{"title":"Books by David Thomas","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780135957059","title":"The Pragmatic Programmer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pragmatic Programmer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is one of those rare tech books you'll read, re-read, and read again over the years. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced practitioner, you'll come away with fresh insights each and every time.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDave Thomas and Andy Hunt wrote the first edition of this influential book in 1999 to help their clients create better software and rediscover the joy of coding. These lessons have helped a generation of programmers examine the very essence of software development, independent of any particular language, framework, or methodology, and the Pragmatic philosophy has spawned hundreds of books, screencasts, and audio books, as well as thousands of careers and success stories.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNow, twenty years later, this new edition re-examines what it means to be a modern programmer. Topics range from personal responsibility and career development to architectural techniques for keeping your code flexible and easy to adapt and reuse. Read this book, and you'll learn how to:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e  \u003cli\u003eFight software rot\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eLearn continuously\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eAvoid the trap of duplicating knowledge\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eWrite flexible, dynamic, and adaptable code\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eHarness the power of basic tools\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eAvoid programming by coincidence\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eLearn real requirements\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eSolve the underlying problems of concurrent code\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eGuard against security vulnerabilities\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eBuild teams of Pragmatic Programmers\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eTake responsibility for your work and career\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eTest ruthlessly and effectively, including property-based testing\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eImplement the Pragmatic Starter Kit\u003c\/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eDelight your users\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eWritten as a series of self-contained sections and filled with classic and fresh anecdotes, thoughtful examples, and interesting analogies, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pragmatic Programmer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e illustrates the best approaches and major pitfalls of many different aspects of software development. Whether you're a new coder, an experienced programmer, or a manager responsible for software projects, use these lessons daily, and you'll quickly see improvements in personal productivity, accuracy, and job satisfaction. You'll learn skills and develop habits and attitudes that form the foundation for long-term success in your career. You'll become a Pragmatic Programmer.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"One of the most significant books in my life.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e--Obie Fernandez, Author, \u003cem\u003eThe Rails Way\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Twenty years ago, the first edition of The Pragmatic Programmer completely changed the trajectory of my career. This new edition could do the same for yours.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e--Mike Cohn, Author of \u003cem\u003eSucceeding with Agile\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAgile Estimating and Planning\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eUser Stories Applied\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\". . . filled with practical advice, both technical and professional, that will serve you and your projects well for years to come.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e--Andrea Goulet, CEO, Corgibytes, Founder, LegacyCode.Rocks\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\". . . lightning does strike twice, and this book is proof.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e--VM (Vicky) Brasseur, Director of Open Source Strategy, Juniper Networks\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRegister your book for convenient access to downloads, updates, and\/or corrections as they become available. See inside book for details.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56224577028469,"sku":"9780135957059","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780135957059_daf4b19d-76c2-4db6-a9ac-631554310f36.jpg?v=1786011547"},{"product_id":"9780764239984","title":"Raising Emotionally Strong Boys","description":"\u003cb\u003eOVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout those meltdowns, blowups, and one-word answers . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eSome say that's just how boys are--prone to outbursts or sullenness. But what's behind these and other issues? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing from twenty-five years of counseling boys and working with parents, David Thomas sheds light on common emotional struggles, including anger, anxiety, and depression, and shares practical ways you can \u003cb\u003ehelp your son be\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003eResourceful\u003c\/b\u003e--equipped to work through his emotions in constructive ways\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003eAware\u003c\/b\u003e--so that he better understands himself, including his strengths and weaknesses\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003eResilient\u003c\/b\u003e--having the capacity to cope and feel competent\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003eEmpathetic\u003c\/b\u003e--able to understand the feelings and experiences of others\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHelpful also for grandparents, teachers, and anyone else who has a boy in their life, this book shows how a strong emotional foundation leads to a Christ-like sense of masculinity that will serve him well his whole life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlso available\u003c\/b\u003e: \u003ci\u003eStrong and Smart\u003c\/i\u003e, a companion workbook to help boys understand themselves better and learn how to work through overwhelming emotions--all from a biblical perspective.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56294828179829,"sku":"9780764239984","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780764239984_2ca4b9d1-9e08-4c7e-9932-f617c09131c5.jpg?v=1786015617"},{"product_id":"9781725290143","title":"Gospel of Matthew","description":"Among homiletical commentaries this one stands supreme for many reasons. The author opens doors and challenges the reader to a vigorous investigation. His conclusions, often startling, illuminate the Gospel clearly. Instead of verbosity, he expresses much in few words.Dr. Thomas is practical and provides excellent stimulus for sermon preparation. His powerful, yet restrained imagination, presses into its service all nature, life, science, art and history. After thoroughly grasping his theme, he pours his soul into it, develops it in a logical manner, and enunciates his 123 discourses with thrilling effect.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56303615148405,"sku":"9781725290143","price":63.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781725290143_6cf0e007-656f-4c10-9fca-96a7436df7e8.jpg?v=1786024669"},{"product_id":"9781783301553","title":"The Silence of the Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn recent years big data initiatives, not to mention Hollywood, the video game industry and countless other popular media, have reinforced and even glamorized the public image of the archive as the ultimate repository of facts and the hope of future generations for uncovering ‘what actually happened’. The reality is, however, that for all sorts of reasons the record may not have been preserved or survived in the archive. In fact, the record may never have even existed – its creation being as imagined as is its contents. And even if it does exist, it may be silent on the salient facts, or it may obfuscate, mislead or flat out lie.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Silence of the Archive\u003c\/i\u003e is written by three expert and knowledgeable archivists and draws attention to the many limitations of archives and the inevitability of their having parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSilences or gaps in archives range from details of individuals’ lives to records of state oppression or of intelligence operations. The book brings together ideas from a wide range of fields, including contemporary history, family history research and Shakespearian studies. It describes why these silences exist, what the impact of them is, how researchers have responded to them, and what the silence of the archive means for researchers in the digital age. It will help provide a framework and context to their activities and enable them to better evaluate archives in a post-truth society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book includes discussion of:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eenforced silences\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eexpectations and when silence means silence\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edigital preservation, authenticity and the future\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edealing with the silence\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003epossible solutions; challenging silence and acceptance\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ethe meaning of the silences: are things getting better or worse?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003euser satisfaction and audience development.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book will make compelling reading for professional archivists, records managers and records creators, postgraduate and undergraduate students of history, archives, librarianship and information studies, as well as academics and other users of archives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304511091061,"sku":"9781783301553","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781783301553_16122bd9-c7e0-4e98-8f5f-a5d2e0437202.jpg?v=1786025459"},{"product_id":"9781510468306","title":"Scottish Set Text Guide: Sailmaker for National 5 English","description":"\u003cp\u003eExam Board: SQA\u003cbr\u003eLevel: National 5\u003cbr\u003eSubject: English\u003cbr\u003eFirst teaching: September 2017\u003cbr\u003eFirst exams: Summer 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnderstand, analyse, evaluate, succeed. This study and revision guide takes you through every aspect of \u003ci\u003eSailmaker\u003c\/i\u003e, with exam advice for the National 5 English Critical Reading paper.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFully up to date with SQA's latest exam requirements, this book is written by an expert who knows what exam success looks like.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Develop understanding of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eplot, structure, characterisation, themes and language\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e Clear explanations and detailed commentary are supported by definitions of key terms and unfamiliar words\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Build critical and analytical skills.\u003c\/b\u003e Students are encouraged to think more deeply about the text and consider the writers' ideas, choices and techniques\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Receive advice on the Scottish Texts section of the exam. \u003c\/b\u003eSample questions with model answers and examiner-style commentary are supported by additional practice questions for students to do\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Prepare for the Critical Essay section of the exam.\u003c\/b\u003e With tips and examples for planning, structuring and writing a top-grade essay, plus practice essay questions for students to answer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Remember key quotations. \u003c\/b\u003eA selection of quotes are highlighted throughout, so students can use them in the exam to make comparisons between different parts of the text\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026gt; Review your learning. \u003c\/b\u003eQuick questions at the end of each chapter check students' understanding of the text\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312522342773,"sku":"9781510468306","price":7.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781510468306_cb54fb49-9a74-48b8-9887-dfedfd549279.jpg?v=1786021926"},{"product_id":"9781037802195","title":"The Fairfax Way","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe rise and stall—and rise again—of corporate Canada’s least well-known spectacular success\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven those who \u003ci\u003ehave\u003c\/i\u003e heard of Prem Watsa and Fairfax Financial probably don’t understand them. The company sprawls across more than 100 countries and is known for its complex finances—so complex, they once attracted a who’s-who of Wall Street short sellers who misread the company as the next Enron and decided it could be profitably pushed into an open grave. The hedge funds even had Bob Dylan lined up to sing at the company’s funeral party. Fairfax stared down regulators and fought back. Dylan never got the chance to sing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWatsa, now 75, stole a page from Warren Buffett in building a $45 billion global empire built on value investing and insurance assets. Its bold and creative trades are legendary, often moving against the herd and making billions while others lose their shirts. These days, the company is back winning billion-dollar bets, but away from the headlines. \u003ci\u003eThe Fairfax Way\u003c\/i\u003e explores the lessons learned and why skies are now blue above a transformed company.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn its 39-year history, Fairfax’s annual compound return of 19.2% trounces the S\u0026amp;P 500’s 11.3%. Lately, it is outperforming even Silicon Valley tech stocks and winning back an investor following. It’s time to get to know Fairfax better.  The company’s holdings include strategic investments like Bauer hockey sticks, William Ashley wedding gifts, Sleep Country mattresses, Golf Town stores, and Seaspan container ships. If you took home Swiss Chalet chicken last week or went for steak at the Keg, you ate at Fairfax restaurants. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s time to get to know Prem Watsa better, too. People long misjudged him as a recluse. Truth is, he simply always wanted to build a business, not talk to the media. After 40 years, he and his executives have finally decided it’s a good time to open up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor all the colourful dealmaking, billion-dollar bets, high-stakes hedge fund wars, Thomas reveals an inspiring story for our current troubled times.  What emerges is that many people just had trouble believing Fairfax had the audacity to build a company culture based on the golden rule—\u003ci\u003etreat others as you would have them treat you\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eThe Fairfax Way\u003c\/i\u003e captures the inside story of how a culture of treating people right can be a secret competitive moat to long-term outperformance.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56367926608245,"sku":"9781037802195","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781037802195_80de846c-23bc-4d1b-995a-3a05059ab19e.jpg?v=1786016829"},{"product_id":"9780764243486","title":"Happy Finds Her Calm","description":"\u003cb\u003eEngaging Picture Book Helps 3- to 6-Year-Olds Learn Self-Control\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e· A fun story that shows kids how to find their calm so they can be good listeners and good friends\u003cbr\u003e· Includes conversation starters to help parents and young children personalize what's being learned\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFriendly and outgoing, Happy is a boisterous puppy who is always excited! 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