As a result, early medieval history is much more fragmented, and there have been few convincing syntheses of socio-economic change in the post-Roman world since the 1930s. In recent decades, the rise of early medieval archaeology has also transformed our source-base, but this has not been adequately integrated into analyses of documentary history in almost any country.In Framing the Early Middle Ages Chris Wickham aims at integrating documentary and archaeological evidence together, and also, above all, at creating a comparative history of the period 400-800, by means of systematic comparative analyses of each of the regions of the latest Roman and immediately post-Roman world, from Denmark to Egypt (only the Slav areas are left out). The book concentrates on classic socio-economic themes, state finance, the wealth and identity of the aristocracy, estate management, peasant society, rural settlement, cities, and exchange. These are only a partial picture of the period, but they are intended as a framing for other developments, without which those other developments cannot be properly understood.Wickham argues that only a complex comparative analysis can act as the basis for a wider synthesis. Whilst earlier syntheses have taken the development of a single region as 'typical', with divergent developments presented as exceptions, this book takes all different developments as typical, and aims to construct a synthesis based on a better understanding of difference and the reasons for it. This is the most ambitious and original survey of the period ever written.

    Now they are both doomed…Leanna Williamson was a dreamer. A young woman passionate for literature, who wouldn't settle for anything less than the heroes she grew up fantasizing about. Yet fate has other plans.When her father announces her engagement to the country's cruelest knight, Leanna has two options: succumb to a living nightmare, or prove that she is brave like her literary idols. And so, she escapes…Kaiden MacNaghten's existence was an eventful one. A man on the run, who invented the most colorful ways to survive. His latest ruse, pretending to be a priest, will cause much more trouble to Kaiden than he could have ever imagined.When he encounters an unprotected young woman on her way to the Highlands, his respectful guise will be her safe harbor, until his own longings will make it almost impossible to keep up with his lie…Who is the mysterious Highlander priest that makes Leanna want to sin? And how will Kaiden be able to protect her, when his presence is the biggest threat for her?She prayed for a savior… He prayed for freedom…

    In Bakhtin's view, the spirit of laughter and irreverence prevailing at carnival time is the dominant quality of Rabelais's art. The work of both Rabelais and Bakhtin springs from an age of revolution, and each reflects a particularly open sense of the literary text. For both, carnival, with its emphasis on the earthly and the grotesque, signified the symbolic destruction of authority and official culture and the assertion of popular renewal. Bakhtin evokes carnival as a special, creative life form, with its own space and time.Written in the Soviet Union in the 1930s at the height of the Stalin era but published there for the first time only in 1965, Bakhtin's book is both a major contribution to the poetics of the novel and a subtle condemnation of the degeneration of the Russian revolution into Stalinist orthodoxy. One of the essential texts of a theorist who is rapidly becoming a major reference in contemporary thought, Rabelais and His World is essential reading for anyone interested in problems of language and text and in cultural interpretation.

    This chronicle of the Byzantine Empire, beginning in 1025, shows a profound understanding of the power politics that characterized the empire and led to its decline.

    But the Vikings were more than just marine warriors and this atlas shows their development as traders and craftsmen, explorers, settlers and mercenaries. With over sixty full colour maps, it follows the tracks of the Viking merchants who travelled deep into Russia, of Viking mercenaries who served in the emperor’s bodyguard at Constantinople, and Viking mariners who sailed beyond the edge of the known world to North America.

    The Barbarians were becoming a powerful force in Europe, and the Huns, the most savage of these tribesmen, were sweeping south towards the imperial frontiers. At the same time the Empire faced growing internal social and economic problems: plague and war had diminished the agricultural population and productivity was falling; the army was under increasing strain in defending the extensive boundaries. Christianity, too, continued to prove an unsettling influence - accepted and established in Constantinople, but not in Rome. In this perceptive and stimulating book, Professor Wallace-Hadrill traces the development of Western Europe from the dissolution of the late Roman Empire to the emergence, in the tenth century, of the individual states of medieval Europe. Now in its fourth edition, The Barbarian West contains a fully revised and up-to-date bibliography.

    

    No other woman pleased him, not even the daughters of other lairds, so he finally settled for Anna sight unseen. But when his men went to meet her guard, she was all alone and badly beaten. Who could have done such a thing and why? ~

    It shows how the attitudes and values of the otherwise inarticulate were shaped by social conditions and how they changed as European society changed between 1500 and 1800. This edition contains a new preface looking at developments in recent years in the study of Popular Culture and the difficulty in fixing these two terms. An extensive supplementary bibliography also adds to the information about new research in the area.

    In diary of a dancing drama queen Harriet has to face the embarrassment of a dance class after her mother enrols her and her sister at Madam Zangara’s School of Dance. She is not exactly the best dancer in the world and when the most popular girl in school, Melanie joins the dance class, it marks the start of a fun filled adventure that includes a birthday party, a talent show and a school dance. Will she get asked to the dance by her biggest crush, Oliver Russell? This funny book is sure to be a hit with 8-12 year old girls.

    And so has the Black Dragon.An epic dragon riding adventure from Jada Fisher, author of the popular Brindle Dragon series. Blessed with a magic she doesn’t understand, Ukrah must find her way in a world that doesn’t always embrace her and her gifts. Accompanied by a talking bird and a strange young man who took her in, she must find the legendary dragon rider who saved the world from the Blight. Can Ukrah escape from those who would enslave her, or worse, and find the only person who can help her realize her destiny? The Black Dragon Boxed Set contains the first three stories in the Rise of the Black Dragon series which follows the story of a young girl blessed—and cursed—with a magic she doesn’t understand and a dragon who will save—or destroy—the world. Stories Included: Escape New Beginnings Black Dragon

    From a detailed examination of the individual components of an ancient army and their equipment, to a fascinating exploration of ancient battle strategies, siege warfare, and naval battles, it explores the unique tactics required to win battles with the technology available. Using specially commissioned color and black-and-white artwork and 24 full-color tactical maps, this book shows in great detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrians and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were less successful. This is a must-read for any reader interested in ancient warfare.

    "This is a work for the general reader which will also earn the admiration of all academic specialists in Ottoman history".--Sunday Telegraph (London) 8 pp. of photos.

    Dive into this fast and furious romantic suspense boxed set. It’s a tough world out there, but Daring Protectors love as hard as they fight. Between car chases, gunfights, devious killers, mob hitmen, abusive ex’s, and cartel bosses, the action and romance are nonstop when Daring Protectors meet their match. JAKE, THE JUSTICE BROTHERS by Taylor Lee – USAT bestselling author Sam Delgado, the new Tribal Police Chef, determined to go it alone, is as brazen as she is beautiful. Jake Justice is the acknowledged law enforcement leader in the state—and the one Justice Brother no woman has been able to snare. The murder of a young Native girl threatens their professional relationship and puts their passionate love affair in the crosshairs. Together they discover that Justice—like Love—isn’t always fair or easy. AXE, BAD BOYS FOR HIRE by Rachelle Ayala – USAT bestselling author Leanna Rivera leaves safety behind when she hires Axe Salvadori to search for a daughter she gave away in Mexico. There’s the cartel, Leanna’s ex, Axe’s past, the human traffickers, and Carmelita herself. No one is as they seem, and nothing is safe—least of all Leanna’s heart. When the stakes are nothing less than the safety of her daughter, can Leanna count on Axe, a man with demons of his own? DESTINY’S DREAM by Jen Talty – USAT bestselling Author. No more boyfriend. No more dog. No more heartache. Destiny Baker promised herself, she’d never make the same mistake twice. She’d put her trust in a man once, and she wound up in the Witness Protection Program. For companionship, Assistant Chief of Police Mason Cooper trusted one creature: his German Shepard. When a deadly secret from Destiny’s past not only threatens her life, but Mason’s family as well, Mason takes matters into his own hands and loses his heart. Even if he saves Destiny, he’ll still have to say good-bye to the only woman in his life who had earned his trust. SPECIAL AGENT KANDICE by Mimi Barbour – NYT & USAT bestselling author. Sweet doesn’t necessarily mean weak… some men need to understand that. Special Agent Kandice wants to be tough like the others on her team. When Dan Black, her new hard-ass boss arrives, he’s the one she’s out to impress. Being the chief hostage negotiator at a bank heist starts the process. Being stalked, kidnapped and beaten helps see it through. In the end, pulling the trigger comes easy… BEDROOM THERAPY by Rebecca York – NYT & USAT bestselling author Phone sex and fantasies can’t keep sexual advice columnist, Dr. Amanda O’Neal, safe when a serial killer has her in his sights. Enter P.I. Zachary Grant, a man focused on protection and clues—or, sexual fantasies, his and hers. While anything is possible in the bedroom, can Zach keep Amanda safe before the killer strikes again? BARBARA’S PLEA by Stacy Eaton – USAT bestselling author Barbara lives in constant fear of her husband. She finally summons the courage to leave with their young daughter, Allie, but dreads the moment her husband learns of their escape. Barbara flees to a safe location where she meets Grey, an unemployed construction worker also living on the property.