Early American Life

“A definitive and ideal biography—pound for pound, one of the sleekest and most judicious I’ve ever read.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times A critical darling, Crumb is the first biography of Robert Crumb—one of the most profound and influential artists of the 20th century—whose...

It's a matter of life and death for one, for the other, revenge, land, a way of life. The American frontier, 1777. The true story of a teenager and his little brother, sons of a German immigrant settler, alone on the family farm in rural Virginia. Suddenly, the teenager is knocked off his feet by a musket ball. He looks up to see a devilishly painted face running towards him with a raised tomahawk. He runs for his life. His little brother fights like a wildcat. The two brothers are quickly overwhelmed and captured. The boys so impress the Indian raiding party with their courage and fighting...

Leading into the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower, Martyn Whittock examines the lives of the "saints" (members of the Separatist Puritan congregations) and "strangers" (economic migrants) on the original ship. Collectively, these people would become known to history as "the Pilgrims". The story of the Pilgrims has taken on a life of its own as one of our founding national myths - their escape from religious persecution, the dangerous transatlantic journey, that brutal first winter.

New York Times best-selling author Carl Weber and award-winning novelist Eric Pete team up to deliver the first in a much-anticipated new trilogy. The Family Business features two times the heat, two times the fun, and two times the drama as the members of an unforgettable family (not to mention their lovers and hangers-on) find their way in and out of trouble. As their many fans will attest, Weber and Pete share a talent for penning juicy fiction that their audience can’t get enough of.

In the shadows of Salem Village in 1692, one young girl must navigate the complexities of a divided society. Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans' strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil. Will Verity have the courage to trust her heart and choose a path that defies...

In the 18th century, Bridgetown, Barbados, was heavily populated by both enslaved and free women. Marisa J. Fuentes creates a portrait of urban Caribbean slavery in this colonial town from the perspective of these women whose stories appear only briefly in historical records. Combining fragmentary sources with interdisciplinary methodologies that include black feminist theory and critical studies of history and slavery, Dispossessed Lives demonstrates how the construction of the archive marked enslaved women's bodies, in life and in death.

History is recorded in many ways. According to author James Deetz, the past can be seen most fully by studying the small things so often forgotten. In his completely revised and expanded edition of In Small Things Forgotten, Deetz has added new sections that more fully acknowledge the presence of women and African Americans in Colonial America.

Unearth the foundational chapter of the life of the man proclaimed "the greatest athlete in the world." Dive deep into the compelling, yet often overlooked, formative years of James Francis Thorpe, a towering figure in American sports history whose journey began amidst profound personal loss and cultural upheaval in Indian Territory. This meticulously researched book, Jim Thorpe: The Early Years: Roots and Resilience, is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the deep Jim Thorpe early life influences that forged his indomitable spirit and unmatched athletic prowess. Born on May ...

Longlisted for the 2014 National Book Award From the winner of the Pulitzer Prize: a powerful, engrossing new novel—the life and times of a remarkable family over three transformative decades in America. On their farm in Denby, Iowa, Rosanna and Walter Langdon abide by time-honored values...

He’s famous for planting apple trees across the Midwest. But was this mythic nomad a fool, a saint, or something entirely different? Massachusetts, 1797. John Chapman craves love. Treated like an indentured servant by his father, the late-maturing twenty-one-year-old searches for enough money to take his beautiful sweetheart to a dance. But when the introspective young man is caught stealing a few coins, his stern parent condemns him to a long and dangerous journey to claim new land in the recently opened Indian Territory. Discovering unexpected skills as he and his half-brother brave the...

Discover the untamed frontier in “The Warriors Part 5: The Settling of Indian Territory, In a world where the past collides with the promise of a new beginning, the Chapman brothers embark on a daring adventure as they arrive safely on the edge of the newly created Northwest Territory. Determined to meet the expectations of their father, Nathaniel and John tackle the challenges of finding and clearing land, building the basic structure of a home, and planting fruit trees. But as they strive to meet their father's approval, they quickly discover that living on the frontier comes at a cost ...

Fifteen years after the release of the first Mediator novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot returns with a deliciously sexy new entry to a fan-favorite series. Suze Simon—all grown up and engaged to her once-ghostly soulmate—faces a vengeful spirit and an old enemy bent on...

In this “sharp-eyed account of a nearly forgotten African-American sports legend” (Publishers Weekly)—the remarkable Major Taylor who became the world’s fastest bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era—“Kranish has done historians and fans a service by reminding us that such...

Dive into an exhilarating journey of man and his loyal dog in the wild west! Experience the thrill of exploring the uncharted territories of the United States with “Spirit of the West”, a Western Adventure book set in Mustang Valley, far beyond the frontier settlements of the "far west," during the era of early American pioneers. Synopsis Our epic tale revolves around Rover, a Newfoundland dog, and his young master, John Smith residing in Mustang Valley, a fertile region under threat from settlers and territorial Native American tribes. Filled with behemoth achievement and heart-rending...

Jubal Early (1816-1894) fought two big wars during his life. About 150 years ago, Early played an important role as a general for the Confederacy, fighting his way up the ranks until he was eventually given an independent command by top Confederate general Robert E. Lee in late 1864. However, it was Early's writing that truly changed history. During the 1870s, Early was one of the writers for the Southern Historical Society who helped establish the Lost Cause.

When it comes to the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton are generally considered the great minds of early America. George Washington, instead, is toasted with accolades regarding his solid common sense and strength in battle. Indeed, John Adams once snobbishly dismissed him as "too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his station and reputation." Yet Adams, as well as the majority of the men who knew Washington in his life, were unaware of his singular devotion to self-improvement.

The true story of Reginald Lacy, written in novel form, tells of Reginald’s rebellion against his father, Colonel John Lacy, who came to America shortly before the Revolutionary war. Though John wants Reginald to follow in his footsteps, and become a squire of their plantation in Kentucky, Reginald wishes to be a woodsman. In pursuing his own ambitions, Reginald becomes close friends to the Cherokee and learns their language, and how to fight like an Indian. However, when he saves a Cherokee Princess, Winona from a bear, he is confronted by the man she is betrothed to, Tartongawaka, a ...

“Complete with a romantic subplot, DECEPTIONS: A Colonial Jamestown Novel is a strong historical tale that brings the Jamestown Virginia Colony to life through the eyes of the determined heroine Catherine, who manages to travel to the New World in search of her betrothed. Breathtaking suspenseful action follows as Catherine tries to unravel the various mysterious happenings between her husband and the Powhatan Indians. Readers will relish this in-depth look at how the first English colonists struggled to survive in Jamestown, circa 1617-1619.” —Harriet Klausner Desperate to escape a ...

Noah Hickman’s murder is on the mind of Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Hart. At his undercover gold panning claim in Mormon Basin, he is freezing. And thinking about his search for evidence – proof – that Dottie and Billy were responsible for the killing. Noah’s old friend Ten Crows (now “Otter” in his freedom) had shared his vision of the killers – perfectly describing the couple – but justice requires more. Other killings in Mormon Basin, spur deeper investigation into the affairs of Dottie and Billy and their bar, boarding house, and prostitution operation. The sheriff of ...

Twenty-three years since Syrie and Noah made their vows before family, friends, and their Cayuse community. The Rafter S – their ranch in Rye Valley, Oregon – has seen them raise six children. Lucreta, adopted by Syrie along the Oregon Trail, ranches with husband Noah Crow, son of Ten Crows, and their children. Theresa, the girl carried on the trail, now single-handedly proves up her own ranch – The Rafter T. Their oldest son, Daniel, is in law school at Harvard, near Syrie’s family. Younger sons, Benjamin and Michael, look after the horses and cattle. Early-teen Abigail is finding ...