Books with author R. Burke Johnson Johnson

No, it's not a message from outer space! Just read it backwards, starting from the bottom line, to discover what this specially coded message says. (The extra letter "X" at the beginning was thrown in just to make the message a bit more mysterious.)Codes have been used for centuries. Now, with the help of this entertaining book, you, too, will be able to decipher dozens of secret messages. Veteran cryptographer Bud Johnson not only describes the different techniques used in secret writing but also explains — clearly and simply — how to make and break six different kinds of codes: simple letter grouping, reverse trail, shift code, key word code, date shift code, and twisted path code. You'll even learn techniques for creating your own confidential messages!Cartoons by illustrator Larry Daste accompany the 51 practice messages, along with easy-to-follow instructions explaining each type of code and how to use it. There's also a glossary defining common terms used by cryptographers, a sheet of reproducible graph paper for writing out messages, and a page of ready-made alphabets for shift and key word codes. And if all those funny drawings and helpful guidelines aren't enough to help you decode our secret messages, don't worry. Solutions are included at the end of the book.

---The best new comedy series for kids. ---Plot: Two puppies are going to be sent to the pound, unless a wolf (who seems to believe he is a person) can help them escape. ---This book is full of comedy and comradery, and is the first book in the Silverwolf Chronicles series. Not to be missed by kids who are struggling with reading, kids who love to read and need a new series, or for adults looking for a hilarious read-aloud. It is just one of those books that everyone loves.

A World Where Magic Flows. One Woman’s Astonishing Power. A Choice No One Should Have To Make.Beyond The Sapphire Gate is the start of an epic high fantasy series like no other.Afraid for the safety of the one person she cares most about having raised—younger sister Jade, Crystalyn must search through the lush, but primitive world of Astura using her wits and untrained magic. Though a circle of mystic Light Users who fight a century-old war against a Dark Citadel block the way, Crystalyn is determined to find and rescue her sibling. Invoking symbols of power become commonplace, which takes a heavy toll on her body with each use, draining her life. Even so, destruction follows in her wake as she clashes with deadly creatures, magic users, and her own inner demon, a broiling anger affliction that stems from an act of violence against her earlier in life. Only her medication keeps her from slipping into madness … but she’s running out, and everyone wants her to join with them, to use her astonishing power for their perceived greater good. Even the striking and enigmatic Dark User Darwin desires her to lead a fortress of soldiers and dark creations, standing by his side. A tempting offer, but one that comes with a consequence Crystalyn's not prepared for. Will she use her power to take many lives, perhaps even loved ones, to gain happiness that may not come again? Yet, she cannot give up on family even though it seems hopeless … can she? The thought of it all makes her head throb and her anger rise…Fans of The Wheel Of Time, The Stormlight Archives, and The Blue Adept series who like reading riveting fantasy adventure will enjoy Beyond The Sapphire Gate. Get your copy today!

Learning Chinese is not a language challenge, it's a memory challenge. Encoding Chinese takes advantage of the mind's powerful association ability (encoding) and it's remarkable natural ability to remember places (memory palace). When used together these give users an almost unbelievable ability to remember the many necessary details of the Chinese language, including the written characters and the tones.This book is not just a list of things you need to remember, but a fully explained system for remembering everything you need to be fully functional in all aspects of the language.This book includes:Full explanation on how to use association techniques and the memory palace1200 Frequently Used Chinese Characters (with stroke order diagrams)Over 700 Key Vocabulary Words and PhrasesHSK 1-3 Vocabulary (over 1000 words)Character Review SheetsHelp for Learning GrammarExplanation of the Chinese LanguageOver 3000 images to enhance memory...and much, much more.For most people the challenge of Chinese is the learning of characters. Because of their abstract nature, they are very difficult to remember. The encoding method helps users convert all of the abstract parts of Chinese into simple images. The memory palace system makes these images easy to file away for access when they are needed. The combination of these two long-proven techniques has resulted in a system for learning Chinese that is remarkably effective.Because this system uses the brain's natural way of learning, it is no longer a tedious task to study Chinese, but is enjoyable, even fun! The speed at which learners progress in reading and speaking skills gives a boost in confidence and motivation to continue. The results of people using this method are a testament to it's power.Here are typical comments from those already using this remarkable system:"...the most creative and comprehensive method I’ve seen for studying Chinese characters. As an adult learning Chinese, I have struggled to retain newly learned characters over time. The “Encoding” method showed me how to store characters in long term memory using proven mnemonic methods and a clever system for breaking characters up into simpler images....""...In my first week of using the encoding method, I learned 50 characters. I have been using this method along with my Chinese classes for nine weeks now and can recognize, write, and properly pronounce over 400 characters...""...in one month and a half I’ve been able to learn over 270 characters! I never thought I’d be able to not only recognize but also write that many! It has also helped with my pronunciation of the Chinese syllables...""...Encoding Chinese method has truly been a priceless treasure in helping me learn this very difficult language. Within a short period of time I have been able to recognize and read many characters! Honestly, before this method, I didn’t enjoy the thought of learning hundreds and hundreds of characters. But now I look forward to my study sessions because this method makes it fun!""...This method is by far my favorite way of learning Chinese. Thank you!""...It’s not just my progress that gives me motivation to keep using this method to study, it’s just a fun way to study!""...I now keep his book on my desk as a reference whenever I need to learn a new word.Highly recommended!""...My goal is a hour a day, but time goes by so fast while studying that I’m always trying to find more time in the day to make just one more story for a character and then maybe just one more :) !"For more explanations and video descriptions of how this system works, go to encodingchinese.com.

Earhart grew up at a time when many believed that men alone had the right to experience the thrill of adventure—but, from the moment she saw her first airplane, she knew it was her destiny to fly. She made record-setting flights across America, the oceans, and, ultimately, around the world, earning more fame and admiration with every boundary she broke. Even today, her tragic and mysterious disappearance over the Pacific remains one of the great unsolved mysteries. This fascinating biography captures Amelia Earhart’s grit and unwavering determination to chart her own path.

"Dragons, mages, and estranged siblings collide in a struggle to control the Kingdom of Rioch."The Guild of Mages is determined to destroy the dragon race at all costs. Queen Christine, keeper of the peace and leader of the dragon riders, strives to maintain stability in Rioch. Amidst this struggle, Zharah is torn between the anti-dragon teachings of her childhood and her unwitting bonding with the dragon hatchling Elihan. She must cross the kingdom in search of her long lost brother and the answers to her future as a Dragon-Touched human. She finds both friends and enemies along the road, but above all she finds herself.

Gilded Girls is a tale of four friends, Missy, Hazel, Poppy and Countess, all living in Washington, D.C. during the Gilded Age. It is autumn 1883 and the girls are determined to become members of the Firebirds Club, the city's leading social organization for ladies. But before the girls can join this sparkling set, they must prove themselves capable of putting on the club's annual masquerade ball. While planning the extraordinary affair, the girls each meet a suitor who tickles her fancy, including a real life prince from the Ashanti Kingdom in West Africa.As the girls discover the complexity of planning a ball, they are also faced with the challenge of balancing newly found social pleasures with their responsibilities for the masquerade. But, will the girls' enchantments prove too distracting? And their biggest challenge of all: How to remain friends through everything. This gilded tale explores friendship, love and coming of age among Washington's African-American bourgeois after the Civil War.

One of the most famous aviators of all time, Amelia Earhart took the golden age of flying by storm! Taking her first flight lesson in 1920, Earhart would go on to set the world altitude record, be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone, and many more feats. Who knows what she could have accomplished if not for her mysterious disappearance while attempting to fly around the entire world in 1937.This incredible history of Amelia Earhart is written especially for young adult readers. It is loaded with full color illustrations, comprehensive timelines, fascinating sidebars, and info on key figures in Earhart's story. Perfect for any kid interested in flying, or strong, important women in history!

Since her father’s mysterious death, Lauren Cowley has been stuck in a pitiful rut until she begins having ominous encounters, haunting her every move. While attempting to break free from her wretched life she meets Donovan. He is tall, dark, good-looking, strangely familiar – and yet terrifying. His unexplained ability to stare deep into her soul with emotionless eyes frightens her, yet she has no desire to break free from the gravitating pull he has on her. He unlocks her passion…and suppressed memories forcing her to fight for everything she loves. Lauren now has to face the reality of demons and the tragic consequences they have had on her life.

'Here was the real culprit, the one who ought to have been in the dock: here the criminal whose folly and extravagance had led Peter into trouble....'Hardworking Laura Swanton, a local G.P., has lavished all her affection on her wastrel twin brother. But then he is sent to prison and his wife — of whose existence Laura has been unaware — comes to live with her and her mother. Laura’s initial contempt for this woman curdles into vicious dislike, which finally becomes an obsession. She believes that she is the one who got Peter into trouble in the first place.Somehow she must avert this threat to the very foundation of her existence. Somehow — but how?Praise for John Burke"Murder, conspiracy, secrets....it's got everything!" - Thomas Waugh ‘Polished, professional and highly inventive’ – Irish Times‘Fearsome picture of Bright Young Things of Today’ - The GuardianJohn Burke was born in Sussex in 1922. He served in the Royal Air Force, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Royal Marines during the war. After working for the publishers Museum Press and the Books for Pleasure Group, he was a Public Relations and Publications Executive for Shell (1959–63) and Story Editor for Twentieth Century-Fox (1963–65) before becoming a full-time writer in 1966.