New Releases by John Richards

A young woman is haunted by the disappearance of her grandmother, a brilliant mathematician whose research uncovered the basis for parallel universes. A botanist travels across the seas in search of an elusive, deadly flower that was also his late father''s obsession. A talented painter produces his best work – unsettling masterpieces with strange, fantastical elements – years after he was last seen in person.In this gothic-inspired collection of stories, John Richards pushes the limits of what short fiction can be. With settings that range from rural France to medieval Italy to nineteenth-century Borneo, The Gorgon Flower is an impressively crafted, engrossing debut by a bold new writer.

Remote Sensing Digital Image Analysis provides a comprehensive treatment of the methods used for the processing and interpretation of remotely sensed image data. Over the past decade there have been continuing and significant developments in the algorithms used for the analysis of remote sensing imagery, even though many of the fundamentals have substantially remained the same. As with its predecessors this new edition again presents material that has retained value but also includes newer techniques, covered from the perspective of operational remote sensing. The book is designed as a teaching text for the senior undergraduate and postgraduate student, and as a fundamental treatment for those engaged in research using digital image analysis in remote sensing. The presentation level is for the mathematical non-specialist. Since the very great number of operational users of remote sensing come from the earth sciences communities, the text is pitched at a level commensurate with their background. The chapters progress logically through means for the acquisition of remote sensing images, techniques by which they can be corrected, and methods for their interpretation. The prime focus is on applications of the methods, so that worked examples are included and a set of problems conclude each chapter.

With the exception of Sri Lanka, South Asian countries have not achieved quality basic education – an essential measure for escaping poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. In The Political Economy of Education in South Asia, John Richards, Manzoor Ahmed, and Shahidul Islam emphasize the importance of a dynamic system for education policy. The Political Economy of Education in South Asia documents the weak core competency (reading and math) outcomes in government primary schools in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and the consequent rapid growth of non-government schools over the last two decades. It compares the training, hiring, and management of teachers in South Asian schools to successful national systems ranging from Singapore to Finland. Discussing reform options, it makes the case public good and public priorities are better served when both public and non-government providers come under a strong public policy and accountability framework. The Political Economy of Education in South Asia draws on the authors'' broad engagement in education research and practice in South Asia, as well as analysis by prominent professors of education and NGO leaders, to place basic education in a broad context and make the case that universal literacy and numeracy are necessary foundations for economic growth.

"Federal action is required to address the persistently low high-school completion rates of Canada''s First Nation children living on-reserve. Key steps include providing stable and transparent funding for reserve schools, and professionalizing reserve school organization." -- Cover.

The Digital Teaching Platform (DTP) brings the power of interactive technology to teaching and learning in classrooms. In this authoritative book, top researchers in the field of learning science and educational technology examine the current state of design and research on DTPs, the principles for evaluating them, and their likely evolution as a dominant medium for educational improvement. The authors examine DTPs in light of contemporary classroom requirements, as well as current initiatives such as the Common Core State Standards, Race to the Top, and the 2010 National Educational Technology Plan.

"In this issue--high secondary school dropout rates, particularly among aboriginals and francophone Quebecers, have negative impacts on the future of the individuals concerned and on Canada''s economy"--Cover.

This highly popular introduction to strategic management has nowbeen revised to take account of the latest developments in thefield. New edition of a highly popular introduction to strategicmanagement. Provides a clear framework for understanding the issues incorporate strategy, supported by current case examples. Revised to take account of the latest development in thefield. Now features twelve new cases. Includes new chapters on issues relating to the resource-basedview of the firm, innovation, learning, and the ‘neweconomy’. Includes a new concluding chapter looking at present and futureissues in strategic management. Continues to combine the latest management concepts with andemphasis on current business applications and implementation.

Anti-poverty initiatives over the last decade have lifted many people out of poverty, mainly through improved employment rates. To make further progress in tackling poverty, targeted interventions are in order that draw on past policy successes.

This book, which is based on a conference held by the C.D. Howe Institute and the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, provides a good review of the various cases and issues that have arisen from the investor protection provisions of NAFTA.

This is a study of Altichiero, one of the most important painters of the later Italian Trecento. Altichiero, a native of Verona, worked exclusively for the despotic rulers of Verona and Padua and their courtiers.

Cyfeirlyfr cynhwysfawr i chwareli llechi Gogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru ynghyd â''u rheilffyrdd, yn cynnwys pennod ragarweiniol ar bob ardal a astudiwyd, gwybodaeth ddiddorol a chyfeiriadau map ar gyfer pob chwarel gan awdur sydd wedi ymchwilio''n helaeth yn y maes. 28 ffotograff du-a-gwyn, 20 map a 2 ddiagram. -- Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru

Who decides on priorities in health care? Is it politicians, health managers, doctors or the public? How should it best be done? The demand for health care resulting from the burden of disease and our increasing ability to prevent or treat disease creates financial pressures which are forcing health planners throughout the world to find answers to these questions. This book portrays the struggle to develop useful tools and communicate practical examples. It is drawn from the real experiences of decision making in a leading health body. Practitioners of health planning in every nation can use these to help them make decisions on a more rational basis.

The aim of this document is to raise the level of public debate on issues of national interest, such as the welfare system, by presenting diverse points of view. The themes covered in this document are: the view from the right; the social policy round; and economic change and new social policies.

Collection of short stories about Rustbowl Detroit with photo illustration by Ralph Norris.

Contains primary source material.