The Tea Party: A Brief History

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" Some 40 to 45 percent of Republican primary voters are Tea Party members seeking to direct the course of this year's presidential election. Yet the group that has been at the center of politics since 2009 is still not clearly defined in terms of objectives and message. Is it more concerned about shrinking the government or prodding the nation toward more conservative social values? The Tea Party has clearly pushed the political agendas of both major parties to the right, but will it have an enduring effect on American politics? Formisano offers a historical perspective, comparing the Tea Party to similar populist movements, both progressive and reactionary, of the past, from the original Boston Tea Party to the People's Party of the 1890s, from the Progressive Party of the 1920s to the Dixiecrats of the 1940s and, more recently, the parties of George Wallace and Ross Perot. He examines the conditions that gave birth to the Tea Party and whether it is genuinely grassroots or directed by corporate interests and billionaires. A helpful primer on a movement that is changing the American political landscape."  (Publishers Weekly)

Where Did the Jobs Go--And How Do We Get Them Back?: Your Guided Tour to America's Employment Crisis

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"An evenhanded discussion and study guide on unemployment. Bittle and Johnson draw on solid statistical sources including the National Association of Manufacturers, trade-union organizations, the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute and the Economic Policy Institute, and they also rely on expertise from, among others, Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman of Princeton, Nouriel Roubini of NYU's Stern School and Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. The authors provide a scrupulous analysis of the many problems caused by the unemployment crisis, as well as possible solutions. Bittle and Johnson rightly place a great deal of responsibility on the backs of readers: "If you've been reading along carefully, you probably have your own checklist of criteria for judging what's likely to hurt or help on jobs." Just in case, though, they provide a list of "considerations [they] think are vital." The authors encourage readers to review past mistakes and successes in order to be better prepared to assimilate what is to come. In that vein, they provide a useful historical discussion of the 1930s Depression and FDR's WPA program, as well as estimates of the financial costs of possible solutions and the ramifications for other sectors of American society. Joblessness affects consumer spending, government programs and citizens' ability to purchase homes, write the authors. Fortunately they provide a helpful series of options to ensure that "the greatest number of people have the greatest possible chance to get ahead." The authors intended to "help voters sift through the political rhetoric" to better understand and face the unemployment crisis. Mission accomplished."(Kirkus)

The Great Northern Express: A Writer's Journey Home

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" An acclaimed novelist's cross-country, "Great American Book Tour," woven with quaint recollections of teaching in northern Vermont as well as enthusiasm for trout fishing. Following radiation treatment for cancer, the then-65-year-old Mosher (Walking to Gatlinburg, 2010, etc.) embarked on a road trip inspired by a childhood promise that also coincided with the publication of a new novel. Forays in cities included stops at notable independent bookshops, from Prairie Lights to Powell's; near-escapes with wildlife; anecdotal encounters with Oliver Sacks as well as Harry Potter fans; musings on landscapes; and conversations with locals characterized by humorous, occasionally larger-than-life traits. In three sections ("Faith," "Hope" and "Love"), Mosher threads the uncertainty of his pre-novelist days with the foibles of now being an accomplished yet realistic, humble author. Rather than presenting a linear career story, he refreshingly alternates chapters between past and present. With equal aplomb, Mosher also looks back at challenges such as moving a piano, raucous motel patrons, rest-stop brawlers, limited audiences that included only the staff that organized the event and being mistaken for homeless. He also skillfully highlights memories that emphasize neighborly relationships. Chapters on Vermont are noteworthy for the recurrent theme of discovering simpler pleasures and searching for stories amid colorful lives. Fleeting conversations with imaginary characters may strike some readers as overly whimsical, and the digressive story about an inheritance is distracting. Still, Mosher provides a genial reminder that adventures are possible at any age. One man's appreciation for curious experiences, portrayed with self-effacing wit; best suited for fans of the author's work."  (Kirkus)

Who Gets What: Fair Compensation After Tragedy and Financial Upheaval

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"Agent Orange, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the Virginia Tech massacre, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Deep Horizon gulf oil spill: each was a disaster in its own right. What they had in common was their aftermath--each required compensation for lives lost, bodies maimed, livelihoods wrecked, economies and ecosystems upended. In each instance, an objective third party had to step up and dole out allocated funds: in each instance, Presidents, Attorneys General, and other public officials have asked Kenneth R. Feinberg to get the job done.
In "Who Gets What?," Feinberg reveals the deep thought that must go into each decision, not to mention the most important question that arises after a tragedy: why compensate at all? The result is a remarkably accessible discussion of the practical and philosophical problems of using money as a way to address wrongs and reflect individual worth."  (Publisher Description)

American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Family Caregiving: The Essential Guide to Cancer Caregiving at Home (Second Edition)

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"Help for the helpers. Definitive guidebook from the cancer experts is tailored to educate caregivers in managing daily life, emergency situations, and maintaining one's own health and quality of life."

100 Questions & Answers about Prostate Cancer

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" Questions & Answers About Prostate Cancer Provides Authoritative And Practical Answers To The Most Common Questions Asked By Patients And Their Loved Ones. Providing Both Doctor And Patient Perspectives, This Easy-To-Read Book Is A Comprehensive Guide To The Basics Of Prostate Cancer, Risk Factors And Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Survivorship, And Life After Diagnosis. Written By Dr. Pamela Ellsworth, A Prominent Urologist And Best-Selling Author, Questions & Answers About Prostate Cancer Is An Invaluable Resource For Anyone Interested In Learning What To Expect After Being Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer."

The Everything Guide to Foraging: Identifying, Harvesting, and Cooking Nature's Wild Fruits and Vegetables

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"If you're searching for the freshest fruits and vegetables to add to your diet, you don't have to look any further than your own backyard! With dozens of detailed illustrations, color photos, and more than 150 tasty recipes, this guide is your ultimate one-stop reference for identifying and harvesting the wild fruits and vegetables that grow in fields, forests, and even on your own lawn. Inside you'll find:

• In-depth descriptions of edible plants, including their likely locations
• Easy and delicious recipes for your wild harvest
• A primer on careful foraging techniques and conservation ethics
• Essential information on poisonous look-alikes

From clover and cattails to milkweed and mustard, this book will teach you how to collect and prepare some of the most common--and delicious--feral plants in America. And, more than just a way to a fantastic meal, this book will guide you to both a newfound confidence in your own abilities, as well as a greater appreciation of the natural world."