Best Selling Books by James Kaplan

Just in time for the Chairman’s centennial, the endlessly absorbing sequel to James Kaplan’s bestselling Frank: The Voice—which completes the definitive biography that Frank Sinatra, justly termed the “Entertainer of the Century,” deserves and requires. Like Peter Guralnick on Elvis, Kaplan goes behind the legend to give us the man in full, in his many guises and aspects: peerless singer, (sometimes) accomplished actor, business mogul, tireless lover, and associate of the powerful and infamous. In 2010’s Frank: The Voice, James Kaplan, in rich, distinctive, compulsively readable prose, told the story of Frank Sinatra’s meteoric rise to fame, subsequent failures, and reinvention as a star of live performance and screen. The story of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” continues with Sinatra: The Chairman, picking up the day after he claimed his Academy Award in 1954 and had reestablished himself as the top recording artist. Sinatra’s life post-Oscar was astonishing in scope and achievement and, occasionally, scandal, including immortal recordings almost too numerous to count, affairs ditto, many memorable films (and more than a few stinkers), Rat Pack hijinks that mesmerized the world with their air of masculine privilege, and an intimate involvement at the intersection of politics and organized crime that continues to shock and astound with its hubris. James Kaplan has orchestrated the wildly disparate aspects of Frank Sinatra’s life and character into an American epic—a towering achievement in biography of a stature befitting its subject.

Frank Sinatra was the best-known entertainer of the twentieth century—infinitely charismatic, lionized and notorious in equal measure. But despite his mammoth fame, Sinatra the man has remained an enigma. Now James Kaplan brings deeper insight than ever before to the complex psyche and turbulent life behind that incomparable voice, from Sinatra’s humble beginning in Hoboken to his fall from grace and Oscar-winning return in From Here to Eternity. Here at last is the biographer who makes the reader feel what it was really like to be Frank Sinatra—as man, as musician, as tortured genius.

In a memoir by turns moving, tragic, and hilarious, Jerry Lewis recounts with crystal clarity every step of his fifty-year friendship with Dean Martin. They were the unlikeliest of pairs—a handsome crooner and a skinny monkey, an Italian from Steubenville, Ohio, and a Jew from Newark, N.J.. Before they teamed up, Dean Martin seemed destined for a mediocre career as a nightclub singer, and Jerry Lewis was dressing up as Carmen Miranda and miming records on stage. But the moment they got together, something clicked—something miraculous—and audiences saw it at once. Before long, they were as big as Elvis or the Beatles would be after them, creating hysteria wherever they went and grabbing an unprecedented hold over every entertainment outlet of the era: radio, television, movies, stage shows, and nightclubs. Martin and Lewis were a national craze, an American institution. The millions flowed in, seemingly without end—and then, on July 24, 1956, ten years after it all started, it ended suddenly. After that traumatic day, the two wouldn’t speak again for twenty years. And while both went on to forge triumphant individual careers—Martin as a movie and television star, recording artist, and nightclub luminary (and charter member of the Rat Pack); Lewis as the groundbreaking writer, producer, director, and star of a series of hugely successful movie comedies—their parting left a hole in the national psyche, as well as in each man’s heart. In Dean & Me, Lewis makes a convincing case for Martin as one of the great—and most underrated—comic talents of our era. But what comes across most powerfully in this definitive memoir is the depth of love Lewis felt for his partner, and which his partner felt for him: truly a love to last for all time.

From the prizewinning Jewish Lives series, a fast-moving, musically astute portrait of arguably the greatest composer of American popular music Irving Berlin (1888-1989) has been called--by George Gershwin, among others--the greatest songwriter of the golden age of the American popular song. "Berlin has no place in American music," legendary composer Jerome Kern wrote; "he is American music." In a career that spanned an astonishing nine decades, Berlin wrote some fifteen hundred tunes, including "Alexander''s Ragtime Band," "God Bless America," and "White Christmas." From ragtime to the rock era, Berlin''s work has endured in the very fiber of American national identity. Exploring the interplay of Berlin''s life with the life of New York City, noted biographer James Kaplan offers a visceral narrative of Berlin as self-made man and witty, wily, tough Jewish immigrant. This fast-paced, musically opinionated biography uncovers Berlin''s unique brilliance as a composer of music and lyrics. Masterfully written and psychologically penetrating, Kaplan''s book underscores Berlin''s continued relevance in American popular culture. About Jewish Lives: Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of interpretative biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity. Individual volumes illuminate the imprint of Jewish figures upon literature, religion, philosophy, politics, cultural and economic life, and the arts and sciences. Subjects are paired with authors to elicit lively, deeply informed books that explore the range and depth of the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present. In 2014, the Jewish Book Council named Jewish Lives the winner of its Jewish Book of the Year Award, the first series ever to receive this award. More praise for Jewish Lives: "Excellent." - New York times "Exemplary." - Wall St. Journal "Distinguished." - New Yorker "Superb." - The Guardian

The National Bestseller • One of The Minneapolis Star Tribune''s Best Books of the Year “A superb book...[Kaplan is] a master biographer, a dogged researcher and shaper of narrative, and this is his most ambitious book to date.” —Los Angeles Times From the author of the definitive biography of Frank Sinatra, the story of three towering artists—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans—and how they came together to create the most iconic jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue In 1959, America’s great indigenous art form, jazz, reached the height of its power and popularity. James Kaplan’s magnificent 3 Shades of Blue captures how that golden era came to be, and its pinnacle with the recording of Kind of Blue. It’s a book about music, and business, and race, and heroin, and the cities that gave jazz its home, and the Black geniuses behind its rise. It’s an astonishing meditation on creativity and the strange environments where it can flourish most. It’s a book about the great forebears and founders of a lost era, and the disrupters who would take the music down truly new paths. And it’s about why the world of jazz most people know is a museum to this never-replicated period. But above all, 3 Shades of Blue is a book about three very different men—the greatness and varied fortunes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. The tapestry of their lives is, in Kaplan’s hands, a national odyssey with no direction home. It is also a masterpiece, a book about jazz that is as big as America.

"A fact-based historical novel, as compelling as Nancy Horan''s New York Times bestseller, Loving Frank, set primarily in New York City in the 1920s and ''30s and inspired by the decade-long relationship between the celebrated composer George Gershwin and Kay Swift, who was both his romantic partner and a gifted musician in her own right"--

Tides change for two male friends when they meet at their 25th high school reunion to discover one is facing death and the other one is experiencing life for the first time.

A no-holds-barred, intimate memoir by John McEnroe—the bad boy of professional tennis. John McEnroe stunned the tennis elite when he came out of nowhere to make the Wimbledon semifinals at the age of eighteen—and just a few years later, he was ranked number one in the world. You Cannot Be Serious is McEnroe at his most personal, an intimate examination of Johnny Mac, the kid from Queens, and his “wild ride” through the world of professional tennis at a boom time when players were treated like rock stars. In this “bracing serve-and-volley autobiography” (The Boston Globe) he candidly explores the roots of his famous on-court explosions; his ambivalence toward the sport that made him famous; his adventures (and misadventures) on the road; his views of colleagues from Connors to Borg to Lendl; his opinions of contemporary tennis; his marriages to actress Tatum O''Neal and pop star Patty Smyth; and his roles as husband, father, senior tour player, and often-controversial commentator.

A wide sweeping yet intimate historical fiction account of Jewish resistance during the Spanish Inquisition and the lead up to Columbus’ voyage to the New World As political turmoil rages, a chancellor to the king must hide his romance with a Jewish woman as well as his own Jewish ancestry in order to survive Luis de Santángel, chancellor to the court and longtime friend of the lusty King Ferdinand, has had enough of the Spanish Inquisition. As the power of Inquisitor General Tomás de Torquemada grows, so does the brutality of the Spanish church and the suspicion and paranoia it inspires. When a dear friend’s demise brings the violence close to home, Santángel is enraged and takes retribution into his own hands. But he is from a family of conversos, and his Jewish heritage makes him an easy target. As Santángel witnesses the horrific persecution of his loved ones, he begins slowly to reconnect with the Jewish faith his family left behind. Feeding his curiosity about his past is his growing love for Judith Migdal, a clever and beautiful Jewish woman navigating the mounting tensions in Granada. While he struggles to decide what his reputation is worth and what he can sacrifice, one man offers him a chance he thought he’d lost…the chance to hope for a better world. Christopher Columbus has plans to discover a route to paradise, and only Luis de Santángel can help him. Within the dramatic story lies a subtle, insightful examination of the crisis of faith at the heart of the Spanish Inquisition. Irresolvable conflict rages within the conversos in By Fire, By Water, torn between the religion they left behind and the conversion meant to ensure their safety. In this story of love, God, faith, and torture, fifteenth-century Spain comes to dazzling, engrossing life.

Philip Pearl, a Jewish poet from Manhattan comes to Pickett State University in Mississippi to teach. But he is the one who gets the education.

WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER From Michael Dell, renowned founder and chief executive of one of America’s largest technology companies, the inside story of the battles that defined him as a leader In 1984, soon-to-be college dropout Michael Dell hid signs of his fledgling PC business in the bathroom of his University of Texas dorm room. Almost 30 years later, at the pinnacle of his success as founder and leader of Dell Technologies, he found himself embroiled in a battle for his company’s survival. What he’d do next could ensure its legacy—or destroy it completely. Play Nice But Win is a riveting account of the three battles waged for Dell Technologies: one to launch it, one to keep it, and one to transform it. For the first time, Dell reveals the highs and lows of the company''s evolution amidst a rapidly changing industry—and his own, as he matured into the CEO it needed. With humor and humility, he recalls the mentors who showed him how to turn his passion into a business; the competitors who became friends, foes, or both; and the sharks that circled, looking for weakness. What emerges is the long-term vision underpinning his success: that technology is ultimately about people and their potential. More than an honest portrait of a leader at a crossroads, Play Nice But Win is a survival story proving that while anyone with technological insight and entrepreneurial zeal might build something great—it takes a leader to build something that lasts.

The high-profile coach who turned around the tennis careers of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick teaches leaders how to take their teams to the top--by overcoming intense pressures and frustrating distractions.

As news coverage raises serious questions about aircraft safety and airport security, James Kaplan offers a timely behind-the-scenes account of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Airport: Planes, People, Triumphs, and Disasters at John F. Kennedy International achieves the impossible-it goes "inside" the sprawling J.F.K. to expose the lifeblood of a major metropolitan airport. Kaplan spoke with many of the key players within Kennedy''s city of 44,000 around-the-clock workers, including administrators, technicians, crime investigators, pilots and skycaps. He interviewed people who hold such bizarre posts as Kennedy''s notorious "Birdman" who patrols the runways for "laughing seagulls"; the leader of the "Beagle Brigade" who uses beagles to track the illegal entry of unwanted materials; and one of the airport''s medical team who must contend with airport "mules," men and women who smuggle drugs by ingesting large quantities of drug packets into their bodies. The Airport assesses the crucial role that deregulation has played in shaping today''s airline industry, producing lower fares that allow more people to fly, but in a manner that feels "progressively more inconvenient." Kaplan suggests that deregulation may have contributed to dangerous declines in maintenance and safety standards. In addition, he examines all the other elements affecting airline safety--traffic control, weather, runway maintenance, radar and other sensing equipment, pilot and flight attendant training and disaster crews. In The Airport, James Kaplan presents a panoramic, intimately detailed and highly personal view of the world of flying, and of a fabled airport''s inner life, which even the most seasoned travelers never get to see.

Luis de Santangel, chancellor to the court and longtime friend of the lusty King Ferdinand, has had enough of the Spanish Inquisition. As the power of Inquisitor General Tomas de Torquemada grows, so does the brutality of the Spanish church and the suspicion and paranoia it inspires. When a dear friend''s demise brings the violence close to home, Santangel takes retribution into his own hands, though the risk is great. Santangel is from a family of conversos, and his Jewis heritage makes him an easy target. Soon, he finds himself implicated in the murder of the first Chief Inquisitor of Aragon and in possession of a mysterious text that has spelled death for Jews for centuries. As he witnesses the horrific persecution of his loved ones, he begins slowly to reconnect with the Jewish faith his family left behind. Feeding his curiosity about his past is his growing love for Judith Migdal, a clever and beautiful Jewis woman navigating the mounting tensions in Granada. While he struggles to decide what his reputation is worth and what he can sacrifice, one man offers him a chance he thought he''d lost ... the chance to hope for a better world. Chistopher Columbus has plans to discover a route to paradise, and only Luis de Santangel can help him.

Set in Hong Kong in 1984 and 2014, When a White Horse Is Not a Horse is a mystery that explores the secret history of the handover to China.

Use this books and the techniques revealed within to build the body of your dreams with a Ketogenic or low carb diet; watch as your body burns off any fat you carry like butter!Originally developed in 1924 by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic, the ketogenic diet was very effective in the treatment of epilepsy that didn''t respond to the current medications for that disease. Despite the studies showing how effective the diet was in treating epilepsy, especially in young children, it fell out of favor after the discovery of new anti-seizure medications in the 1940s.The ketogenic diet is very closely related to the paleolithic diet which also excludes carbohydrates. Unfortunately, today''s diet consists of a high level of carbohydrates which causes significant changes in our health. Carbohydrates are by far the most fattening ingredient in our diets.The ultimate goal of following a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet is to improve your heath by making your body burn ketones rather than glucose for energy. Within this book you will learn what the ketogenic diet is and how it works, things you should know and do before starting this diet plan, and how to make it work for you.By following a balanced ketogenic diet, you can feel good in your own skin again! You''ll have more energy, your skin and hair will be smoother and more healthy, not to mention the reduction of stress, depression and anxiety that can nag you as you go about your day.Here''s what you can expect to find in this book... How Does a Ketogenic Diet Work? How Does a Ketogenic Diet Compare to Other Diets? What Should I Do Before Beginning a Ketogenic Diet? Counting Macros or Macro-nutrients and How Does This Help With the Diet What Foods to Avoid All Original Chef Designed Meal Plans and Recipes Making a Meal Plan to Fit Your Life Fitting All the Pieces Together And Much More! Here''s what customers thought...This book has totally upheld my prerequisites. I genuinely venerate the considered putting this out through web. It really would make a magnificent motivation to the people who are hunting down solutions for their misfortunes in being on the position of endeavoring to improve their body shapes furthermore their prosperity all things considered. This book''s substance was completely fastidious and was made simple to appreciate. Really incredible for such a to a great degree sensible expense.It was clearly written and I like the way that it felt like I realized that I would now be including the ketogenic eating schedule.It furthermore includes equations towards the end of the book.Can barely wait to give them a shot!-R K FranklinKetogenic Diet is really effective for those who are eager to obtain that certain goals of them on how they wanted to shape their bodies in the most healthy way possible. This book has certainly justified my needs. I really love the idea of putting this out through internet. It really would make a great cause to those who are looking for solutions for their casualties in being on the position of trying to improve their body shapes as well as their health in general. This book''s content was certainly detail oriented and was made simple to understand which is a great way to find it smooth to learn about. Really commendable for such a very affordable price. Definitely would let my friends and to everyone I know who are dealing with the same problem as me, to buy this book.-CallaI can''t wait to show you the incredible effects of this diet. So check out my work that has been some time in the coming; now with Bonus Recipes!Are you ready to begin your diet filled with delicious foods like bacon, steak, eggs, and butter? Don''t Wait! Scroll up and click the Buy button to take the steps towards improving your body, your health, and your life by getting this book now for only $8.87!

Use the recipes of a vegan diet to build the body of your dreams and get the healthiest state of your life by applying the techniques and tips revealed within the book to Transition Into and Stick With the vegan lifestyleVegan diet is a plant based diet which includes all the vegetables, fruits, nuts, greens, grains and all other food obtained from plants. It is low in saturated fats and high in carbohydrates and natural sugar (fructose). Vegan diet is considered as one of the healthiest and balanced diet. Studies have shown that vegan diet or plant based diet has all the essential nutrition required by human body. There could be many reasons behind a person becoming vegan. Some reasons are related to religion, ethics and some are related to health and love for animals. We are going to see all the superfoods which provide essential nutrients in vegan diet such as fat, proteins, calcium, iron, vitamins, zinc etc. Also, how you can transition to become a vegan from your current lifestyle and stick to this healthy diet without much efforts. I am going to show some of the healthy vegan recipes which are balanced in nutrients and also filling.Don''t Wait! Scroll up and click the Buy button to take the steps towards bettering your health and your body by getting this book at a DICOUNTED price for only $9.99!

When her village in Albion is sacked by the Roman general Vespasian, young Aislin is left without home and family. Determined to exact revenge, she travels to Rome, a sprawling city of wealth, decadence, and power. A “barbarian” in a “civilized” world, Aislin struggles to comprehend Roman ways. From a precarious hand-to-mouth existence on the streets, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy senator, but their child Faolan is born with a disability that renders him unworthy of life in the eyes of his father and other Romans. Imprisoned for her efforts to topple the Roman regime, Aislin learns of an alternate philosophy from her cellmate, the Judean known today as the apostle St. Paul. As the capital burns in the Great Fire of 64 AD, he bequeaths to her a mission that will take her to Jerusalem. There, Yohanan, son of Zakkai, has been striving to preserve the tradition of Hillel against the Zealots who advocate for a war of independence. Responding to the Judeans'' revolt, the Romans--again under the leadership of Vespasian--besiege Jerusalem, destroying the Second Temple and with it, the brand of Judean monotheism it represents. Yohanan takes on the mission of preserving what can be preserved, and of re-inventing what must be reinvented. Throughout Into the Unbounded Night, Aislin''s, Faolan''s, Vespasian''s, and Yohanan''s lives intertwine in unexpected ways that shed light on colonization and its discontents, the relative values of dominant and tyrannized cultures, and the holiness of life itself--even the weakest of lives.