Imaginary countries. Real countries. The best and worst of both in short, cutting, refreshing stories.

From John Marshall, the greatest Supreme Court Justice, to Alfred Moore, one of the worst, Bernard Schwartz's A Book of Legal Lists - the first ever compiled - provides the Ten Bests and Worsts in American law (and also includes answers to 150 trivia questions about the legal world).

In the decades since the end of the Second World War, it has been widely assumed that the western model of liberal democracy and free trade is the way the world should be governed. However, events in the early years of the twenty-first century – first, the 2003 war with Iraq and its chaotic aftermath and, second, the financial crash of 2008 – have threatened the general acceptance that continued progress under the benign (or sometimes not so benign) gaze of the western powers is the only way forwards. And as America turns inwards and Europe is beset by austerity politics and populist nationalism, the post-war consensus looks less and less secure. But is this really the worst of times? In a forensic examination of the world we now live in, acclaimed historian Michael Burleigh sets out to answer that question. Who could have imagined that China would champion globalization and lead the battle on climate change? Or that post-Soviet Russia might present a greater threat to the world’s stability than ISIS? And while we may be on the cusp of still more dramatic change, perhaps the risks will – in time – bring not only change but a wholly positive transformation. Incisive, robust and always insightful, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times by Michael Burleigh is both a dazzling tour d’horizon of the world as it is today and a surprisingly optimistic vision of the world as it might become.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends with very different personalities. But their differing views on how to run the newly created United States turned them into the worst of friends. They each became leaders of opposing political parties, and their rivalry followed them to the White House. Full of both history and humor, this is the story of two of America's most well-known presidents and how they learned to put their political differences aside for the sake of friendship.

ONE DAY. THATS ALL IT TAKES TO CHANGE A LIFE A YOUNG COUPLE. A NEW BABY. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. As a wife, new mom and successful career woman, Kristen Brown thinks her life is set. Until one morning, her husband doesnt wake up. In this bittersweet memoir, we experience Browns new life as a young widow mom grappling with the shock, pain and regret following her husbands unexpected death while managing a stressful work situation amidst the downfall of the economy. But not wanting to be a sad mom, she instead harnesses her emotions into a positive force in her life. Through a process of life-changing experiences like surfing, getting inked and starting her own company that takes her to Hollywood, she discovers her lifes purpose to be the role model for her daughter she longs to beand becomes a role model for others in the process. Kristen Brown captivates us with her story of transformation that is filled with the universal elements of loss, love, hope, humor and our ongoing search for answers that changes our perspective on the meaning of life and how we should live it. Kristen Brown bares her soul and shows us that loss can color our experiences and empower us to do more, be more and hope for more than we ever thought possible. you will fall deeply for The Best Worst Thing. Kristen Brown opens her tattered heart for all to see, then shares her rocky road back from the edge, as she finds the woman she was meant to be. Julie Bauke, author of Stop Peeing On Your Shoes "a powerful journey of love, loss, rebirth, and self-discovery. Kristen has a gift of keen insight, provocative imagery, and raw authenticity Theresa Rose, award-winning author of Opening the Kimono: A Woman's Intimate Journey Through Life's Biggest Challenges "You will be captivated from the very first word and may not be able put this book downshe tells her incredible story that will move you emotionally in many ways. Peggy McColl, New York Times Best-Selling Author Kristen Brown is a widow mom, writer, speaker and founder of Happy Hour Effect. Nominated for multiple business awards, she showcases her company at Hollywood events, has been featured extensively in the media and has adapted her company message into a training series. She lives in Minneapolis with her daughter and big black Lab.

With an angry food industry hot on their heels and a ravenous fan base clamoring for more, Zinczenko and Goulding once again redefine the American food landscape. Featuring up-to-the-minute information on the ever-changing array of supermarket and restaurant offerings, Eat This, Not That! 2012 reveals the shocking calorie counts, mind-bending sugar and fat loads, and deceptive advertising and marketing techniques that are making America fat—and gives readers the information they need to fight back. Packed with cool tips, industry secrets, and essential nutrition knowledge, Eat This, Not That! 2012 is a must-have for anyone who cares about what they eat—and how they look.

A unique, highly readable approach to the environmental crisis, with alternating chapters outlining the effects on society if left unchecked, and the radical actions we can take to prevent it Now includes updated sections on COVID-19 and COP26 The environmental emergency is the greatest threat we face. Preventing it will require an unprecedented political and social response. And yet, there is still hope. Academic, physicist, environmental expert and award-winning science communicator Paul Behrens presents a radical analysis of a civilization on the brink of catastrophe. Setting out the pressing existential threats we face, he writes, in alternating chapters, of what the future could look like at its most pessimistic and hopeful. In lucid prose, Behrens argues that structural problems need structural solutions, and examines critical areas in which political will is required, including women's education, food and energy security, biodiversity and economics. The book was printed with two different jackets, to illustrate the unique duality of the author's approach.

A veteran political analyst and a renowned New Yorker illustrator celebrate Barack Obama’s achievements in a compendium that takes his critics head-on. Barack Obama’s election in 2008 was a watershed moment in American history that inspired supporters on the Left—and fired up enemies on the Right. Elected in the midst of multiple crises—a Wall Street meltdown that imperiled the global economy and American troops entangled in two foreign wars—Obama’s presidency promised to be one of the most consequential in modern American history. Although he stabilized the economy and restored America’s prestige on the global stage, President Obama has been denied the credit he deserves, receiving instead acidic commentary from political opponents such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, who declared that Obama was “the worst president in [his] lifetime.” In The Best “Worst President”, Mark Hannah and New Yorker illustrator Bob Staake swiftly and systematically debunk conservative lies and disinformation meant to negate the president’s accomplishments and damage his reputation—baseless charges too often left unchallenged by the national media. Hannah and Staake not only defend the president but showcase his administration’s most surprising and underappreciated triumphs—making clear he truly is the best “worst president” our nation has ever known.

In 2020, as we set our sights on another election, this book takes a look at all of the presidents of the United States—ranked from best to worst (the results may surprise you)—and their legacies, achievements and what we learned from their leadership. The book spans from 1789 when George Washington (spoiler alert: he's in the "Best Presidents" category) took the first-ever oath of office. Forty-four different men have sworn to “faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States” and what makes a great leader has been vision, conviction, and setting the nation on the right course. The Revolutionary War showed us we needed commanders who were going to fight for our freedom. The Civil War showed we needed leaders who were going to unite this nation. We looked to the President during hard times like the Great Depression, who were going to pick us up, dust us off and, with a steady hand, guide us to more promising times, which Franklin Delano Roosevelt did over his unprecedented four terms. Over the next many, many decades, and many wars and battles later, the President of the United States has shown they are the most powerful person on this planet. But they are also vulnerable. They’ve been targets of assassination attempts, and some, sadly, have been successful. Their transgressions have lead to scandals and impeachments. Presidents have been accused of abusing power and the advent of social media has ushered in a new form of communicating to constituents and young voters. In an election year when interest in Presidents is strong, join Centennial Books as we look to the nation's shared history to see what we can learn for today and the future.