The world's most revered and eloquent interpreter of evolutionary ideas offers here a work of explanatory force unprecedented in our time--a landmark publication, both for its historical sweep and for its scientific vision.With characteristic attention to detail, Stephen Jay Gould first describes the content and discusses the history and origins of the three core commitments of classical Darwinism: that natural selection works on organisms, not genes or species; that it is almost exclusively the mechanism of adaptive evolutionary change; and that these changes are incremental, not drastic. Next, he examines the three critiques that currently challenge this classic Darwinian edifice: that selection operates on multiple levels, from the gene to the group; that evolution proceeds by a variety of mechanisms, not just natural selection; and that causes operating at broader scales, including catastrophes, have figured prominently in the course of evolution.Then, in a stunning tour de force that will likely stimulate discussion and debate for decades, Gould proposes his own system for integrating these classical commitments and contemporary critiques into a new structure of evolutionary thought.In 2001 the Library of Congress named Stephen Jay Gould one of America's eighty-three Living Legends--people who embody the "quintessentially American ideal of individual creativity, conviction, dedication, and exuberance." Each of these qualities finds full expression in this peerless work, the likes of which the scientific world has not seen--and may not see again--for well over a century. --

"Scientific analysis intersects with flat-out fandom. [Gould] could write, he was funny, and he loved, loved baseball."—Booklist Science meets sport in this vibrant collection of baseball essays by the late evolutionary biologist.Among Stephen Jay Gould's many gifts was his ability to write eloquently about baseball, his great passion. Through the years, the renowned paleontologist published numerous essays on the sport; these have now been collected in a volume alive with the candor and insight that characterized all of Gould's writing. Here are his thoughts on the complexities of childhood streetball and the joys of opening day; tributes to Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and lesser-knowns such as deaf-mute centerfielder "Dummy" Hoy; and a frank admission of the contradictions inherent in being a lifelong Yankees fan with Red Sox season tickets. Gould also deftly applies the tools of evolutionary theory to the demise of the .400 hitter, the Abner Doubleday creation myth, and the improbability of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. This book is a delight, an essential addition to Gould's remarkable legacy, and a fitting tribute to his love for the game.

This study is the first of its kind: a street-level inside account of what Stalinism meant to the masses of ordinary people who lived it. Stephen Kotkin was the first American in 45 years to be allowed into Magnitogorsk, a city built in response to Stalin's decision to transform the predominantly agricultural nation into a "country of metal." With unique access to previously untapped archives and interviews, Kotkin forges a vivid and compelling account of the impact of industrialization on a single urban community. Kotkin argues that Stalinism offered itself as an opportunity for enlightenment. The utopia it proffered, socialism, would be a new civilization based on the repudiation of capitalism. The extent to which the citizenry participated in this scheme and the relationship of the state's ambitions to the dreams of ordinary people form the substance of this fascinating story. Kotkin tells it deftly, with a remarkable understanding of the social and political system, as well as a keen instinct for the details of everyday life. Kotkin depicts a whole range of life: from the blast furnace workers who labored in the enormous iron and steel plant, to the families who struggled with the shortage of housing and services. Thematically organized and closely focused, Magnetic Mountain signals the beginning of a new stage in the writing of Soviet social history.

The Berlin Wall fell in 1989. In one of history's most miraculous occurrences, communism imploded--not with a bang, but with a whimper. Now two scholars of Eastern European and Soviet affairs revisit what happened, in this fresh, incisive look at communism's collapse.

Contemporary spiritual teacher Sogyal Rinpoche's The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying dealt with how to use the consciousness of our mortality to live a better life. Now the author of the perennial bestseller Who Dies? tells us how to live mindfully each moment, each hour, each day as if it were all that was left.

Dr. Pavan John Antony has over ten years of work experience in the field of special education and is currently an Assistant Professor in Special Education at Adelphi University, New York. Prior to this, he was actively involved in working with adults with disabilities transitioning from high school, working with them in the community and in their group homes. Since Spring 2013, he has been studying the experiences of individuals with Cerebral Palsy who attended college. He also worked with children and adults with disabilities in South India for over five years. Dr. Antony has published several articles, regularly presents at national and international conferences and also serves as a reviewer for four peer reviewed journals. Dr. Stephen Shore is Assistant Professor in Special Education at Adelphi University, New York, where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism, as well as promoting successful transition to adulthood for this population. Diagnosed with "atypical development and strong autistic tendencies" and nonverbal until age four, Dr. Shore now presents and consults internationally on issues pertinent to individuals on the autism spectrum. He is President Emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England and serves on the boards of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association and the Autism Services Association.

"Combinators have inspired ideas about computation ever since they were first invented in 1920, and in this innovative book, Stephen Wolfram provides a modern view of combinators and their significance. Informed by his work on the computational universe of possible programs and on computational language design, Wolfram explains new and existing ideas about combinators with unique clarity and stunning visualizations, as well as provides insights on their historical connections and the curious story of Moses Schönfinkel, inventor of combinators. Though invented well before Turing machines, combinators have often been viewed as an inaccessibly abstract approach to computation. This book brings them to life as never before in a thought-provoking and broadly accessible exposition of interest across mathematics and computer science, as well as to those concerned with the foundations of formal and computational thinking, and with the history of ideas"--

A remarkable, intimate, one-of-a-kind visual document of the people, places, and wildlife of Africa today. In his new book, Steve Bloom expresses, as no photographer has ever done, the essence and the diversity of this gigantic continent. From the tallest sand dunes in the world in the Namibian desert to the lush green wetlands of Botswana's Okavango Delta, from the swirling markets of Zanzibar to the windswept rocks and gullies of South Africa's Table Mountain, he captures the colors and cultures of Africa today. More than 200 photographs of Africa's peoples and wildlife perfectly encapsulate the vibrancy of tribal traditions and the beauty of the landscape. Here are Monzambican miners who endure harsh working conditions nearly two miles underground; Ndebele women running community workshops; Surma and Mursi women with giant plates in their lips, a custom that dates back to slave-trade days when tribes would mutilate themselves in order to be left alone; and many others across the continent, north, south, east, and west. Alongside these stories of human fortitude and stamina, there are awe-inspiring photographs of African wildlife: cheetahs, their coats a blur of color against the sun-bleached background; the vast flocks of birds scattered across bright blue skies; and herds of zebras gathered in the African moonlight. Best-selling author and photographer Steve Bloom grew up in South Africa and is one of the world's leading photographers of nature and wildlife. He lives in London.

"Who else but Marvel would set up a robot from the future to play matchmaker for a femme fatale and the Man Without Fear? Mister Kline's android-laden efforts steer Daredevil and the Black Widow together for a trial whose tribulations could mean the end of the fabled Nelson and Murdock partnership! Then the redman and the lady in black relocate to the City of the Golden Gates, but that's not Cupid aiming at them: It's Hawkeye the Marksman! Plus sagas of savagery in South America, indestructible intrigue, and cosmic conflicts with both sides against the Earth! Also featuring the Purple Man, Electro, the Owl, the Gladiator and more from Daredevil's enclave of enemies!"--Page 4 of cover

"In Ginger Kid, popular comedian Steve Hofstetter grapples with life after seventh grade . . . when his world fell apart. Formatted as a series of personal essays, Steve walks his readers through awkward early dating, family turbulence, and the revenge of the bullied nerds. This YA nonfiction is sure to be the beloved next volume for the first generation of Wimpy Kid fans who are all grown up and ready for a new misfit hero"--

Ideal for teachers who have been searching for a way to inspire students with a love for writing--and reading--contemporary poetry.It is a book about shaping your memories and passions, your pleasures, obsessions, dreams, secrets, and sorrows into the poems you have always wanted to write. If you long to create poetry that is magical and moving, this is the book you've been looking for.Here are chapters on the language and music of poetry, the art of revision, traditional and experimental techniques, and how to get your poetry started, perfected, and published. Not the least of the book's pleasures are model poems by many of the best contemporary poets, illuminating craft discussions, and the author's detailed suggestions for writing dozens of poems about your deepest and most passionate concerns.

"The acclaimed team of writer Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo reteam for a reinvention of the Manhunter from Mars in this twisted, unexpected series. Back on Mars, J'onn J'onzz was about as corrupt as a law officer can be, and when a reckoning comes for his entire society, he'll get a second chance he doesn't want or deserve! One shocking murder, and an unexpected fragment of the Mars he lost, will change his life--and the course of the Earth--forever!"--

Pieczenik (Blood Heat) is a world-famous international crisis manager, hostage negotiator, political psychiatrist, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. Now his insider knowledge and experience come together in a thrilling political novel scheduled to be a major motion picture from Paramount.

In 2010, four states threaten to secede from the Union, using the Glen Canyon dam as their bargaining chip, and the ensuing politics leaves the primary negotiator wondering who exactly is behind the secessionist movement. 25,000 first printing.

(Boosey & Hawkes Scores/Books). HPS 1239

"From award-winning author Steve Sheinkin, a true story of two Jewish teenagers racing against time during the Holocaust-one in hiding in Hungary, and the other in Auschwitz, plotting escape"--

If you've got a love and passion for photography, and a feel for your camera gear and settings, yet your images still fall short- The Passionate Photographer will help you close that disappointing and frustrating gap between the images you thought you took and the images you actually got. This book will help you determine what you want to say with your photography, then translate those thoughts and feelings into strong images. It is both a source of inspiration and a practical guide, as photographer Steve Simon distills 30 years of photographic obsession into the ten crucial steps every photographer needs to take in order to become great at their passion. Simon's practical tips and advice are immediately actionable-designed to accelerate your progress toward becoming the photographer you know you can be. Core concepts include: - The power of working on personal projects to fuel your passion and vision - Shooting a large and targeted volume of work, which leads to a technical competence that lets your creativity soar - Learning to focus your concentration as you shoot, and move outside your comfort zone, past your fears toward the next great image - Strategies for approaching strangers to create successful portraits - How to edit your own work and seek second opinions to identify strengths and weaknesses, offering opportunities for growth and improvement with a goal of sharing your work with the world - The critical need to follow, see, and capture the light around you Along the way, Simon offers inspiration with "Lessons Learned" culled from his own extensive experience and archive of photojournalism and personal projects, as well as images and stories from acclaimed photographers. If you're ready to be inspired and challenge yourself to take your photography to the next level, The Passionate Photographer provides ideas and creative solutions to transform that passion into images that convey your unique personal vision.