A gripping story of greed, treachery and ruthless ambition. Few people have led such an extraordinary life as Whitaker Wright. Few have died in such sensational circumstances. Beginning his career as an impoverished preacher, Wright crossed the Atlantic to prospect for gold, surviving a Native American massacre before he made his fortune. Then the bubble burst. Leaving behind a string of angry investors, he fled to England to start again. Soon he was one of the world's richest men. At his 10,000-acre estate in Surrey, he employed an entourage of seventy-seven staff, moved a hill that blocked his view and built an underwater glass smoking room. On his vast steam yacht, he entertained the Prince of Wales, the Kaiser and half of Britain's aristocracy. His downfall was as dramatic as his ascent. On the last trading day of the nineteenth century, his financial empire – which he had propped up by cooking the books – went belly up. This time, the trail of furious investors stretched all the way to the Prime Minister. With the police in hot pursuit, Wright fled to New York, but his escape was short-lived. At the end of what the press dubbed 'the most dramatic trial of modern times' he was sentenced to seven years in jail. Minutes later, he sprang a last dreadful surprise... Other great swindlers have followed in Wright's footsteps, but none have surpassed him in daring and shamelessness. Drawing on family papers and archives from around the world, this compelling account of Wright's life reads like a thriller and offers an insight into the mind of the ultimate gambler and conman.

"A hip, new guide to wine for the new generation of wine drinkers, from the sommelier creators of the award-wining site WineFolly.com"--Provided by publisher.

An empirical investigation of financial crises during the last 800 years.

LIFE Magazine is the treasured photographic magazine that chronicled the 20th Century. It now lives on at LIFE.com, the largest, most amazing collection of professional photography on the internet. Users can browse, search and view photos of today’s people and events. They have free access to share, print and post images for personal use.

JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER The expanded wine guide from the creators of Wine Folly, packed with new information for devotees and newbies alike. Wine Folly became a sensation for its inventive, easy-to-digest approach to learning about wine. Now in a new, expanded hardcover edition, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition is the perfect guide for anyone looking to take his or her wine knowledge to the next level. Wine Folly: Magnum Edition includes: More than 100 grapes and wines color-coded by style so you can easily find new wines you'll love; A wine region explorer with detailed maps of the top wine regions, as well as up-and-coming areas such as Greece and Hungary; Wine labeling and classification 101 for wine countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Austria; An expanded food and wine pairing section; A primer on acidity and tannin--so you can taste wine like a pro; more essential tips to help you cut through the complexity of the wine world and become an expert. Wine Folly: Magnum Edition is the must-have book for the millions of fans of Wine Folly and for any budding oenophile who wants to boost his or her wine knowledge in a practical and fun way. It's the ultimate gift for any wine lover.

In a world filled with scientific explanations and theories, it can be easy to lose sight of the ultimate truth of our existence. The truth is that the universe, with all its intricate complexities, did not come into being by mere chance or a random explosion. It was carefully designed and orchestrated by a higher power, a Creator who holds everything together. When we look up at the night sky and see the countless stars and galaxies stretching out into infinity, we cannot help but be in awe of the sheer magnitude and beauty of it all. The heavens declare the glory of God, as it says in the Bible, and remind us of the greatness of the one who made it all. The theory of the Big Bang, which posits that the universe began as a singular point and expanded over billions of years, is a flawed explanation for the origin of the universe. It fails to account for the intricate design and order that we see in the cosmos, as well as the existence of life on earth. The marvel of our planet Earth, with its perfect conditions for sustaining life, points to a Creator who had a purpose and a plan in mind when he made it. The countless galaxies and stars that we observe in the universe are a testament to the power and creativity of God. They show us that we are part of a vast and wondrous creation, one that was made by an intelligent designer who had a vision for it all. The theory of evolution, put forth by Charles Darwin, is another flawed explanation for the diversity of life on earth. It fails to explain the intricate complexities of living organisms and their unique design, as well as the existence of the human soul. It is clear that we are not the product of blind chance or random mutations, but rather the handiwork of a loving and powerful Creator. “The truth of the origin of the universe” points to a Creator who holds everything together and has a purpose and a plan for it all. God stretches out the heavens and allows light to reach us here on earth, showing us his care and provision for his creation. We are not the product of random chance or blind evolution, but rather the cherished creation of a loving God who made us in his image. Let us never forget the marvel and wonder of the universe, and the greatness of the one who made it all.

Bertrand Russell is regarded as one of the twentieth century’s greatest minds. Well-known for his profound knowledge and controversial approach to myriad of different issues and subjects such as sex, marriage, religion, education and politics, his prolific works also exhibit great intellectual wit and humour. First published in 1958, Bertrand Russell’s Best is a delightfully funny and entertaining book, and a striking testament to the remarkable life work and wit of Bertrand Russell.