Xibalba, home of torture and sacrifice, is the kingdom of the lord of death. He stalked the night in the guise of a putrefied corpse, with the head of an owl and adorned with a necklace of disembodied eyes that hung from nerve cords. He commanded legions of shapeshifting creatures, spectral shamans, and corpses hungry for the flesh of the living. The Mayans feared him and his realm of horror. He sat atop his pyramid temple surrounded by his demon kings and demanded sacrifices of blood and beating hearts as tribute to him and his ghostly world. These legends, along with those that lived in fear of them, have been dead and gone for centuries. Yet now, a doorway has been opened in Georgia. A group of college students seek their missing professor, a man who has secretly uncovered the answer to one of history’s greatest mysteries. However, what they find is more than the evidence of a hidden civilization. It’s also a gateway to a world of living nightmares.

Gavin Corti, an Anglo-Canadian age 35, returns for a week’s stay in Belize, where fi fteen years earlier he served in the British Army. There he meets Celia DeGroot, 25, a ballroom dance instructor from South Africa with a keen interest in the ancient Mayan civilization and in search of “Maya Blue”: the lost pigment sacred to the ancients and used in their ritual human sacrifi ces. What follows is the story of an extended journey by these two travelers through the rain forests of Belize and Guatemala, during which their lives are gradually transformed, though in different ways, by their contact with the ancient Maya world.

The use of the colour blue in historical shipbuilding raises many questions. Which pigments and colours were available and how were they used? What was used in shipbuilding? Join us on a fascinating journey back over 5,500 years from the discovery of the first blue pigments to modern times. A wealth of sources and pictorial materials round off the well-researched text. Be surprised by the long history of the colour blue and its rôle in shipbuilding.

A MOTHER AND SON FIGHT TO PRESERVE THEIR DYNASTY... Sak K'uk, the daughter of the first ruler of a powerful Mayan city, faces rebellious nobles and spiritual crisis in her city following a devastating enemy attack. The sacred portal to the Gods is desecrated, temples and crops destroyed and the was ruler killed. With her city in chaos and leaderless, Sak K'uk undertakes a perilous Underworld journey to seek help. After encountering the Underworld Goddess, Sak K'uk rises above the opposition and holds the throne for her young son. She knows that a Mayan prophecy foretold her son’s destiny to become ruler. The intense trials of mother and son forge a special bond that proves both a blessing…and a curse. Enter the ancient Mayan world of jungle-draped stone cities with soaring pyramids and broad plazas gleaming in tropical sun. Experience the turbulent court intrigue wrapped in dazzling rituals common to the bizarre Maya Underworld. Follow the story of this strong-willed young ruler, as she and her son battle to restore their city to greatness at any cost. "The author has great skills at world building and crafting a fantasy story that will keep the reader engaged and entertained from cover to cover. Great author voice and writing style...an entertaining mix." ~Writer's Digest

This book is aimed at chemistry teachers, teacher educators, chemistry education researchers, and all those who are interested in increasing the relevance of chemistry teaching and learning as well as students' perception of it. The book consists of 20 chapters. Each chapter focuses on a certain issue related to the relevance of chemistry education. These chapters are based on a recently suggested model of the relevance of science education, encompassing individual, societal, and vocational relevance, its present and future implications, as well as its intrinsic and extrinsic aspects. “Two highly distinguished chemical educators, Ingo Eilks and AviHofstein, have brought together 40 internationally renowned colleagues from 16 countries to offer an authoritative view of chemistry teaching today. Between them, the authors, in 20 chapters, give an exceptional description of the current state of chemical education and signpost the future in both research and in the classroom. There is special emphasis on the many attempts to enthuse students with an understanding of the central science, chemistry, which will be helped by having an appreciation of the role of the science in today’s world. Themes which transcend all education such as collaborative work, communication skills, attitudes, inquiry learning and teaching, and problem solving are covered in detail and used in the context of teaching modern chemistry. The book is divided into four parts which describe the individual, the societal, the vocational and economic, and the non-formal dimensions and the editors bring all the disparate leads into a coherent narrative, that will be highly satisfying to experienced and new researchers and to teachers with the daunting task of teaching such an intellectually demanding subject. Just a brief glance at the index and the references will convince anyone interested in chemical education that this book is well worth studying; it is scholarly and readable and has tackled the most important issues in chemical education today and in the foreseeable future.” – Professor David Waddington, Emeritus Professor in Chemistry Education, University of York, United Kingdom

Enter the world of a Mayan Queen Yohl Ik'nal, first Mayan woman ruler, must overcome forces opposing her rule . . . betrayal and revenge, attack by enemy cities, and shamanic powers. Using her visionary ability, she saves her city from destruction, builds temples to honor her father and the Gods, and brings prosperity to her people while finding a love that sustains her. But she foresees a time of darkness and devastation coming. Danger lurks ahead and she must choose a successor, either her weak son or willful daughter. Can she trust her vision to reveal the will of the Gods? The results of her choice will lead to ruin or bring her city to greatness. Discover the opulent world of royal court intrigue, exotic ceremonies on towering pyramids, shamanic journeys, calendars and healing sciences of the ancient Mayas. Experience the excitement of sacrificial rituals and strategic battles for dominance in this exquisite city soaring in mountain mists. A dynasty hangs in the balance . . .

A Stitch in Time depicts the adventures of a titled family through four generations beginning in European aristocracy. Readers will be intrigued by the saga of the son of France's King Louis XIV who narrowly avoided death and made his way to America. The escapes from assassins, the pirates, the sword duels, and the tales of ancient powers fill this series with excitement. Throughout the stories, the characters enjoy the benefits of acquiring extreme wealth, discovering the mysteries from their pasts, and using their special skills to confront the challenges they face. With an imaginative perspective, the author offers his readers the chance to delve into European and American history.

Invite the rich colors, natural textures, and romantic beauty of Mexico into your home. With a vast architectural legacy spanning four centuries, Mexican haciendas express a rugged romantic beauty and compelling sense of history. Today, the hacienda's graceful arcaded silhouette, grand-scale proportions, carved-stone ornament, rich colors and natural textures have become an ever-increasing influence for architects and designers worldwide. Hacienda Style invites you into Mexico's artful, hacienda havens resplendent with private collections of colonial and contemporary art, antiques and found relics. Witynski and Carr's antiques and accents have appeared in national magazines, television programs and feature films, including Architectural Digest, Western Interiors, HGTV's Takeover My Makeover, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Alamo. Other books by the same authors: Mexican Country Style, The New Hacienda, Casa Adobe, Adobe Details, Casa Yucatan, and Mexican Details.

Nanotechnology is sweeping the world. This science of very small particles, which includes genetic modification and the reconfiguring of the arrangement of atoms, presents possibilities beyond imagination. It also has huge implications for all South Africans, especially at home. How exactly is this new technology playing out in South Africa? In countries like India, nanotechnology is being supported as a source of income and innovation. It has the potential to improve both the human condition and a countrys productivity and competitiveness. Is South Africa doing what it should and could to foster nanotechnology and biotechnology, and to advance bioeconomies within the country? And what does the new technology mean for us as consumers? How many of us know that this technology is already being employed in substances like suntan cream and lipstick, with potential health implications for users? The application of nanotechnology poses risks as well as huge benefits, so we need to be particularly vigilant of the ethics and dangers of it. This book provokes discussion around these important topics and relays eyeopening information to those of us who thought all of this was sci-fi.

Capture the Beauty of the Cosmos with Stunning Watercolor Masterpieces From sparkling galaxies and starry night skies to surreal clouds and striking planets, the captivating watercolor paintings in Galaxy Watercolor can help you capture the majesty of celestial bodies and splendor of outer space. Artist extraordinaire Sosha Davis has long found inspiration and creativity in all things cosmic, and now she’s sharing her favorite projects with you. Perfect for both beginners looking to learn the basics of watercolor painting and more experienced artists in search of new subjects, this book breaks down Sosha's dreamy, ethereal paintings with easy-to-follow steps and helpful photos to guide you. One-of-a-kind projects such as Night Sky Shapes and Floral Crescent Moon marry earth and sky with Sosha’s masterful use of color, and paintings like Cosmic Card and Celestial Bookmark let you show off your art in fun craft projects that make perfect gifts! If you’re feeling more meditative, you can try soulful cosmic projects such as Line Art Goddess, Astrology Wheel and Soul Circle Art for whimsical art worthy of being framed. With all the tips and techniques you need to begin your watercolor journey and create eye-catching cosmic art, this collection of out-of-this-world paintings is your new go-to for relaxing, inspirational and outright impressive watercolor art.