The Big Picture

Built around the extraordinary stories of seven people who have been unwitting visitors to the spiritual world, The BIG Picture examines the themes of reincarnation, the relationship between karma and destiny, the divide between religion and spirituality, humanitys task in creation, and the emergence of a new Western spirituality to lead us into the next stage of the evolution of consciousness. In The BIG Picture, author Garry Gilfoy discloses his own spiritual experiences and also tells the stories of others, such as Joy, who was sent back from the realm of spirit without her husband after a horrific crash; Trish, who died numerous times before learning to visit her cosmic classroom at will; Helen, who relived a holocaust nightmare before her eyes opened onto ancient Egypt; and Keely, who was miraculously saved by a familiar figure, the Watcher. Gilfoy helps us contemplate deeper meanings and refocus the lens through which we view the world. The BIG Picture guides us to ponder unusual possibilities that can shift the point of reference for our earthly thoughts and deeds.

This book attempts to search for answers to some of the fundamental questions about life on earth that humanity has been asking for thousands of years. The first question is, “Why I am on earth?” Rooted deeply within the human psyche, this question often arises with a belief that there must be some meaning and purpose in life and that human life is more than just being born, getting an education, having jobs, raising families, and eventually dying. The second question is, “Who am I?” When we say “I do this” or “I do that,” what is that “I” we are referring to? What actually is meant by the word “I”? Does it mean the body we have that we see walking, seeing, doing things, or thinking? Or it is something larger than the physical body? When we say “This is good” or “That is good,” what is the standard by which we determine that something is good? For example, what you consider to be good in any situation or activity may not be perceived as such by others. Is there any standard that can be generally accepted by humanity despite the difference in people’s background and belief systems?

Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy. But, as countless recent examples of lapsed standards in the press since the Jayson Blair affair have shown, the First Amendment is no guarantee that American journalism will be first-rate. A press in crisis is a democracy endangered, argues Jeffrey Scheuer--cultural critic and author of The Sound Bite Society. In his new book, The Big Picture, Scheuer argues that in order for a democracy to thrive it is not enough for its press simply to be free--the press must be exceptional. This book explores journalistic excellence and its essential relationship with democracy, explaining why democracies depend on it and are only as good as their journalism. In The Big Picture, Scheuer explores journalistic excellence from three broad perspectives. First, from the democratic perspective, he shows how journalism is a core democratic function, and journalistic excellence a core democratic value. Then, from an intellectual perspective, he explores the ways in which journalism addresses basic concepts of truth, knowledge, objectivity, and ideology. Finally, from an institutional perspective, he considers the role and possible future of journalism education, the importance of journalistic independence, and the potential for nonprofit journalism to meet the journalistic needs of a democratic society. In lucid and accessible prose, The Big Picture provocatively demonstrates why we must all be vigilant about the quality of journalism today.

The Big Picture is a gospel-centered book for teenagers and young adults that tells the story of the God who has always been with man and, through his Son and Spirit, always will. Best-selling authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco guide readers to be more aware of God’s presence with us today and better sense His call for us to make disciples of all nations. The gospel didn’t begin in the New Testament. It was there, “In the beginning,” at the genesis of everything. Across the whole of human history, God’s grand narrative of love and redemption has been unfolding, a love gloriously displayed at the cross. This is the story of Jesus, and all history and Scripture point us to this good news. Teenagers live in a world defined by pressure—and with no shortage of opinions on how they should handle it. In The Big Picture, teens will develop a bigger perspective of Scripture and how the story of Jesus Christ ties it all together and how He should be our main focus. Nothing brings life into focus like the gospel!

During the heyday of the studio system spanning the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, virtually all the American motion picture industry’s money, power, and prestige came from a single activity: selling tickets at the box office. Today, the movie business is just a small, highly visible outpost in a media universe controlled by six corporations–Sony, Time Warner, NBC Universal, Viacom, Disney, and NewsCorporation. These conglomerates view films as part of an immense, synergistic, vertically integrated money-making industry. In The Big Picture, acclaimed writer Edward Jay Epstein gives an unprecedented, sweeping, and thoroughly entertaining account of the real magic behind moviemaking: how the studios make their money. Epstein shows how, in Hollywood, the only art that matters is the art of the deal: major films turn huge profits, not from the movies themselves but through myriad other enterprises, such as video-game spin-offs, fast-food tie-ins, soundtracks, and even theme-park rides. The studios may compete with one another for stars, publicity, box-office receipts, and Oscars; their corporate parents, however, make fortunes from cooperation (and collusion) with one another in less glamorous markets, such as cable, home video, and pay-TV. But money is only part of the Hollywood story; the social and political milieus–power, prestige, and status–tell the rest. Alongside remarkable financial revelations, The Big Picture is filled with eye-opening true Hollywood insider stories. We learn how the promise of free cowboy boots for a producer delayed a major movie’s shooting schedule; why stars never perform their own stunts, despite what the supermarket tabloids claim; how movies intentionally shape political sensibilities, both in America and abroad; and why fifteen-year-olds dictate the kind of low-grade fare that has flooded screens across the country. Epstein also offers incisive profiles of the pioneers, including Louis B. Mayer, who helped build Hollywood, and introduces us to the visionaries–Walt Disney, Akio Morita, Rupert Murdoch, Steve Ross, Sumner Redstone, David Sarnoff–power brokers who, by dint of innovation and deception, created and control the media that mold our lives. If you are interested in Hollywood today and the complex and fascinating way it has evolved in order to survive, you haven’t seen the big picture until you’ve read The Big Picture.

Dr. Ben Carson is known as the originator of ground-breaking surgical procedures, a doctor who turns impossible hopes into joyous realities. He is also known as a compassionate humanitarian who reaches beyond corporate boardrooms to touch the lives of inner-city kids. Where does this drive and focus come from? The Big Picture. A vision of something truly worth living for, something that calls forth the best of his amazing talents, energy, and focus. In The Big Picture, Dr. Carson shares with you the philosophy that has shaped his life, causing him to rise from failure to far-reaching influence. This book is not about HOW to succeed--it's about WHY to succeed. It's about broadening your perspectives. It's about finding a vision for your own life that can reframe your priorities, energize your efforts, and inspire you to change the world around you.

Discover the compelling story of the evolution of contemporary art, its state today, and where it’s headed, through a sample of ten artworks created by ten artists over a span of fifteen years. Written in an engaging, straightforward style by prominent art historian Matthew Israel, this book presents ten outstanding examples of contemporary art, each with significant historical or cultural relevance to contemporary art’s big picture. Drawn from the fields of photography, painting, performance, installation, video, film, and public art, the works featured here combine to create a bigger picture of the state of contemporary art today. From Andreas Gurskys large-scale color photograph “Rhine II” to Kara Walkers acclaimed installation in the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn, each work is carefully explored within the larger perspective of its social and artistic milieu. Articulate and insightful, this book offers readers the ability to consider each work in-depth, while also providing an easily digestible foundation from which to study the often challenging but continually fascinating world of 21st-century art.

Describes the process of making a television drama series, looking at the activities of the cast and crew of the television programme The Tribe. Suggested level: primary.

The Big Picture of Business is the first overview book on serving communities and motivating leadership. Each year, one-third of the U.S. Gross National Product goes toward cleaning up problems, damages and other high costs caused by companies that failed to take proper actions. Look no further than the cost of the current financial crisis for an example. The costs of band-aid surgery for their problems and make-good work cost business six times that of proper planning, oversight and accountability. 92% of all problems in organizations stem from poor management decisions. The Big Picture of Business offers a creative approach to strategy development and planning for companies in today’s turbulent business environment that prepares them for an unknown tomorrow. Inside, Hank Moore takes a fresh look at change and growth by utilizing full-scope planning as a means of navigating through uncertain waters toward richer success. It is based on his trademarked approach to growing and strengthening businesses, tested by his actual work in guiding corporations over three decades. Hank reveals how to master change and ready companies to face the future. Hank Moore is the highest level of business overview expert and is in that rarified circle of visionaries such as Peter Drucker, Stephen Covey and W. Edwards Deming. The Business Tree™ is his trademarked approach to growing, strengthening and evolving business, while mastering change. He advises companies about growth strategies, visioning, planning, leadership, futurism and Big Picture issues. He has written a series of business books. This is the third book in his Legends series, paralleling pop culture, history and innovative strategies.

To many Christians the Old Testament is a mysterious document, a treasure hidden in the dust of antiquity. It is historical, it tells the story of ancient Israel but has it anything to do with me? Seeing the Big Picture is the story of one mans voyage of discovery. The Bible as a whole is the dramatic story of redemption, which comes to a climax in the New Testament. In every book of the Old Testament the theme of the coming of Christ is there, burning brightly like a lamp in the darkness, heralding the day when the glory of the Christ would burst majestically forth. Suddenly I saw that this was truly one story. It was almost as if someone had turned a light on. I could see things much more clearly and so many aspects of the New Testament study were brought into such clear focus that I understood as never before.

Language is an essential part of our everyday lives. In this essential introduction Peter Sharpe delves into the inner workings of language, to illustrate its use, variation and methodology.

The Big Picture is a worldview that examines the interconnectedness of people and concepts. Once we begin to recognize and appreciate these connections, we become more self-aware and open to positive change. The Big Picture compels readers to look more deeply within themselves and their lives to find greater meaning. Ultimately, our primary purpose is to become better humans and thus realize our full potential.

Provides Old and New Testament text, accompanied by illustrations, maps, charts, and reconstructions.

Marcus van Alphen shares some of his views on Theosophy and the Ancient Wisdom based on his understanding of the subject matter. He attempts to portray the matter in everyday language and proffers ideas as to how to practically apply the tenets of the Ancient Wisdom in daily life. It is written with the beginner in mind and is therefore an excellent primer for the person wanting to know more about spirituality.

Using a successfully class-tested approach that gives coherence to a broad range of introductory topics, this innovative text provides students with a real-world, big picture view of statistics as well as problem-solving strategies that can be applied to the statistical questions, real data, and examples that they will encounter. Author Nancy Pfenning organizes content around four basic processes of statistics: producing data, displaying and summarizing data, understanding probability, and using probability to perform statistical inference. Within this framework, the book progresses systematically through five basic problem situations involving values of variables (quantitative, categorical, or a blend). As a result, students learn to identify which situation applies and how to choose the correct display, summary, or inference tool or technique. As students gain proficiency in specific statistical techniques, the author also points out connections among topics and techniques. More than 1,000 real-life examples and categorized exercises support the approach, engaging students in practicing and developing a variety of skills. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

The Big Picture of Business, Book 4 offers a creative approach to strategy development and planning for companies in today’s turbulent business environment that prepares them for an unknowable tomorrow. Each year, one-third of the U.S. Gross National Product goes toward cleaning up problems, damages and other high costs caused by companies that failed to take proper actions. Look no further than the cost of the current financial crisis for an example. The costs of band-aid surgery for their problems and make-good work cost business six times that of proper planning, oversight and accountability. 92% of all problems in organizations stem from poor management decisions. The Big Picture of Business, Book 4 takes a fresh look at change and growth, utilizing full-scope planning as a means of navigating through uncertain waters toward richer success. It is based upon Hank Moore’s trademarked approach to growing and strengthening businesses, tested by his actual work in guiding corporations over three decades. Moore shows how to master change and readies companies to face the future.

Introduces children to God and what He wants for all of His followers, offering a big-picture overview of the Bible that emphasizes His will for Christians to accept Him into their hearts so they can live in friendship.

‘We need to determine a foreign policy of our own – one that looks after Australia’s interest in the new order; an order which will have China as its centre of gravity.’ —Paul Keating Australia’s top thinkers on foreign affairs address the most significant foreign affairs dynamics affecting Australia today, including the rise of China and the election of Donald Trump. The world is changing, and so is Australia’s place in it. What do we need to know? What do we need to think about? Paul Keating discusses changes occurring in the United States, Europe and Asia and how Australia should respond. Allan Gyngell looks at the collapse of long-held beliefs underlying Australian foreign policy and the need to prepare for growing uncertainty. George Megalogenis analyses Australia’s changing demographics and the rapid increase in migrants from China and India – a development that comes with both challenges and benefits. Linda Jakobson examines China’s evolving reach and ambitions under Xi Jinping and what this could mean for Australia and the region. The Big Picture is an essential exploration of Australia’s position in the world today. ‘There has never been a more critical time for Australia to contemplate its place in the world. My intention is that Australian Foreign Affairs will serve as a forum for our most adventurous and deepest strategic thinkers to interrogate foreign policy’ —Morry Schwartz, Publisher, Australian Foreign Affairs ‘Australia is increasingly affected by events beyond its borders, especially as global power and wealth shifts towards Asia. The challenges facing Australia and the region are varied and complex, but they are also fascinating. There is a strong need and appetite for a publication that explores these challenges and debates the ways Australia should respond.’—Jonathan Pearlman, Editor, Australian Foreign Affairs