National Network for Equitable Library Service

Reverend Al Sharpton will take you behind the scenes of some unexpected places--from officiating Michael Jackson's funeral, hanging out with Jay-Z and President Barack Obama at the White House, to taking charge of the Trayvon Martin case. And he will discuss how he came to his unexpected conclusions in such areas as immigration, gay rights, religion, and the family.

Stanley opens up about his expansive career as an old-time musician. Stanley grew up in the Virginia mountains and first learned music from his banjo-playing mother. He interrupted his musical career to farm for a short time, but soon returned to music with his brother Carter. Later in his career, Stanley gained popularity after being featured in the hit motion picture soundtrack for O Brother,Where Art Thou?

As Falkner traces the development of Jackie Robinson's natural skill and tireless dedication, he focuses on the strengths that earned Robinson a unique place on the diamond and in the struggle for civil rights.

Carlin has produced the definitive biography of the Boss himself--rock legend Bruce Springsteen. Drawing upon unfettered access to the singer as well as his closest friends and colleagues, Carlin examines the depths of this iconic figure and his considerable music catalog.

Based on interviews with the President himself and a wealth of letters, journals, and other documents, Maraniss' account spans Obama's childhood and political beginnings. Offering startling new insights, Maraniss reveals a man who struggled with his race and identity at a young age, but later embraced his strong character and ambition to rise to America's highest seat of power.

Smith profiles one of the 20th century's most innovative musical icons, the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Drawing on extensive research and captivating interviews, Smith chronicles Brown's rise from abject poverty to the pinnacle of fame, while also detailing Brown's work as a civil rights activist and entrepreneur.

He was known simply as the "Blind Traveller"--a solitary, sightless adventurer who, astonishingly, fought the slave trade in Africa, survived a frozen captivity in Siberia, hunted rogue elephants in Ceylon and helped chart the Australian outback. James Holman (1786-1857) became "one of the greatest wonders of the world he so sagaciously explored": in his day a celebrity, a bestselling author, but one who outlived his fame and died in obscurity.

On New Year's Eve 1972, following eighteen magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in this book.

In time for the Grateful Dead's fortieth anniversary, Phil Lesh offers the first behind-the-scenes history of the Dead. Lesh chronicles how the Dead's signature sound emerged, flowed, and swelled to reach millions of devoted fans, from their first gigs at Frenchy's Bikini-A-Go-Go for an audience of three, to the legendary Acid Tests, to packed stadiums around the world.

Bob Dylan's Chronicles: Volume One explores the critical junctions in his life and career.