Pledamo, a seven-foot-tall scientist from the planet Pleiadia, paces the floor of his vessel and wonders when he will be able to begin his top-secret mission. Contracted to fabricate the first humans from intergalactic materials with his council and crew, Captain Pledamo is more than ready to commence creating mankind in test tubes and delivering them to Lil-Brotheria, a tiny planet that will later be known as Earth. But as he receives orders to begin the mission, Pledamo has no idea of the challenges that await him. As the interplanetary craft heads to Lil-Brotheria, Pledamo contemplates the daunting task before him. Although he is a top geneticist, he has yet to fabricate a new species. Knowing the results could be the beginning of something great or what he intuitively fears could be potentially disastrous, Pledamo presses on as a Garden is created on Lil-Brotheria to house the new species. But as Pledamo and his crew attempt to deliver the experimental prototypes to Earth, they are forced to confront a new and dangerous reality. In this fast-paced science fiction thriller, a scientist and his crew must battle unexpected struggles while attempting to fulfill a complex mission. Now only time will tell if they will be successful amid an unforeseen and bleak destiny.

This book is the THE source for information on virtual worlds, covering every aspect of this intriguing and fast-changing social practice and the technologies upon which it rests. Virtual Lives: A Reference Handbook describes the history, development, and role of virtual worlds, also known as virtual environments and immersive virtual environments. It provides detailed background about virtual worlds and their societal impact, from early precursors and inspirations to the latest trends and developments. Specifics on user demographics are included, as are descriptions of virtual worlds' functions, discussion of societal concerns and opportunities, and information about relevant research data and key persons and organizations. Although virtual worlds in their current form are a relatively new phenomenon, other online social environments have served as precursors for decades and literary inspirations go back even further. This handbook therefore covers some early developments dating back to the mid-20th century. Its primary focus, however, is on developments since the mid-1990s and especially on the current state and social impact of virtual worlds, including their impact both in the United States and around the world.

If teleportation wasn't for the sake of posturing, then it would be meaningless ...If defeating a Peak Elder, peerless heaven's pride level expert would be a sin, I would already be full of evil ...If getting the Ice Goddess, the silly loli, and the sexy princess falling in love with me at first sight is my fault, I was really wrong ...If he were to kill them, he would annihilate their entire clan. If he were to pretend to be unrivalled in the world, if they were to offend him, he would make their beauty intoxicated!

In New York Times-bestselling science fiction epic Out of the Dark, Earth beat back an alien invasion. Now we've got to make sure they don't come back, in Into the Light. The Shongairi conquered Earth. In mere minutes, half the human race died, and our cities lay in shattered ruins. But the Shongairi didn’t expect the survivors’ tenacity. And, crucially, they didn’t know that Earth harbored two species of intelligent, tool-using bipeds. One of them was us. The other, long-lived and lethal, was hiding in the mountains of eastern Europe, the subject of fantasy and legend. When they emerged and made alliance with humankind, the invading aliens didn’t stand a chance. Now Earth is once again ours. Aided by the advanced tech the aliens left behind, we’re rebuilding as fast as we can. Meanwhile, a select few of our blood-drinking immortals are on their way to the Shongairi homeworld, having commandeered one of the alien starships...the planet-busting kind. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A CLASSIC FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE THINGS THEY CARRIED Originally published in 1975, Tim O'Brien's debut novel demonstrates the emotional complexity and enthralling narrative tension that later earned him the National Book Award. At its core is the relationship between two brothers: one who went to Vietnam and one who stayed at home. As the two brothers struggle against an unexpected blizzard in Minnesota's remote north woods, what they discover about themselves and each other will change both of them for ever.

A dictionary of short entries on American musicals and their practitioners, including performers, composers, lyricists, producers, and choreographers