From William Dalrymple—award-winning historian, journalist and travel writer—a masterly retelling of what was perhaps the West’s greatest imperial disaster in the East, and an important parable of neocolonial ambition, folly and hubris that has striking relevance to our own time. With access to newly discovered primary sources from archives in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and India—including a series of previously untranslated Afghan epic poems and biographies—the author gives us the most immediate and comprehensive account yet of the spectacular first battle for Afghanistan: the British invasion of the remote kingdom in 1839. Led by lancers in scarlet cloaks and plumed helmets, and facing little resistance, nearly 20,000 British and East India Company troops poured through the mountain passes from India into Afghanistan in order to reestablish Shah Shuja ul-Mulk on the throne, and as their puppet. But after little more than two years, the Afghans rose in answer to the call for jihad and the country exploded into rebellion. This First Anglo-Afghan War ended with an entire army of what was then the most powerful military nation in the world ambushed and destroyed in snowbound mountain passes by simply equipped Afghan tribesmen. Only one British man made it through. But Dalrymple takes us beyond the bare outline of this infamous battle, and with penetrating, balanced insight illuminates the uncanny similarities between the West’s first disastrous entanglement with Afghanistan and the situation today. He delineates the straightforward facts: Shah Shuja and President Hamid Karzai share the same tribal heritage; the Shah’s principal opponents were the Ghilzai tribe, who today make up the bulk of the Taliban’s foot soldiers; the same cities garrisoned by the British are today garrisoned by foreign troops, attacked from the same rings of hills and high passes from which the British faced attack. Dalryrmple also makes clear the byzantine complexity of Afghanistan’s age-old tribal rivalries, the stranglehold they have on the politics of the nation and the ways in which they ensnared both the British in the nineteenth century and NATO forces in the twenty-first. Informed by the author’s decades-long firsthand knowledge of Afghanistan, and superbly shaped by his hallmark gifts as a narrative historian and his singular eye for the evocation of place and culture, The Return of a King is both the definitive analysis of the First Anglo-Afghan War and a work of stunning topicality.

Get in. Get out. Get paid. That was the plan. Instead, these reluctant mercenaries uncover some hidden agendas and ancient power struggles centuries in the making. The last wizard king seeks a return to Tralodren after nearly eight centuries of exile. But doing so requires the manipulation of a band of mercenaries oblivious to his goals. The gladiator sold his soul for revenge. The knight's a bigot. The dwarf only cares about regaining his honor. Even the wizardess seems too bookish for anyone's good. But they've all been hired by a blind seer and his assistant to retrieve some forgotten knowledge long hidden away in a jungle-strangled ruin. Betrayal, madness, adventure, and magic fill this first volume of the Wizard King Trilogy, introducing readers to a world rich in history, faith, and tales of adventure--of which this story is but one of many. ". . . this promising series opener will leave many readers curious to know what comes next."--Publishers Weekly "Here be roaring monsters to be fought, characters who come vividly to life, and fell magic . . . A wild ride. Highly recommended."--Ed Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Forgotten Realms "With Return of the Wizard King, Chad Corrie delivers a very promising start to an exciting epic fantasy saga filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists."--Richard Knaak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author "Corrie uses his diverse cast . . . to guide the reader through the narrative, winding through dark paths and brutal action scenes . . . effectively mak[ing] the reader feel like a participant."--Rogues Portal

The powerful finale to the Christy Award-winning novels in the LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN-KING series Believed dead by all but the handful of supporters who rescued him from his Mataian enemies, Abramm Kalladorne has fled his homeland to the high mountains of northern Chesedh. Traveling under a new name with a group of bitter and increasingly desperate fellow exiles, Abramm hopes to reunite with his wife in Chesedh, where he will offer his services to her father in fighting the invading armies of the Black Moon. But with every step he is hindered, delayed, and diverted from the direction he desires to go, and it soon becomes clear Eidon has other plans for him. In the royal city of Fannath Rill, Maddie alone believes Abramm still lives. But since she has no proof, her friends, family, and public opinion press her to remarry. With its neighboring realms now under enemy control, Chesedh has become the last bastion of Eidon's Light. Desperately overmatched, it cannot survive on its own. Yet the rich, handsome eastern warlord who is openly courting Maddie has a vast fleet of galley ships that could turn the tide in Chesedh's favor....

In this New York Times bestseller, get the inside scoop into LeBron James's return -- and ultimate triumph -- in Cleveland. What really happened when LeBron James stunned the NBA by leaving a potential dynasty in Miami to come home to play with the Cleveland Cavaliers? How did the Cavs use secret meetings to put together the deal to add star Kevin Love? Who really made the controversial decision to fire coach David Blatt when the team was in first place? Where did the greatest comeback in NBA history truly begin-and end? Return of the King takes you onto the private planes, inside the locker-room conversations, and into the middle of the intense huddles where one of the greatest stories in basketball history took place, resulting in the Cavs winning the 2016 NBA title after trailing the Golden State Warriors three games to one. You'll hear from all the characters involved: the players, the executives, the agents, and the owners as they reveal stories never before told. Get the background on all the controversies, the rivalries, and the bad blood from two reporters who were there for every day, plot twist, and social media snafu as they take you through the fascinating ride that culminated in a heart-stopping Game Seven.

Presents a box set including the complete "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as its prequel, "The Hobbit."

What does it mean to be a man today? Not a macho nor a whimp, but someone who can be strong and vulnerable, open and assertive, grounded and inspired. Many men are facing this question today. They feel confident to share their innermost feelings with women, but they lack the friendship, safety and nurturing bond with other men. They never had a good example of their fathers, who were mostly absent: physically absent, emotionally absent or spiritually absent. A few generations of men have became lost sons, doing their best but without a clear picture of what it means to be a man This is the story of a book that reached thousands of men in Holland, Belgium and Germany and is now available for the international market. 'The Return of the King' describes the challenges of manhood today and gives solutions for a new and healthy masculinity. At the same time it adresses the role men play in our changing society. It gives a clear and hopeful view of the crises and transformation in the world today. Using initiationstories, like the tales of Parcival, Hamlet or Iron John, but also modern stories like the Matrix, The Titanic and Lord of the Rings, men are guided along the path to manhood. A road less traveled. It challenges men to leave the fortress of their mind and to follow their heart, thus fulfilling an ancient and archetypal theme: the Return of the King...'A powerful book for men.' Penthouse'A book that gives hope and courage.' Flesch'The best and most stimulating book in men's literature: a remarkable work.' Prisma'Ton van der Kroon came and triumphed with his book.' Jonas'A great pleasure to read.' La Nouvel Vie'A real present for the man you love.' Oibibio'A must for men, a relieve for women.' Hilarion'The book reads like an exciting journey.' Ode'Ton van der Kroon's dream led to a remarkable book.' Spiegelbeeld'A remarkable book from one of the most experienced trainers in men's work.' Onkruid

Tolkien's classic epic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings, updated with a fresh new package forBook 3, The Return of the King As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, has joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard and takes part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escape into Fangorn Forest and there encounter the Ents. Gandalf has miraculously returned and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Sam has left his master for dead after a battle with the giant spider, Shelob; but Frodo is still alive--now in the foul hands of the Orcs. And all the while the armies of the Dark Lord are massing as the One Ring draws ever nearer to the Cracks of Doom.