Most Popular Books by James Keenan

(Book). A Perfect Union of Contrary Things is the authorized biography of musician and vintner Maynard James Keenan. Co-author Sarah Jensen''s 30-year friendship with Keenan gives her unique insight into his history and career trajectory. The book traces Keenan''s journey from his Midwest childhood to his years in the Army to his time in art school, from his stint at a Boston pet shop to his place in the international spotlight and his influence on contemporary music and regional winemaking. A comprehensive portrayal of a versatile and dedicated artist, A Perfect Union of Contrary Things pays homage to the people and places that shaped the man and his art. Until now, Maynard''s fans have had access to only an abridged version of his story. A Perfect Union of Contrary Things presents the outtakes, the scenes of disappointment and triumph, and the events that led him to take one step after the next, to change direction, to explore sometimes surprising opportunities. Included are sidebars in his own words, often humorous anecdotes that illuminate the narrative, as well as commentary by his family members, friends, instructors, and industry colleagues. The book also features a foreword by Alex Grey, an American visionary artist and longtime friend of Keenan. Accompanying the text are photos of Keenan from childhood to the present. Maynard''s story is a metaphor for the reader''s own evolution and an encouragement to follow one''s dreams, hold fast to individual integrity, and work ceaselessly to fulfill our creative potential.

“Two prestigious scholars . . . serve up a gourmet banquet that blends the flavors of scripture and ethics without losing the distinctive tastes of each.” —Richard M. Gula, professor of moral theology, Franciscan School of Theology/Graduate Theological Union In Paul and Virtue Ethics, Daniel Harrington and James Keenan build upon their successful collaboration Jesus and Virtue Ethics to discuss the apostle Paul''s teachings as a guide to interpret theology and ethics today. Examining Paul''s writings, the authors investigate what they teach about the basic questions of virtue ethics: Who am I? Who do I want to become? And how do I get there? Their intent is not to provide stringent rules, but to awaken discovery and encourage dialogue. The book first considers the concept of virtue ethics, an approach to ethics that emphasizes moral character, and Paul’s ethics in particular. Next, the authors focus on the virtues of faith, love/charity, and hope as treated by Paul and Thomas Aquinas. Closing the book with reflections on the roles of other virtues (and vices) in individual and communal Christian life, the authors discuss various issues in social ethics and sexual morality as they are dealt with in Paul and in Christian virtue ethics today. “One could not ask for better guides [than] Harrington and Keenan.” ―Theological Studies “Bringing the moral teaching of Paul and contemporary virtue ethics into dialogue with each other, Harrington and Keenan have done what others have only spoken about.” —Frank J. Matera, The Andrew-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America “[A] deeply learned yet broadly accessible volume. . . . [a] perfect book for an introductory course in theological ethics.” —M. Cathleen Kaveny, Darald and Juliet Libby Professor of Law and Theology, Boston College

This document is a business guide designed for exporters of consumer products or capital goods who wish to know how best to select and manage intermediaries--dealers, distributors, agents, and middle persons of all kinds--in order to maximize their chances of success in the Hong Kong and PRC markets. Because it is written primarily for small and medium exporters whose limited budgets allow for few mistakes, it concentrates on Hong Kong distributors active in the PRC as opposed to PRC middle persons.

Maynard James Keenan est surtout connu en tant que chanteur charismatique des groupes Tool, A Perfect Circle et Puscifer. Cette première biographie officielle n''est cependant pas celle que l''on pourrait attendre, penchant plus du côté de l''introspection que des chambres d''hôtel dévastées, ce qui n''est pas si étonnant quand on connaît déjà un tant soit peu cet artiste ayant toujours rejeté l''image de rock star. Écrit avec Sarah Jensen, une amie de plus de 30 ans, Une Parfaite Union Des Contraires retrace ainsi le parcours d''un jeune garçon ayant grandi dans l''Ohio et que rien, pas même ses passions et sa détermination, ne destinait à atteindre une renommée internationale. Revenant en détail sur ce qui a façonné l''homme et son art, ce récit ne se livre par contre pas à l''explication de textes ; au lieu de cela, le puzzle se met en place, donnant un aperçu de choses qui se retrouveront plus tard dans ses écrits ou guideront ses centres d''intérêt. Et le bilan sur une vie déjà bien remplie finit par transcender le personnel pour devenir métaphore : un détour sans signification peut avec le recul devenir quelque chose d''important. C''est pour le lecteur un encouragement à suivre ses rêves, à rester intègre, et à travailler sans relâche pour réaliser pleinement son potentiel créatif. « La vie est trop courte pour ne pas créer quelque chose tant que l''on respire. »

Dillan and his two best friends never imagined that a map in their possession could lead them to a treasure so large it would change their lives forever. They also never imagined how finding that treasure would guide them to an even more extraordinary discovery, one that could rewrite human history as we know it. Travel through a time when giants controlled the Americas, and underground kingdoms helped mankind survive cataclysmic events. Experience alternative history told through fiction in a way that only author James Keenan, creator of The UFO and an Alien series, can do. Follow along as a trio of young adventurers pursue a quest rich in Native American mythology and treasure hunter lore.

Ten-year-old Thomas Smith and his two best friends never imagined that playing outside could lead to befriending a young visitor not of this planet, especially one that was accidentally stranded. The children suddenly find themselves trying to evade capture from soldiers as they attempt to help their new friend reunite with his out-of-this-world family. Join the fourth grade classmates as they embark on this exciting adventure, full of strange encounters, moral dilemmas, and life lessons that all children must eventually learn.The UFO and an Alien is a children''s science fiction book with Ufology elements that follows several classmates, trying to assist a young alien that was accidentally left behind near Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. The lessons learned along the way help teach about equality, equity, compassion, and fairness.

Thomas Smith thought that becoming friends with an alien would be the most significant experience he would have in his lifetime. He was completely wrong. In episode two of the series, "The UFO and an Alien," Thomas finds himself dealing with paranormal forces, in and around the infamous, Skinwalker Ranch. With his new friend, Corey, Thomas must cope with surviving the fifth grade at a new school, while delving into the realm of Native American shapeshifters. Join the children as they embark on this exciting supernatural journey, full of strange encounters, moral dilemmas, and life lessons that all children must eventually learn.

Few things ever work out how we want them to. Jack Tentman learned this lesson harder than most. He has had a difficult life. Recently divorced and tired of working for his current company of too many years, he decides it is time for a change. Leaving the misery of the electronics store behind, he sets out for a new adventure to handle loss prevention at a top clothing and home goods store. It''s not the glamorous life he enjoyed during a stint in law enforcement, but it pays the bills. His new routine puts him in contact with interesting people and more than a few crimes being committed under management''s noses. Jack does the best he can, but his efforts soon uncover something else lurking just out of sight. The building he works in has a dark past with a history that time has forgotten. Curious events cloud his mind, urging him to act against his nature. Jack knows the difference between right and wrong but the power in his hands blurs the line. Armed with a closed circuit camera system and his knowledge of law enforcement, Jack begins to experience events he can only describe as paranormal. There is another world hidden around him and it threatens to consume him. Can Jack remain true to himself or will the temptation to succumb to the dark urges whispered in his mind prove too much? James Keenan knows what it is like to wander in search of answers. His quest for knowledge has led him down many paths, from law enforcement to author. Driving him has been his love of reading and writing, particularly science fiction, horror, and paranormal. He is the author of the successful Dark Shadows and Catastrophe series and Blue Blood on the Border. Whether by design or at random, his experiences have placed him in the path of several paranormal events that have helped shape his writing. James prides himself on creating believable fiction worlds and scenarios.

Thomas Smith believed that his troubles with supernatural creatures was a thing of the past. He also thought that his connection to the infamous Skinwalker Ranch in Utah had ended. He was very wrong. In book three of the series, "The UFO and an Alien," Thomas is once again catapulted into an unknown realm, where his encounter with Bigfoot is the least of his problems. Find out what he must do to survive when Native American folklore turns out to be for real.

Few things ever work out how we want them to. Jack Tentman learned this lesson harder than most. He has had a difficult life. Recently divorced and tired of working for his current company of too many years, he decides it is time for a change. Leaving the misery of the electronics store behind, he sets out for a new adventure to handle loss prevention at a top clothing and home goods store. It''s not the glamorous life he enjoyed during a stint in law enforcement, but it pays the bills. His new routine puts him in contact with interesting people and more than a few crimes being committed under management''s noses. Jack does the best he can, but his efforts soon uncover something else lurking just out of sight. The building he works in has a dark past with a history that time has forgotten. Curious events cloud his mind, urging him to act against his nature. Jack knows the difference between right and wrong but the power in his hands blurs the line. Armed with a closed circuit camera system and his knowledge of law enforcement, Jack begins to experience events he can only describe as paranormal. There is another world hidden around him and it threatens to consume him. Can Jack remain true to himself or will the temptation to succumb to the dark urges whispered in his mind prove too much?

Dark Shadows and Catastrophe is the story of an individual that the reader follows from being a toddler to adult. As the life of Patrick Kilian takes place, the reader comes to learn that Patrick is plagued by what he believes to be the supernatural, only to later find out that his current life is not the only one he has lived and that the supernatural really is intertwined with what he always thought was just science fiction nonsense. As Patrick navigates through his daily life, much of his current reality begins to come in contact with the distant past and in so doing begins to show just how much the past has already provided knowledge on the outcome of what is to happen on Earth in the future. At the foundation of many lifetimes colliding together, Patrick will come to realize he is not just Patrick and not just human. He will also come to understand his destiny has been written for him and that this destiny will touch and affect all of humanity.

This research examines the relationship between legitimacy and commitment from a strategyas- practice perspective. It questions the normative view within the strategy literature which suggests there is a reciprocal relationship between legitimacy and commitment during strategic change i.e. gaining legitimacy for change secures actor''s commitment towards it, or where commitment is gained, this infers legitimacy to the strategy. The central argument is that the strategy legitimacy-commitment relationship may be more complex than the normative view suggests when this relationship is examined from the middle of the organization, and proposes that middle managers face a dilemma as strategists: ''is this the right thing to do?'' and ''will I go along with it?'' A longitudinal case study is presented with qualitative data collected in real-time around the development and implementation of an umbrella strategy, whereby "the broad outline is deliberate, while the finer details are allowed to emerge en route" (Mintzberg & Waters, 1985: p263). The contribution of this thesis is three-fold. First, it shows when strategy legitimacy and commitment are analyzed as multi-variant constructs, they produce multiple types of relationships that are not exclusively reciprocal, but are temporal and shift over time. Second, it illustrates that the type of approach a firm adopts to manage strategic change (e.g. an umbrella strategy) influences middle manager''s practices, which subsequently impact on change outcomes in different ways. Third, it offers a contribution to the portraiture of the strategy practitioner, and presents middle managers as reflective strategists who are acutely aware of their scope for exercising managerial agency under umbrella conditions. This research raises questions about how firms balance generality over specificity when adopting deliberately-emergent approaches, how they reconcile differences between strategists'' from plural institutions, manage discretionary practices, and whether guidance should be offered on simultanously managing legitimacy and commitment when evaluations are prone to fluctuation.

Damon Balor is a young man making his way in the world alone. Having become an emancipated minor, he is free after years of being physically abused and molested as a boy. As he gets older, we see that Damon has made a success of his career in law enforcement, and he becomes everything society perceives a strong young man should be. An abused child who has overcome his demons and now spends his adult life helping people. He is admired and respected; at least this is what the outside world sees. Except Damon is not who he appears to be. He doesn''t fit in with society. Damon likes to hurt people. Damon believes he is mentally ill; he hears voices in his head and has always had these psychopathic tendencies throughout his life. But this was caused by the years of abuse, so it''s okay that he enjoys hurting other people; he was molested, beaten and tortured, and now he is only inflicting his pain onto others. Instead of helping those he comes into contact with as a cop, he does unspeakable things to them. He enjoys it and he isn''t going to stop. Why should he? It''s not his fault. As time goes on, the voices in his head begin to get stronger and Damon begins to discover that his evil acts aren''t the result of mental illness or the abuse he suffered as a child. It is something much more sinister, something that has been in the making for thousands of years. The voices are far more real than simply figments of his imagination. Damon begins to discover who he really is, but his crimes are beginning to catch up with him. He is being hunted by two special agents from the FBI, and they seem to know far more about him than he does. Who is Damon Balor? And what is his purpose on this earth? Can he be stopped from the unspeakable acts of violence and will he get his comeuppance?

Set between the year 2013 and 2036, this sci-fi and paranormal fiction is a thrilling sequel to the book, "Dark Shadows and Catastrophe," and sees Earth and its people facing an impending cataclysmic event, which could destroy the entire human population and send the world back to darker times. This catastrophe has been experienced in the past, but any knowledge of its occurrence was lost in time. What takes place is a rare astronomical phenomenon in the universe and brings about a destructive impact on our solar system, severely changing what we thought we knew about space and celestial bodies. This time around, the world is in dire straits as far more destruction than ever before is headed our way. The protagonist, Patrick Kilian, is of an ancient origin and has lived on planet Earth for a very long time. Kilian''s role on Earth is reminiscent of the Watcher amongst men as was written in the Old Testament of the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Enoch. Now, with his wife Cassy and two FBI agents, Patrick must continue with his planet wide search for the solution. He is eager to uncover advanced technology that is rumored to exist, and which will help him save humanity. But finding the ancient knowledge that will help him accomplish the mission he was sent to Earth to complete is harder than it seems. In a world that is fighting against time, Patrick is its last hope. But can he find what he needs before the clock runs out?