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Anthropologist shares anecdotes and stories of baseball's history, from its founding in the mid-1800s to the early twenty-first century, framing…
them in the context of social and political history. Presents similarities between the sport and war and nationalism. Strong language. 2014
From the New York Times bestselling author of Those Guys Have All the Fun comes the unvarnished, comprehensive, and astonishing…
history of HBO, told for the first time through the disruptors who led its epic rise to prestige and changed the way we watch television forever. The exclusive story of HBO's key creators, executives, actors, and directors gives listeners an unprecedented peek behind the curtain at the founding and triumph of the first "pay-channel" that brought America The Sopranos , Sex and the City , The Wire , Succession , and countless, groundbreaking, culture-shifting shows. James Andrew Miller collects insider accounts of the humble beginnings, devastating missteps, controversial business decisions, and, of course, backstage drama and celebrity gossip from the set. Since televisions entered Americans' living rooms, the question of whether programming should be "free"—paid for with advertising—has loomed, to the extent that some broadcasters, lobbyists and fearmongers warned someone would come along and disrupt their Madison Avenue–championed business model. But who would pay for something that had always been free? Home Box Office dared to ask that question in 1972, opening the doors for other pay-channels and ultimately the streaming platforms that are now the norm. They created different, better content—or at least they convinced viewers that different was better. HBO gave us violent scenes with blood and guts, shows like Tales from the Crypt that were actually scary, romcoms with sex instead of suggestion. We take their big-budget, "prestige" TV for granted now, but their success was far from assured at the outset. HBO's audacity built the viewing culture we have today and permanently transformed the television landscape. A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company
Journalist and author of The First National Bank of Dad (DB 59001) warns that inventing new technologies to deal with…
the energy crisis does not fix the problem--and may worsen the situation. Advocates consuming less and living in densely populated areas such as New York City. 2011
Guide provides information on nearly a hundred dinosaurs--what they ate (plants or meat), where they lived (from the Arctic to…
the jungle), ways they behaved (some climbed trees) and evolved, and even what color some of them were. Includes quick facts on hundreds of others. For grades 3-6. 2010
British Museum director profiles one hundred pieces from the institution's collection that trace human history, from a stone chopping tool…
discovered in Tanzania in 1931--and estimated to be one of the first manmade objects--to a solar-powered lamp and charger manufactured in China in 2010. Bestseller. 2010
Activities, games, projects, and questions for thought and discussion aim to bring about an understanding of this ancient civilization. Covers…
myths, gods, wars, leaders, Roman numerals, arches, aqueducts, family life, and more. For grades 4-7. 2002
Political commentator and radio talk-show host shares her observations and opinions of boutique cupcake shops; laptop users; shrinking airplane seats…
and expanding passengers; celebrities' choices for baby names; and other aspects of modern American life. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2011
Author of The Men Who Stare at Goats (DB 60917) explores psychiatry's efforts to recognize and treat psychopaths. Interviews include…
a doctor who developed a checklist of psychopathic traits, a former Haitian death-squad leader, and an ex-CEO who seemed to enjoy firing workers. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2011
Relic hunter and naturalist exposes the dark side of archaeology. Discusses the reasons people loot, citing cases of antiquities traffickers,…
immoral museum curators, and wealthy collectors. Argues that taking artifacts separates them from their history. Explains his own low-impact method of exploration. 2010
Archaeologist, historian, and author of The Civilization of Europe in the Renaissance (DB 40011) describes the origins, growth, and campaigns…
of the Athenian navy, which dominated Greece during the fifth century BCE. Posits that using citizens to man the ships during crises fostered democracy. 2009
British author of The Men Who Stare at Goats (DB 60917) pens essays exploring absurdities of the modern world. In…
the title piece Ronson investigated the 2011 disappearance of an employee from a Disney cruise and learned that many people go missing from cruises every year. Strong language. 2012
Paris-based writer and translator details her collaboration with perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour to develop a scent based on a romantic interlude…
she experienced in Seville, Spain. Chronicles her relationship with scents from childhood to the present. Includes discussion of historical perfumes. 2012
Our lives are defined by a story of endless growth and consumption. Now a climate crisis demands that we change.…
Can we write new stories? In All We Want, award-winning author Michael Harris dismantles our untenable consumer culture and delivers surprising, heartwarming alternatives. Drawing on the wisdom of philosophers, scientists, and artists, Harris uncovers three realms where humans have always found deeper meaning: the worlds of Craft, the Sublime, and Care. Past attempts to blunt our impact on the environment have simply redirected our consumption—we bought fuel-efficient cars and canvas tote bags. We cannot, however, buy our way out of this crisis. We need, instead, compelling new stories about life's purpose. Part meditation and part manifesto, All We Want is a blazing inquest into the destructive and unfulfilling promise of our consumer society, and a roadmap toward a more humane future.
Author, comedian, and BBC presenter explores anecdotes from antiquity that illuminate the origins of our culture and its links with…
the past. Debunks myths--Caesar's last words were not "Et tu, Brute?"--and makes surprising connections, such as the similarities between the Trojan hero Aeneas and TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 2010
Award-winning historian, author, and broadcaster examines the life and times of Athenian philosopher Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.). Explores the world Socrates…
inhabited, the ideas he espoused, and his seminal influence on Western thought. 2011
Science journalist examines ancient and modern myths of monsters, from the Nemean Lion of ancient Greece to King Kong and…
the Terminator. Uses archaeology and other disciplines to theorize on the sources of these tales and the reasons they fascinate us. Young adult appeal. Some violence. 2012
Carefree Black Girls is an exploration and celebration of black women's identity and impact on pop culture, as well as…
the enduring stereotypes they face, from a film and culture critic for HuffPost . In 2013, Zeba Blay was one of the first people to coin the viral term "carefreeblackgirls" on Twitter. It was, as she says, "a way to carve out a space of celebration and freedom for black women online." In this collection of essays, Blay expands on that initial idea by looking at the significance of influential black women throughout history, including Josephine Baker, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, and Cardi B. Incorporating her own personal experiences as well as astute analysis of these famous women, Blay presents an empowering and celebratory portrait of black women and their effect on American culture. She also examines the many stereotypes that have clung to black women throughout history, whether it is the Mammy, the Angry Black Woman, or more recently, the Thot
Using the Internet can be an exciting adventure. But it is important to use it safely. How can you use…
computers responsibly? And how can you be a good digital citizen? Read this book to find out!
Religious studies professor presents a history of ancient Roman and Mediterranean religions from the late Bronze Age to approximately the…
fourth century AD. Uses literary and archaeological evidence to discuss the interplay of religion with daily life and sociopolitical processes. Translated from the original 2016 German edition. 2018
The third volume in a series covering history across the globe, describing the events that happened concurrently in each area.…
Discusses events concerning both larger historical figures and the common people, using literature, letters, firsthand accounts, and more. This volume covers the many transitions occurring globally during the Renaissance period. 2013