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Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food
by Casey BarberExplores the possibilities of pierogies with the editor of the website Good. Food. Stories. and this array of recipes. This tasty tribute to the pierogi takes a familiar wrapping and stuffs it with a host of unconventional, innovative, and decidedly non-traditional fillings. With 60 sweet and savory recipes that include everything from the classic Polish cheddar and potato offerings to American-inspired Reuben pierogies and fried apple pie-rogies to worldly fillings like falafel and Nutella, there's a pierogi for every party and every palate! Each recipe comes with a charming story from Barber's extensive explorations in pierogi flavors.&“What I adore about Pierogi Love is that it does for pierogies what my blog has done for cupcakes—it pushes the boundaries of pierogies. The book begins by sharing a basic savory and a basic sweet pierogi dough and detailing assembly, cooking, and storage procedures. Then, it moves on to the fillings. This is where the book gets fun!&”—Stefani Pollack, writer & recipe developer, Cupcake Project &“I must say these pierogies are a great option to have available at your holiday festivities.&”—Kristina Gill, food & drinks editor, Design Sponge, and author of Tasting Rome
Ghosts of the Triad: Tales from the Haunted Heart of the Piedmont (Haunted America)
by Amy Spease Michael Renegar&“A fantastic job of storytelling to the point that it literally sends shivers down the reader&’s spine . . . entertaining and informative&” (YES! Weekly). Don&’t be fooled by the scenic beauty of North Carolina&’s Piedmont Triad—the ghosts of the past haunt these rolling hills and unique cities. From the smallpox-stricken ghost that haunts Salem Tavern in Winston-Salem to the slain Revolutionary War soldiers who linger in the park surrounding Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro, these phantoms all have a tale to tell. Some ghosts even support education. Take Jane, the lonely spinster who haunts Aycock Auditorium at the UNC-Greensboro campus, or Herschel, High Point University&’s ghost of the former Memorial Theater. And though Spookywoods Haunted Attraction in Kersey Valley often frightens and astounds, some of the resident ghosts aren&’t just special effects. Join Camel City Spirit Seekers Michael Renegar and Amy Spease as they reveal the eerie and chilling stories from the heart of the Piedmont. Includes photos! &“If you want some spooky ghost stories to get you in the mood for Halloween, Triad ghost-hunters/authors Michael Renegar and Amy Spease may have just what you&’re looking for.&” —The News & Record
John Hunt Morgan and His Raiders
by Edison H. ThomasThis lively Civil War biography presents an unbiased chronicle of the controversial Confederate General who led the 2nd cavalry in Morgan&’s Raid. Whether one thinks of him as a dashing cavalier or shameless horse thief, it is impossible not to regard John Hunt Morgan as a fascinating Civil War figure. Morgan led his men into the most dangerous adventures by convincing them that the honor of the South was at stake; yet he did not always heed his own sense of honor when temptations of easy theft drew the Raiders from military objectives to wanton pillage. In John Hunt Morgan and his Raiders, Edison H. Thomas gives us a balanced view of these controversial men and their raids, including rare insight into their disruption of rail communications. In a fast-paced narrative he follows the cavalry unit from the evening they set out to join the Confederate forces to the morning of Morgan's death in Greeneville, Tennessee. Basil Duke, St. Leger Grenfell, Lightning Ellsworth, and the beautiful Martha Ready all receive their due, as does the truly remarkable story of the Raiders' newspaper.
Ghosts of Boulder (Haunted America)
by Jordan Alexander Leggett Ann Alexander LeggettStories and photos that reveal the paranormal history of this Colorado city . . . Founded in 1859 and situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is small in size but harbors a big-city feel—and its rich past hides plenty of hair-raising lore. A home in the Newlands is said to be haunted by a previous owner who was displeased with remodeling done on his longtime abode, while a small Victorian on Pearl Street has been plagued by strange events for over a century. Guests at one hotel might be surprised by the number of mysteries wrapped around the building, and local spirits have a standing reservation at a popular restaurant that was once a mortuary. In this spine-chilling book, authors Ann Alexander Leggett and Jordan Alexander Leggett offer up a tour of the tales that haunt this Colorado college town.
The Prize: Who's In Charge of America's Schools?
by Dale RussakoffThisNew York Times bestseller chronicles how Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Christie, and Cory Booker tried—and failed—to reform education in Newark, NJ. In September of 2010, billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg went on Oprah to announce a pledge of $100 million to transform the downtrodden schools of Newark, New Jersey. There by his side were the city&’s Democratic mayor, Cory Booker, and the state&’s Republican governor, Chris Christie. Together, they vowed to make Newark &“a symbol of educational excellence for the whole nation.&” But this trio of power players had no idea what they were in for. The tumultuous changes planned by reformers and their highly paid consultants spark a fiery grass-roots opposition stoked by local politicians and union leaders. At the center of the fight was Newark&’s billion-dollar-a-year education budget: a prize that, for generations, had enriched seemingly everyone, except Newark&’s children. In The Prize, Dale Russakoff presents a dramatic narrative encompassing the rise of celebrity politics, big philanthropy, extreme economic inequality, the charter school movement, and the struggles and triumphs of schools in one of the nation&’s poorest cities. &“One of the most important books on education to come along in years.&”—The New York Times
Historic Haunts of Savannah (Haunted America)
by Michael Harris Linda SicklerGeorgia&’s oldest city plays hostess to a bevy of ghostly guests whose stories are wrapped up in its rich southern history. As one of America&’s most haunted cities, Savannah, Georgia, has a long list of stories of the supernatural, such as the story of the first two people hanged in colonial Savannah for the murder of their abusive master. Or James Stark, a tempestuous planter, and Dr. Philip Minis, who settled their dispute with a duel and still hang around the old building at Moon River Brewing Co. Or the terrifying &“boy-giant,&” Rene Rhondolia, who preys on young girls and animals. Join authors Michael Harris and Linda Sickler as they navigate the chilling world of those who refuse to leave their Savannah homes. Includes photos! &“Story-loving Sickler and research-savvy Harris dug behind the ghost stories of what&’s called one of America&’s most haunted cities.&” —Savannah Now
Salem's Witch House: A Touchstone to Antiquity (Landmarks Ser.)
by John GoffA close-up look at this historic Massachusetts landmark, including photos and illustrations. Though Salem is located on Massachusetts&’s scenic North Shore, its history has not always been picturesque. The &“Witch City,&” as it is internationally known, is home to numerous landmarks dedicated to the notorious trials of 1692. Of these, the Witch House is perhaps most significant—the former residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, whose court ordered the execution of twenty men and women. It was here that Corwin examined the unfortunate accused. There is, however, more to this ancient building than its most famous occupant. From wars and death to prosperity and progress, this book searches beneath the beams and studs of the Witch House—to find the stories of those who called this place home.
Haunted Columbia, Missouri (Haunted America)
by Mary Collins BarileThe author of The Haunted Boonslick proves the Show Me State isn&’t shy about its ghostly heritage—especially in the beautiful college town at its center. According to Columbia ghost lore, the city&’s dead only dabble with departure. The specter of Broadway legend Maude Adams checks in on classes at Stephens College, while ragtime pioneer John William Boone returns to trail invisible fingers along his grand piano. Some linger from love, like the spirit of the Osage woman who waited for a final walk with the brave she was to marry. Others remain for a reckoning, like the guerrilla stalking Brannock Hall for the Union sniper who shot him down or the murdered child discovered in the plaster of a frontier tavern. From the columns of Mizzou&’s quad to the region&’s winding country roads, author Mary Collins Barile explores the restless graves of Columbia&’s eerie heritage. Includes photos!
The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "Unadoptables" Taught Me About Service, Hope, & Healing
by Susannah Charleson&“A moving page-turner of a memoir from an accomplished trainer who shifts from the work of search and rescue to that of psychiatric service dogs.&”—The Boston Globe After a grisly search-and-rescue operation led to troubling consequences for author Susannah Charleson, she found that her relationship with Puzzle, her search dog, made a surprising contribution to her own healing. Inspired by that experience, Charleson learned to identify abandoned dogs with service potential, plucking them from shelters and training them to work with disabled human partners, to whom the dogs bring assistance, comfort, and hope. Similar to her New York Times bestselling first book, Scent of the Missing, Charleson&’s The Possibility Dogs goes beyond the science that explains working canines to tell the stories of the dogs themselves. Like Merlin, a black Lab puppy who had been thrown away in a garbage bag and now stabilizes his partner&’s panic attacks. And service dog Jake Piper, a formerly starving pit bull mix who went from abandoned to irreplaceable. This heartwarming combination of memoir and research is sure to both inform and inspire. &“For everyone who is interested in the human animal bond, this book is essential reading. Learn how service dogs can provide emotional support for people who are in great need.&”—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make us Human and Animals in Translation &“You don&’t have to be an animal lover to be moved by this beautifully written and impassioned account of the author&’s work rescuing dogs from shelters and training them to be service animals . . . This is the rare book that can change minds about the reality of animals&’ emotional lives.&”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher: The Shocking 1914 Case of a Vengeful Student (True Crime Ser.)
by Dennis Webster&“The true case of Lydia &‘Lida&’ Beecher, a school teacher, being killed by one of her former students . . . The book flows seamlessly&” (Observer Dispatch). In 1914, Poland, New York, was a picturesque slice of small-town America. But that innocence was shattered with the shocking murder of beloved schoolteacher Lida Beecher at the hands of her former student Jean Gianini. At twenty-one years old, Lida wasn't much older than her students. The son of a successful furniture dealer, Jean had all the advantages in life, but he had been labeled as different by all who encountered him. The shocking murder brought the world&’s best alienists to the packed Herkimer County Courthouse to try to prove that the teenager&’s mental development precluded his guilt. Author Dennis Webster utilizes unprecedented access to court documents to reveal details of the sensational crime never before made known to the public. Includes photos!
The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s
by Joseph EganThe &“endlessly fascinating&” true story of a custody battle that threatened to expose the seedy secrets of Hollywood&’s Golden Age—illustrated with photos (Entertainment Weekly). Most famous for playing opposite Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon, Mary Astor was one of Hollywood&’s most beloved film stars. But her story wasn&’t a happy one. Widowed at twenty-four, she quickly entered a rocky marriage with Dr. Franklyn Thorpe in which both were unfaithful. When they finally divorced in 1936, Astor sued for custody of their baby daughter Marylyn, setting off one of Hollywood&’s most scandalous court cases. In the ruthless court battle, Thorpe held a trump card: the diaries Astor had been keeping for years. In them, Astor detailed her own affairs—including with playwright George S. Kaufman—as well as the myriad dalliances of some of Hollywood&’s biggest names. Studio heads were desperate to keep such damning details from leaking. But speculation of the dairy&’s contents became a major news story, stealing the front page from The Spanish Civil War and Hitler&’s 1936 Olympic Games in newspapers all over America. With unlimited access to the photographs and memorabilia of Mary Astor&’s estate, The Purples Diaries is an in-depth look at Hollywood&’s Golden Age as it has never been seen before.
1967 Red Sox: The Impossible Dream Season (Images of Baseball)
by Raymond SinibaldiA photo-packed celebration of Boston&’s 1967 pennant win. It was a summer that united a city and transformed a franchise. Led by 1967 MVP Carl Yastrzemski and Boston&’s first Cy Young Award winner, Jim Lonborg, the youngest Red Sox team since the days of Babe Ruth went from ninth to first place in what remains the closest pennant race in baseball history. Tony Conigliaro, Rico Petrocelli, George Scott, Reggie Smith, Billy Rohr, Jerry Adair, and their teammates became household names to the Fenway Faithful as they carried the Red Sox to their first World Series in twenty-one years under manager Dick Williams—and this book is filled with personal reminiscences and photos of that glorious season.
Fever at Dawn: A Novel
by Péter GárdosAfter World War II, two concentration camp survivors begin a battle for love in this heartwarming, historical novel based on a true story.It&’s 1945, and Miklós is looking for a wife. The fact that he has six months left to live doesn&’t discourage him—he isn&’t one to let small problems like that stand in the way, especially not after he&’s survived a concentration camp. Currently marooned in an all-male sanatorium in Sweden, and desperate to get out, he acquires the names of the 117 Hungarian women also recovering in Sweden and writes each of them a letter in his beautiful cursive hand. Luckily for him, Lili decides to write back…Drawn from the real-life letters of Péter Gárdos&’s parents, and reminiscent of the film Life Is Beautiful, Fever at Dawn is a vibrant, ribald, and unforgettable tale, showing the death-defying power of the human will to live and to love.&“Fever at Dawn has the sweetness of The Rosie Project and the pathos of The Fault in Our Stars…A book to fall in love with.&”—The Herald Sun&“At once heartrending and lighthearted, this romance covers enormous ground in love and war, joy and tragedy.&” — Shelf Awareness, starred review &“A riveting and high-spirited journey from the brink of death toward life, [Fever at Dawn] asserts the power of love.&”—Julie Orringer, author of The Invisible Bridge
Haunted Old Forge (Haunted America)
by Dennis Webster Bernadette PeckDiscover the paranormal past of this little town in the Adirondacks . . . photos included! Spirits linger on the pine-covered slopes of the Adirondack Mountains that surround Old Forge. Books fly off the shelves at the Maxson House, and something—or someone—spies on the living from the attic window of the Goodsell Museum. The spirit of Mohawk Peter Waters is said to linger along the shores of First Lake, where an assassin killed him in 1833. The scent of a phantom cigar hints at the presence of the former owner of the Strand Theatre. In this book, Dennis Webster and Bernadette Peck and the Ghost Seekers of Central New York take a chilling journey into the paranormal history of what may be the most haunted town in the nation.
Seasons in Hell: With Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog and, "the Worst Baseball Team in History"—The 1973–1975 Texas Rangers
by Mike Shropshire&“A funny, revealing, Ball Four–like romp through mid-seventies baseball&” from the longtime sports columnist and author of The Last Real Season (Booklist). You think your team is bad? In this &“disastrously hilarious&” work on one of the most tortured franchises in baseball, one reporter discovers that nine innings can feel like an eternity (USA Today). In early 1973, gonzo sportswriter Mike Shropshire agreed to cover the Texas Rangers for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, not realizing that the Rangers were arguably the worst team in baseball history. Seasons in Hell is a riotous, candid, irreverent behind-the-scenes account in the tradition of The Bronx Zoo and Ball Four, following the Texas Rangers from Whitey Herzog&’s reign in 1973 through Billy Martin&’s tumultuous tenure. Offering wonderful perspectives on dozens of unique (and likely never-to-be-seen-again) baseball personalities, Seasons in Hell recounts some of the most extreme characters ever to play the game and brings to life the no-holds-barred culture of major league baseball in the mid-seventies. &“The single funniest sports book I have ever read.&”—Don Imus &“The locker-room shenanigans of a lousy team of the 1970s.&”—Publishers Weekly
Ghosts and Murders of Manhattan (Images of America)
by Elise GainerDiscover the darker side of New York City history with this collection of stories and photos. Amid the bustle of the city&’s ever-changing landscape, Manhattan&’s past still whispers. At Fraunces Tavern, George Washington&’s emotional farewell luncheon in 1783 echoes in the Long Room. Gertrude Tredwell&’s ghost appears to visitors at the Merchant&’s House Museum. Long since deceased, Olive Thomas shows herself to the men of the New Amsterdam Theatre, and Dorothy Parker still keeps her lunch appointment at the Algonquin Hotel. In other places, it is not the paranormal but the abnormal—violent acts by gangsters, bombers, and murderers that linger in the city&’s memory. Some even believe that Jack the Ripper and the Boston Strangler hunted here. The historic images and true stories in Ghosts and Murders of Manhattan explores the people and events that shaped this city, and live in the shadows of its majestic skyline.
Midnight's Furies: The Deadly Legacy of India's Partition
by Nisid HajariA &“fast-moving and highly readable account&” of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and its lasting legacy in today&’s geopolitical tensions (The New York Times). An NPR and Seattle Times Best Book of the Year Nobody expected the events of 1947 in Southeast Asia to be so bloody. The liberation of India and the birth of Pakistan were supposed to realize the dreams of Muslims and Hindus who had been ruled by the British for centuries. Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi&’s protégé and the political leader of India, believed Indians were an inherently nonviolent, peaceful people. Pakistan&’s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was a secular lawyer, not a firebrand. In August 1946, exactly a year before Independence, Calcutta erupted in street-gang fighting. A cycle of riots—targeting Hindus, then Muslims, then Sikhs—spiraled out of control. As the summer of 1947 approached, all three groups were arming themselves as the British rushed to evacuate. Some of the most brutal and widespread ethnic cleansing in modern history erupted on both sides of the new border, searing a divide between India and Pakistan that remains a root cause of many evils. From jihadi terrorism to nuclear proliferation, the searing tale told in Midnight&’s Furies explains all too many of the headlines we read today.
Startup: A Silicon Valley Adventure
by Jerry KaplanThe classic account of the early days of tech, named one of the 10 best business books of the year by Business Week: &“Riveting, wry, and often wise.&”—The Washington Post Jerry Kaplan had a dream: he would redefine the known universe (and get very rich) by creating a new kind of computer. All he needed was sixty million dollars, a few hundred employees, and a maniacal belief in his ability to win the Silicon Valley startup game. Kaplan, a well-known figure in the computer industry, founded GO Corporation in 1987, and for several years it was one of the hottest new ventures in the Valley. Startup tells the story of Kaplan's wild ride: how he assembled a brilliant but fractious team of engineers, software designers, and investors; pioneered the emerging market for hand-held computers operated with a pen instead of a keyboard; and careened from crisis to crisis without ever losing his passion for his revolutionary idea. Along the way, Kaplan vividly recreates his encounters with eccentric employees, risk-addicted venture capitalists, and industry giants such as Bill Gates and John Sculley. And no one—including Kaplan himself—is spared his sharp wit. &“What separates Kaplan&’s tale from other start-up stories is the insight he provides about dealing with two of America's largest computer companies—IBM and Microsoft…Readers interested in entrepreneurial adventurism will find Kaplan&’s tale entertaining.&”—Publishers Weekly &“Kaplan tells it with novelistic style replete with races against the clock and sharp character sketches…An insider's well-written story of the death of a new machine.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“A winner.&”—Wired
Simply Soup
by Madge BairdStep up your soup game with quick, delicious, healthy recipes from chilis and chowders to dumplings and hot pots—from the author of 200 Soups. Ranking among warm sweaters and cozy blankets, a piping-hot bowl of soup is a universal symbol for comfort. With recipes ranging from classic to trendy, Simply Soup is full of inspiration to answer every craving. More than 50 recipes include: Chicken and DumplingsAsian Hot PotHam Bone SoupCarrot and Parsnip BisqueLentil, Chickpeas, and Greens SoupRed Tomato GazpachoAfrican Peanut SoupEasy French Onion SoupWhite Clam ChowderChicken Enchilada Soup Whether you&’re looking for a quick, healthy option for lunch, an easy one-pot dinner for the family, a dish to thaw you out on a wintry evening, or even a chilled soup on a warm day, this book&’s for you.
Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich
by Eric Kurlander&“A dense and scholarly book about . . . the relationship between the Nazi party and the occult . . . reveals stranger-than-fiction truths on every page.&”—Daily Telegraph The Nazi fascination with the occult is legendary, yet today it is often dismissed as Himmler&’s personal obsession or wildly overstated for its novelty. Preposterous though it was, however, supernatural thinking was inextricable from the Nazi project. The regime enlisted astrology and the paranormal, paganism, Indo-Aryan mythology, witchcraft, miracle weapons, and the lost kingdom of Atlantis in reimagining German politics and society and recasting German science and religion. In this eye-opening history, Eric Kurlander reveals how the Third Reich&’s relationship to the supernatural was far from straightforward. Even as popular occultism and superstition were intermittently rooted out, suppressed, and outlawed, the Nazis drew upon a wide variety of occult practices and esoteric sciences to gain power, shape propaganda and policy, and pursue their dreams of racial utopia and empire. &“[Kurlander] shows how swiftly irrational ideas can take hold, even in an age before social media.&”—The Washington Post &“Deeply researched, convincingly authenticated, this extraordinary study of the magical and supernatural at the highest levels of Nazi Germany will astonish.&”—The Spectator &“A trustworthy [book] on an extraordinary subject.&”—The Times &“A fascinating look at a little-understood aspect of fascism.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“Kurlander provides a careful, clear-headed, and exhaustive examination of a subject so lurid that it has probably scared away some of the serious research it merits.&”—National Review
Eat More Tortillas
by Donna Kelly Stephanie AshcraftFrom the authors of 101 Things to Do With Chicken and 101 Things to Do With Rice, 75 recipes that will change how you see the tortilla. Move over sliced bread; there&’s a new fare in town.Tortillas are now an indisputable staple of the American diet. Expand your horizons beyond the humble quesadilla with the help of this funky new cookbook, Eat More Tortillas. Try Smoked Salmon Triangles, Sloppy Joe Tacos, Southwest Lasagna, Tortilla Cannolis…and the list goes on with 75 recipes for breakfasts, soups, salads, snacks, dinners, and desserts—each featuring the beloved tortilla. Whether you&’re cooking a family meal, prepping for game day, snacking on the go, or navigating your first kitchen, this bargain cookbook will give anyone plenty of reasons to Eat More Tortillas.
Aunty Acid's Guide to Life (Aunty Acid)
by Ged BacklandIn this collection from the hit webcomic, the pink-haired, sassy senior who&’s been around the block shares what she&’s learned about life. &“Life is too short to remember to remove a USB safely.&” &“Unfortunately, my daydreams about being skinny are often cut short by the sounds of me chewing a cookie.&” Created to give &“the crazy old lady in all of us&” a voice that can be heard from ten blocks away, Aunty Acid, along with her long-suffering husband, Walt, tells it like it is and has her own unique opinions on everything. She&’s here to guide you through life on matters including finding Mr. Right and dealing with difficult people (a.k.a. idiots). Aunty Acid is created by Ged Backland and is brought to life by the team at the Backland Studio in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in Northern England. Their other properties include the widely successful Scarlett & Crimson series.
Collected Poems
by Galway KinnellThe essential collection by the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winner who was &“one of the true master poets of his generation&” (The New York Times). In the words of Galway Kinnell, it is &“the poet&’s job to figure out what&’s happening within oneself, to figure out the connection between the self and the world, and to get it down in words that have a lasting shape, that have a chance of lasting.&” With this deeply probing and restlessly curious sensibility, Kinnell spend decades producing some of American poetry&’s most beloved and revered works. This comprehensive volume includes Kinnell&’s expansive poem of immigrant life on the Lower East Side of New York, &“The Avenue Bearing the Initial of Christ into the New World,&”; his incantatory book-length poem, The Book of Nightmares; and a searing evocation of Hiroshima in &“The Fundamental Project of Technology.&” It covers the iconic themes of Kinnell&’s middle years—eros, family, and the natural world—in works such as &“After Making Love We Hear Footsteps,&” &“The Bear,&” &“Saint Francis and the Sow,&” and &“Blackberry Eating.&” And includes the unflinchingly introspective work of his later years. Spanning six decades, this is the essential collection for old and new devotees of Galway Kinnell: &“a poet of the rarest ability…who can flesh out music, raise the spirits, and break the heart&” (Boston Globe).
Orange Appeal: Savory and Sweet
by Jamie SchlerAdd a little sunshine to every meal with dishes and desserts brightened with the flavor of orange. Jamie Schler offers a collection of sophisticated and sunny recipes using the most versatile of citrus fruits, the orange, in this cookbook beautifully photographed by Ilva Beretta. Schler incorporates the juice, zest, and fruit from many varieties of oranges as well as flavorings, extracts, and liqueurs. These sauces, soups, salads, sides, main dishes, breads, and sweets embody the essence of orange. Indulge yourself and delight your guests with recipes such as: Orange Fig SauceMussels Steamed in Orange and FennelOrange Braised Belgian Endive with Caramelized Onions and BaconBeef in Bourbon Sauce, Glazed Apple and Orange BraidOrange and Brown Sugar-Glazed Sweet PotatoesChocolate Orange Marmalade Brownies and many more
The Field of Cloth of Gold
by Glenn Richardson&“Pomp, pageantry and epic showing-off: a vivid re-creation of the 1520 peace-promoting rally between the kings of England and France.&”—The Sunday Times Glenn Richardson provides the first history in more than four decades of a major Tudor event: an extraordinary international gathering of Renaissance rulers unparalleled in its opulence, pageantry, controversy, and mystery. Throughout most of the late medieval period, from 1300 to 1500, England and France were bitter enemies, often at war or on the brink of it. In 1520, in an effort to bring conflict to an end, England&’s monarch, Henry VIII, and Francis I of France agreed to meet, surrounded by virtually their entire political nations, at &“the Field of Cloth of Gold.&” In the midst of a spectacular festival of competition and entertainment, the rival leaders hoped to secure a permanent settlement between them, as part of a European-wide &“Universal Peace.&” Richardson offers a bold new appraisal of this remarkable historical event, describing the preparations and execution of the magnificent gathering, exploring its ramifications, and arguing that it was far more than the extravagant elitist theater and cynical charade it historically has been considered to be. &“A sparkling new account of the Field of Cloth of Gold as an extraordinary demonstration of ostentatious rivalry.&”—Suzannah Lipscomb, author of A Journey Through Tudor England &“Richardson&’s book seeks to throw new light on what we know of the Field itself: from how it was organized, provisioned and enacted, to the reasons such a sensational junket should have mattered—and in this it undoubtedly succeeds.&”—London Review of Books