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Giving with Confidence: A Guide to Savvy Philanthropy
by Fred Setterberg Colburn Wilbur&“The pitfalls, potential, and the ins and outs of charitable giving . . . a must-read for all nonprofit leaders, donors, and students.&”—Marjorie Schwarzer, award-winning author of Riches, Rivals, and Radicals There are thousands of books that tell you how to get money, but few that cover something just as challenging: how to give money away. Giving with Confidence provides thoughtful guidance culled from decades of experience in the philanthropy world. Whether you are an individual who donates to your favorite charity or the head of a small to medium-sized foundation, the gentle practicalities of this book will enable you to manage your giving with effectiveness and personal satisfaction. By following its seven core principles, you will have what you need for &“improving the reach, scope, and impact&” of your contributions. &“Reveals the secret sauce of philanthropy with humor, wisdom, and plain good storytelling. This book is a gift for anyone who has considered giving.&”—Ralph Lewin, president and CEO of Cal Humanities &“There is a ton of advice for the wealthiest givers, but none for those of us who give more than $5,000 but less than $75,000 per year. Here in a non-dogmatic style are some approaches and guidelines to make donors feel more effective. Thank you, Cole and Fred.&”—Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits &“[An] outstanding guide to creative and effective grantmaking, this time for the individual philanthropist.&”—Dawn Hawk, program officer for the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation &“Part up-to-date behind-the-scenes guide, part how-to, this potent little book distills the wisdom of a life&’s work in philanthropy by one of our best thinkers and most devoted practitioners.&”—Marilyn Bancel, author of Preparing Your Capital Campaign
Cuisine Niçoise: Sun-Kissed Cooking from the French Riviera
by Hillary DavisThe author of Le French Oven introduces the flavors of Southern France with more than 100 recipes—plus tips, stories and more in this illustrated volume. From easy weeknight meals to more elaborate Sunday dinners, learn the recipes and cooking methods of the "other" French cuisine—the light, fresh flavors of the French Riviera. Like most Mediterranean fare, Cuisine Niçoise uses olive oil rather than butter, and focuses on fresh, locally sourced produce rather than rich sauces. Cooking instructor Hillary Davis was a resident of the Niçoise region for more than a decade. Now she shares recipes and cooking techniques that celebrate the South of France in Cuisine Niçoise. The recipes range from salads to pizzas and from starters to desserts. Traditional Salade Niçoise, Pistou Tomato Tart in a Basil Crust, and Limoncello Cake with Towering Meringue are just a few of the featured delights. Filled with information, tips, and stories, this complete guide also includes sidebars about Niçoise culture and food markets; additional recipes from three cutting-edge Niçoise chefs; a section on typical Niçoise ingredients; and more.
Why Smart People Hurt: A Guide for the Bright, the Sensitive, and the Creative
by Eric MaiselMake the most of your creative and intellectual gifts by overcoming the unique challenges they bring with this guide by the author of Natural Psychology. Many smart and creative people experience unique challenges as a result of their valuable gifts. These can range from anxiety and over-thinking to mania, depression, and despair. In Why Smart People Hurt, creativity coach Dr. Eric Maisel pinpoints these often-devastating challenges and offers solutions based on the groundbreaking principles and practices of natural psychology. Are you still searching for meaning after all these years? Many smart people struggle with reaching for or maintaining success because, after all of the work they put into attaining it, it still seems meaningless. In Why Smart people Hurt, Dr. Maisel will teach you how to stop searching for meaning and create it for yourself. In Why Smart People Hurt, you will find: · Evidence that you are not alone in your struggles · Strategies for coping with a brain that goes into overdrive at the drop of a hat · Questions that will help you create your own personal roadmap to a calm and meaningful life
Clarence Saunders & the Founding of Piggly Wiggly: The Rise & Fall of a Memphis Maverick (Landmarks Ser.)
by Mike FreemanThe life and career—including both the highs and the lows—of the visionary businessman who started the iconic supermarket chain. The grocery business began as a complicated service industry. Random pricing, inconsistent quantities and prescriptive salesmen made grocery shopping burdensome. It took one brash Memphian with uncommon vision and unbridled ambition to change everything. Clarence Saunders worked his way out of poverty and obscurity to found Piggly Wiggly in 1916. With an unprecedented approach, he virtually invented the concept of the modern self-service grocery store. Stores flourished, franchises spread, and Saunders made millions. Yet just as the final bricks of Pink Palace—his garish marble mansion—were being laid, Saunders went bankrupt, and he was forced to sell Piggly Wiggly. A variety of new ventures helped Saunders out of bankruptcy, but he never duplicated his prior success. Memphis historian Mike Freeman tracks the remarkable life of this retail visionary.
The Science and Art of Simulation: Trust in Science
by Michael M. Resch Andreas Kaminski Nico Formánek Ammu JoshyTrust is a central pillar of the scientific enterprise. Much work in the philosophy of science can be seen as coping with the problem of establishing trust in a certain theory, a certain model, or even science as a whole. However, trust in science is threatened by various developments. With the advent of more complex models and the increasing usage of computer methods such as machine learning and computer simulation, it seems increasingly challenging to establish trust in science. How and on what basis can an appropriate trust in science be built? We are interested in how trust is established in such cases of increasing complexity (of models and communication) and what could be appropriate measures to alleviate doubt.
Stilisierte Fakten von IPOs in Europa im Kontext neuer Informationen durch digitale Kommunikationswege (Business, Economics, and Law)
by Tim FriedhoffIm Zentrum finanzwissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen des weltweiten Primärmarkts steht das Verhalten von IPO-Firmen und ihren Renditen vor, während und nach ihrem Börsengang. Resultierend daraus wird beobachtet, dass Börsengänge bestimmte stilisierte Fakten (statistische, wiederkehrende Eigenschaften) zeigen, die auf Theorien aus den 1980er und 90er Jahren beruhen und die Handelsentscheidung von Kleinanlegern und institutionellen Investoren beeinflussen. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob diese Theorien aufgrund der reduzierten Kapitalmarktgrenzen und neuen Kommunikationswege noch aktuell sind. Der Autor analysiert hierzu die stilisierten IPO-Fakten auf dem europäischen Markt anhand einer umfangreichen Datenbank, die 35 Länder umfasst. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit gilt der Fragestellung, wie digitale Kommunikationsmittel diese Fakten beeinflussen können. Vor dem Hintergrund der digitalen Transformation wird thematisiert, wie eine Investor-Relations-Abteilung durch digitale Maßnahmen die Kommunikation mit Kapitalgebern intensivieren und zum Erfolg eines IPO beitragen kann.
Thermal Sciences for Machines (Springer Tracts in Mechanical Engineering)
by Giorgio CornettiThis second volume of the textbook Hydraulic and Thermal Machines focuses on thermal machines. It covers the fundamentals of heat transfer and thermodynamics for reacting and non-reacting mixtures, and compressible fluids, followed by the principles of design, control and operation of thermal machines. With an uncomplicated yet rigorous approach, and using numerous examples, the book gradually guides readers through different kind of fluid machines/systems such as compressors, turbines, vapor and gas turbine power plants, internal combustion engines, and hybrid systems, discussing important issues for their application in propulsion. Furthermore, the book covers reversed cycle systems, with a special attention to air conditioning.
Race, Culture and Mental Illness in the International Criminal Court’s Ongwen Judgment: Biases and Blindspots
by Beth S. LyonsDominic Ongwen was abducted in 1987 when he was 8 or 9 years old by the Lord’s Resistance Army (‘LRA’) in Northern Uganda and trafficked as a child soldier; he made multiple unsuccessful attempts to escape, and finally succeeded in late 2014. He turned himself into the International Criminal Court in 2015 and was prosecuted. Mr. Ongwen’s defence was that he was not responsible for the crimes of the LRA, based on his mental illnesses and duress, stemming from his abduction and subsequent coercion and indoctrination under Joseph Kony within the LRA. In February 2021, the ICC’s Trial Chamber IX convicted Dominic Ongwen of 61 charges and two modes of liability and he was sentenced to 25 years incarceration. This work critiques the judicial racial and cultural biases and blindspots in the Ongwen Judgment rendered by the ICC, as related to the affirmative defences of mental disease or defect and duress and to sentencing, from the perspective of the author who served as a defence counsel in the case.
Moderne Filmmärchen zwischen Reproduktion und Neukonstruktion: Märchen im US-Kino und ihre Anknüpfungspunkte für ein jugendliches Publikum (Medienbildung und Gesellschaft #53)
by Katharina HerdeDas US-Kino nimmt sich seit einiger Zeit wieder europäischen Märchenstoffen an und erzählt die Geschichten vermeintlich neu. Dabei sprechen die Filme nicht mehr nur Kinder und Familien an, sondern stellen Themenaspekte in den Vordergrund, die in der Jugendphase von besonderer Relevanz sind. In einer detaillierten filmanalytischen Auseinandersetzung, die qualitative und quantitative Methoden nutzt, werden in diesem Buch sechs moderne Filmmärchen auf ihren Umgang mit den Märchenstoffen Aschenputtel und Schneewittchen hin untersucht sowie die Anknüpfungspotenziale für jugendliche Rezipient*innen herausgearbeitet. Dabei wird nicht nur auf die Themen selbst eingegangen, sondern auch auf die Art und Weise, wie diese in den Filmen thematisiert werden. Zudem wird dargelegt welche Normen und Werte über sie vermittelt werden. Das Buch zeigt auf, wie aktuell Märchenstoffe bis heute im US-Kino sind, wie die Filme mit dem Ruf der Märchen als Kindermedien brechen, was über die Filme vermittelt wird und wie letztendlich bekannte Erzählinhalte reproduziert und dabei gleichzeitig neu konstruiert werden.
Deep Learning for Seismic Data Enhancement and Representation (Advances in Oil and Gas Exploration & Production)
by Jiefu Chen Xuqing Wu Shirui Wang Wenyi HuSeismic imaging is a key component of subsurface exploration, and it depends on a high-quality seismic data acquisition system with effective seismic processing algorithms. Seismic data quality concerns various factors such as acquisition design, environmental constraints, sampling resolution, and noises. The focus of this book is to investigate efficient seismic data representation and signal enhancement solutions by leveraging the powerful feature engineering capability of deep learning. The book delves into seismic data representation and enhancement issues, ranging from seismic acquisition design to subsequent quality improvement and compression technologies. Given the challenges of obtaining suitable labeled training datasets for seismic data processing problems, we concentrate on exploring deep learning approaches that eliminate the need for labels. We combined novel deep learning techniques with conventional seismic data processing methods, and construct networks and frameworks tailored for seismic data processing. The editors and authors of this book come from both academia and industry with hands-on experiences in seismic data processing and imaging.
Digitalisierung und Recht: Retrospektive und Entwicklungslinien eines digitalen Wandels
by Maximilian WanderwitzDas Werk skizziert Entwicklungslinien eines digitalen Wandels, der Folge einer Verschränkung von Digitalisierung und Recht ist. Durch Retrospektiven, Beschreibungen gegenwärtiger Zustände und gelegentlichen Prognosen wird illustriert, wie sich diese Entwicklungslinien von der Vergangenheit bis in die Zukunft erstrecken. Besonders untersucht werden hierbei die Reaktionen des Rechts auf den digitalen Wandel, die Transformation des Rechts und rechtlicher Arbeit durch die Digitalisierung, die Rolle des Menschen als digital beeinflusstes und erfasstes Wesen sowie umfassende Transformationsprozesse, denen Verwaltung und Rechtsstaat unterworfen sind. Einen speziellen Schwerpunkt bilden daneben Aspekte zur Künstlichen Intelligenz: ihre Funktionsweise, ihre Risiken, ihre Regulierung sowie die Möglichkeit ihres Schutzes. In einen größeren Rahmen eingepasst wird dies alles durch die Erörterung rechtstheoretischer Problemstellungen, rechtsstaatlicher und verfassungsrechtlicher Fragen sowie gesellschaftspolitischer Aspekte. Zahlreiche praktische Beispiele, Grafiken und Übersichten runden das Werk ab
Interactive Storytelling: 17th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2024, Barranquilla, Colombia, December 2–6, 2024, Proceedings, Part II (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15468)
by John T. Murray María Cecilia ReyesThis two-volume set, LNCS 15467 and LNCS 15468, constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2024, held in Barranquilla, Colombia, during December 2–6, 2024. The 21 full papers, 9 short papers, and 11 Late-Breaking Works presented here, were carefully reviewed and selected from 75 submissions. The papers presented in these two volumes are organized under the following topical sections: - Part I : Theory, History and Foundations; Social and Cultural Contexts; Interactive Narrative Design; Applications and Case Studies. Part II : Virtual Worlds, Performance, Games and Play; Tools and Systems; Late Breaking Works.
Waste Management for Smart Cities (Advances in Sustainability Science and Technology)
by Ishaani Priyadarshini Pallavi Jain Sunil Kumar YadavThis book discusses the management of waste in smart cities. It is a contemporary text that methodically covers a variety of waste types, including organic waste, municipal waste, hazardous/industrial effluents, plastic waste, and electronic waste. It also discusses the sources, handling, and disposal of each type of waste along with the appropriate management techniques.
Computing Science, Communication and Security: 5th International Conference, COMS2 2024, Mehsana, Gujarat, India, February 6–7, 2024, Proceedings (Communications in Computer and Information Science #2174)
by Sabu M. Thampi Nirbhay Chaubey Satyen Parikh Kiran Amin Noor Zaman JhanjhiThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Computing Science, Communication and Security, COMS2 2024, held in Mehsana, Gujarat, India, during February 6–7, 2024. The 28 full papers and 03 short papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 290 submissions. They are grouped into the following topics: experiences, ideas, and research results on aspects of Computing Science, Network Communication, and Security.
The Corporatization and Environmental Sustainability of Australian Universities: A Critical Perspective
by Hans BaerAnalysing the juxtaposition of two trends in universities – corporatisation and environmental sustainability – this book explores how they are more contradictory than compatible.Hans A Baer argues that this contradiction is unavoidable because of the capitalist parameters in which they operate, including a commitment to on-going economic growth which contributes to social inequality, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on archival sources and Baer’s experiences in university sustainability forums, the book exposes how what universities claim to do in relation to environmental sustainability compares with their research, educational, operational and institutional activities.Presenting a critique of and a radical alternative to the status quo, this book is suitable for academics and students of anthropology, environmental studies and higher education.
Speech Acts in Blake’s Milton (Routledge Focus on Literature)
by Brian Russell GrahamUsing a framework based on J. L. Austin’s understanding of performative speech and Angela Esterhammer’s work on how things are done with words in Milton’s and Blake’s poetry, this study provides an extended close reading of the speech acts of characters in Blake’s epic poem Milton. With the exception of what we learn about in the part of the poem known as the Bard’s Song, Blake’s Milton is dedicated to providing an incredibly detailed account of the numerous facets of the instant of time immediately prior to apocalypse, an instant in which Milton is the protagonist, and Blake himself a participant. This study explores how in the poem sacred history proceeds towards and through the instant by means of the speech act. This extended commentary is intended for not just Blake scholars but also the common reader who wishes to approach Blake’s brief epic for the first time. For scholars, this monograph offers a full account of a crucial but previously unexplored theme in the scholarship about Milton. For the common reader, it offers a comprehensive introduction to what Northrop Frye called ‘one of the most gigantic imaginative achievements in English poetry’.
Bringing Talk to Life: Thinking Through Dialogue in The Classroom
by Paul Gurton Meghan TippingDo you want to encourage purposeful talk between students in your classroom, but feel you do not have the time or the permission? Do you wish you had more opportunity to listen to your students and include discussion of pressing and controversial issues in their lives and society today in your curriculum? Amidst rising recognition of how being articulate improves life chances, this book takes a look at these questions, outlining an alternative approach to curriculum and pedagogy.Bringing Talk to Life is firmly grounded in classroom experience and research evidence, and explores how a dialogic approach to teaching can improve students’ confidence and agency and restore teachers’ professional judgement. It outlines the social and linguistic barriers some students find in accessing knowledge through the school curriculum and identifies ways that teachers can help them become more confident and articulate by modelling different behavioural norms and introducing concept vocabulary in an accessible way.Using transcripts of classroom dialogues, teachers’ plans and examples of students’ work, chapters show by contrast that a talk-focussed, enquiry curriculum can free up teachers and pupils to explore ideas together, reigniting curiosity. Examples of this dialogic approach come from primary classrooms where Philosophy for Children (P4C) is adapted to suit a school’s aims and curriculum. In addition, there are chapters on how talk is used in further and higher education to develop students’ critical thinking skills.Designed to stimulate thinking and debate, and restore teachers’ confidence in their own professional judgement, this book is intended for those training to be teachers. It will also be of interest for schools that are keen to learn how to include more talk in their curriculum, and experienced practitioners who feel that there is another way to plan and teach.
Greetings from Los Angeles
by Peter MoruzziThis book of vintage photographs, postcards, magazine ads, and other ephemera tells the story of Los Angeles from dusty pueblo to thriving metropolis.Greetings from Los Angeles tells the story of the city&’s long and largely forgotten history, from its early years as a tiny Spanish village through its many transitions over the centuries. Here are rare glimpses of Chinatown&’s evolution; the orange empire; backyard oil wells; Venice of America; the roaring 1920s and corrupt 1930s; glamorous Wilshire Boulevard; movie studios and the lavish movie star estates; as well as theme parks such as Disneyland, Knott&’s Berry Farm, and Marineland of the Pacific. Through these images, readers witness the birth of midcentury modernism, futuristic Googie coffee shops, and the space-age Los Angeles International Airport. Author and architectural historian Peter Moruzzi offers insightful commentary that provides essential historical context
Brutus: The Noble Conspirator
by Kathryn TempestThis award-winning biography delves beyond the myths about Ancient Rome&’s most famous assassin: &“A beautifully written and thought-provoking book&” (Christopher Pelling, author of Plutarch and History). Conspirator and assassin, philosopher and statesman, promoter of peace and commander in war, Marcus Brutus was a controversial and enigmatic man even to those who knew him. His leading role in the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 BC, immortalized his name, but no final verdict has ever been made about his fateful act. Was Brutus wrong to kill his friend and benefactor or was he right to place his duty to country ahead of personal obligations? In this comprehensive biography, Kathryn Tempest examines historical sources to bring to light the personal and political struggles Brutus faced. As the details are revealed—from his own correspondence with Cicero, the perceptions of his peers, and the Roman aristocratic values and concepts that held sway in his time—Brutus emerges from legend, revealed as the complex man he was. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title Winner
The Equinox
by MJ Preston&“For those looking for a throwback to the writings of Stephen King . . . The Equinox by MJ Preston . . . [brings] horror back to its core&” (Philip C. Perron, Dark Discussions Podcast). It has existed for centuries. A dark curse held captive by an ancient ritual, a creature of insatiable hunger possessing the ability to change shape at will. During the spring and fall equinox it would break through the walls, separating our worlds to feed. Now it walks among us, unrestrained, and very hungry. Daniel Blackbird has been chasing the murderous shapeshifter known as The Walker across North America for over a decade, obsessed with vengeance. As the Walker leaves a bloody trail of eviscerated victims in its wake, Blackbird finds himself drawn to the prairie town of Thomasville where a string of child murders is being investigated. There, the chief of police, David Logan has uncovered a mass grave in the cornfield of a local farmer named Stephen Hopper. Hopper has confessed, even identified the graves, but claims that he is merely the caretaker of this macabre burial ground and that a creature who he thinks is the devil is responsible. As Chief Logan grapples with the unthinkable, Blackbird sets out for the prairie town which, as the Equinox approaches, is destined to become a killing ground where cultures and worlds will collide . . . &“A tale that horrifies while dispensing generous dollops of Native American mysticism . . . an explosion of tension and violence.&” —Horror World
The Spirited Homes of Hunt Slonem
by Brian D. Coleman“My homes are my life’s work—making old houses into a new form of my art,” says Hunt Slonem in his preface. Extraordinary photography, capsule summaries of each building’s history, and a sprinkling of anecdotes open the doors to Slonem’s personal and creative world from a new perspective. This book about his idiosyncratic, maximalist interior design style—how he employs color, arranges an abundance of antique furniture, exhibits his personal art and objects, mixes antique art with his own contemporary works, and displays myriad collections is awe-inspiring and inspirational. “More is more” is a fit adage for what this book reveals.
Betting Blind
by Lily GardnerFrom the author of A Bitch Called Hope, the search for a blackmailer turns into a murder investigation for an ex-cop-turned-private-investigator. In the rainy city of Portland, Matilda Bauer has been blackmailing her parole officer, Fulin Chen. Just when Fulin&’s ready to come clean, Matilda disappears. Bad news for Fulin, because once Matilda is arrested for breaking parole, she&’ll show the photos she has on him and end his career. Fulin turns to his longtime friend and poker buddy, Lennox Cooper, P.I., to help him find the beautiful blonde con-woman. A former cop, Lennox knows how it feels to live and breathe the police life—and to be thrown out of it. She'll do anything to help her friend avoid a similar fate. But three days later Lennox finds Matilda dead, in what looks like a sex game gone terribly wrong. Fulin Chen is the lead suspect. Lennox's search for Matilda, however, causes her to begin turning over rocks, finding that her past lies under many of them—not to mention deadly threats. Matilda Bauer had no shortage of enemies, though, and Lennox will have to sift through the many blackmail victims and jilted lovers to find the real killer.Praise for A Bitch Called Hope&“A well-crafted mystery novel with a heroine you can root for, plenty of action and a satisfying ending.&”―Phillip Margolin, New York Times–bestselling author of Capitol Murder &“A noir with heart…Beware, it's hard to put down.&”―Cara Black, New York Times–bestselling author of the Aimee Leduc mysteries
When Fear Falls Away: The Story of a Sudden Awakening
by Jan Frazier&“Jan Frazier shows us the anatomy of epiphany and reminds us of the ever-present possibility of healing and freedom and grace.&” —Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, New York Times–bestselling author of Kitchen Table Wisdom In August 2003, virtually overnight, Jan Frazier experienced &“a dramatic falling away of fear&”—not just the immediate fear of her annual medical test but, as she learned as time went on, her fear of everything. She was &“flooded with a causeless joy that has never left me.&” In this book, the commonplace belief that enlightenment is only for saints comes apart at the seams. Anyone can be enlightened, and all we need to do is ask. This rare and beautiful account puts Jan Frazier solidly in the tradition of enlightened teachers from J. Krishnamurti to Byron Katie. Guns and money aren&’t going to buy peace of mind. Giving up fear is. &“A breathing translation into language of an advance in evolution that is available to the focused heart and the fortunate intention.&” —Stephen Levine, bestselling author of Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart &“Read this delicious, liberating, radical book.&” —Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of No Time Like the Present &“If you have ever wondered of a life filled with freedom and free of fear was possible, then this is the book for you. Jan Frazier shares her personal journey with a level of intimacy normally saved for one&’s closest confidantes. The result is a book that serves as a beacon for anyone who is ready to experience joy on every level.&”—Shelly Rachanow, author of If Women Ran the World, Sh*t Would Get Done
The Sleep of Baby Filbertson: And Other Stories
by James Leo HerlihyThis short story collection by the acclaimed author of Midnight Cowboy explores the desperate lives of outsiders with unflinching insight. In his first collection of short fiction, James Leo Herlihy examines the experiences of alienation and isolation while elevating the oddities and quirks that make up human nature. These seven tales tackle the anxieties of fragile people and get to the heart of a world inhabited by perennial outsiders. Agoraphobic Daisy Filbertson and her teenage son Rudy, both addicted to sleeping pills, find themselves frantically running from city to city fueled by Daisy&’s manic paranoia. A lonely mother looking to start her life over finds a new father for her daughter on an Army base. An immigrant from Uruguay writes letters to his Mamacita while he tries to find himself in the US. And a staunch Baptist has her world challenged when she meets a handsome artist.
Allmen and the Pink Diamond (The Allmen Detective Novels)
by Martin SuterWhen a $30 million diamond disappears, the gentleman P.I. embarks on an adventure across Europe in this &“delightfully quirky and original&” mystery (Peter James, author of Dead Simple). A rare pink diamond recently sold at auction has gone missing, and gentleman thief turned private detective Johann Freidrich von Allmen cannot resist the case—even if his butler and business partner Carlos de Leon has his reservations. With suspicion falling on a man named Artyom Sokolov, Allmen and de Leon embark from London to Zurich in search of the mysterious Russian. Soon the two discover that they are up against a conspiracy far more complex and dangerous than they suspected. And as amorous adventures and diverting mishaps litter their path through Europe&’s high society, Allmen and de Leon get closer to uncovering a high-tech plot to manipulate global financial markets.