An inclusive vision of mathematics—its beauty, its humanity, and its power to build virtues that help us all flourishFor mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. To miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity's most beautiful ideas.In this profound book, written for a wide audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an awa...

An inclusive vision of mathematics—its beauty, its humanity, and its power to build virtues that help us all flourishFor mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. To miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity’s most beautiful ideas.In this profound book, written for a wide audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an awa...

Chris Jackson's new thoughtful and brilliantly written study of Federer as a man, player, and aesthetic and moral figure of our times, outplays even Foster Wallace's magisterial writing on this greatest of all tennis champions.Updated for its audio release, here is the most profound, insightful and elegant book ever written about the greatest sportsman of our time.

"If the radiance of a thousand sunsWere to burst at once into the skyThat would be like the splendour of the Mighty one …I am become Death,The shatterer of Worlds."Bhagavad GitaWeylyn the Wolf has been defeated and Elannort saved. Simon Redhead has found his sword and begun to learn how to use it to become the Everlasting Hero. Like Queen Ceridwen of the Elves, he is incomplete. They are both missing their kochari. Cambyses is lost in a far d...

Welcome to this anthology of the short fiction of Christopher Jackson-Ash. This collection of short stories and flash fiction represents a selection of CJA's work over the years that lead to his creation of the FirstWorld multiverse and his fantasy novels (described at the end of this book). Dip in anywhere to enjoy CJA's stories. Some may make you laugh; some may make you cry; and some may make you think.CJA was born in England and migrated to Australia almost forty years ago. He ...

FirstWorld is at the centre of the multiverse and it is under threat. If the Balance tips entirely to Chaos then time will end. A Hero is needed and the Hero needs a powerful Sword, perhaps the most powerful weapon in the multiverse. An inexperienced young man, Simon Redhead, is saved from nuclear annihilation in Melbourne 2043, and reluctantly pressed into service. Will he accept the fate that his genes dictate, retrieve his sword. and adopt the role of killing machine to aid his new frie...

Long ago, before the invention of supermarkets or even sliced bread, things were very different from the way they are today. The Wild Wood covered much of the land. People entered the Wild Wood at their own risk: the signs said so. At every pathway entering the wood there was a sign. "Enter at your own risk," it said. "Trespassers will be eaten," it continued. "Beware of the trolls," it warned.Many adventures take place in the Wild Wood. They involve children, elves, goblins, troll...

Mr. MacGregor had a new hat. It was a very expensive hat and his wife said it made him look very elegant and important. Mrs. MacGregor had given it to him as a birthday present. She had been so fed up seeing him with the old battered cap he used to wear. Mr. MacGregor's old hat was now perched on the head of a scarecrow in the bottom paddock. Most people agreed that it suited the scarecrow better than it had ever suited Mr. MacGregor.What will happen if Mr. MacGregor loses his new ...

"Seven Wonders of the Ancient WorldTo be seen ere this war is won.When the final Wonder's flag's unfurled,The final battle will be done."Three years have passed since the events of Aftermath of Armageddon. FirstWorld is at relative peace. The Balance is as close to balance as it has been for millennia. Everyone in Melasurej, except Simon and Julie, is bored to tears. Then Simon receives a summons from Gadiel to visit Tartarus, Gadiel's ancient prison in Firs...

Travels in Time & Dimensions is an anthology of short stories and novel excerpts, set in Christopher Jackson-Ash's FirstWorld Multiverse. CJA's writing explores the complex paradoxes that time travel inevitably throws up and the eternal debate over whether our lives are controlled by fate or chance. He is fascinated by the never-ending battle for domination between Law and Chaos and the role that the Balance plays in finding an appropriate middle way that we should strive to follow. And ho...

This is story about life and the build up to a unique set of circumstances. Part one of the book will have you questioning the probability of unforeseen consequences. Is it chance or fate that determines our destinies?This is a story about death, one of the few things that we are all going to have in common. Part two of the book will have you thinking about the value of life and the legacies we leave behind.There is a message, or a moral if you wish, to this story. It's per...

It is now seven years since Simon Redhead was saved from the nuclear destruction of his dimension and taken to FirstWorld. During that time he has struggled to embrace his designated role as Everlasting Hero. Nevertheless, he has defeated Weylyn the Wolf, negotiated a sort of truce with Gadiel, liberated Tamarlan, and rescued the lost elves. In the process, he has killed so many enemies and several friends that he questions his own morality. His actions have cost him much – the loss of his...