A social history that pulls back the covers on the most intimate piece of furniture in our lives: “Entertaining . . . will keep you awake long into the night.” —Paul Chrystal, author of The History of Sweets Louis XIV ruled France from his bedchamber. Winston Churchill governed Britain from his during World War II. Travelers routinely used to bed down with complete strangers, and whole families shared beds in many preindustrial households. Beds were expensive items—and often for show. Tutankhamun was buried on a golden bed, wealthy Greeks were sent to the afterlife on dining beds, and deceased middle-class Victorians were propped up on a bed in the parlor. In this sweeping social history that spans seventy thousand years, Brian Fagan and Nadia Durrani look at the endlessly varied role of the bed through time. This was a place for sex, death, childbirth, storytelling, and sociability as well as sleeping. But who did what with whom, why, and how could vary incredibly depending on the time and place. It is only in the modern era that the bed has transformed into a private, hidden zone—and its rich social history has largely been forgotten. Includes photographs

From the bestselling author of In Her Shoes, All Fall Down and the forthcoming novel Who Do You Love, Good in Bedis a funny and tender story full of heart. Cannie Shapiro never wanted to be famous. The smart, sharp, plus-sized reporter was perfectly happy writing about other people's lives for her local newspaper. And for the past twenty-eight years, things have been tripping along nicely for Cannie. Sure, her mother has come charging out of the closet, and her father has long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her job, her friends, her dog and her life. She loves her apartment and her commodious, quilt-lined bed. She has made a tenuous peace with her body and she even felt okay about ending her relationship with her boyfriend Bruce. But now this... 'Loving a larger woman is an act of courage in our world,' Bruce has written in a national woman's magazine. And Cannie - who never knew that Bruce saw her as a larger woman, or thought that loving her was an act of courage - is plunged into misery, and the most amazing year of her life.

When a boy asks his mother why he must make his bed, she tells him a story about his ancestors who posed the same question through the centuries, going all the way back to a caveboy and his mother.

I haven't given up on you and I'm not going to. It's time to stop playing hard to get now. When Kate meets a dark, enigmatic man in a Soho bar, she doesn't hesitate long before going home with him. There is something undeniably attractive about Richard - and irresistibly dangerous, too. Now, after eighteen exhilarating but fraught months, Kate knows she has to finish their relationship and hopes that will be the end of it. But it is only just the beginning. Fleeing London for the wintry Isle of Wight, she is determined to ignore the flood of calls and emails from an increasingly insistent Richard. But what began as a nuisance becomes an ever more threatening game of cat and mouse...

Penny Dale's cozy take on a classic nursery rhyme, in a charming paperback edition. There were ten in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over!" So they all rolled over and Hedgehog fell out . . . One by one, nine friends roll over and fall out of a child's bed with a bang, a thump, or a plop until . . . "I'm cold! I miss you!" the child says, and back in the bed they all go--Sheep, Rabbit, Elephant, and more. Thirty-five years after it was first published, Penny Dale's endearing picture book continues to be a favorite--an essential rendition of a childhood song that is as warm and toasty as a feather bed.

Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life lessons "should be read by every leader in America" (Wall Street Journal). If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments. "Powerful." --USA Today "Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." --Washington Post "Superb, smart, and succinct." --Forbes

A little boy takes a bath, brushes his teeth, puts on his pajamas, listens to his mother read a story, and says a prayer before climbing into bed and going to sleep.

Winner of the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Debut. "Beautifully simple and sweet, Liz prince portrays couples in a delightfully self-conscious way."-- Farel Dalrymple "An adorable little collection of snippets and snapshots of moments from their relationship ... the silly, gross and snuggly moments that Liz and Kevin share. A wondrous present to someone you hold dear."-- Neil Figuracion, Broken Frontier What started out as an exercise in keeping a personal comics journal, quickly evolved into Liz Prince's first solo graphic novel. Described as a mix between Jeffrey Brown and James Kochalka, Liz's comics are comprised of short vignettes that capture all the cute, gross, and endearing aspects of relationships. It's the perfect book for all those fans of autobiographical comics who want to see a happy ending.

As darkness falls, parents get their children ready for sleep.

Grandpa tells his two young houseguests a story about his own childhood when he was scared at bedtime.