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Losing Isaiah
by Seth MargolisA NATIONAL BESTSELLER AND FEATURE FILM STARRING HALLE BERRY AND JESSICA LANGE "Riveting...impossible to turn away from." —THE BOSTON GLOBE "Losing Isaiah pushes all the current cultural buttons...[Margolis] gets inside the head of every character." —THE WASHINGTON POST "[E]ngrossing and, to its credit, offers no pat answers to complicated issues." —PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY Three-year-old Isaiah has two mothers: and they both want him. Margaret Lewin adopted Isaiah as a newborn—and she and her husband, Charles, give the boy all the love a child could want and everything that money can buy. But can even the most loving, caring white family be responsible for raising a black child? Selma Richards is the boy's birth mother. When Isaiah was born she was illiterate, unemployed, and a crack addict. Giving up her son was the best thing for both of them—at the time. Now Selma has weaned herself off drugs, has a responsible job caring for another couple's child, and is learning to read. She's not rich and she doesn't live in the best neighborhood, but she's healed herself. LOSING ISAIAH raises one of the most complex and emotional moral questions of our times, and keeps you rooting for both women until the inevitable and heartrending conclusion in which one mother ends up losing her son.
The Threshold: Leading in the Age of AI
by Nick ChatrathAccomplished leadership consultant Nick Chatrath offers a revolutionary framework for how leaders in all kinds of organizations can adapt to the new age of technology, like ChatGPT—the Age of AI— by leaning into the qualities and skills that make us uniquely human. For readers of Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and Max Tegmark’s Life 3.0, The Threshold is a bold new way to think about human, emotionally intelligent leadership right now as we stand at the threshold of AI superintelligence.We are living in a new age: the Age of AI. With developments emerging every day, Artificial Intelligence will soon surpass most human competencies, and as a result drastically transform technology’s role in our day-to-day world. The solution for organizational leaders is not to become more like computers. In order for our organizations to survive as we stand at the threshold of a new era, we must tap into the qualities that make us uniquely human.In the face of increasingly intelligent technology, old models of leadership are becoming obsolete. In The Threshold: Leading in the Age of AI, accomplished leadership consultant Nick Chatrath interweaves an analysis of antiquated leadership models—the ones that leave AI-Era organizations exposed and ineffective with colleagues frustrated, unmotivated, and burnt-out—with his newly developed strategies for more effective “threshold” leadership methods. Supported with anecdotes, research, and a practical toolkit, The Threshold demonstrates that adaptive, effective organizations can be built with human, emotional intelligence: cultivating stillness, nurturing independent thinking, finding rhythms of rest and performance, and raising leadership consciousness. With a basis in the ideas and practices that have shaped our organizations in the past, The Threshold illuminates how accessing advanced stages of human development can be both competitive and harmonious with AI’s growing insinuation into our working world.
The Strange Story of Harper's Ferry (Civil War Classics)
by Joseph BarryTo commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War, Diversion Books is publishing seminal works of the era: stories told by the men and women who led, who fought, and who lived in an America that had come apart at the seams. The story of John Brown&’s Raid is one of tremendous import to Civil War Historians. This chronicle of the famous abolitionist&’s raid on a federal armory—and his subsequent capture—is meticulously captured in this retelling from the era. A key location in the politics of the Civil War, Harper&’s Ferry plays a seminal role in understanding the temperature of the country, and divisions within each side. This historical account is a must-have for every Civil War buff.
And With the Shadow People Be
by Dan NewmanFrom Dan Newman, the author of The Clearing and The Journalist, comes a novella that takes readers, shaking and terrified, back into the jungles of the Caribbean. Nate Mason sits in the office of a therapist, unable to move past the trauma he lived through on St. Lucia. Gently she wheedles another, similar story out of him, a story that serves as a screen for his own unspeakable memories. The tale of a girl named Jessie and her father, two ex-pats who had taken up residence on the isle. Their Jeep gets stuck in a rut, too late in the day and far from home, and both Jessie and her father must contend with the demons of the island, both real and imagined, over the course of one horrifying night. “The Clearing is a dark and atmospheric psychological thriller, full of intrigue, terror and superstition, which examines our deep fear of the unknown.” —Gumshoe Reviews
Golf Is Hard
by Beef JohnstonOne of golf's most popular and funny personalities reveals the ups and downs of a life playing the world's most infuriating sport. Professional golfer Andrew "Beef" Johnston has played in the world's biggest tournament, won big-money events, and sunk monster putts while fans were booming out his nickname: "BEEEEEEF!" On the downside, Beef has also duffed it, thinned it, and shanked it like every single person who's ever played the game. Because no matter who you are, golf can make you look like an idiot.Golf is Hard reflects on Beef's early years at his local Pitch & Putt to his stellar career playing against the best on the greatest courses on the planet, taking you inside the world of professional golf like no book before. With painfully honest stories, Beef delves into the pressure of the profession, but also shares golfing advice and side-splitting behind-the-scenes insights to bring a new perspective to the game. What is Tiger Woods really like in the locker room? How did it feel to hit one of the worst shots in golf history in front of millions of viewers during The British Open? And just how many clubs has Beef broken through fits of rage and frustration during his illustrious career?This is a book for everyone who has ever loved and loathed the game in equal measure but managed to see the funny side. After all, golf is really hard, so you might as well have a laugh about it along the way.
Orrie's Story
by Thomas BergerThomas Berger puts his signature spin on the Greek myth ORESTEIA in this brilliant story set in small-town America. “Gripping and funny, and, like the Greek tragedies, it leaves us thoughtful” —San Francisco Chronicle When Augie leaves to join the army, it’s the first time his family sees him as anything but a waste of space. Not too worried about the kids and fairly certain his wife is having an affair, Augie pulls up his bootstraps and enlists. Years later, Augie returns a war hero. With his pictures on the wall at the local bar and medals adorning his army uniform, he’s welcomed home with arms wide open by the locals. His wife, however, is a different matter entirely. She wasn’t counting on Augie coming back, ever. Hatching a plan with Augie’s cousin, E.G., the two do the unthinkable. Planning to electrocute him and make it look like an accident, the two murder Augie in his own home, hoping to get rid of him and take his pension. At the wrong place at the wrong time, Augie’s daughter Ellie finds out about everything. Enraged, she immediately accosts her brother Orrie on his visit from college, demanding revenge. What ensues is a tale truly worthy of the tragedy it is based on. Secrets are revealed and trusts are betrayed that change a family’s fate forever.
Fragile Bully: Understanding Our Destructive Affair with Narcissism in the Age of Trump
by Laurie HelgoeObsessive self-promotion, an aggressive triggering response, and retaliatory rants. “Both sensitive and incisive, beautifully capturing the paradoxical dynamic of narcissism—that the grandiosity and surrounding bravado belies an underlying fragility and brittleness.” —Kenneth N. Levy, PhD, Associate Professor, Penn State University; Senior Fellow, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell University Even before Donald Trump entered America’s highest office, an international survey revealed that narcissism is part of the assumed “national character” of Americans. While only a small number actually meet the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, those exploitive few have a way of gaining center stage in our culture.Fragile Bully: Understanding Our Destructive Affair With Narcissism in the Age of Trump looks beyond the sound bites of self-aggrandizing celebrities and selfish tweets to the real problem of narcissism. We see past the solo act to the vicious circles that arise in relationships with a fragile bully, and how patterns like this generate both power and self-destruction. We also look at the problem of Echo, how so many of us get hooked by the narcissist, and how variations on the destructive affair leave both partners dehumanized and diminished. Once we recognize the steps in each dance, we can break the cycle and allow and the possibility of true engagement.
When the Knicks Became Champs: A Courtside View of the Team's First NBA Championship Season, 1969–70
by Mike ShatzkinThe gutsiest New York Knicks team in history is celebrated in this eyewitness account of the 1969–70 season, featuring Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Bill Bradley, and the rest of the Big Apple’s hardwood heroes from nearly fifty years ago. In their long and storied NBA history, the New York Knicks have won only two league championships—1970 and 1973. And that original 1970 group of champions remains the team that time won’t forget. Why? Well, super-fan Mike Shatzkin knows why. He was there—at every home game at Madison Square Garden and watching telecasts or attending games on the road. His classic account of that season, first published in 1970, follows an eighteen-game winning streak, a full season for the ages, an incredible playoff run, and the ultimate glory—including a moment of basketball valor still unmatched in NBA history—that Knicks fans still relish today. He interviewed players, coaches, broadcasters, and fans. In his colorful, exciting account he speaks with and covers the heroic Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, coach Red Holzman, John Warren, Donnie May, Bob Wolff, Darrall Imhoff, Bill Bradley, and others. When the Knicks Became Champs is sports nostalgia at its finest, and it’s told right from courtside.
The Long View: Career Strategies to Start Strong, Reach High, and Go Far
by Brian FetherstonhaughThe Chairman & CEO of OgilvyOne Worldwide and career advisor extraordinaire, Brian Fetherstonhaugh, outlines the three stages of a long, successful work life and offers guidance to plan ahead and get the most out of each phase. The world of careers is vastly different than it was just five years ago—more choices, more competition, and relentless change in how we define work-life. It can be difficult to understand our options and plan for a prosperous future. Where can you go for answers? Colleges may teach us academic and technical skills, and there are places to look for tips on how to write a resume or prep for a job interview. But is it enough? Brian Fetherstonhaugh, CEO of OgilvyOne Worldwide, understands this dilemma and how to navigate it. He believes we need more than tactics—we need robust, road-tested strategies that combine old-school wisdom with new-school context so that we can flourish in the new professional reality. In The Long View, Fetherstonhaugh shows us the three distinct but interconnected stages of a career, and how we build ‘fuel’ at every step along the way to create long-term success. The Long View teaches us new ways of finding jobs, new methods to build careers that last, and a new definition of “work” that embraces life-satisfaction and happiness.The Long View offers highly practical exercises that challenge you to rethink how to assess your skills, invest your time and expand your personal network, and provides a framework for facing tough job decisions. With insights drawn from interviews with a variety of professionals—who share both success stories and cautionary tales—The Long View will help you establish your own path for overcoming obstacles and making the best choices for a long, accomplished, and rewarding career. “THE LONG VIEW is one of the most practical and comprehensive guides to a meaningful career that I have read. Whether you are just starting your search for a job or trying to get a career back on track, start by reading The Long View.”—Tom Rath, best-selling author of ARE YOU FULLY CHARGED?, EAT, MOVE, SLEEP, and STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0 “THE LONG VIEW is the career guide you’ve been looking for—forward-thinking advice from a seasoned business leader. Brian Fetherstonhaugh offers practical exercises, useful advice—and deep insights into what a meaningful career looks and feels like.”—Susan Cain, co-founder of Quiet Revolution and New York Times bestselling author of QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Famous Adventures and Prison Escapes of the Civil War (Civil War Classics)
by Basil Wilson DukeTo commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War, Diversion Books is publishing seminal works of the era: stories told by the men and women who led, who fought, and who lived in an America that had come apart at the seams. For those who did not die on the battlefield, but who were instead taken prisoner, the Civil War presented an even more intense version of hell. Prison conditions were abysmal, and the prisoners frequently died of starvation and disease. These accounts of prison escapes show what desperate men will do, fleeing unequivocal peril to land behind enemy lines, struggling to get back to their own side and live to fight another day. Searing and difficult, this account puts readers into the minds of men at the precipice, willing to risk death for freedom.
Turn Signals Are the Facial Expressions of Automobiles
by Don NormanBy the author of THE DESIGN OF EVERYDAY THINGS. For decades, Don Norman has spoken the language of gadgets, explaining how the things we see every day are made and made better. In this smart, sharp, fun exploration of design, Norman pulls back the curtain on the things we make to make our lives easier. From water faucets and airplane cockpits to the concept of "real time" and the future of memory, this wide-ranging tour through technology provides a new understanding of how the gadgets that surround us affect our lives. Donald A. Norman explores the plight of humans living in a world ruled by a technology that seems to exist for its own sake, oblivious to the needs of the people who create it. TURN SIGNALS is an intelligent, whimsical, curmudgeonly look at our love/hate relationship with machines, as well as a persuasive call for the humanization of modern design.
Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA
by Michael McCann Ed O'Bannon“Like Curt Flood and Oscar Robertson, who paved the way for free agency in sports, Ed O’Bannon decided there was a principle at stake… O’Bannon gave the movement to reform college sports…passion and purpose, animated by righteous indignation.” —Jeremy Schaap, ESPN journalist and New York Times bestselling author In 2009, Ed O’Bannon, once a star for the 1995 NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins and a first-round NBA draft pick, thought he’d made peace with the NCAA’s exploitive system of “amateurism.” College athletes generated huge profits, yet—training nearly full-time, forced to tailor coursework around sports, often pawns in corrupt investigations—they saw little from those riches other than revocable scholarships and miniscule chances of going pro. Still, that was all in O’Bannon’s past…until he saw the video game NCAA Basketball 09. As avatars of their college selves—their likenesses, achievements, and playing styles—O’Bannon and his teammates were still making money for the NCAA. So, when asked to fight the system for players past, present, and future—and seeking no personal financial reward, but rather the chance to make college sports more fair—he agreed to be the face of what became a landmark class-action lawsuit.Court Justice brings readers to the front lines of a critical battle in the long fight for players’ rights while also offering O’Bannon’s unique perspective on today’s NCAA recruiting scandals. From the basketball court to the court of law facing NCAA executives, athletic directors, and “expert” witnesses; and finally to his innovative ideas for reform, O’Bannon breaks down history’s most important victory yet against the inequitable model of multi-billion-dollar “amateur” sports.
The Third Book of the Dun Cow: Peace at the Last (The Book of the Dun Cow)
by Walter Wangerin Jr.The long awaited conclusion to the National Book Award-winning THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW trilogy, from Walter Wangerin, Jr.Pertelote, widow of Chauntecleer the Golden Rooster, takes up his mantle as leader of the Animals as they seek safety from the great evil of the Wyrm and his children. Desperate to keep safe those she&’s responsible for, Pertelote is travelling blindly, suffering the purposeless, undirected, but insistent journey as the new leader.Two other groups of Creatures are making their own journeys through the perilous land: Eurus the merciless yellow-eyed Wolf and his pack, and the sociable pair Wachanga the Cream-Colored Wolf and her friend Kangi Sapa, the Raven. When Pertelote and her band of Animals meet Wachanga and Kangi, she finds much-needed allies in her travels. Allies that become all the more valuable after cruel Eurus begins following the weary Animals with a murderous intent.When the disparate bands of Creatures converge on a hidden crater high in the dangerous mountains, they make a monumental discovery that may finally mean an end to their trials and tribulations.The epic journey begun in THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW reaches its powerful conclusion in THE THIRD BOOK OF THE DUN COW: PEACE AT THE LAST, proving the sacrifices of Chauntecleer and the Animals were not in vain.Praise for THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW:&“Far and away the most literate and intelligent story of the year … Mr. Wangerin&’s allegorical fantasy about the age-old struggle between good and evil produces a resonance; it is a taut string plucked that reverberates in memory&” —New York Times&“Belongs on the shelf with Animal Farm, Watership Down and The Lord of the Rings. It is, like them, an absorbing, fanciful parade of the war between good and evil. A powerful and enjoyable work of the imagination.&” —Los Angeles TimesPraise for THE SECOND BOOK OF THE DUN COW: LAMENTATIONS&“[A] profoundly imagined and beautifully stylized fable of the immemorial war between good and evil.&” –The New York Times
A Kiss for Lucy
by Mona PrevelCould the wrong woman be the right love?Rescued from a life of hardship by her wealthy uncle, Lucy Garwood can't escape the shadow of her elitist relatives. She longs to be loved and respected in her own right, but it seems that as an orphan, her place amongst her bluebood family is unlikely to improve—that is until a case of mistaken identity leads to a kiss from a dashing stranger...Robert Renquist, Duke of Lindorough, is determined to win the heart of the lovely Maude. But in an attempt to sweep her off of her feet with a daring act of passion, it isn't Maude he kisses, but her half-niece instead. Though conscious of his standing in society, Robert can't deny his unmistakable attraction to Lucy, and he'll soon discover there is only one thing more powerful than his noble lineage—love.
Stolen Season: A Journey Through America and Baseball's Minor Leagues
by David Lamb"A pennant-winning look at baseball at its purest." —Atlanta Journal & ConstitutionOn the field with baseball classics like Men at Work and The Boys of Summer, David Lamb travels the backroads of America to draw a stirring portrait of minor league baseball that will enchant every fan who has ever sat in the bleachers and waited for the crack of the bat.A sixteen-thousand mile journey across America…. A travelogue of minor league teams and the towns that support them… A chronicle of hopes and dreams… Correspondent David Lamb embarks on a trek that captures the triumphs and defeats as thousands of players do all they can to reach the big leagues. In watching the games and riding the roads, Lamb also discovers a nation that breathes baseball, and towns that wrap their own dreams around their teams. Stolen Season is full of unforgettable characters, none more so than Lamb himself, a journalist who has written about and lived baseball his entire life, telling tales with humor and with warmth of a sport that reveals as much about Americans as it does about long summer days and nine glorious innings. "Part love letter, part snapshot, part history, and all-American...this book should be read by anyone who has yet to savor the sounds and delights of a minor-league baseball game." —New York Times Book Review"Thoroughly engaging." —Sporting News"An absorbing, delightful chronicle...at once nostaglic, sharp-eyed, and beautifully crafted." —San Francisco Chronicle
Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine
by Charles LachmanThe white-knuckled saga of a maverick captain, nine courageous sailors, and a US Navy task force who achieved the impossible on June 4, 1944--capturing Nazi submarine U-505, its crew, technology, encryption codes, and an Enigma cipher machine. Two days before D-Day--the course of World War II was forever changed. The hunters of the Atlantic Ocean had become the hunted, and US antisubmarine Task Group 22.3 seized a Nazi U-boat, its crew, and all its secrets. Led by a nine-man boarding party and Captain Daniel Gallery, "Operation Nemo" was the first seizure of an enemy warship in battle since the War of 1812, a victory that shortened the duration of the war. But at any moment, the mission could have ended in disaster. Charles Lachman tells this thrilling cat-and-mouse game through the eyes of the men on both sides of Operation Nemo--German U-boaters and American heroes like Lieutenant Albert David ("Mustang"), who led the boarding party that took control of U-505 and became the only sailor to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the Battle of the Atlantic. Three thousand American sailors participated in this extraordinary adventure; nine ordinary American men channeling extraordinary skill and bravery finished the job; and then--like everyone involved--breathed not a word of it until the war was over. In Berlin, the German Kriegsmarine assumed that U-505 had been blown to bits by depth charges, with all hands lost at sea. They were unaware that the U-boat, its Enigma machine, and its Nazi coded messages were now in American hands. They were also unaware that the 59 German sailors captured on the high seas were imprisoned in a POW camp in Ruston, Louisiana, until their release in 1946. A deeply researched, fast-paced World War II narrative for the ages, Charles Lachman's Codename Nemo traces every step of this historic pursuit on the deadly seas.
Exponential Organizations: Why new organizations are ten times better, faster, and cheaper than yours (and what to do about it) (Singularity University Books)
by Michael S. Malone Salim Ismail Yuri van GeestFrost & Sullivan's 2014 Growth, Innovation, and Leadership Book of the Year "EXPONENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS should be required reading for anyone interested in the ways exponential technologies are reinventing best practices in business." —Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering at GoogleIn business, performance is key. In performance, how you organize can be the key to growth. In the past five years, the business world has seen the birth of a new breed of company—the Exponential Organization—that has revolutionized how a company can accelerate its growth by using technology. An ExO can eliminate the incremental, linear way traditional companies get bigger, leveraging assets like community, big data, algorithms, and new technology into achieving performance benchmarks ten times better than its peers. Three luminaries of the business world—Salim Ismail, Yuri van Geest, and Mike Malone—have researched this phenomenon and documented ten characteristics of Exponential Organizations. Here, in EXPONENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS, they walk the reader through how any company, from a startup to a multi-national, can become an ExO, streamline its performance, and grow to the next level. "EXPONENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS is the most pivotal book in its class. Salim examines the future of organizations and offers readers his insights on the concept of Exponential Organizations, because he himself embodies the strategy, structure, culture, processes, and systems of this new breed of company." —John Hagel, The Center for the Edge Chosen by Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to be one of Bloomberg's Best Books of 2015
Requiem for Anthi (Anthi)
by Deborah ChesterFrom the national bestselling author. In the grand tradition of Dune, an epic of adventure and survival on a dying world The world of Ruantl is nearly dead, its waters tainted and its land scorched by a poisonous black sun. Members of the Galactic Space Institute have crossed into the Uncharted Zone, eager to strip Ruantl of its gold and gemstones. They will not—and cannot—be stopped. Not by the few survivors of a dying race. But one ancient lord is ready to fight back—even if he must reawaken the mighty goddess Anthi herself.
Zone to Win: Organizing to Compete in an Age of Disruption
by Geoffrey A. MooreOver the last 25 years, Geoffrey Moore has established himself as one of the most influential high-tech advisors in the world—once prompting Conan O’Brien to ask “Who is Geoffrey Moore and why is he more famous than me?” Following up on the ferociously innovative ESCAPE VELOCITY, which served as the basis for Moore’s consulting work to such companies as Salesforce, Microsoft, and Intel, ZONE TO WIN serves as the companion playbook for his landmark guide, offering a practical manual to address the challenge large enterprises face when they seek to add a new line of business to their established portfolio. Focused on spurring next-generation growth, guiding mergers and acquisitions, and embracing disruption and innovation, ZONE TO WIN is a high-powered tool for driving your company above and beyond its limitations, its definitions of success, and ultimately, its competitors. Moore’s classic bestseller, CROSSING THE CHASM, has sold more than one million copies by addressing the challenges faced by start-up companies. Now ZONE TO WIN is set to guide established enterprises through the same journey. “For any company, regardless of size or industry, ZONE TO WIN is the playbook for succeeding in today’s disruptive, connected, fast-paced business world.” —Marc Benioff, CEO, Salesforce “Once again Geoffrey Moore weighs in with a prescient examination of what it takes to win in today’s competitive, disruptive business environment.” —Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft "With this book, Geoffrey Moore continues to lead us all through ever-changing times...His work has changed the game of changing the game!" —Gary Kovacs, CEO, AVG “ZONE TO WIN uses crystal-clear language to describe the management plays necessary to win in an ever-disrupting marketplace. Regardless of your level of management experience, you will find this book an invaluable tool for building long-term success for your business.” —Lip-Bu Tan, President and CEO, Cadence Design Systems
Every Move You Make
by Jill Jones&“…dark, disturbing, and completely gripping.&” –RT BOOK REVIEWS Following her divorce, Regan McKinney moves to San Francisco to start a new life, but she couldn&’t have chosen a worse time to arrive. The city is gripped with fear as a brutal killer stalks the streets, murdering women—women who look a lot like Regan. Though disturbed by the vicious crimes, Regan is determined to get on with her life, landing a promising job and finding her confidence again when she catches the attention of her handsome dance instructor. But she&’ll soon learn that Peter Smith isn&’t the only one who has his eye on her. Will she be safe enough in the arms of the man gunning for her affection, with a sadistic killer gunning for her life?
Unfinished Business: On and Off the Court with the 1990–91 Boston Celtics
by Jack McCallumNEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Jack McCallum (DREAM TEAM) gives an inside look at the legendary Boston Celtics during a season of change.&“One of the five best NBA books ever written.&”—Bill Simmons, ESPNIn the 1990-91 basketball season, the Boston Celtics were a team in transition, both on and off the court. Jack McCallum, also the author of the critically-acclaimed SEVEN SECONDS OR LESS, chronicled this crucial year from the back-room planning on draft day to Larry Bird&’s unforgettable effort in the postseason.With aging superstar Bird nearing the end of his career, the season was filled with glorious highs and devastating lows. McCallum gets up close and personal with the players and management from this storied franchise, showing the larger-than-life characters in a rarely-seen light. The day-to-day drama of Bird's aching back plays in concert with the drumbeat of banter from his frontcourt partner, Kevin McHale. The book reveals the deep bonds—and sometimes deeper rivalries—of the locker room, and also provides an inside look at a league that was entering its Golden Age.
Swing Your Sword: Leading the Charge in Football and Life
by Michael Lewis Mike LeachLegendary head coach Mike Leach tells his captivating story—from rural Wyoming to law school to the upper echelons of the SEC. SWING YOUR SWORD is the first ever book by one of the most fascinating and successful coaches in sports today. A maverick who took an unlikely path to coaching through law school, Mike Leach talks about his unorthodox approach to coaching and the choices that have brought him success throughout his career. A lover of the game who started creating formations and drawing his own plays as a kid, Leach took his Texas Tech Red Raiders to numerous bowl games, achieving the #2 slot in national rankings and being voted 2008 Coach of the Year before being unceremoniously fired at the end of the 2009 season. The scandalous nature of his dismissal created a media frenzy and began a personal battle between Leach and his accusers that remains unresolved.
A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test
by Pepper StetlerIn a quest to advocate for her daughter, Pepper Stetler uncovers the dark history of the IQ test, leading her to question what exactly we are measuring when we measure intelligence. When Pepper Stetler learned that her daughter, Louisa, who has Down Syndrome, would be required to take periodic IQ tests to secure support in school, she asked a simple question: Why? The hunt for an answer set Stetler on a winding, often dark investigation into how the IQ came to be the "irrefutable" standard for measuring intelligence. Blending a mother's love and dedication to her daughter with incisive historical and cultural analysis, A Measure of Intelligence investigates the origins of the IQ test and its influence on our oppressive culture of high stakes testing. As she unravels the history of the IQ--exposing its roots in eugenics, racism, xenophobia, and ableism--Stetler realizes that the desire to quantify intelligence is closely tied to the desire to segregate society. A Measure of Intelligence is at once a mother's determined quest, a demand for a fundamental reevaluation of how we understand an individual's perceived potential, and a recognition of what we miss when we judge one another by this warped scale.
Raising Hell: Backstage Tales from the Lives of Metal Legends
by Jon WiederhornFrom the author of the celebrated classic Louder Than Hell comes an oral history of the badass Heavy Metal lifestyle—the debauchery, demolition, and headbanging dedication—featuring metalhead musicians from Black Sabbath and Judas Priest to Twisted Sister and Quiet Riot to Disturbed, Megadeth, Throwdown and more. In his song “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” Ozzy Osbourne sings, “Rock and roll is my religion and my law.” This is the mantra of the metal legends who populate Raising Hell—artists from Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slipknot, Slayer, and Lamb of God to Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Disturbed, Megadeth, and many more! It’s also the guiding principle for underground voices like Misery Index, Gorgoroth, Municipal Waste, and Throwdown. Through the decades, the metal scene has been populated by colorful individuals who have thwarted convention and lived by their own rules. For many, vice has been virtue, and the opportunity to record albums and tour has been an invitation to push boundaries and blow the lid off a Pandora’s box of riotous experiences: thievery, vandalism, hedonism, the occult, stage mishaps, mosh pit atrocities, and general insanity. To the figures in this book, metal is a means of banding together to stick a big middle finger to a society that had already decided they didn’t belong. Whether they were oddballs who didn’t fit in or angry kids from troubled backgrounds, metal gave them a sense of identity. Drawing from 150-plus first-hand interviews with vocalists, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, and drummers, music journalist Jon Wiederhorn offers this collection of wild shenanigans from metal’s heaviest and most iconic acts—the parties, the tours, the mosh pits, the rage, the joy, the sex, the drugs . . . the heavy metal life! Horns up!
The Secret Ingredient
by Jane Heller“The supremely talented Ms. Heller delivers snappy wit, lush romance, and plenty of surprises… just the thing to spark a romantic adventure of your own. “– DALLAS MORNING NEWS “Riotous, hilarious, but also ruefully dead-on in depicting the dangers of not appreciating one’s mate – warts and all.” – WOMAN’S OWN The magic of married life might be fading a little for Elizabeth Baskin, but after six years is it any surprise? That her husband Roger has grown a little paunchy is no big deal. She wouldn't kick him out of bed for bringing along a spare tire, if he bothered to show any interest. Lately Roger's great love affair seems to be a sordid three-way between the couch and T.V. Wondering what happened to the chiseled daredevil who rescued her after her car broke down on the freeway, Elizabeth turns to her sister. When she tips her off to a Beverly Hills doctor who has a pack of miracle herbs that cure every disinterested husband's ailments, Elizabeth just has to buy it. She slips the herbs into Roger's orange juice hoping to get a taste of the man she married, but things go a little sideways. The new Roger isn't the man she once loved. In fact, he isn't even someone she likes. Desperate to get the old Roger back, she breaks into the Beverly Hills doctor's office looking for the cure and risks jail time, her marriage—and her life.