Best Selling Books by Ann Thompson

America''s urbanites have engaged in many tumultuous struggles for civil and worker rights since the Second World War. Heather Ann Thompson focuses in detail on the struggles of Motor City residents during the 1960s and early 1970s and finds that conflict continued to plague the inner city and its workplaces even after Great Society liberals committed themselves to improving conditions. Using the contested urban center of Detroit as a model, Thompson assesses the role of such upheaval in shaping the future of America''s cities. She argues that the glaring persistence of injustice and inequality led directly to explosions of unrest in this period. Thompson finds that unrest as dramatic as that witnessed during Detroit''s infamous riot of 1967 by no means doomed the inner city, nor in any way sealed its fate. The politics of liberalism continued to serve as a catalyst for both polarization and radical new possibilities and Detroit remained a contested, and thus politically vibrant, urban center. Thompson''s account of the post-World War II fate of Detroit casts new light on contemporary urban issues, including white flight, police brutality, civic and shop floor rebellion, labor decline, and the dramatic reshaping of the American political order. Throughout, the author tells the stories of real events and individuals, including James Johnson, Jr., who, after years of suffering racial discrimination in Detroit''s auto industry, went on trial in 1971 for the shooting deaths of two foremen and another worker at a Chrysler plant. Whose Detroit? brings the labor movement into the context of the literature of Sixties radicalism and integrates the history of the 1960s into the broader political history of the postwar period. Urban, labor, political, and African-American history are blended into Thompson''s comprehensive portrayal of Detroit''s reaction to pressures felt throughout the nation. With deft attention to the historical background and preoccupations of Detroit''s residents, Thompson has written a biography of an entire city at a time of crisis.

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah''s inspiring true story—which was turned into a film, Emmanuel''s Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled. Thompson''s lyrical prose and Qualls''s bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity. Includes an author''s note with more information about Emmanuel''s charity.

Historians have long been engaged in telling the story of the struggle for the vote. In the wake of recent contested elections, the suppression of the vote has returned to the headlines, as awareness of the deep structural barriers to the ballot, particularly for poor, black, and Latino voters, has called attention to the historical roots of issues related to voting access. Perhaps most notably, former state legislator Stacey Abrams’s campaign for Georgia''s gubernatorial race drew national attention after she narrowly lost to then-secretary of state Brian Kemp, who had removed hundreds of thousands of voters from the official rolls. After her loss, Abrams created Fair Fight, a multimillion-dollar initiative to combat voter suppression in twenty states. At an annual conference of the Organization of American Historians, leading scholars Carol Anderson, Kevin M. Kruse, Heather Cox Richardson, and Heather Anne Thompson had a conversation with Abrams about the long history of voter suppression at the Library Company of Philadelphia. This book is a transcript of that extraordinary conversation, edited by Jim Downs. Voter Suppression in U.S. Elections offers an enlightening, history-informed conversation about voter disenfranchisement in the United States. By gathering scholars and activists whose work has provided sharp analyses of this issue, we see how historians in general explore contentious topics and provide historical context for students and the broader public. The book also includes a “top ten” selection of essays and articles by such writers as journalist Ari Berman, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David Blight, and civil rights icon John Lewis.

In this masterful, groundbreaking work, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Heather Ann Thompson shines surprising new light on an infamous 1984 New York subway shooting that would unveil simmering racial resentments and would lead, in unexpected ways, to a fractured future and a new era of rage and violence. "A gripping and powerful account of one of the 20th century''s most important criminal cases." --James Foreman Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Locking Up Our Own On December 22, 1984, in a graffiti-covered New York City subway car, passengers looked on in horror as a white loner named Bernhard Goetz shot four Black teens, Darrell Cabey, Barry Allen, Troy Canty, and James Ramseur, at point-blank range. He then disappeared into a dark tunnel. After an intense manhunt, and his eventual surrender in New Hampshire, the man the tabloid media had dubbed the “Death Wish Vigilante” would become a celebrity and a hero to countless ordinary Americans who had been frustrated with the economic fallout of the Reagan 80s. Overnight, Goetz’s young victims would become villains. Out of this dramatic moment would emerge an angry nation, in which Rupert Murdoch''s New York Post and later Fox News Network stoked the fear and the fury of a stunning number of Americans. Drawing from never-before-seen archival materials, legal files, and more, Heather Ann Thompson narrates the Bernie Goetz Subway shootings and their decades-long reverberations, while deftly recovering the lives of the boys whom too many decided didn''t matter. Fear and Fury is the remarkable account and a searing indictment of a crucial turning point in American history.

A volume in the Writers and Their Work series, which draws upon recent thinking in English studies to introduce writers and their contexts. Each volume includes biographical material, an examination of recent criticism, a bibliography and a reappraisal of a major work by the writer.

A little boy identifies what makes his dog so special.

A Cry for Love is the story of two artistically gifted women, the best of friends, who struggle to realize their talents, while distracted by romantic complications. Connie, both musician and writer, passionate and needful, is drawn to an older man who seems to cherish her. Vicky, a brilliant violinist, is relentlessly pursued by a handsome pianist, Marcel, and secretly loved by Rupert, a young composer. The women''s paths lead them through intricate patterns of devotion and deceit, of ecstasy and despair.

Make Jesus Famous Again hinges on your victory. All victories woven together giving Him the praise, honor and glory will make Him famous again. Spread His love in your life, tell others what He has done for you and how He is working in your life now. All the sudden you will see the seemingly mundane, ordinary events in each of our stories are wreathed into God’s grand story of redemption for the whole world. By sharing your story, it will invite others to consider how Jesus is at work in the very ordinary events in their lives too. It starts with you and the affect you have in your little corner of the world. Make it count! He will meet you at the clock.

The story of Dowagiacs first 100 years may ring familiar to other small cities across the United States. After Dowagiac was established on a railroad line in 1848, new settlers arrived and had the opportunity to establish large-scale factories in the young village. This growth would last for afull century, fueled by the Round Oak Stove Company and other manufacturers in the city. Because of its manufacturing base, immigrants moved to Dowagiac, and the small city enjoyed strong business and manufacturing districts, solid educational institutions, and a vibrant social life. Surrounding lakes provided one venue for entertainment, while downtown Dowagiac offered theaters and fairs. This book documents and celebrates the history of Dowagiac with over 200 photographs from the collection of the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College.

Hays was founded in 1867 as the Union Pacific Railroad moved west. Its early history includes Wild West antics with famous people like Wild Bill Hickok, but soon Hays became a center for agriculture, commerce, and education. By 1930, the population of Hays was 5,000, and it grew to 7,000 by the end of the decade. Although the 1930s were a time of economic depression, of agricultural drought and dust storms, these photographs of Hays show a much different story. They are positive, even energetic, showing the upside to a depressed decade. Photographer R. E. Ekey began his studio in 1928 and retired in 1955. His photographs of Hays portray the special events as well as the routine of everyday life. They show a variety and richness that exemplify the character of Hays, both then and now.

The story begins in a suburb of Detroit Michigan, in the mid 1980''s. Young Stevie learns early on that he possesses a special ability. Can Stevie use this ability to make sense out of the activities that have been disrupting the lives of his family and closest friends? With a touch of humor, romance and adventure, let Stevie introduce you to the important people in his life who each represent one section of "The Cemetery Fence".

My main purpose for writing this book is for people to really consider and know the purpose of marriage to prevent divorce. To me, marriage means long term—to stay in it even when things just don’t go right, to develop a prayer life, to know God’s will and to allow him to give you an outstanding marriage.

Now in board book, this STEM nonfiction picture book series encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world. This time, explore robins! Flit, flap, flutter! You might have seen a robin flying overhead or heard one singing in the trees. Did you know that robins tidy themselves up, teach their babies to find food, and are almost fully grown in just two weeks? From birth to first flutter and beyond, discover all that goes into being a robin in this charming picture book, the third in the Meet Your World series. This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more information and fun with fascinating facts, a glossary, activities, and tips on how to help and protect robins. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!

Just like every child, Cecil LaCede has fears about his first day of school, but he''ll soon find comfort in meeting a variety of new friends: acorns, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even beans, all first-time students too. Ruth-Ann J. Thompson shows children how easy it is to make Connections in the Open Field.

Waggle and fly like a honey bee with this adorable, STEM nonfiction picture book, part of a series that encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world Swish, swoosh, fly! You might have heard the words “busy as a bee," but what do bees actually do each day? Did you know bees clean their rooms, help feed baby bees, and build the hive they live in? From birth to first flight and beyond, discover all that goes into being a bee in this charming picture book, the first in the Meet Your World series. This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more facts and fun. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world! "Of great value . . . Useful . . . Wonderful." —SLJ

A woman ́s fight for acceptance at a time when the military gave women no respect. The story is a battle of attrition with her winning by the smallest margin and leaving the battlefield with considerably fewer supporters than when she began.

Discover the inspiring story of Senator Elizabeth Warren and her lifelong commitment to working hard and advocating for equality in this compelling and accessible picture book biography. Elizabeth Warren always has a plan. As a child, she wanted to help others by becoming a teacher. When discrimination forced her to surrender that dream, she found another path: She became a lawyer. Then life changed again, and Elizabeth became a professor of law—and she didn’t stop there. No matter her job title, Senator Elizabeth Warren has always worked to ensure that people with more power help those with less. She leads by example, inspiring young people across the nation to pursue their dreams despite obstacles like prejudice and inequality. Known for her dedication and willingness to adapt, Elizabeth Warren has persisted and become a voice for fairness and positive change. Now a presidential candidate, Senator Warren is a role model for the young people who will one day assume the mantle of leadership. And this gorgeously written, beautifully stylized picture book provides a pitch-perfect look at all they can accomplish.