“No dragons, but [Crystal Singer] has all of [Anne] McCaffrey's gifts for world-building and characterization . . . an excellent book.”—Chicago Sun-Times Her name was Killashandra Ree; and after ten grueling years of musical training she was young, beautiful—and still without prospects. Then she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild on the planet Ballybran, where the fabled Black Crystal was found. For those qualified, the Guild was said to provide careers, security, and the chance for wealth beyond imagining. The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. To Killashandra the risks were acceptable . . .

Candlewick, one of the most popular lines of glass produced by the Imperial Glass Corporation of Bellaire, Ohio, was introduced in 1936 and manufactured until 1984. Today this pattern, made in crystal and many lovely colors, attracts avid collectors of fine glassware. In this beautifully photographed and newly revised book, nearly every item in the crystal line is shown and discussed. The authors have carefully researched Imperial's factory records, catalogs, and price lists to assemble extensive background information on these exclusively crystal Candlewick items. Organized in easy-to-use categories, the book covers place settings, serving pieces, sets, and miscellaneous items such as ashtrays, candleholders, compotes, and vases. This expanded second edition includes additional photographs and original factory material. To further help with identification, undocumented pieces, reproductions, and similarities are shown as well. Measurements for all of Candlewick's stem and tumbler lines are included, as well as many new facts. Newly updated values are included in the captions and in an overall price guide organized by mold number. This book is an essential reference for Candlewick collectors and all who enjoy beautiful glass. A separate companion volume presents the colored and decorated lines of Candlewick.

Crystal had destroyed Killashandra’s memory, and only crystal could restore it—if she dared! When Killashandra Ree joined the mysterious Heptite Guild, she knew that she would be forever changed. Crystal singing brought ecstasy and pain, near-eternal life . . . and gradual loss of memory. What she hadn’t counted on was the loneliness she felt when her heart still remembered what her mind had forgotten. Fortunately, someone still cared enough to try to salvage what was left of Killashandra’s mind. But she would have to learn to open herself—to another person, and to all her unpleasant memories. “A treat for long-time McCaffrey fans, a good read and a satisfying look at one of the most haunting facets of the crystal singers’ profession.”—Locus

It is nonnal for the preface to explain the motivation behind the writing of the book. Since many good books dealing with the general theory of crystal defects already exist, a new book has to be especially justified, and here its main justification lies in its treatment of crystal line interfaces. About 1961, the work of the author, essentially based on the fundamental work of Professor F. C. Frank, started to branch away from the main flow of thought in this field and eventually led to a general geometrical theory which is presented as a whole for the first time in this book. Although nearly all that is presented has already been published in different journals and symposia, it might be difficult for the reader to follow that literature, as a new terminology and new methods of analysis had to be developed. Special emphasis is given to discussion and many diagrams are included in order that a clear view of the basic concepts be obtained. Intennediate summaries try to bring out the main points of the chapters. Instead of specific exercises, general suggestions for them are given. The part up to chapter 9 is considered more or less as introductory, so that the book can be studied without specific knowledge of crystals and crystal defects. The presentation of that part developed out of lectures given by the author at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

One of the motivating questions in materials research today is, how can elements be combined to produce a solid with specified properties? This book is intended to acquaint the reader with established principles of crystallography and cohesive forces that are needed to address the fundamental relationship between the composition, structure and bonding. Starting with an introduction to periodic trends, the book discusses crystal structures and the various primary and secondary bonding types, and finishes by describing a number of models for predicting phase stability and structure. Containing a large number of worked examples, exercises, and detailed descriptions of numerous crystal structures, this book is primarily intended as an advanced undergraduate or graduate level textbook for students of materials science. It will also be useful to scientists and engineers who work with solid materials.

This volume reveals a whole new dimension of crystal awareness, offering guidelines and instruction on how we, as human beings can become as clear as the crystals and develop the full spectrum of the rainbow ray body. The crystals are tools and teachers demonstrating how to materially manifest perfected form. Katrina focuses on how we can align ourselves with the perfect cosmic geometric grid of light (as the crystals so purely demonstrate). This would literally change the frequency at which we vibrate. Emphasising planetary peace, specific information is given to assist individuals in stabilising their personal identity within their own lighted centre of truth, thus establishing entirely new concepts of being. Introduced for the first time are crystals and stones that facilitate this process, the final six Master Crystals and a pure Crystalline Transmission through the writing itself. Included are: Specific stones and layouts for individuals suffering from or prone to AIDS; Crystals that facilitate the activation of new Chakra centres; Tantric layouts for couples; Stones and Crystals for protection against nuclear radiation; Dematerialisation in action; Encoded crystals -- the cosmic alphabet; Crystals and stones for the new race of beings birthing onto the Earth; Information of many new stones and crystals to serve our unfoldment in the 1990s.

A touching and funny story of one girl’s journey to discover where she came from and the unlimited possibilities of who she can become, from Crystal Allen, the acclaimed author of How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy and The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown. Laura Dyson wants two things in life: to be accepted by her classmates and to be noticed by ultracute baseball star Troy Bailey. But everyone at school teases her for being overweight, and Troy won’t give her a second glance. Until one day, their history teacher announces a field trip to the run-down slave shack on her grandmother’s property. Heck to the power of no way! Her grandmother insists that it’s more than just an old shack; it’s a monument to the strong women in their family—the Laura Line. But Laura knows better: her classmates will never accept her once they see the shack. So she comes up with the perfect plan to get the trip canceled . . . but when a careless mistake puts the shack—and the Laura Line—in jeopardy, Laura must decide what’s truly important to her. Can Laura figure out how to get what she wants at school while also honoring her family’s past?