The books title has an apparent misnomer—boots were not used in early armies, at least as apparent from temple sculptures which depict bare-bodied and barefooted soldiers. But is it likely to have been true? Or social reasons led to suppression of footgear on temple walls? The book explores these and myriad other questions on the military experience of South Asia, hoping to construct a picture of how men, animals, and equipment were used on South Asian battlefields from the end of the Paleolithic till the dawn of our era. Further, as all that happens on battlefields is no more than the tip of the proverbial iceberg whose submarine mass conceals many cause–effect relationships in a wide variety of fields, the author, adopting a wide fronted approach, examines the evidence of anthropology, literature, mythology, folklore, technology, archaeology, and architecture, to reconstructs the military atmosphere of South Asia beyond the battlefield, which is the aim of this book.
The dramatic journeys of the 19th century Gold Rush come to life in this geologist’s tour of the American West and the events that shaped the land. In 1848, news of the discovery of gold in California triggered an enormous wave of emigration toward the Pacific. The dramatic terrain these settlers crossed is so familiar to us now that it is hard to imagine how frightening—even godforsaken—its sheer rock faces and barren deserts once seemed to them. Hard Road West brings their perspective vividly to life, weaving together the epic overland journey of the covered wagon trains and the compelling story of the landscape they encountered. Taking readers along the 2,000-mile California Trail, Keith Meldahl uses settler’s diaries and letters—as well as his own experiences on the trail—to reveal how the geology and geography of the West shaped our nation’s westward expansion. He guides us through a landscape of sawtooth mountains, following the meager streams that served as lifelines through an arid land, all the way to California itself, where colliding tectonic plates created breathtaking scenery and planted the gold that lured travelers west in the first place. “Alternates seamlessly between vivid accounts of the 19th-century journey and lucid explanations of the geological events that shaped the landscape traveled.”—Library Journal
As the new Confederacy's provisional president, Jefferson Davis has a difficult task before him. For starters he must appoint a Cabinet, open communications with Washington and Europe, find a means to fund his treasury, purchase arms and ammunition, and create an army. To make matters more difficult, Davis' sphinx-like demeanor in the face of criticism a stony façade that attempts to conceal his broiling emotions, often causing him to hold a grudge or stubbornly support a friend tends to antagonize his old enemies and create new ones. However, he does manage to gain some allies. Judah Benjamin, his Attorney General, who, in spite of his attraction to the First Lady, says about the President, "I would follow him to Hell." Mary Chestnut, who initially befriends Varina Davis to further her husband's career, develops a warm relationship with the First Family. Mallory, the Secretary of Navy, and Reagon, the Postmaster General, will remain with him until the end. When Varina travels to Montgomery, Alabama, she takes with her, along with her other slaves, Rachel, who, as a result, is separated from her boyfriend, Silas. The servant girl had told Silas that she wouldn't be forced to leave if he married her, but the boy still clung to he dream of escaping to freedom. Once away from Davis' plantation, Rachel becomes involved with Colonel Chestnut's body servant, Lawrence, unaware that the handsome slave has become ensnared in the network of spies surrounding the First Family. All of these people politicians, soldiers, slaves, and spies are bound together willy-nilly in an enterprise that will explode at Manassas Junction, ripping their country apart and changing their lives forever.
Partly an autobiographical reflection on significant aspects of the author's life, ranging from the early death of his parents and his understanding of the effect this had on him, his time in the RAF, college days, and long walks - pilgrimages in search of meaning.
Bestselling author Terry Goodkind's epic Sword of Truth series continues with the next stunning installment, Phantom On the day she awoke remembering nothing but her name, Kahlan Amnell became the most dangerous woman alive. For everyone else, that was the day that the world began to end. As her husband, Richard, desperately searches for his beloved, whom only he remembers, he knows that if she doesn't soon discover who she really is, she will unwittingly become the instrument that will unleash annihilation. But Kahlan learns that if she ever were to unlock the truth of her lost identity, then evil itself would finally possess her, body and soul. If she is to survive in a murky world of deception and betrayal, where life is not only cheap but fleeting, Kahlan must find out why she is such a central figure in the war-torn world swirling around her. What she uncovers are secrets darker than she could ever have imagined. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
MYSTERY, TREASURE, AND A LIFE ON THE STAGE. The first episode of the adventures of Cat Royal is a big, fat juicy read. She's Cat Royal – four foot four, with long red hair, green eyes and not a penny she can call her own. But she does know a secret – where a treasure is hidden in the theater that is her home. The problem is, she isn't the only one looking for it. One adventure leads into the next, taking Cat – and readers -- through the colorful streets of late 18th Century London. The exciting mystery – filled with fascinating characters, lots of incident, theatrical spectacles, and even a bit of political intrigue – will thrill readers. The Diamond of Drury Lane is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
At the conclusion of the dinner, Chancellor Theobald Bethmann-Hollweg opened the congratulatory part of the program with a toast to His Imperial and Royal Majesty Wilhelm II Hohenzollern, by the Grace of God, German Emperor and King of Prussia. We, the assembled here, renew our faith in a man so various that he seems guided by the Grace and hand of God. Long live our Emperor! Hoch! Hoch! Hoch! exclaimed the guests, each one clinking his neighbors wine glass. Due to the long list of tonights speakers, it has been agreed that each personage will limit their speeches to five minutes. At the end of the ceremonies, guests are welcome to view the many gifts presented to His Majesty in honor of his twenty-fifth anniversary. With His Majestys permission, I wish to present Herr Andrew Carnegie from America. Herr Carnegie, a Scottish-born American is an industrialist turned philanthropist. As is well known worldwide, he built Pittsburghs Carnegie Steel Company. With his fortune made, the man of humble beginnings turned to philanthropy with special interests in education. With unselfish thoughts, he founded the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. From his adopted Pennsylvania home, he endowed the Carnegie University and Carnegie museums. Over the years, his generosity led to the establishment of many libraries, schools, and universities in America. In spite of his busy daily schedule, Andrew Carnegie found time to write several books, including the well received Gospel of Wealth, and dozens of magazine and newspaper articles. It is with great pleasure that I offer the podium to Herr Andrew Carnegie. Thank you, Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg. The Chancellor who stood a foot higher than the American bent forward to shake Carnegies hand which led to a titter among the audience. After spreading his notepaper on the lectern, the philanthropist turned to the Emperor. Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for inviting me here today. Wilhelm nodded several times exposing a broad grin. Carnegies carefully trimmed white beard glowed under a dozen closely placed incandescent lights. The audience saw a kindly, old mans face that looked more like a favorite uncle that a millionaire. I bring greetings and congratulations to His Majesty from the great metropolis of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania populated by a half-million German descendents. His voice revealed a hint of Scottish burr. The worlds greatest steel producing center lies between the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers that join to create the great Ohio River that opened the West to adventurous Americans. At the time Germany was unified in 1871, Pittsburgh was a village of 75,000 inhabitants. Today, it is a thriving metropolis, the fifth largest city in the United States. It was steel that created work for thousands of families. Steel provided them with schools, hospitals, fine roads and tall buildings. At the same time we learned that Berlin was on a parallel growth pattern. I believe that such growth is the result of peace throughout both lands. We can all agree that war is absent as economic growth brings full bellies and general happiness to the people. The audience shouted, Hoch! Hoch! Hoch! I want to share with you a secret Ive kept for many years. I am not only an industrialist, I am a preacher. The audience fell silent awaiting an explanation from the diminutive elder. Yes, dear friends I am a preacher, but a very special type. I preach peace. I preach the peace that our Lord Jesus Christ desired for all mankind. As I turn and face his Majesty Wilhelm II, I see a man who also preaches peace for the world. When I first met the Emperor a decade ago, he told me that Europe is too small to be divided into so many small states. He said that he had long considered a plan for a federation of Europe. I asked him what such a scheme would accomplish.
It all probably was a tale.However, serious research does identify some events, from about a thousand years before the Common Era, that qualify as the bases of the epic’s plot. Apparently, collective memory evolved significantly through the centuries before their stories, legends, and allegories took the forms that we know from the epic today.And yet, even if no set of historical events can be found to correspond with epic episodes, its many stories, legends, and allegories nevertheless conform to themes that were at one time authentic. In other words, whether or not epic episodes were historical, the ideas and concepts they represent were.It is with these ideas and concepts that Framing the Mahabharata weaves the pattern of South Asian society as it evolved through the cusp of the Bronze and Iron Ages, developing motifs we are familiar with today. Against this pattern, it reconstructs the military tactics, technology, and sociology that marked the interplay of nomadic and sedentary folks, most poignantly depicted in the career of war-chariots.
