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Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light
by Jane BroxThis &“superb history&” of artificial light traces the evolution of society—&“invariably fascinating and often original . . . [it] amply lives up to its title&” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In Brilliant, Jane Brox explores humankind&’s ever-changing relationship to artificial light, from the stone lamps of the Pleistocene to the LEDs embedded in fabrics of the future. More than a survey of technological development, this sweeping history reveals how artificial light changed our world, and how those social and cultural changes in turn led to the pursuit of more ways of spreading, maintaining, and controlling light. Brox plumbs the class implications of light—who had it, who didn&’t—through the centuries when crude lamps and tallow candles constricted waking hours. She identifies the pursuit of whale oil as the first time the need for light thrust us toward an environmental tipping point. Only decades later, gas street lights opened up the evening hours to leisure, which changed the ways we live and sleep and the world&’s ecosystems. Edison&’s bulbs produced a light that seemed to its users all but divorced from human effort or cost. And yet, as Brox&’s informative portrait of our current grid system shows, the cost is ever with us. Brilliant is infused with human voices, startling insights, and timely questions about how our future lives will be shaped by light
Before the Quagmire: American Intervention in Laos, 1954–1961
by William J. RustThis critical study of US intervention in the Laotian Civil War is &“a major contribution to the literature on America's Southeast Asian involvement&” (Publishers Weekly). In the decade preceding the first US combat operations in Vietnam, the Eisenhower administration sought to defeat a communist-led insurgency in neighboring Laos. Although US foreign policy in the 1950s focused primarily on threats posed by the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, the American engagement in Laos evolved from a small cold war skirmish into a superpower confrontation near the end of President Eisenhower's second term. Ultimately, the American experience in Laos foreshadowed many of the mistakes made by the United States in Vietnam in the 1960s. In Before the Quagmire, historian William J. Rust examines key policy decisions made in Washington and how they were implementation on the ground in Laos, setting the US on a path to wider war in Southeast Asia. Drawing on previously untapped archival sources, Before the Quagmire documents how ineffective assistance to Laotian anticommunist elites reflected fundamental misunderstandings about the country's politics, history, and culture. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title
Recipes from Around Our Family Table: Recipes From Around Our Family Table
by Carrabba's Italian GrillMake dinner the Carrabba&’s way tonight, with these tasty, Italian family recipes.For twenty-five years, Carrabba&’s Italian Grill has offered its amici (Italian for &“friends&”) an extraordinary dining experience. Serving hand-prepared, contemporary renditions of traditional family recipes, Carrabba&’s makes everyone who walks through the door feel right at home. Each meal is served in the time-honored tradition of warm Italian hospitality and authentically prepared food made from the heart.Now, you can re-create the Carrabba&’s experience in your own kitchen with delicious recipes inspired by generations of family cooking. In the true spirit of generosity, Recipes from Around Our Family Table shares not just these mouthwatering signature recipes, but also the cooking secrets that make them so good. Features 75 authentic Italian recipes and Carrabba&’s favorites, including:· Chicken Bryan· Mama Mandola&’s Sicilian Chicken Soup· Pizza Margherita· Cozze in Bianco· Pollo Rosa Maria· Garlic Mashed Potatoes· Pasta Weesie· Lobster Macaroni and Cheese· Prosciutto-wrapped Pork Tenderloin· Sogno di Cioccolata· Limoncello Bread Pudding Also offers tips on successful grilling, preparing perfect pasta, finding the best ingredients, mastering homemade pizza, and more!
The Monk in the Garden: The Lost and Found Genius of Gregor Mendel, the Father of Genetics
by Robin Marantz HenigThis acclaimed biography of 19th century scientist Gregor Mendel is &“a fascinating tale of the strange twists and ironies of scientific progress&” (Publishers Weekly). A National Book Critics Circle Award finalist In The Monk in the Garden, award-winning author Robin Marantz Henig vividly chronicles the birth of genetics, a field that continues to challenge the way we think about life itself. Tending to his pea plants in a monastery garden, the Moravian monk Gregor Mendel discovered the foundational principles of genetic inheritance. But Mendel&’s work was ignored during his lifetime, even though it answered the most pressing questions raised by Charles Darwin's revolutionary book, On the Origin of Species. Thirty-five years after his death, Mendel&’s work was saved from obscurity when three scientists from three different countries nearly simultaneously dusted off his groundbreaking paper and finally recognized its profound significance. From the perplexing silence that greeted his discovery to his ultimate canonization as the father of genetics, Henig presents a tale filled with intrigue, jealousy, and a healthy dose of bad timing. Though little is known about Mendel&’s life, she "has done a remarkable job of fleshing out the myth with what few facts there are" (Washington Post Book World).
General William E. DePuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War (American Warriors Series)
by Henry G. GoleThis &“excellent biography&” of one of the US Army&’s unsung heroes &“provides a much-needed re-examination of the early post-Vietnam Army" (Bowling Green Daily News). By the 1970s, the United States Army was demoralized by the outcome of the Vietnam War and shifting attitudes at home. The institution as a whole needed to be reorganized and reinvigorated—and General William E. DePuy was the man for the job. In 1973, DePuy was appointed commander of the newly established Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). By integrating training, doctrine, combat developments, and management in the US Army, he cultivated a military force prepared to fight and win in modern war. General William E. DuPuy is the first full-length biography of this key figure in American military history. With extensive interviews with those who knew DePuy, as well as access to his personal papers, Henry G. Gole chronicles and analyzes his unique contributions to the Army and nation. Gole guides the reader from DePuy's boyhood and college days in South Dakota through the major events and achievements of his life. During World War II, DePuy served in the 357th Infantry Regiment in Europe from the Normandy invasion until 1945, when he was stationed in Czechoslovakia. DePuy was asked by George Patton to serve as his aide; he supervised clandestine operations in China; he was instrumental in establishing Special Forces in Vietnam; and he briefed President Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House. But his finest contribution was fixing a broken Army.
Peace a Day at a Time: 365 Meditations for Wisdom and Serenity
by Karen CaseyA year&’s worth of serenity in one book, from the bestselling author of Each Day a New Beginning.Karen Casey&’s daily meditation book Peace a Day at a Time offers 365 reminders to help strengthen those traveling the path to recovery from addiction. In this powerful set of daily reminders, Karen draws from her bestselling Each Day a New Beginning, which has helped millions recovering from addiction. Karen Casey writes eloquently about almost every facet of recovery and how to live a sober, balanced life by trying to live in the present, one day at a time. Peace a Day at a Time offers a meditation for every day of the year, opening with a quote and following with a brief essay and a takeaway message. This beautiful book is your powerful set of daily reminders on how to stay centered and find inner peace. Karen also provides a companion index with key theme words to reference any issue you may be struggling with. In Peace a Day at a Time learn to: Pay attention and listen to your inner voiceAvoid drama and to let go of blameStop living from crisis to crisisCope with fear, sorrow, anger, and painEmbrace changePractice kindness, joy, hope, and acceptance
The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Writings
by Charlotte Perkins GilmanCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935) championed women’s rights in her prolific fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Discover three influential works by one of America’s first feminists in their unabridged form: the short story The Yellow Wallpaper, a haunting interpretation of postpartum depression; the feminist utopian novel Herland; and Women and Economics, which when published in 1898 established Gilman as a sociologist, philosopher, ethicist, and social critic, and is considered by many to be her greatest work.
Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure (Playaway Adult Nonfiction Ser.)
by Tim JealA &“highly enjoyable&” account of six men, and one woman, who journeyed into uncharted and treacherous African terrain to find the source of the White Nile (The Washington Post).Nothing obsessed explorers of the mid-nineteenth century more than the quest to discover the source of the White Nile. It was the planet&’s most elusive secret, the prize coveted above all others. Between 1856 and 1876, six larger-than-life men and one extraordinary woman accepted the challenge.Showing extreme courage and resilience, Richard Burton, John Hanning Speke, James Augustus Grant, Samuel Baker, Florence von Sass, David Livingstone, and Henry Morton Stanley risked their lives and reputations in the fierce competition. National Book Critics Circle Award-winning author Tim Jeal deploys fascinating new research to provide a vivid tableau of the unmapped &“Dark Continent,&” its jungle deprivations, and the courage—as well as malicious tactics—of the explorers.On multiple forays launched into east and central Africa, the travelers passed through almost impenetrable terrain and suffered the ravages of flesh-eating ulcers, paralysis, malaria, deep spear wounds, and even death. They discovered Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria and became the first white people to encounter the kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro. Jeal weaves the story with authentic new detail—and examines the tragic unintended legacy of the Nile search that still casts a long shadow over the people of Uganda and Sudan.&“A fabulous story…old-fashioned epic adventure.&”—The Sunday Times"Superb narrative…a must-read for anyone hoping to understand the internal dynamics of modern state-building in central Africa.&”—Booklist
Zuber: Two Centuries of Panoramic Wallpaper
by Brian D. ColemanSince its founding in 1797, Zuber & Cie wallpapers’ fame has spread far and wide, from King Louis Philippe awarding Jean Zuber the Legion of Honor in 1834 to Jackie Kennedy installing Zuber’s “Vues de l'Amérique du Nord” in the White House. According to France Today, the company still uses the same antique woodblocks, the same paint formulas, and the same time-honored processes to create its stunning wallpapers as it did in Jean Zuber’s time. Gorgeous displays of friezes, borders, ceiling roses and architectural trompe l’oeil, have been photographed for Zuber in homes in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
Southern Fried: More Than 150 Recipes for Crab Cakes, Fried Chicken, Hush Puppies, and More
by James VillasThe award-winning food writer shares more than 150 Southern recipes from hush puppies to crab cakes and 10 different ways to make fried chicken. Fried food is the soul of Southern cooking, and in Southern Fried, James Villas delves into that rich history and culture with recipes from a variety of Southern culinary traditions including Creole, lowcountry, Appalachian, and more. Filled with gorgeous color photos, this volume is sure to tempt even health food fanatics with its crispy, crunchy delights. Different chapters feature eggs and cheese, seafood, breads, and Southern staples like grits, rice, and potatoes. Today&’s deep fryers make frying easier and healthier than ever, and Villas&’s expertly written recipes like Sassy Shrimp Puffs, Georgia Bacon and Eggs with Hominy, Country Fried Steak, Turkey Hash Cakes, and Rosemary Pork Chops will ensure perfect results. While this may not be diet food, Villas demonstrates how to fry safer and healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Southern Sugar
by Belinda Smith-SullivanThere is a little bit of “Southerner” in all of us! You don’t have to be from the South to embrace the food—especially the sweets. There is just something about Southern treats that appeal to the hearts, souls, and stomachs of everyone! Just think of decadent, sweet delights filled with lots of sugar, butter, nuts, and fruit, or dripping with chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and yes, even bourbon! Let Southern Sugar transport you back to your “Southern” roots by reintroducing you to some of the favorites that you may have forgotten and fresh takes on Southern classics. From modest afternoon Tea Cakes and Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies to “can’t push back from the table” Coconut Sweet Potato Pie and Mississippi Mud Cake. With 100 satisfying recipes, the cookbook is divided up into chapters that focus on cakes, pound cakes, cheesecakes, pies, ice creams, candies, cookies and brownies, and cocktails and mocktails.
Marrow Island: A Novel
by Alexis M. SmithThe award-winning novel that&’s &“a foreboding, compelling story of humanity&’s uneasy relationship with nature and with each other . . . a gripping read&” (St.Louis Post-Dispatch). It has been twenty years since Lucie Bowen left the islands—when the May Day Quake shattered thousands of lives; when Lucie&’s father disappeared in an explosion at the Marrow Island oil refinery, a tragedy that destroyed the island&’s ecosystem; and when Lucie and her best friend, Katie, were just Puget Sound children hoping to survive. Now, Katie writes with strange and miraculous news. Marrow Island is no longer uninhabitable and no longer abandoned. She is part of a community that has managed to conjure life again from Marrow&’s soil. Lucie returns. Her journalist instincts tell her there&’s more to this mysterious &“Colony&” and their charismatic leader—a former nun with an all-consuming plan—than its members want her to know. As she uncovers their secrets, will Lucie endanger more than their mission? And what price will she pay for the truth? &“Eerie and intriguing . . . captivates in the first few pages and delivers a gripping, compelling story throughout.&”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel &“Smith&’s excellent command of language gives life to arresting characters and their creepy surroundings, keeping the suspense in this dark environmental thriller running high.&”—Elle &“This alluring novel explores the darkness of love, how it can cajole you into danger or tip your actions toward cruelty. Clean but intoxicating writing . . . Ambitious.&”—The New York Times Book Review &“Transporting.&”—Vanity Fair &“Beautifully wrought.&”—O, The Oprah Magazine &“Engrossing and atmospheric, a thorny meditation on environmental responsibility with a big haunted heart.&”—Miami Herald
Makeda
by Randall RobinsonA &“hypnotic&” novel about the bond between a remarkable African-American matriarch and her grandson in the 1950s South (Essence). Makeda Gee Florida Harris March is a proud matriarch, the anchor and emotional bellwether who holds together a hard-working African American family living in 1950s Richmond, Virginia. Lost in shadow is Makeda&’s grandson Gray, who begins escaping into the magical world of her tiny parlor. Makeda, a woman blind since birth but who has always dreamed in color, begins to confide in Gray the things she &“sees&” and remembers from her dream state, and a story emerges that is layered with historical accuracy beyond the scope of Makeda's limited education. Her connection with Gray will shape his life for years to come. Part coming-of-age story, part spiritual journey, and part love story, Makeda is a universal tale of family, heritage, and the ties that bind. Randall Robinson plumbs the hearts of Makeda and Gray and summons our collective blood memories, taking us on an unforgettable journey of the soul. &“Luminous and magical.&”—Bernice L. McFadden, author of Praise Song for the Butterflies &“Eloquent and erudite, Robinson's oft-times mystical coming-of-age saga teems with rich and evocative historical insights.&”—Booklist &“Robinson is not only exploring what it means to be black. His theme of knowing the past before planning the future applies to all cultures, all people. Pick up this odyssey of family drama, history and love, and be prepared to consider your own beginnings.&”—Shelf Awareness
Jubilee: And Other Essays On Life And Literature
by Margaret WalkerThe bestselling classic about a mixed-race child in the Civil War-era South that &“chronicles the triumph of a free spirit over many kinds of bondage&” (TheNew York Times Book Review). Jubilee tells the true story of Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his black mistress. Vyry bears witness to the antebellum South in both its opulence and its brutality, its wartime ruin, and the promises of Reconstruction. Weaving her own family&’s oral history with thirty years of research, Margaret Walker brings the everyday experiences of slaves to light in a novel that churns with the hunger, the hymns, the struggles, and the very breath of American history. &“A revelation.&”—Milwaukee Journal Includes a foreword by Nikki Giovanni
Boy on the Bridge: The Story of John Shalikashvili's American Success (American Warriors Series)
by Andrew Marble&“This isn&’t just a must-read for military buffs—it&’s a source of inspiration for every American and anyone who aspires to be one.&” —John Kerry, former US Secretary of State Born in Poland, John Shalikashvili (1936-2011) emigrated to the United States in 1952 and was drafted into the army as a private in 1958. He rose steadily through the ranks, serving in every level of unit command from platoon to division. In 1993, Shalikashvili was tapped by President Bill Clinton to replace General Colin Powell as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first immigrant, first draftee, and first Officer Candidate School graduate to hold the position. This first-ever biography of Shalikashvili&’s riches-to-rags-and-back-to-riches story reveals how his distinctive background helped him become one of the United States&’s greatest military leaders. He exhibited a unique and unconventional leadership style—employing expertise, humility, straightforwardness, and empathy—that he adroitly used to resolve or prevent destructive conflict. His distinctive leadership style greatly benefited the United States, Europe, and beyond: as when he led the rescue of 500,000 Kurdish refugees in the first Gulf War&’s aftermath; when he represented Joint Chiefs chairman Colin Powell in helping secure loose nukes in the former Soviet republics; as he joined forces with fellow immigrant Madeleine Albright on the Partnership for Peace initiative and NATO enlargement program in the 1990s; and in retirement, when he helped end the military&’s &“Don&’t Ask, Don&’t Tell&” policy, thereby finally allowing gay servicemembers to serve openly without fear of dishonorable discharge. &“An engaging story of a remarkable man whose life story would be fascinating even without regard to his military career.&” —Foot Notes Blog
The Trail of Ted Bundy: Digging Up the Untold Stories
by Kevin SullivanThe untold true crime story behind the notorious serial killer who preyed on women across the United States from the author of The Bundy Murders. Journey back in time to when Ted Bundy was killing young women and girls in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Within these pages, you&’ll find revealing stories from Bundy&’s friends as well as his friends of his victims—some being published for the very first time. Discover what it was like to know him while he was actively involved in murder. Learn information and anecdotes about the victims that were not previously shared with the investigators. You&’ll also hear from the two former detectives who worked with the author on his book, The BundyMurders, as they dispel commonly held myths about Bundy and offer insight into his deadly career and its impact on those who came into contact with him. The Trialof Ted Bundy is the story of those who hunted Bundy, those who guarded him, and those who were otherwise part of this strange case in one way or another. &“Bundy expert Kevin Sullivan has done the painstaking work of filling [in the holes in Bundy&’s story] and offering credible notions for those for which information might always be elusive. An important addition to true crime studies.&”—Katherine Ramsland, bestselling author of Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer
The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England's Most Notorious Queen
by Susan BordoThis illuminating history examines the life and many legends of the 16th century Queen who was executed by her husband, King Henry VIII. Part biography, part cultural history, The Creation of Anne Boleyn is a fascinating reconstruction of Anne&’s life and a revealing look at her afterlife in the popular imagination. Why is her story so compelling? Why has she inspired such extreme reactions? Was she the flaxen-haired martyr of Romantic paintings or the raven-haired seductress of twenty-first-century portrayals? (Answer: neither.) But the most provocative question of all concerns Anne&’s death: How could Henry order the execution of a once beloved wife? Drawing on scholarship and critical analysis, Bordo probes the complexities of one of history&’s most infamous relationships. She then demonstrates how generations of polemicists, biographers, novelists, and filmmakers have imagined and re-imagined Anne: whore, martyr, cautionary tale, proto &“mean girl,&” feminist icon, and everything in between. In The Creation of Anne Boleyn, Bordo steps off the well-trodden paths of Tudoriana to tease out the human being behind the competing mythologies, paintings, and on-screen portrayals.
The Spring Begins: Beloved Rivals, Journey Of The Heart, Arms Of A Stranger, Remember Me, The Perfect Gentleman, And The Spring Begins
by Danice AllenThe award winning author of Wake Me With a Kiss explores the healing power of love in this Regency-era Scottish romance short story. Still grieving the death of his wife, Adam McAllister, Viscount Blair, has isolated himself from the world—even from his children—shrouded in a gloom of perpetual winter. But the first blush of spring seems to appear again in the form of his children's feisty new governess, Letitia Webster. But even as a flame of passion begins to warm their cold home, both Adam and Letitia know that they must leave the painful past behind once and for all in order to embrace their future together. This short historical romance provides readers with the ideal occasion to get to know the work of author Danice Allen, whose contemporary romance Wake Me With a Kiss was named Best Harlequin American of the Year by Romantic Times Magazine.
My First Summer in the Sierra
by John MuirConsidered one of the patron saints of twentieth-century environmental activity, John Muir's appeal to modern readers is that he not only explored the American West but also fought for its preservation. My First Summer in the Sierra is Muir’s account of his adventures and observations while working as a shepherd in the Yosemite Valley, which later became Yosemite National Park as a direct result of Muir’s writings and activism. Muir’s heartfelt and often humorous descriptions of his first summer spent in the Sierra will captivate and inspire long-time fans and novice naturalists alike.
The Civil War on the Mississippi: Union Sailors, Gunboat Captains, and the Campaign to Control the River
by Barbara Brooks TomblinThe naval historian presents a &“well-written, fast-paced&” study of Civil War riverine combat based on the personal accounts of officers and sailors (Civil War News). As one of the most important transportation systems in the country, the Mississippi River became a strategically vital asset to both sides of the Civil War. The Confederacy relied on the river for cotton exportation as well as food and military supplies. The Union sought control of the river not only to disrupt Southern transport, but also to bisect the South as part of the Anaconda Plan. Drawing heavily on the diaries and letters of officers and common sailors, Barbara Brooks Tomblin explores the Union navy&’s fight to win control of the Mississippi. Her approach provides fresh insight into major battles such as Memphis and Vicksburg as well as the fascinating perspectives of ordinary sailors who engaged in brown-water warfare. These men speak of going ashore in foraging parties, assisting the surgeon in the amputation of a fellow crewman's arm, and liberating supplies of whiskey from captured enemy vessels. They also offer candid assessments of their commanding officers, observations of the local people living along the river, and their views on the war. The Civil War on the Mississippi provides a comprehensive account of the action on the western rivers as well as a synthesis of vivid first-person accounts from the front lines.
Preserving Italy: Canning, Curing, Infusing, and Bottling Italian Flavors and Traditions
by Domenica MarchettiCapture the flavors of Italy with over 150 recipes for conserves, pickles, sauces, liqueurs, and more in this &“engagingly informative&” guide (Elizabeth Minchilli, author of Eating Rome). The notion of preserving shouldn&’t be limited to American jams and jellies, and in this book, Domenica Marchetti puts the focus on the ever-alluring flavors and ingredients of Italy. There, abundant produce and other Mediterranean ingredients lend themselves particularly well to canning, bottling, and other preserving methods. Think of marinated artichokes in olive oil, classic giardiniera, or, of course, the late-summer tradition of putting up tomato sauce. But in this book we get so much more, from Marchetti&’s travels across the regions of Italy to the recipes handed down through her family: sweet and sour peppers, Marsala-spiked apricot jam, lemon-infused olive oil, and her grandmother&’s amarene, sour cherries preserved in alcohol. Beyond canning and pickling, the book also includes recipes for making cheese, curing meats, infusing liqueurs, and even a few confections, plus recipes for finished dishes so you can savor each treasured jar all year long. &“Pack artichokes, peppers and mushrooms in oil. Make deliciously spicy pickles from melon. Even limoncello, mostarda and confections like torrone can come straight from your kitchen... The techniques may have been passed down by generations of nonnas, but they knew what they were doing.&”—Florence Fabricant, The New York Times &“Marchetti elevates preserved food from the role of condiment to center stage.&”—Publishers Weekly
Quantum Supplements: A Total Health and Wellness Makeover with Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs (Conari Wellness)
by Deanna M. MinichThe author of The Complete Handbook of Quantum Healing serves up &“a must read for anyone interested in holistic health, supplements, and healing&” (Elise Marie Collins, author of Super Ager). Quantum Supplements bridges together the seemingly disparate scientific and spiritual realms through popular modern-day concepts, dietary supplements and nutrition, and the ancient chakra system to help people explore the ever-growing field of energy medicine. This user-friendly, cutting edge guide explains the &“energy healing&” and vibrational properties of vitamins, minerals, and herb/botanicals, specifically their effects on activating and balancing the body&’s natural energy centers. Following a practical overview to the different types of dietary supplements and how they work, the author elaborates on the physiological and psychological activities of each energy center, or chakra, and the supplemental nutrients that assist their balance. The book includes many easy-to-read tables, and charts are provided as a quick reference guide to determining which supplements are most appropriate for any and everything—from bolstering the immune system, to fighting off frequent colds, to improving circulation, to even battling memory loss. &“A critical handbook for anyone who wants to blend a practical approach with chakras to equal &‘real energy&’ for life.&”—Cyndi Dale, author of The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy &“An absolute gem! . . . Dr. Minich seamlessly weaves together scientific fact and ancient/intuitive wisdom in a highly readable fashion. Your understanding of vitamins, minerals, and herbs will be forever changed. I consider this book a must have reference work that takes us into the future of nutrition.&”—Marc David, founder and director of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, author of The Slow Down Diet
In the Shadow of the Moon: The Science, Magic, and Mystery of Solar Eclipses
by Anthony AveniFrom an award-winning author, astronomer, and anthropologist, an exploration of the scientific and cultural significance of the mesmerizing cosmic display.Since the first humans looked up and saw the sun swallowed by darkness, our species has been captivated by solar eclipses. Astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni explains the history and culture surrounding solar eclipses, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Babylonian creation myths, to a confirmation of Einstein&’s theory of general relativity, to a spectacle that left New York City in the moon&’s shadow, to future eclipses that will capture human imaginations.In one accessible and engaging read, Aveni explains the science behind the phenomenon, tracks eclipses across the ancient world, and examines the roles of solar eclipses in modern times to reveal the profound effects these cosmic events have had on human history. Colored by his own experiences—Aveni has witnessed eight total solar eclipses in his lifetime—his account of astronomy&’s most storied phenomenon will enthrall anyone who has looked up at the sky with wonder.&“Aveni&’s authoritative but accessible text is the clearest statement of the way our perception of eclipses has changed over the centuries.&” —Stuart Clark, New Scientist&“Authoritative and engaging.&” —Marcelo Gleiser, NPR&’s 13.7&“A recommended way to share the spirit of the occasion.&” —Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History magazine&“Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni&’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.&” —David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
The Case of the Lonely Heiress (The Perry Mason Mysteries #2)
by Erle Stanley GardnerA fight over a rich man&’s will turns deadly in this murder mystery by the &“kingpin among the mystery writers&” from the series that inspired the HBO show (The New York Times). Marilyn Marlow has inherited a good deal of money from her mother. But the money originated with another will—that of her mother&’s wealthy employer. Now his relatives are contesting the will, and it&’s Rose Keeling, the key witness to its signing, whose mind they'll need to sway. When Rose is murdered, sleuthing lawyer Perry Mason must navigate a twisted case involving a personal ad that casts a cloud of suspicion over his client, Miss Marlow, in this mystery in Edgar Award–winning author Erle Stanley Gardner&’s classic, long-running series, which has sold three hundred million copies and serves as the inspiration for the HBO show starring Matthew Rhys and Tatiana Maslany. DON&’T MISS THE NEW HBO ORIGINAL SERIES PERRY MASON, BASED ON CHARACTERS FROM ERLE STANLEY GARDNER&’S NOVELS, STARRING EMMY AWARD WINNER MATTHEW RHYS
Treacherous: The Beginning (Treacherous: The Beginning Ser.)
by Enjil WashingtonA traumatized young girl goes on the run from powerful assassins in this supernatural Cajun thriller full of criminal corruption and voodoo magic. When the Piper family finds a beaten and bloodied young girl near their rural Louisiana home, they don&’t think twice about taking her in. But their act of charity is about to change their lives in ways they never expected. The Pipers couldn&’t possibly imagine the horrors that Madria has experienced—or the secrets she carries with her. When vicious men came to her home and murdered her family, Madria managed to escape—though how she survived their brutal attack is a mystery. Now those men are out to finish the job. But while they present a deadly threat, Madria possesses powers of her own.