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.

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.

This updated and expanded edition gives critical analyses of 23 Latin American films from the last 20 years, including the addition of four films from Bolivia. Explored throughout the text are seven crucial themes: the indigenous image, sexuality, childhood, female protagonists, crime and corruption, fratricidal wars, and writers as characters. Designed for general and scholarly interest, as well as a guide for teachers of Hispanic culture or Latin American film and literature, the book provides a sweeping look at the logistical circumstances of filmmaking in the region along with the criteria involved in interpreting a Latin American film. It includes interviews with and brief biographies of influential filmmakers, along with film synopses, production details and credits, transcripts of selected scenes, and suggestions for discussion and analysis.

The power of purchasers exposes the weaknesses of conventional thinking on the costs and benefits of priorities. Health policy analysts now have to develop rational criteria to support decisions in a process which may be inherently intuitive. This authoritative and practical text points the way towards clear choices in resource allocation and the implications of these choices on expenditure diverted among different health care programmes.

"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.

"Education outcomes for young Aboriginal adults living in British Columbia are markedly better than those in other provinces. What is BC doing right? And what can other provinces learn?"--Cover.

Recombinant DNA: Science, Ethics, and Politics emerged from papers presented at a conference, Ethical and Methodological Dimensions of Scientific Research: Recombinant DNA, A Case Study, held at the University of Georgia, April 15-16, 1977. Starting with an introduction to the methods and uses of recombinant DNA technology, the remaining contributions made by researchers at the symposium are organized into four parts. The first part contains papers on the development and utilization of recombinant DNA technology; genetic engineering in agriculture; and the dangers of unrestricted research. The second part focuses on the ethical aspects of recombinant DNA research. It includes studies such as ethical prerequisites for examining biological research; the limitations of broad moral policies; and ethical theories underlying the recombinant DNA controversy. The third part examines the legal aspects of recombinant DNA research and examines the issue of whether such research should be regulated. The papers in the fourth part consider directors for future research.

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 its "countries of focus", CIDA needs a pragmatic willingness to work with either host governments or major non-government agencies, or both, to advance primary education."--[Source inconnue].

"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.

This book examines Petrarch''s relationship with Francesco il Vecchio da Carrara, lord of Padua, who was the poet''s host during his final years (1367-74), and for whom he started to rewrite his great work of Roman history, the "De Viris Illustribus". The exemplary purpose of this text was extended in the form of a major fresco cycle in the Sala Virorum Illustrium of the Carrara palace in Padua, the Reggia.

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.

John F.

This is the first study in English of Altichiero, one of the most important painters of the later Italian Trecento. Altichiero worked exclusively for the despotic rulers of Verona and Padua, translating their chivalric aspirations into fresco cycles of extraordinary beauty and originality. Altichiero, whose work is indebted to Giotto, worked in close collaboration with Petrarch. In addition to an informative catalogue and bibliography, the book also contains a wealth of illustrations in both color and black and white that bring the work and world of Altichiero to life.

Catalog of an exhibition featuring the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia, held in 1999.

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.

Contains primary source material.