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Strip (Playaway Adult Fiction Ser.)
by Thomas Perry&“An amazingly entertaining crime novel&” from the New York Times bestselling author of the Butcher&’s Boy thrillers (Chicago Sun-Times, Favorite Books of the Year). One of Stephen King&’s &“Must-Reads for Summer&” (Entertainment Weekly)A New York Times Notable Crime Book An aging but formidable strip club owner, Claudiu &“Manco&” Kapak, has been robbed by a masked gunman as he placed his cash receipts in a bank&’s night-deposit box. Enraged, he sends his half-dozen security men out to find a suspect who is spending lots of cash and is new enough to Los Angeles not to know he was robbing a gangster. Their search leads them to Joe Carver, an innocent but hardly defenseless newcomer who evades capture and sets out to make Kapak wish he&’d chosen someone else. Meanwhile, the real culprit, Jefferson Davis Falkins, and his new girlfriend Carrie seem to believe they&’ve found a whole new profession: robbing Manco Kapak. Lieutenant Nick Slosser, the police detective in charge of the puzzling and increasingly violent case, has his own troubles, including worries about how he&’s going to afford to send the oldest child of each of his two bigamous marriages to college without making their mothers suspicious. As this odd series of difficulties explodes into a triple killing, Carver finds himself in the middle of a brewing gang war over Kapak&’s little empire, while Falkins and Carrie journey into territory more strange and violent than either had imagined. &“Perry is at his wicked best in Strip.&”—The New York Times &“[A] rambunctiously entertaining L.A. crime novel . . . escapist reading at its best.&”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic: A Manifesto for the Mind Sciences and Contemplative Practice
by B. Alan WallaceA scholar of both spirituality and science proposes a radical approach to studying the mind with the goal of restoring human nature—and transcending it. Renowned Buddhist philosopher B. Alan Wallace reasserts the power of shamatha and vipashyana, traditional Buddhist meditations, to clarify the mind's role in the natural world. Raising profound questions about human nature, free will, and experience versus dogma, Wallace challenges the claim that consciousness is nothing more than an emergent property of the brain with little relation to universal events. Rather, he maintains that the observer is essential to measuring quantum systems and that mental phenomena (however conceived) influence brain function and behavior. Wallace embarks on a two-part mission: to restore human nature and to transcend it. He begins by explaining the value of skepticism in Buddhism and science and the difficulty of merging their experiential methods of inquiry. Yet Wallace also proves that Buddhist views on human nature and the possibility of free will liberate us from the metaphysical constraints of scientific materialism. He then explores the radical empiricism inspired by William James and applies it to Indian Buddhist philosophy's four schools and the Great Perfection school of Tibetan Buddhism. Since Buddhism begins with the assertion that ignorance lies at the root of all suffering and that the path to freedom is reached through knowledge, Buddhist practice can be viewed as a progression from agnosticism (not knowing) to gnosticism (knowing), acquired through the maintenance of exceptional mental health, mindfulness, and introspection. Wallace discusses these topics in detail, identifying similarities and differences between scientific and Buddhist understanding, and he concludes with an explanation of shamatha and vipashyana and their potential for realizing the full nature, origins, and potential of consciousness. &“His range and depth of knowledge is astounding, and his linking of this knowledge to the practices and views of science is unique.&” —Arthur Zajonc, author of Catching the Light
An Ethics for Today: Finding Common Ground Between Philosophy and Religion
by Richard RortyOne of the most widely discussed philosophers of the 21st century finds common ground between spiritual and secular ethics in this provocative book.As controversial and he was influential, Richard Rorty developed a brand of philosophical pragmatism that rejects all theories of truth. His groundbreaking work also dismisses modern epistemology and its preoccupation with knowledge and representation. Though he was a strict secularist, Rorty believed there could be no universally valid answers to moral questions. This led him to a surprisingly complex view of religion rarely expressed in his writings. In this posthumous publication, Rorty finds in the pragmatic thought of John Dewey, John Stuart Mill, William James, and George Santayana, among others, a political imagination shared by religious traditions. Rather than promote belief or nonbelief, Rorty seeks to locate patterns of similarity and difference so an ethics of decency and a politics of solidarity can rise. He particularly responds to Pope Benedict XVI and his campaign against the relativist vision. Whether holding theologians, metaphysicians, or political ideologues to account, Rorty remains steadfast in his opposition to absolute uniformity and its exploitation of political strength.
In Too Deep
by Bea DavenportBea Davenport explodes onto the thriller scene with a &“moody, disquieting debut [that] focuses on an unlikely friendship between two women&” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). The window&’s so small I can&’t see what happens next. But what I do know is that Kim is dead. And I know this, too—that I helped to kill her. Kim, my lovely, only, best friend. Five years ago, Maura fled her life and took on a new identity, desperately trying to piece her life back together and escape the dark clouds that plagued her past. Now, a reporter tracks Maura down and persuades her to tell her story, putting her life in danger once again. Layer upon layer of violence and deceit are revealed in Maura&’s story of herself as a small-town young mother trapped in a dysfunctional marriage—and of a newfound friendship with a vibrant outsider. Hidden secrets are uncovered that have been left to settle, for far too long. But in life some things can&’t be left unsaid, and eventually the truth will out, whatever the consequences. &“A tense and suspenseful debut.&”—Margaret Murphy, author of Darkness Falls &“A taut and suspenseful psychological thriller which marks her as a writer to watch and an exciting new voice in crime fiction.&”—But Books Are Better &“One of those compulsive reads that draws you in from the start . . . a clever story.&”—Cleopatra Loves Books
A Killing for Christ
by Pete HamillA &“fast-paced [and] stylishly punchy&” thriller about an assassin targeting the pope, by the New York Times-bestselling author of Snow in August (The New York Times).The man in priest&’s garb gets out of the elevator at the top floor, leaving the gate ajar. He pulls out the loaded rifle he had hidden, and steps to the edge of the roof. St. Peter's Square is spread out before him like a great, colorful lake. There are more people than he has ever seen before.Now the target arrives. The man on top of the building sights down the rifle at the small figure below. His finger is ready on the trigger, ready to gun down His Holiness, the Vicar of Christ...The first novel by the prize-winning journalist and acclaimed author of A Drinking Life, Tabloid City, and other bestsellers, this tale of danger and espionage is &“steeped in noir sensibility....a tense, page-turning thriller that is as pertinent today as it was when it was first published&” (Shelf Awareness).Includes a new introduction by the author
Knights Templar Encyclopedia: The Essential Guide to the People, Places, Events, and Symbols of the Order of the Temple
by Karen RallsThis authoritative sourcebook offers comprehensive information on Knights Templar history, symbols, key figures, unanswered questions, and more. Who were the Knights Templar? And how did they become the wealthiest multinational corporation in the medieval West? These powerful crusaders of the late Middle Ages remain a source of fascination for their mysterious ways and their far-reaching influence. The knights of the Order of the Temple were not only warriors, but also diplomats, international banking experts, advisors to popes and kings, and much more. Written by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls, Knights Templar Encyclopedia presents the history of the Order of the Temple in an accessible A-to-Z format. This authoritative sourcebook features a wealth of information on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily life, beliefs, economic empire, trial, and more. It includes photos and illustrations, an extensive bibliography, a historical timeline, and a list of major European Templar sites.
101 Things To Do With A BBQ (101 Things To Do With)
by Steve TillettThis comprehensive guide to grilling includes 101 barbecue recipes from perfect steaks and burgers to appetizers, desserts and vegetarian options.Grill It Up author Steve Tillet is a master of the backyard cookout. In 101 Things To Do With a BBQ, he shares his secrets, tips, and a wide range of recipes that will inspire you to go beyond the ordinary barbecue offerings. Covering an array of barbecue sauces and rubs as well as seafood, side dishes, vegetables, and even pizzas, Tillett proves that the grill is your ideal summertime cooking option. This volume includes irresistible yet surprisingly simple recipes like Poppin' BBQ Popcorn, Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Stuffed Tomatoes on the Grill, Grilled Onion Bloom, Seafood Pesto Pizza, Doc's Dry-Rub T-Bone Steak, Roberto's South American Lime Ribs, Andie's Angelic BBQ Burgers, Scott's Tantalizing Dry Rub Chicken, Grant's Monday Night Special Buffalo Wings, Parmesan Grilled Halibut, and even desserts like Chocolate Banana Bang-a-rang.
Baking for the Holidays: 50+ Treats for a Festive Season
by Sarah KiefferA charming holiday baking cookbook brimming with delicious, indulgent recipes, cozy winter photography, and lots of holiday cheer from Sarah Kieffer.Here's a festive holiday baking book to celebrate this very special time of year. Sarah Kieffer, author of 100 Cookies, beloved baker behind The Vanilla Bean Blog, and creator of the "bang-the-pan" method offers more than 50 delicious recipes for seasonal brunches, cookie swaps, and all those Christmas, Hanukah, and New Year's Eve parties.Delight family and friends with edible gifts and whip up some delicious baked goods to treat yourself through the long winter months after the holidays have ended. Recipes include: Triple Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Meyer Lemon–White Chocolate Scones, Pear-Almond Danish Bread, Hot Chocolate Cake, and Pumpkin Pie with Candied Pepita Streusel.With cozy holiday imagery, a lovely, clean aesthetic, and easy yet innovative recipes, this is a go-to cookbook for baking enthusiasts, anyone who loves the holiday season, and, of course, fans of Sarah Kieffer and her hugely popular cookie book, 100 Cookies.GREAT GIFT OPPORTUNITY: With happy, festive photography and anyone-can-do-it recipes, this is a perfect holiday gift alongside a cute apron or baking product. It's sure to please anyone in your life who loves to while away the winter months in their warm and cozy kitchen.BELOVED, ACCOMPLISHED BLOGGER AND AUTHOR: Sarah Kieffer is the beloved blogger behind The Vanilla Bean Baking Blog, which won the SAVEUR Reader's Choice Best Baking & Desserts Blog in 2014. Her pan-banging cookie technique went viral on the New York Times website. She has written two cookbooks and been featured by Food52, The Today Show, Mashable, The Kitchn, America's Test Kitchen, Huffington Post, and more.Perfect for:• Bakers of all ages• Holiday bakers• Fans of Sarah's bang-the-pan cookies, 100 Cookies, and The Vanilla Bean Blog• Holiday gift givers
Winning the War Within
by Jason Vallotton with Kris VallottonAmid grueling personal circumstances, Jason Vallotton found himself stunned with grief and a sense of betrayal. Using his story as a poignant illustration of God's grace and healing, Jason invites you to reframe your own understanding of pain in terms of redemption, and discover a restored, fulfilled, and powerful life!
The Practices of Christian Preaching
by Jared E. AlcántaraA leading homiletician offers a practice-centered, collaborative, technologically innovative, next-generation introductory preaching textbook.
Praying with Paul
by D. A. CarsonCarson calls believers to reject superficiality and revolutionize their lives by embracing a profound, other-centered, God-guided approach to prayer.
The Forgotten Ways
by Alan HirschThis definitive statement of the church as missional movement by a visionary leader, educator, and strategist offers six proven characteristics of thriving churches. This bestseller is now updated and revised throughout.
Christianity and Religious Diversity
by Harold A. NetlandThis fresh analysis of religion in today’s globalizing world considers the unique truth of the Christian gospel in light of religious diversity.
Bunny Overboard
by Claudia RuedaThe critically acclaimed picture book series continues!In this delightful read aloud companion to Bunny Slopes and Hungry Bunny, eager children will get to go on an ocean adventure with Bunny, from a sailboat to a sunken ship, and literally appear in a mirror embedded inside the book! New York Times bestselling author Claudia Rueda's latest raucous adventure is as wild as the high seas, as surprising as sunken treasure—and as satisfying as a lemonade on a hot summer day. This nautical experience of a book will make a splash with readers, on and off land!• Perfect preschool book for lovers of bunnies, rabbits, and other furry floppy friends• Easter time, springtime gift for childrenFans of The Wall in the Middle of the Book, Press Here, The Little Rabbit, and Here Comes Easter Cat will love Bunny Overboard.A book for young readers to share with their families.• Easter books • Rabbit books for preschoolers• Books for kids age 3–
The Callers
by Kiah ThomasKenneth Oppel meets Andrew Clements in this riveting middle grade novel that will capture fantasy and fiction lovers alike as it thoughtfully explores the power of summoning, other worlds, and consumerism versus necessity.Arresting, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, this nonstop middle grade adventure turns familiar magic upside down and inside out. In the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted, crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers, and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the gift—an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them—and save the world.In a story that explores some of the most crucial topics of our time—our relationship to consumerism, the exploitation of natural resources, colonialism, and the consequences of wanting more than we need—magic is sought, and truth is found.THOUGHT-PROVOKING FANTASY: With its lush landscapes, towering metropolises, and hint of futurism, the distinctive look and feel of this world is familiar and strange in all the right ways.RICH THEMES: This book explores complex topics—taking what you want versus what you need, colonialism, coming of age, and what different worlds owe each other in light of their common humanity. It takes a deep, thoughtful look at essential issues and, in doing so, takes after some of the best works the fantasy genre has to offer.PAGE-TURNER: This perfectly paced page-turner of a book by debut author Kiah Thomas will be a joy for middle grade readers who love immersive adventure and fantasy stories.Perfect for: Middle grade readers, Fantasy fans, Educators and librarians
Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation
by Adrienne Maree BrownEmergent Strategy Series No. 4
Higher Education Law: The Faculty
by Steven G. Poskanzer"Do we need to talk to our lawyers about this?" "What do the attorneys say?" "Why didn't you get the lawyers involved before now?"Just about every department chair and dean, certainly every provost and president, and an ever-increasing number of faculty find themselves asking—or being asked—such questions. Dealing with issues ranging from academic freedom to job security and faculty discipline, lawyers, legal requirements, and lawsuits has become an established part of the apparatus of American higher education. Higher Education Law was written to help faculty and administrators navigate critical legal issues and avoid potential legal pitfalls. Drawing on his experience as university counsel, administrator, and teacher at a number of institutions, Steven G. Poskanzer explains the law as it pertains to faculty activities both inside and outside the academy, including faculty roles as scholars, teachers, and members of institutional communities, as well as employees and public citizens. In each of these areas, he expands his discussion of cases and decisions to set out his own views both on the current status of the law and how it is likely to evolve.
The Ethics of Bioethics: Mapping the Moral Landscape
by Lisa A. Eckenwiler, Felicia G. CohnStem cell research. Drug company influence. Abortion. Contraception. Long-term and end-of-life care. Human participants research. Informed consent. The list of ethical issues in science, medicine, and public health is long and continually growing. These complex issues pose a daunting task for professionals in the expanding field of bioethics. But what of the practice of bioethics itself? What issues do ethicists and bioethicists confront in their efforts to facilitate sound moral reasoning and judgment in a variety of venues? Are those immersed in the field capable of making the right decisions? How and why do they face moral challenge—and even compromise—as ethicists? What values should guide them? In The Ethics of Bioethics, Lisa A. Eckenwiler and Felicia G. Cohn tackle these questions head on, bringing together notable medical ethicists and people outside the discipline to discuss common criticisms, the field's inherent tensions, and efforts to assign values and assess success. Through twenty-five lively essays examining the field's history and trends, shortcomings and strengths, and the political and policy interplay within the bioethical realm, this comprehensive book begins a much-needed critical and constructive discussion of the moral landscape of bioethics.
Cesarean Section: Understanding and Celebrating Your Baby's Birth (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
by Michele C. Moore Caroline M. de CostaTrusted physicians reassure mothers and mothers-to-be: It's okay to say yes.One in four babies born in the United States and Europe comes into the world via Cesarean section. Yet this procedure has been described by critics as an unnecessary and potentially dangerous medical intervention. Consequently, expectant mothers often fear this option, and women who have had C-sections can feel a sense of failure.In Cesarean Section: Understanding and Celebrating Your Baby's Birth, Drs. Michele Moore and Caroline de Costa emphasize the joy of delivering a healthy baby, however that is best achieved. They explain why Cesarean births are sometimes preferable to vaginal delivery for both mother and baby, and they help women understand the issues behind the decision to perform the procedure. From anesthesia, surgery, and recovery through at-home care of mother and child, the authors offer reassurance and practical information for all mothers and mothers-to-be. They also discuss the latest findings on postpartum depression and planning for future births, including the possibility of vaginal birth after a Cesarean section.For every woman who has a planned—or unplanned—Cesarean section, this book provides the information they need to alleviate their fears and come to value this delivery option."Because up to a quarter of all births are Cesarean births, prenatal preparation should include information about Cesarean sections for every woman. And that is why we have written this guide. . . . We believe strongly that it is time to speak out and say that Cesarean section is a normal birth method and that women who have a Cesarean section should not be made to feel that they have failed. . . . We hope you find the information in this book useful and helpful in thinking about C-section, whether you have already had a Cesarean and want to understand the experience better, you wish to plan for another C-section birth, or you are expecting a baby and want to be informed about all the possibilities ahead, including this other normal way of bringing a baby into the world."—from the Introduction
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You What You Need to Know (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
by Lisa MarrEvery year, millions of people are exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. And many people who are sexually active often worry about being infected. In her comprehensive guide to STDs, Dr. Lisa Marr tells readers everything they need to know about avoiding, preventing, and treating these diseases.Complete and up-to-date, this book describes safer sex practices, testing protocols, and symptoms, and details commonly known treatments as well as significant recent medical advances—including new testing for the herpes virus, the vaccine against the human papilloma virus (HPV), and new discoveries about the effectiveness of spermicides and condoms. For each disease, Dr. Marr offers the latest Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Forthright, compassionate, and practical, this guide is a trusted source of advice for anyone who is sexually active.
Drawing Blood: Technology and Disease Identity in Twentieth-Century America (The Henry E. Sigerist Series in the History of Medicine)
by Keith WailooHow physicians in this century wielded medical technology to define disease, carve out medical specialties, and shape political agendas.Winner of the American Public Health Association Arthur Viseltear PrizeIn Drawing Blood, medical historian Keith Wailoo uses the story of blood diseases to explain how physicians in this century wielded medical technology to define disease, carve out medical specialties, and shape political agendas. As Wailoo's account makes clear, the seemingly straightforward process of identifying disease is invariably influenced by personal, professional, and social factors—and as a result produces not only clarity and precision but also bias and outright error. Drawing Blood reveals the ways in which physicians and patients as well as the diseases themselves are simultaneously shaping and being shaped by technology, medical professionalization, and society at large. This thought-provoking cultural history of disease, medicine, and technology offers an important perspective for current discussions of HIV and AIDS, genetic blood testing, prostate-specific antigen, and other important issues in an age of technological medicine."Makes clear that the high stakes involved in medical technology are not just financial, but moral and far reaching. They have been harnessed to describe clinical phenomena and to reflect social and cultural realities that influence not only medical treatment but self-identity, power, and authority."—Susan E. Lederer, H-Net Humanities & Social Sciences On Line"Wailoo's masterful study of hematology and its disease discourse is a model of interdisciplinarity, combining cultural analysis, social history, and the history of medical ideas and technology to produce a complex narrative of disease definition, diagnosis, and treatment . . . He reminds us that medical technology is a neutral artifact of history. It can be, and has been, used to clarify and to cloud the understanding of disease, and it has the potential both to constrain and to emancipate its subjects."—Regina Morantz-Sanchez, Journal of Interdisciplinary History