Unsung Genius


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Visions of the East


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Essays on orientalism in American and European cinema




The Positive Sum Strategy


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This volume provides a state-of-the-art review of the relationship between technology and economic growth. Many of the 42 chapters discuss the political and corporate decisions for what one author calls a "Competitiveness Policy." As contributor John A. Young states, "Technology is our strongest advantage in world competition. Yet we do not capitalize on our preeminent position, and other countries are rapidly closing the gap." This lively volume provides many fresh insights including "two unusually balanced and illuminating discussions of Japan," Science noted.




It's All Going Terribly Wrong


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Who would have guessed in the 1960s that Michael Parker, a typical young British Army officer, would turn into one of the most remarkable international showmen of his generation? This book is a wonderfully funny account of the many different events he has staged in Europe, America, and the Middle East. Amongst these are the launch of twin ships in Fort Lauderdale, America's Cup Ball in Long Island, the opening of the new Memphis Symphony Hall, the naming of P & O ship the Grand Princess in New York Harbor, royal weddings in Jordan, victory commemorations, charity events, and some of the world's biggest military shows in Berlin, Edinburgh, and London's Royal Tournament.




Hitters, Dancers and Ring Magicians


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This volume offers detailed information about the boxers who were active during boxing's "Golden Age," 1890 to 1910, focusing primarily on George "Kid" Lavigne, Bob Fitzsimmons, Barbados Joe Walcott, Joe Gans, Terry McGovern, Sam Langford, and Stanley Ketchel, and their opponents, who were also key figures.




History of Wireless


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Important new insights into how various components and systems evolved Premised on the idea that one cannot know a science without knowing its history, History of Wireless offers a lively new treatment that introduces previously unacknowledged pioneers and developments, setting a new standard for understanding the evolution of this important technology. Starting with the background-magnetism, electricity, light, and Maxwell's Electromagnetic Theory-this book offers new insights into the initial theory and experimental exploration of wireless. In addition to the well-known contributions of Maxwell, Hertz, and Marconi, it examines work done by Heaviside, Tesla, and passionate amateurs such as the Kentucky melon farmer Nathan Stubblefield and the unsung hero Antonio Meucci. Looking at the story from mathematical, physics, technical, and other perspectives, the clearly written text describes the development of wireless within a vivid scientific milieu. History of Wireless also goes into other key areas, including: The work of J. C. Bose and J. A. Fleming German, Japanese, and Soviet contributions to physics and applications of electromagnetic oscillations and waves Wireless telegraphic and telephonic development and attempts to achieve transatlantic wireless communications Wireless telegraphy in South Africa in the early twentieth century Antenna development in Japan: past and present Soviet quasi-optics at near-mm and sub-mm wavelengths The evolution of electromagnetic waveguides The history of phased array antennas Augmenting the typical, Marconi-centered approach, History of Wireless fills in the conventionally accepted story with attention to more specific, less-known discoveries and individuals, and challenges traditional assumptions about the origins and growth of wireless. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how various components and systems evolved. Written in a clear tone with a broad scientific audience in mind, this exciting and thorough treatment is sure to become a classic in the field.




Hitting the nail on the head


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Invisible Empire


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It is impossible to understand Canada without looking at the history and development of its telecommunications industry. In the nineteenth century Canada was the only country in the world constructed on the basis of technology - first the railway and, in its shadow, telegraphy. In the 1930s this technological nationalism came of age and telecommunications became Canada's "national" technology. The Invisible Empire provides the first overview of Canadian telecommunications, from the laying of the first telegraph line between Toronto and Hamilton in 1846 to the separation between Nortel - then known as Northern Electric - and the American Bell System in 1956. Rens shows us that Louis Riel was beaten as much by telegraphy as by the Canadian army, and how Bell Canada - then known as Bell Telephone - escaped nationalization by Sir Wilfrid Laurier's government. He follows the construction of the first trans-Canadian telephone line in the midst of the Great Depression of the 1930s and explains why, in the context of the Cold War, Canada built an electronic Great Wall of China in the far North. Rens examines the context that allowed the telecommunications industry to take hold so successfully in Canada and explores how the industry grew so quickly and managed to escape American domination. He situates Canadian accomplishments in telecommunications by comparing them with those of other countries.




Powers of Two


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The power of collaboration, from Lennon and McCartney to Wozniak and Jobs: “An inspiring book that also happens to be a great read” (Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive). Throughout history, partners have buoyed each other to better work—though often one member is little known to the general public. (See Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, or Vincent and Theo van Gogh.) Powers of Two draws on neuroscience, social psychology, and cultural history to present the social foundations of creativity, with the pair as its primary embodiment. Revealing the six essential stages through which creative intimacy unfolds, this book shows how pairs begin to talk, think, and even look like each other; how the most successful ones thrive on conflict; and why some cease to work together while others carry on. At once intuitive and deeply surprising, Powers of Two will reshape the way you view individuals, relationships, and society itself. “A rare glimpse into the private realms of duos . . . A natural storyteller.” —The New York Times “A book about magic, about the Beatles, about the chemistry between people, about neuroscience, and about the buddy system; it examines love and hate, harmony and dissonance, and everything in between . . . Wise, funny, surprising, and completely engrossing.” —Susan Orlean “We sometimes think of creativity as coming from brilliant loners. In fact, it more often happens when bright people pair up and complement each other. Shenk’s fascinating book shows how to spark the power of this phenomenon.” —Walter Isaacson “Surprising, compelling . . . Shenk banishes the idea of solitary genius by demonstrating that our richest art and science come from collaboration: we need one another not only for love, but also for thinking and imagining and growing and being.” —Andrew Solomon




About Time: The Unsung Genius of Steve Winwood


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Steve Winwood has been creating his own form of R&B genres for over 50 years, and is an international star. His music includes blues, folk, rock, funk, pop and most recently Latin rhythms. His immediately recognizable blue-eyed soulful voice makes him one of the greatest singers of our time. Winwood has been the bandleader of iconic groups including The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and an extensive solo career. Winwood is also an extremely talented Hammond B-3 organist, synthesizer keyboardist, and guitarist. His work as a session player helped him become a visionary engineer and producer, sometimes creating entire albums by himself. Author Chuck Sullivan explores Winwood's journey through first hand interviews with notable musicians, extensive research, and uses his personal experiences as a musician and producer to describe the remarkable career of this musical genius.