In this novel academic study, Aled Thomas analyses modern issues surrounding boundaries and fluidity in contemporary Scientology. By using the Scientologist practice of ‘auditing’ as a case study, this book explores the ways in which new types of ‘Scientologies’ can emerge. The notion of Free Zone Scientology is characterised by its horizontal structure, in contrast to the vertical-hierarchy of the institutional Church of Scientology. With this in mind, Thomas explores the Free Zone as an example of a developing and fluid religion, directly addressing questions concerning authority, leadership and material objects.This book, by maintaining a double-focus on the top-down hierarchy of the Church of Scientology and the horizontal-fluid nature of the Free Zone, breaks away from previous research on new religions, with have tended to focus either on new religions as indices of broad social processes, such as secularization or globalization, or as exemplars of exotic processes, such as chari
Books nine through eleven in Jeff Kinney’s bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (The Long Haul, Old School, and Double Down), along with The Wimpy Kid Do-It
Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling, Peabody and multi-Eisner award-winning co-creator of Miles Morales, Naomi, Jessica Jones, and POWERS tells a modern noir tale of crime, greed, and double cross.A female bail agent, a low-level confidence man and his loose-cannon sidekick form an unlikely alliance to track down the ultimate score―a hidden stash of life-altering, untraceable mob cash.For this hard-luck trio, however, the old saying "more money, more problems" will prove to be disturbingly prophetic.This innovative crime story is part of a remarkable run of groundbreaking black-and-white graphic novels that launched Bendis’ legendary career.Collecting all of the original Jinx issues published by Caliber Press and Image Comics, this comprehensive trade paperback edition features an introduction by acclaimed comics creator David Mack and includes more than 60 pages of behind-the-scenes bonus material!
