To most, peace of mind trumps all. Texas Governor, John Connally, surviving an assassin’s bullet in U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s car in Dallas, later declared bankruptcy after real estate losses. Yet he was humbly thankful for what life had given him; his time in office for public service. What had he lost – but a few million dollars and a bit of land! John Connally was philosophical about his life. For others, this may be the last thing they achieve; big ambitions, little insecurities, a world within their grasp but somehow always just beyond their reach. Intimations of what could follow may crystallize from unexpected insights. A squirrel putting away nuts in a tree hollow reminds the spender to save. Two male hawks competing for a mate brings suggestions to a woman that her husband is cheating on her. And so on. In response to which, to suspected uncertainties, people then take precautions – individually, collectively... A parent will protect the innocence of a small child – theirs or another. Political leaders “act in concert” to create institutions that enforce peace against threats and realities of autocratic leaders in unpredictable jurisdictions. But still, uncertainties persist. And not necessarily as realities. Rather, they can be concerns. Like seeing the shadow of a mass, smelling the scent or fragrance of something unseen. But still present. An amber light triggered within... turns to red when “the shadow” or “the smell” persists – but fails to materialize. One’s instincts take over... Chaos theory has captured public interest in recent years... along with controlling risk (of whatever nature), predicting history (or at least, determining alternative outcomes). Investors use randomized “Monte Carlo scenarios” first developed for the Manhattan Project. “Country Risk analysis” is also a “specialty” which has evolved specially since third world sovereign debt defaults in the late 1970s. Yes, a corporate client can purchase detailed future analyses giving peace of mind about political stability in countries where investing or creditor company has billions at risk! But The Economist’s The World in 2011 suggests nothing of the popular uprisings sweeping the Arab world. Peace of mind vs uncertainty is the basic substructure of the seemingly disparate and unrelated essay in Evviad.

This volume explores the climates, landscapes, ecosystems and hazards that comprise the Mediterranean world. It traces the development of the Mediterranean landscape over very long timescales and examines modern processes and key environmental issues in a wide range of settings. The Mediterranean is the only region on Earth where three continents meet and this interaction has produced a very distinctive Physical Geography. This book examines the landscapes and processes at themargins of these continents and the distinctive marine environment between them. Catastrophic earthquakes, explosive volcanic eruptions and devastating storms and floods are intimately bound up within the history and mythology of the Mediterranean world. This is a key region for the study of naturalhazards because it offers unrivalled access to long records of hazard occurrence and impact through documentary, archaeological and geological archives. The Mediterranean is also a biodiversity hotspot; it has been a meeting place for plants, animals and humans from three continents throughout much of its history. The Quaternary records of these interactions are more varied and better preserved than in any other part of the world. These records have provided important new insights into thetempo of climate, landscape and ecosystem change in the Mediterranean region and beyond. The region is unique because of the very early and widespread impact of humans in landscape and ecosystem change - and the richness of the archaeological and geological archives that chronicle this impact. This bookexamines this history and these interactions and places current environmental issues in long term context. Contributors : Ramadan Husain Abu-Zied Harriet Allen Jacques Blondel Maria-Carmen Llasat James Casford Marc Castellnou Andrew Goudie Andrew Harding Angela Hayes Tom Holt Babette Hoogakker Philip Hughes Jos Lelieveld John Lewin Francisco Lloret Francisco Lopez-Bermudez Mark Macklin Jean Margat Anne Mather Frédéric Médail Christophe Morhange Clive Oppenheimer JeanPalutikof Gerassimos Papadopoulos Josep Piñol David Pyle Jane Reed Neil Roberts Eelco Rohling Iain Stewart Stathis Stiros John Thornes Chronis Tzedakis John Wainwright

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go -- they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Meticulously researched by an experienced team of experts, this in-depth guide is much more detailed and comprehensive than its major competition. You'll find authoritative but fun-to-use coverage of all the classical sites, with valuable insights that will enrich your trip. We've provided all the background information you need to enjoy and appreciate what you're seeing. Our authors have personally inspected and chosen wonderful hotels in every price cateogory; whether you want to stay in a rustic guesthouse or an exquisite beach resort, you can trust their opinions. They'll take you to the most beautiful islands, where verdant hillsides tumble down to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. And since Greece can be a tricky place to travel, our guide is loaded with detailed city, regional, island, and town maps; it also features a handy language appendix, complete transportation information, and detailed directions for anything that's hard to find. If you're primarily interested in island-hopping, you might check out Frommer's Greek Islands.