Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was the gods’ bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic catfish that carried the world on its back—earthquakes occurred each time it flipped its tail. These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality—science.Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education’s most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world—and the universe beyond—that will entertain and inform for years to come.

    As people made in the image of God, we are entrusted to look after what he has created: to share in God’s joy and ingenuity in making a difference for good. Ruth Valerio imaginatively draws on the Days of Creation (Genesis 1) as she relates themes of light, water, land, the seasons, other creatures, humankind, Sabbath rest and resurrection hope to matters of environmental, ethical and social concern.Foundational to Saying Yes to Life is what it means to be human and, in particular, to be a follower of Jesus. Voices from around the world are heard throughout, and each chapter ends with discussion questions and a prayer to aid action and contemplation. e

    At least half of the images in the book are exclusively published here for the first time; most other images in the book are rare to the public eye.Alongside these remarkable images are fifty engaging, poignant and often funny written vignettes by Parke, which reveal the very human man behind the reclusive superstar: from shooting hoops to renting out movie theatres at 4am; from midnight requests for camels to meaningful conversations that shed light on Prince as a man and artist.STEVE PARKE started working with Prince in 1988, after a mutual friend showed Prince some of Steve's photorealistic paintings. He designed everything from album covers and merchandise to sets for Prince's tours and videos. Somewhere in all of this, he became Paisley Park's official art director. He began photographing Prince at the request of the star himself, and continued to do so for the next several years. The images in this book are the arresting result of this collaboration.Biographical Notes STEVE PARKE is photo editor for Faerie Magazine. He worked as art director for Prince at Paisley Park for fourteen years. As a photographer, his clients have included Prince, David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Sheila E., AC/DC and more. He lives in Baltimore, USA.

    Meet the man who single-handedly changed the face of modern music. In this book you will find the story of Hendrix’s life in full detail—from his childhood to his stint in the U.S. military to his time as an international superstar. We will discuss the man, the myth, and the legend, Jimi Hendrix. Inside you will read about... ✓ Extraterrestrial Encounter ✓ Running from Welfare Workers ✓ Jimi Joins the Army ✓ The Jimi Hendrix Experience ✓ Hendrix at Woodstock And much more!

    Through a combination of mis-communication and intentional alteration, however, most of what is taught as Kriya Yoga today is far from what was originally taught, often to the detriment of sincere practitioners. In this short, but practical and experiential guide, Sri Mukherjee reveals the techniques of Kriya Yoga, as originally taught by Lahiri Mahasaya. Sri Mukherjee is the disciple of Sri Gyanendranath Mukhopadhyay (Mukherjee) who compiled the Pranab Gita from the teachings of his Guru, Swami Pranabanandaji. Swami Pranabanandaji is well known as the main disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, and so what is made available here has not been altered through the distorting effect of formal organizations (which Mahasaya and Pranabanandaji both eschewed), but has been kept intact through the age-old method of direct guru-to-disciple transmission. Fearing the loss of the original Kriya Yoga as taught by Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Mukherjee has generously written this book in order to record and share this most valuable of all human knowledge.

    The skeleton, muscles and joints are covered with descriptions of differences between female and male anatomy.This is a reproduction of a 1852 British publication and may contain non-standard spellings and characters. The work has been proof-read and edited to remove typographical errors and reformat the text for the Kindle. All images have been cleaned and resized.

    Set against a surreal backdrop of intricate ink illustrations, you will find nine metaphysical lessons with dreamlike instructions that require you to open your heart to unexplored inner landscapes. From setting fire to your anxieties to sharing a cup of tea with your inner demons, you will learn how to let go and truly connect with the world around you.Whether you need a little inspiration or a completely new life direction, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe provides you with the necessary push to find your true path--and a whimsical adventure to enjoy on the way there.

    Pithy, provocative, poignant advice on a variety of self-help topics—in four well-chosen words.

    Appearing for the first time in English, this groundbreaking work of philosophy, anthropology, aesthetics, and sinology is certain to stir readers to think and experience what may at first seem impossible: the richness of a bland sound, a bland meaning, a bland painting, a bland poem. In presenting the value of blandness through as many concrete examples and original texts as possible, Jullien allows the undifferentiated foundation of all things -- blandness itself -- to appear. After completing this book, readers will reevaluate those familiar Western lines of thought where blandness is associated with a lack -- the undesirable absence of particular, defining qualities.Jullien traces the elusive appearance and crucial value of blandness from its beginnings in the Daoist and Confucian traditions to its integration into literary and visual aesthetics in the late-medieval period and beyond. Gradually developing into a positive quality in Chinese aesthetic and ethical traditions, the bland comprises the harmonious and unnameable union of all potential values, embodying a reality whose very essence is change and providing an infinite opening into the breadth of human expression and taste.More than just a cultural history, In Praise of Blandness invites those both familiar and unfamiliar with Chinese culture to explore the resonances of the bland in literary, philosophical, and religious texts and to witness how all currents of Chinese thought -- Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism -- converge in harmonious accord.

    A telling gesture. A unique posture. When you're struck by am image or impression you want to use in your art, you must record it - quickly! - before it's gone.But what's an artist to do when there's no time for a carefully rendered drawing or even a good photo? Some quick field sketching, that's what!This book will revolutionize the way you sketch. David Rankin reveals the simple secrets to creating quick, impressionistic field sketches from life - and how to work with them once you're back in the studio. With the tools and methods described here, you'll be surprised how easy it is to draw rapid visuals of landscapes, animals, figures, crowds, any subject.So the next time you're taken by a sudden, fleeting inspiration, you can capture it. And make the most of it in your art.

    Americans embraced these visions and incorporated fantasy into reality: mid-century fashion, popular music, eating and drinking, and even architecture were influenced by the Tiki trend. With unfettered enthusiasm—ignoring scholarly authenticity and political correctness—American artisans molded the Tiki into their own image, creating a mid-century pop culture genre that was forgotten until the 2000s, when urban archeologist Sven Kirsten wrested the figure of the Tiki from obscurity with his pioneering TASCHEN books The Book of Tiki and Tiki Modern. This book traces the development of Tiki as romantic vision and kitschy cultural appropriation, from its earliest beginnings when James Cook “discovered” the Pacific Islands in the second half of the 18th century to Herman Melville’s South Sea adventure stories like Moby Dick and Gauguin’s exuberant, exotic paintings to the jungle fantasies of the Hollywood dream factory. Published in connection with an exhibition at the prestigious Musée du quai Branly in Paris, Tiki Pop the culmination of Sven Kirsten’s research efforts. With his widely lauded visual style, the author places venerable ancient godheads next to their Polynesian pop counterparts. With hundreds of previously unpublished images, the story of Tiki the 20th-century pop icon unfolds from its earliest beginnings to its spectacular downfall in the dawning awareness of the Western world’s colonial misdeeds.

    

     "A story with laugh out loud moments, heart-rending events and a nice easy flowing style." --Trip Fiction "Anyone who likes their romance with a touch of realism and not too much syrup will adore this book." --Read Reviewed WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR WIFE ORGANIZED A THREESOME FOR YOU ON YOUR HONEYMOON? Scott is shocked by his wife Hannah's suggestion, but hesitantly agrees to go along with it. Back home, both feel a little guilty about their encounter with a Thai woman called Marilyn, but soon put it behind them when they discover Hannah is pregnant. Then Marilyn turns up on their doorstep, six months pregnant, and Scott comes to realize that in life there is often a price to pay for indiscretion. Squeezed is a story about family, and how sometimes we don't appreciate what we've got until it's gone. Perfect for fans of Graeme Simsion, Tracy Bloom, Sue Moorcroft, Jojo Moyes and Cecelia Ahern ALSO BY DAVID ATKINSON LOVE BYTE

    Enjoy all 13 Sammy Baker Cozy Mysteries in one massive boxset, plus one extra maritime mystery with Donna Doyle's favorite elderly sleuth, the marvelous Molly Grey. Included in this bumper collection of cozies... Dying For Cupcakes A broken Baker running for relief in Sunny Cove. A poisoned cupcake swallowed by the local sheriff. Our sleuthing cook in the crosshairs for the crime! Rolling Out a Mystery Reconnecting with old friends seemed like such a good idea, but when a Halloween Party becomes the unlikely scene of a crime, Sammy is thrown again into a Sunny Cove mystery! Christmas Puds and Killers Sammy Baker’s confectionaries are a big hit in Sunny Cove, but when a fundraising drive turns into a hair-raising crime it’s time for Sam to don her sleuthing cap again. Wedding Cake & Body by the Lake A sneaky waitress and a well-to-do groom acting strangely leave Sammy wondering what’s wrong. When a body is then found by the lake Sammy teams up with Sheriff Jones to discover the truth. Cookies & Condolences Sammy Baker is excited to start up Sunny Cove Services, but when she hires someone who ends up dead a brand new mystery opens up. Can she follow the crumbs to the killer? A Spoonful of Suspicion When hunting a new property for her bakery tumbles into a hunt for a killer, Sammy Baker is thrown once again into a culinary mystery that needs to be solved before she is framed for murder. Pie Crumbs & Hit and Run Sammy’s faithful Toyota breaks down and she might even need to buy a new vehicle. But when the owner of the dealership is found dead after a hit-and-run, Sammy begins to wonder if it is more than an accident. Blue Ribbon Revenge When the residents of Sunny Cove find out that the Columbia County Cooking Competition is to be held right in their small town, Helen is convinced that Sammy will win. When her top competitor is suddenly eliminated, Sammy has to find the culprit! Raisin to Be Thankful Sammy has much to be thankful for, and she wants to help others. But not everyone in Sunny Cove is interested in helping the homeless, and when one of the homeless man is found bludgeoned and the local financial advisor goes missing, Sammy has to figure it all out before it’s too late. Auld Lang Crime It’s bitterly cold in Sunny Cove, but nothing could be as icy as the chill that runs down your spine when you hear that your neighbor has come to a grizzly end! Join Sammy for a new year mystery that begins with an untimely end, but promises a brand new beginning. Stirring Up Trouble The mayor of Stone Springs is on his way to Sunny Cove to campaign for governor, but every step of the campaign trail is sabotaged. Sammy begins to think this is about more than just politics, and she sniffs out a mystery. Haunts and Ham Sandwiches Sammy is eager to get a homeless shelter established in Sunny Cove, but everyone in town believes the house is haunted. Sammy’s got to get to the bottom of weird happenings if she’s ever going to make this shelter a reality.