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Foul Ball: My Life And Hard Times Trying To Save An Old Ballpark (RosettaBooks Sports Classics)
by Jim BoutonA rollicking and &“compelling&” true story of baseball, big money, and small-town politics by the author of the classic Ball Four (Publishers Weekly). Host to organized baseball since 1892, Pittsfield, Massachusetts&’s Wahconah Park was soon to be abandoned by the owner of the Pittsfield Mets, who would move his team to a new stadium in another town—an all too familiar story. Enter former Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton and his partner with the best deal ever offered to a community: a locally owned professional baseball team and a privately restored city-owned ballpark at no cost to the taxpayers. The only people who didn&’t like Bouton's plan were the mayor, the mayor's hand-picked Parks Commissioners, a majority of the City Council, the only daily newspaper, the city&’s largest bank, its most powerful law firm, and a guy from General Electric. Everyone else—or approximately 98% of the citizens of Pittsfield—loved it. But the &“good old boys&” hated Bouton&’s plan because it would put a stake in the heart of a proposed $18.5 million baseball stadium—a new stadium that the citizens of Pittsfield had voted against three different times. In this riveting account, Bouton unmasks a mayor who brags that &“the fix is in,&” a newspaper that lies to its readers, and a government that operates out of a bar. But maybe the most incredible story is what happened after Foul Ball was published—a story in itself. Invited back by a new mayor, Bouton and his partner raise $1.2 million, help discover a document dating Pittsfield&’s baseball origins to 1791, and stage a vintage game that&’s broadcast live by ESPN-TV. Who could have guessed what would happen next? And that this time it would involve the Massachusetts Attorney General? &“An irresistible story whose outcome remains in doubt until the very end. Not just a funny book, but a patriotic one.&”—San Francisco Chronicle &“Bouton proves that a badly run city government can be just as dangerous—and just as hilarious—as a badly run baseball team.&”—Keith Olbermann
San Antonio (A Southwestern Saga #1)
by Sara OrwigA lawman is tempted by the daughter of his moral enemy in this passionate saga by the USA Today-bestselling author of Albuquerque and Denver. Luke Dabney grew up in Texas, the land of peril and promise. It is there that the hardened lawman vows to exact revenge on Domingo Pietra, the man who destroyed Luke&’s family. Catalina is the beautiful daughter of the powerful and ruthless Domingo Pietra, but not even her father can control the desire that blazes inside her for Luke Dabney. But the strength of her love may not be enough to pierce Luke&’s determined heart, a heart set on vengeance…
Little Stitches: 100+ Sweet Embroidery Designs, 12 Projects
by Aneela HoeyOver 100 embroidery designs and twelve whimsical and practical projects you can work on anywhere.It's grown-up playtime! Choose from more than 100 original embroidery designs, hand-drawn with a modern take on retro style. Aneela Hoey's illustrations are printed on transfer paper to use and reuse―tear out the page, trim out the design, iron it down, and stitch away! Learn 11 easy decorative stitches plus techniques for adding texture, then embroider these charming images on 12 whimsical and practical projects, perfect for keepsakes or gifts. Projects include a baby quilt, cushion covers, cozies for jars and tissue boxes, and more. Embroidery is the perfect handwork to take along anywhere you go!&“Hoey&’s cute, vintage-inspired approach will appeal to novice stitchers.&”—Library Journal&“These designs have ageless appeal…The book is extra useful with the iron-on transfers for each design included in the back of the book.&”—American Quilt Retailer
Hannibal: A Hellenistic Life
by Eve MacDonaldThe life of the great Carthaginian general who marched into Rome during the Second Punic War is reexamined in this revealing and scholarly biography. Once of the greatest military minds of the Ancient World, Hannibal Barca lived a life of daring and survival, massive battles, and ultimate defeat. A citizen of Carthage and military commander in Punic Spain, he famously marched his war elephants and huge army over the Alps into Rome&’s own heartland to fight the Second Punic War. Yet the Romans were the ultimate victors. They eventually captured and destroyed Carthage, and thus it was they who wrote the legend of Hannibal: a brilliant and worthy enemy whose defeat represented military glory for Rome. In this groundbreaking biography, Eve MacDonald employs archaeological findings and documentary sources to expand the memory of Hannibal beyond his military career. Considering him in the context of his time and the Carthaginian culture that shaped him, MacDonald offers a complex portrait of a man from a prominent family who was both a military hero and a statesman. MacDonald also analyzes Hannibal&’s legend over the millennia, exploring how statuary, Jacobean tragedy, opera, nineteenth-century fiction, and other depictions illuminate the character of one of the most fascinating figures in all of history.
Into My Own: The Remarkable People and Events that Shaped a Life
by Roger KahnFrom the author of A Season in the Sun, a memoir from one of America&’s foremost sportswriters about his life and influences. After successful seasons as a newspaperman and magazine writer, Roger Kahn burst onto the national scene in 1972 with his memorable bestseller, The Boys of Summer, memorializing the Brooklyn Dodgers. Here he wrote a book for the hearts and minds of his readers. Chronicling his own life, Into My Own is Kahn&’s reflection on the eight people who shaped him as a man, a father, and a writer.Into My Own is the touching memoir of an unassuming man, whose great love of baseball and literature led him into extraordinary experiences, opportunities, and friendships. Even amidst great family tragedy and personal difficulty, Kahn prevailed—amongst poets, writers, politicians, and most of all, ballplayers.&“In this engaging memoir, Kahn…looks back at baseball and much more as he presents his episodic reminiscences as free-form essays arranged loosely around iconic figures from his past…Kahn has a graceful, personal style, full of deftly evoked color and characters, with a bit of the newspaperman's hard-bitten swagger and a two-fisted liberalism one doesn't see much anymore.&”—Publishers Weekly Praise for Roger Kahn &“As a kid, I loved sports first and writing second, and loved everything Roger Kahn wrote. As an adult, I love writing first and sports second, and love Roger Kahn even more.&”—Pulitzer Prize winner, David Maraniss &“A work of high moral purpose and great poetic accomplishment. The finest American book on sports.&”—James Michener on The Boys of Summer &“Kahn has the almost unfair gift of easy, graceful writing.&”—Boston Herald
For God and Country: A Texas Gun Club Novel (The Texas Gun Club #3)
by Commander Mark BowlinIn WWII Italy, two soldiers have been granted a week of leave—but R&R is not in the cards for them…January 1944: The great Allied advance up the Italian peninsula has come to a halt before the formidable German Gustav Line at Monte Cassino. For the American soldiers in the valley, there is nothing to do but wait as General Mark Clark prepares his plan to shatter the German defenses and continue Fifth Army&’s march to Rome. Captain Perkin Berger and First Lieutenant Sam Taft are spared the monotony of waiting. They&’re given a week of well-deserved leave in an Adriatic resort town, where they have no responsibility other than relaxation. Proving the old maxim that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, Sam and Perk find themselves involved in the Canadian battle at Ortona, and once again they are thrust into the middle of a secret war between the Third Reich and the Vatican. When the cousins return from their R&R, it isn&’t long until the order is given. Against all sound military judgment, the exhausted and under-strength Gun Club is to cross the Rapido River and breach the Gustav Line—alone…
The Big Book of Pies and Tarts (Betty Crocker Big Books)
by Betty CrockerThe complete compendium of pie recipes, both sweet and savory. If you love pies—for dinner, dessert, or any other time of day—you'll love Betty Crocker The Big Book of Pies and Tarts with its collection of delicious recipes. This book is packed with pies of every type including fruit pies, creamy and chilled pies, mini pies and tarts, and savory pies. It is overflowing with inventive new ideas and flavor combinations, like Apple-Pomegranate Slab Pie, Bourbon-Chocolate-Pecan Mini Pies, and savory Muffin Tin Taco Pies. You'll find everything you want right here. For a hearty dinner, you'll love Mini Bacon Chicken Pot Pies or Potato-Onion-Bacon Slab Pie Satisfy a sweet tooth with Caramel Cream Pie or Chocolate-Chip Cookie-Stuffed Pie. Whatever your fancy, the pie is here. Features more than 200 pie recipes using both frozen or from-scratch crusts Illustrated with more than 100 full-color photographs of prepared dishes Includes an introductory section on pie-baking basics with advice on creating perfect pastry crusts, freezing and storing pies, and decorating crusts So be sure to dig into Betty Crocker The Big Book of Pies and Tarts, the ultimate pie lover's cookbook.
Crux
by James Byron HugginsUnspeakable horror is unleashed in this riveting thriller from the international bestselling author of Dark Visions and Hunter. In an experiment to discover what secrets are hidden within the infinite vastness of the galaxy, scientists create a machine so powerful that it rips a hole through space and time. But instead of revealing the dark world of their own universe the machine opens a gateway to a universe infinitely more horrifying . . . and infinitely evil. After seven physicists vanish during a routine test of the highly guarded Hadron Super Collider in Geneva, a series of grisly murders also begin at the facility and an elite squad of American military operators are dispatched to discover the truth behind the hideous slaughter. Meanwhile, the sister of a missing scientist hires a mysterious, powerful stranger known only as Isaiah to discover the fate of her sister. Working against time, the two teams risk everything in their quest to learn the insidious truth behind the most dangerous machine in the world, and soon find that the Super Collider did not just open a gateway to the furthest reaches of the galaxy: It opened a far more terrifying gateway, for it bridged the gulf between Earth and Hell . . . Praise for James Byron Huggins &“Huggins writes like a man possessed.&”—Steve Jackson, New York Times bestselling author &“May be the thriller of the year.&”—BookPage on Cain &“Pure entertainment.&”—Publishers Weekly on Hunter
The Elephant's Journey: A Novel
by José Saramago&“The Portuguese Nobel Prize winner&’s delightful posthumous novel recounts the [16th century] travels of an Indian elephant…from Lisbon to Vienna&” (The New Yorker).In 1551, King João III of Portugal gave Archduke Maximilian an unusual wedding present: an elephant named Solomon. In The Elephant&’s Journey, José Saramago imagines Solomon&’s epic journey by foot across Europe with his Hindu keeper Subhro along for the adventure.Accompanied by the Archduke, his new wife, and the royal guard, these unlikely heroes traverse a continent riven by the Reformation and civil wars. They are witnessed by scholars, historians, and wide-eyed ordinary people as they make their way through the storied cities of northern Italy, brave the Alps, cross the Mediterranean Sea, and at last, make their way toward their grand entry into the imperial city.&“A tale rich in irony and empathy, regularly interrupted by witty reflections on human nature and arch commentary on the powerful who insult human dignity.&”—Los Angeles Times
98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive!
by Cody LundinFrom the survival instructor and author of When All Hell Breaks Loose, a guide to surviving fear, panic, and the biggest outdoor killers. Cody Lundin, director of the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Prescott, Arizona, shares his own brand of wilderness wisdom in this highly anticipated new book on commonsense, modern survival skills for the backcountry, the backyard, or the highway. It is the ultimate book on how to stay alive based on the principal of keeping the body&’s core temperature at a lively 98.6 degrees. In his entertaining and informative style, Cody stresses that a human can live without food for weeks, and without water for about three days or so. But if the body&’s core temperature dips much below or above the 98.6-degree mark, a person can literally die within hours. It is a concept that many don't take seriously or even consider, but knowing what to do to maintain a safe core temperature when lost in a blizzard or in the desert could save your life. Lundin delivers the message with wit, rebellious humor, and plenty of backcountry expertise. &“Excellent advice…the obvious product of a man who has gone and done it…well worth reading.&”—Field & Stream
Quesadillas
by Donna KellyFrom the author of French Toast: Stacked, Stuffed, Baked, sweet and savory variations of the classic Mexican dish. Simply put, the quesadilla is a delightful package of melted cheesy goodness―all sandwiched inside crispy tortillas. But now these little gooey snacks have evolved into savory meals and scrumptious desserts that are bursting with flavor. Made to fill any amount of hunger, quesadillas can be stuffed with foods and spices from almost any culture. You can try all sorts of mouthwatering combinations like the BLT, Thai Peanut, Roasted Veggie and Goat Cheese, Parmesan-Crusted Italian, Philly Cheesesteak, Roasted Ratatouille, and Chicken Caesar. Even dessert quesadillas like Triple Chocolate Decadence, Peanut Butter Apple, and S&’mores have made their debut. Quesadillas are so simple, delicious, and easy to make. So, why not make your favorite meal or dessert into a quesadilla?&“After an introduction featuring cooking techniques, ingredient tips, and serving suggestions, Kelly…shares specific instructions for beginners on, e.g., how to remove pepper seeds…These simple recipes, with ten ingredients or fewer, are perfect to make with children. Highly recommended.&”—Library Journal
Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor (Arts and Traditions of the Table Perspectives on Culinary History)
by Hervé This&“Taking kitchen science to a whole new (molecular) level, Hervé This is changing the way France---and the world—cooks.&”—Gourmet Bringing the instruments and experimental techniques of the laboratory into the kitchen, Hervé This—international celebrity and founder of molecular gastronomy—uses recent research in the chemistry, physics, and biology of food to challenge traditional ideas about cooking and eating. What he discovers will entertain, instruct, and intrigue cooks, gourmets, and scientists alike.Molecular Gastronomy is filled with practical tips, provocative suggestions, and penetrating insights. This begins by reexamining and debunking a variety of time-honored rules and dictums about cooking and presents new and improved ways of preparing a variety of dishes from quiches and quenelles to steak and hard-boiled eggs. Looking to the future, This imagines new cooking methods and proposes novel dishes. A chocolate mousse without eggs? A flourless chocolate cake baked in the microwave? Molecular Gastronomy explains how to make them. This also shows us how to cook perfect French fries, why a soufflé rises and falls, how long to cool champagne, when to season a steak, the right way to cook pasta, how the shape of a wine glass affects the taste of wine, why chocolate turns white, and how salt modifies tastes. &“A captivating little book.&”—Economist &“This book, praiseworthy for its scientific rigor, will hold a special appeal for anyone who relishes the debunking of culinary myths.&”—Saveur &“Will broaden the way you think about food.&”—The New York Sun &“A wonderful book . . . it will appeal to anyone with an interest in the science of cooking.&”—O Chef
Living Crazy Healthy: Plant-Based Recipes
by Jennifer Rose RossanoFrom the woman behind the blog Neurotic Mommy, a collection of creative plant-based recipes that the entire family can enjoy making and eating—together.Life is crazy busy these days, and it&’s tough to squeeze in a few minutes between soccer practice and dance class to teach kids about healthy eating, much less healthy cooking. &“Neurotic Mommy&” Jennifer Rose Rossano saves the day with easy, fun plant-based recipes that the whole family can enjoy preparing and eating together, like Carrots in a Blanket, Nacho Mac and Cheese, Vegan Alfredo Bow Ties, One Skillet Vegan Helper, Almond Butter Banana Bread Blondies, and so much more! The ingredients are simple and easily found in local grocery stores, so it&’s a breeze to throw together a last-minute meal. Plant-based eating has never been easier, or more fun.
City Blood: A Novel of Revenge
by Clark Howard&“[An] unusual cop story set in Chicago . . . This graphic depiction of urban and emotional decay carries a powerful, lasting punch.&” —Publishers Weekly When a topless dancer is beaten to death, police detective Joe Kiley strongly suspects her boyfriend, a mob kingpin&’s brother, is the killer. He isn&’t—but in the course of trying to track him down, Kiley&’s partner winds up dead during an unauthorized stakeout. Now Kiley wants vengeance—if not for the dancer, then for his longtime fellow cop. Despite warnings from the department, he&’s about to be drawn deep into the world of gangs and organized crime, and into entanglements with two women that will only heighten his despair, in this novel from an Edgar Award–winning author featuring &“moments that glitter with insight and gritty, urban realism&” (Publishers Weekly).
The Malaysian Kitchen: 150 Recipes for Simple Home Cooking
by Christina Arokiasamy&“A mouthwatering introduction to Malaysian cooking&”—curries, noodles, stir fries, street foods, and more—from the author of The Spice Merchant&’s Daughter (Publishers Weekly). A delicious and informal mashup of Southeast Asian and European influences, Malaysian cooking is full of flavor and easy to love. Chef and author Christina Arokiasamy brings it into the American home kitchen. This cuisine borrows from the traditions of Thailand, India, China, and Portugal for dishes as varied as Chili Prawns, Salmon Tandoori, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Grilled Lamb with Rosemary Pesto. Christina gives recipes for authentic Malaysian favorites like Beef Rendang and Char Kway Teow Noodles, while also sharing her own modern iterations, such as Wok-Fried Spaghetti with Kale. An assortment of sambals and chili sauces—simply thrown together in a blender—gets you started on your way to these dishes but are so tasty and versatile you&’ll find yourself using them in the rest of your everyday cooking. Vivid on-location photography takes the reader into the spice markets, coffee houses, fishing villages, and kitchen gardens that inspired each recipe. &“Approachable but not oversimplified . . . This standout introduction to Malaysian cooking will call to adventurous eaters and armchair travelers.&”—Library Journal &“For novices and aficionados alike, Christina Arokiasamy&’s The Malaysian Kitchen will prove a welcome companion . . . And the recipes are so good that reading them is almost as pleasant as tasting the finished products.&”—The Washington Times &“Perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about that country&’s vibrant, aromatic cooking.&”—The Advocate
Freckles (Mint Editions--the Children's Library)
by Gene Stratton-PorterOne of the most beloved characters of the early-twentieth-century from the American naturalist and bestselling author of A Girl of the Limberlost. Raised in a Chicago orphanage and missing one hand, Freckles has survived a harsh childhood. When he becomes a security guard for a timber company in Indiana&’s Limberlost swamp, he comes to embrace the beauty of the wilderness and the many animals he encounters on his daily rounds, finally finding his place in the world and the courage to open his heart. One of the most well-known authors of her time, Gene Stratton-Porter was a nature activist whose novels reflected her love of the Indiana wetlands she called home. &“There&’s a love story, villains, adventure, close brushes with death, and absolute redemption at the end—and Freckles learns the secret of his paternity, which given the romantic conventions of books such as these, is absolutely glorious.&” —Buckeye Muse
The Look of Love (The\look Of Love Ser.)
by Jill EgiziiA story of divorce and its aftermath. &“Touching . . . the knowledge readers can gain from this novel is profound . . . heart-warming and compelling.&”—Chick Lit PlusAnna, the wife of a prominent local attorney, has decided enough is enough. After nearly twenty years of marriage, she realizes she must get free from her controlling spouse. In the process, she loses the only thing that made escaping worthwhile: her children. Despite their joint custody agreement, her ex uses his wiles, wealth, and legal experience to exile Anna from the family. Her once &“normal&” relationships with her son and daughter mysteriously sour. The system, the law, and her faith in herself all seem to fail her at the same time. While facing the fight of her life, Anna realizes the true meaning of friendship and love. &“The emotions conveyed are quite real. The confusion, the anger, the hope, the grief, the helplessness . . . they all shine through and allow the reader a window through which to experience the reality of parental alienation (although, for many, the reality is longer and less hopeful) . . . I think it has potential to find its way into unsuspecting hands and provide a pool-side education about a very serious issue.&”—Relative Evolutions
The French Cook: Soups And Stews (French Cook Ser.)
by Holly HerrickFrom the award-winning food writer and author of Mashed, a step-by-step, French cooking class on sauces with an array of recipes to create. This is the first in a series of French cookbooks that will simplify and demystify French cuisine for all of those who love it and would like to bring it home to their American kitchens without traveling outside their homes. Here Holly Herrick creates a French cooking course all about sauces, filled with beautiful how-to photography and step-by-step techniques that will have you making sauces like a pro. The book focuses on the five mother sauces of French cuisine: béchamel, veloutés, hollandaise, espagnol and brown sauces, and les sauces tomates. In addition, Herrick devotes chapters to fonds, or stocks, the base of so many sauces, and mayonnaises, a simple, versatile sauce so widely used in classical French cuisine. In addition to the sauces, the book integrates main course ingredients, such as steak or roasted chicken, something more than to be dressed with a sauce, but also something that helped to shape the sauce itself. With myriad variations and derivatives on each basic sauce, this book can transform your next meal into a veritable French feast.&“A balanced selection of recipes for sauce spinoffs and the entrees they are intended for. Standouts include a richer, simpler alternative to bouillabaisse (Lobster Tail, Littleneck Clams and Sea Scallops With a Saffron, Chive, and Butter Béchamel Sauce). Also notable is Veal and Pork Meatballs in a Velouté Sauce, in which herbes de Provence, Dijon mustard and chopped shallots combine to produce what might be described as Swedish Meatballs on Steroids.&”—Wall Street Journal
Seeds of Success: Leadership, Legacy, and Life Lessons Learned (Morgan James Faith Ser.)
by John BrubakerFrom the author of The Coach Approach: A story of lacrosse and leadership with a &“powerful message [that] extends far beyond the athletic field&” (Jon Gordon, Wall Street Journal–bestselling author of The Energy Bus). It is often said that there is no faster path to change than great pain, and Jack Burton has had his share. After a tough struggle with frustration and failure, a chance meeting with an unlikely mentor propels Jack toward three extraordinary people who plant the seeds of discovery he must now nurture and grow to find the remedy to his misfortune. As with all great endeavors, the path is unpredictable—and Jack soon finds himself body and soul deep into the mystery of personal philosophy and how it is inextricably woven into the fabric of success for all . . .
Rückzug: The German Retreat from France, 1944 (Foreign Military Studies)
by Joachim LudewigA German historian&’s account of the Nazi retreat from France in the summer of 1944: &“An important book [about] a surprisingly under-examined phase of WWII&” (Anthony Beevor, Wall Street Journal). The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marked a critical turning point in the European theater of World War II. The massive landing on France's coast had been meticulously planned for three years, and the Allies anticipated a quick and decisive defeat of the German forces. Many of the planners were surprised, however, by the length of time it ultimately took to defeat the Germans. While much has been written about D-Day, very little has been written about the crucial period from August to September, immediately after the invasion. In Rückzug, Joachim Ludewig draws on military records from both sides to show that a quick defeat of the Germans was hindered by excessive caution and a lack of strategic boldness on the part of the Allies, as well as by the Germans' tactical skill and energy. This intriguing study, translated from German, not only examines a significant and often overlooked phase of the war, but also offers a valuable account of the conflict from the perspective of the German forces.
The Italian Vegetable Cookbook: 200 Favorite Recipes for Antipasti, Soups, Pasta, Main Dishes, and Desserts
by Michele ScicoloneTraditional and contemporary Italian recipes for vegetarian and nearly vegetarian dishes from the author of The Italian Slow Cooker.Over the ages, resourceful Italian cooks have devised countless ways to prepare vegetables—all incredibly flavorful and simple. In this book, Italian cooking authority Michele Scicolone shares recipes that she gathered during years of traveling in Italy. Some, like Green Fettuccine with Spring Vegetable Ragu and Easter Swiss Chard and Cheese Pie, came from talented home cooks. Others, such as Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms, were passed down through her family. She encountered still more, including One-Pot &“Dragged&” Penne, in restaurants and adapted dishes like Romeo&’s Stuffed Eggplant from the cookbooks she collects. Many recipes display the Italian talent for making much out of little: Acquacotta, &“Cooked Water,&” makes a sumptuous soup from bread, tomatoes, and cheese. In keeping with Italian tradition, some dishes contain small amounts of pancetta, anchovies, or chicken broth, but they are optional. Simple desserts—Rustic Fruit Focaccia, Plum Crostata—finish the collection.&“[Scicolone&’s] methodology for vegetable cooking strives to extract the greatest amount of flavor and texture from every plant…Ambitious cooks will love the challenge of Scicolone&’s Swiss chard and ricotta pie. Some recipes call for typical Italian flavor enhancers, such as anchovies or pancetta; nevertheless, vegetarians will find lots to savor here, and meat eaters will deem many of the pasta sauces perfectly satisfying. And both camps will delight in the host of rich and sweet dessert offerings.&”—Boooklist
Easy Slow Cooker Recipes: Wiley Selects (Betty Crocker Cooking)
by Betty CrockerSimple, scrumptious slow cooker meals are a cinch with this cookbook from Betty Crocker.A slow cooker makes it easy to get family meals on the table fast—just get everything started before you leave for the day, then come home to a fully cooked dinner! Inside, you'll find a quick guide to understanding your slow cooker, plus over 20 proven slow cooker recipes for comforting soups, stews and main dishes, including zesty international options and healthy vegetarian choices.For more great ideas visit bettycrocker.com
Brave Warriors, Humble Heroes: A Vietnam War Story
by Marjorie T. HansenA wife tells of her husband&’s combat missions—and the Agent Orange exposure that changed both their lives.Through her husband&’s letters from Southeast Asia about his combat missions in Vietnam and over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos in 1971 and 1972, Marge Hansen shares a gripping journey into one of the most divisive and turbulent periods in the nation&’s history. Brave Warriors, Humble Heroes: A Vietnam War Story captures in a flier&’s words the conflict, drama, frustration, heroism, and longing for home and family that mark combat missions. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, Marge brings to readers a chance to understand what may have been only an ongoing headline in the news for those at home or a distant episode in American history for younger readers. In her voice and Charlie&’s, she captures the experience of those who serve and those who support them. For Marge and Charlie, the war was immediate and personal and has not ended; both were impacted by the legacy of Agent Orange—he from his assignment to front-line bases and she from her visit to him at one of those bases. Brave Warriors, Humble Heroes recounts the story of one war, one hero, one marriage, and one family. This book stands for all those whose voices have not been heard.
At The Breakers: A Novel (Kentucky Voices)
by Mary Ann Taylor-HallA woman in trouble tries to change her life in a &“beautifully written&” novel about &“the complex demands and joys and risks of all kinds of love&” (Kim Edwards, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Memory Keeper&’s Daughter). Jo Sinclair, a single parent of four children, has fled an abusive relationship, winding up in Sea Cove, New Jersey, in front of The Breakers, a salty old hotel in the process of renovation. In this unlikely setting, Jo is intent on finding a way to renovate herself, to reclaim the promising life that was derailed by pregnancy when she was fourteen. She impulsively convinces the owner to give her a job painting the rooms and settles in with her youngest child, thirteen-year-old Nick. A grand cast of characters wanders through this little world, among them Iris Zephyr, the hotel&’s ninety-two-year-old permanent boarder; Charlie, a noble mixed breed dog; Wendy, Jo&’s tough eighteen-year-old daughter, who has suffered most from her mother&’s past mistakes; and Marco, the nearby gas station owner, who seems likely to become her mother&’s next mistake. But soon Jo&’s former teacher, a well-known and exuberant poet, arrives on the premises to stir everything up, including Jo&’s yearning for a life of art and committed love. At The Breakers is a deeply felt and beautifully written novel about forgiveness and reconciliation by the acclaimed author of Come and Go, Molly Snow. Its heroine, put through the fire, comes out with a chance for happiness—if she can muster the faith, courage, and optimism to take that chance. &“Incisive, witty prose.&” —Kirkus Reviews
A Natural History of Wine
by Ian Tattersall Rob DeSalle&“Wine is art. Wine is ritual. Wine is culture. Wine is romance. But in the hands of Tattersall and DeSalle . . . we learn that wine is also science.&”—Neil deGrasse Tyson A Wall Street Journal Best Book for Wine Lovers An excellent bottle of wine can be the spark that inspires a brainstorming session. Such was the case for Ian Tattersall and Rob DeSalle, scientists who frequently collaborate on book and museum exhibition projects. When the conversation turned to wine one evening, it almost inevitably led the two—one a palaeoanthropologist, the other a molecular biologist—to begin exploring the many intersections between science and wine. This book presents their fascinating, freewheeling answers to the question &“What can science tell us about wine?&” And vice versa. Conversational and accessible to everyone, this colorfully illustrated book embraces almost every imaginable area of the sciences, from microbiology and ecology (for an understanding of what creates this complex beverage) to physiology and neurobiology (for insight into the effects of wine on the mind and body). The authors draw on physics, chemistry, biochemistry, evolution, and climatology, and they expand the discussion to include insights from anthropology, primatology, entomology, Neolithic archaeology, and even classical history. The resulting volume is indispensable for anyone who wishes to appreciate wine to its fullest. &“Chemistry. Evolutionary biology. Genetics. This book is an excellent layman&’s refresher on these diverse topics, and many more, and how they fit into the grand scheme of wine . . . A fact-packed and accessible read that goes a long way toward explaining why and how wine became such an important component in our enjoyment of the natural world.&”—Wine Spectator