Thailand's position during the Cold War was ambiguous: the country's political leadership was very keen to maintain the country's independence on the world stage, yet at the same time was anxious to establish the country's credentials as staunchly anti-communist. However, as this book argues, Thailand, though never formally a client state of the United States, was very closely embedded in the Western camp through the commitment of Thailand's cosmopolitan urban communities to developing a modern, consumerist lifestyle. Considering popular culture, including film, literature, fashion, tourism and attitudes towards Buddhism, the book shows how an ideology of consumerism and integration into a "free world" culture centred in the United States gradually took hold and became firmly established, and how this popular culture and ideology was fundamental in determining Thailand's international political alignment.

Thailand's position during the Cold War was ambiguous: the country's political leadership was very keen to maintain the country's independence on the world stage, yet at the same time was anxious to establish the country's credentials as staunchly anti-communist. However, as this book argues, Thailand, though never formally a client state of the United States, was very closely embedded in the Western camp through the commitment of Thailand's cosmopolitan urban communities to developing a modern, consumerist lifestyle. Considering popular culture, including film, literature, fashion, tourism and attitudes towards Buddhism, the book shows how an ideology of consumerism and integration into a "free world" culture centred in the United States gradually took hold and became firmly established, and how this popular culture and ideology was fundamental in determining Thailand's international political alignment.

An important new contribution to the emerging field of late medieval supplicatory cultures. Late medieval petitions, providing unique insights into medieval social and legal history, have attracted increasing scholarly attention in recent years. This wide-ranging collection brings two approaches into dialogue with each other: the study of royal justice and secular petitions presented to the English crown, and the study of papal justice, canon law and ecclesiastical petitions (emphasising the international dimension of petitioning as a legal device exercising authority across Latin Christendom). In so doing, it crosses the traditional demarcation lines between secular and ecclesiastical systems of justice, of particular importance, given the participation by many litigantsand legislators in both of those legal spheres. A major focus is the mechanics of petitioning - who were the intermediaries in this process, and what were the "strategies of persuasion" they employed? The essays also re-examine the relationship between petitioners and their advisors, and the specific legal, rhetorical and linguistic choices they made in the composition of these texts. In so doing, the volume makes an important new contribution to theemerging field of late medieval supplicatory cultures. THOMAS W. SMITH is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Leeds; HELEN KILLICK is a post-doctoral researcher at the ICMA Centre, University of Reading.

Volume 3 of an official sequel to Jim Henson's cult classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal. After the arduous journey across the strange lands of Thra, Thurma has returned to her homeworld of Mithra. Just as when she began her journey she is alone, having betrayed her only ally. But as Thurma attempts to cast aside her guilt and affection for Kensho to complete her mission, the two are reunited. Kensho has not given up hope that their worlds might both be saved. If Thra and Mithra are to coexist, these unlikely heroes will have to reconcile their differences and uncover the secret that connects their two worlds. Written by Simon Spurrier (The Spire, X-Men Legacy) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Warlords of Appalachia) and lushly illustrated by Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Toil & Trouble), The Power of the Dark Crystal Volume 3 concludes Kensho and Thurma's journey to the uncharted realm of Mithra.

Volume 2 of the official sequel to Jim Henson's cult classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal. Jen and Kira's greatest fear has been realized as the Crystal is broken once more. The evil Skeksis have returned, eager to regain their cruel dominance over the world. But as the Gelfling and Skeksis battle for control of the Crystal Castle, Jen pursues those responsible for breaking the Crystal. On their own and on the run, Thurma and Kensho must stick together as they journey across the wildlands of Thra if they are to make it to the Fireling home deep beneath the planet's surface. While they come across faces new and old on their quest, they are unaware of the threat following their trail: The Chamberlain. Written by Simon Spurrier (The Spire, X-Men Legacy) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Warlords of Appalachia) and lushly illustrated by Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Toil & Trouble), The Power of the Dark Crystal continues the bestselling sequel to one of Jim Henson's most revered creations.

There is nothing a twenty-one-year-old man at his first job in New York City needs more than a good mentor, although few of them find one. But author Matthew Phillips found the wild, impetuous, and knowledgeable Marylou Stern. The years Matt spent with Marylou were filled with parties, sex, excess, frivolity, live cows, kidnapped Jewish jewelers, and games that stretch the imagination.

In this memoir, Phillips shares his story of how Marylou, a former model, dancer, and actress, transformed him from an eager, fresh-faced college grad into a sidelines player in chic New York society. Over the course of three years, Marylou taught Matt about New York City, high society, the difference between class and low class, how to make a genuine egg cream, how to milk a cow, why wanton sex is good for your health, why listening is more important than talking, that Sara Lee Vanilla Layer Cakes are the best reward, and that you must never put up with thieves.

In "Everything but Snakes," Phillips narrates how Marylou's undying sense of celebration kept him going and gave him a floor beneath his feet and, along the way, an upside-down roller-coaster ride.

There is nothing a twenty-one-year-old man at his first job in New York City needs more than a good mentor, although few of them find one. But author Matthew Phillips found the wild, impetuous, and knowledgeable Marylou Stern. The years Matt spent with Marylou were filled with parties, sex, excess, frivolity, live cows, kidnapped Jewish jewelers, and games that stretch the imagination.

In this memoir, Phillips shares his story of how Marylou, a former model, dancer, and actress, transformed him from an eager, fresh-faced college grad into a sidelines player in chic New York society. Over the course of three years, Marylou taught Matt about New York City, high society, the difference between class and low class, how to make a genuine egg cream, how to milk a cow, why wanton sex is good for your health, why listening is more important than talking, that Sara Lee Vanilla Layer Cakes are the best reward, and that you must never put up with thieves.

In "Everything but Snakes," Phillips narrates how Marylou's undying sense of celebration kept him going and gave him a floor beneath his feet and, along the way, an upside-down roller-coaster ride.

Barton and Nancy Jamison are just regular kids. That is until alien clones land in their hometown of Pine Bluff. Now there are two Barts and two Nancys!

BUT (and this is a really big butt) the alien clones, Beta and Gamma, have a totally wacky take on Earth life. Whenever they're around, something always gets messed up.