Contestants have died, been maimed, and spiraled down into the nightmarish realm of madness. Half of them don't finish--in fact, only 200 racers have ever made it to the end. "Outside" magazine calls it "the toughest test of endurance in the world." RAAM (the Race Across America) is a bicycle race like no other. This epic race is the most brutal organized sporting event you've never heard of and one of the best-kept secrets in the sports world. Author Amy Snyder follows a handful of athletes before, during, and after the 2009 event, the closest and most controversial in history. "Hell on Two Wheels" is a thrilling and remarkably detailed account of their ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies. By experiencing the race from the perspective of the racers themselves, "Hell on Two Wheels" breaks new ground in helping us appreciate how such a grueling effort can be so cleansing and self-revelatory. This is more than just a race; it's a monster, a crucible, an unforgettable allegory about the human experience of pain and joy and self-discovery.

As figureheads of the most visible segment of criminal justice, today’s police administrators are forced to tackle challenges never faced by their predecessors. Heightened local and global threats, advanced technologies, and increased demands for procedural transparency require new levels of flexibility, innovative thinking, and the ability to foster and maintain relationships within the community. It is more crucial than ever to recruit and retain capable leaders to guide law enforcement agencies at this pivotal time in history. Covering areas such as leadership in policing, use of force, and understanding how the law shapes police practice, Handbook of Police Administration examines the key topics that must be considered by law enforcement professionals. Recognizing that police leaders need the skills and traits of a politician, accountant, attorney, field lieutenant, and futurist, the authors cover a variety of contemporary issues surrounding police administration and management. Divided into five thematic sections, it considers the legal aspects of overseeing a public sector organization, as well as how research, technology, and training can assist modern police leaders in performing their duties more effectively and efficiently. The book covers problematic issues such as officers accepting gratuities, undercover work, and the time criteria required for promotional consideration. It concludes with a chapter comparing administrative issues in Australia with many of the subjects previously addressed with regard to U.S. protocol. Using a range of perspective, differing viewpoints, and controversial issues, Handbook of Police Administration provides a springboard to stimulate discussion at the cutting-edge of debate in the dynamic field of policing.

Ultimate Étapes is the essential guide to cycling the very best routes in Europe. From the epic ascent of the Stelvio to the windswept coastline of the Netherlands’ North Sea, by way of the cobbles of Flanders and Italy’s Strade Bianche, Peter Cossins has created a guide to the stages that have defined modern cycling. Taken together, they create a tour of Europe that offers as broad a variety of terrain as any of the Grand Tours would provide, enabling riders inspired by the beauty, thrills and demands of these races to challenge themselves on exactly the same parcours. Ultimate Étapes is a book for cyclists of all abilities - from experienced club racers to enthusiastic amateurs who might just want to take on one great cycle. Each stage includes a detailed route description, (with map and profile) and suggestions on other riding within each region, including details of the most significant sportives in the area. Peter Cossins’ beautifully written text explains why each stage merits inclusion with superb descriptions of the majestic scenery, the heroic deeds of cycling's legendary riders or the sheer endeavour and exhilaration of completing a stage.

"Analyzes how print and visual texts of various kinds reflect, refract, and respond to the social and political significance of the bicycle from its origins in the nineteenth century to the present"--