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Ill Met in the Arena
by Dave Duncan&“Complicated politics and family scandals twist through this tale of courtly intrigue from prolific fantasist Duncan&” (Publishers Weekly). Though Quirt&’s name is little known, his skills as a gladiator are quickly obvious and hard to match. In Aureity, noblemen battle in the arena circuit, using their powers of teleportation and telekinesis to prove their breeding and strength. The prizes at play are not only silver and bronze but also the chance to rise amongst the nobility and mate with the ruling class of women. Older than most players, Quirt still manages to draw attention and awe through his mastery of the games. Some of that attention comes from Humate, a brash young competitor with unbelievable power and little patience or control. To him, Quirt is a mystery he can&’t resist. However, that mystery soon proves much bigger than all of them. Ancient crimes, struggles for status, romance, vengeance, duty—Humate has a lot to learn from the world‑wise Quirt. As the secret of Quirt&’s true identity and past unfolds, Humate and Quirt race to bring justice to the murderer and madman whose blood links the two gladiators together. With Ill Met in the Arena, award‑winning fantasy author Dave Duncan creates yet another new, fully realized world filled with complex cultures and brisk adventure. Intrigue, politics, action, humor—this book will grab you from page one and not let go until the final word.
The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare (Timeless Classic Ser.)
by G. K. ChestertonChesterton&’s finest achievement—at once a gripping thriller and a powerful allegoryIn a colorful neighborhood of West London, two poets are at each other&’s throats. Gregory is an anarchist who longs to upend civilization with the power of his words, while Syme is a man of reason, convinced his opponent&’s beliefs are nothing but a fashionable pose. To prove his seriousness, Gregory introduces Syme to the central council of European radicals, where the newcomer is given the codename &“Thursday.&” Though none will admit it, every man in the council is a liar—and each is deadly in his own way. Gregory has no inkling that his new comrade Syme is an undercover detective, sent by Scotland Yard to destroy the council from within. But as the other men reveal their secrets in turn, it becomes clear that Thursday is not the enemy; it is the mysterious figure named Sunday whom they all should fear. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Sky Warden & the Sun: Second Book Of The Change (Books of the Change #2)
by Sean WilliamsSal&’s life has been thrown into turmoil and he is on the run, from more than one pursuer, it appears. He is accompanied by his newfound friend Shilly and he is not entirely sure where he wants to go—but Shilly is. She wants to find her teacher Lodo&’s old teacher, the Mage Van Haasteren, which means they must head north to the Interior, where Sal&’s mother was born. The journey is over rugged, mountainous country on the Old Line and it is dangerous. The Sky Warden Shom Behenna is after them and they must risk all to reach the Divide and get across to the other side, not even knowing if the Stone Mages will help them.
The Prodigal Sun (Evergence #1)
by Sean Williams Shane DixMorgan Roche, commander in the intelligence arm of the Commonwealth Empires, has been charged with protecting the AI known as The Box on a secret voyage across the galaxy. But en route her ship is ambushed by the Dato Bloc, and she is forced to crash-land on a nearby prison planet.MAROONED ON SCIACCA&’S WORLD:Battling deadly inmates and treacherous guards, she fights her way through a hostile environment toward her only hope of escape, the mysterious Adoni Cane at her side. A genetically enhanced warrior with a past not even he can fathom, he could be the savior of the human race, or its downfall--but either way, Morgan Roche won&’t survive without him…&“THE PRODIGAL SUN is a close-knit personal story told on a galaxy-sized canvas. Filled with action as well as intriguing ideas.&” --Kevin J Anderson&“With echoes of vintage Jack Williamson and Poul Anderson, as well as Niven, Asimov and Vinge, Williams and Dix proudly continue a vital tradition, proving SF as diverse a field as ever.&” --Asimov's&“[A] very satisfying classic Golden Age-style yarn…. strongly recommended&” --Locus&“Space opera of the ambitious, galaxy-spanning sort... fast and furious action.&” --New York Review of SF
Seagulls in My Soup: Further Adventures Of A Wayward Sailor (Sheridan House Ser.)
by Tristan JonesJoin Tristan Jones as he tells tales of the humorous and fascinating adventures that his Saga of a Wayward Sailor began. Discover more anecdotes and unexpected adventures aboard a converted lifeboat ketch cruising the coasts of the Balearic region with Tristan, his one-eyed, three-legged dog, Nelson and the prim Bishop's sister, Sissie St. John. It's a prolific prose journey of surprising arrivals, machine gun-thwarting and ship-saving escapades of a wayward sailor and his motley crew.
Image: Three Inquiries in Technology and Imagination (TRIOS)
by Mark C. Taylor Thomas A. Carlson Mary-Jane RubensteinThe three essays in Image, written by leading philosophers of religion, explore the modern power of the visual at the intersection of the human and the technological. Modern life is steeped in images, image-making, and attempts to control the world through vision. Mastery of images has been advanced by technologies that expand and reshape vision and enable us to create, store, transmit, and display images. The three essays in Image, written by leading philosophers of religion Mark C. Taylor, Mary-Jane Rubenstein, and Thomas A. Carlson, explore the power of the visual at the intersection of the human and the technological. Building on Heidegger’s notion that modern humanity aims to master the world by picturing or representing the real, they investigate the contemporary culture of the image in its philosophical, religious, economic, political, imperial, and military dimensions, challenging the abstraction, anonymity, and dangerous disconnection of contemporary images. Taylor traces a history of capitalism, focusing on its lack of humility, particularly in the face of mortality, and he considers art as a possible way to reconnect us to the earth. Through a genealogy of iconic views from space, Rubenstein exposes the delusions of conquest associated with extraterrestrial travel. Starting with the pressing issues of surveillance capitalism and facial recognition technology, Carlson extends Heidegger’s analysis through a meditation on the telematic elimination of the individual brought about by totalizing technologies. Together, these essays call for a consideration of how we can act responsibly toward the past in a way that preserves the earth for future generations. Attending to the fragility of material things and to our own mortality, they propose new practices of imagination grounded in love and humility.
Draconian New York (Hob Draconian #1)
by Robert SheckleyThe acclaimed author of The Alternative Detective returns with another twisting tale that &“combines ironic wit with suspense to remarkable effect&” (John le Carré). Though he was born in America, Hob Draconian feels much more at home on the sunny sands of Ibiza. But the easygoing life of this twenty-first century hippie is turned upside down when he learns that rented island refuge is about to be sold for redevelopment. In need of some quick cash to save his home, Hob returns to the Alternative Detective Agency—and boy do they have a job for him. Escorting an aspiring model from New York to Paris sounds like a delightfully easy way to make ten grand. If only he thought to ask why the gig pays so well. In short order, Hob finds himself embroiled in a criminal plot full of double crosses, From the very beginning of his career, Robert Sheckley was recognized by fans, reviewers, and fellow authors as a master storyteller and the wittiest satirist working in the science fiction field. Open Road is proud to republish his acclaimed body of work, with nearly thirty volumes of full-length fiction and short story collections. Rediscover, or discover for the first time, a master of science fiction who, according to the New York Times, was &“a precursor to Douglas Adams.&”
Brave Men, Dark Waters: The Untold Story of the Navy SEALs
by Orr KellyA definitive history of the US Navy&’s renowned special operations fighting force—&“the most complete in-depth study of this fabled elite unit&” (Library Journal). The legend was forged in the fires of World War II, when special units of elite navy frogmen were entrusted with dangerous covert missions in the brutal global conflict. These Underwater Demolition Teams, as they were then called, soon became known for their toughness and fearlessness, and their remarkable ability to get the job—any job—done. Years later, the renamed US Navy SEALs (for Sea, Air, and Land) continued to be a wartime force to be reckoned with throughout the remainder of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. They served as rangers and scouts in the jungles of Vietnam, answered the call to duty in Panama, Granada, and in Saddam Hussein&’s Iraq, while developing into the very best of the best, the cream of America&’s Special Forces crop. Author Orr Kelly offers a rich and riveting history of the SEALs, covering their remarkable triumphs while not shying away from the scandals and controversies. An extraordinary portrait of extraordinary fighting men, Brave Men, Dark Waters shines a brilliant light into the darkest shadows of war, which is where the SEALs have operated for decades with awesome and deadly efficiency.
The Organ Grinder's Monkey (The Allerton Avenue Precinct Novels #3)
by Richard FliegelLowenkopf and Greeley are called in on a gruesome murder in a psychiatric facility in the Bronx, where the victim has had an internal organ removed and damaged, like other victims of the same killer. Lowenkopf goes undercover in the hospital and learns that a patient in a locked ward is taking credit for the crimes, sending out his spirit to avenge an old injury from a past life. Unwilling to believe his incredible story, but confronted with details only the killer should know, Lowenkopf and Greeley investigate the people around the boasting patient—his doctor, a social worker, and the staff of the hospital. But none of the candidates could possibly have committed the crimes, and Lowenkopf must solve a locked-room puzzle with a madman insisting on his guilt. The Organ Grinder&’s Monkey is the 3rd book in the Allerton Avenue Precinct Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Warriors of the Night (The Medal #4)
by Kerry NewcombIn the Texas desert, a soldier fights Rangers, Indians, and the woman he lovesDoña Anabel Cordero gallops across the moonlit desert, a tribe of Comanche warriors at her heels. She is the daughter of the country&’s greatest bandit, who was cut down by the Texas Rangers against whom Doña Anabel has sworn vengeance, and the Comanche do not scare her. But when a well-meaning soldier, Ben McQueen, mistakes her for a damsel on a runaway horse and slows her mount, the warriors surround them. With McQueen&’s help, Doña Anabel escapes the Comanche . . . but their fight is just beginning.A savage cult roams the moonlit desert, exacting terrible vengeance on all who cross their path. With the help of a fearless Ranger named Snake Eye, McQueen sets out to bring order to the frontier. But when Doña Anabel&’s cause runs up against his own, McQueen will have to choose between his country and the woman he loves.
Clemente!
by Kal WagenheimRoberto Clemente, one of history's greatest and most memorable Hispanic baseball stars, led a remarkable professional and personal life, until he met an untimely death in 1972 in a plane crash while on a mission of mercy to the site of a disastrous earthquake in Nicaragua. The first Latin American player to be recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame, Clemente is honored once again in this book that illustrates his dramatic life from his childhood in Puerto Rico to his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Four Shakespearean Period Pieces
by Margreta de GraziaIn the study of Shakespeare since the eighteenth century, four key concepts have served to situate Shakespeare in history: chronology, periodization, secularization, and anachronism. Yet recent theoretical work has called for their reappraisal. Anachronisms, previously condemned as errors in the order of time, are being hailed as alternatives to that order. Conversely chronology and periods, its mainstays, are now charged with having distorted the past they have been entrusted to represent, and secularization, once considered the driving force of the modern era, no longer holds sway over the past or the present. In light of this reappraisal, can Shakespeare studies continue unshaken? This is the question Four Shakespearean Period Pieces takes up, devoting a chapter to each term: on the rise of anachronism, the chronologizing of the canon, the staging of plays “in period,” and the use of Shakespeare in modernity’s secularizing project. To read these chapters is to come away newly alert to how these fraught concepts have served to regulate the canon’s afterlife. Margreta de Grazia does not entirely abandon them but deftly works around and against them to offer fresh insights on the reading, editing, and staging of the author at the heart of our literary canon.
A Cry for Self-Help (The Kate Jasper Mysteries #8)
by Jaqueline GirdnerKate Jasper, Marin County, California&’s own organically grown amateur sleuth, returns in this eighth mystery in the series.In A Cry for Self-Help, Kate Jasper and her sweetie take the plunge and join a Wedding Ritual Class, hoping to find inspiration for their own possible nuptials. On a field trip to observe a scuba‑diving marriage ceremony, Sam Skyler, the man who has become a living legend as a human‑potential guru, is not propelled into marriage, but is instead pushed over an oceanside cliff to his death. Sam Skyler practiced finger puppet therapy at the Skyler Institute for Essential Manifestation. He was purported to be a man of psychic sensitivity and personal genius. So how come he did not notice the person who pushed him? Kate is once again wedded to an inconvenient murder rather than to her sweetie. Can she get a simple annulment from the case . . . or will it be a fatal one?
The Craft of Light (Night-Threads #4)
by Ru EmersonThree unsuspecting visitors arrive in a world of magical adventure, only to discover an ancient Thread-wielder has summoned them. For this sorceress, shapeshifter, and soldier, each is destined to play a vital role in restoring peace to the throne of the duke, Aletto, the rightful heir of Zelharri. But secret powers are at work, and for Lialla, the outcast duchess, intrigue and peril finds her at every turn. And while her powers are fierce and fearsome, the magic known as Hell-Light has an uncanny way of determining your fate. What had seemed a time of peace has suddenly erupted into something far more dangerous than any could have foresaw. Don't miss the entire "Night-Threads" Series: The Calling of the Three, The Two in Hiding, One Land One Duke, The Craft of Light, The Art of the Sword, and The Science of Power
Make No Bones: Curses!, Icy Clutches, And Make No Bones (The Gideon Oliver Mysteries #7)
by Aaron ElkinsThe forensic anthropologist wonders who would steal the bones of a deceased colleague—and why: &“A likable, down-to-earth, cerebral sleuth.&” —Chicago Tribune There is not much left of the irascible Albert Evan Jasper, &“dean of American forensic anthropologists,&” after his demise in a fiery car crash. But in accord with his wishes, his remains—a few charred bits of bone—are installed in an Oregon museum to create a fascinating if macabre exhibit. All agree that it is a fitting end for a great forensic scientist—until what is left of him disappears in the midst of the biannual meeting (a.k.a., the &“bone bash and weenie roast&”) of the august WAFA—the Western Association of Forensic Anthropologists—in nearby Bend, Oregon. Like his fellow attendees, Gideon Oliver—the Skeleton Detective—is baffled. Only the WAFA attendees could possibly have made off with the remains, but who in the world would steal something like that? And why? All had an opportunity, but who had a motive? Soon enough, the discovery of another body in a nearby shallow grave will bring to the fore a deeper, more urgent mystery, and when one of the current attendees is found dead in his cabin, all hell breaks loose. Gideon Oliver is now faced with the most difficult challenge of his career—unmasking a dangerous, brilliant killer who knows every bit as much about forensic science as he does. Or almost. Make No Bones is the 7th book in the Gideon Oliver Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Kennedy Momentum: The Kennedy Imperative, The Kennedy Momentum, And The Kennedy Revelation (The Kennedy Trilogy #2)
by Leon BergerCuba, 1962: The Cold War reaches its zenith with the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba threatening the United States. While JFK and his brother face deep divisions in trying to defuse the apocalyptic crisis, young CIA agent Philip Marsden is sent on a mission to the island where he is betrayed by a joint CIA-Mafia operation.
Soma Blues (Hob Draconian #3)
by Robert SheckleyHob Draconian, American born but a two-decade resident of Ibiza and a tie-dyed-in-the-wool hippie philosopher, divides his time between Paris and Ibiza—and when Soma, a new drug, turns up in Paris in the hands of a murdered Ibizan drug dealer, it&’s time for the Alternative Detective Agency to spring into action and defeat the crime syndicate that has infiltrated his beloved expatriate community. From the very beginning of his career, Robert Sheckley was recognized by fans, reviewers, and fellow authors as a master storyteller and the wittiest satirist working in the science fiction field. Open Road is proud to republish his acclaimed body of work, with nearly thirty volumes of full-length fiction and short story collections. Rediscover, or discover for the first time, a master of science fiction who, according to the New York Times, was &“a precursor to Douglas Adams.&”
Sad Animal Facts
by Brooke BarkerNew York Times Bestseller!A delightful and quirky compendium of the Animal Kingdom’s more unfortunate truths, with over 150 hand-drawn illustrations.Ever wonder what a mayfly thinks of its one-day lifespan? (They’re curious what a sunset is.) Or how a jellyfish feels about not having a heart? (Sorry, but they’re not sorry.)This melancholy menagerie pairs the more unsavory facts of animal life with their hilarious thoughts and reactions. Sneakily informative, and wildly witty, SAD ANIMAL FACTS will have you crying with laughter.
A Place That Matters Yet: John Gubbins's MuseumAfrica in the Postcolonial World
by Sara ByalaA Place That Matters Yet unearths the little-known story of Johannesburg’s MuseumAfrica, a South African history museum that embodies one of the most dynamic and fraught stories of colonialism and postcolonialism, its life spanning the eras before, during, and after apartheid. Sara Byala, in examining this story, sheds new light not only on racism and its institutionalization in South Africa but also on the problems facing any museum that is charged with navigating colonial history from a postcolonial perspective. Drawing on thirty years of personal letters and public writings by museum founder John Gubbins, Byala paints a picture of a uniquely progressive colonist, focusing on his philosophical notion of “three-dimensional thinking,” which aimed to transcend binaries and thus—quite explicitly—racism. Unfortunately, Gubbins died within weeks of the museum’s opening, and his hopes would go unrealized as the museum fell in line with emergent apartheid politics. Following the museum through this transformation and on to its 1994 reconfiguration as a post-apartheid institution, Byala showcases it as a rich—and problematic—archive of both material culture and the ideas that surround that culture, arguing for its continued importance in the establishment of a unified South Africa.
The Isles of the Blest
by Morgan LlywelynThe mighty Connla is weary from the tiresome and bloody battle fought in the name of his father, Conn, and his land, Erin. Willingly, he lets himself become intoxicated by the surreal beauty of a fairy-woman who offers to take him to a faraway, forbidden land where all his desires will be fulfilled. He welcomes the opportunity to be away from the gruesome war that has consumed his life for so long, but what price will the warrior pay to be in a land void of death, loss and pain? Does the pleasure of the company of the stunning stranger outweigh the price he must pay to remain in THE ISLES OF THE BLEST?
Vagabonds of Gor (Gorean Saga #24)
by John NormanSwords, slaves, and spies bring a Counter-Earth to vivid life in the cult classic series that&’s &“a legend in speculative fantasy&” (Boing Boing). Cabot and his friend Marcus, of Ar&’s Station, who have been spying for Ar in the Cosian encampments, now seek the long-inert forces of Ar to report acquired intelligence to their commander, Saphronicus, who proves to be of the treasonous party of Ar. Cabot and Marcus are placed under arrest, as spies. Primary forces of Ar, largely inactive in recent months, are now to pursue Cosian forces withdrawing from Ar&’s Station, through the vast Vosk delta to the sea. The Cosian forces, however, have avoided the delta, and the delta campaign is a ruse to decimate the armed might of Ar, to use as a weapon the marshes and swamps of the delta itself, their treacherous, trackless wildernesses and wastes, the quicksand, the insects, the serpents and reptiles, the local populations, to deliver a final decisive blow to what was once the unchallenged splendor and power of Gor&’s finest infantry. Rediscover this brilliantly imagined world where men are masters and women live to serve their every desire. Vagabonds of Gor is the 24th book in the Gorean Saga, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Tea with the Black Dragon (Black Dragon #1)
by R. A. MacAvoyIn this &“astonishing fantasy debut,&” a mother and a mysterious Chinese man—who is more than he appears—search for her missing daughter in San Francisco (Locus). Offering &“a deft blend of the oldest of magicks in a dragon, and the newest of sorceries in computers&” (Anne McCaffrey), this is the incomparable novel that garnered Nebula, Hugo, World Fantasy, and Philip K. Dick Award nominations, and earned its author the John W. Campbell Best New Writer award. Martha Macnamara knows that her daughter, Elizabeth, is in trouble—she just doesn&’t know what kind. Mysterious phone calls from San Francisco at odd hours of the night are the only contact they've had for years. Now, Elizabeth has sent her mother a plane ticket and reserved a room for her at the city&’s most luxurious hotel. Yet, since Martha checked in, she still hasn&’t been contacted by her daughter, and is feeling lonely, confused, and a little bit worried. But Martha meets someone else at the hotel: Mayland Long, a distinguished-looking and wealthy Chinese man who is drawn to Martha&’s good character and ability to pinpoint the truth of a matter. They become close quickly, and he promises to help her find Elizabeth. Before he can solve the mystery, though, Martha herself disappears—and Mayland realizes that he&’s in love with her. Now, a man whose true nature and identity is unknown to those around him will embark on a potentially dangerous adventure in a city on the verge of exploding with its own sort of magic as technology spreads through the region that will become known as Silicon Valley. An elegant, delightful, and unusual novel that blends ancient myth with modern wizardry, Tea with the Black Dragon is &“a small masterpiece, setting a fantasy story against a contemporary background&” (Booklist).
The Moonstone: Large Print (The\works Of Wilkie Collins #Vol. 6)
by Wilkie CollinsThe novel that T. S. Eliot called &“the first, the longest, and the best of the modern English detective novels&”Guarded by three Brahmin priests, the Moonstone is a religious relic, the centerpiece in a sacred statue of the Hindu god of the moon. It is also a giant yellow diamond of enormous value, and its temptation is irresistible to the corrupt John Herncastle, a colonel in the British Army in India. After murdering the three guardian priests and bringing the diamond back to England with him, Herncastle bequeaths it to his niece, Rachel, knowing full well that danger will follow. True to its enigmatic nature, the Moonstone disappears from Rachel&’s room on the night of her eighteenth birthday, igniting a mystery so intricate and thrilling it has set the standard for every crime novel of the past one hundred fifty years.Widely recognized, alongside the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, as establishing many of the most enduring conventions of detective fiction, The Moonstone is Wilkie Collins&’s masterwork and one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century.This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Married Men Make the Best Lovers
by Ruth DicksonIf you&’re going to adopt a philosophy to live by, make it one that gets your heart pumping and unleashes your spirit of adventure!Married Men Make the Best Lovers is a classic, smart, and sassy advice book from the 1960s, the heyday of the sexual revolution. As one of the most outspoken leaders of the movement, Ruth Dickson unleashes a wicked mind, a razor-edged wit, and the freewheeling attitude that made her one of the most popular writers of the day. After years of personal research, she offers pointed advice on becoming a happy and successful Other Woman, covering everything from the selection, capture, and care of a married lover to his ultimate release. She leaves no stone unturned, discussing every aspect of the affair, up to and including the problematic Wife. Wrapping things up with an informative Q&A, Married Men Make the Best Lovers is a must-read for any woman who treasures both her single status and the enjoyment of a rich, fulfilling sex life. And for those ladies (and gentlemen) who seek further enrichment, Dickson went on to author the definitive non-marriage manual, Now That You&’ve Got Me Here, What Are We Going to Do? Sexier than Helen Gurley Brown, wittier than Xaviera Hollander, Ruth Dickson tells the truth, makes you laugh, gives you innovative ideas and thoughtful advice on how to navigate the tricky waters of true freedom of choice. Other Woman status may not be for everybody but it&’s difficult to disregard Dickson's cleverly persuasive argument in defense of this provocative lifestyle.
War Path
by Kerry NewcombAs France and Britain wage battle over America, one man takes the war into his own handsTwo lines of Abenaki Indians stand between the settlers and freedom. Each holds a fearsome club, and each is eager to kill. Survive the gauntlet, and the white men are free to go. None but Johnny Stark is up to the task. A mountain of a man, used to spending months at a time in the untamed wilderness of North America, he beats the Indians at their own game, disarming one of the warriors and using his club to fight his way to survival. It is a miracle escape, one that the Abenaki will sing of for generations. This is only the start of the legend of Johnny Stark.When France and Britain go to war over their North American colonies, the Native American tribes are forced to choose sides. In the middle is Stark, who owes allegiance to no crown, but will do whatever it takes to ensure that the frontier remains free for as long as he draws breath.