Download or read book An Atlas of Extinct Countries written by Gideon Defoe and published by Europa Compass. This book was released on 2022-03-15 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prisoners of Geography meets Bill Bryson: a funny, fascinating, fully illustrated atlas of 48 countries that, for ludicrous reasons, no longer exist. "Countries are just daft stories we tell each other. They're all equally implausible once you get up close." Countries die. Sometimes it's murder, sometimes it's by accident, and sometimes it's because they were so ludicrous they didn't deserve to exist in the first place. Their causes of death range from the implausible ("jerky prices") to the unfortunate ("too evil") to the downright bizarre ("boredom"). The polite way of writing an obituary is: dwell on the good bits, gloss over the embarrassing stuff. This book refuses to do so, because these dead nations were so absurd that it's impossible to skip the embarrassing stuff. The 48 deceased nations in this book include: The Republic of Sonora, 1853-4 (cause of death: no one took it seriously) The Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace, 1851-64 (cause of death: an unreliable prophet) The Empire of Khwarezmia, a proud civilization of five million, 1212-20 (cause of death: a total lack of manners) The Ottawa City Hospital Maternity Ward, 19 January 1943 (cause of death: a birth)

Download or read book An Atlas of Extinct Countries written by Gideon Defoe and published by Europa Editions. This book was released on 2021-07-20 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prisoners of Geography meets Bill Bryson: a funny, fascinating, beautifully illustrated - and timely - history of countries that, for myriad and often ludicrous reasons, no longer exist. "Countries are just daft stories we tell each other. They're all equally implausible once you get up close." Countries die. Sometimes it's murder, sometimes it's by accident, and sometimes it's because they were so ludicrous they didn't deserve to exist in the first place. Occasionally they explode violently. A few slip away almost unnoticed. Often the cause of death is either 'got too greedy' or 'Napoleon turned up'. Now and then they just hold a referendum and vote themselves out of existence. This is an atlas of 48 nations that fell off the map. The polite way of writing an obituary is: dwell on the good bits, gloss over the embarrassing stuff. This book refuses to do so, because these dead nations are so full of schemers, racists, and con men that it's impossible to skip the embarrassing stuff. Because of this - and because treating nation-states with too much reverence is the entire problem with pretty much everything - these accounts are not concerned with adding to the earnest flag saluting in the world, however nice some of the flags might be.

Download or read book An Atlas of Countries That Don t Exist written by Nick Middleton and published by Chronicle Books. This book was released on 2017-03-21 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A “fascinating” journey to little-known and contested lands around the globe, from Tibet to the Isle of Man to Elgaland-Vargaland (Geographical Magazine). What is a country? Acclaimed travel writer and Oxford geography don Nick Middleton brings to life the origins and histories of fifty states that, lacking international recognition and United Nations membership, exist on the margins of legitimacy in the global order. From long-contested lands like Crimea and Tibet to lesser-known territories such as Africa’s last colony and a European republic that enjoyed independence for a single day, Middleton presents fascinating stories of shifting borders, visionary leaders, and “forgotten” peoples. “Engrossing . . . You’ll not find Middle-earth, Atlantis or Lilliput inside, but you will find something just as intriguing . . . sure to prompt discussions about what makes a country a ‘real country.’” —Seattle Times

Download or read book An Atlas of Extinct Countries The Remarkable and Occasionally Ridiculous Stories of 48 Nations that Fell off the Map written by Gideon Defoe and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2020-09-03 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prisoners of Geography meets Bill Bryson: a funny, fascinating, beautifully illustrated – and timely – history of countries that, for myriad and often ludicrous reasons, no longer exist.

Download or read book Time and the French Revolution written by Matthew John Shaw and published by Boydell & Brewer Ltd. This book was released on 2011 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of the innovation and effects of the French Republican Calendar. The French Republican Calendar was perhaps the boldest of all the reforms undertaken in Revolutionary France. Introduced in 1793 and used until 1806, the Calendar not only reformed the weeks and months of the year, but decimalisedthe hours of the day and dated the year from the beginning of the French Republic. This book not only provides a history of the calendar, but places it in the context of eighteenth-century time-consciousness, arguing that the French were adept at working within several systems of time-keeping, whether that of the Church, civil society, or the rhythms of the seasons. Developments in time-keeping technology and changes in working patterns challenged early-modern temporalities, and the new calendar can also be viewed as a step on the path toward a more modern conception of time. In this context, the creation of the calendar is viewed not just as an aspect of the broader republican programme of social, political and cultural reform, but as a reflection of a broader interest in time and the culmination of several generations' concern with how society should be policed. Matthew Shaw is a curatorat the British Library, London.

Download or read book Cultural Heritage and Prisoners of War written by Gilly Carr and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2012-04-27 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on the numerous examples of creativity produced by POWs and civilian internees during their captivity, including: paintings, cartoons, craftwork, needlework, acting, musical compositions, magazine and newspaper articles, wood carving, and recycled Red Cross tins turned into plates, mugs and makeshift stoves, all which have previously received little attention. The authors of this volume show the wide potential of such items to inform us about the daily life and struggle for survival behind barbed wire. Previously dismissed as items which could only serve to illustrate POW memoirs and diaries, this book argues for a central role of all items of creativity in helping us to understand the true experience of life in captivity. The international authors draw upon a rich seam of material from their own case studies of POW and civilian internment camps across the world, to offer a range of interpretations of this diverse and extraordinary material.

Download or read book The Red Atlas written by John Davies and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2017-10-17 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The “utterly fascinating” untold story of Soviet Russia’s global military mapping program—featuring many of the surprising maps that resulted (Marina Lewycka, author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian). From 1950 to 1990, the Soviet Army conducted a global topographic mapping program, creating large-scale maps for much of the world that included a diversity of detail that would have supported a full range of military planning. For big cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and London to towns like Pontiac, MI, and Galveston, TX, the Soviets gathered enough information to create street-level maps. The information on these maps ranged from the locations of factories and ports to building heights, road widths, and bridge capacities. Some of the detail suggests early satellite technology, while other specifics, like detailed depictions of depths and channels around rivers and harbors, could only have been gained by Soviet spies on the ground. The Red Atlas includes over 350 extracts from these incredible Cold War maps, exploring their provenance and cartographic techniques as well as what they can tell us about their makers and the Soviet initiatives that were going on all around us.

Download or read book Fox Tossing Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports written by Edward Brooke-Hitching and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-06-04 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'An entertaining new book… which looks back at the most bizarre sporting activities ever devised by mankind' Daily Mail 'Perfect book for the Christmas stockings of adults and curious children' Wall Street Journal For those who enjoyed the quirkiness of Schott's Miscellany, the erudition of The Etymologicon or the extremes of The Dangerous Book for Boys, this is the ideal read. From Flagpole Sitting to Hot Cockles, Edward Brooke-Hitching has researched through piles of dusty tomes to bring vividly back to life some of the most curious, dangerous and downright bizarre sports and pastimes ever devised, before we thought better of it and erased them from the memory. After all, who would ever want to bring back Fox Tossing, a popular sport for men and women in 17th-century Germany? The sport involved dozens of couples pairing up and standing 20-25 feet apart in an enclosed field, each holding one end of a net, and then they would pull hard at both ends as the fox ran past, sending it flying high into the air. There are many other sports revealed within these pages that are unlikely ever to make an appearance on our TV screens, such as Firework Boxing, which is just as dangerous as it sounds. Meanwhile, Ski Ballet may not have been so risky, but Suzy 'Chapstick' Chaffee's signature move - the Suzy Split (a complete forward split while balanced on the tips of her skis) - was probably not one to try at home. An intriguing, entertaining and occasionally shocking insight into the vivid imaginations of humanity across the years, Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports is an unforgettable read and a perfect gift.

Download or read book The Blind Accordionist written by C. D. Rose and published by Melville House. This book was released on 2021-06-15 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A supposedly long lost collection of fable-like stories supposedly written by the little-known middle European writer Maxim Guyavitch ... with a helpful intro and afterword making it hilariously clear that the keyword is "supposedly." In the novel WHO'S WHO WHEN EVERYONE IS SOMEONE ELSE, the character "C.D. Rose" (not to be confused with the author C.D. Rose) searches an unnamed middle-European city for the long-lost manuscript of a little-known writer named Maxim Guyavitch. That search was fruitless, but in THE BLIND ACCORDIONIST, "C.D. Rose" has found the manuscript--nine sparkling, fable-like short stories--and he presents them here with an (hilarious) introduction explaining the discovery, and an afterword providing (hilarious) critical commentary on the stories, and what they might reveal about the mysterious Guyavitch. THE BLIND ACCORDIONIST is another masterful book of world-making by the real C.D. Rose, absorbing in its mix of intelligence and light-heartedness, and its ultimate celebration of literature itself. It is the third novel in the series about "C.D. Rose," although the reader does not need to have read the previous two books. (The first in the series was THE BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF LITERARY FAILURE, containing portraits of dunsuccessful writers; the second was WHO'S WHO WHEN EVERYONE IS SOMEONE ELSE, in which the author of the DICTIONARY, "C.D. Rose," searches for the manuscript of his favorite dead writer, Maxim Guyavitch, while on a book tour for the DICTIONARY.) Like those books, THE BLIND ACCORDIONIST can be read both as a simple but wonderful collection of quirky stories, and as comedy--or as a beautiful and moving elegy on the nobility of writers wanting to be read.

Download or read book Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds 100 New Ways to See the World Maps for Curious Minds written by Ian Wright and published by The Experiment, LLC. This book was released on 2019-11-05 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A singular atlas of 100 infographic maps from thought-provoking to flat-out fun. And don’t miss the next book in the series, North American Maps for Curious Minds! Publisher’s note: Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds was published in the UK under the title Brilliant Maps. Which countries don’t have rivers? Which ones have North Korean embassies? Who drives on the “wrong” side of the road? How many national economies are bigger than California’s? And where can you still find lions in the wild? You’ll learn answers to these questions and many more in Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds. This one-of-a-kind atlas is packed with eye-opening analysis (Which nations have had female leaders?), whimsical insight (Where can’t you find a McDonald’s?), and surprising connections that illuminate the contours of culture, history, and politics. Each of these 100 maps will change the way you see the world—and your place in it.

Download or read book 1001 Days That Shaped the World written by Peter Furtado and published by Pier 9. This book was released on 2021-11-30 with total page 960 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fully updated for 2021, this is a comprehensive guide to those extraordinary moments that defined human history, written by respected figures from the fields of science, history, and journalism.

Download or read book The Complete Guide to Making Mead written by Steve Piatz and published by Voyageur Press (MN). This book was released on 2014-07-30 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From basics to braggots, this is the ultimate guide to making mead at home, complete with history, types, equipment, techniques, and recipes.

Download or read book Atlas of Improbable Places written by Travis Elborough and published by Aurum. This book was released on 2016-09-01 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inspiring urban explorers and armchair travellers alike to consider a new way of understanding the world we live in, this unique atlas shows you the modern world from surprising new vantage points. Hidden lairs beneath layers of rock, forgotten cities rising out of deserted lands and even mankind's own feats of engineering eccentricity lie in the most unusual of destinations. Go in search of the obscure and bizarre, the beautiful and estranged, taking in the defiant relics of ancient cities such as Ani, a once thriving metropolis lost to conquered lands, and the church tower of San Juan Parangaricuto, that miraculously stands as the sole survivor of a town sunk by lava. Through the labyrinths of Berlin and Beijing — underground realms dug for refuge, espionage and even, as Canada's Moose Jaw, used as the playground for gangsters trading liquor and money over cards — never forgetting the freaks and wonders of nature's own unusual masterpieces: the magical underground river shaped like a dragon's mouth in the Philippines and the floating world of Palmerston. With beautiful maps and stunning photography illustrating each destination, Atlas of Improbable Places is a fascinating voyage to the world's most incredible destinations. As the Island of Dolls and the hauntingly titled Door to Hell — an inextinguishable fire pit - attest, mystery is never far away. The truths and myths behind their creation are as varied as the destinations themselves. Standing as symbols of worship, testaments to kingships or even the strange and wonderful traditions of old and new, these curious places are not just extraordinary sights but reflections on man's own relationship with the world around us. Also in the Unexpected Atlas series: Atlas of Untamed Places,Atlas of the Unexpected, Atlas of Vanishing Places.

Download or read book Ladyscaping A Girl s Guide to Personal Topiary written by Caroline Selmes and published by BIS Publishers. This book was released on 2015-10-06 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The definitive handbook on a taboo that nobody has ever had the courage to discuss.. until now that is

Download or read book Hoosiers and the American Story written by Madison, James H. and published by Indiana Historical Society. This book was released on 2014-10 with total page 359 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A supplemental textbook for middle and high school students, Hoosiers and the American Story provides intimate views of individuals and places in Indiana set within themes from American history. During the frontier days when Americans battled with and exiled native peoples from the East, Indiana was on the leading edge of America’s westward expansion. As waves of immigrants swept across the Appalachians and eastern waterways, Indiana became established as both a crossroads and as a vital part of Middle America. Indiana’s stories illuminate the history of American agriculture, wars, industrialization, ethnic conflicts, technological improvements, political battles, transportation networks, economic shifts, social welfare initiatives, and more. In so doing, they elucidate large national issues so that students can relate personally to the ideas and events that comprise American history. At the same time, the stories shed light on what it means to be a Hoosier, today and in the past.

Download or read book The History Book written by DK and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2016-09-16 with total page 756 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn about the origins of our species and all things revolution in The History Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about History in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The History Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of History, with: - Easy to navigate step-by-step summaries that explain each historical theme - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The History Book is a captivating introduction to the key events that have shaped society, from the dawn of civilization to the modern culture of today. Here you’ll discover the stories of important historical events and turning points, and the leaders, thinkers, and heroes involved, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your History Questions, Simply Explained This book will outline big ideas, themes and events of world history, from the founding of Baghdad and the colonization of the Americas, to the inception of Buddhism. If you thought it was difficult to learn about the milestones that have shaped civilization, The History Book presents key information in an easy to follow layout. Here you’ll learn about early humans, the empires of ancient history, the voyages of discovery to the tumultuous birth of nationalism, and the violence of two world wars. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The History Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Download or read book The Atlas of Unusual Languages An exploration of language people and geography written by Zoran Nikolic and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2021-10-14 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We communicate through the spoken and written word and language has evolved over the centuries. Many languages have survived although only in small pockets throughout the world. This book explores a selection of those languages.