In Divine Purpose," we delve into the profound topic of God's purpose for believers. Join us as we explore the divine plan and uncover the incredible journey that awaits those who follow God's calling.Throughout this thought-provoking presentation, we will discuss key aspects of God's purpose, including the importance of faith, and cultivating a deeper relationship with Him. Delving into biblical teachings, we aim to shed light on the ultimate meaning behind our ex...

In this critical darling Vermeer's captivating and enigmatic paintings become windows that reveal how daily life and thought-from Delft to Beijing--were transformed in the 17th century, when the world first became global.A Vermeer painting shows a military officer in a Dutch sitting room, talking to a laughing girl. In another canvas, fruit spills from a blue-and-white porcelain bowl. Familiar images that captivate us with their beauty--but as Timothy Brook shows u...

In "The Invisible Lodge," Jean Paul crafts a rich narrative that blends elements of fantasy and philosophical reflection, encapsulated within his signature whimsical and satirical prose. This work, published in the early 19th century, explores themes of imagination, the nature of reality, and the intricate interplay between the self and society. With its elaborate metaphors and playful language, the novel invites readers into a surreal world where the boundaries of perception blur, mirrori...

The Ming dynasty was the last great Chinese dynasty before the Manchu conquest in 1644. During that time, China, not Europe, was the center of the world: the European voyages of exploration were searching not just for new lands but also for new trade routes to the Far East. In this book, Timothy Brook eloquently narrates the changing landscape of life over the three centuries of the Ming (1368-1644), when China was transformed from a closely administered agrarian realm into a place of comm...

In 'Titan,' Jean Paul embarks on an ambitious exploration of the human psyche and the nature of individual existence through the lens of allegory and philosophical introspection. This literary work, rich in Romantic idealism, combines elements of humor, dream-like sequences, and profound existential musings within a narrative structure that is both inventive and non-linear. The title itself resonates with the Promethean struggle of the individual against societal constraints, inviting read...

How climate change ushered in the collapse of one of history’s mighty empiresIn 1644, after close to three centuries of relative stability and prosperity, the Ming dynasty collapsed. Many historians attribute its demise to the Manchu invasion of China, but the truth is far more profound. The Price of Collapse provides an entirely new approach to the economic and social history of China, exploring how global climate crisis spelled the end of Ming rule....

Bloomsbury presents Vermeer's Hat by Timothy Brook, read by Nathan OsgoodIn this critical darling Vermeer's captivating and enigmatic paintings become windows that reveal how daily life and thought-from Delft to Beijing--were transformed in the 17th century, when the world first became global.A Vermeer painting shows a military officer in a Dutch sitting room, talking to a laughing girl. In another canvas, fruit spills from a blue-and-white porcela...

In 221 BC, the First Emperor of Qin unified the lands that would become the heart of a Chinese empire. Though forged by conquest, this vast domain depended for its political survival on a fundamental reshaping of Chinese culture. With this informative book, we are present at the creation of an ancient imperial order whose major features would endure for two millennia.The Qin and Han constitute the “classical period” of Chinese history—a role played by the Greeks and Romans in the W...

From the author of the award-winning Vermeer's Hat, a historical detective story decoding a long-forgotten link between seventeenth century Europe and China.Timothy Brook's award-winning Vermeer's Hat unfolded the early history of globalization, using Vermeer's paintings to show how objects like beaver hats and porcelain bowls began to circulate around the world. Now he plumbs the mystery of a single artifact that offers new insights into global connection...

When good friends Lyndsey and Aiden wake up married in Vegas, everything is chaos.Naturally, Lyndsey wants a divorce from the Ice Hockey star after her drunken mistake, but Aiden isn’t quite ready to call it quits. Knowing that he needs to stay married to gain his parent’s inheritance, Aiden convinces Lyndsey to join him at his home in Texas - and fake being the perfect wife to his family.But both get more than they bargained for when news of their wedding ...

The concept of civil society was borrowed from 18th-century Europe to provide a framework for understanding the transition to post-authoritarian regimes in Latin America and post-communist regimes elsewhere. This book asks whether this concept is useful for analyzing China.

Brook (history, U. of Toronto) surveys the history of the concept of the AMP (a concept formulated by Karl Marx in the 1850s) in China in relation to debates elsewhere, and examines the particular issues raised in recent Chinese discussions. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.