Search results for ""Spark""

Do Christianity and modern liberal democracy share a common moral vision, or are they opposed and even hostile to each other? In Christian Faith and Modern Democracy, Robert Kraynak challenges the commonly accepted view that Christianity is inherently compatible with modern democratic society. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Kraynak argues that there is no necessary connection between Christianity and any form of government and that, in many important respects, Christianity is weakened by its close alliance with contemporary versions of democracy and human rights. Christian Faith and Modern Democracy was written, in part, to convince secular intellectuals that modern democracy needs God. But it was also written in response to the new consensus about politics that has emerged among Christian believers. Almost all churches and theologians now think that the form of government most compatible with Christianity is democracy and that the historic opposition of the Christian tradition to democracy and to various forms of liberalism was a mistake. What caused Christians to change their view of political authority and to embrace liberal democracy? Were they wise to change their view? This provocative book attempts to answer these questions by reexamining the relationship between democracy and Christianity through the lens of St. Augustine’s distinction between the city of God and the earthly city, applied to the conditions of the modern age. Kraynak argues that St. Augustine’s teaching provides the basis for a Christian theory of constitutional government and permits a variety of legitimate forms of government, including constitutional democracy. Yet, unlike contemporary Christian doctrines, it does so without embracing the subversive premises of liberalism that have threatened to turn the Christian faith into little more than a mirror image of the modern world. Sure to spark controversy among secular intellectuals and Christian believers alike, this insightful volume is an outstanding work of political philosophy with a firm foundation in theology.

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Dancer, choreographer and a legendary South African artist, Gregory Maqoma’s childhood was marked by a deep connection to movement, rhythm and the assorted sounds of Soweto. From a young age, he showed a natural passion for dance. He saw this in his neighbourhood, and he immersed himself in the language of music and dance. In his teen years, he played the drum in the school band, set up his own music and dance group, before winning a scholarship to Moving into Dance, despite his father‘s wishes that he become a doctor. Gregory’s upbringing in the 1980s, a politically charged era, sparked his awareness of social issues and a desire to use art as a means of activism. Amidst the challenges and inequalities of his environment, Maqoma found solace and inspiration in the transformative power of dance. Through sheer grit and dedication, his dancing gave him the means for self-expression, allowing him to channel his emotions, dreams, and aspirations. Along the way, he encountered mentors who supported his creative spark and fellow dancers who became lifelong friends. Maqoma’s childhood experiences laid the foundation for his future as a renowned choreographer and storyteller. They instilled in him a profound respect for his cultural heritage, a commitment to social justice, and an unwavering passion for the transformative potential of the arts. His journey from Soweto to the global stage is a testament to the resilience, creativity and indomitable spirit that shaped his formative years. My Life, My Dance, My Soul is an dazzling memoir that encourages young adults to embrace their passions, overcome obstacles, and believe in the strength of their dreams. It is a testament to the extraordinary heights that can be reached when one dances to the rhythm of their own soul.

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INTRODUCED BY SARAH WATERS'Every one of her books is a treat and this is my favourite, because of its wonderful cast of characters, and because of the deftness with which Taylor's narrative moves between them ... A wonderful writer' SARAH WATERS'Her stories remain with one, indelibly, as though they had been some turning-point in one's own experience' ELIZABETH BOWENIn the faded coastal village of Newby, everyone looks out for - and in on - each other, and beneath the deceptively sleepy exterior, passions run high. Beautiful divorcee Tory is painfully involved with her neighbour, Robert, while his wife Beth, Tory's best friend, is consumed by the worlds she creates in her novels, oblivious to the relationship developing next door. Their daughter Prudence is aware, however, and is appalled by the treachery she observes. Mrs Bracey, an invalid whose grasp on life is slipping, forever peers from her window, constantly prodding her daughters for news of the outside world. And Lily Wilson, a lonely young widow, is frightened of her own home. Into their lives steps Bertram, a retired naval officer with the unfortunate capacity to inflict lasting damage while trying to do good.Books included in the VMC 40th anniversary series include: Frost in May by Antonia White; The Collected Stories of Grace Paley; Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault; The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter; The Weather in the Streets by Rosamond Lehmann; Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith; The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; Heartburn by Nora Ephron; The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy; Memento Mori by Muriel Spark; A View of the Harbour by Elizabeth Taylor; and Faces in the Water by Janet Frame

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Discover the sizzling brother's-best-friend, small town romance that went viral on TikTok - now in a special edition with an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the series and a Q&A with the author!She's off-limits, but he's never been good at following the rules . . .'A sweet slow burn . . . sunshine in written form' - Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author For the first time in her life, Clementine 'Emmy' Ryder has no idea what she's doing. She's accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming, went to college, and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.Luke Brooks is Meadowlark's most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He's also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy's older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It's been years since he's seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can't take his eyes off her. Against his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. As things between Emmy and Brooks heat up, it gets more difficult for him to keep his hands off of her. Can he help her get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?5* READER REVIEWS FOR DONE AND DUSTED'SUCH a joy to read''The plot . . . amazing, the characters . . . amazing and the spice . . . AMAZING''This was so cute!!!''I am absolutely + utterly obsessed with this book''I ate this book up!'

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The much-anticipated final conclusion to the Fitz and The Fool trilogy. Prince FitzChivalry Farseer’s daughter Bee was violently abducted from Withywoods by Servants of the Four in their search for the Unexpected Son, foretold to wield great power. With Fitz in pursuit, the Servants fled through a Skill-pillar, leaving no trace. It seems certain that they and their young hostage have perished in the Skill-river. Clerres, where White Prophets were trained by the Servants to set the world on a better path, has been corrupted by greed. Fitz is determined to reach the city and take vengeance on the Four, not only for the loss of Bee but also for their torture of the Fool. Accompanied by FitzVigilant, son of the assassin Chade, Chade’s protégé Spark and the stableboy Perseverance, Bee's only friend, their journey will take them from the Elderling city of Kelsingra, down the perilous Rain Wild River, and on to the Pirate Isles. Their mission for revenge will become a voyage of discovery, as well as of reunions, transformations and heartrending shocks. Startling answers to old mysteries are revealed. What became of the liveships Paragon and Vivacia and their crews? What is the origin of the Others and their eerie beach? How are liveships and dragons connected? But Fitz and his followers are not the only ones with a deadly grudge against the Four. An ancient wrong will bring them unlikely and dangerous allies in their quest. And if the corrupt society of Clerres is to be brought down, Fitz and the Fool will have to make a series of profound and fateful sacrifices. ASSASSIN’S FATE is a magnificent tour de force and with it Robin Hobb demonstrates yet again that she is the reigning queen of epic fantasy.

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Four stories set in the Eleventh Doctor era, starring Jacob Dudman: 2.1 The Evolving Dead by Doris V Sutherland. The dead stalk the corridors of research station Romeo. For a technician (dead) and her ex-boyfriend (also dead), the Doctor’s their only chance to escape. For the rest of the crew, he’s their only chance to feed. 2.2 The Day Before They Came by Daniel Blythe. In the shabby seaside town of Bayview, Kayla Worthington is sitting on the beach waiting for an alien invasion. Her patience is rewarded when an alien arrives, although he doesn’t seem to be invading. He’s called the Doctor, and he wants to buy her a cup of tea. 2.3 The Melting Pot by Christopher Cooper. Arriving on Piir to sample the local cuisine, the Doctor finds a society wildly different from the one he remembers. With violence brewing on the streets, the Doctor will have to get to the bottom of what has gone wrong on Piir, before the world tears itself apart. 2.4 A Tragical History by Tessa North. To most of the inmates in Hythe Prison, life is miserable. However, some are living out their idealised lives within its walls. Amongst the dank conditions, the Doctor is about to uncover the key to everything he could ever desire. Cast: Jacob Dudman (The Doctor), Laura Aikman (Sarah Ellison), Tom Alexander (Maxwell/Headshot), Ayesha Antoine (Babs), Nicholas Asbury (Preacher Stem), Joe Barnes (Ray), Nicholas Briggs (Spongiform), Jacob Daniels (Lee), Bethan Dixon Bate (Lady Dora Swift), Joe Jameson (Arvin), Avita Jay (Evo/Eleanor Pearce), Jenny Lee (Eliza Smith), Paul Panting (Ilyani/Bailiff), Jeany Spark (Gonch/Piir Mother), Milly Thomas (Elix), Venice Van Someren (Mary Wainwright), Jo Woodcock (Kayla Worthington). Other parts played by members of the cast.

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While battles and wars and ‘the clash of civilizations’ are as old as time itself, there is little doubt that the conflagration of 1914–1918 was something unique and terrifyingly new. There was not a corner of the globe that did not feel its effects, some more than others, but the scope of its impact on economies, populations, food supplies, the character of governments in general and the day-to-day lives of numberless ordinary people, were such as the world had never experienced, nor expected. Little did anyone dream that the assassination of relatively minor figures of the Habsburg royal family, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, carried out by an unknown Serbian teenager on the street corner of an obscure town called Sarajevo that few had ever heard of, could possibly provide a spark that would plunge the entire European continent into an industrialized war of catastrophic destruction. But it did: the two shots that youth fired were surely ‘heard around the world’, and several million people would perish or be maimed as a result. The story of World War I has been told by many different writers, historians and participants in many different ways, especially so before and during the centennial of its events that just concluded. All the World at War stands apart from many of these standard studies. It presents a familiar story from points of view that many readers might find surprising: unexpected details, different perspectives, atypical and generally insightful observations from contemporaries (often obscure to modern readers), who witnessed the events and personalities that pushed the war along from phase to phase. The narrative is chronologically arranged, beautifully written, with something new or intriguing on every page. This is a unique and finely paced account of ‘The War to End all Wars’ that didn’t.

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This isn't your average teaching book. With a fun, comic-book-inspired layout, Teaching Is for Superheroes! skips the information overload and gives you practical action steps for igniting enthusiasm in your K-12 classroom and achieving your professional goals. Now more than ever, teachers are in high demand—yet the threat of burnout still looms large. This book will help you keep the spark alive, engaging you in a deeper examination of education by way of entertaining superhero archetypes and tropes. What’s your teaching origin story? Your secret identity? Your powers, weaknesses, nemeses? The teachers-as-superheroes metaphor provides a rich venue through which you can thoughtfully analyze your purpose and pedagogy. This high quality, eye-catching book offers you an inspirational springboard for practical insight and application in the classroom. You’ll gain ideas for surviving your first year, navigating social media as a teacher, interacting productively with colleagues and parents, using tech in the classroom, prioritizing self-care, harnessing your teacher “superpowers,” and even dressing for teaching success. The school setting may not be as glamorous as the futurist skyscrapers, alien planets, or alternate universes we see in movies and comics, but the adventure is just as exciting—and best of all, it’s real! Gain teaching insights, tips, and advice in an entertaining, superhero-inspired format Identify your teaching superpowers and weaknesses, and learn to lean on others when needed Explore the “universe” of teaching to understand where you fit in and how you can leave your legacy Equip yourself with the gadgets and gizmos you need to sharpen your skills and power up your classroom Current and future K-12 educators—pick up Teaching Is for Superheroes!, put on your cape, and start saving the world, one class at a time.

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Now a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowThe brutal battle for power continues in the fourth book in the epic Empire of the Moghul series.'A totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next' Wilbur SmithAgra, India, 1606. Jahangir, the triumphant Moghul Emperor and ruler of most of the Indian subcontinent, is doomed. No amount of wealth and ruthlessness can protect him from his sons' desire for power. The glorious Moghul throne is worth any amount of bloodshed and betrayal; once Jahangir raised troops against his own father; now he faces a bloody battle with Khurram, the ablest of his warring sons.Worse is to come. Just as the heirs of Timur the Great share intelligence, physical strength and utter ruthlessness, they also have a great weakness for wine and opium. Once Jahangir is tempted, his talented wife, Mehrunissa, is only too willing to take up the reins of empire. And with Khurram and his half-brothers each still determined to be their father's heir, the savage battle for the Moghul throne will be more ferocious than even Timur could have imagined...'Rutherford's glorious, broad-sweeping adventure in the wild lands of the Moghul sees the start of a wonderful series...In Babur, he has found a real-life hero, with all the flaws, mistakes and misadventures that spark true heroism... Breathtaking stuff' Manda Scott'Alex Rutherford has set the bar high for his sequels' Daily Mail'Alex Rutherford brings the period and the history of the region alive. The characters are dynamic, and the deadly regional politics of alliances and treaties are reflected by the internal tensions at court' US Historical Novel Society

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Unearth the wonderful world of marvellous minerals, spectacular stones, and glistening gems in this complete guide to Earth's rocks and minerals.Introducing Rocks and Minerals Ultimate Handbook, the latest title in DK's Ultimate Handbook series which takes you on the journey to discover some of the world's most fascinating rocks, minerals and gemstones of the natural world.This geology book for kids includes must-know facts and stats about more than 200 rocks, minerals, and gems, teaching all about where these objects come from, what they are made of, their uses, and their unique characteristics. With stats about each featured rock or mineral, including its colours, crystal shapes, and the materials it's made of, this book is ideal for budding geologistsThis fascinating geology book for kids offers: - Thematic pages introducing different topics, including: the rock cycle, fossils, space rocks, birthstones, living gems, and more. - Bold photographs showing more than 200 rocks and minerals in great detail, including natural sites and buildings like Mount Rushmore, the Atacama Desert, and the Taj Mahal.- Each double page feature includes stat boxes, annotations, and mind-boggling facts to help children become true rockhounds.With this highly engaging geology book, children can identify different colours, crystal shapes and the materials different rocks are made of. The handbook style format allows children to be introduced to the topic of rocks and minerals in a way that is detailed, without being overwhelming or talking down to them. About the seriesDK's Ultimate Handbook series will spark curiosity and amaze children aged 6+ interested in the world around them. If you liked Rocks and Minerals Ultimate Handbook, then you'll love Animal Ultimate Handbook and learning about the Earth's wildlife, or Dinosaur Ultimate Handbook and exploring the prehistoric world.

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CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2022 - SHORTLISTEDBLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS BEST BOOK WITH FACTS 2022 - LONGLISTEDTHE OBSERVER CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH - JULY 2021THE BOOKSELLER BOOK OF THE MONTH - JULY 2021'I REALLY love it. Buy it for your kids, your parents, your grandparents. Mostly buy it for yourself' Holly Smale, author of the Geek Girl series 'This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic. I loved it!' Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark*The beautiful true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic - and the challenges she faced in the 'normal' world*I'm not like the other children in my class . . . and that's an actual scientific FACT.Hi! My name is Abigail, and I'm autistic. But I didn't know I was autistic until I was an adult-sort-of-person*.This is my true story of growing up in the confusing 'normal' world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about myself.There'll be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including my dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you'll also find some Very Crucial Information about autism.If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in . . . this book is for you.*I've never really felt like an actual-adult-person, as you'll soon discover in this book...'Funny, fascinating . . . a rewarding and highly entertaining read' Guardian Told through the author's remarkable words, and just as remarkable illustrations, this is the book for those who've never felt quite right in the 'normal' world.

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The ultimate step-by-step manual for getting the most out of your digital camera. Have you ever looked back on your digital photos to find out that what you thought was a stunning sunset picture was nothing more than some blobs and blurs? Then this may be the book for you!Take your photography skills and techniques to the next level with this inspiring and informative guide for budding photographers with a basic level of experience and technical grounding. This all-encompassing guide covers a comprehensive range of topics, from experimenting with lenses, exposure and aperture, to innovative post-production techniques, these step-by-step tutorials show you how to master the functions on your cameras, and develop exciting new techniques along the way!Dive straight in to discover: -Handy checklists and icon panels providing a quick rundown of the equipment and camera settings required for each technique and project -Packed with hundreds of inspirational and instructive images -Featuring practical advice on lenses, lighting and composition techniquesA must-have volume for photographers who have a basic technical grounding but would like to improve their skills and techniques, this easy-to-follow accessible guide will explore a range of beginner level and advanced techniques, so that you maximise the potential of your digital camera and unleash your creativity. With detailed chapters covering equipment and maintenance, exposure, focusing, lenses, flash and image enhancement, you can now master a wide range of functions, no matter the type or style of camera, and produce truly stunning images to spark your creativity and develop a distinct style of your own. Whether you're looking to develop a new skill this New Year, or hone in on your technical skills, The Advanced Photography Guide is sure to have something for everyone to discover and love.

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A chance discovery provided the author with the key to unlocking the centuries old enigma of Botticelli's Primavera, a masterpiece painted for the private viewing of a Medici. Its pagan figures in a paradisical spring meadow illuminated the cryptic world of the Renaissance pagan revival. Botticelli's allegory emerged to address its personal message to a young Medici. Botticelli's cleverly disguised message for Lorenzo Minore, is to be found on the right side of La Primavera, where Chloris draws Zephyr's attention to it. This book is extremely well researched and beautifully produced with eighty color plates. Lane-Spollen clearly explains the fusion of Christian and pagan imagery which is reflected in La Primavera, placing it in the wider context of Italy's religion and politics. The author employs a readable style which will make this book suitable for those familiar with this period looking for more detail about a beloved painting, and those who are new to the Renaissance and Art History. Lane-Spollen gives a clear overview of why and how Botticelli conveyed his message in disguise. An esteemed circle of scholars around the Medici, disillusioned with a worldly and corrupted medieval Church, searched for a purer, unadulterated Christianity in the pre-Christian foundations of their faith. This was a sensitive occupation in a society where the reach of the Church was present in all matters public and private. In 1460 a manuscript was brought to Cosimo de'Medici. Its author, Hermes, was revered by Augustine and the early Church Fathers. Its revelations on the true nature of Man held the evidence they were seeking and stood in stark contrast to the medieval Church view in which the lowly humble sinner must throw himself on the mercy of the Church for his redemption. The Hermetic corpus which so inspired the Medici circle, saw Man as unique among all species, of unlimited potential and possessing a 'spark of the Divine'. As Burckhardt noted, "it became the breath of life for all the most instructed minds of Europe". For medieval man, it heralded his rebirth, his Renaissance. Expressing this newly discovered 'God-like' being in art stimulated the creative imagination of Renaissance artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, and Raffaello. Lane-Spollen gives a clear overview of why and how Botticelli conveyed his message in code: An esteemed circle of scholars around the Medici, disillusioned with a worldly and corrupted medieval Church, searched for a purer, unadulterated Christianity in the pre-Christian foundations of their faith. This was a dangerous occupation in a society where the reach of the Church was present in all matters public and private. In 1460 a manuscript was brought to Cosimo de'Medici. Its author, Hermes, was revered by Augustine and the early Church Fathers. Its revelations on the true nature of Man held the evidence they were seeking and stood in stark contrast to the teachings of the medieval church and had no place for man as a lowly humble sinner who must throw himself on the mercy of the Church. Neoplatonism and the Hermetic corpus which so inspired the Medici circle, saw Man as unique among all species and possessing a 'spark of the divine'.Though heretical and blasphemous in the extreme, this philosophy had a profound effect and spread rapidly. As Burckhardt noted, 'it became the breath of life for all the most instructed minds of Europe'. Convinced by its impeccable provenance, the Medici circle of philosophers and poets strived to merge the three great but competing religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, into a single religion in harmony with their original pre-Christian foundations. Expressing this newly discovered 'God-like' being in art stimulated the creative imagination of the early Renaissance as artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, Michaelangelo and Raphaello strove to express 'divine' Man's dignity, his innate capability and the profound depths of his potential for greatness.

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100+ Dot Marker Coloring Pages for Toddlers“Thank you for being an amazing resource for us mommas out there. I feel good about using anything I get from Woo! Jr. with my babies!” —Kristina, ParentEngage your emerging little artist with fun coloring pages inside of Woo! Jr.’s My First Book of Dot Marker Coloring. With over 100 dot marker coloring pages for kids, the opportunities to develop the artist within are endless! Help your child develop fine motor skills while learning primary colors, secondary colors, and more with coloring activities for toddlers ages 2 to 4 years old.Toddlers learn best when engaged and having fun! Do a dot marker coloring activity to strengthen hand-eye coordination, and learn colors through dot marker coloring pages filled with familiar shapes and images.Activities for toddlers are a must-have to spark curiosity! Between ages 2 and 4, toddlers grow exponentially and are eager to learn about themselves and the world around them. My First Book of Dot Marker Coloring is full of coloring pages that combine art with educational concepts to support early learning.In the full color My First Book of Dot Marker Coloring, you’ll find: Fundamental Learning Concepts - our big dot illustrations include letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and animals to support early learning Bold Lines - supports fine motor skill development and helps toddlers stay within the line 100+ Dot Marker Coloring Pages - guaranteed to keep toddlers engaged and parents from running out of activities Engaging Way to Learn Colors - the bold, colorful illustrations in our big dot marker activity book support color matching and recognition of familiar shapes If books like Dot Markers Activity Book: ABC Animals, Dot Markers Activity Book: Easy Guided BIG Dots, or Dot Markers Activity Book: Cute Dinosaurs interest you, then you’ll love Woo! Jr.’s My First Book of Dot Marker Coloring!

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On Easter Monday, 1916, Irish rebels poured into Dublin’s streets to proclaim an independent republic. Ireland’s long struggle for self-government had suddenly become a radical and bloody fight for independence from Great Britain. Irish nationalists mounted a week-long insurrection, occupying public buildings and creating mayhem before the British army regained control. The Easter Rising provided the spark for the Irish revolution, a turning point in the violent history of Irish independence. In this highly original history, acclaimed scholar R. F. Foster explores the human dimension of this pivotal event. He focuses on the ordinary men and women, Yeats’s “vivid faces,” who rose “from counter or desk among grey / Eighteenth-century houses” and took to the streets. A generation made, not born, they rejected the inherited ways of the Church, their bourgeois families, and British rule. They found inspiration in the ideals of socialism and feminism, in new approaches to love, art, and belief. Drawing on fresh sources, including personal letters and diaries, Foster summons his characters to life. We meet Rosamond Jacob, who escaped provincial Waterford for bustling Dublin. On a jaunt through the city she might visit a modern art gallery, buy cigarettes, or read a radical feminist newspaper. She could practice the Irish language, attend a lecture on Freud, or flirt with a man who would later be executed for his radical activity. These became the roots of a rich life of activism in Irish and women’s causes. Vivid Faces shows how Rosamond and her peers were galvanized to action by a vertiginous sense of transformation: as one confided to his diary, “I am changing and things around me change.” Politics had fused with the intimacies of love and belief, making the Rising an event not only of the streets but also of the hearts and minds of a generation.

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WINNER OF THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION WINNER OF THE NIB LITERARY AWARD FINALIST FOR THE KIRKUS PRIZE FOR NONFICTION HIGHLY COMMENDED IN THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON GLOBAL CONSERVATION A SUNDAY INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘There is a kind of hauntedness in wild animals today: a spectre related to environmental change … Our fear is that the unseen spirits that move in them are ours. Once more, animals are a moral force.’ When Rebecca Giggs encountered a humpback whale stranded on her local beach in Australia, she began to wonder how the lives of whales might shed light on the condition of our seas. How do whales experience environmental change? Has our connection to these fabled animals been transformed by technology? What future awaits us, and them? And what does it mean to write about nature in the midst of an ecological crisis? In Fathoms: the world in the whale, Giggs blends natural history, philosophy, and science to explore these questions with clarity and hope. In lively, inventive prose, she introduces us to whales so rare they have never been named; she tells us of the astonishing variety found in whale sounds, and of whale ‘pop’ songs that sweep across hemispheres. She takes us into the deeps to discover that one whale’s death can spark a great flourishing of creatures. We travel to Japan to board whaling ships, examine the uncanny charisma of these magnificent mammals, and confront the plastic pollution now pervading their underwater environment. In the spirit of Rachel Carson and John Berger, Fathoms is a work of profound insight and wonder. It marks the arrival of an essential new voice in narrative nonfiction and provides us with a powerful, surprising, and compelling view of some of the most urgent issues of our time.

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Paul Almeida's comparative study of the largest social movement campaigns that existed between 1980 and 2013 in every Central American country (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) provides a granular examination of the forces that spark mass mobilizations against state economic policy, whether those factors are electricity rate hikes or water and health care privatization. Many scholars have explained connections between global economic changes and local economic conditions, but most of the research has remained at the macro level. Mobilizing Democracy contributes to our knowledge about the protest groups "on the ground" and what makes some localities successful at mobilizing and others less successful. His work enhances our understanding of what ingredients contribute to effective protest movements as well as how multiple protagonists-labor unions, students, teachers, indigenous groups, nongovernmental organizations, women's groups, environmental organizations, and oppositional political parties-coalesce to make protest more likely to win major concessions. Based on extensive field research, archival data of thousands of protest events, and interviews with dozens of Central American activists, Mobilizing Democracy brings the international consequences of privatization, trade liberalization, and welfare-state downsizing in the global South into focus and shows how persistent activism and network building are reactivated in these social movements. Almeida enables our comprehension of global and local politics and policy by answering the question, "If all politics is local, then how do the politics of globalization manifest themselves?" Detailed graphs and maps provide a synthesis of the quantitative and qualitative data in this important study. Written in clear, accessible prose, this book will be invaluable for students and scholars in the fields of political science, social movements, anthropology, Latin American studies, and labor studies.

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Kids will discover how to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness through the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal, an interactive guide to helping children reflect on the good in every day and appreciate the positive things in their lives.From giggly playdates to favorite meals to family game night, kids have a lot to enjoy in the world around them. With its interactive elements and kid-friendly layout, the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal helps children explore their feelings and focus on life's blessings—a daily practice that will provide benefits for years to come. In fact, scientific research shows that children who practice an attitude of gratitude experience tremendous physical and psychological benefits, including: Higher levels of happiness and self-esteem Reduced anxiety Better sleep A greater ability to empathize with others Even a stronger immune system! But the greatest benefit of practicing gratitude is the habit of recognizing God's goodness from a young age. That's why the 80 entries in the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal include: Fun and easy prompts to help kids name three things they're thankful for Bible verses that remind kids of God's goodness Activities like space to draw favorites (a special pet, a best friend, etc.), ideas for sharing thankfulness with others, and more Prayers to thank God for every good thing Focusing on six aspects of God to be thankful for (goodness, kindness, fairness, and more), the 1-Minute Gratitude Journal can spark joy-filled conversations with your child at bedtime or as a family around the dinner table as your young reader shares his or her reflections.Cultivating a spirit of gratitude is one of the best ways for kids to develop into strong and happy adults. This practical and engaging guide will strengthen your child's spiritual and mental well-being—and yours too!

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As with the much-praised prior editions, the third edition of Strelkauskas' Microbiology: A Clinical Approach remains a comprehensive introductory textbook written specifically for pre-nursing, nursing and allied health students. Clinically relevant throughout, it uses the theme of infection as its foundation, fitting closely with the 'One Health' approach that is considered increasingly central to the effective control of zoonoses and to combatting antimicrobial resistance. The third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest developments, including the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and associated COVID-19 pandemic. The book is accompanied by a robust instructor ancillary package that allows educators to incorporate readily the book’s unique approach into their lectures and includes additional materials for students to supplement classroom learning and encourage and support study and self-reflection.Key Features: Student-focused, with all elements carefully designed to help students engage with and understand difficult concepts and to spark and hold interest Dedicated learning skill section introduces practical strategies for improving comprehension and retention Numerous text features further support learning and teaching, including chapter overviews, fast facts, case studies and human stories, and ‘why is this important?’ highlights A variety of question-and-answer types for self-testing and reflection to support and assess basic learning, to challenge students to integrate important concepts and ask students to apply what they have just learned to a specific clinical setting or problem All supported by a comprehensive suite of online resources including lecturer support material and, for students, interactive questions, lecture notes, MicroMovies and the BugParade The book is an excellent resource to guide and support inter-professional education in the health sciences and an ideal entry-point to the subject for anyone coming from another discipline and invaluable supplementary reading for medical, microbiology and biomedical science students.

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In the 1960s, Cleveland suffered through racial violence, spiking crime rates, and a shrinking tax base, as the city lost jobs and population. Rats infested an expanding and decaying ghetto, Lake Erie appeared to be dying, and dangerous air pollution hung over the city. Such was the urban crisis in the "Mistake on the Lake." When the Cuyahoga River caught fire in the summer of 1969, the city was at its nadir, polluted and impoverished, struggling to set a new course. The burning river became the emblem of all that was wrong with the urban environment in Cleveland and in all of industrial America.Carl Stokes, the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city, had come into office in Cleveland a year earlier with energy and ideas. He surrounded himself with a talented staff, and his administration set new policies to combat pollution, improve housing, provide recreational opportunities, and spark downtown development. In Where the River Burned, David Stradling and Richard Stradling describe Cleveland's nascent transition from polluted industrial city to viable service city during the Stokes administration.The story culminates with the first Earth Day in 1970, when broad citizen engagement marked a new commitment to the creation of a cleaner, more healthful and appealing city. Although concerned primarily with addressing poverty and inequality, Stokes understood that the transition from industrial city to service city required massive investments in the urban landscape. Stokes adopted ecological thinking that emphasized the connectedness of social and environmental problems and the need for regional solutions. He served two terms as mayor, but during his four years in office Cleveland's progress fell well short of his administration’s goals. Although he was acutely aware of the persistent racial and political boundaries that held back his city, Stokes was in many ways ahead of his time in his vision for Cleveland and a more livable urban America.

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ATONEMENTTHE SHOOTING SCRIPT®Screenplay by Christopher HamptonBased on the novel by Ian McEwanIntroduction by Christopher HamptonA Newmarket Shooting Script® Series Book 30 Colour photos in a colour insertThe official screenplay book tie-in to the adaptation by screenwriter Christopher Hampton (Academy Award® winner for Dangerous Liaisons) of Ian McEwan's best-selling 2002 novel, starring James McAvoy (BAFTA Award nominee for The Last King of Scotland) opposite Academy Award-nominated Keira Knightley, directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice), coming from Focus Features in December. Filmed on location in the U.K., the story of Atonement spans several decades. In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony-who has a crush on Robbie- is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested-and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love. Praise for the film Atonement:"Impressively directed, beautifully photographed and superbly adapted drama with terrific performances from its cast."-The View (London)

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Diddy Disciples is a creative and playful new worship and Bible storytelling resource for those who work with babies, toddlers and young children. This inspiring book aims to encourage participation, discipleship and leadership from children’s earliest years, using storytelling, singing, colour, repetition, art and lots and lots of movement! Leaders can use the material to create a service that follows the pattern of their church’s Sunday worship, a simple mid-week baby and toddler singing session or anything in between! Book 2 includes: · 36 weeks’ worth of fully worked-out sessions for key festivals and seasons of the church year · plenty of opportunities to tailor the material to your own context · all sorts of creative ‘starter ideas’ for using everyday art and play resources to spark children’s imaginations The units are: - Jesus, Light of the World! (Epiphany) - John the Baptist (the weeks before Lent) - The Journey to the Cross (Lent) - Jesus Is Alive! Alleluia! (Easter) - Let Your Kingdom Come (Green Time) - God’s Best Friend, Moses (Green Time) ‘This is a book for those who take children seriously. A wonderful, practical resource for those who want to nurture children to be disciples in their own right: to pray, to engage with Scripture, to contribute to worship, to play their part as children of God. A must-read for those who work and volunteer with very young children.’ The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury ‘An exceptional and inspiring resource.’ Dr Rebecca Nye, Godly play expert and researcher in children’s spirituality ‘Sharon Moughtin-Mumby brings the wisdom of a professional biblical scholar to the task of communicating the essence of the Bible to very young children . . . Very user-friendly material from which adults can learn too.’ The Revd John Barton, Emeritus Professor, University of Oxford

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My Favourite Bible Stories: For Children Around the World takes the child through the most exciting adventures found in the Bible. Each illustrated story reveals the character and nature of a loving and active Father God. My Favourite Bible Storiesis written in a child friendly and dynamic way to encourage and support children in developing their relationship with God through the bible. At the end of each story they will enjoy the Have a Think, Have a Go and Have a Prayer sections to encourage exploration and prayers that will deepen the connection to the story, its characters and key message. Bringing together two highly gifted creatives, with the beautifully vibrant and animated illustrations of Kelly-Jade Nicholls, the stories come to life in an engaging way that all children can relate to. She captures the authenticity of where these stories are told through the characters like no other children’s bible. The stories, written by Sarah Fletcher, bring the child’s imagination to life with a fun and easy to read style, told in a way that will spark their interest to find out more. Containing over 50 stories from both the Old and New Testament, this new children’s bible will help children from diverse backgrounds get a fun, unique and engaging look at the world and its characters from Biblical times. Parents, teachers, pastors, and children will love My Favourite Bible Stories in this new and exciting visual and narrative presentation of the bible for children. · Contains 23 Old Testament Stories.· Contains 33 New Testament Stories. · Has Have a Think, Have a Go and Have a Pray sections at the end of each story.· Written in an easy-to-read style that parents and children will enjoy.· Full colour illustrations in a style that is dynamic and engaging. · Reveals the character and nature of a loving Father God.

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Prepare to fall head over heels. The perfect book for fans of Josie Silver, Richard Curtis, and anyone who ever fell in love with the wrong person… ‘Gorgeously festive and romantic’ Rosie Walsh, bestselling author of The Man Who Didn’t Call What if you couldn’t get away from the one who got away? This December, unlucky-in-love Jess is following her dream and moving to Notting Hill. On the first night in her new house-share she meets Alex, the guy in the room next door. They don’t kiss under the mistletoe, but there’s still a spark that leaves Jess imagining how they might spend the year together – never mind the house rule against dating… But when Jess returns from her Christmas holiday, she finds Alex has started seeing Emma, who lives on the floor above them. Now Jess faces a year of bumping into the man of her dreams – and, apparently, the woman of his. Jess is determined to move on and spend the year falling in love with London, not Alex – but what if her heart has other ideas? Everyone is falling for We Met in December… ‘Bridget Jones meets Love Actually – the PERFECT Christmas story and I loved, loved, loved it’ Cathy Bramley ‘Like putting on your favourite Christmas jumper: cosy, heartwarming and gorgeously romantic’ Holly Martin ‘Effortlessly capturing the magic of Christmas, this brilliantly characterised and light-hearted read is the perfect choice to add a little romance into those dark winter days’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A perfect festive hug of a book. It’s packed with brilliant characters, beautiful settings, warm humour and a love story guaranteed to steal your heart. I absolutely adored this clever, wonderful story. Get ready to meet your new favourite author!’ Miranda Dickinson ‘Just what everyone needs right now – a gorgeously warm and uplifting story full of romance’ Alex Brown

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A BAND OF REBELS.A TRAITOR IN THEIR MIDST.A REVOLUTION ABOUT TO BEGIN.It's been three years since Aren seized the Ember Blade. Three years since they struck the spark they hoped would ignite the revolution. But the flame has failed to catch. The Krodans have crushed Ossia in an iron grip of terror. The revolution seems further away than ever.Far in the north, the Dawnwardens seek to unite the fractious clans of the Fell Folk and create a stronghold from which to retake their land. But even if they can overcome the danger of treachery from within, they still have to contend with the dreadknights. Only the druidess Vika can resist these near-unstoppable foes, and there's only one of her.But what if there was a weapon that could destroy the dreadknights? A weapon of such power it could turn the tide? A weapon that, if it fell into the wrong hands, might mean the end of all hope?The Shadow Casket has returned from out of the past, and it will save or damn them all.'The Ember Blade is Lord of the Rings for the modern generation - an epic world full of history, depth and adventure' Ed McDonald, author of Daughter of Redwinter'Absolutely awesome' Netgalley reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Full of action, heart, humor, and an expansive cast of endearing characters that I didn't want to leave behind. One of my favorite reads of the year' Novel Notions, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'An absolutely brilliant epic fantasy read. It has everything that I want in a fantasy novel; a brilliant world to explore, characters that I both love and hate and a plot that twists and turns' Netgalley reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Spark your creativity and hone your drawing skills with this comprehensive art book for beginners—which includes interactive lessons and fun practice pages! Join master artists Katy Lipscomb and Tyler Fisher as they guide you step-by-step through the art-making process. Using their Sketching Formula, anyone from beginners to experienced artists can improve their drawing abilities, expand their imagination, and achieve their creative potential. Filled with tips, tricks, and techniques, this interactive workbook guides you through a vast array of artistic approaches while inspiring your unique style. From comprehensive lessons that cover the basics of art theory to unique practice prompts that will get your creative juices flowing, The Artist's Drawing Book will teach you: The fundamentals of art, like perspective, shading, composition, and colour theory—all broken down into easy-to-digest lessons Tips for avoiding common beginner mistakes, so you can confidently sketch any subjects Tricks for realistic texture, blending, and shading, no matter if you're working with professional-grade coloured pencils or a cheap ballpoint pen Techniques for mixing mediums so you can be limitless when creating your artwork How to view the world like a true artist, so you can overcome creative block and find artistic inspiration wherever you go ...and many more invaluable tips and tricks! If you're ready to start drawing as you learn how to develop your artistic abilities, The Artist's Drawing Book will encourage hands-on action to help you bring your artistic dreams to fruition. Also features: Premium 140 gsm paper—perfect for testing out your new art skills A sturdy hardcover with layflat design Interactive activities so you can draw alongside each lesson More than 200 pages of content Over 700 inspiring illustrations Valuable tips, tricks, and insights from the pros Creative prompts, ideas, and inspiration Suitable for all skill levels

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Nominated for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best SeriesMartha Wells returns to the Raksura with a pair of brand-new novellas!In “The Falling World,” Jade, sister queen of the Indigo Cloud Court, has traveled with Chime and Balm to another Raksuran court. When she fails to return, her consort, Moon, along with Stone and a party of warriors and hunters, must track them down. Finding them turns out to be the easy part; freeing them from an ancient trap hidden in the depths of the Reaches is much more difficult.“The Tale of Indigo and Cloud” explores the history of the Indigo Cloud Court, long before Moon was born. In the distant past, Indigo stole Cloud from Emerald Twilight. But in doing so, the reigning Queen Cerise and Indigo are now poised for a conflict that could spark war throughout all the courts of the Reaches.Stories of Moon and the shape changers of Raksura have delighted readers for years. This world is a dangerous place full of strange mysteries, where the future can never be taken for granted and must always be fought for with wits and ingenuity, and often tooth and claw. With two brand-new novellas, Martha Wells shows that the world of the Raksura has many more stories to tell . . .Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

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From the creators of the groundbreaking documentary comes the New York Times bestselling diet plan Sanjay Gupta called “the prescription you need to live a long, healthy life”—a plan to transition to a delicious whole-foods, plant-based diet in just twenty-eight days.The trailblazing film Forks Over Knives helped spark a medical and nutritional revolution. Backed by scientific research, the film’s doctors and expert researchers made a radical but convincing case that modern diseases can be prevented and often reversed by leaving meat, dairy, and highly refined foods off the plate and adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet instead. Now, The Forks Over Knives Plan shows you how to put this life-saving, delicious diet into practice in your own life. This easy-to-follow, meal-by-meal makeover is the approach Doctors Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman (featured in the documentary) use every day in their nutritional health practice—a simple plan that focuses on hearty comfort foods and does not involve portion control or worrying about obtaining single nutrients like protein and calcium. In just four short weeks you’ll learn how to stock your refrigerator, plan meals, combat cravings, and discover all the tips and tricks you’ll need to eat on the go and snack healthily. You’ll also get 100 simple, tasty recipes to keep you on the right track, beautiful photographs, a 28-day eating guide, and advice throughout the book from people just like you. Whether you’re already a convert and just want a dietary reboot, or you’re trying a plant-based diet for the first time, The Forks Over Knives Plan makes it easier than ever to transition to this healthiest way of eating…and to maintain it for life.

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“Whether you're leading an advertising agency, a Fortune 500 company, a middle school, or a political movement, you need to read this book.” —Daniel H. Pink, author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing In one of the most original books of its kind ever written, Patrick Hanlon explains how the most powerful brands create a community of believers, revealing the seven components that will help every company and marketer capture the public imagination—and seize a bigger slice of the pie.What is the magic glue that adheres consumers to Google, Mini Cooper, and Oprah, but not to others? Why do many brands with great product innovation, perfect locations, terrific customer experiences, and breakthrough advertising fail to get the same visceral traction in the marketplace that brands like Apple, Starbucks, or Nike have? After years of working with famous brands like Absolut, Ford Motor Company, LEGO, Disney, Montblanc, Sara Lee, and others, Patrick Hanlon, senior advertising executive and founder of Thinktopia, decided to find the answers. His search revealed seven definable assets that together construct the belief system that lies behind every successful brand, whether it's a product, service, city, personality, social cause, or movement. In Primalbranding, Hanlon explores those seven components, known as the primal code, and shows how to use and combine them to create a community of believers in which the consumer develops a powerful emotional attachment to the brand. These techniques work for everyone involved in creating and selling an image, from marketing managers to social advocates to business leaders seeking to increase customer preference for new or existing products. Primalbranding presents a world of new possibilities for everyone trying to spark public appeal—and the opportunity to move from being just another product on the shelf to becoming a desired and necessary part of the culture.

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Winner of the Eleanor Maccoby Book Award“This engaging and well-written book is a significant advance in our understanding of when and how mentoring matters…[It] lays the foundations for an approach to mentoring that is both rigorous and rich in new ideas.”—Robert D. Putnam, author of Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis“Rhodes forces us to slam the brakes on ineffective practices and improve an industry that is devoted to the potential of our nation’s children…The author’s concrete recommendations will create new pathways to opportunity for youth in greatest need.”—Michael D. Smith, Executive Director, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance“A powerful assessment of what is needed to best help young people today.”—Pam Iorio, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaYouth mentoring is one of the most popular forms of volunteering in the world today, but does it work? Drawing on over thirty years of research and her own experience in the field, Jean Rhodes reveals that most mentoring programs fail to deliver what young people actually need. Many prioritize building emotional bonds between mentors and mentees. But research shows that effective programs go far beyond this, developing specific social, emotional, and intellectual skills.Most mentoring programs rely on volunteers, who rarely have the training to teach these skills. Their one-size-fits-all models struggle to meet the diverse needs of mentees, and rarely take account of the psychological effects of poverty on children. Rhodes doesn’t think we should give up on mentoring—far from it. Instead, she recommends “organic” mentorship opportunities—in schools, youth sports leagues, and community organizations—and shares specific approaches that can spark meaningful change in young people’s lives.

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Rene Descartes is best known as the man who coined the phrase "I think, therefore I am." But though he is remembered most as a thinker, Descartes, the man, was no disembodied mind, theorizing at great remove from the worldly affairs and concerns of his time. Far from it. As a young nobleman, Descartes was a soldier and courtier who took part in some of the greatest events of his generation--a man who would not seem out of place in the pages of The Three Musketeers. In The Young Descartes, Harold J. Cook tells the story of a man who did not set out to become an author or philosopher--Descartes began publishing only after the age of forty. Rather, for years he traveled throughout Europe in diplomacy and at war. He was present at the opening events of the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe and Northern Italy, and was also later involved in struggles within France. Enduring exile, scandals, and courtly intrigue, on his journeys Descartes associated with many of the most innovative free thinkers and poets of his day, as well as great noblemen, noblewomen, and charismatic religious reformers. In his personal life he expressed love for men as well as women and was accused of libertinism by his adversaries. These early years on the move, in touch with powerful people and great events, and his experiences with military engineering and philosophical materialism all shaped the thinker and philosopher Descartes became in exile, where he would begin to write and publish, with purpose. But though it is these writings that made ultimately made him famous, The Young Descartes shows that this story of his early life, and the tumultuous times that molded him, are sure to spark a reappraisal of his philosophy and legacy.

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Earth-Saving Acts for Eco-Warriors is an empowering guide to living more sustainably with practical advice for fighting climate change. The worlds climate is changing, and its affecting the planet. The destruction of natural habitats and the rise in pollution are just some of the issues faced today. If you are someone who cares for nature and is worried about the environment, you might be wondering what you can do to help. Filled with useful information, inspiring articles, and sustainable ideas and projects, this Eco handbook gives you a wide range of ways to make a positive contribution to your community and the wider world. Find out how to make a difference, learn valuable skills, meet like-minded people, and gain experiences to remember. Are you ready to be part of the action rather than watching from the sidelines? You have what it takes to be an eco-warrior! Being an eco-warrior can mean many things: that you care about the environment, love the creatures who share Earth with us, or appreciate nature's gifts. Maybe you want future generations to enjoy our planet's beauty and resources. Whatever your interpretation, this guide will help you live a green lifestyle, make environmentally responsible choices, and encourage others to join in too. Short essays offer advice on how to practice and advocate for sustainable living, with simple tips for enacting small changes that can make a big difference. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint or switch to a plant-based diet, engage your community by throwing a swap party to save unwanted items from ending up in landfill, and maintain hope by developing strategies to soothe eco-anxiety. If you're looking to take action and spark change, this book gives you the tools to make a difference.

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The tyranny of the gods is absolute, and they are capricious, malevolent and almost all-powerful, playing cruel games with the fates of mortals for their own ends . . .A vibrant and powerful epic set against an alternate Bronze Age, this tale of gods, men and monsters, conspiracy and war, is a rich, compelling and original read from a master of the historical and fantasy genres. The people caught up in toils of the gods are merely trying to survive. Victims of vicious whims, trapped by their circumstances or pushed beyond what the mortal frame can bear, a handful of god-touched mortals - a scribe, a warlord, a dancer and a child - are about to be brought together in a conspiracy of their own.A conspiracy to reach the heavens, and take down the corrupt and aging gods . . . who are already facing troubles of their own . . .An epic which draws on the Greek mythology of gods and heroes, this new trilogy is a must read for fans of Dan Simmons and Madeline Miller alike.Praise for Miles Cameron:'Utterly, utterly brilliant. A masterclass in how to write modern fantasy - world building, characters, plot and pacing, all perfectly blended. Miles Cameron is at the top of his game' John Gwynne, author of The Faithful and the Fallen series'Cold Iron is fantastic. It shimmers like a well-honed sword blade' Anna Smith Spark, author of The Court of Broken Knives'Promising historical fantasy debut featuring an expansive cast, an engaging plot, and a detailed eye for combat' The Ranting Dragon on The Red Knight'Literate, intelligent, and well-throughout . . . a pleasingly complex and greatly satisfying novel' SFF World on The Red Knight

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Learn about everything in the world from animals to art with this book of extraordinary figures and number-based facts for children aged 9-12!DK's cool compendium puts the fun back into learning, taking children on a number crunching journey around the wonders of our world. With zillions of fun figures at your fingertips, you are sure to expand your horizons and impress your friends with incredible statistics! Ever wondered how many stone blocks there are in the Great Pyramids at Giza? How long it takes to put on a spacesuit? Or what percentage of your brain you really use? Well look no further! This world fact book will keep both you and the kids entertained, arming you with nuggets of number knowledge and memorable information proving that data doesn't have to be boring. Tuck into a feast of fantastic figures and you will find:-More than 1,000 astonishing facts, divided into six thematic chapters-Over 80 topics encompassing earth, space, history, technology and more-Eye-catching double page spreads, including stunning photographs and graphics for every topic-Fun and surprising information to engage children in the world around themHow Big? How small? How many? How fast? Satisfying the most inquisitive minds, this trivia book for children provides the answers to those questions you've always wondered about, while offering fresh facts to stretch the imagination. Did you know, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building with 160 floors?Or that the sperm whale can hold its breath underwater for an average duration of 90 minutes? From spectacular stars to ingenious inventions and extravagant fashion, the vast array of topics will spark curiosity in even the most reluctant readers, setting you on a fact-filled journey of discovery! So what are you waiting for?

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Peter Adamson explores the rich intellectual history of the Byzantine Empire and the Italian Renaissance. Peter Adamson presents an engaging and wide-ranging introduction to the thinkers and movements of two great intellectual cultures: Byzantium and the Italian Renaissance. First he traces the development of philosophy in the Eastern Christian world, from such early figures as John of Damascus in the eighth century to the late Byzantine scholars of the fifteenth century. He introduces major figures like Michael Psellos, Anna Komnene, and Gregory Palamas, and examines the philosophical significance of such cultural phenomena as iconoclasm and conceptions of gender. We discover the little-known traditions of philosophy in Syriac, Armenian, and Georgian. These chapters also explore the scientific, political, and historical literature of Byzantium. There is a close connection to the second half of the book, since thinkers of the Greek East helped to spark the humanist movement in Italy. Adamson tells the story of the rebirth of philosophy in Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. We encounter such famous names as Christine de Pizan, Niccolò Machiavelli, Giordano Bruno, and Galileo, but as always in this book series such major figures are read alongside contemporaries who are not so well known, including such fascinating figures as Lorenzo Valla, Girolamo Savonarola, and Bernardino Telesio. Major historical themes include the humanist engagement with ancient literature, the emergence of women humanists, the flowering of Republican government in Renaissance Italy, the continuation of Aristotelian and scholastic philosophy alongside humanism, and breakthroughs in science. All areas of philosophy, from theories of economics and aesthetics to accounts of the human mind, are featured. This is the sixth volume of Adamson's History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, taking us to the threshold of the early modern era.

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The first essay collection from one of the most acclaimed writers of our time. ‘This trenchant, unrepentant collection reminds you that she’s a brilliant writer… Order a copy in case she’s cancelled by Christmas’ THE TIMES (Book of the Year) ‘You may disagree with Lionel Shriver’s bracing journalism, but her right to spark disquiet goes to the heart of the freedom of expression issue’ Rachel Cooke, OBSERVER ‘Mutinous essays about modern politics and culture… An independent mind and a sense of humour are dangerous things to possess. The spiky, politically incorrect novelist Lionel Shriver has them in abundance’ THE TIMES ‘Testament to the fierce intelligence of a writer who wants us to think more, probe more, challenge more — and who also makes it fun’ THE SUNDAY TIMES Novelist, cultural observer and social satirist Lionel Shriver is among the sharpest talents of our age. A writer who embraces ‘under-expressed, unpopular or downright dangerous’ points of view, she regularly deplores the conformity of thought and attitude that has overtaken society. Bringing together thirty-five works curated from her many columns, features, essays and op-eds for the likes of the Spectator and Guardian, speeches and reviews, and some unpublished pieces, Abominations reveals Shriver at her most iconoclastic and personal. Relentlessly sceptical, cutting and contrarian but also frequently moving and vulnerable, this collection showcases her piquant opinions on a wide range of topics, including religion, politics, illness, mortality, family and friends, tennis, gender, immigration, consumerism, health care and taxes. Though some of the more divisive essays in Abominations have ‘brought hell and damnation down on my head,’ as she cheerfully explains, she also offers insights on her novels and explores the perks and pitfalls of becoming a successful artist. Readers will find plenty to challenge them here, but they may also find many nuanced and considered insights with which they agree.

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'Heart-warming and full of hope. I loved it' HEIDI SWAIN, Sunday Times bestselling author'The most beautiful, heart-warming story. Gorgeously cosy, uplifting . . . utterly lovely book' HOLLY MARTIN, bestselling author of Christmas at Mistletoe CoveEscape to the mountains and fall in love this Christmas . . . Alice Bright has a great life. She has a job she adores, a devoted family and friends she'd lay down her life for. But when tragedy strikes, she finds her whole world turned upside down. Enter, Bear, a fluffy, lovable - and rapidly growing! - puppy searching for a home. Bear may be exactly what Alice needs to rekindle her spark, but a London flat is no place for a mountain dog, and soon Alice and Bear find themselves on a journey to the snow-topped mountains of Switzerland in search of a new beginning. Amidst the warming log fires, cosy cafes and stunning views, Alice finds her heart slowly beginning to heal. But will new friends and a charming next door neighbour be enough to help Alice fall in love with life once more? Filled with winter markets, falling snow and heart-warming seasonal romance, this is the perfect festive treat for fans of Sarah Morgan and Heidi Swain'Dogs + snow + romance = Sunday afternoon bliss!' Fabulous'A warm, beautiful read full of hope and friendship - of both the two-legged and the four-legged kind' Laura Bambrey, author of The Beginners Guide to LonelinessReal readers love A Season in the Snow:'Will warm the cockles of any frozen heart and fill you with the joy magic and sparkle of the festive season.' *****'Perfect escapism from rainy England!' Bee Books Beauty Blog'This is the perfect Christmas book for the dog lover in your life!' *****'I loved this book and the way it made me feel so cosy and wintery.' *****

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As schools reopen their doors and students return to the classroom, what will the “new normal” of special education look like? The pandemic exposed educational inequities and areas of urgent need—and now, schools have a unique opportunity to press pause and reimagine their practices. This book helps K–12 school leaders and educators take the lessons of the COVID-19 era and turn them into action: by closely examining what worked during distance learning, letting go of practices that keep some students struggling, and planning new routines and environments that meet the needs of every learner.A visionary call to action from inclusion experts Jenna Mancini Rufo and Julie Causton, Reimagining Special Education guides readers in creating more equitable schools and services, through practical strategies teachers can use right away and thought-provoking, big-picture questions for administrators to tackle. Readers will explore how inclusive educational practices can address each student’s unique needs as schools reopen and bridge learning gaps for students who struggle. Throughout the book, vignettes and anecdotes spark lightbulb moments for educators and show what recommended practices look like in real classrooms.Essential reading for administrators, classroom teachers, and other education professionals, this is the forward-thinking guide every school needs to reimagine the possibilities for special education, support authentic inclusion, and help learners with and without disabilities thrive in a changing world.DISCOVER HOW TO: Re-story students by focusing on their gifts and strengths rather than their deficits Redesign instruction and assessment to be more flexible and better meet students’ unique needs Restructure intervention frameworks to move away from sorting and labeling students and toward a flexible model that provides access to all Revitalize co-teaching with tools and strategies for serving students with and without disabilities Realign service delivery through inclusion facilitation and consultative supports Rethink equity by creating a culture of belonging, dismantling exclusionary programs, and tackling individual and institutional biases

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“River Mumma is a love letter to culture, home, and coming of age—and will spark important, relevant book club conversations, too.” —Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of Lucky Issa Rae’s Insecure with a magical realist spin: River Mumma is an exhilarating contemporary fantasy novel about a young Black woman who navigates her quarter-life-crisis while embarking on a mythical quest through the streets of Toronto.Alicia has been out of grad school for months. She has no career prospects and lives with her mom, who won’t stop texting her macabre news stories and reminders to pick up items from the grocery store.Then, one evening, the Jamaican water deity, River Mumma, appears to Alicia, telling her that she has twenty-four hours to scour the city for her missing comb.Alicia doesn’t understand why River Mumma would choose her. She can’t remember all the legends her relatives told her, unlike her retail co-worker Heaven, who can reel off Jamaican folklore by heart. She doesn’t know if her childhood visions have returned, or why she feels a strange connection to her other co-worker Mars. But when the trio are chased down by malevolent spirits called duppies, they realize their tenuous bonds to each other may be their only lifelines. With the clock ticking, Alicia’s quest through the city broadens into a journey through time—to find herself and what the river carries.Energetic and invigorating, River Mumma is a vibrant exploration of diasporic community and ancestral ties, and a homage to Jamaican storytelling by one of the most invigorating voices in today’s literature.“This quirky, fizzy, charming debut surprises and amuses. Reid-Benta writes beautifully, drawing on Caribbean mythologies to create a fast paced and entertaining tale. It's rare to find a novel written with such humour and heart.” —T. L. Huchu, USA Today Bestselling author of The Library of the Dead

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DESCRIPTION The modern "data center" is a complex arena, with physical and virtual servers, multiple OS environments, and complex networking that frequently spans multiple locations. The need to simplify has never been greater. Mesos, an innovative open-source cluster management platform, transforms the whole data center into a single pool of compute, memory, and storage resources that can be allocated, automated, and scaled as if working with a single super-computer. Mesos is an ideal environment for deploying containerized applications at scale, and it's generating a huge buzz in the big data world as a saner environment for running Spark and Hadoop. Mesos in Action introduces the Apache Mesos cluster manager and the concept of application-centric infrastructure. It guides readers from their first steps in deploying a highly-available Mesos cluster through deploying applications in production and writing native Mesos frameworks. It will show how to scale to thousands of nodes, while providing resource isolation between processes using Linux and Docker containers. It contains practical techniques for deploying applications using popular key frameworks, including Marathon, Chronos, and Aurora. Along the way, the book dives into Mesos internals, including fault tolerance, slave attributes, and resource scheduling and Mesos administration, including logging, monitoring, framework authorization, and slave recovery. KEY FEATURES  Gets readers up and running quickly  Covers need to know key concepts  Combines community knowledge with real-world experience AUDIENCE Readers should be familiar with the core ideas of data center administration, including networking, virtualization, and application deployment on Linux systems. The Python-based code examples should be clear to readers using Mesos bindings for other popular languages, including C++, Go, and Scala. ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY Apache Mesos is clustering software that allows IT professionals to abstract datacenter resources – CPU, memory, and storage – away from physical and virtual infrastructure and into a Mesos cluster. This allows software developers to write applications that use entire data centers as if they were a single, large computer.

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Since its creation in 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has become the most heavily visited of all our national parks, with yearly visitation sometimes surpassing 10 million people. As the national park system celebrated its centennial in 2016, Ben Anderson decided to explore and closely observe, across the seasons, as much of the nation’s most popular national park as practicable during the year. On the three or four hikes he took each month, he revisited a number of trails familiar to him from previous excursions as a Smokies backcountry volunteer for more than 20 years. To many, the Smokies are among the loveliest and most interesting mountains anywhere, favored by a remarkable biodiversity. Anderson offers observations on natural and human history, mountain culture, geography, geology, flora and fauna. The book also deftly blends the personal with the universal in a compelling mix of entries from the backcountry. Although this book can be used as a helpful trail guide, it also provides a fresh look and an engaging narrative about our most heavily visited national park through the eyes and ears of a lifelong devotee. Ben Anderson was media relations director at Warren Wilson College from 1997 to 2015. Before that he was assistant professor of mass communications at Florida Southern College. He worked on the staffs of The Asheville Times, the Waynesville Mountaineer, Greensboro News & Record, Athens Banner-Herald, Atlanta Journal, and Athens Daily News. He has been a backcountry volunteer for Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 20 years. He now does marketing and public relations work for the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation in Asheville. A native of Atlanta, he lives in Asheville, NC. "For those who want a more strenuous experience, this book will probably spark the desire to lace up the hiking boots and head deep into the backcountry. At the very least, the book should provide a deeper appreciation for the exceptional beauty and biodiversity in this distinctive national treasure." —WNC Woman

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Discover your next read with this carefully curated list from We Need Diverse Books. Check out 100 must-read books to try before you're 12! Packed with reviews, recommendations, and exclusive author interviews, The Reading Adventure: 100 Books To Check Out Before You're 12 will inspire young readers to discover a diverse range of books beyond the curriculum. From mystery to autobiography, the book is organised by genre, so you can jump to the section that interests you the most. Each entry has a key theme box so you can immediately see if the book is something you'll enjoy. Helpful signposts lead readers to another book the author thinks they'll enjoy. Hidden gems, award-winners, classics, and current bestsellers are brought to life by vibrant illustrations. There's truly something for everyone!Vibrant and educational, you can explore:- 15 exclusive author interviews, including Jason Reynolds, Meg Medina and Linda Sue Park.- Organized by genre and theme, so the reader can find a book based on their interests.- Discover 100 book recommendations aimed at 7-12 year olds with vibrant and fun illustrations.- Running categories organized by interest and theme.- Endmatter includes writing activities, and an index.- Bold original illustrations by a range of artists bring the books to life.Developed in collaboration with We Need Diverse Books - a non-profit with a mission to create a world where everyone can find themselves in the pages of a book - young readers can explore a variety of awe-inspiring and thought-provoking books, with titles including: High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson, A Kind of Spark, by Elle McNicoll, From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, Front Desk by Kelly Yang, and many more. Ideal for caregivers and gift givers of both voracious and reluctant readers within the 7-12 age group, as well as caregivers of neurodivergent children, children with a disability, and children of color seeking greater representation in literature.

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The number one Wall Street Journal Business Book Bestseller and Top 10 New York Times Bestseller‘A must-read for anyone who wants to start a business, grow a business, or be inspired by those who do’ – Adam Grant, author of Originals Based on the highly acclaimed NPR podcast, How I Built This with Guy Raz, his book offers priceless insights and inspiration from the world’s top entrepreneurs on how to start, launch and build a successful venture. Great ideas often come from a simple spark: a football player on the New Zealand national team notices all the unused wool his country produces and figures out a way to turn it into shoes (Allbirds). A former Buddhist monk decides the very best way to spread his mindfulness teachings is by launching an app (Headspace). A sandwich cart vendor finds a way to reuse leftover pita bread and turns it into a multimillion-dollar business (Stacy’s Pita Chips). Award-winning podcast creator Guy Raz has interviewed more than 200 highly successful innovators from across the world, from the founders of Five Guys, Airbnb and Bumble to James Dyson and Reed Hastings of Netflix, to uncover amazing true stories like these. In How I Built This, he shares tips for every entrepreneur’s journey: from the early days of formulating your idea, to raising money and recruiting employees, to finding your market and, finally, to paying yourself a real salary. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting their own business or wondered how trail-blazing go-getters made their own dreams a reality. ‘These stories of founders and their companies are told with the same energy and openness it takes to be an entrepreneur’ – Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup ‘Guy Raz is supremely himself in this guide for aspiring entrepreneurs: brilliantly perceptive, incessantly curious, infectiously energetic and above all, a master storyteller’ – Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

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¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life celebrates the power of adding more green to your life with 30 simple and budget-friendly gardening projects that promote well-being through plants. From Puerto Rican author and gardening celebrity, Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago of Agrochic.com, a Spanish-language gardening lifestyle platform, comes this guide to forming a lifelong love of nature, plants, and gardening. Verdura means “greenery” in Spanish, but also refers to any edible plant from the garden. Throughout this book, verdura is used as both a description and an aspiration—it’s all about adding more verdura to your daily life! Perfect for beginners and expert gardeners alike, turning the practice of tending plants into a healthy lifestyle has never been easier. It takes many repetitions to form a habit, and the goal is to use the 30 projects found here to transform the initial spark of joy plants create into a healthy habit that enhances your life in many ways. Indoor and outdoor projects are included, many of which are perfect for small spaces and urban environments. In addition to offering plant-related wellness tips, personal stories of her own garden evolution, and advice on how tending plants can improve both physical and mental health, Perla offers clear step-by-step guidance on project creation. Some of the projects you’ll find inside include: Creating a container planting that appeals to a 13-year-old version of yourself Making a meditation garden or a private healing nook Planting a barefoot garden Performing a quick and easy garden makeover Compiling a garden-tainment kit Upcycling common discards to create a propagation station, a swinging planter, and a birdbath Organizing your garden legacy using a basic guide Also included are alternative plant charts if you’re the kind of gardener who likes lots of plant choices, and section openers that offer a small glimpse of gardening life on the island of Puerto Rico.Green-up your life to reduce stress and add joy with help from ¡Verdura!

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Drawing explicit lines, across time and a broad spectrum of violent acts, to provide the definitive field guide for understanding and opposing white supremacy in America Hate, racial violence, exclusion, and racist laws receive breathless media coverage, but such attention focuses on distinct events that gain our attention for twenty-four hours. The events are presented as episodic one-offs, unfortunate but uncanny exceptions perpetrated by lone wolves, extremists, or individuals suffering from mental illness—and then the news cycle moves on. If we turn to scholars and historians for background and answers, we often find their knowledge siloed in distinct academic subfields, rarely connecting current events with legal histories, nativist insurgencies, or centuries of misogynist, anti-Black, anti-Latino, anti-Asian, and xenophobic violence. But recent hateful actions are deeply connected to the past—joined not only by common perpetrators, but by the vast complex of systems, histories, ideologies, and personal beliefs that comprise white supremacy in the United States. Gathering together a cohort of researchers and writers, A Field Guide to White Supremacy provides much-needed connections between violence present and past. This book illuminates the career of white supremacist and patriarchal violence in the United States, ranging across time and impacted groups in order to provide a working volume for those who wish to recognize, understand, name, and oppose that violence. The Field Guide is meant as an urgent resource for journalists, activists, policymakers, and citizens, illuminating common threads in white supremacist actions at every scale, from hate crimes and mass attacks to policy and law. Covering immigration, antisemitism, gendered violence, lynching, and organized domestic terrorism, the authors reveal white supremacy as a motivating force in manifold parts of American life. The book also offers a sampling of some of the most recent scholarship in this area in order to spark broader conversations between journalists and their readers, teachers and their students, and activists and their communities. A Field Guide to White Supremacy will be an indispensable resource in paving the way for politics of alliance in resistance and renewal.

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The creative programs shared in this book vividly demonstrate the ways in which library programming can make communities stronger and more resilient by creating lifelong learners, fostering conversation, and forging connections. From the moment the pandemic took hold in Spring 2020, libraries and library workers have demonstrated their fortitude and flexibility by adapting to physical closures, social distancing guidelines, and a host of other challenges. Despite the obstacles, they've been able to stay connected to their communities-and helped connect the people in their communities to each other, as well as to the information and services they need and enjoy. Ostman and ALA's Public Programs Office (PPO) here present a handpicked cross-section of successful programs, most of them virtual, from a range of different libraries. Featuring events designed to support learning, spark conversation, create connection, or simply entertain, the ideas here will inspire programming staff to try similar offerings at their own libraries. Showcasing innovation in action as well as lessons learned, programs include COVID-19 Misinformation Challenge, featuring an email quiz, to encourage participants to separate fact from fiction; weekly virtual storytimes; community cooking demonstrations via Zoom; an online grocery store tour, complete with tips about shopping healthy on a budget; a virtual beer tasting that boasted 80 attendees; socially distanced "creativity crates" for summer reading; an online Minecraft club for kids ages 6 and up; a Zoom presentation about grieving and funerals during COVID, featuring the director of a local funeral home; Art Talk Tuesday, a one-hour, docent-led program; a virtual lecture on the history of witchcraft, presented by a public library in partnership with a university rare book room, that drew thousands of viewers; "knitting for knewbies" kits for curbside pickup; Songs from the Stacks, an ongoing virtual concert series in the style of NPR's "Tiny Desk"; and a pink supermoon viewing party that included people howling at the moon together from their homes on Facebook Live.

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Refreshed, updated, and expanded. Do More Faster provides time-tested advice, tips, and experiences by founders and mentors of Techstars to help entrepreneurs succeed! David Cohen and Brad Feld, leading advocates for entrepreneurs and startups, team up to provide first-time entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and experiences to help them do more faster. The authors share their decades of experience working with thousands of startup founders and have enlisted the advice of dozens of Techstars startup founders and mentors. Contributors include Tim Ferriss, Eric Ries, Matt Mullenweg (WordPress), Isaac Saldana (SendGrid), and other successful entrepreneurs. Co-founders of Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, Cohen and Feld recognize the daunting task of creating a sustainable business and have seen first-hand the common mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make over and over. The authors take the complexity and uncertainty of starting a business and distill the critical factors into seven themes: Ideas and Vision, People, Working Effectively, Product, Fundraising, Legal and Structure, and Work and Life Harmony. They share their hard-won successes, failures, and advice for anyone with an idea who wants to create a business. Throughout the book crucial questions are raised and addressed from multiple perspectives. ● How important is it to have an original idea? ● How is founder conflict handled? ● What are the tradeoffs between bootstrapping and financing? Make-or-break decisions like company structure, hiring, and legal consequences are presented in an easy-to-understand style. Do More Faster will elevate your thinking on a range of important topics, help you avoid costly mistakes, and provide you with a resource to consult as you go from idea to successful business. If you have the drive and desire to start a business, need to create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in your community, or want to spark greater innovation in your organization—don’t go it alone. Use the advice, tips, and tactics found throughout Do More Faster to give yourself the best chance of succeeding.

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This is a must-have for anyone interested in achieving better performance through car modification!So you want to turn your Yugo into a Viper? Sorry--you need a certified magician. But if you want to turn your sedate sedan into a mean machine or your used car lot deal into a powerful, purring set of wheels, you’ve come to the right place. Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies will get you turbo-charged up about modifying your car and guide you smoothly through: Choosing a car to mod Considering warranties, legal, and safety issues Hacking the ECU (Engine Control Unit) to adjust performance-enhancing factors like fuel injection, firing the spark plugs, controlling the cooling fan, and more Replacing your ECU with a plug and play system such as the APEXi Power FC or the AEM EMS system Putting on the brakes (the faster you go, the faster you’ll need to stop) Setting up your car for better handling and cornering Written by David Vespremi, automotive expert, frequent guest on national car-related TV shows, track driving instructor and self-proclaimed modder, Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies gets you into the ECU and under the hood and gives you the keys to: Choosing new wheels, including everything from the basics to dubs and spinners Putting your car on a diet, because lighter means faster Basic power bolt-ons and more expensive power adders Installing roll bars and cages to enhance safety Adding aero add-ons, including front “chin” spoilers, real spoilers, side skirts, and canards Detailing, down to the best cleaners and waxes and cleaning under the hood Using OBD (on-board diagnostics) for troubleshooting Getting advice from general Internet sites and specific message boards and forums for your car’s make or model, whether it’s a Chevy pick-up or an Alfa Romeo roadster Whether you want to compete at drag strips or on road courses or simply accelerate faster on an interstate ramp, if you want to improve your car’s performance, Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies is just the boost you need.

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