Madness is for the popular, those who have people around to notice it. Others will suffer alone, their crimes true crimes with no excuses, their behaviour; unacceptable, their rooms are cells and their minds echo the trot, trot, trot of deformed wild horses. They are monsters in the making. They headlines waiting to happen and they are everywhere.

The last of the Spanish Romantics, composer, conductor, and impresario Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) left his mark on virtually every aspect of Spanish musical culture during a career which spanned six decades, and saw tremendous political and cultural upheavals. After Falla, he was the most important and influential musician: in addition to his creative activities, he was President of the General Society of Authors and Editors and director of the Academy of Fine Arts and Teatro Zarzuela. His enduring contributions as a composer include copious amounts of guitar music composed for Andres Segovia and several highly successful zarzuelas which remain in the repertoire today. Written by two leading experts in the field, Federico Moreno Torroba: A Musical Life in Three Acts explores not only his life and work, but also the relationship of his music to the cultural milieu in which he moved. It sheds particular light on the relationship of Torroba's music and the cultural politics of Francisco Franco's dictatorship (1939-75). Torroba came of age in a cultural renaissance that sought to reassert Spain's position as a unique cultural entity, and authors Walter A. Clark and William Krause demonstrate how his work can be understood as a personal, musical response to these aspirations. Clark and Krause argue that Torroba's decision to remain in Spain even during the years of Franco's dictatorship was based primarily not on political ideology but rather on an unwillingness to leave his native soil. Rather than abandon Spain to participate in the dynamic musical life abroad, he continued to compose music that reflected his conservative view of his national and personal heritage. The authors contend that this pursuit did not necessitate allegiance to a particular regime, but rather to the non-political exaltation of Spain's so-called 'eternal tradition', or the culture and spirit that had endured throughout Spain's turbulent history. Following Franco's death in 1975, there was ambivalence towards figures like Torroba who had made their peace with the dictatorship and paid a heavy price in terms of their reputation among expatriates. Moreover, his very conservative musical style made him a target for the post-war avant-garde, which disdained his highly tonal and melodic espanolismo. With the demise of high modernism, however, the time has come for this new, more distanced assessment of Torroba's contributions. Richly illustrated with figures and music examples, and with a helpful discography for reference, this biography brings a fresh perspective on this influential composer to Latin American and Iberian music scholars, performers, and lovers of Spanish music alike.

Some books about foreign travel provide the reader with a basic list of what to do and where to go when visiting an unfamiliar country. In Memoirs of China, however, readers get to see what daily life in China, and Beijing in particular, is really like. From his thoughts about leaving home alone and arriving in Beijing for the first time, to his daily experiences in teaching and interacting with students and faculty at China Youth University for Political Sciences, the author provides personal reminiscences that give readers an almost-palpable sense of life in modern China. In this book you will read about the author's experiences at some well-known sites, such as the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. But you will mostly discover the real China. You will learn about the "English corner," a spot at People's University where every Friday night hundreds of people gather to speak and listen to English. You will learn what it would be like to attend the Beijing Auto Show, visit a kindergarten class at a Montessori school, get lost in a women's dormitory, and take a four-hour pedicab trip operated by an unlicensed guide. And, most important, you will learn about the friendships that can develop when one person travels alone to a foreign country. As the author points out, even though he went to China to teach, he probably learned as much, if not more, than his students. Readers of this book will likely feel the same way.

After pulling a magical thunderbolt from a stone, ten-year-old Zeus goes on the adventure of a lifetime in this thrilling start to a brand-new series
"The terrible Titans--merciless giants who enjoy snacking on humans--have dominated the earth and put the world into chaos. But their rule is about to be put to the test as a group of young Olympians discover their powers and prepare to righteously rule the universe...."
Ten-year-old Zeus is mystified (and super-annoyed) by the fact that he keeps getting hit by lightening. Every. Single. Year. He also longs for adventure, as he has never been far from the cave where he grew up.
Zeus gets his wish--and a lot more than he bargained for--when he is kidnapped by dangerous, giant Titans In self-defense, Zeus grabs the first thing he sees--an actual thunderbolt he pulls from a stone that is covered in mysterious markings. Zeus is the only one who can decipher the markings, and sets off on a quest to rescue his fellow Olympians from the evil Cronus. Armed with his trusty thunderbolt (named Bolt, of course), Zeus is on an adventure of a lifetime--and a journey to fulfill his destiny as King of the Gods.

Ares, Zeus, and the other Olympians encounter a huge snake and a sharp challenge in this Heroes in Training adventure.
After overcoming many challenges, Zeus and his fellow Olympians arrive at the temple at Delphi--only to find a giant snake guarding the entrance Beyond the python, Pythia appears. Trapped in the temple by the python's magic and mere presence, Pythia urges the Olympians not to worry about her, for they are urgently needed on another quest.
The Olympians are now out to find the Spear of Fear. A group of Amazonian women currently have it, but it really belongs to Ares, the God of War. Ares is thrilled to know the next quest is about him--but soon realizes that when it comes to the powerful spear, he has a LOT to learn...

Wind Turbine Foundations (ICE Themes) presents fourteen chapters covering the latest international research and case studies on offshore wind farm foundations. Chapters encompass field observations on sites in several countries as well as computational and laboratory studies. Ground conditions vary from soft clay to dense sand. Key features of this book include (1) broad coverage of the subject including monopile foundations, axial loaded piles and suction caissons; (2) international scope with authors from Australia, Ireland, Tanzania, Norway, Greece, China and the United Kingdom; and (3) an overview of key issues. This book, which has been edited by two leading experts in the field is an ideal resource for engineers and researchers seeking an overview of the latest research in this exciting area.

Geothermal Energy, Heat Exchange Systems and Energy Piles focuses on topics from high temperature geothermal energy extraction, to lower temperature situations at ground surface and shallow depths. Providing broad international coverage, the chapters encompass field observations on sites in several countries as well as computational and laboratory studies. Ground conditions vary from hard rock to chalk, loess to London Clay. Key features of this book include (1) international case histories on geothermal energy extraction; (2) coverage of geothermal resource exploration, characterisation and evaluation; and (3) design and assessment of energy piles. This book, which has been edited by two leading experts in the field, is an ideal resource for engineers and researchers seeking an overview of the latest research in this exciting area.

When a flock of angry birds threaten Zeus and his fellow Olympians, they need the help of a new friend--assuming the stranger is actually a friend
After a horrible drought, Zeus and his fellow Olympians are determined to help restore the land as they try to figure out their current mission, to find a special shield called an aegis. Thanks to some grateful villagers, who benefit from the rain and crops that the young Olympians magically create, they find the armor they need.
But they are suddenly swarmed by birds--thousands of killer, scary birds. And when a mysterious boy appears in the chaos, it looks like he might be more connected to the Olympians than they think. Is he friend...or foe?

A young Poseidon must triumph over aquatic terrors in this Heroes in Training adventure.
The merciless Cronus and his Titan buddies are in hot pursuit of Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon, who plan to travel across the treacherous boiling sea in order to save a fellow Olympian. They have a boat, but they also have a problem: Poseidon can't swim and is terrified of the water (well, really of the creatures that lurk in its depths). The group faces danger after danger as they battle singing sirens, a fishy and ferocious Titan named Oceanus, and people-eating monsters sent by Cronus himself. Can Poseidon overcome his fears and help his fellow heroes escape Cronus and his cronies?

The last of the Spanish Romantics, composer, conductor, and impresario Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) left his mark on virtually every aspect of Spanish musical culture during a career which spanned six decades, and saw tremendous political and cultural upheavals. After Falla, he was the most important and influential musician: in addition to his creative activities, he was President of the General Society of Authors and Editors and director of the Academy of Fine Arts and Teatro Zarzuela. His enduring contributions as a composer include copious amounts of guitar music composed for Andres Segovia and several highly successful zarzuelas which remain in the repertoire today. Written by two leading experts in the field, Federico Moreno Torroba: A Musical Life in Three Acts explores not only his life and work, but also the relationship of his music to the cultural milieu in which he moved. It sheds particular light on the relationship of Torroba's music and the cultural politics of Francisco Franco's dictatorship (1939-75). Torroba came of age in a cultural renaissance that sought to reassert Spain's position as a unique cultural entity, and authors Walter A. Clark and William Krause demonstrate how his work can be understood as a personal, musical response to these aspirations. Clark and Krause argue that Torroba's decision to remain in Spain even during the years of Franco's dictatorship was based primarily not on political ideology but rather on an unwillingness to leave his native soil. Rather than abandon Spain to participate in the dynamic musical life abroad, he continued to compose music that reflected his conservative view of his national and personal heritage. The authors contend that this pursuit did not necessitate allegiance to a particular regime, but rather to the non-political exaltation of Spain's so-called 'eternal tradition', or the culture and spirit that had endured throughout Spain's turbulent history. Following Franco's death in 1975, there was ambivalence towards figures like Torroba who had made their peace with the dictatorship and paid a heavy price in terms of their reputation among expatriates. Moreover, his very conservative musical style made him a target for the post-war avant-garde, which disdained his highly tonal and melodic espanolismo. With the demise of high modernism, however, the time has come for this new, more distanced assessment of Torroba's contributions. Richly illustrated with figures and music examples, and with a helpful discography for reference, this biography brings a fresh perspective on this influential composer to Latin American and Iberian music scholars, performers, and lovers of Spanish music alike.

The Heroes in Training are entering the Underworld--if Hades can conquer his canine fears, that is.
The Underworld usually isn't really meant to be a fun place--but tell that to Hades He loves the dark and the stinky smell of sulfur. However, there is one thing that Hades is not a fan of: dogs. And when Zeus and his fellow Olympians encounter Cerberus--a snarling, three-headed dog--Hades must conquer his fears and tame the hound so everyone can continue into the Underworld and deposit their Titan prisoner, Oceanus, back where he belongs
But with magical water that causes forgetfulness, hot beds of lava, and another epic battle with two more Titans standing in their way, will Zeus and his heroes make it out of the Underworld with everyone intact?