In No Easy Choice, Ellen Painter Dollar tells her gut-wrenching story of living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)a disabling genetic bone disorder that was passed down to her first childand deciding whether to conceive a second child who would not have OI using assisted reproduction. Her story brings to light the ethical dilemmas surrounding advanced reproductive technologies. What do procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) say about how we define human worth? If we avoid such procedures, are we permitting the suffering of our children? How do we identify a "good life" in a consumer society that values appearance, success, health, and perfection? Dollar considers multiple sides of the debate, refusing to accept the matter as simply black and white. Her book will help parents who want to understand and make good decisions about assisted reproduction, as well as those who support and counsel them, including pastors and medical professionals.

Monograph on political participation in developing countries - studies the relationship between social or economic growth or modernization and political participation, and examines the factors (e.g. Economic development, social status, group consciousness, group organization, interest groups) that contribute to the latter. Diagrams, references and statistical tables.

Two happily-married firefighters must deal with the rigors and responsibilities of a new baby in their relationship. Firefighter Annie Ferris O’Shea has it all: an idyllic marriage to her high school sweetheart, an exciting career and a circle of devoted friends. But when she has a child, everything changes. Colin O’Shea is a traditional good guy who sees things in black and white. He adores his wife—hell they’ve been together since he was sixteen—but the addition of a new baby complicates their relationship. They fight! They end up in bed! And nothing’s solved. Colin’s frustrated and Annie’s disgusted at what’s become of them. The Sisters of Fire babysit her daughter and take Annie on nights out, but they can’t make these two see eye-to-eye. The O’Shea’s marriage is in jeopardy. When any kind of compromise seems doomed, will Colin and Annie have to face the end of their marriage? Scoop up this story. As one reviewer sees it, “This is a beautifully crafted novella that feels genuine and true. The Sisters of Fire step in when needed and provide a strong base for this couple. We would all be so lucky to have friends like this in our lives. This is a wonderful addition to this series and well worth the time spent reading!” SeekersOfGreat Stories Blog

The economy uncertain, education in decline, cities under siege, crime and poverty spiraling upward, international relations roiling: we look to leaders for solutions, and when they don’t deliver, we simply add their failure to our list of woes. In doing do, we do them and ourselves a grave disservice. We are indeed facing an unprecedented crisis of leadership, Ronald Heifetz avows, but it stems as much from our demands and expectations as from any leader’s inability to meet them. His book gets at both of these problems, offering a practical approach to leadership for those who lead as well as those who look to them for answers. Fitting the theory and practice of leadership to our extraordinary times, the book promotes a new social contract, a revitalization of our civic life just when we most need it. Drawing on a dozen years of research among managers, officers, and politicians in the public realm and the private sector, among the nonprofits, and in teaching, Heifetz presents clear, concrete prescriptions for anyone who needs to take the lead in almost any situation, under almost any organizational conditions, no matter who is in charge, His strategy applies not only to people at the top but also to those who must lead without authority—activists as well as presidents, managers as well as workers on the front line.