When an Air New Zealand sightseeing plane crashed into the lower slopes of Mount Erebus in Antarctica in 1979, all 257 people on board lost their lives. The Erebus disaster sent shockwaves through our small country - it is said that 'everyone knew someone' involved. What's more, the aftermath wreaked its own trail of destruction, with the Royal Commission of Inquiry coining the oft-quoted phrase 'an orchestrated litany of lies' to describe the airline management's conduct. The surrounding media storm drowned out the stories of those at the heart of the tragedy: the families who lost someone, and the people who worked so hard to bring loved ones home. Their stories were forgotten - until now. Marking the fortieth anniversary of that horrific event, this is the first book on the topic written by a family member. In Towards the Mountain, Sarah Myles uses extensive research and interviews to weave together the stories of her grandfather, his fellow adventurers and the first responders. This is the story of what happened and its enduring impact on those most affected. What emerges is a testament to the possibility of hope.

"A mercilessly taut, relentlessly thrilling tale of heartbreak and survival. Raschke writes with humanity and grace about the challenges of parenthood, and the rigors of the natural world." —JONATHAN EVISON, author of The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving Eleven–year–old Marshall lives in a remote juvenile center in Colorado, where he is bullied by the other boys, misunderstood by all of the staff except Leslie, and so overwhelmed by the sounds and smells in the cafeteria that getting his lunch is a daily terror. During a blizzard, an unexpected mishap for Marshall and Leslie leads to Marshall's disappearance into the wilderness. His father, Jace, knows that Marshall has gone searching for a secret on the mountain. To save Marshall, Jace must overcome not only the winter elements, but his own self–doubt in this tale of sacrifice, hope, and the bond between father and son.

Geology and earth science made easy (to learn) and super quick (to read about). You, too, can make a mountain—just grab this nonfiction picture book and start today! DO IT YOURSELF! START TODAY! From shaping peaks and crafting a glacier to nurturing your own plants and animals, these nine simple steps cover everything you need to know to make your very own mountain. In this book, you'll learn how to • Crush a piece of continent into a mountain range; • Freeze and melt glaciers; • Carve ravines, valleys, rivers, and mountain lakes; • Foster plants and develop a fertile layer of soil; and • Fill your mountain with a wide variety of animals that will work together to keep your mountain ecosystems healthy YES—YOU, TOO, CAN MAKE A MOUNTAIN! It is a big job, but it's also a thrilling adventure! Pack your snacks, load up your gear, and get ready for the challenge of a lifetime! *Tectonic plates, tools, and wildlife not included. Some restrictions apply. The authors assume no responsibility for frostbite, landslides, or accidental volcanoes. SCIENCE WITH A PLAYFUL, DIY TWIST: This fun and funny nonfiction picture book humorously encourages readers to get busy making their own mountain ranges. By the end, they will have learned the many steps that ultimately turn a rock into a peak, a slope into a gorge, snow into a glacier, and much more! GREAT FOR BUDDING ENVIRONTMENTALISTS: Once readers have "built" their mountains, their jobs aren't over—because the environment needs caretakers and stewards, of course! With rich back matter and lush illustrations accompanying an engaging text, this picture book is perfect for instilling a love of the natural world in budding scientists, environmental activists, and nature enthusiasts. STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Earth science is a staple classroom subject in all elementary school grades. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators. Perfect for: • Teachers and librarians • Parents, grandparents, and caregivers • Anyone who loves or collects rocks • Lovers of fun, unique approaches to nonfiction and STEM topics • Gift-givers looking for a one-of-a-kind gift that's both funny and educational

In The Mountain, geographers Bernard Debarbieux and Gilles Rudaz trace the origins of the very concept of a mountain, showing how it is not a mere geographic feature but ultimately an idea, one that has evolved over time, influenced by changes in political climates and cultural attitudes. To truly understand mountains, they argue, we must view them not only as material realities but as social constructs, ones that can mean radically different things to different people in different settings. From the Enlightenment to the present day, and using a variety of case studies from all the continents, the authors show us how our ideas of and about mountains have changed with the times and how a wide range of policies, from border delineation to forestry as well as nature protection and social programs, have been shaped according to them. A rich hybrid analysis of geography, history, culture, and politics, the book promises to forever change the way we look at mountains.

‘You empower yourself and then you reach out to others.’ Uplifting life lessons from one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known... through the eyes of the grandson whose life he changed forever. In his book Going to the Mountain, Ndaba Mandela shares the story of his coming-of-age alongside South Africa’s rebirth. It is a remarkable journey, and one that took him from the violent, segregated Soweto ghettos to his grandfather’s presidential home. As a young boy, Ndaba was constantly shunted from place to place. But at eleven years old he was unexpectedly invited to live with his grandfather, Nelson Mandela, even though he had met him only once before, during a prison visit. And, slowly, they built a relationship that would affect both of them profoundly. Ndaba's teenage years were complicated, but as he approached his twenty-first birthday, Mandela decided that Ndaba was finally ready to ‘go to the mountain’ – a test of courage during which you become a man. At the end of this gruelling ritual journey, the elders of the Mandelas’ tribe gathered and Ndaba’s grandfather was there, as ever, to share his greatest life lessons. From Nelson Mandela, Ndaba learned the spirit of endurance, the triumph of forgiveness, the power of resistance and the beauty of reconciliation. And as Mandela grew older, Ndaba had the chance to repay his grandfather’s love and support by demonstrating the ways in which he’d understood all that he had taught him. Intimate and inspirational, Going to the Mountain is a powerful reminder of how one person can impact profoundly on another, and a testament to the awesome power within us to change ourselves and our world.

The Algerian Islamist Abdullah Anas, 'perhaps the greatest warrior of the Afghan Arabs', fought the Soviet Union for a decade. As one of the earliest Arabs to join the Afghan jihad, he counted as brothers-in-arms the future icons of Al-Qaeda's global war, from Abdullah Azzam to Osama bin Laden to Omar Abdel-Rahman, and befriended key Afghan jihadi figures such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir. To the Mountains is an intimate portrait of this brutal war, tracing Anas's involvement in the conflict, as well as his experiences of the Algerian civil war (1992-8) and his sojourn in 'Londonistan'. Brushing shoulders with everyone from Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi to Jalaluddin Haqqani, Anas opted for his own independent route, seeking to persuade the Afghan Arabs that they should not be distracted by attacks on the West. Paradoxically, he remains committed to the broader Islamist movement, believing that jihad will continue till the end of time, yet has also spent years talking to the Taliban, seeking to build a lasting peace in Afghanistan. This is his story. Co-written with investigative journalist Tam Hussein, Anas's memoir will doubtless become a seminal primary source on the rise of global jihadism.