Most Popular Books by Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan draws on ten years of research to deliver this landmark comparative review of participatory budgeting, or collective decisions on spending and taxation around the world. With examples of both positive change and notable failure, the book shows when and why citizens achieve this, and how policy makers can foster democratic engagement.

"Brother John an ex-policeman turned Carmelite monk finds himself caught up in a search for a missing Italian aristocrat. The colourful procession of characters from the Byzantine past and the Vatican bring out the enduring strengths of tradition and religious faith and gives the reader an insight into the world of icons and precious relics as well as an exciting chase by yacht in stormy weather in American waters. The action takes place in Rome and the waters around New York but is set against the history of Constantinople and Armenia. The historical facts presented are accurate."

The True Lineages are the backbone of the Order of Hermes. In these four Hermetic Houses, each magus was taught by a magus of the House, and that master-apprentice relationship goes back to the founders. This sourcebook details the four True Lineages, including rules for original research, unique forms of magic, and new Virtues and Flaws.House Bonisagus descends from the two magi who created the Order, and continues to supply knowledge and leadership. They explore the theoretical applications of magic, delving deeper into its arcane secrets. And they advocate peace and cooperation among the Houses, searching for other wizards who might contribute to the community of magi.House Guernicus upholds and enforces the Code of Hermes as the official judges and investigators of the Order. Its Quaesitores believe they stand against the wheel of fate, slowing it as best they can. By the efforts of its magi, the basic structures of Hermetic society have remained intact for over four hundred years.House Mercere holds the magi of Mythic Europe together by facilitating communication, encouraging trade, and aiding their sodales. Its heralds, heroes, mercenaries, and merchants reflect the contractictions of their House: it is exotic, but traditional; loyal, but self-centered; proud, but humble.House Tremere provides the strength of the Order. It controls events and prepares for coming battles, gathering influence and resources to respond to crises as they draw near. Tremere are pragmatic, dutiful, and courageous magi who know that Mythic Europe is a chaotic and dangerous place.These are the True Lineages. Without them all, the Order of Hermes would surely fall.

Matt Ryan is so madly creative that it is downright intimidating. A master of wordplay... utterly unpredictable. -Joey Goebel, author of Torture the Artist and The Anomalies

A collection of poster art and imagery from the master of the modern poster. A selection of his works covering the years 2012-2024

Allie is done with being a special. But the world of alchemy still needs her to dig up a four-hundred-year-old man for a mother she may not totally trust, then create the stone to end all stones. After that, she''s free. Sounds simple enough . . . that is, if she''s not used up or dead by the end of the process.

This collection of sea stories is a fictional work based on actual events in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War. The setting is the fictitious heavy cruiser Beaverton, based in Long Beach, California. It''s the summer of 1956 - a time, unlike today. For example, today a single DUI will end a naval officer''s career.The book has an understated timelessness that opens the book''s potential audience; anyone interested in fiction exploring military seafaring life will enjoy this book without ever feeling removed from its experience because of the time period. Ryan brings these settings to life without allowing the locales to dominate their respective appearances and adds layers of flavor to the work. This is a book that holds up under multiple readers rather than a one and done work. Joe Xylos, One Hell of a Shipmate runs over five hundred pages in its digital addition and some will think it can stand some cutting, but others will undoubtedly find the book full of riches well worth revisiting and appreciate its wide and expansive storytelling canvas.Matt Ryan''s skill for depicting setting is outstanding quality. The book hops from one far-flung locale to another and does an excellent job of capturing a time and place in global history without ever seeming dated.

Loved ones lost. Families separated. Earth is on the brink of total annihilation. The Six must rise once again, in a final battle against a new and terrifying adversary. All of the worlds depend on their victory.

Joey Foust has no idea he''s a wanted man and his parents aim to keep it that way. They raised him as a normal boy in a small American town, hoping he and his friends don''t discover what lies beyond. And for eighteen years, they succeed. Joey and his friends, the Preston Six, were all born on the same day, but soon come to find they have much more in common than a simple birthdate. Details of their past are suspicious, and they are determined to figure out what their parents are hiding. Small threads of new information are discovered, leading the Preston Six to venture in search for the truth. What they find pushes the boundaries of their beliefs. Now, they''re forced to leave behind everything to face an unknown adversary who''s been hunting for them since the day they were born. They must rise as one, or fall to enemy hands.

Unions have formed. A new life is born. An old enemy is renewed. Reeling from their great losses, the Preston Six vow to end it all against Marcus.

Independence or Annihilation A conquering alien race, known as the Void, wiped 4 billion people off the planet in one brutal invasion. What remains of Earth''s population survived by the slimmest of margins on nothing but hope, bravery, and sacrifice. We don''t know where the Void came from, or why they attacked. But we know they adapt and will be back to finish the job. The next war won''t be the last battle for humanity... it''ll be the complete annihilation of Earth. Captain Trent Redd isn''t waiting for that to happen. Taking command of a legendary warship... He''s bringing the war straight into the hellish maelstrom where the Void are gathering for another final assault. A state of the art warship called Independence and her crew are Earth''s last bid for survival. The flame of freedom flickers in the depths of interstellar space as Battlestar Galactica meets They Live in this winner take all battle for the future of Earth.

This fabulous Coloring book is the greatest gift for your children in this Halloween All pages are full of draw designs especially made for Kids from 2 to 12 years old. Thick lines and simple patterns set little hands up for coloring success! Discover The Amazing Benefits Of This Coloring Book: Kids can develop good motor skills by coloring inside this coloring book. Can be an amazing gift for kids and their friends! Kids can also relax and enjoy a activity such as coloring these pages Kids can use their imagination to make wonderful images. Use different colored pencils, markers, and pens to color these pages. Grab one and let your children''s creative run wild!

The magi of the Order of Hermes are not the only scholars and artists in Mythic Europe. In the Greek and Muslim lands, traditions of learning stretch back unbroken over centuries, while scholarship has emerged from long centuries of neglect in the Latin West with great vigor. From parish schools to the new universities, learning and creativity are everywhere.Nor is this learning entirely theoretical. Doctors can cure many illnesses, and preserve the health of their charges. Natural philosophers can manipulate substances in a way that appears magical to the ill-informed, and gain some hints as to the future from the positions of the stars. The natural laws of Mythic Europe are very different from those of our world, and many strange things can be achieved by those who understand their secrets. Artists create the great cathedrals, but also more humble paintings, songs, and sculptures. The greatest of them draw the attention of the supernatural, and become part of the legends of the land.Art & Academe provides background on the academic life of Mythic Europe, and rules for activities reaching from the astrology and alchemy of the natural philosopher to the regimens and treatments of the medic, from university disputations to the creation of masterpieces of art. Art & Academe takes your saga to the very limits of medieval scientific knowledge.

Between two empires is a land of high mountains and dark forests, of great rivers and fertile plains. The richest king in Mythic Europe rules Hungary, but his nobles are restless and the Teutonic Knights he invited to guard his borders want no overlord. Other small kingdoms play east and west against each other, tolerating heresy in their search for freedom. The mountains are the home of countless dragons, and vampires stalk the peasants in their villages. To the east, a greater storm gathers.This is the Transylvanian Tribunal.One force brings light to the darkness. Here, where a lord need not swear fealty for his land, the magi of the Order of Hermes may rule openly without violating the Code. Here, in the heartland of House Tremere, the gifts and talents of all magi may be brought together, to cooperate for the good of the world. Here can be seen the shape of the new order that the Tremere wish to bring.Let us work together as one and grow hale and strong.

The Six return home from a charitable trip to help rebuild Vanar, and find their own world is in deep trouble. When a cough becomes much more than a common cold, an epidemic sweeps across the world. They have a suspicion of who is behind it all and rush to tell their missing member, unsure if she will even respond to their call.Samantha Roslin has moved on. Putting her past-and the Six-behind her, she takes a position at a startup company in San Francisco. With eyes on her future, and also on her enigmatic boss, Zach Baker, she is ready to take the world by storm.When Julie believes she''s finally found signs of Marcus''s technology on earth, it throws the group into a tailspin. They must find a way to stop Marcus before he has total control over Earth''s people.

Six short stories from employees of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, recording their time working from home during the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Staff were encouraged to record ''a day in the life'' of flexible working practices in their own time. These stories highlight the resilience and adaptability shown by many people experiencing working from home for the first time, as well as showing some of the positives of flexible work practices.

In Mythic Europe, kings rule their feudal lands, but their wives can be stolen by magic. The church preaches repentance, and saints manifest on Earth to enforce their will. Countries can be changed into lakes, and whole islands hidden from all who are unworthy to find them. A cat can be a guardian of great power, and a leopard the agent of divine justice. The dead might return to further serve their infernal masters, or be led across the continent in Hellequin''s Hunt.Living Lore is a hardcover supplement for Ars Magica, containing dozens of medieval legends adapted for your saga. Whether you want a tempting faerie or a new mystery cult, there is something for you in this book.