The Story of San Michele is the famous memoir by Swedish physician Axel Munthe (1857-1949). Written in English, it has been a best-seller in numerous languages. The author associated with a number of celebrities of his times, all of whom figure in the book. He also knew the very poorest, including immigrants and plague victims. He was an unabashed animal lover, and animals figure prominently, especially his alcoholic pet baboon, Billy. Several discussions with animals and various supernatu...

Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Barbara Stanwyck—to name a few—maintained their images as glamorous big-screen sex symbols complete with dashing escorts, handsome husbands, and scores of male admirers, thanks to studio publicity departments. But off the set, all three box office divas were involved in "lavender" marriages (marriages of convenience, often to gay men) or remained stoically single. They, and several other Hollywood starlets of the era, were members of a discreet women's "c...

4:23 a.m. The phone rings. The officer on the other end says, “It’s a bad one, Darren. Can you come?”Darren McDaniel has worked dozens of homicides in his years as a detective. It’s a dark and gritty business, and he’s prepared to handle whatever it throws at him. Or so he once believed.The pre-teen girl is dead, dressed in a white princess gown, lying on a bus stop bench. There’s a steel chain clamped to her ankle. A cryptic message scrawled across the boo...

This is Book 2 in the Detective McDaniel Thriller series.The series is best read in order. Please consider reading Book 1, Hold Back the Night, before enjoying The Easy Way Out.Still reeling from his encounter with a depraved child killer and a professional hitman on the city’s waterfront, Homicide Detective Darren McDaniel is thrown back into the fray. A headless corpse washes up in a secluded cove near the industrial district. The body shows signs of extre...

This is Book 3 in the Detective McDaniel Thrillers series.The series is best read in order. Please consider reading Book 1, Hold Back the Night, before enjoying All the Way Down.Detective Darren McDaniel is finally back to work, not that his supervisor is happy about it. After his last explosive adventure, McDaniel's just barely managed to keep his job, and there’s no way in hell the bosses are going to let him anywhere near a major case. One wrong move now ...

People around the world claim to be victims of mind control technology. Medical professionals are quick to marginalize these targeted individuals and diagnose them with mental illness. Unfortunately, most people are oblivious to the historical precedent for the practice of mind control and the patented technology that exists in the field. This book includes a compilation of the government's documentation on MK-Ultra, the CIA's mind control experimentation on unwitting human subjects; all docu...

A dual biography of the two most influential socio-political moralists of the twentieth century, whose lives were intertwined personally and intellectually for more than forty-six years. Madsen provides an engrossing view of the luminously transparent relationship that was unconventional yet faithful to its ideals.

Unlock the vibrant language of Venezuela with the Venezuelan Urban Dictionary – your ultimate guide to 500 slang words and expressions from A to Z. From "arrecho" to "zaperoco," this book captures the colorful, playful, and sometimes chaotic spirit of Venezuelan street talk.Each entry comes with clear definitions, real-life examples, and English translations, making it perfect for travelers, expats, students, or anyone curious about Venezuelan culture. Learn how to...

In "Vagaries," Axel Munthe presents a rich tapestry of reflections that entwine the threads of personal narrative, philosophy, and the human condition. Written in a lyrical style that meanders through the intricacies of life's caprices, Munthe's prose captures the essence of fleeting moments and existential ponderings. Each chapter is a vignette, inviting readers to contemplate the unpredictable nature of existence while exploring themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness against ...

What do Icelanders really mean when they say "Þetta reddast"?Why does "ógeðslega gott" actually mean something is incredibly good?And how can someone be "þunnur" without being thin?Icelandic Urban Dictionary is the ultimate guide to understanding modern Icelandic slang, street language, and everyday expressions that you will not find in traditional textbooks.While Icelandic is famous for preserving its ancient Viking roots, modern Icelanders have built a dynam...

Welcome to Austrian Urban Dictionary — the only book brave enough to explain why an Austrian can insult you, invite you for a beer, and express deep affection all in the same sentence.If you've ever heard an Austrian say something like "Reiß di zamm, Oida" and wondered whether you should laugh, apologize, or run — congratulations. You're exactly where you belong.Austrian slang is not just German with a funny accent. It's a beautiful lingui...

Sonia Delaunay, wife of painter Robert Delaunay, and co-founder of the Orphist school in 1910, was the center of a brilliant circle in Paris. Madsen offers a rich and compelling look at this fascinating and influential woman, the first living female artist to have a retrospective show at the Louvre.