****One of Literary Hub’s Five “Most Critically Acclaimed” Biographies of 2022**From acclaimed cultural and film historian James Curtis—a major biography, the first in more than two decades, of the legendary comedian and filmmaker who elevated physical comedy to the highest of arts and whose ingenious films remain as startling, innovative, modern—and irresistible—today as they were when they beguiled audiences almost a century ago.**"It is brilliant—I was totally ab...

He was the consummate designer of film architecture on a grand scale, influenced by German expressionism and the work of the great European directors. He was known for his visual flair and timeless innovation, a man who meticulously preplanned the color and design of each film through a series of continuity sketches that made clear camera angles, lighting, and the actors’ positions for each scene, translating dramatic conventions of the stage to the new capabilities of film.Here is...

"Third Person," the third book in "The Kerr Chronicles" series, continues the story of the brilliant and influential John Knox Kerr, as he battles to balance powerful roles in New York and Washington against the threatening menace of World War II. His challenges go well beyond his public persona and into a personal life challenged by passion, power, and his love for more than one woman.As his boss, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, brings challenge after challenge his way, he strive...

Back in the 1960’s, the private investigators were able to disprove fraudulente injury claims by gaining the confidence of claimants and having them perform activities that they had the doctors, attorneys, insurance adjusters and courts convinced could not be performed. The millions of dollars saved by the insurance companies using the ‘Rope Job’ came to a sudden halt in 1970 due to claimants attorneys filing law suits against the insurance companies for invasion of privacy. The claimants ...

****One of Literary Hub’s Five “Most Critically Acclaimed” Biographies of 2022**From acclaimed cultural and film historian James Curtis—a major biography, the first in more than two decades, of the legendary comedian and filmmaker who elevated physical comedy to the highest of arts and whose ingenious films remain as startling, innovative, modern—and irresistible—today as they were when they beguiled audiences almost a century ago.**"It is brilliant—I was totally ab...

A Times Literary Supplement 2017 Book of the YearOn December 22, 1953, Mort Sahl (1927–2021) took the stage at San Francisco's hungry i and changed comedy forever. Before him, standup was about everything but hard news and politics. In his wake, a new generation of smart comics emerged—Shelley Berman, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Lenny Bruce, Bob Newhart, Dick Gregory, Woody Allen, and the Smothers Brothers, among others. He opened up jazz-inflected satire...

Love on FireBy: James CurtisLove on Fire is a collection of poetry about love, ranging from sexy and sensual to funny and whimsical, and everything in between. Perhaps readers will even see a bit of their own love lives reflected within.About the AuthorJames Curtis is the first in his family to author a book. He served 26 years in the United States Army, traveling extensively within the United States and abroad. He is currently retired and makes his home in V...

Have you ever looked in the window of an adult novelty store and panic because you didn't know what you would find? Did you chuckle nervously and leave in a hurry? Don't worry, the Friendly Sex Shop Worker has it all written down for you. Based on accumulated knowledge through working in an adult novelty store and assisting customers with their questions and selections, this book is a great yet gentle first step for beginners.

At the Cold Shoulder of History gives an in-depth look at what happened in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. One of the only living participants in President Kennedy's autopsy now comes forward after almost 54 years of silence and speaks about what truly took place inside of the morgue at Bethesda Naval Hospital on the night of November 22, 1963. Jenkins gives a detailed account about the procedures performed on the President's remains. What he learned th...

"Read J.C. Ballagh's 'White Servitude' (Baltimore, 1895). An organized system of kidnapping had prevailed along the British coast; you lads were seized and sold into slavery on the American Plantations." -Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct. 28, 1919"Ballagh's monograph shows conscientious labor, good judgment, and a fair degree of skill in the arrangement of the matter." - Virginia Magazine of History, 1895Has full justice been done to the ...

"Ballagh's monograph shows conscientious labor, good judgment, and a fair degree of skill in the arrangement of the matter." - Virginia Magazine of History, 1895Full justice has not yet been done to the great class of English servants, who came to America in the colonial age. To them, more, perhaps, than to any other distinct class is due the broad foundation upon which our American civilization was laid. These were honest and industrious people who were t...

Regions Apart: The Four Societies of Canada and the United States provides an invaluable social, cultural, and political comparison of the two countries that share the world's longest undefended border. General readers and students alike will find Regions Apart an insightful analysis of how and why Americans and Canadians differ, not only from each other but from region to region within each country. Recognizing the inevitability of the comparison - at least for Canadians! - the authors explo...