Books with author Donald Alexander

Logicide! Heretic!Behold, the city of Laburnum, where all the gods are dead.The all-seeing Academy has outlawed faith and superstition. Those caught whispering about unreasonable things quickly disappear.But in this cruel city dripping with lies and conspiracy, an aristocrat and a slum boy are about to have their fates wound together by a mysterious cat. They will soon discover the dark underworld behind their city's curtain — and that evil has more than one face.Pure Dickensian Voodoo.Widdershins is a dystopian thrill-ride of top hats, politics, misfits and blood magic, from a striking new voice in fantasy.

A WONDERFUL READ ALOUD ABOUT WINTER AND THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE. Winters in Bern are long and cold and deep. On winter nights, when the snow is falling, Pippa goes to sleep knowing she’ll wake up to tracks in front of her farmhouse. The tracks are small, and they come from the woods—those same woods that her mother says are full of witches and elves and trolls, and her father says are full of wolves and bears and demons. But these tracks are the Tompte’s, and he is a friendly creature. Or at least that’s what Pippa hopes. . . The Tompte borrows and mends things, he takes and he sometimes leaves things, and such is life on a farm at the edge of the realm. Her mother calls it tradition. Her father calls it a curse. And when things start going missing and trouble comes their way, Pippa’s not sure what to believe. Soon enough, she'll have no choice but to go into the woods to find out. . . Winter comes and north wind blows,And with it comes the winter snow. Through the pines, he leaves his track,Over hill and here and back.The Tompte he looks after land,With quiet feet and silent hand. He comes from woods, alone and weary,On winter nights, dark and dreary.Through the farm, he peeks about,Checking in, and on and out.Taking gifts and leaving tokens,Mending bits that have been broken. His beard is long, his feet are small,He’s like a child, about as tall,But Tompte is old and wise as well,And deep in forest is his dell.So, on winter nights when you’re asleep,Along comes Tompte in silence deep, On quiet feet, with food to shareWith quiet hands, and traded fare. Winters come and Autumns go,And with it comes the Tompte through snow.Always watching, never seenLeaving tracks of where he’s been.

An economic historian argues that privately funded space exploration is not a new development, but a trend beginning with the astronomical observatories of the nineteenth century Over the last half-century there has been a rapid expansion in commerce off the surface of our planet. Nations and corporations have placed hundreds of satellites that provide billions of dollars’ worth of communications, scientific, global positioning, and commercial services, while construction has been completed on humanity’s ninth and largest space station. On the planet itself, government agencies, corporations, and individuals plan for the expansion of economic development to the lunar surface, asteroids, and Mars. The future of space exploration seems likely to include a mix of large government funded missions as well as independent private-sector missions.The Long Space Age examines the economic history of American space exploration and spaceflight, from early astronomical observatories to the International Space Station, and argues that the contemporary rise of private-sector efforts is the re-emergence of a long-run trend not a new phenomenon.

An economic historian argues that privately funded space exploration is not a new development, but a trend beginning with the astronomical observatories of the nineteenth century Over the last half-century there has been a rapid expansion in commerce off the surface of our planet. Nations and corporations have placed hundreds of satellites that provide billions of dollars’ worth of communications, scientific, global positioning, and commercial services, while construction has been completed on humanity’s ninth and largest space station. On the planet itself, government agencies, corporations, and individuals plan for the expansion of economic development to the lunar surface, asteroids, and Mars. The future of space exploration seems likely to include a mix of large government funded missions as well as independent private-sector missions. The Long Space Age examines the economic history of American space exploration and spaceflight, from early astronomical observatories to the International Space Station, and argues that the contemporary rise of private-sector efforts is the re-emergence of a long-run trend not a new phenomenon.

PREFACEThis volume deals with the myths and legends connected with the ancient civilization of Crete, and also with the rise and growth of the civilization itself, while consideration is given to various fascinating and important problems that arise in the course of investigating pre-Hellenic habits of thought and habits of life, which are found to have exercised a marked influence in the early history of Europe. In the first two chapters the story of European civilization is carried back to remote Palæolithic times, the view having been urged, notably by Mosso, that a connection existed between the civilization of the artistic cave-dwellers in France and Spain, and that of the Island of Minos. It is shown that these civilizations were not, however, contemporary, but separated by thousands of years, and that in accounting for close resemblances the modern dogma of independent evolution is put to a severe test. The data summarized in the Introduction emphasize the need for caution in attempting to solve a complex problem by the application of a hypothesis which may account for some resemblances but fails to explain away the marked differences that existed even between contemporary civilizations of the Neolithic, Copper, and Bronze Ages.To enable the reader to become familiar with the geological, ethnological, and archæological evidence regarding the earliest traces and progressive activities of man in Europe, who laid the foundations of subsequent civilizations, a popular narrative is given in the first chapter, the scientific data being cast in the form of a legend following the manner of Hesiod's account of the Mythical Ages of the World in the Work and Days, and of that of the Indian sage Markandeya's story of the "Yugas" in the Máhabhárata, and of Tuan MacCarell's narrative of his experiences in the various Irish Ages. Footnotes provide the necessary references.Consideration is also given, in dealing with Cretan origins, to Schliemann's hypothesis regarding the "Lost Atlantis", and the connection he believed existed between the Mexican, early European, and Nilotic civilizations. It is brought out that the historical elements in Plato's legend are susceptible of a different explanation.Cretan civilization has not yet been rendered articulate, for its script remains a mystery, but of late years a flood of light has been thrown upon it by the archæologists, among whom Sir Arthur Evans is pre-eminent. We can examine the remains of the palace of Minos; tread the footworn stones of the streets of little towns; examine pottery and frame a history of it; gaze on frescoes depicting scenes of everyday life in ancient Crete, on seal engravings which show us what manner of ships were built and navigated by mariners who ruled the Mediterranean Sea long before the Phœnician period, what deities were worshipped and what ceremonies were performed; we can study a painted sarcophagus which throws light on funerary customs and conceptions of the Otherworld, and stone vases which afford glimpses of boxers, bull-baiters, soldiers, and processions; and we can also examine the jewellery, weapons, and implements of the ancient folk. With the aid of these and other data we are enabled to reconstruct in outline the island civilization and study its growth over a period embraced by many centuries. It has even been found possible to arrange a system of Cretan chronology) approximate dates being fixed with the aid of artifacts, evidently imported from Egypt, and of Cretan artifacts found in the Nilotic area and elsewhere. The idea of the "Hellenic miracle" no longer obtains. It is undoubted that Crete was the forerunner of Greece, and that the Hellenes owed a debt to Cretan civilization the importance of which was not realized even by the native historians of ancient Greece.Various problems arise in dealing with the growth of civilization in Crete and the influence exercised by it in Central and Western Europe...

“The Fall of Free Will begins at sundown. The Generals of Destiny will rise at the height of the Winter Solstice. Come, King of Light, to the place where you allowed true love to perish, and bear witness to the end of Free Will.”Danny Elikai is a teenage boy who lost his family in a devastating car accident. He finds himself in a swirling depression in the mystical city of Grenoff as horrific events begin to unfold. He learns of an ancient conflict between the two philosophies that seek to rule humanity: the individual liberties of Free Will, and the predetermined peace guaranteed by Destiny. The agents of Destiny have risen, and threaten life as we know it. Danny must choose to find the King of Light and to fight for Free Will, or to leave humanity to the iron grip of the Emperor of Darkness. The Final War is coming, and soon we will need to pick a side. Will you fight for the freedom of choice offered by Free Will, or the harmony promised by Destiny?

Logicide! Heretic!Behold, the city of Laburnum, where all the gods are dead.The all-seeing Academy has outlawed faith and superstition. Those caught whispering about unreasonable things quickly disappear.But in this cruel city dripping with lies and conspiracy, an aristocrat and a slum boy are about to have their fates wound together by a mysterious cat. They will soon discover the dark underworld behind their city's curtain — and that evil has more than one face.Pure Dickensian Voodoo.Widdershins is a dystopian thrill-ride of top hats, politics, misfits and blood magic, from a striking new voice in fantasy.

Darnia Ashaan lives a quiet, normal, everyday life in the town of Lone Pine, California. But life is about to take a very unusual turn for the youngster as his dreams suddenly become a reality. Or have they? Meeting the enigmatic Jenara, Dar thinks that she is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. But just when his dreams seem to be filled with wonder and excitement they suddenly provide danger and uncertainty too, thrusting Dar into a strange world of adventure which is almost beyond his comprehension. And at the underwater castle the new-found friends discover a challenge like no other. Defended by the frightening and belligerent arm-eating castlemen, who are merciless in the face of their enemies, it is a fortress which will take every ounce of Dar’s strength and cunning to overcome. Find out what can sometimes happen when you fall asleep, and your new best friends are not all that they seem. Praise for Darnia's Quest...“The Darnia Series is a pure book that teaches children that you can love God and be cool at the same time.” –Chuck Norris, Famed Action Hero and Christian Actor “The Darnia Series is a book that brings to children the gift of reading while embracing the spiritual principles necessary for a balanced and wholesome life.” —Tom Selleck, Hollywood Actor “The Darnia Series teaches our children the universal message of the love of God.” —Pat Boone, Famed Actor and Singer “I know that if a book, like The Darnia Series had been available when I was younger, I would have found God much earlier." —Kirk Cameron, Hollywood Actor and Christian TV Host “Without a doubt in my mind, The Darnia Series is one of the best children’s books written in the past 50 years and this book will stand the test of time. The more children read Darnia’s Quest, the more they will learn the path of truth and righteousness.” —Dr. Pat Robertson, CBN Founder “Today’s youth see nothing but violence and sex on television from the news to prime time television shows. And then we wonder why our children face so many problems. The answer is simple – they are not learning values and they are not learning about God. My children loved the book and I urge parents to share this beautiful message with their children.” –Morgan Brittany, Celebrated Hollywood Actress & Child Advocate

Laburnum is a city of two moons and one faith: Logic. It’s also a city of rat empires, criminal gangs, slum boys, plotting politicians, curious princesses, the crimson men, drunkards and a talking cat. And there’s a bit of witchcraft going on, but we’re not allowed to talk about that.******************************************The Boy with Absolutely No Talents is part 1 of 6 from Alex Alexander’s debut novel Widdershins. In the Neo-Victorian city of Laburnum, the Academy have outlawed irrational thought. Religion, mysticism and magic have been forgotten and replaced with the Laws of Logic. The Academy’s Inquisitors police these laws and to break them is to commit the ultimate crime: Logicide. Niclas, The Boy with Absolutely No Talents, has made a promise to the talking cat Balthazar – a promise he intends to keep. But there is a dark side to his new master and the boy is about to find himself pulled into the underworld of the Black Science.“…”“…”“…The Whisperer whispers…”

Fresh off of a drug raid performed by a combination of local, county and state authorities. At his wits end, Byron Da-Shawn must find a legal means of survival while awaiting, criminal state and possibly federal drug and weapons charges. Focusing on a few legal endeavors, Shawn finds his breaking point as one plan becomes a disaster and the others aren’t enough to meet his basic financial needs. With his back against to the wall and his first child on the way… Byron Da-Shawn finds himself caught in the middle of what seems to be a life altering decision. In crisis, he commits to leaving the streets alone and how long will it last? Will he stay on the straight and narrow? Find his way out of the street life or become another victim of circumstance? Only time will tell so read on!