Utilizing easy-to-find and inexpensive materials, this handy resource teaches desktop warriors how to build a multitude of medieval siege weapons for the modern era. Novice combatants will learn to build 35 defense weapons, including a marshmallow catapult, a chopstick bow, a bottle cap crossbow, and a clothespin ballista. In addition to beefing up their Dark Age arsenal, would-be warriors are provided with a number of targets on which to practice their shooting skills. Clear diagrams, ins...

Culling common household items to create an uncommon arsenal of miniature gadgets and sidearms, this guidebook provides do-it-yourself spy enthusiasts with 35 different surveillance tools and weapons. From a mini-catapult in a breath-mint tin to milk-jug cap blow-dart wristwatches, this handbook details how to achieve clandestine ends practically and inexpensively. In addition to creating weapons such as periscopes, bionic ears, and grappling hooks, spies-to-be will find ideas on how to hi...

Do you wish you could create an amazing environment where your team can do their best work AND feel safe, connected, and valued?You can transform your leadership with these five easy steps.Behavioral psychologist Dr. John Austin has asked leaders around the world what they most want for their teams . . . and most leaders want their people to feel belonging, psychological and physical safety, to feel inspired, excited to be at work, and that they are working...

All aspects of the zombie lifestyle are surveyed in this satirical take on an orientation manual for the newly undead. From how one became a zombie in the first place and the stages of zombification to survival mechanisms, this handbook offers specific advice on everything a fresh zombie needs to know about "life" expectancy, hunting techniques, hitching a ride, hand-to-mouth combat, and feeding etiquette. Instructions for extracting the living from boarded up farmhouses and broken down ve...

Author and toy designer John Austin provides detailed, step-by-step instructions with diagrams to show stealth warriors how to build 37 different ninja weapons for the modern era. Each of the projects in MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction 4 are built from common household and office items—plastic utensils, markers, clothespins, paper clips, wire hangers, and discarded packaging—all clearly detailed on materials lists. Builders are offered a variety of samurai stars, blowguns, throwin...

A Practical Guide to Confidence in ChaosUncertainty is no longer a passing phase—it's the defining condition of modern work. For many mid-career professionals and leaders, the pace of change has accelerated beyond what their old playbooks can handle. These leaders are skilled, experienced, and relied upon by others, yet they still feel the strain of constant disruption and the pressure to make decisions in environments where the ground never stops shifting.They've tried pla...

We've come a long way from the Peashooter Era: with the advent of modern household products and office supplies - foldback clips, clothespins, rubber bands, ballpoint pens, toothpicks, paper clips and plastic utensils - the everyday junk drawer can hold all the materials needed to create pocket-sized weaponry.Whether you're slowing dying of boredom in a stuffy office, plotting revenge on your older siblings or simply looking for a wonderful way to kill some time, this book is for...

PopularMechanics.com selection for one of The Best DIY and Home Improvement Books of 2009We've come a long way from the Peashooter Era: with the advent of modern household products and office supplies—binder clips, clothespins, rubber bands, ballpoint pens, toothpicks, paper clips, plastic utensils, and (of course) matches and barbeque lighters—troublemakers of all stripes have the components needed to build an impressive, if somewhat miniaturized, arsenal....

A guide to the best ways to lighten the mood at the office, from fun pranks to strategies for getting revenge on annoying coworkersPerfect for every cubicle drone whose eyes are beginning to glaze over from fluorescent lighting and too many burned cups of coffee, Cubicle Warfare is a guide to having fun during the daily grind. Readers will learn how to make their coworkers jump, squeal, and run for cover with hilarious office traps such as the Paper Clip C...

Unleash your inner wizard with magical science and craft projects!Labcraft Wizards offers dozens of enchanting projects for young sorcerers, blending science experiments with creative crafts. Author John Austin, of the MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction series, provides illustrated step-by-step instructions using simple, everyday materials.Transform ordinary items into extraordinary creations:Build an Enchanted Hourglass from soda bottle...

In "Albert Gallatin," John Austin Stevens delves into the life and legacy of one of America's most significant yet underappreciated statesmen. Through meticulous research and a narrative style that blends biographical detail with a rich historical context, Stevens captures Gallatin's contributions to the founding principles of the United States, particularly in finance and diplomacy. Employing a blend of analytical rigor and engaging prose, the book positions Gallatin within the broader ta...

In "Albert Gallatin," John Austin Stevens presents a meticulously researched biography that not only chronicles the life of one of America's foremost statesmen but also captures the essence of early American governance. Stevens employs a narrative style that seamlessly blends rigorous historical analysis with engaging storytelling. The text situates Gallatin within the rich tapestry of early 19th-century politics, highlighting his influential role as a diplomat, politician, and financial e...