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The World's Most Haunted Places: From the Secret Files of Ghostvillage.com
by Jeff BelangerIs the White House a haunted house? Discover the paranormal legends behind historical landmarks around the world… Now with new material for this updated edition, The World&’s Most Haunted Places reveals that ghostly legends abound wherever history has made its mark. Battlefields, prisons, asylums, national monuments—all of them have stories to tell. Their ghosts still lurk, demanding that we remember the past. President Lincoln has been walking the halls of the White House in Washington, DC, for more than a century. The Queen Mary may just be the most storied and haunted ship on the planet. The catacombs of Paris contain the skeletal remains of six million bodies...and many of their ghosts. And the Tower of London is haunted by noblemen and commoners—some still searching for the heads they lost more than five hundred years ago. Take a world tour of history, the supernatural, and the macabre. You will explore libraries, museums, restaurants, inns, and landmarks from North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. But be careful: The World&’s Most Haunted Places may make you a believer!
The Fix (If It's Broke #1)
by Kristin RouseA young alcoholic in recovery is caught between his need to stay on the straight and narrow and a love he can&’t deny in this romance series debut. Six months into recovery, Ezra Mackenzie is only slightly less of a disaster than he used to be. He can hardly manage the cinnamon rolls for his best friend Anja&’s wedding brunch. He has a lot of work to do before he can look himself in the mirror and like what he sees—let alone re-enter the dating world. After all, what kind of woman would be interested in a screw-up like him? An incredibly alluring one, as it turns out. From the moment they meet, Ezra and Juliana are drawn to each other—and that&’s exactly why he tries to keep his distance. He knows that romance ought to come second to his shaky new sobriety. But self-control has never been his strong suit. As he nears the one-year mark in his recovery, Ezra&’s demons refuse to stay buried and his desire to be the man Juliana deserves can&’t compete with the fix he never stops craving
A Nature Lover's Almanac: Kinky Bugs, Stealthy Critters, Prosperous Plants & Celestial Wonders
by Diane OlsonA treasury of nature facts and trivia for every season: &“Get ready to be amazed, delighted, and enlightened.&”—Chip Ward, author of Canaries on the Rim: Living Downwind in the West Did you know that:We all have follicle mites living on our faces?In India, the humble pigeon is a symbol of lust?Jumping spiders sometimes watch TV with you?Healthy garden soil has the same characteristics as a good chocolate cake?The North Pole rarely points north?The caterpillar of the silver-spotted skipper blasts its frass (poop) five feet outside its nest? This collection of fascinating but little-known facts of nature will connect you with the rhythms of the universe even if you live far from the wild—and enlighten you every day of the year. Also included are good tips for gardeners as well as a rundown of what constellations you can see in the night sky each month.
Forbidden by Faith (The Forbidden Love Novels #1)
by Negeen PapehnOne woman is torn between faith, family, and passion in this &“heartfelt immigrant love story&” from the author of Forbidden by Destiny and Forbidden by Time (Publishers Weekly).Raised by her immigrant parents, Sara has been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family&’s approval, and she&’s spent most of her life in their good graces. Until she meets Maziar.An instant electricity ignites between them, and their meeting seems like fate. Just as her mind begins to soar with the possibilities, he shatters her hopes. Sara is Muslim. Maziar is Jewish. Will faith tear them apart?Despite centuries of unrest behind them, Sara and Maziar embark on a forbidden love affair, attempting to navigate through cultural and religious prejudices. Deep within the trenches of their battle, Sara finds herself more empowered and careless than ever before, but will her love and newfound life be worth the ultimate cost—her family?Praise for the Forbidden Love series&“Forbidden by Faith shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age.&”—A. K. Leigh, author of See Her Run &“A strong message about family and protecting those you love.&”—InD&’tale &“Ms. Papehn is a wonderful storyteller! I was immediately caught up in the lives of her characters. In Forbidden by Destiny, the heroine, Leyla, might be of Iranian descent but her story belongs to all women.&”—Carrie Nichols, author of the Small-town Sweethearts series
Burning Meredith: A Mystery Set In Montana
by Elizabeth GunnA local reporter discovers murder amid the debris of a Montana mountain fire in this thriller series debut by the author of the Sarah Burke Mysteries. In Clark&’s Fort, Montana, a fire on Meredith Mountain burns through Labor Day weekend. It is a terrifying sight, leaving a trail of havoc and destruction in its wake. Alice Adams, editor of the Clark&’s Fort Guardian, is determined to get the whole story with the help of her reporter nephew, Stuart Campbell. But when the fire is finally contained, the mop-up crew discover the burned body of a man under a fallen log. Suddenly Alice and Stuart have a new story to investigate. It appears that the man died in the fire. But with no ID, and nobody able to identify the body, Alice and Stuart are determined to find out who the man was and what he was doing on Meredith Mountain. Could the stranger have been connected to the town&’s growing opioid problem?
Artificial Light (Little House on the Bowery)
by James Greer&“Artificial Light beats the bejeezus out of the last dozen Thomas Pynchons, the last nineteen Don DeLillos, and the last forty-three Kurt Vonneguts.&”—Richard Meltzer &“In his ambitious and intriguing debut novel, indie rock expert Greer, author of Guided by Voices, employs one of literature's oldest gambits, the book-within-a-book structure, three times over. A young librarian calling herself Fiat Lux fills a set of notebooks with her passion for books and an enigmatic account of her interlude with Kurt C, a famous indie rock star who appears unheralded in Dayton, Ohio, and buys the long-abandoned Orville Wright mansion. A member of the rock group Whiskey Ships is trying to write about his musical odyssey but longs to return to his book about Orville Wright, whose long-lost diaries also feed the narrative stream. Greer picks the lock on the Kurt Cobain mythos and the rapid commercialization of indie rock…Strong writing and shrewd perceptions prevail, backed by wry humor, compelling stumblebum characters, a true-blue louche atmosphere, and arresting insights into the dream of art, be it literature or rock and roll.&”—Booklist
Forbidden by Destiny (The Forbidden Love Novels #2)
by Negeen PapehnThe author of Forbidden by Faith delivers &“a very touching story . . . [of] Iranian culture and family dynamics . . . completely relatable&” (InD&’tale Magazine). When Leyla&’s best friend Sara goes through a complicated breakup, Leyla reluctantly agrees to pick up Sara&’s things from her boyfriend Ben&’s home. She thinks she is doing what any good friend would do, until she finds Ben completely shattered. His pain speaks to Leyla&’s heart, and she suddenly finds herself feeling what it&’s like to fall in love for the first time ever. An afternoon of an innocent lunch and a walk on the beach to cheer him up turns into fireworks—and Leyla can&’t get Ben out of her head. Pushed to her limits, fighting for a love she&’s always dreamed of, and against a demon she never knew existed, Leyla must ultimately make a choice. Her decision will come down to loyalty to her best friend, the expectations of her family, or the desires of her wanting heart . . . Praise for the Forbidden Love series &“Forbidden by Faith shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age.&”—A. K. Leigh, author of See Her Run &“A heartfelt immigrant love story.&”—Publishers Weekly &“Ms. Papehn is a wonderful storyteller! I was immediately caught up in the lives of her characters. In Forbidden by Destiny, the heroine, Leyla, might be of Iranian descent but her story belongs to all women.&”—Carrie Nichols, author of the Small-town Sweethearts series
The Moment: A Practical Guide to Creating a Mindful Life in a Distracted World
by Achim Nowak&“Crystal clear and deeply affecting all at once. An inspired roadmap for creating a boldly lived life&” from the inspirational author of Infectious ( The Oprah Winfrey Show). What if there was a way of knowing our moments more richly and more deeply as they unfold? What if we experienced more memorable moments in any given day? How might this alter the experience of our lives? That is the tantalizing premise of Achim Nowak&’s book, The Moment. It introduces us to 4 simple keys. These keys are entirely common-sense. That is their beauty. Return to experiencing the world with all of your senses. Learn how to tune into prajna wisdom—the wisdom that talks to us as a moment unfolds. Discover ways of receiving and wave-riding energy. And reap the rewards of making time stand still. The Moment is a compulsively readable book. Instead of urging us to do more and work harder, The Moment shows us how to rediscover a childlike delight in the world. Apply the 4 keys, and sumptuous moments will suddenly pop up all around you. You will instantly experience more success in business and in life. You will know the infinite pleasures of living in the moment. &“Takes the mysticism out of mindfulness and shows us how to reclaim the simple pleasures in life.&”—Tom Asacker, author of The Business of Belief &“An irreplaceable and highly readable guide to rediscovering how to see the world as it&’s meant to be seen: in the immediate present and with child-like wonder.&”—Ben Michaelis, PhD, clinical psychologist, author of Your Next Big Thing
The Hammer and the Flute: Women, Power, and Spirit Possession
by Mary KellerAward for the Best First Book in the History of Religions from the American Academy of ReligionFeminist theory and postcolonial theory share an interest in developing theoretical frameworks for describing and evaluating subjectivity comparatively, especially with regard to non-autonomous models of agency. As a historian of religions, Mary Keller uses the figure of the "possessed woman" to analyze a subject that is spoken-through rather than speaking and whose will is the will of the ancestor, deity or spirit that wields her to engage the question of agency in a culturally and historically comparative study that recognizes the prominent role possessed women play in their respective traditions. Drawing from the fields of anthropology and comparative psychology, Keller brings the figure of the possessed woman into the heart of contemporary argument as an exemplary model that challenges many Western and feminist assumptions regarding agency. Proposing a new theoretical framework that re-orients scholarship, Keller argues that the subject who is wielded or played, the hammer or the flute, exercises a paradoxical authority—"instrumental agency"—born of their radical receptivity: their power derives from the communities' assessment that they no longer exist as autonomous agents. For Keller, the possessed woman is at once "hammer" and "flute," paradoxically powerful because she has become an instrument of the overpowering will of an ancestor, deity, or spirit. Keller applies the concept of instrumental agency to case studies, providing a new interpretation of each. She begins with contemporary possessions in Malaysia, where women in manufacturing plants were seized by spirits seeking to resacralize the territory. She next looks to wartime Zimbabwe, where female spirit mediums, the Nehanda mhondoro, declared the ancestors' will to fight against colonialism. Finally she provides an imaginative rereading of the performative power of possession by interpreting two plays, Euripides' Bacchae and S. Y. Ansky's The Dybbuk, which feature possessed women as central characters. This book can serve as an excellent introduction to postcolonial and feminist theory for graduate students, while grounding its theory in the analysis of regionally and historically specific moments of time that will be of interest to specialists. It also provides an argument for the evaluation of religious lives and their struggles for meaning and power in the contemporary landscape of critical theory.
The Troubled Dream of Genetic Medicine: Ethnicity and Innovation in Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sickle Cell Disease
by Keith Wailoo Stephen PembertonWinner of the History of Science category of the Professional and Scholarly Publishing Awards given by the Association of American PublishersWhy do racial and ethnic controversies become attached, as they often do, to discussions of modern genetics? How do theories about genetic difference become entangled with political debates about cultural and group differences in America? Such issues are a conspicuous part of the histories of three hereditary diseases: Tay-Sachs, commonly identified with Jewish Americans; cystic fibrosis, often labeled a "Caucasian" disease; and sickle cell disease, widely associated with African Americans. In this captivating account, historians Keith Wailoo and Stephen Pemberton reveal how these diseases—fraught with ethnic and racial meanings for many Americans—became objects of biological fascination and crucibles of social debate. Peering behind the headlines of breakthrough treatments and coming cures, they tell a complex story: about different kinds of suffering and faith, about unequal access to the promises and perils of modern medicine, and about how Americans consume innovation and how they come to believe in, or resist, the notion of imminent medical breakthroughs. With Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell disease as a powerful backdrop, the authors provide a glimpse into a diverse America where racial ideologies, cultural politics, and conflicting beliefs about the power of genetics shape disparate health care expectations and experiences.
The Perspectives of Psychiatry
by Paul R. McHugh Phillip R. SlavneySubstantially revised to include a wealth of new material, the second edition of this highly acclaimed work provides a concise, coherent introduction that brings structure to an increasingly fragmented and amorphous discipline. Paul R. McHugh and Phillip R. Slavney offer an approach that emphasizes psychiatry's unifying concepts while accommodating its diversity. Recognizing that there may never be a single, all-encompassing theory, the book distills psychiatric practice into four explanatory methods: diseases, dimensions of personality, goal-directed behaviors, and life stories. These perspectives, argue the authors, underlie the principles and practice of all psychiatry. With an understanding of these fundamental methods, readers will be equipped to organize and evaluate psychiatric information and to develop a confident approach to practice and research.
Civil War Ironclads: The U.S. Navy and Industrial Mobilization (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)
by William H. RobertsHonorable Mention, Science and Technology category, John Lyman Book Awards, North American Society for Oceanic HistoryCivil War Ironclads supplies the first comprehensive study of one of the most ambitious programs in the history of naval shipbuilding. In constructing its new fleet of ironclads, William H. Roberts explains, the U.S. Navy faced the enormous engineering challenges of a largely experimental technology. In addition, it had to manage a ship acquisition program of unprecedented size and complexity. To meet these challenges, the Navy established a "project office" that was virtually independent of the existing administrative system. The office spearheaded efforts to broaden the naval industrial base and develop a marine fleet of ironclads by granting shipbuilding contracts to inland firms. Under the intense pressure of a wartime economy, it learned to support its high-technology vessels while incorporating the lessons of combat.But neither the broadened industrial base nor the advanced management system survived the return of peace. Cost overruns, delays, and technical blunders discredited the embryonic project office, while capital starvation and never-ending design changes crippled or ruined almost every major builder of ironclads. When Navy contracts evaporated, so did the shipyards. Contrary to widespread belief, Roberts concludes, the ironclad program set Navy shipbuilding back a generation.
Uterine Fibroids: The Complete Guide (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
by Elizabeth A. StewartProviding the most reliable and up-to-date information on this very common and difficult disorder, Dr. Stewart helps women understand uterine fibroids and make the best possible choices about their care.You've called in sick today. Your back and legs hurt. Your abdomen is bloated and more than a little uncomfortable. You are having your period, and the bleeding is so heavy you can't even think about leaving the house. You have uterine fibroids.One in every four women see their lives affected by uterine fibroids, which can cause heavy bleeding, abdominal bloating, pain, and infertility. The symptoms can be mildly annoying or life altering in severity. Until recently, hysterectomy was the only way to cure fibroids, and each year more than 200,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States to treat these noncancerous growths. But hysterectomy isn’t always the best solution. The procedure can be devastating for women who were planning to get pregnant, and it is a significant surgery for anyone. In this comprehensive and compassionate guide, Dr. Elizabeth A. Stewart helps women understand the treatment options now available.An internationally recognized expert on fibroids, Dr. Stewart describes all the available medical and surgical treatments as well as alternative and complementary therapies. In addition to hysterectomy, she explains uterine artery embolization (UAE), noninvasive focused ultrasound (FUS), and innovative hormone treatments. Simple diagrams and photographs illustrate the condition—and its treatment. Dr. Stewart encourages women with fibroids to learn as much as they can before choosing a treatment plan. Providing the most reliable and up-to-date information on this very common and difficult disorder, she helps women understand uterine fibroids and make the best possible choices about their care.
Nation-Building: Beyond Afghanistan and Iraq (Forum on Constructive Capitalism)
by Francis FukuyamaBestselling author Francis Fukuyama brings together esteemed academics, political analysts, and practitioners to reflect on the U.S. experience with nation-building, from its historical underpinnings to its modern-day consequences. The United States has sought on repeated occasions to reconstruct states damaged by conflict, from Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War to Japan and Germany after World War II, to the ongoing rebuilding of Iraq. Despite this rich experience, there has been remarkably little systematic effort to learn lessons on how outside powers can assist in the building of strong and self-sufficient states in post-conflict situations.The contributors dissect mistakes, false starts, and lessons learned from the cases of Afghanistan and Iraq within the broader context of reconstruction efforts in other parts of the world, including Latin America, Japan, and the Balkans. Examining the contrasting models in Afghanistan and Iraq, they highlight the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq as a cautionary example of inadequate planning. The need for post-conflict reconstruction will not cease with the end of the Afghanistan and Iraq missions. This timely volume offers the critical reflection and evaluation necessary to avoid repeating costly mistakes in the future.Contributors: Larry Diamond, Hoover Institution and Stanford University; James Dobbins, RAND; David Ekbladh, American University; Michèle A. Flournoy, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Francis Fukuyama, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University; Larry P. Goodson, U.S. Army War College; Johanna Mendelson Forman, UN Foundation; Minxin Pei, Samia Amin, and Seth Garz, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; S. Frederick Starr, Central Asia–Caucacus Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; F. X. Sutton, Ford Foundation Emeritus; Marvin G. Weinbaum, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
The Fertility Doctor: John Rock and the Reproductive Revolution
by Margaret Marsh Wanda RonnerAs Louise Brown—the first baby conceived by in vitro fertilization—celebrates her 30th birthday, Margaret Marsh and Wanda Ronner tell the fascinating story of the man who first showed that human in vitro fertilization was possible.John Rock spent his career studying human reproduction. The first researcher to fertilize a human egg in vitro in the 1940s, he became the nation’s leading figure in the treatment of infertility, his clinic serving rich and poor alike. In the 1950s he joined forces with Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptives and in the 1960s enjoyed international celebrity for his promotion of the pill and his campaign to persuade the Catholic Church to accept it. Rock became a more controversial figure by the 1970s, as conservative Christians argued that his embryo studies were immoral and feminist activists contended that he had taken advantage of the clinic patients who had participated in these studies as research subjects. Marsh and Ronner’s nuanced account sheds light on the man behind the brilliant career. They tell the story of a directionless young man, a saloon keeper’s son, who began his working life as a timekeeper on a Guatemalan banana plantation and later became one of the most recognized figures of the twentieth century. They portray his medical practice from the perspective of his patients, who ranged from the wives of laborers to Hollywood film stars.The first scholars to have access to Rock’s personal papers, Marsh and Ronner offer a compelling look at a man whose work defined the reproductive revolution, with its dual developments in contraception and technologically assisted conception.
Clio and the Crown: The Politics of History in Medieval and Early Modern Spain
by Richard L. KaganMonarchs throughout the ages have commissioned official histories that cast their reigns in a favorable light for future generations. These accounts, sanctioned and supported by the ruling government, often gloss over the more controversial aspects of a king's or queen’s time on the throne. Instead, they present highly selective and positive readings of a monarch’s contribution to national identity and global affairs. In Clio and the Crown, Richard L. Kagan examines the official histories of Spanish monarchs from medieval times to the middle of the 18th century. He expertly guides readers through the different kinds of official histories commissioned: those whose primary focus was the monarch; those that centered on the Spanish kingdom as a whole; and those that celebrated Spain’s conquest of the New World. In doing so, Kagan also documents the life and work of individual court chroniclers, examines changes in the practice of official history, and highlights the political machinations that influenced the redaction of such histories. Just as world leaders today rely on fast-talking press officers to explain their sometimes questionable actions to the public, so too did the kings and queens of medieval and early modern Spain. Monarchs often went to great lengths to exert complete control over the official history of their reign, physically intimidating historians, destroying and seizing manuscripts and books, rewriting past histories, and restricting history writing to authorized persons.Still, the larger practice of history writing—as conducted by nonroyalist historians, various scholars and writers, and even church historians—provided a corrective to official histories. Kagan concludes that despite its blemishes, the writing of official histories contributed, however imperfectly, to the practice of historiography itself.
Deep Down Things: The Breathtaking Beauty of Particle Physics
by Bruce A. SchummA useful scientific theory, claimed Einstein, must be explicable to any intelligent person. In Deep Down Things, experimental particle physicist Bruce Schumm has taken this dictum to heart, providing in clear, straightforward prose an elucidation of the Standard Model of particle physics—a theory that stands as one of the crowning achievements of twentieth-century science. In this one-of-a-kind book, the work of many of the past century's most notable physicists, including Einstein, Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Dirac, Feynman, Gell-Mann, and Weinberg, is knit together in a thorough and accessible exposition of the revolutionary notions that underlie our current view of the fundamental nature of the physical world. Schumm, who has spent much of his life emmersed in the subatomic world, goes far beyond a mere presentation of the "building blocks" of matter, bringing to life the remarkable connection between the ivory tower world of the abstract mathematician and the day-to-day, life-enabling properties of the natural world. Schumm leaves us with an insight into the profound open questions of particle physics, setting the stage for understanding the progress the field is poised to make over the next decade or two.Introducing readers to the world of particle physics, Deep Down Things opens new realms within which are many clues to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.
Looking for a Few Good Males: Female Choice in Evolutionary Biology (Animals, History, Culture)
by Erika L. Milam2010 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice MagazineWhy do female animals select certain mates, and how do scientists determine the answer? In considering these questions, Erika Lorraine Milam explores the fascinating patterns of experiment and interpretation that emerged as twentieth-century researchers studied sexual selection and female choice. Approaching the topic from both biological and animal-studies perspectives, Milam not only presents a broad history of sexual selection—from Darwin to sociobiology—but also analyzes the animal-human continuum from the perspectives of sex, evolution, and behavior. She asks how social and cultural assumptions influence human-animal research and wonders about the implications of gender on scientific outcomes. Although female choice appears to be a straightforward theoretical concept, the study of sexual selection has been anything but simple. Scientists in the early twentieth century investigated female choice in animals but did so with human social and sexual behavior as their ultimate objective. By the 1940s, evolutionary biologists and population geneticists shifted their focus, studying instead how evolution affected natural animal populations. Two decades later, organismal biologists once again redefined the investigation of sexual selection as sociobiology came to dominate the discipline.Outlining the ever-changing history of this field of study, Milam uncovers lost mid-century research programs and finds that the discipline did not languish in the decades between Darwin’s theory of sexual selection and sociobiology, as observers commonly believed. Rather, population geneticists, ethologists, and organismal biologists alike continued to investigate this important theory throughout the twentieth century.
Mastering Python Networking: Your one-stop solution to using Python for network automation, DevOps, and Test-Driven Development, 2nd Edition
by null Eric ChouPublisher's Note: This edition from 2018 is outdated. A new third edition, updated for 2020 featuring Python 3.8, with coverage extended to include Azure, AWS, and Ansible 2.8, and data analysis using Elastic Stack has just been published.Master the art of using Python for a diverse range of network engineering tasks.Key FeaturesExplore the power of Python libraries to tackle difficult network problems efficiently and effectivelyUse Python for network device automation, DevOps, and software-defined networkingBecome an expert in implementing advanced network-related tasks with PythonBook DescriptionNetworks in your infrastructure set the foundation for how your application can be deployed, maintained, and serviced. Python is the ideal language for network engineers to explore tools that were previously available to systems engineers and application developers. In this second edition of Mastering Python Networking, you'll embark on a Python-based journey to transition from traditional network engineers to network developers ready for the next-generation of networks. This book begins by reviewing the basics of Python and teaches you how Python can interact with both legacy and API-enabled network devices. As you make your way through the chapters, you will then learn to leverage high-level Python packages and frameworks to perform network engineering tasks for automation, monitoring, management, and enhanced security. In the concluding chapters, you will use Jenkins for continuous network integration as well as testing tools to verify your network. By the end of this book, you will be able to perform all networking tasks with ease using Python.What you will learnUse Python libraries to interact with your networkIntegrate Ansible 2.5 using Python to control Cisco, Juniper, and Arista eAPI network devicesLeverage existing frameworks to construct high-level APIs Learn how to build virtual networks in the AWS Cloud Understand how Jenkins can be used to automatically deploy changes in your networkUse PyTest and Unittest for Test-Driven Network DevelopmentWho this book is forMastering Python Networking is for network engineers and programmers who want to use Python for networking. Basic familiarity with Python programming and networking-related concepts such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) will be useful.
Elevating Game Experiences with Unreal Engine 5: Bring your game ideas to life using the new Unreal Engine 5 and C++, 2nd Edition
by null Goncalo Marques null Devin Sherry null David Pereira null Hammad FoziGet hands-on with game development tools and techniques to build game project using the latest version of Unreal Engine and C++, two of the most widely used tools in the games industryKey FeaturesKickstart your career or develop a new hobby by learning game development with Unreal Engine 5 and C++Learn techniques to prototype and develop your own ideas with key images printed in colorReinforce your skills with project-based learning by building a series of games from scratchBook DescriptionImmerse yourself in the Unreal game projects with this book, written by four highly experienced industry professionals with many years of combined experience with Unreal Engine. Elevating Game Experiences with Unreal Engine 5 will walk you through the latest version of Unreal Engine by helping you get hands-on with the game creation projects. The book starts with an introduction to the Unreal Editor and key concepts such as actors, blueprints, animations, inheritance, and player input. You'll then move on to the first of three projects, building a dodgeball game, where you'll learn the concepts of line traces, collisions, projectiles, user interface, and sound effects. You'll also discover how to combine these concepts to showcase your new skills. The second project, a side-scroller game, will help you implement concepts such as animation blending, enemy AI, spawning objects, and collectibles. And finally, you'll cover the key concepts in creating a multiplayer environment as you work on the third project, an FPS game. By the end of this Unreal Engine book, you'll have a broad understanding of how to use the tools that the game engine provides to start building your own games.What you will learnCreate a fully functional third-person character and enemiesImplement navigation with keyboard, mouse, and gamepadProgram logic and game mechanics with collision and particle effectsExplore AI for games with Blackboards and behavior treesBuild character animations with animation blueprints and montagesPolish your game with stunning visual and sound effectsExplore the fundamentals of game UI using a heads-up displayDiscover how to implement multiplayer in your gamesWho this book is forThis book is for game developers looking to get started with using Unreal Engine 5 for their game development projects. Anyone who has used Unreal Engine before and wants to consolidate, improve, and apply their skills will find this book useful. To better grasp the concepts explained in this book, prior knowledge of C++ basics such as variables, functions, classes, polymorphism, and pointers is required. For full compatibility with the IDE used in this book, a Windows system is recommended
Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing: A step-by-step guide to smart video editing with FCP 10.6
by null Iain Anderson null Yasser ShoukryA comprehensive, best practice guide from Apple Certified Trainer Iain Anderson, with illustrated step-by-step instructions to explore a Final Cut Pro editing workflow from shoot to deliveryKey FeaturesExplore the best ways to use FCP, from importing and editing to finishing and exporting the final cutUnlock the power of editing in the magnetic timeline to make huge changes or subtle adjustmentsFinish with pro-level color correction, tracking, effects, transitions, audio, titles, and captionsBook DescriptionFinal Cut Pro (also known as FCP, previously Final Cut Pro X) is Apple's efficient and accessible video editing software for everyone, offering powerful features that experienced editors and novices will find useful. FCP is the quickest way to transform your raw clips into a finished piece, so if speed is important, make this a key tool in your editing arsenal.Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing is a comprehensive best practice guide for all editors. You'll not only learn how to use the features but also find out which ones are the most important and when you should use them. With the help of practical examples, the book will show you how typical footage can be assembled, trimmed, colored, and finessed to produce a finished edit, exploring a variety of techniques. As you progress through the book, you'll follow a standard editing workflow to get the feel of working on real-world projects and answer self-assessment questions to make sure that you're on track.By the end of this Final Cut Pro book, you'll be well versed with the key features of this app and have all the tools you need to create impressive edits.What you will learnUnderstand the media import process and delve into media managementEffectively organize your footage so you can find the right shot quicklyDiscover how to assemble a rough cut editExplore trimming and advanced editing techniques to finesse and finalize the editEnhance an edit with color correction, effects, transitions, titles, captions, and much moreSweeten the audio by controlling volume, using compression, and adding effectsShare your final edited video and archive the jobWho this book is forThe book is for creative professionals, anyone starting out in video editing, and editors switching to Final Cut Pro from another video editing system. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you'll find this FCP book useful. All you need to get started is familiarity with macOS.
NetSuite for Consultants: A handbook for ERP and CRM consultants to implement NetSuite 2021 quickly and easily
by null Peter RiesGet hands-on with NetSuite implementation, customization, and integration services for automating operations and accelerating business growthKey FeaturesUnderstand how to consult a new client from the kick-off meeting to their go-live and beyond in the fastest possible timeExplore the new features in NetSuite 2021 and learn best practices for ERP and CRM consultantsAvoid the common pitfalls that consultants can run into when implementing NetSuiteBook DescriptionNetSuite For Consultants takes a hands-on approach to help ERP and CRM consultants implement NetSuite quickly and efficiently, as well deepen their understanding of its implementation methodology.During the course of this book, you'll get a clear picture of what NetSuite is, how it works, and how accounts, support, and updates work within its ecosystem.Understanding what a business needs is a critical first step toward completing any software product implementation, so you'll learn how to write business requirements by learning about the various departments, roles, and processes in the client's organization. Once you've developed a solid understanding of NetSuite and your client, you'll be able to apply your knowledge to configure accounts and test everything with the users. You'll also learn how to manage both functional and technical issues that arise post-implementation and handle them like a professional.By the end of this book, you'll have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to implement NetSuite for businesses and get things up and running in the shortest possible time.What you will learnUnderstand the NetSuite ecosystem, including its main modules, the platform, and related featuresExplore the fundamentals of NetSuite and get ready to implement it in any organizationDiscover how to manage gaps, data migration, and integrations with NetSuiteFind out how to minimize disruptions in finance as you migrate to NetSuiteUnderstand the steps to configure your organization's account and how development and testing fit into the implementation scheduleRefine your skills with NetSuite tips and tricks and make each implementation process a successWho this book is forThis book is aimed at consultants, NetSuite users, and partners who are tasked with guiding the organizations to get their business up and running with NetSuite. Basic NetSuite training and a general understanding of its features is required to get the most out of this book.
How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin: A practical guide to developing, testing, and publishing your first Android apps
by null Alex Forrester null Eran Boudjnah null Alexandru Dumbravan null Jomar TigcalUnleash the power of Android programming to build scalable and reliable apps using industry best practices Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookKey FeaturesBuild apps with Kotlin, Google’s preferred programming language for Android developmentUnlock solutions to development challenges with guidance from experienced Android professionalsImprove your apps by adding valuable features that make use of advanced functionalityBook DescriptionLooking to kick-start your app development journey with Android 13, but don’t know where to start? How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin is a comprehensive guide that will help jump-start your Android development practice. This book starts with the fundamentals of app development, enabling you to utilize Android Studio and Kotlin to get started with building Android projects. You'll learn how to create apps and run them on virtual devices through guided exercises. Progressing through the chapters, you'll delve into Android's RecyclerView to make the most of lists, images, and maps, and see how to fetch data from a web service. You'll also get to grips with testing, learning how to keep your architecture clean, understanding how to persist data, and gaining basic knowledge of the dependency injection pattern. Finally, you'll see how to publish your apps on the Google Play store. You'll work on realistic projects that are split up into bitesize exercises and activities, allowing you to challenge yourself in an enjoyable and attainable way. You'll build apps to create quizzes, read news articles, check weather reports, store recipes, retrieve movie information, and remind you where you parked your car. By the end of this book, you'll have the skills and confidence to build your own creative Android applications using Kotlin.What you will learnCreate maintainable and scalable apps using KotlinUnderstand the Android app development lifecycleSimplify app development with Google architecture componentsUse standard libraries for dependency injection and data parsingApply the repository pattern to retrieve data from outside sourcesBuild user interfaces using Jetpack ComposeExplore Android asynchronous programming with Coroutines and the Flow APIPublish your app on the Google Play storeWho this book is forIf you want to build Android applications using Kotlin but are unsure of how and where to begin, then this book is for you. To easily grasp the concepts in this book, a basic understanding of Kotlin, or experience in a similar programming language is a must.
Resilient Cybersecurity: Reconstruct your defense strategy in an evolving cyber world
by null Mark DunkerleyBuild a robust cybersecurity program that adapts to the constantly evolving threat landscapeKey FeaturesGain a deep understanding of the current state of cybersecurity, including insights into the latest threats such as Ransomware and AILay the foundation of your cybersecurity program with a comprehensive approach allowing for continuous maturityEquip yourself with the strategies needed to build and manage an effective cybersecurity programBook DescriptionBuilding a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Program addresses the current challenges and knowledge gaps in cybersecurity, empowering individuals and organizations to navigate the digital landscape securely and effectively. Readers will gain insights into the current state of the cybersecurity landscape, understanding the evolving threats and the challenges posed today. This book emphasizes the importance of prioritizing well-being within the cybersecurity profession, addressing a concern often overlooked in the industry. You will construct a cybersecurity program that encompasses cybersecurity architecture, identity and access management, cybersecurity operations, vulnerability management, cybersecurity awareness, training, and testing, vendor risk management, and proactive services. It dives deep into managing Operational Technology (OT) & the Internet of Things (IoT), equipping readers with the knowledge and strategies to secure these critical areas. You will also explore the critical components of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) within cybersecurity, focusing on the oversight and management of these functions. This book provides practical insights, strategies, and knowledge to help organizations build and enhance their cybersecurity programs, ultimately safeguarding against evolving threats in today's digital landscape.What you will learnBuild and define a cybersecurity program foundationDiscover the importance of why an architecture program is needed within cybersecurityLearn the importance of Zero Trust ArchitectureLearn what modern identity is and how to achieve itReview of the importance of why a Governance program is neededBuild a comprehensive user awareness, training, and testing program for your usersReview the importance of why a GRC program is needed Gain a thorough understanding of everything involved with regulatory and complianceWho this book is forThis book is geared towards the top leaders within an organization, C-level, CISO/CSO, directors, and program managers who build the strategy and execute the program. Cybersecurity managers, architects, engineers, administrators, analysts, and project managers who work in Cybersecurity would also benefit from this book. In addition, those who are still determining what they would like to do within cybersecurity can also benefit from this book by gaining an understanding of everything involved within a cybersecurity program. Basic knowledge of cybersecurity and its concepts will be helpful.
Machine Learning Engineering with Python: Manage the production life cycle of machine learning models using MLOps with practical examples
by null Andrew P. McMahonSupercharge the value of your machine learning models by building scalable and robust solutions that can serve them in production environmentsKey FeaturesExplore hyperparameter optimization and model management toolsLearn object-oriented programming and functional programming in Python to build your own ML libraries and packagesExplore key ML engineering patterns like microservices and the Extract Transform Machine Learn (ETML) pattern with use casesBook DescriptionMachine learning engineering is a thriving discipline at the interface of software development and machine learning. This book will help developers working with machine learning and Python to put their knowledge to work and create high-quality machine learning products and services. Machine Learning Engineering with Python takes a hands-on approach to help you get to grips with essential technical concepts, implementation patterns, and development methodologies to have you up and running in no time. You'll begin by understanding key steps of the machine learning development life cycle before moving on to practical illustrations and getting to grips with building and deploying robust machine learning solutions. As you advance, you'll explore how to create your own toolsets for training and deployment across all your projects in a consistent way. The book will also help you get hands-on with deployment architectures and discover methods for scaling up your solutions while building a solid understanding of how to use cloud-based tools effectively. Finally, you'll work through examples to help you solve typical business problems. By the end of this book, you'll be able to build end-to-end machine learning services using a variety of techniques and design your own processes for consistently performant machine learning engineering.What you will learnFind out what an effective ML engineering process looks likeUncover options for automating training and deployment and learn how to use themDiscover how to build your own wrapper libraries for encapsulating your data science and machine learning logic and solutionsUnderstand what aspects of software engineering you can bring to machine learningGain insights into adapting software engineering for machine learning using appropriate cloud technologiesPerform hyperparameter tuning in a relatively automated wayWho this book is forThis book is for machine learning engineers, data scientists, and software developers who want to build robust software solutions with machine learning components. If you're someone who manages or wants to understand the production life cycle of these systems, you'll find this book useful. Intermediate-level knowledge of Python is necessary.