Stacked Deck

A startling look at the power and perspectives of city building inspectors as they navigate unequal housing landscapes. Though we rarely see them at work, building inspectors have the power to significantly shape our lives through their discretionary decisions. The building inspectors of Chicago are at the heart of sociologist Robin Bartram’s analysis of how individuals impact—or attempt to impact—housing inequality. In Stacked Decks, she reveals surprising patterns in the judgment calls inspectors make when deciding whom to cite for building code violations. These predominantly white, male inspectors largely recognize that they work within an unequal housing landscape that systematically disadvantages poor people and people of color through redlining, property taxes, and city spending that favor wealthy neighborhoods. Stacked Decks illustrates the uphill battle inspectors face when trying to change a housing system that works against those with the fewest resources.

The most accessible and engaging exploration of the intersections of inequality in Canada.The second edition of The Stacked Deck examines how inequalities are experienced, perpetuated, and remedied on individual, organizational, and governmental levels. Uniquely organized around access to key resources-such as income, housing, education, nutritious food, and safety-this text is anaccessible and comprehensive introduction to social inequalities.

She's their ace in the hole No one is better at exposing a cheat than professional gambler and sometimes government agent Bethany James. Now, posing as a glamorous high roller, she'll use every trick she learned at Athena Academy to uncover a mob boss's ugly sins…and his deadly secrets. But when a daredevil with a tantalizing drawl calls her bluff, the stakes—and her heart rate—become much, much higher. Beth can't help but wonder: Have the cards finally been stacked against her?

HOUSE RULES Saloon owner Matt Barstow is a gambling man—and his winnings have made him very rich and powerful. For that alone, most folks go out of their way to please him. But not the Gunsmith. He doesn't see the need to please a cheater. In fact, he'd rather settle the score. And even though Matt Barstow and his men may have him outnumbered, all bets are on the Gunsmith—hands down...

A surprising look at the power and perspectives of city building inspectors as they seek to navigate within the inequalities of today's housing environment. Though we rarely see them at work, building inspectors have the power to significantly shape our lives through their discretionary decisions. The building inspectors of Chicago are at the heart of sociologist Robin Bartram's analysis of how individuals affect--or attempt to affect--housing inequality. Using both ethnography and statistical analysis of the building inspectors who respond to complaints about housing conditions in Chicago, Bartram calls attention to the importance of these frontline workers and the power of their agency. In Stacked Decks, she reveals surprising patterns in the judgment calls inspectors make when deciding whom to cite for building code violations. These predominantly white, male inspectors largely recognize that they work within an unequal housing landscape that systematically disadvantages poor people and people of color through redlining, property taxes, and city spending that favor wealthy neighborhoods. While they often act out of a desire to bring justice to this uneven playing field by penalizing those perceived as advantaged, Stacked Decks illustrates the uphill battle inspectors face when trying to change a housing system that works against those with the fewest resources.

Not all girls need a hero. But do all heroes need a damsel? Evelyn "Smalls" Kincaid is the first of a brand new generation of fighters. Being the oldest in the family has never weighed on her in the past. In fact, blazing trails and trying new and daring things is what she lives for.For every wild adventure Evie goes on, for every broken rule and stretched law, her best friend, Benny "Sasquatch" Conner, studiously follows close behind, cleaning up the mess that would otherwise end with a rap sheet or loss of life. Ben would never allow such an end for the girl he's loved since the moment she flattened him in her family's gym. For a decade, the pair who are equally matched inside the octagon and out, have enjoyed a friendship of explosive highs, and icy lows...The operative word, and the biggest tragedy of them all, is 'FRIENDship'. That dreaded zone every man fears, and every woman loathes. Once children, then teens, now young adults on the cusp of new and exciting adventures, feelings change, hormones rage, and finally , Ben takes a freakin' hint and kisses Evie back. From enemies, to best friends, to lovers, "Wildcard" is a story of bravery, lost innocence, and the deepest kinds of love. It's a story of forgiveness, distance, desperation, and trust. From the author of the best selling Rollin On Series , comes this beautiful coming of age story that proves that if it's meant to be, it'll be. And if not... then maybe Evie's true love is waiting in a different gym, and his name might not be Ben Conner.

Contains more than a hundred card tricks and routines using Tamariz's memorized deck "Mnemonica"

Covers impromptu tricks, banded decks, stacked-deck tricks, gambling secrets, sleight-of-hand tricks, prepared-card tricks, shuffle systems, four-ace tricks, one-way decks, and sample card routines