Showing results by narrator "Derek Shoales" in All Categories

SQL Essentials for Dummies is your quick reference to all the core concepts of SQL—a valuable common standard language used in relational databases. This useful guide is straightforward—with no excess review, wordy explanations, or fluff—so you get what you need, fast. Great for a brush-up on the basics or as an everyday desk reference, this book is one you can rely on.

After overcoming numerous trials and titanic challenges, Angeline finally returns to her hometown with her party members and reunites with her beloved father, Belgrieve, for some much-needed rest and relaxation in the countryside. But amidst home comforts and nostalgic joy, her father feels duty bound to make sure she's not holding back as a warrior, even against him: "If you want to continue as an adventurer, defeat me first!"

For nearly one thousand years, the Core Empire has held together thousands of star systems and billions of citizens. But a coup attempt has broken the empire into pieces. Some planets and systems have survived and still have law and order. Others have fallen to barbarism and piracy. For young Hugh Cascade, this is but a history lesson, even if the nightmares of kinetic weapons exploding have followed him through most of his childhood. Ten years later, the war finds Hugh, now a military cadet. 

Marc is all too aware that the end of the acclimatization year the System has provided to Earth is quickly drawing to a close and that others will be allowed onto the planet to start claiming areas shortly. Zeus has promised that his series of quests will get Marc, at least, to the maximum level reachable in that first year, but Marc is nervous that it isn't going to happen.

In Conquerors' Pride, Timothy Zahn, Hugo Award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling Star Wars(r) trilogy, unfurled an epic tale of drama and courage as the interstellar Commonwealth faced savage invasion by alien starships of unknown origin. Now he probes deeply into the world of the invaders themselves in one of the most powerful evocations of an alien society ever created.

The greatest heroes of the Commonwealth are gathered in the breach for one last fight. The Transformation Virus rages through human space like a wildfire, changing ordinary men and women into psionic demi-gods, bent on destruction and conquest. The government has fallen, the military is helpless, and the fate of humanity rests in the hands of a collection of unlikely saviors.

A bounty hunting survivor. A Galactic dark elf. A woman who has given up her humanity to become something more. These stories and more are available in the first short story anthology for the System Apocalypse, covering year one on Earth. When the world ends, humanity steps up, finding new ways to survive in a world with classes, magic, and monsters. The anthology features exciting, new stories by five new writers and a new, never publicly released short story by Tao Wong.

After sealing the otherworldly portal, Eric becomes a Magister of the order of monster hunters. From now on, as head of the once mighty organization, he gains power over all its riches. But Eric is aware that he won't be able do it on his own. And reviving what is popularly referred to as "the dead order" won't be enough. He also has to assert its right to exist because its ancient enemy is on the lookout!

Niki Banks and her team from the DOD need Taylor's help, but he isn't at home. He is in New Orleans with her cousin, which has Niki more than a little curious. She needs to stop a potentially catastrophic release of cryptids into the Louisiana biome. But will Taylor be in jail by the time she arrives? If he isn't in jail, will he have committed yet another major heist to get even with those who have attacked him? 

It's time. The gloves are coming off. The mob has disrespected Taylor's people, and he won't stand for it. However, DESK is more than willing to help everyone bet their bank account on the outcome. But will Taylor be able to take out two very large mob guys and take home the scratch? To get Niki's hand, will Taylor have to go through her DOD guys to get their permission? Perhaps, but perhaps they better not let Niki hear them say it that way.

China's growing role in the global economy is showing no sign of retreat. Indeed, recent events have only increased China's influence - to the point where China is poised to edge out the United States and take the lead. For investors like you, this tectonic shift poses difficult challenges - along with tremendous opportunities. In China's Rise and the New Age of Gold, one of the 21st century's top economic experts, Stephen Leeb, lays out his compelling argument that explosive gains in gold lie ahead.

His name is Taylor McFadden, survivor of eighty-three trips into the ZOO. Now, he's retired, and yet his country needs his skills to save people in the country he calls home.

Rodney Dangerfield's fidgety delivery, self-deprecating humor, and catchphrase, "I don't get no respect," made him a comedy icon in nightclubs, on television, and in movies. But Rodney's long road to stardom was as rocky as his real life. That's when he decided to give comedy one last shot . . . Back in the clubs and thanks to a fortuitous prime-time set on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the age of forty-five, the newly christened Rodney Dangerfield was an "overnight" success. It was the greatest second act in the history of show business.

Maeve uch Robert, daughter of Robert ap Morgan, had always heard the stories of her family's connection to the emperors of old. Not that she really believed them. But her sister, Morgain, clearly did. She's been trying to claim the crown for herself ever since a coup attempt killed the current emperor and wiped out most of the court. To protect Maeve, Robert plans to enroll her safely in the Imperial Fleet Academy. Then Morgain strikes again . . .

With her vacation over and separated from her father once again, the S-Rank adventurer Angeline is utterly convinced that Belgrieve must be feeling just as lonely as her. In order to make his home feel a little less empty, she resolves to find him a bride! Meanwhile, Belgrieve's hands are full with his own troubles, as his reputation has gained the attention of an adventurer hoping to test his mettle against a living legend, as well as an old elf claiming to be a holy knight.

Thanks to a strange turn of fate, Angeline was able to reunite her father with one of his former adventurer comrades, the archmage Kasim. Now with spring approaching, Belgrieve intends to bring everyone back to Turnera with him, but the unbreakable bond between father and daughter has left the two so concerned for one another that they ironically can't seem to find common ground. Meanwhile, Charlotte and Byaku begin training in magic, only to encounter a certain problem. Where is this ever-growing little family headed, and what will become of the young magicians-in-training?

Belgrieve's return to Turnera has been marked by many brushes with larger-than-life figures, including a legendary adventurer, an elven princess, and a mysterious foundling with mystical powers. In the midst of all of this, Belgrieve is forced to confront unresolved old feelings about his past that have smoldered within him since his adventuring days came to an end so long ago. Meanwhile, after resuming her adventuring life in the big city, Angeline has done her father the dubious service of seeking out prospective brides for him (to no avail). 

We all know a visionary leader when we see one. They're bold and prophetic and at the same time pragmatic. They don't just promote change - they drive it, while inspiring and mobilizing others to do the same. Visionaries like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos possess a host of innate qualities that make them extraordinary, but what truly sets them apart is their ability to turn vision into action. Here, Innosight's Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz introduce a new way of thinking and managing, called "future-back", that enables any manager to become a practical visionary. 

When the baroness of Forthyn's daughter disappears, she calls on the legendary orc hero Durik to find her. Durik enlists his old questing partners - the dwarf alchemist Ulma Grimstone and roguish Logan Lashley - in the hopes of reliving their glory days. Together they journey to fear-struck Fallowhearth. There, instead of clues, they uncover necromancy: graveyards emptied of corpses, with trails of footprints leading into sinister Blind Muir Forest.... But the forest holds more than just the walking dead.

 Next Level Sales Coaching offers insights to sales executives, customer-service managers, business owners, and other professional managers on strategies to overcome common challenges in building a "best in class" sales team. Sales performance can impact a company's revenue, profits, market share, and employee retention. The question is, how do you positively impact those goals? The answer is simple: Sales improve when your team is better trained, coached, and supported.