From the creation myths & quest sagas of ancient times to the megapopular fantasy novels of today this quintessential anthology of epic fantasy is adventurous storytelling at its best. With rich & vibrant world building readers are transported to antiquated realms to witness noble sacrifices & astonishing wonders. Gathering a comprehensive survey of beloved stories from the genre this compilation

Includes:: stories by such luminaries as George R R Martin Robert Jordan Terry Brooks Ursula K Le Guin Robin Hobb & Tad Williams. Inspiring & larger-than-life these tales offer timeless values of courage & friendship in the face of ultimate evil & express mankinds greatest hopes & fears.

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Miraculously preserved on clay tablets dating back as much as four thousand years the poem of Gilgamesh king of Uruk is the world's oldest epic predating Homer by many centuries. The story tells of Gilgamesh's adventures with the wild man Enkidu & of his arduous journey to the ends of the earth in quest of the Babylonian Noah & the secret of immortality. Alongside its themes of family friendship & the duties of kings the Epic of Gilgamesh is above all about mankind's eternal struggle with the fear of death. ...

AN EPIC SWINDLE is the inside story of how Liverpool FC came within hours of being re-possessed by the banks after the shambolic 44-month reign of American owners Tom Hicks & George Gillett. It is the tale of a civil war that dragged Britains most successful football club to its knees through the High Court & almost into administration. Players Steven Gerrard & Jamie Carragher tell of their anger at the broken promises as well as their pain at watching loyal fans in open revolt. Manager chief executive board members leading fans & journalists reveal the turmoil at a revered sporting institution run by two men at war with each other who trampled Liverpools cherished traditions into the gutter. No story sums up the naked greed at the heart of modern football quite like Hicks & Gilletts attempt to turn a buck at Liverpool. No-one has had as much access to the truth or tells it with as much passion wit & insight as Brian Reade. AN EPIC SWINDLE is the riveting story of how close one of the great football clubs came to financial implosion. ...

Students will gain an up to date & in-depth understanding of the issues involved in A-Level option choices. Students are helped to improve exam results by completing the variety of challenging questions & inquiries. Interest & motivation will be increased by the variety of approaches adopted by the various authors all of whom are experienced educationalists. Student improvement is made possible by the application of a common approach to case studies & an integrated approach to the development of core skills. Teachers will receive value for your money from these flexible well-designed topic books. ...

At the beginning of this century enormous progress had been made in genetics. The Human Genome Project finished sequencing human DNA. It seemed it was only a matter of time until we had all the answers to the secrets of life on this planet. The cutting-edge of biology however is telling us that we still don't even know all of the questions. How is it that despite each cell in your body carrying exactly the same DNA you don't have teeth growing out of your eyeballs or toenails on your liver? How is it that identical twins share exactly the same DNA & yet can exhibit dramatic differences in the way that they live & grow? It turns out that cells read the genetic code in DNA more like a script to be interpreted than a mould that replicates the same result each time. This is epigenetics & it's the fastest-moving field in biology today. The Epigenetics Revolution traces the thrilling path this discipline has taken over the last twenty years. Biologist Nessa Carey deftly explains such diverse phenomena as how queen bees & ants control their colonies why tortoiseshell cats are always female why some plants need a period of cold before they can flower why we age develop disease & become addicted to drugs & much more. Most excitingly Carey reveals the amazing possibilities for humankind that epigenetics offers for us all
- & in the surprisingly near future.
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What is epilepsy? What treatments are available? Will I be able to work or have children? It is estimated that around 450 000 people in the UK have epilepsy making it the most common neurological disorder existing. But with the right medication & determination it is possible to lead a happy & healthy life. This book will guide you through everything you need to know about this frequently misunderstood condition: from diagnosis & the types of treatment available to practical advice on managing epilepsy effectively & coping with it in everyday life. The myths surrounding the condition are dispelled & common questions answered. Benefits driving pregnancy parenthood education & employment issues are covered together with information on caring for an epileptic child. Whether you have just been diagnosed with epilepsy have lived with the condition for some time or are a parent or teacher wanting to know more this guide will equip you with all the essential facts. ...

Simplicity is an under-rated virtue; where information is vital it should be possible to put it across in a way that is easy to understand & remember. Epilepsy is a common condition which has been recognised since the beginning of history & as the opportunities for diagnosis & effective treatment have increased it becomes more important that health professionals have a working knowledge of how epilepsy interacts with their own area of expertise. The interactions between all aspects of medicine & epilepsy should motivate all to do their best to learn about management of all stages the disease from first seizure through to status epilepticus. This is recognition that providing a diagnosis of epilepsy has more than medical implications & in fact it is safe to say that there are few aspects of modern life that will remain untouched by such a diagnosis & consequent treatment. At some point discussions will be required around the issues of fertility job prospects driving issues family safety childcare travel life insurance diet & sports participation. This book has been produced by Dr Becky ODwyer & Dr John Paul Leach recognised experts in epilepsy from opposite sides of the Atlantic. They have tried to make the key concepts of epilepsys cause prognosis & treatment accessible to all in this compact format providing information for clinicians & permitting informed choice for patients & their families. ...

The story of Epiphone one of the oldest & most famous guitar companies is told by former staff historian Walter Carter. It's an epic story spanning three centuries from Old World roots in the nineteenth century to the golden age of American makers in the 20th century & onward into the global market of the new millennium. It's the story of America's business from an individual luthier to a family business & on to corporate ownership. & it's the story of American popular music powered by Epiphone guitars from big-bodied Emperor that drove the swing bands of the 1930s to the electric hollowbodies of the 1960s used by the Beatles & studio ace Howard Roberts to custom solidbody models for such modern rockers as Noel Gallagher (Oasis) Jeff Waters (Annihilator) & Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance). Beautifully illustrated with photos of all the important Epiphone instruments & the extraordinary musicians who played them this is a fascinating history of an iconic name in the world of the guitar. ...

He sucked in a deep breath full of that strange smell he couldnt identify. He trailed his hands across the satin beneath him & to both sides of him & when he raised his hands above him too. He knew why it was so dark. He understood why he could see nothing. He realized why he was lying down. He was in a coffin. A distraught couple thinks youve killed their daughter & they want a confession. If you say you did it theyll kill you. If you say you didnt theyll leave you to die. It seems hopeless but there is one way out.. . What would you do? ...

Josef Vadassy a Hungarian refugee & language teacher living in France is enjoying his first break for years in a small hotel on the Riviera. But when he takes his holiday photographs to be developed at a local chemists he suddenly finds himself mistaken for a Gestapo agent & a charge of espionage is levelled at him. To prove himself innocent to the French police he must discover which one of his fellow guests at his pension is the real spy. As he desperately tries to uncover the true culprit's identity Vadassy must risk his job his safety & everything he holds dear. ...