"Welcome to Life, an exciting new six-level adult series that turns learning English into an exploration of the world we live in. Drawing on National Geographic content, Life transforms the learning experience into a fabulous journey with irresistible images, articles and videos that engage students like no series before. Bring Life into your classroom!"--Inside back cover.

"Specially written by experienced teachers for self-study or class use, the course offers a step-by-step approach to written and spoken Vietnamese."--Publisher's description.

Persephone Alcmedi's beloved foster daughter, Beverley, has been playing with a magical artifact that's far more dangerous than she realizes. Now Persephone must summon help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him ... and the cost of his aid may be more than she's willing to pay. Seph, Johnny, and Menessos face threats from all side -- and a few from within.

"Welcome to Life, an exciting new six-level adult series that turns learning English into an exploration of the world we live in. Drawing on National Geographic content, Life transforms the learning experience into a fabulous journey with irresistible images, articles and videos that engage students like no series before. Bring Life into your classroom!"--Inside back cover.

A frank and honest memoir by Britain's former ambassador to Kabul which provides a unique, high-level insight into Western policy in Afghanistan. -- From publisher description.

In this Very Short Introduction, Jacqueline Stedall explores the rich historical and cultural diversity of mathematical endeavour from the distant past to the present day, using illustrative case studies drawn from a range of times and places; including early imperial China, the medieval Islamic world, and nineteenth-century Britain--

"A car crashes in front of rookie PI Paige Holden's home. And suddenly, she finds one of her pro bono clients dying in her arms-from a gunshot wound. With her last breath, the woman whispers cryptic words into her ear and hands her a blood-smeared flash drive. Five years ago, State's Attorney Grayson Smith put a murderer behind bars. But when Paige Holden shares the flash drive with him, its contents cast doubts on the conviction-and lead him and Paige into a world of blackmail, dark secrets, and a decades-long string of murders. An investigation they'll survive only by trusting each other-and the truth."--P. [4] of cover.

"Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother--the only family she has left--for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO. Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself in the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey."--P. [4] of cover.

How did Richard Ford's cat influence his work as a novelist? How is Chuck Close's portraiture driven by his inability to remember faces? What pivotal moment helped Rosanne Cash understand the healing power of the stage? Creativity is an elusive subject. We enjoy its fruits--movies, novels, paintings, songs--but rarely are we privy to what happens in the creative process. In Spark, journalist Julie Burstein traces the roots of some of the twenty-first century's most influential and creative thinkers, including Joyce Carol Oates, Yo-Yo Ma, David Milch, Isabel Allende, and Joshua Redman. Burstein pulls back the curtain to reveal the sources of these artists' inspiration and the processes that bring their work into being. "These artists may not change lead into gold," Burstein writes, "but they lift materials from their familiar contexts, combining, reshaping, transforming them into works of art that change the way we see the world."--From publisher description.

"This book provides a preview of emerging wireless technologies and their architectural impact on the future mobile Internet. The reader will find an overview of architectural considerations for the mobile Internet, along with more detailed technical discussion of new protocol concepts currently being considered at the research stage. The first chapter starts with a discussion of anticipated mobile/wireless usage scenarios, leading to an identification of new protocol features for the future Internet. This is followed by several chapters that provide in-depth coverage of next-generation wireless standards, ad hoc and mesh network protocols, opportunistic delivery and delay tolerant networks, sensor network architectures and protocols, cognitive radio networks, vehicular networks, security and privacy, and experimental systems for future Internet research. Each of these contributed chapters includes a discussion of new networking requirements for the wireless scenario under consideration, architectural concepts and specific protocol designs, many still at research stage"--

"Kitchens and bathrooms are the hardest working rooms in the home, and if they don't function well, you don't function well! Join popular TV star Candice Olson...as she shares invaluable tips, insights, and ideas, for making real kitchens and bathrooms beautiful, functional, and inspired..."--P. [4] of cover.

"... Love letter to home baking... through 100 essays and more than 200 recipes"--From publisher description.

The first concise study of genius in both the arts and the sciences, using the life and work of famous geniuses to illuminate this phenomenon.-publisher description.

Tony Blair is a politician who defines our times. His emergence as Labour Party leader in 1994 marked a seismic shift in British politics. Within a few short years, he had transformed his party and rallied the country behind him, becoming prime minister in 1997 with the biggest victory in Labour's history, and bringing to an end eighteen years of Conservative government. He took Labour to a historic three terms in office as Britain's dominant political figure of the last two decades. In this firsthand account, he describes his role in shaping our recent history, from the aftermath of Princess Diana's death to the War on Terror. He explores the challenges of leadership, and the ramifications of standing up, clearly and forcefully, for what one believes in. He also looks ahead, to emerging power relationships and economies, addressing the vital issues and complexities of our global world.--From publisher description.

We humans pride ourselves on our capacity to have ideas, but perhaps this pride is misplaced. Perhaps ideas have us. After all, ideas do appear to have a life of their own. Many biologists have already come to the opinion that our genes are selfish entities, tricking us into helping them to reproduce. Is it the same with our ideas? Jonnie Hughes, a science writer and documentary filmmaker, investigates the evolution of ideas in order to find out. Adopting the role of a cultural Charles Darwin, Hughes heads off, with his brother in tow, across the Midwest to observe firsthand the natural history of ideas--the patterns of their variation, inheritance, and selection in the cultural landscape. In place of Darwin's oceanic islands, Hughes visits the "mind islands" of Native American tribes. Instead of finches, Hughes searches for signs of natural selection among the tepees.--From publisher description.

"Bakan offers passionate argument and copious research in this compelling call for parents to stand up for their children."--Booklist (starred review) "Corporations have found a new resource to be mined for profit: our children. In this shocking and indelible behind-the-scenes journey, Joel Bakan, acclaimed author and award-winning maker of the renowned film and international bestselling book The Corporation, uncovers the astonishing degree to which companies exploit the special vulnerabilities of children, manipulate parents' fears, and operate with callous disregard for children's health and well-being. The number of children taking dangerous psychotropic drugs has skyrocketed as pharmaceutical companies employ insidious, often illegal tactics to inflate diagnoses of disorders and convince parents their children require medication. A highly sophisticated marketing industry deploys increasingly subtle and powerful tactics to play on children's intense emotions and desires and to lure them into obsessive consumerism. Computer game designers craft techniques to titillate children with sex and violence, while social media developers infiltrate and shape children's social and emotional worlds to compel them to spend more and more monetizable time online. America's schools are being transformed into profit centers while children are subjected to increasingly regimented teaching that thwarts curiosity and creativity, numbing the joy of learning. And children's chronic health problems, from asthma to cancer, autism, and birth defects, steadily escalate as thousands of new industrial chemicals are dumped into their environments. Nelson Mandela once sagely remarked that "there can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way it treats its children." The problem today, as Joel Bakan reveals, is that business interests have made protecting children extremely difficult. Corporations pump billions into rendering parents and governments powerless to shield children from an unrelenting commercial assault, with the result that after a century of progress, during which protective laws and regulations were widely promulgated, children are once again exposed to substantial harms at the hands of economic actors. Childhood Under Siege leaves no room for doubt that this assault on childhood is a major crisis of our time. A powerful manifesto for urgent change, it empowers us to shield our own children while offering concrete and realistic proposals for legal reforms that would protect all children from these predatory practices. "--Publisher's description

Guy Kawasaki's acclaimed books have established him as the entrepreneur's entrepreneur. Now he turns to the mystery of influence, and offers a new take on this key force that drives any successful business or personal interaction. This book's fundamental message is that in any transaction the goal is not to get your own way, but to bring about a voluntary, enduring, and delightful change of heart in other people, by working with and through them and enlisting their own goals and desires. It's enchantment that enables us to maneuver through difficult decisions, break people's entrenched habits, defy the wisdom of crowds, and get colleagues to work for long-term goals. Kawasaki's advice includes: how to achieve rapport, credibility, and trust; how to help people enchant themselves; how to overcome resistance; how to enchant your employees--and your boss; and how to resist enchantment.--From publisher description.

Even with all the ups and downs, the stock market is still one of the best places to invest your money. This guide takes you step by step through the exciting but often overwhelming process of stock investing.

Since the discovery of fire, humans have been energy users. And this is a good thing--our mastery of energy is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom and has allowed us to be the dominant species on the planet. However, this mastery comes with a price: we are changing our environment in a profoundly negative way by heating it up. Using one engaging story after another, coupled with accessible scientific facts, world authority Richard B. Alley explores the history of energy use by humans over the centuries, gives a doubt-destroying proof that already-high levels of carbon dioxide are causing damaging global warming, and surveys the alternative energy options that are available to exploit right now. These new energy sources might well be the engines for economic growth in the twenty-first century.--From publisher description.

Going Green is now a national issue, and patrons expect their library to respond in the same way many corporations have. Libraries are going green with logos on their websites, programs for the public, and a host of other initiatives. This is the first book to focus strictly on the library's role in going green, helping you with collection development, disposal, and recycling issues; green equipment, technology, and facilities; programming ideas with supporting tables and figures; and ways to get the community involved in the process.--From publisher description.

Renowned animation historian Charles Solomon takes readers through the technical challenges, triumphs, and emotional hurdles that faced the Pixar team as they developed the toys' final adventure. Includes an extended introduction showcasing the art and story development behind the first two films, a special gatefold of Toy Story 3 color scripts, and a gallery of over 250 pieces of concept art.--From publisher description.

Aimed at the popular audience by experienced astronomy author Patricia and highlighted by 160 photographs, diagrams and maps, this guide explores every corner of Earth's planetary neighborhood, from the fiery sun at its center to the dark, icy realm where interstellar space begins. It's a state-of-the-art observation of the solar system as we know it today and a knowledgeable forecast of what to expect in the future, from Pluto's demotion to plutoid to the upcoming Moon mission, the likelihood of a manned expedition to Mars, and much more. From breathtaking photographs to detailed explanatory diagrams to expert essays, fascinating sidebars, and informative fact boxes, this is not just an easy-to-use reference, but also a visually stunning volume to fire the imagination of even the most casual reader.--From publisher description.

Castor's fellow exorcist John Gittings made several calls asking for help before his untimely demise, and if Castor had answered them, his friend might still be alive. So when a smooth-talking lawyer comes out of nowhere to claim the corpse, Castor owes it to John's unhappy ghost and even more miserable widow to help out. But life is rarely that simply for Felix Castor.--From publisher's description.

Tinker Bell and her fairy friends are trying to change summer into fall and get ready for the big fall celebration, and learn about the magic of true friendship along the way.

From the #1 bestselling author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" comes the ultimate guide to real estate--the advice and techniques every investor needs to navigate through the ups, downs, and in-betweens of the market.

A guide to virtualization covers such topics as server virtualization, managing a virtualization project, software options, using VMware Server, and implementing XenExpress.

"This series is designed to cover all aspects of sound financial management for local governments in developed and developing countries and economies in transition. Concepts of good governance, transparency and accountability are woven into the text of every chapter, and the needs and potential obstacles to greater decentralization and democracy are highlighted. Each volume is self-contained with its own Trainer's Guide, exercises and web resources. Chapters are divided into basic and advanced concepts and the detailed relationship of each topic to the others covered in the series is explained"--Publisher's description.

Fully updated to reflect changes in the rules and regulations governing corporate finance, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, passed in 2002. The new edition discusses this act and its implications in detail, and features new sections on risk management, corporate governance, real options, and behavioral finance. --from publisher description.

The remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalism. In 1927, young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as "the uncertainty principle." Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. Niels Bohr, Heisenberg's mentor and Einstein's long-time friend, found himself caught between the two. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining Einstein's support as the world faced the shocking implications of Heisenberg's principle.--From publisher description

Reveals the strategies a major design firm uses to foster innovative thinking throughout an organization and overcome the naysayers who stifle creativity. The role of the devil's advocate allows individuals to raise questions and concerns that effectively kill new projects and ideas, while claiming no personal responsibility; nothing is more potent in stifling innovation. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, Kelley identifies ten roles people can play in an organization to foster innovation and new ideas while offering an effective counter to naysayers.--From publisher description.

Biography of a little slave girl whipped for eating an apple, who later grew up to become a famous "conductor" for the underground railroad.

A determined elephant creates his own book box and discovers all the magic and fun of books and reading.

Real ribbons adorn the pages of this book that tells the story of two little girls getting their mother ready for her special day.

Explains how plants and animals of the meadow, woods, and pond grow and evolve, such as caterpillars changing into butterflies, eggs hatching into robins, and acorns becoming oaks.

After being snatched by a terrible ogress who locks them in a trunk, two sisters are rescued by the animals that they have always treated with great kindness.

Presents over 4000 alphabetically arranged words with several synonyms and an illustrative sentence for each.

Frederick, the poet mouse, stores up something special for the long cold winter.