Virtual Culture

Before fitness influencers, Instagram abs, and overpriced shaker cups, there was Gold’s Gym—raw, rusted, unapologetic. This book drags you into the sweat-soaked, gear-fueled world of Venice Beach in the 1970s, when bodybuilding was still a fringe obsession and the men chasing mass were part cult, part circus, and fully committed. This brutally honest account strips away the modern gloss to reveal the truth beneath the pump: the splits, the cycles, the unspoken rules, the hunger, the pain, and the fragile egos stuffed into bodies too big for regular life. This was the era of Arnold, ...

Republican Fan Fiction: How Fantasy Chains, Propaganda, and Culture Wars Fuel MAGA, Divide America, and Distort Reality In Republican Fan Fiction, Jason McClure exposes the powerful narratives driving the MAGA movement and Republican ideology, revealing how shared myths, propaganda, and cultural battles have created a parallel reality for millions. This compelling exploration uncovers the rise of "fantasy chains"—stories that bind communities together while distorting their perception of truth. From the origins of right-wing media to the rise of online influencers, McClure examines how ...

“The Hustle Delusion” shatters the lie that individual grind secures prosperity. In compelling, accessible prose, this book reveals how generations of policy choices, labor practices, and cultural narratives have rigged the system against everyday workers. You’ll journey from the exploitation of gig-economy side gigs and unpaid internships to the billionaire “hustle cosplay” that masks inherited privilege. You’ll see how technological advances intended to streamline work instead fuel a productivity paradox, enriching shareholders while stretching workweeks ever longer. Drawing ...

Operational Excellence Handbook is designed for leaders and practitioners wishing to transform their organizations through strategy and culture, and through the application of operational excellence tools and techniques. This book will provide you with thought and guidance on: Strategic Approaches Cultural Leadership Practices and Methodologies Project Management Tool Selection and UseRod Baxter is principal of Value Generation Partners. He is author of Lean Six Sigma DMAIC Workbook, Operational Excellence Handbook, SUCCESS Series handbooks, and Discover Your Inner Series of workbooks. Rod ...

25 Years in Italy is an informative, insightful and entertaining account of life in contemporary Italy. It sheds light on daily life, culture, food and language of this fascinating country as observed from the inside by the author over a quarter of a century of uninterrupted stay. Through 20 information-packed chapters we get answers to questions like, why did George Clooney come to live by Lake Como? Why is Grana Padano the most popular cheese when there are 820 types to choose from? Why do Italians lace their language with English/American terms? What do they watch on TV? Why did Leonardo...

This book debunks the myth of African paganism and establishes the fact with incredible evidence that the Knowledge of God was enshrined in the African Culture.

In this powerful self-help book, Mastering Self Discipline: The Key To Achieving Anything you'll discover how discipline can be the catalyst for elevating every aspect of your life. From your career to your relationships, from your health to your personal growth, discipline serves as the cornerstone of success in all areas. From managing your time effectively to overcoming common hurdles like procrastination and self-doubt, this book offers practical solutions for everyday challenges. Whether you're aiming for career advancement, personal growth, or simply a happier, more fulfilling life, ...

An illustrated look at ten of the most unheard-of mysteries. Read about the wonders of the past and the unbelievable accomplishments of lost cultures. Is Noah’s Flood a distant memory of what actually occurred in the Black Sea? Why are over one hundred pyramids off limits, not in Egypt but in China? Why do the dolmens of the Caucasus use phallic seals for doorways? What did a curious farmer find at the bottom of massive but rectangular ponds? Learn about these little-known mysteries.

The Old Ford is a heartfelt tribute to a rugged little truck that has survived fire duty, family misadventures, mechanical overhauls, and the passage of nearly a century—86 of its years in one family. Manufactured in Long Beach in 1932, the Ford began its service with the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. By 1939, it had passed into the hands of the Bullock family, purchased in a trade involving a Model A and a saddle horse. What followed was a lifetime of memories—starting with dirt roads, hunting trips, and engine swaps, and ending with a painstaking, multi-year restoration. ...

This is the story of the greatest might-have-been in the history of fast food. In 1971, Burger Chef Systems commanded an empire of 1,200 restaurants, adding one every 48 hours. Less than 100 locations stood between them and slower-growing McDonald's Corporation. They were winning big. Fast forward to 1982: reduced to less than half of their peak size, Burger Chef disappears from the landscape, merged into a larger rival. How did the people responsible for more fast-food innovations than any other lose their way? Author and historian John P. McDonald guides you through the experiences that ...

🎉 Rediscover the Magic of the Past with the Ultimate Trivia Experience! 🎉 Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the golden days: Elvis, Beatlemania, groovy 70s disco nights, 80s big hair & neon colors? Now you can relive all those cherished memories while this one-of-a-kind trivia quiz book takes you back in time, decade by decade! 🎤 Must Have for Every Baby Boomer & Your Whole Family - Grandparents to Grandchildren!: ✨ 331 Pop Culture Questions: Dive into extensive questions covering every aspect of the 50s to 80s. From unforgettable music & blockbuster movies to classic ...

If we could ensure that our TCKs would grow up healthy and resilient, we would do it in a heartbeat. In Raising up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids, Lauren Wells has gifted us with a gentle guide and a preventive health primer, unique in the field of third culture kid literature. This book is a goldmine of wisdom, organized in a practical and readable format. While we cannot know all our TCKs will go through, we can take a giant step forward by learning how to multiply the benefits of a global life and conversely pay attention to the challenges that can become stumbling blocks to ...

12 Japanese concepts to Live By : "Uncovering The Secrets of Ancient Japanese Wisdom to Live Rich, Purposeful And Fulfilling Life. Applying Ancient Japanese Concepts to Navigate Life's Challenges and Achieve Inner Peace." “One glass of water doesn’t equal another. One may just appease the thirst, the other you may enjoy thoroughly. In Japan, people know about this difference.”- Jil Sander Japanese culture is renowned for its unique concepts of living that emphasize harmony, simplicity, and a deep connection with nature. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and philosophies, these ...

I’ve always gotten what I wanted—by force if necessary. Five years ago, I took Valentina’s virginity and left her behind, never looking back. She was just a means to an end, or so I thought. Now, our families are forcing us into an arranged marriage, and I’ll finally make her mine. But Valentina’s hiding more than just her defiance. There’s a secret she’s kept—a child I never knew existed. When I find out she’s pregnant again, my world shifts. For the first time, I want something more than power. I want her and the family she’s kept from me, and I’ll do whatever it ...

How did America become so screwed up? The answer is probably not what you expect. To find the truth, journey through the tumultuous history of a nation that has weathered storms of epic proportions. From the haunting legacy of chattel slavery to the fiery crucible of the Civil War, there has long been a struggle for unity and identity—to shape the American landscape. As brother fought brother on the battlefield, families were torn asunder, and the soil of the nation was stained with the blood of countless fallen soldiers. Yet, even in the aftermath of war, healing remained elusive as ...

Remember the thrill of the open road? The anticipation of what bizarre, oversized, or wonderfully weird wonder awaited just around the next bend? Embark on a captivating expedition with "American Oddities - Roadside Wonders: A Nostalgic Journey to Giant Dinosaurs, Muffler Men, and the Golden Age of Americana Kitsch." This is your ultimate guide to the unforgettable, often outlandish, attractions that defined a unique era of American travel and ingenuity. Back when the automobile first empowered the average family to explore, the American highway became a canvas for creativity, commerce, and...

What if the political divide you’ve been told about is a distraction? What if the left–right spectrum is a smokescreen, concealing a deeper, shared architecture of control? In this groundbreaking and provocative book, M. Abdelwahid unravels the two dominant ideologies that have shaped the modern world: neoliberalism, with its gospel of markets, deregulation, and privatized life, and neoconservatism, with its obsession with moral order, national identity, and cultural discipline. Rather than treating them as opposites, this book exposes how these ideologies work in tandem to govern ...

This book investigates the culture of the 1960's in America-the music, the entertainment, the media, and the politics.

Welcome to College. In case you didn't know, now is the time to lose it. NOW is the time go buck wild, to let loose, and go for broke. Everywhere you look, they're there. Hot women. Sexy, fun, experimental chicks nearing the peak of their sexual prowess. Cute and sexy girls who want nothing more than to have a little fun. Which begs only one question: What are you going to do about it? Will you sit back, being a passive wallflower who never gets the fun and sex commanded by other, more courageous guys? Will you rest on your laurels, too afraid to attract and seduce women, too scared to do ...

Ever dreamed of exploring a place where every day is an adventure? Well, pack your bags because Costa Rica is calling your name, and we've got the only guide you'll ever need to discover its wonders! Here's Why You'll Love Our Guide: Dive into Paradise: Find the best spots for surfing, chilling on breathtaking beaches, and where to catch the perfect wave in Manuel Antonio. Fly High in the Clouds: Zip-line through the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's like being a bird, but cooler! Explore Mighty Volcanoes: Hike around Arenal Volcano and feel the thrill of adventure under your feet. But ...