A classic from the New York Times bestselling author of A Walk in the Woods and The Body. After living in Britain for two decades, Bill Bryson recently moved back to the United States with his English wife and four children (he had read somewhere that nearly 3 million Americans believed they had been abducted by aliens—as he later put it, "it was clear my people needed me"). They were greeted by a new and improved America that boasts microwave pancakes, twenty-four-hour dental-floss hotlines, and the staunch conviction that ice is not a luxury item. Delivering the brilliant comic musings that are a Bryson hallmark, I'm a Stranger Here Myself recounts his sometimes disconcerting reunion with the land of his birth. The result is a book filled with hysterical scenes of one man's attempt to reacquaint himself with his own country, but it is also an extended if at times bemused love letter to the homeland he has returned to after twenty years away.

The business of beating death by becoming a modern day Medici is booming. In today's economy, where investments in stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate and hedge funds have either been severely battered from the Coronavirus crash or from the rollercoaster volatility, investors are increasingly seeking non-correlated alternative investments. How? By investing in a rare instrument and becoming a patron. It is not only a good return on investment. What better way to get rich and write yourself into history books than to be the owner and donor of a Stradivarius violin to a world class soloist or a museum? Tax deductions are indeed a benefit, but immortality is a better blessing. By reading this book, you can learn from the experts in the field who understand that investing in immortality is the best way to have a meaningful and mortal life.

From the family that brought you the Lena in the Spotlight series and the popular For Girls Like You magazine comes Ansley’s Big Bake Off, book one in the Daniels Sisters series. This realistic fiction story of family, friendship, and the challenges that so many young girls face each day growing up will appeal to girls 8–12 looking to express their talents and individuality alongside their faith. In this fun, relatable, and inspirational story, Ansley and her family move to a new city to seek a fresh start after the death of their mother. Once there, Ansley finds comfort in things she loves—family, friends, gymnastics, and most of all baking! She even gets the chance to enter a bake off at the fair. But her dreams of taking home the trophy and being on TV are threatened by strong competition: Taylor, a mean girl from her new school. With the loving and prayerful support of her family, Ansley knows she has a real shot at winning. But with Taylor in the mix, will Ansley be able to rise to the occasion? Ansley's Big Bake Off: Features diverse characters Is an engaging read for girls ages 8–12 Is an addition to the Faithgirlz brand Is a perfect birthday gift from parents and grandparents to tween girls, and is great for Spring Break and summer vacation reading Is written by girls for girls If you enjoy Ansley's Big Bake Off, check out the other books in the Daniels Sisters series of middle grade fiction: Ashton’s Dancing Dreams Amber’s Song

This New York Times bestseller "elegantly weaves evidence and insights . . . into a single, accessible historical narrative" (Bill Gates) and presents a captivating history of the universe -- from the Big Bang to dinosaurs to mass globalization and beyond. Most historians study the smallest slivers of time, emphasizing specific dates, individuals, and documents. But what would it look like to study the whole of history, from the big bang through the present day -- and even into the remote future? How would looking at the full span of time change the way we perceive the universe, the earth, and our very existence? These were the questions David Christian set out to answer when he created the field of "Big History," the most exciting new approach to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. In Origin Story, Christian takes readers on a wild ride through the entire 13.8 billion years we've come to know as "history." By focusing on defining events (thresholds), major trends, and profound questions about our origins, Christian exposes the hidden threads that tie everything together -- from the creation of the planet to the advent of agriculture, nuclear war, and beyond. With stunning insights into the origin of the universe, the beginning of life, the emergence of humans, and what the future might bring, Origin Story boldly reframes our place in the cosmos.

Take a new approach to success! Let words of wisdom from billionaires, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople motivate you and help you on your own path to success. In this witty collection of business know-how, you will find quotations that reflect the full scope of business success.

From the early stages of script writing to the final cut, We Have Some Notes... provides a detailed overview of the script editing and development process, emphasising the impact of critical feedback, or 'notes', in the creation of successful films and television shows. Through interviews with leading industry practitioners, including Lynne Ramsay, Russell T Davies, Sally Wainwright, Edgar Wright, Lone Scherfig, Ben Wheatley and Simon Beaufoy, Venetia Hawkes explores the writer, director and note-giver relationship. The interviewees discuss the most productive and harmonious ways to give and receive feedback, and the role notes play in a fruitful creative process. Respected 'note-givers', such as Tessa Ross, Eva Yates and Pippa Harris, provide advice on nurturing successful development relationships. Inter-chapter sections pose key questions, such as "What's one thing never to do if you're giving notes?" and "How do you deal with rejection or critical notes?" Providing illuminating, practical guidance on ways of working successfully with notes, for both writers and directors. With its wealth of first-hand reflections, expert advice, and historical context, We Have Some Notes... is a vital read for students, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the making of acclaimed films and television series.

A Nobel Prize–winning economist tells the remarkable story of how the world has grown healthier, wealthier, but also more unequal over the past two and half centuries The world is a better place than it used to be. People are healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Yet the escapes from destitution by so many has left gaping inequalities between people and nations. In The Great Escape, Nobel Prize–winning economist Angus Deaton—one of the foremost experts on economic development and on poverty—tells the remarkable story of how, beginning 250 years ago, some parts of the world experienced sustained progress, opening up gaps and setting the stage for today's disproportionately unequal world. Deaton takes an in-depth look at the historical and ongoing patterns behind the health and wealth of nations, and addresses what needs to be done to help those left behind. Deaton describes vast innovations and wrenching setbacks: the successes of antibiotics, pest control, vaccinations, and clean water on the one hand, and disastrous famines and the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the other. He examines the United States, a nation that has prospered but is today experiencing slower growth and increasing inequality. He also considers how economic growth in India and China has improved the lives of more than a billion people. Deaton argues that international aid has been ineffective and even harmful. He suggests alternative efforts—including reforming incentives to drug companies and lifting trade restrictions—that will allow the developing world to bring about its own Great Escape. Demonstrating how changes in health and living standards have transformed our lives, The Great Escape is a powerful guide to addressing the well-being of all nations.

"After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson took the decision to move Mrs Bryson, little Jimmy et al. back to the States for a while. But before leaving his much-loved Yorkshire, Bryson insisted on taking one last trip around old Blighty, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had for so long been his home. The resulting book, Notes from a Small Island, is a eulogy to the country that produced Marmite, George Formby, by-elections, milky tea, place names like Farleigh Wallop, Titsey and Shellow Bowells, Gardeners' Question Time and people who say, 'Mustn't grumble.' Britain will never seem the same again. Once ensconced back home in New Hampshire, Bryson couldn't resist the invitation to write a weekly dispatch for the Mail on Sunday's Night & Day magazine. Notes from a Big Country is a collection of eighteen months' worth of his popular columns about that strangest of phenomena - the American way of life. Whether discussing the dazzling efficiency of the garbage disposal unit, the exoticism of having your groceries bagged for you, or the mind-numbing frequency of commercial breaks on American TV, Bill Bryson brings his inimitable brand of bemused wi

The #1 New York Times bestseller that has all America talking—with a new afterword on expanding your range—as seen on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, Morning Joe, CBS This Morning, and more. “The most important business—and parenting—book of the year.” —Forbes “Urgent and important. . . an essential read for bosses, parents, coaches, and anyone who cares about improving performance.” —Daniel H. Pink Shortlisted for the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule. David Epstein examined the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters and scientists. He discovered that in most fields—especially those that are complex and unpredictable—generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see. Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is the best way to learn. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.

A chronicle of the massive transformation in Hollywood since the turn of the century and the huge changes yet to come, drawing on interviews with key players, as well as documents from the 2014 Sony hack