Browse Results

Showing 98,226 through 98,250 of 100,000 results

Jews, Christians, and the Abode of Islam: Modern Scholarship, Medieval Realities

by Jacob Lassner

&“One of the greatest authorities on medieval Islam&” sheds &“immensely stimulating&” new light on cross-cultural relations in the Middle Ages (Times Literary Supplement, UK). In Jews, Christians, and the Abode of Islam, historian Jacob Lassner examines the relationship between the three Abrahamic faiths that defined their political and cultural interaction during the Middle Ages—and continues to define them today. Examining the debates taking place in modern Western scholarship on Islam, Lassner sheds new light on the social and political status of medieval Jews and Christians in various Islamic lands from the seventh to the thirteenth century. Using a vast array of primary sources, Lassner balances the rhetoric of literary and legal texts from the Middle Ages with other, newly discovered medieval sources that describe life as it was actually lived among the three faith communities. Lassner demonstrates what medieval Muslims meant when they spoke of tolerance, and how that abstract concept played out at different times and places in the Christian and Jewish communities under Islamic rule. Finally, he considers how this new understanding of medieval Islamic civilization might affect the highly contentious global environment of today.

American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving

by Paul Kennedy Michael Emerson Christian Smith Sally Gallagher David Sikkink

&“An excellent study of evangelicalism&” from the award-winning sociologist and author of Souls in Transition and Soul Searching (Library Journal). Evangelicalism is one of the strongest religious traditions in America today; twenty million Americans identify themselves with the evangelical movement. Given the modern pluralistic world we live in, why is evangelicalism so popular? Based on a national telephone survey and more than three hundred personal interviews with evangelicals and other churchgoing Protestants, this study provides a detailed analysis of the commitments, beliefs, concerns, and practices of this thriving group. Examining how evangelicals interact with and attempt to influence secular society, this book argues that traditional, orthodox evangelicalism endures not despite, but precisely because of, the challenges and structures of our modern pluralistic environment. This work also looks beyond evangelicalism to explore more broadly the problems of traditional religious belief and practice in the modern world. With its impressive empirical evidence, innovative theory, and substantive conclusions, American Evangelicalism will provoke lively debate over the state of religious practice in contemporary America. &“Based on a three-year study of American evangelicals, Smith takes the pulse of contemporary evangelicalism and offers substantial evidence of a strong heartbeat . . . Evangelicalism is thriving, says Smith, not by being countercultural or by retreating into isolation but by engaging culture at the same time that it constructs, maintains and markets its subcultural identity. Although Smith depends heavily on sociological theory, he makes his case in an accessible and persuasive style that will appeal to a broad audience.&” —Publishers Weekly

Treasury of Floral Designs and Initials for Artists and Craftspeople (Dover Pictorial Archive)

by Mary Carolyn Waldrep

You'll find a thousand different uses for this practical archive of royalty-free designs with a floral theme. It includes over 700 wonderfully graceful and imaginative designs featuring flowers, leaves, and vines in delicate interlacements. Most incorporate elaborately embellished letters, initials, monograms, and names.Needleworkers, fabric painters, and other craftworkers will love browsing through these pages for the perfect design to personalize towels, handkerchiefs, bed linens, clothing, and more. Textile designers, graphic artists, and calligraphers will also find the volume brimming with useful ideas and models for creating rich floral designs, illustrated letters, borders, and frames.

Eureka!: Discover and Enjoy the Hidden Power of the English Language

by Walker Royce

Learn the ins and outs of effective written and oral communication through a collection of trivia, puzzles, lists, anecdotes, and practical lessons. Eureka! illuminates the oddities, the amusement, and the communication power to be found in the English language. Instead of highlighting all the mechanics and hairball rules of English, Walker Royce leads you through an educational and entertaining workout of your English knowledge and skills. Provocative insights into high-stakes forms of communication—speaking, coaching, selling, interviewing, and even romance—are mixed with English language trivia, humorous anecdotes, and unique puzzles. His inspiring perspective will transform you into a better listener, writer, speaker, and teammate, and it will stimulate some deeper self-observation—a catalyst for improving your own communications proficiency.

The New Science of Politics: An Introduction (Walgreen Foundation Lectures)

by Eric Voegelin

&“Must be considered one of the most enlightening essays on the character of European politics that has appeared in half a century… powerful and vivid.&”—Times Literary Supplement &“Thirty-five years ago few could have predicted that The New Science of Politics would be a best-seller by political theory standards. Compressed within the Draconian economy of the six Walgreen lectures is a complete theory of man, society, and history, presented at the most profound and intellectual level…Voegelin&’s [work] stands out in bold relief from much of what has passed under the name of political science in recent decades…The New Science is aptly titled, for Voegelin makes clear at the outset that a &‘return to the specific content&’ of premodern political theory is out of the question…The subtitle of the book, An Introduction, clearly indicates that The New Science of Politics is an invitation to join the search for the recovery of our full humanity.&”—From the new foreword by Dante Germino &“One of the most distinguished interpreters to Americans of the non-liberal streams of European thought…brilliant insights.&”—American Political Science Review

The Secrets of Alchemy (Synthesis)

by Lawrence M. Principe

"This ele­gant, readable book…covers the history of alchemy from its shadowy origins in Hellenistic Egypt to its scholarly recovery in the 20th century&” (Anthony Grafton, Science). In The Secrets of Alchemy, science historian and practicing chemist Lawrence M. Principe dispels commonly held misconceptions about alchemy and sheds light on what it was, how it began, and how it influenced a range of other ideas and pursuits. Principe demonstrates the importance of alchemy during its heyday in early modern Europe, and explores its enduring place in literature, fine art, theater, and religion as well as its recent acceptance as a serious subject of study for historians of science. Principe also introduces readers to some of the most fascinating alchemists, such as Zosimos and Basil Valentine, whose lives dot alchemy&’s long reign from the third century and to the present day. Through his discussion of alchemists and their times, Principe pieces together clues from obscure texts to reveal alchemy&’s secrets, and uses them to recreate many of the most famous recipes in his lab, including those for the &“glass of antimony&” and &“philosophers&’ tree.&”

The Prosperity Game: Four Steps to Unlimited Wealth

by Richard A. Fishman Charles P. Werner Esq.

An entrepreneur coach and business consultant reveal how to achieve success without compromising your spirituality. The Prosperity Game sets forth a four-step process for achieving success: find and develop your seed thought, determine and accept your calling, ground your calling in the world, and make the commitment. The authors have used spiritual principles to achieve worldly success and are passionate about sharing their knowledge to help others create lives filled with material and spiritual abundance. Each chapter also includes advice from other wealthy individuals who have used spiritual principles to guide their companies. In these challenging economic times, The Prosperity Game provides spiritual people with a roadmap to material success.

Without a Trace: The Life of Sierra Phantom

by Danielle Nadler

From World War Two veteran to legendary American mountain man: The &“mesmerizing tale . . . [of] a 20th century Kit Carson&” (The Winchester Star). Orphaned as a young child during the Great Depression, he was called John P. Glover. No one at the boys&’ schools in which he grew up knew much about him. The boy himself hadn&’t even a clue what the &“P&” stood for. Seventy years later he was known as the Sierra Phantom, a blissful, solitary modern frontiersman who&’d finally found a place to call home in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada. Then, after decades of surviving off the land, the local legend who lived in the shadow of the small mountain town of Bishop, California, was tracked down by journalist Danielle Nadler. Through their weekly conversations, the mountaineer shares his years of outdoor survival, his need to be free, and eventually the personal tragedies that drove him to a life in the wild—from his hardscrabble childhood to his service fighting the Japanese during the Second World War. With each new revelation behind his personal, spiritual, and emotional journey, the Sierra Phantom himself comes to discover the importance of human connections, and a renewed sense of purpose that could change his life yet again.

The Dame: An Alan Grofield Novel (The Alan Grofield Novels #2)

by Richard Stark

An action-packed whodunit set in San Juan by the crime fiction master and author of Point Blank. &“A book by this guy is a cause for happiness&” (Stephen King).Part-time actor-thief Alan Grofield has had his share of odd gigs, including a number of dangerous heists with a certain ruthless criminal named Parker. But nothing has been as dangerous, or as mystifying, as when he somehow finds himself playing bodyguard to a rich, demanding woman who&’s in the midst of divorcing a notorious mobster.Holed up in her isolated jungle villa, Grofield can&’t help wondering how he got there. Then someone gets murdered at the house, and Grofield&’s job gets a lot more complicated. The second Alan Grofield novel by Donald E. Westlake writing as Richard Stark The Dame is a rare Westlake take on a whodunit, features a cast of colorful characters and a suspenseful—and memorable—climax. This edition includes a new foreword by Sarah Weinman.

No Fear Allowed: A Story of Guts, Perseverance & Making An Impact

by Laura Herring

This business leader&’s biography is &“an honest book, a rare insight into the truth of what entrepreneurs face every day&” (Maxine Clark, founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop; founding member, PROSPER Women Entrepreneurs). In No Fear Allowed, Laura Herring traces her story from psychologist to entrepreneur and then business leader, sharing her experience as the Founder and Chairwoman of IMPACT Group, a global company she grew to almost fifty million dollars. Filled with straight talk from the frontlines of corporate America that can benefit anyone in business, no matter what level, this inspiring read reminds us that whether you&’re an entrepreneur, an intrapreneur in a corporate setting, or simply a lover of great business biographies, &“No Fear Allowed&” is not just a phrase. It&’s a battle cry! &“An amazing, heartfelt personal story of overcoming failure after failure on the road to triumph . . . Her lessons learned at the end of each chapter are worth the price of the book alone.&” —Sandra Yancey, founder and CEO, eWomenNetwork

This Side Jordan: A Novel

by Margaret Laurence

A novel of Africans and British, community and exile, set against the backdrop of the Ghanaian fight for independence: &“A talented writer.&”—The New York Times It is a time of change in West Africa, as the land known as the British Gold Coast is transformed into a new, independent nation known as Ghana. This lyrical, vivid novel follows multiple characters—a schoolteacher torn between his loyalty to his tribe and his hopes for his country&’s future; a British business executive who distrusts Africans; a passionate nationalist—as they experience all the tensions of the time, the excitement, anticipation, and dread. A novel that confronts issues of race, gender, and the effects of colonialism, This Side Jordan is by Margaret Laurence, the author of The Stone Angel and a winner of two Governor General&’s Awards, one of Canada&’s most prestigious literary prizes. &“Artistically and expertly written and constructed…unusual and noteworthy.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“A first novel of rare excellence.&”—Mary Renault, Saturday Review &“Highly recommended.&”—Library Journal

Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture: A Philosophical Analysis

by Fritz Allhoff

A provocative philosophical investigation into the ethics of torture, The War on Terror, and making tough choices in exceptional circumstances. The general consensus among philosophers is that the use of torture is never justified. In Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture, Fritz Allhoff demonstrates the weakness of the case against torture; while allowing that torture constitutes a moral wrong, he nevertheless argues that, in exceptional cases, it represents the lesser of two evils. Allhoff does not take this position lightly. He begins by examining the way terrorism challenges traditional norms, discussing the morality of various practices of torture, and critically exploring the infamous ticking time-bomb scenario. After carefully considering these issues from a purely philosophical perspective, he turns to the empirical ramifications of his arguments, addressing criticisms of torture and analyzing the impact its adoption could have on democracy, institutional structures, and foreign policy. The crucial questions of how to justly authorize torture and how to set limits on its use make up the final section of this timely, provocative, and carefully argued book.

Paving It Forward: 120 Pre-Paves That Will Put You In The Passing Lane

by Elizabeth Fayt

Learn how to create a new roadmap for your life—one that leads to health, wealth, and love. Elisabeth Fayt (think &“Fate&”) is an inspirational speaker, Reiki master, and entrepreneur. She is also the creator of pre-paving, a powerful technique of using conscious intention to line up your energy and move forward into action that brings forth the happiness you truly desire. Consciously pre-paving lets people to take the driver&’s seat in their own transformation. Paving It Forward explains that we are already intending, already pre-paving, our daily lives with our thoughts. It is simply a matter of making it a conscious—and positive—process. According to Fayt, &“People spend more time choosing what they are going to wear in the morning than they do choosing how they will connect with people, how they will feel, or what they will accomplish. Pre-paving is consciously choosing how you want to look, live, and feel through every part of your day and every part of your life.&” &“I can tell you from my own personal experience that reading this book has made a great and significant change in my attitude. It has brought me peace, comfort, faith in myself and shed a bright light on my future!&” —Frank Maguire, cofounder of FedEx

The Music between Us: Is Music a Universal Language?

by Kathleen Marie Higgins

&“Higgins&’ love of music and cultural variety is evident throughout. She writes in a relaxed, accessible, sophisticated style…Highly recommended.&”—Choice From our first social bonding as infants to the funeral rites that mark our passing, music plays an important role in our lives, bringing us closer to one another. In this book, philosopher Kathleen Marie Higgins investigates this role, examining the features of human perception that enable music&’s uncanny ability to provoke—despite its myriad forms across continents and throughout centuries—the sense of a shared human experience. Drawing on disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, musicology, linguistics, and anthropology, Higgins&’s richly researched study showcases the ways music is used in rituals, education, work, and healing, and as a source of security and—perhaps most importantly—joy. By participating so integrally in such meaningful facets of society, Higgins argues, music situates itself as one of the most fundamental bridges between people, a truly cross-cultural form of communication that can create solidarity across political divides. Moving beyond the well-worn takes on music&’s universality, The Music between Us provides a new understanding of what it means to be musical and, in turn, human. &“Those who, like Higgins, deeply love music, actually know something about it, have open minds and ears, and are willing to look beyond the confines of Western aesthetics…will find much to learn in The Music between Us.&”—Journalof Aesthetics and Art Criticism

Venture into the Stratosphere: Flying the First Jetliners

by Dominic Colvert

A fascinating, one-of-a-kind memoir that takes readers on a journey to the dawn of the jet age—and reveals how technology will shape the world to come. Drawing on engineering breakthroughs achieved during World War II, aviation in the 1950s was an exciting and uplifting sequel to the most destructive conflict in history. It gave birth to the jet age and fostered remarkable social changes. Venture into the Stratosphere is a memoir about the exhilaration and challenges of flying the first jetliners—the de Havilland Comets. Former Irish Air Corpsman and aviation engineer Dominic Colvert explains technical matters in layman&’s terms, tells a fascinating love story, examines the post-war ethos, and reveals intimate details of the flight deck in both routine and emergency situations. By opening a window onto cultural developments after the turn of the century, Colvert offers key insights into how new technologies shape behavior and values. Passenger jets have become a routine part of life for most people, but have you ever wondered—how did we get here? Read Venture into the Stratosphere to find out!

Too Sharp to Fail: How to Own Your Career and Thrive in the Workplace

by Kiana L. Wilson

&“Specific examples of how to develop the skillset and mindset you need to . . . build the career that you genuinely want.&” —Marshall Goldsmith, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Triggers Meet Justin, a twenty-something college graduate. He&’s probably a lot like you—young, driven, and determined to succeed. After landing a job in corporate America, Justin quickly learns the road to success is more complex than he thought, and his college education is simply not enough. Justin must become a student again. But this time, the classroom is an office packed with negative coworkers and a disgruntled boss. With the guidance and support of a mentor and professional coach, Justin learns the keys to succeeding in any workplace. From a seasoned human resources professional, Too Sharp to Fail is packed with real-life experiences and life-changing lessons. After reading Justin&’s story, you&’ll never view your career in the same way.

Parish Boundaries: The Catholic Encounter with Race in the Twentieth-Century Urban North (Historical Studies of Urban America)

by John T. McGreevy

A &“remarkable&” study of white Catholics and African Americans—and the dynamics between them in New York, Chicago, Boston, and other cities (The New York Times Book Review). Parish Boundaries chronicles the history of Catholic parishes in major cities such as Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia, melding their unique place in the urban landscape to the course of twentieth century American race relations. In vivid portraits of parish life, John McGreevy examines the contacts and conflicts between European-American Catholics and their African American neighbors. By tracing the transformation of a church, its people, and the nation, McGreevy illuminates the enormous impact of religious culture on modern American society. &“Thorough, sensitive, and balanced.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“Parish Boundaries can take its place in the front ranks of the literature of urban race relations.&”—The Washington Post "A prodigiously researched, gracefully written book distinguished especially by its seamless treatment of social and intellectual history."—American Historical Review &“Parish Boundaries will fascinate historians and anyone interested in the historic connection between parish and race.&”—Chicago Tribune

Few Call It War: Religious Terrorism: Then and Now

by Robert Michael Hicks

&“A highly readable and well-documented account of the use and abuse of religion for violent political ends . . . This is a book well worth reading&” (Timothy J. Demy, ThD, PhD, coauthor of In the Name of God). Most Americans could not fathom how Islamic terrorists could bring down the World Trade Center or an army psychiatrist could turn on his own soldiers, taking their lives in the name of his religion. How could an ex-army veteran blow up a federal building, or a Jewish doctor gun down Muslims at worship? None of these incidents fit our conceptions of the benevolence of religion. More importantly, is there something inherent within religions that justifies the taking of human lives? In Few Call It War, Dr. Robert Hicks explores these questions and takes the blinders off illuminating the roots of religious violence, what religious terrorists have in common, and how they differ. As Hicks points out, all major religions have used violence and terrorist methodologies at some points in their histories. Few Call It War reveals how the teachings of religious founders and the sacred writings attributed to them provide rich soil from which contemporary religious clerics and ideologues gain converts. If one is interested in gaining an answer to the question, &“Of all the religions in the world, which are most prone to using violence?&” Few Call It War provides a well-reasoned answer that is well worth the read. &“A masterpiece in the study of religiously motivated terrorism. He has been fair in his critique of all religions, including movements within Judaism and even Christianity.&” —Robert L. Brennemann, PhD, professor, Intercultural Studies, North Central University

The Witness: Unfolding the Anatomy of a Killer

by Wanda Draper Collin A. Stutz

A professional behavioral witness to more than a hundred capital trials explores the making of a murderer. CSI shows us where a crime is committed. Forensic detectives show us how. But what really goes on in the mind of killer? What is it in each potential victim that sparks in them the urge to take a life? What are the reasons behind a quick thrill kill, or slow torture? Between choosing someone they know, or a stranger? As they stand before a jury, after reams of graphic evidence, the question is no longer whether or not they committed the unthinkable. The question posed to Wanda Draper, expert in behavioral science and child development, and key witness in more than a hundred high-profile trials, is why? The answer is all that stands between a sentence of life in prison or death row. In this unique true-crime investigation, Draper shares some of the darkest cases of her career. She sheds light on the personal circumstances and critical life events that perverted childhoods and brought convicted murderers to trial. She reveals how the past casts a grave shadow over one&’s future. And in doing so, explores one irrefutable fact: killers aren&’t born, they&’re made.

The Hero Inside You: A 90-Day Journey to Purpose, Power, and the Person You Were Meant to Be

by Tony Edgell

A game plan for overcoming societal expectations and ingrained roadblocks to turn your everyday existence into a purpose-filled life. There is nothing more demotivating than working just for a paycheck and believing money and materialism will bring happiness, or selling your soul for what we have been taught to believe will make us happy. How do you know if you&’re living your purpose? When you&’re living your purpose, you are motivated, grateful, inspired, joyful, peaceful, and experience abundance. The complete opposite of this is just surviving and doing what everyone else is doing. Everyone wants to be a hero and share their calling to make the world a better place. Everyone wants to feel passion in life. The challenge is to find the gift buried below all the societal conditioning we have absorbed in our life and what we are told will bring us joy. You can find that spark of divinity and empowerment inside of you. Anyone committed to embracing and applying the practical tools in The Hero Inside You can change the way they feel, find their calling, thrive and fall in love with life. The Hero Inside You teaches you how to find your purpose buried deep inside the heart; you cannot use the logical mind the way most people think and believe to discover this purpose . . . this calling. Learn how take the hero&’s journey and live the life you were meant to live and be the true you.

Internet Prophets: The World's Leading Experts Reveal How to Profit Online

by Steve Olsher

Make a fortune online with this powerful, practical, and comprehensive guide to starting a profitable internet business that &“couldn&’t be more timely&” (Jack Canfield, New York Times–bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Soul). Internet Prophets is arguably the most comprehensive Internet and Mobile marketing resource ever assembled. It features secrets to success from some of the most influential business icons and Internet game-changers. In this industry-defining book by award-winning author Steve Olsher, you&’ll discover proven tools, strategies, and shortcuts leveraged by the world&’s leading Internet and Mobile marketing experts as well as hundreds of no-to-low-cost tactics for cultivate leads. You will learn how to dramatically increase conversion rates and generate immediate and long-term cash flow. This practical business guide also contains the specific steps you must take to dominate your niche, establish significant brand awareness, and foster a loyal following. To become the best, you must learn from the best. Internet Prophets provides the blueprint. The rest is up to you!

An Ecology of Happiness

by Eric Lambin

The scientific evidence that a healthy planet equals happier humans: &“Highly recommended.&”—Library Journal We&’ve heard plenty about the big-picture damage and danger of environmental degradation. But there hasn&’t been much focus on its impact on us and our well-being. You sense it while walking on a sandy beach or in a forest, or when you catch sight of wildlife, or even while gardening in your backyard. Could it be that the natural environment is an essential part of our happiness? In this wide-ranging work, Eric Lambin draws on new scientific evidence in the fields of geography, political ecology, environmental psychology, urban studies, and disease ecology, among others, to answer such questions as: To what extent do we need nature for our well-being? What can be done to protect the environment and increase our well-being at the same time? Drawing on case studies from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, Lambin makes a persuasive case for the strong link between healthy ecosystems and happy humans. An Ecology of Happiness offers a compelling, powerful argument to help motivate commitment and action: Whether it&’s brilliant fall foliage or birdsong, nature makes our steps a little lighter and our eyes a little brighter. What better reason to protect an ecosystem or save a species than for our own pleasure? &“Anyone who has ever delighted in the earthy scent of a springtime stroll in the woods, a walk on the beach, or a starry gaze into the universe now has scholarly proof. Nature, not money or material possessions, makes us happy.&”—Ruth DeFries, Columbia University, author of The Big Ratchet

The Common Thread: Of Overcoming Adversity & Living Your Dreams

by Jerry Gladstone

Personal stories from entertainers, athletes, and other successful people on how they overcame setbacks—and advice on how you can, too. What makes the difference between the desire for success and real success? Learn from some of the world&’s most successful people—including Mark Cuban, Sylvester Stallone, Bill O&’Reilly, Montel Williams, Stevie Nicks, Snoop Dogg, Gloria Gaynor, Randy Couture and others, in this unique collection of stories and advice. They may be Academy or Grammy award winners, Super Bowl or World Series champions, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends, best-selling authors, or even billionaires—but that doesn&’t mean they have never faced obstacles and challenges. In fact, it was their ability to overcome the inevitable hardships of life that kept them on the path to achievement. Here, you can learn about their experiences and discover the &“common thread&” that successful people share. Stop letting your circumstances, your lack of resources, or your past define who you are or what you can become. Find proven strategies, insights, wisdom and perspective—in a guide that helps you master new skills and habits with practical, helpful &“do it daily&” tips you can implement immediately. &“With his winning attitude and the many stories Jerry has shared in his book, there is no doubt we can all benefit and be empowered to reach our fullest potential&” —Jim Davis, Emmy award-winner and creator of Garfield

Actively Caring for People Policing: Building Positive Police/Citizen Relations

by E. Scott Geller Bobby Kipper

A revolutionary new approach to policing that puts people over punishment. Experts have struggled to define the term &“police culture.&” For most, this label means a reactive approach to keeping people safe by using punitive consequences to punish or detain the perpetrators. The result: More attention is given to the negative, reactive side of policing than a positive, proactive approach to preventing crime by cultivating an interdependent culture of residents looking out for the safety, health, and well-being of each other. In Actively Caring for People Policing, authors E. Scott Geller and Bobby Kipper show how police officers can play a critical and integral role in achieving such a community of compassion—an Actively Caring for People (AC4P) culture. With AC4P policing, consequences are used to increase the quantity and improve the quality of desired behavior. Police officers are educated about the rationale behind using more positive than negative consequences to manage behavior, and then they are trained on how to deliver positive consequences in ways that help to cultivate interpersonal trust and AC4P behavior among police officers and the citizens they serve. The result: humanistic behaviorism to enhance long-term positive relations between police officers and the citizens they serve, thereby preventing interpersonal conflict, violence, and harm.

You Were Never in Chicago (Chicago Visions and Revisions)

by Neil Steinberg

This &“rollicking newspaperman&’s memoir&” offers a personal tour of Chicago&’s cultural history and makes &“a strong case for Second City exceptionalism" (The New York Times). In 1952 the New Yorker published a three-part essay by A. J. Liebling in which he dubbed Chicago the "Second City." From the skyline to garbage collection, nothing escaped Liebling's withering gaze. Among the outraged responses from Chicago residents was one that Liebling described as the apotheosis of such criticism: a postcard that read, simply, "You were never in Chicago." The dynamic captured in this anecdote has always fascinated Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg. Now, in You Were Never in Chicago, Steinberg weaves his own story as a young outsider making his way into the inner circles of Chicago journalism with a nuanced portrait of the city that would surprise even lifelong residents. Steinberg takes readers through Chicago's vanishing industrial past, exploring the city from the skybridge between the towers of the Wrigley Building, to the vast Deep Tunnel system below the streets. He deftly explains the city's complex web of political favoritism and carefully profiles the characters he meets along the way, from greats of jazz and journalism to small-business owners just getting by. Throughout, Steinberg never loses the curiosity and close observation of an outsider, while thoughtfully considering how this perspective has shaped the city, and what it really means to belong.

Refine Search

Showing 98,226 through 98,250 of 100,000 results