Photos and text of this book are about Kansas City in the 19th and 20th centuries. Scenes from the past and new photos show how these places have changed or have remained the same with little change.

Think of Kansas City and you'll probably think of barbecue, jazz, or the Chiefs. But for James Shortridge, this heartland city is more than the sum of its cultural beacons. In Kansas City and How It Grew, 1822-2011, a prize-winning geographer traces the historical geography of a place that has developed over 200 years from a cowtown on the bend of the Missouri River into a metropolis straddling two states. He explores the changing character of the community and its component neighborhoods, showing how the city has come to look and function the way it does—and how it has come to be perceived the way it has. Proximity to Great Plains ranches and farms encouraged early and sustained success for Kansas City meatpackers and millers, and Shortridge shows how local responses to economic realities have molded the city's urban structure. He explores the parallel processes of suburbanization and the restructuring of older areas, and tells what happens when transportation shifts from rivers to railroads, then to superhighways and international airports. He also reveals what historians have missed by tending to focus attention only on one side or the other of the state boundary. The book is a virtual who's who of KC progress: without selective law enforcement under political boss Thomas Pendergast, Kansas City would not enjoy its legacy of jazz; without the gift of Thomas Swope's namesake park, upscale residential expansion likely would have gone east instead of south; and without J. C. Nichols, Johnson County suburbs would have developed in a less spectacular manner. Its insight into important molders of the city includes nearly forgotten names such as William Dalton, Charles Morse, and Willard Winner, plus important figures from more recent years including Kay Barnes, Charles Garney, and Bonnie Poteet. With more than 50 photos and dozens of maps specially created for this book, Kansas City and How It Grew is unique in treating the entire metropolitan area instead of just one portion. With coverage ranging from ethnic neighborhoods to development strategies, it's an indispensable touchstone for those who want to try to understand Kansas City as both a city and a place.

This is the story of a most unusual hobo. His real name is Henry Best, but all those who know him call him by the moniker Lefty. In the beginning, Lefty is as emblematic a vagabond as thousands of others too, which roam the nation during the early parts of the twentieth century. That is, he was until time and a few particular experiences turn him into a remarkable hobo. He is a rather complicated character to begin with and also a shrewd and sharp one too. Lefty’s greatest enjoyment in life, besides traveling, is telling children tales of his travels while he and they are gathered around his campfires. Although it is great fun and entirely harmless, many adults frown upon this because they either see danger to their children from Lefty or generally dislike hobos. One day, Lefty discovers a box during one of his countless wanderings. It lay half-submerged in a creek and when he retrieves it he finds that he can’t open it because it is a so-called strong box. However, later on and with the help of some children friends, who brought him tools to his camp, he managed to get it open. To his and the children’s disappointment, the box only contains some pocket change and papers. He divides the money equally with the children and put the papers back into the box and hides it. Lefty went away after he got roughed up by some locals and travels thousands of miles, crisscrossing the nation. He goes through thick and thin during the following year. Lefty lives through numerous adventures and he is nearly killed a couple of times too. That strong box he had found will profoundly change his life and other people’s too. He just didn’t know it yet.

Relive the history of Kansas City as you travel in time back to the days of the fur trappers, the riverboat captains, the cowpunchers, and the railroad workers. Brief stories and photographs bring context and meaning to the history of Kansas City.

Your Travel Destination. Your Home. Your Home-To-Be. Kansas City World-class museums. Historic jazz clubs. Romantic cafes. Riverboat casinos. High-end cuisine. Down-home barbecues. • A personal, practical perspective for travelers and residents alike • Comprehensive listings of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations • How to live & thrive in the area—from recreation to relocation • Countless details on shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities

Keeping secrets close…and an enemy closer… His protection instincts on high alert, KCPD detective Trent Dixon knew something was wrong with Katie Rinaldi. The special investigator had obviously uncovered a dangerous piece of evidence while looking into a cold case. So dangerous, in fact, that the single mother's life was now in jeopardy. But as much as Trent told himself he was keeping tabs on Katie and her young son as part of his job, he couldn't ignore the very real feelings he had for her. Still, as a professional, he was bound to the badge and would give Katie all the security she deserved. And not give in to the attraction he was having trouble containing…

So You Think You’re a Kansas City Royals Fan? will test and expand your knowledge of one of Major League Baseball’s most successful expansion franchises. Rather than merely posing questions and providing answers, you’ll get details behind each—stories that bring to life the history of the Kansas City Royals. This book, part of a new series, is divided into four parts, with progressively more difficult questions in each new section. The first three-inning section contains the most basic questions. Next come the middle innings, then the late innings, and finally the Hall of Fame. Also, you’ll learn more about the great players and names in Royals history both past and present, from George Brett to Eric Hosmer, Amos Otis and Willie Wilson to Lorenzo Cain, Dan Quisenberry, Jeff Montgomery, Frank White, Mike Sweeney, Mike Moustakas, Bret Saberhagen, Paul Splittorff, Dennis Leonard, Whitey Herzog, Dick Howser, Ned Yost, Denny Matthews, Alex Gordon, and so many more—even Bo Jackson, of course. The many questions this book answers include: • Who was the first player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with the Royals listed on his plaque? • What special first in World Series history was the 2015 match-up between the Mets and Royals? • Which two Royals players worked on crews that helped build Royals Stadium? • Who was the first hitter to record a multi–home run game for the Royals? This book makes the perfect gift for any fan of the 2015 World Champion Royals!