Loki, ever the shapeshifter, has never been more adaptable across pop culture. Whether it's deep in the stories from Norse mythology, the countless offshoots and intepretations across media, or even the prolific Loki that has come to dominate our screens via the Marvel Cinematic Universe, each serves its own purpose and offers a new layer to the character we've come to know so well. By exploring contemporary variations of Loki from Norse god to anti-hero trickster in four distinct categories - the God of Knots, Mischief, Outcasts and Stories - we can better understand the power of myth, queer theory, fandom, ritual, pop culture itself and more. Johnson invites readers to journey with him as he unpicks his own evolving relationship with Loki, and to ask: Who is your Loki? And what is their glorious purpose?

Offering a distinct emphasis on the behavior of matter from the molecular viewpoint, this book is designed for a one-semester undergraduate course on physical chemistry for engineers and materials scientists. After a brief introductory review of the basic thermodynamic foundations, the book covers three core areas of physical chemistry - quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, and kinetics. A final chapter provides case histories that use molecular modeling to solve engineering problems. The book includes a broad range of exercises throughout, and an Instructor's Manual is available for adopting professors. Ancillaries A detailed Instructors' Manual is available for adopting professors. Art from the book may be downloaded by adopting professors.

Rebound is an inspiring comeback story of Karl Johnson, who found himself living on the streets after serving eleven years in state prison for being one of the best runners of cocaine in Los Angeles. He is number nine is the line-up of sixteen kids, and his family is marked by greatness. His brother was Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics - five-time NBA all-star and Hall of Famer. At its core, Rebound explores the mystery of the human spirit - why do some of us soar and others do not given the same set of circumstances? And in Karl's case - someone who consistently chose the wrong path - why does he finally find himself in the position to soar? Karl's story is shocking at times, but his determination to find the right path finds readers cheering for him. Rebound breaks from the familiar storyline of a homeless man who becomes a millionaire or spiritual leader. This is simply a story about someone who found a "normal" life after years of crime, violence, and drugs. There is something big about the everydayness of Karl's story - he left the narcissistic world of drugs behind, finding joy in getting up every day and going to work. Rebound reveals the power of a city that cares. His chance arrival in Central California's Fresno questions whether it was chance at all. Karl finally discovered friendships that were not defined by prison walls or the drug world. The special bonds he formed give us faith in human compassion. Through Karl's storytelling, we learn that no matter how many times we find ourselves off course, we will always find ourselves back on the road we are meant to travel. There is magic in Karl's story, as he teaches us that it is never too late to be on the rebound of our lives.

"Johnson details exciting anecdotes of scams, hoaxes, and instances of conjuring . . . His stories unfold like magic." --David Blaine, "Entertainment Weekly"
In the 1920s, during an era when Americans were crazy for magic, Dai Vernon earned a reputation as a genius of the magical arts. When hard times descended after the crash of '29, the lights of New York faded, audiences dwindled, and Vernon headed west. Little did he realize that his life was about to change.
In Wichita, Kansas, while swapping secrets with a Mexican gambler, Vernon was told a story he didn't quite believe, the tale of a legendary cardsharp who could pull off the impossible--dealing perfectly from the center of the deck. Vernon set out to find the reclusive cardsharp, discovering a fascinating and dangerous kingdom of games and tricksters along the way. Did he finally get his man or did the greatest cardsharp who ever lived just vanish into thin air?
A story with the nostalgic quality of an old-fashioned fable, "The Magician and the Cardsharp" is a unique and endlessly entertaining piece of history.