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Prairie Spring: A Journey Into the Heart of a Season
by Pete DunneA grasslands nature trek that &“weaves together spiritual insight, plant biology, geology lessons and American history—and a plethora of bird sightings&” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). A nature writer and avid birder offers a portrait of a season in the heartland of North America as he and his wife travel through the country and share stories of all that they encounter: people putting their lives back in place after a tornado, volunteers giving their time to conservation efforts, and the drive of all species to move their genes to the next generation, which manifests itself so abundantly in spring. &“Their journey begins in New Jersey and continues to Nebraska, their arrival timed to witness the annual migration of half a million northbound sandhill cranes. Next come Colorado and a primer on how homesteading sodbusters transformed an ocean of vibrant prairie grasses into a devastating dustbowl; New Mexico and the Sixth Annual High Plains Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival; back through Colorado and the Pawnee National Grasslands for a glimpse of the threatened prairie dog, once (along with bison) among the environmental engineers of the 19th century Western plains; and into South Dakota, home to between 800 and 1,400 free-ranging bison. Dunne&’s melodic prose and rhapsodic connection with the natural world brilliantly entice an estranged audience to explore a . . . now alien environment.&” —Publishers Weekly, starred review &“Although a theme of humanity&’s effects on the prairie runs as an undercurrent throughout the narrative, it never overwhelms the sense of awe and wonder at the natural beauty of the grasslands and their inhabitants.&” —Booklist
Prairie du Chien
by Mary Elise AntioneJust above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers lies a 9-mile prairie whose beauty and location have long drawn people to its expanse. At this traditional gathering place of Native Americans, French explorers and fur traders stored trade goods and celebrated on the prairie, in time building homes at la Prairie des Chiens. American soldiers constructed a fort here, at the entrance to the upper Mississippi Valley, to secure the region for settlement. Wave upon wave of people arrived in Prairie du Chien by steamboat and railroad, and by 1900, a bustling city had spread across the plain. But the French heritage and majestic beauty of the river endured. After World War I, tourists came to drift along the banks of the Mississippi, climb the steep bluffs surrounding the prairie, and sample the Friday night fish fries. Wisconsin's second-oldest community, Prairie du Chien retains the attraction that drew the first explorers to its shores.
PrairyErth: A Deep Map
by William Least Heat-Moon(from flaps) PrairyErth is a vigorous and exalted evocation of the American land, its people, its past, its hopes. The very word "prairyerth," an old geologic term for the soils of our central grasslands, captures the essence of the American tall- grass country. Only a writer of William Least Heat-Moon's gifts could find in a single Kansas county the narrative of an epic, the nonfiction equivalent of the great American novel. Robert Penn Warren pronounced Heat-Moon's Blue Highways "a masterpiece ... a magnificent and unique tour." That best-selling book described a 13,000-mile, 38-state automobile journey into America. Now Heat-Moon has pulled to the side of the road and set off on foot. Instead of traveling endless miles, he takes us on an exploration of time and space, landscape and history, in one fragment of the Great Plains. Most American readers know three things about Kansas: it is flat, it has something to do with The Wizard of Oz, and the events of In Cold Blood took place there. Three illusions: the first is a lie, the second a fairy tale, the third a nightmare. Chase County is, however, a sparsely populated tract in the Flint Hills of central Kansas, "the last remaining grand expanse of tallgrass prairie in America," and PrairyErth lovingly details its 744 square miles and 3,000 souls till it looms as large as the universe while remaining as intimate as a village. PrairyErth is rich with Chase County's voices past and present, and is filled with anecdotes, gossip from its bars and cafes, Native American lore, and rueful tales of man's inhumanity to man and nature and of nature's indifference to humanity. Heat-Moon recounts the story of a farm couple swept aloft "by a tornado; reveals an Indian recipe to avert lightning; unearths a century-old unsolved murder; interviews a retired postmistress, a cowboy, a quarryman, a coyote hunter, a young feminist rancher. PrairyErth sets the story of a nineteenth- century tycoon, who dreamed of building a rail line to China through the county, against the memories of a retired Mexican railroad worker who can still recall every tie he spiked for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe. It speaks of the passion of the slavery wars of Bleeding Kansas and the sad fate of the Kaw tribe, and gives us a hundred new ways to see stones, creeks, grasses, birds, beasts, and weather. Each of the book's vivid and evocative chapters is totally unexpected, yet "unexpected Kansas must be sought in its remoteness, a place you find only with effort." The millions who have read Blue Highway,), and those who have yet to encounter the genius of William Least Heat-Moon's writing, will find that he is one of those rare modern writers who can change forever the way we see ourselves and our country.
PrairyErth: A Deep Map
by William Least Heat-MoonThis New York Times bestseller by the author of Blue Highways is &“a majestic survey of land and time and people in a single county of the Kansas plains&” (Hungry Mind Review). William Least Heat-Moon travels by car and on foot into the core of our continent, focusing on the landscape and history of Chase County—a sparsely populated tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills of central Kansas—exploring its land, plants, animals, and people until this small place feels as large as the universe. Called a &“modern-day Walden&” by the Chicago Sun-Times, PrairyErth is a journey through a place, through time, and into the human mind from the acclaimed author of Here, There, Elsewhere: Stories from the Road. &“A sense of the American grain that will give [PrairyErth] a permanent place in the literature of our country.&” —Paul Theroux, The New York Times
Prajna: Ayurvedic Rituals For Happiness
by Mira Manek'Each page solidifies my commitment to living a life of ritual, observance and beauty' Kathryn Budig'Mira's book is a timely reminder to love yourself - to give yourself that much needed moment to stop and breathe' Asma KhanBeautifully simple age-old rituals for modern-day living that will enhance your wellbeing and bring you happiness.Prajna is the Sanskrit word for wisdom, and this book brings the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda into your life by guiding you through simple practices for every day and every occasion.Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest healing systems, rooted in the principle of a mind-body-spirit connection that is more relevant than ever to our busy modern lives. This book extracts the essence of this Indian philosophy and provides a wealth of timeless rituals to effect positive change.Prajna offers rituals and routines for the entire day, from the moment you wake up and need the energy and positive mindset to help you start the morning, to night-time practices that allow you to wind down, relax and get the most benefit from the healing power of sleep. In between there are numerous breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, yoga stretches and simple recipes to enjoy, all to help you destress and reset, bringing you back to yourself and to lasting peace and happiness.
Prajna: Ayurvedic Rituals For Happiness
by Mira ManekBeautifully simple age-old rituals for modern-day living that will enhance your wellbeing, and give you back your zest for life. Prajña is the Sanskrit word for wisdom. Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest healing systems, rooted in the principle of a mind-body-spirit connection. Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words 'ayur' and 'veda', respectively 'life' and 'knowledge', meaning 'knowledge of life'.This book dips into this ancient knowledge base, extracts the essence of this Indian philosophy and revives a wealth of timeless rituals to effect positive change in our lives.In India, from the prayers and chanting of mantras to daily yoga and breathing exercises, these rituals are an intrinsic part of everyday existence.The book offers rituals and routines for the entire day, from the moment you wake up and need the energy and positive mindset to help you start the morning, to night-time practices that allow you to wind down, relax and get the most benefit from the healing power of sleep. In between there are numerous breathing exercises, meditations, mindfulness techniques, yoga stretches, simple recipes to enjoy and other rituals to observe throughout the day. All are based on ancient Indian Ayurvedic wisdom and practices, tried and tested over the centuries.(P) 2019 Heading Publishing Group Ltd
Prajna: Ayurvedic Rituals For Happiness
by Mīra Manek'Each page solidifies my commitment to living a life of ritual, observance and beauty' Kathryn Budig'Mira's book is a timely reminder to love yourself - to give yourself that much needed moment to stop and breathe' Asma KhanBeautifully simple age-old rituals for modern-day living that will enhance your wellbeing and bring you happiness.Prajna is the Sanskrit word for wisdom, and this book brings the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda into your life by guiding you through simple practices for every day and every occasion.Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest healing systems, rooted in the principle of a mind-body-spirit connection that is more relevant than ever to our busy modern lives. This book extracts the essence of this Indian philosophy and provides a wealth of timeless rituals to effect positive change.Prajna offers rituals and routines for the entire day, from the moment you wake up and need the energy and positive mindset to help you start the morning, to night-time practices that allow you to wind down, relax and get the most benefit from the healing power of sleep. In between there are numerous breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, yoga stretches and simple recipes to enjoy, all to help you destress and reset, bringing you back to yourself and to lasting peace and happiness.
Prallsville Mills and Stockton
by Keith StrunkThe Delaware River Valley has attracted industrial and political visionaries, thinkers, and artists for more than 300 years. In its taverns, political discourse fanned the flames of revolution, and its beauty has inspired artists, actors, and writers from Edward Hicks to Richard Rodgers to Dorothy Parker. In 1794, John Prall Jr. acquired a property nestled next to the river that included a corn or gristmill and a sawmill. The mills became the heart of Prallsville, a village industrial complex that would continue to function into the early 20th century. Early economic and community needs closely linked Prallsville to neighboring Brookville and Stockton, and in 1898, they incorporated to become Stockton. The vintage images in Prallsville Mills and Stockton provide a glimpse of the tenacious and generous people that survived floods, fires, and industrial mishaps to prosper in their home along the banks of the Delaware.
Predators I Have Known
by Alan Dean FosterAn adrenaline-fueled travel memoir of life in the wild among the planet&’s most ferocious and fascinating predators.Over the last forty years, New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster has journeyed around the globe to encounter nature&’s most fearsome creatures. His travels have taken him into the heart of the Amazon rain forest on the trail of deadly tangarana ants, on an elephant ride across the sweeping green plains of central India in search of the elusive Bengal tiger, and into the waters of the Australian coast to come face-to-face with great white sharks. Packed with pulse-pounding adventure and spiked with rapier wit, Predators I Have Known is a thrilling look at life and death in the wild.
Premodern Travel in World History (Themes in World History)
by Peter Stearns Stephen GoschThis book features some of the greatest travellers in human history – people who undertook long journeys to places they knew little or nothing about. From Roman tourists, to the establishment of the Silk Road; an epic trek round China and India in the seventh century, to Marco Polo and through to the first speculations on space travel, Premodern Travel in World History provides an overview of long-distance travel in Afro-Eurasia from around 400BCE to 1500. This survey uses succinct accounts of the most epic journeys in the premodern world as lenses through which to examine the development of early travel, trade and cultural interchange between China, central Asia, India and southeast Asia, while also discussing themes such as the growth of empires and the spread of world religions. Complete with maps, this concise and interesting study analyzes how travel pushed and shaped the boundaries of political, geographical and cultural frontiers.
Preparing for Your Move Abroad
by Rona HartThis comprehensive, step-by-step guide is designed to prepare you for your move abroad and to enable you to manage the transition effectively. Alone in the market, it combines the practical, cultural, and psychological aspects of relocation, and helps to allay the fears and reduce the stresses that accompany this major event in a person’s life. Preparing For Your Move Abroadfollows a typical relocation timeline, taking you from your first step – the decision to move – to your integration into the host society, and through every step between these two points. Uniquely it offers: * A strong knowledge base for every stage of the relocation journey * A strategy to manage the issues at hand * Psychological preparation * An action plan, presented through exercises, practical steps to consider, checklists, and many easy-to-use tools It deals with the challenge of change by pulling together the practical, cultural, and psychological aspects of relocation and addressing them at each phase of the process. This distinctive approach helps you to develop three essential skills: systematic organization, cultural flexibility, and psychological resilience. These skills are crucial for successful change management, and can be put to use in any new culture, anywhere in the world. Moving to a new society invariably induces a degree of culture shock – largely the result of “change overload. ”Preparing For Your Move Abroadpresents a tried and tested strategy to help you manage the experience and quickly recover. No other book addresses this phenomenon, or attempts to help readers develop the skills to cope with it. The book aims to turn the challenges of relocation into opportunities for growth. By equipping you with essential knowledge, tools, and skills, it will help you to anticipate what lies ahead, address the challenges presented by your move with clarity and confidence, and make your transition successful, stress-free, and much more enjoyable.
Prescott’s Original Whiskey Row
by Bradley G. CourtneySome of the oldest, most notorious saloons in the American West lined the streets of Prescott's Whiskey Row. Dating back to 1864, the remote mountain town thrived on its mining and cattle industries during the day and raised hell at night when dusty outlaws and pioneers like Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday crowded Row saloons to quench their thirsts. Whiskey Row bore witness to legendary gunfights, murders and other curious tales, like that of Baby Bell, aka Chance Cobweb Hall, known today as Arizona's most famous saloon story. From crooked gambling operations and barroom brawls to the devastating fire of 1900, author and historian Bradley G. Courtney explores the colorful stories of Whiskey Row.
Preservation, Tourism and Nationalism: The Jewel of the German Past (Heritage, Culture and Identity)
by Joshua HagenSince its discovery by German romantics and nationalists, Rothenburg has been an established icon of the German nation and its medieval past. By tracing Rothenburg's historical development as a place of national importance, this book examines the cultural politics of historical preservation and tourism in general. In exploring the shifting practice and importance of tourism in Rothenburg and how this relates to broader debates about German culture and identity, Preservation, Tourism and Nationalism offers an important and original perspective on the changing dynamics of romanticized historical landscapes and how events are used to further national, cultural and political agendas. It also analyses the changing practices of historical preservation, and in particular, how historic preservation in Rothenburg reflects a desire to make it more historic and more German. With important insights into what it means to be German, how Germans relate to the past and how the answers to these questions have changed over time, this richly illustrated and detailed volume offers an important narrative of the rise, evolution and contestation of memory in German culture.
Preserving Petersburg: History, Memory, Nostalgia
by Helena Goscilo and Stephen M. Norris“Goscilo and Norris’ innovative anthology provides Slavic scholars with a panoramic view of the city’s literary, pictorial and social manifestations.” —Europe-Asia StudiesFor more than three centuries, St. Petersburg, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as Russia’s westward-oriented capital and as a visually stunning showcase of Russia’s imperial ambitions, has been the country’s most mythologized city. Like a museum piece, it has functioned as a site for preservation, a literal and imaginative place where Russians can commune with idealized pasts. Preserving Petersburg represents a significant departure from traditional representations. By moving beyond the “Petersburg text” created by canonized writers and artists, the contributors to this engrossing volume trace the ways in which St. Petersburg has become a “museum piece,” embodying history, nostalgia, and recourse to memories of the past. The essays in this attractively illustrated volume trace a process of preservation that stretches back nearly three centuries, as manifest in the works of noted historians, poets, novelists, artists, architects, filmmakers, and dramatists.“The collection truly sparkles as the contributors each in turn take up this snuff box of a city . . . and breathe movement and life into the idealized Petersburg museum.” —Gregory Stroud, Bennington College“This collection brings together history, literature, architecture, and the politics of memory.” —Choice“An interesting and important contribution to existing scholarship on St. Petersburg’s myth, cult, and text . . . this volume is distinctive.” —Catharine Theimer Nepomnyashchy, Columbia University“A truly innovative contribution to the scholarship on Petersburg . . . The volume should be read by all serious Slavic scholars.” —Emily Johnson, University of Oklahoma
Preserving the Legacy: Creating The National WWII Museum
by Gordon H. MuellerPreserving the Legacy offers a comprehensive and compelling look at the founding and first two decades of The National WWII Museum, now one of the largest and most immersive military museums in the United States. Before its inception, friends and historians Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller and Stephen E. Ambrose recognized the need for an institution dedicated to preserving the oral histories of WWII veterans and the history of World War II more generally. Their efforts resulted in the opening of the D-Day Museum on June 6, 2000.With funding from the federal government, the state of Louisiana, and numerous individuals—including actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg—the Museum rapidly expanded. Following Ambrose’s death in 2002, the U.S. Congress designated the institution as “America’s National World War II Museum.” Today it consists of seven separate pavilions that span the entirety of the war and boasts several multifaceted educational programs, many of which are held in the Museum’s Higgins Hotel and Conference Center. Its twenty-five-year history is one of remarkable success.Preserving the Legacy begins with a foreword by famed journalist and longtime champion of the Museum Tom Brokaw. Nick Mueller then narrates the growth of the Museum, detailing its leadership and the various intellectual challenges involved in accurately portraying the scale of wartime sacrifice and loss. He traces the development, deliberations, and decisions of the many boards and committees that helped transform the embryonic institution into a sprawling museum complex in the heart of New Orleans. Far surpassing the modest intentions of its founders, The National WWII Museum not only provides today’s visitors with authentic historical context but also will serve as a valuable educational resource for generations to come.
Presidential Retreats
by Peter HannafordWhere do you go to relax when you're the leader of the free world? Even the president needs to get away from it all sometimes. From George Washington to Barack Obama, each of our presidents has sought solace from the tightly structured daily routines of the White House. As Ronald Reagan once said of his California ranch, "I do some of my best thinking there." Peter Hannaford takes readers on a fascinating armchair vacation with each of our leaders, offering unique historical context for the why and the where of their chosen retreats. Which president asked visiting foreign dignitaries to send him seeds to plant at his family home? Who called his vacation property "Sherwood Forest" because it was "a good place for an outlaw"? Which adventure-loving Commander-in- Chief set up a Summer White House in New York every year? Who liked to cruise aboard the presidential yacht when faced with momentous wartime decisions? Who polled the American people to help him decide where to vacation? Presidential Retreats explores a side of the American presidency that we don't often see--the downtime--as it offers an intriguing glimpse at the evolution of leisure time in this country.
Presidential Retreats: Where the Presidents Went and Why They Went There
by Peter HannafordA fascinating history of U.S. presidential vacation spots--collected for the first time in one guide that covers everything from Mount Vernon to Kennebunkport to Camp David.Where do you go to relax when you're the leader of the free world? Even the president needs to get away from it all sometimes. From George Washington to Barack Obama, each of our presidents has sought solace from the tightly structured daily routines of the White House. As Ronald Reagan once said of his California ranch, "I do some of my best thinking there." Peter Hannaford takes readers on a fascinating armchair vacation with each of our leaders, offering unique historical context for the why and the where of their chosen retreats. Which president asked visiting foreign dignitaries to send him seeds to plant at his family home? Who called his vacation property "Sherwood Forest" because it was "a good place for an outlaw"? Which adventure-loving Commander-in- Chief set up a Summer White House in New York every year? Who liked to cruise aboard the presidential yacht when faced with momentous wartime decisions? Who polled the American people to help him decide where to vacation? Presidential Retreats explores a side of the American presidency that we don't often see--the downtime--as it offers an intriguing glimpse at the evolution of leisure time in this country.
Presidential Vacations in Florida (Images of America)
by Robert BuccellatoAbe Lincoln did not split rails in Tampa, and George Washington's cherry tree might not have been cut in Miami-Dade, but in Key West, the famous Harry S. Truman sign--"The Buck Stops Here"--still resides on the former president's Florida White House desk. A few hours north is the Kennedy bunker, complete with the presidential seal painted on the concrete floor just in case the Soviets started a nuclear war while Kennedy was vacationing in Palm Beach. Florida may not have a presidential homestead, but it contains the Disney resort where an embattled Richard Nixon exclaimed "I am not a crook" and the fishing hole where Chester A. Arthur discovered that he would not live to see a second term. It is the place where presidents have come to escape and let down their guards. For generations, the Sunshine State has turned commanders in chief into relaxed tourists, allowing them to juggle the formal functions of the office while reconnecting with their private lives. Illustrated with rare and candid photographs, Presidential Vacations in Florida is a book for any lover of the American presidency.
Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations: Exploring a Kentucky Divided
by Blair Thomas Hess Cameron M. Ludwick Elliott HessAs a border state and strategic territory, Kentucky was fiercely contested by the Union and the Confederacy and had ties to both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Kentucky natives and adventure aficionados Cameron M. Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess plot the course for a fun-filled road trip through history and across the Bluegrass State in Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations. Ludwick and Hess make planning a trip to historic Kentucky easy by exploring the history and stories behind each major site and highlighting nearby attractions you won't want to miss. Featuring step-by-step guidelines and exclusive tips on sites, monuments, and attractions from presidential homes to the best modern re-enactments, Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations helps the whole family experience and enjoy history together.
Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations: Exploring a Kentucky Divided (My Old Kentucky Road Trip)
by Blair Thomas Hess Cameron M. LudwickTake a historical tour through the Bluegrass State, with fascinating facts, photos, and tips for travelers. As a border state and strategic territory, Kentucky was fiercely contested by the Union and the Confederacy and had ties to both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. This book guides you to the sites of such battles as Perryville, Middle Creek, and Munfordville, and the childhood homes of both Lincoln and Davis as well as Mary Todd. You&’ll also learn about Kentucky&’s Confederate capital, Civil War governors, and its African American soldiers. Kentucky natives and adventure aficionados Cameron M. Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess plot the course for a fun-filled road trip through history and across the Bluegrass State in Presidents, Battles, and Must-See Civil War Destinations.
Presidio of Monterey (Images of America)
by Harold E. Raugh Jr.The Presidio of Monterey is best known as the home of the post-World War II Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, the Department of Defense's acknowledged leader in foreign language training. It has, however, a much longer and rich history. After the United States seized Monterey in 1846, the U.S. Army began constructing Fort Mervine, which served a number of purposes until it was abandoned in 1866. In 1902-1903, a modern cantonment was built in the area. In 1904, the new post was officially renamed the Presidio of Monterey after a nearby Spanish fort established in 1770 that had fallen into disuse. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the post was home to infantry and cavalry regiments, as well as an inductee reception center. The Military Intelligence Service Language School was moved to the Presidio of Monterey in 1946 and renamed the Army Language School in 1947; this evolved into the present-day Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.
Presque Isle State Park (Images of Modern America)
by Eugene H. WareLocated on a seven-mile peninsula on the shores of Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania, Presque Isle State Park attracts four million visitors each year. With its designation in 1921, Presque Isle became the second state park in Pennsylvania. From this beginning, the citizens of Erie and surrounding areas developed an affinity and appreciation for the park. Presque Isle hasbeen left relatively unchanged over the years, and when improvements have been made, they have been executed in ways that have not altered the park's natural beauty. Through images gathered from the collections of the author, Erie County Historical Society, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and various other local sources, Presque Isle State Park reflects the history and unique atmosphere of a park that has come to be known as "a place for all seasons."
Preston
by Al MathisonNestled in a lush valley along the banks of the Root River, Preston, Minnesota, is ideally located at the geographic center of Fillmore County. The earliest settlers found the area rich with everything they needed to build a community: timber, building stone, water power, and fertile soils. By 1860, Preston was a bustling business and government center in the heart of the most populous county in Minnesota. With rare and vintage photographs culled from the collection of the Fillmore County History Center, as well as from the albums and scrapbooks of many local residents, this book brings together nearly 200 images of Preston and its environs.
Pretty Things
by Janelle BrownSOON TO BE A LIMITED SERIES STARRING NICOLE KIDMAN'Pretty Things is awesome. Simple as that. I loved every page'Harlan Coben'It's Dynasty meets Patricia Highsmith' Washington Post 'Will keep you turning pages till the end'Attica Locke 'Outrageously entertaining'Times Crime Club Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in L.A. alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan. But when her mom falls ill, Nina puts everything on the line to help her, running her most dangerous scam yet.Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Instead she becomes an Instagram influencer - but behind the covetable façade is a life marked by tragedy.After a broken engagement, Vanessa retreats to her family's sprawling mountain estate, a mansion of dark secrets. It's there that her path collides with Nina's and gives way to a winter of desire and aspiration, duplicity and revenge.'Smart, seductive, and utterly captivating' PopSugar'Deliciously fun' The Week'A can't-look-away story of and for our generation' Chandler Baker, author of Whisper Network'Literary suspense at its best' Angie Kim, author of Miracle Creek
Previous Convictions
by A. A. GillCritic, essayist and cultural savant A. A. Gill is probably the most widely read columnist in Britain. His books The Angry Island and A. A. Gill is away have found delighted fans in America as well, and sparked a loyal following. His new book of travel essays, Previous Convictions, ranges from Gill's nearby domestic locales of Glastonbury and the English countryside to Haiti, Guatemala, Pakistan and exotic, dangerous, downtown Manhattan. In this collection of notes from the corners of the globe, and sometimes from the edge of sanity, he confesses about his travels far and wide, "The more I see of the world, the less I think I understand. Familiarity breeds even more astonishment. The world just gets wider and deeper and weirder. "These pieces are wickedly funny, sometimes pointedly -- even purposely -- critical of many cultures and traditions, and always edifying and enchanting. As an adventurer and as a writer, Gill never disappoints; while he may take others to task for their customs, habits, idiosyncrasies and plain bad taste, his own indefatigable curiosity keeps him going back again and again for more, and provides us with spectacular entertainment along the way.