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In the late 1970s, Robert Brunk discovered the world of auctioneering. Drawn to the unique mountain culture and the history of fine art in and around Asheville, North Carolina, Bob started a business, Brunk Auctions, that became part of a bustling network of commerce. America's passion for collecting, buying, and selling reached remarkable heights in the following decades. Auction houses and antiques stores thrived; people paid hundreds of dollars for a humble country basket and thousands for a rare piece of folk art.

In this collection of compelling, compassionate essays, Bob considers specific items and remarkable situations he encountered in his long and successful work as an auctioneer and appraiser. He presents objects as invitations to consider personal and collective histories often related to unresolved social inequities. Bob also describes how, as his business grew to offer the finest examples of American and European art, his career often conflicted with his Mennonite background and the complexities of ownership and value. The result is a portrait that reflects the best and worst of us as we search for ways to live with objects--and then decide what to do when it's time to let them go.

A riveting thriller about crime and punishment in Soviet-era Moscow.

Like the Arkady Renko novels of Martin Cruz Smith, Robert Littell's masterful "Mother Russia" transports readers back in time and behind the Iron Curtain to experience the extremes of Soviet society. Robespierre Pravdin is a black marketeer who prowls Moscow's streets and alleys hustling wristwatches. Wishing only to survive in a city suffocated by paranoia and schizophrenia, Robespierre manages to make a tidy profit and stay under the state's radar-until, one day, he meets the woman called "Mother Russia" and becomes ensnared in the Byzantine and profoundly dangerous game of politics. This is another darkly engrossing pageturner from the bestselling author of "The Sisters" and "The Defection of A. J. Lewinter."

The Complete Guide to Out-of-Body Experiences

Astral projection is a technique that lets your soul explore the universe while leaving your body behind. It's been a topic of endless speculation. If you've ever wanted to try it, Astral Dynamics is the perfect guide for you.

Astral Dynamics will teach you everything you need to know to accomplish successful out-of-body travel. It explores the physics of the nonphysical world and provides useful advice for astral travelers, including how to exit the body, how to get around on the astral plane, and how to get back to your body with solid memories of the event. The guide is written in plain language with commonsense terminology.

Robert Bruce brings his twenty-five years of interdimensional experience to the aid of astral travelers around the world.

Initially, Robert Sikes embraced "bro dieting" in order to win bodybuilding shows. He soon found out, however, that the side effects were disastrous.

Despite athletic successes, Sikes' high-carb, low-nutrient crash dieting led to imbalanced hormones, a lowered sex drive, diminished strength and an unhealthy relationship with food. Struggling with disordered eating, Sikes could see no way out of his self-created hell-until, that is, he found the ketogenic diet.

After seeing drastic improvements in his gym performance, relationships and overall health, Sikes pioneered a new method of natural bodybuilding that leveraged a ketogenic protocol with high dietary fats and nutrient-dense foods.

The wisdom gleaned from his rigorous self-experimentation is compiled in Ketogenic Bodybuilding, a comprehensive guide to achieving show-level conditioning by following a healthy, sustainable ketogenic plan.

In Ketogenic Bodybuilding, readers will learn:

The seven phases necessary for successful contest prep and reverse dieting

The mindset and manipulations required for success in each phase

Nutritional meals with enough "caloric runway" to properly fuel the training demands

How strategic ketogenic refeeds can control metabolism and help push through plateaus

The three levers to manipulate for optimal cardio (and progressive overload training)

Why safe "reverse dieting" after a show is as important as the prep itself

The ins and outs of posing, tanning, exercise, supplements and more

In Ketogenic Bodybuilding, Sikes has produced a guide that proves natural ketogenic bodybuilding isn't simply competitive; when used correctly, it is positively savage.

"She's like the aging of a first edition of a modernist novel..."
In Twice Around a Marriage, Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Olen Butler delivers a tender and incisive portrait of a couple confronting the stories that bind them-and those that threaten to undo them-while locked down in Paris.

Twice Around a Marriage tells the story of Amanda Duval and Howard Blevins, an early-septuagenarian husband and wife who were once married for twenty-two years, then divorced for ten, and now are in the tenth year of a second-try marriage. They have come to Paris to see if they should attempt to remain together or call it quits. The day after they move into a tiny AirBNB apartment overlooking the park where they first met, Paris shuts down for Covid. The two of them are trapped indefinitely together in this small space, and so, since they are both literary types, they decide to emulate the Decameron and tell each other stories on alternating nights-stories of their lives together and apart-as they try to figure out their future even as a 21st century plague passes by.

Unabridged declassified value reproduction of The Los Alamos Primer by Robert Serber, in full color with all censor markings. This is the booklet given to new workers at Los Alamos during World War II, to catch them up on how to build a practical fission bomb.

The Primer was driven by Robert Oppenheimer asking his protégé Robert Serber to summarize all knowledge and possible solutions known as of April 1943 in a series of lectures. Serber did such an excellent job that the notes from the series was turned into The Los Alamos Primer.

Serber was known as an expert that bridged theory and reality, and so was also chosen to be one of the first Americans to enter Hiroshima and Nagasaki to assess the atomic damage in 1945.

Touch a piece of history in this slim volume with the full text at an affordable price.

A 2018 Notable Poetry Book for Children (National Council of Teachers of English)

Poetry for Kids: Robert Frost is a collection specially curated for young readers which won't just be read, but consumed, experienced, and treasured for a lifetime.

Whether capturing a cold New England winter's evening, or the beauty of an old, abandoned house, four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost left an indelible mark on our consciousness. This stunning celebration of his best-loved work includes 35 poems specially chosen for children ages 8 to 14 by author and historian Jay Parini.

Illustrator Michael Paraskevas brings the poems to life with his pitch-perfect scenes, infused with majestic color and quiet simplicity. Poems include "Mending Wall," "Birches," "The Road Not Taken," "Fire and Ice," and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,"

This collection is the perfect introduction for young readers. In addition to a carefully chosen line-up of poems, Poetry for Kids: Robert Frost also includes commentary and definitions of key words for each poem, and an introduction to Frost's life.

Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year, 2018!

From the bestselling author of Fatherland and Pompeii, comes the first novel of a trilogy about the struggle for power in ancient Rome.In his "most accomplished work to date" (Los Angeles Times), master of historical fiction Robert Harris lures readers back in time to the compelling life of Roman Senator Marcus Cicero. The re-creation of a vanished biography written by his household slave and righthand man, Tiro, Imperium follows Cicero's extraordinary struggle to attain supreme power in Rome. On a cold November morning, Tiro opens the door to find a terrified, bedraggled stranger begging for help. Once a Sicilian aristocrat, the man was robbed by the corrupt Roman governor, Verres, who is now trying to convict him under false pretenses and sentence him to a violent death. The man claims that only the great senator Marcus Cicero, one of Rome's most ambitious lawyers and spellbinding orators, can bring him justice in a crooked society manipulated by the villainous governor. But for Cicero, it is a chance to prove himself worthy of absolute power. What follows is one of the most gripping courtroom dramas in history, and the beginning of a quest for political glory by a man who fought his way to the top using only his voice--defeating the most daunting figures in Roman history.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes the second novel in a trilogy about the land we're drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love...

Book Two of The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy
Shadow Spell

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O'Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It's where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can't be broken. A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape--by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna's best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor's paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess...things Connor has always taken for granted--until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor's bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself--and their friendship--to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves...

Don't miss the other books in the Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy
Dark Witch
Blood Magick

An unparalleled illustrated collection of the work of one of America's most beloved poets.

Featuring the full contents of Robert Frost's first three volumes of poetry--A Boy's Will, North of Boston, and Mountain Interval--this superbly designed collection is a testament to the beauty of the master's writing. It gathers more than 100 of Frost's most renowned poems, including "Mending Wall," "The Road Not Taken," and "The Death of the Hired Man."

With illustrations by Thomas Nason, it will be a treasured addition to any home library.

No method. No mercy. Just this.

What if the self you've been tending-defending, improving, believing in-was never really there? In these unsparing but lucid essays, psychologist and philosopher Robert Saltzman examines the machinery of meaning in an age of performative presence and synthetic minds. With dry wit and a refusal to console, he exposes our hunger for stories, our need for coherence, and the illusions that pass for identity in the 21st century. What remains is not despair, but the end of waiting for the plot to redeem itself.

A short, concise and user-friendly guide to the essential procedures of conducting a meeting, written by the authors of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, the only authorized edition of the classic work on parliamentary procedure

Originally published in 1876, General Henry M. Robert's guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings has sold over six million copies in eleven editions. Robert's Rules of Order is the book on parliamentary proceedings, yet those not well versed on what has now become a rather thick document can find themselves lost-and delayed-while trying to locate the most important rules. The solution? Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief.

Written by the same authorship team behind the officially sanctioned Robert's Rules of Order, this short and user-friendly edition takes readers through the rules most often needed at meetings--from debates to amendments to nominations. With sample dialogues and a guide to using the complete edition, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief is the essential handbook for parliamentary proceedings.

'An inspiring story of a life well lived.' MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies

The Stoic ideal of a well lived life has been around since 300BC, but what can we learn from it 2,300 years later?

In The Stoic Capitalist, Robert Rosenkranz shows how its teachings can lead to a life of accomplishment, fulfillment, and impact. Stoic principles are applied not just to help you cope but to achieve your most ambitious goals. He offers an astute combination of philosophical, psychological, and business observations, along with practical advice spanning topics as diverse as finance, investments, negotiation, hiring, time management, art collecting, philanthropy, and longevity. He explains how ancient philosophy and its psychological insights can be used to create extraordinary outcomes in your personal and professional life.

Each of the short chapters offers ideas you can use to thrive. Along the way, you meet a lively global cast of RAND nuclear strategists, pioneering artists, scientist-entrepreneurs racing to extend the human lifespan, and iconic figures in the Wall Street boom years. The book offers an insider's perspective on the creation of such major developments as private equity, hedge funds, and junk bonds.

Rosenkranz writes as he speaks, with the engaging voice of a Renaissance man who is insatiably curious, eager to learn, open to all viewpoints, but embracing none without critical thought. Reading this book may help you realize your childhood dreams.

The definitive story of a top Chinese politician's ill-fated quest to reform the Communist Party.

When Hu Yaobang died in April 1989, throngs of mourners converged on the Martyrs' Monument in Tiananmen Square to pay their respects. Following Hu's 1987 ouster by party elders, Chinese propaganda officials had sought to tarnish his reputation and dim his memory, yet his death galvanized the nascent pro-democracy student movement, setting off the dramatic demonstrations that culminated in the Tiananmen massacre.

The Conscience of the Party is the comprehensive, authoritative biography of the Chinese Communist Party's most avid reformer and its general secretary for a key stretch of the 1980s. A supremely intelligent leader with an exceptional populist touch, Hu Yaobang was tapped early by Mao Zedong as a capable party hand. But Hu's principled ideas made him powerful enemies, and during the Cultural Revolution he was purged, brutally beaten, and consigned to forced labor. After Mao's death, Hu rose again as an ally of Deng Xiaoping, eventually securing the party's top position. In that role, he pioneered many of the economic reforms subsequently attributed to Deng. But Hu also pursued political reforms with equal vigor, pushing for more freedom of expression, the end of lifetime tenure for CCP leaders, and the dismantling of Mao's personality cult. Alarmed by Hu's growing popularity and increasingly radical agenda, Deng had him purged again in 1987.

Historian and former intelligence analyst Robert L. Suettinger meticulously reconstructs Hu's life, providing the kind of eye-opening account that remains impossible in China under state censorship. Hu Yaobang, a decent man operating in a system that did not always reward decency, suffered for his principles but inspired millions in the process.

A feast for lovers of American literature-the work of our greatest poet, redesigned and relaunched for a new generation of readers

No poet is more emblematically American than Robert Frost. From "The Road Not Taken" to "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," he refined and even defined our sense of what poetry is and what it can do. T. S. Eliot judged him "the most eminent, the most distinguished Anglo-American poet now living," and he is the only writer in history to have been awarded four Pulitzer Prizes.

Henry Holt is proud to announce the republication of four editions of Frost's most beloved work for a new generation of poets and readers.

The only comprehensive volume of Frost's verse available, comprising all eleven volumes of his poems, this collection has been the standard Frost compendium since its first publication in 1969.

Updated to include a new chapter about the influence of social media and the Internet--the 20th anniversary edition of Bowling Alone remains a seminal work of social analysis, and its examination of what happened to our sense of community remains more relevant than ever in today's fractured America.

Twenty years, ago, Robert D. Putnam made a seemingly simple observation: once we bowled in leagues, usually after work; but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolized a significant social change that became the basis of the acclaimed bestseller, Bowling Alone, which The Washington Post called "a very important book" and Putnam, "the de Tocqueville of our generation."

Bowling Alone surveyed in detail Americans' changing behavior over the decades, showing how we had become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and social structures, whether it's with the PTA, church, clubs, political parties, or bowling leagues. In the revised edition of his classic work, Putnam shows how our shrinking access to the "social capital" that is the reward of communal activity and community sharing still poses a serious threat to our civic and personal health, and how these consequences have a new resonance for our divided country today. He includes critical new material on the pervasive influence of social media and the internet, which has introduced previously unthinkable opportunities for social connection--as well as unprecedented levels of alienation and isolation.

At the time of its publication, Putnam's then-groundbreaking work showed how social bonds are the most powerful predictor of life satisfaction, and how the loss of social capital is felt in critical ways, acting as a strong predictor of crime rates and other measures of neighborhood quality of life, and affecting our health in other ways. While the ways in which we connect, or become disconnected, have changed over the decades, his central argument remains as powerful and urgent as ever: mending our frayed social capital is key to preserving the very fabric of our society.

This is the one book that will provide the foundation for your success in any respiratory therapy curriculum.

Respiratory therapy programs are demanding and rigorous, and many students find themselves struggling to pass their exams. The key to your success as a student is in being able to understand the foundational material upon which everything else is built. "Studying for the exam" by utilizing test prep books or question banks is of very limited value if you are not in command of the necessary foundational material. There is nothing wrong with going over practice questions, but real success on your exams and boards occurs when you have mastered the foundational material - because when you are fluent in your understanding of the material itself, not only will you be able to answer any question presented to you regardless of how it is worded or phrased, but you will become a safe and competent clinician.

This book will give you the insights needed for your understanding that you will not find anywhere else.

GREEN'S RESPIRATORY THERAPY IS THE PERFECT COMPANION TO YOUR PRIMARY TEXTBOOK AND LECTURES

*A New York Times Bestseller*

Through the author's extensive connections within the royal household, this dynamic new biography tells the full story of how Catherine, the Princess of Wales, became the woman she is today.

Kate Middleton's life's story seems like a modern-day fairy-tale.

An attractive, clever, and ambitious girl from unexceptional beginnings meets and falls in love with a wealthy prince when they are both college undergraduates. Now, with the British monarchy in transition, Catherine is destined to become the first "commoner Queen" in British history since Anne Hyde, wife of James II.

Since her wedding on April 29th, 2011--and since becoming the Duchess of Cambridge--Catherine has endeared herself to the people of the Britain and America with her extensive travels, with her infectious smile, sense of style, and down-to-earth nature. With her self-deprecation, willingness to laugh at herself, solid work-ethic--along with William's warmth, and accessibility--this dynamic duo has become the most popular members of the royal family.

As interest in the royals continues to gain legions of new, younger fans, there is increasing interest in the histories and back stories of the principal players in this story. Through the author's connection with sources both on and off the record within the royal household, this dynamic new biography tells the full story of how Catherine became the woman she is today.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A memoir of leadership and success The CEO of Disney shares the ideas and values he embraced while reinventing one of the world's most beloved companies and inspiring the people who bring the magic to life.

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Robert Iger became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005, during a difficult time. Competition was more intense than ever and technology was changing faster than at any time in the company's history. His vision came down to three clear ideas: Recommit to the concept that quality matters, embrace technology instead of fighting it, and think bigger--think global--and turn Disney into a stronger brand in international markets.

Today, Disney is the largest, most admired media company in the world, counting Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox among its properties. Under Iger's leadership, Disney's value grew nearly five times what it was, making Iger one of the most innovating and successful CEOs of our era.

In The Ride of a Lifetime, Robert Iger shares the lessons he learned while running Disney and leading its 220,000-plus employees, and he explores the principles that are necessary for true leadership, including:

- Optimism. Even in the face of difficulty, an optimistic leader will find the path toward the best possible outcome and focus on that, rather than give in to pessimism and blaming.
- Courage. Leaders have to be willing to take risks and place big bets. Fear of failure destroys creativity.
- Decisiveness. All decisions, no matter how difficult, can be made on a timely basis. Indecisiveness is both wasteful and destructive to morale.
- Fairness. Treat people decently, with empathy, and be accessible to them.

This book is about the relentless curiosity that has driven Iger since the day he started as the lowliest studio grunt at ABC. It's also about thoughtfulness and respect, and a decency-over-dollars approach that has become the bedrock of every project and partnership Iger pursues, from a deep friendship with Steve Jobs in his final years to an abiding love of the Star Wars mythology.

"The ideas in this book strike me as universal" Iger writes. "Not just to the aspiring CEOs of the world, but to anyone wanting to feel less fearful, more confidently themselves, as they navigate their professional and even personal lives."

2023 EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE, LILIAN JACKSON BRAUN AWARD

"An absolute joy to read. Funny, entertaining, and beautifully written." --B. A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author

A delightfully clever new mystery from creator of BBC One's hilarious murder mystery series Death in Paradise

Meet Judith: a seventy-seven-year-old whiskey drinking, crossword puzzle author living her best life in a dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of Marlow.

Nothing ever happens in Marlow. That is, until Judith hears her neighbor shot while skinny-dipping in the Thames. The local police don't believe her story. It's an open and shut case, of course. Ha! Stefan can't be left for dead like that.

Judith investigates and picks up a crew of sidekicks: Suzie the dogwalker and Becks the vicar's wife. Together, they are the Marlow Murder Club.

When another body turns up, they realize they have a real-life serial killer on their hands. And the puzzle they set out to solve has become a trap from which they might never escape...

Robert Thorogood, has turned the Christie-mystery on its head with this ever-so-sly cozy perfect for readers who love Richard Osmond's Thursday Murder Club and An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good.

"Lightweight but no-nonsense and genuinely brainy"--Kirkus Reviews

"Damn right funny and heartwarming...great fun"--Crime Time

"I love Robert Thorogood's writing."--Peter James, international bestselling author

Winner of the Bancroft Prize

The Minutemen and Their World, first published in 1976, is reissued now in a revised and expanded edition with a new preface and afterword by the author.

On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution began at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. The "shot heard round the world" catapulted this sleepy New England town into the midst of revolutionary fervor, and Concord went on to become the intellectual capital of the new republic. The town--future home to Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne--soon came to symbolize devotion to liberty, intellectual freedom, and the stubborn integrity of rural life.

In The Minutemen and Their World, Robert A. Gross has written a remarkably subtle and detailed reconstruction of the lives and community of this special place, and a compelling interpretation of the American Revolution as a social movement.

From New York Times bestselling author Robert Cheeke comes a new way of thinking about helping animals and the environment--and making the biggest impact possible with the resources already available to you.

When it comes to reducing animal suffering, many people aren't sure where to start or which options are most beneficial. Charitable donations? Volunteer work? Dining at vegan restaurants? Meatless Monday? But the truth is that you have far more power than you think to make a real difference.

Inspired by the effective altruism movement, The Impactful Vegan teaches readers how to audit their impact and follow methods that have been scrutinized, evaluated, and determined to do the most good for animals.

From trusted vegan activist and motivational speaker Robert Cheeke, this in-depth guide will show you just how easy it is to help animals and protect the Earth, by breaking down:

• How to identify the best organizations and volunteer efforts
• Why supporting for-profit vegan businesses is vital
• Why some approaches to promoting animal rights and veganism aren't helpful, and in fact, could be harmful for animals, despite best intentions
• How to choose a career path that aligns with your values and helps you meet your goals
• How influencers can build a personal brand and leverage it to promote veganism

Some of these actions are easier and more important than one might think, and armed with this knowledge you can put your ethics into action. This book will help you help animals every day.

A definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the seventieth anniversary of her reign by a renowned royal biographer.

Shy but with a steely self-confidence; inscrutable despite ten decades in the public eye; unflappable; devout; indulgent; outwardly reserved, inwardly passionate; unsentimental; inquisitive; young at heart.

All of these describe Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned through more seismic social change than any monarch since 1066 (Charles I included). From the Abdication to the Sussexes, she has witnessed family crises on a scale not seen since the days of George III.

Yet she is not merely hanging on. She is a 21st Century global phenomenon commanding unrivalled respect and affection. Sealed off during the greatest peacetime emergency of modern times, she has stuck to her own maxim: 'I must be seen to be believed.' And now she is preparing for an event without parallel since the reign of Louis XIV: her Platinum Jubilee.

On February 6th, 2022, she marks 70 years on the Throne. Robert Hardman, the acclaimed and respected author of Her Majesty and Queen of the World has already examined the Queen as a modern monarch and her role as a stateswoman abroad. Now, he wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy.

Hardman distils Elizabeth's complex life in to a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal. It is a portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the Throne at age twenty-five.

With peerless access to members of the Royal Family, staff, friends and royal records, Queen of Our Times will bring fresh insights and scholarship on the modern royal story. There will be no more thorough, more readable, more original book on the record-breaking Elizabeth II as she reaches a landmark which, surely, can never be equalled.