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Destiny's Child
by Iris GowerIt was said in a prophecy that she would bring forth a King of England in this novel based on the life and loves of Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. Margaret Beaufort was rich, beautiful, and just thirteen years of age when she discovered that she carried the future King of England within her body. Forced to give him up as a web of intrigue and danger was spun around her son, she entrusted the child to the care of his uncle, Jasper Tudor, who would have laid down his life for the Lancastrian cause. Caught up in the Wars of the Roses, Margaret was banished from court in disgrace, and although she later won the love and loyalty of three powerful men, becoming the wife of each in turn, her heart remained true to Edmund Tudor, the father of her son. And through a lifetime of joy, sorrow and shame Margaret Beaufort never wavered from her devotion to her son, vowing that whatever the cost, one day he should be Henry VII, King of England. A deeply moving historical love story, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, and Kate Mosse.
The Mythical Zoo: Animals in Myth, Legend, and Literature
by Boria SaxA beautifully illustrated alternate taxonomy of the animal kingdom, based on mythology, literature, art, and other cultural realms: &“Charming.&” —ForeWord Sacred cows, wily serpents, fearsome lions, elegant swans, busy bees, and sly foxes—all are caricatures of the creatures themselves, yet they reflect not only how different cultures see the natural world around them but also how such cultures make use of their native animals. In this fun and thought-provoking book, historian and animal enthusiast Boria Sax argues for a classification of animals that goes beyond the biological to encompass a more meaningful distinction: tradition. From ants and elephants to tigers and tortoises, The Mythical Zoo weaves together a cross-cultural tapestry encompassing mythology, history, art, science, philosophy, and literature. The result is a beautifully illustrated, masterfully composed love letter to the animal kingdom.
Nisei: A Novel
by J.J. WhiteIn this gripping novel, a man in despair stumbles upon the secrets of his Japanese father&’s World War II experiences, and the past that shaped his family. Robert Takahashi sits in the empty attic of his mother&’s old home in Hawaii, a home he has to sell to cover financial losses from her nursing home care—and his own massive gambling debts. Once his affairs are in order, he can proceed to the next step: suicide. His wife is done with him anyway. His daughters—well, he&’s nothing but an embarrassment to them. Robert barely remembers his father and knows little about his parents&’ past. But a manuscript he&’s just found—left under an eave and contained in a dusty box along with ten medals from the US military—will enlighten him about many things. As he reads his father&’s words, he discovers a story of a Japanese boy born in Hawaii, a life uprooted by internment, and a young Nisei&’s harrowing quest to prove his patriotism by serving with the renowned 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He also learns about a long-ago forbidden love—and how prejudice can derail a life—in this sweeping tale of family, war, and two generations of men battling powerful forces both externally and within themselves.
The Commandant: An Account by the First Commanding Officer of Auschwitz
by Rudolf HoessThis chilling memoir presents “a graphic and compelling self-portrait” of the Nazi war criminal who oversaw Auschwitz concentration camp (Jewish Book World).SS officer Rudolph Hoess was the longest-serving commandant of Auschwitz. After the war, he was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to death by the Polish Supreme National Tribunal. The amoral sensibility Hoess displayed regarding all that went on in the charnel factory where the industrialization of death was practiced—where probably three million people were literally worked to death, shot or gassed—is still almost beyond belief today. Editor Jurg Amann has taken Hoess's text and produced a work of vital historical importance. The Commandant presents an excruciating insight into Hitler's Final Solution and the nature of evil itself through the prism of the Nazis' totalitarian system, one Hoess and so many others felt no need to question. Ian Buruma's introduction sets this frightening work within a both moral and historical context.
What Lights You Up?: Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career
by Mary Olson-MenzelNavigate the modern world of work to find the job you've been dreaming about and thrive What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career takes readers on a journey to find their next meaningful and fulfilling job—no matter where they are right now. Whether you're an industry veteran pivoting between fields, a stay-at-home parent just rejoining the workforce, or a college student trying to find their footing, this heartfelt, actionable, and authentic book covers everything you need to know about getting results in the modern world of work and is full of insightful, real-life stories of success that inspire the reader to take action in their own life. Inspired by renowned executive coach, business advisor, and speaker Mary Olson-Menzel's highly effective MVP 360 Coaching program, this book delivers insight on topics like: Developing and telling your own highly individualistic story to get noticed and hired Getting results from LinkedIn, social media, and personal branding Rocking the interview, negotiating the offer, and landing the job Staying on a path to vibrant success in your first three months at a new job—and the rest of your life What Lights You Up? is an essential guide and roadmap for everyone and anyone seeking direction in their career journey. Filled with highly effective tips, tricks, and strategies, this book will help readers transition from where they are now into a fulfilling and meaningful new career and beyond.
One Lucky Christmas
by Regina BrownellCan a blind date finally lead to true love? Bookshop owner Kasey wishes her mother could accept her for who she is and would stop trying to run her life. Kasey has already gone on a string of blind dates—with everyone from an underwear model to a guy whose greatest talent was burping the alphabet. As Christmas draws closer, she finds herself on another date expecting yet another disaster. But Tobias takes her by surprise and Kasey finally believes she might have hit the jackpot. Could he be the one? And will she get the Christmas she&’s always dreamed of, or will it all come crashing down? &“A lovely feel-good Christmas read to curl up on the sofa and enjoy!&” —Amazon review, five stars &“Just loved everything about this book and can't fault it in any way at all.&” —Amazon review, five stars &“My favourite Christmas read.&” —Amazon reviewer, five stars
Icon of Gold
by Teresa CraneA searing tale of forbidden love spanning 1950s Britain and Greece from the author of A Fragile Peace, &“a wonderful storyteller&” (Daily Mail). Cathy Kotsikas is as unsettled as anyone in postwar Britain. A hasty marriage has become an exhausting clash of personalities. Leon, her Greek husband, as charming as he is ruthless and self-centered, understands neither her mildly eccentric character nor her need for freedom. Cathy&’s sanctuary is Sandlings, a remote cottage on the barren Suffolk coast left to her by her grandfather. For Leon, however, his business in London and the restoration of his family home in Greece are of paramount importance. When Nikos, Leon&’s son, arrives from New York, he is drawn to Cathy from the first, and she to him. Neither sees the danger of the attraction until it is too late. Their chemistry becomes a spiral of passion and betrayal culminating in the wild sunlit beauty of the Greek countryside. But how will it end . . . ? &“A story with great momentum and the added attraction of inviting backdrops in sunlit Greece and a remote seascape in Suffolk.&” —Liverpool Echo &“A writer of great skill and vitality.&” —Sarah Harrison, international bestselling author of The Flowers of the Field
Voicing the Eagle: A True Story of Courage and Valor
by Amanda MattiA young Iraqi shares the true story of his wartime experiences after he was recruited by the US Army as an interpreter. Fahdi was a twenty-one-year-old, upper-middle class, English-speaking student at Baghdad University when he was recruited right off the street to serve as an interpreter for a US Army unit just days after the fall of Saddam Hussein&’s regime. Over the next two years, Fahdi would go on to translate for US drill sergeants training new Iraqi Army recruits in Ramadi; serve alongside US Marines during the first Battle of Fallujah; and eventually land a position as a linguist with Iraq&’s newly formed national intelligence agency in Baghdad. Along the way, he suffered combat injuries, faced the challenges of integrating with American soldiers in US camps, was hunted by local insurgency groups for assisting the &“infidels&”—and eventually fell in love with an American service member. As told to that service member—now his wife and the author of her own memoir, A Foreign Affair—this is a unique firsthand perspective on one of the United States&’ most controversial foreign conflicts.
You Must Be Sisters
by Deborah MoggachThe author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel pens &“the happiest, saddest, funniest, most perceptive truth about growing up since The Catcher in the Rye&” (Over 21). Laura and Claire Jenkins were born just a few years apart, but they&’re as different as night and day. Sensible, level-headed Claire has settled into her teaching job in London, sharing an apartment with two other girls, while free-spirited Laura starts her first year at university, where she sets about to find herself—no matter where that may lead . . . Soon Claire falls for a man who may not set the world on fire, but offers her the stability she craves. Laura, always the rebel, moves out of the dorms and into a relationship with a frustrated artist-turned–bus conductor. But as Claire begins to question her motives and Laura&’s bohemian life begins to lose its charm, the sisters start to realize that they may be more alike than they thought. And that&’s not such a bad thing when it comes to family, sisterhood, and growing up. &“Assured and successful. . . . Altogether a most satisfying and intelligent first novel.&” —Financial Times &“Sensitive and humorous.&” —Daily Express &“A delightful story of young love.&” —The Times (London) &“It is thrilling to find a writer who could capture our world, and our emotions, so accurately.&” —Wellington Evening Post &“Warm and witty . . . family life most achingly bared.&” —New Statesman
A Night of Serious Drinking: A Novel (Tusk Ivories)
by René DaumalThe French poet and author of Mount Analogue shares a satirical allegory of the absurdities of intellectual society.As in Rene Daumal’s cult classic Mount Analogue, A Night of Serious Drinking concerns an autobiographical protagonist on a mind-expanding journey. But rather than seeking enlightenment, the anonymous narrator recounts an evening getting drunk with a group of friends. As the party becomes intoxicated and exuberant, the narrator’s wandering lead him from seeming paradises to the depths of pure hell. The characters our hero encounters go by absurd titles, such as Anthographers, Fabricators of useless objects, Scienters, Nibblists, and Clarificators. Yet the inhabitants of these strange realms are only too familiar: scientists dissecting an animal in their laboratory, a wise man surrounded by his devotees, politicians angling for influence, and poets expounding their rhetoric. Their hilarious antics and intellectual games reveal incisive social commentary that combines poetic imagination and philosophical depth.
The Twelve Gifts from the Garden: Life Lessons for Peace and Well-Being
by Charlene CostanzoThe author of Opening the Gifts shares essays inspired by nature and the life lessons she learned while pausing to reflect during rough points in her life. During a tropical storm. In the aftermath of chemotherapy. Amid marital discord. These are among the times author Charlene Costanzo found comfort, joy, hope, and healing in Sanibel Island&’s botanical garden. She also learned a few things. Eventually she amassed a collection of wisdom from these experiences and now, she shares these insights with you. If you look closely, plants sprout with willpower and bloom with determination. Drawing from the beautiful nature of trees and flowers, Charlene crafts garden-inspired messages from her experiences with healing and understanding. Inside, find quotes, reflections, and even bonus material: Pen-and-ink line drawings with illustrations of flowers, leaves, and garden plantsCharlene&’s Twelve Gifts resource and lessons learned in the gardenAn epilogue from two other locales: Sedona, Arizona, and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands Each gift-from-the-garden message asks readers to imagine walking in the author&’s sandals—or at least by her side—and try to perceive as she did. The journey is sometimes whimsical, often idealistic, and always encouraging. Charlene hopes that this book will ultimately enrich and empower readers as they journey through life in their own shoes.Perfect for readers of Anne Morrow LindberghPraise for The Twelve Gifts from the Garden&“With the wonder of a child, the introspection of a mature woman, and the wisdom of the elders, Charlene Costanzo inspires us to discover the hidden treasures of nature.&” —Gloria Gaynor, Grammy Award–winning singer and author of I Will Survive: The Book and We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song&“This book is a feast, a dream, a wondrous adventure.&” —Sherry Richert Belul, founder of Simply Celebrate and author of Say It Now&“A joyful read bursting with the beauty of nature and reflections of lessons learned in life . . . . Most mornings, reading her reflections gives me goosebumps because they are like having a cup of coffee with God . . . . This is a wonderful book to gift yourself and others!&” —Gina La Benz, author of Anchor Moments: Hope, Healing, and Forgiveness
The Education of Man: Aphorisms
by Johann Heinrich PestalozziTimeless words of wisdom from the eighteenth-century teacher who transformed the world of education with his groundbreaking ideas. Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi rose to prominence during the Age of Enlightenment, bringing the spirit of equal opportunity and respect for human personality into the classroom, just as Thomas Jefferson imbued such virtues into the Declaration of Independence. The foundation of Pestalozzi&’s educational philosophy rested on six principles: the inner dignity of the individual; the promise of potential in each child; love as the basis of education (as opposed to punishment); his doctrine of Anschauung, experience-based learning; appropriate action following Anschauung, and an emphasis on repetition of said action. This philosophical grounding influenced the great remaking of American education from 1830 to 1860, resulting in changes that have been felt through the centuries and remain relevant today. The Education of Man gathers Pestalozzi&’s enduring thoughts on subjects as wide-ranging as humanity, teaching, poverty, justice, truth, and nature, including such observations as . . . People are led by custom and catchwords, but facts they are wont to overlook. The man who seeks to rule as a father before he has learned to love as a brother will never be a patriarch. Sooner or later, but of a certainty in the end, Nature will take her toll for what men do against her. Learning is not worth a penny when courage and joy are lost along the way. The world grows poor in seeking to avoid poverty; the man who strives for riches most earnestly is seen to be the poorest.
X-Ray: The Unauthorized Autobiography
by Ray Davies“Like his songs, Davies’s book is alternately poignant, funny, and bawdy . . . indispensable for Kinks fans and recommended for anyone interested in 1960s pop music.” —Library JournalThis subversively brilliant, one-of-a-kind rock autobiography is ingeniously styled as a biography, written by a nameless, faceless writer hired by an Orwellian entity called “the Corporation” to capture the essence of Ray Davies, lead singer and songwriter of the Kinks and one of the greatest rock and rollers of all time. The Kinks frontman reveals his life and times to the young writer, often seemingly passing his stories directly into the writer’s consciousness. Carnaby Street, Top of the Pops, the Cavern Club, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and other fixtures of the times fade in and out of this compelling narrative. Part autobiography, part social history, part psychological thriller, this elusive and daring book exposes rock stardom as the heaven, hell, and purgatory it is.“In an age when everybody’s in show business and writes a lousy book about it, Ray Davies is to be honored for not doing the usual thing. We would expect no less of him.” —Rolling Stone“A major addition to pop-culture literature.” —Booklist
The Subtle Art of Fart Remarks: Clever Things to Say When You Fart (Illustrated Bathroom)
by Bree KingwindCut through the embarrassment when you cut the cheese with this illustrated collection of jokes, quips, and funny comments.Everybody farts! But nobody knows what to say when it happens . . . until now! It’s inevitable. There will come a time when you just can’t hold it in any longer. And then, a fart. You’ve been there before and you will be there again. But what can you do in that situation? How can you break the awkward silence and move on with life? Cover it up? Look for someone to blame? Take responsibility for it and face the music? This cute and funny gift book explores over 100 potential fart remarks that are sure to bring the right amount of humor to a variety of fart filled circumstances. Whether you’re sitting in the bathroom stall, driving in the car, or working in the office, this book provided a colossal collection of clever comments that are sure to clear the air.
A President in Peril (The Snap Malek Mysteries)
by Robert GoldsboroughA Chicago crime reporter is out to stop a local hate group from assassinating President Truman in this historical crime thriller.Chicago, 1948. As President Harry Truman prepares to visit Chicago in the final tense days of his reelection campaign, police reporter Steve “Snap” Malek receives an ominous threat. An anti-Semitic group plans to assassinate the president for officially recognizing the new state of Israel. When Malek refuses the hate group’s demands for newspaper publicity, they begin killing Chicagoans—one a day, including a policeman and a fireman. As the so-called New Reich promises more of the same, Malek begins his dogged hunt to uncover their true identities. Along the way, he meets maverick automaker Preston Tucker, and even gets the chance to drive the revolutionary Tucker Torpedo. But when Truman arrives in Chicago for a parade, time is running out for Malek to stifle the deadly plot.
The Corn King & the Spring Queen: The Distinguished Novel
by Naomi MitchisonA classic epic fantasy set in ancient civilizations along the Black Sea where tenderness, beauty and love vie with brutality and dark magic. Erif Der, a young witch, is compelled by her father to marry his powerful rival, Tarrik the Corn King, so becoming the Spring Queen. Forced by her father, she uses her magic spells to try and break Tarrik&’s power. But one night Tarrik rescues Sphaeros, a Hellenic philosopher, from a shipwreck. Sphaeros in turn rescues Tarrik from near death and so breaks the enchantment that has bound him. And so begins for Tarrik a Quest—a fabulous voyage of discovery which will bring him new knowledge, and which will reunite him with his beautiful Spring Queen.&“This breathtaking recreation of life in the ancient world welds the power of myth and magic to a stirring plot.&” —Ian Rankin &“Originally published in 1931, this dense, epic-length fantasy is a quest story cunningly woven of history and myth. . . . In scenes of beauty and power, Mitchison breathes life into such perennial themes as courage, forgiveness, the search for meaning, and self-sacrifice.&” —Publishers Weekly
Theodora: Empress of Byzantium
by Paolo CesarettiAn Italian historian&’s prize-winning biography of the sixth-century Byzantine empress. Theodora of Byzantium rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful women of the ancient world. As the wife of Emperor Justinian, she was more than a mere figurehead, acting as Justinian&’s partner in both politics and life. Though she was ruthlessly criticized by her contemporaries, historian and biographer Paolo Cesaretti shows her to be an ambitious woman and brilliant ruler whose cunning saved the empire time and again. She defied the conventions of her time and triumphed over those who sought to defame and destroy her. This meticulously researched and richly detailed biography won Italy&’s prestigious Ginzano Cavour Prize.
The Mayor of Polk Street (The Narrows Gate Novels)
by Jim FusilliTwo men in 1940s New Jersey are caught up in organized crime and international intrigue, in this novel by the Edgar nominee and author of Narrows Gate. After a bloody showdown with the mob, grocer Sal Benno is being left in peace—at least for now. But he carries a gun and looks over his shoulder as he goes about his business. Sal&’s lifelong friend, Leo, is also still in the gritty waterfront town of Narrows Gate—for the time being. Unlike Sal, he has a woman in his life and a promising future at CBS across the river, though the Red Scare hangs over the network and threatens his career. Meanwhile, in Sicily, an exiled Mafia boss works to protect his weakened empire from rivals and opportunists, darting around the world as the CIA tries to keep a tail on him. With chaos ruling in the wake of a crackdown on organized crime, the effects are felt from Havana to Hollywood, Las Vegas to Greece—and in the lives of Sal, Leo, and those they love. In this novel that takes readers into back alleys and halls of power, the two must struggle to hold their friendship and their community together, even as they are driven to desperation.Praise for Narrows Gate &“Must be ranked among the half-dozen most memorable novels about the Mob.&” —Mystery Scene &“A uniquely American tale of ambition and failure, of people who underplay their hands and those who overstep their bounds . . . Dazzling.&” —David Liss, Edgar Award–winning novelist &“Equal parts Ellroy, Puzo and Scorsese.&” —George Pelecanos, writer andproducer of The Wire and author of The Night Gardener &“As tender as it is tough . . . A compelling, gritty, and brilliant voice.&” —Lisa Scottoline, New York Times–bestselling author
Good Riddance
by Evan BaldockPlenty of retirees have hobbies; Gloria&’s just happens to be murderous . . . An entertaining new crime thriller by the author of Bang Bang, You&’re Dead. At this stage of her life, Gloria Jones just wants peace, quiet, and as little stress as possible. But her habit of helping others in need is hard to break—even when it gets her into trouble. So when Gloria encounters a distraught young girl and learns about a shadowy London gang of human traffickers exploiting women, she simply can&’t let such injustice stand. After all, it&’s not the first time she has stopped vicious criminals from hurting someone . . . Then again, her health isn&’t what it used to be—and this time, there&’s a distinct possibility she could wind up dead . . .
Frida: A Novel
by Barbara MujicaMexican painter Frida Kahlo life, work, and love are examined through the lens of her sister in this dramatic biographical novel.Frida Kahlo, painter and cultural icon, lived a life of extremes. The subject of an Academy Award(c)–nominated film starring Salma Hayek, Kahlo was crippled by polio and left barren by an accident when she was a teenager. And yet she went on to fall in love with and marry another star of the art world, muralist Diego Rivera. filled with passion, jealousy, and deceit, their story captured the world’s imagination.Told in the voice of Frida’s sister Cristina, who bears witness to Frida and Diego’s tumultuous marriage, this is a brilliantly vivid work of historical fiction. What unfolds is an intense tale of sibling rivalry, as both sisters vie for Rivera’s affection. Mujica imbues the lives and loves of these remarkable characters with sparkling drama and builds her tale to a shattering conclusion.Praise for Frida“A vivid creation. . . . This story burns with dramatic urgency.” —The New York Times“The best kind of fictionalized biography: rich, vibrant, and psychologically astute.” —Kirkus Reviews
Return to the Field (Rosie Ewing Spy Thrillers)
by Alexander FullertonIn this stunning adventure set in war-torn France—a British agent finds herself in Nazi territory—and unsure about who to trust . . . It&’s the spring of 1944 and Rosie Ewing is returning to German-occupied France, by air, this time. She&’s carrying a radio, half a million francs, a pistol, and two cyanide capsules to Finistere in north-west Brittany. With D-Day looming, Rosie fears that the man who&’ll be meeting her on the ground tonight may be a traitor. She can&’t be certain. But she does know that the likely end of the road for captured female agents is Ravensbrück, or l&’enfer des femmes, as the Resistance calls it—the dreaded concentration camp for women . . .Praise for the Rosie Ewing Spy Thrillers: &“The most meticulously researched war novels I&’ve ever read.&” —Len Deighton &“His action passages are superb.&” —The Observer
Patriots
by Steve Sohmer&“Patriots is a miracle of suspense, a mined labyrinth of electrifying politics, terror, and philosophy, which will rank with the classics of storytelling.&” —Richard Condon, author of The Manchurian Candidate As dawn breaks on Veterans Day, the American president grapples with the responses—both good and bad—to the announcement of his post–Cold War disarmament initiative, a plan based on nuclear deterrence and reduced troop strength. From an airfield in New York, a Vietnam War hero takes to the skies in a stolen fighter jet armed with Patriot missiles, setting course for Cuba. His actions put in motion by coded phrase known only to a select few. And on an air force base in Washington, DC, one intel officer realizes that only she can put together the pieces of a treasonous conspiracy, one in which shocking acts of deception, betrayal, and assassination will plunge the country into chaos—and pit two superpowers against each other in the ultimate showdown . . . In Patriots, Steve Sohmer puts you into the cockpit of a rogue warplane, around the table in the tense White House Situation Room, and into the minds of men and women willing to sacrifice it all for love and loyalty.
The Prepper's Ultimate Food Storage Guide: Your Complete Resource to Create a Long-Term, Live-Saving Supply of Nutritious, Shelf-Stable Meals, Snacks, and More
by Julie Languille Daisy Luther Tess Pennington Shelle WellsTake emergency preparedness to the next level with this guide to storing and preserving healthy food for you and your family for a lifetime.Be prepared for any catastrophe—whether a pandemic, natural disaster, or other grid-down situation—with this comprehensive food storage bible. It’s with advice from the best preppers on canning, dehydrating, stockpile maintenance, and shelf-stable cooking. This 4-in-1 book collection offers your one-stop-food-shop for everything you need to know, including:Building a long-term stockpile on a budgetMust-have alternative cooking gear for grid-down livingHow to dehydrate everything from meats to fruits and vegetablesTechniques for creative canning, from jams to entire entreesFood-safety guidelines for safe meal-prep and storageHundreds of tasty recipes for nutritious mealsAnd much moreThe Prepper’s Ultimate Food-Storage Guide is the self-reliant solution to a lifesaving food supply that will keep you and your family healthy for a lifetime. Stay safe, and stay prepared!
Listverse.com's Epic Book of Mind-Boggling Top 10 Lists: Unbelievable Facts and Astounding Trivia on Movies, Music, Crime, Celebrities, History, and More
by Jamie FraterA collection of crazy-but-true facts, peculiar occurrences, despicable crimes, bizarre records, unbelievable creatures, and many more shocking oddities.Delving into the shocking side of pop culture, science and history, Listverse.com’s Epic Book of Mind-Boggling Top 10 Lists offers a wealth of fascinating reading with over 200 lists and more than 2,000 interesting facts, including:• Alien Artifacts• Creepy Urban Legends• Bizarre Murder Weapons• Horrific TV Accidents• Outrageous Rock Tales• Twisted Circus Acts• Terrifying Villains• Crazy-but-True Movie Plots• Dirty CIA Operations• Monstrously Evil Babysitters• Strange Hamburger Facts• Animal Freaks of Nature• Mind-Blowing Technologies
Beautiful Fools: The Last Affair of Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald
by R. Clifton SpargoThis Fitzgeralds&’ novel &“is historical fiction at its best, imaginatively filling the gaps and bringing us intimately into a portrait of a marriage.&”(Times Literary Supplement) In 1939 F. Scott Fitzgerald is living in Hollywood, a virulent alcoholic and deeply in debt. Despite his relationship with gossip columnist Sheila Graham, he remains fiercely loyal to his wife, Zelda, his soul mate and muse. In an attempt to fuse together their fractured marriage, Scott arranges a trip to Cuba, where, after a disastrous first night in Havana, the couple runs off to a beach resort outside the city. But even in paradise, Scott and Zelda cannot escape the dangerous intensity of their relationship. In Beautiful Fools, R. Clifton Spargo gives us a vivid, resplendent, and truly human portrait of the Fitzgeralds, and reveals the heartbreaking patterns and unexpected moments of tenderness that characterize a great romance in decline. &“This approach to the Fitzgeralds&’ story is the most successful of the bunch . . . With its contained arc and energetic plotting, Beautiful Fools takes the focus off more familiar episodes in the couple&’s history.&” —The New Yorker &“In Spargo&’s hands, the Fitzgeralds emerge as fully human, if crazed and ruined characters.&” —The Washington Post &“Beautiful Fools is the work of a genuine literary talent. . . . Spargo&’s Fitzgeralds come alive.&” —The Spectator &“Spargo's book is richly imagined, and paints a delightfully detailed portrait of Cuba of 1939. It's a positively delicious travelogue.&” —Chicago Tribune &“Alternating between Scott&’s and Zelda&’s perspectives, Spargo describes the imperfect communion of two troubled souls who can&’t quite let go of their past or each other.&” —Boston Globe