biography

Author Gary Paulsen relates tales from his youth in a small town in northwestern Minnesota in the late 1940s and early 1950s, such as skiing behind a souped-up car and imitating daredevil Evel Knievel.

Follows the popular children's author from her childhood years in Oregon through high school and into young adulthood, highlighting her family life and her growing interest in writing.

Chronicles the brave exploits of Jaap Penraat, a young Dutch man, who risked his life during World War II to save the lives of over 400 Jews.

Collects more than 100 short biographies with crime photos, mug shots, photos of victims and partners in crime, cops and prosecutors.

"From a leading scholar of sports and race, a story of two pioneering Black quarterbacks--one who became the first to win a Super Bowl, and one who couldn't make it in the racist world of the NFL. There is no position in pro sports more recognizable, lucrative, and important than NFL quarterback. But while the league itself has always been integrated, quarterbacking was the exclusive domain of white players for many years. When Doug Williams and Vince Evans arrived in the league in the late 1970s, Black players were often dismissed as lacking the intelligence and leadership skills of a QB. They got death threats, faced racist questions, and knew that a single mistake could end their careers at any moment. In this book, Grand Valley State professor Louis Moore tells the twin stories of Vince Evans--the electrifying player who should have succeeded, but could not overcome his numerous obstacles--and of Doug Williams--the star of the Washington Redskins, and the first Black quarterback to become a champion. He shows how easily Williams' triumphant story could have gone wrong, becoming another tale of supreme talent that the world only got to glimpse, and how his success changed the game and the country. A skillful blend of game-time drama and social commentary, this book captures one of the unheralded heroes of the NFL, and all that he meant, both on the field and off"--Provided by publisher.

Presents chronologically arranged biographical profiles of one hundred significant world leaders from throughout history, from Khufu to Lech Walesa.

"Albert Camus is one of the . . . philosophers of the twentieth century, as well as a . . . novelist. Active in the first half of the twentieth century, his views contributed to the rise of the philosophy known as absurdism, and his works have inspired numerous movies, and even pop songs, and are frequently referenced in contemporary politics. In this [book, the author] explores the life and work of a man full of contradictions, who occupied an ambiguous position in troubled and conflicted times. A fearless journalist who tirelessly investigated the terrible conditions of people in French-occupied Algeria in the 1930s, Camus also stated that the only salvation for France was to remain an 'Arab Power'. While he published articles during the German Occupation in a clandestine resistance newspaper, Camus also withdrew a chapter on Kafka to ensure that his philosophical treatise would pass the Nazi-controlled censorship. Over the course of his life he ranged from being strongly in favor of the death penalty to deploring it in his philosophy. Following a broad chronological framework, [the author] explores the major philosophical and literary works of Camus in the historical context in which they were written and published, and analyzes how the reception and popularity of these works are connected with contemporary political, social and cultural issues, shaping the ideological landscape that surrounds us"--Provided by publisher.

Contains brief biographies of one hundred artists who played key roles in the development of painting, sculpture, and photography, presented chronologically by date of birth.

The disability activist and social media influencer shares her story of living with a genetic bone and muscular disorder and the struggles that millions like her face in a society that makes them feel invisible.

A biography of singer Taylor Swift.