An analysis of Abraham Lincoln's political talents identifies the strengths and abilities that enabled his election and describes how he used those same abilities to rally former opponents to win the Civil War.

A Harvard-trained neurosurgeon shares a minute-by-minute account of his religiously transformative near-death experience and revealing weeklong coma. He describes his scientific study of near-death phenomena while explaining what he learned about the nature of human consciousness.

The best-selling author of Devil in the White City documents the efforts of William E. Dodd, the first American ambassador to Hitler's Germany, to acclimate to a residence in an increasingly violent city where he is forced to associate with the Nazis while his daughter pursues a relationship with Gestapo chief Rudolf Diels.

A humanities professor describes the impact of the translation of the last remaining manuscript of On the Nature of Things by Roman philosopher Lucretius, which fueled the Renaissance and inspired artists, great thinkers and scientists.

The breakout star of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock gives a humorous account of her life, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from her hit shows.

A collection of stories about animals that have forged unlikely, abiding bonds with other animals of different species, from Koko the gorilla and All Ball the kitten to Owen the hippo and the tortoise Mzee.

A collection of cat comics, facts and instructional guides from TheOatmeal.com.

The writer and actor best known for her role on The Office shares observations on everything from favorite male archetypes and her hatred of dieting to her relationship with her mother and the haphazard creative process of The Office's writers' room.

Humor writer Richard Benson collects hilariously wrong test answers.

The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2013 presents a reference with comprehensive facts and statistics on current events, people and the countries of the world, along with 2012 U.S. presidential election results, and original articles on recent issues and topics.

The Almanac returns with weather predictions; astronomical data; gardening advice; and ideas, hints and charts that provide simple solutions for everyday challenges.

Dancers Among Us presents photographs of dancers leaping and spinning in the midst of daily life: on the beach; at a construction site; in a library, a restaurant and a park.

Keri Smith encourages readers to compile a collection of their best mistake- and mess-making talents into a journal, then destroy, deface or damage it to fully experience the creative process.

F for Effort! presents a collection of incorrect yet humorous test answers from real students, from an elementary student claiming that "two halves make a whale" to a high schooler who credits Galileo with inventing the solar system.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Peter the Great presents a reconstruction of the 18th century empress's life that covers such topics as her efforts to engage Russia in the cultural life of Europe, her creation of the Hermitage art collection and her numerous scandal-free romantic affairs.