John Spellman is remembered by most as the King County Executive who persevered to build the Kingdome, Seattle's controversial domed stadium, and went on to serve a star-crossed term as governor in the middle of what was then the worst recession since the Depression. His achievements as a reformer and innovator in county government and progressive achievements as governor are explored in this biography. Read his story

Raised during the Great Depression by a widowed mother in Kelso, Sid Snyder relied on hard work to overcome his humble beginnings and eventually become an enterprising grocery store owner, bank founder, successful real-estate investor and one of the most well-respected senate majority leaders the Washington State Legislature has ever seen. Read his story

Misjudged, underestimated and sometimes ignored, Jennifer Dunn broke the gender barrier repeatedly as a single mother of two boys. Once labeled a “Glamour Girl” in Congress, Dunn rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful women on Capitol Hill. From Megan’s Law to AMBER Alert, Dunn proved to be a woman first.

Billy Frank Jr. stands at the Nisqually River, once the scene of divisive fish wars between the state and Northwest Indian tribes. Roughed up and thrown in jail for decades, Frank emerged as a visionary and a bridge builder. Today he continues his work to restore the environment and speak for the salmon.

He angered Indians, environmentalists and Ronald Reagan, but saved baseball for Seattle and championed blue-collar communities. He upset a legend to win a seat in the U.S. Senate and rebounded from two bitter defeats. On the 9/11 Commission, his relentless pursuit of truth won bipartisan praise. This sweeping biography explores the career of a resilient politician still going strong in his 80s.

When she accepted his proposal she never dreamed of the life they would lead. At 31, Nancy Bell Evans plunged into the role of First Lady as the wife of Dan Evans, Washington’s chief executive for 12 years. Evans raised her young family in a decrepit Mansion that she would go on to save, and made a name for herself as an activist and community leader.

Her story is tailor-made for any parent hoping to inspire a child. After a humble start to life on a Yakima Valley cattle ranch, Bonnie Dunbar proves it really is what’s inside. Dunbar rose to worldwide fame as one of just 51 women across the globe to fly in space. The five-time space hero broke the gender barrier and never thought twice about people who doubted she could fulfill her dreams.

Fifteen years ago, he was a member of the most popular rock band in the world.

Today Krist Novoselic is a political activist, filmmaker, private pilot, and Volkswagen mechanic (among other things), reveling in Wahkiakum County's country life.

When she graduated from law school, Carolyn Dimmick made a splash as "a pretty blonde waterskier." She endured many more gender stereotypes since, but along the way earned enormous respect as a judge and made history as the first woman on the Washington Supreme Court.

Booth Gardner, Washington's energetic governor from 1985-1993, is now battling Parkinson's Disease. In a wide-ranging oral history, he speaks with candor about his tragedy-marred childhood and his determination to make a difference in the lives of young people.

When Lillian Walker arrived in Bremerton in 1941 from Illinois she never expected to encounter racism in the Northwest. A charter member of the Bremerton branch of the NAACP, she has been fighting prejudice ever since—and winning. Her devotion has inspired generations and helped change the face of her old shipyard town.