Cradle Of Gold

In 1911, a young Peruvian boy led an American explorer and Yale historian named Hiram Bingham into the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. Hidden amidst the breathtaking heights of the Andes, this settlement of temples, tombs and palaces was the Incas' greatest achievement. Tall, handsome, and sure of his destiny, Bingham believed that Machu Picchu was the Incas' final refuge, where they fled the Spanish Conquistadors. Bingham made Machu Picchu famous, and his dispatches from the jungle cast him as the swashbuckling hero romanticized today as a true Indiana Jones-like character. But his excavation of the site raised old specters of conquest and plunder, and met with an indigenous nationalism that changed the course of Peruvian history. Though Bingham successfully realized his dream of bringing Machu Picchu's treasure of skulls, bones and artifacts back to the United States, conflict between Yale and Peru persists through the present day over a simple question: Who owns Inca history? In this grand, sweeping narrative, Christopher Heaney takes the reader into the heart of Peru's past to relive the dramatic story of the final years of the Incan empire, the exhilarating recovery of their final cities and the thought-provoking fight over their future. Drawing on original research in untapped archives, Heaney vividly portrays both a stunning landscape and the complex history of a fascinating region that continues to inspire awe and controversy today.

In 1881 five brothers, known as the Báqirof-Khamsi clan, whom Bahá’u’lláh designated as Sádát-i-Khams (The Five Siyyids, in Arabic) accepted the Bahá'í Faith in the northern part of Iran. For such an intrepid decision they were automatically disinherited from the family fortune although, interestingly, became affluent later by their own toil. This book describes this wealthy family and their struggles to survive in the midst of a fanatical establishment. It is the narrative of a kinfolk using their high social position, to defend, overtly and covertly, their newly espoused religion and the vulnerable community gathered around those teachings. Bigotry, persecution and harassment could not abate their inner spiritual forces but rather strengthened their resolution for getting their religion known, recognised and protected. Going through various tumultuous Iranian social scenarios, three main waves in such a courageous family are easily recognisable namely, Siyyid Naṣru’lláh Báqirof, Siyyid Ahmad Khamsi-Báqirof, and Mas’ud Khamsi, the latter whom ultimately brought the Bahá'í Faith to ten of thousands of indigenous people of South America. An exemplary trilogy taking the reader to Iran, Russia, the Holy Land, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Africa and even to awe-inspiring areas such as the Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains, exemplifying that love for humanity also travels and it never tires in giving if inspired by higher principles.

World-class wrestler Jacob Charles has more on his mind than the Olympics. As a member of the CIA's Athletes Courier Corp., a covert project that takes advantage of elite athletes' unique ability to cross borders into hostile territory without scrutiny, Jacob often moves among people even more dangerous than his wrestling opponents--and he has a personal score to settle with one of the deadliest men in the world. But at the center of his universe is his wife, Charlotte, an independent, freewheeling boat captain who sails the pirate infested-waters of the African coast--and whose life is about to become even more treacherous than Jacob's. From the Olympic training centers of the United States to the steamy alleys of Castro's Cuba, from the exotic islands of the Indian Ocean to the grand stage of the Olympic Games, author and legendary former wrestler Wade Schalles takes readers on an adventure like no other love story ever, with the explosive and touching Jacob's Cradle.

It's time to go back home. In the years since Lindon left Sacred Valley, he has attained power beyond anything his family thought possible. Now he'll have to put those powers to the test, because a Dreadgod is on its way. Lindon and his allies set out to evacuate the valley before the arrival of the Wandering Titan, but their sacred arts are weakened by an ancient curse. They'll have to persuade the squabbling inhabitants of Sacred Valley to leave behind their home and set off into the outside world. But it has been a long time since Lindon left, and more has changed than he realized. He has always sought power to save his family...but now he might be too late.

From the Publishers Weekly review: "Two experts from Yale tackle the business wake-up-call du jour-environmental responsibility-from every angle in this thorough, earnest guidebook: pragmatically, passionately, financially and historically. Though "no company the authors know of is on a truly long-term sustainable course," Esty and Winston label the forward-thinking, green-friendly (or at least green-acquainted) companies WaveMakers and set out to assess honestly their path toward environmental responsibility, and its impact on a company's bottom line, customers, suppliers and reputation. Following the evolution of business attitudes toward environmental concerns, Esty and Winston offer a series of fascinating plays by corporations such as Wal-Mart, GE and Chiquita (Banana), the bad guys who made good, and the good guys-watchdogs and industry associations, mostly-working behind the scenes. A vast number of topics huddle beneath the umbrella of threats to the earth, and many get a thorough analysis here: from global warming to electronic waste "take-back" legislation to subsidizing sustainable seafood. For the responsible business leader, this volume provides plenty of (organic) food for thought. "

The beginning of the New York Times best-selling Cradle series! Lindon is born Unsouled, the one person in his family unable to use the magical Paths of the sacred arts. He uses every trick and technique he can borrow or steal to improve his life, but it seems he will never be able to join the ranks of the truly powerful. Until the heavens descend and show him the future. When Lindon becomes the only one who sees the approaching doom, he must leave his homeland to save it...and to see how far he can go by walking his own Path. SERIES DESCRIPTION The Cradle series is the best-selling example of the Progression Fantasy subgenre, which includes works of fantasy where the primary plot revolves around a character growing more powerful in their use of magic. Cradle is high-stakes, fast-paced, and action-focused, with minimal time dedicated to world-building, and as such the books are lean and focused. The series is often compared to anime, with fans using phrases like "anime in book form" or "fantasy novels meet Dragon Ball Z," emphasizing the story's specialty of loud and colorful super-powered battles.

With monsters slipping through the mountains into the valley of Galatea, Suri, an orphan, dreams of becoming a monster tamer.

Long ago, the Monarch Northstrider created a world of his own. This world, known as Ghostwater, housed some of his most valuable experiments. It has been damaged by the attack of the Bleeding Phoenix, and a team of Skysworn have been sent to recover whatever they can from the dying world. Now, Lindon must brave the depths of this new dimension, scavenging treasures and pushing his skills to new heights to compete with new enemies. Because Ghostwater is not as empty as it seems.