Explores the author's theorized evolutionary basis for self-deception, which he says is tied to group conflict, courtship, neurophysiology, and immunology, but can be negated by awareness of it and its results.

This title, by John Saward, explores foolishness and fools in Catholic and Orthodox spirituality.

For centuries, the Feast of Fools has been condemned and occasionally celebrated as a disorderly, even transgressive Christian festival, in which reveling clergy elected a burlesque Lord of Misrule, presided over the divine office wearing animal masks or women's clothes, sang obscene songs, swung censers that gave off foul-smelling smoke, played dice at the altar, and otherwise parodied the liturgy of the church. Afterward, they would take to the streets, howling, issuing mock indulgences, hurling manure at bystanders, and staging scurrilous plays. The problem with this popular account—intriguing as it may be— is that it is wrong.In Sacred Folly, Max Harris rewrites the history of the Feast of Fools, showing that it developed in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries as an elaborate and orderly liturgy for the day of the Circumcision (1 January)—serving as a dignified alternative to rowdy secular New Year festivities. The intent of the feast was not mockery but thanksgiving for the incarnation of Christ. Prescribed role reversals, in which the lower clergy presided over divine office, recalled Mary's joyous affirmation that God "has put down the mighty from their seat and exalted the humble." The "fools" represented those chosen by God for their lowly status.The feast, never widespread, was largely confined to cathedrals and collegiate churches in northern France. In the fifteenth century, high-ranking clergy who relied on rumor rather than firsthand knowledge attacked and eventually suppressed the feast. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century historians repeatedly misread records of the feast; their erroneous accounts formed a shaky foundation for subsequent understanding of the medieval ritual. By returning to the primary documents, Harris reconstructs a Feast of Fools that is all the more remarkable for being sanctified rather than sacrilegious.

Delta Force Operative Levi Franks retires from the Army and joins the Brotherhood Protectors. Having lost the love of his life, he’s seen the best and worst of humanity and has no interest in love, marriage or a family. He wants to use the skills he’s honed to combat evil. After a messy divorce, Mattie McIntyre, rebuilt her life from nothing to something. As the owner of Mattie’s Diner in Fool’s Gold, Colorado, she chooses kindness and empathy. Her kindness pays off when she inherits the Fool's Folly Mine from a customer at her diner. Unbeknownst to Mattie, the mine comes with a curse. She doesn’t believe in curses or bad luck. But she might need help from the Brotherhood Protectors to claim her inheritance and live to appreciate it. Levi accepts the mission to protect Mattie and uncover the source of the troubles that plague the mine. Together, they search for answers and find a love so strong it could breach the walls around their hearts, if the curse doesn’t trump all.

Enjoy this erotic reverse harem story by USA Today Bestselling paranormal romance author Ophelia Bell. Don’t f*ck with Fate. Deva Rainsong has found her dragon soul, but she still feels incomplete. As a chimera, bred in a lab from the blood of all four higher races combined with human blood, it will take no less than a fragment of a soul from all five races to complete hers. Yet even as she starts to believe that she can finally be complete and all her powers awakened, her hopes are dashed when her soul gifts come with unexpected side effects. And to top it off, more fate hounds have been systematically killing other members of the bloodline, putting Deva’s suitors in danger. Everyone knows that Fate doesn’t like loose ends, but Deva is still scrambling for an explanation for the attacks. Will she be able to discover Fate’s plan before it’s too late? Fool's Folly is the second book in the highly erotic reverse harem series set in Ophelia Bell's dragon world. It features heroes of various races and a powerful heroine who captures their hearts. Each book has a happy-for-now ending, perfect for fans of Terry Bolryder, Charlene Hartnady, Zoe Chant, Milly Taiden, or Roxie Ray. Read the full series for the ultimate payoff! *** Keywords: reverse harem, alpha male, dragon shifter, dragon shifter adventure, dragon shifter romance, dragon shifter romance series, dragons, fated mates, female protagonist, paranormal romance series for adults, pranormal romance hea, shapeshifter, paranormal romance, shifter, shifter romance, steamy fantasy romance, fantasy, strong heroine, feisty heroine, virgin heroine, adventure books, alpha hero, sleeping dragons, weredragon, urban fantasy, shapeshifter romance, new adult, paranormal, supernatural, fantasy, folklore, folktale, folk tale, legend, legends, myth, myths, action adventure, action, adventure, second chances, book, books, ebook, rich, quick read, read, short, serial, series, female protagonist, novel, secret, suspense, alpha male, story, stories, hero, fiction, romance, billionaire, wealthy, millionaire, women's fiction, racy, billionaire romance, seduction, sexy, sensual, urban, contemporary, 21st century, current, dark fantasy, immortal, epic, dragon shifter romance, dragon wife

Campbell and Cilliars walk the fine line between the ugliness and beauty of the gospel and challenge readers toward a deeper engagement with its unsettling message.--Angela Dienhart Hancock, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary "Theology Today"

We lie to ourselves every day: about how well we drive, how much we're enjoying ourselves - even how good looking we are. In this ground-breaking book, Robert Trivers examines not only how we self-deceive, but also why, taking fascinating examples from aviation disasters, con artists, sexual betrayals and conflicts within families. Revealing, provocative and witty, Deceit and Self-Deception is one of the most vital books written this century, and will make you rethink everything that you think you know. 'Original and important . . . remarkable, thick with ideas.' Financial Times 'One of the great thinkers in the history of Western thought.' Steven Pinker 'A swift tour of links between deception and evolutionary progress . . . fascinating.' Economist 'I devoured it from cover to cover . . . exhilarating.' Guardian 'A powerful book . . . essential for anyone who wants to try to counter their own unconscious biases.' Independent

Cartoonist and animator Cathy Malkasian follows up her 2007 graphic novel Percy Gloom (a minor classic) with the further adventures of the small, immortal man with a light-up head. In Wake Up, Percy Gloom, kindhearted Percy awakens from (what he thinks is) a 200-year nap and finds himself in a strange new land. As Percy goes on a quest to locate his mother, he encounters many inspired inventions and bizarre, and sometimes dangerous, characters and situations, such as singing goats and furniture parades. Through it all he pines for his long-lost love and soul mate, Miss Margaret―but his love may not be as doomed as he thinks. Malkasian’s lush and detailed pencil drawings, surreal humor, absurdist characters and stunning visual storytelling ensure that fans of the first graphic novel will find the sequel just as fantastical, touching, and hilarious; new readers will discover a gorgeously rendered world of luminous landscapes, gentle humor, and a cast composed variously of wise, naive, and flawed characters in a wide-ranging story that stands on its own.

When she lands her dream job only to discover that her new boss is the man who broke her heart, Nevada Hendrix, despite the attraction that still lingers between them, refuses to mix business with pleasure.