[PDF] Download Necessary Risks: Professional Humanitarianism and Violence against Aid Workers by AbStoddard | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Necessary Risks: Professional Humanitarianism and Violence against Aid Workers Author: AbStoddard Number of pages: Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2020 edition (January 3, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 3030264106 Rating: 5     2 reviews

Book Description Review “In Necessary Risks, Abby Stoddard intertwines in-depth analysis on the phenomenon of aid worker violence with harrowing first-person stories of these unarmed professionals working at the frontlines of today’s complex wars. This book is essential reading for policymakers and anyone concerned with the protection of civilians in conflicts.” (Roméo A. Dallaire, Lieutenant-General (ret.), author of Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda)“A deeply practical and very readable book. Stoddard explains why humanitarian aid workers are attacked and abducted, and how the whole aid system needs to change to reduce aid worker risk and increase effective coverage of people’s needs in armed conflict. An important text for every humanitarian who wants to do a better job.” (Hugo Slim, Head of Policy for the International Committee of the Red Cross, author of Humanitarian Ethics: A Guide to the Morality of Aid in War and Disaster) “Abby Stoddard’s Necessary Risks offers two critical contributions to the theory and practice of humanitarianism. The first is the careful, evidence-based analysis of the growing risks to the security and safety of aid workers. The second is a consideration of how aid agencies have responded in ways that have decreased or increased the risks―and to whom.” (Michael Barnett, Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, George Washington University, USA, author of Humanitarianism in Question: Politics, Power, Ethics) Read more From the Back Cover Attacks on humanitarian aid operations are both a symptom and a weapon of modern warfare, and as armed groups increasingly target aid workers for violence, relief operations are curtailed in places where civilians are most in need. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges to humanitarian action in warzones, the risk management and negotiation strategies that hold the most promise for aid organizations, and an ethical framework from which to tackle the problem. By combining rigorous research findings with structural historical analysis and first-person accounts of armed attacks on aid workers, the author proposes a reframed ethos of humanitarian professionalism, decoupled from organizational or political interests, and centered on optimizing outcomes for the people it serves.Abby Stoddard is an international humanitarian policy analyst and former aid worker. She is a founding partner of the research group Humanitarian Outcomes, where she advises governments and international agencies on issues in humanitarian action, with a particular focus on risk and operational security for aid operations. Read more About the Author Abby Stoddard is an international humanitarian policy analyst and former aid worker. She is a founding partner of the research group Humanitarian Outcomes, where she advises governments and international agencies on issues in humanitarian action, with a particular focus on risk and operational security for aid operations. Read more Customers Review: Necessary Risks provides an overview of how humanitarian space has deteriorated over the last couple decades resulting in increased violence against aid workers. The author provides many real-life examples that demonstrate the thinking needed to mitigate the risks present in all too many humanitarian operations. This book should be considered essential reading not only for those who manage humanitarian operations but also for the staff who carry out such programs.Soundly based in research, Necessary Risks provides case studies that make clear how seemingly benign conditions could instead be fraught with danger because key risk factors are either not assessed or are overlooked. Humanitarian work is highly respected because it reflects some of mankind’s highest ideals for saving lives and addressing the suffering of people affected by natural disasters and wars. At the same time, it has also become a field with one of the highest risks of any occupation. Globally, humanitarian workers suffer a higher rate of fatalities than U.S. armed forces.If there were a time when humanitarian workers could deliver assistance while believing that their work put them “above the fray” so that they were not a target of armed fighters, those days have now passed. And yet because of the growing number of conflicts around the world, the need for humanitarian action has never been greater. This calls for a reappraisal of how humanitarian operations should be conducted. The centrality of security analysis and the mitigation of risks to humanitarian operations is no longer optional.One response to the growing risks in humanitarian operations has been to limit work to locations that are outside the conflict zones. This improves program safety but often fails to provide aid to those in greatest need. The key concern should become determining how risks can be mitigated to a level that will enable an organization’s humanitarian mission to be achieved albeit with some residual risks for staff. The many aspects of this challenge are at the heart of Necessary Risks.In over 30 years overseeing humanitarian assistance in conflicts from Southeast Asia, to the Middle East, Europe and Africa, I have witnessed the growing risks that confront humanitarian agencies. Some NGOs have risen to the challenge, but many still have not. In part this can be a question of resources and the need to keep “overhead” rates low to attract donors. But it is often still a lack of awareness about the level of risk that exists in humanitarian operations. Security threats are too frequently viewed as acceptable because they are poorly understood. Risks are taken that could have been avoided had they been understood. There is a lack of threat awareness among staff operating in the field; also lacking is an appreciation for how a critical incident can affect the reputation and financial well-being of a humanitarian organization. When staff are kidnapped, gravely injured or killed, organizations are questioned whether such incidents could have been avoided or whether, at least, the potential for such tragedies could have been mitigated. Lawsuits for negligence can be debilitating. To understand these issues, Necessary Risks provides the analysis all humanitarian managers should understand.

[PDF] Download Transformers, Vol. 1: The World In Your Eyes (Transformers (2019)) by Brian Ruckley | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Transformers, Vol. 1: The World In Your Eyes (Transformers (2019)) Author: Brian Ruckley Number of pages: Publisher: IDW Publishing (January 21, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 1684055318 Rating: 4,1     12 reviews

Book Description Review “You couldn’t ask for a better beginning as you get in on ground-zero for a lot of the defining parts of the mythology. The ride begins here and now, so get on board!” -AiPT!”Unbelievably accessible, crafting a reboot that has quite a lot of brevity, while also exuding a ton of charm and fun. With expressive visuals and a promising narrative, Transformers captures the magic of what the franchise can be.” -ComicBook.comGreat world building. The relationship between Orion Pax and Megatron is fascinating. TRANSFORMERS… is in good hands with Ruckley, Hernandez, Whitman, and Lafuente.” -Comicsverse“A new, yet familiar, world for the Transformers to inhabit. Longtime fans will feel comfortable in the settings created and new or returning fans will be able to start fresh with this new series and continuity.” -GWW Read more About the Author Brian Ruckley is the author of five fantasy novels, including The Free, The Edinburgh Dead, and the three novels of The Godless World trilogy. Before he became a full-time writer in the 2000s, he attended Edinburgh and Stirling Universities and had a series of assorted jobs around London, most of them in the charity-sector. Much of his work has involved extensive overseas travel, environmental and community projects, nature conservation, and fundraising. He now lives back in Edinburgh with his wife and misses the excitement of London only a little, and only occasionally. Read more Customers Review: I loved Transformers as a kid growing up in the 80s. I collected the toys, the comics, watched the cartoon, cried at the animated movie in theaters. But I grew out of it in the early 90s and never looked back. As an adult, I came back to comics/graphic novels and while my tastes have changed substantially, I had heard IDW was making Transformers stories that would appeal more to an adult crowd, so when I saw they were starting a new continuity from square one, I was intrigued.I picked up this book and gave it a read. Glad I did, too, because it was excellent. The more nuanced, human-like relationships of the Transformers gave a much more emotional and political touch to the story than what I’ve seen before with these same characters. Dealing with life and death, social turmoil, rising dissatisfaction with the government and an interesting view on the imperfect, isolationist views of the Autobots that stoke the flames of their opposition’s ire make for a fascinating and believable tale.I eagerly await the next volume. I love the transformers. I have every volume from IDW phases one and two so I was excited to see that a new series was to release. I’ll say that if you know nothing about transformers you may not like this as not much happens in it. If you do know or have followed the transformers comics you may be confused as to why characters that are dead are alive or that aren’t cybertronian are on it and a part of life as usual pre war. I had to surmise for myself that this was a different timeline or something like that because it isnt explained. The good: nice art, mystery may keep you engaged just long enough. Book is high quality print. Very nice hardcover.The bad: a bit boring, confusing as to why characters are dead or alive from the other series. Not much to say, but I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a bit slow at times, but overall a good read. I like the who done it aspect. If someone asked me if I would continue to buy and read this new series, then I would have to say yes. When IDW announced they were going to reboot their Transformers comic universe I was a little hesitant. I really enjoyed their previous comic universe, but at the same time I understood that for new readers trying to catch up on ten years worth of stories can be quite daunting. I was willing to give the new series a shot, and I’m glad I did because it turns to be really good! This new TF comic is an intriguing political thriller that just happens to be set on the planet Cybertron. A murder (the first in centuries) sets the plot in motion and the tension ratchets up from there. Recommended!

[PDF] Download Teaching by Heart: One Professor's Journey to Inspire by Thomas J. DeLong | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Teaching by Heart: One Professor’s Journey to Inspire Author: Thomas J. DeLong Number of pages: Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press (January 14, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 1633698521 Rating: 4,7     5 reviews

Book Description Review Advance Praise for Teaching by Heart:”We should all know what makes teachers great, and how they can move us to think about our own roles as leaders. Tom DeLong is the right person to do this. I’m struck by his honesty and willingness to show, in captivating detail, his own vulnerability–a radical act that will alter readers of Teaching by Heart.” — Ophelia Dahl, Cofounder and Chair, Board of Directors, Partners in Health“Tom DeLong lives at the intersection of the art and science of teaching and leading. Anyone facing leadership challenges will learn unique approaches on how to teach and lead to enhance their organization. Teaching by Heart is a must-read.” — David A. Thomas, President, Morehouse College“Tom DeLong has written a beautiful, powerful, and inspiring book. It’s both a memoir and an instruction manual–a how-to guide for great teaching and a testament to the unparalleled joy that both teaching and learning can bring. Every teacher, regardless of their students’ age or the subject matter they teach, should read this book.” — Debora L. Spar, Professor, Harvard Business School; former President, Barnard College“The one characteristic that all of Tom DeLong’s classes have in common is the extent to which students are touched emotionally. All of us are lucky Tom has taken the time to share the secrets that come from forty years of masterful teaching.” — Leonard A. Schlesinger, Professor, Harvard Business School; President Emeritus, Babson College“Teaching by Heart is both a compelling personal story and a feast of insights into teaching, learning, and leading. While I’ve been the beneficiary of Tom’s perceptive advice over the last two decades, it was still thought provoking to experience the rich, holistic framework that underlies his wise counsel. You can’t put this book down.” — Martha S. Samuelson, CEO and Chairman, Analysis Group“I’ve never met another teacher like Tom DeLong. He possesses qualities rarely seen at any level in academia or the business world: a generosity of spirit, an eagerness for deep interaction, and a willingness to show his own vulnerability. This book will enable readers to learn the invaluable skill of leading, teaching, and inspiring simultaneously.” — C. Allen Parker, General Counsel, Wells Fargo Read more About the Author Thomas J. DeLong is the Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice in the Organizational Behavior unit at Harvard Business School. Since 1997 DeLong has taught over twenty thousand MBAs and executives, both on campus and around the globe, and is internationally recognized for his teaching, writing, and course development. The author of Flying Without a Net, DeLong teaches courses focused on leadership, organizational behavior, managing human capital, and career management. He received his PhD from Purdue University and was a visiting scholar at MIT.To learn more about the author, visit: hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6445 Read more Customers Review: In brief, this book is written by a reflective practitioner. It is relevant to both professors and consultants. Professor Thomas DeLong brings both corporate and academic experience to the task. He models both inner honesty and sense making in exemplary ways and, importantly, offers practical insights particularly in working with MBAs based on his HBS teaching experience. The book, sadly, does not deconstruct his executive education or his case writing experience. The book is in part an autobiography and in part a teaching manual. Given its wide focus, it is uneven. Some areas are unpacked in depth, ie, his Authentic Leadership course. Other areas less so. That said, a call to all of us who teach to “take stock”. Another fine book akin to this is the writer and literature Professor Jay Parini’s, “The Art of Teaching”. Both books show deep reflective skills and take us inside teaching as a kind of invisible fieldwork. A terrain not well mapped or written about in any depth. Much to learn here re craftsmanship in this work. Professor DeLong dives deep into his teaching process to unveil his teaching approaches, strategies, and even insecurities. The authenticity, vulnerability, and self-awareness interwoven throughout the book make it a captivating read and easy to connect with. Professor DeLong takes the time to relate these teaching approaches to leadership principles that give appeal to many with interests outside of teaching. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to re-examine their own impact in public discourse be it as a teacher, leader, or simply as a communicator in general. My initial career was in education, teaching English for many years in two New England boarding schools (Kent and then St. Georges); years later, while earning a living as an independent management consultant, I conducted workshops and seminars for corporate executives throughout the U.S. while teaching two early-morning classes (three days a week) for ten years as an adjunct professor at a community college.I faced several of the same challenges in these three quite different realms of contemporary education while also experiencing essentially the same “mysteries and occasional miracles of teaching” that Thomas DeLong describes so well in his latest book.In fact, I wish I had been able to read Teaching by Heart before I taught my first class of fourth formers (i.e. tenth graders) at Kent School. From my perspective now, however, it is probable (if not certain) that I would not have read it. I had not as yet realized how much I did not know.DeLong believes that the best teachers tend to be the best students; that is, those most eager to learn. He also believes that the best teachers tend to be uniquely effective leaders as exemplar and perhaps role model. (He has taught at Harvard Business School for more than twenty years.) As he explains, “By deconstructing teaching, I hope to dig deep into the process and reveal some truths about how and why we teach the way we do.” Also, how and why teachers and their students learn the way they do. He succeeds brilliantly.What we have here is an extended companionship with DeLong during a segment of what he characterizes as a “journey.” His primary purpose is to facilitate learning — his own as well as his students’ — so that they are challenged “to be more accepting, more aware, and more committed to be all they can be.”These are among the passages of greatest interest and value to me, Also listed to suggest the thrust and flavor of DeLong’s thinking::o Emerging Patterns (Pages 42-43)o The Worm Deck (47-63)o Prejudging Students (68-72)o Classifying STudents (72-79)o How Leaders Create Covenants (83-86)o Tips and Tactics for Teachers (94-96)o The Moral to the Session on Difficult Conversations (108-110)o The Past, The Present, and The Future (!24-130)o Paying for the Sins of Others (135-138)o The Tug of War between Reality and the Narrative (147-148)o What Makes a Mentor (153-154)o Managing Up: How to Impress (157-159)o Embrace Clarity and Simplicity to Avoid Ambiguity (164-166)o The Myth of Seeking Feedback (172-173)o Mr. Rogers: Improving the Teaching Neighborhood (185-186 and 198-200)I highly recommend this book to all who are now preparing for a career in teaching (grades 9-12, college, or university) or who have only recently embarked upon one; also to executives who have direct reports entrusted to their care.Thomas DeLong is to be commended for so generously and so candidly sharing many of his thoughts and feelings about his life and work. He teaches “by heart” because he cares so deeply about the knowledge he shares but also about the process by which he shares it with his students and how they absorb and digest it — as well as what they learn elsewhere — and then apply it when pursuing personal growth and professional developmentTo those who are about to read this book, welcome to a classroom unlike any other you have ever known. I envy you the “journey” that awaits. Bon voyage! Fascinating insights into “how it works” at HBS! Warm, practical advice about teaching, but also about how we interact in any situation where some have influence over others. Not so much anti-authority as a case for shared authority grounded in compassion and communication.

[PDF] Download How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now by Stanislas Dehaene | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now Author: Stanislas Dehaene Number of pages: Publisher: Viking (January 28, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 0525559884 Rating: 4,7     7 reviews

Book Description Review “[An] expert overview of learning . . . Never mind our opposable thumb, upright posture, fire, tools, or language; it is education that enabled humans to conquer the world . . . Dehaene’s fourth insightful exploration of neuroscience will pay dividends for attentive readers.”—Kirkus Reviews“[Dehaene] rigorously examines our remarkable capacity for learning. The baby brain is especially awesome and not a ‘blank slate’  . . . Dehaene’s portrait of the human brain is fascinating.”—Booklist“A richly instructive [book] for educators, parents, and others interested in how to most effectively foster the pursuit of knowledge.” —Publishers WeeklyPraise for Reading in the Brain: “Splendid…Dehaene reveals how decades of low-tech experiments and high-tech brain-imaging studies have unwrapped the mystery of reading and revealed its component parts…A pleasure to read. [Dehaene] never oversimplifies; he takes the time to tell the whole story, and he tells it in a literate way.”—The Wall Street Journal”Masterful…a delight to read and scientifically precise.”—NaturePraise for Consciousness and the Brain:“Ambitious . . . Dehaene offers nothing less than a blueprint for brainsplaining one of the world’s deepest mysteries. . . . [A] fantastic book.”—The Washington Post”Dehaene is a maestro of the unconscious.”—Scientific American Mind”Brilliant… Essential reading for those who want to experience the excitement of the search for the mind in the brain.”—Nature Read more About the Author Stanislas Dehaene is the director of the Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit in Saclay, France, and the professor of experimental cognitive psychology at the Collège de France. He is the author of Reading in the Brain. Read more Customers Review: “Just as education is based on biology, the field of education must be grounded in a systematic and rigorous research ecosystem that brings together teachers, patients, and researchers, in a ceaseless search for more effective, evidence-based learning strategies” (245) (from How We Learn).How We Learn is Stanislas Dehaene’s fourth book that I have read, and it does not disappoint. Dehaene effortlessly and compassionately moves between the abstract and the useful, carefully and methodically guiding the reader through a veritable mountain range of information from fields as different as neuroscience and education. And The Wall Street Journal got it right for this book as well when it declared (of Reading In The Brain) that Dehaene “never oversimplifies; he takes the time to tell the whole story; and he tells it in a literate way.”All in all this is an incredible book, whether you’re interested in neuroscience, education, how brain plasticity and literacy are related, AI or even the brains of babies. There’s really something in it for everyone, whether you’re looking to apply your knowledge to study (or help someone else study) more effectively, or improve your own understanding of how the brain works. Dehaene is on the cutting edge, and he’s incredibly compassionate without ever being tendentious or moralistic. Below is a more detailed breakdown.How We Learn is divided into three parts. Part One answers the question “What is Learning?” In the first chapter he discusses seven definitions of learning. One of the most interesting definitions (which isn’t even included among the first seven) is “Learning is inferring the grammar of a domain” in which he submits: “Characteristic of the human species is a relentless search for abstract rules, high-level conclusions that are extracted from a specific situation and subsequently tested on new observations” (35).In Chapter 2 Dehaene wrestles for 20 pages with “Why our brain learns better than current machines,” continuing the discussion of learning all the while. Dehaene emphatically disagrees with the belief that “machines are about to overtake us” (27). A handful of the things he argues humans still do much better includes: Learning Abstract concepts; Data-efficient learning; Social learning; One-trial Learning; and, Systematicity and the language of thought.in Part 2 Dehaene delves into “How Our Brain Learns.” This is the most scientifically granular section and, for many more technical readers, may be the most interesting. The neuroscience underpinning the four chapters in Part 2 is where Dehaene really shows off how dynamic a mind he has. Essentially, human thought is itself a kind of symbolic language. Furthermore, the literacy of thought starts almost as soon as a baby starts to develop as a fetus. By the time a baby is born, it is an incredibly well-developed instrument ready for its second (rather than first) phase of life, for which it has been preparing for three seasons. Dehaene’s thoughts and work on infants alone in this book is well worth ten times its price.Part Three, more of the applied education section, starts with the “Four Pillars of Learning”: Attention (Ch 7, about 30 pages), Active Engagement (Ch 8, about 20 pages), Error Feedback (Ch 9, about 20 pages), Consolidation (Ch 10, about 15 pages). Each of these chapters is a combinatory mine of research, experimental data and studies, as well as practical advice for learners and teachers, reminiscent of Brown, Roediger and McDaniel’s excellent book Make It Stick.The following are some kernels of very useful information from Chapters 7-10:“The intellectual quotient [IQ] is just a behavioral ability, and as such, it is far from being unchangeable by education. Like any of our abilities, IQ rests on specific brain circuits whose synaptic weights can be changed by training” (167).“A passive organism does not learn” (178).“To learn, our brain must first form a hypothetical mental model [algorithm] of the outside world, which it then projects onto its environment and puts to a test by comparing its predictions to what it receives from the senses. This algorithm implies an active, engaged, and attentive posture. Motivation is essential: we learn well only if we have a clear goal and we fully commit to reaching it” (178).“While it is crucial for students to be motivated, active, and engaged, this does not mean they should be left to their own devices” (184).“Pure discovery learning, the idea that children can teach themselves, is one of the many educational myths that have been debunked but still remain curiously popular. […] Two other major misconceptions are linked to it: the myth of the digital native [and] the myth of learning styles” 185).“Zero error, zero learning,” but… “We do not need an actual error in order to learn—all we need is an internal sign that travels in the brain” (204)“It would be wrong, therefore, to believe that what matters most for learning is to make a lot of mistakes […] What matters is receiving explicit feedback that reduces the learner’s uncertainty. […] The theory of error backpropogation predicts: every unexpected event leads to corresponding adjustment of the internal model of the world” (205).“This is the golden rule: it is always better to spread out the training periods rather than cram them into a single run. […] Decades of psychological research show that if you have a fixed amount of time to learn something, spacing out the lessons is a much more effective strategy than grouping them” (218).“Sleep and leaning are strongly linked” (228).“Computer scientists have already designed several learning algorithms that mimic the sleep/wake cycle” (231).“From an educational perspective there is little doubt that improving the length and quality of sleep can be an effective intervention for all children, especially those with learning difficulties” (235).Part Three ends with the Dehaene’s “Conclusion: Reconciling Education with Neuroscience.” He conveniently provides a bullet point summary as well as “Thirteen Take-Home Messages to Optimize Children’s Potential.” Here they are, without their supporting paragraphs.Do not underestimate children.Take advantage of the brain’s sensitivity periods.Enrich the environment.Rescind the idea that all children are different.Pat attention to attention.Keep children active, curious, engaged, and autonomous.Make every school day enjoyable.Encourage efforts.Help students deepen their thinking.Set clear learning objectives.Accept and correct mistakes.Practice regularly.Let students sleep.Dehaene ends with his insistence that “schools should devote more time to parents training,” and that “scientists must engage with teachers and schools in order to consolidate the growing field of educational science” (244). Really wonderful book–highly recommend for psychologists and educators. A delightful blend of hardcore science and real-world problem solving An excellent summary of the latest research on the neuroscience on learning. Very readable and explained in lay terms. The author does an effective job of explaining the extraordinary capacity of the human brain to learn. Human infants come into this world primed to learn from day one of life. Also, the author clears up misconceptions about the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to truly emulate the intelligence of humans. Most importantly, he bridges the gap between neuroscience and effective practices in education. If you have any interest in understanding how the human brain is able to learn or simply how the human brain processes information, you will love this book. A particular strength of this book is that it bridges implications of current cognitive research on how people learn to four practical pillars for supporting this process that can applied at home and at school. These include attention, active engagement, getting feedback on errors and the consolidation of new learning through sleep. I will be referencing this text in my upcoming books, presentations and articles. I was eager to read the latest book by neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene because I found “Reading in the Brain” and “Consciousness and the Brain” to be quite compelling. In his new book Dr. Dehaene explores the latest research about how our brains learn. More importantly, he explains how these principles can be applied in the real world of education.Babies are incredible “learning machines” but they are not born as blank slates. Thus, Dehaene argues that learning is “never nature or nurture, but always both.” His discussion of how human learning differs from the so-called “deep learning” of current computers will be of special interest to anyone who wonders whether we are about to be surpassed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).After describing the fascinating science of learning Dehaene shares what he calls “the four pillars of learning,” which are the key principles he feels must be used to improve our educational efforts. These four pillars are Attention, Active Engagement, Error Feedback, and Consolidation. Dehaene gives a clear explanation of each pillar so that they can be applied by educational leaders, parents, teachers, and even individuals who strive to be life-long learners.I just posted an interview with Dr. Dehaene at brainsciencepodcast.com. You can listen on my website or in your favorite podcasting app.

[PDF] Download Dark Truths (A Will Traynor forensic mystery) by A.J. Cross | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Dark Truths (A Will Traynor forensic mystery) Author: A.J. Cross Number of pages: Publisher: Severn House Publishers; Main edition (January 7, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 0727889060 Rating: 4     10 reviews

Book Description Review An intriguing fair-play puzzle, with an abundant set of plausible suspects and possible motives … A highly satisfying mystery (Publishers Weekly on Something Evil Comes)”Watching an old pro herd cats as he cracks a tough case should tickle procedural fans everywhere” (Kirkus Reviews)A gripping, suspenseful, cleverly plotted story with plenty of unusual twists and a smart, independent heroine (Booklist on A Little Death)All the elements of a winning puzzler: a sympathetic heroine, a complicated case, and a crisis to lend a sense of urgency that justice be served (Kirkus Reviews on Cold, Cold Heart)Another keep-’em-guessing instalment of this popular and sharply written crime series … Characters with notable depth, a provocative plot, and a nifty twist make this a procedural to savor (Booklist on Cold, Cold Heart)Outstanding … Cross, herself a forensic psychologist, plays fair with the reader right up to the surprising conclusion (Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Cold, Cold Heart)”This series debut is a solid, skillfully written police drama with plenty of twists” (Booklist) Read more About the Author A.J. Cross is a forensic psychologist with over twenty years’ experience in the field. She lives in Birmingham with her jazz-musician husband and is the author of five Kate Hanson Cold Case mysteries. Read more Customers Review: The novel opens with an amorous couple on a remote trail decides to leave when they believe that someone is watching. The next morning a body of a young woman was discovered in the parking lot of that trail. The acting Chief Inspector Brophy appoints Detective Inspector Watts as the senior investigative officer. For the past five years or so, DI Watts headed the now defunct cold case unit. Due to the lack of available officers, Brophy assigns Police Constable Chloe Judd, a young inexperienced officer, to assist Watts. Once at the scene, the body already is being processed by pathologist Connie Chong. Watts and Chloe learned that the victim was stabbed and decapitated post mortem, and the head is missing. There is a blood trail leading off into a field. Soon a partially buried skull is found in the field. The skull was identified as a woman who disappeared ten years earlier. Brophy now arranges for criminologist Dr. Traynor to assist Watts. Watts and Dr. Traynor have a troubled history. The novel takes are off from here.The main storyline quickly escalates in complexity with more victims and sparse leads. The pressure to solve the case from Brophy escalates just as fast. Young Judd’s inexperience causes multiple problems. Lastly, Dr Traynor’s search for his dead wife’s body keeps him focused on tying her death into this investigation.As expected for the first novel in series, the B-storyline is extensive, rich, and well integrated into the main story line. For all of the major characters, Watts, Judd, Chong, and Traynor, the reader learns their history and how they have arrived at this point in their lives. Also, the interactions between them reveal much into each’s unique personality. I really felt I knew these characters and could empathize with them and their situations. The novel secured my attention and kept it throughout the novel.There less than ten instances of vulgar language in this novel. There are not any sex scenes. The few scenes involving violence do not emphasize the violence. One scene is gory but quickly described. Based on this there should not be anything objectionable for a reader from these areas. Now, the setting of this novel is in central England. There is use of much British informal language. I used the embedded dictionary in my e-reader quite often. For some words even the dictionary was found lacking. Easy access to the Internet provided understanding of those words.I enjoyed reading this novel, and it secured my attention but not as strongly because of the main storyline complexity was a step above most police procedurals I have read. This may result in the reader needing to pay a little more attention. The series is titled as A Will Traynor Forensic Mystery. To me Traynor was a supporting character in the novel. These issues were the worst aspects of the novel for me. I enjoyed the extensive in intertwined B-storylines that made the characters very real for me. Lastly, I liked the last two paragraphs of the novel, a real nice touch. Based upon my experience, I rate this novel with four stars. I am eagerly waiting for the next novel in this series. I believe that you will have same experience after reading it.I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read this novel early. The first installment in the Will Traynor series, Dark Truths by A.J. Cross is an intriguing mystery.With the Unsolved Crimes Unit now disbanded, Detective Inspector Bernard Watts (from the Kate Hanson series) is now the senior investigating officer on the Zoe Roberts murder. He is reluctantly working with young and inexperienced Police Constable Chloe Judd and troubled criminologist Dr. Will Traynor. The search for Zoe’s killer leads to unexpected and rather gruesome discoveries that suggest the trio is hunting a serial killer. With Will distracted by his wife Claire’s long unsolved disappearance and possible murder, Chloe jumping to conclusions and making poor decisions in the field, Bernard is frustrated by their lack of progress. With a deadline to solve the murder fast approaching, will Watts and his team find evidence that will lead them to the killer(s)?DI Watts is gruff and grumpy as he and PC Judd begin their investigation into Zoe’s horrific murder. With scant clues at the scene, they turn to her family in hopes of finding her killer. Her parents are grief-stricken but a lot of their attention is focused on protecting their business in the wake of their daughter’s murder. Her brother Alec is upfront about their troubled childhood, but he is quick to assert they have moved past their issues. Zoe and her husband are separated but is he their killer?Judd is quite young and she has strong opinions despite her lack of experience. She is impatient and judgmental and she does not hesitate to offer her theories on the murders. Although Watts is a bit impatient with her, he recognizes Chloe’s potential and tries to steer her into looking at the evidence they have unearthed.Will is distracted throughout the investigation after he becomes certain that his wife’s disappearance is connected to their current case. He does offer some important insight but Watts soon grows irritated with Will’s inability to focus on Zoe’s murder and their shocking discoveries at her crime scene. Will is convinced there is a connection between Zoe’s murder and their other findings but will he, Watts and Judd find the thread that links them together before it is too late?Dark Truths is a clever mystery but the pacing is a little slow. Watts is a seasoned investigator but he is having trouble adjusting to his newest assignment. Will is quite intelligent and intuitive but his obsession about his tragic loss is a definite hindrance. Judd is a likable young woman but she is a bit obnoxious due to her lack of experience and immaturity. A.J. Cross brings the novel to an action-packed but slightly lackluster conclusion. The Will Traynor series is off to a slightly rocky start but it will be interesting to watch Watts, Judd and Traynor settle into a more cohesive unit.I received a complimentary copy for review.

[PDF] Download Little Joe Chickapig by Brian Calhoun | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Little Joe Chickapig Author: Brian Calhoun Number of pages: Publisher: SFI Readerlink Dist (January 14, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 0794444520 Rating: 5     1 reviews

Book Description Review Is it a book about aspirations or the backstory for the board game? Chickapig is defined as “an animal hybrid that is half-chicken and half-pig” and is depicted in yellow, two-legged chick shape with pink pig snout and ears. Young Joe Chickapig lives on a farm that was his grandfather’s dream, but it’s getting Joe down. He dreams of adventure but needs the “courage to follow his heart. / But how could he do it? How could he start?” In a bedtime story, Joe’s mother shares the influential characters that helped Joe’s sailor grandfather “follow his heart against the tide.” It seems that “Grandpa had heard a story told / Of a great big bear who broke the mold. / The bear was tired of striking fear”—so he became a forest doctor and a friend to all. And the bear’s inspiration? “A mouse who went to space.” The mouse, in turn, found hope in a “fierce young dragon” who joined a rock band. And coming full circle, the dragon found courage from a Chickapig warrior who “tired of shields and swords to wield” and established a farm. Chickapig game fans will appreciate this fanciful rhyming tale illustrated in attention-grabbing colors, but readers coming to it cold will note a distinct absence of plot. Mouse and dragon present female; all others are male. Take strength from the dreamers before you and follow your dreams. Or maybe just roll the dice. (Picture book. 4-6), Kirkus Reviews Read more About the Author A luthier and game-creator-turned-author, Brian Calhoun grew up in the countryside of Rockbridge County, Virginia. Calhoun relocated to Charlottesville in his early twenties and launched Rockbridge Guitar, an artisan business crafting high-end acoustic guitars for musicians, including Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Brandi Carlile, Warren Haynes, and more. After playing a board game he deemed boring, Calhoun came up with the idea for the Chickapig game in 2013. Calhoun had always thought of writing children’s books, and the characters from the game seeded the idea for his first book, Little Joe Chickapig. Calhoun is currently developing a new game, 25 Outlaws, with his Chickapig partner, Dave Matthews.Animator and illustrator Pat Bradley was born in Baldwinsville, New York, where he discovered his love of drawing at an early age. He studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art and began his career at the Field Museum of Chicago. His educational animations have won national industry awards for their creativity, humor, and ability to make complex subjects understandable.Pat established his own company, Springshoe Animation, in 2010.  Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, he partners with museums, advertising agencies, authors, and anyone else in need of visual storytelling expertise.A luthier and game-creator-turned-author, Brian Calhoun grew up in the countryside of Rockbridge County, Virginia. Calhoun relocated to Charlottesville in his early twenties and launched Rockbridge Guitar, an artisan business crafting high-end acoustic guitars for musicians, including Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Brandi Carlile, Warren Haynes, and more. After playing a board game he deemed boring, Calhoun came up with the idea for the Chickapig game in 2013. Calhoun had always thought of writing children’s books, and the characters from the game seeded the idea for his first book, Little Joe Chickapig. Calhoun is currently developing a new game, 25 Outlaws, with his Chickapig partner, Dave Matthews. Read more Customers Review: Very cute book about veering from what may be expected of you in life and following your dreams. Its nice to have a book with a little message for kids (that isn’t obvious or overly sappy) but it still have a fun story to keep their interest.The rhyming scheme makes this fun and easy to read, my 3 1/2 year old seems to enjoy it as much as I enjoy reading it and he loves examining the illustrations.And can I mention how thankful I am that there is no dust jacket! Theyre such a waste with kids books, they only ever get torn, bent or lost, so I end up throwing them away.We’ve read this every day since we got it, definite winner.

[PDF] Download Communicate with Mastery: Speak With Conviction and Write for Impact by JD Schramm | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Communicate with Mastery: Speak With Conviction and Write for Impact Author: JD Schramm Number of pages: Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 29, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 1119550092 Rating: 5     3 reviews

Book Description From the Inside Flap To be a leader in today’s world and influence others with your ideas, you’ll need to share your ideas clearly, powerfully, and memorably. No matter how talented and knowledgeable you are, you can’t succeed as a leader if you lack the ability to communicate with clarity and conviction. By sharing leadership communication frameworks and tools that have been taught at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business over the past decade, Communicate with Mastery will help readers develop that essential strength. This book describes how anyone can become an influential speaker, a compelling writer, and a more effective communicator. Communicate with Mastery is an efficient, actionable resource that helps readers learn how to better deliver presentations, motivate teams, draft clear and concise e-mails, and more. The tools in this book will help readers to navigate our increasingly digital, fast-paced world with a diverse set of approaches to our multifaceted communication landscape. This essential leadership communication book provides quick and easy access to approaches you can leverage in any situation where effective communication is necessary. In the short term, you’ll find it easier to get your point across regardless of medium or situation. In the long run, Communicate with Mastery will help you address the pain points that may be preventing you from achieving major goals as a leader. Projects often fail despite having immense potential. Why? Simply because a leader wasn’t able to articulate a vision. Don’t let your good ideas fall flat. Strong communication is key to your success. This book teaches you how to master it. Read more From the Back Cover PRAISE FOR COMMUNICATE with MASTERY “JD offers actionable advice for senior leaders committed to effective communication. This quick read will teach you the easy way (by reading) what most leaders have had to learn the hard way (by screwing up!) Save yourself some time and heartache and read this book!” KIM SCOTT, Author of Radical Candor “JD has taught thousands of Stanford students to be effective, and even masterful, communicators. His insights and guidance will benefit any leader who takes the time to put them into action.” JONATHAN LEVIN, Philip H. Knight, Professor and Dean, Stanford Graduate School of Business “For years, I’ve watched the courses and programs JD Schramm has created at Stanford wishing his work could be made available to a wider audience, now it has. Communicate with Mastery provides leaders at all levels of experience and confidence the tools they need to improve their speaking and writing. It’s a welcome addition to the field.” NANCY DUARTE, CEO, Duarte Inc.; Author of lide:ology, Resonate, and Illuminate “Storytelling has been the secret ingredient to the success in my career. This book distills all JD shared with me when I was his student at Stanford, in a powerful, approachable instruction manual.” KYLAN LUNDEEN, Chief Marketing Officer, Qualtrics Read more About the Author JD Schramm founded the Mastery in Communication Initiative at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, where he’s served as lecturer in Organizational Behavior since 2007. Kara Levy is an executive communication and leadership coach who’s offered thousands the tools to communicate more confidently. She holds an MFA in fiction writing from Columbia University. Read more Customers Review: Information-rich, accessible, and actionable. A playbook for anyone who needs to effectively land a message, personal or professional.