New Releases by James S. Hirsch

"Clark is living proof that if you put in the work, you never know where the world may take you."—Booklist (starred review) When a baby named Zion was born in 1997 to an imprisoned, drug-addicted mother, his future seemed bleak. Born without legs due to a rare condition called caudal regression syndrome, Zion was abandoned and shunted to a foster-care system ill-equipped to care for him. In this stirring memoir, readers will follow as he is bounced from home to home, subjected to abuse, neglect, and inconceivable hardship. Somehow, Zion finds supportive angels along the way: his first two foster families, who offer a haven; the wrestling coach who senses his “warrior spirit” and nurtures it; the woman of fierce faith who adopts a seventeen-year-old and cheers his every match. From play-by-play narration of how Zion adapts wrestling moves to defeat able-bodied opponents, wielding phenomenal arm and hand strength, to accounts of his extraordinary work ethic, unflagging optimism, and motivational speaking, this is an inspirational story of courage that will appeal to any athlete who respects determination, any young person facing adversity, and any reader who wants to believe in the human spirit.

"This ... photographic essay showcases Zion Clark''s ... athleticism and undaunted spirit"--Provided by publisher.isually

Rubin Carter is the Hurricane. A pistol shot in a bar room ruined his chances of becoming the middleweight champion of the world. But he did not fire the gun. Nineteen long years in prison, a massively high profile campaign to release him that failed, and the persistence of an unlikely supporter finally saw him free.

A founding member of The Beach Boys traces his half-century career, discussing the inspirations for his pop classic lyrics, his struggles with self-destructive habits, his spiritual life, and his partnerships with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson.

Includes Simon & Schuster reading group guide.

With a new preface, a "profound, chilling, and heartbreaking, contribution to American history" that investigates the causes of the twentieth century''s deadliest race riot and how its legacy has scarred and shaped a community ( Boston Globe). On May 30, 1921, a misunderstanding between a white elevator operator and a Black delivery boy escalated into the worse race riot in U.S. history. In this compelling and deeply human account, James Hirsch investigates how the Tulsa riot erupted, how it was covered up, and how the survivors and their descendants fought for belated justice. "Superbly researched and engagingly written" ( Fort Worth Morning Star), Riot and Remembrance powerfully chronicles one community''s effort to overcome a horrific legacy, revealing how the segregation of history and memory affects all Americans a hundred years later. "The best book yet on the Tulsa riots, and one that should be required reading."— Seattle Times

The New York Times bestselling, authorized, “enormously entertaining and wide-ranging” (The Seattle Times) biography of the late, great Willie Mays. Willie Mays (1931–2024) was arguably the greatest player in baseball history, revered for the passion he brought to the game. He began as a teenager in the Negro Leagues, became a cult hero in New York, and was the headliner in Major League Baseball’s bold expansion to California. He was a blend of power, speed, and stylistic bravado that enraptured fans for more than two decades. Author James Hirsch reveals the man behind the player. Mays was a transcendent figure who received standing ovations in enemy stadiums and who, during the turbulent civil rights era, urged understanding and reconciliation. More than his records, his legacy is defined by the pure joy that he brought to fans and the loving memories that have been passed to future generations so they might know the magic and beauty of the game. With meticulous research and drawing on interviews with Mays himself as well as with close friends, family, and teammates, Hirsch presents a brilliant portrait of one of America’s most significant cultural icons.

HURRICANE recounts the harrowing, inspiring odyssey of Rubin Hurricane Carter, a black boxer wrongly convicted of three murders, from fierce despair to freedom and enlightenment.

Examines the disease that is becoming America''s fastest-growing epidemic, revealing the author''s own bout with Type 1 diabetes, the science behind the disease, and the social and economic impact of diabetes in the United States.

How two Vietnam POWs, one white and one black, formed an unexpected friendship that saved them both: “A moving story.”—John McCain Fred Cherry was one of the few black pilots taken prisoner by the Vietnamese, tortured and intimidated by captors who tried and failed to get him to sign antiwar statements. Porter Halyburton was a white southern navy flier who the Vietnamese threw into a cell with Cherry at the famous Hanoi Hilton, hoping that close quarters would inspire racial tensions to boil over. Instead, they fostered an intense connection that would help both men survive the war—and continue for the rest of their lives. An unforgettable story of courage and friendship, Two Souls Indivisible is a compelling reminder of what can be achieved, in the face of incredible odds, when we put our differences aside. “A riveting tale . . . Two Souls Indivisible joins the small list of essential tomes on the war, race, and to an even larger degree, books that describe the true meaning of heroism.”—Seattle Times “A moving story of two men whose courage, sense of duty, and love proved greater than the depravity of their captors.”—Sen. John McCain

The inspiration for an upcoming film starring Denzel Washington, "Hurricane" recounts the miraculous journey of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter--a boxer wrongly jailed for three murders--from fierce despair to freedom and enlightenment.