Best Selling Books by Leslie Swartz

How I Lost My Mother is a deeply felt account of the relationship between a mother and son, and an exploration of what care for the dying means in contemporary society The book is emotionally complex – funny, sad and angry – but above all, heartfelt and honest. It speaks boldly of challenges faced by all of us, challenges which are often not spoken about and hidden, but which deserve urgent attention. This is first and foremost a work of the heart, a reflection on what relationships mean and should mean. There is much in the book about relationships of care and exploitation in southern Africa, and about white Jewish identity in an African context. But despite the specific and absorbing references to places and contexts, the book offers a broader, more universal view. All parents of adult children, and all adults who have parents alive, or have lost their parents, will find much in this book to make them laugh, cry, think and feel.

Taking its title from the wordplay of a child who has cerebral palsy, this book spotlights the world of disability - a world that tends to be secret, a source of stigma, shame and disgrace. The subtle and sensitive photography of Angela Buckland records her journey through this world from when she first suspected that her son was disabled to her decision to record the experiences of seven families with disabled children. This is not a book of easy answers, yet it provides families and healthcare professionals with a compassionate, understanding and inspiring guide to ordinary people''s real experiences.

One of the greatest challenges facing modern global health is how to include the most marginalized and impoverished people in international efforts to promote social and economic development. In Disability and International Development disability rights are situated within the broader context of global health and the need for much greater inter-sector collaboration. Reports from a broad cross-section of low- and middle-income countries—locales as diverse as Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, and Papua New Guinea—move beyond surface discussions of "what is working" and "what shows promise" to discuss political and governance contexts, the roles of disabled persons in research by outsiders, concurrent struggles (e.g., women’s or children’s rights), and instructive inroads made by community activists and national Disabled People’s Organizations. The results are provocative, and offer new lenses for viewing both the issues and the populations they affect. Each of the book’schapters spotlights a topic as representative of the enormity and immediacy of challenges to inclusive global health, including: The impact of international human rights law on domestic law and local traditions. The effect of failed states on the lives of people with disabilities. Empowerment and advocacy: disability organizations and movements. HIV/AIDS interventions with disabled persons. Assistive technologies in low-income countries. Strategies for improving the lives of children with disabilities. Cross-disciplinary as well as cross-cultural, Disability and International Development will attract a wide audience of professionals in rehabilitation, social welfare and human rights; governmental and non-governmental organizations and disabled people’s organizations; researchers and practitioners. It will also be relevant to those working in health and welfare administration, health policy, international aid and development, and human rights. In addition, graduate students in disability studies, public and global health and international development should find this an important guide to the future of these fields.

Spectacular fireworks, silk lions dancing through the streets, sumptuous family banquets - these are the hallmarks of Chinese New Year. Now, discover how to bring this splendid celebration, and others, into your own home. In this glorious collection, bestselling cookbook author Nina Simonds joins with Leslie Swartz and The Children''s Museum, Boston, to offer festival lore, traditional stories, delectable recipes, and engaging activities that will inspire you to enjoy a full year of Chinese holidays. Try such treats as golden New Year''s dumplings or tasty moon cakes. Build a kite at Qing Ming or a miniature dragon boat for the Dragon Boat Festival. Share the stories of the greedy Kitchen God or the valiant imperial warrior Hou Yi. Whether your family ahs embraced these holidays for generations or is introducing new traditions, Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats offers exciting ways for the whole family to celebrate year after year, presenting background information, related tales, and activities for celebrating five Chinese festivals--Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Qing Ming, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Moon Festival.

This is the first book to capture the poignant stories of transnational African families and their use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in mediating their experiences of migration and caring across distance. Transnational Families in Africa analyses the highs and lows of family separation as a result of migration in three contexts: migration within South Africa from rural to urban areas; migration from other African countries into South Africa; and middle-class South Africans emigrating to non-African countries. The book foregrounds the importance of kinship and support from extended family as well as both the responsibilities migratory family members feel and the experience of loss by those left behind. Across the diverse circumstances explored in the book are similarities in migrants’ strategies for keeping in touch, but also large differences in relation to access to ICTs and ease-of-use that highlight the digital divide and generational gaps. As elsewhere in the world, and in spite of the varied experiences in these kinship circles, the phenomenon that is the transnational family is showing no signs of receding. This book provides a groundbreaking contribution to global debates on migration from the Global South.

A young boy''s journey from the Soviet Union to America gives him a deeper insight of Passover. In the Soviet Union, Passover must be practiced in secret. When Jasha and his family are allowed to go to the United States, they can celebrate the Jewish religion openly. Full color.

This book introduces key issues in understanding social and cultural factors as they relate to mental health and illness, and to a southern African understanding and construction of these categories. It lays out central international and local debates in the field of mental health in an accessible way, making use of extensive research and case studies. Central theoretical debates (such as those between relativism and universalism, and between hermeneutical and critical approaches) are presented early in the text, and referred to throughout the more applied chapters. The aim is to equip the reader to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to understanding specific aspects of mental health and illness. Stressed throughout is the role of the mental health professional in the construction of ideas of mental health and illness.

Coping with your role as counsellor takes a heavy toll, whether you are a trauma counsellor, a nurse in an HIV/Aids clinic, a teacher, a policeman, or a human resources manager. This concise, and highly readable book, built on case studies and real-life experience, and drawing on the best theory and research, provides the guidance needed to stay reflective, healthy and effective. It discusses issues of containment and expectation, effective listening, HIV/Aids and trauma counselling, cultural difference, and balancing your counselling role with day-to-day responsibilities. This is essential reading for all students of psychology, counselling and social work.

Bound to Ramble Cain''s despair grows deeper with the loss of a lover and the betrayal of yet another of his descendants. When an old flame resurfaces with promises too good to be true, he begrudgingly accepts her offer of help. But, with ancient resentments mingling with new, trust is in short supply. Is Lilith the savior he''s been waiting for, or is she just up to her old tricks? Bound by Blood Work has always dominated Navid''s life but with a baby on the way and a wife demanding he make a change, retirement may come sooner than he expected. Before he can decide, a run-in with an old foe triggers a curse that drives him from his home, his job, and his country. With Gabriel''s help, such as it is, he''ll reunite with family, save lives, and finish what God started.

A unique account of how being the son of a disabled man and the product of an eccentric family brought Leslie Swartz to a professional life working with disability issues. Poignant and often hilarious, it is a fascinating blend of personal narrative, anecdote and reflection on society, medicine and ethics.

"Psychology: An Introduction is a comprehensive psychology textbook aimed at first year students. The 4th edition has been revised to focus on key areas of the undergraduate syllabus. The book retains its strength in providing students with a sound theoretical foundation, as well as streamlining the detail provided in the narrative introductions, research findings and relevant case studies. This gives students the tools to develop their own ideas and to engage critically with the content. Psychology: An Introduction provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing careers in diverse fields, such as health, education, business, and social development." --Publisher.

"Supernatural meets Shameless with money."--Allen Black This special edition includes all seven books in the award-winning Seventh Day Series. From book one: Wyatt is a typical schizophrenic firefighter with daddy issues when his life falls into shambles. His wife leaves him, he loses his job and the voices in his head are getting louder. Just when he thinks he''s finally made a breakthrough, a woman interrupts his therapy session, setting his life on a course more unbelievable than his hallucinations. Four angels, born human, must join with Lucifer and the vampire queen to stop the sadistic Lilith from destroying the Gate between Heaven and Earth, enslaving humanity, and slaughtering millions. From book two: Will is a good kid; sweet and thoughtful with a genius IQ and a smart mouth. But, when his powers reveal themselves, he''ll have to learn to control them or face the wrath of his archangel aunt, Gabriel. Lucifer''s returned, tracking an emotional escapee hell-bent on wiping out humanity. This new foe spreads disease the likes of which the world hasn''t seen since the Bronze Age. Before all life on Earth is destroyed, Lucifer must seek help from his sisters. With thousands of demons running amok, the siblings will have to do whatever it takes to stop them, even if it means disobeying God. From book three: The war for the Gate rages on; one army of monsters against another. When a Tituban witch falls into Gabriel''s lap, Lucifer thinks she''s the siblings'' saving grace. But as her feelings for her new lover grow, Gabriel worries about Wendy''s safety...and their relationship status. Wyatt''s grief pushes him over the edge. Will he be able to pull himself together in time to join in the battle against the golem, or will his pain prove too great? From book four: With the angels destroying his last chance at happiness, Cain seeks revenge. Knowing he''s no match for them in a fair fight, he goes after those they care for, determined to take from them what''s been so brutally withheld from him for millennia: comfort, stability, love, and family. As her father''s cruelty spreads to the man she loves, Allydia can no longer hide. She must confront him, consequences be damned. From book five: In all her years as Queen, Allydia has shown mercy only once, long ago, to a man whose fate had been decided for him. Now, as her people rebel and talk of civil war spreads like a virus, she''ll have to be as ruthless as ever to crush her enemies, including the man she pardoned all those years ago. Wyatt will do anything to protect what''s left of his family. But, with his anxiety through the roof and his dead wife stopping by for a chat, his latest sacrifice may prove too great to bear. From book six: With Grace''s magic in the hands of a stranger, Julia will stop at nothing to take the power for herself. Desperate and out of allies, she''ll turn to a mysterious entity, freeing him from captivity, and using his strength to take from the Tituban what''s rightfully hers. Grace''s coven is without a Priestess. They need guidance and with the discovery of a blood-born Tituban and the great witch''s grimoire, they believe they''ve found the leader they require. But, when Wendy rebuffs their request to join them, she''ll put herself in more danger than she can handle alone. From book seven: The siblings have settled into their lives. Wyatt begins a fulfilling career helping people and saving lives, Gabriel strengthens her commitment to Wendy, and Valerie watches over her family. But, as Sinclair comes into her powers, her transformation drives fear into the hearts of those that love her. When her metamorphosis is complete, the angels will have to face off against an ancient evil so powerful, they may not make it out of the battle alive.

Part One: Violet Kenton is Violet''s destiny but old resentments keep them apart. She occupies her time with friends that keep her in orgasms and blood but deep down, she knows where she belongs. That is, until a beautiful singer catches her eye. With one song, she''s hooked, under Marley''s spell, willing to throw everything away for the chance to be with the evergreen-haired goddess. Out of control and turning violent, her friends worry there''s more to Marley than meets the eye. Part two: Rue Rue wants something she knows she can''t have and no amount of smoke can calm her urges. Running her bar and drinking creeps dry used to be enough to keep her distracted. Now, though, with the man she loves closer than ever, there''s no denying their mutual attraction. Between the ghosts of her past and the threat of a fated future, she knows she must stay strong. But, how long can she hold out before her desires drive her insane? Part three: Ophelia Ophelia has no delusions about her role in Violet''s life: Friendship, feeding, and f*cking, nothing more. But, when she can no longer hide her jealousy, things get ugly fast. She drowns her sorrows in random hookups, even sleeping with her roommate out of spite. But, when she finally deals with her demons, she discovers a power she never knew she possessed. Armed with new abilities and a stronger sense of self, she aids the vampires in an epic battle of evil vs slightly less evil.

Wyatt is a typical schizophrenic firefighter with daddy issues when his life falls into shambles. His wife leaves him, he loses his job and the voices in his head are getting louder. Just when he thinks he''s finally made a breakthrough, a woman interrupts his therapy session, setting his life on a course more unbelievable than his hallucinations.Gabriel is the Messenger of God and she loves humans. Like, all of them. Beautiful men, gorgeous women?and sometimes both at the same sexy time. But, when she''s called to save the world from a long-forgotten enemy, she drops everything and gets to work. Four angels, born human, must join with Lucifer and the vampire queen to stop the sadistic Lilith from destroying the Gate between Heaven and Earth, enslaving humanity, and slaughtering millions.Seraphim tells a disturbing, yet hilarious story of complex familial and romantic relationships on a backdrop of the Apocalypse. Set in present-day NYC during God''s rest."Like if Dean Winchester and Buffy had a baby and it grew up a little slutty." "Supernatural meets Shameless but with money."--Allen Black"A masterpiece of imagination and literary devices."--Dan Santos"Anne Rice meets Patricia Briggs."--Lailani Wright

The war for the Gate rages on; one army of monsters against another. When a Tituban witch falls into Gabriel''s lap, Lucifer thinks she''s the siblings'' saving grace. But as her feelings for her new lover grow, Gabriel worries about Wendy''s safety?and their relationship status.Wyatt''s grief pushes him over the edge. Will he be able to pull himself together in time to join in the battle against the golem, or will his pain prove too great?*Instances of attempted suicide

With Grace''s magic in the hands of a stranger, Julia will stop at nothing to take the power for herself. Desperate and out of allies, she''ll turn to a mysterious entity, freeing him from captivity, and using his strength to take from the Tituban what''s rightfully hers.Grace''s coven is without a Priestess. They need guidance and with the discovery of a blood-born Tituban and the great witch''s grimoire, they believe they''ve found the leader they require. But, when Wendy rebuffs their request to join them, she''ll put herself in more danger than she can handle alone.

Will is a good kid; sweet and thoughtful with a genius IQ and a smart mouth. But, when his powers reveal themselves, he''ll have to learn to control them or face the wrath of his archangel aunt, Gabriel.Lucifer''s returned, tracking an emotional escapee hell-bent on wiping out humanity. This new foe spreads disease the likes of which the world hasn''t seen since the Bronze Age. Before all life on Earth is destroyed, Lucifer must seek help from his sisters. With thousands of demons running amok, the siblings will have to do whatever it takes to stop them, even if it means disobeying God.