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Life Without Armour: An Autobiography
by Alan SillitoeA candid and surprising memoir of the early life of one of England&’s most acclaimed and enduring post-WWII writers. Born in 1928 into a poverty-stricken family in working-class Nottingham, bestselling British novelist Alan Sillitoe&’s childhood was marked by his father&’s unpredictable and violent rage, as well as a near-certain condemnation to a life of labor on an assembly line. His family relocated frequently to avoid rent collectors, trading in one bug-infested hovel for another. Though intelligent and curious, the young author-to-be failed his grammar school entrance exams, and it seemed he was destined for work in a factory. The onset of Sillitoe&’s teenage years, however, coincided with the advance of Hitler into Russia, and the war offered a chance for the boy to seek out a different fate. At the age of fourteen, Sillitoe used a fake ID to enroll in the Air Training Corps and went on to join the Ministry of Aircraft Production as an air traffic control assistant. He dreamed of becoming a pilot, but the war ended just after he qualified for training and he was instead shipped off to the Malayan jungle during the Communist insurgency as a radio operator for the Royal Air Force (RAF). After two years of living from one wireless watch to the next—taking in bearings and atmospherics though the radio, and exploring dangerous and primal landscapes by foot—Sillitoe finally returned to a prospectless postwar England and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. But this curse soon became a blessing: In the RAF hospital, Sillitoe began to read—everything from Kant to Descartes to Bernard Shaw—and he decided to become a writer. Already a veteran on an RAF disability pension at the age of twenty-one, Sillitoe began writing full-time, neither his physical challenges nor his numerous rejections from publishers deterring him in the least. He joined the Nottingham Writers&’ Club, and his short stories began to achieve some minor local success. Soon after, a chance meeting with the American poet Ruth Fainlight led to full-blown love, and the two set off for France eager to live in a bucolic setting where they could dedicate all of their time to writing. Circumstance and favorable exchange rates then led the couple to Spain where Sillitoe continued his literary pursuits, met many artists and writers, had run-ins with gypsies, and even underwent police interrogations. Four unpublished novels later—and after nearly a decade of honing his craft—Sillitoe finally found staggering success in his working-class novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and his collection of short stories The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner. Written with Sillitoe&’s signature simplicity, this in-depth autobiography not only gives insight into the formative years and mental maturation of one of Britain&’s most influential writers, but also tells a great story of an underprivileged man who, with perseverance, made the most of his particular fate.
Inspector's Holiday: An Inspector Heimrich Mystery (The Captain Heimrich Mysteries)
by Richard LockridgeInspector Heimrich takes a vacation and ends up in troubled waters in this mystery from the coauthor of the &“excellent&” Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there&’s no lead the intrepid investigator won&’t follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Over his many years on the force, Inspector Heimrich has more than earned his reputation for getting the job done. But when his wife, Susan, takes ill with pneumonia, Heimrich doesn&’t hesitate to put police work aside. Following her doctor&’s orders, Heimrich books a vacation to allow Susan to recuperate in a warmer climate. But while their Mediterranean cruise is a welcome change from the harsh winters of rural New York, Heimrich soon learns that even at sea, murder refuses to take a holiday. A British diplomat has disappeared from the ship, and the captain would like Heimrich to investigate. Now, as he observes the luxury liner&’s occupants and attempts to discern a motive—all while tending to his wife—Heimrich must fish for a killer, in this murderous case of international intrigue. Inspector&’s Holiday is the 20th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order. &“Lockridge&’s audience will enjoy the leisurely turns about the decks.&” —Kirkus Reviews
The Garden of the Gods: My Family And Other Animals; Birds, Beasts And Relatives; And The Garden Of The Gods (The Corfu Trilogy #3)
by Gerald DurrellPart of the trilogy of memoirs that inspired the television show The Durrells in Corfu: A naturalist&’s adventures with animals—and humans—on a Greek island. When his family moved to a Greek island, young naturalist Gerald Durrell was able to indulge his passion for wildlife of all sorts as he discovered the new world around him—and the creatures and people who inhabited it. Indeed, Durrell&’s years growing up on Corfu would inspire the rest of his life. In addition to his tales of wild animals, Durrell recounts stories about his even wilder family—including his widowed mother, Louisa, and elder siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo—with undeniable wit and humor. The final chapter in Durrell&’s reflections on his family&’s time in Greece before the start of World War II, The Garden of the Gods is a fascinating look at the childhood of a naturalist who was ahead of his time. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author&’s estate.
Great Lion of God: A Novel About Saint Paul
by Taylor CaldwellNew York Times Bestseller: A &“beautifully written&” and &“truly outstanding&” novel based on the life of Paul the Apostle (The Cincinnati Enquirer). Born a veritable great lion of God to a devout Jewish family, Saul of Tarsus is raised by his parents to embrace their love of humanity. Dogged by what he perceives as a lack of true faith, he embarks on a journey to save his people from sacrilege. But on the road to Damascus a vision of the resurrected Jesus changes the course of his life. Converting to Christianity, the newly christened Paul transforms from persecutor of blasphemers into apostle to the gentiles, becoming one of the supreme influences on the Catholic Church and the Western world. Great Lion of God paints a unique and very human portrait of Saint Paul, one of the most passionate, dauntless, and complex figures of early Christianity—Pharisee, lawyer, theologian, and above all, a &“man like ourselves with our own despairs, doubts, anxieties and angers and intolerances, and &‘lusts of the flesh.&’&” The central novel in author Taylor Caldwell&’s biblical trilogy, which also includes Dear and Glorious Physician and I, Judas, Great Lion of God is both &“sheer entertainment&” and a moving tribute to the majesty and power of the Christian faith (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). This ebook features an illustrated biography of Taylor Caldwell including rare images from the author&’s estate.
Memoir of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge: Prepared By Himself, At The Request Of His Children (classic Reprint)
by Col. Benjamin TallmadgeThe Revolutionary War colonel—and leader of the famed Culper Spy Ring—tells his story in this fascinating historical autobiography. When British troops defeated the Continental Army on Long Island, General George Washington was forced to abandon New York in order to save the revolution. The British established their headquarters in New York City—beginning an occupation that would last the length of the war. Priceless intelligence flowed through the city&’s harbor, and Washington wanted to claim it as his own. To Benjamin Tallmadge, a young officer of the Continental Army, the general assigned an impossible mission: Infiltrate New York, establish a spy network, and report everything the British know. Throughout the war, Tallmadge and his spies collected intelligence on troop movements, sneak attacks, and the treachery of Benedict Arnold. Nearly two and a half centuries later, the heroic exploits of the Culper Spy Ring have served as the inspiration for the acclaimed TV series Turn: Washington&’s Spies and the video game Assassin&’s Creed III. In this lively and engaging memoir, the days of revolution are remembered by a patriot who fought in the shadows—and helped redefine the nature of espionage.This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Black Sand
by William J. CaunitzA massacre at a Greek resort leads to an unlikely transatlantic partnership On a long overdue vacation, Maj. Andreas Vassos takes his family from Athens to a resort village on the Grecian coast, hoping for sun, surf, and a few days without worry. It&’s just the holiday he needs—until the family goes to get a treat and the crowded café is raked with gunfire. Acting on instinct, Vassos grabs a pistol from a murdered cop and chases after the killers. He&’s able to take one down, but the other escapes. The hunt is on. The deaths are tied to the search for a priceless Greek artifact. And finding the killers and saving the relic takes Vassos to New York City, where he forms a partnership with the NYPD&’s Teddy Lucas, a Greek immigrant once known as Theodorous Loucopolous. They may not speak the same language, but cops are cops, and either of these men would lay down his life to save his brother in blue.
Autobiography of a Yogi: Reprint Of The Philosophical Library 1946 First Edition
by Paramhansa YoganandaThe spiritual journey of the man who introduced yoga to the West, and inspired practitioners from George Harrison to Steve Jobs. The remarkable life story of Paramhansa Yogananda is the groundbreaking work that introduced millions of Westerners to the practices of meditation and Kriya Yoga. Yogananda tells of his childhood in Gorakhpur, India, with his Bengali family, and his quest to find a guru who could satiate his desire for wisdom. After becoming a monk, he began his teachings of Kriya Yoga. But when he accepted an invitation to speak at a religious congress in Boston in 1920, his knowledge found an entirely new audience, as he then traveled across America lecturing and finally establishing the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, where he was able to complete this classic work of spiritual expression. Autobiography of a Yogi has been in print for over seventy years, sold over four million copies, and been translated into forty-six languages, spreading the wisdom of one of the most highly revered teachers of the Hindu religion and philosophy. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
In the House of Secret Enemies: A Mongo Collection (The Mongo Mysteries #9)
by George C. ChesbroTen novellas featuring circus-performer-turned-private-eye Mongo—&“one of the greatest characters of recent mystery fiction&” (Ellery Queen&’s Mystery Magazine). With a genius IQ, a past career as a circus acrobat, and a black belt in karate, criminology professor Dr. Robert Frederickson—better known as &“Mongo the Magnificent&”—has a decidedly unusual background for a private investigator. He also just so happens to be a dwarf. Originally published in leading mystery magazines in the 1970s, these ten novellas—each introduced with notes from the author—offer new readers and diehard fans alike a tantalizing taste of the unique blend of hardboiled mystery, science fiction, and explosive action of this acclaimed series. In the House of Secret Enemies—which includes The Drop, High Wire, Rage, Country for Sale, Dark Hole on a Silent Planet, The Healer, Falling Star, Book of Shadows, Tiger in the Snow, and Candala—is the 9th book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Other Side of the Sun: A Novel
by Madeleine L'EngleFrom the National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, an atmospheric novel of a young British bride in the American South after the Civil War. When nineteen-year-old Stella marries Theron Renier, she has no idea what kind of clan she&’s joined. Soon after their arrival at Illyria, the Reniers&’ rambling beachside home, Theron is sent on a diplomatic mission, leaving Stella alone with his family. As she tries to settle into her new life, Stella quickly discovers that the Reniers are not what they seem. Trapped in a world unlike anything she&’s ever known, vulnerable Stella attempts to uncover her new family&’s dangerous secrets—and stirs up a darkness that was meant to stay buried. From the beloved, National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, The Other Side of the Sun showcases Madeleine L&’Engle&’s talent for involving and suspenseful storytelling. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Madeleine L&’Engle including rare images from the author&’s estate.
The Horn of Roland
by Ellis PetersA famous composer&’s post-WWII homecoming is marred by death threats in a gripping tale of suspense from the Edgar Award–winning creator of Brother Cadfael. Three decades ago, a teenaged Lucas Cornith joined the Austrian Resistance, helping to lead escapees from German oppression across the Alps to Switzerland and safety. But when Hitler&’s storm troopers got too close, Lucas fled his homeland, leaving his compatriots behind to face the Nazi&’s wrath. Many years later, Cornith is returning to his hometown for the first time since the war&’s end. Now a world-renowned classical composer, he&’s premiering a new musical work, The Horn of Roland, at a festival in Gries-am-See, the tiny Alpine village of his birth. But not everyone wants to welcome him home with open arms. Someone here refuses to forgive and will never forget the past. And unless Cornith can unmask his mystery antagonist in time, the premier of his new composition might well be the composer&’s swan song. The Edgar, Agatha, and Gold Dagger Award–winning author of the Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries and &“beguiling writer&” perfectly blends intrigue and suspense in this novel of a man haunted by his past (The Daily Telegraph).
Holiday with Violence
by Ellis PetersEnglish teens on vacation in Italy are caught up in a murderous conspiracy, from the Edgar Award–winning author of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael. On a train ride across Northern Italy, a quartet of young English tourists en route to Venice are charmed by a kindly older fellow passenger. Inviting them into his first-class compartment, their new friend, Signore Galassi, beguiles them with stories, anecdotes, and fascinating facts about the lush Italian countryside. But once the train deposits them all in Turin, a dark cloud settles over the Brits&’ carefree holiday. After discovering that their elderly traveling companion has been brutally attacked and robbed, the distraught students vow to scour this unfamiliar city and find his assailant. Unbeknownst to the young British visitors, they have something in their possession that ties into a greater, even more terrible crime. Their hunt could have unexpected and very deadly consequences, for now their quarry is hunting them. The Edgar, Agatha, and Gold Dagger Award–winning author of the Brother Cadfael Mysteries is &“highly recommended for those who still like a proper five course whodunit with all the trimmings&” (The Sunday Times).
O Shepherd, Speak! (The Lanny Budd Novels #10)
by Upton SinclairAs Presidential Agent 103, Lanny Budd witnesses the collapse of the Nazis, the bombing of Hiroshima, and the Nuremberg Trials in this novel in the Pulitzer Prize–winning saga. As a spy for President Franklin Roosevelt, Lanny Budd was able to infiltrate the inner circle of the Nazi high command and glean essential information on behalf of the Allied cause. Now, as the terrible global conflict approaches its long-awaited conclusion, the newly commissioned Captain Budd of the US Army is on hand to witness the final collapse of the Third Reich in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge. The nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki brings World War II to an end, but not even the death of Franklin Roosevelt can release Lanny from his obligations as Presidential Agent 103. A devastated Europe needs to be rebuilt, and there is a necessary reckoning still to come in the heart of defeated Germany, where the fanatics who murdered countless millions will stand trial for their crimes. O Shepherd, Speak! is the penultimate volume of Upton Sinclair&’s Pulitzer Prize–winning dramatization of twentieth-century world history. An astonishing mix of adventure, romance, and political intrigue, the Lanny Budd Novels are a testament to the breathtaking scope of the author&’s vision and his singular talents as a storyteller.
The Complete Poems (Cambridge Editions Ser.)
by Anne SextonThe collected works of Anne Sexton showcase the astonishing career of one of the twentieth century&’s most influential poets For Anne Sexton, writing served as both a means of expressing the inner turmoil she experienced for most of her life and as a therapeutic force through which she exorcised her demons. Some of the richest poetic descriptions of depression, anxiety, and desperate hope can be found within Sexton&’s work. The Complete Poems, which includes the eight collections published during her life, two posthumously published books, and other poems collected after her death, brings together her remarkable body of work with all of its range of emotion. With her first collection, the haunting To Bedlam and Part Way Back, Sexton stunned critics with her frank treatment of subjects like masturbation, incest, and abortion, blazing a trail for representations of the body, particularly the female body, in poetry. She documented four years of mental illness in her moving Pulitzer Prize–winning collection Live or Die, and reimagined classic fairy tales as macabre and sardonic poems in Transformations. The Awful Rowing Toward God, the last book finished in her lifetime, is an earnest and affecting meditation on the existence of God. As a whole, The Complete Poems reveals a brilliant yet tormented poet who bared her deepest urges, fears, and desires in order to create extraordinarily striking and enduring art.
The Fourth Perspective (The C. J. Floyd Mysteries #2)
by Robert GreerA rare antique draws Denver detective C. J. Floyd into a plot of murder, greed, and a mystery rooted in nineteenth-century Utah. The owner of a Denver antique shop specializing in western collectibles, C. J. Floyd stumbles upon a unique find in the form of a book from post–Civil War America. It&’s evidence of the near-mythic existence of a fourth daguerreotype, alleged to have been taken during the 1869 Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah, upon the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The existing three photos are museum artifacts. If C. J. is reading the clues right, he&’s close to locating the fourth piece of an irreplaceable historical puzzle that at least one person has already died for. When the book thief who sold him the stolen vintage tome is shot to death in an alley behind the store, C. J. is pegged as a suspect. Unfortunately, his angle on the crime isn&’t easy to prove. Soliciting help from his former bail-bonding bounty-hunter partners, C. J. follows a twisting path back through the secrets of American history, stalked by dangerous collectors, covetous art dealers, ruthless power brokers, obsessive curators, and a psychotic Rhodes scholar on a personal mission of revenge. As priceless as the ultimate prize might be, it could very well cost C. J. the most valuable thing of all: his life. Bestselling author Robert Greer has been hailed as a &“taut, powerful writer&” (The Plain Dealer). Fans of hardboiled detective stories or the novels of Walter Mosley will enjoy his series featuring a tough African American sleuth in the modern-day West. The Fourth Perspective is the 5th book in the C. J. Floyd Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Slipstream: A Memoir
by Elizabeth Jane HowardThe intimate and revealing memoir of the woman behind the bestselling Cazalet Chronicles and a fascinating window into the British literary world. One of Britain&’s most famous and beloved authors, Elizabeth Jane Howard&’s life was as rich, varied, and passionate as the characters in her novels. In her brutally honest, at times humorous, wholly captivating autobiography, the woman who felt she lived &“in the slipstream of experience&” employs her prodigious skills as a novelist to chart the course of an eventful life—including three marriages, multiple affairs, and friendships with the literary giants of the day, among them Kenneth Tynan and Cecil Day-Lewis. Born in 1923 to bohemian parents within a large Edwardian family, Howard was raised in privilege and security. Educated at home from the age of eleven, she enjoyed short-lived careers as a model, an actress, and an editor before she found her métier as a novelist. She gained invaluable experience growing up in a time bookended by two world wars and enjoyed a level of independence denied an earlier generation of British women. In her memoir, Howard writes with painful candor about her introduction to sex—her father abused her when she was fifteen—and her marriage to Peter Scott, son of the famed British explorer, along with her tempestuous third marriage to Kingsley Amis. She delves into complicated romantic and family relationships, inviting the reader to accompany her on her search for truth in life. Featuring cameos by William Faulkner, Rosamond Lehmann, Evelyn Waugh, Charlie Chaplin, Paul Scofield, and many others, Slipstream finally illuminates a struggle common to women writers of every time and place: carving out a room of one&’s own.
Adrian Mole, The Early Years: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ and The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole (The Adrian Mole Series)
by Sue TownsendBritish adolescent angst has never been so &“laugh-out-loud funny&” (The New York Times)—the journey begins with these first two books in the heartbreakingly hilarious series. Commiserate with &“one of literature&’s most endearing figures&” (The Observer)—a sharp-witted, pining, and achingly honest underdog of great expectations and dwindling patience who knows all (or believes he does) and tells all. First published in 1982, Adrian Mole&’s chronicle of angst has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, spawned seven sequels, been adapted for television, and staged as a musical—truly &“a phenomenon&” (The Washington Post). The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13and ¾: Adrian Mole must amass his grievances—his acne vulgaris is grotesque; his crush, Pandora, has received seventeen Valentine&’s Day cards (seventeen!); his PE teacher is a sadist; he fears his parents&’ marriage is over since they no longer smoke together; his dog has gone AWOL; no one appreciates his poetry; and Animal Farm has set him off pork for good. If everyone were as appalled as Adrian Mole, it would be a better world. For now, for us, it&’s just &“screamingly funny&” (The Sunday Times). The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole: Growing up among inferiors in Great Britain isn&’t easy for a sensitive &“poet of the Midlands&” like Adrian, considering everything in the world is conspiring to scar him for life—his hormones are in a maelstrom; his mother is pregnant (at her age!); his girlfriend is in shut down; and he&’s become allergic to non-precious metals. As his &“crisply hilarious saga&” (Booklist) continues, the changes Adrian undergoes will surely be profound. &“Townsend&’s wit is razor sharp&” (Daily Mirror) as she shows us the world through the haunted eyes of her luckless teenage diarist and self-proclaimed &“undiscovered intellectual,&” proving again and again why she&’s been called &“a national treasure&” (The New York Times Book Review).
Emperor of Rome: Ruling The Ancient Roman World
by Mary BeardINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Best Books of 2023: New Yorker, The Economist, Smithsonian Most Anticipated Books of Fall: Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, TODAY, Literary Hub, and Publishers Weekly "A vivid way to re-examine what we know, and don’t, about life at the top.... Emperor of Rome is a masterly group portrait, an invitation to think skeptically but not contemptuously of a familiar civilization." —Kyle Harper, Wall Street Journal A sweeping account of the social and political world of the Roman emperors by “the world’s most famous classicist” (Guardian). In her international bestseller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome, from its slightly shabby Iron Age origins to its reign as the undisputed hegemon of the Mediterranean. Now, drawing on more than thirty years of teaching and writing about Roman history, Beard turns to the emperors who ruled the Roman Empire, beginning with Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) and taking us through the nearly three centuries—and some thirty emperors—that separate him from the boy-king Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE). Yet Emperor of Rome is not your typical chronological account of Roman rulers, one emperor after another: the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Instead, Beard asks different, often larger and more probing questions: What power did emperors actually have? Was the Roman palace really so bloodstained? What kind of jokes did Augustus tell? And for that matter, what really happened, for example, between the emperor Hadrian and his beloved Antinous? Effortlessly combining the epic with the quotidian, Beard tracks the emperor down at home, at the races, on his travels, even on his way to heaven. Along the way, Beard explores Roman fictions of imperial power, overturning many of the assumptions that we hold as gospel, not the least of them the perception that emperors one and all were orchestrators of extreme brutality and cruelty. Here Beard introduces us to the emperor’s wives and lovers, rivals and slaves, court jesters and soldiers, and the ordinary people who pressed begging letters into his hand—whose chamber pot disputes were adjudicated by Augustus, and whose budgets were approved by Vespasian, himself the son of a tax collector. With its finely nuanced portrayal of sex, class, and politics, Emperor of Rome goes directly to the heart of Roman fantasies (and our own) about what it was to be Roman at its richest, most luxurious, most extreme, most powerful, and most deadly, offering an account of Roman history as it has never been presented before.
The Inspector Thanet Mysteries Volume Two: Close Her Eyes, Last Seen Alive, and Dead on Arrival (The Inspector Thanet Mysteries)
by Dorothy SimpsonThe second trio of mysteries in the &“beautifully crafted,&” Silver Dagger Award–winning police procedural series set in Kent, England (The Washington Post). Det.Inspector Luke Thanet may be a family man with a soft heart and bad back, but he also has a bloodhound&’s nose for murder. With Sgt. Mike Lineham at his side, no case is too tough, in these mysteries from the &“dependably pleasing&” Dorothy Simpson (Boston Globe). Close Her Eyes: When a teenage girl from a strict fundamentalist religious order goes missing, her parents insist that the investigation of her disappearance be left in the hands of God. But when Charity Pritchard is found murdered, Inspector Thanet and Sergeant Lineham vow to tear off the church&’s veil of secrecy to reveal her killer. &“A well-crafted [and] compelling mystery novel.&” —The Armchair Detective Last Seen Alive: When Luke Thanet was a young man, Alicia Parnell was one of the most popular girls in Sturrenden—until her perfect life was shattered by her teenage boyfriend&’s suicide. Alicia&’s family left town soon after. But now, two decades later, Alicia has returned to the country village where she was born—only to die there the day after she arrives . . . To find the killer, Inspector Thanet will have to dig deep into their shared past, in this CWA Silver Dagger winner. &“A classic detective story . . . complex and ingenious.&” —Literary Review Dead on Arrival: Inspector Thanet is brought in when a dead man is found in bed, apparently killed by a single blow with a blunt object. When the corpse is identified as Steven Long, the question is no longer who wanted to kill him, but who didn&’t? Long was loathed by everyone in town, from his long-suffering ex-wife to the man whose family he killed in a driving accident. To find the culprit, Thanet will have to get to the bottom of a lifetime of hate. &“An intriguing tale not to be missed.&” —Yorkshire Post
The Novels of Stephen Birmingham: Carriage Trade, The Wrong Kind of Money, The Auerbach Will, and Shades of Fortune
by Stephen BirminghamA quartet of novels from the New York Times–bestselling author of &“Our Crowd&” and master chronicler of Manhattan&’s rich, famous, and deceitful. These four gripping novels prove that &“when it comes to the folkways of the rich, the powerful, and the privileged, Stephen Birmingham knows what he&’s talking about&” (Los Angeles Times). Carriage Trade: One of New York&’s most elegant and exclusive retail establishments, Tarkington&’s has been the preferred shopping experience of Manhattan&’s elite for decades. But the unexpected death of founder Silas Tarkington raises serious doubts about the future of the enterprise. At the reading of his will, disturbing questions arise about the tycoon&’s past, and suggestions of a dark, secret life threaten to tear the family apart. The truth could destroy much more than the family business—especially as it becomes more and more likely that Silas&’s death was no accident. &“[A] page turner . . . [that] offers a little bit of the best of everything&” (The New York Times). The Wrong Kind of Money: The Liebling family is among the wealthiest in New York, but in the eyes of &“old money&” gentile aristocrats like the patrician Van Degans, they will always be lower-class Jewish nouveau riche. Jules Liebling got his start selling liquor during Prohibition while in cahoots with dangerous mobsters, and his widow, Hannah, now runs the family business with a tyrannical hand. But when her daughter-in-law meets Georgette Van Degan for lunch at Le Cirque, gossip circulates about a thaw between the families and, quite possibly, a partnership. As rumors fly in this &“fast and wonderful&” novel that has &“something for everyone,&” family skeletons on both sides are exposed, leading to jealousy, betrayal, and even violence (Cincinnati Enquirer). The Auerbach Will: The daughter of poor immigrant Russian-Jewish parents on the Lower East Side, Essie Litsky married Jack Auerbach, and together, they rose from poverty and amassed a fortune that dwarfed their wildest dreams. But money could never buy the affection of family or compensate for the true love Essie let slip away. And now, as she nears the end of her life, she must contend with blackmail and heartless legal assaults coming at her from all sides—the result of the ugly, persistent greed of her own children and grandchildren. But Essie is not dead yet, and those who underestimate the remarkable old woman are in for a shocking and powerful surprise. This New York Times bestseller is full of &“delicious secrets&” drawn from the &“gossipy, Uptown/Downtown milieu Birmingham knows so well&” (Kirkus Reviews). Shades of Fortune: Mireille &“Mimi&” Myerson took her grandfather&’s struggling cosmetics company and turned it into an empire. But suddenly, as she prepares to launch a new perfume line, she is faced with hidden threats at every turn. Her efforts to further expand the company could be sabotaged from within by her own treacherous family. With the discovery of her husband&’s affair and the return of real estate magnate Michael Horowitz, her first and most enduring love, Mimi must determine whom she can trust—especially in light of the shocking revelations that are about to emerge regarding the birth of the Miray Corporation.
Death Bed (The John Marshall Tanner Mysteries #2)
by Stephen GreenleafThe search for a dying millionaire&’s son leads John Marshall Tanner to a case of domestic terrorism Maximilian Kottle spent all his life fearing death. When he eventually developed cancer, he thought the disease might prove a disappointment. He was wrong. Dying is far worse than he had imagined. With less than a month to live, the wealthiest man in San Francisco calls on private detective John Marshall Tanner to fulfill his final wish: He wants to see his son. Thirty-year-old Karl has been missing since he disappeared a decade ago, lost in the fog of sixties radicalism, leaving his plutocrat father in the dust. As the elder Kottle&’s time runs out, he hopes the past can be forgotten, but as Tanner soon learns, the wounds of the sixties haven&’t fully healed, and finding Karl Kottle will be an explosive feat. Death Bed is the 2nd book in the John Marshall Tanner Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
They Called Him Stonewall: A Life of Lieutenant General T. J. Jackson, CSA (Classics Of War Reprint Ser.)
by Burke DavisThe New York Times–bestselling biography of the South&’s most brilliant and audacious military commander: &“Completely fascinating&” (Kirkus Reviews). With the exception of Robert E. Lee, no Confederate general was more feared or admired than Thomas &“Stonewall&” Jackson. Once derisively known as &“Tom Fool,&” Jackson was an innovative battlefield strategist who struck terror in the hearts of Union army commanders and inspired Confederate soldiers to victory after victory in the early days of the Civil War. A fanatically religious man, Jackson prayed at the start and conclusion of every battle—yet showed no mercy when confronting the enemy. Eccentric, enigmatic, and fiercely intelligent, he became the stuff of legend soon after he died from wounds suffered during the Battle of Chancellorsville; his untimely death would help to change the course of the conflict. Based on a wealth of first-person sources, including Jackson&’s private papers and correspondences, and the memoirs of family, friends, and colleagues, They Called Him Stonewall is a masterful portrait of the man behind the myth.
The Last Chronicle of Barset (The Chronicles of Barsetshire #6)
by Anthony TrollopeA clergyman&’s daughter falls in love with a member of high society while her father stands accused of a terrible crime in this classic Victorian novel. The final installment of the Chronicles of Barsetshire provides a fitting close to the delightful tales author Anthony Trollope developed over the course of six unforgettable and influential novels. When Rev. Josiah Crawley, the perpetual curate of Hogglestock, is accused of stealing a check, the allegation hinders the romantic aspirations of his daughter, Grace, who hopes to marry the archdeacon&’s widowed son, Maj. Henry Grantly. Grace must overcome the objections raised by Grantly&’s family and win their favor while her father stands accused. The final masterwork in a groundbreaking saga that did much to elevate the status of the English novel, The Last Chronicle of Barset is one of the most beloved novels in the Barsetshire treasury, as well as Trollope&’s personal favorite. The author ties together many of the loose threads from the series, turning an attentive eye to some of the Chronicles&’ most beloved—and most loathed—characters. Readers will delight in visiting Barsetshire&’s cathedral and hamlets one last time. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Three Science Fiction Thrillers: Bones of the Earth, In the Drift, and Vacuum Flowers
by Michael SwanwickThree excursions through time, outer space, and imaginary worlds from &“one of the most intellectually astute SF writers of his generation&” (The Washington Post). Michael Swanwick is a legend in the science fiction and fantasy universe, having won five Hugos, a Nebula, a World Fantasy Award, and many more honors for his mind-bending work. This trio of acclaimed sci-fi thrillers showcases the versatility of an author who can build a world, foresee a future, and alter reality. Bones of the Earth: A remarkable scientific breakthrough presented to humankind by an enigmatic future race enables a team of paleontologists to travel back in time to study dinosaurs in their natural prehistoric habitat. But the greatest discovery in history threatens to foment terrorism and create dangerous time paradoxes that could alter tomorrow&’s world in this Hugo and Nebula Award–nominated novel. In the Drift: On an alternate Earth, the meltdown at Pennsylvania&’s Three Mile Island nuclear power plant created a radioactive wasteland and caused the collapse of the US government. A century later, the mutants, monsters, and untouchables of the no-man&’s-land called &“the Drift&” are descending on the city of Philadelphia. Vacuum Flowers: In this futuristic cyberpunk thriller, Rebel Elizabeth Mudlark is a recorded personality owned by a corporate giant. When Rebel&’s personality is uploaded to an unsuspecting persona tester and burned into her brain, she escapes the corporation by hijacking her host&’s body and embarking on a mad dash to freedom across the solar system.
Savage Range
by Luke ShortA ranch foreman must tame a bunch of cutthroat cowboys—or die trying—in this rowdy, action-packed western from a master storyteller. San Jon may be the sorriest town Jim Wade has ever set foot in. Its dry river, ramshackle buildings, and vicious lawlessness make it the spitting image of hell on earth . . . so Wade feels right at home. He&’s used to solving problems with his fists and his gun. Wade&’s come to take a job as foreman for a ranching outfit, which he finds in just as bad of shape as the town itself. The killers his employer calls cowboys are the roughest bunch he&’s ever seen, and they&’ve schemed up an awful plan that could cost Wade his neck. To survive, he&’ll have to do what he&’s done all his life: shoot fast and ride hard. Classic Luke Short, from the pitch-perfect setting to the hard-driving action, Savage Range is western fiction at its most intense.
The Timeline Wars: The Complete Series (The Timeline Wars #3)
by John BarnesBlending alternate history, time travel, and detective thriller, the &“able and impressive&” Nebula and Hugo Award nominee gives us Nazis, Tories, and togas (The Washington Post). An attack by time-hopping terrorists turns Mark Strang&’s life upside down, and the Pittsburgh art historian discovers his calling as a bodyguard for hire. Strap yourself in for a ride through alternate timelines in this action-packed series that combines sci-fi, time travel, alien invasion, and high-tech adventure. Patton&’s Spaceship: When he learns the aliens behind the terrorists who destroyed his old life are trying to take control of timelines and subject them to totalitarian rule, Mark Strang will journey to a not-too-distant past to stop them—and get revenge. But he lands in a timeline where America lost World War II. He can help the resistance with his knowledge of future technology, but is he permanently trapped in a Nazi-controlled past? Washington&’s Dirigible: With the inhuman Closers still threatening timelines, Strang joins forces with their enemies, the ATN. He and time agent Chrysamen ja N&’wook travel to an alternate colonial America to locate a missing operative and find that the colonies are on friendly terms with England and George Washington reigns as Duke of Kentucky. But he has one real enemy here—himself. Caesar&’s Bicycle: On assignment in ancient Rome, Mark Strang discovers the Closers have infiltrated the timeline and Julius Caesar is under their influence. Even as the Closers rewrite history to tip the scales in their favor, Strang is reluctant to assassinate an important government figure. But as he delays, his life—and those of his companions—hang in the balance, and they face a gruesome demise.