everest classic

From the bestselling author of TALKING AT NIGHT comes PEOPLE IN LOVE: a love triangle that will split your heart in two... 'Dazzling. Heartbreakingly romantic, exquisitely told. I t has one of the best endings I've ever read' CLARE LESLIE HALL, AUTHOR OF BROKEN COUNTRY 'I will read anything she writes' CARLEY FORTUNE 'Tender and compelling' ALICE WINN, AUTHOR OF IN MEMORIAM 'Pure heartache, pure poetry. I couldn't wait to see what would happen, even though I never wanted it to end' CATHERINE NEWMAN, AUTHOR OF SANDWICH A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MOST ANTICIPATED NOVEL OF 2026 One bright blue day, on a bench by the river, Nora's partner Robin proposes. It is unexpected; they'd always agreed that they didn't need a wedding. But after a decade of in-jokes, dancing in the low-lit kitchen and sharing morning toast in bed, Nora says yes. Why wouldn't she? The answer lands on the night of their engagement party, when Bren turns up on her doorstep. Growing up, Bren and Nora were the sort of best friends who everyone swore would end up together. But when a sudden heartbreak turned their lives upside down, Bren left, Nora stayed, and the silent longing between them remained unspoken. Now, he's back, and their tentative yet undeniable spark reignites, forcing Nora to ask herself: How can you know your heart, if it feels like it's split in two? Tender and compelling, People in Love is a story about what-ifs and maybes, and the moments of misunderstanding that can shape our lives. It's a book about living one life while musing on another, exploring how our choices shape our relationships and inform our regrets, and revealing, in the end, that the real love story is not always the one you'd expect. PRAISE FOR PEOPLE IN LOVE Full of warmth and the everyday intimacies that make a life' FLORENCE KNAPP, AUTHOR OF THE NAMES 'Beautiful, brimming over with heart and heartbreak' BOBBY PALMER 'I adored this gorgeous, grown-up love story' DAISY BUCHANAN 'Claire Daverley - queen of tugging at heart strings - has done it again.' ROXY DUNN PRAISE FOR TALKING AT NIGHT 'I was rapt' ANN NAPOLITANO 'A perfect thing' CHRIS WHITAKER 'So gorgeously harrowing and romantic' CATHERINE NEWMAN 'Tender and true, this is a stunning debut that reminded me of Sally Rooney' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'A classic love story in every sense, and yet in Claire Daverley's hands, it felt entirely new' MARY BETH KEANE 'A beautifully observed, tender love story' JOJO MOYES 'A passionate, page-turning debut' DAILY MAIL

From the bestselling author of TALKING AT NIGHT comes PEOPLE IN LOVE: a love triangle that will split your heart in two... 'Dazzling. Heartbreakingly romantic, exquisitely told. I t has one of the best endings I've ever read' CLARE LESLIE HALL, AUTHOR OF BROKEN COUNTRY 'I will read anything she writes' CARLEY FORTUNE 'Tender and compelling' ALICE WINN, AUTHOR OF IN MEMORIAM 'Pure heartache, pure poetry. I couldn't wait to see what would happen, even though I never wanted it to end' CATHERINE NEWMAN, AUTHOR OF SANDWICH A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MOST ANTICIPATED NOVEL OF 2026 One bright blue day, on a bench by the river, Nora's partner Robin proposes. It is unexpected; they'd always agreed that they didn't need a wedding. But after a decade of in-jokes, dancing in the low-lit kitchen and sharing morning toast in bed, Nora says yes. Why wouldn't she? The answer lands on the night of their engagement party, when Bren turns up on her doorstep. Growing up, Bren and Nora were the sort of best friends who everyone swore would end up together. But when a sudden heartbreak turned their lives upside down, Bren left, Nora stayed, and the silent longing between them remained unspoken. Now, he's back, and their tentative yet undeniable spark reignites, forcing Nora to ask herself: How can you know your heart, if it feels like it's split in two? Tender and compelling, People in Love is a story about what-ifs and maybes, and the moments of misunderstanding that can shape our lives. It's a book about living one life while musing on another, exploring how our choices shape our relationships and inform our regrets, and revealing, in the end, that the real love story is not always the one you'd expect. PRAISE FOR PEOPLE IN LOVE Full of warmth and the everyday intimacies that make a life' FLORENCE KNAPP, AUTHOR OF THE NAMES 'Beautiful, brimming over with heart and heartbreak' BOBBY PALMER 'I adored this gorgeous, grown-up love story' DAISY BUCHANAN 'Claire Daverley - queen of tugging at heart strings - has done it again.' ROXY DUNN PRAISE FOR TALKING AT NIGHT 'I was rapt' ANN NAPOLITANO 'A perfect thing' CHRIS WHITAKER 'So gorgeously harrowing and romantic' CATHERINE NEWMAN 'Tender and true, this is a stunning debut that reminded me of Sally Rooney' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'A classic love story in every sense, and yet in Claire Daverley's hands, it felt entirely new' MARY BETH KEANE 'A beautifully observed, tender love story' JOJO MOYES 'A passionate, page-turning debut' DAILY MAIL

From the bestselling author of TALKING AT NIGHT comes PEOPLE IN LOVE: a love triangle that will split your heart in two... 'Dazzling. Heartbreakingly romantic, exquisitely told. I t has one of the best endings I've ever read' CLARE LESLIE HALL, AUTHOR OF BROKEN COUNTRY 'I will read anything she writes' CARLEY FORTUNE 'Tender and compelling' ALICE WINN, AUTHOR OF IN MEMORIAM 'Pure heartache, pure poetry. I couldn't wait to see what would happen, even though I never wanted it to end' CATHERINE NEWMAN, AUTHOR OF SANDWICH A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MOST ANTICIPATED NOVEL OF 2026 One bright blue day, on a bench by the river, Nora's partner Robin proposes. It is unexpected; they'd always agreed that they didn't need a wedding. But after a decade of in-jokes, dancing in the low-lit kitchen and sharing morning toast in bed, Nora says yes. Why wouldn't she? The answer lands on the night of their engagement party, when Bren turns up on her doorstep. Growing up, Bren and Nora were the sort of best friends who everyone swore would end up together. But when a sudden heartbreak turned their lives upside down, Bren left, Nora stayed, and the silent longing between them remained unspoken. Now, he's back, and their tentative yet undeniable spark reignites, forcing Nora to ask herself: How can you know your heart, if it feels like it's split in two? Tender and compelling, People in Love is a story about what-ifs and maybes, and the moments of misunderstanding that can shape our lives. It's a book about living one life while musing on another, exploring how our choices shape our relationships and inform our regrets, and revealing, in the end, that the real love story is not always the one you'd expect. PRAISE FOR PEOPLE IN LOVE Full of warmth and the everyday intimacies that make a life' FLORENCE KNAPP, AUTHOR OF THE NAMES 'Beautiful, brimming over with heart and heartbreak' BOBBY PALMER 'I adored this gorgeous, grown-up love story' DAISY BUCHANAN 'Claire Daverley - queen of tugging at heart strings - has done it again.' ROXY DUNN PRAISE FOR TALKING AT NIGHT 'I was rapt' ANN NAPOLITANO 'A perfect thing' CHRIS WHITAKER 'So gorgeously harrowing and romantic' CATHERINE NEWMAN 'Tender and true, this is a stunning debut that reminded me of Sally Rooney' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'A classic love story in every sense, and yet in Claire Daverley's hands, it felt entirely new' MARY BETH KEANE 'A beautifully observed, tender love story' JOJO MOYES 'A passionate, page-turning debut' DAILY MAIL

Six of the greatest Superman family stories ever told unite in one box set—all in the super-popular, super-portable DC Compact Comics format! DC Comics presents some of the greatest Superman comics ever made! The perfect introduction to comics and the Man of Steel, and a perfect starter pack for anyone looking to begin collecting. Learn why readers can’t get enough of these characters or stories! It all starts here! Collecting the acclaimed and best-selling stories that introduced generations of readers to Superman: Superman/Batman: Compact Comics Edition by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, featuring one of the greatest team-up stories ever told! Superman: Birthright: Compact Comics Edition by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu, featuring a young Clark Kent thrust onto a journey of self- discovery as he discovers the truth about his lost world. Superman: Brainiac: Compact Comics Edition by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, featuring a quest and battle across the galaxy to save the last survivors of Krypton from one of his most ruthless and cunning villains. Superman: Man of Steel: Compact Comics Edition by John Byrne, featuring the classic reimagining of Superman’s origin that paved the way brought the hero into the modern age. Superman: Secret Identity: Compact Comics Edition by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen, featuring a world where superheroes only exist in fiction save for one man with the powers of Superman. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: Compact Comics Edition by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, featuring the story of Supergirl’s journey across the universe to help a young girl find peace on her path of revenge.

FROM THE ASHES OF AN EMPIRE, A HERO WILL RISE... THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'A dazzlingly epic and richly complex world of dragons, magic, and rebellion' Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night 'Dragons with depth... Taran Matharu masterfully layers the history, politics and soulful magic of his world with page-turning ease, all the while delivering shocks, bloodshed and a splash of slow-burn spice' Cari Thomas, Sunday Times bestselling author of Threadneedle FROM THE ASHES OF AN EMPIRE, A HERO WILL RISE... Jai has spent his life forced to serve the cruel empire that killed his family and now rules his people. To grow ever more powerful, the emperor's young son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom. An unconquerable realm, where ancient beasts roam. The princess brings with her a priceless gift: dragons. Only Dansk Royalty can bond with these magical beasts to draw on their power and strength. Until now. When the betrothal goes wrong, a bloody coup leads to chaos at court. Finally, Jai has a chance to escape. He flees with a fierce Dansk warrior, Frida, but not before stealing a dragon egg. To vanquish the empire, he must do the impossible: bond with a dragon. Only then he can seize his destiny, and seek his revenge ... An epic new fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu, where dragons fly and empires fall. 'Eragon and Sapphira, Laurence and Temeraire, and now Jai and Winter. A brilliant beginning!' Michael R. Miller, bestselling author of the Songs of Chaos series 'Bloody, glorious, and irresistibly compelling, Dragon Rider is a riveting epic that is at once sweepingly vast and heart-wrenchingly personal' Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Bone Maker 'Brutal politics, intricate worldbuilding, and edge-of-the-seat battles' Prashanth Srivatsa, author of The Spice Gate 'A classic fantasy adventure that reminds me of the novels I loved growing up, but with a flair of cultivation from the novels I love now' Will Wight, New York Times bestselling author of the Cradle series READ THE EPIC FANTASY WITH SCORCHING FIVE-STAR READER REVIEWS ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ 'After falling in love with the dragons in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame ... Dragon Rider did not disappoint in any way. I was hooked' 'What an absolutely amazing ride this was!' 'Fans of Iron Flame and Dragonfall will love this book!' 'Okay, this is a must read! If you like dragons, political intrigue and machinations, and a touch of violence, pick it up!'

The twentieth anniversary edition of The Spiral Dance celebrates the pivotal role the book has had in bringing Goddess worship to the religious forefront. This bestselling classic is both an unparalleled reference on the practices and philosophies of Witchcraft and a guide to the life-affirming ways in which readers can turn to the Goddess to deepen their sense of personal pride, develop their inner power, and integrate mind, body, and spirit. Starhawk's brilliant, comprehensive overview of the growth, suppression, and modern-day re-emergence of Wicca as a Goddess-worshipping religion has left an indelible mark on the feminist spiritual consciousness. In a new introduction, Starhawk reveals the ways in which Goddess religion and the practice of ritual have adapted and developed over the last twenty years, and she reflects on the ways in which these changes have influenced and enhanced her original ideas. In the face of an ever-changing world, this invaluable spiritual guidebook is more relevant than ever.

The definitive and comprehensive edition of Robert Graves's classic retelling of the Greek myths 'Icarus disobeyed his father's instructions and began soaring towards the sun, rejoiced by the lift of his great sweeping wings. Presently, when Daedalus looked over his shoulder, he could no longer see Icarus; but scattered feathers floated on the waves below...' These are the greatest stories ever told - the labours of Hercules, the voyage of the Argonauts, Theseus and the minotaur, Midas and his golden touch, the Trojan War and Odysseus's journey home - brought together into one epic and unforgettable story. Ideal for the first time reader, it can be read as a single page-turning narrative, while full commentaries as well as a comprehensive index of names make it equally valuable for anyone seeking an authoritative and detailed account of the spectacular stories that make up the bedrock of Western literature. The Greek Myths is a classic among classics, a treasure trove of extraordinary tales and a masterful work of literature in its own right.

Tove Jansson's beautiful edition of a classic work of children's literature is once again available in North America. An elegant edition of a timeless classic illustrated by the creator of the Moomins in a dreamy, delicate, and playful style true to the whimsy and wonder of the story. Described by The Times of London when first published in 1865 as "an excellent piece of nonsense," Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has gone on to become one of the most popular books ever written, loved by children and adults alike and translated into more than 125 languages. In Tove Jansson, Carroll's classic finds an illustrator worthy of its enchantment and surreal beauty. Jansson is renowned worldwide for her hugely successful books about the inhabitants of Moomin Valley. What is less well known is that in 1966 she devoted her unique gifts to illustrating Alice's extraordinary adventures. Sixty years after her interpretation of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece was first enjoyed by Scandinavian readers, Tove Jansson's beautifully realized edition of the original text of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is now available from NYRB Kids.

Seashell inlaid mother of pearl - This wooden jewelry box is 100% handmade. It is handcrafted by the Certified Korean Cultural Properties Craftsman, and each product goes through a special screening process as well as strict quality verification to bring you nothing but the very best. It is a great Korean artwork that you can keep for a lifetime. Showcases impeccable craftsmanship - a beautiful masterpiece that stands out wherever you place it. You can place it anywhere in your home like living room, guest room, kitchen, bedroom or even your office. It will brighten up the space such as your dresser, nightstand, bathroom counter or vanity. Prepare to witness breathtaking traditional Korean art with February Mountain’s chic Wooden Jewelry Box. Mother of pearl inlaid in lacquer finish – Featuring breathtaking Sea Shell Mother of Pearl inlay, this magnificent Wooden Jewelry Box is certainly a treat for the eyes! Stunning and adorned with mother of pearl flowers and butterflies this jewelry box is a must if you love gorgeous historic designs and bringing an authentic feeling into your home. Features a mirrored lid - This box is a beautiful masterpiece that stands out wherever you place it. It's a perfect storage decor item with your ring, bracelet, earring, necklace, accessories, small trinkets keepsake or treasure. Butterfly-shaped metal snap for easy opening and closing, compact and unique design goes easily with your decor. It comes with a large built-in mirror that adds convenience when you try your jewelry on. Organize your jewelry - The Jewelry Organizer offers ample space for your precious Jewelry. So, no more struggle of searching for your favorite earrings every morning. Orderly place your Treasury i.e. rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, cuff links, hairpins and chains in this Mother of Pearl Box. Plus it has a ring tray on top which can be removed. More space can be used as there is more than one layer beneath the ring tray. Gift ideas, for women who have everything - Mom, wife, best friend, sister, grandma, daughter, daughter-in-law, aunt, girlfriend, granddaughter, cousins, coworker, teacher, new mom gift or Yourself. This mother-of-pearl jewelry box is sure to make that special lady in your life feel cherished and loved. This box is a beautiful masterpiece that stands out wherever you place it. We can be sure this will be the most beautiful and memorable gift they have ever received. Perfect gift ideas - No need to repack. Packaged in a unique gift box that includes a blank gift thank you card, your beloved one will be thrilled to receive such a classic gift. It is perfect for Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Graduation, Mother’s Day, Engagement, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Mother of the bride gifts, Housewarming gift, Holiday or even just as a little treat for yourself.

'After all what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?' In the summer of 1956, Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a leisurely holiday that will take him deep into the English countryside and into his past... A contemporary classic, The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's beautiful and haunting evocation of life between the wars in a Great English House, of lost causes and lost love. The Remains of the Day is now available as a Faber Modern Classics edition.

As menacing and unhinged as ever, the pride of Staten Island is back with their fifth full-length offering, V. Raw and absent of modern technological trappings, the Budos pick up where they left off with 2014s "Burnt Offering, and finds the Budos expanding on the brooding, fuzz-fueled riffs, whilst harkening back to the Ethiopian inspired rhythms and percussive proclivity that put Budos Band on the map. "Old Engine Oil, a rocker at heart, kicks things into gear and delivers a high-octane burst of Budos mayhem. "The Enchanter serves up a classic dose of upbeat afro-soul, drenched in a venomous assault of wall-melting proportions that leads you to the "Spider Web, a rumbling ode to the Cowbell Colossus whose punctuated horn stabs take you on an untamed ride to the dark side of the spoon. The side closes with "Peak of Eternal Night, whose odd time signature and haunting horns transport the listener to the peak of a menacing otherworldly landscape thats further explored in the final track "Ghost Talk - a guitar driven groover that gives way to an organ-washed space ritual beneath sun-summoning trumpet blasts. Side Two opens with "Arcane Rambler, an interstellar ramble across space and time that leaves the listener in cosmic purgatory. "Maelstrom, released as a single shortly after the release of "Burnt Offering, boasts waves of furious sonic power that batter the listener via a maw of snarling sea-foam bubbling with the power of the Budos. Soon darkness falls as "The Veil of Shadows is draped across the land - in this realm of twilight one quickly loses their way, only to find themselves at a dusk-to-dawn pyre of budonian proportions. "Rumble from the Void then pulls you into a percussive black hole of formless beat-worship. There are no horns to help you here, just the tentacles of rhythm that tirelessly pull you back into the void. "Valley of the Damned closes the record, its twisting groove coupled with hypnotic drones of synth and horns transports you to a place of little hope and and even less reason.Youve been warned KEY MARKETING POINTS: Album cover features a linoleum print by Budos Band Drummer, Brian Profilio, a NYC public school art teacher Previous PR/Radio coverage: Wired, Pitchfork, NPR Music, NY Times, Last Call w/ Carson Daly, CBS Saturday Session, WNYC Soundcheck, KUTX, WFUV, WFMU... Tour Dates confirmed in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Brooklyn & New York Official music for "Old Engine Oil Radio campaign by Distiller Promo + PR campaign by Girlie Action "A punishing set of instrumentals...an uncompromising visceral appeal...party music with a scary edge" - Billboard "Spooky, funky, freedom-loving fun: The chance to embrace something like that doesnt come along often, and its to be cherished" - Pitchfork

A fiftieth-anniversary edition of the cult classic of gonzo journalism, hailed as the best book on the dope decade (The New York Times Book Review), featuring Ralph Steadman s original drawings and an introduction by Caity Weaver The inspiration for the major motion picture directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro A scorching epochal sensation! Tom Wolfe First published in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever experienced. The writer s account of an assignment he undertook with his attorney to visit Las Vegas and check it out, the book stands as the final word on the highs and lows of the 1960s, one of the defining works of our time and a stylistic and journalistic tour de force.

The second novel in the legendary and magical bestselling fantasy series from the Hugo and Nebula Award winning author, featuring dragons, adventure, romance, and heroism, perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing, Cassandra Clare and Brandon Sanderson. 'Anne McCaffrey is one of the titans of this genre, and one of my favorite authors of all time .' Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn series. 'Pern was one of the first fantasy worlds I fell into, and I am forever grateful .' Leigh Bardugo, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Six of Crows series and The Familiar 'Anne McCaffrey's Pern books forever changed how readers looked at dragons ... books that shaped a generation and more of fantasy writers .' Cassandra Clare , No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Lessa and her golden queen dragon have given their world a fighting chance against the deadly Thread, but that doesn't mean they are out of danger. The Oldtimers, the dragons and their riders brought forward in time to combat the Thread, are having a difficult time adjusting to their more modern world, and tensions are rising. Worse, Threadfall is becoming more unpredictable, making it harder to combat. Inspired by Lessa's example, brown dragonrider F'nor hatches a bold plan to cut through these growing tensions by destroying the Thread at its source: the mysterious Red Star. But his quest to go where no man?or dragon?has gone before will risk not only his life, but the heart of a woman who has already lost far more than she can bear. Don't miss the original trilogy from Anne McCaffrey's beloved Dragonriders of Pern series: DRAGONFLIGHT . DRAGONQUEST . THE WHITE DRAGON Praise for the Dragonriders of Pern Series: 'Anne McCaffrey's Pern novels are truly foundational books; it's hard to imagine the modern-day landscape of fantasy and science fiction without them' Naomi Novik, author of the Temeraire series 'Pern is where dragon riding was conceived, and fifty years later, Anne McCaffrey's epic tale remains a masterpiece of adventure, intrigue, and romance' - Danielle L. Jensen, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood 'No series has ever captured my imagination so completely as Pern did.' Susan Dennard , New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands Series 'A gripping tale that will have you wanting MORE! ' ***** Reader Review 'A classic and a must read for anyone who loves dragons and dragon-riding.' ***** Reader Review 'What a magical place. The author brings not only the characters but the whole world to life. Wonderful. Love it. ' ***** Reader review ' Anne McCaffrey, one of the queens of science fiction , knows exactly how to give her public what it wants' - The Times "Read Dragonflight and you're confronted with McCaffrey the storyteller in her prime ..." - SFX

An ebook compilation of inspirational writings, featuring seven classic works in one high quality, fully searchable edition: The compilation includes: 'Mere Christianity' 'The Screwtape Letters' 'Surprised by Joy' 'The Four Loves' 'The Problem of Pain' 'The Great Divorce' 'Miracles' C. S. Lewis's works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year, appealing to those seeking wisdom and calm in a hectic and ever-changing world. Each volume is written with the lucidity, warmth and wit that has made Lewis revered as a writer the world over. From 'The Problem of Pain' - a wise and compassionate exploration of suffering - to the darkly satirical 'The Screwtape Letters', Lewis is unrivalled in his ability to disentangle the questions of life. His writings offer hope, wisdom and a true understanding of human nature.

J.C. Ryle's seven volumes of "Expositions on the Gospels" are considered among the finest ever written. And you will surely agree after you listen to the fresh insights Ryle draws from these timeless Christmas stories that you thought you knew so well! Find a quiet place where you can listen and deeply absorb these priceless meditations! You can buy my full audiobook of "J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Book of Luke" on Googleplay: play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/J_C_Ryle_Expository_Thoughts_on_the_Book_of_Luke?id=AQAAAEB80zSTWM It's also available on my Patreon platform, along with hundreds of other classic and modern devotionals, plus full audiobooks. All for only $5 monthly subscription. Check it out at htps://www:patreon.com/christopherglyn.

Do Not Adjust Your Set is a 60s comedy show comprised mostly of satirical sketches, often presented in a bizarre, surreal and disjointed manner- much like that of Monty Python, a succeeding show which several of the cast became part of. An important Monty Python predecessor and arguably one of the finest children's sketch comedies ever produced, DNAYS is certainly something you do not want to miss... This volume features a compilation of classic sketches from the show, including: -Television Planning -The Beginning of the End -Spotters Corner -Backwards -Cookery Class -Arthur the Amazing Performing Dog -Come Out to Play -Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band -Metaphorically Speaking -Miss Pringle -Pre-History -Captain Fantastic -The End

A newly discovered firsthand account of the Hiroshima bombing and its aftermath from one of the survivors-a lost classic that brings unprecedented immediacy to our understanding of this world-changing event. The whole city was covered with dark clouds, and conflagrations were breaking out in various directions. Could all of this have happened at once? It was then that black drops of rain, as big as blackberries, began to fall - rain caused by the atomic bomb. I wondered what had happened to my home and church. With a pale face, I ran down the Koi highway... When the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima at 8.15am on 6 August 1945, Methodist minister Kiyoshi Tanimoto was just beginning his day by helping a neighbour on the outskirts of the city. Unbeknownst to him at that moment, the events that awaited him over the following days and weeks were full of horror, but through his courageous determination to save his family, church and city from total devastation, Tanimoto would become internationally recognised as a hero of Hiroshima. In 1946, he featured in American journalist John Hersey's seminal book Hiroshima which catapulted Tanimoto into global fame - but it is only now that we have discovered the manuscript that he wrote in his own words. With a powerful introduction from Tanimoto's daughter, Koko Kondo, a renowned peace activist in her own right, Hiroshima, 8:15 is a remarkable eyewitness account of this devastating moment of history. Written in the immediate aftermath of the bomb, the manuscript had been lost for many decades and was only recently discovered in a university archive. Today, over eighty years later in a world fraught with conflict, Tanimoto's story is a moving and powerful reminder of how the strength, love and resilience of the human spirit will always triumph over the things that divide us. PRAISE FOR HIROSHIMA, 8:15 "A gripping real-time search for life and hope" - The Guardian "A stunning historical discovery and a heartrending testimony." - Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning coauthor of American Prometheus, the book behind Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer "More than 80 years after the bombing, Tanimoto's voice rings out... Hiroshima, 8:15 flows with the relentless intensity of eyewitness testimony." -The Economist "An extraordinary find" - The Sunday Times "Now, more than ever, we need what Tanimoto supplies: a fresh, vivid reminder of the tragedies these weapons inflict on the innocent" - The Telegraph "We have apparently spent eighty years forgetting what atomic warfare actually looks like. This intensely moving book is also an unsparing chronicle of the reality of mass destruction. Pray God it will restore some sense of urgency to our commitment to a nuclear-free world." - Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury "More urgent today than at any time since the end of the Cold War." - Serhii Plokhy, author of The Nuclear Age and Chernobyl "A rare and important addition to history." - Susan Southard, author of Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War

'Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy. It's one of my favourite fantasy series' GEORGE R. R. MARTIN 'A master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece' BRANDON SANDERSON 'Paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine' PATRICK ROTHFUSS 'One of the great fantasy epics of all time' CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI "They have left us a world, but have they left us enough wisdom to protect it?" Thirty years ago the undead Storm King, Ineluki, was destroyed and his armies scattered. The Kingdom of Osten Ard has been at peace ever since, ruled by Simon Snowlock, kitchen boy made king, and Miriamele, King Elias' only child. But now age weighs upon their reign. Simon's dreams have deserted him, old allies are long gone and betrayal and assassination threaten his rule. His son and heir John Josua is years dead and his grandson, Morgan, is a wastrel. But those years of peace are coming to an end for in the mountain fortress of Nakkiga in the frozen north, the Norns - the long-vanquished elvish foe - are stirring once again. Their Queen has woken from her deep, decades long slumber, and she will sleep no more. An ally of the Storm King, she seeks to avenge his death and destroy humanity. Her sorcerers will raise a demon, her warriors will raze the land in search of dragon's blood, and finally the Witchwood Crown will be hers. With a cast of hundreds - humans, giants, dragons, trolls, Sithi and Norn - The Witchwood Crown is epic fantasy as it used to be: classic, grand and sweeping. From one of the greatest writers of the genre comes the start of an unforgettable saga. JOIN THE READERS WHO LOVE THE WITCHWOOD CROWN I have loved reading this book! It is so good to return to Osten Ard once more. It was both lovely and sad to meet the old characters and wonderful to meet all the new ones. Tad Williams' work is brilliant and complex. A wonderfully written book. I enjoyed every page. Engaging characters, an intriguing story and the promise of more to come. I can't wait for the next. I love this book (and the previous ones) for the care and nourishment poured into them by the author. A well-developed world allows for a convincing story, however magical it might be. The characters are also supremely real and easy to like. So incredible to have new Osten Ard stories to read! From the very first chapter, this return to the much-loved world of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is just as enthralling and magical as it was 25 years ago. The Witchwood Crown is Tad Williams' magnificent return to Osten Ard. This is a novel I've been waiting for, for 24 years. I'm happy to report that The Witchwood Crown lives up to expectations. WORLD OF OSTEN ARD READING ORDER Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series The Dragonbone Chair Stone of Farewell To Green Angel Tower The Last Kind of Osten Ard (sequel series) The Witchwood Crown Empire of Grass Brothers of the Wind Intro the Narrowdark The Navigator's Children

The #1 New York Times bestseller and basis for the smash hit musical and two major motion pictures. Look for part one of WICKED the movie, now streaming, and the stunning conclusion WICKED: FOR GOOD With millions of copies in print around the world, Gregory Maguire's Wicked is established not only as a commentary on our time but as a work of classic fantasy literature to revisit for years to come. This iconic Oz retelling relishes the inspired inventions of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, while playing sleight of hand with our collective memories of the 1939 MGM film. In this fast-paced, fantastically real, and supremely entertaining novel, Maguire has populated the largely unknown world of Oz with the power of his own imagination. Years before Dorothy and her dog crash-land, the origin story of another little girl begins. This girl, Elphaba, is born with emerald-green skin-no easy burden in a land as mean and poor as Oz, where superstition and magic are not strong enough to explain or overcome the natural disasters of flood and famine. Still, Elphaba is smart, and by the time she enters Shiz University, she becomes a member of a charmed circle of Oz's most promising young citizens. But in this Oz of deep moral ambiguity, Elphaba's world is no utopia. The Wizard's secret police are everywhere. Animals-those creatures with voices, souls, and minds-are threatened with exile. Young Elphaba, green and wild and misunderstood, is determined to protect the Animals-even if it means combating the mysterious Wizard, even if it means risking her single chance at romance. Ever wiser in guilt and sorrow, she can find herself grateful when the world declares her a witch. And she can even make herself glad for that young girl from Kansas. Recognized as an iconoclastic tour de force on its initial publication, this revisionist fairy tale has inspired the blockbuster musical of the same name-one of the longest-running plays in Broadway history. Popular, indeed. But while the novel's distant cousins hail from the traditions of magical realism, mythopoeic fantasy, and sprawling nineteenth-century sagas of moral urgency, Maguire's Wicked is as unique as its green-skinned witch. "Maguire did something truly remarkable with this novel, in managing to inhabit, enlarge, deepen and find new dimensions in a world that had been invented by another writer, and in doing so make something entirely new. It's an astonishing achievement." -Phillip Pullman "Gregory gets the complications and uniqueness of women very well."- Kristen Chenoweth "It's a staggering feat of wordcraft, made no less so by the fact that its boundaries were set decades ago by somebody else. Maguire's larger triumph here is twofold: First, in Elphaba, he has created (re-created? renovated?) one of the great heroines in fantasy literature: a fiery, passionate, unforgettable and ultimately tragic figure. Second, Wicked is the best fantasy novel of ideas I've read since Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast or Frank Herbert's Dune. Would that all books with this much innate consumer appeal were also this good. And vice versa." -Los Angeles Times

This is the book that launched Buckley's career--and a movement. As a young recent graduate, Buckley took on Yale's professional and administrative staffs, citing their hypocritical withdrawal from the tenets upon which the institution was built. Yale was founded on the belief that God exists, and thus virtue and individualism represent immutable cornerstones of education. But when Buckley wrote this scathing expos├(R); the institution had made an about-face: Yale was expounding collectivism and agnosticism. This classic work shows Buckley as he ever was: dauntless, venturesome, bold, and valiant. More than half a century later, experience the extraordinary work that began the modern conservative movement.

Just in time for the holidays, designed by the Award-winning graphic novelist, Seth! This collection of books--identical to the individual volumes--ships shrinkwrapped, with two hardcovers containing complete strips from the years 1971-1972 and 1973-1974, packed in a sturdy custom box designed especially for this set. The perfect gift item. The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972 : Sally Brown elbows her way to center stage, at least among the humans, and is thus the logical choice for cover girl... and in her honor, the introduction is provided by none other than Broadway, television and film star Kristin (Wicked) Chenoweth, who first rose to Tony-winning fame with her scene-stealing performance as Sally in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Two long Summer-camp sequences involve Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty, who has decided that Charlie Brown is madly in love with her, much to his clueless confusion. Snoopy shows up at camp as well, as does Peppermint Patty's new permanent sidekick, the one and only Marcie. The eternally mutable Snoopy mostly shakes off his World War I Flying Ace identity and turns into Joe Cool, college hipster extraordinaire. And in three long sequences he writes a fan letter to his favorite author, Miss Helen Sweetstory, then goes on a journey to meet her, and finally enlists Charlie Brown's help when her latest opus, "The Six Bunny-Wunnies Freak Out," falls afoul of censors. Also, Woodstock attends worm school, falls in love with a worm (perhaps the most doomed unrequited Peanuts love story ever!), and is nearly eaten by the neighbors' cat... Peppermint Patty is put on trial for another dress code violation and makes a very ill-advised choice in terms of lawyers... Snoopy turns Linus's blanket into not one but two sportcoats... Lucy hits a home run... and the birth of one Rerun Van Pelt! The Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 : This volume features a number of tennis strips and several extended sequences involving Peppermint Patty's friend Marcie (including a riotous, rarely seen sequence in which Marcie's costume-making and hairstyling skills utterly spoil a skating competition for PP), so it seems only right that this volume's introduction should be served up by Schulz's longtime friend, tennis champion Billie Jean King. This volume also picks up on a few loose threads from the previous year, as the mysterious "Poochie" shows up in the flesh; Linus and Lucy's new kid brother "Rerun" makes his first appearance, is almost immediately drafted onto the baseball team (where, thanks to his tiny strike zone, he wins a game), and embarks on his first terrifying journey on the back of his mom's bike; and, in one of Peanuts' oddest recurring storylines, the schoolhouse Sally used to talk to starts talking, or at least thinking, back at her! The Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 also includes one of the all-time classic Peanuts sequences, in which Charlie Brown's baseball-oriented hallucinations finally manifest themselves in a baseball-shaped rash on his head. Forced to conceal the embarrassing discoloration with a bag worn over his head, Charlie Brown goes to camp as "Mister Sack" and discovers that, shorn of his identity, he's suddenly well liked and successful.

Bloomsbury presents The Rider by Tim Krabbé, read by Mark Meadows.At the start of the 137-kilometre Tour de Mont Aigoual, Tim Krabbé glances up from his bike to assess the crowd of spectators. 'Non-racers,' he writes. 'The emptiness of those lives shocks me.' Immediate and gripping from the first page, we race with the author as he struggles up the hills and clings on during descents in the unforgiving French mountains.Originally published in 1978, The Rider is a modern-day classic that is recognised as one of the best books ever written about the sport. Brilliantly conceived and best read at a break-neck pace, it is a loving, imaginative and passionate tribute to the art of cycle racing.

'A landmark book....A massively reported deep dive into the unparalleled corporate industrial giant Koch Industries....This impressively researched and well-rendered book also serves as a biography of Charles Koch, with Leonard providing an evenhanded treatment of the tycoon. Leonard's work is on par with Steve Coll's Private Empire and even Ida Tarbell's enduring classic The History of the Standard Oil Company.' Kirkus Reviews 'Leonard's superb investigations and even-handed, clear-eyed reportage stand out....American capitalism at its most successful and domineering is at the center of this sweeping history of a much-vilified company.' Publishers Weekly 'Leonard's intricately developed and extensively researched history of the Koch empire is a colossal corporate biography that sheds important light on this closely guarded enterprise while simultaneously scrutinizing the nefarious underpinnings of American economic policies and practices.' Booklist 'This page-turning exposé reveals the full extent of the Koch brothers' influence on American capitalism.' Book Riot 'If you want a crash course in the evolution of postmodern capitalism over the last five decades read Kochland....Leonard's study is exhaustive and engaging.' New York Journal of Books The annual revenue of Koch Industries is bigger than that of Google, Goldman Sachs and Kraft Foods combined. But very few people have ever heard of Koch Industries because the billionaire Koch brothers want it that way. Now, in Kochland, Christopher Leonard has managed what no other journalist has done before: to tell the explosive inside story of how the largest private company in the world became that big. In doing so, Leonard also tells the epic tale of the evolution of corporate America over the last half-century, in all its glory and rapaciousness. Koch is everywhere. It controls the fertilisers at the foundation of our food system. It controls the synthetics that make our diapers and carpets. It controls the chemicals that make our bottles and pipes. It controls the building materials that make our homes and offices. And it controls much of the Wall Street trading in all of these commodities. It makes money at every end of almost every deal. For five decades, CEO Charles Koch has kept Koch Industries quietly operating behind a veil of secrecy, with a view toward very, very long-term profits. When Wall Street came calling twenty years ago, trying to take Koch public, Charles Koch said no. He's a genius businessman: patient with profits, able to learn from his mistakes, determined that his employees develop an almost a worshipful dedication to free-market ruthlessness, and a master disrupter. We think of disruption as something that happens in Silicon Valley, but this book will upend your understanding of what disruption really is. Charles Koch's business acumen has made him and his brother David (Koch Industries' co-owner) together richer than Bill Gates. But there's a dark side to their story. If you want to understand how we killed the unions in this country, how we widened the income divide, how we stalled progress on climate change and how corporate America bought the influence industry, all you have to do is read this book. Seven years in the making, Kochland reads like a true-life thriller, with larger-than-life characters driving the battles on every page. The book tells the ambitious tale of how one private company consolidated power over half a century - and how in doing so, transformed capitalism into something that feels so deeply alienating to many Americans today.

Treasure Island is one of the greatest adventure novels ever written, captivating readers with its thrilling tale of pirates, treasure maps, and daring quests. The story follows young Jim Hawkins, who discovers a treasure map in the belongings of a mysterious old sailor. Embarking on a perilous journey aboard the Hispaniola, Jim and his companions, including the honorable Dr. Livesey and the cunning Squire Trelawney, face off against the treacherous Long John Silver and his band of ruthless pirates. Packed with danger, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, Treasure Island remains a timeless classic, inspiring countless adaptations and cementing its place in literary history as the quintessential pirate story. This book is perfect for young readers discovering the world of classic adventure literature, as well as for fans of pirate tales and high-seas drama. Its engaging plot and timeless themes make it an ideal choice for family listening and educational exploration.

From the multi-million-copy bestselling author, discover the gripping Sunday Times bestseller and gritty detective novel, the first book in the brand-new Marvel Crime series. 'A fun, entertaining read that really packs a punch!' Shari Lapena 'Immersive, page-turning, addictive, fresh and fun .' Andrea Mara 'Tricksy, endlessly interesting and pure entertainment, don't miss this one.' Gillian McAllister ' Exhilarating, twisty and original. Agatha Christie meets Black Mirror !' Claire Douglas ---- Meet Jessica Jones: a private investigator and retired super hero based out of Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, who goes from job to job as a hard living, rough talking, loner. And then a wealthy Upper East Side woman pays her a visit. Amber Randall is concerned about her twin sixteen-year-olds, Lark and Fox, who have acted and looked very different since they returned from spending the summer with their British father in the UK. She tells Jessica that her children have unnaturally perfect skin for teenagers and have lost all the tics and habits that made them who they were. They are not Lark and Fox, she tells Jessica. Something has happened to them. To find out more, Jessica travels to Essex to talk to their father and once there meets Belle who is living a curiously isolated existence in a run-down farmhouse with her guardian Debra. Jessica knows that Lark and Fox had spent the summer with Belle-but can this unworldly teenager really be responsible for Lark and Fox's new personas? Jessica soon discovers that, behind Belle and Debra, evil geniuses are playing a dangerous game with technology in order to make the world a "better place", not caring who gets hurt, maimed or even killed in the process. Can Jessica stop them from wreaking destruction on a whole generation of young people? Nothing is certain in Lisa Jewell's gripping and most imaginative novel yet. Breaking the Dark, the first book in the brand-new Marvel Crime series, introduces fans to a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe, and will continue with original novels featuring fan-favourite characters like Luke Cage, written by S.A. Cosby, and Daredevil, written by Alex Segura. ---- Readers are loving Breaking the Dark . . . 'I quickly became absorbed into the story and couldn't put it down.' 5-star reader review 'Wow... The book can be read by someone super into Marvel and also someone who has no prior super hero knowledge. ' 5-star reader review ' Fun and exciting. I recommend it!' 5-star reader review 'A supercharged read that even readers who are not lovers off Marvel will be able to pick up and enjoy.' 5-star reader review ' What a book. I loved it! ' 5-star reader review 'An exciting, riveting, adrenaline-pumping story' Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond 'Fresh, lively, insightful-and the action scenes hit like a chop. ' AJ Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window 'The perfect blend of psychological thriller and supernatural chiller.' Mark Edwards, bestselling author of The Retreat 'So cleverly plotted and as ever beautifully written' Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange ' Classic Lisa Jewell with an amazing twist !' Jenny Colgan, bestselling author of Close Knit 'Reveals the depth and complexity of one of the most fascinating and indomitable characters in the Marvel canon.' S. A. Cosby, bestselling author of All the Sinners 'I was hooked from the start and couldn't turn the pages fast enough.' Alice Feeney, bestselling author of Rock Paper Scissors 'Absolutely compulsive, complex and gripping .' Nadine Matheson, bestselling author of The Jigsaw Man Sunday Times bestseller, July 2024

Do Not Adjust Your Set is a 60s comedy show comprised mostly of satirical sketches, often presented in a bizarre, surreal and disjointed manner- much like that of Monty Python, a succeeding show which several of the cast became part of. An important Monty Python predecessor and arguably one of the finest children's sketch comedies ever produced, DNAYS is certainly something you do not want to miss... This volume features a compilation of classic sketches from the show, including: -Economic Axe -Chancellor of the Exchequer -Espionage -Custard Factory -Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band -Love is a Cylindrical Piano -Miss Pringe -Rehearsal -Cinderella -Captain Fantastic -British Food

Out of Suffering and into What Has Already Been Allowed How can we bring an effortless yes to this moment? How do we stop running from the mess of life-our predicaments, our frustrations, even our search for liberation-and start flowing with all of it? In small venues throughout the UK and Europe, a young teacher named Jeff Foster is quietly awakening a new generation of spiritual inquirers to the experience of abiding presence and peace in our ever-shifting world. His informal gatherings, blogs, and kitchen-table video posts have created a rising tide of interest in his teachings. With The Deepest Acceptance, Jeff Foster invites us to discover the ocean of who we are: an awareness that has already allowed every wave of emotion and experience to arrive. While Jeff delightfully admits the irony of an audio program to convey something that is beyond words to teach, here he confirms his ability to guide us in unexpected new ways to a space of absolute acceptance and joy, no matter what's happening in our lives. Those who enjoy spoken-word teachings will find this original audio edition of Jeff Foster's book especially engaging. Here, he guides us in the spirit of his spontaneous talks and dialogs, into the direct experience of deepest acceptance. Candid, thoughtful, humorous-and deeply compassionate toward those searching for a way out of suffering-this refreshing new luminary inspires us to stop trying to do acceptance ... and start falling in love with what has already been allowed. Wise, spacious, and loving. Teachings that can free the heart. -Jack Kornfield, author of A Lamp in the Darkness and A Path With Heart There is a transmission in this book: an alive, compassionate presence that invites awakening right here, this very moment, no matter what is going on in our lives. -Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge A beautifully written guide to the fearlessness and simplicity of living fully immersed in each moment of our lives. The Deepest Acceptance rings with the power and authenticity of Jeff Foster's deeply felt, deeply lived wisdom. His affirmation of life and compassion for the full range of human experience is a much needed contribution. -Judith Blackstone, PhD, author of Belonging Here and The Intimate Life Jeff Foster is an honest seeker who has unraveled the many trappings of seeking through his faithfulness to the humble ground of being here, now, and his book is a gentle and helpful companion on the journey. -Mark Nepo, author of Staying Awake and Seven Thousand Ways to Listen The Deepest Acceptance is the story of a merciful awareness, which offers us the heart's inborn destination we were born to discover. Love is the highest form of acceptance. Judgment is the mechanics of non-acceptance. -Stephen Levine, author of A Year to Live The Deepest Acceptance is a multi-faceted spiritual gem. Every page transparently illuminates our real nature as naturally accepting, centerless awareness. Jeff has performed a great service in revealing awareness as the already-present source for living our lives in the most loving and meaningful way possible. I am immensely grateful to Jeff for bringing forth the essence of his teaching with such great power, love and sensitivity. A timeless classic through which numberless people will connect with the source of ultimate fulfillment. -Peter Fenner, PhD, author of Radiant Mind and The Edge of Certainty Written with warmth, humility and a gentle but penetrating honesty, Jeff invites the reader to explore those places in themselves that they would most want to avoid and to find there, at their heart, the very thing they were seeking. However, long after the words have faded from memory, the intelligence and love with which they are written remain behind and that is the true gift of this beautiful book. -Rupert Spira Jeff has achieved something wonderful with this honest and insightful book - something that benefits all of us and sheds much-needed light on the mys

For the first time ever, a very special edition of the classic masterpiece, with the complete text and illustrated throughout by the author himself. Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 150 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors' editions become prized and valuable items of publishing. This one-volume eBook edition contains the complete text and features, for the very first time, thirty illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, reproduced to accompany the famous 'Bridge of Khazad-dum' chapter. Also appearing are two full-size maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien revealing all the detail of Middle-earth. Sympathetically packaged to reflect the classic look of the first edition, this new eBook edition will prove irresistible to old and new fans alike.

The author, a native Australian, covers everything you might want to know about Australia - guaranteed! The places to stay, from budget to luxury, rentals to B&Bs, the restaurants, from fast food to the highest quality, the beachwalks and bushwalks, the wildlife and how to see it, exploring the country by air, on water, by bike, and every other way. Following are a few excerpts from the guide: The gathering of landscapes within the compact state of Victoria seem as if a giant had taken different pieces from around the continent, squashed them together and shaken them up, and then tossed them to let them fall where they may. The awesome, wave-lashed coastal edges are among the state's classic sights, with crumpled pillars of orange rock stacked tall out in the water. Where the shores aren't rough, the beaches are silky and white, as soft and tame as a kitten, with cold but gentle waters. Behind this edge are thick patches of temperate rainforests leading up into drier locales, including inland deserts, an unmade bed of mountain foothills and folds, and smooth river marshes and plains. You'd never expect that much of the terrain here was once actually volcanic, resulting in wild peaks, bluffs, and valleys throughout the center. There's 227,600 sq km of land in the state, and the Great Dividing Range arches through the center of it, with major collections of peaks in the Dandenongs and Macedons. The highest summits are in the east, at 1,986-m (6,514-ft) Mt. Bogong and 1,922-m (6,304-ft) Mt. Feathertop, and snowfields are found throughout the northeastern Australian Alps from June to September. Hemming in the land are 1,800 km (1,116 mi) of coastlines along the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean, with Melbourne and Geelong fronting the central cut inland to Port Phillip Bay. This is a cool state, akin to the Pacific Northwest or the lower New England states of the U.S., with warm summers but chilling, wet winters. Some regions do dip below freezing, namely the northeastern mountains, while the Gippsland highlands in the east and the western Otway Ranges see more rain than anywhere else. Skip a couple hours south or west and you'll hit the arid Mallee region, and the Little Desert and Big Desert national park areas. Farmlands fill in the gaps, where orchards and vineyards are filled with apples, grapes, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Main crops are grains and vegetables, the fields fronting huge dairy farms or sheep and cattle ranches. Tasmania is offshore from Victoria. The name "Tasmania" is one of the world's most intriguing, and it rightfully sounds such as one of the most fascinating places on earth. And, yes, it's a heck of a journey to reach this offshore Australian state - but once you're here, if you're adventurous, you won't want to leave. Indeed, the island state of Tasmania is ripe for adventure. A heart-shaped, mountainous landmass 298 km (185 mi) southeast of the main Australian continent, it's covered with forests, threaded with rivers, and edged by wild, rugged beaches and bays. Its wilderness comprises an international Heritage Site of its own, filled with some of the world's oldest and most unusual plants, animals that are found nowhere else on earth, rock formations that span every geological era, and among the longest underground tunnels ever found. The capital of Hobart, where almost half the island's residents live, is tucked into the southeastern edge, and the sleepy northern ferry town of Devonport brings in visitors from the mainland. No one ventures far, though, which leaves the majority of the island open to exploring and free of crowds, even at the loveliest of national wonders such as Tasman National Park in the southeast, Freycinet National Park in the east, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park in the west.

The semiautobiographical Martin Eden is the most vital and original character Jack London ever created. Set in San Francisco, this is the story of Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman who pursues, obsessively and aggressively, dreams of education and literary fame. London, dissatisfied with the rewards of his own success, intended Martin Eden as an attack on individualism and a criticism of ambition; however, much of its status as a classic has been conferred by admirers of its ambitious protagonist. Andrew Sinclair's wide-ranging introduction discusses the conflict between London's support of socialism and his powerful self-will. Sinclair also explores the parallels and divergences between the life of Martin Eden and that of his creator, focusing on London's mental depressions and how they affected his depiction of Eden.