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China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower
A leading historian of modern China. He is a rare scholar, adept in both Russian and Chinese . . . Combined with this linguistic skill, Dikötter has a writer's gift' EVENING STANDARD From the Samuel Johnson Prize-winning author of Mao's Great Famine, a timely and compelling account of China in the wake of Chairman Mao In China After Mao, award-winning historian Frank Dikötter explores how the People's Republic of China was transformed from a backwater economy in the 1970s into the world superpower of today. His account is the first to be based on hundreds of previously unseen archival documents, from the secret minutes of top party meetings to confidential bank reports. Unfolding with great narrative sweep, this riveting, richly detailed chronicle recasts our understanding of an era that both the regime and foreign admirers celebrate as an economic miracle. In charting four decades of so-called 'Reform and Opening Up' and China's emergence as a world power, Dikötter tells a fascinating tale of contradictions and illusions, of shadow banking, anti-corruption drives and extreme state wealth standing alongside everyday poverty. He examines China's approach to the 2008 financial crash, the country's increasing hostility towards perceived Western interference and its development into a thoroughly entrenched dictatorship - one equipped with a sprawling security apparatus and the most sophisticated surveillance system in the world. Ultimately, the book concludes, the communist party's goal was never to join the democratic sphere, but to resist it - and then defeat it. Praise for Frank Dikötter: 'It will be increasingly difficult for Western China specialists to write with authority based only on previous Western publications or on Chinese public statements. We remain in Frank Dikötter's debt' LITERARY REVIEW 'The historian of China' SPECTATOR 'He combines a vivid eye for detail with a historian's diligence in the archives' OBSERVER
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Shattered: (Michael Bennett 14)
After returning from his honeymoon, Detective Michael Bennett is greeted with the shocking news that FBI agent Emily Parker is missing. Determined to track down his former partner, Bennett follows Emily's investigation into an anarchist group that led her between Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. Lurid rumours begin to surface about Emily's disappearance, but Bennett will never give up hope of finding her. After everything they've been through together, he owes her that much. __________________________________ 'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades' LEE CHILD 'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer . . . Simply put: nobody does it better' JEFFERY DEAVER 'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind' MICHAEL CONNELLY 'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 'A writer with an unusual skill at thriller plotting' MARK LAWSON, GUARDIAN 'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN
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Act of Oblivion
From what is it they flee?' He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, 'They killed the King.' 1660, General Edward Whalley and Colonel William Goffe, father- and son-in-law, cross the Atlantic. They are on the run and wanted for the murder of Charles I. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, they have been found guilty in absentia of high treason. In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is tasked with tracking down the fugitives. He'll stop at nothing until the two men are brought to justice. A reward of £100 hangs over their heads - for their capture, dead or alive. ACT OF OBLIVION is an epic journey across continents, and a chase like no other. It is the thrilling new novel by Robert Harris.
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The Twist of a Knife
'I've written three books and our deal is over.' That's what reluctant author Anthony Horowitz tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne in an awkward meeting. The truth is that Anthony has got other things on his mind. His new play, a thriller called 'Mindgame', is about to open at the famous Vaudeville theatre in Shoreditch. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to the opening night. The play is not enjoyed by the critics. In particular, Sunday Times critic Harriet Throsby gives it a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which, it turns out, belongs to Anthony, and which has his fingerprints all over it. Anthony is arrested by an old enemy . . . Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw. She's still smarting from her failure to solve the case described in the second Hawthorne adventure: "The Sentence is Death". She blames Anthony for her failure. And now she's out for revenge. Thrown into prison and brutally interrogated, Anthony is the prime suspect in Throsby's murder and as a second theatre critic is found to have died in mysterious circumstances, the net closes in. Ever more desperate, he realizes that only one man can help him. But will Hawthorne take the call?
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The Boys From Biloxi
Sunday Times No 1 bestseller John Grisham returns to Mississippi in his most gripping thriller yet. For most of the last hundred years, Biloxi was known for its beaches, resorts, and seafood industry. But it had a darker side. It was also notorious for corruption and vice, everything from gambling, prostitution, bootleg liquor, drugs . . . even contract killings. The vice was controlled by a small cabal of mobsters, many of them rumoured to be members of the Dixie Mafia. Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco grew up in Biloxi in the sixties and were childhood friends. But as teenagers, their lives took them in different directions. Keith's father became a legendary prosecutor, determined to 'clean up the Coast.' Hugh's father became the 'Boss' of Biloxi's criminal underground. Keith went to law school and followed in his father's footsteps. Hugh preferred the nightlife and worked in his father's clubs. The two families were headed for a showdown, one that would happen in a courtroom. Rich with history and with a large cast of unforgettable characters, The Boys from Biloxi is a sweeping saga of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves in a knife-edge legal confrontation in which life itself hangs in the balance. In this novel, Grisham takes his powerful storytelling to the next level, his trademark twists and turns will keep you tearing through the pages until the stunning conclusion.
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Blow Black
He's America's most brilliant president ever. He's also a psychopath. US president Keegan Barrett swept into office on his success as director of the CIA. Six months into his first term, he devises a clandestine power grab with a deadly motive: Revenge. President Barrett personally orders Special Agents Liam Grey and Noa Himel to execute his plan, but their loyalties are divided. As CIA agents they've sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all threats, both foreign and domestic. When the threat comes directly from the Oval Office, that's where the blowback begins. _______________________________________ 'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades' LEE CHILD 'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer . . . Simply put: nobody does it better' JEFFERY DEAVER 'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind' MICHAEL CONNELLY 'A writer with an unusual skill at thriller plotting' MARK LAWSON, GUARDIAN 'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN
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Diana, William and Harry
Twenty-five years after her tragic death, James Patterson tells the heartbreaking true story of Princess Diana's life as a mother and a global icon ______________________________ At the age of thirteen, she became Lady Diana Spencer. At twenty, Princess of Wales. At twenty-one, she earned her most important title: Mother. As she fell in love, first with Prince Charles and then with her sons, William and Harry, the world fell in love with the young royal family - Diana most of all. With one son destined to be King and one needing to find his own way, she taught them lessons about royal tradition and also real life. 'William and Harry will be properly prepared,' Diana once promised. 'I am making sure of this.' Even after her tragic death, the strength of her love for her sons remains an enduring inspiration, not only for the two princes, but for the entire world.
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Golden Rules For Living Your Best Life
The untapped potential of every individual is the biggest tragedy of the human race. The primaryreason for this is our lack of awareness of the processes, tools and techniques needed to unleash it. While life is a do-it-yourself project, there is no user rule book that teaches us to deal with thecomplexities of human life. Would it not be nice if there were a manual for life as well? The Atharva Veda states: dve vidye veditavye … parā caivāparā ca(Mundakopanishad 1.1.4) ‘To triumph at life, one must possess both spiritual and material wisdom.’ Every successful person is either already blessed with this wisdom or has acquired it. This book notonly bridges this gap, but also equips you with the proper knowledge needed to effectively navigateyour life. Learning it will unleash your abilities and unlock your potential to thrive in your endeavours. In this book, Swami Mukundananda brings together a hundred gems of wisdom to constantlyelevate the quality of your life in five key areas—spiritual and emotional wellness, good healthand well-being, harmony in relationships, professional fulfilment and financial abundance. If youcan effectively manage these five dimensions of your life, all the other aspects are automaticallytransformed. This, in turn, will enable you to become the best you can be, today and every day,and win the game of life.
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Source of life
About the Book: Source of Life Become aware of this impermanent nature of life; that is wisdom. Being aware of this impermanent nature of ones life-the changing nature of happenings-you find that there is something in you that has not changed? There is a reference point, in comparison to which, you can say things are changing. Getting to that reference point is "being"? and that is the source of life; that is wisdom. Free Knowledge CD inside.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic that tells us the story of a miserly, hateful man called Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey towards the path of redemption. The story revolves around Scrooge’s hatred for Christmas and those who are not as fortunate as him. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who take him on a journey through time and help him realise the kind of person he has become over time, and the impact of his actions on those around him. A Christmas Carol brings out the spirit of Christmas through a story of self-realisation, making readers believe that there truly is such a thing as a Christmas miracle.
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Aftershock
A practical guide to preparing for the next phase of the financial meltdown From the authors who were the first to predict Phase I of our current economic downturn–in their landmark 2006 book, America′s Bubble Economy –comes their insightful sequel discussing their predictions for the next phase of the Bubble Economy. It may seem like the worst has come and gone, but it hasn′t. With their proven track record of accurate predictions–which most financial professionals and economists missed–the authors explain how and why the next phase of the financial meltdown is about to hit. Things are not going back to how they were before. Instead, we are moving through uncharted territory, with new challenges and opportunities that few people can anticipate. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Aftershock shows readers how to seek safety and profits in these dynamic economic conditions. Discusses how to protect assets, businesses, and jobs before and during the second wave of financial meltdown Provides clear and accurate advice on how to profit from the collapsing bubbles Offer focused guidance regarding real estate, which will continue to be a pressing concern for many The authors′ first book was chosen by Kiplinger′s as one of the 30 Best Business Books of 2006, and its accuracy has been hailed by Paul Farrell of Dow Jones MarketWatch when he said "America′s Bubble Economy′s Predictions, though ignored, were accurate." Don′t miss out on these time tested author′s proven advice for how to mange your money during the coming financial meltdown.
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Twisted Games
She Can Never Be His...But He'S Taking Her Anyway.Stoic, Broody, And Arrogant, Elite Bodyguard Rhys Larsen Has Two Rules: 1 Protect His Clients At All Costs 2 Do Not Become Emotionally Involved. Ever.He Has Never Once Been Tempted To Break Those Rules...Until Her.Bridget Von Ascheberg. A Princess With A Stubborn Streak That Matches His Own And A Hidden Fire That Reduces His Rules To Ash. She'S Nothing He Expected And Everything He Never Knew He Needed.Day By Day, Inch By Inch, She Breaks Down His Defenses Until He'S Faced With A Truth He Can No Longer Deny: He Swore An Oath To Protect Her, But All He Wants Is To Ruin Her. Take Her.Because She'S His.His Princess.His Forbidden Fruit.His Every Depraved Fantasy.***Regal, Strong-Willed, And Bound By The Chains Of Duty, Princess Bridget Dreams Of The Freedom To Live And Love As She Chooses.But When Her Brother Abdicates, She'S Suddenly Faced With The Prospect Of A Loveless, Politically Expedient Marriage And A Throne She Never Wanted.And As She Navigates The Intricacies-And Treacheries-Of Her New Role, She Must Also Hide Her Desire For A Man She Can'T Have.Her Bodyguard.Her Protector.Her Ultimate Ruin.Unexpected And Forbidden, Theirs Is A Love That Could Destroy A Kingdom...And Doom Them Both.Twisted Games Is A Contemporary Royal Bodyguard Romance. It'S Book Two Of The Twisted Series But Can Be Read As A Standalone.Warning: This Book Contains A Possessive Alpha Hero, Explicit Sexual Content, And Profanity. Read less
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “If you’re looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read.” —Bustle From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six—an entrancing and “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet” (PopSugar) as she reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways. “Heartbreaking, yet beautiful” (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is “Tinseltown drama at its finest” (Redbook): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.
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The Forty Rules of Love
*The international bestseller from the author of the Booker-shortlisted novel, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World** One of the BBC's '100 Novels that Shaped the World'* "Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven't loved enough..." Ella Rubinstein has a husband, three teenage children, and a pleasant home. Everything that should make her confident and fulfilled. Yet there is an emptiness at the heart of Ella's life - an emptiness once filled by love. So when Ella reads a manuscript about the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, and his forty rules of life and love, her world is turned upside down. She embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author of this work.It is a quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verse, taking Ella and us into an exotic world where faith and love are heartbreakingly explored. . . 'Enlightening, enthralling. An affecting paean to faith and love' Metro'Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent' Daily Telegraph'The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself' The TimesElif Shafak's latest novel The Island of Missing Trees is available for pre-order now Read less
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Beach Read
About the Author Emily Henry is the author of the butterfly-inducing romantic comedies Beach Read and You & Me on Vacation, both of which were New York Times bestsellers. She studied creative writing at Hope College and now lives and writes in the American Midwest. She has featured in Prima, Elle, Woman & Home, The Independent (among others) and Jodi Picoult calls her 'my newest automatic-buy author.' Book Lovers is her third novel. --This text refers to the paperback edition. Review Beach Read is exactly the witty, charming and swoony novel we always want; it also happens to be the unexpected wallop of emotional wisdom and sly social commentary we need right now. I adored it -- Julia Whelan, author of 'My Oxford Year' A smart, witty, warm, sexy novel ... Perfect escapism. I loved this book from the first page and can't wait to read more from Emily Henry -- Emma Murray, author of 'Time Out' A great escapist beach read but so much more as well. Emily writes beautifully, almost poetically in places and I will certainly look out for her work in the future. 5 stars! -- Julie Houston, author of 'A Village Affair' A clever and witty novel that will make your nerve-endings sigh with happiness -- Debbie Viggiano, author of 'Willow's Wedding Vows' I would say this book is so much more than "just a beach read" but to do so would completely miss the point! As January reminds the reader and the perfectly-painted Gus alike, romantic comedies take skill, heart and guts to traverse the depths of what it means to fall in love - and Emily Henry makes sure this book has it all -- Elizabeth Neep, author of 'The Spare Bedroom' Beach Read has everything the title promises - a romping plot, family secrets, and the thrill of falling in love. I cannot wait to read what Henry writes next -- Amy E. Reichert, author of 'The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go' What a fantastic read! An absolute page turner, full of love, laughter and romance -- Katie Ginger, author of 'Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay' --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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Rajaraja Chola:King of Kings
Rajaraja Chola, King of Kings, Incomparable Chola, Great Saviour, Jewel of the Solar Dynasty, Lion Among Kings, was one of the greatest rulers of medieval India. During his reign, the Chola empire expanded through virtually all of the southern reaches of the peninsula and beyond, from the Krishna-Godavari delta in northern Andhra Pradesh to large parts of northern Sri Lanka. Born Arulmozhi Varman in 947 ce, he trained under his father and uncle for over a quarter of a century and then ruled for twenty-nine years. King of Kings is a fitting title for this multifaceted man who was brilliant, ambitious, ruthless, and a visionary. He fortified the foundations of what was till then a ragtag kingdom, put into place a meticulously organized system of administration, and led the kingdom to reign supreme in military might, as an economic powerhouse, and in art, architecture, literature, music, and dance. In this book, Kamini Dandapani explores the man behind the larger-than-life image of Rajaraja and the milieu in which he reigned. The origins of the Chola empire lie in the Sangam era around 2,000 years ago, when the first rulers of the family, men like Karikala and Kochengannan, ruled over small tracts of land around the Kaveri delta. By the middle of the ninth century, the ‘Imperial Cholas’ (as historians named them) began to consolidate power at the expense of rivals like the Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Cheras, Gangas, Pandyas, and other smaller kingdoms. Rajaraja became king in 985 ce and, during his reign, the Chola empire reached its zenith. All his major achievements are described in detail—victories on the battlefield, the expansion of territory, the building of the monumental Brihadeeshwara Temple, the gargantuan land survey, and much else besides. The book goes into every aspect of Chola society—the place of women, the flowering of culture, including the making of exquisite Chola bronzes, the spread of religion, and the lives of ordinary people. After the death of Rajaraja in 1014, his son Rajendra expanded the empire; others that followed had mixed fortunes and, a couple of centuries later, the dynasty succumbed to their greatest rivals, the andyas. However, in their heyday, and especially under their greatest king, few empires or emperors could compare with the Cholas and Rajaraja. This scrupulously researched and brilliantly told biography brings to vivid and compelling life one of India’s greatest empires and rulers. Read less Other Formats: Hardcover inclusive of all taxes Buy now Sold by: Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited Back to top
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It Happened One Summer
USA TODAY BESTSELLERTessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. As seen on E!Online, PopSugar, CNN, EliteDaily, Vulture, Buzzfeed, Bustle, the Nerd Daily, PARADE, LA Magazine, Country Living, USA Today, and more!Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington.Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart.
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Parenting In The Age OF Anxiety
Over the past decade, Indian society has experienced a significant increase in rates of depression, self-harm, and anxiety disorders among children and young adults. This increase coincides with massive changes in our lifestyles, family structures, our approach to pedagogy, and expectations from the school system. In addition, our society has become intensely consumer- (and consumption-) driven with a proliferation of attractive products, enticing guarantees, and specialist advice. But social media follower counts, expensive digital devices, and the deluge of information on the internet will never be adequate replacements for active and present parenting. In Parenting in the Age of Anxiety, innovative educationist Abha Adams explores the journey that parents, children, and educators take together over the first eighteen years of a child’s life. In the first chapter, ‘Parenting Is for Life’, she explores the various ups and downs parents encounter as they start their parenting journey in a world that is highly competitive with a bewildering array of options for every stage and activity. The second chapter, ‘Welcome to the Tween Years’, looks at a recent phenomenon that has left parents and children perturbed—kids growing older younger/faster, where children reach puberty earlier than in the past. ‘The Teen Years’ attempts to demystify these years and offers counsel to parents on how to communicate with their teenaged children and deal with teenage angst. ‘Bridge to Inclusion’ challenges the invisibility forced by society on differently-abled children and their parents, and offers suggestions on how the struggles, needs, and desires of these children ought to be tackled. The last chapter, ‘The Silence around the Mental Health of Our Children’ provides a helpful guide to supporting children at a time of unprecedented levels of stress and isolation stemming from device and internet addiction and the lack of meaningful connection and communication, which has only been exacerbated by the interruptions and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Full of insightful observations from family therapists, child psychologists, teachers, parents, and children growing up in twentyfirst- century India, this book takes a deep look at the most important issues troubling children and parents today and offers practical and compassionate advice on how these should be dealt with. Most importantly, it provides a blueprint for how children can grow up happy, resilient, and grounded in a rapidly changing world.
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It Starts With Us
Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favourite Atlas’ side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the #1 Sunday Times bestseller It Ends with Us.