As many as fifteen million American women, or 5 percent of the adult female population in the US, suffer from the disabling medical condition known as fibromyalgia. If one takes into account husbands, partners, children, and other close relatives, the proportion of the American population directly or indirectly affected by fibromyalgia could be as high as 10 percent, or thirty million persons.
Nonetheless, the medical community is divided over the reality of this condition. One side argues, sometimes heatedly, that the patients are masquerading - pretending a disability they know they do not have. The other side counters, with equal passion, that fibromyalgia sufferers are abused by a society that fails to give them the support they deserve while painfully suffering from this severely debilitating illness.
Without taking sides, Dr. M. Clement Hall presents six fictional, though factually based, case studies of typical patients from differing socioeconomic backgrounds and describes the varying investigations, diagnoses, and treatments they have undergone. Each of these case studies represents a composite of many years of clinical practice rather than one specific patient. Collectively, they cover the range of experiences fibromyalgia patients are likely to have encountered.
By taking this unique approach, Dr. Hall presents an objective overview of the fibromyalgia situation today in North America. Patients, family members, and physicians will see themselves reflected in the descriptions and will gain a broader understanding of this challenging illness.

Description of the personal history and exploits of the individuals who led, recorded or were otherwise notable in the First Crusade, the only crusade that succeeded in capturing Jerusalem.

*Covers the history and culture of Ancient Egypt from 3,000-30 B.C.
*Covers the history and culture of Modern Egypt from 1800-2012.
*Includes pictures of famous people, places, art, and events in Egypt.

Africa may have given rise to the first human beings, and Egypt probably gave rise to the first great civilizations, which continue to fascinate modern societies across the globe nearly 5,000 years later. From the Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria to the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Ancient Egyptians produced several wonders of the world, revolutionized architecture and construction, created some of the world's first systems of mathematics and medicine, and established language and art that spread across the known world. With world-famous leaders like King Tut and Cleopatra, it's no wonder that today's world has so many Egyptologists.
What makes the accomplishments of the Ancient Egyptians all the more remarkable is that Egypt was historically a place of great political turbulence. Its position made it both valuable and vulnerable to tribes across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and Ancient Egypt had no shortage of its own internecine warfare. Its most famous conquerors would come from Europe, with Alexander the Great laying the groundwork for the Hellenic Ptolemy line and the Romans extinguishing that line after defeating Cleopatra and driving her to suicide.
About 2,050 years after Cleopatra's death, Egypt still remains a volatile hotspot. In the last year, Egypt has undergone a revolution that expelled its authoritarian leader of nearly 30 years and implemented elections that have pitted the Egyptian military in a power struggle with the Muslim Brotherhood, the long-time Islamic opposition group with ties to Hamas and elements of al-Qaeda. Making everything that much more surreal, the events have played out before well placed television cameras with continuous "real time" coverage of the revolution and ongoing turmoil, and foreign nations around the world eagerly await or dread the end result.
The situation in Egypt sounds messy today, but strife in Egypt is hardly a new occurrence. In fact, conflict has been more of a rule than exception since the end of the 18th century, when Western powers, beginning with Napoleon and the French, got involved in the territory that was at that point a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Since then, European powers came into conflict with each other and local Egyptian officials in their imperialistic efforts, Egyptian nationalists tried to do away with foreign interference, and the critically important Suez Canal became a geopolitical hotspot. And when Egypt finally did receive full independence and sovereignty from the British, it was subjected to conflict between religious extremists, secular forces, pan-Arab nationalists, and oppressive strongmen.
The History and Culture of Ancient and Modern Egypt comprehensively covers the history and culture of Ancient Egypt, looking at its religious, political, foreign and military past, and examining all the architectural and artistic achievements from 3,000-30 B.C. It also comprehensively covers this turbulent history, helping to explain and sort through all the different forces at play in Egypt over the last 215 years. Along with maps and pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Ancient and Modern Egypt like you never have before.

"Right action is better than knowledge; but in order to do what is right, we must know what is right." - Charlemagne
A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' Legends of the Middle Ages series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of the most important medieval men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.
The most famous man of the Middle Ages was probably Charlemagne, and few would argue that he was also the most important man during those centuries. Upon the death of his father, Pepin the Short, in 768, Charlemagne became King of the Franks, and he proceeded to create one of the largest European empires since the collapse of Rome. Through his conquests across Western Europe and Italy, Charlemagne became the first Holy Roman Emperor after a famous imperial coronation by Pope Leo III.
In becoming the first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne essentially established the new order on the European continent, thereby directly influencing how European politics and royalty proceeded in the coming centuries. As if to demonstrate how large he loomed in life, Charlemagne was numbered Charles I in Germany, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne is also viewed as having brought about the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, religion, and culture through the Catholic Church that predated the Italian Renaissance by centuries. The Carolingian Renaissance helped establish a uniform European culture, helping Charlemagne earn the title "Father of Europe."
Legends of the Middle Ages: The Life and Legacy of Charlemagne chronicles Charlemagne's background, life, and influence, analyzing the legacy he left upon Europe. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about Charlemagne like you never have before, in no time at all.

As one of the hottest political topics in the world today, nearly everyone is aware of the ongoing violence in Syria, between forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad and opposition looking to overthrow the regime. Within that narrative are a number of sensitive issues, including sectarian strife between the majority Sunni population and the Alawites, not to mention Christians.
People may know what's going on in Syria today, but how did Syria get to where it is today, at the forefront of the Arab Spring? The history of Syria in the last century is one of turbulence, violence, and political intrigue, with local religious sects battling for control of the land while foreign powers vied to maintain influence over the region. What resulted was a toxic and twisted mess that has precipitously affected the entire region, from Israel and Lebanon to Iran and Iraq.
The History of Syria: 1900-2012 comprehensively and descriptively unweaves the web, progressing through the history of Syria from the days of the Ottoman Empire to now, by examining all of the different religious, political, foreign, and military issues that affect Syria and are affected by Syria today. Along with maps showing how the modern state of Syria came to be formed, The History of Syria: 1900-2012 will bring readers up to speed on one of the world's most volatile and violent hotspots today.

The history of the Crimea is recounted, from its earliest known settlements, through the many invasions it has experienced over 2000 years, to the present time when the world awaits the outcome of the return of the Crimea to Russia.

*Includes pictures of important people, places, and events in Egyptian history.
In the last year, Egypt has undergone a revolution that expelled its authoritarian leader of nearly 30 years and implemented elections that have pitted the Egyptian military in a power struggle with the Muslim Brotherhood, the long-time Islamic opposition group with ties to Hamas and elements of al-Qaeda. Making everything that much more surreal, the events have played out before well placed television cameras with continuous "real time" coverage of the revolution and ongoing turmoil, and foreign nations around the world eagerly await or dread the end result.
The situation in Egypt sounds messy today, but strife in Egypt is hardly a new occurrence. In fact, conflict has been more of a rule than exception since the end of the 18th century, when Western powers, beginning with Napoleon and the French, got involved in the territory that was at that point a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Since then, European powers came into conflict with each other and local Egyptian officials in their imperialistic efforts, Egyptian nationalists tried to do away with foreign interference, and the critically important Suez Canal became a geopolitical hotspot. And when Egypt finally did receive full independence and sovereignty from the British, it was subjected to conflict between religious extremists, secular forces, pan-Arab nationalists, and oppressive strongmen.
The History of Modern Egypt comprehensively covers this turbulent history, helping to explain and sort through all the different forces at play in Egypt over the last 215 years. At the same time, it examines and analyzes all of the different religious, political, foreign, and military issues that continue to affect Egypt today. The History of Modern Egypt will bring readers up to speed on one of the world's crucial countries today.

History of formation and known activities of SEAL Team 6, later known as DEVGRU, describing formation, criteria for admission, training, activities in hostage rescue, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Grenada, Somalia, and the killing of bin Laden.

Description of indications and techniques employed in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, nose, face, neck, breast, and abdomen

Description of the most up-to-date surgical treatments of eye conditions

Martin, surgeon on the tournament circuit at the end of the twelth century becomes surgeon to the leaders of the Fourth Crusade which was diverted by the Doge of Venice away from their intention of taking Jerusalem from the Muslims to taking Constantinople from other Christians. Apalled at what has been done, Martin seeks to make amends.

A young female student of anatomy, Lam, on her first day in the dissection room, encounters a cadaver of a young woman which for administrative reasons is taken away. Several months later she is given a head to dissect, and recognises who must have been the head's former owner. Initial interest is purely anthropological, but soon becomes forensic when the possibility of unnatural death is raised. The police do not follow this through, and Lam determines, despite threat of career ruination, she must pursue an investigation herself. Ultimately her efforts are rewarded by the forensic conclusions.

Born and raised in the City of London, Martin is devastated when his adored older brother is reported killed in the Second Crusade. Determined his brother Geoffrey cannot be dead, Martin while waiting for an opportunity to follow him to the Holy Land, trains to be a cleric at Oxford.

When the Third Crusade is called Martin joins King Richard the Lion Heart, to liberate Jerusalem and to search for his brother.