Today more than ever, series finales have become cultural touchstones that feed watercooler fodder and Twitter storms among a committed community of viewers. While the final episodes of The Fugitive and M*A*S*H continue to rank among the highest rated broadcasts, more recent shows draw legions of binge-watching fans. Given the importance of finales to viewers and critics alike, Howard and Bianculli along with the other contributors explore these endings and what they mean to the audience, ...

Where does myth end and truth begin?A boy and his… Sword?Thirteen year old Cale Tannor has always dreamed of finding adventure. When a Spirit Sword, the last of an ancient race of sentient weapons, falls into his hands, adventure finds him. Now infernal hordes are stirring in the dark, and this adventure may be more than Cale bargained for. On the way he finds new friends in the Indian huntress Jazreal Bloodmoon, and mysterious Ranger Vyk Draco. Together they must work to r...

If you have ever found the Christmas season to be an emotional and spiritual letdown, My True Love’s Gifts is for you. We are about to discover the real message in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and experience Christmas from a perspective that is broader and deeper than the traditional nativity scene. We will discover something entirely new, inspiring, and encouraging in the words of a centuries-old lyric. As the amazing scope and extent of the true love’s generosity is discovered, there w...

Out of the Dark is a call for teacher leaders to take a stand against the current neoliberal take over of our educational system today. This book investigates where this political power hold began, theorizes why is it so hard for us to change what is happening, and then explores theory into practice for supporting the development of a democratic curriculum. Out of the Dark highlights example schools in various states that are fighting the monopoly of standardization by implementing their o...

Handle With Care (HWC) is a simple program intended to keep kids succeeding in school. Basically, if the police are called to a home where there are children present, they send a "Handle With Care" notice to the school. The message is then distributed to school personnel, before the bell rings the next day, to let them know something traumatic has happened to that child. How to Handle With Care was written to help answer the question so many people have: "How do I start this program?" This...

Most of the artifacts archaeologists uncover are utilitarian and mundane. However, artifacts are sometimes recovered that provide a surprising narrative or present an interpretive conundrum. The articles in this volume share eleven stories of artifacts that enlighten, presenting artifacts of varying types, locales, and periods with engaging stories that illuminate the ways in which historical archaeologists encounter and interpret the past through material things.

What if we’ve been looking at faith all wrong? What if the rise of spiritual consciousness is not a mere byproduct of cultural factors, but an echo resounding from eternity?Atheists like Richard Dawkins often mock prayer, equating it to calling upon a fairy in the sky. This misunderstanding of prayer’s purpose pervades western society, criticizing those that practice traditional faith as “old fashioned” or “out of touch.” In A Holy Haunting, Dr. Sam D. Kim...

Where does myth end and truth begin?A boy and his… Sword?Thirteen year old Cale Tannor has always dreamed of finding adventure. When a Spirit Sword, the last of an ancient race of sentient weapons, falls into his hands, adventure finds him. Now infernal hordes are stirring in the dark, and this adventure may be more than Cale bargained for. On the way he finds new friends in the Indian huntress Jazreal Bloodmoon, and mysterious Ranger Vyk Draco. Together they must work to r...

A short story about two friends, Juniper and Tandy, and the friendship that stands the test of sickness and first day of school.

Investigates the development of hypotheses about how West African, possibly Igbo, cultural traditions were maintained and transformed in the Virginia ChesapeakeEnslaved Africans and their descendants comprised a significant portion of colonial Virginia populations, with most living on rural slave quarters adjacent to the agricultural fields in which they labored. Archaeological excavations into these home sites have provided unique windows into the daily l...

Using brain research on the effects of childhood trauma, we know our brains cannot create lasting memories without attaching to old ones. In other words, “The First Wrinkle” in our memory is permanent. This book presents the authentic stories of four people who, in different states, experienced some form of childhood trauma. Alternating with the four memoir’s, are additional interviews showcasing those trying to better the system, including foster parents, first responders, and volunteers....

The soap opera, one of U.S. television's longest-running and most influential formats, is on the brink. Declining ratings have been attributed to an increasing number of women working outside the home and to an intensifying competition for viewers' attention from cable and the Internet. Yet, soaps' influence has expanded, with serial narratives becoming commonplace on most prime time TV programs. The Survival of Soap Opera investigates the causes of their dwindling popularity, des...