English Middle Ages

More than eight centuries after his death, Saladin's life and reign represent the pinnacle of the Arab world's glory. Saladin is widely considered one of the greatest generals in history and one of the most famous leaders of the Middle Ages, but he remains a paradox, both in personal and in historical terms. A military genius, he first served other generals and was overshadowed later in life by his greatest rival, Richard I of England. He was far more admired by his Christian enemies, who extolled his chivalry, than some of his Muslim rivals.

On a chilly November night in 1407, Louis of Orleans was murdered by a band of masked men. The crime stunned and paralyzed France since Louis had often ruled in place of his brother King Charles, who had gone mad. As panic seized Paris, an investigation began. In charge was the Provost of Paris, Guillaume de Tignonville, the city's chief law enforcement officer - and one of history's first detectives. As de Tignonville began to investigate, he realized that his hunt for the truth was much more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.

Fearless Paths: Inspirational Sports Stories of Self-Discovery for Teens to Build Courage, Resilience, Friendship, and Unity is a heartwarming and empowering collection of short stories crafted especially for boys. Each story dives into the real emotions, challenges, and triumphs that come with growing up and discovering who you really are. Whether it’s stepping up for a teammate, conquering stage fright, surviving a weekend without screens, or learning to forgive, the characters in Fearless Paths show that true strength often comes from the most unexpected places. These realistic, ...

The year 1316 was a bleak one for anyone who lived in the North of England. King Edward II had been humiliated at Bannockburn two years before, and appeared to be powerless against his cousin and political adversary, Thomas earl of Lancaster. Both men ignored the Northern counties of England as they continued their power struggle, leaving Robert Bruce a free hand to raid as widely and often as he wished. Only one man offered any hope to the beleaguered Northerners. Andrew de Harcla had led the defence of Carlisle the previous year, proving that the Scots were not invincible, but he had been...

Do you hate the term “middle age?” So does Kristin van Ogtrop, who is still trying to come up with a less annoying way to describe those years when you find yourself both satisfied and outraged, confident and confused, full of appreciation but occasional disdain for the world around you.

The Book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible, yet is also one of the greatest works of epic poetry in history. The book is filled with intricate details and first-hand observations about the world in which Job lived, along with the infamous debates about God, life, and death – and life after death. Who was the man we know as Job? When and where did he live, and what was happening in the world at the time? What are some of the mysteries and little-known scientific curiosities that Job was familiar with that were only rediscovered within the last several centuries? And what of the Ice ...

In 1517, the Ottoman Sultan Selim "the Grim" conquered Egypt and brought his empire for the first time in history into direct contact with the trading world of the Indian Ocean. During the decades that followed, the Ottomans became progressively more engaged in the affairs of this vast and previously unfamiliar region, eventually to the point of launching a systematic ideological, military and commercial challenge to the Portuguese Empire, their main rival for control of the lucrative trade routes of maritime Asia.

Much has been written about Western intervention during the breakup of Yugoslavia, and whether it made matters worse, prevented worse atrocities, or was simply ineffective. In early 1992, however, what was clear was that Europe was hopelessly divided over the best course of action to take towards Yugoslavia, and after several years of fighting, the Bosnian War was one of the most violent conflagrations in Europe since the end of World War II.

When a crusader army of Western European Franks took Jerusalem by storm on July 15, 1099, it was one of the more unexpected conquests in history. Everything seemed to be against them for the previous three years of crusades right up to the final siege, yet they finally prevailed. And when they did, they massacred most if not all of the population before establishing a Christian realm in a region that had been taken over by the Muslims in 634 CE.

In over her head this junior higher will not quit. Can she find a way to finish the production? Aimi Wilby is loyal to a fault when it comes to her friends, new and old. The administrators overload her. Her mentor abandons the project and leaves this eighth grader to ‘figure things out.' Even the lawyers try to shut her down. But, she will not let her cast members and her newest friend down. Aimi discovers that not all witches wear pointy hats and ride brooms. Her new friend asks Aimi to do the unthinkable, to go where she has never gone before. Aimi’s devotion is tested beyond what she...

There are very few national relationships quite as complicated and enigmatic as the one that exists between the English and the Irish. For two peoples so interconnected by geography and history, the depth of animosity that is often expressed is difficult at times to understand. At the same time, historic links of family and clan, and common Gaelic roots, have at times fostered a degree of mutual regard, interdependence, and cooperation that is also occasionally hard to fathom. During World War I, for example, Ireland fought for the British Empire as part of that empire.

The Pastons were members of the English gentry, a group of roughly 1,000 households sandwiched between the ruling nobility and the peasants and a rough analog for the contemporary “middle class.” Their existence was fairly typical, except for the fact that it was recorded in an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 letters that have survived to this day. Through these letters, which cover the years from 1421 to 1484 and the lives of three generations of Pastons, historians Frances and Joseph Gies provide a rare window into the day-to-day life of this family.

Three enchanting and adventurous stories of magic and mystery! Each story evolves in a different setting - a village, a city and a magical world. The Mystery of The Rainbow Butterfly Richa is excited to visit her grandma at the beautiful village. But she is not aware of the magical adventure that awaits her in the woods. A missing boy... and a missing fairy! Will Richa be able to save both of them? Who are the flonaries? What does she discover while trying to help others? The Mystery of The Strange Treeway Richa is back from vacation. Life is normal again and she is happy to have a new ...

Returning to his Missouri home is bittersweet for Kirk Darnell. Over twenty years ago his life plans changed when the girl he planned to marry broke their engagement. Now he has returned to sell the property left to him and his siblings by their deceased parents—and runs into trouble. Successful attorney Shannon Howell is blindsided when Kirk Darnell—the man she sent away per her father’s wishes—returns and makes her realize that what has been missing from her life is standing before her. But he says he’s here for legal help, nothing more. Can the present overcome the past—and ...

Girl Gang - Book 9: The Aftermath... This exciting addition to the series continues the story of the twin girls, Ali and Casey Jackson, their friends, and the other main characters from the best-selling series TWINS. In this story, Ali and Casey discover the consequences of their latest swap lead to unanticipated events, and they struggle to keep their secret intact. When Ronnie gets involved, the twins know they're in trouble. Ronnie, of course, does what she can to cause problems. She also faces her own issues in the form of bullying from the popular girls in her group, along with ...

GIRL GANG – Book 15: Trust No One More drama, more secrets, and more suspense as the best-selling Girl Gang series continues! Just as the girls think things are settling down, anonymous notes begin to appear—creepy, threatening messages designed to stir up doubt, jealousy, and fear. Alexa is still haunted by the car accident, Ali’s confidence is falling apart, and Casey fears Jake is slipping away. Meanwhile, Meg becomes the main suspect behind the notes unless, of course, it’s Brooklyn. The notes are so mysterious that no one is completely sure. And then…a shocking discovery ...

Sixteen hundred years ago, Britain left the Roman Empire and swiftly fell into ruin. Grand cities and luxurious villas were deserted and left to crumble, and civil society collapsed into chaos. Into this violent and unstable world came foreign invaders from across the sea and established themselves as its new masters. The Anglo-Saxons traces the turbulent history of these people across the next six centuries. It explains how their earliest rulers fought relentlessly against each other for glory and supremacy and then were almost destroyed by the onslaught of the Vikings.

How can you reconcile yourself with the lives you will never lead, with possibilities foreclosed, and with nostalgia for lost youth? How can you accept the failings of the past, the sense of futility in the tasks that consume the present, and the prospect of death that blights the future? In this self-help book with a difference, Kieran Setiya confronts the inevitable challenges of adulthood and middle age, showing how philosophy can help you thrive. You will learn why missing out might be a good thing, how options are overrated, and when you should be glad you made a mistake.

Eva is dissatisfied with her marriage to Louis. She's a little older and has a little extra on her hips. Eva longs to feel sexy and desirable again, and to enjoy the intimate attentions of a man. Frustrated by her husband's disdain for her curvier, more mature body, Eva convinces Louis to go on vacation to Couplez. But Eva doesn't tell Louis that it's a resort for swingers or that she's harboring fantasies of sleeping with a luscious, dark-skinned Jamaican. After a big fight with Louis, Eva goes snorkeling and meets Amani, the drop-dead sexy and muscular snorkeling instructor. Amani is ...

The Moors are well-known for their presence on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages and for the conflicts they fought in Europe, but the term Moor is a historical rather than an ethnic name. It is an invention of European Christians for the Islamic inhabitants of Maghreb (North Africa), Andalusia (Spain), Sicily, and Malta, and it was sometimes used to designate all Muslims.