Eurostorm


Book Description

Payne Harrison's "Storming Intrepid" was a New York Times Bestseller and a cold war classic that helped define the techno-thriller genre. Now with "Eurostorm" he weaves his narrative magic yet again - this time aboard the Eurostar bullet train as it races under the English Channel from London to Paris. Sealed within the vault of an impregnable security car is a substance so secret and so lethal that only a handful of "mandarins" within Her Majesty's Government even know of its existence. Yet when the train exits from the Chunnel and heads toward Paris, Scotland Yard learns that an evil force has literally risen from the grave to ensnare the train and hijack a cargo that could alter the world as we know it.




Resilient Cities 2


Book Description

Assembling papers originally presented at the Resilient Cities 2011 Congress in Bonn, Germany (June 2011), the second global forum on cities and adaptation to climate change, this volume is the second in a series resulting from this annual event. These cutting-edge papers represent the latest research on the topic and reflect the intensification of the debate on the meaning of and interaction between climate adaptation, risk reduction and broader resilience. Thus, contributors offer more material related to resilience, such as water, energy and food security; green infrastructure; the role of renewables and ecosystem services; vulnerable communities and urban poor; and responsive financing for adaptation and multi-level governance. Overall, the book brings a number of different perspectives to bear on the most pressing issues and controversies surrounding climate change adaptation in cities. These papers will prove invaluable to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of urban resilience and contributing to tackling climate change at the local level.




The Global Economy in Turbulent Times


Book Description

A leading authority's answer to today's global economic challenges In Global Economy in Turbulent Times, Harvard economist Dr. See-Yan Lin offers his timely and incisive views on today's key economic issues. Adapted from his hugely popular column in the Malaysia Star newspaper, these articles offer fresh and entertaining perspectives on perennial economic problems. The discussion covers the world economy, with particular attention to the US, EU, Japan, and the international monetary system, as Dr. Lin explains how the economy is broken and offers multiple paths to repair. Coverage includes emerging East Asia, ASEAN (especially Malaysia), and BRICS nations, plus the author's own views on global demography, the need for quality education, corporate governance in Malaysia, and more. Dr. Lin's expertise in strategic and financial issues is renown and actively sought in the academic, economic, banking, and business realms. In this book, he presents his observations and analysis of the global economy, and the most pressing issues facing the world's financial future. Consider the issues faced by the world's leading economies Examine the factors underlying inadequacy of political will to act Gain insight into the middle class that's emerging across the globe Get new perspective on CSR and management from a leading authority Opinions on the world's economic problems are abundant, but seldom do they come from such an authoritative source. Dr. Lin draws upon decades of economic experience and the knowledge gained through three post-graduate Harvard degrees to give you a deeper understanding of the current state of the economy. Gain the insight of a multi-awarded scholar and economist with the deep discussion and expert analysis in Global Economy in Turbulent Times.










Ideas, Political Power, and Public Policy


Book Description

Through the last couple of decades, scholars on both sides of the Atlantic have increasingly emphasized the importance of political ideas in understanding processes of change and stability in politics and public policy. Yet, surprisingly, relatively little has been done to more clearly and stringently conceptualize the relationship between political power and the role of ideas in public policy and political development. This volume addresses this major lacuna in the policy and political studies literature by bringing some of best scholars in the field, who each write about the relationship between ideas and power in politics and public policy. The contributions frame the concept of ideational power and explore ways in which ideas shape power relations, across a number of distinct countries and policy areas. The topics covered include austerity, coalition building, monetary policy, social policy, tax policy, and macroeconomic indicators. The volume features a short introduction written by the co-editors, and a final, recapitulative essay prepared by Mark Blyth, one of the most cited scholars in the field. This book was previously published as a special issue of the Journal of European Public Policy.




Another Song for Europe


Book Description

The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for its camp spectacles and political intrigues, but what about its actual music? With more than 1,500 songs in over 50 languages and a wide range of musical styles since it began in 1956, Eurovision features the most musically and linguistically diverse song repertoire in history. Listening closely to its classic fan favorites but also to songs that scored low because they were too different or too far ahead of their time, this book delves into the musical tastes and cultural values the contest engages through its international reach and popular appeal. Chapters discuss the iconic fanfare that introduces the broadcast, the supposed formulas for composing successful contest entries, how composers balance aspects of sameness and difference in their songs, and the tension between national genres of European popular music and musical trends beyond the nation’s borders, especially the American influences on a show that is supposed to celebrate an idealized pan-European identity. The book also explores how audiences interact with the contest through musicking experiences that bring people together to celebrate its sounds and spectacles. What can seem like a silly song-and-dance show offers valuable insights into the bonds between popular music and cosmopolitan values for its many followers around the world. From dance parties to flashmobs, parodies to plagiarisms, and orchestras to artificial intelligence, Another Song for Europe will be of particular interest to Eurovision fans, critics, and scholars of popular music, popular culture, ethnomusicology, and European studies.




Maxwell's Demon and the Golden Apple


Book Description

Mixing myth, entropy, and Angry Birds, Randall Schweller brings a novel perspective to international studies. Just what exactly will follow the American century? This is the question Randall L. Schweller explores in his provocative assessment of international politics in the twenty-first century. Schweller considers the future of world politics, correlating our reliance on technology and our multitasking, distracted, disorganized lives with a fragmenting world order. He combines the Greek myth of the Golden Apple of Discord, which explains the start of the Trojan War, with a look at the second law of thermodynamics, or entropy. "In the coming age,” Schweller writes, “disorder will reign supreme as the world succumbs to . . . entropy, an irreversible process of disorganization that governs the direction of all physical changes taking place in the universe.” Interweaving his theory of global disorder with issues on the world stage—coupled with a disquisition on board games and the cell phone app "Angry Birds"—Schweller’s thesis yields astonishing insights. Maxwell’s Demon and the Golden Apple will appeal to leaders of multinational corporations and government programs as well as instructors of undergraduate courses in international relations.




2011 Guide To Literary Agents


Book Description

Now includes subscription to GLA online (the agents section of writersmarket.com)! Now in its 20th year, Guide to Literary Agents is a writer's best resource for finding a literary agent who can represent their work to publishing houses, big and small. The days when a writer could deal directly with a large publisher are over. Literary agents represent writers and shepherd manuscripts to the right editor; and a good representative is the difference between a published book and a manuscript that never gets read. To help writers acquire an agent, GLA provides names and specialties for more than 750 individual agents around the United States and the world. GLA includes more than 90 pages of original articles on finding the best agent to represent your work and how to seal the deal. From identifying your genre to writing query letters to avoiding agent pet peeves, GLA will help writers deal with agents every step of the way. NOTE: Subsciption to GLA online NOT included with e-book edition.




Fashion and Lifestyle Photography


Book Description

Succeed in the commercial world and become a stand-out fashion & lifestyle photographer. "If you are interested in pursuing fashion and lifestyle photography, this book, from this rising young star of the field, is a must." - Joe McNally /font Only a few years ago, fashion photography used to be a stuffy world for a tiny elite. Now an explosion in social media and lifestyle advertising has created opportunities for a whole new breed of professional photographer. Fashion and Lifestyle Photography is based on the talks Dixie Dixon, a Nikon Brand Ambassador, has given to crowds at major international trade shows. Expanding on the subject in the book, she reveals how to succeed in this exciting marketplace, covering key topics such as: · Professional case studies · Behind the scenes · Lighting diagrams & gear · How to build your career From finding your vision, to building your dream team, this book will provide you with the essential gear and know-how to capture the looks of the media world that leap off the page or screen. "Dixie Dixon is a truly wonderful, vibrant young talent in the field of fashion and lifestyle photography. In this book, she takes you on a lively, complete tour of not only how to make compelling, beautiful photographs, but also how to grow a business, develop a signature look, make your own breaks, gather clients and keep them, use social media well, and assemble a great support team. And that's the short list. This book is full of gems about the seemingly small details that are essential to success." - Joe McNally