Search results for ""planet!""

As countless love songs, movies, and self-help books attest, men and women have long sought different things. The result? Seemingly inevitable conflict. Yet we belong to the most cooperative species on the planet. Isn't there a way we can use this capacity to achieve greater harmony and equality between the sexes? In The War of the Sexes, Paul Seabright argues that there is - but first we must understand how the tension between conflict and cooperation developed in our remote evolutionary past, how it shaped the modern world, and how it still holds us back, both at home and at work. Drawing on biology, sociology, anthropology, and economics, Seabright shows that conflict between the sexes is, paradoxically, the product of cooperation. The evolutionary niche - the long dependent childhood - carved out by our ancestors requires the highest level of cooperative talent. But it also gives couples more to fight about. Men and women became experts at influencing one another to achieve their cooperative ends, but also became trapped in strategies of manipulation and deception in pursuit of sex and partnership. In early societies, economic conditions moved the balance of power in favor of men, as they cornered scarce resources for use in the sexual bargain. Today, conditions have changed beyond recognition, yet inequalities between men and women persist, as the brains, talents, and preferences we inherited from our ancestors struggle to deal with the unpredictable forces unleashed by the modern information economy. Men and women today have an unprecedented opportunity to achieve equal power and respect. But we need to understand the mixed inheritance of conflict and cooperation left to us by our primate ancestors if we are finally to escape their legacy.

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How corporate denial harms our world and continues to threaten our future. Corporations faced with proof that they are hurting people or the planet have a long history of denying evidence, blaming victims, complaining of witch hunts, attacking their critics’ motives, and otherwise rationalizing their harmful activities. Denial campaigns have let corporations continue dangerous practices that cause widespread suffering, death, and environmental destruction. And, by undermining social trust in science and government, corporate denial has made it harder for our democracy to function. Barbara Freese, an environmental attorney, confronted corporate denial years ago when cross-examining coal industry witnesses who were disputing the science of climate change. She set out to discover how far from reality corporate denial had led society in the past and what damage it had done. Her resulting, deeply-researched book is an epic tour through eight campaigns of denial waged by industries defending the slave trade, radium consumption, unsafe cars, leaded gasoline, ozone-destroying chemicals, tobacco, the investment products that caused the financial crisis, and the fossil fuels destabilizing our climate. Some of the denials are appalling (slave ships are festive). Some are absurd (nicotine is not addictive). Some are dangerously comforting (natural systems prevent ozone depletion). Together they reveal much about the group dynamics of delusion and deception. Industrial-Strength Denial delves into the larger social dramas surrounding these denials, including how people outside the industries fought back using evidence and the tools of democracy. It also explores what it is about the corporation itself that reliably promotes such denial, drawing on psychological research into how cognition and morality are altered by tribalism, power, conflict, anonymity, social norms, market ideology, and of course, money. Industrial-Strength Denial warns that the corporate form gives people tremendous power to inadvertently cause harm while making it especially hard for them to recognize and feel responsible for that harm.

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The next generation internet, the Internet of Things, cannot work without an Internet of Value. The Internet of Value or ValueWeb, for short allows machines to trade with machines and people with people, anywhere on this planet in real-time and for free. The problem is that our old system cannot work that way, as it takes days to process and costs a fortune. Using a combination of technologies from mobile devices, wearables and the bitcoin blockchain, fintech firms are building the ValueWeb regardless. What does that mean for financial institutions, governments and citizens? This book provides the answers. Chris Skinner one of the most authoritative voices on FinTech anywhere has provided us another timely and thoughtful look into the fascinating convergence of technology, e-commerce, and finance that is changing the world. - Seth Wheeler, Former Economics Advisor to the US President and The White House Skinner's ValueWeb is a sweeping and well-researched analysis of the big technology trends that will shake the windows and rattle the walls of the industry -Don Tapscott, Best Selling Author This book will be an invaluable read for all interested in the way business works.- Sir Roger Gifford, Former Lord Mayor of LondonBest insight into money in the 3rd industrial revolution, aka the digital revolution, you will read.-Lawrence Wintermeyer, CEO Innovate FinanceThis is another must-read, not only for those interested in the world of FinTech, but anyone wanting to get a glimpse of a future where monetary and non-monetary transfers occur instantaneously across mobile and digital networks.-Jim Marous, The Financial Brand/Digital Banking ReportChris has a great eye for the case studies and practical examples of innovation that help you to really reflect on where banking is going.-David Birch, Director Consult Hyperion

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Covering diverse species from garter snakes to Komodo dragons, this book delves into the evolutionary origins and fascinating details of the mysterious social lives of reptiles.Reptiles have been too often dismissed as dull animals with tiny brains and simple, "asocial" lives. In reality, reptiles engage in a remarkable diversity of complex social behavior. They can live in families; communicate with one another while still in the egg; and hunt, feed, migrate, court, mate, nest, and hatch in groups. In The Secret Social Lives of Reptiles, J. Sean Doody, Vladimir Dinets, and Gordon M. Burghardt—three of the world's leading experts on reptiles—bring together a wave of new research with a synthesis of classic studies to produce the only authoritative look at the social behaviors of the most provocative animals on the planet. The book covers turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodilians, and the enigmatic tuatara. Enhanced with dozens of images, it takes readers through a myriad of social interactions, tendencies, and intimacies ranging from fierce territorial battles to delicate paternal care and from promiscuous pairings to monogamous partnerships. This unique text• explains why reptiles have been neglected as subjects of social behavior studies;• provides numerous examples across all major reptilian groups that overturn the false paradigm of "solitary" reptiles; • explores the sensory, genetic, physiological, life history, and other factors underlying social behavior in reptiles; • presents the case that evolutionary "experiments" found among reptiles offer unparalleled opportunities for understanding how and why social behavior evolves in animals; and• identifies new and developing areas of research helping to reshape our view of reptiles.Revealing the secrets of reptilian social relationships through original quantitative research, field studies, laboratory experiments, and careful analysis of the literature, The Secret Social Lives of Reptiles elevates these fascinating animals to key players in the science of behavioral ecology.

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Oh my goodness. Did you ever get to thinking that "down on your luck" isn't just an expression? And that what we need here is a bigger statement? Something that adequately describes the scope of the situation? Like when your ex-wife spends all of her time angrier than a five-dollar pistol at everything on the planet, but mostly at you (well, really only at you, and she brings back your record collection, but she sets fire to it on your porch and the flames spread to your house and that just proves what you've said all along: that she is crazier than a box of frogs. Or when your ninety-year-old stick of a father uses his gnarled up knuckly fingers to apply "the nut twister" on you every chance that he gets. And you haven't been with a woman for a very long time and about the only chance you will ever have of getting laid again is to crawl up a chicken's ass and wait. This shit is dire. Well, what I mean is that "down on your luck" doesn't quite cut it when bad luck has become a way of life. You just have to remember: You can have everything you want in this life. Provided all you want is a stained mattress and a hangover. Skin House is a story about two guys who end up in the same bar they started out in. Maybe they're slightly better off than they were at the start. Or maybe not. One has a girlfriend though. They both have a little extra cash, enough to order nachos whenever they want to without going through their pockets first. They're not dead, and that's something right there. And they're not arrested, which is the quite surprising part.

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From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes a historical novel based on the life of Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist and environmentalist from Kenya.Wangari lives in the lush, green, land of rural Kenya where the soil is perfect for planting, the trees tower into the sky, and the streams are full of mysterious creatures. All day, she plays beneath her favorite fig tree, and at night she gathers around the fire with her family to listen to her mother's stories.Then Wangari grows up and goes away to school, and things start changing at home. Farmers chop down the trees. Landslides bury the stream. The soil becomes overworked and dry, and nothing will grow. People go hungry. After all her studies, Dr. Wangari Maathai realizes there is a simple solution to these problems: plant a forest full of trees.Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest is the story of environmentalist and activist Dr. Wangari Maathai, who became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. It's also a story about the importance of making your voice heard, and using that voice to protect the natural world.This historical fiction chapter book includes additional text on Dr. Wangari Maathai's lasting legacy, as well as educational activities designed to encourage caring for the planet and believing in the power of one.About the Rebel Girls Chapter Book SeriesMeet extraordinary real-life heroines in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls chapter book series! Introducing stories based on the lives of extraordinary women in global history, each stunningly designed chapter book features beautiful illustrations from a female artist as well as bonus activities in the backmatter to encourage kids to explore the various fields in which each of these women thrived. The perfect gift to inspire any young reader!

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The Definitive Guide to Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Palm Beach "This is what divers want. A mapping style and key information presented in a way that really prepares you for each dive site. I expect this book will be the tool that dive shops give to their new divemasters to learn all of the top dive sites quickly." Ocean Frontiers #1 New Release in Scuba Travel Guides For Lonely Planet fans comes a unique and essential scuba, snorkel, and surf travel guide. A great Florida travel book. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of beaches, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other dive spots are ideal for divers, snorkelers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. This guidebook will help you make the most of your time in the city and in the water. Detailed descriptions and map art. Reef Smart catalogues the beaches, surf spots, and dive and snorkel sites in Palm Beach. With the help of Reef Smart’s unique 3D-mapping technology, learn all you need to know about the regions' top dive and snorkel sites. These maps provide useful information such as depths, currents, waves, suggested routes, potential hazards, unique structures and species information. Don’t go diving without it. This indispensable resource will help you plan and execute dives without a hitch. Make sure to pack this guidebook with the rest of your scuba gear. This guidebook provides: The best locations for diving, snorkeling and surfing, and how to access them Detailed 3D maps, graphics and information to help you plan your time in and out of the water Species guide to help you identify and understand the marine creatures you’ll encounter And much more! A unique and comprehensive SCUBA diving book. Also look for Reef Smart Guides Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach; Reef Smart Guides Barbados; and the best selling Reef Smart Guides Bonaire.

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Few cities anywhere are as vibrant, historically rich, and just plain fun as New Orleans. But it’s not a “dummy proof” destination. Too many travelers leave town wondering what all the fuss is about.That doesn’t happen to those carrying this book. Written by long time residents Lavinia Spalding and Tami Fairweather, Frommer’s EasyGuide to New Orleans introduces travelers to the experiences other visitors miss; and has the type of insightful commentary on the iconic sights that brings them to life. The book includes special sections for those who are visiting during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest; and day trips to nearby plantations and nature sights. Finally, there’s exact pricing for every item in the book, along with transportation tips, to help make your vacation worry free. Exact pricing and public transportation instructions, so there’s never any guessing Complete information on the city’s legendary nightlife scene (including the places only locals’ know about) Opinionated advice on which attractions and restaurants are worth your time and which can be skipped Detailed info on the city’s lodging options, with frank assessments of what’s worth your vacation budget and what isn’t 16-page photo guide with vibrant photographs Printed in large, easy-to-read type Maps throughout and a handy, full-sized pull-out map About Frommer’s: There’s a reason that Frommer’s has been the most trusted name in travel for more than 65 years. Arthur Frommer created the bestselling guide series in 1957 to help American service members fulfill their dreams of travel in Europe. Since then, we have published thousands of titles, becoming a household name by helping millions upon millions of people realize their own dreams of seeing our planet. Travel is easy with Frommer’s.

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The stat sheet on hemp sounds almost too good to be true: its fibers are among the planet’s strongest, its seed oil the most nutritious, and its potential as an energy source vast and untapped. Its one downside? For nearly a century, it’s been illegal to grow industrial cannabis in the United States–even though Betsy Ross wove the nation’s first flag out of hemp fabric, Thomas Jefferson composed the Declaration of Independence on it, and colonists could pay their taxes with it. But as the prohibition on hemp’s psychoactive cousin winds down, one of humanity’s longest-utilized plants is about to be reincorporated into the American economy. Get ready for the newest billion-dollar industry. In Hemp Bound: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Next Agricultural Revolution, bestselling author Doug Fine embarks on a humorous yet rigorous journey to meet the men and women who are testing, researching, and pioneering hemp’s applications for the twenty-first century. From Denver, where Fine hitches a ride in a hemp-powered limo; to Asheville, North Carolina, where carbon-negative hempcrete-insulated houses are sparking a mini housing boom; to Manitoba where he raps his knuckles on the hood of a hemp tractor; and finally to the fields of east Colorado, where practical farmers are looking toward hemp to restore their agricultural economy—Fine learns how eminently possible it is for this misunderstood plant to help us end dependence on fossil fuels, heal farm soils damaged after a century of growing monocultures, and bring even more taxable revenue into the economy than its smokable relative. Fine’s journey will not only leave you wondering why we ever stopped cultivating this miracle crop, it will fire you up to sow a field of it for yourself, for the nation’s economy, and for the planet.

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Set in a wild and immaculate landscape threatened by industry and environmental degradation, a compassionate and gripping exploration of one of the world’s most baffling mysteries—the existence of the Sasquatch On the central and north coast of British Columbia, the Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, containing more organic matter than any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. The area plays host to a wide range of species, from thousand-year-old western cedars to humpback whales to iconic white Spirit bears. According to local residents, another giant is said to live in these woods. For centuries people have reported encounters with the Sasquatch—a species of hairy bipedal man-apes said to inhabit the deepest recesses of this pristine wilderness. Driven by his own childhood obsession with the creatures, John Zada decides to seek out the diverse inhabitants of this rugged and far-flung coast, where nearly everyone has a story to tell, from a scientist who dedicated his life to researching the Sasquatch, to members of the area’s First Nations, to a former grizzly bear hunter-turned-nature tour guide. With each tale, Zada discovers that his search for the Sasquatch is a quest for something infinitely more complex, cutting across questions of human perception, scientific inquiry, indigenous traditions, the environment, and the power and desire of the human imagination to believe in—or reject—something largely unseen. Teeming with gorgeous nature writing and a driving narrative that takes us through the forests and into the valleys of a remote and seldom visited region, In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond sheds light on what our decades-long pursuit of the Sasquatch can tell us about ourselves and invites us to welcome wonder for the unknown back into our lives.

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Introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the fertile pages of The Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer quickly established himself as one of Marvel’s most far-out characters. Enslaved by Galactus to prowl the cosmos for the demi-god’s next planet-sized meal, the Surfer was as tragic a figure as any in comics—and he looked impossibly cool at the same time! A smash hit with fans and a regular supporting character in Fantastic Four, the character struck a creative nerve with Lee, who couldn’t wait to begin to tell some Surfer solo stories, but the timing had to be right.In the spring of 1968, things came together for both writer and character, with Lee giving the Surfer Marvel’s very first ongoing double-sized book. Lee also recruited artist John Buscema, who had recently been lending his extraordinary pencils to The Avengers. Together, they spun off a run of legendary tales that helped define the character forevermore.The feature stories from the entire 18-issue run of the 1968 Silver Surfer series are collected in this cosmic-sized XXL tome from the Eisner Award-winning Marvel Comics Library series. The most pristine pedigreed comics have been cracked open and photographed for reproduction in close collaboration with Marvel and the Certified Guaranty Company. Each page has been photographed as printed more than half a century ago, then digitally remastered using modern retouching techniques to correct problems with the era’s inexpensive, imperfect printing—as if hot off a world-class 1960s printing press. A custom paper stock was exclusively developed for this series to simulate the feel of the original comics.Texts by author and critic Douglas Wolk and Marvel artist and brother of John Buscema, Sal Buscema, accompany original artwork, photographs, and rare memorabilia. © 2023 MARVEL

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The feeling that it is five minutes to midnight is known to many by now, and is often referred to as the "Doomsday Clock." As the many crises faced by humanity and planet Earth gather and tumble toward an emergency, some have even reduced the time left to two and a half minutes. It is no wonder that we feel increasingly helpless and at a loss what to do.Osho calls Zen not a teaching but an alarm to wake us up, because as individuals we are all deeply asleep, and this sleep has to be shattered. “For centuries, you have been asleep. Sleep has become your nature. You have forgotten what awareness is, what to be awake means.” He wants us to wake up…before it is too late.Zen, more than any other religious or spiritual tradition, is relevant to such times as these, when none of our old approaches to solving problems will do. Immediate, urgent, and direct, Zen is not interested in answers or in questions, not interested in teaching at all, because it is not a philosophy. As Osho begins here, by quoting the great Zen master, Diae: “All the teachings of the sages, of the saints, of the masters, have expounded no more than this: they are commentaries on your sudden cry, ‘Ah, This!’”In this series of talks, Osho unfolds a selection of classic Zen stories and responds to questions. Along the way, we learn how the tools of Zen can be used to embrace uncertainty, to be at ease with not-knowing, to act decisively and with clarity and awareness. To "get woke," in other words, so that we can use each moment between now and midnight for transformation.

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Wake up and reclaim your one wild and precious life. New York Times best-selling author Sarah Wilson shows you how in this radical spiritual guidebook, the book we need NOW! From the New York Times bestselling author of First, We Make the Beast Beautiful 'A brilliantly raw book that reveals the truth of what really matters' - Fearne Cotton broadcaster, presenter, and author of Bigger Than Us: The Power of Finding Meaning in a Messy World 'I've encountered no other book that articulates with so much passion or clarity the unique feeling of this moment in history. This One Wild and Precious Life is the ideal guidebook for our long overdue journey back to nature, to each other, and to sanity in the deepest sense of the word' Oliver Burkeman journalist and author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals We live in truly overwhelming times. The climate crisis, the pandemic, AI advances, conspiracy theories, political polarisation...and the rest...have left many of us in a state of 'spiritual PTSD', feeling disconnected from one another, from our values, from our joy. In this radical spiritual guidebook, New York Times-bestselling author Sarah Wilson puts on her backpack and spends three years hiking around the world - in Jordan, Cornwall, the Lake District, the Australian Outback, Japan the Sierra Nevada and beyond - to find a path through it all. She follows in the footsteps of Nietzsche, Wordsworth and other favourite poets and thinkers, venturing deeper into nature, going to 'spiritual edges' and meeting monks, lovers and renegades along the way. And she emerges with a blueprint for living a wilder, more connected life, and one that must just save our precious life on this planet.

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Who do you trust? Everyone? No one? Some people? Sometimes?Indeed, 'learning to trust is one of life's most difficult lessons,' says #1 New York Times bestselling author Iyanla Vanzant. 'That's because trust is not a verb; it's a noun. Trust is a state of mind and being. If you are serious about learning to trust, you need TNT - Tenacity, Nerve and Time. But what if the real problem is not that we can't trust other people; it's that we can't trust ourselves?' In this compelling volume, filled with illuminating and heartrendingly powerful stories of broken trust, betrayal and triumph, Iyanla demonstrates why the four essential trusts - Trust in Self, Trust in God, Trust in Others and Trust in Life - are like oxygen: without them, none of us can survive. TRUST IN SELF worthy of your own time, energy, attention and love. Trust yourself because when all else fails, when everyone else has fallen by the wayside, you will know that you have always been and will always be there for you. TRUST IN GOD Trust in God because it is your sole purpose for being on the planet. Trust in God because when you cannot do it - whatever it is - for yourself, God can do it through you and for you. TRUST IN OTHERS Trust in others because it is the only way to fine-tune your instincts, deepen your ability to trust yourself and learn the depth of your capacity to love and forgive. TRUST IN LIFE Trust the process of life because it is an incredible journey of wonder, adventure and evolution that you can experience only in direct proportion to your willingness to trust it. This wise work will inspire you to 'take the leap of trust', because without trust there can be no peace of mind.

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A must-read for anyone who wants to know how to grow their own zero-food miles, pesticide-free veg, while treading gently upon our planet. Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle and Gardening for Bumblebees Whether you’re an experienced gardener or have ambitious plans for your allotment, this A–Z, soil-to-table guide shows you how to reduce chemical inputs; naturally enrich your growing ecology; and create a hardy, nutrient-dense and delicious crop. In The Healthy Vegetable Garden, expert organic gardener Sally Morgan explains how to use natural approaches to cope with the challenges of a changing climate through principles from regenerative gardening, agroecology and permaculture – all to help your green space thrive. The Healthy Vegetable Garden shows you how to: Combat disease and keep pests at bay with natural predators, companion planting and trap and barrier crops Choose the right plants to attract pollinators and pest predators Build a healthy soil full of organic matter, earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi Regenerate soil through no-dig practices, composting, cover crops and mulching Boost biodiversity through the use of crop rotations and polyculture Rewild your garden by creating a range of habitats, making use of walls and fences, log piles, water features and wild corners Understand plant defences and use biocontrols Make natural barriers, traps and lures A healthy, productive garden should work in harmony with nature to produce and protect delicious fruits and vegetables as well as build a rich soil that is full of life. With The Healthy Vegetable Garden, growers of all levels will start reducing incidents of pests and diseases while creating a verdant habitat – all without the need for fertilizers, pesticides or weedkillers.

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In the year 2182, citizens of a dying Earth flee to a distant promised land in a massive colony ship, the Arka III. They do not reach their intended destination…In the not-too-distant future, the Earth has been destroyed, its orbit withering and its citizens desperate to escape to the stars. The solution? The Arka project, massive vessels bound for the distant planet of Leonis. When the passengers of Arka III awaken from their long intergalactic journey, they realize they’re not on Leonis. Not only that, their journey has taken much longer than the planned two hundred years, and has landed them in a starless, seemingly endless void. Eric Rives, the ship’s second-in-command, and his partner Jia Tang are sent on an exploratory mission to investigate the dark labyrinth that surrounds them…but what they find is beyond belief. Young French space opera novelist Romain Benassaya adapts his own 2018 novel, Pyramides, available now for the first time in English featuring lushly illustrative art by Joan Urgell. Praise for Romain Benassaya (translated from French) "...in line with the great novels of the genre such as Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, or Hyperion by Dan Simmons." - Le Tourne Page "The author lets us imagine a much larger universe, which we could populate at will. A true science fiction phenomenon." - SyFantasy.fr "...damn I love this universe! It's full of mystery, full of promise too, and I can't help but see in the author a form of reincarnation of a modern Arthur C. Clarke..." Lorkhan and the Bad Kind "What a frantic storytelling. Twists, cliffhangers, a steady pace. Worthy of a great cinematographic series. The novel places the human at the heart of the plot. Charismatic characters quite mistreated, credible extraterrestrials, surprising genetically modified creatures. Everything is there. In supercolor!" - fan review, Babelio.com

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Two of our most celebrated intellectuals grapple with the uncertain aftermath of the American collapse in Afghanistan “Through the structure of a deeply engaging conversation between two of our most important contemporary public intellectuals, we are urged to defy the inattention of the media to the disastrous damage inflicted in Afghanistan on life, land, and resources in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal and the connections to the equally avoidable and unnecessary wars on Iraq and Libya.”—from the foreword by Angela Y. Davis Not since the last American troops left Vietnam have we faced such a sudden vacuum in our foreign policy—not only of authority, but also of explanations of what happened, and what the future holds. Few analysts are better poised to address this moment than Noam Chomsky and Vijay Prashad, intellectuals and critics whose work spans generations and continents. Called “the most widely read voice on foreign policy on the planet” by the New York Times Book Review, Noam Chomsky is the guiding light of dissidents around the world. In The Withdrawal, Chomsky joins with noted scholar Vijay Prashad—who “helps to uncover the shining worlds hidden under official history and dominant media” (Eduardo Galeano)—to get at the roots of this unprecedented time of peril and change. Chomsky and Prashad interrogate key inflection points in America’s downward spiral: from the disastrous Iraq War to the failed Libyan intervention to the descent into chaos in Afghanistan. As the final moments of American power in Afghanistan fade from view, this crucial book argues that we must not take our eyes off the wreckage—and that we need, above all, an unsentimental view of the new world we must build together.

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Praise for Vandana Singh: “A most promising and original young writer.”—Ursula K. Le Guin “Lovely! What a pleasure this book is . . . full of warmth, compassion, affection, high comedy and low.”—Molly Gloss, author of The Hearts of Horses “Vandana Singh’s radiant protagonist is a planet unto herself.”—Village Voice “Sweeping starscapes and daring cosmology that make Singh a worthy heir to Cordwainer Smith and Arthur C. Clarke.”—Chris Moriarty, Fantasy & Science Fiction “I’m looking forward to the collection . . . everything I’ve read has impressed me—the past and future visions in `Delhi’, the intensity of `Thirst’, the feeling of escape at the end of `The Tetrahedron’…” —Niall Harrison, Vector (British Science Fiction Association) “…the first writer of Indian origin to make a serious mark in the SF world … she writes with such a beguiling touch of the strange.” —Nilanjana Roy, Business Standard In her first North American collection, Vandana Singh’s deep humanism interplays with her scientific background in stories that explore and celebrate this world and others and characters who are trying to make sense of the people they meet, what they see, and the challenges they face. An eleventh century poet wakes to find he is as an artificially intelligent companion on a starship. A woman of no account has the ability to look into the past. In "Requiem," a major new novella, a woman goes to Alaska to try and make sense of her aunt’s disappearance. Singh's stories have been performed on BBC radio, been finalists for the British SF Association award, selected for the Tiptree award honor list, and oft reprinted in Best of the Year anthologies. Her dives deep into the vast strangeness of the universe without and within and with her unblinking clear vision she explores the ways we move through space and time: together, yet always apart.

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In the future, instead of terraforming planets to sustain human life, explorers of the galaxy transform themselves.*FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR* 'Extraordinary . . . A future masterwork' Joanne HarrisAt the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in sub-zero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food, and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to explore neighbouring exoplanets long suspected to harbour life.Ariadne is one such explorer. On a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds fifteen light-years from Earth, she and her fellow crewmates sleep while in transit, and wake each time with different features. But as they shift through both form and time, life back on Earth has also changed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the wonders and dangers of her journey, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS 'Becky Chambers is a wonder, and I feel better for having her books in my life' JOHN CONNOLLY'In a word, brilliant' ANDREW CALDECOTT'A short but fierce ode to humanity and all our reaches and flaws. Unputdownable' NATASHA NGAN'Outstanding . . . Chambers packs an immense amount of story into a novella worthy of full-length praise' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Starred Review'Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction' BEN AARONOVITCH

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'An easy and engaging read...Quite often, though, it is eye-opening' Hugo Rifkind, The Times 'Does a valuable job of explaining how Amazon sees itself' Financial TimesAmazon is the business story of the decade. Jeff Bezos, the richest man on the planet, has built one of the most efficient wealth-creation machines in history. Like a giant squid, Amazon’s tentacles are squeezing industry after industry and, in the process, upsetting the state of technology, the economy, job creation and society at large. So pervasive is Amazon’s impact that business leaders in almost every sector need to understand how this force of nature operates and how they can respond to it. Saying you can ignore Jeff Bezos is equivalent to saying you could ignore Henry Ford or Steve Jobs in the early years of Ford and Apple. These titans monumentally changed how we do business, redefining the rules on a global scale. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the new disruptor on the block. He has created a 21st century algorithm for business and societal disruption. He has turned the retail industry inside out, is swiftly dominating cloud computing, media and advertising, and now has his sights trained on every other domain where money changes hands and business is transacted. But the principles by which Bezos has achieved his dominance - customer obsession, extreme innovation and long-term management, all supported by artificial intelligence turning a virtuous-cycle 'flywheel' - are now being borrowed and replicated. 'Bezonomics' is for some a goldmine, for others a threat, for still others a life-shaping force, whether they’re in business or not.Brian Dumaine’s Bezonomics answers the fundamental question: how are Amazon and its imitators affecting the way we live, and what can we learn from them?

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‘The world is in desperate need of this book’ - Greta Thunberg 'It's Not Just You is a galvanising breath of fresh air' - Mikaela Loach 'Tori Tsui is changing the conversation around mental health and the climate crisis' - Vogue ‘A must-read for anyone who would love to understand the intersections of mental health and the climate crisis’ - Vanessa Nakate ------------------------ It’s not just you.The climate crisis is making us all unwell. But not just you.The climate crisis is affecting certain communities disproportionately.And it’s not just the climate crisis… The term ‘eco-anxiety’ has been popularised as a way to talk about the negative impact of the climate emergency on our wellbeing. In It’s Not Just You, activist Tori Tsui reframes eco-anxiety as the urgent mental health crisis it clearly is. Drawing on the wisdom of environmental advocates from around the globe, Tori looks to those on the frontlines of eco-activism to demonstrate that the current climate-related mental health struggle goes beyond the climate itself. Instead, it is a struggle that encompasses many injustices and is deeply entrenched in systems such as racism, sexism, ableism and, above all, capitalism. Because of this, climate injustice disproportionately affects most marginalised communities, who are often excluded from narratives on mental health. Tori argues that we can only begin to tackle both the climate and mental health crisis by diversifying our perspectives and prioritising community-led practices. In essence, reminding us that It’s Not Just You. Tackling this increasingly urgent crisis requires looking both inwards and outwards, embracing individuality over individualism and championing climate justice. Only then can we start to build better futures for both people and the planet.

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From the author of The History of the World in 100 Animals, a BBC Radio Four Book of the Week, comes an inspirational new book that looks at the 100 plants that have had the greatest impact on humanity, stunningly illustrated throughout. As humans, we hold the planet in the palms of ours hands. But we still consume the energy of the sun in the form of food. The sun is available for consumption because of plants. Plants make food from the sun by the process of photosynthesis; nothing else in the world can do this. We eat plants, or we do so at second hand, by eating the eaters of plants. Plants give us food. Plants take in carbon dioxide and push out oxygen: they give us the air we breathe, direct the rain that falls and moderate the climate. Plants also give us shelter, beauty, comfort, meaning, buildings, boats, containers, musical instruments, medicines and religious symbols. We use flowers for love, we use flowers for death. The fossils of plants power our industries and our transport. Across history we have used plants to store knowledge, to kill, to fuel wars, to change our state of consciousness, to indicate our status. The first gun was a plant, we got fire from plants, we have enslaved people for the sake of plants. We humans like to see ourselves as a species that has risen above the animal kingdom, doing what we will with the world. But we couldn’t live for a day without plants. Our past is all about plants, our present is all tied up with plants; and without plants there is no future. From the mighty oak to algae, from cotton to coca here are a hundred reasons why.

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What can the starry skies tell you about yourself and others? More than you might imagine. For over four thousand years, people have watched the skies, correlating the movements of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets with human affairs. Astrology for Dummies shows the reader how to use that accumulated wisdom to identify strengths and weaknesses, discover creative abilities, understand relationships, and make the most of the times in which we live. Using an abundance of real-life examples, author Rae Orion offers an incisive account of each sign and planet, taking the reader far beyond the daily horoscope and illuminating the birth chart in all its individuality and complexity. Astrology for Dummies examines the time-honored ways astrology helps us understand ourselves and others. From how to map and interpret individual horoscopes to building and reading birth charts, Astrology For Dummies provides you with the tools to apply the art of astrology to your everyday life. Explore the long, multi-cultural, occasionally bloody history of astrology Discover useful advice about romance, career, and wellness Find the creative potential to be found in every sign and every birth chart Unravel the mysteries behind Mercury retrograde and other celestial phenomena Delve into the horoscopes of dozens of famous (and infamous) people, both past and present Investigate different ways to align yourself with the cosmos. Astrology hasn’t been around for millennia for nothing. It’s a practical tool, a symbolic language, a way to expand awareness, a means to increase empathy, and an exploration that touches the soul. Whether you want to learn about yourself, understand others, or glimpse the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, the answers are here — and in the stars!

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Writing in 2007, French social philosopher André Gorz was remarkably prophetic, foretelling the international economic meltdown of 2008: “The real economy is becoming an appendage of the speculative bubbles sustained by the finance industry—until that inevitable point when the bubbles burst, leading to serial bank crashes and threatening the global system of credit with collapse and the real economy with a severe, prolonged depression.” This prescient article is collected in Ecologica alongside many of Gorz’s final writings and interviews, which together offer practical and often path-breaking set of solutions to our current economic and political problems. In his writings Gorz condemns the speculative global economic system and anatomizes its terminal crisis. Advocating an exit from capitalism through the self-limitation of needs and the networked use of the latest technologies, he outlines a practical, democratically based solution to our current predicament. Compiled by Gorz, Ecologica is intended as a final distillation of his work and thought, a guide to the survival of our planet. It is a work of political, rather than scientific ecology—Gorz aruges that the key to planetary survival is not a surrender to environmental experts and eco-technocrats, but a switch to non-consumerist modes of living that would amount to a type of cultural revolution. Praise for André Gorz“To my mind the greatest of modern French social thinkers.”—Herbert Gintis, author of Schooling in Capitalist America“Gorz’s work was always within the Utopian tradition—a label he welcomed but which was used pejoratively by his opponents. . . . Many of his derided early warnings about globalization and environmental degradation have become commonplace discourses in political debates today. Ultimately, Gorz’s Utopianism was expressed in a very practical sense—we never know how far along the road we are if we have no idea of the destination.”—Independent

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When The Storks Came Home is a charming, fictionalised retelling of the successful white stork reintroduction at the Knepp Estate. The white stork is a UK native bird which was last year brought back from extinction. In this second picture book from bestselling author and globally significant conservationist Isabella Tree, we meet eight-year-old Beanie, who loves birds. When she discovers that huge white storks used to live in her own village but were hunted to extinction in the UK 600 years ago, she is determined to find a way to bring them back. But reintroducing a vanished species is not so simple! Storks can fly hundreds of miles, so releasing storks into the local countryside won't be enough to make them return and stay for good. With the help of other villagers, Beanie hatches a plan… Beautiful illustrations help bring this powerful and important story to life, teaching children about conservation and their environment in an accessible way. ​ Ivy Kids brings you beautiful, sustainably printed books to rewild your child, nurture creativity, and foster a deep connection with the living world. Ivy Kids books are planet-friendly, printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, locally to where they will be sold.Praise for Isabella Tree’s first picture book When We Went Wild: ‘A charming inoculation of pure wild life – just what Dr. Earth ordered.’ CHRIS PACKHAM ‘This book would sit brilliantly on any nature-loving child’s bookshelf’ BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE ‘Charms young readers with the power of rewilding’ NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER ‘I love this book. It actually made me cry’ PAM AYRES, Sunday Times best-selling author & presenter. ‘A gorgeous and true fable that will delight and inspire the next generation of young rewilders.’ PATRICK BARKHAM, Author & Guardian journalist.

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The iconic science fiction vampire novel, adapted into the film starring Will Smith. The last man on earth is not alone . . .Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth ... but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are hungry for Neville's blood.By day he is the hunter, stalking the undead through the ruins of civilisation. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn.How long can one man survive like this?The SF classic that inspired the blockbuster vampire movie starring Will SmithReaders can't put down I Am Legend:'A classic of several genres, sci-fi, horror, vampires, and post-apocalypse. I love the scientific rationalization of the classic vampire lore' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I certainly understand why Richard Matheson is regarded as a master of the horror genre and why even THE Stephen King looked up to him as an inspiration . . . If you like horror, suspense and the macabre, then my dear reader please give this book a try' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Less about vampires. More about mental breakdown. An excellent horror story' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Neville is a very interesting protagonist. You really want to root for him that he will survive. I don't want to spoil you, but the ending will definitely hit you like a one-two punch' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'It's about a man dealing with stress, nightmarish circumstances and his will to not just live, but to survive. Matheson tells a tale of isolation, desperation, perseverance and ultimately, absolution' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Astonish your friends and family with this incredible collection of mind-boggling facts about the scariest animals ever to walk the Earth. This unbelievably fascinating dinosaur book for children will teach you all you need to know about prehistoric animals, like which dinosaur had the sharpest teeth, the longest claws, the smallest brain, the largest droppings, and lots more!Did you know that the largest dinosaur was longer than a tennis court but its babies were no bigger than a newborn human baby? That the smallest dinosaur weighed less than a teaspoon of sugar? Or that the largest flying reptile was as tall as a giraffe, with wings the size of a small plane? Children aged 9+ will love all these facts and more, presented either with jaw-dropping CGI illustrations or eye-popping photography - plus additional boxes feature diagrams that make information easy to understand.Celebrate your child's curiosity as they explore:- 1,000 jaw-dropping, mind-blowing facts that will be sure to wow family and friends.- Stunning CGI graphics, fun visual comparisons, and diagrams make stats and facts easy to understand.- Science boxes are illustrated with engaging diagrams.- Photo stories feature additional incredible stories and comparisons.In 1,000 Amazing Dinosaur Facts children can discover the fastest, the slowest, the deadliest, and the downright weirdest dinosaurs ever to roam the planet! This book of mind-blowing dinosaur facts will make the ideal gift for kids who love all things prehistoric, giving a real sense of the colossal scale of dinosaurs and how and where they lived.More in the SeriesIf you like 1,000 Amazing Dinosaur Facts then why not complete the collection? Dive into disgusting facts with 1,000 Amazing Gross Facts and discover the secret science of everything icky and sticky.

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From John Muir to the Endangered Species Act, environmentalism in America has always had close to its core a preservationist ideal. Generations have been inspired by its ethos-to protect nature from the march of human development. But we have to face the facts. Accelerating climate change, rapid urbanization, agricultural and industrial devastation, metastasizing fire regimes, and other quickening anthropogenic forces all attest to the same truth: the earth is now spinning through the age of humans. After Preservation takes stock of the ways we have tried to both preserve and exploit nature to ask a direct but profound question: what is the role of preservationism in an era of seemingly unstoppable human development, in what some have called the Anthropocene? Ben A. Minteer and Stephen J. Pyne bring together a stunning consortium of voices comprised of renowned scientists, historians, philosophers, environmental writers, activists, policy makers, and land managers to negotiate the incredible challenges that environmentalism faces. Some call for a new, post-preservationist model, one that is far more pragmatic and human-centered. Others push back, arguing for a more chastened vision of human action on the earth. Some try to establish a middle ground, while others ruminate more deeply on the meaning and value of wilderness. Some write on species lost, others on species saved, and yet others discuss the enduring practical challenges of managing our land, water, and air. From spirited optimism to careful prudence to critical skepticism, the resulting range of approaches offers an inspiring contribution to the landscape of modern environmentalism, one driven by serious, sustained engagements with the critical problems we must solve if the planet is going to survive the era we have ushered in.

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‘Compelling new biography’ Daily Express ‘Fascinating stories’ Daily Mirror ‘A well-researched, entertaining look at Ed Sheeran … Sheeran fans will relish this well-told biography.’ Publishers Weekly Ed Sheeran is a true inspiration. His moving and uplifting songs forge a lasting connection with the millions of people around the world who love him and his music. He was the thirteen-year-old guitarist in a school rock band when he decided to become a singer-songwriter, even though he could barely hold a tune and had never written a song. Within a year, he had recorded an album in his bedroom. Bestselling biographer Sean Smith traces the astonishing journey of the shy little boy with a stammer who, avoiding flashy showmanship, grew up to be a global phenomenon. Through compelling new research and interviews, he tells the story of Ed’s remarkable mum and dad who gave their son the courage to pursue his dream, the friends and mentors who encouraged him and the lovers who inspired his most famous songs. Smith describes the setbacks Ed faced before his fortunes were transformed by Elton John’s management company, a record deal and a song that changed everything – with a little help from Taylor Swift. Ed found it difficult to cope with the world at his feet, but a new relationship with a girl from his home town has brought him happiness and a fresh purpose in life. Now he is the most successful solo star on the planet, earning £83 million last year. Yet in the middle of his record-breaking 2018 UK tour, he played for just 400 people at a charity night to raise money for the homeless. As this captivating book reveals, there’s no one quite like Ed.

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A timely overview of techniques for involving biological organisms in the remediation of polluted ecosystems As a result of worldwide industry, urbanization, and population growth, many harmful organic and inorganic pollutants have been introduced into the environment. With bioremediation, we can use fungi, bacteria, and plants—along with their secondary metabolites—to clean up areas that have been affected by industrial and commercial activities. Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation presents a thorough consideration of the most important biologically-based remediation methods in use today. Environmental biotechnology is a more sustainable alternative to chemical and mechanical remediation methods, which explains the rapidly growing popularity of these techniques. This edited volume summarizes our current understanding of bioremediation approaches and presents research outcomes from a diverse selection of geographies and ecosystems. Chapters cover remediation techniques for pollutants affecting soil, water, air, and sediments, as well as tools for addressing these issues, including tools for assessment and monitoring. Uniquely, Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation emphasizes the latest findings on the use of secondary metabolites in bioremediation. Other topics covered include chemical sustainability, nanotechnology, and biofuels. Readers will gain an understanding of issues including: How biological organisms and their secondary metabolites are currently being used in environmental remediation projects worldwide New applications for phytomolecules, lichens, nanoparticles, rhizobacteria, and other technologies, as well as future directions for bioremediation The steps in the process of biotechnology-driven remediation, including detection, investigation, assessment, cleanup, redevelopment, and monitoring Remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons, algal carbon sequestration, wastewater management, and the role of fatty acid and proteins in remediation The investigations in this book provide important knowledge for researchers in biotechnology, ecology, environmental science, and related disciplines. Additionally, policymakers and NGOs with an interest in remediating environmental contaminants will gain valuable context. Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation is a foundation for future research on biotechnological interventions for a clean planet.

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Thousands of global facts at your fingertips with the best value quick-reference World Atlas on the market. Both physical and political geography is clearly illustrated alongside the great cities of our planet.The highest peak? The deepest ocean trench? The wettest, driest, longest, largest - we list the world's fascinating extremes. Crammed with practical information like a Distance Chart for World Cities, World Time Zones, over 200 State Flags and the top 100 most populous countries, we include around 15,000 places indexed for easy checking. Whether for the pub quiz, travel planning or school reference, this great value handy world atlas is crammed with everything you need to know.Alongside the topography and physical attributes of the earth we also show political boundaries and the great global cities, including transport hubs and places of interest from mosques to temples, palaces to zoos and shopping centres to tourist information centres.Features include: * 200 Flags of the world's major states and territories* 21 City centre maps: transport (road, rail, trams, light railways, bus and railway stations) and places of interest including religious buildings (churches, abbeys, cathedrals, synagogues, shrines, temples, mosques), museums, galleries, theatres, palaces, castles, parks, gardens, zoos, shopping centres, hospitals, Tourist Centres.* World city distance table* World time zones map* World country comparisons table - the population and areas of the world's top 100 most populous countries* World physical comparisons- largest oceans, longest rivers, biggest islands, highest peaks, deepest trenches.* Continental Comparator - for each one we show area, coldest place, hottest place, wettest place, driest place * World topographic maps - with coloured contour layers and hill-shading clearly outlining the Earth's surface.* World political maps - the latest boundary and geopolitical changes, with cities, provinces and countries shown.* Index of around 15,000 place-names - with geographical features like mountains, lakes and deserts, as well as towns.

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Four new adventures featuring the Fifth Doctor and Turlough! 1. The Memory Bank by Chris Chapman The Doctor and Turlough arrive on a planet where to be forgotten is to cease to exist. But the Forgotten leave a gap in the world - and that's where the monsters are hiding.2. The Last Fairy Tale by Paul Magrs Deep in the heart of old Europe, the village of Vadhoc awaits the coming of a mythical teller of magical tales - but not all such stories end happily, the TARDIS travellers discover. 3. Repeat Offender by Eddie Robson The Doctor has tracked the deadly Bratanian Shroud to 22nd century Reykjavik - where he's about to become the victim of a serial criminal. Again. 4. The Becoming by Ian Potter A young woman climbs a perilous mountain in search of her destiny. The Doctor and Turlough save her from the monsters on her trail - but what awaits them in the Cavern of Becoming is stranger, even, than the ravening Hungerers outside. Peter Davison's appearance as the Fifth Doctor from 1981-1984 is a favourite amongst generations of Doctor Who fans. He's reprised the role opposite both David Tennant and the Eastenders cast on TV! Mark Strickson played Turlough in Doctor Who between 1983 and 1984. This devious character started out trying to kill the Doctor, before finally they became friends. Director Helen Goldwyn has spent much time for producers Big Finish in front of the microphone, playing everything from a regular in their Tomorrow People audio series, to a malevolent answering service in 2016's audio production of cult hit The Prisoner. CAST: Peter Davison (The Doctor), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Suzann McLean (Max/Autumn Voice), Ian Brooker (Archivist/Computer/Elder), Mandi Symonds (Alitha/Inspector Jill Sveinsbottir), Duncan Wisbey (Grayling Frimlish/Shiri/Zounds), Kae Alexander (Waywalker).

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Before May 2011 the top demographics experts of the United Nations had suggested that world population would peak at 9.1 billion in 2100, and then fall to 8.5 billion people by 2150. In contrast, the 2011 revision suggested that 9.1 billion would be achieved much earlier, maybe by 2050 or before, and by 2100 there would be 10.1 billion of us. What's more, they implied that global human population might still be slightly rising in our total numbers a century from now. So what shall we do? Are there too many people on the planet? Is this the end of life as we know it?Distinguished geographer Professor Danny Dorling thinks we should not worry so much and that, whatever impending doom may be around the corner, we will deal with it when it comes. In a series of fascinating chapters he charts the rise of the human race from its origins to its end-point of population 10 billion. Thus he shows that while it took until about 1988 to reach 5 billion we reached 6 billion by 2000, 7 billion eleven years later and will reach 8 billion by 2025. By recording how we got here, Dorling is able to show us the key issues that we face in the coming decades: how we will deal with scarcity of resources; how our cities will grow and become more female; why the change that we should really prepare for is the population decline that will occur after 10 billion.Population 10 Billion is a major work by one of the world's leading geographers and will change the way you think about the future. Packed full of counter-intuitive ideas and observations, this book is a tool kit to prepare for the future and to help us ask the right questions

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Decades tend to crest halfway through, and 1995 was the year of the Nineties: peak Britpop (Oasis v Blur), peak YBA (Tracey Emin's tent), peak New Lad (when Nick Hornby published High Fidelity, when James Brown's Loaded detonated the publishing industry, and when pubs were finally allowed to stay open on a Sunday). It was the year of The Bends, the year Danny Boyle started filming Trainspotting, the year Richey Edwards went missing, the year Alex Garland wrote The Beach, the year Blair changed Clause IV after a controversial vote at the Labour Conference. Not only was the mid-Nineties perhaps the last time that rock stars, music journalists and pop consumers held onto a belief in rock's mystical power, it was a period of huge cultural upheaval - in art, literature, publishing and drugs. And it was a period of almost unparalleled hedonism, a time when many people thought they deserved to live the rock and roll lifestyle, when a generation of narcotic omnivores thought they could all be rock stars just by buying a magazine and a copy of (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Faster Than a Cannonball is a cultural swipe of the decade from loungecore to the rise of New Labour, teasing all the relevant artistic strands through interviews with all the major protagonists and exhaustive re-evaluations of the important records of the year - The Bends by Radiohead, Grand Prix by Teenage Fanclub, Maxinquaye by Tricky, Different Class by Pulp, The Great Escape by Blur, It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah! by Black Grape, Exit Planet Dust by the Chemical Brothers, I Should Coco by Supergrass, Elastica by Elastica, Pure Phase by Spiritualized, ...I Care Because You Do by Aphex Twin and of course (What's the Story) Morning Glory by Oasis, the most iconic album of the decade.

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The eye-wateringly funny fantasy romp across the Discworld, featuring the most incompetent wizard you'll ever find . . .'The Discworld novels have always been among the most serious of comedies, the most relevant and real of fantasies' IndependentIt is known as the Discworld. It is a flat planet, supported on the backs of four elephants, who in turn stand on the back of the great turtle A'Tuin as it swims majestically through space. And it is quite possibly the funniest place in all of creation...As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the Discworld has only one possible saviour. Unfortunately, this happens to be the singularly inept and cowardly wizard called Rincewind, who was last seen falling off the edge of the world.Readers love The Light Fantastic:'Five zany stars for this fantastic romp through the twisted imagination of Sir Terry Pratchett that made me smirk, giggle, snicker, and right larf out loud from Page 1 to "The End!"' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Death made a great appearance in this story. Small, but spot on. This is absurdism at its best . . . Pieces, like the retail shop that materializes here and there, remind me of the Hitchhiker's guide . . . This is stellar storytelling' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Pratchett managed to keep the whole thing comical, while at the time satirical. Not once did I not grin or snort out loud' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'It's the first inklings of the strong character work, social commentary and razor sharp humor that have made Pratchett a household name' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'So good it's unfair - there's a joke every three words and it's still thrilling, and occasionally heartbreaking' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Discover the heartstopping fifth instalment in the Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore, the bestselling author of I AM NUMBER FOUR'Exhilarating . . . Each book grows more and more cataclysmic and heroic' 5***** Reader Review'This series is consistently captivating. It makes me shiver to think about it' 5***** Reader Review______The worst was supposed to be over.We were reunited after a decade apart. We were discovering the truth about our past. We were training and getting stronger every day. We were even happy. . . .We never imagined the Mogadorians could turn one of our own against us. We were fools for trusting Five. And now Eight is lost forever. I would do anything to bring him back, but that's impossible. Instead, I will do whatever it takes to destroy every last one of them.I've spent my entire life hiding from them, and they've stolen everything away from me. But that stops now. We're going to take the battle to them. We have a new ally who knows their weaknesses. And I finally have the power to fight back.They caught Number One in Malaysia.Number Two in England.Number Three in Kenya.And Number Eight in Florida.They killed them all.I am Number Seven.I will make them pay.Praise for Pittacus Lore:'Tense, exciting, full of energy' Observer'Relentlessly readable' The Times'Set to eclipse Harry Potter and moody vampires. Pittacus Lore is about to become one of the hottest names on the planet' Big Issue'Tense, keeps you wondering' Sunday TimesPerfect for fans of The Hunger Games - I Am Number Four is the first book in Pittacus Lore's Lorien Legacies series and is now a major Disney film.

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The year is 1680, in the heart of the Golden Age of Piracy, and more than three hundred daring, hardened pirates-a potent mix of low-life scallywags and a rare breed of gentlemen buccaneers-gather on a remote Caribbean island. The plan: to wreak havoc on the Pacific coastline, raiding cities, mines, and merchant ships. The booty: the bright gleam of Spanish gold and the chance to become legends. So begins one of the greatest piratical adventures of the era-a story not given its full due until now.Inspired by the intrepid forays of pirate turned Jamaican governor Captain Henry Morgan-yes, that Captain Morgan-the company crosses Panama on foot, slashing its way through the Darien Isthmus, one of the thickest jungles on the planet, and liberating a native princess along the way. After reaching the South Sea, the buccaneers, primarily Englishmen, plunder the Spanish Main in a series of historic assaults, often prevailing against staggering odds and superior firepower. A collective shudder racks the western coastline of South America as the English pirates, waging a kind of proxy war against the Spaniards, gleefully undertake a brief reign over Pacific waters, marauding up and down the continent.With novelistic prose and a rip-roaring sense of adventure, Keith Thomson guides us through the pirates' legendary two-year odyssey. We witness the buccaneers evading Indigenous tribes, Spanish conquistadors, and sometimes even their own English countrymen, all with the ever-present threat of the gallows for anyone captured. By fusing contemporaneous accounts with intensive research and previously unknown primary sources, Born to Be Hanged offers a rollicking account of one of the most astonishing pirate expeditions of all time.

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Add variety to your child's bedtime routine with the latest book from the author of The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep, the global bestseller that parents have been raving about! Features all-new child-tested, parent-approved techniques to reclaim bedtime and provide a sweet and tender end to each day.Your child joins Ellen the Elephant on a journey through a magical forest that leads to sleep. Along the way, children meet different fantastical characters and have calming experiences that will help your child to relax and slip into slumber quickly. The story works perfectly for either naptime or bedtime.Children will love switching between stories about both Roger the Rabbit (The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep) and Ellen the Elephant (The Little Elephant Who Wants to Fall Asleep), and parents will appreciate the diverse ways each character will help their loved ones fall asleep quickly and easily. Includes never-before-seen material that will make a difference at bedtime, including insightful sleep tips and answers to frequently asked questions to help guide families to an even more satisfying nighttime routine!Advance Praise from Parents"Even better than The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep.""It's nice to have an alternative for a bit of variety.""You only have to read a few pages and you have a sleeping child!""A must-have book in our home!"Praise for The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep:Translated into 43 languagesGlobal sales currently exceed 1.5 million copies"Tired parents of planet earth - this is what you've been waiting for... If you don't already have a copy, you need to order one quick sharp" - Metro"The most peaceful bedtime we have had in months" - Daily Mail"A book whose powerfully soporific effects my son is helpless to resist" - New York Times

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Recent polls suggest that fewer than 40 percent of Americans believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, despite it being one of science's best-established findings. Parents still refuse to vaccinate their children for fear it causes autism, though this link has been consistently disproved. And about 40 percent of Americans believe that the threat of global warming is exaggerated, including many political leaders. In this era of fake news and alternative facts, there is more bunk than ever. But why do people believe in it? And what causes them to embrace such pseudoscientific beliefs and practices? In this fully revised second edition, noted skeptic Massimo Pigliucci sets out to separate the fact from the fantasy in an entertaining exploration of the nature of science, the borderlands of fringe science, and--borrowing a famous phrase from philosopher Jeremy Bentham--the nonsense on stilts. Presenting case studies on a number of controversial topics, Pigliucci cuts through the ambiguity surrounding science to look more closely at how science is conducted, how it is disseminated, how it is interpreted, and what it means to our society. The result is in many ways a "taxonomy of bunk" that explores the intersection of science and culture at large. No one--neither the public intellectuals in the culture wars between defenders and detractors of science nor the believers of pseudoscience themselves--is spared Pigliucci's incisive analysis in this timely reminder of the need to maintain a line between expertise and assumption. Broad in scope and implication, Nonsense on Stilts is a captivating guide for the intelligent citizen who wishes to make up her own mind while navigating the perilous debates that will shape the future of our planet.

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Do you aspire to live a green or zero-waste life, but just don’t know where to begin? Green Living is here to guide you to an eco-friendly lifestyle through approachable, easy-to-implement strategies. Authored by the successful GreenMatters.com website, which is dedicated to making news and topics across sustainability and innovation accessible to everyone, this indispensable resource is packed with suggestions and ideas to implement sustainable living in all areas of your life and home. You’ll be inspired to dive deeper into green living and feel empowered by your choice to help the environment and create a healthier household. Learn not just the “why” of going green, but the “how,” with quick-and-easy tips to substitute unsustainable and unhealthy products with greener options. Each chapter has Seed, Sprout, and Tree steps to help meet you where you’re at and develop your green practices in a way that works with your lifestyle. With additional micro-actions and tips throughout as well as definitions for commonly used green terminology, this book is for people just getting started or those looking to learn more eco-friendly hacks. Save money (and the planet) with easy steps like switching to single-use alternatives like reusable straws and cloth shopping totes. Also, find resources to help you get creative and reuse materials you already have for a new purpose, from DIY pet toys to home decor, minimizing what you buy and preventing materials from going into the landfill. Other topics covered: Recycling and composting Eco-friendly cleaning Minimalist organizing Green beauty Sustainable fashion This comprehensive guide to green will take a permanent place on your bookshelf as you return to it again and again on your journey to sustainability.

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THE *BRAND-NEW, HILARIOUS* DIARY OF A WIMPY KID BOOKIn No Brainer, book 18 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, it's up to Greg to save his school before it's shuttered for good. Up until now, middle school hasn't exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he's not too broken up about it. But when Greg realizes this means he's going to be sent to a different school than his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it's shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?WHAT'S IN DIARY OF A WIMPY KID?50% words, 50% cartoons, 100% hilarious!Stories that all readers can't wait to get their hands onLaughter guaranteed!'Kinney is right up there with J K Rowling as one of the bestselling children's authors on the planet' IndependentHave you read all the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series?Diary of a Wimpy KidDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick RulesDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last StrawDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog DaysDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly TruthDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin FeverDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third WheelDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard LuckDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long HaulDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Old SchoolDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Double DownDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The GetawayDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The MeltdownDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking BallDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big ShotDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde

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Is it okay to use potting compost? Which plants are best for absorbing pollution? What's the alternative to carbon-packed fertilisers? How can I cut out single-use plastics?Aspects of gardening can actually be bad for the environment. But make a few changes and you can significantly reduce the carbon imprint of your outdoor space, and even use it to lessen the impact of your other activities.This green gardening book will make growing your own garden easy, enjoyable, and eco-friendly. It includes sections on:- How to grow plants that reduce your carbon footprint- Creating a garden that considers the local wildlife- Tips on setting up your garden, low-impact plants, and best fertilisers to use Turn your outdoor space into a low-impact, carbon-absorbing sink. This book is packed with ideas to grow a climate-friendly garden that will help protect the planet. Keen on starting your own garden but unsure about your environmental impact? This guide will give you practical advice on which soil to use, plants that are best for absorbing carbon dioxide, low-carbon fertilisers, and cutting out single-use plastic. What's more, this garden book is completely backed by scientific research! Share in the delight of eco-conscious gardening when you start using RHS How to Garden the Low Carbon Way as your guide. Explore the benefits of no-dig gardening, how to use fewer plants, using hedges instead of fences, how to grow shrubs that support wildlife, and more! Green Gardening: Low environmental impactThis RHS Gardening Book is a simple, step-by-step guide to learn about gardening or to reference as your garden grows. You'll quickly become acquainted with the benefits of growing a garden that positively contributes to the environment.

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There is not just one story of silk.In silk is science, history and mythology.In silk is the future. Aarathi Prasad’s Silk is a gorgeous new history weaving together the story of a unique material that has fascinated the world for millennia. Through the scientists who have studied silk, and the biology of the animals from which it has been drawn, Prasad explores the global history, natural history, and future of a unique material that has fascinated the world for millennia. For silk, prized for its lightness, luminosity, and beauty is also one of the strongest biological materials ever known. More than a century ago, it was used to make the first bulletproof vest, and yet science has barely even begun to tap its potential. As the technologies it has inspired – from sutures to pharmaceuticals, replacement body parts to holograms – continue to be developed in laboratories around the world, they are now also beginning to offer a desperately needed, sustainable alternative to the plastics choking our planet. Prasad's Silk is a cultural and biological history from the origins and ancient routes of silk to the biologists who learned the secrets of silk-producing animals, manipulating the habitats and physiologies of moths, spiders and molluscs. Because there is more than one silk, there is more than one story of silk. More than one road, more than one people who discovered it, and wove its threads. From the moths of China, Indonesia and India to the spiders of South America and Madagascar, to the silk-producing molluscs of the Mediterranean, Silk is a book rich in the passionate connections made by women and men of science to the diversity of the animal world. It is an intoxicating mix of biography, intellectual history and science writing that brings to life the human obsession with silk.

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Our Culture Magazine Best Book of 2023 “Rushton's work is generous, thoughtful, and honest, taking care neither to romanticize nor to disparage the choice to become a parent.” —Jenny Hamilton, Booklist (starred review)A bold feminist investigation into the mother of all questions; whether or not to become a parent in these turbulent times.Should we become parents? This timeless question forces us to reckon with who we are and what we love and fear most in ourselves, in our relationships, and in the world as it is now and as it will be.When Gina Rushton admitted she had little time left to make the decision for herself, the magnitude of the choice overwhelmed her. Her search for her own “yes” or “no” only uncovered more questions to be answered. How do we clearly consider creating a new life on a planet facing catastrophic climate change? How do we reassess the gender roles we have been assigned at birth and by society? How do we balance ascending careers with declining fertility? How do we know if we’ve found the right co-parent, or if we want to go it alone, or if we don’t want to do it at all?To seek clarity on these questions, Rushton spoke to doctors, sociologists, economists, and ethicists, as well as parents and childless people of all ages and from around the world. Here, she explores and presents policies, data, and case studies from people who have made this decision—one way or the other—and shows how the process can be revelatory in discovering who we are as individuals.Drawing on the depth of knowledge afforded by her body of work as an award-winning journalist on the abortion beat, Rushton wrote the book that she needed, and we all need, to stop a panicked internal monologue and start a genuine dialogue about what we want from our lives and why.

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Author Megean Weldon, aka The Zero Waste Nerd, gently guides you on an attainable, inspirational, mindful, and completely realistic journey to a sustainable living lifestyle.Find tips, strategies, recipes, and DIY projects for reducing waste in this approachable, beautifully designed and illustrated guide.What is zero waste living? Although the practice has been around for generations out of necessity, it is making a comeback as concerns grow about the fate of our environment. To put it simply: it is attempting to send no waste to landfills. Although you may have read or heard about “zero waste,” “sustainable,” or “green” living, the concept can sometimes seem too complicated, the author’s tone a bit self-righteous, or riddled with advice geared for people with 5 acres of land in the country with dreams of raising livestock and homesteading. This is not that book.Can a “regular” person do this? Absolutely! Zero waste isn’t necessarily about zero, but more about changing or altering the way we see the world around us, how we consume, and how we think about waste. It’s about making better choices when we can, and working to reduce our overall impact by reducing the amount of packaging and single-use plastics we bring into our life.Focusing on the positive, An Almost Zero Waste Life presents simple ways to reduce waste in every aspect of your life: Cleaning: Recipes for natural cleaners and how to ditch paper towels for good. Meal plans: Weekly menus and recipes for zero waste meals that use bulk pantry staples. Shopping: How to shop zero waste at big chain stores and ways to reduce food packaging. Bathroom: Sustainable beauty routine. Recycling: Ingenious ways to repurpose old clothing and how to recycle small metals, like razor blades. Compost: The basics of composting. And much more! An Almost Zero Waste Life will change the way you see the world around you, how you consume, and how you think about waste for a healthier planet and happier you.

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Urban expert John Rossant and business journalist Stephen Baker look beyond the false promises of the past to examine the real future of transportation and the repercussions for the world’s cities, the global economy, the environment, and our individual lives.Human mobility, dominated for a century by cars and trucks, is facing a dramatic transformation. Over the next decade, new networked devices, from electric bikes to fleets of autonomous cars, will change the way we move. They will also disrupt major industries, from energy to cars, give birth to new mobility giants, and lead to a redesign of our cities. For Rossant and Baker, this represents the advance of the Information Revolution into the physical world. This will raise troubling questions about surveillance, privacy, the dangers from hackers and the loss of jobs. But it also promises startling efficiencies, which could turn our cities green and, perhaps, save our planet.In an engaging, deeply reported book, the authors travel to mobility hotspots, from Helsinki to Shanghai, to scout out this future. And they visit the companies putting it together. One, Divergent3d, is devising a system to manufacture cars with robots and 3D printers. PonyAI, a Chinese-Silicon Valley startup, builds autonomous software that perceives potholes, oncoming trucks, and wayward pedestrians, and guides the vehicle around them. Voom, an Airbus subsidiary, is racing with dozens of others to operate fleets of air taxis that fly by themselves.Hop, Skip, Go is about us: billions of people on the move. Underlying each stage of mobility, from foot to horse to cars and jets, are the mathematics of three fundamental variables: time, space and money. We measure each trip we take, whether to Kuala Lumpur or the corner drugstore. As the authors make clear, the coming mobility revolution will be no different. As they unveil the future, the authors explore how these changes might revamp our conception of global geography, the hours in our days, and where in the world we might be able to go.

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The machines that orbit our planet live in a void environment – however, space travel itself does not exist in a vacuum. Travelling to space is an immense effort of humans and machines, taking not just ‘a small step for a man’ but leaving a huge carbon footprint in the process. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in which private companies and leadership figures in the form of billionaires are re-popularising space travel to an extent not seen since the space race between the USSR and USA. Space exists isolated from the place that births its mechanical and a few select human inhabitants. Thus, we tend to forget that every single thing that exits our atmosphere takes with it more than just its own weight of materials when it departs our fragile blue marble. This title is the first of its kind: An atlas of all major sites where space rockets have been launched since the World’s first Sputnik in 1958. On 272 pages, the author Brian Harvey and his co-author Gurbir Singh showcase the steps of space travel as they have never been presented before. Detailed maps allow deep insights to places which are restricted to the public. This book offers a unique look at the physical footprints of Earth’s launch sites. With most places hidden away in jungles, deserts, or amid the Central Asian steppes, these places exist for the most part out of the eye of the general public. With satellites facilitating our modern society and a modern space age ever-present in today’s news cycle, it is now more important than ever to think about the imprint these undertakings leave on Earth. To begin to answer the new socio-economic questions raised by our rapid expansion into the void, we need to look no further than the cracks in the concrete of our planetary launch sites. The rusty train tracks leading to the pads break the pristine and sterile look of space and reopen our eyes to the realities of space exploration.

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After global warming came the Melting. Then came Ark. The new dictator of Ark wants to silence speech for ever. But Letta is the wordsmith, tasked with keeping words alive. Out in the woods, she and the rebels secretly teach children language, music and art. Now there are rumours that babies are going missing. When Letta makes a horrifying discovery, she has to find a way to save the children of Ark – even if it is at the cost of her own life. Praise for Mother Tongue: "[Her] books always take my breath away." — Mary, Fallen Star Stories “For Letta is one of the best heroines… Steadfast, strong and unwaveringly resilient, she is the driving force behind why this series is becoming so revered.” — Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher “Mother Tongue, and predecessor The Wordsmith, are both brilliantly devised stories.” — Caroline Fielding, The Teen Librarian “Totally enthralling … a world where the horror of climate change has been realised but despite the despair, the hope of humanity lives on.” — Victoria Dilly, The Book Activist “This vivid world and courageous heroine will enthral readers and is ideal for book clubs.” — Zoe James-Williams, Drawing On Books “Letta is a fantastic protagonist … contemplative, doubting of herself but firm in her resolve. Her strength comes from a rounded mix of qualities.” — Louise Nettleton, Book Murmuration Praise for The Wordsmith: ‘The fantasy book of the year’ — Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl ‘Important’ — The Guardian ‘Stands out for its imaginative approach and its beautiful and careful use of language’ — The Literary Review ‘This gripping story has the dark atmosphere of books such as the Hunger Games series’ — Inis magazine ‘Full of jeopardy and nail-biting tension and asks fundamental questions about the nature of humanity and the future of our planet’ — BookTrust UK ‘Pair with Patrick Ness’ The Knife of Never Letting Go’ — Booklist ‘Fantasy lovers will lap it up!’ — Sarah Webb, Irish Independent ‘A tremendous pageturner; I hope this won’t be the last we hear of Letta, a brave and spirited heroine’ — School Library Association

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