"Walker here pairs off proto-architect Filippo Brunelleschi and doormaker Lorenzo Ghiberti in an often engaging version of Quattrocento Smackdown." — Library JournalJoining the bestsellers Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, this is a lively and intriguing tale of two artists whose competitive spirit brought to life one of the world's most magnificent structures and ignited the Renaissance.The dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore, the gr...

Joining the bestsellers Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, a lively and intriguing tale of two artists whose competitive spirit brought to life one of the world’s most magnificent structures and ignited the RenaissanceThe dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore, the great cathedral of Florence, is among the most enduring symbols of the Renaissance, an equal to the works of Leonardo and Michelangelo. Its designer was Filippo Brunelleschi, a temperamental architect and inventor who rediscov...

In the heart of Norway's Isdalen Valley, a chilling discovery unfolds—a woman's charred remains lie amidst the rugged landscape, her identity shrouded in a web of mystery. As investigators delve into her past, they uncover a series of aliases, coded notebooks, and a possible connection to Cold War espionage. The Isdal Woman's case becomes a haunting enigma, captivating the public imagination and challenging societal norms surrounding gender, crime, and the pursuit of truth....

**Lowell Thomas Annual Travel Book Award Silver Medal Winner 2015**Travel to the most inspiring tropical islands on the planet! Everything you need is in this one convenient Okinawa travel guide—including a large pull-out map.Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands is the first comprehensive travel guide to the 150 sub-tropical island chain that stretches across 600 miles from Japan to Taiwan. These are some of the most stunningly beautiful islands in the w...

They were five boys with bombs in their pockets and a dream of freedom in their hearts. Their target was an empire.On the morning of June 28, 1914, the city of Sarajevo was a stage set for pageantry, ready to welcome the heir to the mighty Habsburg throne . But hidden in the cheering crowds, a conspiracy was about to unfold. Scattered along the parade route were young assassins, their nerves fraying, their hands clutching Belgian pistols and crude bombs, ready to d...

Conversations Across Time: Philosophers Encounter the Modern WorldWhat if Socrates debated a tech executive? What would Nietzsche make of social media? How might the Buddha respond to our obsession with productivity?In this thought-provoking work of fiction, classic philosophers step out of the history books and into the 21st century to grapple with the very essence of our contemporary world. Through lively dialogues and engaging scenarios, "Conversations A...

For twenty generations, the Reynolds family guarded a secret door. Max Reynolds just blew it off its hinges.When brilliant coder Max Reynolds vanishes into his own revolutionary algorithm, his sister Chloe is called to the last place on earth she wants to be: the family cabin at Lake Arrowhead, the epicenter of a secret war. There, she finds that Max didn't just create an AI; he resurrected a predator that has been silently guiding human technology for millennia .

Step into the darkened streets of Nazi-occupied Paris and experience the lives of ordinary citizens caught in the grip of war.In a city where the shadow of the swastika looms large, whispers of resistance mingle with the fear of betrayal. Lucien, a literature professor, chronicles the struggle in his clandestine journal, while Juliette, a young seamstress, stitches a symbol of defiance in the attic of her family home.As food shortages and curfews become the...

On April 27, 1865, as America celebrated the end of its bloodiest conflict, an overlooked tragedy unfolded on the Mississippi River. The Sultana, a steamboat packed with recently freed Union prisoners of war, erupted in flames and sank into the dark waters, claiming more lives than the sinking of the Titanic. Yet somehow, this devastating maritime disaster faded into the shadows of history."Shadows of the Sultana" uncovers the heartbreaking story of America's deadliest maritime dis...

Embark on a captivating journey through the history of the papacy, from its humble beginnings in the early Church to its modern-day authority as a global religious and moral leader. "The Papal Journey" explores the evolution of this ancient institution, highlighting its key figures, pivotal moments, and enduring legacy.Discover how the papacy has navigated the complexities of faith, politics, and social change across the centuries. Explore:The origins of the papacy in...

IN 1950s AMERICA, YOUR PRINCIPLES ARE A LIABILITY. YOUR FRIENDS ARE A WEAPON. AND LOYALTY IS A CURRENCY PAID IN BETRAYAL.For Clara Goldstein, a sharp-witted Hollywood screenwriter at the top of her game, a single act of forgotten compassion is all it takes to be targeted. A five-dollar donation made thirteen years ago has put her in the crosshairs of a government committee that wants only one thing: names. The architects of the blacklist offer her a devil's bargain...

Barnaby Crisp is back, and the stakes have never been higher in the glittering heart of Las Vegas!Following their baffling investigation in The Case of the Caffeinated Capuchin, eccentric detective Barnaby Crisp and his pragmatic partner Maya Sharma are called to the exclusive Sapphire Slipper Casino, where impossible thefts are occurring with clockwork precision. Million-dollar watches and priceless art vanish from secure suites, leaving behind only the b...