Literary Miscellany is a breezy tour through the literature of today and yesterday, touching on many great classical literary works, movements, and trends. But don't fear that it's only for intellectuals—there's plenty here for the contemporary pleasure reader as well. Alex Palmer offers something for everyone, including answers to the following questions: What's the original bestseller? What authors introduced insults as a literary art form? Who burned the first book? Are writers more likely to be depressed than booksellers? How does a book become a movie? When did sex become part of literature? Most people don't know that the Bible gets credit for plenty of lines that were written by William Shakespeare or John Milton. In Literary Miscellany, learn how this happened. Also examine the more recent concept of "false memoirs," with a list of who lied about what. And speaking of villains, was the devil the first bad guy in print? Did his appearance lead to the inevitable... Views: 17
The discovery of a dead man in Ruby Jane Whittaker's tub leads Skin Kadash on a frantic search through the haunted past of the woman he loves. Views: 17
Award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch brings her remarkable talents to the Star Wars(r) universe, where the New Republic faces sudden and total annihilation....Somewhere in the galaxy, millions suddenly perish--a disruption of the Force so shocking it is felt by Luke at his Jedi academy and by Leia on Coruscant. While Leia must deal with an assassination attempt, a rumored plot against the New Republic, and allegations that Han Solo is involved, Luke seeks out a former Jedi student who may hold the key to the mass destruction. But Brakiss is only the bait in a deadly trap set by a master of the dark side who is determined to rule as emperor. He's targeted Luke, Leia, and Leia's Jedi children to die. Then billions will follow, in a holocaust unequaled in galactic history.Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular... Views: 17
Product DescriptionWho are they really? Gluckstein? Schlesswig? Coburg? Battenberg? Holstein? Pils? Maybe not Holstein Pils, but definitely Holstein, Schloss, Saxe, Coburg, Gotha... Windsors? Is it any wonder they are confused, and without doubt, dysfunctional! This is Britain’s first family and yep, they are not even British. But let’s not hold that against them, it may even be a plus! Many truly great people are not even British, but who cares about them? These people know how to throw a party, put on a wedding and without doubt, they have the BEST funerals. Please, Hollywood, do you know how to draw an audience of half the world’s population to one of your lame movies? Best box office weekend, six million?? Give me a break, Diana’s funeral drew a viewing audience of 320 million and the BBC weren’t even allowed to film La Familia Windsoreo, in the church. All you got was Elton John and a wooden box, and let’s face it, it was the greatest television EVER. Four hours and four boxes of tissues later. It was dramatic and powerful and several hours later we got to see the star turn. No, not Elton. We had already seen him, but Her Majesty. The Queen did make her appearance later in the proceedings. This was a very big deal, because she walked out of Buckingham Palace as the coffin passed and she made a historical neck bow as it passed. This was a big deal because no Queen, especially not this Queen, had ever done such a thing. Not ever before in the history of Queens. It’s always amazing to me that millions of people will turn out from all over the world to see a woman who doesn’t sing, dance or tell jokes, and usually doesn’t even smile; but merely waves a gloved hand under a wide brimmed hat. There is no-one else alive today who can command that type of universal acclaim or interest. No politician, rock star or actor. It is a phenomenon. In the book ‘Royally Screwed!’, we examine the thousand year institution to which this particular Queen belongs. An institution which was as ruthless as it was determined. We look at the feuding Feudal system which began in England between five very powerful families and how eventually through wars and a great deal of family murders and inbreeding, one family emerged superior and held the power over the entire country. Move along several centuries; a civil war. Two Queens are beheaded, another civil war and a King is removed from the throne and beheaded. A decade later, this man’s son is brought back from France and made King, but is no longer allowed any real power, ‘We reign, not rule!’ said George V, although his eldest son, Edward VIII, felt differently and tried to work a deal out with Hitler. After abdicating, he was never allowed home again, forced into exile in the Bahamas and ending his life in France, only returning to plead poverty and beg for money; and then the family sold his wife’s jewellery after she died, and raised £63 million, you couldn’t make this stuff up. The world turns, war comes. Political movements thrive and then whither and yet, through it all, they survive. But does an Institution which is more longstanding than the King James Bible and Shakespeare but not quite as permanent as the Pyramids, collapse under a box of Tampax? The truth is, it very well might. The Royals have got away with stupidity and misbehaviour in the past, but in today’s need to know internet, 24-hour news society, the spotlight is forever shinning in their direction. Former Kings may have gotten away with murder, pedophilia and mistresses, but in an extremely cash strapped society, the British public better approve of what they are paying for. He who pays the piper calls the tune, so unless you are a shining example of honesty, integrity and morality that I can hold upto my children with pride, then why are you here? Enjoy ‘Royally Screwed’, it’s my gift to the Monarchy, to the British public and the rest of the commonwealth. A gift nobody needs or wants, but as I’m no Indian giver, I don’t want it back. Views: 17
Born to a middle-class Viennese family and of partly Jewish descent, after marriage to (and divorce from) a German prince, Stephanie von Hohenlohe became a close confidante of Hitler, Goring, Himmler (who declared her an 'honorary Aryan') and von Ribbentrop. After arriving in London in 1932, she moved in the most exclusive circles, arranging the visits of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Lord Halifax to Germany in 1937. Most notoriously, she was paid a retainer of £5,000 per year by Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, who was an open supporter of the Nazi regime. In 1939 she fled to the USA; a memo to President Roosevelt described her as a spy 'more dangerous than ten thousand men'. In this new biography, Jim Wilson uses recently declassified MI5 files and FBI memos to examine what motivated both Stephanie and Rothermere, shedding light on the murky goings-on behind the scenes in Britain, Germany and the USA before and during the Second World War. Views: 17
Christmas Stalking... J.D. Frost's kids fell in love with the lady in the ice-cream parlor. When he laid eyes on their new playmate, J.D., too, felt a sudden craving for sweets - a craving only Jackie Neeley could satisfy. But then the woman started acting as nutty as a Christmas fruitcake. Jackie jumped at the slightest sound. Hid her luscious curves beneath baggy clothing. Told tales of stalking strangers, dead bodies and disappearing elves. J.D. had two options, both deadly. Walk away from this woman with her shaky grasp on reality. Or trust her - and protect her from an all-too-real threat... Views: 17
SUMMARY: P. G. Wodehouse meets space opera, as Ensign Thomas Innes Loche Kinago, fresh from the Academy is given his first command. A crumb from the upper crust, hers"s eager to uphold the traditions of his family, and in particular, his mother, a distinguished Admiral of the Imperium. Of course, hers"s aware of the importance of always having simply smashing tailored uniforms on hand, and having his camera ready to record memorable moments for his scrapbook. In the meantime, a charismatic leader has arisen who seems able to control the minds of anyone he meets, and may be on his way to taking over the entire galaxy. Can Kinagors"s aristocratic bearing and unbridled snobbery stand up to such a challenge? Fortunately, his constant companion, the unflappable Jeeves, er, Parsons, is on hand to look after the young, impulsive master, and somehow help his charge bumble his way through, perhaps even saving the galaxy in the process. Praise for Jody Lynn Nyers"sAn Unexpected Apprentice:"I thoroughly enjoyed it, the plot, the settlement, the whole nine yards, and especially the twitch of humor at odd moments...a book I can thoroughly recommend." - Anne McCaffrey "An unusual story well-told, with characters it's a real pleasure to spend time with." - David Drake Views: 17
Review*"A rip roaring ride on the roller coaster of luck ... smart, wacky, criminally entertaining - a winner!" Larry King Live CNN*Product DescriptionAgainst the backdrop of a cold Minnesota winter, lottery players hold their collective breath at the thought of winning big on Christmas Day. The jackpot has run up to a red-hot $750 million, the world's richest prize. A bungled convenience store heist triggers a happenstance theft of winning lottery tickets and trips up an insider's scheme to rig the results.Agent Kirchner, an old-school cop reluctantly teams up with a young tech-savvy analyst on an investigation that propels them into the world of numerical probability, conspiratorial politics, international ticket scalpers, counterfeiters, disgruntled players, and illegal immigrants looking to grab the brass ring. Caught in the crosscurrents of those in deadly pursuit of the winning ticket, the investigators are buffeted by unsolved murders, a bomb blast-and the curious giveaway of winning lottery tickets: acts of charity or criminal subterfuge?The whereabouts and redemption of the $750 million jackpot lottery ticket remains a mystery throughout, stirring anger and resentment among the lottery-playing public. The winning ticket, finally, surfaces but before the prize can be claimed a Faustian bargain puts Kirchner's job on the line. Views: 17
