Sixteen stories of capital crimes and misdemeanors—the basis for the film directed by George Pelecanos, producer and writer of The Wire.Mystery sensation Pelecanos pens the lead story and edits this groundbreaking collection of stories detailing the seedy underside of the nation's capital. This is not an anthology of ill-conceived and inauthentic political thrillers. Instead, in D.C. Noir, pimps, whores, gangsters, and con-men run rampant in zones...

Many of O. Henry’s stories describe cultural issues of the day, and many incorporate themes relevant to our modern times. This anthology was specially selected for this purpose. It includes the story performances and introduces the telling of each story by describing its relevance and explaining some of the references that might not be familiar to modern-day audiences.Opening CreditsAnthology Introduction“The Guilty Party” (19:10)—O. Henry’s opinion on violent crimes committed by m...

For readers of Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, Elizabeth Gilbert’s The Signature of All Things, and Hope Jahren’s Lab Girl, Diane Smith’s warmhearted and award-winning epistolary novel about a spunky young woman who joins a makeshift field study in Yellowstone National Park at the end of the nineteenth century“I loved this book in a way that I haven’t loved a book in some time.” —James Welch, author of Fools Crow...

Dwight Eisenhower called General George S. Patton “mentally unbalanced” and “just like a time bomb,” and indeed, the egotistical, mercurial, aggressive Patton is perhaps as well known for his questionable behavior and eccentric beliefs as for his daring battlefield exploits. In a brief but probing assessment of Patton’s life based on strong research in primary sources and knowledge of psychology, Jim Sudmeier considers the mind of Patton: what made this military genius tick? To what extent...

Saddle Up for a Wild Ride with Billy Bob, Texas's Own Angel of Death!Forget everything you think you know about the Grim Reaper. In the heart of Texas, there's an Angel of Death with a Stetson and a heart of gold (mostly). Meet William Robert Travis, better known to his friends as Billy Bob. He's been riding the dusty trails of Texas history for centuries, guiding souls to meet the Maker in the hereafter.Billy Bob's got a knack for bendin...

Roy Glenister and Dextry are gold miners who strike it rich in Nome, Alaska until their claim is “jumped", seemingly by legal means and by powerful politicians, crooked lawyers, and a judge. The political establishment seems too powerful to fight. How can they get their claim (and money) back from a mafia-like organization in frontier Alaska?Roy is an honest man driven by frustration, despair, and disappointment, and loves to do things he never thought he would. How can he fight an...

Lord Harrowby came to Lloyds of London with a most unusual request. He wanted to ensure that nothing would prevent his imminent wedding and expected a big policy payout if things didn’t work out. It was insurance man Dick Minot’s responsibility to make sure everything worked smoothly. Trouble is, Dick Minot fell in love with the bride! What to do?Hilarity ensues as Dick tackles one crisis after another with a conflicted heart in this 1914 farcical romantic comedy. Kidnapping, jewel...

Learn How to Transform Your Mind with Simple Mindfulness Activities“Based on scientific research and its author’s deep insights, it is comprehensive and caring… a wonderful book.” —Rick Hanson, PhD, psychologist, author of Buddha’s Brain, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, and Neurodharma.Discover a greater sense of focus through a combination of inspirational words of wisdom from various women an...

As far as grim reapers go, Texas is big enough and special enough to need its own particular angel. Enter William Robert Travis, ready to escort Texans to meet their maker in the hereafter. In episode one, Billy Bob has an appointment with one Luke Campbell under a certain live oak tree after a group hunting expedition went a bit...awry.Sit a spell and enjoy this short story from the weirder side of Texas.

Words of Encouragement and Strength for Every Woman"This book is a powerful guide to fearless living. Sue Patton Thoele teaches women how to honor, embrace, and claim their personal strength and inner wisdom.” —HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess TrainingBestselling author with over 1 million books sold, Sue Thoele, is back with The Woman’s Book of Strength!Discover your power as a strong ...

They say that just before you die, your life passes before you. But what if you die in an instant? What memory or few memories would you recall and which memories would not be recalled? My daughter, Lina, who is a novelist, wrote a pastiche of Tobias Wolff’s short story, “Bullet in the Brain” for me one Father's Day. What makes it special is that a few years ago I wrote an autobiography, mostly to leave for my kids. When I wrote it, I wanted to provide a library of anecdotes for her to use...

Walking to Hell: The Story of a Confederate Soldier is a sweeping, emotionally charged novel that blends historical fiction with the intimacy of memoir. Told through the eyes of Ezekial McNair, a centenarian reflecting on his youth as a Confederate soldier, this story spans generations, wars, and the haunting legacy of violence. With vivid detail and raw honesty, McNair recounts the brutality of battle, the bonds of friendship, and the ghosts that never left him.