The Taotie Image in Chinese Art, Culture, and Cosmology. The taotie, also known as the "beast mask," is the most distinctive feature of Shang dynasty art. It is a fascinating motif in Chinese art and, for centuries, has inspired curiosity as to its meaning. In this book, cultural scholar, Dave Alber, explores the many meanings of the taotie image. What was the meaning of the taotie among traditional Chinese art historians? What is the taotie's influence in Chinese art history? What is the most probable cultural origin of the taotie? What function did the taotie image serve in Shang dynasty cosmology and psychology? What is the Pan-Asian diffusion of the original motif? How does this art motif enrich our experience of Chinese architecture, history, and contemporary music? Dave Alber, MA originally presented the content of this book as a lecture at Henan Polytechnic University (HPU) in Mainland China. The Taotie Image in Chinese Art, Culture, and Cosmology is written in dual-language English and Chinese. Thus, it is a great tool for learning either English or Traditional Chinese. With almost one hundred photographs from Dave Alber's travels in China and Asia, it is also an ideal book for studying Chinese and Pan-Asian art.

50 Idioms That You Absolutely Must Know teaches essential idioms. These "English idioms" are both American and English idioms. The dictionary definition and meaning of these "idiomatic expressions" is presented. Then the English idiom is used in an example. Lots of American slang, American phrases, proverbs, and figures of speech come alive through the brief examples. Examples are useful in business English or regular American life. This short book is written by Dave Alber, English teacher, English pronunciation trainer, Principle at EasyAmericanAccent.com, and creator of "English Idioms: An Idiomatic Journey to the West" and "English For Chinese Speakers: Secret Message From Planet Meiguo."

Chinese English: English for Chinese Speakers gives specific instruction to Chinese English speakers on how to improve English learning. Lessons include: Differences between Chinese and English; Pronunciation; Grammar; and Rhythm and Intonation. English conversational training helps with your English pronunciation in this English course. Learn English with games that make learning fun English for Chinese Speakers has tips for English tests like TOEIC, GEPT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, CET, BEC, SAT, and General English training. This book is written in English and Chinese, so Chinese speakers can read along in their native language. Many people ask, "How to be a native speaker?" The best and fastest way to learn English correctly is to learn the common English errors of Chinese speakers. When you correct these common English mistakes, you will speaking English for success. Learning English and speaking English are now easier with EasyAmericanAccent.com and English for Chinese Speakers. English Teacher, Dave Alber, MA, presents an easy roadmap for your English learning. This book is written by Dave Alber, English teacher, English pronunciation trainer, Principle at EasyAmericanAccent.com, and creator of The Sound of English: English Pronunciation Practice; "50 Idioms That You Absolutely Must Know; English Idioms: An Idiomatic Journey to the West; The Taotie Image in Chinese Art, Culture, and Cosmology; and English For Chinese Speakers: Secret Message From Planet Meiguo.

English Idioms: An Idiomatic Journey to the West is a book to learn English vocabulary and English idioms. The book is written in English and has a Chinese translation. The Chinese translation of the English text helps Chinese speakers practice English reading. The Chinese story of the Monkey King will further inspire Chinese speakers who are learning English. First, in part 1, you'll focus on the dictionary definition and word origin of idiom. Second, you'll understand idiomatic expressions as English grammar. Idioms often use figurative language: metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia, and oxymoron. You'll examine the sentence structure of English idioms, slang, phrases, and figures of speech. Finally, you'll learn how language is culture. In part 2, idioms are used to explain The Journey to the West, a Classical Chinese adventure. This popular Chinese Ming dynasty book, tells the story of a Tang dynasty monk who travels to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. In Chinese legend, this monk, Xuanzang, meets Sun Wukong, the monkey king. You'll learn the meaning of animal idioms, such as, monkey around, and pig sty. Piggy, Sandy, and the white horse also travel west in this classical Chinese myth. Guan Yin even makes an appearance (in the story and in the English class) before the end of the journey at Xi'an. In this idiomatic 2013, Journey to the West and Monkey King book, you'll learn American pronunciation from the English coach and trainer, Dave Alber, author of 50 Idioms You Absolutely Must Know; English for Chinese Speakers: Secret Message From Planet Meiguo; and The Sound of English: English Pronunciation Practice. Chinese Translation is by the wonderful Zephyria Wang. You'll get practical English training practicing sentences with idioms. You'll learn new English vocabulary and English phrases. You'll learn English for success You'll get the meaning and definition of a phrase. Often, an idiom's definition or the meaning of a phrase includes an explanation of American slang. English Idioms: An Idiomatic Journey to the West is an American English lesson where you'll travel to both the East and West.

ALIEN SEX IN SILICON VALLEY is the story of Alan Burnett, a schizophrenic Southerner working at a Bay Area company, which he believes is run by extraterrestrials. By now investigating corporate culture, Alan expose ever-widening conspiracies of alien infiltration. However, in discovering that the aliens' chief weapon against humanity is story, he realizes that the fate of human freedom lies in distinguishing human values from extraterrestrial machine values. "Alien Sex in Silicon Valley is a strong novel with insightful political views. Very enjoyable " John Zerzan Author of Twilight of the Machines, Elements of Refusal, Future Primitive: And Other Essays, and Running On Emptiness: The Pathology of Civilization "Dave Alber has written a very funny novel about the ways myths underlie daily life. Alien Sex in Silicon Valley shows how myths influence corporate business culture, the public relations industry-even American nationalism. Terrorism and 9-11 are here. Beyond these is the novelist's apparent hope for laughter as one of the most cleansing programs in the human genome." Dr. William G. Doty Professor & Chair Emeritus, The University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa Author of Mythography: The Study of Myths and Rituals and co-editor of Jacking in to the Matrix Franchise: Cultural Reception and Interpretation "Reminiscent of both Kurt Vonnegut's Player Piano and Daniel Quinn's Ishmael, Alber's well-crafted fiction exposes us to the perversity and ultimate social insanity of today's dominant culture " Doug Brown, Ph. D. Author of Being is Enough and Insatiable Is Not Sustainable "Alien Sex in Silicon Valley takes the reader into a most remarkable experience The reader will find herself or himself taken into a story about being taken into a story. Importantly provocative " David L. Miller, Ph.D. Watson-Ledden Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Syracuse University Author of Three Faces of God, Hells and Holy Ghosts, and Gods and Games