“A dark acid curio, brisk, fast, memorable, a rare improvisational duet from two of our best.”—Greg Bear “Alfred Bester was one of the handful of writers who invented modern science fiction.” —Harry Harrison, author of Adventures of the Stanless Steel Rat “Let there be light, and let there always be Roger Zelazny.”—Philip José Farmer, author of To Your Scattered Bodies Go From Publishers Weekly: This odd novel, left incomplete when Bester died in 1987, was finished by Zelazny, who himself died in 1995. In his introduction, Bear refers to Bester (The Deceivers) and Zelazny (Donnerjack) as masters of SF jazz, geniuses of improvisation, and the book has that feel to it. The plot is full of bizarre twists and turns. Neat ideas surface and disappear in an eyeblink and characters transform radically from one page to the next. Alf Noir, an investigative reporter, is sent to Rome to look into the mysterious Black Place of the Soul-Changer and its enigmatic proprietor, Adam Maser. Alf discovers that Maser is a Psychbroker, a sort of pawnbroker of the spirit, dealing in emotions, talents and psychological traits. Want more courage, the ability to see into the infrared, an understanding of ancient Persian? Maser will trade it to you for your mind-reading ability, or a rare coin, or perhaps for the secret of the collective unconscious. Alf discovers that Maser isn't human, but a highly evolved cat from the far future. Nothing is what it seems and no one can be trusted, not even Maser's sexy assistant, an evolved snake with whom Alf has an affair. There's much fun to be had here, but the book doesn't represent either writer in top form. Bester's style in the first part of the novel seems dated, and things don't gel until Zelazny takes over halfway through the book. Vintage has brought Bester's finest work back into print, and for this it deserves praise, but this novel is most likely to appeal to Zelazny's much larger readership.

This volume examines a rapidly emerging public health problem, compulsive buying disorder, characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes adverse consequences. The editor defines the syndrome of compulsive consumption, examines the range and variations within it, discusses assessment and associated disorders, and delineates successful treatment modalities. It offers insights from a broad spectrum of therapies: psychopharmacology, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral treatment, couples and group therapy, self-help, and financial counseling.

Heroin, called China Red on the street, is being smuggled into the United States. Zhou Jingwho fancies himself a fifteenth-century Chinese warlord, is using Muslim Uighers in western China to produce the heroin. In exchange, Zhou arms, trains, and provides security from the Chinese government for the Uighers. Caleb Frost is a professional assassin in a deep cover, black operations team that specializes in wet work. His team includes two ex-Navy SEALs and a Greek beauty and former New York City escort. Funded by the US government, the team operates autonomously in total secrecy. China hires Calebs team to destroy, with prejudice, the smuggling operation in the US. Zhous partner is a brilliant, psychopathic killera Harvard Business School graduate named Wrath. He founded the Visigoths MC, a hard riding, vicious motorcycle gang which protects, delivers, and collects payment for the heroin shipments. When matters become personal and Calebs sister Rebecca is kidnapped, the teams task gets messier. It becomes more than an assassination engagement for Calebit becomes a bloodthirsty vendetta. This tornado of a thriller drags the reader into a world of guns, bombs, swords and death and wont let go. -Rob Swigart, Author of The Delphi Agenda China Red plunges the reader into a world of evil intrigue and high adventure. You wont be able to put it down." -Antoinette May, author of The Sacred Well, Pilates Wife, and Haunted Houses of California

Gone Shopping follows a man on an odyssey through a mysterious shopping mall. Walk along with him as he probes the essentials of human happiness.

Like the ground-breaking first edition, Pediatric Psycho-oncology, Second edition puts the child at the centre of medical and psychological care. It broadens the focus beyond treatment and cure to consider the quality of life of the child and their family. Written by an international group of pediatric oncologists and psychologists/psycho-oncologists brought together by an expert editorial team, it focuses on the real-life practical aspects of children undergoing treatment for cancer. This edition has been restructured and opens with a major section on Active treatment, which includes chapters addressing quality of life, pain, psychosocial aspects of treatment and interventions, art therapy and different fantasy-based techniques, palliative care, communication and education, as well as a new chapter on psychopharmacology. Shorter sections then discuss survivorship and care of the dying child, including a new chapter on bereavement. The final section comprises new chapters on ethical considerations and on addressing the emotional needs of children whose parents have cancer, as well as a case study on international collaboration. An appendix provides a comprehensive overview of tools for evaluation and assessment in pediatric psychooncology. This book is a highly practical resource that will be invaluable for all health care professionals looking after children and adolescents with cancer.

Collected Works of Sigmund Freud Part I: Totem and Taboo/ Psycho-Analysis and the War Neuroses/ The Psychopathology of Everyday Life/ Dream Psychology: Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Sigmund Freud: Delve into the foundational works of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. This collection includes "Totem and Taboo," "Psycho-Analysis and the War Neuroses," "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life," and "Dream Psychology," offering profound insights into the human psyche.

Novel Psychoactive Substances: Classification, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Second Edition provides readers with a comprehensive examination on the classification, detection, supply and availability of novel psychoactive substances, otherwise known as "legal highs." The book covers individual classes of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene and provides an overview of the pharmacology of the substance and a discussion of their associated acute and chronic harm and toxicity. This second edition addresses drugs new to the scene, with completely updated and revised chapters. Written by international experts in the field, this multi-authored book is an essential reference for scientists, clinicians, academics, and regulatory and law enforcement professionals. - Includes chapters written by international experts in the field - Presents a comprehensive overview on the classification, detection, availability and supply of novel psychoactive substances, in addition to the pharmacology and toxicology associated with the substance - Offers a single source for all interested parties working in this area, including scientists, academics, clinicians, law enforcement and regulatory agencies - Provides a full treatment of novel psychoactive substances that have recently emerged onto the recreational drug scene, including amphetamines and the synthetic cannabinoid receptors in 'spice' and 'K2'

This book, edited and authored by a group of scientists experienced in European cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research in the field of consumer food perceptions, sensory evaluation, product image and risk research, delivers a unique insight into decision making and food consumption of the European consumer. The volume is essential reading for those involved in product development, market research and consumer science in food and agro industries and academic research. It brings together experts from different disciplines in order to address fundamental issues to do with predicting food choice, consumer behavior and societal trust into quality and safety regulatory systems. The importance of the social and psychological context and the cross-cultural differences and how they influence food choice are also covered in great detail.