Mari Sandoz immortalized her irascible father in Old Jules. Now her brother, Jules Sandoz, Jr. fills out the story of their family life, dominated by Papa, in western Nebraska in the early l900s. A frail boy who clung to the skirts of his German grandmother, Jules Jr. had to learn lessons of survival early. He was beaten up by his schoolmates and did not speak English well, but with his brother James he helped feed the family by hunting and trapping. Eventually he found the strength to stand up to his father. Son of Old Jules offers fresh glimpses of other family members, most memorably of Mary, his hardworking and stoical mother and of Mari, who de-clared her independence by becoming a schoolteacher and marrying and then divorcing a local swain. Some of the Sandhillers who figured in Mari's books appear here too, including a succession of immigrants whom Papa Jules recruited as settlers. By the early twenties, when these memoirs end, Jules Jr., newly married, had gone into farming for himself Corroborating and fleshing out the story of the family told by Mari Sandoz, Son of Old Jules was written "to give a more balanced view of the settler period." Jules Sandoz, Jr. recorded his memories in the last years of his life, and after his death in 1980 they were edited and organized into book form by his youngest sister, Caroline Sandoz Pifer.

The subject of this modern classic is not a man. "It is an event," says Jules Romains, who is considered "the French Dos Passos." The event starts with the death of Jacques Godard, a man of no importance. It unfolds through his brief survival in the minds of others - the porter of his tenement in Paris, his fellow lodgers, a few acquaintances, his old father, who comes up from the country for the funeral, a young stranger who feels that the dead pass into "a great soul that cannot die." The event expresses Romains's belief in "collective beings," the famous theory of "Unanimism." In dramatizing his theory, Romains developed an advanced motion-picture technique when films were in their infancy, a technique of group portraits and sudden shifts from scene to scene that keeps this work far ahead of conventional novels. Here, Romains explores the ideas and the devices used in his twenty-seven-volume masterpiece, Men of Good Will, which André Maurois calls "the boldest attempt to describe completely his own time that any French novelist has made since Balzac."

"Dick Sands the Boy Captain" by Jules Verne is an enthralling adventure novel that centers around the young protagonist, Dick Sands. Set against the backdrop of a maritime voyage, the story follows Dick Sands as he faces a series of challenges and tests his mettle as a leader and a hero. The narrative begins with the young cabin boy, Dick Sands, aboard the ship "Pilgrim." When disaster strikes and the ship becomes wrecked on the coast of Africa, Dick Sands finds himself in a position of authority and responsibility. With the crew and passengers looking up to him, Dick must step up and lead the group to survival. Despite his youth, Dick Sands demonstrates remarkable resourcefulness, courage, and determination. As he navigates through the unfamiliar and often perilous terrain of Africa, he shows a strong sense of ethics and justice. He forges connections with both the native people and his fellow shipwrecked companions, highlighting themes of understanding and cooperation. Throughout the novel, Jules Verne weaves together themes of leadership, exploration, and cultural exchange. The story explores the clash between different cultures and the potential for mutual learning and respect. As Dick Sands takes charge and strives to keep his group safe, readers witness his growth from a humble cabin boy to a capable and inspiring leader. Verne's meticulous attention to detail and vivid descriptions create a rich and immersive reading experience. The African landscape and its challenges come to life, offering readers a glimpse into the beauty and harshness of the environment. The narrative is also punctuated with moments of action, suspense, and emotional depth, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. "Dick Sands the Boy Captain" is a testament to the indomitable spirit of youth and the power of determination. It showcases the potential for leadership and heroism to emerge from unexpected sources and underscores the importance of unity and understanding in the face of adversity. Jules Verne's masterful storytelling skillfully combines adventure, exploration, and profound themes, making this novel a timeless and captivating read for audiences of all ages.

I say the Sh'ma and I feel God's light / Shining on me all through the night. A Jewish child gets ready for bed and says the traditional "Sh'ma" prayer in this beautiful board book with rhyming text and charming illustrations by award-winning Melanie Hall. Introduce young children to Jewish life, Jewish holidays, and Shabbat with Very First Board Books.

First published in 1935, Old Jules is unquestionably Mari Sandoz?s masterpiece. This portrait of her pioneer father grew out of ?the silent hours of listening behind the stove or the wood box, when it was assumed, of course, that I was asleep in bed. So it was that I heard the accounts of the hunts,? Sandoz recalls. "Of the fights with the cattlemen and the sheepmen, of the tragic scarcity of women, when a man had to ?marry anything that got off the train,? of the droughts, the storms, the wind and isolation. But the most impressive stories were those told me by Old Jules himself.? This Bison Books edition includes a new introduction by Linda M. Hasselstrom.