Recipes to help you build computer vision applications that make the most of the popular C++ library OpenCV 3 About This Book Written to the latest, gold-standard specification of OpenCV 3 Master OpenCV, the open source library of the computer vision community Master fundamental concepts in computer vision and image processing Learn about the important classes and functions of OpenCV with complete working examples applied to real images Who This Book Is For OpenCV 3 Computer Vision Application Programming Cookbook Third Edition is appropriate for novice C++ programmers who want to learn how to use the OpenCV library to build computer vision applications. It is also suitable for professional software developers who wish to be introduced to the concepts of computer vision programming. It can also be used as a companion book for university-level computer vision courses. It constitutes an excellent reference for graduate students and researchers in image processing and computer vision. What You Will Learn Install and create a program using the OpenCV library Process an image by manipulating its pixels Analyze an image using histograms Segment images into homogenous regions and extract meaningful objects Apply image filters to enhance image content Exploit the image geometry in order to relay different views of a pictured scene Calibrate the camera from different image observations Detect people and objects in images using machine learning techniques Reconstruct a 3D scene from images In Detail Making your applications see has never been easier with OpenCV. With it, you can teach your robot how to follow your cat, write a program to correctly identify the members of One Direction, or even help you find the right colors for your redecoration. OpenCV 3 Computer Vision Application Programming Cookbook Third Edition provides a complete introduction to the OpenCV library and explains how to build your first computer vision program. You will be presented with a variety of computer vision algorithms and exposed to important concepts in image and video analysis that will enable you to build your own computer vision applications. This book helps you to get started with the library, and shows you how to install and deploy the OpenCV library to write effective computer vision applications following good programming practices. You will learn how to read and write images and manipulate their pixels. Different techniques for image enhancement and shape analysis will be presented. You will learn how to detect specific image features such as lines, circles or corners. You will be introduced to the concepts of mathematical morphology and image filtering. The most recent methods for image matching and object recognition are described, and you’ll discover how to process video from files or cameras, as well as how to detect and track moving objects. Techniques to achieve camera calibration and perform multiple-view analysis will also be explained. Finally, you’ll also get acquainted with recent approaches in machine learning and object classification. Style and approach This book will arm you with the basics you need to start writing world-aware applications right from a pixel level all the way through to processing video sequences.

Discover over 90 practical and exciting recipes that leverage the power of OpenVPN 2.4 to help you obtain a reliable and secure VPN About This Book Master the skills of configuring, managing, and securing your VPN using the latest OpenVPN Gain expertise in establishing IPv6 connections and understand PolarSSL using the latest version of OpenVPN This book contains enticing recipes about OpenVPN functionalities that cater to mission critical applications Who This Book Is For This book is for system administrators who have a basic knowledge of OpenVPN and are eagerly waiting to build, secure, and manage VPNs using the latest version. This book assumes some prior knowledge of TCP/IP networking and OpenVPN and you must have network administration skills to get the most out of this book. What You Will Learn Determine the best type of OpenVPN setup for your networking needs Get to grips with the encryption, authentication, and certifications features of OpenSSL. Integrate an OpenVPN server into the local IT infrastructure with the *ing features of OpenVPN Ease the integration of Windows clients into the VPN using Windows-specific client-side configuration Understand the authentication plugins for PAM and LDAP Get to know the difference between TUN-style and TAP-style networks and when to use what Troubleshoot your VPN setup Establish a connection via IPv6 along with demonstrations In Detail OpenVPN provides an extensible VPN framework that has been designed to ease site-specific customization, such as providing the capability to distribute a customized installation package to clients, and supporting alternative authentication methods via OpenVPN’s plugin module interface. This book provides you with many different recipes to help you set up, monitor, and troubleshoot an OpenVPN network. You will learn to configure a scalable, load-balanced VPN server farm that can handle thousands of dynamic connections from incoming VPN clients. You will also get to grips with the encryption, authentication, security, extensibility, and certifications features of OpenSSL. You will also get an understanding of IPv6 support and will get a demonstration of how to establish a connection via IPv64. This book will explore all the advanced features of OpenVPN and even some undocumented options, covering all the common network setups such as point-to-point networks and multi-client TUN-style and TAP-style networks. Finally, you will learn to manage, secure, and troubleshoot your virtual private networks using OpenVPN 2.4. Style and approach This practical, recipe-based book covers the core functionalities of OpenVPN ending with troubleshooting, performance tuning and making the readers inquisitive about the advanced features.

The latest in modern Python recipes for the busy modern programmer About This Book Develop succinct, expressive programs in Python Learn the best practices and common idioms through carefully explained and structured recipes Discover new ways to apply Python for the new age of development Who This Book Is For The book is for web developers, programmers, enterprise programmers, engineers, big data scientist, and so on. If you are a beginner, Python Cookbook will get you started. If you are experienced, it will expand your knowledge base. A basic knowledge of programming would help. What You Will Learn See the intricate details of the Python syntax and how to use it to your advantage Improve your code readability through functions in Python Manipulate data effectively using built-in data structures Get acquainted with advanced programming techniques in Python Equip yourself with functional and statistical programming features Write proper tests to be sure a program works as advertised Integrate application software using Python In Detail Python is the preferred choice of developers, engineers, data scientists, and hobbyists everywhere. It is a great *ing language that can power your applications and provide great speed, safety, and scalability. By exposing Python as a series of simple recipes, you can gain insight into specific language features in a particular context. Having a tangible context helps make the language or standard library feature easier to understand. This book comes with over 100 recipes on the latest version of Python. The recipes will benefit everyone ranging from beginner to an expert. The book is broken down into 13 chapters that build from simple language concepts to more complex applications of the language. The recipes will touch upon all the necessary Python concepts related to data structures, OOP, functional programming, as well as statistical programming. You will get acquainted with the nuances of Python syntax and how to effectively use the advantages that it offers. You will end the book equipped with the knowledge of testing, web services, and configuration and application integration tips and tricks. The recipes take a problem-solution approach to resolve issues commonly faced by Python programmers across the globe. You will be armed with the knowledge of creating applications with flexible logging, powerful configuration, and command-line options, automated unit tests, and good documentation. Style and approach This book takes a recipe-based approach, where each recipe addresses specific problems and issues. The recipes provide discussions and insights and an explanation of the problems.

Unleash the data processing and analytics capability of Apache Spark with the language of choice: Java About This Book ? Perform big data processing with Spark—without having to learn Scala! ? Use the Spark Java API to implement efficient enterprise-grade applications for data processing and analytics ? Go beyond mainstream data processing by adding querying capability, Machine Learning, and graph processing using Spark Who This Book Is For If you are a Java developer interested in learning to use the popular Apache Spark framework, this book is the resource you need to get started. Apache Spark developers who are looking to build enterprise-grade applications in Java will also find this book very useful. What You Will Learn ? Process data using different file formats such as XML, JSON, CSV, and plain and delimited text, using the Spark core Library. ? Perform analytics on data from various data sources such as Kafka, and Flume using Spark Streaming Library ? Learn SQL schema creation and the analysis of structured data using various SQL functions including Windowing functions in the Spark SQL Library ? Explore Spark Mlib APIs while implementing Machine Learning techniques to solve real-world problems ? Get to know Spark GraphX so you understand various graph-based analytics that can be performed with Spark In Detail Apache Spark is the buzzword in the big data industry right now, especially with the increasing need for real-time streaming and data processing. While Spark is built on Scala, the Spark Java API exposes all the Spark features available in the Scala version for Java developers. This book will show you how you can implement various functionalities of the Apache Spark framework in Java, without stepping out of your comfort zone. The book starts with an introduction to the Apache Spark 2.x ecosystem, followed by explaining how to install and configure Spark, and refreshes the Java concepts that will be useful to you when consuming Apache Spark's APIs. You will explore RDD and its associated common Action and Transformation Java APIs, set up a production-like clustered environment, and work with Spark SQL. Moving on, you will perform near-real-time processing with Spark streaming, Machine Learning analytics with Spark MLlib, and graph processing with GraphX, all using various Java packages. By the end of the book, you will have a solid foundation in implementing components in the Spark framework in Java to build fast, real-time applications. Style and approach This practical guide teaches readers the fundamentals of the Apache Spark framework and how to implement components using the Java language. It is a unique blend of theory and practical examples, and is written in a way that will gradually build your knowledge of Apache Spark.

Over 60 high-quality recipes covering debugging, security, performance, microservices, web frameworks, databases, deployment and more; rewritten for Node 4, 6, and 8. About This Book ? Security between Node.js and browser applications explained and applied in depth ? Cutting edge techniques and tools for measuring and improving performance ? Contemporary techniques to create developer-ergonomic, readily-scalable production systems Who This Book Is For If you have good knowledge of JavaScript and want to build fast, efficient, scalable client-server solutions, then this book is for you. Some experience with Node.js is assumed to get the most out of this book. If working from a beginner level Node Cookbook 2nd Edition is recommended as a primer for Node Cookbook 3rd Edition. What You Will Learn ? Rapidly become proficient at debugging Node.js programs ? Write and publish your own Node.js modules ? Become deeply acquainted with Node.js core API’s ? Use web frameworks such as Express, Hapi and Koa for accelerated web application development ? Apply Node.js streams for low-footprint infinite-capacity data processing ? Fast-track performance knowledge and optimization abilities ? Compare and contrast various persistence strategies, including database integrations with MongoDB, MySQL/MariaDB, Postgres, Redis, and LevelDB ? Grasp and apply critically essential security concepts ? Understand how to use Node with best-of-breed deployment technologies: Docker, Kubernetes and AWS In Detail The principles of asynchronous event-driven programming are perfect for today's web, where efficient real-time applications and scalability are at the forefront. Server-side JavaScript has been here since the 90s but Node got it right. This edition is a complete rewrite of the original, and is targeted against Node 4, 6, and 8. It shows you how to build fast, efficient, and scalable client-server solutions using the latest versions of Node. Beginning with adopting debugging tips and tricks of the trade and learning how to write your own modules, then covering the fundamentals of streams in Node.js, you will go on to discover I/O control, implementation of various web protocols, you’ll work up to integrating with cross-section of databases such as MongoDB, MySQL/MariaDB, Postgres, Redis, and LevelDB and building web application with Express, Hapi and Koa. You will then learn about security essentials in Node.js and the advanced optimization tools and techniques By the end of the book you should have acquired a level of proficiency that allows you to confidently build a full production-ready and scalable Node.js system. Style and approach This recipe-based practical guide presents each topic with step-by-step instructions on how you can create fast and efficient server side applications using the latest features and capabilities in Node 8 whilst also supporting usage with Node 4 and 6.

Expand your OpenCV knowledge and master key concepts of machine learning using this practical, hands-on guide. About This Book ? Load, store, edit, and visualize data using OpenCV and Python ? Grasp the fundamental concepts of classification, regression, and clustering ? Understand, perform, and experiment with machine learning techniques using this easy-to-follow guide ? Evaluate, compare, and choose the right algorithm for any task Who This Book Is For This book targets Python programmers who are already familiar with OpenCV; this book will give you the tools and understanding required to build your own machine learning systems, tailored to practical real-world tasks. What You Will Learn ? Explore and make effective use of OpenCV's machine learning module ? Learn deep learning for computer vision with Python ? Master linear regression and regularization techniques ? Classify objects such as flower species, handwritten digits, and pedestrians ? Explore the effective use of support vector machines, boosted decision trees, and random forests ? Get acquainted with neural networks and Deep Learning to address real-world problems ? Discover hidden structures in your data using k-means clustering ? Get to grips with data pre-processing and feature engineering In Detail Machine learning is no longer just a buzzword, it is all around us: from protecting your email, to automatically tagging friends in pictures, to predicting what movies you like. Computer vision is one of today's most exciting application fields of machine learning, with Deep Learning driving innovative systems such as self-driving cars and Google’s DeepMind. OpenCV lies at the intersection of these topics, providing a comprehensive open-source library for classic as well as state-of-the-art computer vision and machine learning algorithms. In combination with Python Anaconda, you will have access to all the open-source computing libraries you could possibly ask for. Machine learning for OpenCV begins by introducing you to the essential concepts of statistical learning, such as classification and regression. Once all the basics are covered, you will start exploring various algorithms such as decision trees, support vector machines, and Bayesian networks, and learn how to combine them with other OpenCV functionality. As the book progresses, so will your machine learning skills, until you are ready to take on today's hottest topic in the field: Deep Learning. By the end of this book, you will be ready to take on your own machine learning problems, either by building on the existing source code or developing your own algorithm from scratch! Style and approach OpenCV machine learning connects the fundamental theoretical principles behind machine learning to their practical applications in a way that focuses on asking and answering the right questions. This book walks you through the key elements of OpenCV and its powerful machine learning classes, while demonstrating how to get to grips with a range of models.

Master the principles to make applications robust, scalable and responsive About This Book ? Implement concurrent applications using the Java 9 Concurrency API and its new components ? Improve the performance of your applications and process more data at the same time, taking advantage of all of your resources ? Construct real-world examples related to machine learning, data mining, natural language processing, and more Who This Book Is For This book is for competent Java developers who have basic understanding of concurrency, but knowledge of effective implementation of concurrent programs or usage of streams for making processes more efficient is not required What You Will Learn ? Master the principles that every concurrent application must follow ? See how to parallelize a sequential algorithm to obtain better performance without data inconsistencies and deadlocks ? Get the most from the Java Concurrency API components ? Separate the thread management from the rest of the application with the Executor component ? Execute phased-based tasks in an efficient way with the Phaser components ? Solve problems using a parallelized version of the divide and conquer paradigm with the Fork / Join framework ? Find out how to use parallel Streams and Reactive Streams ? Implement the “map and reduce” and “map and collect” programming models ? Control the concurrent data structures and synchronization mechanisms provided by the Java Concurrency API ? Implement efficient solutions for some actual problems such as data mining, machine learning, and more In Detail Concurrency programming allows several large tasks to be divided into smaller sub-tasks, which are further processed as individual tasks that run in parallel. Java 9 includes a comprehensive API with lots of ready-to-use components for easily implementing powerful concurrency applications, but with high flexibility so you can adapt these components to your needs. The book starts with a full de*ion of the design principles of concurrent applications and explains how to parallelize a sequential algorithm. You will then be introduced to Threads and Runnables, which are an integral part of Java 9's concurrency API. You will see how to use all the components of the Java concurrency API, from the basics to the most advanced techniques, and will implement them in powerful real-world concurrency applications. The book ends with a detailed de*ion of the tools and techniques you can use to test a concurrent Java application, along with a brief insight into other concurrency mechanisms in JVM. Style and approach This is a complete guide that implements real-world examples of algorithms related to machine learning, data mining, and natural language processing in client/server environments. All the examples are explained using a step-by-step approach.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Since Maidan in Kyiv and Russian presence in the Crimea, Ukraine has never been the same. In 2014, the country is deeply divided by the conflict imposed on the Ukrainians. But since nobody actually asked the nation, author Oleksandr Shyshko decided to take matters into his own hands and look for the answer to the ultimate question – who are the Ukrainians and what do they want. Shyshko spent his time researching the national identity of native Ukrainians, and as he went he stumbled on a discovery that led to yet another question – where is Ukraine going, the so-called Quo vadis? of the Ukrainian people. His findings and critical comments gave birth to this new book that is now for the first time being published in English. To Get Ukraine.

A handful of families, several generations, more than a few wars. Moscow, Kabul, Barcelona. Anna Nemzer announces herself on the literary scene boldly and loudly with this debut novel about the insane, unspeakable nature of war, about human fears, treachery, lies, fateful coincidences and destinies during warfare, when there is no room left for love. The protagonists survived the war and are rescued from captivity. They are not able, however, to leave the experiences of the war behind them and move on with their lives. The novel explores what happens once the conflict is over, as they learn to live without the war, with all their loves, passions and weaknesses.

Lee Mandel’s historical novel Moryak revolves around the story of Lieutenant Stephen Morrison, a naval officer sent by President Theodore Roosevelt on a top-secret mission in 1905. Morrison’s assignment is to work with British agent Sidney Reilly to kidnap Tsar Nicholas II and remove him from Russia before he can sabotage the upcoming Portsmouth Peace conference. The mission goes awry and Morrison is captured and sentenced to death. Through a quirk of fate, he is instead sent to the infamous Russian prison on Solovetsky Island. He soon catches the attention of the Bolshevik prisoners and their growing interactions come to have devastating effects on the evolving revolution in Russia, as well as the Allied war effort as the world descends into the chaos of World War I. As events unfold and secrets are unveiled in an uncanny political intrigue, Moryak in fact tells the life story of one man’s struggle for acceptance, him finding his place and finding himself.

From the first pages it becomes apparent that Asystole is a novel about love of life in its purest, instinctive and intimate form. It’s also a novel about human faith in its existence and a desire to experience this love. Author Oleg Pavlov places his character – a boy who grows to be a man and is clearly personified by the writer’s own outlook on life – in impossible and familiar circumstances, impossible not to relate to. An adult is shaped in childhood. Chaotic, anxious and at the same time withdrawn narration seems to have no direction and no resolution. Except that the life of the people, who are in fact children of a broken destiny, is real and not much needs to be said to make it our own. Laconic and ‘to the point’ observations of Pavlov’s protagonist as he goes, are chilling at times. They pierce through flesh right to the bone – the quality only the naked truth can have. Asystole is moreover about the by-stander effect, about a disconnected and malfunctioning society and a struggle of one not to merge into the faceless mass of many. Modern, deeply thought through and heartfelt, this novel is an examination of the physics of human soul. Pavlov’s Universe has a special arrangement – if it was up to him, humans wouldn’t be allowed in it, for the privilege of being human requires living up to the title.