This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. Views: 736
In the 1970s Baya and other children in the Rajasthan desert region worked as sweepers at houses, where they were treated as untouchables. Although outsiders kept away from them, they enjoyed each others company, being good friends. Feudal attitudes influenced the life of all the sweeper families. The book also deals with death rites, Ganga water rites, Chandals and the meaning of outcasting.In the 1970s Baya and other children in the Rajasthan region, India, worked as sweepers at houses, where they were treated as untouchables. Although outsiders kept away from them, they enjoyed each others company, being good friends. Ageold prejudice and feudal attitudes influenced the life of their families, as they belonged to a caste with sweeping and cleaning toilets as the traditional profession. Exploited and oppressed they had learnt the art of handling other villagers by meekness. They were a small minority with few possibilities to retaliate. The lived among themselves and carried out their social functions outside the view and knowledge of high caste neighbours. In this book Tan Dan shows how he followed their life from his childhood in the 1940s up to the 1980s. Their visits as pilgrims to Hardvar, their role in village politics, their skill in making strong baskets and the daily rounds for removing shit from other people's toilets. Ageold prejudice about the bottom ranked castes of Bhangi and Chandal are disclosed and discussed in this book. Prejudice which occur among high caste Hindus and in ancient Sanskrit hymns. Tan Dan describes death rites, death meals and Ganges water rites. The meaning of outcasting and being casteless. The book is above all an attempt to present individuals personally known to Tan Dan and to show them as the human beings they all are, like we are, and all others who belong to the all including jati Homo sapiens. The only jati, caste or species that will remain, when all manmade social barriers have faded away. Views: 736
Gemma thought she had said her good-byes and had felt every possible emotion she could before her soul was detached again. Deep down inside, she hoped she’d never wake up from it because, in her eyes, life without emotion and memories isn’t worth living. But she does wake up and discovers she can still feel and remember everything she experienced over the last few months. Alex is also telling her that everything’s okay, that he didn’t betray her, and that what she thought happened really didn’t. Gemma isn’t sure if she can trust Alex, so she tries to keep her distance from him, even though the electric connection and her desire make it nearly impossible. The only person she can trust is Laylen, but even that becomes complicated when the lines of their friendship begin to blur. While Gemma struggles with her emotions and relationships, she searches for her mother, entering a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and evil. The further she digs into her mother’s secrets and past, the more she wonders what waits for her at the end of her search and if maybe some things are better left in the dark. Views: 736
An unedifying episode from the unorthodox life of Captain Hesperus, star trader. Money is tight, the engines are failing, and there's soup on the ceiling ...A novella set in the universe of the classic computer game "Elite", and its fan-made remake "Oolite".An unedifying episode from the unorthodox life of Captain Hesperus, star trader. Money is tight, the engines are failing, and there's soup on the ceiling ... still, there's nothing that can't be fixed with one sweet deal. A cargo of machinery destined for a low-tech Anarchy system: what could possibly go wrong?A novella set in the universe of the classic computer game "Elite", and its fan-made remake "Oolite". Views: 735
Trigger Man poses the question: Are world-changing figures merely happenstance or puppets of a greater, entirely mysterious, plan? Jesse Avery finds himself unwittingly sunk in this dilemma after coming into the employ of the diabolical Aldo Sautin. But when he's contracted to kill a young girl he has to dig far back in his memory and brutal history to decide which side of the line he will walk..Trigger Man is the story of a thief on the cusp of the Apocalypse. After a disastrous childhood he falls in with a gang of juvenile delinquents and learns a mysterious curse of visions he's had since birth may have fostered a great talent.He comes to the notice and subsequent employ of the evil Aldo Sautin, a once small-time hood himself now reaping the benefits of his ruthlessness. Under this man's tutelage Jesse is soon trapped in a much deeper pervading evil than he ever knew existed. Because Sautin wants him to kill a child. A flurry of recurring and disturbing visions convince Jesse that he is a 'trigger man,' one of a great number of people who unknowingly steer the course of human history. Not the famous, but the necessary. Men like Nicodemus who prepared Christ's body for interment, women like Eva Braun who comforted Hitler during the hellish siege by the Russians on Berlin. And all of these, Jesse finds, are destined for an ultimate Moment of Decision, a time when the 'trigger' must be pulled. Views: 735
Monsters are abundant in Arlynd. Hunters defend their hometowns against them so that everyone else may go about their lives. But something has the beasts riled up. Gimey, a longtime hunter and resident of Quarry Town sees this and when a pair of mysterious visitors come to town he is thrust into a journey that takes him far from home in search of the true threat to Quarry and all of Arlynd.Monsters are everywhere in Arlynd. They steal crops and livestock from farmers, and occasionally attack people. They’re a nuisance in every town and village. It’s always been this way. Hunters defend their hometowns against monsters so that everyone else may go about their lives. Over the generations people have learned to cope with monsters. But something is changing that. The monsters are growing in number. They are attacking more ferociously and strategically. If things continue this way, monsters threaten to overrun all of Arlynd.But what is behind this change in behavior? Grimey, a longtime hunter from the small town of Quarry, wants to figure this out. When a pair or mysterious visitors come to Quarry, Grimey finds himself thrust into a journey that takes him far from home to discover the true threat to Quarry and all of Arlynd. Views: 735
When Helen Marshall’s mother is hurt and can’t work and her favorite cousin ships off to fight in World War II, Helen takes a job at a war factory to support her family. When she steps up to help a mysterious German immigrant, she realizes the true sacrifices of war.Based on a true story . . . Until World War II came along, fourteen-year-old Helen Marshall's biggest problem had been her height. Few men in Hayden's Valley, Illinois are as tall as Helen. But when Helen's mother is hurt and can't work and her favorite cousin ships off to fight, Helen must find a way to support both her family and her country. Along with her best friend, Janie, she takes a summer job at a war factory and discovers that not everyone welcomes her enthusiasm.Determined to prove she can handle her new responsibilities, Helen must confront a lazy boss, two older women who try to slow down her work, and townspeople who gang up on one of their own. But when she answers the eerie cries of her mysterious German neighbor, Mrs. Osthoff, Helen learns the true sacrifice of war. And when she keeps a secret for a friend, she realizes that grown-up decisions sometimes have life-or-death consequences.Readers, don't miss the last few pages to learn more about the real Helen Marshall. Views: 735
Aiden and Marlaina Wilson had no idea how the first zombie was born in the Amish city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It had happened in a matter of hours. They went from clean cut kids to their hands dripping with blood. They smashed the zombie's heads using clubs and baseball bats as they ran wildly through their city's streets, seeking refuge from the blood splatter and those dead hungry faces.Aiden and Marlaina Wilson had no idea how the first zombie was born in the Amish city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It had happened in a matter of hours. Thousands of their school friends were killed. Their blood flew against the walls. They became the walking dead. They stumbled about tearing out throats. They tossed their friends' intestines against the walls. Then, they stuffed their mouths with their innards. As they did so, they attacked Aiden and Marlaina again and again. Could their lives and love survive the terrifying seconds that barely separated the living from the stumbling zombie dead in this new nightmare world? Their hands dripping with blood, they bashed in zombie heads using clubs and baseball bats as they ran wildly through their city's streets, seeking refuge from the approaching blood splatter. Hiding in the woods, searching desperately for safer places, they fought their way through the emerging hordes of blood hungry zombies. Views: 734
The centerpiece of BORROWED TIME is “Betty Knox and Dictionary Jones in the Mystery of the Missing Teenage Anachronisms.” When you’ve traveled through time and are stuck in the body of your 15-year-old self, it isn’t the best time to have some other time travelers looking to kill you. Especially when the person who’s supposed to be keeping an eye out for the bad guys is stuck in his own 15-year-old body. And it’s 1964: when you’re both 15 and your parents don’t want you spending time alone, how are you going to save your lives? SFRevu called this story “one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had in a long time.”
In four interlinked short stories, Temporal Interventionists Tom and Pam meet cute, then work together to solve some of history’s greatest mysteries. Discover the real origin of the Spanish Flu. Learn why a massive and mysterious explosion in 1908 happened to occur in the world’s least-inhabited region. Consider the possibility that the development of ironclad warships by both the South and the North at the exact same time during the American Civil War might have been more than coincidence. And why don’t we know exactly who fired the Shot Heard Round the World, the lone gunshot that started the American Revolution?
In “Joan,” Kate is a time-traveling researcher who’s gotten a little too close to Joan of Arc both in time and emotionally. With no distance, scientific or otherwise, what will happen when she has a chance to rescue Joan from being burnt at the stake?
Our journey through time concludes with “Crow’s Feat,” when a skeptical writer goes back to Elizabethan England to discover the true author of Shakespeare’s plays.
BORROWED TIME is the second in a series of short story collections from Jack Campbell. Views: 734
At the Crossroads – short descriptionYellow, round eyes, is the thirth story in a series At the Crossroads. Events presented here are not necessarily true, but almost possible. Everything depends on the imagination of the reader. Those, who do not believe in anything, will not like this book and it is directed not to them.But someone who has awakened imagination, can understand what goes on hereAt the Crossroads – short descriptionYellow, round eyes, is the thirth story in a series At the Crossroads. Events presented here are not necessarily true, but almost possible. Everything depends on the imagination of the reader. Those, who do not believe in anything, will not like this book and it is directed not to them.But someone who has at least partially awakened imagination, can understand what is going on without asking questions. Such readers I appreciate the most and to them At the Crossroad is dedicated.Stories will appear at least every month until the end of the book, free of charge. I cordially greet all readers.Author Views: 734
Cedric is a Union soldier who is fighting in the Civil War. While stationed at his camp and searching for supplies, he meets a sly sutler who possesses a devious personality.Get ready to fight, Sector 7!It's Battle Month for the thirteen shinobi clans spread across Shaaku Den. A tournament where students represent their skill must prove themselves and their skills in the Ninjutsu Art.The Kitsune Clan enters into the tournament, led by the second-in-command Akira Miyamoto, who grudgingly brings along Sector 7. Not only is Sector 7 one person short of a complete team, but five out of the six members are new students and ranked as fresh meat.Can the members of Sector 7 survive the tournament? Or will the nerves of competition and other shortcomings keep them from victory? Views: 734
Three kingdoms at war. Three stories of hope, sorrow, and sacrifice. Three groups of heroes, whose personal quests lead them to discover that a fourth kingdom, long forgotten, lies dormant. But no more. Unless these heroes, bitter enemies of each other, can put aside their enmity, then Cithria will rise again, and everyone else will fall into the abyss.Part 1 of Rise of CithriaPart one of an epic five-part fantasy adventure! Three kingdoms at war. Three stories of hope, sorrow, and sacrifice. Three groups of heroes, whose personal quests lead them to discover that a fourth kingdom, long forgotten, lies dormant. But no more. Unless these heroes, bitter enemies of each other, can put aside their enmity, then Cithria will rise again, and everyone else will fall into the abyss. An epic fantasy series from Kris Kramer, Alistair McIntyre, and Patrick Underhill, founders of the4threalm. Catch the beginning of an innovative new sword and sorcery adventure with elves, dwarves, dragons, and much, much more. Visit the4threalm for more details! Views: 734
She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence. There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time. Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make. Views: 734
In the cycle of life, Death and Destruction can be a necessary thing, but what happens when one of the key players refuses to play?In a Web-only exclusive, Ms. Sonnier releases a never before seen tale from the point of view of the beings we all fear, but who can be surprisingly just like us.In the cycle of life, Death and Destruction can be a necessary thing, but what happens when one of the key players refuses to play? Views: 734
In this humorous short story, Mr. Quimbly sets out on his first-ever field assignment for the Tax and Revenue Agency to investigate the mysterious Mr. Green on a charge of coin hoarding. He finds both the illegal coin collection and Mr. Green at a dilapidated warehouse down by the docks ... and also discovers that he's bitten off a bit more than he can chew.Levi, an entangled whale, is making a dying journey up the Atlantic coastline. Each day brings the creature closer to a frightening end - strangled beneath fishing nets and lead sinkers. When a science blog highlights the giant’s torment, it is a call to action for one group of teenage boys determined to change the leviathan’s fate.With humor and a thoughtful voice, Jeep Muldoon relates the story of a daring rescue on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It’s a tale of heart, with adventure at every turn. Along the way, Jeep reveals a hidden psychic talent that is essential to the team’s plan.The boys set up their command center ahead of the whale at the Cape Lookout Eco Camp. Each passing day brings a new adventure with a bashful sea monster, a pair of ghostly banker ponies and the unassuming heir to a baseball legend. But, when Levi finally arrives, it’s go time. Following a Moby Dick-like rampage, Jeep and his pals dive right back into danger. Testing the limits of friendship and courage, the boys launch a midnight mission to the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” in WhaleQuest! Views: 733
