The final installment of the House of Kings trilogy, about three sexy brothers who run a bachelor-party planning business yet somehow end up walking down the aisle themselves. Original.

"A true story of the battle for paradise…men and women fighting for a slice of earth like no other." —New York Times Book Review Frederick and May Rindge, the unlikely couple whose love story propelled Malibu’s transformation from an untamed ranch in the middle of nowhere to a paradise seeded with movie stars, are at the heart of this story of American grit and determinism. He was a Harvard-trained confidant of presidents; she was a poor Midwestern farmer’s daughter raised to be suspicious of the seasons. Yet the bond between them would shape history. The newly married couple reached Los Angeles in 1887 when it was still a frontier, and within a few years Frederick, the only heir to an immense Boston fortune, became one of the wealthiest men in the state. After his sudden death in 1905, May spent the next thirty years fighting off some of the most powerful men in the country—as well as fissures within her own family—to preserve Malibu as her private kingdom. Her struggle, one of the longest over land in California history, would culminate in a landmark Supreme Court decision and lead to the creation of the Pacific Coast Highway. The King and Queen of Malibu traces the path of one family as the country around them swept off the last vestiges of the Civil War and moved into what we would recognize as the modern age. The story of Malibu ranges from the halls of Harvard to the Old West in New Mexico to the beginnings of San Francisco’s counter culture amid the Gilded Age, and culminates in the glamour of early Hollywood—all during the brief sliver of history in which the advent of railroads and the automobile traversed a beckoning American frontier and anything seemed possible.

"A valuable reference guide for film collections and LGBTQIA+ studies." — Library Journal, Starred Review The depictions of LGBTQIA+ characters in film have always varied immensely. However, the negative depictions often seem to outweigh the positive, perhaps because of the hurt they inspire or perhaps because they regrettably outnumber the positive films. The Encyclopedia of LGBTQIA+ Portrayals in American Film explores works from the past fifty years in order to not only discuss how LGBTQIA+ characters are portrayed in American film, but also how these portrayals affect viewers. Contributors to this valuable reference include film and media scholars, gender studies scholars, journalists, LGBTQIA+ advocates, and more, representing countries from around the world. This rich array of perspectives provide careful and critical examinations of more than 100 films, ranging from the ethical and compassionate to the deliberately cruel and destructive. Featuring films such as American Beauty, Batman v Superman, Fight Club, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Little Miss Sunshine, and Venom, this extensive volume informs and educates scholars and general readers alike, guiding them to see injustice more clearly and inspiring future generations to create art that is both inclusive and thoughtful.

This collection of fascinating biographies of outstanding women athletes past and present including superstars such as Nadia Comaneci, Mia Hamm, Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Danica Patrick, and Serena and Venus Williams. Icons of Women's Sport identifies and examines the individuals who have impacted history, challenged the status quo, influenced sport culture, and garnered wide public interest. Including stars from the past and present, ranging from Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Billie Jean King to Dara Torres and Venus and Serena Williams, the featured athletes are iconic not only because of their achievements in the sports arena, but also because of their contributions to society: advancing cultural diversity and gender equity, breaking class barriers, and transcending stereotypes. The book contains biographies of 36 women athletes—American and international—who excelled in competitive sports from the post-World War I era through the modern era in a dozen different sports. Icons of Women's Sport spotlights athletes across a wide range of women's sports, with appropriate attention given to the major sports. Readers will enjoy learning about stars from both amateur and professional sports arenas, including Olympic athletes, as well as female competitors who have reached the top of their game in newer arenas such as golf and snowboarding.

This Explorer's Guide focuses on the wide range of activities and vast culture of Southern California. Explore this vacation-lover’s wonderland of outdoor activities like golf, surfing, kayaking, and hiking and top-10 lists for destinations throughout the area. In addition to Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and the Inland Empire, coverage includes wild spaces like Joshua Tree, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia, and King’s Canyon. With extensive coverage of Disneyland and an exhaustive list of the best beaches.

To what extent does a person's own success result in social transformation? This book offers 100 answers, providing thought-provoking examples of how American culture was shaped within a crucial time period by individuals whose lives and ideas were major agents of change. 100 People Who Changed 20th-Century America provides a two-volume encyclopedia of the individuals whose contributions to society made the 20th century what it was. Comprising contributions from 20 academics and experts in their field, the thought-provoking essays examine the men and women who have shaped the modern American cultural experience—change agents who defined their time period as a result of their talent, imagination, and enterprise. Organized chronologically by the subjects' birthdates, the essays are written to be accessible to the general reader yet provide in-depth information for scholars, ensuring that the work will appeal to many audiences.

Sports are an area where you need to be physically and mentally fit. There, feelings or thoughts do not show much value. But by editing the pages of history, a sports heroine appeared there. American female player Billie Jean King emerged by proving her excellence in tennis. She followed her ancestry and got into sports. Her parents and brother are experts in the field of sports. Once upon a time, women were silent in sports. With the arrival of Billie, she became the voice of change. She also became a voice and face for women’s struggles in that area. As her name “King” suggests, she has transformed into the head of women in sports. Among her advances, she brought revolutionary changes through the “Battle of the Sexes”, a challenge with a senior player like Bobby Riggs. In the future, Marilyn Barnett, who was with her, turned against Billie. It was a huge blow to the King. The mental strength she got in sports training brought her out of all problems. Billie Jean had a life of many “firsts”. Wimbledon, Grand Slam Titles, U.S. Open, etc are just a few of her achievements. Many organizations like the Women’s Sports Foundation, Women’s Tennis Association, etc. were born under Billie’s leadership. This is a book written by combining the most important moments and people of Billie Jean King’s personal and professional tennis life. Billie Jean Moffitt’s father Bill Moffitt, mother Betty Moffitt, brother Randy Moffitt, and ex-husband Larry King all come here as characters. The things and people that changed her life such as “The Battle of the Sexes”, Bobby Riggs, and Marilyn Barnett, are also introduced to the readers through this. The life of a woman sports player with a strong, assertive voice can be an example or inspiration to many.

From the author who brought you the best-selling pop culture e-book, "Waiter to the Rich and Shameless" comes the semi-fictional novel, "Kings of Malibu." Follow the adventures of four righteous restaurant servers as they embark on a Robin Hood quest to avenge the sins of their despicable and avaricious guests. After folding his apron for the last time and returning to his musical roots, Paul Hartford once again finds himself sucked back into the soul-deadening work of food service. With his wife attending graduate school on the East coast, Pauli stays behind in Los Angeles to wrap up his cushy beachside server job in the tony enclave of Malibu. With this alibi, he is free to secretly implement a diabolical plan of revenge against some of the world's most notorious criminals. Join this trio of right stout men and a spirited lass who selflessly tip the scales of justice toward the forgotten and disenfranchised citizens of the world.