CLICK HERE to download a sample from The Last Step * A mountaineering classic * Conflict, hardship, endurance, triumph -- it's all here in Ridgeway's extraordinary story In September 1978, Rick Ridgeway, Jim Wickwire, Lou Reichardt and John Roskelley stood atop K2, the first Americans ever to achieve this victory. Under the leadership of Jim Whittaker, they and their teammates had spent 67 days on the mountain, nearly all of them above 18,000 feet, where the stresses of high-altitude living, of monotonous food, of confinement in tiny tents for day after day of frustrating storms had worn them down to the core. The Last Step is Rick Ridgeway's inside story of this extraordinary expedition. It's about the people who, battered by the mountain and their isolation, overcame their individual fears, desire, and disappointments to work together to get somebodyñanybodyñto the top of K2. It's about the glorious success the team achieved, and about the perilous bivouac Jim Wickwire spent just below the summit without food, oxygen or shelter in temperatures of -40F.

More than 20 million Americans claim some sort of Irish heritage. But how much do you really know about this amazing country? Forget about shamrocks, leprechauns, and all that blarney--this book is a concise and authoritative guide that dispels the myths and tells the true stories of the Irish. Highlights include: Who St. Patrick really was The story behind "Sunday Bloody Sunday" Scandals in the Irish church Coming to America and the real gangs of New York The spooky truth behind changelings, leprechauns, and fairies Complete with an Irish language primer and pronunciation guide, this book is an informative pot of gold for everyone who loves the Irish!

The Hudson Highlands launched revolutions of independence, industry and creativity, and have long enchanted artists and hikers with countless mysteries that still thrive in the area. Leni-Lenape legend told of an ancient giant slumbering between Storm King and Breakneck Ridge. During the Revolution, George Washington saved the new nation from a military coup by donning glasses. The ghost of the twice-hanged pirate William Kidd returns to secluded caves and hamlets in the Highlands to guard his treasure. Professional storyteller Jonathan Kruk unveils a treasure of stories of the historic, mysterious and colorful Hudson Highlands.

"...an exciting fun-filled ride of a lifetime. Where the first book was more serious, the second is filled with sassy women and good humor. The first book is an introduction to Jude's world and his family of Immortals, but the second book is an action-packed adventure filled with time travel and people from myth and legend. I was so caught up in the book that I did not want to put it down. Ms. Lewis writes a story that flows effortlessly from the pages, creating a rich and fulfilling reading experience." Delene Vrey for Reader's Favorite For a time, they remained hidden. For a time, they remained as legends. Until it was not enough to only live. Jude, the vampire king, just wanted to live out his life with his new bride. Go on their honeymoon, read the paper every Sunday morning over coffee and beignets, bury himself in the comfort of his wife’s arms. Is that too much to ask? They say life is what happens while you’re making other plans, and now Jude is coming to terms with two highly uncomfortable truths: the world is nothing as he’s known it to be, and nothing will ever the be the same again. Because while he’s been on a personal quest to save history, an ancient and paranormal war has been simmering beneath his nose to wipe out his family and the vampire kind in general. Now, like it or not, Jude is forced to step into his destiny as leader, king and the prophesied Warrior. With the help of the People of Wudge, along with history’s immortal heroes, Jude and his family will begin to discover their true purpose – and just exactly how nightmares can become reality. Continuing where A New Queen left off, join our band of immortal misfits as they travel the world in search of the keys to defeat the supernatural army rising to destroy them. Part historical fiction, part speculative fiction, and part paranormal fiction, take a deeper dive to discover the stories behind Marie, Ludwig, the People of Wudge and the Ancient Impieties! What if… everything you knew about history was a lie? What if… it was all connected? *Please note: This book picks up directly where Book 1 left off, and there is a cliffhanger.* "...what also impressed me about this superb creation was its emotional resonance and the level of realism that’s interwoven by the presence of real history and powerful characterization. There was also a great deal of humor, pathos, intrigue, and mystery, not least in the utterly charming dialogue and razor-sharp wit, which characterized each individually wonderfully and moved the plot along at a suitably action-packed pace." K.C. Finn for Reader's Favorite Book 1 - A New Queen Book 2 - Legend & Lore

This new collection of eighty strange and unusual South Carolina legends is rooted in the state's deep history. Some originated centuries ago, such as the Agnes of Glasgow story in Camden and that of the ghostly dwarf jester Gauche, said to haunt a Beaufort mansion. Certain places hold secrets from different eras, including White Wolf Road in Blacksburg and the state's numerous historic cemeteries like the one at Salem Black River Church in Mayesville. These pages also contain simple explanations for local lore, like the Gullah tradition behind blue bottle trees that still decorate Carolina gardens today. These and many more crowd-pleasing yarns can be found in this volume from the desk of master storyteller, author and researcher Sherman Carmichael.

Provides over 1,000 accessible, informative and authoritative entries that answer any major question about Hinduism, it's mythology, practices, customs and laws India is so vast that each of its regions is a land in its own right, with diverse languages, customs, and cultural traditions. Yet shared social systems, firmly grounded in religious beliefs, provide the cohesive force that unites over a billion people of different backgrounds. Hinduism is the main religion of India, and this new dictionary provides an unrivaled insight to all aspects of Hindu life, past and present. Some thousand illustrated entries elucidate the history of Hinduism, its mythology, art, architecture, religion, laws, and folklore. The development of Hinduism is presented from its ancient manifestations in local cults and epic poems to modern-day festivals and customs worldwide. The complex relationship between the multitude of gods, goddesses, and semi-divine beings is brought to light in the articles on religion and mythology, while its rich imagery is revealed in the entries on architecture, sculpture, painting, dance, and theater, including works of art illustrated here for the first time. Food and etiquette, the caste system, Ayurvedic medicine, love and marriage, and contemporary practices are just a few of the topics explored. Maps and entries on the major cities and places of pilgrimage in India, as well as a concise chronology and a list of principal dynasties, provide a clear overview of the geography, history, languages, and vibrant religious and cultural traditions of Hinduism. This volume will serve as a lively and indispensable guide for those preparing a visit to India, for Indians living in the West, for students, or for anyone interested in the subcontinent. 275 b/w illustrations.