“What do you think a hero is? It’s just the right person in the right place making the right choice at the right time. Heroes aren’t born. They’re made.”A demonic assassin. A half-orc boxer. A ratman necromancer. Though they take many different shapes and forms, there are heroes all around us.Bravery can be found in the most unexpected places: a subterranean dwarven city; the sands of a temple courtyard in Ancient Egypt; a besieged castle, a Victorian brothel, a go...

Can individual decisions concerning whether or where to attend church, to contribute time or money to religious organizations, or to forgo certain activities be explained as a special case of economic theory?In Sacred Markets, Sacred Canopies, Ted G. Jelen brings together the leading scholars in the sociology of religion to debate market theories of religion. As the contributors examine whether or not religious choices can be understood as responding to the same laws of sup...

This extract from the Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible provides Olson's introduction to and concise commentary on First Enoch. The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible presents, in nontechnical language, the best of modern scholarship on each book of the Bible, including the Apocrypha. Reader-friendly commentary complements succinct summaries of each section of the text and will be valuable to scholars, students, and general readers.Rather than attempt a verse-by-vers...

Does modernization lead to the decline of religion? This question lies at the centre of a key debate in the sociology of religion. During the past decade American scholars, using primarily American data, have dominated this debate and have made a strong case that the answer to this question is no. Recently, however, a new crop of European scholars, working with new sources of European data, have uncovered evidence that points toward an affirmitive answer.This volume pays special at...

Scholars and activists often narrate the history of gender and feminism as a progression of "waves," said to mark high points of innovation in theory and moments of political breakthrough.Arguing for the notion of multiple futurities over that of progressive waves, Beyond Gender combines theoretical work with practical applications to provide an advanced introduction to contemporary feminist and sexuality research and advocacy. This comprehensive monograph documents the di...

In order for animal feed products to be fit for consumption and pass the necessary safety requirements, they must be free from pathogens, chemicals and toxins that could cause harm to the animal. To ensure product safety, the animal feed sector must continue to find new and innovative ways of detecting and controlling the major groups of contaminants.Advances in improving animal feed safety provides a comprehensive overview of the key microbiological and chemical risks aff...

Please enjoy these excerpts from a dozen of Tor.com's favorite science fiction, fantasy, and horror novellas and novels from the following innovative writers.Winter Tide by Ruthanna EmrysThe Emperor’s Railroad by Guy HaleyHammers on Bone by Cassandra KhawEvery Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuireBinti by Nnedi OkoraforInfomocracy by Malka OlderNightshades by Meliss...

Underserved Communities and Digital Discourse: Getting Voices Heard presents a series of case studies which evaluate the elevation and suppression of voices within marginalized and minority communities. It examines the use of digital media and its role in the construction of reality—specifically who is included, who is left out, and who feels they must remain silent. Through both quantitative and qualitative measures, this book discusses digital discourse in terms of ethnic media, politica...

Fundamentally concerned with place, and our ability to understand human relationships with environment over time, Historical Geographic Information Systems (HGIS) as a tool and a subject has direct bearing for the study of contemporary environmental issues and realities. To date, HGIS projects in Canada are few and publications that discuss these projects directly even fewer. This book brings together case studies of HGIS projects in historical geography, social and cultural history, and e...

Since the 1970s, the corrections system has experienced exponential growth. Over the past four decades, the number of inmates held in US prisons and jails has quadrupled. This massive growth is associated with a number of different issues and challenges within prisons and jails, including overcrowding; gang activity and misconduct; a shift away from rehabilitation and programming; expanded use of solitary confinement; inmates’ human rights; criticisms of health care; and massive, publicly ...

The Board and Superintendent Handbook: Current Issues and Resources is a practical guide for both board members and superintendents. The book includes contributions from experienced and new superintendents and board members on a wide range of topics that boards and superintendents must navigate together successfully in order to move districts in a positive direction for students, staff, parents, and communities.

This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. This is a personal project I created for my own enjoyment, and I'm excited to share it with everyone else. I know AI audiobooks aren't for everyone, but I personally love listening to audiobooks of any kind. If you decide to listen, I hope it's a good experience.A revised copy of George MacDonald's beloved fantasy classic, enhanced for audio reading, The Princess and the Goblin tells the enchanting story of young Princess Irene and her unl...