A clear and concise introduction to contemporary Slovenia. It examines the country's rapid transition from a collection of provinces in the southern part of the Habsburg Empire, to a republic within Yugoslavia, to an independent state and analyzes the major political and economic developments since 1991. The perfect introduction to one of Europe's most fascinating nations.

The Attic is Danilo Kiš’s first novel. Written in 1960, published in 1962, and set in contemporary Belgrade, it explores the relationship of a young man, known only as Orpheus, to the art of writing; it also tracks his relationship with a colorful cast of characters with nicknames such as Eurydice, Mary Magdalene, Tam-Tam,and Billy Wise Ass. Rich with references to music, painting, philosophy, and gastronomy, this bohemian Bildungsroman is a laboratory of technique and st...

Written when he was only twenty-five, before embarking on the masterpieces that would make him an integral figure in twentieth-century letters, Psalm 44 shows Kiš at his most lyrical and unguarded, demonstrating that even in "the place of dragons . . . covered with the shadow of death," there can still be poetry. Featuring characters based on actual inmates and warders—including the abominable Dr. Mengele—Psalm 44 is a baring of many of the themes, patterns, and preoccupa...

Written between 1980 and 1986, the six stories that constitute The Lute and the Scars (as well as an untitled piece by the author, included here as "A and B") were transcribed from the manuscripts left by Danilo Kiš following his death in 1989. Like the title story, many of these texts are autobiographical. Others resurrect protagonists belonging to Kiš’s fellow Central European novelists, allowing readers to identify, perhaps, depending on the level of obfuscation, fantasy,and hi...

The 1950s were a golden age of science fiction, a decade when writers imagined alien worlds, strange technologies, and futures both thrilling and terrifying. In this collection of 22 classic short stories, you’ll encounter some of the era’s most creative minds, including five unforgettable tales by Philip K. Dick.Step into worlds where reality itself can’t be trusted. In The Hanging Stranger, an ordinary man discovers something impossible hanging from a lamppost—and no one...

Encounters From Beyond: Classic Tales of Alien Contact brings together nineteen unforgettable stories exploring one of science fiction’s greatest questions: What happens when humanity meets something truly alien? From mysterious visitors and hostile invaders to misunderstood travelers and astonishing first contact, these timeless adventures capture the excitement, danger, and wonder that made alien encounters a cornerstone of classic science fiction.This remarkable...

Building and maintaining an opening repertoire can be a demanding task -- for a start there are an enormous number of different lines to choose from. There's a strong temptation amongst beginners and improving players to opt solely for tricky lines in order to snare unsuspecting opponents, but this approach has only short-term value. As players improve and their opponents become stronger, very often these crafty lines don't stand up to close scrutiny, and suddenly they back to square one w...

The Strategic Positioning of Academic Libraries explores the influence exerted by trends in higher education and the wider world on the position of academic libraries, alongside an analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It provides an essential foundation for effective library strategy formulation and positioning in a highly dynamic and competitive environment.Examining a complex mix of global volatility, campus uncertainty, societal change and...

Explore the transformative years of youth and resilience in "Coming of Age: 1939-1946" by John Cox. This evocative memoir delves into a pivotal period marked by global conflict, personal growth, and the forging of identity amidst the challenges of war.As you journey through Cox’s narrative, you’ll witness the profound impact of historical events on the lives of young people. With each page, the author shares poignant reflections on coming of age during a ti...

When Adam Bradford's sister goes missing he drops everything to assist the police, travelling up to the isolated village where she lived.When he arrives at her cottage, however, he discovers a life in disarray and a bedroom filled with cryptic notes and mysterious blurred photographs.At first he puts this obsession down to some kind of psychological disorder, but after he experiences a series of disturbing events he begins to question whether there is any truth to the myth ...

A Collection of the Prologue, the Epilogue with Photo Essay, and the Summations of The Way of Righteousness: A Revealing History and Reconciliation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.Mind is the fourth of the Mind Series of little books. It tells the backstory of how The Way came to be written.The Way of Righteousness tells the truth about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It establishes their common roots, demonstrates their differences, exposes their flaws, and reveals t...

When three university friends travel to an isolated lake to investigate reported sightings of an alien big cat they expect yet another hoax, but when footage from their remote cameras appears to show someone emerging from the water in the dead of night they realise that the lake may hold stranger secrets than a phantom panther.In a local history book they read the tale of a sunken village lurking forgotten deep beneath the surface, and when they dive the lake to investigate they di...