Piano Lessons is Noah Adams's delightful and moving chronicle of his fifty-second year--a year already filled with long, fast workdays and too little spare time--as he answers at last a lifelong call: to learn to play the piano. The twelve monthly chapters span from January--when after decades of growing affection for keyboard artists and artisans he finally plunges in and buys a piano--through December, when as a surprise Christmas present for his wife he dresses in a tuxedo and, in flickering candlelight, snow falling outside the windows, he attempts their favorite piece of music, a...

With his sharp eye and gentle wit, Noah Adams doesn't just tell stories, he lets them unfold quietly, powerfully, and eloquently. Now the beloved host of NPR's All Things Considered and bestselling author of Piano Lessons takes us on a river journey through the heart of Appalachia--a journey shared by pioneers and preachers, white-water daredevils, bluegrass musicians, and an unforgettable cast of vivid historical characters.

Noah Adams has Appalachia in his blood. A native of eastern Kentucky, he comes to the headwaters of the New River not just in search of adventure but...

Over its 20-year history, National Public Radio's "All things Considered" has become a daily "must-listen" for millions of Americans. Now host Noah Adams gives listeners a "must-read" look behind the scenes at this landmark show. The result is a delight for every fan of what Time calls "the most literate, trenchant, and entertaining news program on the radio".

The Saint Croix River Valley is a remarkable part of Minnesota and Wisconsin that combines stunning natural beauty with small-town life. Here, Noah Adams reflects with humor and pathos on the small things that add up to the good life -- watching a Christmas pageant, spotting eagles, listening to ghost stories, and paddling down the Saint Croix River. This collection, originally written for broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio's Good Evening, is one to cherish and reread.