Life and work in a short biography! Everything you need to know, brief and concise. Infotainment, education and entertainment at its best!

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  The Third Eye in Spiritual...

  Lola Gonzalez

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  Unlock the mysteries of the unseen with this captivating audiobook that dives deep into the ancient and modern interpretations of the third eye. Journey through the spiritual traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient Egypt, uncovering how this mystical concept transcends time and culture. Discover the connection between the third eye and the pineal gland, and explore its potential to unlock intuition, creativity, and profound spiritual connection.
   
  Through practical techniques like meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises, this audiobook offers you the tools to awaken your third eye and transform your perception of reality. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual seeker or a curious beginner, this audiobook will inspire you to explore the depths of your consciousness and embrace the limitless potential within.
   
  Are you ready to open your third eye and discover the unseen? Let this audiobook be your guide to a more enriched, enlightened, and connected life.

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