New Releases by Michael Smith

A humorous illustrated gift book with history''s biggest fails hailing from politics, pop culture, international relations, business, sports, and more. From skinny-dipping Presidents to toxic tooth fillings to singing pop stars who can''t carry a tune, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is a celebration of humanity''s historical—and often hysterical—missteps that have started wars, sunk countries, wrecked companies, scuttled careers, lost millions of dollars, and even endangered the Earth. Interesting stories from history include: How a confused chauffeur helped start World War I Who turned down the greatest product placement opportunity in Hollywood history How a Chicago White Sox game helped hasten the demise of disco The toad that nearly ate Australia The most dangerous children''s game ever invented Spanning politics, pop culture, fashion, sports, technology, and more, this irreverent and witty book is packed with fun photos and sidebars, tracing how these thundering brainstorms turned into blundering brain farts—and the astonishing impacts our faux pas and foibles still have on us today. Great for gifting! Funny Father''s Day gift White elephant gag gift Unique gift for the history major Fun teacher gift

For 2nd and 3rd year courses in international politics and foreign policy. This text examines foreign policy in relation to ''change and transformation.'' It discusses traditional assumptions about foreign policy and foreign policy making, and develops a framework to facilitate analysis of the challenges faced by foreign policy makers in the late 1990s. The central elements of the framework are the foreign policy arena, decision-making and implementation. The book then applies the framework to a set of regional case studies, to explore the global and regional arenas and the challenges to which they give rise. Finally, specific case studies of two countries per region highlight the range of impacts for the changing global and regional context, to focus on the analysis of decision-making and implementation, and to illustrate the benefits of comparative analysis.

This history of Roman Palmyra offers an examination of how the Palmyrenes constructed and maintained a unique identity, individually and collectively, amid progressive communal changes.

''Elements of Ecology'' presents a clear, modular approach using explanatory writing style to focus non-majors students on the core concepts of ecology.

The first part of acclaimed author Mick Smith''s epic, completely unauthorised history of Britain s external intelligence community. Six tells the complete story of the service''s birth and early years, including the tragic, untold tale of what happened to Britain''s extensive networks in Soviet Russia between the wars. It reveals for the first time how the playwright and MI6 agent Harley Granville Barker bribed the Daily News to keep Arthur Ransome in Russia, and the real reason Paul Dukes returned there. It shows development of tradecraft and the great personal risk officers and their agents took, far from home and unprotected. In Salonika, for example, Lieutenant Norman Dewhurst realised it was time to leave when he opened his door to find one of his agents hanging dismembered in a sack. This first part of Six takes us up to the eve of the conflict, using hundreds of previously classified files and interviews with key players to show how one of the world''s most secretive of secret agencies originated and developed into something like the MI6 we know today.

The British codebreakers at Bletchley Park are now believed to have shortened the duration of the Second World War by up to two years. During the dark days of 1941, as Britain stood almost alone against the the Nazis, this remarkable achievement seemed impossible. This extraordinary book, originally published as Action This Day, includes descriptions by some of Britain s foremost historians of the work of Bletchley Park, from the breaking ofEnigma and other wartime codes to the invention of modern computing, and its influence on Cold War codebreaking. Crucially, it features personal reminiscences and very human stories of wartime codebreaking from former Bletchley Park codebreakers themselves. This edition includes new material from one of those who was there, making The Bletchley Park Codebreakers compulsive reading.

"On February 4th, 1999, the 639-foot cargo ship named New Carissa ran aground off the Oregon Coast near Coos Bay. What started out to be a routine salvageable resuce operation, turned into one of the largest and most expensive maritime disasters ever recorded in Oregon''s history. This is the true story behind ''the ship that refused to die.''"--P [3].

The extraordinary wartime exploits of the British codebreakers based at Bletchley Park continue to fascinate and amaze. In The Emperor''s Codes Michael Smith tells the story of how Japan''s wartime codes were broken, and the consequences for the Second World War. He describes how the Japanese ciphers were broken and the effect on the lives of the codebreakers themselves. Using material from recently declassified British files, privileged access to Australian secret official histories and interviews with British, American and Australian codebreakers, this is the first full account of the critical role played by Bletchley Park and its main outposts around the world.

The story of the remarkable Tom Crean who ran away to sea aged 15 and played a memorable role in Antarctic exploration. He spent more time in the unexplored Antarctic than Scott or Shackleton, and outlived both. Among the last to see Scott alive, Crean was in the search party that found the frozen body. An unforgettable story of triumph over unparalleled hardship and deprivation.

Previously published under titles: The complete natural medicine guide to the 50 most common medicinal herbs and The botanical pharmacy.

A British journalist specializing in defense topics offers a readable, useful addition to the literature on American special operations forces.

This book synthesizes new information about the environmental advantages of plant resistance, transgenic resistance, the molecular bases of resistance, and the use of molecular markers to map resistance genes. Readers are presented in-depth descriptions of techniques to quantify resistance, factors affecting resistance expression, and the deployment of resistance genes. New information about gene-for-gene interactions between resistant plants and arthropod biotypes is discussed along with the recent examples of using arthropod resistant plants in integrated pest management systems.

The most current scientific information from the world''s leading medical journals. Although there is growing consumer awareness of alternative and complementary medicine, there is a lack of comprehensive information available on herbal products. While pharmacists, physicians and other health care professionals sometimes offer advice, their patients want more information. The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs is a comprehensive, fully-illustrated reference to the 50 most commonly prescribed herbs. A complete description of each herb is featured along with its other common names, possible adverse effects, therapeutic uses for treating illness and disease as well as potential drug interactions. Some of the herbs included are: Aloe Vera Evening Primrose Goldenseal Scullcap Burdock Tumeric Tea Tree Oil Meadowsweet This guide is written by professional pharmacists, one a naturopathic doctor, using the most current research and clinical testing. The authors'' easy-to-understand text, combined with the latest findings and clear directions for safe dosages, makes this practical reference on medicinal herbs a primary resource of data.

Espionage exerts a hold on the public imagination. ''The Spying Game'' covers economic intelligence and the fight against organised crime as well as the activities of MI5, MI6, the Defence Intelligence Staff and GHQ.

From the beginning of the Industrial Age and continuing into the twenty-first century, companies faced with militant workers and organizers have often turned to agencies that specialized in ending strikes and breaking unions. Although their secretive nature has made it difficult to fully explore the history of this industry, From Blackjacks to Briefcases does just that. By digging through subpoenaed documents of strike-bound companies, their mercenaries, and the testimony of executive officers and rank-and-file strikebreakers, Robert Smith examines the inner workings of the antiunion industry. In a clear and lively style, he brings to life the violent armed guards employed on the picket line or in the coal camps; the ruffians who filled the armies marshaled by the “King of the Strikebreakers,” Pearl Bergoff; the labor spies who wrecked countless unions; and, after the Wagner Act, those who manipulated national labor law to serve their clients. In From Blackjacks to Briefcases, Smith follows the history of this ongoing struggle and tells a compelling story that parallels the history of the United States over the last century and a half.

On 17 March 1912, Lawrence ''Titus'' Oates crawled bootless from a tent to his death in blizzard conditions of -40°C. Oates, always an outsider on Scott''s Polar expedition, died on his 32nd birthday. His parting words were: ''I am just going outside and may be some time.'' Oates was the epitome of the Victorian English gentleman: a public schoolboy who became a dashing cavalry officer and hero in the Boer War. Stationed in Ireland from 1902 to 1906, his passion became horse racing and he won numerous victories at racecourses throughout Ireland. Oates'' austere and dominating mother blamed Scott for her son''s death and was among the first to challenge the accepted version of events. She continued to control his memory long after his death, keeping his diary and letters hidden, even ordering their destruction from her deathbed. Oates always had difficulty forming lasting relationships with women. He died without realising that he was a father. The story of how Oates died, unaware of his daughter, has been a closely guarded secret until now. This is a compelling and heart-rending story of endurance, bravery and folly. From the author of TOM CREAN: AN UNSUNG HERO

Cob, a structural composite of earth, water, straw, clay, and sand, has been used for centuries, in virtually all parts of the world, to create homes ranging from mud huts in Africa to lavish adobe haciendas in Latin America. This practical and inspiring hands-on guide teaches anyone to build a cob dwelling.

Arguing for the importance of the aural dimension of history, Mark M. Smith contends that to understand what it meant to be northern or southern, slave or free--to understand sectionalism and the attitudes toward modernity that led to the Civil War--we mu

The church''s process for declaring a marriage null is a mystery to most people. While a declaration of nullity is a matter of public record, the facts of each case are confidential, leading to misunderstanding, misinformation, and pastoral problems.This video demystifies the concepts and the procedures surrounding annulments. In clear and accessible style it answers questions such as:--What does the church teach about marriage?--How is the church''s court system structured and how does it work?--What''s the difference between annulment and divorce?--Why can''t Catholics divorce and remarry?--Do declarations of nullity make children illegitimate?--How does one get a declaration of nullity?This easy-to-understand, accessible video provides an overview of the marriage law of the church and its practical implications and makes difficult concepts understandable to the nonexpert.

"Station X also tells the behind-the-scenes, personal stories of all those involved in this heroic undertaking, including such leading codebreakers as Alan Turing, father of the modern computer."--BOOK JACKET.

This widely anticipated volume offers a systematic introduction to and striking analysis of the central issues animating current debate in moral philosophy.

They have incredible social skills, and are champions when it comes to small talk. They are instantly likable and can effortlessly build rapport with anyone. They are surrounded by people that love and admire them and build phenomenal relationships with almost everyone they meet. They seem to have the ability to achieve any goal they set themselves, and they usually do. They love what they do for a living, and get paid well for it. Here is a preview of what you''ll learn... · Why is charisma so important? · Fast techniques to become more charismatic · How to build your charisma with great communication skills · Steps to increase your charisma and self-confidence · Emotional intelligence and how it can increase your charisma · Using body language to have more charisma · Using charisma to influence and persuade others · Leadership skills and charisma · Much, much more! If you’re ready to say goodbye to the old, uninteresting, and lonely you and say hello to a more confident, authentic, charismatic, and influential version of yourself, then don’t waste a second longer! All these tools are summarized in one print-ready cheat sheet you can download at the end of the book.

If you are not committed to taking action I suggest you don''t buy this book, the truth is without this core component nothing will change in your life. Charisma is a quality that anybody can attain if they so desired. But without the action and practice taken to develop this all you''ll achieve is increased wishful and potentially delusional thinking. In this book, you''ll discover the core qualities portrayed by charismatic people, who charismatic people are and where essentially you''ll find them. In How to Make People Laugh, you will discover: · The science of charisma · How you can develop confidence and charisma · The role of body language in the equation · The role of personality in the types of jokes and delivery · Guidelines to great improve · Examples of possible improve responses · The value of thinking on your feet · Learning not to take yourself seriously · Using metaphors and definitions · Possible joke structures that you can follow · Examples for every joke style · Creating comedic personas with examples · And more! If you would like to have more attractive personality and enjoy the benefits that it offers, this book can be your guide. It will walk you through the process and provide you with the necessary steps that must be taken to change you and be the best version of yourself.

Get the Targeted Practice You Need to Excel on the Math Section of the STAAR Test Grade 4! STAAR Math Practice Book Grade 4 is an excellent investment in your future and the best solution for students who want to maximize their score and minimize study time. Practice is an essential part of preparing for a test and improving a test taker''s chance of success. The best way to practice taking a test is by going through lots of STAAR math questions. High-quality mathematics instruction ensures that students become problem solvers. We believe all students can develop deep conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in mathematics. In doing so, through this math workbook we help our students grapple with real problems, think mathematically, and create solutions. STAAR Math Practice Book allows you to: Reinforce your strengths and improve your weaknesses Practice 2500+ realistic STAAR math practice questions math problems in a variety of formats that provide intensive practice and study Two Full-length STAAR Practice Tests with detailed explanations ...and much more! This Comprehensive STAAR Math Practice Book is carefully designed to provide only that clear and concise information you need.

Get the Targeted Practice You Need to Excel on the Math Section of the PSSA Test Grade 6! PSSA Math Practice Grade 6 is an excellent investment in your future and the best solution for students who want to maximize their score and minimize study time. Practice is an essential part of preparing for a test and improving a test taker''s chance of success. The best way to practice taking a test is by going through lots of PSSA math questions. High-quality mathematics instruction ensures that students become problem solvers. We believe all students can develop deep conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in mathematics. In doing so, through this math workbook we help our students grapple with real problems, think mathematically, and create solutions. PSSA Math Practice Book allows you to: Reinforce your strengths and improve your weaknesses Practice 2500+ realistic PSSA math practice questions math problems in a variety of formats that provide intensive practice and study Two Full-length PSSA Practice Tests with detailed explanations ...and much more! This Comprehensive PSSA Math Practice Book is carefully designed to provide only that clear and concise information you need.