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Reciprocal Ethnography and the Power of Women's Narratives
by Elaine J. LawlessFolklorist Elaine J. Lawless has devoted her career to ethnographic research with underserved groups in the American Midwest, including charismatic Pentecostals, clergywomen, victims of domestic violence, and displaced African Americans. She has consistently focused her research on women's speech in these contexts and has developed a new approach to ethnographic research which she calls "reciprocal ethnography," while growing a detailed corpus of work on women's narrative style and expressive speech. Reciprocal ethnography is a feminist and collaborative ethnographic approach that Lawless developed as a challenge to the reflexive turn in anthropological fieldwork and research in the 1970s, which was often male-centric, ignoring the contributions by and study of women's culture. Collected here for the first time are Lawless's key articles on the topics of reciprocal ethnography and women's narrative which influenced not only folklore, but also the allied fields of anthropology, sociology, performance studies, and women's and gender studies. Lawless's methods and research continue to be critically relevant in today's global struggle for gender equality.
Three Midwestern Playwrights: How Floyd Dell, George Cram Cook, and Susan Glaspell Transformed American Theatre
by Marcia NoeIn the early 1900s, three small-town midwestern playwrights helped shepherd American theatre into the modern era. Together, they created the renowned Provincetown Players collective, which not only launched many careers but also had the power to affect US social, cultural, and political beliefs.The philosophical and political orientations of Floyd Dell, George Cram Cook, and Susan Glaspell generated a theatre practice marked by experimentalism, collaboration, leftist cultural critique, rebellion, liberation, and community engagement. In Three Midwestern Playwrights, Marcia Noe situates the origin of the Provincetown aesthetic in Davenport, Iowa, a Mississippi River town. All three playwrights recognized that radical politics sometimes begat radical chic, and several of their plays satirize the faddish elements of the progressive political, social, and cultural movements they were active in.Three Midwestern Playwrights brings the players to life and deftly illustrates how Dell, Cook, and Glaspell joined early 20th-century midwestern radicalism with East Coast avant-garde drama, resulting in a fresh and energetic contribution to American theatre.
Silent Are the Dead (The Flash Casey Mysteries #1)
by George Harmon CoxeFlash Casey snaps a photo that holds the key to a corrupt lawyer&’s murderCasey shouldn&’t have had to go back for more pictures of Stanford Endicott. He was at the court with the other newspaper photographers when the wealthy lawyer was arraigned, and got pictures of him smiling as he put on a hat to hide his bald head. But before Casey can get the negatives developed, a pair of urchins steal his camera case and expose the plates to the sun. At his editor&’s orders, Casey visits Endicott&’s office for another round of photos. The picture he takes there is altogether more interesting: Stanford Endicott, dead on his office floor. Casey hears a sound in the next room and knows the murderer is close. He gives chase out the front door, and takes a picture just as the killer drives away. Suddenly, Flash Casey has a bigger story than he bargained for.
Ubuntu and the Reconstitution of Community (World Philosophies)
by Edited by James OgudeUbuntu is premised on the ethical belief that an individual's humanity is fostered in a network of human relationships: I am because you are; we are because you are. The essays in this lively volume elevate the debate about ubuntu beyond the buzzword it has become, especially within South African religious and political contexts. The seasoned scholars and younger voices gathered here grapple with a range of challenges that ubuntu puts forward. They break down its history and analyze its intellectual surroundings in African philosophical traditions, European modernism, religious contexts, and human rights discourses. The discussion embraces questions about what it means to be human and to be a part of a community, giving attention to moments of loss and fragmentation in postcolonial modernity, to come to a more meaningful definition of belonging in a globalizing world. Taken together, these essays offer a rich understanding of ubuntu in all of its complexity and reflect on a value system rooted in the everyday practices of ordinary people in their daily encounters with churches, schools, and other social institutions.
A House in St. John's Wood: In Search of My Parents
by Matthew SpenderA son's personal exploration of one of the most influential—and troubled—artistic couples of the twentieth centuryStephen Spender's life, with all its secrets, successes, and contradictions, is a vivid prism through which to view the twentieth century. He befriended Auden and Isherwood while at Oxford, and together the three had wildly transgressive adventures in Europe and were early vocal critics of Hitler and the rise of fascism in their celebrated writings. Like his friends, Spender was drawn to other men, yet he eventually married Natasha, a world-renowned concert pianist, and started a family. In the midst of a heady world of poetry and liberal politics, gay love affairs and tense silences, Matthew Spender grew up the child of two brilliant artists. Taught how to use adjectives by Uncle Auden and raised among the British cultural elite, Matthew led what might have been a charmed existence were it not for the tensions in his own household. His father, always susceptible to the allure of young men, was unable to stop himself, or reveal his secret, for the sake of his family; and his mother's suffering led her to infatuations of her own. Stephen Spender: In Search of My Father is a son's attempt to reconstruct a portrait of his magnetic father and unconventional family out of the ambiguous experiences of his childhood. Drawing on unpublished letters and diaries, family keepsakes and youthful memories, Matthew Spender tells the story of a singular family in the midst of its own cold war, as the artistic world of mid-century London circled around them.
The Amazon and the Warrior: A Novel of Ancient Troy
by Judith HandThe Legend of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons For eight years, the besieged city of Troy has withstood the relentless might of the Greek invaders. Now the dread Achilles, mightiest of the Greek warriors, seeks to conquer the fabled realm of the Amazons as well. But one woman stands between him and his ruthless ambition to conquer her homeland. Penthesilea, Warrior Queen of the Amazons, watched her mother die upon Achilles' sword. A fiery, red-haired tigress of tremendous passion and courage, Pentha vows to take revenge on the legendary Greek champion, even if it means leading an army in defense of imperiled Troy. Her lover, Damonides, does not share her eagerness for battle. Once a formidable warrior in his own right, he long ago put away the sword. Now he yearns only to live in peace with the beautiful and ardent Amazon Queen. But can he stand idly by while the woman he loves risks everything for the sake of her people?
The Structure of the Universe
by Paul HalpernThe Structure of the Universe by Paul Halpern, Ph.D., originally published in 1996, is a tour of the knowledge of the deep reaches of space and predictions for its future.Technological marvels such as the Hubble Space Telescope are revealing a wealth of information about the deepest reaches of space. After decades of research, scientists now believe they are closer to discovering the 'missing matter,' the invisible stuff left over from the Big Bang that will determine the ultimate fate of the universe. With each discovery new light is shed on scores of old questions, and at the same time new questions arise.
The World of the End
by Ofir Touché GaflaAs an epilogist, Ben Mendelssohn appreciates an unexpected ending. But when that denouement is the untimely demise of his beloved wife, Ben is incapable of coping. Marian was more than his life partner; she was the fiber that held together all that he is. And Ben is willing to do anything, even enter the unknown beyond, if it means a chance to be with her again. One bullet to the brain later, Ben is in the Other World, where he discovers a vast and curiously secular existence utterly unlike anything he could have imagined: a realm of sprawling cities where the deceased of every age live an eternal second life, and where forests of family trees are tended by mysterious humans who never lived in the previous world. But Ben cannot find Marian. Desperate for a reunion, he enlists an unconventional afterlife investigator to track her down, little knowing that his search is entangled in events that continue to unfold in the world of the living. It is a search that confronts Ben with one heart-rending shock after another; with the best and worst of human nature; with the resilience and fragility of love; and with truths that will haunt him through eternity.
Weekend
by Tania Grossinger Andrew NeidermanIt all starts as a typical July Fourth weekend at the Congress, the internationally famous Catskill resort hotel. Thousands of vacationers, their pockets filled with cash and their minds on easy sex, begin to arrive from the city. But while the singles meet at the pool and other folks congregate at the bar, a time bomb is slowly ticking: an outbreak of cholera so devastating that the wildest holiday of the year quickly becomes a deadly nightmare.Along the way we meet:*Ellen Golden, recently widowed owner of the Congress, who fights to rescue an old family tradition from the hands of organized crime,*Sandy Golden, Ellen's thirteen-year-old daughter, who discovers her own budding sexuality in the midst of chaos,*Dr. Sid Bronstein, the man who discovers the menace but keeps silent to save his own skin,*Bruce Solomon, a young medical detective who is determined to find the cure at all costs,* Fern Rosen, the shy "single" who captures Bruce's love--when he least expects it,*Nick Martin, a smooth operator who wants to bring big-time gambling to the Congress, no matter what the opposition,*Melinda Kaplan, the nymphomaniac divorcee, taking sex wherever she can find it, and *Grace Kaplan, Melinda's disturbed son, acting out all of his adolescent fantasies.A medical disaster as well as a love story, Weekend by Tania Grossinger and Andrew Neiderman is a Fourth of July no reader will ever forget.
Thomas Adès: Conversations With Tom Service
by Thomas Adès Tom ServiceComposer, conductor, and pianist, Thomas Adès is one of the most diversely talented musical figures of his generation. His music is performed by great opera companies, symphony orchestras, chamber groups, and music festivals throughout the world. But Adès has resisted public discussion of the creative process behind his musical compositions. Until now, the interior experience that has fired the spectrum of his work—from his first opera, Powder Her Face, to his masterpiece The Tempest and his acclaimed orchestral works Asyla and Tevot—has largely remained unexplained. Here, in spirited, intimate, and, at times, contentious conversations with the distinguished music critic Tom Service, Adès opens up about his work. "For Adès, whose literary and artistic sensibilities are nearly as refined and virtuosic as his musical instincts," writes Service, "inhabiting the different territory of words rather than notes offers a chance to search out new creative correspondences, to open doors—a phrase he often uses—into new ways of thinking in and about music."The phrase "full of noises," from Caliban's speech in The Tempest, refers both to the sounds "swirling around" Adès's head that are transmuted into music and to the vast array of his musical influences—from Sephardic folk music, to 1980s electronica, to Adès's passion for Beethoven and Janácek and his equally visceral dislike of Wagner. It also suggests "the creative friction" essential to any authentic dialogue. As readers of these "wilfully brilliant" conversations will quickly discover, Thomas Adès: Full of Noises brings us into the "revelatory kaleidoscope" of Adès's world.
Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity
by Jassa AhluwaliaRedefine What It Means to Talk about Mixed-Raced IdentityDive into a thought-provoking journey with Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity by actor Jassa Ahluwalia.A journey to self-discovery. For over twenty-five years, Ahluwalia grappled with the label of being “half Indian, half English,” despite his fluent Punjabi and rich cultural heritage. Feeling caught between two worlds, he embarked on a transformative quest to challenge the binary narratives surrounding mixed-race identity.Working toward an inclusive future. In this powerful memoir book, Ahluwalia uncovers the historical roots of modern mixed identity, bravely deconstructing inherited binaries and challenging passive acceptance of societal norms. Through his personal experiences and insights, he advocates for a more inclusive meaning and nuanced understanding of identity.Inside this book, you’ll find:A rallying cry for living and belonging in a divided worldThought-provoking insight that invites you to reconsider the meaning of inclusivity and diversity, prompting reflection on the labels we assign and the narratives we perpetuateA space to challenge your preconceptions, broaden your understanding, and embrace the beauty of diversityIf you liked A Different Mirror, Maybe I Don't Belong Here, or Natives, you’ll love Both Not Half.
Please Save Me: One woman's battle for love and hope after horrific abuse by her fatherOne woman's battle for love and hope after horrific abuse by her father
by Mandy Yousaf Linda Watson-BrownHow to Heal from Childhood TraumaA heart-wrenching story of survival. After years of horrific sexual abuse at the hands of her father, Mandy Yousaf is ready to tell her story and reclaim her narrative.Healing from trauma, looking for hope. After bringing her abuser to justice, Mandy is not only looking to heal, but she is actively searching for hope and love on the road to recovery from abuse. Mandy’s story sheds a harsh light on the reality of childhood sexual abuse trauma and the work survivors do to recover both physically and emotionally. Find hope and resilience through Mandy as she shares her story with the world. Surviving trauma book. This sexual abuse survivor book is for readers recovering from abuse and healing from childhood trauma. If you see yourself or someone you love in Mandy’s story, you can learn how to heal from childhood trauma through this abuse survival guide.Inside, you’ll find:Ways to navigate the childhood abuse recovery process through Mandy’s experienceLessons from Mandy on healing from, and working through, traumaMandy’s story of strength and resilience in the face of abuseIf you liked Transforming The Living Legacy of Trauma, Healing Your Wounded Inner Child, or Tears of the Silenced, you’ll love Please Save Me.
Area 51: The Dreamland Chronicles
by David DarlingtonArea 51, Dreamland, Groom Lake, Paradise Ranch, Watertown Strip, the Box: all refer to the top-secret research installation, located a hundred miles north of Las Vegas, which, for many, has come to stand for all that is shadowy and nefarious about the military-industrial-intelligence complex. Built under the direction of the CIA in the 1950s, the base served as the original test site for the U-2 spy plane and F-117 stealth fighter jet. In more recent years, Area 51 has spurred public interest from its role in the government's $30 billion "Black Budget," from legal claims of worker illness due to toxic burning, and from sensational charges about captured alien spacecraft. It has also given birth to a feisty guerrilla subculture bent on exploding the secrecy surrounding this mysterious spot. David Darlington unfolds the history, legs, and characters involved with Area 51, weaving a weird tale of intrigue and outrage and UFOs that speaks volumes about popular culture and American democracy at the of the twentieth century.
The Good Patient: A Novel
by Kristin Waterfield DuisbergBrilliant, acerbic, funny, and relentless, Darien Gilbertson appears to have it all: a successful career, a husband who loves her absolutely, and all the material comforts of a New York life. But Darien is in trouble – on the run from her emotions, and from a past that resurrects itself in acts of self-mutilation she neither understands nor cares to explore. After years of good behavior, Darien is hurting herself again. And this time it's so brutal that her husband, Robert, cannot help but recognize the woman he adores is unraveling before his eyes.Darien has a history with therapists. She knows exactly what they want – and need – to hear. She has made a game of psychotherapy, spinning outrageous fictions, exposing her doctors' vanities, knowing when to reveal just a little of the truth. When Robert brings her to Dr. Lindholm, she is ready. But in Dr. Lindholm Darien may have met her match: a caring psychiatrist with the patience and skill to see beneath her façade. At once intrigued and resistant, Darien engages Dr. Lindholm in a battle of wits, sure only her pride is at stake. When she stumbles instead upon a buried truth about herself the consequences are devastating, threatening her marriage, her identity, and what she understands about life and love. Kristin Waterfield Duisberg's The Good Patient is about interiors and exteriors, knowledge and perception, the treachery and triumph of memory. Written in razor-sharp, sparkling prose, it is a story that takes dead aim at a question we all fear: how well do we really know the people we love?
Behold the Many: A Novel
by Lois-Ann YamanakaBehold the Many is the eerily beautiful story of three young sisters, Anah, Aki, and Leah. In 1913, they are sent away from their family for treatment for tuberculosis to an orphanage in Hawaii's Kalihi Valley. Of the three, two will die there, in spite of the nuns' best efforts to save them, and only Anah, the eldest, will grow to adulthood. But the ghosts of the dead children are afraid to leave the grounds of St. Joseph's, which is the only place they have known as home, and as Anah prepares to begin married life away from the orphanage, these ghost children grow angry. Desperate for the love of this girl who has communicated with them since her childhood, jealous of her ability to live in the physical world, and terrified of losing her, the ghosts are determined to thwart Anah's happiness. One of them places a curse on her that will reverberate through her future and that of her new family. As Anah struggles to appease the dead and to quiet her own guilt for living, it becomes apparent that only through one of her own daughters can redemption be attained. Poignant, lyrical, and utterly compelling, Behold the Many is a stunning new novel from the critically acclaimed author Lois-Ann Yamanaka.
Blood and Gifts: A Play
by J. T. RogersMy God, Russian soldiers being shot with Chinese bullets. Sometimes the world is so beautiful.It's 1981. As the Soviet army burns its way through Afghanistan, CIA operative Jim Warnock is sent to try to halt its bloody progress, beginning a secret spy war behind the official hostilities. Jim and his counterparts in the KGB and the British and Pakistani secret services wrestle with ever-shifting personal and political loyalties. With the outcome of the entire Cold War at stake, Jim and a larger-than-life Afghan warlord decide to place their trust in each other.Spanning a decade and playing out in Washington, D.C., Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Blood and Gifts is a sweeping, often shockingly funny epic set against one of the greatest historical events of recent history, the repercussions of which continue to shape our world.
Rule Your Freakin' Retirement: How to Retire Rich by Actively Managing Your Assets
by Michael ParnessDON'T PANIC. RULE!Market turbulence has made opening monthly 401(k) statements shocking rather than reassuring. Michael "Waxie" Parness can help.The standard strategies and advice regarding your retirement accounts are NOT working. Many people's 401(k)s are now 201(k)s, and it may get worse. YOU need to take control of your retirement, and your life. Rule Your Freakin' Retirement, through practical and pragmatic advice and examples, will teach you alternatives to the "buy, hold, and pray" strategies most investment advisers give. In today's world you need fresh ideas, and this book gives you the tools you need to not only protect what you have in your IRA, but to grow it in an aggressive, time-tested, yet easily managed way. And, yes, a safer way!Building on his successful Rule the Freakin' Markets, master trader and motivational speaker Michael Parness applies the same aggressive strategies to normally ignored or undermanaged 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Parness argues that no matter what age you are, NOW is the time to adopt active, aggressive, and controlled strategies to ensure a fully funded, real retirement on your own terms, not subject to market gyrations out of your control. He outlines, in plain language, bold but practical strategies emphasizing research and tailoring approaches to individual needs.With record numbers of baby boomers entering or nearing retirement, and succeeding generations caught by a volatile economy, Rule Your Freakin' Retirement offers tangible, proven, no-nonsense advice that all can profit from, in the engaging Waxie style.
Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate
by Jedediah F. Brodie, Eric Post, and Daniel F. DoakHuman-induced climate change is emerging as one of the gravest threats to biodiversity in history, and while a vast amount of literature on the ecological impact of climate change exists, very little has been dedicated to the management of wildlife populations and communities in the wake of unprecedented habitat changes. Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate is an essential resource, bringing together leaders in the fields of climate change ecology, wildlife population dynamics, and environmental policy to examine the impacts of climate change on populations of terrestrial vertebrates. Chapters assess the details of climate change ecology, including demographic implications for individual populations, evolutionary responses, impacts on movement patterns, alterations of species interactions, and predicting impacts across regions. The contributors also present a number of strategies by which conservationists and wildlife managers can counter or mitigate the impacts of climate change as well as increase the resilience of wildlife populations to such changes. A seminal contribution to the fields of ecology and conservation biology, Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate will serve as the spark that ignites a new direction of discussions about and action on the ecology and conservation of wildlife in a changing climate.
Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw
by Cat HarveyWill Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw change your life? NAW. But will it make you instantly more interesting to other humans? OH AYE!Not your typical quiz book.Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw is a rollicking adventure through 500 quiz questions that promise to test your knowledge on EVERYTHING! This book of brain teasers for adults is an exploration into the hilarious behind-the-scenes moments and puzzling brain busters that characterize the UK award-winning radio show Ewen and Cat at Breakfast.Perfect blend of fun facts and trivia. Packed with true or false questions like "Usain Bolt would beat a cat over 100m," and "A jiffy is a real unit of time," or "Volkswagen sells more sausages than cars," readers are in for a treat. This book transcends the traditional quiz questions book by emphasizing the joy of finding new facts and connection to other people through shared knowledge. It's not just about testing your memory; it's about the pleasure of discovering fascinating facts and engaging in lively conversations with others.Inside:Be bemused and amused as you dive into a journey of daily funTackle exciting true or false questions on your quest for new knowledgeFind compelling reasons to share this quiz questions book with friends and familyIf you are seeking a book of quiz questions such as Awesome Facts That Will Make You Look Super Smart, Trivia for Seniors, or So You Think You Know Baseball then Ewen and Cat's Wee Book of Aye or Naw is for you!
The Dawn of Green: Manchester, Thirlmere, and Modern Environmentalism
by Harriet RitvoLocated in the heart of England’s Lake District, the placid waters of Thirlmere seem to be the embodiment of pastoral beauty. But under their calm surface lurks the legacy of a nineteenth-century conflict that pitted industrial progress against natural conservation—and helped launch the environmental movement as we know it. Purchased by the city of Manchester in the 1870s, Thirlmere was dammed and converted into a reservoir, its water piped one hundred miles south to the burgeoning industrial city and its workforce. This feat of civil engineering—and of natural resource diversion—inspired one of the first environmental struggles of modern times. The Dawn of Green re-creates the battle for Thirlmere and the clashes between conservationists who wished to preserve the lake and developers eager to supply the needs of a growing urban population. Bringing to vivid life the colorful and strong-minded characters who populated both sides of the debate, noted historian Harriet Ritvo revisits notions of the natural promulgated by romantic poets, recreationists, resource managers, and industrial developers to establish Thirlmere as the template for subsequent—and continuing—environmental struggles.
How to Survive Almost Anything: The Special Forces Guide to Staying Alive
by Ollie PattonPrepare for Whatever Comes Your Way With This Essential Survival Bible“This book is your essential kit for every aspect of what life can throw at you…Brilliant.” ─Amazon reviewLearn How to Thrive Against All Odds with the Modern Survival Bible from Ex-UK Special Forces specialist Ollie OllertonBe the master of your survival. In How to Survive (Almost) Anything, former Special Forces soldier and bestselling author Ollie Ollerton passes on all the special skills, knowledge, and mindset he’s learned over the course of a life that has experienced some of the world's toughest conditions and most hostile situations.A lifeline in uncertain times. This modern-day survival bible empowers you to thrive, not just survive. Whether you're faced with the wild elements of nature, societal collapse, extreme weather, or urban warfare, this guide equips you with essential skills. Don't leave your survival to chance! Arm yourself with the knowledge and tools to face anything and become the master of your destiny.Inside you'll discover:Survival Techniques: Learn from an ex-UK Special Forces soldier how to fend off wildlife, survive natural disasters, and navigate man-made challengesMental Resilience: Equip yourself with the mindset to thrive, not just survive, in the face of emergencies and against all oddsPractical Guidance: Ideal for survivalists, prepping enthusiasts, or as a thoughtful dad gift or gift for a teen boy, this guide offers hands-on advice to face any crisis with confidence.If you have read books such as The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs, Extreme Survival, Surviving the Wild, or The Ultimate Prepper's Survival Bible, you’ll love Ollie Ollerton’s How to Survive (Almost) Anything.
"A Third Reich, as I See It": Politics, Society, and Private Life in the Diaries of Nazi Germany, 1933–1939
by Janosch SteuwerWith the beginning of the National Socialist dictatorship, Germany not only experienced a deep political turning point but the private life of Germans also changed fundamentally. The Nazi regime had far-reaching ideas about how the individual should think and act.In "A Third Reich, as I See It" Janosch Steuwer examines the private diaries of ordinary Germans written between 1933 and 1939 and shows how average citizens reacted to the challenges of National Socialism. Some felt the urge and desire to adapt to the political circumstances. Others felt compelled to do so. They all contributed to the realization of the vision of a homogeneous, conflict-free, and "racially pure" society.In a detailed manner and with a convincing sense of the bigger picture, Steuwer shows how the tense efforts of people to fit in, and at the same time to preserve existing opinions and self-conceptions, led to a close intertwining of the private and the political."A Third Reich, as I See It" offers a surprisingly new look at how the ideological visions of National Socialism found their way into the everyday reality of Germans.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: A Play
by David HareA stage adaptation of Katherine Boo's National Book Award-winning study of life in a Mumbai slumIndia is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, Annawadi, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he's as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government antipoverty funds to turn herself into a "first-class person," while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum's first female graduate. But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighborhood. For Behind the Beautiful Forevers, journalist Katherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising book, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.
The Art of Hutting: Live Off-Grid with The Highland Hutter
by Peter MacQueenLiving Off-the-Grid in ScotlandDon’t just experience Scottish history. Live it with The Art of Hutting, the essential beginner’s guide to sustainable living off the grid.Experience Scotland like never before. The Land of the Brave has so much to see and offer, but nothing is more breathtaking than living in its natural beauty. So how does one live away from the cities of Scotland? Inspired by traditional and modern shelter techniques, hutting expert Peter MacQueen shares how to live off the grid in The Art of Hutting. Each chapter answers many your questions about local sustainable living, from the safest bushcraft tools to growing a bountiful garden for every season. That way, you can be prepared to create your forever home and make memories in the untamed heart of Scotland.Create your own cozy Scottish hideaway. Along with learning the necessary outdoor skills to live off Scotland’s resources, this self-sufficient living book also shares how to create the hut of your dream. Off-grid living has never been cozier than with MacQueen’s hutting tips and tricks, from constructing the perfect eco-design to finding natural building materials. And with visual examples of local huts and cottages to choose from, you can create your next home with all the beauty and wonders the Scottish highlands and lowlands have to offer.Inside The Art of Hutting, you’ll also find:Best locations for hut buildingHow to create a wildlife garden made from Scotland’s natural vegetationRecommendations for fire-starter tools and firewood storageIf you liked books such as Thrive, Clansland Almanac, or Surviving the Wild, then you’ll love The Art of Hutting.
Turning Texas Blue: What It Will Take to Break the GOP Grip on America's Reddest State
by Mary Beth RogersIn the 2014 midterm election, Democrats in Texas did not receive even 40 percent of the statewide vote; Republicans swept the tables both in Texas and nationally. But even after two decades of democratic losses, there is a path to turn Texas blue, argues Mary Beth Rogers - if Democrats are smart enough to see and follow it. Rogers is the last person to successfully campaign-manage a Democrat, Governor Ann Richards, to the statehouse in Austin. In a lively narrative, Rogers tells the story of how Texas moved so far to the right in such a short time and how Democrats might be able to move it back to the center. And, argues Rogers, that will mean a lot more of an effort than simply waiting for the state's demographics to shift even further towards Hispanics - a risky proposition at best. Rogers identifies a ten-point path for Texas Democrats to win at the statewide level and to build a base vote that would allow Texas to become a swing-vote player in national politics once again. One part of that shift starts with local Democratic candidates in local Republican communities making the connection between controversial local issues or problems and the statewide Republican policies that ignore or create them. For example, in a 2014 election in Denton-a Republican suburb-voters approved Texas's first ban on hydraulic fracking. The next day, though, a Republican Texas agency official announced that Texas would not honor the town's vote to ban. No democratic candidate picked up the issue. Change won't come easily, argues Rogers. But if Texas shifts to even a pale shade of purple, it changes everything in American politics today.