Reference & Tips

The global dash of the intrepid Phileas Fogg is accompanied by lavish illustrations that depict remarkable period scenes that evince for younger readers such cultures as Victorian England and the American Wild West.

This is Mark Twain's description of life on the Mississippi River, with observations and anecdotes about the culture and society along the river valley. It includes character sketches, historical facts, information and reminiscences of Twain's boyhood and experiences as a steam-boat pilot. Part travel book, part autobiography, and part social commentary, "Life on the Mississippi" is a memoir of the cub pilot's apprenticeship, a record of Twain's return to the river and to Hannibal as an adult, a meditation on the harsh vagaries of nature, and a study of the varied and sometimes violent activities engaged in by those who live on the river's shores.

In a book featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The O'Reilly Factor, CBS' The Early Show and CNN, journalist Mike McIntyre describes his coast to coast trek, from San Francisco to Cape Fear, with no money or plans, depending only on the kindness of strangers he encountered along the way.

Into Thin Air is the definitive, personal account of the deadliest season in the history of Mount Everest--told by acclaimed journalist, and
bestselling author of Into the Wild and Eiger Dreams, Jon Krakauer.  On assignment for Outside magazine, Krakauer, an accomplished
climber, went to the Himalayas to report on the growing commercialization of the planet's highest mountain.  Even though one climber in four dies attempting
to reach the summit of Everest, business is booming as guides take the rich and the adventurous up the mountain for a fee of $65,000.  Krakauer examines what it is about Everest that has compelled so many people--including himself--to throw caution to the wind and willingly subject themselves to so much danger, hardship, and expense.

By examining the true story of Chris McCandless, a young man, who in 1992 walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness and whose SOS note and emaciated corpse were found four months later, internationally bestselling author Jon Krakauer explores the obsession which leads some people to explore the outer limits of self, leave civilization behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature. 'an astonishingly gifted writer: his account of 'Alex Supertramp' is powerfully dramatic, eliciting sympathy for both the idealistic, anti-consumerist boy - and his parents' Guardian 'a compelling tale of tragic idealism' The Times

Towards midnight on a clear but moonless night, the Titanic struck an iceberg and was lost. Following the death of 1500 people, drowned in the freezing sea, legends proliferated and stories grew. They are presented in this text.

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls “Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister”) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.

"Planning a trip to Italy? Read this so you don't miss out on the Italy that tours never visit. If you're staying at home, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Preferably with a nice Tuscan wine at your side." ~ Dianne Hales, author of La Bella Lingua

"Many of us would love to live this book. James Shaw has done it for us and allowed us to come along. I like it all, an adventurous journey with a compassionate author. Well Done, Well Done." ~ Roscaloni

An adventure of the heart in the mold of literature's classic spiritual journeys.

It began with a girl. Then it was Italian food. After that it was books and discovering that even Mark Twain had fallen for Italy.

E.M. Forster was smitten too: “Love and understand the Italians,
for the people are more marvelous than the land.”

What is it about Italy and Italians?

Italian movies immortalize the mystique. Fellini called it La Dolce Vita.
Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso took James Shaw back to the sweet memories of his childhood and the Italian family who operated the hometown theater. And just like in the movie, young James had an “Alfredo” who, by example, taught him about serving people.

James learned that Italians don't feel they're special. Luigi Barzini, author of
The Italians, repeatedly asked, “Why are we the way we are?” and found no
conclusive answer.

But James was convinced there was a reason why the Renaissance was born in Tuscany–and Italy has given the world Saint Francis, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Galileo and now Benigni, whose film "Life Is Beautiful" shows us that the Italian zest for living can even make a heaven of a hell.

And so, after a lifetime of thinking about Italy James became convinced that the way to find out why Italians are the way they are, would be to eat with them at their kitchen tables. Day after day he picked their olives and the Italians began treating him like family. And James began seeing their unique human quality that attracts people to Italy and keeps pulling them back again and again.

But the story doesn't end in the olive groves of Tuscany. To discover the
heart of Italian life, James had to travel back to World War II Italy.

An Italian Journey will inspire you to follow your passions, your enthusiasms,
to your own Beautiful Discoveries.

Bella Scoperta!

If you have to leave home, TAKE THIS BOOK! The team that brought you The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook now helps you navigate the perils of travel. Learn what to do when the tarantula crawls up your leg, the riptide pulls you out to sea, the sandstorms headed your way, or your camel just wont stop. Find out how to pass a bribe, remove leeches, climb out of a well, survive a fall onto subway tracks, catch a fish without a rod, and preserve a severed limb. Hands-on, step-by-step instructions show you how to survive these and dozens of other adventures. An appendix of travel tips, useful phrases, and gestures to avoid will also ensure your safe return. Because you just never know...