The association between our ancestors and fire, somewhere around six to four million years ago, had a tremendous impact on human evolution, transforming our earliest human ancestor, a being communicating without speech but with insight, reason, manual dexterity, highly developed social organization, and the capability of experimenting with this new technology. As it first associated with and then began to tame fire, this extraordinary being began to distance itself from its primate relatives, taking a path that would alter its environment, physiology, and self-image. Based on her extensive research with nonhuman primates, anthropologist Frances Burton details the stages of the conquest of fire and the systems it affected. Her study examines the natural occurrence of fire and describes the effects light has on human physiology. She constructs possible variations of our earliest human ancestor and its way of life, utilizing archaeological and anthropological evidence of the earliest human-controlled fires to explore the profound physical and biological impacts fire had on human evolution.

The dragon Lamprophyre prefers poetry to politics and would rather fly than hunt. But when humans intrude on dragon territory for the first time in centuries, only Lamprophyre wants to know why. Her search leads her to meet the human Prince Rokshan-and ends with her mother, the dragon queen, appointing her ambassador to the humans of Gonjiri. Alone in the humans' capital city, with Rokshan her only friend, Lamprophyre learns quickly that not all humans can be trusted. Some want dragons gone from Gonjiri. Others want to use them in political intrigue. And a few want all dragons dead. Unless Lamprophyre discovers the culprits behind all these plots, the first contact between humans and dragons will end in war.

Named one of the best 25 space opera books by BookRiot! The first book in a scifi retelling of the Mahabrahata. When Esmae wins a contest of skill, she sets off events that trigger an inevitable and unwinnable war that pits her against the family she would give anything to return to. In a universe of capricious gods, dark moons, and kingdoms built on the backs of spaceships, a cursed queen sends her infant daughter away, a jealous uncle steals the throne of Kali from his nephew, and an exiled prince vows to take his crown back. Raised alone and far away from her home on Kali, Esmae longs to return to her family. When the King of Wychstar offers to gift the unbeatable, sentient warship Titania to a warrior that can win his competition, she sees her way home: she’ll enter the competition, reveal her true identity to the world, and help her famous brother win back the crown of Kali. It’s a great plan. Until it falls apart. Inspired by the Mahabharata and other ancient Indian stories, A Spark of White Fire is a lush, sweeping space opera about family, curses, and the endless battle between jealousy and love.

I draw kickass superheroes. I never thought I was one.To me, the stories that unfolded on the pages of my webcomic have always been way more awesome than real life-right up until the day an evil bad Assassin's Creed cosplay dude showed up and tried to erase my existence.I fought back-and caught on fire. Like, legit fire that turned purple and not only scared off the creepy evil bad, but brought a hot, OMG hawt fire elemental to my door to whisk me off to some mysterious academy. Did I mention hot? Did I mention he brought hawt friends?Did I mention a mysterious academy?Turns out I'm an elemental with the power to control elements with my mind, and there's an Academy of Elements that can teach me how to hone my craft. Crazy, right? Even crazier, a secret academy of elemental wizards known as the Council handpicked me to save our kind from some seriously dark sorcerers determined to destroy our world. No pressure.At least I have my quad squad-four OMG hawt elementals-by my side. If I have to literally save the world from annihilation, why not do it in style by pairing with them-in every sense of the word?Welcome to Clearwater Academy...it's time to draw your weapons.**Spark of Fire is book one in a four-book, university-age paranormal academy series. In this why choose story, get ready for a snarky heroine, four hawt guys that push every one of her boundaries, and an evil bad that'll stop at nothing to destroy her.**

Columbus Discovered America . . . But Who Discovered Europe? Were the ancient Egyptians black? Did Egyptian explorers land in Greece some 4,000 years ago? Did they plant colonies, establish royal houses, and bring civilization to Europe's savage tribes? Did the secret rites of their temple cults later resurface among the Knights Templar and the Freemasons? In "Black Spark, White Fire," Richard Poe provides startling answers to these questions and more. "Brilliant. . . . Poe has produced a classic volume . . . splendid in its conception and powerful in its execution--a major work."--Molefi Kete Asante, author of "The Afrocentric Idea" "Superb. . . . I am convinced that within 20 years Richard Poe's views will be seen as closer to the historical truth than those of the present defenders of the status quo. The book is clear, well-written, and hard to put down. While we disagree on a number of issues, "Black Spark, White Fire" is the popular book that I am incapable of writing."--Martin Bernal, author of "Black Athena" "It is refreshing to hear the Afrocentric theory of ancient Egypt argued so persuasively, from a viewpoint that is neither liberal nor conservative, black nor white."--Armstrong Williams, syndicated columnist and TV talk show host

Inspired by the psychology of Carl Jung and Eastern spirituality, empowers women to let go of their past, express their brilliance and become their True Self.

This is the most extraordinary time for people with a desire to make things Spark for the Fire is for everyone who wants to excel. For the people who are passionate about what they want to do. For those whose imaginations demand to be put to use, in any discipline. it is for the youthful: in age, experience or attitude - and those who want to be - whether to kick-start a career or reignite an established one. Now more than ever, youthful thinking can help spark the fire of creativity. This must-read book reveals how. Featuring among others - Nick Park - Michael Wolff - Lord David Puttnam - Jean Oelwang - Rory Sutherland - Ajaz Ahmed - Jamie Oliver

Jimmy Groome never really believed that his life was worth anything. An overweight and unpopular teen, it takes a suicide attempt to bring a traumatic childhood experience into sharp focus. With some encouragement from family and a counselor, Jimmy picks up a guitar and it quickly becomes obvious that he has a natural talent. After losing weight and joining a band, Jimmy goes from being a shy and insecure child to an outgoing and self-destructive young adult. In a world where sex, drugs and rock n' roll go hand in hand Jimmys future is uncertain. In this prequel to Fire, we follow Jimmy Groome on his dark path, where he decides if he'll ignite the fire inside - or if hell let it burn out and fade away.

From the experts who created SparkPeople.com, America’s #1 diet and fitness site, comes The Spark. This groundbreaking book outlines the best of what has worked for millions of members who have lost weight, kept it off, and reached other goals. Driven by positive energy and proven results, The Spark outlines a breakthrough formula that combines nutrition, exercise, goal setting, motivation, and community, which has helped people change their lives beyond the scale. Discover the 27 Secrets of Success—the best action steps, foods, and proven medical advice that have helped tens of thousands of members lose from 2 to 200 pounds. Special tips from people who lost 100 pounds or more—see what these people had in common and what they did and didn’t do to make huge transformations in their lives. A step-by-step 28-day program that brings together the most effective, medically accepted nutrition and fitness practices from SparkPeople experts in an easy-to-follow plan, including flexible mix-and-match meal plans, fully illustrated workout programs, full-color before-and-after success stories, and more! And, new to this edition! Breakthrough survey results have been used to create a Strong Start Guide to help you jumpstart your weight-loss efforts. Based on what tens of thousands of successful SparkPeople members did to lose weight and change their lives, this guide tells you what to do in the first two weeks to make you five times more likely to reach your ultimate weight-loss goal! Whether you want to fit into your "skinny jeans," improve your health and fitness levels, change your outlook and mood, or reach all new goals, The Spark can help you transform your body and your life. What are you waiting for? Spark your life today!