Long before the Patriots took the 21st century by storm and became the most dominant team in NFL history, pro football was something entirely different in New England, something comically atrocious and riddled with heartbreak. Before those juggernaut years of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and sold-out crowds at Gillette Stadium came a hapless franchise that managed only a single playoff victory in a quarter century and spent its entire first decade of existence just trying to establish a permanent home field (and even when they did, none of the toilets worked). In From Darkness to Dynasty, bestselling author Jerry Thornton irreverently chronicles those easily glossed-over, downtrodden decades--years when the team claimed more headlines for lawsuits, arrests, power struggles, drug problems, and inept, bizarre, behavior from players, coaches, and owners than for anything they accomplished on the field. Relive the behind-the-scenes dysfunction, the turmoil of prolonged irrelevance, and the improbable way the Patriots finally ascended to greatness. By turns hilarious and eye-opening, this is an essential history for fans and disparagers alike, and a pointed reminder that the best stories of triumph start with humble beginnings.

Some of the most entertaining stories from one of the most remarkable franchises in sports are told in this revealing look at the New England Patriots. While the team's owner, coach, and stadium now all rank among the best in the National Football League, the team was known for decades as having comically inept management and ownership, as well as the worst stadium in the NFL.In Tales from the Patriots Sideline, former players share their tales of the tumultuous years. Their initial owners had to sell the team after going bankrupt promoting a Michael Jackson concert tour. Their coaches have been a colorful lot, too, including one who accepted a new job the day before a playoff game.From the AFL years through the lowest of low seasons, Patriots history has also been sprinkled with the occasional spikes of success. They were a franchise on the verge of being relocated before current management took the team to its new heights as three-time Super Bowl champions. Fans can find stories about it all in Tales from the Patriots Sideline.

Gardeners will find advice and photos for adapting to any microclimate or situation including shade; wet soil; coastal landscapes; container, raised-bed, and extended-season gardening; and much more. Gardeners and landscapers will treasure this book for its elegant writing and full-color photography, its photo-essay tours of outstanding owner-maintained gardens throughout New England, its focus on organic methods and native plants, and its guidance on integrating gardens of every variety into their surrounding landscapes. Photo sequences of key techniques enhance the book, which is designed and indexed to provide instant access to the information a gardener needs at hand. In Reeser Manley and Marjorie Peronto's view, the plots of land on which we live are not our “yards” but our gardens—extensions of the surrounding natural world—and we, as gardeners, are caretakers of that world. They advocate gardening in tune with nature— avoiding pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and invasive plants, while creating a garden that enhances local biodiversity. The New England Gardener's Year will guide you to a garden of great beauty and bountiful harvests.

In 'The Founding of New England' by James Truslow Adams, readers are taken on a detailed exploration of the early history of New England, focusing on the Pilgrims and Puritans who played a crucial role in shaping the region. Adams uses a scholarly approach to analyze the social, political, and religious factors that influenced the establishment of these colonies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by the early settlers. His engaging narrative style captures the essence of the time period, making the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in American history. Adams' meticulous research and insightful commentary add depth to the historical account, offering readers a compelling insight into the origins of New England. For those seeking a well-written and informative exploration of the founding of the region, 'The Founding of New England' is a must-read that will enrich their understanding of American history.

This thorough and gorgeously illustrated history of the New England Patriots profiles the top players, memorable moments, and thrilling victories from more than 50 seasons of Patriots football.

The art of the landscape photograph was first pioneered in this country by the likes of Timothy O'Sullivan and Carleton E. Watkins, who carried their cumbersome equipment and wet plates to the Western frontier. It was refined by a second generation of artists, led by Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter, and Minor White, whose legacy was passed on to - and further refined by - a third generation: most notably by artists like Paul Caponigro. In this fine selection, his first book in six years, he has selected images from the work done in New England over the past quarter century.