"This unique work explores, through personal narratives, the overlapping and intermingling of cultures as well as the immense cultural diversity across the world. This exploration inevitably questions notions of higher or lower cultures, and civilized or uncivilized peoples. Indeed it questions the very concept of superiority amongst peoples. Apart from cross-cultural encounters, this work also discusses how various democratic and non-democratic governments and organizations have attempted to conceal cross-cultural influences by inventing superiority, purity, and authenticity of cultures and civilizations to the detriment of others. Yet cross-culture pollination, an ongoing process, always reveals itself through the ignored cracks of history. The book shows that India is no exception and has been and continues to be porous. The numerous examples of cross-pollination -- with Algeria, Indonesia, Cambodia, to mention a few -- force us to re-look cultural constructs and indeed the very meaning of culture."--Publisher's website

Skyscrapers are an American original. A century ago, towering technological marvels like the Flatiron Building dramatically transformed cities across the United States and soon spread around the globe. Today, as these graceful structures are rediscovered and put to new use, learn the inspiring and long-forgotten stories of how they came to be.Here are the surprising details of America's early millionaires--the complex characters they were and the companies they built, the risks they took, the dreams they chased, and the explosion of raw economic power and societal disruption they unleashed on a young nation. A lively collection of case studies and popular history reveals the entrepreneurs who built American corporate culture, with their successes and failures, triumphs and tragedies. Whether rags-to-riches immigrants, crafty clerks, ambitious officials, or perceptive investors, each is a tale of perseverance and vision ultimately brought to fruition, and a legacy that is now ours to experience in the grand old skyscrapers they left behind.Award-winning writer and speaker Mark Houser weaves extensive historical research with observations from his visits to these buildings to construct a personal guided tour of 55 fascinating antique skyscrapers across America and abroad.

From a creepypasta horror farm to a bullish love tale and from the bloody metal deck of the ESS Arclight to superhero octopus food trucks, you can transform your shortest stolen moments into utter delights with this diverse collection of 33 flash fiction stories. Commuting to work? Grabbing a quick coffee? Each story tells a complete tale in but a few short minutes with the added promise of a lifelong introduction to new indie writers. You never know, you might just find your next favorite author. This collection, the first in the Flash Flood series, is a special selection of master works with a variety of genres and voices guaranteed to keep you engaged. Sign up now for future flash fiction anthologies themed for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, May the 4th and Independence Day.

Advances and Trends in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation features over 300 papers classified into 21 sections, which were presented at the Fourth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2010, Cape Town, South Africa, 6-8 September 2010). The SEMC conferences have been held every 3 years in