The term “nomenklatura’’ means “nomenclature,’’ “a list of positions, arranged in order of seniority, including a description of the duties of each office. Perhaps the major instrument of Communist Party control of contemporary China’s political, economic, social, and cultural institutions is the nomenklatura system. The system consists of lists of leading positions, over which party units exercise the power to make appointments and dismissals; lists of reserves or candidates for ...

When he is accused of stalking a woman he swears he's never met, a local businessman asks Fred Carver for help clearing his nameJoel Brandt swears he's never met the woman before. His wife dead six months before, the small-time businessman is perplexed when Del Moray police inform him that a local woman, Marla Cloy, has accused him of harassing her. According to her, Joel has been lurking outside of her house, following her car, even assaulting her at the grocery s...

Over the past two decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has paradoxically steered the development of a thriving capitalist economy. Unlike many faltering post-socialist states with fragile economies and weakly institutionalised democratic structures, China has witnessed a tide of economic entrepreneurialism that has raised living standards and the country's global economic stature. However, the strains of rapid economic change and the tensions between an increasingly liberalized econo...

This is a collection of essays exploring the deep-rooted problems presented by the Three Gorges dam project that the Chinese government are trying to disguise or supress, brought together by Dai Qing, an investigative journalist, at the risk of her own freedom.

An electrifying new series featuring Irene Rivers (code name: Wolverine), the unforgettable FBI Director from New York Times bestselling author John Gilstrap’s blockbuster, award-winning Jonathan Grave thrillers. Fans of action-packed page-turners by Catherine Coulter, Patricia Cornwell, and Tess Gerritsen are in for a treat, as Irene escapes the treacherous power games of Washington—only to face a new and equally deadly enemy in a rural West Virginia town . . .

EVIL TAKES MANY FORMS.PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR CHARLIE PARKER HUNTS THEM ALL.'Another creepy thriller from a modern master' Daily MirrorWhen Randall Haight was a teenager, he and his friend killed a girl. Randall did his time and built a new life in the small Maine town of Pastor's Bay, but somebody has discovered the truth about his past. He is being tormented by anonymous messages, haunting reminders of his pa...

In "Robert Burns," John Campbell Shairp deftly combines biographical narrative with literary analysis to illuminate the life and work of Scotland's iconic poet. Shairp employs a lyrical yet academic style, rich in historical context, which enhances the understanding of Burns' artistry and the socio-political milieu of 18th-century Scotland. The book delves deep into the themes of nature, love, and social consciousness that pervade Burns' poetry, offering keen insights into his use of verna...

On Spain's Costa Brava, passion and intrigue are everywhere- especially in the hearts of those who dwell there. As the dictator Franco teeters on the edge of overthrow, two couples are entwined. One is a husband and wife bored with the existence they have drifted into, the other a passionate, combative pair who relish every moment of life. Into this potent mix comes a young American seeking his missing lover-bringing a shadow of danger into the machinations already at work. Soon, loyalty w...

The Burning Bridge is the second thrilling book in John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series – over eight million sold worldwide.For years the Kingdom of Araluen has prospered, while the evil lord Morgarath has lived beyond the impassable mountains. But he has not been idle.Now apprentice Will must embark on his most dangerous mission yet. The King's army has been deceived, and are headed for a brutal ambush. And ...

A series of acid-throwing attacks on young lovers has everyone mystified. Is it the work of young hooligans, or are there more sinister forces at play? Roger ‘Handsome’ West of Scotland Yard must solve the case, and quickly. However, there are many obstacles in his way as he tries to uncover a thread and he finds he has to deal with bigoted parents, a psychiatric hospital full of perverts, a somewhat suspicious social club, and many others, not to mention robbery and murder along the way.

In "Robert Burns," John Drinkwater offers an insightful exploration of the life and works of Scotland's beloved national poet. This biographical account deftly interweaves narrative prose with poetic excerpts, illuminating the intricacies of Burns's unique literary voice and his profound influence on Scottish culture and the Romantic movement. Drinkwater's lyrical style mirrors the emotive cadence of Burns's poetry, inviting readers to reflect on themes of love, nature, and social justice ...

“Wanderlust inspiration.”—GQ, The Best Gifts for CoworkersJoin Kinfolk on a journey off the beaten track, to islands big and small, in this collection of eighteen new travel stories. Whether it’s a tour of the otherworldly landscape of Socotra in Yemen or a hike into the old growth of a Japanese forest on Yakushima, each slow travel itinerary invites you to set sail at a pace that allows for true discovery and immersion.