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  The Official CIA Manual of...

  H. Keith Melton, Robert Wallace

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  A top-secret manual for training CIA field agents in deception and sleight-of-hand was thought to be a rumor…until a single surviving copy was discovered in the agency’s archives. 
  In 1953, a top-secret manual teaching agents sleight-of-hand and other deception techniques was written for the CIA by America’s then most famous magician. All copies were believed destroyed by the CIA’s purge of the infamous MKULTRA documents in 1973, and there was no proof of the manual’s existence . . . until a copy was discovered among the CIA’s recently declassified archives. 
  The manual in this work is thought to represent the only surviving copy of magician John Mulholland’s instructions: 
  Handling Tablets (preparing pills and tablets; hiding pills in hand, matchbook, wallet, and money) 
  Handling Powders (creating containers for holding powders; using duplicate pencils to make drops) 
  Handling Liquids (making containers to drop or spray liquids; using matchbooks, coins, wallets, cigarettes, and bare hands; creating distracting stories that are both rational and simple) 
  Removing Objects (mastering preparatory actions, timing, body position, and the art of distraction; making secret pockets; picking up and secretly folding paper) 
  Special Notes for Women (modifying earlier techniques for women’s use; using pocket mirrors, jewelry, cosmetics, handkerchiefs, and evening bags) 
  Working as a Team (Setting the roles of trickster and assistant; notes on the proper use of signals) 
  Along with the original text, espionage historian H. Keith Melton and longtime CIA gadgeteer Robert Wallace provides an introduction illuminating the history of CIA agent deception and dirty tricks, and the role of this secret manual in that highly controversial program.

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  Pacific Theater in 1944 The: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  The powerful forces of the United States Navy (USN), Marine Corps, and Army advanced inexorably against Imperial Japan in 1944. Following massive interdiction of Japanese merchant shipping by American submarines and multiple naval victories, the Americans stood poised to liberate the Philippines, then move on to locations closer to the Japanese home islands. 
  In early 1944, arguments raged over the best approach to the “strategic triangle” created by Formosa, Luzon, and China. Finally, on March 12th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff – consisting of Admirals William D. Leahy and Ernest J. King, and Generals George C. Marshall and Henry H. “Hap” Arnold - issued a directive picking the next target: “[T]he most feasible approach to the Formosa-Luzon-China area is by way of Marianas-Carolines-Palau-Mindanao area, and that the control of the Marianas-Carolines-Palau area is essential to the projection of our forces into the former area, and their subsequent effective employment therefrom.” 
  The Americans' plans focused on three islands near the southern end of a 15-island, north to south aligned island chain: Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. These islands, relatively large, offered space for the construction of large air bases within strategic bomber range of Japan itself, as well as closer targets. 
  The Japanese also recognized the strategic importance of the Mariana Islands, and Saipan in particular, given its location just 1,272 miles from Tokyo itself. This would place the Japanese capital well within the 3,250 mile range of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. With these facts in their possession and the Marianas as one of the Americans' most logical next choices, the Japanese worked to move both reinforcements and materials for new fortifications to the southern Marianas in early 1944. 
  With that, the stage was set for the kind of deadly amphibious operations that would take place not only on the Marianas but also Iwo Jima and Okinawa after it. 

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  The Letter

  Ann Cusack, Sarah Sidebottom

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  Co-written by the writer of Sunday Times bestsellers The Asylum, The Convent, Silent Sisters and Abandoned 
   
   
  Harrowing emotional story of horrific sexual abuse at the hands of a father 
   
  Sarah Sidebottom was repeatedly raped by both her father and her brother as a child has secured justice thanks to a forgotten letter. 
   
  Sarah Sidebottom, 54, was raped and sexually abused by her father, Arthur William Bowditch, and her brother, Arthur Stephen Bowditch. They were jailed in 2022 for a total of 32 years. 
   
   
  The first attack, when she was just three and a half years old, left Sarah needing surgery to repair internal damage. A decades-old letter from her doctor proved crucial in securing a conviction for the abuse, which began almost 50 years go.

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  Echoes of Unity: Poems of Hope...

  Narrato Insights

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  Discover a transformative collection of 75 powerful poems that celebrate the strength, resilience, and unity of the BIPOC community. "Echoes of Unity" captures the essence of hope, progress, and pride in every verse. 
  Immerse yourself in a tapestry of words that paint vivid pictures of triumph and love. Each poem, uniquely titled, offers a fresh perspective and a heartfelt tribute to the diverse experiences of BIPOC individuals. From the whispers of heritage to the dreams of tomorrow, these poems will resonate deeply with readers from all walks of life. 
  Feel the empowerment and inspiration that flows through every line. Whether you are seeking solace, motivation, or a deeper connection to your roots, "Echoes of Unity" provides a beacon of light and a source of pride. Let these poems uplift your spirit and ignite a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. 
  Don't miss the opportunity to experience this remarkable collection. Embrace the journey of hope and progress by adding "Echoes of Unity" to your library today. Share its profound messages with friends and loved ones, and let the power of these poems inspire change and unity in your community.

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  Meeting of Minds - Volume X

  Steve Allen

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  By " assembling" some of the most fascinating figures in world history, Meeting of Minds provided a groundbreaking opportunity for audiences to be exposed to ideas by way of a medium not normally known for its intellectual vigor. Portrayed by actors, panelists engage in stimulating round-table discussions that were conducted like any other talk show but featured prominent influencers from bygone generations— not just philosophers and politicians, but poets, playwrights, and presidents. From activists and artists to international leaders— both famous and infamous— these conversations are unfailingly witty, thought-provoking, and genuinely entertaining.
  An innovative series, Meeting of Minds remains one of the most delightful ways of gaining historical perspective ever devised, and these original soundtrack recordings capture the intellectual and spirited debates of the episodes hosted by Steve Allen. The panelists featured in this volume are Scottish economist Adam Smith, birth control activist Margaret Sanger, and Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi.

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  The Book of Tea

  Kakuzo Okakura

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  The Book of Tea was written by Okakura Kakuzo in the early 20th century. It was first published in 1906, and has since been republished many times. - In the book, Kakuzo introduces the term Teaism and how Tea has affected nearly every aspect of Japanese culture, thought, and life. The book is noted to be accessibile to Western audiences because though Kakuzo was born and raised Japanese, he was trained from a young age to speak English; and would speak it all his life, becoming proficient at communicating his thoughts in the Western Mind. In his book he elucidates such topics as Zen and Taoism, but also the secular aspects of Tea and Japanese life. The book emphasises how Teaism taught the Japanese many things; most importantly, simplicity. Kakuzo argues that this tea-induced simplicity affected art and architecture, and he was a long-time student of the visual arts. He ends the book with a chapter on Tea Masters, and spends some time talking about Sen no Rikyu and his contribution to the Japanese Tea Ceremony. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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