First Power

Xi Jinping has made his ambitions for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) perfectly clear, first, that China should become a "great maritime power" and secondly, that the PLA "become a world-class armed force by 2050." China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power focuses on China's navy and how it is being transformed to satisfy the "world class" goal.

War Transformed provides insights for those involved in the design of military strategy, and the forces that must execute that strategy. Emphasizing the impacts of technology, strategic competition, demography, and climate change, Mick Ryan uses historical and contemporary anecdotes to highlight key challenges faced by nations in a new era of great power rivalry. Just as previous industrial revolutions have advanced societies, the nascent fourth industrial revolution will have a similar impact on how humans fight, compete, and build military power in the twenty-first century.

When, at age forty-six, Nancy Pelosi, mother of five, asked her youngest daughter if she should run for Congress, Alexandra Pelosi answered: “Mother, get a life!” And so Nancy did, and what a life it has been. In The Art of Power, Pelosi describes for the first time what it takes to make history—not only as the first woman to ascend to the most powerful legislative role in our nation, but to pass laws that would save lives and livelihoods, from the emergency rescue of the economy in 2008 to transforming health care.

Annie Adams is days away from her 32nd birthday and thinks she has finally found some happiness. She visits the world's most interesting places for her syndicated travel column and she's happily cohabiting with her movie director boyfriend Nick in Los Angeles. But when Nick comes home from a meeting with his therapist (aka "futures counselor") and announces that he's taking a break from their relationship so he can pursue a woman from his past, the place Annie had come to call home is shattered.

If you’re ready to dip a toe into witchcraft, then keep reading… You may know Allegra Grant as a crystal girl from her previous books, but her practice has expanded to include witchcraft. Join her as she explains how she learned the craft and how YOU can get started yourself! “Your First Spell Jar…” is more than just a list of spells. It offers you a path to understanding the power of witchcraft. And it gives you all the tools you need to start casting spells - TODAY! Spells like… A Blessing for Healing and a Speedy Recovery Attracting Love Attracting Friendship Healing a ...

A First Time For Everything A First Spanking Anthology Lynn Carlyle Please enjoy the stories of three women who have something in common: each had just been spanked for the first time in her life. Nancy's First Spanking Nancy Hollis is a 60-year-old woman who enjoys spending time with her 35-year-old daughter. She also enjoys admiring the gentleman next door, appreciating his friendliness and his fine physique. But the day comes when she confides to her daughter that she had heard a rumor that Elton Meadows, the man next door, spanked his ex-wife at her request. And Nancy relates to her ...

The Second World Wars examines how combat unfolded in the air, at sea, and on land to show how distinct conflicts among disparate combatants coalesced into one interconnected global war. Drawing on 3,000 years of military history, Victor Davis Hanson argues that despite its novel industrial barbarity, neither the war's origins nor its geography were unusual. Nor was its ultimate outcome surprising. The Axis powers were well prepared to win limited border conflicts, but once they blundered into global war, they had no hope of victory.

PADDLED FOR THE FIRST TIME Four new stories from Lynn Carlyle to cuddle up with on the sofa or in a cozy bed! Holly’s Predicament Holly Mason and her husband Brad have a problem to confront: Holly is prone to self-inflicted predicaments, from road rage, speeding tickets and temper tantrums to initiating family squabbles. During a serious discussion, Brad tells her that she has a tendency to be a… brat. And that is when Holly only half seriously remarks that if that is really the case, perhaps Brad should take her across his knees and give her a good paddling. To their mutual surprise, ...

Five months after being deployed to Iraq, Lima Company's 1st Platoon became one of the first American forces to enter Fallujah, where they encountered some of the most intense hand-to-hand combat since World War II. Civilians were used as human shields or as bait to lure soldiers into buildings rigged with explosives; suicide bombers approached from every corner hoping to die and take Americans with them; radical insurgents, high on adrenaline, fought to the death.

A mysterious radio signal is picked up from a neighboring star system. A group of experts is brought to the floor of the Grand Canyon to investigate its origin and its meaning as the planet suffers one natural disaster after another. Cut off from the rest of the world, they must question everything, including each other, if they hope to solve the mystery.

One mystery, one romance, and a possessed raven. In the corridors of Singsong's Magical College, Gabriela the janitor's flesh began turning to stone. Why didn't anybody say that kissing gargoyles is a bad idea? Things are rocky enough, but then someone summons a malevolent demon on her shift in the school's library, and now he's stalking her. Gabby embarks on a desperate quest to locate her elusive father to save her from turning to stone while avoiding the demon, but she can't do it alone. She'll need the help of Percival Marigold, her arch nemesis, to navigate the balls and tea parties ...

From the author of the New York Times best sellers First Women and The Residence, an intimate, news-making look at the men who are next in line to the most powerful office in the world - the vice presidents of the modern era - from Richard Nixon to Joe Biden to Mike Pence. In interviews with more than 200 people, Kate Andersen Brower pulls back the curtain and reveals the sometimes cold, sometimes close, and always complicated relationship between our modern presidents and their vice presidents.

In one of the most underestimated - and challenging - positions in the world, the first lady of the United States must be many things: an inspiring leader with a forward-thinking agenda of her own; a savvy politician, skilled at navigating the treacherous rapids of Washington; a wife and mother operating under constant scrutiny; and an able CEO responsible for the smooth operation of countless services and special events at the White House.

For years he has endured the endless trials and triumphs of a man whose skill and power could not be restrained. Battling ancient enemies, forging new alliances, and confronting the corruption within his own land, Gaius Octavian became a legendary man of war - and the rightful First Lord of Alera. But now, the savage Vord are on the march, and Gaius must lead his legions to the Calderon Valley to stand against them - using all of his intelligence, ingenuity, and furycraft to save their world from eternal darkness.

He’s been waiting for her… millions of miles away! SHARNOCK The stars have spoken. She’s meant for me. There’s just one big problem. She lives dozens of light-years away. So, when I finally get my hands on my father’s teleporter, I have one destination in mind—Earth. MARISSA I’ll be honest. I’m not the best driver. But hitting him wasn’t my fault. I swear he dropped right out of the sky. I’ve never seen another man like him. There’s a purplish hue to his skin and bright flecks like diamonds in his gaze. It might be the delirium talking, but I like that… a lot. Now, ...

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian faith—but many followers of Jesus still struggle to make prayer part of their daily lives. Why is it that so many Christians find it difficult to develop a vibrant and exciting prayer life? Pastor Chris Hodges has spent years studying the prayers of the Bible and the models of prayer that the scriptures provide for Christians. Now, he shares the teachings and methods he's used to successfully help hundreds of thousands of people understand how to spend time in conversation with God—and enjoy every minute.

"Looking to empower the young girls in your life? 'Girl Confidence is more than a book—it's a game-changer for building strong, fearless young women. This collection of motivating stories will ignite courage, self-esteem, and, above all, self-love in girls aged 3 to 8 & up. With relatable characters like Sally the Scientist and Timid Tina, each tale tackles real challenges, teaching that true success, courage, and beauty come from within. Engaging and fun narratives make it a perfect bedtime or classroom read. So don't just give a book—give a lifelong gift of confidence. With Girl ...

The ongoing adventures of Taggart and his motley crew of family, friends, and on-again, off-again enemies as they try to stop a cataclysmic disaster from befalling the galaxy. Power is the seventh and final book in the Emberling series, an action-packed carnival ride of a space opera that will leave you breathless.

The legal home to over a million companies, Delaware has more registered businesses than residents. Why do virtually all of the biggest corporations in the United States register there? This book reveals how a systematic enterprise lies behind the business-friendly corporate veneer, one that has kept the state afloat financially by diverting public funds away from some of the poorest people in the United States and supporting dictators and criminals across the world.

It is my first night at the new job and I wake up in the middle of the night, not being able to go back to sleep I decide to find my way downstairs to the kitchen but soon get distracted by noises and an open door. I can't help myself but peek into the room and I'm amazed and turned on by what I see. A movie of a woman restrained and being examined and enjoying the rough humiliating treatment. Before I can even think about leaving, Lord Ashmore catches me at the door. He notices my excitement and lets me take a look at his special room. I want what I saw. I want Lord Ashmore to be the one ...