Miracle (Blu-ray edition)

DVD ($34.99)

Amazon B001UREJY0

Kurt Russell stars in this rousing 2004 Disney flick about the memorable 1980 Olympics hockey match-up between the U.S. underdogs and the seemingly invincible Russians. It’s as inspiring as ever, and the new hi-res Blu-ray treatment brings every slap shot into crisp high-definition. Extras include several bonus features, including one about the real-life coach that brought home the gold, Herb Brooks.

—Neil Pond, American Profile

The Book of Cool

By Marianne Taylor

Hardcover, 230 pages ($19.95)

Amazon dp/0762435496

It’s a term we hear—and use—with casual abandon. But what is “Cool”? This hip and flip exploration of the ultimate expression of social acceptance covers the spectrum of people, fashions and fads past and present. With a mixture of pop psychology, pseudo-science, sociological dissection and just plain playfulness, it’ll help you define it, understand it and, above all, avoid its dreaded flipside: uncool!

—Neil Pond, American Profile

Visions of Britain and Ireland

DVD ($49.99)

Amazon B001O7R76S

Ever wanted to zip around the British Isles in a helicopter? Take an exhilarating fly-over of the legendary landmarks, historic cities, ancient sites and lush landscapes of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in this scenery-packed four-disc set, which contains an hour of bonus footage that never aired when the series originally aired on public television. With a soundtrack of classical music and sonorous poetry, it’s a treat for your armchair-travel senses.

—Neil Pond, American Profile