Renowned anthropologist Lewis H. Morgan examines the origins and history of humanity, sharing abundant insights on the conditions of primitive society. Of particular interest to Morgan is the gradual process by which humans organized into civil societies. Examining a range of contrasting civilizations, from the Mayans to the Iroquois to the Romans, the author attempts to arrive at commonalities in how these peoples went from a primitive and barbaric early existence to a relatively civilized height, whereupon their greatest achievements left their mark. For the author, human civilization progressed in three broad stages - savagery, wherein hunter-gatherer behaviors, crude language and inbreeding is prevalent; barbarism, wherein the first centralized settlements and signs of organizational military and political hierarchy appear; and civilization, where humans are at their most organized and capable of great advances in science, wealth, culture and the general well-being of the population.

Inherited disorders of the kidney are becoming important, not only in pediatric nephrological practice, but also in adult nephrology, representing a high proportion of patients with end-stage renal failure. In almost 50% of all children and in 15% of adults accepted for renal replacement therapy, the causative disorders have a hereditary basis. Many of these disorders are apparent at birth but may not cause renal failure until adolescence. Others may not present until adult life. The contribution of these disorders to adult nephrological practice has so far been understated in most of the existing textbooks. This book presents a practical approach to the investigation and management of patients with inherited renal disorders. The book is aimed at both established pediatric and adult nephrologists, as well as nephrologists in training, and will also be of interest to pediatricians, geneticists, and research workers in this field.

…and she spells trouble Magical contracts are not easily broken, and they become even more complicated when you fall in love… Emmaline Bluewater is determined to put life as a witch behind her. When Bastian Truenote left her with nothing but the shame of a broken marriage contract, Emma turned her back on magic and her old life. In opening her own cocktail bar, Emma has put her ex firmly in her past. Until Bastian walks through the door and announces that he wants her back! Bastian had his reasons for leaving Emma, reasons he can never tell her. But a curse on his family dictates he must fulfil their marriage contract or face darker consequences. Emma is even more spellbinding than Bastian remembers, but not easily won over. And time is ticking. With secrets and curses swirling around them, Emma and Bastian must navigate dark magic and broken hearts. Magical contracts are not easily broken, and they become even more complicated when you fall in love…

It is known that large asteroids and comets can collide with the Earth with severe consequences. Although the chances of a collision in a person's lifetime are small, collisions are a random process and could occur at any time. This book, which was first published in 2004, collects the latest thoughts and ideas of scientists concerned with mitigating the threat of hazardous asteroids and comets. It reviews knowledge of the population of potential colliders, including their numbers, locations, orbits, and how warning times might be improved. The structural properties and composition of their interiors and surfaces are reviewed, and their orbital response to the application of pulses of energy is discussed. Difficulties of operating in space near, or on the surface of, very low mass objects are examined. The book concludes with a discussion of the problems faced in communicating the nature of the impact hazard to the public.

What makes a speech community? How do they evolve? How are speech communities identified? Speech communities are central to our understanding of how language and interactions occur in societies around the world and in this book readers will find an overview of the main concepts and critical arguments surrounding how language and communication styles distinguish and identify groups. Speech communities are not organized around linguistic facts but around people who want to share their opinions and identities; the language we use constructs, represents and embodies meaningful participation in society. This book focuses on a range of speech communities, including those that have developed from an increasing technological world where migration and global interactions are common. Essential reading for graduate students and researchers in linguistic anthropology, sociolinguistics and applied linguistics.

It is known that large asteroids and comets can collide with the Earth with severe consequences. Although the chances of a collision in a person's lifetime are small, collisions are a random process and could occur at any time. This book, which was first published in 2004, collects the latest thoughts and ideas of scientists concerned with mitigating the threat of hazardous asteroids and comets. It reviews knowledge of the population of potential colliders, including their numbers, locations, orbits, and how warning times might be improved. The structural properties and composition of their interiors and surfaces are reviewed, and their orbital response to the application of pulses of energy is discussed. Difficulties of operating in space near, or on the surface of, very low mass objects are examined. The book concludes with a discussion of the problems faced in communicating the nature of the impact hazard to the public.

Postcolonial studies, postmodern studies, even posthuman studies emerge, and intellectuals demand, that social sciences be remade to address fundamentals of the human condition, from human rights to global environmental crises. But is it easier to reimagine the human and the modern than to properly measure pervasive American influence? American power elevated many social sciences to global prominence: economics, political science, psychology, sociology and anthropology. But even though they, and history and the contemporary humanities, owe so much to American state sponsorship, most scholars have been curiously reluctant to address the American era in unflinching critical terms, beyond stories of neo-colonialism and informal imperialism. This volume seeks to provoke an intellectual confrontation whose time has come, especially for social sciences whose own self-understanding is at stake, and for everyone's future. The scholars assembled here do not claim a subaltern voice, or a view from outside: they ask to be seen as critics from the inside, informed but disjoint. These milestone essays, by leaders in their fields, pursue realities behind their theories, and reconsider the real origins and motives of their fields with an eye to what will deter or repurpose the 'fiery huts' to come.