Almost every family has that one member that nobody wants to invite to bring along on their family vacations. When it was announced to Uncle Barry that the Dyson family were going on a fun European vacation - without him, Uncle Barry started making plans of his own. He was going to do whatever it takes to come along or he'll sabotage their dream vacation. And there was no way interfering jealous Barry wasn't coming along. Now, with the stakes at an all-time high, the Dyson family must do everything conceivable (but legal) to make sure that they're on that plane and as far away from troublesome Uncle Barry as far as possible. But that was only the least of their worries...
Koopinello saw some humans changing into great devouring monsters of material goods, of resources, of energies, polluting and destroying the natural world that sustained them. How could this be? How could they not see they were sentencing their children and future generations to a condition of self-destruction? Did they want the human race to become extinct? Of course, this is inevitable, but they could at least survive for a longer period than the self-destructive road on which they were currently traveling, but there was nothing that he Koopinello could do, or was there? He had all the power of movement, changing shape, going anywhere in space and time, of acquiring objects of creating things, but they were all illusionary. He had no power to influence humans, to engage with them, to share with them. He was simply an observer. See the world through the eyes of Koolpinello, a great observer of humanity and that we might discover something about ourselves along the way.
Imagine surviving for 22 months in a haystack, fearful of getting found, terrorised and then killed. This was Rosa Levy's reality for a part of the war. Yet she survived and has desired to let the world know about her plight. Rosa Levy is as significant a figure in Nazi Germany as was any holocaust survivor; here she unravels her story and shows us that there can be room for forgiveness.
Now on Netflix as a 4-part documentary series! “Pollan keeps you turning the pages . . . cleareyed and assured.” —New York Times A #1 New York Times Bestseller, New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of 2018, and New York Times Notable Book A brilliant and brave investigation into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs--and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. Thus began a singular adventure into various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. Pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists inadvertently catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research. A unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, How to Change Your Mind is a triumph of participatory journalism. By turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world. The true subject of Pollan's "mental travelogue" is not just psychedelic drugs but also the eternal puzzle of human consciousness and how, in a world that offers us both suffering and joy, we can do our best to be fully present and find meaning in our lives.
The ultimate tool for students! Tired of using the same few phrases in all your presentations? Can't find the right expression to begin your college admissions essay? Stuck with a drab, uninspiring conclusion at the end of your research paper? Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Students will help you find the perfect words and phrases for any writing assignment. Unlike other titles that simply list related terms for each entry, this volume offers a pronunciation guide, definition, and a sample sentence for every word you look up, as well as for each of the synonyms under that entry. It also features hundreds of useful terms every student should know, making it the most essential tool on your desk when you're working on an essay or presentation. With Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Students at your side, you'll impress your teachers and advance straight to the head of the class!
Europe and the Maritime World: A Twentieth-Century History offers a framework for understanding globalization over the past century. Through a detailed analysis of ports, shipping and trading companies whose networks spanned the world, Michael B. Miller shows how a European maritime infrastructure made modern production and consumer societies possible. He argues that the combination of overseas connections and close ties to home ports contributed to globalization. Miller also explains how the ability to manage merchant shipping's complex logistics was central to the outcome of both world wars. He chronicles transformations in hierarchies, culture, identities and port city space, all of which produced a new and different maritime world by the end of the century.
Drawing on the lives of five great scientists, this “scholarly, insightful, and beautifully written book” (Martin Rees, author of From Here to Infinity) illuminates the path to scientific discovery. Charles Darwin, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), Linus Pauling, Fred Hoyle, and Albert Einstein all made groundbreaking contributions to their fields—but each also stumbled badly. Darwin’s theory of natural selection shouldn’t have worked, according to the prevailing beliefs of his time. Lord Kelvin gravely miscalculated the age of the earth. Linus Pauling, the world’s premier chemist, constructed an erroneous model for DNA in his haste to beat the competition to publication. Astrophysicist Fred Hoyle dismissed the idea of a “Big Bang” origin to the universe (ironically, the caustic name he gave to this event endured long after his erroneous objections were disproven). And Albert Einstein speculated incorrectly about the forces of the universe—and that speculation opened the door to brilliant conceptual leaps. As Mario Livio luminously explains in this “thoughtful meditation on the course of science itself” (The New York Times Book Review), these five scientists expanded our knowledge of life on earth, the evolution of the earth, and the evolution of the universe, despite and because of their errors. “Thoughtful, well-researched, and beautifully written” (The Washington Post), Brilliant Blunders is a wonderfully insightful examination of the psychology of five fascinating scientists—and the mistakes as well as the achievements that made them famous.
A critical examination of historical, social and cultural issues that challenge the Christian community through the lens of major scholars within the contemporary renewal movement
“Reconstruct[s] Douglass’s life in the nation’s capital, both at home and in the halls of power, in ways that no other biographer has done” (Leigh Fought, author of Women in the World of Frederick Douglass). The remarkable journey of Frederick Douglass from fugitive slave to famed orator and author is well recorded. Yet little has been written about Douglass’s final years in Washington, DC. Journalist John Muller explores how Douglass spent the last eighteen years of his life professionally and personally in his home, Cedar Hill, in Anacostia. The ever-active Douglass was involved in local politics, from aiding in the early formation of Howard University to editing a groundbreaking newspaper to serving as marshal of the District. During this time, his wife of forty-four years, Anna Murray, passed away, and eighteen months later, he married Helen Pitts, a white woman. Unapologetic for his controversial marriage, Douglass continued his unabashed advocacy for the rights of African Americans and women and his belief in American exceptionalism. Through meticulous research, Muller has created a fresh and intimate portrait of Frederick Douglass of Anacostia. Includes photos! “Muller’s book connects Douglass to the city and neighborhood the way no other project has yet been able to . . . you’re able to re-imagine the man and re-consider the possibilities of the place he once lived.” —Martin Austermuhle, DCist
Americans are expressing deep concern about US dependence on petroleum, rising energy prices and the threat of climate change. Unlike the energy crisis of the 1970s, however, there is a lurking fear that, now, the times are different and the crisis may not easily be resolved. The Long Descent examines the basis of such fear through three core themes: Industrial society is following the same well-worn path that has led other civilizations into decline, a path involving a much slower and more complex transformation than the sudden catastrophes imagined by so many social critics today. The roots of the crisis lie in the cultural stories that shape the way we understand the world. Since problems cannot be solved with the same thinking that created thyem, these ways of thinking need to be replaced with others better suited to the needs of our time. It is too late for massive programs for top-down change; the change must come from individuals. Hope exists in actions that range from taking up a handicraft or adopting an "obsolete" technology, through planting an organic vegetable garden, taking charge of your own health care or spirituality, and building community. Focusing eloquently on constructive adaptation to massive change, this book will have wide appeal.
