Identifies the technological innovations of the middle ages, noting how such ubiquitous items as eyeglasses, books, arabic numbers, underwear, banks, the game of chess, clocks, and domesticated cats came into being during the period.

Private Enterprise and the Foundation of Modern Coinage

Peter, the son of a music man, is led on an adventure by the voice of his talking shoes.

From New York Times Bestselling Author Penelope Sky comes a darkly twisted tale of debt, repayment, and violence. Follow Pearl's story of betrayal, damnation, and redemption, as she struggles to overcome her situation and growing feelings for her captor, Crow. I owe him a debt. A big one. The payment can't be settled with money or favors. He only wants one thing. Me. Every action gets a reward. A button. Once I fill his jar with three hundred and sixty-five buttons, he'll let me go. He'll let me walk away. But I have to earn every single one. By submitting to the darkest, cruelest, and most beautiful man I've ever known. "5 dark ★★★★★s! Pearl clearly has gone through hell and more... this story is so breathtaking !!!! I am awed by her defiance, gallantry, and great fortitude! As far as Crow is concerned, under his savageness, there are shreds of compassion and humanity" -Goodreads Reviewer "Haunting, disturbing, emotionally tormenting and oh so dark! I loved Pearl's strength and bravery. I got lost in Crow's complexity and fell in love with the man behind the mask. Being a fan of the dark, this definitely ticked all the right boxes for me." -Goodreads Reviewer "I read A LOT of books and this series will always be my favorite. Crow and Pearl. I fell in love with both of them. Penelope Sky knows how to develop her characters and does it very well. The story never gets boring. This would make a great mini-series for television!" -Amazon Reviewer "Good golly, Miss Molly! At first, I was apprehensive about reading this book, but ... it is truly a work of art. When I find a book that's this good I end up staying awake till 4 in the morning because I just can't put it away till my hubby makes me. This book makes you a little stronger and gives worth to the reason why you should never stop fighting for yourself. I would recommend it to anyone." -Amazon Reviewer Trigger Warning: Not for the faint of heart.

Set in the vibrant Industrial Age and filigreed with family drama and epic ambition, Crosley chronicles one of the great untold tales of the twentieth century. Crosley is a once-in-two-lifetimes book, examining the conquests of Powel Crosley, Jr., one of the most original innovators of the twentieth century, and Lewis Crosley, his brother who engineered the successful culmination of all Powel's plans.

Though enamel buttons have been around for centuries and are favorites of button collectors, there has not been a book completely dedicated to their study . . . until now! Author Karen L. Cohen brings her unique perspective as an enamelist, Studio Button Artist, and educator to Enamel Buttons: An Essential Resource for Collectors. Meticulous research combined with her insights about the properties of enamel and the techniques used in buttons make this a must-have book for every collector. Hundreds of photos provide examples of the various techniques and button types and are a valuable resource for study. Cohen explains why things look like they do, such as why Motiwala Bros. “Liquid Enamel” buttons look like they flow, while also helping the collector distinguish between closely related techniques, such as Champlevé and Cloisonné or Monochrome and Grisaille. Her extensive research on the evolution of enameling techniques provides the history chapter with fascinating facts intertwined with how they relate to enamel buttons. Cohen has documented many of the enamelist makers along with their back marks, making it easier for collectors to identify button finds. The appendices include related information such as how to identify enamel look-alikes such as CPE (cold plastic enamel) and restoration techniques. If you already collect enamel buttons, this is an essential resource for understanding your collection in more depth. If you are curious about the topic, this book tells it all: history, material, techniques and embellishments, makers, and more. If you are a collector of other types of enamelware or are fascinated with enameling or are someone who resells enamels such as antique dealers, this book is an excellent resource about the various aspects of enamel in general. Lastly, it’s a button book you will enjoy paging through again and again, admiring the hundreds of glorious enamel buttons!

In the second tale in a heartwarming new chapter-book series, aspiring veterinarian Jasmine Green hatches a plan to save a clutch of duck eggs. Jasmine Green’s mom is a veterinarian and her dad is a farmer. She has spent her life surrounded by animals. So when she sees animals that need rescuing, she knows just what to do. While walking in the woods, Jasmine and her best friend, Tom, find a nest of orphaned duck eggs. The eggs need lots of care. Hatching them is hard work. Can Jasmine keep the eggs warm and safe? With a little love and luck, the Green family farm will have a fluffy duckling friend for life. Author Helen Peters and illustrator Ellie Snowdon return for a charming springtime visit to Oak Tree Farm. Reminiscent of James Herriot and Dick King-Smith’s classic stories, yet thoroughly modern, this second book in the Jasmine Green series is perfect for animal-loving readers.

The polarizing literary debut by Scottish author Ian Banks, The Wasp Factory is the bizarre, imaginative, disturbing, and darkly comic look into the mind of a child psychopath. Meet Frank Cauldhame. Just sixteen, and unconventional to say the least: Two years after I killed Blyth I murdered my young brother Paul, for quite different and more fundamental reasons than I'd disposed of Blyth, and then a year after that I did for my young cousin Esmerelda, more or less on a whim. That's my score to date. Three. I haven't killed anybody for years, and don't intend to ever again. It was just a stage I was going through.

Originally published: London: Orbit, 1998.