The Black Feminine Mystique is a collection of poetry that celebrates women of color. It draws from mythology; from the many Black women heroines from history; from women living and dead; and from writers, artists, athletes, and women from the authors life, including but not limited to his four sisters and his mother. The Black Feminine Mystique paints a broad stroke from Isis to Ida B. Wells, from Hagar in the Wilderness to Winnie Mandela, and from the so-called Hottentot Venus to Venus Williams. One writer said that miscegenation created fifty-five shades, which is part of the Black Feminine Mystique.
Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats is a collection of poetry about law enforcement excesses. Most of the poems were inspired by actual cases from around the country. The author did not set out to compile a collection of these poems, but more and more, nearly every day, another case of law enforcements excessive use of force was reported in the Media. The author also did not set out to demonize law enforcement, but focused on those cases where things went terribly wrong, for a number of reasons. As a poet, as someone deeply committed to realizing a just society, the poet chose to report these cases in poetic forms. The poet acknowledges how tough the job is for those entrusted with public safety. An earlier version of this book was among the finalists in the 2000 National Poetry Series competition.
Ex-cop turned #1 New York Times bestselling writer Joseph Wambaugh forged a new kind of literature with his great early police procedurals. Gritty, luminous, and ultimately stunning, this novel is Wambaugh at his best--a tale of a street cop on the hardest beat of his life. Twenty and two. Those are the numbers turning in the mind of William "Bumper" Morgan: twenty years on the job, two days before he "pulls the pin" and walks away from it forever. But on the gritty streets of L.A., people look at Bumper like some kind of knight in armor--they've plied him with come-ons, hot tips, and the hard respect a man can't earn anywhere else. Now, with a new job and a good woman waiting for him, a kinky thief terrorizing L.A.'s choice hotels, and a tragedy looming, Bumper Morgan is about to face the only thing that can scare him: the demons that he's been hiding behind his bright and shiny badge...
At a young age, author Jerome K. Jerome found a hobby that he was extremely skilled at, and very passionate about—idleness. He was thrilled at the amount of time he could waste doing nothing, frustrating those around him. However, when Jerome falls ill and is ordered to bedrest, this hobby is tested. Then, he learns that doing nothing is only fun when you have other commitments. This relatable sentiment is explored in the title essay of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow. Taking sometimes mundane topics and twisting them into the extraordinary, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow shares insight on a variety of topics. In On Being in Love Jerome applies his observations of couples to broader realizations of love and romance. Exploring an opposite, polarizing feeling, On Being in the Blues is a touching portrayal of living with depression, struggling through the lows and highs of mental health. While such essays invoke strong emotional reactions, others dabble in lighter topics, such as the attire of babies, the weather, and gluttonous appetites. Yet, whether the topic is profound or ordinary, Jerome finds a way to craft philosophical prose saturated in clever insight. Featuring fourteen witty and philosophical essays, Jerome’s Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow considers topics of varying importance, from the author’s opinion on cats to suffering through depressive episodes. Each accompanied by a personal, and usually hilarious narrative, these essays reach philosophic conclusions as they entertain with their captivating charm and sarcasm. Written with casual prose decorated with thorough imagery and figurative language, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow imparts fun and frank wisdom on its readers, still delighting audiences over a century after it was first published. This edition of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome’s work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.
