""People judge you by the words you use." This has never been more true than in our text-driven world of quick communications and often sloppy language use. Word Workout is a practical book for building vocabulary--a graduated program featuring thousands of words that begins with words known by most college graduates and ascends to words known only by the most educated, intelligent, and well-read adults. The workout will be a comprehensive program, chock-full of information about synonyms, antonyms, and word origins, and replete with advice on proper usage and pronunciation. There will be creative review quizzes at each step of the way and longer review tests after each level to reinforce learning. Unlike other vocabulary books, Word Workout provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the knowledge last. From "awoval" to "proselytize," from "demagogue" to "mendicant," Charles Elster has carefully picked the words you need to know, and given you an easy, fast, and fail-safe way to learn and remember them"--

You can experience a rigorous mental workout with just a lift of the pen and these 140 challenging crossword puzzles. Feel the burn as you tackle these tough crosswords created by renowned puzzle constructors. While some clues test your recall of historical knowledge (6-letter word for "Revolutionary rider"?-Revere) and vivid vocabulary (8-letter word for "jumble"?-pastiche), others challenge you with themes, from "tongue twisters" to "con men" to "Charles Dickens." There's even a retro selection of puzzles dating back to the 50s and 60s to put you through your pop culture paces (Actress Barrymore? Ethel, not Drew). In addition to standard 15 x 15 square crosswords, this collection includes unique 17 x 17 square designs to vary your workout for maximum brain building.

There are a myriad of mathematical problems that cannot be solved using traditional methods. The development of fuzzy expert systems has provided new opportunities for problem-solving amidst uncertainties. Fuzzy Systems: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a comprehensive reference source on the latest scholarly research and developments in fuzzy rule-based methods and examines both theoretical foundations and real-world utilization of these logic sets. Featuring a range of extensive coverage across innovative topics, such as fuzzy logic, rule-based systems, and fuzzy analysis, this is an essential publication for scientists, doctors, engineers, physicians, and researchers interested in emerging perspectives and uses of fuzzy systems in various sectors.

Down to the Potter's House is a 1921-1942 historic novel that takes the tenacious Gracie Maxwell from the quicksand of mediocrity to higher ground as she climbs and never stops. Across the way, evil is beginning to bubble beneath the surface and only one soul will buoy and begin to float as the flood waters rise. Not everyone has escaped the lies that are holding them hostage. Fortified with bully-proofed valor to ride out the undercurrents, the Maxwell clan lays bare the daunting portrayal of what matters most in life — family, faith, love — and the main attractions are given their shot at setting the captives free.

Bill Block's Trojans 1972: An Immortal Team ofMortal Men captures the story of 47- USC footballplayers, beyond their glory days on campusand into their everyday lives as men. The 1972Trojans are considered one of the greatest teamsin the history of college football. They defeatedOhio State 42-17 in the 1973 Rose Bowl tocomplete an undefeated 12-0 season and werecrowned national champions. Each chapter isa mini biography told through the eyes of each player. Each and everyplayer from that '72 team whether as powerful as fullback Sam "Bam"Cunningham, as intellectually gifted as defensive back Marvin Cobb, or asmassive as offensive lineman Pete Adams, eventually became one of us. Amortal. You'll fi nd humor; you'll fi nd sorrow; and you'll fi nd football. Most of all you'll fi nd lessons about being mortal.

Soft computing techniques are innovative tools that use nature-inspired algorithms to run predictive analysis of industries from business to software measurement. These tools have gained momentum in recent years for their practicality and flexibility. The Handbook of Research on Fuzzy and Rough Set Theory in Organizational Decision Making collects both empirical and applied research in the field of fuzzy set theory, and bridges the gap between the application of soft computational approaches and the organizational decision making process. This publication is a pivotal reference for business professionals, IT specialists, software engineers, and advanced students of business and information technology.

As command module pilot of Apollo 17, the last crewed flight to the moon, Ron Evans combined precision flying and painstaking geological observation with moments of delight and enthusiasm. On his way to the launchpad, he literally jumped for joy in his spacesuit. Emerging from the command module to conduct his crucial spacewalk, he exclaimed, “Hot diggity dog!” and waved a greeting to his family. As a patriotic American in charge of command module America, Evans was nicknamed “Captain America” by his fellow crew members. Born in 1933 in St. Francis, Kansas, Evans distinguished himself academically and athletically in school, earned degrees in electrical engineering and aeronautical engineering, and became a naval aviator and a combat flight instructor. He was one of the few astronauts who served in combat during the Vietnam War, flying more than a hundred missions off the deck of the USS Ticonderoga, the same aircraft carrier that would recover him and his fellow astronauts after the splashdown of Apollo 17. Evans’s astronaut career spans the Apollo missions and beyond. He served on the support crews for 1, 7, and 11 and on the Apollo 14 backup crew before being selected for Apollo 17 and flying on the final moon mission in 1972. He next trained with Soviet cosmonauts as backup command module pilot for the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission and carried out early work on the space shuttle program. Evans then left NASA to pursue a business career. He died suddenly in 1990 at the age of fifty-six.

In this true, compelling account of perseverance and hope from Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll's assistant, a young journalist walks on to a top-ranked USC football team and, guided by his faith, shares God's love, launching him on an unexpected journey with an amazing outcome. Had anyone told Ben Malcolmson that he'd someday be a wide receiver on the national champion USC football team--after not playing football since an unfortunate fifth-grade Pop Warner experience--he would have called them crazy. As a reporter for The Daily Trojan, in the spirit of George Plimpton, he participated in walk-on tryouts for the team and was dumbfounded to find himself listed on the roster. His position on the team never amounted to much in a game-time contribution, but Ben felt strongly that his faith was inextricably linked to his purpose. He felt called to anonymously place Bibles in each USC teammate locker on Christmas Eve--to resounding indifference and rejection from his friends. It wasn't until three years later, when his role at USC had led to a role with Coach Pete Carroll at the Seahawks organization, that an old friend connected with Ben and told him that one of the Bibles had captivated the heart of a teammate in the three days before his death. With a humble spirit dedicated to consistent acts of discipleship, Ben Malcolmson is an authentic voice for the power of simple obedience and trust, for what can happen when a believer allows God to work in a life. Walk On is the result of God using his faithful people to work in the lives of others.

An up-close look at the ten most monumental games in Trojan history-and the legendary team that set the standard for football dominance The University of Southern California's storied Trojan team has earned its place as one of the most exciting and beloved in college football. Just in the past several years, they've won two national championships and racked up an undefeated record in 2004 and 2005. Now sportswriter Barry LeBrock looks back at the ten most important victories of one of college football's greatest teams. From the very first face-off between the Trojans and their mighty rival, Notre Dame, in 1925, to the Rose Bowl of 1940, to the latest dynasty team, The Trojan Tenreveals the incredible plays, personal triumphs, sacrifices, sweat, grit, and life lessons behind each game. These are the stories of boys who became men, players who became legends, and teammates who became brothers.