Title search results
Showing 1 - 20 of 31567 items
Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle And The Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
By James M. Scott. 2015
Finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in History "Like Lauren Hillebrand's Unbroken…Target Tokyo brings to life an indelible era." —Ben…
Cosgrove, The Daily Beast On April 18, 1942, sixteen U.S. Army bombers under the command of daredevil pilot Jimmy Doolittle lifted off from the deck of the USS Hornet on a one-way mission to pummel Japan’s factories, refineries, and dockyards in retaliation for their attack on Pearl Harbor. The raid buoyed America’s morale, and prompted an ill-fated Japanese attempt to seize Midway that turned the tide of the war. But it came at a horrific cost: an estimated 250,000 Chinese died in retaliation by the Japanese. Deeply researched and brilliantly written, Target Tokyo has been hailed as the definitive account of one of America’s most daring military operations.Cultures of War: Pearl Harbor / Hiroshima / 9-11 / Iraq
By John W. Dower. 2010
Finalist for the 2010 National Book Award in Nonfiction: The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian returns with a groundbreaking comparative study of…
the dynamics and pathologies of war in modern times. Over recent decades, John W. Dower, one of America’s preeminent historians, has addressed the roots and consequences of war from multiple perspectives. In War Without Mercy (1986), winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, he described and analyzed the brutality that attended World War II in the Pacific, as seen from both the Japanese and the American sides. Embracing Defeat (1999), winner of numerous honors including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, dealt with Japan’s struggle to start over in a shattered land in the immediate aftermath of the Pacific War, when the defeated country was occupied by the U.S.-led Allied powers. Turning to an even larger canvas, Dower now examines the cultures of war revealed by four powerful events—Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, 9-11, and the invasion of Iraq in the name of a war on terror. The list of issues examined and themes explored is wide-ranging: failures of intelligence and imagination, wars of choice and “strategic imbecilities,” faith-based secular thinking as well as more overtly holy wars, the targeting of noncombatants, and the almost irresistible logic—and allure—of mass destruction. Dower’s new work also sets the U.S. occupations of Japan and Iraq side by side in strikingly original ways. One of the most important books of this decade, Cultures of War offers comparative insights into individual and institutional behavior and pathologies that transcend “cultures” in the more traditional sense, and that ultimately go beyond war-making alone.Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
By Erik Larson. 2016
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author and master of narrative nonfiction comes the enthralling story of the…
sinking of the Lusitania&“Both terrifying and enthralling.&”—Entertainment Weekly&“Thrilling, dramatic and powerful.&”—NPR&“Thoroughly engrossing.&”—George R.R. MartinOn May 1, 1915, with WWI entering its tenth month, a luxury ocean liner as richly appointed as an English country house sailed out of New York, bound for Liverpool, carrying a record number of children and infants. The passengers were surprisingly at ease, even though Germany had declared the seas around Britain to be a war zone. For months, German U-boats had brought terror to the North Atlantic. But the Lusitania was one of the era&’s great transatlantic &“Greyhounds&”—the fastest liner then in service—and her captain, William Thomas Turner, placed tremendous faith in the gentlemanly strictures of warfare that for a century had kept civilian ships safe from attack. Germany, however, was determined to change the rules of the game, and Walther Schwieger, the captain of Unterseeboot-20, was happy to oblige. Meanwhile, an ultra-secret British intelligence unit tracked Schwieger&’s U-boat, but told no one. As U-20 and the Lusitania made their way toward Liverpool, an array of forces both grand and achingly small—hubris, a chance fog, a closely guarded secret, and more—all converged to produce one of the great disasters of history. It is a story that many of us think we know but don&’t, and Erik Larson tells it thrillingly, switching between hunter and hunted while painting a larger portrait of America at the height of the Progressive Era. Full of glamour and suspense, Dead Wake brings to life a cast of evocative characters, from famed Boston bookseller Charles Lauriat to pioneering female architect Theodate Pope to President Woodrow Wilson, a man lost to grief, dreading the widening war but also captivated by the prospect of new love. Gripping and important, Dead Wake captures the sheer drama and emotional power of a disaster whose intimate details and true meaning have long been obscured by history.Finalist for the Washington State Book Award • One of the Best Books of the Year: The Washington Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Miami Herald, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, LibraryReads, IndigoThe Obsession
By Meyer Levin. 1973
In 1951, Meyer Levin’s wife gave him a copy of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, which…
had just been published in France. Levin was already a successful writer in his mid-forties, searching for a way to bear witness to his experiences as a war correspondent in Europe. In Anne Frank’s diary, he found the voice he had been waiting for.The Obsession, widely regarded as one of Meyer Levin’s finest works, is a candid account of his struggle to bring his version of Anne Frank’s diary to Broadway. Levin’s adaptation, begun with the support of Anne’s father, Otto, was eventually deemed ‘unstageworthy,’ and he was supplanted by non-Jewish writers. To Levin, it was a clear case of sanitizing Anne’s story in favor of mass appeal. He battled for his version in courtrooms and out, but the fallout nearly destroyed both his family and his career.In recounting the mania that gripped him for twenty years, Levin spares neither himself nor others. Like all his best work, this extraordinary memoir encompasses larger themes—the nature of Jewishness, the price of assimilation, the writer’s obligation to himself and to his subject, and the search for identity and purpose.The Doula Deck: Practices for Calm and Connection in Your Pregnancy, Birth, and New Motherhood
By Lori Bregman, Gather Round Games. 2021
Mamaste meets Mindfulness Cards in this deck focused around meditation, breathwork, and movement specifically for those expecting.Here is the support…
any mama-to-be needs as she preps for the transition to motherhood. With 78 unique cards filled with thoughtful meditations, movement activities, breathwork exercises, and soothing affirmations, this collection of cards supports expectant mothers through pregnancy, birth, and their new motherhood by nurturing their spirit and talking through their fears.Written by renowned doula Lori Bregman and with soothing artwork accompanying each card, this deck offers expert advice on filling all aspects of pregnancy and birth with comfort and confidence. The Doula Deck is a bridge between mindfulness and motherhood, with support you can keep in your pocket, display on your nightstand, or take with you out into the world.• PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: With a career spanning nearly 20 years, Lori Bregman is a source of wisdom in pregnancy and birth. She runs a complete mind-body-spirit support system that helps women throughout fertility, pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood and has built a thriving career based on her passion for supporting more mindful, healthy, happy mothers and women of all kinds. Now she can help you on your own journey to motherhood, wherever you are.• BABY SHOWER GIFT: With its expert advice on mindfulness during an important life moment, this serves as the ideal gift for anyone who is pregnant. With its luxe package and lovely illustrations, this deck of cards is not only insightful and useful but also gorgeous and gift-worthy.• ELEGANT ART: With gorgeous colors and elegant portrayals of the female body throughout pregnancy and motherhood, these cards offer so much more than just a list of exercises. They’re a visual source of comfort and encouragement as well as a helpful tool.• UNIQUE FORMAT: Not everyone has the opportunity to hire a doula, and this deck offers a unique way for moms-to-be to practice self-care and find additional support during the birth experience by simply pulling a card and completing the activity whenever they need to.Perfect for:• Expectant mothers interested in natural living and doula support• Doulas• Baby shower attendeesTroy: The Greek Myths Reimagined (Stephen Fry's Greek Myths #3)
By Stephen Fry. 2021
In this brilliant conclusion to his bestselling Mythos trilogy, legendary author and actor Stephen Fry retells the tale of the…
Trojan War.Full of tragic heroes, intoxicating love stories, and the unstoppable force of fate, there is no conflict more iconic than the Trojan War. Troy is the story of the epic battle retold by Fry with drama, humor, and vivid emotion. Achilles, Hector, Odysseus, Helen, their lovers, and their mortal enemies all burn bright in Fry's compelling prose. Illustrated throughout with classical art inspired by the myths, this gorgeous volume invites you to explore a captivating world with a brilliant storyteller as your guide.• BELOVED AUTHOR: Stephen Fry is an icon whose signature wit and mellifluous style makes this retelling utterly unique. Fans will love hearing his interpretation, whether they are familiar with the original Greek myths or not.• TIMELESS STORIES: For fans of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology, Madeline Miller's Circe or Song of Achilles, or Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, this is the perfect next great read. These ancient tales never get old.• STUNNING SERIES CONCLUSION: Mythos and Heroes, the first two installments in the trilogy, were international bestsellers. Now fans can read the thrilling third book.• GORGEOUS GIFT: With a vibrant contemporary design, full-color artwork throughout, and shimmering metallic highlights on the jacket, this book makes a superb present.To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson
By Courtney Anderson. 1987
On February 12, 1812, Ann and Adoniram Judson sailed from Salem aboard the brig Caravan as two of the first…
missionaries to go out from North America. Watching the shoreline disappear from view, they could not have foreseen the impact of their journey on the future of the Christian world mission or on the thousands of men and women who would follow in their footsteps. After a short stay in India, they carried the Good News of Jesus Christ to the golden shore of Burma. Drawing on letters and church records, Courtney Anderson paints a poignant portrait of Judson’s early life in dealing with the conflict between his desire for material success and the inner call to serve God. For Adoniram Judson the golden shore brought bitter hardships, imprisonment, and family tragedy. Yet, he never wavered in his commitment to win people to faith in Christ and to translate the Bible into the Burmese language. This special edition recognized the 175th anniversary of the Judsons sailing on their historic voyage and celebrates the early years of Baptist mission overseas. Photographs and reproductions of Burmese woodcuts are used in telling Judson’s story.Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within
By David Goggins. 2022
This is not a self-help book. It’s a wake-up call! Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir, demonstrated…
how much untapped ability we all have but was merely an introduction to the power of the mind. In Never Finished, Goggins takes you inside his Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending. The stories and lessons in this raw, revealing, unflinching memoir offer the reader a blueprint they can use to climb from the bottom of the barrel into a whole new stratosphere that once seemed unattainable. Whether you feel off-course in life, are looking to maximize your potential or drain your soul to break through your so-called glass ceiling, this is the only book you will ever need.Heroes: The Greek Myths Reimagined (Stephen Fry's Greek Myths #2)
By Stephen Fry. 2020
In this sequel to the bestselling Mythos, legendary author and actor Stephen Fry moves from the exploits of the Olympian…
gods to the deeds of mortal heroes. Perseus. Jason. Atalanta. Theseus. Heracles. Rediscover the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths. Whether recounting a tender love affair or a heroic triumph, Fry deftly finds resonance with our own modern minds and hearts. Illustrated throughout with classical art inspired by the myths, this gorgeous volume invites you to explore a captivating world with a brilliant storyteller as your guide.• Each adventure is infused with Fry's distinctive voice and writing style.• Connoisseurs of the Greek myths will appreciate this fresh-yet-reverential interpretation, while newcomers will feel welcome. • Retellings brim with humor and emotion."Mostly Chiron saw in the child, and the young man he became, boundless courage, athleticism, intelligence, and ambition. He saw too lots of words beginning with 'self,' which gave him pause. Self-belief, self-possession, self-righteousness, self-confidence, self-love. Perhaps these characteristics are as necessary to a hero as courage."In Heroes, Fry draws out the humor and pathos in both tender love affairs and heroic battles, and reveals each myth's relevance for our own time. • A collector's edition filled with classical art inspired by the myths and a luxe, foil-stamped jacket• Perfect gift for mythology and history buffs, lovers of ancient Greece, art aficionados, and devoted fans of Stephen Fry• Add it to the shelf with books like Circe by Madeline Miller, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, and Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith HamiltonBy the time he turned thirty at the end of the nineteenth century, John D. Hart thrived as the busiest…
importer of bananas on the East Coast. A master of ships with a thunderous voice, Hart aggressively carried tropical fruit to an insatiable market with little concern for notions of supply and demand. But when an unexpected crisis hit the fruit business, Hart was unprepared. The financial Panic of 1893 doomed his strategy of bringing in limitless bananas. Jobless consumers could not afford such luxuries. Nearing bankruptcy, Hart was approached by Emilio Nuñez, a member of the Cuban Revolutionary Party—a cadre of exiled conspirators in New York whose singular purpose was to liberate the Cuban island from four hundred years of Spanish rule. Nuñez enlisted Hart as a “filibuster” to transport guns and ammunition to the Cuban rebels. For nearly three years, Hart became the most visible of a disparate group of mariners between New York and Key West who tormented Spanish authorities, riled the US government, and became heroes to an oppressed people fighting to be free. In King of the Gunrunners: How a Philadelphia Fruit Importer Inspired a Revolution and Provoked the Spanish-American War, author James W. Miller reveals the untold story of a forgotten American whose adventures helped pave the way for the United States’ emergence as an international power. With the Yellow Press trumpeting his exploits, Hart’s influence helped inflame the nation’s mood and made war with Spain inevitable. The quick US victory in what became known as the Spanish-American War compelled Spain to abandon Cuba and cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States, which also annexed the independent state of Hawaii during the conflict. This volume presents the story of Hart, the defiant king of the Cuban gunrunners, who prolonged a revolution, provoked a war, and left an indelible mark on history.Big Questions Book of Sex & Consent
By Donna Freitas. 2020
What this book is NOT:The fear-based How-To on sex and consent, oversimplified and focused on technicalities, that represents so much…
of our sexual education today.What this book IS:A journey into the Big Questions that will turn you into a thinking person about sex and consent, with the ability to wrestle towards the answers that work for YOU and continue to wrestle towards them for the rest of your life.What is the meaning and purpose of sex? How does it intersect with who I am? Why are people so afraid of it? What does a healthy and joyful approach to sex look like for me? Why is consent so much more than a yes or no question?Who this book is FOR:Everybody!! No matter your sexuality, gender, religion, or race.What could be more essential?You the Daddy: The Hands-On Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and the Early Years of Fatherhood
By Giles Alexander. 2024
A modern-day parenting guide for dads-to-be, packed with insider tips, practical advice and honest accounts of dad lifeSplit into digestible…
chapters for readers who are short on time and need a helping hand, this book covers all the stages of pregnancy, birth and the early years of parenthood, up until your baby's three.Grief: A Guided Workbook to Help You Heal
By Christopher Spriggs. 2024
With comforting advice and supportive activities, Grief: A Guided Workbook to Help You Heal is a comforting companion to help…
you make sense of your feelings after experiencing loss. If you're dealing with grief, you may feel isolated and alone, but this book is here to offer you support through each step of this personal journey.Life has plenty of challenges, and it's normal to feel anxious from time to time. But when social anxiety starts…
to affect your day-to-day life, it's time to take action. This friendly guide will help you take the steps toward managing your social anxiety and provide the tools you need to approach every social situation with confidence.Your Baby’s First Year: A day-by-day guide from an expert Norland-trained nanny
By Louenna Hood. 2024
'Every parent will benefit from this incredible easy to navigate book. Louenna is the best in her field and she…
helped me endlessly with my children. This is a must on every new parents' book shelf.' Luisa Zissman'This book offers a daily source of inspiration, to help guide you through the exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming, first year of your baby's life. By giving you facts, advice and tips that are specific to your little one's stage of development, I hope it encourages you to have the confidence to enjoy lots of special moments together.' Nanny LouennaComplete with tips for daily care, from changing a nappy to how to hold, feed and swaddle your baby, qualified Norland Nanny and maternity nurse Louenna Hood also provides five important routines for you to follow at different stages of your baby's first year, ensuring that they are happy and that you all get enough sleep. Easy to navigate, with one page per day for the first year of your baby's life, this book is the perfect go-to guide and support to help you navigate the unexpected joys of this most important journey. The book also features sections detailing topics such as breastfeeding, tiredness and night feeds, sleep cycles and mindfulness, complete with QR codes pointing to online videos. Including the following indispensable information:Baby Fact - learn what's happening to your baby today - movements, sounds and physical developments to look out for.Food for Thought - from feeding mama to tasty weaning ideas for baby.Activities - small but high-five-worthy suggestions to keep life on track, anything from going for a walk around the block to making a meal, meeting a friend, putting a wash on or finishing a cup of tea while it's still hot!Date for the Diary - from newborn cuddles to knowing when and how to start introducing all-important tummy time into your baby's daily routine, learn activities to bond with your baby plus important milestones such as immunisations and midwife visits.Mindfulness - simple ideas to help you take a moment for yourself each day.Your Baby’s First Year: A day-by-day guide from an expert Norland-trained nanny
By Louenna Hood. 2024
'Every parent will benefit from this incredible easy to navigate book. Louenna is the best in her field and she…
helped me endlessly with my children. This is a must on every new parents' book shelf.' Luisa Zissman'This book offers a daily source of inspiration, to help guide you through the exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming, first year of your baby's life. By giving you facts, advice and tips that are specific to your little one's stage of development, I hope it encourages you to have the confidence to enjoy lots of special moments together.' Nanny LouennaComplete with tips for daily care, from changing a nappy to how to hold, feed and swaddle your baby, qualified Norland Nanny and maternity nurse Louenna Hood also provides five important routines for you to follow at different stages of your baby's first year, ensuring that they are happy and that you all get enough sleep. Easy to navigate, with one page per day for the first year of your baby's life, this book is the perfect go-to guide and support to help you navigate the unexpected joys of this most important journey. The book also features sections detailing topics such as breastfeeding, tiredness and night feeds, sleep cycles and mindfulness, complete with QR codes pointing to online videos. Including the following indispensable information:Baby Fact - learn what's happening to your baby today - movements, sounds and physical developments to look out for.Food for Thought - from feeding mama to tasty weaning ideas for baby.Activities - small but high-five-worthy suggestions to keep life on track, anything from going for a walk around the block to making a meal, meeting a friend, putting a wash on or finishing a cup of tea while it's still hot!Date for the Diary - from newborn cuddles to knowing when and how to start introducing all-important tummy time into your baby's daily routine, learn activities to bond with your baby plus important milestones such as immunisations and midwife visits.Mindfulness - simple ideas to help you take a moment for yourself each day.The Cleopatras
By Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones. 2024
'A thrilling biography, filled with the imperial ambitions and merciless intrigues' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORECleopatra: lover, seductress, and Egypt's greatest queen.A…
woman more myth than history, immortalized in poetry, drama, music, art, and film.She captivated Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, the two greatest Romans of the day, and died in a blaze of glory, with an asp clasped to her breast - or so the legend tells us.But the real-life story of the historical Cleopatra VII is even more compelling. She was the last of seven Cleopatras who ruled Egypt before it was subsumed into the Roman Empire. The seven Cleopatras were the powerhouses of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the Macedonian family who ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great. Emulating the practices of the gods, the Cleopatras married their full-blood brothers and dominated the normally patriarchal world of politics and warfare. These extraordinary women keep a close grip on power in the wealthiest country of the ancient world.Each of the seven Cleopatras wielded absolute power. Their ruthless, single-minded, focus on dominance - generation after generation - resulted in extraordinary acts of betrayal, violence, and murder in the most malfunctional dynasty in history. Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones offers fresh and powerful insight into the real story of the Cleopatras, and the beguiling and tragic legend of the last queen of Egypt.Praise for The Cleopatras:'A real treat for those who relish epic histories of family power' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE'Admirably readable' ROBIN LANE FOX'Unlocks the fascinating history of many queens' KARA COONEY 'A vivid account' ADRIAN DODSONThe Cleopatras
By Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones. 2024
'A thrilling biography, filled with the imperial ambitions and merciless intrigues' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORECleopatra: lover, seductress, and Egypt's greatest queen.A…
woman more myth than history, immortalized in poetry, drama, music, art, and film.She captivated Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, the two greatest Romans of the day, and died in a blaze of glory, with an asp clasped to her breast - or so the legend tells us.But the real-life story of the historical Cleopatra VII is even more compelling. She was the last of seven Cleopatras who ruled Egypt before it was subsumed into the Roman Empire. The seven Cleopatras were the powerhouses of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the Macedonian family who ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great. Emulating the practices of the gods, the Cleopatras married their full-blood brothers and dominated the normally patriarchal world of politics and warfare. These extraordinary women keep a close grip on power in the wealthiest country of the ancient world.Each of the seven Cleopatras wielded absolute power. Their ruthless, single-minded, focus on dominance - generation after generation - resulted in extraordinary acts of betrayal, violence, and murder in the most malfunctional dynasty in history. Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones offers fresh and powerful insight into the real story of the Cleopatras, and the beguiling and tragic legend of the last queen of Egypt.Praise for The Cleopatras:'A real treat for those who relish epic histories of family power' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE'Admirably readable' ROBIN LANE FOX'Unlocks the fascinating history of many queens' KARA COONEY 'A vivid account' ADRIAN DODSONThe Great Épinal Escape: Indian Prisoners of War in German Hands
By Ghee Bowman. 2024
On 11 May 1944 – just four weeks before D-Day – 67 American heavy bombers dropped 168 tons of bombs…
on the sunlit French town of Épinal on the Moselle river. Unbeknownst to the aircrew of the ‘Mighty Eighth’, this was the temporary home of over 3,000 Indian prisoners of war, brought there by the occupying Germans a few months before, from camps across the Third Reich.The bombs pierced the camp wall in places, and the prisoners – many of whom had made escape attempts previously – grabbed food and clothes and headed off, dodging German bullets. They knew that the Swiss frontier was just 100 kilometres away to the south, and that, if they could cross the border, they would be safe. Having been inside for up to four years, they were eager to get home.For the next few weeks, the fields, mountains and forests of eastern France became the hiding place for hundreds of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Gurkhas. By the end of June, a staggering figure of 500 had arrived and were being housed in camps in northern Switzerland by a nation with long experience of looking after those escaping from conflict.This was the largest successful escape of the Second World War.All of this took place just six weeks after the famous ‘Great Escape’ from Stalag Luft III. In that escape, 76 men got out, 50 were shot by the Gestapo, and just three (two Norwegians and a Dutchman) made it back to Britain. In contrast, the 500 Indian POWs who escaped from Epinal in that same season are completely unknown. No film has been made, no book written of this astonishing feat.Tracing the paths of 8 individuals who were at Epinal, this book tells the incredible true story of those 500 and the greatest escape of the Second World War.Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
By Noa Tishby. 2021
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A &“fascinating and very moving&” (Aaron Sorkin, award-winning screenwriter of The West Wing and The…
Social Network) chronological timeline spanning from Biblical times to today that explores one of the most interesting countries in the world—Israel.Israel. The small strip of arid land is 5,700 miles away but remains a hot-button issue and a thorny topic of debate. But while everyone seems to have a strong opinion about Israel, how many people actually know the facts? Here to fill in the information gap is Israeli American Noa Tishby. But &“this is not your Bubbie&’s history book&” (Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher). Instead, offering a fresh, 360-degree view, Tishby brings her &“passion, humor, and deep intimacy&” (Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor) to the subject, creating an accessible and dynamic portrait of a tiny country of outsized relevance. Through bite-sized chunks of history and deeply personal stories, Tishby chronicles her homeland&’s evolution, beginning in Biblical times and moving forward to cover everything from WWI to Israel&’s creation to the disputes dividing the country today. Tackling popular misconceptions with an abundance of facts, Tishby provides critical context around headline-generating controversies and offers a clear, intimate account of the richly cultured country of Israel.