This collection of essays explores how fighting in the rugged, hostile lands of Afghanistan is no easy task. Afghanistan has long been considered the graveyard of empires. Throughout their history, Afghans have endured the ravages of foreign invaders, from marauding hordes and imperial armies to global superpowers, while demonstrating a fierce independence and strong resistance to outside occupiers. Those who have ventured into Afghanistan with notions of controlling its people have soon discovered that fighting in that rugged, hostile land is no easy task. Afghans have proven to be tenacious and unrelenting foes. No Easy Task examines this legacy of conflict, particularly from a Canadian perspective. What emerges is the difficulty faced by foreign forces attempting to impose their will over Afghans who, for their part, have consistently adapted tactics and strategies to stymie and defeat those they perceive as invaders and interlopers. It is within this complexity and challenge that the difficult counter-insurgency must be fought.
A look at the extraordinary ways the brain turns thoughts into actions—and how this shapes our everyday lives Why is it hard to text and drive at the same time? How do you resist eating that extra piece of cake? Why does staring at a tax form feel mentally exhausting? Why can your child expertly fix the computer and yet still forget to put on a coat? From making a cup of coffee to buying a house to changing the world around them, humans are uniquely able to execute necessary actions. How do we do it? Or in other words, how do our brains get things done? In On Task, cognitive neuroscientist David Badre presents the first authoritative introduction to the neuroscience of cognitive control—the remarkable ways that our brains devise sophisticated actions to achieve our goals. We barely notice this routine part of our lives. Yet, cognitive control, also known as executive function, is an astonishing phenomenon that has a profound impact on our well-being. Drawing on cutting-edge research, vivid clinical case studies, and examples from daily life, Badre sheds light on the evolution and inner workings of cognitive control. He examines issues from multitasking and willpower to habitual errors and bad decision making, as well as what happens as our brains develop in childhood and change as we age—and what happens when cognitive control breaks down. Ultimately, Badre shows that cognitive control affects just about everything we do. A revelatory look at how billions of neurons collectively translate abstract ideas into concrete plans, On Task offers an eye-opening investigation into the brain’s critical role in human behavior.
About A Journey of Faith in Prayer A Journey of Faith in Prayer is a book of poetry that began as a process of healing. It speaks of the inner journey of a soul connecting with God through creation and Gods creatures. It takes into consideration the plight of souls as they journey to God, meeting God through nature and other people. It empathizes with others on their journey as well as the souls own journey, knowing that belief in the power of God will heal all pain.
Winner of the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, a breathtaking elegy to the waning days of human spaceflight as we have known it In the 1960s, humans took their first steps away from Earth, and for a time our possibilities in space seemed endless. But in a time of austerity and in the wake of high-profile disasters like Challenger, that dream has ended. In early 2011, Margaret Lazarus Dean traveled to Cape Canaveral for NASA's last three space shuttle launches in order to bear witness to the end of an era. With Dean as our guide to Florida's Space Coast and to the history of NASA, Leaving Orbit takes the measure of what American spaceflight has achieved while reckoning with its earlier witnesses, such as Norman Mailer, Tom Wolfe, and Oriana Fallaci. Along the way, Dean meets NASA workers, astronauts, and space fans, gathering possible answers to the question: What does it mean that a spacefaring nation won't be going to space anymore?
The Honorable Floyd L. Griffin Jr. with President Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States. Griffin was first African American to be elected to the Georgia State Senate from the Twenty-fifth legislative district, an area with a majority of white voters. In 1998 Griffin was candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. In 2002, Griffin continued to do what political experts said was impossible by becoming the first African American mayor of the Old Capitol City of Georgia, Milledgeville. At different times in his life, Floyd Griffin has been a cadet, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot, Army Colonel, football coach, professor, businessman, state senator and mayor. Throughout his life of change and challenges, Floyd Griffin has always been dedicated to public service. In 1994, Griffin did what political experts said was impossible. He literally stormed onto the political scene and defeated an incumbent Georgia State Senator. The victory made Griffin the first African American in modern times to be elected in a rural legislature district containing a majority of white voters. In 2000, Griffin continued to do what political experts said was impossible by becoming the first African American mayor of the Old Capitol City of Milledgeville, GA. The Honorable Floyd Griffin served as Senator of Georgia’s Twenty-fifth District for two terms. In the Georgia Senate, Griffin was Chairman of the Interstate Cooperation Committee and served on the Defense and Veteran’s Affairs, Health and Human Services, Higher Education, Local and State government operations and the powerful Rules committees. In 1998, Griffin was candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. His candidacy for Lieutenant Governor made him the first African American to run for that office in modern times. Griffin was elected Mayor of the city of Milledgeville for the term 2002–2006. He was the sixty-seventh Mayor to serve. Former Mayor Griffin served on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, VA. In 1967, he entered the United States army. In Vietnam, Griffin served as a helicopter pilot, instructor pilot, aviation platoon leader and commander of a construction engineer company. After combat service he commanded an engineer battalion under General Norman Schwarzkopf, then served on the Army Staff at the Pentagon and was later promoted to the rank of colonel. Floyd Griffin has also worked as an educator. At Wake Forest University he served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. He was the director of ROTC at Winston-Salem State University, where he coached the football team’s backfield as they won two conservative college championships. Griffin has served as a part-time instructor at the Georgia College and State University School of Business. Former Mayor Griffin served on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, VA. In 1967, he entered the United States army. In Vietnam, Griffin served as a helicopter pilot, instructor pilot, aviation platoon leader and commander of a construction engineer company. After combat service he commanded an engineer battalion under General Norman Schwarzkopf, then served on the Army Staff at the Pentagon and was later promoted to the rank of colonel. Floyd Griffin has also worked as an educator. At Wake Forest University he served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. He was the director of ROTC at Winston-Salem State University, where he coached the football team’s backfield as they won two conservative college championships. Griffin has served as a part-time instructor at the Georgia College and State University School of Business.
Founded in 1943, Negro Digest (later “Black World”) was the publication that launched Johnson Publishing. During the most turbulent years of the civil rights movement, Negro Digest/Black World served as a critical vehicle for political thought for supporters of the movement.
