"A fascinating and informative read." *The Boston Globe "A RICH SOURCE OF FASCINATING MATERIAL about the complex realities of siblinghood and a valuable commentary on the impact that these little-studied relationships have upon our lives." *The New Republic "Many books have attempted to tackle the complex theme of sibling connection. But rather than look at the minutae of these relationships, journalist Susan Scarf Merrell examines the big issues that all siblings wrestle with in their own unique ways *in particular the Three Cs: Competition, Cooperation, and Comparison. What she discovered was that no matter what kind of relationship we now have with our siblings *close or distant, loving or hostile *our histories with them exert a profound effect on our current relationship with lovers, friends, coworkers, and our own children. Drawing on the most current research; the work of psychologists, psychiatrists, and family experts; and stories from brothers and sisters themselves, Merrell illustrates that through siblings, we come to know both the worst and the very best that lurks within each of us. "Susan Merrell brilliantly illuminates how the peculiar mix of biology, history, and intimacy makes our attachments to siblings so essential to knowing ourselves." *Mary Kay Blakely Author of American Mom

Explores the "peculiar mix" of biology, history amd intimacy of relationships among siblings.

Volume two begins with Goethe's theories of affinities, i.e. the chemical reaction view of human life in 1809. This is followed by the history of how the thermodynamic (1876) and quantum (1905) revolutions modernized chemistry such that affinity (the 'force' of reaction) is now viewed as a function of thermodynamic 'free energy' (reaction spontaneity) and quantum 'valency' (bond stabilities). The composition, energetic state, dynamics, and evolution of the human chemical bond A?B is the centerpiece of this process. The human bond is what gives (yields) and takes (absorbs) energy in life. The coupling of this bond energy, driven by periodic inputs of solar photons, thus triggering activation energies and entropies, connected to the dynamical work of life, is what quantifies the human reaction process. This is followed by topics including mental crystallization, template theory, LGBT chemistry, chemical potential, Le Chatelier's principle, Muller dispersion forces, and human thermodynamics.

Merrell examines how the relationship between siblings influences the other aspects of life.

Filled with the bestselling, award-winning author's trademark wordplay and inventive storytelling, here is the dizzyingly entertaining, wickedly humorous story of a mysterious stranger whose sudden appearance during a family’s summer holiday transforms four variously unhappy people. Each of the Smarts—parents Eve and Michael, son Magnus, and the youngest, daughter Astrid—encounter Amber in his or her own solipsistic way, but somehow her presence allows them to see their lives (and their life together) in a new light. Smith’s narrative freedom and exhilarating facility with language propel the novel to its startling, wonderfully enigmatic conclusion.

This volume is a critical edition of the ten-year correspondence (1706-1716) between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, one of Europe's most influential early modern thinkers, and Bartholomew Des Bosses, a Jesuit theologian who was keen to bring together Leibniz's philosophy and the Aristotelian philosophy and religious doctrines accepted by his order. The letters offer crucial insights into Leibniz's final metaphysics and into the intellectual life of the eighteenth century.Brandon C. Look and Donald Rutherford present 71 of Leibniz's and Des Bosses' letters in the original Latin and in careful English translation. Few of the letters have been translated into English before. The editors also provide extensive annotations, deletions, and marginalia from Leibniz's various drafts, and a substantial introduction setting the context for the correspondence and analysing the main philosophical issues.

**Spoilers of book 2 below** I thought I'd already lost everything. Now, I might lose him forever... The moment Levi vanished into the underworld to save me, my world shattered. Our bond is the only thing keeping him alive in that hellish realm, but it’s unraveling fast. The powerful magic I’ve been cursed with is more unstable than ever and its control is slipping through my fingers. But guess what? Giving up isn’t my style. I’ll tear apart heaven, hell, and everything in between to get Levi back. With a war brewing in Elysium and Rhodes plotting to become king of everything, I’m caught in the middle of a nightmare—and this time, the fate of the world is at stake. Great timing, right? Falling for Levi was never part of the plan, but now I’ll stop at nothing to save him. Because if I lose him for good, that’s one fight I won’t survive. FALLEN DEMON is an intense and steamy paranormal romance set in the dark, dangerous world of Juliana Haygert’s Rite World. With epic battles, scorching passion, and forbidden love, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats! 17+ Rite World: Fallen Angel Dark Wings (Book 1) Light Magic (Book 2) Fallen Demon (Book 3) Wicked Angel (Book 4)