Courage to Grow


Book Description

Acton Academy: The one-room schoolhouse for the twenty-first century Seeking a 21st century education for their children, Laura and Jeff Sandefer jumped off the track of conventional school and created a new model for learning. They created Acton Academy as a better school where learning is made practical and meaningful and where students begin a lifelong Hero's Journey to discover their true potential. Using the Socratic method, elements of the Montessori approach and state-of-the-art online instruction, Acton guides students toward independence and self-motivation, helping them find the courage to grow into the person they were meant to be. Soon, other parents wanted to start their own Acton Academies, and less than a decade from the seven founding students' first Socratic discussion, Acton has spread around the world. ​Courage to Grow is the Sandefer family's personal quest for their own children's education and happiness. Their story also contains a path for other parents who want to give their children the freedom to take ownership of their own education and to start their own school. The treasure at the end is much larger than Laura ever expected--a quickly growing network of dedicated, curious young people and parents who are not afraid to set them free.




Lord Acton


Book Description

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."--Lord Acton, 1887 Lord Acton (1834-1902), numbered among the most esteemed Victorian historical thinkers, was much respected for his vast learning, his ideas on politics and religion, and his lifelong preoccupation with human freedom. Yet Acton was in many ways an outsider. He stood apart from his contemporaries, doubting the notion of unlimited progress and the blessings of nationalism and democracy. He differed from fellow members of the English upper class, holding to his Catholic faith. And he angered other Catholic believers by fiercely opposing the doctrine of papal infallibility. In this remarkable biography, Roland Hill is the first to make full use of the vast collection of books, documents, and private papers in the Acton archives to tell the story of the enigmatic Lord Acton. The book describes Acton's extended family of European aristocrats, his cosmopolitan upbringing, and his disrupted education. Drawing a lively picture of politics and religion at the time, Hill discusses Acton's brief career as a Liberal member of Parliament, his work as editor and owner of learned Catholic journals, his battles for freedom for and in the Catholic Church, his friendship with William E. Gladstone, and his seven years as Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University. Though unable to complete The Cambridge Modern History series he envisaged, Acton transformed historical study and left a legacy of ideas that continues to influence historians today.







Numerical Methods that Work


Book Description




Throwing Rocks


Book Description

Lindsey Acton was a first-year English teacher at a central Indiana high school when a troubled and obsessed student had school officials concerned that something very bad could happen at his hands. A large police presence at school thwarted a scare at the school, but when the student died later that night, the emotion and trauma was a lot to absorb for a 23-year-old teacher who was never trained to deal with such an emotional child. In "Throwing Rocks,'' Lindsey takes you deep inside this teacher trauma, how it dragged her to her own lows and how it took a therapist and her homework assignments to bring this young teacher back to life. This book is a must-read for anyone in education, from teachers and administrators to parents and students as well. Teacher trauma is real, and is overlooked far too often.




What Horses Really Want


Book Description

A book chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change your horse's life for the better. Horses want partners they trust. Meeting their need for security makes them more tuned-in, calmer, and more reliable. In her engaging book, highly illustrated with professional color photographs, certified riding instructor Lynn Acton, MS, shows you how, with practical step-by-step instructions. You’ll see that progress can be surprisingly fast with methods that are gentle, time-tested, backed by science, and that make intuitive sense to your horse. Discover how to earn trust and make training more efficient by engaging horses’ innate intelligence, maintaining clear two-way communication, and considering their point of view. This leadership approach has been used successfully for centuries by people of all backgrounds and skill levels on horses at all levels of training. Acton refers to this relationship as Protector Leadership because you are the horse’s protector. In these pages, she combines extensive horse experience and an academic background in social dynamics with in-depth research. She interprets and cites the scientific findings that explain why Protector Leadership works, and offers valuable insights into equine psychology while exposing myths that are sources of problems. Plus, Acton includes “Things to Try” at the end of each chapter—fun and easy-to-implement exercises that help you engage your horse as a thinking partner Throughout, the narrative includes stories of Acton's progress with her own horses, including mistakes and hindsight, and especially the transformation of the book’s "cover girl" Brandy from a dangerous throwaway to a happy, reliable partner. Clear, detailed photographs show the subtle body language of horses and people, and illustrate critical interactions that make a real difference in our relationships, communication, and training. These are a few of the concrete skills you will learn: · Earn trust starting the moment you meet a horse. · Recognize “misbehavior” that actually means your horse is thinking like a partner. · Turn pressure into clear communication instead of stress. · Use Positive Reinforcement for better learning, behavior, and reliability. · Turn anxiety and spooks into confidence building situations. · Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment. · Allow your horse appropriate choices and freedom. As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your horse’s true personality blossom. A thoughtful, progressive book for riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience levels.




Russia


Book Description

This text has established itself as the best general introduction to Russian history, providing a forceful and highly readable survey from earliest times to the post-Soviet State. At the heart of the book is the changing relationship between the State and Russian society at large. The second edition has been substantially rewritten and updated and new material and fresh insights from recently accessible research have been incorporated into every chapter.




Acton's Feud: A Public School Story


Book Description

Acton's Feud: A Public School Story by Frederick Swainson: Set in the backdrop of a prestigious English public school, this captivating novel takes readers on a journey through the lives of the students as they navigate friendship, rivalry, and the challenges of adolescence. With a compelling blend of drama, adventure, and moral lessons, Acton's Feud offers an immersive reading experience that explores themes of loyalty, honor, and personal growth. Key Points: Schoolboy Life and Camaraderie: The novel provides a vivid portrayal of life in a public school, capturing the camaraderie, traditions, and challenges faced by the students. Readers are transported to the vibrant world of Acton School, where friendships are forged, rivalries are born, and young minds learn valuable life lessons amidst the backdrop of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.Moral Dilemmas and Character Development: As the story unfolds, the characters face moral dilemmas and confront their own flaws and weaknesses. Through their experiences, readers witness the growth and maturation of the protagonists, as they learn to make difficult choices, overcome personal obstacles, and discover the true meaning of honor, integrity, and selflessness.Themes of Friendship and Rivalry: Acton's Feud explores the complex dynamics of friendship and rivalry among the students, highlighting the impact of these relationships on their lives and personal development. The novel delves into the bonds of loyalty, the consequences of envy and competition, and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, offering valuable insights into the complexities of human relationships. Acton's Feud: A Public School Story is a captivating coming-of-age tale that delves into the joys, challenges, and moral dilemmas faced by young students. It is a story that resonates with readers of all ages, reminding us of the transformative power of friendship, the importance of personal growth, and the enduring lessons learned during our formative years. Frederick Swainson, an English naturalist and illustrator, left an indelible mark on the fields of ornithology and natural history. Swainson's detailed illustrations of birds and other animals, combined with his extensive scientific observations, contributed to a deeper understanding of the natural world. His works, such as Zoological Illustrations and Animals in Menageries, showcased his artistic talent and meticulous attention to detail. Swainson's contributions to the study of birds and his dedication to capturing their beauty in his illustrations continue to be revered by naturalists and art enthusiasts alike.




Acton's Feud


Book Description

"Acton's Feud" by Frederick Swainson. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.




Civilian Warriors


Book Description

The founder of Blackwater offers the gripping true story of the world’s most controversial military contractor. In 1997, former Navy SEAL Erik Prince started a business that would recruit civilians for the riskiest security jobs in the world. As Blackwater’s reputation grew, demand for its services escalated, and its men eventually completed nearly 100,000 missions for both the Bush and Obama administrations. It was a huge success except for one problem: Blackwater was demonized around the world. Its employees were smeared as mercenaries, profiteers, or worse. And because of the secrecy requirements of its contracts with the Pentagon, the State Department, and the CIA, Prince was unable to correct false information. But now he’s finally able to tell the full story about some of the biggest controversies of the War on Terror, in a memoir that reads like a thriller.