Collection: Biography & Memoir

Mammoth Cave, a National Park in Brownsville, Kentucky, is the world's largest cavern with more than 400 miles of cavern space. The first to explore the cave was an enslaved Black man, Stephen Bishop. With bravery and a curious mind, Bishop became a popular tour guide and mapped out the extensive caverns, all while remaining enslaved. Learn about this respected explorer's work in this inspiring graphic novel.

Explore the depths of love and loss across three generations of women

Hummingbird is a spiritual memoir about the connection between three generations of women--the author, her mother and her beloved maternal grandmother whose wisdoms taught the author how to exist in the world by following her intuition and listening to her heart. Follow Diana on a journey of more than five decades as an author, nurse, research psychologist, teacher, cancer survivor, and more. With insightful prompts, the reader is also invited to explore their own ancestral connections.

"...Raab offers poignant and thoughtful insights to help us heal intergenerational trauma. Raab rightly reminds us that our ancestors live on in us and we are invited to call on them anytime we need help..." -- SONIA CHOQUETTE, New York Times bestselling author, The Answer is Simple and Ask Your Guides

"Diana Raab knows the terrain of the human heart... she invites readers to reflect upon their own life's journeys and to use writing and journaling to navigate a pathway for healing..." -- TERRA TREVOR, author of We Who Walk the Seven Ways

"Hummingbird is not only a poignant spiritual memoir, it is an invitation. Raab is accessible and authentic... She opens hearts and deftly offers insightful prompts, sweetly encouraging the reader's collaboration." -- MARILYN KAPP, author of Love is Greater Than Pain

"With disarming honesty, Raab slows down our jittery minds to share the intimacies of experiencing trauma and healing self-care in a way that they feel as normal as sleeping and eating... A safety net for the reader to explore their own path to hope." -- TRISTINE RAINER, author of Your Life as Story, and The New Diary

DIANA RAAB, PhD is an award-winning memoirist, poet, workshop facilitator, thought leader and survivor. She is the author of 13 books and frequently speaks and writes on the topics of healing and transformation. Raab is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and her work has been published and anthologized worldwide. To learn more, visit: https: //www.dianaraab.com

Learn more at www.DianaRaab.com

From Modern History Press

How do you define hope and healing when faced with an early death?

At 35 and newly married, psychotherapist and Buddhist practitioner Teri Dillion had tidy answers on offer for creating a meaningful and beautiful life. But once diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and told to get her affairs in order before facing total paralysis and death, she finds all smug psychology and easy equanimity no match for her new harrowing prognosis.

With a humorous exploration of the current landscapes of alternative medicine and self-help, No Pressure, No Diamonds recounts Teri's powerful journey while shedding light on the fragile blessings of embodiment in general. As she grows increasingly disillusioned with toxic positivity and bypassing spiritual gurus in her determined pursuit of a miraculous cure, she's forced to examine her deepest beliefs and define her own faith about hope, and healing.

Inspiring, entertaining, and deeply moving, this memoir will resonate with anyone forced to grapple with chronic or terminal illness. Teri's story teaches us how the most brilliant jewels of meaning and resilience can be found not in conventional narratives of triumphant recovery, but in what we painstakingly and lovingly carve for ourselves out of life's roughest blows.

The first Navajo woman surgeon combines western medicine and traditional healing.

A spellbinding journey between two worlds, this remarkable book describes surgeon Lori Arviso Alvord's struggles to bring modern medicine to the Navajo reservation in Gallup, New Mexico--and to bring the values of her people to a medical care system in danger of losing its heart.

Dr. Alvord left a dusty reservation in New Mexico for Stanford University Medical School, becoming the first Navajo woman surgeon. Rising above the odds presented by her own culture and the male-dominated world of surgeons, she returned to the reservation to find a new challenge. In dramatic encounters, Dr. Alvord witnessed the power of belief to influence health, for good or for ill. She came to merge the latest breakthroughs of medical science with the ancient tribal paths to recovery and wellness, following the Navajo philosophy of a balanced and harmonious life, called Walking in Beauty. And now, in bringing these principles to the world of medicine, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear joins those few rare works, such as Healing and the Mind, whose ideas have changed medical practices-and our understanding of the world.

One father, three years, and thousands of rides

Poverty, By America meets Maid in this dad's darkly humorous yet humanizing story of working long hours and late nights behind the wheel as a rideshare driver

Jonathan Rigsby spends his days as a crime intelligence analyst and his nights as an Uber driver. Reeling from his divorce and struggling to pay rent while caring for his autistic son, Rigsby became a rideshare driver, joining the millions of people with a side hustle just to make ends meet.

With a compelling blend of honesty and sardonic wit, Rigsby invites readers into his car to reveal the harsh reality of gig work for so many: grueling hours, living paycheck to paycheck, and hoping to avoid disaster long enough to prepare for the next bill. Along the way, he showcases the humor and humanity in the private moments of vulnerability that happen when people are left alone with a stranger -- from the amusing tales of drunk college students to a passenger getting sick on the dashboard, a mother expressing distress about her son's addiction, and a violent encounter on the job.

Unflinching and raw, Drive exposes an ugly truth that hides in the gaudy background of the American dream: you can do everything right and still fail. Buckle up.

As urgent, resonant, and essential as The Fire Next Time and Between the World and Me, a poetic, raw, and inspirational love letter from the bestselling author of Buck, written to a nephew who was shot nine times and survived--a reflection on life, overcoming odds, finding your voice, and the power of music and family.

Waiting in the emergency room at Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia where his eighteen-year-old nephew, Nasir, lay unconscious after being shot nine times, MK Asante began pouring his heart and soul into a series of letters to a beautiful, dying Black boy so full of life.

As Nasir fought for survival, MK realized there was so much--too much--that he had kept from his nephew, starting with the truth about his father, MK's brother, Uzi, whom Nasir had never met. MK could no longer remain silent because in many ways, his nephew was repeating the mistakes of the past. MK began his confessional to repair family bonds--to save Nasir from the same streets that stole his father and to introduce him to the man and family history the young man had never known. The result is this beautiful, poignant, and honest family memoir.

Nephew introduces us to two men, strangers to each other, whose similarities are astonishing. Both have red hot tempers, both struggle with opioid addiction, and most profoundly, both are lyrical geniuses whose raps are raw, powerful, and autobiographical. Yet neither had ever heard the other's lyrics. As he tells his family's story, MK draws vivid portraits of both Nasir and Uzi through their songs--lyrics that become the touchstone of their relationship. When father and son eventually meet, they confront each other and share a dialogue through their lyrics.

An explosive, innovative memoir of family, faith, poetry, secrets, love, race, poverty, redemption, addiction, Philadelphia, hip-hop, jail, purpose, mental health, and violence. Nephew is fast-paced, intimate, lyrical, educational, and inspirational. It is the epic, painful, poetic, and miraculous redemptive story of a new generation--a new style of memoir for a new decade, the rhythmic story of a family in love, struggle, and verse.

A fearless deep dive into the 2020 election from former MSNBC "Road Warrior" and now NBC Capitol Hill correspondent Ali Vitali, who covered the campaign trail every step of the way--investigating the gendered double standards placed on women presidential candidates of that cycle and those who came before, and what it will take for a woman to finally break the glass ceiling and win the White House.

Opening with the moment when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were finally declared the winners of the 2020 race--the long, drawn-out journey towards who would next inhabit the White House, and the resulting and disputed defeat of Donald Trump, Electable is a sweeping look at a lingering question from that Presidential race. Why, when we saw more women run for President of the United States than ever before in our history, did we still not cross that final hurdle?

Following the 2020 race minute by minute as the reporter embedded with Elizabeth Warren, Ali Vitali witnessed up-close the way that our most recent election was unique--not simply for the way in which the incumbent conducted himself, but for the ways in which the field, rich with Democrats from all kinds of backgrounds, was both modern but also more of the same. With more female candidates than ever before, this was a history-making race, and yet these women--most of them incredibly qualified with decades of public service on their resumes--dealt once again with a different level of scrutiny than their male counterparts. Woven throughout is close examination of the treatment of Hillary Clinton, Geraldine Ferraro, Shirley Chisholm, and those on the right as well. Grappling with ideas around the "likeability" and "electability" issues, as well as fundraising hurdles many female candidates face, Vitali asks the same questions she and so many have been grappling with for decades, but especially since Hillary Clinton's devastating defeat in 2016: Why is it so hard for a woman to be taken seriously as a presidential contender? What will it take for men and women to be held to the same standard? What happens next?

Electable tackles these questions, with specific, behind-the-scenes, play-by-play detail.

Gabbard, Harris, Williamson, Gillibrand, Warren, Klobuchar...and then there were none.

After enduring years of hunger, deprivation, and devastating loss at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, ten-year-old Loung Ung became the "lucky child," the sibling chosen to accompany her eldest brother to America while her one surviving sister and two brothers remained behind. In this poignant and elegiac memoir, Loung recalls her assimilation into an unfamiliar new culture while struggling to overcome dogged memories of violence and the deep scars of war. In alternating chapters, she gives voice to Chou, the beloved older sister whose life in war-torn Cambodia so easily could have been hers. Highlighting the harsh realities of chance and circumstance in times of war as well as in times of peace, Lucky Child is ultimately a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and to the salvaging strength of family bonds.

A Midshipman's Journey: Plebe to Officer at the United States Naval Academy Through a Graduate's Eyes and Painter's Brush explores the United States Naval Academy experience through paintings and prose.

With a focus on the human moments of an institutional process, this book reflects the essence of the transformation from plebe to officer through impressionistic paintings and honest writing. Paintings and words by Kristin (Otterson) Cronic, United States Naval Academy class of 2011.

WARREN BUFFETT BOOK FOR KIDS:

Dive into the fascinating world of finance with "Warren Buffett," the ultimate biography tailored just for curious young minds! Join us on an exciting adventure through the life of the Oracle of Omaha himself, Warren Buffett, as we unravel the secrets behind his incredible success.

In this captivating and kid-friendly read, discover how a young boy with a passion for numbers and a knack for making smart decisions transformed into one of the world's most celebrated investors. From delivering newspapers and selling gums to becoming a billionaire philanthropist, Buffett's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Explore the colorful pages filled with engaging anecdotes, quirky facts, and valuable life lessons that will inspire young readers to dream big and think wisely about their own financial futures. Through simple language and lively illustrations, this book demystifies complex financial concepts, making them accessible and fun for children of all ages.

Packed with humor, wisdom, and interactive activities, "Buffett's Big Bucks" is not just a biography-it's a financial adventure that will empower young readers to start thinking like little investors. Whether your child dreams of being the next business tycoon or simply wants to understand the magic behind money, this book is the perfect gateway to the exciting world of Warren Buffett! So grab a seat, buckle up, and get ready for a journey into the heart of finance that will leave kids eager to create their own path to prosperity.

Features:

• Large print for easy reading.
• Filled with illustrations and Images for more interesting reading.
• Top notch quality colored paper quality.
• Suitable for Educational purposes.

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Featuring a new introduction by Ken Liu, this revised edition of Ursula K. Le Guin's first full-length collection of essays covers her background as a writer and educator, on fantasy and science fiction, on writing, and on the future of literary science fiction.

"We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks to the language of the night." --Ursula K. Le Guin

Le Guin's sharp and witty voice is on full display in this collection of twenty-four essays, revised by the author a decade after its initial publication in 1979. The collection covers a wide range of topics and Le Guin's origins as a writer, her advocacy for science fiction and fantasy as mediums for true literary exploration, the writing of her own major works such as A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness, and her role as a public intellectual and educator. The book and each thematic section are brilliantly introduced and contextualized by Susan Wood, a professor at the University of British Columbia and a literary editor and feminist activist during the 1960s and '70s.

A fascinating, intimate look into the exceptional mind of Le Guin whose insights remain as relevant and resonant today as when they were first published.

Walt Gasson can claim his spot among the best Western essayists of our time. His authentic style mixes grit with grace, faith with fortitude and family. Most importantly his pieces exude genuine love and respect-for people, traditions, Wyoming landscapes and the wild creatures we share open spaces with-and I think all of us, everywhere, can use a little more of that. Walt's writing voice is distinctive... earned... cultivated.

Along a little creek near the tiny community of Opal, Wyoming was the Gasson family sheep ranch. Neither the creek nor the ranch was much of a going concern. But from this place grew the rich stories of the men and women who pioneered the West. Walt Gasson continues the tradition of storytelling in this collection of essays about life in the Green River country.

Not So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.

Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles' growth. As a result, his body hasn't grown bigger and stronger as he's gotten older--it's gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn't stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017

In the bestselling tradition of The HP Way, The Spirit to Serve describes how one of the most successful hoteliers of the twentieth century built Marriott International from a respectable $50-million-a-year enterprise into the mammoth $9-billion multinational giant of today. Told in the words of J. W. Marriott, Jr., The Spirit to Serve distills years of hard-earned wisdom and experience into twelve timeless lessons that managers at any level can implement in their own business lives.

Love's Work is at once a memoir and a work of philosophy. Written by the English philosopher Gillian Rose as she was dying of cancer, it is a book about both the fallibility and the endurance of love, love that becomes real and lasting through an ongoing reckoning with its own limitations. Rose looks back on her childhood, the complications of her parents' divorce and her dyslexia, and her deep and divided feelings about what it means to be Jewish. She tells the stories of several friends also laboring under the sentence of death. From the sometimes conflicting vantage points of her own and her friends' tales, she seeks to work out (seeks, because the work can never be complete--to be alive means to be incomplete) a distinctive outlook on life, one that will do justice to our yearning both for autonomy and for connection to others. With droll self-knowledge ("I am highly qualified in unhappy love affairs," Rose writes, "My earliest unhappy love affair was with Roy Rogers") and with unsettling wisdom ("To live, to love, is to be failed"), Rose has written a beautiful, tender, tough, and intricately wrought survival kit packed with necessary but unanswerable questions.

*Soon to be a major motion picture--Rob Peace--starring Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Chiwetel Ejiofor*

*Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, and more* The New York Times bestselling account of a young African-American man who escaped Newark, NJ, to attend Yale, but still faced the dangers of the streets when he returned is, "nuanced and shattering" (People) and "mesmeric" (The New York Times Book Review).

When author Jeff Hobbs arrived at Yale University, he became fast friends with the man who would be his college roommate for four years, Robert Peace. Robert's life was rough from the beginning in the crime-ridden streets of Newark in the 1980s, with his father in jail and his mother earning less than $15,000 a year. But Robert was a brilliant student, and it was supposed to get easier when he was accepted to Yale, where he studied molecular biochemistry and biophysics. But it didn't get easier. Robert carried with him the difficult dual nature of his existence, trying to fit in at Yale, and at home on breaks.

A compelling and honest portrait of Robert's relationships--with his struggling mother, with his incarcerated father, with his teachers and friends--The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace encompasses the most enduring conflicts in America: race, class, drugs, community, imprisonment, education, family, friendship, and love. It's about the collision of two fiercely insular worlds--the ivy-covered campus of Yale University and the slums of Newark, New Jersey, and the difficulty of going from one to the other and then back again. It's about trying to live a decent life in America. But most all this "fresh, compelling" (The Washington Post) story is about the tragic life of one singular brilliant young man. His end, a violent one, is heartbreaking and powerful and "a haunting American tragedy for our times" (Entertainment Weekly).