Books published by publisher Merit Press

A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization."I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years.―Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the YearEnergy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows―ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity―for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts―from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.

"Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution... Workers of the World, unite!" --The Communist ManifestoThe Communist Manifesto was first published in London, by two young men in their late twenties, in 1848. Its impact reverberated across the globe and throughout the next century, and it has come to be recognised as one of the most important political texts ever written. Maintaining that the history of all societies is a history of class struggle, the manifesto proclaims that communism is the only route to equality, and is a call to action aimed at the proletariat.It is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand our modern political landscape.

They call me the dagger.I’m a famed assassin. It's all I've ever known. All that I can remember.So when a white rabbit tells me that loved ones are waiting for me in the Wonderland Court of Faerie, it's surprising. And then, I learn something even more shocking.The Red Queen stole the crown from my mother—who she murdered. The queen singlehandedly created my reality of death and blood and murder.While that's devastating, I can handle it. As long as I get revenge.What I don't know how to handle is Henri Hatter.He’s a rebel leader loved by everyone. A man who sings in the streets because people ask for aether’s sake. A faerie who knows more about my past than anyone—including me.A good man who could crush my heart if I let him in. Which I can't do.Not if I want vengeance against the queen who ruined my life. Despite my claims that I work alone, Hatter and two nosey little pixies insist on sticking with me.Only one thing is for sure, with them by my side assassinating the Red Queen will be unlike any other job I’ve ever tackled.Alice the Dagger is a fae romance and part of the Once Upon a Fairytale Night world. Readers who love adventure, slow-burn romances, whimsical worlds, spunky sidekicks, and lots of action will love Alice the Dagger.

There is one prophecy, born of blood, fire, and stardust. And three sisters destined to fulfill it. But first, each must learn that the others exist. And that they're witches.Upon first meeting, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Only the threat of otherworldly beings arriving on Earth unites them. That and their strange, uncommonly loud, persistent, estrogen-filled family. When one sister suffers an attack on those she loves, the others come together to help.And find that the danger is closer, and stronger, than they ever could have imagined. Perfect for fans of the Charmed sisterhood and A Discovery of Witches.

As featured on Bustle.com After her soldier brother is horribly wounded in Afghanistan, Gabriela must honor the vow she made: If anything ever happened to him, she would walk the Camino de Santiago through Spain, making a pilgrimage in his name. The worst part is that the promise stipulates that she must travel with her brother's best friend--a boy she has despised all her life. Her brother is in a coma, and Gabi feels that she has no time to waste, but she is unsure. Will she hesitate too long, or risk her own happiness to keep a promise? An up-close look at the lives of the children of military families, Beneath Wandering Stars takes readers on a journey of love, danger, laughter, and friendship, against all odds.

Legally Blonde meets Harry Potter with spies! Now a complete series!I had no idea what I was getting into by enrolling at Spellcasters Spy Academy.Nada. Zilch. I was such a sweet summer child.But honestly, who would guess that no one likes a Legacy who skips out on the academy entrance exam?Oops. Also, I'd really like to know why my crush hates my guts?Mega ouch. Or why no one ever mentioned that someone is killing off students in my year. Yikes . . . And just when I think I've found my footing, I discover that my magic has been hiding something incredible all my life. WTAH?So what's a witch supposed to do about all these problems? Unleash my power, find the murderer, and show my peers what sort of awesome they've been missing out on all year—that's what. A Legacy Witch is a college-age fantasy academy novel with an espionage twist! With an enemies-to-lovers romance, mysterious deaths, and nail-biting spy-in-training trials, your enrollment at Spellcasters will be one wild ride.

A famous case. A missing girl. If they find her, will they be heroes? Or dead?Bored out of her mind during a summer with her police detective father in Las Vegas, Jessica (aka "Jex") Malone starts doing what she does best--snooping. When she meets three new friends who share her passion for crime, from the geek to the fashionista, suddenly, the stifling desert days don't seem so long.Her dad is never around, just like when her parents were married. But Jex's crew, the Drew-Ids, take the pledge of eternal secrecy and then get down to the good stuff--digging through the cold-case files in Dad's home office.One of them, the thirteen-year-old case of Patty Matthews, is still a mystery. Finding Patty, who vanished into thin air, became such an obsession for Jex's father that it destroyed the Malones' marriage. So not only is this a big deal, it's personal.Jex is determined to find out what really happened, and her excitement is contagious. Soon her friends are all on board and so is the missing girl's brother, the hunky Cooper Matthews.But as they dig up more and more troubling information--more than the cops ever did--they also get the clear message that someone out there wants to prevent the truth from coming out. That somebody is also prepared to do anything, absolutely anything, to prevent it.Jex isn't afraid; after all, she's a cop's daughter. But maybe she should be.Laced with humor, toughness, and real CSI investigation techniques, Jex Malone could be the Nancy Drew for a new generation--but with a chilling twist. These wannabe detectives are on the brink of finding out the fate of poor missing Patty. But will they disappear without a trace, too?

A top behavioral geneticist makes the case that DNA inherited from our parents at the moment of conception can predict our psychological strengths and weaknesses.In Blueprint, behavioral geneticist Robert Plomin describes how the DNA revolution has made DNA personal by giving us the power to predict our psychological strengths and weaknesses from birth. A century of genetic research shows that DNA differences inherited from our parents are the consistent lifelong sources of our psychological individuality―the blueprint that makes us who we are. Plomin reports that genetics explains more about the psychological differences among people than all other factors combined. Nature, not nurture, is what makes us who we are. Plomin explores the implications of these findings, drawing some provocative conclusions―among them that parenting styles don't really affect children's outcomes once genetics is taken into effect. This book offers readers a unique insider's view of the exciting synergies that came from combining genetics and psychology. The paperback edition has a new afterword by the author.

The evil queen of demons is after me.But as long as she remains in Hell, I’m safe.I hope . . .Now that I’m participating in the Spy Games—a dangerous competition between magical spy academies—I’ve increased the risk of the queen’s minions finding and dragging me to the depths of the underworld.In fact, with each passing Spy Game event, it becomes more obvious exactly why the queen wants me.Most of the time my studies, relationships, and the tournament keep the looming threat of abduction out my mind.But when someone I love is taken by the demons, I must act.And face the powerful queen of Hell head-on.A Rebel Witch is a fantasy academy book that features a tournament of supernatural spies, heartwarming friendships, enduring love, and magic-fueled action.

Binge the complete series now!Odette Dane is about to discover a lot of hard truths about the witching world. 1) No one likes the Legacy who skips out on the academy entrance exam. Oops. 2) Her crush hates her guts. Ouch. 3) Someone is killing off students in her year. Say what? 4) Her magic has been hiding something incredible all her life. WTH?So what's a witch supposed to do about all these problems? Unleash her power, find the murderer, and show her peers what sort of awesome they've been missing out on all year—that's what. The Spellcasters Spy Academy Series is a college-age fantasy academy series with an espionage twist! With an enemies-to-lovers romance, mysterious deaths, nail-biting spy-in-training trials, and the higher stakes with each book, your enrollment at Spellcasters will be one wild ride.This boxset includes the following books/stories: A Legacy Witch #1A Marked Witch #1.5A Rebel Witch #2A Crucible Witch #3An Academy Witch (can be read at any time after A Legacy Witch!)These characters will resurface later in The Godling Series, coming 2021!