Addresses the question of valuation theoretically and through empirical analysts of diverse objects of valuations such as university rankings, ice skating scoring, wind power, insurance, gold, and big data.

Come and see that our purpose as Christians is not about being useful but about being known by God and enjoying him. We all want to be useful to God, but often we feel that we're not, or, because of illness or other difficulties, that we can't be as active as we'd like to be. Liz Carter wants to rescue us from the spiral of feeling useless that we get caught in, and to show us that being useful isn't what Christianity is about. In fact, the Bible barely talks about God using people at all. Weaving together insightful scriptural analysis and beautifully told stories, Liz takes us on a journey to see what the Bible really says about weakness, identity, and God's purposes for us: helping us to see ourselves and our relationship with God in an entirely different and much more glorious way. Readers will discover that our purpose as Christians is not about being useful but about being known by God and enjoying him. This book is particularly helpful for those struggling with long-term physical or mental illness, but it's also a great encouragement to Christians who feel that they are not good enough or useful enough to God for other reasons. Questions at the end of each chapter make this a helpful resource to read with a friend or in groups.

VALUABLE is a three part resource designed to assist with self-discovery, facing lifes challenges with confidence, and developing a positive self-image. Part I unveils biblical truths that help you discover the value God places on humanity, and His unconditional love, which provides a solid foundation for healthy self-esteem. Part II clearly articulates the meaning of valuable. It provides insight, with the opportunity to reflect upon and embrace Gods view of you more fully. Part III contains character-enhancing lessons to: Expand the way you think Help cultivate positive traits Teach specific principles relevant for daily living

#1 National Bestseller This hockey generation's brightest talent has been plagued by concussions. Now, the very style of play that has brought Crosby such success may be heralding the end of his career. Sidney Crosby is arguably the best player ever to put on skates. You could argue that Bobby was better, or Wayne, or Gordie. But it would be hard to argue that any of those guys changed the game as much as Sid. No defenceman came along in Bobby's wake to play like him. There will never be another 99. But in Crosby's case, the entire league was re-made in his image. The game can be divided into two eras: before and after Sidney Crosby arrived in 2005, breaking Mario Lemieux's rookie scoring record. Says NHL star Matt Duchene, who entered the league in 2008, just three years after Crosby: "Just in the time that I was going from peewee and bantam to junior, there was a whole other game before and after. You didn't have a choice really--you had to adapt and adopt the way he did things or get left way behind." In an effort to keep up with Sid, the game changed. It's faster now, more skilled. There are more highlight-reel goals, and fewer fights. And in many ways, Crosby has thrived. Three Stanley Cups. Two Olympic gold medals. A World Cup. And enough individual trophies to fill a truck. But then, if Crosby hadn't changed the league, he might expect a longer career. Today, Sidney Crosby is the first generational superstar whose every shift could be his last. He invented a faster game, and the faster game has taken its toll on its creator. Crosby has suffered several concussions, and missed most of an entire season with symptoms. He plays the game fearlessly, but he also plays it without a bodyguard. The irony is that he created a league that made it harder for him to thrive. And the tragedy may be that he has created a league that will bring his career to an end in one fell swoop, in front of millions. Telling the story of a generational talent and the way he has revolutionized the game, Gare Joyce will also bring into focus crucial questions about the way the game is played today, assessing fighting and concussions in the light of the way these issues impinge on arguably the greatest player ever to skate.

Will a deep appreciation of wisdom lead to more happiness, flourishing, and success in life? Why is America increasingly plagued by tribalism, elitism, materialism, and ME-ism? What do philosophy, psychology, and personal growth have to say about wisdom? Are the Bible and other religious texts legitimate and useful sources of human wisdom? Though powerful and beautiful, philosophy has typically discouraged many readers who find it difficult, abstract, and boring. Moreover, modern psychology and age-old personal growth principles are given a bad name by many social media personalities who oversimplify them in an effort to make money. What is wisdom, how can it help me, and is this book authentic, reliable and useful ? Four-time author Jason Merchey believes wisdom can be developed and acquired, and improving your understanding of wisdom will certainly lead to living a better life! Wisdom is one of humankind's oldest and most prized virtues, yet it is not much respected nowadays. . . This new book has the potential to assist readers to live a life that harnesses the power of philosophy, critical thinking, and applied psychology. These secular sources of wisdom are not as complicated as they may seem, and indeed are road maps to a better life. Greater wisdom leads to improved personal growth, happiness, and success. Wisdom is not simple or plug-and-play, but it will yield its secrets to those who love it. In fact, the word philosophy is Greek for “the love of wisdom.” Wisdom is a comprehensive, transparent exploration of ancient and intriguing concepts combined with critical thinking, compassion, and other aspects of wisdom. Brimming with examples of psychological principles, careful analysis, and insightful quotes from many cultures and civilizations, it provides a basis for authentic intellectual, emotional, spiritual and moral growth. The author deftly combines digestible psychological research findings, compelling personal stories, and useful quotations about wisdom. Anyone aiming to build a life of value—one that yields purpose and happiness—should consider wisdom to be their basis. Wisdom has been one of humanity's highest aspirations for millennia. Jason Merchey has dealt with mental illness most of his life, but also earned a master's degree in clinical psychology and trained as a psychotherapist. No stranger to “the big questions” and the difficulty of life, he has studied wisdom, values and virtues for twenty years. In addition to personal benefits, this book sheds light on some of America’s significant social problems. The great philosopher Socrates himself knew that ancient Athens, Greece was in serious trouble. If we were all wiser and we had more enlightened and humane priorities, many of the problems that mark communities and nations would give way to more love, fellowship, and prosperity. This deep and eclectic book is full of ideas and insights that will assist you to: * Discover and prioritize wisdom in your personal life and relationships * Achieve greater fulfillment, happiness and self-confidence * Bring about true success based on self-knowledge and values * Make a positive difference in your community—and the world as a whole One cannot buy wisdom per se, but investing in this affordable book provides a refreshing opportunity for self-improvement and intellectual growth. It has the potential to assist you to make wisdom your greatest strength!

Fifth grade comes to a buzzer beater worthy end for two best friends in this illustrated middle grade novel—the fourth and final book in the funny and engaging Rip and Red series. It’s fifth-grade graduation time for Rip and Red, and as part of the celebration, an exhibition basketball team is paying a visit. There are other surprises in store, but before the boys and their classmates can participate, they need to finish their schoolwork, which includes taking a newly required standardized test. As the students of Room 208 begin to question the need to take the test, a mini opt-out campaign gains momentum, putting all sorts of things in jeopardy for the kids and their teacher Mr. Acevedo. But luckily for Rip, Red, and their friends, when you stand up for what you believe in, the people you’ve touched along the way will rally to your corner—in ways that will surprise you. With an energetic and authentic story from author Phil Bildner and dynamic black-and-white illustrations from Tim Probert, Most Valuable Players is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and an array of kid-friendly discussable topics, this series is perfect for reluctant readers and in-class or independent reading. Don’t miss any of Rip and Red’s adventures for elementary and middle school readers ages 8-12: ● A Whole New Ballgame ● Rookie of the Year ● Tournament of Champions ● Most Valuable Players