After a 13-day siege by the Mexican Army in March 1836 the Alamo fell. 185 Texans were killed while trying to defend this fortress. The Mexican Army marched on to Goliad where they massacred 350 Texans. The Texas Army, led by General Sam Houston, engaged and defeated General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Located in present-day Harris County, Texas it was the decisive battle of the Texas revolution in a fight that lasted just eighteen minutes. About 700 Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured, while only nine Texans died. This battle paved the way for the Republic of Texas to become a sovereign nation. Sam Houston became a national celebrity and the Texans' rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo " and "Remember Goliad " became etched into history and legend. With its sovereignty declared Texas existed as an independent nation state from 1836 to 1846, with a promising healthy economy. It had trade relationships with several other nations, especially Great Britain. When Texas agreed to join the Union of the United States in 1846, it reserved the right under its constitution to secede from the United States and once more become a nation in itself should its people so decide. If this were to happen, Texas could be divided into five individual states, becoming once again, the Republic of Texas. The geography, natural resources including petroleum, agriculture, ranching, universities, and industry of Texas enable it, if necessary, to be the independent nation that it reserved the right to be. At different times by different Texans there have been discussions regarding the need and achievability of Texas seceding from the United States. This was generally thought of as all talk and no one publically or seriously considered secession. However, some Texans now believe recent national politics producing a new federalism have pushed Texas too far from its traditions and beliefs and it's time for the rebirth of the Republic of Texas. READ on...

The Encyclopedia of Adult Education is the first comprehensive reference work in this important and fast-growing field, and is an invaluable resource for adult educators who research and teach in the fields of higher education, work in community-based settings, or practise in public or private organizations. Its 170+ articles, written by an international team of contributors from over 17 countries, detail the research and practice of the field from its emergence as a separate discipline to the present day, covering key concepts, issues and individuals and providing a cutting-edge summary of ongoing debates across a wide range of perspectives, from self-directed learning to human resource development. Entries are arranged A-Z and extensive cross-referenced, with detailed bibliographies for each topic to facilitate further research.

The Encyclopedia of Adult Education is the first comprehensive reference work in this important and fast-growing field, and is an invaluable resource for adult educators who research and teach in the fields of higher education, work in community-based settings, or practise in public or private organizations. Its 170+ articles, written by an international team of contributors from over 17 countries, detail the research and practice of the field from its emergence as a separate discipline to the present day, covering key concepts, issues and individuals and providing a cutting-edge summary of ongoing debates across a wide range of perspectives, from self-directed learning to human resource development. Entries are arranged A-Z and extensive cross-referenced, with detailed bibliographies for each topic to facilitate further research.

The call of modern warfare as the Gulf war demonstrated in 1991, exemplified our use of the most sophisticated, technology advanced equipment that the US could procure to bring swift and decisive victory for a just cause. To this end, the US had in the past, expended every available resource to meet the ultimate goal. But although the face of war changed, some fundamental tools and weapons used have not. As a matter of fact, the US followed certain paths laid out by the ancient peoples of Persia and Assyria with their use of four-legged technology in warfare. Canines or 'wardogs' were used in warfare throughout history supporting combat operations. Long before the invention of gunpowder, dogs were gathered in columns, many of them clad in mail armor and spiked collars by the military forces of the Roman Empire. The English were known to have equipped their dogs with long spikes placed over their heads and had them charge forward to attack the enemy's Calvary. Britain also employed the use of Mastiffs in 55 BC to fight Caesar's invading armies. Napoleon was probably the first one to make use of the dog's superior senses by chaining them to the walls of Alexandria, using them to warn of an impending attack. The borders of Dalmatian, a Croatian seaside province, used Dalmatian type dogs (home of the Dalmatian) to warn of approaching Turks from Croatia. The United States did not make extensive use of dogs prior to 1942. Up until that point, Germany was the dominant user of dogs. The Germans trained them for scout duty with infantry patrols. However, their primary job was to use their superior senses to give warning of an enemy's approach. The dogs were also used to ferry messages between front line fighters and headquarters to the rear of the fighting.

There can be no more important inquiry than the one that begins quite simply: Why do we exist? In his thoughtful and thought-provoking deliberation on this age-old question, Dr. Manuel English reflects on the nature, causation and finality of existence, the role of God and mind in this magnificent phenomenon and the distinctions to be made between being and becoming, and between matter and mind. Using metaphysical-philosophical, cosmological, and ontological tenets, an introspective analysis is offered providing insightful answers to these mega-questions. Eschewing the narrow focus and abstruse rhetoric which causes so many readers to shun modern philosophy, Dr. English's work is striking in its concern for genuine insight and independent, original thought. His reflective commentary and conclusions are dynamic and exciting, challenging the conventional ontological landscape while offering a new paradigm of how we should think about our existence. It's destined to become a classic.

The Hale Street Gang began with my mother, Idora, who was 87 when we started a memoir-writing group at the senior center in Randolph, Vermont, population 5,000. Three years later, the group is still meeting weekly and has gathered some new voices. In our second book, we pay tribute to the many places in our past. Here you will find Downtown Randolph as it used to be (remember Merusi's Store? The Spot?) and Brookfield back when Jessie Fiske owned Green Trails-as well as Shanghai in the thirties, San Francisco in the forties, and New York City at the turn of the century (this one). Of the fifteen lives represented here, five began in Randolph. The others began in places ranging from Lyndonville to Beijing. Somehow we've all crossed paths at the Greater Randolph Senior Center, where we gather once a week to salute the flag, partake of Rose's meatloaf, and share our life stories. In A Sense of Place, we travel back through time to tell you where we've been. -Sara Tucker, project leader, the Hale Street Gang

After a 13-day siege by the Mexican Army in March 1836 the Alamo fell. 185 Texans were killed while trying to defend this fortress. The Mexican Army marched on to Goliad where they massacred 350 Texans. The Texas Army, led by General Sam Houston, engaged and defeated General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Located in present-day Harris County, Texas it was the decisive battle of the Texas revolution in a fight that lasted just eighteen minutes. About 700 Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured, while only nine Texans died. This battle paved the way for the Republic of Texas to become a sovereign nation. Sam Houston became a national celebrity and the Texans' rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo " and "Remember Goliad " became etched into history and legend. With its sovereignty declared Texas existed as an independent nation state from 1836 to 1846, with a promising healthy economy. It had trade relationships with several other nations, especially Great Britain. When Texas agreed to join the Union of the United States in 1846, it reserved the right under its constitution to secede from the United States and once more become a nation in itself should its people so decide. If this were to happen, Texas could be divided into five individual states, becoming once again, the Republic of Texas. The geography, natural resources including petroleum, agriculture, ranching, universities, and industry of Texas enable it, if necessary, to be the independent nation that it reserved the right to be. At different times by different Texans there have been discussions regarding the need and achievability of Texas seceding from the United States. This was generally thought of as all talk and no one publically or seriously considered secession. However, some Texans now believe recent national politics producing a new federalism have pushed Texas too far from its traditions and beliefs and it's time for the rebirth of the Republic of Texas. READ on...

Forget Me Not. Dating as far back to the mid 1800's these buildings are almost forgotten by time. Yesteryear comes alive as you imagine the stories these walls would tell, If These Walls Could Talk.

Exercise science practitioners have access to mountains of research findings, expert opinions, novel techniques, and program plans via blogs, fitness magazines, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed journals. To facilitate effective practice, practitioners must sift through this information and retain only the best evidence to form a sound base of knowledge. Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science: The Six-Step Approach equips readers with the basic skills and competencies for discerning the value of scientific research. Using a methodical approach, students and professionals will learn to identify appropriate evidence to support novel interventions and avoid counterproductive or dangerous information to eliminate ineffective exercise options. The authors, well-known advocates in the study and application of evidence-based practice in the field of exercise science, take the five-step method of evidence-based practice that has been established in medicine, adapt it specifically for exercise science, and expand it to embrace individuality in exercise training. The content is accessible for students in a variety of courses in exercise science curricula; those seeking certification through professional organizations; and practitioners in the fields of exercise, nutrition, sports medicine, and sport science. This text is an instruction manual in understanding and applying evidence-based practice. The process is divided into six steps that begin with asking a question and then finding, evaluating, implementing, confirming, and re-evaluating the evidence. Readers of Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science will explore these aspects: * The philosophy of science and design of scientific studies * The use of search tools like PubMed and Google Scholar and how to rank or define the strength of the evidence * Practical suggestions for implementing evidence-based practice in the field to better advise and serve athletes, clients, and patients * Case studies that demonstrate realistic scenarios of how the evidence-based process may be used in a variety of sport and exercise settings Each chapter opens with chapter objectives that provide a road map for learning, and a chapter conclusion summarizes main points and ensures understanding. The case studies cover topics including exercise prescription; exercise for special populations; nutrition and supplementation; and exercise devices, equipment, and apparel. Each case presents a realistic scenario that an exercise practitioner may experience, presents background information, formulates a question for investigation, describes a search of the literature, discusses the findings, and provides a recommendation for practice based on the best current evidence. Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science is grouped into four sections that assist readers in gaining a better understanding of the evidence-based practice paradigm, learning the step-by-step method, and acquiring experience in the evidence-based approach by working through practical examples using real-world scenarios. Part I offers foundational knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise sciences. Part II introduces the six-step method of evidence-based practice with chapters that explore each step of the process in depth. Part III presents 16 case studies grouped into chapters by generaal topics. Part IV concludes the text with chapters on disseminating and sharing knowledge and the future of evidence-based practice in exercise science. By understanding the concepts and process of evidence-based practice, current and future sport, exercise, and health professionals will prescribe individualized programs and treatments that improve athletic performance and lead individuals toward better health. Embracing evidence-based practice will ultimately advance the field and produce optimal outcomes for clients, patients, and athletes.