“As clever and witty a novel as anyone has written in a long time . . . Robbins takes readers on a wild, delightful ride. . . . A delight from beginning to end.”—Buffalo News Switters is a contradiction for all seasons: an anarchist who works for the government; a pacifist who carries a gun; a vegetarian who sops up ham gravy; a cyberwhiz who hates computers; a man who, though obsessed with the preservation of innocence, is aching to deflower his high-school-age stepsister (only to become equally enamored of a nun ten years his senior). Yet there is nothing remotely wishy-washy about Switters. He doesn’t merely pack a pistol. He is a pistol. And as we dog Switters’s strangely elevated heels across four continents, in and out of love and danger, discovering in the process the “true” Third Secret of Fatima, we experience Tom Robbins—that fearless storyteller, spiritual renegade, and verbal break dancer—at the top of his game. On one level this is a fast-paced CIA adventure story with comic overtones; on another it’s a serious novel of ideas that brings the Big Picture into unexpected focus; but perhaps more than anything else, Fierce Invalids is a sexy celebration of language and life. Praise for Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates “Superb.”—New York Post “Dangerous? Wicked? Forbidden? You bet. . . . Pour yourself a bowl of chips and dig in.”—Daily News, New York “Robbins is a great writer . . . and definitely a provocative rascal.”—The Tennessean “Whoever said truth is stranger than fiction never read a Tom Robbins novel. . . Clever, creative, and witty, Robbins tosses off impassioned observations like handfuls of flower petals.”—San Diego Union-Tribune

The classic reference work that provides annually updated information on the countries of the world.

Reviews of previous editions: `This book should be in every office which is concerned with world trade and, indeed, in every school which produces the future traders. It is an essential tool of all global thinking.' - The Geographical Magazine The 132nd edition of The Statesman's Year-Book has been thoroughly revised and updated to present a political, economic and social record of the nations of the world in a period of continuing changes. Areas covered range from history, population, constitution and government, international relations, energy and natural resources, industry, agriculture, international trade, communications, industry, agriculture, justice, religion and education. Important features of this edition include recent developments in the European Union, Bosnia, Israel, Russia and South Africa, new national anthems, and updates on radio and television broadcasting services. Last year also saw the introduction of locator maps for each country. The Statesman's Year-Book was chosen by The Good Book Guide for Business as one of the 600 essential books for the international manager