At OCD the losers are tormented. At Alpha Academy, they're sent home. Skye Hamilton has scored an invitation to the ultra-exclusive Alphas-only boarding school where beta is spelled LBR . What happens when the country's best, brightest, and hawtest begin clawing and scratching their way to the top?

In a work rich with colorful anecdotes about family, friends, and colleagues, Sheldon Morgenstern reflects on his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, summers at the Brevard Music Festival, and years at Northwestern University. He recounts his experiences playing French horn in the Atlanta Symphony, studying conducting at the New England Conservatory, his long tenure as artistic director at the Eastern Music Festival at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and performances as guest conductor with dozens of orchestras around the world. Morgenstern scrutinizes the reasons behind the increasing mediocrity of classical music and the precarious financial state of professional symphony orchestras, many of which have already declared bankruptcy. He sharply criticizes the NEA, the Canada Council, and other arts councils and political groups for the elimination of music education in nearly all public schools. He is also highly critical of Yo-Yo Ma, Shlomo Mintz, Daniel Barenboim, and other superstars who command extraordinary fees for sometimes second-rate performances but do little to teach young artists or to support struggling companies and festivals. He concludes by calling for strong actions that will ensure the economic survival of the arts without sacrificing excellence in performance. Filled with vivid behind-the-scenes descriptions and highlighting such well-known figures as Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould, Wynton Marsalis, and others, No Vivaldi in the Garage offers a refreshingly candid insider's perspective on the classical music scene.

How to be free from the pressure to pretend Have you ever felt like a faker? Facebook, Twitter and Instagram allow us to paint beautiful pictures of our lives. But many of us feel like fakers. If people really knew who we were, what would they think? Would they still care? What would life look like if we stopped pretending? This book not only explores that question, but provides the thrilling answer found in a short story told 2,000 years ago. This richly illustrated book for teens and older brings the power of this exciting story to bear on our modern lives.

Authentic Fakes explores the religious dimensions of American popular culture in unexpected places: baseball, the Human Genome Project, Coca-Cola, rock 'n' roll, the rhetoric of Ronald Reagan, the charisma of Jim Jones, Tupperware, and the free market, to name a few. Chidester travels through the cultural landscape and discovers the role that fakery—in the guise of frauds, charlatans, inventions, and simulations—plays in creating religious experience. His book is at once an incisive analysis of the relationship between religion and popular culture and a celebration of the myriad ways in which invention can stimulate the religious imagination. Moving beyond American borders, Chidester considers the religion of McDonald’s and Disney, the discourse of W.E.B. Du Bois and the American movement in Southern Africa, the messianic promise of Nelson Mandela’s 1990 tour to America, and more. He also looks at the creative possibilities of the Internet in such phenomena as Discordianism, the Holy Order of the Cheeseburger, and a range of similar inventions. Arguing throughout that religious fakes can do authentic religious work, and that American popular culture is the space of that creative labor, Chidester looks toward a future "pregnant with the possibilities of new kinds of authenticity."

The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.

Winner of the History of Science Society's Watson Davis and Helen Miles Davis Prize in the History of Science. From the early exploits of Teddy Roosevelt in Africa to blockbuster films such as March of the Penguins, Gregg Mitman's Reel Nature reveals how changing values, scientific developments, and new technologies have come to shape American encounters with wildlife on and off the big screen. Whether crafted to elicit thrills or to educate audiences about the real-life drama of threatened wildlife, nature films then and now have had an enormous impact on how Americans see, think about, consume, and struggle to protect animals across the globe. For more information about the author go to: http://gmitman.com/

Fakes is a story of intrigue and crime set in the Liverpool of the 1970s. With a rich cast of characters, its energy, suspense and comedy are driven by the dialogue of the key players as they become involved in the hectic circumstances surrounding the sale of a stolen baroque painting.

"The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound" by Laura Lee Hope continues the exciting journey of Ruth and Alice DeVere, two talented sisters who have found success in the world of silent films. In this installment, the DeVere sisters find themselves in a winter wonderland when they travel to a picturesque mountain town to film a winter-themed motion picture. The location is perfect for the film's setting, with snow-capped mountains and charming cabins providing a beautiful backdrop for their production. As they begin filming, Ruth and Alice immerse themselves in their roles and work closely with the film's cast and crew. The snowy landscape brings new challenges to the filmmaking process, but the girls are determined to create a captivating and authentic portrayal of the winter season. Amidst the joy of their work, the DeVere sisters also find time for fun and adventure. They explore the winter wonderland, engaging in snowball fights, ice skating, and sledding. Their experiences bring them closer to the local residents, and they form strong bonds with the people of the mountain town. However, their idyllic winter getaway takes an unexpected turn when a sudden snowstorm traps them in the mountain town. Cut off from the outside world, Ruth and Alice, along with the rest of the film crew, must rely on their resourcefulness and teamwork to navigate through the challenges brought on by the harsh weather conditions. As they await rescue and face uncertainties, the sisters draw strength from each other and the friendships they have made during their time in the town. The experience teaches them valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of cherishing the warmth of friendship and camaraderie in difficult times. "The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound" is a heartwarming and captivating story that celebrates the magic of winter, the beauty of nature, and the power of community. Laura Lee Hope skillfully weaves a tale of creativity, determination, and the joy of pursuing one's passion amidst unexpected obstacles. Readers will be swept away by the enchanting winter setting and the endearing characters who populate this charming tale. The book captures the spirit of adventure, the joy of discovery, and the strength of human connections in the face of adversity."