With the discovery of the Treasure of the Land behind them, Harrison Cross and his adventurer friends find an ancient, leather-bound manuscript mixed in with their newfound bounty. But, after deciphering the scripture's cryptic code they realize the book contains clues to a grander treasure, the Talisman of Unification. The righteous warriors are instructed to traverse the land in search of jewels, artifacts, and the blood of a wicked red dragon, all pieces to a greater whole, in order to fulfill their destiny as the land's new Overlords. Unbeknownst to our heroes, the evil King Holleris sensed the removal of the ancient scripture from its resting place and has sent out his minions to bring the book back to him. With a ransom of 10,000 gold pieces for its safe return, the king has more than enough suitors. To make matters worse, Harrison and his friends find a disturbing trend throughout the land-the Scynthians are creating outposts everywhere. With the odds heavily stacked against them, Harrison and his friends follow the clues that may lead them to their ultimate destiny-rulers of the land. Will they succeed? Or will the evil king tighten his grip on the unsuspecting countryside?

An anthology of English translations of primary texts of the Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) school of Daoism.

Investigating the impact of Arabic medieval astrological and magical theories on early modern occult philosophy, this book argues that they provided a naturalistic explanation of astral influences and magical efficacy based on Aristotelian notions of causality.

An exploration of the influence of secret societies on the formative documents and symbols of the United States • Reveals the Founding Fathers’ spiritual vision for America as encoded in the Great Seal • Traces the influence of the Iroquois League of Nations upon the Constitution • Exposes the deep connections the Founding Fathers had with the Freemasons and other secret societies All children growing up in America learn who the Founding Fathers were. Most, however, never learn of the founders’ connections to the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, and other esoteric orders. In Founding Fathers, Secret Societies Robert Hieronimus investigates these important connections and how their influence can be traced throughout our most significant national documents and symbols, especially the Great Seal. He reveals in detail how the reverse of the Great Seal--which appears on the back of the one-dollar bill--is a blueprint that conveys the secret destiny of America. By understanding the kabbalistic meaning of the Great Seal’s reverse, he shows how our current era presents unique opportunities for the fulfillment of our Founding Fathers’ spiritual vision.

Helen Hardacre, a leading scholar of religious life in modern Japan, examines the Japanese state's involvement in and manipulation of shinto from the Meiji Restoration to the present. Nowhere else in modern history do we find so pronounced an example of government sponsorship of a religion as in Japan's support of shinto. How did that sponsorship come about and how was it maintained? How was it dismantled after World War II? What attempts are being made today to reconstruct it? In answering these questions, Hardacre shows why State shinto symbols, such as the Yasukuni Shrine and its prefectural branches, are still the focus for bitter struggles over who will have the right to articulate their significance. Where previous studies have emphasized the state bureaucracy responsible for the administration of shinto, Hardacre goes to the periphery of Japanese society. She demonstrates that leaders and adherents of popular religious movements, independent religious entrepreneurs, women seeking to raise the prestige of their households, and men with political ambitions all found an association with shinto useful for self-promotion; local-level civil administrations and parish organizations have consistently patronized shinto as a way to raise the prospects of provincial communities. A conduit for access to the prestige of the state, shinto has increased not only the power of the center of society over the periphery but also the power of the periphery over the center.

Combining impeccable scholarship and literary elegance, David Wetzel depicts the drama of machinations and passions that exploded in a war that forever changed the face of European history.

A history of the rise and fall of united Germany, which lasted only 75 years from its establishment by Bismark in 1870. Suitable for A Level and upwards. In the OXFORD HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPE series.

Dino Joannides is a consummate food fanatic and bon Viveur. With an Italian mother and half Greek half Corsican father he spent his first years in Italy before moving to the UK. Over the last 30 odd years he has traveled and eaten all over Italy in people’s homes, simple trattorias and the finest restaurants. Dino believes that good quality ingredients, in small quantities, are what make a perfect meal. Whilst growing up, he had fascinating gastronomic encounters with producers, chefs, cooks and fellow epicureans and he has a unique network of contacts and over 30 years of food related knowledge and experience. If you’ve ever bought olive oil in a supermarket and wondered about the difference between Cold Pressed and not cold pressed, or ever bought dried pasta, and wondered if it would be difficult or worthwhile to make your own, then this book is for you. Dino will let you in on the secrets that make Culatello di Zibello the best possible cured meat, and will show you that it is worth seeking out pecorino Romano for your pasta carbonara. Taking different elements of Italian cooking and exploring their origin and provenance, Dino will explode myths and expound facts surrounding some of the key ingredients in Italian cooking. There are also 100 delicious recipes to show you how to put your well-sourced ingredients together to make the most amazing, achievable and authentic Italian possible.

Wawro describes the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1, that violently changed the course of European history.