Peter Zheutlin's thoroughly researched account will make you wish you'd been around to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary woman as she went wheeling by. --Bill Littlefield, National Public Radio's Only A Game Until 1894 there were no female sport stars, no product endorsement deals, and no young mothers with the chutzpah to circle the globe on a bicycle. Annie Londonderry changed all of that. When Annie left Boston in June of that year, she was a brash young lady with a 42-pound bicycle, a revolver, a change of underwear, and a dream of freedom. She was also a feisty mother of three who had become the center of what one newspaper called "one of the most novel wagers ever made": a high-stakes bet between two wealthy merchants that a woman could not ride around the world on a bicycle. The epic journey that followed took the connection between athletics and commercialism to dizzying new heights, and turned Annie Londonderry into a symbol of women's equality. A vastly entertaining blend of social history, high adventure, and maverick marketing, Around the World on Two Wheels is an unforgettable portrait of courage, imagination, and tenacity. "Annie was a remarkable woman and well worth getting to know." --Booklist "A wonderful telling of one of the most intriguing, offbeat, and until now, lost chapters in the history of cycling." --David Herlihy, author of Bicycle: The History "A pleasant, affectionate portrait of a free spirit who pedaled her way out of Victorian constraints." --Kirkus Reviews "[A] charming and informative book." --Cape Cod Times "[An] incredible story. . .[a] fascinating book." --NextReads "[A] stirring tale. . .not only a must read, but a must have." --Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine "[A] remarkable saga." --The Winston-Salem (NC) Journal "[R]ead[s]. . .like a novel." --The Columbia (SC) State "[M]eticulously researched. . .illuminat[es] the feeling of a bygone era." --The Portsmouth (NH) Wire Peter Zheutlin has been chasing the story of his great-grandaunt Annie Londonderry for more than four years. He is an avid cyclist and a freelance journalist whose work appears regularly in the Boston Globe and the Christian Science Monitor. He has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, AARP Magazine, Bicycling, the New England Quarterly, and other publications. He lives in Needham, Massachusetts.

First published in 1953, Teach Yourself Cycling is a beautiful, lovingly reproduced window into a distant age, where understanding the good manners of the road and enjoying the innocence of the family picnic dominated life on two wheels. Yet few vehicles have changed as little as the bicycle in the 65 years since this book first published. For all that they have become immeasurably lighter and better adapted to a range of terrains, the basic mechanics remain the same - and a deeply recognisable spirit of joy runs through this book, even though the author, Reginald Shaw, feels he needs to reassure his readers that cycling can be "a pleasurable activity as well as a mode of transport". This book is perfect for fans of cycling interested in how the art and practice of riding a bike has changed. From a stout defence of 'the good manners of the road' to a surge of enthusiasm when mapping out the itinerary of a good cycling holiday, this book is warm, interesting and enlightening. Since 1938, millions of people have learned to do the things they love with Teach Yourself. Welcome to the how-to guides that changed the modern world.

The Girls' Bicycle Handbook is for women cyclists everywhere who need practical no-nonsense advice and information on cycling, but don't want to dispense with style in the process. Whether you're a committed bike commuter or a complete novice, blogger, entrepreneur and passionate cyclist Caz Nicklin gives the low-down on making cycling part of your lifestyle. From choosing the right bike for your needs to looking stylish and comfortable whatever the weather, and from combatting dreaded "helmet hair" to road safety and fast repairs, The Girls' Bicycle Handbook tells you everything you need to know about life on two wheels.

Both a practical companion and a story of exploration and rediscovery, France on Two Wheels offers detailed descriptions of useful routes, stop-off points and watering-holes, along with detours into subjects as varied as wine, windmills, Wodehouse, and beer. It is vivid proof that the only way to experience the French countryside is on a bike. Adding insight to anecdote, this book is packed with practical tips: on rail travel with a bicycle, mending a puncture in French, and the best stopovers along the route - small hotels, B&Bs and chateaux, every one "a cultural treasure worth celebrating".

A girl’s gotta have a passion--why not a motorcycle? Like a love letter from the wild side of life comes this book from “chrome cowgirl� Sasha Mullins. A primer for women who ride, or want to, or might simply like to jumpstart their lives, the book covers the ground in a way that’s as entertaining as it is informative. Whether it’s how to ride, what to do to your bike, or what to wear, Sasha has the advice. What’s more, her bike savvy and street strategies pack powerful lessons, offering a friendly word from the wisecracking on how to get the most out of life’s wild ride. From choosing, maintaining, and repairing a bike to honing your vocabulary and checking your attitude, there’s something here for every woman who ever dreamed of saddling up and becoming an easy rider in control of her destiny.

Covering more than 500 titles, both classics and newer publications, this book describes what titles are about and why teens would want to read them. Nonfiction has been the workhorse of many young adult library collections—filling information and curricular needs—and it is also the preferred genre for many teen readers. But not all nonfiction is created equal. This guide identifies some of the best, most engaging, and authoritative nonfiction reads for teens and organizes them according to popular reading interests. With genres ranging from adventure and sports to memoirs, how-to guides and social justice, there is something for every reader here. Similar fiction titles are noted to help you make connections for readers, and "best bets" for each chapter are noted. Notations in annotations indicate award-winning titles, graphic nonfiction, and reading level. Keywords that appear in the annotations and in detailed indexes enhance access. Librarians who work with and purchase materials for teens, including YA librarians at public libraries, acquisitions and book/materials selectors at public libraries, and middle and high school librarians will find this book invaluable.

‘Touched with genius’ - The Spectator What’s the best way to get the upper hand in an argument solely through letters? How should you liven up a dull night at Buckingham Palace? When, exactly, is the best time to run away to the Spanish Civil War? The Mitford sisters – Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah – knew the answers to all these questions and more. Perhaps the most remarkable family of the mid-twentieth century, their exciting and varied lives, from communist to fascist to aristocrat, mean that there’s no problem they can’t solve.