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Death with Interruptions
by José SaramagoThis novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author asks what happens when the grim reaper decides to stop reaping: &“A novel to die for.&”—The Washington Post On the first day of the new year, no one dies. This of course causes consternation among politicians, religious leaders, morticians, and doctors. Among the general public, on the other hand, there is initially celebration—flags are hung out on balconies, people dance in the streets. They have achieved the great goal of humanity: eternal life. Then reality hits home—families are left to care for the permanently dying, life-insurance policies become meaningless, and funeral parlors are reduced to arranging burials for pet dogs, cats, hamsters, and parrots. Death sits in her chilly apartment, where she lives alone with scythe and filing cabinets, and contemplates her experiment: What if no one ever died again? What if she, death with a small d, were to become human and fall in love? &“This novel has many pleasures.&”—The New York Times &“Arguably the greatest writer of our time.&”—Chicago Tribune
Making Magic with Gaia: Practices to Heal Ourselves and Our Planet
by Francesca Ciancimino HowellThe author of Food, Festival and Religion shows how spiritual practices drawn from the ancient magical arts can help to heal Mother Earth. A Greenpeace activist, Wiccan High Priestess, and proud Soccer Mom, Francesca Howell has been involved in magical traditions and wildlife preservation since childhood. In this one-of-a-kind book, she shares her everyday suggestions for spiritual renewal through connecting with nature. The meditations, ceremonies, and spellcraft in Making Magic with Gaia spring from an ancient Pagan tradition of Earth stewardship, which blends deep ecology, magic, and activism to bring the reader into a closer communion and harmony with Mother Earth. Packed with practical suggestions (recycling, gardening without pesticides, and conserving water) and mystical rituals (shamanism, crystal magic, and Power Animals) for helping the planet, this book is written for anyone with a spiritual ecological awareness. Not the witchcraft of Gothic novels, Making Magic with Gaia is based on a modern religion with ancient roots that can heal the Earth as it heals the practitioner.
The Falafel King Is Dead
by Sara ShiloMembers of an Israeli family cope with new threats and old losses in a novel &“remarkable for the vividness of the five individual voices&” (The Times). The town has lost its famed falafel king, but the Dadon family have also lost a father and husband. Living with the daily threat of Katyusha missiles from neighboring Lebanon, and struggling to survive amid the rubble of their lives, Simona and her three children each find their own way of coping with their grief, their fear, and their hopes. Raw, lyrical, shocking and moving, Sara Shilo's powerful debut novel recounts the life of an ordinary Israeli family over the course of a single, extraordinary day. &“This is a beautifully drawn account of a family collapsing under an unbearable loss ... Pivoted on a death, this novel becomes a life-affirming story of love—a cluttered, clumsy family love that colors the characters and wills them into keeping on and moving forward. And it is this driving emotion that ultimately makes Shilo&’s first novel so readable and so engaging.&”—The Guardian
Blood, Guts, and Grease: George S. Patton in World War I (American Warriors Series)
by Jon B. Mikolashek&“Sheds light on the complex personality that has been, in many ways, masked by the legend that emerged during World War II and has grown since.&” —Col. Gregory Fontenot, ARMY Magazine George S. Patton is one of the most controversial, celebrated, and popular military leaders in American history, and his accomplishments and victories have been greatly documented. Yet Patton spent years in the Army before garnering national attention and becoming a highly-regarded and respected military leader. Drawing upon Patton&’s papers and archival documents in the National Archives, this is an early-career biography of the eminent military leader. It begins with his exploits as a relatively junior but ambitious Army officer who, due to his family&’s wealth and influence, was able to join General John J. Pershing&’s American Expeditionary Force (AEF). This assignment would ultimately change his life in two ways: it would make Pershing the mentor Patton would emulate for the rest of his life, and it would catapult his military career as the first tanker in the US Army. This study follows Patton&’s trajectory, from the creation of the Tank Corps and the Light Tank School, to Patton&’s eventual successes and injuries during the Battle of Saint Mihiel, the attack into Pannes, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The experience Patton gained in World War I was seminal in his evolvement as a leader and laid the groundwork for not only his own personal future triumphs but also for the success of the entire U.S. Army armored forces in World War II. &“No one can really understand the Patton of World War II until they know about the man who fought through the First World War.&” —Thomas Bruscino, US Army War College
Sip & Savor: Drinks for Party and Porch
by James T. Farmer IIIThe Wall Street Journal bestselling Southern author of A Time to Celebrate shares refreshing beverage recipes for every occasion—no alcohol required! Sip & Savor features delectable non-alcoholic libations perfect for parties or for relaxing at home. Fruity drinks and creamy milkshakes combine with teas infused with garden herbs for dressing up your next tete-a-tete. In these pages, James Farmer will teach you how to build your drinks from the bottom up—with simple syrup recipes that capture the flavors of the seasons. You&’ll also get tea-brewing tips (for that perfect Sweet Tea) and the secrets to perfect cordials, punches, and slushes that make any get-together unforgettable. A few special cake and breads recipes, plus stories and history, capture the traditional experience of entertaining on the porch. Praise for James T. Farmer and his books &“A Southern gentleman who&’s just as charming in the garden as he is in the kitchen. He&’s compiled all his botanical experiences into A Time to Plant.&”—Harper&’s Bazaar &“A Time to Cook, A Time to Plant and A Time to Celebrate are titles of three of his books that inspire readers to cultivate, decorate and salivate over their own efforts in the kitchen. His books contain descriptive text combined with colorful photographs and garden-to-table recipes.&”—The Virginian-Pilot
Almanac of World War I
by David F. Burg L. Edward Purcell&“A detailed day-by-day account of the war&’s events, emphasizing the military dimensions but also touching on politics and diplomacy.&” —Choice Almanac of World War I provides reports of the action on all fronts and of the events surrounding the conflict, from the guns of August 1914 to the November 1918 Armistice and its troubled aftermath. Daily entries, topical descriptions, biographical sketches, maps, and illustrations combine to give a ready and succinct account of what was happening in each of the principal theaters of war. This definitive book on the Great War by David F. Burg and L. Edward Purcell—coauthors of The World Almanac of the American Revolution—&“captures the pathos and absurdity of the conflict in a way that few others have&” (American Reference Books Annual). &“Whereas most accounts of World War I zero in on the muddy trenches of the Western front, Burg and Purcell&’s work puts that theater in the context of the larger war.&” —Tallahassee Democrat &“There is really nothing comparable to this volume.&” —Booklist &“Almanacs represent the final book(s) needed to complete a collection regarding a particular period in history. David Burg and L. Edward Purcell&’s Almanac of World War I is such a book.&” —BookLovers &“A useful reference for the Great War.&” —Paper Wars &“This valuable reference book provides a day-by-day account of the First World War, with each entry divided geographically.&” —Canadian Military History
Hunter: A Novel
by James Byron HugginsA skilled tracker must take down a science experiment gone wrong in the Alaskan wilderness in this thriller from the bestselling author of Dark Visions. In an experiment to extend human life, scientists accidentally tap into the deepest recesses of the human mind and unleash a force that might well be a terrible curse. For in their desire to use a power they did not understand, they unintentionally unleash a force that will spell the end of Mankind if it cannot be destroyed. Now an infected creature is loose in the Alaskan wilderness, and the America military is forced to ask the world&’s greatest tracker, Nathaniel Hunter, to locate the beast and destroy it before it reaches a populated area. Hunter can track anything, anywhere, anytime. But he is both horrified and shocked as he begins to follow the creature&’s bloody path leading directly toward a city. For the beast is both more powerful and more merciless than any animal Hunter has tracked before. In fact, it seems to embody the most ancient and darkest heart of Man—a power that Mankind has always feared as the greatest Beast of Prey. And as Hunter closes on the beast and the final, bloody battle approaches, he frantically realizes that the scientists may have succeeded all too well in their experiment to extend human life for it may have become unkillable…. Praise for Hunter &“Huggins pacing is nonstop; his visual imagination is so compelling….Pure entertainment.&”—Publishers Weekly
Hanging the Peachtree Bandit: The True Tale of Atlanta's Infamous Frank DuPre
by Tom HughesThe crime that led to &“the first significant challenge to capital punishment in Georgia&” and inspired the Grateful Dead song &“Dupree&’s Diamond Blues&” (Atlanta INtown). On December 15, 1921, gunshots echoed across Atlanta&’s famous Peachtree Street moments before a handsome young man darted away from Kaiser&’s Jewelers. Frank DuPre left in his wake a dead Pinkerton guard and a missing ring. As Christmas shoppers looked on in panic, he raced through the Kimball House Hotel and shot another victim. The brazen events terrified a crime-filled city already on edge. A manhunt captured the nineteen-year-old, unemployed DuPre, who faced a quick conviction and a hanging sentence. Months of appeals pitted a prosecutor demanding some &“good old-fashioned rope&” against &“maudlin sentimentalists&” and &“sob sisters.&” Author Tom Hughes recounts the true harrowing story behind the legend of one of the last men hanged in Atlanta. &“Revisits the crime, the trial, and the execution that captured newspaper headlines for months.&”—WABE.org
The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film (The\philosophy Of Popular Culture Ser.)
by Steven M. SandersThought-provoking essays on movies from Metropolis to The Matrix. The science fiction genre, through films such as Blade Runner, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Terminator, not only entertains us but makes us think—about the implications of new technologies, the parameters and possibilities of space and time, and, in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics, the meaning of humanity itself. The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film explores the storylines, conflicts, and themes of fifteen science fiction film classics. Editor Steven M. Sanders and a group of outstanding scholars in philosophy, film studies, and other fields raise science fiction film criticism to a new level by penetrating the surfaces of the films to expose the underlying philosophical arguments, ethical perspectives, and metaphysical views.
Culinary Vietnam
by Daniel HoyerWith the help of the chef and author of Culinary Mexico, explore the tantalizing blend of the fresh, bright, sweet, and hot flavors of Vietnam. Vietnamese cuisine has developed over thousands of years with countless influences from other cultures. Full of authentic recipes, Culinary Vietnam teaches how the aspects of flavor, aroma, texture, color, contrast, balance, and even the sound a food makes should be taken into consideration in the planning of a Vietnamese meal. Author Daniel Hoyer opens the door into the world of Vietnamese cooking methods and theories, as well as to the background of the cuisine, and gives some historical and cultural tidbits, all while showing just the breadth of this simple, agriculturally based cuisine.
The Art of Money Getting: Golden Rules for Making Money
by P. T. BarnumA get-rich-quick guide: &“The splashy creator of The Greatest Show on Earth proves as sensible and level-headed about the almighty dollar as your CPA&” (The Delve). Who better to teach you how to make money than one of America&’s greatest showmen and promoters? The founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and freak show exhibitor, P. T. Barnum had his finger on the pulse of nineteenth-century America. In The Art of Money Getting, he shares his secrets to success—from staying out of debt to advertising and the upkeep of customer relations—tips that remain timely to this day. &“Barnum&’s autobiography tells his colorful story, but it is The Art of Money Getting or Golden Rules of Making Money that offers a recipe book for prosperity. Consistent with a great marketer, the title is a slight exaggeration of the content. There are, in fact, no detailed ideas or techniques for getting rich. Instead, the author provides 20 rules for personal success and the development of good character that, indirectly, will make a person&’s financial rise almost inevitable.&” —Citywire &“There is wisdom embedded in his words. . . . The book is packed with practical advice that we&’ve heard before but need hearing again.&” —The Invisible Mentor &“Highlights how he made his fortune, became bankrupt and then worked his way back to the top again. Much of his guidance is still applicable today.&” —Medium
Catherine: The Merry Widows - Book Two (The Merry Widows #2)
by Raine CantrellAn aristocratic playboy falls for a brash, bold, confounding, yet inexplicably beguiling widow in this historical western romance.For Catherine, widowhood does not mean mourning. It means freedom. Finally experiencing the world outside of her former husband&’s strict and watchful eye, Catherine finds new joy in the simplicity of life in the home she shares with her closest friends, Mary and Sarah.With Mary close to having a child of her own and Sarah acting as Mary&’s midwife, Catherine is facing an empty house for the first time ever. To make the best of it, she&’s agreed to host a good friend&’s brother for a much-needed break from his obsessive working.What should be a quiet vacation for Gregory Michael Mayfield III in the tranquility of the countryside, however, quickly turns to disaster. Gregory, used to finery, order, and getting exactly what he wants, arrives earlier than expected, to the surprise of his seemingly scatterbrained but stunning host.Peace and privacy are all Gregory is after, but when he finds himself drawn to Catherine&’s own stubbornness and the intelligent nature he at first took for granted, both may fall to the wayside. Will the calamity send Gregory packing or draw him ever closer to the untamable Catherine?&“Raine Cantrell is a powerhouse writer whose emotional intensity keeps you enthralled.&”—RT Book Reviews
The Life and Times of Jo Mora: Iconic Artist of the American West
by Peter HillerJo Mora (1876–1947) lived the Western life he depicted in his prolific body of visual art, comprising sculpture, paintings, architectural adornments, dioramas, and maps. He explored California Missions, the natural glories of Yosemite, California’s ranch life, and eventually the culture of the Hopi and Navajo in Arizona. During his travels, Mora documented observations that became the source material and inspiration for much of his later artwork.
Flavor Bombs: The Umami Ingredients That Make Taste Explode
by Adam Fleischman Tien NguyenThe founder of the Umami Burger and 800 Degrees Pizza empires shows how to detonate flavor in beloved dishes using ordinary ingredients high in umami. Why does everyone love burgers and pizza? When Adam Fleischman investigated, he was intrigued to discover that both are rich in umami, a savory, meaty-tasting &“fifth dimension&” of taste. This book will help you up your game in the kitchen with ingredients, flavor principles, and techniques that powerfully punch up flavor. A self-taught cook who launched two successful restaurant empires based on the properties of umami, Fleischman shows how to build a pantry that will help you create great dishes, even if you&’re a beginner, from simple Blender Gazpacho and Five-Minute Pork-Conquered Salad to the voluptuous Port and Stilton Burger and addictive Midnight Garlic Noodles—even a Mezcal Truffle Cocktail.&“An excellent collection…. Luscious visuals. The so-called fifth taste is elevated to star status in this mouth-watering debut.&”—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) &“A wonderful cookbook.&”—Seattle Book Review
Ransom's Voice
by Gary DvorkinAn intriguing and suspenseful debut psychological thriller for fans of Girl, Interrupted and Unsane.Dominique Stein is beautiful, young, and Jewish. Her sanity is overly dependent on external cues, chameleon-like. She awakens every morning at 5:59:59. She weighs in at exactly 111, her snug palindrome. These are the routines that keep her safe. Then, it all explodes. She desperately searches to find her way back inside that cozy bubble of sanity she had constructed.Lost, her bearings off and wobbly, Dominique can&’t trust her instincts. Crimes are committed; not everyone survives. Found not guilty by virtue of temporary insanity, she is sent to a psychiatric prison for women. There she is caught between the kind, serene Freudian analyst, Dr. Haddad, and the head of the institute, the manic, megalomaniacal Dr. du Chevre, who offers her the Faustian contract: be the subject for his secretive, odd research, and he will get her out of prison earlier. Dominique has to navigate her way out of this institutional maze and the random, explosive violence of the prison by deciding which doctor she can trust—or whether they are both manipulating her for their own strange motives . . . In this psychological thriller, Gary Dvorkin crafts a compelling story of love, betrayal, and reality-shifting anxiety. Dominique hears many voices in her life. But which one can she trust? Which voice will ransom her sanity?
Leningrad: The Advance of Panzer Group 4, 1941 (Die Wehrmacht Im Kampf Ser.)
by W. Chales de BeaulieuTranslated into English for the first time: A personal account of Operation Barbarossa by the Panzer Group 4 chief of general staff. When Operation Barbarossa launched, Army Group North was tasked with the operational objective of Leningrad. But between them and the city lay eight hundred kilometers of Baltic states, eighteen to twenty infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions, and eight or nine mechanized Red Army brigades. To succeed, it was apparent they would have to race through to the western Dvina and establish a bridgehead before the Russians exploited this natural feature to organize a defensive front. Panzer Group 4, which included LVI Panzer Corps and XLI Panzer Corps, was to lead the way. By the end of the first day, the group had pushed seventy kilometers into enemy territory. Red counterattacks on their unprotected flanks slowed them down, resulting in the tank battle of Raseiniai, but the group managed to capture Dünaburg on the Western Dvina on June 26, with a bridgehead established shortly thereafter. The group then pushed northeast through Latvia to the Stalin Line. In mid-July, General Erich Hoepner was preparing to push the last one hundred kilometers to Leningrad. But Wilhelm von Leeb, commander of the army group, had other plans for the group and the advance did not continue for several more weeks. In Leningrad—first published in German in 1961 and now translated into English for the first time—W. Chales de Beaulieu, Panzer Group 4 chief of staff, offers a detailed account of the group&’s advance, as well as an assessment of the fighting, an examination of the limitations imposed on Army Group North and their effects on the operation, and the lessons to be learned from their experiences in the Baltic States, concluding with a discussion of whether Leningrad could ever have been taken in the first place.
Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things (Classics With Ruskin Ser. #Vol. 4)
by Lafcadio HearnA classic book of ghost stories from one of the world&’s leading nineteenth-century writers, the author of In Ghostly Japan and Japanese Fairy Tales. Published just months before Lafcadio Hearn&’s death in 1904, Kwaidan features several stories and a brief nonfiction study on insects: butterflies, mosquitoes, and ants. The tales included are reworkings of both written and oral Japanese traditions, including folk tales, legends, and superstitions. &“At age thirty-nine, Hearn travelled on a magazine assignment to Japan, and never came back. At a moment when that country, under Emperor Meiji, was weathering the shock and upheaval of forced economic modernization, Hearn fell deeply in love with the nation&’s past. He wrote fourteen books on all manner of Japanese subjects but was especially infatuated with the customs and culture preserved in Japanese folktales—particularly the ghost-story genre known as kaidan. . . . He died in 1904, and, by the time his &‘Japanese tales&’ were translated into Japanese, in the nineteen-twenties, the country&’s transformation was so complete that Hearn was hailed as a kind of guardian of tradition; his kaidan collections are still part of the curriculum in many Japanese schools.&” —The New Yorker
All Hallows' Eve
by Gibbs M. SmithThis charmingly illustrated volume collects classic works of eerie and ghoulish poetry and prose from the 19th and early 20th centuries.All Hallows&’ Eve is the perfect gift for readers of all ages who revel in the spooky spirit of Halloween. These ghastly poems, sinister short stories, and curious black and white line illustrations throughout are sure to keep your bones chilled and your imagination ablaze. Included here are timeless works by Thomas Hardy, Hugh Mearnes, William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and more.Read aloud by the fire, or read alone—if you dare.
Night Flight (Harvest Book, A)
by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryFasten your seatbelt to experience the spectacle and solitude of flying high in the Andes in this novel from the author of The Little Prince.No writer has equaled Saint-Exupéry in describing the perilous and poetic experience of flying, in submission to what he calls &“those damn elemental divinities—night, day, mountain, sea and storm.&” In this gripping, beautifully written novel inspired by his experience as a pilot in South America, he tells of the brave men who pilot night mail planes from Patagonia, Chile, and Paraguay to Argentina in the early days of commercial aviation. They are impelled to perform their routine acts of heroism by a steely chief named Rivière, whose extraordinary character is revealed through the dramatic events of a single night.Preface by André Gide. Translated by Stuart Gilbert.&“The book stands out by reason of the quality of its style, the beauty of the passages in which flight is described better than it ever has been before, but more especially because of the emotions of the men of heroic mold.&”—André Maurois, Saturday Review
A Bitch Called Hope
by Lily GardnerAn ex-cop-turned-private-investigator becomes too involved with her work when her new lover turns out to be a murder suspect. A &“bitch called hope&” is the poker term for drawing the queen-eight in Texas Hold&’em. There&’s not enough luck in the world to build a winning hand with those cards, but it&’s so tempting to try. As a smart poker player, Lennox Cooper knows this. But as a detective, Lennox has issues. A year ago, her affair with a married cop got her fired from the Portland Police. Now she&’s trying to build a new life as a private investigator, but all she&’s landed so far are surveillance gigs. The murder of a wealthy developer gives her a chance to reestablish herself as a homicide detective. During the course of the investigation she meets Mr. Right. Only problem, he&’s on the short list of suspects. Lennox bets on her lover&’s innocence, but the odds aren&’t much better than drawing a bitch called hope… &“A well-crafted mystery novel with a heroine you can root for, plenty of action and a satisfying ending.&”―Phillip Margolin, New York Times–bestselling author of Capitol Murder &“A noir with heart…Beware, it's hard to put down.&”―Cara Black, New York Times–bestselling author of the Aimee Leduc mysteries&“Gardner deftly balances the detailed intricacy of the police procedural with a richly nuanced tale of betrayed love, family conflict, and murder. Told with a crisp voice and sharp pacing, the story of private investigator Lennox Cooper packs a wallop from the opening scene.&”―Bill Cameron, author of the Spotted Owl Award–winning Country Line
Summit Kill
by Clark HowardOne man fights to foil a wild plot for worldwide destruction in this action-packed thriller from &“a superlative storyteller&” (Publishers Weekly).Herr Inman has a plan and the resources to pull it off.First there will be five assassinations of powerful world leaders—including the pope—then three atomic bombs aimed at major cities. In the resulting chaos, Inman will take over the world . . .Christian Alsen is a mercenary hired by Inman to put the scheme in motion. Instead, he sets out in search of a way to stop this madman . . .Summit Kill is a thrill-a-minute, high-stakes tale from an Edgar Award–winning and Barry, Anthony, and Shamus Award–nominated author
Lockout
by John J. NanceA passenger plane is electronically hijacked—and may be aimed at a target that could kill millions: &“A wild ride through the night sky.&” —Capt. &“Sully&” Sullenberger, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Over the Atlantic in the dark of night, the electronic brain of Pangia Airlines Flight 10 quietly and without warning disconnects all the cockpit controls and reverses course on its own. The crew of the huge Airbus 330 at first senses nothing, the flight displays still showing them on course to New York. But with puzzled passengers reporting stars on the wrong side and growing alarm over the sudden failure of all their radios—not to mention armed fighters pulling alongside to force them to land—the confused pilots discover that Flight 10 is streaking back toward the hyper-volatile Middle East, and there is nothing they can do about it. An alphabet soup of federal agencies struggle for answers. Messages fly between Washington and Tel Aviv as suspicions grow about a plot to spark a nuclear war. The presence of a hated former head of state in first class fuels fearful speculation. As time and fuel run low, flying at full throttle toward a hostile border, Capt. Jerry Tollefson and First Officer Dan Horneman have to put their personal animosities aside and risk everything to wrest control from the electronic ghost holding them—and perhaps the world—on a course to certain disaster. And in the war room in Tel Aviv, the interim Prime Minister of Israel grapples with a horrifying choice between three hundred airborne lives and the probability of millions more casualties . . . &“King of the modern-day aviation thriller.&” —Publishers Weekly
Lucky Stars
by Jane HellerA meddling mom follows her daughter to Hollywood in a novel by the New York Times-bestselling author: &“Wildly inventive…quite funny and always engaging.&” —People Stacey left Cleveland for the glamour of Hollywood, intent on becoming a star. Another bonus of heading west was putting some distance between herself and her smotheringly overprotective mom, Helen. Of course, it can&’t stop Helen from buzzing her cellphone every twenty minutes. Now her mother has trekked all the way to Tinseltown to be with Stacey—and moved in right down the street. But the twist of the knife really comes when Helen complains about finding a bone in her can of tuna, and winds up getting an apology from the company—and an offer to star in a high-profile commercial that not only leads to an unexpected acting career but lands her a mysterious dreamboat. Meanwhile, Stacey's own career is starting to tank and she's falling for a man she thought she hated. Her resentment of her mom is more than she can bear—but she may become the protective one when she learns something shady about Helen&’s new boyfriend… &“Spirited, effortless entertainment with a winning premise.&” —Publishers Weekly
The Rise and Fall of a 'Casino' Mobster: The Tony Spilotro Story Through a Hitman's Eyes
by Dennis N. Griffin Frank CullotttaThe true crime story behind the film Casino from the mob enforcer who lived it and the author of The Accidental Gangster. Tony Spilotro was the Mob&’s man in Las Vegas. A feared enforcer, the bosses knew Tony would do whatever it took to protect their interests. The &“Little Guy&” built a criminal empire that was the envy of mobsters across the country, and his childhood pal, Frank Cullotta helped him do it. But Tony&’s quest for power and lack of self-control with women cost the Mob its control of Vegas, and Tony paid for it with his life. From Dennis N. Griffin: &“I was a little nervous before my first meeting with former mobster Frank Cullotta. It turned out we had a pleasant conversation that ended with an agreement for me to write his book. As I drove home, I realized I had made a deal with a career thief and killer on a handshake. What was I thinking?&”&“Extraordinary insights.&”—Nick Pileggi, #1 New York Times–bestselling author and screenwriter of Casino
Stalin: New Biography of a Dictator (The\yale-hoover Series On Authoritarian Regimes Ser.)
by Oleg V. KhlevniukAn engrossing biography of the notorious Russian dictator by an author whose knowledge of Soviet-era archives far surpasses all others.Josef Stalin exercised supreme power in the Soviet Union from 1929 until his death in 1953. During that quarter-century, by Oleg Khlevniuk&’s estimate, he caused the imprisonment and execution of no fewer than a million Soviet citizens per year. Millions more were victims of famine directly resulting from Stalin&’s policies. What drove him toward such ruthlessness? This essential biography offers an unprecedented, fine-grained portrait of Stalin the man and dictator. Without mythologizing Stalin as either benevolent or an evil genius, Khlevniuk resolves numerous controversies about specific events in the dictator&’s life while assembling many hundreds of previously unknown letters, memos, reports, and diaries into a comprehensive, compelling narrative of a life that altered the course of world history. In brief, revealing prologues to each chapter, Khlevniuk takes his reader into Stalin&’s favorite dacha, where the innermost circle of Soviet leadership gathered as their vozhd lay dying. Chronological chapters then illuminate major themes: Stalin&’s childhood, his involvement in the Revolution and the early Bolshevik government under Lenin, his assumption of undivided power and mandate for industrialization and collectivization, the Terror, World War II, and the postwar period. At the book&’s conclusion, the author presents a cogent warning against nostalgia for the Stalinist era. &“This brilliant, authoritative, opinionated biography ranks as the best on Stalin in any language.&”—Martin McCauley East-West Review&“A historiographical and literary masterpiece.&”—Mark Edele, Australian Book Review&“A very digestible biography, yet one packed with revelations.&”—Paul E. Richardson, Russian Life Magazine