Peaceful Places: Washington, D.C.

Author and teacher Denis Collins grew up in Washington, D.C., surrounded by fascinating raconteurs, such as his uncle who owned the stables where Jackie Kennedy would ride whenever she could sneak away from the White House. Determined to create and write stories of his own, Collins began his journalism career in the basement of the Washington Post. There, he stripped the outer wrapping off 400-pound rolls of print paper, but in off hours he scoured the city for freelance material. That led to reporting for the Washington Post, Miami Herald, and San Jose Mercury News, covering sports, political features, and books. When he returned to Washington, DC, after a few years spent living in New Zealand, Belgium, and the Netherlands, he rediscovered America's capital city and tracked down its tranquil nooks and corners for this book. He is also the author of 2004's Spying: The Secret History of History, a nonfiction work; and ForeWord Magazine awarded his novel, Nora's Army, its 2006 Book of the Year for Historical Fiction. A past U.S. legislative aide, prolific author Judy Colbert has penned some 20 books since 1980. She is the Washington area's resident expert for where to go, when to go, and what to do when you get there. That is evidenced by her many titles such as Fun Places to Go with Children in Washington, D.C.; nine editions of Maryland and Delaware: Off the Beaten Path; and 10 editions of Virginia: Off the Beaten Path. She is a frequent contributor to the Howard County Times[Maryland], Chesapeake Life, and other publications. Among her honors are "Maryland Writer of the Year" and the National Easter Seal Award for a piece in American Way magazine. An inveterate traveler, she has visited more than 35 countries and all but three of the U.S. states.