Editorial Content for Save Our Souls: The True Story of a Castaway Family, Treachery, and Murder
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Matthew Pearl earned his reputation as a great writer with a series of well-researched historical thrillers that rivaled the work of authors such as Dan Brown. His latest book, SAVE OUR SOULS, is his second foray into nonfiction and is just as fascinating as his fiction. Read More
Teaser
On December 10, 1887, a shark fishing boat disappeared. On board the doomed vessel were the Walkers --- the ship’s captain Frederick, his wife Elizabeth, their three teenage sons, and their dog --- along with the ship’s crew. The family had spotted a promising fishing location when a terrible storm arose, splitting their vessel in two and leaving those onboard adrift on the perilous sea. When the castaways awoke the next morning, they discovered they had been washed ashore --- on an island inhabited by a large but ragged and emaciated man who introduced himself as Hans. It turned out that Hans had a secret. And as the Walker family gradually came to learn more, what seemed like a stroke of luck to have the mysterious man’s assistance became something ominous, something darker.
Promo
On December 10, 1887, a shark fishing boat disappeared. On board the doomed vessel were the Walkers --- the ship’s captain Frederick, his wife Elizabeth, their three teenage sons, and their dog --- along with the ship’s crew. The family had spotted a promising fishing location when a terrible storm arose, splitting their vessel in two and leaving those onboard adrift on the perilous sea. When the castaways awoke the next morning, they discovered they had been washed ashore --- on an island inhabited by a large but ragged and emaciated man who introduced himself as Hans. It turned out that Hans had a secret. And as the Walker family gradually came to learn more, what seemed like a stroke of luck to have the mysterious man’s assistance became something ominous, something darker.
About the Book
From the bestselling author of THE TAKING OF JEMIMA BOONE, the unbelievable true story of a real-life Swiss Family Robinson (and their dog) who faced sharks, shipwreck and betrayal.
On December 10, 1887, a shark fishing boat disappeared. On board the doomed vessel were the Walkers --- the ship’s captain Frederick, his wife Elizabeth, their three teenage sons, and their dog --- along with the ship’s crew. The family had spotted a promising fishing location when a terrible storm arose, splitting their vessel in two and leaving those onboard adrift on the perilous sea.
When the castaways awoke the next morning, they discovered they had been washed ashore --- on an island inhabited by a large but ragged and emaciated man who introduced himself as Hans. Hans appeared to have been there for a while and could quickly educate the Walkers and their crew on the island’s resources. But Hans had a secret...and as the Walker family gradually came to learn more, what seemed like a stroke of luck to have the mysterious man’s assistance became something ominous, something darker.
Like David Grann and Stacy Schiff, Matthew Pearl unveils one of the most incredible yet little-known historical true stories, and the only known instance in history of an actual family of castaways. SAVE OUR SOULS asks us to consider who we might become if we found ourselves trapped on a deserted island.
Audiobook available, read by George Newbern
Editorial Content for Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Vendetta
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
ROBERT LUDLUM’S THE BOURNE VENDETTA is Brian Freeman’s sixth Bourne novel and quite possibly his best take on the series featuring deadly Treadstone agent David Webb, who now goes by Jason Bourne. Some also refer to Bourne as Cain, a master killer. His subconscious not only keeps his past life at bay, it allows him to tap into a need when the going gets tough. Read More
Teaser
A hacked database known as the Files has upended the intelligence community. Careers are being destroyed. Dirty deals are showing up on the front page. Assassinations are spreading from Europe to the U.S. The new head of Treadstone sends Jason Bourne on a mission to find out who has the Files and get them back --- or destroy them. But Bourne isn’t alone in this race. The Chinese want the Files. So do the Russians. And the only woman who may be able to help him is a treacherous spy known as Johanna, Bourne’s former lover, who sees the Files as the key to her own vendetta against Treadstone. Bourne has a rule for friends and enemies alike: Trust no one. That rule may be the only thing keeping him alive, because the hunt for the Files soon takes him inside a twisted labyrinth of murder and betrayal, where everyone has a hidden agenda. Including Bourne himself.
Promo
A hacked database known as the Files has upended the intelligence community. Careers are being destroyed. Dirty deals are showing up on the front page. Assassinations are spreading from Europe to the U.S. The new head of Treadstone sends Jason Bourne on a mission to find out who has the Files and get them back --- or destroy them. But Bourne isn’t alone in this race. The Chinese want the Files. So do the Russians. And the only woman who may be able to help him is a treacherous spy known as Johanna, Bourne’s former lover, who sees the Files as the key to her own vendetta against Treadstone. Bourne has a rule for friends and enemies alike: Trust no one. That rule may be the only thing keeping him alive, because the hunt for the Files soon takes him inside a twisted labyrinth of murder and betrayal, where everyone has a hidden agenda. Including Bourne himself.
About the Book
The hunt for a trove of secret information forces Bourne to decide who lives --- and who dies --- in this latest installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
A hacked database known as the Files has upended the intelligence community. Careers are being destroyed. Dirty deals are showing up on the front page. Assassinations are spreading from Europe to the U.S.
The new head of Treadstone sends Jason Bourne on a mission to find out who has the Files and get them back --- or destroy them. But Bourne isn’t alone in this race. The Chinese want the Files. So do the Russians. And the only woman who may be able to help him is a treacherous spy known as Johanna --- Bourne’s former lover --- who sees the Files as the key to her own vendetta against Treadstone.
Bourne has a rule for friends and enemies alike: Trust no one. That rule may be the only thing keeping him alive, because the hunt for the Files soon takes him inside a twisted labyrinth of murder and betrayal, where everyone has a hidden agenda.
Including Bourne himself.
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
Editorial Content for I Dream of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots
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Reviewer (text)
Journalist and humorist Henry Alford compiles vignettes of one of the 20th century’s most acutely aware songwriters in I DREAM OF JONI. Joni Mitchell’s lyrics literally moved a generation of unconventional seekers toward a greater understanding of, and pride in, themselves. Read More
Teaser
Joni Mitchell’s life, psyche and evolving legacy are explored here in vivid technicolor --- from her childhood in Saskatoon, Canada, to her arrival in Laurel Canyon that turned her into, as Henry Alford puts it, “the bard of heartbreak and longing.” Each period of Mitchell’s life is observed via the artists, friends, family and lovers she encountered along the way, including James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Georgia O’Keeffe, Prince and, most significantly, Kilauren, the daughter Mitchell gave up for adoption at birth but then reconnected with decades later.
Promo
Joni Mitchell’s life, psyche and evolving legacy are explored here in vivid technicolor --- from her childhood in Saskatoon, Canada, to her arrival in Laurel Canyon that turned her into, as Henry Alford puts it, “the bard of heartbreak and longing.” Each period of Mitchell’s life is observed via the artists, friends, family and lovers she encountered along the way, including James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Georgia O’Keeffe, Prince and, most significantly, Kilauren, the daughter Mitchell gave up for adoption at birth but then reconnected with decades later.
About the Book
The eternal singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is seen anew, portrayed through a witty and comprehensive exploration of anecdotes, quotes and lyrics by Henry Alford, a writer for The New Yorker.
Joni Mitchell’s life, psyche and evolving legacy are explored here in vivid technicolor --- from her childhood in Saskatoon, Canada, to her arrival in Laurel Canyon that turned her into, as Henry Alford puts it, “the bard of heartbreak and longing.” Each period of Mitchell’s life is observed via the artists, friends, family and lovers she encountered along the way, including James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Georgia O’Keeffe, Prince and, most significantly, Kilauren, the daughter Mitchell gave up for adoption at birth but then reconnected with decades later.
Presented in the impressionistic vein of NINETY-NINE GLIMPSES OF PRINCESS MARGARET, I DREAM OF JONI explores in 53 essays, with the author’s trademark wit and verve, the life of the legendary singer-songwriter.
Audiobook available, read by Henry Alford
Editorial Content for To Save the Man
Book
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Of all the horrific incidents in American history that can no longer be covered up, the terrors and abuses in schools during the post-Civil War era have become another known chapter of misery and injustice utilized by artists and writers in new explorations. TO SAVE THE MAN by John Sayles is the latest book to focus on the victims and the government that said they would be protected and educated. It is an emotional and straight-ahead declaration of the wrongdoings that need to be recalled in order to stop them from ever happening again. Read More
Teaser
In September 1890, the academic year begins at the Carlisle School, a military-style boarding school for Indians in Pennsylvania, founded and run by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. Pratt considers himself a champion of Native Americans. His motto, “To save the man, we must kill the Indian,” is severely enforced in both classroom and dormitory. As the young students navigate surviving the school, they begin to hear rumors of a “ghost dance” amongst the tribes of the west --- a ceremonial dance aimed at restoring the Native People to power and running the invaders off their land. As the hope and promise of the ghost dance sweeps across the Great Plains, cynical newspapers seize upon the story to whip up panic among local whites. The US government responds by deploying troops onto lands that had been granted to the Indians. It is an act that seems certain to end in slaughter.
Promo
In September 1890, the academic year begins at the Carlisle School, a military-style boarding school for Indians in Pennsylvania, founded and run by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. Pratt considers himself a champion of Native Americans. His motto, “To save the man, we must kill the Indian,” is severely enforced in both classroom and dormitory. As the young students navigate surviving the school, they begin to hear rumors of a “ghost dance” amongst the tribes of the west --- a ceremonial dance aimed at restoring the Native People to power and running the invaders off their land. As the hope and promise of the ghost dance sweeps across the Great Plains, cynical newspapers seize upon the story to whip up panic among local whites. The US government responds by deploying troops onto lands that had been granted to the Indians. It is an act that seems certain to end in slaughter.
About the Book
In the vein of NEVER LET ME GO and KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, one of America’s greatest storytellers sheds light on an American tragedy: the Wounded Knee Massacre, and the "cultural genocide" experienced by the Native American children at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
In September 1890, the academic year begins at the Carlisle School, a military-style boarding school for Indians in Pennsylvania, founded and run by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. Pratt considers himself a champion of Native Americans. His motto, “To save the man, we must kill the Indian,” is severely enforced in both classroom and dormitory: Speak only English, forget your own language and customs, learn to be white.
As the young students navigate surviving the school, they begin to hear rumors of a “ghost dance” amongst the tribes of the west --- a ceremonial dance aimed at restoring the Native People to power and running the invaders off their land. As the hope and promise of the ghost dance sweeps across the Great Plains, cynical newspapers seize upon the story to whip up panic among local whites. The US government responds by deploying troops onto lands that had been granted to the Indians. It is an act that seems certain to end in slaughter.
As news of these developments reaches Carlisle, each student, no matter what their tribe, must make a choice: to follow the white man’s path, or be true to their own way of life.
Editorial Content for The Secret of the Three Fates: A Ruby Vaughn Mystery
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Jess Armstrong's latest mystery, THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES, continues the story of Ruby Vaughn, a transplant from New York to England. Ruby is no young simpering ingenue; she spent several years in the First World War helping wounded soldiers and facing the blood and trauma of battle. Now she calls Exeter home and lives with Mr. Owen, an octogenarian whose bookstore she runs. Read More
Teaser
American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate, Mr. Owen, for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop. But when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. Mr. Owen is desperate to speak to his dead son, but he doesn’t want to face the spirits alone. When the séance --- hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates --- goes awry, Mr. Owen’s secrets begin to unravel. When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects.
Promo
American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate, Mr. Owen, for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop. But when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. Mr. Owen is desperate to speak to his dead son, but he doesn’t want to face the spirits alone. When the séance --- hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates --- goes awry, Mr. Owen’s secrets begin to unravel. When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects.
About the Book
Following the atmospheric and award-winning gothic historical mystery debut THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL, USA Today bestselling author Jess Armstrong's heroine, Ruby Vaughn, returns in THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES, where the Scottish Hills hold ghosts of the past that threaten Ruby’s present.
American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate, Mr. Owen, for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop. But when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come.
The Great War left grieving families willing to sacrifice anything for the chance to say goodbye to a lost loved one. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperate to speak to his son, but he doesn’t want to face the spirits alone. When the séance --- hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates --- goes awry, Mr. Owen’s secrets begin to unravel, threatening to reveal a history that he has been running from for half his life. Something Ruby knows all too well how to do.
When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the séance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects. To clear their names, Ruby enlists the help of Ruan Kivell, the folk healer Pellar who helped her weeks before in Cornwall. As their investigation progresses, Ruby and Ruan realize someone is determined to prevent them from uncovering the truth about what happened to the dead medium.
Audiobook available, read by Emma Love
Editorial Content for Gobsmacked!: The British Invasion of American English
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Speak English! It’s a phrase that’s frequently heard when frustration sets in because of a lack of understanding. But which English are we talking about: American English or English English? That is, English that comes from Great Britain?
In an episode of the popular fish-out-of-water series “Ted Lasso,” the eponymous character is asked if it was safe to assume that the prima donna star player who was removed from a game for disciplinary reasons would be back on the pitch for the next match. Read More
Teaser
The British love to complain that words and phrases imported from America --- from French fries to Awesome, man! --- are destroying the English language. But what about the influence going the other way? Britishisms have been making their way into the American lexicon for more than 150 years, but the process has accelerated since the turn of the 21st century. From acclaimed writer and language commentator Ben Yagoda, GOBSMACKED! is a witty, entertaining and enlightening account of how and why scores of British words and phrases --- such as one-off, go missing, curate, early days, kerfuffle, easy peasy and cheeky --- have been enthusiastically taken up by Yanks.
Promo
The British love to complain that words and phrases imported from America --- from French fries to Awesome, man! --- are destroying the English language. But what about the influence going the other way? Britishisms have been making their way into the American lexicon for more than 150 years, but the process has accelerated since the turn of the 21st century. From acclaimed writer and language commentator Ben Yagoda, GOBSMACKED! is a witty, entertaining and enlightening account of how and why scores of British words and phrases --- such as one-off, go missing, curate, early days, kerfuffle, easy peasy and cheeky --- have been enthusiastically taken up by Yanks.
About the Book
A spot-on guide to how and why Americans have become so bloody keen on Britishisms --- for good or ill.
The British love to complain that words and phrases imported from America --- from French fries to Awesome, man! --- are destroying the English language. But what about the influence going the other way? Britishisms have been making their way into the American lexicon for more than 150 years, but the process has accelerated since the turn of the 21st century. From acclaimed writer and language commentator Ben Yagoda, GOBSMACKED! is a witty, entertaining and enlightening account of how and why scores of British words and phrases --- such as one-off, go missing, curate, early days, kerfuffle, easy peasy and cheeky --- have been enthusiastically taken up by Yanks.
After tracing Britishisms that entered the American vocabulary in the 19th century and during the world wars, GOBSMACKED! discusses the most-used British terms in America today. It features chapters on the American embrace of British insults and curses, sports terms, and words about food and drinks. The book also explores the American adoption of British spellings, pronunciations and grammar, and cases where Americans have misconstrued British expressions (for example, changing can’t be arsed to can’t be asked) or adopted faux-British usages, like pronouncing divisive as “divissive.” Finally, the book offers some guidance on just how many Britishisms an American can safely adopt without coming off like an arse.
Rigorously researched and documented but written in a light, conversational style, this is a book that general readers and language obsessives will love. Its revealing account of a surprising and underrecognized language revolution might even leave them, well, gobsmacked.
Editorial Content for Definitely Better Now
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Emma is celebrating her first full year of sobriety after being a long-time user of drugs and alcohol. She is committed to keeping her life on the right track and staying away from anything that will destroy her. Read More
Teaser
Emma is an alcoholic, but she’s been officially sober for an entire year. That’s 12 months of better health. But it’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma is ready to put herself back out there. Being assigned to plan her office’s holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. But then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her. Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself. But as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she’s beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time just might be the perfectly imperfect path she’s meant to be on.
Promo
Emma is an alcoholic, but she’s been officially sober for an entire year. That’s 12 months of better health. But it’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma is ready to put herself back out there. Being assigned to plan her office’s holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. But then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her. Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself. But as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she’s beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time just might be the perfectly imperfect path she’s meant to be on.
About the Book
A touching and deeply funny debut about starting over sober only to discover life’s biggest messes are still waiting right where you left them.
The very last person anyone should worry about is Emma. Yes, hi, she’s an alcoholic. But she’s been officially sober for one entire year. That’s 12 months of better health. Fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. It’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma, 26, of New York is ready to put herself back out there.
Except --- was dating always this complicated? And did Emma’s mother really have to choose now to move in with her new boyfriend? Being assigned to plan her office’s holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. Icing, meet cherry on top. But then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her? Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself. But as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she’s beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time might just be the perfectly imperfect path she’s meant to be on.
Bittersweet and darkly hilarious, Ava Robinson’s debut novel about navigating sobriety and complicated family dynamics is witty, heartbreaking and profoundly relatable.
Audiobook available, read by Karissa Vacker
Editorial Content for Children of a Harsh Bliss
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Every stone --- emotional, spiritual, physical and mental --- is turned in CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS, a meditative memoir of a true child of the ’60s. Read More
Teaser
Dive into the extraordinary world of CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS, a spellbinding memoir that blends deep spirituality with the raw realities of homesteading. Rishi Waterman, a California native, shares his riveting journey within the New Vrindaban Krishna community in rural West Virginia, offering a unique exploration of alternative living. In this captivating narrative, Waterman paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by a small group of spiritual enthusiasts striving to live off the land in the 1970s. Brace yourself for a wild ride through cold weather, local conflicts and even a confrontation with a biker gang. This isn't just a tale of survival; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Promo
Dive into the extraordinary world of CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS, a spellbinding memoir that blends deep spirituality with the raw realities of homesteading. Rishi Waterman, a California native, shares his riveting journey within the New Vrindaban Krishna community in rural West Virginia, offering a unique exploration of alternative living. In this captivating narrative, Waterman paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by a small group of spiritual enthusiasts striving to live off the land in the 1970s. Brace yourself for a wild ride through cold weather, local conflicts and even a confrontation with a biker gang. This isn't just a tale of survival; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
About the Book
Embark on a Spiritual Odyssey: Unveiling the Intersection of Deep Spirituality and Homesteading!
Dive into the extraordinary world of CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS, a spellbinding memoir that blends deep spirituality with the raw realities of homesteading. Rishi Waterman, a California native, shares his riveting journey within the New Vrindaban Krishna community in rural West Virginia, offering a unique exploration of alternative living.
In this captivating narrative, Waterman paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by a small group of spiritual enthusiasts striving to live off the land in the 1970s. Brace yourself for a wild ride through cold weather, local conflicts and even a confrontation with a biker gang. This isn't just a tale of survival; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
City kids armed with guns and Bhagavad-gitas, the group navigates the clash of cultures between urban and backwoods life. The pages of this memoir unfold a rich tapestry of humor, adventure and bitter truths. CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS is a call to adventure, urging readers to embrace their true selves and follow their hearts, regardless of the hurdles.
Whether you're drawn to spirituality, the homesteading lifestyle or the sheer thrill of an unconventional journey, this book has something for everyone. Join Rishi Waterman on this exhilarating ride, where the clash of worlds becomes a harmonious symphony of adventure and inner transformation. CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS is more than a memoir; it's a manifesto for those seeking a deeper, more authentic way of living.
January 24, 2025
On Wednesday morning, I got in my car and the thermometer registered -4 degrees. I somehow have not grasped that my car can be started remotely and warmed up. Instead, my cold hands gripped the steering wheel, and I turned the heat gauge up to 96 degrees. It hit something like 65 degrees by the time I got to the health club. One day I will learn the concept of remote start. Note that I have had this car since 2008, so let’s call this one long learning curve.