The World's Greatest Books - Volume 15 - Science

The World's Greatest Books - Volume 15 - Science Review

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The Fringe Worlds (The Human Chronicles - Book One)

The Fringe Worlds (The Human Chronicles - Book One) Review

Adam Cain is an alien with an Attitude!

After all, how would you feel if you were abducted by aliens and transported into a strange, new universe away from your home, your family -- everything familiar to you? Would it make you happy? Not likely!

Now imagine you're stronger, faster and more coordinated than every alien you encounter. Would you start kicking some ass? Of course you would!

This is the story of Human superiority in the galaxy, a gritty, realistic profile of a young Navy SEAL who doesn't like aliens very much -- and he makes them pay for disrupting his happy life back on Earth!

Here's an excerpt:

 ...Riyad stopped his story and narrowed his eyes at Adam. "You must know by now, my friend, that we Humans have certain advantages over most of the creatures out here. In fact, I understand you bested two Rigorians your first day on Nimor. That is no easy task."

"I didn't pick that fight! They challenged me," Adam said in his defense.

"Oh, I'm not being critical. I'm just pointing out a fact. In the six years I have been out here, I have found creatures who were faster, who were stronger and who were tougher than we are. Some even exhibited remarkable intelligence and coordination. But none combine all these traits into one being like we do. Out here, WE ARE THE SUPERMEN. No, we can't fly, and we can certainly be killed by the weapons they possess, but none of the creatures I've encountered can stand against us in a fair fight."

Synopsis: Four thousand years ago, the Juireans exterminated the Klin race then used their technology to forge a galactic empire known as the Juirean Expansion. Now it's revealed that the Klin still exist -- and are in hiding somewhere in The Fringe Worlds. But more than that, the Klin have begun to use the Humans for some secret purpose, a fact that could bring about the total annihilation of the Human race. But only the Klin know Earth's location, contained in the stolen computer core from a derelict Klin starship. Now Adam must race against the Juireans, as well as the Fringe Pirates, to recover the missing computer core -- and find his way home. Adam could care less about the centuries-long feud between the Juireans and the Klin. All he wants to do is get home. And if a galactic empire stands in his way -- well too bad for them!

Love him or hate him, Adam Cain is about as REAL as it gets.

The Fringe Worlds is the first in a series of books in The Human Chronicles saga. Full of adventure, space battles, galactic empires and exotic locales, it's also laced with humor and an honest realism not often found in science fiction these days.

This book is designed to be a light, quick and fun read, as well as an introduction into the exciting events, characters and exotic worlds of The Human Chronicles series.

Have FUN. Try the book. You'll like it!

 (Please check out the FREE, 4,500-word "Look Inside" Sample featured above.)

Visit TheHumanChronicles.com for information about this series and upcoming books.

The World's Greatest Books - Volume 15 - Science (Illustrated)

The World's Greatest Books - Volume 15 - Science (Illustrated) Review

• Illustrated book with 12 images
Science

JOHN MILNE BRAMWELL

Hypnotism: Its History, Practice and Theory

John Milne Bramwell was born in Perth, Scotland, May 11, 1852. The son of a physician, he studied medicine in Edinburgh, and after obtaining his degree of M.B., in 1873, he settled at Goole, Yorkshire. Fired by the unfinished work of Braid, Bernheim and Liébeault, he began, in 1889, a series of hypnotic researches, which, together with a number of successful experiments he had privately conducted, created considerable stir in the medical world. Abandoning his general practice and settling in London in 1892, Dr. Bramwell became one of the foremost authorities in the country on hypnotism as a curative agent. His Works include many valuable treatises, the most important being "Hypnotism: its History, Practice and Theory," published in 1903, and here summarised for the World's Greatest Books by Dr. Bramwell himself.

I.—Pioneers of Hypnotism

Just as chemistry arose from alchemy, astronomy from astrology, so hypnotism had its origin in mesmerism. Phenomena such as Mesmer described had undoubtedly been observed from early times, but to his work, which extended from 1756 to his death, in 1815, we owe the scientific interest which, after much error and self-deception, finally led to what we now term hypnotism.

John Elliotson (1791–1868), the foremost physician of his day, was the leader of the mesmeric movement in England. In 1837, after seeing Dupotet's work, he commenced to experiment at University College Hospital, and continued, with remarkable success, until ordered to desist by the council of the college. Elliotson felt the insult keenly, indignantly resigned his appointments, and never afterwards entered the hospital he had done so much to establish. Despite the persistent and virulent attacks of the medical press, he continued his mesmeric researches up to the time of his death, sacrificing friends, income and reputation to his beliefs.

The fame of mesmerism spread to India, where, in 1845, James Esdaile (1808–1859), a surgeon in the East India Company, determined to investigate the subject. He was in charge of the Native Hospital at Hooghly, and successfully mesmerised a convict before a painful operation. Encouraged by this, he persevered, and, at the end of a year, reported 120 painless operations to the government. Investigations were instituted, and Esdaile was placed in charge of a hospital at Calcutta, for the express purpose of mesmeric practice; he continued to occupy similar posts until he left India in 1851. He recorded 261 painless capital operations and many thousand minor ones, and reduced the mortality for the removal of the enormous tumours of elephantiasis from 50 to 5 per cent.