Opening the stacks
Opening the stacks
The Almanak en-Ashraf excerpts provide background on key noble houses and figures, situating the events within a broader political and genealogical framework.
16 chapters across 14 books
This chapter details the aftermath of the Harkonnen and Imperial reoccupation of Arrakis, including the death of Duke Leto Atreides and the disappearance of Paul and his mother Jessica. It introduces Paul’s emergence as the Fremen religious leader Muad'Dib, fulfilling Bene Gesserit-prophesied legends, and highlights the Bene Gesserit's failure to recognize the significance of these events. The chapter also provides historical context through excerpts from the Almanak en-Ashraf, outlining key figures and political dynamics surrounding the Arrakis conflict.
In this chapter, Shadow prepares for and attends a social dinner with his neighbor Marguerite Olsen and her family, marking his first normal social interaction after years of isolation. The chapter also reveals Wednesday's deep despair over the difficult task of uniting the old gods and his impending peace talks with their opposition. Shadow reflects on local history and his own nervousness, highlighting his struggle to reconnect with ordinary life amid the looming supernatural conflict.
This introductory essay by Ian Hacking reflects on the enduring significance and context of Thomas Kuhn's 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions,' emphasizing its impact on the philosophy and history of science. It outlines Kuhn's concept of scientific revolutions as structured processes involving normal science, anomalies, crises, and paradigm shifts, and situates the book historically within the scientific and geopolitical climate of 1962. The essay also contrasts Kuhn's notion of scientific revolutions with earlier ideas, such as Kant's and the scientific revolutions of the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, highlighting Kuhn's unique contribution to understanding scientific progress.
This chapter primarily consists of bibliographic references related to the history and philosophy of science, highlighting key works and authors that discuss scientific crises, paradigm shifts, and the development of scientific ideas from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. It situates Einstein's autobiographical reflections alongside discussions of quantum mechanics, the origins of modern science, and the philosophical context of mechanics, emphasizing the historical and conceptual background necessary for understanding scientific revolutions.
This chapter primarily functions as a set of references and citations that support the discussion on scientific revolutions, particularly focusing on the historical development of electricity and chemistry, as well as the concept of revolutions as changes in world view. It points to key works and experiments, such as those by Stratton on vision and perception, that illustrate shifts in scientific paradigms. The chapter underscores the importance of historical and philosophical context in understanding scientific progress.
At the end of 1810, Britain faces dire circumstances with Napoleon's dominance and internal hardships, yet magicians Mr Norrell and Mr Strange are in high demand as a beacon of hope. Invited to Portsmouth to review the Channel Fleet, the magicians are celebrated but also confronted with a maritime crisis when the ship False Prelate runs aground on Horse Sand. Strange attempts to use magic to assist but quickly realizes his ignorance of nautical matters and the complexities involved, highlighting the tension between magical power and practical knowledge.
In this chapter, Gordon and Cooper discuss the sufficiency of experimental data related to an NMR rig, with Gordon preferring analysis over more measurements. Gordon navigates personal tensions with Penny amidst the backdrop of 1963 political and social upheaval, including the March on Washington and the Test Ban Treaty. Meanwhile, Gordon continues refining the experiment, faces media attention through Saul Shriffer and a Life magazine photographer, and contemplates the slow scientific acceptance of controversial ideas.
The narrator, Joe Bodenland, finds himself mysteriously displaced back in time to a small alpine village resembling early 19th century Switzerland shortly after the Napoleonic Wars. He experiences a profound cultural and temporal dislocation, interacting with locals and reflecting on the contrast between his modern knowledge and the historical setting. The chapter explores his initial encounters, including a tense conversation about justice and guilt surrounding a woman accused of a crime, highlighting his outsider perspective and the complexities of the past.
This chapter provides a brief biographical overview of Albert Camus, highlighting his birth in Algeria, his major philosophical and literary works, and his recognition with the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957. It also notes his untimely death in a car accident in 1960. The text situates Camus within the intellectual and historical context of occupied France during World War II, emphasizing his contributions to existential and absurdist thought.
Chapter 15: CANARDS does not contain substantive narrative or thematic content but instead includes front and back matter sections such as the beginning of Chapter 16, acknowledgments, acclaim for the book, and copyright information. The included acclaim highlights the book's exploration of the human element behind computer engineering, emphasizing the obsession, complexity, and devotion of engineers in creating new machines. The chapter serves as a meta-textual reflection on the book's reception and the cultural significance of the engineering process.
The chapter 'Part I Conclusion' of The Phoenix Project summarizes the historical movements that influenced the emergence of DevOps and outlines the three foundational principles for successful DevOps organizations: Flow, Feedback, and Continual Learning and Experimentation. It sets the stage for Part II, which will focus on initiating a DevOps transformation within organizations. The extensive endnotes provide references supporting the historical context and principles discussed.
This chapter is a reflective essay by L. Neil Smith on the origins and historical context of his novel The Probability Broach, written in 1977. It situates the novel within the technological and cultural landscape of the late 1970s, highlighting the emergence of personal computing and telecommunications, and draws parallels between the rise of the e-book and the paperback revolution during the Great Depression. The author also emphasizes the enduring educational and cultural impact of accessible literature during times of economic hardship.
The chapter titled 'Preamble' serves as an introductory note providing a brief biographical overview of Philip K. Dick, the author of 'Clans of the Alphane Moon.' It outlines key points of his life, including his birthplace, education, writing career, notable awards, and his death. This chapter does not delve into the narrative or thematic content of the novel itself but situates the author within a historical and literary context.
The provided text is not a chapter but rather the table of contents and front matter of Andrew Hodges' 'Alan Turing: The Enigma.' It outlines the structure of the biography, dividing Turing's life into two main parts: 'The Logical' covering his early years and wartime work, and 'The Physical' focusing on his post-war life and legacy. The contents also include forewords, notes, and acknowledgments, framing the comprehensive study of Turing's life and contributions.
This chapter provides extensive notes and archival documentation illuminating Robert A. Heinlein's early life, naval career, personal relationships, and intellectual influences. It situates his experiences within the broader historical contexts of the Great Depression and naval history, while also addressing challenges in verifying biographical details through correspondence and archival research. The chapter underscores the evolving nature of Heinlein scholarship through ongoing discoveries and clarifications of his personal and professional history.
This chapter presents a methodological approach to integrating quantitative and qualitative data using the Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency (UJD) longitudinal study. It details the rigorous matched-sample design and archival data reconstruction, combining statistical modeling with qualitative life history analysis to understand criminal behavior trajectories and turning points such as employment, marriage, and military service. Emphasizing the importance of historical context and human agency, the authors argue that only through mixed-methods integration can researchers fully capture the complexity of continuity and change in life course development and criminal careers.