American History: Concrete Jungle To Neon Oasis


Book Description

Discover the history of America's most iconic cities with "American History: Concrete Jungle To Neon Oasis," a four-in-one book bundle featuring in-depth explorations of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Las Vegas. In "Empire City: The History Of New York City," readers will delve into the fascinating story of the city that never sleeps, from its origins as a Dutch trading post to the bustling metropolis of today. Explore the birth of Wall Street, the immigrant experience, and the rise of iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. "City Of Angels: The History Of Los Angeles" takes readers on a journey through the glamour and grit of the City of Dreams. From the golden age of Hollywood to the Watts riots and beyond, this book examines the forces that have shaped one of America's most iconic cities. "City On The Make: The Evolution Of Chicago" tells the story of the Windy City, from its humble beginnings as a fur trading post to its status as a global economic powerhouse. Discover the rise of Al Capone and the influence of architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright on this city that has always been defined by its ambition and drive. Finally, "The Neon Oasis: The History Of Las Vegas" explores the glitz and glamour of Sin City. From the mobsters who built the first casinos to the rise of mega-resorts such as the Bellagio and the Mirage, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the city that has become synonymous with excess and entertainment. With "American History: Concrete Jungle To Neon Oasis," readers will gain a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped some of America's most iconic cities. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of these cities, or just looking for a great read, this book bundle is sure to satisfy.




The New Urban Frontier


Book Description

Why have so many central and inner cities in Europe, North America and Australia been so radically revamped in the last three decades, converting urban decay into new chic? Will the process continue in the twenty-first century or has it ended? What does this mean for the people who live there? Can they do anything about it? This book challenges conventional wisdom, which holds gentrification to be the simple outcome of new middle-class tastes and a demand for urban living. It reveals gentrification as part of a much larger shift in the political economy and culture of the late twentieth century. Documenting in gritty detail the conflicts that gentrification brings to the new urban 'frontiers', the author explores the interconnections of urban policy, patterns of investment, eviction, and homelessness. The failure of liberal urban policy and the end of the 1980s financial boom have made the end-of-the-century city a darker and more dangerous place. Public policy and the private market are conspiring against minorities, working people, the poor, and the homeless as never before. In the emerging revanchist city, gentrification has become part of this policy of revenge.




Metropolis


Book Description

In a captivating tour of cities famous and forgotten, acclaimed historian Ben Wilson tells the glorious, millennia-spanning story how urban living sparked humankind's greatest innovations. “A towering achievement.... Reading this book is like visiting an exhilarating city for the first time—dazzling.” —The Wall Street Journal During the two hundred millennia of humanity’s existence, nothing has shaped us more profoundly than the city. From their very beginnings, cities created such a flourishing of human endeavor—new professions, new forms of art, worship and trade—that they kick-started civilization. Guiding us through the centuries, Wilson reveals the innovations nurtured by the inimitable energy of human beings together: civics in the agora of Athens, global trade in ninth-century Baghdad, finance in the coffeehouses of London, domestic comforts in the heart of Amsterdam, peacocking in Belle Époque Paris. In the modern age, the skyscrapers of New York City inspired utopian visions of community design, while the trees of twenty-first-century Seattle and Shanghai point to a sustainable future in the age of climate change. Page-turning, irresistible, and rich with engrossing detail, Metropolis is a brilliant demonstration that the story of human civilization is the story of cities.




Viewfinder


Book Description

Features 100 of the most insipirational locatios for travel photography.




Tokyo Tales


Book Description

This book is not a conventional travel guide. I would like to invite you to immerse yourself in a city of contrasts and endless facets – welcome to Tokyo, the city of 100 villages. This book takes you on a literary journey from the bustling streets of Shibuya to the serene temples of Asakusa; each neighborhood in this city holds stories waiting to be told. These stories unfold like Tokyo's cherry blossoms in spring. Join me in discovering how a stranger uncovers the art of Zen amid the hustle of the metropolis or how ancient geisha legends persist in the glow of modern neon lights. Each chapter is a window into the diverse life worlds of Tokyo's population. Are you ready to open the doors to the metropolis of 100 villages? Then accompany me on a journey that has embraced me between tradition and modernity, past and present. Experience Tokyo in all its nuances – a book as diverse as the city itself. So, I warmly welcome you to my Tokyo stories. This book takes you on a journey through the bustling streets of the megametropolis Tokyo and at the same time to the hidden treasures of the surrounding villages, as I experienced them. Through the eyes of a stranger who not only admires the breathtaking skyline but also discovers the stories behind the facades of the seemingly endless skyscrapers, I guide you through this foreign world. We explore not only the neon-lit streets but also the heart of the culture in the villages that make up this metropolis. In "Tokyo Stories," the diversity of this fascinating city becomes palpable in all its facets. From the bustling shopping districts to the quiet temples on the outskirts - each place tells its own story. Let yourself be surprised by the contrasts as the bustle of the metropolis meets the serenity of quiet communities, teahouses, and temples. My book is more than just a travel description. It is an exploration of the soul of Tokyo, an invitation to understand the city in its entirety. Through vivid descriptions and compelling stories, you will dive into the cultural diversity that Tokyo has to offer. Get ready for a journey that leads you not only through the streets but also into the hearts of the people who make this city what it is. I aim to build a bridge between the past and the future, between tradition and innovation. Explore the magic of this unique metropolis and let me tell you about the stories hidden behind the skyscrapers and rice terraces. Join me on this unforgettable journey. Are you ready to discover the city of 100 villages? Then follow me. Yours sincerely, Hermann Candahashi




General Kenney Reports: A Personal History of the Pacific War


Book Description

General Kenney Reports is a classic account of a combat commander in action. General George Churchill Kenney arrived in the South- west Pacific theater in August 1942 to find that his command, if not in a shambles, was in dire straits. The theater commander, General Douglas MacArthur, had no confidence in his air element. Kenney quickly changed this situation. He organized and energized the Fifth Air Force, bringing in operational commanders like Whitehead and Wurtsmith who knew how to run combat air forces. He fixed the logistical swamp, making supply and maintenance supportive of air operations, and encouraging mavericks such as Pappy Gunn to make new and innovative weapons and to explore new tactics in airpower application. The result was a disaster for the Japanese. Kenney's airmen used air power-particularly heavily armed B-25 Mitchell bombers used as commerce destroyers-to savage Japanese supply lines, destroying numerous ships and effectively isolating Japanese garrisons. The classic example of Kenney in action was the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, which marked the attainment of complete Allied air dominance and supremacy over Japanese naval forces operating around New Guinea. In short, Kenney was a brilliant, innovative airman, who drew on his own extensive flying experiences to inform his decision-making. General Kenney Reports is a book that has withstood the test of time, and which should be on the shelf of every airman.




Spinning World History


Book Description

Do you know how we got to here? In "Spinning World History," Eric Burnett takes you through all the major tales, traditions and turning points of world history - not just European history, but WORLD history. You'll figure out real quick that the West might have had some crowning moments, but for the whole of human history, it's been the Persians, the Indians, the Chinese, the Muslims or some horse peoples from the steppe that have truly turned us into the clever little creatures we are today. And when most world history books fade off once the Cold War comes to a close, this sometimes cheekily-written tome just gets going. Updated to include contemporary debates over topics such as Brexit, the rise of ISIS, claims to the South China Sea, the mounting refugee crisis and the controversial presidency of Donald Trump, this second edition finishes with a distinctively comprehensive look at the 21st century challenges facing the nine major regions of today's world - Africa, Latin America, Japan, China, the Middle East, India, Russia, Europe and the United States.




Florida


Book Description

Want to swim with dolphins, witness a space shuttle liftoff and rub shoulders with Mickey and Minnie ? Whether you seek escape or adventure, this jam-packed guide delivers the goods on the Sunshine State, from the steamy Everglades to the warm, white sands of America's best beaches. Miami essentials - deco delights, Cuban cuisine, nonstop nightclubs ; in-depth coverage of Disney World and Cher major theme parks ; the lowdown on hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and more ; food and lodging options to please all budgets ; 53 detailed maps, including special Miami map section.




No Logo


Book Description

"What corporations fear most are consumers who ask questions. Naomi Klein offers us the arguments with which to take on the superbrands." Billy Bragg from the bookjacket.




The Complete Poetry of James Hearst


Book Description

Part of the regionalist movement that included Grant Wood, Paul Engle, Hamlin Garland, and Jay G. Sigmund, James Hearst helped create what Iowa novelist Ruth Suckow called a poetry of place. A lifelong Iowa farner, Hearst began writing poetry at age nineteen and eventually wrote thirteen books of poems, a novel, short stories, cantatas, and essays, which gained him a devoted following Many of his poems were published in the regionalist periodicals of the time, including the Midland, and by the great regional presses, including Carroll Coleman's Prairie Press. Drawing on his experiences as a farmer, Hearst wrote with a distinct voice of rural life and its joys and conflicts, of his own battles with physical and emotional pain (he was partially paralyzed in a farm accident), and of his own place in the world. His clear eye offered a vision of the midwestern agrarian life that was sympathetic but not sentimental - a people and an art rooted in place.