Finding a baby elephant on the beach, Marcus and Camilla adopt her and teach her how to hold a torch, a task that proves to be very important.

A bronze inscription in the public library of Bridgend calls Richard Price "Philosopher. Preacher. Actuary. Cfaill Dynolryw" [Friend of Humanity]. He was all these and something more. Son of a Welsh Presbyterian of Calvinistic leaning, Richard Price was educated for the ministry. That he belonged in the best of Dissenting tradition was exhibited at an early age in his own interest in Arianism, an interest fostered by the academy at Pentwyn where he studied. Here he met the works of Samuel Clarke, which thoroughly aroused the ire of his father. Richard Price did not cringe in the face of hostile public opinion when events temporarily brought his principles into unpopularity. More than most of his liberal contemporaries, he was truly a "torchbearer of freedom." His first book was an attack on the empiricism of Locke, however, Richard Price intended no denial of other aspects of Locke's thought. An abiding faith in human reason, in free will, and in the value of education and science, with the consequent distrust of tyranny of any variety, all show that Price was not in revolt against the leading philosophical trends of his age. Rather he sought to place these values on a firm moral basis. In association with many of the great spirits of the age, Joseph Priestley, Benjamin Franklin, Adam Smith, John Howard, the Younger Pitt, and Turgot, among others, he moved from moral philosophy to mathematics (an area in which he made many advances in statistics) and from there to political economy. His contribution in this latter respect was twofold. There was his enormous influence in drawing attention to the problem of the national debt of England and suggesting the Sinking Fund scheme that Pitt finally introduced. And there was his interest in and encouragement of the independence of America. In 1778 the Continental Congress voted to invite Price to take up American citizenship and offered to pay his expenses if he chose to move. The life of Richard Price is an example of the power of the human spirit to shape the course of history.

THE TORCHBEARER follows THE SWORDSMAN as the second book of the WINDOW TO YESTERDAY series. What is it like to be so different? Not just different. To be told you can't do things others can do. Because you're different. And they won't let you go home. Well, they let you go there, but they say your home isn't really yours. And they don't allow you to do things. Even there. So home isn't really home. So you go somewhere new, where no one knows you. And you make friends. But then they say you're different - same story and worse - that you're evil. It's hard to believe what they accuse you of... When they attack others like you, do you run? Or fight? There are a lot more of them than you. The answer: it depends. On the details. Then you'll understand. "The Torchbearer is a beautiful entrée into the fascinating and often astonishing world of Jewish life during the Middle Ages. Jews traveled more than most other communities, spoke many languages, and served invaluable roles in both the Christian and Muslim worlds. This book brings this universe to life in all its complexity through an engaging narrative with adventure, surprise and intrigue." - Dr. Reuven Firestone, Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam at Hebrew Union College and Affiliate Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California "Ever wonder what life was like for a Jewish kid during the First Crusade? Well, now you can find out! Weaving in a tremendous amount of research, Jeff Lefkowitz has created a living world that spans both the Muslim and Ashkenazi lands ... What a fabulous addition to the Jewish educational landscape." - Dr. Rachel Lerner, Dean, Graduate Center for Jewish Education, American Jewish University "Once again, Jeff Lefkowitz lights the way for teens toward a deeper understanding of Jewish life and history. The Torchbearer, his latest addition to the Window to Yesterday series, is a well-researched, relevant, and marvelous journey. Truly fun to read." - Dr. Bruce Powell, Head Emeritus, de Toledo High School and co-author of Raising A+ Human Beings "I definitely recommend this book! Teenagers and adults alike will enjoy David's journey. The story unfolds through the eyes of young characters; teenagers will cheer for them and truly connect with them." - Carolyn Kessler, senior at The Emery/Weiner School, Houston, Texas

A collected biography of the social reformer and chemist, Emily Comber Fortey. Contributors include the subject's sister, Isabel Comber Fortey, Canon F. Lewis Donaldson, Sub-Dean of Westminster and Councillor Walter Oram.

Like any bored eleven-year-old with an imagination, Prem makes fantastic wishes. So when his father drags him to a monsoon-lashed Mumbai, Prem know it's futile to dream of home. Instead, he wishes for a genie, a dragon and some superpowers. What he certainly doesn't wish for is a quest to save some gods who are at the brink of extinction. He finds that the gods' last hope lies in the hands of those who channel the mysterious power of the Vedas. Caught in a cosmic crossfire, with a talking fish, some inventive monkeys and a few unexpected allies, Prem learns of his true identity-as a Torchbearer. Can the Torchbearers stop bloodthirsty demons from getting their hands on the Nectar of Immortality and bring the gods back to power?