Other books that might interest you

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  Prisoner of the White Lines -...

  R. E. Urycki

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  Embark on a captivating journey with R. E. Urycki's Prisoner of the White Lines, a mesmerizing travel memoir that transports readers across continents and through time. Experience the allure of hitchhiking through Europe, Africa, Israel, and Alaska, starting in the pivotal year of 1969. This book isn't just a travelogue — it's a time capsule to a golden era of adventure and discovery. Follow the footsteps of a true vagabond, whose quest for self-discovery uncovers the profound beauty and kindness hidden in the corners of the world. Prisoner of the White Lines is more than a memoir; it's an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of human connection and the timeless spirit of exploration.

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  Mughal Empire - The Early Modern...

  Kelly Mass

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  The Mughal Empire, also referred to as the Mogul or Moghul Empire, was one of the most powerful and influential early modern Islamic empires in South Asia. Established in the 16th century, it controlled vast regions for over two centuries, encompassing territories from the peripheries of the Indus basin in the west, extending to northern Afghanistan, Kashmir in the north, present-day Bangladesh in the east, and stretching as far south as the Deccan Plateau's uplands.The origins of the Mughal Empire trace back to 1526 when Babur, a warrior chieftain from what is now Uzbekistan, founded the empire. Babur's military strategy combined traditional cavalry tactics with the latest artillery techniques, using matchlock guns and cast cannons acquired with Ottoman assistance. These advancements, alongside his strategic acumen, led him to a decisive victory against the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, at the First Battle of Panipat. This battle marked a turning point, allowing Babur to establish his dominance over northern India and subdue rival Rajput and Afghan forces.While Babur laid the foundation of the empire, the true structure of the Mughal state is often attributed to his grandson, Akbar the Great. By the late 16th century, under Akbar's rule, the empire expanded its reach and established a well-organized imperial administration that laid the groundwork for political stability, cultural integration, and economic prosperity. Akbar's reign is particularly noted for promoting a policy of religious tolerance, encouraging a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim cultures, and setting up an efficient centralized bureaucracy.

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  Kamakura Shogunate - Samurai...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The rise of the Kamakura Shogunate marks a pivotal moment in Japanese history, transitioning from the aristocratic Heian period to the feudal system dominated by the samurai. This era began with the victory of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who, after the Genpei War (1180-1185), established a new form of governance centered in Kamakura, a small coastal town far from the imperial capital of Kyoto. 
  The Genpei War was a civil conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans, which ultimately ended with the defeat of the Taira in the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the leader of the Minamoto clan, emerged as the victor, but his triumph was not simply a personal or clan-based success. Yoritomo's victory laid the foundation for a shift in the political landscape of Japan. The Taira had represented the old courtly aristocracy that governed Japan through the imperial system, but the rise of the Minamoto signaled the beginning of samurai dominance and a move toward military rule. 
  In 1192, Yoritomo was granted the title of shogun by the emperor, an act that formalized his military authority. This title, meaning "generalissimo" or "commander of the army," was traditionally given to military leaders in times of war but had never been used as the primary governing title before. This marked the official beginning of the Kamakura Shogunate, a military dictatorship that would rule Japan for over a century. Though the emperor remained the nominal ruler, Yoritomo’s power was based in Kamakura, far from the imperial court, which shifted the balance of power from the capital to the military elite.

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  Eye to the Hills An

  Cameron McNeish

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  For over four decades, Cameron McNeish has chronicled Scotland’s majestic landscapes and the outdoor communities who inhabit them. While much has changed, especially in terms of conservation and access, the hills themselves remain little altered, as do the reasons people visit them. In this collection of essays and diary entries, Cameron shines the light of experience on memory, and renews his vision, keen to share his insights with the many people who love Scotland’s outdoors.

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  The Tombstone Express -...

  Steve Edwards

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  The public thinks he’s a motorcycle cop, but he’s a civilian, and an inexperienced rider at that. This new job as a police motorcycle escort for funeral processions is the best job he’s ever had, affording him respect and dignity that has so far eluded him. But can he make ends meet, pursuing his interest in bikes and cemeteries, leading to a better life? A colorful cast of characters help and hinder in his struggle to find meaning as they deliver the hearse and the deceased on its final journey to the grave. With constant reflections on mortality and a distinct sense of humor, Edwards tells his story with unflinching honesty and insight.

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  Bethesda

  Howard G. Awbery

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  Bethesda Residential Home for the Active Elderly is well on her way to becoming the UK South Coast’s Residential Home of First Choice, all thanks to her formidable managing director, Veronica Puxworthy. For the past four years, since unexpectedly inheriting Bethesda in 1975, Veronica and her motley crew of managers have worked hard to make it a success. But now, after a series of surprise attacks, that success is under serious threat.  Can Veronica and her team – her cousin Joanne, an ex-convict and ex-accountant; Vincent, an ex-hearse driver with useful mates in the underworld; Elsie, Vincent’s wife, a medium and ex-embalmer; Alejandro, a hot-tempered Spaniard and head chef; Rosie, Alejandro’s naïve but sweet wife; and, finally, Godfrey, the quintessentially English, pipe-smoking, meticulous groundsman – overcome the unscrupulous attackers? With a little help from an extraordinary source, they devise a plan to protect their beloved Bethesda. Can they save her from further attacks before it’s too late?

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