Showing results by author "A. Rivers" in All Categories

Japan's blissful isolation changed with the arrival of American Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853. In awe of the American weapons and ships, the Tokugawa shogunate quickly realized that they needed to evolve and modernize their military to survive, and a time of rapid change descended on Japan. Within a mere 30 years, the Tokugawa period’s great samurai caste was extinct. Military service was no longer the exclusive domain of the privileged warrior class who had combined the military with an intricate network of social status and vassalship to their feudal lords.

Machu Picchu is one of South America's best tourist spots, and the ruins have even been voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. But even though Machu Picchu is now the best known of all Incan ruins, its function in Incan civilization is still not clear. Some have speculated that it was an outpost or a frontier citadel, while others believe it to be a sanctuary or a work center for women. Still others suggest that it was a ceremonial center or perhaps even the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest.

Carly: I had eight solid goals to get over Dr. Marcus Vaughn—the super-smart, ridiculously handsome surgeon I've been crushing on. And why would I want that? I don’t, but he has a strict no-dating coworkers policy. My lack of luck in love gets worse. He hijacks my list for his own, follows me to Vegas, and a prank by our coworkers involving too much alcohol turns into a marriage. Oops! For a split second, I wonder if this is the chance I’ve been waiting for. Unfortunately, Marcus is determined to end the marriage and set us back in the friend zone.

Around eight o'clock a.m. on December 26, a massive earthquake registering 9.1-9.3 on the Richter Scale struck off of Sumatra, Indonesia, making it the third strongest earthquake ever recorded by seismographs. On top of that, the earthquake shook for nearly 10 minutes and generated incredibly strong tsunami waves. Thanks to the element of surprise, people in the region had virtually no warning of what was coming. The tsunami waves pulverized entire towns and swept away hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia.

You've mastered the basics. Now go deeper. You know about purpose, connection, health, finances, and structure. But retirement has more layers to navigate. This sequel tackles the advanced challenges nobody warns you about: The Marriage Recalibration — Why divorce rates spike in retirement (and how to beat the odds) The Enough Mindset — How to stop hoarding and start living The Legacy Building — Creating impact while you're alive to see it The Aging Embrace — Adapting gracefully instead of fighting time The Growth Continuation — Why "too old to learn" is a dangerous lie Combined ...

The phenomenon of “conspiracy” or “fringe” theories has always been with people, which makes sense since captivating and entertaining hypotheses arouse the public interest with seemingly sound conclusions that are often based on incomplete, unrelated, or erroneous suppositions. However, with the correct tweaking, they often appear to propound airtight arguments. Conspiracy theories make good use of real or imagined individuals or organizations operating behind a curtain of secrecy manipulating the action.

Contrary to popular belief, the term “Creole” is not restricted to the Louisiana Creole, nor the Creoles of color, which collectively refers to the overall ethnic group and different local Creole cultures that blossomed across the Spanish and French colonies in Louisiana, Mississippi, and northwestern Florida. Today, the term is much more complex and may be applied to any of the various Creole cultures around the globe.

An often overlooked, yet very important, environmental process in world history is known as the “Late Antique Little Ice Age,” which took place during the 6th century A.D. across most of the Northern Hemisphere and received its name because it was shorter and less well-known than the Little Ice Age, which took place from the 16th-19th centuries.

“Pancho Villa,” people whispered at the beginning of the 20th century, "can march 100 miles without stopping, live 100 days without food, go 100 nights without sleep, and kill 100 men without remorse." The legend of Francisco Villa is full of heroism, tragedy and romance. It is the story of a poor farmer boy who became a bandit out of necessity, after avenging an injustice on his family; a military genius who flew from an oppressive government to lead the largest revolutionary army in his country's history, and defeated dictatorship to become Mexico´s liberator, only to fall again in disgrace when his troops abandoned him or were massacred by the enemy. Pancho Villa and his cavalry, Mexicans point out with a certain amount of pride, invaded the United States, and although they came and tried to capture him, they never found him. This is, at least, the version that most of them know, but it's certainly not the same as in their textbooks. The story of Francisco Villa bypassed official censorship from generation to generation, like leaves sailing at full speed on the surface of a stream.

The Holodomor: The History and Legacy of the Ukrainian Famine Engineered by the Soviet Union examines the events that brought about the famine and its terrible toll.

You're back for more. We like your enthusiasm. Whether the first book worked and you want to level up, or you skipped straight to the sequel (no judgment), this book goes deeper into what makes great sex, well, great. Here's what most people miss: Sex isn't just physical. It's emotional. Mental. Relational. The couples with the best sex lives understand this. They work on all the pieces, not just the obvious ones. The first book covered the basics. This one tackles the hidden barriers—the stuff nobody talks about, but everybody struggles with. In this 15-minute read, you'll discover: - ...

Of all the colorful characters that inhabited the West during the 19th century, the most famous of them all is Wyatt Earp (1848-1929), who has long been regarded as the embodiment of the Wild West. Considered the "toughest and deadliest gunman of his day", Earp symbolized the swagger, the heroism, and even the lawlessness of the West.

Stella Callahan's heart flutters when she meets the captivating gaze of a wealthy young man. Leaving behind her cherished family farm seemed like a small sacrifice for the promise of true love. But, fate's cruel twist reveals her beloved's dark secret; he's not just a man of means, but the undercover leader of an outlaw gang. Shocked and shattered by betrayal, Stella's world collapses when tragedy strikes at the hands of her fiancé. Will the path to true love lead her through shadows darker than ever imagined? Eli Boone, eldest of the Boone clan, seethes with rage at the loss of his ...

It was in the nature of Belgium’s withdrawal from Africa that power was essentially handed over to the first in line to receive it. Very little of the careful preparation that characterized the British withdrawal from Africa was evident in Congo. As it turned out, the first in line to take power was a tall, stern-featured ideologue by the name of Patrice Lumumba. This audiobook looks at one of the most important African leaders of the 20th century.

When in-laws gift a getaway, but the universe gifts something more. ASHLEY When my in-laws gifted us a weekend at a new ski lodge, I packed my warmest sweaters and coziest socks. What I didn't expect? Walking into an adults-only resort designed for intimate exploration. As Brandon and I decide to embrace the surprise rather than run from it, I find myself drawn to Nathan—a gorgeous chef who immediately makes me crave things that have nothing to do with food. Two people discovering new desires. BRANDON I've never been the adventurous one, but I've always had fantasies of sharing my wife ...

Robert Smalls’ life illustrates what can happen when one is freed from the fetters of others’ estimations. Smalls’ metamorphosis from slave to ship pilot to U.S. Congressman displays the power of fiery determination and unrelenting ambition. News of Smalls’ incredible exploit made it all the way up to Lincoln, who eventually met him and asked why he would dare such a thing. Smalls replied with only one word: ‘Freedom.

I am Cassandra Liddell: FBI special agent and bad-ass pixie. After barely surviving my last assignment, I'm on the hunt for answers about my past, when bombs start exploding all over London. Fae terrorists have attacked and thrown the city into chaos. To make matters worse, my best friend, Scarlett, has been abducted, and her captor is playing a twisted game of Simon Says, sending me riddles paired with impossible tasks. Roan, a seductive fae warrior, is willing to help me...but of course, he has a price.

In the summer of 1992, federal agents surrounded a few acres of land isolated in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, where Randy Weaver, his wife Vicki, his 14-year-old son Samuel, and his three young daughters were staying. Weaver was a former Green Beret who had come to the attention of the ATF and other federal agencies for a number of reasons, including associations with white supremacist groups and the possession of illegal shotguns.

Lying in the middle of a plain in modern-day Iran is a forgotten ancient city, Persepolis. Built two and a half thousand years ago, it was known in its day as the richest city under the sun. Persepolis was the capital of Persia, the largest empire the world had ever seen, but after its destruction, it was largely forgotten for nearly 2,000 years, and the lives and achievements of those who built it were almost entirely erased from history.

When the body of a "bride," clutching a bloody invitation is found in a shallow grave with flower petals scattered around, FBI agent Emma Griffin is called to the scene. Initial reports about the victim’s disappearance were conflicting. Some believed she had simply gotten cold feet, just a “runaway bride”. While her family feared something far more sinister occurred. When another “bride” is found in a similar fashion, it seems as though a serial killer is sending a message.