The Sea of Cortez birthday bash that a Russian billionaire hosts for his curvaceous supermodel girlfriend serves as the backdrop for a beguiling adventure that includes a pirate ship takeover, sexual escapades, and evolving relationship

Power Trip shows the making of Kevin Rudd, prime minister. In Eumundi, where Rudd was born, David Marr investigates the formative tragedy of his life: the death of his father and what came after. He tracks the transformation of a dreamy kid into an implacably determined youth, already set on the prime ministership. He examines Rudd’s years as Wayne Goss’s right-hand man in Queensland, his relentless work in federal Opposition – from Sunrise to AWB – and finally his record as prime minister. In Rudd’s Queensland years, Marr finds strange patterns that will recur: a tendency to chaos, a mania for control and a strange mix of heady ambition and retreat. All through this dazzling and revelatory essay, Marr seeks to know what drives an extraordinarily driven man. As Power Trip concludes, he enters into a conversation with the prime minister in which much becomes clear. “Rudd had sold himself to the Australian people as a new kind of leader: a man of intellect and values out to reshape the future. If he isn’t that, people are asking, what is he? And who is he? ... Millions of words have been written about him since he emerged from the Labor pack half a dozen years ago, but Rudd remains hidden in full view.” —David Marr, Power Trip

"With Cameron fighting for his life, Skye is forced to step up to the plate. She is on a vicious quest to get answers, as well as revenge, while still preparing for motherhood. Throughout her journey, Skye battles with the struggle of trying to remain true to her morals or succumbing to the dangerous lifestyle that she has been sucked into. Secrets are revealed, lies are exposed, and friendships are tested as the dramatic Power Trip continues."--Provided by publisher.

In Strip Club, Kim Price‒Glynn takes us behind the scenes at a rundown club where women strip out of economic need, a place where strippers’ stories are not glamorous or liberating, but emotionally demanding and physically exhausting. Strip Club reveals the intimate working lives of not just the women up on stage, but also the patrons and other workers who make the place run: the owner‒manager, bartenders, dejays, doormen, bouncers, housemoms, and cocktail waitresses. Price‒Glynn spent fourteen months at The Lion’s Den working as a cocktail waitress, and her uncommonly deep access reveals a conflict‒ridden workplace, similar to any other workplace, one where gender inequalities are reproduced through the everyday interactions of customers and workers. Taking a novel approach to this controversial and often misunderstood industry, Price‒Glynn draws a fascinating portrait of life and work inside the strip club.

How’s your organization doing? Economic uncertainty. Employee loyalty. Power struggles. Conflict resolution. Tony Soprano has to deal with management problems just like any CEO. Aside from “whacking” people (a definite no-no in most corporate environments), his strategies and tactics can work for you. Learn what makes him such an effective leader in this offbeat leadership guide, including advice you can use on: • Sit-downs, stand-ups, and other meetings • Behind the Bada Bing!: making decisions • Hey, break it up: resolving conflict • Deal Time: effective negotiation • Cigar Time: praise and feedback • and more With case studies, worksheets, tips on delegating and managing up—and a special chapter on what Tony does wrong—this is a business book like none you’ve ever read. Use it to gain new insight, and find street-smart ways to manage your own workplace family.

Rev. ed of: Dictionary of slang and unconventional English / by E. Partridge. 8th ed.1984.