Jane Lake, disillusioned with her career as a jazz singer and frustrated in love, has returned home from London to a small town in the English Lake District. Reacquainting herself with her circle of women-friends (Ruth, Sarah and Margaret), it has become apparent that their lives of rural isolation are not as tranquil as they first appeared: Sarah's long-term partner, Philip, is in a romantic relationship with Margaret's daughter, Stella. Jane intended her stay in the family home to be short. Her rehabilitation, however, has become protracted. Those about her -including her mother- are embroiled in the small town's romantic bohemian scene and Jane's sense of dejection intensifies with the realisation that most of the men she's interested in prefer her younger brother, David. Increasingly, she relies upon the bottle in order to maintain a rational view of things. Long-standing friendships cannot be maintained without rivalry and resentment playing their part. As the plot thickens involving the various key-players in Jane's life, she herself teeters between personal jeopardy and a burgeoning self-knowledge that might just permit the prospect of love…

A beautiful, poetic translation of the Book of Psalms, Songs Ascending includes textual commentary and insights into the translation process, illuminating the choices of the original composers and the choices facing us in the 21st century as we try to make each psalm our own. The spiritual commentary asks: To what events, struggles, and triumphs in our lives might this psalm speak? How might this psalm articulate an aspect of our own sacred existence, or how might it help us celebrate a special day in our lives? How might it provide comfort when we are bereft and most in need of consolation, or how might it help us provide comfort for someone else? Songs Ascending explores all this and more, engaging the reader in dialogue that will inform and inspire. "For Richard Levy, the force of the Psalms comes from their spiritual intentions; and he re-enforces this priority with rich commentary and postscripts that help the reader actually USE the Psalms in some meaningful way. Songs Ascending may be the high point in Richard Levy's career--a career filled with high points." - Rabbi William Cutter, PhD, Steinberg Emeritus Professor of Human Relations at HUC-JIR Los Angeles "With its clear and engaging English translation, the insightful commentary, and thought provoking spiritual applications, Songs Ascending offers something for everyone, from lay person, to rabbi, to biblical scholar alike. And for that, I give it a "two thumbs up," or as we say in Hebrew: kol hakavod!" - Professor Kristine Henriksen Garroway, Visiting Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at HUC-JIR Los Angeles

50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) stands as a monumental collection that unveils the rugged beauty, daunting challenges, and audacious spirits that have come to define the American West through the eyes of its most illustrious storytellers. This anthology seamlessly weaves together an extraordinary tapestry of themes ranging from the tumultuous relationships between settlers and Native Americans to the relentless pursuit of freedom and prosperity on the frontier. The literary styles vary greatly, from the cerebral introspections of Willa Cather to the rip-roaring adventures of Zane Grey, creating a rich mosaic that reflects the multifaceted essence of the Western genre. The significance of these works transcends mere entertainment, offering profound insights into the human condition amidst the vast landscapes of the American wilderness. The contributors to this anthology are a veritable who's who of Western literature, with backgrounds as diverse as the characters they created. Authors such as Karl May and Edgar Rice Burroughs, despite their European origins or fantastical inclinations, captured the imagination of readers worldwide with their vivid portrayals of the American West. This collection aligns with various historical and cultural movements, from the rugged individualism emblematic of the frontier spirit to the complex socio-political dynamics of expansionism. Together, their narratives forge a comprehensive understanding of the era, underpinned by a shared reverence for the untamed beauty and inherent risks of frontier life. For enthusiasts and newcomers to Western literature alike, 50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) offers an unparalleled journey across the dusty trails and sweeping plains of America's past. Readers are invited to delve into the complexities and contradictions of the West through stories that resonate with bravery, tragedy, and hope. This anthology not only serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the Western genre but also provides a unique educational opportunity to explore the evolution of American cultural and literary landscapes. Embarking on this literary journey promises not only a deeper appreciation for the genre but also a rewarding exploration of the diverse voices and visions that have shaped our understanding of the American West.

At last here is the long-awaited, first Western-language reference guide focusing exclusively on Chinese literature from ca. 700 B.C.E. to the early seventh century C.E. Alphabetically organized, it contains no less than 1095 entries on major and minor writers, literary forms and "schools," and important Chinese literary terms. In addition to providing authoritative information about each subject, the compilers have taken meticulous care to include detailed, up-to-date bibliographies and source information. The reader will find it a treasure-trove of historical accounts, especially when browsing through the biographies of authors. Indispensable for scholars and students of pre-modern Chinese literature, history, and thought. Part Two contains S to Xi.

These proceedings represent the work of contributors to the 24th European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM 2023), hosted by Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal on 7-8 September 2023. The Conference Chair is Prof Florinda Matos, and the Programme Chair is Prof Álvaro Rosa, both from Iscte Business School, Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal. ECKM is now a well-established event on the academic research calendar and now in its 24th year the key aim remains the opportunity for participants to share ideas and meet the people who hold them. The scope of papers will ensure an interesting two days. The subjects covered illustrate the wide range of topics that fall into this important and ever-growing area of research. The opening keynote presentation is given by Professor Leif Edvinsson, on the topic of Intellectual Capital as a Missed Value. The second day of the conference will open with an address by Professor Noboru Konno from Tama Graduate School and Keio University, Japan who will talk about Society 5.0, Knowledge and Conceptual Capability, and Professor Jay Liebowitz, who will talk about Digital Transformation for the University of the Future. With an initial submission of 350 abstracts, after the double blind, peer review process there are 184 Academic research papers, 11 PhD research papers, 1 Masters Research paper, 4 Non-Academic papers and 11 work-in-progress papers published in these Conference Proceedings. These papers represent research from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, México, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, UK, United Arab Emirates and the USA.