"Packed with inspirational, useful, and thought-provoking essays on the craft of writing from some of the best writers around." — Minneapolis Star TribuneTeachers, exercises, mentors, critiques, humor, and inspiration: these form the fuel all writers need when they get down to work every day. For decades the Loft Literary Center has provided this fuel to an enormous community of writers. Views from the Loft brings together the collected wisdom of t...

An “elegant translation” of Rilke’s writings on sculptor Auguste Rodin that “offers a fresh look at an unlikely mentorship” and two extraordinary artists (The New York Times Book Review).Sculptor Auguste Rodin was fortunate to have his secretary Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most sensitive poets of our time. These two pieces discussing Rodin’s work and development as an artist are as revealing of Rilke as they are of his subject.Written in 1902 an...

"Twenty-four sad, funny, touching, intriguing, and sometimes-unsettling stories by some of Minnesota's best writers." — St. Paul Pioneer PressWriters from Sinclair Lewis and F. Scott Fitzgerald to Louise Erdrich and Garrison Keillor have called Minnesota home, contributing to the state's rich literary history as well as its reputation as a place that cherishes education and American democracy. It also embraces diversity, as showcased in this collection of l...

A sharp and delightful celebration of libraries around the world, and throughout time—for the passionate bibliophile and literary historian.“Excellent . . . Tracks the history of that greatest of all cultural institutions.” —The Washington PostLibraries are much more than mere collections of volumes. The best are magical, fabled places whose fame has become part of the cultural wealth they are designed to preserve. Some still exist...

A Fields medalist recounts his lifelong effort to uncover the geometric shape—the Calabi-Yau manifold—that may store the hidden dimensions of our universe.Harvard geometer Shing-Tung Yau has provided a mathematical foundation for string theory, offered new insights into black holes, and mathematically demonstrated the stability of our universe. In this autobiography, Yau reflects on his improbable journey to becoming one of the world's most distinguished mathematici...

"This excellent survey . . . spans the rise and fall of the Greco-Roman world. This conversational yet erudite history is a treat." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)The magnificent civilization created by the ancient Greeks and Romans is the greatest legacy of the classical world. However, narratives about the "civilized" Greek and Roman empires resisting the barbarians at the gate are far from accurate. Tony Spawforth, an esteemed scholar, author, and B...

Essays that explore quirky, counterintuitive aspects of brain function and "make us realize that what goes on in our minds is nothing short of magical" (Scientific American).Neuroscientist David J. Linden approached leading brain researchers and asked each the same question: "What idea about brain function would you most like to explain to the world?" Their responses make up this one-of-a-kind collection of popular science essays that seeks to expand our knowledge o...

"The best book on writing ever published" (Patricia T. O'Conner, author of Woe Is I).When Robert Graves and Alan Hodge decided to collaborate on this manual for writers, the world was in total upheaval. Graves had fled Majorca three years earlier at the start of the Spanish Civil War, and as they labored over their new project, they witnessed the fall of France and the evacuation of Allied forces at Dunkirk. Soon the horror of World War II would reach Brit...

Good writers follow the rules. Great writers know the rules—and follow their instincts!Finding the right words, in the right order, matters—whether you're a student embarking on an essay, a job applicant drafting your cover letter, an employee composing an email…even a (hopeful) lover writing a text. Do it wrong and you just might get an F, miss the interview, lose a client, or spoil your chance at a second date.Do it right, and the world is yours.

Personal reflections on the vital role of the notebook in creative writing, from Dorianne Laux, Sue Grafton, John Dufresne, Kyoko Mori, and more.This collection of essays by established professional writers explores how their notebooks serve as their studios and workshops—places to collect, to play, and to make new discoveries with language, passions, and curiosities. For these diverse writers, the journal also serves as an ideal forum to develop their writing voice...

A comprehensive guide to natural cleaners that completely disinfect, polish, and freshen . . . without the dangerous toxins.Toxic chemicals are found in almost all commercial cleaners—the very products people buy to make their homes hygienic and healthy. The recipes in, Homemade Cleaners use common, affordable ingredients that not only get every room in the house sparkling and germ-free but are also safe for families and the environment.The green cle...

The Pulitzer Prize–winning author "shares his insights into—and passion for—the creation and experience of fiction with total openness" ( Publishers Weekly, starred review).Robert Olen Butler, author of Perfume River, A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, and A Small Hotel, teaches graduate fiction at Florida State University—his version of literary boot camp. In From Where You Dream, Butler reimagines ...