In ancient Greece and across the Mediterranean, kingdoms strive for dominance. The great powers of Carthage and Egypt look on with avarice as the might of the Greeks is spent warring between themselves, oblivious to external dangers. Year in and year out, the people suffer at the hands of their rulers and the famine and pestilence that comes with conflict. The great rulers of the day are themselves helpless to end this cycle of destruction. While life on the battlefield is cheap, the slave trade flourishes through the years of interminable battle and death. Kings and queens pray to the gods and seek wisdom from the oracles, but the gods, it seems, prefer combat to diplomacy. At Olympia, the peace of the temple precinct is an island of calm in a sea of turmoil. Here on this sacred soil grows the seed of a better future, yet even here there lurks danger and deceit as the forces of destruction reach into the sanctuary of the gods. For this seed to thrive, it will take more than prayers and goodwill. Yet often hope springs from the most unlikely sources. There is one amongst the Greeks who sees light where others only perceive darkness. One who sees that there is another way to settle conflict - with honor and courage. One who will set aflame a torch that will burn for thousands of years, down through the ages. In an epoch of chaos and strife, a new force for peace is born.
Could Anastasia have survived? Over a century has passed since Tsar Nicholas II, family and retinue were said to have been executed by Cheka forces in the city of Yekaterinburg in the Russian Urals. Historians, theologians, revered mavens of " Romanovia," all reiterate sacrosanct versions of the event, immortalized in writing, stage and film depictions. However, the Russian Orthodox Church still hedges, at the time of this writing, about giving a definitive declaration of whose bones they possess and how history should be written. Persistent rumors that Anastasia, perhaps with Alexei, had survived, seem to fit the standard of Occam's Razor. It is the easiest, even if the most rejected, most vilified, and most unfathomable answer. " Evgenia Smetisko" defies denial. Mr. Robert " Bob" Schmitt, an early founder of visual face recognition (VFR), announced after 2D/3D analyses, " Anastasia and she are obviously the same woman." The reader will be intrigued to learn about the author's journey to uncover " Smetisko' s" identity, and enlightened to read her own memoirs included in this book.
Duty and Honor: The Second Novel in the Drieborg Chronicles In the summer of 1862, the United States is gripped by the brutal reality of the Civil War, a conflict far longer and bloodier than anyone anticipated. Michael Drieborg, a young farm boy in rural Michigan, longs to serve the Union cause but is torn between duty to his family and the life he has built on the farm. His fate takes a dramatic turn one Saturday morning when he intervenes to protect a young boy from bullying, only to strike the bully--the son of the town's influential banker. Arrested and charged with assault, Michael is presented with an impossible choice: go to jail or join the Union cavalry unit being raised nearby. Against his parents' wishes, Michael leaves behind the only life he has known and answers the call to arms. What begins as the reluctant departure of a naive farm boy soon evolves into a journey of self-discovery, honor, and sacrifice. From the harsh realities of training camp to the political intrigues of Washington, D.C., Michael finds himself entangled in a love affair with a congressman's daughter and thrust into the unimaginable horrors of battle. Duty and Honor chronicles one young man's path to becoming a seasoned cavalryman, navigating the complexities of duty, love, and loss amidst the devastating tides of war. As Michael faces the tragedies of battle and the growing weight of leadership, his story becomes one of courage and sacrifice in the face of a nation torn apart.
A captivating biography that tells the inspiring story of Frances Perkins, the first woman to hold a Cabinet-level position in the United States. As Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perkins played a key role in shaping American labor policy during the New Deal era, fighting for workers' rights, social justice, and economic security. From her early life in Maine to her historic tenure in Washington, D.C., this book traces Perkins' remarkable journey and highlights her enduring legacy as a trailblazing woman in American politics. Written in an engaging and accessible style even for young readers, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, women's history, and the fight for social justice.
Two Jewish brothers plan futures full of achievement and maybe fame. But Warsaw in the summer of 1939 is no place for dreamers. Ian is thrown west to Paris. There, he unexpectedly falls in love with Alicia, a mysterious Frenchwoman, but then must leave her to race across France to safety in Casablanca. Daniel ends up in the Siberian Gulag, where he faces endless blizzards, starvation, and the often-lethal cruelties of guards and fellow prisoners. He too finds someone, an exiled poet named Nadhya, until he must choose: stay with her or cross all of Russia to return to the future he'd envisioned. Walk the Earth as Brothers is the story of two pawns in a titanic world war, of bravery, random chance, kindness, betrayal and love, and of what happens to the hopes and dreams of Ian and Daniel.
An epic fantasy trilogy for hardcore fans of the genre! A paladin of darkness, a knight of Death, and the very embodiment of the burdening title of Dark Prince, without being "allowed" to love, be granted a chance at a normal life, or even the right to find peace in death, Thaidren must understand and overcome the challenges brought by his unwanted legacy, uncovering the full extent of it in the process to assure his survival, along with the best possible outcome for the future of existence and its denizens. His tale begins and ends in darkness, but the pavement of his road will glow with cold light, and the helping hand of a guardian as ancient as the Shards of Fate themselves.
A young shepherd boy living between the no mans land of civilization and beyond is taken and made slave by an invading army enroute to his homeland. Led by an undefeated general with a penchant for cruelty, this unassuming adolescent careens his way into the commander's good graces through a witless charm. Finding out only all too late that the little shepherd boy was not at all what he had seemed, the unconquerable general and his army are led to their doom.
The Grandmother Effect, with colorful, inclusive illustrations, is a great gift for Grandparent's Day or any day! This heartwarming and beautiful book celebrates the bond between grandmothers and grandkids. When grandmothers and grandchildren get together, they share cozy moments and daring events, important milestones and ordinary afternoons. Not only is time spent with gram special-- it's also pretty rare! Humans are among a small group of animals that enjoy grandmas and multigenerational family life. In fact, scientists who study human evolution have determined that, thanks to grandmothers, our human species was able to develop large brains, form social groups, and live long lives. The Grandmother Effect, written by Beth Bacon and illustrated by Kat Bourek, is a tribute to today's grandmas as well as those ancient grandmothers who allowed us to develop advanced human traits.
When California\u2019s local and state governments enacted sweeping COVID pandemic restrictions, San Diego wedding planner Amy Ulkutekin found herself forced to fight for the survival of both her industry and her own small business. A need for social impact quickly developed into political action, bringing her to the steps of California\u2019s state capitol, followed by hundreds of protestors, all dressed for a wedding. While many accounts will be written about the year 2020, most of which will discuss COVID and its lasting impact on society, The Wedding March presents a unique microcosm of the struggle endured by both a specific sect of the population as well as the United States at large. Small business owners (like this book\u2019s subject) and individuals alike battled wars of attrition against governments, corporations, and healthcare behemoths. This book is the triumphant true story of one such business owner faced with the threat of financial ruin.
A powerful and honest account based on three decades of true-life experience Award-winning The Branches We Cherish weaves together thought-provoking, joyous, and poignant reflections of four birth parents, birth grandmothers, adoptive parents, and two adopted children. In 1992, Linda and David long to have a child. They decide to adopt a baby and learn they can only do so under an open arrangement where the biological parents and the adoptive family know each other's identities, and choose to remain in contact after the adoption is finalized ... possibly for life! There are no ready answers to their many questions: What happens in the first year? Twenty years later? What does visitation between birth and adoptive families look like? Will it be awkward to raise a child with the birth parents in the picture? How do adopted children feel about this open arrangement? In the early 90's there is little guidance for long-term relationships between adoptive and birth families, so Linda and David have to learn as they go. Diving in with open hearts and open minds, they build relationships based on mutual trust, respect, deep gratitude for one another, and most importantly, unconditional love for a child. They learn just how important having the children's birth parents and families in their lives is for everyone's emotional health--including their own. Discover the challenges of open adoption and the extraordinary gratification available to all members of the adoption constellation when they are willing and able to cultivate and maintain these lifetime relationships.
This gripping book takes us on a metaphysical journey from Ancient Greece to modern times. That moment, when Sofia walks into a museum and falls in love with a statue, the course of eternity changes. Following the whisper within, she begins to uncover a mystical legacy from the past and expand her consciousness into the realms of dreaming and dying - to find again her cosmic lover. Can the two lovers, separated by twenty-five centuries, be born and meet again - following the guidance of their highest intuition?
Fantasy, time travel, reincarnation, war, and romance in an ancient historical setting! Explore a captivating retelling of well-known stories in "Sophia and Cassius," a novel by Anna Canic. Weaving a tapestry of religious, philosophical, and esoteric themes, this gripping story throws new insight into the lost paradise and the fall of ancient civilizations. Meet Sophia, the first woman - one of strength, intelligence, willpower, and kindness. Sophia, the one who has given the world the gift of writing, is terribly in need of love. But her quest for the ideal partner takes a different turn, involving death, three millennia, and a rebirth as the Roman princess Julia Drusilla. However, the story goes beyond just a simple love tale. Sophia is thrown into the role of leading an epic battle between Good and Evil in her newfound existence. With the help of friends from many backgrounds, bold Drusilla unravels schemes and exposes the deceptions of the enemy. A fascinating cast of biblical and historical characters, such as Mary Magdalene, Seneca, and Boudicca, are introduced in the story. Julia Drusilla breaks the stereotype of suffragettes while honoring the feminine ideal. Her natural order and inner revolutionary spirit create a complex picture that defies simple labels. In addition to time travel, Anna Canic's book offers an in-depth look at love, bravery, and the never-ending conflict between good and evil as seen through the eyes of a wonderful woman throughout history.
Convention on the definition of aggression signed on 3 July 1933, established the borders of modern Romania. As in the case of its neighbors, Czechoslovakia and Poland, revisionist currents in Europe during the interwar period threatened Romania's newly established frontiers, one of the most serious threats being posed by the Soviet Union which sought to regain possession of Bessarabia, a Romanian territory that had been occupied by Russia from 1812-1918. This book is a comprehensive account of the efforts of Romanian diplomacy during the interwar period to protect Bessarabia from the Soviet threat and the diplomatic and military events that led to the forcible occupation of the Romanian territories of Bessarabia and Northern Bucovina by the Soviet Union in the summer of 1940. The author not only provides an important account of Romanian diplomacy during this period, but also sheds light on the foreign policies of the Western powers, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany in this area of Europe. It is a key work on Romanian foreign policy during the interwar period and a necessary addition to any research library.
Johanna is one of the daughters of a migrant cobbler from the eastern backwoods of Pomerania, born in the German Empire of the 1880s. Aching for a life of accomplishment and respect, she resolves to escape her dad's fate of early death, the stigma of his mixed Slavic-German heritage, and the poverty that followed him. A headstrong girl, she refuses to be exploited as a housemaid for a wealthy family-- the only choice for girls like her. She loses her job when the master of the house tries to rape her. With nothing to lose, she accepts a job as the concession shop operator with the railroad. On the first day of work, she sets up shop (and home) in an empty passenger railcar and meets Hendrik, a Dutchman, and the construction superintendent. Head over heels, they marry when Johanna becomes pregnant. It doesn't take long before the first babies arrive and continue arriving: within three years, Johanna delivers five children. The couple buys a farm with their savings in Hendrik's hometown. Then Johanna's real test of loyalty starts when the Nazis invade.
"A dark chapter in recent human history. The first part of this novel follows the adventures of three young friends during a memorable last mountain climbing trip to a remote area of a country under the control of a ruthless authoritarian regime. During their journey, the young men have to cope with: bear encounters, venomous adders, colorful locals, storms, dangerous climbs, flooded caves, and other challenges, as the main purpose of their trip is gradually revealed. A second story, intertwined with the first one, focuses on a brilliant young pianist and his ill-fated quest for freedom. Urban life, in the dreary capital where the young men regularly reside, is the focus of the second part of the novel, when the friends begin to go their own separate ways and come to terms with their very different future prospects. The challenges of life in the capital, which include run-ins with feral dog packs and the secret police, are very different than those faced in the mountains, but not less dangerous. Ultimately, this is a book about friendship, the noble, irreverent and indomitable aspects of the human condition, as well as a dark chapter in recent human history, and the various ways in which different people cope with difficult and unfair conditions. It is an often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking exploration of the absurdities of life under an increasingly erratic dictatorship which is gradually losing its grip on the people it could never fully control." --
"Food With Spirit: Alcohol-Infused Recipes, the latest book from chef, author, and television personality Alicia Shevetone, is a delightful look into the imaginative spirit of one of America's most innovative culinary artists. Shevetone is the founder of DINK Cuisine (Dual Income No Kids) where cooking is focused on rightsizing portions for smaller households. The approach takes form in this book by providing two versions of each recipe that serve either two people or four people. This also helps address another issue that Shevetone is passionate about: the elimination of food waste. Food With Spirit is a unique approach that meets a need often overlooked by modern cookbooks-cooking for one or two without creating massive amounts of leftovers and without sacrificing flavor. Food With Spirit is 116 pages and features fifty recipes spread across five sections. Appetizers Soups Entrees Sides Desserts Each is complemented with beautiful photos. All fifty recipes are infused with some of our favorite intoxicants, from spiced rum to the smooth flavors of cognac"--
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