One week after their wedding, Maynard and his wife quit their jobs, sell their cars, and set out to find America. This book details how they were able to realize this dream, and then introduces the unique people they met and the places they visited.
From life in the streets and love in the alleys to fame in the spotlight and an untimely death—raw, biting, and brilliant selections from the personal journals of one of the most uniquely creative artists of the late twentieth century When his life ended at age thirty-seven—a casualty of the AIDS epidemic that took so many before their time—David Wojnarowicz had long since established himself as one of America’s most vital artists and activists. In the Shadow of the American Dream is a stunning collection of riveting and revealing chapters from Wojnarowicz’s extensive personal diaries—thirty volumes’ worth of memories and lucid observations, some bitter, some sweet—that the author began writing when he was seventeen and continued until his death two decades later. Here is a brilliant chronicle of an artist’s emergence—a young man’s still achingly fresh memories of his unhappy adolescence and his glorious discovery of self. Wojnarowicz recalls his life on Manhattan’s Lower East Side with no shame or regret, and shares his hitchhiking journeys across the country. He talks of art and love and sex—embracing who he is fully and accepting his heartbreaking fate without pathos—while providing fascinating glimpses into the vibrant and colorful New York art scene and poignant views of life and death among the AIDS community. At once frightening and courageous, joyous and disturbing, enlightening and honest, In the Shadow of the American Dream is a treasured addition to the enduring literary legacy of David Wojnarowicz and a true testament to his unique brilliance.
Faith, family, hard work, and second chances are at the core of every great American story, and Jenny Doan’s story is just that. In her new memoir, How to Stitch an American Dream, readers will discover the behind-the-scenes success story of the Missouri Star Quilt Company and Jenny’s remarkable journey to overcome hardship, claim the abundance of family, and ignite the power of giving—all while revitalizing a small town along the way. Over the last decade, the Doan family business, the Missouri Star Quilt Company in tiny Hamilton, Missouri, has grown from Jenny’s corner shop--with one quilting machine and two bolts of fabric for sale in the back--to become the largest supplier of pre-cut quilting fabric in the headquarters of Jenny’s world-famous YouTube tutorial videos. Jenny is now giving her fans, the business world, and moms of all ages (and grandmas too!) what they’ve been asking for: the full story of her journey, from her humble beginnings as a homeschooling mom, to founding MSQC in her fifties, through the remarkable success and inspiration she’s so well-known for today. In this book, you’ll learn: How she and her beloved husband, Ron, raised seven children on a shoestring budget— and had fun doing it; How, after a string of bad luck, the family made a prayer-based decision to leave California behind and start over again in rural Missouri, even though they had no place to live, no jobs lined up, and no idea how they were going to make it; How Jenny, Ron and their children worked side-by-side to patch together a family home out of a crumbling shell of a farmhouse; And how their faith, hard work, and generosity not only carried them through the hard times, but led directly to the success of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. How to Stitch an American Dream will make you laugh, cry, say “bless your heart.”
"The bestselling author of Bowling Alone offers [an] ... examination of the American Dream in crisis--how and why opportunities for upward mobility are diminishing, jeopardizing the prospects of an ever larger segment of Americans"--
For most, 'to live the dream' is often just a laughable expression we use to describe our temporary good fortune. Not with Matt Modleski. When you read his book, you will see just how real this man lived not only his dream, but lived every day to make himself, his organization and his country better than it was the day before. Matt and I were USAF fighter pilots together, training and flying demanding missions in Europe and Southwest Asia. The excitement of flying fighters, the courage required to do it effectively, and Matt's pursuit to be the best, are all here in The American Dream. Matt also passionately reflects his insightful look at our country today. He offers a most valuable and much needed review and an eye-opening process that defines a needed course of action for our Nation. Matt shows how putting emphasis on accountability will not only "right the ship," but get our country back on course and the path our Founders intended. Reading this personal and extremely thought-provoking memoir will leave you motivated and energized. It is a great story of a modern-day American Patriot - one who is not just waving the flag, but is carrying it Bill Rial Colonel, USAF (Ret) In 1980 when Matt "Mods" Modleski joined the Air Force, less than 100 Americans had served as Thunderbird demonstration pilots. In The American Dream you'll learn about Matt's journey to join them. See how a small town boy from a working middle class family, had the audacity to dream big, and rose from the enlisted ranks to fly as a Thunderbird pilot You'll follow Matt though the mischievous adventures of his youth, and see firsthand an unwavering persistence to overcome obstacles. But Matt's journey doesn't stop there. And in the second half of this book, you'll learn about his dream for the America he wants to leave to our children and grand children. It's a big dream, built on the core American values of Family, Faith, Competitive Spirit, Perseverance and Accountability. Whether you're joining Matt in the cockpit of his F-16, or navigating through his vision of the way forward for America, you'll be happy you decided to ride along
Sonam is super excited! Her husband Raj, an IT professional, has been posted in the US of A on a project for his company. Together with their 2-year-old son, Rahul, they relocate to the States. Sonam has starry eyed dreams and ambitions about her new life in the US --- an A-list designer wardrobe, a huge mansion with a pool, Instagramming her life in the coolest and most spectacular parts of America and most of all becoming a hotshot banker downtown, number crunching effortlessly on the phone, cracking complex financial deals while looking Gucci cool! But, it isn’t happening. And in her heart, Sonam yearns for India. However, Raj loves his work and their new life in the US. Return to India? No way! Meanwhile little Rahul just wants his parents to be together, happy like they used to be ... Then, through an unexpected turn of events, suddenly all of Sonam’s dreams are poised to come true. Investor meetings, downtown office, a designer wardrobe - all of it can be hers - if she wants it. Now, Sonam is faced with some pretty tough decisions - and no, not which flavor of latte or mocha to order from Starbucks ... The American Dream offers a hilarious, sometimes poignant look at the emotional roller coaster when one immigrates from their motherland to settle abroad. "Compulsively readable. Funny, light and zippy" -Seeta lyer, top blogger at Momspresso
Follows the historical saga of the Crown family, German immigrants who settle in Chicago, as they participate in the events of the early twentieth century
Unlocking the American Dream At a time when deep divisions headline the national discourse on equality, Reclaiming the American Dream: Proven Solutions for Creating Economic Opportunity for All uses real-world examples to illustrate how America can evolve to include everyone in its promise of opportunity. Living Cities President and CEO Ben Hecht has spent decades exploring how leaders take proactive measures to combat growing racial disparity, without relying on slow-moving policies or the whims of Washington, D.C., to make changes in their own backyards. The strategies highlighted in Reclaiming the American Dream offer a blueprint for how communities can rekindle the promise of the American Dream through improving educational opportunities, strengthening civic engagement, and providing a ladder to economic security. Each of us—whether as an elected leader, engaged neighbor, corporate CEO, philanthropist, or investor—can act right now to secure the economic future of our country and help level the playing field for struggling Americans everywhere.