Review: "While many dictionaries of economics are available for purchase, this title is unique because of its greater depth of treatment. It offers histories and backgrounds on a significant number of economic topics, not only for the United States but also for other countries and geographic regions. Entries cover such topics as economic concepts; markets and industries; economic development in various countries; biographical essays on key people in economics and business; business products, including coffee, gas, and oil; and the economic aspects of historical events and time periods, including the Great Depression."--"The Top 20 Reference Titles of the Year," American Libraries, May 2004

The Portrait of a Lady is arguably Henry James's most appealing and accessible novel. The introduction to this volume of specially written essays, first published in 1990, situates the novel in its cultural and historical context: its treatment of a modern woman 'affronting' her destiny, its relation to the contemporary controversy over 'morality' in fiction, its use of an Italian setting, and its late nineteenth century elegiac mood. It also discusses James's revisions of the novel and his late Preface. The essays that follow deal with the place of Portrait in the tradition of modern narrative, its relation to popular women's fiction on the question of marriage, the influence of James's 'family romance' and his brother William, and the character of Isabel Archer seen from a psychoanalytic point of view.

In the seventeenth century, in an alternate universe, Mordred defeated King Arthur -- known as "Arthur the Tyrant" -- and founded an Empire, now ruling much of Europe, Asia, and the New World, ably defended by the Order of Crown, Shield and Dragon. These special agents carry swords, each containing the soul of someone of great power. Even in the hands of a knight of the Order, and wielded in the cause of righteousness, such a sword is terribly dangerous to its owner and all around him -- a single red sword can defeat an ordinary army. Last time, three knights of the Order were able to defeat an enemy with an arsenal of red swords, though at a terrible cost. But new menaces are threatening. An ancient witch, long thought to be dead, has returned, and the deadly creatures called darklings are infesting Europe. And on the isle of Colonsay, another deadly supernatural being has appeared, sending the inhabitants into frenzies of murderous madness. This time courage and a strong sword arm, even when armed with a sword of power, may not be enough to save the Empire.

"To maintain the integrity of their reputation as the galaxy's mercenary elite, the soldiers of the barren world of Metzada adhere to a rigid code of loyalty and honor reminiscent of their Jewish-Israeli ancestors. When a veteran soldier apparently betrays the code, it becomes the ongoing task of his nephew to terminate him if he can. With the same gritty realism found in Emile and the Dutchman, this delivers fact-paced sf action-adventure with a refreshing twist."--Goodreads

In earlier books, three young college friends discovered timeless, secret portals into the alternate world called Tir Na Nog and successfully located two magical jewels. Now they seek a third jewel as struggles between noble ruling houses push them perilously close to war. Meanwhile, at home in the real world, an evil being is stalking family and friends of one of the young heroes. Now they must find the stone, defuse the increasingly volatile political situation in Tir Na Nog, and stop evil one before he can destroy more innocent lives.

Something is not all right with This Side, the alternate world where the guardians find themselves. Magic - or at least the rumor of it - is creeping out of Faerie at the border town of Ehvenor. And even though Jason Cullinane, son of the legengdary Karl, has not yet settled into his new role as baron, he and his companions cannot ignore the pleas of those they were sworn to protect. So when great sea serpents rise from the ocean depths, when livestock is swallowed whole by an unseen menace, and when wolfpacks suddenly have more in common with shapechangers than canines, Jason has no choice but to rise to the rescue with his inner circle of warriors - and challenge the forces of chaos before they gain a foothold in the human lands.

Professor Deighton trys to control the fantasy world he has sent a group of college students into.

In a place of lethal politics, three friends became entangled in the sinister intrigues of noble houses.Amid the whispers of doomsday prophecies, young Ian Silverstein's swordsmanship and mettle were tested and judged most worthy.Now the young duelist is being summoned again from Hardwood, North Dakota, back into this strange and perilous universe. . . To serve as peacemaker in a time of impending war. . .To carry a legend's spear and a warning. . .To save a future. . .and the life of an ailing god.

* Will appeal to the same (large) audience as Joel on Software * Contains exclusive commentary by Joel * Lots of free publicity both because of Joel’s influence in the community and the influence of the contributors

As seen on Good Morning America A darkly humorous and inspiring first-person account of the larger-than-life exploits and ultimate redemption of an Irish gangster-turned-actor-turned-sober-storyteller—written in collaboration with the creators of Silicon Valley . Richie Stephens is an actor who often plays hardened gangsters and criminals. This is easy for him because he was a drug trafficker, kidnapper, drug addict, alcoholic, and all-around criminal himself. His life twisted and turned in harrowing self-destructive adventures that took him from his native Ireland to San Francisco, Australia, and finally, Los Angeles, coalescing into a classic tale of a man trying to run from his problems by moving to new and more exotic locations—a hard and painful realization that comes at a point in which he’s about to take his own life. The only reason there is a story to tell is because he did not. Instead, he found help, and in doing so, found himself. More than that, he found that help comes in different forms, and oftentimes it just takes the right thought to hit at the right time for it all to make sense. The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety chronicles Richie’s descent into the abyss of crime and dependency, and how his personal understanding of freedom allowed him to become the functioning positive force he is today. Richie’s story is sprawling and epic, but the key to the book is the same key to his recovery: the 12 Steps. With his own flair and original understanding of life and the world, he followed the 12 Steps to find the clarity he needed to save his own life and evolve into a positive force for others. As Richie says, “Hopefully if people see that someone as fucked up as me could change their life, then there is hope for anyone.” The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety is gripping in its honesty and openness. Even at its darkest moments, there is a keen understanding of the absurd nature of life as the author comes to grips with his failings and his faith, while also entering a place of self-acceptance. This is a story of redemption and the power of the human spirit, and how sometimes you have to turn to something greater than yourself.

"The distinguished political analyst John Judis has brought out a book with Columbia Global Reports during each of the last three national political seasons: The Populist Explosion in 2016, The Nationalist Revival in 2018, and The Socialist Awakening in 2020. Together, these books chart the rise during the second decade of the twenty-first century of a new and unexpected political mood produced by widespread dissatisfaction with the results of the free-market policies that emerged in the late twentieth century, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This anthology, with an Introduction written after the 2020 election, is an indispensable guide to understanding the deeply rooted disenchantment that gave rise to the far-right, the radical left, and the populism on both sides, and changed the politics of our time"--

This is a "history of ideas" account of the retreat of magical thinking in Europe before the rise of the modern scientific world view. It examines the challenge to this view presented by the physical researchers of the 19th century employing scientific methods and criteria.

Centres on Daria Petrovna Petrova, who, having been condemned to ten years in the Gualg, now lives in Magadan in permanent exile. Daria has formed a relationship with a doctor who is also a prisoner, but who is allowed out of the prison camp during the day on account of his profession. She is expectiong a visit from her son, Sacha, now 16, whom she hasn't seen since he was 18 months old. Takes place in 1952.

First published thirty years ago, John Berger's tender and bittersweet novel is a book of dreams of freedom and romance, dreams that intoxicate and redeem, dreams that have the power to exalt their dreamers or dash them against hard truth.It is the unforgettable, often comical portrait of a dreamer, one William Corker, the genteel proprietor of a London employment agency, who, in his sixty-third year, has just moved out of the house he shared with his overbearing sister. As Corker takes his first steps into a life of passions, Berger creates a character of astonishing depth and liveliness—a man whose fantasies and ambitions are at once splendid and tragic.

Two essential plays from Berger and Bielski on art, politics and liberation Goya's Last Portrait and The Question of Geography are the result of collaboration between John Berger and the actress and writer Nella Bielski. Here, collated for the first time as part of the Essential John Berger Series. Goya's Last Portrait, is a study of the artist looking back on his work and drawing the outline of the relationship between art and life. Having painted the darkest images of the soul, the horrors of war, as well as the vibrant colours of aristocratic life, Goya's questions whether he has reflected life or changed it. The Question of Geography, premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company, i s set in Magadan, a town in the Soviet Far East where former political prisoners, known as "Zeks," are forced to live after serving their sentences. The play delves into themes of exile, displacement, the lasting effects of political repression, and the struggle to rebuild lives after imprisonment.

Published to celebrate John Berger's 70th birthday, this is a collection of his poems, drawings and photographs. It includes 46 poems written between 1956 and 1994. "At Remaurian", a sequence of poems from the early 1960s is accompanied by nine photographs taken by Berger.;There are two gate-fold triptychs of drawings, as well as a self-portrait made in 1945 when Berger was an art student.