The New York Times–bestselling author and cancer survivor tells how to hold on to joy in times of sorrow in this “absolutely beautiful book” (Sue Monk Kidd). The prize-winning author of such modern literary classics as Practical Magic, The World That We Knew, and The Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman is also a cancer survivor. In Survival Lessons, she shares her transformative journey, showing us how to re-envision our own lives and relationships with our friends and family, and the significance of the everyday choices we make. Sorrow and joy are both part of the human experience, and the beauty of the world is easy to overlook during periods of crisis, illness, or loss. Here, Hoffman offers wit, wisdom, and comfort in “an optimistic instruction manual [for] anyone struggling with self-care in a time of trouble” (Story Circle Book Reviews). “In this gem of a book, Alice Hoffman acknowledges the sorrows of life, while reminding us of its joys. Survival Lessons is filled with love, insight, and lots of practical advice—including a crazy-good brownie recipe.” —Will Schwalbe, New York Times–bestselling author of The End of Your Life Book Club “Hoffman’s storytelling artistry enlivens each intimate, thoughtfully distilled, charming, and nurturing lesson in living.” —Booklist “[Survival Lessons] is not about [Hoffman’s] breast cancer per se but about making choices that will improve readers’ lives and relationships and remind them ‘of the beauty of life.’” —Library Journal “Full of smart intentions and kind reminders . . . Uplifting advice we’ll gladly take.” —Better Homes & Gardens

This collection of scholarly essays examines reality television. The first show, Survivor, inspired a national craze when it aired in the summer of 2000. Ever since, successors and copycats have been on each of the four largest networks. The basics stay the same: put a group of people into situations bound to cause conflict, and watch them squirm. Rather than criticize the series' voyeuristic appeal, this work evaluates what goes on within the text of such shows and how they reflect or affect our larger culture. Contributors include researchers from communications, sociology, political science, and psychology. The contributions cover such topics as reality television's relationships with cultural identity, publicity rights, historical perspectives, trust, decision-making strategies, political rationality, office politics, and primitivism. Each chapter includes a bibliography. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

At the age of four, Dr. Lise Deguire suffered third-degree burns over 65% of her body. In this memoir, she tells her story as a burn survivor and growing up in her dysfunctional family. Despite the seriousness of the subject, the tone of the book is positive, humorous, and inspiring.

Debbie Kiley is a survivor. Thrust into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after a shipwreck, adrift for days in a rubber dinghy in shark-infested waters, Kiley survived, while three of her shipmates died before her eyes. Her story, in large part, is about the superhuman feats of endurance the body is capable of in order to continue to exist. But Kiley did not just survive shipwreck. She had also survived a childhood of abuse, neglect, bulimia, drugs, rejection, and lovelessness. Her twenty-four years before the shipwreck were also about survival - survival of her soul, her psyche, her sanity. Faced with harrowing and horrific situations most of us cannot even imagine, Kiley did more than merely survive; she triumphed. And more importantly, she learned. In this book, she tells her story and explains how it taught her the ten lessons she has learned for survival - lessons that anyone can learn, should learn, must learn. Because as Kiley writes, "To die well, we must have lived well and not have given up."

The subject of the Academy Award–winning documentary The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life, Alice Herz-Sommer was the world’s oldest Holocaust survivor when she died on February 23, 2014. A Century of Wisdom is the true story of her life—an inspiring story of resilience and the power of optimism. Before her death at 110, the pianist Alice Herz-Sommer was an eyewitness to the entire last century and the first decade of this one. She had seen it all, surviving the Theresienstadt concentration camp, attending the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem, and along the way coming into contact with some of the most fascinating historical figures of our time. As a child in Prague, she spent weekends and holidays in the company of Franz Kafka (whom she knew as “Uncle Franz”), and Gustav Mahler, Sigmund Freud, and Rainer Maria Rilke were friendly with her mother. When Alice moved to Israel after the war, Golda Meir attended her house concerts, as did Arthur Rubinstein, Leonard Bernstein, and Isaac Stern. Until the end of her life Alice, who lived in London, practiced piano for hours every day. Despite her imprisonment in Theresienstadt and the murders of her mother, husband, and friends by the Nazis, and much later the premature death of her son, Alice was victorious in her ability to live a life without bitterness. She credited music as the key to her survival, as well as her ability to acknowledge the humanity in each person, even her enemies. A Century of Wisdom is the remarkable and inspiring story of one woman’s lifelong determination—in the face of some of the worst evils known to man—to find goodness in life. It is a testament to the bonds of friendship, the power of music, and the importance of leading a life of material simplicity, intellectual curiosity, and never-ending optimism. Praise for A Century of Wisdom “An instruction manual for a life well lived.”—The Wall Street Journal “As if her 108 years of experience alone were not enough to coax you, there is the overarching fact that draws people to Herz-Sommer’s story: She survived the Theresienstadt concentration camp and is believed to be the oldest living Holocaust survivor.”—The Washington Post “I have rarely read a Holocaust survivor’s memoir as enriching and meaningful. Get Caroline Stoessinger’s book, A Century of Wisdom, telling Alice Herz-Sommer’s tale of her struggles and triumphs. You will feel rewarded.”—Elie Wiesel “A Century of Wisdom is a stately and elegant book about an artist who found deliverance in her passion for music. Caroline Stoessinger writes with a special purity, as though she were arranging pearls on a string of silk.”—Pat Conroy “As one of millions who fell in love on YouTube with Alice Herz-Sommer, a 108-year-old Holocaust survivor who plays the piano and greets each day with no hint of bitterness, I’m grateful to Caroline Stoessinger for writing a book that explains this mystery. You will be inspired by the story of Alice Herz-Sommer, who lives to teach us.”—Gloria Steinem “I walked on the cobblestones in Prague for thirty years wondering who might have walked on them before me: Kafka, Freud, Mahler. It feels like a miracle to have encountered, in Caroline Stoessinger’s wonderful book, Alice Herz-Sommer, who walked with them all—with a heart full of music.”—Peter Sis “A Century of Wisdom is universal and will enrich readers for generations to come.”—Itzhak Perlman

The best non-diet book for those looking to embrace a positive and satisfying relationship with food. This empowering guide, crafted by experts in the fields of nutrition, psychology, and self-development, offers a refreshing approach to breaking free from the dieting cycle and cultivating a healthy relationship with food and body. In this comprehensive handbook, you'll uncover sixty practical and insightful lessons that will help you embrace your unique body and nurture it with compassion. Say goodbye to restrictive diets and hello to a sustainable lifestyle centered around nourishment and self-love. Each lesson is strategically designed to guide you through the challenges of diet culture, emotional eating, and body image struggles, empowering you to reclaim your autonomy over your health and well-being. Holistic Approach: Discover a comprehensive blend of nutrition knowledge, psychological insights, and self-care techniques to support your well-being on all levels. Mindful Eating Practices: Learn to listen to your body's cues, identify emotional triggers, and develop a healthy relationship with food through mindful eating techniques. Body Positivity and Acceptance: Embrace body diversity and let go of negative self-talk, cultivating a positive body image and self-acceptance. Self-Care Rituals: Explore practical self-care practices to prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health as a part of your daily routine. Empowering Lessons: Each of the sixty lessons is expertly crafted to boost your confidence, resilience, and determination on your journey towards lasting transformation. Science-Backed Guidance: Backed by the latest research in nutrition and psychology, the handbook provides evidence-based strategies for sustainable change. Real-Life Success Stories: Gain inspiration from relatable success stories of individuals who have triumphed over dieting struggles and embraced a life of freedom and self-love. Whether you're a long-time dieter seeking liberation or someone looking to develop a healthier relationship with food, this handbook is your indispensable companion on the path to healing, growth, and self-discovery. Join the movement towards body positivity, mental well-being, and nourishment!

"Unique among survival books... stunning... enthralling. Deep Survival makes compelling, and chilling, reading."—Penelope Purdy, Denver Post In ?Deep Survival?, Laurence Gonzalez combines hard science and powerful storytelling to illustrate the mysteries of survival, whether in the wilderness or in meeting any of life's great challenges. This gripping narrative, the first book to describe the art and science of survival, will change the way you see the world. Everyone has a mountain to climb. Everyone has a wilderness inside.