In the final book of the BRIGGEN trilogy, the king and queen of Neimus and their young son, Torrent, return from exile on Drothos to find Mantasi much changed. The hulking Xandoth have laid waste to the once lush, green planet, while an armada of criminals hovers overhead bent on destruction. Quinhelm is afraid that he can keep his secret no longer, a tale which has the power to change everything. Briggen and Kirrus, the mysterious leader of the Resistance, struggle to save the inhabitants, while a huge space probe threatens to obliterate them in a single beam of energy. It is foretold that only the mother of all dragons can save them now, but who is this creature and can she rescue them in time? The secrets of the ancients shape Mantasi's future in the thrilling conclusion of this epic science fiction/fantasy.

In the second book of the BRIGGEN trilogy, the king and beautiful Sorceress Telana are finally married. Their happiness is short-lived, however, when a cruel adversary suddenly kidnaps Telana from the green world of Mantasi and spirits her across the galaxy. King Briggen pursues his bride across the great barrier to a distant planet, poised on the brink of destruction. Can Briggen reach Telana in time before a comet destroys everything in its path? Will their love be strong enough to overcome the mountainous obstacles facing the doomed alien world? And if they manage to return home, what fiery, magic secrets await them - dragons and sorcery, treachery and deceit? How can the valiant men and women of Mantasi triumph over such incredible odds? Find out in this exciting science fiction fantasy!

“A beautifully written portrait of the people who collect and distribute wild mushrooms . . . food and nature writing at its finest.”—Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia “A rollicking narrative . . . Cook [delivers] vivid and cinematic scenes on every page.”—The Wall Street Journal In the dark corners of America’s forests grow culinary treasures. Chefs pay top dollar to showcase these elusive and enchanting ingredients on their menus. Whether dressing up a filet mignon with smoky morels or shaving luxurious white truffles over pasta, the most elegant restaurants across the country now feature one of nature’s last truly wild foods: the uncultivated, uncontrollable mushroom. The mushroom hunters, by contrast, are a rough lot. They live in the wilderness and move with the seasons. Motivated by Gold Rush desires, they haul improbable quantities of fungi from the woods for cash. Langdon Cook embeds himself in this shadowy subculture, reporting from both rural fringes and big-city eateries with the flair of a novelist, uncovering along the way what might be the last gasp of frontier-style capitalism. Meet Doug, an ex-logger and crabber—now an itinerant mushroom picker trying to pay his bills and stay out of trouble; Jeremy, a former cook turned wild-food entrepreneur, crisscrossing the continent to build a business amid cutthroat competition; their friend Matt, an up-and-coming chef whose kitchen alchemy is turning heads; and the woman who inspires them all. Rich with the science and lore of edible fungi—from seductive chanterelles to exotic porcini—The Mushroom Hunters is equal parts gonzo travelogue and culinary history lesson, a fast-paced, character-driven tour through a world that is by turns secretive, dangerous, and quintessentially American.

Describes harmful elements and their bioremediation techniques for tannery waste, oil spills, wastewater, greenhouse gases, plastic and other wastes. Microenvironmental conditions in soil provide a natural niche for ultra-structures, microbes and microenvironments. The natural biodiversity of these microenvironments is being disturbed by industrialization and the proliferation of urban centers, and synthetic contaminants found in these micro-places are causing stress and instability in the biochemical systems of microbes. The development of new metabolic pathways from intrinsic metabolic cycles facilitate microbial degradation of diverse resistant synthetic compounds present in soil. These are a vital, competent and cost-effective substitute to conventional treatments. Highly developed techniques for bioremediation of these synthetic compounds are increasing and these techniques facilitate the development of a safe environment using renewable biomaterial for removal of toxic heavy metals and xenobiotics. Soil Microenvironment for Bioremediation and Polymer Production consists of 21 chapters by subject matter experts and is divided into four parts: Soil Microenvironment and Biotransformation Mechanisms; Synergistic Effects between Substrates and Microbes; Polyhydroxyalakanoates: Resources, Demands and Sustainability; and Cellulose-Based Biomaterials. This timely and important book highlights Chapters on classical bioremediation approaches and advances in the use of nanoparticles for removal of radioactive waste Discusses the production of applied emerging biopolymers using diverse microorganisms Provides the most innovative practices in the field of bioremediation Explores new techniques that will help to improve biopolymer production from bacteria Provides novel concepts for the most affordable and economic societal benefits.

Diving in Indonesia is a fully comprehensive diving guidebook for exploring the most notable areas of Indonesia. A chapter is devoted to each of the following important regions in Indonesia for divers: Bali North Sulawesi Central, South and Southeast Sulawesi Nusa Teggara (Lombok, Komodo, Timor, Alor) Raja Ampat & West Papua Maluku (Ambon, Banda & Halmahera) Each chapter relates to a different region and provides the reader with area maps, dive site maps, diving information which includes: Difficulty level highlights Logistics General area information General diving information Detailed dive site descriptions Useful diving contacts such as emergency services and emergency diving services, liveaboard diving, marine life features, conservation features and travel planners are included, making this a complete diving guide. There are also sections regarding general travel practicalities in Indonesia, general diving practicalities in Indonesia, a basic Indonesian dictionary and phrases specifically relating to diving.

Royce Westmoreland, the Earl of Pembridge, rescues lovely Fiona Danbury from her overturned coach, inadvertently thrusting her into a world far different from the normally calm, ordered life of a vicar's daughter. Fiona is hardly prepared for the glittering hustle and bustle of London, nor for her helpless attraction to the handsome earl. While Fiona struggles to adapt to her new life, a disgruntled nobleman suddenly kidnaps her, holding Fiona prisoner in the bowels of an ancient castle. Within the keep lies a secret, a treasure beyond compare for those bold enough to reach into the past and claim the wealth of the ages. Come and be swept away in this compelling tale of glamour and sacrifice, friendship, treachery and love.