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A Short History of Russia: How The World's Largest Country Invented Itself, From The Pagans To Putin
by Mark GaleottiA Library Journal 2020 Title to WatchRussia’s epic and dramatic history told in an accessible, lively and short form, from Ivan the Terrible to Vladimir Putin via Catherine the Great, the Russian Revolution and the fall of the USSR.Russia is a country with no natural borders, no single ethnic group, no true central identity. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it has been subject to invasion by outsiders, from Vikings to Mongols, from Napoleon’s French to Hitler’s Germans. In order to forge an identity, it has mythologized its past to unite its people and to signal strength to outsiders.In A Short History of Russia, Mark Galeotti explores the history of this fascinating, glorious, desperate and exasperating country through two intertwined issues: the way successive influences from beyond its borders have shaped Russia, and the way Russians came to terms with this influence, writing and rewriting their past to understand their present and try to influence their future. In turn, this self-invented history has come to affect not just their constant nation-building project but also their relations with the world.
A Short History of San Francisco
by Tom ColeA concise, &“colorful, well-told&” history of the City by the Bay, from the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love to the twenty-first century (Los Angeles Times). This is the story of San Francisco, a unique and rowdy tale with a legendary cast of characters. It tells of the Indians and the Spanish missions, the arrival of thousands of gold seekers and gamblers, crackbrains and dreamers, the building of the transcontinental railroad and the cable car, labor strife and political shenanigans, the 1906 earthquake and fire, two World Wars, two World's Fairs, two great bridges, the beatniks and hippies and New Left—a story that is so marvelous and wild that it must be true. A new afterword from the author in this updated third edition brings The City into the twenty-first century—a time just as hectic, experimental, and opportunistic as its rambunctious past.
A Short History of the Sailing Ship
by R. C. Anderson Romola AndersonThis outstanding, amply illustrated book traces the evolution of the sailing ship from ancient times to the end of the 19th century. Extremely well-written in clear, non-technical language, the work provides detailed coverage of the ships of ancient Egypt and Crete (4000-1000 B.C.); Phoenician, Greek, and Roman ships; ships of the Middle Ages; as well as double-ended and one-masted ships. Following the main streams of development of both northern and southern European vessels, the authors elucidate the technical and cultural factors behind their change in form and function and their culmination in the full-rigged clipper ships of the 19th century. No concise history of sail has ever presented the subject more authoritatively or enjoyably as this critically praised book. Anyone with an interest in sailing ships, scholar or layman, will find the book invaluable and appealing.
Short Life in a Strange World: Birth to Death in 42 Panels
by Toby FerrisAn exceptional work that is at once an astonishing journey across countries and continents, an immersive examination of a great artist&’s work, and a moving and intimate memoir—now available in paperback. In 2012, facing the death of his father and impending fatherhood, Toby Ferris set off on a seemingly quixotic mission to track down and look at—in situ—every painting still in existence by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the most influential and important artist of Northern Renaissance painting. The result of that pursuit is a remarkable journey through major European cities and across continents. As Ferris takes a keen analytical eye to the paintings, each piece brings new revelations about Bruegel&’s art, and gives way to meditations on mortality, fatherhood, and life. Ferris conjures a whole world to which most of us have probably lost the key, and in the process teaches us how to look, patiently and curiously, at the world. Short Life in a Strange World is a dazzlingly original and assured debut—a strange and bewitching hybrid of art criticism, philosophical reflection, and poignant memoir. Beautifully illustrated with sixty-six color images, it subtly alters the way we see the world and ourselves.
A Short Residence in Sweden & Memoirs of the Author of 'The Rights of Woman'
by Mary Wollstonecraft William GodwinIn these two closely linked works - a travel book and a biography of its author - we witness a moving encounter between two of the most daring and original minds of the late eighteenth century: A Short Residence in Sweden is the record of Wollstonecraft's last journey in search of happiness, into the remote and beautiful backwoods of Scandinavia. The quest for a lost treasure ship, the pain of a wrecked love affair, memories of the French Revolution, and the longing for some Golden Age, all shape this vivid narrative, which Richard Holmes argues is one of the neglected masterpieces of early English Romanticism.Memoirs is Godwin's own account of Wollstonecraft's life, written with passionate intensity a few weeks after her tragic death. Casting aside literary convention, Godwin creates an intimate portrait of his wife, startling in its candour and psychological truth. Received with outrage by friends and critics alike, and virtually suppressed for a century, it can now be recognized as one of the landmarks in the development of modern biography.
A Short Ride in the Jungle: The Ho Chi Minh Trail by Motorcycle
by Antonia Bolingbroke-KentAntonia sets out on a solo hair-raising motorbike mission down the remnants of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Battling inhospitable terrain and multiple breakdowns, the story of her brave journey is thrilling and poignant: a unique insight into a little known face of Southeast Asia
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Icelandic the fun way! (Foreign Language Graded Reader Series)
by Olly RichardsAn unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners of Icelandic."Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners has been written especially for students from high-beginner to low-intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, a feeling of progress and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when reading.What does this book give you?- Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary- Controlled language at your level to help you progress confidently- Realistic spoken dialogues to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability- Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way· Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding- Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including: - A glossary for bolded words in each chapter- Full plot summary- A bilingual word list- Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners will make learning Icelandic easy and enjoyable.
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Icelandic the fun way!
by Olly RichardsAn unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners of Icelandic."Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for NumbersShort Stories in Icelandic for Beginners has been written especially for students from high-beginner to low-intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, a feeling of progress and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when reading.What does this book give you?- Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary- Controlled language at your level to help you progress confidently- Realistic spoken dialogues to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability- Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way· Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding- Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including: - A glossary for bolded words in each chapter- Full plot summary- A bilingual word list- Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners will make learning Icelandic easy and enjoyable.
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Icelandic the fun way! (Readers)
by Olly RichardsAn unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners of Icelandic."Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners has been written especially for students from high-beginner to low-intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, a feeling of progress and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when reading.What does this book give you?- Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary- Controlled language at your level, including the 1000 most frequent words, to help you progress confidently- Authentic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability- Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way- Pleasure! It's much easier to learn a new language when you're having fun, and research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including - A glossary for bolded words in each text - Full plot summary- A bilingual word list- Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners will make learning Icelandic easy and enjoyable.(P) 2019 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Short Walks from Bogotá: Journeys in the new Colombia
by Tom FeilingFor decades, Colombia was the 'narcostate'. Now travel to Colombia and South America is on the rise, and it's seen as one of the rising stars of the global economy. Where does the truth lie? Writer and journalist Tom Feiling, author of the acclaimed study of cocaine The Candy Machine, has journeyed throughout Colombia, down roads that were until recently too dangerous to travel, to paint a fresh picture of one of the world's most notorious and least-understood countries. He talks to former guerrilla fighters and their ex-captives; women whose sons were 'disappeared' by paramilitaries; the nomadic tribe who once thought they were the only people on earth and now charge $10 for a photo; the Japanese 'emerald cowboy' who made a fortune from mining; and revels in the stories that countless ordinary Colombians tell. How did a land likened to paradise by the first conquistadores become a byword for hell on earth? Why is one of the world's most unequal nations also one of its happiest? How is it rebuilding itself after decades of violence, and how successful has the process been so far? Vital, shocking, often funny and never simplistic, Short Walks from Bogota unpicks the tangled fabric of Colombia, to create a stunning work of reportage, history and travel writing.
Shortcut ANDALUCIA
by Patricia Harris David LyonIn a small-format paperback, Shortcut Guides supply the single most essential facts about a popular destination, all at a remarkably-low price, and yet for a heavily-illustrated book with maps. And because they are written by top experts who know what the tourist needs, they can serve either as your sole guidebook or as a fast-consulted supplement to a lengthier one. The heavily-visited, pleasure-filled Andalucia is the southernmost region of Spain, on both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, covered with beaches and sunshine, with history and flamenco, resorts and fine dining. This Shortcut Guide will instantly transport the reader to the pleasures of Seville, Granada, Cordoba and more.
A Shortcut to Paradise
by Teresa Solana Peter BushA writer is murdered at the Ritz on the night she wins an important literary prize, battered to death with the trophy she has just won. A satire of the Catalan literary scene dressed up as a hilarious murder mystery.
Show Me Small-Town Missouri
by Jake McCandlessWhere was Mark Twain born? What city has claim to a president who was only president for a day? Who has the best paddling trips in the Ozarks? What about the World's Largest Gift Store? Find these answers and more in Show Me Small-Town Missouri. Award-winning author Jake McCandless, a lover of small towns and adventures, traveled the state in search of amazing local experiences to share this treasure trove of what you can find in often-overlooked towns across Missouri. Featured are 90 sparkling gems found in all four of the state's geographical regions—the Northern Prairie, the Southwest Osage Plain, the Ozarks, and the Bootheel Lowlands. The must-see attractions, activities, restaurants, sweet shops, specialty shops, and unique vacation spots are showcased in full-color images with an easy-to-follow index to help you plan your trip.From galleries to hiking trails, candy factories to wineries, lakeside attractions to the best fireworks displays, Show Me Small-Town Missouri has everything you need to know for a day, weekend, or week full of fun.
Show Your Tongue
by John E. Woods Günter GrassA record of the author's stay in Calcutta from August 1987 to January 1988. A stunning document in Grass's own words and drawings.
Shrewsbury: America Through Time (Images of America)
by Michael Perna Jr.Discover the history of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 1727, this once small farming town has transformed itself into a successful business and residential community. Meet the "Father of the Stages," nicknamed for his stagecoach line, and the many other inventive citizens of Shrewsbury. Experience the fun of the White City Amusement Park. From the days of Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, the first commander in chief of the Revolutionary army, to the social days around Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury takes you through these dramatic changes. Using exciting vintage photographs and postcards, Shrewsbury provides the first comprehensive photographic account of how the town once looked. Readers will learn about Balance Rock, the old town hall, and one-room schoolhouses. They will see stately mansions, the many attractions Lake Quinsigamond once had, and parts of the town that exist only in memory, such as South Shrewsbury and the Lower Village. Shrewsbury will allow all the town's citizens, past and present, to see and enjoy its history firsthand.
Shrimp 'n Lobster: A New England Adventure (Shrimp 'n Lobster Adventures #3)
by Charlotte RyghFrom the bustling cityscape of New York to the sloping hills of San Francisco, Shrimp &‘n Lobster are keen to explore the characteristic sights of cities around the United States. In this third installment, the animated duo takes to Yankee territory to discover landmarks like the USS Constitution, Paul Revere House, and Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox. Filled with spirited illustrations and local charm, this guide to New England will captivate children from the Freedom Trail to the Ben and Jerry&’s headquarters with equal parts education and delight. Readers will have a blast discovering the history and culture of this coastal region as they follow Shrimp &‘n Lobster to Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The Shroud: Fresh Light on the 2000 Year Old Mystery
by Ian WilsonTwo decades after radiocarbon dating declared the Turin Shroud a mediaeval fake, brand-new historical discoveries strongly suggest that this famous cloth, with its extraordinary photographic imprint, is genuinely Christ's shroud after all.In 1978 in his international bestseller The Turin Shroud Ian Wilson ignited worldwide public debate with his compelling case endorsing the shroud's authenticity. Now, 30 years later, he has completely rewritten and updated his earlier book to provide fresh evidence to support his original argument. Shroud boldly challenges the current post-radiocarbon dating view - that it is a fake. By arguing his case brilliantly and provocatively, Ian Wilson once more throws the matter into the public arena for further debate and controversy.
Shuffle and Deal: 50 Classic Card Games for Any Number of Players
by Tara GallagherWith 50 popular card games for any number of players, Shuffle and Deal is an indispensable rule book—and the first of its kind to include a diverse collection of colorful vintage card art from all over the world and throughout the ages.Inside you'll find: Complete rules and variations for 50 games, all selected for their fun factor, from Hearts to Rummy 500, from Avalanche to Pinochle Tips for playing strategically Little-known facts on card-playing history More than 300 gorgeous reproductions of vintage card art, from medieval times to the present day It’s time to shuffle and deal!With more than 300 full-color illustrations
Shuffle & Deal: Rediscover the joy of playing cards today
by Tara GallagherDo you ever wish you watched less and played more? Shuffle & Deal is a card game book packed with hilarious, evil and deeply addictive games that are guaranteed to spread through your circle of friends like poison ivy. This isn't a book full of old favourites; all of the games selected offer something a bit different - new twists and alternative rules. But Shuffle & Deal is more than a collection of card games. Fun to read and beautiful to look at, it features a collection of stunning artwork dating from medieval times to the present day. Alongside the games are historical anecdotes, top tips for winning, and card-speak jargon busters, designed to ake everyone an expert.In a world that relies ever more on screens to fill its need for entertainment, card games are a beacon of light. So come in from the cold, call your friends and families, grab a deck, and make some memories.
Shut Up He Explained
by John MetcalfJohn Metcalf's Shut Up He Explained defies expectations and strict definition. Part memoir, part travelogue, part criticism -- wholly Metcalf -- it is thoughtful, engaged, contentious and often very funny. It offers a full does of Metcalfian wisdom and wit, and provides ample evidence that neither age nor indifference nor attack have withered him: he remains as sharp, critical, constructive and insightful as ever. Indeed, this may just be his most important and engaged book. Certainly it will be among his most controversial. What his critics will refuse to see, of course, is that it is also among his most positive, that it is a celebration of the best literature Canada has to offer, the birth of which Metcalf himself both witnesses and actively encouraged. Shut Up He Explained is magisterial, a virtuoso performance melding several seemingly different strands into one coherent narrative, which should delight and entertain as it serves to argue, elucidate and celebrate.
Si hoy es jueves, esto es Tombuctú
by Paco NadalEl alocado diario de un periodista de viajes Paco Nadal había viajado mucho, muchísimo más que la mayoría de los mortales, escribiendo reportajes para revistas o rodando documentales para televisión. Pero cuando en junio de 2008 le propusieron escribir un blog de viajes, no podía imaginarse hasta qué punto iba a cambiar su vida. Desde entonces no ha parado de moverse... y de contarlo. Este libro ofrece una selección de los primeros años de ese blog, narrado día a día en El Viajero, el suplemento de viajes de elpais.com; unas crónicas que retratan con humor los avatares de una profesión absorbente pero maravillosa: la del periodista de viajes digital. Un sueño para un culo inquieto como Paco Nadal, aunque haya momentos en que no sepa si hoy es jueves o si esto es Tombuctú.
Siberian Journey: 1856-1857
by Perry Mcdonough CollinsPerry McDonough Collins was the first American to journey through Siberia and down the 2,690-mile Amur River to the Pacific Ocean. In 1860 he wroteA Voyage Down the Amoor, an account of his adventures, and his book proved so popular that it was reissued in 1864. Siberian Journeyconsists of Collins’s original text framed by an interpretive introduction and explanatory notes by Charles Vevier, providing an extensive, first-hand account of Russia’s land and its people in the mid–nineteenth century.
Siberian Passag: An Explorer's Search into the Russian Arctic
by Innokenty TolmachoffSiberian Passage, first published in 1949, is a fascinating look at the land and peoples of far northern Russia in the early 1900s. The author was a member of a Russian scientific expedition which explored the then little known boreal and arctic regions of Siberia, and describes the lives of the natives they encountered, travels by dog-sled, dealing with the many difficulties in travel, including wild extremes in temperature, and provides an insightful overview of the region.
Sibir: My Discovery of Siberia
by Farley MowatHere is a Siberia unheard of in the West. Once the most remote place of exile in all of Russia, Mowat describes it as a burgeoning land of opportunity and growth. Granted extraordinary freedom to visit places rarely seen by any westerner since 1917, Farley Mowat and his wife, Claire, travelled more than 29,000 miles over mountains, steppes, taiga and tundra to meet the people who have chosen to make Siberia their home and livelihood. With his classic exuberance and wit, Mowat brings to life a place and a people who share the top of the world with us – their hopes and aspirations, their humour, and their dedication to the dramatic awakening of Sibir, the Sleeping land. From the Hardcover edition.
Sicilian Carousel: Adventures on an Italian Island
by Lawrence DurrellA moving account of friendship and discovery on the island of Sicily from the acclaimed travel writer and bestselling author of The Alexandria Quartet. Despite decades spent writing poetic evocations of the timeless pleasures of life in the Mediterranean, Lawrence Durrell had never set foot on the sea&’s largest island: mysterious, impenetrable Sicily. For years his friend Martine begged him to visit her on this sun-kissed paradise, and though he always intended to, life inevitably interfered. It took Martine&’s sudden death to finally bring him to the island&’s shores. With Martine&’s letters in his pocket, Durrell signs up for a tour group, hoping to learn the travel habits of those who aren&’t obsessively devoted to island life. As he treks from sight to sight, dizzy with history and culture, Durrell finds echoes of his past lives in Rhodes, Cyprus, and Corfu.