Can fairy tales subvert consumerism? Can fantasy and children's literature counter the homogenizing influence of globalization? Can storytellers retain their authenticity in the age of consumerism? These are some of the critical questions raised by Jack Zipes, the celebrated scholar of fairy tales and children's literature. In this book, Zipes argues that, despite a dangerous reconfiguration of children as consumers in the civilizing process, children's literature, fairy tales, and storytelling possess a uniquely powerful (even fantastic)capacity to resist the "relentless progress" of negative trends in culture. He also argues that these tales and stories may lose their power if they are too diluted by commercialism and merchandising. Stories have been used for centuries as a way to teach children (and adults) how to see the world, as well as their place within it. In Relentless Progress, Zipes looks at the surprising ways that stories have influenced people within contemporary culture and vice versa. Among the many topics explored here are the dumbing down of books for children, the marketing of childhood, the changing shape of feminist fairy tales, and why American and British children aren’t exposed to more non-western fairy tales. From picture books to graphic novels, from children’s films to video games, from Grimm’s fairy tales to the multimedia Harry Potter phenomenon, Zipes demonstrates that while children’s stories have changed greatly in recent years, much about these stories have remained the same—despite their contemporary, high-tech repackaging. Relentless Progress offers remarkable insight into why classic folklore and fairy tales should remain an important part of the lives of children in today’s digital culture.

Ready to Run an Ultramarathon? When you consider marathons, do you think, "been there, done that"? Like so many others, do you believe that humans were born to run? Do you seek a new challenge that tests your mental and physical limits? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to read "Relentless Forward Progress" and give ultramarathons a try! Veteran ultramarathoner and coach Bryon Powell shares insider know-ledge about training, racing, fueling, hydration, and much more. In this guide, you’ll find: --Daily training plans for races from 50k to 100 miles --A crash course in how to trail run --Advice from some of the world’s top ultrarunners --Proven strategies for race day success --Useful approaches for running uphill and downhill --What to look for in ultramarathon gear --Practical wisdom on speed work --Cross training ideas for running fitness and recovery --Tips on running barefoot --Inspiration to go farther than you’ve ever gone before

An Incredible Journey of Determination and Recovery In 2005, Ted W. Baxter was at the top of his game. He was a successful, globe-trotting businessman with a resume that would impress the best of the best. In peak physical condition, Ted worked out nearly every day of the week. And then, on April 21, 2005, all that came to an end. He had a massive ischemic stroke. Doctors feared he wouldn’t make it, or if he did make it, he would be in a vegetative state in a hospital bed for the rest of his life. But miraculously, that’s not what happened . . . In Relentless, Ted W. Baxter describes his remarkable recovery. Not only did he live, but he's walking and talking again. He moves through life almost as easily as he did before the stroke; only now, his life is better. He’s learned that having a successful career is maybe not the most important thing. He’s learned to appreciate life more. He's learned that he wants to help people—and that’s what he does. He gives back, volunteering his time and effort to help other stroke victims. ​Relentless is a wonderful resource for stroke survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones, but it is also an inspiring and motivating read for anyone who is facing struggles in their own life.

From bestselling author and mental toughness expert Jason Selk comes a mind-training regimen for reframing every problem into an opportunity for productive action. The most common cause of failing to reach our professional and personal goals is hardwired in us: Humans instinctively focus on problems. Over millennia, our very survival relied on our ability to be alert to any potential dangers that could threaten our existence. But today this negativity bias significantly limits our potential and increases stress, pressure, and underperformance. The one characteristic all phenomenally successful people share is mental toughness. Mentally tough people are better at making decisions more quickly and with better results. They possess the uncanny ability to control what goes on between their ears. Instead of allowing their minds to focus on their problems when adversity strikes, the most successful people have learned to direct their thoughts in a systematic manner that produces positive emotions and productive actions: they have a Relentless Solution Focus. In this book, top performance coach Dr. Jason Selk—former Director of Mental Training for the World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals—and his colleague Dr. Ellen Reed provide the insight, tools, and proven step-by-step framework for you to do the same. When you have Relentless Solution Focus, you think better. Your decisions garner positive results. You take action and follow through—every time. And when you do get off track, you get back on with less effort and less drama. Weakness shrinks and strength grows, creating confidence and momentum, taking you and your team to higher levels of performance and achievement.

Lady Sara Anne Grey's eternity is anything but dull. Between the often-conflicting demands of demon lovers, her corporate responsibilities, staying one step ahead of a murderous family of nobles, and having to please the crown, the afterlife is killing Sara Grey. Traipsing back to London after the bloodletting of the American Civil War, Sara discovers she's been too long absent from her corporation and responsibilities. Before she can focus on her work issues, the men from Grand Duke Bennett's family attempt to destroy her. The entire family just seems to be out for her blood. And if this most recent attempt to end her existence isn't enough, Sara must now trek off to deal with her wayward lover, Antonio, who is rumored to still be given over to his demonic nature. With her trusted amulet for companionship, Sara decides to deal with her problems head on. The Bennetts all need to die, the corporation needs to go, and Antonio needs to pull it together'or be replaced. From the posh streets of London to the Bristol countryside and the money-laden streets of New York City, Lady Sara risks final death and exposure of her vampire secret as she attempts to put her life straight. Will a life 380 years in the making end in triumph over adversity, or will one of the Bennett Family just end it?

The Gospel is more than information about the death and resurrection of our Lord. It is an invitation to enter, by way of personal faith, into a relationship with the person referenced by our propositions. Our task as believers is to mediate saving communion with a personal being upon whose will our very existence is contingent. It is precisely this personal aspect of our message, the Gospel-as-Person, that is in conflict with the late-modern notions of the Self and social discourse. Get Real: On Evangelism in the Late Modern World describes how the late-modern phenomena of existential anxiety, social alienation, and epistemic uncertainty have resulted in what some have called “the loss of Self.” It also identifies ways in which that loss obstructs both the presentation of and the reception of the Gospel-as-Person. Finally, it shows how the Gospel-as-Person facilitates the recovery of the Self and social discourse, and how that message can be effectively presented in the late-modern context.