In his engagingly written and original book, Scott Carpenter analyzes multiple manifestations of the false in nineteenth-century France. Under Carpenter's thorough and systematic analysis, fraudulence emerges as a cultural preoccupation in nineteenth-century literature and society, whether it be in the form of literary mystifications, the thematic portrayal of frauds, or the privileging of falseness as an aesthetic principle. Focusing particularly on the aesthetics of fraudulence in works by Merimee, Balzac, Baudelaire, Vidocq, Sand, and others, Carpenter places these literary representations within the context of other cultural phenomena, such as caricature, political history, and ceremonial events. As he highlights the special relationship between literary fiction and fraudulence, Carpenter argues that falseness arises as an aesthetic preoccupation in post-revolutionary France, where it introduces a blurring of limits between hitherto discrete categories. This transgression of boundaries challenges notions of authenticity and sincerity, categories that Romantic aesthetics championed at the beginning of the nineteenth century in France. Carpenter's study makes an important contribution to the cultural significance of mystification in nineteenth-century France and furthers our understanding of French literature and cultural history.

Iraq still hangs in the balance. The dramatic improvements in Iraqi security between 2007 and 2009 have produced important, but incomplete changes in the nation's politics. These changes make it possible to imagine Iraq slowly muddling upward, building gradually toward a better future. But we must be constantly on guard against the considerable potential for Iraq to slip into all-out civil war. There are dozens of scenarios --from military coups, to official misconduct, to the assassination of one or two key leaders -- that could spark such violence.

In "Unfinished Business," a team of five experts from across the political spectrum analyze the situation in Iraq. They present a well-reasoned and feasible path for U.S. policy toward Baghdad --one that would give priority to preventing Iraq from slipping into civil war or becoming an aggressive state but that would also lead to a clear American goal: a new, strong, and prosperous ally in the Middle East.

Ultimately, the United States must condition the continuation of the U.S.-Iraqi relationship on the willingness of Iraqi political leaders to guide their country in the direction of greater stability, inclusivity, and effective governance.

In his engagingly written and original book, Scott Carpenter analyzes multiple manifestations of the false in nineteenth-century France. Under Carpenter's thorough and systematic analysis, fraudulence emerges as a cultural preoccupation in nineteenth-century literature and society, whether it be in the form of literary mystifications, the thematic portrayal of frauds, or the privileging of falseness as an aesthetic principle. Focusing particularly on the aesthetics of fraudulence in works by Merimee, Balzac, Baudelaire, Vidocq, Sand, and others, Carpenter places these literary representations within the context of other cultural phenomena, such as caricature, political history, and ceremonial events. As he highlights the special relationship between literary fiction and fraudulence, Carpenter argues that falseness arises as an aesthetic preoccupation in post-revolutionary France, where it introduces a blurring of limits between hitherto discrete categories. This transgression of boundaries challenges notions of authenticity and sincerity, categories that Romantic aesthetics championed at the beginning of the nineteenth century in France. Carpenter's study makes an important contribution to the cultural significance of mystification in nineteenth-century France and furthers our understanding of French literature and cultural history.

One way or another, terror will reign tonight. School teacher and single mom, Emma Livingston, has been through hell-and back so she thinks. While dealing with the night terrors and active imagination of her five-year old daughter, Hannah, she attempts to lead a normal life. That is, until the demon from those nightmares pays her a visit, too, and threatens both of their lives. Desperate, she reaches out for help-and finds Michael waiting. Michael D'Angelo is known to everyone in Prophet's Point, Arizona, as their loving elementary school principal. But to The Brethren, he is the most powerful Protector. Immortal and angelic does not mean he's without doubts or fears, as protecting Emma and Hannah from Evil tests his ability to fight his tortured past. As the Trinity is formed, ancient secrets are revealed and faith is tested. When a prophecy is exposed, Hannah becomes the main target and Emma wonders if a normal life will ever be possible again. Hope is like an anchor, but can a mother, her daughter, and an angel overcome the evil determined to annihilate the world?

Camille Dutton, The Book Waitress, learned early in life Satan was not to be trifled with. Escaping his evil clutches as a child, she's worried he's come back with a vengeance for her now. She has luck on her side, though. Good and bad. On the upside, she narrowly escaped death and the devil claiming her soul. On the downside, a portal has been opened, and she can feel every time a beast from Hell crosses over to our world. One creature in particular, a rogue ice demon named Synn, has made it his personal mission to protect her as part of his reformation. Her boyfriend, Derek, and his friends don't trust him for a minute. Tempers flare, and passions ignite unexpectedly while new problems emerge. Can this fledgling team of demon-slayers rise above adversity, or will Evil tear them apart bit by bit and have its day? The portal between Hell and Earth is torn asunder, and it will take everything Camille Dutton has and then some to close it. Satan won't go down easy, but nothing worth everything comes without a price. The Book Waitress Series is a compilation of 13 serialized novellas paying homage to the TV shows I loved to watch- Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Charmed. This volume contains the first three novellas connected seamlessly together into this one full-length novel. The next three novellas will be releasing in the months to come and will also be compiled into the next volume. "Remiel's stories pull you in, captivate your heart, and make you beg for more." -USA Today Bestselling Author, Laura Wright "Deena Remiel's Book Waitress Series is a rare find. One part Buffy, another part Exorcist, with an extra large dash of hunky reporter, its bound to wind up on your favorite series list. It's certainly on mine." -Rebecca Royce, bestselling author of the Westervelt Wolves.

We are most shaped by the things that we are ashamed of. Ronald "Butcher" Blake is The Man when it comes to high school football in 1988. With the other heroes of the undefeated Mims High School Mustangs he is one of the elite. The untouchable. That is until he takes it upon himself, while showing off for his teammates, to assault and frighten a mentally disabled boy in the hallway at school. Letting the punishment fit the crime, the principal and his coach devise an ingenious way of teaching Butcher a lesson. He won't be suspended from school or kicked off the team, provided he agrees to one stipulation. Butcher Blake will be the new bodyguard for the boy, Ethan Miles. The rest of the Mustangs, however, don't like losing their partner in crime to "some retard" and they do all they can to make life even harder on Butcher and his new charge. Led by Derek Skyler and his personal Goon Squad, the remaining members of the team, and even Butcher's girlfriend, launch an effort to wreck the new arrangement. No longer elite and no longer untouchable, Butcher begins to see that there is more to life than just football. A realization that he fights every step of the way. Picking On Retards is a novel about the hardest lessons we learn. The ones about ourselves.