Contemporary Los Angeles. A trucker and his wife, a nine-year-old saxophonist, an ice cream vendor, a sex worker, and a corpse, among others--are borderless selves in a borderless city, a city impossible to contain.

This stunning book reveals how a version of the Medusa in private hands has been newly attributed to Caravaggio (1571-1610). The similarity of the work, and its frame, to the better-known version at the Uffizi in Florence attracted the attention of experts. X-rays and new technologies eventually confirmed that this version was the original. Here, the results of historical and technological research are accompanied by superb illustrations and close-ups of the painting, the X-rays, and more, enabling art lovers the opportunity to appreciate this previously neglected work.

A “thrilling . . . captivating” account of the most famous shipwreck before the Titanic—a tragedy that inspired an unforgettable masterpiece of Western art (The Boston Globe). In June 1816, the Medusa set sail. Commanded by an incompetent captain, the frigate ran aground off the desolate West African coast. During the chaotic evacuation a privileged few claimed the lifeboats, while 147 men and one woman were herded aboard a makeshift raft that was soon cut loose by the boats that had pledged to tow it to safety. Those on the boats made it ashore and undertook a two-hundred-mile trek through the sweltering Sahara, but conditions were far worse on the drifting raft. Crazed, parched, and starving, the diminishing band fell into mayhem. When rescue arrived thirteen days later, only fifteen were alive. Among the handful of survivors were two men whose bestselling account of the maritime disaster scandalized Europe and inspired promising artist Théodore Géricault, who threw himself into a study of the Medusa tragedy, turning it into a vast canvas in his painting, The Raft of the Medusa. Drawing on contemporaneously published accounts and journals of survivors, The Wreck of the Medusa is “a captivating gem about art’s relation to history” (Booklist) and ultimately “a thrilling read” (The Guardian).

“A wonderful treat . . . Masello [is] a master entertainer unafraid to pull out all the stops.”—Chicago Tribune Benvenuto Cellini, master artisan of Renaissance Italy, once crafted a beautiful amulet prized for its unimaginable power—and untold menace. Now the quest to recover this legendary artifact depends upon one man: David Franco, a brilliant but skeptical young scholar at Chicago’s world-renowned Newberry Library. What begins as a simple investigation spirals into a tale of dangerous intrigue, as Franco races from the châteaux of France to the palazzos of Rome in a desperate search for the ultimate treasure—and an answer to a riddle that has puzzled mankind since the beginning of time. Aided by a beautiful young Florentine harboring dark secrets, pursued by deadly assassins, and battling demons of his own, Franco must ultimately confront an evil greater than anything conjured in his worst nightmares. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Robert Masello's The Romanov Cross. Praise for The Medusa Amulet “Fascinating . . . an unpredictable and exhilarating journey . . . [Robert] Masello expertly blends contemporary thrills with a historical spin.”—Associated Press “In addition to its taut story, there is an impressive amount of scholarship, and enough detail to please art lovers or history buffs. Great writing and rich detail combine for a gripping read.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Engrossing and fun.”—Library Journal

A retelling of the Greek tale of how Perseus, a good and brave young man, is helped by the gods to cut off the head of the monster Gorgon Medusa. Suggested level: primary.

Carefully leveled text and fresh, vibrant photos engage young readers in learning about jellyfish. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a photo glossary help build nonfiction learning skills.

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