UNITED STATES AUTHOR · FICTION · ADVENTURE
L. Ron Hubbard
Also known as: L. Ron Hubbard, L.Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald "L. Ron" Hubbard was an American science fiction author who developed a self-help system called Dianetics which was first published in 1950. Over the following three decades Hubbard developed his self-help ideas into a wide-ranging set of doctrines and rituals as part of a new religion he called Scientology. Hubbard's writings became the guiding texts for the Church of Scientology and a number of affiliated organizations that address such diverse topics as business administration, literacy and drug rehabilitation. Hubbard was a controversial public figure, and many details of his life are still disputed. Official Scientology biographies present him as a "larger-than-life" figure whose career is studded with admirable accomplishments in an astonishing array of fields. Many of these claims are disputed by former Scientologists and researchers not connected with Scientology, who have written accounts that are sharply critical of Hubbard.
"Man," said Terl, "is an endangered species."
— from Battlefield earth
Most acclaimed
Art
1913
An entirely new approach to exploring global art history, presented through the lens of one of the world's leading art museums. Featuring more than 800 artworks from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, this groundbreaking book - organized by thematic keywords rather than the usual chronological or geographical categories, and drawing upon analytics from The Met's online Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History - offers fresh, unconventional ways of engaging with visual culture. Beyond the wealth of illustration, more than 160 engaging curatorial essays place the works in wider contexts, while a foldout, detachable timeline offers further perspective. Published to coincide with The Met's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2020. "Art= is a groundbreaking book that: offers fresh and unconventional ways of exploring visual culture from around the world through the lens of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's vast and unsurpassed collection. Ingeniously designed with color-coded sections and four ribbons to assist navigation and cross-referencing, this beautifully produced volume is an essential reference book for all interested in fine art, ancient cultures, fashion, design, photography, and the infinite connections in between."--back cover.
Sky birds dare!
"Ace glider pilot Breeze Callahan is trying to demonstrate to the Navy the value of gliders and gliding techniques in war. There are two ways Breeze believes they can be used to aid the war effort: they'll keep a plane aloft when engines cut out, and gliders will be able to enter enemy airspace silently--a perfect way to spy undetected. Callahan's ruthless competitor, Badger O'Dowell, has other ideas. Badger is determined to get the Navy to buy his training ships instead. When testing gets underway to prove the strength of their designs, sabotage and betrayal threaten to destroy not only Callahan's dreams of glider flight in war, but also his life"--P. of cover flap.