Astor

Astor

The number one New York Times bestselling authors of Vanderbilt return with another riveting history of a legendary American family, the Astors, and how they built and lavished their fortune.The story of the Astors is a quintessentially American story—of ambition, invention, destruction, and reinvention.From 1783, when German immigrant John Jacob Astor first arrived in the United States, until 2009, when Brooke Astor’s son, Anthony Marshall, was convicted of defrauding his elderly mother, the Astor name occupied a unique place in American society.The family fortune, first made by a beaver trapping business that grew into an empire, was then amplified by holdings in Manhattan real estate. Over the ensuing generations, Astors ruled Gilded Age New York society and inserted themselves into political and cultural life, but also suffered the most famous loss on the Titanic, one of many shocking and unexpected twists in the family’s story.In this unconventional, page-turning historical biography, featuring black-and-white and color photographs, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe chronicle the lives of the Astors and explore what the Astor name has come to mean in America—offering a window onto the making of America itself.

Counting the Cost

Counting the Cost

For the first time, discover the unedited truth about the Duggars, the traditional Christian family that captivated the nation on TLC’s hit show 19 Kids and Counting. Jill Duggar and her husband Derick are finally ready to share their story, revealing the secrets, manipulation, and intimidation behind the show that remained hidden from their fans.Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn’t possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family’s way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle’s nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankle-length dresses with throat-high necklines. She didn’t protest the strict model of patriarchy that her family followed, which declares that men are superior, that women are expected to be wives and mothers and are discouraged from attaining a higher education, and that parental authority over their children continues well into adulthood, even once they are married.But as Jill got older, married Derick, and they embarked on their own lives, the red flags became too obvious to ignore.For as long as they could, Jill and Derick tried to be obedient family members—they weren’t willing to rock the boat. But now they’re raising a family of their own, and they’re done with the secrets. Thanks to time, tears, therapy, and blessings from God, they have the strength to share their journey. Theirs is a remarkable story of the power of the truth and is a moving example of how to find healing through honesty.

Only Say Good Things

Only Say Good Things

A JANUARY 2024 APPLE BOOKS STAFF PICK AND AUDIBLE EDITORS SELECT NAMED A BEST BOOK TO READ THIS JANUARY BY THE GLOSS A raw and unflinching look at the objectification and misogyny of the Playboy mansion, a woman’s stolen young adulthood and her journey to self-acceptance, and a rare look inside Hugh Hefner’s final days. At just twenty-one years old, Crystal Harris’ life changed forever when she attended a party at the notorious Playboy mansion. Picked out of the crowd by Hugh Hefner, she became one of his infamous “girlfriends,” attending glamorous Hollywood parties and traveling the world. Yet this seemingly alluring lifestyle had a dark side. Hef controlled his girlfriends with strict rules regarding everything from their hair and makeup to their curfews, and Crystal was forced to compete with other women for her spot in the highly hierarchal system. Living at the mansion, she felt more like a fixture than a resident.    She quickly rose to the top, but being Hef’s number one girlfriend came at the cost of Crystal’s identity outside her role in the Playboy universe. Her fate seemed sealed when Hef surprised her with a marriage proposal she could not imagine refusing. But as Crystal Hefner, she grew increasingly restless to understand who she truly was away from what she saw as Playboy’s toxic culture. In ONLY SAY GOOD THINGS, Crystal offers a vulnerable and clear-eyed look at how her experience with Hugh Hefner catalyzed her transformative journey from someone who prized external validation over all else to a person who finally recognizes her true worth. This candid memoir provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at a powerful cultural icon and brand, and an equally empowering perspective on hard-won lessons about who we allow to determine our value.

Código-fonte

Código-fonte

A história de formação de um dos empresários e filantropos mais influentes e inovadores de nosso tempo.A trajetória de sucesso profissional de Bill Gates já é bastante conhecida: o jovem de vinte anos que abandonou a universidade de Harvard para fundar uma empresa de software que se tornou uma gigante da indústria e mudou a maneira como trabalhamos e vivemos; o bilionário que com frequência dedicou sua atenção às atividades filantrópicas para enfrentar questões envolvendo mudanças climáticas, saúde global e educação nos Estados Unidos.Código-fonte não é sobre a Microsoft, a Fundação Gates ou o futuro da tecnologia. É o relato humano e pessoal de como Bill Gates se tornou quem é hoje: sua infância, suas primeiras paixões e aspirações. É a história de sua avó cheia de princípios e de pais ambiciosos, de amizades profundas de infância e da morte repentina de seu melhor amigo; das dificuldades para se encaixar e da descoberta de um universo de códigos e computadores quando o campo dava seus primeiros passos; de uma jornada, logo no início da adolescência, que o levou de escapadas à meia-noite em um centro de computadores para o dormitório da faculdade, onde ele deu origem a uma revolução tecnológica global.Bill Gates conta tudo isso, sua própria história, pela primeira vez: sensata, calorosa, reveladora — um retrato fascinante de uma vida americana.

Making It So

Making It So

The long-awaited memoir from iconic, beloved actor and living legend Sir Patrick Stewart!From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So, a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.

Body Slam

Body Slam

In every arena, Jesse Ventura put a headlock on the competition. From his Navy SEAL days, to his infamous wrestling years, to his stunning political victory, read the story of the Body, a man who truly embodies the American Dream.How did an outrageous, outspoken, boa-wearing pro wrestler nab the title of Minnesota's governor in an overwhelming upset? This is the question the nation is asking--and Washington journalist Jake Tapper provides the fascinating answers in Body Slam: The Jesse Ventura Story. Get the real story on:-His intense training to become an elite Navy SEAL and his experiences overseas during the Vietnam War-His lengthy career in the pro wrestling field--from flamboyant pro wrestler to colorful commentator--including his feuds with Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon Jr.-Ventura's acting stints, including a part in the film Predator-How the Body mouthed his way to the top of shock radio-His rise through the ranks of politics, from mayor to governor--and maybe beyond-Ventura's political vision--what he sees for Minnesota and the country-And much, much more!The Body Politic Will Never Be the Same.

Who Could Ever Love You

Who Could Ever Love You

A New York Times Nonfiction Book to Read this FallA People Magazine Best Book of SeptemberThe Week Five Riveting Books to Take You Through SeptemberMary Trump grew up in a family divided by its patriarch’s relentless drive for money and power. The daughter of Freddy Trump, the highly accomplished, dashing eldest son of wealthy real estate developer Fred Trump, and Linda Clapp, a flight attendant from a working-class family, Mary lived in the shadow of Freddy’s humiliation at the hands of his father.Fred Trump embodied the ethos of the zero-sum game and among his five children, there could only be one winner. That was supposed to be Freddy, his namesake, but Fred found him wanting—too sensitive, too kind, too interested in pursuits beyond the realm of the real estate empire he was meant to inherit. In Donald, Fred found a kindred spirit, a “killer,” who would stop at nothing to get his own way.Even after Freddy’s short-lived career as a professional pilot for TWA came to an end, he never stopped trying to gain his father’s approval. Finally, at the age of forty-two, he succumbed to Fred’s lethal contempt and died alone in an emergency room, with no family by his side.In WHO COULD EVER LOVE YOU, Mary Trump brings us inside the twisted family whose patriarch ignored, froze out, and eventually destroyed his own. Freddy Trump’s decline into alcoholism and illness, along with Linda’s suffering after their divorce, left Mary dangerously vulnerable as a very young girl. Inadequately and only conditionally loved, there were no adults in her life except for the father she loved, but lost before she could know him; and a mother abandoned by her ex-husband’s rich and powerful family who demanded her loyalty but left her with nothing. With searching insight, poignant detail, and unsparing prose, Mary Trump reveals the cold, selfish cruelty that has come to define the Trump family thanks in large part to her uncle, whose malignant ambition has riven our nation and threatens the world.

Source code

Source code

Il racconto degli inizi di uno degli imprenditori e filantropi più influenti e innovativi dell'epoca moderna. In uscita in contemporanea mondiale. I successi imprenditoriali di Bill Gates sono ben noti: il ragazzo che, all'età di soli vent'anni, abbandonò gli studi universitari a Harvard e avviò un'azienda di software destinata a diventare un colosso del settore e trasformare radicalmente il modo in cui lavoriamo e viviamo; il multimiliardario che si è poi dedicato alla filantropia impegnandosi in cause importanti come la lotta ai cambiamenti climatici, la salute globale e l'istruzione. Per questo, Source Code non riguarda il periodo d'oro di Microsoft né la Fondazione Gates o il futuro della tecnologia. È invece la storia umana e personale di come Bill Gates è diventato chi è oggi: la sua infanzia, i primi interessi, le prime passioni. Racconta della sua famiglia, di una nonna dai ferrei principi e di due genitori ambiziosi, delle prime amicizie e della perdita improvvisa del suo migliore amico, della lotta per integrarsi e della scoperta di un mondo di computer e codici all'alba di una nuova era. Ripercorre i passi di un ragazzo che, dalle fughe notturne in un vicino centro informatico quando era solo un adolescente, è arrivato a concepire, nella sua stanza al college, una rivoluzione che avrebbe cambiato il mondo per sempre. Bill Gates, in queste pagine, condivide per la prima volta la sua storia, con calore, saggezza e umanità. Un ritratto affascinante e rivelatore.

Zdrojový kód

Zdrojový kód

Příběh o počátcích jednoho z nejvlivnějších byznysových lídrů, inovátorů a filantropů moderní doby   První díl nejočekávanějších memoárů poslední dekády významem srovnatelný s přelomovou biografií Steve Jobs od Waltera Isaacsona   Text doprovází řada fotografií z autorova soukromého archivu   Byznysové triumfy Billa Gatese jsou všeobecně známé: v jednadvaceti letech zanechal studií na Harvardu, aby založil softwarovou společnost, která se ve svém odvětví stala gigantem a změnila způsob, jakým funguje svět i naše životy. Následně tento mnohonásobný miliardář zaměřil svou pozornost na filantropii, v rámci níž se soustředí především na boj proti změně klimatu, globální zdraví a vzdělávání ve Spojených státech.   Kniha Zdrojový kód nepojednává o zlaté éře Microsoftu, založení Nadace Gatesových ani o budoucnosti technologií. Vypráví lidský a osobní příběh o tom, jak se Bill Gates stal tím, kým dnes je: o jeho dětství, raných vášních a zálibách. Je to příběh o jeho zásadové babičce, ambiciózních rodičích, prvních hlubokých přátelstvích i náhlé smrti jeho nejlepšího kamaráda. O jeho marných snahách zapadnout, o tom, jak na počátku nové éry objevil svět kódování a počítačů, i o tom, jak se jako náctiletý vydal na cestu, jež ho od jeho půlnočních eskapád v nedalekém počítačovém centru zavedla až do pokoje na vysokoškolské koleji, kde odstartoval revoluci, která změnila svět.   Tento příběh poprvé vypráví sám Bill Gates a výsledkem je moudrý, hřejivý, odhalující a především fascinující portrét amerického života.   BILL GATES je inovátor, byznysový lídr a filantrop. V roce 1975 společně se svým kamarádem z dětství Paulem Allenem založil Microsoft a dnes je prezidentem Nadace Gatesových. Je také zakladatelem iniciativy Breakthrough Energy usilující o obchodní využití čisté energie a dalších technologií souvisejících s ochranou klimatu, jakož i společnosti TerraPower investující do rozvoje přelomových jaderných technologií. Má tři děti.   >> ukázka z knihy Zdrojový kód   Do té doby jsem školou proplouval díky tomu, že učitelé za mou maskou lhostejnosti rozpoznali potenciál. V Lakeside se zdálo, že vidí pouze onu masku. Jsem si jistý, že po prvním roce, který jsem strávil v nové škole, měli rodiče pochybnosti, zda se rozhodli správně. Já je rozhodně měl.    Ale kdybych onoho jara věnoval pozornost poslednímu vydání Lakesideských novin, všiml bych si dvouodstavcového článku na konci druhé strany. Psalo se v něm, že od podzimu bude oddělení matematiky připojeno k počítači. „Doufáme, že někteří studenti tuto možnost využijí k práci na rozsáhlých projektech,“ přemítal autor článku.

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 3 of 12)

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 3 of 12)

A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, "Story of My Life," Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that "I can say I have lived." In this edition you will find the third of twelve volumes of "The Complete Memoirs."

Vie de Franklin, écrite par lui-même - Tome I

Vie de Franklin, écrite par lui-même - Tome I

La vie, ou plutôt les vies de Benjamin Franklin (imprimeur et journaliste, scientifique et inventeur de génie, philosophe, diplomate et homme d'État. . .) sont un véritable roman dont les femmes et les hommes d'aujourd'hui peuvent encore s'inspirer. Publiés au XVIIIe siècle mais oubliés depuis longtemps, la savoureuse autobiographie de Benjamin Franklin adressée à son fils et une sélection de ses écrits scientifiques (sur l'électricité, l'invention du paratonnerre ou encore les mathématiques. . .) composent cet ouvrage qui lui rend hommage en nous rappelant l'homme extraordinaire qu'il fut. Le lecteur pourra ainsi apprécier la narration extrêmement alerte et enlevée d'une vie particulièrement bien remplie, ainsi que le foisonnement et la richesse de son oeuvre de savant.

The Autobiography and Other Writings

The Autobiography and Other Writings

This authoritative Bantam Classic edition presents readers with a wide-ranging selection of Benjamin Franklin’s most important writings, illuminating the complex and appealing character of this quintessential American who rose to fame as a publisher, inventor, educator, bon vivant, and statesman.Here are selections from Franklin’s newspaper articles, from the sage wisdom of Poor Richard’s Almanac, from his entertaining letters, from his scientific essays, from his political and revolutionary writings, plus a generous sampling of his famous aphorisms, poems, and humor. And, most important, here is a newly edited text of one of the most vital and important works of American literature, the Autobiography. As fascinating and as relevant as ever, this timeless collection of writings reveals an extraordinary man whose mind was always curious, always questioning, and who forever remained dedicated to the principles of truth and liberty.

The United States of Trump

The United States of Trump

A rare, insider’s look at the life of Donald Trump from Bill O'Reilly, the bestselling author of the Killing series, based on exclusive interview material and deep researchReaders around the world have been enthralled by journalist and New York Times bestselling author Bill O’Reilly’s Killing series—riveting works of nonfiction that explore the most famous events in history. Now, O’Reilly turns his razor-sharp observations to his most compelling subject thus far—President Donald J. Trump. In this thrilling narrative, O’Reilly blends primary, never-before-released interview material with a history that recounts Trump’s childhood and family and the factors from his life and career that forged the worldview that the president of the United States has taken to the White House. Not a partisan pro-Trump or anti-Trump book, this is an up-to-the-minute, intimate view of the man and his sphere of influence—of “how Donald Trump’s view of America was formed, and how it has changed since becoming the most powerful person in the world”— from a writer who has known the president for thirty years. This is an unprecedented, gripping account of the life of a sitting president as he makes history. As the author will tell you, “If you want some insight into the most unlikely political phenomenon of our lifetimes, you’ll get it here.”

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 10 of 12)

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 10 of 12)

A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, "Story of My Life," Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that "I can say I have lived." In this edition you will find the tenth of twelve volumes of "The Complete Memoirs."

Matar a Kennedy

Matar a Kennedy

Nº 1 EN ESTADOS UNIDOS DE LOS MISMOS AUTORES DE MATAR A LINCOLN   Más de dos millones de lectores se estremecieron con Matar a Lincoln, el fascinante libro de Bill O’Reilly y el historiador Martin Dugard sobre el traumático asesinato que cambió el curso de la historia de Estados Unidos. Ahora ambos narran con gran detalle y vívido interés el brutal asesinato de John Fitzgerald Kennedy la tarde en que una secuencia de disparos no solo acabó con la vida del presidente en Dallas, sino que llevó a una catastrófica división del país en torno a la guerra de Vietnam y propició grandes cambios culturales. En enero de 1961, en plena escalada de la guerra fría, John F. Kennedy intenta frenar la expansión del comunismo mientras se enfrenta a las adversidades, la soledad y las tentaciones que entrañan ser el presidente de los Estados Unidos. También su joven y bella esposa Jackie ha de adaptarse a vivir sometida al permanente escrutinio de la opinión pública. A pesar de las difíciles pruebas personales y políticas que Kennedy ha de superar, su popularidad sube como la espuma. Por otro lado, JFK se hace con grandes enemigos: el dirigente soviético Nikita Kruschev, el dictador cubano Fidel Castro y el director de la CIA Allen Dulles. La política de mano dura de su hermano, el fiscal general Robert Kennedy, contra poderosos elementos del crimen organizado añade más nombres a la lista de enemigos jurados del presidente. Y, finalmente, en el transcurso de un viaje preelectoral a Texas en 1963, Kennedyrecibe un tiro mortal que sume a la nación en el caos. Jackie y todo el país lloran su muerte al tiempo que comienza la caza de sus autores. Los avatares que llevaron al asesinato más tristemente famoso del siglo xx son casi tan dramáticos como lo fue el propio magnicidio. Crónica apasionante de principio a fin, Matar a Kennedy describe el heroísmo y las falsedades de la Corte de Camelot logrando que la historia cobre vida y nos conmueva.  

Killing the Legends

Killing the Legends

In the latest book in the multimillion-selling Killing Series, Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard tell the larger-than-life stories of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali.The King is dead. The Walrus is shot. The Greatest is no more.Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali. These three icons changed not only the worlds of music, film, and sports, but the world itself. Their faces were known everywhere, in every nation, across every culture. And their stories became larger than life—until their lives spun out of control at the hands of those they most trusted.In Killing the Legends, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard explore the lives, legacies, and tragic deaths of three of the most famous people of the 20th century. Each experienced immense success, then failures that forced them to change; each faced the challenge of growing old in fields that privilege youth; and finally, each became isolated, cocooned by wealth but vulnerable to the demands of those in their innermost circles. Dramatic, insightful, and immensely entertaining, Killing the Legends is the twelfth book in O’Reilly and Dugard’s Killing series: the most popular series of narrative history books in the world, with more than 18 million copies in print.

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 12 of 12)

The Story of My Life (The Complete Memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, Volume 12 of 12)

A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, "Story of My Life," Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that "I can say I have lived." In this edition you will find the twelfth of twelve volumes of "The Complete Memoirs."

Big Mouths: The Playboy Interview

Big Mouths: The Playboy Interview

About the Series: In mid-1962, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was given a partial transcript of an interview with Miles Davis. It covered jazz, of course, but it also included Davis’s ruminations on race, politics and culture. Fascinated, Hef sent the writer—future Pulitzer Prize–winning author Alex Haley, an unknown at the time—back to glean even more opinion and insight from Davis. The resulting exchange, published in the September 1962 issue, became the first official Playboy Interview and kicked off a remarkable run of public inquisition that continues today—and that has featured just about every cultural titan of the past half century. To celebrate the interview’s 50th anniversary, the editors of Playboy have assembled 13 compilations of the magazine’s most (in)famous interviews—from big mouths and wild men to sports gods and literary mavericks. Here is our collection of 12 interviews with the most outspoken personalities.

A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity

A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity

One day in 1957, in the third-grade classroom of St. Brigid’s parochial school, an exasperated Sister Mary Lurana bent over a restless young William O’Reilly and said, “William, you are a bold, fresh piece of humanity.” Little did she know that she was, early in his career as a troublemaker, defining the essence of Bill O’Reilly and providing him with the title of his brash and entertaining issues-based memoir. In his most intimate book yet, O’Reilly goes back in time to examine the people, places, and experiences that launched him on his journey from working-class kid to immensely influential television personality and bestselling author. Readers will learn how his traditional outlook was formed in the crucible of his family, his neighborhood, his church, and his schools, and how his views on America’s proper role in the world emerged from covering four wars on five continents over three-plus decades as a news correspondent. What will delight his numerous fans and surprise many others is the humor and self-deprecation with which he handles one of his core subjects: himself, and just how O’Reilly became O’Reilly.