Lauren Wright Knihy

Are celebrity politics the spice of American public life or a pox on policy progress? This book identifies and measures the attributes of celebrities that make them well-equipped to win campaigns and yet poorly prepared to govern effectively. The framers of the US Constitution worried about the propensity of an undereducated public to elect unqualified entertainers rather than fit characters to government positions. Celebrities have come to play an increasingly central role in the American political process as fundraisers, surrogates, and as candidates themselves, yet remain a sorely understudied topic in political science. Through a multimethod approach that includes qualitative analysis, novel public opinion surveys, and survey experiments, this book assesses whether Americans are more likely to vote for celebrities than well-known traditional politicians and the implications of these preferences for democracy in the US. Perfect for students, scholars, and interested citizens, Star Power looks at the contemporary American political landscape through new lenses of research as well as popular appeal.

Set in a future where the Barkuu have reshaped society, humanity has evolved into various species, free from genetic abnormalities. While some humans thrive in natural habitats, others serve as companions or are genetically modified for specific purposes. The narrative explores the implications of a dominant species ruling over these transformed humans, raising questions about power, identity, and the essence of humanity in a radically altered world.

The story unfolds as a mysterious cloud envelops Earth, leading to a catastrophic cleansing of civilization. As humanity emerges from their shelters, they find a devastated world and begin to rebuild, mirroring the resilience of a spider. However, subsequent events further diminish their population, leaving society in ruins and survival uncertain. The narrative explores themes of resilience, adaptation, and the struggle for existence in a drastically altered world.

The expanding role of presidential spouses in White House dynamics and campaign communications is thoroughly examined, highlighting their influence during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations. Lauren A. Wright delves into how these figures have shaped political narratives, offering insights into their strategic importance in modern politics. The analysis includes measurable impacts and provides a comprehensive understanding of their contributions to presidential campaigns and governance.

Set in a future where over 9 billion people inhabit Earth, a mysterious cloud envelops the planet, prompting humanity to take shelter. Upon emerging, they discover the atmosphere has been purified, and enormous metallic structures have appeared globally. This intriguing premise explores themes of survival and transformation in a changed world, as humanity grapples with the implications of this unprecedented event.

Encouraging crafters of all skill levels on their creative journey, this book contains felt and patchwork sewing projects with step-by-step illustrations and easy to follow instructions. The designs are quick and fun to make and with such a wide range of well-designed projects and techniques, there is something for everyone. From patchwork, quilting, and hand embroidery to English paper piecing and sewing with felt, readers can learn new skills or be challenged to try different techniques to create something very special. These pretty projects will inspire creativity and warm the heart.