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Huntington, West Virginia "On the Fly"
by Harvey PekarWith an appreciation by Anthony Bourdain HAVE ATTITUDE, WILL TRAVEL Harvey Pekar changed the face of comics when his American Splendor series replaced traditional slam-bang superhero action with slice-of-life tales of his own very ordinary existence in Cleveland, Ohio, as a file clerk, jazz-record collector, and philosophical curmudgeon. Much as Seinfeld famously transcended sitcom conventions by being &“a show about nothing,&” Pekar&’s deadpan chronicles of regular life—peppered with wry and caustic reflections—have transformed comics from escapist fantasy into social commentary with voice balloons. Huntington, West Virginia &“On the Fly&” is prime Pekar, recounting the irascible everyman&’s on-the-road encounters with a cross section of characters—a career criminal turned limo-driving entrepreneur, a toy merchant obsessed with restoring a vintage diner, comic-book archivists, indie filmmakers, and children of the sixties—all of whom have stories to tell. By turns funny, poignant, and insightful, these portraits à la Pekar showcase a one-of-a-kind master at work, channeling the stuff of average life into genuine American art.
Huracán: Mi Historia De Resiliencia (I, Witness #0)
by Salvador Gómez-ColónIn this Spanish-language edition of Hurricane, a young activist shares how he combated a public health emergency after Hurricane Maria. In 2017, less than three weeks after Salvador Gómez-Colón’s fifteenth birthday, Puerto Rico was struck by a historic Category 4 hurricane. Residents were completely caught in the dark; news about Hurricane Maria broke only two days before it made landfall. Salvador and his family fared better than most, but many in his community were left with destroyed homes and little access to basic resources. Unable to ignore this suffering, Salvador put his good fortune to good use, starting a fund-raising campaign that would bring solar-powered lamps and hand-powered washing machines to thousands of families in need. This Spanish-language edition of Salvador’s propulsive first-person narrative brings a compelling story of determination, compassion, and hope to a wider audience. “A harrowing tale of survival and an inspiring tale of altruism.”— School Library Journal, starred review “Compellingly written with an emphasis on compassion.”—Booklist, starred review
Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience, and Triumph
by Elvira K. GonzalezA Mexican-American teen girl dreams of winning an athletic scholarship against all odds in a Texas border town. This true story of survival, strength, and triumph is perfect for fans of Educated and Athlete A. Twenty-four hours: that's how long fourteen-year-old Elvira Gonzalez is given to come up with the $40,000 she needs to save her kidnapped mother from a drug cartel. It's 2006 and Elvira's hometown of Laredo, Texas, has become engulfed by the Mexican Drug War. Elvira's life is unraveling around her—setting her on a harrowing path that leads her to being locked up in one of South Texas's worst juvenile detention centers. After Elvira's released from juvie, she's resolved to never go back. That's when her unexpected salvation arrives in the form of 33-inch-high plastic hurdles. Determined to win a track scholarship out of Laredo, Elvira begins breaking into the school, alone, at 5:30 in the morning to practice hurdling. Soon, she catches the attention of a renowned high school coach, an adult man in his 30s. As they train, their coach-student relationship begins to change, becoming sexual. At just seventeen years old, Elvira experiences the dangers many young athletes face, especially those who are marginalized. In spite of these towering obstacles, Elvira eventually propels herself to become one of the top ranked hurdlers in the USA and the first in her family to go to college. This inspiring true story of grit, tenacity, and hope traces Elvira's path as she overcomes impossible hurdles in her race to freedom.
Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005–2017
by Peter Vacher&“Peter Vacher has revised and updated his classic account of the discovery and restoration of our Hawker Hurricane Mk I-R4118.&” —Hurricane Heritage Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher&’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history. In Hurricane R4118 Revisited, more stories of R4118&’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron&’s ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, while Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane. The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from veteran pilot Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.&“Photos and firsthand accounts trace the ongoing restoration and display of a legendary aircraft.&” —FineScale Modeler
Hurricane R4118: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration of a Great Battle of Britain Survivor
by Peter Vacher Bob FosterA fascinating account of the only airworthy Hawker Hurricane, &“now regarded as the most historic British aircraft to survive in flying condition from WW2&” (FLYER). In 1982 when he was traveling in India, Peter Vacher stumbled on the remains of a British plane—a Hurricane Mark I, a veteran of the Battle of Britain. It was in a dreadful state. Could he restore it? Would it fly again? Not until 14 years later did he decide to act and after six years of wrangling he got the icon home. Then the truly difficult process of restoration began—a worldwide search for parts, careful reconstruction, flight testing—-until in 2005 it flew again to the delight of thousands of enthusiasts. Along the way Peter reunited three auspicious veterans—Peter Thompson, Bunny Currant, and Bob Foster—with R4118, men who had flown her during the war. To this day, the aircraft&’s grace and splendor in flight is enjoyed by crowds across the UK.&“The amazing story of how this only surviving Hurricane from the Battle of Britain was discovered and lovingly restored.&” —The Mail on Sunday
Hurricane Squadron Ace: The Story of Battle of Britain Ace, Air Commodore Peter Brothers, CBE, DSO, DFC and Bar
by Nick Thomas“The story of one of the most heroic fighter aces of the Second World War . . . has been brought to life in this gripping new book.” —Lancashire Living MagazineAir Commodore Peter Malam “Pete” Brothers CBE, DSO, DFC, and Bar (1917-2008) was one of the most highly praised pilots of the Second World War. Decorated extensively, he secured a total of 16 “kills” over the course of the conflict, with 10 of these occurring during the Battle of Britain. Pivotal moments in his career include the time, in August 1940, when his flight encountered around a hundred enemy aircraft, including Messerschmitt 110s; he led the flight in attack against them, and soon found himself in a stalled position, out of which he spun, only to be confronted by a Dornier 215, which he shot down, before later destroying a Messerschmitt 109. Scores of these kind of risky maneuvers and winning victories punctuated a career defined by great courage, leadership and initiative in the face of fierce opposition. This new and engaging biography profiles a pilot who, until now, hasn’t been the subject of such a thorough book-length study. The story of his career is incredibly entertaining, featuring a number of hair-raising episodes, and is sure to appeal to fans of aviation history as well as the more general reader seeking out an action-packed biography offering fresh insights into one of the most pivotal conflicts of the twentieth century.“An engaging story of one of The Few . . . This is a book that entertains, inspires, moves, amuses, surprises—what more could any reader ask for.” —FIRE Project
Hurricane Street
by Ron Kovic"Hurricane Street...[is] another raw expose on the cost of war. The book, which he calls a prequel, drills deep into the 17-day drama of a 1974 sit-in and hunger strike staged by Kovic and a band of fellow wounded veterans who took the federal building on Wilshire Boulevard by storm...The book is an unflinching anti-war declaration, written in blood and the sweat of too many haunted nights by a Vietnam Marine Corps sergeant who later opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."--Los Angeles Times"The author of Born on the Fourth of July (1976) recounts the brief 1974 movement he initiated to change how Veterans Affairs hospitals cared for wounded soldiers...The great strength of this book is that the author never minces words. With devastating candor, he memorializes a short-lived but important movement and the men who made it happen. Sobering reflections on past treatment of America's injured war veterans."--Kirkus Reviews"[A] compelling snapshot of early 1980s activism....Without social media or cell phones to boost the signal, it was Kovic's flair for the dramatic and ability to marshal reporters that turned the protest into a battle victory....Kovic's updates on the fates of his fellow veterans provide a memorable and bittersweet conclusion."--Publishers Weekly"The author of the bestseller Born on the Fourth of July writes an impassioned and timely memoir about the 1974 American Veterans Movement that will strike a chord with veterans and their families today."--Publishers Weekly, Top 10 Pick for Spring 2016"Kovic, a Vietnam veteran paralyzed from the waist down and the author of the seminal war memoir Born on the Fourth of July (1976), looks back to the spring of 1974, when he led a two-week hunger strike in the Los Angeles office of U.S. Senator Alan Cranston . . . Kovic's personal tale is also a timely topical book as veterans' mental and physical health care remain woefully insufficient."--Booklist"Kovic has also penned a new book, Hurricane Street, that will be released on July 4th. The new book recounts how in 1974, the author and other injured veterans staged a sit-in and hunger strike to demand better treatment for vets."--Rolling Stone"Renowned antiwar activist Kovic, a Vietnam veteran, delivers a powerful memoir detailing his organization of the American Veterans Movement (AVM) during the mid-1970s . . . This chronicle will resonate with those interested in the all-too-human effects of war and the challenges faced by our wounded warriors."-- Library Journal"Forty years after the release of Born on the Fourth of July, the 1976 memoir that became the 1989 Academy Award-winning film starring Tom Cruise, author Ron Kovic gives us Hurricane Street, a memoir about his 1974 movement to change the way Veterans Affairs hospitals cared for wounded soldiers."--ParadeIn the spring of 1974, as the last American troops were being pulled out of Vietnam, Ron Kovic and a small group of other severely injured veterans in a California VA hospital launched the American Veterans Movement. In a phenomenal feat of political organizing, Kovic corralled his fellow AVM members into staging a sit-in, and then a hunger strike, in the Los Angeles office of Senator Alan Cranston, demanding better treatment of injured and disabled veterans.This was a short-lived and chaotic but ultimately successful movement to improve the deplorable conditions in VA hospitals across the country. Hurricane Street is their story--one that resonates deeply today--told
Hurricane over the Jungle: 120 Days Fighting the Japanese Onslaught in 1942
by Terence KellyThe author and WWII fighter pilot offers a firsthand look at an RAF squadron&’s harrowing fate in this candid combat memoir. Before he became a prolific author of history and fiction, Terence Kelly served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, flying Hawker Hurricanes in combat against the Japanese. Hurricanes Over the Jungle is Kelly&’s personal account of what happened to the twenty-two pilots of No. 258 Squadron, RAF, after leaving Scotland in late October 1941. One hundred and twenty days later, all those who had not been killed became prisoners of the Japanese. This heartbreaking story takes readers to the final defense of Singapore and then on to Sumatra and Java. In his vivid narrative, Kelly recaptures the atmosphere of squadron life, the bitter aerial engagements with the Japanese enemy, and the hostile jungle terrain over which they fought. For its honest depiction of front line combat, and its criticism of British and Allied failures that resulted in lost lives, Hurricane Over the Jungle offers an important perspective on the Pacific Theater of World War II.
Hurricane!
by Jonathan LondonA young boy describes the experiences of his family when a hurricane hits their home on the island of Puerto Rico.
Hurricane: My Story Of Resilience (I, Witness #2)
by Salvador Gómez-ColónLaunching a propulsive middle grade nonfiction series, a young man shares how he combated Puerto Rico’s public health emergency after Hurricane Maria. Suffering heavy damage in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rican communities lacked access to clean water and electricity. Salvador Gómez-Colón couldn’t ignore the basic needs of his homeland, and knew that nongovernmental organizations and larger foreign philanthropies could only do so much. With unstoppable energy and a deep knowledge of local culture, Salvador founded Light and Hope for Puerto Rico and raised more than $100,000 to purchase and distribute solar-powered lamps and hand-powered washing machines to households in need. With a voice that is both accessible and engaging, Salvador recalls living through the catastrophic storm and grappling with the destruction it left behind. Hurricane brings forward a captivating first-person account of strength, resilience, and determination, and heralds the start of a new series of compelling narrative nonfiction by young people, for young people.
Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter
by James S. HirschIn 1967, the black boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and a young acquaintance, John Artis, were wrongly convicted of triple murder by an all-white jury in Paterson, New Jersey. Over the next decade, Carter gradually amassed convincing evidence of his innocence and the vocal support of celebrities from Bob Dylan to Muhammad Ali. He was freed in 1976 pending a new trial, but he lost his appeal -- to the amazement of many -- and landed back in prison.Carter, bereft, shunned almost all human contact until he received a letter from Lesra Martin, a teenager raised in a Brooklyn ghetto. Against his bitter instincts, Carter agreed to meet with Martin, thus taking the first step on a tortuous path back to the world. Martin introduced him to an enigmatic group of Canadians who helped wage a successful battle to free him. As Carter orchestrated this effort from his cell, he also embarked on a singular intellectual journey, which led ultimately to a freedom more profound than any that could be granted by a legal authority.
Hurricanes: A Memoir
by Neil Martinez-Belkin Rick RossThe highly anticipated memoir from hip-hop icon Rick Ross chronicles his coming of age amid Miami’s crack epidemic, his star-studded controversies and his unstoppable rise to fame. <P><P>Rick Ross is an indomitable presence in the music industry, but few people know his full story. Now, for the first time, Ross offers a vivid, dramatic and unexpectedly candid account of his early childhood, his tumultuous adolescence and his dramatic ascendancy in the world of hip-hop. <P><P>Born William Leonard Roberts II, Ross grew up “across the bridge,” in a Miami at odds with the glitzy beaches, nightclubs and yachts of South Beach. In the aftermath of the 1980 race riots and the Mariel boatlift, Ross came of age at the height of the city’s crack epidemic, when home invasions and execution-style killings were commonplace. <P><P>Still, in the midst of the chaos and danger that surrounded him, Ross flourished, first as a standout high school football player and then as a dope boy in Carol City’s notorious Matchbox housing projects. All the while he honed his musical talent, overcoming setback after setback until a song called “Hustlin’” changed his life forever. <P><P>From the making of “Hustlin’” to his first major label deal with Def Jam, to the controversy surrounding his past as a correctional officer and the numerous health scares, arrests and feuds he had to transcend along the way, Hurricanes is a revealing portrait of one of the biggest stars in the rap game, and an intimate look at the birth of an artist. <P><P><b> A New York Times Bestseller </b>
Hurry Down Sunshine: A Memoir
by Michael GreenbergIn this extraordinary account of a loved one's madness and the effects it has on family, friends, caregivers and even fellow sufferers, Greenberg records his daughter Sally's journey as only a father can while still remaining completely honest with her and himself. <P><P>Even random comments by near-strangers become significant here, and as Sally struggles in an institution and again under outpatient care Greenberg makes it clear that as a family, community and society we share more madness than we dare to admit. His description of Sally's progress toward coherence through work in theater is especially moving. Annotation
Hurting Too Much: Shocking Stories from the Frontline of Child Protection
by Harry Keeble Kris HollingtonDetective Sergeant Harry Keeble's bestselling books, Baby X and Little Victim described his early years in Hackney's Child Protection Unit, as he battled to get to grips with cases of unimaginably horrific child abuse. In Broken Angels, a more experienced Harry relates a series of extraordinary cases he encountered with Ella, a young and newly qualified social worker. Together, Harry and Ella faced the violence of forced marriage, the horror of maternal incest and the cruelty of child slavery. Their investigations took them into a mosque, a drug den and a recording studio. Just as the unrelenting caseload threatened to push the inexperienced Ella over the edge, Harry uncovered one of the most shocking cases of child abuse he'd ever encountered, forcing the duo to tread new ground in the search for justice. Broken Angels reveals why working in Child Protection has never been so tough. It also shows why, despite the fact that so many courageous people are ready and willing to meet impossible challenges, we are still unable to reach all of the broken angels that so desperately need our help.
Hurtling Toward Happiness: A Mother and Teenage Son’s Road Trip from Blues to Bonding In a Really Small Car
by Claudia JohnsonThe Funny, Wise, Bighearted Story of a Bonding Road Trip—and the Healing Power of Human Connection When Claudia’s sixteen-year-old son, Ross, announces he’s quitting high school and leaving home a year early, she panics because they’re so disconnected she’s afraid she’ll lose him forever. Then a small miracle happens—they discover they have the same escape fantasy, to head west on I-10 to where she grew up, in Corpus Christi, Houston, and Kingsville, Texas. So, on a tight budget and with the expense clock ticking, they travel from Tallahassee to Texas and back, 2,400 miles in one week. But the distance they cover transcends the miles that they drive. Along the way Claudia recounts the sometimes hilarious, often harrowing, but ultimately courageous Texas family story that defined her childhood and is Ross's heritage—a story that centers on her own mother's path-breaking journey from a family history of dysfunction, alcoholism, and abuse to create a life for herself and a loving home for her children. As Claudia and Ross spend time together, sharing stories and laughter, she's able to see more clearly the young man her son has become, and he takes responsibility for his unhappiness and finds a solution. With prose that is nimble, vivid, and rich in humor, here is a spirited testament to the crucial bond between mothers and children.
Husbandry: Sex, Love, and Dirty Laundry--Inside the Minds of Married Men
by Stephen FriedIn his wickedly observant collection of essays, Fried turns his attention to the subject of marriage--his own and others. The result is a daring, provocative, often hilarious read that throws incisive light on mysteries that have long plagued womankind: the inner workings of the male mind.
Hush Little Babies: The True Story of a Mother Who Murdered Her Own Children (St. Martin's True Crime Library)
by Don DavisThe true crime story of the Texas mother who murdered her two young sons in 1996.Not since the Susan Smith case have two murders so shocked the nation . . . Hush Little Babies is the appalling true story of Darlie Routier, the neighborhood’s most wonderful mom, who, one night, coldly, calculatingly and brutally stabbed her two sons and watched them die in a pool of their own blood.Darlie claimed an intruder had come through the window, fatally stabbed her sons, six-year-old Devon and five-year-old Damon, slashed her throat with the same knife, then fled, while her husband and infant sons slept upstairs. At first Darlie’s heartfelt testimony evoked fear and sympathy in her safe Dallas community. Then police became suspicious after these troubling questions were raised:· Why, according to a police report, didn’t Darlie make any attempt to help her dying sons?· Why, when she called 911, did she tell the dispatcher that her own fingerprints would be on the murderer’s knife because she had picked it up?· Why did the trail of blood left behind contradict Darlie’s testimony?From the dark forces that drove her to kill her own flesh and blood, to the evidence that snared her in her own twisted web, here is a chilling account of homemaker, loving wife, mother of three, and cold-blooded killer—Darlie Routier.
Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
by Eva-Maria Maggi Arnold "Smoke" ElserThis inspirational memoir chronicles the six-decade quest of packer and outfitter Arnold &“Smoke&” Elser to protect wild lands by bringing thousands of people deep into the mountains of Montana on horseback. With limited financial means and while still in college, the young man from Ohio decided against a promising career in forestry and chose instead to share his love of wilderness with city dwellers by working as a professional outfitter. Based on hundreds of hours of interviews, Hush of the Land tells the captivating story of Elser&’s early days as a packer in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Bitterroot Mountains. Share the joys and thrills of summer rides, harrowing grizzly bear encounters, fishing in clear mountain streams, and many nights around a campfire within some of the West&’s last wild lands. In this lively narrative, Elser recounts how his testimony for the Wilderness Act, and the fight to preserve and expand Montana&’s wilderness lands, influenced his career as an outfitter and educator and gave him a voice at the center of Montana&’s conservation movement.
Hussars, Horses and History: The Military Memoirs of Major-General John Strawson
by John StrawsonJohn Strawson describes joining the 4th Hussars in the Middle East in 1942 and serving with them until amalgamation with the 9th Hussars in 1958 as The Queens Royal Irish Hussars. He commanded the Regiment during the Borneo campaign and was Colonel from 1975 to 1985. His account of war in Italy and of operations in Malaya and Borneo are of special interest.This light-hearted memoir reveals devotion to his family, friends, Regiment and to horses. His adventures with horses and hounds, whipping-in to the legendary Loopy Kennard, and during his time as Master of the Staff College Draghounds are particularly diverting. Addiction to reading and writing led to authorship of twelve military history books.Military appointments included command of a brigade, two years at SHAPE and finally Chief of Staff, UK Land Forces. He then describes working as Westland Aircrafts Military Adviser, mainly in the Middle East and gives a vivid account of life in Cairo in the latter 1970s.In sum General Strawson shows how enjoyable, how varied, sometimes how demanding a soldiers life can be, above all how rewarding, made so by the priceless quality of the regimental system and the comrades with whom he served.
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
by Curtis "50 Cent" JacksonFor the first time, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson opens up about his amazing comeback—from tragic personal loss to thriving businessman and cable’s highest-paid executive—in this unique self-help guide, his first since his blockbuster New York Times bestseller The 50th Law.In his early twenties Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent rose to the heights of fame and power in the cutthroat music business. A decade ago the multi-platinum selling rap artist decided to pivot. His ability to adapt to change was demonstrated when he became the executive producer and star of Power, a high-octane, gripping crime drama centered around a drug kingpin’s family. The series quickly became “appointment” television, leading to Jackson inking a four-year, $150 million contract with the Starz network—the most lucrative deal in premium cable history.Now, in his most personal book, Jackson shakes up the self-help category with his unique, cutting-edge lessons and hard-earned advice on embracing change. Where The 50th Law tells readers “fear nothing and you shall succeed,” Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter builds on this message, combining it with Jackson’s street smarts and hard-learned corporate savvy to help readers successfully achieve their own comeback—and to learn to flow with the changes that disrupt their own lives.
Hustling Hinkler: The Short Tumultuous Life of a Trailblazing Australian Aviator
by D. R. DymockHustling Hinkler is mandatory reading for anyone who loves flight . . . a gripping story of an intrepid country boy who followed his dreams.' (Richard de Crespigny, author of multi-award winning QF32)Part adventure, part mystery and part tragedy, Hustling Hinkler is the unforgettable true story of aviator Bert Hinkler's astonishing life.Herbert John Louis Hinkler was a working-class lad, born in Bundaberg, Queensland, in 1892. From his earliest years, Bert was captivated by stories of flight and, inspired by the Wright brothers, build his first plane while still a teenager. Determined to make a life of adventure, he became a mechanic for a barnstorming pilot before making his way to England. At the outbreak of World War I he joined up, becoming a decorated air gunner before achieving his pilot's wings in the RAF. Ambition finally aligned with skill, and he became famous for his death-defying aviation triumphs. In 1928 he thrilled the world with his first solo flight from England to Australia, and another across the South Atlantic in 1931.Yet behind this publicly feted hero was a complex man who struggled to find his place in the world when not in the sky. He desperately clung to his dreams, despite the odds against him. Tragically, Bert's pioneering attempts came to an abrupt end on 7 January 1933, while attempting another solo flight from England to Australia.D. R. Dymock's insightful biography reveals the many intriguing facets of this outstanding aviator, the circumstances that led to that final, fatal flight, and the three women he left behind. Hustling Hinkler is the riveting true story of a trailblazing Australian.
Hustling Hitler: The Jewish Vaudevillian Who Fooled the Führer
by Walter ShapiroFrom acclaimed journalist Walter Shapiro, the true life story of how his great-uncle--a Jewish vaudeville impresario and exuberant con man--managed to cheat Hitler's agents in the run-up to WWII. All his life, journalist Walter Shapiro assumed that the outlandish stories about his great-uncle Freeman were exaggerated family lore; some cockamamie Jewish revenge fantasies dreamt up to entertain the kids and venerate their larger-than-life relative. Only when he started researching Freeman Bernstein's life did he realize that his family was actually holding back--the man had enough stories, vocations, and IOUs to fill a dozen lifetimes. Freeman was many people: a vaudeville manager, boxing promoter, stock swindler, card shark and self-proclaimed "Jade King of China." But his greatest title, perhaps the only man who can claim such infamy, was as The Man Who Hustled Hitler. A cross between The Night They Raided Minsky's and Guys and Dolls, Freeman Bernstein's life was itself an old New York sideshow extravaganza, one that Shapiro expertly stages in Hustling Hitler. From a ragtag childhood in Troy, New York, Shapiro follows his great-uncle's ever-crooked trajectory through show business, from his early schemes on the burlesque circuit to marrying his star performer, May Ward, and producing silent films--released only in Philadelphia. Of course, all of Freeman's cons and schemes were simply a prelude to February 18, 1937, the day he was arrested by the LAPD outside of Mae West's apartment in Hollywood. The charge? Grand larceny--for cheating Adolf Hitler and the Nazi government. In the capstone of his slippery career, Freeman had promised to ship thirty-five tons of embargoed Canadian nickel to the Führer; when the cargo arrived, the Germans found only huge, useless quantities of scrap metal and tin. It was a blow to their economy and war preparations--and Hitler did not take the bait-and-switch lightly. Told with cinematic verve and hilarious perspective, Hustling Hitler is Shapiro's incredible investigation into the man behind the myth. By reconstructing his great-uncle's remarkable career, Shapiro has transformed Freeman Bernstein from a barely there footnote in history to the larger-than-life, eternal hustler who forever changed it.From the Hardcover edition.
Huxley: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)
by Kieron O'HaraAuthor of Brave New World and The Doors of Perception, and inventor of the term 'psychedelic', Aldous Huxley was a global trend-setter ahead of his time. In this new biography Kieron O'Hara explores the life of this great visionary, charting his transformation from society satirist to Californian guru-mystic through an insightful analysis of his life's work. Combining thoughtful biography, expansive reading notes, and an exploration of Huxley's continuing legacy, Huxley: A Beginner's Guide is the definitive introduction to one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers. Dr Kieron O'Hara is a Senior Researcher at Southampton University, England.
Hybris (Camilo Aldao, La puerta del viento, Sindicalia)
by Alberto LaisecaEl poder, la violencia, el anticomunismo, la orfandad, la búsqueda desesperada del amor, la traición, el esoterismo: las obsesiones de este autor único en dos novelas inéditas -Camilo Aldao y Sindicalia, última y primera que escribió- y La puerta del viento, libro que tardó años en escribir y resume su fascinación por la guerra de Vietnam. «Si Sindicalia es su primera novela y La puerta del viento la novela que le debía a su juventud, Camilo Aldao es el esfuerzo supremo por no entregar el Territorio Lai a las tropas de la muerte. Y las tres novelas reunidas son la hybris de Laiseca: su desmesura. Como dice en La puerta del viento: "Solo cumplíamos las órdenes del exceso». Selva Almada Infidelidad, traición, sexo, masoquismo, libros, guerra, violencia, anticomunismo, fascismo, soledad, desamor. En clave esotérica y delirante, detonan la clásica división binaria: aquí realidad/allí ficción; ¿cuerdo o loco de atar?, la escritura o la vida... Intacta, su demasía encuentra en este volumen con inéditos una de las tantas formas posibles. Discípulos del mítico taller del Maestro, Selva Almada y Sebastián Pandolfelli rescataron -entre un desquicio de papeles, anotaciones sueltas y un proverbial anecdotario- no solo estos originales. También el ánimo para reinterpretar ese fenómeno astrológico y paranormal llamado Alberto Laiseca, que altera todavía hoy los aparejos críticos y amenaza esa ilusión llamada Literatura argentina.
Hydra and the Bananas of Leonard Cohen
by Roger GreenEnglish poet Roger Green left the safety of God, country, and whiskey to immerse himself in an austere and sober life on the Greek Island of Hydra.<P><P> But when Green discovered that his terrace overlooked the garden of sixties balladeer Leonard Cohen, he became obsessed with Cohen's songs, wives, and banana tree. Hydra starts with a poem the author wrote and recited for his fifty-seventh birthday (borrowing the meter of Cohen's "Suzanne," and ripe with references to the song), with Cohen's ex-partner Suzanne, who may or may not be the subject of Cohen's song, in the audience. By turns playful and philosophic, Green's unconventional memoir tells the story of his journey down the rabbit hole of obsession, as he confronts the meaning of poetry, history, and his own life. Beginning as a poetic meditation upon Leonard Cohen's bananas, Green's bardic pilgrimage takes the reader on various twists and turns until, at last, the poet accepts the joy of accepting his fate.