Soft Spots

A powerful, haunting, provocative memoir of a Marine in Iraq—and his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in a system trying to hide the damage done Marine Sergeant Clint Van Winkle flew to war on Valentine's Day 2003. His battalion was among the first wave of troops that crossed into Iraq, and his first combat experience was the battle of Nasiriyah, followed by patrols throughout the country, house to house searches, and operations in the dangerous Baghdad slums. But after two tours of duty, certain images would not leave his memory—a fragmented mental movie of shooting a little girl; of scavenging parts from a destroyed, blood-spattered tank; of obliterating several Iraqi men hidden behind an ancient wall; and of mistakenly stepping on a "soft spot," the remains of a Marine killed in combat. After his return home, Van Winkle sought help at a Veterans Administration facility, and so began a maddening journey through an indifferent system that promises to care for veterans, but in fact abandons many of them. From riveting scenes of combat violence, to the gallows humor of soldiers fighting a war that seems to make no sense, to moments of tenderness in a civilian life ravaged by flashbacks, rage, and doubt, Soft Spots reveals the mind of a soldier like no other recent memoir of the war that has consumed America.

Edited by three leading authorities on nonverbal behavior, this book examines state-of-the-art research and knowledge regarding nonverbal behavior and applies that scientific knowledge to a broad range of fields. The editors present a true scientist-practitioner model, blending cutting-edge behavioral science with real-world practical experience—the first of its kind to merge theoretical and practical worlds. The observations of the practitioners who share their insights and experience will inspire and generate many new research ideas. This book is a valuable resource for students, practitioners and professionals to discover the science behind the practice and to see how other professionals have incorporated nonverbal communication into practice.

'I fight hard and love strong. I'm a traveller.' Paddy Doherty loves his life as an Irish traveller, but as a child he felt like an outsider. He was different to his siblings. On the rare occasions he went to school, he was bullied for being a gypsy boy. And beyond the gates of the camp he found nothing but hostility. Slowly, Paddy's hurt turned into anger and by the age of 11 he had started out on an illustrious career in bare-knuckle fighting. This earned him a position as one of the most well-respected (and feared) men in the travelling community. Yet while he won countless contests in the ring, the real battles he faced were very much outside. In this deeply honest autobiography, he tells of how he has loved and lost five children; plummeted to seven stone while battling depression, drink and drugs. He describes how it feels to be shot point-blank in the head and the lengths he'll go to to protect his people, as well as life since My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and Big Brother. Told with all the warmth and humour he is famed for, Paddy's rich and colourful story is one that will stay with you for a long time to come.

Leopy, a curious baby leopard, is born without his spots, just like all little leopards. As he grows, he becomes envious of the older leopards and their beautiful spotted fur. Leopy simply can’t wait to have spots of his own, so he embarks on a journey to find them. Along the way, he makes new friends and has countless adventures. Where will Leopy’s quest take him? Who will he meet that can help him find his spots? Will he finally discover the secret to getting his very own spots?

Provides information on choosing and smoking cigars, covering such topics as the best cigar size to smoke, how to choose quality cigars at a good price, and the preparation and distribution of cigars worldwide.

With Soft Spot, it's easy to show off your style at home, even if you're short on time. Pillows don't require much time or fabric, so go ahead and pile them on the sofa, stack them in a big basket, swap them out with the seasons--or change them for no reason! Besides adding punch to your decor, pillows offer excellent opportunities to try a variety of techniques. So why not experiment with a new-to-you shape, insert a zipper closure, dabble in a different color scheme, or add a touch of applique? The Moda All-Star contributors share their expert tips so you can become a pillow-making pro! You'll learn how to make perfect pillow corners and gain insight on the benefit of quilting pillow tops. With so many fresh looks from your favorite designers, you'll be living in cushioned comfort! The All-Stars are donating all royalties from the sale of this book to Operation Gratitude (OperationGratitude.org).