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History Matters
by David McCullough
History Matters brings together selected essays by beloved historian David McCullough, some published here for the first time, written at different points over the course of his long career but all focused on the subject of his lifelong passion--the importance of history in understanding our present and future. McCullough highlights the importance of character in political leaders, with Harry Truman and George Washington serving as exemplars of American values like optimism and determination. He shares his early influences, from the books he cherished in his youth to the people who mentored him. He also pays homage to those who inspired him, such as writer Paul Horgan and painter Thomas Eakins, illustrating the diverse influences on his writing as well as the influence of art.
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Letter from Japan
by Marie Kondo
In her most personal book yet, the iconic star of the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and #1 bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up opens up about the cultural traditions that have inspired her philosophy--and can make our lives better today. This book represents guiding principles by which I lead my life every day. They also define, at least for me, the values that flow through the customs, traditions, arts and sensibilities of Japan. Though she's known for tidying up and sparking joy, there's more to Marie Kondo than her fervent desire to help you better appreciate your mess. Across book tours and international conferences, it became clear that her audience, while interested in how to keep their lives tidy, was also keen to learn about Marie herself and the culture that is intrinsic to her tidying method. Written with her television co-star Marie Iida, in Letter from Japan, Marie reflects on the myriad questions she received about her inspirations by examining the Japanese customs that she grew up with--minute details of tea ceremonies, the art of taking care of gardens, and the power of passing seasons--with her trademark gentle wisdom. But this book isn't only a response to her audience's wish to know the real Marie Kondo; it's a testament for her three children, a documentation of the foundational elements of their culture, despite the rapidly changing times, which is essential to their understanding of the world around them. With subtle and lyrical prose, Marie embarks on her most personal and affirming book yet, unveiling for her readers the customs, traditions, and practices that not only spark joy for her, but also to preserve them for future generations.
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The Writer's Table: Famous Authors and Their Favourite Recipes
by Valerie Stivers
These are the dishes that fueled great writing. Ever wondered what Iris Murdoch might have served for supper, or how Emily Dickinson took her tea? The Writer's Table brings together dining habits and favourite recipes from some of the world's most beloved authors, offering a delicious glimpse into their everyday lives and kitchen rituals. Each recipe is paired with a short introduction to the author and dish, along with clear instructions and modern ingredients, making it easy to recreate literary comfort food at home. With beautiful illustrations throughout, the book is a feast for the eyes as well as the table making you feel closer to the writers you love. Writers and recipes featured include: Leo Tolstoy's Sour Schi, Jane Austen's White Soup, Colette's Cherry Clafoutis, Barbara Pym's Toad-in-the-Hole, Truman Capote's Chicken Hash, Andrea Camilleri's Sardines a beccafico. Irresistibly browsable and full of charm, The Writer's Table is a celebration of food, creativity and the simple pleasures that connect us all. A must-read for readers, home cooks and anyone who's ever wondered what their favourite author had for dinner.
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The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions Without Losing Your Mind
by Joseph Nguyen
From the author of the international bestseller Don't Believe Everything You Think comes a companion guide that transforms the paralyzing cycle of overthinking into clear, intuitive decision-making. Your brain is wired to overthink decisions--not because something's wrong with you, but because you care deeply about making the right choice. If you've ever found yourself trapped in endless loops of what if, analyzing every option to exhaustion, or seeking everyone's advice while still feeling lost, this book is your way out. The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions breaks new ground where just trust your gut advice has failed you. Unlike traditional approaches that leave you stranded between endless analysis and vague intuition, this book provides a counterintuitive system that bypasses the overthinking loop entirely. This isn't about making perfect choices. It's about making aligned ones from a place of clarity instead of chaos. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to: Identify the surprising neurological root of overthinking and how to stop mental spirals before they hijack your mind Apply the step-by-step TRUST framework that walks you through any decision, leaving you with absolute clarity on exactly what to do Use the revolutionary SAGE method to break through analysis paralysis in minutes, transforming overwhelm into a single, clear choice Instantly distinguish between your intuition and fear when making any decision Silence external opinions and reconnect with your inner wisdom so you hear your own voice louder than anyone else's Transform paralyzing fear into psychological freedom, creating space for choices that were previously unimaginable End the exhausting replay of past decisions, releasing regret and creating genuine peace with your choices Develop unshakable emotional resilience so you can make bold decisions knowing you'll thrive regardless of the outcome Recognize actualized decisions: the transformative choices that create the deepest peace, growth, and alignment in your life Uncover the hidden patterns behind your choices with over 70 powerful journaling prompts, reshaping how you decide from a place of alignment, not anxiety Implement 20 'Mini Trust Experiments' that build decision confidence in just days, using low-stakes everyday choices to rewire self-doubt patterns This book isn't about fixing your mind. It's about freeing it. You don't need more advice. You need to trust yourself again. This book won't tell you what to do. It will help you remember how to listen to the one voice that's always known. Yours.
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Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood's Untamed Era, 1930-1934
by Kim Luperi
From Turner Classic Movies and the creators of @precodedotcom, this is the essential film-by-film guide to must-see cinema from the pre-Code era--a wild and wonderful time in Hollywood history before strict enforcement of a censorship code that ruled moviemaking for decades. With unparalleled freedom in the Golden Age of Hollywood, movies produced during the pre-Code era between 1930 and 1934 boldly confronted a wide range of provocative subjects, including sexual freedom, the glorification of outlaws, racial taboos, and class consciousness. Films of the period include beloved classics like Grand Hotel (1932) and King Kong (1933) but also lesser-known gems like I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) and Ann Vickers (1933). These films, produced at the height of the Great Depression, pushed the limits of contemporary social norms at a time when Hollywood studios were desperate to attract audiences--by any means necessary. Pre-Code Essentials invites modern readers to engage with that history while diving deep into movies that remain, as they were then, adventurous and uncompromising. In their incisive text, film historians Kim Luperi and Danny Reid cover fifty films that take readers through the pre-Code era's evolution. Perfect for both pre-Code novices and film aficionados alike, the book is packed with detailed production and censorship histories, recommendations, and trivia. Famous names like Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Ernst Lubitsch get their due, while sidebars spotlight treasures of the period like Ann Dvorak, Joan Blondell, Paul Robeson, Nina Mae McKinney, Dorothy Arzner, Warren William, and Dolores De Rio. Post-Epilogue features discuss availability of the listed films and include the text of the 1930 Production Code. Illustrated by more than 200 photos, Production Code Administration records detailing correspondence between studios and censors, and more, Pre-Code Essentials is both a gorgeous guide and an indispensable resource of Hollywood history. Among the films profiled: The Divorcee, All Quiet on the Western Front, Safe in Hell, Frankenstein, Shanghai Express, Freaks, Merrily We Go to Hell, Downstairs, Love Me Tonight, Trouble in Paradise, Three on a Match, The Sign of the Cross, Gabriel Over the White House, The Story of Temple Drake, The Emperor Jones, The Sin of Nora Moran, I Am Suzanne!, The Black Cat, Smarty, Murder at the Vanities, and many more
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Don't Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
by Alan Light
On January 1, 1975, struggling young singer-songwriter Lindsey Buckingham was invited to join the veteran blues band Fleetwood Mac. He agreed on the condition that his girlfriend, an equally unknown vocalist named Stevie Nicks, also be included. Within two years, Rumours was born--and went on to become one of the most popular albums of all time. Almost five decades later, it is the only classic rock record that still attracts young listeners and continues to top sales and streaming charts. In Don't Stop, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Alan Light unravels the enduring allure of Fleetwood Mac's monumental album. Since its 1977 release, Rumours has captivated generations with its unparalleled blend of romantic turmoil and musical genius. Light explores the album's transformation from a pop phenomenon to a cultural touchstone, and its unique ability to remain relevant in today's rapidly changing music scene. Drawing on in-depth interviews with current artists inspired by Fleetwood Mac, as well as fans who have only recently discovered the album, Light investigates what keep Rumours at the forefront of popular culture, from Glee to Saturday Night Live to Daisy Jones & the Six. Through insightful analysis and storytelling, Don't Stop celebrates the album's trail blazing sound and diverse voices, and the emotional depth that continues to fascinate audiences. From the incredible soap opera behind the album's creation to its embrace in the age of TikTok, this book presents a kaleidoscopic view of a landmark work that has transcended its time.
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Idiot Sandwich: 100+ Recipes to Elevate Your Sandwich Game
by Idiot Sandwich
Join Gordon and some of the most exciting FoodTok chefs and YouTube stars on our trial-and-error journey to delicious, creative, and completely unique sandwiches. Inside, find more than 100 showstopping recipes that blend innovative and international flavors.
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The Fight of His Life: Joe Louis's Battle for Freedom During World War II
by Randy Roberts
The boxing champion whose fight against the Nazis in and out of the ring made him a global icon A sharp, hard-hitting, beautifully written account of one of the greatest sports figures in all American history.Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life During the 1930s and 1940s, no African American athlete commanded the spotlight more than heavyweight boxer Joe Louis. His 1938 knockout victory over German Max Schmeling struck an early blow against Nazi Germany. But it was Louis's service in the looming war that transformed him from a patriotic role model into history's first prominent Black athlete turned activist. In The Fight of His Life, award-winning sports historians Johnny Smith and Randy Roberts tell the story of heavyweight champion Joe Louis's battles both in and out of the ring. Already world-famous at the outset of World War II, Louis enlisted in the army, serving as a goodwill ambassador and promoting unity across military bases that crackled with racial tension. Yet Louis's experience with segregation in the army sparked his political awakening. As the war dragged on, he advocated for Black soldiers facing discrimination. Once the war ended, he joined veterans and civil rights activists to fight for voting rights and racial equality. Expertly revising the life story of one of America's most iconic Black athletes, Smith and Roberts's biography celebrates Joe Louis's forgotten fight against fascism abroad and racism at home.
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The Art of Tennis
by Nicholas Fox Weber
An overview of the game of tennis, including information on notable players and contributors to the sport.
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Dorie's Anytime Cakes
by Dorie Greenspan
An illustrated collection of recipes for simple yet most-memorable cakes.
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Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore
by Char Adams
Longtime NBC News reporter Char Adams writes a deeply compelling and rigorously reported history of Black political movements told through the lens of Black-owned bookstores, which have been centers for organizing from abolition to the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter. In Black-Owned, Char Adams celebrates the living history of Black bookstores. Packed with stories of activism, espionage, violence, community, and perseverance, Black-Owned starts with the first Black-owned bookstore, which an abolitionist opened in New York in 1834, and after the bookshop's violent demise, Black book-lovers carried on its cause. In the twentieth century, civil rights and Black Power activists started a Black bookstore boom nationwide. Malcolm X gave speeches in front of the National Memorial African Book Store in Harlem--a place dubbed Speakers' Corner--and later, Black bookstores became targets of FBI agents, police, and racist vigilantes. Still, stores continued to fuel Black political movements. Amid these struggles, bookshops were also places of celebration: Eartha Kitt and Langston Hughes held autograph parties at their local Black-owned bookstores. Maya Angelou became the face of National Black Bookstore Week. And today a new generation of Black activists is joining the radical bookstore tradition, with rapper Noname opening her Radical Hood Library in Los Angeles and several stores making national headlines when they were overwhelmed with demand in the Black Lives Matter era. As Adams makes clear, in an time of increasing repression, Black bookstores are needed now more than ever. Full of vibrant characters and written with cinematic flair, Black-Owned is an enlightening story of community, resistance, and joy.
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The Forever Home: Classic, Clever Design to Help You Put Down Roots
by Mikel Welch
A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR - This stunning, easy-to-follow design book shows homeowners and renters how to maximize their budget and create a space that is functional, timeless, and uniquely their own--from the co-host of Netflix's Hack My Home and in-house design expert on The Drew Barrymore Show. We often hear the term forever home and think of an imaginary place we want to live in for the rest of our lives, where we've splurged on fantastical details to pass down through generations. However, a forever home can be any space, whether a house or an apartment, where you put down roots, make lasting memories, and feel completely at ease. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by what color to paint your walls or which wall coverings to buy, Mikel Welch takes the stress out of decorating, walking you through approachable design principles to help you create a home you can love for as long as you want. At every step, realistic budgeting is front of mind as Mikel shows when it makes sense to splurge and how else you can save through the art of illusion (AKA making things look expensive without spending a lot of money ). With forewords by Drew Barrymore and Shea McGee of Studio McGee--as well as photographs of stunning spaces and graphics to illustrate design concepts--The Forever Home walks you through how to make informed decisions on decorating details. You'll learn Mikel's point of view on determining the proper rug size for a room, developing a cohesive color palette, shopping for pieces that will last a lifetime, and more. Whether you're a first-time homeowner, a short stay dweller, or have already found your forever home, this book is your one-stop resource for classic, timeless design.
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Unfettered
by John Fetterman
A no-holds-barred memoir, written with Buzz Bissinger, of Senator John Fetterman's journey in public service, including intimate details about his mental health struggles and stroke, the candid truth about what really happens in Washington, and his vision for our divided country's future.
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Useless Etymology: Offbeat Word Origins for Curious Minds
by Jess Zafarris
Did you know that an astronaut is literally a star sailor, that a thesaurus is, in fact, a treasure trove of words, and that someone who is sinister is actually just left-handed? Have you ever wondered why English isn't considered a Romance language if 60% of our words are Latin-derived? Did Shakespeare really invent 1,700 words, and if not, why the heck do we say that he did? Why is the English language stuffed with so many synonyms? Let's be real: English can seem pretty bonkers. And, well, sometimes it is. But through thorough thought and a pinch of curiosity, method can be found within the madness of our modern tongue-even within the disparate pronunciation of the words through, thorough, and thought. Derived from Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African and Native American languages, English contains multitudes. It has been (and continues to be) transformed by war and conquest, art and literature, science and technology, love and hate, wit and whim. Useless Etymology takes readers on a time-traveling adventure to unlock the beauty, wonder, and absurdity within our everyday words, how they came to be, and the unexpected ways their origins weave a global, cross-cultural labyrinth of meaning. Filled with fun facts and delightful discoveries, this is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to know more about why the English language works the way that it does.
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Graveyards: A History of Living with the Dead
by Roger Luckhurst
From the author of Gothic, a marvelously illustrated cultural history of graves and graveyards, from the earliest known burial sites to today's green burials Why, how, and where do we inter our dead? How have people throughout history responded to the problem of laying their dead to rest? Roger Luckhurst sets out in search of answers in this arresting book. Taking readers on an unforgettable tour of the rich and unusual visual culture of the grave, he visits locales such as the pyramids of Giza, the catacombs and columbaria of Rome, and the cenotaphs erected to the world's war dead. Along the way, he examines the diverse role of graveyards in literature, art, film, and television. In engaging chapters that look at all aspects of the treatment of the dead, Luckhurst covers topics ranging from early burials and the emergence of necropolises and catacombs to grave robbing, garden cemeteries, the perilous overcrowding of the urban dead, and the emergence of modern funerary culture. Exploring the cultural afterlives of burial and memorial sites in the popular imagination, he shows how graves have served as guides to the underworld, poignant dedications to those we have lost, as reminders of our own mortality, and settings in gothic horror. Blending lively storytelling with a wealth of stunning illustrations, Graveyards is a lyrical, frequently unexpected account of the grave as a signpost to the afterlife, a site of remembrance and self-reflection, and an object of enduring fascination.
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