A collection of novellas offers an insightful take on life in America, from the Michigan Indian who struggles to raise a family with limited resources to the satirical "Republican Wives."

Thich Nhat Hanh tells how true power comes from within.

On a sultry summer night in 1915, Jay Follet leaves his house in Knoxville, Tennessee, to tend to his father, whom he believes is dying. The summons turns out to be a false alarm, but on his way back to his family, Jay has a car accident and is killed instantly, leaving his wife, brother, and young son to deal with his sudden death.

Words, Wisconsin, an anonymous town of only a few hundred people. But under its sleepy surface, life rages. Cora and Graham guard their dairy farm, and family, from the wicked schemes of their milk co-op. Lifelong paraplegic Olivia suddenly starts to walk, only to find herself crippled by her fury toward her sister and caretaker, Violet. Recently retired Rusty finds a cougar living in his haymow, dredging up haunting childhood memories. Winifred becomes...

"John Piper writes, "I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells. . . .' Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look,...

The First Family is a groundbreaking account of the crucial period when the American criminal underworld exploded with violent fury arcoss America. The author follows the rise of the Mafia in America from the 1890s to the 1920s, from the lawless villages of Sicily to the streets of Little Italy.

A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril returns to the noble household he once served as page, and is named secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is as assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions. But it is more than the traitorous...

"Samuel Parker is traveling through the mountains hoping to find a place to settle his two children before lung fever kills him when they help an injured man whom Samuel fears may be an outlaw. As the man heals, he directs Samuel to Absaroka Valley where they are drawn into the center of a land fight"--

How can we know who Christ really is? That question has been pondered through the ages. Yet the answer is simply that Jesus, as He is revealed through God's Word, has a glory -- an excellence, a spiritual beauty -- that speaks to our souls and says, "Yes, this is truth." It is like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing it is sweet. There is no more important issue in life than seeing Jesus for who He really is,...