Books with author Janet Carpenter

Often seen as supernatural, unpredictable, illusory and possibly dangerous, ESP, telepathy, clairvoyance and other parapsychological activities are actually happening all the time and help us make sense of everyday experiences. First Sight provides a new way of understanding such experiences and describes a way of thinking about the unconscious mind that makes it clear that these abilities are not rare and anomalous, but instead are used by all of us all the time, unconsciously and efficiently.Drawing upon a broad array of studies in contemporary psychology, the author integrates a new model for understanding these unusual abilities with the best research in psychology on problems as diverse as memory, perception, personality, creativity and fear. In doing so, he illustrates how the field of parapsychology, which, historically, has been riddled with confusion, skepticism and false claims, can move from the edges of science to its center, where it will offer fascinating new knowledge about unmapped aspects of our nature. The author demonstrates that the new model accounts for accumulated findings very well, and explains previous mysteries, resolves apparent contradictions, and offers clear directions for further study. First Sight also ventures beyond the laboratory to explain such things as why apparent paranormal experiences are so rare, why they need not be feared, and how they can be more intentionally accessed. Further study of this theory is likely to lead to a “technology” of parapsychological processes while drastically revising our conception of the science of the mind toward a new science more humane and more replete with possibility than we have imagined in the past.

At fifteen, Ripley is just an ordinary kid, in an ordinary world, with little hope of ever getting to be an ordinary teenager. He’s doing his best to cope with his mother’s loneliness and subsequent drinking after his father’s abandonment seven years before. The hands of fate seem to converge the day before his birthday—when Ripley meets Ms. Washington from the Child Protective Services agency and his adventure begins. On the eve of his sixteenth birthday, his “ordinary” world is turned upside down. What begins as a dream is anything but as he’s thrust into a world of “form bending” beings that will change his life forever. Still wishing that it is only a dream, Ripley awakens during the night in agony as his body contorts into the shape of a wolf. No longer belonging in his human world—and with the CPS breathing down his neck, he flees Shaver Lake, his mother and his home to return to a land of dreams where he might belong. Here he befriends Whitemane, a beautiful young wolf and meets the intimidating Ghost Wolf, Malador. Struggling to become the man he is meant to be and find his place in this new world, Ripley must overcome many obstacles and find the courage and strength he possesses deep within himself. He learns the value of family and friends when Whitemane suddenly and mysteriously disappears. Ripley sets out in search of her with his reluctant mentor, Malador as they make the difficult journey to rescue her from their enemy, the evil Kestler and her Form Benders Eradication Force. Their quest leads them from Shaver Lake to the city of Fresno where Ripley’s destiny unfolds and he finds his future—which lays within Whitemane and the band of form benders that he’s vowed to protect.

Dictionaries define the word, "nerd" as a slang term used to describe an unpopular or socially inept person, and/or one who is excessively studious and/or scientifically or technically accomplished. We all know them. Nerds are the people who become your boss -- when you bust your chops for years to earn an MBA. Nerds are the people who decided, when they were kids, that they wanted to be astronauts; and were riding the space shuttle twenty years later. Nerds are the people who like to listen to someone play an oboe. :)We sneer and make fun of them, but nerds are actually worthy of our admiration, and many of us are "closet" nerds.The most impressive quality nerds have is their autonomy. Nerds simply do not care what the rest of the world thinks of them. They are not constrained by what hangs up other people, and they are often the most intelligent among us. And so, with this project, I raise my glass (and my pen) in celebration of "nerdhood".Jim Carpenter

Continuing the saga of The Form Benders: The Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, our hero Ripley finds himself in a new form with new trials to face as he navigates the magical world of the Form Benders in the sequel, The Form Benders: The Bear Essentials. The life-stealing poison from the bite of the Aldrich will threaten to take the life of his mate and beloved Whitemane. Ripley, together with those of the bender clan—Malador, Oren, Skerrin, and others—will join ranks and set out to find the mysterious Kirradar, a legendary tribe living in the high country above his new home, Haven's Rest. Able to shape shift into animals, Ripley is trapped in his new bear form and must traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountain range with his companions in an effort to find the elusive Kirradar. It is rumored these beings possess the ancient knowledge of an antidote that can save his Whitemane from certain death. Learning to face his fears head-on, Ripley must conquer his terror of heights and make his way through a sinister forest filled with creatures who want to destroy him. Forced to overcome his own weaknesses, the trial of the Kirradar warriors will demand everything he has in an effort to rescue his love and to demonstrate his loyalty to the leader of their tribe.Within the Twisting Tribunal, Ripley will need to dig deep within himself to survive the warrior’s way and surmount the test before him. Will he be able to conquer his fear without his companions by his side? Will he make it back to Haven’s Rest in time to save his mate? As the evil plot by Kestler is uncovered, and Remenion disappears, the form benders realize how little they truly know about the Form Benders Eradication Force and Kestler, herself. It will take a journey into the bowels of the catacombs beneath the streets of Fresno to bring Ripley face-to-face with a friend, an ally, and a betrayal, before he can rest.

Did you know that snowmobile best trick athletes propel themselves into the air to perform amazing turns, flips, and other stunts? They perform tricks like front flips and double backflips. Some of the top athletes compete at the Winter X Games and other fierce competitions around the world.Enter the Extreme Winter Sports Zone to learn about the history, gear, moves, competitions, and top athletes connected to snowmobile best trick. You'll discover: • How athletes practice daring jumps, flips, and other tricks. • How to stay safe on a fast-moving snowmobile. • Where to watch some of the biggest and fiercest competitions. • How snowmobile best trick became a popular extreme winter sport. Are you into sports? Then get in the zone!

This is the book you heard about on NPR, National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation: Science Friday with Ira Flatow on August 1, 2003. In an interesting three-way interplay about early flight and the Wright brothers, author Jack Carpenter, Paul Hoffman (author, Wings of Madness) and Michael Lavelle (Museum of Flight) discussed this most timely subject... Also, Smithsonian AIR & SPACE, Centennial Edition, 100 YEARS of FLIGHT, March, 2003, chose PENDULUM as one of but 14 books (of "Hundreds of works ") recommended to its readers. PENDULUM II The Story of America’s Three Aviation Pioneers: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Glenn Curtiss, "The Henry Ford of Aviation" - Including How The Partnership of Alexander Graham Bell and Glenn Hammond Curtiss Led to the Founding of The American Aviation Industry. In this, the 100th YEAR of FLIGHT, Jack Carpenter’s acclaimed 1992 PENDULUM - the only book telling a multi-sided story - was among the select few recommended by the Smithsonian’s AIR & SPACE Centennial Edition, March, 2003. This sold-out bestseller is the foundation for PENDULUM II – with its amazing, never-before-told story of one of the most important but least known chapters in American history. Improved – and 25% larger - in its 520 archival-quality pages PENDULUM II tells the whole story with all the players in this epic tale of flight’s beginnings. You will read in this unique chronologically and interwoven story – and view in its hundreds of archival photographs and exhibits - "what actually happened" with the Wrights, Glenn Curtiss – including Alexander Graham Bell’s hitherto unknown pivotal role - with Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Octave Chanute and others on the sidelines. The result of over two decades research and a 135-work selected bibliography, PENDULUM II focuses upon (1), a semi-secret Agreement made between the Smithsonian and Orville Wright’s heirs, and (2), a volcanic, historically important letter written by Gilbert M. Grosvenor, National Geographic’s chairman (and Bell’s great-grandson), to the author - which "changes everything." Nowhere else are the facts - hidden for almost a century - of this so misunderstood and misstated story told as in PENDULUM II, arguably the most complete, revealing and timely book of this era.

Martha Mae leaned heavily on Lily, even though she was the youngest of her nine children. Being the sole supporter of the family, Martha Mae didn't think she had a choice as she intended to keep her family together no matter the cost. Lily's saving grace was her friend Tommy and his wonderful mother. Lily had always believed she would grow up and marry Tommy but things happened to her in her early teens to make her feel she was no longer good enough to be in Tommy's family. Lily turned to drugs and alcohol to help her cope with her tormented mind and hardships. Lily finally escaped Martha Mae's heavy load by marrying Jed. Less than a year later she gave birth to Jeddah. For a while Jeddah was enough to keep her occupied and sober but life has a way of testing all of us and Lily was no exception. As her closest brother Leon lay in ICU struggling for his life Tommy was thrown back into Lily's life. She had almost forgotten the young girl she use to be and how she had loved him, he hadn't forgotten and he was still very much in love with her. What would she do? Would she forfeit her marriage and jeopardize Jeddah's happiness? Would she walk away from Tommy never knowing what could've been, should've been? As she looks back over her life, did she make the right decision or will she always live with regret? Doesn't Lily resemble all of us to some degree?

The message is definitely green, but it's not just for hard-core frogophiles. Of Frogs and Toads: Poems and Short Prose Featuring Amphibians collects what 70 contemporary writers, ranging from Pulitzer Prizewinners to a first-published author, claim to have learned from a decidedly cold-blooded muse. Of Frogs and Toads is a celebration of the warty creatures who are princes in disguise, as well as a lament for the precariousness of their existence in our modern world.

Did you know that snowmobile best trick athletes propel themselves into the air to perform amazing turns, flips, and other stunts? They perform tricks like front flips and double backflips. Some of the top athletes compete at the Winter X Games and other fierce competitions around the world. Enter the Extreme Winter Sports Zone to learn about the history, gear, moves, competitions, and top athletes connected to snowmobile best trick. You'll discover: • How athletes practice daring jumps, flips, and other tricks. • How to stay safe on a fast-moving snowmobile. • Where to watch some of the biggest and fiercest competitions. • How snowmobile best trick became a popular extreme winter sport. Are you into sports? Then get in the zone!