· Is there no escaping bad luck? · Can God be bothered? · How can we learn from the experts? With a light touch, Pigeons Bearing Bad News distils complex philosophical thought from the ancient world to the present day into a collection of fascinating arguments on dreams, jokes, time-travel and AI. Part of the Mobile Philosopher series, this little book will inspire and provoke you, luring you away from newsfeeds and notifications to enrich your mind with deep thoughts and surprising controversies. This is mezze for the soul.

Critic and poet Pinsker offers 11 essays exploring such topics as the decline of formative reading, unifying themes in American literature, the cultural value of humor (but not vice versa), and the place of the college novel. No bibliography or index. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

In this book, William Ian Miller offers his reflections on the perverse consequences, indeed often the opposite of intended effects, of so-called 'good things'. Noted for his remarkable erudition, wit, and playful pessimism, Miller here ranges over topics from personal disasters to literary and national ones. Drawing on a truly immense store of knowledge encompassing literature, philosophy, theology, and history, he excavates the evidence of human anxieties around scarcity in all its forms (from scarcity of food to luck to where we stand in the eyes of others caught in a game of musical chairs we often do not even know we are playing). With wit and sensitivity, along with a large measure of fearless self-scrutiny, he points to and invites us to recognize the gloomy, neurotic, despondent tendencies of reasonably sentient human life. The book is a careful examination of negative beliefs, inviting an experience of bleak fellow-feeling among the author, the reader and many a hapless soul across the centuries. Just what makes you more nervous, he asks, a run of good luck, or a run of bad?

In the same spirit as his previous book, Big Jesus, Watson takes us on a journey through the Gospel of Luke with a touch of humor and a wheelbarrow full of insights and information. Watson believes nothing is more pretentiously self-pious than to write something and call it a "devotional" unless one has already been canonized as a saint. An Undevotional is not a spoon-fed offering of theological niceties, but rather a head-spinning array of possibilities into the mind and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth with contemporary applications. At times irreverent, at all times interesting, this book is un-indispensable for Jesus devotees and un-devotees alike.

Competence does not speak for itself! You can't simply display it; you have to draw people's attention to it. World-renowned negotiation and deception detection expert, business professor, and mentalist Jack Nasher offers effective, proven techniques to convince others that we are talented, trustworthy, and yes, even brilliant. Nasher offers the example of Joshua Bell, possibly the world's most famous violinist. In January 2007, at rush hour, he stepped into a Washington, DC, subway station, dressed like any street busker, and began to play a $4,000,000 Stradivarius. It was part of an experiment staged by a journalist of the Washington Post, who expected Bell's skill alone to attract an immense, awed crowd. But Bell was generally ignored, and when he stopped, nobody applauded. He made $34.17. The good news is that you don't have to accept obscurity: you can positively affect others' perception of your talent. Whether you're looking for work, giving an important presentation, seeking clients or customers for your business, or vying for a promotion, Nasher explains how to use techniques such as expectation management, verbal and nonverbal communication, the Halo Effect, competence framing, and the power of nonconformity to gain control of how others perceive you. Competence is the most highly valued professional trait. But it's not enough to be competent, you have to convey your competence. With Nasher's help you can showcase your expertise, receive the recognition you deserve, and achieve lasting success.

Products and services will change with demand, but one thing that will always be required for a company’s success is having the right people working hard for you. As a manager, are you cultivating this vital resource? Is there more you could be doing? In this accessible and practical playbook, HR expert and author Paul Falcone helps take the guesswork out of this crucial element for success. In 75 Ways for Managers to Hire, Develop, and Keep Great Employees, Falcone shows managers how to: Identify the best and brightest talent Hire for organizational compatibility Address uncomfortable workplace situations Create an environment that motivates Retain restless top performers Delegate in a way that develops your staff Every HR executive has a laundry list of things they wish managers knew--best practices that would enable the entire organization to operate more effectively. Falcone’s book 75 Ways for Managers to Hire, Develop, and Keep Great Employees has encapsulated all of this for you in a single indispensable resource!