A complete guide on using data structures and algorithms to write sophisticated C# code About This Book ? Master array, set and map with trees and graphs, among other fundamental data structures ? Delve into effective design and implementation techniques to meet your software requirements ? Explore illustrations to present data structures and algorithms, as well as their analysis in a clear, visual manner. Who This Book Is For This book is for developers who would like to learn the Data Structures and Algorithms in C#. Basic C# programming knowledge would be an added advantage. What You Will Learn ? How to use arrays and lists to get better results in complex scenarios ? Implement algorithms like the Tower of Hanoi on stacks of C# objects ? Build enhanced applications by using hashtables, dictionaries and sets ? Make a positive impact on efficiency of applications with tree traversal ? Effectively find the shortest path in the graph In Detail Data structures allow organizing data efficiently. They are critical to various problems and their suitable implementation can provide a complete solution that acts like reusable code. In this book, you will learn how to use various data structures while developing in the C# language as well as how to implement some of the most common algorithms used with such data structures. At the beginning, you will get to know arrays, lists, dictionaries, and sets together with real-world examples of your application. Then, you will learn how to create and use stacks and queues. In the following part of the book, the more complex data structures will be introduced, namely trees and graphs, together with some algorithms for searching the shortest path in a graph. We will also discuss how to organize the code in a manageable, consistent, and extendable way. By the end of the book,you will learn how to build components that are easy to understand, debug, and use in different applications. Style and approach Readers will be taken through all the indispensable data structures and algorithms so they can begin their coding journey in C#. At each step, the book will show how to implement these via examples while also discussing the attributes of each algorithm so readers are capable to make an informed choice.

Leverage the power of the Reinforcement Learning techniques to develop self-learning systems using Tensorflow About This Book ? Learn reinforcement learning concepts and their implementation using TensorFlow ? Discover different problem-solving methods for Reinforcement Learning ? Apply reinforcement learning for autonomous driving cars, robobrokers, and more Who This Book Is For If you want to get started with reinforcement learning using TensorFlow in the most practical way, this book will be a useful resource. The book assumes prior knowledge of machine learning and neural network programming concepts, as well as some understanding of the TensorFlow framework. No previous experience with Reinforcement Learning is required. What You Will Learn ? Implement state-of-the-art Reinforcement Learning algorithms from the basics ? Discover various techniques of Reinforcement Learning such as MDP, Q Learning and more ? Learn the applications of Reinforcement Learning in advertisement, image processing, and NLP ? Teach a Reinforcement Learning model to play a game using TensorFlow and the OpenAI gym ? Understand how Reinforcement Learning Applications are used in robotics In Detail Reinforcement Learning (RL), allows you to develop smart, quick and self-learning systems in your business surroundings. It is an effective method to train your learning agents and solve a variety of problems in Artificial Intelligence—from games, self-driving cars and robots to enterprise applications that range from datacenter energy saving (cooling data centers) to smart warehousing solutions. The book covers the major advancements and successes achieved in deep reinforcement learning by synergizing deep neural network architectures with reinforcement learning. The book also introduces readers to the concept of Reinforcement Learning, its advantages and why it’s gaining so much popularity. The book also discusses on MDPs, Monte Carlo tree searches, dynamic programming such as policy and value iteration, temporal difference learning such as Q-learning and SARSA. You will use TensorFlow and OpenAI Gym to build simple neural network models that learn from their own actions. You will also see how reinforcement learning algorithms play a role in games, image processing and NLP. By the end of this book, you will have a firm understanding of what reinforcement learning is and how to put your knowledge to practical use by leveraging the power of TensorFlow and OpenAI Gym. Style and approach An Easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to help you get to grips with real-world applications of Reinforcement Learning with TensorFlow.

Install and configure a pfSense router/firewall, and become a pfSense expert in the process. About This Book ? You can always do more to secure your software – so extend and customize your pfSense firewall ? Build a high availability security system that’s fault-tolerant – and capable of blocking potential threats ? Put the principles of better security into practice by implementing examples provided in the text Who This Book Is For This book is for those with at least an intermediate understanding of networking. Prior knowledge of pfSense would be helpful but is not required. Those who have the resources to set up a pfSense firewall, either in a real or virtual environment, will especially benefit, as they will be able to follow along with the examples in the book. What You Will Learn ? Configure pfSense services such as DHCP, Dynamic DNS, captive portal, DNS, NTP and SNMP ? Set up a managed switch to work with VLANs ? Use pfSense to allow, block and deny traffic, and to implement Network Address Translation (NAT) ? Make use of the traffic shaper to lower and raise the priority of certain types of traffic ? Set up and connect to a VPN tunnel with pfSense ? Incorporate redundancy and high availability by utilizing load balancing and the Common Address Redundancy Protocol (CARP) ? Explore diagnostic tools in pfSense to solve network problems In Detail pfSense has the same reliability and stability as even the most popular commercial firewall offerings on the market – but, like the very best open-source software, it doesn’t limit you. You’re in control – you can exploit and customize pfSense around your security needs. Mastering pfSense - Second Edition, covers features that have long been part of pfSense such as captive portal, VLANs, traffic shaping, VPNs, load balancing, Common Address Redundancy Protocol (CARP), multi-WAN, and routing. It also covers features that have been added with the release of 2.4, such as support for ZFS partitions and OpenVPN 2.4. This book takes into account the fact that, in order to support increased cryptographic loads, pfSense version 2.5 will require a CPU that supports AES-NI. The second edition of this book places more of an emphasis on the practical side of utilizing pfSense than the previous edition, and, as a result, more examples are provided which show in step-by-step fashion how to implement many features. Style and approach Practical guide to learn the advanced functionalities of pfSense with minimum fuss.

Get the most out of .NET framework using standard libraries and create a .NET Standard 2.0 library from scratch About This Book ? Write code once and share within .NET ecosystem in Windows, Linux and macOS ? Give your .NET Libraries a common framework in cloud and on premise with the latest .NET Standard 2.0 ? Build a wide range of applications from Mobile with Xamarin to Web with ASP.NET Who This Book Is For This book is for .NET developers who are looking to build dynamic applications with the latest .NET Standard. C# knowledge is required. What You Will Learn ? Create a .NET Standard 2.0 library ? Use System.IO within the .NET Standard 2.0 ? Make use of your legacy .NET libraries with the new .NET Core standard ? Explore the thread support to create a multithreaded .NET Standard 2.0 library ? Create a .NET Standard 2.0 library and use it with an Android and iOS application ? Implement various Visual Studio 2017 diagnostics and debugging tools ? Create a NuGet Package and submit the package to the NuGet Package Manager ? Use Visual Studio 2017 azure tools to deploy the application to Azure ? Test and deliver a .NET Standard 2.0 library In Detail The .NET Standard is a standard that represents a set of APIs that all .NET platforms have to implement, making it easy for developers to access and use one common library for their development needs. This book begins with a quick refresher, helping you understand the mechanics of the new standard and offering insight into how it works. You’ll explore the core library concepts, such as working with collections, configurations, I/O, security, and multithreading. You’ll explore the iOS and Android libraries of Xamarin and we’ll guide you through creating a .NET Standard 2.0 library, which you’ll use with both Android and iOS applications. In the final chapters, you’ll learn the various debugging and diagnostics tools to deliver quality libraries and create a NuGet package of the .NET Standard 2.0 library. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to expand your current workflow to various .NET flavors and have the essential skills to create a .NET Standard 2.0 library from scratch to package and deliver it to the world. Style and approach A recipe-based approach to help you get the most out of the .NET Standard 2.0 Library that can be implemented to all the .NET Platforms

Test your Python programming skills by solving real-world problems About This Book ? Access built-in documentation tools and improve your code. ? Discover how to make the best use of decorator and generator functions ? Enhance speed and improve concurrency by conjuring tricks from the PyPy project Who This Book Is For Whether you’ve been working with Python for a few years or you’re a seasoned programmer, you’ll have a lot of new tricks to walk away with. What You Will Learn ? Know the differences between .py and .pyc files ? Explore the different ways to install and upgrade Python packages ? Understand the working of the PyPI module that enhances built-in decorators ? See how coroutines are different from generators and how they can simulate multithreading ? Grasp how the decimal module improves floating point numbers and their operations ? Standardize sub interpreters to improve concurrency ? Discover Python’s built-in docstring analyzer In Detail This book covers the unexplored secrets of Python, delve into its depths, and uncover its mysteries. You’ll unearth secrets related to the implementation of the standard library, by looking at how modules actually work. You’ll understand the implementation of collections, decimals, and fraction modules. If you haven’t used decorators, coroutines, and generator functions much before, as you make your way through the recipes, you’ll learn what you’ve been missing out on. We’ll cover internal special methods in detail, so you understand what they are and how they can be used to improve the engineering decisions you make. Next, you’ll explore the CPython interpreter, which is a treasure trove of secret hacks that not many programmers are aware of. We’ll take you through the depths of the PyPy project, where you’ll come across several exciting ways that you can improve speed and concurrency. Finally, we’ll take time to explore the PEPs of the latest versions to discover some interesting hacks. Style and approach Recipe based approach where each problem is solved with the help of step by step instructions.

A comprehensive end-to-end guide that gives hands-on practice in big data and Artificial Intelligence About This Book ? Learn to build and run a big data application with sample code ? Explore examples to implement activities that a big data architect performs ? Use Machine Learning and AI for structured and unstructured data Who This Book Is For Big Data Architect’s Handbook is for you if you are an aspiring data professional, developer, or IT enthusiast who aims to be an all-round architect in big data. This book is your one-stop solution to enhance your knowledge and carry out easy to complex activities required to become a big data architect. What You Will Learn ? Learn Hadoop Ecosystem and Apache projects ? Understand, compare NoSQL database and essential software architecture ? Cloud infrastructure design considerations for big data ? Explore application scenario of big data tools for daily activities ? Learn to analyze and visualize results to uncover valuable insights ? Build and run a big data application with sample code from end to end ? Apply Machine Learning and AI to perform big data intelligence ? Practice the daily activities performed by big data architects In Detail The big data architects are the “masters” of data, and hold high value in today’s market. Handling big data, be it of good or bad quality, is not an easy task. The prime job for any big data architect is to build an end-to-end big data solution that integrates data from different sources and analyzes it to find useful, hidden insights. Big Data Architect’s Handbook takes you through developing a complete, end-to-end big data pipeline, which will lay the foundation for you and provide the necessary knowledge required to be an architect in big data. Right from understanding the design considerations to implementing a solid, efficient, and scalable data pipeline, this book walks you through all the essential aspects of big data. It also gives you an overview of how you can leverage the power of various big data tools such as Apache Hadoop and ElasticSearch in order to bring them together and build an efficient big data solution. By the end of this book, you will be able to build your own design system which integrates, maintains, visualizes, and monitors your data. In addition, you will have a smooth design flow in each process, putting insights in action. Style and approach Comprehensive guide with a perfect blend of theory, examples and implementation of real-world use-cases

Master the capabilities of Qlik Sense to design and deploy solutions that address all the Business Intelligence needs of your organization About This Book ? Create compelling dashboards and visualizations with your data by leveraging Qlik Sense's self-service model ? Perform data loading and model efficient solutions with faster performance and better governance ? Master Qlik Sense’s APIs and develop powerful mashups and fantastic extensions for visualizations and other components that run across all platforms Who This Book Is For This book is for Business Intelligence professionals and Data Analysts who want to become experts in using Qlik Sense. If you have extensively used QlikView in the past and are looking to transition to Qlik Sense, this book will also help you. A fundamental understanding of how Qlik Sense works and its features is all you need to get started with this book. What You Will Learn ? Understand the importance of self-service analytics and the IKEA-effect ? Explore all the available data modeling techniques and create efficient and optimized data models ? Master security rules and translate permission requirements into security rule logic ? Familiarize yourself with different types of Master Key Item(MKI) and know how and when to use MKI. ? Script and write sophisticated ETL code within Qlik Sense to facilitate all data modeling and data loading techniques ? Get an extensive overview of which APIs are available in Qlik Sense and how to take advantage of a technology with an API ? Develop basic mashup HTML pages and deploy successful mashup projects In Detail Qlik Sense is a powerful, self-servicing Business Intelligence tool for data discovery, analytics and visualization. It allows you to create personalized Business Intelligence solutions from raw data and get actionable insights from it. This book is your one-stop guide to mastering Qlik Sense, catering to all your organizational BI needs. You'll see how you can seamlessly navigate through tons of data from multiple sources and take advantage of the various APIs available in Qlik and its components for guided analytics. You'll also learn how to embed visualizations into your existing BI solutions and extend the capabilities of Qlik Sense to create new visualizations and dashboards that work across all platforms. We also cover other advanced concepts such as porting your Qlik View applications to Qlik Sense,and working with Qlik Cloud. Finally, you'll implement enterprise-wide security and access control for resources and data sources through practical examples. With the knowledge gained from this book, you'll have become the go-to expert in your organization when it comes to designing BI solutions using Qlik Sense. Style and approach This book provides in-depth knowledge on complex visualization processes. This guide will take you straight to complex implementation techniques. While covering the concepts, the use cases will help you understand how they work and how to utilize them.

Geometry Management, Event Handling, and more About This Book ? A Practical, guide to learn the application of Python and GUI programming with tkinter ? Create multiple cross-platform real-world projects by integrating host of third party libraries and tools ? Learn to build beautiful and highly interactive user interfaces, targeting multiple devices. Who This Book Is For This book is for a beginner to intermediate-level Pythonists who want to build modern, cross-platform GUI applications with the amazingly powerful Tkinter. Prior knowledge of Tkinter is required. What You Will Learn ? A Practical, guide to help you learn the application of Python and GUI programming with Tkinter ? Create multiple, cross-platform, real-world projects by integrating a host of third-party libraries and tools ? Learn to build beautiful and highly interactive user interfaces, targeting multiple devices. In Detail Tkinter is the built-in GUI package that comes with standard Python distributions. It is a cross-platform package, which means you build once and deploy everywhere. It is simple to use and intuitive in nature, making it suitable for programmers and non-programmers alike. This book will help you master the art of GUI programming. It delivers the bigger picture of GUI programming by building real-world, productive, and fun applications such as a text editor, drum machine, game of chess, audio player, drawing application, piano tutor, chat application, screen saver, port scanner, and much more. In every project, you will build on the skills acquired in the previous project and gain more expertise. You will learn to write multithreaded programs, network programs, database-driven programs, asyncio based programming and more. You will also get to know the modern best practices involved in writing GUI apps. With its rich source of sample code, you can build upon the knowledge gained with this book and use it in your own projects in the discipline of your choice. Style and approach An easy-to-follow guide, full of hands-on examples of real-world GUI programs. The first chapter is a must-read as it explains most of the things you need to get started with writing GUI programs with Tkinter. Each subsequent chapter is a stand-alone project that discusses some aspects of GUI programming in detail. These chapters can be read sequentially or randomly, depending on the reader's experience with Python.

Automate the deployment of your environment with the power of the Docker toolchain About This Book ? Written and reviewed by expert Docker developers ? The book precisely covers all the essential topics such as building images and managing container swarms required in day to day use for Docker ? The book includes activities on the docker CLI and exercises such as writing Dockerfiles for Python which will allow you to reinforce the concepts covered Who This Book Is For The book is crafted for developers, system architects, junior and mid-level site reliability engineers interested in adapting a docker workflow. They are also required to have a basic knowledge of UNIX concepts such as ssh, ports and logs What You Will Learn ? Understand how to effectively design and build containers for different applications ? Setup an environment for testing, avoiding environment mismatch that is breaking production ? Setup and manage a multi-tier environment ? Run, debug, and experiment with applications in a container In Detail DevOps with Docker outlines the power of containerization and the influence this innovation has on development teams and general operations. We also get to understand what DevOps really is, the principles involved and how the process contributes to product health, by implementing a Docker workflow. We will learn to interpret Dockerfile syntax, build images and setup containers and images. In addition, we will deploy a Docker image to the Docker Hub.Docker is an open source containerization tool, that makes it easier to streamline product delivery. It helps reduce the time taken to get from a whiteboard sketch of the business to a money-back implementation. This fast-paced book is a perfect amalgamation of theory and hands-on exercises. The book will take you through the basics of Docker and DevOps and why and how they integrate. You will then understand what containers are, and how to create and manage them. Next, we will work on the docker-compose file and CLI. Then we will move to set up a network with the docker-compose tool. Gradually you will learn how to scale a delivery pipeline and multiple deployments with Docker. Lastly, you will grasp the concept of orchestration and learn to implement the delivery of containerized applications. Style and approach This is a fast-paced, practical hands-on book aimed at experienced developers and system architects. As you progress you’ll find helpful tips and tricks, as well as useful self-assessment material, exercises and activities to help benchmark your progress and reinforce what you’ve learned. The activities are devised to simulate the real-world conditions in order to equip you with the necessary skills to accelerate software deployment while still retaining security, portability and saving on costs.

Bringing together three favourite novels about Paddington, the beloved, classic bear from Darkest Peru. Book 1 - A Bear Called Paddington: Paddington Bear travels all the way from Darkest Peru and meets the Brown family on Paddington station for the first time. Since then the Browns’ lives have never been quite the same… for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is around. Book 2 - More About Paddington: Whether he is attempting home decorating, detective work or photography, Paddington always causes his own special brand of chaos! Book 3 - Paddington Helps Out Somehow, trouble comes naturally to Paddington. What other bear could catch a fish in his hat, or cause havoc in the Browns’ kitchen just trying to be helpful? Paddington Bear has been delighting adults and children alike with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures for over fifty years.

Jason and Whit Fireson, the notorious, bank-robbing duo known as the Firefly Brothers, wake to find themselves lying on cooling boards in a police morgue. Riddled with bullet wounds, the reality is inescapable: they've been killed. But they're alive. It is August of 1934, in the midst of the Great Depression but in the waning months of the great Crime Wave, during which the newly-created FBI killed such famous outlaws as John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd. Across the nation, men are out of work and families are starving, and Americans are stunned and frightened by the collapse of their country's foundations. The Firesons' lovers Darcy and Veronica struggle between grief and an unyielding belief that Jason and Whit have survived, while their stunned mother and straight-arrow third brother desperately try to support their family and evade police spies. And through it all the Firefly Brothers themselves race to find the women they love, and make sense of a world that has come unmoored. Complete with kidnappings and gangsters, heiresses and speakeasies, The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers combines the stark realism of a troubled time with all the myth-making magic of the American Dream itself. It is an imaginative and breathless story about being hopelessly outgunned – and tells a tale of danger, redemption, and love that transcends death.

Deadly Seven is a combination of monologues and ‘light’ script engagement of a psychologist with her seven clients, who each represent a deadly sin. Once the psychologist realises she lacks control over each of her clients’ lives, she decides to put an end to their madness. All characters represent an obsession which ultimately destroys them; leading to their deaths.

"Reportajele din aceast? carte vorbesc despre aspecte din istoria recent?, cum ar fi migra?ia, corup?ia, via?a ?n penitenciare sau problemele minorit??ilor, ?nchiderea spitalelor sau stresul care schimb? vie?i, crizele din s?n?tate, pove?ti ale unor oameni obi?nui?i, care fac lucruri speciale. Reg?sim, ?ns?, ?i pove?ti de demult, cum e cazul reportajelor despre lupt?torii anticomuni?ti din mun?i, despre tezaurul de la Pietroasele sau istoriile din satele s?se?ti. Reportajele surprind realit??i dintr-o Rom?nie aflat? ?n continu? schimbare, cu enorme discrepan?e. Sunt ca o fotografie a realit??ii. Cine le cite?te afl? cum se tr?ia sau cum se tr?ie?te ?n anumite locuri. Cum se schimb? sau de ce nu se schimb? lucrurile ?i mentalit??ile. Cartea cuprinde 30 de reportaje publicate ?n revista Dilema veche, dar ?i adapt?ri dup? reportaje sau documentare radio difuzate la Europa FM ?i Radio Rom?nia Actualit??i. Reportajul e un gen mai rar ?nt?lnit ast?zi ?n presa din Rom?nia. Dar asta nu se ?nt?mpl? din cauza lipsei de interes a publicului, ci din pricina lipsei de bani ?i de investi?ii ?ntr-o pres? de calitate. De fiecare dat? c?nd totu?i apar reportaje bine f?cute, se constat? c? publicul le urm?re?te cu interes, tot a?a cum urm?re?te reportajele ?i documentarele oferite de televiziunile str?ine. Asta fiindc? oamenii au nevoie de pove?ti. Un reportaj bine f?cut este de fapt o poveste adev?rat?. P?n? la urm?, ?i aceast? carte este o carte cu pove?ti adev?rate." (Liliana Nicolae)

A classic recipe book which excludes ingredients harmful to those suffering from candida, M.E., and allergy sufferers.

A bewitching comic fantasy by a master of the supernaturalCat doesn't mind living in the shadow of his sister, Gwendolen, the most promising young witch ever seen on Coven Street. But trouble starts brewing the moment the two orphans are summoned to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Frustrated that the witches of the castle refuse to acknowledge her talents, Gwendolen conjures up a scheme that could throw whole worlds out of whack.

Claire and her mother are running out of time, but they don't know it. Not yet. Claire is wrapped up with the difficulties of her bourgeoning adulthood—boys, school, friends, identity; Claire's mother, a single mom, is rushed off her feet both at work and at home. They rarely find themselves in the same room at the same time, and it often seems that the only thing they can count on are notes to each other on the refrigerator door. When home is threatened by a crisis, their relationship experiences a momentous change. Forced to reevaluate the delicate balance between their personal lives and their bond as mother and daughter, Claire and her mother find new love and devotion for one another deeper than anything they had ever imagined. Heartfelt, touching, and unforgettable, Life on the Refrigerator Door is a glimpse into the lives of mothers and daughters everywhere. In this deeply touching novel told through a series of notes written from a loving mother and her devoted fifteen-year-old daughter, debut author Alice Kuipers deftly captures the impenetrable fabric that connects mothers and daughters throughout the world. Moving and rich with emotion, Life on the Refrigerator Door delivers universal lessons about love in a wonderfully simple and poignant narrative.

His father and uncles are enchanters, his mother a powerful sorceress, yet nothing seems magical about Christopher Chant except his dreams. Night after night, he climbs through the formless Place Between and visits marvelous lands he calls the Almost Anywheres. Then Christopher discovers that he can bring real, solid things back from his dreams. Others begin to recognize the extent of his powers, and they issue an order that turns Christopher's life upside down: Go to Chrestomanci Castle to train to be the controller of all the world's magic.The Lives of Christopher Chant is the adventure-filled story of the boyhood of Chretomanci, the famous magician who also appears in Charmed Life, Witch Week, and The Magicians of Caprona.

‘One of the best stories I’ve read in a long time!’ Stacey Rebecca (NetGalley reviewer) The Cotswolds Cookery Club was originally published as a three-part serial. This is the complete story in one package. The Cotswolds Cookery Club is opening its doors! Connie has had enough. Enough of the city, enough of her job – and most importantly, enough of her cheating boyfriend! Finally free to chase her dreams, Connie sets up her very own Cotswolds Cookery Club – a place to share scrumptious recipes and, more importantly, a lot of wine… Trish always dreamed of living in a little chocolate box village – but she never expected to be starting over at forty. Could joining the Cookery Club be the perfect distraction from her stroppy teenage daughter and her ex-husband’s new girlfriend? Kate spends her life juggling her three young children and running the busy Cotswolds veterinary practice. It’s time to take charge of the disparate ingredients of her life and transform them into the perfect pot-au-feu! But with three delicious men turning up the heat, perhaps the sleepy Cotswolds village has a few surprises in store… Fans of Milly Johnson, Caroline Roberts and Jill Mansell will love this heartwarming read!

This treasury of all-new true miracle stories from the bestselling authors of Christmas Miracles, The Magic of Christmas Miracles, and Mothers' Miracles offers the real-life wonder their readers have come to love. Some highlights:A disk jockey's selection of music has an astounding unintended effect a comatose Polish woman begins to softly sing along with a song from her childhood.While body surfing, a man is slammed by a wave and hears his neck snap. Unable to move, he begins to swallow water to hasten death. Instead, he feels himself lifted from the water, gliding safely to shore.A school janitor befriends a student, only to learn that she is the daughter of his long-lost son and his very own granddaughter.A Gift of Miracles, like its predecessors, will remind readers and their families that in the midst of our hectic and sometimes frightening world, magic, mystery, and miracles happen. And that if we look hard enough in the corners of our own lives, we, too, can find miracles.

The novel Seven Signs of the Lion is a magical journey to the city of Lviv in Western Ukraine. Part magical realism, part travelogue, part adventure novel, and part love story, it is a fragmented, hybrid work about a mysterious and mythical place. The hero of the novel Nicholas Bilanchuk is a gatherer of living souls, the unique individuals he meets over the course of his five-month stay in his ancestral homeland. These include the enigmatic Mr. Viktor, who, with one eye that always glimmers, in a dream summons him across the Atlantic Ocean to the city of lions, becoming his spiritual mentor; the genius mathematician Professor Potojbichny (a man of science with a mystical bent and whose name means “man from the other side”); the exquisite beauty Ada, whose name suggests “woman from Hades” in Ukrainian, whose being emanates irresistible sensuality, but who never lets anyone capture her beauty in a picture; the schizophrenic artist Ivan the Ghostseer, who lives in a bohemian hovel of a basement apartment and in an alcohol-induced trance paints the spirits of the city that torment him; and the curly-haired elfin Raya, whose name suggests “paradise” in Ukrainian and who becomes the primary guide and companion for Nicholas on his journey to self-realization. The hero is summoned to the land of his ancestors to find the “seven signs of the lion” in a mysterious quest. The multicultural and unique architectural aspects of the “city of lions” with its medieval old town dating back several centuries is showcased. Part cultural history, the novel deals with the legends and myths surrounding the city and its environs. Anglophone readers will be introduced to a country, a people and a culture that largely remain undiscovered for them.

Maksym Rylsky (1895-1964) is one of the most outstanding Ukrainian poets of the the 20th century and master of the genres of the modern sonnet and the long narrative poem. He was closely associated with the Neoclassicist group of Ukrainian poets, who employed traditional poetic forms with rhyme and meter, wrote in a clear and accessible contemporary idiom, and often referenced Ancient Greek and Roman mythology as well as numerous other authors from world literature in their poetry. Rylsky was also a prolific translator from English, French, German, and Polish as well as a folklore and literary scholar, who worked most of the earlier part of his life as a teacher of philology. He published his first book of poetry at the precocious age of fifteen—On White Islands in 1910. His other early books of poetry include The Edge of the Forest: Idylls (1918), Under Autumn Stars (1918), The Blue Distance (1922), Long Poems (1924), Through a Storm and Snow (1925), Beneath Autumn Stars (1926), Thirteenth Spring (1926), Where Roads Meet (1929), and Echo and Re-echo (1929). Rylsky gained considerable popularity among the Ukrainian reading public for his neo-romantic contemplative musings and intimate lyrical poetry that focused on love, life and nature. While his poetry was completely apolitical, at the end of the Ukrainian cultural renaissance in the 1920s that was crushed by Stalin, Rylsky was sternly rebuked in the state-controlled press for focusing on the personal and not writing in service to the state. In 1931 the Soviet secret police, the NKVD, arrested and publicly humiliated him. He was released in 1932 after he agreed to write in the style of socialist realism and was one of the few prominent Ukrainian writers to survive the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. During the wartime period he wrote two masterful long poems that deviated from socialist realism—“Thirst” (1942) and “Journey to Youth” (1941-4), for which he was again publicly chastised. In 1942 he became Director of the Institute of Fine Arts, Folklore and Ethnography in Kyiv, a post that he held until his death in 1964. The Institute now bears his name. He published some 30 collections of original poetry during his lifetime as well as numerous translations and scholarly works. By 1974 almost five million copies of his works in the original or in translation had appeared in the USSR. In his last two books—In the Shadow of the Lark (1961) and Winter Notes (1964) published during The Thaw, a period of relaxed censorship during the reign of Nikita Khrushchev, Rylsky’s poetic voice returned to the stature of his early poetry. This selected works edition includes poetry from virtually all of Rylsky’s early collections of poetry, with selection primarily based on esthetic principles; the powerful long poem “Thirst,” penned during the darkest days of World War II for Ukraine; and other poems from various periods of his life. Translated by Michael M. Naydan. With a guest introduction by Maria Zubrytska