A sweeping historical epic and a radical new interpretation of Vasco da Gama’s groundbreaking voyages, seen as a turning point in the struggle between Christianity and Islam In 1498 a young captain sailed from Portugal, circumnavigated Africa, crossed the Indian Ocean, and discovered the sea route to the Indies and, with it, access to the fabled wealth of the East. It was the longest voyage known to history. The little ships were pushed beyond their limits, and their crews were racked by storms and devastated by disease. However, their greatest enemy was neither nature nor even the sheer dread of venturing into unknown worlds that existed on maps populated by coiled, toothy sea monsters. With bloodred Crusader crosses emblazoned on their sails, the explorers arrived in the heart of the Muslim East at a time when the old hostilities between Christianity and Islam had risen to a new level of intensity. In two voyages that spanned six years, Vasco da Gama would fight a running sea battle that would ultimately change the fate of three continents. An epic tale of spies, intrigue, and treachery; of bravado, brinkmanship, and confused and often comical collisions between cultures encountering one another for the first time; Holy War also offers a surprising new interpretation of the broad sweep of history. Identifying Vasco da Gama’s arrival in the East as a turning point in the centuries-old struggle between Islam and Christianity—one that continues to shape our world—Holy War reveals the unexpected truth that both Vasco da Gama and his archrival, Christopher Columbus, set sail with the clear purpose of launching a Crusade whose objective was to reach the Indies; seize control of its markets in spices, silks, and precious gems from Muslim traders; and claim for Portugal or Spain, respectively, all the territories they discovered. Vasco da Gama triumphed in his mission and drew a dividing line between the Muslim and Christian eras of history—what we in the West call the medieval and the modern ages. Now that the world is once again tipping back East, Holy War offers a key to understanding age-old religious and cultural rivalries resurgent today.

very great player knows that success in poker is part luck, part math, and part subterfuge. While the math of poker has been refined over the past 20 years, the ability to read other players and keep your own "tells" in check has mostly been learned by trial and error.But now, Joe Navarro, a former FBI counterintelligence officer specializing in nonverbal communication and behavior analysis or, to put it simply, a man who can tell when someone's lying offers foolproof techniques, illustrated with amazing examples from poker pro Phil Hellmuth, that will help you decode and interpret your opponents' body language and other silent tip-offs while concealing your own. You'll become a human lie detector, ready to call every bluff and the most feared player in the room.

Exploring the mystery, wisdom, and power of the dark phase of the moon's cycle--a lunar-based model for moving through the dark times in our lives with understanding, consciousness, and faith in renewal.The moon's dark phase has traditionally been a time of fear and superstition, a time associated with death and isolation. The mythical embodiment of these fears is the Dark Goddess. Known around the world by many names--Lilith, Kali, Hecate, and Morgana--the archetypal Dark Goddess represents death, sexuality, and the unconscious--the little understood, often feared aspects of life.Demetra George combines psychological, mythical, and spiritual perspective on the shadowy, feminine symbolism of the dark moon to reclaim the darkness from oppressive, fear-based images. George offers rites for rebirth and transformation that teach us to tap into the power of our dark times, maximizing the potential for renewal inherent in our inevitable periods of loss, depression, and anger.

Countless mothers of brides and grooms have asked Peggy Post for a wedding planner just for them. Here it is! Whether you're helping a little or a lot, or like most moms are serving as combination coach, diplomat, and troubleshooter, this planner is packed with useful ideas, including: Planning lists especially for moms Questions to ask before hiring wedding professionals Times when a mother's tactful advice is most helpful A Resources section with worksheets for keeping track of guests, gifts, budget, and more An Address Book you'll refer to again and again Peggy Post will help you navigate finances, guest list, ceremony, and reception details; interact with your daughter's or son's future in-laws; and plan your role (including your outfit!) while making memories to last a lifetime.

*Author will be named after the final show is aired in Australia*The winner of the hit TV show, The Apprentice, shows how anyone can become their own personal success in both business and life, using his or her own experiences as a self-made entrepreneur,his or her work ethic, top business strategies, and lessons learned competing on the show, working for Donald Trump and winning the most talked about reality shows in years.Foreword by Donald Trump.

For more than fifty years, the world C. S. Lewis created in Narnia has captured our hearts and imaginations. Both children and adults have discovered that rereading the books leads to entirely new experiences and insights. In the midst of these breathtaking stories of adventure, betrayal, and discovery in a magical land are profound messages about the true meaning of life. Whether it is Eustace struggling with his dragon skin, Digory debating obedience to Aslan versus saving his mother, or Edmund facing his shame after his rescue from the White Witch, the questions and dilemmas facing the characters are surprisingly relevant to us today. By pondering the world of Narnia, we better understand our own.In the first book of its kind, A Year with Aslan offers 365 of the most thought-provoking passages from all seven books, paired with reflective questions that get at the heart of what matters most. An unprecedented way to experience the magic of Narnia every day of the year, A Year with Aslan allows us all to go "Further up and further in!"

The thrilling conclusion to Ferals, a fantasy trilogy that's part Batman, part The Graveyard Book, and all high-stakes adventure. Caw has defeated the dreaded Spinning Man and vanquished the Mother of Flies. But a new feral has appeared--one who intends to uphold the Spinning Man's dark legacy. Known as the White Widow, this spider feral is determined to destroy Caw and bring Blackstone back into an era of crime and fear. Now everyone Caw holds dear is in danger. And this time Caw may not be able to protect them.

The sisters of STREET CHILD tell their story… A companion novel to bestselling story of orphan Jim Jarvis set in Victorian England. When Jim Jarvis is separated from his sisters, Lizzie and Emily, he thinks he will never see them again. Now for the first time, the bestselling author of STREET CHILD reveals what happened to his orphaned sisters. In Victorian London, Lizzie and Emily are left in the care of a cook but their story takes them to the mills of northern England. There, under the keen eyes of the mill owners, the girls are made to work in harsh conditions and any chance of escape is sorely tempting… An incredible new STREET CHILD story based on the true experiences of Victorian mill girls.

The second of four seasonal e-shorts from London-based nutritional therapist Amelia Freer. Forget fad diets, now is the time to make a lasting change and develop a healthy, clean and sustainable relationship with food. Being healthy is a way of life, but it doesn’t have to be about denying yourself. Amelia Freer loves food and encourages a positive and realistic approach to healthy eating. In this book, she offers small changes to your diet and lifestyle to help you look and feel amazing by the time summer rolls around, with no need for last-minute bikini diets. Targeting seasonal problems and using seasonal ingredients, Amelia is on a mission – to wean us all off additive-crammed foods and help us rediscover the joys of cooking and eating fresh, healthy ingredients. Summer is a time to enjoy the sun, be more active, and delight in the fresh fruits and vegetables the season offers. Amelia believes that issues such as weight loss, lack of energy and stress can be helped by small lifestyle choices. With seven exclusive recipes, perfect for sharing with friends on sunny days and bursting with all the colours and flavours of summer, this title is focused on creating a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle. Amelia Freer’s first full-length title offering her complete food philosophy will be published in January 2015.

The fourth in a series of four seasonal e-shorts from London-based nutritional therapist Amelia Freer. Being healthy is a way of life, but it doesn’t have to be about denying yourself. Amelia Freer loves food and encourages a positive and realistic approach to healthy eating. For this, her fourth exclusive e-short, Amelia presents a selection of delicious seasonal recipes perfect for making you feel warm, nurtured and full of energy even when there’s a chill in the air. Targeting seasonal problems and using seasonal ingredients, Amelia is on a mission – to wean us all off additive-crammed foods and help us rediscover the joys of cooking and eating fresh, healthy ingredients. Winter is the perfect time for brisk, warmly-wrapped-up walks and one-pot meals. It’s also a time for indulgence of the body and the soul, and a bit of rejuvenating hibernation. This e-short offers invaluable, practical advice on winter nutrition, with a focus on maintaining a healthy, enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle. Amelia Freer’s first full-length title offering her complete food philosophy will be published in January 2015.

This is an extract from the bestselling Cake Days by The Hummingbird Bakery. From Britain’s favourite bakery, a selection of the perfect recipes to bake on a beautiful spring weekend, from Apple Blossom cupcakes to a fun Grasshopper pie.

For nearly three decades political observers have sought to understand the complex relationship between Hillary Clinton's faith and her politics. Now, in this first spiritual biography of the former first lady, acclaimed historian Paul Kengor sets out to answer the elusive question: What does Hillary Clinton believeBased on exhaustive research, God and Hillary Clinton tells the surprising story of Hillary's spiritual evolution, detailing the interaction between her lifelong religious beliefs and her personal history that has made her the politician she is today. Offering an in-depth spiritual chronology of Clinton's life, author Paul Kengor also analyzes the fraught relationship between her faith and her secular policies most notably how she reconciles her pro-choice stance on abortion with her Christian beliefs and scrutinizes how these policies have changed over the course of her political career. What emerges is an unexpected portrait of a political figure whose ideals have been shaped by both the power of her politics and the depth of her religious devotion.

This is an extract from the bestselling Cake Days by The Hummingbird Bakery.

They say the higher you climb, the harder you fall – how will Juliet cope when her perfect world starts to crumble around her? Juliet seemingly has it all. Popular, pretty, with laidback, loving parents, a devoted boyfriend and an effortless straight A report card. But then the cracks start to show: her parents separate, which leads to her mother taking an overdose. With the stress of college applications looming on the night of her mother’s hospitalization, Juliet takes comfort in the arms of a stranger. Now Juliet’s relationship with Jason is on the rocks too – can she piece her perfect life back together before the shockwaves threaten to collapse it completely?

Fall in back in love with life in this gripping read about fate and second chances. The eagerly awaited new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Izzy has broken off her engagement to her feckless fiancée Kieran and returned to her childhood home – the sleepy village of Halfhidden. She soon realizes that life in the village is anything but peaceful – for one thing she’s living with her mad aunt Debo and her pack of dogs, and for another, Izzy has a lot of unanswered questions. When she was a teenager, Izzy was involved in a terrible accident, involving various inhabitants of Halfhidden. As she sets out to discover what actually happened on the night of the accident, she realizes that her painful past is actually standing in the way of her future happiness. So when a handsome stranger comes to Halfhidden will she let love back into her life?

For the first time ever all three Suptertoys stories are collected in one essential volume. Featuring one of Brian Aldiss’ most renowned works, ‘Supertoys Last All Summer Long’, which was adapted into the 2001 film ‘A.I.’ directed by Steven Spielberg. David is just a little boy, a little boy who loves his mother and his teddy bear. David wants to make his mother happy, and tell her he loves her, but can't quite seem to find the words. His verbal communication centre is giving him trouble again. He may have to go back to the factory. With a brand new introduction from Brian Aldiss, ‘The Supertoys Trilogy’ is essential reading for all Science Fiction fans. Also includes ‘Supertoys When Winter Comes’ and ‘Supertoys in Other Seasons’.

From the author of ‘Black Bread White Beer’ The East Coast of America, 1980. Anna Brown, a dying artist, works on her final portrait. Obsessive and secretive, it is a righting of her past failures; her final statement. John Brown, her husband and life-long muse, has left; walked out of their home one morning to travel cross-country in search of the paintings he has sat for. As their stories unfold – independently, for the first time in many years – a passionate unconventional relationship is revealed, between two people living through the most tumultuous decades of modern history. All the Days and Nights is the story of an art hunt during a twilight period of painting. It lays bare two relationships that are ever changing and incomparable: of the artist and the muse, and of lovers. It is an exploration of what it means to create, what it means to inspire, what it means to live.

It's time to take back our country.Now. It's that simple. It's that urgent.So begins Dick Morris and Eileen McGann's latest and most important book. They say that we must act before President Barack Obama fully implements his radical political agenda. Because after Obama has won his war on prosperity and canceled the war on terror, it will be too late to regain our liberty or our security.At a time when we needed a pragmatic centrist to lead us out of recession, we got a doctrinaire socialist who wants to use the crisis to put the government in charge of the economy and enact European socialism here in the United States. Cars, banks what's nextHe will keep at it until Washington governs every major business in America and sets all our salaries.It's a catastrophe.Dick Morris and Eileen McGann saw the meltdown coming. In their book Outrage, they called out the house of cards that was Fannie Mae. In Fleeced, they went after the credit card companies, the subprime mortgage lenders, and the hedge fund billionaires who conspired to wreck the economy and Barack Obama, whose policies, they predicted last summer, would "trigger a stock market crash." Now, in Catastrophe, Morris and McGann take a hard look at America in free fall and at how Obama is transforming a vulnerable America into a socialist state.They tell the truth about Obama and his radical policies: He will destroy our health care system so that no one gets adequate care. He designed his bank rescue plan to pave the way for nation-alization of the banks and socialization of the economy. He firmly believes in government control of our major industries he's already commandeered the banks and the automobile industry. He plans to reshape the political landscape to keep the left in power for decades by cooking the census, enfranchising illegal immigrants, muzzling talk radio, and coercing workers into unions. He is attacking those who fight terrorism while letting the terrorists go free. He gives aid to Hamas while Shariah Law threatens to take over America. He has repealed the Declaration of Independence and put us under a worldwide, European-dominated financial regulatory system. But Obama is not working alone. Morris and McGann spell out how Congress is complicit: How Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Charlie Rangel use special interests and special friends for their own enrichment and glorification. How Ted Kennedy Jr. is exploiting his father's health care power. "This is no time for apathy or alienation or hopelessness," Morris and McGann remind us. "It's a time for action." And that action must begin now before it's too late.

"Never let 'em see you sweat." "Never change diapers in mid-stream." "Never let a crisis go to waste." "Never ruin an apology with an excuse." "Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died." When we strongly encourage people to do something, it's called an exhortation. But what is the proper term for strongly discouraging peopleOne candidate is admonition. Another is dehortation, the opposite of exhortation. But perhaps the best term for an emphatic piece of dissuasive advice is neverism. You won't find the term in any dictionary (at least not yet) because quotation anthologist Dr. Mardy Grothe coined it himself for this collection of nearly two thousand quotable cautionary warnings. With the whimsical and witty intermixed with the serious and profound, contributors range from Aesop and Marcus Aurelius to John Wayne and Mae West. Grothe also tells the fascinating "back stories" of scores of classic quotations as well as the history of hundreds more that have never before appeared in a quotation anthology. Organized by topics such as Wit & Wordplay, Politics & Government, Sports, Stage & Screen, and The Literary Life, this is a book about quotations as well as a book of them. Neverisms is sure to delight quotation lovers and language aficionados everywhere.

In our deepest darkest hours, we are not alone. The spirits of our loved ones continue to exist after the body dies and many thousands of people around the world have experienced extraordinary signs from heaven to prove this. Afterlife expert and bestselling author Jacky Newcomb knows that the spirit world is real. In this short story she shares some of the thousands of tales she has heard about messages from the other side. ?The spontaneous angel gift that gave a woman courage to leave an abusive relationship ?The mysterious disappearing doctor who saved a pregnant woman and her premature baby son ?The grandma and great grandma who protected their grandson, from heaven Ordinary people from all over the world have experienced signs that their angels are listening and supporting them in their time of need. In Messages from Angels, Jacky will bring hope and comfort and share some of the little signs that can bring magic into your life.

Have you ever wondered where we go when we cross through the light at the end of the tunnel? Or what – and who – is waiting for us on the other side? Angel expert Jacky Newcomb brings light where there was darkness with more unique and incredible true stories from the world beyond the veil. Through the miraculous accounts of those brought back from the brink of death, and the astonishing stories of those who’ve experienced visits from loved ones who’ve passed on, Jacky shares with us the glimpses of heaven we could only imagine until now – and the life changing effects they have had on those lucky enough to experience them. Beautifully told and compelling in nature, “Touching Heaven” is as beguiling as it is revealing.