Sattar, an indigent peasant farmer finds a tree branch that seems perfect for a cane. He ties a few strings to it to mark the branch for cutting in the spring. He intends to fashion the beautiful branch into a cane and offer it for sale in the village market.

The strings tied to the branch mislead a few women of the village into believing that a new saint has been found. Later, when Sattar returns to his branch, he realizes that the tree has become the target of the villagers' worship. Poverty prevents him from abandoning his plan for the exquisite branch. He cuts it and thus causes his own tragic demise.

Once invented, the saint takes a life of its own and leads the naïve villagers to actions that are even more asinine than murdering the impoverished young farmer.

Sattar, an indigent peasant farmer finds a tree branch that seems perfect for a cane. He ties a few strings to it to mark the branch for cutting in the spring. He intends to fashion the beautiful branch into a cane and offer it for sale in the village market.

The strings tied to the branch mislead a few women of the village into believing that a new saint has been found. Later, when Sattar returns to his branch, he realizes that the tree has become the target of the villagers' worship. Poverty prevents him from abandoning his plan for the exquisite branch. He cuts it and thus causes his own tragic demise.

Once invented, the saint takes a life of its own and leads the naïve villagers to actions that are even more asinine than murdering the impoverished young farmer.

In telling her story, Susan becomes more determined to escape her situation and inspire the brooding and mysterious Hawthorne. A Rose on Gallows Hill pictures the life of this enchanting maid in the year before Hawthorne begins writing his masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter.

In telling her story, Susan becomes more determined to escape her situation and inspire the brooding and mysterious Hawthorne. A Rose on Gallows Hill pictures the life of this enchanting maid in the year before Hawthorne begins writing his masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter.

During the coming years he learns that people can be very different than he'd imagined, life is a little more difficult than he'd been led to believe, and growing up is decidedly more painful than he would prefer.

Small business was once a mom and pop operation on any street in America. The same term currently applies to a company of 500 employees. With single enterprises consuming more acreage than a farm, what possible motivation drives a few to unlock the door into a tiny shop? What brings them 6 or 7 days each week to a space likely smaller than their competitors' bathrooms?

Perhaps the mom and pop is a dinosaur, reeling briefly in a wake of the comet of change. Jewels from my Pocket provides a brief glimpse into the culture of a truly small business through the eyes of a Midwestern lad who happens into a summer job that alters his course in life.

During the coming years he learns that people can be very different than he'd imagined, life is a little more difficult than he'd been led to believe, and growing up is decidedly more painful than he would prefer.

Small business was once a mom and pop operation on any street in America. The same term currently applies to a company of 500 employees. With single enterprises consuming more acreage than a farm, what possible motivation drives a few to unlock the door into a tiny shop? What brings them 6 or 7 days each week to a space likely smaller than their competitors' bathrooms?

Perhaps the mom and pop is a dinosaur, reeling briefly in a wake of the comet of change. Jewels from my Pocket provides a brief glimpse into the culture of a truly small business through the eyes of a Midwestern lad who happens into a summer job that alters his course in life.

Jack Engelhard’s Indecent Proposal remains one of the most famous novels around the world. The novel was translated into more than 22 languages and sold millions of copies from continent to continent. Hollywood then turned Engelhard’s high-concept moral dilemma into a box office smash. Over $266 million worth of tickets were sold internationally from a Paramount movie of the same name featuring Robert Redford and Demi Moore.

The theme is eternal, even biblical – temptation! The plot that has riveted the world’s readers and moviegoers? A destitute couple try their luck in an Atlantic City casino. The wife, Joan, is utterly gorgeous. She attracts the attention of an oil rich sultan who can buy anything he sets his eyes on. Can he buy people? Can he “buy” Joan? To find out, read this novel that has entertained, provoked and captivated millions.

“Precise, almost clinical language – Is this book fun to read? You betcha.” The New York Times

“The prose is cool and muscular – in all, the fine tension between desire and high moral principle make Indecent Proposal and a fast and well-crafted book.” Philadelphia Inquirer

“Written with the sparseness of Hemingway but the moral intensity of I.B. Singer.” Michael Foster, author of Three in Love

Willa Cather, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, considered My Antonia to be one of her best works, and critic H.L. Mencken claimed it was one of the best American novels ever written. Published in 1918, the novel compassionately and intimately traces the story of a Bohemian family as they settle on the Great Plains in Nebraska. This American classic is still lauded internationally by scholars and everyday readers.