Holiday History

No singer has been more mythologized and more misunderstood than jazz legend Billie Holiday, who helped to create much of the mystique herself with her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues - and this authentic biography sets the record straight. Donald Clarke was given unrivaled access to a treasure trove of interviews from the 1970s with those who knew Lady Day in all stages of her short, tragic life - from her childhood in the streets and good-time houses of Baltimore, through the early days of success in New York and the years of fame, to her tragic decline.

Of all the stoic virtues—courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom—wisdom is the most elusive. This is especially apparent in an age where reaction and idle chatter are rewarded, and restraint and thoughtfulness are unfashionable. The great statesman and philosophers of the past would not be fooled, as we are, by headlines or appearances or the primal pull of tribalism. They knew too much of history, of their own flaws, of the need for collaboration to do any of that. That's wisdom—and we need it more than ever.

Tiffany, Stone and Rosie visit a "historic" small town - but the local historians' tales don't seem quite believable. But that's not the only secret this small town harbors; when a local landlord is killed, the trio must uncover the truth behind his death. Temperamental chefs, confused old ladies and a troublesome housekeeper add to Tiffany's difficulties. Could any of them have been involved in the murder?

✨ 4 AMAZING BONUSES INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE - DOWNLOAD THEM TODAY! ✨ 🌟The Gift That Proves She Can Be the Hero - Starting Now 🌟 Has she ever searched for heroes who look like her—only to find far too few? Has she ever doubted if her dreams truly matter? This book shows her she’s seen, celebrated, and unstoppable—just like the 20 extraordinary women inside. She’ll step into the lives of trailblazing Black women who broke barriers, defied the odds, and turned challenges into triumphs. By the last page, she won’t just admire their victories—she’ll believe she can create ...

Ever wonder why everyone wants to immigrate to America? Rediscovering America answers that question, and it’s like no other history you have ever encountered. More than an account of people, dates, and events, this story is about the hidden hand of a purposeful historical development where the main actors are colorful characters, participating in an American drama of little-known but remarkable events where overcoming incredible odds of failure is more unbelievable and engaging than fiction.

Anyone who laments the excesses of Christmas might consider the Puritans of colonial Massachusetts: they simply outlawed the holiday. The Puritans had their reasons, since Christmas was once an occasion for drunkenness and riot, when poor "wassailers" extorted food and drink from the well-to-do. In this intriguing and innovative work of social history, Stephen Nissenbaum rediscovers Christmas's carnival origins and shows how it was transformed, during the nineteenth century, into a festival of domesticity and consumerism.

Transform Your Thanksgiving into a Feast of Laughter, Learning, & Legendary Fun! 🦃🍁 Why settle for just turkey & pie when you can add a side of brain-boosting, belly-laughing trivia to your holiday table? This book is your ultimate Thanksgiving companion, packed with 50 trivia questions with incredibly fun and funny detailed answer explanations that will entertain kids, challenge adults, & spark hilarious debates over who really knows their Pilgrim history. From fascinating facts about the First Thanksgiving to funny turkey tidbits, this quiz is the perfect way to bond while stuffing ...

Young listeners learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Halloween.

Don't miss out on this incredible holiday adventure with this special historical Western Mail Order Bride romance boxed set from #1 bestselling author and Kindle All-Star Katie Wyatt! Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate by a fire and settle down for a cozy read! Follow Sally, Amelia, Jenny, Margaret, Jane, and Bessie as they venture into the Wild West, pursuing their dreams. The road to true love never runs smooth … buckle up and join the girls on their frontier adventures—and don’t forget Christmas is just around the corner, so miracles might just happen! The Complete Christmas ...

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions reveals the surprising, quirky, mysterious, and sometimes horrifying stories behind the most wonderful time of the year.

Discover & Enjoy America’s Past Like Never Before with An Immersive, Entertaining Journey into United States Early History! Step back into enchanting, early America & bring your family, friends, & history buffs on a thrilling adventure: the first European explorers to the United States birth! Much more than a game—it’s an interactive experience that blends entertainment, education, hilarity & healthy, friendly competition. You’ll Love: 1. 776+ Engaging, Entertaining Questions – Packed with hundreds of multiple-choice questions & long, intriguing, interesting fact filled, often ...

Volume 1 of the gripping epic masterpiece, Solzhenitsyn's chilling report of his arrest and interrogation, which exposed to the world the vast bureaucracy of secret police that haunted Soviet society. Features a new foreword by Anne Applebaum.

✨ 4 AMAZING BONUSES INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE - DOWNLOAD THEM TODAY! ✨ 🌟 Unleash Her Potential with These Inspiring True Stories!🌟 Wondering how to introduce your little girl to positive role models? Looking for real-life stories of perseverance and courage that won’t bore her? Want to boost her confidence and spark her curiosity? Eager to encourage her to dream big and aim high? Parenting can be tricky, but you’ve found the perfect resource. The 20 inspiring stories in this book will light a fire within her, empowering her to believe in herself and her dreams. Packed with ...

In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. RIGHT? WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day.

History is turned inside out when off-world travelers challenge Tyson Reyes and Madi Grace to a real-life game of Temporal Dilemma. Three rounds from the opponents and Hitler takes Europe, Pearl Harbor never happens, a fascist cloud hangs over the postwar United States, and CHRONOS itself is erased from existence. Now Tyson, Madi, and a team of seasoned players must make their moves - in 1930s New York. Jazz and the blues waft from Village clubs. The World’s Fair draws assassins. Madison Square Garden hosts Nazis. And the Manhattan Project never gets off the ground.

Although she grew up following some holiday rituals, Abigail Pogrebin realized how little she knew about their foundational purpose and contemporary relevance; she wanted to understand what had kept these holidays alive and vibrant, some for thousands of years. Her curiosity led her to embark on an entire year of research, observation, and writing about the milestones on the religious calendar. Whether in search of a roadmap for Jewish life or a challenging probe into the architecture of Jewish tradition, listeners will be captivated, educated, and inspired by My Jewish Year.

A tour of Christmas through the years from the first film about the holiday in 1898 through a certain Red nosed Reindeer and a too rich Scrooge of a cartoon character in 1949. Short write-ups about movies, radio shows, magazine covers and more that are good for a few minutes snatched here and there during your busy Christmas season.

Volume 2 of the Nobel Prize-winner’s towering masterpiece: the story of Solzhenitsyn's entrance into the Soviet prison camps, where he would remain for nearly a decade. Features a new foreword by Anne Applebaum.

Spirits of The Yuletide delves into the rich history and mystique of the year's most magical and shadowed season. Richard Moschella presents a heartfelt perspective on connecting with our ancestors beyond the veil, offering a medium’s unique insight into how we can communicate with those in spirit and honor them during our holiday traditions. Through interviews with colleagues and a wealth of spiritual guidance, this book serves as a comforting beacon for those who wonder if departed loved ones remain a part of our lives, especially during the holidays. With advice on self-care and ...

In recent years many claims have been made and questions asked about the origins of our Easter traditions. Was the holiday based on Pagan traditions? Was Easter created by the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Nicaea? Where did Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny come from? How did Lent get started? Should Christians celebrate Easter, or should we be celebrating Passover? In this book we try to go back to the origins of these traditions and examine the historical evidence available to us to see where all of these traditions got started. Starting with the Bible as our guide, we work our ...