GSXR Compilation 100

1. Strange Histories - darren oldridge

Did you know that insects could be tried for criminal acts in pre-industrial Europe, that the dead could be executed, that statues could be subjected to public humiliation, or that it was widely accepted that corpses could return to life?
What made reasonable, educated men and women behave in ways that seem utterly nonsensical to us today? Strange Histories presents for the first time a serious account of some of the most extraordinary occurrences of European history.

Throughout the ages, people have held ideas and events have taken place which have baffled later societies. Religious disbelievers were thought deserving of death, insects were occasionally excommunicated, studying the biology of angels was a legitimate activity, and the pursuit of personal happiness was considered rather misguided as a life strategy.

Using case studies from the Middle Ages and the early modern period with some from the more recent past, this book provides fascinating insights into the world-view through the ages, and shows how such goings-on fitted in quite naturally with the "common sense" of the time. Explanations of these phenomena, riveting and ultimately rational, encourage further reflection on what really shapes our beliefs.

In the light of history, can we be sure of the validity of our own ideas? How many of our own beliefs might no longer "make sense" a few centuries from now? (Heres hoping for religion).

2. Living within Limits - A Scientific Search for Truth - kenneth merz 2008

Recent events forcefully show that humans live on a limited planet and themselves have limited abilities. Limits face us from every direction. The Earth has a limited surface with limited arable and to farm, oxygen to breathe, water to drink, atoms to use, and oil to burn. We are pressing against Earth’s resources with unachievable demands.
Humans have limits in their sensory ability, memory, perception of truth, and endurance in the face of unending change. Science is limited to 92 elements and phenomena that are observable. Economics is limited to raising prices or seeking alternates. In a universe of unending change, existence itself is limited.
Malthus, Toynbee, Tainter, Meadows, Diamond, and many others have warned us of looming limits that would someday engulf our civilization. Nevertheless, we have continued to exploit resources wastefully, pollute the environment, and cause extinctions.
Man has searched for millennia but only since the time of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton has a reasonably useful procedure been found for finding truth — the scientific method of investigation. That method is the present source of humanity’s ascendancy over the Earth and its creatures.
The book explains the scientific method in terms of logic as well as the day to day activities of scientists. The method is the basis of higher living standards, improved health and longevity, and population growth. These are now diffusing into the countries of the third world, increasing the pressure on natural resources.
We have learned from science that living creatures, including humans, were created by and are controlled by DNA — the double helix of deoxyribonucleic acid — which has been evolving for at least 3.5 billion years. DNA controls behavior as well as our physical bodies. If, as the only conscious and rational creature, we are to accept and fulfill the role as Natural Selector of life on Earth, we must somehow achieve a collective ethical nature commensurate with the task. We cannot wait hundreds of centuries for DNA to do it; there is no time. We must solve the problems of Earth and human survival with what we now have. Our only trustworthy hope is to follow the methods of science, listening carefully along the way.

3. Adventures in Paranormal Investigation - By Joe Nickell 2007

Tales of alien abductions, miraculous relics, and haunted castles have attracted believers and skeptics across the globe for centuries. Paranormal investigator Joe Nickell tackles the world’s most seemingly inexplicable myths in Adventures in Paranormal Investigation. With four decades of experience in the field, Nickell employs skepticism and scientific analysis to pull truth from the mires of false evidence and trickery that surround both old and new legends and mysteries.

Unlike authors who engage in hype and sensationalism in order to foster or debunk myths, Nickell approaches each case with a rational and scientific approach intended to find the truth. Occam’s Razor—all things being equal, the simplest solution is the best one—is a principal instrument in his investigative toolbox, as well as the belief that it is the claimant’s responsibility to provide the extraordinary proof required in such extraordinary cases.

Adventures in Paranormal Investigation features Nickell’s on-site explorations in unusual phenomena.Among the forty unique cases, Nickell examines mysteries ranging from snake charmers who purport to hold influence over the reptiles, to the Holocaust victims who reportedly haunt a gas chamber in Dachau, to Lake Simcoe’s resident lake monster Igopogo in Canada.

In addition to the case studies, Nickell analyzes how the propensity to fantasize can affect human perceptions of and belief in paranormal activity and how his personal experience with the paranormal was altered when intuition led to the discovery of a daughter he didn’t know existed. More than just another myth-busting text, Adventures in Paranormal Investigation brings together reason and scientific analyses to explain both the phenomena and the role of human perception therein, establishing Nickell as the foremost paranormal investigator of our time.

4. The Newton Wars and the Beginning of the French Enlightenment - j.b shank 2008

Nothing is considered more natural than the connection between Isaac Newton’s science and the modernity that came into being during the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. Terms like “Newtonianism” are routinely taken as synonyms for “Enlightenment” and “modern” thought, yet the particular conjunction of these terms has a history full of accidents and contingencies. Modern physics, for example, was not the determined result of the rational unfolding of Newton’s scientific work in the eighteenth century, nor was the Enlightenment the natural and inevitable consequence of Newton’s eighteenth-century reception. Each of these outcomes, in fact, was a contingent event produced by the particular historical developments of the early eighteenth century.

5. The Psychology of Science and the Origins of the Scientific Mind - Gregory Feist

In this book, Gregory Feist reviews and consolidates the scattered literatures on the psychology of science, then calls for the establishment of the field as a unique discipline. He offers the most comprehensive perspective yet on how science came to be possible in our species and on the important role of psychological forces in an individual’s development of scientific interest, talent, and creativity. Without a psychological perspective, Feist argues, we cannot fully understand the development of scientific thinking or scientific genius.

6. Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimension (djvu) - Michio Kaku

How many dimensions do you live in? Three? Maybe that's all your commonsense sense perception perceives, but there is growing and compelling evidence to suggest that we actually live in a universe of ten real dimensions. Kaku has written an extraordinarily lucid and thought-provoking exploration of the theoretical and empirical bases of a ten-dimensional universe and even goes so far as to discuss possible practical implications--such as being able to escape the collapse of the universe. Yikes. Highly Recommended.

From Publishers Weekly
Since ingesting Einstein's relativity theory 50 years ago, physics fell down a quantum rabbit hole and, ever since, physicists' reports to the world of popular science have been curiouser and curiouser. This version, from the author of the graduate text Quantum Field Theory , is very curious as he delineates the "delicious contradictions" of the quantum revolution: that the new paradigms of subatomic matter require the existence of "hyperspace," an ultimate universe of many dimensions, to accomodate their mostly mathematical behaviors. Unified field theory as it is currently understood does not preclude any of the hypotheses that Kaku invites to this Mad Hatter's Theory Party: superstrings, parallel universes and, his centerpiece, time travel. Although occasionally facile, Kaku remains on solid theoretical ground up to the point of his untestable hypotheses, which lead to his more abstract arguments. In the past decade particle physics has lurched to astonishing contradictions and Kaku's adventurous, tantalizing book should not be penalized for promising more than present technology can test. His intellectual perceptions will thrill lay readers, SF fans and the physics-literate

7. A History of the Osage People - louis burns 2004

Osage traditional lands are located in mid-continental America encompassed by the present-day states of Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Major waterways through these lands and the defensible terrain of the Ozark range provided the tribe a distinct advantage in prehistoric and early historic times. A warlike people, the Osage long encroached on neighboring tribal lands, especially those of the Caddo to the southwest. Yet good natural boundaries and centuries of success in warfare afforded the tribe little advantage in attempts to forestall Euro-American westward expansion. Three major routes to the West - the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers and the Continental Trail - crossed Osage land, so conflict with the newcomers was inevitable.

8. Encyclopedia of the U.S. Constitution (Two-Volume Set) - David Schultz 2009

The U.S. Constitution established a federated republic in the United States, which was structured according to a separation of powers - executive, legislative, and judicial - each with its own specific duties and powers. In more than 700 entries, "Encyclopedia of the United States Constitution" contains all the material high school students need to understand the United States Constitution. This new two-volume A-to-Z set covers the people, court cases, historical events, and terms relating to one of the most studied political documents in schools across the country. Appendix material includes the U.S. Constitution and other government documents. Entries of this title include: affirmative action; capital punishment; citizenship; confirmation process; cruel and unusual punishment; double jeopardy; eleventh amendment; fourth amendment; freedom of the press; gun control; impeachment; jury nullification; national security; planned parenthood v. Casey; presidential immunity; privacy; property rights; religion and free speech; same-sex marriage; school choice; state action; terrorism control; war powers; workplace harassment; and many more.

9. Symbols of Freemasonry - Daniel Beresniak 2003 (misrepresented? lmmfao)

There are over ten million freemasons in the world. The supposed power of their occult network is often feared, and yet freemasonry is not a closed doctrine. Richly illustrated, Symbols of Freemasonry provides a synthesis of one of mankind's oldest existing secular brotherhoods. It is designed both for the initiated and for newcomers interested in gaining a better understanding of this fascinating but often misrepresented society.

10. Positive Magic: Ancient Metaphysical Techniques For Modern Lives, Revised Edition - Marion Weinstein 2008

The roots of magic go back thousands of years, predating Christianity,
Judaism, and recorded history. The Eleusynian Mysteries, the Egyptian
Mystery schools, and the legendary culture of Atlantis have all grown out
of these same roots. Magical traditions grew right along with monotheism:
the Jewish Caballah, Christian Gnosticism, the Christian Caballah and
ceremonial magic societies, alchemy, and astrology. In all of these magical
studies, which are still with us today, one unifying theme emerges: the
development of the self. This is both the initial goal and the starting point
of all the work. The basic idea is: Get your life in order first. Get your entire
life in harmony—mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and psychically.
Only then will you be able to truly embark on the great work. And
what is the ultimate purpose of the work? To fulfill the self on an even
higher level. To transform, uplift, and so fully develop the self that the
whole Universe may benefit thereby.

11. Tarot for Your Self : A Workbook for Personal Transformation Second Edition - Mary K. Greer 2002

Originally published in 1984, this classic is the first book to explore and promote the concept of reading the cards for personal insight-for yourself-with detailed instructions how to do so. The exercises can be enjoyed by an individual or shared with others, making it a popular text for classes and study groups. It uses meditations, rituals, spreads, mandalas, visualizations, dialogues, charts, affirmations, and other activities to help you establish your own relationship with the cards. It offers the best in traditional knowledge and know-how. Learn the many variations of three card spreads and ways of moving around the cards in the Celtic Cross Spread to get far more information than you thought possible. Use Mary Greer's powerful "breakthrough process" with all your readings to turn them into truly transformative experiences.

12. Encyclopedia of the Undead

What lurks out there in the fog?

What was that eerie sound in the dead of night?

What flitted by at the end of the street, just beyond the farthest street lamp?

From earliest times, tales of the restless dead and their fellow travelers have terrified mankind. Whether around a remote campfire or in the middle of a bustling city, the unquiet spirits and attendant creatures that have tormented humanity since the prehistoric darkness haven’t gone away – they still have the power to strike fear in our hearts.

Encyclopedia of the Undead traces those shadowy entities – vampires, werewolves, ghouls and monsters – that lurk just outside the range of human vision and inhabit our most frightening tales. Drawing on a wide range of beliefs and literature, it traces these horrors from their earliest recorded inceptions and charts their impact upon the human psyche. In this book, history and terror mix to create the things that lurk in the darkest corners of our minds.

You’ll find detailed descriptions of terrors from all over the world – from the mist-shrouded mountains of Eastern Europe to the sweltering jungles of the Caribbean islands, from the dark, stone-lined tombs of the uncoffined dead beneath the remote New England hills to the dark magics that lurk beneath the thriving, colorful surface of a city like New Orleans. In addition to the more conventional creatures, Encyclopedia of the Undead also details some of the more obscure Things that gnaw at the edges of men’s minds – Incubi and Succubi, the Mara, and the dark legends that have influenced writers from Sheridan Le Fanu to H.P. Lovecraft.

This is a book for all those who are interested in the darker side of the human mind – the side that examines and even embraces those beliefs and imaginings that form the basis of our most archetypical fears. This is the book for those brave enough to plumb the depths of our worst nightmares!

Dr. Bob Curran lives and works in the North of Ireland, a place that is haunted by myth, legend and folktales. Over the years, he has studied the dark and sinister, both in his own land and in places beyond. A psychologist and a historian, he has written and lectured extensively on the arcane and the mysterious. He is the author of Vampires and Celtic Lore & Legend (both from New Page Books)

13. After Life in Roman Paganism - ranz Cumont

According to a rite borrowed by the Romans from the Etruscans, a pit was dug in the centre of the city, when the latter's foundations were laid, in order to make the Inferi communicate with the upper world. First fruits and other gifts were thrown into the pit, as well as a clod of the earth of the settlers' native country. Thus they restored their broken contact with the Manes of their ancestors. -from "The Nether World" Franz Cumont was one of the preeminent classical scholars of his day, and his investigations into the history of religion had a dramatic impact upon the fields of archaeology, comparative mythology, and anthropology. This 1922 volume collects the influential series of lectures he delivered at Yale University highlighting one aspect of his groundbreaking studies of Roman paganism: the Romans' view of the afterlife. Cumont discusses the Romans' attitudes about the importance of the tomb, the distinctions they made between a "shade" and a "soul," the rules of admittance to Hades and the Elysian Fields, the supernatural journeys of the dead, the ancient roots of the Romans' beliefs and practices, and much more. With solid research behind him, Cumont's reassuring erudition righted inaccuracies about Roman religion that had lingered, particularly in the writings of Christian apologists, and this continues to be a fundamental work of Roman paganism today. Belgian archaeologist and historian FRANZ-VALERY-MARIE CUMONT (1869-1947) wrote numerous books, among them Texts and Illustrated Monuments Relating to the Mysteries of Mithra (1900), considered his masterwork.

14. Reincarnation, the Cycle of Necessity - Manly P. Hall

Among the subjects discussed are reincarnation in Oriental, Greek, and American Indian systems of thought; the theory as set forth in the Old and New Testaments and interpreted by early Christian Fathers; the rebirth of animals, plants, and minerals; the idea of soul-mates; the memory of past lives; and the fate of the suicide. An extensive bibliography is included.

15. The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan Age - Frances A. Yates

It is hard to overestimate the importance of the contribution made by Dame Frances Yates to the serious study of esotericism and the occult sciences. The Occult Philosophy of the Elizabethan Age was her last book, and in it she condensed many aspects of her wide learning to present a clear, penetrating, and, above all, accessible survey of the occult movements of the Renaissance, highlighting the work of John Dee, Giordano Bruno, and other key esoteric figures.

16. Mystical Philosopers - Desiderio Valacco

1. MYSTICAL PHILOSOPHERS OF THE ANTIQUITY

1.1. ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION
1.1.1 Zarathustra – Mystical Prophet of the Ancient Persia

1.2. GREEK AND HELLENIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE ANTIQUITY

1.2.1. Orpheus and Pythagoras – The First Mystical Philosophers on the European Soil
1.2.2. Pre-Socratics, Socrates and Plato
1.2.3. Religious Mysticism of the Stoic Cleanthes
1.2.4. Representative of the Stoic Monism Posidonius
1.2.5. Miracle-worker Apollonius of Tyana
1.2.6. Plutarch's Isis and Osiris
1.2.7. Plotinus – The Greatest Pagan Hellenic Philosopher
1.2.8. The Enigmatic Hermes Trismegistus
1.2.9. Iamblichus' Theurgy and Julian's Apostacy
1.2.10. Proclus 'the Successor' and the end of the Academy

1.3. ROMAN PHILOSOPHY OF THE ANTIQUITY

1.3.1. Roman Stoics
1.3.2. Apuleus' Asinus Aureus

1.4. CHRISTIANITY

1.4.1. The First Christian Philosopher Justin
1.4.2. Christian Catechetic School in Alexandria
1.4.3. Gregory's 'Mysticism of Light'
1.4.4. Mysterious Figure of Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite

1.5. HEBREW RELIGION

1.5.1. Allegoric Interpretation of the Holy Scripts by Philo of Alexandria

1.6. HINDUISM

1.6.1. Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras

1.7. BUDDHISM (INDIAN)

1.7.1. The Enlightened One – Gauthama Buddha
1.7.2. Vajra-Yana Buddhism
1.7.3. Teaching on Emptiness of the Philosopher Nagarjuna
1.7.4. Asanga – the Founder of Yogacara.

1.8. TAOISM

1.8.1. The Founder of Taoism Lao-Tse
1.8.2. Transcendentalism of Chuang-Tzu
1.8.3. The 'Dark Teaching' of Taoist Wang Pi

1.9. CONFUCIANISM

1.9.1. Confucius – The Harmony of the Cosmic and Social Order
1.9.2. The Continuators of Confucious' Work Mencius and Hsun-Tse

2. MYSTICAL PHILOSOPHERS OF THE MIDDLE AGES

2.1. CHRISTIANITY

2.1.1. Maximus the Confessor
2.1.2. Eriugena, the Philosopher of the Carolingian Renaissance
2.1.3. Byzantine Polyhistor Michael Psellus
2.1.4. St. Victor – Center of European Mystical Philosophy
2.1.5. Mysticism of the Knights Templar
2.1.6. Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon – Pioneers of the Experimental Method
2.1.7. Bonaventura's Itinerary of Path to God
2.1.8. 'Doctor Illuminatis' Ramon Lull
2.1.9. Rhineland Mysticism of Eckhart and Tauler
2.1.10. Plethon – Restorer of Platonism in the West
2.1.11. 'Learned Ignorance' of Nicolas of Cues
2.1.12. Florentine Academy
2.1.13. German Mystical Philosophy of 16th Century
2.1.15. John Dee's Communication with Angels
2.1.16. Patrizi's Love Philosophy
2.1.17. Della Porta and Bruno – Two Naples' Great Men

2.2. ISLAM

2.2.1. Spreading of Islam, Sufism and Geber
2.2.2. 'Mamun's Renaissance' and Thabit ibn Qurra
2.2.3. Al-Farabi, the Founder of Islamic Neo-Platonism
2.2.4. 'Picatrix' or 'Aim of the Wise'
2.2.5. Avicenna – Prince of Philosophers and Physicians
2.2.6. Sufi Convert al-Ghazali
2.2.7. Assasins – the Counterpart to Templar's Order
2.2.8. Ecumenical Mysticism of Ibn al-Arabi
2.2.9. Rumi – Founder of the Order of 'Spinning Dervishes'

2.3. HEBREW RELIGION

2.3.1. Interpretation of Sefer Jetzirah by Saadia Ben Joseph
2.3.2. Mystical Poet Solomon ibn Gabirol
2.3.3. Moses de Leon and Zohar
2.3.4. 'Divine Rabbi' Isaac Luria

2.4. HINDUISM

2.4.1. Shankara – Jesus of Hinduism?
2.4.2. Moderate Monist Ramanuja
2.4.3. Madhva's Dualism
2.4.4. Caitanya, the Founder of Krishna Bhakti Movement

2.5. TIBETAN BUDDHISM

2.5.1. Reformer of Tibethan Buddhism Tsong Kha-pa

2.6. FAITH OF SIKH

2.6.1. Mysticism of Sikh Faith

2.7. CONFUCIANISM

2.7.1. Cosmic Hierarchy of Chang-Tsai
2.7.2. Neo-Confucian Chu Hsi
2.7.3. The Great Learning of Wang Yang-ming

2.8. CHAN BUDDHISM (CHINESE)

2.8.1. The Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism Hui Neng

2.9. ZEN BUDDHISM (JAPANESE)

2.9.1. Japanese Mystical Philosopher Kukai
2.9.2. 'Pure Land' of Honen and Rinzai of Eisai
2.9.3. Soto Teaching of Dogen and Lotus School of Nichiren

3. MYSTICAL PHILOSOPHERS OF THE MODERN AGE

3.1. CHRISTIANITY

3.1.1. Mystical Theology of Shoemaker Boehme
3.1.2. Cambridge Platonist Henry More
3.1.3. Converted Scientist Blaise Pascal
3.1.4. Occasionalists Geulincx and Malebranche
3.1.5. Philosopher – Clairvoyant Emanuel Swedenborg
3.1.6. Mystical Ideologist of Romanticism Franz von Baader
3.1.7. Two French Mystical Philosophers
3.1.8. Mysticism of Writers Carlyle and Emerson
3.1.9. Eliphas Levi – Continuator of the Teaching of Agrippa and Paracelsus
3.1.10. Pioneer of the New Thought Prentice Mulford
3.1.11. Psychology of Dreams of Carl du Prel
3.1.12. Two Russian Christian Philosophers
3.1.13. Sufi Convert Rene Guenon and his Followers

3.2. ISLAM

3.2.1. Modern Sufis

3.3. HEBREW RELIGION

3.3.1. Baal Shem Tov and Hasidism
3.3.2. New Hasidism of Martin Buber

3.4. HINDUISM

3.4.1. The Pioneer of Neo-Hindu Movement Ram Mohum Roy
3.4.2. Ramakrishna's Ecumenism and Veneration of Divine Mother
3.4.3. Three Great Men of Neo-Hinduism from Calcutta
3.4.4. Father of Modern India Mahatma Gandhi
3.4.5. Society for the Consciousness of Krishna Srila Prabhupada
3.4.6. Transcendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
3.4.7. Sathya Sai Baba – the Avatar of the New Age?

3.5. BUDDHISM (INDIAN)

3.5.1. Osho – Enlightenment by Love, Meditation and
Laughter

3.6. ZEN BUDDHISM (JAPANESE)

3.6.1. Hakuin – Great Man of Modern Age Zen-Buddhism
3.6.2. D.T. Suzuki – Promoter of Zen Buddhism in the West

4. NEW RELIGIONS

4.1. BAHAI RELIGION

4.1.1. Bahaullah – Fulfillment of Messianic Expectations?

4.2. SCIENTOLOGY

4.2.1. Scientology Church of L. Ron Hubbard

5. SECRET SOCIETIES OF THE MODERN AGE

5.1. ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY

5.2. FREEMASONRY

5.2.1. Mystical Philosophy of Freemasonry
5.2.2. 'Le nouvel homme' of Louis de Saint-Martin
5.2.3. Literary-Scientific Mysticism of Goethe

5.3. THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

5.3.1. Theosophical Society
5.3.2. Offshoots of Theosophical Society – Antroposophical Society,
Rosicrucian Fellowship, the Arcane School and Krishnamurti

5.4. GOLDEN DAWN

5.4.1. Golden Dawn
5.4.2. Offshoots of Golden Dawn – Ordo Templis Orientis, Society of the
Inner Light and Israel Regardie

5.5. PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY

5.5.1. Manly P. Hall's Secret Teaching of all Ages

6. NEW SCIENCE AND MYSTICISM

6.1. HOLISTIC SCIENCE

6.1.1. Scientific-Mystical Philosophy of Holism

5.1.1. Robert Fludd and Rosicrucian Brotherhood

17. Language of the Earth: A Literary Anthology, 2nd edition - frank rhodes & richard stone 2008

Man’s complex relationship to planet Earth is explored in this second edition of the landmark anthology edited by Frank Rhodes and Bruce Malamud. This volume provides a portrait of the planet as experienced not just by scientists, but by artists, aviators, poets, philosophers, novelists, historians, and sociologists as well.

A unique collection that bridges the gap between science and humanities

Contains writings by scientists, artists, aviators, poets, philosophers, novelists, historians, and sociologists including Charles Darwin, Dane Picard, Rachel Carson, John Muir, Mark Twain and Archibald Geikie

Represents the human experience over the centuries, covering a span of 2,500 years

Reflects the planet’s extraordinary physical diversity

The previous edition was voted one of the 25 ‘Great Books of Geology’ by readers of the Journal of Geological Education

18. All the Names of the Lord: Lists, Mysticism, and Magic - Valentina Izmirlieva 2008

Christians face a conundrum when it comes to naming God, for if God is unnamable, as theologians maintain, he can also be called by every name. His proper name is thus an open-ended, all-encompassing list, a mystery the Church embraces in its rhetoric, but which many Christians have found difficult to accept. To explore this conflict, Valentina Izmirlieva examines two lists of God’s names: one from The Divine Names, the classic treatise by Pseudo-Dionysius, and the other from The 72 Names of the Lord, an amulet whose history binds together Kabbalah and Christianity, Jews and Slavs, Palestine, Provence, and the Balkans.
This unexpected juxtaposition of a theological treatise and a magical amulet allows Izmirlieva to reveal lists’ rhetorical potential to create order and to function as both tools of knowledge and of power. Despite the two different visions of order represented by each list, Izmirlieva finds that their uses in Christian practice point to a complementary relationship between the existential need for God’s protection and the metaphysical desire to submit to his infinite majesty—a compelling claim sure to provoke discussion among scholars in many fields.

19. Angel Tech: A Modern Shamans Guide to Reality Selection - anterno alli 1991

Angel Tech is a guide for the realization of the Multidimensional Self. The great neurological scripts of the past are synthesized and modernized for our day: Tarot, Cabala, Alchemy, the Hindu Chakra System and more are all made accessible and understandable.

20. The Book of Solomon's Magick - Carroll Poke Runyon, Poke Runyon 1996

This book presents unique and effective practical methods for invoking angels into a crystal ball and evoking spirits to visible appearance in a dark mirror. It is the companion book to "The Magick of Solomon" video produced by the same author. The techniques taught in this system are hypnotic and subjective. No special psychic talents are required to master this system. The author guides the reader step-by-step to proficiency in the ancient art of Magick.

21. Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic - Edred Thorsson 1983

Complete book of rune instruction including definitions of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark. Includes discussion of phonetic values, derivation and magical qualities of each rune, as well as exercises, chants, rituals, all geared for self-development.

22. The Eleven Pictures of Time : The Physics, Philosophy, and Politics of Time Beliefs - C Raju 2003

Time is a mystery that has perplexed humankind since time immemorial. Resolving this mystery is of significance not only to philosophers and physicists but is also a very practical concern. Our perception of time shapes our values and way of life; it also mediates the interaction between science and religion both of which rest fundamentally on assumptions about the nature of time.

C K Raju begins with a critical exposition of various time-beliefs, ranging from the earliest times through Augustine, Newton and Einstein to Stephen Hawking and current notions of chaos and time travel. He traces the role of organised religion in subverting time beliefs for its political ends. The book points out how this resulted in a facile dichotomy between 'linear' and 'cyclic' time, thereby inaugurating a confusion which, according to the author, has handicapped Western thought ever since, eventually influencing the content of science itself. Thus, this book daringly asserts that physical theory, traditionally regarded as amoral and objective, has depended on cultural beliefs about time.

The author points out that time beliefs are again being manipulated today as the credibility of science is being exploited to promote a picture of time and, hence, a pattern of human behaviour which is convenient to the agenda of globalisation of culture. The linkages between modern theology and this 'brave new physics' are traced against the wider context of the so-called 'clash of civilisations', and the attempts to remake the world order.

The conclusions point to the need to de-theologise time. The author challenges Einstein's understanding of relativity theory and suggests that a 'tilt in the arrow of time', or a small tendency towards cyclicity, will help repair the prevalent confusion about time. A 'tilt' also enables a physics that permits both memory and creativity, so that purpose and spontaneous growth of order are returned to human life. The book ends with a vision of Man as Creator, surprising God.

Extensive research in physics, the history of science, comparative religions, and sociology lend weight to the important and challenging conclusions reached by the author. Written as a rejoinder to Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, this book goes much further and, unlike any previous book, it gives a critical exposition of various world religions-Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism-while exploring their intricate links, through time beliefs, to current physics on the one hand, and to global political and economic trends, on the other. This book will appeal to scholars and laypersons equally. It will fascinate anyone who reads it and will teach its readers to question the unquestionable.

23. Origins of Life : On Earth and in the Cosmos - Geoffrey Zubay 2000

Origins of Life on the Earth and in the Cosmos, Second Edition, suggests answers to the age-old questions of how life arose in the universe and how it might arise elsewhere. This thorough revision of a very successful text describes key events in the evolution of living systems, starting with the creation of an environment suitable for the origins of life. Whereas one may never be able to reconstruct the precise pathway that led to the origin of life on earth, one can certainly make some plausible reconstructions of it. Such discussions have greatly expanded our understanding of the principles of chemical evolution and how they compare and contrast with the principles of biological evolution. The text is strong on biochemistry and its recent applications to origins' research.

* Provides an excellent review of basic biochemistry an evolution
* Written in a clear, concise style for scientists, students, and readers interested in a scientific inquiry into the origins of life
* Written by an authority in the field, and brought fully up-to-date in light of new research
* Pulls together valuable information not found in a single source
* Organized and presented in a manner conductive for use in a college course
* Heavily illustrated to make difficult concepts concrete

24. Aids to Survival 22nd ed. by Bert O'Meagher 2002

Adequate preparation before undertaking a journey or accepting employment in the outback will lessen the chance of jeopardising human life. There have been many cases where loss of life has resulted from a lack of foresight into the problems involved. The book is required reading for several community groups, youth organisations, education institutions and industry trainers.

25. Great Extinctions of the Past (Scientific American) - By Randi Mehling

Traces the rise and fall of prehistoric species, includes discussion about the time-honored and often-challenged theories about the five biggest extinctions, and raises questions about whether we are heading toward another mass extinction.

26. The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History - howard bloom

The "Lucifer Principle" is freelance journalist Bloom's theory that evil-which manifests in violence, destructiveness and war-is woven into our biological fabric. A corollary is that evil is a by-product of nature's strategy to move the world to greater heights of organization and power as national or religious groups follow ideologies that trigger lofty ideals as well as base cruelty. In an ambitious, often provocative study, Bloom applies the ideas of sociobiology, ethology and the "killer ape" school of anthropology to the broad canvas of history, with examples ranging from Oliver Cromwell's reputed pleasure in killing and raping to Mao Tse-tung's bloody Cultural Revolution, India's caste system and Islamic fundamentalist expansion. Bloom says Americans suffer "perceptual shutdown" that blinds them to the United States' downward slide in the pecking order of nations. His use of concepts like pecking order, memes (self-replicating clusters of ideas), the "neural net" or group mind of the social "superorganism" seem more like metaphors than explanatory tools.

27. Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions, and Discoveries of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance - robert krebs 2004

This volume encompasses the science of the periods in history known as the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The history and development of nearly 75 discoveries, inventions, and experiments of the period are traced.

28. Eureka!: Scientific Breakthroughs that Changed the World - leslie horvitz

While the roads that lead to breakthrough scientific discovery can be as varied and complex as the human mind, the moment of insight for all scientists is remarkably similar. The word "eureka!", attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, has come to express that universal moment of joy, wonder-and even shock-at discovering something entirely new. In this collection of twelve scientific stories, Leslie Alan Horvitz describes the drama of sudden insight as experienced by a dozen distinct personalities, detailing discoveries both well known and obscure. From Darwin, Einstein, and the team of Watson and Crick to such lesser known luminaries as fractal creator Mandelbrot and periodic table mastermind Dmitri Medellev, Eureka! perfectly illustrates Louis Pasteur's quip that chance favors the prepared mind. The book also describes how amateur scientist Joseph Priestley stumbled onto the existence of oxygen in the eighteenth century and how television pioneer Philo Farnsworth developed his idea for a TV screen while plowing his family's Idaho farm.

29. Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations - carl Gaither 2007

Finding words of wisdom about science is now easy with Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations. Organized thematically and indexed alphabetically by author, this work makes readily available an unprecedented collection of approximately 21,000 quotations related to a broad range of scientific topics, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. The thematic organization allows you to effortlessly find a pertinent quotation from a variety of sources and perspectives. The resulting compendium allows a reader to conceptualize and embrace the written images of scientists, laymen, politicians, novelists, playwrights, and poets about humankind's scientific achievements. Quotations are listed with the credited author, title, chapter, page number, birth/death date, and occupation where possible

30. Countdown to Apocalypse: A Scientific Exploration of the End of the World - paul halpern

Get ready now. Everything ends eventually, and life as we know it must sooner or later wind down. Physicist Paul Halpern pursues eschatology from the merely global to the truly universal in Countdown to Apocalypse: A Scientific Exploration of the End of the World. In this surprisingly lively, engaging book, Halpern examines the history of the end of the world (including the first wave of millennialism in the 10th century), potential doomsdays from nuclear war to global warming, and finally the inevitable collapse or dispersal of the universe itself. His explanations of the relevant physics are sparkling. Intriguingly, he is equally conversant in the important psychological factors motivating our interest and occasional strange behavior regarding the end. Tales of Heaven's Gate and Jonestown believers, and others more fortunate but no less deluded, pepper the all-too-real depictions of asteroid collisions, ozone holes, and the death of our sun. While it would be easy to wallow in despair, Halpern's consistently charming prose and optimistic turns keep the reader going eagerly from one awful scenario to the next. Sure, the end is near, but with a bit of luck and foresight, we should still have millions of years left to worry about it.

31. Sex Differences: Summarizing More Than a Century of Scientific Research 2008

This volume is the first to aim at summarizing all of the scientific literature published so far regarding male-female differences and similarities, not only in behavior, but also in basic biology, physiology, health, perceptions, emotions, and attitudes. In this title, results from over 18,000 studies have been condensed into more than 1,900 tables, with each table pertaining to a specific possible sex difference. Even research pertaining to how men and women are perceived (stereotyped) as being different is covered.Throughout this book's eleven years in preparation, no exclusions were made in terms of subject areas, cultures, time periods, or even species. The book is accompanied by a CD containing all 18,000+ references cited in the book. "Sex Differences" is a monumental resource for any researcher, student, or professional who requires an assessment of the weight of evidence that currently exists regarding any sex difference of interest. It is also suitable as a text in graduate courses pertaining to gender or human sexuality.

32. Where the Germs Are - A Scientific Safari - William Beatty

Germs are everywhere, and for most readers, longtime science writer Bakalar's intriguing, solidly based safari through the world of germs will introduce striking discoveries and useful scientific thought processes. For those in the general population, the kitchen is probably the room with the greatest potential for trouble with germs; on the other, er, hand, toilet seats are generally among the home's cleanest locales--surely an encouragement to potential readers of this book and related literature. Although regular hand washing can kill off or slow down infections just about anywhere, Bakalar's scrutiny of other "wisdom" (mostly advertising and popular) yields more mixed assessments. Pet keeping, for instance, can improve the psychological outlook of young and old but also spread germs, because even adopting animals from pounds often requires the exchange of genuinely filthy lucre. Meanwhile, Bakalar's explorations in "cleaner than clean" grocery store aisles and of the bottled water proposed for healthful drinking illuminate the brightest pages of current financial media. A glossary helpfully translates widely used but often not as widely known acronyms and other terms.

33. Are You Crazy?: 18 Scientific Quizzes to Test Yourself - andrew williams

There is a fine line between quirky and out-and-out crazy. With 18 scientifically based quizzes, Andrew N. Williams helps readers decipher whether they're "normal," toeing the line, or far past it.

Developed by psychologists to analyze human behavior, the quizzes allow readers to discover if they (or their friends and family) are:

- Sex addicts
- Obsessive-compulsives
- Food freaks
- Thrill-seekers
- Hypochondriacs
- Fetishists
- Paranoids
- Imposters

Plus the book includes descriptions, in layman's terms, of more than 80 specific quirks, illustrated with real life examples. Readers will marvel at stories of people who:

- Crave dirt-and eat it by the handful
- Are afraid of doughnuts because they can't see what's inside
- Lie about deaths in the family-to collect sympathy cards

But Are You Crazy? is much more than a party game, offering helpful insights for dealing with other peoples' crazy behavior as well as one's own insecurities and phobias.

34. The Crime of Reason: And the Closing of the Scientific Mind - robert Laughlin 2008

The provocative premise of this short book is that even as we appear to be awash in information, governments and industry are restricting access to knowledge by broadening the concept of intellectual property to include things as diverse as gene sequences and sales techniques . According to Laughlin, the right to learn is now aggressively opposed by intellectual property advocates, who want ideas elevated to the status of land, cars, and other physical assets so the their unauthorized acquisition can be prosecuted as theft. With examples drawn from nuclear physics, biotechnology and patent law, Laughlin, a Nobel laureate in physics, paints a troubling picture of a society in which the only information that is truly valuable in dollars and cents is controlled by a small number of individuals. Many intriguing arguments—for example, that electronic technologies such as the Internet, which inundate us with useless information, are not instruments of knowledge dissemination at all but agencies of knowledge destruction

35. Earth Science: A Scientific History of the Solid Earth (Discovering the Earth) - Michael Allaby 2009

Amidst all of the news stories of threats and damage to the natural environment, there are scientists working to understand more about the world and to protect it from avoidable harm. Botanists, zoologists, ecologists, geologists, volcanologists, seismologists, geomorphologists, meteorologists, climatologists, oceanographers, and many more are all environmental scientists in their own different ways, and their work has contributed greatly to the study of Earth science. Exploring such topics as the size of the Earth and how its lands and seas are distributed, "Earth Science" discusses the history of this planet, from the study of fossils to the development of the theory of plate tectonics. This exciting new book examines the Earth's history and how it came to be divided into the episodes making up the geologic time scale and includes the present version of that time scale. Full-color photographs, sidebars, and further reading complete this accessible resource.

36. Lost Solar System of the Ancients volume 1

Lost Solar System of the Ancients is a 2 volume set on astro-archeology. Subjects Covered (partial): Part 1 - Gravitation Near the Earth's Surface - Construction of the Obelisk - Variation of Time, Velocity & Distance Represented by the Ordinates & Axis of the Obelisk... more Part 2 - Hyperbolic Series... - Gravity Represented Symbolically in Hieroglyphics by the Hyperbolic Solid - The Obelisk Represents the Planetary Distances, Velocities, Periodic Times, Areas Described in Equal Times, Times of Describing Equal Areas & equal Distances in Different Orbits Having the Common Center in the Apex of the Obelisk... more Part 3 - Tower of Belus - Description by Herodotus - Content 1/24 Circumference of the Earth - Cube of Side or Enclosure Equal to the Circumference of the Earth - The Equivalent of the Stade, Orgye, Cubit, Foot, & Palm of Herodotus in Terms of the Earth Circumference & the Stature of Man... more Part 4 - Pyramid of Cheops - It's Various Measurements - Content Equal the Semi-Circuference of the Earth - Cube of Side of Base Equal 1/4 Distance of Moon... more Part 5 - Pyramid of Cephrenes - Content Equal 1/12 Circumference, Cube Equal to 1/5 Distance of Moon - The Quadrangle in Which the Pyramid Stands - Sphere Equal to Circumference - Cube of Entrance Passage is the Reciprocal of the Pyramid - The Pyramids of Egypt, Teocallis of Mexico, & Burmese Pagodas were Temples Symbolical of the Laws of Gravitation & Dedicated to the Creator... more Part 6 - American Teocallis - Mythology of Mexico Before the Arrival of the Spaniards - Teocallis of Cholula, Sun, Moon, Mexitli - Their Magnitudes Compared with Teocallis of Pachacamac, Belus, Cheops, the Pyramids of Mycerinus & Cheops' Daughter & Silbury Hill, the Conical Hill at Avebury... more

37. Lost Solar System of the Ancients volume 2

This is the 2nd volume of Lost Solar System. It is just as thorough as the 1st volume, covering a vast array of sacred buildings found around the world

38. The Celestial Ship of the North - E. Valentia Straiton 1927

The author adroitly reveals the wisdom of initiates such as Gerald Massey, Alvin Boyd Kuhn, Higgins, and others who knew the DIVINE SOURCE. Contents: Vol. 1 The Dawn of Divine Conception; The Mother of Mystery; The Land of Light, Egypt Her Mysteries that were Heaven born; It is in the Mystical We have the True, Ancient Way of recording scientific Facts; Dualities, The Two Truths of all Life, Symbols and Myths; The Garden of the Beautiful, The Garden of Eden and its Origin and Antiquity; The Sacred Four, Corners of the World, Four Ancient Magical Books, Four Sacred Animals, Astrologically interpreted, The Four Sacred Stars, Symbolism and Mysticism; The Tree, Its Origin in the Garden of Eden, The Palm Tree, Trees of the Lenni Lenape Indians, Oak Tree, The Druids, The Mistletoe, Yule Log, Acacia or Thorn Bush; Festivals of Fire, May Pole, Festivals of the Sun at the Solstices, Baal Fires, Origin of the Christmas Tree, Mithra, Christianity, Zoroaster and John of Patmos, Gnostics, Horus the Egyptian Messiah; Celestial Waters, Deluges and their ancient Traditions, Constellation of the Dragon, Pyramid, Deluge and Dragon

38. Home Emergency Guide 2003

Providing the key to solving a wide range of problems in the home, the Home Emergency Guide features clear, user-friendly symptom charts to help readers determine whether to call an ambulance or a doctor, or to use self-help measures. From resuscitating a victim or making a sling to learning how to snake a toilet or dealing with a stovetop fire, as well as what to do in case of a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, this all in one emergency guide explains what steps should be taken in order to keep the reader and family safe, before, during, and after the event.

39. Mysticism of East & West

The book covers a good range of the various ideas from the east and west of spiritual thinking.
Contents (partial)
1 - Religion & the Soul
2 - The Age of Perfect of Virtue
3 - Chinese Egoism
4 - The Origin of Evil
5 - The Teachers in the Upanishads
6 - An Outline of the Sankhya Philosophy
7 - Indian Egoism & Materialism
8 - The Buddha's Personality
9 - Buddhism & War
10 - Krishna's Advice to Arjuna
11 - Nirvana
12 - Nietzsche's Critique of Buddhism
13 - A View of Karma
14 - The Key to Pythagoras
15 - Socrates the Moral Innovator
16 - Neo-Platonism
17 - Between the Testaments
18 - The Eucharist
19 - The "Unpardonable Sin"
20 - The Ethic & Psychology of Forgivenss

40. The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 - Karl Marx

Marx"s economic analysis of history has been a powerful legacy, the effects of which continue to be felt world-wide.Serving as the foundation for Marx"s indictment of capitalism is his extraordinary work titled "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts", written in 1844 but published nearly a century later. Here Marx offers his theory of human nature and an analysis of emerging capitalism"s degenerative impact on man"s sense of self and his creative potential. What is man"s true nature? How did capitalism gain such a foothold on Western society? What is alienation and how does it threaten to undermine the proletariat? These and other vital questions are addressed as the youthful Marx sets forth his first detailed assessment of the human condition.

41. The Art of War: War and Military Thought - Martin van Creveld 2000

Warriors have always understood that combat is an art requiring sharp, flexible minds capable of adapting quickly to constantly shifting situations. In a survey that looks widely across history and cultures, the theories of some of the finest military thinkers and strategists unfold. The story begins with ancient Chinese tacticians, especially Sun Tzu, and then proceeds to the age of classical antiquity; to Byzantine and medieval Western thought; to Machiavelli and his time; and to the true greats like Clausewitz. We head into the modern age with a look at the 19th century, naval warfare, the two World Wars, nuclear strategy, and guerrilla insurrections.

42. The Economics of an Aging Society By Robert L. Clark, Richard V. Burkhauser, Marilyn Moon, Joseph F. Quinn, Timothy M. Smeeding 2004

Written by leading thinkers in the field, this text provides an in-depth analysis of the economic and policy issues associated with the aging of individuals and populations. With a strong policy focus based on demographic and economic study, this book focuses on "who gets what" from current and proposed government programs that impact on older persons, and how these affect individual behaviour. It does so in a straightforward manner that is accessible to readers with a range of mathematical backgrounds. The discussion concentrates on:

the effects of aging populations on the United States and other nations; the economic wellbeing of the elderly, highlighting women and minorities; public and private programs providing income for the elderly; Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance; Social Security and Medicare reform options; employer-based retirement programs and pensions; retirement patterns and factors influencing retirement decisions.

The authors draw from the experiences of other countries in evaluating the US experience and options. Additionally, each chapter engages the reader through practical examples and stimulates further investigation by providing practice questions with relevant website addresses.

43. Japanese Castles 1540-1640 (Fortress 5) By Stephen Turnbull, Peter Davies 2003

The most familiar characteristics of the traditional Japanese castle are the huge sloping stone walls and the graceful yet militarily sophisticated structures built on top of them. This title covers the entire period of Japanese castle development from the first introduction of stone walls and tower keeps in the mid-16th century, through the period of the great sieges of Japanese history - Nagashino (1575), Kitanosho (1583), Odawara (1590), Fushimi (1600), Osaka (1615) and Hara (1638), the last of the battles that brought an end to a period of intense internal strife known as the Sengoku Jidai (Age of Warring Battles).

About the Author
Stephen Tumbull is the world's leading English language authority on medieval Japan and the samurai. He has travelled extensively in the far east, particularly in Japan and Korea and is the author of 'The Samurai - A Military History' and Men-at-Arms 86: 'Samurai Armies 1550-1615'. Peter Dennis was born in 1950 and, having been inspired by contemporary magazines such as 'Look and Learn', studied ilustration at Liverpool Art College. He has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on hstorical subjects. He is a keen wargamer and modelmaker, and this is first title for Osprey.

44. Samurai Armies 1467-1649 (Battle Orders 36) By Stephen Turnbull 2008

The Sengoku The Jidai, 'Age of Warring States', is the age of the samurai - the military aristocracy of Japan. This period, which lasted from the outbreak of the Onin War in 1467 to the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the early 17th century, was a period of endemic warfare, when a lack of central control led to constant struggles between the daimyo, 'great names', who sought to extend the influence of their families through political and military means. This title will examine the complicated nature of family and clan that governed so much of the initial organization of the armies, how this changed over the period and how battlefield tactics developed over a series of major encounters such as Nagashino and Sekigahara.

45. Fall of Constantinople: The Ottoman Conquest of Byzantium (General Military) By David Nicolle 2007

This very attractive book provides a good introduction to the Byzantine Empire, its army, and the defenses of Constantinople, along with a relatively brief description of the siege of 1453, where the Sultan's use of massive cannon may well have been the key factor in the fall of the city. Anyone with an interest in this period who does not already own this Osprey volume will appreciate this bargain." -Bolling Smith, "The Coast Defense Journal" (August 2007)
"The Fall of Constantinople "is a pick for any collection strong in early history, particularly of the Roman Empire era. It follows the fall of the Roman Empire in general and Byzantium's eight-century struggle for survival... It's a powerful survey not to be missed.

46. Scourge of the Seas: Buccaneers, Pirates and Privateers - By Angus Konstam 2007

In their heyday, the sight of a pirate ship on the horizon would strike terror into the hearts of their intended victims. The colourful yet fearsome reputation of the pirate still resonates today and the sight of the skull and crossbones retains its thrilling power. The lives of the most famous of their brethren have been immortalised, initially in the pamphlets of the time, now in films and books. Telling the full story of piracy from the 'buccaneering era' of 17th century to the last great piratical wave of the early 19th century, this book explores the generally short and bloody life of the pirate, detailing his ship, weaponry and codes of behaviour, as well as his most famous exploits. It is the gripping tale of the violent and deadly brigands who roamed the high seas in search of plunder.

47. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Robotic Air Warfare 1917-2007 - Steven J. Zaloga 2008

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are the most dynamic field of aerospace technology, and have only emerged from the shadows recently, despite having been in use for decades. After some limited use in World War II, UAVs emerged as substitutes for manned reconnaissance aircraft in missions deemed too dangerous to risk an aircrew. This book examines the development of UAV technology and speculates on its future potential. Packed with rare, recently declassified photographs and detailed full-colour cutaways, this title goes on to investigate the deployment of UAVs, from early Israeli airforce use to their current role over Iraq and Afghanistan today

48. Crisis Preparedness Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Storage and Physical Survival (Updated 2nd Edition) 2002

A complete guide to emergency preparedness for our uncertain times. Virtually an encyclopedia of food storage and personal preparedness, it covers topics from exactly how to design a food storage program tailored for your particular family to growing and preserving food, storing fuel, alternate energy, emergency evacuation kits, medical and dental, surviving biological, chemical and nuclear terrorism, communications, selection of firearms and other survival tools, and preparing for earthquakes.

Dozens of detailed, expert checklists and tables with photographs and index. Extensive book and resource lists with regular and Internet addresses. An absolute must for those serious about preparing for and surviving during our dangerous times.

From the Back Cover
Will You Be Ready? We thought it couldn't happen, but it did. Now we know just how vulnerable we really are. What could be next?

* Biochemical terrorism
* Nuclear attack or accidents
* Earthquakes or other natural disasters
* Economic upheaval and civil riots
* Crop failures and famine

This handbook will help you prepare for our uncertain times by showing how to:

* Design a basic food-storage plan that fits your needs
* Prepare your home for earthquakes
* Survive nuclear attacks and accidents
* Build your own free radiation meter
* Put together a workable Emergency Evacuation Kit
* Select appropriate firearms
* Use communications so you'll know what's really going on
* Take care of hygienic needs
* Store fuel safely for the long-term... and much more.

49. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto - Michael Pollan 2008

What to eat, what not to eat, and how to think about health: a manifesto for our times

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These simple words go to the heart of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, the well-considered answers he provides to the questions posed in the bestselling The Omnivore's Dilemma. Humans used to know how to eat well, Pollan argues. But the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused, complicated, and distorted by food industry marketers, nutritional scientists, and journalists—all of whom have much to gain from our dietary confusion. As a result, we face today a complex culinary landscape dense with bad advice and foods that are not "real." These "edible foodlike substances" are often packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false or misleading. Indeed, real food is fast disappearing from the marketplace, to be replaced by "nutrients," and plain old eating by an obsession with nutrition that is, paradoxically, ruining our health, not to mention our meals. Michael Pollan's sensible and decidedly counterintuitive advice is: "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food."

Writing In Defense of Food, and affirming the joy of eating, Pollan suggests that if we would pay more for better, well-grown food, but buy less of it, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large. Taking a clear-eyed look at what science does and does not know about the links between diet and health, he proposes a new way to think about the question of what to eat that is informed by ecology and tradition rather than by the prevailing nutrient-by-nutrient approach.

In Defense of Food reminds us that, despite the daunting dietary landscape Americans confront in the modern supermarket, the solutions to the current omnivore's dilemma can be found all around us.

In looking toward traditional diets the world over, as well as the foods our families—and regions—historically enjoyed, we can recover a more balanced, reasonable, and pleasurable approach to food. Michael Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives and enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy.

50. When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance & Planetary Survival - Matthew Stein 2001

When Technology Fails is a practical "how to" manual that helps people to prepare for and deal with disruptions in the normal course of life. In today's world of terrorist acts and super storms, it is an invaluable reference covering a wide variety of subjects such as emergency preparedness, survival, first aid, renewable energy, alternative healing, sustainable agriculture, green-building technologies, and low-tech methods for providing the basics for yourself if deprived of access to the comforts of modern living. Each chapter also includes a "Whole Earth Catalog" style reference guide to the best books, organizations and web sites relevant to that chapter's topic. In today's world of terrorism, global warming, super-storms, record breaking floods, severe droughts, antiquated and overloaded electrical distribution systems, it is likely that most of us will see significant disruptions in the flow of electricity and goods at some point in our lives. An old Chinese! saying asks, "Is it not already too late if one waits until one is thirsty to begin digging a well?" This saying applies equally at both the personal and planetary levels. On the micro level (personal survival), a little planning, training, education and individual action can significantly reduce one's sense of helplessness. On the macro level (global sustainability), large numbers of people must be awakened to the need for change before governments and the majority of businesses make a sustainable future their number one priority. On both levels, action is required to promote a positive outcome. We live in the "Information Age" and knowledge is power. When Technology Fails is an exceptional source of information, providing something of value for almost everyone, ranging from the environmentalist who wishes to reduce man's impact on the planet to the average person who simply wishes to provide for friends and family in the event of an emergency.

51. The Works: Anatomy of a City - Kate Ascher 2005

How much do you really know about the systems that keep a city alive? The Works: Anatomy of a City contains everything you ever wanted to know about what makes New York City run. When you flick on your light switch the light goes on—how? When you put out your garbage, where does it go? When you flush your toilet, what happens to the waste? How does water get from a reservoir in the mountains to your city faucet? How do flowers get to your corner store from Holland, or bananas get there from Ecuador? Who is operating the traffic lights all over the city? And what in the world is that steam coming out from underneath the potholes on the street? Across the city lies a series of extraordinarily complex and interconnected systems. Often invisible, and wholly taken for granted, these are the systems that make urban life possible.

The Works: Anatomy of a City offers a cross section of this hidden infrastructure, using beautiful, innovative graphic images combined with short, clear text explanations to answer all the questions about the way things work in a modern city. It describes the technologies that keep the city functioning, as well as the people who support them—the pilots that bring the ships in over the Narrows sandbar, the sandhogs who are currently digging the third water tunnel under Manhattan, the television engineer who scales the Empire State Building's antenna for routine maintenance, the electrical wizards who maintain the century-old system that delivers power to subways.

Did you know that the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is so long, and its towers are so high, that the builders had to take the curvature of the earth's surface into account when designing it? Did you know that the George Washington Bridge takes in approximately $1 million per day in tolls? Did you know that retired subway cars travel by barge to the mid-Atlantic, where they are dumped overboard to form natural reefs for fish? Or that if the telecom cables under New York were strung end to end, they would reach from the earth to the sun? While the book uses New York as its example, it has relevance well beyond that city's boundaries as the systems that make New York a functioning metropolis are similar to those that keep the bright lights burning in big cities everywhere.

52. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, Extreme Edition - Joshua Piven & David Borgenicht 2005

How could it get any worse? For the latest book in the phenomenally successful Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, the authors have pulled out all the stops, harkening back to the core appeal that made the first book a runaway bestseller. Here are all new scenarios for living life on the very edge. Imperiled readers will learn immediate, hands-on strategies for surviving an elephant stampede, a 16-c