Books with author J. B. Harris

History is supposed to be dull. Who knew it could also be dangerous?Time-travel should be a fun adventure... right? And yet Kristen and Brad find that being stuck in the past is anything but. The Everhearts are taking part in a battle re-enactment of the American Revolution when they inexplicably find themselves back in 1777—for real. They have no way of knowing how or why they’re there; all they can do is try to get through the day. The siblings meet Rebecca, who needs to deliver a message of vital importance to General Washington. They also team up with a tavern-owner's son in order to escort Rebecca back to Philadelphia. Along the way, they deal with a spymaster, colonial deserters, and British soldiers who keep getting in the way. And they still have to figure out how to get back to their own time....NOTE: Based on review feedback, dialogue in this book has been edited for 'questionable' language. As of November, 2017.

A USA Today bestsellerThe dramatic, larger-than-life true story behind the founding of Oculus, its quest for virtual reality, and its founder's contentious battle for political freedom against Facebook, from the bestselling author of Console Wars.In The History of the Future, Harris once again deep-dives into a tech drama for the ages to expertly tell the larger-than-life true story of Oculus, the virtual reality company founded in 2012 that—less than two years later—would catch the attention of Mark Zuckerberg and wind up being bought by Facebook for over $2 billion dollars.This incredible underdog story begins with inventor Palmer Luckey, then just a nineteen-year-old dreamer, living alone in a camper trailer in Long Beach, California. At the time, virtual reality—long-hailed as the ultimate technology—was so costly and experimental that it was unattainable outside of a few research labs and military training facilities. But with the founding of Oculus, and the belief that his tantalizing vision of the future could one day be more than science fiction, Luckey put everything he had into creating a device that would allow gamers like him to step into virtual worlds and, in doing so, hopefully kickstart a VR revolution. With the help of an industry legend, a serial entrepreneur, and a slew of colorful characters—including those behind gaming sensations like Doom, Words with Friends, and Guitar Hero—Luckey’s scrappy startup would finally deliver the dream of immersive and affordable virtual reality to consumers, leading geeks and gamers to be excited in a way that they hadn’t been in years, and tech firms and investors scrambling to get in on the action before it was too late.Over the course of three years (and with unprecedented access from Oculus and Facebook), Harris conducted hundreds of interviews with key players in the VR revolution—including Luckey, his partners, and their cult of dreamers—to weave together a rich, cinematic narrative that captures the breakthroughs, breakdowns, and human drama of trying to change the world. The result is a supremely accessible, entertaining look at the birth of a new multi-billion-dollar industry; one full of heroes, villains, and twists at every corner. Take, for instance, Harris’ own discovery while writing this story. When he started this endeavor, he had no idea that this tale would somehow involve Donald Trump, billion-dollar lawsuits, illegal practices, and end with Luckey—eventually ousted from Facebook—as one of the most polarizing figures in Silicon Valley.

History is supposed to be dull. Who knew it could also be dangerous? Time-travel should be a fun adventure... right? And yet Kristen and Brad find that being stuck in the past is anything but. The Everhearts are taking part in a battle re-enactment from the American Revolutionary War battle re-enactment when they inexplicably find themselves back in 1777, on the eve of a battle for independence and liberty. They have no way of knowing what’s going on; all they can do is try to get through the day. The siblings meet Rebecca, who needs to deliver a message of vital importance to the revered General Washington. They also team up with a tavern-owner's son in order to escort Rebecca back to Philadelphia. In the rush along the way, they deal with a spymaster, colonial deserters, and British soldiers who keep getting in the way. And they still have to figure out how to get back to their own time....American history comes alive! Recommended for ages 11 and up.NOTE: Based on review feedback, dialogue in this book has been edited for 'questionable' language. As of November, 2017.

The dramatic, larger-than-life true story behind the founding of Oculus and its quest for virtual reality, by the bestselling author of Console Wars. From iconic books like Neuromancer to blockbuster films like The Matrix, virtual reality has long been hailed as the ultimate technology. But outside of a few research labs and military training facilities, this tantalizing vision of the future was nothing but science fiction. Until 2012, when Oculus founder Palmer Luckey—then just a rebellious teenage dreamer living alone in a camper trailer—invents a device that has the potential to change everything. With the help of a videogame legend, a serial entrepreneur and many other colorful characters, Luckey’s scrappy startup kickstarts a revolution and sets out to bring VR to the masses. As with most underdog stories, things don’t quite go according to plan. But what happens next turns out to be the ultimate entrepreneurial journey: a tale of battles won and lost, lessons learned and neverending twists and turns—including an unlikely multi-billion-dollar acquisition by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, which shakes up the landscape in Silicon Valley and gives Oculus the chance to forever change our reality. Drawing on over a hundred interviews with the key players driving this revolution, The History of the Future weaves together a rich, cinematic narrative that captures the breakthroughs, breakdowns and human drama of trying to change the world. The result is a super accessible and supremely entertaining look at the birth of a game-changing new industry.

Gold? Seriously? Brad & Kristen Everheart are travelling on a family trip when they suddenly find themselves flung into the past.... again. This time, even their careful preparation and research can’t help them, and it’s only by sheer luck that they realize they’ve stumbled into the first discovery of gold in North America.When they learn that the land-owner, Reed—who doesn’t yet know about the gold (and they're not at liberty to tell him)—is considering selling his farm, Kristen and Brad rush to do what they can to dissuade him from this plan. And they succeed. Problem solved, right?Wrong. That’s where the kidnapping comes in. As usual, adventure and danger are in the mix when Kristen and Brad are on one of their time-travel experiences.Target audience for this novel is ages 11 and up. Approximately 44,300 words.

Smartphones… GPS… Social media… None of it would exist if it weren’t for one thing: old-school computer technology. So, what if the computer hadn’t been invented? Or was invented… somewhere else? BY someone else?Kristen and Brad are visiting the University of Pennsylvania with their cousin Sally. The teens don’t expect their tour to include time travel, and yet when they walk into a campus building they find themselves transported to another era.They know that the first ‘real’ computer was built at the university. Could that achievement be part of the reason for their trip through time? And what do Nazis have to do with it?

Have you ever felt out of place? Like you are not important or special? Have you ever wondered why God made you the way you are? Well, so does Jed, The Great, Great Whale. This story takes us on an underwater adventure with a whale named Jed, who is very, very big! Jed grows bigger and bigger by the day and becomes twice the size of all the other whales in the sea. In fact, he becomes the biggest creature in the entire ocean! Jed is no monster, however; this big whale has an even bigger heart. Even after being picked on and mistreated, Jed never gives up and believes God made him special for a reason. Jed discovers God has an amazing mission for him and that he was made extra big for this special reason. As you embark on this journey with Jed, he wants you to remember that God never, ever makes a mistake. Just like Jed the whale, God loves you and has made you to do big things for Him.

Guns and ghosts and assassins-- oh my!Kristen and Brad are visiting their cousin Sally in a small city in New York. It's just a family vacation; what could possibly go wrong??Apparently, a lot. Kristen is visiting a museum for school research and suddenly discovers she's been thrown back in time.... AGAIN. Luckily she's not alone; a cute museum volunteer made the strange trip to 1865 with her. Together they do what needs to be done, and steel themselves to deal with a tragic national event.Across town Brad and Sally are also on an educational mission. However, a bonehead move by Brad triggers a cosmic timeshift for these cousins, as well. Abruptly thrust into 1865, they find themselves taking part in an important--and potentially deadly--mission on behalf of a revered American leader.The two sets of teens rush to put history on the right track, as the life and liberty of others depends on them And can they each manage to get back to their own time?~ ~ ~ ~This is the second Timekeepers book, which features Brad and Kristen Everheart.Target audience is ages 12-up. The book is approximately 51,600 words.

Guns and assassins and ghosts— oh my! Kristen and Brad are visiting their cousin Sally. It's just a family vacation; what could possibly go wrong?? Apparently, a lot. Kristen is visiting a museum for school research and suddenly discovers she's been thrown back in time.... AGAIN. Luckily she's not alone, as a cute museum volunteer travels to 1865 with her. Together the two must discover what needs to be done, and steel themselves to deal with a tragic national event.Elsewhere, Brad and Sally are also on an educational mission. However, a bonehead move by Brad triggers a cosmic timeshift for these cousins, as well. Abruptly thrust into 1865, they find themselves drafted into a life-saving—and potentially deadly—mission.Can the two sets of teens put history on the right track? And can they also manage to get back to their own time?

The dramatic, larger-than-life true story behind the founding of Oculus and its quest for virtual reality, by the bestselling author of Console WarsFrom iconic books like Neuromancer to blockbuster films like The Matrix, virtual reality has long been hailed as the ultimate technology. But outside of a few research labs and military training facilities, this tantalizing vision of the future was nothing but science fiction. Until 2012, when Oculus founder Palmer Luckey--then just a rebellious teenage dreamer living alone in a camper trailer--invents a device that has the potential to change everything.With the help of a video game legend, a serial entrepreneur and many other colorful characters, Luckey's scrappy startup kickstarts a revolution and sets out to bring VR to the masses. As with most underdog stories, things don't quite go according to plan. But what happens next turns out to be the ultimate entrepreneurial journey: a tale of battles won and lost, lessons learned, and never-ending twists and turns--including an unlikely multi-billion-dollar acquisition by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, which shakes up the landscape in Silicon Valley and gives Oculus the chance to forever change our reality.Drawing on over a hundred interviews with the key players driving this revolution, The History of the Future weaves together a rich, cinematic narrative that captures the breakthroughs, breakdowns, and human drama of trying to change the world. The result is a super accessible and supremely entertaining look at the birth of a game-changing new industry.

Emily Sylvester is a shy, ordinary girl until she accidentally discovers that her mother's emerald necklace has secret powers. When she begins to research a project on Atlantis for a school project, the emerald leads her on a trail to an ancient lost world. Along the way, Emily meets a descendant from the lost world she is seeking who sends her on a mission to save a fabulous secret civilization. To save this world, Emily and her friends must travel through dangerous and mysterious places where they constantly experience new adventures and challenges. How can Emily and her friends survive the terrors and obstacles that they continually face? The fate of an unknown world rests in Emily's hands. Can she save it?