When thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, where can I find some fine dining or the best ice cream? After many nights in the woods, how can I add some "luxury" to my hike? And which are the very best hostels and other experiences along the AT? Which is the best Trail town for a visit? Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail will point you to the very best or "platinum" meals, accommodations, and other experiences available to the tired hiker looking to splurge from time to time when taking a break from the Trail.

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, finance, mythology, the arts, medicine, and more, as told by the Periodic Table. Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time. Though solid at room temperature, gallium is a moldable metal that melts at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A classic science prank is to mold gallium spoons, serve them with tea, and watch guests recoil as their utensils disappear.

Turning 50 years old and facing some of life’s biggest questions are daunting challenges. A crisis of faith and crisis of health lead towards significant changes in one’s life. For Bruce Matson, a family man with a successful law practice, the struggles of health and doubt led to action. Combining to podcasts from notable Christian leaders Ravi Zacharias, Allistair Begg, and Tim Keller, careful research and preparation, and encouragment from family and friends, Bruce ran his race for physical and spiritual health. The Race Before Us by Bruce Matson is a wonderful memoir detailing the path of doubt to faith and spiritual malaise to running with God. Come alongside Bruce as he navigates the windy roads of faith and health in his pursuit of physical and spiritual well-being.

A guidebook by Lelia Vann and Greg Reck, who 'slack packed' the Appalachian Trail, "where you take only a daypack, enter and exit the trail every day, and you are ferried to a B&B, hotel, or hostel each evening."

For years, Derrick Jensen has asked his audiences, "Do you think this culture will undergo a voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of life?" No one ever says yes. Deep Green Resistance starts where the environmental movement leaves off: industrial civilization is incompatible with life. Technology can't fix it, and shopping—no matter how green—won’t stop it. To save this planet, we need a serious resistance movement that can bring down the industrial economy. Deep Green Resistance evaluates strategic options for resistance, from nonviolence to guerrilla warfare, and the conditions required for those options to be successful. It provides an exploration of organizational structures, recruitment, security, and target selection for both aboveground and underground action. Deep Green Resistance also discusses a culture of resistance and the crucial support role that it can play. Deep Green Resistance is a plan of action for anyone determined to fight for this planet—and win.

The Road to Find Out follows author Bruce Matson along the Camino de Santago--a medieval pilgrimage route through northern Spain.Historically, those on the Camino journeyed to the resting place of St. James for religious reasons. Today, people have a variety of motivations for heading out on the "Way of St. James."

When Mike Stephens departed Georgia's Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, his goal was to complete a 2,186 mile thru-hike to the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. After less than a week on the trail, however, he realized that to be successful he would need to adopt a less-traditional approach to the hike. Rather than spending nights on the trail, Stephens ended most days at a road where he could access nearby trail towns by foot, a hitchhike, or a shuttle. He would then return to the same spot to continue his hike the following day. By maintaining a "light pack, big miles, and beds" philosophy over the 164 day hike, Mike only spent 19 of those nights in the woods. Other hikers that Mike encountered on his journey began referring to his strategy as The Don's Brother Method. In this humorous account of Stephens' adventure, you'll learn not only about the famous trail but also about a variety of types of lodging and restaurants near the A.T. You will also be introduced to many of the kindhearted people in the surrounding towns. In this memoir, Stephens demonstrates his unconventional approach to a long-term hiking mission. For those who love experiencing the great outdoors but prefer sleeping indoors and eating hearty meals, the Don's Brother Method is for you.