Virtual Worlds

Ay Yi Yai Yi! It’s halftime, America! Welcome to the intermission of empire, featuring interpretive dances by decaying institutions choreographed by lobbyists holding MBAs in short-termism. Like the infamous Coke bottle in The Gods Must Be Crazy, today's techno-totems—quantum AI supremacy, sovereign digital currencies, and China's Belt-and-Data colonialism—have crash-landed onto our meticulously manicured lawns. Initially celebrated as symbols of progress, these shiny artifacts now function as civilization’s Rorschach tests, exposing strategic confusion and institutional amnesia as ...

The stories of World War 2 will forever be imprinted in our collective human mind. Unrivaled in loss of life, boundless destruction, and decisions that changed the world as we knew it, these stories have gone down in history. From concentration camps to aerial strikes, the war waged in increasingly brutal ways as it progressed. But how much do you really know about what happened during those years? These are the stories you won’t read about in any textbook. The Wanton massacre of civilians and the torture of prisoners of war was only the beginning. It can be easy to forget the horrors ...

Tropical Gangsters was named one of the “Books of the Century” by the New York Times. This sequel again takes you beyond the slogans and ideologies of international development to the complexities, absurdities, and possibilities of some of the poorest places on the planet. If Tropical Gangsters was like a non-fiction novel, Tropical Gangsters II is a set of non-fiction short stories. Stories about corrupt states and cynical cultures, but also about idealism and practical choices that matter. Stories that abound in surprising dialogue, remarkable characters, and beautiful descriptions of...

Pedaling a bicycle around the world was a lifelong dream, but everyone told him it could not be done. Dismissing the skeptics, disinterested sponsors, and a woefully inadequate bank account, Scott Zamek resolved to try. Some 25,000 miles and six million pedal revolutions later, Zamek had encountered Bengal tigers, angry mobs, prison and sandstorms, fed on yak, dog meat, and gobs of cow intestines. He had been taken prisoner by the Syrian Secret Police, left for dead in the Sahara Desert, and beset by hypothermia and heatstroke, using up two bicycles, 1,000 tire patches, and countless ...

The Psychology Behind Successful Relationships reveals the essential elements that make relationships flourish. Drawing from personal experiences, shared stories, and extensive research, this book profoundly explains the challenges and triumphs inherent in modern relationships. With a compassionate and insightful approach, the author explores many's everyday struggles, from the anxiety of misunderstandings to the heartbreak of breakups. These are not distant, abstract issues but real-life scenarios that resonate with anyone who has navigated the complexities of love, family, and connection,...

"Soldier in Another World" is an action-packed LitRPG adventure that follows John, a former Navy SEAL, as he's suddenly transported to the fantastical realm of Helios. In this game-like world of magic and monsters, John must adapt his military skills to survive and thrive. Partnered with Ginger, a feisty and skilled rogue, John navigates the challenges of this new reality. From bustling adventure outposts to treacherous dungeons, they face deadly creatures, solve intricate puzzles, and uncover the mysteries of Helios. As John and Ginger level up their abilities and forge a powerful alliance...

A Mind-Bending Journey Through the Mysteries of Existence What if UFOs were just the tip of the iceberg? In The Ride: The Paranormal World of UFOs and Life Itself, Grant Cameron takes readers on an unforgettable journey beyond flying saucers and alien encounters. This is a story about life, consciousness, and the unseen threads connecting everything we know—and everything we don’t. With his signature investigative brilliance, Grant uncovers the deeper, interconnected truths of UFOs, the paranormal, and the fabric of reality itself. From high-strangeness events and multidimensional ...

1914, and the intense shadows of an unexpectedly fiery summer that is burning up the whole of Europe are hiding beneath them the darker shadows of the “war to end all wars.” And these shadows, in turn, are concealing the darkest shadows of them all – those predicting a violent revolution that will draw to a shocking close the Romanov dynasty in Russia that will devour its children. Meanwhile, Empress Alexandra, always more focused on what is happening right there in her boudoir, is more concerned about the possibility of a palace coup, as she suspects that her disconcertingly uppity ...

5 stars! "This book is a refreshing change for post-apocalyptic narratives." 5 stars! "So good it kept me from my housework." Two broken souls. One fragile thread of connection. Can trust heal the wounds of the past? Abigail Winters has spent her life picking up the pieces. A single mother raising her baby, Danny, after the death of her soldier boyfriend, Abby finds strength in the small family she’s built: a kind-hearted baker who feels like a surrogate father and a community she gives back to in every way she can. She’s always believed in seeing the good in people—even when it feels...

As the ‘Funeral Bride,’ Alexandra of Hesse-Darmstadt marries Tsar Nicholas II only a week after the premature death of his father, Tsar Alexander III. Already dismissed out of hand by the court, Alexandra has to further contend with the continuing ambition of her mother-in-law, the Dowager-Empress Minnie, who has no intention of ceding imperial precedence to the new Empress or of giving up one inch of her power and influence over her emotionally-dependent son, the new Tsar. Nevertheless, Empress Alexandra is determined to stamp her authority on Russia as a whole and on Nicholas in ...

A farmer's daughter, a man of means, and a secret engagement that involves their hearts as much as their future. Willa Brown rushes from her apprenticeship as a dressmaker in Texas to rescue her family's farm, only to find her beloved Westwind has suffered yet another catastrophe—this time in the form of a fire. While she works to figure out how to save her father’s dream from debt collectors, the town works to rebuild. Willa knows she needs money, so the prospect of a mail-order groom is brought up by her grandmother, but she isn't sure she has it in her to marry a stranger simply to ...

They called it The Light. It wiped out most of humanity. Those who didn’t die were twisted into something else—feral, bloodthirsty, and unstoppable. Three years later, Cal Hershel roams the ruins, barely surviving the monsters, the slavers... and his own unraveling mind. Then comes Cassandra—a sharp, stubborn 14-year-old orphan who doesn’t fear him, even when she should. Together, they form a fragile alliance in a world that kills the weak and punishes the kind. But Cal is hiding something. Something worse than the creatures hunting them. And when Cassandra discovers the truth, ...

For years man has explored the universe looking for lost galaxies and watching the planets and constellations that we knew existed. Also, throughout the centuries and in recent years, meteorites from beyond our solar system have made their way toward our planet, entered our atmosphere and impacted the earth. Scientists are continually on the lookout for such objects heading our way although most either veer past the earth, or when they do reach the earth, cause little notice and minor damage from their impact. What would happen if an asteroid reached the earth that was big enough to wipe ...

In this revised edition with a study guide, Pastor Tullian Tchividjian writes that real life is long on law and short on grace. And the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us—a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Tullian is convinced our exhausted world needs a fresh encounter with God's inexhaustible grace—His one-way love. Sadly, however, Christianity is ...

SHERLOCK HOLMES NEVER DIES : COLLECTION SEVEN. You love the stories of Sherlock Holmes. You have read the entire Canon, maybe more than once. But you still want more Sherlock -- the real Victorian Sherlock. Now there is a new series of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, each one of them a tribute to one of the stories in the original Canon. In this 7th boxed set are: The Binomial Asteroid Problem, The Mystery of 222 Baker Street, The Adventure of Charlotte Europa Golderton, and The Adventure of the Norwood Rembrandt. SAVE 50% off the cost of buying the individual books. BUY IT NOW, and enjoy more ...

In an increasingly dystopic world, where governments create fear through crisis propaganda in an attempt to gain total control, David trips into power. This nineteen-year-old billionaire computer genius develops the most secure bitcoin in the world, destroying the monopoly previously held by the world’s elite power players. Now he’s got almost as many enemies as he has bitcoin credits, and they’re out for blood. As his enemies draw closer, taking their rage out on David’s family, David is confronted with his need for something – someone – to lean on. In his desperation, he turns...

After sleeping in a Columbia, South Carolina, city park, some friendly young ladies invite Kelton and Azrael to board a bus and consider life in their secluded enclave under Father’s inspiring wisdom. What Kelton finds is a cult, preparing for an act of domestic terrorism. Can Kelton and Azrael help a community of young people regain perspective? Or is the brainwashing from strict discipline and harsh deprivation too strong to keep naive followers from throwing their lives away? A battle of wills is on, and the clock is ticking down the seconds as bomb laden trucks make their way into the...

Unlock the Power of Meaning, Choice, and Freedom with The Beginner’s Guide to Existentialism: How to Find Meaning, Make Bold Choices, and Live Authentically in a Confusing World Are you curious about existentialism, but not sure where to start? Overwhelmed by terms like “the absurd,” “authenticity,” or “existential dread”? This accessible, engaging guide is your perfect entry point into one of philosophy’s most powerful and life-changing movements. The Beginner’s Guide to Existentialism explores the core ideas of existential thought—freedom, responsibility, the search ...

ADHD diagnoses are exploding Do you know why? Worldwide, the disorder affects roughly 5-7% of kids under the age of 18. In the United States, that number is north of 11%. As the disorder continues to plague children at every level, the questions grow louder. What is causing this? Are the diagnoses too prevalent? Is there a significant upswing in misdiagnoses and dual diagnoses? Are modern societies over-medicating learning disabilities? And most importantly, with our incredible advances in neuropsychology and naturopathy, what are we going to do about it? Natural Treatment. Effective ...

Discover the Beauty in the Details—One Close-Up at a Time Step into a world where every leaf, insect, and droplet becomes a breathtaking subject. Macro Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Tiny World is your ultimate introduction to the fascinating art of macro photography—no expensive gear or technical background required. Written by passionate photographers from Photolator.com, this guide strips away the jargon and breaks down macro techniques into clear, actionable steps. Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone, you'll learn how to capture stunning ...