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Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Volume 3
by Paul TobinFollowing up the best-selling Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Volumes 1 and 2 graphic novels, our plant and human allies strive to survive in a Neighborville that's been ruthlessly occupied by those brain-loving zombies. With most of the town's humans in hiding, it's up to powerful plants of all sizes--plus Crazy Dave, Nate, and Patrice--to combat Dr. Zomboss's latest lockdown! When Zomboss creates kid robots to mimic Nate and Patrice and lead the plants astray, Crazy Dave unleashes some new inventions--and introduces some surprising additions to the Neighborville team!Paul Tobin (Bandette) and Jacob Chabot (Spongebob Comics) team up for another nail-biting romp through the danger zone known as Neighborville in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Volume 3!
Plastic: A Novel
by Scott GuildA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • For fans of Interior Chinatown and American War, a surreal, hilarious, and sneakily profound debut novel that casts our current climate of gun violence and environmental destruction in a surprising new mold.A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN • OUR CULTURE • SO MANY DAMN BOOKS • CLIMATE & CAPITAL MEDIA "[Plastic] deserves applause....Raises urgent questions about climate change, political violence, and spirituality with high intelligence....Wondrous." - The New York Times Book ReviewErin is a plastic girl living in a plastic world. Every day she eats a breakfast of boiled chicken, then conveys her articulated body to Tablet Town, where she sells other figurines Smartbodies: wearable tech that allows full, physical immersion in a virtual world, a refuge from real life&’s brutal wars, oppressive governmental monitoring, and omnipresent eco-terrorist insurgency. If you cut her, she will not bleed—but she and her fellow figurines can still be cracked or blown apart by gunfire or bombs, or crumble away from nuclear fallout. Erin, who's lost her father, sister, and the love of her life, certainly knows plenty about death.An attack at her place of work brings Erin another too-intimate experience, but it also brings her Jacob: a blind figurine whom she comforts in the aftermath, and with whom she feels an almost instant connection. For the first time in years, Erin begins to experience hope—hope that until now she's only gleaned from watching her favorite TV show, the surrealist retro sitcom &“Nuclear Family.&” Exploring the wild wonders of the virtual reality landscape together, it seems that possibly, slowly, Erin and Jacob may have a chance at healing from their trauma. But then secrets from Erin's family's past begin to invade her carefully constructed reality, and cracks in the facade she's constructed around her life threaten to reveal everything vulnerable beneath.Both a crypto-comedic dystopian fantasy and a deadly serious dissection of our own farcical pre-apocalypse, Scott Guild&’s debut novel is an achingly beautiful, disarmingly welcoming, and fabulously inventive look at the hollow core of modern American society—and a guide to how we might reanimate all its broken plastic pieces.
Platinum Blues
by William DeverellIn this &“fast-paced, wickedly funny&” legal thriller, a small-town lawyer&’s case against a Los Angeles record label turns into a deadly media circus (Publishers Weekly). Living in the Northern California town of Foolsgold, widowed lawyer Oliver Gulliver is headed for a midlife crisis. It doesn&’t help that his eighteen-year-old daughter Elora has fallen in love with alcoholic former rock star C.C. Gilley. But then C.C. quits drinking and gets to work on a comeback album. Things actually seem to be looking up—until C.C.&’s car is stolen, with his priceless demo tape inside. In no time at all, another band is all over the radio with C.C.&’s song, and Oliver finds himself in Los Angeles working the biggest case of his life—suing a billion-dollar record company for plagiarism. But even as Oliver discovers his talent for charming the public, he finds out how nasty the music industry can get. When the stakes skyrocket from plagiarism to murder, Oliver will have to try C.C.&’s case like his life depends on it—because it does. &“Reeling off witty turns of phrase and uncanny plot twists, Deverell offers wonderfully sardonic takes on the worlds of music, law, Hollywood, Southern California and fatherhood--just for starters.&” —Publishers Weekly
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar...: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
by Thomas Cathcart Daniel KleinNew York Times Bestseller: This entertaining-yet-enlightening crash course on philosophy is “an extraordinary read” (Orlando Sentinel). Here's a lively, hilarious, not-so-reverent journey through the great philosophical traditions, schools, concepts, and thinkers. It’s Philosophy 101 for everyone who knows not to take all this heavy stuff too seriously. Some of the Big Ideas covered are Existentialism (what do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?), Philosophy of Language (how to express what it’s like being stranded on a desert island with Halle Berry), Feminist Philosophy (why, in the end, a man is always a man), and much more. Finally—it all makes sense!“A hoot.” —Chicago Sun-Times“An extraordinary read you’ll want to share with as many people as possible.” —Orlando Sentinel“The zaniest bestseller of the year.” —The Boston Globe
Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
by Thomas Cathcart Daniel KleinThis New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they'd had in school Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors--and born vaudevillians--Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR's Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar . . . is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read--and finally, it all makes sense! Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.
Platypus Police Squad: Last Panda Standing
by Jarrett J. KrosoczkaFrom Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Last Panda Standing, the third installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett's own Lunch Lady series.The Kalamazoo City mayoral race is heating up, and Frank Pandini Jr. has been threatened by a mysterious assailant. He requests a special Platypus Police Squad protection detail: Detective Rick Zengo. This leaves O'Malley to be partnered up with Jo Cooper, the newest detective on the force. Can Zengo get to the bottom of the attacks--without O'Malley backing him up?
Platypus Police Squad: Never Say Narwhal
by Jarrett J. KrosoczkaFrom Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Never Say Narwhal, the final installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett's own Lunch Lady series.Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating--everyone except for Zengo, O'Malley, and Cooper, who can't seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Could this spell the end for the Platypus Police Squad?
Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked
by Jarrett J. KrosoczkaFrom the Files of the Platypus Police SquadCase #1138Detectives of record: Rick Zengo and Corey OMalleyCase brief: A local schoolteacher is missing, and the only thing fishier than the circumstances surrounding his disappearance is the smell coming from the bag he left behind. All clues point to billionaire businessman Frank Pandini Jr. --but why would Pandini get his paws into the illegal fish trade?
Platypus Police Squad: The Ostrich Conspiracy
by Jarrett J. KrosoczkaJarrett J. Krosoczka is back with The Ostrich Conspiracy, the second installment in a fast-paced, action-packed, and hilarious middle-grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Lunch Lady.The opening of the Kalamazoo City Dome--the world's largest indoor amusement complex--has everyone in the city buzzing, especially because it's going to be the shooting site for Chase Mercy's new blockbuster film. But that's when things start to go haywire. Who would want to sabotage the Dome, and why? Detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O'Malley are on the case!
Plató i un ornitorinc entren en un bar: Entendre la filosofia amb acudits
by Thomas Cathcart Daniel KleinPot haver-hi un llibre més original? Una aproximació a la filosofia a través d'acudits. Morty arriba a casa seva i es troba la dona i el seu millor amic Lou, despullats al llit. Quan Morty està a punt d'obrir la boca, Lou surt d'un salt del llit i li diu: «Abans que diguis res, amic meu, a qui creuràs, a mi o als teus ulls?» Lou planteja la pregunta sobre quina mena de dades són segures i per què. És fantàstic, diuen els autors, hi ha una colla d'acudits que ocupen el mateix terreny d'idees que les disciplines filosòfiques. Cathcart i Klein ens fan veure què significa la lògica, l'existencialisme, la relativitat, l'ètica, etc., a través d'aquest llibre ple de vida i d'historietes divertides. També les probabilitats i l'estadística. «Si has de pujar en un avió, i vols sentir-te segur, porta una bomba. Perquè les probabilitats que a l'avió hi hagi algú que en porti una altra són ínfimes».
Play Along: the new sports romance for 2024 with steam, fake dating and a Vegas wedding - from the TikTok sensation (Windy City Series)
by Liz Tomforde"There are a lot of things I learned in our time together, but the biggest lesson my husband taught me is what it feels like to be loved for the first time in my life." REAL READERS LOVE THE WINDY CITY SERIES: 'SWEET MOTHER. . . literally left a mark on my soul'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I laughed and cried and swooned'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I can't believe it's over. I want to turn back to page 1 and start all over again'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Each and every book in this series has left an imprint on my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I lost count of the amount of times this book made me cry' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'They have quite literally stolen my heart and I am totally okay with that' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The spice was spicin and the romance was *chef's kiss*' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book took my heart, shattered it, healed it and embedded it back in my chest' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐KENNEDY I'm the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors baseball team, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I'm desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago. But a Las Vegas run-in with the team's shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand. Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I've ever met, but thanks to Isaiah's scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake. Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He's also my brand-new husband. They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... sometimes it follows you right back home. ISAIAH As the shortstop for Chicago's professional baseball team, I've had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman. I've crushed on the team's athletic trainer for years. I've flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favourite redhead in my bed. We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I'm using our time together to prove to her I'm husband material. Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it's one I refuse to lose. So come on, wife... play along.Play Along is the fourth book in the sensational Windy City series which has gripped over a million readers across the world. But don't worry if you're new round here, you'll still love it as a standalone!TROPES:🌶️Boy obsessed🌶️Drunken marriage, turned marriage of convenience, turned...🌶️ (Step) brother's rival🌶️Perfectionist FMC + goldren retriever MMC🌶️He falls first🌶️Workplace romance🌶️Family trauma🌶️Dual POV'Everything I want in a romance novel: simmering tension, incredible banter, and vulnerability that will make your chest ache . . . When it comes to love stories that stick with you, Liz Tomforde knows exactly what she's doing' LYLA SAGE
Play Dates (Play Dates #1)
by Maggie WellsFor single parents, life is often more diapers and daycare dilemmas than dating. But for three dads going solo, a little flirting can lead to a whole lot more than a fling . . . Colm Cleary lost his wife just moments after his son Aiden’s birth, and it’s been just the two of them ever since. Dating is his very last priority—until he spots gorgeous Monica Rayburn on the playground with her little girl. Suddenly finding a woman sympathetic to the demands of single parenthood seems like a great idea—especially if they agree to a no-pressure, no-strings date . . . Dazzled by the hot “Saturdaddy” who asks her out, Monica doesn’t get around to mentioning that little Emma is her niece. She’s in commodities, not children. A gambler to the bone, she’s going to take a chance on an adult evening with Colm—and worry about the details later. But when their casual connection deepens into something more solid, the truth will have to come out—and both Colm and Monica will have to throw caution to the wind to hold on to a future together . . .
Play It Again, Spam (An Amish Bed and Breakfast Mystery with Recipes #7)
by Tamar MyersAn Amish Bed and Breakfast Mystery with Recipes – PennDutch Mysteries #7Life has been tough of late for the proprietress of the PennDutch Inn, Magdalena Yoder. Her husband turned out to be a bigamist, the guest list for her recently rebuilt PennDutch Inn is not as robust as she’d like, and her sister plans to marry her arch nemesis. So Magdalena Yoder is not in a good mood and she’s more than happy to let everyone in town know exactly how she feels.Fortunately, a group of World War II veterans once stationed in Africa have come to town. Ostensibly at the inn for a reunion with their fellow troop members, in reality the veterans are looking for “the Butcher of Tunis,” a Nazi rumored to have escaped to the U.S. hiding out as an Amish man. Also staying at the Inn are a world-famous pianist and her academic husband, who has a mission of his own…But when a dead body turns up under suspicious circumstances, Magdalena becomes the primary suspect. And another disappearance leads Magdalena to think the murderer is finally moving the pieces of a carefully orchestrated vendetta. If Magdalena doesn’t find the true murderer soon, she could lose her Inn, her good name, and so much more…“Bubbling over with mirth and mystery.” –Dorothy Cannell“A delicious treat.” –Carolyn G. Hart
Play It Again, Tom
by Augustus BrownDogs can smell electricity. Cats can heal bones by purring. Kittens can contact their mothers via a secret, ultra-sonic language. Dogs can understand a vocabulary of 200 human words. Every day, it seems, new scientific discoveries are fuelling the age old argument about which of man's two best friends really is the superior species. Augustus Brown fans the flames further with this collection of the weirdest, most wonderful and downright incredible of these truths about cats and dogs. Did you know, for instance, that dogs can see moving objects 900 yards away, and that cats can sense earthquakes coming? Or that dogs prefer Bach to Britney, while cats prefer drugs to chocolate? Fascinating, funny and provocative, his book may not settle the debate once and for all. But it is certain to set cat and dog lovers arguing like, well you know what...
Play Me Backwards
by Adam SelzerA committed slacker enlists the help of his best friend (who may or may not be the devil) to get his act together in this novel filled with humor, awkwardness, and honesty, ideal for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.Leon Harris isn't exceptional and he isn't popular. He's the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the "gifted" program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory. Now, a high school senior, he's a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town. Determined to get his act together, Leon asks Stan for help. Stan gives him a few seemingly random and mysterious assignments. Date a popular girl. Listen to Moby-Dick, the audiobook. Find the elusive white grape slushee. Join the yearbook committee. As each task brings Leon one step away from slacker city and one step closer to Anna, he starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn't have promised Stan his soul after all...
Play Time: Jacques Tati and Comedic Modernism (Film and Culture Series)
by Malcolm TurveyJacques Tati is widely regarded as one of the greatest postwar European filmmakers. He made innovative and challenging comedies while achieving international box office success and attaining a devoted following. In Play Time, Malcolm Turvey examines Tati’s unique comedic style and evaluates its significance for the history of film and modernism.Turvey argues that Tati captured elite and general audiences alike by combining a modernist aesthetic with slapstick routines, gag structures, and other established traditions of mainstream film comedy. Considering films such as Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday (1953), Mon Oncle (1958), Play Time (1967), and Trafic (1971), Turvey shows how Tati drew on the rich legacy of comic silent film while modernizing its conventions in order to encourage his viewers to adopt a playful attitude toward the modern world. Turvey also analyzes Tati’s sardonic view of the bourgeoisie and his complex and multifaceted satire of modern life. Tati's singular and enduring achievement, Turvey concludes, was to translate the democratic ideals of the postwar avant-garde into mainstream film comedy, crafting a genuinely popular modernism. Richly illustrated with images from the director’s films, Play Time offers an illuminating and original understanding of Tati’s work.
Play With Me (Playing for Keeps #2)
by Becka MackIn the sizzling hockey romance that has taken TikTok by storm, a dedicated player struggles with the number one team rule: don&’t go near the captain&’s sister. &“Funny, vulnerable, and relatable. Mack writes hot, steamy stories interweaved with real, raw emotions perfectly. Play With Me is a 10 out of 10.&” —Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Wildfire and Icebreaker The second book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series.He&’s found the perfect person—but she&’s the only one he can&’t be with… Garrett Andersen knows that playing professional hockey requires absolute dedication to the rules. There&’s just one rule he&’s finding difficult to follow: stay away from his captain&’s younger sister. As a professional dancer, Jennie Beckett knows what it takes to excel. She prides herself on being every bit as confident and bold as her brother, sassy as hell, and the only person in charge of her pleasure. No wonder Garrett can&’t stay away from her—even if he forgets how to form sentences whenever she&’s around. Jennie would rather avoid her brother&’s teammate, especially after several embarrassing run-ins, but suddenly they&’re neighbors. And as the connection between them grows, Garrett and Jennie decide to have some fun, no strings attached. Between their busy schedules and her brother&’s disapproval, they know keeping things casual and low-key is the smartest play. But what if their feelings get in the way? After all, they&’re only supposed to be playing with each other…
Play by Play: Calling the Wildest Games in Sports–From SEC Football to College Basketball, The Masters, and More
by Verne LundquistThe SEC. The Masters. The Olympics. March Madness. The Dallas Cowboys. Yes sir, Uncle Verne has seen it all.Over the last fifty years, few voices have epitomized the sound of sports television quite like that of Verne Lundquist’s. A fixture on air since the 1960s—first broadcasting University of Texas baseball and Dallas Cowboys football games on radio before eventually joining the legendary CBS Sports team—Verne has covered just about every sport there is, and in the process he’s made some of the most enduring calls in the history of golf, football, figure skating—and everything in between.In Play by Play, Verne goes inside those calls and his remarkable career, telling the behind-the-scenes story of how he ended up with the best seats in the house, giving voice to history time and time again. From Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater in the 1992 NCAA tournament, to the saga of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympics, to the shocking finish of the Iron Bowl in 2013, to Jack Nicklaus’s and Tiger Woods’s unforgettable victories at the Masters, Verne’s five decades as a sportscaster routinely put him in the midst of greatness. With his trademark humility and his goal to make the athlete the legend, instead of the call itself, Verne details his view of the plays that have captured our collective imagination for two generations, featuring an incredible cast of characters that includes names like Terry Bradshaw, Pat Summerall, John Madden, Scott Hamilton, and Tom Landry.What emerges is an invigorating portrait of the games that matter most, in life and on the field. A moving recollection of the moments that make sports worth watching, Play by Play reminds us all that sports are about more than games played—they’re about the history that we share together and the voices that we remember long after the final whistle has blown.
Play for Me
by Libby HubscherWhen her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she&’s surprised to find her roommates are all men – including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules. Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she&’s forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates. Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she&’s used to. She wasn&’t expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own—Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn&’t want her near him or the precious piano he never plays. With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she&’s growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.
Play to Win: A Novel
by Jodie SlaughterJodie Slaughter's latest rom-com, Play to Win, is a sizzling romance where a winning lottery ticket is meant to be a new start but instead becomes a second chance at love.Miriam Butler’s life is going nowhere in the slowest, most excruciating way possible. Stuck in the same barely-paying job she’s had since she was sixteen and spending every night sleeping in the spare twin bed in her mother’s house, her existence might be hilarious if it wasn’t so bleak. One trip to her favorite corner store upends everything when she finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, not even life-altering roses come without their painful thorns. Hers just so happen to be in the form of an estranged husband who has the right to claim his share of her money.It’s been eight years since Leo Vaughn has had a conversation with his wife. When she calls out of the blue, practically begging him to come back to Greenbelt, the last thing he expects her to tell him when he gets there is that she’s come into a whole heap of money. She offers him a life-changing proposition of his own. Take a lump sum, finally sign the divorce papers, and be done with her for good. Only, a forever without her is the last thing Leo wants. So he gives a proposition of his own. One that won’t cost her nearly as many millions, but will buy him the time to do the one thing he’s been hungry to do since he left -- win her back.
Playa De Arenas Movedizas
by Falafel Jones Nagore Andrés LorenzoMax Fried es un forense informático ya retirado que ahora dedica su tiempo a nadar, beber y relajarse al cálido sol de las playas de Florida. Sin embargo, todos sus planes se verán truncados cuando un asesino decide cruzarse en su camino. Un abogado muy persuasivo convence a Max para que localice los bienes y activos de un cliente que acaba de fallecer. Max acepta el trabajo, pensando que no le supondrá demasiado. En lugar de eso, un antiguo asesino con una nueva identidad entra en su casa, durante su ausencia, para hacerse con el ordenador del cliente. Max no sabe que el ordenador contiene pistas que le llevarán a un asesinato ocurrido hace veinte años. Lo que el ladrón ignora es que Max conserva una copia del disco duro en su iPod. Para desgracia del asesino, en la copia hay pruebas que podrían llevarle al corredor de la muerte. En ese momento, Max es la última persona con vida que conoce el porqué de todos esos asesinatos. Burlar al asesino es la única forma de poder volver a su taburete del bar de la playa. Si no lo logra, será la víctima número cinco.
Playback
by Richard Cactus" Pryor"Cactus is an original--sooey generous, as he would say. He''s as Texas as the bluebonnet (although not as pretty) but at ease anywhere in the world. These vignettes tell of a life rich in experience, friendships, and goodwill, not to mention the keen-eyed and open-hearted observations of a wise and witty man. " --Bill Moyers "Cactus Pryor has been a friend to people in cities and audiences all over Texas and miscellaneous places from the capital of politics in Washington, D. C. , to the capital of show biz, Hollywood. His name as well as his overflowing, finely chiseled wit make him unforgettable. " --From the foreword by Liz Carpenter "Cactus Pryor became a Texas institution in large part because of his gifts as a raconteur, and he is just as engaging a storyteller in prose as he is in person. He has an authentic feel for his territory, a sly humor, and a deep affection for his subjects. " --Stephen Harrigan, author of Comanche Midnight and Water and Light: A Diver''s Journey to a Coral Reef "I am a writer. But radio is my baby. She''s my favorite. She''s intimate. She''s just you and me, babe. Me in my house shoes and jeans talking to you in your bathrobe with your hair in curlers and mine in the dresser top drawer. " --Cactus Pryor From the town that brought you Molly Ivins, Liz Carpenter, John Henry Faulk, and Greater Tuna, here''s Cactus Pryor. For decades, Cactus'' wit and wisdom have delighted radio listeners, as well as the many social, political, business, and philanthropic groups throughout the United States whose functions have been enlivened by this accomplished master of ceremonies and after-dinner speaker. Now the University of Texas Press takes great pleasure in bringing you this quintessential Texas humorist. Playback gathers over forty of Cactus Pryor''s favorite radio essays, translating "ear words into eye words," as he puts it. In these pieces, Cactus paints vivid word pictures of people and places, offering readers the same "you are there" immediacy that makes his radio broadcasts so popular. In them, you''ll take a sentimental journey with Cactus and his wife to the Maui grave site of Charles Lindbergh--discover how legendary University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal faced the agony of defeat with humor--meet unsung heroes like the 104-year-old who''s teaching himself to read and write--get acquainted with the notable folks Cactus has known, including Lady Bird Johnson, John Wayne, Jane Fonda, and James Michener--and, of course, share Cactus'' love of family, friends, and the Texas coast. As Bailey White''s essays on National Public Radio have introduced listeners across the country to the lifeways of the Deep South, so Cactus Pryor offers a humorous, revealing look at how we Texans view ourselves, our neighbors, and the world. Read Playback now, and see what you''ve been missing. From the town that brought you Molly Ivins, Liz Carpenter, John Henry Faulk, and Greater Tuna, here''s Cactus Pryor. For decades, Cactus'' wit and wisdom have delighted radio listeners, as well as the many social, political, business, and philanthropic groups throughout the United States whose functions have been enlivened by this accomplished master of ceremonies and after-dinner speaker. Now the University of Texas Press takes great pleasure in bringing you this quintessential Texas humorist. Playback gathers over forty of Cactus Pryor''s favorite radio essays, translating "ear words into eye words," as he puts it. In these pieces, Cactus paints vivid word pictures of people and places, offering readers the same "you are there" immediacy that makes his radio broadcasts so popular. In them, you''ll take a sentimental journey with Cactus and his wife to the Maui grave site of Charles Lindbergh--discover how legendary University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal faced the agony of defeat with humor--meet unsung heroes like the 104-year-old who''s teaching himself to read and write--get acquainted with the notable folks Cactus has known, including Lady Bird Johnson, John Wayne, Jane Fonda...
Playboy Doctor to Doting Dad
by Sue MacKayA&E doctor Kieran Flynn with his delicious Irish charm has always called the shots-until now! Arriving in Nelson to run the A&E department for two months, Kieran is greeted with not one but three life-changing bombshells:1) He’ll be working with nurse Abby Brown-he hasn’t seen her since their magical night together two years ago...2) He’s now daddy to a bouncing tot called Seamus!3) His buried feelings for Abby make this hospital’s new playboy want to swap all-night parties for reading bedtime stories to the son he can’t imagine being without...
Playboys and Killjoys: An Essay on the Theory and Practice of Comedy
by Harry LevinHarry Levin--one of America's major literary critics--offers a brilliant and original study of the whole world of comedy, concentrating on playwrights through the centuries, from Aristophanes and Plautus in classical times to Bernard Shaw and Bertolt Brecht and their recent successors. Viewing the comic repertory as a richly varied yet broadly unified whole, Levin provides a synthesis of theories and practice. Isolating two fundamental aspects of comedy--the ludicrous and irreverent "playboy," whom we laugh with, and the ridiculous and forbidding "killjoy," whom we laugh at--he traces the dialectical interplay of these components throughout history and across various cultures and media. While mainly focusing on the plays and the stage, with discussions of such major dramatists as Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Moliere, and William Congreve, Levin also includes essays on such related topics as humor, satire, and games.
Played Out: The Race Man in Twenty-First-Century Satire
by Brandon J. ManningDating back to the blackface minstrel performances of Bert Williams and the trickster figure of Uncle Julius in Charles Chesnutt’s Conjure Tales, black humorists have negotiated American racial ideologies as they reclaimed the ability to represent themselves in the changing landscape of the early 20th century. Marginalized communities routinely use humor, specifically satire, to subvert the political, social, and cultural realities of race and racism in America. Through contemporary examples in popular culture and politics, including the work of Kendrick Lamar, Key and Peele and the presidency of Barack Obama and many others, in Played Out: The Race Man in 21st Century Satire author Brandon J. Manning examines how Black satirists create vulnerability to highlight the inner emotional lives of Black men. In focusing on vulnerability these satirists attend to America’s most basic assumptions about Black men. Contemporary Black satire is a highly visible and celebrated site of black masculine self-expression. Black satirists leverage this visibility to trouble discourses on race and gender in the Post-Civil Rights era. More specifically, contemporary Black satire uses laughter to decenter Black men from the socio-political tradition of the Race Man.