Brave indeed is the novelist whose gregarious, anxious, polyglot alter-ego (yes, his name is Ernest) dares to anatomize—even celebrate—that peculiar inertia of beginning to write. In this novel, inspiration eluding the narrator in... Read More

This book will have Twain scholars and fans vigorously discussing its merits for years to come. The author takes as his subject the relationship between Mark Twain and his older brother, Orion, traditionally presented as a bit of a... Read More

The connection between quantum physics, porn-watching canines, and modern art resides solely in the contortionist mind of this poet. In this first collection, readers will find themselves gazing out the window at “a neighbor / at tai... Read More

Will Barnett’s family has sold their farm in rural New Mexico and moved to Austin, Texas. Will, in his freshman year at the University of Texas, is sharing an apartment with his Uncle Sean (who was Will’s mentor in coming out of the... Read More

William III’s 1690 Act “for encouraging the distilling of brandy and spirits” was designed to boost the grain market and benefit farmers. Unfortunately, it led to a half-century of excessive gin consumption. Samuel Johnson noted... Read More

“Many unsuspecting passers-by had to relinquish molars before their ruler’s lust for surgery was satisfied,” the author writes of Peter the Great’s obsession with removing and collecting teeth. He adds that the “teeth in the... Read More

Henry David Thoreau’s rhetoric instructor viewed him as a student with little promise. The instructor was wrong. Thoreau made impressive accomplishments as a natural scientist, a writer, and a social activist. The first chapter will... Read More

Just in time for Earth Day 2003 comes this lovely poetry collection in celebration of nature. Featuring poets ranging from Emily Dickinson to Sappho, this book will especially please parents who have faith in their children’s abilities... Read More