Download or read book The Mystery of Numbers written by Annemarie Schimmel and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 1994-04-07 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why is the number seven lucky--even holy--in almost every culture? Why do we speak of the four corners of the earth? Why do cats have nine lives (except in Iran, where they have seven)? From literature to folklore to private superstitions, numbers play a conspicuous role in our daily lives. But in this fascinating book, Annemarie Schimmel shows that numbers have been filled with mystery and meaning since the earliest times, and across every society. In The Mystery of Numbers Annemarie Schimmel conducts an illuminating tour of the mysteries attributed to numbers over the centuries. She begins with an informative and often surprising introduction to the origins of number systems: pre-Roman Europeans, for example, may have had one based on twenty, not ten (as suggested by the English word "score" and the French word for 80, quatrevingt --four times twenty), while the Mayans had a system more sophisticated than our own. Schimmel also reveals how our fascination with numbers has led to a rich cross-fertilization of mathematical knowledge: "Arabic" numerals, for instance, were picked up by Europe from the Arabs, who had earlier adopted them from Indian sources ("Algorithm" and "algebra" are corruptions of the Arabic author and title names of a mathematical text prized in medieval Europe). But the heart of the book is an engrossing guide to the symbolism of numbers. Number symbolism, she shows, has deep roots in Western culture, from the philosophy of the Pythagoreans and Platonists, to the religious mysticism of the Cabala and the Islamic Brethren of Purity, to Kepler's belief that the laws of planetary motion should be mathematically elegant, to the unlucky thirteen. After exploring the sources of number symbolism, Schimmel examines individual numbers ranging from one to ten thousand, discussing the meanings they have had for Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, with examples from Indian, Chinese, and Native American cultures as well. Two, for instance, has widely been seen as a number of contradiction and polarity, a number of discord and antithesis. And six, according to ancient and neo-platonic thinking, is the most perfect number because it is both the sum and the product of its parts (1+2+3=6 and 1x2x3=6). Using examples ranging from the Bible to the Mayans to Shakespeare, she shows how numbers have been considered feminine and masculine, holy and evil, lucky and unlucky. A highly respected scholar of Islamic culture, Annemarie Schimmel draws on her vast knowledge to paint a rich, cross-cultural portrait of the many meanings of numbers. Engaging and accessible, her account uncovers the roots of a phenomenon we all feel every Friday the thirteenth.

Download or read book Art From Her Heart written by Kathy Whitehead and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008-09-18 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A picture book biography of the remarkable folk artist Clementine Hunter. Can you imagine being an artist who isn't allowed into your own show? That's what happened to folk artist Clementine Hunter. Her paintings went from hanging on her clothesline to hanging in museums, yet because of the color of her skin, a friend had to sneak her in when the gallery was closed. With lyrical writing and striking illustrations, this picture book biography introduces kids to a self-taught artist whose paintings captured scenes of backbreaking work and joyous celebrations of southern farm life. They preserve a part of American history we rarely see and prove that art can help keep the spirit alive.

Download or read book The Art of Intrusion written by Kevin D. Mitnick and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-03-17 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hacker extraordinaire Kevin Mitnick delivers the explosive encore to his bestselling The Art of Deception Kevin Mitnick, the world's most celebrated hacker, now devotes his life to helping businesses and governments combat data thieves, cybervandals, and other malicious computer intruders. In his bestselling The Art of Deception, Mitnick presented fictionalized case studies that illustrated how savvy computer crackers use "social engineering" to compromise even the most technically secure computer systems. Now, in his new book, Mitnick goes one step further, offering hair-raising stories of real-life computer break-ins-and showing how the victims could have prevented them. Mitnick's reputation within the hacker community gave him unique credibility with the perpetrators of these crimes, who freely shared their stories with him-and whose exploits Mitnick now reveals in detail for the first time, including: A group of friends who won nearly a million dollars in Las Vegas by reverse-engineering slot machines Two teenagers who were persuaded by terrorists to hack into the Lockheed Martin computer systems Two convicts who joined forces to become hackers inside a Texas prison A "Robin Hood" hacker who penetrated the computer systems of many prominent companies-andthen told them how he gained access With riveting "you are there" descriptions of real computer break-ins, indispensable tips on countermeasures security professionals need to implement now, and Mitnick's own acerbic commentary on the crimes he describes, this book is sure to reach a wide audience-and attract the attention of both law enforcement agencies and the media.

Download or read book Arabian Society in the Middle Ages written by Edward William Lane and published by . This book was released on 1883 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Photo Brut written by Bruno Decharme and published by Rizzoli Publications. This book was released on 2020-04-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This groundbreaking volume on a boundary-stretching art form tackles unconventional approaches to photography and gives voice to forty marginalized and provocative artists from around the world. Photo Brut--a genre of Art Brut, or outsider art--spans photography, prints, photomontage, collage, and other combinations of media and techniques. This art form allows those living on the fringes of society to voice their unique perception of the world, offering unconventional approaches to issues of sexuality, identity, and reality. This visceral and intimate selection of 520 works offers profound insight into the realm of outsider art. Works focusing on private affairs address questions of sexuality, perversion, the femme fatale icon, the Madonna, and innocence. In other works, artists attempt to reappropriate and tame the world, bringing issues of modern society into sharp focus. Some artists use performance, role play, and blurred/fluid/plural identities as a mode of self-expression. Lastly, practices and rituals using pseudoscientific or magical explanations allow some artists to confront apparitions and terrifying truths, to understand mysterious forces, and to create order. This authoritative first book dedicated to the previously unpublished field is an important contribution to the history of art.

Download or read book American Anthem written by American Folk Art Museum and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A celebration of the symbols of liberty, ingenuity, and refuge within American folk art from colonial days to the present is culled from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum.

Download or read book Generations on the Land written by Joe Nick Patoski and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2011-01-28 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To keep the land in the family . . . To operate the land profitably . . . To leave the land better than they found it . . . Each year, Sand County Foundation's prestigious Leopold Conservation Award recognizes families for leadership in voluntary conservation and ethical land management. In Generations on the Land: A Conservation Legacy, veteran author and journalist Joe Nick Patoski visits eight of the award-winning families, presenting warm, heartfelt conversations about the families, their beloved land, and a vision for a healthier world. Generations on the Land celebrates these families’ roles as conservation leaders for the nation—far beyond the agricultural communities where they live—and reinforces the value of trans-generational family commitment to good land stewardship. The eight landowners profiled by Patoski include six ranchers, a forester, and a vintner. They reside across the country: in California, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Their conservation accomplishments range from providing a habitat corridor for pronghorn antelope to hammering out an endangered species “safe harbor” agreement for grape growers. A short introduction by a fellow conservation or ranching professional precedes each of the personal portraits by Patoski, which are written in an informal, conversational style. Brent Haglund, president of the Sand County Foundation, provides an introduction to the purpose and work of the foundation, and a conclusion summarizes the substantive conservation contributions of the Leopold award winners. With more and more attention being focused on the tensions between the agricultural and economic potential of land and the preservation of the natural environment, a better understanding of sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly vital. By showcasing the leadership of these Leopold Conservation Award winners, Generations on the Land will inspire a whole new cadre of landowners to build a lasting heritage of conservation and sustainable land use—benefitting the earth and its inhabitants for decades to come. Paper used in printing this book was provided by Mixed Sources: materials manufactured under certification by the Forest Stewardship Council. "In 1939, Aldo Leopold wrote 'When land does well for its owner, and the owner does well for his land, when both end up better by reason of this partnership, we have conservation.' Generations on the Land demonstrates this simple yet powerful concept through a series of inspirational and instructional essays drawn from hardworking landowners from across the nation. Whether you manage a working landscape yourself, or are one of the urban many seeking insights into how humanity can achieve a sustainable future, you need to study this book."--Richard C. Bartlett, Thinking Like a Mountain Foundation

Download or read book Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence written by Nigel West and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2015-05-21 with total page 489 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Intelligence is now acknowledged as the hidden dimension to international diplomacy and national security. It is the hidden piece of the jigsaw puzzle of global relations that cements relationships, undermines alliances and topples tyrants, and after many decades of being deliberately overlooked or avoided, it is now regarded as a subject of legitimate study by academics and historians. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on espionage techniques, categories of agents, crucial operations spies, defectors, moles, double and triple agents, and the tradecraft they apply. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the international intelligence.

Download or read book Distant Worlds written by Peter Bond and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-01-08 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book recounts the epic saga of how we as human beings have come to understand the Solar System. The story of our exploration of the heavens, Peter Bond reminds us, began thousands of years ago, with the naked-eye observations of the earliest scientists and philosophers. Over the centuries, as our knowledge and understanding inexorably broadened and deepened, we faltered many times, frequently labored under misconceptions, and faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles to understanding. Yet, despite overwhelming obstacles, a combination of determined observers, brilliant thinkers, courageous explorers, scientists and engineers has brought us, particularly over the last five decades, into a second great age of human discovery. At our present level of understanding, some fifty years into the Space Age, the sheer volume of images and other data being returned to us from space has only increased our appetite for more and more detailed information about the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets of the Solar System. Taking a much-needed overview of how we now understand these "distant worlds" in our cosmic neighborhood, Bond not only celebrates the extraordinary successes of planetary exploration, but reaffirms an important truth: For seekers of knowledge, there will always be more to explore. An astonishing saga of exploration... In this much-needed overview of "where we stand today," Peter Bond describes the achievements of the astronomers, space scientists, and engineers who have made the exploration of our Solar System possible. A clearly written and compelling account of the Space Age, the book includes: • Dramatic accounts of the daring, resourcefulness, and ferocious competitive zeal of renowned as well as almost-forgotten space pioneers. • Clear explanations of the precursors to modern astronomy, including how ancient natural philosophers and observers first took the measure of the heavens. • More than a hundred informative photographs, maps, simulated scenarios, and technical illustrations--many of them in full color. • Information-dense appendices on the physical properties of our Solar System, as well as a comprehensive list of 50 years of Solar System missions. Organized into twelve chapters focused on the objects of our exploration (the individual planets, our Moon, the asteroids and comets), Bond’s text shows how the great human enterprise of space exploration may on occasion have faltered or wandered off the path, but taken as a whole amounts to one of the great triumphs of human civilization.

Download or read book Life in Tanganyika in the Fifties written by Godfrey Mwakikagile and published by New Africa Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Life in Tanganyika in the 1950s and a look at race relations between whites and black Africans and others in this East African country are some of the subjects covered in the book. It's full of human interest stories, including the author's. Born and brought up in Tanganyika, the author writes from personal experience. He also got the chance to ask many ex-Tanganyikans a number of questions about life in Tanganyika in the fifties. Many of them were born and brought up in Tanganyika during the same period the author was. And many others went to Tanganyika as children but grew up there. The ex-Tanganyikans he contacted lived in different parts of the world including Tahiti, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, the United States, the Middle East, and Russia among others. And they all had interesting stories to tell about life in Tanganyika in the fifties. The perspectives they provided, and the memories they shared with the author about their lives in Tanganyika, are some of the most interesting aspects of this book which focuses on one of the most important periods in the history of Africa. The book is a primary source of information on how life was then in Tanganyika during one of the most important decades in the history of the country just before independence.

Download or read book Encyclopedia of Haunted Places written by Jeff Belanger and published by Red Wheel/Weiser. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Featuring new listings and new information on existing haunts, thhis book offers supernatural tourists a guide to points of interest through the eyes of the world's leading ghost hunters.

Download or read book The Listener written by Algernon Blackwood and published by DigiCat. This book was released on 2022-06-03 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The writer of this book was well-known for his tales of the supernatural and horror. The book begins with a series of diary entries, describing the author's search for accommodation in London. We learn that he is of limited means and sells the occasional piece for a magazine. The rooms are described as ramshackle and dusty. He is the only occupant in the whole house and previous tenants have gone. Without saying so, there is a sense of unease even in the opening pages.

Download or read book Pavement Marking Materials written by Anthony L. Andrady and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 1997 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Max Hensig written by Algernon Blackwood and published by DigiCat. This book was released on 2022-06-03 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Algernon Blackwood was known for his tales of the supernatural and horror. This short story is a supernatural tale of that genre, full of suspense, action and drama. In the 1960s ITV produced a three-season series of dramas consisting entirely of suspenseful and supernatural stories by Blackwood. The series was called Tales of Mystery and ran from 1961 to 1963.

Download or read book Butler s Big Dance written by Susan S. Neville and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2010-11-22 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The electrifying story of the undefeated Butler Bulldogs as their run for the NCAA National Championships became a national phenomenon.

Download or read book Information Security and IT Risk Management written by Manish Agrawal and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-04-21 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This new text provides students the knowledge and skills they will need to compete for and succeed in the information security roles they will encounter straight out of college. This is accomplished by providing a hands-on immersion in essential system administration, service and application installation and configuration, security tool use, TIG implementation and reporting. It is designed for an introductory course on IS Security offered usually as an elective in IS departments in 2 and 4 year schools. It is not designed for security certification courses.

Download or read book You Told Me You Were Different written by Kitty Robinson and published by . This book was released on 2021-04-04 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This consciousness-raising anthology discusses mistreatment & abuse within the queer and transgender community.