A Matter of Leverage

I noticed a thick, leather-bound volume tilting precariously off the bottom shelf, threatening to collapse an entire row of smaller paperbacks. Ignoring the mess was out of the question. I planted my bare feet firmly against the polished oak floor, braced both hands against the heavy spine, and exerted steady, calculated force. It took three determined shoves, but the volume finally slid back into its rightful alignment. Order, at least on this shelf, has been formally restored.