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A Writer Writes: A Memoir
by Stephen BirminghamA memoir by the New York Times–bestselling author and longtime chronicler of America&’s wealthy elite. Born in Connecticut in 1929 and educated at Williams College, Stephen Birmingham went on to create a literary niche with his numerous nonfiction works about New York&’s—and the nation&’s—upper class, particularly focusing on Jewish, African American, and Irish communities, as well as old-money WASPs. He also drew on his &“intimate knowledge of the private lives of the rich and famous&” to write bestselling works of fiction such as The Auerbach Will (The New York Times Book Review). In this book, Birmingham&’s attention is turned to his own life, both personal and professional, allowing us to learn about the man who created such compelling portraits of glittering parties, exclusive addresses, and, in some cases, rags-to-riches sagas that epitomize the American dream—and the American struggle. In the end, his story is as fascinating as those of the aristocrats he documented. &“When it comes to the folkways of the rich, the powerful, and the privileged, Stephen Birmingham knows what he&’s talking about.&” —Los Angeles Times
The Curious Life of Elizabeth Blackwell
by Pamela HolmesAn engrossing historical saga based on the life of the eighteenth-century woman who endured loss and betrayal—and dared to pursue her dreams. Her parents warned Elizabeth that Alexander Blackwell would not make a dependable husband, and only after eloping with him did she learn they may have been right . . . After their marriage, the couple finds lodgings in London. Alexander looks for work while Elizabeth learns engraving. Before long, though, Alexander is in the Marshalsea, the notorious debtors&’ prison, and she is left to fend for herself. Alone and penniless, she has a few things going for her: a skill, an idea, and an acquaintance. Elizabeth embarks on a quest that earns her a small fortune and may allow her to buy her husband&’s freedom. It seems like she may live happily ever after. But her extraordinary story isn&’t over yet . . .Praise for Pamela Holmes &“A genuinely original, utterly enchanting story.&” —A. N. Wilson, author of Victoria: A Life &“[A] lyrical novel that skillfully represents the constraints placed on middle-class women of the era.&” —Historical Novel Society
Make Me Even and I'll Never Gamble Again: A Novel
by Jerrold Fine&“A rip-roaring yarn of baseball, poker, and Wall Street told with humor and humanity, and a loving rendering of Wharton in the seventies.&” —Geoffrey Garrett, dean, The Wharton School Rogers Stout has the gambler&’s gifts: a titanic brain, an uncanny ability to read people, and a risk-taker&’s daring. As an apathetic high school student who loves baseball but lacks a ninety-miles-per-hour fastball, he knows that the game does not begin until the ball leaves the pitcher&’s hand. But his life needs direction. Everything changes the summer Roger is invited into the boisterous environment of an investment bank&’s trading room—and to a gambling hall dive where he immediately wins big at poker, capturing the attention of his coworkers with his card-playing skills. Intrigued by trading markets, Rogers&’s intellectual curiosity takes him to Wharton and then to Wall Street, facing challenges as an outsider who thinks and acts differently from the white-shoe establishment. As Rogers plays his career hand, life plays another. Should he follow the temptress Elsbeth and her ravishing beauty or Charlotte, his high-spirited first love? An intriguing look at human aspiration and the interplay of honor, greed, fear, and individuality, Make Me Even and I&’ll Never Gamble Again reveals a time when a new generation upended the status quo on Wall Street and forever changed investing. &“By turns hilarious, insightful, and touching, Fine has written a coming-of-age story for the ages.&” —Peter Lattman, vice chairman, The Atlantic &“[An] absorbing story of an aspiring Wall Street trader.&” —Kirkus Reviews
Game Time
by Roger Angell&“Baseball&’s most eloquent analyst&” demonstrates why he has &“long since attained the status of national treasure,&” in this classic essay collection (The New York Times Book Review). Roger Angell's famous explorations of the summer game are built on acute observation and joyful participation, conveyed in a prose style as admired and envied as Ted Williams&’s swing. Here is Angell on Fenway Park in September, on Bob Gibson brooding in retirement, on Tom Seaver in mid-windup, on the abysmal early and recent Mets, on a scout at work in backcountry Kentucky, on Pete Rose and Willie Mays and Pedro Martinez, on the astounding Barry Bonds at Pac Bell Park, and more. With twenty-nine essays divided between spring, summer, and fall, Game Time carries readers through the arc of the season with refreshed understanding and pleasure. With an introduction by Richard Ford, this collection represents Angell&’s best writings, from spring training in 1962 to the explosive World Series of 2002.A New York Times Notable Book
Late Innings
by Roger AngellThe acclaimed New Yorker sportswriter examines the inner working of professional baseball, in these essays from the spring of 1977 to the summer of 1981.Late Innings takes fans far beyond the stadium view of the field and into the substrata of baseball as it is experienced by the people who make it happen. Celebrated as one of the game&’s finest chroniclers, Roger Angell shares his commentary on the money, fame, power, traditions, and social aspects of baseball during the late seventies and early eighties. Covering monumental events such as Reggie Jackson&’s three World Series home runs and the bitter ordeal of the 1981 players&’ strike, Angell offers a timeless perspective on the world of baseball to be enjoyed by fans of all ages.
Once More Around the Park: A Baseball Reader
by Roger AngellThis essay collection covers more than forty years of history, fandom, and insider analysis from &“the best baseball writer of our time—maybe ever&” (Newsweek) The celebrated baseball chronicler has selected his favorite pieces from the last forty years to create Once More Around the Park, a definitive volume of his most memorable work. Here are the extraordinary games Roger Angell has witnessed and written about, as well as compelling insights that deepen our love and understanding of the sport. This book includes such timeless essays as &“The Interior Stadium,&” on the complex attractions of baseball; &“In the Country,&” on a friendship that began with a fan letter and took Angell far from the big stadiums and big money; &“The Arms Talks,&” on contemporary pitching strategy and the arrival of the split-finger delivery; and many others. Angell&’s conversations with past and present players and managers, scouts and coaches, rookies and Hall of Famers enhance his expertise and critical appreciation, defining him as &“baseball&’s most eloquent analyst&” (The New York Times Book Review).
An American Comedy
by Harold Lloyd Wesley W. StoutThis autobiography by an influential silent film star gives an insider&’s view of the motion picture industry in the early twentieth century. It&’s one of the most enduring images in film history: a young man in circular glasses, dangling from the hands of a clock high above Los Angeles. The actor performing this daring stunt was Harold Lloyd, a highly successful comedian from the silent film era. Lloyd made nearly two hundred comedies, both silent and &“talkies,&” between 1914 and 1947. He is best known for his &“Glass&” character, a bespectacled everyman who captured the mood of the 1920s. In this fascinating autobiography, which was written just around the time sound was revolutionizing cinema, Lloyd chronicles his experiences as a performer and producer of silent films, preserving firsthand details of Hollywood&’s bygone period. This extraordinary memoir, originally published in 1928, discusses actors both comedic and dramatic, stage to film adaptations, producers, directors, and primarily, how early silent movies were made. It is a must-read for film historians and movie buffs alike.
The Dillinger Days
by John TolandA deeply researched account of Depression-era criminals who roamed the Midwest by the Pulitzer Prize–winning, New York Times–bestselling author. John Dillinger and his compatriots&’ crime spree lasted a little over a year in the 1930s and left a trail of bodies in its wake. Dillinger&’s bank robberies—and his ability to elude both a half-dozen state police forces and the FBI—kept Americans riveted during this bleak economic period. In this book, the author of the classic The Rising Sun chronicles Dillinger&’s short criminal career and the exploits of other outlaws of the time . The eminent twentieth-century historian conducted hundreds of interviews and visited banks, jail cells, and other relevant sites in thirty-four states. Leading up to Dillinger&’s violent death outside a Chicago movie house, this true-crime story is told with great depth and vivid detail. &“This is the famed Dillinger&’s story, a compendium as well of the murderous doings of compatriots like Ma Barker, Pretty Boy Floyd, Bonnie Parker, the Barrow Brothers, and a host of other hip-shooting, car-stealing bank robbers who made underworld American history in the Depression. . . [A] brutal yet colorful book.&” —Kirkus Reviews
Diary of a Citizen Scientist: Chasing Tiger Beetles and Other New Ways of Engaging the World
by Sharman Apt RussellA critically acclaimed nature writer explores the citizen scientist movement through the lens of entomological field research in the American Southwest. Award-winning nature writer Sharman Apt Russell felt pressed by the current environmental crisis to pick up her pen yet again. Encouraged by the phenomenon of citizen science, she decided to turn her attention to the Western red-bellied tiger beetle, an insect found widely around the world and near her home in the Gila River Valley of New Mexico. In a lyrical, often humorous voice, Russell shares her journey across a wild, rural landscape tracking this little-known species, an insect she calls &“charismatic,&” &“elegant,&” and &“fierce.&” What she finds is renewed optimism in mysteries still left to be explored, that despite the challenges of climate change, there is a growing diversity of ways ordinary people can contribute to the research needs of scientists today in the name of environmental activism. Offering readers a glimpse into the pioneering field of citizen science, Diary of a Citizen Scientist documents one woman&’s transformation from a feeling of powerlessness to engaged hopefulness.Winner of the John Burroughs Medal and the WILLA Literary Award for Best Creative NonfictionNamed one of the top ten best nature books of 2014 by GrrlScientist in The Guardian
As Figs in Autumn: One Year In A Forever War
by Ben BastomskiA devastating loss turns into a quest for identity in this debut memoir of an American coming of age in the Israel Defense Forces. On the verge of graduating from college, Ben Bastomski is sent reeling by the tragic death of his childhood friend and classmate Avi, the victim of a drunk driving accident. The shocking event forces Ben to question everything about the randomness and meaning of life for the first time. In the fall of 2010, Ben begins his journey from student to sharpshooter when he flies to the Middle East and joins the Mahal, the Israel Defense Forces&’ program for overseas Jewish volunteers. As his service takes him from the Negev Desert to the Occupied Territories and the Gazan border, he makes his home on a southern kibbutz where he is accepted as family. Ben&’s military service and life in Israel will shape his future in ways that are still being realized. As Figs in Autumn is one man&’s account of a life-changing quest to find his true potential in the land of his heritage, where both body and soul are sustained by courage and community.
Third Girl from the Left
by Christine Barker&“A beautifully written memoir of life on the Broadway stage at the onset of the 1980s AIDS epidemic . . . Compelling, and remarkably hopeful.&” —Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent, NPR A moving, real-life account of making it as a dancer in New York City, embracing the changing faces of love and family, and being at ground-zero for one of the most fatal epidemics of modern times . . . Wanting to be a dancer while growing up in a large military family made Christine Barker somewhat of a black sheep, but she followed her dreams to New York City, where—in a moment of almost unbelievable good fortune—she was chosen for the London cast of A Chorus Line. London, and then New York, in the seventies and eighties opened up Christine&’s world. The creativity, culture, and nightlife were intoxicating, enough so to compel her older brother Laughlin to join her. Once there, the divorced father, veteran, and corporate lawyer met rising fashion star Perry Ellis. Romance and success soon followed—as well as rumors of a devastating new disease . . . Broadway&’s theater community is ravaged by loss as the AIDS epidemic takes hold, and Christine is shocked by the toll it&’s taken on her inner circle. Holding on tight to friends and loved ones left behind, the crisis becomes a crucible moment for her family and for all of society. And Christine is once again forced to go her own way to make sense of the tragedy.
Perón: A Biography
by Joseph A. PageThis biography recounting the Argentinean president&’s rise, fall, and remarkable return to power is &“a formidable achievement&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Latin America has produced no more remarkable or enduring political figure than Juan Perón. Born to modest circumstances in 1895 and trained in the military, he rose to power during a period of political uncertainty in Argentina. A shrewd opportunist who understood the needs and aspirations of the country&’s workers, Perón rode their votes to the presidency and then increased their share of the nation&’s wealth. But he also destroyed the independence of their unions and suppressed dissent. Ousted in a coup in 1955, Perón wandered about Latin America and finally settled in Spain, where he masterminded an astonishing political comeback that climaxed in his reelection as president in 1973. Joseph A. Page&’s engrossing biography is based upon interviews, never-before-inspected Argentine and US government documents, and exhaustive research. It spans Perón&’s formative years; his arrest and dramatic rescue by the descamisados in 1945; his relationship with the now mythic Evita; the violence and mysterious murders that punctuated his career; his tragic legacy, personified by his third wife, Isabel, who assumed the presidency after his death under the influence of a Rasputin-like astrologer; and the continuing appeal of Perónism in Argentina. In addition, Page&’s study of Argentine-American relations is particularly penetrating—especially in its description of the struggle between Perón and US ambassador Spruille Braden. &“It would probably take a novel stamped with the surrealistic genius of a Gabriel García Márquez to render all the madness, perverse magic and tragedy of Juan Domingo Perón and his Argentina. But Joseph A. Page has come up with the next best option. . . . A clearly written, definitive study.&” —The New York Times Book Review
Charles de Gaulle: A Biography
by Don CookFrom one of America&’s longest-serving foreign correspondents, a biography of France&’s controversial politician and statesman. The first major biography of Charles de Gaulle written from an American perspective, this book offers a compelling assessment of the French army officer, politician, and statesman. Author Don Cook, former bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, delineates de Gaulle&’s obsession with power and how the military man rose to leadership in the years following the fall of France during the Second World War. Recounting de Gaulle&’s triumphant quest to find dignity and independence for France, Cook masterfully brings to life one of Europe&’s most influential leaders of the twentieth century.
My Journey to Lhasa: The Personal Story of the only White Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City
by Alexandra David-Néel<p>This early-twentieth-century adventure travel memoir by a female explorer is “the sort of thriller yarn that keeps you up all night and is too soon over” (Ms.).<p> <p>In this extraordinary mix of travelogue and autobiography, Madame Alexandra David-Néel details her 1923 expedition to Lhasa as the first Western woman to enter Tibet’s Forbidden City. Recounting how she traveled with her adopted son, posing as a beggar and relying on her fluency in Tibetan dialects and culture, David-Néel relates a story of survival among harsh conditions and the ever-present danger of being discovered as a white woman, as well as her triumphant meeting with the Dalai-Lama. A compelling narrative by an adventurer, explorer, and passionate student of Buddhism, My Journey to Lhasa is an inspiring work of travel literature by a remarkable woman.<p>
The Olive Farm Series: The Olive Farm, The Olive Season, and The Olive Harvest (The Olive Farm Series)
by Carol DrinkwaterThe acclaimed actress and author recounts her new life on a French olive farm, in this collection of three &“good-humored and well-written&” memoirs (The Washington Post).The Olive Farm After falling in love with Provence, actress Carol Drinkwater and her film-producer fiancé, Michel, decide to purchase an abandoned farm near Cannes. Inspired but inexperienced, they begin fixing up the ten-acre property as they meet quirky locals, puzzle through France&’s legal bureaucracy, and explore nearby Mediterranean islands.The Olive Season As newlyweds Carol and Michel settle into marriage, they experience the glamor of southern France with its aristocratic dinner parties and the world-renowned Cannes film festival—as well as the dirt-caked, sunbaked life of farmers. Carol also shares her hopes and fears as she anticipates motherhood in this alternately entertaining and emotionally poignant memoir.The Olive Harvest When Carol and Michel return to Provence, they face a season of great difficulty. The farm is suffering from drought, and wild boars have been destroying the fences. But there are bigger problems to come when an accident in Monte Carlo leaves Michel barely functional. As he recuperates, Carol must face challenges of all kinds—and hope that in the end, nature will provide.
Heist: The True Story of Lightning Lee Murray and the World's Biggest Cash Robbery
by Howard SounesA detail-driven account of how a gang of criminal misfits pulled off the world&’s biggest cash robbery, from the bestselling author of true crime classic Fred & Rose. The target was a regional counting house for the Bank of England, a fortified concrete bunker located within a triangle of police stations, one only three hundred yards away. When former UFC cage fighter Lightning Lee Murray discovered that this cash centre held hundreds of millions of pounds, he assembled a team of mates including a mechanic, a roofer, and a used car dealer. A hairdresser made disguises for the men so they could pass off as police officers. In an Ocean&’s Eleven–style robbery, the gang succeeded in hauling away a lorry-load of cash—a staggering £53 million (worth $87 million at the time)—a world-record sum. That&’s when their problems began. By turns thrilling and hilarious, Heist is the compelling true story of this mind-blowing crime, including background on Lee Murray, the build-up to the heist, the robbery itself, and its aftermath. The subject of Catching Lightning, as seen on SHOWTIME.
This Woman: Myra Hindley’s Prison Love Affair and Escape Attempt
by Howard SounesThe true account of the scandalous affair between one of Britain&’s most notorious murderers, Myra Hindley, and a prison guard—and their jailbreak plot to run away together. Myra Hindley was convicted in 1966, with her boyfriend Ian Brady, of what became known as the Moors Murders. Between July 1963 and October 1965 the couple sexually assaulted and killed five children and teenagers. Four bodies were buried on the moors near Manchester, and a tape recording was played in court of one child begging Hindley for their life. Hindley became an icon of evil, but in 1973, in London&’s Holloway prison, one woman fell in love with her. Hindley was a highly intelligent woman capable of charming anyone. Desperate to regain her freedom, she convinced an infatuated prison guard named Patricia Cairns, a former Carmelite nun, that she was a reformed woman who wanted to return to the Catholic church. Believing Hindley was sincere, yet had no chance of parole, Cairns plotted to break Hindley out of prison. This riveting story is told in vivid detail based on prison records and new interviews with former prison staff, inmates, and even the women&’s accomplice. Interspersed with powerful accounts of the Moors Murders, This Woman reveals Hindley&’s complex character and fiendish powers of manipulation—skills she used to lure children to their deaths in the 1960s, and used again to try to escape from prison.
Condor: An E-book Original Story (Mysterious Profiles #25)
by James GradyDecades after his adventure in the classic Six Days of the Condor, the eponymous spy reflects on his life while awaiting his next target in this tense novella. Ronald Malcolm, codename Condor, is still in the spy game. He may be older now, but in a world where hardly anybody sees anybody, nobody sees old. He&’s the perfect choice to sit in New York City&’s Penn Station and wait for what he calls &“the killing train.&” And while he waits for someone to take a life, he reflects on his own life. He wonders what has brought him to this moment. He looks back over memories of his childhood, his recruitment to the CIA, and that bloody day at the American Literary Historical Society that changed everything for him. But he must be careful not to get too lost on memory lane. The clock is ticking, and targets are on the move. He can&’t afford to get caught with his head in the clouds . . .Praise for James Grady &“A chilling novel of top security gone berserk . . . Breakneck . . . Not a slow minute.&” —Library Journal on Six Days of the Condor &“Grady&’s writing has changed dramatically over the years, evolving into a literary, impressionistic style . . . [It] is a perfect fit for the aging, unhinged, yet still-lethal Condor. This is an author writing at the top of his, or anyone else&’s, game.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Condor: The Short Takes
Ben Kincaid: Three Ben Kincaid Stories (Mysterious Profiles #14)
by William BernhardtThe &“master of the courtroom drama&” offers a behind-the-scenes look at his New York Times–bestselling legal thriller series (Library Journal). In 1991, William Bernhardt&’s novel, Primary Justice, introduced his character Ben Kincaid to the world. The fictional Oklahoma City lawyer has come a long way since his days as a junior associate at a high-powered law firm. In this essay, Bernhardt guides readers through Ben&’s journey in the long-running series, discussing everything from the development of his character to what&’s next for Ben. Bernhardt also talks about his experience working as a lawyer, getting started as an author, doing research, and navigating the publishing world. Fans of the New York Times–bestselling series won&’t want to miss this fascinating exposé.
Repairman Jack (Mysterious Profiles)
by F. Paul WilsonThe New York Times–bestselling author of The Keep tells the real and fictional origins of the mysterious man who battles criminals and the supernatural. In 1984, Repairman Jack debuted in F. Paul Wilson&’s horror thriller The Tomb. Jack would go on to star in twenty-three novels, ten short stories, and a graphic novel. But how did the antithesis of James Bond and Jason Bourne get his start in the battle between good and evil? In this essay, Wilson lets his readers in on how his beloved hero came to be. Wilson begins his personal story after he scored a hit with The Keep, when he found his inspiration for his next book in a dream. He discusses selecting and researching a monster, as well as developing Jack, his supporting cast, and settling on a villain. He also shares how the first title in the series came to be—it wasn&’t always The Tomb. Wilson closes with Jack&’s fictional backstory and his thoughts on Jack&’s potential future—if there is one . . .Praise for Repairman Jack &“One of the all-time great characters in one of the all-time great series.&” —Lee Child, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series &“Repairman Jack is one of the most original and intriguing characters to arise out of contemporary fiction in ages. His adventures are hugely entertaining.&” —Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Strangers
Rebel King: The Making of a Monarch
by Tom BowerThis unauthorized biography of King Charles III follows his twenty-year struggle with his public image in the wake of Diana&’s death. Numerous challenges face King Charles III as he succeeds his mother to the throne of the United Kingdom. While Elizabeth II had a long history of uniting her people, Charles has always been less popular and often divisive. Following Princess Diana&’s death, his approval rating plummeted to four percent—the lowest for any royal in recent times. Charles&’s public support improved following his marriage to Camilla, but how was he able to turn things around? And what sort of monarch will he be? In Rebel King, investigative journalist and historian Tom Bower chronicles two dramatic decades of King Charles&’s life. He examines Charles&’s battle for rehabilitation after Diana&’s death and his refusal to obey the public&’s expectations of a future king. This book gathers testimonies from more than 120 individuals, many of whom served the royals for long periods and with great distinction. The result reveals dramatic secrets and offers an unrivalled, intimate portrait of the man, the heir, and the making of a king. Previously published as Rebel Prince.Praise for Rebel King &“A devastating book by Britain&’s top investigative author.&” —Daily Mail &“Explosive . . . delves inside the bizarre, ultra luxury world of Prince Charles.&” —The Sun &“There is more than enough carping, cosseting and cattiness here to satisfy any appetite for royal intrigue.&” —The Sunday Times
Gloria Steinem: Her Passions, Politics, and Mystique
by Sydney Ladensohn SternIncludes a new afterword: A &“richly detailed&” biography of the iconic feminist based on interviews with friends, family, colleagues, and Steinem herself (The Washington Post). Going beyond Gloria Steinem&’s public persona, this biography provides an in-depth portrait of the famed activist—covering her family of origin, Smith College education, travels in India, founding of Ms. magazine, and much more—drawn from fifty hours of interviews with Steinem, as well as conversations with more than two hundred people in her life. &“Stern&’s biography is sympathetic but critical about the woman who was once perhaps the foremost figure of American feminism. . . . Follows its subject from her childhood with a mentally ill mother and ne&’er-do-well father through her rise in the women&’s movement.&” —The New York Times Book Review &“Feminist icon, goddess, social climber, bunny—who is Gloria Steinem? All of the above, according to [this] serious new biography. . . . A real look at Steinem off the public platform.&” —Kirkus Reviews &“Avoiding esoteric psychological or feminist theorizing, Stern still provides a clear context for Steinem&’s development both as a public figure and as an exemplar of the movement that seeks to have women define themselves as autonomous individuals.&” —Library JournalIncludes photographs
Pulitzer
by W. A. SwanbergFrom the National Book Award–winning author, an absorbing biography of the esteemed editor, publisher, power broker, and rival to William Randolph Hearst. An eccentric genius, Joseph Pulitzer immigrated to the United States to fight in the Civil War—despite barely speaking English. He would soon master the language enough to begin a successful newspaper career in St. Louis, become a fierce opponent to William Randolph Hearst, and, eventually, found the Columbia School of Journalism. A Hungarian born into poverty, Pulitzer epitomized the American Dream by building a fortune. But he also suffered: going blind in the middle of his career, experiencing extreme mood swings, and developing an intense irritability that made everyday life difficult to tolerate. In this book, W. A. Swanberg—a recipient of the prestigious prize named after Pulitzer—recounts the personal and professional life of the newspaper magnate, as well as his significant influence on American politics. Swanberg reveals how the New York World managed to balance admirably accurate reporting with popular appeal, and explores Pulitzer&’s colorful, contradictory character—courageous and self-pitying, dictatorial and generous. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent era, this is a portrait of an outsize personality by an author with a flair for both the big picture and small, fascinating detail.Includes photographs.Praise for W. A. Swanberg&’s biographies &“First-rate.&” —The New York Times on Citizen Hearst &“Engrossing.&” —Kirkus Reviews on Norman Thomas: The Last Idealist
Poor Man's Feast: A Love Story of Comfort, Desire, and the Art of Simple Cooking
by Elissa Altman&“[A] smart yet tender tale. . . . Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious . . . one of the finest food memoirs of recent years.&” —The New York Times Book Review For a woman raised by a weight-obsessed mother and a father who rebelled by sneaking his daughter out to lavish meals at such fine dining establishments as Le Pavillon and La Grenouille, food could be a fraught proposition. Not that this stopped Elissa Altman from pursuing a culinary career. Everything Elissa cooked was inspired by the French haute cuisine she once secretly enjoyed with her dad, from the rare game birds she served at extravagant dinner parties held in her tiny New York City apartment to the eight timbale molds she purchased from Dean & Deluca, just so she could make her food tall. All that elegance was called into question when Elissa fell in love with Susan, a small-town woman whose idea of fine dining was a rustic meal served on her best tag sale TV tray. Susan&’s devotion to simple living astounded Elissa, even as it changed the way she thought about food—and the family who taught her everything she understood about it—forever. Based on the James Beard Award–winning blog and filled with twenty-six delicious recipes, Poor Man&’s Feast is one woman&’s achingly honest, often uproarious journey to making peace with food and finding lasting love. &“A brave, generous story about family, food, and finding the way home.&” —Molly Wizenberg, New York Times–bestselling author of A Homemade Life &“Luminous writing.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Reminiscent of Elizabeth David, M. F. K. Fisher, A. J. Liebling . . . reflective of Laurie Colwin and her praise of simple, home-cooked, &‘real&’ food.&” —New York Journal of Books &“A beautiful story.&” —Deborah Madison, James Beard Award–winning author of Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
My Life at the Wheel: Toward a Memoir
by Lynne Sharon SchwartzFrom an &“American literary treasure&” comes this humorous collection of essays on writing, friendship, family, and aging in an increasingly complex world(Publishers Weekly). In this diverting anthology, National Book Award finalist Lynne Sharon Schwartz explores the connections and complications of a life rich with travel, fascinating people, and writing. Her body of work includes acclaimed novels, poetry, essays, memoirs, and English translations of Italian books. With biting wit, My Life at the Wheel dissects the trials of Schwartz&’s recovery from major surgery; reveals her quest for hope and healing in the wake of the 9/11 attacks; comically muses on her fear of driving and her discovery of an &“unknown&” book by Henry James; and weaves colorful stories of hours spent arguing, drinking, and smoking with friends in a neighborhood bar in her native New York City. Her personal narratives range from riotous reflections on finding her calling to be an author, to the challenges of writing while raising children, and from a daughter struggling to understand her parents through adolescent eyes to an aging woman grappling with her own mortality. Relentlessly candid and often painfully funny, Schwartz fearlessly probes life&’s most difficult truths, as she willingly confronts the complexities of growing older in a rapidly changing world.Praise for the writing of Lynne Sharon Schwartz &“[Schwartz&’s]insights are at once sympathetic and drenched with irony.&” —The New York Times &“Reading Schwartz is like a pleasurable visit with a thoughtful and articulate friend.&” —Kirkus Reviews &“I can think of no other contemporary writer who writes so well.&” —Los Angeles Review of Books