This is the emotional story of a young man's search for paradise at the turn of the century. He travels with his family from Eastern Europe to South America, then to Hawaii, and finally to a permanent home in San Francisco. Tragic events, caused by both man and nature, alter the path of his journey; and in the aftermath his life is forever changed.

"In this remarkable journey, Mark Woods captures the essence of our National Parks: their serenity and majesty, complexity and vitality--and their power to heal." --Ken Burns Many childhood summers, Mark Woods piled into a station wagon with his parents and two sisters and headed to America's national parks. Mark’s most vivid childhood memories are set against a backdrop of mountains, woods, and fireflies in places like Redwood, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks. On the eve of turning fifty and a little burned-out, Mark decided to reconnect with the great outdoors. He'd spend a year visiting the national parks. He planned to take his mother to a park she'd not yet visited and to re-create his childhood trips with his wife and their iPad-generation daughter. But then the unthinkable happened: his mother was diagnosed with cancer, given just months to live. Mark had initially intended to write a book about the future of the national parks, but Lassoing the Sun grew into something more: a book about family, the parks, the legacies we inherit and the ones we leave behind.

Lose yourself in the world's most compelling myths People have always created stories to explain and explore the world around them. World Mythology for Beginners introduces you to 50 of the most incredible tales of gods, heroes, and monsters. From common classics to lesser-known tales, these compact and modern retellings are a joy to read. You'll never forget the myths, their meaning, and their place within history. Go beyond other mythology books with: Tales from around the world—Discover myths that cover every corner of the globe, from the Greek classics to the oral traditions of Africa. Stories come to life—Read myths and legends presented with a storyteller's flair that makes it easy to enjoy them time after time. Mythology 101—Contextualize each story with a collection of quick facts about its origin, key figures, and insights into the lessons and legends each myth celebrates. Start your journey into the world of mythology with this engaging introductory guide.

Storytelling is an ancient practice known in all civilizations throughout history. Characters, tales, techniques, oral traditions, motifs, and tale types transcend individual cultures - elements and names change, but the stories are remarkably similar with each rendition, highlighting the values and concerns of the host culture. Examining the stories and the oral traditions associated with different cultures offers a unique view of practices and traditions."Storytelling: An Encyclopedia of Mythology and Folklore" brings past and present cultures of the world to life through their stories, oral traditions, and performance styles. It combines folklore and mythology, traditional arts, history, literature, and festivals to present an overview of world cultures through their liveliest and most fascinating mode of expression. This appealing resource includes specific storytelling techniques as well as retellings of stories from various cultures and traditions.

It's a way of life. Learn all about why it's important and how to live in a way that keeps our planet healthy. Book jacket.

A Woman with a special gift sees the storm bearing down on a peaceful Hawaiian Island... from a USA Today Bestselling Author, a tale of danger based on actual events In the days before hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai the forecasters predicted it would stay south of Hilo. But Esther Ka’awai, a psychic and gifted wise woman is of the ancient culture. She has seen the future and knows of the devastation that will come to the island. She has warned those she loves; now all she can do is pray. As she struggles to accept this gift of knowing, Esther discovers that even the most wonderful gift can sometimes break your heart. A story of love, faith, and a belief in the future. This special edition contains a preview excerpt from A Million Little Lies