Beauty. Justice. Identity. Love. Stories. Nature. Hope. These things intrigue us, move us and prompt us to ask big questions. Could there be clues in our deepest desires that point to life’s meaning? Have You Ever Wondered? invites you on an immersive tour through the issues that matter. This book is for anyone who has looked at a landscape and contemplated why we are drawn to beauty; or wondered why we are so insatiably curious about our universe, or even for those who have simply looked ...

“Unforgettable. . . . An outstanding adventure in its lyrical, utterly compelling, and heartbreaking investigations of the world of diamond smuggling.” —Aimee NezhukumatathilFor nearly eighty years, a huge portion of coastal South Africa was closed off to the public. With many of its pits now deemed “overmined” and abandoned, American journalist Matthew Gavin Frank sets out across the infamous Diamond Coast to investigate an illicit trade that supplies a global mar...

An exquisite, lyrical foray into the world of deep-sea divers, the obsession and madness that oceans inspire in us, and the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall—a captivating blend of literary prose, science writing, and true crime"[A] thrilling study of an obsession—to sink below the surface, to depths both metaphoric and in fact. Full of wild characters and strange histories, by the end we are convinced, in no small par...

For nearly eighty years, a huge portion of coastal South Africa was closed off to the public. With many of its pits now deemed "overmined" and abandoned, American journalist Matthew Gavin Frank sets out across the infamous Diamond Coast to investigate an illicit trade that supplies a global market. Immediately, he became intrigued by the ingenious methods used in facilitating smuggling—particularly, the illegal act of sneaking carrier pigeons onto mine property, affixing diamonds to their ...

An exquisite, lyrical foray into the world of deep-sea divers, the obsession and madness that oceans inspire in us, and the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall—a captivating blend of literary prose, science writing, and true crime"[A] thrilling study of an obsession—to sink below the surface, to depths both metaphoric and in fact. Full of wild characters and strange histories, by the end we are convinced, in no small par...

Finalist for the Art of Eating PrizeA richly illustrated culinary tour of the United States through fifty signature dishes, and a radical exploration of our gastronomic heritage.Following his critically acclaimed Preparing the Ghost, renowned essayist Matthew Gavin Frank takes on America’s food. In a surprising style reminiscent of Maggie Nelson or Mark Doty, Frank examines a quintessential dish in each state, interweaving the culi...

Espionage, Intrigue, Secrets, Lies. Welcome to the world of Spyfunk!, a collection of spy tales that put characters of African/African Diaspora descent front and center. These exciting stories follow the rules and break them, ranging from range from conventional to extraordinary, the past to the future, and from reality to fantasy. Spyfunk! has the package, and it's more than ready to deliver! With stories by John F. Allen, Eugen Bacon, Jeff Carroll, Milton J. Davis, Keith Gaston, Joe Hill...

Photovoltaic systems enable the sun’s energy to be converted directly into electricity using semiconductor solar cells. The ultimate goal of photovoltaic research and development is to reduce the cost of solar power to reach or even become lower than the cost of electricity generated from fossil and nuclear fuels. The power conversion efficiency and the cost per unit area of the phototvoltaic system are critical factors that determine the cost of photovoltaic electricity. Until recently, t...

College. A time to figure out who you really are. Get out of your parents’ house and experience the world on your own. A time to try new things, experiment, and have the time of your life. Sure, there are the books and the classes and all those late nights studying in your dorm room. But the true college experience is about growing, learning, and discovering yourself—and what your body can do.The young men in these stories are eager, willing, horny, and ready for anything. From fra...

Neighbourhood Planning (NP), introduced by the Localism Act of 2011, is the right for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work. This book examines the experience of neighbourhood planners, analysing what communities have achieved, how they have done so and what went well or badly. Comparing NP with other forms of community planning and highlighting the main lessons learned so far, it acts as a navigation tool for people already involved in neighbourhood plann...

This book uses an international perspective and draws on a wide range of new conceptual and empirical material to examine the sources of conflict and cooperation within the different landscapes of knowledge that are driving contemporary urban change. Based on the premise that historically established systems of regulation and control are being subject to unprecedented pressures, scholars critically reflect on the changing role of planning and governance in sustainable urban development, lo...

In today’s fast-paced world, we’ve never seen people more stressed, anxious, and time poor than we are now. The big question is: how can we help individuals overwhelmed by constant pressures to cultivate a better mindset and cope with daily challenges? How can you transform your mindset and conquer these with ease?In the Time Poor Series: Mindset, we’ve gathered insights, practical tips, and real-life strategies fr...