Other books that might interest you

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  A Short History of Russia - How...

  Mark Galeotti

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  A Library Journal 2020 Title to Watch"Terrific - and an amazing achievement to cover so much ground in such a short and wonderfully readable book." -Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of The Silk Roads Russia’s epic and dramatic story told in an accessible, lively and short form, using the country's fascinating history to illuminate its future. A country with no natural borders, no single ethnic group, no true central identity, Russia has mythologized its past to unite its people and to signal strength to outsiders. Mark Galeotti takes us behind the myths to the heart of the Russian story:the formation of a nation through its early legends including Ivan the Terrible and Catherine the Greatthe rise and fall of the Romanovs, the Russian Revolution, the Cold War, Chernobyl and the Soviet Unionthe arrival of an obscure politician named Vladimir Putin.A Short History of Russia explores the history of this fascinating, glorious, desperate and exasperating country through two intertwined issues: the way successive influences from beyond its borders have shaped Russia, and the way Russians came to terms with this influence, writing and rewriting their past to understand their present and try to influence their future. In turn, this self-invented history has come to affect not just their constant nation-building project but also their relations with the world.

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  Uganda - Culture Smart!: The...

  Ian Clarke

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  Once notorious for the tyranny of Idi Amin, immortalized in the film The Last King of Scotland, Uganda has, for the last twenty-six years or so, struggled to overcome its negative image. It has largely been successful.
  
  Rated the best country to visit in 2012, it was one named of the best tourist destinations of 2013 by National Geographic magazine. In addition to its game parks, home to the Big Five, Uganda has one of the largest numbers of recorded bird species of any country. It is also the home of the famed mountain gorillas, and the mighty Nile River provides some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Add to this an almost perfect climate and spectacular sightseeing, including the source of the Nile, Murchison Falls, the “little Switzerland” of Kabale, the volcanic lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains, and one can understand why Winston Churchill called Uganda “the Pearl of Africa.”
  
  But Uganda not only has wildlife and natural beauty to offer—the Ugandan people are what makes it different. Drawn from over fifty tribes, they make up a rich blend of traditions. Kampala is famous as the social capital of East Africa, the city that never sleeps, where every kind of nightlife is on offer, and Ugandans have now been officially rated the happiest people in East Africa!
  
  This book provides key insights into Ugandan life and offers practical tips on how best to meet the Ugandan people on their own terms, vital information for tourists and businessmen alike.

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  One Sip at a Time - Learning to...

  Keith Van Sickle

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  Can a two-career couple really pick up stakes and move to Provence? 
   
   
   
  Keith and Val had a dream—to live in Provence, the land of brilliant sunlight, charming hilltop villages, and the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. 
   
   
   
  But there were two problems: they weren't French speakers and they had full-time jobs. So they came up with a plan . . . 
   
   
   
  Follow their adventures (and misadventures) as they quit their jobs, become consultants, and split their time between two countries. Laugh along as they build a life in Provence, slowly mastering a new language and making friends with the locals over long meals and just a bit too much wine. 
   
   
   
  This light and breezy memoir is full of wry observations on France, like the power of cheese to sway elections, the right and wrong ways for men to kiss each other, and the law requiring that blood donors must speak French. 
   
   
   
  If you've ever dreamed of changing gears and learning what joie de vivre is really all about, you won't want to miss this delightful book.

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  Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of...

  Shawn Hall

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  “[A] photo-packed look at Southern Nevada’s boom-and-bust civic casualties” (Las Vegas Review-Journal).   Ghost towns and mining camps are the last remaining vestiges of the Old West; there is a mystique surrounding these places that has made exploring them a pastime for many in the western United States. Nevada has more than a thousand of these boom-and-bust towns. Some are completely abandoned, while some still struggle to survive and even serve as county seats. Sadly, these wonderful places, including those covered in this volume, are constantly in danger from vandalism and neglect. Many ghost towns and mining camps have been destroyed or damaged needlessly, and those who are captivated by their charm must protect these windows into history so that they survive for future generations.   Includes photos!   “Few folks know as much about Nevada ghost towns as author Shawn Hall.” —Nevada Appeal  

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  101 Romantic Weekends in Europe

  Sarah Woods

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  With 101 fabulous ideas for romantic and relaxing weekend breaks, this book provides all the inspiration you need for some truly special weekends away. Featuring a host of romantic activities in European destinations chosen for their charm and interest, you'll never be stuck for ideas again. Each weekend includes the low-down on romantic and relaxing activities in the area and how to contact the companies that provide them, plus fascinating historical background and useful information. Illustrated by stunning photography throughout, this book features many of the classic romantic destinations, such as enjoying an adventure on the Orient Express or sampling world-class chocolate in Belgium. It also includes fresh and unusual ideas for special weekends away, including jousting in Lithuania, salsa dancing in Madrid, staying in an igloo village in Lapland and exploring the medieval castles of Montenegro, plus many more. From Switzerland to Slovenia, and from Luxembourg to Latvia, all of the countries of the continent are included, making for a truly comprehensive guide to romantic European weekends.

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  Ten Camels for My Wife

  John Meadows

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  A highly entertaining anecdotal collection of humorous life observations during a trip around the world. Travelling by bus to Kathmandu, the author experiences hair-raising misadventures: a chase through Jerusalem, a gun battle in Jordan, a pummelling by a gargantuan masseur in Istanbul, a python in India, and the terrifying James Bond encounter in Australia. His portrait of an Afghani shopkeeper has a bizarre twist. Time-travelling detours punctuate interesting stories about the Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House, Tahiti, Easter Island statues and Christ in Rio. More than a travelogue, personal insights and character portrayals are underscored by whimsical humour.

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