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This epic work—winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize—tells the story of the Hemingses, whose close blood ties to our third president had been systematically expunged from American history until very recently. Now, historian and legal scholar Annette Gordon-Reed traces the Hemings family from its origins in Virginia in the 1700s to the family’s dispersal after Jefferson’s death in 1826. “Fascinating, wise and of the utmost importance…Gordon-Reed's genius for reading nearly silent records makes this an extraordinary work,” says Publishers Weekly in a starred review.

In this historic memoir, completed before his death, Senator Ted Kennedy takes us inside his family, re-creating life with his parents and brothers and explaining their profound impact on him. For the first time, he describes his heartbreak and years of struggle in the wake of their deaths, as well as his “inexcuseable” actions at Chappaquiddick. Through it all, he details his work in the Senate on the major issues of our time—civil rights, Vietnam, Watergate, the quest for peace in Northern Ireland—and the cause of his life: improved health care for all Americans. “Kennedy's conversational gifts and his sense of humor shine through True Compass, as does his old-school sense of public service and hard-won knowledge,” says The New York Times Book Review.

When former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed by friendly-fire in Iraq, there were many questions and no answers. Krakauer tackles the story with his typical dedication and fervor, following Tillman from his heyday as an Arizona Cardinal to his startling decision to leave the NFL and enlist in the United States Army. Krakauer’s chronicle of this egoless man who died in pursuit of what he believed shares much in common with his earlier work Into the Wild. Both challenge the concept of what it means to follow your heart, and what doing so can cost the people you love. War buffs, sports fans and mystery lovers will all be enthralled with this tragic tale. —ZGR

Anyone with a sister knows about the unique bond and fierce competition of sisterly love.   Tannen’s book explores this dynamic, including interviews with a diverse range of sister sets. Reading this book encouraged me to re-examine my relationship with my sister: now I see why we can drive each other so crazy! She’ll definitely be receiving a copy for her birthday. —KMS

Most of Thich Nhat Hanh's previous books have either provided an overview of the Buddhist path or offered guidance on specific problems ares in our lives, such as love, anger, power, or death. This new book focuses on Buddhist techniques and practices we can use to cut through the busyness and anxieties of daily life and discover the simple happiness of living in the present moment.