empire earth

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Life-filled and life-affirming history, steeped in romance and written with verve' GUARDIAN 'Richly entertaining and impeccably researched' Peter Frankopan Istanbul has always been a place where stories and histories collide and crackle, where the idea is as potent as the historical fact. From the Qu'ran to Shakespeare, this city with three names - Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - resonates as an idea and a place, and overspills its boundaries - real and imagined. Standing as the gateway between the East and West, it has served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. For much of its history it was known simply as The City, but, as Bettany Hughes reveals, Istanbul is not just a city, but a story. In this epic new biography, Hughes takes us on a dazzling historical journey through the many incarnations of one of the world's greatest cities. As the longest-lived political entity in Europe, over the last 6,000 years Istanbul has absorbed a mosaic of micro-cities and cultures all gathering around the core. At the latest count archaeologists have measured forty-two human habitation layers. Phoenicians, Genoese, Venetians, Jews, Vikings, Azeris all called a patch of this earth their home. Based on meticulous research and new archaeological evidence, this captivating portrait of the momentous life of Istanbul is visceral, immediate and scholarly narrative history at its finest.

Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous men in history. There are good reasons to believe that he walked the earth some two thousand years ago, and was eventually crucified. But what about Jesus Christ, son of God? What if he never existed? What if the divine, virgin-born, resurrected Jesus Christ was a myth, a lie-even a hoax? That would have huge implications for modern day Christianity; it would mean that there is a gigantic falsehood at the core of the religion of some two billion people. In this book, Dr. David Skrbina presents a profound and stunning theory: that St. Paul and a band of followers constructed a 'Jesus hoax.' They took a kernel of truth based on Jesus, the man, and turned him into the divine savior of humanity. They did so as a way to strike back at the hated Roman Empire, and to undermine its strength among the common people. The absolute lack of corroborating evidence for the so-called biblical Jesus, and the fact that key documents such as the four Gospels were written decades after his time, all support this theory. Everyone, regardless of religious belief, needs to be aware of this astonishing story. This is not just ancient history; it has vast implications for many areas of modern life.

The extraordinary story of Mary Reibey - immortalised on the Australian $20 note, Australia's first female entrepreneur and the most powerful woman in colonial history SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 INDIE BOOK AWARDS In 1791, teenage runaway and sometime horse thief Mary Reibey narrowly escaped the English gallows with transportation to the brutal new penal colony at Sydney Cove. It was the beginning of a 60-plus year story of bravery and tenacity - within two decades Mary would overcome the stigma of her convict past to become the richest woman in colonial Australia. Finding love early on her arrival in the new colony, Mary went on to develop a family business which grew to include a fleet of merchant vessels. Widowed at just 33 and with seven children to support, Mary would oversee the growth of that business to an international trading empire and go on to expand what is now Sydney's thriving business district while helping to bankroll many of the colony's first public services. Shipping magnate, real estate mogul, working mum and philanthropist - this engaging and meticulously researched portrait by the acclaimed author of bestsellers such as Mrs Kelly, Banks, Banjo and Monash reveals a colourful character of remarkable determination and foresight who became one of Australia's first heroes as a brutal, remote British outpost was transformed into one of the most prosperous places on earth.

Space, wild and free, and it's your for the taking! Our Solar system and its planets are ripe for the picking, treasure troves for the brave and bold space adventurer. So what if the Martians or the savages of Venus would rather we stay home? They'll be happy campers once you've subjugated them, strip-mined their resources, built shoe factories and taught them the rules of cricket. Everyone likes progress. Prepare your forces to conquer the savage solar system an beyond. Onward to Venus! Onward to Venus is a board game for two to five players based on the graphic novels of Greg Broadmore. The game plunges you into an alternate reality where space travel and ray guns exist in an end-of-the- nineteenth century setting. You will take control of one of the major Earth based empires and compete with your fellow players to colonies the planets moons of Solar System. Rather that play on a standard board you will arrange eight planets and moons in a line on the table of play. You must use your military forces wisely to take control of mines, build factories, and defeat uppity rebels. All of this brought to colorful life though the extensive use of Greg's imagery. Prepare yourself for a visual and metal treat. Game Contains: 132 Cards 20 Countersheets 8 Wooden Components 3 Customised Dice 1 Cloth Bag 1 Player Aid Card 1 Rulebook

Divergent meets Fourth Wing in the thrilling world of The Confluence Academy, where teens harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts-a heart-pounding romantasy series from USA Today bestselling author, Penelope Bloom. Students are branded by water, air, earth, or fire. But nineteen-year-old Nessa's mark is different. A silver spiral-the mark of an unbound. It's a power so dangerous that her kind were hunted to extinction centuries ago-or so the Empire claims. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer-Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms. Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in. Death once seemed like release from her tragic past. Now it's not an option. Nessa will embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she's fought for burn. At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons ... or they don't leave at all. Readers are already falling in love with Unbound ! "I'm actually giving this a 6/5 stars! Like I NEED THE SEQUEL NOW! Devoured and left no crumbs." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ " All the fun tropes we crave for in a Romantasy book that felt freshly unique." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ "If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy ... add this to your TBR stat!!! -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ "This book had me in a chokehold. Loved it all the way." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿

The sun is setting on the Western world. Slowly but surely, the direction in which the world spins has reversed: where for the last five centuries the globe turned westwards on its axis, it now turns to the east...For centuries, fame and fortune was to be found in the west - in the New World of the Americas. Today, it is the east which calls out to those in search of adventure and riches. The region stretching from eastern Europe and sweeping right across Central Asia deep into China and India, is taking centre stage in international politics, commerce and culture - and is shaping the modern world. This region, the true centre of the earth, is obscure to many in the English-speaking world. Yet this is where civilization itself began, where the world's great religions were born and took root. The Silk Roads were no exotic series of connections, but networks that linked continents and oceans together. Along them flowed ideas, goods, disease and death. This was where empires were won - and where they were lost. As a new era emerges, the patterns of exchange are mirroring those that have criss-crossed Asia for millennia. The Silk Roads are rising again. A major reassessment of world history, The Silk Roads is an important account of the forces that have shaped the global economy and the political renaissance in the re-emerging east.

Divergent meets Fourth Wing in the thrilling world of The Confluence Academy, where teens harness elemental magic and bond powerful beasts-a heart-pounding romantasy series from USA Today bestselling author, Penelope Bloom. Students are branded by water, air, earth, or fire. But nineteen-year-old Nessa's mark is different. A silver spiral-the mark of an unbound. It's a power so dangerous that her kind were hunted to extinction centuries ago-or so the Empire claims. Nessa's greatest threat may be the only other volunteer-Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms. Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in. Death once seemed like release from her tragic past. Now it's not an option. Nessa will embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she's fought for burn. At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons ... or they don't leave at all. Readers are already falling in love with Unbound ! "I'm actually giving this a 6/5 stars! Like I NEED THE SEQUEL NOW! Devoured and left no crumbs." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ " All the fun tropes we crave for in a Romantasy book that felt freshly unique." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ "If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy ... add this to your TBR stat!!! -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿ "This book had me in a chokehold. Loved it all the way." -Goodreads reviewer ¿¿¿¿¿

Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous men in history. There are good reasons to believe that he walked the earth some two thousand years ago, and was eventually crucified. But what about Jesus Christ, son of God? What if he never existed? What if the divine, virgin-born, resurrected Jesus Christ was a myth, a lie-even a hoax? That would have huge implications for modern day Christianity; it would mean that there is a gigantic falsehood at the core of the religion of some two billion people. In this book, Dr. David Skrbina presents a profound and stunning theory: that St. Paul and a band of followers constructed a 'Jesus hoax.' They took a kernel of truth based on Jesus, the man, and turned him into the divine savior of humanity. They did so as a way to strike back at the hated Roman Empire, and to undermine its strength among the common people. The absolute lack of corroborating evidence for the so-called biblical Jesus, and the fact that key documents such as the four Gospels were written decades after his time, all support this theory. Everyone, regardless of religious belief, needs to be aware of this astonishing story. This is not just ancient history; it has vast implications for many areas of modern life.

To walk the path of a morazir, I will exist in three states of being: Untouched. Untaken. Unconquered. Airik, a battle-scarred warrior serving the cruel intergalactic empire of the Veynari, craves silence from the nightmares tormenting his mind. But while on post to decommission a failed experiment of a planet, a rogue human spacecraft crashes, and a reckless decision leaves him stranded-entangled with a woman he never should have saved. Nora wakes light-years from Earth, broken in body and spirit, at the mercy of an alien soldier who refuses to let her die. Devastatingly beautiful, terrifyingly competent, and bound by a warrior's oath that permits touch only to destroy, he's the reluctant guardian angel she neither wants nor believes she deserves. Trapped together, they're forced to navigate a brutal landscape, vicious beasts, and the deadly remnants of an abandoned world. Duty demands Airik's cold indifference. Yet Nora sparks something deliciously alive-and entirely forbidden-within him. What begins as necessity ignites a primal hunger: scorching, consuming, and impossible to resist. But even if they survive, the Veynari-ever present and ruthless-won't allow its warriors weakness like love. For Airik and Nora to be together, they must risk everything. The Wildborn is a steamy, high-stakes sci-fi romance featuring forced proximity with an emotionally repressed alien protector who falls hard. Perfect for fans of Zoey Draven's immersive world-building, the dark emotional complexities of Victoria Aveline's Ruling Sikthand, and the lyrical storytelling of Grace Draven.

Bloomsbury presents The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan, read by Mike Grady.The No. 1 Sunday Times and international bestseller – a major reassessment of world history in light of the economic and political renaissance in the re-emerging eastFor centuries, fame and fortune was to be found in the west – in the New World of the Americas. Today, it is the east which calls out to those in search of adventure and riches. The region stretching from eastern Europe and sweeping right across Central Asia deep into China and India, is taking centre stage in international politics, commerce and culture – and is shaping the modern world.This region, the true centre of the earth, is obscure to many in the English-speaking world. Yet this is where civilization itself began, where the world's great religions were born and took root. The Silk Roads were no exotic series of connections, but networks that linked continents and oceans together. Along them flowed ideas, goods, disease and death. This was where empires were won – and where they were lost. As a new era emerges, the patterns of exchange are mirroring those that have criss-crossed Asia for millennia. The Silk Roads are rising again.A major reassessment of world history, The Silk Roads is an important account of the forces that have shaped the global economy and the political renaissance in the re-emerging east.'Brilliant and fearlessly wide-ranging' – Guardian, Books of the Year'Breathtaking and addictively readable' Daily Telegraph, History Book of the Year'Dazzlingly good' Evening Standard

To walk the path of a morazir, I will exist in three states of being: Untouched. Untaken. Unconquered. Airik, a battle-scarred warrior serving the cruel intergalactic empire of the Veynari, craves silence from the nightmares tormenting his mind. But while on post to decommission a failed experiment of a planet, a rogue human spacecraft crashes, and a reckless decision leaves him stranded-entangled with a woman he never should have saved. Nora wakes light-years from Earth, broken in body and spirit, at the mercy of an alien soldier who refuses to let her die. Devastatingly beautiful, terrifyingly competent, and bound by a warrior's oath that permits touch only to destroy, he's the reluctant guardian angel she neither wants nor believes she deserves. Trapped together, they're forced to navigate a brutal landscape, vicious beasts, and the deadly remnants of an abandoned world. Duty demands Airik's cold indifference. Yet Nora sparks something deliciously alive-and entirely forbidden-within him. What begins as necessity ignites a primal hunger: scorching, consuming, and impossible to resist. But even if they survive, the Veynari-ever present and ruthless-won't allow its warriors weakness like love. For Airik and Nora to be together, they must risk everything. The Wildborn is a steamy, high-stakes sci-fi romance featuring forced proximity with an emotionally repressed alien protector who falls hard. Perfect for fans of Zoey Draven's immersive world-building, the dark emotional complexities of Victoria Aveline's Ruling Sikthand, and the lyrical storytelling of Grace Draven.

'A compelling storyteller, with a striking talent for historical reconstruction' Mary Beard A.D. 165: The empire of Rome has reached its pinnacle. Pax Roma reigns from Britannia to Egypt, from Gaul to Greece. Emperor Marcus Aurelius oversees a golden age and the ancient Pinarius family of artisans embellish the greatest city on Earth with gilded statues and towering marble monuments. But history does not stand still. The years to come bring wars, plagues, fires, and famines. The best emperors in history are succeeded by some of the worst. Barbarians descend, eventually appearing before the gates of Rome itself. Chaos engulfs the empire. Through it all, the Pinarius family endures, thanks in no small part to the fascinum, a protective talisman older than Rome itself, handed down through countless generations. But on the fringes of society, a band of troublesome cultists disseminate dangerous and seditious ideas. They call themselves Christians. Some emperors deal with the Christians with toleration, others with bloody persecution. Then one emperor does the unthinkable. He becomes a Christian himself and the revolution he sets in motion will change the world forever. Spanning 160 years and seven generations, teeming with some of ancient Rome's most vivid figures, Saylor's epic brings to vivid life some of the most tumultuous chapters of human history, events which reverberate still. Praise for Steven Saylor: 'Saylor expertly weaves the true history of Rome with the lives and loves of its fictional citizens.' Daily Express 'Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals' Ruth Rendell 'With the scalpel-like deftness of a Hollywood director, Saylor puts his finger on the very essence of Roman history.' Times Literary Supplement 'Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researched... this is entertainment of the first order.' Washington Post 'Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals' Ruth Rendell 'The most reliably entertaining and well-researched novels about the ancient world [are] Steven Saylor's tales of the Roman proto-detective Gordianus the Finder. The Throne of Caesar brings the series to a satisfying conclusion [and offers] a new, compelling perspective on familiar historic events' Sunday Times

New York Times Readers' Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21 st Century The tenth anniversary edition of the internationally bestselling phenomenon that cemented Yuval Noah Harari as one of the most prominent historians of our time-featuring a new afterword from the author. One hundred thousand years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens. How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations, and human rights; to trust money, books, and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables, and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come? In Sapiens, Professor Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical-and sometimes devastating-breakthroughs of the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, paleontology, and economics, and incorporating full-color illustrations throughout the text, he explores the origin of our species and how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. Can we ever free our behavior from the legacy of our ancestors? And what, if anything, can we do to influence the course of the centuries to come? Bold, wide-ranging, and provocative, this work of big history integrates history and science to challenge everything we thought we knew about human evolution: our thoughts, our actions, our heritage...and our future. This tenth anniversary edition is an invitation to explore the story of us: a brief history of humankind that challenges everything we thought we knew about being human. The Three Great Revolutions: Discover how the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions shaped not just our societies and empires, but our very biology and psychology. The Power of Shared Myths: Understand how Homo sapiens used its unique ability to believe in collective fictions-like gods, nations, money, and human rights-to cooperate by the millions and build civilizations. An Animal of No Significance: Trace our journey from an unremarkable ape to the masters of the planet, and ask the question: Did we become happier along the way? The Future of Sapiens: Look ahead to the radical new frontiers of the twenty-first century as we use biotechnology and artificial intelligence to upgrade ourselves into something entirely new.

New York Times Readers' Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21 st Century The tenth anniversary edition of the internationally bestselling phenomenon that cemented Yuval Noah Harari as one of the most prominent historians of our time-featuring a new afterword from the author. One hundred thousand years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens. How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations, and human rights; to trust money, books, and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables, and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come? In Sapiens, Professor Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical-and sometimes devastating-breakthroughs of the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, paleontology, and economics, and incorporating full-color illustrations throughout the text, he explores the origin of our species and how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. Can we ever free our behavior from the legacy of our ancestors? And what, if anything, can we do to influence the course of the centuries to come? Bold, wide-ranging, and provocative, this work of big history integrates history and science to challenge everything we thought we knew about human evolution: our thoughts, our actions, our heritage...and our future. This tenth anniversary edition is an invitation to explore the story of us: a brief history of humankind that challenges everything we thought we knew about being human. The Three Great Revolutions: Discover how the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions shaped not just our societies and empires, but our very biology and psychology. The Power of Shared Myths: Understand how Homo sapiens used its unique ability to believe in collective fictions-like gods, nations, money, and human rights-to cooperate by the millions and build civilizations. An Animal of No Significance: Trace our journey from an unremarkable ape to the masters of the planet, and ask the question: Did we become happier along the way? The Future of Sapiens: Look ahead to the radical new frontiers of the twenty-first century as we use biotechnology and artificial intelligence to upgrade ourselves into something entirely new.

Unwanted betrothals, assassination attempts, and a battle for the crown converge in Danielle L. Jensen's Dark Skies , a new series starter set in the universe of the YA fantasy Sarah J. Maas called "everything I look for in a fantasy novel." A Kirkus Best Book of the year! A RUNAWAY WITH A HIDDEN PAST Lydia is a scholar, but books are her downfall when she meddles in the plots of the most powerful man in the Celendor Empire. Her life in danger, she flees west to the far side of the Endless Seas and finds herself entangled in a foreign war where her burgeoning powers are sought by both sides. A COMMANDER IN DISGRACE Killian is Marked by the God of War, but his gifts fail him when the realm under the dominion of the Corrupter invades Mudamora. Disgraced, he swears his sword to the kingdom's only hope: the crown princess. But the choice sees him caught up in a web of political intrigue that will put his oath - and his heart - to the test. A KINGDOM UNDER SIEGE With Mudamora falling beneath the armies of the Corrupter, Lydia and Killian strike a bargain to save those they love most-but it is a bargain with unintended and disastrous consequences. Truths are revealed, birthrights claimed, and loyalties questioned-all while a menace deadlier and more far-reaching than they realize sweeps across the world. Readers may read either Dark Shores or Dark Skies first! Suggested series reading order: 1. Dark Skies or Dark Shores 2. Dark Shores or Dark Skies 3. Gilded Serpent 4. Scorched Earth

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity's creation and evolution-a #1 international bestseller-that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human." One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one-homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become? Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.

'Gloriously imaginative'– SFX MagazineThe first volume in the sci-fi action-adventure duology, Exodus: The Archimedes Engine is an exciting epic novel from legendary author Peter F. Hamilton.Experience the expansive universe of EXODUS through the booming, deeply immersive cadence of sci-fi audio legend John Lee.A fight for freedom among the stars . . .In a past age, humanity fled a dying Earth in massive ark ships. These searched the galaxy to find a new home. Then one fleet found Centauri, a dense cluster of stars teeming with habitable planets. Now, thousands of years later, Centauri's settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials – and their great houses rule vast star systems.As they vie for supremacy, Earth's ark ships continue to arrive, and humans must serve these repressive masters. But is there a better life beyond the empire? Finn is a Centauri-born human and yearns for a brighter future. So, when another ark ship arrives, previously thought lost, Finn seizes the chance to become a Traveler.These heroes explore the vast unknowns of distant space, dedicated to humanity's survival. And they hope – one day – to find freedom.Praise for EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine'Always one of SF's most incisive voices. A perfect balance of ingenious ideas and intricate execution. Real big picture Sci-fi'– Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time'Big sci-fi – huge sci-fi – at its best'– The Daily Mail'Bags of intrigue, depth, and creative world-building'– MetroEXODUS is an action-adventure roleplaying game from Archetype Entertainment, led by industry veterans from BioWare (Mass Effect), 343 (Halo), Electronic Arts, Naughty Dog (The Last of Us) and other AAA studios.

Unwanted betrothals, assassination attempts, and a battle for the crown converge in Danielle L. Jensen's Dark Skies , a new series starter set in the universe of the YA fantasy Sarah J. Maas called "everything I look for in a fantasy novel." A Kirkus Best Book of the year! A RUNAWAY WITH A HIDDEN PAST Lydia is a scholar, but books are her downfall when she meddles in the plots of the most powerful man in the Celendor Empire. Her life in danger, she flees west to the far side of the Endless Seas and finds herself entangled in a foreign war where her burgeoning powers are sought by both sides. A COMMANDER IN DISGRACE Killian is Marked by the God of War, but his gifts fail him when the realm under the dominion of the Corrupter invades Mudamora. Disgraced, he swears his sword to the kingdom's only hope: the crown princess. But the choice sees him caught up in a web of political intrigue that will put his oath - and his heart - to the test. A KINGDOM UNDER SIEGE With Mudamora falling beneath the armies of the Corrupter, Lydia and Killian strike a bargain to save those they love most-but it is a bargain with unintended and disastrous consequences. Truths are revealed, birthrights claimed, and loyalties questioned-all while a menace deadlier and more far-reaching than they realize sweeps across the world. Readers may read either Dark Shores or Dark Skies first! Suggested series reading order: 1. Dark Skies or Dark Shores 2. Dark Shores or Dark Skies 3. Gilded Serpent 4. Scorched Earth

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity's creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human." One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become? Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.

Chris Hegg's research has been featured on HISTORY network's series Ancient Aliens. Get ready to witness and unlock the first messages left from the ancient civilizations who vanished without even being known to exist until now! These messages detail maps and sagas of a once worldly empire who traded in goods of unimaginable quantities from all over the American continent too far off lands. Detailed is symbology to understand the vast network of hidden caves, of ancient goods storage and transport routes. Of treasure and artifacts of great importance left in hidden locations throughout time awaiting rediscovery so the world may once again know of this magnificent empire 13,000 years ago. Our early explorers quickly discovered they were not the first to conquer the farthest shores of earth. Modern man gazed upon ancient images and monuments of long ago pioneers already decaying from great age. We have all contemplated what secrets they kept locked in a maze of limitless configurations of beauty and synchronicity. Such industrious and indelible creations were certainly made to convey meaning. What connection does a global network of rock carvings and mega structures mean to our history? Well the answer will surprise you! Chris Hegg has dedicated his life to finding out these answers. Chris has moved beyond the stumbling decades of logging and failures of comprehension, to gain ever increasingly small victories in their understanding. Now at a fever pitch in symbol decipherment Chris has uncovered the most startling facts of individual symbol meanings that reveal amazing stories of courage, inhospitable lands, and global travel unimaginable when he first started this quest. A much deeper innate secret lay rooted in the symbols how­ever; they were the first Universal Language of Man! Thought as just "rock art" by archeologists; petroglyphs, megaliths, and geoglyphs are all related comprising a single ancient language. This language is known in biblical stories and now confirmed by scientific methodology. This book is dedicated to that first Universal Language. To be reborn so the secrets lost to us can be discovered once more. Finally a tool capable of peeling away the layers of our forgotten past to read firsthand accounts of the struggles of man on a global scale over 13,000 years ago! The stories are a tribute to our perseverance and domination in a harsh world conquered thousands of years before Columbus.

Chris Hegg's research has been featured on HISTORY network's series Ancient Aliens. Get ready to witness and unlock the first messages left from the ancient civilizations who vanished without even being known to exist until now! These messages detail maps and sagas of a once worldly empire who traded in goods of unimaginable quantities from all over the American continent too far off lands. Detailed is symbology to understand the vast network of hidden caves, of ancient goods storage and transport routes. Of treasure and artifacts of great importance left in hidden locations throughout time awaiting rediscovery so the world may once again know of this magnificent empire 13,000 years ago. Our early explorers quickly discovered they were not the first to conquer the farthest shores of earth. Modern man gazed upon ancient images and monuments of long ago pioneers already decaying from great age. We have all contemplated what secrets they kept locked in a maze of limitless configurations of beauty and synchronicity. Such industrious and indelible creations were certainly made to convey meaning. What connection does a global network of rock carvings and mega structures mean to our history? Well the answer will surprise you! Chris Hegg has dedicated his life to finding out these answers. Chris has moved beyond the stumbling decades of logging and failures of comprehension, to gain ever increasingly small victories in their understanding. Now at a fever pitch in symbol decipherment Chris has uncovered the most startling facts of individual symbol meanings that reveal amazing stories of courage, inhospitable lands, and global travel unimaginable when he first started this quest. A much deeper innate secret lay rooted in the symbols how­ever; they were the first Universal Language of Man! Thought as just "rock art" by archeologists; petroglyphs, megaliths, and geoglyphs are all related comprising a single ancient language. This language is known in biblical stories and now confirmed by scientific methodology. This book is dedicated to that first Universal Language. To be reborn so the secrets lost to us can be discovered once more. Finally a tool capable of peeling away the layers of our forgotten past to read firsthand accounts of the struggles of man on a global scale over 13,000 years ago! The stories are a tribute to our perseverance and domination in a harsh world conquered thousands of years before Columbus.

Romantic Conversation with a Lady, is a romance novel not like any other romance novel. This book has in it "Examples, Principles and Morals, you can live by. This novel has two people in it that are looking for the one thing they have work so hard to receive-a special love all their own. Michael is a very handsome man that runs his father's oil companies. He believes that all females are very special in one way or another. He's searching for that special "Lady" he can talk to. He is a man that has been taught to treat females with respect. He enjoys females for who they are, what are they?, "Ladies." He finds something good to say about each and every lady he encounters. If you are tall, short, slim or plump, he has in him the sight to find good in you, no matter who you are. He believes if he can find this special lady he can talk to, it will truly be to him, "Conversation with a Lady." His father and mother believe he should be married. Together, they believe there is a special lady for Michael to marry out here. Rebekah, is a Lady that is very beautiful. She is like over 90 percent of most females on this earth, who just wants one someone all to themselves. She runs the finance end of her parents Billionaire empire. Her parents want her to meet someone who is hardworking and will love her forever-it's as simple as that. What will happen when Michael meets Rebekah, only time will tell. With that said, let's start this adventure called, "Romantic Conversation with a Lady.

'Compelling... Keeps the pages turning. The final cinematic scene, of a vast landscape filled with enormous armies, nicely sets the stage for book three of this daringly unconventional series in the Tolkien mold.' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'A journey unlike any other you have experienced. Part Dante's "Inferno" and part Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness", this is fantasy literature like you've never read before.' - Blogcritics A score of centuries has passed since the First Apocalypse and the thoughts of men have turned, inevitably, to more worldly concerns... A veteran sorcerer and spy seeks news of an ancient enemy. A military genius plots to conquer the known world for his Emperor but dreams of the throne for himself. The spiritual leader of the Thousand Temples seeks a Holy War to cleanse the land of the infidel. An exiled barbarian chieftain seeks vengeance against the man who disgraced him. And into this world steps a man like no other, seeking to bind all - man and woman, emperor and slave - to his own mysterious ends. But the fate of men - even great men - means little when the world itself may soon be torn asunder. Behind the politics, beneath the religious fervour, a dark and ancient evil is reawakening. After two thousand years, the No-God is returning. The Second Apocalypse is nigh. And one cannot raise walls against what has been forgotten... A startlingly original and assured epic fantasy debut. A tale of conspiracy, holy war, empire-building and intrigue set in the most vividly imagined fantasy world since Tolkien's Middle Earth. Books by R Scott Baker: Prince of Nothing Trilogy The Darkness That Comes Before The Warrior-Prophet The Thousandfold Thought Aspect-Emperor The Judging Eye The White Luck Warrior The Great Ordeal The Unholy Consult Novels Neuropath Disciple of the Dog Light, Time, and Gravity

“FASCINATING . . . Dramatic and timely.” —New York Times Book Review, Editors' Choice In this grand and thrilling narrative, the acclaimed biographer of Magellan and Columbus reveals the singular adventures of Sir Francis Drake, whose mastery of the seas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I changed the course of history. “Entrancing . . . Very good indeed.” —Wall Street Journal Before he was secretly dispatched by Queen Elizabeth to circumnavigate the globe, or was called upon to save England from the Spanish Armada, Francis Drake was perhaps the most wanted—and successful—pirate ever to sail. Nicknamed “El Draque” by the Spaniards who placed a bounty on his head, the notorious red-haired, hot-tempered Drake pillaged galleons laden with New World gold and silver, stealing a vast fortune for his queen—and himself. For Elizabeth, Drake made the impossible real, serving as a crucial and brilliantly adaptable instrument of her ambitions to transform England from a third-rate island kingdom into a global imperial power. In 1580, sailing on Elizabeth's covert orders, Drake became the first captain to circumnavigate the earth successfully. (Ferdinand Magellan had died in his attempt.) Part exploring expedition, part raiding mission, Drake's audacious around-the-world journey in the Golden Hind reached Patagonia, the Pacific Coast of present-day California and Oregon, the Spice Islands, Java, and Africa. Almost a decade later, Elizabeth called upon Drake again. As the devil-may-care vice admiral of the English fleet, Drake dramatically defeated the once-invincible Spanish Armada, spurring the British Empire's ascent and permanently wounding its greatest rival. The relationship between Drake and Elizabeth is the missing link in our understanding of the rise of the British Empire, and its importance has not been fully described or appreciated. Framed around Drake's key voyages as a window into this crucial moment in British history, In Search of a Kingdom is a rousing adventure narrative entwining epic historical themes with intimate passions.

'Peasants is not just an extraordinary debut, it is that most precious rarity: an out-and-out masterpiece' WILLIAM DALRYMPLE Four crops, three continents, two billion lives: this is the hidden world that we all depend upon for survival. And it's under threat. For centuries, peasants stood at the heart of human society: feeding empires, leading revolutions, building modern states. Industrial modernity forced them into the shadows, replaced in our imagination by machines and megafarms. But the elimination of the peasantry is a myth. Today, peasants make up roughly a quarter of humanity. They underpin the global economy, stabilise food systems and protect fragile ecosystems. Peasants hold up the modern world, yet their labour and voices have been hidden in plain sight - until now. In this landmark book, Maryam Aslany restores the peasantry to the centre of our global story. She embarks on an epic journey across three continents into some of the most remote places on earth - from India's sugarcane fields to Cambodia's rice plains, Peru's cocaine valleys and Ghana's cocoa belt - travelling deep into the landscapes where global supply chains begin. Here, she uncovers the lives behind the world's most vital commodities. She speaks to farmers, smugglers and traffickers. Men driven to extremism or suicide by failing livelihoods, and women forced to bear the burden of agricultural labour. Families on the brink of survival. As our demand for cheap goods intensifies, our most vital and innovative workforce is being driven towards collapse. The consequences are already starting to show: food insecurity, mass migration, ecological collapse. Far from being a relic of our past, the peasantry is essential to our future. Blending personal stories with on-the-ground reporting and pioneering new research, Peasants is a far-reaching yet intimate portrait of the world in four crops - sugarcane, rice, cocoa and cocaine - and an urgent reminder that the story of the countryside is the story of us all.

' Gloriously imaginative ' - SFX Magazine Explore EXODUS, a new sci-fi action-adventure, in this epic novel from legendary author Peter F. Hamilton. A fight for freedom among the stars . . . In a past age, humanity fled a dying Earth in massive ark ships. These searched the galaxy to find a new home. Then one fleet found Centauri, a dense cluster of stars teeming with habitable planets. Now, thousands of years later, Centauri's settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials - and their great houses rule vast star systems. As they vie for supremacy, Earth's ark ships continue to arrive, and humans must serve these repressive masters. But is there a better life beyond the empire? Finn is a Centauri-born human and yearns for a brighter future. So, when another ark ship arrives, previously thought lost, Finn seizes the chance to become a Traveler. These heroes explore the vast unknowns of distant space, dedicated to humanity's survival. And they hope - one day - to find freedom. Praise for EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine: 'One of SF's most incisive voices. A perfect balance of ingenious ideas and intricate execution. Real big picture Sci-fi' - Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time 'A binge-worthy read from a master of science fiction' - William C. Dietz, author of Halo: The Flood 'A swift-paced and propulsive narrative . . . a very human story about the desire for freedom' - Una McCormack 'Science fiction authors don't get much more legendary than Peter F. Hamilton' - New Scientist 'Packed with gloriously imaginative flourishes, multiple intersecting plotlines and brilliantly realized battle scenes' - SFX Magazine EXODUS is an action-adventure roleplaying game from Archetype Entertainment, led by industry veterans from BioWare (Mass Effect), 343 (Halo), Electronic Arts, Naughty Dog (The Last of Us) and other AAA studios.

'Compelling... Keeps the pages turning. The final cinematic scene, of a vast landscape filled with enormous armies, nicely sets the stage for book three of this daringly unconventional series in the Tolkien mold.' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'A journey unlike any other you have experienced. Part Dante's "Inferno" and part Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness", this is fantasy literature like you've never read before.' - Blogcritics A score of centuries has passed since the First Apocalypse and the thoughts of men have turned, inevitably, to more worldly concerns... A veteran sorcerer and spy seeks news of an ancient enemy. A military genius plots to conquer the known world for his Emperor but dreams of the throne for himself. The spiritual leader of the Thousand Temples seeks a Holy War to cleanse the land of the infidel. An exiled barbarian chieftain seeks vengeance against the man who disgraced him. And into this world steps a man like no other, seeking to bind all - man and woman, emperor and slave - to his own mysterious ends. But the fate of men - even great men - means little when the world itself may soon be torn asunder. Behind the politics, beneath the religious fervour, a dark and ancient evil is reawakening. After two thousand years, the No-God is returning. The Second Apocalypse is nigh. And one cannot raise walls against what has been forgotten... A startlingly original and assured epic fantasy debut. A tale of conspiracy, holy war, empire-building and intrigue set in the most vividly imagined fantasy world since Tolkien's Middle Earth. Books by R Scott Baker: Prince of Nothing Trilogy The Darkness That Comes Before The Warrior-Prophet The Thousandfold Thought Aspect-Emperor The Judging Eye The White Luck Warrior The Great Ordeal The Unholy Consult Novels Neuropath Disciple of the Dog Light, Time, and Gravity

Our early explorers quickly discovered they were not the first to conquer the farthest shores of earth. Modern man gazed upon ancient images and monuments of long ago pioneers already decaying from great age. We have all contemplated what secrets petroglyphs kept locked away in a maze of limitless configurations of beauty and synchronicity. Such industrious and indelible creations were certainly made to convey meaning! What connection does a global network of rock carvings and mega structures mean to our history? The answer is an ongoing written record of ancient events lost to man. Chris has uncovered the most startling facts of these individual symbol meanings that reveal amazing stories of courage, inhospitable lands, and global travel. A much deeper innate secret lay rooted in the symbols how­ever; they were the first Universal Language of Man! Thought as just "rock art" by archeologists; petroglyphs, megaliths, and geoglyphs are all related, comprising a single ancient language. This book is dedicated to that first Universal Language. To be reborn so the secrets lost to us can be discovered once more. Finally, a tool capable of peeling away the layers of our forgotten past to read firsthand accounts of the struggles of man on a global scale over 13,000 years ago! The stories are a tribute to our perseverance and domination in a harsh world conquered thousands of years before Columbus. Get ready to witness and unlock the first messages, and treasures, left from the ancient civilizations who vanished without even being known to exist until now! Chris Hegg's research on ancient empires, treasure hunting and Mesoamerican tribes is showcased on his new History Channel Series Lost Gold of The Aztecs and he has appeared on History's Ancient Aliens, plus many podcasts and radio programs.

'Peasants is not just an extraordinary debut, it is that most precious rarity: an out-and-out masterpiece' WILLIAM DALRYMPLE Four crops, three continents, two billion lives: this is the hidden world that we all depend upon for survival. And it's under threat. For centuries, peasants stood at the heart of human society: feeding empires, leading revolutions, building modern states. Industrial modernity forced them into the shadows, replaced in our imagination by machines and megafarms. But the elimination of the peasantry is a myth. Today, peasants make up roughly a quarter of humanity. They underpin the global economy, stabilise food systems and protect fragile ecosystems. Peasants hold up the modern world, yet their labour and voices have been hidden in plain sight - until now. In this landmark book, Maryam Aslany restores the peasantry to the centre of our global story. She embarks on an epic journey across three continents into some of the most remote places on earth - from India's sugarcane fields to Cambodia's rice plains, Peru's cocaine valleys and Ghana's cocoa belt - travelling deep into the landscapes where global supply chains begin. Here, she uncovers the lives behind the world's most vital commodities. She speaks to farmers, smugglers and traffickers. Men driven to extremism or suicide by failing livelihoods, and women forced to bear the burden of agricultural labour. Families on the brink of survival. As our demand for cheap goods intensifies, our most vital and innovative workforce is being driven towards collapse. The consequences are already starting to show: food insecurity, mass migration, ecological collapse. Far from being a relic of our past, the peasantry is essential to our future. Blending personal stories with on-the-ground reporting and pioneering new research, Peasants is a far-reaching yet intimate portrait of the world in four crops - sugarcane, rice, cocoa and cocaine - and an urgent reminder that the story of the countryside is the story of us all.

' Gloriously imaginative ' - SFX Magazine Explore EXODUS, a new sci-fi action-adventure, in this epic novel from legendary author Peter F. Hamilton. A fight for freedom among the stars . . . In a past age, humanity fled a dying Earth in massive ark ships. These searched the galaxy to find a new home. Then one fleet found Centauri, a dense cluster of stars teeming with habitable planets. Now, thousands of years later, Centauri's settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials - and their great houses rule vast star systems. As they vie for supremacy, Earth's ark ships continue to arrive, and humans must serve these repressive masters. But is there a better life beyond the empire? Finn is a Centauri-born human and yearns for a brighter future. So, when another ark ship arrives, previously thought lost, Finn seizes the chance to become a Traveler. These heroes explore the vast unknowns of distant space, dedicated to humanity's survival. And they hope - one day - to find freedom. Praise for EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine: 'One of SF's most incisive voices. A perfect balance of ingenious ideas and intricate execution. Real big picture Sci-fi' - Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time 'A binge-worthy read from a master of science fiction' - William C. Dietz, author of Halo: The Flood 'A swift-paced and propulsive narrative . . . a very human story about the desire for freedom' - Una McCormack 'Science fiction authors don't get much more legendary than Peter F. Hamilton' - New Scientist 'Packed with gloriously imaginative flourishes, multiple intersecting plotlines and brilliantly realized battle scenes' - SFX Magazine EXODUS is an action-adventure roleplaying game from Archetype Entertainment, led by industry veterans from BioWare (Mass Effect), 343 (Halo), Electronic Arts, Naughty Dog (The Last of Us) and other AAA studios.