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Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History
by Laura LaPlaca
Comedy is a powerful force, reflecting America's hopes and fears while illuminating social and political change. In this richly illustrated volume, historians from the Smithsonian Institution and National Comedy Center explore the comedians and cultural moments that shaped the nation, with a foreword by Mel Brooks.
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True Crime: A Memoir
by Patricia Cornwell
Instant New York Times bestseller #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell finally tells the story that rivals all of the works that precede it: her own. Let's start, and end, with this: Patricia Cornwell's autobiography, TRUE CRIME, could be the best book she's ever written. And I've read them all --James Patterson Patricia Cornwell is best known for her international bestselling thriller series about forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Every story comes from somewhere, and Scarpetta's began when Patricia Cornwell embedded herself in a morgue. In this achingly honest memoir, Cornwell excavates her own life, detailing her traumatic childhood being raised by neglectful parents, her father abandoning the young family on Christmas day, her mother being institutionalized twice, an abusive foster family, and developing a parental relationship with evangelist Billy Graham's wife Ruth. Cornwell depicts a harrowing hospitalization and near-death car accident. She unflinchingly shares overcoming obstacles that later gave her the ambition to become an award-winning police reporter. From there it was research in a medical examiner's office that would turn into a full-time job. She would become a forensic expert and worldwide publishing phenomenon.Cornwell leaves no stone unturned in this deeply candid account of her life, offering inspiring insight into what made her into the international sensation she is today.
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Jane Fonda: There's a Great Deal to Say
by Marilyn S. Greenwald
Drawing from archival material and Jane Fonda's own personal papers, journalist Marilyn Greenwald tells the story of Fonda's devotion to movement politics, charting the evolution of her activism and the merging of her acting and producing with her advocacy.
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Killed to Order: China's Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America's Biggest Adversary
by Jan Jekielek
New York Times Bestseller A crime the Chinese regime can no longer deny--Forced Organ Harvesting. What if everything you need to understand about the Chinese Communist Party--and how the free world should respond to it--could be explained through this one issue? In this urgent and eye-opening book, journalist Jan Jekielek distills decades of investigations from reputable sources, combined with his own research and in-depth firsthand insight, into a compelling case for rethinking our approach to the CCP. Through the lens of grave human rights abuses--most disturbingly, the state-sanctioned harvesting of organs from prisoners of conscience--Jekielek exposes the inner workings of a regime built on deception, coercion, and control. Killed to Order: The Organ Harvesting Industry of China and the True Nature of America's Biggest Adversary reveals why continuing to misunderstand the CCP poses a growing threat to global freedom.
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What's So Great about the Great Books?: Why You Should Read Classic Literature (Even Though It Might Destroy You)
by Naomi Kanakia
A popular novelist and literary blogger answers those who claim the classics are too difficult, too problematic, and too white--and explains what we gain by reading them When she was in her early twenties, then-aspiring writer Naomi Kanakia set out to read the Great Books--humankind's most highly regarded literary classics, representing the best that human beings have thought or said, as determined by the two elderly intellectuals who'd written the guidebook she consulted. After twenty years, she has made her way through about two-thirds of these books, and she's found reading them to be an immensely pleasurable and insightful activity. Plato, Milton, Tolstoy, Proust, all those dead guys--their books have stood the test of time. But since beginning her journey, Kanakia has found that although reading the Great Books is part of a longstanding tradition of engaging with the thought of previous generations, it is also a highly contingent activity that arose out of a specific time and place, the brainchild of a small group of early twentieth-century popularizers associated with Columbia University and the University of Chicago. And people have always been skeptical about the idea of reading the Great Books, asking if this is truly a realistic or even desirable goal for the ordinary person. A more recent and growing group of Great Books skeptics asks if these works are too problematic, reactionary, and irrelevant to bother reading. Kanakia, a self-described left-of-center person, grapples with these objections, attempting to restore context for the Great Books even as she sticks up for them. Because books that expose us to fundamental truths about the nature of beauty and reality are worth fighting for.
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Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III
by Shyam Sankar
Los Angeles Times Bestseller New York Times Bestseller USA Today Bestseller As Seen On CNBC's Squawk Box As featured in The Free Press From the CTO of Palantir comes a bold call to arms for resurrecting America's industrial base, and winning the defense technology race that will define the twenty-first century. This book is a must read for anyone who gives a damn about our country's future. --Shawn Ryan, former Navy SEAL and host of the Shawn Ryan Show America is in an undeclared state of emergency. Not since the Cold War has the US faced such powerful enemies--and our military isn't ready. Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer of Palantir, issues an urgent call to action: Mobilize. The American industrial base once underwrote American victory. Builders and workers rallied to win World War II. For most of the twentieth century, great American companies from General Mills to Chrysler had defense businesses that sent mankind into space and won the Cold War. But the forges fell silent and the furnaces went dark. America's innovators and warfighters were ripped apart. Now China, not America, leads the world in manufacturing. America is the underdog. The good news is, we've been here before. Mobilize tells the remarkable true stories of the Americans who moved heaven and earth to produce for our troops and help our country win the twentieth century. And it exposes the shocking blunders that broke the Pentagon and weakened our military. There's a war for America's future, stymied between the forces of complacency and change. If we empower exceptional individuals and harness the power of capitalism and competition, America can unleash the brains and brawn we need to resurrect our industrial base, stop World War III, and help our country build--and win.
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Gardens of the Gilded Age: Lavish Landscapes from America's Golden Era
by Jana Milbocker
Step into the era when American wealth created landscapes that rivaled European royalty and discover the magnificent gardens that still captivate visitors today. During the Gilded Age in America (1870-1920), wealthy industrialists, such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Gardeners, built extravagant homes and gardens that rivaled the palaces and villas of Europe. Gardens of the Gilded Age showcases a selection of estates all down the East Coast, diving into their histories and the elements that make them striking and unique. Each garden profile includes enticing information about the estate's owners, history, and the evolution of the garden, including significant plants and architectural features. Enjoy beautiful color photographs of the gardens and mansions, augmented by historic photos of the owners and the gardens when they were first built. Along the way, learn the Gilded Age intriguing garden history, its international movement, and the associated trends.
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A Spoonful of Everywhere: An Immigrant Chef's Journey Through Global Cuisine (75 Continental Recipes from the Heart)
by Abraham Salum
From immigrant roots to inspired cuisine--taste the journey of a chef who brought the world to his table Discover A Spoonful of Everywhere, the vibrant new cookbook by acclaimed chef Abraham Salum, where global flavors and personal stories come together in every dish. From his childhood in Mexico City to professional training in France and Belgium, Salum invites readers into his culinary world, sharing recipes that reflect his Mexican, Italian, Spanish, and Lebanese heritage. This beautifully curated cookbook is organized by ingredient--cheese, fruit, greens, tubers, seafood, and more--making it easy to navigate whether you're a home cook or seasoned chef. Featuring signature dishes from his award-winning Dallas restaurant, Salum, each recipe is steeped in culture, family, and memory. Learn how to craft Lilia's Yukon Gold Potato & Onion Tortilla Espa ola, rustic Proven al classics, and modern global creations with step-by-step guidance, pantry tips, and expert pairings. Perfect for food lovers, culture seekers, and culinary adventurers, A Spoonful of Everywhere is more than a cookbook--it's a journey across continents through the universal language of food. Elevate your cooking, expand your palate, and celebrate diversity at the table with this must-have addition to your kitchen library.
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The Light That Endures: Stories of Courage, Compassion, and Resilience at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
by Todd Weissman
Showing that everyday people offer the deepest, most relatable lessons in grace Offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of individuals connected to one of the world's foremost centers for cancer care and research,The Light That Enduresreveals how ordinary people at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute demonstrate extraordinary resilience in the face of life's most challenging moments. Through eight captivating profiles, readers meet a world-renowned pediatric oncologist who rode on horseback at Eisenhower's inauguration, delivered a secret message in Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia, and hosted the future King of England; a florist-turned-nurse-turned-teacher whose life changed drastically after a chance encounter on a train; an administrator who has faced adversity his entire life, from a violent father, to confronting his own identity, to being held up at gunpoint; a teenage patient whose battle with cancer was just one of many challenges he has navigated; and a woman who, despite spending her life bringing comfort to others, wonders whether she's been enough as she reflects after a terminal diagnosis. These remarkable people, diverse in their backgrounds, share a common bond through cancer and Dana-Farber, that much is obvious. However, it is their quiet acts of grace and service-woven into both their professional paths and personal journeys-that more deeply unite them. Their stories reveal a deeper truth: despite hardship and loss, the arc of life bends toward goodness. Fractured childhoods, family estrangement, mental health strains, winding career paths, and the ever-present shadow of self-doubt are not just obstacles but catalysts. The individuals profiled have found hope and meaning in community and their work, shaping lives of purpose, service, and gratitude. More than a recounting of lives touched by cancer,The Light That Enduresis a celebration of the profound impact of compassion and human connection. It captures the essence of Dana-Farber's ethos, where a shared mission of care fosters an environment of empathy and hope.
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When the World Sleeps: Stories, Words, and Wounds of Palestine
by Francesca Albanese
A New York Times Bestseller The first woman to serve as United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory conveys the spirit of a people through 10 unforgettable stories of resilience and humanity. Francesca Albanese is the most lucid voice against Israel's apartheid policies in Gaza and the West Bank, a voice that has been heard around the world when it comes to speaking the truth about the Palestinian genocide. In the wake of October 7, 2023, and Israel's retaliatory war, the renowned Italian jurist has become a lightning rod for her staunch defense of human rights. Reflecting on her years living in Jerusalem and her personal and professional journey toward understanding the Palestinian struggle, Albanese pays tribute to 10 people whose profoundly affecting stories opened her eyes, from Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, to the remarkable Jewish scholars who acted as Albanese's mentors: forensic architect Eyal Weizman, trauma expert Gabor Mat , and Holocaust historian Alon Confino. When the World Sleeps is a courageous testimony of the harsh reality that Palestinians face. It raises critical questions about the past, present, and future of Palestine: What are the consequences of the occupation? Where is a refugee's home? In what conditions do Palestinians live? With the uncertain end of the war, will there be a Palestinian state? Will Palestinians have the right to self-determination, and will they be able to live in peace, free at last from the coercion of Israel?
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The Yahoo Boys: Love, Deception, and the Real Lives of Nigeria's Romance Scammers
by Carlos Barragán
A New York Times Most Anticipated Nonfiction Book of 2026 I have found few books lately as immediately compelling as Barrag n's, and as a reader, I could not put it down . . . The Yahoo Boys is a tour-de-force. --Jon Lee Anderson An eye-popping window onto the strange new connections blossoming in our fully globalized, too-online world . . . It only gets wilder from there. --Publishers Weekly Summer Reads 2026 An enviable feat of reportage and writing--as intrepid as it is sympathetic. --Gideon Lewis-Kraus An astonishing work of immersion journalism about four young romance scammers in Lagos, Nigeria, exploring how and why they scam, and the moral dilemmas they face When his mother started emailing with a handsome American soldier who promised to send gold bars to her Madrid apartment, the journalist Carlos Barrag n came face to face with the human toll of online romance fraud. After tracing the emails to an IP address in Nigeria, he set off on a journey to Lagos to find his mother's scammer, where he stumbled on a much bigger story. There, in a crowded and impoverished neighborhood in the midst of Africa's largest city, he encountered thousands of young men engaged in romance scamming. They call themselves Yahoo Boys, and each year they catfish millions of dollars from lonely victims overseas, building a dizzying local economy from their phones. In this astonishing work of immersion journalism, Barrag n takes us inside the lives of four of the Yahoo Boys of Lagos. We meet Biggy and Chibuike, each struggling with the temptations of fast money; Azeez, a tailor's apprentice caught between the lure of crime and Nigeria's economic crisis; and Richie, who is convinced that he's responsible for the death of a woman in Kentucky he manipulated online for years. Some Yahoo Boys attain the status of folk heroes, buying houses and cars with the money they make, while others become dependent on drugs and cash out--successfully scam a victim--only to lose it all. Through the Yahoo Boys' twisting fortunes, Barrag n discovers the psychological tactics they perfect, the brutal economic realities that drive them, and the moral dilemmas they confront. A work of radical empathy, this book reveals the human face behind a global phenomenon, and shows how loneliness in the West and poverty in Nigeria are two sides of the same screen.
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Liar's Kingdom: How to Stop Trump's Deceit and Save America
by Andrew Weissmann
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFrom MS NOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, an urgent summons to tackle the scourge of political lies in America--and prevent a figure like Donald Trump from ever rising again. The 2020 election was a total FRAUD I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple our democracy and undermined the public's faith in elections. The Trump administration's deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own. As Andrew Weissmann reveals, our vulnerability to politicians' lies stems from a flaw in America's legal system--one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look beyond our borders to other countries that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, Liar's Kingdom is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future--and for saving our democracy. We are entitled to more from our government, and this book shows how we can get it.
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An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln
by Lois Romano
A revelatory new biography of one of the most misunderstood and vilified First Ladies in American history: Mary Todd Lincoln. Mary Lincoln was at the center of politics at a time when society's expectations for women were rigid and circumscribed. The product of Southern aristocracy, she grew up among an influential clan of politicians and elites who founded Lexington, Kentucky. Mary's early exposure to the male-dominated world of politics instilled in her a keen political acumen and a fierce ambition. Proclaiming as a child that she was destined to become the wife of a president, she played a crucial role in boosting her husband to greatness. But her hopes for a triumphant experience at the pinnacle of power were lost to the Civil War and unfathomable family tragedies. Still, Mary persevered. She steadfastly supported the Union war effort, visited encampments, tended to wounded soldiers, and generously donated money and gifts to refugees from slavery. She was an unconventional, larger-than-life character who dressed too ostentatiously, grieved too publicly, suffered a shopping addiction, and seemed unable or unwilling to corral her emotions, her temper, and her opinions. She made enemies--influential men who wrote her story for her, often unfairly. After Lincoln was assassinated, she was all but abandoned by the nation he had given his life to defend and preserve. Former Washington Post writer and columnist Lois Romano rectifies the tortured legacy of Mary Todd Lincoln, who was failed at nearly every turn in her widowhood--by her family, by her government, by medical professionals ill-equipped to diagnose her mental illness, and finally, by history. Romano draws on hundreds of archives, letters, and memoirs to provide the most complete portrait--of not simply of an inconvenient widow, but of a brilliant and flawed woman, who possessed uncommon tenacity in the face of extraordinary adversity and personal torment, and helped launch one of America's greatest presidents.
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The Face: A Cultural History
by Fay Bound-Alberti
Award-winning historian Fay Bound-Alberti synthesizes over twenty years of research to offer a sweeping cultural history of our most decisive--and sometimes divisive--body part. What's in a face? And how much power does it hold? The Face begins in the historical West, where we learn how humans have interpreted faces and connected specific features with ideas of morality, social hierarchy, psychology, and so much more, setting the stage for the cultural biases that now inform our everyday interactions across the globe. We then watch how new technologies that reflect or alter our face's appearance have transformed our idea of the Self over time--from the growth of portraiture in the Renaissance and the mass production of mirrors and photography in the nineteenth century, to twenty-first century innovations like digital avatars and face transplants. And throughout, we explore the face as the cultural artifact that it is: a surface that grows, is adorned, and then displayed, influencing who we are and might become as both individuals and members of society. Readers will walk away with a new understanding of the history, power, and future of the face, alongside its role in modern identity, genetics, technology, and beyond.
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Backtalker: An American Memoir
by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
New York Times Bestseller One of the most influential public intellectuals in the world and the architect of the two biggest ideas to reshape the American conversation about fairness offers the intimate story of how her life gave birth to these ideas. It is not very often that someone comes along and permanently reshapes the way Americans think about two of the most important issues of the day. In this case: race and gender. But that is what Kimberl Crenshaw did when she articulated two concepts that would forever change national and global debates about equality: intersectionality and critical race theory. Backtalker is the powerful and intimate story of how a little girl from Canton, Ohio, came up with a new way to look at the world. Crenshaw's memoir traces the way her lived experience made her see things others didn't as the daughter of a strong-minded teacher and a pathbreaking public servant, and as the sister of a protective, yet bullying older brother. She starts to talk back, and that backtalking has continued throughout her life. It happens when she is denied a role in the kindergarten school play. When she is escorted to the back door of a private club. When Anita Hill is exiled for testifying against Clarence Thomas. When OJ Simpson goes on trial. When Obama launches My Brother's Keeper, a movement focused on boys of color only. When the movement against police violence overlooks Black women. Crenshaw is there for all of it. In the vein of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Bryan Stevenson, Crenshaw evokes each time and place like a gifted novelist with extreme honesty and specificity, making her book a series of awe-inspiring, deep revelations. As a result of her work, Crenshaw has become a force to be reckoned with across America--at schools, in the workplace, at dinner tables, and, of course, in our public square.
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Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
by Michael Schur
USA TODAY BESTSELLERNew York Times bestselling authors Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski travel the world in a hilarious and heartwarming celebration of fans and the things they love: baseball, basketball, chess, darts, football, futbol, Indigenous North American stickball, pickleball, WWE, Taylor Swift, Star Wars, and more. Two great friends. Lots of frequent flyer miles. And a bottomless appetite for experiencing sports. That's what BIG FAN is all about. Bestselling authors and podcast hosts Joe Posnanski and Mike Schur love games--almost any game --and they bring readers to the front row (and sometimes even right onto the field). Whether ringside at WrestleMania in Las Vegas, singing along with the maniacs at the World Darts Championships in London, or just watching eight straight hours of football at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Dallas, they bring us to the very heart of what it means to love something so much it hurts. Through crushing defeats and glorious wins, whether cheering penalty kicks with 65,000 fans in Liverpool or beholding a chess master castling in dead silence, BIG FAN is about why we love what we love and how fandom connects us in a time when so much else pulls us apart.
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All American Patriotism: Celebrating 250 Years of America's Greatness
by Rachel Campos-Duffy
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Campos-Duffy and the Fox News family comes a celebration of the people, the history, and the spirit that make America great, from sea to shining sea.For 250 years, the United States has stood for hope, freedom, and peace. In All American Patriotism, Rachel Campos-Duffy and the Fox News family celebrate the people, places, values, and traditions that have made America a great nation. This inspirational keepsake volume is filled with: - Stunning photographs of our nation's natural wonders- Patriotic songs and important documents from American history- Touching stories from Rachel Campos-Duffy and other Fox News hostsJesse Watters reveals what hiking in Maine taught him about America, while Abby Hornacek recounts celebrating the Fourth of July right outside of Capitol Reef National Park. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy looks back on a family road trip to the Grand Canyon where impromptu decisions led to lessons in character.Benjamin Hall and Griff Jenkins take you to the battlefield to show how Americans always have each other's backs during hardship, while Lara Trump brings you into the White House to reveal how President Trump fights for the American people every day. Emily Compagno and Sean Hannity show why America is still the land of opportunity, while Shannon Bream and Martha MacCallum reflect on our nation's history, traditions, and faith. And, in a moving foreword, Erika Kirk shares why her husband Charlie believed in American exceptionalism.All American Patriotism is perfect for anyone with the Spirit of 1776. It is a beautiful volume that will stir a deeper gratitude in your heart for God's blessings on our land.
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Birth Vibes: Stories and Strategies for an Empowered Birth
by Jen Hamilton
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSLLERUSA TODAY BESTSELLERA refreshingly compassionate roadmap built on boundaries, clarity, and real communication, because growing a family shouldn't mean losing yourself. Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play Childbirth is one of life's most powerful experiences--but it can also be overwhelming. Too often, expecting parents are prompted to create their perfect birth plan, only to feel disappointed or even traumatized if things go differently. That's where Jen Hamilton comes in. A labor and delivery nurse, ER veteran, and mom herself, Jen has been a steady presence at thousands of births (and on millions of screens). In Birth Vibes she uses both humor and heart, sharing her own stories to guide readers expectations about what happens in the delivery room. Instead of unyielding checklists, she encourages parents to learn their birth vibes--a blend of values and vision--which unlock the tools to advocate for the personalized care they need. Birth Vibes is the ultimate companion for anyone preparing to give birth--or supporting someone who is. Warm, funny, and deeply grounded in real-life experience, this is the guide every parent deserves: allowing them adapt to whatever birth brings with confidence and calm. I highly recommend Birth Vibes for pregnant women who plan to have hospital births. --Ina May Gaskin, CPM This book doesn't just prepare you for birth; it changes how you think about it. --Hadley Vlahos, RN Compassionate, real, and reassuring. --KC Davis, LPC
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The Land and Its People: Essays
by David Sedaris
In this new collection, David Sedaris reflects on what it means to be a foreigner, a brother, a lifelong friend, in essays that are among the best of his career (Publishers Weekly, starred review). A welcome return to form for the much-awarded and much-loved humorist...Sedaris remains a national treasure. --Kirkus (starred review) In The Land and Its People, Sedaris investigates what it means to be a traveler, a brother, a lifelong friend. Trying on the role of caretaker after his boyfriend Hugh's hip-replacement surgery, he both succeeds and fails. He covers ground with his friend Dawn and challenges her to eat a truck tire. A ambivalent Duolingo bot becomes his unlikely confidante as he attempts to describe his family in a foreign language. Ever adding to his list of Countries I Have Been To, he rides a horse named Tequila in Guatemala, buys a bespoke priest's cassock in Vatican City, and goes on safari in Kenya without taking a single photo. Time takes its toll: scrolling through his address book, he counts those he couldn't bear to outlive, and realizes how many are already gone. He is bitten by a dog and insulted by a wee train passenger. A woman on the street late at night either sexually harasses him or doesn't. It's easy to agree with the lady waving a sign that reads, Enough Is Enough. And yet, life holds much to delight in: the massive testicles of a ram, a trip abroad with his sisters, a really excellent reptile video, a pair of well-made cotton underpants. Throughout these essays--at once acerbic and tender, playful and profound--Sedaris shows how much there is to marvel at when you keep your head up and your eyes open, observing with warmth and curiosity our fascinating human species and the lands we inhabit.
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The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump
by Lamar Alexander
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER USA TODAY BESTSELLER A behind-the-scenes story of the last sixty years of American politics, told with purpose and humor by a political legend who worked with ten presidents, made deals with both Obama and Trump, and believes that serving in public office is the best way to help the largest number of people and to keep our Republic from falling apart. To read Lamar Alexander's vivid and surprising memoir is to be in conversation with a man who knows how to tell a great story. --Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author What a wonderful and refreshing memoir Lamar Alexander has been a gift to us--more interested in getting things done and improving the lives of others than in grabbing headlines and bashing an opponent. Bravo --Ken Burns, Filmmaker, The American Revolution Revealing and highly entertaining...takes us inside some of the most important moments in our nation's history. --Karl Rove, Sr. Advisor to President George W. Bush Can we survive this? worried friends ask Lamar Alexander. A US senator who started in JFK's Justice Department, worked in the Nixon White House, turned down serving as GOP Watergate counsel and as Ford's campaign manager, walked for six months across Tennessee to become governor, lost two runs for president, and served as a university president and education secretary before winning three senate terms--Lamar Alexander answers that question with a resounding, Yes. Over nearly six decades, Alexander saw the public arena from as many angles as any living American. With wry humor and wisdom, he reminds us that Americans have asked this question in times more troubling than today--through wars, economic panics, pandemics, and social upheaval. Alexander paints insider portraits of the ten presidents he worked with--including the one best suited to the job, the most skillful politician, most accomplished in foreign affairs, most normal, and another who was on his way to being the most consequential. His book is for Americans hungry for optimism and leadership. It will inspire anyone who wants to serve in public office but doesn't know how to start. It is a blueprint for those who want to join the 519,682 Americans already elected to office and the millions who work with them. I woke up every day thinking I might do something good for my state or country and went to bed most nights thinking that I had. --Lamar Alexander
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Floramama: From Garden to Bouquet, Growing Flowers for Market
by Chloé Roy
Grow beautiful flowers--and build a meaningful, profitable business from them. If you've ever dreamed of turning a passion for flowers into a livelihood, Floramama shows you how to grow, design, and sell stunning seasonal bouquets using small-scale, ecological methods that actually work. From experienced flower farmer Chlo Roy, this practical and visually rich guide brings together biointensive growing, floral artistry, and real-world business strategy--helping you move from garden inspiration to sustainable income. What You'll Gain A clear path to starting and managing a small-scale flower farm Proven methods to grow healthy, high-quality blooms using ecological practices Practical systems to increase productivity--even on limited land Business strategies to build reliable income and strong local markets The confidence to design and sell bouquets that stand out Rather than separating growing from selling, this guide connects the full cycle--from seed to bouquet to customer--so you can build a cohesive, resilient business. From Soil to Sales: A Complete System Drawing on over a decade of experience running a successful flower farm, Chlo Roy adapts biointensive market gardening techniques--popularized by Jean-Martin Fortier--to the world of floriculture. Inside, you'll learn how to: Plan and manage flower production across seasons Select and grow annuals, perennials, bulbs, and wildflowers Build soil health and manage fertility naturally Use efficient tools, irrigation, and infrastructure Extend vase life through smart harvesting and handling Develop markets, pricing, and sales channels that support profitability If you're looking for practical ways to grow flowers with both beauty and financial sustainability, this book provides grounded, experience-based guidance. More Than Growing: The Art of the Bouquet This book goes beyond cultivation to explore the creative and sensory side of working with flowers: Combine color, texture, shape, and movement Create arrangements that feel abundant and natural Develop a signature style rooted in seasonal materials Design bouquets that connect emotionally with customers Rather than treating design as an afterthought, Floramama shows how artistry and growing work together to create value. Who This Book is For Aspiring flower farmers ready to start a small-scale business Market gardeners expanding into cut flowers Home gardeners wanting to grow flowers with purpose and structure Creative entrepreneurs seeking a land-based livelihood Readers inspired by seasonal living and local, ecological production Rooted in Real-world Success Chlo Roy is the founder of Floramama, Quebec's first biointensive flower farm, built on just 1.5 acres and generating a thriving, diversified business. Her work combines ecological growing with entrepreneurial insight--demonstrating how small-scale agriculture can support both creativity and financial sustainability. A Practical Path to Beauty and Livelihood In a time when more people are seeking meaningful, land-based work, growing flowers offers both connection and possibility. Floramama provides a grounded path forward--helping you cultivate beauty, build community, and create a livelihood rooted in the rhythms of the seasons.
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