Gone With the Wind: The Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie and the Legend

About the Author Herb Bridges is the world's leading authority on Gone With the Wind and has amassed the world's largest collection of GWTW memorabilia. Along with Terryl C. Boodman, he is co-editor of Gone With the Wind: The Screenplay. He has published three other books about the movie, The Filming of Gone With the Wind, Frankly, My Dear..., and Scarlet Fever. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CHAPTER ONE The Legend In the spring of 1936, a new novel blew onto the American scene with the force of a hurricane -- Gone With the Wind. Essentially the story of a willful girl and the people around her during and after the Civil War, the book was an overnight sensation, selling a million copies and commanding thirty-one printings in its first year of publication. People were crazy about GWTW, as it soon became known. The first printing sold out almost as fast as it rolled off the presses. Eager fans thronged around its author each time she set foot on a city street, as if she were a movie star, while the press beat a path to her door and never left it. GWTW had arrived. Now, more than fifty years later, it is still popular. Readers are just as apt now, as then, to discover it sold out in bookstores and already checked out in libraries. What was the mind behind Gone With the Wind? How was a work of such enduring popularity created? To know that, one must know its author, Margaret Mitchell. And to know her, one must slip back in time. Atlanta, Georgia, 1900. The War Between the States had been waged and lost only thirty-five years earlier and was still a fresh and vivid memory. In the gracious homes that lined Peachtree Street and the shanties along Decatur Street still lived the survivors of a conflict that had already taken permanent root in the collective consciousness of the South and flourished. Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell was born on November 8 of that year, the fifth generation of her family to proudly call themselves Atlantans, steeped in the legends of the city and the South. As a child she spent long, lazy Sunday afternoons "sitting on the bony knees of Confederate veterans and the fat, slick laps of old ladies who had survived the war," listening to tales of relatives who walked fifty miles with their skulls cracked by Yankee bullets, stuffed wrapping paper beneath their corsets to keep warm during the blockade, and sat down to supper with Rebel leaders. And all these tales were told not as epic drama but as ordinary family happenings that could have occurred just yesterday. When she was six, Margaret herself became a rebel, against going to school. On a blazing hot September day her mother drove her out along the road to Jonesboro, pointing out the ruins of great houses that had fallen during or because of the war, chimneys standing ghostly among the scattered leaves and creeping foliage of the encroaching woods. She also pointed out the proud homes that still stood, testimony to their owners' steely spirit. She explained that all the people who had once lived in all the houses had believed they had wealth and beauty and good times that would never end. But their world did end. And it would happen again, Margaret's mother warned. And when it did, she had better be prepared. "...All that would be left after a world ended would be what you could do with your hands and what you had in your head," not the least of which was an education. Margaret went to school. Margaret grew up with the twentieth century, a Jazz Age baby, sufficiently enlightened in the New Era of women's equality to set off for college with aspirations of becoming a neurologist or psychiatrist. During her first year, however, her mother died in the influenza epidemic of 1919, and she came home to keep house for her father and brother. A freethinking flapper, "one of those short-haired, short-skirted, hard-boiled young women who preachers said would go to hell or be hanged before they were thirty," as she described herself, Margaret talked her way into, and succeeded admirably at, a position as a reporter for the Atlanta Journal Sunday Magazine, no mean feat in an age where the only newspapermen were men. Margaret -- Peggy, her friends called her -- moved about in a modern world of moving pictures, speedy automobiles, electric iceboxes airplanes, and radios, but to her the Civil War was just as recent and probably more real. She found herself in 1926, at the height of the Jazz Age, housebound with a broken ankle that developed into arthritis she began to write a novel about the Civil War. She was first of all a voracious reader. Her husband, John Marsh, brought home armloads of library books every night to entertain her until one evening he announced that he had exhausted the supply; she had read every book in the library except the exact sciences. Dropping a sheaf of copy paper in her lap, he told her she now had no choice but to write her own book. She didn't know why she chose the Civil War as her subject, she would later say; it was just always there in her background. The first chapter she wrote was the final one, in which Rhett leaves Scarlett alone to think about him "tomorrow," and from there she wrote a chapter here and a chapter there, apparently in no particular sequence, but as the spirit moved her. As each chapter was completed, it was sealed into a manila envelope and stacked next to the typewriter. When the stack became two and the two became towers, the envelopes were squirreled away in varying spots in the three-room apartment -- some under the bed, some under the sofa, others in the pots-and-pans cupboard. When friends visited, the typewriter and the current chapter were covered over with a large bath towel. Peggy didn't like people to know she was working on a book. And, anyway, she never planned to sell it; it was only for her own amusement. Sometime in 1929, the novel was finished, all except for the opening chapter and two others. The stock market crashed, a black and ominous Depression fell over the world, and Margaret Mitchell went on about the business of being Mrs. Peggy Marsh. She had written the book mostly during the three years she had spent laid up, sometimes bedridden, with her bad ankle, having been told by doctors that she might never walk again. She finished the book, her ankle thankfully healed, and as she put it, "When my foot got well, I stopped writing because walking seemed far more interesting." Peggy had been engaged once, to a young man who was shortly thereafter killed in World War I, and married once before -- for a period of only months -- to a fellow emotionally unequipped for life with the headstrong Margaret. But now her ship had come in. Being Mrs. Marsh was fun. Peggy and John lived in a small, dark apartment they affectionately called "The Dump" and used as a base for lively, intellectually stimulating dinner parties and evening entertainments. Life flowed on like Southern molasses, sometimes thick and grainy, crystallized with illnesses or the woes of friends, but always sweet. Then, in the spring of 1935, life abruptly changed. Lois Cole, one of the few intimates who knew Peggy had been writing a book, was working for the Macmillan Company, publishers, in New York. The firm had reasoned that Southern books by new authors were frequent sellers and decided to send senior editor Harold Latham on a tour of the South. Lois suggested that he stop and talk with Peggy Marsh. Mr. Latham followed through, calling on her at her home. Mrs. Marsh, however, insisted that she was not an author, was not writing, had never written a book, and wasn't the least bit interested in being reviewed by any publisher. Mr. Latham packed his bags and prepared to leave Atlanta. But first he attended a tea where Peggy introduced him to a young girl who did hope to make it big as an author. As she drove the girl and her friends home from the tea, another young lady in the car spilled the beans about Peggy writing a book. The first girl was amazed. She couldn't believe that Mrs. Marsh could write. She didn't seem the type. She took life much too lightly, the girl said, and was wasting her time trying to be a serious novelist. As Peggy put it later, the girl had said,

School Years Keepsake Book: Record Memories From Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade

About the Author Publications International, Ltd. US Amazon Store Publications International, Ltd. (PIL) publishes books and products for kids and adults in many categories: reference, leisure, inspirational, automotive, sports, cookbooks, stationery (New Seasons), interactive and early learning (Little Grasshopper Books).

The Giving Tree

Amazon.com Review To say that this particular apple tree is a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy, but with time it becomes more challenging for the generous tree to meet his needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take? Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) --Karin Snelson Review “If you’re looking for a children’s book that teaches generosity or unselfishness, most people will point you right to The Giving Tree , Shel Silverstein’s lovely story of a tree that will do anything for the boy it loves—and for good reason. This classic is always a good place to start.” — Brightly From the Back Cover "Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave. Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's moving parable for readers of all ages has offered an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. About the Author Shel Silverstein 's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back . He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half , Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? , The Missing Piece , The Missing Piece Meets the Big O , and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree , as well as classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends , A Light in the Attic , Every Thing On It , Don't Bump the Glump! , and Runny Babbit . Read more

My Name Is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela (Rise and Shine) (English, Multilingual and Spanish Edition)

From School Library Journal Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2–This lyrical homage to the Chilean Nobel Prize winner is a joy to read. Written in the first person, the simple text follows the life of the poet from her earliest days (in which, as a girl, she chooses her own name and teaches herself to read) to her internationally renowned career in literature. Brown and the unnamed translator have created a poignantly poetic text that reads equally well in English and in Spanish. It depicts, above all else, the poets lifelong love affair with words and stories. Parras naive-style illustrations, which appear to be painted on wood, go well beyond complementing the text. They offer a view into a softly colored world of people, places, and creatures, real or imagined, that were described in Mistrals work. An exquisite addition for most collections. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Great shape

Still Rising: A Story of Strength, Weakness, And Unexpected Healing

About the Author Richard and Daphne Gaspard 's relationship began while they both served in their church youth group and worship team. From early on, they knew that God would use them in ministry together. Both natives of south Louisiana, Richard and Daphne were married in December of 1994, and began their life together in Tulsa, OK, where Daphne completed her degree from Oral Roberts University while Richard served as an adjunct instructor there, as well as the chief audio engineer at Oral Roberts Television. When their oldest daughter, Kylie, was born, they knew they wanted to rear her near family and friends in Cajun country, so the three of them, along with their two dogs and their youngest daughter, Katie, on the way, packed up and headed home in August of 2000. That decade brought their ministry life full circle, as they both served on staff at Crossroads Church in Lafayette, and their girls began to follow in their footsteps, serving in youth and music. But, in 2015, tragedy struck. Katie was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, requiring extensive medical treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. After months and months of suffering, due to complications from that transplant, Katie passed away on July 20, 2017. Richard and Daphne, although crushed from the loss, have determined that they do not want what happened to Katie to be all for nothing. Their hearts' desire is to tell her story and speak to those who are suffering, or have gone through tragic loss. Together, they authored a book chronicling Katie's journey, while showing God's hand in the process. Richard and Daphne are both available for speaking engagements. Please contact them at info@wearestillrising.com .

Realms, Regions and Concepts, 13th Edition

The Castle of Otranto (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think

From Booklist As the title reveals, this work covers ideas that have inspired humankind and changed our lives. Entries are listed chronologically, and the first is “Human Control of Fire,” estimated to have occurred around 1,600,000 BCE, while the last entry is “Not-Junk DNA,” regarding the human genome work done in 2012. Some entries are well-known events, such as Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity and President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. However, a wide variety of topics are discussed, including Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Fountain of youth, Allegory of the cave, Robin Hood, Public library, Freudian slip, Santa Claus, Gray’s Anatomy (the book, not the television show), and Robotics, to name but a few. The brief entries are arranged in sections covering “Ancient World (Pre 500 CE),” “Middle Ages (500–1449),” “Early Modern (1450–1779),” “Late Modern (1780–1899),” “Early 20th Century (1900–1949),” and “Contemporary (1950–present).” A keyword index at the beginning of the book divides entries into “Art and Architecture,” “Philosophy,” “Politics and Society,” “Psychology,” “Religion,” and “Science and Technology,” and there is a general index at the end. Colorful illustrations and photographs are found throughout the book—at least one and often more on every other page. This entertaining and informative book is recommended for both public and academic libraries. --Rachael Elrod Review “The '1001' series may sound like a gimmick but it's not… Editor Robert Arp has produced a reference guide that's fun to browse.” ― Boston Globe "Highly attractive... Recommended." ― Library Journal "Entertaining and informative." ― Booklist About the Author Robert Arp is a visiting professor for the department of philosophy at Florida State University and a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Center for Biomedical Ontology. His areas of specialization include philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, and modern philosophy. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida. Read more

Historical Study & Educational Resources

The Librarian's Vampire Assistant

Review What are "people" saying about The Librarian's Vampire Assistant ? "What did I just read? A mystery? A platonic clusterf**k? Avampire novel? Mind blown." - An anonymous Mimi Jean fan "Happy ever after? Don't hold your breath. These characters are completely against the idea, though I'm not giving up hope." -Minky, world's best pet "The ending lacked proper vengeance." -Carlitos Crime Family "Vampires are real? Shut the front door!" -Miriam, Head Librarian, Phoenix, AZ "F**ck love! I'm over it." - Vampire Viviana "Mystery. Heartbreak. I'm going to strangle that Michael." - Lula, the Librarian's Vampire Assistant's Assistant. "Romance is for fools and love is for the ignorant. I'm a vampire. We live, we take, we exist. Belonging to a respectable family and loyalty are all that matter, but one can hardly call that love." - The Librarian's Assistant About the Author MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author with over one million books sold worldwide. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it's never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers Book 1)

Review “Taut, page-turning, and smart, The Professor is a legal thriller that will keep readers up late as the twists and turns keep coming. Set in Alabama, it also includes that state’s greatest icon, one Coach Bear Bryant. In fact, the Bear gets things going with the energy of an Alabama kickoff to Auburn. Robert Bailey knows his state and he knows his law. He also knows how to write characters that are real, sympathetic, and surprising. If he keeps writing novels this good, he’s got quite a literary career before him.” —Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rocket Boys and October Sky “Gripping from the first page to the last.” —Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump About the Author Robert Bailey was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College in North Carolina before going to law school at the University of Alabama, where he made Law Review. For the past thirteen years, Bailey has been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, where he lives with his wife and three children. The Professor is his first novel. For more information, please visit www.robertbaileybooks.com. Review “Taut, page-turning, and smart, The Professor is a legal thriller that will keep readers up late as the twists and turns keep coming. Set in Alabama, it also includes that state’s greatest icon, one Coach Bear Bryant. In fact, the Bear gets things going with the energy of an Alabama kickoff to Auburn. Robert Bailey knows his state and he knows his law. He also knows how to write characters that are real, sympathetic, and surprising. If he keeps writing novels this good, he’s got quite a literary career before him.” ―Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rocket Boys and October Sky “Gripping from the first page to the last.” ―Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump --This text refers to the audioCD edition. Read more


Hillbilly Heart: A Memoir

About the Author Hailing from small-town Kentucky, Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer/songwriter who helped to make country music an international sensation. His album Some Gave All has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling debut album of all time for a solo male artist. In addition to his music career, Cyrus starred in the TV series Doc from 2001 to 2004 and co-starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter Miley Cyrus. From Booklist According to him, when he has reached critical points in his life, singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus hears voices. So far, parents, teachers, girlfriends, juvenile-court judges, tarot-card readers, complete strangers, and even spirits have warned him of dangers and offered directions to reform his life, but he often fends off advice as long as he can. He especially resisted the ghostly “Buy a guitar and start a band” message until he discovered that left-handed guitars exist, which he understood as a sign from God telling him to heed the inexplicable call. Although he learned to play guitar quickly and had natural singing ability, he spent many years performing in dangerous dance halls, under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and women, before he landed a recording contract in Nashville. With wit and candor reminiscent of his song lyrics, Cyrus recounts his rise to musical stardom, the start of his acting career, and his struggles to maintain a marriage and raise children. His fans and those of his daughter Miley Cyrus will enjoy this tell-everything memoir. --Rick Roche --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Review "The first time I met Billy Ray I felt like I had known him all of my life.  I still feel the same way today. He is a warm feeling in my heart and a sweet thought on my mind. He seems like family to me.  I've always been interested in his life, his success and in his children, especially my beautiful fairy god daughter, Miley. I'm very proud of Billy Ray and find him very fascinating and interesting.  I know you will enjoy finding out all about him, his life and rise to fame.  What we have most in common is a Hillbilly Heart ." —Dolly Parton "What a life this guy has had. He goes from having one of the biggest records in the history of radio to watching his daughter grow from a child to one of the biggest stars in the business. There are very few people who can handle that. Billy Ray has done an incredible job as a father and an artist and now as an author." —Kenny Rogers "Billy Ray's talent, whether singing, acting, or writing, amazes me, and his versatility sets him apart from most. Hillbilly Heart is a beautiful account of Billy Ray's colorful life—great stories, told by a humble man. My life is richer, and the world is a better place, because of him—just as yours will be after reading this book." —Randy Travis "It's no exaggeration to call country star Cyrus' memoir a hoot." —New York Post "Told in a natural and candid tone, the book will please country-music fans and may even win over some skeptics.…a warm account of a star who has managed to remain humble." —Kirkus Reviews "Cyrus chronicles a rollercoaster life, from his troubled adolescence and the revelation that he wanted to become a musician, to life on the road, the challenges and successes of writing music, the difficulties and joys of marriage, and his work in television." — Publishers Weekly "Such earnest yearning, in his songs and in the telling of his life story, endears Billy Ray Cyrus to his audience. During recent interviews promoting the book, Cyrus makes a point to honor and pay tribute to the victims of last week's Boston Marathon bombing. Against the backdrop of such a terrible and baffling event, the timing of Hillbilly Heart , with its positive focus on faith in the source of all good things, seems fortuitous." —Biographile "This book is an honest look at his life. He’s truthful about his drinking, drugs and the mistakes he’s made in his life." —Red Carpet Crash --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Read more

Slow Curve on the Coquihalla (A Hunter Rayne Highway Mystery, Book 1)

Review "highly recommended" - Midwest Book Review ... the world of long-distance truckers remains closed to most of us. Not so for R. E. Donald. She and her late husband spent decades in the transportation industry. This mystery novel, Slow Curve on the Coquihalla , uses that experience wonderfully well. This book is filled with details of what life is really like for long-haulers and the people who love them. It's tough enough for a guy who isn't sure about reading mysteries; and satisfying for any mystery fan who loves convoluted plots. - Sharon Wildwind, Story Circle Book Reviews From the Author This is the first novel in my Hunter Rayne highway mystery series. I wanted to write about a world I knew, and the kind of mystery that I most enjoyed as a reader. In the '90s, I was a big fan of mystery writers Elizabeth George and Martha Grimes. I especially enjoyed Grimes' Richard Jury series, and used it as a rough model for my new series, with the major difference being that the highway mystery settings and characters are uniquely North American.I hope you enjoy reading about Hunter Rayne and his cast of supporting characters as much as I enjoy writing about them.R.E. (Ruth) Donald From the Back Cover What readers are saying about the Hunter Rayne highway mysteries:"A great take to bed read for anyone who loves crime fiction in a traditional fashion.""Whodunit addicts will not be disappointed.""Those were the best mysteries I've read in a long time!!""...this book caught my attention from the very first pages and it only got better.  I recommend this book to anyone who has a love for a good mystery." --This text refers to the paperback edition. Read more

Ice on the Grapevine (A Hunter Rayne Highway Mystery, Book 2)

Review A 2012 Global Ebook Awards finalist, ... Ice on the Grapevine: A Hunter Rayne Highway Mystery is a tense murder mystery featuring tough-minded ex-homicide detective turned eighteen-wheel truck driver Hunter Rayne. ... [It] is a riveting mystery that will keep the reader guessing to the very end. - Midwest Book Review This is a well spun yarn, full of plot detail and credible human response. Whodunit addicts will not be disappointed. - The Kindle Book Review ... a straightforward and uncomplicated story, well-told and tightly edited. ... Ice on the Grapevine is well worth having a look at. - Crime Fiction Lover, the Site for Die-Hard Crime & Thriller Fans (UK) --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Night with a SEAL (Hot SEALs)

Review "Her military men are Alpha with a capital A!" Guilty Indulgences"After reading this book I'm ready to read everything she's ever written right NOW!" Shameless Book Club"Smoldering and sexy with a brilliant story" Book Obsessed Chicks From the Author When I wrote and published Night with a SEAL, Jon and Ali's story was complete in my mind. Their love was new but they were happy and together. It wasn't until years later that an idea for a new adventure for them came to me. That's when I wrote Romanced by a SEAL, featuring Jon and Ali's lives a few years down the road as together they navigate the trials and tribulations of life, love, and bad guys. Romanced by a SEAL can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story, just like Night with a SEAL can be. But of course, true fans of Jon and Ali will especially love reading them together! From the Inside Flap Hot SEALs Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: NIGHT WITH A SEAL NIGHT WITH A SEAL SAVED BY A SEAL SAVED BY A SEAL SEALED AT MIDNIGHT SEALED AT MIDNIGHT KISSED BY A SEAL KISSED BY A SEAL PROTECTED BY A SEAL PROTECTED BY A SEAL LOVED BY A SEAL LOVED BY A SEAL TEMPTED BY A SEAL TEMPTED BY A SEAL WED TO A SEAL WED TO A SEAL ROMANCED BY A SEAL ROMANCED BY A SEAL RESCUED BY A HOT SEAL RESCUED BY A HOT SEAL BETTING ON A HOT SEAL BETTING ON A HOT SEAL ESCAPE WITH A HOT SEAL ESCAPE WITH A HOT SEAL MATCHED WITH A HOT SEAL MATCHED WITH A HOT SEAL SEAL THE DEAL SEAL THE DEAL HOT SEAL IN HOLLYWOOD HOT SEAL IN HOLLYWOOD DESIRE IN DC DESIRE IN DC Red Hot & Blue Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: RED BLOODED RED BLOODED A FEW GOOD MEN A FEW GOOD MEN BB DALTON BB DALTON MODEL SOLDIER MODEL SOLDIER A PRINCE AMONG MEN A PRINCE AMONG MEN SMALLTOWN HEAT SMALLTOWN HEAT TRUE BLUE TRUE BLUE RED HOT & BLUE COLLECTION RED HOT & BLUE COLLECTION SEALs in Paradise Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: HOT SEAL, DIRTY MARTINI HOT SEAL, DIRTY MARTINI HOT SEAL, TIJUANA NIGHTS HOT SEAL, TIJUANA NIGHTS HOT SEAL, RUNAWAY BRIDE HOT SEAL, RUNAWAY BRIDE HOT SEAL, HEARTBREAKER HOT SEAL, HEARTBREAKER HOT SEAL, COLD WATER HOT SEAL, COLD WATER Hot For Hire Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: HOT BILLIONAIRE FOR HIRE HOT BILLIONAIRE FOR HIRE HOT CHICK FOR HIRE HOT CHICK FOR HIRE HOT SPY FOR HIRE HOT SPY FOR HIRE HOT HERO FOR HIRE HOT HERO FOR HIRE USMC Out of Uniform Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: CROSSING THE LINE CROSSING THE LINE CINDERELLA LIBERTY CINDERELLA LIBERTY Smalltown Secrets Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: KISSING BOOKS KISSING BOOKS RED HOT RED HOT HONEY BUNS HONEY BUNS ZERO FORKS ZERO FORKS UNDERCOVER SANTA UNDERCOVER SANTA MISTER NAUGHTY MISTER NAUGHTY DOG DAYS DOG DAYS BAD DECISIONS BAD DECISIONS Studs in Spurs Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: UNRIDDEN UNRIDDEN BUCKED BUCKED RIDE RIDE HOOKED HOOKED FLANKED FLANKED THROWN THROWN CHAMPION CHAMPION SPURRED SPURRED WRECKED WRECKED STUDS IN SPURS VOLUME 1 STUDS IN SPURS VOLUME 1 STUDS IN SPURS VOLUME 2 STUDS IN SPURS VOLUME 2 Maverick Ranch Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: COWBOY BLUE COWBOY BLUE COWBOY HEARTS COWBOY HEARTS Oklahoma Nights Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: ONE NIGHT WITH A COWBOY ONE NIGHT WITH A COWBOY TWO TIMES AS HOT TWO TIMES AS HOT THREE WEEKS WITH A BULL RIDER THREE WEEKS WITH A BULL RIDER HE'S THE ONE ANTHOLOGY HE'S THE ONE ANTHOLOGY IN A COWBOY'S BED ANTHOLOGY IN A COWBOY'S BED ANTHOLOGY Midnight Cowboys Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: MIDNIGHT RIDE MIDNIGHT RIDE MIDNIGHT WRANGLER MIDNIGHT WRANGLER MIDNIGHT HEAT MIDNIGHT HEAT Sex, Lies & Wedding Cake Collection by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: GILLIAN'S ISLAND GILLIAN'S ISLAND PRIVATE LIES PRIVATE LIES NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS The Trilogy Collection by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: OPPOSITES ATTRACT OPPOSITES ATTRACT NICE & NAUGHTY NICE & NAUGHTY JUST DESSERTS JUST DESSERTS BLACK CAT BLACK CAT Cathouse Cinderella Series by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: CAT HAUS CAT HAUS BEFORE CATE BEFORE CATE Red Hot Reads Collection by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: THE EX FILES THE EX FILES EDUCATING ANSLEY EDUCATING ANSLEY THE BILLIONAIRE'S FAKE FIANCEE THE BILLIONAIRE'S FAKE FIANCEE BENEATH THE SURFACE BENEATH THE SURFACE ROUGH STOCK ROUGH STOCK TEXAS TWO STEP TEXAS TWO STEP Cocky Hero Collection by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: COCKY IMMORTALS COCKY IMMORTALS COCKY COUNTRY BOYS COCKY COUNTRY BOYS COCKY JOES COCKY JOES Standalones by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: MOTHER CLUCKER (Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward's World) MOTHER CLUCKER (Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward's World) LONGHORN LINEBACKER LONGHORN LINEBACKER Multi-author Anthologies featuring NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: HAPPY IS THE BRIDE HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THAT MISTLETOE MOMENT THAT MISTLETOE MOMENT Silver SEALs by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: SEAL STRONG SEAL STRONG Shadow SEALs by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: SHADOW PAWN SHADOW PAWN The Long Road Home by NYT Bestselling author Cat Johnson: HOME FRONT HOME FRONT HOME FIRES HOME FIRES About the Author Cat Johnson is a New York Times bestseller and the author of the USA Today bestselling Hot SEALs series. She writes hot contemporary romance. Read more

The Last Rebel: Survivor

The Secret Lives of Buildings: From the Ruins of the Parthenon to the Vegas Strip in Thirteen Stories

From Booklist Hollis provocatively opens with his interpretation of Thomas Cole’s famous 1840 painting, The Architect’s Dream, a fantastical imagining of styles from the classical to the gothic. Viewing Cole’s beguiling mirage, Hollis explains its intoxicating allure, especially for those engaged in historical restoration. He then relates Cole’s ideas about architectural perfection to particular buildings and their original and subsequent purposes. He begins with the Parthenon. A temple to Athena and a gunpowder warehouse, it has been many things, as have the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Notre Dame in Paris, Gloucester Cathedral in Britain, and the Alhambra in Spain. Hollis chronicles these “secret lives” over centuries of construction, ruination, and restoration in a dreamy manner, curving the intentions of conquerors or architects around the structural or decorative attributes of the buildings. Not confined to world-famous monuments, Hollis’ attractive approach attends to vernacular structures as well: the Holy House (a focus of Catholicism’s Marian devotion); a public housing complex in Manchester, England; the confections of Las Vegas; and the Berlin Wall. An architect by occupation, Hollis writes history eclectically, informatively, and entertainingly. --Gilbert Taylor Review “Scintillating… Every so often, works on the building art capture the public imagination. Now Tracy Kidder and Witold Rybczynski are joined by Edward Hollis, whose new book, The Secret Lives of Buildings , offers an advanced seminar for graduates of Rybczynski’s introductory courses… Provides the ground for a reinvigorated public discourse on the role of architecture in contemporary society… Worthy of wide consideration.”— Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books “What a happy tingle of discovery to come across a book that differs sharply from all the others in its field!… Hollis thinks with such originality and writes with such flair that he is a pleasure to read.”—Stanley Abercrombie, The American Scholar “A fantasia from the real and the imagined… An unusual sort of speculative history, almost a work of experimental fiction. The buildings, which are its nominal subjects, are only MacGuffins on which Hollis hangs a series of short stories on the themes of love, loss and time.”— Ian Volner, Time Out New York “Hollis brings together an iconoclastic attitude and a lively writing style to create a kind of counter-history of architecture, one that starts where the original designers left off and narrates the subsequent biography of the ‘wonderful and chimeric monsters’ that buildings are.”— Kirk Savage, The Washington Post “Hollis exposes the surprisingly motley histories of some of the world’s great landmarks… The chapter on the Parthenon actually brought me to tears.”— Jenna Russell, The Boston Globe “Delightful... A beautifully wrought book... Here are wondrous stories writ in stone, and Edward Hollis has written about them very well indeed.”— Jonathan Glancey, The Guardian (UK) “An accessible and ambitious exploration of the nature and meanings of architecture… Hollis has the gift of making these buildings seem real and alive.”— Simon Bradley, The Sunday Times (UK) “There is something Sebaldian about The Secret Lives of Buildings : a digressive pleasure in the sheer strangeness of architecture and the mortal intrigues by which it was wrought… Hollis is particularly good on the history of architectural reconstruction.”— Brian Dillon, The Independent (UK) “Engaging and erudite... Hollis is magical on the layers of myth and history in the classical world.”— Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times (UK) “Tremendous... It’s unusual for a nonfiction book to match a neat conceit with elegant execution, but Hollis has achieved it. The stories are actually stories, not mere scrolls of fact. It helps that he has a beautifully wry tone... Hollis experiments with structure, chronology, leitmotifs and repetitions, and makes his book a rare thing: nonfiction you can reread.”— Stuart Kelly, Scotland on Sunday “A fascinating tale, a fairytale journey that shifts seamlessly between edification and revelation… Quite unlike any other recent book on architecture and a worthy nominee for the Guardian ’s First Book Award.”— Mark Cousins, Building Design (UK) “A new and entertaining view of the context in which historic structures have existed… Recommended to readers interested in architecture, the ideas of space and place, and intellectually stimulating historical tales.”— Valerie Nye, Library Journal “Hollis moves gracefully through both buildings and historical periods with an impressive command of detail and a sensitivity to the people involved.… A strong, satisfying exploration of the history, beauty, and wonder of Western architecture.”— Kirkus Reviews “Not confined to world-famous monuments, Hollis’s attractive approach attends to vernacular structures as well... He writes history eclectically, informatively, and entertainingly.”— Booklist “Any architecture or history buff would be pleased to find The Secret Lives of Buildings under the tree... Iconic structures like the Parthenon, the Berlin Wall and even the Vegas Strip have led more storied lives than we realize. Hollis shares these stories with a fairy-tale charm.”— BookPage “Edward Hollis rewrites architectural history in this beautiful and unsettling study of how the masterpieces of Western architecture have changed over time. Temples become mosques; monuments become ruins; deserts become cities, and deserts again. After reading this book, no building will seem quite the same.”—Christopher Woodward, author of In Ruins: A Journey Through History, Art, and Literature About the Author Edward Hollis is an architect and designer who teaches at the Edinburgh College of Art. Trained at Cambridge and Edinburgh universities, he worked for five years in the United Kingdom as a practicing architect, specializing in alterations to historic buildings. This is his first book. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Introduction The Architect's Dream Once upon a time, an architect had a dream. The curtain of his bourgeois parlor was rent, and he found himself reclining on top of a colossal column overlooking a great port. On a nearby hill, the spire of a Gothic cathedral rose above pointed cypresses in a dark wood; on the other side of the river, a Corinthian rotunda and the brick arches of a Roman aqueduct were bathed in golden light. This aqueduct had been built on top of a Grecian colonnade, in front of which a procession led from the waterside to an elaborate Ionic shrine. Farther away the austere form of a Doric temple crouched beneath an Egyptian palace, and behind them all, veiled in haze and a wisp of cloud, was the Great Pyramid. It was a moment of absolute stillness. A perspective in time had become a perspective in space, as the past receded in an orderly fashion, style by style, from the parlor curtain of the present all the way back to the horizon of antiquity. The Dark Ages partially obscured classical splendor; Roman magnificence was built on the foundation of Grecian reason; the glory that was Greece lay in the shadow of the ur-architecture of Egypt. The array of buildings formed an architectural canon, each example dispensing inspiration, advice, and warning to the architect from the golden treasury of history. All the great buildings of the past had been resurrected in a monumental day of rapture. Everything had been made new, and neither weather nor war nor wandering taste had scarred the scene. Everything was fixed just as it had been intended to be: each building was a masterpiece, a work of art, a piece of frozen music, unspoiled by compromise, error, or disappointment. There was nothing that could be added or taken away except for the worse. Each building was beautiful, its form and function held in perfect balance. The scene was what architecture was, and is, and should be. But just before he awoke, the architect realized that he was dreaming, and he recalled the words of Prospero renouncing his conjured dominion at the end of The Tempest . The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,   The solemn temples, the great globe itself,   Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,   And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,   Leave not a rack behind: We are such stuff   As dreams are made on, and our little life   Is rounded with a sleep. *** The Architect’s Dream was dreamed by an émigré from the Old World to the New. Thomas Cole was born in Lancashire in 1801, but he spent his adult life among the crags and forests of the Hudson Valley north of New York City, where he painted pictures of an arcadia not yet buried under towers and palaces and temples. Cole could not prevent himself from thinking about the Old World he had left behind, and he knew that one day the New World would come to resemble it. His cycle of paintings titled The Course of Empire depicted the Hudson Valley at five different stages: in The Savage State , The Arcadian or Pastoral State , at The Consummation of Empire , at The Destruction of Empire , and in Desolation . In these five images, a virgin forest at dawn becomes a great city at noon. By dusk it is a broken heap of stones, whited under a watery moon. In 1840, the architect Ithiel Town commissioned Cole to paint The Architect’s Dream and paid him in pattern books. Town didn’t much like the painting, but it came to be regarded as Cole’s masterpiece. Cole’s funeral eulogy extolled it among the “principal works . . . of his genius” as “an assemblage of structures, Egyptian, Gothic, Grecian, Moorish, such as might present itself to the imagination of one who had fallen asleep after reading a work on the different styles of architecture.” Cole’s vision still haunts architects. Pick up any classic work on architecture, glance at the pictures, and you will find yourself lost in a similar panorama of “the different styles.” Crisp line drawings describe the masterworks of antiquity looking as new and fresh as the day they were born; blue skies, clean streets, and a complete absence of people lend architectural photographs the timeless quality of The Architect’s Dream . It’s not just the illustrations; the written history of architecture is also a litany of masterpieces, unchanging and unchanged, from the Great Pyramid of Giza to its glass descendants in Paris or Las Vegas. The great buildings of the past are described as if the last piece of scaffolding has just been taken away, the paint is still fresh on the walls, and the ribbon has not yet been cut—as if, indeed, history had never happened. It is a timeless vision because timeless is just what we expect great architecture to be. Nearly a century ago, the Viennese architect Adolf Loos observed that architecture originates not, as one might expect, in the dwelling, but in the monument. The houses of our ancestors, which were contingent responses to their ever-shifting needs, have perished. Their tombs and temples, which  were intended to endure for the eternity of death and the gods, remain, and it is they that form the canon of architectural history. The very discourse of architecture is a discourse on perfection, a word which derives from the Latin for finished . The Roman theorist Vitruvius claimed that architecture was perfect when it held commodity, firmness, and delight in delicate balance. A millennium and a half later, his Renaissance interpreter Leone Battista Alberti wrote that perfect beauty is that to which nothing may be added, and from which nothing may be taken away. The modernist architect Le Corbusier described the task of his profession as “the problem of fixing standards, in order to face the problem of perfection.” In the discourse of architecture, all buildings, in order to remain beautiful, must not change; and all buildings, in order not to change, must aspire to the funereal condition of the monument. The tomb of Christopher Wren in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is a simple affair for so great a man, but the inscription on the wall above the sarcophagus belies its modesty. “Si monumentum requiris, circumspice,” it reads; “If you seek a monument, look around you.” All architects hope that the buildings they have designed will memorialize their genius, and so they dare to hope that their buildings will last forever, unaltered. *** But The Architect’s Dream is just that: a dream, an illusion, a flat picture imprisoned in a frame. Imagine, for a moment, that the architect woke up from his dream, stepped out of the painting, and walked out of the museum where it is exhibited. He might still find himself on top of a colossal column, but it wouldn’t command some monumental prospect. Instead, he would be looking into a tenement stairwell, which is just what he’d see if he’d climbed to the summit of the surviving columns of the Temple of Augustus in Barcelona. The Gothic cathedral would not be in some dark forest but right next door, and the walls of its crypt might be made from the foundations of a shrine to Apollo, as they are in Girona. The columns of that shrine might form the cathedral porch, as they do at Syracuse; and the altar would be an upturned Roman bathtub, just as it is in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. The cathedral would, like Chartres or Gloucester, have taken hundreds of years to build, and it would be a chaotic collage of different styles, overlaid with Victorian restorations of great enthusiasm and dubious accuracy. The Ionic temple, like that of Diana in Ephesus, would have been burned down by indignant Christians in the fifth century, while the Corinthian rotunda would have been turned into a fortress, just as the Pantheon was in medieval Rome. The Doric temple would have flitted away: its sculpture would be on display in London, like the Elgin marbles, and the building itself would have reappeared elsewhere, as the altar of Pergamene Zeus has been reconstructed in Berlin. The arches of the Roman aqueduct would be buried under the crowded slums of Jerusalem or Naples, its vaults now hiding places for criminals and the secret police. Only the tomb, the Great Pyramid, would have remained unaltered—marooned, monumentally useless, in the suburban sands of Giza. The Architect’s Dream would have become a Jazz Age Manhattan, a twenty first century Shanghai, an Ottoman Istanbul, a medieval Venice, a noisy, dirty entrepôt of multitudinous architectures in the process of constant change. This city would be anything but still. In the process of its perpetual and simultaneous construction and decay, buildings would appear and disappear; they would be built on top of one another, out of one another, or inside one another. They would do battle, and then they would mate and produce monstrous offspring. Not a single building would survive as its makers had intended. And the architect, who might be excused for finding his awakening a nightmare, would realize that the real world is stranger and more dreamlike than a painted dream. Before returning to his column within the picture frame, he might cast one last glance at the stormy scene outside and recall another passage from The Tempest . Full fathom five thy father lies;   Of his bones are coral made;   Those are pearls that were his eyes;   Nothing of him that does fade,   But doth suffer a sea-change   Into something rich and strange. *** This is a book of tales about the lives that buildings lead, in the course of which they all change into “something rich and strange”; and their cumulative argument is that the history of architecture is nothing like The Architect’s... Read more

Jocelyn Learns to Dance

Socrates: A Man for Our Times

Review Praise for Socrates by Paul Johnson: “An admirably concise view of a remarkable life whose influence remains central to the foundations of Western thought.” — Publishers Weekly “[Johnson’s] genuine love of the demos makes him an all-too-rare figure in today’s chattering classes.” — First Things “Johnson writes more concisely than most scholars and brings to his prose a wealth of anecdote and asides unknown to most academics. His Socrates comes alive not through arguments over Platonic dating or Pythagorean influence, but by wit and allusion to Jane Austen novels, Samuel Johnson, John Maynard Keynes, firsthand remembrances of Winston Churchill's speeches and Richard Dawkins. A valuable overview.” — Washington Times “Robust.” — The New Republic “With effortless erudition, Paul Johnson brings to life the world of the great philosopher.” — Women's Wear Daily “A succinct, useful exploration of life in ancient Athens and of the great philosopher’s essential beliefs.” — Kirkus Reviews “A wonderfully readable account of life in Athens, its political quarrels, and its failures. As good as a murder mystery, Johnson’s narrative is exciting.” — Library Journal “Enlightening.... Johnson disentangles centuries of scarce and questionable sources to offer a riveting account of a homely but charismatic middle-class man whose ideas still shape the way we decide how to act, and how we fathom the notion of body and soul.” — History Book Club “Johnson is an accomplished historian and writer with a fluid, unpretentious style and an honest voice. These gifts, which have made his 12 previous books enjoyable and popular, are no less evident in Socrates.” — The Washington Independent Review of Books “This snappy biography goes down easy while offering a full portrait of Socrates—the man, the thinker, the celebrity—and the world he lived in.” — Zócalo Public Square “Spectacular...a delight to read.” — The Wall Street Journal --This text refers to the hardcover edition. About the Author Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. He regularly writes book reviews for several UK magazines and newspapers, such as the Literary Review and the Spectator , and he lectures around the world. He lives in London. --This text refers to the audioCD edition.


NIV, Faithgirlz! Bible: Revised Edition, Hardcover

About the Author Nancy Rue has written over 100 books for girls, is the editor of the Faithgirlz Bible, and is a popular speaker and radio guest with her expertise in tween and teen issues. She and husband, Jim, have raised a daughter of their own and now live in Tennessee.

Faithgirlz Poly Canvas Pink Medium Book & Bible Cover

From the Back Cover This poly canvas Bible cover for girls, featuring an exterior zippered pocket, a decorative zipper pull and interior pen and pencil holders fits the NIV Faithgirlz!(TM) Bible as well as the NIV Young Women of Faith Bible and the NIV Discoverers Bible as well as many other books and Bibles up to 6 1/8' x 8 13/16' (224mmx156mm).

Batman 1: The Court of Owls

Review “A+. The hero's got personality (and is unafraid to release a quip as sharp as a Batarang), a horde of supervillains, gumption to spare and a whole host of high-tech gadgetry to suitably impress longtime fans and those new to the Dark Knight.” — USA Today “This is one of the best comics of the week.”  — The New York Times “[Writer Scott Snyder] pulls from the oldest aspects of the Batman myth, combines it with sinister-comic elements from the series’ best period, and gives the whole thing terrific forward-spin by setting up an honest-to-gosh mystery for Batman to solve.” — Entertainment Weekly “Scott Snyder, already the company's greatest asset over the last four weeks, spins a stack of plates immediately…. Too often Batman comics focus heavily on the hero persona … Snyder sets up equal amounts of conflict for both Wayne's public and private personas.” — Time Out Chicago “A stunning debut…. Snyder knows these characters, sets up an intriguing mystery, and delivers some action that Capullo realizes stunningly. This is definitely in the top rank of the revamp. — The Onion/ AV Club   “Hits all the right notes. I enjoyed the living hell out of this.” —i o9 “Bruce Wayne is a badass. The end.” —IGN    “There's enough here, kept at a high enough level to make it interesting and viable across media and digestible enough for even the most novice DC Universe reader…. Score one for DC and score one for Snyder and Capullo in finding a new fan.”—Comic Book Resources About the Author Scott Snyder is the bestselling and award-winning writer of Batman, American Vampire and Swamp Thing as well as the short story collection Voodoo Heart. He teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College, NYU and Columbia University. He lives on Long Island with his wife, Jeanie, and his sons Jack and Emmett.  He is a dedicated and un-ironic fan of Elvis Presley.

Batman 2: The City of Owls

Review Praise for Scott Snyder's Batman: Court of Owls Vol. 1 : “A+. The hero's got personality (and is unafraid to release a quip as sharp as a Batarang), a horde of supervillains, gumption to spare and a whole host of high-tech gadgetry to suitably impress longtime fans and those new to the Dark Knight.” — USA Today “This is one of the best comics of the week.”  — The New York Times “[Writer Scott Snyder] pulls from the oldest aspects of the Batman myth, combines it with sinister-comic elements from the series’ best period, and gives the whole thing terrific forward-spin by setting up an honest-to-gosh mystery for Batman to solve.” — Entertainment Weekly “Scott Snyder, already the company's greatest asset over the last four weeks, spins a stack of plates immediately…. Too often Batman comics focus heavily on the hero persona … Snyder sets up equal amounts of conflict for both Wayne's public and private personas.” — Time Out Chicago About the Author Scott Snyder is the bestselling and award-winning writer of Batman, American Vampire and Swamp Thing as well as the short story collection Voodoo Heart. He teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College, NYU and Columbia University. He lives on Long Island with his wife, Jeanie, and his sons Jack and Emmett.  He is a dedicated and un-ironic fan of Elvis Presley.

The Cartoon Guide to Physics (Cartoon Guide Series)

Amazon.com Review It's been said that before physics students can fly with Feynman they need to walk with Halliday and Resnick. Those of us who are still toddling along, however, need Larry Gonick. Gonick's characteristically quirky drawings are teamed with physicist Art Huffman's prose to produce lessons like this: picture Sir Isaac Newton driving a Mack truck labeled "Big Inertia." Ike is talking into a CB radio, saying: "Breaker one nine: force overcomes inertia and produces acceleration. Do you read?" As the jacket copy says, "If you think a negative charge is something that shows up on your credit-card bill--if you imagine that Ohm's law dictates how long to meditate--if you believe that Newtonian mechanics will fix your car," here's the book for you. --Mary Ellen Curtin Review "Gonick is close to being one of a kind.""-- Discover" From the Back Cover If you think a negative charge is something that shows up on your credit card bill -- if you imagine that Ohm's Law dictates how long to meditate -- if you believe that Newtonian mechanics will fix your car -- you need The Cartoon Guide to Physics to set you straight. You don't have to be a scientist to grasp these and many other complex ideas, because The Cartoon Guide to Physics explains them all: velocity, acceleration, explosions, electricity and magnetism, circuits -- even a taste of relativity theory -- and much more, in simple, clear, and, yes, funny illustrations. Physics will never be the same! About the Author Larry Gonick has been creating comics that explain math, history, science, and other big subjects for more than forty years. He has been a calculus instructor at Harvard (where he earned his BA and MA in mathematics) and a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, and he is currently staff cartoonist for Muse magazine. He lives in San Francisco, California. Read more

Children's Play Areas (Southern Living)

Unravelled

About the Author M.K. Tod began writing in 2005 while living as an expat in Hong Kong. Her novel Unravelled was awarded Indie Editors Choice by the Historical Novel Society. In addition to writing historical novels, she blogs about reading and writing historical fiction, reviews books for the Historical Novel Society and the Washington Independent Review of Books , and has conducted three highly respected reader surveys. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and is the mother of two adult children. --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed

Memory (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures)

Amazon.com Review Miles turns 30, and--though he isn't slowing down just yet--he is starting to lose interest in the game of Wall: the one where he tries to climb the wall, fails, gets up, and tries again. Having finally reached a point in his life where he can look back and realize that he has managed to prove his courage and competence, he can move on to bigger and better things. Depending on how you count it, this is the eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh book in a series--not all are about Miles or even his extended family. A good place to start is with the first Vorkosigan story, Shards of Honor .


The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects

The Basque History of the World

Amazon.com Review The buzz about the Guggenheim Bilbao aside, the Basques seldom get good press--from the 12th-century Codex of Calixtus ("A Basque or Navarrese would do in a French man for a copper coin") to current news items about ETA, the Basque nationalist group. Mark Kurlansky , author of Cod , sets out to change all that in The Basque History of the World . "The singular remarkable fact about the Basques is that they still exist," Kurlansky asserts. Without a defined country (other than Euskadi, otherwise known as "Basqueland"), with no known related ethnic groups, the Basques are an anomaly in Europe. What unites the Basques, above all, is their language--Euskera. According to ETA, "Euskera is the quintessence of Euskadi. So long as Euskera is alive, Euskadi will live." To help provide a complete picture of the Basques, Kurlansky looks at their political, economic, social, and even culinary history, from the valiant Basque underground in World War II to medieval whalers to modern makers of the gâteau Basque . The most affecting chapter focuses on Guernica, a small market town bombed by German planes for over three hours on April 26, 1937, and uses interviews with survivors to illustrate the horror of the attack. Kurlansky is clearly enamored of the Basques, which leads him to see them in a uniformly positive light. That rosy outlook aside, The Basque History of the World is an excellent introduction to these romantic people. Are they the original Europeans? Kurlansky doesn't weigh in on the issue, preferring instead to honor the Basque request Garean gareana legez --let us be what we are. --Sunny Delaney From Publishers Weekly Straddling the border of southern France and northern Spain, the land of the Basques has long been home to a people who had no country of their own but have always viewed themselves as a nation. In this marvelous work of cultural history and appreciation, Kurlansky traces Basque history from pre-Roman times, when Basques worked as the mercenaries of Carthage, to the region's recent renaissance in language and arts. Along the way, he explains how the Basques came to be among Europe's first whalers, capitalists, explorers, industrialists and international traders. As he did in Cod, Kurlansky fuses political and economic history with delightful digressions into cultural and culinary traditions (several delicious recipes are included). The book is as politically loaded with opinion as it is culturally informative: Kurlansky expresses sympathy for the cause of Basque independence, arguing that many of Spain's current policies toward its Basque minority are holdovers from the repressive Franco regime. He also tends to accept the claim that the Basques "are the original Europeans," largely on the ground that Euskera, the Basque language, appears to have no linguistic relative and is likely the oldest European language still spoken. For all the ground it covers, this wildly informative work is a marvel of clarity, glittering with unusual facts and marked by penetrating insights into a people always "making complex choices about the degree of independence that was needed to preserve their way of life, while looking to the rest of the world for commercial opportunities to ensure their prosperity." 56 illustrations, 6 maps, 10 recipes. Agent, Charlotte Sheedy Agency. 5-city author tour. (Oct.) FYI: Cod received the James Beard Award for Excellence in Food Writing and was a New York Public Library Best Book of 1997. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal The author of Cod, one of last year's quirkiest and most enjoyable entries, returns with a slightly less meandering but equally entertaining history of the Basques. Kurlansky brings a novelist's storytelling talents, a journalist's eye for the salient fact, and an unapologetic admiration of his subject to an episodic narrative of Europe's oldest surviving culture. (LJ 10/1/99) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Kirkus Reviews A comprehensive view of all things Basque, from the author of Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997). The Basque History of the World is an honorable title, alerting readers to its singularly Basque-centric mix of cultural studies, history, and politics. The writing is direct and accessible, although limited by the occasional descriptive clich (jagged mountains and crisp fall days). Its most interesting when describing the periods when Basque history intersects with the history of the larger world. For example, in a section on the Spanish Civil War, Kurlansky utilizes quotes from survivors of the 1937 bombing of Guernica by Francos forces, the first large-scale use of air power against a civilian population, to create a sense of suspense, dread, and terror. The bravery of members of the Basque underground, who helped over 700 downed Allied fliers escape from Nazi-occupied territory to England during WWII, is also depicted through compelling first-person recollections. The last third of the book, covering the post-WWII period and the radicalization of a faction of the Basque independence movement, is most problematic. While Kurlansky adeptly explains the logic for Basque autonomy and presents the most radical wings justification for its historical use of terrorism, his analysis too often accepts the Basque view at face value and offers no independent perspective. Perhaps this is because Kurlansky is enamored of his subject, especially the Basque language, Euskera. Euskera warrants attention, as its a unique non-Indo-European language with no known linguistic relatives. Kurlansky knows the Basques well and includes many entertaining anecdotes, myths, and facts about them, all of which reflect a quaint Basque chauvinism. According to the author, the Basque are: probably the original Europeans, the first Europeans to cultivate tobacco, the first bankers in Spain, the most devout Catholics in the world, and among the inventors of beach resorts. In its entirety, this is an informative but ethnocentric history that readers should approach with their critical faculties intact. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Review ...entertaining and instructive.... he intersperses his political and military chronicle with lively anecdotes and digressions... -- The New York Times Book Review , Alan Riding By the time Mr. Kurlansky's lively, anecdotal, all-encompassing history of Basque ingenuity and achievement concludes, one is inclined to believe that all Spain would benefit if Basques were politely recruited to manage the country's finances and technology and otherwise left to do things their way on their home ground. -- The Atlantic Monthly, November 1999 About the Author Mark Kurlansky began his career as a foreign correspondent writing about the last years of Francoism in Spain, especially in the Basque provinces, and he has returned there annually for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World , which won the James Beard Award for Excellence in Food Writing, and also of A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny , and A Chosen Few: The Resurrection of European Jewry . He lives in New York City. Read more

Magic and Mystery in Tibet

Pursuing Liberty: America Through the Eyes of the Newly Free

Treasures of the Lost Knight

About the Author As an avid traveler and scuba diver, the author has extensively explored the Caribbean and Bahamas and has participated in search efforts with an exploration and salvage company for the last undiscovered galleon wreck of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet off the coast of Vero Beach, Florida. When not writing, he enjoys, diving, history, and family. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

The Immortal: True Accounts of the 250-Year-Old Man, Li Qingyun

About the Author Stuart Alve Olson, longtime protege of Master T.T. Liang (1900-2002), is a teacher, translator, and writer on Taoist philosophy, health, and internal arts. In 2006, he formed Valley Spirit Arts to present his books and DVDs, and is the head teacher at the Sanctuary of Tao in Phoenix, Arizona, where he focuses on translating various Taoist texts, conducting lectures, leading retreats, and teaching.

Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life (The Dr. Hyman Library, 11)

Review “ Young Forever will revolutionize how we approach aging. In this powerful new book, Dr. Hyman gives us all the tools to turn on longevity switches and age in reverse. But more importantly, he shows us how to live more youthfully, with purpose and connection — and that’s really the most important thing.”― Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk “ Young Forever is an impressive guidebook to health and longevity.”― David A. Sinclair, PhD, New York Times-bestselling author of Lifespan “Dr. Hyman is one of our leading Functional Medicine practitioners and teachers. In this vital new book, he integrates the latest science with his personal healing experience and decades of deep clinical insights, outlining a path towards growing older while staying young in body, mind, and spirit. An invigorating, illuminating, and innovative work that will enrich the lives of many.”― Gabor Maté, MD, author of The Myth of Normal “An empowering guide to reversing the hallmarks of aging. Young Forever shows us that we already possess the tools we need to maintain a high quality of life, no matter our chronological age.”― Sara Gottfried, MD, New York Times-bestselling author of The Hormone Cure “Anyone who believes that their biology is bound by time will be surprised by the groundbreaking science shared by Dr. Hyman in this beautifully-written book. Well-researched, easy to understand, and inspiringly practical, Young Forever will be a game-changer for anyone who reads it, and for the world at large.”― Dr. Uma Naidoo, author of This Is Your Brain on Food “ Young Forever is the ultimate guide to a long and thriving life. Dr. Hyman synthesizes his decades of clinical expertise with hoards of scientific literature to provide a clear, accessible, and holistic roadmap to a very optimistic future. Young Forever covers the full spectrum of longevity tools, from foundational nutritional principles, to cutting edge advances on topics like peptides, glucose biosensors, and whole body imaging. Reading this book will help you better understand your body. You can start today towards optimal function and a bright future.”― Casey Means, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Levels Health “Dr. Hyman expertly distills the new research on aging into clear, actionable steps for reversing our biological age that anyone can implement in their daily lives. A must read for everyone aspiring for a long, active life.”― Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google “Anyone pursuing a long life of health and happiness must read this book. Young Forever , by my friend Dr. Hyman, will change how you view aging. It will give you hope for living your best life for a very long time.”― Wim Hof, New York Times-bestselling author of The Wim Hof Method “ Young Forever is a new key addition to my collection of books on longevity. In this genuinely life-changing book, Dr. Hyman lays out the blueprint for living longer and healthier than many may have previously thought possible. A great read for all ages!”― Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging “Dr. Hyman has once again seized on a trend and written an excellent book. This time it's longevity. Young Forever offers easily digestible science, legitimate advice for living longer, and Mark’s consummately readable style.”― Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Blue Zones “Dr. Hyman has unlocked the key to defeating the illnesses of old age. Young Forever is full of well-researched secrets, practical habits, and lifestyle advice that will keep us feeling energetic and full of life as we age. Dr. Hyman is one of the most influential health experts I trust the most; he has taught me so much about how to take care of my body.”― Vani Hari, New York Times-bestselling author and founder of FoodBabe.com & Truvani “Now more than ever, it’s clear aging is modifiable. Dr. Hyman elegantly synthesizes recent scientific advances into actionable insights that can help us turn back the clock, improving our lives and those of our loved ones.”― David Furman, PhD, Associate Professor and Director, AI Platform, The Buck Institute for Research on Aging “If you want to apply the extraordinary recent discoveries as to how to prevent premature aging to your own life, there is no better book! This is a must-read for anyone who strives to create vibrant health throughout a century or more of living.”― Jeffrey Bland, PhD, founder of The Institute for Functional Medicine and president of Big Bold Health “ Young Forever implores you to contemplate the value of your years on earth and what you’d do with infinite health. Dr. Hyman presents a radical new approach to aging, extending your health, and more importantly, increasing the quality of your life. This book will teach you how to live better, for longer.”― Tony Robbins, global entrepreneur, investor, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, philanthropist, and life and business strategist “Dr. Hyman expertly unpacks mountains of longevity research—the most exciting frontier in medical science today—to deliver an accessible and practical guidebook for living your longest and healthiest life.”― Nathan Price, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Thorne HealthTech “There is a lot happening in the world of longevity science right now. What do we actually need to be thinking about, engaging in, or aware of? Dr. Hyman has created a comprehensive guide to understanding every facet of the aging journey, and most importantly, what we all need to do now to live our best, strongest, and healthiest lives, slowing the hands of time to a crawl, or even, perhaps, reversing them!”― Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, author of Younger You: Reduce Your Bio Age and Live Longer, Better “For too long healthcare has been reactive — providing care only after the wheels have fallen off the bus. Dr. Hyman, the quintessential pioneer of functional medicine, shows us in Young Forever that the key to great healthcare is being proactive — detecting the warning signs of impending illness and intervening with lifestyle changes (and medications) as early as possible. This, with Dr. Hyman's second piece of critical advice — fully believing your best days are still ahead of you — should get you to the most senior of years that you can truly enjoy!”― Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and New York Times-bestselling author of The Healing Self “In Young Forever , Dr. Hyman generously provides a thorough and fascinating explanation of how your cells age, then he lays out a powerful set of tools you can use to slow your aging and rejuvenate your body and soul. Only the legendary Dr. Mark Hyman could have written a book so broadly integrative and wise. This is a truly precious guide for vitality and healthy longevity!”― Elissa Epel, PhD, New York Times-bestselling author of The Telomere Effect “The science of aging says you can get even better as you get older! Dr. Mark Hyman’s Young Forever delivers this message as a clarion call to anyone who wants to combine quantity and quality of life as they age. With clear and cutting edge explanations about the biology of aging and an easy-to-follow program based on the principles of functional medicine, Dr. Hyman knocks it out of the park once again in this blockbuster book. It’s time to make room for more candles on your birthday cake if you want to feel young forever.”― William W Li, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Eat to Beat Disease and President and Medical Director of The Angiogenesis Foundation "Dr. Hyman is one of the international leaders in functional medicine, and in this excellent book, he combines his expertise, based on 30 years of clinical practice, with major recent discoveries in the longevity field to provide straightforward recommendations that will help readers live longer and healthier.”― Valter Longo, PhD, author of The Longevity Diet About the Author Mark Hyman, MD , is the founder and senior adviser for the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, board president for clinical affairs for the Institute for Functional Medicine, founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, and host of the leading health podcast The Doctor’s Farmacy . He is the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Pegan Diet ; Food Fix ; Food ; and Eat Fat, Get Thin .

Furiously Happy

Review Praise for Jenny Lawson: "We’re living in an era of bestselling books by female comedians… But Lawson’s book needs no lovable, familiar face on the front cover…She’s unapologetic, candid, outrageous, and the book reaches new levels of hilarity because of it." ― Entertainment Weekly (A)“Jenny made me laugh so hard I feared for my safety! I think that's how she was able to get past my defenses and make me feel more okay about myself.” ―Allie Brosh“You'll laugh, wince, writhe in discomfort, cry, then laugh again…But the two things you'll never do is doubt Jenny's brilliance or her fearlessness…She's changing the conversation one rented sloth at a time.” ―Brené Brown“Lawson's self-deprecating humor is not only gaspingly funny and wonderfully inappropriate; it allows her to speak...in a real and raw way.” ― O, The Oprah Magazine “Take one part David Sedaris and two parts Chelsea Handler and you'll have some inkling of the cockeyed humor of Jenny Lawson...[She] flaunts the sort of fearless comedic chops that will make you spurt Diet Coke through your nose.” ― Parade About the Author Jenny Lawson is an award-winning humorist known for her great candor in sharing her struggle with mental illness. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter and was constantly “buying too many books” (“Not a real thing,” she insists), so she decided to skip the middleman and just started her own bookshop, which also serves booze because books and booze are what magic is made of. She has previously written Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy , both of which were #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also wrote You Are Here , which inexplicably made it onto the New York Times bestseller list in spite of the fact that it was basically a very fun coloring book. She would like to be your friend unless you’re a real asshole. And yes, she realizes that this whole paragraph is precisely the reason she shouldn’t be allowed to write her own bio.

Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue

From School Library Journal Starred Review. Grade 6-9–This powerful and engaging historical novel is told in dialogue and through monologues. It also moves around in time, from the period when the story takes place to "interludes," in which the various characters look back on these events years later. It begins with a factual event–the largest slave auction in United States history that took place in 1859 on Pierce Butler's plantation in Georgia. The book introduces Butler, his abolitionist ex-wife Fanny Kemble, their two daughters, the auctioneer, and a number of slaves sold to pay off Butler's gambling debts. Emma, a fictional house slave, is the centerpiece of the novel. She cares for the master's daughters and has been promised that she will never be sold. On the last day of the auction, Butler impulsively sells her to a woman from Kentucky. There she marries, runs away, and eventually gains her freedom in Canada. Lester has done an admirable job of portraying the simmering anger and aching sadness that the slaves must have felt. Each character is well drawn and believable. Both blacks and whites liberally use the word "nigger," which will be jarring to modern-day students. The text itself is easy to read and flows nicely. Different typefaces distinguish the characters' monologues, their dialogues with one another, and their memories. Still, middle school readers may have some difficulty following the plot until they get used to the unusual format. Altogether this novel does a superb job of showing the inhumanity of slavery. It begs to be read aloud, and it could be used in sections to produce some stunning reader's theatre. –Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC From Booklist *Starred Review* Gr. 6-9. From his first book, To Be a Slave (1968), Lester has told the history of slavery through personal accounts that relay the dehumanizing message of the perpetrators. Here he draws on historical sources to fictionalize a real event: the biggest slave auction in American history, which took place in Savannah, Georgia, in 1859. He imagines the individual voices of many who were there, adults and kids, including several slaves up for sale, the auctioneer, and the white masters and their families buying and selling the valuable merchandise. The huge cast speaks in the present tense and sometimes from the future looking back. A note fills in the facts. The horror of the auction and its aftermath is unforgettable; individuals whom the reader has come to know are handled like animals, wrenched from family, friends, and love. Then there's a sales list with names, ages, and the amount taken in for each person. Brave runaways speak; so does an abolitionist who helps them. Those who are not heroic are here, too, and the racism is virulent (there's widespread use of the n -word). The personal voices make this a stirring text for group discussion. Older readers may want to go on from here to the nonfiction narratives in Growing Up in Slavery (see adjacent review). Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Endless Referrals, Third Edition

From the Publisher Bob Burg regularly speaks to public audiences, corporations and associations, including international Fortune 500 companies. From the Back Cover The definitive guide to turning casual contacts into solid sales opportunities In this fully revised edition, Bob Burg builds on his proven relationship-building principles to bring even more clients to your door and helps you attract only those who are interested in what you sell. He shows how to maximize your daily contacts, utilize your tools both online and off, leverage your relationships, and generate ongoing sales opportunities. "If you're serious about your sales career, whether you are selling a product, service, or yourself, master the contents of this book and you will practically guarantee your future success." --Tom Hopkins, author of How to Master the Art of Selling "Bob Burg has long been the authority on connecting with clients and building win-win relationships. Endless Referrals should be required reading for sales professionals and entrepreneurs everywhere." -- Gary Keller, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams Realty Intl. and author of The Millionaire Real Estate Investor "I've found that acquiring business is the toughest challenge for professional services providers. Thankfully, Bob Burg provides pragmatic and effective techniques to smash that challenge to bits, whether using mail, phone, email, or a polite tap on the shoulder." --Alan Weiss, Ph.D., author Million Dollar Consulting "Bob Burg opens the floodgates to Fort Knox with this book. I like the simple, easy to understand, practical way he outlines the exact way to find endless referrals. A treasure." --Dottie Walters, author of Speak & Grow Rich "A no-nonsense approach to building your business through relationships." --Jane Applegate, syndicated Los Angeles Times columnist About the Author Bob Burg regularly speaks to public audiences, corporations and associations, including international Fortune 500 companies. Read more

Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #6)

Review Everyone Digs Dog Man! * "Striking color, interactive pages, drawing tutorials, and a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments all work to keep readers’ attention on a tight leash." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "High-intensity, heartwarming, and, above all, hysterically funny." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Riotously funny and original." -- School Library Journal , starred review * "An utter, unfettered delight." -- Booklist , starred review * "Readers (of any age) will be giggling from start to finish." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review * "Action-oriented cartoons... Laffs aplenty." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review Everyone Digs Dog Man! * "High-intensity, heartwarming, and, above all, hysterically funny." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Riotously funny and original." -- School Library Journal , starred review * "An utter, unfettered delight." -- Booklist , starred review * "Readers (of any age) will be giggling from start to finish." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review * "Action-oriented cartoons... Laffs aplenty." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review About the Author When Dav Pilkey was a kid, he was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. Dav was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hallway every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories. He spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books—the very first adventures of Dog Man and Captain Underpants. In college, Dav met a teacher who encouraged him to illustrate and write. He won a national competition in 1986 and the prize was the publication of his first book, WORLD WAR WON. He made many other books before being awarded the 1998 California Young Reader Medal for DOG BREATH, which was published in 1994, and in 1997 he won the Caldecott Honor for THE PAPERBOY. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, published in 2002, was the first complete graphic novel spin-off from the Captain Underpants series and appeared at #6 on the USA Today bestseller list for all books, both adult and children’s, and was also a New York Times bestseller. It was followed by The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future and Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers, both USA Today bestsellers. The unconventional style of these graphic novels is intended to encourage uninhibited creativity in kids. His stories are semi-autobiographical and explore universal themes that celebrate friendship, tolerance, and the triumph of the good-hearted. Dav loves to kayak in the Pacific Northwest with his wife.

K is for Knifeball: An Alphabet of Terrible Advice

Review "The co-authors of the darkly funny animated stories "All my friends are dead" have done it again with this parody children's book, capturing the hilarious essence of their debut novels."  -Cool Hunting"The co-authors of the darkly funny animated stories "All my friends are dead" have done it again with this parody children's book, capturing the hilarious essence of their debut novels."  -Cool Hunting"The co-authors of the darkly funny animated stories "All my friends are dead" have done it again with this parody children's book, capturing the hilarious essence of their debut novels."  -Cool Hunting"...great fun for adults. The humorous illustrations, done in the style common in kids books, greatly add to the fun."  Geek Alerts"...great fun for adults. The humorous illustrations, done in the style common in kids books, greatly add to the fun."  Geek Alerts"...great fun for adults. The humorous illustrations, done in the style common in kids books, greatly add to the fun."  Geek Alerts About the Author Avery Monsen is a New York–based artist and writer. He is the co-author of All my friends are dead. and All my friends are still dead. Jory John is a California-based writer, editor, and cartoonist. He is the co-author of All my friends are dead. and All my friends are still dead.

Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #5)

Sad Animal Facts

About the Author Brooke Barker is a writer, illustrator and animal enthusiast living in Portland, Oregon. She has a dog who can never eat chocolate and three guppies who can't take naps because they don't have eyelids.

P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever

Review "Explore the many quirks and anomalies of English spelling and pronunciation in an A-to-Z tribute to some of the most unconventional words in the lexicon. Learn why Y is not for "why" and U is not for "you," but V is for "five" and C is for "czar." With this book full of puns, alliteration, playful artwork, and plenty of entertaining observations, children of all ages will enjoy celebrating the exceptions to the rules." ― Foreword Reviews, STARRED Review "A win for word nerd kids and pun-tastic dads everywhere." ― The Dad "The book spotlights words that have silent letters, or weird grammar rules, and invites you to ponder dangerous word traps and oddities. And you might learn something new along the way...While other lessons teach really important principles that, honestly, could change your life and maybe even help you find love." ― Funny or Die "A raucous trip through the odd corners of our alphabet." ― The New York Times " P Is for Pterodactyl " is a word lover's delight and an almost mandatory read-aloud... Amid all the humor, wordplay, and silliness, there's solid, brain-teasing information about words and how they're spelled. It a delight from start to finish, especially for word lovers and their offspring." ― Common Sense Media "This atypical alphabet book humorously addresses "mischievous words" that ignore the rules of phonetics and spelling... Each letter's sample is illustrated with cartoony, full-color drawings followed by a comically absurd sentence highlighting other examples. "G is for Gnocchi. / The gnome yells, ‘Waiter! There's a bright white gnat nibbling on my gnocchi!' ...the concept will help new readers and new English language learners conquer some of the more peculiar aspects of our language." ― Kirkus Reviews "Are you a logophile (someone who loves words)? If you are, this delightful picture book will be your new favorite alphabet book... In this book, ‘A is for Aisle’ and ‘H is for Heir.’ What? Below each letter and illustration is a sentence describing each word. "M is for Mnemonic. // But now Mr. M. can’t remember why." Isn’t this a delight for readers and writers of all ages? It’s my new favorite." ― Imagination Soup About the Author Raj Haldar is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book, P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever . But, for close to a decade, he has been better known as Lushlife, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. In that time, he's amassed a fervent global fanbase and released award-winning viral music videos that highlight his erudite lyrics. The Sunday New York Times describes his work as “an intoxicating mix of captivating rhymes with audacious, gorgeous production.” So it should come as no surprise that Haldar has made the leap into the world of children’s literature. His latest book entitled, This Book is Banned gives young readers a lighthearted entrypoint to begin understanding the dangers of book banning and censorship. His work has been featured by The Washington Post , Interview Magazine , VICE , Pitchfork , Village Voice , Mental Floss , BBC , SPIN and more! Raj currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife and two young daughters. Raj Haldar social media, music, books + more! Chris Carpenter is a software developer for a tech startup in New York. Maria Beddia is a freelance illustrator, muralist, and textile designer based in Philadelphia.

Soft Places

Mississippi Solo: A River Quest

Amazon.com Review At 30 years old, Eddy Harris leaves his home in St. Louis and sets off into the chilly autumn for Lake Itasca. "I decided to canoe down the Mississippi River and to find out what I was made of," he writes. And Mississippi Solo is his stunning testament. Harris, who has authored Native Stranger , South of Haunted Dreams , and Still Life in Harlem , has been widely acclaimed since the first release of Mississippi Solo in 1988. It is greatly pleasing to see this important and stimulating first work revived. As the Mississippi grows from its tiny source to a wide and powerful flow, Harris gains confidence as a canoeist, faith in his endeavor, and an understanding of his varying identity as an African American traveling alone from north to south in the United States. His exact and brilliantly revealing prose shows us how each bend in this mighty river turns itself within the paddler, how person and river are entwined--and who is in charge. With an astute ear for irony, philosophy, and wisdom, as well as truths about the river, Harris takes the reader through locks and lakes on the northern Mississippi to the wild and swift and meandering river south of St. Louis. Songs of joy, troughs of loneliness, terrific storms, birdsong, paranoia, friendly captains, wild dogs, and ghosts of slaves fill his pages. Then we face off with two hunters, two shotguns, and Harris's single pistol... and still the river leads him on to New Orleans. Like the river he travels, Harris cuts through to the core of himself and his country. Triumphant! --Byron Ricks Review “A wonderful book--and a highly original contribution to the literature of travel.” ― Paul Theroux" “In his mastery of language, glinting irony, poetic prose, and uncanny powers of observation, Eddy L. Harris is the equal of Paul Theroux and Bruce Chatwin.” ― Publishers Weekly About the Author Eddy L. Harris is the author of three critically acclaimed books, Native Stranger, South of Haunted Dreams , and Still Life in Harlem , a New York Times Book Review notable book of 1997.  A graduate of Stanford University, he teaches at Washington University in Missouri. Read more

A Garden of Beauty