"Earth Songs" unveils extraordinary views of the world discovered by a soldier-turned-poet amid a bitter war and brittle peace. From flowers blooming in battle zones to a dying love's parting words, these poems crackle with life amid death, a storyteller's own true song.

Civic movements are essential to Americans' freedom and quality of life. Active citizens have led the way from the American Revolution to urban renewal. But fiery emotions and good intentions without skillful organization can lead to frustrated civic involvement. How can individual concerns be transformed into effective community action?

Jan Barry provides a pragmatic, common-sense handbook to civic action. Using case studies from his home state of New Jersey, Barry has crafted what he calls a "guidebook for creative improvement on the American dream." He dissects civic actions such as...

Belle was a young woman in a strange land, but the land was hers. She traveled from her Irish roots to the wild and wooley Oklahoma Territory. There with the help of a few interesting compadres she laid down roots and made her life. Around her the world was rapidly changing and Belle held on tight and rode right along with it. This is a tale of a life lived well in a time of change and disaster. But Belle lived on the flipside and made the very best of every moment she was given.