Abrams: 1969 books

The transcripts take the reader on an intellectually breathtaking tour through David Mamet's baroque, fragmented world, where nothing is certain except the certainty bestowed by the academy. After the Cola riots, the fire at the Stop 'n' Shop, and the death of my kitten, what remains? Does the Joke...

James Naughtie established himself a “capable and elegant writer? (Wall Street Journal) with his gripping and highly praised debut, The Madness of July. He sets his new, “brilliant spy thriller? (The Guardian) in the feverish atmosphere of Paris, in April of 1968. The cafes are alive with talk...

The Madness of July is set in the late 1970s, and takes place during six sweltering days in the month that gives the book its title. Will Flemyng was trained as a spy for a life behind enemy lines, but now he is in politics—and rising to the top. But when a bizarre death starts to unravel some of...

From a Booker Prize finalist, a novel that offers “a striking and effective blend of past and present, literary sleuthing and travelogue” (Publishers Weekly). This unique, sprawling tale intertwines two stories: a modern-day one in which an English professor journeys to Stockholm, and then...

The earth’s oceans hold many wondrous surprises—be they the small, colorful “critters” off the coast of Papua New Guinea, opportunistic red demon squids in the Sea of Cortes, or naval wrecks in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll. In Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die Chris Santella has invited diving...

A guide to organic vegetable gardens and small-scale farming with an emphasis on sustainability. Biodynamic farming, with its focus on ecological sustainability, has emerged as the gold standard in the organic gardening movement. Daron Joffe—known as Farmer D—has made it his mission to...

In a Brooklyn basement, Sima gives neighborhood women the support they need—but struggles with her own secrets: “Much more than a novel of female bonding” (Publishers Weekly). Sima Goldner runs her own bra shop, where her customers can find not only a perfect fit but also a sympathetic...

This innovative novel tells the story of Daniel Stein, a Polish Jew who narrowly survives the Holocaust by working for the Gestapo as an interpreter. After the war, he converts to Catholicism, becomes a priest, and finally emigrates to Israel. Despite this seemingly far-fetched progression, the life...

Within hours, one of the world's foremost treasure hunters has shot himself in his country mansion. And to his estranged son, young archaeologist Gideon Chase, he leaves a cryptic letter. Teaming up with an intrepid policewoman, Gideon soon exposes a secret society--an ancient international legion...

Just a few years earlier, Jews living in Portugal were dragged to the baptismal font and forced to convert to Christianity. Many of these New Christians persevered in their Jewish prayers and rituals in secret and at great risk; the hidden, arcane practices of the kabbalists, a mystical sect of Jews,...

The Royal Physician's Visit magnificently recasts the dramatic era of Danish history when Johann Friedrich Struensee -- court physician to mad young King Christian -- stepped through an aperture in history and became the holder of absolute power in Denmark. His is a gripping tale of power, sex, love,...

Master storyteller, social historian, and folklorist Sybil Marshall scoured English history to bring together a fascinating collection of folk tales in one glorious edition. Out-of-print for over thirty years, Overlook is re-issuing this bewitching book to enchant a new audience. From the great mass...

“A dazzling story by a fine writer. Fintan Dunne is a memorable hero who you want to meet again and again” (James Patterson).   Judge Joe Crater’s disappearance in 1930 spawned countless conspiracy theories and captured the imagination of a nation caught in the grip of The Depression.   Twenty-five...

Umpire Solomon Johnson is squeezing the strike zone and throws out both the Pine City Porcupines starting pitcher and manager “Grumps” Humphrey for arguing the call. Chad tries to make peace by giving Solomon a rarely issued “umpire card”—but the ump blows his top. He thinks Chad is making fun of his weight. It’s going to be a long nine innings!