Speaking in Delhi in November 2016, Manohar Parrikar, India's then Defence Minister, said there should be an element of unpredictability in the country's military strategy. He wondered whether India's nuclear doctrine should be constrained by a 'no-first-use' posture. The essence of the defence minister's introspection was that ambiguity enhances deterrence. This view has been expressed by several nuclear strategists. Nuclear doctrines are not written in stone and are never absolutely rigid. They are not binding international treaties that must be adhered to in letter and spirit. Fifteen years have passed since India's nuclear doctrine was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in January 2003. A review of the nuclear doctrine is long overdue. Credible minimum deterrence and the posture of no-first-use have stood the test of time. But is there no conceivable operational contingency that justifies a first strike? Do we need a new nuclear policy for our new geopolitical reality? This book delves into the debate and charts out a way ahead.

Every intelligent person realizes that weapons are necessary to sustain and protect themselves and those they love. We cannot all be like the characters of fiction with a room full of varied and often exotic weaponry. For most of us there is always something else money must be spent on. What do we really need and what is the best way to use it? Chapters on Hunting rifles, Shotguns, Defensive Handguns and Rifles. Rimfires, Sighting systems, lighter and quieter rifle slings and Survival Knives- choosing, using and keeping them sharp

A hilarious guide to the lost art of artisanal pencil sharpening "...I am so thrilled David Rees is picking up the reins of the forgotten art of manual graphite-encased-in-wood point-crafting. I love my pencil!" —AMY SEDARIS "You may think that sharpening a pencil is easy, but David Rees makes it look hard, and that makes all the difference." —JOHN HODGMAN "Truly, my life before I was presented with correctly sharpened pencils by an artisan was a dull and ill-sharpened void. Learn from my mistakes." —NEIL GAIMAN Have you got the right kind of point on your pencil? Do you know how to achieve the perfect point for the kind of work you need out of that pencil? Deep in New York’s Hudson River Valley, craftsman David Rees—the world’s number one #2 pencil sharpener—still practices the age-old art of manual pencil sharpening. In 2010, he began offering his artisanal service to the world, to the jubilation of artists, writers, draftsmen, and standardized test takers. Now, Rees presents a book that is both a manifesto and a fully-illustrated walk-through of the many, many, many ways to sharpen a pencil. Including chapters on equipment, current practice, and modern technologies, it also points at new trends in sharpening, including "Celebrity Impression Pencil Sharpening (CIPS)," a warning about the “Psychological Risks Associated with Pencil Sharpening,” and a survey of "Wines that tastes like pencils." As Rees implores: "Sharpening pencils should be an activity that enriches the senses." And if you think it’s a joke, why don’t you poke yourself with your newly sharpened pencil? Or better yet, don’t—because it’ll really hurt.

The Everything Woodworking Book is an essential guide for tapping into the exciting world of woodcraft. Popular Woodworking's Jim Stack packs tons of practical information-from learning how to set up shop by selecting the right tools to understanding the fundamentals of basic woodworking joints and furniture design-into one comprehensive package. Filled with easy-to-follow techniques, two-color inserts, and dozens of clear black-and-white photographs, the reader is shown how to build more than a dozen essential shop and furniture projects, including: A small table An outdoor chair A hanging pine cabinet A set of kitchen cabinets This handy beginner's guide is perfect for the casual hobbyist who has the tools but doesn't know how to get started using them.