In 1987, three Jewish boys from New York forever changed the face of pop music. Their first album, "Licensed to III" and its smash hit single, "(You've Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party)" created a fresh new sound by blending hip-hop beats with a rock edge and punk attitude, in the process helping to bring hip-hop into the mainstream. Further albums have continued to push musical boundaries while confirming their position as one of the most influential musical groups of our time. And more than just chart-topping musicians, their unwavering commitment to Tibetan freedom and the plight of the Tibetan people has informed and inspired millions. Through a career that has had its share of ups and downs, the Beastie Boys have remained best friends and musical visionaries. This exciting new biography traces the group's transformation from radio-ready brats to elder statesmen of hip-hop....

Ty Cobb's life is a fascinating study of extremes. His professional highs are astonishing: During his career, he set 123 records. His lifetime batting average of .367 has never been surpassed, and he hit over .300 for 23 straight seasons. But there was a dark shadow looming over these accomplishments - his desire to win at all costs led to charges of violent behavior and playing dirty, and he was even accused of using his spikes as weapons against opposing fielders. Off the field stands a legacy of uncontrolled rage, brutal assaults, and both public and private embarrassment. "Ty Cobb" is an engrossing new biography that sheds candid light on a complicated figure who is both a celebrated athlete and a troubled human being....

Since the publication of her first book, "The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts", Maxine Hong Kingston has been a presence on the literary scene. With a mix of autobiography, fiction, and Chinese myths and legends, Kingston's work reflects her cultural heritage and upbringing. But her success as a writer wasn't guaranteed. As a young girl growing up the daughter of Chinese Immigrants in Stockton, California, Kingston initially found public school so challenging that she withdrew into total silence, confounding her teachers, who at one time listed her IQ as zero. Her award-winning work, including "The Woman Warrior", winner of the 1976 National Book Critics Circle Award, and "China Men", winner of the National Book Award, is widely read throughout the world....

Growing up poor in the barrios of Fresno, California, Gary Soto found it nearly impossible to imagine a better life for himself. Yet this child of farm workers was able to escape his life of poverty and despair to become a popular and versatile author. His work, ranging from poetry, fiction, and autobiographical essays for adults to novels, short stories, poetry, and picture books for young readers, explores what it is like to grow up as a Mexican American in the United States. "Gary Soto" is the inspirational biography of a critically acclaimed writer who was able to transcend his humble beginnings thanks to his ability to touch others with his remarkable literary offerings....

Gregory Hines starting tap dancing at the age of two, along with his older brother, Maurice. The brothers, who showed a great aptitude for tapping, went on to form a traveling act. After many years of tapping in the family show, however, Hines grew tired of tap dancing. He quit the show and moved to California, where he lived until he decided what he wanted to do with his life: perform. "Gregory Hines: Entertainer" is the inspiring story of a true tap genius, an artist who was an innovator in his field and in others. Hines went on to star in Broadway shows and Hollywood movies - he even became a recording artist. In addition, he raised a family and became a mentor for the up-and-coming performer Savion Glover. Hines passed away in 2003 at the age of 57....

This is the rags-to-riches story of baseball star Albert Pujols.Widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of our time, slugger Albert Pujols started playing the game on the streets of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Often compared to such baseball legends as Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, he has thrilled fans with his exploits at the plate, and touched the hearts of millions with his tireless advocacy for people with Down syndrome and for the poor of his native Dominican Republic. From growing up poor to signing a $100 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, this devoted father of three has always been able to balance family time with baseball superstardom. This extensive new biography explores this MVP player's record and how he came to be recognized worldwide as one of baseball's true superstars....

Hamid Karzai made history on December 7, 2004, when he was officially sworn in as Afghanistan's first democratically elected president. The world applauded as he vowed to heal his wounded country. A nation with a long and tumultuous history, Afghanistan had endured much over the previous two decades. Invading Soviet troops, resistance by the Mujahideen, anarchy, the oppressive rule of the Taliban, and finally U.S. military action after 9/11 had left the country in ruins. Intelligent, calm, and diplomatic, Hamid Karzai still has a formidable task ahead of him. Will it be possible to restore hope to the Afghan people? Can he bring order and stability to his war-weary nation? This book tackles such tough questions head-on, while giving clear insights into the background and tactics of one of the world's most crucial decision-makers. "Hamid Karzai" is an excellent resource for students seeking to enhance their knowledge of contemporary world issues and the important figures behind them....

When one of her recipes calls for 'EVOO', cooks knowingly reach for the extra-virgin olive oil. And when she declares a dish 'Yum-O', those who have tried her dishes can nod in agreement. Rachael Ray grew up surrounded by great cooks in restaurants, so cooking was a natural and integral part of her life. She first began cooking at home with her mother, moved on to her own cooking demonstrations at local food markets, and finally ended up making successful cooking shows on television. But how did an untrained cook growing up in small-town upstate New York go on to become one of the Food Network's biggest stars? And perhaps most intriguingly, what role has she played in America's ongoing food revolution? "Rachael Ray" tells the story of a woman who has made a career of encouraging others to cook, eat, and love food as much as she does. From her catalog of cookbooks to line of cookware, Ray has become a powerful force in food education....

This former first lady and Yale Law graduate was destined for political life. Hillary Rodham Clinton brought her intelligence and drive to numerous projects during her husband's presidency in the 1990s. In 2000, she campaigned for the U.S. Senate race as a representative from New York. Her win made her the first first lady to be elected to the Senate following her husband's presidency. For the 2008 presidential campaign, Clinton became a contender for the Democratic nomination for president, and is widely considered to be the first woman to have conducted a viable campaign to be president of the United States. Though she lost that nomination to Barack Obama, this former first lady and current U.S. senator continues to promote the interests of children and families....

Born Shawn Carter in New York City in 1970, Jay-Z enjoys the kind of rags-to-riches success that few can only dream of. Driven by raw ambition and tremendous talent, Jay-Z started his own record company, Roc-A-Fella Records, in 1995, when, as a struggling artist, he couldn't convince any music labels to give him a recording contract. On the strength of seven consecutive best-selling albums, Jay-Z quickly established himself and Roc-A-Fella as powerful forces in the music industry. Today, he is a Grammy Award-winner and the president and CEO of Def Jam Records, a multimillionaire with ventures in film, apparel, and even professional sports. This captivating new biography traces the meteoric rise of Jay-Z, exploring in full detail why he remains one of the most popular and formidable rappers around....

George Washington Carver has long been revered for his contributions to improving the lives of poor Southern farmers. Carver studied to be a scientist at a time when many black Americans could not afford, or were turned away from, universities. He went on to do research at the famed Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he became one of the most popular teachers at the school. Carver's efforts were often mythologized, but there is no denying the fact that his work benefited many people. "George Washington Carver: Scientist and Inventor" tells the true story of the man who became a legend in his field....

Born Marshall Mathers III, Eminem overcame a difficult childhood to become the most critically acclaimed white rapper of his time. His albums have sold in the millions. He's won MTV Video Music Awards, Grammy Awards, and even an Oscar. But fame and success have come with a price: His lyrics have been attacked for encouraging violence against women and others. His turbulent personal life has made countless headlines. Some people have called for his music to be banned; others have labeled him a genius. "Eminem" is an in-depth, full-color biography that examines the remarkable life of a controversial yet undeniably talented artist who pushed creative envelopes and broke racial boundaries to become one of hip-hop's greatest stars....

Nicolas Sarkozy was born an outsider. A child of immigrants who grew up outside the circles of the French political elite, Sarkozy beat the odds by slowly climbing up the political mountain until he reached France's highest peak - the office of the presidency. But how did this short, obese child from a broken home grow up to become the president of France? In Nicolas Sarkozy, explore what Sarkozy did to make it to the top and the political and personal prices he paid to achieve his dreams....

Born Shawn Carter in New York City in 1970, Jay-Z enjoys the kind of rags-to-riches success that few can only dream of. Driven by raw ambition and tremendous talent, Jay-Z started his own record company, Roc-A-Fella Records, in 1995, when, as a struggling artist, he couldn't convince any music labels to give him a recording contract. On the strength of seven consecutive best-selling albums, Jay-Z quickly established himself and Roc-A-Fella as powerful forces in the music industry. Today, he is a Grammy Award-winner and the president and CEO of Def Jam Records, a multimillionaire with ventures in film, apparel, and even professional sports. This captivating new biography traces the meteoric rise of Jay-Z, exploring in full detail why he remains one of the most popular and formidable rappers around....

In 1965, Susan Eloise Hinton sat down at her late father's old Underwood typewriter and started work on a novel that would fully and accurately describe the teenage world she knew: the story of Pony Boy, his brothers, and their friends, their constant struggle to belong, and the conflicts between the haves and the have-nots. Two years later, the completed novel, "The Outsiders", was published. Hinton made publishing history, single-handedly creating a new genre of fiction - the young adult novel. S.E. Hinton tells the story of the teenager who was the author of such young adult classics as "That Was Then", "This Is Now", and "Rumble Fish"....