Bøger udgivet af BenBella Books

It's no secret that many IT professionals hate presenting and are often very bad at it. Focusing on technical details and speaking in monotone, they can quickly lose their audiences' attention and interest. Effective presentation skills are critical to the careers of IT professionals and the proper utilization of corporate resources. "The Broadband Connection" will show IT professionals how to become articulate, effective, and persuasive speakers--no matter how difficult the information being disseminated. In "The Broadband Connection," author and expert Alan Carroll, a transpersonal psychologist who has helped thousands of IT professionals worldwide evolve from nervous, insecure speakers into savvy, successful presenters, offers his proven strategies in this fresh and innovative step-by-step guidebook. Utilizing language and principles specific to the IT industry, the author teaches vital presentation skills in a familiar language the reader can identify with and understand. This book provides the tools to unleash the graceful speaker hidden inside every IT professional.

In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, seven of today's most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove when you're immortal, true love really is forever.Rachel Caine (the Morganville Vampires series) revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is a risky endeavor, even when it comes to your own familyCynthia Leitich Smith (Tantalize) gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seemClaudia Gray (Evernight) takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre–Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn, in more ways than oneRichelle Mead (the Vampire Academy series) brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car, as well as a reason to keep runningNancy Holder (the Wicked series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer") immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them bothKristin Cast (the House of Night series) introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time to save the girl he's meant to loveRachel Vincent (the Soul Screamers series) explores a new corner of her series with the story of aleanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights, or draining him, and his talent, dryAnd Tanith Lee (Black Unicorn) shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire

When the International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted a new definition of a "planet" in August 2006, Pluto became a dwarf planet, drawing a divisive line in science and public opinions. The controversy of whether Pluto is a planet continues years later, and passion about the decision remains, pitting scientist against scientist and invoking sentiments and nostalgia from the rest of the world. With the IAU definition, the future of space objects is forever changed. Learn how this resolution came to be and what it means for astronomy, who implemented it and who is against it, and whether it's the first or millionth time the world's view of astronomy has rotated on its axis. Written by an astronomer and educator who voted for the IAU resolution--Laurence A. Marschall--and a NASA scientist who supported the opposing petition that resulted--Stephen P. Maran--"Pluto Confidential" leaves no perspective out and no asteroid unturned in the Pluto debate. A telescopic look inside the book: History of planetary disputes, including why Jupiter almost wasn't acknowledgedWhat Bode's Law is and how it has influenced observationsWho discovered Pluto and how it was namedThe Kuiper Belt and its role in what it means to be a planetBeyond Pluto and the eight distinguished planets

Full of practical advice for recent grads, such as how to nail that first big job interview, avoid dangerous relationship mistakes, and manage one's finances, this valuable guide synthesizes a life's worth of wisdom into one engaging volume.

Written to share the wisdom gleaned from 56 years of married life, this book is a level-headed marriage manual with supporting commentary from a nationally-known family therapist.

Organized into four sections that span the cancer-management process from diagnosis through the unpredictable future, this guide covers everything people with cancer and their families need to know about being active participants in their own long-term plan for well-being. With so many cancer patients becoming survivors, living longer and better has become an increasingly important point of focus for The Wellness Community, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free emotional support, education, and hope to people affected by cancer. This book accurately and compassionately addresses all of the physical, emotional, social, and practical needs of today's cancer patients and survivors, preparing them for wellness that can follow throughout the rest of their lives, regardless of how long that may be.

Filled with fond recollections and touching stories, these tales from hundreds of contributors pay tribute to nuns—those monochromatically clad monitors of the right, the wrong, and the holy. Catholic nuns are portrayed as devoted and passionate women who, armed with an arsenal of educational weaponry ranging from creative storytelling to psychological terrorism, had the massive responsibility of molding children into model citizens of God. The brief, descriptive anecdotes cover subjects ranging from religious training, habits, and devotion to discipline, pranks, and the always-dicey sex education. Readers are introduced to such legends-in-the-making as baseball-playing nuns, telepathic nuns, gun-toting nuns, and even skinny-dipping nuns. These nuns have seen it all—the silly or the sad, the frightening or sublime—and always keep their gazes directed upward.

Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy is a biography of Joss Whedon, the wunderkind creator of television shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly.From Booklist: Writers, actors, and fans often call Joss Whedon a genius. It's easy to see why. Whedon, who got his start writing for Roseanne, dreamed of writing movie screenplays. He got his shot when he sold his script for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the movie fell far short of his hopes for it. After a few years of working as a script doctor, Whedon got the chance to doBuffy again, this time as a TV show.Few expected it to succeed, but Whedon's humor and intelligence shone through in the scripts, and viewers quickly became attached to the engaging, witty characters. Buffy kept getting better: each season of the show featured a complex story arc possessed of a real sense of danger and further developed the characters. The last few years have brought the Buffy spin-off Angel, the lamentably canceled Firefly (a space western), and the comic book Fray. Engaging and filled with fun quotes, this is a must-read for Whedon's many fans.

Asylums are supposed to be in the past. However, though the buildings were closed, many of the practices lived on.In fact, more law-abiding Americans today are being involuntarily committed and forcibly treated “for their own good” than at any time in history.In the first work of investigative journalism in decades to give a comprehensive view into contemporary psychiatric incarceration and forced interventions, Your Consent Is Not Required exposes how rising numbers of people from many walks of life are being subjected against their will to surveillance, indefinite detention, and powerful tranquilizing drugs, restraints, seclusion, and electroshock. There’s a common misconception that, due to asylum closures, only “dangerous” people get committed now. But forced psychiatric interventions today occur in thousands of public and private hospitals, and also in group and long-term care facilities, troubled-teen and residential treatment centers, and even in people’s own homes under outpatient commitment orders. Intended to “help,” for many people the experiences are terrifying, traumatizing, and permanently damaging. Driven partly by individuals’ genuine concerns for the “mental health” of others, and partly by institutions entangled with goals of power, profit, and social control, psychiatric coercion is increasingly used to: manage school children and the elderlyquell family conflictspolice the streets control people in shelters, community living, and prisonsfraudulently increase hospital profits“resolve” workplace disagreementsdetain protesters and discredit whistleblowers Thoroughly researched, with alarming true stories and hard data from the US and Canada, Rob Wipond’s Your Consent Is Not Required builds an unassailable case for greater transparency, vigilance, and change.

"In Experiential Intelligence, award-winning author, former corporate executive, Silicon Valley startup founder, and popular speaker Soren Kaplan reveals how our past experiences impact our present success and future opportunities in ways we often don't recognize"--

Mouthwatering, budget-friendly recipes that are good for you and good for the Earth, from the authors of The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet CookbookFood-loving dietitians and culinary instructors Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly are back, serving up delicious climate cuisine with a Mediterranean spin. The science is clear: a Mediterranean-style diet is one of the healthiest and most sustainable in the world.The Sustainable Mediterranean Diet Cookbook is a comprehensive guide to getting the most from this incredible regimen, with 10 steps to a more eco-friendly kitchen including helpful guidance on more sustainable ingredient choices, energy-saving cooking methods, smarter storage, and food waste reduction. If you can’t do all 10, don’t worry! Making even a few of these small changes can add up to a big impact on the health of the planet. Recipes include: Tahini Swirl Yogurt Parfait with GrapesBroiled Halloumi with Mint Cucumber SaladCheesy Broccoli and Greens Soup with Za’atar (or Any Day Bouillabaisse)Mascarpone Scrambled Eggs with Carrot BaconTurkish Tomato Flatbread Falafel with Pickled Herb SpreadLittle Fishes Red Pepper Potato Cakes OR Spicy Fish Shawarma BowlSmoked Seafood Farro RisottoNorth African Chicken Couscous BowlsParsley Pistachio Beef Bulgur Koftas Baklava Frozen Yogurt BarkOlive Oil Polenta Berry Cakes Each recipe includes detailed nutritional information, as well as helpful ingredient substitutions, prep tips, and time-saving suggestions. Recipes were triple-tested by real home cooks and are adaptable for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. Meat and seafood lovers will also find approachable ways to make more eco-conscious choices. With beautiful, inspiring full-color photographs throughout, this cookbook is an indispensable resource for a climate-friendly kitchen.

At just a few months old, Zoe was gradually losing her hearing. Her adoptive parents loved her—yet agonized—feeling they couldn't handle raising a Deaf child. Would Zoe go back into the welfare system and spend her childhood hoping to find parents willing to adopt her? Or, would she be the long-sought answer to a mother's prayers?Brandi Rarus was just 6 when spinal meningitis took away her hearing. Because she spoke well and easily adjusted to lip reading, she was mainstreamed in school and socialized primarily in the hearing community. Brandi was a popular, happy teen, but being fully part of every conversation was an ongoing struggle. She felt caught between two worlds—the Deaf and the hearing.In college, Brandi embraced Deaf Culture along with the joys of complete and effortless communication with her peers. Brandi went on to become Miss Deaf America in 1988 and served as a spokesperson for her community. It was during her tenure as Miss Deaf America that Brandi met Tim, a leader of the Gallaudet Uprising in support of selecting the university's first Deaf president. The two went on to marry and had three hearing boys—the first non-deaf children born in Tim's family in 125 years.Brandi was incredibly grateful to have her three wonderful sons, but couldn't shake the feeling something was missing. She didn't know that Zoe, a six-month-old Deaf baby girl caught in the foster care system, was desperately in need of a family unafraid of her different needs. Brandi found the answer to her prayers when fate brought her new adopted daughter into her life.Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is an uplifting story of hope, adoption, and everyday miracles.

Psychologists turn their attention to "The Simpsons*," one of America's most popular and beloved shows, in these essays that explore the functions and dysfunctions of the show's characters.

"In Raising Kids, family therapist and parenting consultant Sheri Glucoft Wong and Silicon Valley private school head Olaf Jorgenson team up to deliver an easy-to-follow, down-to-earth guide to building relationships by being on your kids' side and getting them on yours"--

Part toolbox, part coach, part companion, The Empowered Wife Workbook and Journal will guide you in revitalizing your marriage and restoring yourself.

"In The Minimum Method, by nutrition expert and celebrity fitness trainer Joey Thurman, you'll learn a wealth of practical advice, simple nutrition truths, minimal-effort recipes, and how to exercise smarter, not harder"--

"[In this book, the author] expresses how it is to feel like you no longer fit in with your political party. This memoir explores growing up the daughter of an American icon who shaped her life and her views on cancel culture and internet trolls as well as life backstage as the sole Republican at America's most-watched daytime talk show"--

Bookstore shelves are crowded with books offering advice to college students, yet--astonishingly--none of these books offer needed advice to the majority of college students in the United States ... those attending community college. Of the approximately 21 million full- and part-time college students, 11 million attend community colleges. "The Community College Guide" aims to help fill this huge gap. The authors of this book have decades of experience between them as professors and administrators in both two-year and four-year colleges, have written numerous books for a general readership and thoroughly understand what community college students need to know to succeed in their college careers. From how to apply to community colleges to what to expect from your courses, from the truth about what you'll pay to actual financial aid opportunities, "The Community College Guide" offers a wealth of information for the millions of American students who desire higher education at the community level.

"Mind-Rain" is the perfect jumping-off point for studying the Uglies series. Its essays address many of the books' biggest themes--the dangers of complacency, the value of conformity versus rebellion, the definition of natural, society's obsession with beauty--in addition to providing surprising insights sure to sure to spark student debate.

Speculating about the cultural metaphors in Janet Evanovich's wildly popular mystery series (which includes 11 books, from "One for the Money" to "Eleven on Top"), this anthology takes a look at lingerie-buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum and catalogs her bad luck with cars (she's blown up quite a few), her good luck with men, her unorthodox approach to weapon storage, and the rich tapestry of her milieu: Trenton, New Jersey, also known as The Burg. The contributors praise the way the series smartly spoofs that familiar chick-lit epiphany--I have a bad job and what I really want is a good man!--in "Bounty Hunting as a Metaphor for Dating, Why Stephanie Should Quit Her Job ... but Never Will, " and "Nothing Better than a Bad Boy Gone Good." Several essays veer from the chick-lit perspective and focus instead on the comic theme of luck and chance that ties Stephanie to the barroom gamblers and gangster meanies of her home town in "Luck of the Italian?: Skill versus Chance."

This collection of 29 short stories from masters of science fiction—each tale chosen by the authors as the funniest they have ever written—presents wildly hilarious stories accompanied by prefaces written by the authors providing valuable insight into their selection and themselves. Featured contributors include David Brin, Esther Friesner, Harry Turtledove, Connie Willis, and many more, with stories such as "Amanda and the Alien," "Franz Kafka, Superhero!," "Space Rats of the CCC," "The Soul Selects Her Own Society," and "Too Hot to Hoot".