Madison Avenue had statistics and selling points but one Mad Man dared to think different.

Denied government aid for a water project, Kinney, MN (pop. 325) and its “little old lady” mayor got a radical idea.

When the horror surfaced, Winfred Rembert carved his stories into leather. And a survivor became an artist.

When voting rights hinged on Selma, LBJ stunned the nation with a single phrase.

On radio he interviewed the famous but in his spare time Studs Terkel listened to “the etceteras” of history. And he heard America talking.

First there was Webster, then Twain. But it took Mencken to celebrate how Americans really talk.

From “Who’s on First” to “A Hard Rain’s a’ Gonna Fall,” from “The Gettysburg Address” to “Green Eggs and Ham,” this delightful anthology lets you hear America talking.

Webster had his dictionary but it took an ugly war of words to win its place in American life.

From denunciation to celebration, The Attic explores the unique language called American.

Topping Manhattan’s soaring skyline took money, ego, and an architect’s secret plan.

Humpbacks had been singing since forever but no one heard until Roger Payne — and Judy Collins — made the world listen.

B.C. (Before Calder) sculpture was set in stone. Then “Sandy” began to have fun.

The first skateboards were skates nailed to a board. By kids like me. But today the sky’s the limit.

Legends of the Old West were hard, tough men. But then there was Annie Oakley.

When smallpox ravaged Boston, Cotton Mather turned to science to stop this “Destroying Angel.” American medicine was never the same.

Books were no bargain until a century ago when the Little Blue Books were born. A half billion books later. . .