In "Damn Senators," Mark Judge has written a book that is at once a touching memoir of his grandfather, star first baseman for the old Washington Senators; a history of baseball in its golden age; and an exciting account of the Senators' 1924 World Series victory. As one advance reader says, "This book is not only for the dedicated fan but for anyone interested in human endurance and courage and the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." For decades, the Senators were the doormat of the American league, a disappointment to the presidents and ordinary people who flocked to Griffith Stadium to watch Walter Johnson, arguably the best pitcher of all time, "Goose" Goslin, one of the most feared hitters in baseball and another future Hall of Famer, and other great players labor year after year in vain. But then in 1924 everything unexpectedly came together. Team owner Clark Griffith made shrewd off-season deals for journeyman players who would have their best years. The aging Johnson, whom some sportswriters said was finished, put together a final great season. Bucky Harris, the "Boy Wonder," managed with a shrewdness that confounded those who thought he was too young for the job. And the author's grandfather, Joe Judge, the best fielding first baseman in the league and a lifetime .300 hitter, anchored the team. "Damn Senators" tells the dramatic story of how Washington managed to beat Babe Ruth and the Yankees, perennial champions of the American League, and then triumphed over the heavily favored New York Giants in what sports writers consider one of the most dramatic World Series in baseball history. In recreating this championship season, the author interweaves the story of Judge, son of an Irish immigrant who became a baseball legend not only for his steady play (he would eventually be inducted into RFK Stadium's Hall of Stars) but also because of what came after his retirement. In his later years, Judge was befriended by writer Douglas Wallop who made him the prototype for Joe Hardy, the lead character in his novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant," later fabulously successful as a stage play and movie under the title "Damn Yankees." Recalling "The Boys of Summer" and other classics, "Damn Senators" is filled with unforgettable portraits of baseball legends like the wily Griffith; the noble "Big Train" Johnson; Ty Cobb, the meanest player of the day; Al Schacht, "The Clown Prince of Baseball" whose comedy act played between innings; the Giants "Little Napoleon," John McGraw, and of course, the larger than life Babe Ruth. Mark Judge returns us to a golden past. But with a new baseball franchise rumored to be on its way back to the nation's capitol, he may be taking us back to the future as well."

In the history of sports, few comeback stories compare to that of Edgar Charles Rice better known as "Sam." Away from home, trying out for a low-level minor league team, Sam Rice received a telegram on an April morning that would turn his world upside down: his wife, mother, both of his children and two younger siblings had been killed by a tornado. A few days later, his father died from injuries suffered in the tornado, as well. By the time he reached the major leagues three years later with the Washington Senators, Rice apparently had buried his past deep inside. He never spoke of the tragedy publicly while embarking on a career in which he would amass 2,987 base hits, 13 hits short of one of baseball's most hallowed milestones. In this moving biography, Jeff Carroll explores the great achievement and tragedy of a Hall of Fame outfielder and Washington Senators favorite.

OLIVIA AND GABRIELLE ARE TWO WOMEN LIVING IN THE SAME CITY, BUT IN DIFFERENT WORLDS. OLIVIA IS A THIRTY-SOMETHING YEAR OLD WOMAN LOOKING FOR A GOOD TIME AND NO ATTACHMENTS. GABRIELLE IS ALSO A THIRTY-SOMETHING YEAR OLD WOMAN LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS AND ATTENTION FROM HER HUSBAND. THESE WOMEN WILL BOTH REACH A BREAKING POINT IN THEIR LIVES AND FIND OUT THAT THEY ARE MORE ALIKE THAN MEETS THE EYES. THE SENATORS WIFE IS ABOUT LOVE, PAIN, PASSION, AND BETRAYAL

Brent Blair, Shannell Robinson, and Renee Jones are inseparable. Together, these best friends are making their mark in the fashion industry as colleagues at Blair Records. These three loving parents with strong bonds to one another, their lives, and their friendship will be tested. Lies, secrets, past hurts, and abuse threaten to destroy their lives when God snatches off their masks from where they hide behind. Will they embrace who they really are, or continue to live the lies and deceit to which they have grown accustomed?

After the death of a close friend and professional colleague, Jake must deal with some fundamental values, beliefs, and ideals that he once took for granted. At the heart of his quandary are the self-evident truths that have guided his life to that point. The nation struggles to come to grips with the loss of the very pinnacle of American political leadership. Political currents and eddies tug and pull at the heart and soul of America. The nation's future is in doubt because those charged with maintaining the political underpinnings of the republic pursue their own, private agendas.

John E. McDonough affords a rare glimpse into the practice of state politics in this insider's account of the fascinating interface between political science and real-life politics. A member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for thirteen years and a skilled storyteller, McDonough eloquently weaves together stories of politics and policy with engaging theoretical models in a way that illuminates both the theory and the practice. By providing a link between scholarship and the world of experience, he communicates much about the essence of representative democracy. In the process, he demonstrates how politics extend beyond the public sphere into many aspects of life involving diverse values and interests. McDonough describes the nature of conflict, the role of interests, agenda setting, the nature and pace of change, the use of language, and more. Accessible, insightful, and original, his stories touch on a broad range of issues—including health care politics, campaigns, and elections; a street gang called the X-men; the death penalty; campaign finance reform, and tenants versus landlords. To the author, politics is everywhere and political dynamics are universal. While the setting for this book is one legislature, the lessons and insights are intended for everyone.

With a New Foreword In So Damn Much Money, veteran Washington Post editor and correspondent Robert Kaiser gives a detailed account of how the boom in political lobbying since the 1970s has shaped American politics by empowering special interests, undermining effective legislation, and discouraging the country’s best citizens from serving in office. Kaiser traces this dramatic change in our political system through the colorful story of Gerald S. J. Cassidy, one of Washington’s most successful lobbyists. Superbly told, it’s an illuminating dissection of a political system badly in need of reform.