Welcome to the tale of Second Acts. Book One begins the story of young Madison Newman who has a remarkable gift. It’s a secret that she keeps even from her parents. Madison has been blessed with the gift of healing, and as she grows up, she comes to understand that God’s desire for her is to leave home and preach about Jesus Christ. Madison resists, not knowing how to explain to her parents what she believes God has asked her to do. One night, her secret is spectacularly revealed and the world takes sides, regarding her with suspicion and fear. In Book Two, Madison begins her ministry at a campground where she preaches her first sermon. It is a powerful message, and the Holy Spirit is present to touch people’s hearts and lead them to salvation. As Madison continues her spiritual journey, she grows more confident, and increasingly bold. Some accuse her of fomenting violence by condemning sin, news programs portray her as a fraud, yet believers everywhere respond to her message. The end of days is approaching, and Madison is obedient to preach to the lost. In this exciting, final volume of the ‘Second Acts’ trilogy, Madison Newman is truly on her own for the first time after walking away from Stillman’s show. Weary from her months on the road, Madison is desperate to return home to her parents and friends, and to the life she left behind. But home is not to be her destination as the Holy Spirit leads her to serve God in ways she could never have anticipated. Cataclysms afflict the Earth as an increasingly turbulent world struggles with shortages, disease, and political upheaval. While nations form economic alliances, they secretly plot to usher in a truly digital currency that renders cash obsolete, and control absolute. And an unexpected reunion with old friends provides Madison an opportunity for celebration and fellowship, but leaves her eluding federal agents under cover of darkness. Despite media attacks and government persecution, Madison remains undeterred. The fight is not against flesh and blood, and Madison acknowledges the spiritual forces at work as the world rushes headlong to judgment. As the final days swiftly approach, Madison urges believers everywhere to share their faith, and enlists an unlikely ally in sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

inguished stage, film, and television actress Barbara Barrie shares her battle with colon cancer and the resulting colostomy in a way that is ultimately uplifting and inspirational.

Now published in the Bloomsbury Revelations series, this is a classic work on the power and importance of drama by renowned American playwright, screenwriter and essayist David Mamet. In this short but arresting series of essays, David Mamet explains the necessity, purpose and demands of drama. A celebration of the ties that bind art to life, Three Uses of the Knife is an enthralling read for anyone who has sat anxiously waiting for the lights to go up on Act 1. In three tightly woven essays of characteristic force and resonance, Mamet speaks about the connection of art to life, language to power, imagination to survival, public spectacle to private script. Self-assured and filled with autobiographical touches Three Uses of the Knife is a call to art and arms, a manifesto that reminds us of the singular power of the theatre to keep us sane, whole and human.

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, "There are no second acts in American lives", but more and more, our former presidents are proving him wrong. No longer fading into the background upon leaving the highest office in the land, ex-presidents perform valuable services as elder statesmen and international emissaries - and by pursuing their own agendas. From Eisenhower taking Kennedy to the woodshed (literally) on the Bay of Pigs crisis, to Carter earning the Nobel Peace Prize, to Bush Sr. and Clinton joining forces in an unlikely partnership for tsunami and Hurricane Katrina relief, the author examines the increasingly important roles that former presidents assume in our nation and throughout the world. Through interviews with former presidents, first ladies, family members, friends, and staffers, the author also delves into the very human stories that play out as the modern ex-presidents - from Truman to Clinton - adjust to life after the White House and attempt to shape their historical legacies. In this, the first narrative history of the modern post-presidency, Mark K. Updegrove makes a refreshingly unique contribution to literature on the American presidents.

An entertaining book “filled with inspirational anecdotes” (People) about second acts in life and reinventing yourself from beloved television actress Patricia Heaton—Emmy Award–winning star of Everybody Love’s Raymond, The Middle, Patricia Heaton Parties, and most recently, Carol’s Second Act. Patricia Heaton is one of TV’s most recognizable and beloved moms. She’s won three Emmys, two for her starring role as Debra Barone on the long-running comedy Everybody Loves Raymond, and followed that career-making role with another gem as Frances Heck on the popular sitcom The Middle. She returned to television as the lead in the series Carol’s Second Act, which followed divorced fifty-year-old Carol Kenney (played by Heaton), who after raising two children and retiring as a teacher decides to finally pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Patricia Heaton knows what it’s like to stage a second act and navigate pivotal transitions in life. When Heaton’s children left the nest, she found herself in a new and unfamiliar stage of life, compelling her to evaluate which direction to take next. Heaton discovered she had the time pursue passions that were previously placed on hold, both personally and professionally. She made her move and took a step forward in her career and for the first time, Heaton was not only the star of her own show, but also the executive producer. She now finds her greatest fulfillment in using her influence to support humanitarian efforts as a Celebrity Ambassador for World Vision, the world’s largest non-governmental organization. She and her husband support their work in poverty relief around the globe, something that was planted in her heart long ago. Through her own experience, Heaton became curious about other people’s stories of second-act transitions and ways to offer support in the process. Now, in Your Second Act, she shares wisdom from her own personal journey as well as insight from stories of numerous people across the country. From work to health, to love and more, the results are heartwarming, inspiring, and surprisingly relatable. “If you’ve been wanting to start your second act, Patricia Heaton may have just what you need” (Today). Filled with light-hearted anecdotes and pragmatic steps, Heaton shows us that midlife doesn’t have to be about crisis when you focus on the opportunity. After all, it’s never too late, or too early to stage your second act.

Madison Newman is a young girl with a secret, one she hides even from her parents. Moved by the Holy Spirit to touch people's lives in a powerful way, the teenager hopes to remain anonymous and live a normal life. Madison soon comes to realize that she's been prepared for an even greater work; one that she fears will take her away from her family and change her life forever. When traveling faith-healer, Russell Stillman, witnesses Madison perform a miracle, he sees an opportunity worth a fortune. The cunning con-artist goes to dangerous lengths, and risks everything to learn the girl's secret and use it to his advantage. Reluctant to leave home, yet understanding that God's will cannot be postponed indefinitely, Madison struggles with knowing how to explain to her parents what she's experienced in the spirit. That decision is taken out of her hands when, on one fateful night, Madison's secret is spectacularly and publicly revealed to a world that turns against her in suspicion and fear. When spiritual forces of darkness threaten to tear her family apart, Madison realizes she cannot turn away from what God has called her to do. This is the first book of the exciting, "Second Acts," trilogy.

Discusses President Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to defy one hundred fifty years of tradition and seek a third term in office.

An entertaining, inspirational book about second acts in life and reinventing yourself from beloved television actress Patricia Heaton—Emmy Award–winning star of Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, and most recently, Carol’s Second Act. Patricia Heaton is one of TV’s most recognizable and beloved moms. She’s won two Emmys for her starring role as Debra Barone on the long-running comedy Everybody Loves Raymond, and followed that career-making role with another gem as Frances Heck on the popular sitcom The Middle. Now, she returns to television as the lead in the new series Carol’s Second Act, which follows divorced fifty-year-old Carol Kenney (played by Heaton), who after raising two children and retiring as a teacher decides to finally pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Patricia Heaton knows what it’s like to stage a second act and navigate pivotal transitions in life. Just like Carol, when Heaton’s children left the nest, she found herself in a new and unfamiliar stage of life, compelling her to evaluate which direction to take next. She discovered she had the time to pursue passions that were previously placed on hold, both personally and professionally. She made her move and took a step forward in her career and for the first time, Heaton is not only the star of her own show, but also the executive producer. She also now finds her greatest fulfillment in using her influence to support humanitarian efforts as a Celebrity Ambassador for World Vision, the world’s largest non-governmental organization. She and her husband support their work in poverty relief around the globe, something that was planted in her heart long ago. Through her own experience, Heaton became curious about other people’s stories of second-act transitions and ways to offer support in the process. In her new book, Your Second Act, she shares wisdom from her own personal journey as well as insight from stories of numerous people across the country. From work to health, to love and more, the results are heartwarming, inspiring, and surprisingly relatable! Filled with light-hearted anecdotes and pragmatic steps to help you discover your own path, Your Second Act shows us that midlife doesn’t have to be about crisis when you focus on the opportunity. After all, it’s never too late, or too early to stage your second act!

Second Acts is a guide to reinventing your life. Whether you wish to change careers, move to a more desirable part of the country, start a business, write a novel, or drop everything to pursue a life dream, Stephen Pollan offers a powerful message ofhope and guidance that has benefited his own clients. Through a series of exercises, you will develop a comprehensive "script" for your second act—a step-by-step action plan that will lead you to the life you've always wanted.

Inside Reading Second Edition is a five-level academic reading series that develops students’ reading skills and teaches key academic vocabulary from the Academic Word List.