ABOUT THE BOOK “Except for the bottom of the sea or the center of the earth, the North Pole, at the end of the nineteenth century, was the world's last mysterious destination.” The Ice Balloon: S.A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration retells the attempt by Swedish explorer S.A. Andrée to reach the north pole by hydrogen balloon. Writer Alec Wilkinson recounts the whole story of Andrée’s venture from its first conception to the final recovery of its lost artifacts, and intersperses his tale with other events in the history of Arctic exploration. Wilkinson draws on previous accounts of Arctic exploration as well as original documents from various expeditions to reconstruct an era of scientific discovery. The book includes photographs taken by contemporaries of Andrée, including some that were shot on Andrée’s expedition and lost for decades when the undeveloped film was frozen in the ice along with the members of the party. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. Nicole is an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK In 1893, a Norwegian named Fridtjof Nansen set off to strand his purpose-built ship, the Fram, in the Arctic ice with the hope it could drift to the north pole along with the ice. There were thirteen men on the crew, who lived in relative comfort compared to other Arctic explorers. Nansen had planned carefully and the Fram was well-insulated and warm. He was not content to simply wait and set off with another crew member to attempt to reach the pole by dogsled. But his haste proved to work against him as they had to turn back. It was not until 1896 that they encountered other explorers, and were able to make their way back to their ship. This was the same time at which Andrée was planning his first attempt to launch his balloon. In the summer of 1896 Andrée and his two crew members, meteorologist Nils Eckholm and photographer Nils Strindberg, along with a large crew of people to help build a temporary balloon shed and prepare for the journey, arrived in Spitsbergen. By the end of the summer the attempt was abandoned due to a lack of favorable winds for the balloon. Buy a copy to keep reading!
Natural Experiments in History grew, in a way, out of co-editor Jared Diamond's book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. In the earlier book, he spent a chapter looking at the Polynesian expansion as a near-perfect natural experiment in which a single ancestral Polynesian culture migrated to hundreds of islands in the Pacific Ocean, each with its own different geographic features. Because the culture that settled the islands was the same, any differences that developed between separate island societies could be largely attributed to the geography of the individual islands. At the conclusion of Guns, Germs, and Steel, Diamond noted that there were many other such natural experiments in history, just waiting to be studied, and he called for historians to pick up where he left off and see what else could be learned. Of course, scholars have been using such natural experiments for a long time, especially in other disciplines like archaeology and anthropology, but they have not been as popular in historical scholarship. With Natural Experiments of History the editors and authors hope to illustrate how natural experiments can be used to bring the rigours of the hard sciences to historical scholarship, both in descriptive and statistics-based studies.
ABOUT THE BOOK In this book, I have chosen sometimes to be deliberately vague about the name and location of certain prehistoric ruins and rock art. Such an ethic is by now in long use among writers, photographers, and guides who celebrate the Southwest. A narrative of personal discovery should not serve as a treasure map.” Roberts’ and Child’s book Sandstone Spine is an account of the expedition of three men along Comb Ridge, a sandstone ridge resembling a miniature mountain range and running for nearly an hundred miles across Arizona and Utah. This area is full of archaeological ruins, primarily from various phases of the Anasazi people, as well as more recent Navajo sites. While the basic premise of the book is a recounting of Roberts’, Child’s, and their friend Vaughn Hadenfeldt’s experiences during the arduous expedition along the length of the Ridge, the structure and additional content of Sandstone Spine make it much more than simply an account of an hiking trip. Interspersed between sections recounting the events of the hike are retellings of historical events significant to the area, and information on both the current Navajo inhabitants and the prehistoric Anasazi people. Roberts also includes geological and natural history information, arranging all of this content into a fascinating mosaic of a book. The book narrates how, while searching for a new expedition, author David Roberts and long-time hiking and climbing partner Vaughn Hadenfeldt wondered whether or not anyone had ever hiked Comb Ridge from end-to-end in one trip. As it seemed that no one had ever made a complete traverse of the Ridge, the two friends decided to try it themselves, and they both agreed that photographer and mutual friend Greg Child would be the perfect third party to join them on the expedition. At ages 47, 53 and 61 respectively at the time of their trip, Child, Hadenfeldt, and Roberts had spent their lives making adventurous forays into some of the most inaccessible places on Earth. Both Roberts and Child made good livings writing about their adventures, while Hadenfeldt ran a business guiding hiking trips into the Utah canyonlands. The level of expedition and adventure-writing experience that Roberts and Child have ensures that their book includes interesting and relevant information for readers. Roberts did considerable research after the trip to complement the daily journals he kept. Sandstone Spine was published by The Mountaineers Books, which also published some of Roberts’ other titles. The publisher is a part of The Mountaineers Club, a non-profit dedicated to “the exploration, preservation, and enjoyment of outdoor and wilderness areas.” In keeping with its publisher’s philosophy, Sandstone Spine is very much a book about enjoying the outdoors in a respectful and non-destructive way. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Over the years, Greg, Vaughn, and I had found literally hundreds of Anasazi ruins in the backcountry. Yet the thrill of coming upon a new one—especially one so beautiful as this—was undiminished. Chapter One describes the preparations that Roberts, Child, and Hadenfeldt make for their expedition. As the area they wish to traverse has unreliable water supplies, the men decide on a water-caching system, in which they visit key locations along the ridge by driving and day-hiking, and leave plastic bottles of water where they can easily find them again. They also decide to arrange for another friend to meet them at certain dates at points where highways and road access penetrate the ridge, so they won’t have to pack a whole month’s worth of food. This will also allow them to swap out equipment if necessary. Hiking the whole length of Comb Ridge also requires permits... ...buy the book to continue reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is arguably one of the most important works of scientific writing ever to be published. Science today recognizes that the principles of natural selection Darwin described are the primary driving forces behind the evolution of new species, and evolution itself underpins all of the biological sciences, including medicine. For a natural historian, whether a professional scientist, or an avid amateur like me, Darwin’s work is an illustration of how a single dedicated individual can look at the mind-boggling variety of life on our planet and make sense of it. Though few people have read the book, nearly everyone has read about it. Those who do venture to crack the covers of the Origin (as it’s commonly known) discover a surprisingly readable account, though one dense with details and examples. It is the sort of book that can take some effort to get all the way through, but which leaves the reader feeling it was a worthwhile effort. For me, it underlined the beauty and richness of life on Earth, and gave me many new avenues down which to let my curiosity wander. It is also a testament to the kind of meticulous research, combined with brilliant thinking, upon which the best science depends. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. She's an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. And if it's possible to be both a luddite, with a love for the low-tech, and a technophile, with a fascination for everything new and shiny, Nicole is both. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK It is difficult to overstate the importance of The Origin of Species. It has been both loved and reviled, but Darwin’s theory has stood up to repeated challenges until it has become what scientists call a “robust theory”—for a layperson, there is little difference between that and a “fact.” A robust theory is one that has “been tested and confirmed again and again.” It took Charles Darwin many years to write his masterwork, and he only really considered publishing it when it came to his attention in 1855 that a younger scientist—Alfred Russel Wallace—was working on a similar theory. Without that impetus, the book would likely have taken many more years. Wallace’s work, which he sent to Darwin in 1858 in a 20-page paper outlining an evolutionary theory similar to Darwin’s, finally provided the impetus for Darwin to set down his ideas in a form others could read. In the end, the two men claimed joint discovery of the mechanisms of evolution, though it’s Darwin whose name we remember, and Darwin’s thorough and meticulous work that gave the theory its strongest support. Darwin had actually worked out his basic theory of natural selection by 1838, but he was such a perfectionist that he didn’t publish it until nearly 20 years later. With each new edition of the Origin, Darwin added additional examples and evidence, and answered many challenges from his scientific opponents. And though today the Origin is considered to be a work only read by scientists, it was actually written for the general public, and was widely read at the time. Buy a copy to keep reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK Richard Castle is a mystery writer who has developed writers block after killing off his main character. When a copycat killer starts murdering people based on Castles books, he is investigated by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett. Beckett happens to be smart and beautiful, as well as a good cop, so Castle is intrigued by her, and comes up with an idea for a new series of novels about a character based on her. Initially, Beckett is not receptive to Castles request to shadow her so he can give his books more realism, even though she is secretly a fan and has read all his previous books. It takes Castles use of some high-placed connections, including the mayor of New York, to get permission, but he finally joins the team. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. She's an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. And if it's possible to be both a luddite, with a love for the low-tech, and a technophile, with a fascination for everything new and shiny, Nicole is both. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Where season one was an introduction to the characters and their unusual partnership, season two delves more deeply into their interactions and relationships. Castle is still, in many ways, a murder-of-the-week show, or a police procedural, in which the focus is on solving a murder, but it also has more depth. At the end of season one, Castle and Beckett were estranged because Castle interfered too much in trying to help Beckett with the mystery of her mothers murder. So as season two begins, the first thing he has to do is reconcile with her. At first Beckett doesnt want him around at all, but a murder investigation brings them together and she decides to allow him to help as long as he agrees to leave her alone afterward. But the time the investigation has concluded, Beckett has to admit that she enjoys having Castle around. CHAPTER OUTLINE Quicklet on Castle Season 2 + About Castle + Andrew W. Marlowe, Castle's Creator + Castle: A Summary of Season Two + Castle: Season Two Episode Guide + ...and much more Castle Season 2
The Royal Society was founded in 1660 from a basis of more informal meetings of physicians, natural philosophers, and other interested parties (there was no such thing as a "scientist" yet). It was influenced by Francis Bacon's thinking about science and knowledge and inspired by the many discoveries that were happening at the time. In a sense, the development of the Royal Society was a mirror of the development of science itself. 2010 was the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society, and Seeing Further: The Story of Science, Discovery, and the Genius of the Royal Society was published to commemorate that fact. Rather than simply write a history of the institution, Bryson elected to edit a volume of essays displaying some of the variety of interests so evident in the Royal Society itself. He selected twenty one writers, and not just scientists, either. Though there are quite a few eminent scholars listed as authors, there are also novelists and journalists. What they all share, though, besides the ability to turn a phrase, is an enthusiasm for science and an appreciation for the achievements of the Society.
ABOUT THE BOOK “On the 2nd of October we made the shores of England; and at Falmouth I left the Beagle, having lived on board the good little vessel nearly five years.” Charles Robert Darwin, the man who brought the world the theory of evolution by natural selection, was born on the 12th of February, 1809, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. From an early age, he showed interest in the study of nature. In 1825, when he was sixteen, Darwin spent a summer as an apprentice to his father, a doctor, and then in the fall of that year he attended medical school at the University of Edinburgh. Darwin was an indifferent student, finding his lectures dull, and he was distressed by surgery, which was required learning for a doctor. So instead of studying, he turned to other pursuits. He learned taxidermy from John Edmonstone, a former slave who had accompanied an expedition to the South American rainforest; he joined the Plinian Society, a student natural history group; and he assisted Robert Edmond Grant with a study of marine invertebrates, during which time he made and presented at least one discovery of his own. Due to the neglect of his medical studies, Darwin’s father decided to send him instead to Christ’s College, Cambridge to get a degree as part of the process of becoming an Anglican parson. Darwin continued to neglect his studies, but his newly-found passion for entomology led to some discoveries of new species. Despite being a less-than-stellar student, Darwin graduated in 1831. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK During the years 1831 to 1836, Charles Darwin sailed on the HMS Beagle, on its second hydrographic survey voyage. He kept a diary and detailed scientific notes, and when the expedition returned to England, Darwin began to edit his notes for publication at the request of Robert Fitz Roy, captain of the Beagle. The resulting book, also known as Darwin's Journal of Researches, was first published in 1838 and 1839 as book three of a four-volume publication covering all aspects of both the first and second Beagle voyages. Darwin’s portion covered geology, anthropology and natural history. Darwin’s family had initially encouraged him to publish his journal separately from Fitz Roy’s account of the voyage, but because it was to be a separate volume in the series, Darwin allowed it to be printed alongside Fitz Roy’s work. However, Darwin’s volume of The Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle was so popular that he did eventually publish the work on its own in 1845, with some revisions. Most notably, he added more references to his developing theory of natural selection. It was reprinted several times, often with slightly different titles, and with minor revisions... Buy a copy to keep reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK Richard Castle is a mystery writer who has developed writers block after killing off his main character. When a copycat killer starts murdering people based on Castles books, he is investigated by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett. Beckett happens to be smart and beautiful, as well as a good cop, so Castle is intrigued by her, and comes up with an idea for a new series of novels about a character based on her. Initially, Beckett is not receptive to Castles request to shadow her so he can give his books more realism, even though she is secretly a fan and has read all his previous books. It takes Castles use of some high-placed connections, including the mayor of New York, to get permission, but he finally joins the team. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. She's an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. And if it's possible to be both a luddite, with a love for the low-tech, and a technophile, with a fascination for everything new and shiny, Nicole is both. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Where season one was an introduction to the characters and their unusual partnership, season two delves more deeply into their interactions and relationships. Castle is still, in many ways, a murder-of-the-week show, or a police procedural, in which the focus is on solving a murder, but it also has more depth. At the end of season one, Castle and Beckett were estranged because Castle interfered too much in trying to help Beckett with the mystery of her mothers murder. So as season two begins, the first thing he has to do is reconcile with her. At first Beckett doesnt want him around at all, but a murder investigation brings them together and she decides to allow him to help as long as he agrees to leave her alone afterward. But the time the investigation has concluded, Beckett has to admit that she enjoys having Castle around. CHAPTER OUTLINE Quicklet on Castle Season 2 + About Castle + Andrew W. Marlowe, Castle's Creator + Castle: A Summary of Season Two + Castle: Season Two Episode Guide + ...and much more Castle Season 2
The Royal Society was founded in 1660 from a basis of more informal meetings of physicians, natural philosophers, and other interested parties (there was no such thing as a "scientist" yet). It was influenced by Francis Bacon's thinking about science and knowledge and inspired by the many discoveries that were happening at the time. In a sense, the development of the Royal Society was a mirror of the development of science itself. 2010 was the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society, and Seeing Further: The Story of Science, Discovery, and the Genius of the Royal Society was published to commemorate that fact. Rather than simply write a history of the institution, Bryson elected to edit a volume of essays displaying some of the variety of interests so evident in the Royal Society itself. He selected twenty one writers, and not just scientists, either. Though there are quite a few eminent scholars listed as authors, there are also novelists and journalists. What they all share, though, besides the ability to turn a phrase, is an enthusiasm for science and an appreciation for the achievements of the Society.
ABOUT THE BOOK “Except for the bottom of the sea or the center of the earth, the North Pole, at the end of the nineteenth century, was the world's last mysterious destination.” The Ice Balloon: S.A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration retells the attempt by Swedish explorer S.A. Andrée to reach the north pole by hydrogen balloon. Writer Alec Wilkinson recounts the whole story of Andrée’s venture from its first conception to the final recovery of its lost artifacts, and intersperses his tale with other events in the history of Arctic exploration. Wilkinson draws on previous accounts of Arctic exploration as well as original documents from various expeditions to reconstruct an era of scientific discovery. The book includes photographs taken by contemporaries of Andrée, including some that were shot on Andrée’s expedition and lost for decades when the undeveloped film was frozen in the ice along with the members of the party. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. Nicole is an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK In 1893, a Norwegian named Fridtjof Nansen set off to strand his purpose-built ship, the Fram, in the Arctic ice with the hope it could drift to the north pole along with the ice. There were thirteen men on the crew, who lived in relative comfort compared to other Arctic explorers. Nansen had planned carefully and the Fram was well-insulated and warm. He was not content to simply wait and set off with another crew member to attempt to reach the pole by dogsled. But his haste proved to work against him as they had to turn back. It was not until 1896 that they encountered other explorers, and were able to make their way back to their ship. This was the same time at which Andrée was planning his first attempt to launch his balloon. In the summer of 1896 Andrée and his two crew members, meteorologist Nils Eckholm and photographer Nils Strindberg, along with a large crew of people to help build a temporary balloon shed and prepare for the journey, arrived in Spitsbergen. By the end of the summer the attempt was abandoned due to a lack of favorable winds for the balloon. Buy a copy to keep reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK “On the 2nd of October we made the shores of England; and at Falmouth I left the Beagle, having lived on board the good little vessel nearly five years.” Charles Robert Darwin, the man who brought the world the theory of evolution by natural selection, was born on the 12th of February, 1809, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. From an early age, he showed interest in the study of nature. In 1825, when he was sixteen, Darwin spent a summer as an apprentice to his father, a doctor, and then in the fall of that year he attended medical school at the University of Edinburgh. Darwin was an indifferent student, finding his lectures dull, and he was distressed by surgery, which was required learning for a doctor. So instead of studying, he turned to other pursuits. He learned taxidermy from John Edmonstone, a former slave who had accompanied an expedition to the South American rainforest; he joined the Plinian Society, a student natural history group; and he assisted Robert Edmond Grant with a study of marine invertebrates, during which time he made and presented at least one discovery of his own. Due to the neglect of his medical studies, Darwin’s father decided to send him instead to Christ’s College, Cambridge to get a degree as part of the process of becoming an Anglican parson. Darwin continued to neglect his studies, but his newly-found passion for entomology led to some discoveries of new species. Despite being a less-than-stellar student, Darwin graduated in 1831. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK During the years 1831 to 1836, Charles Darwin sailed on the HMS Beagle, on its second hydrographic survey voyage. He kept a diary and detailed scientific notes, and when the expedition returned to England, Darwin began to edit his notes for publication at the request of Robert Fitz Roy, captain of the Beagle. The resulting book, also known as Darwin's Journal of Researches, was first published in 1838 and 1839 as book three of a four-volume publication covering all aspects of both the first and second Beagle voyages. Darwin’s portion covered geology, anthropology and natural history. Darwin’s family had initially encouraged him to publish his journal separately from Fitz Roy’s account of the voyage, but because it was to be a separate volume in the series, Darwin allowed it to be printed alongside Fitz Roy’s work. However, Darwin’s volume of The Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle was so popular that he did eventually publish the work on its own in 1845, with some revisions. Most notably, he added more references to his developing theory of natural selection. It was reprinted several times, often with slightly different titles, and with minor revisions... Buy a copy to keep reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK In this book, I have chosen sometimes to be deliberately vague about the name and location of certain prehistoric ruins and rock art. Such an ethic is by now in long use among writers, photographers, and guides who celebrate the Southwest. A narrative of personal discovery should not serve as a treasure map.” Roberts’ and Child’s book Sandstone Spine is an account of the expedition of three men along Comb Ridge, a sandstone ridge resembling a miniature mountain range and running for nearly an hundred miles across Arizona and Utah. This area is full of archaeological ruins, primarily from various phases of the Anasazi people, as well as more recent Navajo sites. While the basic premise of the book is a recounting of Roberts’, Child’s, and their friend Vaughn Hadenfeldt’s experiences during the arduous expedition along the length of the Ridge, the structure and additional content of Sandstone Spine make it much more than simply an account of an hiking trip. Interspersed between sections recounting the events of the hike are retellings of historical events significant to the area, and information on both the current Navajo inhabitants and the prehistoric Anasazi people. Roberts also includes geological and natural history information, arranging all of this content into a fascinating mosaic of a book. The book narrates how, while searching for a new expedition, author David Roberts and long-time hiking and climbing partner Vaughn Hadenfeldt wondered whether or not anyone had ever hiked Comb Ridge from end-to-end in one trip. As it seemed that no one had ever made a complete traverse of the Ridge, the two friends decided to try it themselves, and they both agreed that photographer and mutual friend Greg Child would be the perfect third party to join them on the expedition. At ages 47, 53 and 61 respectively at the time of their trip, Child, Hadenfeldt, and Roberts had spent their lives making adventurous forays into some of the most inaccessible places on Earth. Both Roberts and Child made good livings writing about their adventures, while Hadenfeldt ran a business guiding hiking trips into the Utah canyonlands. The level of expedition and adventure-writing experience that Roberts and Child have ensures that their book includes interesting and relevant information for readers. Roberts did considerable research after the trip to complement the daily journals he kept. Sandstone Spine was published by The Mountaineers Books, which also published some of Roberts’ other titles. The publisher is a part of The Mountaineers Club, a non-profit dedicated to “the exploration, preservation, and enjoyment of outdoor and wilderness areas.” In keeping with its publisher’s philosophy, Sandstone Spine is very much a book about enjoying the outdoors in a respectful and non-destructive way. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Over the years, Greg, Vaughn, and I had found literally hundreds of Anasazi ruins in the backcountry. Yet the thrill of coming upon a new one—especially one so beautiful as this—was undiminished. Chapter One describes the preparations that Roberts, Child, and Hadenfeldt make for their expedition. As the area they wish to traverse has unreliable water supplies, the men decide on a water-caching system, in which they visit key locations along the ridge by driving and day-hiking, and leave plastic bottles of water where they can easily find them again. They also decide to arrange for another friend to meet them at certain dates at points where highways and road access penetrate the ridge, so they won’t have to pack a whole month’s worth of food. This will also allow them to swap out equipment if necessary. Hiking the whole length of Comb Ridge also requires permits... ...buy the book to continue reading!
Natural Experiments in History grew, in a way, out of co-editor Jared Diamond's book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. In the earlier book, he spent a chapter looking at the Polynesian expansion as a near-perfect natural experiment in which a single ancestral Polynesian culture migrated to hundreds of islands in the Pacific Ocean, each with its own different geographic features. Because the culture that settled the islands was the same, any differences that developed between separate island societies could be largely attributed to the geography of the individual islands. At the conclusion of Guns, Germs, and Steel, Diamond noted that there were many other such natural experiments in history, just waiting to be studied, and he called for historians to pick up where he left off and see what else could be learned. Of course, scholars have been using such natural experiments for a long time, especially in other disciplines like archaeology and anthropology, but they have not been as popular in historical scholarship. With Natural Experiments of History the editors and authors hope to illustrate how natural experiments can be used to bring the rigours of the hard sciences to historical scholarship, both in descriptive and statistics-based studies.
ABOUT THE BOOK The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is arguably one of the most important works of scientific writing ever to be published. Science today recognizes that the principles of natural selection Darwin described are the primary driving forces behind the evolution of new species, and evolution itself underpins all of the biological sciences, including medicine. For a natural historian, whether a professional scientist, or an avid amateur like me, Darwin’s work is an illustration of how a single dedicated individual can look at the mind-boggling variety of life on our planet and make sense of it. Though few people have read the book, nearly everyone has read about it. Those who do venture to crack the covers of the Origin (as it’s commonly known) discover a surprisingly readable account, though one dense with details and examples. It is the sort of book that can take some effort to get all the way through, but which leaves the reader feeling it was a worthwhile effort. For me, it underlined the beauty and richness of life on Earth, and gave me many new avenues down which to let my curiosity wander. It is also a testament to the kind of meticulous research, combined with brilliant thinking, upon which the best science depends. MEET THE AUTHOR Nicole has been writing since she could make letters with a pencil, and has been making a living at it for more than ten years. She has gone back to school too many times, studying archaeology, folklore, writing and visual art. She writes fiction under several pen names, and also does printmaking, book arts, and photography. She's an avid amateur natural historian with a particular fascination for things that fly, whether it's birds, bats or insects. And if it's possible to be both a luddite, with a love for the low-tech, and a technophile, with a fascination for everything new and shiny, Nicole is both. She reads too many books, plays too many video games, and watches too much anime. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK It is difficult to overstate the importance of The Origin of Species. It has been both loved and reviled, but Darwin’s theory has stood up to repeated challenges until it has become what scientists call a “robust theory”—for a layperson, there is little difference between that and a “fact.” A robust theory is one that has “been tested and confirmed again and again.” It took Charles Darwin many years to write his masterwork, and he only really considered publishing it when it came to his attention in 1855 that a younger scientist—Alfred Russel Wallace—was working on a similar theory. Without that impetus, the book would likely have taken many more years. Wallace’s work, which he sent to Darwin in 1858 in a 20-page paper outlining an evolutionary theory similar to Darwin’s, finally provided the impetus for Darwin to set down his ideas in a form others could read. In the end, the two men claimed joint discovery of the mechanisms of evolution, though it’s Darwin whose name we remember, and Darwin’s thorough and meticulous work that gave the theory its strongest support. Darwin had actually worked out his basic theory of natural selection by 1838, but he was such a perfectionist that he didn’t publish it until nearly 20 years later. With each new edition of the Origin, Darwin added additional examples and evidence, and answered many challenges from his scientific opponents. And though today the Origin is considered to be a work only read by scientists, it was actually written for the general public, and was widely read at the time. Buy a copy to keep reading!
Cambodia. Rwanda. Armenia. Nazi Germany. History remembers these places as the sites of unspeakable crimes against humanity, and indisputably, of genocide. Yet, throughout the twentieth century, the world has seen many instances of violence committed by states against certain groups within their borders—from the colonial ethnic cleansing the Germans committed against the Herero tribe in Africa, to the Katyn Forest Massacre, in which the Soviets shot over 20,000 Poles, to anti-communist mass murders in 1960s Indonesia. Are mass crimes against humanity like these still genocide? And how can an understanding of crime and criminals shed new light on how genocide—the “crime of all crimes”—transpires? In The Crime of All Crimes, criminologist Nicole Rafter takes an innovative approach to the study of genocide by comparing eight diverse genocides--large-scale and small; well-known and obscure—through the lens of criminal behavior. Rafter explores different models of genocidal activity, reflecting on the popular use of the Holocaust as a model for genocide and ways in which other genocides conform to different patterns. For instance, Rafter questions the assumption that only ethnic groups are targeted for genocidal “cleansing," and she also urges that actions such as genocidal rape be considered alongside traditional instances of genocidal violence. Further, by examining the causes of genocide on different levels, Rafter is able to construct profiles of typical victims and perpetrators and discuss means of preventing genocide, in addition to delving into the social psychology of genocidal behavior and the ways in which genocides are brought to an end. A sweeping and innovative investigation into the most tragic of events in the modern world, The Crime of All Crimes will fundamentally change how we think about genocide in the present day.
Want to find the perfect name for your child? Want to see what your name means? Then this is the perfect book for you! This encyclopedia details thousands of names with meanings and nationalities. Use this book to discover: . The secret meanings of names through numerology . The astrology of names . How the first letter of a name can determine fate . The sexiest names . Team names (strong, beautiful, intelligent, etc.) Presented in a lively, fascinating and entertaining manner, this book also gives you the birthdates of famous figures so you can compare them to your child's expected arrival date (and see who was born on your birthday). Not only will this encyclopedia help you find the best name, it will make the quest fun as well!
From sexy earls to holiday ghosts, second chances to false engagements, find your Christmas cheer in these twelve sweet-to-spicy historical romance tales from bestselling and award-winning authors! The lord you've been looking for might be just a page-turn away... A CUP OF CHEER - Deb Marlowe The Earl of Chester’s wild ways nearly cause a disaster and set him to reevaluating his lifestyle. Paired up with his grandmother’s companion and charged with bringing Christmas to a lonely house, will he come to believe in himself—and love? THE MISTLETOE TRAP - Eve Pendle A spicy-hot story of a heroine with a flair for enterprising embroidery and a botanist single father hero. Can a scandal that compromises Amelia's reputation give their love a second chance? A MOST INCONVENIENT EARL - Claire Delacroix When Eurydice Goodenham unexpectedly proposes a marriage of convenience to Sebastian Montgomery, Earl of Rockmorton, the notorious rake is intrigued. Sebastian soon realizes that the unpredictable Eurydice is the perfect match for him - but can he convince his skeptical bride to take a chance on love? THE LADY’S GUIDE TO MISTLETOE AND MAYHEM - Emmanuelle de Maupassant On the run until she receives her inheritance, Ursula takes on the identity of an etiquette teacher and heads to Castle Dunrannoch to whip her 'young charge' into shape. But the long-lost heir is a whole lot more than she's bargained for! A COUNTESS FOR CHRISTMAS - Anthea Lawson Miss Cecilia Fairfax dreads the upcoming holidays, especially when her brother brings home an unexpected guest. But of all the blessings of the season, sometimes the most unexpected is love. MISS ISABELLA THAWS A FROSTY LORD - Larissa Lyons Mistletoe kisses grant a blind heroine and a frosty hero a chance at happiness during a winter house party. HER ACCIDENTAL GROOM - Nadine Millard Lady Natalia Soronsky and Lord Benjamin Strafford started out as enemies and ended up as co-conspirators in a faux betrothal. But the longer they continue the ruse, the more they start to wonder just how false their feelings are. CHRISTMAS SPIRITS - Jane Charles When Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kenley, is sent to Scotland to procure a missing whisky shipment, he encounters the most unusual smuggler. JOY TO THE WORLD - Nicole Zoltack Unbeknownst to Eliza Berkeley, the man she thought she was going to marry was not Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. Will a match formed through deceit blossom into love this Christmas? TO FALL FOR A DUKE BY CHRISTMAS - Sadie Bosque A reluctant duke and a charming commoner devise a plan to serve their own needs. A false relationship is supposed to be their salvation... Until love intervenes. WHAT IF I STILL LOVE YOU - Erica Taylor After a failed elopement ten years earlier, Henry, Earl of Carrington, and Anna, the widowed Viscountess Rycroft, are reunited at his aunt’s Twelfth Night party. Can this star-crossed pair find their way back to each other? CHRISTMAS PROMISES - Brenda Hiatt When Lord Vandover leaves for London, he promises his grandmother he will return with a bride. Unfortunately, with each simpering debutante he meets he regrets that promise more—until he encounters the lovely Miss Holly Paxton.vv KEYWORDS: Scarlett Scott, Bridgerton, Holiday Romance, Christmas Love, Regency, Alexa Aston, Eva Chase, Cheryl Bolen, Duke, Earl, Nobility, Fake Betrothal, Exchange of Letters, Mistletoe
The health and well-being of people of working age are of fundamental importance to the future of work and organizational productivity globally. Growing evidence suggests that employee well-being at work can help improve physical and mental health, reduce health inequalities and offer improved opportunities for engagement, wellness at work, and productivity. The debate about the impact of working life on employee well-being has been intensified. Whilst the issue of employee well-being at work has reached a new level of importance in the minds of policy makers, managers, and employers there is still little evidence that attention has been paid to the worker’s voice in their evaluation of HRM practices, line management leadership, the quality of working life and well-being at work in organizations. Research within these areas remain relatively untapped. Furthermore, understanding employees expectations of the psycho-social factors affecting the employment relationship and employee well-being at work are all lacking in the evidence base. This book seeks to contribute to the debate in these areas.
This book is intended for human resources management academics, researchers, students, organizational leaders and managers, HR Practitioners, and those responsible for helping support employees in the 21st-century workplace. It offers a path forward to create an environment that will not only build a healthier workplace by providing appropriate and effective well-being interventions but also offers solutions to manage multi-generational and ‘holistic’ employees within the employment relationship. The book describes the factors that promote healthy and WELL organizations and introduces concepts and strategies to reduce workplace stress and mental health issues and improve workplace well-being toward sustained organizational success. Employers that embrace the corporate responsibility of promoting the health and well-being of multi-generational, holistic employees will reap cost savings, employee engagement, and productivity advantages, as well as a healthier and more productive workforce.
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