This extreme sports saga, part Plimptonesque narrative, part spiritual journey, explores the limits of personal endurance as a determined journalist takes on a 135-mile Death Valley marathon.Journalist Kirk Johnson knows pain—mind-numbing, bodywracking pain. When his beloved older brother commits suicide, Kirk starts running— running to escape, running to understand, running straight into the hell of Badwater, the ultimate test of endurance equal to five consecutiv...

Sponsored by a grant from the National Science Foundation to the Denver Museum of Natural History. Ever wondered what the ground below you was like millions of years ago? Merging paleontology, geology, and artistry, Ancient Wyoming illustrates scenes from the distant past and provides fascinating details on the flora and fauna of the past 300 million years. The book provides a unique look at Wyoming, both as it is today and as it was throughout ancient history—at times a vast ocea...

Uncover Denver's Deepest Past: A Geological Journey Through TimeWhat if Denver wasn't always a mile high? Journey through 300 million years of Colorado's geological history, revealing the ancient landscapes that shaped the modern Front Range. Explore the rise and fall of mountains, the advance and retreat of seas, and the dramatic climate changes that transformed the region.Ancient Denvers unveils the fossil record, showcasing the dinosaurs, mammal...

See-oh-too is an influential guy. Trees Are Made of Gas teaches young readers all about carbon dioxide, an invisible, odorless gas that is essential for plant growth—but is also responsible for global climate change. Kids learn both the science and impact of the massive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, making a clear argument for conservation and clean up. Providing simple explanations along with ways to reduce your own carbon footprint, this engaging book is sure to engage y...

Explore the world of fascinating prehistoric creatures that once roamed ancient Alaska. Packed with vibrant illustrations of dinosaurs by artist Ray Troll and lively text by paleontologist Kirk Johnson, this dynamic picture book is perfect for curious kids ages 8-12 and dinophiles of all ages.This engaging richly illustrated picture book is the perfect introduction to Alaska’s dinosaurs. It opens with an irresistible, jam-packed map of Alaska fossils, and then proc...

"A paleontological odyssey that manages to be informative, witty, educational— and enormous fun." — Simon Winchester, author of The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the WorldAn epoch tale of a scientist and an artist on the ultimate 5,000-mile paleo road trip.Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway follows the most unusual travels of a paleontologist and an artist as the...

**As heard on NPR's This American Life“Absorbing . . . Though it's non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air“One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever.” —Christian Science MonitorA rollicking true-crime adventure and a captivating journey into an underground world of fanatical fly-tiers and plume peddlers, for readers of The Strang...

**As heard on NPR's This American Life“Absorbing . . . Though it's non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air“One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever.” —Christian Science MonitorA rollicking true-crime adventure and a captivating journey into an underground world of fanatical fly-tiers and plume peddlers, for readers of The Strang...

**New York Public Library Best of 2022A gripping, twisting account of a small town set on fire by hatred, xenophobia, and ecological disaster—a story that weaves together corporate malfeasance, a battle over shrinking natural resources, a turning point in the modern white supremacist movement, and one woman’s relentless battle for environmental justice.“Riveting…it has a little of everything that a thrilling story needs. It feels quite prescient, as if something we’re livin...

The “searing” (The New Yorker), “must read” (The Philadelphia Inquirer) memoir of “one of the few genuine heroes of America’s war in Iraq” (Dexter Filkins).In January 2005 Kirk Johnson, then twenty-four, arrived in Baghdad as USAID’s (US Agency for International Development) only Arabic-speaking American employee. Despite his opposition to the war, Johnson felt called to civic duty and wanted to help rebuild Iraq. Working as the USAID’s first reco...

KARMA IS CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE!When everything you know in life is taken away from you, how do you survive? Author Kirk Johnson uses the example of his own intense life trials to reveal the universal laws that are the underpinning of reality. He shows how taking responsibility for your actions is the catalyst to awakening to self-realization and living a life in tune with divine will.By Roasting Karma, you will:· Recognize that your present life is the sum ...

**New York Public Library Best of 2022A gripping, twisting account of a small town set on fire by hatred, xenophobia, and ecological disaster—a story that weaves together corporate malfeasance, a battle over shrinking natural resources, a turning point in the modern white supremacist movement, and one woman’s relentless battle for environmental justice.“Riveting…it has a little of everything that a thrilling story needs. It feels quite prescient, as if something we’re livin...