Two stories from the early years of Andrea Cort, later the heroine of the Philip K. Dick Award-winning novel, Emissaries from the Dead. “The Coward’s Option”: On the hostile home-world of the Caith, Andrea Cort has been assigned the case of a murderer who’s been condemned to a horrible death. All legal options have been exhausted, but the Caith offer a rarely-used alternative to execution, one that purports to ensure that the accused will never break the law again. Alas, it’s not so much another chance at life, but deliverance into a hell far worse than mere death... “Tasha’s Fail-Safe”: Once, she and Andrea Cort hated each other. Now, the victim of a savage assassination attempt by a traitor to the Confederacy, she lies in an unresponsive state, the identity of her assailant locked inside her head. Can Andrea penetrate a vital secret she never even knew existed? Other Andrea Cort stories available from JABberwocky: With Unclean Hands Unseen Demons

After Toby York dies, his wife Mindy is thrown into complete emotional and mental desolation. Without her soulmate, days just merge together and she can see no way out of the endless tunnel that is her grief. Until one day stands starkly out from the rest, as she wakes up to a living, breathing Toby. The details are painfully familiar though, and she watches in horror as his final day plays out before her eyes again. Watching the inevitable, she is resigned to slip back into crippling grief again. Until the next day, when she wakes up to a familiar sight...

When are people willing to sacrifice for the common good? What are the benefits of friendship? How do communities deal with betrayal? And what are the costs and benefits of being in a diverse community? Using the life histories of more than forty thousand Civil War soldiers, Dora Costa and Matthew Kahn answer these questions and uncover the vivid stories, social influences, and crucial networks that influenced soldiers' lives both during and after the war. Drawing information from government documents, soldiers' journals, and one of the most extensive research projects about Union Army soldiers ever undertaken, Heroes and Cowards demonstrates the role that social capital plays in people's decisions. The makeup of various companies--whether soldiers were of the same ethnicity, age, and occupation--influenced whether soldiers remained loyal or whether they deserted. Costa and Kahn discuss how the soldiers benefited from friendships, what social factors allowed some to survive the POW camps while others died, and how punishments meted out for breaking codes of conduct affected men after the war. The book also examines the experience of African-American soldiers and makes important observations about how their comrades shaped their lives. Heroes and Cowards highlights the inherent tensions between the costs and benefits of community diversity, shedding light on how groups and societies behave and providing valuable lessons for the present day.

The Complete O. Henry Short Stories is a collection that showcases the literary genius of O. Henry, known for his witty and twist endings in the realm of American literature. With a style characterized by clever wordplay and surprise conclusions, O. Henry's stories often explore themes of irony, humor, and human nature. This comprehensive compilation includes works such as Rolling Stones, Cabbages and Kings, The Four Million, and more, each offering a glimpse into the human experience through O. Henry's unique storytelling abilities. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century America, the stories in this collection provide a vivid portrayal of society and culture of the time. O. Henry, a pen name for William Sydney Porter, drew inspiration from his own experiences, as well as observations of everyday life, to craft his engaging narratives. His background as a former druggist, draftsman, and convicted felon likely influenced the depth and complexity of his characters and plots. O. Henry's ability to blend humor and pathos has solidified his reputation as a master of the short story genre. Readers who appreciate clever wordplay, unexpected plot twists, and insightful commentary on human nature will find The Complete O. Henry Short Stories a captivating and rewarding literary journey. This collection of timeless tales is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of American literature and delve into the wit and wisdom of O. Henry.

Starting with the American Revolution, Beck takes readers on an express train through 234 years of history, culminating with the Great Recession and the bipartisan recklessness of Presidents Bush and Obama.

Glenn Beck, the New York Times bestselling author of The Great Reset, provides readers with the truth about the issues the media and politicians are scared to touch. COURAGE > COWARDS As we approach the most important presidential election in America’s history, something has been lost among all of the debates, attack ads, and super- PACs—something that Americans used to hold in very high regard: THE TRUTH. Glenn Beck likes to say that “the truth has no agenda”—but there’s another side to that: people who have agendas rarely care about the truth. And, these days, it seems like everyone has an agenda. The media leads with stories that rate over those that matter. Politicians put lobbyists and electability over honesty. Radicals alter history in order to change the future. In Cowards, Glenn Beck exposes the truth about thirteen important issues that have been hijacked by deceit. Whether out of spite, greed, or fear, these are the things that no one seems to be willing to have an honest conversation about. For example: * How our two-party POLITICAL SYSTEM often leaves voters with NO GOOD OPTIONS. * How extremists are slowly integrating ISLAMIC LAW into our SOCIETY. * How PROGRESSIVE “religious” leaders like JIM WALLIS are politicizing the Bible. * How the CARTEL VIOLENCE on our border is FAR WORSE than people realize. * How “LIBERTARIAN” has been INTENTIONALLY turned into a DIRTY WORD. * How GEORGE SOROS has amassed enough MONEY and POWER to INFLUENCE entire ECONOMIES. In some cases, the truth is out there, but people simply don’t want to hear it. It’s much easier, and certainly a lot more convenient, to keep our blinders on. After all, as a quote attributed to President James Garfield made clear, “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” Miserable or not, the truth can no longer be something we hope for; it must be something we live. When courage prevails, cowards do not—and this book was written to ensure that’s exactly what happens.

Who will take up the mantle and slay the evil in the Frozen North, saving all from death and destruction? Not Kell Kressia, he's done his part... Kell Kressia is a legend, a celebrity, a hero. Aged just seventeen he set out on an epic quest with a band of wizened fighters to slay the Ice Lich and save the world, but only he returned victorious. The Lich was dead, the ice receded and the Five Kingdoms were safe. Ten years have passed Kell lives a quiet farmer's life, while stories about his heroism are told in every tavern across the length and breadth of the land. But now a new terror has arisen in the north. Beyond the frozen circle, north of the Frostrunner clans, something has taken up residence in the Lich's abandoned castle. And the ice is beginning to creep south once more. For the second time, Kell is called upon to take up his famous sword, Slayer, and battle the forces of darkness. But he has a terrible secret that nobody knows. He's not a hero - he was just lucky. Everyone puts their faith in Kell the Legend, but he's a coward who has no intention of risking his life for anyone...