An exciting and richly detailed new history of the Silk Road that tells how it became more important as a route for diplomacy than for trade The King’s Road offers a new interpretation of the history of the Silk Road, emphasizing its importance as a diplomatic route, rather than a commercial one. Tracing the arduous journeys of diplomatic envoys, Xin Wen presents a rich social history of long-distance travel that played out in deserts, post stations, palaces, and polo fields. The book tells the story of the everyday lives of diplomatic travelers on the Silk Road—what they ate and drank, the gifts they carried, and the animals that accompanied them—and how they navigated a complex web of geographic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. It also describes the risks and dangers envoys faced along the way—from financial catastrophe to robbery and murder. Using documents unearthed from the famous Dunhuang “library cave” in Western China, The King’s Road paints a detailed picture of the intricate network of trans-Eurasian transportation and communication routes that was established between 850 and 1000 CE. By exploring the motivations of the kings who dispatched envoys along the Silk Road and describing the transformative social and economic effects of their journeys, the book reveals the inner workings of an interstate network distinct from the Sino-centric “tributary” system. In shifting the narrative of the Silk Road from the transport of commodities to the exchange of diplomatic gifts and personnel, The King’s Road puts the history of Eastern Eurasia in a new light.

"Fascinating . . . laugh-aloud funny." - The Los Angeles Times In December of 1968, Phyllis Raphael landed in London as the restless wife of a Hollywood movie producer. With their three young children in tow from L.A., she was prepared for a London vacation on MGM's dime while her husband was on the set. Instead - in a maneuver Raphael wasn't expecting - he left her for an eighteen-year-old actress. And in a decision she never could have predicted, Raphael stayed in London with her kids. Off the King's Road is Raphael's courageous and funny story of being an expatriate let loose in the turbulence of Swinging London in the 1960s. She arrived naive, dependent and dissatisfied, and left several years later as another person entirely: a single mother, a writer, a woman in command - for better or worse - of her own life. Written with seductive elegance, humor and sexual candor, Off the King's Road speaks to all women of the possibilities of a life transformed by circumstance. "A compelling work that captures an era . . . Raphael's account of the English teetering between ingrained restraint and letting-it-all-hang-out is acute - hilarious and sad. Raphael is a talented writer, and she captures her heightened awareness of post marital-split life with refreshing vigor." - VeryShortList.com "At once a powerful coming-of-age memoir and a vivid study of London in the Swinging '60s." - Columbia Daily Spectator "What a journey! Raphael cavorts with everyone from tripping poets to Marlon Brando." - Marie Claire "Spirited . . . Eloquent." - East Hampton Star "Stylish" - Publishers Weekly "Savvy . . . Vibrant . . . An elegant memoir of a swinging time" - Kirkus Reviews "Immensely appealing" - Booklist "A delicious book - warm and witty - one that evokes the Swinging Sixties from a point of view rarely heard from." - Vivian Gornick, author of Fierce Attachments "[It has] acutely observed detail, a tactile immediacy, a cool, appraising eye, and humor. Plus, Swinging London! Phyllis Raphael has bid her memory speak, and we can only listen. It is a pleasure to do so." - David Rakoff, author of Don't Get Too Comfortable and Fraud "Her decision to stay in London with her children is the first she's made for herself in a long time and a turning point in this fascinating book. Her weeding through London's poseurs and hypochondriacs to find a good man is laugh-aloud funny. She emerges a full-fledged single woman." - The Los Angeles Times "Every sentence is constructed with enviable grace and economy . . . Rare and evocative." - Haven Kimmel, author of A Girl Named Zippy "Tender, hilarious and utterly charming." - Hilma Wolitzer, author of An Available Man "A sheer delight." - Lynne Sharon Schwartz, author of Two-Part Inventions "Hugely enjoyable, a chronicle of a feverish time as well as a riveting personal journey." - Molly Haskell, author of Love and Other Infectious Diseases "On the money and deliciously deadpan. It is also very, very smart." - Patricia Volk, author of Shocked: My Mother, Schiaparelli, and Me "As vivid and engrossing as any novel." - Frances Kiernan, author of Seeing Mary Plain: A Life of Mary McCarthy "Wonderful . . . witty, wry and irrepressible." - Elizabeth Kendall, author of American Daughter: Discovering My Mother

Still reeling from the revelation that their familys from another dimension, Ashley and Tyler get a history lesson on Avalon and the mythical forces there. Stocking up at a local mall for their journey to this strange realm, the family is attacked by a batch of bizarre creatures sent by the evil queen Malicia! Fantasy and action from writer Peter Hogan (Resident Alien)!

Kings Road was inspired by the story of my grandparents whom sailed across the ocean in the 1700's arriving in Virginia before settling in Indiana. Its a story of love, hardship, faith, and struggles. They encounter many twists and turns, including arson, the mineral springs and their fight against slavery. I hope you enjoy and hard to put down. Love to all!

The Demiurge’s legacy of evil has been largely forgotten; the memory of his reign of terror, practically vanished. Yet Gaia—having bridged the gap between her world and his—ushers him once again into the world of the living. As Eloesus slips into total war, the hero Theron hides away. Under the guidance of the centaur Aigon, he flees danger, even as the Demiurge’s shadow falls across the land

Alone, shunned, and powerless—that was how Heale would describe his past self in Sanphales. But in a strange twist of fate, all of that changes after his banishment. The Sheol Reef community continues to grow, packed with slimes, goblins, spiders, a naked guy, and more—each with a unique talent! Together, they develop their once-barren island into a thriving domain in its own right. Armed with the power of Cave King and the otherworldly minerals he discovers, Heale finds a happy life finally within his grasp. Feasting, building farms, forging bonds—life is looking up for the residents of Sheol Reef. But then, Heale learns that the surrounding ocean currents may bring more than blessings to their shores... Heale must face challenges new and old: defending his idyllic domain and putting his own demons to rest!

With the leviathan slain, peace has returned to Sheol. Everyone gets to catch their breath and recover while welcoming the new additions to the community. That is, until exciting discoveries underground appear out of nowhere! The first on the list is a hot spring—and who can say no to a nice bath? Certainly not the residents of Sheol, so it’s time for yet another grand construction project! The second is a long-anticipated discovery: more ruins, this time equipped with ancient technology. Finally, Heale gets a glimpse of the island’s mysterious past...which might have heavier implications than he ever expected. But there’s no need to fear, because his trusty comrades have some surprises of their own...