The Secret History of Magic: The True Story of the Deceptive Art


Peter Lamont - 2018
    You discover how magicians were tortured and killed during the age of witchcraft. You are told how conjuring tricks were used to quell rebellious colonial natives. The history of magic is full of such stories, which turn out not to be true. Behind the smoke and mirrors, however, lies the real story of magic.It is a history of people from humble roots, who made and lost fortunes, and who deceived kings and queens. In order to survive, they concealed many secrets, yet they revealed some and they stole others. They engaged in deception, exposure, and betrayal, in a quest to make the impossible happen. They managed to survive in a world in which a series of technological wonders appeared, which previous generations would have considered magical. Even today, when we now take the most sophisticated technology for granted, we can still be astonished by tricks that were performed hundreds of years ago.The Secret History of Magic reveals how this was done. It is about why magic matters in a world that no longer seems to have a place for it, but which desperately needs a sense of wonder.

Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design


Scott Rogers - 2010
    Written by leading video game expert Scott Rogers, who has designed the hits Pac Man World, Maxim vs. Army of Zin, and SpongeBob Squarepants, this book is full of Rogers's wit and imaginative style that demonstrates everything you need to know about designing great video games.Features an approachable writing style that considers game designers from all levels of expertise and experience Covers the entire video game creation process, including developing marketable ideas, understanding what gamers want, working with player actions, and more Offers techniques for creating non-human characters and using the camera as a character Shares helpful insight on the business of design and how to create design documents So, put your game face on and start creating memorable, creative, and unique video games with this book!

Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games


Jon Peterson - 2012
    From a vast survey of primary sources ranging from eighteenth-century strategists to modern hobbyists, Playing at the World distills the story of how gamers first decided fictional battles with boards and dice, and how they moved from simulating wars to simulating people. The invention of role-playing games serves as a touchstone for exploring the ways that the literary concept of character, the lure of fantastic adventure and the principles of gaming combined into the signature cultural innovation of the late twentieth century.

Microscope


Ben Robbins - 2011
    Want to explore an epic history of your own creation, hundreds or thousands of years long, all in an afternoon? That's Microscope.You won't play the game in chronological order. You can defy the limits of time and space, jumping backward or forward to explore the parts of the history that interest you. Want to leap a thousand years into the future and see how an institution shaped society? Want to jump back to the childhood of the king you just saw assassinated and find out what made him such a hated ruler? That’s normal in Microscope.You have vast power to create... and to destroy. Build beautiful, tranquil jewels of civilization and then consume them with nuclear fire. Zoom out to watch the majestic tide of history wash across empires, then zoom in and explore the lives of the people who endured it.Mock chronological order.Defy time and space.Build worlds and destroy them.A role-playing game for two to four players. No GM. No prep."Microscope is incredible! A truly brilliant design. Also, the book is extremely well done. Highly recommended."-John Harper, designer of Agon & Danger Patrol"Ben Robbins' Microscope may be the clearest-written game text I've ever read - which is helpful, because it is also one of the most innovative games I've come across in a long time. Microscope engagingly challenges assumptions and upends long-held conventions of play while delivering a singular and satisfying evening of gaming. And "fractal role playing" is no joke - the minute you finish, you'll want to dive back in and explore some interesting sliver of the vast history you just built."-Jason Morningstar, designer of Fiasco"It's been a long time that a game captures my attention like Microscope. Bypass the hype, it's a truly remarkable well-instruction'd game"-Andy Kitkowski, founder of story-games.com

Generation Xbox: How Videogames Invaded Hollywood


Jamie Russell - 2012
    Movies defined the 20th century but games are now pushing them aside as the medium that captures our time, fascination and money. Generation Xbox digs into the love-hate relationship between games and cinema that has led us to this point. It's a story of disaster, triumph and Angelia Jolie in hot pants. Learn how Steven Spielberg's game-making dreams fell apart and why Silicon Valley pioneers wooed Stanley Kubrick. Discover the story behind the failed Halo movie, how videogame tech paved the way for Avatar, and what companies like Ubisoft and Valve are doing to take gaming to the next level. Based on more than 100 interviews with leading figures from videogames and Hollywood, Generation Xbox is the definitive history of an epic power struggle that has reshaped the entertainment landscape. Are you ready to play?

Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies


Andrew DeGraff - 2017
    Follow Marty McFly through the Hill Valley of 1985, 1955, and 1985 once again as he races Back to the Future. Trail Jack Torrance as he navigates the corridors of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. And join Indiana Jones on a globe-spanning journey from Nepal to Cairo to London on his quest for the famed Lost Ark. Each map is presented in an 11-by-14-inch format, with key details enlarged for closer inspection, and is accompanied by illuminating essays by film critic A. D. Jameson, who speaks to the unique geographies of each film. This beautifully designed atlas is an essential reference for anyone who loves great art and great films.

Dry Spice Mixes: Top 50 Most Delicious Spice Mix Recipes [A Seasoning Cookbook] (Recipe Top 50's Book 104)


Julie Hatfield - 2015
    They can transform an ordinary tasting dish into an incredibly delicious dish. All spices originate from plants. Some are used entirely but some plants have specific parts that are used, like the flowers, roots, barks, leaves, stems and seeds. Making spice mixes at home is a lot cheaper than buying them in the store, especially when you buy large quantities of them. Just buy a big bag or container of each individual spice and start mixing them at home. Store them in jars and you won’t have to buy any spices for years to come. And with the variety of these spice mixes you’ll be able to use them for anything and make everything so much more delicious!Some spices like garlic and cinnamon don’t only improve the taste of the dishes but also help in preserving due to their ability to limit bacterial growth. Lots of spices, like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cloves and many more are also very healthy, they contain antioxidants and various other nutrients depending on the spice and herb. They can possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. All the recipes in this book are dry spice mixes only and have been categorized according to the region where these spice mixes originated. You’ll find spice blends from all over the world, including spice mixes for desserts. So go stock up on some spices and get ready to taste an amazing array of new flavors in your home cooking.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Tags: spice mix recipes, spice mix cookbook, spice mix recipe book, spice mix book, seasoning recipes, seasoning cookbook, seasoning recipe book, seasoning book, seasonings and spices cookbook, seasoning mix recipes, spice mixes seasoning cookbook, spices cookbook, spices recipes, spice recipes, spice cookbook, herbs and spices for healing, spice mixes recipes, mixing spices, mixing herbs, spice blends, blending spices, italian spices, mexican spices, african spices, indian spices, european spices, dutch spices, french spices, spanish spices, asian spices, japanese spices, chinese spices, middle eastern spices, dessert spices, american spices, italian seasoning, mexican seasoning, african seasoning, indian seasoning, european seasoning, dutch seasoning, french seasoning, spanish seasoning, asian seasoning, japanese seasoning, chinese seasoning, middle eastern seasoning, dessert seasoning, american seasoning, spice god, spice bible, masala, dried spices.

On Numbers and Games


John H. Conway - 1976
    Originally written to define the relation between the theories of transfinite numbers and mathematical games, the resulting work is a mathematically sophisticated but eminently enjoyable guide to game theory. By defining numbers as the strengths of positions in certain games, the author arrives at a new class, the surreal numbers, that includes both real numbers and ordinal numbers. These surreal numbers are applied in the author's mathematical analysis of game strategies. The additions to the Second Edition present recent developments in the area of mathematical game theory, with a concentration on surreal numbers and the additive theory of partizan games.

Small Habits Revolution: 10 Steps To Transforming Your Life Through The Power Of Mini Habits!


Damon Zahariades - 2016
    It's not for lack of good intentions. Like you and I, they want to lead more rewarding lives. They have plenty of motivation. They also possess willpower. But neither are enough. Predictably, their new habits fail to take root, and are eventually abandoned and forgotten. Can you relate to this problem? If so, there's a simple solution: starting small . This effective, time-tested method is described in detail in Small Habits Revolution: 10 Steps To Transforming Your Life Through The Power Of Mini Habits! If you have a few minutes a day, you can develop habits that lead to the following: better health greater self-confidence improved productivity stronger relationships a more fulfilling lifestyle Habit Development Made Simple! In Small Habits Revolution, you'll discover: 11 ways that adopting good habits will transform your life How triggers, routines, rewards, and loops actually work The correct way to use rewards to bring about habit change Why neither willpower nor motivation will help you to develop good habits The critical first step toward positive habit change How to choose cues that spur you to take action The correct way to create a reward system ] A simple way to monitor your progress as you adopt new habits How to guarantee that new habits stick 7 simple tactics for overcoming internal resistance How to use accountability to ensure your success The secret behind habit stacking (and why it's such a powerful technique!) 17 online resources for scheduling your new habits 23 example habits that can change your life (all of them are simple)! That's just scratching the surface. Click the cover image above to view the entire table of contents. Small Habits Revolution: 10 Steps To Transforming Your Life Through The Power Of Mini Habits! is the only book you'll ever need to develop new habits that stick. If you're frustrated by failed attempts to adopt new habits, there's good news. The solution is within your grasp. This fast-moving guide provides actionable advice via a simple system that will help you to make positive, lasting changes in your life. Grab your copy of Small Habits Revolution today to finally create the healthy, productive, and rewarding lifestyle you desire! Scroll to the top of the page and click the "BUY NOW" button!

747: Creating the World's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation


Joe Sutter - 2006
    It was a thrilling era of open cockpits, silk scarves, leather helmets, and goggles. After serving in World War II, Sutter joined Boeing, then a small company, eager to build airplanes.In July 1965, he was asked to lead the large Boeing team designing the new 747. Pan Am wanted a new airliner as quickly as possible. This all-new transport had to be far bigger than anything in service or even on anybody's drawing board. To make it fly, Sutter and his team would have to push far beyond the technological boundaries of the late 1960s. Could it be done?Almost everything about the 747 would be unprecedented. Its cabin would be so wide that it would need two aisles. Its horizontal tail would be bigger than the wings of most airliners ever built. Jet engines big enough to lift it off the ground didn't yet exist. Runways at the world's airports couldn't handle it, and neither could Boeing's factories. They had to erect the world's largest building just to produce it. A truly mammoth undertaking, the 747 became one of the most successful airplane models ever.Sutter's vivid narrative takes us back to a time when American technology was cutting-edge -- the 747 came on the market the same year that men first set foot on the moon -- and jet travel was still glamorous and new. With wit and warmth, he gives an insider's sense of the larger-than-life-size personalities -- and the tensions -- in the aeronautical world. Ultimately, 747 is an inspiring story of grit and glory.

Sway


Matthew John Bocchi - 2020
    It was the end. When it came to my dad though, no amount of rational thought could outweigh my feelings. I watched the footage over and over again, trying to validate my hopes and dreams, believing there was a minute possibility he made it out of the building alive.”After his father died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find out exactly how he died. He researched video tapes, pictures, blogs, anything that could potentially answer the question looming in his mind: was his father one of the jumpers? In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimately delves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’s death. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resulted in a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. As Matt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in search of the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.  Now at twenty-eight years old and sober, he recounts his unique story—one full of heartbreak and despair, grief and uncertainty, but most importantly, happiness and hope. The lesson he teaches us is clear but intricate: No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again. No matter how far you stray, you can always find your way home. And no matter how wide you sway, you can always pick up the pieces and stand tall.

The Comfortable Kitchen: 105 Laid-Back, Healthy, and Wholesome Recipes


Alex Snodgrass - 2021
    Her eagerly awaited new book will make that goal a reality.What does comfort mean in The Comfortable Kitchen? These are recipes you’ll feel comfortable making and comfortable feeding your family—and although these meals may fit the bill when it comes to “comfort food,” Alex’s eager audience expects a healthy angle from her cooking. Though many of her meals are fully Whole30, or at the very least Whole30-ish, they are recipes with simple ingredient swaps for a cleaner meal everyone will love and perfect for people who are on the “food freedom” stage of their Whole30 health journey as well. She provides food for every occasion, from one-pot meals to not-so-junky junk food, even including cocktails and desserts, with recipes including:Cajun Chicken and Wild Rice SoupGreen Curry Poached Halibut with HerbsSpicy Chicken Dan Dan NoodlesTexas Style Brisket TacosSheet Pan Honey-Sesame CauliflowerClayton’s Margarita7-Ingredient Almond Butter Cookies With 105 approachable and nutritious recipes for real, busy life, The Comfortable Kitchen is a must-have cookbook for everyone who cares about what they eat and what they make.

Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings: The rise and fall of Sierra On-Line


Ken Williams - 2020
    The author, Ken Williams, founded Sierra On-Line Sierra with his wife Roberta who went on to create many of the company's best selling games. Sierra grew from just Ken and Roberta to over one thousand employees and a fan base that still exists today, despite the fact that the company was torn apart by criminal activities, scandal and corruption that resulted in jail sentences and the collapse of Sierra. This is the behind-the-scenes story of the rise and fall, as it could only be told by the ultimate insider.

React: Up and Running


Stoyan Stefanov - 2015
    With "React: Up and Running" you'll learn how to get off the ground with React, with no prior knowledge.This book teaches you how to build components, the building blocks of your apps, as well as how to organize the components into large-scale apps. In addition, you ll learn about unit testing and optimizing performance, while focusing on the application s data (and letting the UI take care of itself)."

Imagine: How Creativity Works


Jonah Lehrer - 2012
    Shattering the myth of muses, higher powers, even creative “types,” Jonah Lehrer demonstrates that creativity is not a single gift possessed by the lucky few. It’s a variety of distinct thought processes that we can all learn to use more effectively.Lehrer reveals the importance of embracing the rut, thinking like a child, daydreaming productively, and adopting an outsider’s perspective (travel helps). He unveils the optimal mix of old and new partners in any creative collaboration, and explains why criticism is essential to the process. Then he zooms out to show how we can make our neighborhoods more vibrant, our companies more productive, and our schools more effective.You’ll learn about Bob Dylan’s writing habits and the drug addictions of poets. You’ll meet a Manhattan bartender who thinks like a chemist, and an autistic surfer who invented an entirely new surfing move. You’ll see why Elizabethan England experienced a creative explosion, and how Pixar’s office space is designed to spark the next big leap in animation.Collapsing the layers separating the neuron from the finished symphony, Imagine reveals the deep inventiveness of the human mind, and its essential role in our increasingly complex world. http://www.jonahlehrer.com/