"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...

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...

The war for the human mind is not over. It has evolved.Three years have passed since the Arlington facility fell. Three years since Noah Greene and his small band of operatives exposed the Phoenix Protocol and shattered the Architect's plan for global control. They believed they had won. They were wrong.From the ashes of the old network, a new, more insidious threat has emerged: Phoenix Ascendant. It doesn't just control minds; it absorbs t...

For centuries, the Library of Alexandria stood as a beacon of human knowledge, a monumental dream to collect every thought ever recorded. But its legacy is one of constant struggle—a breathtaking, perilous dance between creation and destruction, preservation and loss.Journey through a millennium of history, from the ambitious Ptolemies who filled its shelves through ruthless acquisition to the dedicated librarians like Apollodorus, Callimachus, Marcus Fabius, and Helena. These guar...

When death is just paperwork, who processes the paperwork?Margaret Kingsley, a criminal psychologist and dedicated skeptic, never believed in the afterlife. But when her husband Tom dies suddenly, she finds herself drawn into a world of bureaucratic purgatory and corporate-controlled transitions.Gray Places Transitions promises a smooth journey into the hereafter for a hefty fee. But as Margaret investigates their methods, she uncovers a darker reality: a c...

Step into the hallowed halls of the Vatican and witness the untold story of its diplomatic struggles during the tumultuous years of World War I and II. "Silent Diplomacy" reveals the complex balancing act faced by the Church as it sought to maintain neutrality while confronting the rise of totalitarian regimes and the horrors of war.Through meticulous research and gripping narrative, this book explores the moral dilemmas faced by Popes Benedict XV, Pius XI, and Pius XII as they nav...

On December 1, 1969, a lottery drawing sealed the fate of a generation. For millions of young men, a single blue capsule determined whether they would live, die, or return from the jungles of Vietnam forever changed.No Parade is the sweeping saga of four lives irrevocably altered by that night:Michael, a brilliant student who believes he can outsmart the war with statistics, only to find that the true cost of combat can't be calcul...

He was the ruler of the known world. But his world was about to end.Moctezuma II sits on the Eagle Throne of the Mexica Empire, a warrior-priest who commands the loyalty of millions and communes with bloodthirsty gods . Yet his reign is shadowed by terrifying omens and his mind by a crushing doubt: are the bearded strangers with thunder-sticks and steel skin the divine figures of prophecy, or ruthless invaders who will burn his city to the ground? Every decision he...

In the heart of Hollywood's golden age, a star falls, and the echoes of her demise reverberate through the corridors of power. Marilyn Monroe, a shimmering goddess of the silver screen, finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies that could shatter the illusion of American glamour and topple the very foundations of the nation.This historical fiction, inspired by real events, delves into the alleged connections between Marilyn Monroe's tragic death, President John F. Kenned...