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Mother Said So: A brand new totally addictive, page-turning psychological thriller
by Jocelyn DexterA battle for dominance erupts between a monstrous mother and her meek son, in this psychological thriller by the author of Bad Company and Uninvited. Dennis is in his thirties. He has an ineffectual father, a domineering mother, and a socially awkward demeanor. Nevertheless, he&’s determined to find a girlfriend, despite his mother&’s taunts that he is incapable of such a feat. When he finds an alcoholic woman in an unconscious stupor by the roadside, recently beaten and robbed, he brings her back to his new home: the basement of a house in which he is the caretaker. Rosie awakens to find herself in the hands of a strangely unthreatening but disturbing man: an innocent in the world around him; gentle and mild yet still very unsettling. Every evening, he returns to the family home to spend time with Mother. What ties the twisted mother and son so inextricably together? Is Rosie&’s fate sealed? And how far will Mother go to regain her control?
Early Childhood Voices: Children, Families, Professionals (International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development #42)
by Andi Salamon Sharynne McLeod Linda Mahony Jenny DwyerThis revolutionary book explores theoretical and practical issues of listening to children, families, and professionals who advocate for and work with young children to promote social justice and improve their lives, and to ensure no one is left behind. Listening to children is explored across multiple disciplines internationally and highlights the practical application of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The work explores innovations, theories, and partnerships, and draws on the voices of children, families, early childhood educators, speech-language pathologists, and multidisciplinary teams from across 17 countries to provide a shared vision for equity, peace and justice for all while integrating social environmental, economic, and dimensions of sustainability. Topics include giving children a voice; methods for listening to and documenting young children’s perspectives; listening to and working in partnership with families, educators, and professionals; and wellness and wellbeing of young children and their families across multiple dimensions.
Online-Assessment: Grundlagen und Anwendung von Online-Tests in der Unternehmenspraxis
by Heinke SteinerImmer mehr Unternehmen nutzen Online-Assessments, um Potenziale von Bewerbern oder Mitarbeitern via Internet zu testen. Online-Tests sind effizient und mittlerweile auch für mittelständische Unternehmen erschwinglich - doch sie haben auch ihre Grenzen. In diesem Buch zeigen erfahrene Personaler, was bei der Planung und dem Einsatz zu beachten ist und in welchen konkreten Bereichen Online-Tests sinnvoll eingesetzt werden können: Von der Vorselektion und dem Personalmarketing, über die Personalauswahl und -entwicklung, bis hin zu besonderen Einsatzgebieten wie Karriereberatung und Erfassung interkultureller Kompetenzen. Diese Darstellung wird eingerahmt von wissenschaftlichen und technischen Grundlagen sowie einem Überblick über neueste Entwicklungen und Trends. Fallbeispiele aus führenden Unternehmen, Checklisten zu Erfolgskriterien sowie eine kommentierte Übersicht über Anbieter von Online-Tests machen dieses Buch zu einem unverzichtbaren Leitfaden für alle, die Online-Assessments einsetzen möchten, aber auch für jene, die sich einen ersten Überblick über die Thematik verschaffen wollen.
Efficient Online Incentive Mechanism Designs for Wireless Communications (SpringerBriefs in Computer Science)
by Gang Li Jun CaiThis book initially delves into its fundamentals to initiate the exploration of online incentive mechanisms in wireless communications. Three case studies are provided to elaborate details on designing online mechanism design in practical system. For crowdsensing with random task arrivals, this book introduces a linear online incentive mechanism model with insurance of the quality of information for each incoming task. In the context of edge computing systems, the authors model a nonlinear online incentive mechanism with the consideration of mobile users’ energy budget constraints. It also explores online incentive mechanism for collaborative task offloading in mobile edge computing to achieve on-arrival instant responses. This book not only disseminates current knowledge but also sheds light on future research directions. The design of incentive mechanisms in wireless communication systems is of paramount importance as it encourages dormant terminals within networks to contribute their valuable resources. The consideration of randomness of network processes enhances the mechanism design under online settings and decision making on the fly. This book endeavours to bridge existing knowledge gaps by comprehensively presenting and developing fundamental insights into online incentive mechanisms and their design methods in the realm of wireless communications. It’s one of the first books to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of online incentive mechanisms and their intricately designed methods in the dynamic world of wireless communications. Future research directions include an investigation in the evolving domain of online incentive mechanism designs within wireless communications. This book strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners in the field of wireless communications and network economics. Advanced-level students majoring in computer science and/or electrical engineering will want to purchase this book as a study guide.
Internet of Things, Smart Spaces, and Next Generation Networks and Systems: 23rd International Conference, NEW2AN 2023, and 16th Conference, ruSMART 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 21–22, 2023, Proceedings, Part I (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14542)
by Yevgeni Koucheryavy Ahmed AzizThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Next Generation Wired/Wireless Networking, NEW2AN 2023, and the 16th Conference on Internet of Things and Smart Spaces, ruSMART 2023, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December 21–22, 2023. The 67 full papers included in the joint proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 258 submissions. They present a unique cross-disciplinary mixture of telecommunications-related research and science, various aspects of next generation data networks, while special attention is given to advanced wireless networking and applications.
Production Diseases in Farm Animals: Pathophysiology, Prophylaxis and Health Management
by Josef Johann GrossThis textbook deals comprehensively with livestock production diseases and their prevention in the major species: ruminants, swine, and poultry. It gives an interdisciplinary view on pathophysiology, prophylaxis, and health management.Livestock breeding and husbandry is often accompanied by a conflict of interest between the animal´s biological requirements and economic producer needs. This conflict is increasingly gaining attention not only by producers, animal scientists, and veterinarians, but also by the public. It creates significant future challenges, which are described and addressed in this book. The main topics covered are: • the use of antimicrobials with emphasis on security and safety for producers/consumers• the impact of locomotion disorders on performance and welfare of farm animals • the interactions of gut microbiome, genetics, climate change, metabolic status and mineral homeostasis with reproduction, performance, animal health and welfare• infectious and respiratory diseases• the raising of neonatesA special section is devoted to behavioural signs indicating an impaired animal welfare. These are the basis for precision livestock farming (PLF) technology and the development of new management concepts. The present work is a valuable resource for veterinarians, students, as well as expert readers from animal and agricultural sciences, food safety and technology. Supplementary videos can be accessed online as well as directly from the print book; simply download the Springer Nature More Media App for free and scan the links with the play button.
NASA Formal Methods: 16th International Symposium, NFM 2024, Moffett Field, CA, USA, June 4–6, 2024, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14627)
by Nathaniel Benz Divya Gopinath Nija ShiThis LNCS 14627 conference volume constitutes the proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on NASA Formal Methods, NFM 2024, held in Moffett Field, CA, USA in June 2024. The 20 full papers together with 6 short papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 68 submissions. The conference focuses on the on formal techniques for software and system assurance for applications in space, aviation, robotics, and other NASA-relevant safety-critical systems.
Industry and Innovation: Textile Industry (SDGs and Textiles)
by José Moleiro MartinsThe primary objective of this book is to offer readers an insightful exploration into the realms of innovation and sustainability within the textile industry. As global competition intensifies, organizations are increasingly compelled to revisit and refine their business strategies, emphasizing the imperative for continuous innovation and adaptability. This shift towards innovation-centric strategies is driven by the pursuit of sustainability and a competitive advantage, underscoring innovation as the cornerstone for business growth and market expansion. Innovation not only opens avenues for companies to overhaul their business models and enhance process technologies but also enables them to achieve optimal productivity and minimize waste. In an era characterized by swift technological advancements, the demand for rapid information flow, and evolving consumer preferences, a firm’s capability to innovate emerges as a critical determinant of its growth, sustainability, and competitive positioning in the textile sector. Process innovation, which entails the adoption of novel or significantly improved manufacturing or delivery methodologies, plays a pivotal role. This could involve substantial modifications in techniques, equipment, and/or software, aimed at bolstering production efficiency, augmenting quality, or facilitating the creation and delivery of significantly improved or new products. Manufacturing firms, through their marketing departments, are in a constant quest for opportunities to develop new products to maintain their competitive edge. Organizations that lag in embracing innovation risk losing their market share and profitability as competitors seize the opportunity to outperform them. A firm’s innovative capabilities are instrumental in fostering long-term market sustainability and business growth by delivering unparalleled value to customers. Consequently, innovation is integral to corporate strategies for a myriad of reasons – from achieving more efficient production processes and enhancing market performance to cultivating a forward-thinking brand image and securing a sustainable competitive advantage.
Stochastic Optimization Methods: Applications in Engineering and Operations Research
by Kurt MartiThis book examines optimization problems that in practice involve random model parameters. It outlines the computation of robust optimal solutions, i.e., optimal solutions that are insensitive to random parameter variations, where appropriate deterministic substitute problems are needed. Based on the probability distribution of the random data and using decision theoretical concepts, optimization problems under stochastic uncertainty are converted into corresponding deterministic problems.Due to the probabilities and expectations involved, the book also shows how to apply approximative solution techniques. Several deterministic and stochastic approximation methods are provided: Taylor expansion methods, regression and response surface methods (RSM), probability inequalities, multiple linearization of survival/failure domains, discretization methods, convex approximation/deterministic descent directions/efficient points, stochastic approximation and gradient procedures, and differentiation formulas for probabilities and expectations.The fourth edition of this classic text has been carefully and thoroughly revised. It includes new chapters on the solution of stochastic linear programs by discretization of the underlying probability distribution, and on solving deterministic optimization problems by means of controlled random search methods and multiple random search procedures. It also presents a new application of stochastic optimization methods to machine learning problems with different loss functions. For the computation of optimal feedback controls under stochastic uncertainty, besides the open-loop feedback procedures, a new method based on Taylor expansions with respect to the gain parameters is presented. The book is intended for researchers and graduate students who are interested in stochastics, stochastic optimization, and control. It will also benefit professionals and practitioners whose work involves technical, economicand/or operations research problems under stochastic uncertainty.
Internet of Things, Smart Spaces, and Next Generation Networks and Systems: 23rd International Conference, NEW2AN 2023, and 16th Conference, ruSMART 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 21–22, 2023, Proceedings, Part II (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14543)
by Yevgeni Koucheryavy Ahmed AzizThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Next Generation Wired/Wireless Networking, NEW2AN 2023, and the 16th Conference on Internet of Things and Smart Spaces, ruSMART 2023, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December 21–22, 2023. The 67 full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 258 submissions. The NEW2AN 2023 is well-established conference with a unique cross-disciplinary mixture of telecommunications-related research and science, various aspects of next generation data networks, while special attention is given to advanced wireless networking and applications.
Circular Economy on Energy and Natural Resources Industries: New Processes and Applications to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Materials and Decrease Greenhouse Gases Emissions (Sustainable Development Goals Series)
by Pedro Mora F. Gabriel Acien FernandezThis book masterfully bridges the gap between science and industry, offering readers invaluable insights into the technological advancements shaping our world. Amidst a profound industrial transformation aimed at minimizing environmental impact, this work highlights the pivotal role of reducing energy consumption and material waste. It aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, encapsulating the global ambition for the coming years. The narrative delves into myriad examples of industrial evolution, showcasing how various sectors, especially energy (including electricity and oil & gas) and natural resource exploitation, are revolutionizing their processes to lessen their environmental footprint. Furthermore, each chapter of the book equips readers with the knowledge to spearhead innovative solutions tailored to these evolving processes, making it an essential resource for anyone committed to driving sustainable industrial advancements.
Key Issues in African Diplomacy: Developments and Achievements
by Sven Botha and Jo-Ansie van WykAfrica’s unique position as an international diplomatic actor has not always been given the attention it deserves. This volume bridges this gap by offering a fresh, comprehensive and realistic overview of African diplomacy. The book examines African diplomatic practice. Chapters explore how different types of diplomacy have developed over time, including energy diplomacy, economic diplomacy and quiet diplomacy. Crucially, the book assesses how certain events have allowed Africa to use certain types of diplomacy to yield better outcomes for itself. Including contributions from an international team of scholars, policy makers and experts from the diplomatic world, the book provides a comprehensive guide to African diplomacy and challenges the current dominant usage of Northern perspectives on diplomacy studies.
Community Development, Social Action and Social Planning 6e: A Practical Guide
by Alan Twelvetrees Russell ToddThe sixth, fully updated edition of this bestselling guide links the theory and practice of community work in an insightful and relatable read for students and practitioners alike. With an accessible style, experienced author Alan Twelvetrees sets out the realities of practice in everyday community development (CD) work. With a much-expanded section on specialist community work, the guide also features brand new sections on work in health, housing, with children, young people and those with disabilities and the changing role of IT, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition features: • clear ‘how to’ guides for a variety of CD-related practice; • case studies; • end of chapter discussion points; • signposts to digital resources; • glossary. This classic text provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge required to work in community practice in the UK and is essential for anyone studying or working in the field.
Trajectories of Governance: Tracing the Entanglements of Order and Violence in Peripheral Cities of Latin America (Spaces of Peace, Security and Development)
by Viviana García PinzónTrajectories of Governance studies the complex dynamics of order-making, violence and governance in peripheral cities in Latin America from a comparative, historical and multi-scalar approach. It aims to discover more about the drivers, contexts and uneven levels of violence through the case studies of Chalatenango and Sonsonate in El Salvador and Pereira and Tunja in Colombia. Based on a multidisciplinary analytical framework, it explains why and how some peripheral cities have become the locus of violent orders, whereas others have managed to control violence, and to examine the role of violence in the workings of local governance.
Reimagining Age-Friendly Communities: Urban Ageing and Spatial Justice (Ageing in a Global Context)
by Tine Buffel, Patty Doran and Sophie YarkerAvailable open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. How can we design, develop and adapt urban environments to better meet the needs and aspirations of an increasingly diverse ageing population? This edited collection offers a new approach to understanding the opportunities and challenges of creating ‘age-friendly’ communities in the context of urban change. Drawing together insights from leading voices across a range of disciplines, the book emphasises the urgent need to address inequalities that shape the experience of ageing in urban environments. The book combines a focus on social justice, equity, diversity and co-production to enhance urban life. Exploring a range of age-friendly community projects, contributors demonstrate that, despite structural obstacles, meaningful social change is achievable at a local level.
Social Work and Social Innovation: Emerging Trends and Challenges for Practice, Policy and Education in Europe (Research in Social Work)
by Tony Evans Chris Fox Lena Dominelli Susan Baines Mara A. Yerkes Henk Spies Jana Javornik Ole Pedersen Kristel Driessens Vicky Lyssens-Danneboom Isabel Ferreira Annica Brummel Zsolt Bugarszki Geof Cox Leendert De Bell Luc De Droogh Koen Dortmans Rosa Engebrigtsen Bye Marta Gaboardi Sandra Geelhoed Jeroen Gradener Nathalie Grahame Knud Erik Hilding-Hamann Eva Heijmans Maria Inês Amaro Antonela Spinola Jesus Meike Koop Alfonso Lara-Montero Sabina Licursi Dagmar Narusson Sitsel Therese Natland Nathalie Nunes Emanuela Pascuzzi Ankie Schoenmaker Lineke Van Hal Ina TilmaWritten by leading experts from across Europe, this book provides a grounded exploration of innovation in the practice, research and education of social work. It focuses on the role of participation, collaboration and co-creation as key drivers of social innovation within these fields, providing practical examples of social entrepreneurship, people-centred design and participatory led innovation. The positive outcomes of local social innovations are analysed in the wider European framework, with reflections and recommendations for advancing innovation in policy, service provision, education and research.
Retail and Community: Business, Charity and the End of Empire
by Harshad Keval Ian Mitchell Jenny Gilbert Nadia Awal Jessica Field Triona Fitton Majorie Gehrhardt Nick Gray Ruth MacDonald Massimiliano PapiniRetail has never existed in a vacuum. This interdisciplinary volume explores how English commercial, co-operative and charity retailing were shaped by and in turn influenced their social and political environments, from the local to the global, between the late nineteenth and early twenty-first centuries. Historians, sociologists, archivists and heritage professionals engage with current debates on the rise of modern business and the decline of the high street, class and credit, professionalisation in the voluntary sector, migration and the end of empire.This book will be a key resource to better understand retail and community in an era defined by social change, shedding new light on the enduring centrality of community relationships to modern retailers.
Social Policy Review 36: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2024 (Social Policy Review)
by Bożena Sojka, Stephan Köppe, Andrea Parma and Ruggero CefaloAvailable Open Access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.Experts from across the globe review leading social policy scholarship in this new volume in the Social Policy Review series. Specialists explore local and multi-level trends in social policy including government responses to the cost-of-living crisis in the UK and decentralisation in primary health care in Thailand. They also review policy responses to working age risks in England, Italy and Australia, as well as policy developments and transformations such as social protection in Japan and Australia and immigration resettlement schemes in the UK.Published in association with the Social Policy Association, the latest book in this respected series will be essential reading for students and academics in social policy, social welfare and related disciplines.
Disruptive Stories: Amplifying Voices from the Writing Center Margins
by Elizabeth Kleinfeld Sohui Lee Julie PrebelDisruptive Stories uses an activist editing method to select and publish authors that have been marginalized in scholarly conversations and enrich the understanding of lived writing center experiences that have been underrepresented in writing center scholarship. These chapters explore how marginality affects writing centers, the people who work in them, and the scholarship generated from them by examining the consequences—both positive and negative—of marginalization through a mix of narratives and research. Contributors provide unique perspectives ranging across status, role, nationality, race, and ability. While US tenure-track writing center administrators (WCAs) do not make up the majority of those who hold WCA positions in writing centers, they are more likely to be the storytellers of the writing center grand narrative. They publish more, present more conference papers, edit more journals, and participate more in organizational leadership. This collection complicates that narrative by adding marginalized voices and experiences in three thematic categories: structural marginalization, globalization and marginalization, and embodied marginalization. Disruptive Stories spurs further conversations about ways to improve the review process in writing center scholarship so that it more accurately reflects the growing diversity of its administrators and practitioners.
Baby Be Mine: The Shocking True Story of a Woman Accused of Murdering a Pregnant Mother to Steal Her Child
by Diane FanningTHE MIRACLE OF LIFEWhen Lisa Montgomery presented her husband Kevin with their new-born baby girl, he was ecstatic. Naming the child Abigail, the couple brought her to their local pastor. Miles away, police were investigating the brutal murder of a pregnant woman...THE HORROR OF MURDERTwenty-three year old Bobbie Jo Stinnett was found by her mother, lying in a pool of blood, looking as if her stomach "had exploded." Investigators soon determined: Someone had strangled Bobbie Jo to death—and then cut her fetus from her womb...THE WOMAN ACCUSED OF KILLING FOR AN UNBORN CHILD...In late 2004, two women met in a dog-breeding internet chat room. When Elizabeth Montgomery came face to face with eight-months-pregnant Bobbie Jo Stinnett, prosecutors claim she already had a plan. Investigators knew that Bobbie Jo had fought desperately for her life—and that her fetus, alive or dead, was gone. Investigators scrambled after a killer. An "Amber Alert" went out for an hours-old infant. And this horrifying case was about to shock neighbors and a nation: of a woman accused of murdering for a baby...
Out of Body
by Jeffrey FordOut of Body is a dark fantasy thriller from multi-award-winning author Jeffrey Ford.A small-town librarian witnesses a murder at his local deli, and what had been routine sleep paralysis begins to transform into something far more disturbing. The trauma of holding a dying girl in his arms drives him out of his own body. The town he knows so well is suddenly revealed to him from a whole new perspective. Secrets are everywhere and demons fester behind closed doors.Worst of all, he discovers a serial killer who has been preying on the area for over a century, one capable of traveling with him through his dreams.Praise for Jeffrey Ford's The Twilight Pariah"His trademark mix of intelligence, creeps, melancholy, integrity, and wit is as addictive as it is compelling. I want to be Jeffrey Ford when I grow up." —Paul Tremblay"Creepy, funny, and poignant—a delight for connoisseurs of fantastic fiction." —Liz HandAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Starpilot's Grave: Book Two Of Mageworlds (Mageworlds #2)
by Debra Doyle James D. MacdonaldMageworlds Book Two:Blockaded, restricted, and forgotten--the Mageworlds would never threaten the Republic again.A broken and drifting ship, it's long-dead captain still strapped in the command seat: that's what free-spacers call a starpilot's grave. When one of these derelict craft appears in the Net, the artificial barrier zone separating the Republic from the Mageworlds, the discovery is no accident. It's a sign, a warning that the Mageworlds have not forgotten the Republic--and the Magelords make long plans.But the Magelords weren't planning on Beka Rosselin-Metadi.Beka has unfinished business to take care of, and his name is Ebenra D'Caer: the man who arranged her mother's murder. D'Caer is safe--he thinks--hidden among the Mages on the far side of the Net. Flying under a false name and false colors, Beka penetrates the Magezone and finds more than anyone expected: the Magelords have discovered a fatal weakness in the Republic's defenses, and are poised to wreak their vengeance on the hated enemy.The Mages are too strong. They must prevail.Unless one woman in one ship can do the impossible.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Burn the Dark: Malus Domestica #1 (Malus Domestica #1)
by S. A. HuntChilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Stranger Things in award-winning author S. A. Hunt’s Burn the Dark, first in the Malus Domestica horror action-adventure series about a punk YouTuber on a mission to bring down witches, one vid at a time.Robin is a YouTube celebrity gone-viral with her intensely-realistic witch hunter series. But even her millions of followers don't know the truth: her series isn’t fiction.Her ultimate goal is to seek revenge against the coven of witches who wronged her mother long ago. Returning home to the rural town of Blackfield, Robin meets friends new and old on her quest for justice. But then, a mysterious threat known as the Red Lord interferes with her plans….“Brilliant!” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author The Malus Domestica series#1: Burn the Dark#2: I Come with Knives#3: The HellionAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Sara and Eleanor: The Story of Sara Delano Roosevelt and Her Daughter-in-Law, Eleanor Roosevelt
by Jan PottkerWe think we know the story of Eleanor Roosevelt--the shy, awkward girl who would marry Franklin Roosevelt and redefine the role of First Lady, becoming a civil rights activist and an inspiration to generations of young women. As legend has it, the bane of Eleanor's life was her demanding and domineering mother-in-law, FDR's mother Sara Delano Roosevelt. Biographers have overlooked the complexity of a relationship that had, over the years, been reinterpreted and embellished by Eleanor herself.Through diaries, letters, and interviews with Roosevelt family and friends, Jan Pottker uncovers a story never before told. The result is a triumphant blend of social history and psychological insight--a revealing look at Eleanor Roosevelt and the woman who made her historic achievements possible.
Before the Flood: The Biblical Flood as a Real Event and How It Changed the Course of Civilization
by Ian WilsonIn the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.The great Biblical flood so described in Genesis has long been a subject of fascination and speculation. In the 19th century the English archbishop James Ussher established it as having happened in the year 2348 B.C., calculating what was then taken as the age of the earth and working backward through the entire series of Biblical "begats." Proof of the flood, which is an element of so many creation myths, began in earnest when archaeology started connecting physical evidence with Biblical story. The dream of proving the Bible as literal truth has proven irresistible, producing both spurious claims and serious scholarship.As best-selling historian Ian Wilson reveals in this fascinating new book, evidence of a catastrophic event has been building steadily, culminating in the work of William Ryan and Walter Pitman. Several years ago Ryan and Pitman had posited that around 5600 BC there had an inundation in the Black Sea of such proportions that it turned the freshwater lake into a saltwater lake by connecting it to the Mediterranean. Were that true, they estimated that there would be signs of civilization 300 feet below the surface of the Black Sea. In September 2000, using his famous underwater equipment, Robert Ballard (of SS Titanic fame) explored parts of the Black Sea near the Turkish shore and found the remains of wood houses. There had been a flood, and whether God's wrath or not it had destroyed everything around it for hundreds of miles, killing tens of thousands of people.Exploring all the archeological evidence, Wilson explains how the Black Sea flood and the Biblical flood have to be connected. In particular, Wilson argues, learnedly and persuasively, that the center of the civilized world was further to the West than previously thought-not in Egypt or Mesopotamia but in what is today Northern Turkey. The earliest, antediluvian civilizations may have migrated east into those places we have come to call the cradles of civilization, forced by the Black Sea flood to create new settlements.Scrupulous in its details and compelling in its sweep, Before the Flood is narrative detective history at its most provocative, contributing a vital new chapter to the debate about the Bible and origins of the modern world.