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Millions have sat under the "big top," watching as trapeze artists
glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories
behind the men who shaped the circus. Battle for the Big Top is the
untold story of the battles of the three circus kings--James
Bailey, P.T. Barnum, and John Ringling-all vying for control of the
vastly profitable and widely influential American Circus. New York
Times bestselling author Les Standiford recreates a remarkable era
when a community-without regard for gender, creed, or
nationality--would be captivated by the spectacle created by three
diversely talented individuals who transcended the ordinary.
Ultimately, the rivalry of these three men resulted in the creation
of an institution that would surpass all intentions and, for 147
years, hold a nation spellbound. Filled with details of their
ever-evolving showmanship, business strategies, and personal
magnetism, this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant
circus-lovers everywhere.
Millions have sat under the "big top," watching as trapeze artists
glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories
behind the men whose creativity, ingenuity, and determination
created one of our country's most beloved pastimes. In Battle for
the Big Top, New York Times-bestselling author Les Standiford
brings to life a remarkable era when three circus kings-James
Bailey, P. T. Barnum, and John Ringling-all vied for control of the
vastly profitable and influential American Circus. Ultimately, the
rivalry of these three men resulted in the creation of an
institution that would surpass all intentions and, for 147 years,
hold a nation spellbound. Filled with details of their
ever-evolving showmanship, business acumen, and personal magnetism,
this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant circus-lovers
and anyone fascinated by the American experience.
As uplifting as the tale of Scrooge itself, this is the story of
how one writer and one book revived the signal holiday of the
Western world.
Just before Christmas in 1843, a debt-ridden and dispirited Charles
Dickens wrote a small book he hoped would keep his creditors at
bay. His publisher turned it down, so Dickens used what little
money he had to put out "A Christmas Carol" himself. He worried it
might be the end of his career as a novelist.
The book immediately caused a sensation. And it breathed new life
into a holiday that had fallen into disfavor, undermined by
lingering Puritanism and the cold modernity of the Industrial
Revolution. It was a harsh and dreary age, in desperate need of
spiritual renewal, ready to embrace a book that ended with
blessings for one and all.
With warmth, wit, and an infusion of Christmas cheer, Les
Standiford whisks us back to Victorian England, its most beloved
storyteller, and the birth of the Christmas we know best. "The Man
Who Invented Christmas" is a rich and satisfying read for Scrooges
and sentimentalists alike.
"From the Hardcover edition."
Last Train to Paradise is acclaimed novelist Les Standiford’s fast-paced and gripping true account of the extraordinary construction and spectacular demise of the Key West Railroad—one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken, destroyed in one fell swoop by the Labor Day hurricane of 1935. Brilliant and driven entrepreneur Henry Flagler’s dream fulfilled, the Key West Railroad stood as a magnificent achievement for more than twenty-two years, heralded as “the Eighth Wonder of the World.” Standiford brings the full force and fury of 1935’s deadly “Storm of the Century” and its sweeping destruction of “the railroad that crossed an ocean” to terrifying life. Last Train to Paradise celebrates a crowning achievement of Gilded Age ambition in a sweeping tale of the powerful forces of human ingenuity colliding with the even greater forces of nature’s wrath.
“A dramatic story . . . and Les Standiford has a good deal of fun with it all.” —Washington Post Book World “A rousing—a deeply sobering—story.” —Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed “A fascinating and incredibly compelling account . . . I could not put it down.” —Donald Trump “A definitive account of the engineering feat that became known as ‘Flagler’s Folly’. . . A rousing adventure."—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Les Standiford's account of the decades-long attempt to solve the
murder of Adam Walsh is chilling, heartbreaking, hopeful, and as
relentlessly suspenseful as anything I've ever read. A triumph in
every way."--Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River"The most
significant missing child case since the Lindbergh's....A taut,
compelling and often touching book about a long march to
justice."--Scott Turow, author of Presumed InnocentThe abduction
that changed America forever, the 1981 kidnapping and murder of
six-year-old Adam Walsh--son of John Walsh, host of the Fox TV
series America's Most Wanted--in Hollywood, Florida, was a crime
that went unsolved for a quarter of a century. Bringing Adam Home
by author Les Standiford is a harrowing account of the terrible
crime and its dramatic consequences, the emotional story of a
father and mother's efforts to seek justice and resolve the loss of
their child, and a compelling portrait of Miami Beach Homicide
Detective Joe Matthews, whose unwavering dedication brought the
Adam Walsh case to its resolution.
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Miami Noir: The Classics (Hardcover)
Les Standiford; Contributions by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Elmore Leonard, Lester Dent, Zora Neale Hurston, …
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R1,100
Discovery Miles 11 000
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Discover how one spectacular building project transformed Miami
from a fractious tropical city to a cultural capital of the
Americas. In Center of Dreams, New York Times bestselling author
Les Standiford tells the inspiring story of the Adrienne Arsht
Center for the Performing Arts. The vision for this building, which
would become the most ambitious cultural arts complex since the
Kennedy Center, began in an unlikely place and time. Miami in the
1970s was divided by social and ethnic tensions. The city held a
growing population of immigrants from the Cuban revolution, a
well-established African American community, Florida ""crackers,""
and a continual influx of tourists and retirees. Critics said a
cultural center would never be possible in a place of such extreme
diversity. But Parker Thomson, a lawyer and Boston transplant,
dreamed that his adopted city would become a world-leading
community in the twenty-first century. He believed a performing
arts center was critical to this vision. Persevering against
political opposition, economic obstacles, and engineering problems,
Thomson spent over 30 years making the dream a reality. With
Thomson's efforts, along with help from cultural leaders, iconic
design work by architect Cesar Pelli, and support from
philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, the project succeeded against all
odds. Today, the Arsht Center is a cutting-edge magnet of style and
art. Presenting performances that celebrate the richness of Miami's
diverse population, it showcases emerging local artists and
attracts international stars. Resident companies include the New
World Symphony, the Florida Grand Opera, and the Miami City Ballet.
Its improbable story is a testament to the influence of cultural
advocacy, the importance of government support for the arts, and
the power of the arts to repair and sustain communities.
GOLF IS NOT A TEAM SPORT. BUT WHO SAYS FICTION CAN'T BE? Fore? No, nine. That's how many literary grand masters each contribute a chapter and together bring you a blistering drive of a story that beats par with every page. To the inauguration of a state-of-the-art course in Scotland come three notoriously hard-luck golfers—not to mention peace-seeking world leaders, havoc-wreaking eco-terrorists, a naked golfer in quest of a hole in one, and, in the putt to end all putts, enough plastique to turn the world into a giant sand trap. Will things get rough in the rough? Will the green run red? Where, exactly, is the mysterious nineteenth hole? With this suspenseful and hilarious ensemble tour de force of sex, money, and mayhem on the links, the "good walk" has never been more fun.
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