Beyond the Glimmering Lights relates the struggles, pains, and victories of black residents and entertainers during the most racially unjust period in the history of Las Vegas. Told through the eyes of author and native Las Vegan Trish Geran, she narrates her Aunt Magnolia's life and times in Las Vegas, experiences that occurred from 1942 to 1960 and stories passed on by early settlers. While searching in her aunt's garden, Trish discovers the evidence that proves what she constantly heard while growing up in Las Vegas, that black people played a major role in the development of Las Vegas. Trish Geran, writes a historical saga that is part history and part journey of discovery. She describes the race relations in the city, the unfair treatment in the workplace, the indecent housing conditions and how the black residents developed their own community and Strip.
Beyond the Glimmering Lights is about the spiritual and human price the Black residents and entertainers paid to make what the world now calls the Entertainment Capitol of the World. Told through the eyes a southern unruffled 26 year old young woman named Magnolia-"Aunt Mac"-this poignant and heartwarming story bears witness of early Las Vegas (1940s-1960s) when racial divide was enforced regardless of the brave efforts and contributions Black entertainers and residents were making to the city's development. In 1943, Aunt Mac left Mississippi with a map, a flask of moonshine, and a small handgun tucked under a Bible on the front seat of her car. Her destination: a town called Las Vegas where she had heard Black people could find work earning more in one day than they made in one week back home. In less than a week, Aunt Mac rented a tent, found a job, and landed a man. She lived on the side of town designated for the Black residents and entertainers, the Westside. They worked and played on the Strip but stayed on their side. Jim Crow was in town and to keep the Blacks in check, the city allowed them to develop a Black Strip with Black owned casinos and businesses, and when the first integrated hotel/casino, the Moulin Rouge became too successful, the doors closed after six months. In 1955, an article called Negroes Can't Win in Las Vegas was published in Ebony Magazine. Now the whole world knew they had money but no pride. The Black entertainers and residents along with White tourists joined forces and threatened to protest on the Strip to end racial injustice. Aunt Mac married her last husband-number seven, became the head of housekeeping on the Strip, and settled into a cozy home surrounded by acres of the plant-cotton.
Samuel Beckett is widely regarded as 'the last modernist', the writer in whose work the aesthetic principles which drove the modernist project dwindled and were finally exhausted. And yet despite this, it is striking that many of the most important contemporary writers, across the world, see their work as emerging from a Beckettian legacy. So whilst Beckett belongs, in one sense, to the end of the modernist period, in another sense he is the well spring from which the contemporary, in a wide array of guises, can be seen to emerge. Since Beckett looks at a number of writers, in different national and political contexts, tracing the way in which Beckett's writing inhabits the contemporary, while at the same time reading back through Beckett to the modernist and proto-modernist forms he inherited. In reading Beckett against the contemporary in this way, Peter Boxall offers both a compelling re-reading of Beckett, and a powerful new analysis of contemporary culture.
In early 1942, with World War II going badly, President Roosevelt turned to General William “Wild Bill” Donovan, now known historically as the “Father of Central Intelligence,” with orders to form a special unit whose primary mission was to prepare for the eventual reopening of the Burma Road linking Burma and China by performing guerilla operations behind the Japanese lines. Thus was born OSS Detachment 101, the first clandestine special force formed by Donovan and one that would play a highly dangerous but vital role in the reconquest of Burma by the Allies. Behind Japanese Lines, originally published in 1979, is the exciting story of the men of Detachment 101, who, with their loyal native allies—the Kachin headhunters—fought a guerilla war for almost three years. It was a war not only against a tough and unyielding enemy, but against the jungle itself, one of the most difficult and dangerous patches of terrain in the world. Exposed to blistering heat and threatened by loathsome tropical diseases, the Western-raised OSS men also found themselves beset by unfriendly tribesmen and surrounded by the jungle’s unique perils—giant leeches, cobras, and rogue tigers. Not merely a war narrative, Behind Japanese Lines is an adventure story, the story of unconventional men with an almost impossible mission fighting an irregular war in supremely hostile territory. Drawing upon the author’s own experiences as a member of Detachment 101, interviews with surviving 101 members, and classified documents, Dunlop’s tale unfolds with cinematic intensity, detailing the danger, tension, and drama of secret warfare. Never before have the activities of the OSS been recorded in such authentic firsthand detail. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Born in Japan from samurai lineage, Chica Tadakuma Sugino was raised by a wet nurse and brought to America as a young girl on the aspirations of a father chasing after the American dream. Suribachi is the autobiographical story of her remarkable life. It is the story of how culture, immigration, war, racism, faith, family, and love intertwine and impact one fiercely determined individual. It is a story built on traditions, hope, struggle, success, loss, and new beginnings. It chronicles Chica's life beginning in Japan, coming to the United States, and navigating daunting challenges in a new country. She experiences cultural clashes and enigmas as she learns a new way of life and thinking, juggling Japanese values and traditions with those of America. Growing up under the shadow of a beautiful and talented older sister, Chica nonetheless nurtures her own strengths and strives to excel. Her father's various money-making schemes, involving Chica and her sister, lead to an estranged relationship with him. Forced to return to Japan as a young adult, Chica encounters being a foreigner in the land of her birth and finds faith through the kindness of an American missionary. She eventually returns to America with a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation. Suribachi is one woman's personal story, unique, yet familiar in the emotions expressed and experienced by us all. LeeAnn Shigekawa, Granddaughter
BOOKER PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A tale of two young scholars researching the secret love affair of two Victorian poets that's an exhilarating novel of wit and romance, an intellectual mystery, and a triumphant love story. “Gorgeously written … A tour de force.” —The New York Times Book Review Winner of England’s Booker Prize and a literary sensation, Possession traces the lives of a pair of young academics as they uncover a clandestine relationship between two long-dead Victorian poets. As they unearth their letters, journals, and poems, and track their movements from London to Yorkshire—from spiritualist séances to the fairy-haunted far west of Brittany—what emerges is an extraordinary counterpoint of passions and ideas.
Mark Twain's collection, 'MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated),' showcases the breadth and depth of his literary genius. Known for his witty humor and social commentary, Twain's works span various genres, from adventure novels like 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' to satirical essays like 'The Awful German Language.' His use of vernacular language captures the essence of American culture in the 19th century, making his writing both entertaining and thought-provoking. Twain's works continue to be studied and enjoyed for their timeless relevance and rich storytelling. Mark Twain's personal experiences as a riverboat pilot, gold miner, and world traveler heavily influenced his writing. His keen observations of human nature and society are reflected in his works, making them resonate with readers of all ages. 'MARK TWAIN' is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, humor, or social commentary. Twain's unique perspective and literary talent make this collection a literary treasure that should not be missed.
Mark Twain's Ultimate Collection: 370+ Titles in One Volume (Illustrated) is a comprehensive compilation of the prominent American author's famous works, showcasing his signature wit, humor, and keen social commentary. Twain's literary style is marked by his ability to blend satire and realism, making his stories both entertaining and thought-provoking. This collection includes timeless classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, among many others, offering a glimpse into the diverse range of Twain's storytelling talents. Known for his ability to capture the essence of American life and culture, Twain's works continue to resonate with readers across generations. Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a riverboat pilot, miner, and journalist, bringing a unique perspective to his writing. His keen observations of human nature and society have solidified his place as one of America's most celebrated literary figures. I highly recommend Mark Twain's Ultimate Collection to any reader interested in exploring the timeless works of a literary master. This compilation offers a comprehensive look at Twain's legacy and serves as a valuable addition to any library.
