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Machine Learning Assisted Evolutionary Multi- and Many- Objective Optimization (Genetic and Evolutionary Computation)
by Dhish Kumar Saxena Sukrit Mittal Kalyanmoy Deb Erik D. GoodmanThis book focuses on machine learning (ML) assisted evolutionary multi- and many-objective optimization (EMâO). EMâO algorithms, namely EMâOAs, iteratively evolve a set of solutions towards a good Pareto Front approximation. The availability of multiple solution sets over successive generations makes EMâOAs amenable to application of ML for different pursuits. Recognizing the immense potential for ML-based enhancements in the EMâO domain, this book intends to serve as an exclusive resource for both domain novices and the experienced researchers and practitioners. To achieve this goal, the book first covers the foundations of optimization, including problem and algorithm types. Then, well-structured chapters present some of the key studies on ML-based enhancements in the EMâO domain, systematically addressing important aspects. These include learning to understand the problem structure, converge better, diversify better, simultaneously converge and diversify better, and analyze the Pareto Front. In doing so, this book broadly summarizes the literature, beginning with foundational work on innovization (2003) and objective reduction (2006), and extending to the most recently proposed innovized progress operators (2021-23). It also highlights the utility of ML interventions in the search, post-optimality, and decision-making phases pertaining to the use of EMâOAs. Finally, this book shares insightful perspectives on the future potential for ML based enhancements in the EMâOA domain.To aid readers, the book includes working codes for the developed algorithms. This book will not only strengthen this emergent theme but also encourage ML researchers to develop more efficient and scalable methods that cater to the requirements of the EMâOA domain. It serves as an inspiration for further research and applications at the synergistic intersection of EMâOA and ML domains.
Machine Learning for Cyber Physical System: Advances and Challenges (Intelligent Systems Reference Library #60)
by Janmenjoy Nayak Bighnaraj Naik Vimal S. Margarita FavorskayaThis book provides a comprehensive platform for learning the state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms for solving several cybersecurity issues. It is helpful in guiding for the implementation of smart machine learning solutions to detect various cybersecurity problems and make the users to understand in combating malware, detect spam, and fight financial fraud to mitigate cybercrimes. With an effective analysis of cyber-physical data, it consists of the solution for many real-life problems such as anomaly detection, IoT-based framework for security and control, manufacturing control system, fault detection, smart cities, risk assessment of cyber-physical systems, medical diagnosis, smart grid systems, biometric-based physical and cybersecurity systems using advance machine learning approach. Filling an important gap between machine learning and cybersecurity communities, it discusses topics covering a wide range of modern and practical advance machine learning techniques, frameworks, and development tools to enable readers to engage with the cutting-edge research across various aspects of cybersecurity.
Machine Learning for Econometrics and Related Topics (Studies in Systems, Decision and Control #508)
by Vladik Kreinovich Songsak Sriboonchitta Woraphon YamakaIn the last decades, machine learning techniques – especially techniques of deep learning – led to numerous successes in many application areas, including economics. The use of machine learning in economics is the main focus of this book; however, the book also describes the use of more traditional econometric techniques. Applications include practically all major sectors of economics: agriculture, health (including the impact of Covid-19), manufacturing, trade, transportation, etc. Several papers analyze the effect of age, education, and gender on economy – and, more generally, issues of fairness and discrimination.We hope that this volume will:help practitioners to become better knowledgeable of the state-of-the-art econometric techniques, especially techniques of machine learning,and help researchers to further develop these important research directions. We want to thank all the authors for their contributions and all anonymous referees for their thorough analysis and helpful comments.
Machine Learning for Environmental Noise Classification in Smart Cities (Synthesis Lectures on Engineering, Science, and Technology)
by Ali Othman AlbajiWe present a Machine Learning (ML) approach to monitoring and classifying noise pollution. Both methods of monitoring and classification have been proven successful. MATLAB and Python code was generated to monitor all types of noise pollution from the collected data, while ML was trained to classify these data. ML algorithms showed promising performance in monitoring the different sound classes such as highways, railways, trains and birds, airports and many more. It is observed that all the data obtained by both methods can be used to control noise pollution levels and for data analytics. They can help decision making and policy making by stakeholders such as municipalities, housing authorities and urban planners in smart cities. The findings indicate that ML can be used effectively in monitoring and measurement. Improvements can be obtained by enhancing the data collection methods. The intention is to develop more ML platforms from which to construct a less noisy. The second objective of this study was to visualize and analyze the data of 18 types of noise pollution that have been collected from 16 different locations in Malaysia. All the collected data were stored in Tableau software. Through the use of both qualitative and quantitative measurements, the data collected for this project was then combined to create a noise map database that can help smart cities make informed decisions.
Machine Learning for Materials Discovery: Numerical Recipes and Practical Applications (Machine Intelligence for Materials Science)
by Hariprasad Kodamana Ravinder Bhattoo N. M. KrishnanFocusing on the fundamentals of machine learning, this book covers broad areas of data-driven modeling, ranging from simple regression to advanced machine learning and optimization methods for applications in materials modeling and discovery. The book explains complex mathematical concepts in a lucid manner to ensure that readers from different materials domains are able to use these techniques successfully. A unique feature of this book is its hands-on aspect—each method presented herein is accompanied by a code that implements the method in open-source platforms such as Python. This book is thus aimed at graduate students, researchers, and engineers to enable the use of data-driven methods for understanding and accelerating the discovery of novel materials.
Machine Learning for Networking: 6th International Conference, MLN 2023, Paris, France, November 28–30, 2023, Revised Selected Papers (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14525)
by Selma Boumerdassi Éric Renault Paul MühlethalerThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Machine Learning for Networking, MLN 2023, held in Paris, France, during November 28–30, 2023. The 18 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 34 submissions. The conference aims at providing a top forum for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss new trends in machine learning, deep learning, pattern recognition and optimization for network architectures and services.
Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn: Develop machine learning and deep learning models with Python
by Sebastian Raschka Vahid Mirjalili Yuxi (Hayden) LiuThis book of the bestselling and widely acclaimed Python Machine Learning series is a comprehensive guide to machine and deep learning using PyTorch s simple to code framework. Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free eBook in PDF format.Key FeaturesLearn applied machine learning with a solid foundation in theoryClear, intuitive explanations take you deep into the theory and practice of Python machine learningFully updated and expanded to cover PyTorch, transformers, XGBoost, graph neural networks, and best practicesBook DescriptionMachine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn is a comprehensive guide to machine learning and deep learning with PyTorch. It acts as both a step-by-step tutorial and a reference you'll keep coming back to as you build your machine learning systems. Packed with clear explanations, visualizations, and examples, the book covers all the essential machine learning techniques in depth. While some books teach you only to follow instructions, with this machine learning book, we teach the principles allowing you to build models and applications for yourself. Why PyTorch? PyTorch is the Pythonic way to learn machine learning, making it easier to learn and simpler to code with. This book explains the essential parts of PyTorch and how to create models using popular libraries, such as PyTorch Lightning and PyTorch Geometric. You will also learn about generative adversarial networks (GANs) for generating new data and training intelligent agents with reinforcement learning. Finally, this new edition is expanded to cover the latest trends in deep learning, including graph neural networks and large-scale transformers used for natural language processing (NLP). This PyTorch book is your companion to machine learning with Python, whether you're a Python developer new to machine learning or want to deepen your knowledge of the latest developments.What you will learnExplore frameworks, models, and techniques for machines to learn from dataUse scikit-learn for machine learning and PyTorch for deep learningTrain machine learning classifiers on images, text, and moreBuild and train neural networks, transformers, and boosting algorithmsDiscover best practices for evaluating and tuning modelsPredict continuous target outcomes using regression analysisDig deeper into textual and social media data using sentiment analysisWho this book is forIf you have a good grasp of Python basics and want to start learning about machine learning and deep learning, then this is the book for you. This is an essential resource written for developers and data scientists who want to create practical machine learning and deep learning applications using scikit-learn and PyTorch. Before you get started with this book, you’ll need a good understanding of calculus, as well as linear algebra.
Machine Tools Production Systems 1: Machine Types and Application Fields (Lecture Notes in Production Engineering)
by Christian Brecher Manfred WeckThe first part of the Machine Tools and Production Systems Compendium presents the wide range of machine tools and a comprehensive overview of different machine types. Based on the categorization of manufacturing processes according to the German standard DIN 8580, the different areas of application of machine tools are delineated and the various machine designs, the mechanical structure as well as the functions of the machine types are explained. Numerous three-dimensional illustrations of the principles, color photos, section drawings and schematic diagrams supplement the explanations and provide visual support. First, the machine types for the different manufacturing processes are described — before the multi-machine systems are explained. This is followed by a detailed presentation of the various equipment components of machine tools. In the last newly introduced chapter, the volume is concluded by a comprehensive and detailed explanation of three design examples of selected machine tools based on assembly drawings.The German Machine Tools and Production Systems Compendium has been completely revised. The previous five-volume series has been condensed into three volumes in the new ninth edition with colored technical illustrations throughout. This first English edition is a translation of the German ninth edition.
Machine Trades Print Reading
by Michael A. Barsamian Richard A. GizelbachMachine Trades Print Reading is a combination text and write-in workbook designed to help students develop the skills required to visualize and interpret industrial prints. In addition to an overview of the role of prints in the design and manufacturing process, this text teaches students the fundamentals of visualizing shapes, line usage, title blocks and notes, math, measurement, dimensions, and tolerances. The new edition complies with the most recent ASME Y14.5 standard, resulting in a heavy revision of Unit 15—Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing. Print reading activities and unit review questions are included at the end of most units to provide you with valuable hands-on learning opportunities.
The Maciste Films of Italian Silent Cinema
by Jacqueline ReichItalian film star Bartolomeo Pagano's "Maciste" played a key role in his nation's narratives of identity during World War I and after. Jacqueline Reich traces the racial, class, and national transformations undergone by this Italian strongman from African slave in Cabiria (1914), his first film, to bourgeois gentleman, to Alpine soldier of the Great War, to colonial officer in Italy's African adventures. Reich reveals Maciste as a figure who both reflected classical ideals of masculine beauty and virility (later taken up by Mussolini and used for political purposes) and embodied the model Italian citizen. The 12 films at the center of the book, recently restored and newly accessible to a wider public, together with relevant extra-cinematic materials, provide a rich resource for understanding the spread of discourses on masculinity, and national and racial identities during a turbulent period in Italian history. The volume includes an illustrated appendix documenting the restoration and preservation of these cinematic treasures.
Mad at the World: A Life Of John Steinbeck
by William SouderWinner of the 2021 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2020 in Nonfiction A resonant biography of America’s most celebrated novelist of the Great Depression. The first full-length biography of the Nobel laureate to appear in a quarter century, Mad at the World illuminates what has made the work of John Steinbeck an enduring part of the literary canon: his capacity for empathy. Pulitzer Prize finalist William Souder explores Steinbeck’s long apprenticeship as a writer struggling through the depths of the Great Depression, and his rise to greatness with masterpieces such as The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath. Angered by the plight of the Dust Bowl migrants who were starving even as they toiled to harvest California’s limitless bounty, fascinated by the guileless decency of the downtrodden denizens of Cannery Row, and appalled by the country’s refusal to recognize the humanity common to all of its citizens, Steinbeck took a stand against social injustice—paradoxically given his inherent misanthropy—setting him apart from the writers of the so-called "lost generation." A man by turns quick-tempered, compassionate, and ultimately brilliant, Steinbeck could be a difficult person to like. Obsessed with privacy, he was mistrustful of people. Next to writing, his favorite things were drinking and womanizing and getting married, which he did three times. And while he claimed indifference about success, his mid-career books and movie deals made him a lot of money—which passed through his hands as quickly as it came in. And yet Steinbeck also took aim at the corrosiveness of power, the perils of income inequality, and the urgency of ecological collapse, all of which drive public debate to this day. Steinbeck remains our great social realist novelist, the writer who gave the dispossessed and the disenfranchised a voice in American life and letters. Eloquent, nuanced, and deeply researched, Mad at the World captures the full measure of the man and his work.
Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America
by Heidi WalesonFrom the Wall Street Journal's opera critic, a wide-ranging narrative history of how and why the New York City Opera went bankrupt—and what it means for the future of the artsIn October 2013, the arts world was rocked by the news that the New York City Opera—“the people’s opera”—had finally succumbed to financial hardship after 70 years in operation. The company had been a fixture on the national opera scene—as the populist antithesis of the grand Metropolitan Opera, a nurturing home for young American talent, and a place where new, lively ideas shook up a venerable art form. But NYCO’s demise represented more than the loss of a cherished organization: it was a harbinger of massive upheaval in the performing arts—and a warning about how cultural institutions would need to change in order to survive.Drawing on extensive research and reporting, Heidi Waleson, one of the foremost American opera critics, recounts the history of this scrappy company and reveals how, from the beginning, it precariously balanced an ambitious artistic program on fragile financial supports. Waleson also looks forward and considers some better-managed, more visionary opera companies that have taken City Opera’s lessons to heart.Above all, Mad Scenes and Exit Arias is a story of money, ego, changes in institutional identity, competing forces of populism and elitism, and the ongoing debate about the role of the arts in society. It serves as a detailed case study not only for an American arts organization, but also for the sustainability and management of nonprofit organizations across the country.
Madam Secretary: A Biography of Madeleine Albright
by Thomas BloodThomas Blood’s Madame Secretary is a riveting biography of the first woman U. S. Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, “the ultimate independent woman” (The New York Times Magazine).No American envoy has ever burst on the diplomatic scene and grabbed center stage in the theater of foreign relations like Madeleine Albright. Navigating difficult terrain as few can, Washington D. C. insider Thomas Blood provides exclusive interviews with, and revealing anecdotes from, politicians, friends, adversaries, and colleagues, including former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Senators Leahy, Mikulski, Kerrey, Helms, Reid, and Rockefeller, and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt.This unique biography reveals the dramatic story of the first woman U.S. Secretary of State. Rather than providing a simple chronology, Blood focuses on the defining moments in Madeleine Albright’s life, identifying the periods that best open a window on the Secretary of State’s uncanny ability to triumph over adversity, her unparalleled success in politics and her meteoric rise to dominance in the world of foreign policy. From her family’s thrilling escape from Czechoslovakia to her astounding rise to power to her victories and setbacks as the head of American foreign policy, Madeleine Albright’s life unfolds like a major motion picture.An immensely readable biography that illuminates key experiences in Albright’s career and personal life, Madam Secretary introduces us to Madeleine Albright the person, the politician, the policymaker.
Made in Asian America: A History for Young People
by Erika Lee Christina SoontornvatFrom three-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and award-winning historian Erika Lee comes a middle grade nonfiction that shines a light on the generations of Asian Americans who have transformed the United States and who continue to shape what it means to be American.Asian American history is not made up of one single story. It’s many. And it’s a story that too often goes untold. It begins centuries before America even exists as a nation. It is connected to the histories of Western conquest and colonialism. It’s a story of migration; of people and families crossing the Pacific Ocean in search of escape, opportunity, and new beginnings.It is also the story of race and racism. Of being labeled an immigrant invasion, unfit to become citizens, and being banned, deported, and incarcerated. Of being blamed for bringing diseases into the country.It is also a story of bravery and hope. It is the story of heroes who fought for equality in the courts, on the streets, and in the schools, and who continue to fight in solidarity with others doing the same.This book is a stirring account of the ordinary people and extraordinary acts that made Asian America and the young people who are remaking America today.
Made in Manhattan
by Lauren LayneFrom the New York Times bestselling author of the Central Park Pact comes a reverse My Fair Lady for the modern era about a pampered and privileged Manhattan socialite who must teach an unpolished and denim-loving nobody from the Louisiana Bayou how to fit in with the upper crust of New York City. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.Violet Townsend has always been a people pleaser. Raised in the privileged world of Upper East Side Manhattan, she always says the right things, wears the right clothes, and never rocks the boat. Violet would do anything for the people closest to her, especially her beloved grandmother. So when she asks Violet to teach the newly-discovered grandson of her friend how to fit in with New York City&’s elite, Violet immediately agrees. Her goal? To get Cain Stone ready to take his place as heir to his family company…but to say he&’s not exactly an eager student is an understatement. Born and raised in rural Louisiana and now making his own way in New Orleans, Cain Stone is only playing along for the paycheck at the end. He has no use for the grandmother he didn&’t know existed and no patience for the uppity Violet&’s attempts to turn him into a suit-wearing, museum-attending gentleman. But somewhere amidst antagonistic dinner parties and tortured tux fittings, Cain and Violet come to a begrudging understanding—and the uptight Violet realizes she&’s not the only one doing the teaching. As she and Cain begin to find mutual respect for one another (and maybe even something more), Violet learns that blindly following society&’s rules doesn&’t lead to happiness…and that sometimes the best things in life come from the most unexpected places.
Made to Be Seen: Perspectives on the History of Visual Anthropology
by Marcus Banks and Jay RubyMade to be Seen brings together leading scholars of visual anthropology to examine the historical development of this multifaceted and growing field. Expanding the definition of visual anthropology beyond more limited notions, the contributors to Made to be Seen reflect on the role of the visual in all areas of life. Different essays critically examine a range of topics: art, dress and body adornment, photography, the built environment, digital forms of visual anthropology, indigenous media, the body as a cultural phenomenon, the relationship between experimental and ethnographic film, and more. The first attempt to present a comprehensive overview of the many aspects of an anthropological approach to the study of visual and pictorial culture, Made to be Seen will be the standard reference on the subject for years to come. Students and scholars in anthropology, sociology, visual studies, and cultural studies will greatly benefit from this pioneering look at the way the visual is inextricably threaded through most, if not all, areas of human activity.
Made with Love: Donuts!
by Lea RedmondCelebrate the perfect donut, and debate over your favorite flavor, in this adorable board book that shows any donut is made better with love—and someone to share it with.These donuts are hot and fresh. Warm, golden brown and pillow-y soft, can you guess the delicious topping on each one? Turn over each donut to find out!Artfully drizzled with Lea Redmond's fun-loving guessing game and topped with mouthwatering illustrations from Flora Waycott, this beautifully designed board book is stacked with treats for hungry young readers. It's even shaped like a donut! With every turn of these satisfyingly thick pages, a new, delicious topping is revealed, leaving readers with a picturesque plate to start their day. Celebrate a classic family tradition with this appetizing board book infused with Lea Redmond's signature sweetness.BESTSELLING AUTHOR: Bestselling author Lea Redmond's Letters To series alone has sold more than 3 million copies. This is her modern, delicious, and innovative breakfast-themed take on Sam's Sandwich—featuring every kid's favorite food: donuts!GUESSING GAME: With each turn of the page, guess a new donut flavor! Which is your favorite? From pumpkin spice to chocolate, you have lots to choose from.DURABLE & PERFECT FOR LITTLE HANDS: Rounded, thick board construction makes this book both resistant to damages and perfect for little hands.IT LOOKS SO REAL YOU COULD EAT IT: With shaped pages, die-cut holes, and foil, this tactile board book mimics the delicious object quality of real donuts. Just don't actually try to eat it!HOLE-AS-HANDLE: The youngest readers can use the die-cut hole in the center of the book as a handle to turn the page.Perfect for: parents, gift-givers, donut lovers
The Madman's Gallery: The Strangest Paintings, Sculptures and Other Curiosities From the History of Art
by Edward Brooke-HitchingEnter The Madman's Gallery - the perfect gift book for any art lover. Discover an eccentric exploration through the curious history of art, to find the strangest paintings, sculptures, drawings and other artistic oddities ever made.From the author of the bestseller The Madman&’s Library (SundayTimes Literature Book of the Year 2020, Radio 4 Book of the Week) comes an extraordinary new illustrated collection. This unique exhibition gathers more than a hundred magnificent works, each chosen for their striking beauty, weirdness and captivating story behind their creation.Obscure and forgotten treasures sit alongside famous masterpieces with secret stories to tell. Here are Doom paintings, screaming sculptures, magical manuscripts, impossible architecture, dog-headed saints, angel musketeers and the first portrait of a cannibal. Stolen art, outsider art, ghost art, revenge art, and art painted at the bottom of the sea take their place alongside scandalous art, forgeries and hoaxes, art of dreams and nightmares, and cryptic paintings yet to be decoded. Discover the remarkable Elizabethan portraits of men in flames, the mystery ofthe nude Mona Lisa, the gruesome ingredients of lost pigments, the werewolf legion of the Roman army, and the Italian monk who levitated so often he&’s recognised as the patron saint of aeroplane passengers.From prehistoric cave art to portraits painted by artificial intelligence, The Madman&’s Gallery draws on a remarkable depth of research and variety of images to form a book that surprises at every turn, and ultimately serves to celebrate the endless power and creativity of human imagination.
The Madman's Library: The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History
by Edward Brooke-HitchingThis fascinating and bizarre collection compiles the most unusual, obscure books from the far reaches of the human imagination throughout history.From the author of the critically acclaimed bestsellers The Phantom Atlas and The Sky Atlas comes a unique and beautifully illustrated journey through the history of literature. The Madman's Library delves into its darkest territories to hunt down the oddest books and manuscripts ever written, uncovering the intriguing stories behind their creation.From the Qur'an written in the blood of Saddam Hussein, to the gorgeously decorated fifteenth-century lawsuit filed by the Devil against Jesus, to the most enormous book ever created, The Madman's Library features many long forgotten, eccentric, and extraordinary volumes gathered from around the world.Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle and books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered. Spell books, alchemist scrolls, wearable books, edible books, books to summon demons, books written by ghosts, and more all come together in the most curiously strange library imaginable.Featuring hundreds of remarkable images and packed with entertaining facts and stories to discover, The Madman’s Library is a captivating compendium perfect for bibliophiles, literature enthusiasts, and collectors intrigued by bizarre oddities, obscure history, and the macabre.• MUST-HAVE FOR BOOKLOVERS: Anyone who appreciates a good read will love delving into this weird world of books and adding this collection to their own bookshelf.• DISCOVER SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE: The Madman's Library will let you in on the secret and obscure histories of the strangest books ever made.• EXPERT AUTHOR: Edward Brooke-Hitching is the son of an antiquarian book dealer, a lifelong rare book collector, and a master of taking visual deep dives into unusual historical subjects, such as the maps of imaginary geography in The Phantom Atlas or ancient pathways through the stars in The Sky Atlas.
Madness, Language, Literature (The Chicago Foucault Project)
by Michel FoucaultNewly published lectures by Foucault on madness, literature, and structuralism. Perceiving an enigmatic relationship between madness, language, and literature, French philosopher Michel Foucault developed ideas during the 1960s that are less explicit in his later, more well-known writings. Collected here, these previously unpublished texts reveal a Foucault who undertakes an analysis of language and experience detached from their historical constraints. Three issues predominate: the experience of madness across societies; madness and language in Artaud, Roussel, and Baroque theater; and structuralist literary criticism. Not only do these texts pursue concepts unique to this period such as the “extra-linguistic,” but they also reveal a far more complex relationship between structuralism and Foucault than has typically been acknowledged.
Madonna: Like an Icon
by Lucy O'BrienMaterial Girl . . . Immaculate sexpot . . . Superstar . . . Mother . . . Kabbalah enthusiast . . . For three decades she has defied categorization. . . . She remains one of our greatest living pop icons.Here is the groundbreaking biography that finally solves the mystery at the heart of Madonna's chameleonlike existence. Drawing upon scores of candid interviews with producers, musicians, collaborators, lovers, and friends, Lucy O'Brien's Madonna: Like an Icon explores the complex personality and legendary drive that have made Madonna the most famous female pop artist of our time. From her mother's premature death to Madonna's dynamic arrival on the New York club scene, from "Like a Virgin" to Evita and beyond, every stage of this dazzling star's life and career is brilliantly illuminated—the stereotypes deconstructed, the lies exposed, the artist examined, the legend celebrated.
Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish: A Creative and Proven Approach
by Margarita MadrigalUse the English you already know to quickly learn the basics of Spanish with this unique, accessible guide featuring original illustrations by Andy Warhol—from one of America&’s most prominent language teachers. Read, write, and speak Spanish in only a few short weeks! Even the most reluctant learner will be astonished at the ease and effectiveness of Margarita Madrigal&’s unique method of teaching a foreign language. Completely eliminating rote memorization and painfully boring drills, Madrigal&’s Magic Key to Spanish is guaranteed to help you:• Learn to speak, read, and write Spanish quickly and easily• Convert English into Spanish in an instant• Start forming sentences after the very first lesson• Identify thousands of Spanish words within a few weeks of study• Travel to Spanish-speaking countries with confidence and comfort• Develop perfect pronunciation, thanks to a handy pronunciation keyWith original black-and-white illustration by Andy Warhol, Madrigal&’s Magic Key to Spanish will provide readers with a solid foundation upon which to build their language skills.
Maelstrom: A Prince of Evil
by Lorian MerrimanIn this action-packed, hilarious fantasy graphic novel perfect for fans of Nimona and The Adventure Zone, Maelstrom, the demon son of an evil tyrant improbably teams up with the Hero of Virtue to take his mother down—that is, unless, Maelstrom decides to betray the Hero first. Maelstrom is a half-demon prince pining for a place in history. (Honestly, he’s just bored and searching for a way to pass the time.) Twigs is the young, prophesized Hero of Virtue fated to face him—or so we’ve been told . . .But Maelstrom’s mother, regent to the throne and a powerful necromancer, is determined to keep an iron grip on her domain. Bemoaning his lost destiny, Maelstrom teams up with the Hero to stop his mother and forge a new destiny for himself. What Twigs doesn’t know is that Maelstrom has a cunning plan to build his own epic legend and double-cross Twigs at the perfect moment. . . "Memorable characters drew me right into this gorgeous coming-of-age adventure that's as hilarious as it is heartfelt." —Carey Pietsch, bestselling artist of The Adventure Zone "Maelstrom instantly hooked me. It's story that's at turns funny, exciting and always heartfelt, about wresting with destiny and identity and finding your own way forward." —Peter Wartman, artist of the Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels
The Mafia's President: Nixon and the Mob
by Don FulsomThe first-ever full account of Nixon's extensive ties to the American Mafia, from a veteran White House reporter.Unbeknownst to most people even now, the election of 1968 placed the patron saint of the Mafia in the White House. In other words, Richard Nixon would go on to not only lead a criminal presidency; he would be totally indebted to our nation’s top mobsters.By 1969, thanks in large part to his long-time campaign manager and political advisor Murray Chotiner, a lawyer who specialized in representing mobsters, Nixon had participated in secret criminal dealings for more than 20 years with sketchy figures such as Mickey Cohen, Mob financial guru Meyer Lansky, Teamsters union chief Jimmy Hoffa, and New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. And with Chotiner as one of his key behind-the-scenes advisors in the White House, Nixon's ties to the Mafia didn't end there. The Mafia’s President reveals a mind-blowing litany of favors Nixon exchanged with these sinister characters over decades, ranging from springing Jimmy Hoffa from prison to banning the federal government from using the terms “Mafia” and “La Cosa Nostra.”Drawing on newly released government tapes, documents, and other fresh information, The Mafia’s President by Don Fulsom offers a carefully reported, deeply researched account of Richard Nixon’s secret connections to America’s top crime lords.
Magellan: Over the Edge of the World
by Laurence BergreenA middle-grade adaptation of Laurence Bergreen's adult bestseller, about Magellan's historic voyage around the globe.On September 6, 1522, a horribly battered ship manned by eighteen malnourished, scurvy-ridden sailors appeared on the horizon near a Spanish port. They were survivors of the first European expedition to circle the globe. Originally comprised of five ships and 260 sailors, the fleet's captain and most of its crew were dead. How did Ferdinand Magellan's voyage to circle the world—one of the largest and best-equipped expeditions ever mounted—turn into this ghost ship? The answer is provided in this thoroughly researched tale of mutiny and murder spanning the entire globe, marked equally by triumph and tragedy. Thrilling, grisly, and completely true, Magellan:Over the Edge of the World tells a story that not only marks a turning point in history, but also resonates powerfully with the present.