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Gray Work: Confessions of an American Paramilitary Spy
By Jamie Smith. 2015
In this unprecedented book, a paramilitary contractor with more than two decades of experience gives us a firsthand look into…
the secret lives of America's private warriors and their highly covert work around the world. Author Jamie Smith has planned and executed hundreds of missions on behalf of government agencies and private industry in some of the world's most dangerous hot spots--and lived to tell the tale.They are elite warriors who run highly dangerous missions deep inside foreign countries on the brink of war. Jamie Smith knows these men well. Not only is he one of them, but he was the founding director of one of the most successful global, private military contracting firms. For the first time, he breaks his silence, pulling back the curtain to reveal in raw, intimate terms exactly what paramilitary spies and operators like him do when the government cannot act or take public responsibility.Combining the thrilling narrative of an international spy thriller with bracing boots-on-the-ground realism, Gray Work follows Smith through grinding CIA training and his career as an operative, his work with Blackwater Security, and the creation of his own successful company. Here is the grit and gristle of modern warfare, from espionage and assassinations, rescues and renditions, from the dark corners of the Arab Spring and the fall of Qadhafi to black ops from Syria to Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and beyond. Smith has fought terrorists and won; he was ambushed on a mission in Pakistan and took a bullet through his shoulder and to his back, and subsequently survived a grueling mountain trek that almost cost him his life.As founding director of Blackwater Security and then as head of his own company, Smith has helped shape a decade of war. His book powerfully illustrates how the men who serve in this gray area between the public and private worlds are transforming the art and science of modern warfare. Unparalleled in its revelations and riveting in its intensity, Gray Work is as exhilarating as the best novels by Clancy, Cussler, Flynn, and Thor--and all the more so because it's true.The Devouring
By James R. Benn. 2017
A murder in wartime Switzerland reveals Swiss complicity with the Nazis in World War II and US Army detective…
Billy Boyle is called to investigate Europe 1944 Captain Billy Boyle and his friend Lieutenant Piotr Kaz Kazimierz are sent to neutral Switzerland to work with the Office of Strategic Services OSS investigating Swiss banks that are laundering looted Nazi gold The US and Swiss governments are about to embark on diplomatic discussions regarding the Safehaven Protocols aimed at limiting the amount of war materials exported by Switzerland to the Nazis stemming the tide of looted gold and preventing postwar use of Nazi wealth by war criminals With the talks about to begin and the Gestapo ever present the OSS wants Billy and Kaz to protect the participants which turns out to be a very deadly task The plans go wrong from the beginning when Billy and Kaz crashland in France As they make their way through occupied territory to the border they meet Anton Lasho a member of the Sinti ethnic group whose family was slaughtered by the Nazis and who is in turn a one-man Nazi-killing machine They ll need his help because as they find once they make it across the border Swiss banks are openly laundering gold harvested from concentration camps and those who are profiting will do everything they can to protect their wealth and hide their dark secretsPrinciples of Nanomagnetism
By Alberto P. Guimarães. 2017
The second edition of this book on nanomagnetism presents the basics and latest studies of low-dimensional magnetic nano-objects. It highlights…
the intriguing properties of nanomagnetic objects, such as thin films, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanodisks and nanorings as well as novel phenomena like spin currents. It also describes how nanomagnetism was an important factor in the rapid evolution of high-density magnetic recording and is developing into a decisive element of spintronics. Further, it presents a number of biomedical applications. With exercises and solutions, it serves as a graduate textbook.How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency
By Saladin M. Ambar. 2012
A governor's mansion is often the last stop for politicians who plan to move into the White House. Before Barack…
Obama was elected president of the United States, four of his last five predecessors had been governors. Executive experience at the state level informs individual presidencies, and, as Saladin M. Ambar argues, the actions of governors-turned-presidents changed the nature of the presidency itself long ago. How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency is the first book to explicitly credit governors with making the presidency what it is today.By examining the governorships of such presidential stalwarts as Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, political scientist Ambar shows how gubernatorial experience made the difference in establishing modern presidential practice. The book also delves into the careers of Wisconsin's Bob La Follette and California's Hiram Johnson, demonstrating how these governors reshaped the presidency through their activism. As Ambar reminds readers, governors as far back as Samuel J. Tilden of New York, who ran against Rutherford Hayes in the controversial presidential election of 1876, paved the way for a more assertive national leadership. Ambar explodes the idea that the modern presidency began after 1945, instead placing its origins squarely in the Progressive Era.This innovative study uncovers neglected aspects of the evolution of the nation's executive branch, placing American governors at the heart of what the presidency has become--for better or for worse.My Heart Laid Bare
By Joyce Carol Oates. 1998
Finally returned to print in a beautiful paperback edition, a haunting gothic tale of a nineteenth-century immigrant family of confidence…
artists--a story of morality, duplicity, and retribution that explores the depths of human manipulation and vulnerabilityThe patriarch of the Licht family, Abraham has raised a brood of talented con artists, children molded in his image, and experts in The Game, his calling and philosophy of life. Traveling from one small town to the next across the continent, from the Northeast to the frontier West, they skillfully swindle unsuspecting victims, playing on their greed, lust, pride, and small-mindedness. Despite their success, Abraham cannot banish a past that haunts him: the ghost of his ancestor Sarah Licht, a former con woman who met with a gruesome fate.As Abraham involves his family in more and more complex and impressive schemes, he finds himself caught between the specter of Sarah and the growing terrors of his present. While his carefully crafted lies and schemes begin to fracture and disintegrate before his eyes, Abraham discovers that the bond of family is as tenuous and treacherous as the tricks he perpetrates upon unsuspecting strangers.Flint the King (Dragonlance: Preludes II #2)
By Mary Kirchoff, Douglas Niles. 2003
First launched over a decade ago, the Preludes series has continued to prove popular with Dragonlance fans. This re-release of…
Flint the King showcases a new look that is also reflected in the other recovers of this series. The title features cover art from lead Dragonlance saga artist Matt Stawicki. Before the War of the Lance The peaceful life of Flint Fireforge is disturbed when he is forced to leave Solace and return to his dwarven homeland to investigate his brother's murder. As he delves into the mystery, unexpected allies and unseen enemies join the fight of truth against treachery. Flint soon discovers that to bring his brother's killer to justice, he must either die or become king. He's not sure which choice might be worse.The Secrets of Attraction
By Robin Constantine. 2015
Set in the same world as The Promise of Amazing, this smart, surprising, and romantic follow-up to Robin Constantine's debut…
novel follows two New Jersey teens as they become friends and fall in love. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Mlynowski, and Jennifer E. Smith.Madison Pryce thinks she's got everything figured out--she's working on a portfolio for a summer art program and hanging with her friends. Plus she has her hot boyfriend, Zach. But then a visit from a family friend turns Maddie's life upside down.Jesse McMann is still reeling from a breakup that shattered his heart and his band. Then pride (and some goading from his bass player and fellow barista) forces him to find a new drummer--and the inspiration to write music again.Kismet arrives in the unlikely form of Grayson Barrett, who tries out for Jesse's band, and whose girlfriend is BFFs with the cute girl who orders a chai latte after yoga every Thursday: Maddie. What Jesse and Maddie thought they knew about the secrets of attraction and the rules of romance changes once they start falling for each other.Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia
By Darryl Heard, Gary West, Nigel Caulkett. 2014
Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia Second Edition is a fully updated and revised version of the first…
comprehensive reference on anesthetic techniques in captive and free-ranging wildlife Now including expanded coverage of avian and aquatic species this exhaustive resource presents information on the full range of zoo and wildlife species Covering topics ranging from monitoring and field anesthesia to CPR and euthanasia the heart of the book is devoted to 53 species-specific chapters providing a wealth of information on little-known and common zoo and wildlife animals alike In addition to new species chapters the new edition brings a new focus on pain management including chronic pain and more information on species-specific physiology Chapters on airway management monitoring emergency therapeutics and field procedures are all significantly expanded as well This update to Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia is an invaluable addition to the library of all zoo and wildlife veterinariansCome Again No More
By Jack Todd. 2010
From the award-winning author of the acclaimed Sun Going Down comes an intimate portrait of a marriage and a family…
struggling to survive turbulent times that echo our own. THE PAINT FAMILY built an American empire on the legendary strength of their character, their wit, and their resolve, but the foreclosures, bank failures, and joblessness of the Great Depression may bring their world down around them. The family's foundation is further weakened by a rift running through two generations, scarred over by stubbornness and pain. Come Again No More is a uniquely American story about a family navigating a changing world and the tough choices it presents. The indomitable family patriarch, Eli, owns everything as far as the eye can see, but there is an emptiness in his heart. After a dramatic accident leaves him struggling for life, he must reckon with the decisions he made that separated him from the daughter he loved most. A chance for redemption presents itself in his granddaughter Emaline. Eli has faced his own mortality many times, but his pride seems to have a death grip on him. Emaline marries Jake, a womanizing prizefighter who promises to help her realize her dream of making a life on a farm. But Jake's inner demons and nature itself conspire against Emaline's fierce determination to make their marriage work. Life sends Emaline many joys when she least expects them, but ultimately, she must make tough decisions about holding on and letting go. Based on the author's family letters and diaries, Come Again No More is a bittersweet novel, a moving and vivid portrayal of a family's triumphs and tragedies paralleling the glories and shameful underbelly of a nation struggling through the Great Depression.The Principles of Sufism (Library of Arabic Literature #23)
By Aishah Al-Bauniyyah, Th. Emil Homerin. 2014
?A?ishah al-Ba?uniyyah (d. 923 H/1517 AD) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic…
and prolific poet and writer, ?A?ishah composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the 20th century. Yet despite her extraordinary literary and religious achievements, ?A?ishah al-Ba?uniyyah remains largely unknown. For the first time her key work, The Principles of Sufism, is available in English translation. The Principles of Sufism is a mystical guide book to help others on their spiritual path. She recounts the fundamental stages and states of the spiritual novice's transformative journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing both human limitations and God's limitless love. Drawing on lessons and readings from centuries-old Sufi tradition, ?A?ishah advises the seeker to repent of selfishness and turn to a sincere life of love. In addition to his lucid translation, Th. Emil Homerin provides an insightful introduction, notes and a glossary to ?A?ishah al-Ba?uniyyah's remarkable account of the pursuit of mystical illumination.The Once and Future Great Lakes Country
By John Riley. 2013
North America's Great Lakes country has experienced centuries of upheaval. Its landscapes are utterly changed from what they were five…
hundred years ago. The region's superabundant fish and wildlife and its magnificent forests and prairies astonished European newcomers who called it an earthly paradise but then ushered in an era of disease, warfare, resource depletion, and land development that transformed it forever. The Once and Future Great Lakes Country is a history of environmental change in the Great Lakes region, looking as far back as the last ice age, and also reflecting on modern trajectories of change, many of them positive. John Riley chronicles how the region serves as a continental crossroads, one that experienced massive declines in its wildlife and native plants in the centuries after European contact, and has begun to see increased nature protection and re-wilding in recent decades. Yet climate change, globalization, invasive species, and urban sprawl are today exerting new pressures on the region's ecology. Covering a vast geography encompassing two Canadian provinces and nine American states, The Once and Future Great Lakes Country provides both a detailed ecological history and a broad panorama of this vast region. It blends the voices of early visitors with the hopes of citizens now.This new edition provides up-to-date information and expert guidance on single audits and Uniform Guidance compliance audit requirements, including example…
auditor reports for both the financial statement audit and the Uniform Guidance compliance audit. It provides nonfederal entities receiving federal awards with important information on implementing the Uniform Guidance.Lessons of Hope
By Joel Klein. 2014
New York Times Bestseller (Education)The Economist Best Books of the Year SelectionIn this revealing and provocative memoir, the former chancellor…
of the New York City schools offers the behind-the-scenes story of the city's dramatic campaign to improve public education and an inspiring blueprint for national reform.In 2002 New York City's newly elected mayor, Michael Bloomberg, made a historic announcement: his administration had won control of the city's school system in a first step toward reversing its precipitous decline. In a controversial move, he appointed Joel Klein, an accomplished lawyer from outside the education establishment, to lead this ambitious campaign.Lessons of Hope is Klein's inside account of his eight-year mission of improvement: demanding accountability, eliminating political favoritism, and battling a powerful teachers union that seemed determined to protect a status quo that didn't work for kids. Klein's initiatives resulted in more school choice, higher graduation rates, and improved test scores. The New York City model is now seen as a national standard for meaningful school reform. But the journey was not easy. Klein faced resistance and conflict at every turn.Lessons of Hope lays bare the problems plaguing public education and shows how they can be solved. At its core lies Klein's personal story: his humble upbringing in Brooklyn and Queens, and the key role that outstanding public school teachers played in nurturing his success. Engaging and illuminating, Lessons of Hope is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of American public education.To Hold the Bridge
By Garth Nix. 2010
An entertaining short-story collection from bestselling fantasy author Garth Nix, including an Old Kingdom novella, a short story set in…
the same world as Shade's Children, and another story set in the world of A Confusion of Princes.Garth Nix is renowned for his legendary fantasy works, but To Hold the Bridge showcases his versatility as the collection offers nineteen short stories from every genre of literature including science fiction, paranormal, realistic fiction, mystery, and adventure. Whether writing about vampires, detectives, ancient spirits, or odd jobs, Garth Nix's ability to pull his readers into new worlds is extraordinary.Blood and Fog
By Nancy Holder. 2003
The strongest magick ever distilled and the deadliest butcher England has ever known Buffy Summers…
is on the trail of a killer demon in Sunnydale and reluctantly accepts the help of Spike Anything s better than his moping around But Spike -- as usual -- has his own agenda and it involves something the demon is carrying a vial of pure magickal power Spike knows plenty of people and demons who will pay top dollar for this vial Doc Rack and an ancient evil known as The First Spike has encountered The First before In the good old days in Victorian London when Spike Drusilla Angelus and Darla ran through the night in pursuit of dark fun another evil being was stalking the streets dispatching young women with brutal efficiency But when the so-called Jack the Ripper struck too close to their twisted family the vampires found themselves on the same side as the Slayer of that time Working to bring down Jack and running afoul of The First Spike and the Slayer formed an uneasy alliance which followed Spike all through the twentieth century to present day Sunnydale now blanketed in a mysterious fogThe Chain
By Ted Genoways. 2014
A harrowing investigation of the tortuous path our food products take--from slaughter to SpamOn the production line in American packing-houses,…
there is one cardinal rule: the chain never slows. Under pressure to increase supply, the supervisors of meat-processing plants have routinely accelerated the pace of conveyors, leading to inhumane conditions, increased accidents, and food of questionable, often dangerous quality. In The Chain, acclaimed journalist Ted Genoways uses the story of Hormel Foods and its most famous product, Spam--a recession-era staple--to probe the state of the meatpacking industry, including the expansion of agribusiness and the effects of immigrant labor on Middle America.Interviewing scores of line workers, union leaders, hog farmers, and local politicians and activists, Genoways reveals an industry pushed to its breaking point. Along the way, he exposes alarming new trends: sick or permanently disabled workers, abused animals, water and soil pollution, and mounting conflict between small towns and immigrant labor.The narrative moves across the heartland--from Minnesota, to witness the cut-and-kill operation; to Iowa, to observe breeding and farrowing in massive hog barns; to Nebraska, to see the tense town hall meetings and broken windows in reaction to the arrival of Hispanic workers; and back to Minnesota, where political refugees from Burma give the workforce the power it needs to fight back.A searching exposé in the tradition of Upton Sinclair, Rachel Carson, and Eric Schlosser, The Chain is a mesmerizing story and an urgent warning about the hidden costs of the food we eat.Betty Crocker 20 Best Cold Appetizer Recipes
By Betty Crocker. 2014
A Collection of Party Favorites Everyone Will Love! Photo of Every Recipe Host the party of your dreams during the…
heat of the summer with these delicious bites that are sure to keep you and your guests cool and refreshed. Whip up favorites like Mojito Melon Kabobs and Basil-and Crabmeat-Topped Cucumbers without ever having to turn on your oven or stove. Adorable dishes like Taco Dip in a Jar and Potato Salad Bites are tasty crowd-pleasers for any event. From cool dips and spreads to chilled skewers, this collection from Betty Crocker has everything you need for a warm-weather soirée.The Curfew
By Jesse Ball. 2011
William and Molly lead a life of small pleasures, riddles at the kitchen table, and games of string and orange…
peels. All around them a city rages with war. When the uprising began, William's wife was taken, leaving him alone with their young daughter. They keep their heads down and try to remain unnoticed as police patrol the streets, enforcing a curfew and arresting citizens. But when an old friend seeks William out, claiming to know what happened to his wife, William must risk everything. He ventures out after dark, and young Molly is left to play, reconstructing his dangerous voyage, his past, and their future. An astounding portrait of fierce love within a world of random violence, The Curfew is a mesmerizing feat of literary imagination.From the Trade Paperback edition.Dragons of Summer Flame (Dragonlance Chronicles Vol. #4)
By Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman. 2011
The War of the Lance is long over. The seasons come and go as the pendulum of the world swings.…
Now it is summer, a hot parched summer such as no one on Krynn has ever known. And an uneasy balance light and dark begins to shift. Distraught by a grievous loss, the young mage Palin Majere seeks to enter the Abyss in search of his lost uncle, the infamous archmage Raistlin. Elsewhere, the Dark Queen has found new champions. Devoted followers, loyal to the death, the Knights of Takhisis follow the her vision to victory. And a dark paladin, Steel Brightblade, rides to attack the High Clerist's Tower, the fortress his father died defending. And on a small Island, the mysterious Irda capture an ancient artifact and use it to ensure their own safety. Usha, the child of the Irda, arrives in Palanthas claiming that she is Raistlin's daughter. The summer will be deadly. But for whom, only the swing of the pendulum will tell.The Last Good Day
By Peter Blauner. 2003
Lynn Schulman moves back to her quiet suburban hometown, to raise her family and escape from the pressures of city…
life. Instead, she and her husband Barry find the illusion of security being stripped away one layer at a time. First, a peaceful morning at the town's riverside train station is disrupted when a headless body washes up on the banks, in Barry's sight. Then the police detective who shows up to investigate the scene turns out to be a former boyfriend of Lynn's, who, it turns out, isn't over her by a long shot. He begins showing up unexpectedly at the couple's house, trying to rekindle his relationship with Lynn, and when that fails, he begins to stalk and menace Barry, edging them all closer to a dangerous confrontation that will change all their lives irreparably. A suspense story, that also functions as a social novel about contemporary mores and the tensions of ordinary life in the post 9/11 era.