Title search results
Showing 41 - 60 of 4637 items
Chronicling the spectacular rise to power of General Abdul Rashid Dostum, this is an intimate profile of the one of…
the most powerful warlords to have dominated Afghanistan in the years since the Soviet withdrawal in the late 1980s. His rise from simple peasant villager to warrior against the repressive policies of the Taliban and Al Qaeda is told by one of the few outsiders to be accepted into Dostum's stronghold in the northern deserts of Afghanistan. Thanks to this unprecedented access, author Brian Glyn Williams was able to conduct lengthy interviews with Dostum and his family, as well as his subcommanders, local chieftains, mullahs, Taliban enemies, prisoners of war, and women's rights activists. What emerges is an intensely personal account of the Mongol warlord, detailing his childhood, motivations, hopes for his country, and conviction that it is time for a new generation of Western-trained technocrats to shape his country's destiny. With the drawing down of U.S. troops in 2014 and Dostum poised to reenter the world stage to fight a resurgent Taliban, this timely analysis provides important historical context to the controversy swirling around Afghanistan's warlord culture and is an essential contribution to the debate on Afghanistan's future.Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself out of the Governor's Office and into Prison
By John Chase, Jeff Coen. 2012
No one did political corruption quite like Rod Blagojevich. The 40th governor of Illinois made international headlines in 2008 when…
he was roused from his bed and arrested by the FBI at his Chicago home. He was accused of running the state government as a criminal racket and, most shockingly, caught on tape trying to barter away President-elect Barack Obama's US Senate seat. Most politicians would hunker down, stay quiet, and fight the federal case against them. But as he had done for years, Rod Blagojevich proved he was no ordinary politician. Instead, he fueled the headlines, proclaiming his innocence on seemingly every national talk show and street corner he could find.Revealing evidence from the investigation never before made public, Golden is the most complete telling yet of the Blagojevich story, written by two Chicago reporters who covered every step of his rise and fall and spent years sifting through evidence, compiling documents, and conducting more than a hundred interviews with those who have known Blagojevich from his childhood to his time in the governor's office. Dispensing with sensationalism to present the facts about one of the nation's most notorious politicians, the authors detail the mechanics of the corruption that brought the governor down and profile a fascinating and frustrating character who embodies much of what is wrong with modern politics. With Blagojevich now serving 14 years in prison, the time has come for the last word on who Blagojevich was, how he was elected, how he got himself into trouble, and how the feds took him down.Life and Terror in Stalin's Russia, 1934-1941
By Robert W. Thurston. 1996
Terror, in the sense of mass, unjust arrests, characterized the USSR during the late 1930s. But, argues Robert Thurston in…
this controversial book, Stalin did not intend to terrorize the country and did not need to rule by fear. Memoirs and interviews with Soviet people indicate that many more believed in Stalin's quest to eliminate internal enemies than were frightened by it.Theodore Roosevelt for Kids: His Life and Times, 21 Activities (For Kids series #33)
By Kerrie Hollihan. 2010
Hands-on activities and insightful historical information reveal the fascinating life of Theodore Roosevelt, America's 26th president, who was also well…
known as a writer, a ranchman, a politician, a solider, an explorer, and a family man. Combining a rich biography, including information about his childhood, with relevant and engaging projects, this book offers a glimpse at Roosevelt's work and times--how a sickly, undersized boy grew into a physically fit, energetic, and courageous man; how his wealth did not shield him from human tragedy; how as a leader of a young, vigorous nation, he steered a middle course between big business and working-class needs; and how his love of nature led him to protect millions of acres for posterity. Readers will create a Native American toy, explore the effects of erosion, go on a modern big-game hunt with a camera, and make felted teddy bears. The text includes a time line, online resources, and a reading list for further study--making this the ultimate reference on a great American president.Tommy: My Journey of a Lifetime
By Doug Moe, Tommy Thompson. 2018
The many facets of Tommy G Thompson small-town grocer s son brash campaigner with a common…
touch shrewd political strategist savvy policy wonk and ebullient promoter of Wisconsin come across vividly in these pages Thompson with journalist Doug Moe traces his journey from boyhood to politics to the world stage including his unprecedented four terms as Wisconsin governor his service as a cabinet secretary under President George W Bush and his continuing work in global efforts to fight AIDS tuberculosis and malaria Personal and revealing stories punctuate the biographical details and policy discussions Here is Tommy as a young man just happening to be on the National Mall in 1964 when Dr Martin Luther King told the nation I have a dream Here is Tommy as Wisconsin governor struggling to start a Harley-Davidson motorcycle before leading a pack of Hell s Republicans on a ride through the state Here is Tommy in Washington after the 9 11 attacks slipping out of a secure bunker in defiance of orders to aid the emergency medical response Thompson speaks candidly of his achievements and regrets including his involvement with welfare reform school choice land conservancy prisons the financing of Miller Park stem cell research and health insuranceDie Nigger Die!: A Political Autobiography of Jamil Abdullah al-Amin
By H. Rap Brown. 1969
More than any other black leader, H. Rap Brown, chairman of the radical Black Power organization Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee…
(SNCC), came to symbolize the ideology of black revolution. This autobiography--which was first published in 1969, went through seven printings and has long been unavailable--chronicles the making of a revolutionary. It is much more than a personal history, however; it is a call to arms, an urgent message to the black community to be the vanguard force in the struggle of oppressed people. Forthright, sardonic, and shocking, this book is not only illuminating and dynamic but also a vitally important document that is essential to understanding the upheavals of the late 1960s. University of Massachusetts professor Ekwueme Michael Thelwell has updated this edition, covering Brown's decades of harassment by law enforcement agencies, his extraordinary transformation into an important Muslim leader, and his sensational trial.Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities
By Richard Panchyk. 2007
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's enduring legacy upon the history, culture, politics, and economics of the United States is introduced to children…
in this engaging activity book. Kids will learn how FDR, a member of one of the founding families of the New World, led the nation through the darkest days of the Great Depression and World War II as 32nd U.S. President. This book examines the Roosevelt family--including famous cousin Teddy Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt--as well as FDR's early political career and subsequent 12 years in office during some of the most fascinating and turbulent times in American history. Interspersed throughout are first-hand accounts from the people who knew FDR and remember him well. Children will also learn how his personal struggles with polio and his physical disability strengthened FDR's compassion and resolve. In addition, kids will explore Roosevelt's entire era through such hands-on activities as staging a fireside chat, designing a WPA-style mural, sending a double encoded message, hosting a swing dance party, and participating in a political debate.Mahatma Gandhi
By Anne Schraff. 2008
Biography of the famous Indian leader who preached non-violence. Guided by Time Magazine's list of 100 most influential people, this…
biography series focuses on the leaders, scientists, and icons who shaped our world. Each biography includes a glossary, timeline, and illustrations.George Washington for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities (For Kids series)
By Brandon Marie Miller. 2007
George Washington comes alive in this fascinating activity book that introduces the leader to whom citizens turned again and again--to…
lead them through eight long years of war, to guide them as they wrote a new Constitution, and to act as the new nation's first executive leader. Children will learn how, shortly after his death in 1799, people began transforming George Washington from a man into a myth. But Washington was a complex individual who, like everyone, had hopes and fears, successes and failures. In his early 20s, for instance,Washington's actions helped plunge Great Britain and France into war. He later fought for liberty and independence, yet owned slaves himself (eventually freeing them in his will). This book weaves a rich tapestry of Washington's life, allowing kids to connect with his story in 21 hands-on projects based on his experiences and the times in which he lived. Children will learn how to tie a cravat, write with a quill pen, follow animal tracks, sew a lady's cap, plant a garden, roll a beeswax candle, play a game of Quoits, and make a replica of Washington's commander-in-chief flag. The text includes a time line, glossary, websites, travel resources, and a reading list for further study.Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities
By Janis Herbert. 2007
Providing a fresh perspective on one of the most beloved presidents of all time, this illuminating activity book tells the…
rich story of Abraham Lincoln's life and details the events of his era. Highlighting Lincoln's warm, generous spirit and impressive intellect, the guide teaches children about his fascinating life story, his struggles at the onset of the Civil War, and his relevance in today's world. Activities include delivering a speech, holding a debate, drawing political cartoons, and making a stovepipe hat or miniature Mississippi River flatboat. Lively sidebars, abundant photographs and illustrations, and fun projects help to kick the dust off old Honest Abe. Also included are selections from some of Lincoln's most famous speeches and documents, as well as a resource section of Web sites to explore and sites to visit, making this a comprehensive Lincoln biography for young readers.J. P. His Biography
By Wendy Scarfe, Allan Scarfe. 1997
Jayaprakash Narayan a freedom fighter for the independence of India fought for the downtrodden and untouchables in his later part…
of life and was instrumental in forming the Janata Party to fight against the Congress after emergency.Sharon: Israel's Warrior-Politician
By Sigalit Zetouni, Jordan Miller, Anita Miller. 2002
Ariel Sharon, Israel's former Prime Minister, was perhaps one of the most controversial public figures in the Mideast.He was born…
in 1928 in a moshav--an agricultural community in which, unlike a kibbutz, residents own their own property--and was raised by parents who were not only ardent Zionists but also rugged individualists. His father especially was contemptuous of socialism and believed in individual enterprise, raising his son to be self-reliant and physically strong in order to prepare him for the inevitable struggle to establish a Jewish state.Sharon was perhaps best known as the organizer of what was called Commando Unit 101 and for his original ideas for the training of commando forces, which he later adapted to the training of larger, more traditional armies. During his military career he personally led many raids into Arab territory and has been criticized for his role in the destruction, in 1953, of some forty Arab homes--which he insisted he thought were empty and in which sixty-nine Arabs died. Later, in 1982, he was blamed also for allowing the Lebanese Christian Militia into a Palestinian refugee camp in which hundreds were killed.His political career was of course indelibly colored by his military exploits. What made Sharon tick? What kind of a man was he? How did his childhood and early life condition him to become a brilliant commander, controversial soldier and an as-yet-untested leader of a small democracy which is divided both within and without? This first biography in English--frank, but balanced--will perhaps answer some of the questions raised by his career both as a soldier and politician.She Takes a Stand: 16 Fearless Activists Who Have Changed the World
By Michael Elsohn Ross. 2015
Portraits of brave women from the late 1800s through today--role models who are passionate about important issues A source of…
inspiration for young women with strong social convictions, She Takes a Stand highlights 16 extraordinary women who have fought for human rights, civil rights, workers' rights, reproductive/sexual rights, and world peace. Among these are many who have been imprisoned, threatened, or suffered financial hardships for pursuing their missions to change the world for the better. Included are historic heroes such as anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and suffragist Alice Paul, along with contemporary figures such as girls-education activist Malala Yousafzai; Sampat Pal Devi, who fights violence against Indian women; and SPARK executive director Dana Edell, who works to end the sexualization of women and girls in the media. Taking a multicultural, multinational perspective, She Takes a Stand spotlights brave women around the world with an emphasis on childhood details, motivations, and life turning points--in many cases gleaned from the author's original interviews--and includes related sidebars, a bibliography, source notes, and a list of organizations young women can explore to get involved in changing their world.Speaking Out: A Congressman's Lifelong Fight Against Bigotry, Famine, and War
By Helen Thomas, Paul Findley. 2011
In his 22 years as an Illinois congressman and in the years since he left office, Paul Findley has fought…
to eradicate famine, end wars, and eliminate bigotry in U.S. foreign policy. This sweeping political memoir opens with Findley's early days in Pittsfield, Illinois--where he was first elected to Congress in 1960--and chronicles his service during six administrations in Washington. His many accomplishments in Congress include authoring the 1973 War Powers Resolution and the Famine Prevention Program, leading agricultural trade missions to the Soviet Union and China, and entering the names and hometowns of all of the soldiers killed in Vietnam into the Congressional Record. This autobiography is also a no-holds-barred critique of Israel's lobby and its toll on the national interests of the United States. Few politicians are so openly critical of their government, and Findley's opinions on what he believes to be disastrous foreign policy provide a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the shaping of these policies in the latter half of the 20th century.New Big Book of U.S. Presidents: Fascinating Facts about Each and Every President, Including an American History Timeline
By Todd Davis, Marc Frey. 2013
Hail to the Chiefs: Presidential Mischief, Morals, & Malarky from George W. to George W.
By Barbara Holland. 2003
A compendium of the highlights and lowlights from the careers of our 43 chief executives--from George Washington to George Bush…
Jr.--told with wit and accuracy, clearly reminding us that presidents are also people. Under the mutton-chop whiskers, behind the bulging waistcoats, presidents were actually human.The Craft We Chose: My Life in the CIA
By Richard L Holm, Timothy Miller. 2011
Many books, fiction and nonfiction alike, purport to probe the inner workings of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Many attempt…
to create spine-tingling suspense or allege that America's civilian spy operation has run amok and been infested with rogues and criminals. Not that The Craft We Chose lacks suspense, harrowing encounters, or its own share of villains, but this book is different; it is a straightforward, honest, surprisingly captivating memoir by one of the CIA's most well-known and honored career officers. For more than three decades, Richard L. Holm worked in the agency's Directorate of Operations now the National Clandestine Service the component directly responsible for collecting human intelligence. His assignments took him to seven countries on three continents, and his travels added many more destinations. At almost every turn Holm encountered his share of dangerous characters and situations, including one that nearly ended his life before he turned 30. The Craft We Chose is more than a chronicle of those episodes. It also reveals Holm's private life, his roots and family, his courtship and marriage, and his four daughters, whom he affectionately calls his platoon.Held at a Distance: My Rediscovery of Ethiopia
By Rebecca G. Haile. 2007
This powerful book gives readers a chance to experience Ethiopia through the personal experience of a writer who is both…
Ethiopian and American. It takes readers beyond headlines and stereotypes to a deeper understanding of the country. This is an absorbing account of the author's return trip to Ethiopia as an adult, having left the country in exile with her family at age 11. She profiles relatives and friends who have remained in Ethiopia, and she writes movingly about Ethiopia's recent past and its ancient history. She offers a clear-eyed analysis of the state of the country today, and her keen observations and personal experience will resonate with readers. This is a unique glimpse into a fascinating African country by a talented writer.Mad, Bad and Dangerous: The Eccentricity of Tyrants
By Tom Ambrose. 2015
A penetrating and incisive study of the fanaticism and foibles of some of history's most illustrious namesFrom Assad to Nero,…
Gaddafi to Ivan The Terrible, this work attempts a thorough illumination of the minds of some of the most powerful people in history. While leaving some room to describe the amusing incidents and eccentricities associated with a host of men and women of power, it also reaches into the terrifying depths and depravities of minds that shaped the destinies of peoples and nations. Using a unique combination of history, politics, and psychology, this book fully describes how power not only corrupts but deranges.Prime Minister's Wives
By Mark Hichens. 2004
Much is required of a prime minister's wife. As a hostess, sympathetic ear and adviser, she must ensure her husband…
never puts a foot wrong (and never do so herself). Arguably she has one of the hardest jobs in politics - without ever stepping into the House of Commons.Of the wives from the past two centuries featured in this book, nearly all have given their husbands unqualified support in political matters, two notable exceptions being Emily Palmerston and Clementine Churchill, who were always ready to dissent. And, until Audrey Callaghan and Cherie Blair, none had careers of their own. They came from a variety of backgrounds: some, such as Emily Palmerston, Caroline Lamb, Catherine Gladstone and Dorothy Macmillan, from the ruling classes. Two - Clementine Churchill and Margot Asquith - had aristocratic connections, while Lucy Baldwin's father was a scientist, Mary Ann Disraeli's was a junior naval officer and Margaret Lloyd George's a Welsh hill farmer. In terms of their marriages, some were secure, some wobbly and one actually broke down. In the case of Clementine Churchill, her marriage to Winston of fifty-seven years was a particularly remarkable achievement.Mark Hichens examines these women - and one husband, Denis Thatcher - in the light of their personalities and achievements as well as the roles they have indirectly played in British history in this timely volume.