Gerry Boehme

In July 2008, playwright and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda bought a book to read on vacation. Little did he know that his random choice would eventually help him change the face of Broadway. The book was Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton, an original Founding Father of the United States. Seven years later, Miranda's revolutionary hip-hop musical opened to tremendous reviews, sold-out performances, and record-breaking awards. What inspired...

Constant warfare between the French and the British spilled over into the New World as the countries in conflict fought for control of this prosperous territory. Drawn into this fight were the Native American tribes trying to protect their own diminishing claims to the land. Read the writings from those whose lives were affected by the seven years of war that drove the French out of the colonies and eventually led to an alliance that helped the colonies...

The Inquisition was used by the Catholic Church to suppress heresy long before the start of the Spanish Inquisition in 1478. The Inquisition in Spain was granted to investigate Jews who had converted to Christianity, but it was soon hijacked by the state and used as a bludgeon against Jewish and Muslim communities that had lived in the region for centuries. This book examines the historical background behind this shameful period, the consequences...

Edward Snowden worked as a subcontractor for the National Security Agency collecting information culled by domestic surveillance programs. Disturbed by the spying on US citizens, he fled to China and leaked classified documents that were published in newspapers. Living now in Russia and the subject of a 2016 film titled Snowden, he has been charged with violations of the Espionage Act. This book examines the ways the NSA spied on citizens, the moral...

National Football League quarterback Drew Brees has risen to become one of football's all-time greats, all while overcoming two devastating injuries as well as early doubts about his skills. The term "star athlete," however, only scratches the surface of the Drew Brees story. When he led the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl championship, Brees helped restore a sense of pride and hope to a city still recovering from the destructive forces of Hurricane...

Tennis is one of the few sports that have allowed women to display their athletic talents for a period of decades. In all that time, no one has shown a greater combination of skill, speed, power, and drive than Serena Williams. An African American, she has risen to the top in a white-dominated sport. Off the court, she has opened an acclaimed clothing line that has made her a trend-setter in two occupations.

"The third edition of this popular series is updated with a variety of features that will help students learn about the state of Montana. This comprehensive book outlines the geography, history, people, government, and economy of the state. Lists of key people, events, cities, plants and animals, and political figures, plus fact boxes and quotes, provide easily accessible information that is supplemented by activities such as crafts, recipes, and...

"Help readers richly explore the geography, history, business and industry, cities, and people of Illinois. While best known for the hustle and bustle of Chicago, the nation's third most populous city, the Prairie State also features rolling farm fields filled with corn, soybeans, and wheat. The state has a rich history and captivating present." -- Amazon.com.

A book about the geography, history, government, etc. of Connecticut.