""Timeless Echo"" plunges readers into a mind-bending world where time is a tapestry of layered realities. Lila, a brilliant young physicist, discovers an extraordinary ability to communicate with her alternate selves across parallel timelines. As she grapples with this newfound power, she uncovers a chilling threat that could unravel the very fabric of existence. Able's narrative masterfully blends urban fantasy with cutting-edge scientific concepts, creating a universe that feels both familiar and alien. Readers will be captivated by Lila's race against time to prevent the collapse of the multiverse, all while confronting her own fears and desires. The story explores the profound consequences of our choices and the interconnectedness of all things, challenging readers to question the nature of reality and identity. With its seamless fusion of quantum physics and fantastical elements, this young adult science fiction adventure offers a unique and thought-provoking journey through the corridors of time and possibility.

Timeless Echoes: the Life and Art of Robert Butler, a full color autobiography of 400 pages, features over 200 photos of Robert Butler art, as well as another 65 of art by each of his nine children, who became talented artists in their own right. Over 100 photos of Butler's life round out this most fascinating book of historic proportion.Through talent, a fierce work ethic, and a winning personality, Butler moved from a turpentine still in Baxley, Georgia, to international fame as an artist, being named as one of the 26 original Florida Highwaymen. Butler's journey led him around the world and into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. This book reveals the “heart behind the art” of Robert Butler.The one thing that rings clear throughout this book is that the hand of destiny was upon this man from very early childhood. As an African American artist struggling to survive midst the Civil Rights era of our country and facing myriads of conflicts, and even though Robert attempted to escape those conflicts, it was those very conflicts which served him well by honing his natural ability to paint and outfitting him with an eye to see the rapidly diminishing landscapes of a wild Florida. It pushed him to put those landscapes to canvas before they completely disappeared. Destiny had in mind to see to it that this artist would be the only artist attributed to having painted every ecosystem in wild Florida, something which will never be repeated in history, as many of these ecosystems no longer exist, having succumbed to “progress.”Butler paintings are distinctive in their dramatically lit, romanticized portrayals of his beloved wild Florida. His paintings are known to be finely detailed, while exuding an ethereal light in them, giving them an almost sacred quality, the music of his heart. He managed in his autobiography, just as he did in his art, to strike a balance in celebrating wild Florida, while at the same time grieving at her passing.In reading this book, one cannot help but grow their love and admiration for the swamps, palmetto flats, hardwood forests, rivers, lakes, pine flats, and wildlife of wild Florida. The reader will come to understand not only the art of Robert Butler, but also the very heart of Robert Butler and his love for wild Florida.As one reviewer of the book said, “This book is one of the best, recently written books on personal development.” Another reviewer stated, “Butler's story will indicate that he . . . found (his life's) purpose and defined it. Along the way, he discovered universal laws that he used to give generously back to the world. And you thought this book was about art!”Just as he realized his dream of seeing his life story in print, Robert Butler laid down his paintbrush for the last time and departed this life on March 19, 2014. However, Florida, as well as the whole world, will forever know that "the Butler was here."

An exploration of echo not as simple repetition but as an agent of creative possibilities. In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, Amit Pinchevski proposes that echo is not simple repetition and the reproduction of sameness but an agent of change and a source of creation and creativity. Pinchevski views echo as a medium, connecting and mediating across and between disparate domains. He reminds us that the mythological Echo, sentenced by Juno to repeat the last words of others, found a way to make repetition expressive. So too does echo introduce variation into sameness, mediating between self and other, inside and outside, known and unknown, near and far. Echo has the potential to bring back something unexpected, either more or less than what was sent. Pinchevski distinguishes echo from the closely related but sometimes conflated reflection, reverberation, and resonance; considers echolalia as an active, reactive, and creative vocalic force, the launching pad of speech; and explores echo as a rhetorical device, steering between appropriation and response while always maintaining relation. He examines the trope of echo chamber and both destructive and constructive echoing; describes various echo techniques and how echo can serve practical purposes from echolocation in bats and submarines to architecture and sound recording; explores echo as a link to the past, both literally and metaphorically; and considers echo as medium using Marshall McLuhan’s tetrad.

Critical attention to the Victorian supernatural has flourished over the last twenty-five years. Whether it is spiritualism or Theosophy, mesmerism or the occult, the dozens of book-length studies and hundreds of articles that have appeared recently reflect the avid scholarly discussion of Victorian mystical practices. Designed both for those new to the field and for experts, this volume is organized into sections covering the relationship between Victorian spiritualism and science, the occult and politics, and the culture of mystical practices. The Ashgate Research Companion to Nineteenth-Century Spiritualism and the Occult brings together some of the most prominent scholars working in the field to introduce current approaches to the study of nineteenth-century mysticism and to define new areas for research.

Bestselling author Sikes, now the “standard bearer of great American design” (Architectural Digest), returns with a new book of fresh yet classic American decorating. AD100 and Elle Decor A-List designer and tastemaker Sikes believes there’s beauty everywhere: all we have to do is look for it. His classic, livable looks are beloved by celebrities and notables from Reese Witherspoon to Dr. Jill Biden, who hired him to redesign her White House office. In this third book of the Beautiful trilogy, Sikes celebrates a full year of beautiful interiors inspired by nature. Colors, patterns, and textures, including his favorite blue and white, chinoiserie, rattan, gingham, stripes, and more, came from the world outside these rooms. In twelve chapters, he shares inspiration and advice from homes he has designed across America and abroad. There is a house for every month of the year, inspired by the seasons, from April’s leafy green Gardens of Versailles–inspired French Chateau-style home outside of Chicago to crisp navy in East Hampton for June, August’s homage to the pink sands in Bermuda, and holiday reds for December’s Swiss-style chalet on a sweeping horse ranch near Sun Valley, Idaho. Throughout, each house features Sikes’s signature touches, inspirational quotes, and tradition updated for today. With all-new light-filled photography by Amy Neunsinger, Forever Beautiful reminds new and returning readers alike of the power of making it beautiful.

In the aftermath of their hard-fought victory, the realm of Vacari thought darkness had been banished forever. Yet, the sinister warlock Phoenix Shadowwalker, believed to be defeated, secretly resurfaces, his power grown to unimaginable heights during his exile. Whispers of his newfound strength circulate, leaving the realm trembling in fear. Fueled by a burning desire for revenge, Phoenix's malevolent intentions focus on two figures: Ong, the valiant warrior, and Lady Keisha, whose resilience once thwarted his dark ambitions. Blinded by rage and consumed by vengeance, he orchestrates a masterful plan to ensnare them in his clutches. In a race against time, Ong, Keisha, and their allies must unravel the mysteries surrounding Phoenix's newfound power while confronting their pasts and insecurities. As the clock ticks down, alliances are forged, and battles are fought both on the battlefield and within themselves. Vacari's fate teeters on the edge, and its defenders must rise once more to protect the realm they hold dear. "Shadows Unveiled" is a gripping fantasy tale of vengeance, redemption, and the enduring strength of unity in the face of darkness. Will Vacari survive this relentless onslaught, or will its light be extinguished forever?

In an increasingly interconnected world, where financial markets and corporate decisions ripple across continents, "Transparency Globescale: Governance and Insights" serves as an essential compass. This book embarks on a journey through the economic heartbeats of ten developed nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain, and South Korea. It unravels the complex interplay between financial reporting, corporate governance, corruption, demographics, and macroeconomic forces, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each nation. Through meticulous analysis and compelling case studies, the book paints a vivid picture of how transparency, accountability, and good governance can either propel or hinder economic progress. It demonstrates how the United States grapples with corporate governance failures, how Brexit impacts the UK's economic landscape, how Germany's history shapes its inflation policies, how Japan confronts an aging population, and how France navigates social programs alongside economic growth. It also uncovers the role of financial transparency in Canada, the impact of demographic shifts in Australia, the fight against corruption in Italy and Spain, and the influence of technology in South Korea's dynamic economy. By bridging the gap between abstract concepts and their tangible consequences, "Transparency Globescale" empowers readers to understand the complex machinery of the global economy. Whether you're a seasoned policymaker, a budding business leader, or simply a curious observer of the world, this book invites you to join a conversation about the forces shaping our shared economic future. It's an invitation to not just study economics, but to feel its pulse and recognize the human faces behind the numbers. "Transparency Globescale" is a testament to the belief that informed citizens and responsible leaders are the key to building a more prosperous and equitable world.

Updating the work of renowned biblical scholar John F. Walvoord, who famously predicted current world events, Armageddon, Oil, and Terror offers shocking predictions on the future of terrorism, oil-based economics, and nuclear war in the Middle East. In all, Armageddon, Oil, and Terror sheds light on 12 events related to end-time prophecies that seem eerily close to coming true. Includes materials from lectures and discussions after 9/11 and incorporates vital, updated material from other Walvoord classics. It is as current as today's news . . . and every prediction rings true.

In "Hidden Lineage," embark on a thrilling journey alongside Rowan, the daring dragonrider, as he uncovers the secrets of his mysterious lineage. Set in a fantastical realm where dragons soar and magic pulses through the air, Rowan must navigate treacherous landscapes and face formidable foes to unlock the truth of his ancestry. With courage as his compass and his loyal dragon companion by his side, Rowan's quest promises pulse-pounding action, ancient prophecies, and unexpected alliances. Will he embrace his hidden lineage and rise to fulfill his destiny? Discover a world brimming with enchantment and danger in this mesmerizing adventure.

Kevin Killeen addresses one of the most enigmatic of seventeenth century writers, Thomas Browne (1605-1682), whose voracious intellectual pursuits provide an unparalleled insight into how early modern scholarly culture understood the relations between its disciplines. Browne's work encompasses biblical commentary, historiography, natural history, classical philology, artistic propriety and an encyclopaedic coverage of natural philosophy. This book traces the intellectual climate in which such disparate interests could cohere, locating Browne within the cultural and political matrices of his time. While Browne is most frequently remembered for the magnificence of his prose and his temperamental poise, qualities that knit well with the picture of a detached, apolitical figure, this work argues that Browne's significance emerges most fully in the context of contemporary battles over interpretative authority, within the intricately linked fields of biblical exegesis, scientific thought, and politics. Killeen's work centres on a reassessment of the scope and importance of Browne's most elaborate text, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, his vast encyclopaedia of error with its mazy series of investigations and through this explores the multivalent nature of early-modern enquiry.