Island Escapades: Honduran Isles Unwrapped


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Welcome to the enchanting world of "Island Escapades: Honduran Isles Unwrapped," a journey that invites you to uncover the treasures of this captivating archipelago. The islands beckon with tales of centuries past and the promise of adventures yet to unfold. This book is an open invitation to unravel the secrets and unveil the splendors of Utila, Roatán, Guanaja, Cayos Cochinos, and the Swan Islands. It's more than a travel guide; it's a portal into the heart and soul of these exotic destinations. As we delve into the chapters, we'll navigate crystal-clear waters, savor the fusion of flavors that define local cuisine, and dance through the rich tapestry of cultural traditions. Authored by Randy Wiley, a resident of Mukilteo, WA, this book is a testament to the enduring allure of the Islands of Honduras. So, join me on a literary expedition through turquoise waters, where every chapter unveils a layer of the islands' cultural tapestry, historical significance, and natural wonders. In these pages, we will navigate the rich biodiversity beneath the waves, exploring the underwater paradises that have earned the islands a reputation as a scuba diver's haven. From the indigenous influences that echo through time to the modern-day celebrations that color the islands' calendar, each facet contributes to a narrative as diverse and vibrant as the landscapes themselves. As we embark on this journey, the year marks not just a point in time but a snapshot of the islands' continuous evolution. We find ourselves at a crossroads of tradition and modernity, where ancient rituals intertwine with contemporary practices, and the spirit of exploration continues to shape the islands' destiny. So, let the "Island Escapades" be a turning of these pages to your passport to the Islands of Honduras, where the sun-drenched shores and the warm hospitality of its people await. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious reader, may this exploration kindle your imagination and deepen your appreciation for the unique wonders that define the islands. In the spirit of discovery, Randy Wiley




The Popol Vuh


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The Kraken Project


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From celebrated Relic author Douglas Preston, Wyman Ford races to stop a rogue AI in The Kraken Project, a New York Times bestselling thriller “as chilling as it is provocative" (James Rollins) NASA is building a probe to be splashed down in the Kraken Mare, the largest sea on Saturn's great moon, Titan. It is one of the most promising habitats for extraterrestrial life in the solar system, but the surface is unpredictable and dangerous, requiring the probe to contain artificial intelligence software. To this end, Melissa Shepherd, a brilliant programmer, has developed "Dorothy," a powerful, self-modifying AI whose true potential is both revolutionary and terrifying. When miscalculations lead to a catastrophe during testing, Dorothy flees into the internet. Former CIA agent Wyman Ford is tapped to track down the rogue AI. As Ford and Shepherd search for Dorothy, they realize that her horrific experiences in the wasteland of the Internet have changed her in ways they can barely imagine. And they're not the only ones looking for the wayward software: the AI is also being pursued by a pair of Wall Street traders, who want to capture her code and turn her into a high-speed trading bot. Traumatized, angry, and relentlessly hunted, Dorothy has an extraordinary revelation—and devises a plan. As the pursuit of Dorothy converges on a deserted house on the coast of Northern California, Ford must face the ultimate question: is rescuing Dorothy the right thing? Is the AI bent on saving the world... or on wiping out the cancer that is humankind? At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.




But Is It Art?


Book Description

In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this book, Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics, clarifying contemporary and historical accounts of the nature, function, and interpretation of the arts. Freeland also propels us into the future by surveying cutting-edge web sites, along with the latest research on the brain's role in perceiving art. This clear, provocative book engages with the big debates surrounding our responses to art and is an invaluable introduction to anyone interested in thinking about art.







Popol Vuh


Book Description

One of the most extraordinary works of the human imagination and the most important text in the native languages of the Americas, Popul Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life was first made accessible to the public 10 years ago. This new edition retains the quality of the original translation, has been enriched, and includes 20 new illustrations, maps, drawings, and photos.




The Shock Doctrine


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The bestselling author of No Logo shows how the global "free market" has exploited crises and shock for three decades, from Chile to Iraq In her groundbreaking reporting, Naomi Klein introduced the term "disaster capitalism." Whether covering Baghdad after the U.S. occupation, Sri Lanka in the wake of the tsunami, or New Orleans post-Katrina, she witnessed something remarkably similar. People still reeling from catastrophe were being hit again, this time with economic "shock treatment," losing their land and homes to rapid-fire corporate makeovers. The Shock Doctrine retells the story of the most dominant ideology of our time, Milton Friedman's free market economic revolution. In contrast to the popular myth of this movement's peaceful global victory, Klein shows how it has exploited moments of shock and extreme violence in order to implement its economic policies in so many parts of the world from Latin America and Eastern Europe to South Africa, Russia, and Iraq. At the core of disaster capitalism is the use of cataclysmic events to advance radical privatization combined with the privatization of the disaster response itself. Klein argues that by capitalizing on crises, created by nature or war, the disaster capitalism complex now exists as a booming new economy, and is the violent culmination of a radical economic project that has been incubating for fifty years.




Life in Mexico


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Originally published in 1843, Fanny Calderon de la Barca, gives her spirited account of living in Mexico–from her travels with her husband through Mexico as the Spanish diplomat to the daily struggles with finding good help–Fanny gives the reader an enlivened picture of the life and times of a country still struggling with independence.




Marching with Gomez


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Surveillance Valley


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The internet is the most effective weapon the government has ever built. In this fascinating book, investigative reporter Yasha Levine uncovers the secret origins of the internet, tracing it back to a Pentagon counterinsurgency surveillance project. A visionary intelligence officer, William Godel, realized that the key to winning the war in Vietnam was not outgunning the enemy, but using new information technology to understand their motives and anticipate their movements. This idea -- using computers to spy on people and groups perceived as a threat, both at home and abroad -- drove ARPA to develop the internet in the 1960s, and continues to be at the heart of the modern internet we all know and use today. As Levine shows, surveillance wasn't something that suddenly appeared on the internet; it was woven into the fabric of the technology. But this isn't just a story about the NSA or other domestic programs run by the government. As the book spins forward in time, Levine examines the private surveillance business that powers tech-industry giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, revealing how these companies spy on their users for profit, all while doing double duty as military and intelligence contractors. Levine shows that the military and Silicon Valley are effectively inseparable: a military-digital complex that permeates everything connected to the internet, even coopting and weaponizing the antigovernment privacy movement that sprang up in the wake of Edward Snowden. With deep research, skilled storytelling, and provocative arguments, Surveillance Valley will change the way you think about the news -- and the device on which you read it.