For the general public, magnetism often seems more the province of new age quacks, movie mad scientists, and grade-school teachers than an area of actual, ongoing scientific inquiry. But as Ronald T. Merrill reveals in Our Magnetic Earth, geomagnetism really is an enduring, vibrant area of science, one that offers answers to some of the biggest questions about our planet’s past—and maybe even its future. In a clear and careful fashion, he lays out the physics of geomagnetism and magnetic fields, then goes on to explain how Earth’s magnetic field provides crucial evidence for our understanding of continental drift and plate tectonics; how and why animals, ranging from bacteria to mammals, sense and use the magnetic field; how changes in climate over eons can be studied through variations in the magnetic field in rocks; and much more. Throughout, Merrill peppers his scientific account with bizarre anecdotes and fascinating details, from levitating pizzas to Moon missions to blackmailing KGB agents—a reminder that real science can at times be stranger, and more amusing, than fiction. A winning primer for anyone who has ever struggled with a compass or admired a ragged V of migrating geese, Our Magnetic Earth demonstrates that education and entertainment need not be polar opposites.

Merrill, who urged a unique vision of reality that shaped a Mormon eschatology. He shows how authorities eventually retreated from the perception of reality as "true" and adopted a scientifically less secure position in order to protect their theology, an eventuality which ultimately resulted in a reactionary response to science within Mormonism.

The field of e-learning has experienced dramatic, and at times chaotic, growth. Over time, as technology has improved and its advantages have become clear, e-learning has gained widespread acceptance. It is now the fastest growing sector of corporate learning. Michael Allen’s 2008 e-Learning Annual presents a wide range of perspectives from some of the earliest and most renowned leaders in field. This important resource will help both educators and trainers create, purchase, and apply quality e-learning programs more effectively. It provides a wealth of applicable history and guidance for all persons contemplating e-learning, from the student to the organizational leader. It frankly and objectively presents lessons learned and the critical steps to success. Michael Allen’s 2008 e-Learning Annual is part of the Pfeiffer Annual series, first published in 1972.

This study of British and American poetry from the mid-1920s to the recent past, clarifies the complex interrelations of individuals, groups, and movements, and the contexts in which the poets worked.