PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • No book before this one has rendered the story of cigarettes—mankind's most common self-destructive instrument and its most profitable consumer product—with such sweep and enlivening detail. "A great battleship of a book—formidable, majestic.”—The New York Times Book Review Here for the first time, in a story full of the complexities and contradictions of human nature, all the strands of the historical process—financial, social, psychological, medical, political, and legal—are woven together in a riveting narrative. The key characters are the top corporate executives, public health investigators, and antismoking activists who have clashed ever more stridently as Americans debate whether smoking should be closely regulated as a major health menace. We see tobacco spread rapidly from its aboriginal sources in the New World 500 years ago, as it becomes increasingly viewed by some as sinful and some as alluring, and by government as a windfall source of tax revenue. With the arrival of the cigarette in the late-nineteenth century, smoking changes from a luxury and occasional pastime to an everyday—to some, indispensable—habit, aided markedly by the exuberance of the tobacco huskers. This free-enterprise success saga grows shadowed, from the middle of this century, as science begins to understand the cigarette's toxicity. Ironically the more detailed and persuasive the findings by medical investigators, the more cigarette makers prosper by seeming to modify their product with filters and reduced dosages of tar and nicotine. We see the tobacco manufacturers come under intensifying assault as a rogue industry for knowingly and callously plying their hazardous wares while insisting that the health charges against them (a) remain unproven, and (b) are universally understood, so smokers indulge at their own risk. Among the eye-opening disclosures here: outrageous pseudo-scientific claims made for cigarettes throughout the '30s and '40s, and the story of how the tobacco industry and the National Cancer Institute spent millions to develop a "safer" cigarette that was never brought to market. Dealing with an emotional subject that has generated more heat than light, this book is a dispassionate tour de force that examines the nature of the companies' culpability, the complicity of society as a whole, and the shaky moral ground claimed by smokers who are now demanding recompense.

Washington State Trooper Mike Buckingham was an ordinary man, used by God to accomplish extraordinary things. On April 12, 1981, while in high-speed pursuit of a drunk driver, Mike's patrol car crashed, bursting into flames. Despite sustaining painful and disfiguring injuries, Mike survived and dedicated the rest of his life to educating and inspiring others. With his joyful spirit and abundant optimism, he attracted others to his message of hope, and he delivered over 4,000 motivational speeches. His timeless message instilled the value of faith in action, finding purpose, making good choices, displaying unselfishness, and offering forgiveness. In Triumph Born of Ashes, author Ward Buckingham doesn't shy away from revealing his youngest brother's human frailties as he responded to tremendous challenges in the aftermath of his accident. None of us are excluded from experiencing trials and tragedies in life, even those who lead courageously and serve selflessly. Even Christians. Trooper Mike Buckingham's honest and deeply moving story helps others see beyond their own limited ability to make sense of life's trials and offers motivation to leverage the worst for God's best. We are all just an accident away from eternity. Trooper Mike Buckingham's heartwarming message equips people of all ages to emerge in triumph.

Africa--a hell on earth, ignited by the burning rage of Bruno Bottger, a power- hungry lunatic living out Hitler's nightmare vision for the future. But even Bottger isn't prepared for the aftermath of his own sick ambitions. Germ warfare strategy has turned African civilians into killing machines with no conscience and no mercy. With millions already wrecking havoc, it's up to Ben Raines and his Rebels to bravely defend a country under siege. Facing a battalion of mindless maniacs bent on total annihilation is tough enough. Now Ben and his men are outnumbered ten to one by Bottger's heavily-armed troops. But Raines has a weapon nobody counted on: his own vision for the future--and a do-or-die determination to see it come true. Whatever the odds, Ben Raines and the Rebels are ready for the ultimate battle.

After a nuclear holocaust, an ex-soldier and his rebels fight a Nazi madman in Africa in this adventure from a USA Today–bestselling author. Africa—ignited by the burning rage of Bruno Bottger, a power-hungery lunatic living out Hitler's nightmare vision for the future. But even Bottger isn't prepared for the aftermath of his own sick ambitions. Germ warfare strategy has turned African civilians into killing machines with no conscience and no mercy. With millions already wreaking havoc, it's up to Ben Raines and his Rebels to bravely defend a country under siege. Facing a battalion of mindless maniacs bent on total annihilation is tough enough. Now Ben and his men are outnumbered ten to one by Bottger's heavily armed troops. But Ranies has a weapon nobody counted on: his own vision for the future—and a do-or-die determination to see it come true. Whatever the odds, Ben Raines and the Rebels are ready for the ultimate battle... Twenty-sixth in the long-running series!

To millions of men and women, Simon Border is a saint who has the inside track to God. But to Ben Raines, Border is a dangerous hypocrite with an army of true believers who'll do anything they're ordered to do-like go on a holy war against Raines and the SUSA Rebels. Border has condemned Raines as the Antichrist and has vowed to destroy him, his followers and what remains of America. As the rabid religious leader puts into place the final piece of a chilling plan, Raines is going to need a miracle to stop him-and survive.

Ashlee Chadwick Davenport has been a widow for only a month when she finds disturbing evidence suggesting that her husband Jack--pillar of the community, church deacon, principled businessman--might have been much less honorable than he seemed. There are recordings of anonymous phone calls alleging Jack was involved in unsavory business transactions. Records of shady land deals. And she finds letters that hint at even darker dealings. Worse, from an emotional standpoint, Ashe discovers racy photos of her deceased husband with her best friend. She feels as if her marriage and her life have been ripped away from her. Her whole existence has been built on lies. All she has left is her daughter and the farm that has been in her family for generations. Then, suddenly, even those things are threatened. Jack's death has left her holding something that someone wants very badly. And they'll do anything to get it. Ashe must draw on her ever-growing anger to find the strength to fight Jack's final legacy: an unknown, unseen enemy.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Cheryl McGuinness kissed her husband good-bye as he headed off to work. She never saw him again. Tom McGuinness was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 -- the first airplane to crash into the World Trade Center. On that day, Cheryl's world fell apart. But since that day, Cheryl McGuinness has learned how to hope again. Through her powerful story, the rest of us can find our way to hope as well. Cheryl's message of renewal, recovery, and faith is a message that resonates with every aching heart. As you read through this intimate look at heartbreak and joy, you will discover an incredible sense of the good that is yet to be, and you will find in yourself a growing conviction that with God's help, you can face any sorrow or pain.