Rather than focusing on Virginia's political leaders, Virginia On My Mind: 400 Years of History surveys the broad landscape of the state's past. It chronicles Virginians' efforts to attain economic success and individual liberty with particular emphasis on commercial agriculture, African slavery, and the quest for racial equality. The text is divided into four parts. Part I covers the period from the first European encounters in North America through the ratification of the Constitution and discusses British, Native American, and American colonial objectives in the new world, as well as the growth of tobacco culture. Part II examines how the concept of "all men are created equal" failed in Virginia despite the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Marshall and how the idealism of the Revolution fell victim to partisan politics and deeply ingrained prejudices. Part III analyzes the experience of modern warfare in Virginia, highlighting the impact of "hard war" on civilians and soldiers. The final part traces the evolution of race relations from Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Compromise speech through the Great Depression and Civil Rights Movement to the present. The Federal government's expanding role in the state also receives significant attention. Virginia On My Mind provides students with a broad view of Virginia history from the settlement of Jamestown to the present. It was designed for history students and for those who plan to become classroom teachers. Virginia's K-12 Standards of Learning were taken into consideration in the design of the text and are broken out by chapter in an appendix. Philip D. Dillard is a United States Army veteran and a professor of history at James Madison University. He earned his Ph.D. in American history from Rice University and his master's degree in American history from the University of Georgia. His teaching and research areas of expertise include the Civil War, southern history, military history, and Caribbean history.

Introduction by Guy Friddell, author and columnist.

Alan Arkin, one of the most beloved and accomplished actors of our time, reveals a side of himself not often shown on stage or screen. Like many teenagers, 16-year-old Alan Arkin had it all figured out. Then came young adulthood, and with it a wave of doubt so strong it caused him to question everything he thought he knew about himself and the world. Ever skeptical and full of questions, Arkin embarked on a spiritual journey to find something—anything—to believe in. An existential crisis in his 30s led him to the study of Eastern philosophy. Soon he began opening himself to the possibility that there was more to life than what he had simply seen, heard, or been taught. In this "mini-memoir," the 84-year-old actor shares his powerful spiritual experiences, from his brush with reincarnation to the benefits of meditation. In a gruff, earthy voice that sounds more suited to a New York cabbie than a spiritual guide, he shows us that wisdom can come from the most unexpected places and teachers. Out of My Mind is a candid, relatable, and delightfully irreverent take on how one man went searching for meaning and ended up discovering himself.

Tracey Livesay makes her Avon Impulse debut with a sparkling and sexy novel about a woman who will do anything to fulfill her dreams… but discovers that even the best laid plans can fail when love gets in the way. Successful PR executive Chelsea Grant is one assignment away from making partner at her firm and nothing will stand in her way. Her big break? Turn a reclusive computer genius into a media darling in time for his new product launch. He may have been dubbed the "sexiest geek alive" but he has no patience for the press—and it shows. Piece of cake, right? Only problem is… his company doesn’t want him to know they hired her. After a disastrous product launch two years ago, tech CEO Adam Bennett knows the success of his new device depends on the media’s support. When a twist of fate brings the beautiful PR specialist to his door, Adam hires Chelsea to help turn his image around. Their attraction is undeniable and the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep things professional. But when Adam discovers Chelsea’s deception, will she risk everything for her career or is love the real thing on her mind?

Revolution on My Mind is a stunning revelation of the inner world of Stalin's Russia, showing us the minds and hearts of Soviet citizens who recorded their lives in diaries during an extraordinary period of revolutionary fervor and state terror. Jochen Hellbeck brings us face to face with gripping and unforgettably poignant life stories. This book brilliantly explores the forging of the revolutionary self in a study that speaks to the evolution of the individual in mass movements of our own time.

Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.