Svetlana's Reads and Views

  Title of the book: Sparta; The Rise & Fall of an Ancient Superpower  Author: Andrew Bayliss Publisher: W.W. Norton Publishing Date: 2026 ISBN: 978-1-324-11751-3 Summary: Sparta - its legendary warriors and steadfast resilience are famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. The Spartans' reputation as fighters is matched only by their mythic code of honour. Their torch has been carried by footballers and politicians, video games and philosophers alike. But who really were the Spartans? And what was the driving force behind the rise - and dramatic fall - of Sparta? Sparta traces the story of Ancient Greece's most iconic city-state, from its humble beginnings as a hamlet in the Peloponnese to its meteoric rise as the foremost military superpower of the Classical world. Andrew Bayliss uncovers the eclectic quirks that set Sparta above its its famous double monarchy, the harsh methods for raising children as soldiers and the unique rol...

  Name of Book: The Spider Author: Leo Carew ISBN: 978-0-316-52140-6 Publisher: Orbit Part of a Series: Under the Northern Sky (The Wolf is prequel, The Cuckoo is sequel) Type of book: North, Unhieru races, war, politics, strategy, secrets, legions, indifference, ways of life, chess  Year it was published: 2019 Summary: A battle has been won, but the war still wages on... Roper, the Black Lord of the northern people, may have vanquished the Suthern army at the Battle of Harstathur. But the greatest threat to his people lies in the hands of more shadowy forces. In the south, the disgraced Bellamus bides his time. Learning that the young Lord Roper is planning to invade the southern lands, Bellamus conspires with his Queen to unleash a weapon so deadly it could wipe out Roper's people altogether. And at a time when Roper needs his friends more than ever, treachery from within puts the lives of those he loves in mortal danger... Characters: There are a lot of characters, but main...