Rags to Rags is an irreverent, tongue-in-cheek collection of short stories about being the poorest kid in the room. It hails from the mind of Ellie Guzman, whose unconventional approach to writing humorous essays about uncomfortable topics on her blog has led to publication worldwide and an international following. Throughout her life, Guzman has somehow always ended up in wealthy spaces, from stumbling into the child acting industry, to scraping by on financial aid at a prestigious private university, to breaking into an animation studio and gradually working her way up the writing ladder. But in her personal life, she was always broke, growing up cramped in a one-bedroom apartment with a family of four and joining scientific studies to make a quick buck. Her short stories embrace the bizarreness of those situations as well as the realities of what being "poor" means, all through a hilarious and quirky lens. "Oh My God, Are You Bryan Cranston?" tells the story of the time Guzman mistakenly attended a screening with the cast of Argo, and how she attacked the hors d'oeuvres to cope with the shame of being underdressed in front of her heroes. "You Better Work" describes the unusual lengths she went through to survive college, like getting her blood drawn for cash or pretending to be a freshman for a free sandwich. "The New Normal" describes how exactly she made the leap from a career in medicine to one in television, and "Whitewashed" explores an identity crisis as a first-generation Latina coming to terms with who she is. It's a variety of topics infused with Guzman's unique voice, funny but sincere, conversational yet biting. It doesn't take itself too seriously; after all, it's not a story of rags to riches. It's a story of rags to rags.

"Born in 1948, in Abu Dhabi, the author knew dreadful poverty for years before fabulous oil wealth transformed his country forever. He grew up in the ruler's palace, barefoot like his playmates, now senior figures in the United Arab Emirates." "This is a vivid eye-witness account of the total transformation within only 30 years of a Bedouin society into a country with the world's highest per capita income. He speaks with great frankness about his own life and career and about the role of the British in his country."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Jaxxon Carter, barmaid, would like nothing more than to better her current situation. A one-bedroomed flat, a sleazy landlord, drug-addicted neighbors - not exactly a childhood dream. When a chance encounter leads to a modelling job, she is catapulted to the peak of success. She also finds herself the focus of lethally sensual Connor McKenzie, who she hasn't seen since he left their foster home and went on to become a Formula One driver. But she has no intention of giving in to the mindless need between them. He hurt her once, and she won't allow it to happen a second time. Confident, determined, compelling...Connor McKenzie isn't a man who deprives himself of what he wants. There was only one thing he ever resisted, and it was the one thing he wanted most: the unknowingly enticing Jaxxon. When he sees her on the cover of a magazine, it reawakens every urge he buried. She tries to keep him out of her life, but Connor can't let it go. He resisted her ten years ago for a good reason. But now that reason is no longer there, and he's resolute that nothing - not even Jaxxon - will stop him from having her.

Well, it took along time to write, I hope you think its worth it. Whats it about? A good question, I wish I knew. You could read it to find out. Basically its about my career in show business as a thespian. Well, they cant touch you for it. I come from a working class family who had no roots in show business. My interest began at an early age. My father often took me to our local theatre where we would sit in the Gallery to see the shows. I just loved it and wanted to be part of it. But how to do it, that was the question. When at first you dont succeed, pack it in. Not me, I ignored that completely. I was given a book one Christmas on HOW TO BECOME A COMEDIAN. Ive been trying ever since. After that, I went into a local Concert Party and at last I had my feet on the ladder of success but I had a long way to go before I turned professional. I was In the RA.F. 1951/53 doing my National Service where I did shows with professional entertainer Johnny Leeson and Guest Artist, Dennis Spicer, (a ventriloquist) and Terry Seabrooke (A Comedy Magician) who became a lifelong friend. Can you believe it, I was defending my Country. God knows what would have happened if we had been at war. We would have thrown jokes at the enemy, not bombs. After leaving the R.A.F. in July 1953, I joined another Concert Party called, The Barnstormers. I was also doing The Working Mens Clubs, for the enormous fee, when I say enormous, I was on 5 per night and for that, I did 4 spots. Well, you have to start somewhere. In August 1960 I married my wife Jan. Weve now been married for over 50 years. Not a bad run for show business. Is it? In 1963 I turned professional when I was offered my first summer season on the Isle of Wight. In 1965 I did my first Pantomime Aladdin at my Local Rep. This was the start of many years doing weekly Repertory Theatre up and down the country, and in 1971, I was offered a National Tour appearing in Agatha Christies FIDDLERS FIVE. I was busy in the 1970s doing summer seasons and pantomimes in England, Scotland, and Wales In the 1980s and 90s I moved into television and Commercials. I wrote a musical in the 1990s called, The FLANAGAN & ALLEN Story in which I played my Idol BUD FLANAGAN, on and off for the next 12 years, Finally, it was time for me to hang up my fur coat and straw boater. I did achieve my ambition and became professional. I also met and worked with many stars.

Visit any city whether it is large or small you will find the homeless. Why are they there and who are these people? They come from all walks of life. They could be attorneys, doctors, professors, highly educated, ministers, even successful businessmen or women. Who have fallen from riches to rags. The author William (Bill) Taylor, after having a dream of seeing such a one sleeping under wreck car hoods near a junk yard. Seeing this person get up and cross a parking lot and begins to dig in a dumpster in search for food, when the owner of the restaurant brings him a plate of food. This inspired the author to create a character. To walk in his shadow as he brings him from Riches to Rags and Rags to Riches. It is an inspiring story. William Taylor, better known as Bill Taylor, pastor, evangelist, writer, and soul winner for over 50 years reveals his passion of seeing people being brought to Christ for salvation. Having seen thousands come to Christ through his ministry. He and his wife, Eva, have celebrated 60 years of marriage, the parents of two daughters, four grand children and two great grand children. Bill was born in Cherokee County Georgia and received his education from the public schools of Georgia and his theological education from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina. He and his wife now live in Wingate, NC.

Parents and families, teachers and community leaders have a serious responsibility for the children God has placed in their care. Some children do OK without the influence of adults, but most dont. Instead, many of them are scarred without parental guidance and adult supervision. As a result theyre rootless, struggling through a maze heading for a life of crime. Often they are friend-less and loners, rootless and hopeless, feeling dumb and worthless, with low self-esteem a sure road to crime. From Rags. . .to Free Room and Board is the story about a young boy, abandoned by his biological father before birth, sexually abused by a pedophile in his teens, committed crimes along the way, an alcoholic early on as he wandered through a wilderness maze. Finally, he committed a horrendous murder triggered by an attempted homosexual attack, and is presently serving an indeterminate life sentence. Sad! In his story one can feel prison life from the inside. At the age of 64, he has spent half his life in the California Prison System. Though one sees the path put him there, why is he still there after getting a parole that was withdrawn, and has had 17 denials by the Parole Boards since? The reader can see inside the judicial system regarding this, as well as: Can one ever pay for taking a life? Is his being locked up indefinitely the only way? Can anyone know if he can make it outside? Has his human rights been violated? Is rehabilitation possible? Have parole hearings verified whether Donn has been rehabilitated? Is he past due for release? Here are insights to these and many other questions. It is urgent that parents and teachers, churches and youth leaders, be concerned with a host of struggling youth in lifes maze. Officials must re-examine incarceration and rehabilitation in light of vastly overcrowded prisons and huge escalating costs of keeping prisoners locked up.

Definitive history traces the genre's growth and diversification from its 19th-century origins through its heyday and modern revival. Discusses 48 major composers and 800 rags. More than 100 photos.

A new edition of 12 piano rags by Joseph F. Lamb originally published by John Stark between 1908 and 1919. Edited by Christopher Frieman.