Books published by publisher Citadel Press

Foreword by Neil Blumenthal, co-founder of Warby Parker “A beautiful, timely book that will guide you as you find your way to make a difference in the world.” —Walter IsaacsonYou don’t have to be a billionaire philanthropist, give up your day job, or wait for retirement to make a difference in the world. And you can start now. We all want to make the world a better place, but with busy, demanding lives, most of us struggle with the where, when, and how. Dr. Jordan Kassalow, founder of VisionSpring, the groundbreaking venture that has restored eyesight and hope to millions of people across the globe, has the answers: here, now, and in your own way. Sharing his personal story of integrating real-world responsibilities with his desire to make a difference, Jordan offers you a practical way forward, custom-made for your unique talents and circumstances, to take you from thought to action. By exploring key questions about your strengths and interests, personal resources, core beliefs, and most cherished values, Jordan will give you the motivation and the tools to start repairing the world in a way that is meaningful, fulfilling, and true to you. He will show you how working to create change in the lives of others can have a positive impact on your own outlook, well-being, and quality of life. In a world awash in need, it’s easy to give in to anger, frustration, and powerlessness, to let cynicism consume your natural optimism and hunger to build a better world. The soulful and pragmatic approach in this remarkable book will help you see with your heart and use your head to invest in your highest goals—while still earning a paycheck, being there for those you love, and enjoying life. To dare to matter, today.

We can all make a difference. Elementary-school teacher Diane Trull’s life-defining moment happened when her fourth-grade reading class saw a photo of a cardboard box overflowing with homeless puppies. Her young students were determined to save these lost pups and others like them. In that moment, the Dalhart Animal Wellness Group and Sanctuary—known as DAWGS—was born. How Trull and her fourth graders started their own animal shelter is a story of dedication, commitment, and perseverance. Trull shares inspiring stories about animals and animal lovers of all ages in this moving story of hope and compassion. DAWGS is a testament to how love and a strong measure of determination can offer second chances—one animal, one child, and one day at a time. “Get ready to feel a lot. This book is inspiring all along the way.”—Bernadette Peters, award-winning actress “I'm blown away. I hope this story reaches thousands of readers.”—Susan Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of One Good Dog “I loved DAWGS! It will inspire you and warm your heart.”—Kristin von Kreisler, bestselling author of An Unexpected Grace

The shocking true story of the most ruthless and deadly mob boss in the annals of the American Mafia. In the golden age of organized crime, Carmine “The Snake” Persico was the King of the Streets. The defacto boss of the Colombo Mafia family since the 1970s, he oversaw gang wars, murders, and major rackets, even from prison. He is suspected of personally murdering as many as 60 people and ordering the hits of hundreds more. Sentenced to 139 years in the fed, he continued to exert power over a vast criminal empire from behind bars. His brutal rise and bloody reign is the stuff of legend. In this blistering street-level account, “Mafia survivor” Frank Dimatteo teams up with true-crime master Michael Benson to take down one of the most notorious figures in the American La Cosa Nostra. This is the real inside story of Carmine “The Snake” Persico, from his crime-filled childhood on the streets of Brooklyn to the long-term jail sentences that didn’t stop him from controlling his criminal empire with the help of his brother, the equally kill-crazy Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico. His deadly teen years as leader of the fearsome Garfield Boys. His recruitment into the Profaci—later the Colombo—crime family. His bloody betrayal of the Gallo brothers. His role in the hair-raising ambush-slaying of Albert Anastasia—the Lord High Executioner of Murder, Inc.—as he sat in a barbershop chair getting a shave. The terror he struck into the hearts of the New York Mafia’s other families, and even his own crews. And the many courtroom trials where Persico walked after witnesses came down with sudden cases of amnesia Today, Carmine “The Snake” Persico schmoozes with Ponzi king Bernard Madoff behind bars where at age 84 his legend, packed as it is with coldblooded brutality, continues to inspire goodfellas everywhere.

"We're just going to." Helen Brown had no intention of adopting a pet when she brought her sons, Sam and Rob, to visit a friend's new kittens. But the runt of the litter was irresistible, with her overlarge ears and dainty chin.When Cleo was delivered weeks later, she had no way of knowing that her new family had just been hit by a tragedy. Helen was sure she couldn't keep her-until she saw something she thought had vanished from the earth forever: her son's smile The reckless, rambunctious kitten stayed. Through happiness and heartbreak, changes and new beginnings, Cleo turned out to be the unlikely glue the affectionately held Helen's family together. Rich in wisdom, wit, heart, and healing, here is the story of a cat with an extraordinary gift for knowing just where she was needed the most.

“[A] wryly told . . . frank and funny tale of TV, movies, and family life” from the iconic Hollywood child star (Brent Maddock, producer). A true Hollywood survivor, Barry Livingston is one of the few child stars who turned early success into a lifelong career—even if his lazy eye nearly derailed it. After losing his first major film role opposite Paul Newman, his “nerdy” look and goofy charm became his biggest asset, landing him on the classic sitcom, My Three Sons, costarring his real-life brother, Stanley. Five decades later, after working on Mad Men and Desperate Housewives, in such feature films as Zodiac and The Social Network, and alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Robert Downey Jr., Livingston is one actor who knows the importance of being himself. In this engaging memoir, the actor reveals what it was like to grow up in front of the camera, working on set with Fred McMurray, Ozzie and Harriet, Lucille Ball, William Frawley, Jack Benny, Dick Van Dyke, and Ron Howard. From stage to television to the big screen, Livingston experienced some incredible highs and lows, but he never gave up. This is how one child star beat the odds and survived the dark side of the Hollywood dream factory—with charm, wit, determination, and big horn-rimmed glasses. This is The Importance of Being Ernie. “For a child star, [Barry’s] almost normal . . .Having logged fifty years in show business . . . he’s got a great story to tell.” —Paul Jackson, producer of Charmed “I have known Barry Livingston since he was nine years old. He always made me laugh. Now he’s kept me awake reading his wonderful autobiography. There’s a lot of talent in those size eight shoes.” —Gene Reynolds, director of TV’s M.A.S.H. and Promised Land

The shocking true story of the most ruthless and deadly mob boss in the annals of the American Mafia. In the golden age of organized crime, Carmine “The Snake” Persico was the King of the Streets. The defacto boss of the Colombo Mafia family since the 1970s, he oversaw gang wars, murders, and major rackets, even from prison. He is suspected of personally murdering as many as 60 people and ordering the hits of hundreds more. Sentenced to 139 years in the fed, he continued to exert power over a vast criminal empire from behind bars. His brutal rise and bloody reign is the stuff of Mafia legend. In this blistering street-level account, “Mafia survivor” Frank Dimatteo teams up with true-crime master Michael Benson to take down one of the most notorious figures in the American La Cosa Nostra. This is the terrifying inside story of Carmine “The Snake” Persico, from his crime-filled childhood on the streets of Brooklyn to the longterm jail sentences that didn’t stop him from controlling his criminal empire with the help of his brother, the equally kill-crazy Alphonse “Allie Boy” Persico.

The “remarkable saga” of the bold nineteenth-century woman who made a splash by cycling around the world (The Winston-Salem Journal). Until 1894, there were no female sport stars, no product endorsement deals, and certainly no young mothers with the chutzpah to circle the globe on a bicycle. Annie Londonderry changed all of that. When Annie left Boston in June of that year, she was a brash young lady with a forty-two-pound bicycle, a revolver, a change of underwear, and a dream of freedom. She was also a feisty immigrant mother of three who had become the center of what one newspaper called “one of the most novel wagers ever made”: a high-stakes bet between two wealthy merchants that a woman could not ride around the world on a bicycle. The epic journey that followed took the connection between athletics and commercialism to dizzying new heights, and turned Annie Londonderry into a symbol of women’s equality. A vastly entertaining blend of social history and high adventure, Around the World on Two Wheels is an unforgettable portrait that “illuminates family life, journalism, advertising, and recreation of that transitional era. As for Annie, she was a remarkable woman and well worth getting to know” (Booklist). “A wonderful telling of one of the most intriguing, offbeat, and until now, lost chapters in the history of cycling.” —David Herlihy, author of Bicycle: The History “[An] affectionate portrait of a free spirit who pedaled her way out of Victorian constraints.” —Kirkus Reviews “[A] charming and informative book.” —Cape Cod Times