Simon Nicholson

He is the world's most famous magician: but before his name became legend, who was young Harry Houdini? London, 1886. Lady Flora Cusp, devoted to funding libraries for the poor, has been shot in her room. Who could possibly have wanted to harm her? It is up to Harry, Billie, and Artie to find out who did it, and to stop the gunman from striking again. But as they delve deeper the case takes a deadly turn. Harry may be an incredible escape artist, but with the assassin now on his tail, how will he get out alive?

Survive the Century is an interactive story that positions you as the senior editor of the world's most popular and trusted news organization. You have the enviable power to set the news agenda and figure out how the world should respond to climate change. What if you invest in green technology and cut taxes? What if you rewild half of the world's agricultural land? What if you unleash your inner supervillain and spark WWIII? What if you block out the sun (just a little bit)?Along the way, you get to read the headlines of the newspapers of the day that result from your choices, and read news stories from the future written by leading sci-fi writers like Lauren Beukes, Rajat Chaudhuri, Maria Turtschaninoff and Sophia Al-Maria. The book also features playful illustrations by Annika Brandow.This story is a work of fiction, but it is informed by real science. Each pathway in the game has been co-developed by fiction writers with natural and social scientists and climate policymakers. The story aims to be whimsical and entertaining while still illustrating the real consequences and choices that are likely to confront us in the coming century. The online version of the story was launched in 2021, has already been read over 20,000 times, and was featured in publications like New Scientist, Gizmodo and Stories for Earth. It's designed to be an ideal gift for teens and young adults who are passionate about climate change, a coffee-table conversation starter for older adults looking for more hopeful climate fiction, and an engaging tool for educational contexts.

Young Houdini: The Demon Curse is the second book in the electrifying Young Houdini series. New Orleans, 1886. When the city's mayor is struck down by a terrifying, unexplained illness, whispers of voodoo and demonic magic are everywhere. Could it be that the mayor is the victim of a deadly curse? Harry is about to find out. Along with his best friends Billie and Artie he will travel to the deep, dark heart of the Mississippi river, using his extraordinary skills to investigate the mystery. But evil forces are at work and soon Harry will face his most lethal challenge yet . . . can he unravel the truth before it's too late?

Today's students want to understand not only the causes and character of global environmental problems like climate change, species extinction, and freshwater scarcity, but also what to do about them. This book offers the most comprehensive, fair-minded, accessible, and forward-looking text for introducing students to the challenge of global environmental protection. Drawing on a diverse range of voices, the book sequentially explains our current predicament, examines what is being done to respond at a variety of levels from the international to the local, and outlines different, relevant strategic choices for genuine political engagement. Developed by two top researchers and master teachers of global environmental politics, the book brings together sharply written introductory essays with tightly edited selections from a broad cross section of thinkers to provide a text that will excite and educate students of global environmental affairs. In addition, the book introduces a series of exercises designed specifically to help students draw connections between their own lives and the broader challenge of global sustainability. Global Environmental Politics: From Person to Planet finally answers the question of how to teach students about environmental harm with a sober sense of ecological reality, a firm grasp on politics, and an optimistic look toward the future.Features of This Innovative Text Reader:Original section introductions by the volume editors cover key topics such as the four major planetary challenges (climate, extinction, water, and food); leading causes of environmental harm; the role of states, markets, and civil society; race, class, and geopolitical difference; and the value of thinking strategically and using a broad political imagination. Carefully selected and judiciously edited readings from a wide range of sources feature high-profile authors from popular as well as specialist media. Action-oriented exercises engage students in being part of the solution.

Today's students want to understand not only the causes and character of global environmental problems like climate change, species extinction, and freshwater scarcity, but also what to do about them. This book offers the most comprehensive, fair-minded, accessible, and forward-looking text for introducing students to the challenge of global environmental protection. Drawing on a diverse range of voices, the book sequentially explains our current predicament, examines what is being done to respond at a variety of levels from the international to the local, and outlines different, relevant strategic choices for genuine political engagement. Developed by two top researchers and master teachers of global environmental politics, the book brings together sharply written introductory essays with tightly edited selections from a broad cross section of thinkers to provide a text that will excite and educate students of global environmental affairs. In addition, the book introduces a series of exercises designed specifically to help students draw connections between their own lives and the broader challenge of global sustainability. Global Environmental Politics: From Person to Planet finally answers the question of how to teach students about environmental harm with a sober sense of ecological reality, a firm grasp on politics, and an optimistic look toward the future.Features of This Innovative Text Reader:Original section introductions by the volume editors cover key topics such as the four major planetary challenges (climate, extinction, water, and food); leading causes of environmental harm; the role of states, markets, and civil society; race, class, and geopolitical difference; and the value of thinking strategically and using a broad political imagination. Carefully selected and judiciously edited readings from a wide range of sources feature high-profile authors from popular as well as specialist media. Action-oriented exercises engage students in being part of the solution.

Straight laced and straight facedA good Kiwi bloke plays things down and does not stand on ceremony. The rugby player who scores a try is no longer expected to look as if he is bravely accepting a death sentence but, other than in sport, emotion is not something to be shown in public, and not much in private either. A blokess is allowed more latitude. She is even expected by men to "carry on a bit." Optimists one and allWhether or not there is a need to worry about something, the obliging Kiwis tell one another that it will be "good as gold," "right as rain," and "no prob" (short for problem), usually qualified by one of those great reassurers in any situation, "She'll be right," or "Piece of cake." Good citizenshipTo Kiwis, politeness is synonymous with warmth and generosity of spirit. Thus North Islanders, when complimented by visitors on their scenery, will ask anxiously, "But have you seen the South Island yet?" They do not want to be seen as hogging the best bits for themselves. Even handedKiwis love receiving praise about their country. However, since self-deprecation is wired deeply into the national psyche, praise is looked upon suspiciously. Kiwis fear they are being buttered up, or somebody is having them on. Both praise and criticism are reported by the media, and are hotly debated.