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The Heaven Stone: An Alex Rasmussen Mystery (Alex Rasmussen Mysteries #1)
by David DanielWinner of the 1993 PWA/St. Martin's Press Best First Private Eye Novel contest, The Heaven Stone introduces a fresh voice in author David Daniel and a likable new protagonist in Alex Rasmussen, ex-cop turned private investigator, who is drawn into the world Lowell, Massachusetts's, Cambodian refugee community. The only member of his family to escape the killing fields of Cambodia, Bhuntan Tran wound up in the decaying factory town of Lowell. Working two menial jobs (although he held a Ph.D), Tran was well on his way to achieving the American dream when he was shot, execution-style, in his own home. The police are convinced the killing was drug-related and aren't too concerned with a solution. An attractive Chinese-American social worker refuses to accept so easy an answer and commissions Rasmussen to dig out the real story. Against the background of an industrial town where new immigrants are clashing with the long-settled Yankee population, Rasmussen's investigation opens up not only dark links to the victim's past but old wounds of the detective's own.
Damnation Street (The Weiss and Bishop Mysteries)
by Andrew Klavan&“Great characters, inventive plotting, darkness, light, horror, and humor . . . a relentless tale of suspense&” from an Edgar Award–winning author (Booklist, starred review). They are two sworn enemies with a single obsession: a woman on the run from them both. Scott Weiss is a private detective. John Foy is a professional killer. The woman is Julie Wyant, a hooker with the face of an angel. Julie spent one night with Foy—a night of psychopathic cruelty that Foy called love. Desperate to get away from him, she vanished without a trace. And Foy wants her back. There&’s only one man who can find her: Weiss, the best locate operative in the business. She&’s begged him not to look for her, fearing he&’ll bring the killer in his wake. But Weiss can&’t stay away. Now, from a town called Paradise, through a wilderness that feels like hell, Weiss searches for Julie—and the killer follows, waiting for his chance. They are two expert hunters matching move for move—until it ends on Damnation Street.
The End of My Addiction
by Olivier Ameisen"After years of battling uncontrollable addiction, I have achieved the supposedly impossible: complete freedom from craving."Dr. Olivier Ameisen was a brilliant cardiologist on the staff at one of America's top teaching hospitals and running his own successful practice when he developed a profound addiction to alcohol. He broke bones with no memory of falling; he nearly lost his kidneys; he almost died from massive seizures during acute withdrawal. He gave up his flourishing practice and, fearing for his life, immersed himself in Alcoholics Anonymous, rehab, therapy, and a variety of medications. Nothing worked.So he did the only thing he could: he took his treatment into his own hands. Searching for a cure for his deadly disease, he happened upon baclofen, a muscle relaxant that had been used safely for years as a treatment for various types of muscle spasticity, but had more recently shown promising results in studies with laboratory animals addicted to a wide variety of substances. Dr. Ameisen prescribed himself the drug and experimented with increasingly higher dosages until he finally reached a level high enough to leave him free of any craving for alcohol. That was more than five years ago. Alcoholism claims three hundred lives per day in the United States alone; one in four U.S. deaths is attributable to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs. Baclofen, as prescribed under a doctor's care, could possibly free many addicts from tragic and debilitating illness. But as long as the medical and research establishments continue to ignore a cure for one of the most deadly diseases in the world, we won't be able to understand baclofen's full addiction-treatment potential.The End of My Addiction is both a memoir of Dr. Ameisen's own struggle and a groundbreaking call to action—an urgent plea for research that can rescue millions from the scourge of addiction and spare their loved ones the collateral damage of the disease.
Virtuosi: A Defense and a (Sometimes Erotic) Celebration of Great Pianists
by Mark MitchellVirtuosiA Defense and a (Sometimes Erotic) Celebration of Great PianistsMark MitchellA bravura performance!"Vigorous, opinionated, and always entertaining, here is a personal essayist of great charm and sincerity. Mitchell's erudition—his collection of odd and illuminating bits of knowledge—is always a delight and adds a sauce piquanteto the whole dish!" —Edmund White"...a literary work of real élan, vibrancy, and grace—the very qualities that in his view define the virtuoso. [Mr. Mitchell explores] the traditional linking of musical and sexual virtuosity, the ethical implications of the original instruments' movement, the near deification of Mozart in Anglo-Saxon culture, and, in a particularly witty section, the relationship of the virtuoso to his stool. Throughout, Mr. Mitchell's prose is humorous, intimate, and unapologeticaly polemical." —Cynthia OzickThe artistic merit of performers with superior technique has long been almost ipso facto denied. At last, Mark Mitchell launches a counterattack. In essays crackling with pianistic lore, Mitchell takes on topics such as encores, prodigies, competitions, virtuosi in film and literature, and the erotics of musical performance. Liszt, Horowitz, and Argerich share these pages with the eccentric Pachmann, Ervin Nyiregyh ("the skid-row pianist"), and Liberace. The illustrations include rare portraits of long-forgotten girl prodigies, historic concert programs, and stills from a lost 1927 film on Beethoven. Punctuating this celebration of personal voice are vignettes, running from the beginnings of the author's obsession with the piano to the particularities of concert-going in Italy (where he now lives).Mark Mitchell's piano studies led to a friendship with Vladimir Horowitz and other pianistic luminaries. With David Leavitt he co-authored Italian Pleasures and co-edited Pages Passed from Hand to Hand. He also edited The Penguin Book of International Gay Writing.
Group Theory in the Bedroom, and Other Mathematical Diversions
by Brian HayesAn Award-Winning Essayist Plies His CraftBrian Hayes is one of the most accomplished essayists active today—a claim supported not only by his prolific and continuing high-quality output but also by such honors as the National Magazine Award for his commemorative Y2K essay titled "Clock of Ages," published in the November/December 1999 issue of The Sciences magazine. (The also-rans that year included Tom Wolfe, Verlyn Klinkenborg, and Oliver Sacks.) Hayes's work in this genre has also appeared in such anthologies as The BestAmerican Magazine Writing, The Best American Science and NatureWriting, and The Norton Reader. Here he offers us a selection of his most memorable and accessible pieces—including "Clock of Ages"—embellishing them with an overall, scene-setting preface, reconfigured illustrations, and a refreshingly self-critical "Afterthoughts" section appended to each essay.
Rosemary and Crime: A Spice Shop Mystery (Spice Shop Mystery Series #1)
by Gail OustMurder comes well-seasoned in this charming mystery featuring a smart and spunky new amateur sleuth, small-town Georgia spice shop owner Piper Prescott.Piper Prescott, a transplanted Yankee living in the South, has got her sass back. She might be down, but don't count her out. "Change of life?" she asks. Bring it on. Recently divorced, Piper decides to pursue a dream she's secretly harbored: owning her own business, Spice it Up!, a spice shop in her adopted hometown, Brandywine Creek, Georgia. But Piper's grand opening goes awry when the local chef who's agreed to do a cooking demo is found stabbed. Not only did Piper find the body, she handled the murder weapon and doesn't have a witness to her alibi, making the case look like a slam dunk to brand new police Chief Wyatt McBride. Desperate to uncover the truth—and prove her innocence—Piper enlists the help of her outspoken BFF Reba Mae Johnson to help track down the real culprit. The pair compile a lengthy list of suspects and work to eliminate them using their own creative brand of sleuthing techniques including stakeouts, breaking and entering, and one very unorthodox chocolate pie. When Piper narrowly avoids being a victim of a hit-and-run, she knows she's getting closer to the truth, but can she catch the killer and clear her name before she becomes the next victim? A captivating start to a new series featuring an unstoppably fabulous new crime-solving heroine, a colorful cast of small town characters, and more than a pinch of Georgia charm, Rosemary and Crime by Gail Oust is sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries.
The Time of the Hero: A Novel
by Mario Vargas LlosaThe action of The Time of the Hero, Nobel Prize-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa's first novel, takes place at the Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima, Peru. There, four angry cadets who have formed an inner circle in an attempt to ward off the boredom and stifling confinement of the military academy set off a chain of events that starts with a theft and leads to murder and suicide. The Time of the Hero presents, with great accuracy and power, the cadets' nightmare life: brutal initiation rights, poker in the latrines, drinking contests; and, above all else, the strange military code which, whether broken or followed, can only destroy.When The Time of the Hero was first published in Peru in 1962, it was considered so scandalous that a thousand copies were burned in an official ceremony at the Leoncio Prado Military Academy. That same year, the book received the Biblioteca Breve Prize, an award given to the best work of fiction in the Spanish language."…[A]s with other fine writers, Vargas functions on more than a single level of meaning." - The New York Times
I'm Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC
by Jim Proser Jerry CutlerI'm Staying with My Boys is a firsthand look inside the life of one of the greatest heroes of the Greatest Generation. Sgt. John Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops at Guadalcanal after his 15-member unit was reduced to three men. At Iwo Jima he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse, allowing his unit to capture an airfield. Minutes later he was killed by an enemy artillery round. He was the only Marine in World War II to have received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and a Purple Heart and is arguably the most famous Marine of all time. I'm Staying with My Boys is the only family-authorized biography of Basilone, and it features photographs never before published. Distinctive among military biographies, the story is told in first person, allowing readers to experience his transformation, forged in the horrors of battle, from aimless youth to war hero known as "Manila John".
The Maze of Mormonism
by Walter MartinNavigate the intricate beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Walter Martin’s The Maze of Mormonism. This critical examination provides a thorough analysis of Mormon doctrine, history, and theology, offering readers an insightful exploration of one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the world.Walter Martin, a renowned Christian apologist and expert on cults and new religious movements, meticulously unpacks the foundational teachings of Mormonism, comparing them with traditional Christian doctrines. Through detailed research and careful scrutiny, Martin addresses key aspects of Mormon belief, including the nature of God, the role of Jesus Christ, the authority of the Book of Mormon, and the church’s view on salvation and the afterlife.The Maze of Mormonism delves into the origins of the LDS Church, examining the life and claims of its founder, Joseph Smith, and the subsequent development of Mormon theology under leaders such as Brigham Young. Martin provides historical context and critical perspectives on the church’s unique scriptures and revelations, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of how Mormon beliefs have evolved over time.In addition to theological critique, Martin explores the sociological and cultural dimensions of Mormonism, highlighting the church’s practices, missionary efforts, and community life. He presents testimonies and experiences of former Mormons, shedding light on the challenges and controversies surrounding the church.This book is an essential resource for Christians seeking to understand Mormonism from an orthodox perspective, as well as for anyone interested in the complexities of religious belief and practice. Martin’s clear and accessible writing style makes The Maze of Mormonism a valuable tool for pastors, theologians, and laypeople alike, providing the information needed to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with members of the LDS Church.
Valkyrie Reborn: A Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy (Valkyrie's Legacy #1)
by Allyson Lindt Nixie JadeShe’s the last Valkyrie, cursed by Odin to die and be reborn again and again. The immortal men she’s been fated to love throughout history are searching for her in this life to keep her alive.Kirby’s an elite sniper, trained by the gods to execute their enemies. When those same deities turn on her, she turns to the only person left she can trust. Her handler helps her plan her vengeance. He’s her partner and protector, but she wants the one thing from him he refuses to give—his affection.Starkad would go to war with the gods to protect Kirby, but there’s one thing he can’t do for her—tell her the truth about their past. That his wolf has never stopped searching for her, his mate. That she’s cursed because she surrendered her immortality for him in her first life. If he tells her too soon, he risks her destruction.When fate tosses Kirby’s other mates from her past back in her path—a Celtic Trickster god and an Egyptian God of Fertility—memories of her previous lives begin to emerge. She needs to recall everything to become a Valkyrie again and regain her immortality. If the gods she’s hunting get to her first, she’ll be ripped from her shifter, from her gods, one more time. But this time, there may be no returning from death.Start reading this reverse harem paranormal suspense today, and see why readers say Valkyrie Reborn is a “story where nothing is quite what it appears to be”, “an addictive fast read”, and “PHENOMENAL!!!”Author's Note: Please visit my website for trigger warnings associated with this book.
Nauetakuan, a Silence for a Noise (Literature in Translation Series)
by Howard Scott Natasha Kanapé Fontaine“ What' s happening to you is just that the visible and the invisible are finding each other through you. You are the passageway for our reconnection. You and your generation are the ones who will give our memory back to us... ” Monica, a young woman studying art history in Montreal, has lost touch with her Innu roots. When an exhibition unexpectedly articulates a deep, intergenerational wound, she begins to search for a stronger connection to her Indigeneity. A quickly found friendship with Katherine, an Indigenous woman whose life is filled with culture and community, underscores for Monica the possibilities of turning from assimilation and toxic masculinity to something much deeper— and more universal than she expects. Travelling across the continent, from Eastern Canada to Vancouver to Mexico City, Monica connects with other Indigenous artists and thinkers, learning about the power of traditional ways and the struggles of other Nations. Throughout these journeys, physical and creative, she is guided by visions of giant birds and ancestors, who draw her back home to Pessamit. Reckonings with family and floods await, but amidst strange tides, she reconnects to her language, Innu-aimun, and her people. A timely and riveting story of reclamation, matriarchies, and the healing ability of traditional teachings, Nauetakuan, a Silence for a Noise underscores how reconnecting to lineage and community can transform Indigenous futures.
Anatomy of Paradise Hawaii and the Islands of the South Seas
by J. C. FurnasEmbark on an enchanting journey through the idyllic islands of the Pacific with J. C. Furnas's Anatomy of Paradise: Hawaii and the Islands of the South Seas. This captivating travel narrative offers a rich and detailed exploration of the cultures, landscapes, and histories of Hawaii and the South Sea Islands, capturing the essence of these paradisiacal destinations.Furnas, a skilled writer and keen observer, provides readers with a comprehensive account of his travels through some of the world's most breathtaking and remote locales. From the volcanic majesty of Hawaii to the serene beauty of Tahiti and Fiji, Anatomy of Paradise vividly portrays the natural splendor and unique cultural heritage of each island.The book delves into the complex history of the Pacific Islands, tracing their journey from ancient Polynesian navigators to encounters with European explorers and the impact of colonialism. Anatomy of Paradise is not just a travelogue; it is an exploration of the human spirit and its connection to these enchanting lands. Furnas highlights the resilience, traditions, and daily lives of the islanders, providing a respectful and empathetic portrayal of their societies. His engaging prose brings to life the rhythms of island life, from traditional ceremonies and dances to the challenges of modernity.This book is an essential read for travel enthusiasts, historians, and anyone fascinated by the Pacific Islands. Furnas's evocative storytelling and thorough research create a vivid tapestry of the islands, making Anatomy of Paradise a timeless tribute to one of the world's most captivating regions.Join J. C. Furnas on this unforgettable journey and experience the magic, mystery, and beauty of Hawaii and the Islands of the South Seas through the eyes of a masterful storyteller.
The Itinerary of Ludovico Di Varthema of Bologna from 1502 to 1508
by Ludovico Di VarthemaEmbark on an extraordinary journey through the early 16th century with The Itinerary of Ludovico Di Varthema of Bologna from 1502 to 1508. This captivating travelogue chronicles the adventures of Ludovico Di Varthema, an intrepid Italian explorer whose voyages took him to some of the most exotic and mysterious corners of the world, long before many of these lands were well known to Europeans.Varthema’s narrative is one of the earliest detailed European accounts of regions such as the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. His observations provide a rare and invaluable glimpse into the cultures, customs, and landscapes of these distant lands during the early stages of the Age of Exploration. From bustling markets and grand palaces to remote islands and desert caravans, Varthema's keen eye for detail and his adventurous spirit bring to life the vibrant tapestry of the world as it was over five centuries ago.The book offers readers a firsthand look at the challenges and marvels faced by explorers of the era. Varthema's descriptions are rich with the sights, sounds, and scents of his travels, capturing both the beauty and the strangeness of the places he visited. His encounters with diverse peoples, from merchants and sailors to sultans and priests, provide a fascinating window into the global interactions and exchanges that predated the colonial period.Join Ludovico Di Varthema on his remarkable journey and discover the wonders and complexities of the world as seen through the eyes of one of history's most adventurous travelers. This timeless account continues to inspire and inform, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of human exploration and discovery.
The Life and Acts of Don Alonzo Enriquez De Guzman: A Knight Of Seville, Of The Order Of Santiago, A. D. 1518 To 1543
by Alonzo Enriquez De GuzmanStep into the turbulent and thrilling world of the Spanish Renaissance with The Life and Acts of Don Alonzo Enriquez De Guzman: A Knight of Seville, of the Order of Santiago, A.D. 1518 to 1543. This captivating autobiography offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of Don Alonzo Enriquez De Guzman, a distinguished knight whose adventures and exploits vividly illustrate the spirit of his age.Written by Guzman himself, this remarkable narrative spans a quarter of a century, detailing his experiences as a soldier, explorer, and courtier during one of the most dynamic periods in Spanish history. From the battlefields of Europe to the intrigues of the Spanish court, Guzman’s account is rich with personal anecdotes, historical events, and reflections on his times.The Life and Acts provides readers with a firsthand perspective on key historical events, including the Italian Wars, the Conquest of the Americas, and the internal conflicts within Spain. Guzman’s vivid descriptions and candid observations offer a unique window into the challenges and triumphs faced by a knight of the Order of Santiago, one of Spain’s most prestigious chivalric orders.The Life and Acts of Don Alonzo Enriquez De Guzman is an essential read for history enthusiasts, scholars of the Spanish Renaissance, and anyone fascinated by the lives of historical figures who shaped the course of history. Guzman’s autobiography stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the knights of old, whose deeds and aspirations continue to inspire and captivate readers centuries later.Join Don Alonzo Enriquez De Guzman on his extraordinary journey and experience the drama, excitement, and historical significance of his life and times.
The Life and Letters of George William Frederick Fourth Earl of Clarendon Vol. I (The Life and Letters of George William Frederick Fourth Earl of Clarendon #1)
by Sir Herbert MaxwellExplore the life and legacy of one of Britain's most influential statesmen with Sir Herbert Maxwell's The Life and Letters of George William Frederick, Fourth Earl of Clarendon. This meticulously researched biography offers a comprehensive and intimate portrait of George William Frederick Villiers, the fourth Earl of Clarendon, whose diplomatic acumen and political foresight left an indelible mark on 19th-century British history.Maxwell, a distinguished historian and biographer, delves into the personal and professional life of the Earl of Clarendon, drawing upon a rich trove of letters, official documents, and contemporary accounts. Through this detailed narrative, readers gain insight into Clarendon's significant contributions to British diplomacy and politics, including his pivotal roles in the Crimean War, the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, and his efforts to navigate the complexities of European politics during a time of great change.The Life and Letters of George William Frederick, Fourth Earl of Clarendon provides an in-depth look at the man behind the public figure. Maxwell captures Clarendon's intellectual vigor, his commitment to public service, and the personal qualities that earned him respect and admiration from both allies and adversaries. The inclusion of Clarendon's letters offers a unique glimpse into his thoughts, motivations, and the challenges he faced, adding depth and authenticity to the biography. Maxwell's engaging prose and thorough research make this work an essential read for historians, political enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intricacies of 19th-century British diplomacy.Join Sir Herbert Maxwell in uncovering the life and legacy of the fourth Earl of Clarendon, a statesman whose influence extended far beyond his time, shaping the course of British and European history.
Nineveh and its Remains: With an Account of a Visit to the Chaldaean Christians of Kurdistan, and the Yezidis, or Devil-Worshippers Vol. II (Nineveh and its Remains: With an Account of a Visit to the Chaldaean Christians of Kurdistan, and the Yezidis, or Devil-Worshippers #2)
by Austen Henry Layard“Before abandoning archaeology for politics, Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817–94) carried out major excavations in Mesopotamia between 1845 and 1851, uncovering important evidence of ancient Assyrian civilisation. Although he originally believed that Nimrud was Nineveh, he later confirmed that Kuyunjik was the location of the ancient city. First published in 1849, this two-volume work is a mixture of excavation report, ancient history, anthropology and travel writing. Layard's excitement at the extent and importance of the finds as soon as digging commenced is clearly conveyed, and he places Mesopotamian history in the context of the more familiar biblical and classical worlds. His Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon (1853) is also reissued in this series. Illustrated with reproductions of monumental sculptures, smaller finds and excavation plans, Volume 2 follows the progress of digs at a number of sites. The volume's latter part covers the history, culture and customs of the ancient Assyrians.”-Print ed.
A Friend of the Family
by Marcia WillettPicking up the story of Kate Webster and Cass Wivenhoe that began with First Friends, A Friend of the Family (published in the UK as Thea's Parrot) tells the tale of one of their friends, Felicity, a married woman who has been dallying with George, another mutual acquaintance. When Felicity is widowed, everyone expects George to pop the question. He does, but to the astonishment of Kate and Cass, his intended bride is not Felicity. With her usual generous helping of tears and laughter, Marcia Willett again provides her fans with a treat to be savored."Unanticipated plot twists, winsome characters, and a beguiling setting unite in Willett's captivating comedy of manners." - Booklist
Queenan Country: A Reluctant Anglophile's Pilgrimage to the Mother Country
by Joe QueenanIn this hilarious romp through England, one of America's preeminent humorists seeks the answer to an eternal question: What makes the Brits tick? One semitropical Fourth of July, Joe Queenan's English wife suggested that the family might like a chicken vindaloo in lieu of the customary barbecue. It was this pitiless act of gastronomic cultural oppression, coupled with dread of the fearsome Christmas pudding that awaited him for dessert, that inspired the author to make a solitary pilgrimage to Great Britain. Freed from the obligation to visit an unending procession of Aunty Margarets and Cousin Robins, as he had done for the first twenty-six years of their marriage, Queenan decided that he would not come back from Albion until he had finally penetrated the limey heart of darkness.His trip was not in vain. Crisscrossing Old Blighty like Cromwell hunting Papists, Queenan finally came to terms with the choochiness, squiffiness, ponciness, and sticky wicketness that lie at the heart of the British character. Here he is trying to find out whose idea it was to impale King Edward II on a red-hot poker-and what this says about English sexual politics. Here he is in an Edinburgh pub foolishly trying to defend Paul McCartney's "Ebony and Ivory." And here he is, trapped in a concert hall with a Coventry-based all-Brit Eagles tribute band named Talon who resent that they are nowhere near as famous as their evil nemeses, the Illegal Eagles. At the end of his epic adventure, the author returns chastened, none the wiser, but encouraged that his wife is actually as sane as she is, in light of her fellow countrymen.
Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma: The American Portraits Series
by Camilla TownsendCamilla Townsend's stunning new book, Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma, differs from all previous biographies of Pocahontas in capturing how similar seventeenth century Native Americans were--in the way they saw, understood, and struggled to control their world---not only to the invading British but to ourselves.Neither naïve nor innocent, Indians like Pocahontas and her father, the powerful king Powhatan, confronted the vast might of the English with sophistication, diplomacy, and violence. Indeed, Pocahontas's life is a testament to the subtle intelligence that Native Americans, always aware of their material disadvantages, brought against the military power of the colonizing English. Resistance, espionage, collaboration, deception: Pocahontas's life is here shown as a road map to Native American strategies of defiance exercised in the face of overwhelming odds and in the hope for a semblance of independence worth the name.Townsend's Pocahontas emerges--as a young child on the banks of the Chesapeake, an influential noblewoman visiting a struggling Jamestown, an English gentlewoman in London--for the first time in three-dimensions; allowing us to see and sympathize with her people as never before.
Performing Folklore: Ranchos Folclóricas from Lisbon to Newark
by Kimberly DaCosta HoltonThrough the lens of expressive culture, Performing Folklore tracks Portugal's transition from fascism to democracy, and from imperial metropole to EEC member state. Kimberly DaCosta Holton examines the evolution and significance of ranchos folclóricos, groups of amateur musicians and dancers who perform turn-of-the-century popular tradition and have acted as cultural barometers of change throughout 20th-century Portugal. She investigates the role that these folklore groups played in the mid-twentieth-century dictatorship, how they fell out of official favor with the advent of democracy, and why they remain so popular in Portugal's post-authoritarian state, especially in emigrant and diasporic communities. Holton looks at music, dance, costume, repertoire, venue, and social interplay in both local and global contexts. She considers the importance of revivalist folklore in the construction and preservation of national identity in the face of globalization. This book embraces "invented tradition" as process rather than event, presenting an ethnography not only of folkloric revivalism but also of sweeping cultural transformation, promoted alternately by authoritarianism, democracy, emigration, and European unification.
A Prisoner in Malta: A Christopher Marlowe Mystery (The Christopher Marlowe Mysteries #1)
by Phillip DePoyIn 1583, the nineteen-year-old Christopher Marlowe---with a reputation as a brawler, a womanizer, a genius, and a social upstart at Cambridge University---is visited by a man representing Marlowe's benefactors. There are rumors of a growing plot against her majesty Queen Elizabeth I, and the Queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, has charged young Marlowe with tracking down the truth. The path to that truth seems to run through an enigmatic prisoner held in complete seclusion in a heavily guarded dungeon in Malta. Marlowe must use every bit of his wits, his skills, and his daring to unravel one of the greatest mysteries in history and help uncover and unravel scheme of assassination and invasion, one involving the government of Spain, high ranking English nobles, and even Pope himself.
Museums of Communism: New Memory Sites in Central and Eastern Europe
by Stephen M. NorrisHow did communities come to terms with the collapse of communism? In order to guide the wider narrative, many former communist countries constructed museums dedicated to chronicling their experiences. Museums of Communism explores the complicated intersection of history, commemoration, and victimization made evident in these museums constructed after 1991. While contributors from a diverse range of fields explore various museums and include nearly 90 photographs, a common denominator emerges: rather than focusing on artifacts and historical documents, these museums often privilege memories and stories. In doing so, the museums shift attention from experiences of guilt or collaboration to narratives of shared victimization under communist rule. As editor Stephen M. Norris demonstrates, these museums are often problematic at best and revisionist at worst. From occupation museums in the Baltic States to memorial museums in Ukraine, former secret police prisons in Romania, and nostalgic museums of everyday life in Russia, the sites considered offer new ways of understanding the challenges of separating memory and myth.
Total Access: A Journey to the Center of the NFL Universe
by Rich EisenFootball fans are tired of lame memoirs or technical fantasy football books. Rich Eisen's Total Access gives them what they want—a chance to share in his world of a never-ending football season.It's about eating, living, and breathing the most popular sport in the history of America. The passion. The pageantry. The pigskin. Thanks to his role as host of NFL Total Access, Eisen gets to go to virtually every event on the NFL calendar—the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl, the Scouting Combine, the NFL Draft, and the Hall of Fame Weekend. You name it, Eisen is there. And thanks to this book, you can go along for the ride with him—in front of the camera interviewing league MVPs or behind the scenes with some of the game's all-time greats.Total Access is the ultimate football book for fans everywhere.
God's Perfect Child: Living and Dying in the Christian Science Church
by Caroline FraserFrom Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former Christian Scientist Caroline Fraser comes the first unvarnished account of one of America's most controversial and little-understood religious movements.Millions of Americans – from Lady Astor to Ginger Rogers to Watergate conspirator H. R. Haldeman – have been touched by the Church of Christ, Scientist. Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879, Christian Science was based on a belief that intense contemplation of the perfection of God can heal all ills – an extreme expression of the American faith in self-reliance. In this unflinching investigation, Caroline Fraser, herself raised in a Scientist household, shows how the Church transformed itself from a small, eccentric sect into a politically powerful and socially respectable religion, and explores the human cost of Christian Science's remarkable rise.Fraser examines the strange life and psychology of Mary Baker Eddy, who lived in dread of a kind of witchcraft she called Malicious Animal Magnetism. She takes us into the closed world of Eddy's followers, who refuse to acknowledge the existence of illness and death and reject modern medicine, even at the cost of their children's lives. She reveals just how Christian Science managed to gain extraordinary legal and Congressional sanction for its dubious practices and tracks its enormous influence on new-age beliefs and other modern healing cults.A passionate exposé of zealotry, God's Perfect Child tells one of the most dramatic and little-known stories in American religious history.
Capitalism and American Leadership
by Oliver C CoxExplore the intricate dynamics of economic power and political influence with Oliver C. Cox's seminal work, Capitalism and American Leadership. This thought-provoking book delves into the critical relationship between capitalism and the leadership structures that have shaped the United States, offering a profound analysis of how economic forces drive political and social change.Cox, a distinguished sociologist, examines the historical development of American capitalism and its impact on leadership and governance. Through a rigorous exploration of economic policies, corporate strategies, and political maneuvers, the book unveils the complex interplay between wealth and power. Cox's insightful analysis illuminates the mechanisms through which capitalistic systems have influenced American leadership, from the early industrial age to the contemporary era.Capitalism and American Leadership goes beyond mere economic theory, addressing the broader implications of capitalist practices on societal structures and individual lives. Cox critically assesses the consequences of capitalism on social equality, democracy, and global leadership, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the benefits and challenges inherent in the capitalist model.Rich with historical context and sociological insight, Cox's work challenges readers to rethink their perspectives on economic power and its role in shaping political leadership. Capitalism and American Leadership is an essential read for scholars, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in the forces that drive American society and its leadership.Through compelling arguments and comprehensive research, Oliver C. Cox offers a timeless exploration of the foundational principles of capitalism and its enduring influence on American leadership. This book is a vital addition to the discourse on economic theory, political science, and the future of governance in a rapidly changing world.