Driven to the Brink is a collection of short stories about corporate disasters and how inadequate governance and flawed culture caused a massive destruction of shareholder value. Look at any major corporate meltdown and two factors emerge: a failure of corporate governance and a culture where short-termism and greed are rewarded and risk is encouraged to flourish unchecked. Two years before the latest crash, Alicia Micklethwait co-wrote the best-selling Greed and Corporate Failure which examined some of the high profile corporate disasters of the early years of the 21st century. Sadly those lessons were forgotten. Companies have continued to be Driven to the Brink of disaster. Now, with co-author Patty Dimond, they examine what we must learn this time around. Drawing on in-depth case studies of the Libor scandal, Olympus, Co-op, Kids Company and others, Dimond and Micklethwait ask what have we learned and more importantly, what can we do to prevent these disasters from happening again? They also examine the large, emerging and less widely understood world of Corporate China with detailed discussion of the Lixel and Glaxo frauds. On a positive note, staying with China, they look at the story of Alibaba and ask is an ethical culture enough to protect shareholder rights?

James was only five years old and travelling home to Devon after holiday with his family in Scotland in 1986, when tragedy struck. The car was involved in a serious accident just outside Bristol, leaving him fighting for survival on life support. When he emerged from his coma, doctors discovered that he was seriously brain damaged, leaving the left side paralysed. Within the blink of an eye James had been transformed from a gregarious, fun-loving little boy into a rag doll. But with a lot of loving support, he began the long and difficult road to recovery. His attitude was inspirational, and for years he threw himself into rehabilitation. As James grew up he began to feel misunderstood and not able to reach the level of normality he so yearned for. He felt that there was no longer any point to his life. When James asked his doctor for help, the reality of his situation suddenly struck. Suicide would be the ultimate failure. This is the story of James' life and how he fought tooth and nail to stay alive. It is both his autobiography and a guide to personal development. Since making the conscious decision not to give up hope, James has gone on to travel the world and teach English abroad. James is open and honest about the things in which he has found great solace during his darkest hours, and he credits the teachings of Kabbalah, an increasingly popular form of Jewish mysticism, for helping him refocus his life. The singer Madonna, a long term exponent of the spiritual teaching, has been an inspirational figure for James. James is now a picture of good health; despite continued weakness in his left side and a limp, he walks confidently and with a purpose.

With the passing of one millennium and the beginning of the new, all of creation seems to anticipate the coming of something "big," something that may forever change life as we know it. In Pastor Rod Parsley's words, we are On the Brink. In this "fullness of time" period, believers must realize that there is a force that is consciously and skillfully directing destructive images, enticements, and entrapments toward our homes, marriages, and children. This force is the Spirit of the Age, pure and simple demon power. Using a strong biblical foundation and real-life stories of victory over evil, Parsley shows readers how to resist evil and experience a divine breakthrough to fulfill God's purposes in these last days.

Working on highly sensitive diplomatic affairs, Darcy Prescott is a natural target for terrorist kidnappers. But when she's mysteriously plucked off a street in Manila one sultry night, Darcy's disappearance isn't what it seems... The moment Special Forces soldier Ethan Garrett laid eyes on Darcy, he knew she was the woman he would marry—and he did. But when their marriage fell apart, Ethan never really recovered. Now a highly paid bodyguard, Ethan quickly slips back into combat mode when he learns of Darcy's disappearance and calls in old favors to assemble a rogue rescue team.... Tracking Darcy all the way to the jungles of the Philippines, Ethan knows every move he makes could mean the difference between life and death. His love for Darcy burns stronger than ever. But when he learns the true reason for her abduction, it may be too late to save her—or himself...

Ever fantasized about quitting your job and starting over? Prioleau Alexander did just that. Here is his laugh-out-loud funny, endearing, and humbling exploration of life at minimum wage. Alexander walked away from a lucrative career as an advertising executive, seeking a life “like that dude on Kung Fu.” Over the next year, he worked minimum-wage jobs as a pizza deliveryman, ice cream scooper, construction worker, ER tech, fast food jockey, and even cowboy on a Montana dude ranch. He reveals a side of America that is rarely seen and questions the stale white-collar notions of a deeper, more meaningful life beyond the cubicle. In You Want Fries With That? Prioleau explores life at minimum wage and proves unequivocally that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Ed Carter, a New York reporter on his way to his home town in Omaha for a short vacation, saw the missile in the last moments in its journey back to earth. A sweller on the brink, like all of us, he had no doubt about what it was; Oh God, he thought, this is it. The blast of the impact flung him some distance, and when he regained consciousness, his first reaction was one of surprised to find himself still alive, and not, it seemed, even badly hurt. Presumably the missile had been directed at the big Air Force base nearby, and should have destroyed everything and everyone within a radius of miles. Could it have failed to explode? Carter sees the remains of part of the missile in an adjacent field and hobbles over to it. A minute or two later several Air Force officers arrive. They examine the remains, and find the burned-up body of a pilot. In other worlds, the missile was not Russia's first shot in the Third World War, but a failure to launch a man into space. But Carter knows that the Distant Early Warning line will have reported the missile; that the senior Air Force officers, in accordance with plan, will have taken to the air - in the country's interest, their lives must, of course, be preserved if possible; that by now the retaliatory American bombers will have passed the point of no recall; and that the Third World War has begun. Not so, Colonel Ben Goldwater tells him: "I called the bombers back." Goldwater, the man who had been left in command, has saved the world - for at least a little longer. So he becomes a world hero? Not a bit of it. On the contrary: a nightmare looms ahead both for him and for Ed Carter, and the reader watches it all with growing fury...

This book examines the role of unauthorized water use in the American West (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) and the coming demand for water accountability. Arguing that status quo responses to unauthorized water use (or water theft) and the protection of water rights are largely inadequate, this title examines the far-ranging impacts of this lackluster response on issues ranging from food production to urban livability, and concludes that there will be intense pressure at both the federal and state level to address these issues. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative models and collaborative management literature to identify ideal approaches, this project ultimately seeks to address this major crisis of states’ legitimacy and analyze potential solutions under the ever-expanding threat of climate change.

Can bitter enemies ever be friends? Harry Brigandshaw is presumed dead, missing in the wilds of Africa. And Colonial Shipping is stolen. Tina is miserable on Elephant Walk whilst the new generation of Brigandshaws and St Clairs are on the threshold of new beginnings. Young, carefree, full of excitement and eager for success. The Great War is behind them, the world has licked their wounds and a new future beckons. But menacing undercurrents are permeating. There’s talk. The Fourth Estate spinning their stories. Scaremongering. Rumours. Hitler inciting hatred. His power, seductive. Yet the Allies are grinding Germany into the dust but for how long? The Gestapo and the Brownshirts are lurking, raising national pride, waiting to strike. And back in England, the youngsters are living the high life, trying to ignore the gossip. But how can they when all the signs are there for the inevitable? It’s the calm before the storm! The world is on the brink of tears.

A new and coherent framework for fostering the breakthrough innovations that we urgently need to confront our collective future. We live in less innovative times than we think. Despite having made major technological advancements in a few areas, we are still left with enormous unsolved challenges. A radical shift in the culture of innovation is needed. On the Brink of Utopia, by authors Thomas Ramge and Rafael Laguna de la Vera, and with a foreword written by Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell, offers just that—a new and coherent framework for fostering breakthrough innovations for human progress. In their “Innovation Leap Paradigm,” they present seven steps in seven chapters and answer three simple questions: What great challenges need to be tackled? Who makes tech leaps? And finally, what political, economic, and cultural environments foster radical innovation? The authors sketch out a future in which technology will solve real problems, anywhere from climate change and hunger to obesity and menstrual pain. They envision a future in which biotechnologists work from a platform that enables them to develop effective drugs within months for any emerging virus, where green energy will be too cheap to meter and aerial carbon can be transmuted into a valuable commodity at scale. Offering a new perspective on innovation that centers not just American readers but also readers from all over the world, On the Brink of Utopia is a hopeful and visionary book that reimagines the roles of innovators, citizens, governments, and financial markets to foster innovation leaps that maximize the well-being of the greatest number of people.

“This impassioned book invites readers to the deep end of life where authentic soul work and human transformation become pressing concerns.” —Publishers Weekly 2019 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medalist in the Aging/Death & Dying Category From bestselling author Parker J. Palmer comes a brave and beautiful book for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage in the world. “Age itself,” he says, “is no excuse to wade in the shallows. It’s a reason to dive deep and take creative risks.” Looking back on eight decades of life—and on his work as a writer, teacher, and activist—Palmer explores what he’s learning about self and world, inviting readers to explore their own experience. In prose and poetry—and three downloadable songs written for the book by the gifted Carrie Newcomer—he meditates on the meanings of life, past, present, and future. With compassion and chutzpah, gravitas and levity, Palmer writes about cultivating a vital inner and outer life, finding meaning in suffering and joy, and forming friendships across the generations that bring new life to young and old alike. “This book is a companion for not merely surviving a fractured world, but embodying—like Parker—the fiercely honest and gracious wholeness that is ours to claim at every stage of life.” —Krista Tippett, New York Times-bestselling author of Becoming Wise “A wondrously rich mix of reality and possibility, comfort and story, helpful counsel and poetry, in the voice of a friend . . . This is a book of immense gratitude, consolation, and praise.” —Naomi Shihab Nye, National Book Award finalist