Kingdoms Beyond The Clouds

Of the numerous Himalayan kingdoms and princely states that survived until the British left India, only two - Nepal and Bhutan - are now fully-fledged sovereign states. The others have been annexed or otherwise 'integrated' into their larger neighbours. Yet in many cases, the royal family survives and remains the focus of local traditions and loyalties. Jonathan Gregson has travelled widely throughout the Himalayan region, to Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Mustang and Dharamsala, in search of their kingly rulers. Kingdoms Beyond the Clouds is the story of these journeys and of his conversations with these often elusive leaders - some of whom scarcely ever grant interviews to outsiders. 'A delightful and thought-provoking read about a fascinating part of the world' Mark Tully

From New York Times bestselling author comes a world packed with action and adventure, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Soman Chainani. MEET KIRANMALA:INTERDIMENSIONAL DEMON SLAYER(Only she doesn't know it yet.)On the morning of her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala is just a regular sixth grader living in Parsippany, New Jersey . . . until her parents mysteriously vanish and a drooling rakkhosh demon slams through her kitchen, determined to eat her alive. Turns out there might be some truth to her parents' fantastical stories-like how Kiranmala is a real Indian princess and how she comes from a secret place not of this world.To complicate matters, two crush-worthy princes ring her doorbell, insisting they've come to rescue her. Suddenly, Kiran is swept into another dimension full of magic, winged horses, moving maps, and annoying, talking birds. There she must solve riddles and battle demons all while avoiding the Serpent King of the underworld and the Rakkhoshi Queen in order to find her parents and basically save New Jersey, her entire world, and everything beyond it . . .

This book traces the history and politics of the Greater Nepal movement. It looks at major events in modern South Asia, in and around the Eastern Himalaya region in particular – colonialism, independence and partition, the Chinese aggression in Tibet, formation of Bangladesh, and the merger of Sikkim with India, among others – which deeply affected the nature of democratic movements in Nepal. The volume also studies the role of the monarchy, the demand for Gorkhaland, and the rise of Maoist movements. Further, it sheds light on political participation encompassing Nepalese functionaries, the many political parties, intellectuals and responsible public figures, and the differential influence that these variegated groups had on the movement. Finally, it reassesses the idea of Greater Nepal and offers a critical commentary on its future. The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of international relations, modern history, sociology and social anthropology, politics, South Asian studies, and area studies – especially Nepal and Himalayan studies – as well as policy makers and government think tanks.

A unique survey of each country in the region. It includes an extensive collection of facts, statistics, analysis and directory information in one accessible volume.

An extraordinary memoir about finding wonder in everyday life, from magician Nate Staniforth. Nate Staniforth has spent most of his life and all of his professional career trying to understand wonder--what it is, where to find it, and how to share it with others. He became a magician because he learned at a young age that magic tricks don't have to be frivolous. Magic doesn't have to be about sequins and smoke machines--rather, it can create a moment of genuine astonishment. But after years on the road as a professional magician, crisscrossing the country and performing four or five nights a week, every week, Nate was disillusioned, burned out, and ready to quit. Instead, he went to India in search of magic. Here Is Real Magic follows Nate Staniforth's evolution from an obsessed young magician to a broken wanderer and back again. It tells the story of his rediscovery of astonishment--and the importance of wonder in everyday life--during his trip to the slums of India, where he infiltrated a three-thousand-year-old clan of street magicians. Here Is Real Magic is a call to all of us--to welcome awe back into our lives, to marvel in the everyday, and to seek magic all around us.

For millennia, millions of people have dreamed of a place called Heaven. Other millions have scoffed at the idea of such a place. Dr. Jimmie Chapman draws on forty six years of biblical studies in theology while presenting the Kingdom of Heaven as a reality. His vivid description of the Kingdom, its magnificent King, his government, his providential care and love for his subjects and his omnipotent powers to bring it all into being, ought to make you want to go there. Dr. Chapman contrasts the kingdoms of this world, their leaders, their government and their treatment of their subjects, with the Kingdom of Heaven. "There is no comparison," he said, "Only a sharp contrast. The wonders of the Kingdom of Heaven cannot even be imagined. They defy man's ability to describe them. The failures of the governments of men are almost unbelievable. In the Kingdom of God there will be no failures; only eternal peace and joy in the presence of our King."

American Jewish history has been criticized for its parochial nature because it has consisted largely of chronicles of American Jewish life and has often failed to explore the relationship between Jews and other ethnic groups in America. Rabbi Morris Newfield led Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham from 1895-1940 and was counted among the most influential religious and social leaders of that city. Cowett chronicles Newfield's career and uses it as a vehicle to explore the nature of ethnic leadership in America. In doing so he explores the conflicts with which Newfield stru ...

A boy with a talent for machines and a mysterious girl with a broken wing will take you past the ordinary. One part Final Fantasy, one part Studio Ghibli, Beyond the Clouds is a gorgeous tale about the longing of young hearts for adventure and friendship! Another Catastrophe Mia and Theo’s erstwhile new friend Nora was kidnapped by a band of thieves, but with the help of the little lumiferret Tama, the pair managed to find the kidnappers’ lair! Unfortunately, the operation ended in disaster when, in a panic, Mia again caused a monstrous cat of darkness to appear. After raging out of control, the beast only disappeared once she lost consciousness. Now, though the worst has been avoided, Mia feels guiltier than ever towards Theo for what she’s putting him through...