For nearly four decades, Christopher Hitchens was telling us what we confront when we grapple with first principles --- the principles of reason, tolerance and skepticism that define the foundations of our civilization. Here, he supplies fresh perspectives on such figures as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Rebecca West, George Orwell and J.G. Ballard. His intrepid discussions are gathered from a lifetime of traveling and reporting all over the world.

For nearly four decades, Christopher Hitchens was telling us what we confront when we grapple with first principles --- the principles of reason, tolerance and skepticism that define the foundations of our civilization. Here, he supplies fresh perspectives on such figures as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Rebecca West, George Orwell and J.G. Ballard. His intrepid discussions are gathered from a lifetime of traveling and reporting all over the world.

The first new book of essays by Christopher Hitchens since 2004, ARGUABLY offers an indispensable key to understanding the passionate and skeptical spirit of one of our most dazzling writers, widely admired for the clarity of his style, a result of his disciplined and candid thinking. Topics range from ruminations on why Charles Dickens was among the best of writers and the worst of men to the haunting science fiction of J.G. Ballard; from the enduring legacies of Thomas Jefferson and George Orwell to the persistent agonies of anti-Semitism and jihad. Hitchens even looks at the recent financial crisis and argues for arthe enduring relevance of Karl Marx. The book forms a bridge between the two parallel enterprises of culture and politics. It reveals how politics justifies itself by culture, and how the latter prompts the former. In this fashion, ARGUABLY burnishes Christopher Hitchens' credentials as --- to quote Christopher Buckley --- our "greatest living essayist in the English language."

Covert-One's top operative, army microbiologist Colonel Jon Smith, is sent to investigate an attack in Uganda, and finds evidence of a parasitic infection that for centuries has been causing violent insanity and then going dormant. This time, though, it's different. 

Covert-One's top operative, army microbiologist Colonel Jon Smith, is sent to investigate an attack in Uganda, and finds evidence of a parasitic infection that for centuries has been causing violent insanity and then going dormant. This time, though, it's different. 

With U.S. intelligence agencies wracked by internal power struggles and paralyzed by bureaucracy, the President was forced to establish his own clandestine group --- -Covert-One. It is only activated as a last resort, when the threat is on a global scale and time is running out.

In northern Uganda, an American special forces team is decimated by a group of normally peaceful farmers. Video of the attack shows even women and children possessing almost supernatural speed and strength, consumed with a rage that makes them immune to pain, fear, and all but the most devastating injuries. 

Covert-One's top operative, army microbiologist Colonel Jon Smith, is sent to investigate the attack and finds evidence of a parasitic infection that for centuries has been causing violent insanity and then going dormant. This time, though, it's different. The parasite had been purposely kept alive and crudely transmitted in acts of terrorism. Now the director of Iranian Intelligence is in Uganda trying to obtain this biological weapon to unleash it on the West. 

Smith and his team are ambushed and cut off from all outside support just as they begin to suspect that forces much more powerful than the Iranians are in play-forces that can be traced to Washington itself.

Philippa Gregory and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. 

Philippa Gregory and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. 

Philippa Gregory and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII.

In her essay on Jacquetta, Philippa Gregory uses original documents, archaeology, and histories of myth and witchcraft to create the first-ever biography of the young duchess who survived two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at two rival courts. David Baldwin, established authority on the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the first commoner to marry a king of England for love; and Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes of Margaret Beaufort, the almost-unknown matriarch of the House of Tudor.

In the introduction, Gregory writes revealingly about the differences between history and historical fiction. How much of a role does speculation play in writing each? How much fiction and how much fact should there be in a historical novel? How are female historians changing our view of women in history?

THE WOMEN OF THE COUSINS' WAR is beautifully illustrated with rare portraits and source materials. As well as offering fascinating insights into the inspirations behind Philippa Gregory’s fiction, it will appeal to all with an interest in this period.

In this, his last novel, Jose Saramago daringly reimagines the characters and narratives of the Bible through the story of Cain. Condemned to wander forever after he kills Abel, he is whisked around in time and space. 

In this, his last novel, Saramago daringly reimagines the characters and narratives of the Bible through the story of Cain. Condemned to wander forever after he kills Abel, he is whisked around in time and space. He experiences the almost-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, the Tower of Babel, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Joshua at the battle of Jericho, Job’s ordeal, and finally Noah’s ark and the Flood. And over and over again Cain encounters an unjust, even cruel God. A startling, beautifully written, and powerful book, in all ways a fitting end to Saramago’s extraordinary career.

In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye and before he became a nationally known star.

In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye and before he became a nationally known star.

Emmy Award-winner John Lithgow presents a charming, witty, and revealing memoir about his family, his work, and his life in DRAMA --- an intimate story of insights and inspirational reflections from one of America’s most beloved actors. Lithgow pays tribute to his father, his greatest influence, and relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, Meryl Streep, and Brian De Palma. A compelling reflection on the trials, triumphs and changes across his long career, Lithgow’s DRAMA illuminates the inner life of a celebrated talent, and points the way forward for anyone aspiring to greatness in their own life.