Tuesday, March 3, 2009

HarperCollins Inks Deal With No. 1 Bestselling Rock Band Bon Jovi

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- HarperCollins Publishers today announced a deal to publish the first ever official Bon Jovi book, Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful. Celebrating the band's 25th anniversary, the book contains never-before-seen photographs and exclusive text from the band and will be published next October by the Collins Design imprint. Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful will also serve as a companion to a major documentary about the band being released at the same time.

The story of Bon Jovi's career -- spanning three decades, countless hits, sold-out stadiums -- reads like a timeline of popular culture and has earned them legendary status. But for all their acclaim, fans have been offered very few up-close-and-personal glimpses of the band members. To commemorate their 25th anniversary, the band gave filmmaker and photographer Phil Griffin unprecedented access to their lives, onstage and off, during 2008. The Lost Highway tour became the #1 tour in the world last year, according to Billboard Magazine. This insider portrait of one of the world's best-loved rock bands is the subject of a major documentary and this extraordinary book is a must-have for all Bon Jovi fans.

The public face of Bon Jovi -- band of brothers, hitmakers, rock stars -- is well known, but in Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful, gorgeous, exclusive photographs and revealing text from Jon, Richie, David and Tico themselves tell the behind-the-scenes story. From intimate moments to basking in the limelight, the book offers fans an honest, unposed and unscripted portrait of this legendary band at work and at home.

"We are honored to be collaborating with one of the most successful bands in Rock history," said Marta Schooler, Publisher of Collins Design. "Bon Jovi's continuing success has been no less than remarkable and we are thrilled to be publishing the must-have book for all their fans."

The book offers unprecedented insights into the members' lives on stage, on the road, and at home, as well as intimate reflections on the highs and lows of their 25 years together. Bon Jovi is responsible for some of popular music's biggest anthems over the last twenty-five years. Since Bon Jovi's eponymous album release in 1984, their songs have propelled their albums and tours to stratospheric success with precision consistency. From rock songs ("You Give Love A Bad Name," "Living On A Prayer," "It's My Life," "Who Says You Can't Go Home,") to ballads ("Bed of Roses," "I'll Be There For You," "Always,"), to outlaw-themed anthems ("Wanted Dead or Alive," "Blaze of Glory"), their arsenal of All-American songs have repeatedly found a reception on a global stage. Bon Jovi has sold over 120 million records worldwide and charted seven #1 singles and countless Top Ten hits.

About HarperCollins Publishers

HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups around the world including the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children's Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India. HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, mystery, romance, reference, religious and spiritual books. With nearly 200 years of history HarperCollins has published some of the world's foremost authors and has won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott. Consistently at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, meet consumer demand and generate additional business opportunities. You can visit HarperCollins Publishers on the Internet at http://www.harpercollins.com.

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New Book Challenges America's Leadership to Uphold the Principles of Justice, Truth and Compassion

TAMPA, Fla., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- As a new Administration and America face economic, social, and political uncertainties, social commentator, keynote speaker and diversity consultant Dr. Melvin James presents solutions for restructuring the social, economic, legal, religious and political sectors of America. In "God Bless America: Contemporary Analyses of Truth, Justice and Compassion," he provides authoritative and compelling analyses of American governance and society.

Dr. James examines societal foundations that need to be restructured. On race relations, he calls for more open dialogue on racism which "is deeply etched in the societal blanket." On the statement that we are "a nation of laws," he reminds us that "America when it disenfranchised women was also 'a nation of laws.'" On democracy, he states, "In Special Interests Democracy, the masses select the national players; the lobbyists ... set the agenda and outcomes." On the economic crisis he notes, "Minimally regulated capitalism is not just another economic model; it is premised on a self-centered philosophy of life." He also indicates that a compassionate America is grounded in the belief of the intrinsic dignity of every American regardless of his/her economic or social condition.

The genesis of the book followed the deadly 9/11 attack and the outburst of national solidarity embodied in the song, "God Bless America." Consequently, the portrait of a blessed America where greater levels of Justice, Truth and Compassion prevail is presented. As a diversity consultant and theologian, James brings new perspectives to this discourse.

To depict what America should be, James rewrites the discourse of "A City on a Hill" given by Governor Winthrop in 1630. In the call for a national ethic of truth he reminds us that, "A nation that manipulates truth for its own ends, will one day discover that it has lost control over those desired ends." On foreign policy, we are cautioned that as stereoscopic vision is necessary for human survival, stereoscopic comprehension of the socio-political history of nations is indispensable for planetary survival.

This book is intended for persons in leadership in all sectors of society. Topics include: Where was God on September 11?; Who is an American?; Truth and Political Correctness; Legal Injustice by Design; A Message to African Americans; Hurricane Katrina and Moral Visual Impairment; Compassionate Political Leadership; America and Democracy; America and the World. A series of chapter questions are designed to stimulate group discussions. The book can serve as a supplementary text for college courses in the social sciences, education and religion. Copies of the book are available from http://www.amazon.com or http://www.godblessamw.com.

Dr. Melvin James is a diversity consultant and psychotherapist and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. He is an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and Argosy University.

    MEDIA CONTACT

    Melvin James, Ph.D.
    God Bless America And The World
    P.O. Box 291488
    Tampa, FL 33687
    Phone: (877) 524-6325
    Email: drmwjames@godblessamw.com
    Website: www.godblessamw.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

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Hannah Montana Fans Get Key to Online Secrets With New Book and Interactive Website

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids get the key to hours of fun and entertainment with Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online, new this spring from Reader's Digest. Fans will covet the collectible charm with secret password that comes with the book. It enables readers to access a special website, www.hannahwebpass.com, that's chock-full of fun online activities. Kids can read about Hannah, her friends Lily and Oliver, and even heartthrob Jake Ryan, then log on to the website, plug in the secret code, and discover a treasure chest full of pictures, posters, printables and interactive activities.

The book and website each include three separate sections -- "Fashion Focus," "School, Friends, and More," and "Family Rocks" -- that not only show what makes Hannah so cool, but also give kids a chance to explore their own fashion style, relationships, and more. Fans will want to share with each other the book's familiar Hannah Montana moments -- silly, goofy, funky, and, of course, romantic. The website extends the fun.

Online, kids can design a room, guitar, bulletin board, birthday card, or concert t-shirt, choose outfits for Hannah, edit a magazine cover or yearbook, and print out a fashion calendar or a birthday keeper. Whether fans want to read Miley's diary, find out their "crush style," or create a Hannah Montana family scrapbook, it's all there at www.hannahwebpass.com. A special bonus page even allows kids to download and print posters and stickers.

The Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online book and secret website are the ultimate key to fun for Hannah Montana fans.

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Power and Responsibility: Building International Order in an Era of Transnational Threats

"The vision, ideas, and solutions they put forward in this book have the potential to redeem American foreign policy." -- Brent Scowcroft

"I salute the Managing Global Insecurity (MGI) project and this book, Power and Responsibility, for undertaking the challenging endeavor of strengthening and improving our current means of international cooperation. This book sets a platform from which to take forward the vital agenda of restoring American leadership and creating a more effective international system." -- Madeleine K. Albright

"Power and Responsibility offers timely, relevant, and responsible advice on America's future foreign policy. The authors address our need to strengthen our alliances and forge relationships based on common interests. Addressing twenty-first century challenges will require engaging the world with strong leadership and a twenty-first century frame of reference." -- Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As soon as he was sworn into office on January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama was immediately faced with security threats unconstrained by borders. From climate change, nuclear proliferation and terrorism to conflict, poverty, disease and economic instability, these threats overwhelm an outdated and unrepresentative post-World War II international security system. In their important and timely new book, Power and Responsibility: Building International Order in an Era of Transnational Threats (Brookings Institution Press; March 3, 2009; $32.95), Bruce Jones, Carlos Pascual, and Stephen John Stedman argue that, in order to advance its own interests, the United States must learn to govern in an interdependent world, exercise leadership through cooperation and forge a new compact with the world's traditional and emerging powers.

With a new approach to sovereignty and cooperation, Power and Responsibility outlines a vision for an international order that can promote global security and prosperity for the next 50 years. The authors argue that international cooperation must be built on the principle of responsible sovereignty--the idea that in an interconnected world, sovereignty entails obligations and duties toward other states as well as to one's own citizens. The first step in strengthening international relations will be the restoration of American credibility and leadership, particularly American re-commitment to a rule-based international system. In addition, the U.S. must institutionalize cooperation with rising powers and promote effective international institutions that will provide legitimacy, mobilize resources and deliver on top global challenges.

The result of a collaborative project on Managing Global Insecurity, Power and Responsibility also draws its findings from the project's Advisory Group, composed of prominent figures from the United States and abroad, including Madeleine Albright, John Podesta, Richard Armitage, EU High Representative Javier Solana, former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, and one-time Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

As President Obama takes his first steps into his term, the time has arrived for a serious rethinking of American global leadership for the 21st century.

About the Authors

Bruce Jones is director of the Center for International Cooperation at New York University and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He recently served as deputy research director for the United Nations High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change.

Carlos Pascual is vice president and director of Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings. He previously served as coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization at the State Department and as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

Stephen John Stedman is a senior fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings. He recently served as assistant secretary-general and special advisor to the UN secretary-general.

The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions. For more than 90 years, Brookings has analyzed current and emerging issues and produced new ideas that matter -- for the nation and the world.

Power and Responsibility: Building International Order in an Era of Transnational Threats

By Bruce Jones, Carlos Pascual, and Stephen John Stedman

Brookings Institution Press

Pub date: March 3, 2009

6 x 9 ¿ 360 pages

cloth, ISBN 978-0-8157-4706-2, $32.95/22.99 pounds Sterling

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John Gray Will Discuss His New Book Why Mars and Venus Collide

PHILADELPHIA, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Join Jacqueline Foreman, host of Your Mental Health Talk Radio www.blogtalkradio.com/yourmentalhealth when she interviews national best-selling author John Gray whose first book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus sold millions of copies worldwide. They will discuss his new book When Mars and Venus Collide: Improving Relationships by Understanding How Men and Women Cope Differently with Stress on Thursday, March 5th at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090302/NY76774-a )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090302/NY76774LOGO-b )

Over the last fifteen years, a new trend in relationships has emerged linked to increasing stress. Both couples and singles believe they are too busy or too exhausted to resolve their relationship issues, and often think their partners are either too demanding or just too different to understand. Attempting to cope with the increasing stress of working for a living, both men and women feel neglected at home. While some couples experience increasing tension, others have just given up, sweeping their emotional needs under the carpet. They may get along, but the passion is gone.

John Gray, PhD, the best selling relationship author of all time - is the author of 16 best-selling books including Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: one of the best-selling books of the last decade. In the past fifteen years, over 40 million Mars Venus books have been sold in over 45 languages throughout the world. An expert in the field of communication, John Gray's focus is to help men and women understand, respect and appreciate their differences in both personal and professional relationships. In his many books, CD's, DVD's, tapes, workshops and seminars, he provides practical tools and insights to effectively manage stress and improve relationships at all stages and ages by creating the brain chemistry of health, happiness and lasting romance. His latest book, Why Mars & Venus Collide - which recently reached the Amazon top one hundred - reveals how men and women can improve relationships by understanding how they cope differently with stress. John Gray has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The View, Politically Incorrect, Larry King and others. He has been profiled in Newsweek, Time, Forbes, USA Today, TV Guide, People and New Age Journal, among others.

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New Book on American Pinot Noir Inspires Twitter Taste Live Online/Offline Wine Tasting March 14, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Jordan Mackay, dynamic wine writer and author of "Passion for Pinot: A Journey Through America's Pinot Noir Country," will host a Twitter Taste Live online wine tasting of American Pinot Noirs on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Wine lovers are encouraged to join this interactive, educational wine tasting event at http://www.twittertastelive.com/events/twitter-taste-live-a-passion.

A live video stream at Twitter Taste Live will allow tasting attendees to follow Mackay's educational tour through the finest Pinot Noir regions of California and Oregon. Participants can also ask questions through the Web site's real-time Twitter feed. For Pinot lovers who'd prefer to meet the author in person, The Jug Shop will host a simultaneous in-store tasting with Mackay live from 5 to 7 p.m. PT. The Jug Shop is located at 1590 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109. Phone: (415) 885-2922. Jug Shop tasting fee is $5. Please RSVP by e-mail only at info@jugshop.com.

Twitter Taste Live (TTL), the premier forum for real-time wine tasting via the Web, is a ground-breaking tasting format that utilizes the popular social networking tool Twitter to connect passionate consumers with people that share their passion. TTL began as a series of online wine tastings bringing the world's top winemakers, importers and bloggers directly to consumers all over the world. It is an open platform driven by the users and launched in September 2008 by Bin Ends, a wine retailer in Braintree, Mass. Tasters must have a Twitter account in order to actively exchange questions and comments about the wines.

Consumers can purchase the TTL featured wines through official partner retailers a few weeks prior to the event: Bin Ends, The Jug Shop and The Wine Spies. Orders will be processed and wines shipped to consumers' residences in states where legal. Consumers located outside of partner retailer areas can also visit www.vinquire.com to find retailers in their neighborhoods that sell the featured wines.

TTL Passion for Pinot will feature three wines, including those from regions that are Pinot's greatest expressions in the New World: Sonoma Coast Vineyards Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast; WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Estate Cuvee, Willamette Valley; and Gainey Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills. (Additional Pinots served at The Jug Shop tasting.)

In "Passion for Pinot," award-winning photographers Robert Holmes and Andrea Johnson and wine writer Jordan Mackay capture the grape's allure by showcasing top Pinot producers and terroirs. Officially released in late February, "Passion for Pinot" (hardcover, $30) is now available for purchase at www.amazon.com. The book beautifully illustrates the poetry of the vineyard landscapes, the life cycle of the vineyards and the atmospheres of the wineries. The engaging narrative chronicles the different stylistic approaches to growing and vinifying Pinot and tells the story of the dedicated winemakers responsible for elevating the grape to its exalted status. Jordan Mackay is wine-and-spirits editor for 7x7 magazine in San Francisco and is a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits. He has also written for Food & Wine, Gourmet, Drinks, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle.

For more information about Twitter Taste Live, please visit www.twittertastelive.com. For more information about the Wilson Daniels Ltd. portfolio of wines, please visit www.wilsondaniels.com. For more information about "Passion for Pinot," visit www.pinotbook.com.

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EQAL, 'CSI' Franchise Creator Join Forces to Launch Cutting-Edge Digital Novel Experience

Anthony E. Zuiker Taps Social Entertainment Pioneers Behind lonelygirl15 to Create Multiplatform Interactive Experience for DARK CHRONICLES Novel

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- EQAL, the social entertainment company behind the Web's two most successful interactive drama series, lonelygirl15 and KateModern, and 'CSI' franchise creator, Anthony E. Zuiker, today announced a partnership to launch a multiplatform 'Digi-novel' series that will expand traditional book reading into a multimedia experience.

DARK CHRONICLES, the first in a series of crime novels published by Dutton, will revolutionize modern storytelling by allowing readers to move seamlessly from books to film to the Web, an unprecedented undertaking in the publishing industry.

Under the terms of the partnership, EQAL will develop a destination Web site for DARK CHRONICLES, www.darkchronicles.com, which will launch in July, featuring a blog and a rich social network. Cyber bridges will be added to the site with the release of the novel on Sept. 8, 2009. Readers will be able to access cyber bridges every five chapters, which will allow them to view videos, audio files and photos by registering and entering a code from the book. All cyber bridges were written, produced and directed by Zuiker.

"EQAL is the ideal partner for the debut of the 'digi-novel'. Our collective passion to tell stories on multiple platforms will honor the authenticity of community while at the same time appeal to the commercial masses," said Anthony E. Zuiker.

EQAL, founded by Miles Beckett and Greg Goodfried, will run the Web site's community and will build and provide the entire technology infrastructure to host the online components. As the world's leading producer of online interactive shows, EQAL has a proven record in building online communities having paved the way with lonelygirl15 and KateModern, which collectively have attracted more than 150 million views and hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.

"We're very excited about our partnership with Anthony," said Miles Beckett, co-founder and CEO, EQAL. "A Web site dedicated to DARK CHRONICLES is a great way to further engage readers by offering additional content and an interactive experience. EQAL is thrilled to be working with Anthony to expand his fan base online."

Blog content will be updated daily with information related to novel, as well as a combination of behind-the-scenes footage and bonus material from DARK CHRONICLES. The Web site's social network will allow Zuiker's fans to set up profile pages, friend other members, send private messages, upload photos and videos, write blogs and chat with each other in a dedicated forum.

DARK CHRONICLES will be available in stores on September 8. The cyber bridges will go live September 8 as well.

About EQAL

EQAL (pronounced "Equal") is a social entertainment company dedicated to changing the way content is consumed. Merging technology with creative development and production expertise, EQAL is a leader in the creation of truly interactive shows. Formerly known as LG15 Studios/Telegraph Ave. Productions, the company produces the two most successful online interactive dramas: lonelygirl15 and KateModern. Through partnerships with independent producers, traditional media companies, and multi-national brands, EQAL is dedicated to building online communities that engage users like never before. EQAL is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in London. For more information: http://www.eqal.com.

About Anthony E. Zuiker

Anthony E. Zuiker is one of the most creative and multifaceted individuals working in Hollywood today. He is the creator of television's successful CSI franchise, which now includes CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. In 2002, CSI became the most-watched show on television reaching 75 million viewers per week and has accumulated an astounding 28 Emmy Award Nominations, four Emmy Awards and one Screen Actors Guild Award. In addition to expanding on his film and television efforts, Zuiker continues to delve into the worlds of gaming, publishing and cross-platform storytelling. He has created the industry redefining multi-platform media property being coined a 'Digi-Novel.' Published by Dutton, the first 'Digi-Novel' in this crime series is titled 'Dark Chronicles' which will be in stores on September 8, 2009. Zuiker also closed a deal with publisher HarperCollins for his memoir tentatively titled 'Mr. CSI.'

About Dutton

Dutton is a U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Dutton is home to many bestselling crime and thriller authors such as Harlan Coben, Ken Follett, John Lescroart, Stephen White, Raymond Khoury, T. Jefferson Parker, and Marcus Sakey. In 2007, one quarter of the books Dutton published hit the New York Times bestseller list, including books by Eckhart Tolle, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Jenny McCarthy. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Penguin Press, Berkley Books, Penguin, Gotham Books, G.P. Putnam's Sons, Plume, New American Library, Viking, Philomel, and Riverhead Books, among others. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

    Contact:    Amy Gubman/Stacy Schlicht
                Rogers & Cowan
                310-854-8194/310-854-8226
                agubman@rogersandcowan.com/sschlicht@rogersandcowan.com

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