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Implementation of Circular Economy in Supply Chains and Production Systems (EcoProduction)
by Paulina Golinska-Dawson Roma Marczewska-Kuzma Lukasz HadasThis book covers various aspects of sustainability, including green economy, green energy, and waste management. It offers analysis of key challenges in contemporary world, as well as concepts and solutions that can be implemented to deal with them. The authors represent various universities located all over the Europe; hence, their perspectives are different and confronting their points of view will result in holistic review of current topics connected with circular economy. The book can be interesting for academics, as it presents the latest research results, for business practitioners, as it supplements research with case studies and real-life examples, and for students, who can learn about new challenges solutions they will have to deal with in their professional careers.
Adding Bricks to Clicks: Determinanten einer Expansion in den physischen Einzelhandel (Handel und Internationales Marketing Retailing and International Marketing)
by Daniel Eugen KudetDieses Buch befasst sich mit der Analyse des ‚Adding Bricks to Clicks&‘-Prozesses – der Expansion bislang reiner Online-Händler in den physischen Offline-Handel. Von der Festlegung der Expansionsziele über die Wahl des Ladenkonzepts und des Standorts bis hin zur kundenzentrierten Kanalintegration werden neun Determinanten identifiziert, die die Transformation des bisherigen Einkanal- in ein tragfähiges Mehrkanalsystem bestimmen. Die systematische Betrachtung dieser Determinanten vertieft das Verständnis über die Expansionsstrategien von Online-Pure-Playern. Sie zeigt, wie digitale und physische Kanäle im Mehrkanalhandel erfolgreich miteinander verzahnt werden können. Zudem liefert es wertvolle Erkenntnisse zur anhaltenden Bedeutung physischer Ladengeschäfte in der Customer Journey. Um kanalübergreifende Strategien gezielt zu reflektieren und weiterzuentwickeln, liefern die praxisnahen Ergebnisse eine solide Basis für Wissenschaft und Praxis.
A Practical Guide to Generative AI Using Amazon Bedrock: Building, Deploying, and Securing Generative AI Applications
by Avik BhattacharjeeThis comprehensive guide gives you the knowledge and skills you need to excel in Generative AI. From understanding the fundamentals to mastering techniques, this book offers a step-by-step approach to leverage Amazon Bedrock to build, deploy, and secure Generative AI applications. The book presents structured chapters and practical examples to delve into key concepts such as prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, and model evaluation. You will gain profound insights into the Amazon Bedrock platform. The book covers setup, life cycle management, and integration with Amazon SageMaker. The book emphasizes real-world applications, and provides use cases and best practices across industries on topics such as text summarization, image generation, and conversational AI bots. The book tackles vital topics including data privacy, security, responsible AI practices, and guidance on navigating governance and monitoring challenges while ensuring adherence to ethical standards and regulations. The book provides the tools and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of Generative AI. Whether you're a data scientist, AI engineer, or business professional, this book will empower you to harness the full potential of Generative AI and drive innovation in your organization. What You Will Learn Understand the fundamentals of Generative AI and Amazon Bedrock Build Responsible Generative AI applications leveraging Amazon Bedrock Know techniques and best practices See real-world applications Integrate and manage platforms Handle securty and governance issues Evaluate and optimze models Gain future-ready insights Understand the project life cycle when building Generative AI Applications Who This Book Is For Data scientistys, AI/ML engineers and architects, software developers plus AI enthusiasts and studenta and educators, and leaders who want to evangelize within organizatios
Erfolgsfaktor Mittelstand: Kunden gewinnen, Märkte erobern – Strategien und Impulse für KMU und Soloselbständige
by Grit SchimpfermannIn einer Zeit tiefgreifender Veränderungen stehen kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) vor besonderen Herausforderungen. Dieses Buch bietet praktische Unterstützung, wie sie sich mit Marketing und Vertrieb in der digitalen Welt behaupten sowie neue Kunden gewinnen und binden können. Es zeigt zudem, welche Vorteile KMU gegenüber größeren Wettbewerbern ausspielen können. Anhand von Fallbeispielen aus verschiedenen Branchen werden konkrete Lösungen für unterschiedliche Herausforderungen vorgestellt. Verständliche Erläuterungen, kompakte Zusammenfassungen und nützliche Checklisten erleichtern die Umsetzung in die betriebliche Praxis. Ob familiengeführtes Hotel, Einzelhändler oder Dienstleister – “Erfolgsfaktor Mittelstand” liefert Ihnen wertvolle Impulse und praxiserprobte Methoden, um Ihr Unternehmen fit für die Zukunft zu machen und langfristig erfolgreich zu sein!
Symbolic Dynamical Systems and C*-Algebras: Continuous Orbit Equivalence of Topological Markov Shifts and Cuntz–Krieger Algebras (Mathematical Physics Studies)
by Kengo MatsumotoThis book presents the interplay between topological Markov shifts and Cuntz–Krieger algebras by providing notations, techniques, and ideas in detail. The main goal of this book is to provide a detailed proof of a classification theorem for continuous orbit equivalence of one-sided topological Markov shifts. The continuous orbit equivalence of one-sided topological Markov shifts is classified in terms of several different mathematical objects: the étale groupoids, the actions of the continuous full groups on the Markov shifts, the algebraic type of continuous full groups, the Cuntz–Krieger algebras, and the K-theory dates of the Cuntz–Krieger algebras. This classification result shows that topological Markov shifts have deep connections with not only operator algebras but also groupoid theory, infinite non-amenable groups, group actions, graph theory, linear algebras, K-theory, and so on. By using this classification result, the complete classification of flow equivalence in two-sided topological Markov shifts is described in terms of Cuntz–Krieger algebras. The author will also study the relationship between the topological conjugacy of topological Markov shifts and the gauge actions of Cuntz–Krieger algebras.
Transfer künstlerischer Handlungskonsequenz in Bildungs- und Arbeitsprozesse
by Dido RoggatzDieses Buch verdeutlicht das Potenzial künstlerischer Erfahrungen durch die vollständige Identifikation mit dem eigenen Tun und einer Expertise in eigenverantwortlichen Prozessen – essenzielle Faktoren für Bildung und Arbeitswelt. Neben neuen Handlungsoptionen stärkt das gewonnene Vertrauen in die eigene Handlungskompetenz eine Flexibilität und Offenheit gegenüber unerwarteten Situationen. Die Publikation richtet sich an Entscheidungsträger:innen und Fachkräfte aus Bildung, Forschung und Wirtschaft. Es bietet praxisnahe Ansätze zur Förderung einer zukunftsfähigen Gesellschaft.
Extremer sozialer Rückzug junger Menschen: Hikikomori in Deutschland? (Familienforschung)
by Katja Weidtmann Sabina Stelzig Patrick Wöckel Yasmin HillDer Band bietet einen systematischen Überblick über das Phänomen extremer sozialer Rückzüge junger Menschen, das in Japan unter dem Begriff „Hikikomori&“ bekannt ist. Dieser Begriff bezeichnet die langfristige Selbstisolation junger Menschen vor der Gesellschaft, ohne dass vorrangig eine psychische Erkrankung vorliegt. Die Person im sozialen Rückzug wird zumeist - allerdings ohne einen direkten Kontakt - durch ihre Familie versorgt. Das Buchprojekt nähert sich dem Thema umfassend aus einer interdisziplinären Sicht. Dabei geraten nicht nur das Individuum selbst, sondern das gesamte Familiensystem sowie die es umgebenden kulturellen und gesellschaftliche Bedingungen in den Blick. Vor dem Hintergrund einiger Fallbeispiele wird diskutiert, ob der Rückzug von jungen Menschen aus der Gesellschaft auch in Deutschland sinnvoll mit dem Phänomen „Hikikomori&“ beschrieben werden kann. Denn während in Japan seit den 1990 Jahren auch auf staatlicher Ebene vielfältige unterstützende Präventions- und Interventionsformen entwickelt wurden, fallen in Deutschland junge Menschen im extremen sozialen Rückzug und ihre Angehörigen bislang durch fast alle Raster.
Bewegen mit mHealth: Eine multimethodische Untersuchung zur langfristigen Health Tracking Nutzung
by Tabea KremerTabea Kremer widmet sich einem der zentralen Gesundheitsprobleme unserer Zeit: der unzureichenden Bewegung vieler Menschen. Health-Tracking-Technologien wie Fitnesstracker und Smartwatches könnten hier einen Unterschied machen, indem sie zur Steigerung der körperlichen Aktivität motivieren. Doch oft bleibt der Effekt kurzlebig, da die Geräte nur kurzfristig genutzt werden. Vor allem inaktive Menschen – die am meisten profitieren würden – bleiben selten langfristig dabei. Um die Mechanismen einer langfristigen Nutzung besser zu verstehen, entwickelte Tabea Kremer ein innovatives Forschungsmodell, das auf der Self-Determination Theory und der Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology basiert. Mithilfe qualitativer und quantitativer Methoden zeigt sie, welche Faktoren die langfristige Nutzung von Health Tracking fördern: Die Balance zwischen Selbst- und Fremdbestimmung, die Gewohnheitsbildung sowie das Erleben von Autonomie und sozialer Eingebundenheit spielen dabei eine Schlüsselrolle. Ihre Ergebnisse bieten wertvolle Ansatzpunkte für eine zielgerichtete Gesundheitskommunikation und liefern Impulse, um inaktive Zielgruppen effektiv anzusprechen.
Conceptual Variable Design for Scorecards: A Standardized Methodology for the Model-Building Process
by Saul Rodrigo ZapiainEmbark on a journey through the intricate landscape of predictive modeling, where the fusion of conceptual clarity and robust statistical techniques creates powerful tools for decision-making. This book distills years of experience into a standardized methodology that empowers professionals across industries—from banking to telecommunications—to construct scorecards that predict outcomes with precision and confidence. In a world driven by data, the ability to transform complex information into actionable insights is paramount. This is your essential guide to mastering the art and science of model building. With practical examples, real-world case studies, and step-by-step guidance, this book is not just a resource—it's a roadmap to success in the rapidly evolving field of analytics. By focusing on reducing operational risk, you&’ll be equipped to make informed decisions that safeguard your organization&’s future. Whether you&’re a seasoned data scientist or just starting your journey, Conceptual Variable Design for Scorecards will provide you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in an era where data-driven decisions are the key to competitive advantage. Join the ranks of forward-thinking professionals who are redefining the future of risk management and predictive analytics. Your journey begins here. What You Will Learn Harness the power of conceptualization to create models that solve real-world problems. Design meaningful variables that reflect the behaviors of your target population. Expand variables with temporal patterns to capture trends and dynamic changes. Master data integration to streamline preparation and avoid common pitfalls. Implement a unified workflow to simplify and accelerate the modeling process. Explore a larger number of variables in your multivariable models by harnessing the use of experimental design and hyperoptimization. Who This Book Is For Professionals engaged in the practical construction of models who seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of the model-building process.
Connection Matrices in Combinatorial Topological Dynamics (SpringerBriefs in Mathematics)
by Marian Mrozek Thomas WannerThis book provides an introduction to the theory of connection matrices in the context of combinatorial multivector fields. The theory of connection matrices was proposed by Conley and Franzosa for classical continuous-time dynamical systems as a tool for studying connecting orbits between isolated invariant sets. It generalizes the Morse complex in Morse theory, and has found numerous applications in dynamics. Connection matrices have been and still are a challenging topic to study, as there are no complete introductory texts, and both their intricate definition and properties are scattered over numerous research papers. In recent years, dynamical concepts have found their way into a combinatorial context. Starting with combinatorial vector fields, introduced by Forman to generalize classical Morse theory, it has been realized that this transfer of ideas can lead to important applications. Similarly, Conley's theory of isolated invariant sets has been transferred to the combinatorial setting. This, when combined with the concept of multivector fields, opens the door to a complete combinatorial dynamical theory. In this book, we take Conley's theory one step further, by presenting a complete discussion of connection matrices for combinatorial multivector fields. While some of the results in this book are based on known approaches, we show in a detailed way how they can be carried over to the case of multivector fields on general Lefschetz complexes. Along the way, we introduce notions which are new even in the classical setting, such as a formal approach to addressing the nonuniqueness of connection matrices, as well as mechanisms for comparing connection matrices even under poset changes. Finally, we show that specifically for the case of Forman's gradient combinatorial vector fields connection matrices are necessarily unique, and can be determined explicitly in a straightforward way. Focusing on the combinatorial theory of connection matrices has a number of advantages. On the one hand, many of the technical difficulties of the classical continuous-time dynamics situation are not present in the discrete combinatorial context. This allows us to provide a complete and informal introduction to the theory in the second section of the book. This in turn will enable the readers to construct and analyze their own examples easily. On the other hand, the complete theory, including the existence of connecting orbits in the combinatorial setting can be presented in detail, based on an explicit distinction between the algebraic and topological parts of the theory. In this way, it is our hope that this book will be an impetus for further knowledge transfer between dynamics and combinatorics, and even topological data analysis. <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family:
Product Lifecycle Management. Leveraging AI, Digital Twins, and Smart Technologies: 21st IFIP WG 5.1 International Conference, PLM 2024, Bangkok, Thailand, July 7–10, 2024, Revised Selected Papers Part II (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #741)
by Abdelaziz Bouras Christophe Danjou Pradorn SureephongThis two-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 21st IFIP WG 5.1 International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management, PLM 2024, held in Bangkok, Thailand, during July 7-10, 2024. The 64 full papers presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 105 submissions. PLM 2024 aims to integrate business approaches to the collaborative creation, management and dissemination of product and process data throughout the extended enterprises that create, manufacture and operate engineered products and systems.
Primary-Level Government: Issues in Rural Governance in China
by Jing ZhangThis book examines what constitutes power in rural China, its structure, how it is exercised, and its practical consequences. The author&’s explorations are motivated by two key concerns. On one hand, theoretical questions about what rural political reforms in the first half of the 20th century did or did not accomplish continue to demand an adequate answer. On the other hand, any reasonable explanation for the recent surge in social conflicts in rural areas must begin with a sound understanding of how the rural power apparatus shapes both perception and behavior. The ten chapters present in-depth discussions of key issues such as where power comes from, how it is distributed and transmitted, the role of the state, the mechanics of how power is wielded, and what rural social conflicts reveal about both the inertia in politics and where opportunities for change might arise. The author argues that the historical trajectory of change in rural political institutions in the modern era is importantly a legacy of China&’s imperial past and more recent traumas. The state-building framework often used to analyze the modernization process in Europe is poorly applicable in the Chinese context, and economic analysis has but limited explanatory power. The book not only contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary rural politics and governance in China but also sheds light on how the transition from tradition to modernity unfolds within particular historical, sociological and political contexts.
Data Sharing für KMU: Voraussetzungen und Instrumente für die gemeinsame Nutzung von Daten
by Jürg Meierhofer Petra Kugler Martin Dobler Marc Strittmatter Manuel Treiterer Helen VogtEin bewusster Umgang mit Daten ist für Unternehmen wichtiger denn je: Sie fördern Innovation in Geschäftsmodellen, erfordern aber auch einen effizienten und nachhaltigen Datenumgang. Unternehmen, die Daten teilen und nutzen, wirtschaften effizienter durch Data Sharing. In diesem Fachbuch werden verschiedene Aspekte des Data Sharings aus unternehmensübergreifender und -interner Perspektive, vorwiegend mit Blick auf kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen (KMU), betrachtet. Die Autor:innen untersuchen, wie Unternehmen Anreize schaffen können, um erfolgreich an der Datenökonomie teilzunehmen, aber auch welche externen Bedingungen gegeben sein sollten, um Unternehmen in die Lage zu versetzen, ihre ökonomischen Potenziale in Bezug auf Daten zu maximieren.Das Buch zeigt, wie KMU den Wert ihrer Daten optimieren, vertrauensvolle Partnerschaften aufbauen, Sicherheitsbarrieren überwinden, eine datenzentrierte Kultur fördern und rechtliche Fragen auf praktische und effektive Weise regeln können. Die Autor:innen stellen umsetzbare Erkenntnisse und Beispiele aus der Praxis vor und geben KMUs die Werkzeuge an die Hand, um in einem datenzentrierten Geschäftsumfeld erfolgreich zu sein. Der Inhalt Das Data Sharing Framework: Vertrauen, Organisationskultur, Wert von Daten, Sicherheit und Recht & Governance Strategische Dimensionen, Datenbewertung in der Praxis, ESG-Berichterstattung, Monetarisierung, LLM und Datenökosysteme Fallstudien
Innovation for Growth: Generating Long-Term Success of Traditional Industrial Companies in Fast-Changing Times (essentials)
by Lucas Sauberschwarz Lysander Weiss Tomas Smetana Christine GrübelDigitalization, sustainability, global competition and geopolitical conditions are presenting traditional industrial companies with major new challenges. Strategic innovation is needed to successfully address these by identifying, developing and realizing suitable new business potentials. With a sound scientific basis and numerous practical examples, this book explains the necessary dynamic capabilities for strategic innovation and shows a systematic approach to establishing and applying them in traditional industrial companies. For decision-makers, the book serves as both a wake-up call and a solution for achieving lasting success in the highly dynamic market environment of the 21st century.
Business Model and Relevant Financing Options in the Area of Autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service
by Frieder GlimmThe theoretical part of this book defines the basic terminology on the topic of Autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (AMaaS). The main goal of the work is to develop a viable business model in the area of AMaaS in Germany. As secondary objectives, relevant innovative financing options are analyzed and the potential market for AMaaS in Germany is examined. For this purpose, a cross-sectional survey is carried out to identify determinants influencing willingness to use. The application part of the book focuses on the potential of the practical introduction of the developed business model. The advantages and risks of implementation are worked out and recommendations are derived. Overall, the work shows, how AMaaS can be established as a substitution for car ownership in Germany.
The Solidarity Approach in Geography: Cases from the Indian Subcontinent
by Kavita Arora Rashmi Rani AnandThis contributed volume explains the concept of solidarity and illustrates how perspectives informed by a solidarity approach can be utilized in geographic research. Geography offers a set of concepts and tools including space, place, scale, landscape, and mobility, that makes it a particularly useful lens through which to view issues of solidarity. It is distinct from other sciences in its subject matter and methodology but at the same time offers a multidisciplinary approach and transcends its disciplinary boundary. The concept of solidarity in geography is illustrated here through nearly thirty-five case chapters, all from the Indian subcontinent. Topics covered here include but are not limited to geographical approaches to solidarity in economic issues, indigenous knowledge, international relations, global geopolitics, climate change, crisis management, human health, and more.
Plant-Microbe Interactions for Environmental and Agricultural Sustainability
by Ajar Nath Yadav Ashutosh Pandey Kamlesh Choure Mostafa El-SheekhThis book provides an understanding of the intricate structure of the plant-microbe interface for increasing plant performance in an environmentally sustainable way. Plant microbiomes, often known as the bacteria associated with plants such as rhizospheric, phyllosphere, and entophytic, are essential components of plant life. Importance of plant microbiomes is a trustworthy strategy for sustainability to handle upcoming food shortages and restore soil health. Understanding the relationships between plants and microorganisms is advancing with the concept of profiling plant-associated microbiomes (genome assemblies of all bacteria). Through a number of ways, the microbiota increases the plant's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to solving the riddle of plant-microbe dynamics using cutting-edge technologies to comprehend the function of metabolites and signal route mechanisms. Recent developments in omics technologies for unravelling plant-microbe dynamic interactions and other novel phytotechnologies for soil health improvement are discussed at length in this volume, as well as novel methods for improved agricultural and environmental sustainability. Teachers, academics, plant biologists, and researchers will all find this book interesting. Students studying agriculture, microbiology, biotechnology, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels can also use the book as supplemental reading material.
The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Psychology and Health
by Fuschia M. SiroisThis handbook brings together the two rapidly growing subfields of psychology, Positive Psychology and Health Psychology. It provides evidence-based and theory-driven perspectives on the potential benefits of focusing on and cultivating character strengths, positive states and traits for optimizing physical health and related outcomes in both general and medical populations. The handbook is divided into four sections, with the first three covering classic Western positive psychological domains and their relations to physical health: Hedonic well-being (Positive Emotions), Eudaimonc well-being (Meaning, Purpose and Values), and Character Strengths. The fourth section takes a novel Eastern perspective to positive states and traits by examining the role of mindfulness and self-compassion in health-related pathways and outcomes. This handbook provides an overview of how positive psychological concepts and interventions can be integrated into research and practice aimed at improving people&’s health. It offers a valuable resource for students and scholars of psychology, and mental and behavioural health; as well as for physicians and allied health professionals.
The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively
by Gary Chapman Ross CampbellMore than 1 million sold! You know you love your child. But how can you make sure your child knows it?The #1 New York Times bestselling The 5 Love Languages® has helped millions of couples learn the secret to building a love that lasts. Now discover how to speak your child&’s love language in a way that he or she understands. Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell help you:Discover your child&’s love languageAssist your child in successful learningUse the love languages to correct and discipline more effectivelyBuild a foundation of unconditional love for your childPlus: Find dozens of tips for practical ways to speak your child&’s love language.Discover your child's primary language—then speak it—and you will be well on your way to a stronger relationship with your flourishing child.For a free online study guide, visit 5lovelanguages.com.
Mind over Miles: Mind over Miles - The untold story behind the record-breaking run
by Russ Cook10,000 miles. 16 countries. 352 days.Hardest Geezer, Russ Cook, is the first person to run the entire length of Africa. From his starting point in Cape Agulhas, South Africa, through sandstorms in the Sahara Desert, rainforests, mountain ranges and long empty roads stretched out for miles in front of him, Russ ran the equivalent of 386 marathons finally crossing the finish line in Tunisia 50 weeks later.Attempted kidnaps, being held at gunpoint in an armed robbery and the whole challenge left hanging in the balance when he was denied the right to cross Algeria, Russ never once contemplated giving up. When he crossed the finish line in Ras Angela, he did so with the eyes of the world on him.Africa may have been his most physical challenge yet but it certainly wasn’t his first: he’s broken the record for the fastest car-pulling marathon and been buried alive for a week with nothing but water and a camera to record the experience.In Hardest Geezer: Running Africa, Russ Cook shares how he turned his life around to face these challenges and shares his motivations and tales of incredible determination, sheer grit and endurance.‘You get one chance at life. Go and have a stab at it.’
Eyes of a Wolf: A Zev Evans Novella (The Zev Evans Novellas #2)
by James LePoreIn 2007, three years after leaving the military, Zev Evans is a drunk – and a neurotic one at that. Living with his Sicilian mother and running figure eights through Long Island&’s dense suburbs, he believes that the weird thoughts that plague him – he calls them tics – might have entered his head while he was undergoing brain surgery three years earlier.In THE EYES OF A WOLF, Zev narrates, in his own bizarre yet oddly incisive style, his first case as a fixer – the person you call when you have nowhere else to turn. Carol Harris, the Army surgeon who mended Zev&’s shrapnel-filled skull in 2004, has abruptly taken sick leave from her neurosurgeon&’s duties at a Los Angeles hospital. She manages to make a desperate call to Zev, who flies west into a world he never knew existed, peopled with kidnappers, murderers, corrupt cops, and even more corrupt politicians.With the help of his new friend Eva Lopez and his old NYPD buddy, the genius hacker Johnny Scoglio, Zev sets out to save and avenge Carol . . . and to find his true calling in the process.
Insistence of Vision: Stories
by David BrinWhat may we become? How will we endure? The future is a daunting realm, filled with real and imagined perils. So enter it prepared! Here are vivid tales about possible tomorrows, from the keen eye and colorful pen of David Brin, a modern master of speculative fiction. Visit a chillingly plausible tomorrow, when prisoners may be sent to asteroidal gulags. Or might prisons vanish and felons roam, seeing only what society allows? Suppose, amid lavish success, we gain the superpower to fly! Will we even appreciate it… or will we find new reasons to complain? In "Mars Opposition," you'll experience an alien invasion like no other, confronting humanity with a stark and terrible choice… followed by several more tales of conquest from beyond, each of them wildly different. On the other hand, might fantastically potent new beings emerge out of ourselves, as revealed in "Chrysalis&”? Featuring guest appearances by Gregory Benford, Jules Verne, and Galileo, this adventure takes you beyond the very singularity in &“Stones of Significance,&” pondering what could happen after humans are like gods. And &“Reality Check&” asks one of you readers – just one of you – to wake up! Tomorrow awaits. We can face it and prevail. So long as our stance is brave INSISTENCE OF VISION.
The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #Bk. 4)
by Philippa GregoryIn this New York Times bestseller that inspired the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, Philippa Gregory tells the tale of Anne Neville, a beautiful young woman who must navigate the treachery of the English court as her father, known as the Kingmaker, uses her and her sister as pawns in his political game.The Kingmaker’s Daughter—Philippa Gregory’s first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl—is the gripping tale of the daughters of the man known as the Kingmaker, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters, Anne and Isabel, as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family.
Over My Live Body: A Novel (Delilah Price Mysteries #1)
by Susan IsraelDelilah is accustomed to people seeing her naked. As a nude model – a gig that keeps food on the table while her career as a sculptor takes off – it comes with the territory.But Delilah has never before felt this vulnerable.Because Delilah has an admirer. Someone who is paying a great deal of attention to her. And he just might love her to death.The debut of a shockingly fresh voice in suspense fiction, OVER MY LIVE BODY will work its way inside of you.
Dad
by Steven ManchesterThree generations of dads, playing traditional roles in each other's lives, arrive simultaneously at significant crossroads. The decisions they make and the actions they take will directly – and eternally – affect each other.After a life of hard work and raising children, Robert is enjoying his well-deserved retirement when he discovers that he has an illness he might not be able to beat. At 19, Jonah is sprinting across the threshold of adulthood when he learns, stunningly, that he's going to become a father. And Oliver – Robert's son and Jonah's dad – has entered middle age and is paying its demanding price. While reconciling the time and effort it has taken him to reach an unfulfilling career and an even less satisfying marriage, he realizes that it's imperative that he keep it all together for the two men who mean everything to him.When different perspectives lead to misunderstandings that remain unspoken – sometimes for years – it takes great strength and even more love to travel beyond the resentment.Dad: A Novel chronicles the sacred legacy of fatherhood.