After being forced to run far away from their home system of Europa a simple trading crew must face challenges and take opportunities with the hope that one day they can return home, however, the fear of the pirates that forced them away in the first place is always looming over them

The essays in this book are the distillation of years of reflection, writing, lecturing and active participation in the ongoing debate on the cultural identity of the European Union, the vicissitudes of the transatlantic dialogue, the envisioning of new social paradigms, the building of more solid and more relevant bridges of understanding between two continents that have a common Western humanistic tradition albeit synthesized to other cultures in America. While the approach is personal, it remains interdisciplinary and holistic throughout, rooted in the poetic philosophy of history of Giambattista Vico and encompassing literature, philosophy, myth, linguistics and political science, on the edge of boundaries between the historical grand narrative, the religious and even the quotidian and the anecdotal. These thirty essays trace the origins of Western Civilization and the synthesis of Humanism and Christianity that is the Renaissance, but also, Janus-like face, they look forward to a new Renaissance and humanistic synthesis yet to be envisioned and forged, that will dare to be both old and new, that will encompass the poetical as well as the rational without losing sight of the universality of our common humanity. The journey may be long arduous but it has already begun some sixty years ago. Moreover, these essays will appeal especially to those readers who are perplexed at the loss of humanistic modes of thought in our post-modern technological society. A book sure to stimulate the intellect and the imagination of its readers. They are given to understand from the outset that Europe, more than a geographical political reality, is an evolving idea, and it is her destiny to live or die as such. The readers will be provided with a Vichian chart to assist them in intellectually navigating and journey on this unique idea called Europa.

Seddon considers Europe from the point-of-view of the rulerships of the various Archangels of Time from Michael's regency between the mid-sixth and the third century BC, up to his present rulership between 1879 and the twenty-second century.

This book, newly available in paperback, examines a hitherto under-researched aspect of the European Union's policy process - the extent and the nature of the involvement of central governments in the implementation of EU public policy. It discusses how the co-ordination of these institutions affects their capacity to shape the way in which the commitments that they make in Brussels are turned into concrete reality at the national level. It shows that the nature of their involvement in implementation reflects the pattern of their involvement in the formulation of EU policy. However, since implementation unfolds over long periods of time, its patterns can change over time. The author draws on empirical evidence regarding the liberalisation of public procurement to demonstrate how the institutions of central governments bring about change. Comparing the central governments of Greece, France and Britain over a twenty-five year period, the author demonstrates that - far from being the passive conduits of pressure emanating from the EU - the institutions of national central governments actively steer the implementation of EU public policy.

This book asks why European countries tried to build a security institution outside of NATO, emphasising the influence of political party ideologies.

Matilda Wolfblood is the first girl to be born a super-human in her family. Ever since the beginning of time, the male members of her family would battle chaos and were dedicated to protecting their homeland from outside threats in which normal humans are oblivious. Though she has been training since the tender age of three, she too is oblivious of such matters until sickness in her father causes her to search for a book of revelations which inevitably leads her and her friends to a world beyond comprehension. Summer Vacation is a fantasy epic prequel of blithe irony. In an alternative version of Earth where evil has as much chance to rule over the planet as good, a frail young woman's life is about to change for all eternity. With the aid of a small limbo creature, she must journey through Earth to safety from rival evils while carrying a child of both good and evil blood in her.