aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellors disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmi Amidala, will die. brbrAs the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakintormented by unspeakable visionsedges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader. brbrBased on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucass epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stovers novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style.  (less)

Vader! Young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker his even younger Padawan, protect a senator from a small system as assassination attempts threaten to silence his crucial swing vote. Joining the Jedi in their mission is Autem, loyal Senate Guard. Yet, as Obi-Wan and Anakin fend off a league of master assassins, Autem discovers a link between the killers that will change his own life forever - a secret he will not be able to face until the Clone Wars have come and gone, and he finds himself on the run from the new Emperor's enforcer, Darth Vader!  (less)

of our CD-ROM titles, and adds significant additional Pentagon material about the war on terrorism, making it a superb value! PDEFEND AMERICA: The war on terrorism as told by the Pentagon, with news stories, background briefings, personnel profiles, equipment information, and much more. PCENTCOM: Here is the complete story of the U.S. Central Command, which is leading Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) coverage includes: History; Strategy; General Tommy Franks; Lieutenant General John Abizaid; Component Commands; International Contributions to the War on Terrorism; Iraqi Deck of Cards; Freedom Watch newsletter of Operation Enduring Freedom. Exercise coverage (including color photography): Bright Star 1999; Bright Star 2001; Centrasbat 2002; Native Fire/Natural Fury. P9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS: This unique and comprehensive collection of documents on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America includes the complete record of the 9/11 Commission issued in July 2004 with full reproductions of all 12 hearing transcripts, testimony by key witnesses, and 17 staff reports. In addition, there is comprehensive coverage of the attacks and the aftermath from a number of perspectives, including material from FEMA, the White House, EPA, and FBI, updated to include recent information on the environmental impact of the World Trade Center attack. Other material includes: Report Of The Joint Inquiry Into The Terrorist Attacks Of September 11, 2001 by the House Permanent Select Committee On Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee On Intelligence, alo@IxQë…¸ÿ¾Û€  (less)

sun, or they watched the moon. The lunar calendar is probably the oldest in mankind's history. Readers learn about a variety of time-keeping devices invented throughout history, such as the sundial, the shadow clock, the star clock, and the water clock. The author explains how the calendar we use today evolved from the Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. Readers learn how the first mechanical clocks worked, and why people required more and more precise measurements of time. Factory labor, railroad travel, and radio programming made standardized time a fact of modern life. Time keeping became a personal matter with the invention of pocket clocks or watches, and wristwatches developed during World War I. Modern society is obsessed with time, and the quest for deeper space exploration will make our need for higher degrees of accuracy even more critical in the future.  (less)

sun, or they watched the moon. The lunar calendar is probably the oldest in mankind's history. Readers learn about a variety of time-keeping devices invented throughout history, such as the sundial, the shadow clock, the star clock, and the water clock. The author explains how the calendar we use today evolved from the Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. Readers learn how the first mechanical clocks worked, and why people required more and more precise measurements of time. Factory labor, railroad travel, and radio programming made standardized time a fact of modern life. Time keeping became a personal matter with the invention of pocket clocks or watches, and wristwatches developed during World War I. Modern society is obsessed with time, and the quest for deeper space exploration will make our need for higher degrees of accuracy even more critical in the future.  (less)

in any way with the planet's natural course of evolution. But does this mean she must stand by and watch as an entire world drives itself to destruction? Elana's fellow agent, Randil, should never have been sent on the mission. If his emotions get the better of him, then his compassion for the Torisians may motivate him to intervene. Even with the best of intentions, his actions may tip the balance of power and bring about the holocaust that he is so desperately trying to prevent. The endangered planet's only hope is Elana, who must choose between siding with a renegade agent or stopping him at any cost.BR/DIVDIVDIVBSylvia Louise Engdahl/Bis the author of six novels published between 1970 and 1981, of whichIEnchantress from the Stars/Iwas the first. It was awarded a Newbery Honor in 1971, and the “Phoenix Award” in 1990. Ms. Engdahl currently resides in Eugene, Oregon.BR/DIV/DIV  (less)

Glass shatters. And as the lights go out, people begin to scream….brbrIn the earthquake’s aftermath, the lives of four strangers will converge.… Sarah Sloane, the beautiful wife of a financial whiz, watches her perfect world fall to pieces…. Grammy-winning singer Melanie Free, the event’s headliner, comes to a turning point in her life and career…. Photographer Everett Carson, a former war correspondent whose personal demons have demoted him to covering society parties, finds new purpose amid the carnage…and Sister Maggie Kent, a nun who normally works in jeans and high-tops with the homeless, searches through the rubble–and knows instantly that there is much work to be done….brbrAs the city staggers back to life, a chain reaction of extraordinary events will touch each of the survivors.… For Sarah, it begins with the discovery of a crime and a betrayal, then a strength she never knew she had. For Melanie, volunteering at a refugee camp will open new worlds of possibility. And Everett will be shaken by the unlikely relationship he forges with Maggie, who helps him rebuild his shattered life–and upends her own in the process. But as a year passes, and the anniversary of the earthquake approaches, more surprises are in store–as each discovers the unexpected gifts in a tragedy’s wake…and the amazing grace of new beginnings.brbrThroughout these enthralling pages, Danielle Steel creates a stunning array of contrasts–from the dazzle of a society benefit to the chaos of a makeshift hospital, from the pampered lives of rock stars to the quiet heroism of emergency volunteers. It is her most powerful and life-affi@p£×=qÿ¾Û€  (less)

Cold War, the Gulf War, and after, Canadians had to make difficult decisions about defence and foreign policy, and these events have shaped the country, developing our industries, changing the role of women, realigning our political factions, and changing Canada’s status in the world.“Decisively dispels the notion that we are a nation without warriors…enables the reader to discover the inherent trends in Canada’s defence strategies, and the significant formative impact that the armed services have had on Canada.”br–iLondon Free Pressbrbr/i“This book should be required reading for anyone interested in Canadian history.”br–iKitchener-Waterloo Record/ibDesmond Morton/bis the author of thirty-one books on Canada and is a frequent contributor to the CBC, Radio-Canada, theiToronto Star/i, theiMontreal Gazette/i, and theiOttawa Citizen/i. He lives in Montreal.b9/12, 2001brbr/bOn Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, Captain Mike Jellinek of the Canadian navy took command of the watch at the subterranean headquarters of NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, near Colorado Springs. By American law, NORAD still looked outward, not inward, chiefly at former Cold War enemies, evidence to its critics of military preoccupations outdated more than a decade after the collapse of the Berlin Wall. An airliner hijacking was reported near Boston, in NORAD’s northeastern sector. Local jet fighters had been scrambled. Jellinek phoned NORAD’s commander. Couldbrhe react? Yes. Before the first hijacked airliner tore into the World Trade Center in New York, Jellinek had fighters vectored on its@  (less)