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Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare: From the First World War to the Present Day

This military history explores more than a century of aerial submarine hunting, from WWI through the Cold War and beyond. U. S. Navy veteran Michael Glynn served as a submarine hunting pilot. Now he chronicles the evolution of this unique combat role from the Great War through the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II and on to secret Cold War confrontations. He traces the parallel evolution of both aircraft and submarine as each side tries to gain advantage. Through his expert analysis, Glynn distills complicated oceanography, operations analysis, and technical theory, helping the reader understand how complex weapons and sensors function. He also examines submarine hunts in action, showing how theory and practice work together to help aviators detected their targets.

Alfred Raworth's Electric Southern Railway

The Southern Railway between 1923 and 1939 was the only British company to carry out a sustained programme of electrification which became known as the Southern Electric. Unlike many recent projects, each incremental step was completed on time and within budget. This successful project was more impressive as it was achieved during a period of economic stagnation (including the ‘great depression’) and despite government disapproval of the method of electrification. The driving force behind this endeavor was the railway’s general manager, Sir Herbert Walker, but at his side was his electrical engineer, Alfred Raworth, the man one journalist described as an ‘electrification genius’. Alfred Raworth’s career began working with his father the eminent consulting engineer and entrepreneur, John Smith Raworth. Following the collapse of his father’s business Alfred joined the railway industry and devised an ambitious and innovative electrification design. This was discarded when the railways of southern England were ‘grouped’ into the Southern Railway after which he took responsibility for the implementation of the electrification schemes. With Walker’s retirement in 1937, those who continued to support steam traction took the policy lead. A marginalised Raworth retired but was later to witness the fruition of many of his discarded ideas.

Conversations Worth Having, Second Edition: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

Now in a second edition, this classic book shows how to make conversations generative and productive rather than critical and destructive so people, organizations, and communities flourish. We know that conversations influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much impact they have on our well-being and ability to thrive. This book is the first to show how Appreciative Inquiry—a widely used change method that focuses on identifying what's working and building on it rather than just trying to fix what's broken—can help us communicate more effectively and flourish in all areas of our lives.By focusing on what we want to happen instead of what we want to avoid and asking questions to deepen understanding and increase possibilities, we expand creativity, improve productivity, and unleash potential at work and home. Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres use real-life examples to illustrate how these two practices and the principles that underlie them foster connection, innovation, and success.This edition has been revised throughout with new examples; updates on the latest supporting research in neuroscience, positive science, and positive psychology; and a discussion guide. It also features a new chapter on what the authors call tuning in: cultivating awareness of how our physical and mental state affect our perceptions, emotions, and thoughts as we engage in conversation. This book teaches you how to use the practices and principles of Appreciative Inquiry to strengthen relationships, build effective teams, and generate possibilities for a future that works for everyone.

Chinesisch Sprechen und Schreiben für Dummies (Für Dummies)

Einfach Chinesisch lernen Dieses Buch bietet einen leichten Einstieg in die chinesische Sprache und die Schriftzeichen. Sie lernen die chinesische Grammatik, die richtige Betonung und das Meistern von Alltagssituationen: sich auf Chinesisch vorstellen, etwas beschreiben, telefonieren oder ein Hotelzimmer reservieren. Begleitende Dialoge finden Sie online als Audiodateien zum Anhören und Nachsprechen. Außerdem lernen Sie erste Schriftzeichen kennen und können diese mit einfachen Schreibanleitungen üben. Im Anhang des Buches finden Sie Verb-Tabellen und ein kleines Chinesisch-Deutsch-/Deutsch-Chinesisch-Wörterbuch. Sie erfahren Was es mit den vier Tönen auf sich hat Wie Sie sich im Alltag zurechtfinden Was Sie über die Kultur in China wissen sollten Wie sich chinesische Schriftzeichen zusammensetzen

The ABCs of Evaluation: Timeless Techniques for Program and Project Managers

The most up-to-date version of the gold standard reference in conducting evaluations The newly revised fourth edition of The ABCs of Evaluation is an easy-to-read explanation of the concepts and methods of the evaluation process. The author explains what the process offers to people who go through it, how to conduct it properly, and how to draw on its conclusions to improve your workplace. The book also walks you through every step of the evaluation process, answering not just the theoretical question of “Why should we evaluate?” but demonstrating the nuts and bolts of an effective and illuminating evaluation. Author John Boulmetis presents evidence-based and useful strategies for conducting evaluations, transforming them from something seen by your people as something to “get around” or “get through”—or as something being done “to” them as opposed to “for” them—into an invaluable data gathering and processing tool for organizations of all types and sizes. Inside the book: A comprehensive guide to evaluation for program and project managers who are new to the discipline Time-tested and proven evaluation principles and techniques you can apply immediately within your own organization How to collect data, set standards, implement an evaluation plan, select an evaluation model, and more Perfect for managers, supervisors, team facilitators, and data analysts, The ABCs of Evaluation is a step-by-step playbook for conducting useful and effective evaluations in any industry and within organizations of any size.

Allgemeine Chemie für Dummies (Für Dummies)

Systematisch und mit vielen Übungen Chemie lernen Die Chemie ist in zahlreiche Teilgebiete gegliedert, doch gewisse Grundlagen braucht jeder Chemiker, denn nur auf einem guten Fundament lässt sich komplexeres Wissen aufbauen. Stefanie Ortanderl und Ulf Ritgen erklären Ihnen in diesem Buch verständlich, aber detailliert und mit vielen Beispielen die nötigen Basics. Von chemischen Bindungen über Stöchiometrie und Nomenklatur bis Komplexchemie ist alles dabei – und noch viel mehr. So ist dieses Buch die perfekte Vorbereitung auf die höheren Fachsemester und die nächste Klausur kann kommen. Sie erfahren Was es über Materie, Normen und Energie zu wissen gibt Was das Periodensystem der Elemente im Detail ausmacht Was es mit Gasen, Flüssigkeiten und Feststoffen auf sich hat

Sprachförderung für Dummies (Für Dummies)

Sprachkompetenz richtig fördern Was ist eine Sprache überhaupt? Welche Funktionen hat sie und wie erwerben Kinder, Jugendliche und Erwachsene Sprache? Die Autorinnen Esra Hack-Cengizalp und Irene Corvacho del Toro erklären es Ihnen: Hier erfahren Sie verständlich, wie Sie professionell, wertschätzend und effektiv sprachfördern. Außerdem lernen Sie wirksame sprachdiagnostische Verfahren und ihre Anwendung in der täglichen Praxis sowie die konkrete Planung und Umsetzung sprachfördernder Maßnahmen in Kitas, Grundschulen und der Sekundarstufe kennen. Sie erfahren Was Sprachförderung ist und wie sie funktioniert. Was Sprachkompetenz bedeutet und wie sie gefördert werden kann. Wie Sie Sprachförderung in der Praxis umsetzen.

Permutation Tests for Complex Data: Theory, Applications and Software (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics)

TIMELY UPDATE OF A POPULAR EDITION ON PERMUTATION TESTING WITH NUMEROUS CASE STUDIES INCLUDED THROUGHOUT The newly revised and updated Second Edition of Permutation Tests for Complex Data describes permutation tests from the point of view of experimental design, with methodological details and illustrating the process of devising an appropriate permutation test through case studies. In addition to the text, this book includes two open source packages for permutation tests in Python and R which include a comprehensive code base to implement common permutation tests as well as code to implement each of the book’s case studies. The focus of this book is the permutation approach to a variety of univariate and multivariate problems of hypothesis testing in a typical nonparametric framework. The book examines the most up-to-date methodologies of univariate and multivariate permutation testing, includes real case studies from both experimental and observational studies, and presents and discusses solutions to the most important and frequently encountered real problems in multivariate analyses. Written by two highly qualified authors in the field of nonparametrics and applied statistics, Permutation Tests for Complex Data includes information on sample topics including: Theory of one-dimensional and multi-dimensional permutation tests, covering test statistics, arguments for selecting permutation tests, and examples of one-sample and multi-sample problems Multiplicity control and closed testing, covering raw and adjusted p-values, the MinP Bonferroni-Holm procedure, and weighted methods for controlling FWE and FDR Multivariate categorical variables, covering stochastic ordering, tests on moments for ordered variables, and heterogeneity comparisons NPC tests for survival analysis and shape analysis, covering analysis of PERC data and analysis with correlated landmarks Presenting a thorough overview of permutation testing with both formal description and proofs, Permutation Tests for Complex Data is an excellent introduction to permutation tests for graduate-level statistics or data science courses and will be ideal as a handbook for researchers hoping to use the open source code.

Wirtschaftsinformatik für Dummies (Für Dummies)

Werden Sie zum kompetenten IT-Manager! Dieses Buch vermittelt Ihnen alles Wichtige über Wirtschaftsinformatik. Stephan Thesmann erklärt Ihnen die Bedeutung der Informationstechnologie und ihrer Megatrends – wie zum Beispiel künstliche Intelligenz – für die Gesellschaft, Unternehmen und das Individuum. Schritt für Schritt durchleuchtet er betriebliche IT-Systeme und erläutert, wie IT-Management unter Berücksichtigung von Nachhaltigkeit, Ethik und Recht funktioniert und was Sie bezüglich Informationssicherheit und Datenschutz beachten müssen. Anschauliche Praxisbeispiele und zahlreiche Übungsaufgaben runden das Buch ab. Sie erfahren Mit welchen Methoden und Maßnahmen Wirtschaftsinformatiker die Betriebe optimieren Was es mit KI, ERP, BI, BPMN, ERM, DSGVO, UML, Scrum und Co. auf sich hat Wie Sie die Herausforderungen des IT-Managements meistern

SQL für Dummies (Für Dummies)

Mit SQL Datenbanken einfach meistern Mit der Standardabfragesprache SQL können Daten in relationalen Datenbanken einfach, strukturiert und zielsicher abgefragt werden. Wolfgang Gerken erklärt Ihnen leicht verständlich, wie Sie Datenbanken erstellen, verwalten und optimieren sowie Daten bearbeiten und vor allem abfragen können. Sie erfahren, wie Sie mit Benutzersichten arbeiten und Ihre Daten schützen und konsistent halten. Damit Sie das Gelernte auch praktisch umsetzen können, wird außerdem auf individuelle SQL-Besonderheiten von MySQL, Oracle und PostgreSQL, aber auch vom SQL Server eingegangen. Mit kommentierten Beispielen und Datenbankskripten können Sie das Erklärte nachvollziehen und üben. Sie erfahren Wofür Datenbanken gut sind und wofür Sie dabei SQL brauchen Wie Sie Daten beim Abfragen gruppieren Wie Sie mit Unterabfragen arbeiten können Wie Sie SQL-Anweisungen in andere Programmiersprachen einbetten

Artificial Intelligence for Power Electronics

Thorough review of how artificial intelligence can enhance the design, control, and optimization of power electronics systems Artificial Intelligence for Power Electronics provides a comprehensive overview of the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and the field of power electronics, exploring how AI can revolutionize and enhance the design, control, and optimization of power electronics systems. The book covers the fundamentals of AI, the fundamentals of power electronics and the challenges the field faces in design to production, and the solutions of these challenges through AI methods. Example solutions, along with Q&A review sections, are included throughout the text, with coverage of both Python and MATLAB. Topics discussed in Artificial Intelligence for Power Electronics include: Supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement machine learning and the role of data in training machine learning modelsTechniques for AI data collection in power electronics and how to clean, normalize, and handle missing values of dataOptimization techniques such as Particle Swarm Optimization and Ant Colony OptimizationDetection techniques for identifying faults and anomalies and clustering algorithms to group similar operational behaviorEssential Python libraries for machine learning and how to perform machine learning on a Raspberry Pi Delivering an industry-specific approach to AI applications, Artificial Intelligence for Power Electronics is a helpful reference for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students in electrical, electronic, and computer engineering. Mechanical engineers and other industry professionals may also find it valuable.

Digital Convergence in Intelligent Mobility Systems

Digital Convergence in Intelligent Mobility Systems gives a comprehensive understanding of how digital technologies are revolutionizing transportation, equipping you with the insights needed to navigate the future of intelligent mobility systems. The rapid evolution of digital technologies has transformed the landscape of intelligent mobility systems, ushering in a new era of innovation and convergence. The integration of digital technologies into various aspects of mobility systems, such as autonomous vehicles, smart transportation networks, and advanced traffic management systems, has the potential to revolutionize how we move people and goods. Digital Convergence in Intelligent Mobility Systems is a comprehensive guide that explores the intersection of digital convergence and intelligent mobility systems. This book aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art technologies, methodologies, and applications that are reshaping the future of transportation. It will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, policymakers, and students interested in the field of intelligent mobility.

Scandal Becomes Her (Becomes Her #1)

A chance meeting, a forced marriage, a surprise love in &“a walloping good story&” from the New York Times–bestselling author (Catherine Coulter). Nell Anslowe and Julian, Earl of Wyndham, are an unlikely couple in every respect. Injured in a riding accident ten years ago, Nell was left with a fiancé who abandoned their engagement and the firm belief that she will never marry. The abrupt end of Julian&’s unhappy marriage formed his resolve to remain a bachelor until the end of his days. But as Julian chases down his reckless stepsister, he seeks shelter from a summer storm in a cottage—and finds it occupied by Nell, who has escaped from a fortune-seeking libertine bent on carrying her off to Gretna Green. Discovered together by Nell&’s family, the couple&’s hasty wedding is the only way to save Nell from scandal. But the polite union each of them expects soon ignites into something much more powerful . . .&“Scandal Becomes Her is a delightful romance—altogether a wonderful book.&” —Roberta Gellis, bestselling and award-winning author &“A scandalously delicious read that left me wanting more!&” —Bertrice Small, New York Times–bestselling author &“Busbee seamlessly meshes Regency romance with haunting suspense, keeping fans riveted to the end.&” —Booklist Exciting Sneak Peek Inside!

Geronimo Stilton #01: Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

Responsible Consumption and Production in the Creative and Cultural Industries: Actions, Policies, and Strategies for a Sustainable Future (Routledge Research in the Creative and Cultural Industries)

No sector can escape the challenge of the climate crisis. This book brings together a team of academic experts to urgently examine the intersection of sustainability and the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), particularly within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12): Responsible Consumption and Production.Investigating responsible consumption and production across the CCIs, this book explores the role of public policy, funding bodies and other institutional actors in the sustainable transition. It also links CCIs with the development of sustainable tourism and sustainable tourism cities and provides evidence on the role of CCIs in producing positive change in people’s behaviours, consumption patterns, and perceptions of the climate emergency. Transformations towards circular economy models in the CCIs are also analysed. In illuminating how the CCIs’ are embracing the challenge of sustainable development, the chapters in this book highlight best practices and sustainable solutions across a range of geographic and cultural contexts.This book will be a valuable resource for researchers, academics and advanced students with an interest in sustainable business practices, especially their application to the CCIs.

Starting a Business: The Simplified Beginner’s Guide to Launching a Successful Small Business, Turning Your Vision into Reality, and Achieving Your Entrepreneurial Dream

THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO STARTING A BUSINESS! Now Available In a Convenient Spiral Bound Format: Premium lay-flat spiral binding makes it easier to to work while reading. Read, learn, and take notes with pages that easily keep your place Smooth spiral binding makes it possible to fold the book back on itself to save space and simplify one-handed reading The most comprehensive guide ever developed for starting and growing a business! Sourced from over twenty years of firsthand experience working with entrepreneurs, new ventures, and high-growth startups, author Ken Colwell, PHD, MBA has the answers. In his comprehensive Starting a Business QuickStart Guide, Ken Colwell concisely presents the core fundamentals that all new entrepreneurs need to know to get started, find success, and live the life of their dreams. Business and entrepreneurship students, small business owners, managers, and soon-to-be entrepreneurs will all find a wealth of value within the pages of the Starting a Business QuickStart Guide. From the very first steps conceptualizing your venture to winning your first customers, delivering value, and turning a profit, this book acts as an invaluable blueprint for your path to entrepreneurial success. Colwell’s clear voice, extensive experience, and easy-to-understand presentation come together to make this book a must-have resource in the library of every budding entrepreneur!

The New Social Contract Between Generations: Profiguration (Routledge Advances in Sociology)

The cornerstone of this book is the innovative concept of profiguration, a term coined by Fidel Molina-Luque to encapsulate the essential agreement and recognition required between generations in contemporary society.Profiguration emphasises the intrinsic value of interdependence across all age groups, fostering a holistic life experience for the young, adults and the elderly. Rooted in our social nature, especially crucial amid the current crisis, profiguration becomes a poignant antidote to loneliness. The imperative of mutual love and care is heightened, illuminating the path to a fulfilled existence. This book advocates a paradigm shift through the lenses of sociology and social sciences, stressing the urgency of a mindset overhaul. It calls for a new social contract grounded in altruism for both current and future generations, highlighting the importance of love, solidarity and dialogue. Beyond interpersonal dynamics, it underscores the pivotal roles of education, sustainability and environmental stewardship, aspiring to shape a more promising present and future within a conscientious societal framework.Tailored to engage scholars, professionals and students alike, its accessible concepts are easily comprehensible and applicable across the following fields: sociology, anthropology, social work, education, law and business administration and health studies (medicine, nursing, physiotherapy), among others.Chapters 1, 3 and 5 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY] 4.0 license.

Handbook of Surface and Colloid Chemistry

This new edition of the Handbook of Surface and Colloid Chemistry informs you of significant recent developments in the field. It highlights new applications and provides revised insight on surface and colloid chemistry's growing role in industrial innovations. The contributors to each chapter are internationally recognized experts. Several chapter

20th Century Passenger Flying Boats

From Henri Fabre's first successful take-off from water, to the introduction of a hull (rather than floats) by American Glenn Curtiss, to the world-wide development of huge, ocean-crossing flying boats on both sides of the Atlantic - the passenger flying boat era continues to fascinate aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. It is a sadly missed epoch of flight. In this pictorial account, the reader embarks on a fast-moving journey, from the pioneering early years to the present day. The book features images sourced from private, public and corporate archives around the world.

Ruin Their Crops on the Ground: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in HistoryWinner of the James Beard Media Award in Food Issues and AdvocacyThe first and definitive history of the use of food in United States law and politics as a weapon of conquest and control, a Fast Food Nation for the Black Lives Matter eraIn 1779, to subjugate Indigenous nations, George Washington ordered his troops to “ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more.” Destroying harvests is just one way that the United States has used food as a political tool. Trying to prevent enslaved people from rising up, enslavers restricted their consumption, providing only enough to fuel labor. Since the Great Depression, school lunches have served as dumping grounds for unwanted agricultural surpluses.From frybread to government cheese, Ruin Their Crops on the Ground draws on over fifteen years of research to argue that U.S. food law and policy have created and maintained racial and social inequality. In an epic, sweeping account, Andrea Freeman, who pioneered the term “food oppression,” moves from colonization to slavery to the Americanization of immigrant food culture, to the commodities supplied to Native reservations, to milk as a symbol of white supremacy. She traces the long-standing alliance between the government and food industries that have produced gaping racial health disparities, and she shows how these practices continue to this day, through the marketing of unhealthy goods that target marginalized communities, causing diabetes, high blood pressure, and premature death.Ruin Their Crops on the Ground is a groundbreaking addition to the history and politics of food. It will permanently upend the notion that we freely and equally choose what we put on our plates.

Shades of Mercy: A Porter Beck Mystery (Porter Beck #2)

In the usually quiet high desert of Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his greatest challenges—a series of unlikely, disturbing and increasingly deadly events of unknown origins.Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.Beck's investigation leads him to Mercy Vaughn, the one known hacker in the area. The problem is that she's a teenager, locked up with no computer access at the secure juvenile detention center. But there's something Mercy that doesn't sit quite right with Beck. But when Mercy disappears, Beck understands that she's in danger and time is running out for all of them.

Empire of the Damned: Book Two (Empire of the Vampire #2)

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFrom the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes the much-anticipated sequel to the international bestselling sensation EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRE. From holy cup comes holy light;The faithful hands sets world aright.And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,Mere man shall end this endless night.Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. Drawn into an uneasy alliance with the mysterious vampire Liathe, Gabriel must now deliver the Grail to ancients of the Blood Esani, and learn the truth of how Daysdeath might be finally undone.But the Last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by terrors of the Blood Voss, drawn into warfare between the Blood Dyvok and duskdancers of the frozen Highlands, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the Grail learn her truth. And that truth may be too awful for any to imagine.

Reinventing Love: How the Patriarchy Sabotages Heterosexual Relations

A new work by the author of “In Defense of Witches” that seeks to redefine heterosexual relationships and give women back their voice.As feminist principles have taken wider hold in society, and basic ideas about equality for women can seem a given, many women still struggle in one of the most important areas of life: love. Whether it’s finding a partner, seeking a commitment from one, or struggling in a relationship that is unfulfilling or even potentially abusive, women still find that deeply-engrained notions of gender and behavior can be obstacles to a healthy, loving relationship. In her new book, acclaimed French feminist Mona Chollet tackles some of these long-held and pervasive ideas that remain stumbling blocks for many women in heterosexual relationships.Drawing from popular culture, politics, and literature, Reinventing Love provides a provocative, accessible look at how heterosexual relationships can improve and evolve under a feminist lens.

The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands: A Novel

* INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER *For fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library, a STUNNING HISTORICAL FANTASY set on a grand express train, about a group of passengers on a dangerous journey across a MAGICAL LANDSCAPE “BREATHTAKING…Abounding with mysteries and marvels.” —Samantha Shannon, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of The Priory of the Orange TreeIt is said there is a price that every passenger must pay. A price beyond the cost of a ticket.There is only one way to travel across the Wastelands: on the Trans-Siberian Express, a train as famous for its luxury as for its danger. The train is never short of passengers, eager to catch sight of Wastelands creatures more miraculous and terrifying than anything they could imagine. But on the train's last journey, something went horribly wrong, though no one seems to remember what exactly happened. Not even Zhang Weiwei, who has spent her life onboard and thought she knew all of the train’s secrets.Now, the train is about to embark again, with a new set of passengers. Among them are Marya Petrovna, a grieving woman with a borrowed name; Henry Grey, a disgraced naturalist looking for redemption; and Elena, a beguiling stowaway with a powerful connection to the Wastelands itself. Weiwei knows she should report Elena, but she can’t help but be drawn to her. As the girls begin a forbidden friendship, there are warning signs that the rules of the Wastelands are changing and the train might once again be imperiled. Can the passengers trust each other, as the wildness outside threatens to consume them all?

State of Paradise: A Novel

One of Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2024. A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice. Named a Best Book of 2024 by Vanity Fair, NPR, ELLE, and Kirkus. Longlisted for the 2024 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. "A brilliant ghost story and a profoundly moving and atmospheric meditation on place, memory, and the very nature of reality, where everything is truly not as it seems." —Mona Awad, author of Rouge"At once an adventure and a treat, a deep study of Florida's psychogeography and a creepy story about ghosts, missing people, cults, and technology. Don't miss it." —Gabino Iglesias, NPRA heart-racing fun house of uncanniness hidden in Florida’s underbelly from the celebrated Laura van den BergIt’s another summer in a small Florida town. After an illness that vanishes as mysteriously as it arrived, everything appears to be getting back to normal: soul-crushing heat, torrential downpours, sinkholes swallowing the earth, ominous cats, a world-bending virtual reality device being handed out by a company called ELECTRA, and an increasing number of posters dotting the streets with the faces of missing citizens. Living in her mother’s home, a ghostwriter for a famous thriller author tracks the eerie changes. On top of everything else, she’s contending with family secrets, spotty memories of her troubled youth, a burgeoning cult in the living room, and the alarming expansion of her own belly button.Then, during a violent rainstorm, her sister goes missing. She returns a few days later, sprawled on their mother’s lawn and speaking of another dimension. Now the ghostwriter must investigate not only what happened to her sister and the other missing people but also the uncanny connections between ELECTRA, the famous author she works for, and reality itself.A sticky, rain-soaked reckoning with the elusive nature of selfhood and storytelling, Laura van den Berg’s State of Paradise is an intricate and page-turning whirlwind. With inimitable control and thrilling style, van den Berg reaches deep into the void and returns with a story far stranger than either reality or fiction.