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Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing
by Lili TaylorEye-opening essays about searching for peace in the cacophony of birds and discovering a world of meaning in small moments—from award-winning actor Lili Taylor.Most people don&’t really know birds—or rather, they aren&’t aware of them. Lili Taylor used to be one of those people. She knew birds existed. She thought about them, maybe even more than the average person. But she didn&’t know them. And then something happened. During a much-needed break from her work as an actor, Lili sought silence and instead found the bustling, symphonic world of birds that had always existed around her. Since then, she has kept a keen eye pressed to her binoculars in search of vivid stories that elevate the everyday, if only one pays attention. Through a series of beautifully crafted essays, Taylor shares her intimate encounters with the birds that have captured her heart and imagination—from tracking flitting woodpeckers through oak trees to spotting majestic blue jays perched on a Manhattan fire escape; from the exhilaration of witnessing a migratory flock from the top of the Empire State Building to the quiet joy of observing a nest of hatchlings in her own backyard. Through simply paying attention to birds, Lili has been shown a parallel world that is wider and deeper, one of constant change and movement, full of life and the will to survive.Throughout Turning to Birds, Taylor encourages mindfulness, inviting readers to be present and fully engaged with the world around them. Taylor's lyrical prose and thoughtful meditations on both the art we make and the art we discover around us create a sense of intimacy and wonder, inviting readers to see the world through new eyes and to find joy in the most unexpected places.
Tutus Aren't My Style
by Linda SkeersEmma loves lizards and pirates and cowboy boots, so when a package arrives from Uncle Leo, she doesn?t know what to do with the ballerina costume inside. ?I don?t know how to be a ballerina,? Emma says. She flops when she should float, she trips when she should twirl, and her music sounds like burping! But when she decides to make her own rules about how to be a ballerina, Emma?s style prevails in her triumphant dance debut.
Twee: The Gentle Revolution in Music, Books, Television, Fashion, and Film
by Marc SpitzNew York Times, Spin, and Vanity Fair contributor Marc Spitz explores the first great cultural movement since Hip Hop: an old-fashioned and yet highly modern aesthetic that’s embraced internationally by teens, twenty and thirty-somethings and even some Baby Boomers; creating hybrid generation known as Twee. Via exclusive interviews and years of research, Spitz traces Generation Twee’s roots from the Post War 50s to its dominance in popular culture today.Vampire Weekend, Garden State, Miranda July, Belle and Sebastian, Wes Anderson, Mumblecore, McSweeney’s, Morrissey, beards, artisanal pickles, food trucks, crocheted owls on Etsy, ukuleles, kittens and Zooey Deschanel—all are examples of a cultural aesthetic of calculated precocity known as Twee.In Twee, journalist and cultural observer Marc Spitz surveys the rising Twee movement in music, art, film, fashion, food and politics and examines the cross-pollinated generation that embodies it—from aging hipsters to nerd girls, indie snobs to idealistic industrialists. Spitz outlines the history of twee—the first strong, diverse, and wildly influential youth movement since Punk in the ’70s and Hip Hop in the ’80s—showing how awkward glamour and fierce independence has become part of the zeitgeist.Focusing on its origins and hallmarks, he charts the rise of this trend from its forefathers like Disney, Salinger, Plath, Seuss, Sendak, Blume and Jonathan Richman to its underground roots in the post-punk United Kingdom, through the late’80s and early ’90s of K Records, Whit Stillman, Nirvana, Wes Anderson, Pitchfork, This American Life, and Belle and Sebastian, to the current (and sometimes polarizing) appeal of Girls, Arcade Fire, Rookie magazine, and hellogiggles.com.Revealing a movement defined by passionate fandom, bespoke tastes, a rebellious lack of irony or swagger, the championing of the underdog, and the vanquishing of bullies, Spitz uncovers the secrets of modern youth culture: how Twee became pervasive, why it has so many haters and where, in a post-Portlandia world, can it go from here?
Tweedy: The Clown Who Lost His Nose
by Tweedy the ClownJoin Tweedy the Clown as he searches for his missing red nose in this interactive picture book for children.Clown around with Tweedy on the hunt for his big red nose in this laugh-out-loud adventure for children aged 5-9. Follow Tweedy as he chases after his elusive nose and causes chaos for the other performers trying to present their fantastic acts.Children will enjoy following Tweedy the clown in this interactive picture book, as they help him spot the culprit…a little intruder who has come into the circus and is hiding in the background! Can you find who is playing with the nose and enjoying Tweedy’s misadventures?This whimsical picture book for kids offers: An interactive and engaging story that encourages children to read along and spot the hidden character.Content written by a celebrity author, Tweedy the Clown.Vibrant and playful illustrations on every page that children will love to follow.A meaningful underlying message teaching children an important lesson, that who you are is enough.The circus is sold out, the big top is packed, the ringmaster is about to introduce the first act but… oh no! Tweedy the Clown has lost his red nose. He is absolutely sure nobody will laugh if he’s not wearing it, so he sets out to find his missing nose – wherever can it be?Illustrated throughout by Daniel Duncan, this hilarious picture book weaves the magic of the circus into every page, while its simple message reminds everyone that the best thing you can be is yourself.
Tweet This Book: The 1,400 Greatest Quotes of All Time in 140 Characters or Less
by Compiled;edited by Sayre Van Young;Marin Van YoungTweetable-length quotes that are clever, cool, smart, touching, wise, funny, and more from the author of The Unofficial Harry Potter Vocabulary Builder.Brevity may be the soul of wit, but 280 characters is the absolute limit on Twitter! Luckily, Tweet This Book allows you to spice up their microblog with the greatest quotes of all time. Each one is not only brief—it is officially tweetable. The quick, punchy quotes in this wonderfully diverse collection come from all circles and include literary greats; politicians like Abe Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Barack Obama; and sports figures, musicians, and celebrities like Yogi Berra, Tupac Shakur, and Hunter S. Thompson. With an easy-to-use, A-to-Z organization by topic, you can quickly find the perfect quote for anything you want to tweet about.“You’d be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap.” —Dolly Parton“Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?” —Paul Newman“The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” —Lily Tomlin“Giving birth is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head.” —Carol Burnett“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” —Julia Child“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” —Oscar Wilde“Life is too short to blend in.” —Paris Hilton“Whatever you are, be a good one.” —Abraham Lincoln“Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place.” —Billy Crystal“Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” —Bette Davis (in All About Eve)
Twelfth Night
by William ShakespeareSet in a topsy-turvy world like a holiday revel, this comedy devises a romantic plot around separated twins, misplaced passions, and mistaken identity. Juxtaposed to it is the satirical story of a self-deluded steward who dreams of becoming "Count Malvolio" only to receive his comeuppance at the hands of the merrymakers he wishes to suppress. The two plots combine to create a farce touched with melancholy, mixed throughout with seductively beautiful explorations on the themes of love and time, and the play ends, not with laughter, but with a clown's sad song. Each Edition Includes: * Comprehensive explanatory notes * Vivid introductions and the most up-to-date scholarship * Clear, modernized spelling and punctuation, enabling contemporary readers to understand the Elizabethan English * Completely updated, detailed bibliographies and performance histories * An interpretive essay on film adaptations of the play, along with an extensive filmography
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
by William BolithoAn instant bestseller when first published in 1929—biographies of twelve bold individuals from history and what they did to separate themselves from the pack. In his trademark journalist style, author William Bolitho details the lives of twelve great adventurers—Alexander the Great, Casanova, Christopher Columbus, Mahomet, Lola Montez, Cagliostro (and Seraphina), Charles XII of Sweden, Napoleon I, Lucius Sergius Catiline, Napoleon III, Isadora Duncan, and Woodrow Wilson. Bolitho elucidates both the struggles and successes that made these figures so iconic, and demonstrates how they all battled convention and conformity to achieve enduring fame and notoriety. &“We are born adventurers,&” Bolitho writes, &“and the love of adventures never leaves us till we are very old; old, timid men, in whose interest it is that adventure should quite die out. This is why all the poets are on one side, and all the laws on the other; for laws are made by, and usually for, old men.&” Though his essays are nearly one hundred years old, they encompass the timeless values of perseverance, bravery, and strength of spirit that have proven to resonate with the pioneers and thought leaders of today.&“It&’s really quite good.&” —Elon Musk&“Twelve Against the Gods provides an interesting perspective on what drove and impeded this group of adventurers . . . A good read for anyone who&’s interested in history or looking to find some motivation to switch things up and break the rules.&” —Áine Cain, Business Insider&“I think Twelve Against the Gods is also very appropriate for this day and age. We need adventurers, and there still are a lot of adventurers.&” —China Ryall, daughter of William Bolitho
Twelve Angry Men and Other Plays
by Reginald Rose Paddy Chayefsky Carroll Howe Budd SchulbergThis Scope Play Series book has four plays: The Big Deal by Paddy Chayefsky, The Long Fall by Carroll Howe, On the Waterfront by Budd Schulberg, and Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose.
Twelve Days (John Wells #9)
by Alex BerensonJohn Wells has only twelve days to stop the United States from being tricked into invading Iran in the new cutting-edge novel of modern suspense from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author.<P><P> Twelve days.<P> Wells, with his former CIA bosses Ellis Shafer and Vinnie Duto, has uncovered a staggering plot, a false-flag operation to convince the President to attack Iran. But they have no hard evidence, and no one at Langley or the White House will listen.<P> Now the President has set a deadline for Iran to give up its nuclear program, and the mullahs in Tehran—furious and frightened—have responded with a deadly terrorist attack. Wells, Shafer, and Duto know they have only twelve days to find the proof they need. They fan out, from Switzerland to Saudi Arabia, Israel to Russia, desperately trying to tease out the clues in their possession. Meanwhile, the United States is moving soldiers and Marines to Iran’s border. And Iran has mobilized its own squad of suicide bombers.<P> And as the days tick by and the obstacles mount, they realize that everything they do may not be enough…
Twentieth Century Theatre: A Sourcebook
by Richard DrainTwentieth Century Theatre: A Sourcebook is an inspired handbook of ideas and arguments on theatre. Richard Drain gathers together a uniquely wide-ranging selection of original writings on theatre by its most creative practitioners - directors, playwrights, performers and designers, from Jarry to Grotowski and Craig. These key texts span the twentieth century, from the onset of modernism to the present, providing direct access to the thinking behind much of the most stimulating theatre the century has had to offer, as well as guidelines to its present most adventurous developments. Setting theory beside practice, these writings bring alive a number of vital and continuing concerns, each of which is given full scope in five sections which explore the Modernist, Political, Inner and Global dimensions of twentieth century theatre. Twentieth Century Theatre: A Sourcebook provides illuminationg perspectives on past history, and throws fresh light on the sources and development of theatre today. This sourcebook is not only an essential and versatile collection for students at all levels, but also directed numerous devised shows which have toured to theatres, schools, community centres and prisons.
Twentieth Century-Fox: The Zanuck-Skouras Years, 1935-1965
by Peter LevWhen the Fox Film Corporation merged with Twentieth Century Pictures in 1935, the company posed little threat to industry juggernauts such as Paramount and MGM. In the years that followed however, guided by executives Darryl F. Zanuck and Spyros Skouras, it soon emerged as one of the most important studios. Though working from separate offices in New York and Los Angeles and often of two different minds, the two men navigated Twentieth Century-Fox through the trials of the World War II boom, the birth of television, the Hollywood Blacklist, and more to an era of exceptional success, which included what was then the highest grossing movie of all time, The Sound of Music. Twentieth Century-Fox is a comprehensive examination of the studio’s transformation during the Zanuck-Skouras era. Instead of limiting his scope to the Hollywood production studio, Lev also delves into the corporate strategies, distribution models, government relations, and technological innovations that were the responsibilities of the New York headquarters. Moving chronologically, he examines the corporate history before analyzing individual films produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during that period. Drawn largely from original archival research, Twentieth Century-Fox offers not only enlightening analyses and new insights into the films and the history of the company, but also affords the reader a unique perspective from which to view the evolution of the entire film industry.
Twentieth Century–Fox: The Zanuck-Skouras Years, 1935–1965
by Peter LevWhen the Fox Film Corporation merged with Twentieth Century Pictures in 1935, the company posed little threat to industry juggernauts such as Paramount and MGM. In the years that followed however, guided by executives Darryl F. Zanuck and Spyros Skouras, it soon emerged as one of the most important studios. Though working from separate offices in New York and Los Angeles and often of two different minds, the two men navigated Twentieth Century-Fox through the trials of the World War II boom, the birth of television, the Hollywood Blacklist, and more to an era of exceptional success, which included what was then the highest grossing movie of all time, The Sound of Music. Twentieth Century-Fox is a comprehensive examination of the studio’s transformation during the Zanuck-Skouras era. Instead of limiting his scope to the Hollywood production studio, Lev also delves into the corporate strategies, distribution models, government relations, and technological innovations that were the responsibilities of the New York headquarters. Moving chronologically, he examines the corporate history before analyzing individual films produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during that period. Drawn largely from original archival research, Twentieth Century-Fox offers not only enlightening analyses and new insights into the films and the history of the company, but also affords the reader a unique perspective from which to view the evolution of the entire film industry.
Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music
by David N. MeyerBorn to a wealthy Southern-Gothic family of alcoholics and suicides, Gram Parsons possessed a genius for the American sound. He led the Byrds to create the first country-rock album and taught the joys of American roots music to Mick Jagger. His album, Grievous Angel, remains a haunting masterpiece, but before it was released, Parsons, aged twenty-six, died from a lethal mix of morphine and barbiturates. Author David N. Meyer paints an unprecedented portrait of the man who brought together country music and rock and roll. Masterfully told, Twenty Thousand Roadsis a dazzling evocation of an artist, his music and his times.
Twenty-First Century Musicals: From Stage to Screen
by George RodosthenousTwenty-First Century Musicals stakes a place for the musical in today’s cinematic landscape, taking a look at leading contemporary shows from their stage origins to their big-screen adaptations. Each chapter offers a new perspective on a single musical, challenging populist narratives and exploring underlying narratives and sub-texts in depth. Themes of national identity; race, class and gender; the ‘voice’ and ‘singing live’ on film; authenticity; camp sensibilities; and the celebration of failure are addressed in a series of questions including: How does the film adaptation provide a different viewing experience from the stage version? What themes are highlighted in the film adaptation? What does the new casting bring to the work? Do camera angles dictate a different reading from the stage version? What is lost/gained in the process of adaptation to film? Re-interpreting the contemporary film musical as a compelling art form, Twenty-First Century Musicals is a must-read for any student or scholar keen to broaden their understanding of musical performance.
Twilight Zone Reflections: An Introduction to the Philosophical Imagination
by Saul TraigerTwilight Zone Reflections is the first book of its kind to explore the entirety of The Twilight Zone (1959–1964) as a series. It acts as both an introduction to the field of philosophy and as a complete guide to the philosophical issues illustrated throughout the original 1959-64 television series. Author Saul Traiger explores each of the 156 episodes, investigating the show’s themes in metaphysics, epistemology, moral and political philosophy, and other topics in a way that is accessible to both seasoned philosophers and those outside academia. Each short chapter dives into a single episode and concludes with helpful cross-references to other episodes that explore similar philosophical problems and subjects. For example, a reader may be interested in questions about the nature of the mind and whether machines can think. By referencing this book, they could easily discover the thematic connections between episodes like “I Sing the Body Electric” or “The Lateness of the Hour,” and learn how both episodes introduce the viewer to possible worlds that challenge us to consider whether our idea of the mind, and even our very personhood, extends beyond the human to robots and other artificial intelligences. Each chapter introduces fundamental philosophical questions such as these through the lens of The Twilight Zone and inspires additional exploration. Further readings are suggested for all episodes, making this volume indispensable to academics, students, and fans of the show. Each chapter is short and accessible, ensuring that this book is the perfect resource to accompany a complete series re-watch. The Twilight Zone considered questions that strike at the heart of philosophical inquiry, such as the nature of self, the existence of god, the possibility of an afterlife, the relationship between knowledge and mental illness, the nature of possibility, even the nature of imagination itself, and so much more. Traiger argues that each episode can serve as an entry point for philosophical reflection. Twilight Zone Reflections is a valuable reference for anyone interested in exploring a well-known slice of popular culture history that doubles as a vast store of philosophical ideas.
Twilight of Jewish Philosophy
by Wright Dr Tamra WrightFirst Published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Twin Dangers (The Dario Quincy Academy of Dance #4)
by Megan AtwoodEmma knows that Sophie is dying for the chance to "dance a pas de deux"with her big crush, Trey. Twin sisters know everything about each other. So when Emma secretly hooks up with Trey herself, Sophie feels twice as betrayed. While Sophie might be upset, she's not angry enough to send her sister death threats. Even so, when menacing notes reach Emma, Sophie's the top suspect. Will Sophie clear her name and save her twin? Or will one of the Dario Quincy Academy's dark secrets destroy them both?
Twin Dangers (The\dario Quincy Academy Of Dance Ser.)
by Megan AtwoodEmma knows that Sophie is dying for the chance to "dance a pas de deux"with her big crush, Trey. Twin sisters know everything about each other. So when Emma secretly hooks up with Trey herself, Sophie feels twice as betrayed. While Sophie might be upset, she's not angry enough to send her sister death threats. Even so, when menacing notes reach Emma, Sophie's the top suspect. Will Sophie clear her name and save her twin? Or will one of the Dario Quincy Academy's dark secrets destroy them both?
Twin Peaks (TV Milestones Series)
by Will Scheibel Julie GrossmanJulie Grossman and Will Scheibel’s enthusiastic book on the television series Twin Peaks takes fans through the world that Mark Frost and David Lynch created and examines its impact on society, genre, and the television industry. Grossman and Scheibel explore the influences of melodrama and film noir, the significance around the idea of "home," as well as female trauma and agency. In addition to this close investigation of the series itself, the authors examine the rich storytelling surrounding Twin Peaks that includes the film prequel, Mark Frost’s novels, and Showtime’s 2017 revival. In Twin Peaks, Grossman and Scheibel argue that the show has transcended conventional binaries not only in film and television but also in culture and gender. The book begins with a look into the publicity and critical discourses on authorship that framed Twin Peaks as an auteurist project rather than a prime-time soap opera. Despite critics’ attempts to distance the series from the soap opera genre, Grossman and Scheibel explore how melodrama and noir are used in Twin Peaks. Grossman and Scheibel masterfully examine star performances in the series including Kyle MacLachlan’s epic portrayal as the idiosyncratic Special Agent Dale Cooper and Sheryl Lee’s haunting embodiment of Laura Palmer. The monograph finishes with an examination of the adaptation and remediation of Twin Peaks in a variety of different platforms, which have further expanded the boundaries of the series. Twin Peaks explores the ways in which the series critiques multiple forms of objectification in culture and textuality. Readers interested in film, television, pop culture, and gender studies as well as fans and new audiences discovering Twin Peaks will embrace this book.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (Devil's Advocates)
by Lindsay HallamWhen David Lynch’s film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, a prequel to the television series Twin Peaks, premiered at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival it was met with met with outright hostility. Subsequent reviews from critics were almost unanimously negative, and many fans of the show felt betrayed, as their beloved town was suddenly revealed as a personal hell. Yet in the years since the film’s release, there has begun to be a gradual wave of reappraisal and appreciation, one that accelerated with the broadcast of Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017. What has been central to this reevaluation is the realization that what Lynch had created was not a parody of soap opera and detective television but a horror movie.In this Devil’s Advocate, Lindsay Hallam argues that the horror genre aids Lynch’s purpose in presenting the protagonist Laura Palmer’s subjective experience leading to her death as the incorporation of horror tropes actually leads to a more accurate representation of a victim’s suffering and confusion. She goes on to explore how the film was an attempt by Lynch to take back ownership of the material and to examine the initial reaction and subsequent reevaluation of the film, as well as the paratexts that link to it and the influence that Fire Walk with Me now has on contemporary film and across popular culture.
Twining: Critical and Creative Approaches to Hypertext Narratives
by Anastasia Salter Stuart MoulthropHypertext is now commonplace: links and linking structure nearly all of our experiences online. Yet the literary, as opposed to commercial, potential of hypertext has receded. One of the few tools still focused on hypertext as a means for digital storytelling is Twine, a platform for building choice-driven stories without relying heavily on code. In Twining, Anastasia Salter and Stuart Moulthrop lead readers on a journey at once technical, critical, contextual, and personal. The book’s chapters alternate careful, stepwise discussion of adaptable Twine projects, offer commentary on exemplary Twine works, and discuss Twine’s technological and cultural background. Beyond telling the story of Twine and how to make Twine stories, Twining reflects on the ongoing process of making. "While there have certainly been attempts to study Twine historically and theoretically... no single publication has provided such a detailed account of it. And no publication has even attempted to situate Twine amongst its many different conversations and traditions, something this book does masterfully." —James Brown, Rutgers University, Camden
Twinkle, Twinkle, Cheetah Stars: Twinkle, Twinkle Cheetah Stars (The Cheetah Girls #16)
by Deborah GregoryAfter what seems like forever, the Cheetah Girls are finally on their way into the recording studio to put together a demo tape with the help of superfamous producer Mouse Almighty. All sorts of things have held them up, from puppies and plagiarism to broken bones and social services, but now they finally have a recording date. There&’s just one problem: Angie and Aqua aren&’t going to be there!The twins&’ smooth vocals are the foundation of every Cheetah track, but the two are going to be in Houston for Christmas when they&’re supposed to be in the studio making music history. When Angie and Aqua have to choose between family and fame, will the Cheetahs ever be the same?
Twinkle, Twinkle, You’re a Star! / ¡Estrellita, brillarás! (Baby Shark)
by John John BajetDive under the sea to sing and dance with Baby Shark and all his friends, in this underwater twist on a preschool-favorite song all about building confidence!¡Canta y baila con Bebé Tiburón en esta versión submarina de "Estrellita, dónde estás"! Bebé Tiburón y sus amigos le recuerdan a Estrella de Mar todos los motivos por los que es una ESTRELLA, ¡y la animan a compartir su luz, centellear con fuerza y brillar! Con un reparto adorable de personajes submarinos y una variación pegajosa de la popular canción, ¡tu pequeño adorará sumergirse en el mar con Bebé Tiburón!Sing and dance with Baby Shark, in this underwater rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"! With messages of encouragement and confidence-building, Baby Shark and his friends remind Starfish all the ways she is a STAR, encouraging her to share her glow, twinkle boldly, and shine bright! Featuring an adorable cast of underwater characters, a catchy twist on a pre-school favorite song, and a page of stickers, your little one will love diving under the sea with Baby Shark!
Twisted Business: The Soul of Twisted Sister and the Art of Reinvention
by Jay Jay FrenchThe founder, guitarist, and manager of the world-famous heavy metal band Twisted Sister—delivers his &“bizoir&”: part memoir and part business primer. In addition to founding Twisted Sister, a band that has sold more than 20 million records worldwide, Jay Jay French is one of the top entrepreneurs in entertainment. After taking over as manager in the &‘70s, French developed Twisted Sister into the most heavily licensed heavy metal band in history, leading the group to perform more than 9,000 shows in forty countries. Part business book, part memoir, Twisted Business is an unexpected, inspiring, whirlwind story of transformation and redemption. Twisted Business follows French&’s adventure-filled life—from growing up in New York City in the sixties, to working as a drug dealer and struggling as an addict before quitting cold-turkey, and finally, to creating and cultivating Twisted Sister and turning it into one of the most successful brands in the world. Together with his mentor, Steve Farber, a bestselling author and one of the world&’s top leadership and management experts, French offers unique, hard-earned tips and advice from his nearly 50 years as a musician, music business manager, and entrepreneur. French shows how, through tenacity, grit, and dedication, anyone can create their own brand, grow a successful business, re-invent themselves, or simply find success in what they love to do. Entertaining, provocative, funny, and informative, this book is the trip of a lifetime and a treasured guide for entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and music fans alike.
Twisted Head: An Italian-American Memoir
by Carl CapotortoWhat's in a name? For Carl Capotorto, everything is in a name. The literal translation from Italian to English of Capotorto is "twisted head. " This is no accident. Carl grew up in the Bronx in the 1960s and '70s with the Mangialardis ("eat fat") and Mrs. Sabella ("so beautiful"), incessant fryers and a dolled-up glamour queen. Carl's father, Philip Vito Capotorto, was the obsessive, tyrannical head of the family--"I'm not your friend, I'm the father" was a common refrain in their household. The father ran Cappi's Pizza and Sangwheech Shoppe, whose motto was "We Don't Spel Good, Just Cook Nice. " It was a time of great upheaval in the Bronx, and Carl's father was right in the middle of it, if not the cause of it, much to the chagrin of his long-suffering mother. Twisted Head is the comedic story of a hardscrabble, working-class family's life that represents the real legacy of Italian-Americans--labor, not crime. It is also the poignant memoir of the author's struggle to become himself in a world that demanded he act like someone else. Tragic and funny in equal measure, Carl's story is propelled by a cast of only-in-New-York characters: customers at the family pizza shop, public school teachers, nuns and priests at church, shop owners and merchants--all wildly entertaining and sometimes frightening. Somewhere in all the rage and madness that surrounded Carl in his youth, he found the bottom line: he loved his family, but he had to let them go. Twisted Headis an exorcism of sorts. With plenty of laughs.