The world of pocket billiards and the world of high stakes poker collide and brings two people together, desperate to find the link in a series of murders that involve both worlds. Jay, passionate about pool, meets tournament poker player, Lisa. Together, they tell the story in this roller coaster thriller about the games people play and the price people will pay to win.

Inner-city black women open their hearts to share the pain of crack addiction and its consequences Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women documents an American tragedy that highlights the widening gap between social and economic classes. In their own words, poor black women—nameless, faceless, and marginalized by poverty—share the details of their lives before and after crack cocaine invaded their communities, each recalling the circumstances of her introduction to the drug and her first experience using sex to support her addiction. These candid interviews expose the socioeconomic changes in inner-city neighborhoods that created the perfect conditions for a crack stronghold; the crack cocaine economy's impact on the lives of inner-city residents; and the social and familial consequences of crack addiction among poor, black women. Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women places crack addiction, crack-related prostitution and its consequences, STDs, HIV, and pregnancy into the context of the larger social issues of inner-city poverty, race, gender, and class. This unique book reveals the sex-for-crack barter system as evidence of a long-term social exclusion and systemic racism that has worked to destroy the self-image of poor black American women. The women interviewed reflect this negative image, exchanging sex for crack on a regular basis to support their addictions at the risk-and reality-of unplanned pregnancies. “The baby I am carrying now, I don’t know who the father is. There are a few (men) that I had sex with around the time I got pregnant—that day. But which one it is, I don’t know who.” Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women examines: why poor black women addicted to crack are disproportionately at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies how the social and economic characteristics of poor black communities support crack distribution and consumption how crack use and the exchange of sex for crack damages struggling black families why the care of many children is entrusted to child welfare agencies how and why women are marginalized in the crack culture Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women is an insightful and enlightening look at the motivations behind the decision to risk illness, injury, disease, death, and pregnancy to support addiction.

53rd Man tells the inspiring stories of the often-overlooked players trying to make it in the NFL—the men who are essentially 53rd on rosters of 53—who give their blood, sweat, and tears in the hopes of seeing their professional football dreams come true.

Perhaps the final compilation of my writings through the years, this collection conveys so inadequately the absolute extravaganza of idea, image, and all-encompassing emotion that has been my life. May another's experience of being be enhanced by my experience . . . as being beyond self.

Across or Down, the Best Crosswords Around! With 300 Brand-new Puzzles to Solve! In 1924, Simon & Schuster published its first title, The Cross Word Puzzle Book. Not only was it the publisher’s first release, it was the first collection of crossword puzzles ever printed. Today, more than eighty years later, Simon & Schuster’s legendary crossword puzzle book series maintains its status as the standard-bearer for cruciverbal excellence. This series continues to provide the most challenging, fresh, and original puzzles on the market. Created by the best contemporary constructors—and edited by top puzzle master John M. Samson—these Thursday to Sunday–size brain breakers offer hours of stimulation for solvers of every level. With hundreds of puzzles in one volume, the Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book will test the knowledge of solvers everywhere. Can you avoid turning to the answer key? Sharpen your pencils, grit your teeth, and find out!

Techniques and guidance for everyone provided by a world champion and hall of fame pool...