Fantasy adventure directed by Sam Raimi. Acting as a prequel to the much-loved classic 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939), the film explores how the titular hero, Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a largely unsuccessful circus magician in Kansas, may have found his way to the Land of Oz and his early days in the magical realm. Seeing his new home as a world of opportunity, Oz firmly believes his luck has changed for the better when he is introduced to three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who suggest that he is destined for greatness beyond his imagination. However, before Oscar can realise his true potential, he must journey through Oz and come face-to-face with the problems that haunt the fantastic land.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

A brand new revised edition of the best-selling graphic novel based on the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings. First published in 1990, David Wenzel’s comic book adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was an immediate success and has become one of the best-loved graphic novels of the last 25 years. The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and contented hobbit whose life is turned upside down when he joins the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves on their quest to reclaim their stolen treasure. It is a journey fraught with danger – and in the end it is Bilbo alone who must face the guardian of this treasure, the most-dreaded dragon, Smaug. Illustrated and hand painted in full colour throughout, and accompanied by the carefully abridged text of the original novel, this handsome authorised edition will introduce new generations to a magical masterpiece – and be treasured by Hobbit fans of all ages, everywhere. This new edition has been completely re-scanned from the original paintings to achieve more accurate and vibrant colours, with David Wenzel revisiting the work to provide sensitive improvements and additions to the original edition. The book includes a magnificent and completely new cover design by Wenzel himself.

Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco return to reprise their roles as criminal illusionists in this comedy crime drama. A year on from their last daring heist, The Four Horsemen emerge from hiding to expose the unethical practices of a corrupt tech magnate. Unfortunately for them, they instead find themselves blackmailed into stealing a powerful piece of technology by businessman Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe). Their quest to steal the decrypting device known as 'The Stick' takes magicians Danny (Eisenberg), Merritt (Harrelson), Jack (Franco) and their new partner Lula (Lizzy Caplan) across the globe as they try to pull off another elaborate life-or-death illusion, with help from their FBI insider Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo). The cast also includes Morgan Freeman, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan and Michael Caine.

The "Collected Critical Heritage II" comprises 40 volumes covering 19th and 20th century European and American authors. These volumes will be available as a complete set, mini boxes sets (by theme) or as individual volumes. This second set compliments the first 68 volume set of "Critical Heritage" published by Routledge in October 1995. The "Critical Heritage" series gathers together a large body of critical figures in literature. These selected sources include contemporary reviews from both popular and literary media. This first volume of a set covers the works of Irish writer, James Joyce between 1907-1927.

The name W. Edwards Deming is synonymous with the most insightful views, ideas, and commentary on management and quality control. Referred to as "the high prophet of quality" by the "New York Times," Deming was instrumental in the spectacular rise of Japanese industry after World War II and influenced many of the world's most innovative managers in the ensuing decades. His original ideas led directly to the creation of relationships with suppliers and a plethora of quality initiatives.

Now, with "The Essential Deming," Fordham University professor and Deming expert Joyce Orsini draws on a wealth of previously unavailable material to present the legendary thinker's most important management principles in one indispensable volume.

The book is filled with articles, papers, lectures, and notes touching on a wide range of topics, but which focus on Deming's overriding message: quality and operations are all about systems, not individual performance; the system has to be designed so that the worker can perform well.

"The Essential Deming" reveals Deming's unique insight about: How poor management infects an entire organization The critical importance of management on producing quality products and services Improving management in any company The effective management of people--the manager's single most important task How to educate workers into critical thinkers Ways to preserve statistical integrity while dealing with real-world problems

Fully authorized by the Deming estate and published in cooperation with The W. Edwards Deming Institute, "The Essential Deming" is the first book to distill Deming's life's worth of thinking and writing into a single source. Orsini provides expert commentary throughout, delivering a powerful, practical guide to superior management. With The Essential Deming, you have the rationale, insight, and best practices you need to transform your organization.

""To move from the wilderness of news into the paths of history, we must distinguish true turning points from mistaken ones. W. Edwards Deming has seen the future and it works. He is a turning point of business history made flesh."" -- U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

""I engaged Dr. Deming to assist Ford in planning, developing, and implementing the plans to accomplish major improvement in the way people worked together and in the quality of our products. . . . Ford achieved major success in this effort, and I consider Ed Deming to have been a key element in our progress."" -- DONALD E. PETERSEN, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company

""It can be said of very few that they changed the way the world thinks, but Dr. Deming is among them. . . . The legacy of Dr. Deming's genius, already immense, grows even larger with this new collection of his thoughts."" -- DONALD M. BERWICK, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

""Toyota Motor Corporation was awarded a Deming Prize in 1965. This laid the foundations for the present growth of our company. I do believe the ideas and theories of Dr. Deming emphasizing the importance of quality control are very useful for people of all ages."" -- TATSURO TOYODA, Senior Advisor, Toyota Motor Corporation

""Few rival W. Edwards Deming for impact on management in the twentieth century. Indeed, Deming and Drucker, to my mind, stand apart for the breadth and depth of their vision for management as a profession that truly might help realize the possibility of people working together at their best. . . . The publication of this expansive edition of Deming in Deming's own words is a seminal event."" -- PETER M. SENGE, MIT and the Society for Organizational Learning

An Island in the Stream, a collaboration between Cuban and American writers and scholars, is a diverse collection of ecocritical and literary responses to the natural environment in Cuba and to Cuban environmental culture. The chapters explore Cuba's vibrant cultural history with particular attention to literature and the visual and performing arts, which are viewed through such lenses as ecofeminism, postcolonial ecocriticism, multiculturalism, and the nuclear imaginary, among others. American environmentalists have long viewed modern Cuba as a model of progressive environmental thinking. In the 1990s, the Cuban government made sustainability a centerpiece of national policy initiatives. This book explores some of the historical foundations of contemporary sustainability efforts in Cuba, while also describing the current environmental situation in that part of the world. From Jose Marti to Excilia Saldana, from Antonio Nunez Jimenez to Lydia Cabrera, the chapters here aim to provide a starting point for others who wish to learn about Cuban environmental thought. The conjunction of scholarly and creative work is a gesture toward the interdependence of humanities research and artistic expression, both of which seek to encourage environmental and cultural mindfulness and sensitivity.

The volume provides a collection of research papers elucidating the concept of crisis from a multidisciplinary standpoint. The authors, all academicians of Hakkari University's (HU) Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, discuss the concept of crisis in the context of different case studies.

This book presents an invaluable selection of sermons and theological treatises of the twelfth century author, Isaac of Stella. The English born abbot of the French Cistercian monastery of Stella on the Isle of Re is one of the most inspiring, yet equally elusive, representatives of the great twelfth-century Cistercian Renaissance more widely associated with the person of Bernard of Clairvaux. The astonishing spiritual and intellectual depth of Isaac's surviving writings makes him a valuable read for anyone aiming to receive a complete picture of the intellectual heritage of the Middle Ages. Of the twenty-five sermons by Isaac presented in this volume, ten are made available here in an English translation for the first time. These are accompanied with two new studies examining Isaac of Stella's work from an historical, literary as well as theological perspective.

The 2008 global economic crisis resulted in many new changes in global economic governance, multilateral trading system, the Group20 major economies, regional economic cooperation and other international governance platforms. Countries around the world have begun a complex battle to make sure rules are changed in their favor. Furthermore, rule reconstruction has a definite and profound impact on the international economic situation and national trade interests. This book by Former Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, aims to highlight the focal issues of the competition and negotiations with a panoramic depiction of the complicated state of international economic and trade rule reconstruction.The chapters in the book discuss rules of global governance, reflect on the crisis rarely seen in the past century, and raise the proposition of rule reconstruction. They also focus on multilateral trading system, regional economic cooperation and related international financial rules. Detailed deliberations on various kinds of trade rules including rules of services trade, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, international development cooperation, etc are also dealt with. Lastly, the book provides an outlook on the path, direction and key issues of international economic rule reconstruction, and offers recommendations on China's engagement.

The 2008 global economic crisis resulted in many new changes in global economic governance, multilateral trading system, the Group20 major economies, regional economic cooperation and other international governance platforms. Countries around the world have begun a complex battle to make sure rules are changed in their favor. Furthermore, rule reconstruction has a definite and profound impact on the international economic situation and national trade interests. This book by Former Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, aims to highlight the focal issues of the competition and negotiations with a panoramic depiction of the complicated state of international economic and trade rule reconstruction.The chapters in the book discuss rules of global governance, reflect on the crisis rarely seen in the past century, and raise the proposition of rule reconstruction. They also focus on multilateral trading system, regional economic cooperation and related international financial rules. Detailed deliberations on various kinds of trade rules including rules of services trade, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, international development cooperation, etc are also dealt with. Lastly, the book provides an outlook on the path, direction and key issues of international economic rule reconstruction, and offers recommendations on China's engagement.

There exists a strong tendency within Western literary criticism to either deny the existence of epics in Africa or to see African literatures as exotic copies of European originals. In both cases, Western criticism has largely failed to acknowledge the distinctiveness of African literary aesthetics. This book revises traditional literary canons in examining the social, cultural and emotional specificity of African epics. Mariam Konate Deme highlights the distinguishing features that characterize the African epic, emphasizing the significance of the fantastic and its use as an essential element in the dramatic structure of African epics. As Deme notes, the fantastic can be fully appreciated only against the cosmological background of the societies that produce those heroic tales. This book not only contributes to the scholarship on African oral literature, but also adds reshapes our understanding of heroic literature in general.

There exists a strong tendency within Western literary criticism to either deny the existence of epics in Africa or to see African literatures as exotic copies of European originals. In both cases, Western criticism has largely failed to acknowledge the distinctiveness of African literary aesthetics. This book revises traditional literary canons in examining the social, cultural and emotional specificity of African epics. Mariam Konate Deme highlights the distinguishing features that characterize the African epic, emphasizing the significance of the fantastic and its use as an essential element in the dramatic structure of African epics. As Deme notes, the fantastic can be fully appreciated only against the cosmological background of the societies that produce those heroic tales. This book not only contributes to the scholarship on African oral literature, but also adds reshapes our understanding of heroic literature in general.

This set comprises 40 volumes covering nineteenth and twentieth century European and American authors. These volumes will be available as a complete set, mini boxed sets (by theme) or as individual volumes.
This second set compliments the first 68 volume set of Critical Heritage published by Routledge in October 1995.

This set comprises 40 volumes covering nineteenth and twentieth century European and American authors. These volumes will be available as a complete set, mini boxed sets (by theme) or as individual volumes.
This second set compliments the first 68 volume set of Critical Heritage published by Routledge in October 1995.

This book presents an invaluable selection of sermons and theological treatises of the twelfth century author, Isaac of Stella. The English born abbot of the French Cistercian monastery of Stella on the Isle of Re is one of the most inspiring, yet equally elusive, representatives of the great twelfth-century Cistercian Renaissance more widely associated with the person of Bernard of Clairvaux. The astonishing spiritual and intellectual depth of Isaac's surviving writings makes him a valuable read for anyone aiming to receive a complete picture of the intellectual heritage of the Middle Ages.Of the twenty-five sermons by Isaac presented in this volume, ten are made available here in an English translation for the first time. These are accompanied with two new studies examining Isaac of Stella's work from an historical, literary as well as theological perspective."

The "Collected Critical Heritage II" comprises 40 volumes covering 19th and 20th century European and American authors. These volumes will be available as a complete set, mini boxes sets (by theme) or as individual volumes. This second set compliments the first 68 volume set of "Critical Heritage" published by Routledge in October 1995. The "Critical Heritage" series gathers together a large body of critical figures in literature. These selected sources include contemporary reviews from both popular and literary media. This volume covers the Irish writer, James Joyce.

Pediatric Life Care Planning and Case Management provides a comprehensive and unique reference that goes beyond the clinical discussion to include legal and financial aspects, life expectancy data, and assistive technology. It also includes case samples of actual plans related to specific conditions. The book is divided into five parts: Normal Growth and Development of Children describes the normal growth and development and the cognitive and psychosocial development of children. The Roles of the Life Care Plan Team details the roles of members of a life care plan team, from the pediatric care manager and life care planner to the vocational rehabilitation consultant, among others. Chronic Conditions and Disability States offers guidelines for life care planning for children with a wide range of chronic health conditions and disabilities, including traumatic injuries and organ transplants. Forensic Considerations examines life care planning in legal cases, life expectancy issues, and life care plan foundation strategies and requirements. Special Issues discusses assistive technology, medical homes, funding sources, and ethical issues in caring for children with special needs-including a mother's perspective on caring for her son. With contributions from highly respected professionals, this text provides a guide for life care planners, health-care professionals, education specialists, insurance decision makers, attorneys, and families who work with children with special health-care needs.

An Island in the Stream, a collaboration between Cuban and American writers and scholars, is a diverse collection of ecocritical and literary responses to the natural environment in Cuba and to Cuban environmental culture. The essays explore Cuba's vibrant cultural history with particular attention to literature and the visual and performing arts, which are viewed through such lenses as ecofeminism, postcolonial ecocriticism, multiculturalism, and the nuclear imaginary, among others. American environmentalists have long viewed modern Cuba as a model of progressive environmental thinking. In the 1990s, the Cuban government made sustainability a centerpiece of national policy initiatives. This book explores some of the historical foundations of contemporary sustainability efforts in Cuba, while also describing the contemporary environmental situation in that part of the world. From Jose Marti to Excilia Saldana, from Antonio Nunez Jimenez to Lydia Cabrera, the articles here aim to provide a starting point for others who wish to learn about Cuban environmental thought. The conjunction of scholarly and creative work is a gesture toward the interdependence of humanities research and artistic expression, both of which seek to encourage environmental and cultural mindfulness and sensitivity.