Penguin Books strana 27 z 487

An urgent, indispensable guide to why Taiwan matters - for China, the West and everyone's future When the bloody Chinese Civil War concluded in 1949, two Chinas were born. Mao's Communists won and took China's mainland; Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to Taiwan island. Since then, China and Taiwan have drifted into being separate political and cultural entities. Taiwan is now a flourishing democracy and an economic success story: just one of its companies produces over 90 per cent of the semiconductors that power the world's economy. It is a free and vibrant society. For the United States and the West, the island is a bastion of freedom against China's assertive presence in the region. And yet China, increasingly bellicose under Xi Jinping, insists Taiwan is part of its territory and must be returned to it. Should China blockade the island and mount an invasion, it would set off a chain reaction that would pitch it against the US - escalating a regional war into a global one. Taiwan is thus a geopolitical powder keg. The Taiwan Story helps us understand how and why we've arrived at this dangerous moment in history. With unparalleled access to Taiwan's political leaders and a deep understanding of the island's history and culture, Professor Kerry Brown provides a new reading of Taiwan, its twenty-three million people, and how they navigate being caught in this frightening geopolitical standoff. This is the essential book delving into Taiwan's unique story, buried beneath the headlines, told in an accessible, expert and urgent way.

Dark, dangerous, delicious. The second book in a dark mafia romance series from TikTok sensation, New York Times and international bestselling author. Morana Vitalio now knows what connects her to Tristan 'The Predator' Caine, one of the Tenebrae mob's most prized members. And despite the fact Caine works for her family's rival clan, Morana is determined to break down the walls that surround his heart. So when Tristan is called back to his outfits' turf in Tenebrae, Morana follows. Now, she is in enemy territory and the list of those who want her dead only grows. As dangerous secrets threaten both of their lives, they must band together for survival. But can Morana truly trust both her life and her heart to the man who has wanted to kill her for twenty years? Tropes: - Dark romance - Mafia romance - Found family - Possessive MMC The Dark Verse: The Predator - She'll never escape him. The Reaper - He'll follow her to the ends of the world. The Emperor - She was always his destiny. The Finisher - His love could destroy her. The Annihilator - He'll burn the world for her.

Lyra Silvertongue is alone in a city haunted by daemons, searching for her beloved Pan. Malcolm Polstead isn’t far behind, searching for Lyra. And they are both racing toward the desert of Karamakan, following the trail of roses said to hold the secret of Dust. Their allies and enemies are converging on the mysterious red building at the heart of the desert: Marcel Delamare and the military might of the Magisterium; the radical Men from the Mountains; scientists, scholars, and spies; troops of witches and other people of the air. And awaiting them all is a previously unseen and chilling new threat that will change everything. The intertwining odysseys of Malcolm and Lyra, their journeys both internal and external, will test their limits and challenge even their most dearly held beliefs. As ever, Philip Pullman is using the language of fantasy to illuminate our world and to explore the deepest questions of what it means to be alive and awake to all the splendors and horrors around us. The extraordinary novels of The Book of Dust speak powerfully to today’s readers and will take their place alongside the forever-favorites of His Dark Materials.

In the Kingdom of Oru L'ore has a secret. She is the only one without agb ra the ability to harness power from the sun. On pain of death she must conceal it from everyone. Including her best friend, Alawani. But when the gods declare Alawani an l f High Priest a great honour where he will serve the gods and the Kingdom he must be stripped of his power in a brutal trial likely to kill him. Unwilling to bear his death, L'ore vows to rescue him. When she desperately attempts to channel agb ra an icy shadow magic instead pours from her hands; a power she learns originated from a forbidden, secret land beyond Oru. In this place, she and Alawani must seek sanctuary from those pursuing them. But soon they will discover a secret that could bring the kingdom to its knees ...

Today, Trump's USA is a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, for the billionaires. As inequalities grow starker and authoritarianism takes hold, people are deprived of both the basic necessities of life and the right to hold to account the ever-smaller number of corporations in whose hands wealth and power are vested. What's more, throughout the world, wherever you look it's the same: from Britain to Brunei, the rich have never had it so good. So, amid the wreckage of this broken system, where do we go from here? In this powerful, urgent book, Bernie Sanders shows us how. If we are to restore our democracies and build back societies for the good of all, he argues, we must start by questioning the fundamental moral values that underlie the dominant behaviour in our society today, by asking ourselves what wealth really means, and what we are really striving for: for our communities, for our children, for the future of our planet. Democracy, Sanders emphasizes, is not a spectator sport. If we are to bring about political revolution, we must all join the fight, in whatever way we can. As history shows us, when the ruling class divides us, we lose; when we stand together, we win. Let's do it.

Why do people cooperate with one another when they have no incentive to do so? Why do we hold onto possessions of little value? And why is the winner of an auction so often disappointed? Over thirty years ago, Richard Thaler introduced readers to behavioral economics in his seminal Anomalies column, written with collaborators including Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. These provocative articles challenged the fundamental idea at the heart of economics that people are selfish, rational optimizers, and provided the foundation for what became behavioral economics. That was then. Now, three decades later, Thaler has teamed up with economist Alex Imas to write a new book. Every chapter starts with an original Anomaly, retaining the spirit of its timestamp. Then, shifting to the present, they provide current updates to each, asking how the original findings have held up and how the field has evolved since then. It turns out these findings still show up almost everywhere. Anomalies pop up in people's decisions to save for retirement and how they carry outstanding credit card debt. Even experts fail to optimize. The key concept of loss aversion explains missed putts by golf pros and the selection of which stocks to sell by portfolio managers. In this era of meme stocks and Dogecoin, it is hard to defend the view that financial markets are highly efficient. The good news, however, is that the anomalies have got much funnier. With both readability and rigor, The Winner's Curse illuminates these ideas for anyone - from those with a cursory understanding of economics to fellow economists. Each chapter provides a key insight into human behavior so readers learn how to better understand the choices made by their friends, colleagues, and customers, and might just become better at making decisions themselves.

She tried to kill him, so he made her his wife. Skadi first met her husband-to-be with blades in hand on the opposite side of a battle. She lost, and he claimed his prize. To her horror, the king of the shadow elven agrees to marry her off to Jonas, a prince in the fae realms, as a way to unite their kingdoms against a shared enemy the light elves. Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won t come into play. Except her new husband makes not falling in love . . . challenging. When new threats arise, Skadi must decide to either love her enemy or keep him alive by betraying him to another.

PENGUIN HORROR: A celebration of the very best literary horror, a series of terrifying novels and tales that for generations have thrilled, captivated and kept readers wide awake at night. Step into the terrifying world of ghostly apparitions, grotesque monsters and terrible, creeping dread – but be careful, who knows if you'll make it out alive?This collection brings together ten of the greatest literary horror stories every written, from Mary Shelley’s iconic tale of a ‘body swap’ gone wrong, to Edgar Allen Poe's terrifying account of a great family’s downfall, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s chilling description of female subjugation. A treasure trove of scares and spooks, Classic Horror: An Anthology is a timeless celebration of all that curdles the blood and goes bump in the night …

Fareed Zakaria first warned of the threat of “illiberal democracy” two decades ago. In Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, he sets our era of populist chaos into the sweep of history. Based on deep research and conversations with world leaders from Emmanuel Macron to Lee Kuan Yew, this book tells the story of progress and backlash, of the rise of classical liberalism and of the many periods of rage and counter-revolution that followed seismic change. From the Dutch Republic – the first modern republic, techno-superpower, and haven for liberalism almost snuffed out by force – and the French Revolution to the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the United States, it traces the rise of the world’s modern superpowers, the birth of the political divides we know today, and the ways in which technology unsettled society and caused backlash from those who felt threatened by this new world. Zakaria also details the revolutions that have convulsed our times: globalization in overdrive, digital transformation, the rise of identity politics, the return of great power politics with a vengeful Russia and an ascendant China, and the democratic decay at home which threatens the very foundations of the world built by the Enlightenment. The book warns us that liberalism’s great strength has been freeing people from arbitrary constraints – but its great weakness has been leaving individuals isolated, a void that can all too easily be filled by tribalism, populism, and identity politics. Today’s revolutions in technology and culture can even leave people so adrift that they turn against modernity itself.

From the bestselling author of Too Big to Fail, “the definitive history of the 2008 banking crisis,”* comes a spellbinding narrative of the most infamous stock market crash in history. With the depth of a classic history and the drama of a thriller, 1929 unravels the greed, blind optimism, and folly that led to an era-defining collapse—one with ripple effects that still shape our society todayIn 1929, the world watched in shock as the unstoppable Wall Street bull market went into a freefall, wiping out fortunes and igniting a depression that would reshape a generation. But behind the flashing ticker tapes and panicked traders, another drama unfolded—one of visionaries and fraudsters, titans and dreamers, euphoria and ruin. With unparalleled access to historical records and newly uncovered documents, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Ross Sorkin takes readers inside the chaos of the crash, behind the scenes of a raging battle between Wall Street and Washington and the larger-than-life characters whose ambition and naivety in an endless boom led to wreckage. The dizzying highs and brutal lows of this era eerily mirror today’s world—where markets soar, political tensions mount, and the fight over financial influence plays out once again. This is not just a story about money. 1929 is a tale of power, psychology, and the seductive illusion that “this time is different.” It’s about disregarded alarm bells, financiers who fell from grace, and skeptics who saw the crash coming—only to be dismissed until it was too late. Hailed as a landmark book, Too Big to Fail reimagined how financial crises are told. Now, with 1929, Sorkin delivers an immersive, electrifying account of the most pivotal market collapse of all time—with lessons that remain as urgent as ever. More than just a history, 1929 is a crucial blueprint for understanding the cycles of speculation, the forces that drive financial upheaval, and the warning signs we ignore at our peril. *The Atlantic Monthly

Dark, dangerous, delicious. The first book in a dark mafia romance series from TikTok sensation, New York Times and international bestselling author, RuNyx. In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has always been an anomaly. The only non-blooded member in the high circle of the Tenebrae Outfit, his skills are unparalleled, his morality questionable, his motives unknown. He is lethal and he knows it. As does Morana Vitalio, the genius extraordinaire daughter of the Tenebrae’s rival family. What Caine does with weapons, Morana does with computers. And when a twenty year-old mystery resurfaces, Morana is intent on using her skills to prove Caine’s involvement. Until she realises they are bound together by a decades old secret which neither of them can escape. Something terrible – something huge – is brewing in the mob. And only Morana and Caine can fight it. Together. Tropes: -Enemies to Lovers - Forbidden Romance - Mafia romance - Protective/possessive MMC - Dark romance - Slow burn

We will wash away your pain and iron away any creases in your heart. Overnight, in the village of Marigold on top of a hill, old Jieun has conjured up a magical Mind Laundry, where she cleanses painful experiences from her customer's hearts, transferring them into stains on a T-shirt and transforming them into dazzling red petals. We meet five of Jieun's customers to her laundry: a frustrated young filmmaker; a tortured social-media influencer; a distraught mother who has discovered her husband’s other family; a young woman two-timed by her lover, and Yeonghui, a victim of bullying, who works as a delivery man to escape his pain in routine. After washing away their pain and ironing out their creases, Jieun discovers an astonishing revelation about memory, pain and moving on. As we laugh, wonder and grow with the vivid characters in this book, MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY shows how we too can tap into the positivity and magic that lies in us all. Which bad memories would you like to wash away?

Get ready for your next reading obsession, the spicy small-town romance filled with mystery and suspense from the bestselling author, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Colleen Hoover. 'Five stars isn't enough' 5* Reader Review 'I devoured this book' 5* Reader Review 'I will never stop raving about Sparrow Falls' 5* Reader Review When I first met Kyler Blackwood, he was a bruised and battered boy with fire in his eyes and nowhere safe to land. Since the first time he kissed me, he became my best-kept secret, my quiet rebellion, my haven in the storm. Until fate forced us apart, making us pretend to be strangers. Years later, time hasn't dulled our instant connection, or erased the way we fit together. We were never meant to cross the line. And tell ourselves this arrangement is only temporary. But with each passing day, the lie starts to feel more like the truth. And, with every stolen touch, Kye feels more like mine. Because some things were never meant to be pretend. But there are secrets that refuse to remain buried. And some dangers are closer than we ever imagined. . .

All the Way Around the Sun is a powerful childhood friends-to-lovers tale about secrets, grief and family bonds, from the author of This Place is Still Beautiful. Stella Chen is annoyed. Her parents have forced her to join the Zhao family on a college tour around the West Coast, and their overachieving son Alan, who she hasn't seen since she was six, is insufferable. It also seems like her parents can't wait to take a break from her, as she's a constant reminder of the son they recently lost - Stella's big brother, David. Tensions fly as Stella struggles with grief, long-kept family secrets are revealed, and at some point along the way she begins to see Alan as more than just the bratty kid from her childhood...

She went home for Christmas…and found the love she thought she'd lost. Curl up with this cosy Christmas romance bursting with twinkling lights, second chances and seasonal joy, from bestselling author Jenny Bayliss - When Fred returns home to her Scottish town she must confront her past and decide whether it can be a part of her future… Fred Hallow-Hart isn't in love with the idea of returning home to Pine Bluff. But after a bad breakup and a subsequent eviction, she's fresh out of options. Quickly roped in by her mother to help with the family Christmas cracker shop, Fred decides throwing herself into work might be for the best, especially when her ex-best-friend Ryan starts to give her butterflies she never expected. But as Fred begins to hope for her heart, she's forced to confront some harsh truths, which, if she doesn't find a way through, might just ruin the holidays. Can Fred let go of the past enough to recognise real love? And when she does, how far will she go to protect it? Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Heidi Swain, Jo Thomas and Phillipa Ashley!

She was looking for quiet. She found them instead. Step into the Cozyverse in this cosy, autumnal, 'why choose' romance from Emilia Emerson. . . -- Starlight Grove needs a new Lighthouse Keeper and Olive Autumn Harvest needs a fresh start. Preferably one with as much solitude as possible. So, her new job and isolated ocean cottage is perfect?except for the eccentric, meddling townspeople, and the cat who's adopted her. When the town wins a grant for lighthouse restoration, Olive is forced to let the contractors into her space…a company comprised of three hot alphas: Easton, her golden retriever stalker. Lars, the steady, protective viking. And Finn, who's hiding a pain that matches her own. Suddenly, these guys are everywhere?and they're completely unfazed by Olive's prickly personality as they try to care for her, protect her, and court her. But everyone in this relationship is holding on to secrets… and it might not just be the lighthouse that needs restoration. Tropes: Omegaverse Why-choose romance Small town Seasonal Cozy