Edna Ferber

A dozen stories of breadwinners, women chiefly, whose bread invariably falls with the buttered side down. The types are chosen from among shop girls principally, and they are portrayed not as duncolored strugglers, pitiful to contemplate, but valiant or depressed, they are romantic human beings, experiencing the emotions which make all the world kin. Humor and crisp dialog abound as in the author’s “Dawn O’Hara.” The stories are The frog and the puddle: The man who came back: What she wore; A bush league hero; The kitchen side of the door; One of the old girls; Maymeys from Cuba; The leading lady; That home-town feeling; The homely heroine; Sun dried; Where the car turns at 18th. – Book Review Digest “Exceedingly slangy, occasionally flippant, amusing and uncommonly real stories of shopgirls, stenographers, actresses and other working women.” – A. L. A. Booklist

In Giant, Plaxico Burress takes you into the locker room, onto the practice field, and into the huddle, providing a flat-out-honest look at life on and off the field with the New York Giants and at the making of a champion.Throughout the 2007 season, Plaxico battled near-crippling injuries, and despite rarely practicing, being heavily bandaged, and on serious painkillers, he led the New York Giants in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He continued to play through pain in the playoffs, only to be further injured before Super Bowl XLII. Playing the arrogant Patriots—who were inviting the Giants to their victory party before the game was over—Plaxico concealed a significant injury that might have changed the outcome of the game if the Pats had known.When he first joined the Giants, Plaxico expected to be the go-to guy for the young quarterback Eli Manning. What he didn't expect was the media and fan scrutiny that was heaped on Manning as they battled to win games.What Plaxico also didn't expect was the difficult relationship he had with head coach Tom Coughlin, who was a stickler for discipline and who would fine players for even the mildest offenses. For five years Plaxico had played for the laid-back Bill Cowher and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In contrast, within weeks of joining the Giants, Plaxico and Coughlin were butting heads, and the fines followed.But there to make things a little easier were friends like Jeremy Shockey and Amani Toomer, nearly polar opposites. With Shock, everything was always full-tilt and his mouth would usually get him into trouble. Toomer was the easygoing elder statesman—at times absentminded, but a brilliant receiver.And in 2007, Manning, with Plaxico's advice and support, would rise above the scrutinizing media and come into his own, and Coach Coughlin would relax his grip somewhat and let the team breathe. The results were obvious.It's all here. The ups and downs, the trash-talking, the sweat and blood, and what it takes to be the best.

Originally published in 1945, the triumphant novel of a great American family dynasty in the Pacific Northwest, by Pulitzer Prize winner Edna Ferber. Great Son tells the story of four generations of the Melendys, a family grown rich and ill at ease, who watched Seattle grow from a village to a skyscraper town, who felt the rhythm and sweep of America in the building, and the call of the Alaskan gold fields. There is Madam Exact Melendy, who saw Seattle grow from an Indian camp to the wonder city of the Northwest, and Vaughan, her son, who wrested three fortunes from the wilderness, but yielded to the domination of three women. Finally, there is Mike Melendy, a clear-eyed representative of the new generation, who, feeling there was no place to go but up, took to flying. With her signature colorful prose, Edna Ferber brings to life the triumphant story of the magnificent Melendy men and women.

Vignettes of working people who minister to comfort of Wall Street magnate.

Epic western about the Cravat family settling the Oklahoma prairie. Yancy Cravat is a newspaperman and lawyer who helps found the town of Osage. An adventurer, he finds town-life stifling and seeks his thrills even further into the frontier. His wife ends up becoming a town leader when his absences leave her no other choice.

Excerpt from $1200 a year: A Comedy in three acts Scene1: Living room in the stoddard flat, College Hill, a residential section adjoining the campus of Dinsmore University, Wickley, Pennsylvania. The family consists of Paul Stoddard, instructor in Economics at the University, and his wife, Jean They have been married three years, during which time Stoddard's salary has been twelve hundred a year. The apartment consists of a living room, bed room, and kitchen. The living room is furnished shabbily with furniture reminiscent of his bachelor days together with a few more recent acquisitions. At right, against the wall, is one of those cheap, golden-oak, upright pianos which she hates. At the back are low bookshelves fairly well filled. The most conspicuous object in the room is a portrait hanging above the bookcases. It is the portrait of Governor Gamaliel Winthrop, one of the early governors of Massachusetts. He is dressed in the puritan costume and is of a stern and rock-bound countenance.

Born in Kalamazoo, MI, Ferber (1885-1968) moved with her family to Chicago and Iowa before settling in Appleton, WI at age 12. After graduating from high school, she was a reporter on the Appleton Daily Crescent and later the Milwaukee Journal before publishing her first novel. Fanny Herself, a story of a young girl coming of age in Appleton at the turn of the 20th century, is generally considered to have been based on Ferber’s own experiences. Regarded by many as the “greatest American woman novelist of her day,” Ferber would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for So Big. She was also the author of Showboat and Cimarron, which along with other of her later works were successfully adapted for stage and screen. Three of her books were developed into musicals.

Born in Kalamazoo, MI, Ferber (1885-1968) moved with her family to Chicago and Iowa before settling in Appleton, WI at age 12. After graduating from high school, she was a reporter on the Appleton Daily Crescent and later the Milwaukee Journal before publishing her first novel. Fanny Herself, a story of a young girl coming of age in Appleton at the turn of the 20th century, is generally considered to have been based on Ferber’s own experiences. Regarded by many as the “greatest American woman novelist of her day,” Ferber would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for So Big. She was also the author of Showboat and Cimmaron, which along with other of her later works were successfully adapted for stage and screen. Three of her books were developed into musicals.

There are a number of things that are pleasanter than being sick in a New York boarding-house when one's nearest dearest is a married sister up in far-away Michigan.

Half Portions" by Edna Ferber is a collection of short stories exploring themes of generational differences, class, and social commentary against the backdrop of early 20th-century America. The stories, set in various locations like small-town Wisconsin and bustling cities, delve into the lives of diverse characters, often focusing on strong female protagonists and the evolving relationships between parents and children. Key Themes and Characters: Generational Differences: The stories often highlight the clash between the older generation's values of thrift and caution and the younger generation's desire for comfort and consumerism. Class and Ethnic Barriers: Ferber explores how these barriers impact individuals' life chances and relationships. Strong Female Protagonists: Many stories feature independent and resourceful women who navigate societal expectations and strive for success. Family Dynamics: The collection examines the complexities of family relationships, including those between parents and children, siblings, and extended family members. Social Commentary: Ferber uses her stories to comment on the social and economic realities of the time, including the impact of World War I and the Great Depression. Notable Stories: "The Maternal Feminine": . A story about a plain woman who becomes a successful businesswoman and forms a strong bond with her nieces. "April 25th, As Usual": . An aging Wisconsin couple adjusts to life in New York with their successful daughter. "Old Lady Mandle": . A bittersweet story about an elderly mother coming to terms with her son's evolving life. "One Hundred Percent": . Features the character Emma McChesney, now married, seeing her husband off to war. Ferber's Style: Ferber is known for her witty and insightful prose, her ability to create vivid characters, and her exploration of the human condition. She masterfully captures the essence of a bygone era, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring power of family bonds and the pursuit of the American Dream.