The narrative follows Ward Hall's adventurous journey from a Colorado teenager to a prominent figure in the circus world. Starting as a part-time gig in 1944, he quickly dropped out of school and fully committed to the Dailey Bros. Circus. His remarkable ascent in the circus industry is highlighted by his transition from a sideshow performer at 16 to owning a sideshow by 21, showcasing his passion and dedication to this vibrant and unconventional lifestyle.
Exploring the bizarre and fascinating realm of amusement parks, this book presents a collection of true stories and trivia that highlight the oddities found in rides and attractions. Readers will encounter a variety of unusual facts and strange occurrences, making it an entertaining and informative experience for fans of the quirky side of amusement parks.
Focusing on the creative pioneers behind amusement parks, this book explores the history and evolution of these entertainment venues. It highlights the visionaries who contributed to the development of theme parks, rides, and waterparks, celebrating their innovative spirit and lasting impact on the industry. As the inaugural volume in a new series, it aims to honor and recognize the legends who shaped the amusement park landscape we know today.
One of the first questions about this work is whether it is a novel or a collection of short stories. The title page labels it simply as "a work of fiction," challenging readers to categorize it. It is both: a series of interrelated pieces that read with the dramatic force of a novel. Each of the twenty-two pieces is crafted with emotional depth and precision, allowing it to stand alone. The narrative centers on the men of Alpha Company—Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and Tim O'Brien, who survives his Vietnam tour to become a father and writer at forty-three. They confront not only the enemy but also their own fears and isolation. They long for their families and the lives they left behind, yet they find connection and compassion among themselves and even with strangers. Through their stories, we glimpse their vulnerabilities and the bonds formed in the face of adversity. With a blend of compelling fiction and intimate autobiography, this work serves as a tribute to those who risked their lives in a controversial war, reflecting on the frailty of humanity. Ultimately, it highlights the courage, determination, and luck necessary for survival.
The bestselling author of The Things They Carried and If I Die in a Combat
Zone shares wisdom from a life in letters, lessons learned in wartime, and the
challenges, humour and rewards of raising two sons.
The journey of Tony Baxter, who began his career at Walt Disney Imagineering at just 22, highlights his significant contributions to the magic of Disney parks over nearly fifty years. As a prominent figure in the second generation of Disney creatives, he has shaped numerous attractions and experiences. Now, he plays a vital role as a mentor and consultant, guiding the next generation of Imagineers in continuing Disney's legacy of innovation and enchantment.
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereWinner of the 1979 National Book Award, Going After Cacciato captures the peculiar mixture of horror and hallucination that marked this strangest of wars.In a blend of reality and fantasy, this novel tells the story of a young soldier who one day lays down his rifle and sets off on a quixotic journey from the jungles of Indochina to the streets of Paris. In its memorable evocation of men both fleeing from and meeting the demands of battle, Going After Cacciato stands as much more than just a great war novel. Ultimately it's about the forces of fear and heroism that do battle in the hearts of us all.
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found hereA CLASSIC FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE THINGS THEY CARRIEDBefore writing his award-winning Going After Cacciato, Tim O'Brien gave us this intensely personal account of his year as a foot soldier in Vietnam. The author takes us with him to experience combat from behind an infantryman's rifle, to walk the minefields of My Lai, to crawl into the ghostly tunnels, and to explore the ambiguities of manhood and morality in a war gone terribly wrong. Beautifully written and searingly heartfelt, If I Die in a Combat Zone is a masterwork of its genre.Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content
At the thirtieth reunion of the Darton Hall College class of 1969, ten old friends join their classmates for a summer weekend of dancing, drinking, flirting, reminiscing, and regret. The three decades since graduation have brought marriage and divorce, children and careers, hopes deferred and replaced. July, July tells the heart-rending and often hilarious story of men and women who came into adulthood at a moment when American ideals and innocence began to fade. These lives will ring familiar to anyone who has dreamed, worked, and struggled to keep course toward a happy ending.
A remarkable novel from the National Book Award-winning author of Going After
Cacciato' and The Things They Carried', which combines the power of the finest
Vietnam fiction with the tension of a many-layered mystery.
