A Land Divided

Young Michael finds himself in the midst of action during a French uprising in Nova Scotia's early days. Grades 6-9.

In January 2016, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in Oregon is seized and occupied by angry ranchers and armed militants. Tension develops between the occupiers and law enforcement, and the citizens of Harney County find themselves in a land divided--those in favor of the occupation and those opposed. At the same time, Navy SEAL Shawn Bryant returns home to Burns, Oregon after narrowly avoiding a criminal conviction in Afghanistan. He is faced with his mother's illness, a blossoming romance and emotions surfacing from his childhood and from his time at war. Soon he and his extended ranch family are swept up in the turmoil surrounding this quiet, rural community. He is forced to rely on his SEAL training to protect his family and himself from a rogue group of militants and ranchers attempting to expand the occupation. Suspenseful, provocative, and even humorous, A Land Divided is a surprisingly redemptive novel that will leave you wanting more.

A story of perseverance against overwhelming odds-Author Matthew Gregory weaves the tale of A Land Divided, which represents extraordinary heroism and the universal desire for peace and preservation from that which may destroy it. When the king of Purthia dies and the land erupts into chaotic fighting, the wicked Montavius Felton emerges to spread his doom across the land while he connives his way within reach of the much coveted crown. From amidst the anarchy, however, three warriors suddenly appear to stand in his way. While the chaos strips the land of any direction, the three warriors begin a quest to seek a unified stand against the very evil that threatens to swallow the land entirely. But as they traverse the broken land, they soon find that their task is seemingly impossible, for Purthia itself has violently become. . . A Land Divided.

1081. William's bloody conquest is over and Britain is under Norman rule. But one bastion of resistance remains: Wales. A divided land where brother fights brother and kings battle for power. The English use this to further their own ends, and while one king is tempted by an offer he cannot resist, the others wage war over long-forgotten feuds. Gruffydd ap Cynan, true heir to the kingdom of Gwynedd, is in exile across the sea. When he hears of the betrayal of the Welsh people by the imposter in his throne, Gruffydd unites with Tewdwr, a monarch deposed by the traitors, and they forge an army from the ashes of their kingdoms. But Tewdwr's wife and daughter--the source of much of the allies' strength--are a weakness their enemies will exploit. Betrayal, treachery and war await, but both men know they must fight to the bitter end, when the sundered lands of Wales are drenched...in the blood of kings.

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The acclaimed author presents “three passionate lectures about the state of politics in Israel” in this “humorous, mournful, enraged, and uplifting” volume (Kirkus). A National Jewish Book Award Finalist Israeli author Amos Oz has won numerous awards for his novels capturing the cultural and political complexities of his country, including the Frankfurt Peace Prize, the Primo Levi Prize, and the National Jewish Book Award. But these essays on the universal nature of fanaticism and its possible cures, on the Jewish roots of humanism and the need for a secular pride in Israel, and on the geopolitical standing of Israel in the wider Middle East and internationally, “may contain his most urgent message yet.” (Ruth Eglash, Washington Post). These essays were written, Oz states, “first and foremost” for his grandchildren: they are a patient, learned telling of history, religion, and politics, to be thumbed through and studied, clung to even, as we march toward an uncertain future. “Concise, evocative . . . Dear Zealots is not just a brilliant book of thoughts and ideas—it is a depiction of one man’s struggle, who for decades has insisted on keeping a sharp, strident and lucid perspective in the face of chaos and at times of madness.” —David Grossman, winner of the Man Booker International Prize

“Over the last four centuries there has accumulated a vast literature relating to scores of projects for linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the American tropics... Mr. Mack has undertaken, in the volume under review, to combine these numerous and varied sources into a history of all interoceanic canal projects in the Western Hemisphere from the discovery of America to the present day. The result is a work of unparalleled comprehensiveness in this field, based upon extensive research, and presented in a well-organized and exceptionally readable form... [of] superior merit.” — The American Historical Review “[This] book is important. It is the first definitive history of the Panama Canal, richly complete with colorful details of the explorations, conquests, intrigues, crackpot theories and engineering genius that went into the making of it... The Land Divided is an important book.” — The New York Times “A history of the Panama Canal which should provide for study and reference the definitive book on that project. From the 16th century explorers, the search for the ‘doubtful strait’, the first conception of an artificial canal in 1529, this outlines the adventures and aggressions in Spanish waters down to the 19th century and the French revival of the project of a canal. Meticulous tracing of the controversy, of local affairs in Panama, of political and international claims and disputes, of private interests vying with government interests, innumerable surveys, accelerated interest as the gold discoveries in California emphasized the need. Then de Lesseps, and the grandiose scheme and tragic failure, the bankruptcy of the Panama Canal Company and the ensuing scandals. The formation of a new international company, rivalry between Nicaragua and Panama, the U.S. purchase of the concession, the decision for the lock canal, and the amazing achievement with Gorgas and Goethals responsible. A history which is history, politics, finance, science, and which ignores no phase and no detail of the accomplishment that was to unite the world.” — Kirkus “[A]n exhaustive history of the Panama Canal... The author has achieved splendid success in his five years of careful research, compilation, and presentation of a full-length history of all the elements present in the creation of the canal... the author deserves recognition for his painstaking effort and ability in writing this scholarly volume.” — Proceedings of the US Naval Institute “The economic historian will find this book interesting and useful. It covers the whole history of the isthmian route — the search for a strait, the transit business, the abortive canal projects, the construction of the Panama Canal.” — The Journal of Economic History “Of prime interest to the historian and economist perhaps, this book should be a welcome addition to any serious geographical library. It is a systematic and well documented history of the Panama Canal and other isthmian canal projects... Mr. Mack has produced a most useful and readable account.” — The Geographical Journal “[A] book written with knowledge and insight.” — Geographical Review “[A] useful work of reference.” — Political Science Quarterly