Collection: Adult

Now available in Open Access, this best-selling textbook for a second course in linear algebra is aimed at undergraduate math majors and graduate students. The fourth edition gives an expanded treatment of the singular value decomposition and its consequences. It includes a new chapter on multilinear algebra, treating bilinear forms, quadratic forms, tensor products, and an approach to determinants via alternating multilinear forms. This new edition also increases the use of the minimal polynomial to provide cleaner proofs of multiple results. Also, over 250 new exercises have been added.

The novel approach taken here banishes determinants to the end of the book. The text focuses on the central goal of linear algebra: understanding the structure of linear operators on finite-dimensional vector spaces. The author has taken unusual care to motivate concepts and simplify proofs. A variety of interesting exercises in each chapter helps students understand and manipulate the objects of linear algebra. Beautiful formatting creates pages with an unusually student-friendly appearance in both print and electronic versions.

No prerequisites are assumed other than the usual demand for suitable mathematical maturity. The text starts by discussing vector spaces, linear independence, span, basis, and dimension. The book then deals with linear maps, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Inner-product spaces are introduced, leading to the finite-dimensional spectral theorem and its consequences. Generalized eigenvectors are then used to provide insight into the structure of a linear operator.

From the reviews of previous editions:

Altogether, the text is a didactic masterpiece. -- zbMATH

The determinant-free proofs are elegant and intuitive. -- American Mathematical Monthly

The most original linear algebra book to appear in years, it certainly belongs in every undergraduate library -- CHOICE

"Highbrow, brilliant." --New York magazine

"A rollicking tale of how Mattel spied, copied, and stole its way to market dominance, then fought with military intensity to compel us to buy more and more." --The New York Times

The secret history of Barbie and what Mattel has done to keep her on top.

For nearly seven decades, Mattel billed Barbie as the first adult doll--a revolutionary alternative to the baby dolls before her, which had treated little girls as future mothers rather than future women. But Barbie was no original. She was a knockoff: a nearly identical copy of a German doll now erased from the narrative in favor of Mattel's preferred version of history. It was Barbie's first secret but far from her last.

In Barbieland, journalist and The Drift editor Tarpley Hitt exposes the long-hidden backstory of the world's most famous doll. After snuffing out her predecessor, Barbie climbed to the throne of global girlhood and stayed there, fending off rivals with a mix of strategic marketing, government influence, ruthless litigation, and covert tactics worthy of a classic spy novel.

This lively, authoritative ride through the underbelly of American business pulls back the curtain on the corporate titans, cultural influencers, and toyland rivals who shaped this icon's world--from flawed founder Ruth Handler to convicted Wall Street fraudster (and improbable Barbie savior) Michael Milken to the Bratz doll empire, which once put the brand on life support.

Along the way, Hitt delves into the stories of the eccentrics and autocrats who brought Barbie to life through sheer force of will: a pair of ex-Nazi toymakers, a toy mogul friend of J. Edgar Hoover's, a swinging missile designer turned Barbie executive married to Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Mattel's mid-century Freudian marketeer, who saw the doll as a psychosexual skeleton key to controlling the American mind.

Through investigative reporting, global archival research, and interviews with key players from across the Barbie extended universe, Barbieland lays bare the unseen--and so often absurd--work that made Mattel a multibillion-dollar business and turned Barbie into an institution: a symbol as synonymous with American soft power as Coca-Cola and McDonald's french fries.

Praise for Philip C. Quaintrell's 'The Echoes Saga':

'For lovers of your classic Tolkien, this series has it all' - Alan Coleman - Amazon customer

'Best newcomer to the genre. Philip is up there with Feist and Sanderson'- Philip Spick - Amazon customer

900,000 COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

--

THIS IS THE END.

How could it not be? Fate waits for none. It has unravelled across the ages, its web woven throughout millennia of chaos and blood. Now, all that was seen shall come to pass and there is nothing the heroes of Verda can do to stop it.

After years of planning and preparation, Alijah Galfrey is finally ready to change the world. He will break the scales of power across the realm, securing his victory and eternal reign. There is no line he will not cross, no sacrifice he will not make to bring peace to the land.

Spread thin, The Rebellion must work fast to muster their forces and meet the enemy head on. Vighon Draqaro and his allies give their lives to stand against the growing darkness, but only the children of fire and flame can determine the fate for all.

A CLASH OF FATES IS THE FINAL CHAPTER IN THIS UNMISSABLE EPIC FANTASY SERIES.

--

'I read a lot of fantasy books and I can say that this is one of the best I have read'- B. Stewart - Amazon customer

''The Echoes Saga' demonstrates a simple commitment to the power of story'- Stephen Dudley - Amazon customer

Modern Residential Wiring presents the latest electrical wiring installation and repair practices in accordance with the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). Ideal for introductory courses covering the basics of residential wiring, this text uses a clear and simple language to provide essential information regarding safety, electrical theory, tools, and electrical systems. Applicable Code references, including step-by-step instructions for using Code tables, Code Alert features, and Know the Code questions, help students better understand the NEC. The text also features specialized installations, such as swimming pools and emergency standby systems, and a special math section that reviews the math skills needed by electricians. Modern Residential Wiring and Modern Commercial Wiring provide a consistent approach, making them very compatible for a two-course sequence in electrical wiring and electrician programs.

"In his witty, high-concept, high-colored flibook, Mr. Muratyan's thesis emerges playfully on every page: Vive la différence!" -- The New York Times

A beautiful gift book of a popular travel journal as told by a lover of Paris wandering through New York

When Vahram Muratyan began his online travel journal, Paris versus New York, he had no idea how quickly it would become one of the most buzzed-about sites on the Internet--it garnered more than a million and a half page views in just a few months, and the attention of savvy online critics. Now Muratyan presents his unique observations in this delightful book, featuring visually striking graphics paired with witty, thought-provoking taglines that celebrate the special details of each city. Paris versus New York is a heartfelt gift to denizens of both cities and to those who dream of big-city romance.

A richly illustrated guide to the astonishing variety of beetles around the world

Beetles make up about a quarter of known animal species and are arguably the most diverse group of organisms on Earth: almost 400,000 species have been formally described so far, and it is likely that this number merely scratches the surface. In Beetles of the World, Maxwell Barclay and Patrice Bouchard--two of the world's foremost beetle experts--celebrate these remarkable creatures in all their variety, from their size and appearance to their ecological importance.

Providing concise accounts of all the major families and subfamilies of Coleoptera, Beetles of the World explores beetle anatomy, life cycle, fossil history, feeding habits, role in the food web, habitats, relationship with humans, and classification--as well as the essential part that beetles play in the global ecosystem, and the ways humans can help protect them.

• Features 300 stunning color photographs
• Presents family profiles with a distribution map, table of information, and commentary
• Includes a comprehensive introduction that provides insight into the astonishing diversity of beetles and their histories

Understanding the ground rules of climate change for business.

Climate has changed the game for businesses around the world. With climate-related disasters costing billions in damages and public pressure rising, over a hundred nations joined the 2015 Paris Agreement, setting 2050 as the target for net-zero carbon emissions. Thousands of companies have registered with the Carbon Disclosure Project. In a recent survey of large, global firms, one-third reported that climate change was already affecting their operations.

Business leaders need help navigating this complex, fast-changing environment. Amid a flood of new policies and information, how can you tell what news matters and what impact it will have? Which arguments and reports are grounded in sound science and economics and which are not?

This indispensable guidebook by Harvard Business School professor and policy expert Gunnar Trumbull answers this need. As managers around the world confront the reality of climate change and educate themselves about how it is affecting their businesses, A Concise Business Guide to Climate Change provides a single, short, and accessible account of the information crucial to understanding and addressing these challenges. What causes climate change? How do countries and companies measure their own impact on global climate? What is the role of carbon markets? How are governments responding? What kind of corporate emissions targets make sense, and how can they be achieved? In crisp, reader-friendly, and data-rich chapters, Trumbull presents the basic scientific, economic, policy, and accounting frameworks that managers need in order to answer these questions.

Effective as an overview or as a reference on specific challenges, this book is your go-to business guide for dealing with climate change.

Activism and street art have been fellow travelers for ages and as it turns out the concerns of environmentalists are particularly well suited for direct visual actions in the streets. A sequel to the bestselling Street Art in the Time of Corona, Street Art for the Planet collects the work of activist street artists including Blu, Pejac, Elle, OSCH, RNST, Wrdsmith, ROA, and Banksy alongside the work of eco street art pioneers from the 1960s to the present. Major themes addressed by the artists include: global warming, loss of habitat, green movements crushed by oppressive states, rising sea levels, displaced communities and climate refugees, air pollution, petroleum addiction, effects of drought, corporate greenwash and more. This grabby little book makes a strong case that street art is the most effective art form for highlighting the threats faced by our fragile planet.

A mysterious outsider torments two Haitian American sisters, forcing them to confront dark secrets from their family's past, in this powerful psychological suspense novel from the acclaimed author of Jackal.

What would you sacrifice to become American?

Everything about the Beauclaire family seems normal--almost perfect, even. They immigrated to New York City from Haiti years ago, looking for their own piece of America's promised riches. They go to church; they're good neighbors; and their two daughters, Judith and Beatrice, have typical sibling rivalries that keep things interesting. But beneath this polished exterior, something is just slightly off. There's malice waiting . . . wanting to reveal itself.

When their mother unexpectedly dies, Judith and Bea are overwhelmed by a mob of relatives, friends, and church ladies. Amidst taking care of the funeral, they meet Libète, who claims to be a close friend of their mother's. Bea welcomes her, but Judith is immediately suspicious--their mother never mentioned Libète, and yet she seems to know everything about them.

After a series of unsettling events--a disfigured doll appearing in their attic, childhood photos of Bea vanishing, and a mysterious illness suddenly afflicting their father--Judith and Bea are forced to dive into a hidden world of mythos and question Libète's role in it all. What they learn could threaten the bedrock of the entire Beauclaire family . . . and reveal a rot that goes deeper than the roots they first made in this place.

"An entertaining read that enthusiasts will enjoy."--Library Journal

Revered as the most prestigious tournament in golf, the Masters commands international attention, even among nongolfers. The first and second editions of The Masters: A Hole-by-Hole History of America's Golf Classictook the unique approach of tackling Augusta National hole by hole. Each hole had its own chapter, with colorful stories on the greatest shots, biggest disasters, and most amazing events that took place on each.

David Sowell returns to Augusta now with the third edition of The Masters, adding more history and updating each hole with additional stories of greatness and tales of woe for a new generation of golfers led by Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Patrick Reed, as well as from an older guard represented by Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, and Sergio García.

The legends of the Masters are in full force in this lively look at America's golf classic. From Bobby Jones and Gene Sarazen to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, all the greatest Masters moments of the greatest--and not so great--golfers are here in one book. This third edition provides a rich historical view of the course where success breeds legends and where failure can haunt even the most brilliant golfer's career.

This is the planner for service members and veterans who are serious about crushing their goals!

After years of journaling about my goals in various planners, I finally decided to create the ultimate planner for myself. I took bits and pieces from the various planners I've used through the years and combined them to create this resource, selfishly.

Yes, that's right...this project started as a way for me to create the ultimate planner for myself. It wasn't until I was halfway done with this project-as I was showing some friends what I was working on, and they all wanted a copy-that I decided to make it available for purchase.

I'm stoked to release this tool to the community! Be sure to use #militarymillionaire to share your success stories along the journey so that we can follow along!

'This is, in fact, not what you were looking for; but it's much more interesting' Terry Pratchett

Much loved for its wit and wisdom since 1870, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable takes you on a captivating adventure through its trademark blend of language, culture, myth and legend. Nowhere else could the histories of the guillotine and Guinness stout sit so comfortably alongside the KGB and the Keystone Kops. Brewer's is a catalogue of curiosities and absurdities that, over almost 150 years in print, has acquired near-mythical status.

Edited by Susie Dent, this new edition includes a brand new Collection of Curious Words and many new and updated entries. Its pages brim with esoteric and entertaining oddities - everything from curious customs to the world of newspapers and political alliances of yesteryear - all seen through the distinctive Brewer lens.

This twentieth edition of Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable encapsulates all the charm and wit that characterise its predecessors and maintains the standards of scholarship and eclecticism that have long been its hallmark.

Whether you're a committed Brewerphile or a newcomer to its pages of fascinating entries, this edition will draw you in and keep you glued to its rich mix of eccentric nuggets.

As Susie Dent explains in the foreword, Brewer's "is unlike any other reference book that exists, anywhere."

On January 10, 1901, near Beaumont, Texas, an unremarkable knoll of earth the world would soon call Spindletop shot a geyser of oil a hundred feet into the air, confirming the belief of Pattillo Higgins that black gold lay buried there. The Texas oil industry had begun in earnest, and neither Texas nor the world would ever be the same. In the years to come, Texas oil would fuel the nation's automobiles and help to bring victory to the Allies in both world wars, shaping America's destiny throughout the twentieth century. Join author and historian Mike Cox in this photographic visit to the heyday of Texas crude as he recounts the stories of key oil-patch discoveries around the state. Nearly 200 images in vivid black-and-white, with captions and introductions, offer a roughneck-close look at this uniquely American tale of dry holes and gushers, ragtowns and riches, boomtowns, blowouts, and wildcatters gone broke.