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In Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us
by null Stephen Macedo null Frances LeeFeatured on the New York Times' The Daily podcast and CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPSWhat our failures during the pandemic cost us, and why we must do betterThe Covid pandemic quickly led to the greatest mobilization of emergency powers in human history. By early April 2020, half the world&’s population—3.9 billion people—were living under quarantine. People were told not to leave their homes; businesses were shuttered, employees laid off, and schools closed for months or even years. The most devastating pandemic in a century and the policies adopted in response to it upended life as we knew it. In this eye-opening book, Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee examine our pandemic response and pose some provocative questions: Why did we ignore pre-Covid plans for managing a pandemic? Were the voices of reasonable dissent treated fairly? Did we adequately consider the costs and benefits of different policy options? And, aside from vaccines, did the policies adopted work as intended?With In Covid&’s Wake, Macedo and Lee offer the first comprehensive—and candid—political assessment of how our institutions fared during the pandemic. They describe how, influenced by Wuhan&’s lockdown, governments departed from their existing pandemic plans. Hard choices were obscured by slogans like &“follow the science.&” Benefits and harms were distributed unfairly. The policies adopted largely benefited the laptop class and left so-called essential workers unprotected; extended school closures hit the least-privileged families the hardest. Science became politicized and dissent was driven to the margins. In the next crisis, Macedo and Lee warn, we must not forget the deepest values of liberal democracy: tolerance and open-mindedness, respect for evidence and its limits, a willingness to entertain uncertainty, and a commitment to telling the whole truth.
New Developments in Discrete Dynamical Systems, Difference Equations, and Applications: 28th ICDEA, Phitsanulok, Thailand, July 17-21, 2023 (Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics #485)
by Saber Elaydi Laura Gardini Wirot TikjhaThis compelling book presents remarkable contributions from esteemed speakers who participated in the 28th International Conference on Difference Equations and Applications, ICDEA 2023, hosted at Phitsanulok, Thailand, in collaboration with the International Society of Difference Equations (ISDE) from July 17 to 21, 2023. Embark on an enriching journey through the realms of difference equations and discrete dynamical systems, with practical applications spanning economics, engineering, biology, and related sciences. Immerse yourself in cutting-edge research as you explore new and significant breakthroughs within the fields of difference equations and discrete dynamical systems. This comprehensive compilation spans diverse scientific disciplines, demonstrating the profound impact of these theories and methodologies in practical and tangible settings. From economic modeling to engineering optimization, from biological systems to interdisciplinary applications, this book exemplifies the versatility and relevance of difference equations and discrete dynamical systems. Designed to resonate with a wide audience, including Ph.D. students, researchers, educators, and practitioners, it goes beyond mere dissemination of recent results. It actively fosters the advancement of knowledge, serving as a catalyst for further explorations and innovations across the spectrum of sciences.
Traumasensitief opvoeden en begeleiden: Werkboek voor deelnemers
by Leony Coppens Carina Van KregtenDeze training helpt je om het gedrag, de emoties en reacties van getraumatiseerde kinderen én die van jezelf beter te begrijpen. Hierdoor kun je een meer stabiele en positieve relatie ontwikkelen met de kinderen waar je voor zorgt. Een traumasensitieve aanpak verkleint het risico op een (nieuwe) uit(huis)plaatsing van getraumatiseerde kinderen en leidt tot grotere tevredenheid en minder stress bij opvoeders en begeleiders. Dit werkboek is onderdeel van de training Traumasensitief opvoeden en begeleiden. In acht modules vergroot je je kennis en begrip over de impact van traumatische ervaringen en toxische stress op het leven, gedrag en de ontwikkeling van een kind. Je staat stil bij de betekenis van het gedrag van kinderen en van je eigen gedrag en de interactie die daaruit voortkomt. Je leert de belangrijkste concepten van traumasensitief opvoeden en begeleiden direct toe te passen in je eigen dagelijkse praktijk. Bij het boek hoort een website met aanvullend materiaal. Deze training is als ‘goed onderbouwde interventie’ opgenomen in de databank van het Nederlands Jeugd Instituut. Deze volledige herziene derde editie is tot stand gekomen op basis van de jarenlange ervaringen van tientallen trainers en deelnemers en maakt gebruik van nieuwe inzichten vanuit de wetenschap en de praktijk. Leony Coppens en Carina van Kregten zijn beiden al meer dan dertig jaar actief in de zorg voor en behandeling van chronisch getraumatiseerde kinderen als therapeut, supervisor, docent en auteur. Naast het Werkboek voor deelnemers is er een Handleiding voor trainers.
Aleksandrov-Rassias Problems on Distance Preserving Mappings (Frontiers in Mathematics)
by Soon-Mo JungThis book provides readers with an engaging explanation of the Aleksandrov problem, giving readers an overview of the process of solving Aleksandrov-Rassias problems, which are still actively studied by many mathematicians, and familiarizing readers with the details of the proof process. In addition, effort has been put into writing this book so that readers can easily understand the content, saving readers the trouble of having to search the literature on their own. In fact, this book logically and kindly introduces the basic theories of related fields.
Renewables in the Circular Economy and Business (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Viktor KovalThis book is an interdisciplinary study linking the circular economy and renewable energy, satisfying the public interest in sustainable energy solutions from a social, political, economic, and technological perspective. The book considers all subjects that can help solve the problems of creating a sustainable energy system through the production of clean energy with integration into the national energy system without compromising reliability and improving energy security.
Innovative Approaches in Environmental Health Management: Processes, Technologies, and Strategies for a Sustainable Future (Environmental Science and Engineering)
by Sylvester Chibueze Izah Matthew Chidozie OgwuThis book aims at professionals and academics in the fields of environmental science, public health, sustainable development, and policy studies. It also serves as a reference for policymakers and industry experts working on environmental and health-related issues.
Advances in Environmental Sustainability: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Advances in Environment Research (ICAER 2023) (Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences)
by Solomon W. LeungThis book contains the selected papers from the 2023 9th International Conference on Advances in Environment Research (ICAER 2023). The conference, which was held in Singapore from March 17-19, aimed to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas with a common interest in fostering advances in environmental research and related techniques. The topics covered in this proceedings include environmental sustainability, solid waste management, wastewater and sludge treatment, environmental pollution control, environmental restoration and ecological engineering, and more. This proceedings will appeal to people working in environmental science and related areas, and particularly to postgraduates and researchers who are interested in keeping abreast with new advances in environmental research.
Mastering UltraEdit: Functions and Possibilities of the Most Flexible, Powerful, and Secure Text Editor
by Devid EspenschiedThis guide to UltraEdit covers the text editor's powerful and flexible functions that go far beyond the functionality of a normal text editor for a breadth of use cases, including text/code editing, web development, system administration, development/programming, remote file editing, data filtering and sorting, and file compare. Even though UltraEdit celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, very few manuals exist. This book provides a well-founded introduction and exhaustively discusses all UltraEdit’s powerful functions. At the same time, the book is intended to be a solid reference and a bundled compendium for the more than four million UltraEdit customers worldwide. What You Will Learn Know the basic functions and many power functions Understand the focus of UltraEdit in the areas of programming/development, web development, database management, and system administration, as well as technical writing, editing, and publishing Get up to speed on functions and capabilities, user interface and program navigation, customization and settings, and windows arrangement and file management Know the core functions for editing and inserting data Expand your knowledge with the many view variations, formatting options, and powerful search and replace features an editor can include Perfect your workflow with many other power functions such as multi-caret editing, column mode, and FTP integration Who This Book Is For Users who are familiar with text editors but are frustrated with their limits, or who want to benefit from UltraEdit's long-established power functions
The Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Traffic and Transportation Studies: Volume I (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering #616)
by Lingyun Meng Yongsheng Qian Yun Bai Bin Lv Yuanjie TangThis book reflects the latest research trends, methods and experimental results in the field of traffic and transport, covering a wealth of state-of-the-art research theories and ideas. As a vital field of research, highly relevant to current developments in a number of technological areas, the topics covered include traffic data analysis, transport planning, multimodal and integrated transport, modelling and analysis of passenger behaviour, etc. The aim of the proceedings is to provide a major interdisciplinary forum for researchers, engineers, academics and industry professionals to present the most innovative research and development in the field of traffic and transportation. Engineers and researchers from academia, industry and government will also explore the solutions that combine ideas from different disciplines in the field. The volumes serve as an excellent reference for researchers and graduate students working in the field of traffic and transportation.
Human and Artificial Rationalities: Second International Conference, HAR 2023, Paris, France, September 19–22, 2023, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14522)
by Jean Baratgin Baptiste Jacquet Hiroshi YamaThis book constitutes the proceedings of the Second International Conference on Human and Artificial Rationalities, HAR 2023, which took place in Paris, France, in September 2023. The 18 full and 5 short papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 39 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: Human and artificial thinking; human thinking and reasoning; neuropsychology and interaction; artificial agents and interaction; and applied reasoning. This volume also contains 2 invited talks in full-paper length.
Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VI: Volume 1: Occupational Risk Assessment, Management and Case Studies (Studies in Systems, Decision and Control #230)
by J. Santos Baptista Rui B. Melo Paula Carneiro Jacqueline Castelo Branco Nelson Costa Joana Duarte Joana C. Guedes Gonçalo PerestreloThis book gathers cutting-edge research and best practices relating to occupational risk and safety management, healthcare, and ergonomics. It covers strategies for different industries, such as construction, chemical, and healthcare. It emphasizes challenges posed by automation, discusses solutions offered by technologies, and reports on case studies carried out in different countries. Chapters are based on selected contributions to the 21st International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO 2024), held on July 4-5, 2024, in Porto, Portugal. By reporting on different perspectives, such as the ones from managers, employees, and OSH professionals, and covering timely issues, such as implications of telework, issues related to gender inequality and applications of machine learning techniques in occupational health, this book offers extensive information and a source of inspiration to OSH researchers, practitioners, and organizations operating in both local and global contexts. This is the first volume of a 2-volume set.
Certifying Central Facility Beamlines for Biological and Chemical Crystallography and Allied Methods (SpringerBriefs in Crystallography)
by John R. HelliwellThis book briefs beamline providers and users on what to look for when selecting experiments for a given type of facility and beamline so that beamtime usage and effectiveness can be maximized. It navigates facility publications, as well as data management and sharing policies. Like this, the information presented helps avoid potential pitfalls between facility and user on these important post-experiment aspects. Allied analytical methods are also described in terms of their certification for confident provision and use.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023: Criminal Law-2
by P. Jaganathan Usha JaganathanThe book provides a comprehensive analysis of India's newly introduced Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. It covers critical aspects of criminal procedure, investigation, trials, and sentencing, integrating technological advancements and time-bound remedies for a more efficient justice system. Additionally, the book explores the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, amended in 2021, focusing on rehabilitation and child protection. The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 is also examined, highlighting reformative justice for first-time offenders. Designed for law students, educators, and legal practitioners, this updated edition provides case laws, exam-oriented notes, and simplified explanations to enhance legal understanding.
The Forgotten Canals of Yorkshire: Wakefield to Swinton via Barnsley (Transport Through The Ages Ser.)
by Roger Glister'The Forgotten Canals of Yorkshire: Wakefield to Swinton via Barnsley' is part of the canal series in 'Transport Through the Ages', brought to you by Wharncliffe Books. This fascinating book traces the nostalgic journey of the canal boats through the ages. As an illustrative history, 'The Forgotten Canals of Yorkshire: Wakefield to Swinton via Barnsley', is based on a unique collection of photographs collected by the late Alan Hall. They illuminate the Barnsley Canal and the Dearne and Dove Canal not only in their working years but also in their decline and eventual abandonment. Most of the photographs have not been published before and demonstrate very poignantly the official vandalism that befell the canals fifty years ago. Our industrial heritage was wilfully destroyed and important archaeological features were obliterated in the name of progres. Take yourself on a nostalgic journey through the pictorial re-creation of the waterways of Yorkshire, as you read 'The Forgotten Canals of Yorkshire: Wakefield to Swinton via Barnsley'.
Footsteps to the Jungle
by Penelope WorsleyBorn in Cairo in 1942, Penelope married Oliver Worsley and went to live in Yorkshire, where they had four children. Footsteps to the Jungle traces Penelopes earlier life, the discovery of Huntingtons Disease, the death of her son Richard and what led her to set up an international charity in his memory. The Karen Hilltribes Trust is focused on helping the Karen people in the mountainous area of northwest Thailand to help themselves to build a better future. This illustrated book is a personal story that shares tragedy, illness and challenges, resulting in the huge rewards of working with others
London at War: Relics of the Home Front from the World Wars
by Alan BrooksAn extensively illustrated tour of relics and reminders of the city&’s WWI and WWII experiences. The two world wars of the twentieth century seem so distant from us now, yet in London the evidence of these conflicts can be found in the many relics and reminders that are scattered across the fabric of the modern city. And, as Alan Brooks demonstrates in this fascinating photographic record, they can be seen and visited today. Plaques and inscriptions, graves, cemeteries and rolls of honor, stone monuments and stained glass, war-damaged buildings, pillboxes, and air-raid shelters, painted signs and camouflage—these are just some of the mementos of war, and of the experience of Londoners during the greatest conflicts the country has known.
Flirting with Danger: The Mysterious Life of Marguerite Harrison, Socialite Spy
by null Janet WallachA NEW YORK TIMES EDITOR'S CHOICE"A compelling story that pulsates with the energy of a thriller"—The Wall Street Journal"Suspense, élan and a generous helping of glamour: Think George Smiley in a mink-trimmed coat."—The New York Times Book ReviewThe true story of socialite Marguerite Harrison, who spied for U.S. military intelligence in Russia and Germany in the fraught period between the world warsBorn a privileged child of America&’s Gilded Age, Marguerite Harrison rebelled against her mother&’s ambitions, married the man she loved, was widowed at thirty-seven, and set off on a life of adventure. Hired as a society reporter, when America entered World War I she applied to Military Intelligence to work as a spy.She arrived in Berlin immediately after the Armistice and befriended the enemy, dining with aristocrats and dancing with socialists. Late into the night she wrote prescient reports on the growing power of the German right. Sent to Moscow, she sneaked into Russia to observe the results of the Bolshevik Revolution. Although she carried press credentials she was caught and imprisoned as an American spy. Terrified when told her only way out was to spy for the Cheka, she became a double agent, aiming to convince the Russian rulers she was working for them while striving to stay loyal to her country.In Germany and Russia, Harrison saw the future—a second war with Germany, a cold war with the Soviets—but her reports were ignored by many back home. Over a decade, Harrison&’s mysterious adventures took her to Europe, Baghdad, and the Far East, as a socialite, secret agent, and documentary filmmaker. Janet Wallach captures Harrison&’s daring and glamour in this stranger-than-fiction history of a woman drawn to the impossible.
Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball
by null Keith O'BrienA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • Longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for BiographyA captivating chronicle of the incredible story of one of America&’s most iconic, charismatic, and still polarizing figures—baseball immortal Pete Rose—and an exquisite cultural history of baseball and America in the second half of the twentieth century • "Comprehensive, compulsively readable and wholly terrific."—The Wall Street Journal"Long before the inquiry into Ohtani's ties to betting, there was Pete Rose....Charlie Hustle chronicles one of the most polarizing figures in sports."—NPR, All Things Considered&“Baseball biography at its best. With Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose finally gets the book he deserves, and baseball fans get the book we&’ve been craving, a hard-hitting, beautifully-written tale that will stand for years to come as the definitive account of one of the most fascinating figures in American sports history.&”—Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of King: A LifePete Rose is a legend. A baseball god. He compiled more hits than anyone in the history of baseball, a record he set decades ago that still stands today. He was a working-class white guy from Cincinnati who made it; less talented than tough, and rough around the edges. He was everything that America wanted and needed him to be, the American dream personified, until he wasn&’t.In the 1980s, Pete Rose came to be at the center of one of the biggest scandals in baseball history. He kept secrets, ran with bookies, took on massive gambling debts, and he was magnificently, publicly cast out for betting on baseball and lying about it. The revelations that followed ruined him, changed life in Cincinnati, and forever altered the game.Charlie Hustle tells the full story of one of America&’s most epic tragedies—the rise and fall of Pete Rose. Drawing on firsthand interviews with Rose himself and with his associates, as well as on investigators' reports, FBI and court records, archives, a mountain of press coverage, Keith O&’Brien chronicles how Rose fell so far from being America&’s &“great white hope.&” It is Pete Rose as we've never seen him before.This is no ordinary sport biography, but cultural history at its finest. What O&’Brien shows is that while Pete Rose didn&’t change, America and baseball did. This is the story of that change.
Klan War: Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle to Save Reconstruction
by null Fergus M. BordewichA NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A stunning history of the first national anti-terrorist campaign waged on American soil—when Ulysses S. Grant wielded the power of the federal government to dismantle the KKKThe Ku Klux Klan, which celebrated historian Fergus Bordewich defines as &“the first organized terrorist movement in American history,&” rose from the ashes of the Civil War. At its peak in the early 1870s, the Klan boasted many tens of thousands of members, no small number of them landowners, lawmen, doctors, journalists, and churchmen, as well as future governors and congressmen. And their mission was to obliterate the muscular democratic power of newly emancipated Black Americans and their white allies, often by the most horrifying means imaginable.To repel the virulent tidal wave of violence, President Ulysses S. Grant waged a two-term battle against both armed Southern enemies of Reconstruction and Northern politicians seduced by visions of postwar conciliation, testing the limits of the federal government in determining the extent of states&’ rights. In this book, Bordewich transports us to the front lines, in the hamlets of the former Confederate States and in the marble corridors of Congress, reviving an unsung generation of grassroots Black leaders and key figures such as crusading Missouri senator Carl Schurz, who sacrificed the rights of Black Americans in the name of political &“reform,&” and the ruthless former slave trader and Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest.Klan War is a bold and bracing record of America&’s past that reveals the bloody, Reconstruction-era roots of present-day battles to protect the ballot box and stamp out resurgent white supremacist ideologies.
One Shot: A Reacher novel (Jack Reacher #9)
by null Lee Child#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Don&’t miss the hit streaming series Reacher! &“Pure, escapist gold . . . Mr. Child&’s tough talk and thoughtful plotting make an ingenious combination.&”—The New York TimesSix shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, ex—military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter–a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right–and soon the slam-dunk case explodes. Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning–and then beat him shot for shot.
Lucky: A novel
by null Jane SmileyFrom the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer, a soaring, soulful novel about a folk musician who rises to fame across our changing times • &“A robust, atmospheric coming-of-age story.&” —PeopleBefore Jodie Rattler became a star, she was a girl growing up in St. Louis. One day in 1955, when she was just six years old, her uncle Drew took her to the racetrack, where she got lucky—and that roll of two-dollar bills she won has never since left her side. Jodie thrived in the warmth of her extended family, and then—through a combination of hard work and serendipity—she started a singing career, which catapulted her from St. Louis to New York City, from the English countryside to the tropical beaches of St. Thomas, from Cleveland to Los Angeles, and back again. Jodie comes of age in recording studios, backstage, and on tour, and she tries to hold her own in the wake of Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Joni Mitchell. Yet it feels like something is missing. Could it be true love? Or is that not actually what Jodie is looking for?Full of atmosphere, shot through with longing and exuberance, romance and rock 'n' roll, Lucky is a story of chance and grit and the glitter of real talent, a colorful portrait of one woman's journey in search of herself.
Lords of the Sith: Star Wars (Star Wars)
by null Paul S. KempNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . When the Emperor and his notorious apprentice, Darth Vader, find themselves stranded in the middle of insurgent action on an inhospitable planet, they must rely on each other, the Force, and their own ruthlessness to prevail. &“It appears things are as you suspected, Lord Vader. We are indeed hunted.&” Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, is just a memory. Darth Vader, newly anointed Sith Lord, is ascendant. The Emperor&’s chosen apprentice has swiftly proven his loyalty to the dark side. Still, the history of the Sith Order is one of duplicity, betrayal, and acolytes violently usurping their Masters—and the truest measure of Vader&’s allegiance has yet to be taken. Until now. On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as &“spice,&” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done. For Syndulla and Isval, it&’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet&’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries.Praise for Lords of the Sith &“A compelling tale [that] gives us new insight into the relationship between Darth Vader and his master, Emperor Palpatine.&”—New York Daily News &“Endlessly fascinating . . . a tale [that is] not just compelling but completely thrilling.&”—Big Shiny Robot &“The best novel so far in this new era of official canon Star Wars stories.&”—IGN &“Packed with action . . . hard to put down.&”—Seattle Geekly
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us
by null Susan Magsamen null Ivy RossNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A life-altering, science-backed exploration of the healing power of art, which has now been proven to help lower stress, supercharge learning and creativity, extend your lifespan, and combat loneliness.&“This book blew my mind!&”—Angela Duckworth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of GritA BLOOMBERG BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • Finalist for the Inc. Non-Obvious Book Award and the Porchlight Business Book AwardWhat is art? Many of us think of the arts as entertainment—a luxury of some kind. In Your Brain on Art, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross show how activities from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture, and more are essential to our lives.We&’re on the verge of a cultural shift in which the arts can deliver potent, accessible, and proven solutions for the well-being of everyone. Magsamen and Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. They expand our understanding of how playing music builds cognitive skills and enhances learning; the vibrations of a tuning fork create sound waves to counteract stress; virtual reality can provide cutting-edge therapeutic benefit; and interactive exhibits dissolve the boundaries between art and viewers, engaging all of our senses and strengthening memory. Doctors have even been prescribing museum visits to address loneliness, dementia, and many other physical and mental health concerns.Your Brain on Art is a portal into this new understanding about how the arts and aesthetics can help us transform traditional medicine, build healthier communities, and mend an aching planet.Featuring conversations with artists such as David Byrne, Renée Fleming, and evolutionary biologist E. O. Wilson, Your Brain on Art is an authoritative guide to neuroaesthetics. The book weaves a tapestry of breakthrough research, insights from multidisciplinary pioneers, and compelling stories from people who are using the arts to enhance their lives.
Blue Moon: A Jack Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher #24)
by null Lee Child#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Don&’t miss the hit streaming series Reacher! &“Jack Reacher is today&’s James Bond, a thriller hero we can&’t get enough of.&”—Ken Follett&“This is a random universe,&” Reacher says. &“Once in a blue moon things turn out just right.&” This isn&’t one of those times. Reacher is on a Greyhound bus, minding his own business, with no particular place to go, and all the time in the world to get there. Then he steps off the bus to help an old man who is obviously just a victim waiting to happen. But you know what they say about good deeds. Now Reacher wants to make it right. An elderly couple have made a few well-meaning mistakes, and now they owe big money to some very bad people. One brazen move leads to another, and suddenly Reacher finds himself a wanted man in the middle of a brutal turf war between rival Ukrainian and Albanian gangs. Reacher has to stay one step ahead of the loan sharks, the thugs, and the assassins. He teams up with a fed-up waitress who knows a little more than she&’s letting on, and sets out to take down the powerful and make the greedy pay. It&’s a long shot. The odds are against him. But Reacher believes in a certain kind of justice . . . the kind that comes along once in a blue moon. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY EVENING STANDARD
Master & Apprentice (Star Wars #286)
by null Claudia GrayNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An unexpected offer threatens the bond between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the two Jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future in the first canon Star Wars novel to take place before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. A Jedi must be a fearless warrior, a guardian of justice, and a scholar in the ways of the Force. But perhaps a Jedi&’s most essential duty is to pass on what they have learned. Master Yoda trained Dooku; Dooku trained Qui-Gon Jinn; and now Qui-Gon has a Padawan of his own. But while Qui-Gon has faced all manner of threats and danger as a Jedi, nothing has ever scared him like the thought of failing his apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi has deep respect for his Master, but struggles to understand him. Why must Qui-Gon so often disregard the laws that bind the Jedi? Why is Qui-Gon drawn to ancient Jedi prophecies instead of more practical concerns? And why wasn&’t Obi-Wan told that Qui-Gon is considering an invitation to join the Jedi Council—knowing it would mean the end of their partnership? The simple answer scares him: Obi-Wan has failed his Master. When Jedi Rael Averross, another former student of Dooku, requests their assistance with a political dispute, Jinn and Kenobi travel to the royal court of Pijal for what may be their final mission together. What should be a simple assignment quickly becomes clouded by deceit, and by visions of violent disaster that take hold in Qui-Gon&’s mind. As Qui-Gon&’s faith in prophecy grows, Obi-Wan&’s faith in him is tested—just as a threat surfaces that will demand that Master and apprentice come together as never before, or be divided forever.