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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
This concise anthology presents a broad selection of writings by the world's leading revolutionary figures. Spanning three centuries, the works…
include such milestone documents as the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), and the Communist Manifesto (1848). It also features writings by the Russian revolutionaries Lenin and Trotsky; Marat and Danton of the French Revolution; and selections by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emma Goldman, Mohandas Gandhi, Mao Zedong, and other leading figures in revolutionary thought.An essential collection for anyone interested in the issues, ideas, and history of the major revolutions of modern times, this book will prove an enlightening companion to students of this genre. Includes a selection from the Common Core State Standards Initiative: The Declaration of Independence.The Life of Olaudah Equiano: Large Print (Dover Thrift Editions Ser.)
By Olaudah Equiano. 1999
Compelling work traces the formidable journey of an Igbo prince from captivity to freedom and literacy and recounts his enslavement…
in the New World, service in the Seven Years War with General Wolfe in Canada, voyages to the Arctic with the Phipps expedition of 1772-73, six months among the Miskito Indians in Central America, and a grand tour of the Mediterranean as a personal servant to an English gentlemen. Skillfully written, with a wealth of engrossing detail, this powerful narrative deftly illustrates the nature of the black experience in slavery.Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power
By Zbigniew Brzezinski. 2012
By 1991, following the disintegration first of the Soviet bloc and then of the Soviet Union itself, the United States…
was left standing tall as the only global super-power. Not only the 20th but even the 21st century seemed destined to be the American centuries. But that super-optimism did not last long. During the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century, the stock market bubble and the costly foreign unilateralism of the younger Bush presidency, as well as the financial catastrophe of 2008 jolted America - and much of the West - into a sudden recognition of its systemic vulnerability to unregulated greed. Moreover, the East was demonstrating a surprising capacity for economic growth and technological innovation. That prompted new anxiety about the future, including even about America's status as the leading world power. This book is a response to a challenge. It argues that without an America that is economically vital, socially appealing, responsibly powerful, and capable of sustaining an intelligent foreign engagement, the geopolitical prospects for the West could become increasingly grave. The ongoing changes in the distribution of global power and mounting global strife make it all the more essential that America does not retreat into an ignorant garrison-state mentality or wallow in cultural hedonism but rather becomes more strategically deliberate and historically enlightened in its global engagement with the new East. This book seeks to answer four major questions: 1. What are the implications of the changing distribution of global power from West to East, and how is it being affected by the new reality of a politically awakened humanity? 2. Why is America's global appeal waning, how ominous are the symptoms of America's domestic and international decline, and how did America waste the unique global opportunity offered by the peaceful end of the Cold War? 3. What would be the likely geopolitical consequences if America did decline by 2025, and could China then assume America's central role in world affairs? 4. What ought to be a resurgent America's major long-term geopolitical goals in order to shape a more vital and larger West and to engage cooperatively the emerging and dynamic new East? America, Brzezinski argues, must define and pursue a comprehensive and long-term a geopolitical vision, a vision that is responsive to the challenges of the changing historical context. This book seeks to provide the strategic blueprint for that vision.The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise
By Arthur C. Brooks. 2012
Entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and upward mobility: These traditions are at the heart of the free enterprise system, and have long…
been central to America's exceptional culture. In recent years, however, policymakers have dramatically weakened these traditions--by exploding the size of government, propping up their corporate cronies, and trying to reorient our system from rewarding merit to redistributing wealth. In The Road to Freedom, American Enterprise Institute President Arthur C. Brooks shows that this trend cannot be reversed through materialistic appeals about the economic efficiency of capitalism. Rather, free enterprise requires a moral defense rooted in the ideals of earned success, equality of opportunity, charity, and basic fairness. Brooks builds this defense and demonstrates how it is central to understanding the major policy issues facing America today. The future of the free enterprise system has become a central issue in our national debate, and Brooks offers a practical manual for defending it over the coming years. Both a moral manifesto and a prescription for concrete policy changes, The Road to Freedom will help Americans in all walks of life translate the philosophy of free enterprise into action, to restore both our nation's greatness and our own well-being in the process.Churchill's Secret War: The British Empire and the Ravaging of India during World War II
By Madhusree Mukerjee. 2010
A dogged enemy of Hitler, resolute ally of the Americans, and inspiring leader through World War II, Winston Churchill is…
venerated as one of the truly great statesmen of the last century. But while he has been widely extolled for his achievements, parts of Churchill's record have gone woefully unexamined. As journalist Madhusree Mukerjee reveals, at the same time that Churchill brilliantly opposed the barbarism of the Nazis, he governed India with a fierce resolve to crush its freedom movement and a profound contempt for native lives. A series of Churchill's decisions between 1940 and 1944 directly and inevitably led to the deaths of some three million Indians. The streets of eastern Indian cities were lined with corpses, yet instead of sending emergency food shipments Churchill used the wheat and ships at his disposal to build stockpiles for feeding postwar Britain and Europe.Combining meticulous research with a vivid narrative, and riveting accounts of personality and policy clashes within and without the British War Cabinet, Churchill's Secret War places this oft-overlooked tragedy into the larger context of World War II, India's fight for freedom, and Churchill's enduring legacy. Winston Churchill may have found victory in Europe, but, as this groundbreaking historical investigation reveals, his mismanagement--facilitated by dubious advice from scientist and eugenicist Lord Cherwell--devastated India and set the stage for the massive bloodletting that accompanied independence.Trafficked Children and Youth in the United States: Reimagining Survivors
By Elzbieta M. Gozdziak. 2007
Trafficked children are portrayed by the media--and even by child welfare specialists--as hapless victims who are forced to migrate from…
a poor country to the United States, where they serve as sex slaves. But as Elzbieta M. Gozdziak reveals in Trafficked Children in the United States, the picture is far more complex. Basing her observations on research with 140 children, most of them girls, from countries all over the globe, Gozdziak debunks many myths and uncovers the realities of the captivity, rescue, and rehabilitation of trafficked children. She shows, for instance, that none of the girls and boys portrayed in this book were kidnapped or physically forced to accompany their traffickers. In many instances, parents, or smugglers paid by family members, brought the girls to the U.S. Without exception, the girls and boys in this study believed they were coming to the States to find employment and in some cases educational opportunities. Following them from the time they were trafficked to their years as young adults, Gozdziak gives the children a voice so they can offer their own perspective on rebuilding their lives--getting jobs, learning English, developing friendships, and finding love. Gozdziak looks too at how the children's perspectives compare to the ideas of child welfare programs, noting that the children focus on survival techniques while the institutions focus, not helpfully, on vulnerability and pathology. Gozdziak concludes that the services provided by institutions are in effect a one-size-fits-all, trauma-based model, one that ignores the diversity of experience among trafficked children. Breaking new ground, Trafficked Children in the United States offers a fresh take on what matters most to these young people as they rebuild their lives in America.Taking Chances: The Coast after Hurricane Sandy
By Tammy Lewis, Kenneth Gould, Robert Gramling, Mark Hewitt, Mariana Leckner, Bonnie Mccay, Briavel Holcomb, Angela Oberg, Melanie Mcdermott, Steven Decker, Professor Karen M O Neill, Patricia Clay, Frank Felder, Clinton Andrews, Lisa Colburn, Larry Niles, Daniel Hess, David Robinson, Brian Conley, James Mitchell, Ashley Koning, Daniel J Van Abs, Julia Flagg. 2016
Humanity is deeply committed to living along the world's shores, but a catastrophic storm like Sandy--which took hundreds of lives…
and caused many billions of dollars in damages--shines a bright light at how costly and vulnerable life on a shoreline can be. Taking Chances offers a wide-ranging exploration of the diverse challenges of Sandy and asks if this massive event will really change how coastal living and development is managed. Bringing together leading researchers--including biologists, urban planners, utilities experts, and climatologists, among others--Taking Chances illuminates reactions to the dangers revealed by Sandy. Focusing on New Jersey, New York, and other hard-hit areas, the contributors explore whether Hurricane Sandy has indeed transformed our perceptions of coastal hazards, if we have made radically new plans in response to Sandy, and what we think should be done over the long run to improve coastal resilience. Surprisingly, one essay notes that while a large majority of New Jerseyans identified Sandy with climate change and favored carefully assessing the likelihood of damage from future storms before rebuilding the Shore, their political leaders quickly poured millions into reconstruction. Indeed, much here is disquieting. One contributor points out that investors scared off from further investments on the shore are quickly replaced by new investors, sustaining or increasing the overall human exposure to risk. Likewise, a study of the Gowanus Canal area of Brooklyn shows that, even after Sandy swamped the area with toxic flood waters, plans to convert abandoned industrial lots around the canal into high-density condominiums went on undeterred. By contrast, utilities, emergency officials, and others who routinely make long-term plans have changed operations in response to the storm, and provide examples of adaptation in the face of climate change. Will Sandy be a tipping point in coastal policy debates--or simply dismissed as a once-in-a-century anomaly? This thought-provoking collection of essays in Taking Chances makes an important contribution to this debate.The Economy of China (China: The Emerging Superpower)
By Shu Shin Luh. 2013
What would China's revolutionary leader, Mao Zedong, think if he were alive today? Mao's Chinese Communist Party continues to hold…
a monopoly on political power, and at its core China remains a developing nation. But in many respects, today's China bears little resemblance to the country that emerged under Mao's leadership after 1949. Most important, today's People's Republic of China is Communist in name only. Rapid economic liberalization has brought capitalism, and unprecedented prosperity, to the world's most populous country. Farmers, once the backbone of China's economy, are taking a backseat to the entrepreneurs who make millions exporting low-cost, sophisticated computer chips and flat-screen televisions to the rest of the world. The sleeping giant, as one prominent economist described it, has awakened, and the rest of the world can no longer ignore its presence and its potential. How did this transformation come about? This book takes an in-depth look at that question and examines the future prospects for China in the global economy.Democratic Republic of Congo (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Rita Milios. 2013
The name Democratic Republic of the Congo is a misnomer: the country has never been truly democratic or a republic.…
For decades this country in central Africa, which was once known as Zaire, was ruled by a brutal and corrupt dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. Since the mid-1990s, when Mobutu's government was overthrown, various groups within Congo have been fighting for power. Although a peace agreement was signed in 2003 and a new constitution adopted in 2006, fighting has continued in the eastern part of the country. Overall, the Second Congo War involved nine African nations and caused more than 5.4 million deaths, making it the deadliest conflict since World War II. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-largest country in Africa and possesses a wealth of natural resources. However, the government still has no control over large areas of the country, and the years of fighting have devastated the economy. Although the prospects for peace have improved, it will take years for Congo to fully recover from its devastating civil war.Mozambique (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Tanya Mulroy. 2013
In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot on the shores of Mozambique. By…
the next century, this region along the southeastern edge of Africa had become a colony of Portugal. For almost 500 years the region remained under Portuguese rule, until years of armed conflict and struggle brought independence in 1975. The warfare did not end, however, as the brutal civil war that followed lasted until the early 1990s. Although peace has come to Mozambique, its people continue to face many challenges, including severe droughts and devastating cyclones. However, the fledgling democracy has made economic progress. Today, the government is working to alleviate poverty and increase the standard of living for the people of Mozambique.Politician (Careers With Character #18)
By Ellyn Sanna. 2014
Find out what it takes to be a politician with character... Politicians have opportunities to confront some of today's important…
issues, things like: *Environmental concerns; *Abortion; *Education; *Welfare reform; *Gun control; *National security; *Tax reform; *Child protection; *Women's concerns; and *Homelessness. If you feel strongly about issues like these, you may want to consider a career in politics. If you do, you'll need education...experience...and character. Because of their power, politicians face many occasions where they must choose between right and wrong. Do you have what it takes for this exciting career? Politician can help you decide.Governance and Leadership in Africa (Africa: Progress and Problems #13)
By Robert I. Rotberg. 2014
Many of the problems in Africa today, including widespread poverty and civil unrest, can be traced to the continents legacy…
of bad governance. In the post-independence period, authoritarian strongmen took control of many countries, enriching themselves and their cronies by exploiting the peoples labor and their countrys resources. In recent years, however, a growing number of African states have embraced democratic principles and established transparent and open governments. In this book the noted Africa scholar Dr. Robert Rotberg examines the current state of governance and leadership in Africa. He discusses the various types of government found in the continent, clearly showing the correlation between the quality of a countrys leadership and the quality of life enjoyed by that countrys people.Botswana (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Kelly Wittman. 2013
The combination of breathtaking scenic beauty, fabulous wildlife, and peace-loving citizens makes Botswana a favorite of tourists from all over…
the world. This country in the heart of southern Africa is also the homeland of a proud people, the Batswana, who have created a vibrant democracy. Since Botswana won its independence in 1966, it has become one of Africa's leading economies. In particular, Botswana's diamond industry provides many people with a comfortable life. However, the AIDS epidemic has hit Botswana particularly hard, as a high percentage of people are infected with the disease. Today, the government is working with all Batswana to end this threat to their beloved country.Libya (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Judy Hasday. 2013
Libya is the third-largest state in Africa by area. Located in North Africa, it has no permanent rivers or streams,…
as the Sahara Desert covers most of the country. Yet just beneath the land's surface lie huge reserves of oil, which have provided vast wealth for Libya's political elite. Unfortunately, little of this wealth has reached the country's approximately 6 million residents. For more than 40 years, Mu'ammar al-Gadhafi ruled Libya as an authoritarian state. The hostile foreign policies of the controversial leader, including support for international terrorist groups, caused Libya to become politically and economically isolated from the rest of the world during the late 20th century and early 21st century. In February 2011, a civil war began in Libya that resulted in the overthrow of Gadhafi's government--and eventually, the dictator's execution. Today, Libya remains in turmoil politically, as various factions squabble for power in the newly forming government.Nigeria (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Ida Walker. 2013
With more than 170 million people, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. Military leaders have ruled Nigeria for much of…
its history as an independent country, and it was not until 1999 that a civilian government was restored. However, this has not ensured peace. Conflicts have broken out between Muslim extremists and other Nigerians over the imposition of sharia, a series of religious rules and laws that Muslims are supposed to follow. Sharia carries penalties that most observers consider to be harsh violations of human rights, such as the amputation of thieves' hands. Although Nigeria controls great reserves of oil, and is one of the largest exporters of oil to the United States, most Nigerians are very poor. Government corruption has been a constant problem. Education and economic investment are needed to help improve the future prospects of Nigerians.Morocco (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Dorothy Kavanaugh. 2013
For centuries the Kingdom of Morocco, located in the northwest corner of Africa, has been a crossroads for trade between…
Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. Today this country is known for its exotic mix of Arab, African, and Western cultures and traditions. Since Morocco gained its independence in 1956, the country has struggled to emerge from its colonial past. The country's current ruler, the young King Mohammed VI, has taken steps toward developing democratic political institutions and protecting the human rights of Moroccan citizens. Many experts believe that if Morocco succeeds in achieving its goal of a more modern and stable society, it may serve as an example for African and Arab countries alike.China Under Reform (China: The Emerging Superpower)
By Zhimin Lin. 2013
In 1976, at the death of its longtime leader Mao Zedong, China was in a state of economic stagnation and…
social chaos. Mao's radical policies and continual political campaigns, including the disastrous Cultural Revolution, had taken a heavy toll on the Chinese people. By the end of the decade, however, a more moderate, pragmatic leadership under Deng Xiaoping had come to power and put China on a course to recovery. In the four decades since then, China's economic growth has been nothing short of amazing. China is now one of the world's leading manufacturing centers, and an estimated 400 million of its people have been lifted out of poverty. Still, problems remain. Among them are a growing gap in living standards between rural and urban areas, rampant corruption, and a repressive government that has resisted political reforms. This volume provides a comprehensive view of China's historic reforms. It not only details what has been accomplished so far, but also offers a glimpse at what the future might hold for the world's most populous nation.Fair Trade: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)
By Jacqueline Decarlo. 2007
What's wrong with buying regular coffee? Does Fair Trade necessarily mean ethical trade? What impact can the average consumer have…
on global economics? Author and activist Jacqueline DeCarlo reveals why the movement has come to mean far more than just bananas, coffee, and chocolate. Grounded in the inspiring power of Fair Trade as a positive alternative to poverty, environmental destruction, and human exploitation, this enlightening book explains how we can make a difference. Providing an accessible explanation of the principles behind the movement and tracing its development into the powerful economic and social justice tool it is today, Fair Trade: A Beginner's Guide will rouse readers of all backgrounds to help end global injustice. Jacqueline DeCarlo is Fair Trade Program Officer of Catholic Relief Services.Sudan and Southern Sudan (The Evolution of Africa's Major Nations)
By Dorothy Kavanaugh. 2013
Even before the East African country of Sudan became independent from British rule in 1956, the people of this region…
were fighting among themselves. For nearly all of Sudan's modern history the country has been devastated by civil wars. The first war between the Arab-dominated government in the North and rebel groups in the South lasted from 1955 to 1972. The second began in 1983 and ended in 2005, when a power-sharing agreement was signed. As part of that agreement, a referendum was held in January 2011 in which the residents of Southern Sudan voted to break away and form a new country. On July 9, 2011, the country officially became independent as the Republic of South Sudan. Despite the optimism of independence, today both the countries of Sudan and Southern Sudan have many problems. Most of the people of Sudan and Southern Sudan are desperately poor and suffer from famines, fighting, and human-rights abuses by government and rebel forces.