Great Books

The first volume in Paul Scott's historical tour-de-force opens in 1942 as the British fear both Japanese invasion and Indian demands for self-rule. In the Mayapore gardens, Daphne Manners, daughter of the provincial governor, leaves her Indian lover, who will soon be arrested for her alleged rape.

"Ah no, waste no pity on young Kumar. Whatever he got while in the hands of the police he deserved. And waste no pity on her either. She also got what she deserved." August 1942. World War II is reaching its apex, with the conflict consuming almost all of Asia and Europe. In Southeast Asia, the Japanese have driven the British army out of Burma and are threatening India, where Britain's beleaguered forces find themselves facing an increasingly hostile Indian populace tired of decades of unfulfilled promises of freedom. On a dark monsoonal night in the town of Mayapore, amid an outbreak of anti-British rioting, a gang of Indian men rape a young British woman. Through this rape, we are introduced to a cast of characters engulfed and subsequently carried away by the storm of events. Paul Scott's The Jewel in the Crown is part historical novel, part mystery, part love story, part allegory. But to reduce it to any of these elements is to miss its irony, poignancy, and beauty. Full of complex characters and rich in atmosphere and symbolism, this is a novel that works on many different levels. The events unfold through the eyes of a varied cast of characters--both British and Indian--united by their inability to escape the straightjacket of race and social roles, no matter their class, education, or political views. This is particularly excruciating for the rape victim and the young Indian man accused of the crime. These two are drawn to each other by their alienation from the roles they are expected to play. Englishwoman Daphne Manners finds herself increasingly estranged from her countrymen, while Hari Kumar, an Indian who has lived in Britain for all but two years of his life and is so anglicized that he doesn't even speak Hindi, can't abide his native land. Their struggle with the identities and constraints that society imposes on them and the manifestations of their conflict form the core of the novel, providing the timelessness and richness that make it one of the great novels of the 20th century. The Jewel in the Crown, originally published in 1966, is the first of the Raj Quartet, the sweeping epic that looks at the collapse in the 1940s of British rule in India. It was followed by The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence, and A Division of Spoils. --Jonathan King

Fern Michaels, one of the world's best-loved storytellers, delivers an emotionally charged and surprising tale of two very different brothers and the one woman who loved them both -- and who holds the key to a family secret.Handsome, rich, and adored by millions, Ricky Lam was a golden boy -- with a dark side. The substance-addicted superstar had hit rock bottom, but luckily he had a business manager, his older brother Philip, who forced him into a rehab clinic -- a move that would create an irreparable rift between them. Yet, years later, when tragedy strikes, Ricky dedicates himself to Philip's dream: constructing a unique resort in South Carolina called the Crown Jewel. Stepping into his brother's shoes, Ricky encounters unsettling surprises, one of which is an amazing woman, his sister-in-law Roxy, who leads him to the mystery at the center of his brother's life, and into a passionate love affair. As Ricky attempts to discover the brother he loved but never truly knew, he must settle a grave injustice committed decades ago -- even if it means risking his fame, his fortune, and his life.

A spectacular celebration of European jewels, from Charlemagne to Louis XIV to Catherine the Great. For centuries, the wealth, power, and prestige of European monarchies was concentrated in the jewels that hung from their necks, decorated their clothing, and dripped from their fingers—often into the waiting hands of favorite courtiers. From the weighty, gem-encrusted gold crowns of medieval kings to glittering diamond tiaras of Belle Epoque princesses, Royal Jewels shows the exquisite range of gems worn by Europe’s fabled monarchs.  These are the dazzling remains of a lost era—when gems were powerful tools in the game of royal politics, and when the gift of jewelry bestowed far more than wealth on the recipient. Gems expressed court favor, strengthened international ties, and embodied the power of kings long dead and conquerors in the making. With over 300 exquisite photographs and edited by a distinguished group of experts, Royal Jewels is an incomparable examination of an incredible art.

Rosewyn is the young Princess, daughter of Rosalynn and Herron. Unlike her quiet and gentle mother, Rosewyn is forever climbing trees and drainspouts, knocking down boys who bully her, and getting into trouble. Ready for adventure of any kind, she stumbles into a secret plot against her father's crown. With help from her beautiful, powerful grandmother, she escapes from the castle and begins her adventures in exile. After she and her grandmother are chased by their enemy, the young Princess finds refuge in a village of miners. While among these new friends, she seeks to join her grandmother in a last attempt to save the real King and Queen. But a new threat from assassins forces the Princess to flee again. All of her courage is put to the test as she fights to save her family and her kingdom.

"Cordina's Crown Jewel, " part of the Cordina's Royal Family miniseries, marks Roberts's 100th title with Harlequin and Silhouette. This brand-new story features Princess Camilla de Cordina, who runs away, assumes a new identity, and begins working for archaeologist Delaney Caine. But as her irritation towards Delaney grows into desire, she knows she'll soon have to reveal her true identity.

When it comes to the world of hip-hop, nothing shines brighter than glorious bling. A fascinating look in words and pictures at the stars of hip-hop and their fabulous jewelry. elcome to the rarified world of hip-hop royalty, where mega-stars from Jay-Z to J. Lo flash brilliant rocks to signify status and express personal style. In Bling Bling, writer and radio show host Minya Oh takes readers deep inside this star-studded world, exploring the wild appetite for flashy adornment that typifies the contemporary rap scene. See how the other half sparkles in this fascinating photo-filled book devoted to the history and culture of rappers and their jewelry from the last 25 years. Run DMC, Slick Rick, Ludacris, and Puff Daddy are just some of the rap legends who show and tell, as the author travels from East Coast to West to discover the world's most fabulous accoutrements and the stories behind them.

This book contains beautiful portraits of champions in the exotic settings of 24 racecourses around the world. In addition, 21 world-class turf writers paint word portraits of the racecourses they love. Mr. Reeves adds his comments for each of the paintings.