Anything can happen on Nim's Island, a magical place ruled by a young girl's imagination. Young Nim lives alone on an undiscovered tropical island with her scientist dad. Her only friends are imaginary literary figures (Alice in Wonder land, Huck Finn) as well as animals from the island (a sea lion, an iguana, a sea turtle). Nim's life mirrors that of her favorite literary character, Alex Rover, the world's greatest adventurer. But Alexandra, the author of the Alex Rover books, is an agoraphobic living in San Francisco. When Nim's father disappears from the island, a twist of fate brings Nim together with Alexandra. They must find strength in one another to conquer Nim's island.

A girl. An iguana. An island. And e-mail. Meet Nim–a modern-day Robinson Crusoe! She can chop down bananas with a machete, climb tall palm trees, and start a fire with a piece of glass. So she’s not afraid when her scientist dad sails off to study plankton for three days, leaving her alone on their island. Besides, it’s not as if no one’s looking after her–she’s got a sea lion to mother her and an iguana for comic relief. She also has an interesting new e-mail pal. But when her father’s cell-phone calls stop coming and disaster seems near, Nim has to be stronger and braver than she’s ever been before. And she’ll need all her friends to help her.

Nim lives on an island with her father, Jack, a marine iguana called Fred, a sea lion called Selkie, and their friend Alex Rover, the adventure writer. Nim's island is the most beautiful place in the world, and she wouldn't swap live anywhere else. When Jack invites a group of scientists to visit, they bring their children as well. But two of the scientists have plans other than studying algae... By the time Nim discovers what they really want, and what they will do to get it, the children are in grave danger. And so is the island! Nim must choose between saving a natural treasure and saving someone's life.

This time Nim’s the fish-out-of-water as she stows away on a cruise ship to save her kidnapped sea lion friend. Accompanied by her likeable iguana, Fred, the island girl lands with a splash in Manhattan, on the run from of a very Bad Guy, and on her way to reunite with her friend, cowardly adventure novelist Alex Rover. Kids who are interested in animals and animal welfare will enjoy this warmhearted story’s combo of suspenseful high-seas happenings, New York City excitement, and family drama.

The amusing and erudite anatomy of modern friendship, from the New York Times–bestselling author of Snobbery. Is it possible to have too many friends? Is your spouse supposed to be your best friend? How far should you go to help a friend in need? And how do you end a friendship that has run its course? In a “smart, delightfully literate, and sophisticated” anatomy of friendship in all its contemporary guises, Joseph Epstein uncovers the rich and surprising truths about our favored companions (Los Angeles Times). Friendship illuminates those complex, wonderful relationships without which we’d all be lost. “Reading [Epstein] is like spending an evening being flatteringly entertained by the most interesting guy at the party.” —The Seattle Times “A brilliant and outspoken commentator . . . Epstein’s graceful style and irrepressible wit provide unalloyed pleasure.” —Chicago Tribune “Brisk and delightful.” —The Wall Street Journal

Current and much-needed, this book offers an analysis of the social forces which shape the way friendship is organized. Through varying perspectives, contributors show that a variation exists within--as well as between--the genders. They focus on diversity in men′s friendships, and how men develop and maintain friendships with other men and women. Part I focuses on philosophical and historical questions; Part II illustrates the strong connection between social structure and men′s friendships; and the final chapters consider cultural diversity. Men′s Friendships reorganizes existing knowledge and introduces fresh perspectives within the framework of men′s studies. This volume is sure to stimulate debate, raise questions, and offer suggestions for future research. "A very interesting collection, particularly those on black men′s relationships--where the author compares working class and middle class black American men′s relationships--a history of friendship and the changing nature of men′s intimacy and power, and intimacy and sexuality in male athletes′ friendships." --Working with Men "Theory and research on men′s studies are alive and well, and Peter Nardi′s edited book, Men′s Friendships, is a significant contribution to this literature. The book not only provides a useful account of how men develop and maintain their friendships, it introduces a variety of rigorous approaches (historical, sociological, and cross-cultural) to examine this topic." --Journal of Men′s Studies "Provides a thought-provoking, multifaceted look at how men handle friendship under a variety of conditions. . . . Some of the authors present data-based research findings; others give reflective integrative essays. General readers, undergraduate students, and above." --Choice "Theory and research on men′s studies are alive and well, and Peter Nardi′s edited book, Men′s Friendships, is a significant contribution to this literature. The book not only provides a useful account of how men develop and maintain their friendships, it introduces a variety of rigorous approaches (historical, sociological, and cross-cultural) to examine this topic. . . . Men′s Friendships is not only an important contribution to men′s studies, it is necessary reading for anyone interested in studying friendships." --The Journal of Men′s Studies "Overall, this book demonstrates the vitality of research and theory on men′s friendships. Men′s Friendships is not only an important contribution to men′s studies, it is necessary reading for anyone interested in studying relationships." --Personal Relationships Issues "The anthology . . . provides an excellent overview of the permutations of men′s friendships. It is both tightly organized and wide ranging, a particularly difficult accomplishment for a collection. . . . Men′s Friendships is one of the most interesting additions to the growing friendship literature. It significantly opens up the debate over gender differences in friendship--both within and between genders." --Masculinities

Godfrey Nims (d. 1705) may have been of Huguenot origin, according to a family tradition. He was living in Northampton, Massachusetts, by 1667, and settled in Deerfield by 1679. He married twice, to Mary Miller Williams, and Mehitable Smead Hull, both widows with children, by whom he had children of his own. He was survived by four of his children.