Explaining the science behind science fiction and fantasy—from the probable to the impossible From teleportation and space elevators to alien contact and interstellar travel, science fiction and fantasy writers have come up with some brilliant and innovative ideas. Yet how plausible are these ideas--for instance, could Mr. Weasley's flying car in the Harry Potter books really exist? Which concepts might actually happen, and which ones wouldn’t work at all? Wizards, Aliens, and Starships delves into the most extraordinary details in science fiction and fantasy--such as time warps, shape changing, rocket launches, and illumination by floating candle--and shows readers the physics and math behind the phenomena. With simple mathematical models, and in most cases using no more than high school algebra, Charles Adler ranges across a plethora of remarkable imaginings, from the works of Ursula K. Le Guin to Star Trek and Avatar, to explore what might become reality. Adler explains why fantasy in the Harry Potter and Dresden Files novels cannot adhere strictly to scientific laws, and when magic might make scientific sense in the muggle world. He examines space travel and wonders why it isn’t cheaper and more common today. Adler also discusses exoplanets and how the search for alien life has shifted from radio communications to space-based telescopes. He concludes by investigating the future survival of humanity and other intelligent races. Throughout, he cites an abundance of science fiction and fantasy authors, and includes concise descriptions of stories as well as an appendix on Newton's laws of motion. Wizards, Aliens, and Starships will speak to anyone wanting to know about the correct--and incorrect--science of science fiction and fantasy.
When her granddaughter Katharine drops out of college and arrives in Florida, taking up with a gang of surfers, Kate Kennedy must come to her rescue when her surfer crush is killed in a shark attack and the police suspect foul play, pointing their fingers at Katherine. Original.
Help students learn to interact with texts in ways that prepare them for the STAAR Reading test while expanding their knowledge bases. By implementing this resource into instruction, students will sharpen their comprehension and critical-thinking skills to build the stamina necessary to succeed on the state test. Featuring TIME for Kids content, this resource offers high-interest informational texts, engaging literature passages, and poems. Questions are carefully crafted to guide students as they approach the texts and share their understanding. The practice exercises help students with skills such as making inferences and drawing conclusions, analyzing the development of ideas or characters, identifying author's viewpoint, and identifying main idea, theme, and supporting details. This must-have resource is perfect to help promote the use of skills needed for success in the 21st century.
Practice makes perfect! Prepare students for Next Generation Assessments with these rigorous practice exercises. This invaluable resource includes 10 texts, literature passages, poems and reader's theater scripts. Each text includes questions for key ideas and details, craft and structure, integration of knowledge and ideas, and constructed response questions based on technology-enhanced questions. These high-interest, informational texts will engage fourth grade students and make preparing for assessments enjoyable. Students will become comfortable taking assessments and will develop their higher-order thinking skills through daily practice and by answering higher-level questions and multi-step problems.
From an Existential Vacuum to a Tragic Optimism: The Search for Meaning and the Presence of God in Modern Literature employs a new theoretical approach to critical analysis: Victor Frankl’s logotherapy (from the Greek “logos” for word or reason and often related to divine wisdom), a unique form of existentialism. On the basis of his observations of the power of human endurance and transcendence – the discovery of meaning even in the midst of harrowing circumstances – Frankl diagnoses the malaise of the current age as an “existential vacuum,” a sense of meaninglessness. He suggests that a panacea for this malaise may be found in creativity, love, and moral choice – even when faced with suffering or death. He affirms that human beings may transcend this vacuum, discover meaning – or even ultimate meaning to be found in Ultimate Being, or God – and live with a sense of “tragic optimism.” This book observes both the current age’s “existential vacuum” – a malaise of emptiness and meaninglessness – and its longing for meaning and God as reflected in three genres: poetry, novel, and fantasy. Part I, “Reflections of God in the Poetic Vision,” addresses “tragic optimism” – hope when there seems to be no reason for hope – in poems by William Butler Yeats, T. S. Eliot, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Part II, “American Angst: Emptiness and Possibility in John Steinbeck’s Major Novels,” presents a study of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and The Winter of Our Discontent – novels that together form a uniquely American epic trilogy. Together these novels tell the story of a nation’s avarice, corruption, and betrayal offset by magnanimity, heroism, and hospitality. Set against the backdrop of Frankl’s ways of finding meaning and fulfillment – all obliquely implying the felt presence of God – the characters are representative Every Americans, in whose lives are reflected a nation’s worst vices and best hopes. Part III, “A Tragic Optimism: The Triumph of Good in the Fantasy Worlds of Tolkien, Lewis, and Rowling,” defines fantasy and science fiction as mirrors with which to view reality. J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, C. S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength, and J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series are considered in the light of Frankl’s logotherapy – providing paths to meaning and the ultimate meaning to be found in God. In a postmodern, fragmented age, these works affirm a continuing vision of God (often through His felt absence) and, also, a most human yearning for meaning even when there seems to be none – providing, as Frankl maintains, “a tragic optimism.”
Four British Fantasists explores the work of four of the most successful and influential of the generation of fantasy writes who rose to prominence in the "second Golden Age" of children's literature in Britain: Susan Cooper, Alan Garner, Diana Wynne Jones, and Penelope Lively.
Interchange Third Edition is a fully revised edition of New Interchange, the world's most successful series for adult and young adult learners of North American English. The course has been thoroughly revised to reflect the most recent approaches to language teaching and learning.
Charles Van Doren has laid a feast before all of us that is irresistible."—Mortimer J. Adler This engaging love letter to reading follows the great authors and classics that transformed the world: from Aristotle and Herodotus in ancient Greece to Salinger and Heinlein in 20th century America. Like a professor whose enthusiasm enwraps his students, Van Doren explains what's wonderful in the books you've missed and awakens your desire to reopen the books you already know. Divided chronologically by the periods in which these classics were written, each book is put in its historical context and brought to life by Van Doren's brilliant analysis. The Joy of Reading delves into a wide range of genres—fiction, poetry, drama, children's books, philosophy, history and science. This is the one book that brings together everything you need to know about the classics you missed and ignites your passion to read and reread the greatest books the world has ever known. This book is the fruit of a lifelong love affair. Reading, I believe, is my favorite thing to do; books and I have been inseparable almost as long as I can remember ... To this day, I become distressed if I am anywhere without a book, a magazine, a newspaper, any scrap of paper to read .... I like the smell of books, certainly the feel of them. Life without books would be, for me, a vacant horror."—Charles Van Doren "Nothing recommends the joy of reading better than the communication of it by a person who has spent a lifetime enriched by the delights of reading. Charles Van Doren is that kind of reader. He has laid a feast before us that is irresistible."—Mortimer J. Adler, author of How to Read a Book "Mr. Van Doren is that rarity, a truly well read man who reads not for professional purposes but for pleasure. His book spurs us on to explore more deeply and joyfully the infinitely varied terrain of good books."—Clifton Fadiman, author of The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature
We often struggle to answer the question: What is the right thing to do here? Good Intentions suggests that it is possible to do good in economic matters if we begin with the right assumptions (and begins to ask the right questions): —Is greed ever good? —How can we give poor kids a million bucks? —How did Ben and Jerry get so rich? —Is capitalism ruining the environment? —Do immigrants take American jobs? Our actions can produce outcomes that reflect what we value.
Amelia MacDonald liked her life. & ;& ;Her parents were both teachers, which most kids would find annoying, but Amelia liked it just fine. Sure, her family was quirky -- with her 'Da' being Scottish and a bit on the Geek Chic side -- and her mom was actually fun to hang out with -- but that was the way she liked it. & ;& ;Then everything changed. Fast. & ;& ;Her mom died, her family broke. If that wasn't bad enough, the university where her father taught literally shut down without enough students to keep it open. Everything she thought her senior year -- her life -- would be just disappeared. & ;& ;Now, she and her Da are trying to rebuild their lives with only 2/3rds of their family. She's in a new school where quirky isn't cool, and it's even more uncool when your father is the new English teacher and he's unlike any teacher any kid at this school has ever seen. & ;& ;She could try to be like everyone else, try to blend in as best as any 'new kid' can, but that's not Amelia. & ;& ;Taking a stand makes her plenty of enemies, but by Christmas her senior year, she's also made the kinds of friends who will last her a lifetime. They all live in the Land of Misfit Teens, but at least they live there together.& ;
Written by the scholars who first developed the theory of self-leadership, Self-Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Personal Excellence by Christopher P. Neck, Charles C. Manz, and Jeffery D. Houghton offers powerful yet practical advice for leading oneself to personal excellence. Grounded in the most recently published, cutting-edge self-leadership research, this milestone book is based on a simple yet revolutionary principle: first learn to lead yourself, and you will then be able to effectively lead others. This inclusive approach to self-motivation and self-influence equips readers with the strategies and tips they need to build a strong foundation in the study of management, as well as enhancing their own personal effectiveness. The updated Second Edition resonates with today’s students by featuring contemporary examples and showcasing a greater degree of diversity throughout. New to this Edition Self-Leadership Research features have been updated or replaced to offer the most up-to-date, cutting-edge research, exposing students to timely developments in the field. Real-World Self-Leadership Cases and new Profiles in Self-Leadership are updated to feature new, contemporary personalities that will resonate with today’s diverse students, with more cases featuring women and/or people of color. Self-Leadership in the Movies features have been updated to reflect contemporary people and movies that showcase a greater degree of diversity, offering students relatable, exciting examples to keep them engaged. All in-text examples and supporting citations have been updated.
Great reads for busy people. This is a guide to help busy people find great reads in fiction and nonfiction. Filled with recommendations of popular, entertaining reading, this book covers mystery and suspense, romance, women’s fiction and chick lit, Westerns, science fiction, such nonfiction topics as animals, art, biography, memoirs, business, true crime, and more. Plus, each entry includes a summary of the book, its significance, and a critique/observation/comment.
While many texts on entrepreneurship and biographies of great entrepreneurs and leaders talk about vision and its importance, few delve into what vision is, how it comes to be, and, how it can be more successfully developed. This book, built on evidence-based research, delves into the entire entrepreneurial visioning process. Starting with understanding the elements which characterize strong and sustainable vision, the authors detail proposed steps, supported by examples and worksheets, that students and entrepreneurs can take to build and implement their vision and, in turn, help put them on the path to build great businesses.
Offers a fresh perspective on how to implement childrens literature across the curriculum in ways that are both effective and purposeful. It invites multiple ways of engaging with literature that extend beyond the genre and elements approach and also addresses potential problems or issues that teachers may confront.
A General History of the Pirates has long been a classic of seafaring literature and was inspiration to both Robert Louis Stevenson and J.M. Barrie. Nothing is known about Captain Charles Johnson, and it is thought that the name may be assumed - there are even some who believe he may have been Daniel Defoe. All that can be stated with any certainty is that in 1724 a small octavo volume appeared that became so popular it grew through 4 editions over 2 years and is still famed today. Historians from both sides of the Atlantic have attested to the accuracy of the work's content. This is a reprint of the 1927 reissued 4th edition - enhanced by the Arthur L. Hayward's editorial touches.
This book is a first attempt to cover the whole area of aesthetics from the point of view of critical rationalism. It takes up and expands upon the more narrowly focused work of E. H. Gombrich, Sheldon Richmond, and Raphael Sassower and Louis Ciccotello. The authors integrate the arts into the scientific world view and acknowledge that there is an aesthetic aspect to anything whatsoever. They pay close attention to the social situatedness of the arts. Their aesthetics treats art as emerging from craft in the form of luxurious and playful challenge to the audience. In developing it they place emphasis on the number of questions and claims that can be settled by appeal to empirical facts; on the historical character of aesthetic judgements; and on the connection of aesthetic truth to true love and true friendship, i.e. fidelity and integrity, not to informative truth.
Charles Vane, Mary Read, Captain Avery, Captain Teach "Blackbeard", Captain Phillips, Captain John Rackam, Anne Bonny, Edward Low, Major Bonnet and many more
Charles Vane, Mary Read, Captain Avery, Captain Teach "Blackbeard", Captain Phillips, Captain John Rackam, Anne Bonny, Edward Low, Major Bonnet and many more
The famous history that inspired so many adventure novels, movies and most recently Black Sails & Pirates of the Caribbean. Find out the truth behind the legend: Table of Contents: Of Captain Avery, And his Crew Of Captain Martel, And his Crew Of Captain Teach, alias Blackbeard Of Major Stede Bonnet, And his Crew Of Capt. Edward England, And his Crew Of Captain Charles Vane, And his Crew Of Captain John Rackam, And his Crew The Life of Mary Read, And Anne Bonny Of Captain Howel Davis, And his Crew Of Captain Bartho. Roberts, And his Crew Of Captain Anstis, And his Crew Of Captain Worley, And his Crew Of Capt. George Lowther, And his Crew Of Captain Edward Low, And his Crew Of Capt. John Evans, And his Crew. Of Captain John Phillips, And his Crew. Of Captain Spriggs, And his Crew. An Account of the Pyracies and Murders committed by Philip Roche, &c. An Abstract of the Civil Law and Statute Law now in Force, in Relation to Pyracy Of Captain Misson Of Capt. John Bowen Of Capt. William Kid Of Captain Tew, And his Crew Of Capt. Halsey, And his Crew Of Captain Thomas White, And his Crew Of Captain Condent, And his Crew A Description of Magadoxa Of Capt. Bellamy Of Captain William Fly, And his Crew Of Capt. Thomas Howard, And his Crew Of Captain Lewis. And his Crew Of Captain Cornelius, And his Crew Of Capt. David Williams, And his Crew Of Capt. Samuel Burgess, And his Crew Of Capt. Nathaniel North, And his Crew Of Captain Teach Of Major Bonnet Of Captain Worley Of Captain Martel The Trial of the Pirates at Providence. Of Captain Vane Of Captain Bowen Captain Charles Johnson is the British author whose real identity remains a mystery but the manner in which he demonstrates a knowledge of the sailor's speech and life, suggests that he could have been an actual sea captain or a professional writer using a pseudonym who was well versed in the sea.
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