Harper Lee and Me is the result of five years of study by David Dessauer, as he dissected and explored the various "secrets" he found in the epic book To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM). Although the author and Harper Lee never met, he felt an ongoing connection to her through his research, which involved finding secret metaphors, symbolism, allegories, and nuances in her writing. To get an even deeper understanding of Harper Lee's intent, Dessauer dug into the works that inspired her, including Les Misérables, the Bible and most of all, her beloved Rammer Jammer, a college magazine from her alma mater, the University of Alabama. In the end, Dessauer came to the conclusion that TKAM is a much deeper and more subtle book than most people realize, and he believes that he has uncovered the reason why Lee never spoke of the book for over 50 years. First time author David Dessauer is thrilled to see his long journey finally come to fruition. Over 5 years in the making with many a restless night trying to figure out all the ins and outs of the secrets that Harper Lee has surreptitiously inserted into To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a single father of 4 beautiful children, a former rugby player. He enjoys reading the classics, travelling, and scuba diving. He is a graduate of Wabash College, and as long as there is a quorum he can recite "Gunga Din" by heart.

New York Times Bestseller “A winning, nuanced portrait. . . . It seems unlikely we’ll ever have a better record of a remarkable American life.” —USA Today "There are many reasons to be grateful for The Mockingbird Next Door….A zesty account of two women living on their own terms yet always guided by the strong moral compass instilled in them by their father…. It is also an atmospheric tale of changing small-town America; of an unlikely, intergenerational friendship between the young author and her elderly subjects; of journalistic integrity; and of grace and fortitude…. The world [Mills] depicts is sadly gone, but—lucky for us—she caught it just in time."—Washington Post To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best loved novels of the twentieth century. Yet for the last fifty years, the novel’s celebrated author, Harper Lee, known to her friends as Nelle, has said almost nothing on the record. But in 2001, Nelle and her sister, Alice Finch Lee, opened their door to Chicago Tribune journalist Marja Mills. It was the beginning of a long conversation—and a wonderful friendship. Mills was given a rare opportunity to know Nelle, to be a part of the Lees’ life in Alabama, and to hear them reflect on their upbringing, their corner of the Deep South, and how To Kill a Mockingbird affected their lives.

The Addams Family is creepy and kooky, but wait till you see what their creator had in his apartment. In Charles Addams: A Cartoonist’s Life, meet the legendary cartoonist behind the altogether ooky Addams Family in this first biography, written with exclusive access to Charles Addams’s private archives. Take a front-row seat to the widespread rumors and storytelling genius behind one of America’s oddest and most iconic creators. Even as The Addams Family grew in fame, the life of Charles Addams remained shrouded in mystery. Did he really sleep in a coffin and drink martinis garnished with eyeballs? In reality, Addams himself was charismatic and spellbinding as the characters he created. Discover the real stories behind Addams’s most famous, and most private drawings, including the cartoon that offended the Nazis. From his dazzling love for sports cars and beautiful women—Jackie Kennedy and Joan Fontaine among them—to the darkest relationship of his life, this witty book reveals Addams’s life as never before. With rare family photographs, previously published cartoons, and private drawings seen here for the first time, Linda H. Davis provides a fascinating journey into the life of a beloved American icon.

Tom Santopietro, an author well-known for his writing about American popular culture, delves into the heart of the beloved classic and shows readers why To Kill a Mockingbird matters more today than ever before. With 40 million copies sold, To Kill a Mockingbird’s poignant but clear eyed examination of human nature has cemented its status as a global classic. Tom Santopietro's new book, Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters, takes a 360 degree look at the Mockingbird phenomenon both on page and screen. Santopietro traces the writing of To Kill a Mockingbird, the impact of the Pulitzer Prize, and investigates the claims that Lee’s book is actually racist. Here for the first time is the full behind the scenes story regarding the creation of the 1962 film, one which entered the American consciousness in a way that few other films ever have. From the earliest casting sessions to the Oscars and the 50th Anniversary screening at the White House, Santopietro examines exactly what makes the movie and Gregory Peck’s unforgettable performance as Atticus Finch so captivating. As Americans yearn for an end to divisiveness, there is no better time to look at the significance of Harper Lee's book, the film, and all that came after.

From celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee, her bestselling novels To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman available together in this convenient e-book bundle. Set in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, and featuring characters that have become indelible in American culture, Harper Lee’s beloved classic of Southern literature, To Kill a Mockingbird and its follow-up, Go Set a Watchman, offer a haunting portrait of race and class, innocence and injustice, hypocrisy and heroism, tradition and transformation in the Deep South of the 1930s and 1950s that resonates today. Enduring in vision, Harper Lee’s timeless novels illuminate the complexities of human nature and the depths of the human heart with humor, unwavering honesty, and a tender, nostalgic beauty, and will be celebrated by generations to come.

Kudzu River is a gripping tale of three women's lives entangled by a serial killer-a story of abuse, murder, and retribution. Unlike Fran Rizer's previous Callie Parrish mysteries, Kudzu River is not a cozy. When Teacher of the Year Katie Wray returns to her hometown, Tanner, SC, she expects to be met by her sister Maggie who borrowed Katie's apartment and car for the summer. Instead, she finds that both Maggie and the car have disappeared. Katie is furious that, once again, Maggie proved to be irresponsible. She suspects that Maggie has gone off with the man she'd told Katie she was dating-Frankie Barker. Katie's anger turns to fear when Sheriff Wade Jolley informs her that the Special .38 Colt Cobra revolver she borrowed from her ex has been found in an alley beside an unidentified corpse. Katie assures him the gun is at her apartment, but when they go there, the gun is missing along with Katie's televisions, computer, landline phones, and expensive coffee maker. The sheriff questions whether the John Doe is Frankie Barker and Maggie shot him or Frankie shot the unidentified man and Maggie is an unfound victim. More bodies are found. Someone is carving a trail of dead teachers along coastal Carolina, and Katie fears Maggie is dead. She tries to talk about it with her friend Samantha Branham (also a teacher), but Samantha is more concerned about fitting into a size two dress, blonder hair, and conquering smooth-talking womanizer Sam Campbell than the possibility of personal danger. Tennessee Linda Pearson, a life-long victim, is haunted by her past, her dead parents, and her love of Jack Daniel's whiskey. Horrible memories of her childhood and the husband she married to escape her parents fill her days and nightmares, leaving no room to be concerned about what goes on around her. Though his photo is being shown on media nation-wide as a person of interest in the serial killings, Linda fails to recognize the killer when she sees him. When the murders increase in frequency and violence, Katie receives macabre gifts and threatening messages targeting her as the next to die. Senior Agent John Gross, FBI profiler, suggests using her as bait to chum the waters for the murderer, but Sheriff Jolley refuses. Torn between his desire to end this death spree and growing feelings for Katie, he's already violated his usual strict adherence to protocol by allowing his attraction to her to dictate some questionable decisions. The killer is a threat to all women, especially teachers, but he targets Katie sending her macabre gifts and threatening messages. His confrontations are always deadly, and when he kidnaps Katie, the conclusion is explosive.

"This is a Borzoi book published by Alfred A. Knopf"--Title page verso.