Just Plain Dick


Book Description

A behind-the-scenes, 60th anniversary commemoration of the 37th President's famous "Checkers" speech demonstrates how it salvaged a psychologically troubled Nixon's position on Eisenhower's Republican ticket, set the tone for the 1952 campaign and reflected period politics and culture. By the author of "What the Heck Are You Up To, Mr. President?"




Just Plain Dick


Book Description

It all started with some businessmen bankrolling Richard Nixon to become a “salesman against socialization.” But in this precursor to current campaign finance scandals, Nixon had some explaining to do to keep his place on Dwight Eisenhower's Republican ticket, so he took to the airwaves. The “Checkers” speech saved and bolstered Nixon's political career and set the tone for the 1952 campaign. Just Plain Dick is political history and more. It's the story of a young man nearing a nervous breakdown and staging a political comeback. While the narrative focuses tightly, almost cinematically, on the 1952 election cycle-from the spring primary season to the summer conventions, then to the allegations against Nixon through to the speech in September, and finally the election in November-Mattson also provides a broad-stroke depiction of American politics and culture during the Cold War.




It Was Nevada


Book Description

It Was Nevada is a hard hitting book following the adventures of Terry Hope from his earliest days, to his ultimate goal of working on a Nevada cattle ranch. Yet, fate has strange ways and Hope soon finds himself at the University of Nevada pursuing a master’s degree in agriculture and just as suddenly he finds himself on the staff as an assistant professor. Hope soon realizes that Nevada agriculture is in jeopardy. Dirty politics, federal intervention and a host of other questionable factors are at work. He and his close Basque friend, Peio “Pete” Echegoyen gradually grow into strong positions at the University. Together, they set out to do their utmost to protect Nevada agriculture. Hope convinces the dean of agriculture that the university must seek out and obtain a working cattle ranch. It’s now or never! The Nevada’s livestock industry is under siege. The goal is obtained, but ultimately at a terrible cost to not only Hope, but Nevada agriculture as well. It Was Nevada sets the stage for what was historically the state’s number one industry; it follows the industry’s struggle to survive as Nevada changes from the most rural state in the union to the most urban. The reader also has a chance to peek at some of Nevada’s more sinful sides. It’s a wild ride through the pages of Nevada history, some true, some fictional – it’s up to you to decide.




Juno's Song


Book Description

Join former literature professor Sean Byron McQueen as he returns to face big questions, big tech, Big Love, and death in his final thrilling adventure. It’s the summer of 2036, and Sean’s beloved, M, has been missing for nine years and is presumed dead. M’s cruel captors have “cursed” Sean with the promise of torture and death, forcing him to live off the grid in a remote Irish tower with a robotic manservant for friendship and protection. When Sean cautiously steps out of his cloistered life, he’s met with exponentially advanced AI and the long-promised, now looming date of alien arrival—9/9/36. Sean’s best friend and renowned writer of “alien lit,” Molly Quinn, leads a CE-5 movement promoting a peaceful alien welcome in opposition to international forces preparing for war. As Sean and Molly try to prevent an imminent War of the Worlds, he grapples with his feelings toward her. Can Sean love again while there’s any chance M still lives? Will he follow his spiritual guide, Juno, into self-realization? Or will his nemesis fulfill the curse, preventing Sean from living long enough to witness the alien arrival and write the final chapter of his Big Love story? With wit and bold imagination, Juno’s Song envisions a rapidly changing world of cutting-edge technology and advanced psychic powers that challenge what it means to be authentically human.




Maryland in Black and White


Book Description

These photographs reveal places we know but scarcely recognize and give us another look at the people of the greatest generation.




Dogmestic Violence


Book Description

Jeckle appears more human than dog. However, his attorney and barking interpreter, Juan Antonio, consistently argues that he should be judged as a dog. First, Jeckle is arraigned as an adult on several serious felony charges, before being transferred to juvenile court. There, he testifies about his experience in the K9 unit, goes after a flipped bone, and both he and Juan Antonio end up in juvenile hall. After Jeckle's escape, the two protagonists are returned to adult court for a preliminary hearing that leads to Flatton mental hospital and a ninety-day dognostic study to determine their competency to go to trial. Once at Flatton, Jeckle and Juan Antonio find themselves at the mercy of a giant counselor and a psycho/psychiatrist. At the end of the dognostic study, a riot allows all dogs to escape. The fleeing dogs soon find themselves racing south on California freeways and being pursued by helicopters, police, the news media, Governor Schwarzendogger, and others. The run leads into Mexico where the dogs run a race at a Tijuana dog racetrack and later party at Rosarito Beach. Unfortunately, Jeckle is finally extradited to Los Angeles to stand trial for all his alleged atrocities.




The Decline of America


Book Description

The Decline of America offers a carefully documented analysis of the last seventeen U.S. presidents. These men, eight Democrats and nine Republicans, have shaped the last 100 years, not only for America, but for the world. Each president is profiled with unsparing scrutiny so we can see where it’s all gone wrong. David Schein follows these critiques by proposing ways to improve America’s outlook for the next 100 years—before it’s too late.







The Powers That Be


Book Description

A Pulitzer Prize winner’s in-depth look at four media-business giants: CBS-TV, Time magazine, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. In this fascinating New York Times bestseller, the author of The Best and the Brightest, The Fifties, and other acclaimed histories turns his investigative eye to the rise of the American media in the twentieth century. Focusing on the successes and failures of CBS Television, Time magazine, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, David Halberstam paints a portrait of the era when large, powerful mainstream media sources emerged as a force, showing how they shifted from simply reporting the news to becoming a part of it. By examining landmark events such as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s masterful use of the radio and the unprecedented coverage of the Watergate break-in, Halberstam demonstrates how print and broadcast media as a whole became a player in society and helped shape public policy. Drawn from hundreds of exhaustive interviews with insiders at each company, and hailed by the Seattle Times as “a monumental X-ray study of power,” The Powers That Be reveals the tugs-of-war between political ambition and the quest for truth in a page-turning read. This ebook features an extended biography of David Halberstam.




Return to Sawyerton Springs


Book Description

Andrews shares a collection of hilariously heartwarming memories of his hometown of Sawyerton Springs. These reflective essays can help readers remember where life's greatest treasures can still be found.