This timely work brings a new appreciation for the American military, the complex dynamics of civilian control, and the principled ways in which the four guardian services defend their nation.

Prince Leo's identity as a Spinner, once thought to be his greatest curse, may become his greatest weapon when his devious cousin seizes control of Singara, forcing Leo to flee into enemy territory.

"This book explains who the four US military services truly are and why they make and execute policy as they do. The book focuses on American civil-military relationships, explaining why the services imperfectly satisfy their civilian bosses and why the four services think and act so differently from one another. Ultimately, the book offers three independent but mutually reinforcing contributions to the fields of security studies and American civil-military relations. First, it builds on one of the major theoretical approaches to civil-military relations--agency theory--and identifies key conditions under which agency theory best explains military service behavior. Author Jeffrey W. Donnithorne provides a "principled agent" model that finds four unique condition sets that explain civil-military dynamics with new clarity. Second, the book exposes the importance of service culture in civil-military relations and offers a rich yet concise portrait of each of the four US military services: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.Third, the book offers two important case studies of civil-military policymaking. These two cases demonstrate the principled agent framework in action, while amply revealing the four services as distinctly different political actors. Finally, the book offers both conclusions and implications for today's security environment, suggesting likely pathways where the services will diverge in their approach to current defense issues. With theoretical novelty, empirical depth, and engaging military history, the book aims to reach academics, practitioners, and general readers alike"--

"In the distant future, when a new species rules the earth, thirteen-year-old Prince Leo struggles to hide a dangerous and forbidden power he cannot control while trying to unlock the mysteries of his origins"--

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

A war breaks out in the owl kingdom when an evil group tries to take control of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. Soren and the other Ga'Hoolian owls must fight to protect their tree and restore peace.Soren's beloved mentor, Ezylryb, is finally back at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. But all is not well. There's a war between good and evil in the owl kingdom. On one side is a group led by Soren's fearsome brother, Kludd, who wears a terrifying metal mask to cover his battle-scarred face. On the other side are the owls of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, who must fight to protect their legendary tree from Kludd's attacks.Soren, his friends, and the other owls at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree enter into fierce combat against Kludd's forces. They win a major battle, but warfare will continue in Book #5.

Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) #1-12, Guardians of the Galaxy Annual (2019) #1. Donny Cates’ complete Guardians saga in one stellar collection! Hundreds of worlds are at war. More than ever, the galaxy needs the Guardians — but in the aftermath of the Infinity Wars, who is left to answer the call? Thanos is dead, but the search for his successor has just begun. Who will it be? And who are the Dark Guardians? Cosmic chaos commences when the new Guardians take on Thanos’ Black Order — but could the Mad Titan be fighting his way back from the grave?! Plus: The Universal Church of Truth returns at the worst possible time — because Rocket Raccoon is dying! He’s still got some fight left in him, but his allies are few and the odds are slim. Can Rocket hold on long enough to make a difference?