Earth Systems

John suddenly returns home after being abducted and spending 6 years on Franesh, another world. Now he's home and he's brought the "Quest System" along with him. This "Quest System" allows those with it to complete quests assigned by the system to earn EXP and even Attribute Points. Sounds cool right? Except, now dungeons are appearing all over the world and only a few people that were summoned to other worlds, and returned from them, have the power to defeat them. Amid all of these strange, new occurrences, John attempts to reconnect with his former life and his family, but that may prove ...

The 'Quest System' continues to open up more and more dungeon portals on Earth, but luckily, 100 plus people with the system spread throughout the world have managed to keep the world from devolving into chaos...so far. However, the difficulty of the dungeons are beginning to rise, and the need for more 'Quest System' users is rising, while the level of atmospheric magic continues to increase. With the increased number of dungeon portals that have started to appear, John decides that it would be a good idea to recruit some new people to run the ever increasing dungeons. After getting some ...

Michael Grunwald, bestselling author of The Swamp and The New New Deal, builds his narrative around a brilliant, relentless, unforgettable food and land expert named Tim Searchinger. He chronicles Searchinger’s uphill battles against bad science and bad politics, both driven by the overwhelming influence of agricultural interests. And he illuminates a path that could save our planetary home for ourselves and future generations—through better policy, technology, and behavior, as well as a new land ethic recognizing that every acre matters.

Jay, a young mixed martial arts trainer, never expected his life to change in an instant. Selected by the mysterious System as one of Earth’s eleven Alpha Chosen, he is thrust into the Trial Program—a brutal intergalactic challenge that sends him to the Trial World, a deadly planet overrun by monstrous creatures. To survive the horrors of the Trial World, the Alpha Chosen must fight, adapt, and grow stronger. Jay, however, possesses a unique talent, a game-changing edge that allows him to grow faster and stronger than anyone else. Rising rapidly through the ranks, he carves his path to ...

Since its 2009 launch, the Kepler satellite has discovered more than 2,000 exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. More exoplanets are being discovered all the time, remarkable in their variety. Astronomer Michael Summers and physicist James Trefil explore these remarkable recent discoveries: planets revolving around pulsars, planets made of diamond, planets that are mostly water, and numerous rogue planets wandering through the emptiness of space.

The only planet to support life, Earth has a lot going for it. Think you know everything there is to know about our home planet? Think again. Discover more about the blue planet we call home.

Making earth science accessible and entertaining, The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth explains how our planet works - and how we can protect it - from its diverse ecosystems and their inhabitants to the levels of ecology, the importance of biodiversity, the cycles of nature, and more. Science- and nature-loving listeners of all ages will delight in this utterly charming guide to our amazing home.

The Ascension arc begins—and not everyone will make it out alive. After surviving the siege of Bastion, Alec West—Arcane Warden and Architect Nodebearer—receives a new directive: locate the First Pillar of Ascension. His team’s next destination? The ruins of Atlantis City. But they’re not alone. Another Nodebearer walks the earth—chosen by the Harbingers. And as rival factions clash beneath the broken skyline, Alec’s mission turns into a brutal three-way conflict: deadly Tier 2 monstrosities, PvP-enabled Harbinger elites, and the Obelisk’s own Warforged constructs. Inside ...

Fire is rarely out of the headlines, from large natural wildfires raging across the Australian or Californian countrysides to the burning of buildings such as the disasters of Grenfell tower and Notre Dame. Fire on these scales can represent a serious risk to human life and property. But the advent of fire made and controlled by humans also represented a crucial point in our evolution, allowing us to cook our food, forge our weapons, and warm our homes.

Everything is going according to plan. Ivan Susanin has successfully installed a beacon in the undead territory and returned home. The situation changes when the next mission to the city of goblins is delayed, while his home planet becomes the battleground. Monsters invade Earth, and Ivan must become one of the leaders and unite the players under his banner, albeit within the borders of his own country. If circumstances demand that he discloses his identity and cooperates with the authorities, so be it! Modern weapons and equipment, instructors, financing, and protection by law....

Consciousness survives the death of the body - that much can now be asserted with certainty, based on the evidence presented in Volume One of this book. But if consciousness is independent of matter, then what is the purpose of physical existence? Why should consciousness ally itself with physical form at all, if it is basically independent of it? What is our purpose as physical creatures? According to Seth - that nonphysical “energy personality essence” who dictated The Seth Material through writer and mystic Jane Roberts - earth is a training system for emerging consciousness. ...

The end of the world didn’t start with fire—it started with a howl. Alec West thought surviving the Awakening Trial was the hard part. He was wrong. The Obelisk has fully activated, and now the First Wave has arrived. Nullbeasts stalk the streets. Reality is unraveling. And only those who’ve been integrated stand a chance. With just one remaining Prime Anchor Token, Alec must bring his loved ones into the Obelisk before it’s too late. But even with his growing powers, a loyal guide, and a party forming around him, the threats are escalating. The neighborhood is a war zone—and ...

Plants and animals from millions of years ago left behind fossils. Fossils can teach people about the past. They are also used for fuel. Discover why fossils are an important part of nature!

Survival was only the beginning. Alec West and his team have finally found sanctuary within the arcane-protected city of Bastion. But peace never lasts. When a scout patrol vanishes near a mysterious Obelisk-born structure, Bastion’s council calls on Alec’s battle-hardened squad to investigate. What starts as a rescue turns into a desperate race against time. Buried in the ruins lies a Progenitor-class artifact—a Trial Key capable of rewriting fate itself. And when one of their own is mortally wounded, Alec must lead his team into an otherworldly dungeon known as the Tower of Teeth ...

Choose your patron. Shape the war. After surviving the Trial Key, Alec barely has time to recover before Tier 2 hits like a storm—bringing new monsters, new mechanics, and a revelation that changes everything. The Progenitors aren't observing anymore. They're choosing sides. As Bastion faces extinction, Alec answers a call from beyond—a beacon unlocking forbidden tech and a hidden identity: Nodebearer of the Architect Faction. Now, survival is just the start. Faction wars are escalating. World bosses are emerging. The Obelisk is evolving—and Alec may be the only one who can ...

Alec West and his party made it to Bastion. They thought that was the hard part. Inside the Obelisk’s largest remaining stronghold, survival has changed: shifting alliances, faction politics, and the latest system update—PvP enabled, even within the Safe Zone. Safety is an illusion. Loyalty is leverage. And someone inside wants Alec’s team shattered… or dead. As rival factions clash and the party uncovers a deeper conspiracy, Alec must navigate a web of bounty boards, backroom deals, and escalating threats. But beyond the walls, something darker stirs. The Obelisk isn’t done ...

The Intergalactic Tournament of Alpha Chosen is about to begin—a competition where representatives from planets across the Milky Way Galaxy battle for glory and dominance. For Jay, this is more than a fight; it’s a chance to prove why he stands above the rest. While others are powerful, not many can match Jay’s overwhelming strength and unique abilities. As the battles unfold, Jay’s dominance becomes clear, but the tournament is not without danger. Beneath the surface, a sinister threat is brewing, one that could turn the grand event into chaos. The participants soon find themselves...

Lions and saber-tooth tigers and cave bears. Oh my! Bill Clark realizes he’s not on Earth anymore when his plane crash lands 10,000 miles from help on an unexplored, uninhabited planet. Uninhabited by homo sapiens, that is. It seems most of the inhabitants are hungry predators straight out of the Ice Age. With no hope of rescue, Bill and his fellow survivors have to rely on all their training, skills, and quick reactions to stay alive. And that's just the first week! Experience this hero's journey now by reading the latest installment in the Corps of Discovery Series. Goodreads Review: ...

The countdown has begun—and the Gate won’t wait. With four of five Ascension Pillars now active, the Obelisk charge hits 88%—and reality starts to unravel. Null Fog fractures spiral across the globe. Gravity glitches. Time stutters. Cross-Shard Synchronization is coming in 48 hours… and there’s no guarantee Earth survives it. Alec West—battle-scarred Nodebearer and reluctant leader of Bastion’s elite Team Alpha—must cross the Sahara Exclusion Zone to secure the final Pillar. But Harbinger champion Darius Kane is already there. And the Gate won’t open for both. What begins ...

Venus: The Veiled Twin explores the dark beauty and deadly nature of Earth's “sister” planet. Despite its brilliant exterior, Venus hides a volatile atmosphere filled with toxic clouds, an uninhabitable greenhouse effect, and acidic rain. This book unpacks the harsh reality of Venus’s turbulent surface and what ancient clues suggest about its potentially habitable past. Venus serves as a warning about Earth’s delicate balance and the unforeseen consequences of climate change. Through vivid descriptions and in-depth scientific analysis, learn what Venus’s extreme conditions can ...