Best Selling Books by John Richards

A young woman is haunted by the disappearance of her grandmother, a brilliant mathematician whose research uncovered the basis for parallel universes. A botanist travels across the seas in search of an elusive, deadly flower that was also his late father's obsession. A talented painter produces his best work – unsettling masterpieces with strange, fantastical elements – years after he was last seen in person.In this gothic-inspired collection of stories, John Richards pushes the limits of what short fiction can be. With settings that range from rural France to medieval Italy to nineteenth-century Borneo, The Gorgon Flower is an impressively crafted, engrossing debut by a bold new writer.

With the exception of Sri Lanka, South Asian countries have not achieved quality basic education – an essential measure for escaping poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. In The Political Economy of Education in South Asia, John Richards, Manzoor Ahmed, and Shahidul Islam emphasize the importance of a dynamic system for education policy. The Political Economy of Education in South Asia documents the weak core competency (reading and math) outcomes in government primary schools in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and the consequent rapid growth of non-government schools over the last two decades. It compares the training, hiring, and management of teachers in South Asian schools to successful national systems ranging from Singapore to Finland. Discussing reform options, it makes the case public good and public priorities are better served when both public and non-government providers come under a strong public policy and accountability framework. The Political Economy of Education in South Asia draws on the authors' broad engagement in education research and practice in South Asia, as well as analysis by prominent professors of education and NGO leaders, to place basic education in a broad context and make the case that universal literacy and numeracy are necessary foundations for economic growth.

The Digital Teaching Platform (DTP) brings the power of interactive technology to teaching and learning in classrooms. In this authoritative book, top researchers in the field of learning science and educational technology examine the current state of design and research on DTPs, the principles for evaluating them, and their likely evolution as a dominant medium for educational improvement. The authors examine DTPs in light of contemporary classroom requirements, as well as current initiatives such as the Common Core State Standards, Race to the Top, and the 2010 National Educational Technology Plan.

Recombinant DNA: Science, Ethics, and Politics emerged from papers presented at a conference, Ethical and Methodological Dimensions of Scientific Research: Recombinant DNA, A Case Study, held at the University of Georgia, April 15-16, 1977. Starting with an introduction to the methods and uses of recombinant DNA technology, the remaining contributions made by researchers at the symposium are organized into four parts. The first part contains papers on the development and utilization of recombinant DNA technology; genetic engineering in agriculture; and the dangers of unrestricted research. The second part focuses on the ethical aspects of recombinant DNA research. It includes studies such as ethical prerequisites for examining biological research; the limitations of broad moral policies; and ethical theories underlying the recombinant DNA controversy. The third part examines the legal aspects of recombinant DNA research and examines the issue of whether such research should be regulated. The papers in the fourth part consider directors for future research.

This is the first study in English of Altichiero, one of the most important painters of the later Italian Trecento. Altichiero worked exclusively for the despotic rulers of Verona and Padua, translating their chivalric aspirations into fresco cycles of extraordinary beauty and originality. Altichiero, whose work is indebted to Giotto, worked in close collaboration with Petrarch. In addition to an informative catalogue and bibliography, the book also contains a wealth of illustrations in both color and black and white that bring the work and world of Altichiero to life.

This updated and expanded edition gives critical analyses of 23 Latin American films from the last 20 years, including the addition of four films from Bolivia. Explored throughout the text are seven crucial themes: the indigenous image, sexuality, childhood, female protagonists, crime and corruption, fratricidal wars, and writers as characters. Designed for general and scholarly interest, as well as a guide for teachers of Hispanic culture or Latin American film and literature, the book provides a sweeping look at the logistical circumstances of filmmaking in the region along with the criteria involved in interpreting a Latin American film. It includes interviews with and brief biographies of influential filmmakers, along with film synopses, production details and credits, transcripts of selected scenes, and suggestions for discussion and analysis.

This book provides an introduction to the glazed ceramic traditions of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam - their origins and distinctive stylistic and technical character - as well as a presentation of 313 fine pieces from the Collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

The classic text on primulas updated and revised by the leading expert, Professor John Richards of the University of Newcastle. Primula is one of the greatest garden genera, in terms of the number of varieties grown and its popularity. It is also among the largest and most widespread - approximately 430 species. This comprehensive title covers: Major taxonomic revision History of the exploration and introduction of Primula Cultivation: temperature, soil and compost, propagation Pests and Diseases Evolutionary history Biological characters used in sectional classification Heterostyly and homostyly Phyletic scheme for the sections of Primula Synopsis of the genus Primula. ?This thorough revision brings this definitive reference work right up to date and incorporates new and improved information for most of the species. For the first time, identification keys are included for all species, and other special features include several newly described species, over 30 new illustrations, and important fresh details on the evolutionary history of Primulas from recent DNA evidence, leading to major changes in classification. The book covers the historical and practical information on the exploration and cultivation of the genus; the evolution of the species; and a chapter on heterostyly and homostyly includes the latest developments in this fascinating subject. However, the bulk of the book is given over to a systematic treatment of each species, including: valid name and place of publication synonym description chromosome number breeding behaviour and flowering time distribution habitat, including altitudinal range taxonomic and other general notes variation cultivation hybridization

Blütenbiologie, Reproduktive Morphologie.