Chief engineer Thomas J. Kelly gives a firsthand account of designing, building, testing, and flying the Apollo lunar module. It was, he writes, “an aerospace engineer’s dream job of the century.” Kelly’s account begins with the imaginative process of sketching solutions to a host of technical challenges with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and maintainability. He catalogs numerous test failures, including propulsion-system leaks, ascent-engine instability, stress corrosion of the aluminum alloy parts, and battery problems, as well as their fixes under the ever-present constraints of budget and schedule. He also recaptures the exhilaration of hearing Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong report that “The Eagle has landed,” and the pride of having inadvertently provided a vital “lifeboat” for the crew of the disabled Apollo 13.

A landmark work that weaves captivating stories about the past, present, and personal into an inspiring vision for how America can educate immigrant students Setting out from her classroom, Jessica Lander takes the reader on a powerful and urgent journey to understand what it takes for immigrant students to become Americans. A compelling read for everyone who cares about America’s future, Making Americans brims with innovative ideas for educators and policy makers across the country. Lander brings to life the history of America’s efforts to educate immigrants through rich stories, including these: -The Nebraska teacher arrested for teaching an eleven-year-old boy in German who took his case to the Supreme Court -The California families who overturned school segregation for Mexican American children -The Texas families who risked deportation to establish the right for undocumented children to attend public schools She visits innovative classrooms across the country that work with immigrant-origin students, such as these: -A school in Georgia for refugee girls who have been kept from school by violence, poverty, and natural disaster -Five schools in Aurora, Colorado, that came together to collaborate with community groups, businesses, a hospital, and families to support newcomer children. -A North Carolina school district of more than 100 schools who rethought how they teach their immigrant-origin students She shares inspiring stories of how seven of her own immigrant students created new homes in America, including the following: -The boy who escaped Baghdad and found a home in his school’s ROTC program -The daughter of Cambodian genocide survivors who dreamed of becoming a computer scientist -The orphaned boy who escaped violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and created a new community here Making Americans is an exploration of immigrant education across the country told through key historical moments, current experiments to improve immigrant education, and profiles of immigrant students. Making Americans is a remarkable book that will reshape how we all think about nurturing one of America’s greatest assets: the newcomers who enrich this country with their energy, talents, and drive.

Gilmanton was briefly the most famous town in America. Today the town, nestled amongst the hills of Central New Hampshire and along the curve of the Suncook River, is a microcosm of the changing ways and enduring values of rural life in the twenty-first century. Driving Backwards is a poignant exploration of the vividness of the everyday. Across twenty years of summers, Jessica Lander has come to know Gilmanton and its residents. Valerie, who tends sixtyfive goats,home-schools ten children and crafts artisanal goat cheese. Jim and Cheryl, who raise miniature horses, flocks of chickens and long eared rabbits all on two tiny acres. Duncan, a third generation farmer, who harvests thousands of pound of wild blueberries each year summer. Chuck, who runs a six-generation dairy farm. Lander's guide is David Bickford—a fireman, carpenter, town selectman and nearly one hundred year old storyteller. Through richly observed portraits and elegant prose Lander elevates the ordinary, and encourages a deeper appreciation for the stories that surrounding us. With grace, humor, affection and insight, Driving Backwards blends three hundred years of colorful history with the contemporary lives, seasonal rhythms and varied landscape of modern small-town America.

A land at war, a failing king, a light in the forest ... Centuries ago, the powerful Alpine lords colonised the Great Forest. The native Silvan elves were accepting at first, but one elf's lust for power is threatening peace and driving a wedge between the two, immortal races. Leaders against followers, commanders against warriors. Fel'annár is an orphan with a million questions and no answers - his Silvan mother died and no one speaks of his Alpine father. With the face of an Alpine and the heart of a Silvan, the boy steps into this conflicted world with nothing in his pocket but a dream: to be a Silvan captain in an army commanded by Alpines, an army desperately struggling to hold its borders. Fel'annár's path as a novice warrior will teach him more than warfare. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, he must learn to deal with his personal conflicts and with an emerging power he is yet to understand. From recruit to novice warrior and beyond, Fel'annár is the Silvan that could change the balance of power and alter his world forever. "A brilliant and exciting work of fantasy. Enter the world of Bel'arán and meet Fel'annar and his friends in this fast paced tale. I loved this one, and can't wait to see what happens next! Great characters, strong plot, beautiful world building, and plenty of action! This story pulls you in, and doesn't let up until it's over! Easy to follow and entertaining from cover to cover, you don't want to miss it!" - Adventures Thru Wonderland "Captivating, intriguing and thrilling ... this was a one sit roller-coaster ride of adventure, courage and mystery for me. I loved it and would recommend it to everyone. The characters were well developed, strong and engaging with a thrilling plot and a hooking prose." - readdayandnight.com

Until 30 years ago, restaurateurs were considered the most important figures in any restaurant's success, with chefs consigned to the kitchen. This process began to change with the elevation of chef-patron Paul Bocuse in the late 1970s, and has continued with the rise of the celebrity chef. Restaurateurs are hugely important but rarely written about and significantly under-appreciated. The profession, other than its commercial and social aspects, has a fundamental human appeal: restaurateurs derive their name and profession from the French verb restaurer when their role was to restore the health of travellers battered by the potholes of French roads in the early 19th century. The role has changed a lot since then, and continues to evolve in fascinating ways."

Book V of The Silvan Saga. ★★★★★ "Destined to become an epic fantasy classic." With a kingdom to rebuild, the elven king must call on all his allies to commence the Restoration. With his army shattered and his people slowly coming to terms with the errors of the past, trust is hard to come by. After the Battle of Brothers, Fel'annár is a commander by name, but when a familiar enemy turns its attention on the Great Forest, the new Warlord will need all the help he can get to keep his warriors united under the command of Pan'assár, one-time nemesis of his people. But battle is not war, and Fel'annár will face his greatest challenge yet. Can he rise to leadership in the face of horror and heartbreak? Will he come to understand the true nature of his duty and rise the Silvan commander he was born to be?

This electronic version has been made available under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) open access license. An illuminating introduction to how the Lander (the sixteen states of Germany) function not only within the country itself but also within the wider context of European political affairs. Looks at the Lnader in the constitutional order of the country, and the political and administrative system. Their organization and administration is fully covered, as is their financial administration. The role of parties and elections in the Lander is looked at, and the importance of their parliaments. The first work in the English language that considers the Lander in this depth.