Ermengard of Narbonne and the World of the Troubadours (Conjunctions of Religion and Power in the Medieval Past)

Book Description

Before France became France its territories included Occitania, roughly the present-day province of Languedoc. The city of Narbonne was a center of Occitanian commerce and culture during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. For most of the second half of the twelfth century, that city and its environs were ruled by a remarkable woman, Ermengard, who negotiated her city's way through a maze of everchanging dynastic alliances.

Fredric L. Cheyette's masterful and beautifully illustrated book is a biography of an extraordinary warrior woman and of a unique, vulnerable, doomed society. Throughout her long reign, viscountess Ermengard roamed Occitania receiving oaths of fidelity, negotiating treaties, settling disputes among the lords of her lands, and camping with her armies before the walls of besieged cities. She was born into a world of politics and warfare, but from the Mediterranean to the North Sea her name echoed in songs that treated the arts of love.

The land between the Rhone and the Pyrenees was a delicately balanced world in which honor, dispute, and the fragile communities of loyalty and family held a "stateless" society together. In Cheyette's prose there rises before us a world we had not imagined, in which women were powerful lords, moving back and forth across what we now call Spain, France, and Italy to play the harsh political games essential to the preservation of their realms. But the region was also fertile ground for religious practices deemed heretical by the Church. The attempt to eradicate them would spawn the Albigensian Crusade, which destroyed the cosmopolitan world of Ermengard and the troubadours--the world that lives again in this book.

Customer Reviews:

A heavyweight insight into twelfth century Narbonne.......2002-10-21

The parenthesized title gives a better explanation of the topic of this book, rather than the somewhat romanticized main title. What the author has done is provide an acutely focused eye on a small geographical place and period, namely that of the eleventh and twelfth centuries and the region known, at the time, as Occitania. A multi-parted text, multi-chaptered discourse where Cheyette uses Ermengard of Narbonne as a focal point to discuss the secular and spiritual power of a region that played an important part in Mediterannean history. The implication is that it was a microcosm of the funtioning social, political and commercial whole that was modern day France and Spain. Nevertheless, a history of (based on very little extant documentation) Ermerngard's influence as the ruler of Narbonne in both local and spiritual dealings; and a greater part (akin to Eleanor of Aquitane or Stephania) in the history of the region from the situation at the time of her inheritance, her wedding to Alphonse of Toulouse and subsequent rise to power through alliance, right through to Raymond V and crusade - all serve to demonstrate the power held by heiresses during the Middle Ages and the reality of their rule as they struggled with the Church for ascendancy. This gives rise to a fuller history of the regions of Narbonne, Montpellier
What Cheyette does so well is to display the lot of the common man, the realities of daily life within the feudal system, the monastic regime and the commerical and political shifting partnerships that all occurred - fundamentally, it would seem to be argued - to ensure that general accession of new generations would be smoother.
This piece of scholarship is not so heavy that it becomes unreadable, but it does go into far more depth about the sheer detail of life than the romantic title might suggest Ultimately, it succeeds for it and any student interested in a more precise look at the region and the period would be well advised to read this.

Amazon.com

Dozens of books have been written about the science fiction film, examining the genre from a number of critical perspectives. What author Peter Guttmacher has produced with Legendary Sci-Fi Movies is a solid introduction to many of the greatest box-office hits and classics in the history of the genre. Starting with the early classics such as Metropolis, and continuing on through 2001: A Space Odyssey, Planet of the Apes, and Blade Runner, the author briefly examines how and why each film was made. He then offers a concise analysis of the movie's place both in the genre and in our pop culture. That the author has produced previous books for young people is evident in his usage of trivia quizzes and silly chapter titles. Even so, Guttmacher takes his subject seriously, and shows an obvious affection for the genre. The book is part of a series in which he examines other genres such as Legendary Horror Films, Legendary War Movies, Legendary Comedies, Legendary Westerns, and Legendary Love Stories. --Stanley Wiater

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Legendary Sci-Fi Movies
Peter Guttmacher
Manufacturer: Metro Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPA4OI

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A History of English Cathedral Music Part One 1900
John S. Bumpus
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1417980230

Book Description

A proven fan favorite, Stanley Newman returns with his next volume of 100 crosswords:

·Economical–these puzzles provide a big deal for a small price and package
·Convenient- the handy size makes for an easy grab-and-go buy
·100 challenging and contemporary puzzles of medium difficulty level

Random House Spring Fling Crosswords (Vacation)

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Random House Spring Fling Crosswords (Vacation)

Manufacturer: Random House Puzzles & Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0812936205
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Book Description

Stanley Newman's genius returns to jump-start the mental states of avid puzzle solvers:

• 100 daily-size puzzles sure to provide endless amounts of cranium-cracking fun
• The convenient size makes this volume an essential take-along on any vacation

Book Description

INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING 10e provides the perfect combination of professional language and vibrant pedagogy to facilitate the transition from financial principles to the professional accounting world and beyond. With an eye to the preparing students for professional accounting careers, the text's comprehensive coverage of GAAP is clearly and consistently presented through the text complete with the benefit of the authors' insight both through in-text commentary and fully coordinated, author-written end-of-chapter material.

Customer Reviews:

ISBN.......2007-08-02

The publisher has two versions of the book, each the 10th Edition but with different ISBN numbers. So before you order be careful which one your class is using.

Authoritative but not an easy read.......2004-06-07

This is an authoritative text (it's on the recommended reading list for the CMA, for example). Unfortunately, the style of writing is not the clearest. Although I'm a straight-A student of accounting, I had to re-read way too many sentences.

Return this book after course is completed.......2004-03-22

This book was over done ? this book will confuse an accounting student. In fact, they recommend that you purchase a study guide to go along with this book (what does that tell you!!!). Along with a poor accounting lecture you are doomed to barely pass an accounting class with this book. The write up and description of general concepts ? extends to some far out, drawn out, and exacerbated lecture that may have been written by satanic worshipers or something like that. I bought the study guide to go along with this book after I did so poorly on my first exam and now I know why a few did well on their exam?s ? because they bought the study guide!!! The study guide should be used as the main study concept and leave this heavy weighted book on the shelf?

Not easily understandable.......1999-06-10

The author should have made this text more student friendly. It was very confusing at times. This book is not worth its cost!

Average customer rating:

Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition
Not a good fanatic of it
Intermediate Accounting by Kieso and Weygandt
USC Accounting School
There is no other like it

Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition
Donald E. Kieso , Jerry J. Weygandt , Terry D. Warfield , and Terry Warfield
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0471363049

Book Description

Over thirty years and ten best-selling editions, Kieso and Weygandt have built a reputation for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The latest edition, a personal milestone for the authors maintains the qualities for which previous editions have been recognized.

Customer Reviews:

Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition.......2005-09-24

This book is designed in a simple and understandable way. The author has included so many practical case studies in this book. Important topics and Accounting Terms have been presented so effectively and the whole presentation is excellent.

Not a good fanatic of it.......2003-08-10

The chapters are ok.I had to carry this book almost everyday to class!; its so big and heavy. And I also didn't like the examples and excersises of it because you can't barely understand them.

Intermediate Accounting by Kieso and Weygandt.......2003-07-19

This text was utilized by me in graduate school and in studying
for and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. The work has
a thorough coverage of theory and practice. It is geared for
accounting majors or more advanced business students.
Few texts provide the "bold-font" presentation of an accounting
term followed by the accompanying definition. The problem sets
are challenging. The text will help you to study for the CPA
examination because the presentation contains many problem
sets geared to prepare students for rigorous examinations.
The text is well worth the price .

USC Accounting School.......2003-01-06

I'm at the Leventhal school of accounting. This is the book we use in our intermediate accounting class. I found the Problem Solving survival guides that came with the book to be invaluable. This is an awesome accounting text.

There is no other like it.......2002-10-21

When it comes to Intermediate Accounting, this book provides a better framework than any other period. I used the 9th edition while in College, and have re-ordered the 10th edition for the CPA exam. Quite frankly, not even the great Becker Convisor is as good as this book. Maybe I find it better than others because this is what I had used while taking intermidiate accounting. I have looked at other textbooks, and they could not match Mr. Keiso's textbook in organization nor could they match it in ability to explain complex issues in an easy to understand manner. This book should be in any employee's office who must deal with accounting issues and needs guidance occasinaly. I must warn you, this edition is outdated as there have been many changes since the Sarbanes-Oxley act was passed by congress. So, you may want to wait until the 11th edition comes out, as that will master all of the changes that have occured in the industry since ENRON and WORLDCOM's collapse.
If you are someone who feels overwhelmed by the entire subject, this book will organize it into compartments and allow you to understand not only the entire framework, but the details as well.

Intermediate Accounting, Volume 1, Chapters 1-14, Problem Solving Survival Guide, 10th Edition

Average customer rating:

Great help for college class

Intermediate Accounting, Volume 1, Chapters 1-14, Problem Solving Survival Guide, 10th Edition
Donald E. Kieso , Jerry J. Weygandt , and Terry D. Warfield
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0471376299

Customer Reviews:

Great help for college class.......2002-04-22

I am currently taking Intermediate Accounting. This book is a supplement to the text. It has been very helpful working through problem that are similar to homework assignments and problems on the test. It has 15 - 20 multiple choice questions at the back of each chapter that are simmular to what you find on the test. It helps you to understand what the author is trying to teach you in the text. Highly reccommended if you want to do well in the class and understand the concepts taught. I plan on buying the next volume for chapters 15-25.

Intermediate Accounting 10th Edition(with Business and Company Resource Center)

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Intermediate Accounting 10th Edition(with Business and Company Resource Center)
D. Bazley, Jefferson P. Jones Loren A. Nikolai
Manufacturer: South-Western College Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUISZA

Web Ct to Accompany Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition

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Web Ct to Accompany Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition
Kieso
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

Now in paperback, an expanded retelling of the life of Jesus including the gospel accounts, historical and cultural details, and the geopolitical scene.

Customer Reviews:

Provocative and informative retelling of Jesus' ministry.......2007-07-27

During his three-year ministry, Jesus frequently preached in parables and healed infirmities. But only once did he give his disciples a specific prayer to utilize. The story of The Lord's Prayer is recounted in two of the four Gospels: Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2. The disciples often had observed him in early morning prayer when they awoke; they'd seen him pray before he made important decisions, and around spiritual encounters. And although they had prayed with him, that day they asked for a lesson on how to pray on their own. Since then, Christians have clung to The Lord's Prayer, treasuring it as their Lord's directive.

Leith Anderson's book "Jesus," includes a revelatory sidebar to the story of the Lord's Prayer. "The Lord's Prayer was probably intended more as a sample than a formula. The wording varies in the New Testament reports of what Jesus said, so it was not word-for-word the same every time. The purpose wasn't to memorize someone else's prayer but to learn a pattern that could be adapted and individualized. Most of the disciples probably heard this prayer enough times to memorize it, and they all made their own modifications..." (Pg. 184)

Provocative and informative sidebars like this one abound in Anderson's narrative of Jesus' life. The biography unfolds with pages studded by historical footnotes, translations of terms, and pertinent explanations of the society's traditions, all of which flesh out the well-known story with new insights.

Anderson has undertaken a daunting task here, and one whose potential success inherently is limited. Anderson, who holds degrees from Bradley University, Denver Seminary and a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary, brings academic credibility to the table. Interestingly, however, he has chosen to write to the average Christian. He treads no revolutionary ground; Anderson presents the Gospel accounts without theological or theoretical debate. Most scholars would question his lack of questioning. Instead, he attempts valiantly to weave the four sometimes conflicting, accounts into one linear storyline. No small feat, considering Matthew, Mark, Luke and John jumped between chronological and topical ordering. Here multiple reports of the same event have been merged into a single rendition, with quotes paraphrased and plausible enough emotions attributed to various figures. It's a literary device fraught with the tendency to draw the reader out of the story by wondering how Anderson arrived at the conclusion that Jesus or Peter or whomever, were feeling that way at that particular moment. Yet without the additions, the book would struggle to shed new light on an old story.

American Founding Father Thomas Jefferson is noted for having taken razor blade and glue pot to his Bible, removing Jesus' miracles and attempting to make a sequential humanistic narrative of the Gospels. "Jesus" resonates with an opposing goal: retaining and trying to shed light on the miracles utilizing the context of Jesus' human existence. Anderson then gently amplifies the emotion of the events with cautious extrapolation. It's a tough line to walk, and though he occasionally falters, the reader tends to be forgiving of the noble effort, which most of the time sheds great light.

It's an imperfect process yet it yields an enlightening result for the faithful Christian. Jesus and his apostles become real people with each turn of the page. The frustrating shorthand of the Gospels becomes a fleshed-out tale. The historical footnotes alone bring Jesus' actions into sharper focus. For example, when Jesus heals the 10 lepers in one of the Samaria-Galilee border villages, he instructs them to go show themselves to the priests. Anderson's sidebar explains: "The law required an examination and clearance before anyone cured of leprosy was allowed back into society. Most priests were never asked; leprosy was a life sentence." (pg. 232) Suddenly, we realize that Jesus was telling them to have faith not only that they would be healed, but also that their lives would return to normal within society.

A chilling realization occurs with one particular piece of information: "Jesus had witnessed a crucifixion when he was eleven years old. A man named Judas the Galilean led an insurrection against Roman rule. He attacked the imperial armory at Sepphoris, only four miles away from Jesus' home in Nazareth. The Roman response was swift and severe. Sepphoris was burned to the ground, and all of the citizens were sold into slavery. The two thousand rebels were crucified on the same day on crosses that lined the road near Nazareth. Jesus' memory had been etched with the horror of crucifixion." (pg. 148) Having that piece of knowledge makes Jesus' crucifixion all the more poignant.
--Lisa Bowman of The Religion Network (www.TheReligionNetwork.com)

Jesus: An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His Land, and His People .......2007-01-19

Superb! Brings amazing depth to the times, life and death of Christ. Anyone looking for a captivating read on Jesus...look no further. I can't seem to put it down!

Great read.......2007-01-19

This book really places you in the presence of Christ and I highly recommend this book for anyone, no matter where you are with your relationship with God.

An Absolutely Captivating "Journey with Jesus".......2006-12-19

As a fairly new believer, I came across this book in the store and thought I might try it. I wanted to know more about the life of Jesus from his birth to his resurrection, without it being an oversimplified account, but also nothing over my head (as a new believer). I was hooked from page 1, and I couldn't put it down. It is written in such a way that you are given a lot of historical, cultural information, but without being bored. Its purpose is academic, but it is written so engagingly that it reads more like a novel. It's like you are a part of the story--there with Jesus on his journey. Still, the author manages to explain the parts that need explaining; his sidebars are not intrusive but answer those questions that many believers, both old and new, might have. As a person with new faith, this book has strengthened my faith, and given me a better insight and more familiarity with who Jesus was and what happened during his life. Even those who have been long-time believers would find great enrichment in reading this book and going on the "journey with Jesus". While I'm not sure what I would have thought of this book as a non-believer, I think that perhaps reading such a vivid and detailed account (rooted in historical, cultural facts) would have tempered my casual (and sometimes adamant) dismissal of everything associated with Jesus. It certainly would have given me up-close, personal insight into what I believed to be a distant myth.

Great Insights.......2006-11-10

Subtitled: An intimate portrait of the man, his land, and his people

This is a unique biography of Jesus. It draws together the four gospel accounts as a harmony of the gospels might, but it goes beyond. What author Leith Anderson has done, with help from his collaborators, is to add brush strokes to the scene that the four gospels portrayed. The narrative he creates is faithful to the gospel account but adds relevant information to deepen the reader's understanding of the times, land, custom, culture, cares, and concerns that the people of Jesus' day faced.

For example, as the book opens Joseph is taking Mary to Nazareth to be counted and taxed by the Romans. This was an expensive undertaking, the time for the trip, time away from his trade, cost of the tax--even the thought of paying an additional tax for the baby if the baby were born before they could be counted in the census. These are things one would not normally think of, but which add new understanding to the account of Jesus' birth.

Later, when Jesus was challenged about breaking the Sabbath, we learn that Sabbath laws had spiraled out of control--things like cutting one's nails, carrying a handkerchief down the stairs, aiding a sick person, or lighting a candle were all forbidden. (You could help a sick person keep from dying, but you could not help them get better--that had to wait until after the Sabbath was over). One gains a new appreciation for the patience Jesus so often demonstrated in dealing with the Jewish leaders!

For the person who wants to really get to know Jesus, this book will be a blessing. For the reader who knows little of the life and times of Jesus, it will be an eye opener. I recommend it.

Armchair Interviews says: Interesting view on the life of Jesus.

JESUS AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF THE MAN, HIS LAND, AND HIS PEOPLE

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JESUS AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF THE MAN, HIS LAND, AND HIS PEOPLE
Leith Anderson
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JJVRUO

Book Description

An overview of the design and manufacture of this small, light, and fast car built for two as it was in the 1950's and 1960's. Selections based on style, engineering, and history include: the 166 Barchetta, 212 Export, 340 Mexico, 375 Mille Miglia, 375 Plus Speciale, 250 Testa Rossa, 250 California, 365 California, 275 NART, and 365 Daytona. 125 color photos.

Book Description

Our daily news bulletins bring us tales of the wonder of science, from Mars rovers and intelligent robots to developments in cancer treatment, and yet often the emphasis is on the potential threats posed by science. It appears that irrationality is on the rise in western society, and public opinion is increasingly dominated by unreflecting prejudice and unwillingness to engage with factual evidence. From genetically modified crops and food, organic farming, the MMR vaccine, environmentalism, the precautionary principle and the new anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation movements, the rejection of the evidence-based approach nurtures a culture of suspicion, distrust, and cynicism, and leads to dogmatic assertion and intolerance. In this compelling and timely examination of science and society, Dick Taverne argues that science, with all the benefits it brings, is an essential part of civilised and democratic society: it offers us our most hopeful future.

Customer Reviews:

A useful antidote to unreason.......2007-03-07

Dick Taverne has worked in industry, law and government and is now a Liberal-Democrat member of the House of Lords. In this useful book, he looks at the connections between science and democracy and at fundamentalism's threats to them both.

His theme is, "If you abandon any concern for evidence or pretence at reason, you open the door wide to more dangerous charlatans, the peddlers of racial hatred, or those other devotees of the irrational, the religious fundamentalists who seek a return to the days when religious dogmatism ruled and freedom of thought was suppressed."

In his chapter on medicine, he praises osteopathy for being properly regulated in Britain, unlike most other kinds of alternative medicine. He notes that some alternative practices, like aromatherapy and Indian head massage, are pleasant and harmless.

But Taverne condemns Ayurvedic medicine and homoeopathy for diverting patients away from good medical practice. He points out that anyone with cataracts who chose the Ayurvedic remedy - `brush your teeth and scrape your tongue, spit into a cup of water and wash your eyes with this mixture' - would not get better. Similarly, homoeopathy, based on the `law of infinitesimals' - the more a medicine is diluted, the more effective it will be, i.e. less is more - would not help anyone with a serious illness.

He notes that herbal products are unregulated (unlike pharmaceutical drugs), so users risk adverse effects. Tests on the most popular herbal products, arnica and echinacea, proved that they don't work and are no better than placebos.

Taverne then looks at the scare about the MMR vaccine, started by Dr Andrew Wakefield's speculations that autism might be due to bowel disease, which might in turn be due to the vaccine. Wakefield produced no evidence, instead calling a press conference to denounce the vaccine. The media danced to Wakefield's dramatic tune and ignored all the proof that the vaccine did not cause autism.

In a section on genetic modification, Taverne makes a good case for the safety and utility of GM foods. Even America's finest lawyers cannot find evidence of damage to health, and absence of evidence of harm is evidence of absence of harm.

On global warming, he again warns against media hype. He points out that all the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's global warming predictions depend on its unbelievably high forecasts of economic growth in the Third World.

In Taverne's last chapter he writes, "politicians do in fact compromise, listen to the other side, and are willing to modify their own position in the light of public discussion and public reaction." We know that members of the House of Lords can be a little divorced from reality, but did Lord Taverne not notice Thatcher or Blair?

As he notes, "Authoritarian institutions ... press on with mistakes long after they have begun to produce unintended and harmful consequences." Mistakes like privatising our National Health Service, devolution, EU membership, occupying Iraq, deindustrialisation, destroying the apprenticeship system? Perhaps he should check his own assumptions against the evidence.

Delightful reading on an important topic.......2005-06-07

This is a marvelous book that traces the role of reason and science in the creation of free and democratic societies, and then warns that radical environmentalism (what he calls "eco-fundamentalism"), by standing in opposition to reason and science, poses a grave threat to our freedoms. The author covers a wide range of topics but is especially good on biotechnology (genetically modified crops), where he carefully presents the cases for and against this new application of science ... and concludes that the former is much the stronger. The book is a delight to read, with the author sparing us the sometimes tedious analyzing and arguing that other books devoted to debunking environmentalism fall victim to. I highly recommend it.

Amazon.com

Renewables Are Ready is not a book that explains how to hook up solar panels or build a windmill to generate power; instead, it is a blueprint for community participation in bringing renewable energy sources into full function. In Waverly, Iowa, for example, the Midwest's first utility-scale wind generation projects and town streetlights are powered by hydro turbines on the Cedar River that are operated by the customer-owned local utility company. And Portland, Oregon, pioneered solar-access laws that govern new home siting and require home additions and remodelings not to block solar access to other dwellings. Authors Nancy Cole and P. J. Skerrett give strategies for organizing communities and creative ways to approach the politics and financing of renewable energy sources on a very small scale, or a relatively large one, in rural settings or in the heart of older, major cities. Renewables Are Ready is both inspiring and motivating. It presents a clear case of how savvy planning and good organizing can--and did in scores of example settings--bring about dramatic, positive changes in energy consumption, pollution, and reduced use of nonrenewable resources.

Customer Reviews:

There is a big problem with buying a book online when you can't see the copyright date. The advances and changes in the renewable energy field are happening very quickly. This book is a pleasant reminder of what things were like years ago, and they did a good job of it. I'm angry with Amazon for not revealing the date of publication. I would not have bought this "dated" book if Amazon had revealed when it was written.

Renewables are Ready: People Creating Renewable Energy Solutions.

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Renewables are Ready: People Creating Renewable Energy Solutions.
Nancy Cole
Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IYNPXC

Average customer rating:

Renewables are Ready: People Creating Renewable Energy Solutions.
Nancy Cole
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M45K9A

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