American Movie

Ranging from the shattered gentility of Edith Wharton's heroines to racial confrontation in the songs of Nina Simone, American Rhapsody presents a kaleidoscopic story of the creation of a culture. Here is a series of deeply involving portraits of American artists and innovators who have helped to shape the country in the modern age. Claudia Roth Pierpont expertly mixes biography and criticism, history and reportage, to bring these portraits to life and to link them in surprising ways.

It's 1904, the turn of the 20th century, and Samantha Parkington is a nine-year-old orphan living with her rich grandmother. When Samantha sees a friend in need, she makes space to help and a speech worth more than gold.

1989. Pro wrestling reaches the summit of its golden era. Kids of all ages watch, bowls of sugar cereal in hand, as psychedelic heroes battle big bad villains on Saturday morning television. But the true soap operas begin after the cameras stop rolling.

Im Dezember 1988 kommen beim Lockerbie-Bombenanschlag alle 259 Passagiere einer Boeing 747 ums Leben, darunter auch Maureen, die Verlobte des US-Collegestudenten Mitch Rapp. Ein Jahr nach ihrem Tod wird Mitch von der CIA rekrutiert und schließt sich dem geheimen Orion-Team an, das gegen den weltweiten Terror in den Kampf zieht. An Krisenherden in Europa, im Nahen Osten und Asien bewältigt er den Verlust seiner großen Liebe und sucht nach einem neuen Sinn für sein Leben.

Hollywood and Christianity often seem to be at war. Indeed, there is a long list of movies that have attracted religious condemnation, from Gone with the Wind with its notorious "damn," to The Life of Brian and The Last Temptation of Christ. But the reality, writes William Romanowski, has been far more complicated - and remarkable. In Reforming Hollywood, Romanowski, a leading historian of popular culture, explores the long and varied efforts of Protestants to influence the film industry.

Michael Jackson's journey to fame began in 1966 at age eight, when he started singing with his brothers in the Jackson 5. In the early 1970s, he launched a solo career, accumulating a dozen number-one singles. His record-breaking album, Thriller, has sold an estimated 110 million copies worldwide. He won 17 Grammy awards and was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. In 2009, people of all ages mourned Michael's sudden death.

When her baby sister announces she's getting married in thirty days, sexy but single flight attendant Montana Moore realizes that she's soon to be the oldest - and only unwed woman in her family. With the help of fellow flight attendants and a zany network of airline employees, Montana embarks on a thirty-day, thirty-thousand-mile expedition to charm a potential suitor into becoming her fiancé.

The battles of World War II may be a world away, but Molly McIntire and her family do what they can to help from the 1944 home front. Meet Molly and her family, and get to know what it was like to be a girl celebrating Christmas during World War II in this book.

Kaya is a Nez Perce girl who takes pride in helping out and supporting the tribe—and also in her beloved horse, Steps High. But when she chooses racing her horse over family responsibilities, Kaya has to prove herself to earn her tribe’s respect. Kaya’s story of adventure in the wilderness is sure to engage today's listeners as they learn what it was like to be a Native American girl in 1764 in this book. This exciting book is based on an American Girl story by Janet Shaw.

Addy Walker escapes a Southern plantation during the turbulent Civil War. Meet Addy as she and her mother make a daring journey from slavery to freedom in 1864. Addy's story is sure to engage young girls as they learn what it was like to be a girl during the Civil War in this book.

Melody Ellison loves singing and gardening, and is inspired by friends and family and the Civil Rights Movement to make changes in her community. Melody's story of leadership and making one's voice heard is sure to engage today's readers as they learn what it was like to be a girl in 1964. This Step 3 Step into Reading leveled reader is great for American Girl fans ages 5 to 8. This exciting Step into Reading is based on an American Girl story by Denise Lewis Patrick.

After being released from a five-year prison sentence for an armed robbery gone sideways, Tarzan Brixton makes a vow to his dying mother to change his ways. With his mother’s medical bills piling up, the temptation of the criminal life becomes too real once again. His solution is to escape the rough streets of New York for the equally ruthless beaches of Kingston, Jamaica. He soon creates a drug-running empire while falling in love with a beautiful Jamaican woman named Maya.

Zuri Maxwell isn’t happy. Her job is a grind, and money is always tight. Her boyfriend, Stephon, is the best part of life, but between his income as an artist and her commission-based paycheck, they are barely scraping by. When Zuri meets a sleek entrepreneur eager to pick her brain, she jumps at the chance to talk business with someone who has everything she wants. As he wines and dines her, Zuri starts moving in elite circles, and she faces a crossroads: Will she give up the stable, loving life she knows for one that glitters but may not be gold?

Trying to do the right thing costs Dave Granger his family, his sight, and his health. By the grace of God, he’s spirited away to South Korea to recover. There, he undergoes seven years of grueling martial arts training, learning the way of the Sulsa warriors. He emerges as a new man with a new name: Doboro.

The stories cover a range of settings and topics, including finding freedom during the Civil War, growing up in a Nez Perce Indian tribe in 1764, standing up for equality in the Civil Rights era, celebrating Christmas during World War II, and helping a friend in need in turn-of the century New York in 1904.

Traditions may change over the years, but one thing never changes: everyone loves celebrating the holiday season! Felicity™, Molly™, Nanea™, Rebecca™, Josefina™, and other American Girl historical characters show off some of the ways families have enjoyed the holidays over the decades—from the food to the songs to the parties, presents, and more!

Take a peek into how each of these girls enjoyed her birthday during her unique times in U.S. history. Featuring a diverse group of American Girl characters from a variety of historical settings, this Little Golden Book is perfect for girls and boys ages 2 to 5, and collectors of all ages!

Melody, Kit, Samantha, and other American Girl characters from different time periods show why it's important to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for fairness. Celebrate an introduction to empowerment in this Little Golden Book that's just right for children ages 2 to 5 and features a diverse group of spirited characters from a variety of historical settings that are always engaging.

This Little Golden Book stars Samantha™, Felicity™, Rebecca™, and other favorite American Girl characters as they learn school lessons in their own exciting times. It features a diverse group of spirited characters from a variety of historical settings that are always engaging.

Even though he's best known for his successful PBS series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred Rogers never dreamed of working in television. In fact, he hated the very first program that he ever watched! Join author Diane Bailey as she takes listeners through the journey that brought Mister Rogers into our living rooms. From his childhood interest in puppet-making and music, to his courageous visit to Russia during the Cold War, this audiobook details Mister Rogers' quest for kindness and his gentle appeal to be more neighborly.