Steve Martin has been an international star for over thirty years. Here, for the first time, he looks back to the beginning of his career and charmingly evokes the young man he once was. Born in Texas but raised in California, Steve was seduced early by the comedy shows that played on the radio when the family travelled back and forth to visit relatives. When Disneyland opened just a couple of miles away from home, an enchanted Steve was given his first chance to learn magic and entertain an audience. He describes how he noted the reaction to each joke in a ledger - 'big laugh' or 'quiet' - and assiduously studied the acts of colleagues, stealing jokes when needed. With superb detail, Steve recreates the world of small, dark clubs and the fear and exhilaration of standing in the spotlight. While a philosophy student at UCLA, he worked hard at local clubs honing his comedy and slowly attracting a following until he was picked up to write for TV. From here on, Steve Martin became an acclaimed comedian, packing out venues nationwide. One night, however, he noticed empty seats and realised he had 'reached the top of the rollercoaster'. BORN STANDING UP is a funny and riveting chronicle of how Steve Martin became the comedy genius we now know and is also a fascinating portrait of an era.

Stand Up for Your People is a detailed analysis of Native American history and its effect on religious practices in US prisons. Native American inmates share their experiences to enlighten readers about the real story of religious freedom in today's American prison system. Learn how Native American religious oppression is rooted in the arrival of Europeans to the North American continent and how their many conflicts have a direct correlation to the present treatment of incarcerated indigenous people. Actual Native American court cases brought forth by prisoners struggling to find religious freedom are the precedents used by author Gabriel Sharp (Grey Bear) in his personal fight for religious freedom in Arizona. Grey Bear shares his experiences on how the Arizona Department of Corrections actively oppressed Native American religious rights while he was incarcerated. Unforgiving established prison policies were constantly used as weapons against the Native Americans. Prison officials desecrated both their religious items and their sweat lodges. They were forced to prove their race. They were denied equal prisoner access to religious ceremonies and spiritual items and importantly, were prevented the purchase of firewood for their sweat ceremonies. Grey Bear offers practical solutions to change and prevent religious oppression from continuing in prison. With education, courage and the power of the Great Spirit, Native Americans and those committed to justice will be able to stand up for the Red Nation! 

Draw closer to the throne of grace with these twelve classic sermons from the "Prince of Preachers." Working from the simplest of texts, Spurgeon mines spiritual riches on prayer. Each address is delivered not in the flowery speech popular in nineteenth-century England, but in plain-spoken English that still nourishes-and convicts-modern readers. Combining a keen intellect, a passion for Scripture, and a zeal to make Christ known, these sermons are as timeless as their topics. Book jacket.

A surprising take on how you can help tackle the really big problems in society–from one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs. People are looking for a better way. Towering barriers are holding millions of people back, and the institutions that should help everyone rise are not doing the job. Crumbling communities. One-size fits all education. Businesses that rig the economy. Public policy that stifles opportunity and emboldens the extremes. As a result, this country is quickly heading toward a two-tiered society. Today’s challenges call for nothing short of a paradigm shift – away from a top-down approach that sees people as problems to be managed, toward bottom-up solutions that empower everyone to realize their potential and foster a more inclusive society. Such a shift starts by asking: What would it mean to truly believe in people? Businessman and philanthropist Charles Koch has devoted his life to answering that question. Learn what he’s discovered during his 60-year career to help you apply the principles of empowerment in your life, in your business, and in society. By learning from the social movements and applying the principles that have enabled social progress throughout history, Koch has achieved more than he dreamed possible – building one of the world’s most successful companies and founding Stand Together, one of America’s most innovative philanthropic communities. Stand Together CEO Brian Hooks and Koch show how the only way to solve the really big problems – from poverty and addiction to harmful business practices and destructive public policy – is for each and every one of us to find and take action in our unique role as part of the solution. Full of compelling examples of what works – including several first-person accounts from individuals whose lives have been transformed – Koch and Hooks’ refreshing approach promotes partnership instead of partisanship and speaks to people from different perspectives and all walks of life. They show that no injustice is too tough to overcome if you share a deep belief in people, are willing to unite with anyone to do right, and work to empower others from the bottom up.

Since the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., it seems that we as black Americans have lost our way; we, as did the Hebrew Israelites, have been wandering in the "wilderness of sin and debauchery" for forty-plus years and have not been able to enter into the Promised Land. We have followed blind guides who have led us wandering in the wilderness. We have followed self-proclaimed black leaders whose leadership have been marred by deception, dishonesty, egotism, and a lack of integrity. For several years now, I have wrestled and agonized with the disturbing notion "Will somebody please stand up and tell my people the truth?" We have sabotaged our own selves and are losing the race; thusly, we have been detoured from entering the Promised Land. Sammie L. Madison

Reconstructs the history of a Native American tribe over eight turbulent decades of domination and dislocation

De Jesaus gives nine examples of courageous people in the Scriptures--men and women who recognized "gap" situations and trusted God to use them to make a difference. God is asking, "Will you stand in the gap for my sake and my glory?"