The Music Man stands as one of the greatest achievements in American musical theatre, but few know about its rocky beginnings and the against-all-odds success story of its creator Meredith Willson. Mark Cabaniss steps back into the Golden Age of Broadway and brings to life the origins of this classic show, the music behind it, and the unlikely story of its creator. Interweaving behind-the-scenes accounts of people who worked with Willson, Cabaniss looks at his long and unusual career as a composer, conductor, radio personality, and flutist, which reached its pinnacle in The Music Man. No one initially believed in Willson’s “Valentine to Iowa,” seeing it as nothing but a corny flop or, worse, a recipe for disaster. But when the curtain fell on opening night, a star called The Music Man was born. Over 65 years later, that star is still marching right to this day, endeared by millions around the world. To understand Willson, his career, and his music is to understand how The Music Man came to be: he was truly the only person who could have ever written this show due to his unique background, talent, incredible persistence, and belief. The show’s ultimate success and longevity was anything but inevitable—rather, it was truly a miracle.

Chronicles the creation of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man—reprinted now as the Broadway Edition Composer Meredith Willson described The Music Man as “an Iowan’s attempt to pay tribute to his home state.” Now featuring a new foreword by noted singer and educator Michael Feinstein, this book presents Willson’s reflections on the ups and downs, surprises and disappointments, and finally successes of making one of America’s most popular musicals. Willson’s whimsical, personable writing style brings readers back in time with him to the 1950s to experience firsthand the exciting trials and tribulations of creating a Broadway masterpiece. Fresh admiration of the musical—and the man behind the music—is sure to result.

Dan Barker, ex-preacher and co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, travels widely, arguing in debates and speaking on his beliefs that Christianity is false, God does not exist, and the Bible is filled with errors and mythology. He has been touted as one of America’s leading atheists. Yet close examination of his arguments shows that Barker’s reasons for disbelief are poorly reasoned and miss the mark as they are aimed at a mistaken caricature of Christian theism. Answering the Music Man exposes Barker’s misunderstandings of Christianity and provides compelling answers to Barker’s arguments.

'It will take more than an earthquake to keep me from doing my work...' Music changed Romel Joseph's life. But on Jan. 12, 2010, it also saved it. That's when the blind musician and educator became trapped under three stories of rubble-the remains of the music school he founded in Port-au-Prince, Haiti-following the earthquake that devastated his country. But Romel, filled with faith in God and a desire to realize his dreams, remained alert. He survived, he says, by performing a different violin concerto or sonata every hour until the moment of his rescue. The Miracle of Music captures his remarkable ordeal, which has captivated audiences around the world. His story has been featured in The Miami Herald, The Washington Post, the London Times, the CBS News with Katie Couric, the BBC, and others. But the narrative has been incomplete-until now. This inspiring story is about how a blind Haitian boy became a Juilliard-trained violinist, a world-renowned musician, and used the music in his soul to overcome his life's obstacles and help those around him. It is about the successful struggle to keep open the New Victorian School, a premiere music education institution, despite untold obstacles. It is about the hopes and dreams and perseverance of a country. And it is about love and empathy that keeps us going even when the ground is shaking under our feet.

ONE OF AMAZON'S TOP 100 NOVELS OF 2015, AND A NY TIMES and AMAZON BEST SELLER and WINNER OF A NATIONAL 'BEST THRILLER' AWARD, Miracle Man is a medical/conspiracy/psychological thriller that explores extraordinary genius, Big Pharma corruption, CIA machinations, metaphysical forces, and one man's tireless quest at terrible cost to validate his l

This account relates some of the achievements of Satya Sai Baba. His followers believe him to be the reincarntion of Sai Baba of Shirdi who died in 1918. He appears to have been born with phenomenal powers, which he used in childhood and has employed constantly and openly ever since. The author, a westener devoted to science and logic, spent many months with Satya Sai Baba to substantiate these miracles.

It is now an established fact that music helps all living creatures - from plants to birds and animals and man - to grow and rejuvenate. This book dwells heavily on the findings from ancient India and the masters of today who have made music therapy a viable healing alternative. It is the most comprehensive guide on the healing powers of sound & music.