From the discovery of the author’s face in a century-old photograph to a triple-amputee hospice director working at the border of life and death, here are thirteen hopeful, heartbreaking, and profound essays from “one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and curious authors working today” (Elizabeth Gilbert). ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022—Lit Hub Beneath the self-assured and serious faces we wear, every human life is full of longing, guesswork, and confusion—a scramble to do the best we can and make everything up as we go along. In these wide-ranging essays, Jon Mooallem chronicles the beauty of our blundering and the inescapability of our imperfections. He investigates the collapse of a multimillion-dollar bird-breeding scam run by an aging farmer known as the Pigeon King, intimately narrates a harrowing escape from California’s deadliest wildfire, visits an eccentric Frenchman building a town at what he claims is the center of the world, shadows a man through his first day of freedom after twenty-one years in prison, and more—all with a deep conviction that it’s our vulnerability, not our victories, that connect us. Mooallem’s powers of perception have established him as one of the most distinctive, empathic, and clear-sighted narrative journalists working today. The Wall Street Journal has called his writing “as much art as it is journalism,” and Jia Tolentino has praised his “grace and command.” In Serious Face, Mooallem brings to life the desperate hopes and urgent fears of the people he meets, telling their stories with empathy, humor, insight, and kindness. These elegant, moving essays form an idiosyncratic tapestry of human experience: our audacity and fallibility, our bumbling and goodwill. In moments of calamity and within the extreme absurdity of everyday life, can we learn to love the people we really are, behind the serious faces we show the world?

This volume is a combination guidebook/journal to the desert regions of California. Filled with historical notes and details of the culture, it provides practical travel information and insight into the area's past, the legends, and the myths that survive today. The author provides information on sacred places and their mysteries. This work includes directions, places to stay and eat, plus advice on safe passage in this harsh but beautiful terrain.

Plan the perfect road trip with Insight Guide USA On The Road, an inspiring, full-colour travel guide to the ultimate American travel experience - taking to the open road across the USA:An inspirational Best of the United States section illustrates on-the-road highlights, making sure you don't miss anything these spectacular trips have to offer, from historical sites to best diners. With a longer and more in-depth history and culture section than its competitors, this guide is essential background reading for anyone who's ever dreamt of driving across the USA. The informative text, written by regional experts, is a pleasure to read and accompanied by stunning photography. Five routes covered in detail: the Atlantic Route (New York City to Florida Keys), The Northern Route (Boston to the Olympic Peninsula), the Central Route (Washington, DC to Los Angeles), the Southern Route (Atlanta to San Diego) and the Pacific Route (San Diego to Washington State). Special features on American Artists and the Road and the legendary Route 66. Lavish photo features illustrate how to make the most of your time in America's main cities. Selective listings hand-picked by our local writers for where to stay and eat; comprehensive advice to help you plan your trip: when to go, driving tips, and festivals and activities along the route.

The latest, greatest volume in the popular Uncle John’s series, flush with fun facts and figures and plenty of trademark trivia. The dedicated folks at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute are back with some Fast-Acting, Long-Lasting relief for our legions of fans who have been suffering without a new infusion of Uncle John’s trademark trivia and obscure facts. That’s right, folks, this is the book you’ve been waiting for! Number 18 in the Bathroom Reader series is flush with fun, new factoids, trivia, and all the usual useless (and occasionally useful!) information our fans have come to expect. Ever wonder what you can do with Preparation H besides the obvious? Want to learn more about celebrity jailbirds or whether dragons really exist? Then it’s time to take the plunge!

California here we come! Uncle John is taking the plunge into the land of freeways, fun, cable cars, and movie stars. From Hollywood to the redwoods, from Death Valley to Napa Valley, this amazing book is your golden gate to the Golden State! You'll discover obscure history, learn fascinating facts, and meet the unique people who make California a place like no other on Earth! Read about… * The day Fullerton was invaded by Superballs * Vasquez Rocks and the scores of movies filmed there * Tahoe Tessie, the Lizard People of L.A., and other California creatures * Hidden secrets of the world's tallest trees * Playing baseball at San Quentin * California’s first hippie And much, much more!

The stories written in and about the Imperial Valley, both romantic and real, are the subject of this unique comparative study of both literature and the land.