Iris Vegan, a young, impoverished graduate student from the Midwest, finds herself entangled with four powerful but threatening characters as she tries to adjust to life in New York City. Mr. Morning, an inscrutable urban recluse, employs Iris to tape-record verbal descriptions of objects that belonged to a murder victim. George, a photographer, takes an eerie portrait of Iris, which then acquires a strange life of its own, appearing and disappearing without warning around the city. After a series of blinding migraines, Iris ends up in a hospital room with Mrs. O., a woman who has lost her mind and memory to a stroke, but who nevertheless retains both the strength and energy to torment her fellow patient. And finally, there is Professor Rose, Iris's teacher and eventually her lover. While working with him on the translation of a German novella called The Brutal Boy, she discovers in its protagonist, Klaus, a vehicle for her own transformation and ventures out into the city again--this time dressed as a man. Siri Hustvedt's The Blindfold is "...a work of dizzying intensity. . .eloquent and vivid." - Don DeLillo.

An award-winning journalist’s extraordinary account of being kidnapped and tortured in Syria by al Qaeda for two years—a revelatory memoir about war, human nature, and endurance that’s “the best of the genre, profound, poetic, and sorrowful” (The Atlantic). In 2012, American journalist Theo Padnos, fluent in Arabic, Russian, German, and French, traveled to a Turkish border town to write and report on the Syrian civil war. One afternoon in October, while walking through an olive grove, he met three young Syrians—who turned out to be al Qaeda operatives—and they captured him and kept him prisoner for nearly two years. On his first day, in the first of many prisons, Padnos was given a blindfold—a grime-stained scrap of fabric—that was his only possession throughout his horrific ordeal. Now, Padnos recounts his time in captivity in Syria, where he was frequently tortured at the hands of the al Qaeda affiliate, Jebhat al Nusra. We learn not only about Padnos’s harrowing experience, but we also get a firsthand account of life in a Syrian village, the nature of Islamic prisons, how captors interrogate someone suspected of being CIA, the ways that Islamic fighters shift identities and drift back and forth through the veil of Western civilization, and much more. No other journalist has lived among terrorists for as long as Theo has—and survived. As a resident of thirteen separate prisons in every part of rebel-occupied Syria, Theo witnessed a society adrift amid a steady stream of bombings, executions, torture, prayer, fasting, and exhibitions, all staged by the terrorists. Living within this tide of violence changed not only his personal identity but also profoundly altered his understanding of how to live. Offering fascinating, unprecedented insight into the state of Syria today, Blindfold is “a triumph of the human spirit” (The New York Times Book Review)—combining the emotional power of a captive’s memoir with a journalist’s account of a culture and a nation in conflict that is as urgent and important as ever.

DIVThe old town courthouse holds a buried secret, and someone will kill to protect it/div DIVOnce the home of the most powerful family in Felicity, the old courthouse has become a gloomy wreck, an eyesore in the middle of this small country town. Although her mother leads the charge to restore and preserve this monument to the past, Maggie Keene would much rather it be torn down. Felicity is boring, and replacing the courthouse with something fun, like a new rec center, would go a long way toward making Maggie’s last two years of high school less painful. What she doesn’t know is that excitement is coming to Felicity, and the thrill might just kill her./divDIV /divDIVAfter school one day, Maggie and her friends sneak into the bottom of the courthouse to explore the old jail cells. But their adventure goes wrong: Maggie gets locked inside the basement coal bin. When her friends get her out, the ceiling collapses and they barely escape. The walls of the timeworn building contain evidence of a long-forgotten murder—and to protect his secret, the culprit will have to kill again./divDIV /divDIVThis ebook features an illustrated biography of Diane Hoh including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection./div

For centuries, blindfold chess--the art of playing without sight of the board or pieces--has produced some of the greatest feats of human memory, progressing to the extent that the world record in 2009 was 45 [and is now 46] simultaneous blindfold games. This work describes the personalities and achievements of some of blindfold chess's greatest players--including Philidor, Morphy, Blackburne, Zukertort, Pillsbury, Reti, Alekhine, Koltanowski, Najdorf and Fine, as well as present-day grandmasters such as Anand and Kramnik. Including some never before published, 444 games scores are presented, peppered with diagrams and annotations. Hints for playing blindfold, and its practical value, are also included.

This searing memoir of an American nun who was abducted and tortured in Guatemala--and continues to search for healing and justice--shows that the human spirit is a force stronger than violence and fear.

A raucous comedy about a paranoid loser who maybe wasn't paranoid enough... In the sixties, Jeffrey Parker briefly attended an antiwar rally. He wasn't all that interested--he just listened to a few speeches, and went home...and nothing was ever the same. In this wildly comic novel, Parker's brief dalliance is the beginning of the end. He never lands a decent job. Women never stick around. He has terrible stretches of bad luck, and is the unwilling victim of just plain bizarre occurances: once, he comes home to find that the final page in every one of his books has been removed. Then Parker discovers that he's been the target of a government plot--like the FBI's real-life COINTELPRO--and the obsession of a rogue FBI agent who just won't give up. This outrageously imaginative debut is reminiscent of John Kennedy Toole's explosive, out-of-nowhere farce A Confederacy of Dunces. Part thriller, part national tragedy, and all hysterical comedy, it is devilishly entertaining even as it forces Parker and readers to uncover the truth not only about their country, but about themselves.

"Love's Witty Blindfold: The Joyful and Romantic Tale of The Blind Mother" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that seamlessly blends comedy and romance into a captivating and unforgettable story. Set in the charming town of Willowbrook, the novel follows the extraordinary journey of Evelyn, affectionately known as the Blind Mother, as she navigates life with a unique sense of humor despite her blindness. The novel opens with a prologue titled "In Darkness, Love Blooms," setting the stage for the unexpected and enchanting love story that lies ahead. From there, readers are transported into Chapter 1, "A Quirk of Fate," where the whimsical nature of the tale begins to unfold. Throughout the novel, the author masterfully weaves together comedy and romance, creating a perfect balance of laughter and heartfelt moments. Each chapter introduces new characters, hilarious situations, and unexpected twists, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to discover what amusing escapades and endearing moments await the Blind Mother and her companions. The characters in "Love's Witty Blindfold" are vibrant and lovable, each bringing their own brand of humor and quirkiness to the story. Evelyn, the Blind Mother herself, is a beacon of strength and resilience, using her unique perspective on life to find laughter in even the most challenging situations. Her comedic partner, Andrew, is the perfect counterpart, adding wit and charm to their comedic duo. As the Blind Mother's unconventional household is introduced in Chapter 2, readers are treated to a delightful cast of characters, from a mischievous pet parrot with a knack for impersonations to a quirky neighbor with an obsession for unusual hobbies. These eccentric individuals, combined with the Blind Mother's hilarious anecdotes, create a vibrant and unforgettable world. The blind dates and their ensuing disasters in Chapter 3 provide uproarious moments of comedic brilliance, leaving readers in stitches as Evelyn and Andrew stumble through awkward encounters, mistaken identities, and comical misunderstandings. The chapter is a testament to the author's ability to infuse humor into the realm of romance, highlighting the absurdity and charm of the Blind Mother's quest for love. Throughout the novel, readers are treated to a tapestry of laughter and romance as Evelyn and Andrew's relationship blossoms. From their comical misadventures to their heartfelt moments of vulnerability, their connection is a testament to the power of love and the joy that comes from embracing life's unexpected surprises. "Love's Witty Blindfold" is a novel that will leave readers smiling, chuckling, and occasionally wiping away a tear of laughter and tenderness. It captures the essence of the human spirit, reminding us that laughter can be a guiding light even in the darkest of times. With its lighthearted humor, endearing characters, and heartfelt moments, this novel is a true treasure for those seeking a comedy-filled romance that will warm their hearts and leave them yearning for more.

In 1980, twenty-year-old Chris Harvey paused from studying to talk to his roommate. Gunshots interrupted their conversation as a drunken young man randomly fired a high-powered hunting rifle from the hillside across the street. One bullet penetrated the side of Chriss house, struck him in the temple, and severed his optic nervesinstantly blinding him. Chris lost his sight, but he was determined not to lose Gods vision for his life. Until My Blindfold Comes Off is a story of faith and courage. Live the events of that fateful evening and learn how Chris chose a positive attitude amid adversity. Follow his path as God teaches him to forgive, and see how he refuses to let go of his dreams. Look back with him as he recognizes Gods hand in every step of his life. Rejoice with him as he claims Gods promise of eternal lifea life in heaven with restored sight, where he will look upon the face of Jesus. Chris Harvey is a First Vice-President and Financial Advisor with Smith Barney. He holds the Bachelors in Business Administration from Shepherd College. He was the first blind person to earn the Masters in Economics from the University of Virginia, and he pioneered talking computers in the brokerage industry. In addition to his brokerage career, he taught continuing education classes in investments and financial planning at Georgetown University for fourteen years. Chris is an ordained deacon and has served on several church councils. He was a founding board member of Dominion Academy, a private Christian school. He is the president of Vision Without Sight, LLC, a corporate and Christian motivational speaking service. Chris and his wife, Stephanie, work and live in Leesburg, Virginia with their three teenagers Chad, Blake, and Tori. Visit Chriss website at www.visionwithoutsight.com.

In Thailand, a bomb destroys a tourist spot while two North Korean terrorists casually walk away from the site to plan the next phase of their plot against the United States. In Washington, CIA analyst Hugh Rincon catches the chatter about something big being planned along the Pacific rim, and his best agent says its linked to the Thailand blast. Now Hugh is beginning to connect the dots between missing radioactive material, a SCUD missile sold on the black market, and a Russian ship sailing toward the Alaskan coast...but the Administration refuses to heed his warning. In the Bering Sea, Coast Guard cutter Sojourner Truth is on routine patrol. On board is Hugh's estranged wife, executive officer Sara Lange. Sara and her ship are Hugh's only hope for stopping the terrorists...if she's willing to believe her ex-husband's story and risk her own career--and her crew's lives--to hunt down a death ship....

The award-winning journalist presents a searing account of his experiences with being captured and tortured in Syria by al Qaeda for two years, detailing his related witness to Syrian village life.