Any reasonably educated person knows what is said about Galileo, but not what Galileo himself actually said. This has allowed a variety of different interpretations to be put upon his stands as a scientist and as a man, in particular from within the Catholic world, where a sense of guilt for his dramatic destiny has never been completely erased. Let him speak, then so that he can bring to everybody's attention, in particular the young, his message of reason, of intellectual honesty, of free thinking. A message that more than ever, is of great relevance in the rampant irrationality of the new millennium. The selection of writings offered here is preferred by a blunt self-portrait, which is of course a "forgery" - however, one that is based entirely on extracts from Galileo's writings and private letters, though he would never have dared, nor been allowed to write it himself. The anthology touches upon the themes dearest to Galileo and a lively commentary, from both the scientific and the literary-historical viewpoints, should help make the extracts accessible. The reader will be able to appreciate the work and the writing-style of a very great scientist and author and will probably also be surprised to find with the aid of a test with answers provided, just how many of the misconceptions about the "workings of the world" that were rife prior to Galileo, still survive today among the common beliefs of even well-educated, non scientific people.

Two episodes from the Tom Baker era 'Doctor Who', devoted to the Doctor's favourite metallic pooch - K9. In 'The Invisible Enemy', a mysterious cloud is causing havoc in space, infecting all those who pass through it with an intelligent virus which could spread throughout the whole galaxy. The Doctor (Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) try to come to the rescue, but the TARDIS passes through the cloud itself, leaving the Doctor infected with the virus. He and Leela then try to find help at a nearby medical station, where they meet the eccentric Professor Marius and his pet robot K-9. In 'K9 and Company', the pilot from the 'Doctor Who' spin-off series, the Doctor's former companion, Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen), arrives to take up residence with her Aunt Lavinia at the village of Moreton. She finds the house deserted apart from a crate marked for her attention, which turns out to contain a gift from the Time Lord: K9 Mark 3. The mechanical dog teams up with Sarah to investigate Aunt Lavinia's disappearance, and together they unearth evidence of witchcraft.

Jim McManus' book will introduce Mary to those who do not yet know her, and deepen the understanding of many who already know and love this woman "full of grace." Beginning from the scriptural portrayal of the mother of Jesus, the author considers Mary in the history of the Church, in doctrine, and in public and private devotion.