Gero may be a master assassin, but he’s not exactly killing it in the romance department! Can marriage swindler Kinosaki help him find true love? Poison Master Hikaru Gero is about to take on his most challenging assignment yet—getting married! But after training his entire life to become one of the world’s deadliest assassins, Gero couldn’t be more clueless when it comes to the art of dating. Thankfully, marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki knows everything there is to know about love, and together, this unlikely pair is going to do whatever it takes to get Gero hitched—even if they have to take on the entire criminal underworld in the process! Hikaru Gero is an assassin from a centuries-old clan of poison masters. Considering his less-than-honest occupation and complete lack of experience with women, he’s never considered himself marriage material—that is, until the family orders his sister to produce the poison clan’s next heir in his place. That’s when Gero comes across his next target, Mei Kinosaki, a marriage swindler! Refusing to let his sister abandon her own chance at true love with her girlfriend, Gero enlists Kinosaki’s services in matchmaking. Does Kinosaki have what it takes to turn this trained killer into a charming husband-to-be?

Gero may be a master assassin, but he’s not exactly killing it in the romance department! Can marriage swindler Kinosaki help him find true love? Poison Master Hikaru Gero is about to take on his most challenging assignment yet—getting married! But after training his entire life to become one of the world’s deadliest assassins, Gero couldn’t be more clueless when it comes to the art of dating. Thankfully, marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki knows everything there is to know about love, and together, this unlikely pair is going to do whatever it takes to get Gero hitched—even if they have to take on the entire criminal underworld in the process! After assessing Gero’s romantic qualities (or lack thereof), Kinosaki decides the best strategy to find Gero a wife is to use his impressive talents as an assassin instead! Together they respond to a job listing to rescue Himekawa, an art thief who’s been taken hostage—but with a Water Master now standing in their way, their plan takes a turn for the worse! Can Gero win this fierce battle of poison vs. water and take his first step toward marital bliss?

With a new introduction, this collection of Japanese ghost stories brings together fantastic tales of vengeful spirits, mountain-dwelling phantoms, man-eating oni, haunted trees, and child-rearing ghosts, with stories such as Yuki-Onna, Hoichi the Earless, The Ghost of O-Kiku from The Bancho Sarayashiki, the sorry tale of O-Iwa from the Yotsuya Kaidan, The Peony Lantern and The Ghost Who Bought Candy. Japan has a long and ancient custom of sharing stories of the supernatural, brought to fashionable prominence in the Kaidan literature of the Edo period, now presented here for the modern reader. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

The next instalment in the 'Star Wars' franchise. Rebel Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his friends continue to battle evil in the form of the decadent galactic empire, headed by Jedi-gone-bad Darth Vader (Dave Prowse, with the voice of James Earl Jones), as the ruthless Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) sets plans in motion to build a second Death Star with the purpose of destroying the Rebel Alliance.

In this sequel to 'Star Wars Episode I: A New Hope' (1977), the Rebel Alliance flees the power of Darth Vader (Dave Prowse) once again and finds refuge on the frozen planet of Hoth, but their safe place does not stay safe for long. The all-star cast also includes Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Anakin Skywalker, a boy with special powers, is unaware that the journey he is beginning will transform him into the evil Darth Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi, is a determined young apprentice and Palpatine, well know as the evil Emperor, is an ambitious Senator in the Galactic Republic. It is a time when the Jedi Knights are the guardians of Peace in a turbulent galaxy and a young Queen fights to save her people. In the shadows lurks an evil force waiting for the right moment to strike.

Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones
Anakin Skywalker has grown into an accomplished Jedi apprentice, and he faces his most difficult challenge yet as he must choose between his Jedi duty and forbidden love. Relive the adventure the way it was meant to be seen in spectacular digital clarity, including the climatic Clone War battle and Jedi Master Yoda in the ultimate lightsaber duel. Discover how Episode II unlocks the secrets of the entire Star Wars saga...

Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith
Torn between loyalty to his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the seductive powers of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker ultimately turns his back on the Jedi, thus completing his journey to the dark side and his transformation into Darth Vader. Experience the breathtaking scope of the final chapter in spectacular digital clarity and relive all the epic battles including the final climactic lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan.

This record-breaking global blockbuster was the first new instalment in the Star Wars serial for 16 years, and recounts the events which occured a generation before the original Star Wars film: 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' (1977). Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) have embarked upon a diplomatic mission to the planet Naboo, intending to open discussions between the planet's leaders and the heads of the Trade Federation. But when they are ambushed by Federation robots, they quickly realise that the negotiations are merely a decoy for a hostile invasion organised by the evil Sith master. Joining forces with Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) and the Naboo Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman), the Jedis manage to escape from Naboo and journey to the trade planet of Tatooine, where Qui-Gon meets a young slave boy named Anakin (Jake Lloyd), whom he identifies as a potentially powerful Jedi.

The first three Star Wars films reworked as creator George Lucas intended. Using state-of-the-art technology, Lucas and his team cleaned up the prints, updated the special effects and added new footage.

Originally released before 'Episode I - The Phantom Menace' (1999) the films have been renamed to fit in with Lucas's original vision. The story follows the adventures of a band of fearless rebels who try to take on the might of the awesome Empire, led by the evil Emperor and Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader (Dave Prowse). Throughout their quest, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) meet terrifying foes, new allies and bizarre creatures.

In 'Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope' (1977), on discovering a secret hidden inside a droid that his family have bought, young farmhand Luke Skywalker becomes involved in a battle between the forces of light and the evil Empire. Along the way he meets up with a Jedi Knight (Alec Guinness), a roguish space pilot, a beautiful princess and an evil tyrant.

In 'Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), after the destruction of the Death Star, the rebels led by Luke and Leia are on the run from the vengeful Empire. Holed up on an inhospitable ice planet, they are soon discovered and must flee across the galaxy. Luke decides to visit an old Jedi Knight while Han and Leia become involved in a game of cat and mouse with Vader and a host of bounty hunters led by Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch). In 'Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi' (1983), with Han being held captive by Jabba the Hutt (voice of Larry Ward), his friends Luke, Leia, Lando (Billy Dee Williams), Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO plan a rescue mission. Then the intrepid group must make another assault on the new, more powerful Death Star and Luke must face his destiny in the shape of Darth Vader and the Emperor.

Forget Godzilla. Forget the giant beasties karate-chopped into oblivion by endless incarnations of Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and the Power Rangers. Forget Sadako from 'The Ring' and that creepy all-white kid from 'The Grudge.' Forget everything you know about tales of terror before reaching for this book.
"Yokai Attack " is a nightmare-inducing one-stop guide to Japan's traditional creepy-crawlies. Yokai are ethereal sorts of beings, like ghosts, nearly always encountered at night; everyone has their own take on how they might look in real life and what sorts of specific characteristics and abilities they might have. This book is the result of long hours spent poring over data and descriptions from a variety of sources, including microfilms of eighteenth-century illustrations from the national Diet Library in Tokyo, in order to bring you detailed information on almost 50 of these amazing creatures for the first time in English.
Illustrations, created by the talented Tatsuya Morino, detail the potential appearance of each yokai. Alongside each illustration is a series of "data points," with each yokai's important features at a glance--especially handy for any potential close encounters.
"Yokai Attack " will surely convince you that Japan's tradition of fascinating monsters is a long one--yet far from being history.

Ninja Attack! introduces dozens of unforgettable real-life ninja straight out of the annals of Japanese history--many of whom are all but unknown outside their home country. Ninja masters. Solo assassins and operatives. Femme fatales as deadly as they were beautiful. Swordfighters out of legend. And the Shogun and warlords who commanded them. Each individual in this graphic novel is profiled with a full-page manga-style drawing and a dossier brimming with top-secret information, including photos, anecdotes, and dramatic stories of the individuals in action. The book covers ninja clothing styles, the types of weapons that were used, ninja tools, ninja tricks of the trade, and the basics of the ninja diet. It also includes a do-it-yourself tour of ninja related spots in modern Tokyo. Ninja Attack! is everything you always wanted to know about ninja but were too afraid you'd get a shuriken in the eye to ask. Legendary ninja covered in this book include: Prince Shotoku Mochizuki Chiyojo Hattori Hanzo Matsuo Basho Mamiya Rinzo Jiraiya Book 2 of 3 in the Yokai Attack! series. Others include Yokai Attack! and Yurei Attack!.

Bridge Engineering: Classifications, Design Loading, and Analysis Methods begins with a clear and concise exposition of theory and practice of bridge engineering, design and planning, materials and construction, loads and load distribution, and deck systems. This is followed by chapters concerning applications for bridges, such as: Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Bridges, Steel Bridges, Truss Bridges, Arch Bridges, Cable Stayed Bridges, Suspension Bridges, Bridge Piers, and Bridge Substructures. In addition, the book addresses issues commonly found in inspection, monitoring, repair, strengthening, and replacement of bridge structures.

Starting and growing a small business is a challenge in any economy. Faced with the environment of the last several years, every entrepreneur needs an edge. "Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success" gives an entrepreneur that edge. No matter where a small business is in its growth cycle - startup, growth or near exit - the "Secrets" provide "to-the-point" advice and easily implementable solutions for key issues entrepreneurs face, every day. The book is authored by Lonnie Sciambi, "The Entrepreneur's Yoda," a veteran of more than 30 years in the entrepreneurial trenches as a founder, CEO, turnaround specialist and advisor to small businesses. His "Secrets' are delivered with equal parts experience, candor and humor that makes them impactful and not easily forgotten. The "Secrets" are focused around critical functional areas to help get a startup on the path to success "right out of the chute " They explain why partners and advisors are, often, as important as strategies and plans. The "Secrets" show how an entrepreneur's success begins and ends with marketing and sales and why it's so critical to "love" your customer and how to make them love you back. They show how the culture you create should reflect your values and provide an environment for employees to thrive. The "Secrets" answer the key questions why cash, how to generate it, manage it and raise it, are second only to breathing for an entrepreneur. They will describe unique ways to continue grow top and bottom line, over time, and then how to develop an "end game" and assist you to, ultimately, monetize all of your efforts. In each chapter, there are anecdotal stories from real-life situations that "The Entrepreneur's Yoda" faced in his multi-faceted career that entrepreneurs and small business owners can relate to and help them apply the lessons to their businesses today.

Check the author's blog at: http: //kongtcheu.blogspot.com/ for more explanations, insights & relevance to current affairs Introductory material on BICs is available at: http: //knol.google.com/k/phil-kongtcheu/introduction-to-basis-instruments/ This volume introduces the reader to the proto-probabilistic concept of BICs, a new paradigm in dynamic systems and decision sciences analysis in the most appropriate framework of financial derivatives. Globally, the major contribution of this book is the analytic framework it introduces, develops and the rationale behind it. It represents a major departure from the stochastic process approach as major tool for randomly fluctuating systems analysis of the past century. This approach widens the scope of analysis while at the same time practically simplifying real life problems.

Yurei Attack! is a nightmare-inducing one-stop guide to Japan's traditional ghosts and spirits. Surviving encounters with angry ghosts and sexy specters. Haunted places. Dangerous games and how to play them. And more importantly, a guided tour of what awaits in the world of the dead. Yurei is the Japanese word for "ghost." It's as simple as that. They are the souls of dead people, unable--or unwilling--to shuffle off this mortal coil. Yurei are many things, but "friendly" isn't the first word that comes to mind. Not every yurei is dangerous, but they are all driven by emotions so uncontrollably powerful that they have taken on a life of their own: rage, sadness, devotion, a desire for revenge, or even the firm belief that they are still alive. This book, the third in the authors' bestselling Attack! series, after Yokai Attack! and Ninja Attack! gives detailed information on 39 of the creepiest yurei stalking Japan, along with detailed histories and defensive tactics should you have the misfortune to encounter one. Japanese ghosts include: Oiwa, The Horror of Yotsuya Otsuyu, The Tale of the Peony Lantern The Lady Rokujo, The Tale of Genji Isora, Tales of Moonlight and Rain Orui, The Depths of Kasane Book 3 of 3 in the Yokai Attack! series. Others include Ninja Attack! and Yokai Attack!.

Boldly challenging traditional understandings of Heian literature, Tomiko Yoda reveals the connections between gender, nationalism, and cultural representation evident in prevailing interpretations of classic Heian texts. Renowned for the wealth and sophistication of women's writing, the literature of the Heian period (794-1192) has long been considered central to the Japanese literary canon and Japanese national identity. Yoda historicizes claims about the inherent femininity of this literature by revisiting key moments in the history of Japanese literary scholarship from the eighteenth century to the present. She argues that by foregrounding women's voices in Heian literature, the discipline has repeatedly enacted the problematic modernizing gesture in which the "feminine" is recognized, canceled, and then contained within a national framework articulated in masculine terms.

Moving back and forth between a critique of modern discourses on Heian literature and close analyses of the Heian texts themselves, Yoda sheds light on some of the most persistent interpretive models underwriting Japanese literary studies, particularly the modern paradigm of a masculine national subject. She proposes new directions for disciplinary critique and suggests that historicized understandings of premodern texts offer significant insights into contemporary feminist theories of subjectivity and agency.

Roughly a decade has passed since the bursting of Japan's bubble economy, and despite some intermittent signs of recovery, the nation's economic downturn that began in the early 1990s continues in the present. This special issue of South Atlantic Quarterly, "Millennial Japan," was conceived as an attempt to take stock of the so-called Heisei recession in terms of its construction as a moment of major historical transition. The articles collected here examine the discourse surrounding the recession and the ways this discourse has influenced the production of scholarship on Japan.