From the author of the "absolutely absorbing" (USA Today) memoir Undercurrents comes an unforgettable portrait of childhood, family and community. The eldest child of a devout Irish-American Catholic family, Martha Manning weaves her story around the seven holy sacraments: baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, holy orders, marriage and last rites. She recalls her childhood pratfalls, adolescent yearnings and entrance into motherhood with wisdom, wit and remarkable honesty. At once poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Chasing Grace is a wholly original tale of family and friends, happy times and difficult ones -- and the painful, joyous journey from childhood to adulthood.

"Long-distance walking is good for you and good for the earth... But most of all, walking is a joyful celebration of life and the diverse, beautiful, and curious world in which we live." --from the Introduction
Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. In an increasingly complex and frantic world, walking can simplify our lives. It encourages intimate contact with places and people, promotes health, and is one of the most sustainable forms of recreation. Robert and Martha Manning invite readers to explore the pleasures of long-distance walking in their inspiring new book, Walking Distance.
At the heart of "Walking Distance" are firsthand descriptions of thirty of the world's great long-distance hikes, spanning six continents and ranging from inn-to-inn to backpacking trips. Each entry--from Turkey's Lycian Way to Vermont's Long Trail--features personal anecdotes, natural and cultural history, and useful tips, including suggestions for preparing for hikes and for additional reading. Each trail narrative is richly illustrated with color photographs and maps.

The Walks
Alta Via 1 (Italy)
C&O Canal (Maryland, U.S.)
Camino de Santiago (Spain)
Cape Winelands Walk (South Africa)
Chilkoot Trail (Alaska, U.S. and B.C., Canada)
Cinque Terre (Italy)
Coast to Coast Trail (England)
Colorado Trail (Colorado, U.S.)
Cotswold Way (England)
Great Ocean Walk (Australia)
Inca Trail (Peru)
John Muir Trail (California, U.S.)
Kaibab Trail (Arizona, U.S.)
Kalalua Trail (Hawaii, U.S.)
King Ludwig's Way (Germany)
Kungsleden (Sweden)
Long Trail (Vermont, U.S.)
Lost Coast Trail (California, U.S.)
Lycian Way (Turkey)
Milford Track (New Zealand)
Ocala Trail (Florida, U.S.)
Overland Track (Australia)
Paria River Canyon (Utah and Arizona, U.S.)
South Downs Way (England)
Superior Hiking Trail (Minnesota, U.S.)
Tahoe Rim Trail (California and Nevada, U.S.)
Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland)
Walker's Haute Route (France, Switzerland)
West Coast Trail (B.C., Canada)
West Highland Way (Scotland)

In Walks of a Lifetime in America's National Parks: Extraordinary Hikes in Exceptional Places, Robert and Martha Manning invite readers to explore the joys of hiking. Explaining the why, how, and where to walk and featuring first-hand descriptions of the nation's great National parks and their best hikes ranging from short day hikes to backpacking treks, and featuring scenic vistas, waterfalls, and information on lodging opportunities, this is a bucket list book for hiking in the national parks. Each chapter includes personal anecdotes, natural and cultural history, and practical tips. Every chapter is richly illustrated with color photographs and maps. The book also includes a series of twenty short, engaging essays about hiking and related matters.

No relationship is more fulfilling, infuriating, emotional, and problematic than that of mother and daughter. Now, in a work filled with truth, surprises, and humor, renowned psychologist and author Martha Manning offers mothers and daughters of all ages a new way to understand each other. Challenging the accepted premise that this powerful bond must be severed for emotional growth, Manning shows us why this precious attachment is never outgrown, how, if it is damaged, it can be healed, and what will enrich this lifelong commitment while fostering essential independence. The key is empathy, and Manning provides potent tools to help us build stronger ties and celebrate the crazy twists, joys, and secrets inherent in this most glorious of life connections.

Combining personal experiences and scrupulous research, The Common Thread helps each of us develop a mutually empowering relationship -- and laugh, too -- as we more deeply connect with and appreciate the mother or daughter we love.