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Kings & Queens of Great Britain: Every Question Answered
by David SoudFrom the House of Wessex to the House of Windsor, follow the pageant of personalities that have made Great Britain what it is today. Fascinating biographies of the British monarchs from the time of Roman Brittania to present day answer your every question about the country&’s aristocracy. Details of the kings&’ and queens&’ personalities are the focus, with a timeline across the bottom relating the major events of their reigns. Also included is a section devoted to royal edicts. All the Edwards, Richards, Henrys, and Williams are represented—along with outstanding personalities such as Lady Jane Grey and Oliver Cromwell—a king in all but name. This is essential reading for all Anglophiles, so brew a pot of tea and dig into the history!
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Golden Plunger Awards (Uncle John's Bathroom Readers)
by Bathroom Readers' InstituteCelebrate the winners of this competition for Weirdest, Wildest, and Most Hilarious Trivia of the Year . . . Forget the Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes—after two decades of producing interesting and mind-boggling stories—the folks at the Bathroom Readers&’ Institute have come up with their own collection of pop-culture awards! This unique volume provides a new way to recognize some of the world&’s greatest (and oddest) achievements. Where else could you find awards for the Most Versatile Condiment, Oldest Scam, and Rudest Gesture? Uncle John rules the world of information and humor, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about . . . The Albino Squirrel Preservation SocietyThe history of dreadlocksTrendsetting (and ugly) shoes Professional eaters . . . and much more!
Legends of Old Wilmington & Cape Fear
by John HirchakSituated on the banks of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington is awash in unusual tales and legends. A prevalent pirate hideaway, the area harbored the infamous Blackbeard and the cunning Calico Jack Rackham. Since its initial settlement, the region has witnessed an abundance of fantastical lore, including passionately fought duels, explosive train wrecks, Revolutionary and Civil War heroes and some legends that are said to take the form of apparitions. At the local Cape Fear Wine & Beer pub, the ghost of a fallen redcoat can't seem to get enough of a frothy porter brewed from yeast salvaged from an early nineteenth-century shipwreck. Wonder at these and other fascinating and strange tales as local author John Hirchak reveals the legendary history of Wilmington and Cape Fear.
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast: A Mysterious Profile (Mysterious Profiles)
by Douglas Preston Lincoln Child#1 New York Times–bestselling authors: Get to know the ruthless, mysterious FBI agent, &“one of thrillerdom&’s most exciting and intriguing series leads&” (Booklist). Acclaimed as &“a modern-day Sherlock Holmes&” (Associated Press) with a brilliant mind, a cultured manner, and a dark edge, Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast has calmly looked evil in the face throughout the long-running series that includes such novels as The Cabinet of Curiosities—named one of NPR&’s 100 Best Thrillers Ever—and Crooked River. In this essay, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discuss how the character came to be created, his enigmatic backstory, and the history of their own wildly successful writing partnership. &“The most charming, intelligent, cool, and creepy agent ever written.&” —Suspense Magazine &“Every bit the modern equivalent of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.&”―Providence Journal
George Washington's Long Island: A History and Tour Guide (History & Guide)
by Bill BleyerIn 1778, two years after the British forced the Continental Army out of New York City, George Washington and his subordinates organized a secret spy network to gather intelligence in Manhattan and Long Island. Known today as the "Culper Spy Ring," Patriots like Abraham Woodhull and Robert Townsend risked their lives to report on British military operations in the region. Vital reports clandestinely traveled from New York City across the East River to Setauket and were rowed on whaleboats across the Long Island Sound to the Connecticut shore. Using ciphers, codes and invisible ink, the spy ring exposed British plans to attack French forces at Newport and a plot to counterfeit American currency. Author Bill Bleyer corrects the record, examines the impact of George Washington's Long Island spy ring and identifies Revolutionary War sites that remain today.
Common Insects of Texas and Surrounding States: A Field Guide
by John C. Abbott Kendra AbbottA comprehensive field guide to Texas&’s insects, featuring 1,300 species and over 2,700 photographs. Thanks to its size and geographic position, Texas is home to nearly 30,000 species of insects, likely making its insect population the most diverse in the nation. Ranging from eastern and western to temperate and tropical species, this vast array of insects can be difficult to identify. In Common Insects of Texas and Surrounding States, John and Kendra Abbott have created the state&’s most comprehensive field guide to help readers recognize and understand these fascinating creatures. Containing 1,300 species and more than 2,700 photographs, this guide offers a wealth of information about the characteristics and behaviors of Texas&’s insects. Each chapter introduces an order with a discussion of general natural history and a description of other qualities helpful in distinguishing its various species, while every species&’ entry provides a state map showing where it is most likely to be found, a key displaying its seasonal distribution, information about its habitat, and corresponding photos. Featuring colored tabs for quick reference, a glossary, and information about other arthropods, this guide is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to identify and learn more about the many insects of Texas.&“Expertly written and beautifully illustrated, this exceptional book will be of interest to both professional and beginning naturalists.&” —Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
Sonora: Its Geographical Personality
by Robert C. WestThis cultural and historical geography of Sonora explores the region&’s dual personality—with modern life existing alongside its colonial past.A land where some streams ran with gold. A landscape nearly empty of inhabitants in the wake of Apache raids from the north. And a former desert transformed by irrigation into vast fields of wheat and cotton. This was and is the state of Sonora in northwest Mexico.Robert C. West explores the dual geographic "personality" of this part of Mexico's northern frontier. Utilizing the idea of "old" and "new" landscapes, he describes two Sonoras—to the east, a semiarid to subhumid mountainous region that reached its peak of development in the colonial era; and, to the west, a desert region that has become a major agricultural producer and the modern center of economic and cultural activity. After a description of the physical and biotic aspects of Sonora, West describes the aboriginal farming cultures that inhabited eastern Sonora before the Spanish conquest. He then traces the spread of Jesuit missions and Spanish mining and ranching communities. He charts the decline of eastern Sonora with the coming of Apache and Seri raids during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. And he shows how western Sonora became one of Mexico's most powerful political and economic entities in the twentieth century.
Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die: Biking Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations (Fifty Places)
by Chris SantellaA beautiful guide to fifty of the world’s best places to ride a bicycle, as chosen by expert cyclists who have been there.Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die is the ninth addition to the bestselling Fifty Places series by Chris Santella. Biking has grown increasingly popular in recent years, as both a leisure and an extreme exercise activity, and Santella covers trips for cyclists of every level. Fifty Places to Bike covers environments as varied as the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, the Indochina Trail in Vietnam, and the urban jungle of New York City. With a healthy mix of international and national locations, the 50 chapters capture the breathtaking vistas cyclists will enjoy around the world. As always, the places are brought to life with more than 40 stunning color photographs.Praise for Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die“OMG views, killer hills and open road—the routes in Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die (in bookstores this month) have everything a pedal pusher could ask for.” —Fitness magazine“If you know someone who can’t view a landscape without visualizing themselves traversing it on two wheels, Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die is a sound gift choice.” —The San Francisco Chronicle“Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die gets adventurous cyclists going in the right direction.” —The Boston Globe“50 chapters capture breathtaking cycling trails around the world.” —Metrosource magazine
Food, Drink and Celebrations of the Hudson Valley Dutch (American Palate)
by Peter G RoseThe renowned food historian delves into the early culinary traditions of Dutch settlers in New York state and their influence on the American kitchen.In 1609, Henry Hudson, under contract with the Dutch East India Company, set out to discover the lucrative Northwest Passage. The Hudson River Valley is what he discovered instead, and along its banks Dutch culture took hold. While the Dutch influence can still be seen in local architecture and customs, it is food and drink that Peter Rose has made her life&’s work. From beer to bread and cookies to coleslaw, Food, Drink and Celebrations of the Hudson Valley Dutch is a comprehensive look at this important early American influence, complete with recipes to try.
The Central Park: Original Designs for New York's Greatest Treasure
by Martin Filler Cynthia S. BrenwallA pictorial history of the development of New York City’s Central Park from conception to completion.Drawing on the unparalleled collection of original designs for Central Park in the New York City Municipal Archives, Cynthia S. Brenwall tells the story of the creation of New York’s great public park, from its conception to its completion. This treasure trove of material ranges from the original winning competition entry; to meticulously detailed maps; to plans and elevations of buildings, some built, some unbuilt; to elegant designs for all kinds of fixtures needed in a world of gaslight and horses; to intricate engineering drawings of infrastructure elements. Much of it has never been published before. A virtual time machine that takes the reader on a journey through the park as it was originally envisioned, The Central Park is both a magnificent art book and a message from the past about what brilliant urban planning can do for a great city.
America's Neighborhood Bats: Understanding and Learning to Live in Harmony with Them (Revised Edition)
by Merlin D. TuttleA guide to these frequently misunderstood animals that dispels unnecessary fears and encourages an appreciation of bats and their conservation needs. Since its publication in 1988, America&’s Neighborhood Bats has changed the way we look at bats by underscoring their harmless and beneficial nature. In this revised edition, Merlin Tuttle offers bat aficionados the most up-to-date bat facts, including a wealth of new information on attracting bats and building bat houses and a revamped key to the identification of common North American species. The easy-to-understand text, clear illustrations, and spectacular color photographs make this the perfect bat book for the general reader, as well as an invaluable resource for professionals who field questions from the public. Those who provide advice at health and animal control departments, museums, zoos, and nature centers will find it especially useful.
Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun, & Intention into Your Everyday
by Amy TangerineLearn how to focus your creative energy to make things—and make things happen. In this blend of memoir and hardworking handbook, creativity and craft maven Amy Tangerine shows how to find your flow, maintain a positive mindset, and cultivate a rich and fulfilling life by focusing on what truly matters and implementing small yet powerful changes. Chapters explore how to craft the soul, craft the right mindset, craft the right environment, craft good habits, rediscover your creative mojo, and maintain momentum, with each section offering exercises for taking your creative practice to the next level. For anyone who has felt disconnected from their creativity or has had trouble saving a space for their passions, Craft a Life You Love will teach you how to make time for creativity each and every day.
Into the Great Heart: Legends and Adventures of Guru Angad, the Second Sikh Guru
by Kamla A. KapurThe author of The Singing Guru shares the journey of Bhai Lehna to becoming Guru Angad in a tale that’s part history, legend, and fiction.Into the Great Heart carries forward and concludes the stories of Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana, his favorite minstrel, from the first volume of the Sikh Founder Series, The Singing Guru. History, legend, and fiction merge to populate this book with fascinating personalities from Sikh history. Pivotal to this narrative are forgotten female luminaries such as Guru Nanak’s wife, Mata Sulakhni, his sister, Bebe Nanaki, Bhai Lehna’s wife, Khivi, and daughter, Amro. Brought to the foreground, their wisdom and insights as they overcome obstacles to spiritual growth embody the basic tenets of Sikhism in everyday living. They enhance Guru Nanak and Bhai Lehna’s tale with their diverse approach to life.Filled with captivating characters that enrich the tapestry of this compelling narrative, Into the Great Heart is a must-read for anyone who loves a rich story about human nature in its search for spiritual awareness.“A poetic and moving evocation of the life and spirit of Guru Nanak.” —Alex Rutherford, author of Empire of the Moghul series
Viva Poncho: Twenty Ponchos and Capelets to Knit
by Leslie Barbazette Christina StorkTwenty knit poncho designs that &“could fit right into the pages of Vogue, Nylon and Lucky,&” complete with &“fashionista photos&” and &“clear instructions&” (Publishers Weekly). Whether worn as a beach cover-up or donned as an elegant evening wrap, ponchos are everywhere. Now, with Viva Poncho, knitters can make the newest sartorial sensation their own. This fun, fresh book offers 20 poncho designs for every season and in every style--serapes, raglans, wraparounds, semicircles, rectangles, pullovers, capelets, and even a dog poncho. Patterns suitable for both beginners and experienced knitters are included, all accompanied by clear, easy-to-follow explanations. Simple to make and give as gifts (since sizing is easy), practical and stylish to wear, and suitable for all sorts of creative adaptations, ponchos are an ideal project for every knitter. In fact, the authors encourage customization, showing how to add a hood or a collar, or devise personalized color schemes. Like the fashionable garments themselves, Viva Poncho will be the perfect impulse buy.
Western New York and the Gilded Age (Vintage Images Ser.)
by Julianna Fiddler-Woite Peter C. Scumaci Mary Beth ScumaciBorn from the success of the Erie Canal, the communities of Western New York enjoyed a century of growth and prosperity during America's Gilded Age. Buffalo was one of the richest cities in America and dominated industry and politics, producing two presidents. Wealth and architectural opportunity enticed figures like Frank Lloyd Wright, while the events of the Pan-American Exposition and a presidential assassination and inauguration attracted the world's attention. Drawing on the natural resources of Niagara Falls and profiting from a friendly relationship with Canada, the people of Western New York enjoyed luxurious leisure time and documented their adventures in photo albums and postcards. It is these images and remembrances, beautifully reproduced in this book, that capture this charming time in Western New York's history.
Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook: Houston Edition, Volume 1 (American Palate Ser.)
by Tiffany HarelikIn Houston, everyone from enterprising chefs at established restaurants to home cooks who love to eat has taken their recipes to the streets. From the Heights to Montrose and bars in between, food truck concepts are peppered around the Bayou City, feeding hungry Houstonians everything from bacon jam to cookie-flavored cashew butter, beer-braised lengua tacos to fried escargot. These creative mini-restaurants on wheels have shared the best of the best, including flavors from southern, Asian and Bayou cuisine. Join Tiffany Harelik as she brings the Trailer Food Diaries to Houston and explores the recipes and personal stories behind Houston's tastiest trend.
The Roman Goddess Ceres
by Barbette Stanley SpaethA thematic study of the Roman goddess of agriculture as represented in ancient culture from the prehistoric period to the Late Roman Empire.Interest in goddess worship is growing in contemporary society, as women seek models for feminine spirituality and wholeness. New cults are developing around ancient goddesses from many cultures, although their modern adherents often envision and interpret the goddesses very differently than their original worshippers did.In this thematic study of the Roman goddess Ceres, Barbette Spaeth explores the rich complexity of meanings and functions that grew up around the goddess from the prehistoric period to the Late Roman Empire. In particular, she examines two major concepts, fertility and liminality, and two social categories, the plebs and women, which were inextricably linked with Ceres in the Roman mind. Spaeth then analyzes an image of the goddess in a relief of the Ara Pacis, an important state monument of the Augustan period, showing how it incorporates all these varied roles and associations of Ceres. This interpretation represents a new contribution to art history. With its use of literary, epigraphical, numismatic, artistic, and archaeological evidence, The Roman Goddess Ceres presents a more encompassing view of the goddess than was previously available. It will be important reading for all students of Classics, as well as for a general audience interested in New Age, feminist, or pagan spirituality.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How the Swampers Changed American Music (Music Ser.)
by Carla Jean WhitleyThe chronicle of the legendary Alabama studio brings to life decades of rock, blues, and R&B history from The Rolling Stones to The Black Keys. An estimated four hundred gold records have been recorded in the Muscle Shoals area. Many of those are thanks to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and the session musicians known as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section—also dubbed &“the Swampers.&” Some of the greatest names in rock, R&B and blues laid tracks in the original, iconic concrete-block building, including Cher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and scores of others. The National Register of Historic Places now recognizes that building, where Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded the original version of &“Free Bird&” and the Rolling Stones wrote &“Brown Sugar&” and &“Wild Horses.&” By combing through decades of articles and music reviews related to Muscle Shoals Sound, music writer Carla Jean Whitley reconstructs the fascinating history of how the Alabama studio created a sound that reverberates across generations.
The Storytellers
by Caron McKinlayTrapped between life and the afterlife, three women meet and share their stories while discovering the truth about the men in their lives—and about themselves. Suspended in an eerie state of limbo, an entity called the Gatekeeper tells Nikki, Ronnie, and Mrs. Hawthorne they are on the cusp of entering the afterlife—but only if the women can persuade him that in their earthly lives, they knew the meaning of love. Fragments of their memories return, plunging them back into their pasts, and forcing them to face the desires, disappointments, addictions, lies, and obsessions they battled in life. But before time runs out, will they find the answer to the ultimate question: what is love? &“Darkly funny and completely compelling, with brilliantly flawed characters you can&’t help rooting for, even when they&’re bad.&” —Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man &“Utterly mind blowing! If Stuart Turton had written Gone Girl it would look like this. Intelligent, compelling writing that is genre defining. Brilliant!&” —Victoria Dowd, author of The Supper Club Murders &“Gripping, thought-provoking and clever. I was hooked from the very first page.&” —Nicola Gill, author of The Neighbours &“Beautiful, edgy and the perfect debut. A tale crafted with heart, soul and sass.&” —Keith A. Pearson, author of The &‘86 Fix
Milwaukee Food: A History of Cream City Cuisine (American Palate Ser.)
by Lori FredrichA local food writer exploreshow a humble Midwest town developed a food scene unlike any other American city and became a culinary destination of its own. Milwaukee&’s culinary scene boasts more than the iconic beer and bratwurst. It possesses a unique food culture as adventurous as any dining destination in the country. Sample the spreads at landmark hotels like the Pfister that established the city&’s hospitable reputation, as well as eateries like Mader&’s that cemented it. Meet the producers, chefs and entrepreneurs who helped expand Milwaukee&’s palate and pushed the scene to the forefront of the farm-to-fork movement. Milwaukee native and food writer Lori Fredrich serves up the story of a bustling blue-collar town that became a mecca for food lovers and a rising star in the sphere of urban farming.
The Bust DIY Guide to Life: Making Your Way Through Every Day
by Debbie Stoller Laurie HenzelGet the know-how to do it yourself: &“This lifestyle manual will come in handy when you need anything from a headache remedy to a dirt-cheap wedding.&” —Entertainment Weekly The modern appeal of &“do-it-yourself&” projects has a broader reach than ever. And who better to teach us how to DIY our lives than the über-crafty editors of BUST, the quirky, raw, and real magazine &“for women who have something to get off their chests&”? In The BUST DIY Guide to Life, magazine founders Debbie Stoller (of Stitch &’n Bitch fame) and Laurie Henzel have culled more than 250 of the best DIY and craft projects from its 15-year history. Organized by category—beauty and health, fashion, food and entertaining, career, finance, travel, and sex—and written in BUST&’s trademark brazen and witty style, this quintessential DIY encyclopedia from the quintessential DIY magazine is eclectic, empowering, hilarious, and downright practical, truly capturing the spirit of women today.
A Garden Can Be: Creating Bountiful and Beautiful Edible Gardens
by Dean Kuipers Lauri Kranz“Kranz’s facility at simplifying the process of raising fava beans or beets or lemon verbena—yes, anywhere—will have you scouring seed catalogs.” —NewsweekEdible Gardens LA founder Lauri Kranz shares her secrets for planning, planting, growing, and maintaining luscious edible gardens, no matter the setting or size of the plot. Through gorgeous gardens created for her well-known clientele, including James Beard Award–winning chefs, celebrities, rock stars, and more, Lauri shares her essential methods for growing abundant organic food. This practical guide is built around Lauri’s philosophy that nourishment and beauty are not separate goals. It’s also at the forefront of a gardening revolution, where more and more people are craving a patch of land for growing and the trend is toward edible gardens over ornamental gardens. A Garden Can Be Anywhere reveals Lauri’s knack for providing both beauty and bounty in her clients’ outdoor spaces.“Every time I see Lauri, I come away feeling nourished. Her superpower is her warmth, and her ease that makes any conversation about your garden feel empowering. She is a grounding force that strips away any gardening intimidation and makes you feel strong, capable, joyful. There’s no ego in her approach; she’s really rooting for you. Being around Lauri is such a gift.” —Maya Rudolph, actor, comedian, singer“The book takes readers through the process—step-by-step—of designing and growing a beautiful home garden.” —Gardenista“Lauri Kranz not only set up my edible garden, but also created and established a relationship between me and my backyard. She is the Tinder for me and my vegetables.” —Nicole Richie, fashion designer, author, actor
Undermined in Coal Country: On the Measures in a Working Land
by Bill ConlogueA study of lives and landscapes in Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna Valley and “what the region’s history of mining reveals about human folly and endeavor” (The Chronicle of Higher Education).Deep mining ended decades ago in Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna Valley. The barons who made their fortunes have moved on. Low wages and high unemployment haunt the area, and the people left behind wonder whether to stay or seek their fortunes elsewhere.Bill Conlogue explores how two overlapping coal country landscapes—Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Marywood University—have coped with the devastating aftermath of mining. Examining the far-reaching environmental effects of mining, this beautifully written book asks bigger questions about what it means to influence a landscape to this extent—and then to live in it. In prose rivaling that of Annie Dillard and John McPhee, Conlogue argues that, if we are serious about solving environmental problems, if we are serious about knowing where we are and what happens there, we need to attend closely to all places—that is, to attend to the world in a cold, dark, and disorienting universe. Unearthing new ways of thinking about place, pedagogy, and the environment, this meditative text reveals that place is inherently unstable.
When the Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter
by Judith R. BernsteinA psychologist and bereaved parent offers strategies by which parents can accept and integrate the effects of trauma into their lives.When the Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter is a poignant and sensitive book that offers bereaved parents the comfort of learning how others have navigated this rutted road. It is the first book to assess the enduring consequences of loss and the first to shed light on the evolution in values, perceptions, and relationships that follow the death of a child. With great honesty and empathy, it acknowledges that no family ever “recovers” from this tragedy, but rather adapts to a life irretrievably altered.Praise for When the Bough Breaks“Quite simply the best book I know of to help bereaved parents—clear, compassionate, and absolutely on target.” —Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People? and How Good Do We Have to Be?“A sensitive and honest description of the overwhelming journey bereaved families endure as they struggle to adjust to their new lives. Not only is this one of the best books I’ve ever read for bereaved families, but it also offers some real insights for those who care about bereaved parents and siblings.” —Diana Cunningham, executive director of The Compassionate Friends