Discover another side of the Hawkeye State with this illustrated volume of fascinating facts, historical oddities, curious tales, and more. Amazing Iowa offers a rare glimpse into the unusual events and peculiar people hiding within the pages of Iowa’s history. Inside you’ll learn about everything from Jesse James’s first train robbery to the longest beard known to man, not to mention the secret behind the world’s best Iowa pork chop marinade. With stories, trivia, photographs, recipes, song lyrics and more, this volume is a treasure trove of Iowa curios. Within these pages, you’ll find: Eddie Rickenbacker, who raced cars with a bat’s heart tied to his middle finger. Lyrics of the “Iowa Corn Song”. Heroes of the past (TV’s first Superman was born in Iowa). Heroes of the future (Captain James T. Kirk will be born in Iowa). Ellen Church of Cresco, the first airline stewardess in the country.

Inspired by 'Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls' and 'Rad Women A to Z,' Iowa State education professor Katy Swalwell worked with over 25 Iowa women artists and RAYGUN to create an illustrated children's book that celebrates the incredible accomplishments through short biographies of a diverse set of women throughout Iowa's history. The book is available at raygunsite.com.

Illustrated by a range of Iowa artists, this collection of kid-friendly biographies features diverse Iowans who achieved greatness in many different athletic arenas.

When most people think of Dan Gable, they think of an almost mythic intensity toward wrestling. A Wrestling Life 2 explains what have come to be known as the Gable Trained principles that Gable follows to keep his life full of "wins," revelations about how to cultivate success at the highest levels, and the reasons behind these steps for living well. Gable brings together his thoughts about his words, actions, failures, and achievements, while telling countless engaging stories. Readers will learn about the start of his wrestling career in Waterloo, how he went from being an Iowa State wrestler to a University of Iowa coach, and about his international and Olympic wrestling and coaching.

The heartbreaking story of college athlete Madison Holleran, whose life and death by suicide reveal the struggle of young people suffering from mental illness today in this #1 New York Times Sports and Fitness bestseller. If you scrolled through the Instagram feed of 19-year-old Maddy Holleran, you would see a perfect life: a freshman at an Ivy League school, recruited for the track team, who was also beautiful, popular, and fiercely intelligent. This was a girl who succeeded at everything she tried, and who was only getting started. But when Maddy began her long-awaited college career, her parents noticed something changed. Previously indefatigable Maddy became withdrawn, and her thoughts centered on how she could change her life. In spite of thousands of hours of practice and study, she contemplated transferring from the school that had once been her dream. When Maddy's dad, Jim, dropped her off for the first day of spring semester, she held him a second longer than usual. That would be the last time Jim would see his daughter. What Made Maddy Run began as a piece that Kate Fagan, a columnist for espnW, wrote about Maddy's life. What started as a profile of a successful young athlete whose life ended in suicide became so much larger when Fagan started to hear from other college athletes also struggling with mental illness. This is the story of Maddy Holleran's life, and her struggle with depression, which also reveals the mounting pressures young people -- and college athletes in particular -- face to be perfect, especially in an age of relentless connectivity and social media saturation.

This unique, compelling new title assembles the greatest players from one of the most celebrated teams in college football to share their personal memories. Filled with firsthand accounts with dozens of players--from the team's early days through the new millennium. "What It Means to Be a Hawkeye: Kirk Ferentz and Iowa's Greatest Players "explores the program's vast success and the seemingly simple question: What does it mean to be a Hawkeye? One person or one phrase cannot answer that question because so many different emotions encompass the true Hawkeye spirit. Over 50 of the greatest Iowa student-athletes, coaches, and administrators from the past century were called upon to express why they are so proud to be a part of the storied tradition that is Iowa football. "What It Means to Be a Hawkeye" brings together all of their stories. It's not just one tradition, one season or one particular game--it's the stories coming from the student-athletes and coaches who made the magic happen over the decades that capture the true essence of representing the University of Iowa.

Perfect for Iowa State fans who think they already know everything Most Iowa State fans have taken in a game at Jack Trice Stadium or the Hilton Coliseum and have seen highlights of Troy Davis and Fred Hoiberg. But only real fans know the original team name, the location and story behind the victory bell, or were there when the basketball team made an Elite Eight run in 2000. 100 Things Iowa State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of Iowa State athletics. Whether they are die-hard boosters from the days of Earle Bruce on the gridiron or new supporters of Fred Hoiberg and ISU hoops, fans will value these essential pieces of Cyclones football and basketball knowledge and trivia—and all of the must-do activities in their lifetime.

In a series that explores the logic-defying comebacks and tough losses, the dramatic interceptions, fumbles, game-winning field goals, and touchdowns that shape a fan’s greatest memories of their beloved team, this book does not disappoint as the ultimate collector’s item for Hawkeyes fans. It chronicles the most famous moments in the University of Iowa’s football history, including Warren Holloway's miraculous game-ending catch in the Capital One Bowl; "The Kick," Rob Houghtlin's game-winning 29-yard field goal against Michigan in 1985; Gordon Locke's one-yard touchdown plunge to hand Notre Dame their first loss in three years; and Chuck Long's touchdown run in the closing minute to clinch a comeback win over Michigan State. The descriptions of each play are accompanied with game information and quotes from participants, players, and observers with firsthand accounts.

"Teammates For Life" is an uplifting book about lasting friendships and what we are willing to do for those we love. The story centers on a college basketball team that overcomes adversity to make it to the Final Four. One of its star players, Kenny Arnold, is diagnosed with a brain tumor at a young age and as these young men grow into adults, they choose to continue working together to help Arnold battle his health issues. These people use the same dedication, spirit, enthusiasm and selflessness to provide support for Arnold as they did more than three decades earlier to become an elite college basketball team. They are, without a doubt, teammates for life.Fighting an illness like cancer takes courage, determination and strength. It is not something a person should ever have to go through alone. Whether that person has a support system of family, friends or a combination, this group of people could easily be referred to as "teammates." This story may inspire someone to do a little extra for a person in their life who needs some support. Maybe it's simply stopping by to say hello or perhaps it's something that takes additional effort or a more significant commitment. The main thing is to let that person know he or she is not alone.

Imagine a book that has: Domestic violence, child abuse, drug addicts, failed relationships, foster care, childhood rebellion, things that we call defeat. Life will take you on a roller coaster ride but the great thing is that God is in control. Through all the good or bad, ups and downs of life, we have victory in Jesus Christ.