Herman Melville’s reputation as a great writer has gradually evolved throughout the past century. Tempered by studies that emphasize the Western literary tradition, literary appreciation for Melville’s use of folklore has been slow in developing. This ground-breaking study brings to the forefront the depth of Melville’s immersion with and borrowing from oral traditions.Though intended as a survey of Melville’s use of folklore, this book serves also as a general introduction to his ...

When marijuana enthusiast Blue McKenna suffers an apocalyptic case of writer's block, reality TV seems like an easy way out. A conglomerate of kooky contestants invades the polygamist community of Navel, Utah, to compete in a TV reality show. Participants include Steven Finch, a lovable stoner who develops a conspiracy theory involving a rock band called the Rectal Surgeons, and Randall Smoot, a member of the Gay Mafia.Quirky Cannabis Country features a cast of 11 actors who portray...

What the world needs now is an audio book narrated by a snarky cat named Skitters. When this over-sized sack of stripes finds himself upgraded from life in a parking garage to a mansion in Utah, all seems to be well. Then Skitters takes up with Harriet, a fiery feline who belongs to a little girl living in a polygamist cult.Skitters isn't the only one who tangos with the natives. Brandon Spinkle, the son of a rock star named Scottie Sphincter, can't resist the temptation to kick the...

In the eyes of Nadine, a polygamist and serial bride, nudging her husbands into heaven is a testament to love. Even Nancy Neptune, a notorious shock jock, is gobsmacked by Nadine's so-called “Celestial Send-Offs.” Things go to hell in a hurry when Nadine offs the wrong guy and is charged with assisted suicide.Meanwhile, Blue McKenna has problems of her own. A power outage has leveled Blue's medical marijuana dispensary. Scottie Sphincter, lead singer of a band called The Rectal Surg...

The bombing of Pearl Harbor propels America into WWII and two Japanese Americans into chaos. Separated by the Pacific, each embarks on a tumultuous path to survive childhood and live the American dream. Ruby Ishimaru loses her liberty and uproots from her Hawaii home to incarceration camps on the mainland. Koji Matsuo strains under the menacing clouds of the Japanese war machine and atomic bombing while concealing a dangerous secret-one that threatens his family's safety. When destiny brin...

When marijuana enthusiast Blue McKenna suffers an apocalyptic case of writer's block, reality TV seems like an easy way out. A conglomerate of kooky contestants invades the polygamist community of Navel, Utah, to compete in a reality show called Yikes! Participants include Steven Finch, a loveable stoner who develops a conspiracy theory involving a rock band called the Rectal Surgeons, and Randall Smoot, a member of the Gay Mafia.WHEN MARIJUANA AND REALITY TV COLLIDE . . . Yikes! An...

A compilation of scholarly and insightful discourses that provides a clear and elegant introduction to the very essence of the Buddhist perspective.In Being Ultimately Perfect, the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa explains that all teachings of the Buddha are directed towards making our lives meaningful and purposeful, apart from taming the mind and realizing the essence of all dharma. He also contends that enlightenment is not düche (the result of causes o...

Covers both in-situ and ex-situ strategies for conserving and exploiting plant genetic diversityParticularly strong coverage of in-situ and on-farm techniques, including collection and management of wild plant populations, community-based conservation strategies, participatory plant breeding programmes and seed systems to ensure farmer access to improved varietiesCovers improvements in characterising, evaluating and safe exchange of germplasm to accelerate crop br...

Based on oral histories and farm books, this account offers a fascinating analysis of some 300 years of hop-cultivation history in the Weald of Kent, a rural area in the South of England, and in the Borough at Southwark, London. The diverse processes of hop agriculture are examined within the wider context of events, such as the advent of the railroads and the effects of war, as are changes to the working practices and technologies used and their reception and implementation in the Weald. ...

Considers best practices for ensuring seed quality and health, such as phenotyping and non-invasive techniques, including hyper=spectral imaging and x-raysProvides a comprehensive review of our understanding of seed biology and the impact of genetic and environmental factors in determining seed longevity, dormancy and rate of seedling emergenceAssesses key challenges facing seed science, including the need to mitigate the effects of climate change on seed quality ...

"All the heavy hitters...came out for USA Noir...an important anthology of stories shrewdly culled by Johnny Temple."--New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)One of Zoom Street Magazine's Favorite Books of 2014Indie Books Roundup #1 Pick, Barnes & Noble Book BlogIncluded in Zoom Street Magazine's Summer Reading (Mysteries/Noir) RoundupOne of "1...

The Old Man and the Sea is a deceptively simple work. An old man goes fishing. He catches a giant marlin after much struggle. Sharks attack and destroy the fish. The old man is left with the bare bones of the fish—a Monday morning “fish story.” But much lies beneath the surface. The action is condensed and presented in carefully crafted images, in words and details selected because of their multivalent meanings, and in several external narrative strands, present primarily as allusions ...