A distinction is drawn between two very similarities based on the two types of characters that the same type of society produced. Orie, Puzo and Nmaku who hail from Angwa and the adjoining Ocha remained back in the village and made their lives almost permanently there rarely knowing what was going on in the outside world but being nonetheless greatly influenced by the latter. Their daily chores are dictated by the daily basic necessities of the moment and they have little to worry perpetually about. A lot of their life is controlled by the dictations and predictions of the traditional medicine man who occasionally misfires in his predictions which have no scientific basis supporting them. His situation is often taken advantage of by the political class who have little or nothing to lose even if the polity collapses. But Livinus on the other end of the spectrum emerges from the civil war and through a dint of luck and hard work studies hard and becomes a doctor. He even proceeds overseas despite a close shave by arsonists. He specializes and returns home to Akunwanta town from where he is again catapulted by fate and focus to become the governor of his state after a battle between titans eliminates the principal contestants. He at first meant well and had the intention of helping to reform society. Post election litigation and his lack of the economic leverage almost cost him his mandate. But again fate plays a hard one on him and because of his lack of cash he gets tied up to the economic vampires of his society. He is bailed out by a coalition of these vampires and narrowly reclaims his mandate only after colossal bribing of umpires who were least expected to soil their hands. He decides never to go begging ever again and hence he delves headlong into the rot and decay, not by his will but by the circumstances prevailing around him.

★ “The activists’ stories are extraordinary...It’s a powerful answer to Rao’s framing questions: ‘Who is an environmental defender? What does she or he look like? Maybe like you. Maybe like me.’”—Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ “Thought-provoking reading for young people figuring out their own contributions. This valuable compilation shows that Earth’s salvation lies in the diversity of its people.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review One Earth profiles Black, Indigenous and People of Color who live and work as environmental defenders. Through their individual stories, the book shows that the intersection of environment and ethnicity is an asset to achieving environmental goals. The twenty short biographies introduce readers to diverse activists from all around the world, who are of many ages and ethnicities. From saving ancient trees on the West Coast of Canada, to protecting the Irrawaddy dolphins of India, to uncovering racial inequalities in the food system in the United States, these environmental heroes are celebrated by author and biologist Anuradha Rao, who outlines how they went from being kids who cared about the environment to community leaders in their field. One Earth is full of environmental role models waiting to be found.

A New York Times-bestselling author explains how the physical world shaped the history of our species When we talk about human history, we often focus on great leaders, population forces, and decisive wars. But how has the earth itself determined our destiny? Our planet wobbles, driving changes in climate that forced the transition from nomadism to farming. Mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece. Atmospheric circulation patterns later on shaped the progression of global exploration, colonization, and trade. Even today, voting behavior in the south-east United States ultimately follows the underlying pattern of 75 million-year-old sediments from an ancient sea. Everywhere is the deep imprint of the planetary on the human. From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the breathtaking impact of the earth beneath our feet on the shape of our human civilizations.

“We’re everywhere, and it’s time to come out of the closet: I speak of the tongue-tied generation, buyers of books with titles like Master Spanish in Ten Minutes a Day while You Nap. . . . We grew up listening to the language—usually in the kitchens of extended family—but we answered back mostly in English.” Demetria Martínez wields her trademark blend of humor and irony to give voice to her own “tongue-tied generation” in this notable series of essays, revealing her deeply personal views of the world. Martínez breaks down the barriers between prayer and action, between the border denizen and the citizen of the world, and between patriarchal religion and the Divine Mother. She explores her identity as a woman who has within her the “blood of the conquered and the conqueror,” and who must daily contend with yet a third world—white America.

Updated to provide a modern look at the daily stessors evolving in our ever changing society, Managing Stress: Skills for Self-Care, Personal Resiliency and Work-Life Balance in a Rapidly Changing World, Tenth Edition provides a comprehensive approach to stress management, honoring the balance and harmony of the mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Referred to as the “authority on stress management” by students and professionals, this book equips readers with the tools needed to identify and manage stress while also coaching on how to strive for health and balance in these changing times. The holistic approach taken by internationally acclaimed lecturer and author Brian Luke Seaward gently guides the reader to greater levels of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being by emphasizing the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection.