The Beautiful History

The Beautiful History charts the fascinating history of Britain through its football badges. From Premier League giants to non-league sides, the book covers over 100 clubs, revealing the story behind each badge motif and linking it to an historical event. Delving deep into our nation's past, from early times to the present day, each badge is celebrated with a beautiful illustration to help bring the story to life. Why did a Viking standing on a thistle give the game away and end their occupation of mainland Scotland? What is the connection between canaries and 16th-century refugees? Which team celebrates the Battle of Britain on its badge and why? Ever wonder who Blackbeard was or why some badges incorporate a rose or bee? The Beautiful History holds all the answers and links football to key dates like 1066 and 1588, with tales that are often surprising, quirky or laugh-out-loud funny. An engaging, informative and fun book for fans of all ages, it includes activities, places to visit, a football timeline and quiz.

Praised by The New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; Bitch Magazine; Slate; Publishers Weekly; and more, this is “a bracing corrective to a national mythology” (New York Times) around the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement has become national legend, lauded by presidents from Reagan to Obama to Trump, as proof of the power of American democracy. This fable, featuring dreamy heroes and accidental heroines, has shuttered the movement firmly in the past, whitewashed the forces that stood in its way, and diminished its scope. And it is used perniciously in our own times to chastise present-day movements and obscure contemporary injustice. In A More Beautiful and Terrible History award-winning historian Jeanne Theoharis dissects this national myth-making, teasing apart the accepted stories to show them in a strikingly different light. We see Rosa Parks not simply as a bus lady but a lifelong criminal justice activist and radical; Martin Luther King, Jr. as not only challenging Southern sheriffs but Northern liberals, too; and Coretta Scott King not only as a “helpmate” but a lifelong economic justice and peace activist who pushed her husband’s activism in these directions. Moving from “the histories we get” to “the histories we need,” Theoharis challenges nine key aspects of the fable to reveal the diversity of people, especially women and young people, who led the movement; the work and disruption it took; the role of the media and “polite racism” in maintaining injustice; and the immense barriers and repression activists faced. Theoharis makes us reckon with the fact that far from being acceptable, passive or unified, the civil rights movement was unpopular, disruptive, and courageously persevering. Activists embraced an expansive vision of justice—which a majority of Americans opposed and which the federal government feared. By showing us the complex reality of the movement, the power of its organizing, and the beauty and scope of the vision, Theoharis proves that there was nothing natural or inevitable about the progress that occurred. A More Beautiful and Terrible History will change our historical frame, revealing the richness of our civil rights legacy, the uncomfortable mirror it holds to the nation, and the crucial work that remains to be done. Winner of the 2018 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Prize in Nonfiction

A brief history for New Orleans' greatest admirers. This concise history of the Crescent City contains chapters covering the Mississippi River, the city's founding, European rule, and more, updated with expanded jazz and African American sections. It is a must for every library and home, and for those who love New Orleans and its rich history.

The remarkable true saga of an exceptional animal—and the no less exceptional man who led him to greatness: “Seabiscuit had nothing on Beautiful Jim Key.” —Sacramento Bee Beautiful Jim Key—the onetime ugly duckling of a scrub colt who became one of the most beloved heroes of the turn of the twentieth century—was adored not for his beauty and speed but rather for his remarkable abilities to read, write, spell, do mathematics, even debate politics. Trained with patience and kindness by one of the most renowned horse whisperers of his day—former slave, Civil War veteran, and self-taught veterinarian Dr. William Key—Jim performed in expositions across the country to wildly receptive crowds for nine glorious years, smashing box office records, clearing towering hurdles of skepticism and prejudice, and earning the respect and admiration of some of the most influential figures of the era, from Booker T. Washington to President William McKinley. “Wonderful . . . a fascinating and touching book.” —Winston-Salem Journal “If Beautiful Jim Key were alive today, he’d have a movie deal.” —People “A classic. . . . a window into a lost world.” —Nashville Scene “Chronicles the adventures of a great horse and the men who loved him . . . engaging.” —Entertainment Weekly “Compelling . . . a vivid slice of Americana.” —Parade “Captivating.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The Beautiful Badge is the first book to explore the history of football club badges. From the original Red Devil to the 10 canary, it looks at what inspired them, who crafted them and how fans reacted. Extensive illustrations show how badges followed fashion, negotiated copyright, and expressed the aspirations of owners, managers, and fans.