The most significant development in global politics following the end of the bi-polar Cold War era has been the rise of a multi-polar state system. This has led to the emergence of major potential super-powers, global rivalry, international terrorism and the gradual weakening of the one remaining hegemonic, uni-polar state after the Cold War - the US. The idealistic hopes following the collapse of communism have evaporated and Cold War competition between liberal capitalism and communism has been replaced by multi-polar global rivalry that can only be resolved by a balance of power buttressed by international law. In this ambitious and thought-provoking book, Professor Rein Mullerson outlines the challenges associated with the new geopolitics of the twenty-first century. Based on in-depth research over several decades it is an essential tool for understanding the new world order and the ensuing crises in global politics.
In war, no one is safe. War has come to Thornstone, Tarkin’s Point, and Thoriddon, throwing all three nations into chaos. Led by the demon lord Vagborar, the legions of orcs are bent on nothing less than the total annihilation of both human and dwarf. With their demonic allies, they just might succeed. But not without a fight. As Serena tries to find answers and a path to victory, Orin and Brom fight with both sword and spell to turn back the tide of darkness. Beside them are a kingdom of dwarves and a city of humans, but even they may not be enough to beat back such a force. If they hope to survive, they need to come together, but with each nation under siege, uniting as one is easier said than done. When one of them is freed from battle, hope is rekindled, but prejudices rise to the surface, threatening everything. If any of them hope to survive, past actions and old hatreds must be forgotten. Hard decisions and painful sacrifices must be made. And pride and egotism must be set aside for the greater good. If not, a new age of evil will dawn upon the world.
The Microsoft interdisciplinary scientist largely credited with popularizing virtual reality reflects on his lifelong relationship with technology, showing VR's ability to illuminate and amplify our understanding of our species and how the brain and body connect to the world. By the author of You Are Not a Gadget. --Publisher.
In this original and timely book, Bruno Maçães argues that the best word for the emerging global order is 'Eurasian', and shows why we need to begin thinking on a super-continental scale. While China and Russia have been quicker to recognise the increasing strategic significance of Eurasia, even Europeans are realizing that their political project is intimately linked to the rest of the supercontinent - and as Maçães shows, they will be stronger for it. Weaving together history, diplomacy and vivid reports from his six-month overland journey across Eurasia from Baku to Samarkand, Vladivostock to Beijing, Maçães provides a fascinating portrait of this shifting geopolitical landscape. As he demonstrates, we can already see the coming Eurasianism in China's bold infrastructure project reopening the historic Silk Road, in the success of cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, in Turkey's increasing global role and in the fact that, revealingly, the United States is redefining its place as between Europe and Asia. An insightful and clarifying book for our turbulent times, The Dawn of Eurasia argues that the artificial separation of the world's largest island cannot hold, and the sooner we realise it, the better.
The father of virtual reality explains its dazzling possibilities by reflecting on his own lifelong relationship with technology. Bridging the gap between tech mania and the experience of being inside the human body, Jaron Lanier has written a three-pronged adventure into 'virtual reality', by exposing its ability to illuminate and amplify our understanding of our species.
Een dertigjarige Britse vrouw komt als nanny naar New York om voor een achtjarige tweeling te gaan zorgen en verandert een strikt huishouden in een vrolijke boel, wat niet iedereen kan waarderen.
A full-color, oversized, hardcover tome that faithfully adapts the original Japanese material, detailing the creation of the most recent entry in the Final Fantasy saga! Final Fantasy XV's world of Eos is filled with wonderous scenery, larger-than-life creatures, diverse cultures, and treacherous foes. Experience hundreds of pieces of detailed design work composed lovingly for fans of the unique sci-fi fantasy world. This volume collects complex lore, insightful commentary, comprehensive data, and dazzling concept art, all beautifully bound in this richly detailed hardcover! Square Enix and Dark Horse Books present a superbly curated collection of Final Fantasy XV content that any fan will cherish.
An Empire in Danger The Empire is in danger, with a weak sybarite on the throne and rebellion rising in outlying regions of the Galaxy and on Earth itself. Then the Emperor is assassinated, and General Ivar Brady-Schiovana is forced to declare himself Emperor. But hope appears in the persons of two men and a woman who are rumored to be legendary heroes. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Seeing ghosts is my secret shame - Until I need it to solve a murder and stop another. While working on a true crime story for my podcast, I am swept away into investigating a different murder. A young woman was abducted, murdered and put on display. My twin sister is the detective on the case and the Sheriff asks me to work with her. We can barely stand to be in the same room together, let alone work as a team. Our petty differences must be put aside when my daughter's friend disappears. She may be the next victim. What can I do to help save her before it's too late? Small town mystery readers like you say, "This book is a fast paced, paranormal riot. I loved every word." Enjoy this short excerpt: I circle around the car, not sure if I can touch it or not. The handles and other high touch areas of the car are covered with black fingerprint dust, so I imagine a cursory processing of the car is already done. Deputy Rose is at the end of the lane, still guarding the crime tape. He watches me warily, no doubt wishing he had not let me in. I wait until he loses interest in what I'm doing and turns back to the road and his job. Then I climb on the hood of her car. Laying on my back I stretch my arms wide, opening myself to the universe, opening myself to whatever I may learn that can be helpful to saving Tyra. I'd rather be inside the car, in her driver's seat, but this will have to do. "Lord, please show me something useful. Please let me help find this girl before it's too late." I lay still on the hood, hoping Rose doesn't see me. From this angle, I'm pretty sure I'm hidden from his view. When he doesn't immediately yell at me, I decide I'm safe and focus on what I came here to do. I've never tried to use my gifts on purpose, and so far my attempts tonight have been failures. But her abductor was here, she was here and scared, maybe it left some impression. I listen with more than my ears, but nothing comes to me. Praying again for help, I stretch my arms above my head, reaching towards the summer stars. I squint until my fingers fade and I see the stars behind them. Pushing all the energy I can muster out of my fingertips and into the sky, I listen. I don't hear her, but I see her. Not Tyra, but Jenny.
