People may choose to ignore their animal heritage by interpreting their behavior as divinely inspired, socially purposeful, or even self-serving, all of which they attribute to being human, but they masticate, fornicate, and procreate, much as chimps and apes do, so they should have little cause to get upset if they learn that they act like other primates when they politically agitate, debate, abdicate, placate, and administrate, too." -- from the book King of the Mountain presents the startling findings of Arnold M. Ludwig's eighteen-year investigation into why people want to rule. The answer may seem obvious -- power, privilege, and perks -- but any adequate answer also needs to explain why so many rulers cling to power even when they are miserable, trust nobody, feel besieged, and face almost certain death. Ludwig's results suggest that leaders of nations tend to act remarkably like monkeys and apes in the way they come to power, govern, and rule. Profiling every ruler of a recognized country in the twentieth century -- over 1,900 people in all­­, Ludwig establishes how rulers came to power, how they lost power, the dangers they faced, and the odds of their being assassinated, committing suicide, or dying a natural death. Then, concentrating on a smaller sub-set of 377 rulers for whom more extensive personal information was available, he compares six different kinds of leaders, examining their characteristics, their childhoods, and their mental stability or instability to identify the main predictors of later political success. Ludwig's penetrating observations, though presented in a lighthearted and entertaining way, offer important insight into why humans have engaged in war throughout recorded history as well as suggesting how they might live together in peace.

A flea proves who is really king of the mountain.

Based on the 1867 play Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen, set to Edvard Grieg's musical masterpiece, author and music teacher Allison Flannery captures the wonder and imagination of childhood while also providing an age-appropriate, entertaining introduction to music theory and appreciation. Children, educators, and parents will be delighted by Vesper Stamper's beautiful watercolors that bring Flannery's retelling to life. Come sing, dance and explore with Peer to Greig's music on the included CD.

Peer Gynt, a naughty little boy who disobeys his mother to stay out searching for treasure, discovers a magnificent cave that leads him deep into the heart of another world. Peer Gynt is a naughty little boy who often steals, plays mean tricks, and never helps his mother. More than anything else, Peer enjoys searching for treasures near his cottage in the mountains of Norway. Every day he leaves his cottage to go treasure hunting, and every day his mother asks him to be home before dark. However, one nighta particularly magical nightPeer decides to ignore his mothers request and continues searching for treasure long after the sun has set. He discovers a marvelous cave, the likes of which hes never seen before. Certain that there must be magnificent treasures within, Peer ventures deep inside the cave. His expedition leads him straight to the center of the mountain, into the hall of the Mountain King. As mischievous Peer Gynt soon learns, the Mountain Kingdom is a land of the extraordinary. He finds himself face-to-face with beings of myth and magic and a greater danger than hes ever encountered in his life. Will he survive to tell his mother where hes been?

American cycling sensation and heartthrob Clifford Du Frey is riding the wave of success. Brand Du Frey is a multi-million-dollar business, and during the Tour de France, Clifford is mobbed by fans wherever he goes. The superstar must focus on winning the Tour de France and maintaining the image of the athletic hetero alpha male at all costs. But Clifford has a secret. He has fallen hard for Gabe O'Reilly - the dreamy art student from San Francisco whom he met on a summer's day in Paris. Can Clifford and Gabe's budding relationship withstand the media storm and other forces arraigned against them? Can the grit and determination that propelled Clifford to the top of his sport help him break out to find true love and happiness? You will root for Clifford and Gabe as they take you on a steaming hot ride through France and all the way back to their native California.

Now in paperback! See what perils await our beloved blue-haired adventurer in the sixth book of Luke Pearson's widely praised series. We rejoin our heroine for her latest adventure just as she awakes to find herself... in the body of a troll! Her mum is worried sick, and is perplexed by the strange creature that seems to have taken Hilda's place. Now, both of them are in a race to be reunited before Ahlberg and his safety patrol get the chance to use their new secret weapon to lay waste to the trolls, and Hilda along with them!

In 'The King of the Mountains,' an enrapturing novel written by Edmond About, readers embark on a gripping journey through the majestic peaks of the Alps, where they are introduced to a cast of intriguing characters and witness the clash of traditionalism and modernity in a remote village. Set in the mid-19th century, the story revolves around the life of a charismatic and enigmatic mountaineer named Matteo Falcone. Known as the King of the Mountains, Matteo embodies the rugged spirit and independence of the Alpine people, who live in harmony with nature and their ancestral customs. The villagers, in awe of his strength and wisdom, regard him as their leader and protector. Through the eyes of various characters, including a young engineer named Arthur, a headstrong village girl named Angele, and the mysterious Matteo himself, the author skillfully explores themes of identity, love, and the inevitable clash between tradition and progress.