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The Inquisitor: Sometimes the Truth Can be Torture
An extraordinary debut thriller with a fascinating premise, set in a world where torture has become a valuable tool and a business that specialises in it can thrive Geiger's business is extracting information. A meticulous torturer, his methods range from the brutal to the psychologically complex, and he will stop at nothing to get the job done. His clients are referred to him from international corporations, government agencies and organised crime; his skills are in worldwide demand. He calls his company Information Retrieval. Geiger only has one rule: that he will never work on a child. So when a client presents Geiger with a twelve-year-old boy, his instinct is to walk away. But the alternative - the unknown horror that might await the boy elsewhere - is too awful for him to contemplate. Geiger's history is a blank page - even to him. In accepting this assignment in an attempt to save the boy, he will discover that history, no matter how torturous that proves to be . About the Author Before writing his first novel, Mark Allen Smith spent ten years as a television investigative news producer and documentary producer-director, and over twenty years as a screenwriter. He lives in New York City with his partner and three children.
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I, Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett takes down a notorious drug kingpin and becomes his no. 1 target Detective Michael Bennett arrests infamous South American crime lord Manuel Perrine in a deadly chase that leaves Bennetts lifelong friend Hughie McDonough dead. From jail, the prisoner vows to rain terror down upon New York City - and to get revenge on Michael Bennett. Perrine's men create chaos: police officers are shot, judges murdered. As Bennett is engulfed in the struggle against this widening organised violence, he realises that not only is he being targetted, the lives of everyone he loves are under threat. About the Author JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past decade - the Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club and Detective Michael Bennett novels - and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. He lives in Florida with his wife and son. James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books specifically for young readers. James has formed a partnership with the National Literacy Trust, an independent, UK-based charity that changes lives through literacy. In 2010, he was voted Author of the Year at the Children's Choice Book Awards in New York.
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Tamas
Tamas drove the point home that ordinary people want to live in peace’ —The Guardian Set in a small-town frontier province in 1947, just before Partition, Tamas tells the story of a sweeper named Nathu who is bribed and deceived by a local Muslim politician to kill a pig, ostensibly for a veterinarian. The following morning, the carcass is discovered on the steps of the mosque and the town, already tension-ridden, erupts. Enraged Muslims massacre scores of Hindus and Sikhs, who, in turn, kill every Muslim they can find. Finally, the area’s British administrators call out the army to prevent further violence. The killings stop but nothing can erase the awful memories from the minds of the survivors, nor will the various communities ever trust one another again. The events described in Tamas are based on true accounts of the riots of 1947 that Sahni was a witness to in Rawalpindi, and this new and sensitive translation by the author himself resurrects chilling memories of the consequences of communalism which are of immense relevance even today. About the Author Bhisham Sahni (1915–2003) was born into a devout Arya Samaj family in Rawalpindi. He earned a master’s degree in English literature from Government College, Lahore. Upon his return to Rawalpindi, he joined his father’s import business and also began teaching, staging plays, writing stories and becoming involved in the activities of the IndianNational Congress. He later earned a PhD from Punjab University. After Partition, he and his family settled in Delhi, where he was a lecturer at a Delhi University college and took to writing more earnestly. His first collection of short stories, Bhagya Rekha (Line of Fate), was published in 1953. In 1957 Sahni moved to Moscow, during which time he translated several Russian books into Hindi, notably some works of Leo Tolstoy. He returned to Delhi in 1963 to resume teaching. He edited the literary journal Nai Kahaniyan from 1965 to 1967. Sahni was a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Tamas in 1976. He also received the Distinguished Writer Award of the Punjab government, the Lotus Award from the Afro-Asian Writers’ Association and the Sovietland Nehru Award. His writings include seven novels, nine collections of short stories, six plays and a biography of his brother, the actor and writer Balraj Sahni. Many of his books have been translated into numerous foreign and most major Indian languages. In 1998 he was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad and the Padma Bhushan. In 1999 he received the Shlaka Award, the highest literary award from the Delhi government.
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Chicken Soup for the Soul-101Stories To Open The H
Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers team up to share recipes for spiritual healing--stories that represent the prime ingredients of what is possible, that warm the heart, delight the spirit, and confirm our right to be more fully human. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers share the very best of their collected stories and favorite tales that have touched the hearts of people everywhere. Canfield and Hansen bring you wit and wisdom, hope and empowerment to buoy you up through life's dark moments.
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Guru Nanak : Spiritual Masters Series
India is blessed with a rich spiritual legacy.Many great masters have arisen here,pursuing different paths in their quest for the Ultimate Truth.Yet their message has always been one of immense tolerance and compassion. Guru Nanak was born in the 15th century during a period of political and religious turmoil in India.Tension between Hindus and Muslims had escalated,leading to a greater polarization of the two religions.Nanak created synthesis of Hinduism and Islam with the belief that God is one.He advocated a casteless society based on truth,brotherhood and equality.He spent twenty three years travelling not only in India but also in Tibet,Ceylon and the Central Asian countries of Arabia,Iraq and Iran,preaching the truth as he had perceived it and showing mankind the path to salvation. This book tells the fascinating story of a unique messiah who showed a gentle,peaceful path to God-realization.The world has far greater need of Nanak's message and teachings now than ever before.
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Spiritual Masters : Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth's life on earth left a larger mark on Western history than that of any other man or woman. Why is this so? He lived two thousand years ago, he wrote nothing himself; in fact, everything we know "officially" about him is contained in about hundred often redundant and occasionally contradictory pages. He seems to have been on the record for approximately three years of his life, from the age of about thirty until he was killed, aged about thirty three. But what he taught in that brief span of time has pervaded Western thought for two thousand years - years that are measured throughout much of the world from the time of his birth, a date that chronologically divides Western history into two parts, Before and After. In this book the remarkable story of Jesus Christ has been narrated in his own words, bringing alive the times and teachings of this great messiah. This book is brought out by the Publisher in The Spiritual Masters Series.
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Women In Hindu Society
In ancient patriarchal societies, the birth of a girl was generally not welcomed. The daughter was considered the weaker sex and did not have an important role to play in family matters. During the Vedic period, as also in the ancient period, the birth of a female child was accepted although a male child was preferred. As time passed, the conditions for a girl in society changed for the worse, eventually leading to the heinous crimes of foeticide and infanticide. Despite the efforts of educationists and social reformers, the status of women has not improved dramatically. Over the years numerous social, constitutional, and legislative measures have been implemented to empower women economically and politically. It is tragic that even in the twenty-first century, rape, dowry deaths, and other crimes against women are rampant. This book studies the status of Hindu women from the Vedic Age to the present, analysing the steps taken to improve their condition. Education and economic empowerment of women alone can bring about positive change and reduce gender bias. A transformation in the attitude of men is necessary if the notion of equality between men and women has to be more than a distant dream.
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Uncrowned King Of Nonsense
Lewis Carroll, the author of two children's classics Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, is lovingly remembered and widely quoted, but very few would associate Carroll (his pen-name) with the Oxford don, Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832–1898). Yet Carroll was but a shadow—a shadow whose substance was C.L. Dodgson. Dodgson taught mathematics at Christ Church, Oxford, for twenty-six years but his twin loves were mathematics and logic on the one hand, and little children on the other. He entertained children, photographed them, and went for outings on the river with them. It was during one such river expedition in 1862 that Alice in Wonderland was born as narrated to a seven-year- old Alice Liddell. When published in 1865, the book made him famous overnight. The success was repeated with its sequel Through the Looking Glass in 1871. Dodgson, a don and a bachelor, was no doubt a genius but he was also an eccentric. One of his illustrators, Harry Furniss, has summed up the man as “a wit, a gentleman, a bore and an egotist—and like Hans Andersen, a spoilt child”. This book explores the life and works of Lewis Carroll, a master of the art of nonsense, who blended logic, mathematics, and poetry into the most glorious absurdity.
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Chronicles Of A Quality Detective
The journey towards zero-defect manufacturing is a long and checkered one. Checkered because some quality defects are tenacious and they persist even after the most sophisticated quality management techniques have been deployed. Most available techniques work within the confines of known cause-effect relationships to identify the root cause of quality problems. But when a problem arises where the root cause lies outside the bounds of known cause-effect relationships, these techniques fail. This book describes the evolution of a technique, called Differential Diagnosis, which charts a dramatic, new path towards diagnosing root causes. It involves deep observation of the problem, emphasizing the absence of phenomena rather than the presence, thus permitting the elimination of a whole range of possible causes. In the process, the area of search is dramatically reduced and the root cause becomes easily identifiable. The book uses case studies that are narrated against a backdrop of a professor-student relationship, making it eminently readable as well as informative. The case studies are drawn from real life applications of the technique by the authors. They are very simply presented, with minimal technical data, making the material accessible to readers from all disciplines. Chronicles of a Quality Detective is "thrilling, amusing, entertaining and most of all, informative," says Mr Masaaki Imai, Founder Chairman of Kaizen Institute, who has also written a foreword to the book. Chronicles of a Quality Detective was released in two successive launches. The first was at the Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Matunga, Mumbai on February 15, 2005. The second was at Crossword, Kemps Corner, Mumbai on March 8th, 2005. Mr. Masaaki Imai addressed the audience, followed by a book-reading and interactive session with the authors.
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Shaheed Bhagat Singh
ook Summary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Bhagat Singh is one of the most well-known revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle. He came from a patriotic and politically-aware family in Punjab and grew up in a strong cultural and political environment. He was deeply influenced by the discussions on political affairs that took place regularly in his house and in which every member of the family, irrespective of age or gender, was encouraged to participate. It was natural, and perhaps inevitable, that this interest in politics would not be limited to discussion but would translate into active participation whenever it was felt necessary. Bhagat Singh studied the European revolutionary movement and was greatly attracted towards socialism. He realised that the overthrow of British rule had to be accompanied by a reconstruction of Indian society with power in the hands of the working class. A firm advocate of justice and equality, he was extremely courageous and patriotic to the core. Determined to free his country from foreign rule, he turned to revolution as the only means to drive away the British. Bhagat Singh was convicted in the Lahore Conspiracy case and hanged on 23 March 1931. A brave young life was sacrificed at the altar of India's freedom struggle.
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Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol
Shiva To Shankara: Decoding The Phallic Symbol, written by Devdutt Pattanaik, is an attempt by the author to reconcile with the differences of opinion regarding the meanings and the varied symbolisms behind the Shiva linga and other practices associated with the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The book dives into the rituals, metaphysics, stories, and symbols associated with Shiva, and deciphers the meanings and references behind the various aspects of Lord Shiva. It differentiates between Shankara, the householder, and Shiva, the hermit. Shiva is often associated with alchemy and asceticism, and there are sexual references, especially in the phallic Linga, that are interpreted in different forms by different schools of Hinduism. The sexual connotations of the Shiva lingam, which is ensconced within the female reproductive organ that is represented by the Yoni, is dealt with in this book. The author, Devdutt Pattanaik, is a respected mythologist and an expert in Hindu mythology. He was born in the year 1970, on December 11, and graduated from a medical school before he took up Comparative Mythology. Pattanaik is well-known for integrating the wisdom from Indian mythology into management practices. He has many books to his credit, including Shiva: An Introduction, 7 Secrets of Shiva, Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades, and The Book Of Ram.
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Miracles Happen: The Transformational Healing Powe
he New York Times bestselling author of Many Lives, Many Masters, Brian Weiss, delivers a powerful revolutionary teaching on the physical, emotional and spiritual healing available to all through embracing the reality of reincarnation. Miracles Happen is a remarkable teaching tool that can be used by all to improve their lives, to evolve along their spiritual paths, to experience more joy, love and happiness in the present moment, and to ultimately understand that there is no need to fear death as we are all immortal and innately spiritual beings; Many Lives, Many Masters. Dr Brian Weiss' conversion from skepticism towards reincarnation to confirmed belief has had a profound effect worldwide. Now Brian's readers complete the cycle as they explain how his works allowed them to understand the 'space between lives'. Each story is used to illustrate practical lessons for how you too can comprehend this revelation and draws upon Brian's and his daughter Amy's practices as past-life regression experts. Our past lives are the key to a blissful, secure future and this book is the ultimate guide from two of its top practitioners.
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River of Smoke
An absolute masterpiece of twenty-first century literature from the master storyteller In 1838, the Ibis, carrying a cargo of convicts and labourers, falls victim to a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Among the survivors are Neel, a pampered raja charged with embezzlement; Paulette, a French orphan masquerading as a deck-hand; and Deeti, a widowed poppy grower fleeing India with her lover. Also caught in the storm is Anahita, owned by the wealthy Parsi merchant Bahram Modi, which holds the largest consignment of opium ever to leave India. And the Redruth, which carries Frederick Penrose, a horticulturist determined to track down China's rare and priceless plants. They will all converge in Canton, on the edge of China, as the Opium War begins to rage.
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The Naive and the Sentimental Novelist
What happens within us when we read a novel? And how does a novel create its unique effects, so distinct from those of a painting, a film, or a poem? In this fascinating set of essays, based on the talks he delivered at Harvard University as part of the distinguished Norton Lecture series, Pamuk presents a masterful theory of the novel. Drawing on Friedrich Schillers famous distinction between nave writers those who write spontaneously and sentimental writers those who are reflective and aware Pamuk reveals two unique ways of processing and composing the written word. He takes us through his own literary journey and looks at the works of writers such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Stendhal, Flaubert, Proust, Mann, and Naipaul to describe the singular experience of reading. Unique, nuanced, and passionate, this book will be beloved by readers and writers alike.
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The Alchemy of Well-Being
Reach your inherent potential, by attuning yourself to you Each one of us wants to achieve excellence in whatever we do, but the first resistance we face may come from within ourselves. We prevent ourselves from doing our best, reaching our intrinsic worth and feeling truly well within. The key to lasting well-being is finding our accordance with self, i.e, removing our internal resistance and acting in harmony with ourselves. But how? Only our original solution (originating from within us) can provide this accordance. This practical guide, based upon nine years of research, with more than four thousand client visits, shows: Why accordance with self is a must for lasting well-being W Why only your original solution provides this accordance for you W Wnd how you build your original solution easily, from inside out
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P.S. I m Pregnant
If her landladys cat hadnt gone missing and Connor Brody had bothered to return her messages asking for help in the search, Daisy Dean wouldnt have been sneaking around his garden at night and he would never have caught her in her underwear! But Connors quite pleased with his scantily clad intruder. His business deal is about to fall through because the trophy wife of a potential US investor fancies him maybe Daisy could make it up to him by accompanying him to NYC? Sharing a Portobello Road market stall with Daisy, Junos been hearing all about Connors brother Mac. A Hollywood actor with a shocking reputation. So when he turns up unexpectedly at a wedding, Juno plans to act all aloof. But the best laid plans often go awry! Suddenly shes front page news and the only place to hide out is Macs LA pad.
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Shadow Bound
After weeks spent paying for betraying the boss she’s bound to, Kori Daniels is done with Jake Tower and his syndicate. But they’re not done with her. Tower has a new task for her--a chance to prove her loyalty--but Kori knows this assignment may be her only chance to free both herself and her sister Kenley. For good. The job? Recruit Ian Holt- or kill him. Ian Holt knows he’s being courted by the Tower syndicate and that Kori’s been sent to reel him in, but he has no intention of actually being caught, by her or the syndicate. Ian is an independent--sworn to serve only himself--and he’s only pretending to be recruitable so he can breach Tower’s practically impregnable security. His goal? Free most of those unwillingly bound to Tower by killing his top Binder, Kenley Daniels--Kori’s little sister. Instantly attracted to each other in spite of opposing goals, both Kori and Ian fight a connection they cannot deny. But when that initial chemistry grows into something stronger and deeper, they’ll be forced to choose between love and liberty--or they can risk everything for the chance to have it all
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The Arsonist
The game has just begun. It’s impossible to douse the fire... Once he solved the Nero case, arson investigator Michael Gannon blasted out of town on his motorcycle. No way would he return to the job, but his nightmares persisted. Gannon found some relief in a small Virginia town...until the fires started again. When evil strikes the match Back in the public eye, he had to face his demons and the incomparable Darcy Sampson, a feisty reporter who urged him out of hiding. But Gannon had to ask himself: What, or who, would it take to push him over the edge?
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UG Says
'I am not a Saviour of mankind. I am not in the holy business. I am only interested in describing this sate (the natural state) in clearing away the occultation and mystification in which those people in the holy business have shrouded the whole thing. May be I can convince you not to waste a lot of time and energy looking for a state which does not exist except in your imagination.' U.G. Krishnamurti. This,in a nutshell,explains U.G. Krishnamurti's philosophy in his own words. UG,as he is fondly called died on 22nd March 2007 at the age of eighty nine. This book is a compilation of his quotes,compiled by Arun Babani. An excellent handy book both for the admirers and the curious.