An investigation into the foundations of democratic societies and the ongoing struggle over the power of concentrated wealthMuch of our politics today, Paul Starr writes, is a struggle over entrenchment—efforts to bring about change in ways that opponents will find difficult to undo. That is why the stakes of contemporary politics are so high. In this wide-ranging book, Starr examines how changes at the foundations of society become hard to reverse—yet sometimes are...

You’re an interesting one, aren’t you, Shinba? You have no job, talent, or money. You’re forgetful, your room’s filthy, and you only talk about games no one’s heard of. No matter where you go or what you do, you’re a complete embarrassment. Could being with such a loser ever make anyone happy? …Heh-heh. Don’t be so sad. I’m simply having a bit of fun. All I did was look at your pitiful face, but I’m sorry for making you anxious. I love you, so forgive me, okay? Ha-ha…

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine-that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to len...

Shinba’s finally gotten himself a part-time job, but despite his determination to turn his life around, he can’t seem to stop messing things up! And on top of getting scolded by his teenaged coworker on the clock, Shinba can’t help but feel like his relationship with Hizumi is on thin ice too. Could a woman like her ever really love a loser like him? Maybe taking a couple’s trip to the beach is just what they need…

“After all, my goddess once told me that resting is part of an adventurer’s job.”After going deeper than they’ve ever gone before and surviving the dangers of the Dungeon, Bell and his companions have more than earned themselves a respite. In the warm sunlight and safety of the surface, everyone has a moment to sit and reflect on just how much they’ve changed. Bell’s thoughts return to the day everything began. Hestia remembers her trials after leaving the heavens. Lilly thinks of the cind...

Essays by Thomas Frank, Clay Shirky, David Simon, and others: "Anyone concerned about the state of journalism should read this book." — Library JournalThe sudden meltdown of the news media has sparked one of the liveliest debates in recent memory, with an outpouring of opinion and analysis crackling across journals, the blogosphere, and academic publications. Yet, until now, we have lacked a comprehensive and accessible introduction to this new and shiftin...

There's an urban legend that says late at night, sometimes a young girl dressed in gothic lolita clothing will appear by garbage dumps to ask a question. Any who answer will, without fail, die a twisted death. And tonight, another young boy will find himself enveloped by this horror...

A young girl has resigned herself to being the next sacrificial meal for the Beast King...but the king is no mere monster! Love is more than skin-deep in this gorgeous fantasy manga.

Kraft Lawrence has been walking the lonely path of the itinerant merchant for seven years. His life changes forever when he meets Holo, the Wolf-God of the harvest, and the two begin traveling together. Soon they discover a unique business opportunity, but their plans go awry when a competing organization captures Holo and threatens to turn her over to the oppressive, monotheistic Church.Can Lawrence rescue his companion, and will the pair become more than just friends?

A new chapter unfolds in the travels of Lawrence and Holo! The pair arrives at the church in the village of Tereo to glean information about Holo's homeland of Yoitsu. But Elsa, the deaconess, turns them away flat! What has happened to make her so suspicious? Could it have something to do with the neighboring town of Enberch?

The invitation has arrived. It is time for the New Year’s Reception at the Yotsuba family residence. This year, Miyuki and other candidates will gather there to decide who will be the next leader of their powerful clan. If chosen as the successor, she would never have to see her brother live as a pariah ever again. At the same time, such a position surely entails a political marriage, plunging her mind into complete turmoil. Complicating matters, the current head of their family sows doubt...

Following his good fortune in Pazzio, Lawrence is confident that he is on the path to realizing his dream of becoming a town merchant. One ill-informed business decision, though, leaves him teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and ruin! With no assets to his name - other than the cunning of his fetching traveling companion, Holo the Wisewolf - Lawrence may need to resort to illicit means to put his affairs in order. With all of the merchant's plans hinging on one beautiful young shepherdes...