- Table View
- List View
The Real Story of Ah-Q and Other Tales of China: The Complete Fiction of Lu Xun
by Lu XunLu Xun (Lu Hsun) is arguably the greatest writer of modern China, and is considered by many to be the founder of modern Chinese literature. Lu Xun's stories both indict outdated Chinese traditions and embrace China's cultural richness and individuality. This volume presents brand-new translations by Julia Lovell of all of Lu Xun's stories, including 'The Real Story of Ah-Q', 'Diary of a Madman', 'A Comedy of Ducks', 'The Divorce' and 'A Public Example', among others. With an afterword by Yiyun Li.
Real-Time Structural Health Monitoring of Vibrating Systems
by Basuraj Bhowmik Budhaditya Hazra Vikram PakrashiTargeted at researchers and practitioners in the field of science and engineering, the book provides an introduction to real time structural health monitoring. Most work to date is based on algorithms that require windowing of the accumulated data, this work presents a coherent transition from the traditional batch mode practice to a recently developed array of recursive approaches. The book mainly focuses on the theoretical development and engineering applications of algorithms that are based on first order perturbation (FOP) techniques. The development of real time algorithms aimed at identifying the structural systems and the inflicted damage, online, through theoretical approaches paves the way for an in-depth understanding of the discussed topics. It then continues to demonstrate the solution to a class of inverse dynamic problems through numerically simulated systems. Extensive theoretical derivations supported by mathematical formulations, pivoted around the simple concepts of eigenspace updates, forms the key cornerstone of the book. The output response streaming in real time from multi degree of freedom systems provide key information about the system’s health that is subsequently utilized to identify the modal parameters and the damage, in real time. Damage indicators connotative of the nature, instant and location of damage, identified in a single framework are developed in the light of real time damage case studies. Backed by a comprehensive assortment of experimental test-beds, this book includes demonstrations to emulate real life damage scenarios under controlled laboratory conditions. Applicability of the proposed recursive methods towards practical problems demonstrate their robustness as viable candidates for real time structural health monitoring.
The Real Warren Buffett: Managing Capital, Leading People
by James O'LoughlinThe Real Warren Buffett unveils the secret of how Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway to staggering success. Zeroing in on his original management style and leadership approach, author James O'Loughlin exposes the powerful and practical lessons of Buffett, demonstrating how he became the second richest man in America.
Real-World SRE: The Survival Guide for Responding to a System Outage and Maximizing Uptime
by Nat WelchThis hands-on survival manual will give you the tools to confidently prepare for and respond to a system outage. Key Features Proven methods for keeping your website running A survival guide for incident response Written by an ex-Google SRE expert Book Description Real-World SRE is the go-to survival guide for the software developer in the middle of catastrophic website failure. Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) has emerged on the frontline as businesses strive to maximize uptime. This book is a step-by-step framework to follow when your website is down and the countdown is on to fix it. Nat Welch has battle-hardened experience in reliability engineering at some of the biggest outage-sensitive companies on the internet. Arm yourself with his tried-and-tested methods for monitoring modern web services, setting up alerts, and evaluating your incident response. Real-World SRE goes beyond just reacting to disaster—uncover the tools and strategies needed to safely test and release software, plan for long-term growth, and foresee future bottlenecks. Real-World SRE gives you the capability to set up your own robust plan of action to see you through a company-wide website crisis. The final chapter of Real-World SRE is dedicated to acing SRE interviews, either in getting a first job or a valued promotion. What you will learn Monitor for approaching catastrophic failure Alert your team to an outage emergency Dissect your incident response strategies Test automation tools and build your own software Predict bottlenecks and fight for user experience Eliminate the competition in an SRE interview Who this book is for Real-World SRE is aimed at software developers facing a website crisis, or who want to improve the reliability of their company's software. Newcomers to Site Reliability Engineering looking to succeed at interview will also find this invaluable.
The Real You: How to Escape Your Limitations and Become the Person You Were Born to Be
by Andrew Parr'A gracefully written book about the inner strength we all have within us' Wim Hof ________________________________________________________________________________Do you feel held back by your own thoughts? Have you gone through years of therapy but never quite resolved your problems? Whether you struggle with mental health or want to achieve more in life, this revolutionary book is your key to finally making positive changes.It's common to feel a loss of control and even feel out of touch with our own identity when we go through periods of stress or trauma. Our brains are conditioned to form beliefs about ourselves and the world around us, so when we experience adversity thoughts such as 'I'm not good enough', 'I don't deserve to be happy' and 'I don't belong here' can develop and start to hold us back in life. Left unchecked, these thoughts can leave us feeling stuck, incapable and unfulfilled but this life-changing book shows how we can de-hypnotize ourselves of those beliefs and re-discover the capable and confident person within us. Having practised as a therapist for almost thirty years, Andrew Parr has helped thousands of people to break free of their self-sabotaging thoughts and achieve things they never thought possible: from pay rises to weight loss, and from quitting smoking to overcoming insomnia. In The Real You he shares his transformative approach, combining the most effective aspects of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, coaching and CBT, that will help you to identify and resolve problematic mental patterns more easily than with traditional talking therapy. No matter what you want to achieve, the simple, practical exercises in this book will put you back control of your thoughts, transform your self-confidence and make success possible. ________________________________________________________________________________ 'A truly unique and transformational book' Paul Hewitt, Sports Performance Specialist
Realistic Weight Control: The Healthy Guide to Weight Loss
by Jan de VriesWhatever you might call it - being overweight or corpulent or carrying excess fat - one thing is certain: obesity is one of the major problems of the developed world today. It is not simply a matter of being too fat: those who are severely overweight are prone to a tremendous range of other health problems such as back pain and coronary heart disease. In Realistic Weight Control Jan de Vries clearly and sensibly explains why these problems occur and how best to avoid them. Moreover, in view of the overwhelming variety of slimming methods on the market, each claiming to be better than the last, he points out the dangers to health caused by following an inappropriate diet.
The Reality and Myth of BRI’s Debt Trap: Evidences from Asia and Africa (Indo-Pacific Focus)
by Nian Peng Ming Yu ChengThis edited book aims to present a well-balanced view on the heated debate about BRI’s “debt trap” controversy within the route states by presenting compelling evidence from Asian and African countries. It is contributed by the university scholars, think tank experts, and governmental officials from the concerned parties such as China, USA, South/Southeast Asia, and Africa to discuss this new topic from their perspectives. It not only examines the origins and changes in external debt among the BRI route states before and after the launch of the BRI, but also analyzes the outcomes stemming from BRI projects. The book covers 12 chapters, in which the first chapter briefly introduces the aims and scope of this book. The following 2 chapters look at Chinese and Indian perspectives on the “debt trap”, respectively. The next 9 chapters examine the debt issue and BRI projects in Southeast Asian, South Asian, and African states, which mainly involve Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Nigeria, and give some useful policy suggestions to reduce the debt burden and promote the socioeconomic development in these countries.
Reality Modeled After Images: Architecture and Aesthetics after the Digital Image
by Michael YoungReality Modeled After Images: Architecture and Aesthetics after the Digital Image explores architecture’s entanglement with contemporary image culture. It looks closely at how changes produced through technologies of mediation alter disciplinary concepts and produce political effects. Through both historical and contemporary examples, it focuses on how conventions of representation are established, maintained, challenged, and transformed. Critical investigations are conjoined with inquiries into aesthetics and technology in the hope that the tensions between them can aid an exploration into how architectural images are produced, disseminated, and valued; how images alter assumptions regarding the appearances of architecture and the environment.For students and academics in architecture, design and media studies, architectural and art history, and related fields, this book shows how design is impacted and changed by shifts in image culture, representational conventions and technologies.
Really?: The World According To Clarkson
by Jeremy ClarksonJEREMY CLARKSON'S LATEST - AND MOST OUTRAGEOUS - TAKE ON THE WORLDCLARKSON'S BACK - AND THIS TIME HE'S PUTTING HIS FOOT DOWNFrom his first job as a travelling sales rep selling Paddington Bears to his latest wheeze as a gentleman farmer, Jeremy Clarkson's love of cars has just about kept him out of trouble.But in a persistently infuriating world, sometimes you have to race full-throttle at the speed-bumps.Because there's still plenty to get cross about, including:· Why nothing good ever came out of a meeting· Muesli's unmentionable side effects · Navigating London when every single road is being dug up at once· People who read online reviews of dishwashers· ****ing driverless carsBuckle up for a bumpy ride - you're holding the only book in history to require seatbelts . . .Praise for Jeremy Clarkson: Brilliant . . . Laugh-out-loud' Daily Telegraph'Outrageously funny . . . Will have you in stitches' Time Out 'Very funny . . . I cracked up laughing on the tube' Evening Standard
Really Saying Something: Sara & Keren – Our Bananarama Story
by Sara Dallin Keren Woodward______________________________________'Engaging, entertaining, brilliantly recounted' Mirror 'Captivating . . . an incredible story' i paper__________________________________MUSIC, FAME AND A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPSara Dallin and Keren Woodward met in the school playground when they were four. They went on to become international stars and inspired a generation with their music, DIY-style and trailblazing attitudes.Told with humour and authenticity, and filled with never-before-seen photos, Really Saying Something takes us behind the scenes of their early days, the world tours, party games with George Michael, a close friendship with Prodigy's Keith Flint, and hanging out with Andy Warhol in New York.This is a celebration of a life-affirming friendship, with an unbeatable soundtrack.__________________________________'Like something from a movie' Dermot O'Leary'A brilliant autobiography' Martin Kemp'A blast' Metro'What a nostalgia-fest' Kate Thornton
A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene: 1989-1999
by Tom MaxwellTHE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF THE THRIVING AND INFLUENTIAL ROCK SCENE IN CHAPEL HILL, WHICH GAVE THE WORLD ARTISTS LIKE BEN FOLDS FIVE, SUPERCHUNK, AND SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS North Carolina has always produced extraordinary music of every description. But the indie rock boom of the late 1980s and early &’90s brought the state most fully into the public consciousness, while the subsequent post-grunge free-for-all bestowed its greatest commercial successes. In addition to the creation of legacy label Merge Records and a slate of excellent indie bands like Superchunk, Archers of Loaf, and Polvo, this was the decade when other North Carolina artists broke Billboard &’s Top 200 and sold millions of records—several million of which were issued by another indie label based in Carrboro, Chapel Hill&’s smaller next-door neighbor. It&’s time to take a closer look at exactly what happened.A Really Strange and Wonderful Time features a representative cross section of what was being created in and around Chapel Hill between 1989 and 1999. In addition to the aforementioned indie bands, it documents—through firsthand accounts—other local notables like Ben Folds Five, Dillon Fence, Flat Duo Jets, Small, Southern Culture on the Skids, The Veldt, and Whiskeytown. At the same time, it describes the nurturing infrastructure which engendered and encouraged this marvelous diversity. In essence, A Really Strange and Wonderful Time is proof of the genius of community.
Reap The Shadows
by Annette MariePiper is feeling a bit overwhelmed. With Seiya and Lyre missing, Ash recovering from near fatal injuries, and the Gaians picking fights with daemons all over the city, a girl can’t help but think she might be in over her head. And this time, she’s on her own. Before she even has a chance to investigate the Gaians’ new stockpile of mysterious, high-tech weaponry, an old enemy ambushes her: Samael’s henchman Raum. He wants Ash’s help and won’t take “get lost” for an answer. She doesn’t know if she can trust Raum, but even more than that, she can’t trust herself with Ash. Sooner or later he’ll catch up to her, and she fears she won’t be able to walk away from him a second time. Despite her feelings, it will take their combined strength to face a frightening discovery about the Gaians. She and Ash begin to realize that the daemon war is coming to Earth, and they might be the only ones who can stop it—if it’s not already too late.
A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3)
by Sabaa TahirBOOK THREE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES"Thrilling and hard to put down, readers will absolutely devour Tahir's latest." --BuzzFeedAn Entertainment Weekly Summer Reads pick!"The perfect summer read." --The Washington PostThe highly anticipated third book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir's EMBER QUARTET.Beyond the Martial Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister's life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. But she knows that danger lurks on all sides: Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor's volatility to grow her own power--regardless of the carnage she leaves in her path. Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But in the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight. And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that demands his complete surrender--even if that means abandoning the woman he loves.
Reason to Be Happy: Why logical thinking is the key to a better life
by Kaushik Basu'Reason to Be Happy is a wise and witty book that shows how thinking clearly can help us find happiness in our daily lives, get more of what we want, and even make the world a better place' Hannah FryWhy do our friends have more friends than we do? How do you book the best available seats on a plane? And if jogging for ten minutes adds eight minutes to our life expectancy, should we still go jogging?The ability to reason is one of our most undervalued skills. In everyday life, the key is to put yourself in the shoes of a clever competitor and think about how they might respond. Whether you are dealing with events on the scale of the Cuban missile crisis or letting go of anger, leading economist Professor Kaushik Basu shows how game theory - the logic of social situations - can help us achieve better outcomes and lasting happiness.Full of fascinating thought experiments and puzzles, Reason to Be Happy is a paean to the power of rationality. If you want to have a good life and even make the world a better place, you can start by thinking clearly.
Reasoning From The Scriptures With The Jehovah's Witnesses
by Ron RhodesChristians have great news to offer Jehovah's Witnesses. In this revised and updated version of the top-selling Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses (more than 90,000 copies sold), author and Bible expert Ron Rhodes helps readers delve into the Bible and use practical tools to share God's truths with those who come calling. Convenient side-by-side comparisons of the New World Translation and the Bible, along with answers to each doctrinal error espoused by the Witnesses Point-by-point lists of the favorite tactics and arguments used by the Witnesses—along with effective, biblical responses to each Questions you can ask to challenge the Jehovah's Witnesses' confidence in the Watchtower Society With easy-to-understand helps, concise information, direct comparisons of beliefs, and a compassionate presentation, this resource from Ron Rhodes is ideal for personal and church libraries and for any reader who wants to confidently share the gospel.
Reasoning Otherwise: Leftists and the People's Enlightenment in Canada, 1890-1920
by Ian McKayIn Reasoning Otherwise, author Ian McKay returns to the concepts and methods of “reconnaissance” first outlined in Rebels, Reds, Radicals to examine the people and events that led to the rise of the left in Canada from 1890 to 1920. Reasoning Otherwise highlights how a new way of looking at the world based on theories of evolution transformed struggles around class, religion, gender, and race, and culminates in a new interpretation of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. As McKay demonstrated in Rebels, Reds, Radicals, the Canadian left is alive and flourishing, and has shaped the Canadian experience in subtle and powerful ways. Reasoning Otherwise continues this tradition of offering important new insight into the deep roots of leftism in Canada. Reasoning Otherwise is the winner of the 2009 Canadian Historical Association's Sir John A. Macdonald prize.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
by Kate WigginWhen ten-year-old Rebecca Randall leaves Sunnybrook Farm to go and live with her aunts, Miranda and Jane, in Riverboro neither she nor her aunts know quite what to expect. And with Rebecca around it's usually the unexpected that happens anyway. In fact it is this gift for the unexpected that means that life is never quite the same again for anyone with whom she comes into contact. This classic story of a young girl growing up in the American state of Maine at the end of the l9th century follows Rebecca's life, education and escapades through the next seven years until the day, as the new mistress of her aunts' old brick house, she begins her adult life.
Rebel Bakes: 80+ Deliciously Creative Cakes, Bakes and Treats For Every Occasion
by George HepherFrom social media sensation George's Bakery comes Rebel Bakes - a joyful celebration of all things sweet.In Rebel Bakes you'll find over 80 mouth-watering recipes to some of George's best-loved signature bakes, as well as a whole host of exclusive never-before-seen treats. From show-stopping layered cakes to sweet and speedy hob jobs, and from inventive cookies and tarts to unique traybakes, these recipes are easy to follow and seriously good.Whether you're a seasoned home baker or just starting out, this cookbook has something for everyone and will inspire you to have some fun and get creative in the kitchen. So, grab your apron, preheat the oven and get ready to enjoy the wickedly indulgent delights of George's Bakery from the comfort of your own kitchen!Recipes include:- Salted Caramel Cornflake Crevice- Pistachio, White Chocolate + Raspberry Cake- Thiccc Cookies- Milk Chocolate Cheesecake Cake- Coco Puff Crunch Sandwiches- Strawberry + Champagne Roll- Biscoff Crispie Slice- Gooey Brownie Cookie Pie& much more!
Rebel Bakes: 80+ Deliciously Creative Cakes, Bakes and Treats For Every Occasion
by George HepherFrom social media sensation George's Bakery comes Rebel Bakes - a joyful celebration of all things sweet.In Rebel Bakes you'll find over 80 mouth-watering recipes to some of George's best-loved signature bakes, as well as a whole host of exclusive never-before-seen treats. From show-stopping layered cakes to sweet and speedy hob jobs, and from inventive cookies and tarts to unique traybakes, these recipes are easy to follow and seriously good.Whether you're a seasoned home baker or just starting out, this cookbook has something for everyone and will inspire you to have some fun and get creative in the kitchen. So, grab your apron, preheat the oven and get ready to enjoy the wickedly indulgent delights of George's Bakery from the comfort of your own kitchen!Recipes include:- Salted Caramel Cornflake Crevice- Pistachio, White Chocolate + Raspberry Cake- Thiccc Cookies- Milk Chocolate Cheesecake Cake- Coco Puff Crunch Sandwiches- Strawberry + Champagne Roll- Biscoff Crispie Slice- Gooey Brownie Cookie Pie& much more!
Rebel Gold: One Man's Quest to Crack the Code Behind the Secret Treasure of the Confederacy
by Warren Getler Bob BrewerAs a boy growing up in rural Arkansas, Bob Brewer often heard from his uncle and his great-uncle about a particular tree in the woods, the "Bible Tree," filled with strange carvings. Years later he would learn that this tree was carved with symbols associated with the Knights of the Golden Circle, a Civil Warera secret society that had buried gold coins and other treasure in various remote locations across the South and Southwest in hopes of someday funding a second War Between the States. These secret caches were guarded by sentinels, men whose responsibility it was to watch and protect these sites. To his astonishment, Bob discovered that both his uncle and his great-uncle had been twentieth-century sentinels, and that he had grown up near an important KGC treasure site.In Shadow of the Sentinel, Bob Brewer and investigative journalist Warren Getler tell the fascinating story of the Knights of the Golden Circle and the hidden caches the KGC established across the country. Brewer reveals how, with agonizing effort, he eventually deciphered the fiendishly complicated KGC codes and ciphers, which drew heavily on images associated with Freemasonry. (Many of the key KGC postCivil War leaders were Scottish Rite Masons, who used the cover of that secret fraternity to conduct their activities.) Using his knowledge of KGC symbolism to crack coded maps, Brewer has located several KGC caches and has recovered gold coins, guns, and other treasure from some of them.Shadow of the Sentinel is the most comprehensive account yet of the activities of the KGC after the Civil War and, indeed, into the 1900s. Getler and Brewer suggest that the clandestine network of KGC operatives was far wider than previously thought, and that it included Jesse James, the former Confederate guerrilla whose stage and bank robberies helped to fill KGC treasure chests.This is a rousing and provocative adventure that weaves together one man's personal quest with an intriguing, little-known chapter in America's hidden history.
Rebel Hearts
by Alexander VerlangenKennedy is full of secrets. He has superpowers. The superpowered are feared and imprisoned, and Kennedy’s nightmares come to life when his powers are discovered. Sent to an underwater prison run by two tyrants, he is forced to compete to the death against other superheroes in a deadly tournament.It doesn't help that his team leader, Aidy, is enchanting, protective, loyal, and charming. The last thing Kennedy needs is a distraction.No one believes rebellion is possible. No believes living is possible. Can Kennedy find a way to win and keep Aidy, too?
Rebel in the Library of Ever (The\library Of Ever Ser. #2)
by Zeno AlexanderRebel in the Library of Ever continues Zeno Alexander’s acclaimed middle-grade fantasy series with a dangerous takeover of the magical Library as our heroine fights to make knowledge free for everyone.Lenora returns to the magical Library—which holds every book ever known on its shelves. But she discovers the Library is under new management, its incredible rooms and corridors turned dark and sinister.She quickly connects with a secret resistance that’s trying to free knowledge from the shadows threatening it. Her new friends introduce her to an ancient lost city, hang-gliding, and mathematical beings larger than the universe itself. And they help her face the mysterious Board of new leaders—who are leading the Library into darkness.Now it’s up to Lenora to prove that knowledge is always more powerful than ignorance and fear.An Imprint Book“All the magic and awe of the first volume continues here ... just as so many imagine receiving their acceptance letters from Hogwarts, this clever, whimsical tale will have anyone looking for the portal to the Library of Ever.” —Booklist (starred review)“Further proof that librarians are mighty in all universes.” —Kirkus Reviews
Rebel Sisters: The epic and heartbreaking story of three extraordinary women fighting for Ireland’s freedom
by Marita Conlon-McKennaThe No.1 bestselling novel from one of Ireland's most loved writers!With the threat of the First World War looming, tension simmers under the surface of Ireland. Bright, beautiful and intelligent, the Gifford sisters Grace, Muriel and Nellie kick against the conventions of their privileged, wealthy Anglo-Irish background and their mother Isabella's expectations.As War erupts across Europe, the spirited sisters soon find themselves caught up in Ireland's struggle for freedom.Muriel falls deeply in love with writer Thomas MacDonagh, artist Grace meets the enigmatic Joe Plunkett - both leaders of 'The Rising' - while Nellie joins 'The Citizen Army' and takes up arms to fight alongside Countess Markievicz in the rebellion. On Easter Monday 1916, the Rising begins, and the world of the Gifford sisters and everyone they hold dear is torn apart in a fight that is destined for tragedy.____________'Engrossing' Sunday Times'Marvellous ... A gripping read' Irish Independent'Finally, women are being written back into the history of [Ireland's] awakening' Irish Mail on Sunday
Rebellion: How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart--Again
by Robert KaganA chilling and clear-eyed warning about the threats to our democracy posed by the increasing radicalization of the Republican Party, from a leading historian and intellectualThe 2024 election could be the last free election held in a unified America. So warns Robert Kagan in this brilliant and terrifying analysis of the perilous state of democracy in the United States today. If Donald Trump loses the upcoming election, as he did in 2020, but refuses to accept the result, as he also did in the last election, he is likely to call on his millions of followers to repudiate the election results. It will be a short step from there to Republican-dominated states rejecting the legitimacy of the federal government and effectively seceding. The United States at that point will cease to be united, with grave consequences for both Americans and the world.In Rebellion, Kagan dives deeper than the op-eds and think pieces to explore the historical forces that have brought us to this moment—in particular the long history of opposition to liberalism, and to government, that has shaped America&’s character from the time of the Revolution to today. Trump&’s unique capacity to tap into that tradition of dissent and circumvent the American system has brought us to the edge of dissolution—not for the first time in our history but possibly the last. This is an elegant and deeply informed synthesis of history, contemporary politics, and ideas that sheds light on this crucial moment.
Rebellion
by Livi Michael'Fine, taut writing . . . packs an emotional punch' - The TimesMargaret Beaufort and Margaret of Anjou - two women who will stop at nothing to place their sons on the English throne.In exile in France with her young son Prince Edward, Margaret of Anjou at last gives up on promises of aid by King Louis and sets sail for England. There, she will return her husband Henry to the throne - and ensure young Edward will be its heir.Meanwhile, Margaret Beaufort, separated from her son Henry of Richmond when he was an infant, sees the unrest surrounding the Lancastrian defeat as her chance to finally get him back. But the steps she takes to return her son imperil the kingdom and the throne's current occupant - King Edward IV. With rebellions tearing the country apart, how far will each woman go to further the interests of their sons? And who can stand in their way?