- Table View
- List View
The Winthrop Woman
by Anya SetonColonial America holds friendship, hardship, and love for a bold woman in this classic historical romance from the bestselling author of Green Darkness.In 1631 Elizabeth Winthrop, newly widowed with an infant daughter, set sail for the New World. Against a background of rigidity and conformity she dared to befriend Anne Hutchinson at the moment of her banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; dared to challenge a determined army captain bent on the massacre of her friends the Siwanoy Indians; and, above all, dared to love a man as her heart and her whole being commanded. And so, as a response to this almost unmatched courage and vitality, Governor John Winthrop came to refer to this woman in the historical records of the time as his &“unregenerate niece.&”Anya Seton&’s riveting historical novel portrays the fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph of the Winthrop woman, who believed in a concept of happiness transcending that of her own day.&“The Winthrop Woman is that rare literary accomplishment—living history. Really good fictionalized history [like this] often gives closer reality to a period than do factual records.&”—Chicago Tribune &“A rich and panoramic narrative full of gusto, sentimentality and compassion. It is bound to give much enjoyment and a good many thrills.&”—Times Literary Supplement (UK) &“Abundant and juicy entertainment.&”—New York Times
1948: Harry Truman's Improbable Victory and the Year that Transformed America
by David PietruszaThe wild, combative inside story of the most stunning upset in the history of presidential elections—Harry Truman's victory over Tom Dewey: &“Outstanding.&”—Minneapolis Star-Tribune In this lively account, award-winning historian David Pietrusza unpacks the most ingloriously iconic headline in the history of presidential elections—DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN—to reveal the 1948 campaign's backstage events and recount the down-to-the-wire brawl fought against the background of an erupting Cold War, the Berlin Airlift, the birth of Israel, and a post-war America facing exploding storms over civil rights and domestic communism. &“Coherent, compelling…A skillful, authoritative investigation.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“A terrific book…a must-read.&”—Ron Faucheux, former editor-in-chief, Campaigns & Elections magazine &“Brilliantly portrays President Harry Truman's successful efforts to stave off the challenge of New York Gov. Tom Dewey, who was making a repeat bid as the Republican nominee.&”—David Mark, author of Going Dirty: The Art of Negative Campaigning &“Sweeping…compelling.&”—Library Journal &“Gripping detail.&”—The New York Journal of Books
Kentucky Rebel Town: The Civil War Battles of Cynthiana and Harrison County
by William A. PennThis unique Civil War history chronicles the hard-fought battles and divided loyalties of a pro-Southern county in Union Kentucky. When the Civil War broke out, Kentucky was officially neutral—but the people of Harrison County felt differently. Volunteers lined up at the train depot in Cynthiana to join the Confederate Army, cheered on by pro-Southern local officials. After the state fell under Union Army control, this &“pestilential little nest of treason&” became a battlefield during some of the most dramatic military engagements in the state. Because of its political leanings and strategic position along the Kentucky Central Railroad, Harrison County became the target of multiple raids by Confederate general John Hunt Morgan. Conflict in the area culminated in the Second Battle of Cynthiana, in which Morgan's men clashed with Union troops led by Major General Stephen G. Burbridge—known as the &“Butcher of Kentucky&”—resulting in the destruction of much of the town by fire. In this fascinating Civil War history, William A. Penn draws on dozens of period newspapers as well as personal journals, memoirs, and correspondence from citizens, slaves, soldiers, and witnesses to provide a vivid account of the war's impact on the region.
The Sink or Swim Money Program: A 6-Step Plan for Teaching Your Teens Financial Responsibility
by John E. WhitcombA step-by-step guide to teaching kids fiscal responsibility, and instilling positive spending habits that will last a lifetime. Children don&’t know much about money—they just know what they want (like overpriced junk food and the most expensive sneakers). But learning a little financial wisdom can set them on a path that will make their futures significantly better—and allow them to navigate a scary adult world full of spending pitfalls. In this book, Dr. John E. Whitcomb provides a six-step program to do just that. It begins with letting go. Terrifying as it seems, your children learn more with the power of non-essential spending in their own hands. With the freedom to spend as they please and make their own mistakes, spending money becomes not an argument, but an important lesson in priorities. But they won't be alone in the wild with a pocket full of cash. Whether for school, clothes, or hobbies, teens and parents can sign a contract detailing the limits of their spending that work for each of them. From day-to-day decisions all the way to the milestones of adulthood—opening their first checking account, college savings, and getting their first car—Dr. Whitcomb's application of the capitation method prepares them for every step of their financial journey. &“Explains Whitcomb's original and systematic technique for teaching kids how to manage money responsibly.&”—Publishers Weekly Previously published as Capitating Your Kids: Teaching Your Teens Financial Independence
The Virgin Warrior: The Life and Death of Joan of Arc
by Larissa Juliet Taylor&“A fresh and provocative biography of La Pucelle . . . her transformation from a naive girl to a strong-willed, bold, and gifted captain of war.&”—Frederic J. Baumgartner, author of France in the Sixteenth CenturyFrance&’s great heroine and England&’s great scourge: whether a lunatic, a witch, a religious icon, or a skilled soldier and leader, Joan of Arc&’s contemporaries found her as extraordinary and fascinating as the legends that abound about her today. But her life has been so endlessly cast and recast that we have lost sight of the remarkable girl at the heart of it—a teenaged peasant girl who, after claiming to hear voices, convinced the French king to let her lead a disheartened army into battle. In the process she changed the course of European history.In The Virgin Warrior, Larissa Juliet Taylor paints a vivid portrait of Joan as a self-confident, charismatic and supremely determined figure, whose sheer force of will electrified those around her and struck terror into the hearts of the English soldiers and leaders. The drama of Joan&’s life is set against a world where visions and witchcraft were real, where saints could appear to peasants, battles and sieges decided the fate of kingdoms and rigged trials could result in burning at the stake. Yet in her short life, Joan emboldened the French soldiers and villagers with her strength and resolve. A difficult, inflexible leader, she defied her accusers and enemies to the end. From her early years to the myths and fantasies that have swelled since her death, Taylor &“goes deep into Joan of Arc&’s heart and soul and shows us the maiden, the warrior and the heroine&” (Kate Williams, New York Times bestselling author).
The Year of Needy Girls
by Patricia SmithA Lambda Award finalist that &“recalls both Hellman&’s The Children&’s Hour and Lehane&’s Mystic River in a story about murder and false accusations&” (The Bay Area Reporter). Bradley, Massachusetts, is in many ways a typical small New England town, but a river divides it in half—on one side, the East End: crowded triple-deckers, the Most Precious Blood parish, and a Brazilian immigrant community; and on the other, the West End: renovated Victorians, Brandywine Academy, and families with last names as venerable as the Mayflower. Deirdre Murphy and her partner Sara Jane (SJ) Edmonds have just moved to their first house—and for the first time are open in their relationship—in the West End, where Deirdre teaches at Brandywine Academy. A dedicated teacher from a working-class background, she is well loved by her students. But the murder of ten-year-old Leo Rivera from the East End changes everything—for Deirdre and SJ, for the girls at Brandywine, and for all of Bradley. And when Deirdre is falsely accused of sexually molesting one of her students, the entire town erupts. &“From a landscape peopled with supportive neighbors, coworkers and lovers of all types, Smith erases the certainty underlying characters&’ beliefs and sets them tumbling into chaos. The Year of Needy Girls is an intelligent and captivating read that will spur readers to question their own truths.&”—VA Living Magazine &“Smith conveys the impact of this prejudicial hostility on two young women who are struggling to make their way in an intolerant world with a tender and delicate understanding in this nuanced tale of identity and misperception, connection and alienation.&”—Booklist &“A provoking read.&”—Publishers Weekly
The Deadline (Jefferson Morgan Mystery Ser. #1)
by Ron FranscellThis novel of a small-town reporter drawn into a chilling cold case is &“an impressive debut that will keep you on the edge of your seat&” (San Francisco Chronicle). A dying convict&’s last request thrusts small-town newspaperman Jefferson Morgan into a deadly maelstrom as he explores a fifty-year-old case of child murder—a wound his town still isn&’t ready to scrape open. Under the heaviest deadline of his life, and amid threats from unexpected foes, Morgan must struggle with his own conscience to tell a story no matter the consequences, dig deep into the town&’s past, and unveil a killer who&’s managed to remain hidden in plain sight for almost fifty years. Now a bestselling true crime author, Ron Franscell began his crime-writing career with fiction. This was his first mystery featuring newspaperman Jefferson Morgan, followed by its sequel, The Obituary. &“As a bonus, [Franscell] packs the novel with plenty of fascinating details about the newspaper business. A nice little sleeper of a mystery that deserves a wide audience.&”—Booklist
Wolves: Western Warriors
by Julie ArgyleIn Wolves: Western Warriors, the life of the powerful and majestic North American wolf, often considered to be vermin and dangerous, is presented, showing the struggle they have to simply survive in the wild and in a world where many people don’t appreciate wolves and often set out to exterminate them. Argyle explores their behavior, their family dynamics, and what it means to be a wolf in the wilderness of the greater Yellowstone area through her stunning photography. She includes information about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and the ongoing struggle with keeping wolves listed as endangered species, while also offering her personal observations about the Wapiti Lake pack, among others, and several notable individual wolves. The strikingly beautiful images and the information and stories woven throughout the pages of the book showcase this frequently misunderstood, yet completely incredible species.
Visible City
by Tova MirvisVoyeurism between NYC neighbors leads to surprising discoveries in this &“glittering novel about fate, fantasy, and the anonymity of urban life&” (O, The Oprah Magazine). After chaotic days of wrangling and soothing her young children, Nina spends her evenings spying on the quiet, contented older couple across the street. But one night, watching the same window, she spies a young couple in the throes of passion. Confused and intrigued, Nina wonders who these people are, and what happened to her symbol of domestic happiness.Then Nina crosses paths with both couples on the streets of her Upper West Side neighborhood. Soon, her innocent peeping gives way to a kind of intimacy that has everyone confronting their own desires and disappointments. In Visible City, Tova Mirvis explores the boundaries between our own lives and the lives of others. From its lavish ghost subway stations to its hidden stained-glass windows, Visible City conjures a New York City teeming with buried treasures. &“An utterly perfect, deeply moving evocation of contemporary Manhattan [that] reminded me of Paula Fox and Laurie Colwin, and also those master chroniclers of the privileged classes, Wharton and Fitzgerald . . . Brilliant.&” —Joanna Smith Rakoff, Salon.com
Gut Wisdom: Understanding and Improving Your Digestive Health
by Alyce M. Sorokie&“A positive mental attitude is everything, and this inspirational as well as informative guide to good tummy health is fairly brimming with it.&”—Booklist Are you eating a reasonable diet, getting enough exercise and still experiencing indigestion, bloat, or other &“gut distress?&” Do you experience frequent knots, butterflies, tension, or more severe symptoms in your gut? That&’s because diet and exercise are only part of the equation—scientists are now proving what body/mind theorists have been saying all along: that the gut and brain are inextricably connected. Positive thoughts of joy, peace, and love contribute to a healthy gut. Negative thoughts of rage, resentment, and anxiety are like toxins in the gut. Gut Wisdom will help you learn how to listen to your gut to achieve total body health. Unlike other books on digestion, it is a friendly, readable, easy-to-understand guide that gives you specific procedures you can use to alleviate indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and many other common ailments. &“Gut Wisdom can help you be a happy Buddha once again. Smart, well-written, and documented. I recommend it.&”—Ron Klatz, M.D., D.O., author of Grow Young with HGH &“Gut Wisdom teaches how to listen to your gut&’s clues to bring your body, mind, and spirit into harmony.&”—Cynthia Helphingstine, Ph.D.
Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light
by Jane BroxThis &“superb history&” of artificial light traces the evolution of society—&“invariably fascinating and often original . . . [it] amply lives up to its title&” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In Brilliant, Jane Brox explores humankind&’s ever-changing relationship to artificial light, from the stone lamps of the Pleistocene to the LEDs embedded in fabrics of the future. More than a survey of technological development, this sweeping history reveals how artificial light changed our world, and how those social and cultural changes in turn led to the pursuit of more ways of spreading, maintaining, and controlling light. Brox plumbs the class implications of light—who had it, who didn&’t—through the centuries when crude lamps and tallow candles constricted waking hours. She identifies the pursuit of whale oil as the first time the need for light thrust us toward an environmental tipping point. Only decades later, gas street lights opened up the evening hours to leisure, which changed the ways we live and sleep and the world&’s ecosystems. Edison&’s bulbs produced a light that seemed to its users all but divorced from human effort or cost. And yet, as Brox&’s informative portrait of our current grid system shows, the cost is ever with us. Brilliant is infused with human voices, startling insights, and timely questions about how our future lives will be shaped by light
Before the Quagmire: American Intervention in Laos, 1954–1961
by William J. RustThis critical study of US intervention in the Laotian Civil War is &“a major contribution to the literature on America's Southeast Asian involvement&” (Publishers Weekly). In the decade preceding the first US combat operations in Vietnam, the Eisenhower administration sought to defeat a communist-led insurgency in neighboring Laos. Although US foreign policy in the 1950s focused primarily on threats posed by the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, the American engagement in Laos evolved from a small cold war skirmish into a superpower confrontation near the end of President Eisenhower's second term. Ultimately, the American experience in Laos foreshadowed many of the mistakes made by the United States in Vietnam in the 1960s. In Before the Quagmire, historian William J. Rust examines key policy decisions made in Washington and how they were implementation on the ground in Laos, setting the US on a path to wider war in Southeast Asia. Drawing on previously untapped archival sources, Before the Quagmire documents how ineffective assistance to Laotian anticommunist elites reflected fundamental misunderstandings about the country's politics, history, and culture. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title
Recipes from Around Our Family Table: Recipes From Around Our Family Table
by Carrabba's Italian GrillMake dinner the Carrabba&’s way tonight, with these tasty, Italian family recipes.For twenty-five years, Carrabba&’s Italian Grill has offered its amici (Italian for &“friends&”) an extraordinary dining experience. Serving hand-prepared, contemporary renditions of traditional family recipes, Carrabba&’s makes everyone who walks through the door feel right at home. Each meal is served in the time-honored tradition of warm Italian hospitality and authentically prepared food made from the heart.Now, you can re-create the Carrabba&’s experience in your own kitchen with delicious recipes inspired by generations of family cooking. In the true spirit of generosity, Recipes from Around Our Family Table shares not just these mouthwatering signature recipes, but also the cooking secrets that make them so good. Features 75 authentic Italian recipes and Carrabba&’s favorites, including:· Chicken Bryan· Mama Mandola&’s Sicilian Chicken Soup· Pizza Margherita· Cozze in Bianco· Pollo Rosa Maria· Garlic Mashed Potatoes· Pasta Weesie· Lobster Macaroni and Cheese· Prosciutto-wrapped Pork Tenderloin· Sogno di Cioccolata· Limoncello Bread Pudding Also offers tips on successful grilling, preparing perfect pasta, finding the best ingredients, mastering homemade pizza, and more!
The Monk in the Garden: The Lost and Found Genius of Gregor Mendel, the Father of Genetics
by Robin Marantz HenigThis acclaimed biography of 19th century scientist Gregor Mendel is &“a fascinating tale of the strange twists and ironies of scientific progress&” (Publishers Weekly). A National Book Critics Circle Award finalist In The Monk in the Garden, award-winning author Robin Marantz Henig vividly chronicles the birth of genetics, a field that continues to challenge the way we think about life itself. Tending to his pea plants in a monastery garden, the Moravian monk Gregor Mendel discovered the foundational principles of genetic inheritance. But Mendel&’s work was ignored during his lifetime, even though it answered the most pressing questions raised by Charles Darwin's revolutionary book, On the Origin of Species. Thirty-five years after his death, Mendel&’s work was saved from obscurity when three scientists from three different countries nearly simultaneously dusted off his groundbreaking paper and finally recognized its profound significance. From the perplexing silence that greeted his discovery to his ultimate canonization as the father of genetics, Henig presents a tale filled with intrigue, jealousy, and a healthy dose of bad timing. Though little is known about Mendel&’s life, she "has done a remarkable job of fleshing out the myth with what few facts there are" (Washington Post Book World).
General William E. DePuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War (American Warriors Series)
by Henry G. GoleThis &“excellent biography&” of one of the US Army&’s unsung heroes &“provides a much-needed re-examination of the early post-Vietnam Army" (Bowling Green Daily News). By the 1970s, the United States Army was demoralized by the outcome of the Vietnam War and shifting attitudes at home. The institution as a whole needed to be reorganized and reinvigorated—and General William E. DePuy was the man for the job. In 1973, DePuy was appointed commander of the newly established Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). By integrating training, doctrine, combat developments, and management in the US Army, he cultivated a military force prepared to fight and win in modern war. General William E. DuPuy is the first full-length biography of this key figure in American military history. With extensive interviews with those who knew DePuy, as well as access to his personal papers, Henry G. Gole chronicles and analyzes his unique contributions to the Army and nation. Gole guides the reader from DePuy's boyhood and college days in South Dakota through the major events and achievements of his life. During World War II, DePuy served in the 357th Infantry Regiment in Europe from the Normandy invasion until 1945, when he was stationed in Czechoslovakia. DePuy was asked by George Patton to serve as his aide; he supervised clandestine operations in China; he was instrumental in establishing Special Forces in Vietnam; and he briefed President Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House. But his finest contribution was fixing a broken Army.
Peace a Day at a Time: 365 Meditations for Wisdom and Serenity
by Karen CaseyA year&’s worth of serenity in one book, from the bestselling author of Each Day a New Beginning.Karen Casey&’s daily meditation book Peace a Day at a Time offers 365 reminders to help strengthen those traveling the path to recovery from addiction. In this powerful set of daily reminders, Karen draws from her bestselling Each Day a New Beginning, which has helped millions recovering from addiction. Karen Casey writes eloquently about almost every facet of recovery and how to live a sober, balanced life by trying to live in the present, one day at a time. Peace a Day at a Time offers a meditation for every day of the year, opening with a quote and following with a brief essay and a takeaway message. This beautiful book is your powerful set of daily reminders on how to stay centered and find inner peace. Karen also provides a companion index with key theme words to reference any issue you may be struggling with. In Peace a Day at a Time learn to: Pay attention and listen to your inner voiceAvoid drama and to let go of blameStop living from crisis to crisisCope with fear, sorrow, anger, and painEmbrace changePractice kindness, joy, hope, and acceptance
The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Writings
by Charlotte Perkins GilmanCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935) championed women’s rights in her prolific fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Discover three influential works by one of America’s first feminists in their unabridged form: the short story The Yellow Wallpaper, a haunting interpretation of postpartum depression; the feminist utopian novel Herland; and Women and Economics, which when published in 1898 established Gilman as a sociologist, philosopher, ethicist, and social critic, and is considered by many to be her greatest work.
Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure (Playaway Adult Nonfiction Ser.)
by Tim JealA &“highly enjoyable&” account of six men, and one woman, who journeyed into uncharted and treacherous African terrain to find the source of the White Nile (The Washington Post).Nothing obsessed explorers of the mid-nineteenth century more than the quest to discover the source of the White Nile. It was the planet&’s most elusive secret, the prize coveted above all others. Between 1856 and 1876, six larger-than-life men and one extraordinary woman accepted the challenge.Showing extreme courage and resilience, Richard Burton, John Hanning Speke, James Augustus Grant, Samuel Baker, Florence von Sass, David Livingstone, and Henry Morton Stanley risked their lives and reputations in the fierce competition. National Book Critics Circle Award-winning author Tim Jeal deploys fascinating new research to provide a vivid tableau of the unmapped &“Dark Continent,&” its jungle deprivations, and the courage—as well as malicious tactics—of the explorers.On multiple forays launched into east and central Africa, the travelers passed through almost impenetrable terrain and suffered the ravages of flesh-eating ulcers, paralysis, malaria, deep spear wounds, and even death. They discovered Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria and became the first white people to encounter the kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro. Jeal weaves the story with authentic new detail—and examines the tragic unintended legacy of the Nile search that still casts a long shadow over the people of Uganda and Sudan.&“A fabulous story…old-fashioned epic adventure.&”—The Sunday Times"Superb narrative…a must-read for anyone hoping to understand the internal dynamics of modern state-building in central Africa.&”—Booklist
Zuber: Two Centuries of Panoramic Wallpaper
by Brian D. ColemanSince its founding in 1797, Zuber & Cie wallpapers’ fame has spread far and wide, from King Louis Philippe awarding Jean Zuber the Legion of Honor in 1834 to Jackie Kennedy installing Zuber’s “Vues de l'Amérique du Nord” in the White House. According to France Today, the company still uses the same antique woodblocks, the same paint formulas, and the same time-honored processes to create its stunning wallpapers as it did in Jean Zuber’s time. Gorgeous displays of friezes, borders, ceiling roses and architectural trompe l’oeil, have been photographed for Zuber in homes in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
Southern Sugar
by Belinda Smith-SullivanThere is a little bit of “Southerner” in all of us! You don’t have to be from the South to embrace the food—especially the sweets. There is just something about Southern treats that appeal to the hearts, souls, and stomachs of everyone! Just think of decadent, sweet delights filled with lots of sugar, butter, nuts, and fruit, or dripping with chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and yes, even bourbon! Let Southern Sugar transport you back to your “Southern” roots by reintroducing you to some of the favorites that you may have forgotten and fresh takes on Southern classics. From modest afternoon Tea Cakes and Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies to “can’t push back from the table” Coconut Sweet Potato Pie and Mississippi Mud Cake. With 100 satisfying recipes, the cookbook is divided up into chapters that focus on cakes, pound cakes, cheesecakes, pies, ice creams, candies, cookies and brownies, and cocktails and mocktails.
Marrow Island: A Novel
by Alexis M. SmithThe award-winning novel that&’s &“a foreboding, compelling story of humanity&’s uneasy relationship with nature and with each other . . . a gripping read&” (St.Louis Post-Dispatch). It has been twenty years since Lucie Bowen left the islands—when the May Day Quake shattered thousands of lives; when Lucie&’s father disappeared in an explosion at the Marrow Island oil refinery, a tragedy that destroyed the island&’s ecosystem; and when Lucie and her best friend, Katie, were just Puget Sound children hoping to survive. Now, Katie writes with strange and miraculous news. Marrow Island is no longer uninhabitable and no longer abandoned. She is part of a community that has managed to conjure life again from Marrow&’s soil. Lucie returns. Her journalist instincts tell her there&’s more to this mysterious &“Colony&” and their charismatic leader—a former nun with an all-consuming plan—than its members want her to know. As she uncovers their secrets, will Lucie endanger more than their mission? And what price will she pay for the truth? &“Eerie and intriguing . . . captivates in the first few pages and delivers a gripping, compelling story throughout.&”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel &“Smith&’s excellent command of language gives life to arresting characters and their creepy surroundings, keeping the suspense in this dark environmental thriller running high.&”—Elle &“This alluring novel explores the darkness of love, how it can cajole you into danger or tip your actions toward cruelty. Clean but intoxicating writing . . . Ambitious.&”—The New York Times Book Review &“Transporting.&”—Vanity Fair &“Beautifully wrought.&”—O, The Oprah Magazine &“Engrossing and atmospheric, a thorny meditation on environmental responsibility with a big haunted heart.&”—Miami Herald
Makeda
by Randall RobinsonA &“hypnotic&” novel about the bond between a remarkable African-American matriarch and her grandson in the 1950s South (Essence). Makeda Gee Florida Harris March is a proud matriarch, the anchor and emotional bellwether who holds together a hard-working African American family living in 1950s Richmond, Virginia. Lost in shadow is Makeda&’s grandson Gray, who begins escaping into the magical world of her tiny parlor. Makeda, a woman blind since birth but who has always dreamed in color, begins to confide in Gray the things she &“sees&” and remembers from her dream state, and a story emerges that is layered with historical accuracy beyond the scope of Makeda's limited education. Her connection with Gray will shape his life for years to come. Part coming-of-age story, part spiritual journey, and part love story, Makeda is a universal tale of family, heritage, and the ties that bind. Randall Robinson plumbs the hearts of Makeda and Gray and summons our collective blood memories, taking us on an unforgettable journey of the soul. &“Luminous and magical.&”—Bernice L. McFadden, author of Praise Song for the Butterflies &“Eloquent and erudite, Robinson's oft-times mystical coming-of-age saga teems with rich and evocative historical insights.&”—Booklist &“Robinson is not only exploring what it means to be black. His theme of knowing the past before planning the future applies to all cultures, all people. Pick up this odyssey of family drama, history and love, and be prepared to consider your own beginnings.&”—Shelf Awareness
Jubilee: And Other Essays On Life And Literature
by Margaret WalkerThe bestselling classic about a mixed-race child in the Civil War-era South that &“chronicles the triumph of a free spirit over many kinds of bondage&” (TheNew York Times Book Review). Jubilee tells the true story of Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his black mistress. Vyry bears witness to the antebellum South in both its opulence and its brutality, its wartime ruin, and the promises of Reconstruction. Weaving her own family&’s oral history with thirty years of research, Margaret Walker brings the everyday experiences of slaves to light in a novel that churns with the hunger, the hymns, the struggles, and the very breath of American history. &“A revelation.&”—Milwaukee Journal Includes a foreword by Nikki Giovanni
Boy on the Bridge: The Story of John Shalikashvili's American Success (American Warriors Series)
by Andrew Marble&“This isn&’t just a must-read for military buffs—it&’s a source of inspiration for every American and anyone who aspires to be one.&” —John Kerry, former US Secretary of State Born in Poland, John Shalikashvili (1936-2011) emigrated to the United States in 1952 and was drafted into the army as a private in 1958. He rose steadily through the ranks, serving in every level of unit command from platoon to division. In 1993, Shalikashvili was tapped by President Bill Clinton to replace General Colin Powell as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first immigrant, first draftee, and first Officer Candidate School graduate to hold the position. This first-ever biography of Shalikashvili&’s riches-to-rags-and-back-to-riches story reveals how his distinctive background helped him become one of the United States&’s greatest military leaders. He exhibited a unique and unconventional leadership style—employing expertise, humility, straightforwardness, and empathy—that he adroitly used to resolve or prevent destructive conflict. His distinctive leadership style greatly benefited the United States, Europe, and beyond: as when he led the rescue of 500,000 Kurdish refugees in the first Gulf War&’s aftermath; when he represented Joint Chiefs chairman Colin Powell in helping secure loose nukes in the former Soviet republics; as he joined forces with fellow immigrant Madeleine Albright on the Partnership for Peace initiative and NATO enlargement program in the 1990s; and in retirement, when he helped end the military&’s &“Don&’t Ask, Don&’t Tell&” policy, thereby finally allowing gay servicemembers to serve openly without fear of dishonorable discharge. &“An engaging story of a remarkable man whose life story would be fascinating even without regard to his military career.&” —Foot Notes Blog
The Trail of Ted Bundy: Digging Up the Untold Stories
by Kevin SullivanThe untold true crime story behind the notorious serial killer who preyed on women across the United States from the author of The Bundy Murders. Journey back in time to when Ted Bundy was killing young women and girls in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Within these pages, you&’ll find revealing stories from Bundy&’s friends as well as his friends of his victims—some being published for the very first time. Discover what it was like to know him while he was actively involved in murder. Learn information and anecdotes about the victims that were not previously shared with the investigators. You&’ll also hear from the two former detectives who worked with the author on his book, The BundyMurders, as they dispel commonly held myths about Bundy and offer insight into his deadly career and its impact on those who came into contact with him. The Trialof Ted Bundy is the story of those who hunted Bundy, those who guarded him, and those who were otherwise part of this strange case in one way or another. &“Bundy expert Kevin Sullivan has done the painstaking work of filling [in the holes in Bundy&’s story] and offering credible notions for those for which information might always be elusive. An important addition to true crime studies.&”—Katherine Ramsland, bestselling author of Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer