Have you ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument or anything that requires a new skill? 76-year-old James Mitchell, a non-musician, set out to do just that––but not one instrument, the entire orchestra.Musical Chairs is a bow by blow adventure that follows Mitchell on his quest to perform excerpts from the classical repertory with just twelve lessons and practice on each instrument. His more than three-year journey provides a platform allowing his imagination to tak...

The organ is one of the oldest instruments in Western music, and its sound has inspired many of the greatest composers from the past half a millennium from Bach through to Messiaen. The full possibilities of the instrument, however, have often been overlooked. Orchestration textbooks tend to mention the organ only in passing, with little practical advice for the composer to latch onto. Many organ books will explain technical jargon and how the organ is designed, but do not discuss what sho...

In the city of Verita, the most beautiful truth is a lie.Ren is the realm's most gifted Weaver, a professional liar paid to mask the crumbling rot of reality with shimmering illusions of silk and marble. In a world powered by deception, she is a queen. But her newest contract is a suicide mission: escort Valen, a disgraced Paladin cursed with Absolute Truth, to the edge of the world.Valen physically cannot lie. To him, the world is not a paradise of violet ...

By any measure, the story of the Scottish National Party is an extraordinary one.Forced to endure decades of electoral irrelevance since its creation in the 1930s, during which it often found itself grappling with internal debate on strategy, and rebellion from within its own ranks, the SNP virtually swept the board in the 2015 general election, winning all but three of Scotland's fifty-nine seats in Westminster. What's more, under the current leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP...

Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.' - Hamilton, Scotland, 3 November 1967A young couple, married only one day, join a group of eager SNP supporters in the early morning of the by-election to gather last minute votes around Hamilton.Journalists scrap pre-recorded interview answers in the middle of the night as they do not adequately convey the political event that would transform Scottish politics thereafter. Instead, a 17-year-old is sent out to collect responses that better capture...

Uncover the hidden world of insurance fraud in this gripping tale of deception, moral dilemmas, and unexpected romance. Timothy Gordon thought he'd seen it all during his two decades as a cop. But when he trades his badge for a new career as an insurance fraud investigator, he quickly realizes he's stepped into a world where the lines between right and wrong are far more blurred than he ever imagined.Armed with his street smarts and a keen eye for detail, Timothy dives into a serie...

James Mitchell presents a series of biographical sketches and interviews of more than thirty Maine women who have all carved out meaningful careers for themselves. The women shared their stories and dreams with Mitchell to celebrate their and other women's accomplishments. Although their stories and fields of endeavor — ranging from commercial fishing (Linda Greenlaw), to writing (Kate Barnes), to government service (Chellie Pingree) — are different, the women all celebrate the remarkable ...

Over half a century ago, a leading commentator suggested that Scotland was very unusual in being a country which was, in some sense at least, a nation but in no sense a state. He asked whether something 'so anomalous' could continue to exist in the modern world. The Scottish Question considers how Scotland has retained its sense of self, and how the country has changed against a backdrop of fundamental changes in society, economy, and the role of the state over the course of the u...

This book explains devolution today in terms of the evolution of past structures of government in the component parts of the United Kingdom. Available in paperback for the first time, it highlights the importance of the English dimension and the role that England’s territorial politics played in constitutional debates. Similarities and differences between how the components of the UK were governed are described. It argues that the UK should be understood now, even more than pre-devolution,...

"Many Roots Make One Strong Tree" is a heartwarming children's book that celebrates the power of diversity, inclusion, and the beauty of understanding one another’s backgrounds. A group of children embark on a journey to explore their family trees, each one discovering unique stories of migration, heritage, and tradition. The children’s individual roots, though different, create a rich and diverse forest of strength and unity when combined. Through poetic storytelling, young reade...

"Stories My Skin Tells with Pride" is a heartwarming children's book that follows Jamal, a young boy navigating his way through a new neighborhood. Feeling different at first, Jamal is soon introduced to his diverse group of neighbors, each with a unique story rooted in family, culture, and pride. As Jamal learns about the traditions, crafts, and legacies passed down through generations, he begins to realize the beauty in embracing his own identity. This inspiring narrative encour...

"Every Family Has a Different Story" invites young readers into the heartwarming and diverse world of families. Through the eyes of Alex, readers explore the many forms families can take, from two moms to grandparents raising children, single parents, and blended families. Each chapter introduces a different family structure, showing how love, care, and respect unite them. This book teaches children to appreciate and respect the differences in family dynamics while highlighting the importa...