Arts & Entertainment - Books

Star Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire

Uncover a history of galactic evil. "So this is how liberty dies—with thunderous applause." —Senator Padmé Amidala When Sheev Palpatine declared the birth of his new Empire, he expected it would stand for thousands of years. Instead, it lasted only 24. This is the story of how a tyrannical regime rose from the ashes of democracy, ruled the galaxy with an iron fist, and then collapsed into dust. It is a story of war and heroes. It is a story of propaganda and the power of fascism. But most of all, it is a story of normal people trying to live their lives in the face of brutal dictatorship. From the barbarity of Darth Vader's campaigns to the horrors of the Tarkin Initiative, this book offers new insights into the dark entity at the core of the Star Wars saga, with chapters covering economic strategy and political organisation, propaganda, crime and punishment, military tactics, and warfare, giving even the most expert Star Wars fans a fresh perspective on the Galactic Empire. © AND ™ 2023 LUCASFILM LTD.

How to Win at Chess

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Learn chess from International Master and YouTube’s top chess teacher Levy Rozman (aka GothamChess) in this refreshing and fun guide for beginner and intermediate players. Clever and informative, How to Win at Chess teaches you everything you need to know about the game, including all the important moves and strategies to start off strong and keep you thinking several steps ahead. Full of Levy Rozman's signature charm and humor that have made him beloved by millions of fans, the first half of this unique guide introduces rising players (0-800 Elo rating) to the four key areas to consider when playing chess—openings, endings, tactics, and strategy—and the second half builds upon these core skills for more experienced players (800-1300 Elo rating). Brimming with practical and easy-to-follow tips for improving your game, How to Win at Chess includes over 500 instructional gameplay illustrations to help you better visualize the board, as well as chapter-specific QR codes for exclusive bonus content on Chessly, Rozman’s teaching platform. Whether you want to become a recreational chess player or are training to be a Grandmaster, How to Win at Chess is the perfect interactive introduction to the world of chess!

The Classical Music Book

Learn about the world's greatest classical compositions and musical traditions in The Classical Music Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Classic Music in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Classical Music Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Classical Music, with: - More than 90 pieces of world-famous music - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Classical Music Book is a captivating introduction to music theory, crucial composers and the impact of seminal pieces, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll discover more than 90 works by famous composers from the early period to the modern day, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your Classical Music Questions, Simply Explained From Mozart to Mendelssohn, this fresh new guide goes beyond your typical music books, offering a comprehensive overview to classical music history and biography. If you thought it was difficult to learn about music theory, The Classical Music Book presents key information in a clear layout. Explore the main ideas underpinning the world's greatest compositions and musical traditions, and define their importance to the musical canon and into their wider social, cultural, and historical context. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Classical Music Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Sellout

NATIONAL BESTSELLER AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR "Ozzi's reporting is strong, balanced and well told...a worthy successor to its obvious inspiration, Michael Azerrad's 2001 examination of the '80s indie underground, 'Our Band Could Be Your Life.'"--New York Times Book Review A raucous history of punk, emo, and hardcore’s growing pains during the commercial boom of the early 90s and mid-aughts, following eleven bands as they “sell out” and find mainstream fame, or break beneath the weight of it all Punk rock found itself at a crossroads in the mid-90’s. After indie favorite Nirvana catapulted into the mainstream with its unexpected phenomenon, Nevermind, rebellion was suddenly en vogue. Looking to replicate the band’s success, major record labels set their sights on the underground, and began courting punk’s rising stars. But the DIY punk scene, which had long prided itself on its trademark authenticity and anti-establishment ethos, wasn’t quite ready to let their homegrown acts go without a fight. The result was a schism: those who accepted the cash flow of the majors, and those who defiantly clung to their indie cred. In Sellout, seasoned music writer Dan Ozzi chronicles this embattled era in punk. Focusing on eleven prominent bands who made the jump from indie to major, Sellout charts the twists and turns of the last “gold rush” of the music industry, where some groups “sold out” and rose to surprise super stardom, while others buckled under mounting pressures. Sellout is both a gripping history of the music industry’s evolution, and a punk rock lover’s guide to the chaotic darlings of the post-grunge era, featuring original interviews and personal stories from members of modern punk’s most (in)famous bands: Green DayJawbreakerJimmy Eat WorldBlink-182At the Drive-InThe DonnasThursdayThe DistillersMy Chemical RomanceRise AgainstAgainst Me!

Fahrenheit-182

***The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!*** A smart, funny, and refreshing memoir from Mark Hoppus, the vocalist, bassist, and founding member of pop-punk band blink-182. This is the story of an angst-filled kid from the desert, navigating the chaos of his parents' bitter divorce and searching for his place in the world. Each move across the country was a chance to reinvent himself, switching identities from dork to goth to skate punk, and eventually meeting his best friend who just so happens to be his musical soulmate. With sharp humor and raw honesty, Fahrenheit-182 takes readers through Mark's formative years as a latchkey kid in the 1980s, hooked on punk rock, skateboards, and MTV. Along the way, Mark reflects on his lifelong battle with anxiety, his celebrated career with blink-182, and his public fight with cancer, in a voice that’s both relatable and unmistakably his own. Threaded with sharp humor and heartfelt grit, Fahrenheit-182 is more than just a memoir for blink-182 fans. It’s a funny, smart, and deeply human story for anyone who’s struggled, reinvented themselves, wanted to quit but kept going.

Logical Chess

Having learned the basic moves, how exactly should a player improve? In this popular classic, the author explains 33 complete games, in detail, move by move, including the reason for each one. Playing through these games and explanations gives real insight into the power of the pieces and how to post them most effectively. "The novice who plays through Logical Chess can learn an ocean of basic chess wisdom."—Leonard Barden, Engilsh chess master and broadcaster “Entertains . . . as it reinforces strategic lessons gleaned from chess titans. Illustrates effective middle-game plans.”—Library Journal

Sam Hell is inspiring and aglow with the promise of redemption

According to Booklist, Robert Dugoni, bestselling author of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, is a coming-of-age narrative that "nestles in close to the border, if it doesn't cross entirely over into John Irving territory." Sam Hill had a unique perspective on the world at all times. His classmates nicknamed him "Devil Boy" or Sam "Hell" because of his crimson pupils at birth; his mother referred to his ocular albinism as "God's will." Her comments offered little consolation, but Sam persisted because of his father's practical knowledge, his mother's fervent faith, and his two other oddball pals. Sam thought that Ernie Cantwell, the only other African American student in his class, was sent by God to be the companion he much needed. And that Sam's whole worldview of boys and girls was turned upside down when Mickie Kennedy stormed into Our Lady of Mercy like a cyclone, all because it was God's plan. Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer confident that anything was intentional forty years later—especially not the catastrophe that made him leave his friends, his community, and the life he had known all his life. Shutting your eyes and running away from the agony didn't really help. Sam sets off on an adventure that will take him halfway across the globe while he reflects on his life. This time, his eyes are wide open, revealing everything that shaped him, scared him, and altered him before he could finally see what really mattered. Winner of the Crimson Scribe Award from Suspense Magazine. Review A Suspense Magazine Crimson Scribe Award Winner A Goodreads Choice Award Semifinalist, Historical Fiction An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Literature & Fiction Category “This is the bestselling Dugoni’s masterpiece, the book by which his work, and that of others, will be measured for years to come.” —Providence Journal “Dugoni has produced a novel that, if it doesn’t cross entirely over into John Irving territory, certainly nestles in close to the border…Told in two separate time lines (Sam as a boy, and Sam as a man) that eventually come together, and written in a gentle, introspective yet dramatic style that is very different from that of Dugoni’s crime fiction, this is an inspirational story of a man who spends a lifetime getting to know himself.” —Booklist “Sam Hell is inspiring and aglow with the promise of redemption.” —Kirkus Reviews “Robert Dugoni has a rare and brilliant talent for infusing his characters with complex emotions. It is very hard not to ache for young Sam…Frankly, this might be the best book of the year.” —Bookreporter “Distinctly different in style from Dugoni’s typical fare, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, is a captivating and poignant journey of strength and the power of finding your true self. Without a doubt, this is Dugoni’s best yet.” —Suspense Magazine “Dugoni’s writing is compellingly quick, simple, and evocative; readers will immediately empathize with young Sam and will race to discover how his story ends. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a heartwarming novel that celebrates overcoming the unfairnesses of life.” —Seattle Book Review Past Praise for Robert Dugoni: “Dugoni is a superb storyteller…” —Boston Globe “Dugoni has a gift for creating compelling characters and mysteries that seem straightforward, but his stories, like an onion, have many hidden layers.” —Associated Press

El camino del artista (The Artist's Way)

Descubre el método de 12 semanas que ha desbloqueado la creatividad de grandes artistas durante décadas: a Doechii, Scorsese, Alicia Keys, Natalia Lafourcade, Elizabeth Gilbert y otros muchos creadores les ha cambiado la vida. La mayoría de nosotros anhelamos ser más creativos y muchos creemos que conseguir serlo es imposible porque en realidad no lo somos. Este planteamiento es erróneo y lo único que provoca es que nuestra creatividad se quede dormida en nuestro interior junto a nuestra verdadera esencia. A menudo nos negamos el placer de soñar, de conseguir lo que siempre hemos deseado, de rechazar nuestros impulsos naturales, nuestra propia personalidad. El camino del artista es un método que nos enseña a crear con mayor libertad a través de la utilización consciente de una serie de herramientas que nos ayudarán a terminar con el bloqueo creativo. Su efecto es similar al yoga. La práctica constante de la escritura diaria -páginas matutinas-, los encuentros con el artista, el juego y una exhaustiva introspección guiada harán que modifiquemos nuestra conciencia y nos abramos a un nuevo horizonte imaginativo. Gracias a las enseñanzas de la reconocida escritora y artista Julia Cameron iniciaremos un camino creativo y espiritual que nos hará remontarnos a nuestra verdadera naturaleza. Al finalizar, seremos capaces de rehabilitar nuestra creatividad, de entregarnos a la imaginación y encontrar el sentido de nuestra existencia. Un recorrido revelador por nuestras inseguridades y nuestros miedos, pero también por nuestros recuerdos, nuestros objetivos y por lo mejor de nosotros mismos. Una obra necesaria para escritores, poetas, actores, pintores, músicos o para cualquierindividuo creativo. «La creatividad no tiene ni fondo ni techo aunque haya partes de su crecimiento que sean lentas. El ingrediente que se precisa es la fe -entendida como confianza férrea en uno mismo-. Este libro te muestra el camino y la fe necesarios para liberar la creatividad de las personas. Tómalo como un ejercicio para abrirte a una nueva perspectiva y libera al artista que llevas dentro». Julia Cameron

Star Trek: The Captain's Table #1: War Dragons

There's a bar called "The Captain's Table," where those who have commanded mighty vessels of every shape and era can meet, relax, and share a friendly drink or two with others of their calling. Sometimes a brawl may break out but it's all in the family, more or less. Just remember, the first round of drinks is always paid for with a story...even beyond the final frontier. Captain James T. Kirk must join forces with Captain Hikaru Sulu, new commander of the U.S.S. Excelsior, to resolve a simmering political situation in a distant star system. For more than twenty years, the ancient enmity between Nykkus and Anjiri has resisted the best efforts of Federation diplomats. Now Kirk and Sulu have one last chance to end the bloodshed -- before it erupts into a full-scale interstellar war!

Star Wars Timelines

Chart the history of Star Wars in this stunning guide, from the time before the High Republic to the First Order. An indispensable companion for all Star Wars fans, this premium quality ebook displays visual timelines that chronologically map key events, characters, and developments and mark their significance. Track crucial conflicts across the years that affect the galaxy in profound ways. Follow the Skywalker lightsaber as it passes through the generations and witness the evolution of the iconic TIE fighter across different eras. Trace the movement of the Death Star plans over the years and uncover multiple branching timelines that break down important battles. See essential events at a glance arranged by era and drill down into details to discover major and minor events, key dates, and fascinating insights all chronologically arranged. Pore over intricate timelines on nearly every page. © & ™ 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Tearing Down the Orange Curtain

The untold story of OC punk—the loud, rebellious force behind the ‘90s explosion of the Orange County music scene, featuring stories about legendary bands. When it comes to punk communities across the world, the Orange County punk scene stands out as an undeniable trendsetter that helped define the sound and style of the rapidly evolving genre. From hard luck storytellers Social Distortion and multi-platinum sellers like The Offspring to cult heroes like The Adolescents and T.S.O.L., there’s much insight to gain from the story of this popular though often misunderstood music scene. In Tearing Down the Orange Curtain , journalists Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn explore the trajectory of punk and ska from their humble beginnings to their peak popularity years, where their cultural impact could be felt in music around the world. Delving deep into the personal and professional lives of bands like Social Distortion, The Adolescents, The Offspring, and their ska counterparts No Doubt, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, and more, this book gives readers a deeper look into the very human stories of these musicians, many of whom struggled with acceptance, addiction, and brutal teenage years in suburbia. Through exclusive first-hand interviews, Tearing Down the Orange Curtain brings the 20-year period of OC punk and third-wave ska (1978-2000) to life, focusing specifically on the historical and musical roots of this creative explosion. Thought-provoking, meticulously researched, and refreshingly candid, this book presents a compelling narrative of how a suburban wasteland turned into a hub for rock-n roll culture, just over 30 miles away from the bright lights of LA.

The Storyteller

The #1 New York Times Bestseller * Named one of Variety's Best Music Books of 2021 * Included in Audible's Best of The Year list * A Business Insider Best Memoirs of 2021 * One of NME's Best Music Books of 2021 So, I've written a book. Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a piece of cake! Just do 4 hours of interviews, find someone else to write it, put your face on the cover, and voila!") I have decided to write these stories just as I have always done, in my own hand. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child. This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters…the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement.

The Jaws Log

Winner of three Oscars and the highest-grossing film of its time, Jaws was a phenomenon, and this is the only book on how twenty-six-year-old Steven Spielberg transformed Peter Benchley's number-one bestselling novel into the classic film it became. Hired by Spielberg as a screenwriter to work with him on the set while the movie was being made, Carl Gottlieb, an actor and writer, was there throughout the production that starred Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss. After filming was over, with Spielberg's cooperation, Gottlieb chronicled the extraordinary yearlong adventure in The Jaws Log , which was first published in 1975 and has sold more than two million copies. This expanded edition includes a photo section, an introduction by Benchley, and an afterword by Gottlieb that gives updates about the people and events involved in the film, ultimately providing a singular portrait of a famous movie and inspired moviemaking.

Hamlet

Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost—Hamlet’s father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder? The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference -Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently linked to the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Michael Neill The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Ninth Street Women

Five women revolutionize the modern art world in postwar America in this "gratifying, generous, and lush" true story from a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist (Jennifer Szalai, New York Times ). Set amid the most turbulent social and political period of modern times, Ninth Street Women is the impassioned, wild, sometimes tragic, always exhilarating chronicle of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting -- not as muses but as artists. From their cold-water lofts, where they worked, drank, fought, and loved, these pioneers burst open the door to the art world for themselves and countless others to come. Gutsy and indomitable, Lee Krasner was a hell-raising leader among artists long before she became part of the modern art world's first celebrity couple by marrying Jackson Pollock. Elaine de Kooning, whose brilliant mind and peerless charm made her the emotional center of the New York School, used her work and words to build a bridge between the avant-garde and a public that scorned abstract art as a hoax. Grace Hartigan fearlessly abandoned life as a New Jersey housewife and mother to achieve stardom as one of the boldest painters of her generation. Joan Mitchell, whose notoriously tough exterior shielded a vulnerable artist within, escaped a privileged but emotionally damaging Chicago childhood to translate her fierce vision into magnificent canvases. And Helen Frankenthaler, the beautiful daughter of a prominent New York family, chose the difficult path of the creative life. Her gamble paid off: At twenty-three she created a work so original it launched a new school of painting. These women changed American art and society, tearing up the prevailing social code and replacing it with a doctrine of liberation. In Ninth Street Women , acclaimed author Mary Gabriel tells a remarkable and inspiring story of the power of art and artists in shaping not just postwar America but the future.

A Streetcar Named Desire

The Pulitzer Prize and Drama Critics Circle Award winning play—reissued with an introduction by Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman and The Crucible), and Williams' essay "The World I Live In." It is a very short list of 20th-century American plays that continue to have the same power and impact as when they first appeared—57 years after its Broadway premiere, Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire is one of those plays. The story famously recounts how the faded and promiscuous Blanche DuBois is pushed over the edge by her sexy and brutal brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. Streetcar launched the careers of Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden, and solidified the position of Tennessee Williams as one of the most important young playwrights of his generation, as well as that of Elia Kazan as the greatest American stage director of the '40s and '50s. Who better than America's elder statesman of the theater, Williams' contemporary Arthur Miller, to write as a witness to the lightning that struck American culture in the form of A Streetcar Named Desire? Miller's rich perspective on Williams' singular style of poetic dialogue, sensitive characters, and dramatic violence makes this a unique and valuable new edition of A Streetcar Named Desire. This definitive new edition will also include Williams' essay "The World I Live In," and a brief chronology of the author's life.

The Gospel According To Luke

No one explodes one of the longest-held misconceptions of music history better than Steve Lukather and his band Toto. The dominant sound of the late ‘70s and ‘80s was not punk, but a slick, polished amalgam of rock and R&B first staked out on Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees . That album was shaped in large part by the founding members of Toto, who were emerging as the most in-demand elite session crew in LA, and further developed on the band’s self-titled multi-platinum debut. A string of massive hits followed for Toto while Lukather and bandmates David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, and Steve Porcaro also served as creative linchpins on some of the most successful and influential records of the era, including Michael Jackson’s Thriller . In this incisive memoir, Lukather tells the complete Toto story. He also lifts the lid on what went on behind the closed studio doors, shedding light on the unique creative processes of some of the most legendary names in music: from Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Elton John to Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Roger Waters, and Aretha Franklin. Lukather’s extraordinary tale also encompasses the dark side of stardom and the American Dream. Frank, engaging, and often hilarious, The Gospel According to Luke is no ordinary rock memoir. It is the real thing.

The Art of Masters of the Universe: Origins and Masterverse

Heroes and Villains of Origins and Masterverse come alive! This beautifully designed volume gives a deep dive into the lore and world of the Mattel hit figure lines, Masters of the Universe: Origins and Masterverse. Explore each figure’s background, as well as detailed and wonderfully laid out artwork from the products themselves. Also, the tome will feature new insights from the creators of the figures, written by Alex Irvine ( The Comic Book Story of Baseball, Marvel Phase One through Three )! Dark Horse Books and Mattel proudly present: The Art of Masters of the Universe: Origins and Masterverse!

How to Write One Song

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song . Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't a cute semantic trick—it's an important distinction that can simplify a notoriously confusing art form. The idea of becoming a capital-S songwriter can seem daunting, but approached as a focused, self-contained event, the mystery and fear subsides, and songwriting becomes an exciting pursuit. And then there is the energizing, nourishing creativity that can open up. How to Write One Song brings readers into the intimate process of writing one song—lyrics, music, and putting it all together—and accesses the deep sense of wonder that remains at the heart of this curious, yet incredibly fulfilling, artistic act. But it’s equally about the importance of making creativity part of your life every day, and of experiencing the hope, inspiration, and joy available to anyone who’s willing to get started.

Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition

Explore the epic Star Wars saga through incredible cross-sections More than 100 magnificent cross-section artworks bring the vehicles of Star Wars to life. New cross-sections, amazing detail, and comprehensive text make this the ultimate reference to the craft of a galaxy far, far away.... SEE - Poe Dameron's X-wing in action - The terrifying power of Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 - Obi-Wan Kenobi's fast and agile Jedi starfighter DISCOVER - The inner workings of Rey's speeder - The advanced technology of the Rebel Alliance's U-wing - The devastating weaponry of the Death Star EXPLORE - The famous corridors of the Millennium Falcon - The brutal design of the Knights of Ren's Night Buzzard - The mighty and fearsome Final Order Star Destroyer © & ™ 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd

Hollywood Black

The book that inspired the MGM+ docuseries, Hollywood Black is a sweeping overview of the Black experience in film from the silent era through Black Panther , with striking photos and an engrossing history by award-winning author Donald Bogle. Filled with photographs and stories of stars and filmmakers on set and off, Hollywood Black tells an enthralling, underappreciated history as it's never before been told. Explore the rise of independent African American filmmakers and the changes in the film industry with the arrival of sound motion pictures and the Great Depression. More often than not, Black performers were saddled with rigidly stereotyped roles, but some gifted performers, most notably Hattie McDaniel in Gone With the Wind (1939), were able to turn in significant performances. Dive deep into how Dorothy Dandridge became the first African American to earn a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Carmen Jones (1954) and how Sidney Poitier broke ground in the industry. Follow the emergence of stars such as Morgan Freeman, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Richard Pryor, Angela Bassett, Eddie Murphy, and Whoopi Goldberg, and of directors Spike Lee and John Singleton. The history comes into the new millennium with filmmakers Barry Jenkins ( Moonlight ), Ava Du Vernay ( Selma ), and Ryan Coogler ( Black Panther ) in this enthralling compendium of film.

In the Blink of an Eye, 2nd Edition

In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated editor Walter Murch’s vivid, multifaceted, thought-provoking essay of film editing. Starting with what might seem to be the most basic editing question—Why do cuts work?—he treats the reader to a marvelous ‘ride’ through the esthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and real life; the criteria of a good cut; and the blink of an eye as both an analog to and an emotional cue for the cut. New to this second edition is Murch’s lengthy meditation on the current state of digital editing.

A Guide to Jazz in Japan

Whether you’re visiting Japan, living there, armchair traveling, or just love jazz, this guide points you toward the best of Japan’s vibrant jazz scene. With reviews of over 40+ clubs and 200+ musicians, this indispensable guide lets you know where to go, who to hear, and where to shop, jam, and hang out. With bonus essays on Japan’s unique jazz history, culture, and community, A Guide to Jazz in Japan helps you explore and understand one of the largest and most vibrant jazz scenes in the world. From hip backstreet clubs to talented musicians, the practical information and informed suggestions help make your trip—or your life—in Japan more interesting, fun, informed—and jazzier.

Star Wars Skywalker â€“ A Family At War

Uncover the secrets of the Skywalkers: the family that shaped a galaxy far, far away... The Skywalker story has everything: passion, intrigue, heroism, and dark deeds. This revelatory biography explores every twist and turn of the Skywalker dynasty: the slow seduction to the dark side of Anakin; his doomed marriage to Padmé Amidala; the heroics of Luke and Leia; the fall and redemption of Han Solo and Princess Leia's son, Ben; and the struggles of his dyad in the Force, Rey. Leaving no stone unturned in tracing the dynasty's trials and tribulations, this definitive biography of Star Wars ' first family explores and explains the deeper, more personal story of the Skywalkers, their characters, motivations, and, against seemingly impossible odds, their ultimate triumph. © AND TM 2021 LUCASFILM LTD.

Picasso's War

A riveting story of how dueling ambitions and the power of prodigy made America the cultural center of the world—and Picasso the most famous artist alive—in the shadow of World War II “[Eakin] has mastered this material. . . . The book soars.”— The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice) ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Vanity Fair, The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker In January 1939, Pablo Picasso was renowned in Europe but disdained by many in the United States. One year later, Americans across the country were clamoring to see his art. How did the controversial leader of the Paris avant-garde break through to the heart of American culture? The answer begins a generation earlier, when a renegade Irish American lawyer named John Quinn set out to build the greatest collection of Picassos in existence. His dream of a museum to house them died with him, until it was rediscovered by Alfred H. Barr, Jr., a cultural visionary who, at the age of twenty-seven, became the director of New York’s new Museum of Modern Art. Barr and Quinn’s shared goal would be thwarted in the years to come—by popular hostility, by the Depression, by Parisian intrigues, and by Picasso himself. It would take Hitler’s campaign against Jews and modern art, and Barr’s fraught alliance with Paul Rosenberg, Picasso’s persecuted dealer, to get Picasso’s most important paintings out of Europe. Mounted in the shadow of war, the groundbreaking exhibition Picasso: Forty Years of His Art would launch Picasso in America, define MoMA as we know it, and shift the focus of the art world from Paris to New York. Picasso’s War is the never-before-told story about how a single exhibition, a decade in the making, irrevocably changed American taste, and in doing so saved dozens of the twentieth century’s most enduring artworks from the Nazis. Through a deft combination of new scholarship and vivid storytelling, Hugh Eakin shows how two men and their obsession with Picasso changed the art world forever.

The Animator's Survival Kit

World-renowned animator and triple-Oscar-winner Richard Williams presents The Animator's Survival Kit for iBooks. Taking the globally bestselling Kit to a whole new dimension, this stunningly rich eBook provides the underlying principles that every animator needs. Aspiring or professional, digital, classical or stop motion, animators can now engage with Williams and his work like never before. Watch new short films or interact with over 100 animated examples - learn from the legend himself. Features: - the complete 'Expanded Edition' of 'The Animator's Survival Kit' - over 100 animated examples from 'The Animator's Survival Kit Animated' DVD box set - newly released short animations by Richard Williams, including a 9-minute film, 'Circus Drawings' - new pieces-to-camera from Richard Williams to put the ebook in context

ABC’s of Craps: a Book for Beginners

Walk into any casino, and there is one section where the action is fast and furious. Players are whooping it up, and it sounds like one big party. You approach the area, and, squeezing through the crowd, you discover a long green felted table with a myriad of complex, confusing symbols. You hear voices, but while you can recognize the words, it seems they are in language you’ve never heard before – at least, you have no idea what they mean: “Eighter from Decatur,” “Six and one and you’re all done,” “It’s Little Joe,” and “Seven's a bruiser, the front line's a loser.” Does baby need a new pair of shoes? Of course, because you’re at a Craps Table, the most fun you can have in a casino. So many people pass this game by because of the perceived complexity and the unusual jargon, but Craps is really a very simple game to learn, and better yet – you can actually make some decent money by playing smart. And that’s what this book is all about. Yes, Craps is a game of chance, but the edge the casino has on many of the bets you’ll want to make are very small. A hot streak or two, and you can make some serious “spondulicks” Y’know, “Benjamins…Moolah.” Money. The ABC’s of Craps is designed for the beginning gambler who wants to learn how to play this classic casino game, and play it well.

Directed by James Burrows

“Being directed by the Jimmy Burrows, while on Friends, was like hitting the jackpot. I’m delighted that everyone can now share in his incredible insight with this book.”—JENNIFER ANISTON From the director of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, and Will & Grace comes an insightful and nostalgic behind-the-scenes memoir that’s “as difficult to put down as a Friends marathon is to turn off” ( The Washington Post ). Legendary sitcom director James Burrows has spent five decades making America laugh. Here readers will find never-revealed stories behind the casting of the dozens of great sitcoms he directed, as well as details as to how these memorable shows were created, how they got on the air, and how the cast and crew continued to develop and grow. Burrows also examines his own challenges, career victories, and defeats, and provides advice for aspiring directors, writers, and actors. All this from the man who helped launch the careers of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Melissa McCarthy, to name a few. Burrows talks fondly about the inspiration he found during his childhood and young adult years, including his father, legendary playwright and Broadway director Abe Burrows. From there he goes on to explain his rigorous work ethic, forged in his early years in theater, where he did everything from stage managing to building sets to, finally, directing. Transitioning to television, Burrows locked into a coveted job with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where he first observed and then started to apply his craft. Directing most of the episodes of Taxi came next, where he worked closely with writers/producers Glen and Les Charles. The three formed a remarkable creative partnership that helped Burrows achieve his much sought-after goal of ownership and agency over a project, which came with the creating and directing of the seminal and beloved hit Cheers . Burrows has directed more than seventy-five pilots that have gone to series and over a thousand episodes, more than any other director in history. Directed by James Burrows is a heart-and-soul master class in sitcom, revealing what it truly takes to get a laugh.

How to See: Looking, Talking, and Thinking about Art

“If John Berger’s Ways of Seeing is a classic of art criticism, looking at the ‘what’ of art, then David Salle’s How to See is the artist’s reply, a brilliant series of reflections on how artists think when they make their work. The ‘how’ of art has perhaps never been better explored.” —Salman Rushdie How does art work? How does it move us, inform us, challenge us? Internationally renowned painter David Salle’s incisive essay collection illuminates these questions by exploring the work of influential twentieth-century artists. Engaging with a wide range of Salle’s friends and contemporaries—from painters to conceptual artists such as Jeff Koons, John Baldessari, Roy Lichtenstein, and Alex Katz, among others—How to See explores not only the multilayered personalities of the artists themselves but also the distinctive character of their oeuvres. Salle writes with humor and verve, replacing the jargon of art theory with precise and evocative descriptions that help the reader develop a personal and intuitive engagement with art. The result: a master class on how to see with an artist’s eye.

Future Boy

A poignant, heartfelt, and funny memoir about how, in 1985, Michael J. Fox brought to life two iconic roles simultaneously—Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and Marty McFly in Back to the Future . An amazing true story as only Michael J. Fox can tell it In early 1985, Michael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was about to get even bigger, but only if he could survive the kind of double duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox’s days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom Family Ties , but then the chance of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg— Back to the Future . Sitcom during the day, movie at night—day after day, for months. Fox’s nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dream job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFly while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex’s bravado, Marty’s flair, and Fox’s comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special. In Future Boy , Fox tells the remarkable story of playing two landmark roles at the same time—a slice of entertainment history that’s never been told. Using new interviews with the cast and crew of both projects, the result is a vividly drawn and eye-opening story of creative achievement by a beloved icon.

Dolly Parton, Songteller

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is a landmark celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend. As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Parton's personal and business archives. Mining over 60 years of songwriting, Dolly Parton highlights 175 of her songs and brings readers behind the lyrics. • Packed with never-before-seen photographs and classic memorabilia • Explores personal stories, candid insights, and myriad memories behind the songs Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics reveals the stories and memories that have made Dolly a beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries. Containing rare photos and memorabilia from Parton's archives, this book is a show-stopping must-have for every Dolly Parton fan. • Learn the history behind classic Parton songs like "Jolene," "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," and more. • The perfect gift for Dolly Parton fans (everyone loves Dolly!) as well as lovers of music history and country Add it to the shelf with books like Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton, The Beatles Anthology by The Beatles, and Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.

Adventures in the Screen Trade

Enter Hollywood's inner sanctums in this gosippy and honest book, named one the top 100 film books of all time by The Hollywood Reporter , by the Academy Award-winning screenwriter and bestselling author of The Primcess Bride . No one knows the writer's Hollywood more intimately than William Goldman. Two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter and the bestselling author of The Princess Bride , Marathon Man , Tinsel , Boys and Girls Together , and other novels, Goldman now takes you behind the scenes for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , All the President's Men , and other films . . . .into the plush offices of Hollywood producers . . ..into the working lives of acting greats such as Redford, Olivier, Newman, and Hoffman...and into his own professional experiences and creative thought processes in the crafting of screenplays. You get a firsthand look at why and how films get made and what elements make a good screenplay. Says columnist Liz Smith, "You'll be fascinated.."

Vanity Fair's Tales of Hollywood

The stories behind the stories of some of Hollywood's most iconic movies The magazine world 's monthly arbiter of culture, personality, and world affairs, Vanity Fair has always offered the definitive insider's look at Hollywood power and glamour since its relaunch twenty-five years ago. Now, for the first time ever, Vanity Fair presents a one-of-a-kind collection featuring thirteen behind-the- scenes stories on some of cinema's most iconic films-including pictures as varied as All About Eve, Cleopatra, Sweet Smell of Success, Rebel Without a Cause , and Saturday Night Fever . For pop-culture fanatics and movie buffs alike, Vanity Fair's Tales of Hollywood is an irresistible glimpse at how classic films-and box office bombs-are made.

Essential Poker Math

Poker Math Is Easy to Learn Poker math is a vitally important aspect to No-Limit Hold’em poker, but it is often overlooked or simply not used because many poker players fear it is too difficult to learn. I'm here to tell you it is not. In fact, fundamental poker math is very easy to learn. More importantly, it can yield you a lot more profits at the poker table. Without using simple math at the poker table, you are simply playing a guessing game. Use Simple Math at the Poker Table and Increase You Winnings In this book I will teach you how to use simple arithmetic at the poker table to gain a huge skill advantage over your opponents that will allow you to win more and lose less. Poker players that don't use math are simply guessing and you'll learn to no longer guess and know the right mathematical move at the poker table. These simple mathematical concepts I will be teaching you will drastically help improve your poker game and allow you to make the most profitable decisions at the poker. Contents and Overview First you will be introduced to some fundamental overarching poker concepts that apply to poker mathematics. Then we will begin our journey into poker mathematics where you will learn about probabilities and odds, pot odds and implied odds, pot equity, and expected value. You will then learn how to quickly estimate your equity at the poker table using the Rule of 2 & 4. Moreover, you'll learn the steps involved in determining if calling with a drawing hand is profitable or not. We will also cover how to size your bets with the best hand and teach you how often bluffs and hero calls need to work to be profitable. Lastly, we will show you how to perform EV calculations and better understand card combinations. What You Will Get out of This Book Suitable for both beginning and experienced poker players alike you'll learn many essential fundamental poker mathematical concepts that will help you drastically improve your poker game. After reading this book, you will have mastered fundamental No Limit Hold’em mathematics. You will have gained a huge skill advantage over your opponents and you will be able to quickly and effectively use math at the poker table to make are always the most profitable move. Most importantly, you will become a much better and profitable poker player! So what are you waiting for? Purchase this book today to start learning how to advance your poker game with simple poker math!

Revolution in the Head

This “Bible of the Beatles” captures the iconic band's magical and mysterious journey from adorable teenagers to revered cultural emissaries. In this fully updated version, each of their 241 tracks is assessed chronologically from their first amateur recordings in 1957 to their final “reunion” recording in 1995. It also incorporates new information from the Anthology series and recent interviews with Paul McCartney. This comprehensive guide offers fascinating details about the Beatles' lives, music, and era, never losing sight of what made the band so important, unique, and enjoyable.

Hit Men

Copiously researched and documented, Hit Men is the highly controversial portrait of the pop music industry in all its wild, ruthless glory: the insatiable greed and ambition; the enormous egos; the fierce struggles for profits and power; the vendettas, rivalries, shakedowns, and payoffs. Chronicling the evolution of America's largest music labels from the Tin Pan Alley days to the present day, Fredric Dannen examines in depth the often venal, sometimes illegal dealings among the assorted hustlers and kingpins who rule over this multi-billion-dollar business. Updated with a new last chapter by the author.

Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics

In Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics, Stan Lee reveals his secrets for: * Costumes * Penciling, Inking & Coloring * Lettering & Word Balloons * Digital Advances * Perspective & Foreshortening * What Makes Great Action * Page & Panel Layout * Covers * Creating a Portfolio * Getting Work When it comes to comic books, one name says it all: Stan Lee. His characters are classics. His industry knowledge is vast. His creativity is boundless. And now, he’s sharing what he knows with you, Grasshopper! His cohorts have always been—and still are—some of the best in the business: Jack Kirby, John Romita, Sr., Neal Adams, Gil Kane, Mike Deodato, Jr., Frank Cho, and Jonathan Lau, and many others, Stan includes their work here and discusses what exactly makes it so great. He touches on all the important stuff: anatomy, foreshortening, perspective, action, penciling, inking, hand lettering vs. digital lettering, color, character and costume design, panel flow, materials and tools, computers, file formats, and software. He includes an overview of the history and development of the comic book industry, and there’s an extensive section on various types of covers—the super important element that makes the reader want to pick up that comic! In a world where good battles evil at every turn and the hero fights valiantly to get the girl, no stone is left unturned! Here you’ll also find info on all the small details—that really aren’t so small: word balloons, thought balloons, whisper balloons, bursts, sound effect lettering, and splash pages! And KA-BLAMMM! . . . once you’ve created your art, then what? Lest you think Stan would turn you out into the wilderness without a road map, fellow traveler, there’s also information on preparing and submitting your portfolio, on getting work, and on suggested reading and schools. Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics features a cover that reunites long time collaborator John Romita Sr. and original cover artist of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way . John Romita Sr. was most famous for his collaboration on The Amazing Spider-Man with Stan Lee! It’s time for a new approach . . . “a cornucopia of cutting-edge, techno-savvy instructions to lead you down the freshly laid yellow brick road of creativity.” It’s time for a book that takes you on the new journey of creating comic books for the 21st century and beyond! Excelsior! From the Trade Paperback edition.

Four Major Plays, Volume I

Four Major Plays: Volume I A Doll House • The Wild Duck • Hedda Gabler • The Master Builder Among the greatest and best known of Ibsen’s works, these four plays brilliantly exemplify his landmark contributions to the theater: his realistic dialogue, probing of social problems, and depiction of characters’ inner lives as well as their actions. Rich in symbolism and often autobiographical, each of these dramas deals convincingly and provocatively with such universal themes as greed, fear, and sexual hostility, and confronts the eternal conflict between reality and illusion. These Rolf Fjelde translations have been widely acclaimed as the definitive versions of the major works of the father of modern theater. Translated and with a Foreword by Rolf Fjelde And an Afterword by Joan Templeton

Constellations

"A singular astonishment." —John Lahr, The New Yorker One relationship. Infinite possibilities. In the beginning Marianne and Roland meet at a party. They go for a drink, or perhaps they don't. They fall madly in love and start dating, but eventually they break up. After a chance encounter in a supermarket they get back together, or maybe they run into each other and Marianne reveals that she's now engaged to someone else and that's that. Or perhaps Roland is engaged. Maybe they get married, or maybe their time together will be tragically short. Nick Payne's Constellations is a play about free will and friendship; it's also about quantum multiverse theory, love, and honey.

Welcome to Dunder Mifflin

New York Times Bestseller "The ultimate behind-the-scenes account.” —Washington Post “The definitive history of the landmark TV show.” —USA Today Join the entire Dunder Mifflin gang on a journey back to Scranton: here's the hilarious and improbable inside story behind the beloved series. Based on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with the cast and creators and illustrated with 100 behind-the-scenes photographs, here, at last, is the untold inside story of The Office, featuring a foreword by Greg Daniels, who adapted the series for the U.S. and was its guiding creative force, and narrated by star Brian Baumgartner (aka “Kevin Malone”) and executive producer Ben Silverman.. In Welcome to Dunder Mifflin, the entire Office gang reunite after nearly a decade to share their favorite untold stories, spill secrets, and reveal how a little show that barely survived its first season became the most watched series in the universe. This ultimate fan companion pulls back the curtain as never before on all the absurdity, genius, love, passion, and dumb luck that went into creating America's beloved The Office. Featuring the memories of Steve Carell, John Krasinkski, Jenna Fischer, Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, Rainn Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Craig Robinson, Brian Baumgartner, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Ed Helms, Oscar Nunez, Amy Ryan, Ellie Kemper, Creed Bratton, Paul Lieberstein, Ben Silverman, Mike Schur, and many more.

Guitar Theory

Music theory is often considered to be one of the most difficult subjects to learn. Idiot's Guides: Guitar Theory breaks down music theory for guitar and other fretboard instruments in very simple and easy-to-understand lessons. Content includes everything a budding musician needs to know about notes, guitar tablature, rhythm, chords and scales, and more.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

A bestselling, beautifully designed edition of William Shakespeare’s sonnets, complete with valuable tools for educators. The authoritative edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on the facing page of each sonnet -A brief introduction to each sonnet, providing insight into its possible meaning -An index of first lines -Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the sonnets The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Adult Piano Adventures Popular Book 1 - Timeless Hits and Popular Favorites

Adult Piano Adventures Popular Book 1 is a remarkable collection of timeless hits and popular favorites arranged at just the right level for adult beginners and for those who are returning to the keyboard. The book is organized into three sections: Section 1 has minimal hand position changes, and many songs include an optional duet part. Section 2 introduces the I, IV and V7 chords in the key of C. Section 3 presents the I, IV and V7 chords in the key of G. Enjoy 34 popular melodies from across the decades, including: My Heart Will Go On * Edelweiss * Let It Be * Downton Abbey Theme * Tomorrow * Climb Ev'ry Mountain * Someone Like You * Yesterday * Pachelbel Canon * Thinking Out Loud * Beauty and the Beast * What a Wonderful World * and more.

Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method

The Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method is a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide designed for anyone interested in playing jazz piano - from the complete novice just learning the basics to the more advanced player who wishes to enhance their keyboard vocabulary. There are lots of fun progressions and licks for you to play and absorb. The accompanying audio includes demonstrations of all the examples in the book] Topics include essential theory, chords and voicings, improvisation ideas, structure and forms, scales and modes, rhythm basics, interpreting a lead sheet, playing solos, and much more]

Confessions of a Casting Director

Confessions of a Casting Director is a must-have for any aspiring actor or stage parent—the definitive guide to breaking into film, television, theater, and even YouTube from longtime casting director and studio executive Jen Rudin. Packed with information that aspiring actors want, her up-to-the-minute expert advice is essential for anyone pursuing an acting career. Jen Rudin demystifies the often intimidating and constantly changing audition process, sharing insider tips on preparing for every type of audition: musical theater, television (including commercials and reality TV), and film to voiceovers, animated movies, and even web series. In this comprehensive guide, Rudin covers everything today’s actor needs to succeed, including finding an agent or manager; using technology to your advantage; the demanding world of child acting; the pros and cons of New York vs. LA; turning a callback into an offer for the role, and much more. Every actor should walk into an audition room feeling confident and prepared, and this book is full of the Dos and Don’ts, sure-fire tricks, and must-have information to help turn rejection into that first big break. Complete with checklists, easy-to-follow game plans, and advice from real actors, agents, and entertainment industry professionals, Confessions of a Casting Director is like having your own private audition coach.

Henry Chalfant's Graffiti Archive Vol. 2

Henry Chalfant's Graffiti Archive is a work of visual anthropology and one of the seminal documents of American popular culture in the late twentieth century. The original artworks depicted here, which have been the inspiration and guide for thousands of youthful artists around the world, were never able to endure for long before the city cleaned the cars, or the artists' enemies crossed them out. Chalfant's patience and determination in hunting down and capturing these masterpieces with his camera has left the world with a representative cross section of some of the best work by the most talented young artists who painted New York City's subway cars in the seventies and eighties, the golden age of graffiti. A handful of Chalfant's photos have been featured in such books as Subway Art and films like Style Wars. Now for the first time, the entire collection will be made available, released serially over the next year until all 800 trains have been published.

101 Science Fiction Short Stories

101 Science Fiction Short Stories is an electrifying collection that spans the vast universe of classic sci-fi, offering everything from deep-space warfare and alien encounters to dystopian nightmares and time-travel paradoxes. Published by Steppenwolf Press, this anthology brings together both legendary masters and hidden gems, each story a portal into a new world of infinite possibilities. With thrilling adventures, mind-bending concepts, and thought-provoking speculation, this collection showcases the full spectrum of the genre’s golden age and beyond. Among the legends included, Isaac Asimov delivers his signature thought-provoking storytelling with Youth , while Ray Bradbury takes readers on a haunting interstellar voyage in A Little Journey . Philip K. Dick blends paranoia and humor in The Eyes Have It , and Fritz Leiber warps reality in The Snowbank Orbit , The 64-Square Madhouse , and Pipe Dream . Frederik Pohl explores interstellar punishment in The Five Hells of Orion , while Donald E. Westlake infuses crime noir into the cosmos with Call Him Nemesis . These stories, alongside many others, define the imaginative spirit of classic science fiction. Interwoven with these iconic tales are hidden gems from equally visionary writers. R. A. Lafferty delivers surrealism in Seven Day Terror and The Polite People of Pudibundia , while Keith Laumer combines satire and adventure in Saline Solution , Cultural Exchange , and Retief of the Red-Tape Mountain . Poul Anderson examines the price of progress in What Shall It Profit? , and Frank Herbert leaves an unsettling mark with Old Rambling House . Jim Harmon packs action into The Expendables and Dangerous Quarry , while Sylvia Jacobs plays with time itself in Young Man from Elsewhen . The collection embraces the full range of sci-fi storytelling, from psychological horror to high-stakes space opera. Randall Garrett delivers razor-sharp wit in Spatial Delivery , while Ron Goulart injects humor into the unknown with Ignatz . Jack Sharkey crafts bizarre and wildly inventive worlds in The Flying Tuskers of K’Niik-K’Naak , and Lester del Rey explores deep-space survival in Spawning Ground . With contributions from C. C. MacApp, Harry Harrison, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Andre Norton, Theodore L. Thomas , and many more, this collection ensures that no two stories are alike. Spanning alien civilizations, cosmic conspiracies, post-apocalyptic ruins, and time-warping dilemmas, 101 Science Fiction Short Stories is more than just an anthology—it is a thrilling journey through the limitless frontiers of the imagination. Whether exploring the mysteries of space, the potential of artificial intelligence, or the strange destinies of humankind, this collection captures the boundless creativity of classic science fiction. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this is an essential volume, a treasure trove of storytelling that will ignite the imagination and transport readers to worlds beyond their wildest dreams.

Women, Art, and Society (Sixth) (World of Art)

A new edition of the groundbreaking book by Whitney Chadwick maps the complete history of women artists from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to today. Art historian Whitney Chadwick’s acclaimed bestselling study challenges the assumption that great women artists are exceptions to the rule who “transcended” their gender to produce major works of art. While introducing some of the many women since the Middle Ages whose contributions to visual culture have often been neglected, Chadwick’s survey reexamines the works themselves and the ways in which they have been perceived as marginal, often in direct reference to gender. In her discussion of feminism and its influence on such a reappraisal, she also addresses the closely related issues of ethnicity, class, and sexuality. This revised edition features a completely redesigned interior and full-color illustrations. With a new preface and epilogue from this emerging authority on the history of women artists, curator and professor Flavia Frigeri, this revised edition continues the project of charting the evolution of feminist art history and pedagogy, revealing how artists have responded to new strategies of feminism for the current moment.

1001 Jazz Licks (Music Instruction)

This book presents 1,001 melodic gems played over dozens of the most important chord progressions heard in jazz. This is the ideal book for beginners seeking a well-organized, easy-to-follow encyclopedia of jazz vocabulary, as well as professionals who want to take their knowledge of the jazz language to new heights.

Practical Mental Magic

Mind reading, thought transmission, prophecy, miracle slate routines, and other "psychic" effects are among the most impressive tricks in any magician's repertoire. Their power to amaze and dumbfound an audience is unparalleled in the domain of stage magic. In this volume, one of the greatest of all mental magicians reveals the secrets behind nearly 200 astonishing feats of mental magic. The routines encompass 12 major categories: Effects with Billets and Pellets; Envelope Necromancy; Publicity Effects; Miracle Slate Routines; Dead or Alive; Money Mentalism; Book Tests; Blindfold Reading; Thought Foretold; Mentalism with Cards; Miscellaneous Mental Masterpieces; and Psychic Codes. Theodore Annemann, through his own performances and editorship of Jinx magazine, probably did more than anyone else to popularize this branch of entertainment. Now, his extensive knowledge, experience, and know-how are at your fingertips in this comprehensive collection. Here are the closely guarded tricks of the trade behind such astonishing effects as Pseudo-Psychometry , one of the greatest one-man psychic effects ever achieved; Who Killed Mr. X? — a classic routine that combines both magic and mind reading with a triple mystery and a novel presentation; and The Swami Test , a demonstration of prophecy first popularized around 1920. Annemann himself came up with some 16 variations on this popular and much-practiced effect. My Own Swami Test is one of his best. These and scores of other crowd-pleasers are here, each thoroughly explained and diagrammed, with insiders' tips on techniques, staging, patter, plants and confederates, diversions — everything you need to make any trick a foolproof success. No special equipment is required; just traditional magic props and a willingness to learn from one of magic's legendary figures. Although written for professional magicians, the step-by-step detail, clarity and inclusiveness of this collection, along with the author's intimate knowledge of the stage performer's needs, make this a volume that will benefit magicians at every level of expertise.

The Secrets Of Conjuring And Magic

Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-71) is often called the father of modern conjuring. The best-known magician of his time, Robert-Houdin toured France, England and Germany and performed for Queen Victoria. In this fascinating volume you will find the oft-quoted advice that “A conjuror is not a juggler; he is an actor playing the part of someone with real powers”. Originally published (in French) in 1868, Robert-Houdin describes in detail many magic tricks and includes a history of conjuring. In 1877 the book appeared in English, translation by Professor Louis Hoffmann (1839-1919). This is a Hey Presto remastered edition of the translated work first published in 1877.

The Deep South Dialect

"The Deep South Dialect" eBook, richly enhanced with the author’s own recorded instruction, and beautifully illustrated, is one in Paul Meier’s acclaimed accent-instruction series. Two dozen others are also available as Apple Books eBooks. It’s difficult to imagine an English-speaking actor being able to avoid a Deep South dialect either on stage or screen; too many great writers set their stories there. And the dialect is too often done poorly. This eBook is a must-have item for every actor. Or for a better bargain, get "Accents & Dialects for Stage and Screen," (available at https://books.apple.com/us/book/accents-dialects-for-stage-and-screen/id1181641700), which contains this dialect plus 26 more. Meier is one of the world’s most respected authorities on stage dialects, and is a successful dialect coach for theatre, film and voice-over. His accent and dialect instruction work is hugely popular with actors worldwide; he has coached film stars such as Tobey Maguire, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Wilkinson, Jim Caviezel, Simon Baker, Louise Fletcher, and many others. Professor Meier has trained actors at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the North Carolina School of the Arts, and other prestigious conservatories both in his native London, and the United States, where he makes his home. Meier is a leading accent modification or "reduction” specialist too, consulting with Rosetta Stone and Learnship (formerly Global English), and coaching Fortune 500 company executives in both American English and British English. He founded and directs The International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA), the leading online source for accent recordings of real-life speakers. Meier’s system coaches the “signature sounds” of the accent/dialect and gives you fun word drills, sentences, and great audition monologues from plays and films. All sound files are embedded in the eBook. He even gives you access to recordings of native speakers and allows you to follow up with a Zoom session or earn a Paul Meier Certificate of Proficiency. Enjoy browsing the preview copy of this eBook, and then get the most widely used, fun, successful, and easy-to-follow dialect-instruction system on the market today.

Straight White Men / Untitled Feminist Show

“Young Jean Lee’s Untitled Feminist Show is one of the more moving and imaginative works I have ever seen on the American stage…what makes it so transcendent is its delicious ability to alternate the pain of being different with a sense of humor about lives not lived among the status quo.” —Hilton Als, New Yorker “The twisty, turbulent, argumentative work of Young Jean Lee…will make you flinch, but it’s hard to look away…Lee has always been interested in exposing how we perform our identities. But in Straight White Men, she drills into something more core. Shuck off, subvert, cleave to your gender or race all you like, but a universal horror of weakness remains—a collective orientation toward status, power, control.” —Parul Sehgal, New York Times “Who said the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak? Both are pretty damn fierce in director Young Jean Lee’s all-nude dance suite cheekily (but purposefully) called Untitled Feminist Show. In a scant (and scantily clad) hour, Lee and her gutsy dancers try on a dizzying variety of modes and masks to shake up gender norms.” —David Cote, Time Out New York “Straight White Men might be the most subversive thing that Young Jean Lee, one of American theater’s most keenly seditious practitioners, has ever done.” —Alexis Soloski, Guardian “Young Jean Lee is, hands down, the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation.” —Charles Isherwood, New York Times Young Jean Lee, with Straight White Men, became the first Asian-American woman to have her play produced on Broadway. She has directed her work in more than thirty cities around the world, and is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, two OBIE Awards, a Prize in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and a PEN Literary Award.

Hopper

Now in rich color, thirty of American painter Edward Hopper’s masterpieces with critiques from acclaimed poet Mark Strand. Strand deftly illuminates the work of the frequently misunderstood American painter, whose enigmatic paintings—of gas stations, storefronts, cafeterias, and hotel rooms—number among the most powerful of our time. In brief but wonderfully compelling comments accompanying each painting, the elegant expressiveness of Strand’s language is put to the service of Hopper’s visual world. The result is a singularly illuminating presentation of the work of one of America’s best-known artists. Strand shows us how the formal elements of the paintings—geometrical shapes pointing beyond the canvas, light from unseen sources—locate the viewer, as he says, “in a virtual space where the influence and availability of feeling predominate.” An unforgettable combination of prose and painting in their highest forms, this book is a must for poetry and art lovers alike.

100 (monologues)

This new collection by one of America’s premier performers and most innovative and provocative artists includes 100 monologues from his acclaimed plays and solo shows including: Drinking in America ; Men Inside ; Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead ; Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll and more. Also included are additional pieces from Talk Radio and Notes from Underground .

Exit Stage Left

**A SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN & TELEGRAPH MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022** **INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE MONTH** **GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE DAY** **FINANCIAL TIMES 'BEST SUMMER BOOKS 2022' PICK** 'Incredibly moving.' - Guardian 'Entertaining.' - Telegraph 'Most books about pop stars focus on the way we turn average human beings into demi-gods. In writing a book about how they have to turn back into humans Nick Duerden has done both us and them a service.' - David Hepworth 'Funny, poignant and often inspirational.' - Mat Osman The desire for adulation is a light that never goes out. We live in a culture obsessed by the notion of fame - the heedless pursuit of it; the almost obligatory subsequent fallout. But what's it like to actually achieve it, and what happens when fame abruptly passes, and shifts, as it does, onto someone else? This is the point at which pop stars are at their most heroic, because they don't give up. They keep on striving, keep making music, and refuse simply to ebb away. Some sustain themselves on the nostalgia circuit, others continue to beaver away in the studio, no longer Abbey Road, perhaps, so much as the garden shed. But all of them, in their own individual ways, still dare to dream. Exit Stage Left features tales of drug addiction, bankruptcy, depression and divorce, but also of optimism, a genuine love of the craft, humility and hope. This is a candid, laugh-out-loud and occasionally shocking look at what happens when the brightest stars fall back down to earth. ' Exit Stage Left is the book I've long wanted to read about the PTSD-like after-effects of pop stardom - and Nick Duerden is the perfect writer for the job. The pop star's bittersweet lot is represented with flair and empathy.' - Pete Paphides, author of Broken Greek ' Exit Stage Left is a funny and poignant book, drawing on Duerden's considerable experience as a journalist and interviewer . . . he understands what motivates this strange bunch of people.' - Andy Miller, Spectator 'Fame is the brightest candle, but in this brilliant collection of interviews, Nick Duerden answers the question: what does a candle do after it's burned out?' - David Quantick 'Duerden finds fascinating layers of humanity, pathos, humour and wisdom in equal measure. A brilliant book, for artists and fans alike.' - Frank Turner Featuring brand new interviews with the likes of: Bob Geldof, Shaun Ryder, Robbie Williams, Roisin Murphy, Stewart Copeland, Billy Bragg, Wendy James, Alex Kapranos, Joan Armatrading, Leo Sayer, Gary Lightbody, Lisa Maffia, Tim Booth, Bill Drummond, Rufus Wainwright, David Gray, and Justin Hawkins.

The 21st Century Screenplay

The 21st Century Screenplay is the much-expanded successor to the author's Scriptwriting Updated. Many books in one, it offers a comprehensive, highly practical manual of screenwriting from the classic to the avant-garde, from The African Queen and Tootsie , to 21 Grams, Pulp Fiction, Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Whether you want to write short films, features, adaptations, genre films, ensemble films, blockbusters or art house movies, this book takes you all the way from choosing the brilliant idea to plotting, writing and rewriting. Featuring a range of insider survival tips on time-effective writing, creativity under pressure and rising to the challenge of international competition, The 21st Century Screenplay is essential reading for newcomer and veteran alike.

Jason Molina

Erin Osmon presents a detailed, human account of the Rust Belt–born musician Jason Molina—a visionary, prolific, and at times cantankerous singer-songwriter with an autodidactic style that captivated his devoted fans. The songwriting giant behind the bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. had a knack for spinning tales, from the many personal myths he cultivated throughout his life to the poems and ballads he penned and performed. As with too many great musicians, Molina’s complicated relationship with the truth, combined with a secretive relationship with the bottle, ultimately claimed his life. Jason Molina: Riding with the Ghost details Molina’s personal trials and triumphs and reveals for the first time the true story of Molina’s last months and works, including an unpublished album unknown to many of his fans. Offering unfettered access to the mind and artistry of Molina through exclusive interviews with family, friends, and collaborators, the book also explores the Midwest music underground and the development of Bloomington, Indiana–based label Secretly Canadian. As the first authorized and detailed account of this prolific songwriter and self-mythologizer, Jason Molina provides readers with unparalleled insight into Molina’s tormented life and the fascinating Midwest musical underground that birthed him. It’s a story for the ages that speaks volumes to the triumphs and trials of the artistic spirit while exploring the meaningful music that Molina’s creative genius left behind.

Stan Lee's Master Class

From the co-creator of the Mighty Marvel Universe and some of the most popular comic book characters of all time comes an in-depth comics drawing instruction book revealing the tools, styles, and techniques of today's top comics artists. Focusing on topics like anatomy, perspective, and character design, as well as brand new topics like manga art styles, digital art, and more, Stan Lee's Master Class is the next step for those looking to perfect their superhero rendering and create fantastic worlds perfect for today's modern comic book audience. With examples from his classic collaborations at Marvel Comics and from today's top comics artists, Lee builds on concepts only touched upon in his previous instructional offerings and provides a pathway for aspiring artists to bring their comic book artwork to professional-quality levels. Advance praise for Stan Lee’s Master Class “Stan Lee dedicated his life to perfecting the art and craft of comic book storytelling. Stan Lee’s Master Class distills his decades of experience into practical and clearly explained lessons to help you make the best comics you can. It’s like having Stan looking over your shoulder.” —Danny Fingeroth, longtime colleague of Stan Lee, and author of A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee

The Perfect House

"Palladio is the Bible," Thomas Jefferson once said. "You should get it and stick to it." With his simple, gracious, perfectly proportioned villas, Andrea Palladio elevated the architecture of the private house into an art form during the late sixteenth century -- and his influence is still evident in the ample porches, columned porticoes, grand ceilings, and front-door pediments of America today. In The Perfect House, bestselling author Witold Rybczynski, whose previous books ( Home , A Clearing in the Distance , Now I Sit Me Down ) have transformed our understanding of domestic architecture, reveals how a handful of Palladio's houses in an obscure corner of the Venetian Republic should have made their presence felt hundreds of years later and halfway across the globe. More than just a study of one of history's seminal architectural figures, The Perfect House reflects Rybczynski's enormous admiration for his subject and provides a new way of looking at the special landscapes we call "home" in the modern world.

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