Bringing Up Oscar

  Individually, the founders of the now infamous Academy were a motley crew, but when they first converged in Hollywood, then just a small town whose main attractions were dirt roads, cattle and pepper trees, sparks flew fueling a common dream: to bring artistic validity to their beloved new medium.

    Just who were these movers and shakers who were at the top of their game in 1927 Hollywood? And what about their famous son, Oscar? Fast approaching his hundredth birthday, he is still Hollywood’s most wanted man. Yet with such dynamic parents, what else could we expect?

Read an exerpt from 'Bringing Up Oscar'

Farmington and Farmington Hills

   Farmington, one of Detroit's oldest suburbs, was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi and was ceded to the government for sale to settlers beginning in 1820. Established as Quakertown and incorporated as Farmington, this "Crossroads Community" developed around a literal railroad stop, flourishing from an agricultural center to a thriving business district. A sense of community, family, and home inspired residents to overcome natural and social obstacles to carve a substantial and influential niche in the Michigan landscape.

   Arcadia Publishing, the country's leading publisher of local and regional history books, created the Making of America series to celebrate individual communities and their unique contributions to our national character. Books in this series combine comprehensive narrative histories with a selection of vintage photographs, period maps, and antique postcards. Together, they record America's epic story town by town, city by city.

Bruce Lee

  One of the 20th century's most famous martial artists, iconic actor Bruce Lee dazzled audiences with amazing stunts. Bruce became a superstar in Hong Kong, where he grew up, and he hoped to find fame in Hollywood. Almost single-handedly, Bruce Lee introduced kung fu to mainstream Western cinema. His crossover appeal also challenged the notion that English-speaking viewers wouldn't want to watch an Asian leading man.

   Tragically, Bruce Lee died at the age of only 32, apparently of an allergic reaction to pain medication. He left behind memorable film and television performances, and a profound influence on martial arts-including Jeet Kune Do, a form that he developed.

John P. Sousa: American Biographies Audio Book Series

   Long before MTV, CDs and television, John Philip Sousa was an international superstar who musically defined the spirit of America. To this day, his high-stepping marches, with their energy and style bring us together, lifting our hearts during troubled times and reminding us that we are all Americans. Well-respected for his patriotism and admired for his talent, John Philip Sousa was a true patriot who believed in his country and gladly took on the role of musical ambassador around the globe, bringing a taste of America wherever he went.