English Middle Ages

People have historically been creatures of habit and curiosity at the same time, two parts of the human condition that constantly conflict with each other. This has always been true, but at certain moments in history it has been abundantly true, especially during the mid-14th century, when a boon in exploration and travel came up against a fear of the unknown.

The Carolingian Dynasty, which carved out a major empire in Europe from 750-887, ushered in an important period in the Early Middle Ages. The Carolingians were in their time seen as the successors of Ancient Rome in the West, and while they sought to reestablish the glory of antiquity, they’re remembered today for effectively founding the states that would become France and Germany.

The English longbow, typically made of yew wood, was one of the most powerful weapons in the Middle Ages that could change the course of battles. Measuring up to six feet in length, this weapon was highly regarded for its power and accuracy—trained archers could accurately shoot their target from over 200 yards.

Out of the mixture of Latin and Germanic paganism and the Christianity of the Early Middle Ages has sprung one of the world's supremely great pieces of literature. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, delivered a famous lecture to the British Academy in 1936 in which he maintained that Beowulf was a poem all of a piece, and not (as had been suggested) a jumble of fragments for pedantic scholars to paw over.

The Great Paddleboard Race is over and George Bailey and Associates have another case. This time George, Walt and Sharon need some expert help because gambling appears to be involved. They recruit their fellow classmate Henry Lido, a caddie at the Hamilton Island Golf Course and the hardest working kid on the Island. He also knows a lot about gambling. Fans of the George Bailey series will enjoy the addition of Henry to the team. It's another fun fast -paced mystery set in the 1930's when the new sports of surfing and paddleboard racing first appeared on the California Coast.

Get ready for a wild and wacky adventure in "The Brown Note: The Epic Poop-tastic Quest!" Meet Tommy, a young inventor with big dreams of winning "The Young Inventor of the Year Competition." But there's just one problem – all his inventions are total duds! Tommy's quest for a winning idea takes a hilarious twist when he stumbles upon something unexpected. On his way home from school one day, Tommy discovers an old keyboard hidden in a pile of junk. But this isn't your ordinary keyboard – it's contains the legendary Brown Note! And this note has some seriously stinky surprises in store....

Something hairy just ripped a thunder-fart through the jungle… and it’s headed for Gunkville. Meet King Kong Pong—a skyscraper-sized gorilla with banana breath so bad it melts tree bark, dreadpits that launch pong grenades, and a tail-slap that creates actual stinkquakes. When the jungle starts gagging and the clouds turn brown, Max Muckworthy, Gertie McStumble, Sludge, and their rainbow-farting warthog Puddles must face their most toxic mission yet. With the help of burping fruit bats and a legendary artifact called the Sacred Nosebell, they’ll have to swing, slide, and stink-blast...

Medieval Robots recovers the forgotten history of fantastical, aspirational, and terrifying machines that captivated Europe in imagination and reality between the ninth and 14th centuries. E. R. Truitt traces the different forms of self-moving or self-sustaining manufactured objects from their earliest appearances in the Latin West through centuries of mechanical and literary invention. This original and wide-ranging study reveals the convergence of science, technology, and imagination in medieval culture.

Dark Space #9 The building in the shipping yard wasn’t there yesterday, and now it knows Theo. Theo lives in the crumbling town of Ironwood, where nothing ever changes… until a mysterious lab appears out of nowhere, smooth as glass and humming like it's alive. Inside, Theo finds machines that respond to his thoughts, a map of the moon made of light, and a voice that calls him “pilot.” As the lab begins to transform and launch itself into space, Theo is pulled into a mission that started long before he was born—and might not end even if he makes it home. But the base doesn’t just...

A short story. A prequel to the Knights of Acre series. In the scorching summer of 1191, as the Third Crusade rages on, Sir Alaric of Normandy finds himself at the heart of a treacherous plot that threatens to unravel everything he holds dear. On the eve of a crucial battle against Saladin's forces near the strategic city of Arsuf, Alaric uncovers a shocking conspiracy led by the ambitious Lord de Marcy and his own mentor, Sir Geoffrey. Torn between loyalty and duty, Alaric must navigate a dangerous web of deceit as he races against time to expose the betrayal and save the Crusader army ...

In The Role of the Scroll, Thomas Forrest Kelly brings to life the most interesting scrolls in medieval history, placing them in the context of those who made, commissioned, and used them, and reveals their remarkably varied uses. Scrolls were the best way to keep ever-expanding lists, for example, those of debtors. Kelly explores the scroll's incredible diversity. A recipe for turning everyday metal into gold offers a glimpse into medieval alchemy, and a log of gifts for Queen Elizabeth I showcases royal flattery and patronage.

For Sale: Farm Fresh Freakouts When Millie's property suddenly produces an abundance of herbs, she sets out to share her good fortune. If she had her way, her most expensive item would be absolutely free, but her husband has a plan to pay for a shiny new tractor. Against her better judgment, Millie hangs out a shingle and passes her bounty on to local tourists. For a fee. When customers begin experiencing anomalies, she has to take a step back to consider her products...and her CEO. Dig into Wisdom of the Sages, the second book in the Back Forty Bliss series, and find out what's up with ...

Unleash the power of the past and explore groundbreaking moments in the historical tapestry with "Women Warriors". This incredible new eBook takes you on a gripping journey through time, documenting the valor, courage, and skill of women on the battlefield, enlightening us about the critical role of women in warfare. "Women Warriors" sets the stage with a captivating chronicle, evolving from the first orchestrated conflicts to current global counterinsurgency efforts. It spotlights daughters of the Nile, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra, who seized power in Ancient Egypt and recounts the incredible...

Three Women. One College Student. Life Lessons. Wayne Sloan and Linda Watson never intended to become long-term lovers. But almost a year has passed and the improbable romance, between a college student and a 45-year-old widow, is still a secret from everyone including Linda’s best friend, Cindy Sloan, who happens to be Wayne’s mom. Wayne’s poor scholastic performance incurs the wrath of his parents, and a long summer working for his uncle in a rural factory awaits Wayne. Soon after his arrival Wayne receives an unwanted gift from a promiscuous divorcee. He seeks a more appropriate ...

For over a quarter century, Iran has been one of America's chief nemeses. Ever since Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah in 1979, the relationship between the two nations has been antagonistic: revolutionary guards chanting against the Great Satan, Bush fulminating against the Axis of Evil, Iranian support for Hezbollah, and President Ahmadinejad blaming the U.S. for the world's ills.

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In the Middle Ages, during the reign of King Richard of England, a terrible anti-Semitic massacre took place in York in 1190. The city’s entire Jewish community was trapped by an angry mob within the tower of York Castle. Members of the community chose to commit suicide rather than be murdered or forcibly baptized by the attackers. Eugen Rispart's great epic, crammed full of incidents, accurate in historical detail, delineating with a master hand the famous characters of the period, graphic in description, blending tragedy, comedy, and romance takes its place amidst the other masterpieces...

In The Whigs' America, Joseph W. Pearson explores a variety of topics, including the Whigs' understanding of the role of the individual in American politics, their perceptions of political power and the rule of law, and their impressions of the past and what should be learned from history. Long dismissed as a party bereft of ideas, Pearson provides a counterbalance to this trend through an attentive examination of writings from party leaders, contemporaneous newspapers, and other sources.

What should you ask a magic mirror? How do you outwit a genie? Where should you dig for buried treasure? Fantasy media’s favorite clichés get new life from How to Slay a Dragon: A Fantasy Hero’s Guide to the Real Middle Ages, a historically accurate romp through the medieval world. Each entry presents a trope from video games, books, movies, or TV - such as saving the princess or training a wizard - as a problem for you to solve, as if you were the hero of your own fantasy quest.

Oh no! A decade birthday is approaching, one with a big "0" in it, and he's losing it. Wake-up call required. Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda. Marvin Baines seemingly has it all: a loving family and a great job. He is about to turn forty, and just like that, the realization hits him--his own mortality is straight up the road. That's not his only problem. Suddenly he is unable to distinguish fantasy from reality, and his often quirky decision-making causes his whole life to begin to unravel. All he wants is an escape from his humdrum life. What he gets is something quite unexpected. "The humour is ...