Why would a god-fearing Swiss citizen go against the laws of his own country to fight for Ukraine? Why does he disagree with his own country? Could the EU and NATO do more for Ukraine? What do you think? And is Russia really as bad as often depicted? Or do people exaggerate? Besides that, how is the everyday life of a soldier in a country at war? Is the life of such a soldier really filled with as much action as often depicted in action movies and action games? And how is it to deal with real death and destruction? What does a real battle feel like and what are some of the most important skills at war? If questions like the ones above intrigue you, then you have found the right book to read...
Growth of the Soil - Knut Hamsun - Growth of the Soil (Norwegian Markens Grøde), is a novel by Knut Hamsun which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920. It follows the story of a man who settles and lives in rural Norway. First published in 1917, it has since been translated from Norwegian into languages such as English. The novel was written in the popular style of Norwegian new realism, a movement dominating the early 20th century. The novel exemplified Hamsun's aversion to modernity and inclination towards primitivism and the agrarian lifestyle. The novel employed literary techniques new to the time such as stream of consciousness. Hamsun tended to stress the relationship between his characters and the natural environment. Growth of the Soil portrays the protagonist (Isak) and his family as awed by modernity, yet at times, they come into conflict with it. The novel contains two sections entitled Book One and Book Two. The first book focuses almost solely on the story of Isak and his family and the second book starts off by following the plight of Axel and ends mainly focusing on Isak's family. The novel begins by following the story of Isak, a Norwegian man, who finally settled upon a patch of land which he deemed fit for farming. He began creating earthen sheds in which he housed several goats obtained from the village yonder. Isak asked passing by Lapps, nomadic indigenous people, to tell women that he is in need of help on his farm. Eventually, a "big, brown-eyed girl, full-built and coarse" with a harelip[a] named Inger, arrived at the house and settled in. Inger had her first child which was a son named Eleseus. She then had another son named Sivert. The Lensmand[b] Geissler came by their farm one day informing them that they were on States land and assisting them in purchasing it. They named the farm Sellanraa. Soon after, Geissler was discharged from his position as Lensmand after a sharp reprimand from his superior and was subsequently replaced with Lensmand Heyerdahl. One day while Isak had left the farm to sell a bull in the village, Inger gave birth to a child and had killed it upon seeing that it had a harelip and would undergo the inevitable suffering in life she herself had experienced. One day, Oline, Inger's relative, visited the farm and figured out that Inger had killed a child. The news of the infanticide now spreading. One October day, the Lensmand and a man showed up at their doorstep to investigate and find evidence pertaining to the crime. Oline had agreed to serve at the farm while Inger was serving her eight-year sentence in prison.
"Ethical Engineering: Innovation, Equity, Sustainability" navigates the complex moral landscape of modern engineering. It challenges engineers to not only create groundbreaking technologies but also to prioritize fairness, sustainability, and social responsibility. The book explores the ethical dimensions of diverse engineering fields, from climate change mitigation to artificial intelligence and biotechnology. It examines real-world case studies, offers practical frameworks, and provides insights into emerging trends, empowering engineers to make informed, ethical decisions that shape a better future. The book delves into critical topics such as the ethical use of resources, the role of community engagement, and the importance of empathy in design. It emphasizes the need for collaboration across disciplines, including engineers, scientists, policymakers, and communities. By addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, the book equips engineers with the tools to navigate ethical dilemmas and develop solutions that balance innovation with social and environmental responsibility. "Ethical Engineering" serves as a comprehensive guide for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of ethics and technology. It underscores the power of engineering to drive positive change and encourages readers to embrace their role in building a more sustainable, equitable, and just world.
Invisible Poverty Struggles delves into the multifaceted nature of poverty, exploring its various dimensions and the profound impact it has on individuals and communities. In the chapter "Defining Poverty," the book distinguishes between absolute and relative poverty, highlighting the inability to meet basic needs and the social exclusion that comes from being significantly below the average standard of living. It introduces the concept of multidimensional poverty, which goes beyond income to consider deprivations in health, education, and living standards. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding these different aspects to create effective poverty reduction strategies. Moving forward, the book addresses specific groups and issues related to poverty. "The Working Poor" chapter debunks stereotypes and highlights the structural barriers that keep people in low-wage work, while "The Feminization of Poverty" examines the gender pay gap, single mothers' struggles, and the impact of gender-based violence. "Poverty and Place" explores urban and rural poverty, regional disparities, and the role of geography in influencing poverty rates. The book also discusses the intergenerational cycle of poverty, the toll it takes on health and mental well-being, and the criminalization of poverty through fines, fees, and discriminatory policies. Through a conversational tone, Invisible Poverty Struggles aims to shed light on the hidden aspects of poverty and inspire readers to think critically about solutions.
The Four Million - O. Henry - The Four Million is the second published collection of short stories by O. Henry originally released in 1906. There are twenty-five stories of various lengths including several of his best known works such as "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Cop and the Anthem". The book's title refers to the then population of New York City where many of the stories are set. O. Henry was responding to a newspaper editorial which opined that there were only four hundred people in New York City worth knowing. The Four Million by O. Henry is an anthology that is a thorough introduction to classic literature for those who have not yet experienced these literary masterworks. For those who have known and loved these works in the past, this is an invitation to reunite with old friends in a fresh new format. From Shakespeare's finesse to Oscar Wilde's wit, this unique collection brings together works as diverse and influential as The Pilgrim's Progress and Othello. As an anthology that invites readers to immerse themselves in the masterpieces of the literary giants, it is must-have addition to any library. William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American short story writer. O. Henry's short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and surprise endings.William Sidney Porter was born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He changed the spelling of his middle name to Sydney in 1898. His parents were Dr. Algernon Sidney Porter (1825–88), a physician, and Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter (1833–65). William's parents had married on April 20, 1858. When William was three, his mother died from tuberculosis, and he and his father moved into the home of his paternal grandmother. As a child, Porter was always reading, everything from classics to dime novels; his favorite works were Lane's translation of One Thousand and One Nights, and Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy Porter graduated from his aunt Evelina Maria Porter's elementary school in 1876. He then enrolled at the Lindsey Street High School. His aunt continued to tutor him until he was fifteen. In 1879, he started working in his uncle's drugstore and in 1881, at the age of nineteen, he was licensed as a pharmacist. At the drugstore, he also showed off his natural artistic talents by sketching the townsfolk.
"Renewal Through Rest: Science of Recovery" is your comprehensive guide to understanding the crucial role of rest in maintaining optimal health and well-being. Based on the latest scientific research, this book examines how different types of rest impact various aspects of life. It delves into the science behind sleep stages, exploring how REM and non-REM sleep contribute to muscle recovery and physical rejuvenation. You'll learn about the benefits of micro-rests in high-stress professions and how they prevent fatigue and enhance productivity. The book also explores the neurobiological basis of emotional rest, detailing how it aids in recovery from burnout and improves empathy and relationships. With insights on cognitive overload and the importance of mental rest in the digital age, you'll discover practical strategies for managing technology use and preventing burnout. Additionally, "Renewal Through Rest" highlights the effects of sensory rest, offering solutions for mitigating noise pollution and incorporating nature into daily life for stress reduction. It also provides guidance on social rest for introverts and highly sensitive persons, as well as creative rest techniques for artists and innovators to overcome blocks and enhance creativity. By combining evidence-based research with practical advice, this book serves as a blueprint for integrating rest into your life, helping you achieve a healthier, more balanced, and fulfilled existence.
Marriage - H. G. Wells - Marriage is a 1912 novel by H. G. Wells about Marjorie Pope and R.A.G Trafford. The book goes through the history of their relationship and their subsequent marriage and all the adventures that brings, including surviving a winter in the harsh wilderness of Canada. Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography. His work also included two books on recreational war games. Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is sometimes called the "father of science fiction. During his own lifetime, however, he was most prominent as a forward-looking, even prophetic social critic who devoted his literary talents to the development of a progressive vision on a global scale. A futurist, he wrote a number of utopian works and foresaw the advent of aircraft, tanks, space travel, nuclear weapons, satellite television and something resembling the World Wide Web. His science fiction imagined time travel, alien invasion, invisibility, and biological engineering. Brian Aldiss referred to Wells as the "Shakespeare of science fiction", while American writer Charles Fort referred to him as a "wild talent". Wells rendered his works convincing by instilling commonplace detail alongside a single extraordinary assumption per work – dubbed "Wells's law" – leading Joseph Conrad to hail him in 1898 as "O Realist of the Fantastic!". His most notable science fiction works include The Time Machine (1895), which was his first novel, The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), The War of the Worlds (1898) and the military science fiction The War in the Air (1907). Wells was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle - The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, first published late in 1893 with 1894 date. It was first published in the UK by G. Newnes Ltd., and was published in the US by Harper & Brothers in February 1894. Boasting some of Sherlock Holmes's finest adventures, this classic 1894 collection was originally written in serial form. Eleven of the most popular tales of the immortal sleuth include "Silver Blaze," concerning the "curious incident of the dog in the night-time"; "The Greek Interpreter," starring Holmes's even more formidable brother, Mycroft; and "The Final Problem," the detective's notorious confrontation with arch-criminal Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. Holmes and Dr. Watson remain history's greatest detective team, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's portrayals of male comradeship, the thrills of the chase, and the misty precincts of Victorian London remains unmatched in detective literature.
Kilmeny of the Orchard - Lucy Maud Montgomery - Kilmeny of the Orchard is a novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Plot - A young man named Eric Marshall goes to teach a school on Prince Edward Island and meets Kilmeny, a mute girl who has perfect hearing. He sees her when he is walking through an old orchard and hears her playing the violin. He visits her a number of times and gradually falls in love with her. When he proposes she rejects him, even though she loves him in return, believing that her disability will only hinder his life if they were married, despite his protests that it wouldn't matter at all. Meanwhile, Eric's good friend David who is a renowned throat doctor, comes to the island and visits Eric. He examines Kilmeny, and says that nothing will cure her but an extreme psychological need to speak.
Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland - Anonymous - Folk-Lore and Legends: Scotland is a collection of Scottish folklore, first published in 1889. Chapters include; Canobie Dick and Thomas of Ercildoun; Coinnach Oer; Elphin Irving; The Ghosts of Craig-Aulnaic; The Doomed Rider; Whippety Stourie; The Weird of the Three Arrows; The Laird of Balmachie's Wife; Michael Scott; The Minister and the Fairy; The Fisherman and the Merman; The Laird O' Co'; Ewen of the Little Head; Jock and his Mother; Saint Columba; The Mermaid Wife; The Fiddler and the Bogle of Bogandoran; Thomas the Rhymer; Fairy Friends; The Seal-Catcher's Adventure; The Fairies of Merlin's Craig; Rory Macgillivray; The Haunted Ships; The Brownie; Mauns' Stane; Horse and Hattock; Secret Commonwealth; The Fairy Boy of Leith; The Dracae; Lord Tarbat's Relations; The Bogle; Daoine Shie, or the Men of Peace; and, The Death Bree.
