A Hero Behind Every Tree


Book Description

Everybody wants to be a project hero, don't you? IT project heroes work long hours, attend endless meetings, do their own work along with everyone else's and sacrifice family, hobbies and any form of personal life for the sake of the project. Is this the heroism to which we aspire? Steve Caudill and Russell Mullen, veterans of both successful and failed IT projects over the past 20 years, share their insights into IT project failure. They provide simple and effective techniques to combat common non-technical issues. A Hero Behind Every Tree is packed with real-life stories of dismal failure and soaring success along with practical approaches to getting more success and less failure in your IT projects. If you are tired of investing good money after bad in IT projects that fall short of your expectations, don't buy another project management methodology, software quality tool or IT training program. Read this book.




The Creation of the Cowboy Hero


Book Description

As business interests have commercialized the American West and publishers and studios have created compelling imagery, the expectations of readers and moviegoers have influenced perceptions of the cowboy as a hero. This book describes the evolution of the cowboy hero as a mythic persona created by dime novels, television and Hollywood. Much of our concept of the cowboy comes to us from movies and the book's main focus is his changing image in cinema. The development of the hero image and the fictional West is traced from early novels and films to the present, along with shifting audience expectations and economic pressures.




THE LEHI CHRONICLES


Book Description

This is the story of a handful of boys in 650BC Israel who encounter life's challenges head on. Good friends, family, faith in God and trust that total strangers can be relied upon even when there seems to be no other choice. Perhaps family life 2650 years ago was not as different as we hope to see them today. Husbands are commanded to love their wives, sons adore their fathers, and daughters display the Godlike feminine qualities of their mothers. But regardless of the times we live in, life is full of hardship and danger. How we react to that danger tells the lord and mankind who we really are. "Jacob listened for an hour or more, putting together the story as they talked on and off about why they were here and who had sent them. Finally he decided that is was futile to try to save anyone: evidently there was no one left to save. As far as he knew he was the sole survivor of the once proud little village of Hamadi. It was hard for him to control his emotions as he sat in his hiding place and listen to the soldier's talk of the atrocities they had performed upon his people, but then his thoughts turned to Lehi and Ishmael."




Conflict and Calling


Book Description

This is the story of a handful of boys in 650 BC Jerusalem who encounter illness and death along with family ties and friendly relationships. Perhaps family life 2650 years ago was not so different from what we wish them to be today. Husbands loved their wives, boys adored their fathers, daughters displayed the Godlike feminine qualities and behaviors of their mothers, and behind every turn in the road...DANGER. "Jacob listened for an hour or more, putting together the story as they talked on and off about why they were here and who had sent them. Finally he decided that it was futile to try to save anyone; evidently there was no one to save, as far as he knew he was the sole survivor of the once proud little village of Hamadi. It was hard for him to control his emotions as he sat in his hiding place and listened to the soldier's talk of the atrocities they had performed upon his people, but then his thoughts turned to Lehi and Ishmael."




A Hero's Hope


Book Description

Esperanza has it all planned out: She will tell Don Raúl that she can’t marry him, break off their engagement, and persuade her parents to let her marry the man she loves instead. After all, Artie is a hero. How could any parent object to welcoming such a brave man into their family? However, it soon becomes clear that the jealous Don Raúl will not give her up as easily as she had hoped. When Artie’s heroic sacrifice becomes the talk of the town, Raúl realizes that his bride’s heart lies elsewhere… and he decides to use the information to his advantage. Forced to choose between her own freedom and Artie’s, Esperanza must take desperate measures to save the man she loves. But as revolution looms and even families begin to turn against each other, danger lurks around every corner—and she soon learns that the greatest threats can come from the places you least expect. Esperanza will do anything to protect Artie. But with Artie’s attacker still at large, a vengeful Don Raúl determined to hang him for treason, and a bloody revolution brewing all around them, will her efforts be too little, too late? Led by strong female characters, A HERO’S HOPE turns the common damsel in distress trope on its head. Based on real historical events, this thrilling page-turner story of love and courage in the face of adversity follows characters on an emotional journey through laughter, tears, passion, and heartbreak. —————— There are fates worse than death. Being forced to watch the woman you love marry the man you hate is one of them. Artie always knew that Esperanza was out of his league. The beautiful daughter of a wealthy landowner, she sees him beyond his ragged clothes and lack of social status. But unfortunately, Esperanza’s parents are not so open-minded. Blinded by money, they are determined to marry her to the ruthless Don Raúl regardless of her feelings on the matter. Artie has to find a way to save her, or he will lose her forever. But standing up against the Don will earn him a warrant for his own execution. There is only one way to stop Raúl from using his life as a bargaining chip to force Esperanza’s hand... but will Artie have the strength to go through with it? –––––––––––– Praise & Reviews "A rip-roaring, romantic adventure that is impossible to put down." - Starred Review "A well-written and well-researched story against the background of early 20th century Mexico." - D. Wells, author "Class intrigue, dynastic maneuvering, and dangerous politics against growing civil unrest in pre-revolutionary Mexico. Can an unlikely friendship blossom into more? I couldn't put it down, and nor will you!" - Jennifer Nugée, editor "This beautifully written novel will have you gripped right from the start." - Melissa Hoskins, author "A riveting peek into a time of Mexico's history where huge change, excitement and danger are on the horizon. Hugely engaging characters really pulled me in." - Starred Review "I fell in love with the characters and laughed and cried with them all the way on their exciting journey. They feel like my best friends. It was wonderful to read about this little-known part of Mexican history that happened before the revolution. I cannot wait to read what will happen next." ­- Starred Review "A book that will make you weep, rage, and fall in love with an array of characters so realistic they might step off the page. An excellent novel." - Jessica Leather, author







The Age of Dimes and Pulps


Book Description

From the dime novels of the Civil War era to the pulp magazines of the early 20th century to modern paperbacks, lurid fiction has provided thrilling escapism for the masses. Cranking out formulaic stories of melodrama, crime and mild erotica--often by uncredited authors focused more on volume than quality--publishers realized high profits playing to low tastes. Estimates put pulp magazine circulation in the 1930s at 30 million monthly. This vast body of "disposable literature" has received little critical attention, in large part because much of it has been lost--the cheaply made books were either discarded after reading or soon disintegrated. Covering the history of pulp literature from 1850 through 1960, the author describes how sensational tales filled a public need and flowered during the evolving social conditions of the Industrial Revolution.







The Invincible Heroes and Other Friendship Stories from Mythology


Book Description

Relive the glorious past with more than 35 friendship tales from India and around the world. Step boldly into the world of majestic royals, valiant warriors, loyal servants and true companions like Krishna and Arjuna, Achilles and Patroclus, Hercules and Hylas, Sita and Trijata, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and other extraordinary pairs. Witness their fierce loyalty, daring brawls and amusing tricks like never before in these long-lived tales of companionship that survived trials, dared dangers and triumphed over sands of time. Written with a dash of wit and a sprinkle of magic, these enchanting stories will take you on a journey of laughter, battles, whispered secrets and an unshakable appreciation of true friendship - even when your buddy is armed with playful pranks!




The Rebellion Record


Book Description