The first ever comprehensive history in English of China's Warring States period, an era that saw epic battles, the birth of profound philosophies, groundbreaking innovations, and shaped much of East Asian culture as we know it today In 481 BCE, ancient China was on the cusp of one of the most profound revolutions any society has ever undergone, one that would set the course of world history for the following two millennia and a half. The ruling order that had been set up by the Zhou kings almost six centuries before was disintegrating. While the Zhou realm was populous, wealthy, and blessed with a sophisticated and already ancient culture, the basic institutions that structured social and spiritual life were in radical decay. The world was literally falling apart. The following two-hundred and sixty years saw the largest civilization on earth reinvent and recreate itself. Through war, diplomacy, debate, commerce, philosophy, literature, science, and artistic expression, the people of the Warring States gave birth to a radically new social order. The era saw the emergence of Confucianism and Daoism, the composition of seminal texts such as The Art of War by Master Sun and the Book of Changes, and the codification of Chinese script into its current form. It also saw the initial building of the Great Wall and the canal system that would become the Grand Canal, as well as the invention of the crossbow--which would not be invented in Europe for another 1,500 years--and the origin of acupuncture and feng shui. This dynamic period coincided with the lives of global figures such as the Buddha, Socrates, and the prophet Ezra, beginning during Confucius's lifetime and culminating with the reign of the First Emperor, whose tomb is famously guarded by the terra cotta soldiers. The Persian Wars and the conquests of Alexander the Great are well known to people in Europe and America; however, far fewer English-language books have attempted to cover this same and equally important period in East Asia. To Rule All under Heaven corrects this imbalance by recounting a detailed history that is replete with dramatic stories and characters. The result is a thorough and entertaining account of one of the most fertile and significant periods in world history.

Following Rivers of Gold and The Golden Age, World Without End is the conclusion of a magisterial three-volume history of the Spanish Empire by Hugh Thomas, its foremost worldwide authority World Without End is the climax of Hugh Thomas's great history of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. It describes the conquest of Paraguay and the River Plate, of the Yucatan in Mexico, the only partial conquest of Chile, and battles with the French over Florida, and then, in the 1580s, the extraordinary projection of Spanish power across the Pacific to conquer the Philippines. More significantly, it describes how the Spanish ran the greatest empire the world had seen since Rome - as well as conquistadores, the book is people with viceroys, judges, nobles, bishops, inquisitors and administrators of many different kinds, often in conflict with one another, seeking to organise the native populations into towns, to build cathedrals, hospitals and universities. Behind them - sometimes ahead of them - came the religious orders, the Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, and finally the Jesuits, builders of convents and monasteries, many of them of astonishing beauty, and reminders of the pervasiveness of religion and the self-confidence of the age. Towering above them all, though moving rarely from the palace of the Escorial outside Madrid, is the figure of King Philip II, the central figure in the book. The Venetian ambassador thought him 'the arbiter of the world'. Once the Philippines had been consolidated, Philip's advisors contemplated an invasion of China: the Jesuit Father Sanchez called it 'the greatest enterprise which has ever been proposed to any monarch in the world'. It was an enterprise never undertaken, but never explicitly abandoned. Was it a great or a terrible empire? In contrast to other empire builders, the Spaniards entered upon arguments with each other about their right to rule other peoples, and their ruthlessness was often tempered by humanity. Hugh Thomas's conclusion is unequivocal: 'The speed with which the sixteenth-century conquistadores conquered such large territories on two vast continents, and the comparable success of missionaries with large populations of Indians, stands as one of the supreme epics of both valour and imagination by Europeans.'

A sweeping, definitive work of history exploring the road to the September 1968 protests of the Miss American Pageant—one led by women’s liberationists and the other organized by the emergent Miss Black America Pageant—and the birth of a new politics of beauty. A revolution was brewing. In the dying days of the summer of 1968, during one unprecedented Pageant weekend, Atlantic City played host not only to the fifty young contestants and thousands of eager visitors who had arrived in town for the Miss America crowning, but also to the first Miss Black America Pageant, mounted to protest its “lily-white” sister competition, as well as raucous actions from women’s liberationists. For just a few hours, the boardwalk became a site of vigorously contested ideas—ideas that would redefine the women’s movement and reverberate across American culture. Now, Pulitzer Prize finalist Micki McElya unfolds the full scope of this history, detailing the shocking injustices and passionate debates that led to the demonstrations, as well as the broader social and political landscape that gave rise to some of the most iconic women on both sides of the ideological spectrum. Here, we find complex portraits of Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Florynce Kennedy, Phyllis Schlafly, and Anita Bryant as well as glimpses of Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Lewis, Vanessa Williams, and Donald Trump years before they became the public figures we know them as today. Immersive, galvanizing, and endlessly edifying, Liberation Summer is also a kaleidoscopic panorama of the year that saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the Tet Offensive and the escalation of the Vietnam War, violence at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and the election of Richard Nixon. Within this ever-shifting terrain, lesser-known characters like reporter Charlotte Curtis, radical feminist organizers Robin Morgan and Carol Hanisch, Miss America 1968 Debra Barnes, and the first Miss Black America Saundra Williams fought to not only define their conception of ideal womanhood, but to live it. Engagingly told and meticulously researched, Liberation Summer proves how the battle for beauty’s meaning has always been inextricably political—and how its enduring impact continues to shape our politics today.

Discover and rediscover the world of the Queen's Thief, from the acclaimed novel The Thief to the thrilling, twenty-years-in-the-making conclusion, The Return of the Thief. The epic novels set in the world of the Queen’s Thief can be read in any order. New York Times-bestselling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics and feature one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. The New York Times bestseller A Conspiracy of Kings won the Los Angeles Times Book Award and is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin. After an attempted assassination and kidnapping, Sophos, heir to the throne of Sounis, disappears. Those who care for him—including the thief Eugenides and the Queen of Eddis—are left to wonder if he is alive and if they will ever see him again. The Queen’s Thief novels have been praised by writers, critics, reviewers, and fans and have been honored with glowing reviews, “best of” citations, and numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Newbery Honor, the Andre Norton Award shortlist, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. This edition of A Conspiracy of Kings includes a conversation between bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and Megan Whalen Turner, an introduction to the characters from the world of the Queen’s Thief, a map of the world of the Queen’s Thief, and an exclusive teaser to Thick as Thieves. Winner of the LA Times Book Award A New York Times Bestseller A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book A School Library Journal Best Book “The Queen’s Thief books awe and inspire me. They have the feel of a secret, discovered history of real but forgotten lands. The plot-craft is peerless, the revelations stunning, and the characters flawed, cunning, heartbreaking, exceptional. Megan Whalen Turner’s books have a permanent spot on my favorites shelf, with space waiting for more books to come.”—Laini Taylor, New York Times-bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone novels and Strange the Dreamer "Unforgettable characters, plot twists that will make your head spin, a world rendered in elegant detail—you will fall in love with every page of these stories. Megan Whalen Turner writes vivid, immersive, heartbreaking fantasy that will leave you desperate to return to Attolia again and again."—Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom “Megan Whalen Turner is one of my all-time favorite writers . . . impossible to put down.”—Holly Black, award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of the Modern Faerie Tale series and The Darkest Part of the Forest “Romance; intrigue, mystery, surprises, and sheer beautiful writing.”—Cassandra Clare, award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of The Mortal Instruments and Lady Midnight “The world Turner creates is so tangible that not only do I believe in its characters, I almost believe in its gods.”—Kristin Cashore, award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of the Graceling Realm series

THE HEART STOPPING SEQUEL TO THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, DAUGHTER OF CHAOS . . . LIFE THREATENING ODDS. DANGEROUS GODS. AND A PROPHECY ONLY SHE CAN FULFIL . . . -- Danae has fought monsters, crossed oceans and stared into the face of death. It is the price of the prophecy. The prophecy that names her as the mortal that will destroy Olympus. But gods do not fall without a fight. As they hunt her, Danae descends into the shadows of the Underworld to search for help - and the sister she lost to its depths. Accompanied by her faithful winged horse and a handful of companions, whose true allegiance remains uncertain, Danae uncovers secrets long hidden. Secrets about Zeus' powerful hold on the mortal world and the fate she is bound to. But the deeper she journeys, the closer the gods watch. Hera seethes. Poseidon plots. And Zeus will stop at nothing to destroy this mortal girl who dares challenge him. Because the gods will never give up their power. Just as Danae will never give up her destiny . . . -- Praise for Daughter of Fate:- "This is a fantastic (and fantastical) second instalment in Danae's story. Webb's treatment of these familiar myths is creative and enthralling , bringing Ancient Greece to life even in the depths of the Underworld." -Jess Popplewell, author of The Dark Within Us 'Few novels have captivated me the way Daughter of Fate did. Danae's battle against destiny and the Twelve is as brutal as it is beautiful, and Webb weaves prophecy, peril, and heartbreak into a story that left me eager for what comes next ' Crystal King, author of The Happiness Collector Praise for Daughter of Chaos:- ' Epic, captivating and spellbinding . . . takes you on a quest like no other' Saara El-Arifi number one bestselling author of Faebound 'A.S. Webb has written a legendary reimagining of the Greek age of heroes.' - Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Principle of Moments 'An epic and heart-racing adventure through mythology and magic . Beautiful and engrossing, this is a must-read debut' Tasha Suri, award-winning author of The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy 'With engaging characters and an enchanting world , Daughter of Chaos is the perfect marriage of Greek myth and epic fantasy , sure to delight readers of both genres' Frances White, Sunday Times bestselling author of Voyage of the Damned 'With an unfaltering pace and vivid worldbuilding, A.S.Webb sweeps us into a world of gods, men and monsters, and gives us Danae: a woman who will not be ruled by any of them . Webb spins an original and compelling story out of a well-known mythology . This is an impressive debut' Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong 'Daughter of Chaos is a wild ride through prophecy, rebellion and adventure - Danae is a heroine I'd follow anywhere' Jess Popplewell, author of The Dark Within Us 'A spellbinding masterpiece that breathes new life into Greek mythology , intertwining it with epic fantasy in a familiar and refreshingly original way' Crystal King, author of In the Garden of Monsters 'A must-read for anyone seeking a fresh and intriguing take on the Greek gods and the humans who dare to defy them . For fans of Epic , the musical, and Kaos , the Netflix show ' Marvellous Michael Anson, author of Firstborn of the Sun

THE HEART STOPPING SEQUEL TO THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, DAUGHTER OF CHAOS . . . LIFE THREATENING ODDS. DANGEROUS GODS. AND A PROPHECY ONLY SHE CAN FULFIL . . . -- Danae has fought monsters, crossed oceans and stared into the face of death. It is the price of the prophecy. The prophecy that names her as the mortal that will destroy Olympus. But gods do not fall without a fight. As they hunt her, Danae descends into the shadows of the Underworld to search for help - and the sister she lost to its depths. Accompanied by her faithful winged horse and a handful of companions, whose true allegiance remains uncertain, Danae uncovers secrets long hidden. Secrets about Zeus' powerful hold on the mortal world and the fate she is bound to. But the deeper she journeys, the closer the gods watch. Hera seethes. Poseidon plots. And Zeus will stop at nothing to destroy this mortal girl who dares challenge him. Because the gods will never give up their power. Just as Danae will never give up her destiny . . . -- Praise for Daughter of Fate:- "This is a fantastic (and fantastical) second instalment in Danae's story. Webb's treatment of these familiar myths is creative and enthralling , bringing Ancient Greece to life even in the depths of the Underworld." -Jess Popplewell, author of The Dark Within Us 'Few novels have captivated me the way Daughter of Fate did. Danae's battle against destiny and the Twelve is as brutal as it is beautiful, and Webb weaves prophecy, peril, and heartbreak into a story that left me eager for what comes next ' Crystal King, author of The Happiness Collector Praise for Daughter of Chaos:- ' Epic, captivating and spellbinding . . . takes you on a quest like no other' Saara El-Arifi number one bestselling author of Faebound 'A.S. Webb has written a legendary reimagining of the Greek age of heroes.' - Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Principle of Moments 'An epic and heart-racing adventure through mythology and magic . Beautiful and engrossing, this is a must-read debut' Tasha Suri, award-winning author of The Burning Kingdoms Trilogy 'With engaging characters and an enchanting world , Daughter of Chaos is the perfect marriage of Greek myth and epic fantasy , sure to delight readers of both genres' Frances White, Sunday Times bestselling author of Voyage of the Damned 'With an unfaltering pace and vivid worldbuilding, A.S.Webb sweeps us into a world of gods, men and monsters, and gives us Danae: a woman who will not be ruled by any of them . Webb spins an original and compelling story out of a well-known mythology . This is an impressive debut' Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong 'Daughter of Chaos is a wild ride through prophecy, rebellion and adventure - Danae is a heroine I'd follow anywhere' Jess Popplewell, author of The Dark Within Us 'A spellbinding masterpiece that breathes new life into Greek mythology , intertwining it with epic fantasy in a familiar and refreshingly original way' Crystal King, author of In the Garden of Monsters 'A must-read for anyone seeking a fresh and intriguing take on the Greek gods and the humans who dare to defy them . For fans of Epic , the musical, and Kaos , the Netflix show ' Marvellous Michael Anson, author of Firstborn of the Sun

A beautifully designed hardcover box set containing four classic myths and legends composed or translated by J.R.R. Tolkien — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, The Fall of Arthur, and Beowulf. The fifth set in a series of affordable hardcover box sets celebrating the literary achievement of Christopher Tolkien, featuring double-sided dust jackets. Set 5 contains Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, The Fall of Arthur, and Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl are two poems by an unknown author written in about 1400. Sir Gawain is a romance, a fairy-tale for adults, full of life and colour; Pearl is apparently an elegy on the death of a child but, like Gawain, it is also a sophisticated and moving debate on much less tangible matters. Sir Orfeo is a slighter romance, belonging to an earlier and different tradition. It was a special favourite of Tolkien's. The three translations are here uniquely accompanied with the complete text of Tolkien's acclaimed 1953 W.P. Ker Memorial Lecture that he delivered on Sir Gawain. The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún tells the epic story of the Norse hero, Sigurd, the dragon-slayer, during a time of gods, betrayal and fierce battles; the revenge of his wife, Gudrún; and the Fall of the Nibelungs. Told in verse composed by J.R.R. Tolkien derived from the ancient poetry of the Poetic Edda and the prose Völsunga Saga, this masterful fusion of myth and poetry is accompanied by notes and commentary by Christopher Tolkien. The Fall of Arthur tells the extraordinary story of the final days of England's legendary hero, King Arthur. It is the only venture by J.R.R. Tolkien into the legends of Arthur King of Britain, and may well be regarded as his finest and most skilful achievement in the use of the Old English alliterative metre. The long narrative poem is accompanied by significant if tantalising notes, in which can be discerned clear if mysterious associations of the Arthurian conclusion with The Silmarillion. The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was completed in 1926: he returned to it later but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for the translation is here paired with an illuminating written commentary on the poem by the translator himself, prepared for a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s. From these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if Tolkien entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel's terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot. These are accompanied by Sellic spell, a "marvellous tale" written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the "historical legends" of the Northern kingdoms. Published together for the first time, these four books—all edited by the author's son and literary executor—collect a fascinating period of Christopher Tolkien's forty-year career devoted to presenting his father J.R.R. Tolkien's scholarly writings on the myths and legends of northern Europe, a unique accomplishment that celebrates the academic brilliance and storytelling genius of one of the twentieth century's finest literary pioneers.

Follow Clara on a magical Christmas adventure in this musical retelling of The Nutcracker ballet—push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Tchaikovsky’s score. It is Christmas Eve at Clara’s house. Scents of ginger, chocolate, and peppermint waft through the air. Clara’s parents are having a party, and her little brother Fritz is decorating the Christmas tree. Clara’s godfather, a toymaker, arrives with gifts, including a very special one for her— a wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man . After Fritz breaks it, the children are sent to bed. The story follows Clara in her dreams as she battles and defeats a mouse king, then travels with her nutcracker-turned-prince to the Land of Sweets where she watches its enchanting inhabitants perform beautiful dances. As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the ballet’s music , including “The Waltz of the Flowers;” “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy;” “The Russian Dance;” and the awesome “Finale.” Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sound board at the back of the book, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music . At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer , Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with details about his composition of The Nutcracker ballet. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms, and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms. The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet, opera, and program music stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores. With The Story Orchestra keyboard sound books, children can play the famous melodies themselves with the sound of a real grand piano. Also available from the Story Orchestra series : The Magic Flute, I Can Play (vol 1), Carnival of the Animals, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Four Seasons in One Day. Manufacturer’s note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long. The perfect primer to introduce children to classical music.

Fire at her fingertips. Watch the world burn. When Monroe Benson was born with the power to summon fire from her fingertips, her family knew she had to stay hidden. But when Queen Viera calls for the Culling, an age-old tradition in Erydia where ten goddess-touched girls battle to the death in order to claim the crown, Monroe can no longer hide. She's whisked away from her home, from her mother, from everything she's ever known to fight alongside the other girls-each with their own power-for a throne she does not want. Duty is his destiny. There's no way out. As the son of the queen and the next king, Cohen can't question tradition. Not even when he's being mysteriously poisoned. Not even when his sister goes missing and no one seems to care. The Culling makes his life's choices for him-who will become his wife, who will rule by his side. And when rebellion rises around him, what little control Cohen has over his future is threatened. Together they'll stand. Together they'll fall. But Monroe sees a different Cohen than the rest of the world. She sees him as more than just the crown, more than just the next cruel ruler in a long line of cruel leaders. In turn, he sees her as more than just her powers. More than just a goddess-touched girl destined to lose her life. When a betrayal threatens both their relationship and the monarchy, Monroe and Cohen face a choice that will change their lives . . . forever. For goddess-touched girls, there is only one destiny: the Culling From the moment Monroe Benson is born with a mark on her hand and the ability to summon fire from her fingertips, her life will never be her own. She's goddess-touched, which means she's destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia. For most of her seventeen years, her family has managed to keep Monroe-and her powers-hidden. But now, as Queen Viera calls for the Culling to start, and war looms on the horizon, Monroe can no longer hide. She must face her destiny whether she wants to or not. For the ten goddess-touched girls, all with different powers, the inevitably of this fight to the death has always ruled their lives. The tradition is both barbaric and cruel, but to make matters worse-Monroe isn't prepared. She hasn't trained her whole life for this day. She doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She doesn't want the crown. While Monroe struggles with her fate, a rebellion is brewing in the castle and in the country. A group called the Culled are banding together; their goal-to topple the monarchy. And the more they rise, the more merciless Viera is with her kingdom, recruiting younger and younger people from poorer and poorer places to fight in a war no one wants to be waging. Monroe finds herself on the front lines of the rebellion's inner circle, and only one thing stands in her way: Cohen. The queen's son and the man who will be king. Cohen's dedication to duty, to family, to tradition stands in stark contrast to the boy Monroe sees at night in the kitchens, secretly making the two of them a snack. As the fight crescendos around them, and the death of innocents becomes a reality, the choices Monroe makes will reverberate through the kingdom . . . and her heart forever.

A beautifully designed hardcover box set containing four classic myths and legends of epic poetry composed or translated by J.R.R. Tolkien — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, The Fall of Arthur, and Beowulf. The fifth set in a series of affordable hardcover box sets celebrating the literary achievement of Christopher Tolkien, featuring double-sided dust jackets. Set 5 contains Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, The Fall of Arthur, and Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl are two poems by an unknown author written in about 1400. Sir Gawain is a romance from the world of Arthurian legend, a fairy-tale for adults, full of life and colour; Pearl is apparently an elegy on the death of a child but, like Gawain, it is also a sophisticated and moving debate on much less tangible matters. Sir Orfeo is a slighter romance, belonging to an earlier and different tradition. It was a special favourite of Tolkien’s. The three translations are here uniquely accompanied with the complete text of Tolkien’s acclaimed 1953 W.P. Ker Memorial Lecture that he delivered on Sir Gawain. The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún tells the epic story of the Norse hero, Sigurd, the dragon-slayer, during a time of gods, betrayal and fierce battles; the revenge of his wife, Gudrún; and the Fall of the Nibelungs. Told in verse composed by J.R.R. Tolkien derived from the ancient poetry of the Poetic Edda and the prose Völsunga Saga, this masterful fusion of Norse mythology and poetry is accompanied by notes and commentary by Christopher Tolkien. The Fall of Arthur tells the extraordinary story of the final days of England’s legendary hero, King Arthur. It is the only venture by J.R.R. Tolkien into the legends of Arthur King of Britain, and may well be regarded as his finest and most skilful achievement in the use of the Old English alliterative metre. The long narrative poem is accompanied by significant if tantalising notes, in which can be discerned clear if mysterious associations of the Arthurian conclusion with The Silmarillion. The translation of Beowulf , a cornerstone of Old English literature, by J.R.R. Tolkien was completed in 1926: he returned to it later but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for the translation is here paired with an illuminating written commentary on the great Anglo-Saxon poem by the translator himself, prepared for a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s. From these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if Tolkien entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel’s terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot. These are accompanied by Sellic spell, a "marvellous tale" written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the "historical legends" of the Northern kingdoms. Published together for the first time, these four books—all edited by the author’s son and literary executor—collect a fascinating period of Christopher Tolkien’s forty-year career devoted to presenting his father J.R.R. Tolkien’s scholarly writings and literary criticism on the myths and legends of northern Europe, a unique accomplishment that celebrates the academic brilliance and storytelling genius of one of the twentieth century’s finest literary pioneers.

The King of the Monsters returns to Marvel Comics—and this time, he's taking on the greatest heroes of every era. An all star talent extravaganza with Ryan North, Gerry Duggan, Joe Kelly, Fabian Nicieza, David Walker, Jason Aaron, John Romita Jr., Giuseppe Camuncoli, Nick Bradshaw, Emilio Laiso, Georges Jeanty, and Aaron Kuder. Godzilla returns to Marvel after decades away, facing off against Marvel’s greatest heroes in six explosive, action-packed issues that span the history of both universes. Godzilla vs. The Fantastic Four (Classic Era) The original classic Fantastic Four vs the raw power of Godzilla Godzilla vs. The Hulk (Vintage Era) The green skinned goliath of the 70’s vs a unique version of Godzilla Godzilla vs. Spider-Man (Black Costume Era) The Iconic Black Costume Spider-Man against the explosive 80's Godzilla Godzilla vs. The X-Men (X-Men Mutant Genesis Era) The intensity of the 90’s X-Men vs the fury of Godzilla Godzilla vs. The Avengers (New Avengers Era) Modern heroes the New Avengers battling the turn-of-the-new century Godzilla Godzilla vs. Thor (Modern Era) The immortal God of Thunder Thor will face the overwhelming adversary Godzilla in the tumultuous era of the present. This is pure blockbuster spectacle celebrating Godzilla's 70th anniversary—matching different versions of Godzilla from throughout his film history against Marvel's icons at their most defining moments. From Silver Age charm to modern epicness, each battle honors both franchises while delivering the city-smashing, reality-shaking action that only comics can provide. Perfect for Godzilla fans discovering Marvel's heroes and Marvel readers who love kaiju chaos. COLLECTING GODZILLA VS. FANTASTIC FOUR #1, GODZILLA VS. HULK #1, GODZILLA VS. SPIDER-MAN #1, GODZILLA VS. X-MEN #1, GODZILLA VS. AVENGERS #1, and GODZILLA VS. THOR #1. "A delightful throwback that fully embraces its Silver Age roots. Fast-paced, action-packed with just enough cleverness to keep things fresh." —AIPT "The team up we didn't know we needed… A fun romp that feels like a distillation of classic Fantastic Four, classic Godzilla, and some of the most fun you're going to have on the pages of comics." —ComicBook.com The rampage doesn't end here. Coming March 2026: Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe by Gerry Duggan and Javier Garrón—where heroes and villains must unite against an unstoppable force that will change the Marvel Universe forever.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Academy Award–winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theater career, difficult childhood, and path to sobriety in his honest, moving, and long-awaited memoir. Born and raised in Port Talbot—a small Welsh steelworks town—amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents, and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted. With candor and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear. Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life—the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt—much like the men in his family—and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret. Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Academy Award–winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theater career, difficult childhood, and path to sobriety in his honest, moving, and long-awaited memoir. Born and raised in Port Talbot—a small Welsh steelworks town—amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents, and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted. With candor and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear. Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life—the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt—much like the men in his family—and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret. Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.

From #1 bestseller Morgan Rice comes the debut of a breathtaking new fantasy series, ideal for fans of Sarah J Maas, Brandon Sanderson and Jennifer L Armentrout. From USA Today and #1 bestseller Morgan Rice, author of A Quest of Heroes (over 5,000 five star ratings) comes the long-awaited debut of a major new epic fantasy series. The SWORD OF THE DEAD series boldly reimagines the Persephone myth as a jumping off point to launch us into a startlingly new epic fantasy world, replete with fresh villains, kingdoms, tragedy monsters, and heroes.When Meredith, the king's 18 year old daughter, is snatched by a monster and taken miles down to an underground kingdom, Lance, a peasant boy who dreams of joining the King's elite knights, vows to risk his life to save her. Lance embarks on an epic quest to prove himself before the king's men, to find the secret passage to the underground, to brave intense trials, to battle hideous monsters, and to get her back.Meanwhile, up above, with the king distracted and betrayed, a once-impregnable kingdom is crumbling, as enemies on all sides close in. Only a hardened girl thief, an unlikely hero, stands a chance of saving it all.SWORD OF THE DEAD weaves an epic tale of fate and destiny, of magic and love, of sacrifice and power. A page-turning read, packed with cliffhangers and twists you will not anticipate, it will immerse you in another world. Appealing to young adults and adults of all ages, SWORD OF THE DEAD offers a fresh take on sword and sorcery adventure fantasy, and will keep you reading late into the night.Future books in the series are also available."The beginnings of something remarkable are there." --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes) "Has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers." --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer's Ring)"A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series." --Midwest Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)"Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing." --Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)

Master's Thesis from the year 2006 in the subject Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: Distinction (Very good), King`s College London (King's College London), course: The Occupied Territories Since 1967, language: English, abstract: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complicated and multi-dimensional conflict. In many contexts, it is very hard, if not impossible, to assess the violence between Palestinian and Israeli society today without resorting to a developed theory rather than emotion. However, many scholars and politicians hold the assumption that Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be properly understood with the frameworks, categories and concepts employed to understand other countries and conflicts . We shall endeavour to counter such beliefs and develop exactly that, a framework for analysing Israeli-Palestinian relations and conflict, allowing us to put the conflict into perspective and further develop a structural investigation into the root causes of conflict. We will do this at the example of the Algerian uprising against French colonialism. To develop such a framework, we will draw on classic texts such as the writings of Fanon and Memmi, as well as works by writers such as Bregmann, Barnett and Khader, but also on others, cross-referencing continuously between texts on colonialism, Israel-Palestine, and Algeria. As the title of this text indicates, the author holds the view that the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories is essentially a colonial one. This is not to say that we should consider the Territories a colony. Algeria was not a colony. What we want to say is that we believe in the existence of a colonial relationship between the two populations, based on the principles of colonialism. Why Algeria? We have chosen French colonialism in Algeria for the structural basis of our framework for a number of reasons. First, because France, like Israel, denied the colonial character of Algeriäs situation; second, because analysts appear to have regularly felt the urge to draw attention to the parallels between the Battle of Algiers and Israel¿s reaction to the Palestinian¿s uprising, while the evacuation of French settlers from Algeria is being cited in Israel as a precedent for the Israeli disengagement from the Occupied Territories; and third, because of the immense impact the Algerian War had on the conceptual world of resistance movements around the world ¿ including the then-young PLO hoping to repeat the FLN¿s tactics of national liberation in Palestine.

Academy Award-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theatre career, difficult childhood and path to sobriety in his honest, moving and long-awaited memoir. Born and raised in Port Talbot – a small Welsh steelworks town – amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted. With candour and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear. Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life – the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt – much like the men in his family – and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret. Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.

From #1 bestseller Morgan Rice comes the debut of a breathtaking new fantasy series, ideal for fans of Sarah J Maas, Brandon Sanderson and Jennifer L Armentrout. From USA Today and #1 bestseller Morgan Rice, author of A Quest of Heroes (over 5,000 five star ratings) comes the long-awaited debut of a major new epic fantasy series. The SWORD OF THE DEAD series boldly reimagines the Persephone myth as a jumping off point to launch us into a startlingly new epic fantasy world, replete with fresh villains, kingdoms, tragedy monsters, and heroes. When Thea, the king's 18 year old daughter, is snatched by a monster and taken miles down to an underground kingdom, Lance, a peasant boy who dreams of joining the King's elite knights, vows to risk his life to save her. Lance embarks on an epic quest to prove himself before the king's men, to find the secret passage to the underground, to brave intense trials, to battle hideous monsters, and to get her back. Meanwhile, up above, with the king distracted and betrayed, a once-impregnable kingdom is crumbling, as enemies on all sides close in. Only a hardened girl thief, an unlikely hero, stands a chance of saving it all. SWORD OF THE DEAD weaves an epic tale of fate and destiny, of magic and love, of sacrifice and power. A page-turning read, packed with cliffhangers and twists you will not anticipate, it will immerse you in another world. Appealing to young adults and adults of all ages, SWORD OF THE DEAD offers a fresh take on sword and sorcery adventure fantasy, and will keep you reading late into the night. Future books in the series are also available. "The beginnings of something remarkable are there." --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes) "Has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers." --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer's Ring) "A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series." --Midwest Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes) "Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing." --Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)

Academy Award-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theatre career, difficult childhood and path to sobriety in his honest, moving and long-awaited memoir. Born and raised in Port Talbot – a small Welsh steelworks town – amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted. With candour and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear. Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life – the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt – much like the men in his family – and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret. Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Academy Award–winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theater career, difficult childhood, and path to sobriety in his honest, moving, and long-awaited memoir. Born and raised in Port Talbot—a small Welsh steelworks town—amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents, and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted. With candor and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear. Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life—the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt—much like the men in his family—and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret. Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.

Die vorliegende Geschichte Englands von den Anfängen bis zum Beginn des viktorianischen Zeitalters in den 1830er Jahren ist in zwei große Abschnitte eingeteilt: Teil I reicht von der Vorzeit bis zum Ende des Mittelalters um das Jahr 1485, Teil II vom Beginn der Neuzeit bis zu den Anfängen der Industriellen Revolution. Drei Alleinstellungsmerkmale charakterisieren die Darstellung: erstens die Verbindung der drei im Untertitel angegebenen Themenbereiche; zweitens eine eher beispielhafte als erschöpfende Vorgehensweise, was bedeutet, sich auf das Wichtige zu konzentrieren, statt über möglichst viel je ein wenig zu berichten; drittens die kursiv gedruckten Digressionen, Addenda und Erläuterungen, die nicht zuletzt für deutsche Leser und Leserinnen gedacht sind. Der Band ist konzipiert für Studenten und Studentinnen der Anglistik, der Geschichte und der Kulturwissenschaft sowie für alle, die sich für die englische Geschichte interessieren. In Stil und Format ähnelt die Darstellung einer Vorlesung bzw. einem Begleittext zu einer entsprechenden Lehrveranstaltung und bietet einen kompakten Überblick zur Geschichte Englands von den Anfängen bis zur Industriellen Revolution. Rolf Breuer, Studium der Anglistik, Romanistik und Philosophie in Bonn und Göttingen, 1967 Dr. phil., Assistent in Regensburg ,1975 Habilitation. Gastprofessuren in Amherst/Massachusetts, Bamberg und Marburg. Seit 1979 Professor für Anglistik in Paderborn, 2009 emeritiert. INHALT Vorwort ix TEIL I Von den Anfängen bis zum Ende des Mittelalters 1485 I Anfänge, die Kelten, die römische Kolonisation 3 1. Geographie 3 . 2. Geschichte, Gesellschaft, Kultur 6 . Alt- und Jungsteinzeit 6 – Bronzezeit 7 – Eisenzeit: die Kelten 8 – Die Epoche der römischen Kolonisation 10 II Die angelsächsische Zeit, 430–1066 14 1. Geschichte, Gesellschaft, Kultur 14 . Die germanische Eroberung Englands 14 – Die Germanen 16 – Zivilisationsbedingungen 18 – Landwirtschaft 20 – Gesellschaft 21 – Die religiösen Vorstellungen der Germanen 25 – Die Christianisierung 28 – Wikingerüberfälle und Dänenherrschaft 33 2. Sprache 37 . Systematisches, Historisches 37 – Grammatik 39 – Wortschatz 40 – Ein Beispieltext: „Caedmon’s Hymn“ 41 3. Literatur 43 . Textüberlieferung 43 – Metrik und Stil 44 – Die Vortragssituation 46 – Mündlichkeit 47 – Die Hauptwerke: „Beowulf“, „The Battle of Maldon“, die Elegien, die Prosa 48 III Die mittelenglische Zeit, 1066–1485 58 1. Geographie 58 . 2. Geschichte, Gesellschaft, Kultur 60 . Historischer Überblick 1066–1272 60 – Exkurs: Feudalismus und Rittertum 60 – Historischer Überblick 1066–1272, Fortsetzung 63 – Exkurs: Religiöses Leben, Bildung, Scholastik 69 – Historischer Überblick 1272–1399 76 – Historischer Überblick 1399–1485 87 – Exkurs: Religiöse Erneuerungsbestrebungen 91 – Exkurs: Die Entwicklung des Parlaments 93 – Historischer Überblick 1399–1485, Fortsetzung 94 – Stände 97 – Landwirtschaft 99 – Stellung und Rolle der Frau 101 – Rittertum, höfische Liebe 105 – Architektur 108 3. Sprache 111 . Historisches, Systematisches, Grammatisches 111 – Lautung, Schreibung 113 – Wortschatz 114 – Beispieltexte: Aus Geoffrey Chaucers „Canterbury Tales“ und Thomas Malorys „Le Morte Darthur“ 116 4. Literatur 117 . Das 12. Jahrhundert, die Entstehung der Artus-Sage 117 – Die Lyrik 119 – Die Versromanzen 121 – William Langland 129 – Exkurs: Allegorie und Allegorese 130 – John Gower 131 – Geoffrey Chaucer 133 – John Lydgate und die Chaucer-Nachfolge 143 – Mystery Plays und Morality Plays 144 – Thomas Malory 146 . Anhang 151 Die englischen Könige 151 Wichtige politische und kulturelle Daten der englischen Geschichte 152 Verwendete und empfehlenswerte Forschungsliteratur 154 Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse im Umfeld von King Arthur 158 TEIL II Vom Beginn der Herrschaft des Hauses Tudor 1485 bis zum Regierungsantritt Queen Victorias 1837 Vorbemerkung zur Gesamtgliederung 161 I Von der Herrschaft des Hauses Tudor bis zum Bürgerkrieg, 1485–1642 163 1. Geschichte, Gesellschaft, Kultur 163 . H