An inspirational look at a diverse group of popular American sports figures and how they found success in sports and life. Young athletes all dream of what they might become. They might see themselves as a soccer player racing through defenses at the World Cup, as a hockey player scoring the winning goal in the Stanley Cup Final, or as a figure skater in the Winter Olympics. But to get there takes hard work, dedication, and passion. In The Reason We Play: American Sports Figures and What Inspires Them, Marc Bona profiles some of the nation’s top athletes and sports personalities from the past several decades to reveal what it takes to make it in the world of professional sports. Along with fascinating accounts of the sports figures’ lives and careers, Bona includes, in their own words, what motivated them, what obstacles they overcame, and even what books they loved to read when they were young. Featuring athletes such as soccer icon Kristine Lilly, basketball star Victor Oladipo, and softball phenom Cat Osterman, The Reason We Play has something for everyone. From football to rodeo, baseball to racing, the front office to coaching, the subjects all share a common trait of excellence on and off the field.

Does it feel like youre always striving but never arriving? What would it be like if life wasnt so hard, if you had more time and energy? Its the question were all trying to find the answer to; where is happiness and how do we get it? This is a practical self-improvement guide on surviving modern life. Rediscover the art of happiness, find meaning and purpose, and create a life you love. It seems like we live on fast forward. As a result, were living a fast life not a good life, in which we can do more things in less hours of the day but spend less time doing the things that really matter. Over the past few years I have transformed my own life. This involved overcoming challenges, discovering my true self and finding the courage to leave everything I know to walk my own path and make my dreams a reality. I learned a lot about myself and even more about life and happiness along the way. This book doesnt create happiness for you; its already there inside. It will empower you to realise your potential, improve your life, and achieve your dreams. Jess uncovers the key to creating a happier life and leads by example. Her perspective shines a bright light at a much needed time. Let her guide you, this book will help. Shannon Kaiser, Best Selling Author of Adventures for Your Soul & Find Your Happy

Musaicum Books presents to you this unique collection, designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Content: Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Mortal Immortal… John William Polidori: The Vampyre Bram Stoker: Dracula The Jewel of Seven Stars… Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera Marjorie Bowen: Black Magic James Malcolm Rymer & Thomas Peckett Prest: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Washington Irving: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Charles Dickens: The Mystery of Edwin Drood Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart The Murders in the Rue Morgue The Black Cat… Henry James: The Turn of the Screw The Ghostly Rental… H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror The Shunned House… Algernon Blackwood: The Willows A Haunted Island Ancient Sorceries… Théophile Gautier: Clarimonde The Mummy's Foot Richard Marsh: The Beetle Arthur Conan Doyle: The Hound of the Baskervilles The Silver Hatchet… Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla Uncle Silas… Ann Radcliffe: The Mysteries of Udolpho The Italian M. R. James: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary A Thin Ghost and Others Wilkie Collins: The Haunted Hotel The Devil's Spectacles Émile Erckmann & Alexandre Chatrian: The Man-Wolf The Waters of Death… Amelia B. Edwards: Monsieur Maurice The Phantom Coach… Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: The Wind in the Rose-bush The Shadows on the Wall Arthur Machen: The Great God Pan The Terror… William Hope Hodgson: The House on the Borderland The Night Land M. P. Shiel: Shapes in the Fire Ralph Adams Cram: Black Spirits and White Grant Allen: The Reverend John Creedy Wilhelm Hauff: The Severed Hand Adelbert von Chamisso: Shadowless Man Edward Bulwer-Lytton: The Haunted and the Haunters… Robert E. Howard: Beyond the Black River Devil in Iron People of the Dark David Lindsay: The Haunted Woman Marie Belloc Lowndes: From Out the Vast Deep Edward Bellamy: Dr. Heidenhoff's Process

This books contains three stimulating stories of human struggles. Miriam struggle as she takes care of her young nephew, Johnny , whose father, Paul Simeon she suspects of being responsible for her sisters untimely death. Her sisters last letter indicated that there was enough information to have Paul and his gang arrested. She cringes while watching Johnny act nervous and edgy when he is around his father. What does that child know, she asks herself. Is her new friend, Mrs. Worth justified in believing that Paul and his co-hort, Stubby are planning to get rid of both of them? The second book, Dont Wake a Sleeping Lion has Esther struggling with trying to find a way to escape from her kidnappers. She and her co-worker were on the trail of a series of missing persons. How do they handle the death of one of their members as he is found beaten until he is almost not recognized? The third book is called Beth Young Beth struggles over her fathers anger at God for taking his wife. She weeps as she watches him raise his fist toward heaven. Its interesting to see how she tries to intervene in her fathers life. In the meantime, while praying for him, she finds that the boy next door, who is the towns trouble maker needs prayer Her aunt tries to convince the eager child to be patient. The second part of Beth has her grown up into a teen and she and the boy next door are praying for each other. God is good...all the time

The modern day youth sports environment has taken the enjoyment out of athletics for our children. Currently, 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by the age of 13, which has given rise to a generation of overweight, unhealthy young adults. There is a solution. John O’Sullivan shares the secrets of the coaches and parents who have not only raised elite athletes, but have done so by creating an environment that promotes positive core values and teaches life lessons instead of focusing on wins and losses, scholarships, and professional aspirations. Changing the Game gives adults a new paradigm and a game plan for raising happy, high performing children, and provides a national call to action to return youth sports to our kids.

The 1950s was a time of regeneration and change for Southampton. For children growing up during this decade, life was changing fast. They still made their own toys and earned their own pocket money, but, on new television sets, Andy Pandy (1950) and Bill and Ben (1952) delighted them. With rationing discontinued, confectionary was on the menu again and, for children, Southampton life in the 1950s was sweet. If you saw a Laurel and Hardy performance at The Gaumont Theatre, or made dens out of bombed-out buildings, then you'll thoroughly enjoy this charming and nostalgic account of the era.