The Rhythm Section

Soon to be a major motion picture, from the producers of the James Bond film series, starring Jude Law and Blake Lively. She has nothing to lose and only revenge to live for

"Have you ever killed anyone? Not in self-defense." "What are you asking that for? "Because I'm curious." "You can't know what it feels like by being told." "I don't want to know what it feels like. I want to know how you actually make the leap from planning to do it to actually pulling the trigger." Stephanie Patrick's life is destroyed by the crash of flight NEO027. Her family was on board and there were no survivors. Devastated, she drops out of college and her life spins out of control as she enters a world of drugs and prostitution--until a journalist discovers that the crash wasn't an accident. A bomb was planted on the plane that killed her family. Filled with rage, and with nothing left to loose, she focuses on one goal: revenge. The opportunity to obtain it arrives quickly when Stephanie is approached and recruited by an extremely covert intelligence organization. She is young, smart, and beautiful--and has no family, making her the perfect candidate. The organization offers her a deal. She must undergo rigorous training; learn how to control her heart rate and breathing ("the rhythm section"), how to operate various weapons skillfully and efficiently, and she must improve her physical requirements, she will be given a new identity and asked to commit acts of terrorism on behalf of the organization. When she completes these assignments successfully--and proves her loyalty--she will be offered the opportunity to take out the terrorists who brought down flight NEO027. Stephanie agrees to all of the organization's demands without hesitation. As "Petra," a mercenary terrorist based out of Germany, and as "Marina," an international businesswoman based in London, she enters the brutal world of international espionage, and adapts quickly. She is able to numb her feelings and act on instinct alone. But as the stakes get higher, Stephanie begins to question what her value really is. Is the organization telling her the truth--do they know who caused flight NEO027 to explode? Or are they using her for some other agenda? More important: Is avenging her family worth the price she is paying? And if it isn't--will the organization that created her let her go? Violent, edgy, and unpredictable, The Rhythm Section takes readers deep into the world of international espionage , it is a nonstop thriller from the first page to the last.

One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of Richmond, a daring last-ditch Southern plan for guerrilla warfare, Lee's harrowing retreat, and then, Appomattox. It saw Lincoln's assassination just five days later and a near-successful plot to decapitate the Union government, followed by chaos and coup fears in the North, collapsed negotiations and continued bloodshed in the South, and finally, the start of national reconciliation. In the end, April 1865 emerged as not just the tale of the war's denouement, but the story of the making of our nation. Jay Winik offers a brilliant new look at the Civil War's final days that will forever change the way we see the war's end and the nation's new beginning. Uniquely set within the larger sweep of history and filled with rich profiles of outsize figures, fresh iconoclastic scholarship, and a gripping narrative, this is a masterful account of the thirty most pivotal days in the life of the United States.

The Jazz Rhythm Section introduces the basics of this very important part of the jazz ensemble. They are the foundation of any jazz group, so improving the rhythm section will result in a stronger sounding band. This book is intended to be a practical guide with chapters on each of the primary instruments in the rhythm section: bass, drums, piano and guitar. Key topics include: Equipment and setup issues: from drum heads to bass amps to guitar pickups to mic’ing a piano on stage, each instrument presents unique equipment issues that the director must face. Performance practice: including tips on constructing walking bass lines, learning voicings and comping rhythms and creating drummer’s setup fills. Additionally, there is a chapter on the rhythm section itself that details all of the inter-relationships, suggestions for count-offs and metronome exercises that will help improve your band. The Jazz Rhythm Section is intended for novice directors, but directors of all levels will benefit as well.

This book/CD pack is a great workbook to promote musical togetherness in the rhythm section; its exercises give the drummer and bassist a unique opportunity to understand the thinking of each other. It covers rock, funk, Latin and Latin rock styles, and teaches how to develop original odd time rhythms. The last chapter of the book features arrangements of 10 songs for practice.

Stephanie Patrick operates under a number of names: Petra Reuter is probably the most frequent. Narrowly surviving a terrorist attack in Paris, Stephanie finds herself pursued ruthlessly by a faceless enemy. But is her encounter with Robert Newman, an international troubleshooter, really just chance?

This book is the authorized chronicle of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, the legendary southern rock band that created such memorable hits as "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," "Imaginary Lover," "Spooky," and "Doraville." Already seasoned studio professionals when they formed in 1970, the A.R.S. forged a new direction in southern rock by focusing on the integrity of their music onstage and in the studio. Through platinum and gold albums--A Rock and Roll Alternative, Champagne Jam, and Underdog--as well as international tours, huge outdoor concerts, and personnel changes, the band has staunchly maintained its dedication to its craft over the decades. This story contains recollections from original and current band members, producers, technicians, other musicians, and fans, as well as more than 120 photos of band members from the early days as backup musicians for Roy Orbison and other iconic artists to the present day.

"There are two groups of standards that help form the basic repertory used in jazz improvisation. The first group was created by jazz musicians directly from improvisation, experimentation and the analysis of musical forms, ideas and practices that were developed through study and the natural gifts of some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. This group codified jazz into chronological styles and provides concrete examples of its styles and concepts. The second group of standards is comprised of compositions written as popular songs during the first half of the twentieth century ... Every improviser is a composer who makes up melodies spontaneously. The model choruses give examples that can be studied, learned, broken into independent phrases and used to create other melodies that reflect more clearly what the improviser wants to say musically ..."--Preface