Product Description
A comprehensive guide to vegetarian France. It includes 150 places to eat and sleep, over 20 veggie restaurants in Paris alone, vegetarian hotels and guesthouses, all-you-can-eat vegan buffets in Paris and Marseille, veggie vocabulary, the hitchhikers guide to France on 50 francs a day, and vegetarian organizations in France. The book is enhanced by information on opening times, addresses, phone numbers, prices, what's on the menu for vegans, and directions to out of the way places. ... Read more

Product Description

Upon its publication, The Origin of Species was critically embraced in Europe and North America. But how did Darwin’s theories fare in other regions of the world? Adriana Novoa and Alex Levine offer here a history and interpretation of the reception of Darwinism in Argentina, illuminating the ways culture shapes scientific enterprise.

In order to explore how Argentina’s particular interests, ambitions, political anxieties, and prejudices shaped scientific research, From Man to Ape focuses on Darwin’s use of analogies. Both analogy and metaphor are culturally situated, and by studying scientific activity at Europe’s geographical and cultural periphery, Novoa and Levine show that familiar analogies assume unfamiliar and sometimes startling guises in Argentina. The transformation of these analogies in the Argentine context led science—as well as the interaction between science, popular culture, and public policy—in surprising directions. In diverging from European models, Argentine Darwinism reveals a great deal about both Darwinism and science in general.

Novel in its approach and its subject, From Man to Ape reveals a new way of understanding Latin American science and its impact on the scientific communities of Europe and North America.

Product Description
Essays by Vittoria Coen and Lisa Liebmann.

In over 40 years of activity, Alex Katz has established himself as one of the leading American painters of the 20th century. His work in three main genres, landscape, individual portraits, and group portraits, explore unique relationships between appearance, perception, and representation. With their smooth texture and compositional assuredness, Katz's works have found a place in the permanent collections of major museums throughout the world. This substantial monologue, published on the occasion of a gallery exhibition in Spain, contains over 240 color reproductions, and includes essays by Vittoria Coen, director of the gallery, and critic Lisa Liebmann, as well a bio-bibliography, offering an overview of this artist's influential career.

"My theory is that if you get the surfaces right, you get everything else right. I want style, the manner of painting, to be the dominant function. Style is part of the thing of elegance, the look that New York painting has. You find its epitome in Jackson Pollock. Big, not small or fussy. Pizazz. Count Basie seems like New York style, you know?"Alex Katz ... Read more

Product Description
Warming of the climate system is beyond argument, as shown by observations of increases in average air and ocean temperatures, the widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global sea levels. But as the messages from scientists become increasingly explicit, the gap between the need for action they project and the climate policy the world leaders put in place remains. The purpose of this guide is to increase public understanding about the urgency of action to combat climate change and its impacts. ... Read more

Product Description
Euthanasia or mercy killing is an emotive and controversial subject. Tremendous advances in medical sciences and biomechanical technologies have prolonged our lives.Unfortunately, these same knowledge and technologies have prolonged our dying. Many today struggle with the issue of euthanasia or mercy killing, either for themselves or for their loved ones. Alex Tang MD approaches this issue from different perspectives. He uses examples from patient case histories to illustrate his points. This book will help those who struggle with euthanasia or mercy killing to come to some resolution of death with dignity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Boldness
The author dives into suicide, euthanasia, suffering, right to die and the biblical perspective on each of these topics, offering various angles, sources of references and thoughts on these topics.

Drawing on his own medical experience, he is bold in offering his own stance on these subjects, a rare peep into a medical doctor's mind on such matters. It is rare to have a doctor be so open in his or her stance on such matters.

Very readable, extensively researched with source references for the reader. Enjoyed it. ... Read more

Product Description
On a recent trip to Japan, the author visited Jesus' and Moses' legendary tombs and met a series of remarkable personages, including an invincible Aikido master, a modern sennin (forest sage) who offered him the tea of long life, and an extraordinary housewife who is the manifestatioin of the Supreme Buddha.

The second half of the book describes attending Michio Kushi's Spiritual Development Training Seminar at the Kushi Institute, which was devoted to many parallel themes. In addition to describing methods to develop infinite energy and awareness, this volume summarizes educator Michio Kushi's most comprehensive teachings on the pyramids and other ancient energy sources, contact between ancient Israel and Japan, Jesus's lost years and possible journey to the East, and the deep, underlying currents of history and civilization. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you're a new quilter about to make your first quilt, or an expert looking for a quick charity quilt design, you'll love these super-easy appliqué quilts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Pleased
Great patterns for quick and simple quilts. Complete instructions for all levels of quilters. These two authorsput out wonderful quilt pattern books. ... Read more

Product Description
Private investigator and sword-for-hire Eddie LaCrosse is swept up in a web of mystery involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he'd left behind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Fun, hard-boiled and easy to read
Not your typical fantasy sword-and-sorcery tale, though there's plenty of both sword and sorcery here. The book easily demolishes fantasy cliches -- by embracing the cliches of the hard-boiled detective novel, instead. This is what Robert B. Parker's Spenser would be like if he was a private eye in the old medieval days. The narrow escapes are very narrow, the violence very violent -- this isn't a parody novel that doesn't take itself seriously. Instead, the world that Bledsoe creates is -- almost -- as believable as Parker's Boston.

Great concept, but with some flaws in execution.
This was a valid attempt at an under-explored, interesting concept.Bledsoe asked what would happen if I dropped a Marlowesque, hard-boiled detective type into a fantasy setting.To be honest, I am surprised that this is not a more common theme, so when I heard about this book I had to give it a try.

I think that he did a very admirable job melding these two genres, and from a broad perspective, I think the book was successful.The plot was intricate enough to keep your attention, although anyone who reads fantasy regularly probably knew how it would end about half way through the book.It was light, and easy, and funny in spots.Even the dark points weren't so bleak as to be depressing.

There were, however, some issues that I had a difficult time reconciling.First, the title of the book is simply ridiculous.It sounded silly before I read the book, but I figured that it would make sense by the time I was finished.It didn't.

Then there were the names.People in this book are given names like "Eddie" and "Mike", and "King Phil"(I'm not kidding).It makes me question if the author understands the fantasy genre at all. An important part of the setting is that the names are not modern.It helps transport the reader to a different world.I thought it made it difficult to stay immersed in his world. I can only assume that this was intentional, and meant as a wink-and-a-nudge to the detective part of the story.I just didn't think it was very effective.

While on the subject of names, I would like to mention a pet peeve of mine that crops up in a few places in this book.Simply spelling things backwards does not make it sound all fantasy-like.Examples include the capital city called Sevlow(wolves), and the Ogachic Mountains(Chicago, almost)...Wow...just wow.

The dialogue was equally jarring.Don't get me wrong, it was decent dialogue for a detective novel, and maybe that was intentional.For me though, all of the modern colloquialisms and speech patterns sort of ruined the sword & sorcery mood.Maybe if just our hero had spoken that way it would have been quirky and cool, but the way it was handled felt odd.

I realize that many of my issues with the book are sort of nitpicky, but put them all together, and I think they detract from the overall experience.Still, although I might not recommend running out and buying it, it is probably worth checking out from the library or picking up a used copy.It will get you through a rainy day.

Chandler meets Fireballs
The Sword-edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe is one of those rainy-day kinda novels. You know the type. It's not the deepest book on your bookshelf, but it's fun. It won't stick with you for weeks afterwards, but you can't put it down while you're reading it. It's got problems, but, for some reason, you're willing to look past `em. The Sword-edged Blonde doesn't set out to be anything more than what it is: a pulpy homage to Raymond Chandler, set in a world not unlike those found in any other Fantasy world. Bledsoe knew what he was aiming for, and hit the mark on the first try. Mostly.

It seems obvious: take the tried and true detective novel formula and plunk it down in a standard Sword & Sorcery world. Like Urban Fantasy throwing werewolves and vampires into the mix, putting a traditional story in a new setting can make the old feel new again and that seems to be exactly the angle Bledsoe was trying to take. He pulls more or less every cliche out of the book - a case with a personal connection to the gumshoesword jockey's past; amnesia; a murdered prince; gangsters, gambling dens and thugs; pretty girls and dangerous fellows - but uses them all with tongue firmly in cheek, and comes out the other end with a novel that's fun for all the right reasons.

Bledsoe's prose is easy to tear through, but oftentimes falls into being anachronistically modern. From characters named Cathy, Eddie, Phil and Mike, to casual language that has no right existing in Bledsoe's Medieval-era world, The Sword-edged Blonde takes the reader through a Fantasy world that at once feels archaic and exceedingly modern. This seems to be an intentional move on Bledsoe's part, to further attach the novel to its Noir roots, but requires a leap of faith from the reader. Though I was able to adjust to it rather easily, it could certainly be a deal-breaker for some readers.

World-building is light. Rather than seeming vague and skipped over, though, it gave me the sense that LaCrosse, and even the King he is working for, are just small fish in a vast ocean. So many Fantasy novels fall back on having protagonists who are important to the fate of the world, but in Eddie LaCrosse's case, he's just another guy doing his dirty job. Bledsoe, for the most part, keeps the magic and Fantasy elements light. There's forms of magic there, but not in the throwing-fireballs-and-calling-lightning-down-from-the-sky kind of way, but to say more would spoil the ultimate twist of the novel. There are no elves, and the only dwarf is no different than any three-foot tall gangster you'd find here in our world.

Like any good mystery novel, The Sword-edged Blonde is full of larger-than-life characters. Character interaction and dialogue are top-notch, and everybody stands out from the crowd, from the lowly barmaid who works below LaCrosse's office to the mysterious Queen, charged with her son's murder, to the monstrous father/son combo living deep in the woods and up to no good. Luckily, standing even further above the crowd is Eddie LaCrosse, the aforementioned Sword Jockey and narrator of the novel. LaCrosse is a private eye, so, naturally, he's got a past he's not too proud of and would sooner forget. Though the novel is ostensibly about a missing prince, the real meat of the novel is discovering who Eddie LaCrosse really is, and the direct connections his dark past has on the case he's working. Bledsoe sublimely intertwines two concurrent storylines, past and present, shedding light on the mysteries at just the perfect clip.

The actual mystery-solving is one of the less satisfying portions of the novel, especially when held up against the characters and the action. For a mystery novel to be truly successful, the author needs to lead the reader along, laying out clues and red herrings alike, giving them a sense that they're playing along, solving the crime alongside the detective. The best Agatha Christie novels will give you that `Eureka!' moment several times throughout, then pull the rug fully out from underneath you. The Sword-edged Blonde, however, spends too much time simply telling the plot twists, giving you huge chunks of the puzzle, after they've been interpreted by LaCrosse's sudden leaps of intuition, rather than doling out each piece of the puzzle to be played with individually, allowing you to try to find the answers on your own. Thus, The Sword-edged Blonde lacks the satisfaction of seeing all the pieces fall into place, and finally having that moment when you finally get it.

At times funny, at others gritty, brutal and relentless , The Sword-edged Blonde pulls together the best of Jim Butcher and Joe Abercrombie, deftly mixing Noir and Fantasy into a novel you can't help but love. Did it have problems? Sure. But I didn't care. I just wanted to know what came next. With Butcher paving the path for Noir Fantasy, the future is looking bright indeed with the addition of novelists like Alex Bledsoe. We'd be so lucky if the number of Eddie LaCrosse novels ever reach those of Harry Dresden. With the sequel, Burn Me Deadly, just released, Bledsoe's on his way, but has a long way to go yet.

Every page was a pleasure to read.
I am very impressed by Bledsoe and his 'Sword Edged Blonde'. I have probably read six dozen different fantasy genre authors in my time, and Bledsoe stands starkly apart in his story telling ability. Its remarkable in how well this author manages to pull off such an amazing mesh of fantasy and hard boiled detective noir.

Although I can NOT imagine Humphrey Bogart of 'The Big Sleep' picking up a sword, the narrative style of that film, or the authors Chandler and Hammett, are present. This is almost not a fantasy. Its not filled with Hobbits, orcs or Dragons. But it does contain peripherial aspects of magic. Not more than you would find in a Gabriel Garcia Marquez story, but enough to fully drag this story into that genre.

The plot surrounds Eddie LaCrosse (love the totally contemporary Euro Centric Yuppie naming here). Eddie is a wizened old warrior who now hires himself out as a Private Investigator. He is contacted by a friend from his childhood (the current king of Eddies homeland) and is asked to solve a complex puzzle of sorts.

The story then follows pretty much a step by step contemporary police procedural. This is a great read (and the authors first work???). Very nice, very readable, and a great gift.

A Melding of Two Genres Done Perfectly
Detective novel meets Swords & Sorcery is a lethal combination in the hands of Bledsoe.No one has succeeded with such an enjoyable melding of the two before. The Sword-Edged Blonde stars Eddie LaCrosse who is a very tragic guy, but it takes time to find out why.Bledsoe teases well with LaCrosse's backstory, which had me up late and early to get a further into his head.LaCrosse was a mercenary for many years after leaving his homeland and never returning.Well, never returning until an old friend who is now King calls him home to solve the murder of his son, which right now points at his wife the Queen Rhiannon. The noir style comes out in full force as Eddie questions people and traipses about the countryside looking for evidence that will exonerate the Queen or confirm her heinous acts.

The action sequences are well planned, realistic, and exhilarating. The Sword-Edge Blonde is as fast paced a book you'll likely find.The magic is on the low side, which works well to make the rest of the action believable, but it does seem to come in handy when it is needed. Bledsoe creates some interesting relationships and makes you think gods are not all they are cracked up to be.Also, the names of the characters threw me a little.This is clearly supposed to be a secondary world Fantasy so having names such as Eddie, Ryan, and Cathy seemed a little mundane and out of place.

All minor quibbles aside, I was captured by The Sword-Edged Blonde and it is definitely an action packed read to keep close at hand.The culmination of the case had me on edge, although the last bit felt a little too nice after everything else that transpired.But Bledsoe has more to say with Eddie so I'm sure we'll see him thrown in the mud quiet a few more times so a little happiness is probably in store for him.

The Sword-Edged Blonde is highly recommended for Swords & Sorcery fans looking for a gritty take and for those Dresden Files and Joe Abercrombie fans looking for something between books.I give The Sword-Edged Blonde 8.5 out of 10 Hats.The second Eddie LaCrosse novel Burn Me Deadly has just released and will be read in short order.This will be an episodic series I'll be following for years to come with at least 4 total books signed. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume: 1-2General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1805Original Publisher: Printed for Matthew Carey and Thomas and William BradfordSubjects: GreeceHistory / Ancient / GreeceHistory / Europe / GreeceJuvenile Nonfiction / History / AncientTravel / Europe / GreeceNotes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free.Excerpt: CHAP. Ill,O/ the Government of Athens, the Laws of Solon, and the History of the Republic from the time of Solon to tAe commencement of the Persian War-WE now return to Athens. Codrus, the last king of this state, having devoted himself for the good of his country, a magistrate, under the title of Archon, was appointed to succeed him. The firit who bore this office was Medon, the son of the late king, who, being opposed by his brothel' Kileus, was preferred by the oracle, and accordingly in- rested with his new dignity. This majistracy was at first "for life ; it was soon after reduced to a period of ten years, and at last became annual; and in this state it continued for near . three hundred years. During this inactive government little offers to adorn the page of history ; the spirit of extensive dominion had not as yet entered into Greece, and the citizens were too much employed in their private intrigues'to attend to foreign concerns. Athens, therefore, continued along time incapable of enlarging her power; content with, safety amidst the contending interests of aspiring potentates and factious citizens.A desire of being governed by written laws, at last iy, made way fora new change in government. For - ' ' more than a centuryt they had seen the good effects of laws in the . regulation of the Spartan commonwealth ; and, as they were a mere enlightened people they expe... ... Read more

Product Description
Running Press is proud to join the fight for the cure with our own Alex's Lemonade Stand book and kit. Our book is the perfect fundraising guide for kids and families, containing tons of tips on planning and organizing a lemonade sale, with plenty of ways to maximize donations and make the most of any stand. The kit includes some great extras, like "I donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand" stickers, creative advertising posters, a lemon squeezer, flyers you can photocopy and hand out, and so much more! Help keep Alex's dream alive by supporting Alex's Lemonade Stand. Just remember, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Alex's Lemonade Stand Materials
The materials that were sent where what I expected.The only issue was the lemonade was past expiration date.

Curing Cancer, one cup at a time
This book and kit is great for helping anyone who wants to set up and sponsor a lemonade stand for Alex's Lemonade Stand For Pediatric Cancer Research.It's a great kit for just plain making lemonade, but I'm sure once you read the story, you'll want to make it an Alex's Lemonade Stand.This kit is a wonderful thing to share with kids and to help them give to a worthy cause. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The first novel from Silvia Sanza, set in New York City, portrays the lives and loves of a group of fashionable young people. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (23)

Remarkable!
With the end of the American Civil War, the Baltimore Gun Club (dedicated to artillery pieces) sinks into depression as its expertise is no longer needed. However, salvation comes when the president of the Club, Impey Barbacane, challenges the Club to use its artillery expertise to launch a manned vehicle to the Moon. It's the kind of challenge that no American can resist, and soon the world is treated to the very first attempt to leave the Earth.

Jules Verne, that master of early science-fiction first published this remarkable book in 1865, and it is amazing how many of Verne's ideas found their echo in the real space program of 100 years later. Verne places his three(!) intrepid explorers in a "cylindro-conical" projectile that was quite close in size to the Apollo Command Module, the launch structure was built in Florida, and more. Indeed, for its time, this book must have been viewed as as much a work of science as fiction - the author went to great lengths to explain the science behind his proposed flight system.

Now, admittedly, the science behind Verne's cannon-fire launch system is HEAVILY flawed, and it never could have worked. But, considering the scientific knowledge of the day, the wonder is that the book is so logical and realistic. And even more, the story is often humorous and always entertaining. If you want to read a really entertaining work of paleo-science-fiction, then get this book, you will not be disappointed!

Great On Kindle
I am a 12-year-old girl and I am really into astronomy and math and science and I'd have to say that this is a great and educational read if you are someone like me. Oh an it's also a great version (inexpensive, too!) to read on my Kindle2.

From the Earth to the Moon - teacher's prespective
This is a terrific book for middle to high school students.It relates directly to aerospace education and provides many cross curricular applications in math, science, and language arts.

Free SF Reader
Unfortunately, From the Earth to the Moon always struck me as being on the rather dull side, so it took me a while to get through it the first time I read it.I can't really recommend this to many, except perhaps those interested in the history of science fiction, or really big Verne fans.The story of the first trip to Earth's satellite.

A Science Fiction Classic
Jules Verne, the father of science fiction, made several predictions
that came true in this book.The book is exciting from cover to cover.
It deserves more credit than it seems to be getting.It was written over
one hundred years ago.I would recommend this book to any science fiction
fan.Danny Fleming, author of How to Prove The Collatz Conjecture. ... Read more

Product Description
The loss of its Empire and the "turn'' to Europe are the two striking features of Britain's foreign policy since 1945. The contributors examine the connection between the two processes. Utilizing a range of sources, the authors challenge conventional interpretations of the connection, and in doing so raise important questions about the nature, motivation, and effects of British policy. ... Read more