Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  Columbia Disaster The: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  On February 1, the Columbia was due to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 09:16. Only a few members of the press were present to watch the landing - this was, after all, supposed to be a routine return from a routine mission, the 113th for the shuttle program and the 28th for Columbia, one of the oldest Space Shuttles. 
  Reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere is always the most dangerous part of any space mission. The intense heat generated as a spacecraft enters the thin upper atmosphere at immense speed can be potentially lethal, but the shuttle was designed to deal with this heat, and Columbia had successfully done it 27 times in the past. For the five men and two women on board and the members of the press present, everything seemed normal, but there was a measure of concern among those in the ground control team. The team was aware that Columbia had possibly suffered damage to the thermal tiles forming the heat shield on one wing soon after liftoff, but no one knew how extensive the damage was or even if it existed at all. There was also some disagreement about how serious it might be - some on the ground were concerned this might compromise the shuttle wing’s ability to resist the heat of reentry, while others were sure it was a minor issue that would have no serious impact on the mission. Videos of the launch had been exhaustively reviewed by engineers on the ground, but it was impossible to be certain of the precise level of damage to the heat shielding on the underside and leading edge of the wing.  
  There was no agreement on what should or could be done, so one thing was universally agreed upon: the crew would not be informed of the problem. There was nothing they could do to make repairs and no way to avoid reentry. 

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  The Great Russian Famine of...

  Sarah Willards

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  The Great Russian Famine of 1601-1603 was one of the most catastrophic events in Russian history, causing widespread death, social instability, and economic distress. This famine occurred during a period of political turmoil, just after the death of Tsar Ivan the Terrible and amid the struggle for the Russian throne. The famine’s impact was felt across Russia, particularly in the central and southern regions, and it highlighted both the fragility of the agrarian economy and the vulnerability of the Russian people to climatic and political disruptions. 
  The context of the famine is crucial to understanding its devastating effects. In the late 16th century, Russia was already experiencing significant strain, including the collapse of the feudal system, a declining central government, and the outbreak of the Time of Troubles, a series of civil wars and foreign invasions. The Russian agricultural system, heavily dependent on the success of yearly harvests, was not equipped to deal with the combination of extreme weather, crop failure, and a lack of effective governance. 
  The famine itself was primarily caused by a series of poor harvests, which were exacerbated by severe weather conditions, including droughts and unseasonably cold winters. The summer of 1601 saw a significant drought, which devastated crops, and the following winter brought freezing temperatures that further hindered the ability to cultivate food. As a result, grain production plummeted, and prices soared, making food increasingly inaccessible to the general population.

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  A Rare Recording of Bertrand...

  Bertrand Russell

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  Bertrand Russell (May 18, 1872 - February 2, 1970) was born in Monmouthshire, into one of the most prominent aristocratic families in Britain. Russell was a philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, prominent anti-war activist, and an outspoken opponent of nuclear weapons. In 1950, Russell was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

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  Policing Gun Violence -...

  Anthony A. Braga, Philip J. Cook

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  In many US cities, gun violence is the most urgent crime problem. High rates of deadly violence make a city less livable, dragging down quality of life, economic development, and property values. 
   
   
   
  How can police departments find the right balance between over- and under-policing of high-violence areas? What are the best practices for police to preempt and deter gun violence, while engendering support and cooperation from the public? 
   
   
   
  Drawing on fifty years of research and practical experience, Policing Gun Violence argues that it is possible for the police to create greater public safety while respecting the rights of individuals and communities. While gun violence can be attributed to various systemic causes, Anthony A. Braga and Philip J. Cook make the case that violence is itself a root cause of social disparity and future violence. Effective law enforcement is a vital component of a just society. They review and synthesize the evidence in several key areas: enforcement of gun laws, policing hot spots, controlling high-risk groups through focused deterrence, enhancing investigations to increase the arrest and conviction rate, preventing officer-involved shootings, and disrupting underground gun markets. Policing Gun Violence serves as a guide to how the police can better utilize their considerable resources to make cities safer.

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  On the Decay of the Art of Lying

  Mark Twain

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  In On the Decay of the Art of Lying (1880), Mark Twain offers a witty, satirical defense of lying as a necessary and even noble human art. He begins by observing that lying is a universal trait, present in everyone, but laments that it is no longer done skillfully or for virtuous reasons. Twain argues that lying, when done with good intentions—such as to protect others’ feelings or preserve harmonies, is far preferable to harsh truth-telling that causes harm. He criticizes hypocritical moralists who lie while pretending to be virtuous and instead advocates for honest acknowledgment of the role lies play in everyday life. 
  Twain calls for a revival of lying as a thoughtful, considerate act rather than a selfish or malicious one. He suggests that lying should be taught and refined, much like any other art form, so that it can serve beneficial ends. Satirizing society's pretensions and moral contradictions, Twain uses humor and irony to challenge conventional views on honesty. Ultimately, his essay is not a blanket endorsement of deceit, but a call to recognize the complexity of truth and to use lies, when necessary, with kindness and responsibility. Through this piece, Twain cleverly blurs the line between truth and fiction.

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  Climate Optimism - Celebrating...

  Zahra Biabani

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  Change the way you think about the future. The fate of humanity can be daunting, but we don't need to live in that space. First, we need to change our attitude in order to implement nature-based solutions to deal with climate change. Good news: there are environmental trends and examples to change the way you think about how we can protect the planet. 
   
    
   
  Get to know Zahra Biabani, a climate activist, influencer, CEO, and writer. After unexpectedly establishing a career as an online sustainability educator and influencer, Zahra decided to jump headfirst into the waters of entrepreneurship and authorship. Climate Optimism is her way to spread hope. 
   
   
   
  Inside, you'll find: 
   
   
   
  ● Real stories on environmental sustainability in other countries that are working 
   
   
   
  ● A mix of unique solutions and practical advice on how to face climate change 
   
   
   
  ● Good news on how to change the way you think and feel about the climate crisis 
   
   
   
  If you're looking for a sustainable living book or books for activists centered on environmentalism like A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety, The Intersectional Environmentalist, or Sustainable Badass, you'll love Climate Optimism.

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