When a seemingly crazy, poorly dressed soothsayer tells you not to let a magical talisman fall into the wrong hands, take him or her seriously. DO NOT laugh it off and leave said talisman simply lying around on a side table; you might as well just end the world yourself. —The Handbook of Practical Heroics, p. 134The kingdom of Deserae is in the most direly perilous of dire perils. The realm’s precious magical talisman—Ancient Artifact Model Seven—is in the grimy h...

When a woman ascends to the presidency of the United States, she stands there not just for herself, but for every daughter told to wait her turn, every mother who has borne burdens without recognition, and every community yearning to see its strength reflected in our highest office. Her presence affirms that leadership is not bound by gender but by vision, by character, and by the courage to serve. But my friends, we must speak plainly: the time for waiting has passed. For too long, this n...

And they lived happily ever after…Caroline’s plan to live happily ever after has hit a snag. She’s spent months mapping the swamp, building tadpole nets, and kissing every wriggling frog she could get her hands on, and one has finally turned into a prince. Unfortunately, Prince Hal is not, as promised in the fairy tales, particularly handsome. In fact, he’s kind of dorky-looking.Hal himself isn’t very eager to marry a girl so obsessed with appearances, but ...

There’s only one thing scarier than slaying a giant, fire-breathing dragon…slaying the wrong giant, fire-breathing dragon.Sir Terry knows that as a valiant (but solidly middle-class) knight he doesn’t have a chance of winning the beauteous Princess Gloria’s hand in marriage… unless he kills the dragon on the far edge of the kingdom and claims her as his reward.But Prince Charming never had to contend with re-zoning. After Terry defeats the dragon, ...

There’s always trouble in Illyria: dragons to slay, villains to fight, and one beautiful princess after another demanding to be rescued from a fate worse than death. It’s a full-time job for Charming, noble prince and professional hero. In fact, young Charming thinks he’s just about ready for a leave of absence.But you’re always on call in the Slay and Rescue business, and soon Charming is working overtime when he becomes embroiled in a plot involving an evil sorceress, an enchante...

We set our scene in Damask: A kingdom that couldn’t get ransacked if it tried…But now that the king is dead, that’s exactly what his brothers have in mind. All they need is a bad king to take his place. The population will rebel, the neighboring kingdom will be “invited” to restore order, and they’ll be in business…Bad Prince Charlie will do. His reputation for “badness” precedes him, and everyone knows he wouldn’t spit on Damask to save it from Drought. At...

Help transform your business and innovate like the world's top tech companies!In INSPIRED, product thought leader Marty Cagan revealed the best practices and techniques used by the top product teams operating in the product model. Next, EMPOWERED shared the best practices and techniques used by the top product leaders to provide their teams with the kind of environment they need to thrive in the product model....

In a universe teeming with predatory life, this story examines a more realistic view of what advanced alien civilizations might truly look like—and how they might interact with us. At its core is the ongoing struggle between predators and prey: plant-eaters versus those who survive by consuming other beings. The story begins with Peter, a human man, meeting Sil-ard-tna-she, a rogue clone warrior and the galaxy s most wanted—not for crimes, but for seeking her own freedom. Her relentless pu...

"A View of Society and Manners in Italy, Volume 2" by John Moore offers a captivating exploration of Italian culture and society during his travels. Moore, a keen observer, provides insightful commentary on the customs, traditions, and social dynamics of the Italian people. His narrative is rich with personal anecdotes and reflections, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the vibrant life of Italy. The book serves as both a travelogue and a social critique, revealing the complexities ...

"A View of Society and Manners in France, Switzerland, and Germany" by John Moore offers a captivating exploration of the social customs and cultural practices of early 19th-century Europe. Through his keen observations, Moore provides readers with a vivid portrayal of the diverse societies he encounters, highlighting the contrasts between the regions. His narrative is enriched with personal anecdotes and reflections, making it not only a travelogue but also a commentary on the human condi...

"A View of Society and Manners in Italy, Volume 1" by John Moore offers a captivating exploration of Italian culture and society during his travels. The author, a keen observer, provides insightful commentary on the customs, social structures, and the everyday lives of the Italian people. Through his vivid descriptions, readers are transported to the bustling streets and serene landscapes of Italy, gaining a deeper understanding of the historical context and the nuances of Italian life. Mo...

"A View of Society and Manners in France, Switzerland, and Germany" by John Moore offers a captivating exploration of the social customs and cultural practices of these European nations. Through the eyes of an astute observer, Moore provides insightful commentary on the behaviors, traditions, and interactions of the people he encounters. His keen observations reveal the contrasts and similarities between the societies, shedding light on the complexities of human nature and the impact of ge...