Audiobooks narrated by Wendy Tremont King

Backcountry Democracy and the Whiskey Insurrection: The Legal Culture and Trials, 1794-1795

Backcountry Democracy and the Whiskey Insurrection treats the legal culture that informed the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and its trials. Linda Myrsiades examines conflicts between state and federal courts and the judicial philosophy of Federalist judges, as well as grand jury charges, law reports, judges' bench notes, and defense notes for the trials, to develop a portrait of the hegemony of official interpretations of the law. At the same time, the book illuminates popular attitudes about the courts and the law and explores the nature of extralegal courts operated by the people. Myrsiades captures the agitation-propaganda efforts mounted by rebel communities and groups together with petitions and speeches in the rebel assemblies in demonstrating that popular culture offered a clear politico-legal justification within the rebel movement on the unofficial side of legal culture. Myrsiades thus presents a holistic picture of the legal culture of the rebellion. Her examination denies the common perception that the rebel movement was incoherent and chaotic and presents an alternative view that its perceptions are a necessary correlative to understanding how treason law functioned and what its critical elements were in the late-eighteenth century, serving as a lesson for democracy in the present era.

Linda Myrsiades (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Astronomy 101: From the Sun and Moon to Wormholes and Warp Drive, Key Theories, Discoveries, and Fac

Explore the curiosities of our galaxy with this comprehensive, digestible guide to astronomy! Too often, textbooks obscure the beauty and wonder of outer space with tedious discourse that even Galileo would oppose. Astronomy 101 cuts out the boring details and lengthy explanations, and instead, gives you a lesson in astronomy that keeps you engaged as you discover what's hidden beyond our starry sky. From the Big Bang and nebulae to the Milky Way and Sir Isaac Newton, this celestial primer is packed with hundreds of entertaining astronomy facts, charts, and photographs you won't be able to get anywhere else. So whether you're looking to unravel the mystery behind black holes, or just want to learn more about your favorite planets, Astronomy 101 has all the answers—even the ones you didn't know you were looking for.

Carolyn Collins Petersen (Author), Unknown, Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Social Security 101, 2nd Edition: From Medicare to Spousal Benefits, an Essential Primer on Governme

Learn the ins and outs of the social security system in this accessible, easy-to-navigate guide with refreshed, updated information in Social Security 101, 2nd Edition. Too often, writing about social security turns the noteworthy details of the benefits into boring details about regulations or biased political arguments that would put even a diehard bureaucrat to sleep. Social Security 101, 2nd Edition, cuts out the tedious explanations and instead provides a hands-on lesson that keeps you engaged as you learn all you need to know about the federal program that's been around since the Great Depression. From the history of social security to its likely role in the future, this primer is packed with hundreds of entertaining tidbits and concepts that will keep you on track as you learn how to maximize your benefits. Whether you want to learn about calculating your retirement age or estimating your projected payments, Social Security 101 has all the answers—even the ones you didn't know you were looking for.

Alfred Mill, Michele Cagan (Author), Unknown, Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Learning Systems Thinking: Essential Non-Linear Skills and Practices for Software Professionals

A decade ago, developers built information-sharing software by writing a lot of custom code in a single code base, then adding layers of caching. Now we build information systems: interdependent software and services, data platforms, and event streams. Many of our software-to-systems initiatives fail, though, and when they do, we double down on traditional linear approaches. But linear thinking cannot resolve systems challenges. We need to shift to systems thinking. This book shows software developers and architects how systems thinking can guide you through the emerging complexity of modern systems. Author Diana Montalion presents a vision of technology architecture that transforms how we learn, communicate, and collaborate with others. Through practical examples and scenarios, you'll learn how to develop critical self-reflection and decision-making skills amid complexity and uncertainty—and lead impactful cultural change within your organization. You'll learn how linear thinking limits your perspective on software systems; the obstacles to changing your perspective and how to move past them; how systems and nonlinear thinking help you understand and navigate complex issues arising from internal and external factors; how to provide a modern style of leadership as software becomes information systems; and much more.

Diana Montalion (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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How to Be a Scientist: Critical Thinking in the Life Sciences

Many undergraduate students choose a science degree but are not aware of how science and research work in the real world. This book explains how scientific research is conceived, carried out and analyzed. It outlines how research findings are constantly evolving and why that is exciting and important. Students using this textbook will learn how to design experiments, explain their data, and analyze and interpret the work of others. They will learn to think about broader aspects of science, such as bias and ethics. They will gain practical skills, including understanding the use of statistical tests and how to prepare an effective presentation. Active individual and class exercises provide opportunities for students to think about difficult concepts in science and research and to include their own perspectives. Key Features: ● Encourages discussion and critical thinking using individual and class exercises ● Provides real-world examples and context for difficult concepts ● Documents a variety of career options and opportunities from studying science ● Permits students to advocate for science with suggestions for creating and sharing research

Deborah M. Brown, Roslyn A. Kemp (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Badass Ancestors: Finding Your Power with Ancestral Guides

Cultivate Relationships with Your People for Empowerment and Healing This groundbreaking book shows you how to work with different types of ancestors to find, develop, and celebrate the personal power of your inner badass. By embracing the strength of your lineage—both blood relatives and those chosen by the heart—you can receive wisdom and guidance when you need it the most. Badass Ancestors provides a compelling series of rituals, meditations, mantras, and exercises that connect you with ancestral guides. You'll discover advice on genealogy research, the history of ancestor veneration in cultures around the world, ways to deal with problematic ancestors, and how to leave your own legacy for future generations. Each chapter offers unique calls to action that help you build self-confidence and overall badassery with your ancestors' assistance. When you develop relationships with your relatives and with spiritual or archetypal ancestors, you engage the process of healing trauma and achieving a deep sense of emotional and spiritual well-being.

Patti Wigington (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Cosmic Ray Physics: An Introduction to The Cosmic Laboratory

This book introduces you to the physics of cosmic rays, charged particles which reach us from known-and maybe unknown-sources in the cosmos. Starting from a brief history of this fascinating field, it reviews what we know about the creation of elements in the Big Bang and inside stars. It explains cosmic accelerators reaching fabulous energies. It follows the life cycle of cosmic rays all the way from their sources to detection near, on or below Earth. The central three chapters cover what we know about them at the level of the solar system, the Milky Way, and the Universe at large. Up-to-date experimental results are presented in detail, showing how they are obtained and interpreted. The book provides an accessible overview of this lively and diversified research field. It will be of interest to undergraduate physics students beginning their studies on astronomy, cosmology, and particle physics. It is also accessible to the general public by concentrating mathematical and technical detail into Focus Boxes.

Martin Pohl, Mercedes Paniccia, Veronica Bindi (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Techno-Capitalism: The Rise of the New Robber Barons and the Fight for the Common Good

The respected Italian economist and journalist offers a bold and provocative argument that the speed of technological transformation is threatening our future At the dawn of the digital revolution, the internet was going to be the great equalizer, a global democratic force. Instead, Wall Street ended up funding a new breed of serial capitalists, the Techtitans, who embraced rapid, transformational change while stripping their workers of rights and enriching themselves beyond anybody's wildest imagination; and the Space Barons, who mine new frontiers for precious resources. Tech pioneers like Google, Facebook, Apple, Uber, and Microsoft never had any intention of spreading democracy. Those who control and own the technology are the absolute masters. As artificial intelligence enters the labor market, companies like Uber are able to cut labor costs to the barest of minimums, by squeezing workers' privileges and rights. Technological transformation is occurring at a speed that is existentially unbearable for most of us. We must fight for our common good to address today's real challenges of global warming and militarism and the soulessness of capitalist endeavor. Napoleoni shows us how.

Loretta Napoleoni (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Climate Uncertainty and Risk: Rethinking Our Response

World leaders have made a forceful statement that climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity in the twenty-first century. However, little progress has been made in implementing policies to address climate change. In Climate Uncertainty and Risk, eminent climate scientist Judith Curry shows how we can break this gridlock. This book helps us rethink the climate change problem, the risks we are facing and how we can respond to these challenges. Understanding the deep uncertainty surrounding the climate change problem helps us to better assess the risks. This book shows how uncertainty and disagreement can be part of the decision-making process. It provides a road map for formulating pragmatic solutions. Climate Uncertainty and Risk is a must-listen for those concerned about the environment, professionals dealing with climate change, and our national leaders.

Judith Curry (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Litigating the Pandemic: Disaster Cascades in Court

As officials scrambled in 2020 to manage the spread of COVID, the reverberations of the crisis reached well beyond immediate public health concerns. The governance problems that emerged in the pandemic would be problems in other climate-related disasters, too. Many of these governance problems wound up in court. Businesses filed insurance claims for lost commerce; when the claims were denied, some companies sued. As state governments ordered closures and otherwise tried to adapt, interest organizations that had long sought to limit government authority challenged them in court. Political officials railed against litigation they argued would stop businesses from reopening. The United States, like other countries, governs partly through litigation, and litigation is one way of seeing the multiple governance failures during the pandemic. Drawing on databases of cases filed, news reports, and other sources, Susan M. Sterett argues that governing during the pandemic must include the human institutions intertwined with the effects of the virus. Those institutions reveal problems well beyond the reach of technical expertise. Failures in private insurance as a way of governing risk, conflicts about the primacy of religion, government authority, and health, are problems that predated the pandemic and will persist in future disasters.

Susan M. Sterett (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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IF YOU SEE THEM: Young, Unhoused, and Alone in America.

A moving exploration of the crisis of homeless youth—told through the inspiring stories of a woman on the frontlines and the kids themselves. They hide in plain sight. They survive on free school breakfasts and lunches, join school sports teams in order to shower, sleep on friends’ couches, in parks, or on the streets. Their official designation is “unaccompanied homeless youth”—they are not 'runaways' breaking free from strict parenting; these are kids seeking safety. They have escaped abusive parents, have been abandoned, or have never had a home to begin with. When Vicki Sokolik’s son brought home a classmate who was living on her own and was dropping out of school to support herself, Vicki stepped in to help. As she learned more about the invisible population of young people navigating life alone, she discovered the countless ways they are overlooked and impeded by the system. She founded a nonprofit and worked to change legislation in her home state of Florida to give these kids agency over their lives. If You See Them wakes us up to the issue of youth homelessness in America, through Sokolik’s own story of advocacy and through the voices of the kids themselves. Her grassroots action demonstrates the world-shifting power of compassion, acceptance, belonging, and self-determination, and the capacity each of us has to change our communities for the better. “Clear-eyed and moving . . . Its essential and inspiring message is about how even the worst problems, once seen, can be solved.”—Tampa Bay Times “A gently urgent call to arms, a plea for attention and a good read altogether.”—Philadephia Tribune “We can't all emulate Sokolik, but her example should motivate us not only to see these folks, but to help them if we can.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

Vicki Sokolik (Author), Anna Crowe, Jose Nateras, Oscar Reyes, Wendy Tremont King, Yinka Ladeinde (Narrator)

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Morality and Socially Constructed Norms

Observe social distancing. Tip your waiter. Give priority to the elderly. Stop at the red light. Pay your taxes. Do not chew with your mouth open. These are imperatives we face every day, imposed upon us by norms that happen to be generally accepted in our environment. These 'socially constructed norms' elicit mixed feelings. On the one hand, we treat them as valid standards of behavior and respond to their violation with emotions such disapproval, resentment, and guilt. On the other hand, we look at them with suspicion: after all, they are arbitrary human constructs that may contribute to oppression and injustice. In light of this ambivalence, it is important to have a criterion telling us when, if ever, we are morally bound by socially constructed norms and when we should instead disregard them. Morality and Socially Constructed Norms systematically develops such a criterion. It traces the moral significance of those norms to the agential commitments that underpin them, and explains why those commitments ought to be respected, provided the content of the corresponding norms is consistent with independent moral constraints. The book then explores the implications of this view for three core questions in moral, legal, and political philosophy: the grounding of moral rights, the obligation to obey the law, and the wrong of sovereignty violations.

Laura Valentini (Author), Wendy Tremont King (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Wendy Tremont King