Search results for ""spark""

From the bestselling author of What the Best College Teachers Do, the story of a new breed of amazingly innovative courses that inspire students and improve learningDecades of research have produced profound insights into how student learning and motivation can be unleashed—and it’s not through technology or even the best of lectures. In Super Courses, education expert and bestselling author Ken Bain tells the fascinating story of enterprising college, graduate school, and high school teachers who are using evidence-based approaches to spark deeper levels of learning, critical thinking, and creativity—whether teaching online, in class, or in the field.Visiting schools across the United States as well as in China and Singapore, Bain, working with his longtime collaborator, Marsha Marshall Bain, uncovers super courses throughout the humanities and sciences. At the University of Virginia, undergrads contemplate the big questions that drove Tolstoy—by working with juveniles at a maximum-security correctional facility. Harvard physics students learn about the universe not through lectures but from their peers in a class where even reading is a social event. And students at a Dallas high school use dance to develop growth mindsets—and many of them go on to top colleges, including Juilliard. Bain defines these as super courses because they all use powerful researched-based elements to build a “natural critical learning environment” that fosters intrinsic motivation, self-directed learning, and self-reflective reasoning. Complete with sample syllabi, the book shows teachers how they can build their own super courses.The story of a hugely important breakthrough in education, Super Courses reveals how these classes can help students reach their full potential, equip them to lead happy and productive lives, and meet the world’s complex challenges.

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In this landmark book, a former prosecutor, legal expert, and leading authority on sexual violence examines why we are primed to disbelieve allegations of sexual abuse—and how we can transform a culture and a legal system structured to dismiss accusers Sexual misconduct accusations spark competing claims: her word against his. How do we decide who is telling the truth? The answer comes down to credibility. But as this eye-opening book reveals, invisible forces warp the credibility judgments of even the well- intentioned among us. We are all shaped by a set of false assumptions and hidden biases embedded in our culture, our legal system, and our psyches. In Credible, Deborah Tuerkheimer provides a much-needed framework to explain how we perceive credibility, why our perceptions are distorted, and why these distortions harm survivors. Social hierarchies and inequalities foster doubt that is commonplace and predictable, resulting in what Tuerkheimer calls the “credibility discount”—our dismissal of claims by certain kinds of speakers—primarily women, and especially those who are more marginalized. The #MeToo movement has exposed how victims have been badly served by a system that is designed not to protect them, but instead to protect the status quo. Credibility lies at the heart of this system. Drawing on case studies, moving first-hand accounts, science, and the law, Tuerkheimer identifies widespread patterns and their causes, analyzes the role of power, and examines the close, reciprocal relationship between culture and law—guiding us toward accurate credibility judgments and equitable treatment of those whose suffering has long been disregarded.#MeToo has touched off a massive reckoning. To achieve lasting progress, we must shift our approach to belief. Credible helps us forge a path forward to ensuring justice for the countless individuals affected by sexual misconduct.

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David Pryce-Jones weaves a vivid life story through vignettes of the many famous authors—friends, acquaintances, interview subjects—who gave him personally inscribed books. In Signatures he offers a window onto the lives and work of these extraordinary people.As a child, Pryce-Jones spent time at Isaiah Berlin’s house. As a teenager, lunching with Bernard Berenson at I Tatti, he prompted an outburst about Parisian anti-Semitism. W. H. Auden found him at Oxford to praise his competition poem, and he later visited Auden in his loft studio in Austria. Svetlana Alliluyeva reminisced about her father, Joseph Stalin, while staying at the Pryce-Jones house in Wales.A highbrow salon gathered in the home of Arthur Koestler, who strove to be an English gentleman and who was with Pryce-Jones in Reykjavik covering the Fischer-Spassky chess match. Saul Bellow spoke of an old friend, now a capo famiglia, promising to deal with student rioters in 1968 Chicago. After swapping houses with Pryce-Jones one summer, Jessica Mitford insisted that he would have been a Communist in the 1930s. Robert Graves challenged a quotation from Virgil, and told the Queen that she was a descendant of Muhammad.We meet V. S. Naipaul, a free spirit who understood that “the world is what it is.” Muriel Spark would come round for lunch with the Pryce-Joneses in Florence, enjoying conspiratorial stories about Italian politics. At his sepulchral home in Heidelberg, Albert Speer demonstrated his way of “admitting a little to deny a great deal.” In Isaac Singer we see generosity, candor, and mischievous humor. This is only a small sampling of the remarkable personalities who have left their signatures on a fascinating life.

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Looking for Learning: Maths through Play is a full-colour, practical guide linked to current policy and the EYFS framework. Laura England, creator of Little Miss Early Years, uses theory, case studies, real-life images and accessible ideas to inspire child-led mathematical learning using play. This book will encourage children to think about maths while playing, using a range of common resources that will spark their curiosity. It is full of creative suggestions for incorporating mathematical concepts ­– counting, comparison, composition, shape, pattern and number – into child-led play. The book contains ideas for bringing mathematical learning into children’s favourite activities: role play and construction; art and nature; sand and water play and even simple technology-based activities using projectors or torches. Experienced Early Years teacher Laura England, creator of Little Miss Early Years, also provides advice about getting children talking about maths during daily routines in Early Years settings. This dip-in-and-out book is linked to the Characteristics of Effective Learning and presents case studies, real-life images and practical pointers on how to use play for early mathematical concepts. With tips from setting up the environment to the adult's role in this child-led play, Looking for Learning: Maths through Play is ideal for all Early Years practitioners searching for accessible ideas for incorporating mathematical learning through play into their settings. Looking for Learning books are the number one tool for identifying learning opportunities in child-led play. All four books are packed full of tried-and-tested ideas for indoor and outdoor activities, helpful hints and tips and full-colour photographs. Written by Laura England, known as Little Miss Early Years, these are a must-have for any nursery or pre-school.

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"Susan Lee always writes the exact book I want to read!" —Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love HypothesisNew from the author of Seoulmates comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for. When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer.When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself.It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of the mistake: they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations.As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?Praise for Seoulmates"The perfect childhood friends-to-lovers story—full stop." —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners and The Soulmate Equation"Adorable, heartfelt, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!" —Gloria Chao, author of American Panda and Rent a Boyfriend "A deliciously swoony romance." —Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle

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"Delicious fun" Observer "A sparkling escapist romance" Daily Express With shades of Pride and Prejudice and The Count of Monte Cristo, Laura Wood has penned a Cinderella story for the Bridgerton generation. Iris Grey's childhood was idyllic... until her father remarried. Iris's new stepmother and two stepsisters were cold-hearted schemers, and when her father dies in mysterious circumstances, Iris knows that something is wrong. Far too spirited to be forced into a life of servitude, she runs away to London. When she crosses paths with handsome, clever and cold Nicholas Wynter, Iris realises that this is her moment for revenge. Together they plot the downfall of their enemies - but the pair begin to find they have more in common than a desire for justice. Will their spark burn bright or will it be extinguished in the flames of their ambition? A fabulously fresh retelling of Cinderella with a heroine who isn't afraid to take her destiny into her own hands Perfect for fans of Jane Austen Laura Wood is the author of A Sky Painted Gold and Under a Dancing Star MORE REVIEWS FOR A SINGLE THREAD OF MOONLIGHT "A Cinderella revenge story and a Bridgerton vibe... Sardonic dialogue, fabulous dresses, balls and society intrigue galore: delicious fun." OBSERVER "I adored this Victorian-set retelling of Cinderella, featuring an irrepressible heroine, a sardonic hero, beautiful dresses, intrigue and revenge. Be still, my heart!." Sarra Manning "Laura Wood is the literary equivalent of lighting the fancy candle on a rainy afternoon" Ella Risbridger "Swoon-worthy and brilliant with Bridgerton vibes" M.A. Kuzniar "The perfect delicious read for anyone craving more Bridgerton" Lauren James "A Cinderella retelling like you've never read before with a swoon-worthy romance"; BOOKSNEST "A deliciously divine tale of loss, lies and love that completely swept me away" BOOKLOVERJO

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An enchanting memoir by the legendary New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham *A Financial Times Book of the Year 2018**The New York Times Bestseller*‘I took to New York life like a star shooting through the heavens…’ Bill Cunningham’s first love was fashion but the big city came a close second. He left for New York aged nineteen, losing his family’s support but enjoying the infinite luxury of freedom. Living on a scoop of Ovaltine a day, he would run down to Fifth Avenue to feed on the spectacular sights of the window displays – then run back to his tiny studio to work all night.Working as ‘William J’ (to spare his parents’ blushes), Bill became one of the most celebrated hat designers of the 1950s, creating elegant town hats for movie stars and playful beach hats for the summer set. Bill’s mission was to bring happiness by making beautiful things – even if it meant pawning his bike to fund fancy-dress outfits for all his friends. When women stopped wearing hats and his business was forced to close, Bill worked as a fashion journalist, touring the couture houses of Europe. But New York remained his home, and it was as a street photographer of the fashions of the city that he became well known, in a job that would last almost forty years.Fashion Climbing is the enchanting memoir he left behind, capturing the madcap times of his early career and the fashion scene of the mid-century. Written with the spark and wit of Holly Golightly, and brimming over with Bill’s infectious joy for life, it is a gift to all who seek beauty, whatever our style or status.

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A CUNNING CHRONICLE OF THE 50 CODES THAT ALTERED THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND CHANGED THE WORLDFrom the bestselling author of Bletchley Park Brainteasers and The Scotland Yard Puzzle Book. There have been secret codes since before the Old Testament, and there were secret codes in the Old Testament too. Almost as soon as writing was invented, so too were the devious means to hide messages and keep them under the wraps of secrecy.In 50 Codes that Changed the World, Sinclair McKay explores these uncrackable codes, secret cyphers and hidden messages from across time to tell a new history of a secret world. From the temples of Ancient Greece to the court of Elizabeth I; from antique manuscripts whose codes might hold prophecies of doom to the modern realm of quantum mechanics, you will see how a few concealed words could help to win wars, spark revolutions and even change the faces of great nations.Here is the complete guide to the hidden world of codebreaking, with opportunities for you to see if you could have cracked some of the trickiest puzzles and lip-chewing codes ever created. -----------------------Praise for Sinclair McKay's books:'This book [The Secret Life of Bletchley Park] seems a remarkably faithful account of what we did, why it mattered, and how it all felt at the time by someone who couldn't possibly have been born then. - THE GUARDIAN[Bletchley Park Brainteasers] is outrageously difficult but utterly fascinating. - THE EXPRESS'Sinclair McKay's account of this secret war of the airwaves in [Secret Listeners] is as painstakingly researched and fascinating as his bestselling The Secret Life Of Bletchley Park, and an essential companion to it.' - DAILY MAIL

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Now a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowThe exciting fifth book in the breathtaking Empire of the Moghul series.'A totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next' Wilbur SmithThe new Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan reigns over a colossally wealthy empire of 100 million souls. Yet to gain his throne he has followed the savage 'throne or coffin' traditions of his ancestors - descendants of Genghis Khan and Tamburlaine. Ever since the Moghuls took India, brother has fought brother and sons their fathers for the prize and Shah Jahan has been no exception.As his reign dawns, now is the time for Shah Jahan to secure his throne by crushing his enemies. Instead, devastated by the death of his beautiful wife Mumtaz, he becomes obsessed with building an epic monument to their perfect love - the Taj Mahal. His overwhelming grief isolates him from his sons and he does not see the rivalries, indeed hatreds, building between them. When he falls ill, civil war breaks out - ruthless, murderous and uncontrollable - and the foundations of the empire itself begin to shake.'Rutherford's glorious, broad-sweeping adventure in the wild lands of the Moghul sees the start of a wonderful series...In Babur, he has found a real-life hero, with all the flaws, mistakes and misadventures that spark true heroism... Breathtaking stuff' Manda Scott'Alex Rutherford has set the bar high for his sequels' Daily Mail'Alex Rutherford brings the period and the history of the region alive. The characters are dynamic, and the deadly regional politics of alliances and treaties are reflected by the internal tensions at court' US Historical Novel Society

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They were the best of friends and the most daunting of bachelors . . . . Charlie Harrington, a charming, handsome philanthropist, has such high expectations for his perfect bride that no mortal need apply . . . Adam Weiss, a forty-something celebrity lawyer, prefers his women very young, very voluptuous, and very short term . . . And for Gray Hawk, a gifted artist with a knack for attracting troubled relationships, women are fine; it's just the idea of family he can't imagine (particularly the family of the woman he's dating). Now, the three friends, spending their annual summer vacation cruising the Mediterranean aboard Charlie's majestic yacht, are about to have their bachelorhoods rocked. By autumn, all three will fall precipitously into relationships they never saw coming. Charlie begins dating a crusading social worker who couldn't be further from his ideal - until he makes a stunning discovery about her. Adam gets involved with his usual twenty-something bombshell - only this one has a remarkable mind of her own. And Gray, who has avoided both business and family like the plague, has managed to fall head over heels for a successful career woman - who just happens to be a mother as well.As another holiday on the yacht approaches, and with it, a turning point in each man's life, the three bachelors are forced to face the things that scare them most: their phobias about relationships, the wounds of the past - and the kind of women who challenge their deepest terrors. What happens next will spark big changes for Charlie, Adam, and Gray - and might just put an end to their carousing days forever. For as the once-carefree trio is about to discover, love is the most unpredictable adventure of all.Filled with all the joy, complexity and unexpected surprises of life, Toxic Bachelors is Danielle Steel at her poignant and penetrating best.

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Longlisted for The Center for Fiction 2022 First Novel Prize A “poignantly rendered and illuminating” (The Washington Post) coming-of-age story about “the ways in which family, grief, love, queerness, and vulnerability all intersect” (Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author). Perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Thirty Names of Night.Though Owen Tanner has never met anyone else who has a chatty bird in their chest, medical forums would call him a Terror. From the moment Gail emerged between Owen’s ribs, his mother knew that she had to hide him away from the world. After a decade spent in isolation, Owen takes a brazen trip outdoors and his life is upended forever. Suddenly, he is forced to flee the home that had once felt so confining and hide in plain sight with his uncle and cousin in Washington. There, he feels the joy of finding a family among friends; of sharing the bird in his chest and being embraced fully; of falling in love and feeling the devastating heartbreak of rejection before finding a spark of happiness in the most unexpected place; of living his truth regardless of how hard the thieves of joy may try to tear him down. But the threat of the Army of Acronyms is a constant, looming presence, making Owen wonder if he’ll ever find a way out of the cycle of fear. “An honest celebration of life and everything we need right now in a book” (Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize–winning author), The Boy with a Bird in His Chest grapples with the fear, depression, and feelings of isolation that come with believing that we will never be loved for who we truly are and learning to live fully and openly regardless.

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Spark Your Creativity with Calligraphy“I found Lettering from A to Z to be an open door, inviting me to play and create in entirely new ways.” —Sherry Richert Belul, author of Say it Now and founder of Simply CelebrateWinner Indie Book Award for Gift/Specialty/Novelty Book in 2021Winner 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (2021) for Crafts & Hobbies#1 New Release in Handwriting Reference, Mixed Media, and PrintmakingLettering artist Phawnda Moore has been teaching calligraphy and design for 25 years. An award-winning author, she steps into beginning students’ shoes to select content, address anticipated questions, and offer solutions to the unexpected yet inevitable problems that are encountered in hand lettering.Your creative life will be enriched with step-by-step tutorials “from A to Z.” Written in conversational narrative, this full-color book includes more than 200 images of Phawnda’s professional work, published articles, and guidance from her class demos to make beautiful projects. Blending traditional design principles and modern tools, it inspires you to find your own style.Phawnda's instruction includes: 12 styles (Uncial calligraphy, Italic calligraphy, script calligraphy, brush lettering, faux calligraphy, rainbow lettering, monoline letters, handwriting and drawn letters) Customized, printable practice sheets Recommended writing tools, papers, sources, printing tips Layout, color, and design basics Lettering projects for youngsters Tips on how to organize your studio space Tips on sharing your skills in teaching, business, events, home, garden, and community Illustrating with calligraphy tools Projects to make handmade birthday cards, holiday cards, journals of your life, and easy-to-design art books If you enjoyed Hand Lettering 101, The Lost Art of Handwriting, or Hand Lettering for Relaxation, then it’s time to grab a copy of Lettering from A to Z and reconnect to your natural creativity.

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

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A burnt-out thriller writer desperate to regain his creative spark becomes intrigued by a decade-old unsolved murder at a glamorous Alpine hotel in this meticulously crafted novel—a matryoshka doll of a mystery built with the precision of a Swiss watch—from the internationally bestselling author of The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.One December night, a corpse is found in Room 622 of the Hotel Verbier, a luxury resort in the Swiss Alps. An intense police investigation begins, yet few leads are found. Time passes, and without any breaks in the case, public interest wanes.Years later, Joël Dicker, Switzerland’s novelist extraordinaire, arrives at the Verbier to recover from a bad breakup, mourn the death of his longtime publisher, and hopefully begin a new novel. While trying to solve the puzzle of his next book, Joël’s expertise in the art of the thriller put to the test when he decides to play Sherlock Holmes and look into the hotel’s long-unsolved murder case. He finds his Watson in Scarlett, a beautiful aspiring novelist staying in the next room, who joins Dicker in the investigation.Meanwhile, in the wake of his father's passing, Macaire Ebezner is poised to take over as president of the largest private bank in Switzerland. The succession captivates the news media, and the future looks bright—until it doesn't. The bank’s board, including Lev Levovitch—Geneva’s very own Jay Gatsby—has other plans, and Macaire’s triumphant rise to the top soon becomes a race against time.The Enigma of Room 622 is a diabolically addictive thriller in which a love triangle, a power struggle, shocking betrayals, and deadly envy play out against the backdrop of a not so placid Switzerland, as the truth twists and turns into something most . . . unexpected.Translated from the French by Robert Bononno

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O'Rourke's book offers a onestop shop for understanding foreignimposed regime change. Covert Regime Change is an impressive book and required reading for anyone interested in understanding hidden power in world politics.― Political Science Quarterly States seldom resort to war to overthrow their adversaries. They are more likely to attempt to covertly change the opposing regime, by assassinating a foreign leader, sponsoring a coup d'état, meddling in a democratic election, or secretly aiding foreign dissident groups. In Covert Regime Change, Lindsey A. O'Rourke shows us how states really act when trying to overthrow another state. She argues that conventional focus on overt cases misses the basic causes of regime change. O'Rourke provides substantive evidence of types of security interests that drive states to intervene. Offensive operations aim to overthrow a current military rival or break up a rival alliance. Preventive operations seek to stop a state from taking certain actions, such as joining a rival alliance, that may make them a future security threat. Hegemonic operations try to maintain a hierarchical relationship between the intervening state and the target government. Despite the prevalence of covert attempts at regime change, most operations fail to remain covert and spark blowback in unanticipated ways. Covert Regime Change assembles an original dataset of all American regime change operations during the Cold War. This fund of information shows the United States was ten times more likely to try covert rather than overt regime change during the Cold War. Her dataset allows O'Rourke to address three foundational questions: What motivates states to attempt foreign regime change? Why do states prefer to conduct these operations covertly rather than overtly? How successful are such missions in achieving their foreign policy goals?

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Surgical care is increasingly recognized as a critical component of global health, and strong surgical skills, teamwork, and poise under pressure become even more imperative during conflict or disaster. When faced with hospital bombings or devastating earthquakes, healthcare personnel must develop special techniques and abilities to ably care for patients despite limited resources and a disrupted health system. In Operation Crisis, Dr. Adam L. Kushner brings together 22 medical experts from around the world to recount their experiences in the field when disaster struck. These candid firsthand accounts from both local and international aid surgeons provide clinicians and public health practitioners with insightful lessons for effectively treating surgical patients under the most grueling of circumstances. Moving from conflict settings that include war zones in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and South Sudan, Operation Crisis also touches on post-earthquake Haiti and Nepal and post-tsunami Indonesia. Individual themed chapters cover mass casualty training, burn care, obstetric care, sexual violence, and landmine injuries. Combining personal stories with lessons learned and possible interventions, these vivid and affecting essays detail the immediate aftermath of conflict and disaster while pointing the way to improving care for future victims of crisis. Intended to spark further discussion and function as an advocacy tool while highlighting situations where surgical care can save lives and reduce disability, this book is a valuable resource for medical professionals, students, policy makers, international aid organizations, and philanthropic donors. Contributors: Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, Samer Attar, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Lucas C. Carlson, James C. Cobey, Dattesh R. Dave, Dan L. Deckelbaum, Richard A. Gosselin, Shailvi Gupta, Edna Adan Ismail, Thaim B. Kamara, T. Peter Kingham, Adam L. Kushner, Judy M. Lee, Maria "Tane" Pilar Luna, Brijesh Mishra, Kyle N. Remick, Lauri J. Romanzi, Michael Sinclair, Barclay T. Stewart, Marten van Wijhe, Evan G. Wong

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Transform your organization into a dynamic catalyst for success Accelerating Performance is not just another “warm and fuzzy” change management book—it's a practical, comprehensive, data-driven action plan for picking up the pace and achieving more. Co-written by one of the authors of Beyond Performance, this book draws on a combination of empirical research and decades of experience advising global companies to show you how to reduce time to value by building and changing momentum more quickly than your competitors. The META framework (short for Mobilize, Execute, and Transform with Agility) offers advice for leading change at four levels: strategy, the organization, teams, and individuals. In addition to step-by-step guidance toward assessment, planning, and implementation, the book offers: A diagnostic tool for leaders, teams, and organizations to assess their starting place, and highlight the specific areas needed to improve the ability to accelerate performance. A detailed look at the factors proven to create drag—and drive—at each of the four levels: strategy, organizations, teams, and individuals. An exploration of the 39 differentiating actions that organizations can combine as dictated by their strategy and context into a winning recipe. A closer look at the practices of 23 “superaccelerators,” a global (and perhaps unexpected) mix of companies that have demonstrated a consistent ability to accelerate performance. A single taste of success is all it takes to spark change, but the hard work of following through requires constant vigilance—and a plan. Learn how to capture that drive, bottle it, and use it to sustain motivation, inspiration, and achievement. Deliver at the highest level, and then turn around and do even better next time. Accelerating Performance gives leaders a step-by-step framework for taking action and transforming their organizations, teams, and even themselves—starting today.

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Arduino programming for the absolute beginner, with project-based learning Adventures in Arduino is the beginner's guide to Arduino programming, designed specifically for 11-to 15-year olds who want to learn about Arduino, but don't know where to begin. Starting with the most basic concepts, this book coaches you through nine great projects that gradually build your skills as you experiment with electronics. The easy-to-follow design and clear, plain-English instructions make this book the ideal guide for the absolute beginner, geared toward those with no computing experience. Each chapter includes a video illuminating the material, giving you plenty of support on your journey to electronics programming. Arduino is a cheap, readily available hardware development platform based around an open source, programmable circuit board. Combining these chips with sensors and servos allows you to gain experience with prototyping as you build interactive electronic crafts to bring together data and even eTextiles. Adventures in Arduino gets you started on the path of scientists, programmers, and engineers, showing you the fun way to learn electronic programming and interaction design. Discover how and where to begin Arduino programming Develop the skills and confidence to tackle other projects Make the most of Arduino with basic programming concepts Work with hardware and software to create interactive electronic devices There's nothing like watching your design come to life and interact with the real world, and Arduino gives you the capability to do that time and again. The right knowledge combined with the right tools can create an unstoppable force of innovation, and your curiosity is the spark that ignites the flame. Adventures in Arduino gets you started on the right foot, but the path is totally up to you.

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From the bestselling author of What the Best College Teachers Do, the story of a new breed of amazingly innovative courses that inspire students and improve learningDecades of research have produced profound insights into how student learning and motivation can be unleashed—and it’s not through technology or even the best of lectures. In Super Courses, education expert and bestselling author Ken Bain tells the fascinating story of enterprising college, graduate school, and high school teachers who are using evidence-based approaches to spark deeper levels of learning, critical thinking, and creativity—whether teaching online, in class, or in the field.Visiting schools across the United States as well as in China and Singapore, Bain, working with his longtime collaborator, Marsha Marshall Bain, uncovers super courses throughout the humanities and sciences. At the University of Virginia, undergrads contemplate the big questions that drove Tolstoy—by working with juveniles at a maximum-security correctional facility. Harvard physics students learn about the universe not through lectures but from their peers in a class where even reading is a social event. And students at a Dallas high school use dance to develop growth mindsets—and many of them go on to top colleges, including Juilliard. Bain defines these as super courses because they all use powerful researched-based elements to build a “natural critical learning environment” that fosters intrinsic motivation, self-directed learning, and self-reflective reasoning. Complete with sample syllabi, the book shows teachers how they can build their own super courses.The story of a hugely important breakthrough in education, Super Courses reveals how these classes can help students reach their full potential, equip them to lead happy and productive lives, and meet the world’s complex challenges.

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'[The Corporation Wars] is a tasty broth of ideas taking in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the philosophy of law and disquisitions on military ethics.' - The Herald'MacLeod manages big Ideas (political and futurological) and propulsive action without short-changing either side of that classic science-fictional tension-of-opposites.' - LOCUSThe enemy is out in the open. The Reaction has seized control of a resource-rich moon. Now it's enslaving conscious robots - and luring the Corporations into lucrative deals.Taransay is out in the jungle. Her friends are inside a smart boulder on the slope of an active volcano. The planet is super-habitable - for its own life, not hers. But soon, the alien infestation growing on her robot body is the least of her problems.Carlos is out of patience. With the Reaction arming for conquest, the Corporations trading with the enemy and the Direction planning to stamp out the rebel robots and their allies for good, he has to fight fire with fire.Seba is out of time. Deep inside the enemy stronghold, the free robots have to spark a new revolt before the whole world falls in on them.As battle looms, the robots must become their own last hope.From Arthur C. Clarke Award-nominated author Ken MacLeod comes Emergence, the final instalment in the Corporation Wars trilogy, an epic science fiction adventure told against a backdrop of interstellar drone warfare, virtual reality and an AI revolution.Books by Ken MacLeod:Fall RevolutionThe Star FractionThe Stone CanalThe Cassini DivisionThe Sky RoadEngines of LightCosmonaut KeepDark LightEngine CityCorporation Wars TrilogyDissidenceInsurgenceEmergenceNovelsThe Human FrontNewton's WakeLearning the WorldThe Execution ChannelThe Restoration GameIntrusionDescent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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