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The Big Ratchet: How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural Crisis
by Ruth DeFriesHow an ordinary mammal manipulated nature to become technologically sophisticated city-dwellers -- and why our history points to an optimistic future in the face of environmental crisis Our species long lived on the edge of starvation. Now we produce enough food for all 7 billion of us to eat nearly 3,000 calories every day. This is such an astonishing thing in the history of life as to verge on the miraculous. The Big Ratchet is the story of how it happened, of the ratchets -- the technologies and innovations, big and small -- that propelled our species from hunters and gatherers on the savannahs of Africa to shoppers in the aisles of the supermarket.The Big Ratchet itself came in the twentieth century, when a range of technologies -- from fossil fuels to scientific plant breeding to nitrogen fertilizers -- combined to nearly quadruple our population in a century, and to grow our food supply even faster. To some, these technologies are a sign of our greatness; to others, of our hubris. MacArthur fellow and Columbia University professor Ruth DeFries argues that the debate is the wrong one to have. Limits do exist, but every limit that has confronted us, we have surpassed. That cycle of crisis and growth is the story of our history; indeed, it is the essence of The Big Ratchet. Understanding it will reveal not just how we reached this point in our history, but how we might survive it.
Winning at New Products: Creating Value Through Innovation
by Robert G. CooperA fully updated edition of the classic business reference book on product development from a world renowned innovation management scholarFor more than two decades, Winning at New Products has served as the bible for product developers everywhere. Robert G. Cooper demonstrates why consistent product development is vital to corporate growth and how to maximize your chances of success. Citing the author's most recent research, Winning at New Products showcases innovative practices by industry leaders to present a field-tested game plan for achieving product leadership. Cooper outlines specific strategies for making sound business decisions at every step-from idea generation to launch. This classic book remains the essential resource for product developers around the world."This is a must read. There's so much new in this book, from how to generate the breakthrough ideas, picking the winners, and driving them to market successfully." --Philip Kotler, Professor of International Marketing, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age
by John Palfrey Urs Gasser"An excellent primer on what it means to live digitally. It should be required reading for adults trying to understand the next generation." --Nicholas Negroponte, author of Being DigitalThe first generation of children who were born into and raised in the digital world are coming of age and reshaping the world in their image. Our economy, our politics, our culture, and even the shape of our family life are being transformed. But who are these wired young people? And what is the world they're creating going to look like? In this revised and updated edition, leading Internet and technology experts John Palfrey and Urs Gasser offer a cutting-edge sociological portrait of these young people, who can seem, even to those merely a generation older, both extraordinarily sophisticated and strangely narrow. Exploring a broad range of issues--privacy concerns, the psychological effects of information overload, and larger ethical issues raised by the fact that young people's social interactions, friendships, and civic activities are now mediated by digital technologies--Born Digital is essential reading for parents, teachers, and the myriad of confused adults who want to understand the digital present and shape the digital future.
The Lawyer Bubble: A Profession in Crisis
by Steven J. HarperA noble profession is facing its defining moment. From law schools to the prestigious firms that represent the pinnacle of a legal career, a crisis is unfolding. News headlines tell part of the story-the growing oversupply of new lawyers, widespread career dissatisfaction, and spectacular implosions of pre-eminent law firms. Yet eager hordes of bright young people continue to step over each other as they seek jobs with high rates of depression, life-consuming hours, and little assurance of financial stability. The Great Recession has only worsened these trends, but correction is possible and, now, imperative.In The Lawyer Bubble, Steven J. Harper reveals how a culture of short-term thinking has blinded some of the nation’s finest minds to the long-run implications of their actions. Law school deans have ceded independent judgment to flawed U.S. News & World Report rankings criteria in the quest to maximize immediate results. Senior partners in the nation’s large law firms have focused on current profits to enhance American Lawyer rankings and individual wealth at great cost to their institutions. Yet, wiser decisions-being honest about the legal job market, revisiting the financial incentives currently driving bad behavior, eliminating the billable hour model, and more-can take the profession to a better place. A devastating indictment of the greed, shortsightedness, and dishonesty that now permeate the legal profession, this insider account is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how things went so wrong and how the profession can right itself once again.
The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education
by Diane RavitchAn urgent case for protecting public education, from one of America's best-known education expertsIn this landmark book, Diane Ravitch - former assistant secretary of education and a leader in the drive to create a national curriculum - examines her career in education reform and repudiates positions that she once staunchly advocated. Drawing on over forty years of research and experience, Ravitch critiques today's most popular ideas for restructuring schools, including privatization, the Common Core, standardized testing, the replacement of teachers by technology, charter schools, and vouchers. She shows conclusively why the business model is not an appropriate way to improve schools. Using examples from major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, and San Diego, Ravitch makes the case that public education today is in peril and includes clear prescriptions for improving America's schools.The Death and Life of the Great American School System is more than just an analysis of the state of play of the American education system. It is a must-read for any stakeholder in the future of American schooling.
Letters to a Young Therapist: Stories Of Hope And Healing By The Author Of The Bestselling Surviving Ophelia (Letters To A Young... Ser.)
by Mary PipherFrom "one of America's best-known psychologists" (Chicago Tribune) and the bestselling author of Women Rowing North and Reviving Ophelia, an essential and inspiring book for therapists and anyone seeking to live a good lifeMary Pipher's groundbreaking investigation of America's "girl-poisoning culture," Reviving Ophelia, established its author as one of the nation's foremost authorities on family issues. In Letters to a Young Therapist, Pipher shares what she has learned in thirty years of clinical practice, helping warring families, alienated adolescents, and harried professionals restore peace and beauty to their lives. Through an exhilarating mix of storytelling and sharp-eyed observation, Pipher reveals her refreshingly inventive approach to therapy-fiercely optimistic, free of dogma or psychobabble, and laced with generous warmth and practical common sense. Whether she's recommending daily swims for a sluggish teenager, encouraging a timid husband to become bolder, or simply bearing witness to a bereaved parent's sorrow, Pipher's compassion and insight shine from every page. With a preface by the author addressing recent changes in therapy and the surprising challenges of the digital age, Letters to a Young Therapist is a powerfully engaging guide to living a healthy life.
Mad about Physics: Braintwisters, Paradoxes, and Curiosities
by Christopher Jargodzki Franklin PotterWhy is there eight times more ice in Antarctica than in the Arctic? Why can you warm your hands by blowing gently, and cool your hands by blowing hard? Why would a pitcher scuff a baseball?Which weighs more-a pound of feathers or a pound of iron? Let science experts Christopher Jargodzki and Franklin Potter guide you through the curiosities of physics and you'll find the answers to these and hundreds of other quirky conundrums. You'll discover why sounds carry well over water (especially in the summer), how a mouse can be levitated in a magnetic field, why backspin is so important when shooting a basketball, and whether women are indeed as strong as men. With nearly 400 questions and answers on everything from race cars to jumping fleas to vanishing elephants, Mad about Physics presents a comprehensive collection of braintwisters and paradoxes that will challenge and entertain even the brainiest of science lovers. Whether you're a physicist by trade or just want to give your brain a power workout, this collection of intriguing and unusual physics challenges will send you on a highly entertaining ride that reveals the relevance of physics in our everyday lives.
Dr. Math Introduces Geometry: Learning Geometry is Easy! Just ask Dr. Math!
by The Math ForumYou, Too, Can Understand Geometry - Just Ask Dr. Math! Have you started studying geometry in math class? Do you get totally lost trying to find the perimeter of a rectangle or the circumference of a circle? Don't worry. Grasping the basics of geometry doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds. Dr. Math-the popular online math resource-is here to help! Students just like you have been turning to Dr. Math for years asking questions about math problems, and the math doctors at The Math Forum have helped them find the answers with lots of clear explanations and helpful hints. Now, with Dr. Math Introduces Geometry, you'll learn just what it takes to succeed in this subject. You'll find the answers to dozens of real questions from students who needed help understanding the basic concepts of geometry, from lines, rays, and angles to measuring three-dimensional objects and applying geometry in the real world. Pretty soon, everything from recognizing types of quadrilaterals to finding surface area to counting lines of symmetry will make sense. Plus, you'll get plenty of tips for working with tricky problems submitted by other kids who are just as confused as you are. You won't find a better introduction to the world and language of geometry anywhere!
The Complete Workbook for Science Fair Projects
by Julianne Blair BochinskiYour personal coach and game plan for creating a unique and award-winning science fair project Developing a science fair project from the ground up can be a daunting task--and today's science fairs are more competitive than ever before. The Complete Workbook for Science Fair Projects takes you step by step through the entire process of brainstorming, finding, completing, and submitting an award-winning science fair project of your very own. The special features of this easy-to-use, interactive workbook include:Complete instructions and fun, meaningful exercises to help you develop a science fair project idea from scratchExpert advice on choosing and researching a topic, finding a mentor, conducting an experiment, analyzing your findings, putting together a winning display, and much moreInspiring stories of real projects that show how students solved particular problems This ingenious guide also helps you prepare to deliver a top-notch oral presentation and answer questions from science fair judges. Plus, you'll find sample project journal worksheets, a handy list of scientific supply companies, and lots of space to record your thoughts and ideas as you work on your project. Today's exciting world of science fairs and contests offers many great opportunities. With The Complete Workbook for Science Fair Projects, you'll learn to think like a scientist and create a more effective, impressive science fair project--opening the door for an amazing science journey!
Dr. Math Presents More Geometry: Learning Geometry is Easy! Just Ask Dr. Math
by The Math ForumYou, too, can understand geometry -- just ask Dr. Math! Are things starting to get tougher in geometry class? Don't panic. Dr. Math--the popular online math resource--is here to help you figure out even the trickiest of your geometry problems. Students just like you have been turning to Dr. Math for years asking questions about math problems, and the math doctors at The Math Forum have helped them find the answers with lots of clear explanations and helpful hints. Now, with Dr. Math Presents More Geometry, you'll learn just what it takes to succeed in this subject. You'll find the answers to dozens of real questions from students in a typical geometry class. You'll also find plenty of hints and shortcuts for using coordinate geometry, finding angle relationships, and working with circles. Pretty soon, everything from the Pythagorean theorem to logic and proofs will make more sense. Plus, you'll get plenty of tips for working with all kinds of real-life problems. You won't find a better explanation of high school geometry anywhere!
Kids Inventing!: A Handbook for Young Inventors
by Susan CaseyHave you ever seen inventors on TV or in the newspaper and thought, "That could be me!" Well, it certainly could—and this book shows you how. Kids Inventing! gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for turning your ideas into realities for fun, competition, and even profit. From finding an idea and creating a working model to patenting, manufacturing, and selling your invention, you get expert guidance in all the different stages of inventing. You'll see how to keep an inventor's log, present your ideas, and work as part of a team or with a mentor. You'll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. And you'll see how to prepare for the various state and national invention contests held each year, as well as international competitions and science fairs.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Jules VerneAn adventurous geology professor chances upon a manuscript in which a 16th-century explorer claims to have found a route to the earth's core. Professor Lidenbrock can't resist the opportunity to investigate, and with his nephew Axel, he sets off across Iceland in the company of Hans Bjelke, a native guide. The expedition descends into an extinct volcano toward a sunless sea, where they encounter a subterranean world of luminous rocks, antediluvian forests, and fantastic marine life — a living past that holds the secrets to the origins of human existence.Originally published in 1864, Jules Verne's classic remains critically acclaimed for its style and imaginative visions. Verne wrote many fantasy stories that later proved remarkably prescient, and his distinctive combination of realism and romanticism exercised a lasting influence on writers as diverse as Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jean-Paul Sartre. In addition to the excitement of an action novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth has the added appeal of a psychological quest, in which the sojourn itself is as significant as the ultimate destination.
The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth
by Thomas Jefferson"Question with boldness even the existence of a god," Thomas Jefferson asserted, "because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." America's third president regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity, and in The Jefferson Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings from the Gospels. Discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements and dogma, this volume reflects the deist view of religion, focusing on Jesus' message of absolute love and service.Jefferson undertook his self-appointed task in 1794, consulting not only the King James Bible but also Greek, French, and Latin versions. He selected verses from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and arranged them in chronological order to form a single narrative. Although Jefferson shared his interpretation with friends and family, he declined to publish it, in keeping with his conviction that religion is a private matter—and also to avoid providing his political enemies with ammunition. Not until the turn of the twentieth century did the book appear in print, when it became a tradition to present it to new members of Congress. Unique and influential, this volume reflects not only the thinking of one of the nation's most brilliant statesmen, but also the ideology of the Enlightenment era.
The Rule of St. Benedict
by St. Benedict Cardinal GasquetModestly described by its author as "a little rule for beginners," this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom dates from the sixth century. It was originally intended as a manual for aspiring monks, a diverse group composed of serfs, scholars, shepherds, and sons of the nobility. St. Benedict's little book eventually developed into the preeminent monastic legislative code, a distinction it maintains to this day.In addition to its importance in the organization and spread of Western monasticism, this volume also offers sound suggestions for readers outside the abbey. Benedict explores issues related to charity, personality, integrity, and spirituality. Mindful of human frailty, he counsels an ever-increasing self-discipline, supported by community worship. His teachings have guided readers from every walk of life for 1,500 years, encouraging and inspiring them with advice regarding the dignity of labor, the challenge of responsibility, and the proper use of resources.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind: The Original Classic (abridged) (Dover Empower Your Life)
by Joseph MurphyChange your life by changing your beliefs! This user's guide to the mind explains how to control the force of subconscious thought with the techniques of autosuggestion and visualization. Learn how to attain self-confidence, create harmonious relationships, accumulate wealth, overcome fears, banish bad habits, promote physical healing, and achieve well-being and happiness. Dr. Murphy's techniques have helped readers all over the world. Inspiring examples throughout this book attest to the effectiveness of his methods.
Jude the Obscure
by Thomas HardyPowerful and controversial from its 1895 publication to the present, Jude the Obscure scandalized Victorian critics, who condemned it as decadent, indecent, and degenerate. Between its frank portrayals of sexuality and its indictments of marriage, religion, and England's class system, the novel offended a broad swath of readers. Its heated reception led the embittered author to renounce fiction, turning his considerable talents ever afterward to writing poetry.Hardy's last novel depicts a changing world, where a poor stonemason can aspire to a university education and a higher place in society—but where in reality such dreams remain unattainable. Thwarted at every turn, Jude Hawley abandons his hopes, is trapped into an unwise marriage, and pursues a doomed relationship with his free-spirited cousin, Sue Bridehead. The lovers find themselves equally incapable of living within the conventions of their era and of transcending its legal and moral strictures. Hailed by modern critics as a pioneering work of feminism and socialist thought, Hardy's tragic parable continues to resonate with readers.
Viking Gods and Heroes (Dover Children's Classics)
by E. M. Wilmot-BuxtonThis captivating collection of stories handed down centuries ago from the hardy people of the Far North tells of handsome gods, lovely goddesses, giants, and dwarfs who lived in a land dominated by fire and ice. Twenty-five astonishing tales for young readers recall the dramatic creation of earth, sea, and sky and the chilling struggles between titans, trolls, and mighty heroes.Here are enticing narratives of gifts from the Queen of the Sky and a fortress built by a giant, along with thrilling accounts of a magic sword, Thor's mighty hammer, a golden treasure that has been cursed, and the slaying of a dreaded dragon. Offering hours of enchanted reading, these exciting exploits of legendary Nordic folk figures will delight anyone captivated by ancient myths and legends.
The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ
by Levi DowlingThis visionary text professes to tell the complete story of Jesus' life, including the "lost" years, during which he traveled and studied in Tibet, Egypt, India, Persia, and Greece. First published in 1908, this mystical work is the cornerstone of a Christian denomination, the Aquarian Christine Church Universal, and it offers intriguing, controversial assertions about Christ's message.Jesus was conceived by a human father, author Levi Dowling states, and by effort and prayer rendered himself a fit vessel for "the Christ" -- the model for human existence and ultimate salvation. Dowling, who devoted forty years of preparation to the task of transcribing this volume's contents from original Akashic records, further asserts the reality of reincarnation and its culmination in the perfection of the human soul. Tracing Jesus' life from his birth in Bethlehem to his ascension from the Mount of Olives, Dowling offers complete details concerning the savior's years among monks, wise men, and seers throughout the Orient. Readers with an interest in occult lore and the history of religion will find this remarkable volume a source of endless fascination.
A Hero of Our Time (Dover Books On Literature And Drama Ser.)
by Mikhail Lermontov"Of lasting appeal to readers of all countries and centuries."—Vladimir NabokovRussian literature's first major prose novel, this gripping work was a primary influence on Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and other great nineteenth-century writers. Mikhail Lermontov, "the poet of the Caucasus," drew upon his personal Byronic exploits to create these tales of treachery, abductions, and sexual intrigue. Published in 1840, one year before the author's death at age twenty-six in a duel, the novel retains its overwhelming power and fascination.Centered on the escapades of Pechorin, a dashing young officer and the hero of the title, the book consists of a series of interconnected short stories. The picaresque adventures revolve around Pechorin's escapades and reflect his cynical but passionate worldview. Set amid the rugged Caucasian wilderness—an exotic land populated by bandits and smugglers, transplanted society women, and lawless freebooters—it offers a thrilling blend of brutality, elegance, and enduring romance.
Leviathan: The English And Latin Texts (Dover Philosophical Classics)
by Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes took a new look at the ways in which society should function, and he ended up formulating the concept of political science. His crowning achievement, Leviathan, remains among the greatest works in the history of ideas. Written during a moment in English history when the political and social structures as well as methods of science were in flux and open to interpretation, Leviathan played an essential role in the development of the modern world.An outspoken royalist, Hobbes fled to France during the English civil war, where he wrote this polemic, in which he calls for a powerful sovereign — a "Leviathan" — to act as an enforcer of peace and justice. Hobbes' articulation of this long-contemplated philosophy of political and natural science was finally published in 1651, two years after the overthrow and execution of Charles I. It met with a firestorm of controversy that included charges of treason and sedition. This edition of Hobbes' landmark work is based on the original text. It incorporates the author's own corrections and retains the period spelling and punctuation, offering both flavorful authenticity and the utmost clarity of expression.
The Prose Edda: Tales from Norse Mythology
by Snorri Sturluson Arthur Gilchrist BrodeurGods and giants bestride these ancient tales, in which warrior queens and noble heroes battle with elves, dwarves, and fearsome monsters. Spanning the dawn of the world's creation to its fiery destruction, these gripping Norse legends chronicle the triumphs and tragedies of a lost era. Resounding with a poetic instinct for the picturesque, the dramatic, and the human, they form vivid portraits of the characters' personalities. They also depict the comic and disastrous results of ambition, passion, and destiny.The wellspring of modern knowledge of Norse mythology, these sagas preserved the Vikings' narrative style from an invading European influence. Iceland's great literary genius, Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241), combined oral traditions, genealogical records, and old songs to immortalize his country's glorious past. Edda means "poetic art," and Sturluson's guidebook for Icelandic poets has been a timeless inspiration for generations of writers around the world, including Wagner, Borges, and Tolkien.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain E. W. KembleReferring to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, H. L. Mencken noted that his discovery of this classic American novel was "the most stupendous event of my whole life"; Ernest Hemingway declared that "all modern American literature stems from this one book," while T. S. Eliot called Huck "one of the permanent symbolic figures of fiction, not unworthy to take a place with Ulysses, Faust, Don Quixote, Don Juan, Hamlet."The novel's preeminence derives from its wonderfully imaginative re-creation of boyhood adventures along the mighty Mississippi River, its inspired characterization, the author's remarkable ear for dialogue, and the book's understated development of serious underlying themes: "natural" man versus "civilized" society, the evils of slavery, the innate value and dignity of human beings, the stultifying effects of convention, and other topics. But most of all, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a wonderful story ― filled with high adventure and unforgettable characters (including the great river itself) ― that no one who has read it will ever forget.
Boy Scouts Handbook: The First Edition, 1911 (Dover Books On Americana Ser.)
by Boy Scouts of AmericaRead by presidents, scientists, and national heroes, the Boy Scouts Handbook has been used by generations of American youths. Filled with practical advice for everyone, the book contains everything from safety tips on swimming and instructions for putting up a tent to directions for making an aquarium and pointers on how to identify common North American trees.More than 200 figures and illustrations accompany valuable information on woodcrafting, camping, sailing, hiking, health and endurance, and providing first aid. But more than just a guide to outdoor life, the handbook also offers timeless observations on politeness, patriotism, and good citizenship.As useful and valid today as it was when first published nearly 100 years ago, the Boy Scouts Handbook will delight Americana enthusiasts as much as it will be treasured by collectors and nature lovers.
Dynamic Anatomy: The Original Edition
by Burne HogarthHailed by teachers, students, and critics for fifty years, this manual presents both action studies and practical diagrams for portraying the human figure in motion and at rest. Anatomical details appear in pragmatic, generalized shapes that simplify identification and reproduction. More than 300 images complement the easy-to-follow text, which includes a valuable survey of art history and magnificent figure drawings by such masters as Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Rodin, and Picasso.Burne Hogarth, called "the Michelangelo of the comic strip," is best known for his long-running Tarzan cartoons and for helping found New York's School of Visual Arts. In this study of the human figure, he explains muscular and skeletal structure from the artist's point of view, rather than that of the medical anatomist. Hogarth extends beyond the factual elements of anatomy to emphasize the relationship of mass to movement. His guide will prove an indispensable companion to artists at all skill levels who wish to render the human figure accurately and artistically.
The Physiology of Taste
by Jean Anthelme Brillat-SavarinA masterpiece on the subject of cooking as an art and eating as a pleasure, this 1825 classic on the joys of food and drink was written by a French politician and man of letters whose true passion centered on gastronomy. Includes recipes for pheasant, Swiss fondue, and other dishes. 41 illustrations.