The State of Michigan has experienced both tremendous growth and great decline in its history. After many decades of growth up to the 1950s, a wide variety of challenges had to be confronted by citizens and all levels of government in Michigan. The late 20th and early 21st centuries have seen pockets of growth but also long-term economic decline in several areas in the state. As one example, steep economic decline in major industrialized cities such as Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac led to increased unemployment rates and flight from the state as residents sought jobs elsewhere. Michigan was in fact the only state in the union to experience net population loss between 2000 and 2010. At the same time, emergencies such as the Detroit bankruptcy and the Flint water crisis have captured the attention of the national and international media, focusing the spotlight on the responses—successful or unsuccessful—by state and local government. As the state continues to deal with many of these challenges, Michiganders more than ever need a clear picture of how their state’s political institutions, actors, and processes work. To that end, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of Michigan’s politics and government that will help readers better understand the state’s history and its future prospects. Chapters elucidate the foundational aspects of the state’s government (the Michigan Constitution and intergovernmental relations); its political institutions (the state legislature, governor, and court system); its politics (political parties and elections); and its public policy (education, economic development, and budget and fiscal policy). The book’s four themes—historical context, decline, responses to challenges, and state-local government relations—run throughout and are buttressed by coverage of recent events. Moreover, they are brought together in a compelling chapter with a particular focus on the Flint water crisis. An ideal fit for courses on state and local government, this thorough, well-written text will also appeal to readers simply interested in learning more about the inner workings of government in the Great Lakes State.

A fascinating look at five decades of Amway's innovation Amway started in 1959 as a way for people to earn extra money selling soap and cosmetics. Today, it has recaptured the public's attention largely because of an extensive print and broadcast campaign featuring the Quixtar name-with ads saying "you know us as Amway." Amway Forever chronicles the amazing inside story of this global business phenomenon. Page by page, it explores the history of Amway and its remarkable resurgence around the world. From how the company began and its growing pains in the 70's and 80's to its recent online revival, this book explores how Amway has survived and thrived over the past fifty years. Delves into how innovation has led to Amway's growth into an international powerhouse Reveals Amway's pioneering marketing tactics and sales strategies Offers an historic perspective, as well as a contemporary look, at how the company has evolved Engaging and informative, Amway Forever is a must-read for anyone interested in this company's unique business model and buzzworthy emergence into a global success.

Sometimes opposites don't just attract - they catch fire and ignite Jennifer is a middle school teacher with an eye for metrosexual men. Her last boyfriend had more shoes than her. Having no interest in tatted up, pierced, and rough looking Rocket she dances with him anyway since it's only a dance. Wild Rocket has come back from a binge of drinking, fighting, and sleeping around. Finally deciding to get serious, he falls for pretty Jennifer and the hot way she shakes her butt on the dance floor. In a moment of weakness, Jennifer agrees to join Rocket on a visit to an art gallery where she learns that maybe the book is deeper than the cover and love can be found in the least obvious places. Of course, Jennifer has her band of college friends supporting her the whole way; dubbed The Princesses from their freshman year Halloween costumes. Told in alternating POV. This is a stand-alone book, but much more fun if read along with the other Princess stories.

Thomas King is the first Native writer to generate widespread interest in both Canada and the United States. He has been nominated twice for Governor General's Awards, and his first novel, Medicine River, has been transformed into a CBC movie. His books have been reviewed in publications such as The New York Times Book Review, The Globe and Mail, and People magazine. King is also the author of the serialized radio series The Dead Dog Café and is an accomplished photographer. Border Crossings is the first full-length study to explore King's art. Davidson, Walton, and Andrews employ a framework of postcolonial and border studies theory to examine the concepts of nation, race, and sexuality in King's work. They examine how King's art routinely explores cross-cultural dynamics, including Native rights and race relations, American and Canadian cultural interaction, and the artistic traditions of Europe and North America. The authors argue that, by situating these concepts within a comic framework, King avoids the polemics that often surface in cultural critiques. His writing engages, entertains, and educates. This provocative analysis of King's art reads across cultures and between borders, and makes an important contribution to the study of Native writing, Canadian and American literature, border studies, and humour studies.

A riveting story of feuding brothers in a fight to the death from an early master of the western genre. Years ago, Owen Daybright was an orphan on a railroad crew when old Arch Stobie took him under his wing at the Acorn ranch. He needed the quiet, hardworking Owen for a special job: to act as a friend and be a calming influence on his fiery-tempered son, Lee. But, instead, the boys showed an immediate hatred for each other that never waned. Only out of loyalty to Arch did Owen cover for Lee’s stupidity and carelessness. But now Lee’s crossed the line. There are some angry men after him for disgracing their sister. And he’s put a target on Owen’s back. Unless Owen is very fast and very careful, he’s going to end up taking a bullet for the brother he’d like to kill himself. Luke Short, a winner of the Levi Strauss Golden Saddleman Award from the Western Writers of America, blazed the trail for authors such as Louis L’Amour and Elmore Leonard. Vengeance Valley is one of his most compelling tales of western adventure.

Running, Falling, Flying, Floating, Crawling is a loose compendium of photographs and texts that picture, examine, explore, and / or suggest the human body in states of abandon, helplessness, terror, subjugation, serenity, and transcendence. Artists include Andre Kertesz, Yves Klein, Laurie Simmons, Maya Deren, Gideon Mendel, Bas Jan Ader, Chris Burden, Tabitha Soren, Nan Goldin, Rania Matar, John Divola, Harry Callahan, Sarah Charlesworth, and Francesca Woodman. Writers include David Campany, Lynne Tillman, Jennifer Blessing, Diane Seuss, Susan Bright, Gilda Williams, Marvin Heiferman, Maud Casey, and Carol Mavor.