New Releases by Hal Marcovitz

Imagine waking one morning to discover you have wings. Imagine the places you could go and sights you could see as you soar high above the world looking down with a true bird's eye view. In this very funny yet strange story, our hero Eggerton wrestles with these decisions as he contemplates what to do with his life when he rises from bed and learns he possesses the power of winged flight. The wonder in My Life With Wings comes courtesy of Marcovitz's protagonist. His demeanor and thinking, that sometimes can appear as psychedelic, are diverse and believable. Throughout the story, Eggerton broods deeply over isolation, desire, and everything that revolves around his wings. As a divorced man, the protagonist's life is actually normal and readers would definitely know one or two people like him - except for the wings, of course. His friends are a bunch of colorful people, each with their own degree of eccentricity and flaws... This novel is a fine allegory about life, aspiration, and how one perseveres against challenges. Absorbing the fun creative spirit of Marcovitz through this novella will keep readers fascinated from the beginning to the end. Simply put, this is a unique tale and a creditable triumph for the author who has created a book worthy of sitting on a shelf next to the works of other great writers. Readersfavorite.com

A public works project that exploded into protests, mass arrests and political upheaval. A decades-long feud between two of the region's best-known elected officials. Judges who feared their own constitutional rights were being ignored. The travels and travails of two candidates who went on to win statewide office, albeit with more than a few nervous moments along the way. Controversies that were sparked by such diverse issues as the drugging of racehorses, a nuclear freeze resolution and who exactly was it that spilled water on First Lady Barbara Bush. And, of course, a look at the 2020 election. These are among the issues authors Andy Warren and Hal Marcovitz examine in Notes on Bucks County. At one time, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was known for its lush farmlands, charming small towns, covered bridges and as a home to authors, artists and other celebrities. Over the past 75 years, the county has emerged as a sprawling suburban community that has found itself playing an important role in regional, state and national politics. Indeed, readers of Notes on Bucks County will learn that politics in Bucks County can be two-fisted, as local elected officials spar over issues that affect the quality of life for the county's more than 600,000 citizens. Andy Warren has been involved in Bucks County politics since the 1970s, most notably serving for 15 years as an elected county commissioner. Hal Marcovitz spent 30 years in daily journalism, and for much of that time was assigned to cover the tumultuous politics of Bucks County. They have combined their expertise to analyze the major political events that have occurred in Bucks County over the past 75 years, providing insight for readers who are likely to agree that Bucks County is Pennsylvania's most curious and captivating collar county.

A new, highly contagious coronavirus first emerged in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Within weeks the virus had infected millions of people worldwide. The illness caused by the virus--given the name COVID-19--left a trail of death in its wake as hundreds of thousands of people succumbed to the disease. In the United States, many governors responded to the COVID-19 threat by ordering schools and nonessential businesses to close and most everyone to stay home. Social distancing rules were put in place. Sporting events and concerts were canceled. Shopping malls and museums closed. Streets and highways in America's biggest cities were virtually deserted. Millions of people lost their jobs--and struggled to survive. This book documents the unprecedented events that rocked the nation and the world in 2020. With personal accounts, perspectives from experts, and clear, accessible writing this book presents a vivid picture of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it turned the world upside down.

President Abraham Robbins has a few problems...The First Lady likes to hang out in biker bars.The First Daughter has been kicked out of college.The Chief of Staff has tried to kill himself.Scandal is in the air.The press is closing in.Is this any way to run a government?But there is good news. An ordinary house painter shows up to repaint the walls of the White House. Soon, he finds himself at the center of the intrigues and adventures inside America's Executive Mansion and becomes a confidant to the most powerful man on Earth.Hal Marcovitz is a former journalist. He is also the author of the novel My Life With Wings.

Marijuana use is extremely prevalent in today’s society, and factions have long debated whether it is helpful, harmful, or both. With the legalization of marijuana in some states, this debate is more heated than ever, making it crucial to give young adults as much information as possible. This volume presents readers with both sides of the issue, encouraging them to think critically about whether or not marijuana should be legalized nationally. Detailed sidebars and full-color photographs explore the history and effects of marijuana use, and a list of websites is provided for further research.

Young adults are faced with pressure from friends, family, and the media not to become overweight. Many struggle with self-esteem issues as a result, and someone who has trouble keeping his or her weight down may turn to dangerous diet drugs for a quick fix. Readers learn about the consequences of taking these pills through accessible text and informative graphs. A list of organizations is included where young adults can find more information about healthy alternatives to diet drugs.

Torture. According to Henry Shue, professor of politics and international relations at the University of Oxford in England, "No other practice except slavery is so universally condemned in law and human convention. Yet, unlike slavery...torture is widespread and growing." Why is torture so common? Is it an unavoidable component of human psychology? Exposing Torture tackles these complex questions, delving into the history of torture around the world, from the flayings, burnings, and other methods of torture in ancient societies to the humiliating forms of psychological and sexual torture of the twenty-first century. But is torture an effective means of controlling human behavior? Can it help root out information about terrorism and prevent loss of human life? Over the centuries, many people have supported the point of view that it can, while others vehemently disagree. In this book, readers will examine the ethical and moral dilemmas of torture, while learning more about the international efforts to ensure the humanitarian treatment of individuals in a variety of circumstances. Exposing Torture also delves into the system of international courts and tribunals that work to bring known torturers to trial. Readers will hear from victims of torture who not only survived but sought justice and founded organizations to help other victims. After reading this in-depth examination, readers will be able to make a persuasive argument to answer the question: Is torture ever acceptable?

The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States as a gift from the people of France in 1886. It was originally meant as an emblem of the friendship between the two nations, but over the years it has come to mean much more. The Statue of Liberty has come to represent the promise of America—a promise that drew tens of millions of immigrants from other countries, seeking greater freedom and opportunities. For many of these immigrants, Lady Liberty was the first thing they saw when they arrived in the United States. The Statue of Liberty has also served as a symbol of freedom for those who are oppressed throughout the world.

The issue of slavery had divided the nation for decades, but problems came to a head after the election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860. Fearing that Lincoln would attempt to abolish slavery, the legislatures of 11 southern states voted to withdraw from the United States and create a new nation, the Confederate States of America. This would result in four bloody years of Civil War in which more than 600,000 Americans were killed. The Confederacy adopted several flags between 1861 and 1865; the best known today is the battle flag, which featured a blue saltire cross on a red background. To some people, the Confederate flag is a proud symbol of Southern heritage and bravery. Others, however, view the Confederate flag as a symbol that represents the enslavement and oppression of African Americans. As a result, the Confederate flag is among the most controversial of American symbols.

It is said that the inspiration for the character of Uncle Sam was a man named Sam Wilson, who provided food for the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. By the 1830s, the figure of Uncle Sam had become a personified image of America, commonly used by newspaper and magazine cartoonists to represent the U.S. government's decisions and policies. Perhaps the best-known image of Uncle Sam was created in 1917, during the First World War—a stern, white-haired man wearing star-spangled clothing, encouraging Americans to do their part to support their nation. Uncle Sam remains an important symbol of the United States and the policies and activities of our government.

Like its neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula, the Republic of Yemen has a long and rich history. The southern Arabian region, which present-day Yemen shares, was once the home of the Sabaean kingdom. Led by the queen of Sheba, the kingdom formed an alliance with King Solomon, as recorded in the Old Testament. In the era of the burgeoning spice trade, the people of the Yemen region, which was advantageously located along the sea routes to Asia, had opportunities to attain great wealth. However, the British and other powers to the north eventually made their own claims on trade in the region. In the years after losing control of their great ports, the Yemenis have endured long periods of poverty and armed conflict, much of which has been waged between their rival northern and southern states. A much-needed unification between the north and south finally occurred in 1990, but Yemen still struggles to resolve its regional differences and compete with the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf. Discusses the geography, history, economy, government, religion, people, foreign relations, and communities of Yemen.

Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants entered the United States through the Ellis Island processing station in New York harbor. To these immigrants, Ellis Island was a symbol of the American dream—once they passed through its gates, they could start a new life with opportunities that were not available to them in their countries of origin. Today, roughly one-third of our country's population is descended from those who were processed at Ellis Island, and the facility is now a museum dedicated to American immigration.

In the early days of American independence, government leaders tried to identify an animal that would represent the new nation. They settled on the bald eagle, a proud raptor that fiercely defends its nest and its family. The eagle has been used to represent government power since the time of the Roman Empire. In 1787 the bald eagle was officially adopted as the emblem of the United States. The eagle is often shown holding an olive branch (representing peace) and arrows (representing war) in its talons. Today the bald eagle remains a living symbol of American strength and values.

Islam is considered the worlds fastest-growing religion, and today more than 420 million Africans follow the Islamic faith. Since Islam was introduced to the continent during the seventh century a.d., it has had a profound political and cultural influence on Africa. This book traces the historical spread of Islam throughout Africa. It also examines current issues and controversies surrounding the Muslim faith in Africa, including fundamentalist interpretations of Islam, efforts to impose Islamic law in countries with mixed Muslim and non-Muslim populations, and religious-based violence.

Most young people in the United States today are willing to give something back to their communities. A recent report showed that each year an estimated 13 million teenagers donate more than 2.4 billion hours of their time to charitable causes, and the Gallup Youth Survey has found that roughly one-third of all teens participate in volunteer work. This volume examines the opportunities young people have for volunteering, and explores the issue of school-mandated community service.

Most young people report that they believe in God, yet recent surveys by the Gallup Organization have shown that fewer than half of all teenagers in the United States regularly attend church. Is organized religion losing its influence on young people? How many teenagers think about careers in the clergy? This volume examines the influence of religion and values on young people today.

Many young adults dream of getting a good education and finding a job they love. Teenagers recognize that higher education is an important key to finding a fulfilling job, although many young people are worried both about the rising cost of higher education and their future job possibilities given the current economic situation. This volume examines the choices that teens make when it comes to education and finding a career.

Your face feels hot, your muscles tighten, you see red, you are angry and you don't know what to do about it. Using real-life examples and quotations, this guide discusses the biological, emotional, and social effects of anger and provides research-based information about getting support and coping with it. Readers will take a quiz to figure out if they are aggressive, passive, or assertive, and take the first steps to improve how they deal with anger.

Organized around a narrative-driven, pro-con formal designed specifically for students writing essays and research papers, The Future of Renewable Energy series explores what lies ahead for solar, wind, biofuels, and other forms of renewable energy. Books in this new series examine the topics that dominate public discourse including cost, environmental impact, practicality when measured against fossil fuels, and the role of government in renewable energy's future. Important ideas are supported throughout each book by current and relevant facts, quotes, full-color statistical illustrations, and anecdotes. Source notes, related organizations and other sources for further research, along with a thorough index provide additional tools for students researchers. Book jacket.

Scott O'Dell enjoyed modest success as an author until 1960, when he published the novel;Island of the Blue Dolphins.

As a young girl growing up in El Paso, Texas, Pat Mora felt as though she belonged to two worlds.

Author of the;Magic Shop;series and;The Unicorn Chronicles, Bruce Coville has captured the imaginations of young readers for more than 20 years with tales of talking toads, Shakespearean spouting skulls, and dragon hatchlings.

This eBook tells the story of Sacagawea, the most famous guide of the team led by Lewis and Clark that explored the American northwest in the early 19th century.

In the years following the War for Independence, the United States of America was in danger of collapsing because the new nation lacked a solid system of governance and framework of laws. The delegates who met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write the US Constitution were charged with the awesome task of establishing a democracy that would survive the ages. The document they produced has stood the test of time and has also served as a model for emerging democracies across the globe.

Author Hal Marcovitz examines the enormous popularity of e-books in the 21st century. Readers will learn about the evolution of the e-book concept from Project Gutenberg to dedicated e-readers such as Kindle and Nook, as well as the adaptation of e-books for tablet computers. Later chapters delve into how e-readers are changing the way people read, how e-books are impacting the publishing industry and libraries, and how the e-book may change in the future.

A biography of the union activist who led the struggle of migrant farm workers for better working conditions.

Examines current controversies and positions on whether juvenile offenders should be tried as adults.

This title examines dictatorships in world history from early Rome to more modern dictatorships in France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, North Korea, Cuba, Swaziland, and Serbia. How dictatorships work, the political systems in which they thrive, and the methods dictators use to gain and maintain control are discussed. Also covered are methods to depose dictators, and life for citizens both during and after dictatorship. Important dictators are covered, including both those of ancient civilizations such as Lucius Cornelius Sulla, and Julius Caesar, as well as more modern dictators such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Fulgencio Batista, Hideki Tojo, and Mao Zedong, Kim Jung-il, Muammar al-Qaddafi, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Saddam Hussein, King Mswati III, Haile Selassie, Pol Pot, and Omar al-Bashir. Critics of dictatorships such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn are also introduced. Exploring World Governments is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.