- Table View
- List View
Die Geschwindigkeit der Zeit: Warum wir Zeit unterschiedlich wahrnehmen
by Frank VollertsenDieses Buch befasst sich mit Fragen, die das Erleben unserer Lebenszeit berühren. Warum vergeht die Zeit manchmal schnell und manchmal langsam? Warum erscheint ein Rückweg kürzer als ein Hinweg? Warum scheint die Zeit immer schneller zu vergehen, je älter man wird? Kann man Zeit haben, so, wie man ein Buch besitzen kann? Die in diesem Werk beschriebenen Phänomene im Zusammenhang mit dem Erleben von Zeit werden beobachtet und kritisch hinterfragt. Die Antworten auf die Fragen werden mit wissenschaftlichen Methoden konstruiert und die Vorgänge und Ergebnisse mit Beispielen aus dem Leben illustriert. Für das Verständnis wird keinerlei Vorwissen vorausgesetzt. Es werden Interpretationen und Lösungen angeboten, wie man die teils widersprüchlichen Dinge verstehen kann. Es wird auch aufgezeigt, wie man das tun kann, was man gerne möchte, auch wenn man meint, keine Zeit zu haben.
Winning in the New Global Business Landscape: Integrating Technology, Infrastructure, Geopolitics, and Harnessed Talent
by Jerry Haar Ricardo Ernst Santiago GutierrezThis book examines the dynamic interplay among Technology, Infrastructure, Geopolitics, and Harnessed Talent (TIGHT), highlighting their critical roles in shaping today&’s global landscape. Offering a fresh perspective on globalization and competitiveness, it proposes clear and justified criteria for expanding the set of nations classified as emerging markets. Through detailed analysis of each TIGHT component, enriched by practical case studies, scenarios, and trend evaluations, the authors unpack the complexities and interconnectedness inherent in contemporary global interactions. This insightful approach is essential for strategic planning, risk management, fostering innovation, encouraging ethical decision-making, and proactively addressing future challenges. Arguing that the business world is complementing its traditional focus on profit and resource optimization with a growing emphasis on resilience and operational effectiveness, this book equips researchers, executives, and policymakers with valuable tools to critically assess global expansion strategies, identify risks, and maximize opportunities in a rapidly evolving world.
Proceedings of the UNIfied Conference of DAMAS, IncoME VIII and TEPEN Conferences: UNIfied 2024–Volume 2 (Mechanisms and Machine Science #185)
by Fengshou Gu Gunjan Soni Andrew D. Ball Huajiang Ouyang Maneesh Singh Jyoti Sinha Carol FeatherstonThis volume gathers the latest advances, innovations and applications in the field of condition monitoring, damage assessment and maintenance engineering, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the UNIfied Conference of DAMAS (International Conference on Damage Assessment of Structures), IncoME (International Conference on Maintenance Engineering) and TEPEN (The Efficiency and Performance Engineering), held in Jaipur, India on November 26-28, 2024. Topics include sensors and measurement systems, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, machine health monitoring, maintenance organisation & performance measurement, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cyber physical systems, machine learning in maintenance and production environment, plant maintenance, asset management, reliability, artificial intelligence and related areas, life cycle cost optimisation, health management. The contributions, which were selected through a rigorous internationalpeer-review process, share exciting ideas that will spur novel research directions and foster new multidisciplinary collaborations.
Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations: 21st IFIP WG 12.5 International Conference, AIAI 2025, Limassol, Cyprus, June 26–29, 2025, Proceedings, Part III (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #757)
by Lazaros Iliadis Ilias Maglogiannis Antonios Papaleonidas Andreas AndreouThis four-volume set constitutes the proceedings of the 21st IFIP WG 12.5 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations, AIAI 2025, which was held in Limassol, Cyprus, during June 2025. The 123 full papers and 7 short papers were presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 303 submissions. They focus on ethical-moral AI aspects related to its Environmental impact, Privacy, Transparency, Bias, Discrimination and Fairness.
Explainable Artificial Intelligence: Third World Conference, xAI 2025, Istanbul, Turkey, July 9–11, 2025, Proceedings, Part IV (Communications in Computer and Information Science #2579)
by Luca Longo Riccardo Guidotti Ute SchmidThis open access five-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second World Conference on Explainable Artificial Intelligence, xAI 2025, held in Istanbul, Turkey, during July 2025. The 96 revised full papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 224 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: Volume I: Concept-based Explainable AI; human-centered Explainability; explainability, privacy, and fairness in trustworthy AI; and XAI in healthcare. Volume II: Rule-based XAI systems & actionable explainable AI; features importance-based XAI; novel post-hoc & ante-hoc XAI approaches; and XAI for scientific discovery. Volume III: Generative AI meets explainable AI; Intrinsically interpretable explainable AI; benchmarking and XAI evaluation measures; and XAI for representational alignment. Volume IV: XAI in computer vision; counterfactuals in XAI; explainable sequential decision making; and explainable AI in finance & legal frameworks for XAI technologies. Volume V: Applications of XAI; human-centered XAI & argumentation; explainable and interactive hybrid decision making; and uncertainty in explainable AI.
The Manuscript Dissemination of Descartes’s Traité de l’homme: With an Edition of the Tractatus de homine a Cartesio (SpringerBriefs in History of Science and Technology)
by Andrea StrazzoniThis book offers the first thorough-going account of the covert manuscript dissemination of a pivotal text in the history of early modern philosophy and science, namely the Traité de l’homme by René Descartes, completed in 1633 but published in printed form only in 1662 and 1664. This account serves as both introduction to and commentary upon the following transcription of a Latin handwritten translation of the treatise (Tractatus de homine a Cartesio) recently brought to the attention of scholars, and which was integral to such dissemination. Included is an apparatus of variants with respect to its first editions. Importantly, during its first dissemination the treatise fostered the development of medical theories based on mechanical ideas and is now increasingly at the centre of the attention of historians, thanks to the renewed appreciation of Descartes as a scientist rather than as a metaphysician. By developing an investigation taking into account not only professors and scientists, but also the importance of women, courtiers, publishers, soldiers, and the covert circulation of knowledge in the early modern age, this book contributes to the knowledge of scholars, students, and anybody interested in the early modern history of philosophy, science, intellectual history, and the history of the book in a crucial phase of the development of western thought.
Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations: 21st IFIP WG 12.5 International Conference, AIAI 2025, Limassol, Cyprus, June 26–29, 2025, Proceedings, Part I (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #755)
by Lazaros Iliadis Ilias Maglogiannis Antonios Papaleonidas Andreas AndreouThis four-volume set constitutes the proceedings of the 21st IFIP WG 12.5 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations, AIAI 2025, which was held in Limassol, Cyprus, during June 2025. The 123 full papers and 7 short papers were presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 303 submissions. They focus on ethical-moral AI aspects related to its Environmental impact, Privacy, Transparency, Bias, Discrimination and Fairness.
China Energy Outlook 2060 (Current Chinese Economic Report Series)
by Sinopec Economics and DevelopmentThis book provides a comprehensive examination of the primary laws and the key factors influencing changes in energy consumption in China from multiple perspectives, including economic, social, technological, and policy dimensions. Additionally, it evaluates future development trends. Based on this analysis, the book presents a thorough outlook on China's medium- and long-term energy consumption forecasting data system and the characteristics of energy consumption. It systematically analyzes and predicts total energy consumption, as well as the evolution of energy types and the various sectors of end energy use over the medium- and long-term. Parts of the translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.
Bluey: The Pool/La piscina (Bluey)
by Penguin Young Readers LicensesJoin Bluey and Bingo on a trip to the pool for some fun in the sun in this bilingual storybook!¡Acompaña a Bluey y Bingo en un paseo a la piscina para divertirse bajo el sol!Based on the on the wildly successful animated series, Bluey, as seen on Disney+Bluey, Bingo, and Dad head to the pool. What could go wrong? Find out in this beautiful picture book adventure.Basado en la serie animada superexitosa Bluey, presentada en Disney+.Bluey, Bingo y papá van para la piscina. ¿Qué podría salir mal? Averígualo en esta hermosa aventura en formato álbum.
Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates
by Cheryl KleinTwo hamster roommates with wildly different personalities crammed in one cage--what could go wrong in this hilarious story about introverts versus extroverts?It's been two hundred and five days since Henry has had peace. That's because it's been two hundred and five days since Marvin has come to live with him. Marvin, who loves to talk in the tunnels, talk while they're eating, talk while they're running. Marvin, who drives Henry up the cage walls. But when Henry finally loses his cool and gets exactly what he wanted, both hamsters have to figure out a way to live together and work through their communication mishaps.
Good Night, Sister
by Katherine Schwarzenegger PrattAn instant New York Times bestseller!From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt comes a beautiful bedtime read, celebrating the power and comfort of sisterhood. This sweet title is the perfect gift for sisters or anyone with a special bond!Kat is excited to sleep in her own room—the big girl room—for the very first time. But her younger sister, Tina, is nervous to sleep in their old room without her. So Kat comes up with a plan: she'll give all of her stuffed animals to her younger sister, and every time Tina gets scared, she should hold them close and be reminded of all the wonderful things each animal represents: bravery, creativity, love, and imagination. But that night, as a storm thunders outside their windows, it turns out that the big girl room can feel a bit lonely. And Kat might be the one who needs the extra support. With simple, gentle prose, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shares a comforting bedtime story, illuminating the bonds sisters share, and the many ways they are there for one another.
AI-Mediated Language Education in the Metaverse Era (Chinese Language Learning Sciences)
by Yu-Ju Lan Grace Yue Qi Dorothy ChunThis book provides open discussions and dialogues around the latest research and development on applying AI and ubiquitous technologies into various language learning contexts. Living in the Metaverse era, arguably a turning point in the evolution of the Internet, it is vital for researchers and practitioners to rethink and reconsider human and AI relationships in transforming the way we teach, learn, and live in everyday life. Reinders et al. (2022) amongst Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) researchers have emphasised the need to conduct more research on language learning in the classroom and beyond that makes real connections with what language learners do for their learning today. More importantly, language educators must find ways to support language learning in this new era. What is urgently needed is a consolidation and synthesis of theoretical foundations, visions and the latest research findings and practices on the integration of AI and ubiquitous technologies and language education from diverse perspectives. This book, comprising of contributions regarding contextualised AI-mediated language learning and teaching, provides researchers, practitioners, and teacher educators with an opportunity to closely engage in research-informed practices and intellectual dialogues on potential opportunities and challenges in the Metaverse era. It also helps to facilitate the development of equitable, sustainable, and just practices for the diversity of language learners today.
Anger in Politics: An Analysis of Anger from Aristotle to Today
by Andrew HertzoffAnger is everywhere today. Why is there so much anger in our politics? Why do some things feed unreasonable rage, and other outrageous things fail to provoke outrage? What should we be angry about and how? Some see anger as a toxic force endangering political debate, democracy, and civil society; others see anger as a the only proper motivation to pursue injustice. In this debate, Hertzoff offers considerations grounded in Aristotle&’s treatment of anger. When, why, and in what ways we become angry need to be judged against a standard of virtuous anger, measured against concepts of justice, dignity, and nobility. In bringing together Aristotle&’s concept and treatment with our concerns with anger in our society gives us reason to rethink our views of anger, how we learn to be angry, and how we teach children to be angry properly .
The Comprehensive Atlas of Robotic Urologic Surgery: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adult and Pediatric Urologic Procedures
by Li-Ming Su Jason P. Joseph Christopher E. BayneThis third edition atlas provides the most current techniques and methods for treating both benign and malignant urologic conditions using the most modern robotic platforms and equipment available to date. Robotic surgery has had a very well-established and increasing role in the field of urology for the past two decades, in many cases almost completely replacing traditional open and laparoscopic approaches. Robotic surgery has continued to expand and has been applied to urologic conditions in both adult and pediatric patients. In addition, advancements in robotic technology have opened the door to single-site (vs multi-port) surgeries, further reducing the morbidity and improving the cosmesis for many urologic procedures. The book begins with a guide to getting started in robotic surgery with new chapters on robotics training and performance improvement. From here, the book comprehensively and systematically covers a wide range of surgical procedures, including surgeries of the upper and lower urinary tract using the daVinci Xi platform, robotic pediatric urologic surgeries, and single port (daVinci SP) robotic surgery. A discussion of the past, present, and future of robotic surgical platforms wraps up this comprehensive guide. Each chapter is written by internationally-recognized leaders in the field in a consistent step-by-step format to help the audience learn how to expand their robotic surgical techniques and capabilities for their patients. The Comprehensive Atlas of Robotic Urologic Surgery, Third Edition is a singular resource for individuals who are involved in robotic surgery including urologic surgeons, trainees, nurses, physician assistants, and anesthesiologists.
Bildungsmanagement in Dezentralität und Wandel (Berufspädagogik & Bildungsmanagement #1)
by Prof. Dr. Thomas Hanstein Prof. Dr. Andreas LanigDieses Buch veranschaulicht, wie dezentrale Bildungsstrukturen unterstützt werden können, um organisationale Prozesse zu optimieren und die ganzheitliche Persönlichkeitsentwicklung von Lehrenden und Lernenden zu fördern. Es bietet praxisnahe Einblicke in Modelle, Konzepte und Methoden, um Lernräume reflektiert, partizipativ und inspirierend zu gestalten. Durch Analysen, Fallstudien und methodische Vorschläge entsteht ein tragfähiger kollegialer Erfahrungsaustausch. Der Sammelband schlägt eine Brücke zwischen Schule, Hochschule und Bildungseinrichtungen des tertiären Sektors, um systemische und fachdidaktische Perspektiven zu reflektieren und zu verbinden. Dabei wird ein besonderes Augenmerk auf die Rolle von Lehrenden und Lernenden als interne Impulsgeber:innen und Gestalter:innen gelegt.
Doulas in der Deutschschweiz - zwischen Beruf und Berufung: Eine religionswissenschaftliche Ethnographie über Geburtsbegleiterinnen (Veröffentlichungen der Sektion Religionssoziologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie)
by Jill MarxerIn diesem Open-Access-Buch werden erstmalig Doulas – nicht-medizinische Geburtsbegleiterinnen – in der Deutschschweiz untersucht. Doulas begleiten gebärende Personen vor, während und nach der Geburt auf emotionaler Ebene. Diese religionswissenschaftliche Ethnographie leistet fundierte Einblicke in und Erkenntnisse zur Doulalandschaft in der Deutschschweiz und fokussiert Überzeugungen, Erfahrungen und Spannungsfelder. Erstmalig werden drei wissenschaftlich bisher kaum untersuchte Felder aufgezeigt: Doulas im alternativ-religiösen Feld, im jüdisch-orthodoxen Kontext und die Doulaarbeit im Asylkontext. Die Studie leistet einen wichtigen Beitrag zu einem bisher wesentlich unbekannten Forschungsfeld und bietet eine differenzierte Analyse der Doula, ihrer Bedeutung, ihren Beziehungen zur „natürlichen Geburt&“, zur Medikalisierung der Geburt und zu religiösen Einstellungen. Zudem werden bis heute oft marginalisierte Perspektiven gebärender Personen und ihre Care-Umgebung beleuchtet.
The 9th International Conference on Advanced Machine Learning Technologies and Applications (Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies #273)
by Ashraf Darwish Vaclav Snasel Aboul Ella Hassanien Eman Karam El-SayedThis volume showcases transformative AI research addressing real-world challenges across healthcare, education, law, and digital security. Highlights include explainable deep learning for berry classification, AI-driven communication skill assessment in virtual interviews, and Arabic legal judgment prediction systems. From Quran recitation tools for children and retinal disease diagnosis to DeepFake detection, post-quantum cryptography, and socio-economic impact modeling, these works reflect AI&’s growing role in building a smarter, safer, and more inclusive future.
This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us: A Novel
by Edgar Cantero"Joss Whedon...can&’t possibly write All The Things That Are Kind Of Like This. So hallelujah that Edgar Cantero – a Barcelona native whose first language is Spanish, but who spits pop-culture in English like the savviest geek in, say, Sheboygan posting on Tumblr – is writing some of them.&”--The Austin ChronicleFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Meddling Kids comes a mind-blowing, gender-bending, genre-smashing romp through the entire pantheon of action and noir. It is also a bold, tautly crafted novel about family, being weird, and claiming your place in your own crazy story. In a dingy office in Fisherman's Wharf, the glass panel in the door bears the names of A. Kimrean and Z. Kimrean. Private Eyes. Behind the door there is only one desk, one chair, one scrawny androgynous P.I. in a tank top and skimpy waistcoat. A.Z., as they are collectively known, are twin brother and sister. He's pure misanthropic logic, she's wild hedonistic creativity. The Kimreans have been locked in mortal battle since they were in utero...which is tricky because they, very literally, share one single body. That's right. One body, two pilots. The mystery and absurdity of how Kimrean functions, and how they subvert every plotline, twist, explosion, and gunshot--and confuse every cop, neckless thug, cartel boss, ninja, and femme fatale--in the book is pure Cantero magic. Someone is murdering the sons of the ruthless drug cartel boss known as the Lyon in the biggest baddest town in California--San Carnal. The notorious A.Z. Kimrean must go to the sin-soaked, palm-tree-lined streets of San Carnal, infiltrate the Lyon's inner circle, and find out who is targeting his heirs, and while they are at it, rescue an undercover cop in too deep, deal with a plucky young stowaway, and stop a major gang war from engulfing California. They'll face every plot device and break every rule Elmore Leonard wrote before they can crack the case, if they don't kill each other (themselves) first. This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us is a brilliantly subversive and comic thriller celebrating noir detectives, Die Hard, Fast & Furious, and the worst case of sibling rivalry, that can only come from the mind of Edgar Cantero.
Wonder: Illustrated Edition (Wonder)
by R. J. PalacioA beautiful, color illustrated edition of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonder, with a new afterword from the author. Experience the extraordinary story that inspired the Choose Kind movement, like never before.August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and a blockbuster hit, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. This beautiful, color illustrated edition includes over twenty-five pieces of original art from Tad Carpenter, the artist behind the original cover. It also includes an essay from R.J. Palacio reflecting on ten years of Wonder and an introduction by Dina Zuckerberg, director of family programs at myFace, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the craniofacial difference community. Experience this extraordinary story like never before.
The Word Exchange: A Novel
by Alena GraedonA dystopian novel for the digital age, The Word Exchange offers an inventive, suspenseful, and decidedly original vision of the dangers of technology and of the enduring power of the printed word. In the not-so-distant future, the forecasted &“death of print&” has become a reality. Bookstores, libraries, newspapers, and magazines are things of the past, and we spend our time glued to handheld devices called Memes that not only keep us in constant communication but also have become so intuitive that they hail us cabs before we leave our offices, order takeout at the first growl of a hungry stomach, and even create and sell language itself in a marketplace called the Word Exchange. Anana Johnson works with her father, Doug, at the North American Dictionary of the English Language (NADEL), where Doug is hard at work on the last edition that will ever be printed. Doug is a staunchly anti-Meme, anti-tech intellectual who fondly remembers the days when people used email (everything now is text or videoconference) to communicate—or even actually spoke to one another, for that matter. One evening, Doug disappears from the NADEL offices, leaving a single written clue: ALICE. It&’s a code word he devised to signal if he ever fell into harm&’s way. And thus begins Anana&’s journey down the proverbial rabbit hole . . . Joined by Bart, her bookish NADEL colleague, Anana&’s search for Doug will take her into dark basements and subterranean passageways; the stacks and reading rooms of the Mercantile Library; and secret meetings of the underground resistance, the Diachronic Society. As Anana penetrates the mystery of her father&’s disappearance and a pandemic of decaying language called &“word flu&” spreads, The Word Exchange becomes a cautionary tale that is at once a technological thriller and a meditation on the high cultural costs of digital technology.
Llama Quest #1: Danger in the Dragons' Den (Llama Quest)
by Megan ReyesStart your quest with a talking purple llama and protect the Kingdom of Ravenwood! Join eight-year-old Dak as he's swept into a magical adventure to protect the people and creatures of their kingdom—including dragons!Eight-year-old Dak spends his days scooping llama poop and dreaming of adventure. Then he meets Fenn, the mysterious girl who lives next to his family&’s farm, and Lucy, a llama…who wears a scarf? And talks? And turns PURPLE?!Suddenly Dak is on a magical whirlwind adventure! Turns out Lucy is the keeper of the magical stones that protect the people of Ravenwood —and a thief has tried to steal them. Now they're scattered across the kingdom! The good news? Lucy has found the Fire Stone. The bad news? A family of dragons found it first and they won&’t give it up easily. Can Dak, Fenn, and Lucy get the Fire Stone back? They&’ll encounter magical creatures, a sneaky thief, and tricky magic, but when Dak, Fenn, and Lucy work together, nothing can beat Team Llama Quest! Join Team Llama Quest on all their adventures! #1 Danger in the Dragons' Den#2 Secrets of Starfall Forest
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson, 25th Anniversary Edition
by Mitch Albom#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A special 25th anniversary edition of the beloved book that has changed millions of lives with the story of an unforgettable friendship, the timeless wisdom of older generations, and healing lessons on loss and grief—featuring a new afterword by the author &“A wonderful book, a story of the heart told by a writer with soul.&”—Los Angeles Times &“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.&” Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was his college professor Morrie Schwartz. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn&’t you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man&’s life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final &“class&”: lessons in how to live. &“The truth is, Mitch,&” he said, &“once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.&”Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie&’s lasting gift with the world.
Plenty of Love To Go Around
by Emma Chichester ClarkThere&’s a new pet in town! Based on the adventures of Emma Chichester Clark&’s real-life dog, Plum, this delightful romp gently tackles feelings of jealousy and the difficulties of sharing, in endearing, dynamic illustrations that readers will love. Plum the dog loves being her family&’s Special One. So when Binky the cat moves in next door and everyone showers him with attention, Plum feels left out. Cats are not her favorite thing! Binky follows Plum everywhere, even to the park, which everyone knows is not for cats. And on top of that, Binky is so annoyingly clever. Is he the new Special One? Or is there enough love for both of them?
Fiend
by Alma KatsuHistorical horror maven Alma Katsu turns her talents to the modern world for the first time, in this terrifying tale about an all-powerful family with an ancient evil under its thumb.Imagine if the Sackler family had a demon at their beck and call.The Berisha family runs one of the largest import-export companies in the world, and they&’ve always been lucky. Their rivals suffer strokes. Inconvenient buildings catch on fire. Earthquakes swallow up manufacturing plants, destroying harmful evidence. Things always seem to work out for the Berishas. They&’re blessed.At least that is what Zef, the patriarch, has always told his three children. And each of them knows their place in the family—Dardan, as the only male heir, must prepare to take over as keeper of the Berisha secrets, Maris&’s most powerful contribution, much to her dismay, will be to marry strategically, and Nora&’s job, as the youngest, is to just stay out of the way. But when things stop going as planned, and the family blessing starts looking more like a curse, the Berishas begin to splinter, each hatching their own secret scheme. They didn&’t get to be one of the richest families in the world without spilling a little blood, but this time, it might be their own.
Every Spy a Traitor (Double Agent series)
by Alex GerlisA Financial Times Best Book of 2024'One of the superstars of modern spy fiction' Daily Express'One of the best spy novels I've read' I. S. Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow'Gerlis is at the top of his game' Paul Vidich, author of Beirut StationTrust no one. Suspect everyone.It's 1937. Fear and suspicion stalk the Continent. A million have died in Stalin's Great Purge and the Nazi terror grips Germany. But British intelligence is still trying to work out who the enemy is.As Europe heads towards war, treason is in the air. British spymasters know there is one Soviet agent in their ranks, codenamed Agent 'Archie', and there's a frantic search to find them. What they don't know is that he is not the only traitor.The life of Charles Cooper, a young British writer travelling Europe to research his novel, is about to change for everThe thrilling first novel in Alex Gerlis' new Double Agent espionage series, perfect for fans of Charles Cumming and Mick Herron.'Fascinating... A pleasant blend of John Buchan derring-do if lightweight adventures and the more gritty Le Carr-like grey travails in the secret corridors of power' Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time'Clever plotting, rich detail and a compelling story of a young man forced to become a double agent to survive in a world where friends become adversaries and no one can be trusted.Every Spy a Traitor will reward fans of Graham Greene, Charles Cumming, Frederick Forsythe and Alan Furst' Paul Vidich, author of Beirut Station'An absorbing portrait of a world on the brink that disarms you before it floors you' Tim Glister, author of Red Corona'With this brilliant tale of a writer entangled in pre-World War II espionage, Gerlis cleverly builds an ironic and darkly realistic world that shows just how nebulous is the border between good and evil, observer and participant, our inner and outer lives. Richly imagined, meticulously plotted, and chockfull of historic details, Every Spy a Traitor is one of those rare books that gets better with every page. One of the best spy novels I've read' I. S. Berry, author of The Peacock and the Sparrow