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From an award-winning financial historian comes the gripping, character-driven story of venture capital and the world it madeInnovations rarely come from "experts." Jeff Bezos was not a bookseller; Elon Musk was not in the auto industry. When it comes to innovation, a legendary venture capitalist told Sebastian Mallaby, the future cannot be predicted, it can only be discovered. Most attempts at discovery fail, but a few succeed at such a scale that they more than make up for everything else. That extreme ratio of success and failure is the power law that drives venture capital, Silicon Valley, the tech sector, and, by extension, the world.Drawing on unprecedented access to the most celebrated venture capitalists of all time, award-winning financial historian Sebastian Mallaby tells the story of this strange tribe of financiers who have funded the world's most successful companies, from Google to SpaceX to Alibaba. With a riveting blend of storytelling and analysis, The Power Law makes sense of the seeming randomness of success in venture capital, an industry that relies, for good and ill, on gut instinct and personality rather than spreadsheets and data. We learn the unvarnished truth about some of the most iconic triumphs and infamous disasters in the history of tech, from the comedy of errors that was the birth of Apple to the venture funding that fostered hubris at WeWork and Uber to the industry's notorious lack of women and ethnic minorities.Now the power law echoes around the world: it has transformed China's digital economy beyond recognition, and London is one of the top cities for venture capital investment. By taking us so deeply into the VCs' game, The Power Law helps us think about our own future through their eyes.

'One of the greatest, most radical public thinkers of our time. When the sun sets on the American empire, as it will, as it must, Noam Chomsky's work will survive' Arundhati RoyFrom one of the world's most prominent thinkers comes an urgent warning of the threat that US power poses to humanity's futureThe land of the free. The home of the brave. But what has America achieved in the aim of 'spreading democracy' - except wreak havoc across the globe and establish a reckless foreign policy that serves the interest of few and has endangered all too many?In this timely book, Noam Chomsky writing with Nathan J. Robinson, vividly traces America's pursuit of global domination, offering an incisive critique of the self-serving myths that dominant elites in the United States continue to push.Offering penetrating accounts of Washington's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they examine how interventions such as these have been justified with noble stories about humanitarian missions and benevolent intentions but are now driving us closer to wars with Russia and China.At once thorough and devastating, urgent and provocative, The Myth of American Idealism offers a highly readable entry to the conclusions Noam Chomsky has come to after a lifetime of thought and activism.'The west's most prominent critic of US imperialism . . . the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar' Guardian

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024An exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge - for readers of Patricia Highsmith, Sarah Waters and Ian McEwan's Atonement.It is fifteen years after the Second World War, and Isabel has built herself a solitary life of discipline and strict routine in her late mother's country home, with not a fork or a word out of place. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel's doorstep - as a guest, there to stay for the season...In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel's desperate need for control reaches boiling point. What happens between the two women leads to a revelation which threatens to unravel all she has ever known.'A thrilling, razor-sharp, perfectly plotted debut novel' Sunday Times'Moving, unnerving and deeply sexy' Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING'A brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history, and to one's own desires... Van der Wouden brings stunning power and control to her page-turner about trauma and repression' Justine Jordan, Booker Prize Judge 2024

An old cat considers himself as wise as can be, until he hears of a solitary ancient pine far away, under the boughs of which infinite insight can be found. So begins his journey to seek out this tree, along the way he meets a range of animals with their own stories to tell, each offering a piece of zen wisdom. Beautiful illutrated throughout.

It's time to play with Bluey and Bingo!Join in the fun with Bluey and Bingo as they play all their favourite games. With pages to colour, stickers to stick and puzzles to solve, this book is full of fun activities to keep Bluey fans busy!Want more Bluey? Also available:Bluey: Fun and Games Colouring BookBluey: Meet Bluey! Sticker Activity BookBluey: Bluey and Friends Sticker Activity BookBluey: Easter Fun Activity

The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook is a culinary masterpiece penned by Clare Andrews. Published in 2023 by the renowned Penguin Books Ltd (UK), this book is a must-have for every modern kitchen. As the title suggests, it is an ultimate guide to exploring the world of air frying, a genre that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Clare Andrews, with her unique and innovative cooking style, takes you on a gastronomic journey, offering a plethora of recipes that can be prepared using an air fryer. From appetizers to main courses, and even desserts, this cookbook has got you covered. The book not only provides recipes but also includes tips and tricks on how to use your air fryer to its fullest potential. The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook is more than just a cookbook; it's a comprehensive guide that will transform your cooking experience. So, whether you're a newbie to air frying or a seasoned chef looking for some inspiration, this book by Penguin Books Ltd (UK) is the perfect companion for your culinary adventures.

DISCOVER THE SPELLBINDING DARK FANTASY TIKTOK SENSATION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NO 1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A FATE INKED IN BLOOD . . . 'Do not walk to pick up this book. Run' JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT, bestselling author of FROM BLOOD AND ASH'You will devour it! Badass females, slow burn romance, enemies to lovers . . . Do I even need to say more?' 5***** READER REVIEW'Enemies to Lovers and full of Angst . . . Loved the book so much I can't put it into words' 5***** READER REVIEW___________Raised as a warrior, Princess Lara knows two things:King Aren of the Bridge Kingdom is her enemy.And she must be the one to bring him to his knees.The Bridge Kingdom is the only route through a storm-ravaged world, and it uses its power to deprive Lara's homeland of vital resources. So when she's sent to be King Aren's bride, Lara will do whatever it takes to bring down the kingdom's defences, even if it means seducing her new husband.Yet as she learns more about the war to possess the bridge, Lara's feelings for Aren transform from hostility to passion.And she faces a terrible dilemma:Which kingdom to save, and which to destroy . . .Tropes/themes: 1. Political Intrigue2. Alternate World3. Enemies to Lovers4. Action & Adventure5. Romantasy ___________'This book is just everything!!! It's such an atmospheric read that completely immerses you. This book has me completely captivated, it honestly has stolen a piece of my heart' 5***** READER REVIEW'Heart-pounding. I enjoyed every moment of this book' 5***** READER REVIEW'I don't think I'll ever be over how amazing this book is . . .The world and characters were so immersive' 5***** READER REVIEWPRAISE FOR THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES'Exquisite, phenomenal and sexy' Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of Feather'An epic, action-packed tale of love, revenge, and betrayal' Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of Kill the Queen'Heart-pounding romance and intense action wrapped in a spellbinding world. I was hooked from the first page!' Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf KingPRAISE FOR DANIELLE L. JENSEN'Richly-woven, evocative and absolutely impossible to put down . . . I loved every word' Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses'Stellar world-building and multidimensional characters' Kirkus'Stunning world-building, a vivid cast of secondary characters, and a steamy slow-burn romance' BookistA Fate Inked in Blood, No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, March 2024A Fate Inked in Blood, New York Times bestseller, March 2024

THE RIOTOUSLY FUNNY AND JOYOUSLY ROMANTIC THIRD NOVEL IN THE DANGEROUS DAMSELS SERIES THAT TIKTOK CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF! Two rival spies. One fake marriage. What could possibly go wrong . . . 'A funny, captivating and magical story! I loved the chemistry between the characters' @boekhopper---- When rumours of an assassination plot against the Queen begin to circulate, Alice is immediately assigned to the case. However, she won't be working alone. Enter Daniel Bixby. Unflappable master spy and Alice's greatest rival. Together they must assume the identity of husband and wife in order to gain access to the traitor party. Alice is determined to remain professional. This is work after all. But when an attraction starts to grow there may be more at stake than just the throne . . .Tropes/themes: 1. Only one bed2. Enemies to lovers3. Strong female leads4. Fake marriage---- Readers are OBSESSED with the Dangerous Damsels series 'Incredible! Sensational! Fantastic! So charming your inner Lizzie Bennet will swoon' 5***** Reader Review 'OBSESSED. If you love playful dialogue and language, fun characters, and interesting worlds, I recommend' 5**** Reader Review! 'Witty and entertaining. A literary delight! Think Jane Austen meets Jack Sparrow' 5***** Reader Review 'Wondrous, whimsical, wiccan follow-up to its flying house pirate predecessor, building upon this magical, Victorian-soaked world deftly and capably' 5***** Reader Review 'SPECTACULAR. Just the sort of absolute madness which one needs in a book!' 5***** Reader Review 'Victorian lady assassins fighting the patriarchy, flying houses, AND . . . an ONLY ONE BED trope?! Fun fun fun' 5***** Reader ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DANGEROUS DAMSELS 'As much fun as the English language will permit' New York Times Book Review 'Melds the Victorian wit of Sherlock Holmes with the brash adventuring of Indiana Jones . . . A sprightly feminist tale that offers everything from an atmospheric Gothic abbey to secret societies' Entertainment Weekly 'With secret identities, secret doors, and secret histories to spare, this high-octane layer-cake of escapism hits the spot' Publishers Weekly

'I love Tifo' Ian Wright 'Tifo are great' Alan Shearer'Tifo have changed the game when it comes to football analysis' Elis JamesRULE #1: DON'T WATCH THE BALLYes, football is about stars, goals and glory. But it's also about the intense calculations and movements being made by the twenty-one other players on the pitch. It's about the ticking clock, and the bellowing fans, and their impact on player psychology. It's about the coach, the club owner, and the director of football, who are watching, scouting and scheming from the side-lines. It's about money and data, about geopolitics and architecture, and even about climate change.Football is the most popular sport in the world, and Tifo Football is one of the world's most popular football channels. In this short, illustrated guide, its creators share fifty-two simple 'rules' for understanding and enjoying the beautiful game-both on and off the pitch.Covering the key concepts, tactics and philosophies that are shaping the sport today, How to Watch Football reveals surprising new perspectives on familiar elements of gameplay, while highlighting lesser-known aspects of the industry and its history.Whether you're a casual fan or a football obsessive, the fifty-two golden rules in this pocket-size guide will deepen your delight in the world's favourite sport.

When it comes to the climate, we don't need more marketing or anxiety. We need established facts and a plan for collective action.The climate is the fundamental issue of our time, yet it seems we can barely agree on what is really going on, let alone what needs to be done. We urgently need facts, not opinions. Insights, not statistics.The Carbon Almanac is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between hundreds of writers, researchers, thinkers, and leaders that focuses on what we know, what has come before, and what might happen next. With thousands of data points, articles and charts explaining carbon's impact on everything in our society, from our the economy to extreme weather events, it is the definitive source for facts and the basis for a global movement to fight climate change. This book isn't what the oil companies, marketers, activists, or politicians want you to believe. This is what's really happening, right now. Our planet is in trouble, and no one concerned group, corporation, country, or hemisphere canaddress this on its own. We are in this together. And it's not too late for concerted, collective action for change.

Troy has fallen. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own lands - but what homes now await them? Agamemnon must return to his wife Clytemnestra, who has been nursing her rage since he sacrificed their daughter to the gods for a favourable wind. Her revenge will know no bounds.Meanwhile, Odysseus has angered the god Poseidon and he is cursed to wander the seas, facing angry monsters and possessive demi-gods as he attempts to return to Ithaca and his patient, clever wife Penelope.

MAKE YOUR LIFE SIMPLER AND MORE DELICIOUSSIMPLY JAMIE IS THE NEW MUST-HAVE COOKBOOK THAT MAKES IT EASY TO FIT GOOD FOOD INTO BUSY LIVES----In five knockout chapters, covering Midweek Meals, Weekend Wins, Trusty Traybakes, Cupboard Love and Perfect Puds, Simply Jamie exists to inspire you to get cooking.Whatever your needs, you can trust that these recipes will slot right into your busy life, with total ease - from 15-minute-to-table dishes and no-time-to-shop cupboard rescues to weekend wins that create smart leftover ideas, making mealtimes a doddle in the days that follow.Chapters include:MIDWEEK MEALSThink simple dinners, quick lunches, clever ingredient shortcuts and fast flavour bombs like Jarred Pepper Pasta and an effortless Smash Burger.WEEKEND WINSMeal planning, made easy! Get organised at the weekend, then transform the leftovers into ingenious dishes in the days that follow. Think Batch-It-Up Bolognese, Versatile Cornbread and more.TRUSTY TRAYBAKESLet the oven do the hard work with clever assembly meals like Roasted Veg with Camembert Fondue and Gochujang Chicken Noodle Traybake.CUPBOARD LOVEBig up the best of your store cupboard with Jamie's thrifty recipes - Tin Raid Fishcakes, Harissa Butter Beans and beyond.PERFECT PUDSHit the sweet spot with Jamie's ultimate shortcuts to delicious desserts like Decadent Chocolate Cake 5 ways and Fabulous Tinned Fruit Granitas.This book is here to help you get big-flavour food on the table in no time. It's fast, it's simple and there's zero compromise on taste!----PRAISE FOR JAMIE OLIVER'Easy, achievable and delicious; Oliver has created another fail-safe cookbook for families and those of us who are stretched for time' Daily Telegraph'Jamie has a way of inspiring us with new takes on old classics. There wasn't a recipe we didn't want to make' Independent

*From the author of the multi-million bestselling Sapiens comes the next volume in the incredible story of the human race, for younger readers.*Something really strange happened 10,000 years ago, and it changed everything.Why did millions of people agree to obey a few leaders? Where did kings and kingdoms come from? The answer to that is one of the strangest tales you'll ever hear. And it's a true story. Have you ever wondered how we got here? From gathering berries and hunting mammoths, to shopping at supermarkets and letting people tell us what to do?You might hear a lot of people say 'the world isn't fair'. But why isn't it? And how did it become so?In Unstoppable Us: Volume 1, we learned how humans told stories to become rulers of the world - for good and bad. Now, in this next chapter of the incredible true tale of the Unstoppables, find out how we learned to control animals like dogs, chicken and cows . . .And how a handful of humans learned to control everyone else.With full-colour illustrations showing the relentless rise and rise of the human race, this is history like you've never experienced it before.

In this acclaimed bestseller, an explorer and Neanderthal hunter takes us on a riveting journey of discovery'With the style of a poet and imagination of a philosopher, Ludovic Slimak probes the minds of Neanderthals. . . This fun and provocative book is a reminder that we still have a lot to learn about biological intelligence' Steve BrusatteWhat if we have completely misunderstood who the Neanderthals truly were?For over a century we saw them as inferior to Homo Sapiens. Today, Neanderthals are seen as fully human, different from us only because of their distant cultural traditions. But does the truth lie somewhere else entirely?Neanderthal hunter and paleoanthropologist Ludovic Slimak understands these enigmatic creatures like no one else after studying them for three decades. Taking us on a fascinating archaeological investigation from the Arctic Circle to the deep Mediterranean forests, he traces their steps, deciphering their stories through every single detail they left behind.In this stunning, bold book, he argues that Neanderthals should be understood on their own terms. They had their own history, their own rituals, their own customs. Their own intelligence. A remarkable intelligence, for sure, but an intelligence that may have been very different from ours - although it can still teach us much about ourselves.A thought-provoking detective story, written with wit and verve, The Naked Neanderthal shifts our understanding of deep history - and in the process reveals just how much we have yet to learn.

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER'Masterly... Utterly compelling... A highly readable and engaging tour' Sam Freedman, The TimesFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Signal and the Noise, the definitive guide to our era of risk-and the players raising the stakesIn the bestselling The Signal and the Noise, Nate Silver showed how forecasting would define the age of Big Data. Now, in this timely and riveting new book, Silver investigates "The River," or those whose mastery of risk allows them to shape-and dominate-so much of modern life. These professional risk takers-poker players and hedge fund managers, crypto true-believers and blue-chip art collectors-can teach us much about navigating the uncertainty of the 21st century. By embedding within these worlds, Silver offers insight into a range of issues that affect us all, from the frontiers of finance to the future of AI.The River has increasing amounts of wealth and power in our society, and understanding their mindset-including the flaws in their thinking-is key to understanding what drives technology and the global economy today. There are certain commonalities in this otherwise diverse group: high tolerance for risk; appreciation of uncertainty; affinity for numbers; skill at de-coupling; self-reliance and a distrust of the conventional wisdom. For the River, complexity is baked in, and the work is how to navigate it, without going beyond the pale.Taking us behind-the-scenes from casinos to venture capital firms to meetings of the effective altruism movement, On the Edge is a deeply-reported, all-access journey into a hidden world of powerbrokers and risk takers.

A major reappraisal, by the Nobel-prizewinning economist, of the relationship between capitalism and freedomDespite its manifest failures, the narrative of neoliberalism retains its grip on the public mind and the policies of governments all over the world. By this narrative, less regulation and more 'animal spirits' capitalism produces not only greater prosperity, but more freedom for individuals in society - and is therefore morally better.But, in The Road to Freedom Stiglitz asks, whose freedom are we - should we be - thinking about? What happens when one person's freedom comes at the expense of another's? Should the freedoms of corporations be allowed to impinge upon those of individuals in the ways they now do?Taking on giants of neoliberalism such as Hayek and Friedman and examining how public opinion is formed, Stiglitz reclaims the language of freedom from the right to show that far from 'free' - unregulated - markets promoting growth and enterprise, they in fact reduce it, lessening economic opportunities for majorities and siphoning wealth from the many to the few - both individuals and countries. He shows how neoliberal economics and its implied moral system have impacted our legal and social freedoms in surprising ways, from property and intellectual rights, to education and social media.Stiglitz's eye, as always, is on how we might create the true human flourishing which should be the great aim of our economic and social system, and offers an alternative to that prevailing today. The Road to Freedom offers a powerful re-evaluation of democracy, economics and what constitutes a good society-and provides a roadmap of how we might achieve it.

READ THE HEARTBREAKING SEQUEL TO THE TIKTOK SENSATION A THOUSAND BOY KISSES . . .A beautiful and life-affirming novel about grief, love and friendship from the international bestselling phenomenon Tillie Cole --- CAN TWO BROKEN HEARTS MAKE A WHOLE . . . ? After losing her beloved sister three years ago, Savanna Litchfield has been living half a life. When Savannah's therapist suggests joining a trip around the world for grieving teens she agrees to go clutching tightly to the unread journal her sister left behind. Seventeen-year-old Cael Woods is angry. One year after losing his older brother his life has spiralled. Once the most promising hockey player in the junior league, Cael can no longer step onto the ice. When his parents sign him up for a trip abroad no part of him wants to go. As Cael and Savannah embark on a journey they begin to find solace in each other. As they start to heal piece by broken piece, could this be the start of a love they never thought they'd feel again? ---Readers love A Thousand Broken Pieces 'I didn't want to finish because I knew what was coming and the tears were really starting to form' ***** Reader Reviews'I am always amazed that a person can provoke so much emotion with just words typed on paper but Tillie Cole did not just provoke emotion-she crushed my heart' ***** Reader Reviews'Heartbreaking in so many ways. If you need an ugly cry, this will do it!' ***** Reader Reviews'I absolutely cannot wait to fall back into a book hangover after reading this' ***** Reader Reviews

*** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SILENT PATIENT ***'Infinitely thrilling and delicately crafted, the plot keeps everyone guessing until the very end, with an unscrupulous villain to underline just how good it is. DO NOT MISS IT' Daily Mail'Deliciously twisty and fiendishly clever. A highly enjoyable tale of subterfuge, secrets and murder' Observer'My favourite Alex Michaelides yet - the undisputed master of the twist' Lucy Foley'The king of all unreliable narrators, enough twists and turns to power two novels' David Baldacci'You'll think you know where it's going and you couldn't be more wrong' Linwood Barclay'A very special book and highly recommended' Janice Hallett'A masterclass in suspense' Steve Cavanagh'A glorious triumph - just brilliant' Stephen Fry'The best novel yet from Alex Michaelides' Sophie HannahEven better than The Silent Patient... Alex Michaelides is a magician' JP Delaney*****'There were seven of us in all, trapped on the island.One of us was a murderer . . .'On a small private Greek island, former movie star Lana Farrar - an old friend - invites a select group of us to stay.It'll be hot, sunny, perfect. A chance to relax and reconnect - and maybe for a few hidden truths to come out.Because nothing on this island is quite what it seems.Not Lana. Not her guests.Certainly not the murderer - furiously plotting their crime . . .But who am I?My name is Elliot Chase, and I'm going to tell you a story unlike any you've ever heard.BESTSELLING AUTHORS ARE ALREADY FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE FURY'The Fury is a masterfully woven story of Shakespearean twists and Machiavellian turns. A Greek Tragedy in the guise of a postmodern thriller. Do not miss this one' Holly Jackson'A classic, twisting, brilliant murder mystery. A wonderfully drawn cast of characters with a motive to kill for, in a location to die for, keep you guessing until the shocking finale. Clever, and fiendishly fun' Chris Whitaker'A very sophisticated book which takes the format of a classic murder mystery and elevates it to something very devious and clever indeed. The narrator is fabulous - I was throughly gripped' Harriet Tyce'Endlessly evolving, wildly entertaining, and like the very best fiction, impossible to pin down. Just when you think you have it cornered, it moves, impossibly and with stunning flourish, toward a devastating finale. The Talented Mr. Ripley for our time' Blake Crouch'Alex Michaelides is the grand master of the modern mystery. The Fury reads like Hitchcock with a heart, or Agatha Christie running amok on a wind-whipped Greek island. The Fury will, quite literally, blow you away. Totally brilliant' Tony Parsons'One of those rare books where really nothing is as it seems. As usual, Alex Michaelides does not disappoint' Ragnar Jonasson'Glamorous, sinister, and endlessly surprising, The Fury reads like Agatha Christie and Patricia Highsmith took a Greek vacation together and decided to write a book while there. It's twisty, twisted entertainment' Riley SagerThe Fury, the instant New York Times bestseller, January 2024, and Sunday Times bestseller, February 2024

Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon are back in an explosive new adventureA hypersonic missile. A genetically engineered army. A worldwide plot of destruction . . .When Juan Cabrillo, captain of the Oregon, is hired to extract an undercover operative in Kenya, he finds himself on the trail of a deadly international plot. A Saudi Prince seeks to unleash a deadly assault on U.S. forces, sparking a new war in the Middle East and ultimately destroying Israel.In their quest to stop him, Cabrillo's crew are about to meet their most fearsome adversaries yet: a force of bio-hacked soldiers endowed with extreme strength and stamina and an unquenchable appetite for violence.From the remote depths of Amazon rainforest to an abandoned monastery in Eritrea, to a final showdown on the jagged mountains of Yemen, the Oregon team must use every shred of courage and cunning they can muster on this global pursuit to disable the ship-killer missile - before the Arabian Sea becomes a mass grave . . .Praise for Clive Cussler:'The Adventure King' Sunday Express'Just about the best in the business' New York Post'Cussler is hard to beat' Daily Mail

An urgent follow-up to international bestseller HOW DEMOCRACIES DIE. In this razor-sharp analysis of one of the most important issues facing us today, leading Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt draw on their combined expertise of over 40 years to offer a dire warning about right-wing efforts to undermine multiracial democracy.

I'll Always Be With You, a captivating novel by Monica Murphy, is a must-read for any literature enthusiast. Published in 2023 by Penguin Books Ltd (UK), this book is a testament to Murphy's storytelling prowess. This engrossing narrative will take you on a journey of emotions, keeping you hooked from the first page to the last. In this book, Murphy explores themes that are as timeless as they are relevant today. The genre of this book is hard to pin down as it seamlessly blends elements of romance, drama, and suspense. If you're looking for a book that will make you think, feel, and question, then I'll Always Be With You is the perfect pick. Don't miss out on this masterpiece from Penguin Books Ltd (UK).

On a cruiseship bound for Buenos Aires, a wealthy passenger challenges the world chess champion to a match. He accepts with a sneer. He will beat anyone, he says. But only if the stakes are high. Soon, the chess board is surrounded. At first, the challenger crumbles before the mind of the master. But then, a soft-spoken voice from the crowd begins to whisper nervous suggestions. Perfect moves, brilliant predictions. The speaker has not played a game for more than twenty years, he says. He is wholly unknown. But somehow, he is also entirely formidable...