The never-before-told, behind-the-scenes story of Disney's pioneering and triumphant global theme park and resort expansion. On June 16, 2016, Shanghai Disneyland Park, located in Pudong, Shanghai, opened to great fanfare and acclaim. Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger called the world's twelfth Disney park "one of the proudest and most exciting moments in the history of The Walt Disney Company." But a short three decades before, there were only two Disney parks--both in the U.S. How this unique entertainment enterprise expanded and was embraced all around the world is one of the most ambitious and successful, but little-documented aspects of The Walt Disney Company's history. Leading that pioneering and influential initiative was a fascinating man who, like Walt Disney himself, was the right combination of experience, enterprise, curiosity, and cultural complement at just the right time and place: Disney Legend Jim Cora. Part memoir, part cultural history, part documentary--and always fascinating, revealing, candid, and frequently humorous--Not Just a Walk in the Park: The Creation of Disney's Global Resorts is the first-ever documentation of Disney's rise as a worldwide powerhouse in destination recreation and cultural export; and the circumstances, events, and individuals who brought it all to life. Filled with remarkable information, insight, anecdotes, and reflections of places, people, projects, problems, and ultimate successes, this is a one-of-a-kind recollection of a previously unknown aspect of the wide, wonderful world of Disney and how it got that way.

A new novel by a noted author of science, philosophy and religion with its subplot set in first century China when massive walls were built for protection against Mongolian hordes and alliances were sought with the mushrooming Roman Empire far to the west. An ancient legend suggested the abduction of the Christ child by an ambitious Chinese ambassador, an early traveler, who replaced him in the manger with his own twin son. Influenced by the messianic prophesy, his mission was to return to China with the secret of Roman success and the potential for Chinese superiority. Following his brother's crucifixion and burial, the second twin was mistaken for resurrection. With similar previously undisclosed events in first century Judaea an historical account was contained in the controversial Book of Chan, hidden in the Great Wall for two thousand years. The location was inscribed in a set of Chinese seals with sculptured ivory handles since scattered among world collectors of sigillography. Two Harvard and Oxford professors, meeting on an Oriental cruise, teamed up in search of the legendary book but encountered very rough competition from religious agents determined to prevent disclosure. Amidst touches of romance they uncovered a unique culture at the conflux of the Great Wall and Silk Road. Finding a number of the ancient seals, including several that later had been carried to Venice by the Marco Polo entourage, the academic couple succeeded in computer analysis producing a usable matrix map. Written in the genre of The DaVinci Code, the book includes an important philosophical addendum on the search for greater realism in biblical understanding that strongly influenced the creation of this unique and somewhat controversial story. Proof readers see it as a best seller and the next major "Hollywod Project".

A WALK IN THE PARK is a Sunday Times bestseller by Jill Mansell, not to be missed by fans of Lucy Diamond and Milly Johnson. Reviewers love Jill's books: 'Glorious, heartwarming, romantic' Woman & Home It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done... What readers are saying about A Walk In The Park: 'Big and bold characters fill the page with colour, warmth and humour. I didn't want to put it down or for the story to end' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I love all of Jill Mansell's books and this is no exception. This is definitely a laugh-out-loud book - entertaining, funny, sad in places and uplifting' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars 'Vivid and realistic... I still linger on the wonderful story' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

'A fascinating, informative, revelatory book' William Boyd, Guardian Parks are such a familiar part of everyday life, you might be forgiven for thinking they have always been there. In fact, public parks are an invention. From their medieval inception as private hunting grounds through to their modern incarnation as public spaces of rest and relaxation, parks have been fought over by land-grabbing monarchs, reforming Victorian industrialists, hippies, punks, and somewhere along the way, the common folk trying to savour their single day of rest. In A Walk in the Park, Travis Elborough excavates the history of parks in all their colour and complexity. Loving, funny and impassioned, this is a timely celebration of a small wonder that - in an age of swingeing cuts - we should not take for granted.

Bestselling author Jane Green has partnered with Bioré® for the short story "A Walk in the Park," about Amy Adamson, a 20-something whose life is suddenly filled with surprises. But one thing that doesn't have to be unpredictable is your complexion. Bioré® knows that every 20-something needs at least one thing she can depend on: clear, beautiful skin. In the time you read this short story, you could be on your way to healthy-looking skin by removing build-up, dirt and oil with Bioré® Pore Strips. So go ahead, grab a big comfy blanket, a Bioré Pore Strip and your eReader. You'll be ready to face anything. The muscular dog appears out of nowhere, like a mythological creature from the dark side, making a beeline for Pippin. Amy freezes, pulling the tiny Yorkie behind her, then screams as the dog opens its huge jaws and clamps them around Pippin. A yelp, then all is quiet. Just when Amy Adamson thinks her life can't get any worse... Six months ago, Amy Adamson felt like she had it all, until overnight, everything changed. Everyone said Eric was bad news, but surely he would change for her... wouldn't he? His constant partying, her fear of losing him if she didn't keep up, led to her losing her job, her apartment, and now, it seems, her whole life. A surprise visit to the apartment to collect her things finds Eric in bed with her roommate. Who's also stolen her Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser. Bitch. All Amy wants is her old life back, but with no job offers, and no money, she's back in her parents' suburban house, squeezing into jeans that are rapidly becoming too small, and cursing an unexpected case of teenage acne thanks to the loss of her Biore. Who the hell has acne at twenty six anyway? The only people her age left in town are the losers, or the ones who married their childhood sweethearts, taking every opportunity to show off their "adorable home" and 2.4 children. Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, she's walking their pet Yorkie by the beach when it's attached by a large dog that has escaped the ramshackle home of a reclusive woman known only as Mrs. Warner. Mrs. Warner isn't home. Her grandson, William, is. A screenwriter, he's funny, warm, and has a smile that makes Amy tingle in places she's forgotten about. Life starts looking up thanks to a date with William and Biore Fighting Ice Cleanser. Until Amy opens the wrong door to discover a dead body in the guest room. Is William truly the nice guy he seems? Can the Biore create the miracle she needs? Will Amy, in short, find that luck might finally be on her side?

When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, 11-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan. By a Newbery Medal-winning author.

One day Smudge and Charles (two very different children) take walks to the park with their dogs, Albert and Victoria. The dogs race off and chase each other around the park, while Smudge and Charles become the best of friends.

A Walk in Wildflower Park was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

"Written like a bedtime story and illustrated with gentle humour, this book leads the reader to discover what 'family' really means without mystifying the fact of adoption. More, it reaffirms the right of every child to be loved and to have a home."--Page 4 of cover

God only knows what possessed Bill Bryson, a reluctant adventurer if ever there was one, to undertake a gruelling hike along the world's longest continuous footpath—The Appalachian Trail. The 2,000-plus-mile trail winds through 14 states, stretching along the east coast of the United States, from Georgia to Maine. It snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in North America, as well as through some of its most poverty-stricken and primitive backwoods areas. With his offbeat sensibility, his eye for the absurd, and his laugh-out-loud sense of humour, Bryson recounts his confrontations with nature at its most uncompromising over his five-month journey. An instant classic, riotously funny, A Walk in the Woods will add a whole new audience to the legions of Bill Bryson fans.