Over the last two decades, the image of the U.S. space program has become seriously tarnished. Its problems have ranged from massive cost overruns to serious program delays to catastrophic mission failures. The space program, once the most prominent symbol of American scientific and technological preeminence, now seems but one more example of government bumbling, extravagance, and waste. In this study, Kay examines the recent problems of the space program and finds that NASA's failures, like its earlier successes, are ultimately traceable to the way the American political system operates. Asking can democracies fly in space?, the author suggests that the traditional workings of democratic politics actually exacerbates those very features of space projects--size, expense, and complexity--that make their development so difficult in the first place.

Applying the ethical concepts of Thomas Aquinas to contemporary moral problems, this book both presents new interpretations of Thomist theology and offers new insights into today's perplexing moral dilemmas. This volume addresses such contemporary issues as internalized oppression, especially as it relates to women and African-Americans; feminism and anger; child abuse; friendship and charity; and finally, justice and reason. The collection revives Aquinas as an ethicist who has relevant things to say about contemporary concerns. These essays illustrate how Thomistic ethics can encourage and empower people in moral struggles. As the first book to use Aquinas to explore such issues as child abuse and oppression, it includes a variety of approaches to Aquinas' ethics. "Aquinas and Empowerment" is a valuable resource for students of classical thought and contemporary ethics.

The best-selling field guide that "sets new standards" ("New Scientist") and "makes all other field guides for mammals of the United States. . . and Canada obsolete" ("Journal of Mammalogy") is now even better. Covering 20 species recognized since 2002 and including 13 new color plates, this fully revised edition of "Mammals of North America" illustrates all 462 known mammal species in the United States and Canada--each in beautiful color and accurate detail. With a more up-to-date species list than any other guide, improved facing-page descriptions, easier-to-read distribution maps, updated common and scientific names, and track and scat illustrations, this slim, light, and easy-to-use volume is the must-have source for identifying North American mammals.

Roland Kays and Don Wilson have scoured the technical literature to pull out the key differences between similar species, and illustrated these whenever possible, making the guide useful to amateur naturalists and professional zoologists alike. Casual animal watchers will appreciate the overview of mammal diversity and the tips on identifying animals they can spy in their binoculars, while scientists will appreciate the exacting detail needed to distinguish similar species, including illustrations of shrew teeth, bat toes, and whale dorsal fins.The best-illustrated and easiest-to-use field guide to North American mammals Beautiful and accurate color illustrations of all 462 mammals found in the United States and Canada--including 20 species recognized since 2002 112 color plates--including 13 new ones Key identification information--fully revised--on facing pages The most current taxonomy/species list Fully revised, easy-to-read range maps Illustrations of tracks, scat, and whale and dolphin dive sequences

For eleven years, Kim Ndili, a goal-driven beautiful woman from a Midwest town, stood by her husband Gbenga (Binga) and held her secrets while hiding her the bruises. Her love held her family together. Her faith told her to hold on even when it meant taking their two boys and following her man to West Africa. Will honoring her vows mean dishonoring herself? She finds the strength to go back home to her Midwest town, far from Gbenga. Home where she can heal, pick up the pieces and take control of her life, but it meant being ripped from her boys. Family and love have always meant so much to her. It is a story about strength of hope, elusive but ultimately redemptive, with a cast of unforgettable characters. Torn between fear, shame and her spiritual intelligence, Kim wrestles with choices she never dreamed her family would face. Its a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Nigeria, revealing the strength in a mother's love and the delicate but loving bonds that hold us together and ultimately push us through. Readers of BLACK & BLUE by Anna Quindlen or MIGRATIONS OF THE HEART by Marita Golden will enjoy HOLDING ONTO SOMEWHERE.