In early 2020, few Indians watching the COVID-19 pandemic unfold globally may have thought about it spreading across India. As the COVID-19 cases started rising, the Indian government declared a 3-week lockdown in March 2020 and followed it up with four more over the next six months. India had the most stringent lockdown globally for most of 2020 and this book looks closely at the lives of Indians during that year. In 2020, video calling apps enabled people to interact professionally and personally and became the biggest saviors. Shopping became an expedition and exercising an adventure as the Indian lockdown did not allow most outdoor activities. The author heard the world’s loudest insect in his community when the lockdown stopped all activity. This book documents many such wondrous natural phenomena that the author observed when nature was in free flow in absence of human interference. The author’s kaleidoscopic coverage paints a fascinating picture of his life in a pandemic year. In a year that saw postponement of the Olympics by a year, a race was on to develop a COVID-19 vaccine with more than 100 vaccine candidates in line for use in 2021. My Life in a Pandemic is a great chronicle of the 21st century’s first pandemic that dramatically reshaped human history.

In the times before time, a great and glorious kingdom named Urbanus once existed. Urbanus: The Kingdom Chronicles is an epic parable recounting the historical conflict between invisible and universal forces that perpetually contend for the hearts and minds of men. The people of Urbanus were compelled to choose between liberty and tyranny and ultimately life and death. The uniqueness of the characters in the story testifies to the reality that those who cannot rule themselves will be ruled by tyrants. The larger-than-life cast of characters in this multidimensional epic include Abner the Seer, messenger of King Salem; Wain of Lair, captain of the Northern Rangers; his brother, Lothair, lieutenant of the rangers; their ranger cohorts: the Brothers Fairn, the Men of Invar, and Lon of Mark; Macoot, the elusive chieftain of the Toon; Jurius Hanner, guardian of the Jasper Stone and grandfather of Daylin Hanner, a young daydreamer who is the chosen instrument of King Salem; Souteneur, the notorious godfather of crime and corruption of the underworld of Urbanus. They represent the forces of light. Sanballat, the evil emir of the Southern Kingdom along with a complex host of supporting personalities and creatures represent the forces of darkness.

Renegotiating Health Care Since the first edition of Renegotiating Health Care was published in 1995, new treatments, technologies, business models, reimbursement methods, and regulations have tangibly transformed the substance of health care negotiation. This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Renegotiating Health Care offers a practical guide to negotiation and conflict resolution in the health care field. It explores why unresolved conflict can hamper any organization's ability to make timely, cost-effective decisions and implement new strategies. The book focuses on the complex interactions between those who deliver, receive, administer, and oversee health care. It defines negotiation techniques and conflict resolution approaches that can improve efficiency, quality of care, and patient safety. Renegotiating Health Care outlines strategies and methods to resolve the myriad thorny issues encompassing the health care enterprise. It should be required reading for students and professionals in health services management, clinicians, leaders, policy makers, and conflict resolution experts working in the health care field. Praise for Renegotiating Health Care "An outstanding book! I learned their principles of meta-leadership while at the CDC and continue to use them at ABC News. This book is a must for anyone in leadership: practical, intuitive, and priceless." Richard E. Besser, MD, chief health and medical editor, ABC News "This book is a must-read to assist today's health professional navigate the ever-changing health care delivery system. Leadership will be the key to success." Pat Ford-Roegner, RN, MSW, FAAN, senior health consultant and former CEO, American Academy of Nursing