The Tryst Betrayed

In The Tryst Betrayed, former Indian foreign secretary Jagat Singh Mehta looks back on an eventful career which began on the day after India’s independence. In his lucid and informative style, Mehta sheds light on Nehru’s prophetic assertion of ideological agnosticism (named ‘Non-Alignment’ in 1946) and its distortion by the accidental overlap of decolonization with the Cold War. Mehta argues that Nehru was naïve on China, wishful on the Soviet Union and prejudiced against America. The civil servants were hypnotized by what he refers to as the ‘Panditji knows best’ syndrome. He illustrates that Nehru’s bark was no doubt frightening but his bite not vicious.

The acclaimed author of the Owen Archer Series “lovingly re-creates medieval Edinburgh” in a novel that introduces Scottish sleuth Margaret Kerr (Publishers Weekly). In the spring of 1297, the English army controls lowland Scotland and Margaret Kerr’s husband Roger Sinclair is missing. He had gone to Dundee in autumn, writing to Margaret with a promise to be home for Christmas, but it’s past Easter. He could be caught up in the swelling rebellion against the English—if he’s even alive. When his cousin is murdered on the streets of Edinburgh, Roger’s last known location, Margaret coerces her brother, a priest, to escort her to the city. She finds Edinburgh scarred by war—houses burnt, walls stained with blood, shops shuttered—and the townsfolk simmering with resentment, harboring secrets. Even her uncle, innkeeper Murdoch Kerr, meets her questions with silence. Desperate, Margaret makes alliances that risk both her own life and that of her brother in her search for answers. She learns that war twists love and loyalties, and that, until tested, we cannot know our own hearts, much less those of our loved ones. “Robb’s writing is so rich and historically true that this is a must for all lovers of historical mysteries.” —Historical Novel Society “Thirteenth-century Edinburgh comes off the page cold and convincing, from the smoke and noise of the tavern kitchen to Holyrood Abbey under a treacherous abbot. Most enjoyable.” —The List (Edinburgh)

While the big bad corporation has often been the offender in many of the world’s greatest environmental disasters, in the case of the mass poisoning at Camp Lejeune the culprit is a revered institution: the US Marine Corps. For two decades now, revelations have steadily emerged about pervasive contamination, associated clusters of illness and death among the Marine families stationed there, and military stonewalling and failure to act. Mike Magner’s chilling investigation creates a suspenseful narrative from the individual stories, scientific evidence, and smoldering sense of betrayal among those whose motto is undying fidelity. He also raises far-reaching and ominous questions about widespread contamination on US military bases worldwide.

Ex-Navy SEAL sniper Scott Taylor served his country for eight years. Taylor finally came home after he was injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Years later, he became outraged when he discovered that the Obama administration was leaking sensitive intelligence information for political gain. Now Scott Taylor is speaking out. Having served as a sniper in the same region of Iraq as American Sniperauthor Chris Kyle, Taylor knows first-hand how high the stakes are. From the bungling of Benghazi to the rise of ISIS, the White House has betrayed the trust of American forces. It's time President Obama and his administration were finally held accountable.

The independent real estate appraiser is being driven out of the business by the same forces that borrowed billions from the taxpayer in the form of a bailout, speculated in an over-leveraged derivatives market, and swallowed each other up after years of mismanagement. Why should anybody care? Because the housing recovery is dependent on transparency that we have not seen in more than a decade. Public Trust Betrayed: The Truth Behind the Real Estate Appraisal Industry emphasizes that there must be transparency and objectivity in the mortgage and evaluation process if we are to solve the current credit crisis and what we must change in the financial industry to prevent another economic meltdown. As a result of fraud, conflicts of interest, over-valuations, and lax underwriting standards, the entire lending industry must be examined and changed if any meaningful housing recovery is to be accomplished. 'Appraisal issues played a major role in the housing boom and bust. To get an insider's view of that historic and horrendous cycle -- and the troubling reality of where we are now -- read this book.' --Ken Harney, Syndicated Columnist, Washington Post Writers Group 'This is one man's story about the deceptions he saw in the home appraisal market, deceiving homeowners and lenders alike. It will open your eyes.' --Jane Bryant Quinn, author of Making the Most of Your Money NOW Author James Manning gives the reader rare insights into the pressures being placed on today's real estate appraiser in an easy-to-read format, a folksy delivery, and with real-life experiences sprinkled throughout.

"In Trust Betrayed investigative journalist Dale Van Atta, a veteran of the Jack Anderson column, reveals why the AARP always favors tax increases; when the AARP chooses between the interests of seniors and big government, big government wins every time; the AARP's darkest secret: discrimination against the elderly; how the AARP spent more than twice as much money on furniture for its posh headquarters as it spent on programs assisting the elderly; and the truth about the AARP Pharmacy Service." "Van Atta details how the AARP misrepresents its members, exploits the elderly for profit, and cynically fleeces younger Americans to finance its big government agenda. And he unveils the AARP's fatal weakness that could spell its imminent collapse."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

"Not all great novelists can write crime fiction but when one like Susan Hill does the result is stunning." —Ruth Rendell A cold case comes back to life in this sixth book in the highly successful Simon Serrailler detective series "eagerly awaited by all aficionados" (P.D. James). Freak weather and flash floods all over southern England. Lafferton is under water and a landslide on the Moor has closed the bypass. As the rain slowly drains away, a shallow grave--and a skeleton--are exposed; 20 years on, the remains of missing teenager Joanne Lowther have finally been uncovered. The case is re-opened and Simon Serrailler is called in as senior investigating officer. Joanne, an only child, had been on her way home from a friend's house that night. She was the daughter of a prominent local businessman, Sir John Lowther. Joanne's mother, unable to cope, killed herself 2 years after Joanne disappeared. Cold cases are always tough, and in this latest in the acclaimed series from Susan Hill, Serrailler is forced to confront a frustrating, distressing and complex situation.

In America, more money is spent from all sources on K-12 education than on the U.S. Department of Defense. Why then are so many children suffering what amounts to educational malpractice? Why are they crippled for life with a substandard education and a life-altering vision of themselves as 'incapable'? Betrayed is a passionate, well-researched and frank accounting of how a failing public-education system continues to be forced on teachers and students, despite its nearly complete lack of supporting research or successful student outcomes. Betrayed roots out the self-styled 'stakeholders' whose personal, professional and financial interests are served by this failing system. It sympathizes with teachers_many of whom aren't allowed to do their jobs, yet are constantly threatened with removal for 'ineffectiveness' or 'insubordination.' Betrayed is an expose, but it's also a beacon of commonsense and hope. Through the 'Square of Effective Learning,' Betrayed offers practical methods for teachers, parents, advocates and legislators to stand up against this broken system, to effect positive change, and to ensure a good-quality education for all of our children.