True Tragedy

On a snowy January morning in 1889, a worried servant hacked open a locked door at the remote hunting lodge deep in the Vienna Woods. Inside, he found two bodies sprawled on an ornate bed, blood oozing from their mouths. Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary appeared to have shot his 17-year-old mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, as she slept, sat with the corpse for hours, and, when dawn broke, turned the pistol on himself. A century has transformed this bloody scene into romantic tragedy, but Mayerling is also the story of family secrets

The harrowing story of five men who were sent into a dark, airless, miles-long tunnel, hundreds of feet below the ocean, to do a nearly impossible job - with deadly results.

From New York Times best-selling author Pete Earley: the strange but true story of a man who suffers a traumatic brain injury and as a result is given the ability to converse with the world's most terrifying criminals.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the shadows and spotlights of our contemporary world with Scandal & Tragedy 100 Short Stories That Will Shock & Amaze You. This extraordinary anthology delves deep into the most riveting and controversial episodes in recent history, pulling back the curtains on the untold stories that have left an indelible mark on society. Within these pages, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of astonishing twists, jaw-dropping revelations, and enigmatic figures who have forever altered the course of our collective narrative. From the murky backrooms of ...

In September 2011, Erik Weissman and two friends were murdered in a brutal triple homicide in Waltham, Massachusetts. The case went unsolved for months and then years, with no discernible leads. Erik’s friend Susan Zalkind, an investigative journalist, needed closure and knew that finding it would be up to her. As Susan began digging, and as the Boston Marathon bombing exposed startling new leads, the case led her down a tangled and sometimes dangerous path to the truth.

The Anime Arsonist: The Tragedy at Kyoto Animation and the Mind of Shinji Aoba is a comprehensive, narrative-driven investigation into one of the most devastating mass murders in modern Japanese history. On July 18, 2019, Kyoto Animation—a beloved anime studio known for its emotional storytelling, delicate artistry, and deeply human characters—was targeted in an act of terror that shocked the world. The attack claimed 36 lives, injured dozens more, and left an indelible scar on Japan’s cultural landscape. This book traces the arc of that tragedy from its quiet beginnings to its far-...

For generations, they ruled over blacks and whites. They were—and still are—the Seminoles, the only American Indians who never surrendered to Uncle Sam. Runaways from other tribes, the Seminoles carved a kingdom for themselves out of the wilds of Florida, despite British and Spanish imperialists theoretically ruling the day. The Seminoles also enslaved fugitives from American plantations, creating a slaveholding society unlike any other. When the Americans wanted not only their slaves back, but unsurpassed control over Florida, the Seminoles formed a groundbreaking alliance with those ...

Explore the hidden and often shocking history of cults in the United States in Cults in America: A Deep Dive into the Dark History of U.S. Cults and Their Lasting Impact. From 19th-century utopian experiments to the devastating events at Jonestown and Waco, this comprehensive guide reveals how cults have shaped American society, politics, and culture across the centuries. Discover the psychological tactics that cults use to control followers, the warning signs of recruitment, and the rise of digital-age movements like QAnon and NXIVM. This compelling and informative book balances historical...

In this compelling account, eminent literary critic Terry Eagleton explores the nuances of tragedy in Western culture-from literature and politics to philosophy and theater. Eagleton examines the political nature of tragedy, looking closely at its connection with periods of historical transition. The dramatic form originated not as a meditation on the human condition, but at moments of political engagement, when civilizations struggled with the conflicts that beset them. Tragedy, Eagleton demonstrates, is fundamental to human experience and culture.

When a bullet pierced a calm August evening, it forced one family into tragedy and fractured lives in the small Oklahoma community. In this powerful memoir, a mom recounts her family's grief, which was ignited by one seemingly harmless decision, resulting in the senseless and violent death of her five-year-old child. Full of haunting foreshadowing and ethereal experiences, this story traverses the barbed and foreign landscape of loss and the quest for justice.It entrenches the power and impact of one choice and of one life. Ultimately, this story is one of human resiliency that is rooted in...

THE TRAGEDY AT RICHMOND: A COMMUNITY SHATTERED, YET UNBROKEN In the heart of a serene Richmond neighborhood, a night of tranquility was torn apart by an unthinkable act of violence. The Richmond massacre left a close-knit community reeling, forever scarred by loss. Families stood amidst the wreckage of their lives, grappling with heart-wrenching grief and questions that echoed in the silence: How could such horror invade our peaceful home? Where do we find the strength to carry on? The pain was unbearable, the questions relentless: The shock of senseless loss, as loved ones were ripped away...

The shocking conclusion to the critically acclaimed Chronicles saga. This is a story based on true events that span over the course of 10+ years. Join Morris on this incredible journey as he struggles to shake off a very extreme case of CBD (Chronic B**tch Dependency.

Set in Manchester, England and Chiang Mai, Thailand, Ray is a powerful story of abandonment, rejection and betrayal. But also a story of fulfillment, enduring love, an unquenchable friendship and a paradise found.

Mother of Courage is the inspiring true story of a young woman who loses both arms in a boating accident, yet valiantly finishes dental school, marries, raises two boys, teaches at an historically Black medical college, and becomes a nationally known advocate for people with disabilities. With grace, humor, faith, and a large dose of determination, Margaret Chanin transforms her tragic physical loss into a triumph of the human spirit—and shares her light with everyone she meets.

In the Civil War, the government hired women and girls - some as young as nine - to make millions of rounds of ammunition. They worked 72-hour weeks with little training. Poor immigrant girls and widows paid the price for carelessness at three major arsenals. Many of these workers were killed, blown up, and burned beyond recognition. Gunpowder Girls is a story of child labor and immigrant hopes and the cruel, endless demands of an all-consuming war. A Junior Library Guild selection.

An intimate exploration of race and inequality in America, Little Brother tells the story of journalist Ben Westhoff's long-time relationship with his mentee Jorell Cleveland through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and investigates Jorell's tragic fatal shooting at the age of nineteen.

When you go through a tragic event you find yourself saying how could something so horrible happen to me and you can let the despair destroy you or you can find a way to live through the tragedy. Here are some stories of people dealing with the trials of our lives. Stories Include: He Ran Over Our Little Boy Raped—And in a Coma Attacked And Beaten By My Best Friend’s Husband Blackout Murder in the Upstairs Bedroom Rescue Me Raped At 55! Wildfire! Hooked On Prescription Drugs My Brother’s Battle With Breast Cancer The Pain That Only Love Can Heal Suicide And Betrayal I Lost My Little Girl

This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters. After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough?

An unexpected journey. An unbreakable spirit. At 26, Non Reyes had it all—a loving family, a promising future, and an adventurous spirit. But in a single instant, everything changed. A devastating accident left him paralyzed from the neck down, forcing him to rebuild his life in ways he never imagined. In An Unexpected Ride, Non shares his deeply personal journey of resilience and rediscovery of purpose after tragedy. With raw honesty and a touch of humor, he reflects on the struggles, triumphs, and everyday victories of life with a disability—offering hope to anyone facing their own ...

Even before he was shot dead on the stairway of the tony Grand Central Hotel in 1872, financier James “Jubilee Jim” Fisk, Jr., was a notorious New York City figure. From his audacious attempt to corner the gold market in 1869 to his battle for control of the geographically crucial Erie Railroad, Fisk was a flamboyant exemplar of a new financial era marked by volatile fortunes and unprecedented greed and corruption. But it was his scandalously open affair with a showgirl named Josie Mansfield that ultimately led to his demise.