Richard Walton - Galaxy

Richard Walton - Galaxy

(69pg, ro, 2005)

Ion Minulescu - Corigent la limba română

Ion Minulescu - Corigent la limba română

(137pg, ro, 1928)

Romanul Corigent la limba romana isi plaseaza toate - sau aproape toate - episoadele in descendenta sau in ascendenta poeziilor autorului sau. Viata in cadrul patriarhal al Slatinei, vacantele la "patuiagul" de la vie, coloritul toamnei de acolo, cadentele si armoniile folclorului invocat se pot urmari, stilizate, in romantele poetului. Fara declaratii directe, episoadele vietii prefigureaza - sau explica - substanta versurilor, rosturile traditiei, ale amintirilor, prezenta citadinismului si persiflarea lui subtile, caracterul de romanta rezultat din reveria multelor iubiri, toate spulbarate - pentru Margareta, Steluta, Kety, Lizica, doamna Wendy Woods - unele profunde, altele simple interludii, amare pentru erou, ca in Ultima ora.

Intr-o structura evident realista, Corigent la limba romana este, prin sensurile sale, tot un roman simbolist, ca si alte lucrari ale prozei lui Ion Minulescu. Este, aici, prima lui caracteristica estetica, de altfel aplicabila intregii opere a scriitorului.
(Mihai Gafita)

Mark Juergensmeyer - Terror in the mind of God - The Global Rise of Religious Violence (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society)

Mark Juergensmeyer - Terror in the mind of God - The Global Rise of Religious Violence (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society)

(326pg, en, 2001)

Beneath the histories of religious traditions--from biblical wars to crusading ventures and great acts of martyrdom--violence has lurked as a shadowy presence. Images of death have never been far from the heart of religion's power to stir the imagination. In this wide-ranging and erudite book, Mark Juergensmeyer asks one of the most important and perplexing questions of our age: Why do religious people commit violent acts in the name of their god, taking the lives of innocent victims and terrorizing entire populations?
This, the first comparative study of religious terrorism, explores incidents such as the World Trade Center explosion, Hamas suicide bombings, the Tokyo subway nerve gas attack, and the killing of abortion clinic doctors in the United States. Incorporating personal interviews with World Trade Center bomber Mahmud Abouhalima, Christian Right activist Mike Bray, Hamas leaders Sheik Yassin and Abdul Azis Rantisi, and Sikh political leader Simranjit Singh Mann, among others, Juergensmeyer takes us into the mindset of those who perpetrate and support violent acts. In the process, he helps us understand why these acts are often associated with religious causes and why they occur with such frequency at this moment in history.
Terror in the Mind of God places these acts of violence in the context of global political and social changes, and posits them as attempts to empower the cultures of violence that support them. Juergensmeyer analyzes the economic, ideological, and gender-related dimensions of cultures that embrace a central sacred concept--cosmic war--and that employ religion to demonize their enemies.
Juergensmeyer's narrative is engaging, incisive, and sweeping in scope. He convincingly shows that while, in many cases, religion supplies not only the ideology but also the motivation and organizational structure for the perpetrators of violent acts, it also carries with it the possibilities for peace.

Richard Sutz & Peter Werveka - Speed Reading for Dummies

Richard Sutz & Peter Werveka - Speed Reading for Dummies



(291pg, en, 2009)



The fun and easy way® to become a more efficient, effective reader! Want to read faster — and recall more of what you read? This practical, hands-on guide gives you the techniques you need to increase your reading speed and retention, whether you're reading books, e-mails, magazines, or even technical journals! You'll find reading aids and plenty of exercises to help you read faster and better comprehend the text.

• Yes, you can speed read — discover the skills you need to read quickly and effectively, break your bad reading habits, and take in more text at a glance
• Focus on the fundamentals — widen your vision span and see how to increase your comprehension, retention, and recall
• Advance your speed-reading skills — read blocks of text, heighten your concentration, and follow an author's thought patterns
• Zero in on key points — skim, scan, and preread to quickly locate the information you want
• Expand your vocabulary — recognize the most common words and phrases to help you move through the text more quickly 

Value 8/10

Paul David Nussbaum - Save Your Brain: The 5 Things You Must Do to Keep Your Mind Young and Sharp

Paul David Nussbaum - Save Your Brain: The 5 Things You Must Do to Keep Your Mind Young and Sharp

(225pg, en, 2010)

Contents:

The importance of brain health --
How your brain works --
Adopting a healthy brain lifestyle --
The five critical areas of brain health --
Critical area 1: socialization --
Critical area 2: physical activity --
Critical area 3: mental stimulation --
Critical area 4: spirituality --
Critical area 5: nutrition --

Pioneering a bold future for brain health.

Paul R. Scheele - The Photoreading System (3rd Ed)

Paul R. Scheele - The Photoreading System

(169pg, en, 1999)

When you learn Photoreading you will experience what might sound impossible. You will PhotoRead the written page at rates exceeding a page per second, directing information into the expanded processing capabilities of your brain. There the information connects with your prior knowledge and becomes useful to accomplishing your purpose. You get your reading done in the time you have available, at a level of comprehension you need.

Value: 2/10

William Diehl - Domnie in iad

William Diehl - Domnie in iad

(802pg, ro, 1997)

William Diehl şi-a uimit cititorii cu romane precum Fiinţa răului sau Chipul răului, al căror personaj principal, avocatul Martin Vail, este chemat să înfrunte situaţii şi forţe nebănuite, pe cât de complicate pe atât de malefice. Iată însă că, o dată cu noul său roman, Diehl pătrunde într-un teritoriu necartat, împingandu-şi personajul şi sistemul legal pe care acesta îl reprezintă la limita distrugerii.

Michael Brooks - 13 Things That Don't Make Sense

Michael Brooks - 13 Things That Don't Make Sense

(254pg, en, 2008)

Spanning disciplines from biology to cosmology, chemistry to psychology to physics, Michael Brooks thrillingly captures the excitement of scientific discovery. Science’s best-kept secret is this: even today, there are experimental results that the most brilliant scientists cannot explain. In the past, similar “anomalies” have revolutionized our world. If history is any precedent, we should look to today’s inexplicable results to forecast the future of science. Michael Brooks heads to the scientific frontier to confront thirteen modern-day anomalies and what they might reveal about tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

William Diehl - Fiinţa răului

William Diehl - Fiinţa răului

(671pg, ro, 1993)

Aaron Stampler, un tinar cu infatisare angelica, este gasit de politie plin de singe si cu un cutit in mina linga cadavrul oribil mutilat al unui arhiepiscop. Inevitabilul proces - de la care lumea asteapta o singura sentinta: scaunul electric - aduce in prim-plan un avocat care, ajutat de un psihiatru, incearca sa dovedeasca nebunia clientului sau in momentul comiterii crimei. De aceasta data intrebarea "vinovat sau nevinovat?" presupune o fantastica sondare in adincul traumelor sufletesti dublate de obsesii, patimi etc., dar si incursiuni indiscrete in existenta cucernicului arhiepiscop.

George Orwell - 1984

George Orwell - 1984

(1949, 642pg, ro)

1984 este un roman politic scris de George Orwell în 1948 și tipărit în 1949. Acțiunea romanului are loc într-un viitor distopic și prezintă o parte din viața intelectualului Winston Smith sub opresiunea guvernului totalitarist al Oceaniei. 1984 a imprimat foarte mulți termeni și idei în cultura contemporană, și mai ales în limba engleză, de exemplu Fratele cel Mare, dubla gândire, poliția gândirii, ingșoc. „Fratele cel Mare stă cu ochii pe tine” este un simbol al controlului excesiv, iar adjectivul orwellian este folosit pentru a descrie acțiunile și organizațiile Oceaniei.

Andrew Thompson - What did we use before toilet paper?

Andrew Thompson - What did we use before toilet paper?

(265pg, en, 2010)

It's not information anyone needs to know. There are no answers to important test questions. There's nothing that'll make anyone better at their job. And that’s exactly why these facts are so much fun! This weird and wonderful collection of trivia captivates and surprises readers with funky revelations like: Why is New York called the Big Apple? Did the Romans have toga parties? Why don't you ever see baby pigeons? Why are yawns contagious? Did Nostradamus predict anything accurately? Witty, informative, and compulsive, What Did They Use Before Toilet Paper? is an indispensable companion for any lover of knowledge. From the everyday to the fantastical — it's all here.

Jon Butler and Bruno Vincent - Do Ants Have Assholes?

Jon Butler and Bruno Vincent - Do Ants Have Assholes?

(194pg, en, 2007)

Do Ants Have Assholes? is a hilarious, over-the-top parody of bestsellers like Do Men Have Nipples? John Butler and Bruno Vincent have dreamed up a venerable, historic (and imaginary) newspaper.

(Sourcebooks, 9.99$)

J.J.Luna - How to be invisible

J.J.Luna - How to be invisible

(308pg, en, 2004)

It's hard to say how private investigators would react to books like J. J. Luna's How to Be Invisible--while it makes their jobs a lot harder, most of them are paid by the hour. If you want to withdraw from the snooping eyes of the government, corporations, stalking ex-boyfriends, or practically anyone else, this practical, down-to-earth guide will help you and your family vanish. It's not a glamorous James Bond life Mr. Luna is inviting you to take part in; it's probably much like the life you're living right now. Spending much of the early part of the book frightening the reader with tales of stalkers and mistaken identities, the author successfully makes his case that a few adjustments to an individual's personal information flow can make a life-or-death difference. While getting his plan off the ground will take a bit of planning and effort (you have to move at least once to clear your trail), it is sustainable and worthwhile even for those who think they have nothing to hide. Learn about anonymous travel and purchase, using trusts and corporations to keep your assets private, and how recent laws significantly affect older methods of guaranteeing privacy. Luna makes no claim to know the law where you live and suggests that you consult a trusted local attorney before implementing most of his advice. Just knowing how easily a criminal can learn about and exploit your personal information will make you want to do just that. --Rob Lightner

Isaac Asimov - Soarele gol

Isaac Asimov - Soarele gol

(1957, 374pg, ro)

Pe planeta Solaria, populată de un grup de coloniști ce trăiesc izolați unii de altii (nevoile lor fiind satisfăcute de servitori roboți), are loc o crimă care sfidează toate Legile Roboticii, șocînd comunitățile Lumii exterioare. Dezlegarea misterului acestui asasinat revine detectivului new-yorkez Elijah Baley, ajutat de asistentul său, robotul R. Daneel Olivaw

Nancy Kress - Foc încrucișat

Nancy Kress - Foc încrucișat

(203pg, ro, 2003)

O nouă creaţie strălucită a scriitoarei Nancy Kress, laureată a premilor Hugo şi Nebula.

Crossfire este povestea întemeierii unei colonii umane pe o planetă îndepărtată, la iniţiativa lui Jack Holman - un bărbat care încearcă să fugă de trecutul său întunecat. Dar pe măsură ce miile de membri ai acestui grup pestriţ îşi organizează viaţa în noua lor lume, ei fac o descoperire surprinzătoare: pe planetă există nişte extraterestri umanoizi primitivi. Aceştia trăiesc în câteva cătune izolate şi dovezile par să sugereze că nu sunt originari de pe planetă, chiar dacă locuiesc în colibe cu acoperiş de stuf şi posedă doar unelte primitive. Când oamenii află, în sfârşit, adevărul
despre aceşti extraterestri, se trezesc prinşi într-un război interstelar. în cele din urmă, un mic grup de colonişti va trebui să aleagă de care parte vor lupta. De hotărârea lor depinde foarte mult: nu doar soarta noului lor cămin, ci soarta întregii omeniri.

Orson Scott Card - Ender 1 - Jocul lui Ender

Orson Scott Card - Ender 1 - Jocul lui Ender

(1985, 525pg, ro)

Extraterestrii au atacat Pamantul si aproape au distrus specia umana. Pentru a se asigura ca oamenii vor castiga urmatoarea infruntare, cea decisiva, guvernul terestru a creat in vitro genii pe care le antreneaza intensiv in arta militara.Instructia consta, nici o surpriza, din „jocuri“ de razboi. Ender Wiggin, un geniu printre genii, castiga intr-un timp record toate „jocurile“ si pare a fi eroul care va salva planeta. Dar va reusi sa stabileasca grani]a dintre real si virtual si sa inteleaga importanta ei cruciala?matoarea infruntare, cea decisiva, guvernul terestru a creat in vitro genii pe care le antreneaza intensiv in arta militara.


Instructia consta, nici o surpriza, din „jocuri“ de razboi. Ender Wiggin, un geniu printre genii, castiga intr-un timp record toate „jocurile“ si pare a fi eroul care va salva planeta. Dar va reusi sa stabileasca grani]a dintre real si virtual si sa inteleaga importanta ei cruciala?

Serge Brussolo - Febra

Serge Brussolo - Febra

(1983, 244pg, ro)

M-am convins înca o data ca Serge Brussolo e nebun. Si începuse “normal”, cu explorarea unui organism viu de marimea unei planete, pentru ca totul sa degenereze spre scabros si macabru.

Descrie cu placere bolnava mersul prin balti de sebuum, mirosul asfixiant de acid uric al boabelor de transpiratie de marimea unor portocale, desisurile de par cret, refugiul din pliurile unui rid, puseele de febra din preajma unui furuncul gigantic ce ridica temperatura solului la peste 150 de grade… Siliti sa manânce din carnea fiintei-planeta cercetatorii sufera diverse mutatii, alt prilej de enumerare bolnavicioasa a cazurilor de oameni-leucocite, batrâni-prunci, oameni decalcifiati…

Se organizeaza grupari expansioniste care malformeaza organismul pentru a-si mari teritoriul, separatisti ce vor amputarea membrelor pentru a parasi capcana muribunda sau radicali ce doresc pur si simplu extinctia ca sfârsit onorabil al acestei planete purtatoare de paraziti. Actiunile lor duc la un final apocaliptic cu un corp în dezembrare, mistuindu-si ocupantii în timp ce se mistuia pe sine, lasând în vidul cosmic un “monument congelat al prostiei umane”. Pamântul? (Sursa)

Serge Brussolo - Coşmar de închiriat

Serge Brussolo - Coşmar de închiriat

(2006, ro, 380pg)

CASA DE PE COLINA...
O fortareata cenusie, mohorata, cu ferestre deschise ca ranile necicatrizate.

ORASELUL...
O fortareata aparata de gratii, o gradina zoologica stranie, asaltata de vizitatori feroce si necrutatori.

PADUREA...
Un hatis infernal, plin de capcane ruginite, fatale cu un secol in urma, fatale si azi.

Casa inchiriata este poarta secreta catre alta lume, care creste ca o tumoare in carnea realitatii, transformand locurile si oamenii in ceva ingrozitor si strain.
Pentru David si parintii lui, casa de pe colina este un...
COSMAR DE INCHIRIAT...

Brussolo este enigma imposibil de clasat a literaturii franceze, creatorul ei baroc si unic.

Max Tucker - I hope they serve beer in hell BONUS STORIES

Max Tucker - I hope they serve beer in hell

BONUS STORIES

(2006, 338pg, en)

Asher Neal - Cowl

Asher Neal - Cowl

(2004, ro, 730pg)

The story focuses on Cowl, who was genetically engineered to be the pinnacle of human evolution but is now the nemesis of the Heliothane Dominion, the ruling body of humanity. The Heliothanes have genetically enhanced themselves to the point where they can barely be called normal humans anymore, being dramatically faster and stronger. Leading another branch of evolved humanity, the Umbrathanes, Cowl blows up Callisto and uses the energy released to fuel a time journey two billion years into the past. Upon discovering no living life on Earth, Cowl believes that he must avoid an omission paradox and jumpstart humanity's evolution, all the while waging war on the Heliothanes and trying to push them down a 'Probability Slope' so they will be unable to travel through time and leave him and his new empire at the top of the slope.

Cowl uses his Torbeast, sending it travelling through time dropping its scales. Each scale is a self-contained organic time machine that bonds to a human dragging them back through time to Cowl as a sample. He uses these human samples to monitor the effect he is making on the future to conduct his research. Once tested, the human is of no use to Cowl and is dumped; left to die in the poisonous atmosphere of Earth's ancient past.

In the twenty second century, a prostitute named Polly is pulled into a scheme against the ruling government, U-Gov by a soldier, Nandra, who's squad was slaughtered by the tor beast for being near the tor it dropped. Nandra implants Polly with his military AI, his 'muse', and forces her to assist U-Gov agent, Tack, who is a cloned agent in arranging a transaction, a large sum of money for the tor. The transaction goes off, but then Nandra tricks Tack's team and Polly accidentally is bonded to the Tor, along with Tack, who is dragged through time with her, gaining a tor of his own. Tack is captured by Saphothere, a Heliothane who forces him to assist him in fighting against Cowl while Polly is sent through history back towards Cowl, with Nandra now stuck in the Muse AI, guiding her along the way.