A celebration of Sinatra's enduring impact on American entertainment and cultural life. For nearly sixty years, Frank Sinatra [1915-98] triumphed in concert, in the recording studio, on television, and on the big screen, refashioning his image to suit the temper of the times. Sinatra did it "his way," remaining bothelusive and alluring, and appealing to men and women alike. This collection analyzes the qualities that ensured Sinatra's staying power: his impeccable musicality, his charisma, his tough-mindedness, and even his peccadilloes. The contributors to this volume evaluate Sinatra's impact on all areas of entertainment, and examine many of the cultural forces he influenced and was influenced by, including Bing Crosby, Elvis, the "Beats," the Beatles, and Rock 'n' Roll. What emerges is a portrait of an artist, entertainment icon, and legendary symbol of popular culture. This appreciation of the Sinatra phenomenon celebrates his enduring impact on American entertainment and cultural life. Contributors: Blaine Allan, Samuel L. Chell, David Finck, Joseph Fioravanti Jeanne Fuchs, Philip Furia, Roger Gilbert, Ruth Prigozy, Walter Raubicheck, Lisa Jo Sagolla, Ron Simon, Arnold Jay Smith, James F. Smith, Patric M. Verrone, David Wild Jeanne Fuchs is Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature and Languages at Hofstra University; Ruth Prigozy is Professor of English at Hofstra University.

For lovers of crime fiction and the allure of the Greek islands, Fire on the Island is the perfect summer read. ** "Smith offers the perfect blend of intrigue, romance, and travelogue."-Publishers Weekly ** FIRE ON THE ISLAND is a playful, romantic thriller set in contemporary Greece, with a gay Greek-American FBI agent, who is undercover on the island to investigate a series of mysterious fires. Set against the very real refugee crisis on the beautiful, sun-drenched Greek islands, this novel paints a loving portrait of a community in crisis. As the island residents grapple with declining tourism, poverty, refugees, family feuds, and a perilously damaged church, an arsonist invades their midst. Nick Damigos, the FBI agent, arrives on the island just in time to witness the latest fire and save a beloved truffle-sniffing dog. Hailed as a hero and embraced by the community, Nick finds himself drawn to Takis, a young bartender who becomes his primary suspect, which is a problem because they're having an affair. Theirs is not the only complicated romance in the community and Takis isn't the only suspicious character on the island. The priest is an art forger, a young Albanian waiter harbors a secret, the captain of the coast guard station seems to have his own agenda, and the village itself hides a violent history. Nick has to unravel the truth in time to prevent catastrophe, as he comes to terms with his own past trauma. In saving the village, he will go a long way toward saving himself. A long time devotee of the Greek islands, Smith paints the setting with gorgeous color and empathy, ushering in a new romantic thriller with the charm of Zorba the Greek while shedding bright light on the very real challenges of life in contemporary Greece.

** "Sharply drawn characters, rich dialogue, and a clever conclusion bode well for any sequel." -Publishers Weekly ** ** "Smith skillfully bridges police procedural and espionage fiction, crafting a show-stealing sense of place and realistically pairing the threats of underworld crime and destabilized regimes." -- Booklist ** For International Espionage Fans of Alan Furst and Daniel Silva, a new thriller set in post-Soviet era Poland. It is 1992 in Warsaw, Poland, and the communist era has just ended. A series of grisly murders suddenly becomes an international case when it's feared that the victims may have been couriers smuggling nuclear material out of the defunct Soviet Union. The FBI sends an agent to help with the investigation. When he learns that a Russian physicist who designed a portable atomic bomb has disappeared, the race is on to find him-and the bomb-before it ends up in the wrong hands. Smith's depiction of post-cold war Poland is gloomily atmospheric and murky in a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Suspenseful, thrilling, and smart, The Fourth Courier brings together a straight white FBI agent and gay black CIA officer as they team up to uncover a gruesome plot involving murder, radioactive contraband, narcissistic government leaders, and unconscionable greed.

This biography is about a man who continues to be cited by congressional scholars as a quintessential role model for legislative effectiveness and statesmanlike demeanor in the U.S. House of Representatives, an institution in which he served for thirty years (1953-1983). .[John Rhodes] represented the best of American politics. Anyone who cares for Congress should read this book. - Dr. Norman Ornstein, The American Enterprise Institute The book: 7 Traces the early years of his life, beginning in Kansas and bringing him to Arizona; it also shows how Rhodes successfully became the first Republican to represent Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives. 7 Follows his path in Congress, and how he climbed up the leadership ladder to the post of Minority Leader, following Gerald R. Ford in 1974. 7 Details the investigation into Watergate and how, as leader of the Republicans in the House, he pursued the truth about Richard Nixon's involvement, guided his fellow party members during the tumultuous time, and ultimately convinced the president that resignation was more palatable than the certain conviction of misdeeds by Congress. 7 Continues to demonstrate Rhodes legislative, representative, and leadership abilities with chapters explaining how he succeeded in obtaining the Central Arizona Project for his home state, a trip to China with Speaker of the House Carl Albert that helped open the barriers to their economy, and how (after the debacle that was Even Mecham) he almost became governor of Arizona .This is the story of one of the Republican Party's true heroes. - Bob Woodward, The Washington Post .Frankly, I hope every member of Congress will read it. - J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker, U.S.House of Representatives