From an award-winning author, astronomer, and anthropologist, an exploration of the scientific and cultural significance of the mesmerizing cosmic display. Since the first humans looked up and saw the sun swallowed by darkness, our species has been captivated by solar eclipses. Astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni explains the history and culture surrounding solar eclipses, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Babylonian creation myths, to a confirmation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, to a spectacle that left New York City in the moon’s shadow, to future eclipses that will capture human imaginations. In one accessible and engaging read, Aveni explains the science behind the phenomenon, tracks eclipses across the ancient world, and examines the roles of solar eclipses in modern times to reveal the profound effects these cosmic events have had on human history. Colored by his own experiences—Aveni has witnessed eight total solar eclipses in his lifetime—his account of astronomy’s most storied phenomenon will enthrall anyone who has looked up at the sky with wonder. “Aveni’s authoritative but accessible text is the clearest statement of the way our perception of eclipses has changed over the centuries.” —Stuart Clark, New Scientist “Authoritative and engaging.” —Marcelo Gleiser, NPR’s 13.7 “A recommended way to share the spirit of the occasion.” —Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History magazine “Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.” —David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

The simple question "How did the Maya come up with a calendar that had only 260 days?" led Vincent Malmström to discover an unexpected "hearth" of Mesoamerican culture. In this boldly revisionist book, he sets forth his challenging, new view of the origin and diffusion of Mesoamerican calendrical systems—the intellectual achievement that gave rise to Mesoamerican civilization and culture. Malmström posits that the 260-day calendar marked the interval between passages of the sun at its zenith over Izapa, an ancient ceremonial center in the Soconusco region of Mexico's Pacific coastal plain. He goes on to show how the calendar developed by the Zoque people of the region in the fourteenth century B.C. gradually diffused through Mesoamerica into the so-called "Olmec metropolitan area" of the Gulf coast and beyond to the Maya in the east and to the plateau of Mexico in the west. These findings challenge our previous understanding of the origin and diffusion of Mesoamerican civilization. Sure to provoke lively debate in many quarters, this book will be important reading for all students of ancient Mesoamerica—anthropologists, archaeologists, archaeoastronomers, geographers, and the growing public fascinated by all things Maya.

Charlie Moon, Ute rancher and investigator, isn't afraid to throw the dice even when a man's life is at stake, but when that man is betting against himself and Moon's ability to save him, that makes for some awfully high stakes. Hard times have come to Colorado, and Moon's ranch is feeling the pinch. Investor Samuel Reed has never had that problem. He seems to have a special intuition when it comes to picking stocks and claims to be able to remember the future, which gives him quite a leg up on Wall Street. So it's no surprise that Reed is confident when he makes a wager with Moon's best friend, Granite City Chief of Police Scott Parish, that Parish can't keep him alive. Even when Reed doesn't give them any details beyond the date and time of his impending demise, that's more than enough information for Moon who wants in on the action and is just as confident that he's well on the way to saving his ranch. But Moon's best plans go awry when instead of one homicide on his hands, he ends up with two. James D. Doss infuses the pages of A Dead Man's Tale, the fifteenth in his popular series, with his potent brand of high spirits and homespun humor that has made him a favorite among mystery readers.

Exploring the mystery, wisdom, and power of the dark phase of the moon's cycle--a lunar-based model for moving through the dark times in our lives with understanding, consciousness, and faith in renewal. The moon's dark phase has traditionally been a time of fear and superstition, a time associated with death and isolation. The mythical embodiment of these fears is the Dark Goddess. Known around the world by many names--Lilith, Kali, Hecate, and Morgana--the archetypal Dark Goddess represents death, sexuality, and the unconscious--the little understood, often feared aspects of life. Demetra George combines psychological, mythical, and spiritual perspective on the shadowy, feminine symbolism of the dark moon to reclaim the darkness from oppressive, fear-based images. George offers rites for rebirth and transformation that teach us to tap into the power of our dark times, maximizing the potential for renewal inherent in our inevitable periods of loss, depression, and anger.

Maybe it's time for me to leave this crazy town, hightail it back to Minneapolis, and become a cat-collecting, fist-shaking, asexual English professor... Furious after being stood up by local hottie Johnny Leeson, Mira decides to abandon Battle Lake, Minnesota, where the women are churchgoers, the men like to hunt, and the body count is above average. But when a cheerleader bites the dust, Mira loiters long enough to snoop. Mira is highly suspicious of the New Millennium Bible Camp, a disturbing place with a Stepford Wives meets Hee Haw vibe. Before ditching Battle Lake, Mira is hell-bent on confronting her own demons and catching a killer. Praise: "Lourey’s mystery is hilarious, fast paced, and madcap."—Booklist (starred review) "Hilarious, wonderfully funny cozy."—CrimeSpree Magazine "Entertaining."—Library Journal "Another amusing tale set in the town full of over-the-top zanies who've endeared themselves to the engaging Mira."—Kirkus Reviews "“A fun, fast-paced mystery with a heroine readers will enjoy, even if her foibles are not entirely believable...3 stars."—The Mystery Reader "Lourey has a gift for creating terrific characters. Her sly and witty take on small town USA is a sweet summer treat. Pull up a lawn chair, pour yourself a glass of lemonade, and enjoy."—Denise Swanson, author of The Srcumble River Mystery series.

Explore the "dark side" of spirit, ritual, symbol, psyche, and magic. This book weaves together Jungian analysis, the practical application of imagery from ancient fairy tales, and contemporary Witchcraft to help you come to grips with the darker shades of your being. Embrace all aspects of your psyche and follow the true path of the Witch, shaman, magician and mystic.

After six months on leave in Maine, Homicide Detective Brie Beaumont returns home to Minnesota to make decisions about her life and career with the Minneapolis Police Department. But her partner's death still haunts her, and she soon realizes that, to be whole again, she must solve the case of Detective Phil Thatcher's murder-a case that went cold eighteen months ago. But threatening letters, a shadowy character, and a shooting on the North Shore where she is vacationing make Brie question her decision. When a tip from a confidential informant reveals surprising and disturbing new information about the case, Brie decides to undergo hypnosis in an attempt to recover the missing pieces from that terrible night in North Minneapolis. With locales on the north shore of Lake Superior, Minneapolis, and the coast of Maine, Death in the Blood Moon provides a canvas rich in both characters and settings as this page-turning double mystery unfolds.

Our moon is an enigma. The ancients viewed it as a light to guide them in the darkness, and a god to be worshipped. In modern times, it has been taught that the Moon is simply a dead rock that is caught in Earth’s gravity, with no activity. As a researcher of metaphysical, paranormal and cosmic subjects, I have come across stories and information about the Moon that tell us that indeed there is activity there, and there has been for generations. Just who or what is causing the commotion is a mystery. There are stories that suggest that the Moon is home to extraterrestrials, theories that it is not a natural satellite, tales of anomalous lights, and tales that NASA astronauts saw extraterrestrial ships and ruins of an ancient civilization there. There is a rumor that Apollo13 was saved by extraterrestrials. Another story states that there are extraterrestrial bases on the Moon. There is even a tale that states that a part of the kingdom of Atlantis was once located there. Some even believe that there are cities beneath the surface of the Moon. There is an interesting account of a government employee using remote viewing as a means of seeing what is on the Moon. His experience is eye-opening! This is just a sample of the information that will be in The Encyclopedia of Moon Mysteries: Secrets, Conspiracy Theories, Anomalies, Extraterrestrials and More. For example, did you know that: • Aristotle and Plato wrote about a time when there was no Moon? They even gave a name of an ancient tribe of people that lived during that moonless period. • several of the NASA astronauts reported seeing UFOs while traveling to the Moon? • the Moon might be hollow? • Apollo 10 astronauts heard strange “space music” when traveling on the far side of the Moon? • strange and unexplained lights have been seen on the Moon for centuries? • there are said to be ruins of structures on the Moon? • there is an ancient tale that suggests that the first human was created on the Moon? • that radio signals have been detected coming from the Moon? • that famed astronomer Sir John Herschel saw unidentified lights above the Moon during an eclipse? • that ancient Bolivian symbols tell us that the Moon came into Earth’s orbit around 12,000 years ago? • a psychic was used by the government to relay information about the Moon? The book is separated into A to Z sections for easy reference and reading.

There are still many questions that remain about the Moon, which this book examines. From concentric craters to lunar swirls, water vapor and lunar reverberations on impact, Foster collects it all for a fascinating tour that will illuminate the backyard observer's understanding of this easily viewed, yet also imperfectly understood, celestial object. Data from Apollo and a flotilla of unmanned Moon orbiters, crashers, and landers have all contributed to our understanding of the Moon, but these mysteries linger despite decades of research. When Project Apollo brought back lunar rocks and soil samples, it opened a new chapter of understanding Earth's lone natural satellite, a process that continues to this day, as old results are revisited and new techniques are used on existing samples. Topics such as the origin, evolution, structure and composition of the Moon, however, are still under debate. Lunar research is still an active field of study. New technologies make it possible to continue to learn. But even so, the Moon continues to hold tight to some of its oldest and most cherished secrets. Foster examines many of the most interesting puzzles and what has been revealed by exploring them – as well as what questions remain.