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  Forward from Here - Leaving...

  Reeve Lindbergh

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  In her funny and wistful new book, Reeve Lindbergh contemplates entering a new stage in life, turning sixty, the period her mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, once described as "the youth of old age." It is a time of life, she writes, that produces some unexpected surprises. Age brings loss, but also love; disaster, but also delight. The second-graders Reeve taught many years ago are now middle-aged; her own children grow, marry, have children themselves. "Time flies," she observes, "but if I am willing to fly with it, then I can be airborne, too." A milestone birthday is also an opportunity to take stock of oneself, although such self-reflection may lead to nothing more than the realization, as Reeve puts it, "that I just seem to continue being me, the same person I was at twelve and at fifty." At sixty, as she observes, "all I really can do with the rest of my life is to...feel all of it, every bit of it, as much as I can for as long as I can."  Age is only one of many subjects that Reeve writes about with perception and insight. In northern Vermont, nature is an integral part of daily life, especially on a farm. Whether it is the arrival and departure of certain birds in spring and fall, wandering turtles, or the springtime ritual of lambing, the natural world is a constant revelation.  With a wry sense of humor, Reeve contemplates the infirmities of the aging body, as well as the many new drugs that treat these maladies. Briefly considering the risks of drug dependency, she writes that "the least we [the "Sixties Generation"] can do for ourselves is live up to our mythology, and take lots of drugs." Legal drugs, that is -- although what sustains us as we grow older is not drugs but an appreciation for life, augmented by compassion, a sense of humor, and common sense.  And of course there is family -- especially with the Lindberghs. Reeve writes about discovering, thirty years after her father's death and two and a half years after her mother's, that her father had three secret families in Europe. She travels to meet them, learning to expand her self-understanding: "daughter of," "mother of," "sister of" -- sister of many more siblings than she'd known, in a family more complicated than even she had imagined. Forward from Here is a brave book, a reflective book, a funny book -- a book that will charm and fascinate anyone on the journey from middle age to the uncertain future that lies ahead.

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  If I Only Knew Then - Learning...

  Charles Grodin

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  As Charles says, "If you don't get wiser as you get older, then you just get older." The core of this audiobook is about identifying our mistakes, learning from them, and not repeating them. Charles Grodin, a very funny individual who has appeared in movies, television and currently is on WCBS Radio every day, has asked his friends--from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Alda, Regis Philbin, Don Hewitt (of 60 Minutes fame), Joe Torre, and others--to share sometimes very revealing memories of the biggest mistake they've made.Rosie O'Donnell looks back to her college days and her inability to express her love for a close girlfriend. Regis Philbin learned to trust his instincts when an early talk show got cancelled. Irwin Redlener, the Co-founder of The Children's Health Fund, examines a near-mistake--how he almost cancelled a trip to see a grown son who soon after died in a skiing accident. Dr. Nicholas Perricone learns to shift his perspective after witnessing the bravery of a young girl during his internship. Senator Orrin Hatch discusses his mistaken vote against making Martin Luthor King Day a national holiday. And Carol Burnett's hilarious essay explains why meeting Cary Grant turned out to be a big mistake!This audiobook offers intimate insights into dozens of celebrated figures' lives.

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  Murder Most Texan

  Bartee Haile

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  A chronicle of sixteen ruthless killings from Lone Star history and the dirty details that have shocked and bewildered Texans for decades. Texas has long boasted of its iron fist and strict treatment of criminals. Nevertheless, a number of homicidal scoundrels and fiends have slipped through the state's justice system despite even the best efforts of the legendary Texas Rangers. In 1877, Texas saw its first high-profile murder case with the slaying of a woman in Jefferson and the subsequent "Diamond Bessie" trial. More than a century later, state legislator Price Daniel Jr., was shot in cold blood by his wife at their home in Liberty, TX. True crime writer and historian Bartee Haile unburies these and other stories from Texas's murderous past. With these stories and more—from senseless roadside murders to political assassinations—discover the seedy underbelly of the Lone Star State's murderous past.

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  Anything Goes! - What I've...

  Larry King, Pat Piper

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  As host of Larry King Live, which was one of the most popular daily forums for political news and commentary, Larry King asked probing questions of major world leaders, politicians, pundits, spin doctors, and reporters. Drawing upon insights gained during those interviews, King takes an in-depth look at how the United States arrived at a pivotal point in its history. Bi-partisan politics, bimbo eruptions, grandstanding in Congress, backstabbing tactics, and more are covered in this fascinating and revealing memoir. With inside political stories and anecdotes, Anything Goes! is Larry King at his best.

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  Unchain My Heart - A Novel Based...

  Lisa Mouhibian

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  On July 5, 1961, Ray Charles walked into Bell Sound Studios and recorded four songs in one session. One of those songs was “Unchain My Heart.” In many ways, “Unchain My Heart” was the story of Ray’s life. Ray lived it.
   
  This is the incredible story of the man who wrote the song “Unchain My Heart,” Bobby Sharp. This book will take you through a time period that was paramount to the history of American music, and through locales like Tin Pan Alley, Destiny Recording Studios, and Harlem. You’ll hear names like Joe Cocker, Dick Clark, Sarah Vaughan, Ruth Brown, and Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. You will read about the music industry putting out some of its finest records at a time when its business practices were at their worst. 
  And yet, when you reach the last page, you’ll probably realize, like I did, that this is not a story about music nor is it a songwriter’s story. This is a story about men, women, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It is a story about family and friends and how you are never alone if you have them. In short, it is a story about life and how life is not a burden…if you live it. 
  —Tony Gumina, President Ray Charles Marketing Group

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  From the Spitfire Cockpit to the...

  J. F. Langer

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  Air Commodore John Langer's career has been eventful to say the least. During the Second World War he flew gliders in India in preparation for airborne assaults in Burma, one of the most perilous landscapes to pass across during this time. Post-war, he served on a fighter squadron in Germany and in Malaya, where he was recommended for an AFC. Later on, he commanded No 43 (F) Squadron, the famous 'Fighting Cocks', and was awarded the AFC. As a Group Captain, he commanded RAF Valley and was awarded the CBE. He ended his RAF career as director of Flying Training where he set up the first team of the Red Arrows. By careers end, he had flown fifty-six different types of aircraft.On leaving the RAF, he became the Civil Aviation Security Adviser to the UK Government, serving for eight years as a Crown Servant and a further seven years as a consultant. He was a frequent advisor to the Cabinet Office Briefing Room 'A' (Cobra), consulting with members of the cabinet on national and international aviation matters in the wake of a series of security and terrorist emergencies. In 1993 he was appointed Duty Lieutenant for Greater London, with responsibilities for the borough of Hillingdon, location of both Heathrow and Northolt airport. He looked after members of the Royal Family in their departures from these airports and became a good friend of Princess Diana, chaperoning her on a number of solo outings. Interesting details relating to some of their exchanges are included here. This is a unique autobiography, taking in a vast spectrum of events and experiences. It is also an important record of political, aviation and social history and should appeal to enthusiasts of all these areas of interest.

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