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Key Contested Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (Crime Science Series)
by Anthony WalshKey Contested Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice addresses the key issues within criminology and criminal justice that are strongly contested among scholars in the field.Covering 18 different themes, the book identifies the ways in which different issues are contested and demonstrates how biopsychosocial concepts and methods can inform most of them. It is divided into four broad sections. The first section examines philosophical issues such as the value of philosophy in criminology/criminal justice, the role of ideology in our disciplines, and the issues of human nature and free will versus determinism. The second section explains the biopsychosocial perspective that provides the framework used in exploring the various issues. It explores the possibility of integrating the natural sciences with criminology, behavioral and molecular genetics, evolutionary theory, and neuroscience. It also considers issues related to child maltreatment, brain development, and the role of rationality vis-à-vis emotion in decision-making. The third section examines crime causation and contains chapters on social learning versus control theories, radical/critical theories, the relationship between intelligence and criminal behavior, issues of socioeconomic status (SES), poverty, and crime, and whether religion is a barrier or bridge to antisocial behavior. The final section looks at four issues in criminal justice: the police abolition movement, the nature of punishment and its justifications by the criminal justice system, and issues in sentencing and the death penalty.Key Contested Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice will be of value to students and scholars in criminology and criminal justice, as well as to criminal justice practitioners.
Challenges and Algorithms for Knowledge Discovery from Data: Essays Dedicated to Arno Siebes on the Occasion of His 67th Birthday (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #16067)
by Matthijs Van Leeuwen Jilles VreekenArno Siebes graduated in Mathematics from Utrecht University in 1983. He joined CWI in Amsterdam in 1985, and obtained his Ph.D. in 1990 from Twente University. In 2000, he joined Utrecht University, where he took up the chair for Large Distributed Databases, which was later renamed to Algorithmic Data Analysis. He supervised 15 Ph.D. students, some of whom themselves became professors. His key research work has been on data mining and inductive databases. His most impactful contribution is using the minimum description length (MDL) principle for pattern mining, the algorithm known as Krimp led to an important subdomain in data mining. Arno has been a key member of the European data mining and machine learning community. In addition to his work on the Intelligent Data Analysis symposia, he was program co-chair of the first co-located edition of the European Conference on Machine Learning (ECML) and European Conference on Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discovery in Databases (PKDD) and played a key role in the development of this thriving event. Throughout his research and teaching career, Arno has maintained the philosophy that theory should work in practice. The contributions in this Festschrift serve as a reminder of his successes as a researcher and mentor. The chapters are categorized into topical sections on pattern mining, learning and reasoning, and large language models.
Advances in Production Management Systems. Cyber-Physical-Human Production Systems: 44th IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference, APMS 2025, Kamakura, Japan, August 31-September 4, 2025, Proceedings, Part I (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #764)
by Hajime Mizuyama Gregor Von Cieminski David Romero Tomomi Nonaka Toshiya Kaihara Eiji MorinagaThe six-volume set IFIP AICT 764-769 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 44th IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems, APMS 2025, held in Kamakura, Japan, from August 31st to September 4th, 2025. The 227 full papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 247 submissions, which cover a broad array of research and technological developments on the present and future of &“Cyber-Physical-HUMAN Production Systems&”. They were categorized under the following topical sections: Part I: Human-centred Work Systems for the Operator 4.0/5.0 in Manufacturing, Logistics, and Service Domains; AI-Driven Decision Support and Human-AI Collaboration for Smart and Sustainable Supply Chains; Digital Twins and AI for Dynamic Scheduling and Human-Centric Applications. Part II: Smart Manufacturing Evolution: Integrating AI and the Digital Twin for Human-centric, Circular and Collaborative Production Systems; Human-centered Service Engineering and Digital Transformation for Sustainable Service Industries; Shaping Human Capital for Industry 5.0: Skills, Knowledge and Technologies for Human-centric, Resilient, and Sustainable Manufacturing; Experiential Learning in Engineering Education; Theoretical and Practical Advances in Human-centric, Resilient, and Sustainable Supply Chain Management; Maintenance and Asset Lifecycle Management for Sustainable and Human-centered Production; Methods and Tools for Assessing the Value of Digital, Sustainable and Servitized Offerings of Manufacturing Companies. Part III: Digital Transformation Approaches in Production and Management; Digital Technologies in Manufacturing and Logistics: Exploring Digital Twin, IoT, and Additive Manufacturing; Enhancing the Value Creation Mechanisms of Manufacturing Value Chains through Digital Platforms, Circular strategies, and Servitization Principles. Part IV: Enhancing Value Chain Resilience through Digital Technologies; How Supply Chain Can React to Internal and External Disruptions?; Mechanism Design for Production, Service and Supply Chain Management; Transforming Engineer-to-Order Projects, Supply Chains, and Systems; Designing Next Generation Lean Models Supporting Social, Sustainable, and Smart Production Systems. Part V: Advancing Eco-efficient and Circular Industrial Practices; Upgrade Circular Economy for the Manufacturing Industry; Cyber-Physical System-Based Approaches to Achieve Sustainability; Industrial Data Spaces and Sustainability; Enabling Circularity in Batteries & E-Waste with Digital Technologies: From Production to Recycling; Circular and Green Manufacturing; Sustainable Product Design and Engineering. <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New
The Integrated Service in Urban Community Governance: Evidence from Shanghai (Public Economy and Urban Governance in China)
by Liwen HouThis book analyzes new situations and challenges for the Shanghai model of community governance in subdistrict system reform, government-purchased services, social institution development, grid-based management and the opening-up of blocks, social governance with social power, team-building of community workers, etc., taking the reform of community governance in Shanghai. Both structural and social reasons for that are demonstrated as well. In this way, as for governance elements, the innovation process, key steps, and multiple practices in primary-level society, a systematic and integrated model restructuring is proposed, which centers on the community for solutions. To be specific, it refers to an integrated service model construction based on community, so as to advance the modernization of the primary-level governance system in Shanghai and its governance capabilities. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.
The Art of Paediatric Medicine Beyond the Evidence Base: Clinical Pearls from Experienced Clinicians
by Ralph Junckerstorff Sharmayne Brady Ar Kar Aung Catherine F Lynch Sarah ArachchiThis book assembles the acquired wisdom of experienced paediatricians and other clinicians involved in the care of children of all ages and stages. Its broad applicability will assist and improve healthcare of children around the world. The art of paediatrics is complex, and the scope of clinical medicine extends far beyond that for which there is a scientific evidence base. In fact, there are many aspects of paediatrics that have not been tested in a clinical trial, nor are they easily amenable to research. With the belief that the best clinical practice is a combination of evidence-based medicine and collective anecdotal wisdom of experienced clinicians, this book offers a unique perspective on the practice of paediatric medicine. The book is divided into four sections organised by &‘Ages and Stages&’ rather than organ systems, reflecting the developmental nature of paediatric practice. One section contains pearls of wisdom that are applicable to all ages. Each chapter begins with a clinical case that demonstrates how the pearl can be applied in clinical practice. This is followed by a discussion of the topic with relevant evidence-based references. The &‘Other Gems&’ section allows authors to share other practice points relevant to but not directly related to the clinical pearl. The purpose of this book is a desire to share information to improve the lives of our patients by helping those who care for them.
Erfolgreicher Einstieg in den österreichischen Arbeitsmarkt: Empowerment für Corporate Berufseinsteiger:innen
by Iris MucheDieses Buch richtet sich an alle, die gerade in den österreichischen Arbeitsmarkt eintreten möchten, oder dies vor kurzem getan haben, und sich dabei eine Unterstützung wünschen. Durch Einblicke in die Bereiche Bewerbungsprozess, Arbeitsrecht in Österreich, selbstsicheres Auftreten, Arbeitseffizienz, Weiterentwicklung und Netzwerken sollen Leser:innen gut für ihr Arbeitsleben gerüstet werden.
Intelligent Systems: Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Machine Learning, IoT and Big Data (ICMIB 2024), Volume 1 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems #1314)
by Siba K. Udgata George Ghinea Sanjay Kumar Kuanar Srinivas SethiThis book features best selected research papers presented at the Fourth International Conference on Machine Learning, Internet of Things and Big Data (ICMIB 2024) held at GIET University, Gunupur, India, during 8–10 April 2024. It comprises high-quality research work by academicians and industrial experts in the field of machine learning, mobile computing, natural language processing, fuzzy computing, green computing, human–computer interaction, information retrieval, intelligent control, data mining and knowledge discovery, evolutionary computing, IoT and applications in smart environments, smart health, smart city, wireless networks, big data, cloud computing, business intelligence, Internet security, pattern recognition, predictive analytics applications in health care, sensor networks and social sensing, and statistical analysis of search techniques.
Voices of Gen Z: Shaping Transitions in the City of Peace and Justice (Palgrave Advances in Child Justice)
by Tahir Abbas Rosa GroenThis book provides empirical evidence on youth engagement with peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). It takes a bottom-up approach to exploring the meaning and value of global citizenship and social cohesion. It showcases three studies about how the younger generation interprets SDG 16, EU Climate policies (such as the European Green Deal) and the goals of The Hague as the International City of Peace and Justice. The city of The Hague is dedicated to the promotion of peace, justice, inclusivity and security and yet it is one of the most segregated cities in the Netherlands. This book challenges the assumptions that young people are uninterested in local decision-making or lack the competence to contribute to improving their neighborhoods. It gives voice to young people, generation Z (13-25 years old), in disadvantaged and advantaged areas in The Hague examining the experiences they have, their views in contrast with those of educators and policymakers in The Hague, and their views compared to different areas and age groups in The Hague. This book brings together multiple funded projects to discuss how we can engage young people in democratic processes including policymaking and societal challenges. It helps to bridge the gap between young people and policymakers and therefore speaks to policymakers, academics, students and lecturers on social cohesion, criminology, and social policies.
Algal Bioengineering and Microbial Synergy to Green Remediation
by Shailendra Kumar Arya Madhu Khatri Gursharan Singh Sudarshan SahuThis comprehensive book delves into the synergy between algal bioengineering and microbial processes, revealing their potential to mitigate environmental impact and foster a sustainable future. Through a meticulous blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, this book provides readers with a holistic understanding of algal-microbial consortia. It scrutinizes the latest technological advancements in bioreactor design, offering real-world case studies that showcase successful implementations of these innovative solutions. Readers will gain valuable knowledge on the economic and regulatory landscapes shaping this field, equipping them to navigate and influence the industry effectively. Authored by leading experts, this book integrates perspectives from biology, engineering, and environmental science, making it an essential resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. It addresses critical challenges and presents actionable strategies for sustainable waste remediation, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Whether readers are an environmental scientist, biotechnologist, engineer, or sustainability manager, this book offers a treasure trove of insights and practical guidance. Discover how algal bioengineering and microbial synergy can revolutionize waste management and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Open the door to innovative solutions and join the movement towards an eco-friendly industrial paradigm with "Utilizing Algal Bioengineering and Microbial Synergy to Green Industry for Sustainable Waste Remediation".
Southern Anthropocenes (CRESC)
by Casper Bruun JensenThis wide‑ranging volume addresses the changing landscape of problems, challenges, and possibilities that emerge once the macroscopic notion of the Anthropocene is replaced with Southern Anthropocenes. It envisions Southern Anthropocenes as an opening towards forms and ends of life that exceed—while remaining in partial relation with—modern socio‑economic horizons and the determinations of the geo‑, eco‑, and climate sciences.What happens if Southern Anthropocenes are allowed to multiply, and room is made for practices of worlding and life that are impossible from within the singular Anthropocene?Key issues include emergent interfaces between beings, ways of living, and worlds; problems of co‑existence in and across pluriversal contact zones; explorations of liveability under rapidly changing circumstances; speculations about other futures and how to invent them; investigations of more‑than‑human itineraries and entangled territories; and explorations of how to collectively invent the portals between ways of thinking and acting on a planet in a critical state. It will be essential reading for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in Sociology, Anthropology, Critical Education, Environmental Humanities, Science and Technology Studies, Geography, and Urban Studies.
Printing in London: From 1476 to Modern Times (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by P. M. HandoverOriginally published in 1960, the early history of news-gathering, of advertisement blocks and displayed advertising, of women’s magazine, are among the varied aspects of the London printing trade discussed in this book. Separate chapters are devoted to jobbing printing and the controversial, competitive Bible patent. The considerable technical information includes detailed descriptions of nineteenth-century presses.Besides an account of the struggle for power in the Stationers’ Company at certain periods, the livelier – and often more ruthless – personalities in the London trade, such as John Wolfe, Robert Barker I, Miles Flesher, Henry Hills and John Bell are vigorously described.Every section is generously illustrated in line and half-tone with material much of which was previously unreproduced.The easy style and wide range of Printing in London will rouse the interest of both the specialist – in advertising, in libraries and in the trade itself – and of the general reader who wants to know more about the history of printing.
Scriptwriting for Theatre and Screen: A Practical Guide
by Richard StockwellScriptwriting for Theatre and Screen: A Practical Guide is an introduction designed to help readers understand the nature of dramatic scriptwriting and quickly guide them to a place where they can write, first a short play, and then a short screenplay.The book clearly points out not only the differences between writing for the stage and writing for the screen, but also the shared skills and the fundamental dramatic principles that unite them. The two sections (Theatre Writing and Screenwriting) are connected by a bridging chapter that explores similarities and differences between the two media. The chapters are arranged with a short introductory essay on topics such as generating ideas, structure, character, modes of address, empathy, status, visual writing, and revising and editing, followed by practical exercises with exemplar responses – including a sample short play and film. Two additional chapters address how to approach writing a self-reflexive commentary, explore how the skills covered can be applied to writing for television, and explain other skills a writer might need to develop when working in this industry.This complete introduction to writing dramatic scripts is intended for students of playwriting and screenwriting but is also suitable for all writers new to these areas and interested in developing their skills.
From Swan Sonnenschein to George Allen & Unwin Ltd (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by F. A. Mumby Frances H. StallybrassOriginally published in 1955, From Swan Sonnenschein to George Allen & Unwin Ltd states that the lives of certain publishing houses are a direct reflection of the cultural history of the period in which they work. They draw their successes from the intellectual enthusiasms of the time and in no small measure contribute towards the education of their contemporaries. Of this sort of publisher no better examples could be found at the end of the nineteenth century than Swan Sonnenschein and George Allen. Both were men of serious purpose, with a sense of mission in their business activities. Sonnenschein, who later changed his name to Stallybrass, was the publisher of Bernard Shaw’s novels, of George Moore’s Confessions of a Young Man; the first English edition of Marx’s Capital; J. M. Barrie’s first novel, Better Dead; Edwards Carpenter’s Towards Democracy; and besides an immense list of books on Social Science – which were far ahead of their time – he launched, with Professor J. H. Muirhead, the famous Library of Philosophy.George Allen’s business was founded exclusively upon Ruskin’s works, but later he published for Augustus Hare, Maurice Maeterlinck and Hillaire Belloc.Such was the foundation upon which Stanley Unwin was able to build in 1914, when he acquired the assets of the combined firms of Sonnenschein and Allen.
Electronic Publishing: Looking for a Blueprint (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by Joost KistWith the development of new technologies over the previous decade and more moderately priced and faster systems becoming available Electronic Publishing, originally published in 1987, provided a much-needed close look at present and potential publishing techniques at the time. In the view of the author the relatively new electronic and optical media were expected to integrate with or supplement flourishing media such as books, looseleaf publications and journals.The aim of this book was to guide those people confronted with the new information technology, be they professionals or the generally interested reader, through the complex problems associated with this medium. Topics covered include: the sources from which information may be obtained, which channels and delivery systems should be used, and the problem of abstracting the mass of information available. Emphasis is on the new user and the author attempts to formulate a new appreciation of informational content as a vital source for society. Today, with electronic publishing at the forefront of the publishing industry as a whole, it can be read in its historical context.
British Book Trade Organisation: A Report on the Work of the Joint Committee (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by F. D. SandersOriginally published in 1939, British Book Trade Organisation: A Report on the Work of the Joint Committee is a twelve-year study of the methods of book sales in Britain. The Joint Committee issued three reports, which were summarised here along with the Committee’s Recommendations, and an indication of the kind if action that had since resulted. A crucial factor in the push for further reforms that followed, today this title can be read in its historical context.
Finding Your Groove: Resonant Leadership in a Disconnected World
by Chris Dalton Barry van ZylFinding Your Groove is an inspiring guide that challenges you to rediscover your innate rhythm amid today’s disjointed, fast-paced world. Drawing on the timeless language of music and the universal patterns of nature, this book reframes everyday challenges as opportunities for creative transformation and genuine connection.Author Barry van Zyl, a veteran drummer and creative thinker from South Africa, and his co-author, UK business school academic Dr Chris Dalton, invite you to explore the profound impact of aligning your personal and professional lives with natural rhythms. Their insights blend personal narrative with practical reflection, offering a fresh perspective on leadership, collaboration, and self-awareness. By embracing the principles of Groove – from the beat of an individual’s heart to the synchrony of a well-led team – you can foster resilience, spark innovation, and build more harmonious relationships at work and beyond. Whether you are seeking to enhance your creative potential or to inspire collective change in your organisation, this book provides a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking realignment with the pulse of life.Finding Your Groove is a call to reclaim the joy of connection, balance, and mindful presence. It invites you to lead with authenticity in an increasingly complex world.
Printer to the House: The Story of Hansard (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by J. C. Trewin E. M. KingEveryone knows the name of Hansard, the famous record of Parliamentary proceedings. Very few people know how it began. Originally published in 1952, here was for the first time, the authoritative history of the Hansard family and of its work, for nearly 100 years, as Parliamentary printers in charge of the Journals of the House of Commons and of the full record of debates that still bears the family name. Full of surprising and important detail, it was written largely from unpublished papers, letters, and the manuscript diaries of Luke Graves Hansard, son of old Luke, founder of the printing dynasty.Luke Hansard (1752–1828), a young man from Norwich, succeeded his partner Henry Hughs as Printer to the House. His name was known to all the politicians and many of the authors of his day, for he was a remarkable character, vigorous and forthright; and this book contains, among much else, a transcript of the brief autobiography he wrote in old age. He and his descendants printed the Journals of the House of Commons until 1890. His eldest son Thomas Curson Hansard, in partnership with William Cobbett, began to print the Parliamentary Debates early in the nineteenth century, and later became sole proprietor. His descendants carried on the business until 1889.This is an authoritative and extremely readable book which will be of value to all students of politics wherever the name Hansard is known – and there are “Hansards” in Australia, Canada and many other parts of the Commonwealth and Empire as well as in Great Britain. It touches on constitutional questions of great importance and explores some fascinating byways of parliamentary history.
The Lamp of Learning: Two Centuries of Publishing at Taylor & Francis (Routledge Library Editions: Publishing and Printing)
by W. H. Brock A. J. MeadowsOriginally published in 1998, when for two centuries Taylor & Francis had been committed to the publication of scholarly information. Ever since the launching of the Philosophical Magazine in 1798, the publishing company run by Richard Taylor and later by William Francis has specialised in the printing and publishing of scientific periodicals and books. Both founders wrote original scientific papers, and through close involvement with the scientific societies of London, and dedication to the business of scientific communication, both nationally and internationally, developed a high reputation for the quality of their publications.With the proliferation of periodicals and information generated by learned societies at the turn of the twentieth century, Taylor & Francis also became pioneers in the field of abstracting journals. This pioneering spirit remained at the time with the company at the forefront of the development of on-line electronic journals.Taylor & Francis publishes books and periodicals in the fields of science, engineering, social science and humanities yet continues to publish many of the early journals, including the Philosophical Magazine, whose current aims have evolved to meet the needs of modern physicists.The company had grown dramatically in the previous 15 years, being transformed from a small family business into a thriving international company with publishing offices in the UK and the USA (now in 14 countries worldwide), yet it was still one in which leading scientists were shareholders and directors.The story of the development of Taylor & Francis in this book is much more than an isolated account of one small company – it throws light on the whole process of scientific communication during the previous 200 years. In this bicentenary edition the story of the company’s growth into a significant academic publishing player was brought right up to date within the context of late twentieth century publishing innovation and expansion. Today T&F continues to go from strength to strength.
The International Criminal Court and Türkiye: Overcoming Accession Concerns and Exploring Shared Benefits
by Şehmus KurtuluşThe establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a landmark development in the field of international criminal law, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of global justice. Having gained the recognition of 125 states, the ICC stands as the world’s first and only permanent international tribunal capable of trying individuals for the gravest crimes of international concern. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with becoming a member of the ICC, using Türkiye as a case study to explore broader issues relevant to other states that have not yet joined the Court. It argues that the concerns behind Türkiye’s reluctance to sign the founding treaty of the ICC are not substantial enough to justify avoiding the Court’s jurisdiction and that non-accession does not guarantee immunity from ICC oversight. While primarily focused on Türkiye, the book offers insights that could inform the decisions of other non-signatory states, particularly those with similar reservations about the Court. It demonstrates that the advantages Türkiye stands to gain by joining the ICC are largely applicable to other non-signatory states as well. Through this analysis, the book underscores the ICC's critical role as a global institution and its invaluable contribution to advancing international criminal justice. Presenting a valuable overview of the world’s first and only permanent international criminal court, the work will be a valuable resource for academics, researchers and policymakers working in the fields of International Law and International Relations.
Conversations and Cosmopolitans: Awkward Moments, Mixed Drinks, and How a Mother and Son Finally Shared Who They Really Are
by Robert Rave Jane RavePart Augusten Burroughs, part Robert Leleux, Conversations and Cosmopolitans is a hilarious and touching memoir written by a mother, Jane, and her son, Robert, as they navigate their new relationship together after Robert announces in a hand-written letter that he is gay. After moving from the Midwest to New York City at the age of twenty-one, Robert Rave finally found the resolve to mail a letter to his parents informing them that he was gay. Once Robert was "out," both he and his mother Jane felt a newfound freedom to be more honest with each other. From the discrimination Jane experienced as a pregnant teenager in a small town, to Robert's "manscaping," almost no topic was off-limits in their conversations. Soon, Robert was creating a "gay glossary" so that Jane could understand the lexicon and Jane was giving Robert the same dating advice that she used to give Robert's older sister ("men are jerks"). CONVERSATIONS AND COSMOPOLITANS is a frank, funny, and heartfelt look at coming out from both a mother's and son's perspective, and an inspiring memoir about building family relationships based on honesty, openness, and acceptance.
Dead Opposite: The Lives And Loss Of Two American Boys
by George DouglasIn the early morning of February 17, 1991, a nineteen-year-old Yale student on his way home from a party was shot through the heart on a New Haven street by a single bullet from a .22-caliber handgun. His wallet, with forty-six dollars inside, was left intact beside him. As murders go, it was senseless, motiveless, and as random as a blindly flung stone. The boy was white, privileged, and widely loved, a scholar and athlete, with a future that seemed assured. The boy accused in his killing, a sixteen-year-old gang member from the inner city, was an angry, desperate youth whose life careened almost daily--as ghetto lives often do--between the never-distant prospects of jail and death.Dead Opposite is the story of these two boys--and of the boys and men, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and friends who peopled their lives. Geoffrey Douglas tells the story of hope and hopelessness, ignorance and rage; of waste and courage and loss. But above all, it is the story of the chasm that divides us one from the other: black from white; rich from poor; the suburbs of Chevy Chase, Maryland, from the squalor and despair of New Haven's meanest streets. You will see and hear both stories. And by the end, you not only will have touched the differences of race, wealth, education, and hope, but will have seen and heard also the commonness that links us all--the love of a parent, the dreams of a child--that joins us, one to the other, as the humans we finally, sometimes sadly, are.
The Old Deep and Dark (Jane Lawless Mysteries Series)
by Ellen HartEllen Hart was named the 2017 MWA Grand Master, the most distinguished lifetime achievement award offered in the mystery community. Renowned theater director Cordelia Thorn is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Minneapolis that she and her actress sister, Octavia, recently bought. Cordelia has a vision for the playhouse's future, but the more she learns about the building, the more fascinated she becomes by its past. Nicknamed "The Old Deep and Dark" because of the Prohibition-era double murder that occurred in the basement-then a speakeasy-there are a wealth of secrets hidden inside its walls. And, to her shock and horror, Cordelia discovers that there is also one present-day body literally buried in a basement wall. Cordelia immediately calls on her best friend, P.I. Jane Lawless.Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation-she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer's family scandal-she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.With The Old Deep and Dark, the latest installment in the award-winning Jane Lawless series, Ellen Hart has crafted another impeccably plotted, seamlessly written mystery.The Old Deep and Dark is the Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery.
Topless
by Relentless AaronWelcome to Fool's Paradise where the women are devious, the men are ruthless, and the raw, undeniable climate of smut dominates. This is Douglass Gilmore's kingdom, a family business that grew to become one of New York City's premier adult clubs. But money, power, and seduction makes for an explosive combination—and something dangerous is about to go down…The most famous stripper at Fool's Paradise has been gunned down in the parking lot. Was it a lovers' quarrel? A rivalry between jealous dancers? Or a deliberate attempt to destroy the man behind the curtain? Douglass has won plenty of enemies in the business. Now, with the cops, the FBI, and the mob at his door, everything is on the line…and Douglass has only once chance to defend the family empire—or lose it all.
Coyote V. Acme
by Ian FrazierTwenty-two side-splitting glimpses into some oddball corners of the American mind from bestselling author Ian Frazier.The title essay of Coyote v. Acme, Frazier's second collection of humorous essays, imagines the opening statement of an attorney representing cartoon character Wile E. Coyote in a product liability suit against the Acme Company, supplier of unpredictable rocket sleds and faulty spring-powered shoes. Other essays are about Bob Hope's golfing career, a commencement address given by a Satanist college president, a suburban short story attacked by the Germans, the problem of issues versus non-issues, and the theories of revolutionary stand-up comedy from Comrade Stalin. From first to last, this is Frazier at his hilarious best.
The Long War: The Inside Story of America and Afghanistan Since 9/11
by David LoynJust as U. S. soldiers and diplomats pulled out of Afghanistan, supposedly concluding their role and responsibility in the two-decade conflict, the country fell to the Taliban. In The Long War, award-winning BBC foreign correspondent David Loyn uncovers the political and military strategies—and failures—that prolonged America’s longest war.Three American presidents tried to defeat the Taliban—sending 150,000 international troops at the war’s peak with a trillion-dollar price tag. But early policy mistakes that allowed Osama bin Laden to escape made the task far more difficult. Deceived by easy victories, they backed ruthless corrupt local allies and misspent aid.The story of The Long War is told by the generals who led it through the hardest years of combat as surges of international troops tried to turn the tide. Generals, which include David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal, Joe Dunford and John Allen, were tested in battle as never before. With the reputation of a “warrior monk,” McChrystal was considered one of the most gifted military leaders of his generation. He was one of two generals to be fired in this most public of commands.Holding together the coalition of countries who joined America’s fight in Afghanistan was just one part of the multi-dimensional puzzle faced by the generals, as they fought an elusive and determined enemy while responsible for thousands of young American and allied lives. The Long War goes behind the scenes of their command and of the Afghan government.The fourth president to take on the war, Joe Biden ordered troops to withdraw in 2021, twenty years after 9/11, just as the Taliban achieved victory, leaving behind an unstable nation and an unforeseeable future.