Search results for ""Launch!""

You’ve got your dream job--making video games. You have a great project, great designs, and clever controls. One morning, you get a call from your producer. Turns out that wall-jumping trick won’t work because the artists don’t have time to design a separate animation just for the plumber to move that way. Also, your lead designer keeps micromanaging the programmers, which is driving them crazy. Your E3 demo is due in two weeks, and you know there’s no way you can get it done in less than four. You’ll have to cut out some of the game’s biggest features just to hit your deadlines. And suddenly the investor is asking if maybe you can slash that $10 million budget down to $8 million, even if you have to fire a few people to make it happen? Welcome to video game development. In his years covering the industry, Jason Schreier has often heard developers say that any game actually released is a miracle. In Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, Schreier takes you behind the scenes of some of the biggest recent games to share never-before-told stories of the struggles and failures the development teams faced along the way. His reputation for great storytelling and fly-on-the-wall detail will provide readers with the clearest picture yet of what actually goes on behind the scenes. Each chapter will cover a different game, from major studios with nine-figure budgets to indie games with half a dozen people on their teams. The chapters will also focus on a variety of subjects in the process, from building the basics to adjusting for fan reaction post-launch. The planned games include: Pillars of Eternity Dragon Age: Inquisition Stardew Valley Diablo 3 The Witcher 3 Uncharted 4 Destiny Shovel Knight Star Wars 1313 Halo Wars Wheather you’re interested in how the industry really works, or just want to know why your favorite advertized feature didn’t make it into the final game, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels will give readers an unparallelled inside look at one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world.

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Take a deep dive into the five practices for facilitating productive mathematical discussions Take a deeper dive into understanding the five practices—anticipating, monitoring, selecting, sequencing, and connecting—for facilitating productive mathematical conversations in your middle school classrooms and learn to apply them with confidence. This follow-up to the modern classic, Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions, shows the five practices in action in middle school classrooms and empowers teachers to be prepared for and overcome the challenges common to orchestrating math discussions. The chapters unpack the five practices and guide teachers to a deeper understanding of how to use each practice effectively in an inquiry-oriented classroom. This book will help you launch meaningful mathematical discussion through Key questions to set learning goals, identify high-level tasks, anticipate student responses, and develop targeted assessing and advancing questions that jumpstart productive discussion—before class begins Video excerpts from real middle school classrooms that vividly illustrate the five practices in action and include built-in opportunities for you to consider effective ways to monitor students’ ideas, and successful approaches for selecting, sequencing, and connecting students’ ideas during instruction "Pause and Consider" prompts that help you reflect on an issue—and, in some cases, draw on your own classroom experience—prior to reading more about it "Linking To Your Own Instruction" sections help you implement the five practices with confidence in your own instruction The book and companion website provide an array of resources including planning templates, sample lesson plans and completed monitoring tools, and mathematical tasks. Enhance your fluency in the five practices to bring powerful discussions of mathematical concepts to life in your classroom. "This books takes 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions to the next level as readers experience what these practices look like in real mathematics classrooms in middle school. The authors specifically address the challenges one might face in implementing the classrooms by providing recommendations and concrete examples to avoid these challenges. This book is a must read for teachers who want to amplify their classroom implementation of the five practices." Cathy Martin, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Denver Public Schools

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The death of a woman whose body was found in an Oslo dumpster has eerie similarities to a cold case in northern Norway, prompting the Oslo Detectives to launch an investigation that soon becomes personal… **Winner of the Riverton Award** **Shortlisted for the Glass Key Award** **Shortlisted for the Martin Beck Award** **Winner of the Brage Literary Award** ‘A masterclass in plotting, atmosphere and character that finely balances shocking twists with the coppers’ complicated personal lives’ The Times 'Dahl has an international reputation for skilfully plotted police procedurals that are drenched in the minutiae of detection. This is a fine example of his talent, featuring two of his most famous detectives … If you have never sampled Dahl, now is the time to try’ Daily Mail ‘Skilfully orchestrated tension’ Barry Forshaw, Independent ____________________ When the body of a woman turns up in a dumpster, scalded and wrapped in plastic, Inspector Frank Frølich is shocked to discover that he knows her … and their recent meetings may hold the clue to her murder. As he begins to learn more about the tragic events surrounding her death, Frølich’s colleague Gunnarstranda deals with a disturbingly similar cold case involving the murder of a young girl in northern Norway. An unsettling number of coincidences emerge, and Frølich is forced to look into his own past to find the answers … and to catch the killer before he strikes again. Dark, brooding and utterly chilling, Faithless is a breath-taking and atmospheric page-turner that marks the return of an internationally renowned and award-winning series, from one of the fathers of Nordic Noir. ____________________ ‘A chilling novel about betrayal, written in a hard-boiled style’ Sunday Times ‘Dark, stylish and suspenseful, Faithless is the perfect example of why Nordic Noir has become such a popular genre’ Reader’s Digest ‘If you want your worst fears about what goes on inside a cop's mind confirmed, meet Kjell Ola Dahl's Oslo sleuths, Gunnarstranda and Frølich … impossible to put down’ Guardian ‘I have read many clever and thrilling crime novels through my life, but often they have nothing to do with real life. If I don’t believe in them, they don’t impress me. But when Kjell Ola Dahl tells his stories, I believe every single word’ Karin Fossum ‘Fans of procedurals … will snap this one up’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A formidable talent’ Booklist ‘Superb … utterly convincing’ Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW ‘Kjell Ola Dahl’s novels are superb. If you haven’t read one yet, you need to – right now’ William Ryan

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From bestselling author and British astronaut Tim Peake, an inspirational human history of space travel, from the Apollo missions to our future forays to Mars. The Right Stuff for a new generation.'This book is brilliant - once in a blue moon. A book for the whole family.' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio'The most wonderful book ... Tim Peake is a historian and encyclopaedia of space.’ Rory Stewart'An extraordinary book. For anyone - even if you’re not interested in Space. If you’re interested in human stories and the human character - this is delightful.' BBC Breakfast'A fascinating, detailed, playful book drawn from extensive research – Peake met seven Apollo astronauts, Russian cosmonauts and various other space technicians – as well as his considerable personal experience. Lifts the lid on what space is like: the dedication and sacrifice; the politics and pantomime; the practicalities and the peril; the glory and fame; the adjustment back to normal life.' iPaper'A thrilling human history of space' Daily Mirror'The bible of space travel' Chris Moyles, Radio XAs seen in the major TV series Secrets of Our Universe with Tim Peake.Only 628 people in human history have left Earth. This is their story.Astronaut Tim Peake traces the lives of the remarkable men and women who have forged the way for humanity beyond Earth, from Yuri Gagarin to Neil Armstrong, from Valentina Tereshkova to Peggy Whitson.Full of fascinating insight into our greatest pioneers and unsung heroes, and astonishing detail only an astronaut would know, Peake's book is the first of its kind to chronicle the human evolution of space exploration over sixty years, from our first forays to now. In the process, Peake reveals what spaceflight is really like: the wondrous view of Earth, the surreal weightlessness, the extraordinary danger, the surprising humdrum, the unexpected humour, the new-found perspective, the years of training, the psychological pressures, the gruelling physical toll, the thrill of launch and the trepidation of re-entry.In the next few years, NASA will send the first woman and the first person of colour to step on the lunar surface. What will separate these upcoming moonwalkers from the legendary Apollo crews? Does it still take a derring-do attitude, super-human fitness, intelligence, plus 'the right stuff' - a fabled grace under pressure? And how will astronauts travel even further - to Mars and beyond?Space: The Human Story reveals all.'Space enthusiasts will snap up Peake’s compelling book in their droves, but his account of courage, camaraderie and the determination to go where few have gone before deserves to be read by a much wider audience too' – Daily Express

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For anyone who feels less-than about your work, your worth, your body, or the life you're building, find here an incredible hope: you don't have to have it all together to "qualify" for your life's calling.Just ask Caitlin Crosby, the former Hollywood talent who didn't finish college, never got an MBA, and wasn't supposed to become a CEO--yet that's exactly what she did. Caitlin's passion for people led her to launch The Giving Keys, a give-back jewelry brand with the mission of helping its employees transition out of homelessness. Each of their one million keys sold represents a person who wore it and shared it with someone else, in a unique pay-it-forward model.In You Are the Key, Caitlin opens up about her own secret "flaw" that rocked her sense of self-worth for the better part of two decades and her private battle to believe that our scars are not sources of shame but proof of courage and prompts toward purpose.Through Caitlin's all-too-real stories, sparkling with warmth and humor, you'll find the encouragement you need to: Be brave enough to let yourself fail Reframe your imperfections as signposts guiding you toward your greatest purpose Move forward from past mistakes and build something beautiful As you learn more about Caitlin and her journey, you'll learn that your own path to discovering and developing your purpose won't be a straight line. You'll fall down, and you'll get back up again. But Caitlin's story will remind you that your own imperfections can lead to your greatest purpose--and it all starts today.Praise for You Are the Key:"I've admired Caitlin's generosity and her work with The Giving Keys for years. I'm grateful to know her story. It's a reminder to never allow fear or setbacks to keep us from stepping out into the unknown. Caitlin has shown us that it's often in quiet moments of courage that we discover the things we're passionate about and realize more of who we're meant to be."--Joanna Gaines, cofounder of Magnolia"Caitlin's work in bringing purpose back to the lives of so many speaks for itself. With her as your guide, you will unlock purpose, confidence, and joy beyond what you could ever imagine."--Sarah Jakes Roberts, pastor, bestselling author, and founder of Woman Evolve"Equal parts powerful and personable, You Are the Key tells the story of what is possible when you follow big dreams with big heart."--Maria Shriver, journalist and New York Times bestselling author

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‘Melvyn not only makes you think … he makes it enjoyable too. He’s brilliant.’ – John Humphrys, the Today Programme. ‘In a troubled world where many sneer at experts, In Our Time is always a treat. Those who know what they're talking about, talk about it, and they do it under the benevolent if occasionally testy guidance of one who knows how to bring out the best in them. Listen, read, mark, and inwardly digest; agreeable glass of accompanying refreshment optional.’ - Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch 'This beautifully produced and expertly edited book is a wonderfully rich and varied sample of 50 In Our Time programmes, from ancient Greek philosophy to dark matter via the gin craze. It will whet your appetite to visit or revisit the many hundreds of other programmes in this remarkable series.' - Professor Angela Hobbs 'Bragg gives short shrift to pretension of any kind, while remaining stalwart in his search for knowledge. His methodology in In Our Time is... not unlike that of a man throwing a stick at a dog: he chucks his questions ahead, and if the chosen academic fails to bring it right back, he chides them. He retains enough of his bluff Cumbrian origins not to be taken in by gambolling and tweedy high spirits.' - Will Self, from a February 2010 issue of London Review of Books In Our Time has been the cornerstone of broadcasting every Thursday morning on BBC Radio 4 for the past twenty years, with over 800 episodes since its launch in October 1998. Presented by one of Britain’s greatest champions of the arts, Melvyn Bragg, the show explores ideas across history, religion, philosophy, science and culture. With a vast array of contributors from the world of academia, such as Mary Beard, Angie Hobbs and Diarmaid MacCulloch, it is one of Radio 4’s most successful programmes, attracting a weekly live audience exceeding 2 million listeners, and, per episode, it is one of the world’s most downloaded podcasts. To honour this major anniversary of BBC broadcasting, this beautifully illustrated book provides a lively and colourful guide to fifty of the most captivating discussions from the past two decades of In Our Time, as chosen by Melvyn and the producer Simon Tillotson, and, influenced by listeners who have recommended their favourite programmes from those years. Highlights include ‘Romulus and Remus’, ‘The Death of Elizabeth I’, ‘Ada Lovelace’, ‘The Gin Craze’, the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ and ‘The Salem Witch Trials’, and there are additional behind-the-scenes insights, peppered with Melvyn Bragg’s remarks both on and off air. This is a captivating gift for all fans and a celebration of this iconic series.

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In Battle of Britain: The Gathering Storm, the first of Dilip Sarkar's unprecedented eight-volume series exploring the Battle of Britain, the events that led up to the outbreak of war in 1939, and which set the scene for the epic aerial conflict of summer 1940, were fully explored. Continuing his examination of the events of the Spitfire Summer, in Battle of Britain: The Breaking Storm Dilip provides a day-by-day chronicle of the Battle of Britain's first phase - the so-called Kanalkampf - which was fought over the Channel-bound convoys between 10 July and 12 August 1940. This account, though, does not simply concern RAF Fighter Command, as the author recognises the operations and efforts of the RAF's Bomber and Coastal commands, the Royal Navy and mercantile marine - making this book part of what he calls 'the Big story'. Hitler's actual policies and intentions towards the ongoing war with Britain are also explored. If the Battle of Britain was fought to deny Germany the aerial superiority required to launch a seaborne invasion of southern England, then, the author argues, the conflict could surely only have begun when the Germans committed to Operation Seeloewe - which was not, in fact, until 21 July 1940. It has previously been accepted that Hitler's War Directive of 16 July 1940 signalled the intention to invade, but the author proves that this was no more than another example of the 'brinkmanship' that Hitler was renowned for, and the air attacks at that time little more than 'Air Fleet Diplomacy', all of which was intended to frighten Britain into accepting the Fuhrer's 'last appeal to reason' of 19 July 1940. In his broadcast of 22 July 1940, Lord Halifax made the nation's unbowed position quite clear. He called Hitler's bluff: previously reluctant to fight Britain, Hitler's preferred policy in the ongoing war had been blockade and diplomacy - but now he had no choice but to unleash the Luftwaffe against Britain. All of this is investigated in detail, aligning these wider events and high decisions with action in the air. Through diligent research, combined with crucial official primary sources and personal papers, Dilip unravels many myths, often challenging the accepted narrative. This is not simply another dull record of combat losses and claims - far from it. Drawing upon unique first-hand accounts from a wide-range of combatants and eyewitnesses, along with Daily Home Intelligence Reports and numerous other primary sources, this book forms part of what is likely to be the first and last such comprehensively woven account of this epic air battle.

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LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION"In this extraordinary novel, Castleberry brilliantly hopscotches from person to person, from era to era, while somehow making all this fancy footwork look effortless and essential." - Jenny Offill, author of Department of Speculation and WeatherA luminous debut novel in the tradition of DeLillo and Egan, chronicling the eerily intersecting lives of a series of American dreamers whose unforeseen links reveal the divided heart of a haunted nation—and the battered grace that might lead to its salvationJune 26, 1947. Headlines across America report the sighting of nine pulsating lights flying over the Cascade Mountains at speeds surpassing any aircraft. In Chicago, inspired by the news, Oliver Danville, a failed actor now reduced to a mediocre pool hustler, hitchhikes west in a fever-dream quest for a possible sign from above that might illuminate his true calling. A chance encounter with Saul Penrod, an Idaho farmer, and his family sets in motion the birth of “the Seekers”—a collective of outcasts, interlopers, and idealists devoted to creating a society where divisions of race, ethnicity, and sexuality are a thing of the past. When Claudette Donen, a waitress on the lam from her suffocating family, encounters the group, she is compulsively drawn to Oliver’s sister Eileen, but before she is able to join the enigmatic community, it has vanished. Reunited across the country, the Seekers attempt to settle in the suburbs of Long Island. One night, their purpose suddenly revealed, a stranger emerges, and a horrific crime ensues. In the decades that follow, the perpetrators, survivors, and their children will be forced to face the consequences of what happened—a reckoning that will involve Charlie Ranagan, a traveling salesman; Max Felt, a dissolute late-1960s rock star; Alice Linwood, an increasingly paranoid radio host; Stanley West, a struggling African American poet; Marly Feldberg, a Greenwich Village painter; and Debbie Vasquez, a Connecticut teenager trapped by an avalanche of midnight legacies. Each will prove to be a piece of a puzzle that, when assembled, reveals a shocking truth about the clash between the optimism of those who seek inspiration from spacious skies, and the venom of others who relish the underworld—not only via conspiratorial maneuverings, but the literal unearthing of the dead. The result is one of the most exciting, and unforgettable, debut novels in recent memory, and the launch of a major career in American letters.

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'We – artists, thinkers, creators – have a responsibility to communicate the truth of the climate emergency. The world is shape-shifting and our culture must too.' This book is a guide to one hundred brilliant plays addressing the most urgent and important issue of our time: the climate crisis. The plays – drawn from around the world, written by one hundred different writers, and demonstrating a vast span of styles, genres and cast sizes – all speak to an aspect of the climate emergency. Encompassing both famous plays and lesser-known works, the selection includes recent writing that explicitly wrestles with these issues, as well as classic texts in which these resonances now ring out clearly. Each play is explored in a concise essay illuminating key themes, and highlighting its contribution to our understanding of climate issues, with sections including Resources, Energy, Migration, Responsibility, Fightback and Hope. 100 Plays to Save the World is a book to provoke as well as inspire – to start conversations, to inform debate, to challenge our thinking, and to be a launch pad for future productions. It is also an empowering resource for theatre directors, producers, teachers, youth leaders and writers looking for plays that speak to our present moment. Above all, it is a call to arms, to step up, think big, and unleash theatre's power to imagine a better future into being. The book includes a foreword by Daze Aghaji, a leading youth climate justice activist. 'This book is a kind of miracle, a thrilling compendium of plays that speak to the enormous environmental crisis of our time. Freestone and O'Hare have exquisite taste and brilliant analysis, illuminating plays I've never heard of, as well as plays I thought I knew. 100 Plays to Save the World should be required reading for everyone who believes in the power of theatre to move the world; I will certainly never plan a season again without referring to it.' Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director, The Public Theater, New York 'This book is dynamite. Through lively play analysis and accessible environmental know-how, it will galvanise theatre-makers to step up and artists to be heard. Theatre must play its part in the climate fight and this book shows us how.' Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director, Young Vic Theatre, London

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A guide to ending America's jobs emergency by accelerating the true engine of job creation—start-ups Four years after the end of the Great Recession, 23 million Americans remain unemployed, underemployed, or have left the workforce discouraged. Even worse, Washington policymakers seem out of ideas. Where the Jobs Are: Entrepreneurship and the Soul of the American Economy shows how America can restore its great job-creation machine. Recent research has demonstrated that virtually all net new job creation in the United States over the past thirty years has come from businesses less than a year old—true "start-ups." Start-up businesses create an average of three million new jobs each year, while existing businesses of any size or age shed a net average of about one million jobs annually. Unfortunately, the vital signs of America's job-creating entrepreneurial economy are flashing red alert. After remaining remarkably consistent for decades, the rate of new business formation has declined significant in recent years, and the number of new jobs created by new firms is also falling. In Where the Jobs Are, the authors recount the findings of a remarkable summer they spent traveling the country to meet and conduct roundtables with entrepreneurs in a dozen cities. More than 200 entrepreneurs participated—explaining in specific and vividly personal terms the issues, frustrations, and obstacles that are undermining their efforts to launch new businesses, expand existing young firms, and create jobs. Those obstacles include a dangerously underperforming education system, self-defeating immigration policies that thwart the attraction and retention of the world's best talent, access to capital difficulties, a mounting regulatory burden, unnecessary tax complexity, and severe Washington-produced economic uncertainty. Explains how start-ups are different from existing businesses, large or small, and why they represent the engine of job creation Reveals how policymakers' failure to understand the unique nature and needs of start-ups has undermined efforts to stimulate the economy following the Great Recession Presents a detailed, innovative, and uniquely credible 30-point policy agenda based on what America's job creators said they urgently need Engaging and informative, Where the Jobs Are reveals with unprecedented precision and clarity the major obstacles undermining the fragile economic recovery, and provides a vitally important game plan to unleash the job-creating capacity of the entrepreneurial economy and put a beleaguered nation back to work.

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To be successful in business you must be able to attract the right clients and persuade them to buy. However, on the internet, people only see what the search engines direct them to and the competition for those top spots is fierce. So how do you ensure that your business is front-and-center when prospects are searching for solutions? The answer is The Findability Formula. The Findability Formula is for anyone who wants to improve results from Internet marketing. The book is specifically written for business owners who are frustrated with a website that is not showing up in search results and not generating business. The Findability Formula will help readers understand how prospects and customers search for products and services on the Internet, and will show them, step-by-step, how to optimize their findability. The book will be a non-technical guide to effectively building and implementing, from the ground up, an Internet search marketing program that gets results. The reader will learn how paid search works, and how paid and organic search can work together to create optimum web visibility and reduce paid search costs over time. The basic message of the book is that there is a formula for findability and for converting prospects to purchasers. Readers' Benefits from The Findability Formula: * A complete step-by-step approach to search engine marketing applicable to any product or service, The Findability Formula will include easy-to-follow instruction from chapter to chapter as well as launch checklists in the appendix. * The most up-to-date search research and statistics available, including uncommon ways to connect with your online buyer. * Shows the reader how to avoid common search marketing mistakes that cost big money. How to not be bullied and take control of in-house e-commerce department strategies and SEM agencies. * A small company can compete successfully in search with larger, well-established competitors. How to work smarter to get even better search engine "findability". * Maximizes the reader's investment. The reader won't waste money by needlessly paying for "clicks" from customers who have no intention of buying. The investment in this book will be repaid thousands of times over. * Saves time, money and energy in creating in-house search marketing programs and properly tracking results by keyword. Negates the need to hire outside SEM agencies

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See firsthand how war photography is used to sway public opinion.In the autumn of 2014, the Royal Air Force released blurry video of a missile blowing up a pick-up truck which may have had a weapon attached to its flatbed. This was a lethal form of gesture politics: to send a £9-million bomber from Cyprus to Iraq and back, burning £35,000 an hour in fuel, to launch a smart missile costing £100,000 to destroy a truck or, rather, to create a video that shows it being destroyed. Some lives are ended—it is impossible to tell whose—so that the government can pretend that it taking effective action by creating a high-budget snuff movie. This is killing for show.Since the Vietnam War the way we see conflict—through film, photographs, and pixels—has had a powerful impact on the political fortunes of the campaign, and the way that war has been conducted. In this fully illustrated and passionately argued account of war imagery, Julian Stallabrass tells the story of post-war conflict, how it was recorded and remembered through its iconic photography.The relationship between war and photograph is constantly in transition, forming new perspectives, provoking new challenges: what is allowed to be seen? Does an image have the power to change political opinion? How are images used to wage war? Stallabrass shows how photographs have become a vital weapon in the modern war: as propaganda—from close-quarters fighting to the drone’s electronic vision—as well as a witness to the barbarity of events such as the My Lai massacre, the violent suppression of insurgent Fallujah or the atrocities in Abu Ghraib.Through these accounts Stallabrass maps a comprehensive theoretical re-evaluation of the relationship between war, politics and visual culture. Killing for Show offers: 190 photographs encompassing photojournalism, artists’ images, photographs by soldiers and amateurs and drones A comprehensive comparison of the role of photography in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars An explanation of the waning power of iconic images in collective memory An analysis of the failure of military PR and the public display of killing A focus on what can and cannot be seen, photographed and published An exploration of the power and limits of amateur photography Arguments about how violent images act on democracy This full-color book is an essential volume in the history of warfare and photography

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The new breed of American fast aircraft carriers could make thirty-three knots, and each carried almost 100 strike aircraft. Brought together as Task Force 58, also known as the Fast Carrier Task Force, this awesome armada at times comprised more than 100 ships carrying more than 100,000 men afloat. By 1945, more than 1,000-combat aircraft, fighters, dive- and torpedo-bombers could be launched in under an hour. The fast carriers were a revolution in naval warfare - it was a time when naval power moved away from the big guns of the battleship to air power projected at sea. Battleships were eventually subordinated to supporting and protecting the fast carriers, of which, at its peak, Task Force 58 had a total of seventeen. This book covers the birth of naval aviation, the appearance of the first modern carriers in the 1920s, through to the famous surprise six-carrier _Kid? Butai_ Japanese raid against Pearl Harbor on 8 December 1941 and then the early US successes of 1942 at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. The fast carriers allowed America, in late 1942 and early 1943, to finally move from bitter defence against the Japanese expansionist onslaught, to mounting her own offensive to retake the Pacific. Task Force 58 swept west and north from the Solomon Islands to the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, neutralising Truk in Micronesia, and Palau in the Caroline islands, before the vital Mariana Islands operations, the Battle of Saipan, the first battle of the Philippine Sea and the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. The strikes by Task Force 58 took Allied forces across the Pacific, to the controversial Battle of Leyte Gulf and to Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Task Force 58 had opened the door to the Japanese home islands themselves - allowing US bombers to finally get close enough to launch the devastating nuclear bombing raids on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Task Force 58 participated in virtually all the US Navy's major battles in the Pacific theatre during the last two years of the war. Having spent many years investigating naval shipwrecks across the Pacific, many the result of the devastating effectiveness of Task Force 58, diver and shipwreck author Rod Macdonald has created the most detailed account to date of the fast carrier strike force, the force that brought Japan to its knees and brought the Second World War to its crashing conclusion.

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Now a 6-part mini-series called Why the Rest of Us Die airing on VICE TV! The shocking truth about the government’s secret plans to survive a catastrophic attack on US soil—even if the rest of us die—is “a frightening eye-opener” (Kirkus Reviews) that spans the dawn of the nuclear age to today, and "contains everything one could possibly want to know" (The Wall Street Journal).Every day in Washington, DC, the blue-and-gold first Helicopter Squadron, codenamed “MUSSEL,” flies over the Potomac River. As obvious as the Presidential motorcade, most people assume the squadron is a travel perk for VIPs. They’re only half right: while the helicopters do provide transport, the unit exists to evacuate high-ranking officials in the event of a terrorist or nuclear attack on the capital. In the event of an attack, select officials would be whisked by helicopters to a ring of secret bunkers around Washington, even as ordinary citizens were left to fend for themselves. “In exploring the incredible lengths (and depths) that successive administrations have gone to in planning for the aftermath of a nuclear assault, Graff deftly weaves a tale of secrecy and paranoia” (The New York Times Book Review) with details "that read like they've been ripped from the pages of a pulp spy novel" (Vice). For more than sixty years, the US government has been developing secret Doomsday strategies to protect itself, and the multibillion-dollar Continuity of Government (COG) program takes numerous forms—from its potential to evacuate the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to the plans to launch nuclear missiles from a Boeing-747 jet flying high over Nebraska. Garrett M. Graff sheds light on the inner workings of the 650-acre compound, called Raven Rock, just miles from Camp David, as well as dozens of other bunkers the government built for its top leaders during the Cold War, from the White House lawn to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado to Palm Beach, Florida, and the secret plans that would have kicked in after a Cold War nuclear attack to round up foreigners and dissidents and nationalize industries. Equal parts a presidential, military, and cultural history, Raven Rock tracks the evolution of the government plan and the threats of global war from the dawn of the nuclear era through the War on Terror.

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In the 1980’s sonochemistry was considered to be a rather restricted branch of chemistry involving the ways in which ultrasound could improve synthetic procedures, predominantly in heterogeneous systems and particularly for organometallic reactions. Within a few years the subject began to expand into other disciplines including food technology, environmental protection and the extraction of natural materials. Scientific interest grew and led to the formation of the European Society of Sonochemistry in 1990 and the launch of a new journal Ultrasonics Sonochemistry in 1994. The subject continues to develop as an exciting and multi-disciplinary science with the participation of not only chemists but also physicists, engineers and biologists. The resulting cross-fertilisation of ideas has led to the rapid growth of interdisciplinary research and provided an ideal way for young researchers to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the ways in which different sciences can interact. It expands scientific knowledge through an opening of the closed doors that sometimes restrict the more specialist sciences. The journey of exploration in sonochemistry and its expansion into new fields of science and engineering is recounted in "Sonochemistry Evolution and Expansion" written by two pioneers in the field. It is unlike other texts about sonochemistry in that it follows the chronological developments in several very different applications of sonochemistry through the research experiences of the two authors Tim Mason and Mircea Vinatoru. Designed for chemists and chemical engineers Written by two experts and practitioners in the subject Volume 1 covers the historical background and evolution of sonochemistry Volume 2 explains the wider applications and expansion of the subject VOLUME 2 Applications and Developments Volume 2 contains six chapters which detail the developments of sonochemistry in fields which continue to attract considerable research and development interest from academia and industry. The topics range from the important developments in chemical synthesis through food technology and materials processing to therapeutic ultrasound. The authors have made contributions to all of these and so the content is written in a way which should be understandable to readers whose expertise may not necessarily be in the individual topic. Each of the applications and developments described help to illustrate not only the diverse nature of sonochemistry but also the unifying theme of the effects of acoustic cavitation on a wide range of procedures.

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'This is a brilliant read… the story twists and turns to an exciting conclusion and leaves you wanting more’ Mac Reviews BooksOld crimes don’t stay buried forever…It’s high summer, and London sizzles in the grip of a heatwave. But when the body of young mother, Leanne Wyatt, is discovered in an East London park, the heat rises to boiling point for D.I. Matthew Denning. Under pressure to solve the case, and fast, he delves into Leanne’s history and finds that she was close to some dangerous individuals – could one of them have taken her life in an angry rage? But when another woman is found dead in similar circumstances, Denning is forced to consider that a killer stalks the capital’s streets.But when young, ambitious, D.S. Molly Fisher, discovers a horrifying link to these deaths and a killing spree in South London a decade ago – a terrifying summer where young women died at the hands of a psychopath the press dubbed ‘The Bermondsey Ripper’, the case is blown wide open. Anthony Ferguson is serving a life sentence for the crimes, so are these new deaths the result of a copycat killer - or did the police convict the wrong man? Whatever the case, Denning and Fisher need to stop a killer in his tracks – before he sets his sights on them. The launch of a gripping new crime thriller series featuring D.I. Matthew Denning and D.S Molly Fisher, Know No Evil will utterly engross fans of Ian Rankin, Angela Marsons and L.J. Ross.Praise for Know No Evil:‘Wow I really enjoyed this book… It is a complex, intriguing, grabbing book that you can sink your teeth into. I was hooked from beginning to end’ Reading Through the Pain ‘The solving of the crime had me gripped… we’re never sure what is a red herring until the riveting climax’ Cara Merrol Loves Books‘An excellent debut novel, I was drawn in from the start… the twists are clever and I genuinely didn’t guess the ending’ Alex J Book Reviews‘Enough twists to keep you guessing in this solid, engrossing and well-plotted police procedural… thoroughly entertaining’ The Bookwormery‘This story starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout… fast-paced and multi-layered, each twist and turn drawing us further in’ Book Bound

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After a solar flare upended the world order, Kwesi Brackett's life disintegrated. His wife took up with a millionaire in the heavily armed Silicon territories and his daughter's university, Yale, relocated to the Caribbean. After being laid off by NASA, Brackett finds himself in Africa, as one of the head engineers for the newly formed Nigerian Space Program. Suddenly, the NSP's goal of getting astronauts into space is more important than ever. With most of Europe, Asia, and North America knocked off-line, thousands of satellites about to plummet to Earth, and the political minefield that is the rescue of an international group of astronauts trapped on the international station, time is of the essence. The deranged and violent militant group Boko Haram is steadily approaching, and the last surviving members of the Fulani tribe, an ancient matriarchal nomadic society, have found refuge in the abandoned caves of the Saon people. Accessible only by sonic vibrations, the sophisticated cave system contains messages from the past in a series of astrolabes, powerful amulets whose destructive force is harnessed by the Fulani tribeswomen. The astrolabes, it turns out, hold the secret to the Saon people's extinction, and clues about a different flare that rocked Earth thousands of years ago. When a mysterious creature breaks into Brackett's quarters, the engineer is not sure whether it was a rival space program or the government as they race to complete the Naijapool--an anti-gravity simulation to train the Naijanuats. In over his head, Bracket is distracted only by his favorite reality show Mrs. N Fires the Help and his affair with scientist and music enthusiast, Seeta. Increasingly, however, Nigeria's past and present are threatening to collide in a battle over its own future, and Bracket and Seeta seem to be the only ones who suspect it is all connected. Enter Wale Olufunmi, the original protagonist of Nigerians in Space. A former lunar geologist who continues to dream of participating directly in a space mission, Wale lands at the Nigerian Space Program facility, on a private jet. When Brackett, Wale, and Seeta discover the Fulani women's hideout, and the power of the astrolabes, they band together to outmaneuver Boko Haram, save Nigeria from a sinister government conspiracy, and finally launch a spacecraft.

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"This is an impressively cogent account of the complex, shifting media landscape in France, agreeably written by an acknowledged expert in the field ... finding a workable balance between research expertise and usefulness for teaching is never easy, but this volume comes as close as possible to getting it right."Journal of European Studies 2012 42: 94"Thanks to his intimate knowledge of French politics and culture, Kuhn has brilliantly captured what makes the uniqueness of the French media system."Thierry Vedel, Senior Research Fellow at Sciences Po in Paris"This book achieves the remarkable and all too rare combination of offering an extremely clear, accessible and well organised introduction for students of the French Media and providing a host of new perspectives to those well versed in the field."Dr David Levy, Director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford, UK"A necessary tool to understand a very particular mass media system such as the French one. After a detailed historical reconstruction Raymond Kuhn offers an interesting interpretation of the present mass media problems under the Sarkozy Presidency."Paolo Mancini, Università di Perugia, ItalyThe Media in Contemporary France analyses the role of the main news media - press, radio, television and the internet - in one of the world's major democracies. Written by a leading specialist in the field, it covers media policy, news management and image projection during the mediatized 'hyperpresidency' of Nicolas Sarkozy.Raymond Kuhn outlines the historical development of the media in France before providing a critical evaluation of today's digital media landscape, that has seen both the entry of new online actors (such as Google, Facebook and Twitter) and the destabilization of many traditional outlets in both press and broadcasting sectors (for instance, Le Monde and France Télévisions).Key aspects of the structures and functioning of the contemporary media - including ownership, political partisanship, content regulation and policy-making - are covered in depth. The author also looks at the contribution of the French media on the world stage, with the launch of the international rolling news channel, France 24, serving as a case study of France's global media activities.This book will appeal to students in the fields of media and communication studies, political communication, journalism, French politics and society and European Studies.

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“An extraordinary tale of derring-do told in a mesmerising new book via fascinating archive pictures – and worthy of a Hollywood movie too.” — Daily Mail "A new book showcasing them all is a fascinating read… The care and dedication that has gone into The Nansen Photographs is obvious." — Amateur Photographer "This epic tome, lovingly and painstakingly put together by Geir O Klover, director of the Fram Museum in Oslo, recounts this expedition using original photos and diary entries." — Black and White Photography In the late 19th century, the Norwegian Artic explorer Fridtjof Nansen undertook a pioneering expedition: he wanted to reach the North Pole with the specially designed ship Fram. The Nansen Photographs recounts this expedition, from the launch in 1890 through to the end of Nansen’s international lecture tour in 1897, using original photographs alongside personal diary entries from Nansen and seven of his crew members. Together, they illustrate in a poignant and sometimes disconcerting way how the expedition members went about their daily lives and conducted their research, the conflicts they faced, and how they ultimately brought their daring undertaking to its successful conclusion. This book brings new life to previously known facts and introduces the reader to hundreds of previously unknown photographs from the expedition. The large format of the book brings the smaller details in the photographs to the forefront, providing new insight into the work and life on board, the equipment and the clothing. Opposing diary entries from Nansen and the men about the same situations show that life on board was not always easy and tell a gripping story of survival and the human condition. Nansen’s lack of empathy and practical skills caused frustration among the men, and several of them resorted to fists to sort out their differences, but nonetheless they all pulled through and set a new standard for arctic expeditions to come. When Nansen leaves the ship for his legendary 18 month journey with Hjalmar Johansen towards the North Pole, we follow both Nansen and Johansen and the crew left on board through their photographs and diaries. The return to Norway and the spectacular celebration is told in detail through photographs, newspaper reports, speeches, menus and ephemera. This stunning 712-page book comes with an illustrated dustjacket and contains 850 photographs and illustrations, 35 ship drawings and 25 maps.

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With 28 new chapters, the third edition of The Practice of System and Network Administration innovates yet again! Revised with thousands of updates and clarifications based on reader feedback, this new edition also incorporates DevOps strategies even for non-DevOps environments. Whether you use Linux, Unix, or Windows, this new edition describes the essential practices previously handed down only from mentor to protégé. This wonderfully lucid, often funny cornucopia of information introduces beginners to advanced frameworks valuable for their entire career, yet is structured to help even experts through difficult projects. Other books tell you what commands to type. This book teaches you the cross-platform strategies that are timeless! DevOps techniques: Apply DevOps principles to enterprise IT infrastructure, even in environments without developers Game-changing strategies: New ways to deliver results faster with less stress Fleet management: A comprehensive guide to managing your fleet of desktops, laptops, servers and mobile devices Service management: How to design, launch, upgrade and migrate services Measurable improvement: Assess your operational effectiveness; a forty-page, pain-free assessment system you can start using today to raise the quality of all services Design guides: Best practices for networks, data centers, email, storage, monitoring, backups and more Management skills: Organization design, communication, negotiation, ethics, hiring and firing, and more Have you ever had any of these problems? Have you been surprised to discover your backup tapes are blank? Ever spent a year launching a new service only to be told the users hate it? Do you have more incoming support requests than you can handle? Do you spend more time fixing problems than building the next awesome thing? Have you suffered from a botched migration of thousands of users to a new service? Does your company rely on a computer that, if it died, can’t be rebuilt? Is your network a fragile mess that breaks any time you try to improve it? Is there a periodic “hell month” that happens twice a year? Twelve times a year? Do you find out about problems when your users call you to complain? Does your corporate “Change Review Board” terrify you? Does each division of your company have their own broken way of doing things? Do you fear that automation will replace you, or break more than it fixes? Are you underpaid and overworked? No vague “management speak” or empty platitudes. This comprehensive guide provides real solutions that prevent these problems and more!

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David Tennant returns as the Tenth Doctor in this monumental new full-cast Doctor Who audio drama series. Dalek Universe comprises nine hour-long episodes overall, which will see the Doctor pulled out of time and sent back to the era before the last great Time War! This box set contains three stories: 1.1 Buying Time by John Dorney. The far future - Anya Kingdom of the Space Security Service is on a mission investigating an SSS ship crashing on a distant jungle planet. Unknown to her superiors, she's searching for something very specific... but what she finds is completely unexpected. Her old friend, the Doctor. With a completely different face and no idea what he's doing there. The Time Lord soon finds himself drawn into a conspiracy involving voracious predators, time travel and a malevolent businessman. History itself is breaking down. If he makes a mistake, it could mean the end of everything... 1.2 The Wrong Woman by John Dorney. The team's investigations have taken an unexpected turn - but the signs all still point to Sheldrake. With the clock ticking down to the launch of the time tunnels, the Doctor, Anya and Mark split up... but soon discover how hard it is to fight a foe who can always keep one step ahead of you. But stopping him is only half the battle. The Doctor says that time can be rewritten - and Anya is searching for redemption. Can she put history back on track? Or is the Doctor's future never going to be the same again? 1.3 The House of Kingdom by Andrew Smith. The Doctor and his friends are trying to locate a scientist to help them out on their quest... but an attack on a space-station alters their plans. Rescued by Anya's grandfather, Merrick, and taken to Neptune, the Doctor and Mark discover her family history. A story of betrayal and loss. Will the Kingdoms be reconciled? Or are they destined to continue the mistakes of the past? This boxset contains all three stories, plus additional behind the scenes interviews. CAST: David Tennant (The Doctor), Jane Slavin (Anya Kingdom), Joe Sims (Mark Seven), Nicholas Briggs (The Mechonoids), Mark Gatiss (George Sheldrake), Chris Jarman (Pastor/Vesht), Kevin McNally (Merrick Kingdom), Gemma Whelan (The Newcomer), Juliet Aubrey (Esther Malkin), Maria Teresa Creasey (Dr Abigail Crane). Other parts played by members of the cast.

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A radical new business book from business trailblazers Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson that offers a reappraisal of business best practice - advocating stripping everything back to bare essentials. With its straightforward language and easy-is-better approach, Rework is the perfect playbook for anyone who's ever dreamed of doing it on their own. It will COMPLETELY change your approach to work.Every once in a while, a book comes out that changes just about everything. This is one of those books. Ignore it at your peril' -- Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author'Inspirational...REWORK is a minimalist manifesto that's profoundly practical. In a world where we all keep getting asked to do more with less, the authors show us how to do less and create more' -- Scott Rosenberg, Co-Founder of Salon.com'Filled with excellent plain English advice, it's one of the best books out there for business productivity' -- ***** Reader review'Every word is well-crafted, well-chosen, and easy to both digest and engage with' -- ***** Reader review'Thought-provoking and truthful' -- ***** Reader review'A must-read for today's managers' -- ***** Reader review**********************************************************************************************From the founders of the trailblazing software company 37signals, here is a different kind of business book - one that explores a new reality.Today, anyone can be in business. Tools that used to be out of reach are now easily accessible. Technology that cost thousands is now just a few pounds or even free. Stuff that was impossible just a few years ago is now simple.That means anyone can start a business. And you can do it without working miserable 80-hour weeks or depleting your life savings. You can start it on the side while your day job provides all the cash flow you need. Forget about business plans, meetings, office space - you don't need them. The key is stripping everything back to the bare minimum and basics and then rebuilding; keeping everything simple and under control. You'll learn how to begin, why you need less than you think, when to launch, how to promote and whom (and when) to hire.Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs who want to get out, and artists who don't want to starve anymore will all find valuable inspiration and guidance in these pages.It's time to rework work.Perfect for readers of Tim Ferriss's The 4 Hour Work Week, Seth Godin's Purple Cow and Chris Anderson's The Long Tail.

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From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen comes an action-packed Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars. Yared has traveled light years to find his place in the universe. Though the battle of Addis Prime is over, the spacefaring Axum Empire is still fractured, and returning to the planet where their galaxy-spanning civilization began -Earth. But they find the planet in disarray. Old Earth's atmosphere is a mess of junked shuttles and satellites. This is especially true of Debris Town, an orbital flotilla where poor spacefarers - left to rot by the Intergalactic Union that rose up in Axum's place - have taken to piracy to survive. Yared is set to speak at the opening of the Royal Trials, a competition of the best exo pilots in the Sol System. But on the day of his speech, the pirates launch an attack! The siege sets off a chain of events that will lead Yared into the depths of Old Earth - and the jaws of a cruel betrayal. There's more to the pirates - and Debris Town - than anyone saw coming... Black Panther meets Star Wars - bold, action-packed, high-stakes storytelling, told by #OwnVoices creators. For fans of Percy Jackson. This sci-fi adventure is loosely based on the real-life story of the author HRH Prince Joel Makonnen, a member of the Ethiopian royal family, and is full of Ethiopian myth and folklore. REVIEWS OF LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR #1 Inspired by the history and lore of Ethiopia, this cinematic space adventure introduces 12-year-old Yared Heywat as he fights to protect those he loves after learning stunning secrets about his world and himself ... In this fast-paced, Afrofuturist homage to Ethiopia, Mbalia and Ethiopian prince Makonnen craft an enthralling tale of resilience, family, and bravery that will entertain young sci-fi lovers. - Publisher's Weekly Action-packed technothriller ... Readers will delight in Yared's puckish demeanor and perspective, his loyal bionic lioness, Besa, and the events that ensue as all of Yared's childhood stories come to life in a terrifying way, from dangerous monsters to mysterious floating realms. In this vivid, volatile Afrofuturist sf world, as Yared journeys to learn about himself and his spiraling environment, he must figure out who to trust and how he is connected to all of the chaos. - Booklist An epic sci-fi adventure - The Nerd Daily

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Military bodies around our planet have encountered, and even clashed with, UFOs, or as the U.S. military now defines them, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena – UAP. These observations and engagements have occurred for well over a century, at least, and on all continents. Different nations and cultures have had vastly different interpretations of the UFO/UAP phenomenon – from the Soviet Union and Communist China to the Western democracies. The UFO/UAP phenomenon has not diminished and has instead grown in proportion in recent years. It has now assumed the mantle of legitimacy in many countries: in government circles, the media, among the general public, even in the world’s militaries. What are less well-known, or even concealed, are the encounters our planet’s militaries have had with UFOs – some of which have proved fatal – to both sides. There were reported clashes between UFOs and both Allied and German aircraft in the First World War. In the Second World War, sightings of what became known as ‘Foo Fighters’ were commonplace. After that war, UFO-related incidents increased exponentially, culminating in the wave of observations in 1947. In July of that year, the United States Air Force announced the capture of a ‘flying disk’, outside Roswell, New Mexico. The USAF quickly withdrew the announcement, but it was verified for decades by scores of reliable witnesses – military and civilian. The crash was possibly caused, albeit unintentionally, by the U.S. military. Four-and-a-half years later, in July 1952, for two consecutive weekends, UFOs hovered over Washington, D.C. USAF jets trying to intercept the strange craft were outrun by the UFOs. UFOs/UAP have tampered with world nuclear forces, including shutting down strategic missiles of the United States, and activating Soviet ICBMs, almost setting off an unordered (by Soviet authorities) launch of atomic warheads against the United States. USAF and RAF personnel, including a Lieutenant Colonel, also encountered a UFO on the ground, and observed others above their joint air base at Rendlesham Forest in the UK in 1980. UFOs have played ‘cat-and-mouse’ games with the latest fighter-bombers of the United States Navy since 2004, and these events have been captured on videotape as verified by the pilots, and the navy. This book takes a no-nonsense approach in its careful research, with hundreds of sources cited, including formerly classified documents and testimony regarding UFOs/UAP. As readers will discover from the mass of evidence presented in this book, it is no longer a question of whether UFOs exist or not. Such phenomena are an incontrovertible fact that has prompted the United States to craft plans on how to resist an alien invasion. Is there any need for humans to be concerned about the alien presence in the skies surrounding our planet? Yes, be very concerned.

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Terrorism became personal for Mike Walton on his last missiona mission that resulted in triumph...and devastating tragedy. Now the stakes have been raised again. Mike and his wife Lisaboth covert assets of the International Market Stabilization Institute, a privately funded organization operating outside official channels to protect North America's financial interestsare sent to Russia after an attempt on their superior officer's life. It is a mission fraught with peril and one that becomes exponentially more dangerous when their covers are blown within hours of setting foot in Moscow. Now, they are being hunted down by the Sheik, the terrorist mastermind behind the kidnapping of Mike's father, Ray Powell, and to the treachery that turned Mike and Lisa's lives upside down. To make matters worse, there are clues that Biopreparatthe former Soviet Union biological warfare agencyhas been resurrected and is about to launch a strike against the United States. This forces Mike and Lisa to make the most difficult choice of all. With Ray Powell's life hanging in the balance, and the slightest mistake potentially igniting the next World War, nothing is what it seems. And the line between friend and foe is blurring. A stunning experience by one of the hottest voices in thriller fiction, A Red Dotted Line takes readers on an unforgettable ride. PRAISE FOR SIMON GERVAIS' INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER THE THIN BLACK LINE: "Realistic, vivid, dramatic, this is a story told by someone who knows what he's talking about. I offer a bow to this exciting debut and to the newest member of the thriller-writing community. Make a note: in the years ahead Simon Gervais is a name you'll be seeing on many more book covers." - Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author When Simon Gervais writes about the world of high-stakes global security, he knows what he's talking about. His world-class security expertise shines through in THE THIN BLACK LINE, a high-speed, break-neck, turbo-charged thriller that takes readers behind the scenes of the war on terrorism." - David Morell, New York Times bestselling author "THE THIN BLACK LINE is a refreshingly smart and blisteringly original tale that's equal parts financial thriller and cat-and-mouse game with the survival of the United States economy hanging in the balance. Simon Gervais puts his own law enforcement background to solid use in hitting a home run his first time at the plate. A major debut that places him on the level of Nelson DeMille and Brad Thor." - Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author THE THIN BLACK LINE takes a fascinating look into Canada's covert operations, complemented by loveable and heroic characters you will find yourself rooting for. For a thrilling spring read, check out The Thin Black Line!" - Ottawa Life

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SHORTLISTED: 2022 CBCA Book of the Year, Older ReadersSHORTLISTED: 2022 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, Indigenous Writing PrizeSHORTLISTED: 2022 NSW Premier's Literary Award, Indigenous Writers' PrizeSHORTLISTED: 2022 Adelaide Festival Awards, Young Adult Fiction AwardSHORTLISTED: 2021 QLD Literary Awards, Griffith University Young Adult Book Award'I don't paint so much anymore,' I say, looking to my feet.'Oh. Well, I got a boy who needs to do some art. You can help him out,' Aunty Pam says, like I have no say in the matter, like she didn't hear what I just said about not painting so much anymore. 'Jackson, this is Tomas. He's living with me for a little while.' It's a hot summer, and life's going all right for Jackson and his family on the Mish. It's almost Christmas, school's out, and he's hanging with his mates, teasing the visiting tourists, avoiding the racist boys in town. Just like every year, Jackson's Aunty and annoying little cousins visit from the city - but this time a mysterious boy with a troubled past comes with them... As their friendship evolves, Jackson must confront the changing shapes of his relationships with his friends, family and community. And he must face his darkest secret - a secret he thought he'd locked away for good. Compelling, honest and beautifully written, The Boy from the Mish is about first love, identity, and the superpower of self-belief.'The Boy from the Mish is an extraordinary debut novel, and I loved this tender, beautiful story with all my heart. Jackson and Tomas stole my heart, and I'll be thinking about them for a long time.' NINA KENWOOD'A lightning bolt to the soul. The Boy from the Mish announces a bold, necessary new talent.' WILL KOSTAKIS 'How I wish I had this big-hearted book when I was a teenager. It would've changed my life. Let it change yours.' BENJAMIN LAW 'It is, honestly, a book I've been searching for over my whole career as an editor, as well as all my years as a (queer) reader. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me cry (repeatedly) and awed me with the power of its storytelling.' DAVID LEVITHAN, Scholastic US Editorial Director'A deftly woven tale that is both a raw, unflinching look at the experience of growing up gay and Aboriginal, and a sweet, truly endearing love story you just can't turn away from. This is Own Voices storytelling at its best.' HOLDEN SHEPPARD'Honest. Funny. Beautiful. This book is all the things.' GABBIE STROUD'What an amazing work Gary Lonesborough has launched into the world. It's bound to launch him into the stratosphere. This story will lighten and enrich the life of many.' JARED THOMAS

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As Henry Hudson sailed up the broad river that would one day bear his name, he grew concerned that his Dutch patrons would be disappointed in his failure to find the fabled route to the Orient. What became immediately apparent, however, from the Indians clad in deer skins and "good furs" was that Hudson had discovered something just as tantalizing. The news of Hudson's 1609 voyage to America ignited a fierce competition to lay claim to this uncharted continent, teeming with untapped natural resources. The result was the creation of an American fur trade, which fostered economic rivalries and fueled wars among the European powers, and later between the United States and Great Britain, as North America became a battleground for colonization and imperial aspirations. In Fur, Fortune, and Empire, best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin chronicles the rise and fall of the fur trade of old, when the rallying cry was "get the furs while they last." Beavers, sea otters, and buffalos were slaughtered, used for their precious pelts that were tailored into extravagant hats, coats, and sleigh blankets. To read Fur, Fortune, and Empire then is to understand how North America was explored, exploited, and settled, while its native Indians were alternately enriched and exploited by the trade. As Dolin demonstrates, fur, both an economic elixir and an agent of destruction, became inextricably linked to many key events in American history, including the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812, as well as to the relentless pull of Manifest Destiny and the opening of the West. This work provides an international cast beyond the scope of any Hollywood epic, including Thomas Morton, the rabble-rouser who infuriated the Pilgrims by trading guns with the Indians; British explorer Captain James Cook, whose discovery in the Pacific Northwest helped launch America's China trade; Thomas Jefferson who dreamed of expanding the fur trade beyond the Mississippi; America's first multimillionaire John Jacob Astor, who built a fortune on a foundation of fur; and intrepid mountain men such as Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith, who sliced their way through an awe inspiring and unforgiving landscape, leaving behind a mythic legacy still resonates today. Concluding with the virtual extinction of the buffalo in the late 1800s, Fur, Fortune, and Empire is an epic history that brings to vivid life three hundred years of the American experience, conclusively demonstrating that the fur trade played a seminal role in creating the nation we are today.

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GEO - Earth - is a word that simultaneously signifies something vast and elemental. It refers to both the planet on which we live and the soil that sustains us. GEO is the physical and representational bedrock of landscape architecture - the foundation of many disciplines from which we draw our knowledge. Geography, Geology, and Geometry, in particular, are fundamental to our discipline’s intellectual core. And now, we seem ever more entangled in GEO as some scholars across the sciences and humanities argue that humans should be recognised as agents of change at geologic time scales. LA+ GEO includes interviews with the celebrated author of After the Map, William Rankin, author and citizensensing visionary Jennifer Gabrys, and New Zealand based media artist and author Janine Randerson with guest editors Karen M’Closkey and Keith VanDerSys explore site surveying and sensing technologies as part of an expanded toolkit for landscape architects to bring environmental patterns down to earth and into view. Other notable points are from Designer Robert Gerard Pietrusko who reveals the covert militaristic agendas of early aerial land cover interpretation, Geographer Matthew W. Wilson revisits the rise of critical cartography within geography in the 1980s and ‘90s. Media scholar Lisa Parks describes the politics of vertical mediation by recounting the importance of activists’ use of drone-captured video to document both the protests against the construction of an oil pipeline through tribal lands, as well as the aggressive countermeasures taken by law enforcement to squelch the protests. Jeffrey S. Nesbit and David Salomon, rocket launch pads provide a vehicle to unpack the relationship between terrestrial and extra-terrestrial territories. Geographers Douglas Robb and Karen Bakker caution against the voyeuristic tendencies enabled by the satellite gaze. Through illustrated “Geostories,” Rania Ghosn imaginatively engages the “global commons” of outer space and oceans. Designer Matthew Ransom examines the tension between grassroots organisations and fracking industries in Pennsylvania. Author and activist Lucy R. Lippard takes us on an aerial journey across the United States. Historian and geographer B.W. Higman traces our modern predilections towards flatness. Through a remaking of Eugène Violletle Duc’s Mont Blanc studies, landscape architect Aisling O’Carroll exposes the imposition of geometric rationalisation on nature. Noah Heringman revisits the sublime in 18th-century landscape design, offering parallels to today’s Anthropocene discourses about environmental depletion and Shannon Mattern examines how rocks are collected, examined, and displayed as objects of spectacular brilliance – objects that ultimately reflect back on us by illuminating the histories of oppression embedded in their extraction.

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Learn how to automate processes, visualize your data, and improve productivity using Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, SharePoint, Forms, Teams, and more. This book will help you build complete solutions that often involve storing data in SharePoint, creating a front-end application in Power Apps or Forms, adding additional functionality with Power Automate, and effective reports and dashboards in Power BI. This new edition greatly expands the focus on Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, and Teams, along with SharePoint and Microsoft Forms. It starts with the basics of programming and shows how to build a simple email application in .NET, HTML/JavaScript, Power Apps on its own, and Power Apps and Power Automate in combination. It then covers how to connect Power Apps to SharePoint, create an approval process in Power Automate, visualize surveys in Power BI, and create your own survey solution with the combination of a number of Microsoft 365 tools. You’ll work with an extended example that shows how to use Power Apps and SharePoint together to create your own help ticketing system. This book offers a deep dive into Power BI, including working with JSON, XML, and Yes/No data, as well as visualizing learning data and using it to detect inconsistencies between Excel files. You’ll also see how to connect to Remedy and to the help system you will have created. Under author Jeffrey Rhodes’s guidance, you’ll delve into the Power Apps collection to learn how to avoid dreaded "delegation" issues with larger data sets. Back on applications, you will create a training class sign-up solution to only allow users to choose classes with available seats. Digging deeper into Teams, you’ll learn how to send chats, posts, and "adaptive cards" from Power Automate. Rounding things out, you’ll save Forms attachments to SharePoint with Power Automate, create your own "Employee Recognition" app with all of the Power Platform and Teams, add or edit weekly status reports, and learn how to create reservation and scoring applications. After reading the book, you will be able to build powerful applications using Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, SharePoint, Forms, and Teams. What You Will Learn Create productivity-enhancing applications with Power Apps, Power Automate, SharePoint, Forms, and/or Teams Transform and visualize data with Power BI to include custom columns, measures, and pivots Avoid delegation issues and tackle complicated Power Apps issues like complex columns, filtering, and ForAll loops Build scheduled or triggered Power Automate flows to schedule Teams Meetings, send emails, launch approvals, and much more Who This Book Is For Business and application developers.

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Winner of The Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award for Excellence in U.S. Army History Writing face=Calibri>– Journals, memoirs and letters, June 2008Shortly after the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the war in Iraq became the most confusing in U.S. history, the high command not knowing who to fight, who was attacking Coalition troops, and who among the different Iraqi groups were fighting each other. Yet there were a few astute officers like Lt. Col. Christopher Hughes, commanding the 2d Battalion of the 327th Inf. Regiment, 101st Airborne, who sensed the complexity of the task from the beginning.In War on Two Fronts Col. Hughes writes movingly of his No-Slack battalion at war in Iraq. The war got off to a bang for Hughes, when his brigade command tent was fragged by a Muslim sergeant in the 101st, leaving him briefly in charge of the brigade. Amid the nighttime confusion of 14 casualties, a nearby Patriot missile blasted off, panicking nearly everyone while mistakenly bringing down a British Tornado fighter-bomber.As Hughes’ battalion forged into Iraq they successfully liberated the city of Najaf, securing the safety of Grand Ayatollah Sistani and the Mosque of Ali, while showing an acute cultural awareness in doing so that caught the world's attention. It was a feat that landed Hughes within the pages of Time, Newsweek and other publications. The “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne then implemented creative programs in the initial postwar occupation, including harvesting the national wheat and barley crops, while combating nearly invisible insurgents.Conscious that an army battalion is a community of some 700-plus households, and that when a unit goes off to war the families are intimately connected in our internet age, Hughes makes clear the strength of those connections and how morale is best supported at both ends.Transferred to Washington after his tour in Iraq, Hughes then writes an illuminating account of the herculean efforts of many in the Pentagon to work around the corporatist elements of its bureaucracy, in order to better understand counterinsurgency and national reconstruction, which Lawrence of Arabia characterized as “like learning to eat soup with a knife.” To read this book will help understand the sources of mistakes made—and still being made—and the process needed to chart a successful strategy.Written with candor and no shortage of humor, intermixed with brutal scenes of combat and frank analysis, this book is a must-read for all those who seek insight into the current war in the Mideast.

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Everyone knows the story of the murder of young Emmett Till. In August 1955, a fourteen-year-old Chicago boy was murdered in Mississippi for having--supposedly--flirted with a white woman named Carolyn Bryant, who was working behind the counter of a store. Emmett was taken from the home of a relative later that night by white men; three days later, his naked body was recovered in the Tallahatchie River, weighed down by a cotton-gin fan. Till's killers were acquitted, but details of what had happened to him became public; the story gripped the country and sparked outrage. Black journalists drove down to Mississippi and risked their lives interviewing townsfolk, encouraging frightened witnesses, spiriting those in danger out of the region, and above all keeping the news cycle turning. It continues to turn. The murder has been the subject of books and documentaries, rising and falling in number with anniversaries and tie-ins, and shows no sign of letting up. Some have argued that his lynching did more to launch the Civil Rights movement than Rosa Parks or even Brown v. Board of Education. If that argument holds, it is in large part because of the photographs of Emmett Till--the before-photo of a young man jaunty with prospects, and the after-photos of the grotesquely disfigured face of a young man beaten to death and shot. The photographs, first reprinted in African-American journals and newspapers, didn't make their way to their white equivalents until much later, but they focused attention on the horrible, visceral truth of racism. It became impossible to turn away from them. The Till murder continues to haunt the American conscience. Fifty years later, in 2005, the FBI reopened the case. New papers and testimony have come to light, and several participants, including Till's mother, Mamie Till Mobley, have published autobiographies. Using this new evidence and a broadened historical context, Elliott J. Gorn delves into facets of the case never before studied and considers how and why the story of Emmett Till still resonates, and likely always will. Even as it marked a turning point, Gorn shows, hauntingly, it reveals how old patterns of thought and behavior linger in new faces, and how deeply embedded racism in America remains. Gorn does full justice to both Emmett and the Till Case--the boy and the symbol--and shows how and why their intersection illuminates a number of crossroads: of north and south, black and white, city and country, industrialization and agriculture, rich and poor, childhood and adulthood. This is the best book ever written on Emmett Till.

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Number One New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich returns with the launch of a blockbuster new series that blends wild adventure, hugely appealing characters, and pitch-perfect humour, proving once again why she’s 'the most popular mystery writer alive' (New York Times). Lost something? Gabriela Rose knows how to get it back. As a recovery agent, she’s hired by individuals and companies seeking lost treasures, stolen heirlooms, or missing assets of any kind. She’s reliable, cool under pressure, and well trained in weapons of all types. But Gabriela’s latest job isn’t for some bamboozled billionaire, it’s for her own family, whose home is going to be wiped off the map if they can’t come up with a lot of money fast. Inspired by an old family legend, Gabriela sets off for the jungles of Peru in pursuit of the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Cortez. But this particular job comes with a huge problem attached to it - Gabriela’s ex-husband, Rafer. It’s Rafer who has the map that possibly points the way to the treasure, and he’s not about to let Gabriela find it without him. Rafer is as relaxed as Gabriela is driven, and he has a lifetime’s experience getting under his ex-wife’s skin. But when they aren’t bickering about old times the two make a formidable team, and it’s going to take a team to defeat the vicious drug lord who has also been searching for the fabled ring. A drug lord who doesn’t mind leaving a large body count behind him to get it.The Recovery Agent marks the start of an irresistible new series that will have you clamoring for more and cheering for the unstoppable Gabriela Rose on every page. Praise for Janet Evanovich: 'Romancing the Stone for a new generation with a kick-ass female lead and a genuine sense of adventure. A whole lot of fun' Liz Loves Books 'All the easy class and wit that you expect to find in the best American TV comedy, but too rarely find in modern fiction' GQ 'Hooray for Janet Evanovich who continues to enliven the literary crime scene'Sunday Telegraph 'Pithy, witty and fast-paced'Sunday Times 'As smart and sassy as high-gloss wet paint' Time Out'Crime writing at its funniest . . . classic black comedy' Big Issue'One of the rising stars of American crime fiction' Daily Telegraph'The funniest, sassiest crime writer going' The Good Book Guide 'A classic screwball comedy that is also a genuinely taut thriller' Frances Fyfield, Daily Mail

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In the midst of current debates about the accessibility of public spaces, resurfacing as a result of highly visible demonstrations and occupations, this book illuminates an overlooked domain of civic participation: the office, workshop, or building where activist groups meet to organize and plan acts of political dissent and collective participation. Author Nandini Bagchee examines three re-purposed buildings on the Lower East Side that have been used by activists to launch actions over the past forty years. The Peace Pentagon was the headquarters of the anti-war movement, El Bohio was a metaphoric “hut” that envisioned the Puerto Rican Community as a steward of the environment, and ABC No Rio, appropriated from a storefront sign with missing letters, was a catchy punk name that appealed to the anarchistic sensibility of the artists that ran a storefront gallery in a run-down tenement. In a captivating discussion of buildings and urban settings as important components of progressive struggles in New York City over more than a century, Bagchee reveals how these collectively organized spaces have provided a venue for political participation while existing as a vital part of the city’s civic infrastructure. The “counter institution” explored in this book represents both a conceptual and a literal struggle to create a space for civic action in a city that is built upon real estate speculation. The author reveals the fascinating tension between the impermanence of the insurgent activist practices and the permanent but maintenance heavy aspects of architecture. The actors she vividly describes—the war resisters, the Puerto Rican organizers, the housing activists, the punks and artists—all seized the opportunity to create what are seen as “activist estates,” at a time and in a place where urban life itself was under attack. And now, when many such self-organized “activist” buildings are imperiled by the finance-driven real estate market that is New York City, this book takes stock and provides visibility to these under recognized citizens’ initiatives. Counter Institution is an innovative work that intersects architecture, urban design practices, and geography (cartography) on the one hand, with history, politics, and sociology on the other. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of activism in New York City and how the city can inspire and encourage political engagement. Through its beautifully illustrated pages—where drawings, maps, timelines, and photographs underline the connections between people, politics, and space—readers will discover new ways to imagine buildings as a critical part of the civic infrastructure and a vital resource for the future.

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Police officer Alexander Blix and celebrity blogger Emma Ramm join forces to track down a serial killer with a thirst for attention and high-profile murders, in the first episode of a gripping new Nordic Noir series… ‘Grim, gory and filled with plenty of dark twists … There’s definitely a Scandinavian chill in the air with this fascinating read that loses none of its terror and fun in translation’ Sun ‘An exercise in literary tag-teaming from two of Norway’s biggest crime writers with a bold new take on the serial-killer-as-twisted-artist … the start of a series with potential’ Sunday Times –––––––––––––––––––––––– Oslo, 2018. Former long-distance runner Sonja Nordstrøm never shows at the launch of her controversial autobiography, Always Number One. When celebrity blogger Emma Ramm visits Nordstrøm’s home later that day, she finds the door unlocked and signs of a struggle inside. A bib with the number ‘one’ has been pinned to the TV. Police officer Alexander Blix is appointed to head up the missing-persons investigation, but he still bears the emotional scars of a hostage situation nineteen years earlier, when he killed the father of a five-year-old girl. Traces of Nordstrøm soon show up at different locations, but the appearance of the clues appear to be carefully calculated … evidence of a bigger picture that he’s just not seeing… Blix and Ramm soon join forces, determined to find and stop a merciless killer with a flare for the dramatic, and thirst for attention. Trouble is, he’s just got his first taste of it… –––––––––––––––––––––––– ‘This tale often surprises or shifts in subtle ways that are pleasing and avoid cliché. As the opener for a new series this is a cracker, long live the marriage of Horst and Enger’ New Books Magazine ‘Death Deserved is a fast-moving, punchy, serial killer investigative novel with a whammy of an ending. If this is the first in the Blix and Ramm series, then here’s to many more!’ LoveReading ‘A stunningly excellent collaboration from Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst …. It’s a brutal tale of fame, murder, and reality TV that gets the pulse racing’ Russel McLean ‘Now — what happens when you put two of the most distinguished writers of Nordic noir in tandem? Death Deserved by Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst suggests it was a propitious publishing move; a ruthless killer is pursued by a tenacious celebrity blogger and a damaged detective’ Financial Times ‘A clever, gripping crime novel with personality, flair, and heart’ Crime by the Book

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'So perceptive and wise about the media, privilege, the differing but equally troubling pressures that women of all ages face, while still being moving, laugh out loud funny, and inspiring. I loved it.' Louise O'Neill, author of Idol'As she did with sex in her first novel, Insatiable, now Daisy Buchanan holds up a mirror to the changing way we work in the raw and relatable Careering' Red'This thought-provoking, emotionally intelligent, hilarious, sexy and always sharp novel is a fabulous ride.' Daily Mail'A witty tale of the toxic world of modern work' Independentcareering (verb) 1. working endlessly for a job you used to love and now resent entirely2. moving in a way that feels out of control *Imogen has always dreamed of writing for a magazine. Infinite internships later, Imogen dreams of any job. Writing her blog around double shifts at the pub is neither fulfilling her creatively nor paying the bills. Harri might just be Imogen's fairy godmother. She's moving from the glossy pages of Panache magazine to launch a fierce feminist site, The Know. And she thinks Imogen's most outrageous sexual content will help generate the clicks she needs.But neither woman is aware of the crucial thing they have in common. Harri, at the other end of her career, has also been bitten and betrayed by the industry she has given herself to. Will she wake up to the way she's being exploited before her protege realises that not everything is copy? Can either woman reconcile their love for work with the fact that work will never love them back? Or is a chaotic rebellion calling... Hilarious and unflinchingly honest, Careering takes a hard look at the often toxic relationship working women have with their dream jobs.*'The zeitgeisty read tackles the myth of the girl boss, with feelings of imposter syndrome, burnout and comparison rife throughout. Though entertaining - you can't help but cringe at some of the situations Imogen finds herself in - the novel takes a hard look at the very real challenges women still face in the workplace today. With the events of the last two years making many question what really matters in life, Buchanan leaves you with the reminder that whether you love or loathe your job, it doesn't define who you are or put a value on your self-worth.' Stylist'A great great book. Daisy Buchanan has that special something that makes a wonderful popular fiction writer - acute observational skills, huge empathy and a perfect balance of light and

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When English naturalist Joseph Banks (1743–1820) accompanied Captain James Cook (1728–1779) on his historic mission into the Pacific, the Endeavour voyage of 1768–71, he took with him a team of collectors and illustrators. Banks and his team returned from the voyage with unprecedented collections of artefacts and specimens of stunning birds, fish and other animals as well as thousands of plants, most seen for the first time in Europe. They produced, too, remarkable landscape and figure drawings of the peoples encountered on the voyage along with detailed journals and descriptions of the places visited, which, with the first detailed maps of these lands (Tahiti, New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia), were afterwards used to create lavishly illustrated accounts of the mission. These caused a storm of interest in Europe where plays, poems and satirical caricatures were also produced to celebrate and examine the voyage, its personnel and many ‘new’ discoveries. Along with contemporary portraits of key personalities aboard the ship, scale models and plans of the ship itself, scientific instruments taken on the voyage, commemorative medals and sketches, the objects (over 140) featured in this new book will tell the story of the Endeavour voyage and its impact ahead of the 250th anniversary in 2018 of the launch of this seminal mission. Artwork made both during and after the voyage will be seen alongside actual specimens. And by comparing the voyage originals with the often stylized engravings later produced in London for the official account, the book will investigate how knowledge gained on the mission was gathered, revised and later received in Europe. Items separated in some cases for more than two centuries will be brought together to reveal their fascinating history not only during but since that mission. Original voyage specimens will feature together with illustrations and descriptions of them, showing a rich diversity of newly discovered species and how Banks organized this material, planning but ultimately failing to publish it. In fact, many of the objects in the book have never been published before. The book will focus on the contribution of Banks’s often neglected artists Sydney Parkinson, Herman Diedrich Spöring, Alexander Buchan as well as the priest and Pacific voyager Tupaia, who joined Endeavour in the Society Islands, none of whom survived the mission. These men illustrated island scenes of bays, dwellings, canoes as well as the dress, faces and possessions of Pacific peoples. Burial ceremonies, important religious sites and historic encounters were all depicted. Of particular interest, and only recently recognised as by him, are the original artworks of Tupaia, who produced as part of this mission the first charts and illustrations on paper by any Polynesian. The surviving Endeavour voyage illustrations are the most important body of images produced since Europeans entered this region, matching the truly historic value of the plant specimens and artefacts that will be seen alongside them.

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'Fabulous cosy murder/mystery with an unforgettable crime-fighting trio. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.' Angela Marsons, author of Stolen OnesA fete worse than death…After finding the killer of Lucy Roth six months ago, life has settled back to normal for bookshop owner, Nancy Hunter, and her grandmother, Jane. The annual Dedley End village fete is just around the corner, and Nancy is delighted when bestselling author, Thomas Green, agrees to launch his first new novel in ten years there.But then a series of sinister events lead Nancy to realise someone is trying to sabotage their fete, so she, along with Jane and their journalist friend Jonathan, must turn detective to discover who isn’t at all thrilled about the return of Thomas Green.When a body is discovered at the summer fete, the death scene mirroring that in Thomas’ latest bestseller, they realise that there’s another killer in Dedley End, but can they outsmart someone who appears to have pulled off the perfect crime?The clues are right under Nancy and Jane’s noses, if only they can find them. Because the answers to life’s questions can always be found in a book…!A twisty, unputdownable cozy mystery that fans of Richard Osman, S.J. Bennett and The Marlow Murder Club will love.Readers can't get enough of Murder at the Summer Fete:'A joy of a read... I was gripped!’ Melanie Blake, author of Ruthless Women'Cleverly crafted cosy crime at its absolute best!' Heidi Swain, author of A Taste of Home'A well crafted cosy mystery with warm characters and an excellent twist. I can't wait to visit Dedley End again!' Hannah Hendy, author of The Dinner Lady Detectives'A team of likeable amateur detectives, a delightful bookshop setting and a cast of intriguing suspects. Tremendous fun.' Clare Chase, author of Mystery at the Church‘A perfect read!...Will entice even the most seasoned mystery reader. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton, you can't miss this series.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘What a fun and cozy read!...A fantastic page-turner that made my winter night far warmer.’ Reader Review‘This. Is. Brilliant. Could not put it down. I really hope there's more Dedley End adventures!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Absolutely loved this book!...The characters were great and the story flowed along nicely. I read the book in a day, I couldn't put it down!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘Just as intricate, twisty, and fun as the first. It kept me guessing and I just love the small village settings.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘It was very engrossing and I read it within one day… I love this book…every new mystery by Victoria Walters is an auto-read for me’ Reader Review‘The second entry in this cozy series is even better than the first…and the first was great! British cozies always have a special place in my reading list and heart and this one is right up there at the top.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

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Learn how to give the young adults in your life the knowledge, confidence, and motivation to make adult money decisions, and create their own strong financial foundation and independence, so you can all live richer lives. In Launching Financial Grownups, popular personal finance expert and Certified Financial Planner Bobbi Rebell gets candid about the very real-life challenges of getting young adults to choose to be financial grownups and develop their own financial foundation and security. She shares her own personal setbacks and solutions (both from her own past, and as a parent), and walks readers through the ups and downs of financial adulting milestones. Rebell has put together a practical and specific adulting launch plan for parents of young adults along with tips on how to open money discussions, the questions to ask your children, the most effective listening strategies, when to step in to stop them from making mistakes, and when to let them learn from their mistakes. Launching Financial Grownups provides the tools to help your teen or young adults navigate the challenges of adulthood including debt, credit cards, peer pressure that leads to bad money decisions, negotiations, how to manage their own household, different investing opportunities, insurance needs, charitable giving, the legal documents they need to have in place in case of an emergency, what they need to know about your finances and even starting to think about their retirement planning. All this while also addressing recent demographic trends driven by the pandemic including young adults moving back into their childhood homes, and becoming financially dependent, after having been independent. Launching Financial Grownups offers: Solutions for parents who want to avoid ‘cutting off’ their kids at a seemingly arbitrary age or life milestone and are looking for more supportive solutions to get their young adults to be well adjusted financial grownups. Strategies for parents to protect their own financial well-being and retirement resources. Advice from top parenting and money experts including “How to Raise an Adult” author Julie Lythcott-Haims, “The Price You Pay for College” author Ron Lieber, “Grown and Flown” co-author Mary Dell Harrington, Tori Dunlap of “Her First 100K”, “How to be a Happier Parent” author KJ Dell’Antonia, Tonya Rapley of My Fab Finance and Jean Chatzky, author and CEO of HerMoney Media Essential for the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and everyone who is vested in the financial success and independence of young adults, Launching Financial Grownups is a must-have financial resource for long-overdue and timeless advice in an engaging and supportive package.

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The American Civil War is often called the first “modern war.” Sandwiched between the Napoleonic Wars and World War I, it spawned a host of “firsts” and is considered a precursor to the larger and more deadly 20th century wars. Confederate Gen. James Longstreet made overlooked but profound modern contributions to the art of war. Retired Lt. Col. Harold M. Knudsen explains what Longstreet did and how he did it in James Longstreet and the American Civil War: The Confederate General Who Fought the Next War now released in paperback.Initially, commanders on both sides extensively utilized Napoleonic tactics that were obsolete because of the advent of the rifled musket and better artillery. Some professional army officers worked to improve tactics, operations, and strategies. On the Confederate side, a careful comparison of Longstreet’s body of work in the field to modern military doctrine reveals several large-scale innovations.Longstreet understood early that the tactical defense was generally dominant over the offense, which was something few grasped in 1862. Longstreet’s thinking demonstrated a clear evolution that began on the field at First Manassas in July 1861, developed through the bloody fighting of 1862, and culminated in the brilliant defensive victory at Fredericksburg that December. The lethality with which his riflemen and artillery mowed down repeated Union assaults hinted at what was to come in World War I. Longstreet’s ability to launch and control powerful offensives was on display at Second Manassas in August 1862. His assault plan at Chickamauga in Georgia the following September was similar, if not the forerunner to, World War II tactical-level German armored tactics. Other areas show progressive applications with artillery, staff work, force projection, and operational-level thinking.Longstreet was not the sole agent of modern change away from the Napoleonic method, but his contributions were significant and executed on a large scale. They demonstrated that he was a modern thinker unparalleled in the Confederate Army.Unfortunately, many Civil War students have a one-sided view of Longstreet, whose legacy fell victim to bitter postwar Southern politics when “Old Pete” supported Reconstruction bills, accepted postings with the Grant Administration, and criticized Robert E. Lee. Many modern writers continue to skew the general’s legacy.This book draws heavily upon 20th century U.S. Army doctrine, field training, staff planning, command, and combat experience and is the first serious treatment of Longstreet’s generalship vis-a-vis modern warfare. Not everyone will agree with Knudsen’s conclusions, but it will now be impossible to write about the general without referencing this important study.

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Number One New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich returns with the launch of a blockbuster new series that blends wild adventure, hugely appealing characters, and pitch-perfect humour, proving once again why she’s 'the most popular mystery writer alive' (New York Times). Lost something? Gabriela Rose knows how to get it back. As a recovery agent, she’s hired by individuals and companies seeking lost treasures, stolen heirlooms, or missing assets of any kind. She’s reliable, cool under pressure, and well trained in weapons of all types. But Gabriela’s latest job isn’t for some bamboozled billionaire, it’s for her own family, whose home is going to be wiped off the map if they can’t come up with a lot of money fast. Inspired by an old family legend, Gabriela sets off for the jungles of Peru in pursuit of the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Cortez. But this particular job comes with a huge problem attached to it - Gabriela’s ex-husband, Rafer. It’s Rafer who has the map that possibly points the way to the treasure, and he’s not about to let Gabriela find it without him. Rafer is as relaxed as Gabriela is driven, and he has a lifetime’s experience getting under his ex-wife’s skin. But when they aren’t bickering about old times the two make a formidable team, and it’s going to take a team to defeat the vicious drug lord who has also been searching for the fabled ring. A drug lord who doesn’t mind leaving a large body count behind him to get it.The Recovery Agent marks the start of an irresistible new series that will have you clamoring for more and cheering for the unstoppable Gabriela Rose on every page. Praise for Janet Evanovich: 'Romancing the Stone for a new generation with a kick-ass female lead and a genuine sense of adventure. A whole lot of fun' Liz Loves Books 'All the easy class and wit that you expect to find in the best American TV comedy, but too rarely find in modern fiction' GQ 'Hooray for Janet Evanovich who continues to enliven the literary crime scene'Sunday Telegraph 'Pithy, witty and fast-paced'Sunday Times 'As smart and sassy as high-gloss wet paint' Time Out'Crime writing at its funniest . . . classic black comedy' Big Issue'One of the rising stars of American crime fiction' Daily Telegraph'The funniest, sassiest crime writer going' The Good Book Guide 'A classic screwball comedy that is also a genuinely taut thriller' Frances Fyfield, Daily Mail

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NOTE: The name of the exam has changed from IT Fundamentals to IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+). However, the FC0-U61 exam objectives are exactly the same. After the book was printed with IT Fundamentals in the title, CompTIA changed the name to IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+). We have corrected the title to IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+) in subsequent book printings, but earlier printings that were sold may still show IT Fundamentals in the title. Please rest assured that the book content is 100% the same.The ultimate study guide for the essential entry-level IT cert! The CompTIA IT Fundamentals Study Guide: Exam FC0-U61, Second Edition is your ideal companion for comprehensive exam preparation. Covering 100 percent of the latest exam objectives, this book contains everything you need to know to pass with flying colors—the first time! Clear, concise language breaks down fundamental IT concepts to help you truly grasp important concepts, and practical examples illustrate how each new skill is applied in real-world situations. You’ll learn your way around hardware and software, conduct installations, and connect to networks to get a workstation up and running smoothly; you’ll also develop the knowledge base needed to identify compatibility and security issues, mitigate risks, and conduct all-important preventative maintenance that keeps the end-user problem-free. The CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification validates your skills as a systems support specialist, and gets your foot in the door to a successful IT career. This book is your ultimate preparation resource, with expert guidance backed by online tools to take your preparation to the next level! Master 100 percent of Exam FC0-U61 objectives Learn real-world applications and practical on-the-job skills Know what to expect with exam highlights and review questions Includes 1 year free access to Sybex's online study tools including flashcards, chapter tests, and a practice exam, all supported by Wiley's support agents who are available 24x7 via email or live chat to assist with access and login questions The IT department is instrumental in keeping any organization on its feet. As support staff, you will be called upon to assess and repair common problems, set up and configure workstations, address individual issues, and much more. If you decide to continue on to more advanced IT positions, the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification is a great springboard; if you’re ready to launch your career, the CompTIA IT Fundamentals Study Guide offers complete, practical prep to help you face the exam with confidence.

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Razzak Mirjan and his family set up Beder, a charity in honour of his younger brother who sadly took his own life at the age of 18 in 2017, to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. This autumn they launch their first cook book, From Beder's Kitchen, a collection of recipes and stories from amazing foodies around the world, including head and executive chefs at some of the UK's leading restaurants, MasterChef winners, TV chefs, food bloggers, nutritionists, best-selling authors, newspaper journalists, Bake Off winners, mental health advocates and general foodies. There are 90 contributors in all, each sharing their favourite recipe as well as their reflections on looking after their mental health and how cooking has played a part. Among those to take part are: Gordon Ramsay, world famous chef and TV personality; Yotam Ottolenghi, restaurateur, chef and best-selling author; Atul Kochhar, chef and TV regular; Carla Henriques, executive pastry chef at Hawksmoor; Romy Gill, chef and TV regular; Judy Joo, host of Korean Food Made Simple; Michael Zee, author and creator of Symmetry Breakfast; Joudie Kalla, author of Palestine on a Plate; Jack Blumenthal, chef and son of Heston; David Atherton, Great British Bake Off 2019 winner; Liz Earle, writer, TV presenter and author; Miles Kirby, chef director at Caravan. Dishes are divided into 5 chapters: Start Your Day The Right Way, Happy Gut Happy Life, Fast Food (But Not As You Know It), Soul Food and Sweet Treats. Recipes include: Tahini Chicken Schnitzel from Yotam Ottolenghi; Beef Fajitas with Sour Cream & Guacamole from Gordon Ramsay; Coconut & Fermented Turmeric Rebus Roast Cauliflower from chef Daniel Watkins; Bourbon BBQ Turkey Tarragon Burger from MasterChef winner Simon Wood; and Olive Oil, Almond, Apricot & Tahini Cake from 2019 MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou. About Beder Beder takes a unique approach to softly raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. Beder intends to increase understanding and reduce fear around the topics of mental health and suicide in order to conquer the stigma surrounding these incredibly important, yet underestimated, issues. Beder has partnered with YoungMinds, a leading mental health charity, and Samaritans, an established and highly respected charity, working across the UK and Ireland focused on reducing suicide. The aims of these partnerships are to harness the specialist knowledge of each charity, as well as promote and further both charities' incredible work. You can find out more information about Beder at www.beder.org.uk and @beder_uk on social media.

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The potential use of space for military purposes has, since the end of the Second World War, been intrinsically linked to the development of space technology and space flight. The political relevance of outer space continues to be recognised by nations, particularly the strategic benefit of Earth observation from outer space as a national security tool. However, the dual-use potential of many space applications increasingly blurs the distinction between the military and non-military uses of space. In fact, many States have openly declared their willingness to protect their space assets by military means and some have even described outer space as a war-fighting domain. Non-State entities are becoming more and more involved in outer space activities, including the use of satellites for navigation purposes, the transportation of supplies to the International Space Station and the offering of tourist flights into outer space. Private operators have significantly increased activity in the launch of satellites and in 2021 no less than three private space companies (Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and SpaceX) conducted successful space tourist flights. Today in all space-faring countries, the space industry contributes to national GDP and supports the labour force. It also serves as a catalyst for technological advancement and productivity growth, and has become an integral part of the day-to-day lives of people around the world. Consequently, the socio-economic benefits of space technology (in particular satellite technology) have made the development of space programmes an increasing necessity for developing States. Outer space has become a congested environment. The involvement of private actors, specifically, has given rise to a number of legal issues, including questions pertaining to liability, insurance, space debris, human rights and property rights in space. To address these legal uncertainties, the existing chapters in the second edition of Outer Space Law: Legal Policy and Practice have been updated significantly and several new chapters have been added dealing with topical issues including: the regulation of satellite navigation systems, and satellite constellations; the application of human rights in outer space settlements; the exploration and colonisation of outer space; and planetary protection. The second edition of Outer Space Law: Legal Policy and Practice remains aimed at readers looking for a single title to understand the key issues relevant to the space sector, by also emphasising the practical application of those issues. The book will be specifically relevant to legal practitioners, academics and State departments primarily working in the space arena, as well as to those in other related sectors such as IT and media, insurance and political science. Edited by Yanal Abul Failat, lawyer at the international law firm Fasken, and Professor Anél Ferreira-Snyman, a professor of law specialising in international space law at the University of South Africa, the book includes contributions by leading experts from space agencies, space venturers, lawyers, economists, insurers, academics and financiers.

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Praise for The Art & Science of Technology Transfer "Phyl Speser's personality comes across in the text-complicated, intrigued, highly rational, insightful, rich in context, and fun. She had me smiling throughout. This work represents the next chapter of the technology transfer profession's development, where it will be all about getting to market with a studied awareness of value. Phyl gives us the tools to get there with a great read, just the focus we are needing in the profession." —Jill A. Tarzian Sorensen, JDExecutive Director, Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer, The Johns Hopkins University "Phyl Speser is one of the pioneers in developing the modern practice of technology transfer and in The Art & Science of Technology Transfer, she shares her experiences and philosophy in a well-written, highly readable book that is packed with case studies of both success and failure." —Ashley Stevens, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, Boston University "This readable book is a must for anyone wanting to look at the technology transfer process from a novel viewpoint. Rather than just recite the nuts and bolts of the process, it illustrates theoretical concepts with real world, practical examples. Any reader will come away with new and useful ways of looking at, and doing, this business." —Kenneth H. Levin, PHD, Deputy DirectorUniversity of Chicago Office of Technology & Intellectual Property (UCTech) "An amazing compendium of philosophy, science, and practical experience that converge to form, literally, the art and science of technology transfer. On any given page, you may find a quote from Plato, a mathematical formula, an intriguing anecdote by the author, or a practical 'how-to' statement. It's written in a very engaging style that keeps you turning from page to page . . . there's enough material in this book to launch a college course on Technology Transfer-nothing is left out!" —David Snyder, Vice President-Technology Commercialization Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) "This is an excellent introduction to sorting out the complex world of technology transfer, eminently useful to both practitionersand students. The text is thorough, filled with the practical examples, details, and guidelines useful to learn and practice this often-arcane subject, while never losing sight of an overarching paradigm for getting new technology out of the lab and into the market. I am certain that other teachers will find it as valuable as I have." —Lawrence Aronhime, Faculty Associate and Lecturer, The Johns Hopkins University, 2005 recipient Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award "A clear and entertaining presentation of the complexities of technology transfer and intellectual property, this book provides usable, practical information to students and practitioners on every page. The Art & Science of Technology Transfer provides a well-crafted immersion in the processes and practices of moving ideas into the marketplace." —Phil Weilerstein, Executive Director,National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA)

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This book is a collection of both empirical and theoretical chapters on some significant and enduring issues in Africa. The various chapter submissions are compelling and do make substantive contributions to the literature on criminology in Africa. The first chapter contends that crimes motivated by superstitious beliefs occur in wide-ranging contexts, and are often driven by socio-economic and political factors. The most vulnerable members of African communities are the primary victims of these crimes. Given the clandestine nature of superstitious induced crimes, it is imperative and relevant for government agencies in African countries to strategically collaborate with media and civil society organisations to launch massive public campaigns against all forms of superstition-driven crimes. The second chapter highlights some ethical and administrative challenges that a researcher could encounter in his/her quest to study incarcerated offenders. The study concludes that, while it is crucial to conduct a prison-based study, the researcher would have to adapt to institutional constraints of the respondents, to undertake considerable impression management and negotiations with both staff and inmates, and factor in the heightened security concerns that may affect the quality of the study and the safety of the researcher. The third chapter examines crimes against the state and the extent to which such issues are being tackled in Ghana. It concludes that the initiatives by various regimes to prosecute and to punish administrative crimes have yielded nominal outcomes. The fourth chapter probes the prison condition in South Africa (SA). The author argues that the prison situation is no better than those in other African countries. However, its historical racist system sets it apart from other African countries. The chapter concludes that the post-apartheid regimes' prison ideals have yet to be realized. The fifth chapter explores roles played by education, civil society organisations, and state institutions in the democratization and strengthening of the Ghanaian Criminal Justice System. Since Ghana relaunched its democratization initiative in 1992, the country has sustained successful presidential and parliamentary elections. Marked improvements have been seen in terms of human rights observation, freedoms, political tolerance, and openness to the global socio-economic and political landscape, yet there is still more room for improvement. The final chapter examines the lived experiences of students who have suffered crime on the University of Cape Coast campus. The analyzed data showed that factors such as negligence on the part of students, poor security services, and poor lighting systems on campus were the major contributing factors of crime (or conducive conditions for criminal activities). The study recommends that proper security measures such as the provision of tools and logistics and increasing the number of security personnel should be considered. This book is relevant for academicians in criminology, criminal lawyers, civil society organizations, policy makers, and human rights advocates.

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Launched in 1955 yet looking like a sci-fi design proposal for a future then undreamed of, Flaminio Bertoni's ellipsoid sculpture with wheels that was the Citroen DS stunned the world. There was a near riot at the 1955 Paris Motor Show launch of the car, orders flooded in for this, the new 'big Citroen' (a Voiture a Grande Diffusion or VGD) as the car that replaced the legendary Traction Avant range. The term 'DS' stems from two Citroen parts of nomenclature - the type of engine used as the 11D, (D) and the special hemispherical design of the cylinder head as 'Culasse Special' (S): DS out of 'Deesse' or Goddess, was a more popular myth of ' DS' origination, but an erroneous one. But it was not just the car's aerodynamically advanced body shape (Cd. 0.37) that framed the genius of the DS: hydro pneumatic self-levelling suspension, advanced plastics and synthetics for the construction of the roof and dashboard/fascia, and amazing road holding and cabin comfort were some of this car's highlights. Only the lack of an advanced new engine was deemed a missed opportunity. In fact Citroen had created a new engine for the car but lacked the resources to produce it in time for 1955. DS was a major moment in the history of car design, one so advanced that it would take other auto manufacturers years to embrace. Yet DS in its 'aero' design was the precursor to today's low drag cars of curved form. Manufactured worldwide, used by presidents, leaders, diplomats, farmers and many types of people, the DS redefined Citroen, its engineering and design language, and its brand, for decades to come. Prone to rust, not the safest car in the world, and always lacking a smoother powerplant, the DS still became an icon of car design. Reshaped with a new nose and faired-in headlamps in 1967, DS remained in production until 1975. Across its life DS spawned an estate car variant as the 'Safari', a range of limousines, two-door convertibles, and even coach-built coupes and rally specials. This car was a product design that became an article of social science - it was that famous and it defined a European design movement upon a global stage then packed with 'me too' copyist designs. The DS or 'Goddess' as it was tagged, was a tear-drop shaped act of French confidence in a world of the regurgitation of the known. Some argue that DS and its effect has never been surpassed. This new value-for-money book provides innovative access to the design, history, and modelling of the revolutionary DS - one of the true 'greats' of motoring history and, a contemporary classic car of huge popularity.

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A timely update to the global bestselling book on investment banking and valuation – this new edition reflects valuable contributions from Nasdaq and the global law firm Latham & Watkins LLP plus access to the online valuation models and course. In the constantly evolving world of finance, a solid technical foundation is an essential tool for success. Due to the fast-paced nature of this world, however, no one was able to take the time to properly codify its lifeblood--namely, valuation and dealmaking. Rosenbaum and Pearl originally responded to this need in 2009 by writing the first edition of the book that they wish had existed when they were trying to break into Wall Street. Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs, 3rd Edition is a highly accessible and authoritative book written by investment bankers that explains how to perform the valuation work and financial analysis at the core of Wall Street – comparable companies, precedent transactions, DCF, LBO, M&A analysis...and now IPO analytics and valuation. Using a step-by-step, how-to approach for each methodology, the authors build a chronological knowledge base and define key terms, financial concepts, and processes throughout the book. The genesis for the original book stemmed from the authors' personal experiences as students interviewing for investment banking positions. As they both independently went through the rigorous process, they realized that their classroom experiences were a step removed from how valuation and financial analysis were performed in real-world situations. Consequently, they created this book to provide a leg up to those individuals seeking or beginning careers on Wall Street – from students at undergraduate universities and graduate schools to "career changers" looking to break into finance. Now, over 10 years after the release of the first edition, the book is more relevant and topical than ever. It is used in over 200 universities globally and has become a go-to resource for investment banks, private equity, investment firms, and corporations undertaking M&A transactions, LBOs, IPOs, restructurings, and investment decisions. While the fundamentals haven't changed, the environment must adapt to changing market developments and conditions. As a result, Rosenbaum and Pearl have updated their widely adopted book accordingly, turning the latest edition of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs into a unique and comprehensive training package, which includes: Two new chapters covering IPOs plus insightful contributions from Nasdaq, the leading U.S. exchange and technology provider for IPOs and new listings, and global law firm Latham & Watkins LLP Access to six downloadable valuation model templates, including Comparable Companies Analysis, Precedent Transactions Analysis, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Leveraged Buyout Analysis, M&A Analysis, and IPO Valuation Six-month access to online Wiley Investment Banking Valuation Course featuring bite-sized lessons, over five hours of video lectures, 100+ practice questions, and other investment banking study tools Launch your career on Wall Street and hone your financial expertise with Rosenbaum and Pearl’s real-world knowledge and forward-looking guidance in the latest edition of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs.

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The story of the petrochemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region is one of heroic endeavor. It exemplifies a much broader narrative of change as, within a few decades, we see groups of ancient tribes and families transformed into modern states playing important global roles. On visiting Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is hard to believe that a mere half-century ago they were undeveloped backwaters.The cities of those countries are today centers of international commerce and industry, crisscrossed by expressways; their skylines include the most modern architecture; they offer all the conveniences of contemporary life, including well-equipped and professionally staffed hospitals, airports, schools, banks, and telecommunication systems. Yet a few decades ago, many were small, obscure trading towns and fishing villages, isolated from each other and from the world beyond.The lifestyles and standards of living that citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries take for granted could hardly have been imagined by their grandparents.Paucity has given way to prosperity, once-rampant illiteracy has virtually disappeared, and what had been mainly a rural population is now largely urban. Moreover, the population of the GCC countries has skyrocketed, augmented by the influx of foreigners seeking employment in the industrial and service sectors. The dramatic transformation of the GCC countries is rooted in the fabulous hydrocarbon riches that lie beneath their ground. However, it would be a mistake to think that success of these states is solely the result of rich reserves of oil and gas. Other countries have oil riches and yet have failed to develop at the scale of those of the GCC or to improve the lives of their citizens in similar fashion.As we look at the petrochemical industry in the GCC region, we can see several key factors that underlie its success. First among these is the far-sightedness of GCC leaders, who neither played it safe by investing government oil revenues overseas, as some consultants had advised, nor squandered this revenue through profligate spending.Instead, at a critical point, they courageously invested billions of dollars to create modern infrastructure, to finance the launch of petrochemical ventures, and to send thousands of their citizens for overseas education. The latter investment was especially important as it created a technocrat class that could lead and develop industrial ventures. In subsequent years, investments in infrastructure, new enterprises, and overseas scholarships have continued, coupled with the development of world-class institutions of higher learning in the GCC countries. Another factor has been the readiness of GCC nationals employed in petrochemical enterprises to view their employment as something of a patriotic mission. Especially in the early years of the industry, this sense of mission encouraged many to forgo high salaries and perks and to work tirelessly to create world-class domestic chemical companies. Also important has been the willingness of international oil companies operating in the Arabian Gulf region-Exxon, Mobil, Total, Shell, and others-to participate in petrochemical joint ventures with GCC governments.This brought much-needed technology and marketing know-how to GCC petrochemical enterprises and set the stage for other Western partners to join.

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