Francesca Wright, pictured here in her Santa Fe home at the age of 95, was born into abject poverty, the youngest in a family of nine children, in the Ozark Hills of Missouri in 1911. Her mother and siblings farmed a small parcel of depleted land while her father sought supplementary income as a painter of both structures and canvases. As a child, Francesca followed in her father's footsteps as he gathered bark and berries to mix for his paintings. Today, her acclaimed portraits and landscapes reside in prestigious art collections worldwide. Wildwood Days is the true story of Francesca's childhood. It is the story of her mother's tireless efforts to educate and empower her children in the face of grinding poverty, and of Francesca, at the age of twelve, finding herself left entirely alone for four long years-alone to manage her own survival as well as the crops, livestock and buildings of the family farm. In counterpoint to the genuine hardships, the myriad delightful characters and details which Francesca recalls-through the eyes of a child-make for a heartwarming, often quite funny, and altogether uplifting read. Francesca's tale ends with her fortuitous escape at age seventeen into a wider world, a new beginning to a long and distinguished career.

A commiserating and provocative tale, Primacy is an all-important lesson of love, tragedy and inspiration as told from an urban perspective. Propagated in the latter portion of the turbulent 60's, on the outskirts of the gritty streets of Philadelphia, it is the story of a young male born in a 'dysfunctional' household and living in a less than opulent neighborhood. With an adolescent's cognizant awareness of the times and personal events, the prognosticator's life starts out on an anger-laced, emotionally charged tumultuous journey that eventually transcends both the time and the streets of the "City of Brotherly Love". Later in the story as the prognosticator becomes of age you are escorted further into his moral decadence as he takes the reader descriptively fitting into the twenty-first century, meeting with consequences and humility. Eloquently written with appropriate vernacular and speech of the situational characters, this story brings into stark visualization a vivid visitation for the reader. Primacy is an empathetic journey for the many whom have felt that they have been through trying situations and that no other soul could possibly empathize.

From its earliest origins to the present day, this award-winning, beautifully written book describes the endlessly changing character of Britain's countryside. 'A classic' Richard Mabey Exploring the natural and man-made features of the land - fields, highways, hedgerows, fens, marshes, rivers, heaths, coasts, woods and wood pastures - he shows conclusively and unforgettably how they have developed over the centuries. In doing so, he covers a wealth of related subjects to provide a fascinating account of the sometimes subtle and sometimes radical ways in which people, fauna, flora, climate, soils and other physical conditions have played their part in the shaping of the countryside. 'One thing is certain: no one would be wise to write further on our natural history, or to make films about it, without thinking very hard about what is contained in these authoritative pages' COUNTRY LIFE

Music charts have been around as long as recorded music and radio programs from Your Hit Parade to American Top 40 have capitalized on the idea of counting down the day's top hits. Chicago Top 40 Charts 1960-1969 documents those songs that dominated the Midwestern airwaves during that decade- considered by many to be top 40's "golden age." Many of the songs listed did not appear at all on the national charts. Others, including local acts, fared much better in Chicago than in the rest of the country. Chicago Top 40 Charts 1960-1969 contains an alphabetical listing by title and by artist of every tune listed on the WLS Silver Dollar Surveys during those years. It also lists the top 40 songs of each year and for the entire decade, as well as a supplemental listing of songs on the station's Rhythm-and-Blues chart of 1964. For those who grew up listening to radio in the Windy City as well as for record collectors from anywhere, Chicago Top 40 Charts 1960-1969 will be a valued addition to any music reference library.

“Everybody has to start somewhere. Businessmen start on the ground floor and try to work their way up the corporate ladder. Baseball players bide their time in the minor leagues wishing for an opportunity to move up and play in the majors. Musical compositions aren’t very different—some songs just don’t climb the charts the first time they’re recorded. However, with perseverance, the ideal singer, the right chemistry, impeccable timing, vigorous promotion, and a little luck, these songs can become very famous.” So writes Bob Leszczak in the opening pages of Who Did It First? Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists. In this second volume in the Who Did It First?series, Leszczak explores the hidden history of the most famous, indeed legendary, pop songs and standards. As he points out, the version you purchased, swayed to, sang to, and grew up with is often not the first version recorded. Like wine and cheese, some tunes do get better with age, and behind each there is a story. Included are little-known facts and amusing anecdotes, often gathered through Leszczak’s vast archive of personal interviews with the singers and songwriters, record producers and label owners, who wrote, sang, recorded, and distributed either the original first cut or one of its classic covers. The second in a series of titles devoted to the story of great songs and their revival as great covers, Who Did It First?Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists is the perfect playlist builder. So whether quizzing friends at a party, answering a radio station contest, or just satisfying an insatiable curiosity to know who really did do it first, this work is a must-have.

This book of poems is from life lived. People the world over struggle to find something, anything that will bring them closer to finding laughter, to find love, to be in good health, to have a decent shelter, or even to escape from constant abuse. People are searching for what will make them happy, fulfilled, and loved. I am hoping this book of poetry will reflect my own struggles and trials through the years that I have faced and continue to face even now on this journey to find love, and acceptance and ultimately God. I hope that people reading this book will find compassion, understanding, and faith as I myself did. The poems are about happiness, strength, fear, depression, chipmunks, humorous situations, tag sales, God, sorrow, birds and many more too numerous to list. I remind people through my poems to continue questioning and asking, to search till you find, and to keep knocking on Gods door because he will open it to you if you would but call to him and accept his love and grace. I hope my poems speak to your heart!

This guide, a goldmine for residents and visitors alike, tells you all about the best amusement parks, historic sites, cultural attractions, beaches, boardwalks, parks, forests, and much more - plus sections on restaurants, hotels and shopping. We highlight the OC best betsOCO OCo places where you might like to go and spend a lazy day, or an afternoon away from home, along with listings for restaurants and accommodations. All of the hotels and restaurants are listed here.a Is there anyone who hasnOCOt been to, or at least heard of, the Jersey Shore? Famous as the birthplace of the boardwalk, cherished as a relaxing getaway for young and old alike, and celebrated for its beautiful beaches, salt-tinged ocean breezes, and gorgeous vistas, the Jersey Shore is a place where memories are made and dreams are born (and sometimes even come true). Since it is such a vacationerOCOs paradise, the Atlantic coast has the most to do. We start with the northernmost Shore county, Monmouth, and work straight down the coast to Cape May. Although these counties revolve around the ocean and summertime, look closer; they have a lot more to offer than just the beach and boardwalk. Sure, the beaches are 127 miles of pure enjoyment, but there are flea markets, historic sites, and some unusual attractions, such as a zoo for sick and injured animals. So if you donOCOt swim, dislike seagulls, and have a natural aversion to sand, fear not. You just have to look around, and youOCOll discover choices galore at the Jersey Shore."

Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether you’re a visitor or a local looking for something different, let Northern California Off the Beaten Path show you the Golden State you never knew existed. Follow the bloodstained trail of Sam Spade and other characters from The Maltese Falcon in San Francisco; overnight at a bed-and-breakfast located inside a working lighthouse on East Brother Island; or eat at a restaurant in Castroville that specializes in artichokes cooked two dozen different ways. So if you’ve "been there, done that" one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.

No longer the hidden gem of the wine world, New Jersey's wineries are exploding in popularity and quality. In the first guide on New Jersey wines and wineries published in more than a decade, Jersey's native son, globe traveling wine taster and winegrower Bart Jackson has carefully profiled each of the Garden Sate's wineries. His vivid descriptions, historical and factual data about the vineyards, index of the owners' most prized wines, list of unique vintages, and depictions of special events entice the reader to hit the wine trail. Exact directions and day-size wine trail clusters are also provided. In addition, national experts Gary Pavlis and Anthony Fisher contribute tasting tips and regional essays.