Kirjahaku

In the twentieth century there have been five major recessions: two in the interwar period, and three more starting 1973, 1979, and 1989. This book focuses on events in the UK, but sets them in their international context and makes frequent comparisons with other countries. Major recessions happened at a similar time in all major countries, and the lessons are general. Three main conclusions are reached: (1) major recessions reflect abrupt fallings off in demand, not supply; (2) these are due to identifiable demand shocks and by swings in consumer and business confidence which amplify the direct effects of demand shock; (3) major recessions are not predictable. In the final chapter, Christopher Dow puts forward an insider's view on how to avoid future severe recessions: action must be taken to control booms, which if uncontrolled will lead to a period of bust, and once a major recession has begun, fiscal and monetary policy must be adjusted to mitigate the downturn. Often unpopular with economists, this is the line which many governments and central banks take: Major Recessions will help them to have more success.

Since prehistoric times, peoples the world over have believed in a creative force that inspires life. Throughout history it has been known by many names: mana, prana, ka, and chi, to name only a few. Much has been written about this energy and the ways in which it can be strengthened to enhance life and well-being as well as provide the basis for many of the Eastern martial arts, particularly tai chi chuan.But if chi is real, why is there so little scientific evidence for its existence or for the physiological structures that generate and channel it throughout the body? Moreover, what is the exact nature of chi, and how can it interact with physical reality in the sometimes esoteric ways that are reported?The Wellspring draws together, for the first time, two significant but disparate lines of scientific research that not only identify the physiological structures that produce and channel chi but that point to the true nature of this mysterious power.

It's World War I, and the fate of Africa lies in the hands of a madman-an eccentric Royal Navy commander who sank his two previous commands in the most ridiculous ways possible.Geoffrey Spicer-Simson is ordered to destroy two ships that give the Germans military control over the continent, but that may be easier said than done. The ships are on Lake Tanganyika, and to get there, Spicer-Simson and his men will have to drag two 40' gunboats over desert torn with ravines, through tsetse-infested swamps, and across a 6,000-foot range of mountains. Undaunted, Spicer-Simson forges ahead, but can his men accept the leadership of a pretentious braggart who names his gunboats Mimi and Toutou, is completely covered with tattoos, and wears a leather skirt instead of a uniform?And if the journey to the lake isn't bizarre enough, imagine what happens when they get there and meet the Germans in mortal combat on the high seas in the middle of Africa Lord of the Loincloth is the humorously adventurous account of one of the 20th century's strangest heroes and his extraordinary quest for redemption.

Despite the best efforts of theologians, philosophers, and scientists to delineate consensus reality, the universe is as mysterioustoday as it ever was. Humankind might think it knows what is going on, but tantalizing glimpses of nonordinary realityoccasionally pierce the veil of our perceptions, illustrating the limits of human knowledge and understanding and hintingat an underlying order, if not purpose, to the apparent randomness of creation.In Book of Curiosities, Christopher Dow recountshis personal encounters with a wide range of paranormal occurrences and unusual beings, including ghosts, shadow people, vampires, reincarnation, channeling, oddities, superstitions that proved true, and more. These experiences have challenged him to think more inclusively about the nature of reality-perhaps they will challenge you, as well.

In this satiric follow-up to Devil of a Time, corporate climber Bob, a recent inmate of the infernal regions, takes his shenanigans to a whole new level as he seeks to worm his way into Heaven's graces-and the good life that comes with it. But what's a middle-man to do when Heaven's labor force is completely unionized and his potential customers have all their heavenly desires-even contradictory ones-met instantly?But all is not well behind the Pearly Gates. Heaven's infrastructure is collapsing, and Paradise just isn't as blissful as it ought to be. Worse, the Boss is nowhere to be found, leaving Archangel Michael overseeing a situation rapidly growing impossible. Faced with a ponderous, out-of-date infrastructure-and no end in sight-what's an Archangel to do but ally himself with a wily go-getter with devious organizational experience?Before he knows it, Bob is on a mission to fix Heaven, and he plans to leverage his position to the hilt. Will Bob get his company off the clouds and gain permanent Residency? Will he get his heavenly desires? Will he get Nanookie?To find out, he will have to go to the edge of reality, itself.

Drawn from Christopher Dow's first four volumes of poetry, Puzzle Pieces reflects the diversity of his work over the span of forty years and presents some of his strongest work under one cover. Ranging from the philosophical to the spiritual to the personal and heartfelt, his poems explore his interest in worldly concerns juxtaposed against a background of metaphysical considerations.

Growing up in a poor mill town in southern Louisiana taught John Stroud one thing: There's no point in caring about a world that doesn't care about you.Unfortunately for Stroud, the world of Woodville was always there, undeniable, oppressive, and inescapable, with absolutely no means of satisfying the ambitions bursting inside him.Effigy is the story of a man obsessed by power and the desire to manipulate reality for his own ends-a man who will do anything necessary to ensure that he gets what he wants. But all his desires lie thwarted and latent until fate presents him with the means to transcend not only his own past, but death itself-if only he can lay his cruel hands on it.

Returned after nearly thirty years to the town he once held sway over, John Stroud learns that no matter how many trails he's had to tread and how many obstacles he's had to overcome on his journey to achieve the ultimate in power, more waited ahead.Armed with a ruthless ambition coupled with deadly knowledge, he begins regaining command over his former empire. In his way stand those who now control what once was his as well as the daughter he'd never known. His first act is murder.Effigy is the story of a man obsessed by power and the desire to manipulate reality for his own ends-a man who will do anything necessary to ensure that he gets what he wants. But all his desires lie thwarted and latent until fate presents him with the means to transcend not only his own past, but death itself-if only he can lay his cruel hands on it.

The reader of martial arts literature enjoys a unique opportunity to learn from books written by acknowledged masters and experts in their fields. The reader also might waste a lot of time and money on books that are either inadequate, repetitive of knowledge already gained, or just plain bad. But how to know beforehand if what you're buying is worthwhile? Leaves on the Wind: A Survey of Martial Arts Literature is here to help. In this series, Christopher Dow reviews books on the martial and movement arts, each review categorized by subject to help the reader find the type of book he or she is looking for.

More poetry from the author of City of Dreams, The Trip Out, Texas White Line Fever, and Networks.