A career soldier in the Australian army, Bob Buick reveals in this volume why he joined up and describes his experiences, from training, through service in Vietnam, to homecoming and reflections on Australia's involvement in that war.

As the recent film Glory Road reminded, the early desegregation of college sports often was neither easy nor pleasant. Here Bill Elder recalls how he and a courageous group of white and black student-athletes broke racial barriers at a small college in northeast Alabama in the early 1970s. The setting was Sand Mountain, an area which four decades earlier had given rise to the Scottsboro Boys case, and where racial attitudes for some had not changed much. Elder has recently retired from a successful career as a college sports administrator, but here he shows vividly why he sometimes wondered whether he and his players would live through their experience. Abandoned by their school officials, the players faced constant threats and harassment and occasional violence. But they kept playing and winning games and forging bonds between themselves that lasted long after that first season was over. Through it all, Elder, an Alabama native and lifelong Baptist, watches his community with both a loving and an objective eye. His brief eyewitness account of both the worst and best elements of Southerners during this tumultuous era is compelling testimony.

The official prequel novel to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the hotly anticipated action-adventure game developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix. The official prequel novel to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the hotly anticipated action-adventure game developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Racoon and Groot. They’re the Guardians of the Galaxy, turning a tidy profit as heroes for hire—or, they will be if Peter Quill can get his act together. After he botches the most critical part of their latest mission—getting paid—his newly assembled crew is close to ditching him for good. Now he needs a big payday, fast. When an old acquaintance shows up offering a whole lot of units for a field trip to Peter’s past, it’s a no-brainer. Twelve years ago, Peter fought the Chitauri alongside the Resistance on Mercury to prevent an invasion of Earth. Now it’s time to go back. The old Resistance base has a squatter, and it’s up to the Guardians to ‘gently escort’ them off the premises… and unmask a wartime traitor while they’re at it. But war is heavy, man, and the Galactic War screwed up each of the Guardians in their own special ways. The brand-new team is barely hanging together, and the mission brings up all kinds of bad memories. It’s make or break time for the Guardians, and they do so love breaking things… Just hopefully not each other.

Dreams of taking to the air, serving the war effort, and discovering a world beyond the small family farm where he was raised led Clete Ernster first to Texas, where he was the youngest flight instructor in the Army Air Corps and where he met his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and then to China, where he flew dangerous missions over The Hump. Returning to Texas with numerous decorations for service above and beyond, he began a dedicated mission to become the proverbial American success story. An eager and ambitious visionary, he overcame personal trials and challenges to create, from nothing but an idea and the guts to go for it, a family manufacturing dynasty in the small Texas town that became his adopted home. A recognized leader in both his industry and community, he was, in 1980, named by President Jimmy Carter as Small Businessperson of the Year in Texas and among the top three nationally in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House. In his retired years, his strength and determination served him in overcoming the life-threatening and debilitating disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome. Faith, family, and fearlessness are the hallmarks of his exceptional life and career. No Guts, No Glory is his story.

History comes alive for kids like no textbook can in this epic account of the American Civil War that's perfect for history buffs and reluctant readers! From courageous cavalry rides deep into enemy territory to harrowing covert missions undertaken by spies and soldiers, the events of the American Civil War were filled with daring figures and amazing feats. This exhilarating overview covers the biggest battles as well as captivating lesser-known moments to entertain kids with unbelievable (and totally true) tales of one of America's most fascinating conflicts. History buff, Civil War reenactor, and popular blogger Ben Thompson uses his extensive knowledge and vivid storytelling style to bring the Civil War to life in this first book in a thrilling new series featuring incredible people, events, and civilizations. Get ready to learn just how awesome history can be!

God doesn't bless us to raise our standard of living. God blesses us to raise our standard of giving, and that's where true joy is found. The New York Times bestselling author of Chase the Lion challenges us not to settle for half of what God offers when it comes to blessings—we are BLESSED to BLESS. His discovery started with a simple experiment. Whenever Batterson received a blessing, he would give a similar blessing away. If someone paid him a compliment or gave him a gift or went out of their way to help him, he would return the favor by doing something similar for someone else. We flip the blessing by blessing others in the way God has blessed us. That’s how the blessing becomes a double blessing. It turns giving into a game—one we can’t win because God will always outgive us! It’s an ancient truth found within the Abrahamic covenant: “I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing.” In other words, we are blessed to bless. The first blessing is receiving, but it doesn’t end there. The second blessing is giving it away! That’s the double blessing. And that’s where double joy is found. In a day and age where the idea of blessing has been reduced to a hashtag (#blessed), Batterson challenges readers to pursue true, God-glorifying blessing and experience an exponential impact by participating in the double blessing. Don’t settle for half of what God offers. Discover how you can both get it and give it . . . in Double Blessing.

When everything is on the line, great men turn to strength and faith—in football and in life. In Guts, Grace, and Glory Dr. Jim Grassi shows how to incorporate faith and endurance on a daily basis—not just to win at football, but to win at life. Anecdotes from the greatest players in the game—Johnny Unitas, Tim Tebow, Paul Bear Bryant, RGIII, Bryan "Bart" Starr, Matt Hasselbeck, and more—and their coaches demonstrate how glory, on and off the field, hinges on a solid relationship with God and the guts with which one plays out life’s challenges. The book touches on several life-affirming topics including setting your heart and mind on the eternal, living your life as a model of Christ, and building a legacy that lasts.