Water Margin is well-known as one of the four greatest Chinese literary classics*. It tells the stories of a group of heroes, who stand for different classes of people daring to struggle against the corruption and oppression of the times. Altogether there are 105 men and three women among the notable characters in the Liangshan band. These stories take place at the end of the Northern Song period and describe vividly the people??s lives of love and hate, ties of friendship, loyalty and enmity, etc. This book relives the most stirring chapters in the novel which have become the subject of numerous dramas and films, and are the most popular episodes in Chinese fiction. They include Lin Chong killing the unworthy chief of Liangshan Marsh, Wu Song slaying a tiger with his bare fists and avenging injustices, and Song Jiang??s attacks on the Zhu Family Village. With artistic skills and wit, cartoonist Huang Qingrong presents vivid scenes in this drama of valour and brings alive the heroic legend.

Includes quotations and anecdotes, summaries of current literature, literary classics, biographies, books on business, leadership, success, health and fitness, sports.

This monograph is a self-contained introduction to the geometry of Riemann Surfaces of constant curvature –1 and their length and eigenvalue spectra. It focuses on two subjects: the geometric theory of compact Riemann surfaces of genus greater than one, and the relationship of the Laplace operator with the geometry of such surfaces. Research workers and graduate students interested in compact Riemann surfaces will find here a number of useful tools and insights to apply to their investigations.

Written for the general reader, this book reveals how Beethoven's great works reflect both his artistic individuality and the deepest philosophical and political currents of his age.

This 606-page bestselling compendium of knowledge provides bite-size excerpts of noted readings in classic and modern literature, history, personal effectiveness, and the best in business and leadership - plus massive sections of "Quotes and Anecdotes," "Word Power," "Trivia to Learn By" and "Expanding Knowledge." As a crash course in fine literature, it's perfect for the person who has it all but doesn't yet know it all. Just right for leisure reading while otherwise occupied in the 'smallest room in the house.' Passing Time in the Loo is both an upscale accent piece for any home and a unique and popular gift item - one that just so happens to be a book. Its comprehensive, easy-to-read two-page summaries of the world's great works offer a way for readers and "non-readers" alike to broaden their literary horizons and quickly become acquainted with interesting ideas and books. In a nutshell, Loo is simply illoominating!

Lists all compact disc releases of top 40 hits from the nostalgic era of rock and roll (1955-1981) by performer and song title. The text includes details of song quality, chart performance and catalogue number.

From the concert stage to the dressing room, from the recording studio to the digital realm, SPIN surveys the modern musical landscape and the culture around it with authoritative reporting, provocative interviews, and a discerning critical ear. With dynamic photography, bold graphic design, and informed irreverence, the pages of SPIN pulsate with the energy of today's most innovative sounds. Whether covering what's new or what's next, SPIN is your monthly VIP pass to all that rocks.

They were almost The Pendletones--after the Pendleton wool shirts favored on chilly nights at the beach--then The Surfers, before being named The Beach Boys. But what separated them from every other teenage garage band with no musical training? They had raw talent, persistence and a wellspring of creativity that launched them on a legendary career now in its sixth decade. Following the musical vision of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys blended ethereal vocal harmonies, searing electric guitars and lush arrangements into one of the most distinctive sounds in the history of popular music. Drawing on original interviews and newly uncovered documents, this book untangles the band's convoluted early history and tells the story of how five boys from California formed America's greatest rock 'n' roll band.