- Table View
- List View
Know It All: 132 Head-Scratching Questions About the Science All Around Us
by NewScientistSome of the craziest questions & answers from the magazine’s “Last Word” column, on subjects like Earth, space, meteorology, evolution, health, and more.New Scientist magazine’s beloved “Last Word” column is a rare forum for “un-Google-able” queries: Readers write in, and readers respond! Know It All collects 132 of the column’s very best Q&As. The often-wacky questions cover physics, chemistry, zoology and beyond: When will Mount Everest cease to be the tallest mountain on the planet? If a thermometer was in space, what would it read? Why do some oranges have seeds, and some not? Many people suffer some kind of back pain. Is it because humans haven’t yet perfected the art of walking upright? And the unpredictable answers showcase the brainpower of New Scientist’s readers, like the anatomist who chimes in about back pain (“Evolution is not in the business of perfecting anything.”) and the vet who responds, “Quadrupeds can get backache too!”A Guardian Top 10 Science and Technology bookPraise for Know It All“An entertaining and intellectually stimulating read.” —Shelf Awareness“The experts at New Scientist magazine have published a book that answers some of the oddest but most entertaining questions they’ve been asked.” —Daily Mail (UK)“Explain[s] some of life’s great mysteries.” —Reveal (UK)“Answers the questions you’ve probably wondered all your life.” —Wales Online (UK)“Great answers to common dinner party questions.” —Good Housekeeping (UK)
Biomedical Engineering: AI and Technological Innovations (Series in BioEngineering)
by Khin Wee Lai Pauline Shan Qing YeohThis book brings together contributions from leading experts in the field, each addressing a critical area where AI and technology are making significant impacts. The chapters encompass a wide range of topics, from the application of machine learning in cancer grading and maternal health monitoring to the development of innovative wearable devices and advanced diagnostic tools. The book not only underscores the transformative potential of AI and technology in biomedical; but also serves as a vital resource for researchers, practitioners, and students. By showcasing the latest research and innovations, this book aims to inspire continued exploration and development in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
The Sovietization of Eastern Europe: New Perspectives on the Postwar Period
by Balzs AporThis essay anthology offers enlightening perspectives on how East-Central Europe was transformed into the “other” Europe during the Cold War era.When the Second World War ended, a new conflict arose between world powers jockeying for supremacy. The Soviet Union pursued a policy of exporting its system of government in a process known as sovietization. But there were also governments that sought to adopt a Soviet way of life on their own accord. Dictated by ideological imperatives, both styles of sovietization employed socialist strategies of state and nation building. This volume not only examines the imposition of new forms of government, but also the socialist response to modernity as reflected in approaches to new technology and management, consumption and leisure patterns, religious and educational policy, political rituals and attitudes to the past. The essays explore the diversity and the tensions within the sovietization process in the countries of the region. “This collection is a bold and timely attempt at shedding light on a rather insufficiently researched topic . . . the diverse approaches-ranging from socio-cultural and economic history to psycho-history.” —Dr. Dragos Petrescu, University of Bucharest.
The Great War and the Death of God
by Charles A. O'ConnorA compelling analysis of how World War I spurred the rise of atheism and the subsequent effect on Western theology, philosophy, literature, and art. The catastrophic Great War left humanity in a world no longer trustworthy and reassuring but seemingly meaningless and indifferent. Instead of redressing humanity’s cosmic alienation, postwar Western culture abandoned its concern for cosmic meaning, lost its confidence in human reason, and enabled the scientific worldview of neo-Darwinian materialism to emerge and eventually dominate the Western mind. According to the proponents of that worldview, science is the only source of genuine truth, nature is the product of a blind evolutionary process, and reality at bottom is just physics and chemistry. Thus, God is dead and continued belief in a transcendently purposeful universe is intellectually indefensible and either disingenuous or delusional. By turning away from the eternal questions about the nature of reality, Western culture effectively ceded unwarranted credibility and prominence to neo-Darwinian materialism, including its recently strident New Atheism.“O’Connor revisits the 20th century’s journey from Nietzsche’s declaration of the ‘death of God’ to the rise of materialism as the dominant worldview of western intelligentsia. We live in a world that has largely expelled both mind and meaning from the citadels of serious intellectual pursuit, and O’Connor’s book is a fascinating and scholarly expedition into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of that troubling development.” —Carter Phipps, author of Evolutionaries“I found this topic to be top-rate. The book is well researched and conceived, nicely narrated and analyzed, and an original body of inquiry into a challenging, fascinating intellectual tradition.” —Ronald M. Johnson, Professor Emeritus of American History, Georgetown University
The Witch War of Fiddlehead Creek (The Complicated Life of Deegie Tibbs #2)
by C.L. HernandezAn army of witches battles bizarre creatures and unspeakable evil in the second Deegie Tibbs adventure from the author of A Jar of Fingers.A strange, dark creature stalks the woods behind Deegie’s house, and the small town of Fiddlehead Creek is in an uproar. After it is killed, things seem to settle down, but when Deegie meets a stranger in her backyard, she soon realizes that her life is still very much in danger.Hideous creatures conjured from a deranged mind are now threatening her from all sides. Together with her friends, Zach and Gilbert, and a group of magical acquaintances, Deegie sets out on a quest to confront the evil that has been stalking her since she was born.They are soon joined by Deegie’s father, who has miraculously returned from the dead . . . or has he?Praise for A Jar of Fingers“A classic has been born . . . a truly remarkable piece of horror fiction . . . a refreshing new look at magic and witchery . . . It has all the ingredients of a groundbreaking new franchise: gifted writing, lovable characters, interesting back story, breathtaking excitement and adrenaline, and a truly unforgettable tale.” —Horror Novel ReviewsDon’t miss the third book in the series: Seven Deadly Ghosts!
In the Shadow of the United States Capitol: Congressional Cemetery and the Memory of the Nation
by Abby Arthur Johnson Ronald M. JohnsonA fascinating study of America’s first national burial ground, with photos: “It’s stunning to realize what a who’s who exists in that space.” —Howard Gillette, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University at CamdenThis study explores the multiple ways in which Congressional Cemetery has been positioned for some two hundred years in “the shadow” of the U.S. Capitol. The narrative proceeds chronologically, discussing the burial ground during three periods: the antebellum years; the years from the end of the Civil War to approximately 1970, when the site progressively deteriorated; and the period from the early 1970s to 2007, when both public and private organizations worked to preserve the physical site and the memory of what it has been and continues to represent. This monograph focuses on the dominant narrative associated with the site: its legacy as the first national burial ground in the nation. Given this emphasis, the text presents a political and cultural analysis of the cemetery, with particular focus on the participation of the U.S. Congress. “This book makes historians and many others aware of a fascinating and complicated history. Moreover, it not only details the long history of the cemetery, but it uses it to explore the nature of historic memorials generally in the creation of national memory.” —Steven Diner, Chancellor of Rutgers University at Newark“The history of Congressional Cemetery is intimately tied up in the changing demographics of its locale, and its corresponding decline as the neighborhood around Christ Church changed led to its emergence as a cause célèbre for historic preservationists.” —Donald Kennon, Chief Historian for the United States Capitol Historical Society and editor of The Capitol Dome“The Johnsons have done an excellent job of mining a wide range of sources and conveying the complex history of an institution that merits documentation.” —Howard Gillette, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University at Camden
The Taco Cleanse: The Tortilla-Based Diet Proven to Change Your Life
by Wes Allison Stephanie Bogdanich Molly R. Frisinger Jessica Morris“There’s a new cleanse in town that fully embraces solid foods like corn tortillas, refried beans, and *praise hands* guacamole . . . and it’s real.” —CosmopolitanPrevent or reverse taco deficiency. Get that fresh taco-y feeling with over 75 seriously tasty vegan recipes.Tired of the same old cleanse? Instead of feeling rejuvenated are you feeling depleted, anxious, and cranky? (Not to mention . . . hungry?) A group of vegan taco scientists in Austin, Texas, know just how you feel, and now reveal their one-of-a-kind cleansing journey that anybody can follow and stick to—the Taco Cleanse. While the typical cleanse works by depriving you of your favorite foods, the plant-based Taco Cleanse rewards your body with what it naturally craves: tortillas, refried beans, guacamole!Begin with a breakfast taco, the most important taco of the day. Even if you do nothing else, your mood will brighten in just 24 hours. Keep eating tacos and within a week your outlook will be noticeably improved. After 30 days, cleansers report lasting benefits—and you will, too!The Taco Cleanse shows you:How to make everything from the tortilla—flour, corn, and waffle (!)—to the thirst-quenching “Supplements” (margaritas and other beverages) that best complement your tacosWhat to put in the tortilla— beer-battered portobellos, mac and cheese, even tater totsHow to remake popular staples like picadillo, tacos al pastor, carne guisada, and fish tacos using plants instead of, well, animals.“Close your eyes. Now, imagine a world where a health cleanse means a steady stream of tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now open your eyes. That day is here.” —Today.com
Seven Deadly Ghosts: The Complicated Life Of Deegie Tibbs Book Iii (The Complicated Life of Deegie Tibbs #3)
by C.L. HernandezFor witch Deegie Tibbs, toil and trouble come in many forms—including a week’s worth of obnoxious spirits (that aren’t even her fault . . . for a change).A teenage girl steals a magical item from Deegie’s shop and accidentally conjures up seven of the most annoying paranormal entities in Washington. Now Deegie and her friends—a boyfriend, his brother, a witch, and a thief—have to help her capture them all, one by one. At first, they seem harmless and amusing, but these supernatural beings are anything but benign. Lives are being threatened . . . including Deegie’s.It’s a weird round-up of some of the most bizarre creatures the witches of Fiddlehead Creek have ever encountered. As the drama intensifies, so does the pain in Deegie’s heart, when she starts suspecting that the love of her life is making some magic of his own with a mysterious newcomer. A wise old witch named Flower discovers the secret of the marauding ghosts, but can she help end the chaos before it’s too late?Don’t miss the first two books in the series: A Jar of Fingers and The Witch War of Fiddlehead Creek!Praise for A Jar of Fingers“A classic has been born . . . a truly remarkable piece of horror fiction . . . a refreshing new look at magic and witchery . . . It has all the ingredients of a groundbreaking new franchise: gifted writing, lovable characters, interesting back story, breathtaking excitement and adrenaline, and a truly unforgettable tale.” —Horror Novel Reviews
Making Dogs Happy: A Guide to How They Think, What They Do (and Don't) Want, and Getting to "Good Dog!" Behavior
by Paul McGreevy Melissa StarlingLearn to decode your dog&’s emotions and behaviors—and be the best dog parent you can be—with this guide by two leading experts in canine behavior. &“Why does my dog do that?&” is a question every dog owner has asked, whether their best friend is growling at an unseen foe, or rolling in something that smells terrible. In Making Dogs Happy, dog trainer Melissa Starling and veterinarian Paul McGreevy supply all the answers: How dogs use body language to communicate (with both people and other dogs)What motivates dogs (and what doesn&’t)Rules for canine contentment (for example, most dogs don&’t enjoy hugging)Subtle signs of discomfort, stress, and fear (like lip licking)And even how to choose the furry companion that&’s right for you. In Making Dogs Happy, you&’ll learn to see the world as your dog does—full of goals to pursue, resources to guard, and stressors to avoid. Using that knowledge, you&’ll be able to communicate with and train your dogs—and keep them happy.
Someone Has Led This Child to Believe: A Memoir
by Regina LouiseAn unforgettable memoir about one woman’s story of overcoming neglect in the U.S. foster-care system and finding her place in the world.Drawing on her experience as one of society’s abandoned children, Regina Louise tells how she emerged from the cruel, unjust system, not only to survive, but to flourish . . .After years of jumping from one fleeting, often abusive home to the next, Louise meets a counselor named Jeanne Kerr. For the first time in her young life, Louise knows what it means to be seen, wanted, understood, and loved. After Kerr tries unsuccessfully to adopt Louise, the two are ripped apart—seemingly forever—and Louise continues her passage through the cold cinder-block landscape of a broken system, enduring solitary confinement, overmedication, and the actions of adults who seem hell-bent on convincing her that she deserves nothing, that she is nothing. But instead of losing her will to thrive, Louise remains determined to achieve her dream of a higher education. After she ages out of the system, Louise is thrown into adulthood and, haunted by her trauma, struggles to finish school, build a career, and develop relationships. As she puts it, it felt impossible “to understand how to be in the world.”Eventually, Louise learns how to confront her past and reflect on her traumas. She starts writing, quite literally, a new future for herself, a new way to be. Louise weaves together raw, sometimes fragmented memories, excerpts from real documents from her case file, and elegant reflections to tell the story of her painful upbringing and what came after. The result is a rich, engrossing account of one abandoned girl’s efforts to find her place in the world, people to love, and people to love her back.Praise for Someone Has Led This Child to Believe“Regina Louise’s childhood ordeal and quest to find true family are enthralling and ultimately triumphant. I cheered her every step of the way.” —Julia Scheeres, New York Times–bestselling author of Jesus Land“Revealing and much needed.” —Booklist“Her story had a distinctly raw edge to it, as she chronicled . . . how she was deemed mentally disturbed and incorrigible for wanting what so many children from intact families took for granted, and how she triumphed over unbelievable odds.” —Kirkus Reviews“There’s pain and beauty in Louise’s vulnerability and her willingness to evict personal experience from the singular realm of self and take it into the world.” —Foreword Reviews
How Revolutionary Were the Bourgeois Revolutions? (Abridged Edition)
by Neil DavidsonAn abridged edition of the insightful work praised as “an impressive contribution both to the history of ideas and to political philosophy” (Alasdair MacIntyre, author of After Virtue).Once of central importance to left historians and activists alike, recently the concept of the “bourgeois revolution” has come in for sustained criticism from both Marxists and conservatives. In this abridged edition of his magisterial How Revolutionary Were the Bourgeois Revolutions? Neil Davidson expertly distills his theoretical and historical insights about the nature of revolutions, making them accessible for general readers.Through extensive research and comprehensive analysis, Davidson demonstrates that what’s at stake is far from a stale issue for the history books—understanding that these struggles of the past offer far reaching lessons for today’s radicals.
Chicken 101: Master Cooking Chicken with 101 Great Recipes (101 Recipes)
by Kate DeVivoThis complete cooking guide is packed with chicken tips and techniques—plus 101 recipes from Chicken Soup to Chicken Masala and Chicken Cordon Bleu.Chicken 101 features delicious, diverse, and accessible recipes, all of which have been thoroughly kitchen tested. It is both a cookbook and a comprehensive reference guide covering everything you need to know about chicken, from poultry dos and don’ts to kitchen equipment and supplies. Its practical layout makes it easy to use, with measures calculated in both traditional and metric quantities.Full of mouthwatering photographs, Chicken 101 starts off with a detailed introduction full of helpful hints and insider tips. The 101 recipes included feature a breadth of different dishes drawn from a wide range of culinary traditions, all of them featuring clear, straightforward instructions, and all of them delicious. The 101 series is perfect both for beginners and more experienced cooks looking to broaden their kitchen horizons.
Take the First Shot: Strategies to Fire You Up and Change Your Life (The Revolutionize Series)
by Peggy CarusoA career and personal development coach shows entrepreneurs how to improve their lives and the lives of others through simple strategies.Most people would like to change some behavior patterns and create better outcomes in their personal and professional lives. The trouble is that thinking about making a change often feels overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start.That’s why Peggy Caruso wrote Take the First Shot. She is passionate about helping people fire up their lives and begin making positive changes. Take the First Shot provides a wealth of tools and techniques to help entrepreneurs take the first step to making a profound difference in their life and in others’ lives. Within Take the First Shot, Peggy provides simple strategies to help entrepreneurs:Improve their relationships and become a better parentEnhance their health and achieve personal development goalsBalance their career and family obligationsAchieve meaningful change and grow in love, gratitude, and strengthPraise for Take the First Shot“Peggy Caruso offers a treasure trove of small, practical, first steps you can take to revolutionize your life. Take one of her strategies and start creating a new future today!” —Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul“Peggy Caruso shows anyone how they can use the biggest problems they face to their advantage and truly transform their life. One small step is all it takes, and she gives you many possible ways to take that first step.” —Steve Harrison, co-founder of The National Publicity Summit“Peggy is a wise leader. She’s a great career and personal development coach who has spent years studying human personality. You’ll begin acting on it, and that's when your life will truly be revolutionized.” —Bob Proctor, international bestselling author and star of The Secret
In Solidarity: Essays on Working-Class Organization in the United States
by Kim Moody“One of the leading intellectuals of the labor movement” explores the state of unions in the United States, as well as evaluating the forces working against them (Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Hammer and Hoe).In this thorough collection of inspiring and informed essays, Kim Moody, one of the world’s most authoritative and recognized labor writers, asks key questions: What has happened to union organizing in the United States? Is there an alternative to the strike? How does the increased presence of immigrant and women workers change the balance of forces? What strategies can workers use to counteract company “union avoidance” campaigns and bureaucratic “business unionism”? What is the role of socialists in the labor movement?Drawing on his own background as a working-class radical, the works of Karl Marx, and the everyday experiences of nurses, miners, autoworkers, and more, Moody sketches a comprehensive picture of the state of US labor—and points the way forward for a rank-and-file union movement that can win real change.Praise for Kim Moody“One most of the most experienced working-class organizers in the US over the past few decades.” —Monthly Review“[His] books and articles have for more than forty years provided essential analysis and strategy for the labor left.” —New Politics
The Devil's Lament
by Kenneth W. HarmonLucifer and Eve’s forbidden love is rekindled in Dust Bowl America in this “fascinating, memorable, and incredibly well-written” dark fantasy romance (Bram Stoker Award-winning author John R. Little).It is 1932. The world has turned to dust. Lucifer stills walks among us, testing the faithful at every turn. On a mission to find a man who claims he can heal the sick, he discovers the reincarnation of Eve in a Dust Bowl revival tent … and their ancient passion threatens the world again. When Lucifer and Eve were together in Eden, their relationship changed the fate of humanity. What will happen if God brings them together again?
Skinny Potatoes: Over 100 Delicious New Low-fat Recipes For The World's Most Versatile Vegetable
by Barbara GrunesOne potato, two potato, 100+ potato recipes that make the most of this low-fat potassium powerhouse—including one-course baked potato meals!Can the easy-to-cook, inexpensive, low-fat potato turn up with chicken and peanuts as the star of an exotic stir-fry? Can plump baked potatoes, topped with everything from shrimps and tofu to chicken and chili, win acclaim as delicious one-course meals? Yes—as these one-hundred-plus recipes prove!Barbara Grunes, nationally known for her innovative and nutritionally aware recipes, makes it easy for both novice and seasoned cooks to transform bakers, broilers, red, new, sweet, and every other kind of potato into imaginative appetizers, hearty soups, exciting stir-fries, ten different potato salads, a dozen outdoor barbecues, and delicious sides, breads—even desserts.And to “top” it off, Grunes presents no less than twenty-four luscious, low-fat toppings that recreate baked potatoes as main-course delights—Thai shrimp, eggplant Parmesan, ratatouille, Moroccan chicken, turkey chili, Cantonese stir-fry, Spanakopita, asparagus and mushrooms, tofu Veracruzana, Provencal vegetables, mushrooms and cheese, and many other ingredients. From Vichyssoise to Cuban mashed potato pudding to Bohemian dessert pancakes, this health-happy collection delivers both great taste and the incredible nutrition of the potato.
Found: Triumph Over Fear With Grace and Gratitude: The Michelle Corrao Story
by Emily Sutherland Michelle CorraoAn Indiana woman shares the story of her abduction, assault, faith, and survival in this inspiring autobiography.Though her name was not divulged, viewers would learn that she was hit over the head near the entrance of her home, abducted, sexually assaulted, and forced into the trunk of her own car. News cameras would capture footage of Michelle’s personal items strewn across the lawn around her home and along the wooded area behind a local restaurant. The community would breathe a sigh of relief after learning that she had somehow survived and that the assailants had been caught, ending a string of similar crimes. But there is so much more to the story.The events of September 12, 1996 would change the entire course of Michelle’s life. In the days that followed, she couldn’t imagine how she could ever live a normal, happy life and she certainly never wanted to talk about it. Found is the story of how her life was forever impacted by the compassionate heroism of an off-duty police officer, the patient and powerful love of her greatest ally, and the answer to a desperate prayer during what she believed were her dying moments. Within Found, Michelle shares this story with immense gratitude for every little miracle that would happen along the way and empower her to become a voice for others who need to know they, too, can survive whatever unexpected turns life may bring.Praise for Found“A woman of great faith faces the most difficult situation anyone can face, including impending loss of life, and is saved by a miraculous intervention. . . . Michelle Corrao’s story is a compelling story of faith, courage, and resilience.” —Neil Moore, ED.D., Fort Wayne Chief of Police (Ret.) FBI-LEEDA“Found is a powerful testimony by a courageous woman who has turned pain into power through an unimaginable ordeal. Michelle Corrao’s story will encourage anyone who has been victimized, robbed of hope, and facing death. She is an incredible role model for survivors who are determined to not simply survive but go on to thrive through helping other survivors.” —Casey Gwinn, President, Alliance for Hope International
The Little Book of Mary
by Christine BarrelyLearn more about Mary, mother of Jesus, in this colorfully illustrated collection of stories, miracles, and mysteries.Mary, with her divine grace and motherly spirit, has been a source of comfort and faith through the ages. The Little Book of Mary shares the stories, miracles, and apparitions of Mary, revealing the rich history of this beloved religious icon. Beautifully illustrated with color lithographs from missals and prayer books, this is an elegant tribute to Mary in all her many forms.
Confronting Injustice: Social Activism in the Age of Individualism
by Umair Muhammad“Written by an activist for activists . . . a powerful call for collective action against the social causes of poverty and climate change.” —Climate & CapitalismA new generation of activists working for economic and environmental justice, and against war and poverty, confronts critical questions. Why is the world so unjust and crisis-prone? What kind of world should we fight for? How can we win? In this panoramic yet accessible book, Umair Muhammad engages with these and other urgent debates. He argues that individual solutions like “buying green” are dead ends and that hope for the future lies in a radical expansion of democracy and the transformation of the economy from one based on profit to one that can meet human needs.“A highly recommended read for those who are interested in working together to transform society.” —Chelsey Rhodes, founder of DelusionsofDevelopment.com“This book will force activists to check their intentions. I wasn’t even halfway done before I wanted to share it with everyone I knew.” —Maryama Ahmed, Toronto-based community organizer“A wide-ranging and unflinching look at the global nature of the challenges contemporary activists seek to address. Its blend of environmental and anti-imperialist analysis, grounded in direct organizing experience, makes this a powerful and important resource.” —Dru Oja Jay, coauthor of Paved with Good Intentions“What [Umair] provides is an opening statement in an important discussion that activists must have . . . A must-read book for today’s activists.” —Ian Angus, author of A Redder Shade of Green
America Reflected: Language, Satire, Film, and the National Mind
by Peter C. RollinsEclectic criticism and insightful observations from “one of the most respected cultural historians working today” (Ronald A. Wells, Professor of History Emeritus, Calvin College). “From cowboy philosopher Will Rogers to popular perceptions of two world wars and Vietnam, from the history of language to the language of film and television, Peter Rollins has devoted his career to exploring the intriguing ways in which the creative impulse both shapes and reflects American culture. His observations are fresh, illuminating and of enduring value.” —John E. O’Connor, co-founder/editor of Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Film and Television Studies“Examines the roles of language, satire, and film in reflecting the American consciousness through such diverse sources as Orestes Brownson, Benjamin Lee Whorf, Will Rogers, and Hollywood. Readers of America Reflected are in for a delightful voyage as they travel through American history and culture with Peter Rollins as their guide providing personal and scholarly insights into the shaping of the American mind.” —Ron Briley, editor of The Politics of Baseball: Essays on the Pastime and Power at Home and Abroad“Even those who have known and admired Peter Rollins’s acclaimed works will here find enlightening surprises. Epistemology, language theory, war’s polemics, filmed history, and an array of significant creators of American culture are all elegantly displayed. This book will make you a wiser person and charm you while it does it.” —John Shelton Lawrence, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Morningside College“Two decades ago I was privileged to work on a book, America Observed, with Alistair Cooke. Now we have America Reflected by Peter Rollins . . . Not only does Rollins make good observations about our lives and times, his reflections on a diverse set of subjects helps us to see the meanings of our observations.” —Ronald A. Wells, Professor of History Emeritus, Calvin College “Rollins gathers together glimpses of our shared worlds, so that we may observe their interconnections across media, genres, and time. From down-home values and front-porch philosophy, to tales of wars and chronicles of lives, the subjects considered here are all part of the stories we tell about ourselves and our social worlds.” —Cynthia J. Miller, President, Literature/Film Association
How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch: A Practical Guide to Cultivating Portobellos, Shiitakes, Truffles, and Other Edible Mushrooms
by Magdalena Wurth Herbert WurthThis guide to growing edible mushrooms covers 19 varieties, from button mushrooms to immune-boosting reishis—plus recipes and preserving methods.Mushrooms are a joy to grow—for food, as a garden feature, or just for fun—and it’s easier than you think! Mushrooms will thrive in your garden, on your windowsill, and even in your basement. The key is to pick the right growing medium for your mushroom—a log, a bale of hay, or a simple pot of dirt—and give it a little shade.Experts Magdalena and Herbert Wurth explain every step of cultivation—whether starting from a kit, a culture, or a grown mushroom you’d like to propagate. From protecting mushrooms in extreme weather to troubleshooting pests, here is expert advice for beginners and experienced growers alike!
The Debt System: A History of Sovereign Debts and Their Repudiation
by Éric Toussaint“A compelling explanation of the deep-seated mechanisms at work in the international credit system” from the coauthor of Debt, the IMF, and the World Bank (Counterfire).For as long as there have been rich nations and poor nations, debt has been a powerful force for maintaining the unequal relations between them. Treated as sacrosanct, immutable, and eternally binding, it has become the yoke of choice for imperial powers in the post-colonial world to enforce their subservience over the global south. In this ground-breaking history, renowned economist Éric Toussaint argues for a radical reversal of this balance of accounts through the repudiation of sovereign debt.“Since 2008 CADTM has campaigned for ‘a new doctrine of illegitimate, illegal, odious, and unsustainable debt’ cancellation. This doctrine includes considerations of whether the debtor state is democratic, whether it respects human rights, whether the debt is incurred within the framework of ‘structural adjustments’ (enforced austerity), and includes all debts incurred to pay back previous odious debts. On grounds of global social justice, The Debt System makes a strong case for this new doctrine.” —Against the Current“This work has much to commend it; it provides detailed analyses of the impact of indebtedness in several nations . . . The author shows that, contrary to orthodox arguments, debt repudiation can be both justified and successfully carried out. I recommend the book wholeheartedly.” —Counterfire
The Civil Wars in U.S. Labor: Birth of a New Workers' Movement or Death Throes of the Old? (Ultimate Ser.)
by Steve Early“Should be required reading for all workers’ rights advocates.” —Bernie SandersBetween 2008 and 2010, the progressive wing of the US labor movement tore itself apart in a series of internecine struggles. More than $140 million was expended, by all sides, on organizing conflicts that tarnished union reputations and undermined the campaign for real health care and labor law reform. Campus and community allies, along with many rank-and-file union members, were left angered and dismayed.In this incisive book, labor journalist Steve Early draws on scores of interviews and on his own union organizing experience to explain why and how these labor civil wars occurred. He examines the bitter disputes about union structure, membership rights, organizing strategy, and contract standards that enveloped SEIU, UNITE HERE, the California Nurses Association, and independent organizations like the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico and the new National Union of Healthcare Workers in California. Along the way, we meet rank-and-file activists, local union officers, national leaders, and concerned friends of labor who were drawn into the fray, as Early considers the quest to stem the tide of the labor movement’s long decline.
Floodlines: Community and Resistance from Katrina to the Jena Six
by Jordan FlahertyOrganizers, activists, artists and community members share their struggles in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina.Floodlines is a firsthand account of community, culture, and resistance in New Orleans. The book weaves the stories of gay rappers, Mardi Gras Indians, Arab and Latino immigrants, public housing residents, and grassroots activists in the years before and after Katrina. From post-Katrina evacuee camps to torture testimony at Angola Prison to organizing with the family members of the Jena Six, Floodlines tells the stories behind the headlines from an unforgettable time and place in history.Praise for Floodlines“This is the most important book I’ve read about Katrina and what came after. In the tradition of Howard Zinn this could be called “The People’s History of the Storm.” Jordan Flaherty was there on the front lines.” —Eve Ensler, playwright of The Vagina Monologues, activist and founder of V-Day“Jordan Flaherty brings the sharp analysis and dedication of a seasoned organizer to his writing, and insightful observation to his reporting. He unfailingly has his ear to the ground in a city that continues to reveal the floodlines of structural racism in America.” —Tram Nguyen, author of We Are All Suspects Now: Untold Stories from Immigrant Communities after 9/11“Flaherty pulls no punches . . . . Readers will be compelled, depressed, disturbed, and angered by what they find in this well-written report. Crucial reading.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
How Young Are You?: Understanding Psychological Age, Time, Causometry, to Create Meaningful, Harmonious, Productive Lives
by A. A Kronik“His work is truly revolutionary. He has taken the most important of existential experiences and made them transparent for self-growth and research.” —Linda Berg-Cross, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology, Howard UniversityThe main purpose of this research-based, self-help book is to introduce the goal-and-causal theory of “Psychological Time,” and to help you calculate your “Psychological Age”—that is, how old you feel, based on significant events in your life. You can also learn how to lower your psychological age (feel younger), using past experiences to move into the future, rejuvenating the mind for more satisfying personal growth, productivity, and happiness. We humans created the convention of Time—hours, days, millennia. But we also created “Psychological Time,” which we can compress (to survive an interminable wait, for example), or expand (to luxuriate in pleasure). So fully-integrated into our brain is this “Psychological Time” that, as part of the illusion, we can lose touch with “real” chronological time altogether, and even change the sequence of past events to contradict or override our otherwise communal understanding of the world. In this book, you will generate “Causograms,” a kind of map that graphically represents your perception of the cause-and-effect and goal-based connections that your mind naturally makes between life experiences. These include, but are not limited to achievements, memories triggered by new experiences, and expectations based on prior accomplishments. This process allows you to re-examine the relation between life events, goals and personal interactions, then compare your resulting “Psychological Age” to your chronological age. “What a wonderful approach to the human life cycle. I am enjoying it immensely.” —H. Keith H. Brodie, MD, James B. Duke Professor of Psychiatry, President Emeritus, Duke University