This Festschrift is a collection of essays contributed by students, colleagues, and ad mirers to honor an eminent scholar on a special anniversary: Charles Hard Townes on the occasion of his 80th birthday, July 28, 1995. In 1964, Townes shared the Nobel Prize in physics with Alexander Mikhailovich Prokhorov and Nikolai Gen nadyevich Basov "for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle. " His contributions have covered a much wider area, however. His fruitful interests spanning several decades have included many scientific subjects, includ ing, microwave spectroscopy and astrophysics (other articles in this volume will expand further on this point). He has also contributed to public service, having served as the chairman of the Science and Technology Advisory Committee for NASA's Apollo program, and as a member and vice chairman of the President's Science Advisory Committee. As the enormous breadth of contributions from his students shows, he has educated scholars who are now in a wide range of fields. The contributions from his many admirers, among whom are nine fellow Nobel laureates, attest to his impact on many disciplines ranging from electrical engi neering to medicine. His influence extends even to theology, as is indicated by one essay. The broadly international character of this Festschrift reflects his deep belief in the international, universal nature of science.

Grappling with his son's death, the painter David explores his grief through art and writing, etching out the rippled landscape of his loss. Over twenty years after his son's death, nearly blind and unable to paint, David turns to writing to examine the deep shades of his loss. Despite his acute pain, or perhaps because of it, David observes beauty in the ordinary: in the resemblance of a woman to Egyptian portraits, in the horseshoe crabs that wash up on Coney Island, in the foam gathering behind a ferry propeller; in these moments, González reveals the world through a painter's eyes. From one of Colombia's greatest contemporary novelists, Difficult Light is a formally daring meditation on grief, written in candid, arresting prose.

A boy rides a bicycle down a dusty road. But in his mind, he envisions himself traveling at a speed beyond imagining, on a beam of light. This brilliant mind will one day offer up some of the most revolutionary ideas ever conceived. From a boy endlessly fascinated by the wonders around him, Albert Einstein ultimately grows into a man of genius recognized the world over for profoundly illuminating our understanding of the universe. Jennifer Berne and Vladimir Radunsky invite the reader to travel along with Einstein on a journey full of curiosity, laughter, and scientific discovery. Parents and children alike will appreciate this moving story of the powerful difference imagination can make in any life.

You've heard it all before: Get good grades. Keep your room clean. Wear the right clothes. Try new extracurricular activities. And why don't you have a boyfriend? All these demands can be mind-boggling! What's a girl to do? Girls Inc. Presents: You're Amazing! is a guide to help you deal with the amount of pressure you endure to be "perfect." In this fun and enthusiastic, not-your-mother's book, you'll get advice on not-so-easy topics, including how to: Deal with stereotypes and cliques Figure out the best way to balance school and a social life Navigate the crushes and dating world Find a place in your family Packed with guidance from older teens, female role models, and activities from Girls Inc., this fun to read book is truly a guide to being your very best-and happiest-self.

2015 James Beard Foundation Book Award Winner for Focus on Health Discover the delicious science behind healthy cooking! Too often, home cooks with good intentions sacrifice flavor and texture in an attempt to make their favorite recipes healthier. Mad Delicious shows readers how to maximize flavor and texture through 120 new recipes, witty and funny narrative, insight on the nature of ingredients, and a fresh, innovative perspective on the science of cooking with illustrated explanations. The results are mad delicious! Mad Delicious takes the kitchen science genre to the next level: It's not just about chemistry and molecules. Schroeder teaches home cooks about the nature of ingredients, how to maximize texture and flavor with clever cooking techniques (try steaming beef-then soaking it in wine sauce for the most tender steak ever!), smooth moves in the kitchen for better work flow, and how all the sciences-geography, meteorology, chemistry, physics, botany, biology, even human sociology and anthropology-can help home cooks master the science of light cooking. Every recipe is a fun adventure in the kitchen resulting in mad delicious eats: Learn how to cook pasta like risotto for a silky sauce and enjoy Toasted Penne with Chicken Sausage. Other recipes include Lower East Side Brisket, Fish Sticks!, Cocoa-Crusted New York Strip, Georgia Peanut Fried Chicken, Red Sauce Joint Hero Sandwiches, Spicy Crab Fried Rice, Tandoori Chicken, and Bourbon Steamed Peaches.

What would your life be like if you could shoot absolutely amazing portraits? If you could be in any natural lighting situation, indoors or out, and know that you’d be able to create an amazing image every time? If you’ve ever dreamed of making such incredible portraits that your friends and family say, “Wait a minute, this is your photo!? You took this?” then you’re in luck.

Award-winning photography book author Scott Kelby teaches you exactly how to shoot and edit gorgeous natural light portraits. Scott shares all his secrets and time-tested techniques, as he discusses everything from his essential go-to portrait gear to camera settings to the portrait photography techniques you need to create absolutely stunning images. From window light to taming harsh outdoor light, from the tools and accessories you need to capture beautiful portraits in any lighting condition, Scott has got you covered.

Among many other topics, you’ll learn:

• The secrets to getting super-sharp portraits every time without breaking a sweat.

• Exactly which camera settings work best for natural light portraits (and which ones you should avoid).

• How to create separation with a silky smooth, out-of-focus background no matter which lens you have.

• How to tame even the harshest light and turn it to your advantage to create soft, beautiful, wrapping light.

• Which lenses will get you the best results and why.

• What gear you need, which accessories work best, and a ton of killer tips that will help you create better images and make the entire experience that much more fun.

It’s all here, including an entire chapter on post-processing and retouching, and another with detailed portrait recipes, and best of all, it’s just one topic per page, so you’ll get straight to the info you need fast. There’s never been a natural light portrait photography book like it!