Embark on a captivating journey across the vast Russian steppe aboard the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway in this modern tale of self-discovery and introspection. The narrator, known only as D, begins his westward voyage in Vladivostok, traversing the ever-changing landscapes that unfold before him. As time moves inexorably onward, the everyday lives of the passengers intertwine with the rhythmic churning of the train’s propellers, contrasting sharply with the raw silence of the natural world beyond the windows. As the journey progresses, D’s physical expedition takes an unexpected turn, delving into the depths of his own psyche. A haunting presence, N, permeates the narrative, her essence imbued in the natural world, particularly at the breathtaking Lake Baikal in Siberia. N represents the one who got away, leaving a void and a profound fragility within D’s soul, scattering her ghostly influence across the many places his footsteps tread. Immersed in the tranquil vistas of the external world, D finds himself enamoured by the everyday characters he encounters along the way. As he navigates the complexities of his inner turmoil and the beauty of his surroundings, the narrator embarks on a transformative odyssey. The D who began his journey in Vladivostok will inevitably be different from the one who arrives in Moscow at journey’s end, but what will this transformation entail? Join D on this introspective voyage as he unravels the mysteries of his past, present, and future on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Long Journey Home, is an autobiography beginning in Poland in 1939. This is a little known story of what happened in Poland during Russian occupation as seen through the eyes of a young girl. On June 20, 1941, a ten year-old girl living a quiet country life is suddenly awakened by a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Two Russian soldiers pointing rifles at parents gave orders to be ready to leave at dawn. Their destination was Siberia. One day after their arrest, Germany declared war on Russia and re-conquering the eastern part of Poland, moved swiftly into Russian mainland. Stalin unable to contain them, sought help from Western Allies. An amnesty pact was signed at the Kremlin with General Sikorski for the Polish Government-in-Exile, granting freedom to all Polish prisoners and deportees. It also provided for formation of a Polish volunteer army on Russian soil to be trained and shipped to the Western Front. Anyone having a close relative in that army could leave Russia. The author and her family were the lucky ones. Freed from Russia in August 1942, going through the Caspian Sea to Persia (now Iran), India, Mexico and, ultimately after six years of wanders, landing in the U.S.

The story of Harry and Christine Meijer on its face is not unique. Throughout history, countless individuals have endured immense physical and psychological trauma as a result of war and authoritarian regimes. These tyrannical leaders motivated by a desire for absolute control and subjugation of the population, inflicted immense suffering upon civilian populations. Born in a country under colonial rule, Harry and Christine in their formative years were undoubtedly marked by a confluence of economic and cultural challenges. However, the true crucible of their lives emerged at the dawn of their adulthood, when they were confronted with adversities of unimaginable magnitude. Their narrative encompasses the reality of lingering PTSD suffered by Harry and Christine, which significantly impacted their nine children during tumultuous migrations across three continents, demanding constant adaptation to unfamiliar cultures and languages. Despite facing these significant hardships, the remarkable resilience and ultimate triumph over adversity stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for perseverance. Grounded in meticulous historical detail and enriched with poignant anecdotes, this work offers readers the opportunity to glean novel insights into the hardships endured by millions in the South Pacific during World War II and also serves as a source of inspiration for overcoming their own challenges.

In THE NEW STORY more than 30 tales from around the world and easy to do exercises give a fresh and encouraging take on how to bring about understanding, compassion and transformation in a wide spectrum of life situations - at school, in work life, at home, in a quiet conversation with a friend but also in the wider arena of multicultural politics, mediation and social healing. During times of turbulence and conflict, storytelling dedicated to peace and reconciliation has proven successful in creating a common ground between people of all ages, from different cultures and disparate world views. A human culture is cultivated, engendering a free space where story speaks to story and we come to appreciate the uniqueness of everyone ́s contribution to a more inclusive and resilient society. In rich and lively picture language myths, wisdom tales, life stories and intuitively created stories are shared and everyone has a voice. Full of practical examples combined with leading edge contributions from modern storytellers at work in places like Israel, Kurdistan and the Nordic countries, this book will inspire all who are looking to awaken positivity and enthusiasm wherever they are. Here you will learn new skills to heal the past, honor the present and create sustainable futures together with others.

What were the economic roots of modern industrialism? Were labor unions ever effective in raising workers' living standards? Did high levels of taxation in the past normally lead to economic decline? These and similar questions profoundly inform a wide range of intertwined social issues whose complexity, scope, and depth become fully evident in the Encyclopedia. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the Encyclopedia is divided not only by chronological and geographic boundaries, but also by related subfields such as agricultural history, demographic history, business history, and the histories of technology, migration, and transportation. The articles, all written and signed by international contributors, include scholars from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Covering economic history in all areas of the world and segments of ecnomies from prehistoric times to the present, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History is the ideal resource for students, economists, and general readers, offering a unique glimpse into this integral part of world history.

Tzouliadis presents this remarkable piece of forgotten history--the story of how thousands of Americans were lured to Soviet Russia by the promise of jobs and better lives only to meet a tragic and, until now, forgotten end.

This is a history of the forgotten third battle of 1066, the battlefield which until now remained undiscovered. Three weeks and three days before the epic clash at Hastings in 1066 between Harold II and William of Normandy, a battle of the same size and scale took place just south of York at Fulford. Harald Hardrada, king of Norway, in alliance with Tostig, Harold II's brother, invaded with 300 ships, sailing up the Ouse just south of York. Edwin and Morcar, Harold's brothers-in-law and earls of Mercia and Northumbria, gave battle at Fulford. This site has been forgotten, and largely undisturbed, for almost a thousand years. Charles Jones' book investigates the complex events that forced King Harold II of England to divide his army in order to defend his new kingdom from the invasions he expected in the north and the south.

This important book demonstrates why geography matters in the modern-day world through its examination of 100 moments throughout history that had a significant impact on the study of geography—literally, "writing about the earth." Geography is not simply accounts of the lands of earth and their features; it's about discovering everything there is to know about our planet. This book shows why geography is of critical importance to our world's 21st-century inhabitants through an exploration of the past and present discoveries that have been made about the earth. It pinpoints 100 moments throughout history that had a significant impact on the study of geography and the understanding of our world, including widely accepted maps of the ancient world, writings and discoveries of key thinkers and philosophers, key exploration events and findings during the Age of Discovery, the foundations of important geographic organizations, and new inventions in digital mapping today. The book begins with a clear explanation of geography as a discipline, a framework, and a way of viewing the world, followed by coverage of each of the 100 discoveries and innovations that provides sufficient background and content for readers to understand each topic. The book concludes with a concise synopsis of why it all matters and a look forward to 10 possible future discoveries in the next 50 years of geography. Students will gain a clear sense of what is truly revolutionary about geography, perhaps challenging their preconceived notion of what geography actually is, and grasp how important discoveries revolutionized not only the past but the present day as well.

A Brown Man in Russia describes the fantastical travels of a young, colored American traveler as he backpacks across Russia in the middle of winter via the Trans-Siberian. The book is a hybrid between the curmudgeonly travelogues of Paul Theroux and the philosophical works of Robert Pirsig. Styled in the vein of Hofstadter, the author lays out a series of absurd, but true stories followed by a deeper rumination on what they mean and why they matter. Each chapter presents a vivid anecdote from the perspective of the fumbling traveler and concludes with a deeper lesson to be gleaned. For those who recognize the discordant nature of our world in a time ripe for demagoguery and for those who want to make it better, the book is an all too welcome antidote. It explores the current global climate of despair over differences and outputs a very different message – one of hope and shared understanding. At times surreal, at times inappropriate, at times hilarious, and at times deeply human, A Brown Man in Russia is a reminder to those who feel marginalized, hopeless, or endlessly divided that harmony is achievable even in the most unlikely of places.

This is the diary of the author as he realizes a life-long dream of riding the fabled Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow across the steppes and taiga of Siberia and into Mongolia, the land of Genghis Khan. In the capital city of Ulan Bator, he is blamed for a fire in his hotel room and is detained by the Mongolian police until payment is arranged. While in the capital, he is flown into the Gobi Desert where he lives in a ger, the home of the nomadic herders. It is a story of exotic people and exotic animals, all of whom contributed to this odyssey.