Milos has always been fascinated by magic, even though he has only ever read about it in his books. His father, Lord Andrik, banned the use of any magic in the city of Anadel. When Lady Keren from the distant city of Breen comes to visit the palace, Milos meets her son Caleb. A boy who is eager to show off and has a few tricks up his sleeve.After Milos watches Caleb cast a magic spell, he wants to try performing magic himself. First, he will have to sneak out of the palace to find ...

Planting the Seeds of ImaginationHolly Ordway has established herself as one of the preeminent voices in the field of cultural apologetics. Her ability to engage with the imagination is clearly demonstrated through her own scholarly work, most recently the paradigm-shifting Tolkien's Modern Reading, but her influence was critical in the founding of An Unexpected Journal as well. This collection of essays, poetry, and stories demonstrates her wide-...

From the 17th century's self-styled Enlightenment to the shell shock of the 20th century's Great War, the conventions and attitudes known as Modernity held significant sway over the Western mind. Long before the post-war disillusionment that sparked Postmodernism, Modernity made (and frequently fulfilled) tremendous promises, birthing the hope of a man-made utopia. It was an age of reason and progress marked by technological, political, and artistic achievements that bettered the lot of hu...

What Makes a Superhero?Superheroes captivate our cultural imagination. From reading comic books in our childhood bedrooms to watching the latest blockbuster on the silver screen, we long to see the champion defeat the villain and ultimately rescue the world from certain destruction. Though the stories may be fantastical, our desires are not. Our hearts are drawn to superheroes because we want someone to triumph over evil and save the world. This issue of An Unexpec...

The tenth edition of this respected textbook provides a fresh perspective and a crisp introduction to congressional politics. Informed by the authors’ Capitol Hill experience and scholarship, the new edition reflects changes in Congress resulting from the 2018 elections and such developments as (a) a new majority party in the House; (b) new campaign spending numbers and election outcomes, rules, committees, leaders, and budget developments; and (c) recent political science literature that ...

Ordinary teen. Extraordinary power. Unimaginable danger.Jason Smith was just another sixteen-year-old navigating school, grief, and a quiet suburban life—until a freak incident awakens a telekinetic force within him. As he struggles to understand his newfound abilities, he's thrust into a hidden conflict rooted in his mother's mysterious past and a dangerous scientific breakthrough gone wrong.When an ex-mentor's obsession with evolution spirals into tyranny...

"Honey, if cookin' is a chore, then you ain't been doin' it right."--author and Lord Honey chef Jason Smith From Kentucky 'Nanners Foster Waffles to 'Lasses-Glazed Carrots to Sweet Tea and Bourbon Fried Chicken, celebrate the art of "Country Bling" cooking with recipes that will have you digging out the cast-iron skillet and running to the store for some butter. Complete with colorful descriptions, accessible ingredients, simple directions, and helpful tips, this book will teach you everyt...

The voyage of Jason and the Argonauts and their hunt for the Golden Fleece is one of the most enduringly popular of all of the Ancient Greek heroic myths. Accepting the quest in order to regain his kingdom, Jason assembled a crew of legendary heroes, including Hercules, Orpheus, Atalanta, and the twins Castor and Polydeuces. With this band of warriors and demi-gods, Jason set sail in the Argo on a journey across the known world. During their quest, the Argonauts faced numerous challenges i...

Ulysses S. Grant’s ingenious campaign to capture the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River was one of the most decisive events of the Civil War and one of the most storied military expeditions in American history. The ultimate victory at Vicksburg effectively cut the Confederacy in two, gave control of the river to Union forces, and delivered a devastating blow from which the South never fully recovered. Editors Steven E. Woodworth and Charles D. Grear have assembled essays ...

Seit Jahrtausenden bewahren die Kulturen Asiens ihre tiefsten Wahrheiten in Symbolen, Codes und geheimen Zeichen. Von den verschlüsselten Lehren der Veden über die raffinierten Strategien der Samurai bis hin zu kunstvollen Mustern in Seide, Architektur und Poesie – Kryptographie und Steganographie waren mehr als Werkzeuge der Macht. Sie dienten der Weitergabe von Weisheit, der Sicherung spiritueller Lehren und der Verschleierung politischer Botschaften. Dieses Buch öffnet den Blick auf ein...

2012 Jolt Award Finalist!Even experienced software professionals find it difficult to apply patterns in ways that deliver substantial value to their organizations. In Elemental Design Patterns, Jason McC. Smith addresses this problem head-on, helping developers harness the true power of patterns, map them to real software implementations more cleanly and directly, and achieve far better results. Part tutorial, part example-rich cookbook, this resource will...

Welcome to a journey through history—cobwebs aren't the only relics hidden in the dusty corners of time. Our tale begins in the dingy underbelly of bygone eras where soot and grime paint the canvas of our story. We'll climb through the centuries with the nimble fingers and scuffed knees of child chimney sweeps, whose stories have been tucked away like a dirty secret amidst the grand tapestry of the past. It's a tale that'll pull at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, because, let...