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The Mesopotamian riddle : an archaeologist, a soldier, a clergyman, and the race to decipher the world's oldest writing / by Hammer, Joshua,1957-author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."It was one of history's great vanishing acts. As early as 3500 BCE, scribes in the mud-walled city-state of Sumer used a reed stylus to press tiny wedge-shaped symbols into clay. For three thousand years, the script chronicled the military conquests, scientific discoveries, and epic literature of the grand kingdoms of Mesopotamia-Assyria, Babylon, the mighty Achaemenid Empire -- along with precious minutia about everyday life so long ago. But as the palaces of these once great kingdoms sank beneath the desert sands, the meaning of these characters was lost. London, 1857. Colossal sculptures of winged bulls and alabaster bas-reliefs depicting cities under siege and vassals bearing tributes to Biblical kings lined the halls of the British Museum. In the Victorian era's obsession with the triumph of human progress, the mysterious kingdoms of ancient Mesopotamia -- the very cradle of civilization -- had captured the public imagination. Yet Europe's best philologists struggled to decipher the strange characters. Cuneiform seemed to have thousands of symbols -- with some scholars claiming each could be pronounced in up to eight, nine, even ten different ways. Others insisted they'd cracked the code and deciphered inscriptions that corresponded precisely to the Old Testament -- proving the veracity of the Word of God. Was it all a hoax? A delusion? A rollicking adventure through the golden age of archaeology, The Writing on the Wall tracks the decades-long race to decipher the oldest script in the world. It's the story of a swashbuckling young archaeologist, a suave British military officer, and a curmudgeonly Irish rector, all vying for glory -- from the ruins of Persepolis to the opulence of Ottoman-era Baghdad -- in a quest to unearth the relics of lost civilizations and unlock the secrets of humanity's past"--
Subjects: Assyriology; Cuneiform inscriptions.; Cuneiform writing.;

The daughters of Ys [graphic novel] / by Anderson, M. T.,author.; Rioux, Jo-Anne,illustrator.;
"Ys, city of wealth and wonder, has a history of dark secrets. Queen Malgven used magic to raise the great walls that keep Ys safe from the tumultuous sea. But after the queen's inexplicable death, her daughters drift apart. Rozenn, the heir to the throne, spends her time on the moors communing with wild animals, while Dahut, the youngest, enjoys the splendors of royal life and is eager to take part in palace intrigue. When Rozenn and Dahut's bond is irrevocably changed, the fate of Ys is sealed, exposing the monsters that lurk in plain view. M. T. Anderson and Jo Rioux reimagine this classic Breton folktale of love, loss, and rebirth, revealing the secrets that lie beneath the surface."--Amazon.
Subjects: Young adult fiction.; Graphic novels.; Daughters; Sisters; Inheritance and succession; Mothers; Kings and rulers; Magic; Secrecy; Jealousy; Monsters;

The wall of life : pictures and stories from this marvelous lifetime / by MacLaine, Shirley,1934-author.;
"With over seventy years on the silver screen, Shirley MacLaine has, as she says, seen it all, done it all, been everywhere, and met everyone. In 1955, she debuted in Hollywood as the lead role in The Trouble with Harry, winning her the first of many Golden Globes, and from there, her popularity only grew as she amassed a stunning collection of awards, stories, and experiences. Now, at nearly ninety years old, MacLaine has more stories to tell and the pictures to bring them to life. By introducing readers to her extensive photo collection, MacLaine shares both intimate family memories and images from some of the most significant figures from film, entertainment, and politics. With her natural wit and charm, she reveals the stories behind each photo, exploring ambition, love, friendship, motherhood, art, political activism, and more. By doing so, MacLaine charts the course of her remarkable life and career, sharing both early memories (her childhood with her brother Warren Beatty, her decision to leave for New York City at age sixteen, her early work on Broadway, and becoming a mother) as well as remembrances of her days in the public eye (campaigning for George McGovern, traveling to meet political luminaries, starring in legendary film roles, and developing an interest in spirituality). Along the way, readers gain greater insight into figures such Frank Sinatra, Bob Fosse, Bette Davis, Jack Nicholson, the Dalai Lama, Fidel Castro, Mikhael Baryshnikov, and many more. And whether she's sharing what advice Elvis Presley asked her for, how she consoled close friend Elizabeth Taylor after the death of her husband, or which prime minister she discussed UFOs with, MacLaine offers her most visual and candid book yet, giving readers an unprecedented glance into a life like no other"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Personal narratives.; MacLaine, Shirley, 1934-; Entertainers;

Checkpoint Charlie : the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, and the most dangerous place on earth / by MacGregor, Iain,author.;
Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-326) and index."Checkpoint Charlie is the story of the men and women - from both sides of the Cold War's political divide - who lived, served on, or escaped through the Berlin Wall during its life span (13th August 1961 - 9th November 1989). This physical monstrosity created by the East German communist state was to divide one of the most beautiful and by 1961, ruined cities of the world; dividing families, friends and lovers. Its creation, and its sudden collapse twenty-seven years later, were the key moments of the Cold War. Checkpoint Charlie was the one place in a paranoid continent where East faced West across one hundred yards of No Man's Land. Where soldiers served, spies watched through trained binoculars, escapees fled, politicians made speeches, people died and, mothers wept. The Wall was seen by many as permanent as the Himalayas. Across the Wall's almost three decades of existence, over two hundred people died trying to escape through it to the West, and these are just the recorded deaths. Many more who attempted and failed to break to freedom, would later die of their wounds in an East German hospital or prison. Historian Iain MacGregor travels to America, Britain, Germany and France to talk to the many people the Berlin Wall affected and who found themselves at the gates of Checkpoint Charlie - either on the Allied, or Soviet side. He interviews soldiers, politicians, journalists, spies, policemen, refugees and escapees to build a picture of what life was like in the city that was universally seen as the "hot spot" of the Cold War for four decades"--
Subjects: Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989; Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989; Cold War;

All we were promised : a novel / by Lattimore, Ashton,author.;
"The paths of three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia unexpectedly -- and dangerously -- collide in this dramatic debut novel inspired by the explosive history of a city at war with itself. Philadelphia, 1837. When nineteen-year-old Charlotte escaped from the deteriorating White Oaks plantation four years ago, she'd expected freedom to look completely different from her former life as an enslaved housemaid. Instead, she's locked away playing servant to her white-passing father, hiding their past and identities to protect themselves from slavecatchers who would destroy their new lives. Charlotte longs to break away, but outside the walls of their townhouse, the City of Brotherly Love is up in arms. Pennsylvania is a free state, yet abolitionists are struggling to establish a permanent home for the anti-slavery movement, as southern sympathizers incite violence against free Black people and white vigilantes stalk the streets. Undeterred, Charlotte sneaks out and forges an unlikely friendship with Nell, a member of one of Philadelphia's wealthiest Black families. Nell is under so much pressure from her parents to settle down and marry Alex, a close family friend, that the two pretend to get engaged, just to take the heat off. Meanwhile Nell and Charlotte grow close over their mutual commitment to abolition, so when Evie, Charlotte's enslaved friend from White Oaks, shows up in the city, they conspire to help her flee North. Charlotte and her father's freedom is threatened as she and Nell navigate the abolitionist world's racial and class politics and ever-present dangers, struggling to forge a plan to free Evie from slavery before it's too late. Inspired by the untold history of Pennsylvania Hall, one of Philadelphia's landmarks lost to violence, All We Were Promised is the story of three young Black women -- the rebel, the socialite, and the fugitive -- fighting for each other in an American city straining to live up to its loftiest ideals"--
Subjects: Historical fiction.; Novels.; Abolitionists; Fugitive slaves; Slavery;

Trust / by Diaz, Hernán,1973-author.;
"An award-winning writer of absorbing, sophisticated fiction delivers a stylish and propulsive novel rooted in early 20th century New York, about wealth and talent, trust and intimacy, truth and perception. In glamorous 1920s New York City, two charactersof sophisticated taste come together. One is a legendary Wall Street tycoon; the other, the brilliant daughter of penniless aristocrats. Steeped in affluence and grandeur, their marriage excites gossip and allows a continued ascent -- all at a moment when the country is undergoing a great transformation. This is the story at the center of Harold Vanner's novel Bonds, which everyone in 1938 New York seems to have read. But it isn't the only version. Provocative, propulsive, and repeatedly surprising, Hernan Diaz's TRUST puts the story of these characters into conversation with the "the truth" -- and in tension with the life and perspective of an outsider immersed in the mystery of a competing account. The result is an overarching novel that becomes more exhilarating and profound with each new layer and revelation, engaging the reader in a treasure hunt for the truth that confronts the reality-warping gravitational pull of money, and how power often manipulates facts"--
Subjects: Historical fiction.; Novels.; Financial services industry; Rich people; Truthfulness and falsehood;

The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime [electronic resource] : by Buckley, Michael.aut; CloudLibrary;
Fairy-tale characters take over New York City in the forth installment of the beloved, New York Times–bestselling children’s series Sabrina and Daphne Grimm return to their hometown, New York City, to search for Puck’s family. But the Big Apple is not the happy, normal place of their childhood. Now the fairytale detectives must contend with wand-wielding fairy godfathers, swashbuckling Wall Street pirates, subway-stealing dwarfs, and—worst of all among these urban Everafters—a murderer. Even Sabrina’s memories of her parents aren’t safe. As the sisters Grimm investigate the death of an innocent Everafter, they learn that their mother kept a secret from them that might lead to the heart of that evil organization, the Scarlet Hand. Reissued with new cover art, these anniversary editions of the beloved Sisters Grimm series are the perfect opportunity for old fans to revisit the Grimm family’s adventures and for new readers to discover the magic of the series.Children/juvenile.
Subjects: Electronic books.; Mysteries & Detective Stories; Siblings; Fantasy & Magic; Adaptations;
© 2017., ABRAMS, Inc.,

Must see places of the world [videorecording] / by Reader's Digest Association,production company.; Questar, Inc.,film distributor.;
Disc 1. Magnificent planet/marvels of mankind: "Your grand journey begins includes the Sahara Desert, Victoria Falls, the Grand Canyon, Banff National Park, the Amazon Rainforest, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, and Petra in Jordan."--Container.Disc 2. Wildlife treasures: "This awe-inspiring program captures the planet's most wondrous creatures in their natural habitats, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Giant Panda, and the dazzlingly diverse marine creatures that inhabit Australia's Great Barrier Reef."--Container.Disc 3. Journey of a lifetime: "This three-part program embarks on the global odyssey of your dreams. Experience the world's most spectacular places and wondrous sights, each at the ideal time of year. Your itinerary includes Kenya's wild savannah, the Great Wall of China, the lost city of Petra, the Grand Canyon, Jerusalem on Easter morning, and New England in autumn."--Container.Disc 4. Australia the beautiful: "Thrill to the rare, remote, and exotic wonders of Australia! Frm misty forests to canyons that conceal secrets from the age of dinosaurs, this three-part program captures all of Australia's dazzling wildlife and glorious landscapes few visitors are privileged to see."--Container.Disc 5. Mysteries of the ancient world: "How were the pyramids constructed? What is the truth behind King Arthur and Camelot? What was the mysterious tribe of 4,000-year-old mummies discovered in the Taklamakan desert? These and other fascinating mysteries are explored in this captivating three-part program that takes a fresh look at some of history's oldest and most baffling mysteries.Disc 6. Scenic cruises of the world: "Set sail on a dream cruise around the world's most dramatic coastlines to more than twenty countries, islands, and other dramatically varied locations. This three-part series makes unforgettable stops at Nova Scotia, the Mayan ruins of Guatemala, the Panama Canal, Big Sur, and Alaska, and much more."--Container.E.DVD.
Subjects: Travelogues (Motion pictures); Documentary films.; Travel.; Historic sites.; Ocean travel.; Voyages around the world.;
For private home use only.

The ground breaking : an American city and its search for justice / by Ellsworth, Scott(Historian),author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."The definitive, newsbreaking account of the ongoing investigation into the Tulsa race massacre In the late spring of 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, erupted into the worst single incident of racial violence in American history. Over the course of sixteen hours, mobs of white men and women looted and burned to the ground a prosperous African American community, known today as Black Wall Street. More than one thousand homes and businesses were destroyed, and scores, possibly hundreds, of people lost their lives. Then, for nearly a half century, the story of the massacre was actively suppressed. Official records disappeared, history textbooks ignored the tragedy, and citizens were warned to keep silent. Now nearly one hundred years after that horrible day, historian Scott Ellsworth returns to his hometown to tell the untold story of how America's foremost hidden racial tragedy was finally brought to light, and the unlikely cast of characters that made it happen. Part true-crime saga, part archaeological puzzle, and part investigative journalism, The Ground Breaking weaves in and out of recent history, the distant past, and the modern day to tell a compelling story of a city-and a nation-struggling to come to terms with the dark corners of its past."--Provided by publisher.
Subjects: African Americans; African Americans; Exhumation; Forensic archaeology; Tulsa Race Massacre, Tulsa, Okla., 1921.;

Death takes me : a novel / by Rivera Garza, Cristina,1964-author.; Booker, Sarah,translator.; Myers, Robin,1987-translator.; translation of:Rivera Garza, Cristina,1964-Muerte me da.English.;
"A city is always a cemetery. When a professor named Cristina Rivera Garza stumbles upon the corpse of a man in a dark alley, she finds a stark warning scrawled on the brick wall beside the body, written in coral nail polish: "Beware of me, my love / beware of the silent woman in the desert." After reporting the crime to the police, the professor becomes the lead informant of the case, led by a detective with a newfound obsession with poetry and a long list of failures on her back. But what has the professor really seen? As more bodies of men are found across the city, the detective tries to decipher the meaning of the poems, and if they are facing a darker stream of violence spreading throughout the city. Death Takes Me is a thrilling masterpiece of literary fiction that flips the traditional crime narrative on its head, in a world where death is rampant and violence is gendered. Written in sentences as sharp as the cuts on the bodies of the victims - a word which, in Spanish, is always feminine - Death Takes Me unfolds with the charged logic of a dream, moving from the professor's classroom into the slippery worlds of Latin American poetry and art, as it explores with masterful imagination the unstable terrains of desire and sexuality"--
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Feminist fiction.; Novels.; Castration; Detectives; Men; Police; Serial murder investigation; Serial murderers; Women college teachers;

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