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The Tesla Gate: Tesla Gate Book 3 (The\tesla Gate Ser. #3)
by John D. MimmsA cosmic storm reunites a father with his lost son—but another kind of disturbance awaits them—in this science fiction novel with &“a real emotional core&” (Publishers Weekly). Thomas Pendleton loves his wife, Ann, and six-year-old son, Seth, more than anything, but his job often makes him an absent husband and father. One day, after Thomas leaves on a business trip, his wife and son are killed in a car accident. Thomas shuts himself off from the world and is at home grieving when a cosmic storm enters Earth&’s atmosphere. Scientists are baffled by its composition and origins, but not nearly as much as they are by the storm&’s side effect: Anyone who has died and chosen not to cross over is suddenly visible and can interact with the living. Ann does not return, but Seth does, and Thomas sees it as a miraculous second chance to spend time with his son and keep the promises he had previously broken. They set out on a trip to the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, but little do they know that they are traveling headlong into a social and political maelstrom that will test Thomas in ways he could never imagine. Along the way, they come face to face with armed kidnappers who want Seth for his supernatural abilities, meet up with a medium, the ghost of a slave boy, and encounter none other than Abraham Lincoln. Citing an overpopulation problem caused by the &“Impalpables,&” the government begins to take drastic measures. Military scientists have a device called the Tesla Gate that is said to return &“Impals&” to where they were before the storm. Many have nicknamed the controversial machine &“the shredder&” because no one really knows if it will do what it is reputed to, or if it will instead shred the Impals—effectively destroying the soul. Thomas is determined to do everything possible to save Seth, or at the very least, ensure that Seth doesn&’t have to endure his sentence alone . . .
Mindbridge (Gateway Essentials)
by Joe HaldemanA remarkable alien technology could have devastating consequences for humanity in this novel by the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of The Forever War. In the far future, the accidental scientific breakthrough known as the Levant-Meyer Translation changes everything. Suddenly people can leap instantaneously across the universe, albeit temporarily, enabling teams of Tamers to explore far-flung worlds and prepare them for possible human habitation. But one expedition doesn&’t make it back alive. Jacque Lefavre achieves his lifelong dream of becoming a Tamer when he joins the Agency for Extraterrestrial Development. On his first exploratory mission to a planet known as Groombridge, Lefavre and his team encounter something truly extraordinary: a small, nonsentient creature that, when joined with another of its kind, creates a telepathic &“bridge.&” But exploiting this psychic link could bring unanticipated perils, for it is about to bring Lefavre and his team into dangerously close contact with the L&’vrai, an ancient, advanced, and hostile race of star travelers—an encounter that could prove to be the first step in humankind&’s salvation . . . or its doom. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Joe Haldeman including rare images from the author&’s personal collection.
Hawaiian Hellground (The Executioner #22)
by Don PendletonIn beautiful Hawaii, the Executioner opens a volcanic war in the Pacific Mack Bolan stands at the lip of Puowaina, the Hawaiian war cemetery, and pays tribute to the friends he lost in Vietnam. Since he left the jungle, this crack sniper has been fighting a different war—an endless battle against organized crime that he knows will someday end in his death. He is in Hawaii on a mission, and that mission is murder. He starts by firing a series of sniper rounds into the palatial apartment of the Hawaiian heroin king. As Bolan watches the local mob try to pick up the pieces, he begins hearing rumors of another capo: the mysterious King Fire. There is a conspiracy lurking beneath the surface of this beautiful chain of islands—a fiendish plot that stretches to the farthest reaches of the Pacific. Hawaiian Hellground is the 22nd book in the Executioner series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Tramp: The Life of Charlie Chaplin
by Joyce MiltonCharlie Chaplin made an amazing seventy-one films by the time he was only thirty-three years old. He was known not only as the world&’s first international movie star, but as a comedian, a film director, and a man ripe with scandal, accused of plagiarism, communism, pacifism, liberalism, and anti-Americanism. He seduced young women, marrying four different times, each time to a woman younger than the last. In this animated biography of Chaplin, Joyce Milton reveals to us a life riddled with gossip and a struggle to rise from an impoverished London childhood to the life of a successful American film star. Milton shows us how the creation of his famous character—the Tramp, the Little Fellow—was both rewarding and then devastating as he became obsolete with the changes of time. Tramp is a perceptive, clever, and captivating biography of a talented and complicated man whose life was filled with scandal, politics, and art.
Black Heart, Ivory Bones (Fairy Tale Anthologies #6)
by Neil Gaiman Tanith Lee Brian M. Stableford Jane Yolen Michael Cadnum Joyce Carol Oates Ellen Steiber Howard Waldrop Susanna Clarke Esther Friesner Russell Blackford Charles De Lint Greg Costikyan Debra Cash Scott Bradfield Delia Sherman Leah Cutter Emma Hardesty Bryn Kanar Severna Park20 fairy tales hauntingly reimagined by some of today&’s finest sci-fi and fantasy authors, including Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, Tanith Lee, and more. Once upon a time, all our cherished dreams began with the words once upon a time. This is the phrase that opened our favorite tales of princes and spells and magical adventures. World Fantasy Award–winning editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling understand the power of beloved stories—and in Black Heart, Ivory Bones, their sixth anthology of reimagined fairy tales, they have gathered together stories and poetry from some of the most acclaimed writers of our time, including Neil Gaiman, Tanith Lee, Charles de Lint, and Joyce Carol Oates. But be forewarned: These fairy tales are not for children. A prideful Texas dancer is cursed by a pair of lustrous red boots . . . Goldilocks tells all about her brutal and wildly dysfunctional foster family, the Bears . . . An archaeologist in Victorian England is enchanted by a newly exhumed Sleeping Beauty . . . A prince of tabloid journalism is smitten by a trailer-park Rapunzel . . . A clockwork amusement park troll becomes sentient and sets out to foment an automaton revolution. These are but a few examples of the marvels that await within these pages—tales that range from the humorous to the sensuous to the haunting and horrifying, each one a treasure with a distinctly adult edge.
The Forever War (The Forever War Series #1)
by Joe HaldemanA soldier experiences the toll of interstellar war against a deadly alien foe in this Hugo and Nebula Award–winning science fiction masterpiece. In this novel, a landmark of science fiction that began as an MFA thesis for the Iowa Writers&’ Workshop and went on to become an award-winning classic—inspiring a play, a graphic novel, and most recently an in-development film—man has taken to the stars, and soldiers fighting the wars of the future return to Earth forever alienated from their home. Conscripted into service for the United Nations Exploratory Force, a highly trained unit built for revenge, physics student William Mandella fights for his planet light years away against the alien force known as the Taurans. &“Mandella&’s attempt to survive and remain human in the face of an absurd, almost endless war is harrowing, hilarious, heartbreaking, and true,&” says Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Junot Díaz—and because of the relative passage of time when one travels at incredibly high speed, the Earth Mandella returns to after his two-year experience has progressed decades and is foreign to him in disturbing ways… Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Forever War is based in part on the author&’s experiences in Vietnam. It is regarded as one of the greatest military science fiction novels ever written, capturing the alienation that servicemen and women experience even now upon returning home from battle. This book shines a light not only on the culture of the 1970s in which it was written, but also on our potential future. &“To say that The Forever War is the best science fiction war novel ever written is to damn it with faint praise. It is…as fine and woundingly genuine a war story as any I&’ve read&” (William Gibson). This ebook features an illustrated biography of Joe Haldeman including rare images from the author&’s personal collection
Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military
by Randy Shilts&“A thoroughly researched and engrossingly readable history&” of gay men and women in the American armed forces by the author of And the Band Played On (The New York Times Book Review). Published during the same year the American military instituted Don&’t Ask, Don&’t Tell, and eighteen years before President Barack Obama repealed it, Conduct Unbecoming is a landmark work of social justice and a searing indictment of the military establishment&’s historic bigotry toward its gay servicemen and women. Randy Shilts&’s eye-opening book describes the bravery, both exceptional and everyday, not only of gay soldiers throughout history, but also of gay men and women serving in our modern military. With each anecdote and investigation, Shilts systematically dismantles the arguments against allowing gays to serve in the military. At once a history of the American military and an account of the gay rights movement, Conduct Unbecoming is a remarkable testament to the progress achieved for gays in the military—and a revealing look at how far we have yet to go.
Worlds Apart: Worlds, Worlds Apart, And Worlds Enough And Time (The Worlds Trilogy #2)
by Joe HaldemanBy the author of The Forever War: The classic Worlds trilogy continues as a survivor of a destructive conflict must work to prevent humanity&’s extinction.The war that destroyed everything lasted a single day. After an initial nuclear strike, the Earth&’s population was further devastated by an insidious bioweapon targeting anyone above the age of puberty. Now most of what&’s left of human civilization gathers on New New York, one of the few orbiting Worlds that remain. Monitoring the Earth below from the floating habitat, Marianne O&’Hara searches for signs of life—and, in particular, for Jeff Hawking, her former lover, who survived the viral nightmare thanks to a biological anomaly that rendered him immune. But Jeff is not the sole surviving adult in this landscape of death, ruin, and feral children, and those who fled to safety underground are being seduced by a terrible new religion preaching blood and vengeance. The last war, it seems, is not over—and the last hope for preventing the final holocaust may be Marianne O&’Hara. The second enthralling volume in Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Joe Haldeman&’s acclaimed Worlds trilogy, Worlds Apart is a thought-provoking tale of human frailty and lethal folly, and of the courage essential for the survival of the race.This ebook features an illustrated biography of Joe Haldeman including rare images from the author&’s personal collection
A Father's Words: A Novel (Phoenix Fiction Ser.)
by Richard SternA tale of the battles between a father and son by an author whose novels are &“robustly intelligent, very funny, and beguilingly humane&” (Philip Roth). Cy Riemer is the patriarch of a successful and loving Chicago family. But not all is copacetic in Cy&’s world. The scientific newsletter he publishes is foundering financially, his ex-wife still relies on him for money and intimacy, and he can never seem to find the time or the wherewithal to relax. Much of Cy&’s stress is caused by the trouble he has with his brilliant and duplicitous son, Jack. With a mixture of humor, grief, and astonishment, Cy becomes our tour guide to the Riemer family&’s museum of triumphs and tragedies. A comic and clear-eyed portrait of the quintessential worried father and the son who lives to torture him, A Father&’s Words is packed with Richard Stern&’s trademark wit, compassion, and insight.
3 Gates of the Dead (3 Gates of the Dead #1)
by Jonathan RyanSometimes, the most evil things come from the most holy . . . Conflicted with his faith in God and the hypocrisy of the church, Aidan Schaeffer, a young assistant pastor, is in a constant state of spiritual turmoil. When Aidan learns that his ex-fiancée is the first victim in a string of ritualistic killings, he finds himself in the middle of an even deeper fight. Tormented by demonic threats and haunted by spirits, Aidan throws himself into investigating Amanda&’s death; all the while supernatural forces have begun to attack the people around him. The more questions he asks, the more he is drawn into the world of a mysterious Anglican priest, a paranormal investigation group and a rogue female detective investigating the murders. As the gruesome rituals escalate, ancient hidden secrets and an evil long buried threaten to rip Aidan&’s world apart.
Stargazer: The Life, World and Films of Andy Warhol
by Stephen KochThe definitive critical study of twentieth-century pop culture icon Andy Warhol, the man who redrew the boundaries of art. Andy Warhol&’s work and personality changed American visual culture forever, making him an international superstar. In this must-read volume, heralded as &“exemplary&” by Artforum and &“resoundingly brilliant&” by Film Comment, Stephen Koch provides unprecedented detail on Warhol&’s life and work—his rise to global fame, his entanglement with the seedy New York sexual underground, and the shocking assassination attempt that almost ended his life are chronicled—giving particular attention to a medium that found Andy at his wildest: film. The &“superstars&” he created—Candy Darling, Ultra Violet, Edie Sedgwick—to populate his films and his curation of socialites mingling with hustlers that coined the phrase &“The Beautiful People&” seem prescient as we consider today&’s stars and cultural panorama. In Stargazer, Koch illuminates the inspiration and brilliance on both sides of the public image that Warhol, who made paradox an art form, so meticulously crafted. In doing so, he gets to the core of Warhol&’s most interesting invention: his own public personality, the strange persona that this frightened and brilliantly talented poor-boy from Pittsburgh created to survive the savage world of his own ambitions. &“Stargazer is to die over.&” —Andy Warhol &“A volume of profound insight . . . resoundingly brilliant. It assumes the place of cornerstone in what will someday become a scholarly edifice dedicated to the analysis both of Warhol&’s meanings and of Warhol&’s forms.&” —Film Comment &“Some of the most exemplary critical writing that I have encountered. Moving across the convoluted terrain of Warhol&’s sensibility . . . with an ease and fluidity that draws the reader effortlessly around their quarry.&” —Artforum &“A landmark in American criticism . . . Stargazer is not only compelling beyond anything one expects of criticism, it happens also to be utterly timely.&” —The Boston Phoenix
White Horses: A Novel (Basic Ser.)
by Alice HoffmanA story about the fairy-tale fantasies of girlhood and the realities of growing up by &“one of our quirkiest and most interesting novelists&” (Jane Smiley, USA Today). When Teresa sleeps—sometimes for days at a time, the scent of roses surrounding her—she dreams of the Arias, outlaw riders on white steeds, who roam the desert at night. She was told about the dark-eyed horsemen by her mother, Dina, who left her own bedroom window open at night in the hopes that one would take her away from her parents&’ house in Santa Fe. Teresa, who cannot find a cure for her mysterious sleeping sickness, has one true ally: her brother, Silver. Wild and handsome, Silver exerts an irresistible force over everyone he meets—women especially. He pursues a life of crime and danger, and the older he grows, the more reckless he becomes. Teresa wants to break free but is drawn back to her brother again and again, pulled by the belief that he is the night rider of her dreams. Only when she realizes that she has the strength to save herself will she finally be able to open her eyes and walk away. A lyrical blend of the mythical and the real, White Horses has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as a book that &“will reverberate in readers&’ imaginations for a long time.&”
De Profundis: Large Print
by Oscar WildeOscar Wilde&’s autobiographical work on suffering, self-realization, and the artistic processDe Profundis (Latin for &“from the depths&”) is Oscar Wilde&’s reconciliation from a life full of pleasure. In 1891 the author began an intimate relationship with the young aristocrat Lord Alfred Douglas, known to his friends as Bosie. This affair led to speculations about Wilde&’s sexuality just as his career was reaching its apex. Ultimately, Bosie&’s father, the powerful Marquess of Queensberry, accused Wilde of homosexuality. As this conduct was considered a &“gross indecency&” punishable by hard labor, this was a serious charge, and one that ultimately landed Wilde in prison. It wasn&’t until January of 1897 that Wilde began to write from his cell. De Profundis, a scathing indictment of his former lover, is the letter that Wilde wrote to Bosie from prison. In addition to detailing the wrongs visited on Wilde by Bosie and his family, De Profundis traces the spiritual growth that Wilde experiences in prison. Having lost everything he holds dear, Wilde transforms his hardship into art. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Three Thousand Dollars: Stories
by David LipskyEleven sparkling stories of family, love, and art from New York Times–bestselling author David LipskyMy mother doesn&’t know that I owe my father three thousand dollars. From the opening line of the acclaimed title story—a Best American Short Stories selection that first appeared in the New Yorker—to the tender last scene of &“Springs, 1977,&” this pitch-perfect collection explores the unsteady terrain of early adulthood and the complex legacy of family. Self-aware, creatively ambitious, and just privileged enough to be acutely aware of all that they lack, Lipsky&’s characters are as real and unforgettable as the dilemmas they face—some of their own making, some that the world has thrust on them. In &“Relativity,&” a college junior transfers to the Ivy League in order to please his mother and make new friends; he quickly realizes the fault in his logic. In &“Colonists,&” a nervous young author searches for her muse at a New Hampshire writers&’ retreat attended by a priest who pens erotic poetry and a composer working on a comic opera about the Alger Hiss trial. &“ &‘Shh,&’ &” the genesis of Lipsky&’s highly praised novel The Art Fair, is the story of a dutiful son trying to shield his artist mother from the agony of her latest rejection. Witty, heartbreaking, and wise, the stories in Three Thousand Dollars are a testament to David Lipsky&’s exceptional talent and to the power of short fiction to transform the smallest of moments into the greatest of truths.
Delights and Prejudices
by James BeardA richly evocative memoir from the man whom the New York Times dubbed the &“dean of American cookery,&” recalling the flavors of his past In this delightful culinary journey, James Beard takes us back to the earliest days of his childhood when he started developing his precocious palate and lifelong &“taste memories&”—the ability to savor and remember the tastes and sensations of food. His enthusiasm for flavors, no matter how bold, would define Beard for the rest of his life. From devouring a raw onion as an infant to scouring the globe in search of local flavors as an adult, Delights and Prejudices is full of witty and illuminating stories that open a door into the world of one of America&’s first and perhaps greatest epicures. Packed with more than one hundred fifty recipes, including corn chili soufflé, fried oysters, and peach preserves, this very personal account of his life is as close to an autobiography as Beard ever penned. For those who love to cook or simply love to eat, there remains no better teacher than James Beard.
The Silver Spooner: A Novel
by Darcy O'BrienFrom a New York Times–bestselling author: A novel of postwar American dreams and an Oklahoma ranching dynasty. A kingpin rancher in eastern Oklahoma, Earl Kruger built the largest cattle operation in the state. Admired for his ambition and hated for his ruthlessness, he was the last of a breed that rose to wealth and power out of the desolation of the dust bowl. When he dies, his only son, A.G., a &“silver spooner&”, privileged but unprepared, discovers that the tough old man cast a long shadow. And A.G. isn&’t the only one under its influence. So is Ramsey Hogan. A.G.&’s best friend and surrogate brother, the orphan grew up on the Krugers&’ Sunrise Ranch. As indebted to the family as he is lost, Ramsey is searching for his own identity on a destructive path that takes him to Hollywood and back again. But A.G.&’s wife, Claire, is defining herself by the Kruger legacy. Beautiful, calculating, and as driven as her late father-in-law, she&’s determined to grab hold of a tycoon&’s life and never let go. In a changing world of wildly clashing values, they struggle to play out their lives, caught between the claims of past and present, the demands of friendship and marriage, and the promise of hope and the burden of dreams, in this saga by a PEN/Hemingway Award–winning author.
The Father: And Other Stories
by R. V. CassillA masterful, multifaceted story collection from one of American literature&’s most influential writers and teachers As a creative writing teacher whose students included Raymond Carver, Joy Williams, and Andre Dubus, and as longtime editor of The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, R. V. Cassill profoundly impacted the development of the short story in America. The ten stunning tales in The Father and Other Stories exhibit his mastery of the form and the breathtaking scope of his vision. In &“This Hand, These Talons,&” a former combat pilot grapples with the dislocations of peacetime. &“The Prize,&” an O. Henry Award winner, is a tender yet clear-eyed portrait of the growing pains of a Depression-era adolescence. &“And in My Heart&” is a richly nuanced portrayal of a writing teacher&’s obsessive involvement in the ill-fated romance of two of his students. The haunting title story, a widely anthologized masterpiece, illustrates a man&’s descent into guilt and despair after he is forced to amputate his son&’s hand to save the boy from dying in a farming accident. Across a broad range of characters, tones, and settings, Cassill finds beauty and insight wherever he looks. The Father and Other Stories is proof of his tremendous skill as a storyteller and his enduring influence on contemporary literature.
Worlds Enough and Time: Worlds, Worlds Apart, And Worlds Enough And Time (The Worlds Trilogy #3)
by Joe HaldemanFrom the author of The Forever War comes the Worlds trilogy finale: the last of humanity faces extinction on a doomed voyage to a new home in the stars. The Earth is no more, an uninhabitable shell following the one-day war that obliterated the population. In the decades that followed, the surviving Worlds orbiting the dead planet have become the last refuge of humankind. With the discovery of a possibly habitable planet in a distant star system, ten thousand brave colonists are preparing to depart from New New York aboard the interstellar vessel Newhome. Among them is Marianne O&’Hara, who will ultimately control the fate of what remains of the human race. The momentous voyage is plagued from the start by ignorance and sabotage, and by the dark tenets of a nihilistic religion dedicated to ultimate destruction. But despite the many trials and tragedies, the spacefarers—and particularly Marianne and her loved ones—will be forced to endure. There is no turning back once the journey begins . . . for soon there will be nowhere left to return to. With Worlds Enough and Time, Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Joe Haldeman completes his magnificent story of humankind&’s destruction and rebirth, capping off his acclaimed trilogy with a truly transcendent tale of destiny, courage, selflessness, dedication, and the resilience of humankind.This ebook features an illustrated biography of Joe Haldeman including rare images from the author&’s personal collection.
Angel Landing: A Novel
by Alice Hoffman&“A good, old-fashioned love story . . . Alice Hoffman&’s writing at its precise and heartbreaking best.&” —The Washington Post Things have changed in Fisher&’s Cove, the Long Island harbor town where Natalie spent her summers as a girl. The water used to be clean, and from her aunt Minnie&’s boarding house you could see all the way to Connecticut even on hazy days. Twenty years ago, Minnie never had a problem finding lodgers—but now everyone wants to be in Montauk or the Hamptons. The biggest change of all, though, is the nuclear power plant under construction on Angel Landing. Natalie&’s boyfriend, Carter, is leading a protest against the plant, and despite the fact that he is more devoted to his environmental work than he is to her, she has followed him to Fisher&’s Cove. During the days, she works as a therapist at a local counseling center; in the evenings, she ignores her aunt&’s disapproval as she waits for Carter to call. But after an explosion lights up the night sky above Angel Landing, Natalie&’s world is turned upside down. Into her office walks a man with an incredible confession to make, and the more she listens, the more Natalie begins to question the direction of her own life. The conclusions she draws—about passion, commitment, and what her heart truly wants—will lead her to a love she never imagined possible. Told with grace, charm, and wit, Angel Landing is a captivating romance and one of Alice Hoffman&’s most delightful novels.
The Sword Is Drawn (Lorens Van Norreys #1)
by Andre NortonYoung Lorens van Norreys must save his family legacy from Nazi invasion in this thrilling series opener from the New York Times–bestselling author. The House of Norreys—those merchants of gems for over three hundred years—faces its greatest crisis ever: the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The old Jonkheer lay dying in his bed when he called his grandson to be with him in the last hours of his life, and at this time, young Lorens van Norreys is entrusted with the future of Norreys. That future lies in the legendary Flower of Orange, a priceless baroque necklace that the Nazi scavengers burn to possess. It is up to Lorens to save the necklace and the House of Norreys. With the first encounter with the Nazi invaders, Lorens faces his challenge as The Sword Is Drawn.
The Bridge of Years: A Novel
by May SartonMay Sarton&’s celebrated novel of family, philosophy, and survival, set between the two great wars that cleaved Europe in two In the wake of the First World War, life for the Duchesnes goes on almost as it always has. Situated near a vegetable garden, an orchard, and rolling green pastures, their Belgian estate is one of the few that escaped dereliction in the difficult preceding years. The garden is Mélanie Duchesne&’s lifeblood—a boost to her seemingly unending well of vitality. The introspective Paul finds his refuge in writing, his most deeply held ambition. But as the years pass, Paul&’s books find little audience, and husband and wife focus instead on their furniture business and their growing family. The Bridge of Years follows the Duchesnes in the years leading up to World War II—their daily exploits and travails, the small moments and mundane beauties that fill their lives. When their German friend Schmidt arrives for a visit, he brings news of an impending nightmare in the East that is threatening to overturn life as they know it. With the specter of fascism looming, the rising tensions bring out the best in Paul, whose writing enjoys renewed vigor and intensity, as well as in Mélanie, whose steadfast determination might be the very thing that saves her family as war knocks at their door once again.
Cosmocopia
by Paul Di FilippoAn insane, broken pulp-art painter gets chance at redemption in a phantasmagoric science fiction wonder from a true master of the weirdBefore his stroke and the onset of old age, Frank Lazorg was the king of the fantasy illustrators—with an ego to match. But he can paint no more. That is, until he starts taking a bizarre new drug that promises to restore his creative powers. Unfortunately, artistic reinvigoration comes with a steep price tag: addiction and madness. With his rage and jealousy unleashed and his grasp of reality severely compromised, Lazorg is led to commit an unspeakable act, and, in turn, is led . . . somewhere else. Suddenly naked and helpless, the artist finds himself in a world of abiding strangeness, filled with monstrous things that seem to mock, yet oddly mirror, Lazorg&’s previous reality. And here is Crutchsump, a remarkable creature possessing great love and rare compassion, who could possibly aid in Lazorg&’s ultimate salvation as he spirals downward through the Cosmocopia and ever-closer to the Conceptus. Arguably the most inventive force in science fiction since Philip K. Dick in his heyday, Paul Di Filippo outdoes even Paul Di Filippo with his remarkable Cosmocopia. Outrageous, ingenious, nightmarish, funny, provocative, and utterly unforgettable, this is a glittering testament to the towering heights science fiction can achieve.
The Belt of Gold: A Novel of Byzantium
by Cecelia HollandIn an exotic ancient land, a foreign stranger&’s sworn mission of vengeance leads him into the perilous circle of a ruthless Byzantine empress In the early years of the ninth century, the road home from Jerusalem winds through Constantinople for two Frankish noblemen-warriors. But when an encounter with a young woman running for her life results in the murder of Hagen the White&’s brother, he vows to find the perpetrators, no matter how highborn or powerful, and take his revenge. His hunt will carry him into the royal circle of the Basileus Irene, a ruthless despot who blinded her own son to force him off the throne. The beautiful and calculating empress is fascinated by this supposed barbarian who has sworn allegiance to the great Charlemagne, and she welcomes him into the imperial court—and into the dangerous fires of countless royal conspiracies. Suddenly Hagen must tread carefully through a vipers&’ nest of plots, lies, and bloodthirsty power plays, for if the stranger trusts the wrong serpent, he will certainly die. One of the world&’s premier purveyors of historical fiction, acclaimed novelist Cecelia Holland ushers the reader into a thrilling, exotic, and colorful world ruled by one of history&’s most complex and fascinating women. The Belt of Gold is a stunning tale of power and vengeance set against a breathtaking backdrop of Byzantine opulence, from the conspiracies of the empress&’s court and the intrigues of the bedchamber to the heart-racing clashes of champions in the public arenas where famed charioteers seek ultimate glory before the eyes of an adoring populace.
Babbitt: Collector's Edition - Sinclair Lewis
by Sinclair LewisSinclair Lewis&’s Nobel Prize–winning satire of the American middle class Zenith is like many American cities in the wake of the First World War: midsize, industrial, booming with opportunities for enterprising capitalists. But Zenith is unique as a middling metropolis; within its wandering streets walks one George Babbitt, world-class realtor, American dreamer, social climber, and civic booster. But unexpectedly, dark clouds appear on Babbitt&’s horizon: his best friend, a convicted murderer? His eldest daughter, a wretched socialist? Coddled by the trappings of his professional and personal success, how can Babbitt become stricken with loneliness, dissatisfaction, and frustration? First published in 1922, Lewis Sinclair&’s contentious bestselling satire of middle-class America is more relevant than ever. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Ice Brothers: A Novel
by Sloan WilsonThe bestselling World War II adventure story based on Sloan Wilson&’s experiences as a Coast Guard officer on the Greenland patrol After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Paul Schuman, a college senior and summer sailor, enlists in the Coast Guard. His beautiful, mercurial wife, Sylvia, wants him to stay at home in Massachusetts, but Paul is ready for adventure and eager to serve his country. His active duty begins when, without a day of training, he is assigned to be the executive officer aboard the Arluk, a converted fishing trawler patrolling the coast of Greenland for secret German weather bases. At the helm of the Arluk is Lt. Cdr. &“Mad&” Mowry, the finest ice pilot and meanest drunk in the Coast Guard. Paul has a lot to learn from his captain, but not as much as communications officer Nathan Greenberg does. A Brooklyn engineer, Nathan does not know the difference between a ship&’s bow and its stern. No matter how nasty Mowry might be, Schuman and Greenberg have to pay close attention, because deadly icebergs, dangerous blizzards, and menacing Nazi gunboats lurk along the frigid Arctic coastline. Surviving the war, Schuman soon realizes, will require every ounce of courage and intelligence he possesses—and that is before Mowry breaks down and the young officer is forced to take command of the Arluk and its crew at the worst possible moment. A masterful blend of high drama and convincing realism, Ice Brothers is a true classic of World War II and one of Sloan Wilson&’s finest novels.