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Recommendations based on Born Survivorsby Wendy Holden
* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel James Brown
An inspiring story of a rowing crew battling against the odds to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
This novel is about the University of Washington eight-oared crew that represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and narrowly beat out Italy and Germany to win the gold medal. The ... (Wikipedia)
The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That is Connecting the World
by David Kirkpatrick
A detailed account of the rise of Facebook, its impact on society, and the people behind it.
The inside story of Facebook, told with the full, exclusive cooperation of founder Mark Zuckerberg and the company's other leaders. In little more than half a decade, Facebook has gone from a ... (Goodreads)
Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead Do Tell Tales
by William M. Bass
Investigative journey into a unique laboratory dedicated to solving crimes using forensic science.
Dr. Bill Bass, one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists, gained international attention when he built a forensic lab like no other: The Body Farm. Now, this master scientist unlocks the ... (Goodreads)
The Sound of Gravel
by Ruth Wariner
A memoir of growing up in a polygamist cult in Mexico, and the author's journey to escape and find her own path.
An instant, New York Times, bestseller “A haunting, harrowing testament to survival." —, People Magazine, “An addictive chronicle of a polygamist community.” —, New York Magazine, “Unforgettable” —, ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Choice: Embrace the Possible
by Edith Eger
Overcoming trauma and embracing life through the power of the human spirit.
A, New York Times, Bestseller “I’ll be forever changed by Dr. Eger’s story…,The Choice, is a reminder of what courage looks like in the worst of times and that we all have the ability to pay ... (Barnes & Noble)
Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors
by Piers Paul Read
Story of a group of Uruguayan rugby players who survive a plane crash in the Andes and must fight to stay alive.
On October 12, 1972, a plane carrying a team of young rugby players crashed into the remote, snow-peaked Andes. Out of the forty-five original passengers and crew, only sixteen made it off the ... (Goodreads)
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust
by Immaculée Ilibagiza
True story of a woman's faith and resilience in the face of the Rwandan genocide.
Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee’s family ... (Goodreads)
The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus
by Richard Preston
An exploration of the discovery and containment of one of world's deadliest viruses.
A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret ... (Goodreads)
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
by John Grogan
A heartfelt journey of a family and their beloved, but mischievous, dog.
John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of ... (Goodreads)
The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
by John M. Barry
Chronicling the 1918 influenza pandemic, examining the medical, social and governmental responses.
At the height of WWI, history’s most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. It ... (Goodreads)
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara Demick
Exploration of the lives of North Koreans during the famine and repression of the 1990s.
Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the unchallenged rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and the ... (Goodreads)
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
by Jon Krakauer
An exploration of the fundamentalist Mormon faith, its history, and the power of religious extremism.
A Story of Violent Faith A multilayered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, savage violence, polygamy, and unyielding faith. This is vintage Krakauer, an utterly compelling work of ... (Goodreads)
Three Little Words
by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Memoir of a girl's journey through foster care, adoption, and finding her voice. A story of resilience and hope.
An inspiring true story of the tumultuous nine years Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent in the foster care system, and how she triumphed over painful memories and real-life horrors to ultimately find her ... (Barnes & Noble)
Shockaholic
by Carrie Fisher
A witty and candid memoir about Carrie Fisher's experiences with electroconvulsive therapy and addiction recovery.
Infused with Carrie Fisher’s trademark incisive wit and on the heels of Wishful Drinking ’s instant New York Times bestselling success, Shockaholic takes readers on another rollicking ride into her ... (Goodreads)
The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir
by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
An exploration of the intersection between personal experience and a murder case, delving into questions of morality and justice.
Before Alex Marzano-Lesnevich begins a summer job at a law firm in Louisiana, working to help defend men accused of murder, they think their position is clear. The child of two lawyers, they are ... (Goodreads)
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
An exploration of the human experience of mortality and the importance of end-of-life care.
In, Being Mortal, author Atul Gawande tackles the hardest challenge of his profession: how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its ending Medicine has triumphed in modern ... (Goodreads)
Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
by Melba Pattillo Beals
An autobiographical account of a young African American student's struggle to attend an all-white high school in 1957.
In this essential autobiographical account by one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most powerful figures, Melba Pattillo Beals of the Little Rock Nine explores not only the oppressive force of racism, ... (Goodreads)
Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland
by Amanda Berry
True story of a woman taken captive and her struggle to stay alive and be reunited with her family.
Two women kidnapped by infamous Cleveland school-bus driver Ariel Castro share the stories of their abductions, captivity, and dramatic escape, On May 6, 2013, Amanda Berry made headlines around the ... (Goodreads)
Alicia
by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
A memoir of a young Jewish girl's survival during the Holocaust, and her journey to rebuild her life after the war.
After losing her entire family to the Nazis at age 13, Alicia Appleman-Jurman went on to save the lives of thousands of Jews, offering them her own courage and hope in a time of upheaval and tragedy. ... (Goodreads)
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
by Ralph Helfer
The incredible true story of a boy and his elephant, Modoc, and their journey through life together.
Modoc tells the true story of Bram, a German boy , and his elephant , Modoc. They’re both born on the same day and the same hour. Bram’s father – a third-generation elephant trainer in a circus – has ... (Wikipedia)
Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say
by Kelly Corrigan
A memoir about the author's journey through life's challenges and how she learned to communicate more effectively.
NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLER • A story-driven collection of essays on the twelve powerful phrases we use to sustain our relationships, from the bestselling author of, Glitter and Glue, and, The Middle ... (Barnes & Noble)
Wildflower
by Drew Barrymore
A collection of autobiographical essays that explore the ups and downs of Drew Barrymore's life, from childhood to present day.
Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and ... (Goodreads)
The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All For the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II
by Gregory A. Freeman
The true story of a daring rescue mission during WWII to save downed American airmen in Yugoslavia.
In 1944 the OSS set out to recover more than 500 airmen trapped and sheltered for months by villagers behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia. Classified for over half a century for political reasons, this ... (Goodreads)
The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan
by Jenny Nordberg
An exploration of the secret lives of Afghan girls who live as boys for safety, security, and independence.
An investigative journalist uncovers a hidden custom that will transform your understanding of what it means to grow up as a girl. In Afghanistan, a culture ruled almost entirely by men, the birth of ... (Goodreads)
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster
by Jon Krakauer
A gripping narrative of the 1996 expedition on Mount Everest that resulted in tragedy.
When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. ... (Goodreads)
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
by Corrie ten Boom
A remarkable testament to faith and courage in the face of unfathomable odds and unspeakable horrors.
The book begins with the ten Boom family celebrating the 100th anniversary of the family business; they sell and repair watches under the family's elderly father, Casper ten Boom . The business takes ... (Wikipedia)
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
by Ree Drummond
A memoir of a city girl turned rancher's wife, detailing her journey of love, family, and finding her place in the country.
New York Times Bestseller Wildly popular award-winning blogger, accidental ranch wife, and #1, New York Times, bestselling author of, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) ... (Barnes & Noble)
Father and I Were Ranchers
by Ralph Moody
A boy's coming-of-age story, learning the values of hard work and perseverance while growing up on a ranch.
Ralph Moody was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Through his eyes we experience the pleasures and perils of ranching there early in the twentieth ... (Barnes & Noble)
13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi
by Mitchell Zuckoff
A gripping account of the 2012 Benghazi attack, told by the security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound.
The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi. 13 Hours presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, ... (Goodreads)
Marie Antoinette: The Journey
by Antonia Fraser
A biography of Marie Antoinette, from her childhood in Austria to her reign as Queen of France and eventual execution during the French Revolution.
Marie Antoinette's dramatic life-story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine méchante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; ... (Goodreads)
