Men On The Rocks

Petra in modern southern Jordan is universally known as one of the most frequented touristic sites in the Near East, inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Modern visitors are attracted by the romantic aspect of the rock-cut tomb façades, heavily contrasting in their baroque stile with the desert like surrounding of the rocky and arid landscape. These monuments were the result of the long time presence of the Arab tribe of the Nabataeans who made Petra their capital when they became, at least partially, sedentarised during the Hellenistic period, i.e between the late 4th to late 1st centuries BCE. How exactly this process of sedentarisation happened, how the site of Petra changed from a temporary dwelling place of a small Bedouin tribe to one of the blinking capitals of the ancient Near East that attracted - as it is the case today - visitors from all over the world, was the subject of a three years research program, jointly sponsored by the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). At the end of the program, an international conference, held in Berlin in December 2011, brought together several dozen of scholars from all over the world in order to pinpoint the state of research on the Formation of the Nabataean capital. The contributions of the present volume focus on questions related to the natural environment of the site, on the geology and geography as well as on architecture, small finds and social dynamics, probably the clue for a better understanding of the functioning of the Nabataean kingdom and its capital Petra.

In this fascinating history of alcohol in postwar American culture, Lori Rotskoff draws on short stories, advertisements, medical writings, and Hollywood films to investigate how gender norms and ideologies of marriage intersected with scientific and popular ideas about drinking and alcoholism. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, recreational drinking became increasingly accepted among white, suburban, middle-class men and women. But excessive or habitual drinking plagued many families. How did people view the "problem drinkers" in their midst? How did husbands and wives learn to cope within an "alcoholic marriage"? And how was drinking linked to broader social concerns during the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War era? By the 1950s, Rotskoff explains, mental health experts, movie producers, and members of self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon helped bring about a shift in the public perception of alcoholism from "sin" to "sickness." Yet alcoholism was also viewed as a family problem that expressed gender-role failure for both women and men. On the silver screen (in movies such as The Lost Weekend and The Best Years of Our Lives) and on the printed page (in stories by such writers as John Cheever), in hospitals and at Twelve Step meetings, chronic drunkenness became one of the most pressing public health issues of the day. Shedding new light on the history of gender, marriage, and family life from the 1920s through the 1960s, this innovative book also opens new perspectives on the history of leisure and class affiliation, attitudes toward consumerism and addiction, and the development of a therapeutic culture.

For three hundred years or more the Royal Navy really did Rule the Waves, in the sense that during the numerous wars with our overseas enemies, British fleets and individual ships more often than not emerged victorious from combat. One French Admiral wa

Hell Week has never been described so effectively. Six days in Hell define every SEAL that moves past the point of no return in their minds. Robert Adams, MD brings the experiences of his classmates into view with real, difficult to believe experiences, described in frightening detail by the men that lived through the frigid cold, filthy muddy days, and body destroying events of a winter Hell Week. Eleven of seventy men went on to graduate and serve over 40 years in almost every SEAL or UDT team with honor. Read their real time story and learn why these eleven men succeeded when so many others failed. Colonel Robert Adams, MD, MBA served fourteen years in the Navy (12 as a SEAL) and eighteen years in the Army. He changed services to attend medical school, and applies his analytical skill to look back at the men that shivered and struggled through Hell Week together. He brings decades of insight learned caring for others to an insightful analysis of why the men of his BUD/S class 81 achieved the improbable.

Through the sage advice of one of the world's foremost female climbers and the lens of an internationally acclaimed photographer, women learn that climbing is more fun than dangerous, that overcoming fear can boost self-esteem, and that the fitness benefits for women are tremendous. Most women learn climbing from men, but the sport is different fora woman, both physically and psychologically—and it is empowering for women to learn about climbing from “girls” who've been on the rocks themselves. The numerous photos in this full-color guide do wonders to clearly explain the various techniques, equipment, and styles of climbing for women. Further bringing the sport to life, author Katie Brown presents her interviews with numerous female climbers—from a young girl to a sixty-something professional climber—to learn what the sport has done for them.

The mystique of mining has always fascinated people. Cry of the Rocks is a novel about the issues and dangers of deep rock mining. It describes life at Nkuti, a modern deep-rock platinum mine in post-apartheid South Africa, and takes the reader into the depths of the earth, to the grueling work-face as well as to the harsh reality of life above ground. But Cry of the Rocks is also a thriller, which includes kidnapping, a murder and an international conspiracy. With its modern multi-racial mix of characters, the story probes deeply into the lives of the people of Nkuti, where a mysterious man threatens the miners into sabotaging the mine while also carrying out two kidnappings. Then a series of rock bursts trap dozens of miners below ground. Can the miners be saved? The novel gives good insight into mining, as shift upon shift of thousands of hard men descend into the bowels of the earth to pick and blast their way through tons of rock in conditions of heat, humidity, lack of air and light.

Josephine Chase's "Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the High Sierras" plunges readers into an exhilarating adventure with Grace Harlowe and her companions. The narrative unfolds against the majestic backdrop of the High Sierras as the Overland Riders embark on a journey that tests their skills, courage, and bonds of friendship. Set in the wilderness, the story follows the Overland Riders as they face the challenges of the rugged terrain and navigate the untamed wilderness. The characters confront not only natural obstacles but also mysteries and conflicts that arise in their surroundings. The novel explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the camaraderie that flourishes in times of adversity. As the Overland Riders rely on their resourcefulness and teamwork, they forge lasting connections and uncover hidden truths. "Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the High Sierras" captures the spirit of exploration and the thrill of discovering new horizons. Josephine Chase's storytelling immerses readers in a world of excitement and suspense while celebrating the strength of individuals who venture into the unknown.