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No. 88 : Army
By Paul Myerberg // Jun 4, 2012
As an Independent, Army has the ability to dictate its own schedule. To a degree: Army still needs to play Navy in December; the Cadets still need to fit Air Force into the schedule around the Falcons' Mountain West slate; and Army would do what it took to get Notre Dame on the schedule, because Notre Dame is, well, Notre Dame. And as an institution, Army has the financial security to play anyone, anytime, anywhere – the Cadets were doing so long before Fresno State coined the phrase. Think about these two facts, that Army can dictate its own schedule and can largely pick and choose its opponents, and then consider this: the Cadets' 2012 schedule has them playing 11 games over 11 weeks. Army could have played a game on Sept. 1 and then taken a week off. Had at least two games between Temple on Nov. 17 and Navy on Dec. 8. Instead: 11 games, 11 weeks. This won't be easy.
West Point, N.Y.
Black Knights
Returning starters
14 (6 offense, 8 defense)
Last year's ranking
No. 77
2011 record
(3-9, 0-0)
Last year's
No. 102
2012 schedule
- Sept. 8
at San Diego St.
- Sept. 15
Northern Illinois
- Sept. 22
at Wake Forest
- Sept. 29
Stony Brook
- Oct. 6
Boston College
- Oct. 13
Kent St.
- Oct. 20
at Eastern Mich.
- Oct. 27
Ball St.
- Nov. 3
Air Force
- Nov. 10
at Rutgers
- Nov. 17
- Dec. 8
Navy (in Philadelphia)
Last year's prediction
The days of 3-9 are long, long gone. But it's going to be very difficult to get back to six wins. It starts with the schedule, which has some winnable games, as noted – Ball State, Tulane, Miami (Ohio) and Fordham – but is far more difficult than it was a year ago. And try as I might, I can't overlook the holes along the offensive and defensive line. Army's not going to take a significant step back, but it looks the Cadets will lose an extra game or two. Still, if last year taught us anything, it's that the Ellerson-led Cadets can and will exceed expectations.
2011 recap
In a nutshell The days of 3-9 made a painful return to West Point, as the Cadets slipped down to three wins after reaching bowl play in Rich Ellerson's second year with the program. Included in those nine losses were another pair to Air Force and Navy, dropping Ellerson to 0-4 in Army's key rivalry games. One of the factors behind Army's decline was this beefed-up schedule, one that started with a bang, lessened in early October and went to another level over the second half. The Cadets closed with five losses in six games, with four of the five setbacks coming against eventual bowl teams and the fifth coming against the Midshipmen. Another issue? An inability to win close games. The Cadets lost four games by 10 points or less, primarily as a result of a sputtering offensive attack. After averaging 26.6 points per game in 2010, a program-high since 1996, the Cadets averaged 24.8 points per game last fall. Not a tremendous slide, but the offense was supposed to move forward, not backward, in Ellerson's third season.
High point A 21-14 win over Northwestern on Sept. 17. After a tough, three-point loss to San Diego State a week earlier, this victory over a B.C.S. conference opponent steadied Army's ship – and I probably shouldn't use nautical references in an Army preview. A win over Tulane two weeks later pushed Army to 2-3, after which point the Cadets would drop six of seven.
Low point Two more losses to Air Force and Navy. Army was in each game, if that means anything. Despite injuries, the Cadets took a 14-0 lead over the Falcons heading into the locker room at halftime before collapsing, allowing 21 third quarter points in a 24-14 loss. And the Navy game? Tied at 21-21 entering the final 15 minutes, the Midshipmen tacked on a pair of field goals over the first five minutes of the fourth quarter and held on for a 27-21 win.
Tidbit Army led the nation in rushing (346.5 yards per game) and carries (61.7 per game) last fall. The Cadets were the first service academy to lead the F.B.S. in rushing since Navy did so in 2008; Nevada led the way in 2009 and Georgia Tech in 2010. Army's rushing yards per game was also the highest end-of-season total in the F.B.S. since Navy averaged 348.8 yards per game back in 2007. The 34.1-yard gap between Army's total and second-place Georgia Tech was the third-highest over the last five years, trailing the gap of 49.5 yards between Nevada and Georgia Tech in 2009 and the 49.3 yards between Navy and Air Force in 2007.
Tidbit (offensive issues edition) So Army ran the ball better than any team in college football yet fared to match 2010's scoring output. Why? Here are two reasons: terrible ball control and a failure to convert in the red zone. Army finished 86th nationally in turnovers, committing 26, and tied for 108th nationally in turnover margin at minus-nine. The Cadets also tied for 84th nationally in red zone conversion, turning such opportunities into points only 77.8 percent of the time. With the way Army runs the football, pounding into the end zone shouldn't be so difficult.
Tidbit (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy edition) Army has not won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since 1996; that's the same year as the program's last double-digit season, and the only double-digit win season in its history – though Red Blaik's teams would have won 100 games, if given the opportunity. Since 1997, Army has lost both games in the Commander-in-Chief's series 12 times: 1997, 1999-2000, 2002-4 and 2006-11. Yes, the Cadets have failed to beat either the Falcons or Midshipmen in 13 tries, dating back to a 27-24 win over Air Force on Nov. 5, 2005.
Former players in the N.F.L.
2 LB Caleb Campbell (Kansas City), RB Collin Mooney (Tennessee).
Arbitrary top five list
Athletic sons of members of the Army
1. Tiger Woods.
2. Shaquille O'Neal.
3. Johnny Damon.
4. Priest Holmes.
5. Davey Johnson.
Rich Ellerson (Hawaii '77), 15-22 after three seasons at Army. Ellerson was hired in an effort to level the playing field with Navy, and after two years, Army's decision was undoubtedly the right one. Do you feel the same after three years? Last season's decline was troubling, but the Cadets remain in a far better place today, with Ellerson at the helm, than at any point over the last decade. Ellerson led Army back to bowl play in 2010, snapping a 13-year skid without a winning record, and from the start Army has been far more competitive – despite some early growing pains on offense – than it had been under Stan Brock, who compiled a 6-18 record at Army from 2007-8. Army had decided early after firing Brock that their next head coach must be well-versed in the ways of the option, a decision that led them to investigate both of Navy's coordinators before landing Ellerson, then the head coach at Cal Poly. The 2008 Mustangs led the F.C.S. in points (44.4) and yards (486.5) per game and finished third in rushing (306.5 yards per game), numbers that illustrated his grasp of the option. Overall, Ellerson posted a 56-34 record over eight seasons with the Mustangs, winning at least seven games each of the last six seasons. Cal Poly had only one winning season in the six seasons prior to Ellerson's arrival in 2001, perhaps indicating his ability to build a winning program from the bottom up. Such an ability has come in handy at Army. The program's decision to go forward with a run-based offense was an inspired move, even if one wholly motivated by Navy's recent success, and Ellerson is still the right coach to lead this team in a new direction. The job he did over his first two years was magnificent, significantly closing the gap between Army and its rivals Navy and Air Force. I said last summer that Army should feel blessed it had the foresight to hire such a quality coach at such a crucial juncture in the program's history. A step back last fall doesn't necessarily change that – but it does put Ellerson in a place where he must prove that Army's bowl trip wasn't a fluke.
Players to watch
Army has enough returning experience in the backfield to lift it back into bowl play after a one-year absence. At the same time, injuries to some key figures in the backfield, if not addressed before September, could lead the Cadets through another painful, seven-plus-loss season. Stay on the side of optimism: If all goes according to plan – if the 10 players who missed time during the spring return to full health – Army has more than enough weapons to move the ball against every team on this schedule.
The most looming injury concern revolves around senior quarterback Trent Steelman, who missed all or parts of five games last fall with various lower-body ailments. First it was the ankle last October; then it was the knee in November; lastly, Steelman needed arthroscopic knee surgery just days prior to Army's spring game. While the coaching staff believes that Steelman will be back at or near 100 percent for fall camp, Army desperately needs a healthy Steelman to run this offense from under center. Despite missing time last fall, he still finished second on the team in rushing (645 yards) while leading the way with 12 scores.
Above all else, you can't put a price tag on his sort of leadership and experience. When in the lineup, Steelman takes full control of this offense; he knows it forward and backward, up and down, left and right. Steelman started 32 games to start his career before being injured in October, and brings 34 career starts altogether into his final season. In Steelman, Army has what Navy and Air Force do not: a seasoned starter at quarterback. You can't put a price tag on that. But he needs to be in the lineup for 12 games – or 13, hopefully – as a senior. Ellerson and his staff like his backup, sophomore Angel Santiago, but the offense runs on a higher level with Steelman under center.
The offense also needs steady play at fullback, something Army hopes it will get out of sophomore Larry Dixon (542 yards, 5 scores). Dixon's potential can be summed up in one fact: he's good enough – promising enough as a full-time starter – to push senior Jared Hassin out of the position altogether. Dixon came on strong last fall, averaging 69.8 yards per game over the second half, and should challenge for 1,000 yards as the starter.
The backfield as a whole is loaded. There's Hassin, a 1,000-yard back as a sophomore. Senior Malcolm Brown (572 yards), who also serves as Army's most dangerous receiving weapon (7 catches for 163 yards). Junior fullback Hayden Tippett, who should see more touches with Hassin's permanent move out of the position. Sophomores Trenton Turrentine, Terry Baggett and Stephen Fraser – the latter a big-play threat who may be too dangerous to keep off the field.
Most of all, there's junior Raymond Maples (1,066 yards), who is fresh off one of the finest seasons by a running back in program history. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry, the highest average by an Army back with at least 100 carries in the history of the program – you know, a history that includes Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside. Maples' breakout season was unexpected not only because he had 49 touches as a freshman but also because it signaled a bit of a change for this offense as a whole; the star back over Ellerson's first two seasons was the fullback, while Maples carried the load out of Army's C-Back position. If the Cadets can balance out of Maples with strong play out of the fullback spot, this offense – this option-flexbone-shifting-veer-zone-counter offense – could take a huge step forward.
Army's going to throw the ball about 11 times per game. In a perfect world, the Cadets would attempt zero passing attempts per game. But they'll pass every once in a while, sometimes on third down when needed, other times just to keep defenses honest. The Cadets lose both of last year's starters, but no worries: it doesn't matter. Army's receivers won't get open because they're fast, or because they can be covered, or even because they run great routes; they'll be open because a secondary moves all the way to stop the run and gets burned deep. Junior Patrick Laird and sophomore Chevaughn Lawrence are the likely starters, with juniors E.J. Tucker and Anthony Stephens in reserve. One or two will catch a 75-yard touchdown pass in 2012.
If you're looking for a reason why Army won't make another rapid jump back into bowl play, feast your eyes on a defensive line with concerns to burn. This front will struggle getting to the quarterback. Has enormous holes along the interior. Lacks size. Won't be able to stand up against the run – and there are teams on Army's schedule already looking forward to unleashing a steady diet of the running game. It's a major issue, especially along the interior.
But one of the beauties of Ellerson's defense – and he is a defense-first coach – is in how it doesn't win with size but with speed and flexibility. A very brief primer on this defense: it plays with eight men in the box, with one deep safety; it puts a lineman over the center; and it effectively runs on four levels, with down linemen, hybrid end-linebackers, true linebackers and a secondary. It can be confusing, which helps the Cadets fend off more physically gifted opponents, and it's built to take on an option offense, which comes in handy against Air Force and Navy.
Back to this defensive line. The interior is vastly inexperienced and extremely undersized. The top five tackles have participated in a combined four games; the biggest, sophomore Mike Ugenyi, weighs 257 pounds, while the two starters weigh a combined 486 pounds – or one typical B.C.S. conference tackle, after a big lunch, along with his girlfriend. Those two starters are junior Robert Kough, who Ellerson really likes, and sophomore Richard Glover. They'll be backed up Ugenyi – who might remain a year away from being a factor – Joe Drummond and Shane Finnane.
The situation is better along the outside. Junior Holtz Zalneraitis (25 tackles) moves outside to defensive end after being forced to take snaps at tackle a year ago. He's joined at Army's hybrid linebacker-end spot by the combination of seniors Zach Watts (26 tackles, 6.5 for loss) and Jarett Mackey, with Watts' serving as Army's most proven and productive lineman. He, along with Zalneraitis, will be tasked with getting more pressure in the backfield – something Army's defensive front achieved rarely a year ago.
As a whole, the defensive line is a major issue. I spoke about how this defense's flexibility and uniqueness can make it a handful for the opposition; nevertheless, Army should be very worried about how this thin group – both in terms of deep and size – will stand up to the streak of 11 games over 11 weeks to open the season. Can the line stand up to the likes of Northern Illinois, San Diego State, Eastern Michigan and Air Force without a breather?
Army's linebackers provide the backbone of this defense. Already experienced, Ellerson added another talent into the mix when he shifted senior Thomas Holloway (76 tackles) down from free safety. Holloway will help Army offset the loss of leading tackler Steven Erzinger. For now, however, he's running second at rover behind junior Justin Trimble; I don't expect that to last until September, and if it does, Army should consider moving Holloway back to safety as to get him onto the field in some capacity.
The Cadets return sophomore Geoffrey Bacon (60 tackles, 2.5 for loss) in the middle, where he started five of Army's last six games in 2011. He'll be flanked by either Holloway or Trimble on one side and senior Nate Combs (37 tackles, 3.0 sacks) on the other. The Cadets have great depth at linebacker: In addition to the loser of the Holloway-Trimble battle, the Cadets can use junior Corey Watts and sophomore Jacob Drodz.
What's the story in the secondary? Begin with the movement at free safety. Holloway is moving down to linebacker. Tyler Dickson (60 tackles), is moving over to cornerback, where he's battling senior Waverly Washington for the starting role. That opens up the free safety spot to one of two seniors, Ty Shrader and Kyler Martin; while Shrader held the top spot exiting spring ball, Martin's cause is aided by the four starts he made at strong safety a year ago. Martin is expendable at strong safety due to the play of sophomore Hayden Pierce (32 tackles), who started 10 games at the position as a rookie. While two spots will feature a new starter, Army is retaining the status quo at strong safety and at the second cornerback spot, where senior Josh Jackson (40 tackles) holds down the fort.
Position(s) to watch
Offensive line Army doesn't merely need greater consistency from the offensive line; this team also needs simple consistency in the starting lineup. Nine different lineman made at least one start a year ago, thanks to injuries and the occasional battle with ineffectiveness, and the Cadets trotted out the same starting lineup over successive games only twice: against San Diego State and Northwestern in September and against Fordham, Air Force and Rutgers over October and November. There's enough experience and talent up front for Army to dominate the line of scrimmage – this team just needs to cement its starting five and have them remain injury-free.
The only spot that remains open for debate is right tackle, one of two positions losing a senior starter. As the Cadets left the spring, senior Will Wilson, a three-game starter at center in 2011, held the top spot. But he remains entrenched in a battle for the starting role with junior Michael Kime, who made one late-season start at left tackle as a sophomore. Either Wilson or Kime will bookend the line with senior left tackle Ben Jebb, a former understudy who cemented a starting role with a strong spring. The line is in very good shape inside: senior left guard Frank Allen has made 25 career starts, sophomore center Ryan Powis started the last eight games of 2011 in the middle and senior Matthew Villanti started the year's six games.
It's not a big line. Who cares? Army doesn't bully opposing linemen as much as frustrate them to point of tears, moving this way and that, double-teaming, pulling and trapping, keeping defenders' heads on a swivel while they look for the next lineman to come out of nowhere and remove them from an angle. And increased snaps as a starting group will only find this quintet working more and more in concert, which in turn will only increase the effectiveness of Army's run-first, run-always offense. If the backfield can avoid injuries, the line will again pave the way for the nation's most productive running game.
Game(s) to watch
Navy. To say that a win is long overdue stretches the boundaries of understatement. The Cadets are sitting on 10 straight losses and counting; in addition, Navy's seven-game edge in the rivalry – 56-49-7 overall – is the program's largest in the series' history. After Navy comes Air Force, another pest in recent years, and then a canyon-sized gap, followed by home games against Ball State, Kent State, Temple and Boston College. The Cadets will return to bowl play if they can hold serve at home.
Season breakdown & prediction
In a nutshell To begin, here are three reasons why I hesitated to put Army here, not in the range of those teams destined for postseason play. The first is the outstanding depth and experience in the backfield – where the Cadets make things happen on offense. The second is an easier schedule than the one that led to Army's second-half collapse last fall. The third is the fact that this is a program entering year four under Ellerson; it's around this time, if not a year earlier, that a downtrodden program begins to see the light for good. I hesitated because I think Army can absolutely break back into bowl play: I believe that there's more than enough talent on offense to simply carry Army to six or seven wins. But even Army's strength, this loaded backfield, carries with it some degree of doubt. Can Steelman remain healthy? Can Maples replicate his breakout season? Can the backfield as a whole avoid injuries that plagued the group during the spring? More questions, this time about the offensive line: Can this starting five find a groove? Can they remain healthy? Does Army have enough depth to stay afloat if one, two or three miss an extended period of time? The offense has great potential; it has also several meaningful questions to address. And you can't avoid two elephants still in the room: this defensive line and the stretch of 11 games over 11 weeks. As of now, there's no reason to think that Army's front will stop the F.B.S. opponents on this schedule with any consistency. And the schedule will test Army's depth all along the defense – and on offense – from Sept. 15 through Nov. 17, allowing no time for air. Can the Cadets seal up their holes and survive this gauntlet? I'm not convinced they can. While this a better team than last year's version, I'm not confident enough in the Cadets to project a return to bowl play.
Dream season Army beats Navy and Air Force to reclaim the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. Those two wins join seven others – losses come to Northern Illinois, Wake Forest and Rutgers – to give Army its finest season in a generation.
Nightmare season Injuries and overall ineffectiveness plague Army's offense. The defense is utterly unable to slow down opposing running games. The Cadets match last season's 3-9 effort, losing to both the Falcons and Midshipmen, and Ellerson moves onto the hot seat heading into 2013.
In case you were wondering
Where do Army fans congregate? Both Army Sports and Go Black Knights do a great job of covering Army athletics. As always, list other options in the comment section below.
Army's all-name nominee LB Geoffery Bacon.
Word Count
Through 37 teams 129,214.
Up Next
Who is No. 87? One former head coach at tomorrow's university won 11 games in a season at this school and 11 games in a season at his next school, but surprisingly, lost 11 games in a season at his third and final college stop.
Tags: Air Force, Angel Santiago, Army, Ben Jebb, Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, Frank Allen, Geoffrey Bacon, Hayden Pierce, Holtz Zalneraitis, Independents, Jarred Hassin, Josh Jackson, Larry Dixon, Malcolm Brown, Navy, Raymond Maples, Rich Ellerson, Richard Glover, Robert Kough, Thomas Holloway, Trent Steelman, Tyler Dickson, Zach Watts
The next team is Shippensburg.
In 1847, Rudolph Gonzalez's Red Raiders went 11-14-8 as a mercenary rugby sevens team. After the entire roster died of dysentery, Gonzalez sailed the Persian Gulf for 50 years before returning to the United States. In 1901, he won the head football coaching position at Grand Valley State University (then known as Allendale Mute Swan Taxidermy School) in a bareknuckle boxing competition against incumbent and Boer emigrant Piet Retief, Jr. The Big Reds went 11-2 as a full contact badminton team in Gonzalez's only season at the helm; he then moved on to his final coaching position at Concordia University College of Alberta. Gonzalez compiled a pedestrian 57-49 record at CUCA; his legacy at the school was particularly marred by his final season of 1922 in which the Thunder went 0-11-5 and Gonzalez was eaten by bears.
Paul: Well, this is amazing.
Up next is Miami University, the cradle of coaches.
Dick Crum coached them to an 11-1 record in 1975, followed by an 11-1 record at UNC in 1980, and then had an 0-11 campaign at Kent State in 1989.
Miami (Ohio) is next. The coach was Dick Crum, who led the then-Redskins to 11 victories. He also led UNC to 11 victories and led(?) Kent State to 11 losses.
Nice job as usual, Paul. I share your concern about the 11 games without a break; in fact, I think it's the biggest concern. I believe everyone shares the concern about the D line, and if things don't go well, I won't be surprised to see the D line get the most blame. The D line should get some help from guys coming up from the USMA Prep School; at the very least they will provide some size.
I'm not worried about the O line — the running game did just fine last year even though 9 different guys started on the line. If the fumbleitis (EIGHT fumbles against SDSU) can be cured, *some* shuffling on the line won't be an issue.
Minor oversight/typo in the first paragraph — Nov 17 is Temple, not Tulane. The schedule to the side has it right, and you probably just got confused by the absence of Tulane from the Army schedule.
Paul – thanks as always for an awesome write-up. This die-hard Army fan can't disagree with anything you said (except RGIII, the son of TWO U.S. Army sergeants, should be on your arbitrary top 5 list!)
Steelman's health IS key, and so is the D-line – we can't give up too many big plays, because this team, Steelman or no Steelman, isn't going to win many playing from behind.
One other thing – you have the Navy game in November above. And on that note…
Nick Coston:
Well done. I loled.
n.c. — don't think i've ever read opium-inspired prose in a sports blog before. that was fantastic.
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As I surveyed my decorations, I decided to be a little more discriminating about what I used. When you have a living/dining room, it's easy to over-do it. Basically, I just didn't want the house to look like Halloween 'threw up' in it.
As you might have noticed, I have a link on my sidebar for donations for the Nielson family. I've been a 'lurker' on Stephanie's blog for the last year and have always found her family and style so inspiring. She and her husband were burned in a plane crash and have four young children. It's a great opportunity to give to a very worthy cause.
I've always been super inspired by Stephanie's last Halloween post. She spray painted branches and birds black and decorated her mantle with them. But since my mantle resides in the man-room, a place I promised my husband would be his and his alone, I had to make some adjustments. So, I made a bird tree instead. I spray painted two little birds, used a crow I already had, a can of black spray paint from my stash and pulled a few limbs off trees in the backyard, leaving a few straggly leaves on to be spray painted as well. Super cheap and fun.
So thanks for the inspiration Stephanie. We're all praying for you and your husband here at Mabel's House.


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8 tricks to boost your brainpower
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Mind Games1 of 9
By Paige Brettingen
It happens to all of us: That person's name on the tip of your tongue, the lyrics to a song you once knew and, wait, why did you come into the living room again? To keep your mind sharp, try a little neurobics. Developed by Dr. Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin in their book Keep Your Brain Alive, neurobics are exercises meant to boost activity in the brain and slow the mental aging process. In honor of Train Your Brain Day on Friday, Oct. 12, here are eight mind-flexing tricks to keep your brain in shape.
Watch Out2 of 9
Wear your watch upside down. When you read time in its correct form, the left side of the brain takes charge since it processes logical and sequential order. But when an image is upside down, the right side of the brain (which processes unrecognizable objects) has to give its counterpart a hand, or hemisphere, rather.
What's in a Name?3 of 9
Spell your name backwards. (Try doing it in your head, instead of writing it down.) Doing so requires increased alertness and engages the visual area of the brain (hello again, right hemisphere). The exercise can strengthen synapses between nerve cells in the brain, which helps with learning and memory.
No Peeking4 of 9
Close your eyes and try doing one everyday "no-brainer" task, like unlocking your door or putting your key in the car's ignition. Having to rely on other senses to complete an activity forces your brain to make new sensory associations and causes the circuits controlling your attention to become more active.
Handy Work5 of 9
Right-handed? Make a phone call with your left hand. Left-handed? Button your shirt with your right. Doing things with your nondominant hand not only ups your concentration, it also works your brain's nondominant side. According to Katz and Rubin, research has shown that this type of exercise can increase the expansion of lesser-used circuits on the other side of the brain.
Take a Whiff6 of 9
Try this: With the next few people you meet, see if you can smell their perfume or cologne (subtly, of course). Smell is the only sense that has direct connections to the cortex, hippocampus and other parts of the limbic system—all of which process emotion and memory. If you can associate a smell with a new person you meet, chances are you won't forget him or her as easily.
Change of Plans7 of 9
Throw a curve into your daily routine. Katz and Rubin say that because routines are often done subconsciously, your brain gets off easy, but if you change things up, then it's engaged. So instead of doing the next thing you had planned after reading this, do something completely off course. If you were about to check your email, then go for a quick ten-minute walk instead (and try a route you don't normally take). The more unpredictable and spontaneous the activity is, the better.
Criss-Cross8 of 9
If you're going to get frustrated or impatient, then you might as well work the brain while you're at it. When you cross your arms, try re-crossing them the unnatural way. It will wake up the circuits and pathways that are usually inactive in the nondominant side of your brain. (And hey, it may even calm you down too.)
Mind Reading?9 of 9
It turns out being asked to read in front of your class in middle school was one of the best things for your brain development. According to Katz and Rubin, reading aloud engages three regions of the brain: the motor cortex on both sides of the brain (which decodes the information being read and controls speech), as well as the cerebellum (which aids in coordination).
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Articles at InventorSpot.com
Want Your Children To Learn Emotional Intelligence? Try Video Games!by Nicholas.Greene
Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins is the latest industry veteran to hop on the 'video games as education' bandwagon. The developer today announced the release his studio If You Can Company's first game, IF, to iPad. It's designed with a very simple purpose: to teach kids how to emotionally grow.
Need This New Innovation? Eyelash Jewelryby Laurie Kay Olson
Eyelash jewelry is kinds creepy and at the same time it is totally cool. It is a totally creative way to change standard false eyelashes into a major fashion statement. It isn't the sort of thing you would wear to work or church, but great for leisure time get-togethers and parties. They are bound to be a conversation starter and people won't be able to take their eyes off yours.
Control Your Emotions, Control Your Thoughts, Control Your Lifeby Ellen Dudley
In a society obsessed with self control and self improvement, InterAxons Muse brain computer interface headband promises all the things: tracking your emotions; tracking your thoughts; more understanding of yourself; more self awareness; making alterations in your environment to improve your state of mind e.g programming your ipod to put on calming music when your brainwave headband senses you are anxious. Now rumours suggest that Google is trying to buy them.
Save Your Relationship With The Snore Activated Nudging Pillowby Must Love Gadgets
If your significant other snores like a hibernating bear, oblivious to the world, you have a few choices... wake (let's call the snorer "him") up, sleep in another room, count sheep, or buy him the Snore Activated Nudging Pillow.
Drones, Robots, And Scientists Join Forces For "Citizen Science"by Tech Light
At Lake Merritt - the oldest wildlife refuge in the U.S. - a group is exploring the future of citizen science. The Lake Merritt BioBlitz set out to explore the rich biodiversity present in this lake, allowing participants the opportunity to document the rich environment. Oh, and there were robots, too.
Redesign Liepaja Seaside Park's Bath House, Win $5,000!by Invention Ideas
Architect and designer Paul Max Berchi designed the "Bath House" located in Latvia's Liepaja Seaside Park, but after it was ultimately shuttered in 1993, the iconic building sat and stagnated for over 20 years. Homemade Dessert and Liepaja City Council are ready to pay designers up to $5,000 for ideas to renovate this historic landmark. Are you interested?
10 Of The World's Geekiest Outdoor Sports Gadgets And Garmentsby Chris Weiss
Not all athletes were jocks in high school. Anyone who uses any one of these products was definitely a nerd.
FlyKly's Smart Wheel For Bikes: Eliminating Unnecessary Pedalingby Samantha Pankey
FlyKly's Smart Wheel brings a new perspective to the bicycle. With the elimination of pedaling, so are gone distractions, sweaty clothes and sore muscles. The Smart Wheel fits on just about any bike and gives riders a more efficient means of transportation. Commuters can wear their work garb on their trip without worrying about sweating through it, and joy riders can experience the open road with limited distraction.
Ever Wonder What Your Garden Is Missing? Why Not Robotic Lamps?by Tech Light
What's your garden missing right now? You've probably got a few nice statues, some pretty flowers, some edible plants...all the boring, vanilla stuff you can find in any garden. I can tell you what you probably don't have, too: Robots. Don't worry: The Toro-bots have you covered.
Seadelphica Will Use Tumblr Integration To Help A Dolphin Growby Nicholas.Greene
We've recently seen a lot of games that use social media in some pretty incredible ways. Seadelphica is the latest in that crop: it's a story-driven runner with multiple endings and Tumblr integration. Apparently, it's going to use Tumblr to influence how its main character grows and develops.
Top 10 Clever and Cool Cooking Concepts Of 2014by John J. Staughton
Whether you are a master chef or a bacon-craving amateur, cooking is a part of your life. However, there is always room for improvement, and inventors around the world are constantly thinking of new culinary concepts to make the kitchen less intimidating and more fun. These new concepts and clever products will make the chef in all of us reach for our measuring cups!
WhatsApp With Facebook's Stock? A Case Of If You Can't Beat'em, Buy'emby Ron Callari
For all those naysayers out there who couldn't help but caterwaul over Facebook's demise before the ink was even dry on it IPO opening, May 19, 2012 -- including myself [see "How Many Dumb F*cks Rocked Facebook's IPO Like It's 1999?"] -- our subesquent rude awakening was the world's largest social network fooled a good many of us.
The Future Of Fashion And Sex Is Invisibleby Ellen Dudley
The fashion world is notorious for creating clothes that no one would wear, or no one *can* wear. Impracticality is the name of the game. Next ridiculous fashion trend? Invisible clothes. This invisible dress is the modern day version of The Emperor's New Clothes.
Eterni.Me - Online Communication With Loved Ones From Beyond The Graveby Beth Graddon-Hodgson
It might be morbid and upsetting, but the death industry has always been killing the competition (pun intended) because of the simple fact that everyone on the planet will die. There is no other industry that caters to a basic need of the entire world population. Admittedly, some of the businesses in the industry, and the services that they offer, won't appeal to everyone; but they do demonstrate that creativity in business isn't dead. The latest business in the industry is futuristic, and takes memorializing to a whole new level.
Iranian Teacher Builds A Robot To Teach Kids To Prayby Nicholas.Greene
While we're still some decades away from robots that are capable of finding religion, we're most definitely living in an era where they're capable of teaching it. An Iranian schoolteacher has taken it upon himself to build a robot that will instruct his students on proper Muslim prayer techniques.
New Roguelike #Dungeon Will Let You Use Twitter To Build The Gameby Nicholas.Greene
Where Roguelikes are concerned, procedural generation is pretty old hat. We already know all there is to know about random levels, enemies, and bosses. That's why the folks behind #Dungeon are taking a rather novel approach: they're letting players build the game using Twitter.
Redesign Intergenerational Housing & Communities, Win $1,000!by Invention Ideas
The ReGeneration: An International Living Competition is looking for designers to solve the problem of modern intergenerational living in the United States caused by zoning American cities by general use. If you can find a great way to keep senior citizens a central and active part of our communities, you may earn $1,000!
Need This New Innovation? Lace Packing Tapeby Laurie Kay Olson
Lace packing tape may not be an innovation that is ground-breaking or life-altering and we could go on very well without it, but it is one of those little innovations that make life just a little more beautiful and fun. Why keep sending plain brown paper packages when you can dress them up and add just a touch of sexy to them? And just because it is called packing tape why should you stop there?
Linkify Harnesses Semantic Technology For On-The-Go Small Businesses & Smartphonesby Ron Callari
Time is of the essence when running a small business -- particularly when each staff member [whether he or she is the founder or its sales agent] is often required to wear many hats, juggle multiple disciplines and multi-task on an ongoing-basis. Add travel and out-of-the-office business engagements to the mix...
3 Questions To See If Outsourcing Is Right For Your Small Business?by Anya Dee
Outsourcing has a reputation for saving time and money, but is that accurate? Just because someone else can do your work, does that mean they should? Is it really beneficial to every busines owner? Here are a few tips to understanding outsourcing and making a qualified decision on whether or not to use it!


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Famous Photographer Biographies and Famous Photographs
- Famous Photographs (33)
- Biographies A-E (22)
- Biographies F-J (8)
- Famous Photographer Quotes (26)
- Biographies K-O (12)
- Biographies P-Z (11)
Famous Women Photographers
Hub of biographies for some of the most famous women photographers throughout history.
Biographies and Profiles of Famous Photographers A-E
Biographies and profiles for famous photographers with last names starting with A-E.
Biographies and Profiles of Famous Photographers F-J
Biographies and profiles for famous photographers with last names starting with F-J.
Biographies and Profiles of Famous Photographers K-O
Biographies and profiles for famous photographers with last names starting with K-O.
Biographies and Profiles of Famous Photographers P-Z
Biographies and profiles for famous photographers with last names starting with P-Z.
Biographies of Famous Photographers
From Ansel Adams to Irving Penn, photographers and their subjects cover a wide range of viewpoint and personality. Here you will find biographies, links to photos, and more information about some of the most famous photographers past and present.
Best Twitter Photography Accounts to Follow
Best Twitter Photography Accounts to Follow
Facebook Photography Feeds You Should Subscribe To Now
The Facebook Photography Feeds You Should Subscribe To Now
Alan Diaz Profile
Alan Diaz spent months preparing for the photograph that would win him the Pulitzer Prize for best spot news photograph in 2000. The winning photograph was of federal agents with guns drawn entering Elian Gonzalez' family home to remove him and send him back to Cuba to be with his father.
Arthur Morris
Arthur Morris is a renowned nature photographer. His images of birds have appeared in thousands of books, magazines and calendars. He enjoys sharing his love of nature photography through his seminars and workshops.
Oded Balilty Biography
Oded Balilty is a Jerusalem born photojournalist who has spent much of his professional life covering conflict in war torn countries. His 2006 photo of an Israeli woman attempting to hold off troops sent to clear out her makeshift settlement won him the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news.
Appalachia by Milton Rogovin
Putting a face to poverty and unsafe working conditions, Milton Rogovin spent close to a decade in the Appalachian area. His images are poignant reminders of the suffering of the poor and the unsafe working conditions often endured for survival. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson made the crisis known to the world during their presidencies. Rogovin, who was labeled a communist in 1952, left his position as an optometrist to pursue photography as a form of expression.
Homeworkers By Lewis W. Hines 1912
Lewis W. Hine made a huge difference with his photographs of underage workers. His photo Homeworkers shows how young many children were when they were forced to work. Hine helped change this.
Wynn Bullock Stark Tree 1956
The tree is a regal one standing below a stormy sky. Wynn Bullock has had over 90 exhibits of his work. A man who started out as singer and then attended law school originally viewed photography as only a hobby. After leaving law school he decided to pursue photography as a full time career.
Cathy and Cigarette Machine by Bruce Davidson
Bruce Davidson has a photographic career which has spanned over 70 years. Given a camera at the age of 7 and getting a darkroom built by the age of 10. His long illustrious career has been spent documenting life on the streets.
Organ Grinder by Eugène Atget
Roaming the streets of Paris, Eugène Atget stopped to document the people of the streets. The organ grinder was just one in a series of images he produced during this time.
Couple at Coney Island by Walker Evans
Walker Evans loves street photography. In 1928 he came upon a couple enjoying a fun day at New York's Coney Island. Evans snapped away and the reult was a candid shot that will not be forgotten.
Annie Leibovitz Quotes
Quotes by Annie Leibovitz
Martha Graham - "Letter to the World" By Barbara Brooks Morgan
Martha Graham is one of the most renowned dancers in the world. Barbara Brooks Morgan captured the beauty of dance through her photographs.
Famous Quotes by Photographer Jay Maisel
Jay Maisel spent forty years as an advertising photographer. Today he teaches photography workshops and seminars.
Louis Kahn by Arnold Newman
Environmental photographer Arnold Newman's photograph of famed architect Louis Kahn is a prime example of his work photographing subjects in settings that not only represented them but made them comfortable. He photographed some of the most famous icons of his time.
Woman with a Fur Collar by Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus is known for documenting the abnormal. Her photo of the woman with the fur collar is a perfect example of the type of subjects that Arbus focused on throughout her career.
The Ancient Arapaho by Edward S. Curtis
Edward S. Curtis was commissioned by J.P. Morgan to prepare a series on the North American Indian as a way to preserve their history for centuries to come. Curtis took over 40,000 images to arrive at his required 1,500 images as part of a 20 volume set.
An Old Lady with a Yeast Bottle at a Cottage Door by Francis Meadow Sutcliffe
Francis Meadow Sutcliffe was an English photographer who focused on the average citizens of his victorian town. His images show what life was like at this point in history.


text: Join the excitement of 3D printing with Type A Machines! Come see our Series 1 3D printer, rated Best in Class by Make: Magazine. Meet the team and get a closer look at our manufacturing operations, based out of TechShop San Francisco. COO Espen will give a talk about the importance of 3D printing in education, followed by Elijah and Bryan, two of Type A Machines' team members.Many Series 1 3D printers will be up and running to give you a peek into this innovative technology. It will also be a great networking opportunity with other 3D printing enthusiasts.5:30- 5:45 PM Arrivals and Registration5:45 - 5:55 PM Espen: Introduction to Type A Machines5:55 - 6:05 PM Elijah: A Student's Perspective on 3D Printing at School6:05 - 6:15 PM Bryan: Leveraging 3D Printing after Graduation6:15 - 6:30 PM Espen: 3D Printing in Education 6:30 - 6:35 PM Q&A6:35 - 7:30 PM Get a Closer Look at Series 1 3D Printers7:30 PM Wrap-upEducational discounts available on the purchase of a Series 1!This event is FREE and open to the general public. Register here.


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The (POGO) Blog
March 6, 2014
DOJ Gets It Wrong on Camp Lejeune – Again
In an important case that will soon come before the Supreme Court, the U.S. Solicitor General is supporting a known polluter's attempts to get out of paying for damages.This could have a huge impact on the victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Continue Reading DOJ Gets It Wrong on Camp Lejeune – Again
Topics: Public Health and Science
March 5, 2014
By Neil Gordon
FAPIIS Finally Gets a Hill Hearing
Tomorrow, the public will finally get the lowdown on the government's FAPIIS database when the Senate convenes a hearing on contractor performance information.
Continue Reading FAPIIS Finally Gets a Hill Hearing
Topics: Contract Oversight
March 4, 2014
House Unanimously Passes Freedom of Information Improvements
Last week, the House of Representatives passed important legislation that will go a long way towards reforming the Freedom of Information Act.
Continue Reading House Unanimously Passes Freedom of Information Improvements
Topics: Open Government
February 28, 2014
FDA Surveillance Threatened Whistleblowers
On Wednesday, POGO's Angela Canterbury testified in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee on the wrongful surveillance of whistleblowers at the FDA.
Continue Reading FDA Surveillance Threatened Whistleblowers
Topics: Whistleblower Protections
February 27, 2014
Will DOJ Hold Tax Cheats Accountable?
A bipartisan report released yesterday by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations paints a picture of "lax enforcement" by U.S. authorities who have been investigating Swiss bank secrecy and offshore tax evasion.
Continue Reading Will DOJ Hold Tax Cheats Accountable?
Topics: Financial Sector
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Yet no matter what side of the punchline he stood, J.J. always got the last laugh, thanks to his iconic catchphrase "DY-NO-MITE!," which just so happens to the be the title of Walker¹s recent memoir detailing his abusive life growing up in the Bronx through his superstar ascension in Hollywood with all the trappings of success.
But in his heart, Walker is not a stand-up comedian, but a comedian with a conservative conscious who can be seen on news programs, including "The O'Reilly Factor," cracking jokes about everything from immigration to Obama.
Walker, who will serve as MC for the second annual Model City Music Fest on Saturday, July 20, as well as perform a 20-minute stand-up routine, recently spoke with The Star via email about his new book, his motivation and the state of stand-up.
Q: You¹ve spent nearly 40 years performing stand-up anywhere and everywhere, but an outdoor music festival has got to be a little different. What was the draw for you to come to Anniston?
A: Because they were nice enough to ask me.
Q: What keeps you motivated to keep doing stand-up?
A: Because I believe that I¹m funny. People want to see me, and the finances.
Q: You¹re very politically involved. What do you think a comedians role can be in the political arena in terms of getting people to think?
A: No, people are pretty much set in their ways and are not going to be talked out of them. As you know the country is very divided — through politics, race and income more than ever.
Q: There was a time when stand-up was a springboard for Hollywood stardom, but we aren¹t necessarily seeing that as much in recent years. How would you define the state of stand-up today?
A: Stand up is a reflection of America ‹ very divided. Mel Brooks once said, "Funny is funny." Not anymore! There's young white comedy — Anthony Jesonick, Daniel Tosh. There's gay comedy — Jim David, Kate Clinton. There's the hip, only in the big cities comedy — Margaret Cho, Sarah Silverman. Black comedy — Katt Williams, Michael Epps. Latino comedy — Alex Reymondo, Gilbert Isgiasis. White American country — James Gregory, The Blue Collar tour. And last, but not least, clean comedy — Cosby, Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan, Sinbad and myself. It¹s not your father¹s comedy anymore. The dirty comedy reflects where America is and what America wants.
Q: You¹ll forever be known for your groundbreaking work in "Good Times." Looking back, how do you feel about the show and your role?
A: I think people liked it and in today¹s society I think that's good.
Q: Do you get tired of people recognizing you as J.J. Evans, asking you to say "Dy-no-mite!" or have you embraced who you'll always be to people?
A: That really doesn¹t happen that much, so it is what it is.
Q: We see a lot of young stars/child stars crash and burn in the public eye (Amanda Bynes being just the latest example). How did you survive being a star at such a young age and how were you able to come out the other end to a successful career?
A: I was never a star, just a road comic. I was in the era of Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Steve Martin — those were the guys getting all the attention, but all that is in my book, "Dynomite."
Q: What would fans be most surprised to learn about you?
A: I think the people that started with me, writing jokes for my act. It was their first chance to get into "Sho-Biz." (Comedians like) Jay Leno, David Lettermen, Byron Allen, Louie Anderson, Rich Jeni, Robert Schimmel — my latest being Dustin Ybbarra, who is series regular on Fox's new show, "The Jason Ritter Show." And the list goes on.


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How-To Poultice Your Horse's Hoof
June 5, 2012
Sharon Spier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, University of California, Davis, shows you how to apply a poultice to your horse's hoof to combat hoof abscesses.
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Watson through to last-eight in Osaka
There were mixed fortunes for Britain's two quarter-finalists as Heather Watson was left to fly the flag in the HP Open in Osaka.
Watson needed only two sets but almost two hours to overcome France's Pauline Parmentier - ranked two places below her at 73rd in the world.
But Laura Robson, seeded eighth for the tournament, was beaten in a third-set tie-break by Kai-Chen Chang of Chinese Taipei.
Watson's match featured 12 breaks of serve in 21 games, with the Guernsey player grabbing her fourth late in the first set to win it 7-5.
Three more followed for the 20-year-old in the second set as she wrapped up a 7-5 6-3 win.
Robson dropped her serve twice as she lost her first set to the world number 134, but battled back to win the second and level the match.
The third set went with serve all the way, with not even a break point for either player, but Chang took the deciding tie-break to complete a 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7/4) win.
There was another upset as Misaki Doi ensured a Japanese presence in the semi-finals with a 2-6 6-1 6-3 win over seventh seed Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa. Doi will face Watson in the last four.


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The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1by Terry Brooks
Capture the fantasy, thrills, and far-flung adventure of the first three novels in Terry Brooks's enchanting Magic Kingdom of Landover series-now for the first time in one gripping volume.Chicago lawyer Ben Holiday can't fathom what lies ahead when he purchases Landover-a magical kingdom of chivalry and sorcery-from Meeks, the mysterious seller who placed the ad. Weary and jaded, Ben clings to the ad's promise: "Escape into your dreams." But Landover is not the enchanted idyll he expected.The kingdom is in ruin. The barons refuse to recognize Ben as King, a dragon is decimating the countryside, and a demon lord has challenged any prospective ruler to a fatal duel. To make matters worse, the Paladin, renowned champion of the Kings of Landover, seems to be merely a legend.Ben's only allies are a bumbling court magician, a talking dog turned court scribe, and the beautiful Willow, who is part girl, part tree. With his friends in tow, Ben sets out to claim the throne. But when Meeks decides he wants Landover back, Ben will face supernatural foes of every stripe to prove himself worthy of the kingship. The question is: Can he survive?From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 2by Terry Brooks
Now in one thrilling volume-experience the magic, the intrigue, and the exciting escapades of the final two novels in Terry Brooks's spellbinding Magic Kingdom of Landover series All appears well with Ben Holiday. He's finally secured for himself the throne of Landover, and he and his wife, the exquisite sylph Willow, are expecting their first child. But their peaceful days are numbered. The conjurer Horris Kews returns to Landover and inadvertently releases an evil sorcerer from the Tangle Box, a magic chest used by the fairy folk to imprison wayward spirits. Now free, the sorcerer traps Ben inside the box's labyrinthine passages and plots to wreak havoc in Landover using Horris as his pawn. But Ben's greatest challenge comes when Rydall, a foreign king, issues Ben an ultimatum: defeat seven deadly champions, or Rydall's armies invade Landover. Complicating matters is the devastating fact that Ben and Willow' s young daughter has been kidnapped-and her fate lies in Rydall's dangerous hands. Relying on his loyal friends, his steadfast wife, and no small amount of endurance and enchantment, Ben risks his life to save everything he loves. But this time, black magic may prove too powerful for even the most devoted heart.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Measure of the Magic (Legends of Shannara #2)by Terry Brooks
After more than three decades of captivating epic fantasy readers, the storytelling magic ofNew York Timesbestselling author Terry Brooks's Shannara saga continues to enthrall. Now the fascinating chronicle of Shannara's prehistory reaches a thrilling new peak in the sequel toBearers of the Black Staff. For five hundred years, the survivors of the Great Wars lived peacefully in a valley sanctuary shielded by powerful magic from the blighted and dangerous outside world. But the enchanted barriers have crumbled, the borders have been breached by predators, and the threat of annihilation looms large once more. Sider Ament, bearer of the last black staff and its profound power, devoted his life to protecting the valley and its inhabitants-and, in his final moments, gave stewardship of the black staff to the young tracker Panterra Qu. Now the newly anointed Knight of the Word must take up the battle against evil wherever it threatens: from without, where an army of bloodthirsty trolls is massing for invasion; and from within, where the Elf king of Arborlon has been murdered, his daughter, Princess Phryne Amarantyne, stands accused, and a heinous conspiracy is poised to subjugate the kingdom. But even these will pale beside the most harrowing menace Panterra is destined to confront-a nameless, merciless figure who wanders the devastated land on a relentless mission: to claim the last black staff . . . and the life of he who wields it.
Morgawr (The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara #3)by Terry Brooks
New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks became the master of epic fantasy with the publication of his legendary debut, The Sword of Shannara. Since then, each new novel in the Shannara saga has brilliantly built upon and deepened the world of breathtaking magic, adventure, and intrigue he created. In The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara--his third enchanting series--he literally took his legions of loyal readers soaring to new heights as a colorful contingent of characters took to the skies aboard a magnificent airship on a quest fraught with wonder and danger. Now in Morgawr, the quest at last draws to its climactic conclusion, as the forces of good and evil vying against each other to possess an ancient magic race towards an explosive clash--and whatever fate awaits the victor . . . and the vanquished. Harrowing confrontations with the merciless Ilse Witch and the monstrous Antrax have already taken their toll on the intrepid heroes of the Four Lands. But their darkest adversary now snaps at their heels, in the form of the Morgawr--master of the Ilse Witch, feeder upon the souls of his enemies, and centuries-old sorcerer of unimaginable might. With a fleet of airships and a crew of walking dead men at his command, the Morgawr is in relentless pursuit of the Jerle Shannara and the crew that mans her. For the Morgawr, the goal is two fold: to find and control the fabled ancient books of magic, and to destroy the dark disciple who betrayed him--the Ilse Witch. But the Ilse Witch is already a prisoner . . . of herself. Exposed to the awesome power of the Sword of Shannara, and forced to confront the truth of her horrifying deeds, she has fled deep into her own mind. Now at the mercy of those who seek vengeance against her, her only protector is her long-lost brother, Bek Ohmsford, who is determined to redeem his beloved sister . . . and deliver her to the destiny predicted for her by the Druid Walker Boh. Once again, Terry Brooks weaves together high adventure, vividly wrought characters, and a spellbinding world into an irresistible story of heroism and sacrifice, love and honor. In Morgawr, fans of the Shannara mythos will find both a satisfying finale and the promise of new wonders yet to come.From the Hardcover edition.
Paladins of Shannara: Allanon's Quest (Short Story)by Terry Brooks
The legendary hero Allanon takes center stage in the first of three gripping new stand-alone eBook short stories set in the world of the fantasy fiction phenomenon that is Shannara--by beloved New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks. The history is thus: The once-Druid Brona, seduced by his pursuit of dark magic, was forever transformed into the Warlock Lord--whose evil would be the downfall of the Four Lands and the death of the Races. Against him, the Elven King Jerle Shannara wielded the fabled sword that bore his surname and triumphed. Or so it was believed. But though the Dark Lord was driven out . . . he was not destroyed. The Druid Allanon knows only too well the prophecy passed down to him by his late master: that eventually the Warlock Lord will return. Now, after hundreds of years, that day seems imminent. And the time is at hand for the Sword of Shannara to once more be brought forth from its sanctuary to serve its ancient purpose. All that remains is for a blood descendent of the Elven house of Shannara to carry the blade into battle. With ever more portents of doom on the horizon, Allanon must seek out the last remaining Shannara heir, who alone will bear the burden of defending the Four Lands' destiny. But with agents of darkness closing in from behind, unexpected enemies lying in wait ahead, and treachery encroaching on every side, there can be no certainty of success. Nor any assurance that this desperate quest will not be the Druid's last.
Paladins of Shannara: The Black Irix (Short Story)by Terry Brooks
An old friend urges Shea Ohmsford to take a dangerous risk in the concluding story of this gripping Shannara eBook series by New York Times bestselling fantasy master Terry Brooks. Shea Ohmsford has had quite enough of quests. A year after surviving a harrowing odyssey, he is still plagued by troubling memories and dreams. A mysterious trafficker in spells and potions provides a restorative nostrum for the stricken Shea . . . along with a warning: Shea will break his vow to never again leave Shady Vale. And then the potion-maker's prophecy comes to pass. A thief, adventurer, and notoriously charismatic rogue, Panamon Creel unexpectedly appears in the Vale with a request for his longtime friend, Shea--journey into the untamed northland, infiltrate the stronghold of a sinister dealer in stolen goods, and capture a precious artifact: the sacred Black Irix. Creel wishes to return this treasure to its rightful owners. Shea cannot refuse such a just cause. But what lies behind the black castle walls they must breach? And will this quest truly be their last? Includes a preview of the final novel in Terry Brooks's Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy, Witch Wraith! PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS "The Sword of Shannara is an unforgettable and wildly entertaining epic, animated by Terry Brooks's cosmically generative imagination and storytelling joy."--Karen Russell, New York Times bestselling author of Swamplandia! "If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle."--Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Desert Spear "I can't even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks's books I've read (and reread) over the years. From Shannara to Landover, his work was a huge part of my childhood."--Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind "Terry Brooks is a master of the craft and a trailblazer who established fantasy as a viable genre. He is required reading."--Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy "The Shannara books were among the first to really capture my imagination. My daydreams and therefore my stories will always owe a debt to Terry Brooks."--Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Beyonders and Fablehaven series
Paladins of Shannara: The Weapons Master's Choice (Short Story)by Terry Brooks
A city besieged by a powerful warlock seeks salvation from a fabled warrior in the second of three gripping new stand-alone eBook short stories set in the world of the fantasy-fiction phenomenon that is Shannara--by beloved New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks. His extraordinary--and deadly--skills have earned Garet Jax renown and infamy as the man called the Weapons Master. Rootless, solitary, and endlessly sought after, he roams the Four Lands, loyal to none but himself . . . and whomever can afford his services as warrior, assassin, and avenger for hire. But Lyriana is unlike any who have come to him before: as beautiful as she is bold, as enigmatic as the distant city she is desperate to save, and possessed of an intangible, irresistible allure that entices even the hardened Garet Jax more than any amount of gold or silver ever could. But the challenge she comes bearing may give even the celebrated Weapons Master pause. The remote city of Tajarin, Lyriana's home, is being laid to waste by an immensely powerful and boundlessly evil warlock of the deadliest order. With the populace enslaved and no champion to stand against the invader, Tajarin will soon be wiped from the map--perhaps only the first city to fall. Whatever hope exists rests in the deft hands, lethal blades, and unerring instincts of Garet Jax. With righteous fury in his blood, and feelings he has never before known in his heart, he will face the most dire of enemies, and dare the blackest of fates, for the mysterious woman at his side--whose deepest secrets have yet to be revealed. PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS "A great storyteller, Terry Brooks creates rich epics filled with mystery, magic, and memorable characters. If you haven't read Terry Brooks, you haven't read fantasy."--Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon and Brisingr "Terry's place is at the head of the fantasy world."--Philip Pullman, author of The Golden CompassBONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Terry Brooks's Bloodfire Quest.
A Princess of Landover (The Magic Kingdom of Landover #6)by Terry Brooks
Ben Holiday, Chicago lawyer and mere mortal turned monarch of enchanted Landover, has grappled with scheming barons, fire-breathing beasts, diabolical conjurers, and extremely wicked witches. None of whom have prepared him for the most daunting of challengers-a teenage daughter. Sent by Ben and his beloved sylph bride, Willow, to an exclusive girls' prep school, headstrong (and half-magical) Mistaya Holiday has found life in the natural world a less than perfect fit. And when her latest rebellious antics get her indefinitely suspended, she's determined to resume her real education-learning sorcery from court wizard Questor Thews-whether her parents like it or not. But back home in Landover, Mistaya's frustrated father is just as determined that the precocious princess learn some responsibility, and he declares her grounded until she successfully refurbishes the long-forsaken royal library. Mortified by the prospect of salvaging a king's ransom in moldy books-and horrified by word that repulsive local nobleman Lord Laphroig seeks to marry her-Mistaya decides that the only way to run her own life is to run away from home. So begins an eventful odyssey peppered with a formidable dragon, recalcitrant gnomes, an inscrutable magic cat, a handsome librarian, a sinister sorcerer, and more than a few narrow escapes as fate draws Landover's intrepid princess to the last place she expected to go, and into the thick of a mystery that will put her mettle to the test-and might bring the kingdom to its knees.
Running with the Demon (Word and the Void #1)by Terry Brooks
Twenty years ago, Terry Brooks turned fantasy fiction on its head with The Sword of Shannara, the first fantasy novel to make the mainstream bestseller lists, and the first in an unbroken string of thirteen bestselling books. Now, in Running with the Demon, Brooks does nothing less than revitalize fantasy fiction again, inventing the complex and powerful new mythos of the Word and the Void, good versus evil still, but played out in the theater-in-the-round of the "real world" of our present. On the hottest Fourth of July weekend in decades, two men have come to Hopewell, Illinois, site of a lengthy, bitter steel strike. One is a demon, dark servant of the Void, who will use the anger and frustration of the community to attain a terrible secret goal. The other is John Ross, a Knight of the Word, a man who, while he sleeps, lives in the hell the world will become if he fails to change its course on waking. Ross has been given the ability to see the future. But does he have the power to change it?At stake is the soul of a fourteen-year-old girl mysteriously linked to both men. And the lives of the people of Hopewell. And the future of the country. This Fourth of July, while friends and families picnic in Sinnissippi Park and fireworks explode in celebration of freedom and independence, the fate of Humanity will be decided . . .A novel that weaves together family drama, fading innocence, cataclysm, and enlightenment, Running with the Demon will forever change the way you think about the fantasy novel. As believable as it is imaginative, as wondrous as it is frightening, it is a rich, exquisitely-written tale to be savored long after the last page is turned.From the Hardcover edition.
The Scions of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara #1)by Terry Brooks
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Terry Brooks's The Measure of the Magic.Since the death of Allanon, life in the Four Lands has drastially changed. Yet Par Ohmsford still has some power of the Wishsong. And when a message from the ancient Druid, Allanon, reaches them, Par is ordered to recover the long-lost Sword of Shinnara, and the glory that once was the Four Lands....
The Secret of the Sword (The Sword of Shannara #3)by Terry Brooks
He will face the ultimate battle of dark against light. . . .The flame of hope is flickering throughout the Four Lands. But thanks to Brona, the evil Warlock Lord, a cloud of dark magic is sweeping south, spreading fear and death. Already Brona's savage armies have crushed the forces of the Elves and their king. Now nothing stands between them and the fair city of Tyrsis. And if Tyrsis falls, the whole Southland will follow, plunged into an endless night of slavery and worse.The Druid Allanon has dispatched Menion, the Prince of Leah, to aid in the defense of Tyrsis while he himself continues to search for Shea Ohmsford, the young half-elf who bears the awesome burden of wielding the only weapon capable of destroying Brona: the mysterious Sword of Shannara. Yet magic of the fabled weapon makes it as dangerous to Shea as it is to the Warlock Lord. Now, in the very heart of the Dark Lord's domain, Shea is about to unlock the deadly secret of the Sword-and come face to face with his destiny. . . . The Sword of Shannara Part 3: The Secret of the Sword is the newest addition to the Del Rey Imagine program, which offers the best in classic fantasy and science fiction for readers 12 and up.
Sometimes the Magic Worksby Terry Brooks
In "Sometimes the Magic Works," "New York Times" bestselling author Terry Brooks shares his secrets for creating unusual, memorable fiction. Spanning topics from the importance of daydreaming to the necessity of writing an outline, from the fine art of "showing" instead of merely "telling" to creating believable characters who make readers care what happens to them, Brooks draws upon his own experiences, hard lessons learned, and delightful discoveries made in creating the beloved Shannara and Magic Kingdom of Landover series, The Word and The Void trilogy, and the bestselling "Star Wars" novel "The Phantom Menace," In addition to being a writing guide, "Sometimes the Magic Works" is Terry Brooks's self-portrait of the artist. "If you don't think there is magic in writing, you probably won't write anything magical," says Brooks. This book offers a rare opportunity to peer into the mind of (and learn a trick or two from) one of fantasy fiction's preeminent magicians.
Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menaceby Terry Brooks
In barren desert lands and seedy spaceports . . . in vast underwater cities and in the blackest depths of space . . . unfolds a tale of good and evil, of myth and magic, of innocence and power. Based on the screenplay by George Lucas, this novel by master storyteller Terry Brooks probes the depths of one of the greatest tales of our time, providing rich detail and insight into the minds and motives of the characters--and shedding bold new light on Lucas' brilliant creation. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, an evil legacy long believed dead is stirring. Now the dark side of the Force threatens to overwhelm the light, and only an ancient Jedi prophecy stands between hope and doom for the entire galaxy.The Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, young Obi-Wan Kenobi, are charged with the protection of Amidala, the young Queen of Naboo, as she seeks to end the siege of her planet by Trade Federation warships. This quest brings Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and one of the Queen's young handmaidens to the sand-swept streets of Tatooine and the shop where the slave boy Anakin Skywalker toils and dreams of finding a way to win freedom from enslavement for himself and his beloved mother. His only hope lies in his extraordinary instincts and his strange gift for understanding the "rightness" of things. It is this unexpected meeting that marks the beginning of the drama that will become legend . . .Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogyby Terry Brooks R. A. Salvatore Matthew Stover
For the first time in one stunning volume, here is the complete, epic story arc: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. Experience the sweeping tale of good and evil, of myth and magic, of innocence and power-and witness the tragic transformation of Anakin Skywalker from mere slave to one of the greatest, most powerful, and feared villains of the galaxy: Darth Vader."The path has been placed before you, Anakin.The choice to take it must be yours alone."On the barren desert world of Tatooine, young Anakin Skywalker toils by day and dreams by night . . . of traveling the stars to worlds he's only heard of in stories. When Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, cross paths with Anakin, it marks the beginning of the drama that will become legend. Courageous to the point of recklessness, Anakin comes of age in a time of great upheaval. The attempted assassination of Senator Padmé Amidala thrusts the Republic close to the edge of disaster-and brings Anakin and Padmé into a secret romance as intense as it is forbidden.As combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame. Tormented by unspeakable visions, Anakin edges closer to the brink of a decision with profound ramifications. It remains only for Darth Sidious to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic-and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.THE PHANTOM MENACEby Terry Brooks, based on the story and screenplay by George LucasATTACK OF THE CLONESby R. A. Salvatore, from a story by George Lucas and a screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan HalesREVENGE OF THE SITHby Matthew Stover, based on the story and screenplay by George LucasFeatures a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
Straken (High Druid of Shannara #3)by Terry Brooks
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Terry Brooks's The Measure of the Magic.The High Druid of Shannara trilogy draws to a thrilling close as a young hero nears completion of his trial by fire, a banished ruler fights for her life in a wilderness of dread, and forces of darkness and light square off in a battle unto death for the right to absolute rule. Prepare to be spellbound by the masterly hand of bestselling legend weaver Terry Brooks, conjuring at the peak of his skills. For reasons known only to himself, the King of the Silver River has charged young Penderrin Ohmsford, barely more than a boy, with the daunting task of rescuing his aunt, Grianne, Ard Rhys of the Druid order, from her forced exile in the terrifying dimension of all things damned: the Forbidding. With the noble dwarf Tagwen and the prodigal elven princess Khyber Elessedil by his side-and with the outcome of the bloody war between the Federation and the Free-born at stake-Pen has accepted his mission without question. But not without risk . . . or sacrifice. Because Shadea a'Ru, the ruthless Druid responsible for imprisoning the true Ard Rhys and usurping leadership at Paranor, has sent her agents and assassins in relentless pursuit of Pen and his comrades. And in securing the talisman he needs to breach the Forbidding, Pen has paid a devastating price. Now if the Free-born forces-already decimated by the Federation's death-dealing new weapon-should fall, Shadea's domination of the Four Lands will be assured. Nothing short of Pen's success can turn the tide. But Pen's challenge grows greater when he learns that his parents, Bek Ohmsford and Rue Meridian, have fallen into Shadea' s hands. He must try to help them-but once within the walls of Druid's Keep, where Shadea's minions and dark magic lurk at every turn, Pen's survival is far from assured. Yet it will all pale in comparison to the horrors that wait inside the Forbidding-horrors poised to break free upon the Four Lands when the time is right. . . .
The Sword of Shannara (Shannara #1)by Terry Brooks
Living in the remote hamlet of Shady Vale, the young half-elf Shea Ohmsford knows little of the outside world. And yet, in the desolate, ruined lands of the far north, a dark-hearted sorcerer is plotting his death. The ancient warlock has dispatched a band of deadly Skull Bearers to track Shea down and murder him. For Shea is the last descendant of an ancient Elvin king, and the only person living who can wield the fabled Sword of Shannara - a weapon with the power to thwart the Warlock Lord's terrifying plans. Only the druid Allanon knows where the sword is hidden and even now he rides to Shady Vale to offer his aid. But the Skull Bearers are swift and ruthless, and Shea Ohmsford's destiny may be over before it has begun! And so begins the incredible legend of The Sword of Shannara - a classic story of magic, adventure and epic conflict, from one of the world's greatest living storytellers. Part Two, THE DRUIDS' KEEP and Part Three, THE SECRET OF THE SWORD will be published in successive months.
Sword of Shannara Trilogyby Terry Brooks
Twenty-five years ago,New York Timesbestselling author Terry Brooks wrote a novel that brought to life a dazzling world that would become one of the most popular fantasy epics of all time, beloved by millions of fans around the world. Ten more Shannara books would follow. Now, for the first time in one elegant collector's edition hardcover, and featuring an introduction by the author, here are the first three novels of that classic series:The Sword of Shannara,The Elfstones of Shannara, andThe Wishsong of Shannara--the beginning of a phenomenal epic of good and evil. The Sword of ShannaraLong ago, the wars of the ancient Evil ruined the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. But the supposedly dead Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy everything in his wake. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, which can be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races. The Elfstones of ShannaraThe magical Ellcrys tree is dying, loosening the spell that bars the Demons from enacting vengeance upon the land. Now Wil Ohmsford must guard the Elven girl Amberle on a perilous quest as she carries one of the Ellcrys' seeds to a mysterious place where it can be quickened into a powerful new force. But dark on their trail comes the Reaper, most fearsome of all Demons, aiming to crush their mission at any cost. The Wishsong of ShannaraAn ancient Evil is stirring to new life, sending its ghastly Mord Wraiths to destroy Mankind. To win through the vile growth that protects this dark force, the Druid Allanon needs Brin Ohmsford--for she alone holds the magic power of the wishsong. Reluctantly Brin joins the Druid on his dangerous journey. But a prophecy foretells doom, as Evil nurses its plans to trap the unsuspecting Brin into a fate far more horrible than death. Thus begins Terry Brooks's thrilling Shannara epic, an unforgettable tale of adventure, magic, and myth. From the Hardcover edition.
The Talismans of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara #4)by Terry Brooks
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Terry Brooks's The Measure of the Magic.Although some of the goals to keep Shannara safe had been met, the work of Walker Boh, Wren, and Par was not yet done. For The Shadowmen still swarmed over the Four Lands, poisoning all with their dark magic. Each Shannaran had a special death waiting for him- at the hands of The Shadowmen-unless Par could find a way to free them all with the Sword of Shannara.
Tanequil (High Druid of Shannara #2)by Terry Brooks
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Terry Brooks's The Measure of the Magic.Events that began in Jarka Ruus, Book One of High Druid of Shannara, come swiftly to a head in this second thrilling volume. Alliances are made, trusts are betrayed, and prices are paid. Through it all, Terry Brooks orchestrates the action with the flawless hand of a master mythmaker- fashioning another exquisite link in his chain of bestselling epics. Loyal to none but herself and lethal even to those closest to her, Shadea a'Ru now holds sway as High Druid of Paranor-her ascension to power all but unchallenged in the wake of Grianne Ohmsford's sudden, mysterious vanishing. Only Shadea and her catspaw-the treacherous Prime Minister Sen Dunsidan-know the secret fate of the true Ard Rhys . . . for it was they who engineered it, by means of dark magic. And now Grianne languishes in the fearsome and inescapable netherworld called the Forbidding. Their bloodless coup a success, the corrupt pair, and their confederates within the Druid Council, seeks to make their dominion over the Four Lands absolute-with the aid of a devastating new weapon. But it could all be undone if Grianne's young nephew, Penderrin, succeeds in his frantic quest to rescue her. Shadea's airship-borne minions and the relentless assassin under her command continue their fierce pursuit of Pen and his comrades. Eluding death is only half the battle for Pen. To breach the Forbidding and bring Grianne back to the natural world means finding the fabled Tanequil . . . and the talisman it alone can provide. That means journeying into the Inkrim-a dreaded region thick with shadows and haunted by harrowing legends. It also means striking a bargain more dire than Pen could ever imagine. But there can be no turning back. For in her unearthly prison, the Ard Rhys faces a demonic plight too hideous to countenance. . . .
The Tangle Box (The Magic Kingdom of Landover #4)by Terry Brooks
OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB...Everything should have been quiet and pleasant for Ben Holiday, the former Chicago lawyer who became sovereign of the Magic Kingdom of Landover. But it wasn't.Horris Kew, conjurer, confidence-man, and trickster, had returned to Landover from Ben's own world. Alas, Horris had not returned of his own volition--he had been sent by the Gorse, a sorcerer of great evil, whom Horris had unwittingly freed from the magic Tangle Box, where it had long ago been imprisoned by the fairy folk. Now it had returned to enslave those who had once dared condemn it. But first, it would rid Landover of all who could stand in its way...Soon Ben found himself imprisoned within the gloom of the Tangle Box, lost in its mists and its labyrinthine ways. The only one who could free Ben from the Tangle Box was the lady Willow. But she had disappeared, was gone from Landover on a mysterious mission of her own....From the Paperback edition.
Terry Brooks Starter Pack (4-Book Bundle)by Terry Brooks
A must for fans of epic fantasy fiction--this exclusive eBook package includes the inaugural novels of four monumental series by bestselling author Terry Brooks! THE SWORD OF SHANNARA The original breakout bestseller that began the classic Shannara series! Long ago, wars of the ancient evil ruined the world. Now the dreaded Warlock Lord is returning to destroy all he sees. And half-elfin Shea Ohmsford, the last of his bloodline, must stand against the power of darkness--with the only weapon that can stop it. MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE--SOLD! Mere mortal Ben Holiday gets far more than expected when he buys a genuine kingdom and topples into an enchanted world of wizards, demons, dragons, and palace intrigue. Now he must prove his mettle against mishaps and monsters alike in order to claim his place as king. The first novel in the beloved, bestselling Kingdom of Landover series. RUNNING WITH THE DEMON In book one of the Word and the Void series, a teenage girl with untold powers and a wandering man with an uncanny destiny must join together to save an American town--and all the world--from a force of evil bent upon a reign of damnation. ARMAGEDDON'S CHILDREN The stunning Genesis of Shannara series debuts with this novel set in the ruins of the once modern world, laid to waste by a demon apocalypse. Battling to survive against a host of horrors, humanity's remnants rally behind a lone agent of good and his powerful talisman--to stand or die against a hellish enemy. Includes excerpts of the second book in each series, as well as a special preview of Terry Brooks's new novel, The Wards of Faerie! "A great storyteller, Terry Brooks creates rich epics filled with mystery, magic, and memorable characters. If you haven't read Terry Brooks, you haven't read fantasy."--Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon and Brisingr "Terry's place is at the head of the fantasy world."--Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogyby Terry Brooks
The New York Times bestselling author of the classic Shannara epic, Terry Brooks, has proven himself one of the modern masters of fantasy, brilliantly creating breathtaking worlds of magic, adventure, and intrigue. Now, for the first time in one marvelous collector's edition hardcover, here's the complete trilogy of the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr. In these enchanting novels, a colorful contingent of characters takes to the skies aboard a magnificent airship-the Jerle Shannara-on a quest fraught with wonder and danger. Ilse WitchA half-drowned elf carries a map covered with cryptic symbols-and Walker Boh, the last of the Druids, has the skill to decipher them. But someone else understands the map's significance: the ruthless Ilse Witch, who will stop at nothing to possess it-and the powerful magic it leads to.AntraxWhile in search of the elusive magic, Walker Boh is lured into a trap-caught in a dark maze beneath a ruined city, stalked by a hungry, unseen enemy. It is Antrax: a spirit that feeds off enchantment and traps the souls of men. Now the fate of the Four Lands hangs in the balance.Morgawr The intrepid heroes aboard the Jerle Shannara have reached their breaking point. A centuries-old sorcerer, the Morgawr, vows to find and control the fabled ancient books of magic-and he is an adversary of awesome might with a fleet of airships and a crew of walking dead men at his command. In The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Terry Brooks weaves together high adventure, vividly wrought characters, and a spellbinding world into an irresistible story of heroism and sacrifice, love and honor.From the Hardcover edition.
Wards of Faerie (Dark Legacy of Shannara #1)by Terry Brooks
Seven years after the conclusion of the High Druid of Shannara trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks at last revisits one of the most popular eras in the legendary epic fantasy series that has spellbound readers for more than three decades. When the world was young, and its name was Faerie, the power of magic ruled--and the Elfstones warded the race of Elves and their lands, keeping evil at bay. But when an Elven girl fell hopelessly in love with a Darkling boy of the Void, he carried away more than her heart. Thousands of years later, tumultuous times are upon the world now known as the Four Lands. Users of magic are in conflict with proponents of science. Elves have distanced their society from the other races. The dwindling Druid order and its teachings are threatened with extinction. A sinister politician has used treachery and murder to rise as prime minister of the mighty Federation. Meanwhile, poring through a long-forgotten diary, the young Druid Aphenglow Elessedil has stumbled upon the secret account of an Elven girl's heartbreak and the shocking truth about the vanished Elfstones. But never has a little knowledge been so very dangerous--as Aphenglow quickly learns when she's set upon by assassins. Yet there can be no turning back from the road to which fate has steered her. For whoever captures the Elfstones and their untold powers will surely hold the advantage in the devastating clash to come. But Aphenglow and her allies--Druids, Elves, and humans alike--remember the monstrous history of the Demon War, and they know that the Four Lands will never survive another reign of darkness. But whether they themselves can survive the attempt to stem that tide is another question entirely. "[Terry Brooks is] the most important fantasy writer since J.R.R. Tolkien."--Rocky Mountain News
The Wishsong of Shannara (Shannara #3)by Terry Brooks
Horror stalks the Four Lands. The Ildatch, ancient source of evil, has stirred to life. It sends its foul Mord Wraiths to make war on all living things and bring about, at last, Mankind's destruction. Once again Allanon, Druid Protector of the Races, must seek the help of a descendant of the Elven King, Jerle Shannara. Brin, daughter of Wil Ohmsford, has been born with the magic of the Wishsong, which alone can open a way to the Ildatch. Reluctantly, she joins Allanon on his perilous journey east. Meanwhile her younger brother, Jair, learns that Brin will fail and die unless he can reach her in time. As Brin walks blindly into the trap the Ildatch has set, Jair's only hope of reaching her in time is to travel through the very heart of evil. . . THE WISHSONG OF SHANNARA is the third volume of the classic series that set the standard for modern fantasy. A timeless work from a master storyteller.
Witch Wraithby Terry Brooks
From New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks comes the final thrilling novel in a brand-new trilogy--The Dark Legacy of Shannara! For centuries the Four Lands enjoyed freedom from its demon-haunted past, protected by magic-enhanced borders from the dark dimension known as the Forbidding and the profound evil imprisoned there. But now the unthinkable is happening: The ancient wards securing the barrier between order and mayhem have begun to erode--and generations of bloodthirsty, monstrous creatures, fueled by a rage thousands of years in the making, are poised to spill forth, seeking revenge for what was done to them. Young Elf Arling Elessedil possesses the enchanted means to close the breach and once more seal the denizens of the Forbidding in their prison. But when she falls into the hands of the powerful Federation's diabolical Prime Minister, her efforts may be doomed. Only her determined sister, Aphen, who bears the Elfstones and commands their magic, has any hope of saving Arling from the hideous fate her captor has in store. Meanwhile, Railing Ohmsford--desperate to save his imprisoned brother--seeks to discover if his famed but ill-fated ancestor Grianne is still alive and willing to help him save the world . . . no matter the odds or the consequences.PRAISE FOR TERRY BROOKS "The Sword of Shannara is an unforgettable and wildly entertaining epic, animated by Terry Brooks's cosmically generative imagination and storytelling joy."--Karen Russell, New York Times bestselling author of Swamplandia! "If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle."--Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Desert Spear "I can't even begin to count how many of Terry Brooks's books I've read (and reread) over the years. From Shannara to Landover, his work was a huge part of my childhood."--Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind "Terry Brooks is a master of the craft and a trailblazer who established fantasy as a viable genre. He is required reading."--Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Angel Trilogy "The Shannara books were among the first to really capture my imagination. My daydreams and therefore my stories will always owe a debt to Terry Brooks."--Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Beyonders and Fablehaven seriesFrom the Hardcover edition.
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- DAISY Audio - Listen to books in audio-only mode with the high-quality Kendra voice by Ivona pre-installed. Navigate by page, chapter, section, and more. Must be used with a DAISY Audio compatible reading tool.
- MP3 - Listen to books in audio-only mode with the high-quality Kendra voice by Ivona pre-installed. Navigate using tracks. Can be used with any MP3 player.
- BRF (Braille Ready Format) - Read with any BRF compatible refreshable braille display; navigate using the search or find feature.
- DAISY Text - Read with any DAISY 3.0 compatible refreshable braille display, navigate by page, chapter, section, and more.
- Embossed Braille - Use Bookshare's DAISY Text or BRF formats to generate embossed braille.