The thrilling story of the nineteenth century’s Apollo moonshot: an Atlantic-spanning telegraph cable that created the global village and changed the world.In 1854, the American entrepreneur Cyrus Field set out to lay a 2,000-mile telegraph cable across the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Nothing like it had ever been attempted. Field knew nothing about telegraphy, electricity, ships, or oceans, and science itself still lacked a universal theory of electricity. But h...

A man emerges from a childhood marred by tragedy in the deep south, finding strength in military structure. His journey of redemption is etched on skin marked by heritage and prejudice. Through Germany's landscape and beyond, he pursues love and identity, seeking a universal connection. Back in Mississippi, he weaves through love and loss, fostering resilience and hope. His story celebrates human spirit across racial divides, culminating in the profound bond between father and child.

Here is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bruce Catton's unsurpassed account of the Civil War, one of the most moving chapters in American history. Introduced by Pulitzer Prize-winner James M. McPherson, the book vividly traces the epic struggle between the Blue and Gray, from the early division between the North and South to the final surrender of Confederate troops.

Why Postliberalism Failed offers an indictment of one of the most consequential ideological movements reshaping American and European conservatism today. With leading politicians among its adherents and major conservative institutions captured by its agenda, postliberalism demands serious scrutiny and this book delivers it.Drawing on deep historical research, the book traces postliberalism's intellectual roots to two traditions: an extreme papalism that subordinates all po...

The Postman Always Rings Twice is a 1934 crime novel by James M. Cain. The novel was successful and notorious upon publication. It is regarded as one of the more important crime novels of the 20th century. The novel's mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its time and caused it to be banned in Boston.

Filled with fresh interpretations and information, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, Battle Cry of Freedom will unquestionably become the standard one-volume history of the Civil War. James McPherson's fast-paced narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that crowded the two decades from the outbreak of one war in Mexico to the ending of another at Appomattox. Packed with drama and analytical insight, the book vividly recounts the momentous episodes...

Following her husband's death in a suspicious car accident, beautiful young widow Joan Medford is forced to take a job serving drinks in a cocktail lounge to make ends meet and to have a chance of regaining custody of her young son. At the job she encounters two men who take an interest in her, a handsome young schemer who makes her blood race and a wealthy but unwell older man who rewards her for her attentions with a $50,000 tip and an unconventional offer of marriage... Includes a 4,000...

A collection of hardboiled crime fiction from the author of Double Indemnity, "one of the greats of American noir" ( The Guardian).They call him Lucky—but he's never had a lucky day in his life. A nineteen-year-old hobo just starting to ride the rails, he is hiding in the coal car when the railroad detective comes through. They get into a scuffle, and Lucky's hand finds a railroad spike. . . ."Dead Man" is just one of the outstanding stories...

"Vintage Cain . . . it's all here—the big money, the unusual circumstances, the spare, tight style, and the staccato dialogue." — The Miami HeraldSince his father died, every Saturday night has been the same for Dave and his mother. She starts to talk, weaving aimless, weird fantasies about get-rich-quick schemes that never amount to anything. But when, finally, she is silent, Dave becomes afraid. Because his mother has a way of getting very close that is r...

A twisted tale of heinous crimes and hidden motives by the legendary author of Double Indemnity.Graham meets Sonya outside of his real estate office. She is sixteen, beautiful, and drops a bombshell—she's there because Graham's half-brother, Burl, raped her, leaving her frightened, pregnant, and very much alone.All she wants is the $1,111 it will cost to hide out for the next few months in a convalescent home before she gives the baby up for adoption...

In this novel by "one of the greats of American noir," a starlet comes to Reno to start a new life—and end her old one forever ( The Guardian).Sylvia Shoreham's Hollywood dreams came true long ago. Critically beloved for her beauty, talent, and style, she was on her way to international stardom when a bad contract committed her to seven years of trashy comedies and half-baked melodramas. Her marriage to her producer husband has become a rotten, loveless sha...

A true crime masterpiece, and highly acclaimed 1940s movie'DOUBLE INDEMNITY is among the finest of all American novels, regardless of genre or style' LA TIMES'Cain is the master' Tom WolfeDOUBLE INDEMNITY is the classic tale of an evil woman motivated by greed who corrupts a weak man motivated by lust.Walter Huff is an insurance investigator like any other until the day he meets the beautiful and dangerous Phyllis Nirdlinger...