The Pope The Snowman

In the tradition of The Little Prince, The Pope and the Snowman is a book that can be read on several levels. For adults, it is a story tracing the pope's loss of faith and his search to recover a sense of compassion and purpose. For children, it is a story in which the pope is given the opportunity to become a child again, rediscovering joy and hope in the faces of the children he meets. In the end, with the help of the the snowman and the children of Rome, the pope makes a personal commitment with far reaching consequences. The Pope and the Snowman includes 22 illustrations by Richard Becker, a free-lance illustrator and former designer with Hallmark Cards.

In the tradition of The Little Prince, The Pope and the Snowman is a book that can be read on several levels. For adults, it is a story tracing thepope's loss of faithand hissearch to recover a sense of compassion and purpose. For children, it is a storyin which the pope is given the opportunity to become a child again, rediscoveringjoy and hope in the faces of the children he meets. In the end, with the help of thethe snowman and the children of Rome, the pope makes a personal commitment with far reaching consequences. The Pope and the Snowman includes 22 illustrations by Richard Becker, a free-lance illustrator and former designer with Hallmark Cards.

Who made the first snowman? Who first came up with the idea of placing snowballs on top of each other, and who decided they would use a carrot for a nose? Most puzzling of all: How can this mystery ever be solved, with all the evidence long since melted? The snowman appears everywhere on practically everything -- from knickknacks to greeting cards to seasonal sweaters we plan to return. Whenever we see big snowballs our first impulse is to deck them out with a top hat. Humorist and writer Bob Eckstein has long been fascinated by this ubiquitous symbol of wintertime fun -- and finally, for the first time, one of the world's most popular icons gets his due. A thoroughly entertaining exploration, The History of the Snowman travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence. With more than two hundred illustrations and a special section of the best snowman cartoons, The History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

A thoroughly entertaining exploration, this book travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence. With over two hundred illustrations, The Illustrated History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

Step into a world blanketed in snow, where the magic of winter whispers secrets to those who listen. Join George Sand on a journey through the frost-kissed landscape, where every snowflake holds a story and every snowman has a soul. But amidst the tranquility of the snow-covered plains lies a tale of unexpected encounters and profound reflections. Follow the footsteps of our protagonist as they navigate the snowy expanse, searching for meaning amid the silence. As the snowman takes shape, so too does the essence of our own existence. Explore the deeper themes of identity, mortality, and the fleeting nature of life, woven intricately into the fabric of this wintry narrative. Are you prepared to unravel the mysteries of the snowman? Journey with George Sand into a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, and where the simplest of moments hold profound significance. Embrace the beauty of the winter landscape as you immerse yourself in the pages of this timeless tale. Let the gentle rhythm of the falling snow guide you through a story that transcends time and space. Here's your chance to experience the magic of "The Snow Man" by George Sand. Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers like melting snow. Will you dare to venture into the enchanting world of the snowman? Grab your copy now and let the captivating prose of George Sand whisk you away on a journey you'll never forget. It's more than just a story; it's a glimpse into the wonder and beauty of the winter season. "

From São Paulo to Moscow, Kampala to Medellín, Ron Nikkel knows the anguish and hopelessness of people trapped in trouble. In places of civil conflict, extreme poverty, systemic injustice, and inhumane imprisonment he has come face to face not only with tragedy and failure but great hope and courage. In Nepal, a prisoner sacrifices his meager ration of rice to feed his abandoned daughters. In a Pakistan slum, former prisoners and refugees build a place of worship from rocks and branches. What seems impossible and disastrous is not the end of these stories. People emerge, not only as survivors but as individuals who contribute to the greater good of their communities. A meditation on failure and hope, faith and forgiveness, violence and peace Hope in the Ruins will challenge your perspective and show you the real world of triumph in the face of human agony you can’t—and shouldn’t—look away from.

The author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Ignorance Is Blitz" returns with even funnier, nuttier, more outrageous material culled from the actual exam books of real college students.

Much has been written about the paintings and sculptures of Michelangelo, arguably the greatest artist of the Renaissance. But what about the man? In this revealing look at the Florentine genius, acclaimed author George Bull traces the life and spiritual quest of Michelangelo, drawing a fuller portrait of the man himself. In all his work, Michelangelo impressed his contemporaries as a forceful personality, a divine genius endowed with terrabilita, or intense emotional power. Often portrayed as a solitary and austere figure, he in fact enjoyed a wide range of friendships. And it is those whom he loved and hated, served or resisted, who are presented here-- from his family and fellow artists to the popes, nobles, and rulers of Europe. George Bull presents the life of Michelangelo in the round, bringing before the reader a towering genius whose versatility and originality are constantly being rediscovered.

Beneath Lausanne Cathedral, in Switzerland, there is a secret buried before time began, something unknown to angels and men, until now... Marc Rochat watches over the city at night from the belfry of the cathedral. He lives in a world of shadows and "beforetimes" and imaginary beings. Katherine Taylor, call girl and daydreamer, is about to discover that her real-life fairy tale is too good to be true. Jay Harper, private detective, wakes up in a crummy hotel room with no memory. When the telephone rings and he's offered a job, he knows he has no choice but to accept. Three lives, one purpose: save what's left of paradise before all hell breaks loose.