"In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers continues the self-narrative of Japanese student-soldiers, which Midori Yamanouchi and Joseph Quinn introduced to the English speaking world in their previously published Listen to the Voices from the Sea." "The letters and journal excerpts in this volume present the poignant reflections of University of Tokyo students drafted to fight in World War II, some of them as kamikaze pilots. The brightest young men in Japanese society turned to poetry, philosophy, literature, and religion to cope with their situation. They express their love of family and friends, as well as their anguish, confusion, and sadness. The words of these students are pervaded by a sense of helplessness and fate rather than any animosity toward the United States." "Reading In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers you will hear echoes of the common experience of soldiers in all wars. You will be reminded of the courageous spirit and sense of duty that they share, but you will also be left with the indelible impression of the terrible toll that war takes on the human spirit, on every side of every conflict." "Full of sorrow and beauty, replete with the reflections of young men as they struggle with their preparation for the brutalities of war and ultimately death, In the Faraway Mountains and Rivers offers the thoughtful reader a contemplative and transforming experience."--BOOK JACKET.

Theodore Levin takes readers on a journey through the rich sonic world of inner Asia, where the elemental energies of wind, water, and echo; the ubiquitous presence of birds and animals; and the legendary feats of heroes have inspired a remarkable art and technology of sound-making among nomadic pastoralists. As performers from Tuva and other parts of inner Asia have responded to the growing worldwide popularity of their music, Levin follows them to the West, detailing their efforts to nourish global connections while preserving the power and poignancy of their music traditions.

There is in Roumania a group of mountains named the Bucegi-group. Among these the two peaks of Jipi tower aloft, close together, as though gazing defiantly at one another, and between them the Urlatoare, or “roaring stream,” dashes down, a cloud-like waterfall, into the valley below, and storms onward over every barrier towards the town of Prahova. They say that long, long ago the Jipi were twin-brothers, who loved each other so well that one could not live without the other, or eat a mouthful of bread the other did not share; nay, more—that when one was asked a question, the other answered it, and that when one did himself some hurt, the other wept and would not be comforted. They were as fair as morning and evening, as slender and straight as lances, as swift as arrows, as strong as young bears. The mother who had borne them looked upon them with pride and joy, and would say, as she stroked their curly heads, “Andrei and Mirea, my beautiful sons, may your fame become so great that even the stones shall discourse of it.” They were of noble blood, and dwelt in a castle upon a lofty crag, where they lorded it as though the whole world belonged to them. They often jestingly declared that they should have to wed one wife only between them, since they were sure never to find two quite alike, and that the best plan would be for them never to wed at all. But of this their mother would not hear, for she longed to cradle her sons’ sons upon her knee and sing them lullabies. She would often sing the ancient lays of their country to her boys, of an evening, while she sat spinning and the noble lads hung fondly about her. Andrei would kneel at her feet, while Mirea leant upon the arm of her chair, and drew in the sweet scent of the heavy, dark braids that shone lustrous through her delicate white veil.

The book is the volume of “The History of Science and Technology in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period” among a series of books of “Deep into China Histories”. The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC) and the Bamboo Annals (296 BC) describe a Xia dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BC) before the Shang, but no writing is known from the period The Shang ruled in the Yellow River valley, which is commonly held to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. However, Neolithic civilizations originated at various cultural centers along both the Yellow River and Yangtze River. These Yellow River and Yangtze civilizations arose millennia before the Shang. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest civilizations, and is regarded as one of the cradles of civilization.The Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) supplanted the Shang and introduced the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. The central Zhou government began to weaken due to external and internal pressures in the 8th century BC, and the country eventually splintered into smaller states during the Spring and Autumn period. These states became independent and warred with one another in the following Warring States period. Much of traditional Chinese culture, literature and philosophy first developed during those troubled times.In 221 BC Qin Shi Huang conquered the various warring states and created for himself the title of Huangdi or "emperor" of the Qin, marking the beginning of imperial China. However, the oppressive government fell soon after his death, and was supplanted by the longer-lived Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Successive dynasties developed bureaucratic systems that enabled the emperor to control vast territories directly. In the 21 centuries from 206 BC until AD 1912, routine administrative tasks were handled by a special elite of scholar-officials. Young men, well-versed in calligraphy, history, literature, and philosophy, were carefully selected through difficult government examinations. China's last dynasty was the Qing (1644–1912), which was replaced by the Republic of China in 1912, and in the mainland by the People's Republic of China in 1949.Chinese history has alternated between periods of political unity and peace, and periods of war and failed statehood – the most recent being the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949). China was occasionally dominated by steppe peoples, most of whom were eventually assimilated into the Han Chinese culture and population. Between eras of multiple kingdoms and warlordism, Chinese dynasties have ruled parts or all of China; in some eras control stretched as far as Xinjiang and Tibet, as at present. Traditional culture, and influences from other parts of Asia and the Western world (carried by waves of immigration, cultural assimilation, expansion, and foreign contact), form the basis of the modern culture of China.

The Rocky Mountains are renowned for rugged grandeur, but the rivers flowing off the peaks are just as extraordinary in their beauty, nature, and allure. Tim Palmer reveals these natural wonders with their irresistible opportunities for paddling in swift currents and hiking along scenic shores with Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains. He guides readers across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in this essential and inspiring reference for residents of the Rockies and visitors alike. Look inside to find: Detailed descriptions of 70 rivers Paddling difficulty and trail locations Directions to landings and trailheads Natural science and conservation history 200 brilliant photos by the author Maps locating all rivers

Every watershed has a story: this is the Elbow's. The Elbow River watershed is a small yet significant watershed extending from the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains to downtown Calgary. This geographical watershed is itself at a metaphorical watershed, due to increasing pressure for urban, industrial and recreational development which will alter the healthy functioning of its interdependent parts. Mountains to Metropolis combines the author's own explorations in the watershed with comprehensive background information to place the reader in the watershed itself. Grizzly bears and mule deer, park wardens and cowboys, First Nations and first settlers, range cattle and coyotes, urbanites and beavers, city engineers and soldiers, Grey Nuns and missionaries - all are part of this watershed's story. And each has shaped and been shaped by the physical and spiritual power of the river at the watershed's core. While legislators, municipal managers, industry and residents all have a responsibility for making our watershed happy and healthy, in the end it comes down to the individual. The author lays out simple actions that we each can take in our daily lives....