The Sparks

The sparks from the spirit of science include not only new knowledge but also innovations, the major ingredients of development and sustainability. This book creates an understanding of science and its role in innovation and sustainable development and points out unfilled gaps in human development. It highlights opportunities for societies to overcome obstacles in development. The book is written in an easy-to-understand manner, avoiding technical jargon, and contains case studies, practical examples, and historical perspectives. It is intended for a general, especially young readership and will appeal to those curious about the nature of science and its benefits, together with its possible pitfalls.

For hundreds of years, Poland served as the epicenter of Jewish life. As a result of the Holocaust, though, Poland has become a "Jewish Atlantis." Yet, the majority of Jews in the world today have their genealogical roots in the historical lands of Poland. In this book, Sherwin demonstrates how the unprecedented works of intellect and spirit produced during the Jewish "Golden Age" in Poland can provide contemporary Jews with the spiritual and intellectual resources required to ensure Jewish continuity in the present and future. Sherwin introduces us to the vast range of mystical speculation, evocative stories, talmudic dialectics, theological ideas, and social realities that were muted by the destruction of Polish Jewry during the Holocaust. Sherwin critiques the tendency among contemporary Jews to disregard the precious legacy bequeathed by Polish Jewry, and presents a plan for re-creating Jewish life after the Holocaust that draws from the wisdom of the spiritual magnates and from the communal experience that characterized Jewish life in Poland. Sherwin concludes with a controversial proposal for the future of Polish-Jewish relations.

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war anymore... This is the prophesy of Isaiah, promising the world what it yearns for--a perfect future, a future without war, without hunger, without strife. That such a future awaits us, Isaiah says, is a promise from G-d. When it will dawn is up to us.In Awakening the Spark Within, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh explains how every Jew?man, woman, and child?can live up to this awesome responsibility by cultivating in everyday personal life his or her own innate sparks of leadership. He shows how seemingly insignificant individual efforts can have world-changing consequences and bring the prophetic vision of the future to its ultimate fulfillment.Includes glossary, footnotes, and index.

"This is a wonderful book. Frances Ashcroft has a rare gift for making difficult subjects accessible and fascinating." —Bill Bryson, author of At Home: A Short History of Private Life What happens during a heart attack? Can someone really die of fright? What is death, anyway? How does electroshock treatment affect the brain? What is consciousness? The answers to these questions lie in the electrical signals constantly traveling through our bodies, driving our thoughts, our movements, and even the beating of our hearts. The history of how scientists discovered the role of electricity in the human body is a colorful one, filled with extraordinary personalities, fierce debates, and brilliant experiments. Moreover, present-day research on electricity and ion channels has created one of the most exciting fields in science, shedding light on conditions ranging from diabetes and allergies to cystic fibrosis, migraines, and male infertility. With inimitable wit and a clear, fresh voice, award-winning researcher Frances Ashcroft weaves together compelling real-life stories with the latest scientific findings, giving us a spectacular account of the body electric.

In The Spark, Trevor Stubbs continues and concludes his White Gates Adventures series with a new standalone fantasy novel. Shaun, now aged 20, has never been as quick or confident as his elder sister Kakko, or as bright as his younger brother, Bandi. He has been the steady quiet one, opting for youth and community studies. But circumstances now threaten to destroy Shaun's way of life. How does he cope with the traumas that come his way? The Spark celebrates the gift of love that offers an opportunity for healing, and addresses issues of mental health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and identity. Trevor's latest novel also has its lighter parts. There is humour and many of the fun elements of adventure and romance as, by means of the mysterious white gates, readers explore new places and revisit some old ones. The White Gates Adventures series will appeal to young adults, as well as readers who enjoy engaging with young people as they tussle with the conundrums of our existence.