They’re back. The world’s ultimate musical duo, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.

After decorated careers in theatre and opera, they have now sold over 1 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards and sold out two headline arena tours.

Track list
West Side Story Medley
As if We Never Said Goodbye
The Prayer
He Lives in You
Evermore
The Rose
Bring Me Sunshine
Some Enchanted Evening
Hero
Not While I'm Around
Stranger in Paradise / and This is My Beloved
You're the Voice
New York, New York
White Christmas

Welcome back to The Empire. The stage is set. The curtain raises. The show must go on . . . Mustn't it? Praise for The Empire: 'A fantastic book. Brilliant' Don Black OBE 'A wonderful read' Jeffrey Archer 'A golden debut - charming, funny and romantic' Cameron Mackintosh 'Takes you to the magical world of theatre' Rosie Goodwin

This book contains the proceedings of the 23rd International Workshop on Operator Theory and its Applications (IWOTA2012), which was held at the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia) from 16 July to 20 July 2012. It includes twelve articles presenting both surveys of current research in operator theory and original results."

First published in 1988, this book analyses the changes that took place in the economic organisation of the British construction industry throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, in particular considering its social and economic structure and examining the causes of its poor industrial record. Michael Ball describes how the major firms survived the economic slump between 1973 and 1982, when construction workloads collapsed, by substantially restructuring their operations, relationships with clients, workforces and subcontractors. Detailed attention is paid to construction firms, the workers they employ, the influence of trade unionism and the role of other agencies in the building process. Reissued at a hugely challenging time for the British construction industry, this relevant and practical title will be of particular value to students and academics of economics and social change, as well as those on courses for construction professionals.

This collection brings together many of the world 's leading sociologists of education to explore and address key issues and concerns within the discipline. The thirty-seven newly commissioned chapters draw upon theory and research to provide new accounts of contemporary educational processes, global trends, and changing and enduring forms of social conflict and social inequality.

The research, conducted by leading international scholars in the field, indicates that two complexly interrelated agendas are discernible in the heat and noise of educational change over the past twenty-five years. The first rests on a clear articulation by the state of its requirements of education. The second promotes at least the appearance of greater autonomy on the part of educational institutions in the delivery of those requirements. The Routledge International Handbook of the Sociology of Education examines the ways in which the sociology of education has responded to these two political agendas, addressing a range of issues which cover three key areas:

• perspectives and theories
• social processes and practices
• inequalities and resistances.

The book strongly communicates the vibrancy and diversity of the sociology of education and the nature of sociological work in this field. It will be a primary resource for teachers, as well as a title of major interest to practising sociologists of education.

This book offers creative ways to transform plain glass bowls, vases, mirrors, picture frames, plant pots and other home accessories. You can use the timeless craft skills of painting glass, stained-glass construction and glass mosaic to produce traditional and contemporary objects to decorate your home. You can paint small decorative motifs to champagne glasses, paint bold, abstract designs on an unusual window hanging, or 'etch' a design into a glass vase. You can make a trinket box or a decorative planter using easy-to-follow techniques of cutting glass and soldering, reproduce the effect of stained-glass windows with self-adhesive lead, or learn the art of mosaic using glass tesserae to decorate plant pots, lantems and a tabletop. Working creatively with glass is a skill that anyone can learn and the range of specialist craft materials and equipment available is increasing, helping to make light work of traditional crafts. This practical, highly illustrated book presents over 40 beautiful projects to create.Using the distinct techniques of painting glass, cutting and glass construction, stained-glass effects and glass mosaics, each chapter opens with material and equipment lists as well as pages of techniques that explain all you need to know to achieve success. From a Venetian perfume bottle and leaded picture frames to stylish glass window decorations these projects are sure to inspire.

This book contributes substantially to urban affairs and public policy literature by presenting an introduction to the complex politics and public policy issues of Washington, D.C. The uniqueness of the city, as elaborated in this volume, provides background for understanding the non-traditional congressional relationship with the city and the way in which this establishes and perpetuates the continuing fight for congressional representation, real home rule and equitable federal benefits for citizens of the District of Columbia. Usually becoming a mayor, member of a city council, or agency head in a major city could become a stepping stone to higher office. In Washington, D.C. however, this has not been the case. Contests for political leadership operate in a unique political climate because Washington, D.C is the capital of the U.S., subject to congressional oversight, has a majority African American population, and has a majority Democratic population. Those who become mayor are therefore, confined to play a local with rare opportunities for a national role. One Objective of this volume is to highlight the difficulties of experiencing political democracy and adequate policy distribution by citizens of the District of Columbia. These analyses conclude that one of the major obstacles to these objectives is the manner in which home rule was constructed and persists, leading to the conclusion that the desire of citizens and their leaders for change is well founded.

This new text provides a rigorous analysis of real estate markets. It goes beyond the often descriptive nature of much property market analysis to focus on important theoretical principles. The book is divided into three main sections, covering:
* microeconomics of property markets
* the macroeconomics of commercial property
* the financial economics of property
Empirical examples drawn from around the world clearly illustrate the theories and issues discussed. Throughout, the emphasis is on making an often complex area as accessible and readable as possible, with each chapter containing a boxed summary and questions for self-testing or discussion.

The History of Alternative Test Methods in Toxicology uses a chronological approach to demonstrate how the use of alternative methods has evolved from their conception as adjuncts to traditional animal toxicity tests to replacements for them. This volume in the History of Toxicology and Environmental Health series explores the history of alternative test development, validation, and use, with an emphasis on humanity and good science, in line with the Three Rs (Replacement,Reduction, Refinement) concept expounded by William Russell and Rex Burch in 1959 in their now classic volume, The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. The book describes the historical development of technologies that have influenced the application of alternatives in toxicology and safety testing. These range from single cell monocultures to sophisticated, miniaturised and microfluidic organism-on-a-chip devices, and also include molecular modelling, chemoinformatics and QSAR analysis, and the use of stem cells, tissue engineering and hollow fibre bioreactors. This has been facilitated by the wider availability of human tissues, advances in tissue culture, analytical and diagnostic methods, increases in computational processing, capabilities, and a greater understanding of cell biology and molecular mechanisms of toxicity. These technological developments have enhanced the range and information content of the toxicity endpoints detected, and therefore the relevance of test systems and data interpretation, while new techniques for non-invasive diagnostic imaging and high resolution detection methods have permitted an increased role for human studies. Several key examples of how these technologies are being harnessed to meet 21st century safety assessment challenges are provided, including their deployment in integrated testing schemes in conjunction with kinetic modelling, and in specialized areas, such as inhalation toxicity studies. The History of Alternative Test Methods in Toxicology uses a chronological approach to demonstrate how the use of alternative methods has evolved from their conception as adjuncts to traditional animal toxicity tests to replacements for them. This volume in the History of Toxicology and Environmental Health series explores the history of alternative test development, validation, and use, with an emphasis on humanity and good science, in line with the Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) concept expounded by William Russell and Rex Burch in 1959 in their now-classic volume, The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. The book describes the historical development of technologies that have influenced the application of alternatives in toxicology and safety testing. These range from single cell monocultures to sophisticated miniaturised and microfluidic organism-on-a-chip devices, and also include molecular modelling, chemoinformatics and QSAR analysis, and the use of stem cells, tissue engineering and hollow fibre bioreactors. This has been facilitated by the wider availability of human tissues, advances in tissue culture, analytical and diagnostic methods, increases in computational processing capabilities, and a greater understanding of cell biology and molecular mechanisms of toxicity. These technological developments have enhanced the range and information content of the toxicity endpoints detected, and therefore the relevance of test systems and data interpretation, while new techniques for non-invasive diagnostic imaging and high resolution detection methods have permitted an increased role for human studies. Several key examples of how these technologies are being harnessed to meet 21st century safety assessment challenges are provided, including their deployment in integrated testing schemes in conjunction with kinetic modelling, and in specialised areas, such as inhalation toxicity studies.

In The Red Sofa, we meet Anne, a young woman setting off on the Trans-Siberian Railway in order to find her former lover, Gyl, who left twenty years before. As the train moves across post-Soviet Russia and its devastated landscapes, Anne reflects on her past with Gyl and their patriotic struggles, as well as on the neighbor she has just left behind, Clemence Barrot. Rocked by the train's movements Anne is moved by her memory of Clemence, who is old and whose memory is failing, but who has not lost her taste for life and adventure. Ensconced on her red sofa at home, Clemence loves to tell Anne her life story, mourning lost loved ones and celebrating the lives of brave, rebellious women who went before her. Eventually, Anne's train trip returns her home having not found Gyl, but having found something much more meaningful herself. "A luminous novel about desire, a clear text about the joy of living." Prix Pierre Mac Orlan 2007

Compendium of Hydrogen Energy Volume 4: Hydrogen Use, Safety and the Hydrogen Economy focuses on the uses of hydrogen. As many experts believe the hydrogen economy will, at some point, replace the fossil fuel economy as the primary source of the world's energy, this book investigates the uses of this energy, from transport, to stationary and portable applications, with final sections discussing the difficulties and possibilities of the widespread adoption of the hydrogen economy.

A groundbreaking and revolutionary book that will transform how lean is understood, practiced, and used within organizations A lean strategy is about gaining a competitive edge by offering better quality products at competitive prices and making a sustainable profit by eliminating waste through engaging employees in discovering deeper ways to think about their own jobs and smarter ways of working together. In its current form, lean has been radically effective, but its true powers have yet to be harnessed. Lean Strategy harnesses that power and delivers a new way of creating value from lean. Leading lean experts address popular misconceptions about the basics of lean/TPS, showing the true purpose of tools, methods, and attitudes that leverage the intelligence of every employee doing the work. You'll learn how to think-and then act-differently, tapping the power of every person in your organization in a disciplined manner that generates unparalleled, sustainable success that is responsive to today's most pressing challenges

Track list
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Mistletoe and Wine
Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
I Believe
The Christmas Song
White Christmas
Silent Night
The Spirit of Christmas
O Holy Night
I'll Be Home for Christmas
My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours
Once Upon a December

2019 release. Coming Home To You brings together some of the most beautiful and timeless songs from over the decades as well as some brand new tracks written by Michael himself. Combining these with the warmth and familiarity of his voice, the record is sure to leave the listener feeling like they've received a big hug from an old friend. "Making this album was such a labor of love. I have never been so closely involved with every aspect of the creative process and I can't ever remember being more proud and excited by the results of so many months hard work, long days, huge laughs and genuine good fellowship." Explains Michael. This eagerly-awaited release follows the phenomenal success of Michael's last two albums with fellow singer Alfie Boe, which saw two #1 albums, two Classic Brit Awards and over a million album sales. The former being only the latest instalment in the life and achievements of the double Olivier Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist, top-selling live concert performer and hugely popular radio and TV presenter, who has made box-office history. Coming Home To You is sure to become a favorite to fans new and old alike.

Published in 2002, Housing Policy and Economic Power is a valuable contribution to the field of Human Geography.

First published in 1988, this book analyses the changes that took place in the economic organisation of the British construction industry throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, in particular considering its social and economic structure and examining the causes of its poor industrial record. Michael Ball describes how the major firms survived the economic slump between 1973 and 1982 - when construction workloads collapsed - by substantially restructuring their operations, relationships with clients, workforces and subcontractors. Detailed attention is paid to construction firms, the workers they employ, the influence of trade unionism and the role of other agencies in the building process. Reissued at a particularly challenging time for the British construction industry, this relevant and practical title will be of value to students and academics of economics and social change, as well as those on courses for construction professionals.

This collection brings together many of the world s leading sociologists of education to explore and address key issues and concerns within the discipline. The thirty-seven newly commissioned chapters draw upon theory and research to provide new accounts of contemporary educational processes, global trends, and changing and enduring forms of social conflict and social inequality.

The research, conducted by leading international scholars in the field, indicates that two complexly interrelated agendas are discernible in the heat and noise of educational change over the past twenty-five years. The first rests on a clear articulation by the state of its requirements of education. The second promotes at least the appearance of greater autonomy on the part of educational institutions in the delivery of those requirements. The Routledge International Handbook of the Sociology of Education examines the ways in which the sociology of education has responded to these two political agendas, addressing a range of issues which cover three key areas:

• perspectives and theories
• social processes and practices
• inequalities and resistances.

The book strongly communicates the vibrancy and diversity of the sociology of education and the nature of sociological work in this field. It will be a primary resource for teachers, as well as a title of major interest to practising sociologists of education.

In 1800 London was already the largest city in the world, and over the course of the next century its population grew rapidly, reaching over seven million by 1914. Historians have often depicted London after the Industrial Revolution as an industrial backwater that declined into the mass exploitation of labour through 'sweating', dominated by City and merchant interests. This book instead argues that London was a centre of nineteenth-century British economic growth. Modern economic theories of cities are used to explain the causes of metropolitan economic development, and emphasis is placed on the changing role of the metropolis within Britain and the wider world economy.
Individual chapters comprehensively survey a wide variety of topics including:

• population and migration
• standards of living
• employment and industry
• changes in retailing and leisure
• social welfare and local government
• post and telecommunications.

The evolution of London did not occur on purely free market terms - the supply of urban services is an important component of metropolitan history, particularly in the changing relationship between government and private endeavour. This fascinating history of a remarkable city will appeal to a wide audience from amateur to specialist interests in economics, history, urban studies and geography.

On September 11, 2001, AT&T's traffic was 40 percent greater than its previous busiest day. Wireless calls were made from the besieged airplanes and buildings, with the human voice having a calming influence. E-mail was used to overcome distance and time zones. And storytelling played an important role both in conveying information and in coping with the disaster. Building on such events and lessons, Crisis Communications features an international cast of top contributors exploring emergency communications during crisis. Together, they evaluate the use, performance, and effects of traditional mass media (radio, TV, print), newer media (Internet, email), conventional telecommunications (telephones, cell phones), and interpersonal communication in emergency situations. Applying what has been learned from the behavior of the mass media in past crises, the authors clearly show the central role of communications on September 11. They establish how people learned of the tragedy and how they responded; examine the effects of media globalization on terrorism; and, in many cases, give specific advice for the future.