Bloomsbury presents Crescent Dawn by Si Sheppard, read by Mark Elstob. A groundbreaking new history of the wars of the Ottoman Expansion, a truly global conflagration that crisscrossed three continents and ultimately defined the borders and future of a modern Europe. The determined attempt to thwart Ottoman dominance was fought across five theaters from the Balkans to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, from Persia to Russia. This intercontinental melee is expertly re-told in this fascinating new history by historian Si Sheppard. But this is not the story of a clash of civilizations between East and West as you might assume. Europe was not united against the Turks; the scandal of the age was the alliance between King Francis I of France and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Meanwhile, the resistance of the Saadi dynasty of Morocco to Ottoman encroachment played a critical role in denying Constantinople direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. By the same token, though religious imperatives were critical to the motivations of all the key actors involved, these in no way fell neatly along the Christian Muslim divide. Crescent Dawn expertly shows how the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V desired nothing more than to eradicate the Protestant heresy metastasizing throughout his domains, but the threat of Turkish invasion forced him to stay his hand and indulge his Lutheran subjects to ensure a common defense. Nevertheless, the collective effort to constrain the expansion of the Ottoman superpower did succeed with the ultimate victory in 1571 the tipping point in reordering the trajectory of history. Crescent Dawn features some of the legendary figures of the era – from Mehmet the Conqueror, and Suleiman the Magnificent on the Ottoman side, to Charles V and Vasco de Gama on the other – and some of the most exotic locales on Earth – from the sumptuous palaces of Constantinople to the bloody battlefields of the Balkans to the awe-inspiring mountains of Ethiopia. This is a colorful history that brings the great battles of the age to life and clearly shows how the western struggle against the Ottomans constituted the first truly world war.

The first book in the New York Times bestselling series by L.J. Smith. Origins is the first book in L.J. Smith's bestselling Stefan's Diaries series, which reveals the backstory of brothers Stefan and Damon from The Vampire Diaries series. This digital edition features cover artwork from the hit CW TV series The Vampire Diaries, starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder. Set in mid-19 th century Mystic Falls, Virginia, three teenagers enter a torrid love triangle that will span eternity. Brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore are inseparable until they meet Katherine, a stunning, mysterious woman who turns their world upside down. Siblings turned rivals, the Salvatores compete for Katherine's affection, only to discover that her sumptuous silk dresses and glittering gems hide a terrible secret: Katherine is a vampire. And she is intent on turning them into vampires so they can live together—forever. Full of dark shadows and surprising twists, the first book in the New York Times bestselling Stefan's Diaries series raises the stakes for the Salvatore brothers as they face new loves, old treacheries, and unimaginable threats. Fans of L. J. Smith's New York Times bestselling Vampire Diaries series as well as the hit television show won't be able to put the latest Salvatore adventure down. How did one woman turn two devoted brothers into eternal enemies? Love Triangle: Two inseparable brothers, Stefan and Damon. One beautiful, dangerous woman, Katherine. When she enters their lives, their bond will be tested and broken forever. Sibling Rivalry: Once allies, the Salvatore brothers become bitter rivals, competing for the affection of a woman who holds a dark and deadly secret. Historical Vampire Romance: In a world of southern charm and Civil War turmoil, the greatest danger isn't on the battlefield—it's the beautiful stranger who promises eternity. Supernatural Romance: Discover Katherine's shocking secret: she's a vampire, and she intends to turn the brothers so they can be together forever, plunging them into a world of eternal life and unending conflict.

In the searing finale to the iconic Bridge Kingdom series, the battle for Ithicana comes to an epic conclusion-from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood. A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But the man who broke her heart is hunting at her heels, and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge. To prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father's killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna's trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested-and the more the passion they once shared reignites. As war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the real enemy isn't each other. With their loyalties on opposing sides of the battle to come, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other's arms. Tropes/themes: 1. Political Intrigue 2. Alternate World 3. Enemies to Lovers 4. Action & Adventure 5. Romantasy Don't miss any of Danielle L. Jensen's Bridge Kingdom series: THE BRIDGE KINGDOM,THE TRAITOR QUEEN, THE INADEQUATE HEIR, THE ENDLESS WAR, THE TWISTED THRONE, THE TEMPEST BLADE __ PRAISE FOR THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES ' Exquisite, phenomenal and sexy ' Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of Feather ' An epic, action-packed tale of love, revenge, and betrayal ' Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of Kill the Queen ' Heart-pounding romance and intense action wrapped in a spellbinding world. I was hooked from the first page! ' Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King PRAISE FOR DANIELLE L. JENSEN ' Richly-woven, evocative and absolutely impossible to put down...I loved every word ' Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses ' Stellar world-building and multidimensional characters ' Kirkus ' Stunning world-building, a vivid cast of secondary characters, and a steamy slow-burn romance ' Bookist

In the searing finale to the iconic Bridge Kingdom series, the battle for Ithicana comes to an epic conclusion-from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood. A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But the man who broke her heart is hunting at her heels, and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge. To prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father's killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna's trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested-and the more the passion they once shared reignites. As war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the real enemy isn't each other. With their loyalties on opposing sides of the battle to come, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other's arms. Tropes/themes: 1. Political Intrigue 2. Alternate World 3. Enemies to Lovers 4. Action & Adventure 5. Romantasy Don't miss any of Danielle L. Jensen's Bridge Kingdom series: THE BRIDGE KINGDOM,THE TRAITOR QUEEN, THE INADEQUATE HEIR, THE ENDLESS WAR, THE TWISTED THRONE, THE TEMPEST BLADE __ PRAISE FOR THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES ' Exquisite, phenomenal and sexy ' Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of Feather ' An epic, action-packed tale of love, revenge, and betrayal ' Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of Kill the Queen ' Heart-pounding romance and intense action wrapped in a spellbinding world. I was hooked from the first page! ' Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King PRAISE FOR DANIELLE L. JENSEN ' Richly-woven, evocative and absolutely impossible to put down...I loved every word ' Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses ' Stellar world-building and multidimensional characters ' Kirkus ' Stunning world-building, a vivid cast of secondary characters, and a steamy slow-burn romance ' Bookist

"In Assyria, historian Eckart Frahm tells the epic story of one of the ancient world's most accomplished civilizations, the Assyrian Empire. Tracing its origins to a minor city state in present-day Iraq, Assyria at its height, around 660 BCE, stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, the first empire the world had seen. Breath-taking, belligerent conquest-epitomized in the motto of the seventh-century king Esarhaddon, "Before me, cities; behind me, ruins"- fuelled much of Assyria's growth. But as their power increased, the Assyrians accomplished stunning achievements off the battlefield, too, commissioning the world's first universal library, creating monumental sculpture, and building an elaborate "Royal Road" throughout the empire that allowed the Assyrian metropole, Ashur, to stay in regular contact with its provinces. For three centuries, Assyria reigned preeminent before it suddenly collapsed in 609 BCE, destroyed by the combined armies of the Babylonians and the Medes. Drawing on deep research into Assyrian archaeology, art, and literature, Frahm reveals the enduring influence of Assyria in world history. The empire established a long tradition of war-prone, multi-ethnic conqueror-states, organized into separate provinces and geared towards moving resources on a massive scale from the periphery to the political center. The government of Assyria served, first directly and then indirectly, as a model for future Eurasian empires, from the Babylonian and Persian Empires of antiquity to the Abbasid and Ottoman caliphates of the Islamic period. And its impact extended far beyond politics. For instance, one of the main roots of Israelite monotheism-from which Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all emerged-was the traumatic encounter of the Israelites and Judeans with the autocratic rulers of Assyria. While Assyria ultimately fell rapidly within the span of only a decade, the empire left behind a centuries-long legacy that transformed global civilization. An utterly definitive history, this is the breathtaking story of Assyria, told as never before. It will completely reshape our understanding of the ancient world"--

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, war, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk-the early decades of the twenty-first century may be the most revolutionary period in modern history. But it is not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What are these revolutions, and how can they help us to understand our fraught world? In this major work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates the eras and movements that have shaken norms while shaping the modern world. Three such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, a fascinating series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world-and created politics as we know it today. Next, the French Revolution, an explosive era that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us today. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Great Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Alongside these paradigm-shifting historical events, Zakaria probes four present-day revolutions: globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics. For all their benefits, the globalization and technology revolutions have produced profound disruptions and pervasive anxiety and our identity. And increasingly, identity is the battlefield on which the twenty-first century's polarized politics are fought. All this is set against a geopolitical revolution as great as the one that catapulted the United States to world power in the late nineteenth century. Now we are entering a world in which the US is no longer the dominant power. As we find ourselves at the nexus of four seismic revolutions, we can easily imagine a dark future. But Zakaria proves that pessimism is premature. If we act wisely, the liberal international order can be revived and populism relegated to the ash heap of history. As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to once again reframe and illuminate our turbulent present. His bold, compelling arguments make this book essential reading in our age of revolutions.

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation. Video running time: More than 6 hours With interactive training including video feedback Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation. Video running time: More than 6 hours With interactive training including video feedback Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! Video running time: More than 6 hours With interactive training including video feedback Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

In the searing finale to the iconic Bridge Kingdom series, the battle for Ithicana comes to an epic conclusion-from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood. A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But the man who broke her heart is hunting at her heels, and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge. To prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father's killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna's trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested-and the more the passion they once shared reignites. As war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the real enemy isn't each other. With their loyalties on opposing sides of the battle to come, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other's arms. Tropes/themes: 1. Political Intrigue 2. Alternate World 3. Enemies to Lovers 4. Action & Adventure 5. Romantasy Don't miss any of Danielle L. Jensen's Bridge Kingdom series: THE BRIDGE KINGDOM,THE TRAITOR QUEEN, THE INADEQUATE HEIR, THE ENDLESS WAR, THE TWISTED THRONE, THE TEMPEST BLADE __ PRAISE FOR THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES ' Exquisite, phenomenal and sexy ' Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of Feather ' An epic, action-packed tale of love, revenge, and betrayal ' Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of Kill the Queen ' Heart-pounding romance and intense action wrapped in a spellbinding world. I was hooked from the first page! ' Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King PRAISE FOR DANIELLE L. JENSEN ' Richly-woven, evocative and absolutely impossible to put down...I loved every word ' Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses ' Stellar world-building and multidimensional characters ' Kirkus ' Stunning world-building, a vivid cast of secondary characters, and a steamy slow-burn romance ' Bookist

1. [Gold size, clear visibility] Equipped with an 18.5-inch FHD full HD IPS screen, with a resolution of up to 1920x1080. Compared to traditional small-sized screens, the display area has increased by 40%. Whether it is processing complex reports, coding, or entertainment, it can provide just the right wide field of view and delicate and realistic image quality, effectively improving work efficiency and immersion. 2. [First line intelligent connection, minimalist and efficient] Supports mainstream Type-C interface direct connection (can provide reverse power supply for devices) and is compatible with HDMI interface. No need for complicated settings, plug and play, easily turn laptops, phones (with video output support), switches, PS5 and other devices into your large screen workstation or gaming battlefield, completely bidding farewell to desktop cable clutter. 3. [Portable and portable, lightweight and ultra-thin] Adopting an ultra-thin panel design, it can easily fit into a computer bag or suitcase. Whether on a business trip, working in a coffee shop, or presenting in a conference room, it can expand an efficient screen for you anytime and anywhere, becoming your mobile productivity center. 4. [Eye care, long-lasting comfort] Adopting DC dimming technology, it effectively reduces screen flicker and has passed the TUV Rheinland low blue light certification. Facing the screen for a long time for document processing and browsing web pages can significantly reduce eye fatigue, providing you with a more comfortable and healthy viewing experience, and allowing you to focus more persistently. 5. [Multi functional scenarios, versatile partners] Perfectly adaptable to various scenarios: serving as a secondary screen for laptops during office hours, adept at multitasking; Connect Switch/PS5 during gameplay to unlock the large screen gaming experience; When at home, you can quickly turn your phone into a small TV host. Equipped with an intelligent protective cover, it is both a bracket and a protective shell, versatile and fully meets your work and entertainment needs.

Art.Nr.: 300030057 Art.bezeichnung: 1/35 WWI Brit. Tank Mk. IV Male (mot.) Tamiya is delighted to announce its maiden foray into the world of WWI models, in the year which marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities in what was then known as the Great War. The tanks which appeared in the conflict were the first ever seen on the battlefield, and were the forerunners of a whole line of military vehicles which is still being developed further today. The Mk.IV tank was a successor to the Mk.I, which was drawn up by British designers in attempt to break the stalemate of trench warfare experienced on the Western Front; the rhombus-shaped hull was designed to aid in crossing the extensive network of trenches. The Mk.I, first thrown into live action in September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, had "male" (fitted with 57mm, 6-pound guns) and "female" (fitted only with machine guns) versions. Around 1,000 Mk.IV tanks were manufactured after 1917, and they inherited their shape and male/female weaponry and classifications from the Mk.I, but with significantly upgraded armor. Around 400 were used en masse in the November 1917 Battle of Cambrai to great effect, and with the world cottoning on to the new vehicle’s potential the maiden tank vs. tank battle was not far behind: in 1918, the Mk.IV faced off against its German counterpart the AV7.About the Model • This is a 1/35 scale motorized plastic model assembly kit. Length: 230mm. • Extensive study of the tank at the Tank Museum in Bovington, England has led to a model which faithfully recreates the form of this ground-breaking vehicle. • Pre-assembled single motor gearbox enables forward movement. • The assembly of the armor plates mirrors that on the Mk.IV. • Numerous road wheels, idler wheels and drive sprockets are accurately captured with a hassle-free assembly. • Chains on the unditching beam are depicted using metal parts, • Comes with 3 marking options, including one to recreate a vehicle which took part in the Battle of Cambrai. • Use with Item 35339 1/35 WWI British Infantry Set to create a thrilling WWI diorama.

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, war, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk-the early decades of the twenty-first century may be the most revolutionary period in modern history. But it is not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What are these revolutions, and how can they help us to understand our fraught world? In this major work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates the eras and movements that have shaken norms while shaping the modern world. Three such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, a fascinating series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world-and created politics as we know it today. Next, the French Revolution, an explosive era that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us today. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Great Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Alongside these paradigm-shifting historical events, Zakaria probes four present-day revolutions: globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics. For all their benefits, the globalization and technology revolutions have produced profound disruptions and pervasive anxiety and our identity. And increasingly, identity is the battlefield on which the twenty-first century's polarized politics are fought. All this is set against a geopolitical revolution as great as the one that catapulted the United States to world power in the late nineteenth century. Now we are entering a world in which the US is no longer the dominant power. As we find ourselves at the nexus of four seismic revolutions, we can easily imagine a dark future. But Zakaria proves that pessimism is premature. If we act wisely, the liberal international order can be revived and populism relegated to the ash heap of history. As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to once again reframe and illuminate our turbulent present. His bold, compelling arguments make this book essential reading in our age of revolutions.

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, war, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk-the early decades of the twenty-first century may be the most revolutionary period in modern history. But it is not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What are these revolutions, and how can they help us to understand our fraught world? In this major work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates the eras and movements that have shaken norms while shaping the modern world. Three such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, a fascinating series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world-and created politics as we know it today. Next, the French Revolution, an explosive era that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us today. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Great Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Alongside these paradigm-shifting historical events, Zakaria probes four present-day revolutions: globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics. For all their benefits, the globalization and technology revolutions have produced profound disruptions and pervasive anxiety and our identity. And increasingly, identity is the battlefield on which the twenty-first century's polarized politics are fought. All this is set against a geopolitical revolution as great as the one that catapulted the United States to world power in the late nineteenth century. Now we are entering a world in which the US is no longer the dominant power. As we find ourselves at the nexus of four seismic revolutions, we can easily imagine a dark future. But Zakaria proves that pessimism is premature. If we act wisely, the liberal international order can be revived and populism relegated to the ash heap of history. As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to once again reframe and illuminate our turbulent present. His bold, compelling arguments make this book essential reading in our age of revolutions.

Michael Shaara reinvented the war novel with his Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece of Gettysburg, The Killer Angels. Jeff Shaara continued his father's legacy with a series of centuries-spanning New York Times bestsellers. Together at last in eBook form, this volume assembles three Civil War novels from America's first family of military fiction: Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels, and The Last Full Measure. Gods and Generals traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders-Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, Joshua Chamberlain-from the gathering clouds of war. The Killer Angels re-creates the fight for America's destiny in the Battle of Gettysburg, the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation's history. And The Last Full Measure brings to life the final two years of the Civil War, chasing the escalating conflict between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant-complicated, heroic, and deeply troubled men-through to its riveting conclusion at Appomattox. Contains a preview Jeff Shaara's new novel of the Civil War, A Blaze of Glory. Praise for Michael Shaara and Jeff Shaara's Civil War trilogy "Brilliant does not even begin to describe the Shaara gift."-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Shaara's beautifully sensitive novel delves deeply in the empathetic realm of psycho-history, where enemies do not exist-just mortal men forced to make crucial decisions and survive on the same battlefield."-San Francisco Chronicle, on Gods and Generals "Remarkable . . . a book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive."-Ken Burns, on The Killer Angels "The Last Full Measure is more than another historical novel. It is rooted in history, but its strength is the element of humanity flowing through its characters. . . . The book is compelling, easy to read, well researched and written, and thought-provoking. . . . In short, it is everything that a reader could ask for."-Chicago Tribune

Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, war, and an international system studded with catastrophic risk-the early decades of the twenty-first century may be the most revolutionary period in modern history. But it is not the first. Humans have lived, and thrived, through more than one great realignment. What are these revolutions, and how can they help us to understand our fraught world? In this major work, Fareed Zakaria masterfully investigates the eras and movements that have shaken norms while shaping the modern world. Three such periods hold profound lessons for today. First, in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, a fascinating series of transformations made that tiny land the richest in the world-and created politics as we know it today. Next, the French Revolution, an explosive era that devoured its ideological children and left a bloody legacy that haunts us today. Finally, the mother of all revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, which catapulted Great Britain and the US to global dominance and created the modern world. Alongside these paradigm-shifting historical events, Zakaria probes four present-day revolutions: globalization, technology, identity, and geopolitics. For all their benefits, the globalization and technology revolutions have produced profound disruptions and pervasive anxiety and our identity. And increasingly, identity is the battlefield on which the twenty-first century's polarized politics are fought. All this is set against a geopolitical revolution as great as the one that catapulted the United States to world power in the late nineteenth century. Now we are entering a world in which the US is no longer the dominant power. As we find ourselves at the nexus of four seismic revolutions, we can easily imagine a dark future. But Zakaria proves that pessimism is premature. If we act wisely, the liberal international order can be revived and populism relegated to the ash heap of history. As few public intellectuals can, Zakaria combines intellectual range, deep historical insight, and uncanny prescience to once again reframe and illuminate our turbulent present. His bold, compelling arguments make this book essential reading in our age of revolutions.

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! Video running time: More than 6 hours With interactive training including video feedback Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.

Read the first three books in the million-copy bestselling Outlander series that inspired the TV show. What if your future was the past? Book 1: Outlander 1946, and Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. It's a second honeymoon, a chance to learn how war has changed them and to re-establish their loving marriage. But one afternoon, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and vanishes into 1743, where the first person she meets is a British army officer - her husband's six-times great-grandfather. Unfortunately, Black Jack Randall is not the man his descendant is, and while trying to escape him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish outlaws, and finds herself a Sassenach - an outlander - in danger from both Jacobites and Redcoats. Marooned amid danger, passion and violence, her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives. Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to the majesty of Scotland's mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones, about a love that transcends the boundaries of time, and about James Fraser, a warrior whose gallantry once drew the young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his. Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful daughter as Claire's spellbinding journey continues in the intrigue-ridden court of Charles Edward Stuart, in a race to thwart a doomed uprising, and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves. Book 3: Voyager Jamie Fraser is lying on the battlefield of Culloden, where he rises wounded, to face execution or imprisonment. Either prospect pales beside the pain of loss - his wife is gone. Forever. But sometimes forever is shorter than one thinks. In 1746, Claire Fraser made a perilous journey through time, leaving her young husband to die at Culloden, in order to protect their unborn child. In 1968, Claire has just been struck through the heart, discovering that Jamie Fraser didn't die in battle. But where is Jamie now? With the help of her grown daughter, Claire sets out to find the man who was her life - and might be once again.

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation. • Video running time: More than 6 hours • With interactive training including video feedback • Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key

Step into the world of elite chess mastery with our groundbreaking course, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets.” This isn’t just another chess tutorial – it’s your all-access pass to the strategies, insights, and techniques that define modern grandmaster play. His majesty: The King Discover the key to success in chess: mastering the role of the king. Often underestimated, the king’s position can make or break your game – a vulnerable king can cost you dearly, while an active king can be your secret weapon in endgames and attacks. This course delves into Grandmaster-level strategies, with two dedicated chapters packed with ideas to enhance your own gameplay. Build an Impenetrable Defence Fortify your position against the fiercest attacks. Understand the nuances of solid defensive play, discover how to anticipate and neutralise threats before they appear, and transform your king’s safety into a launchpad for counterattack. Elevate Your Calculation Skills Sharpen your mind with advanced calculation techniques. Go beyond basic tactics to master complex combinations, deep analysis, and precise move sequences that lead to victory. Learn to visualise the board like a grandmaster and make decisions with confidence and accuracy. Perfect Your Positional Play Dominate the subtle, strategic battlefields of chess. Understand the principles of strong positional play, from pawn structure and piece activity to control of key squares and long-term planning. Turn every position to your advantage and outmanoeuvre your opponents with superior strategy. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ranks, improve your club play, or simply enjoy the game on a deeper level, “Revealing Modern Grandmaster Secrets” is your ultimate guide. Join us and transform your chess skills today – your journey to chess mastery starts here. Enrol Now and Become the Player You’ve Always Dreamed of Being! • Video running time: More than 6 hours • With interactive training including video feedback • Extra: Training with ChessBase apps – Play key positions against Fritz on various levels Including download & stream for iPad, tablet etc: can be unlocked with imprinted key System requirements: Minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphic card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and internet connection for program activation. Recommended: PC Intel Core i7, 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Windows 7 or Windows 8, DirectX10 graphic card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or better, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD-ROM drive and internet connection for program activation.