In this meditative and lyrical collection, Tom McAllister challenges himself to write a short essay for every year he’s been alive. With each piece strictly limited to a maximum of 1,500 words, these 42 essays move fluidly through time, taking poetic leaps and ending up in places the reader does not expect. Funny, insightful, and open-hearted, It All Felt Impossible aims to tell the story of McAllister’s life through brief glimpses, anecdotes, and fragments that radiate outward an...

A Washington Post Notable Book of the YearA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year“Explosive” –Entertainment Weekly“Scalding” –The New Yorker“One of the most highly acclaimed novels of the year thus far.” –BustleFORMER TEACHER HAD MOTIVE. Recently suspended for a so-called outburst, high school English teacher Anna Crawford is stewin...

Born and raised in Eagles country, Tom McAllister learns from his father and brother the rules of being a football fan. Spending Sundays in the infamous 700 level of Veterans Stadium, or sitting in front of the TV with his father in a nearby recliner, Tom sees both the ugly and beautiful sides of Philadelphia football. Like all true Philadelphians, he connects with the players. From icons Chuck Bednarik and Steve Van Buren to modern-day greats Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, and Brian ...

FORMER TEACHER HAD MOTIVE. Recently suspended for a so-called outburst, high school English teacher Anna Crawford is stewing over the injustice at home when she is shocked to see herself named on television as a suspect in a shooting at the school where she works. Though she is quickly exonerated, and the actual teenage murderer identified, her life is nevertheless held up for relentless scrutiny and judgment as this quiet town descends into media mania. Gun sales skyrocket, victi...

The perfect gift for baseball fans, now with a new epilogue by author R.A. Dickey, winner of the 2012 Cy Young award."An astounding memoir—haunting and touching, courageous and wise."—Jeremy Schaap, bestselling author, Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPNIn 1996, R.A. Dickey was the Texas Rangers’ much-heralded No. 1 draft choice. Then, a routine physical revealed that his right elbow was missing its ulnar collateral ligament, and his lifelo...

Pete Sampras is arguably the greatest tennis player ever, a man whose hard-nosed work ethic led to an unprecedented number one world ranking for 286 weeks, and whose prodigious talent made possible a record-setting fourteen Grand Slam titles. While his more vocal rivals sometimes grabbed the headlines, Pete always preferred to let his racket do the talking.Until now.In A Champion’s Mind, the tennis great who so often exhibited visible discomfort with letting people...

"Every father of a special needs child should read" this memoir by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Friday Night Lights (Temple Grandin).Buzz Bissinger's twins were born just three minutes apart, yet life couldn't have dealt them more different hands. Now grown, Gerry is a graduate student at Penn, preparing to become a teacher. His twin brother, Zach, has spent his life attending special schools. He'll never drive a car, or kiss a girl...

The return of a sports classic with a new foreword by the authorFinally back in print after many years, here is Bill Lee’s classic tale of his renegade life on and off the mound. Whether walking out on the Montreal Expos to protest the release of a valued teammate or telling sportswriters eager for candid and offbeat comments more about the game than his bosses wanted anyone to know, pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee became celebrated as much for his rebellious personality as for his rem...

Widely considered America's greatest gymnast ever, Nastia Liukin has inspired an entire generation with her brilliant technique, remarkable sportsmanship and unparalleled artistry. A children's biography, ***Nastia Liukin: Ballerina of Gymnastics***traces the Olympic all-around champion's ascent from gifted child prodigy to queen of her sport.

A first-person account of the 1975 Major League Baseball season—the last year before free agency took over and changed the national pastime forever."One of the funniest baseball books I've ever read—who knew that a baseball beat writer could be so funny and clever!" —Bill Madden, New York Daily NewsIn The Last Real Season, Mike Shropshire captures the essence of a different time and place in baseball, whe...

An honest, unflinching self-portrait of the basketball legend, told in Julius "The Doctor" Erving's own voice. "A terrific memoir by a man worthy of one." — Sports IllustratedWith his flights of improvisation around the basket and his towering Afro, Julius Erving became one of the most charismatic (and revolutionary) players basketball has ever known. But while the public has long revered this cultural icon, few have known the double life ...

A treasury of witty quotes and wild stories covering decades of baseball history.Baseball is a funny game. No other sport can compare to the national pastime's vast catalog of silly quotations, unforgettable characters, memorable nicknames, and inventive pranks.Alphabetized by topic, The Funniest Baseball Book Ever captures the game in all its humorous glory. It's simply the most complete, contemporary resource for over a century of the sport's histo...