Introduction: Goldilocks in Byzantium 1. The Challenge: A Framework for Collapse 2. Beliefs, Narratives, and the Moral Universe 3. Identities, Divisions, and Solidarities 4. Elites and Interests 5. Regional Variation and Resistance 6. Some Environmental Factors 7. Organization, Cohesion, and Survival A Conclusion.

Starting its life as an attack transport in World War II—and one of the last five left afloat by war’s end—the USS Queens saw action at Iwo Jima and other hot spots in the Pacific theater. After the war, the ship became the SS Excambion, one of the “Four Aces” of American Export Lines: the only fully air-conditioned ships in the world at the time. In 1965, the versatile Excambion underwent yet another transformation—into a floating classroom. Recommissioned as the USTS Texas Clipper, the ship began a third life as a merchant marine training vessel with its home port in Galveston. For the next three decades the Texas Clipper would be home to merchant marine cadets, and by the time it was retired in 1996, it was the oldest active ship in the U.S. merchant marine fleet. Finally, the Texas Clipper, after protracted bureaucratic wrangling, was designated to be sunk in the Gulf of Mexico as an artificial reef to provide habitat for marine life. In 2007, the ship was towed to its final resting place, seventeen nautical miles off the coast of South Padre Island. Now, 136 feet below the surface, the venerable Texas Clipper lives on as the home to a wide variety of underwater species. Filled not only with meticulously researched technical and historical data about the ship’s construction, service record, crew procedures, and voyages, The Ship That Would Not Die also features lively anecdotes from crew members, passengers, and officers. More than 140 color and black-and-white photos illustrate the ship’s construction, its wide variety of shipboard life, the exacting process of making the Texas Clipper ready to become an artificial reef, and its final sinking in the Gulf of Mexico.

A Historical Mystery Thriller of a real life Monte Cristo! A Riveting Blend of Ken Follett & Alexandre Dumas Who is the Count of Saint-Germain? A mysterious, ageless adventurer who dabbles in alchemy, composes operas, and spies for kings. Throughout the 18th century, he always appears EXACTLY the same, a handsome & wealthy gentleman around 30 years of age. The Count is forever entwined in pivotal events -- from the doomed Scottish Rebellion to the bloody French Revolution, but always from the shadows ... He was Francis Rakoczi, last son of an exiled Hungarian prince. Falsely accused by the Italian Inquisition, he must surrender all; including his very identity, and Luciana, his only love. He searches the globe, from the Persia to the Himalayas, desperately seeking answers to a cryptic destiny. But those who betrayed him will not get off scot free. For time is now on his side, and the clock is ticking for his enemies! A Grand Adventure, written on the canvas of the globe with an hourglass lasting centuries. Rich in historic detail, The Man Who Would Not Die follows one of the most intriguing enigmas in history, the never-aging le Comte de Saint-Germain. From his early years as an exiled prince to his Marco Polo-like quest for answers. The past comes wonderfully alive through the eyes of one of histories greatest mysteries. What was his secret? Was he truly immortal?

This book offers the first sustained attempt to read the Gospel of Mark both as an ancient biography and as a form of ancient rhetoric. Ben Witherington applies to Mark the socio-rhetorical approach for which he is well known, opening a fresh new perspective on the earliest Gospel. Written when the fledging Christian faith was experiencing a major crisis during the Jewish war, Mark provides us with the first window on how the life and teachings of Jesus were presented to a largely non-Jewish audience. According to Witherington, the structure of Mark demonstrates that this Gospel is biographically focused on the identity of Jesus and the importance of knowing who he is--the Christ, the Son of God. This finding reveals that Christology stood at the heart of the earliest Christians' faith. It also shows how important it was to these earliest Christians to persuade others about the nature of Jesus, both as a historical figure and as the Savior of the world.

Bundle containing: The Turner Chronicles by Mark Eller The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter God Wars by Mark Eller & EA Draper Lure by Brian Rathbone

In a parallel universe where magic reigns supreme, the prestigious family of sorcerers known as The Magicians wields power that captivates—and corrupts. The Enchantment Chronicles unveils a tapestry of dark fantasies and twisted romances, where love intertwines with danger and heroism casts unsettling shadows. Follow their gripping tales, as the line between savior and villain blurs, revealing the hidden desires and haunting choices that shape their fates. Each story invites you deeper into a world of enchantment, where every spell echoes with consequences and every heartache unveils a magic of its own. Dare to enter?

In "The Reaper In The Dog House," dive into the enchanting world of Rachel Lawson's *The Magicians* series. Join the adventurous time-traveler Blake and his extraordinary family of superheroes as they navigate the intricate threads of time and existence, protecting Earth and the universe from unseen threats. Through captivating stories and song lyrics, discover the magic hidden in everyday moments and the weight of destiny resting on their shoulders. Will they conquer the shadows that lurk behind time’s veil, or will the past catch-up to them? Adventure awaits—don't miss the journey!

The Turner Chronicles Military Science Fiction Time Travel Adventure Box Set Edition includes: Traitor, Betrayed, Pawn, Crusade Last Chance. On the edge of a far frontier rests a place of gentle manners and common civility--Last Chance. Threats of war change all of that. A hero is needed. A Savior. Meet Aaron Turner, the small unassuming man who runs the Last Chance General Store. He may not be all that they hoped for. Fans of the following authors are known to enjoy the Turner Chronicles Military Science Fiction Box Set: Jake Bible Mike Lupica Ernest Cline Madeleine L'Engle William Gibson Anne McCafferey Tim Green Buzz Bissinger Joe Haldeman Orson Scott Card David Webber Richard K Morgan George Lucas Robert A. Heinlein Daniel Arenson Nathan Lowell Scott Westerfeld Philip K. Dick Kevin J. Anderson Fans of the following books and series are known to enjoy the Turner Chronicles Military Science Fiction Series: Altered Carbon Star Trek Aliens A Wrinkle in Time Dark Tower Safehold Shannara Ender's Game Starcraft In Her Name Earthcore Keywords related to this military science fiction adventure series: Military SciFi, Western, Sword, Demons, Free Paranormal Books, Magical Adventures, War, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy Stories, Gods, Free Science Fiction Books, Science Fiction Megapack, Science Fiction Bundle, Adventure Books Free, American Gods, Urban Fantasy Free, Time Travel Free, Gods And Mortals, Free Fantasy Books For Adults, Dark Tower, Essential Reads, Epic Sagas, Free Sci Fi Books, Free Sci Fi Fantasy Books, Darker Fantasy, Worlds Away, Free Books To Read And Download, Free Books, Free Science Fiction And Fantasy Books, Darker, Horror Box Set, Free Series Starters, Free Adventure Books, Popular Series. Miltary, Miltiary, Miliatry, War