Taipans are long, fast, and deadly, and Doug Wechsler brings them to life in this fast-paced and informative book. Students will love the brilliant photographs and the vivid descriptions of such scenes as the taipan “tiptoeing” through tall grass with its head and neck off the ground for a better view of its surroundings.

Until India gained its independence from Britain in 1947, one third of the country was ruled by a lazy, pampered group of 565 maharajahs, or princes. They led hedonistic lives with scores of wives and concubines, palaces and jewels, and spent much of their time playing polo and tiger hunting. The late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi taxed the maharajahs almost out of existence, and few physical traces of their former glory remain. However, a new breed of commercial princes has sprung up in their place.

Hong Kong, the late '80s. A bombing campaign brings terror to the colony's powerful elite. There seems to be no motive, no demands.Richard Stirling. Bomb Disposal Officer. Chief Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police. A man driven by personal demons. A man of honour who will risk more than he can imagine in the pursuit of justice. As the story unfolds, we follow the path that has led Richard to face his most deadly adversary. A road passing through triumph and despair, love and hate.While The Circle, an unholy alliance of Triad and business leaders, plot to position themselves for power after the handover to China in 1997, Richard and his colleagues struggle to prevent violent death and uncover the truth behind the Taipan Agenda.

Australia's arid outback is teeming with life ... when you know where to look. From taipan snakes and pelicans to hippie activists and hardline miners, John Read brings to life the characters, creatures and cultures of the outback. Through vivid, personal stories he shares his experience as an ecologist making new discoveries; challenging conventional approaches to pastoralism, mining, tourism and environmental management; and witnessing the precarious balance of nature as species are pitted against the harsh climate of the outback. Written in an accessible and non-scientific style, Red Sand Green Heart: Ecological adventures in the outback evokes a humorous, entertaining and informative picture of Australia's desert region and the environmental issues that affect us all.

An established work, the second edition of Principles of Management offers the reader insight and analysis of the principles, processes and practice of management and leadership. Covering private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, the book also takes an international approach, with a dedicated section on globalised processes and styles of management. The content is broken down into accessible sections to provide a clear and user-friendly book. Written to meet the criteria of practicality and professionality, the book is relevant and useful with an emphasis on capability, usability, decision and resolution; "fix"; and an orientation towards implementation.

Spectacular Snakes of Australia showcases these beautiful creatures which play such an important part in our biodiversity. It portrays most of the species found in Australia, such as tiger snakes, copperheads, brown snakes, death adders and sea snakes, up close and personal. It also includes some unique photographs, such as the hatching of scrub pythons, that offer a rare glimpse into their more intimate lives. The informative text, based on the latest research, describes the reproductive biology, behaviour, predators and prey of these reptiles, as well as their habitat and conservation values. Readers will explore the importance of colours and patterns in allowing snakes to blend into their environment, their defence and attack mechanisms, and the adaptations they have undergone to cope with their surroundings. In addition, the author provides some anecdotes on his encounters with snakes, and clears up a few myths regarding snake behaviour. Richly illustrated with exceptional photographs, Spectacular Snakes of Australia features the deadly serious as well as the quirky – from snakes that love water to those with potent venom, and even snakes that are blind! This book is a real treat for snake lovers.

Presents an introduction to the taipan for beginning readers.

There are many different kinds of taipans, but all of them are very deadly snakes. Readers will get an up-close look at several different types of taipans and learn some intriguing facts along the way. Eye-catching photographs show these dangerous hunters in action. Bilingual text helps English language learners to discover what taipans eat, where they live, and even how victims can survive a taipan bite.

A hit man is a rare species in the human race. How and why does someone become a hit man? The Taipan: The Professional is the story of one hit man from birth to retirement. Learn of his early life in Rotterdam, Germany, his introduction and reasons why he chose this profession, as well as why he was successful. Why was this man so special in this unique trade and why did law enforcement fear him so much? What set him apart from all the others? The Taipan was born into extreme poverty. His birth was not acknowledged and he was a lost soul in the slums. Deserted by his parents, his only option was to become a survivor. Despite all the negatives, he did survive to become the notorious Taipan, the invisible hit man. His training with the German underworld, his term in Africa as a mercenary soldier, his self-taught education, his ingenuity and his meticulous methods made him a force feared by law enforcement organizations around the world, because they knew he existed, but could never catch him. Despite his profession, he did have a heart and three women played a major influence in his life. Finally, why did the hit man retire?