This book couples anecdotes with real data to help nature lovers, zoo staff, zoo fans, and even zoo foes understand the many ways zoos are conceptualized, used, and valued, unpacking what seems to happen in the minds of diverse zoo- goers to highlight powerful opportunities for learning, engagement, and activism.
Is the Poltergeist 'Syndrome' the only type of paranormal phenomena that can really be proven?
The death of the Queen was only the beginning for the men and women behind the Crown. On September 8, 2022, an announcement was posted on the gates of Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Buckingham Palace in London that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch in British history, had died. That set in motion a remarkable ten days of official mourning and ceremony unlike anything seen in any nation for decades. Members of the royal family gathered-the new King Charles III and his Queen Consort Camilla; the newly-minted Prince of Wales, William and his princess, Kate; Harry the Bolter and his celebrity wife Meghan; and even the bad boy himself, "Prince" Andrew-along with hundreds of royals and heads of states from around the world. Hordes of people, many from overseas, spent long hours lining up in the rain to pay tribute to the beloved monarch, a presence in their lives for seventy years. On the scene for these events, renowned journalist John Fraser takes the reader from inside St. James Palace where the new King was proclaimed to Queen Elizabeth's final resting place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, from deeply moving scenes to the occasional hilarious screw-up, capturing the magic of the occasion with trenchant observations and witty commentary informed by a lifetime's experience and curiosity about all things monarchical and his own encounters with the royals.
The first volume of John Fraser's selected short stories and novellas features: The White Room (from Animal Tales) Sheep (from Happy Always) The Scorpions (from Enterprising Women) Lenin in the Cinema (from Black Masks) Where the Philosophers Go (from Short Lives) Starting Over (from Blue Light) Broken Chords (from Three Beauties) John Fraser lives near Rome. Previously, he worked in England and Canada. Of Fraser's fiction the Whitbread Award winning poet John Fuller has written: 'One of the most extraordinary publishing events of the past few years has been the rapid, indeed insistent, appearance of the novels of John Fraser. There are few parallels in literary history to this almost simultaneous and largely belated appearance of a mature oeuvre, sprung like Athena from Zeus's forehead; and the novels in themselves are extraordinary. I can think of nothing much like them in fiction. Fraser maintains a masterfully ironic distance from the extreme conditions in which his characters find themselves. There are strikingly beautiful descriptions, veiled allusions to rooted traditions, unlikely events half-glimpsed, abrupted narratives, surreal but somehow apposite social customs.'
This collection showcases John Fraser's talent through a curated selection of his short stories and novellas. Each piece reveals his unique narrative style and explores diverse themes, providing readers with a glimpse into his imaginative worlds. The volume serves as an excellent introduction to Fraser’s work, highlighting his ability to capture complex emotions and vivid characters in concise formats. Ideal for both new readers and long-time fans, it promises an engaging literary experience.
Exploring the intricate interplay between technology and humanity, this novel delves into a near-future world where digital advancements challenge personal connections and societal norms. The narrative weaves together multiple perspectives, revealing the characters' struggles with identity and belonging in an increasingly interconnected yet isolating environment. Fraser's thought-provoking storytelling invites readers to reflect on the implications of progress and the essence of what it means to be human in a rapidly changing landscape.
Exploring the theme of complicity, this collection features two novellas by John Fraser that delve into the intricate dynamics of human relationships. Each story presents characters entangled in morally ambiguous situations, prompting readers to reflect on their own roles in the events that unfold. Through rich prose and thought-provoking narratives, Fraser invites an examination of guilt, responsibility, and the choices that bind individuals together in unexpected ways.