When you ́re eighteen you don ́t get tired, you don ́t get cold, nothing terrible will ever happen, and you can do anything with one hand tied behind your back. Say hello to Gail Stuart, the protagonist of With One Hand Tied Behind His Back: The Life and Times of Gail Stuart. He ́s an eighteen year old college freshman falsely accused of stealing a midterm Geology test. Presuming they ́re nabbed, test thieves get an F for the test, possible expulsion, and, if the police are involved, arrest for a high misdemeanor. But what if new information makes the case a felony, which it does, despite the fact that the word evidence seems to have disappeared from the language. Gail is then joined by bribable and buyable administrators, dodging and ducking department heads, a cowardly martinet from the board of regents, and a babble of noble, corrupt, and partly corrupt students, fraternity blokes, instructors, proprietary secretaries, anxious editors, sleazy reporter, attorneys, cops, and local citizens, all either hoping Gail is innocent or that he takes the rap. How he overcomes his dilemma is further convoluted by other avocations and unplanned adventures, a full course schedule, a sorority hasher ́s job, a fraternity membership, a couple of physical altercations, and even his own retail business. With One Hand Tied Behind His Back also presents the Stuart family. Roderick Bruce Stuart II, Gail ́s father is a descendant of Charles II of England. His family has lived in Minneapolis since the 1860s. Gail ́s mother, Charlotte Fairfax Stuart, comes from renegade Swiss mercenaries, degenerate French apaches, and more civilized Virginia farmers. Find out what she does with her life and how it influences her son. Finally, With One Hand Tied Behind His Back presents the Midwest college scene of 1954 where the expanding economy of post World War II and the GI Bill have increased the number of students, including women. One of them, the self assured and competent Rebecca Brickerhaus, will share and adventure or two and fall in love with Gail Stuart. Ah, yes. How could it be otherwise.

Most would not expect a book about a stroke to be entertaining, but this memoir will force you to laugh through a tragedy, then cry, then laugh again. Avrel Seale was fifty, did not smoke or drink, had low blood pressure, and had hiked more than two hundred miles the year a stroke nearly ended his life. In an instant, he was teleported into the body of an old man—unbalanced, shaky, spastic, and half-paralyzed. Overnight, he was plunged into a world of brain surgeons, nurses, insurance case managers, and an abundance of therapists. Beginning three weeks before his stroke to set the stage, Seale leads us through the harrowing day of his stroke and emergency brain surgery with minute-by-minute intensity. We then follow him through ICU, a rehab hospital, and a neuro-recovery group-living center, where we meet a memorable cast of other stroke survivors and also those recovering from auto accidents and gunshots. Finally home, Seale leads us through a new life of firsts, including returning to work, to driving, to playing guitar, to camping, and even to writing a book—all with one hand. What emerges from his humor (“elegant but devastating”) is a revealing critique of the hospital experience, the insurance industry, and rehab culture. And his nothing-off-the-table quest for recovery shows both the sobering struggles and inspiring possibilities of life after a stroke in twenty-first century America.

Covering over 10,000 idioms and collocations characterized by similarity in their wording or metaphorical idea which do not show corresponding similarity in their meanings, this dictionary presents a unique cross-section of the English language. Though it is designed specifically to assist readers in avoiding the use of inappropriate or erroneous phrases, the book can also be used as a regular phraseological dictionary providing definitions to individual idioms, cliches, and set expressions. Most phrases included in the dictionary are in active current use, making information about their meanings and usage essential to language learners at all levels of proficiency.

The most comprehensive reference for understanding and using the contemporary idioms of American English—with more than 1,000 entries. Mastering the use of idiomatic language is an essential step toward achieving fluency in any language. Webster's New World: American Idioms Handbook is the ideal guide to the slang, sayings, expressions, jargon, and colloquialisms of American English—covering more than 1,000 entries. Emphasizing acquisition and application, this book explains their meanings as well as when, where, why, and how to use them. A wealth of examples helps readers understand each idiom’s connotation and identify its appropriate context. An extensive index allows for quick and easy reference.

This book is primarily about two aspects of my life, my faith in God and Parkinson's disease. My faith makes everything worth while. Parkinson's is an assault on my brain and body. Without faith, it would be impossible to battle the disease. In this book are a collection of thoughts and stories I have written in the last few months. My hope is that what I have written may be entertaining or informative to someone else fighting this war.

Immerse yourself in a heartwarming tale of heroism and redemption with "The Major" by Ralph Connor, a story of courage, loyalty, and finding one's true purpose in life.The novel centers around Major Howard MacNair, a retired soldier, who is called back to face new challenges in a small Canadian town. As MacNair adjusts to civilian life, he must confront not only the ghosts of his past but also the pressing problems of the present. Along the way, he becomes a mentor to a younger generation, imparting wisdom born from years of experience. Connor expertly weaves themes of duty, leadership, and moral courage throughout the novel, showcasing MacNair as a complex character who embodies the best qualities of a leader. The story’s exploration of personal growth and community service serves as an inspiration to readers, highlighting the impact one person can have on those around them. With its strong emotional core, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, "The Major" is more than just a story about a military man—it’s a reflection on life’s second chances and the enduring power of honor and integrity.

"In the Know teaches intermediate-level students and above the idioms they need to know in order to understand everyday idiomatic English. The idioms are presented in 40 four-page units and are grouped by context, by concept, or by key words. Each four-page unit starts out with a presentation page, which is followed by three sections: Focus on Meaning, Focus on Form, and Focus on Use."--BOOK JACKET.

Separated from his siblings in the midst of a dangerous forest fire, 11-year-old Virgil must find a way to survive using only his wits and the lessons his late mother taught him about the wilderness. Virgil is making his older siblings trek to a mountain lake on a trip unlike any they’ve have taken before. They carry precious cargo: the ashes of their beloved mother, who asked that her remains be scattered at her favorite spot. But when a forest fire is sparked by a bolt of lightning at the exact moment when their van breaks down, the journey quickly turns to disaster. While the oldest, Josh, is gone to find help, Virgil and his sister, Kaitlyn, spot fleeing animals and soon see flames flickering above the tree line. Once the sky begins to darken with the haze of burning timber, Virgil finds himself separated from his sister and left alone in the wilderness. He isn’t sure he can make it, but with the memory of his late mother, a science teacher, and all her lessons to guide him, he quickly learns that not everything has a perfect explanation and survival starts with letting go. Fire on Headless Mountain showcases not only the overwhelming beauty and terrifying power of nature, but also the gift of memory when facing great emotional and physical trials. Lessons on ecosystems and fire safety are also seamlessly interwoven into this thrilling adventure tale. Praise for DEADMAN’S CASTLE “Lawrence, the Canadian writer whose High Seas Trilogy encompassed three chilling historical novels, now offers a menacing, contemporary tale of dread, danger, and revenge. Portraying family dynamics and middle-school antics with equal insight and attention to detail, Igor’s first-person narrative is absorbing.”–Booklist “Featuring effective worldbuilding, this is a great, suspenseful tale of terror for upper middle graders”.–School Library Journal “Friendship difficulties provide a contrast and an anchor to the terrifying threat, and the various plot elements are deftly tied together in a fitting twist that will have readers quickly turning the pages. Filled with suspense and intrigue."–Kirkus Reviews

Does being left-handed make a person different in any way that matters? Since the late Stone Age, approximately 10 percent of humans have been left-handed, yet for most of human history left-handedness has been stigmatized. In On the Other Hand, Howard I. Kushner traces the impact of left-handedness on human cognition, behavior, culture, and health. A left-hander himself, Kushner has long been interested in the meanings associated with left-handedness, and ultimately with whether hand preference can even be defined in a significant way. As he explores the medical and cultural history of left-handedness, Kushner describes the associated taboos, rituals, and stigma from around the globe. The words “left” and “left hand” have negative connotations in all languages, and left-handers have even historically been viewed as disabled. In this comprehensive history of left-handedness, Kushner asks why left-handedness exists. He examines the relationship—if any—between handedness, linguistics, and learning disabilities, reveals how toleration of left-handedness serves as a barometer of wider cultural toleration and permissiveness, and wonders why the reported number of left-handers is significantly lower in Asia and Africa than in the West. Written in a lively style that mixes personal biography with scholarly research, On the Other Hand tells a comprehensive story about the science, traditions, and prejudices surrounding left-handedness.

Clever repartee, double entendres, punch lines and many other variations of humor have been a staple of movie dialogue since the advent of talkies. Collected here are over 4,000 of the best comedic lines from the movies. The compilers of this book have tried to bring together some of the funniest, wittiest and most outrageous snatches of dialogue on film over a sixty year time period. For each entry the authors set the quotation in context, provide the name of the actor or actress, the name of the movie and the year of release. The quotations are arranged by a broad range of categories, such as politics, food and eating, gambling, and many others. A title index and a name index follow the body of the book..