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The Alice Crimmins Case (50 States of Crime)
by Anais RenevierNew York, Summer of 1965. Two children disappear . . . the mother must be guilty. One hot summer, two young children disappeared from their first-floor apartment in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York. Their mother, Alice Crimmins, reported them missing to the police. Later that day, the body of four-year-old Missy was found in a vacant lot, showing signs of having been strangled. The body of five-year-old Eddie, Jr., was found several days later. Police were immediately suspicious of the mother. Recently divorced, with teased red hair and heavy makeup, Alice Crimmins did not fit the maternal ideal held by the predominantly Catholic police detectives on the case. Her every action was scrutinized: Was she behaving like an appropriately grief-stricken mother or like a cold-hearted killer? After three years of police surveillance, Alice was charged with the murder of her children in 1968 in a highly publicized trial. Ultimately found guilty of manslaughter, Alice spent a decade in prison before being released on parole in 1977. But was she truly guilty, or just the victim of police bias and misogynistic judgment? Journalist Anaïs Renevier revisits the case, exploring one of the most famous and divisive trials in recent American history. 50 States of Crime: France’s leading true crime journalists investigate America’s most notorious cases, one for every state in the Union, offering up fresh perspectives on famously storied crimes and reflecting, in the process, a dark national legacy that leads from coast to coast.
The Shortest History of Migration: When, Why, and How Humans Move - From the Prehistoric Peopling of the Planet to Today and Tomorrow's Migrants (The Shortest History Series)
by Ian GoldinFrom the Silk Roads to the Berlin Wall, discover the globe-turning history of human migration. “Provides essential context to one of today’s most polarizing debates . . . engrossing and instructive—a must-read.”—Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group We are a species in motion—from the first steps of Homo sapiens across Africa to America’s “melting pot.” And when we move—in search of better things, or against our will—our beliefs and skills clash and combine, reshaping society time and again. In this visionary Shortest History of Migration, Ian Goldin uncovers key moments of cultural exchange while carefully examining empire, slavery, and war. Throughout, we meet famous explorers (Zheng He), exiles (Pablo Neruda), and everyday people in extraordinary circumstances: a Jewish man saved by the Kindertransport, a Japanese gardener who blossomed in Mexico City. Today, freedom of movement is being curtailed, even as climate change and conflict mobilize people everywhere around the world. Goldin reminds us that passports at every border are a modern invention (he traces the “birth of big brother” to World War I), revealing the folly of trying to halt migration—and proposing commonsense policy instead. A gripping chronicle of want and wanderlust, this is a moving portrait of humanity—in every sense of the word. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.
Fewer Rules, Better People: The Case for Discretion (A Norton Short)
by Barry LamA philosopher argues that the proliferation of rules and mandates is making us dumber, less moral, more deceptive, and less able to govern important institutions. Wherever there’s a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it—or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimize or maximize discretion, with all its potential for bias and other kinds of human error? Reframing our understanding of justice and ethics, philosopher Barry Lam argues that while use of discretion—whether by a sports referee, a parent, a police officer, or a judge—can never be perfect, removing it has even more problematic effects. Mandatory arrests and sentencing laws have not eliminated bias, but have corrupted the courtroom, institutionalized lying, and brought about even more unjust and arbitrary results. Fewer Rules, Better People is a bold, riveting treatise that sheds new light on political debates about law and justice while aiming to prepare us for the imminent threat of more “perfect,” discretion-less rule enforcement by AI.
Beta Vulgaris: A Novel
by Margie SarsfieldOne of Literary Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 One of The Millions' Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2025 A young woman’s seasonal job working a sugar beet harvest takes a surreal turn in this surprising and vivid debut. Elise and her boyfriend, Tom, set off for Minnesota, hoping the paycheck from the sugar beet harvest will cover the rent on their Brooklyn apartment. Amidst the grueling work and familiar anxieties about her finances, Elise starts noticing strange things: threatening phone calls, a mysterious rash, and snatches of an ominous voice coming from the beet pile. When Tom and other coworkers begin to vanish, Elise is left alone to confront the weight of her past, the horrors of her uncertain future, and the menacing but enticing siren song of the beets. Biting, eerie, and confidently told, Beta Vulgaris harnesses a distinct voice and audacious premise to undermine straightforward narratives of class, trauma, consumption, and redemption.
Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart: Sneak Peek (Lords of Hazard)
by Sabrina JeffriesBe one of the first to read this sneak preview sample edition!For readers of Regency romance by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries debuts a brand new series in trade paperback in which a lord, detained in France during the Napoleonic war, returns home to find he&’s inherited a dukedom and vows to make a match for his deceased mentor&’s daughter.Intriguing twists and sparkling wit entwine in this stunning new historical romance from the New York Times bestselling Sabrina Jeffries, as a once-exiled patriot returns home to a changed world . . .Napoleon&’s war has ended, and English captives detained for years in a French fortress are finally released. Returning to a London he no longer recognizes, and facing astonishing changes in his own family, Lord Jonathan Leighton learns he has inherited a dukedom. But the new nobleman carries the guilt of having wronged his late mentor. Now, he vows to fulfill his promise to find a suitable match for the man&’s daughter, Victoria—even if it takes offering a nonexistent dowry to spark her interest in matrimony . . .Sharp-witted Victoria would just as soon sculpt the Greek god who has come to take charge of her future. In fact, she has her sights set on founding a school for women artists. As Jonathan matches wits with the talented beauty, revelations from his past—and their connection to her father&’s demise—threaten to unveil both of their closely held secrets and thrust them into a danger they can only escape together.
Gothictown: Sneak Peek
by Emily CarpenterBe one of the first to read this sneak preview sample edition!In an immersive Southern Gothic with echoes of Shirley Jackson&’s The Lottery and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, a restauranteur lured by pandemic-era incentives moves her family to a seemingly idyllic small town in Georgia, only to discover a darkness lurking beneath the Southern hospitality and sun-dappled streets...Welcome to gentle Juliana, where you can have it all…if you pay the price.The email that lands in Billie Hope&’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100, she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and the painful memories of shuttering her once thriving restaurant and start over with her husband and her daughter. Plus, she&’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity. It seems like a dream come true…or a devil&’s bargain.*A Publishers Marketplace BUZZ BOOKS Selection*A few phone calls and one hurried visit later, and Billie, Peter, and six-year-old Meredith are officially part of the Juliana Initiative. The town is everything promised—two hours northwest of Atlanta but a world away from city living, a &“gentle jewel&” with weather as warm as its people. Between settling into their lavish home and starting her new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss any troubling signs…But Billie&’s sleep is marred by haunting dreams, and her marriage with Peter is growing increasingly strained. Meanwhile the town elders, all descended from Juliana&’s founding families, exert a level of influence that feels less benevolent and more stifling day by day.There&’s something about &“Gentle Juliana&”—something off-kilter and menacing beneath that famous Southern hospitality. And no matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she&’s starting to wonder how, and if, they&’ll ever leave.For readers of Stacy Willingham, Sarah Langan, Ashley Winstead, and Jess Lourey, a bewitchingly foreboding story about sacrifice, privilege, family, guilt, and the vengeful ghosts of a haunted past – from the bestselling author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls.
Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket: Best Beaches, Coastal Towns, Clambakes & Lobster (Moon U.S. Travel Guide)
by Ray Bartlett Moon Travel GuidesFrom fine art galleries and fried clams to breathtaking beachside hikes, escape to the Cape with Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket. Inside you'll find:Strategic, flexible itineraries including a long weekend in Nantucket, a Martha&’s Vineyard getaway, and a week seeing the best of Cape Cod Fun highlights and unique experiences: Admire 19th century lighthouses and take in some local lore at the Whaling Museum. Feast on raw oysters, fried clams, and fresh fish. Kick back at an old-school drive-in theater or have a lively night at a popular drag show in Provincetown. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Nantucket or pop into the galleries and artisan studios on the Cape The top outdoor adventures: Kayak through misty marshes, spot dolphins from a sailboat, hike to cliffside bluffs, or bike the serene beach paths of Martha's Vineyard Honest advice from Cape Cod local Ray Bartlett on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from quiet seaside cottages to historic guest houses and posh resorts Full-color photos and detailed maps throughoutThorough background on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and culture Experience the best of the Cape with Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket. Exploring more of New England? Try Moon New England Road Trip. Hitting the trails? Check out Moon New England Hiking. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
The Forest King's Daughter (Thirstwood #1)
by Elly BlakeFor fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, The Forest King's Daughter is an enemies-to-forbidden-lovers romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood. Once upon a time, among the bloodred trees of Thirstwood, a young forest princess became friends with a lonely boy from underground. He gifted her an amber ring, a worthless trinket—or so he thought—because no sooner did he slide it onto her finger than the queen of the underground and the forest king declared war. Years later, Cassia is a crucial force in her father&’s army, wielding her ring of light that can blind and disorient hundreds of enemies at a time. Then battle-hardened Zeru abducts her, planning to steal the ring back to fix his costly childhood mistake. Exhausted, terrified, and more than a little mistrusting, Cassia is forced to travel with Zeru to a place they both believed only existed in storybooks, one where their childhood friendship slowly rekindles into something much more. But it's only a matter of time before the war they&’ve escaped comes for them, and a hidden threat to forest and underground folk alike grows in the shadows. From the author of the Frostblood Saga comes the first book in an enchanting, adventure-filled fantasy series about the daughters of the powerful forest king, sure to leave readers breathless and desperate for more.
Dropping Beats
by Nathanael Lessore"Funny, bursting with heart, goofy, wise, and did I mention– wildly wonderfully funny." —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature and Founder of Guys ReadA hilarious and heartfelt young YA comedy about the misadventures of an aspiring young rapper as he navigates school, family, and friendship. Thirteen-year-old Growls (aka Shaun) is an aspiring (awful) rapper who hopes to enter this year&’s Raptology competition with his best friend, Shanks (aka Zachariah). After all, what better way to land his crush (Tanisha) and get the respect he finally deserves than winning the contest and going viral? But when a livestream practice goes epically wrong, the two friends do go viral– and not in the way they&’d hoped. Now the laughingstock of the school, Growls is sure he&’ll never have another chance to date Tanisha. Even worse, Shanks has gone MIA, leaving him terribly alone. But when Growls meets the new girl on the block (Siobhan), things don&’t seem so terrible after all. And with some patience, a little luck, and a whole lot of practice, he just might win the Raptology competition and be a hero to both Siobhan and Shanks. Either way, he&’s ready for this. He&’s steady for this. It&’s comeback season and they call him comeback king for a reason.
Life Hacks for a Little Alien
by Alice FranklinPerfect for readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures, this is a charming, witty, and profoundly moving novel about what it feels like to grow up neurodivergent. "An extraordinary debut that made me laugh, tear up, and feel hopeful." —Angie Kim, author of Happiness Falls&“Climb up here, Little Alien. Sit next to me. I will tell you about life on this planet. I will tell you how it goes.&” Before she thinks of herself as Little Alien, our protagonist is a lonely girl who doesn&’t understand the world the way other children seem to. So when a late-night TV special introduces her to the mysterious Voynich Manuscript—an ancient tome written in an indecipherable language—Little Alien experiences something she hasn&’t before: hope. Could there be others like her, who also feel like they&’re from another planet? Convinced the Voynich Manuscript holds the answers she needs, Little Alien and her best (and only) friend Bobby decide they must find this strange book. Where that decision leads them will change everything. Narrated by an unexpected guide who has arrived to give Little Alien the advice she&’ll need to find her way, Life Hacks for a Little Alien is both a coming-of-age adventure and a love letter to language. Alice Franklin will have you swinging from stitches to tears on the uneven path to finding a life that fits, even when you yourself do not.
Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants' War
by Lyndal RoperIn this &“extraordinary and brilliant book&” (Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves), a prize-winning historian offers the definitive account of the sixteenth-century uprising that revolutionized Europe The German Peasants&’ War was the greatest popular uprising in Western Europe before the French Revolution. In 1524 and 1525, it swept across Germany with astonishing speed as well over a hundred thousand people massed in armed bands to demand a new and more egalitarian order. The peasants took control of vast areas of southern and middle Germany, torching and plundering the monasteries, convents, and castles that stood in their way. But they proved no match for the forces of the lords, who put down the revolt by slaying somewhere between seventy and a hundred thousand peasants in just over two months. In Summer of Fire and Blood, the first history of the German Peasants&’ War in a generation, historian Lyndal Roper exposes the far-reaching ramifications of this rebellion. Though the war&’s victors portrayed the uprising as naive and inchoate, Roper reveals a mass movement that sought to make good on the radical potential of the Protestant Reformation. By recovering what the people themselves felt and believed, Summer of Fire and Blood reconstructs the thrilling, tragic story of the peasants&’ fight to change the world.
Celebrity Crush
by Christy SwiftA romance writer&’s wildest dreams—the bestseller list, a movie deal, and a date with the real-life inspiration for her Hollywood hero—are all within her grasp if only she can hold it all together. Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she&’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she&’s determined to become the latest social media sensation. When her secret celebrity crush (the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero) accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she&’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he&’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?
On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America
by Kim ChristensenFrom a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, the shocking rise and fall of an American institution. Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has been the nation&’s premier youth organization, espousing self-reliance and honor. More than 100 million Americans have been Boy Scouts, from Bill Gates to Martin Luther King Jr. Today, however, Scouting faces an existential threat of its own making: more than 82,000 former Scouts have filed claims alleging they were sexually abused—seven times the number of similar allegations that rocked the Catholic Church two decades ago. On My Honor untangles the full story of the Boy Scouts of America, tracking its creation, growth, influence, and the massive generational trauma it has caused. Using the iconic institution to tell a story of American values over the last century, the book grapples with America&’s changing understanding of what it means to &“make men.&” This riveting story of power and abuse, religion and politics, scandal and justice, is brought to life by groundbreaking research and an unforgettable cast of characters.
You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip
by Kelsey McKinneyONE OF LITHUB'S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2025 <p> “Gossip is the only cultural tradition I care about, and Kelsey McKinney has written its Bible” – Samantha Irby, #1 NYT bestselling author. <p> From the host of the Normal Gossip podcast, a delightfully insightful exploration of our obsession with gossip that weaves together journalism, cultural criticism, and memoir. As the pandemic forced us to socialize at a distance, Kelsey McKinney was mourning the juicy updates and jaw-dropping stories she’d typically collect over drinks with friends—and from her hunger, the blockbuster Normal Gossip podcast was born. With listenership in the millions, Kelsey found herself thinking more critically about gossip as a form, and wanting to better understand the role it plays in our culture. <p> In You Didn't Hear This From Me, McKinney explores the murkiness of everyday storytelling. Why is gossip considered a sin, and how can we better recognize when it's being weaponized? Why do we think we’re entitled to every detail of a celebrity’s personal life? And how do we define “gossip,” anyway? As much as the book aims to treat gossip as a subject worthy of rigor, it also hopes to capture the heart of gossiping: how enchanting and fun it can be to lean over and whisper something a little salacious into your friend’s ear. With wit and honesty, McKinney unmasks what we're actually searching for when we demand to know the truth—and how much the truth really matters in the first place. <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
Scythe & Sparrow
by Brynne WeaverDiscover the serial killer romance series everyone is talking about! 'So fresh and different. It's like a funny, irreverent version of Dexter - only there's two of them and sexual tension' Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly ---- From the no.1 New York Times bestselling author of the genre-breaking international TikTok sensation Butcher & Blackbird and Leather & Lark comes the final book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy - a friends-with-benefits dark romantic comedy.Murder.Mayhem.And spice.Doctor Fionn Kane is running from a broken heart, one he hopes to mend in small-town Nebraska, far away from his almost-fiance and his derailed surgical career. It's a simpler life: head down, hard work, and absolutely no romantic relationships. He wants none of the circus he left behind in Boston.But then the real circus finds him.Motorcycle performer Rose Evans has spent a decade on the road with the Silveria Circus, and it suits her just fine, especially when she has the urge to indulge in a little murder when she's not in the spotlight. But when a kill goes awry and she ends up with an injured leg, Rose finds herself stuck in Nebraska, at the home of the adorably nerdy town doctor.The problem is, not every broken heart can be sewn back together.. . . And the longer you stay in one place, the more likely your ghosts are to catch up. *** What do Readers think of The Ruinous Love Trilogy? 'The chemistry is explosive. The romance will make your heart squeeze painfully. The banter will have you giggling and kicking your feet. The one-liners and screwball scenarios are laugh-out-loud hysterical' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Butcher and Blackbird is indulgent and decadent; reading it feels like eating chocolate cake' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'If I could rate this book infinity stars, trust me, I would in a heartbeat' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'One of the most creative dark romances I've EVER read . . . perfection from start to finish' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I was so engaged I couldn't put it down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The banter was chef kiss' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'There is nothing more I can say except . . . I think I am in love with a serial killer' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Writing a romantic comedy about vigilante serial killers who kill other serial killers for fun, and somehow making it cute is no small feat' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Tropes:Friends with benefitsSmall town romanceFish out of waterForced proximityHurt/careTouch her and die
The Forest King's Daughter: an enemies-to-forbidden-lovers fantasy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood (Thirstwood)
by Elly BlakeA forest princess and a demon boy collide in this friends-to-enemies-to-forbidden-lovers romantic fantasy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Elly Blake.Once upon a time, a young forest princess became friends with a lonely demon boy. He gifted her a ring, a worthless trinket . . . or so he thought. Because no sooner did he slide it onto her finger than the demon queen and forest king declared war. Years later, Cassia is a crucial force in her father's army, wielding her ring of light against hundreds of demons at a time. Then battle-hardened Zeru abducts her, planning to back steal the ring to fix his childhood mistake.Terrified, and more than a little mistrusting, Cassia is forced to travel with Zeru to a place they both believed only existed in storybooks, one where their friendship slowly rekindles into something much more. But it's only a matter of time before the war they've escaped comes for them, and a hidden threat to forest folk and demon alike grows in the shadows.TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE READERS ARE SAYING:'[It] truly captivated my heart and made my heart race with excitement and anticipation! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This is romantic fantasy that readers will gladly be swept up by' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Pick up for those seeking adventure and enemies-to-lovers romance' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A sweetly romantic magical diversion' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The Forest King's Daughter is a must-read for fantasy lovers' ⭐⭐⭐⭐'A majestic tale that weaves together questions of destiny, love, and self-discovery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Change of Heart: Anything's possible with a change of heart in this charming new rom-com!
by Falon BallardFall in love with the charming and subversive new rom-com from Falon Ballard!'Laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming . . . I couldn't put Change of Heart down. I want to live in Heart Springs, I want Cam Andrews in my corner, and I want this story to be adapted into an actual Hallmark movie' Sarah Hogle'Laugh out loud funny and romantic beyond the scope of space and time, Change of Heart is another total winner from Falon Ballard. I have never met a heroine I've cheered for so hard' Annabel Monaghan 'The perfect blend of wit and romance. I love my rom coms with a slice of magical realism and Change of Heart delivers in spades. Imagine Pleasantville and The Hating Game had a book baby. I adored this book; Falon Ballard at her best' Sophie Cousens______________________________Campbell Andrews despises precisely three things in life: incompetence, lateness, and love stories. Having made partner at her law firm at thirty-four, she has no time for anything - or anyone - else. Especially after yet another disastrous first date. But then she wakes up in Heart Springs - her own personal hell. The good news? She's not dead. She's just been magically transported to a small town straight out of the Hallmark channel, complete with a meddling mayor, seasonal festivals, friendly townsfolk . . . and Ben, her date from the night before. Cam really doesn't have time for this, but in order to make it back to her real life, she must fulfil three tasks: find a career she's passionate about, help the community, and find true love. It really seems impossible. But stuck in this pastel purgatory and forced to give Ben another chance, she starts to realise that maybe anything's possible with a change of heart . . . ______________________________'Change of Heart is the badass feminist romcom that fans of Pleasantville and The Stepford Wives will love. It's funny, sharp, and a slow burn that will keep you on the edge of your seat' Erin La Rosa'Full of her signature charm, steam, and laugh-out-loud moments, Falon Ballard's newest fully delivers. Change of Heart is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to see the big-city Hallmark villain rewrite the narrative and become the unexpected heroine of her own story. I devoured this in a single, delicious sitting!' Holly James
Walking Europe's Last Wilderness: A Journey through the Carpathian Mountains
by Nick ThorpeAn evocative voyage through the Carpathian mountain range and its threatened landscape, peoples, and history The Carpathian Mountains of Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine are Europe&’s last true wilderness. A landscape of great spruce and beech forests, grass meadows, and ancient villages, its people contend daily with the elements—as well as Europe&’s last large carnivores. But this fragile ecosystem is now under threat, from climate change and illegal logging. Journeying from the banks of the Danube to Transylvania, Nick Thorpe guides us through the history and ecology of the watershed of Europe, between the Black Sea and the Baltic. For a thousand years the Carpathians have been a place of refuge, of identity and belonging, where powerful rulers and dynasties fought to gain control over rich gold seams and the unruly inhabitants of strategic valleys. Today, its inhabitants struggle to protect its vast forest habitat from urban sprawl as well as logging. Drawing on interviews with shepherds, foresters and loggers, and his four decades of experience in the region, Thorpe sheds light on a neglected part of Europe—where bears, wolves, chamois, and lynxes still roam.
The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made
by Calvin SchermerhornThe long history of the racial wealth gap in America told through the stories of seven Black families who struggled to build wealth over multiple generations Wealth is central to the American pursuit of happiness and is an overriding measure of well-being. Yet wealth is conspicuously absent from African American households. Why do some 3.5 million Black American families have zero or negative wealth? Historian Calvin Schermerhorn traces four hundred years of Black dispossession and decapitalization—what Frederick Douglass called plunder—through the stories of families who have strived to earn and keep the fruits of their toils. Their struggles reveal that the ever-evolving strategies to strip Black income and wealth have been critical to sustaining a structure of racialized disadvantage. These accounts also tell of the quiet heroism of those who worked to overcome obstacles and defy the plunder. From the story of Anthony and Mary Johnson, abducted from Angola and brought to Virginia in 1619, to the enslaved Black workers dispossessed by the Custis-Washington family, to Venture Smith (born Broteer Furro), who purchased his freedom, to three generations of a family enslaved in the South who moved north after Emancipation, to the Tulsa massacre and the subprime lending crisis, Schermerhorn shows that we cannot reckon with today&’s racial wealth inequality without understanding its unrelenting role in American history.
The Social Biome: How Everyday Communication Connects and Shapes Us
by Jeffrey A. Hall Andy J. MerollaA deep dive into the importance of daily communication and how we can harness its power to create a better life We spend much of our waking lives communicating with others. How does each moment of interaction shape not only our relationships but also our worldviews? And how can we create moments of connection that improve our health and well-being, particularly in a world in which people are feeling increasingly isolated? Drawing from their extensive research, Andy J. Merolla and Jeffrey A. Hall establish a new way to think about our relational life: as existing within &“social biomes&”—complex ecosystems of moments of interaction with others. Each interaction we have, no matter how unimportant or mundane it might seem, is a building block of our identities and beliefs. Consequently, the choices we make about how we interact and who we interact with—and whether we interact at all—matter more than we might know. Merolla and Hall offer a sympathetic, practical guide to our vital yet complicated social lives and propose realistic ways to embrace and enhance connection and hope.
Crusading for Globalization: US Multinationals and Their Opponents Since 1945 (American Business, Politics, and Society)
by Janick Marina SchaufelbuehlThe first book to shed light on what caused corporate executives to pursue a pro-globalization agenda over the last eight decadesCrusading for Globalization tells the story of an extraordinarily influential group of business executives at the helms of the largest US multinational corporations and their quest to drive globalization forward over the last eight decades. Janick Marina Schaufelbuehl argues that the spectacular expansion of international investment, trade, and production after 1945 cannot be understood without considering the role played by these corporate globalizers and the organization they created, the US Council (today’s United States Council for International Business). By shaping governmental policy through their congressional lobbying and close connections to successive presidential administrations, US Council members, including executives from General Electric, Coca Cola, and IBM, among others, consistently fought for ever more market deregulation, culminating in the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1995.Crusading for Globalization is also a book about those who opposed the growing might of multinationals. In the years immediately after World War II, resistance came from business protectionists, before labor and policymakers from the Global South joined the effort in the early 1970s. Schaufelbuehl breaks new ground by offering a panorama of this early anti-globalization movement, and by showing how the leaders of multinationals organized to limit its political influence. She also examines continuities between this early movement and the opposition to globalization that emerged at the beginning of the twenty-first century from the left and the populist right and discusses how business responded by promoting corporate social responsibility and voluntary guidelines.The first book to shed light on what caused corporate executives to pursue a pro-globalization agenda and to examine their methods for dealing with their opponents, Crusading for Globalization reveals the historical roots of today’s disparities in wealth and income distribution.
The Sound and the Fury (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)
by William FaulknerIn the early twentieth century, the Deep South was a landscape of profound transformation and tumultuous change, marked by societal decay, loss, and an enduring search for meaning. William Faulkner’s haunting modernist masterpiece The Sound and the Fury, set in Mississippi, portrays the decline of the once-aristocratic Compson family. The novel features the divergent fragmented lives of the Compson siblings—the intellectual disability of Benjy, the brooding rage of Quentin, and the cynical practicality of Jason—as well as the unwavering loyalty of the family servant, Dilsey. Faulkner’s evocative prose illuminates the complexities of human nature, revealing the impact of societal change on personal identity and family dynamics during a turbulent period in American history. Faulkner’s innovative narrative techniques and deep exploration of themes like time, memory, and history have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century.
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)
by John SteinbeckIn this remarkable debut novel, John Steinbeck, the esteemed author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath, brings to life the enigmatic tale of Sir Henry Morgan — a legendary pirate from the 1600s whose adventures spanned the coasts of Cuba and mainland Latin America, leaving a lasting mark on the ravaged lands of Panama. Treading the line between history and fantasy, Steinbeck weaves an enthralling swashbuckling narrative of a buccaneer’s search for fame, fortune, and romance by conquering Panama, the “cup of gold,” and possessing the beautiful woman called La Santa Roja. The glimpses of Steinbeck’s genius within this work, which was published to mixed reviews in 1929, foreshadow his emergence as one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed authors.
A Hot Scot for Christmas (Scottish Treasures #4)
by Gina ConkleIs he a fortune hunter?A nasty storm lands Rory MacLeod on Sabrina Throckmorton-Rutherford’s doorstep. One night in her barn is all he wants, but the forthright woman believes the hulking Highlander could be the perfect decoy to scare off unwanted suitors through Twelfth Night.Or is he a gift from above?Rory knows a lass in need when he sees one. Mrs. Throckmorton-Rutherford works herself to the bone, and for that reason alone, he appoints himself Master of Frivolity during the holidays. The change he brings is wonderful. Even the servants agree, the Scot is like fresh air to their home. Sabrina’s ready to risk everything for Rory. Is the roving Highlander ready do the same?
Don't Let Doubt Take You Out: Replacing Fear and Doubt With Faith and Truth
by Todd MullinsSilence the Voice of Doubt and Embrace Your True Potential! Do you ever find yourself questioning your purpose, second-guessing your decisions, or feeling unsure about your future? You&’re not alone. Doubt has the power to paralyze even the most confident among us—holding us back from all that God has called us to be. But it doesn&’t have to be that way. In Don&’t Let Doubt Take You Out, Pastor Todd Mullins reveals how doubt can actually become a catalyst for deeper faith, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling life. In this road map for a doubt-free life, you&’ll discover… How to recognize doubt before it derails your dreamsTools for transforming anxiety into faith-based actionDaily declarations to reinforce your true identity in JesusHow doubt can strengthen your faith in God