Second Chance Swordsman

There is perhaps no more potent symbol of the samurai era than the sword. By the seventeenth century in Japan, the art of swordsmanship had begun to take on an almost cult-like popularity. Swordsmanship was more than a mastery of technique; it was a path toward self-mastery. The Swordsman’s Handbook is the definitive collection of writings by men who saw the study of swordsmanship not only as essential to life and death, but as something that transcended life and death as well. Their teaching, that dealing with conflict is an art that requires grace and courage, speaks to us today with surprising immediacy and relevance. Included in this collection are writings by Kotada Yahei Toshitada, Takuan Soho, Yagyu Munenori, Miyamoto Musashi, Matsura Seizan, Issai Chozanshi, and Yamaoka Tesshu.

Dive into sword and sorcery portal fantasy in The King's Swordsman series, where we follow swordsman Thorrn. He has his life mapped out for him: be the best swordsman in the kingdom of Oberrot defending against rogue mancers and mages and get promoted. But things are never that simple and he is forced to confront everything he thought he knew; about Earth being real and not a fairy story for children; about what he's willing to sacrifice in obedience to the king; and that not all mages are bad. You will love this series if you adore: Sweeping sword and sorcery portal fantasy Character driven stories Narration by a cocky swordsman Hilarious fish-out-of-water scenes as he navigates magicless Earth for the first time. Enemies to inseparable friends Defiantly different portal fantasy Twinned souls with a twist Portal fantasy with time bending (Dr Who meets The Witcher) Stories with lots of heart, a bit dark and ballsy Characters with staying power This collection includes Books 1-4 of The King's Swordsman series and, never before published, the prequel novella Dough Boy! Contains: The Tenets in the Tattoos The Bind of Blood and Bonds The Limit of the Lonely Man The Tempered Turns of Time “The plot is gripping, but it's a solid combination between a solid plot and a downright fabulous character development, as well as an absolutely beautiful narrative, that turns this debut into an addictive, practically unputdownable read.” - The Magic Book Corner “An action-packed adventure… The storyline is ambitious in its scope and really is one for fans of fantasy and science fiction.” - LoveBooks, The Tenets in the Tattoos “Indie Books We Love.” “This author has a gift of making her readers live her tales alongside her characters.” - The Magic Book Corner, The Bind of Blood and Bonds “I found myself laughing and, at times, having tears in my eyes.” - Reedsy Discovery Reviewer

Justin is in the process of conquering the nations in the South and East of Corin. The main problems are drug lords who control large rural areas. Justin figures out how to deal with the drug lords. The drug lords then start to force their drug flower farmers to take a poison pill that requires daily doses, or the farmer dies. Justin manages to solve that problem, with quite a bit of adventure. But, where did the poison pills come from? In addition to running his expanding number of Kingdoms, Justin still has to prepare to fight a rogue from dimension 4. The rogue is a denizen of dimension 4 and Justin must be prepared to fight the rogue in dimension 4. The problem is that operating in four dimensions is very difficult, as there are not even words in dimension 3 for things in dimension 4, However, Jason begins to develop a plan.

Justin Imperiale returns from Ifrequeh, after winning battles against Warlords there. He's managed to acquire a third scroll and he begins to try to acquire the knowledge contained in the scroll.Once again, He finds drug smugglers operating in his territory. Justin figures out a way to defeat them and also a way to obtain the high tech mini submarines that the drug smugglers were using. In addition, he raids the ship that's smuggling in the drugs and obtains a valuable cargo.The real source of the drug smuggling leads to the nation of Dunvar and also to the Dunvar based Union Mining operation. Trouble brews.With the drug smuggling problem solved, Justin then must travel back to the South Continent, where some of the eastern nations are enslaving the jungle people. Justin, a few Commandos, Tapu, the men of Glyon and a few politicians then travel to the plantations where the jungle people are held as slaves. Justin and the warriors then free at least most of the jungle people. Justin also tells the jungle people how they can remain free. There's a major problem, when one plantation tries to hold jungle people as hostages. Justin and the warriors then solve the problem and build the legend of the King of The Sky.Helgryn, one of Justin's Kingdoms then seizes a shipload of illegal drugs. The drugs were apparently owned by Union Mining and trouble with Dunvar looms.Colod, the country just to the North of the Empire decides to start a war. Colod has a powerful army and an air force. Colod was able to remain free of the ancient Empire, via force or arms, and war with Colod would appear to be a major problem for the Empire.Justin notes that the problems that the ancient Empire had with Colod were due to the use of conventional tactics by the ancient Empire. Justin decides to use unconventional tactics and launches a pre-emptive strike. The pre-emptive strike works, to a degree. However, there are many problems remaining.The situation in Colod is still being resolved when it's reported that Dunvar has forced the nation of Ariby to allow only Dunvar to sell the oil of Ariby to the world.Justin then begins to seize tanker ships containing the oil that Dunvar is attempting to sell. The process that Justin uses is legal, but Dunvar wants a full hearing before the Association of Nations. The request for a hearing is an obvious attempt to tie up Justin's time.Justin figures that the Dunvar request for a hearing is to keep him from Ariby. Justin flies to Ariby and finds major problems there. The solution to the problems is simple, all Justin has to do is to fight and win a duel against a demi-god.

Justin Imperiale is visited by a man from the giant eastern Empire of Khoten.The man has a problem and the Crown of Kho, the legendary crown of the Emperor of Khoten. Justin then prepares to visit Khoten and perhaps to rule Khoten. However, Justin still must beware of a fight with Arvion demi-god of the sky.Justin has any number of battles, military battles, unarmed combat battles and even sword battles. In addition to the battles, Justin visits the fourth dimensional universe, in a paranormal adventure.

How do you fight an army backed by dragons? Recently battered by war and famine, the kingdom of Isidore now must somehow gather an army of mages and warriors who not only believe in the legendary monsters, but who stand a chance of fighting them. Dedicated to saving the culture that once saved her, Isidore's Captain Juliay Auten is faced with the impossible job of finding someone who might be able to counter the deadly mage. But no one can win a duel with a dragon Fleeing the abuse of the Lord of Raindell, Joy Arasé desperately wants to belong. But with acceptance into a warrior guild comes the responsibility to protect her kingdom. Even with the support of new friends, conquering her fear of her own magical ability is more than daunting. Will she be able to bear the weight of being Isidore's only hope?

Justin Imperiale finds that there are those who are growing and storing illegal weed in Zaya and not paying Justin his taxes. He investigates and then sets up a plan to raid a main weed storehouse in Zaya. The raid of the weed warehouse goes well and Justin gains weed, money and more weed from a truck delivering the stuff to the warehouse. Justin then leads a small scale military expedition into the area where some of the locals are growing illegal weed. Justin and his men then seize all the property of the weed growing drug lords, for non-payment of taxes. He finds that there's to be a major drug shipment up from the South of Zaya and through the territories of the few warlords who still control parts of Zaya. With the help of professional train controllers, Justin plans a raid on the drug train that's to transport the contraband through Zaya. With the help of the train controllers, his Commandos and his Voya subjects, who live in the southern jungles of Zaya, Justin steals a train in Golomon, to the South of Zaya, and hijacks the drug train cargo.Justin gets the stolen train into Zaya, but the train then suffers what the train people call a 'hot box' on one of the wheel assemblies of a car. The train can't be moved further without damage. Justin, his Commandos and the Voya set up a defence for the stalled train. Army forces from Golomon, to the South of Zaya, then try to pursue the stolen train. There's another jungle war and Justin's forces rout the Golomon forces. Justin goes to the Association of Nations people in Mervon. There's a considerable flap about stolen trains.Justin flim flams the President of the Association of Nations and lets the President know that there will probably be trouble in Golomon. The trouble will involve Justin's Voya people and Justin will intervene.Justin then asks the Association of Nations to expel Golomon, after he proves that the train in carrying drugs. Of course, Justin knows that the Association of Nations won't expel Golomon, but that the discovery of drug smuggling will make further Golomon invasion of Zaya totally impractical politically.A patrol boat arrives from out of space, piloted by a single, very beautiful woman. The woman is interrogated by Head Priests of the Temples of Averon and found to be very dangerous trap for Justin. He arranges to abandon the woman where she'll be captured by the Sky Path people, an original inhabitant revolutionary group. The woman and the Sky Path people will neutralize each other for a while. He flies down to the South of Zaya and, with Voya warriors, invades Golomon. Justin and a pitifully small force manage to fight a delaying action, until Zayan soldiers can arrive.The arrival of the Zayan soldiers results in a rout of the Golomon Army and Justin becomes the King of Golomon. In the wrap up of the conquest of Golomon, Justin flies a very sick Voya woman to a hospital in the very South of Golomon. There, he becomes involved with Mokasato original inhabitants.Justin then enters the Temple of The Mad King and, as a result, becomes the King of The Sky for the Mokasato. With the help of the Mokasato, Justin then conquests Helgryn, the country to the South of Golomon. Justin then begins the running of his new Kingdoms in Golomon and Helgryn to benefit the citizens and not just a few rich families.He then receives a message, in the Galactic language from the South Continent. The sender claims to be from the planet Glyon.

CollectsÿAvengers (1963) #124-125, #129-135; Captain Marvel (1968) #33; Giant-Size Avengers #2-4; Avengers: Celestial Quest #1-8. Follow the fateful saga of the Avenger named Mantis - a tale three decades in the telling! It all begins with the revelations of the Star-Stalker, and soon drags Earth's Mightiest Heroes into a cosmic clash between Captain Marvel and Thanos! But when Kang comes to the present day in search of the Celestial Madonna, Mantis' life is forever altered! In one of the greatest Avengers epics ever told, the besotted Swordsman will go to great lengths to save the woman he loves. Wedding bells will chime, and Mantis will embrace her destiny!

Samurai tells the story of the courageous and highly disciplined fighting men of this time, showing how they evolved from the primitive fighters of the seventh century into an invincible military caste with a fearsome reputation. In the early seventh century, the samurai rose to prominence during the struggles between the emperor and the military leaders (shogun). They took part in the invasion of Korea, as well as helping to keep Japan free from foreign influence. From the Heian period through to the Onin wars, the history of the samurai is replete with tales of heroism and bloodshed. Although the samurai is most famous for his use of the sword, he also used a wide variety of other weapons, such as the crossbow, the dagger and the spear. Samurai armour and costume were constantly evolving, and by the twelfth century most samurai were wearing the box-like yoroi armour. Samurai examines samurai fighting tactics, as well as acts such as ritual suicide (hari-kiri) and the taking of enemy heads as trophies.

Collects Avengers (2010) #24.1 and #25-34, Avengers Assemble (2012) #1-8, Avengers: Heroes Welcome and material From Avx: Vs #6. The spectacular conclusion of Brian Michael Bendis' Avengers era - featuring the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy! When the cosmic Phoenix Force threatens the planet, it's up to Earth's Mightiest Heroes to stop it - but Cyclops and his mutant team have a different plan. This means war! When the dust settles on the devastating conflict, Tony Stark intercepts a signal that may lead the Avengers into the arms of one of their dearest friends - or their greatest enemies! Plus: An all-star roster assembles alongside the Guardians for a blockbuster showdown with Thanos! The Vision returns! And young hero Nova gets some expert advice on how best to use his newfound powers!

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland presents a captivating medieval tale of chivalry and love in her de Piaget family series. With neither title nor land, Rhys could not win the hand of Gwennelyn of Segrave. But he would always have her heart. The two are kindred souls...Rhys, a knight with far too many notions of chivalry for his own good. And Gwen, a lover of minstral tales, waiting to be swept away. But Gwen is betrothed to another man, and Rhys fears he will lose her forever. Until a suprise offer comes his way—bringing Rhys and Gwen a second chance at love...

A young man is transformed into a barbarian fighter in this adventure from “one of the leading masters of epic fantasy” (Publishers Weekly). Wallie Smith can feel the pain. He goes to the hospital and remembers the doctors and the commotion, but when he wakes up it all seems like a dream. However, if that was a dream, how do you explain waking up in another body and in another world? Little Wallie finds himself in the physique of a barbarian swordsman, accompanied by both an eccentric priest babbling about the Goddess and a voluptuous slave girl. Is this a rude awakening or a dream come true? What in the world will Wallie do now that he has found himself stranded in a strange realm? Well, it just so happens that the Goddess is in need of a swordsman. It will not be easy, but if he succeeds he will have everything he wants. If he does not, things could get ugly. Wallie is reluctant but sees his chance. If only he had the faintest clue as to the adventure he is about to unleash! If only he could imagine the forces that will be out to vanquish him!

This is the first in depth study on the history of Legio VI Victrix in Britain. Brought over from Germany in 122 to assist in the building of Hadrian’s Wall the Sixth Legion remained in Britain until the end of Roman rule. The book will investigate the changing military organization, weapons and warfare as well as the many auxiliary units posted in the north of Britain. We will meet members of the Sixth Legion known from inscriptions and literary sources. From lowly legionaries helping to build Hadrian’s or the Antonine Wall to Pertinax, tribune of the Sixth, and destined to become Emperor. Case studies will include a praefectus castrorum, Lucius Artorius Castus, along with the legionary bases at York and Corbridge. The men of the Sixth witnessed the tumultuous, and often bloody, history of Roman Britain: the border shifting back and forth under Antoninus; barbarian incursions and army mutinies under the murderous Commodus; the bloody civil war against Septimius Severus and the subsequent invasion of Caledonia. In the last century of Roman rule, the Sixth supported several rival emperors from Constantine the Great, Magnus Maximus until finally Constantine III. The journey will end with a discussion of the likely fate of the Sixth in the early fifth century after the end of Roman authority. A must read for anyone interested in the evolution of the Roman legion, the empire or Roman Britain in particular.

This book examines the paradox of China and the United States’ literary and visual relationships, morphing between a happy duet and a contentious duel in fiction, film, poetry, comics, and opera from both sides of the Pacific. In the 21st century where tension between the two superpowers escalates, a gaping lacuna lies in the cultural sphere of Sino-Anglo comparative cultures. By focusing on a “Sinophone-Anglophone” relationship rather than a “China-US” one, Sheng-mei Ma eschews realpolitik, focusing on the two languages and the cross-cultural spheres where, contrary to Kipling’s twain, East and West forever meet, like a repetition compulsion bordering on neurosis over the self and its cultural other. Indeed, the coupling of the two—duet-cum-duel—is so predictable that each seems attracted to and repulsed by its dark half, semblable, (in)compatible for their shared larger-than-life-ness.

In the capital of the political power of feudal Japan, Kyoto, around 1540, a clan of formidable swordsmen who had previously dedicated themselves to trade and the production of colors for dyeing fabrics began to emerge. However, their exploits as master swordsmen lasted only four generations; they then died out or had to return to their previous economic activities. More than for their skills as instructors of the house of the shogun, they, in fact, went down in history for a number of battles lost against Shinmen Munisai, and his legendary son, Miyamoto Musashi. In the stories passed down to us, truth and myth are blurred, leaving the researcher and the reader with many unanswered questions and doubts. Who were the Yoshioka? When did their exploits as swordsmen begin? Where did their martial art come from? Who were their opponents? Were they really defeated or killed in duels against Miyamoto Musashi?

Dorset, to the immediate North of Averon, faces a problem, bankruptcy or become one of Justin Imperiale's Kingdoms. Justin is forced to fight a being from Zarel, a high gravity world. The challenge makes no sense, as the high gravity world mog can't get close enough to Justin to hurt him; unless the high gravity world mog uses paranormal skills. Justin then manages to set up a visit to an eastern nation called Shindhu. The visit is supposedly about trade and child labour. However, Justin seeks to steal a Lord Vorell scroll from Shindhu. He is then faced with two micro revolts in New World Kingdoms. The problem is off world interference almost certainly orchestrated by Arvion, demigod of the sky. The off worlders have set a trap that Justin avoids. Using ideas from the new Lord Vorell scroll, the mind of a would be assassin and a machine, intended to trap him, Justin builds a working interplanetary gate. He then has to fight a war in Mande. Justin fights a mind battle with a paranormal talent, almost certainly sent by Arvion. A maybe ghost, maybe God, visits Justin. The Nation of Dunvar is preparing to invade the Kingdoms of Bjornmark, Kjelmer and Nordveg. Justin manages to blackmail Dunvar politicians and delay the war. He then arranges for the assassination of the Leader of Dunvar and pushes the war further back. Finally Justin manages to elevate the President of Dunvar from figurehead to a position of power. University radicals invade Justin's Palace and are dealt with. He then prepares to set up a new Kingdom of Nordheim, in the North of the Old World.

"The thirty-three articles reprinted in this volume were selected from over ninety-five studies Professor Ridgway has published. As with her books, they cover the entire span of Greek sculpture, from the Archaic to the Late Hellenistic period. The articles are here presented in the chronological order in which they first appeared to document the author's evolving views on the history of Greek sculpture. Professor has been given to those that were published in foreign journals and honorary violence two have been translated from the original Italian and one from French. The author has added additional notes at the end to update all the studies. There is a comprehensive index."--BOOK JACKET.