"Hanging in the Balance" traces the history of capital punishment in the United Kingdom from ancient times to the modern day - through periods of reform until hanging for murder was finally abolished by Parliament in 1969. It describes in detail the Parliamentary and public debates, and notes the stance taken by organizations and individuals (including the tenacious and persistent Sydney Silverman MP). The book collates data and references not previously brought together in one place-and in exploring the underlying issues and the recurring arguments about deterrence, retribution and expediency it provides an invaluable resource vis-a-vis the same debate in the many countries where capital punishment still exists.Lord Callaghan was home secretary at the time of abolition. His 'Foreword' conveys how strong his personal feelings were concerning the death penalty from the time he entered Parliament in 1945. The book's closing chapters record how his insistence that abolition should become permanent ultimately overcame the still considerable opposition. Capital punishment was finally abolished in 1999 throughout the UK. For all practical purposes this had already happened in 1969 when the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 was made fully effective into following a trial period.

A seemingly normal young woman with a love and passion for the sea, Serena makes a drastic change and moves to Hawaii to follow her dreams of becoming a marine biologist. But she soon discovers that her mother has carried a secret about her all her life that will change everything.Thetis, a sea nymph, goddess of water, daughter of the ancient sea god Nereus was banished from Atlantis and Olympia to live amongst the human realm in fear of a prophecy foretold that she would bear a child from Zeus, a child more powerful than Zeus himself. A child who could flip the tides and overthrow the king of the Gods. Zeus, and all the Olympian gods could not allow this prophecy to take place, and give birth to a figure of cosmic capacity, capable of unsettling the divine order. For thousands of years, it was believed that the prophecy was avoided...until Iris, female messenger of the gods brings forth a message that will change everything! After all, it was foolish to believe that one could escape destiny.