The year is 635,039 A.D., and the world has descended into an ice age. Human beings no longer rule the Earth. Instead, a post-human race of creatures has emerged from the chaos, and they are hell-bent on destroying “prehistoric man” in order to take control of the planet. Against them stands nothing but a prophecy, foretelling the victorious arrival of the Seventh Shepherd. Jebden Gale is an unlikely hero. Living in an isolated village deep within the new ice sheet, he has a special ability to connect with a higher power. Although he despises his relationship with the gods, Jebden appears to be chosen by them for greatness. Could he possibly be the Seventh Shepherd? Time is short. The godless post-human hordes sweep the world, destroying surviving human enclaves one by one while their dying race waits for a sign. In order to strengthen Jebden, the gods must forge a partnership among the few remaining humans with the ability to guide their chosen one. But will Jebden realize his destiny in time, or will his weakness mean the end of the human race?

"The Walk," a meditation on walking and on the literature of walking, ruminates on this pervasive, even commonplace, modern image. It is not so much an argument as a journey along the path of literature, noting the occasions and settings, the pleasures and possibilities of different types of walking--through the country or city, during day or night, alone or with someone--and the literatures--the poems, essays, stories, novels, and diaries--walking has produced. Jeffrey C. Robinson's discussion is less criticism than appreciation: with an autobiographical bent, he leads the reader through Romantic, modern, and contemporary literature to show us the shared pleasures of reading, writing, and walking.

This anthology of thirty-four short stories by twenty-five writers from thirteen countries reflects its title, 'Pangea', meaning 'all lands' or 'all earth'. The writers featured include journalists, scientists, a lawyer, a costume designer, a magazine editor, a crofter in the Scottish highlands, a bookseller, and a writer-in-residence at a young offenders' prison, and their stories are as different and as interesting as their occupations. Their narratives are equally diverse and distinctive; there are quiet voices, brave voices, tender voices, and haunting voices. And yet the perspectives of this collection, its range of tones - be they the raw intensity of a man's confrontation and failure on a road in Scotland, the dramatic preparations for a big birthday party in Nigeria, or the moment a young man comes face-to-face with his Bollywood idol - have enormous commonality; the conflicts faced and the emotions felt by the characters are recognizable, irrespective of the cultural identities of the authors or the cultural settings of the stories themselves. The writers of these unique short stories are all members of the online writers' community known as Writewords.

Grade level: 5, 6, 7, 8, e, i, s.

Who was the real architect of the Gunpowder Plot? Who was the first person to wear a Guy Fawkes mask? Why was Shakespeare’s Dark Lady dark? These and many other questions are answered in Graham Holderness’s new novel, which combines historical fiction, psychological mystery and supernatural thriller in a highly original and imaginative re-telling of the Gunpowder Plot. It is 1604. The Gunpowder Plotters are tunnelling under the palace of Westminster, and confront an immovable obstacle. Guy Fawkes travels to Europe to fetch help, and brings back more than he bargained for. Who is the mysterious Dark Lady? Who is the man in the mask? Why is London over-run by a plague of vampires, and who is going to defeat them? From a Westminster vault to a Transylvanian mine, from the crypt of Lambeth Palace to the under-stage of the Globe theatre, Black and Deep Desires takes the reader on a tour of historical, psychological and mythical underworlds, delving deep into some of history’s unexplored corridors, into the secret thoughts of Catholic terrorists, and into the dark wellsprings of Shakespeare’s poetry. In Black and Deep Desires Graham Holderness combines the expertise of an internationally-recognised Shakespeare scholar, the narrative flair of his 2001 novel The Prince of Denmark, and the poetic sensibility that won his verse collection Craeft a Poetry Book Society award.

Fishing Arkansas is a comprehensive guide to the angling opportunities that the Natural State offers to its 500,000–700,000 licensed fisherman as well as to visitors to the state. In addition to conveying the very drama and excitement of the fishing experience itself, the month-by-month organiziation of the book allows the reader a detailed look at the life histories of many Arkansas sport fish, the best lakes and streams in which to find them, and the most successful tactics and tackle to use. Enhanced by Sutton's excellent photographs, the guide includes twelve sections on popular game fish, such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and trout. It also provides an introduction to often-overlooked species like bowfin, gar, carp, paddlefish, and pickerel. Hundreds of valuable fishing tips gleaned from decades of on-the-water experience and interviews with dozens of guides, biologists, and expert anglers enhance the engaging narraive. From the glistening trout in the cold tailwaters of the White River, to feisty catfish on the muddy bayou bottoms of the Delta region, Keith Sutton has served up a tempting array of the fish that can be sought and caught on hook and line in the teeming waters of Arkansas.

Winner or finalist in the 'Best Books' National Book Award Poetry Anthology of the Year; Benjamin Franklin Audio Book of the Year; Foreword Magazine Audio Book of the Year; and the Bill Fisher Award for Best New Fiction. Over 750 pages of poetry spanning from 4,000 BC up to the present day and including a broad cross-section of global poetry. Footnotes for each poem specify each poem's form, define unusual or archaic words, and include notes about interpretation. Multiple indexes, including an index by subject, simplify finding exactly the right poem for any situation. The poems were specifically selected to appeal to readers new to poetry, but even experienced poetry readers will find new and enjoyable poems. The poems from the book are also available on audio CD.

From The Beatles' patronage of his 1968 debut album to his Grammy awards for Hourglass, James Taylor has remained a universally acclaimed songwriter of effortless eloquence and power. In this major biography, the late Timothy White explores the myths and reality behind the personal journey of legendary singer. White examines the roots of Taylor's anguish, and his recurring problems with heroin and alcohol. There is an epic family history, an exploration of the stories behind Fire And Rain, and a frank account of the artist's time spent at Apple Records and Warner Brothers. With contributions from Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Sting, the Taylor family and many other key figures, this edition is destined to become the definitive biography of the troubled hero. There is also an epilogue concerning the memorial concerts arranged by Taylor for the late author White, as well as an extensive discography and bibliography.

The sea sang lullabies to them at night in the small coastal town of Malabar, where memories of men in boats carrying merchandise from Arab lands had been permanently inscribed into the sands and infused into the blood of their ancestors. The briny breeze sang ballads to them during the day in a dialect of their own. The winnowing waves tossed the lives of Fouziya, Aminu and Nabisa, here and there, sometimes on the swirl of a rising cusp, sometimes at the mercy of the receding sands. Far from those shores, in a village in the North, where the loo winds doused their dreams with dust and the mustard fields stretched as yellow quilts in the Winter, Anita and Pyaari knit their own tales through the seasons. And, destiny decided that their paths should cross.