A hilarious and action-packed new graphic novel following a feline secret agent who will do whatever it takes to save the world - even if it means destroying a few things along the way. The Super-Secret Spy Service's mission is to keep the world safe from maniacal villains. And Agent 9 is one of its best operatives. Although Nine always manages to complete the mission, there is occasionally some collateral damage (like the priceless Pigasso painting that was destroyed while foiling an art heist). So Agent 9 is now on probation. But when bumbling supervillain King Crab manages to overtake S4 head­quarters, there is no one else to turn to. Nine-along with a robotic partner named FiN-is all that stands between King Crab and his diabolical plans to melt the polar ice caps and build a massive water park. Can Agent 9 prove to be the right cat for the job by overcoming impulsive behavior and saving the world from a complete flood-a-geddon? A high-octane new series, perfect for fans of BUNNY VS MONKEY and THE BAD GUYS!

A full colour bind-up of the first two installments in the full colour BIRD & SQUIRREL series. Squirrel is afraid of his own shadow. Bird doesn't have a care in the world. And Cat wants to eat Bird and Squirrel. Join this trio as they head south for the winter in a hilarious road trip. Then, after Bird and Squirrel crash land in the South Pole during a raging blizzard, a penguin named Sakari thinks Bird has come to rid her village of a hungry Killer Whale. But when Squirrel finds out that Bird will actually be fed to the Killer Whale as a sacrifice, they hatch a crazy plan to escape... A fun, funny, gender-neutral story focusing on themes of friendship The animal-centric story will have wide appeal Perfect for 6+ fans of DOG MAN and BUNNY VS MONKEY Full colour illustrated throughout From one of the animators behind THE IRON GIANT and THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE

How did the popularity of underwear in the twelfth century lead to the invention of the printing press?
How did the waterwheel evolve into the computer?
How did the arrival of the cannon lead eventually to the development of movies?

In this highly acclaimed and bestselling book, James Burke brilliantly examines the ideas, inventions, and coincidences that have culminated in the major technological advances of today. With dazzling insight, he untangles the pattern of interconnecting events: the accidents of time, circumstance, and place that gave rise to the major inventions of the world.
Says Burke, "My purpose is to acquaint the reader with some of the forces that have caused change in the past, looking in particular at eight innovations -- the computer, the production line, telecommunications, the airplane, the atomic bomb, plastics, the guided rocket, and television -- which may be most influential in structuring our own futures....Each one of these is part of a family of similar devices, and is the result of a sequence of closely connected events extending from the ancient world until the present day. Each has enormous potential for humankind's benefit -- or destruction."
Based on a popular TV documentary series, "Connections" is a fascinating scientific detective story of the inventions that changed history -- and the surprising links that connect them.

When the cold war ended, many hoped it signified enhanced prospects for a more stable world. However, despite favorable political developments, the post-cold war period has been marked by turbulence, uncertainty, and challenge. The actions of rogue states such as Iraq and North Korea have made nuclear proliferation more unpredictable. Violence in Somalia and Bosnia has cast doubt on the viability of international peacekeeping arrangements. Hopes for expanding democratization have been dimmed by assertions that the values of liberal democracy and human rights are incompatible with non-Western cultures. The Adaptive Military describes how military security policies and practices have adapted to these new times and explains why such changes are necessary. The central argument is that current conflicts have been shaped by long-term trends, which increased the number and complexity of threats that the developed world is supposed to meet, and correspondingly decreased the stock of social and political options available to meet them. Although the authors differ in their assessments about the current prospects for peace and ways to maintain security, the issues they address are as critical as they were at the end of the Cold War. Mobilizing resources and political support for remote and difficult enterprises will always remain contentious, but if we recognize the hazard of letting violence run unopposed throughout the world, then we bear some responsibility to consider how it might be checked. This volume is an exercise of that responsibility. It will be of great interest to experts in military studies and international relations.

In 1749 Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, surprised leading Enlightenment thinkers who had enthusiastically upheld the positive benefits of humanity's technological advance. Voltaire, who celebrated the ends of civilization, mocked Rousseau's praise for an original creative state of nature in which man enjoyed an optimum level of freedom.

Given the unprecedented intrusion of technology into our lives, the question raised by Rousseau's critique may be even more pertinent. In this volume of Religion and Public Life contributors address some of the challenges to conventional morality brought on by the technological augmentation of the social structure. John Barker's essay explores how Luciano Floridi's philosophy of technology has complicated the conventional way of determining what ought to receive moral consideration. Fani Zlatarova provides a practical guide for incorporating ethical components into teaching computer technology.

Grant Havers explores the controversies surrounding the biogenetic explosion through an examination of the competing philosophical perspectives and Christopher Vassilopolos examines the science-based justification for taking life. Gabriel R. Ricci looks at recent political history in the United States in order to highlight the sometimes uneasy relationship between science and social policy. Volume 37 is a welcome addition to the acclaimed Religion and Public Life series.

This book focuses on the research achievements of the earth sciences in developing the nation's energy resources and on the efforts that must be made toward solving current and future problems. Knowledge in geosciences is necessary for efficient exploration and development of energy resources.

This volume focuses on the research achievements of the earth sciences in developing the nation's energy resources and on the efforts that still must be made toward solving current and future problems. Contributors point out that efficient exploration for energy resources, evaluation and development of these resources, and effective control of asso

What role will armed forces play in a world that is turbulent yet no longer organized by the bipolar conflict of East and West? In this volume, leading experts from several disciplines assess the rapidly changing global strategic and cultural landscape, examining how it will affect the responsibilities and social standing of the modern military. There are provocative disagreements among the contributors, especially over whether we should expect and prepare for another global war. However, the contributors generally agree on several broad themes that guide their analysis. Arguing that the Cold War has masked basic trends that have been reshaping the international system for a long time, they suggest that the sovereign states' dominance of the international system is rapidly coming to an end, as multinational, ethnic, regional, and religious groups-to name a few-increasingly affect the course of global affairs. In the absence of a clear "enemy," the military faces an identity crisis. In the postmodern atmosphere of this multicentric global order, authority is fragmented, and the exercise of any one authority is subject to greater scrutiny and challenge. The military has become more accepting of a variety of values, life-styles, and attitudes toward its tasks. At the same time, support for the military's mission is difficult to win, requiring endless justification. The authors believe that the principal missions for the military in these new times are peacekeeping, peacemaking, and humanitarian assistance. They examine the prospects for successful operations in these areas, taking into account the cultural lag between world structures that favor increased multinational peacekeeping forces and individual nations that supply token resources to support such efforts. This volume provides a sophisticated and thought-provoking perspective on the future role of the military in the coming decades. It is sure to enrich the vigorous debate surrounding these issues.

When the cold war ended, many hoped it signified enhanced prospects for a more stable world. However, despite favorable political developments, the post-cold war period has been marked by turbulence, uncertainty, and challenge. The actions of rogue states such as Iraq and North Korea have made nuclear proliferation more unpredictable. Violence in Somalia and Bosnia has cast doubt on the viability of international peacekeeping arrangements. Hopes for expanding democratization have been dimmed by assertions that the values of liberal democracy and human rights are incompatible with non-Western cultures. The Adaptive Military describes how military security policies and practices have adapted to these new times and explains why such changes are necessary.
The central argument is that current conflicts have been shaped by long-term trends, which increased the number and complexity of threats that the developed world is supposed to meet, and correspondingly decreased the stock of social and political options available to meet them.
Although the authors differ in their assessments about the current prospects for peace and ways to maintain security, the issues they address are as critical as they were at the end of the Cold War. Mobilizing resources and political support for remote and difficult enterprises will always remain contentious, but if we recognize the hazard of letting violence run unopposed throughout the world, then we bear some responsibility to consider how it might be checked. This volume is an exercise of that responsibility. It will be of great interest to experts in military studies and international relations.
"James Burk" is professor of sociology at Texas A&M University and was formerly editor of "Armed Forces and Society." He is the author of many articles on civil-military relations and editor of "Morris Janowitz: On Social Organization and Social Control.

In 1749 Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, surprised leading Enlightenment thinkers who had enthusiastically upheld the positive benefits of humanity's technological advance. Voltaire, who celebrated the ends of civilization, mocked Rousseau's praise for an original creative state of nature in which man enjoyed an optimum level of freedom. Given the unprecedented intrusion of technology into our lives, the question raised by Rousseau's critique may be even more pertinent. In this volume of Religion and Public Life contributors address some of the challenges to conventional morality brought on by the technological augmentation of the social structure. John Barker's essay explores how Luciano Floridi's philosophy of technology has complicated the conventional way of determining what ought to receive moral consideration. Fani Zlatarova provides a practical guide for incorporating ethical components into teaching computer technology. Grant Havers explores the controversies surrounding the biogenetic explosion through an examination of the competing philosophical perspectives and Christopher Vassilopolos examines the science-based justification for taking life. Gabriel R. Ricci looks at recent political history in the United States in order to highlight the sometimes uneasy relationship between science and social policy. Volume 37 is a welcome addition to the acclaimed Religion and Public Life series.

Squirrel helps Bird overcome his biggest challenge yet -- FAMILY! The dangerous Horned Toad 500 cross-country race is coming up and Bird's father has always won it. But when his dad gets injured, Bird reluctantly joins the race to save the family honor. While dealing with the scorching desert heat and dirty tricks from another team, Bird and Squirrel are put to the ultimate test of endurance and sportsmanship. Along the way, the duo learns that, win or lose, having good friends and family will always get you to the finish line.

Following the 9/11 attacks, a war against al Qaeda by the U.S. and its liberal democratic allies was next to inevitable. But what kind of war would it be, how would it be fought, for how long, and what would it cost in lives and money? None of this was known at the time. What came to be known was that the old ways of war must change--but how?
Now, with over a decade of political decision-making and warfighting to analyze, "How 9/11 Changed Our Ways of War" addresses that question. In particular it assesses how well those ways of war, adapted to fight terrorism, affect our military capacity to protect "and" sustain liberal democratic values.
The book pursues three themes: what shaped the strategic choice to go to war; what force was used to wage the war; and what resources were needed to carry on the fight? In each case, military effectiveness required new and strict limits on the justification, use, and support of force. How to identify and observe these limits is a matter debated by the various contributors. Their debate raises questions about waging future wars--including how to defend against and control the use of drones, cyber warfare, and targeted assassinations. The contributors include historians, political scientists, and sociologists; both academics and practitioners.

Following the 9/11 attacks, a war against al Qaeda by the U.S. and its liberal democratic allies was next to inevitable. But what kind of war would it be, how would it be fought, for how long, and what would it cost in lives and money? None of this was known at the time. What came to be known was that the old ways of war must change--but how?
Now, with over a decade of political decision-making and warfighting to analyze, "How 9/11 Changed Our Ways of War" addresses that question. In particular it assesses how well those ways of war, adapted to fight terrorism, affect our military capacity to protect "and" sustain liberal democratic values.
The book pursues three themes: what shaped the strategic choice to go to war; what force was used to wage the war; and what resources were needed to carry on the fight? In each case, military effectiveness required new and strict limits on the justification, use, and support of force. How to identify and observe these limits is a matter debated by the various contributors. Their debate raises questions about waging future wars--including how to defend against and control the use of drones, cyber warfare, and targeted assassinations. The contributors include historians, political scientists, and sociologists; both academics and practitioners.

How did Mozart's Marriage of Figaro influence the development of stealth aircraft used in the Gulf War? In TWIN TRACKS, James Burke reveals the surprising answer - and presents twenty-four other 'twin tracks' that start in the past and end in utterly unexpected modern-day inventions. Each tale begins with an event - such as the U.S. bombing of Tripoli in 1864, or the discovery of a German stone-age child in 1724. From each event, two people emerge, and each sets in motion a storyline shaped by love, war, accident, treachery, genius, discovery - the myriad ways in which people make history. Each twin track leads to an innovation, and these innovations come together in the final paragraph, generating an element of modern life. Burke's engaging premise is bolstered by his superbly accessible and witty style - no scientific expertise is needed to revel in these unlikely connections and serendipitous quirks of fate. Hailed as 'one of the most intriguing minds in the Western world' (THE WASHINGTON POST), Burke effects an unexpected outcome of his own - providing readers with a truly fresh way of looking at the world.

In The Knowledge Web, James Burke, the bestselling author and host of television's Connections series, takes us on a fascinating tour through the interlocking threads of knowledge running through Western history. Displaying mesmerizing flights of fancy, he shows how seemingly unrelated ideas and innovations bounce off one another, spinning a vast, interactive web on which everything is connected to everything else: Carmen leads to the theory of relativity, champagne bottling links to wallpaper design, Joan of Arc connects through vaudeville to Buffalo Bill.

Illustrating his open, connective theme in the form of a journey across a web, Burke breaks down complex concepts, offering information in a manner accessible to anybody -- high school graduates and Ph.D. holders alike. The journey touches almost two hundred interlinked points in the history of knowledge, ultimately ending where it begins.

At once amusing and instructing, The Knowledge Web heightens our awareness of our interdependence -- with one another and with the past. Only by understanding the interrelated nature of the modern world can we hope to identify complex patterns of change and direct the process of innovation to the common good.

New threats, new foes . . . and a new partner?! Your favourite feline secret agent is back for a new adventure! Agent 9 is back in action at the Super-Secret Spy Service, and it couldn't come at a better time. The next assignment? Stopping the Wolf, a cunning canine who's been hired by the sinister organization DiViSiON to hunt down the final pieces of a mind-control device. It's a mission of such paramount importance that Nine must do the unthinkable-work with a partner! S4 teams up Agent 9 with Traps, a mouse who specializes in covert operations (and knitting too). Unfortunately, the partnership gets off to a rocky start. And despite their best efforts, the Wolf always seems to be one step ahead. With time running out and DiViSiON's plans to take over the world nearly complete, can Nine overcome the toughest challenge yet: being part of a team? This hilarious, action-packed spy series is perfect for fans of funny crime-fighting stories like The InvestiGators, The Bad Guys, and Dog Man!