Extraordinary People

IN THE FIRST BOOK OF PETER MAY'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ENZO FILES, FORENSICS EXPERT ENZO MACLEOD WAGERS THAT HE CAN SOLVE SIX PERPLEXING COLD CASES--AND UNEXPECTEDLY PLACES HIMSELF DIRECTLY IN HARM'S WAY. "ACTION-PACKED." --ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "BRISK AND THRILLING." --THE BALTIMORE SUN "THOROUGHLY ENGAGING." --LIBRARY JOURNAL Half-Scottish, half-Italian Enzo MacLeod used to be one of the top forensics experts in Scotland, and now he lives in Toulouse, working as a university professor. Divorced in Scotland and widowed in France, he has an estranged Scottish daughter and a French daughter he has raised by himself. As if his life isn't complicated enough, he soon finds himself unexpectedly on the hunt for solutions to some vexing cold cases thanks to an ill-advised wager about the power of forensic science. Meanwhile, in Paris, a man desperately seeking sanctuary flees into a church. The next day, his sudden disappearance will make him famous throughout France. Deep in the catacombs below the City of Light, MacLeod unearths disturbing clues deliberately left behind by a killer. But as the retired forensics expert draws closer to the truth, he discovers he may just wind up the next victim for his troubles.

Inside this book, you'll find stories of 50 extraordinary people such as: Evel Knievel, who jumped his motorcycle over 14 Greyhound buses The Iceman, the most well-preserved human, found in the ice after 5,300 years Sam Patch, who jumped Niagara Falls for $75 Helen Thayer, who walked to the North Pole alone Roy Sullivan, who was struck by lightning 7 times These intriguing facts and hundreds more await curious readers, amateur historians, and anyone who aspires to the altogether extraordinary!

This is the story of Condoleezza Rice that has never been told, not that of an ultra-accomplished world leader, but of a little girl--and a young woman--trying to find her place in a sometimes hostile world, of two exceptional parents, and an extended family and community that made all the difference. Condoleezza Rice has excelled as a diplomat, political scientist, and concert pianist. Her achievements run the gamut from helping to oversee the collapse of communism in Europe and the decline of the Soviet Union, to working to protect the country in the aftermath of 9-11, to becoming only the second woman--and the first black woman ever--to serve as Secretary of State. But until she was 25 she never learned to swim, because when she was a little girl in Birmingham, Alabama, Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor decided he'd rather shut down the city's pools than give black citizens access. Throughout the 1950's, Birmingham's black middle class largely succeeded in insulating their children from the most corrosive effects of racism, providing multiple support systems to ensure the next generation would live better than the last. But by 1963, Birmingham had become an environment where blacks were expected to keep their head down and do what they were told--or face violent consequences. That spring two bombs exploded in Rice’s neighborhood amid a series of chilling Klu Klux Klan attacks. Months later, four young girls lost their lives in a particularly vicious bombing. So how was Rice able to achieve what she ultimately did? Her father, John, a minister and educator, instilled a love of sports and politics. Her mother, a teacher, developed Condoleezza’s passion for piano and exposed her to the fine arts. From both, Rice learned the value of faith in the face of hardship and the importance of giving back to the community. Her parents’ fierce unwillingness to set limits propelled her to the venerable halls of Stanford University, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the university’s second-in-command. An expert in Soviet and Eastern European Affairs, she played a leading role in U.S. policy as the Iron Curtain fell and the Soviet Union disintegrated. Less than a decade later, at the apex of the hotly contested 2000 presidential election, she received the exciting news--just shortly before her father’s death--that she would go on to the White House as the first female National Security Advisor. As comfortable describing lighthearted family moments as she is recalling the poignancy of her mother’s cancer battle and the heady challenge of going toe-to-toe with Soviet leaders, Rice holds nothing back in this remarkably candid telling.

For the first time in Extraordinary People, the psychiatrist who was a consultant to the movie Rain Man, collects the most fascinating cases of Savant Syndrome both in history and modern times. Dr. Treffert documents the spectacular abilities—the islands of genius—in these remarkable persons, and describes as well the love, determination and dedication of their equally remarkable families, teachers and caretakers. He shares the observations of the far-reaching implications this astonishing condition has for understanding brain function and hidden potential in all of us.

An extensive collection of intimate accounts from average citizens and celebrities alike, reflecting on John F. Kennedy's assassination for the fiftieth commemoration of the tragic event November 22, 1963 -- any American alive that day can pinpoint exactly where they were when they heard that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. Jodie Hansen, as shocked and horrified as the rest of the nation, channeled her grief into a fascinating project. From 1978 to 1983 she sent thousands of queries asking both famous and ordinary citizens for their memories of those dark, confusing days. She and daughter Laura Hansen have collected the responses she received into a stunning and poignant time capsule: November 22, 1963. With dozens of unique and notable voices, November 22, 1963 offer a rare narrative of John F. Kennedy's assassination and its impact on America and the world. Assembled fifteen years after the event, Hansen was shocked by the outpouring of responses she received. Hollywood stars Bob Hope and Mary Tyler Moore wrote back, as did Arthur Miller, Julia Child, Indira Gandhi, Princess Grace of Monaco, George and Barbara Bush, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Michael Crichton, and even the deranged Charles Manson. Their stories weave together the personal and the political, the ordinary and the extraordinary for a rich and unforgettable portrayal of a nation's shared tragedy. November 22, 1963 provides a kaleidoscopic portrait of this defining moment that reaches across generations.

What's the secret to "extraordinary?" Being stuck in mediocrity sucks. It's easy to identify the symptoms of this disease in your life: are you chronically bored? Do you wake up knowing today is going to suck? Are you constantly fighting off feelings of emptiness, exhaustion, and knowing you're wasting your life? Well, eff that! Every moment of every day, you can choose to be extraordinary. You can choose to become someone you're incredibly proud to be, who accomplishes amazing goals and achieves greatness. What Extraordinary People Know guides you through how to be free of the mediocrity trap: starting with the inspiration, tools, and kick in the ass you need to get your life going in high gear—from behavioral change and personal growth expert Anthony Moore. As someone who took his own life from ordinary to extraordinary, Moore has created a three-step path to breaking free of Mediocrity and becoming the hero of your own life. Are you ready to win?

THESE HABITS WILL MAKE YOU EXTRAORDINARY. Twenty years ago, author Brendon Burchard became obsessed with answering three questions: 1. Why do some individuals and teams succeed more quickly than others and sustain that success over the long term? 2. Of those who pull it off, why are some miserable and others consistently happy on their journey? 3. What motivates people to reach for higher levels of success in the first place, and what practices help them improve the most After extensive original research and a decade as the world’s leading high performance coach, Burchard found the answers. It turns out that just six deliberate habits give you the edge. Anyone can practice these habits and, when they do, extraordinary things happen in their lives, relationships, and careers. Which habits can help you achieve long-term success and vibrant well-being no matter your age, career, strengths, or personality? To become a high performer, you must seek clarity, generate energy, raise necessity, increase productivity, develop influence, and demonstrate courage. The art and science of how to do all this is what this book is about. Whether you want to get more done, lead others better, develop skill faster, or dramatically increase your sense of joy and confidence, the habits in this book will help you achieve it faster. Each of the six habits is illustrated by powerful vignettes, cutting-edge science, thought-provoking exercises, and real-world daily practices you can implement right now. If you’ve ever wanted a science-backed, heart-centered plan to living a better quality of life, it’s in your hands. Best of all, you can measure your progress. A link to a free professional assessment is included in the book.