Scott McDermott

The Puritan Ideology of Mobility: Corporatism, the Politics of Place, and the Founding of New England Towns before 1650 examines the ideology that English Puritans developed to justify migration: their migration from England to New England, migrations from one town to another within New England, and, often, their repatriation to the mother country. Puritan leaders believed firmly that nations, colonies, and towns were all “bodies politic,” that is, living and organic social bodies. However, if a social body became distempered because of scarce resources or political or religious discord, it became necessary to create a new social body from the old in order to restore balance and harmony. The new social body was articulated through the social ritual of land distribution according to Aristotelian “distributive justice.” The book will trace this process at work in the founding of Ipswich and its satellite town in Massachusetts.

Take a journey with Ingrid the penguin as she ventures from her home in Antarctica in search of a mythic place where it’s said a penguin can learn to fly. On the advice of some seriously lost pigeons, our young protagonist sets out determined to accomplish something never imagined before for a penguin. Along the way we meet some surprising and colorful characters, making this a truly engaging adventure about chasing a dream. The mystery of Ingrid’s destination holds the answers as this little penguin is on the verge of a discovery that could rock the penguin world.

The Puritan Ideology of Mobility: Corporatism, the Politics of Place, and the Founding of New England Towns before 1650 examines the ideology that English Puritans developed to justify migration: their migration from England to New England, migrations from one town to another within New England, and, often, their repatriation to the mother country. Puritan leaders believed firmly that nations, colonies, and towns were all “bodies politic,” that is, living and organic social bodies. However, if a social body became distempered because of scarce resources or political or religious discord, it became necessary to create a new social body from the old in order to restore balance and harmony. The new social body was articulated through the social ritual of land distribution according to Aristotelian “distributive justice.” The book will trace this process at work in the founding of Ipswich and its satellite town in Massachusetts.

America, what will we become? "Acton Granger lives on, in all of us. He has to." - Elijah Schroeder, 55th President of the United States. America, as she so often finds herself, is at a crossroads. Once the election season begins in earnest, a daily battle is waged for control of her future. An ambitious senator channels a mysterious inner voice to embody the resentment of his followers, rising to increasing prominence. A gifted artist reunites with a figure from his past to discover the Second Civil War's most explosive secret. A wealthy technologist gains national attention with his genius, but must decide who and what he stands for. A dedicated policy analyst reluctantly embraces the spotlight to shepherd the drafting of a new Constitution. An unconventional governor and her campaign-staff daughters strive to pull a reluctant base into the modern age. And a conflicted president tries to move the country past divisions he can't escape himself, while questions about the fate of his predecessor begin to cloud his legitimacy. But underneath it all: a conspiracy, decades in the making, is finally coming to light - one that somehow connects each of them. And once revealed, it will shake the nation's very soul.

America, what will we become? "History doesn't repeat itself. It outdoes itself." - Acton Granger, 54th President of the United States. Nearly five decades from now, America is finding its legs again after years of bitter conflict. Civ-2, as the Second Civil War came to be known, turned many of the nation's cities into battlefields and took millions of lives. Early in the 2060 campaign, Reformation League candidate Acton Granger made an unprecedented concession - he would forego a running mate and offer the vice presidency to his chief rival, whomever that may become. It was a gesture of unity that rocketed Granger to victory. Still stinging from defeat, the Conservative League's Elijah Schroeder chose to swallow his pride and accept Granger's offer, alienating his own supporters and political allies in the process. Now two years into their fragile partnership, the 2064 campaign looms, and Elijah learns his selection was more complicated than the call for healing he and the country were led to believe. He must decide whether to continue toiling as a false symbol of harmony, or turn against the man who is now his boss and leader of the free world. Meanwhile, other national figures emerge with their own designs on the election, from the Freedom League's rebellious darling Shelby Monroe to the Progressive League's technology mogul Ben Allen, who could become the country's first gay president. As each contender charts their strategies and the barnstorming begins, a terrorist attack - orchestrated by a new, horrifying weapon - rocks the nation and turns all of their campaigns upside-down. That is, all of them but one.

Charlie Miller was the best young Scottish footballer of his generation. He made his Rangers debut under Walter Smith aged just seventeen and became a vital part of the lbrox club's legendary nine-in-a-row squad. Miller won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup with Rangers, as well as being named the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year in 1995. Yet many believe he was a wasted talent. Here, Miller reveals how he's spent his entire life not knowing who his father is and relives his colourful upbringing in Castlemilk - one of Glasgow's toughest housing estates. He explains how the gang culture he was involved in almost ended his Rangers career before it had started and speaks openly about the impact drugs, alcohol and gambling has had on his life. Miller takes you inside the lbrox dressing-room, where he mixed with iconic figures like Ally McCoist, Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne and explains how he went from Rangers hero to rock bottom.