"Set in the last yers of the England that vanished for ever after World War I, it tells the story of Richard Herncastle, an aspiring painter who travels the now-vanished music halls with his Uncle Nick, the half-lovable, half-monster, master illusionist. As they move between dingy lodging houses and decaying variety stages, Richard becomes caught in a triangle of love, temptation and sexual adventure."-- p. [4] of cover.

This collection of essays investigates the fundamental role that the loss of colonial territories at the end of the Ancient Regime and post-World War II has played in shaping French memories and colonial discourses. In identifying loss and nostalgia as key tropes in cultural representations, these essays call for a re-evaluation of French colonialism as a discourse informed not just by narratives of conquest, but equally by its histories of defeat.

Guided by the goddess of beauty, an ugly nobleman ventures to the Utter East in search of a cure for his facial deformities Atreus of Erlkazar has always been hidden from his powerful family's enemies, concealed behind the hideous mask of his own face. The result of a wayward spell that distorted his features, Atreus’ ugliness is a curse he has borne since he was just a child—and one he has spent his entire life trying to break. He is driven to find a way past his own flesh, into a soul torn between destiny and love. In an ironic twist of fate, he becomes an acolyte of Sune, the goddess of beauty. Under her command, he embarks on an impossible mission to the mysterious country of Langdarma, where the magical waters of the Fountain of Infinite Grace await him. Deep in these ancient valleys of the enigmatic Utter East, Atreus will finally look into . . . the faces of deception.

Filled with unforgettable stories of emperors, generals, and religious patriarchs, as well as fascinating glimpses into the life of the ordinary citizen, Lost to the West reveals how much we owe to the Byzantine Empire that was the equal of any in its achievements, appetites, and enduring legacy. For more than a millennium, Byzantium reigned as the glittering seat of Christian civilization. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, Byzantium held fast against Muslim expansion, keeping Christianity alive. Streams of wealth flowed into Constantinople, making possible unprecedented wonders of art and architecture. And the emperors who ruled Byzantium enacted a saga of political intrigue and conquest as astonishing as anything in recorded history. Lost to the West is replete with stories of assassination, mass mutilation and execution, sexual scheming, ruthless grasping for power, and clashing armies that soaked battlefields with the blood of slain warriors numbering in the tens of thousands.

Husband-and-wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo run afoul of a dangerous dictator in this adventure in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series. While scuba diving in Tanzania, Sam and Remi Fargo come upon a relic belonging to a long-lost Confederate ship. An anomaly about the relic sets them off chasing a mystery—but unknown to them, a much more powerful force is engaged in the same chase. Mexico’s ruling party, the ultranationalist Mexica Tenochca, is intent on finding that artifact as well, because it contains a secret that could destroy the party utterly. Through Tanzania and Zanzibar, into the rainforests of Madagascar, and across the Indian Ocean to Indonesia and the legendary site of the 1883 Krakatoa explosion, the Fargos and their ruthless opponents pursue the hunt—but only one can win. And the penalty for failure is death.

"Lost Empires" is a captivating journey through time, exploring the rise and fall of some of the most magnificent empires that have shaped human history. This book delves into the heart of civilizations that once ruled vast stretches of our planet yet now lie buried beneath layers of time and earth. The first chapter whisks the reader to the enigmatic ruins of the Inca Empire in South America, where architectural marvels like Machu Picchu reveal the complexity and sophistication of a culture that thrived in the harsh Andean mountains. The narrative then shifts to the sun-scorched sands of the Middle East, exploring the once-mighty Persian Empire, famed for its opulent palaces and the enduring legacy of its administrative innovations. The book also takes an in-depth look at the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, which preserved and passed on the artistic and intellectual heritage of the ancient world amidst political turmoil and religious upheavals. The fall of Constantinople, marking the end of this empire, is depicted with vivid details, bringing to life the twilight of a civilization that influenced much of European and Middle Eastern history. "Lost Empires" concludes with an introspective reflection on the transient nature of power and the lessons modern society can draw from these ancient stories of glory and decline. This thought-provoking work sheds light on forgotten chapters of history and offers a poignant reminder of the legacy left behind by these once-great empires. As a journey through lost ages, it is a treasure trove of historical insight and a moving contemplation on the cyclical nature of human civilization.