Provides in-depth profiles of the most prominent political figures in Africa, south of the Sahara, concentrating on those in power, those recently in office, and those most likely to succeed, whether from the ranks of the opposition or from relatively minor positions in the ruling structure. The profiles are presented on a country by country basis, with a brief introduction giving essential country facts. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 A Bloomberg Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020 A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2020 A Human Behavior & Evolution Society Must-Read Popular Evolution Book of 2020 A bold, epic account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world. Perhaps you are WEIRD: raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. If so, you’re rather psychologically peculiar. Unlike much of the world today, and most people who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, self-obsessed, control-oriented, nonconformist, and analytical. They focus on themselves—their attributes, accomplishments, and aspirations—over their relationships and social roles. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically distinct? What role did these psychological differences play in the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe during the last few centuries? In The WEIRDest People in the World, Joseph Henrich draws on cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explore these questions and more. He illuminates the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, and the profound impact these cultural transformations had on human psychology. Mapping these shifts through ancient history and late antiquity, Henrich reveals that the most fundamental institutions of kinship and marriage changed dramatically under pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. It was these changes that gave rise to the WEIRD psychology that would coevolve with impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition—laying the foundation for the modern world. Provocative and engaging in both its broad scope and its surprising details, The WEIRDest People in the World explores how culture, institutions, and psychology shape one another, and explains what this means for both our most personal sense of who we are as individuals and also the large-scale social, political, and economic forces that drive human history. Includes black-and-white illustrations.

The bestselling Journey to the West comic book by artist Chang Boon Kiat is now back in a brand new fully coloured edition. Journey to the West is one of the greatest classics in Chinese literature. It tells the epic tale of the monk Xuanzang who journeys to the West in search of the Buddhist sutras with his disciples, Sun Wukong, Sandy and Pigsy. Along the way, Xuanzang's life was threatened by the diabolical White Bone Spirit, the menacing Red Child and his fearsome parents and, a host of evil spirits who sought to devour Xuanzang's flesh to attain immortality. Bear witness to the formidable Sun Wukong's (Monkey God) prowess as he takes them on, using his Fiery Eyes, Golden Cudgel, Somersault Cloud, and quick wits! Be prepared for a galloping read that will leave you breathless!

Presents eight teleplays selected from the third and fourth seasons of "The West Wing."

As we stand poised on the brink of the next century, Wall Street has never been more turbulent or exciting. Now, in this smart, savvy, up-to-the-minute guide, the top editors of The Wall Street Journal tell you exactly what's happening on the floor, behind the scenes--giving you the inside, in-depth story on the most powerful firms and creative minds on Wall Street. This incisive resource examines the corporate structure, strategies, assets, profits and losses of the biggest and most diversified of Wall Street companies as well as the key retail firms, trading houses, investment banks, and giant commercial banks. Presented here also is a thorough examination of the venues in which Wall Street does much of its business--the New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers--and the agencies that regulate that business such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve. Through the impeccable research and financial acumen that only The Wall Street Journal can deliver, you'll discover the fascinating stories behind Wall Street's headline-making power brokers and companies and gain a better understanding of the individuals, trends, and laws that control Wall Street today. Inside you'll find complete inside accounts of: , How Merrill Lynch turned itself around by penetrating banking and nonbrokerage businesses , Which firm elite mega-investment bank Morgan Stanley Dean Witter has its eyes on now , Why Smith Barney Inc.'s plan to challenge Merrill Lynch failed--and what they're doing to recover , The five big retail investment firms--Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, Dean Witter, Paine Webber, and Prudential--and how they came to dominate the markets , Thehigh-pressure trading cultures within Salomon, Bear Stearns, and Lehman Brothers , The epoch-making deals--and career-breaking stumbles--carried out by investment banks like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and First Boston , How J. P. Morgan and Bankers Trust have transformed themselves into financial powerhouses while other banks have fallen by the wayside , And much more Filled with privileged accounts and illuminating personality profiles of major Wall Street players, this book is the definitive guide for anyone who works on the Street, invests, or simply wants to know about the state of the financial world today and its prospects for tomorrow.

A novel that is part historical and part modern contracts the lofty goals of the pioneers that settled a peninsula in Washington State with the trivial pursuits of its present-day inhabitants. By the author of All About Lulu.

From the bestselling author of The Ascent of Money and The Square and the Tower “A dazzling history of Western ideas.” —The Economist “Mr. Ferguson tells his story with characteristic verve and an eye for the felicitous phrase.” —Wall Street Journal “[W]ritten with vitality and verve . . . a tour de force.” —Boston Globe Western civilization’s rise to global dominance is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five centuries. How did the West overtake its Eastern rivals? And has the zenith of Western power now passed? Acclaimed historian Niall Ferguson argues that beginning in the fifteenth century, the West developed six powerful new concepts, or “killer applications”—competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic—that the Rest lacked, allowing it to surge past all other competitors. Yet now, Ferguson shows how the Rest have downloaded the killer apps the West once monopolized, while the West has literally lost faith in itself. Chronicling the rise and fall of empires alongside clashes (and fusions) of civilizations, Civilization: The West and the Rest recasts world history with force and wit. Boldly argued and teeming with memorable characters, this is Ferguson at his very best.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the author of Ghost Soldiers comes an eye-opening history of the American conquest of the West—"a story full of authority and color, truth and prophecy" (The New York Times Book Review). In the summer of 1846, the Army of the West marched through Santa Fe, en route to invade and occupy the Western territories claimed by Mexico. Fueled by the new ideology of “Manifest Destiny,” this land grab would lead to a decades-long battle between the United States and the Navajos, the fiercely resistant rulers of a huge swath of mountainous desert wilderness. At the center of this sweeping tale is Kit Carson, the trapper, scout, and soldier whose adventures made him a legend. Sides shows us how this illiterate mountain man understood and respected the Western tribes better than any other American, yet willingly followed orders that would ultimately devastate the Navajo nation. Rich in detail and spanning more than three decades, this is an essential addition to our understanding of how the West was really won.