New Releases by Bret Witter

"There was a huge public outpouring to the recent articles in The New York Times about Family Foundation School, a last-resort institution for troubled teens in upstate New York. It described the near 50% death rate of alumni-including many by suicide-and how the survivors lived with their trauma in the years after leaving the school. A follow-up piece this January covered the shocking facts that came to light through multiple lawsuits and the continuing fight for justice on behalf of the survivors. No one would know this story without Liz, known around the world as Survivor993, and this searing memoir-for readers of works like Girl, Interrupted, Finding Me by Michelle Knight, and The Boy Who Was Raised by a Dog by Bruce Perry-shares the story of her years at Family Foundation, and her rage and recovery in the years after she left. Liz refused to live a quiet life after what she had been through; this is her story of pointing fingers and fighting back. Her hashtag #Iseeyousurvivor has been shared 237 million times. In a narrative reminiscent of Erin Brockovich, Liz and her group of "troubled teens" shut the Family Foundation School after testifying in Congress, and they went on to shutter The Agape Boys Ranch and Circle of Hope, two abusive Christian homes in Missouri. I SEE YOU, SURVIVOR, is about what really happened at The Family and the thousands of facilities like it, about how destroying a child through "tough love" is abuse, and the abuse of children has consequences. This book will challenge your faith, break your heart and make you cry-but this is not a dark book. It is an inspiring book. Because it's not a book about trauma, it's about triumph, and Liz's critical message for every survivor she sees: "You are not broken. You are not unlovable. And you are not alone. There are millions of us. And I come with a message, for you, for them, for everyone: They act strong, but we are stronger. We are worthy. We are not alone. Speak, and we will be there for you. Speak, because there is power in your testimony. Speak, and we will win.""--

"A heartwarming true-life fable from the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Santa--including his personal journey of discovering the magic of Christmas"--Provided by publisher.

"The Master Plan is less of a road map and more of a philosophy that we should all take to heart: We are all better than our worst decision, our sense of justice should honor the redemptive possibilities inherent in every person, and our destinies are truly intertwined."--Wes Moore, author of The Other Wes Moore Growing up in Washington, DC, Chris Wilson was surrounded by violence and despair. He watched his family and neighborhood shattered by trauma, and he lost his faith. One night when he was seventeen, defending himself, he killed a man. He was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole. But what should have been the end of his story became the beginning. Behind bars, Wilson embarked on a remarkable journey of self-improvement--reading, working out, learning languages, even starting a business. At nineteen, he sat down and wrote a list of all the things he intended to accomplish, and all the steps he'd have to take to get there. He called it his Master Plan. He revised that plan regularly and followed it religiously. Sixteen years later, it led him to an unlikely opportunity--and to a promise he has been working hard to live up to every day since. Harrowing, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant, The Master Plan is a memoir for this moment, proving that every person is capable of doing great things.

“A bold, riveting thriller…fascinating characters and ground-level espionage and combat sure to please fans of Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva.” — Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Back Blast Tom Locke is an elite warrior working for Apollo Outcomes, a very successful private contracting firm. He is tapped for a top-secret black op in Ukraine, and has one week to rescue an oligarch’s family and pull off a spectacular assault. What Locke doesn’t know is that Brad Winters, his ambitious and enigmatic boss, is engaged in a high-stakes geopolitical chess game with influential powerbrokers in capitals around the world. One misstep could cost them everything. And that misstep may already have been committed by Locke’s former love, war correspondent Alie MacFarlane, who impulsively makes a move that risks both their lives. Now Locke must move quickly to stay ahead of a looming betrayal that could lead to catastrophe…and tip the balance of power toward Putin’s Russia. “[A] smart, exciting first novel and series launch…. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of Locke.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

There is nothing stronger than a mother's love . . . except a good glass of moonshine. The mountains of North Carolina are rich—lush with the greens and blues of the seven-mile views and bursting with a culture where the ways of Old Appalachia meet the new South. This is the heart of moonshine country, where they practice an art passed down from generation to generation, crafted not only out of pride and ingenuity, but also out of a daring to push the boundaries of the law to create a product that has come, in many ways, to symbolize America. Troy Ball is a classic Southern belle, with an easy charm, impeccable manners, a wide smile, and golden-blond hair. But beneath that crisp white blouse and strand of pearls is a streak of tenacity a mile wide. In the early 2000s, Troy and her husband, Charlie, left their native Texas for the up-and-coming town of Asheville, North Carolina, because the climate was better for the health of their two severely ill, special-needs sons. Troy found there something the dedicated mom never expected: time for herself. And then along came Forrest Jarrett, an Appalachian raconteur with a pickup truck, a thousand stories to tell, and a sip or two of white squeezings, aka moonshine, to share with the newcomer. What followed was a surprising friendship and a five-year journey into the heart of distilling old-fashioned corn whiskey. Stretching back to Colonial times and forward to today and the Byzantine laws Troy had to navigate to become the first female legal moonshiner in the history of the South, this a true moonshine-making odyssey that will touch your soul. When the real estate crash wiped out her family financially and threatened the safety of her children, Troy realized that moonshine was more than a hobby . . . her world-class whiskey (and newfound friends) could save her family, too. Pure Heart is a story of dedication, inspiration, and days spent in a run-down shack in the company of some of the finest and funniest good-old boys you'd ever want to meet. It is the story of how a strong woman used grit and determination to launch a thriving business, and what a mother will do to help her children. It is also about sharing a drink with friends—and all that is great about the South.

Based on the New York Times bestseller, Until Tuesday this full-color book filled with adorable photographs tells the story of the amazing service dog who helps former U.S. Army Captain Luis Carlos Montalva..n overcome his combat-related wounds.

The New York Times bestselling memoir of the 27-year-old Boston Marathon bombing survivor and the basis of the major motion picture starring Jake Gyllenhaal. When Jeff Bauman woke up on Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 in the Boston Medical Center, groggy from a series of lifesaving surgeries and missing his legs, the first thing he did was try to speak. When he realized he couldn't, he asked for a pad and paper and wrote down seven words: "Saw the guy. Looked right at me," setting off one of the biggest manhunts in the country's history. Just thirty hours before, Jeff had been at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon cheering on his girlfriend, Erin, when the first bomb went off at his feet. As he was rushed to the hospital, he realized he was severely injured and that he might die, but he didn't know that a photograph of him in a wheelchair was circulating throughout the world, making him the human face of the Boston Marathon bombing victims, or that what he'd seen would give the Boston police their most important breakthrough. In Stronger, Jeff describes the chaos and terror of the bombing itself and the ongoing FBI investigation in which he was a key witness. He takes us inside his grueling rehabilitation, and discusses his attempt to reconcile the world's admiration with his own guilt and frustration. . Brave, compassionate, and emotionally compelling, Jeff Bauman's story is not just his, but ours as well.

Moving and inspirational reflections on life from one woman, diagnosed with ALS, making the most of her final days with family and friends. In June 2011, award–winning journalist Susan Spencer-Wendel was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a disease that systematically destroys nerves that power muscles. Forty-five years old and a mother of three, Susan walks with braces and is losing her ability to speak. Unable to stop the rapid decline of her body, she refuses to let her life stop before its time. Since her diagnosis, Susan makes sure every day counts, is more present than ever in her daily life, and ready to share her strength, determination, and spirit. Until I Say Goodbye is a truly magical story and so much more than one woman's "bucket list." It's a celebration of life, a look into the face of death, and the effort we must make to show the people that we love and care about how very much they mean to us. "Touching and brutally honest." — USA Today "Susan Spencer-Wendel had to face the question, 'What would you do if you had a year to live?' This profound, tender, and often funny account of her experiences will remind readers of what really matters most: love." — New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin "This heartbreaking and heartwarming good-bye will make you laugh as much as it makes you cry. Susan Spencer-Wendel's determination to find the joy in life after having been dealt the ALS card is both inspirational and enlightening." — New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts

"The previously untold story of a little-known WWII Allied division whose mission was to track down European art and treasures that had been looted by the Nazis at Hitler's command"--Provided by the publisher.

"Hasta Martes es la historia de como dos soldados heridos que lo habian dado tanto y sufrido las consecuencias, se encuentran y se salvan mutuamente. Es una historia sobre la guerra y la paz, la lesion y la recuperacion, las heridas psicologicas y la sanacion espiritual. Pero mas que eso, Hasta Martes es una historia de amor entre un hombre y un perro y como se sanaron las almas el uno al otro."--Amazon.

The former homeless man featured in a viral YouTube radio-voice video shares the complete story of how he lost his successful career to a crack addiction, tracing his journey through homelessness and crime before finding love and redemption.

Vicki Myron follows up her #1 New York Times bestseller Dewey with stories of cats who inspire their owners and includes two brand-new Dewey stories! Dewey's Nine Lives offers nine funny, inspiring, and heartwarming stories about cats—all told from the perspective of "Dewey's Mom," librarian Vicki Myron. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World was a blockbuster bestseller and a publishing phenomenon. It has sold nearly a million copies, spawned three children's books, and will be the basis for an upcoming movie. No doubt about it, Dewey has created a community. Dewey touched readers everywhere, who realized that no matter how difficult their lives might seem, or how ordinary their talents, they can-and should-make a positive difference to those around them. Now, Dewey is back, with even more heartwarming moments and life lessons to share. The amazing felines in this book include Dewey, of course, whose further never-before-told adventures are shared, and several others who Vicki found out about when their owners reached out to her. Vicki learned, through extensive interviews and story sharing, what made these cats special, and how they fit into Dewey's community of perseverance and love. From a divorced mother in Alaska who saved a drowning kitten on Christmas Eve to a troubled Vietnam veteran whose heart was opened by his long relationship with a rescued cat, these Dewey-style stories will inspire readers to laugh, cry, care, and, most importantly, believe in the magic of animals to touch individual lives.

Uma história ainda pouco divulgada é resgatada por Robert M. Edsel em Caçadores de obras-primas. Trata-se do trabalho realizado pelos Monuments Man, soldados que tentaram dificultar ou impedir o “maior roubo da história” cometido por Hitler durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Estima-se que o Führer e seus homens tenham se apossado de mais de 5 milhões de objetos culturais. O objetivo era criar o maior acervo de obras-primas do mundo em terras alemãs. De início, o trabalho dos Monuments Man era mitigar os danos cometidos a acervos públicos. Com o avanço das tropas de Hitler, o foco voltou-se para a localização de obras de arte móveis e outros itens culturais roubados ou perdidos. O trabalho, iniciado na metade da guerra, em 1943, estendeu-se até 1951. As histórias relatadas no livro baseiam-se em extensa pesquisa em diários de campo, agendas, relatos de guerra e, especialmente, nas cartas escritas pelos soldados às famílias. Edsel também coletou informações em entrevistas exclusivas com os próprios Monuments Man. O livro concentra-se na atuação de oito deles, mas, a partir de suas histórias, o autor traça um amplo panorama do trabalho desempenhado silenciosamente por esses homens e mulheres – ao todo, eles somavam 350 soldados de 13 diferentes países. A trajetória desses homens dedicados à arte mostra uma nova visão sobre um episódio vital na história mundial recente. Somente com esse empenho foi possível às gerações seguintes contemplar inúmeras obras de arte. Na última década, o trabalho desses homens e mulheres começou a ser reconhecido. Os resultados da extensa pesquisa de Edsel não poderiam chegar em melhor hora. O livro ganhou adaptação para cinema em 2014 com estrelas como George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray e Cate Blanchett.

The newest adventure in our New York Times bestselling series celebrates Dewey's very first Christmas! The holiday season is in full swing in Spencer -- the lights are twinkling, the wreaths are hung, and Christmas bells are ringing. Inside the library, Dewey longs to be part of the holiday fun and after a series of silly misadventures, Dewey finds a way to add his own special touch to his beloved Christmas tree -- and the results are Dew-rific! A wonderful way to celebrate the season with everyone's favorite library cat.

A middle-grade adaptation of the #1 New York Times bestseller with an eight-page photo insert—including exclusive, never-before-seen photos of the Dew! Now everyone's favorite library cat can inspire a new audience of young readers with his story of courage and love. Abandoned in a library book drop slot in the dead of winter, this remarkable kitten miraculously endured the coldest night of the year. Dewey Readmore Books, as he became known, quickly embraced his home inside Spencer's public library, charming the struggling small town's library-goers, young and old. As word of Dewey's winning tail, or rather his tale, spread, the library cat gained worldwide fame as a symbol of hope and proof positive that one small cat could change a town, one reader at a time. "Myron's friendly and pleasantly pragmatic voice, as well as her mostly judicious selection of anecdotes, brings poignancy to the tale of her special bond with Dewey. Her story also offers readers another bit of insight into how animals and humans can emotionally enrich each other's lives." — Publishers Weekly "Dewey will no doubt have young readers pining for their own library cats, but astute readers will also pick up on the message that a town's heart beats strongest in its library." — School Library Journal

" L'une des leçons que j'ai apprises, grâce à Dewey, et sans doute la plus importante, c'est que les anges peuvent revêtir toutes les formes. Et que l'amour peut surgir de partout et de nulle part. Un seul animal est capable de changer votre vie, mais aussi la vie d'une ville. Et au-delà, pourquoi pas, de changer le monde. " Dewey, chaton abandonné, recueilli par une modeste bibliothécaire américaine, est devenu le symbole de l'Amérique. Pendant dix-neuf ans, Dewey a su redonner goût à la vie aux entants handicapés, faire s'ouvrir les personnes âgées ou s'attendrir les plus aides... devenant " Dewey Readmore Books ", la star de l'Iowa que les chaînes de télévision du monde entier venaient filmer ! Après son triomphe planétaire, best-seller dans de nombreux pays, Dewev est de retour ! Vicki Myron, forte du succès fulgurant de son histoire, revient sur cette incroyable rencontre d'un chat et d'un peuple. Entre souvenirs poignants et anecdotes édifiantes, l'auteur dévoile de nouveaux morceaux choisis qui ont fait d'un chat abandonné une légende et témoigne des milliers de lettres qu'a suscitées son histoire, comme autant de vies bouleversées par ces anges à quatre pattes.

When librarian Vicki Myron finds a young kitten abandoned in the Spencer Library return box, she nurses him back to health, deciding then and there that he will be their library cat, and naming him, appropriately, Dewey Readmore Books.

Experience the uplifting, "unforgettable" New York Times bestseller about an abandoned kitten named Dewey, whose life in a library won over a farming town and the world -- with over 2 million copies sold! ( Booklist) Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. On the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa, at only a few weeks old--a critical age for kittens--he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most. As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming community slowly working its way back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

Chart-topping comedian Rodney Carrington offers up his first book helping of the Texas-sized, down-home humor that has sold out his comedy tour across the nation.