Blood Brothers: A Family Saga


M.J. Akbar - 2006
    Akbar's amazing story of three generations of a Muslim family —based on his own—and how they deal with the fluctuating contours of Hindu-Muslim relations. Telinipara, a small jute mill town some 30 miles north of Kolkata along the Hooghly, is a complex Rubik's Cube of migrant Bihari workers, Hindus and Muslims; Bengalis poor and 'bhadralok'; and Sahibs who live in the safe, 'foreign' world of the Victoria Jute Mill. Into this scattered inhabitation enters a child on the verge of starvation, Prayaag, who is saved and adopted by a Muslim family, converts to Islam and takes on the name of Rahmatullah. As Rahmatullah knits Telinipara into a community, friendship, love trust and faith are continually tested by the cancer of riots. Incidents—conversion, circumcision, the arrival of the plague of electricity—and a fascinating array of characters: the ultimate Brahmin, Rahmatullah's friend Girija Maharaj; the worker's leader, Bauna Sardar; the storyteller, Talat Mian; the poet-teacher, Syed Ashfaque; the smiling mendicant, Burha Deewana; the sincere Sahib, Simon Hogg; and then the questioning, demanding third generation of the author and his friend Kamala, interlink into a narrative of social history as well as a powerful memoir. Blood Brothers is a chronicle of its age, its canvas as enchanting as its narrative, a personal journey through change as tensions build, stretching the bonds of a lifetime to breaking point and demanding, in the end, the greatest sacrifice. Its last chapters, written in a bare-bones, unemotional style, are the most moving as the author searches for hope amid raw wounds with a surgeon's scalpel.

Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole


Molly Kochan - 2020
    

Murder for Hire: My Life As the Country's Most Successful Undercover Agent


Jack Ballentine - 2009
    His specialty: posing as an undercover hit man. None of the people who hired him had any inkling that he was actually a cop, and his work led to a perfect rate of twenty-four convictions out of twenty-four indictments on murder conspiracy charges.Murder for Hire is Ballentine's story. He worked with criminals of all sorts, from vengeful spouses and partners to the criminally insane, all who had one thing in common: the desire to have someone killed. Ballentine could change his character at the drop of a hat, often imitating characters and "bad guys" from television and movies. In assuming an alternate identity and developing a reputation among the Phoenix underground---bikers, strippers, junkies, and thugs---he developed an intricate network of sources who fed him work and kept him extremely busy. All the while, the author strove for the semblance of a normal life and balanced his rough-and-tumble career with a new wife and stepson. His story is a unique look at how law enforcement delves into the heart of the criminal world.

Chess: How to Play Chess: For (Absolute) Beginners: The Journey to Your Empire Begins Here


Maxen Tarafa - 2015
     Many Chess books for beginners will overload you with information about openings, tactics, forks, history, notation, and lot of other things beginners don’t need to know and don’t understand. That might work for some people. But in this highly anticipated prequel to the Conquer your Friends series, I’m going to SHOW you how you can play the game of Chess AND WIN in a heinously short amount of time. Hi, my name is Maxen Tarafa, and I’m a Skill Artist. Most teachers struggle to show beginners how to play Chess because they forget what it’s like to start from the beginning. I specialize in working with beginners, post-beginners, and casual players, and now I’ve broken down the specific needs of the (absolute) beginner. You see, I believe Chess belongs to regular people who enjoy playing Chess with their friends or at home, not in the hands of “experts” who use incomprehensible terminology and notation. After working with several beginners, I realized their greatest struggle is not just remembering how the pieces move, but seeing the board beyond where the pieces physically sit. I’m going to show you how to play Chess using step-by-step images with arrows and interactive exercises Who is this book for? Perhaps, you’ve never played Chess but you’ve always wanted to learn and never had the chance. Or maybe, you’ve already learned how to move the pieces, but you need an easy, straight-forward refresher. Or perhaps, it’s time to show your son or younger brother how to play Chess and you want to review the basics, so you can make sure you nail the questions beginners commonly miss. Whether you’re brand new to Chess or you just want to pass the tradition down, this book is for you. In this book, you’ll learn how to: Quickly and confidently move each piece from Pawn to King Set up the board from memory quickly and correctly every…single…time Use my step-by-step method for commanding the puzzling Knight Harness the power of your own mind to visualize the board and gain an edge over your opponent Learn the little-known reason why most beginners lose and how to use it to your advantage Employ a three-question checklist to ensure you don’t lose your pieces for no good reason Blow your opponent’s mind! Predict your opponent’s strategy three moves ahead and stop their plan before they’ve even tried it I’ve taught beginner Chess players from age 5 to age 35 and beyond, anyone can learn and now’s your chance to finally learn the ancient game of Kings and Conquerors! Don’t miss your chance! Join the casual Chess revolution today!

The Opium Wars: A History From Beginning to End


Hourly History - 2018
     Violent confrontation between armed groups over the supply of illegal narcotics is something we commonly associate with criminal gangs in modern cities, but in the mid-nineteenth century Great Britain went to war with Imperial China in order to continue to supply Chinese addicts with opium. The two wars which followed have become known as the Opium Wars, and they led to the utter defeat of China, the establishment of a British colony in Hong Kong, and the continuation of a narcotics trade that was worth millions of pounds each year to the British. The Opium Wars exposed the weaknesses of the Chinese Qing dynasty in terms of its military abilities and internal corruption. They also exposed divisions in Victorian Britain where people were beginning to question the morality of going to war to support an illegal narcotics trade which caused misery and death for millions of Chinese. In the end, the British were able to overcome their reservations and prosecuted these two wars with great success. British casualties were small and the gains enormous—the British opium trade to China would continue for more than fifty years after the end of the Second Opium War. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Joy Plant ✓ Outbreak of the First Opium War ✓ British Superiority and the Devil Ship ✓ The Treaty of Nanking: First of the Unequal Treaties ✓ The Inevitable Second Opium War ✓ The Fall of Beijing And much more! For the Chinese Qing dynasty, the Opium Wars marked the beginning of the end. Imperial China had endured for two thousand years, but within fifty years of the humiliations of the Opium Wars, a revolution overthrew the imperial court and turned China into a republic. Although they are little remembered today, the Opium Wars changed the face not just of China but also of the whole of Asia. This is the story of those wars.

The Weight Loss Club


Devapriya Roy - 2013
    Set in a middle-class housing colony, this is the story of stay-at-home mum Monalisa, who cannot clean the kitchen counter enough times; Meera, who is bullied constantly by her traditional mother-in-law; college-going Abeer, who isnt sure how to impress the glamorous Mandy; academic Aparajita, who has no takers on the marriage mart; philosopher Ananda, whom no one takes seriously; and Treeza, a former school secretary now sunk in gloom. Into their midst arrives Oxford-returned Sandhya: half hippie, half saadhvi, full spiritual guru. Under her aegis is formed The Weight Loss Club, throwing the lives of our heroes and heroines into utter and delightful disarray. But while chemistry brews and equations change, one question remains: who is Brahmacharini Sandhya, and why on earth has she moved into Nancy Housing Cooperative?

The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology


Lisa J. McIntyre - 1998
    This title enables students to grasp key sociological concepts and learn the useful lesson that there is much that goes on in the social world that escapes the sociologically untrained eye.

The Ultimate Hang: Hammock Camping Illustrated


Derek Hansen - 2017
     What's new: Completely re-written with all-new sections on hammock FAQs and basics for new hangers and an expanded advanced section for veterans, plus a DIY section to get you started making your own hammock gear. The Ultimate Hang 2 covers everything from suspension systems, hammock stands, staying dry, warm, and bug free, along with setting up hammocks indoors. Hammocks are one of the most comfortable ways to enjoy the indoors, and make great companions for a long-distance thru-hike, relaxing at a park, a weekend backpacking trip, or an overnight in the woods! Get off the ground and begin enjoying the outdoors. Updated with hundreds of illustrations, The Ultimate Hang helps you discover the freedom, comfort, and convenience of hammock camping. Learn how to set up and use a hammock to stay dry, warm, and bug free in a Leave No Trace-friendly way. All the best tips and techniques on hammock camping in one place. Stop searching and start relaxing.

Hridayastha


Alka Mandke - 2004
    Nitu Mandke - his ideology, philosophy and the story of his inspiring life. My most heartfelt wish is that this site helps you in some way; whether it is direction, guidance, inspiration or just admiration.

A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one.


Shani Silver - 2021
    She's an advocate for single women feeling good while single—and there's a difference.A Single Revolution is one book for single women that won't approach you like you're unfinished. It's for those who are exhausted, frustrated, confused, or angry—who want relationships but don't deserve to be miserable in the meantime.A grueling dating grind isn't a prerequisite for partnership. You can be happily single and still meet someone—that's allowed. It's possible to value your single time so much that you refuse to give it up for anything less than the amazing relationships you deserve. It's also possible to stop searching for them so relentlessly that you ignore every other aspect of your valid, beautiful life. This isn't a book about dating. It's a book about living.You can choose how you feel about being single. You can choose to feel wrong, or you can choose to feel free.A Single Revolution isn't about changing yourself—it's about changing your mind.

DSLR Photography for Beginners: Best Way to Learn Digital Photography, Master Your DSLR Camera & Improve Your Digital SLR Photography Skills


Brian Black - 2013
    From enthusiasts to those who have just been introduced to the beautiful world of photography, knowing the craft and equipment is essential. This little comprehensive guide for beginners will take you on an amazing journey of discovering how wonderful Digital Photography is and how mesmerizing the art can be. From the advantages of SLR and the importance of shutter speed, to the types of lenses and the significance of good lighting, you will soon be on your journey to capturing the most stunning pictures and a kaleidoscope of dazzling sights to be eternalized. Technology is ever changing and now with Digital Photography, the world can be seen in vivid colors through your art. Begin your journey right here, right now.

Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great Shift of Wealth and Power to the East


Clyde V. Prestowitz Jr. - 2005
    Powerful trends are converging to rapidly shift wealth and power to Asia-and, as acclaimed international trade expert Clyde Prestowitz shows, geopolitical clout will follow economic strength. Now we have to cope with the fallout. How will we deal with a world in which the dollar is no longer the dominant currency, the United States is no longer the dominant power, and people in Slovenia, Singapore, and Seattle are all competing for the same work on the same terms? Three Billion New Capitalists is a clear-eyed and profoundly unsettling look at America's and the world's economic future.

The Sanest Guy in the Room: A Life in Lyrics


Don Black - 2020
    . . a compelling memoir. Breezy and unpretentious, The Sanest Guy in the Room is a delightful collection of memories, insider information and after-dinner anecdotes' The Times'Brilliant stories and wonderful behind-the-scenes glimpses of a life and career in show-business . . . It's bloody brilliant . . . Read it!' Michael BallDon Black is the songwriter's songwriter, a composer's dream collaborator, and the man behind some of the twentieth century's greatest musical numbers.Black made his first foray into the glittering world of showbiz as a stand-up, before realising his error and focusing on his lifelong passion instead - music. Shirley Bassey, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini and Barbra Streisand are just some of the artists Black has worked with over the years - not to mention his frequent collaborator, West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber - in what can only be described as a remarkable musical career. Yet, never one to court fame, Black has always remained what Mark Steyn coined as 'the sanest guy in the room'.Interwoven with the stories behind songs such as 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'Born Free' are vignettes of Black's life with his beloved wife Shirley, who died in March 2018, after almost sixty years of marriage. Black writes movingly about how the enormity of his grief changed his life, and how the dark days are slowly turning into dark moments.The Sanest Guy in the Room is a rich and delightful paean to a life lived through song. It reveals the essence of Black's craft, looks at those who have inspired him and allows us to understand what made those icons tick. It is also a poignant tribute to Shirley, his biggest inspiration. Told with wit, warmth and great humour, this is Don Black's astonishing musical journey and an insight into a life behind the lyrics.

Shoot, Dive, Fly: Stories of Grit and Adventure from The Indian Army


Rachna Bisht Rawat - 2017
    Ballroom dancing, flying fighter planes, detonating bombs, skinning and eating snakes in times of dire need, and everything else in between—there’s nothing our officers can’t do!Read twenty-one nail-biting stories of daring. Hear from some amazing men and women about what the forces have taught them—and decide if the olivegreen uniform is what you want to wear too.

12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD


Russell A. Barkley - 2020
    Barkley has become a leading authority on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids and teens. He has learned what a huge difference parents can make in supporting their children's success--as well as how overwhelming it can be. This concise guide presents 12 key parenting principles for dealing with common behavioral, emotional, and school challenges. By cultivating a mindset of acceptance and compassion--together with an understanding of the executive function deficits of ADHD--you can strengthen your loving connection with your child and help your whole family thrive. Filled with practical suggestions and quick-reference lists and tips, this is the perfect book to read cover to cover or pick up any time you need extra support.