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  In Love & War - The Lives and...

  Michael Scott, David Rooney

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  An absorbing historical biography of the couple wed amid the chaos of the Napoleonic wars and their adventures from Europe to Asia to South Africa.   The manner of their meeting was unprecedented. In 1812, during the lawless mayhem that followed the capture of Badajoz, Spain, by Wellington, a fourteen-year-old Spanish girl sought the protection of Captain Harry Smith. They fell in love and married shortly after. From then on, their lives and careers were inextricably linked and Juana not only followed her able, brave, and ambitious husband but built her own formidable reputation.   This biography of the couple describes their lives together starting with the remaining battles of the Peninsular War. Harry Smith was already a favorite of Wellington, who insisted most unusually on giving away Juana in marriage. His card was marked and his career prospered. He distinguished himself in numerous campaigns and theaters. Most particularly he was credited with the victory at Aliwali in India. It is, however, the couple’s achievements and legacy in South Africa for which they have become most noted, after the exceptional circumstances of their first meeting. Travelers to the country are reminded of this by the towns named after them—Ladysmith and Harrismith. They would even become the inspiration for a 1940 romance novel by Georgette Heyer. This carefully researched biography, with illustrations included, tells their real story in fascinating historical detail.

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  The Novelist's Lexicon - Writers...

  Gillet Villa, Monde Le

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  In this anthology from the Villa Gillet literary conference, world-renowned authors from A.S. Byatt to Enrique Vila-Matas discuss their work.   At the international literary conference hosted by Villa Gillet and Le Monde, organizers asked more than seventy prominent authors to choose a word that opens a door to their work. Their musings, collected here and organized alphabetically by keyword, present an array of intriguing, amusing, and surprising insight into contemporary literature. Through these personal "passwords," authors articulate the function of language, character, plot, and structure in their work. Jonathan Lethem discusses the necessity of "furniture" in the novel. A. S. Byatt describes the power of the narrative web. Colum McCann details the benefits of anonymity. Daniel Mendelsohn expounds on the unknowable, or what the author should or should not impart to the reader. Etgar Keret explains the importance of balagan, a Hebrew word meaning "total chaos," and Annie Proulx clarifies terroir, which embodies the complexities of time, place, geography, weather, and climate.    Other participants include Rick Moody on adumbrated, Upamanyu Chatterjee on the bildungsroman, Adam Thirwell on hedonism, Nuruddin Farah on identities, Andre Brink on the heretic, and Péter Esterhazy on the power and potential of words.

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  Mughal Empire - The Taj Mahal...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Mughal Empire emerged as one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in Indian history, leaving a lasting impact on culture, architecture, and governance. Its foundation was laid by Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, who established Mughal rule in the early 16th century. Babur's military prowess and strategic vision enabled him to defeat the Delhi Sultanate in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. This victory marked the beginning of Mughal dominance in the Indian subcontinent. However, Babur’s reign was short-lived, and it was his grandson, Akbar, who truly solidified the empire’s foundation. 
  Akbar ascended the throne at a young age and quickly proved himself to be an exceptional leader. His reign, which lasted from 1556 to 1605, was marked by territorial expansion, administrative reforms, and a commitment to cultural and religious harmony. Unlike previous rulers, Akbar recognized the diversity of India and sought to integrate different communities into his empire. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, promoted interfaith dialogue, and appointed talented individuals from various backgrounds to key positions in his administration. His policy of religious tolerance and inclusive governance earned him the loyalty of many, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the empire. 
  One of Akbar’s most remarkable achievements was the establishment of an efficient administrative system. He divided his empire into provinces, each governed by appointed officials who reported directly to the central authority. This system ensured effective governance and facilitated tax collection, trade, and law enforcement. Additionally, Akbar introduced a standardized revenue system that helped regulate the economy and promote agricultural growth. His emphasis on merit-based appointments created a well-organized bureaucracy that endured long after his reign.

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  Born to Kvetch - Yiddish...

  Michael Wex

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  “Wise, witty and altogether wonderful. . . . Mr. Wex has perfect pitch. He always finds the precise word, the most vivid metaphor, for his juicy Yiddishisms.” —William Grimes, The New York Times 
   
  As the main spoken language of the Jews for more than a thousand years, Yiddish has had plenty to lament, plenty to conceal. Its phrases, idioms, and expressions paint a comprehensive picture of the mind-set that enabled the Jews of Europe to survive a millennium of unrelenting persecution: they never stopped kvetching—about God, gentiles, children, food, and everything (and anything) else. They even learned how to smile through their kvetching and express satisfaction in the form of complaint. 
   
  In Born to Kvetch, Michael Wex looks at the ingredients that went into this buffet of disenchantment and examines how they were mixed together to produce an almost limitless supply of striking idioms and withering curses (which get a chapter all to themselves). Born to Kvetch includes a wealth of material that’s never appeared in English before. You’ll find information on the Yiddish relationship to food, nature, divinity, humanity and even sex. 
   
  This is no bobe mayse (cock-and-bull story) from a khokhem be-layle (idiot, literally a “sage at night” when no one’s looking), but a serious yet fun and funny look at a language that both shaped and was shaped by those who spoke it. From tukhes to goy, meshugener to kvetch, Yiddish words have permeated and transformed English as well. 
   
  “This treasure trove of linguistics, sociology, history and folklore offers a fascinating look at how, through the centuries, a unique and enduring language has reflected an equally unique and enduring culture.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

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  Coming Out - MM Gay

  Rainbow Press

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  Gavin is sure he’s straight. 
    
  What guy who looked like that and had women tripping over themselves could possibly be gay. But then again, Jason has always been a big tipper… Gavin’s coworker says go for it, but he isn’t the kind of guy to hit on a straight man, especially not at his own coffee shop. 
    
  But Jason beats him to the punch. A note slipped into his palm asks for a meeting later that night. A little ice skating, a little dinner, maybe a little fun. 
    
  Is Gavin ready to fall for a man in the span of one night? Will their date end in fireworks?

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  Pantheisticon

  John Toland

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  Pantheisticon: or, the Form Of Celebrating the Socratic-Society. Divided into Three Parts. Which Contain, I. The Morals and Axioms of the Pantheists; or the Brotherhood. II. Their Deity and Philosophy. III. Their Liberty, and a Law, neither deceiving, nor to be deceived. To which is prefix'd a Discourse upon the Antient and Modern Societies of the Learned, as also upon the Infinite and Eternal Universe. And subjoined, a short dissertation upon a Two-fold Philosophy of the Pantheists, that is to be followed; together with an Idea of the best and most accomplished Man. Written Originally in Latin, by the Ingenious Mr. John Toland. And now, for the first Time, faithfully rendered into English. (Summary from frontispiece.)The readers for the individual chapters can be found in the table below. Three chapters were read as dialogues by two persons:The First Part of the Form of Celebrating the Socratic Society: The Morals and Axioms of the Society - read by Ruth Golding & Anna SimonThe Second Part: The Deity and Philosophy of the Society - read by Ruth Golding & Anna SimonThe Third Part: The Liberty of the Society; and a Law, neither deceiving, nor be deceived - read by Alessandro Gagliardi & Anna Simon

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