Autobiography: adventurers and explorers Books

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Book SynopsisThe political memoir of the decade' Sunday TimesThe #1 Sunday Times BestsellerWhat was it like to lead the Conservative Party back to power and form a coalition government? How does a Prime Minister turn around an economy, handle a migration crisis and respond to a rapidly changing Europe? Why call a referendum on Britain's EU membership?David Cameron answers these questions and more with a candour that extends beyond the events he faced to the people he encountered and, fascinatingly, to the things he got right and wrong.He talks too about what has happened in the four years since that momentous vote in what is the frankest insight yet into the inner workings of politics and the mind of one man who was at the heart of it.Trade Review‘The political memoir of the decade’ Sunday Times ‘I praise For the Record with genuine enthusiasm. It is tastily candid about his colleagues … but also about his own mistakes’ Andrew Billen, Times ‘Charm, smooth, fluently written with some cracking anecdotes.’ Times ‘Arresting … Cameron has always been an easy target. But on reading this book, I think it is impossible for any fair-minded observer to doubt that he was a fundamentally decent, well-intentioned man, who did his best to represent Britain on the world stage and left our nation’s economy in a much better state than he found it.’ Daily Mail ‘A truly great political read … As much a guide to our future as to our past … Well written, well edited, pacey, the substance laced with anecdotes about life at the summit. Scores are settled too … I’ve read a lot of political memoirs and this is one of the very best.’ George Osborne, Evening Standard ‘Well-written and lucid … His account of that tragedy [the death of his eldest son] is heart-breaking.’ Telegraph ‘It rattles along nicely at a pace that belies its 752 pages.’ New Statesman ‘A remarkably interesting account of a remarkably tumultuous era of modern history.’ Freakonomics podcast ‘His book displays all the sensitivity and communication skills he showed in office, and there is plenty of evidence of regret … Much livelier than I feared, full of colour, gossipy asides and decent anecdotes … The heavier policy stuff is also compelling, and revealing of the mountainous demands placed on Prime Ministers.’ i Newspaper ‘By any reckoning, it’s an important book … There’s a candour there that people will like.’ Alastair Campbell, BBC Radio 4 ‘A much better book than a lot of people are predicting. He writes with authenticity.’ Iain Dale, BBC Radio 4

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Book SynopsisThe photo of a woman standing proudly, face bare, hair blowing in the wind.Her crime: removing her veil, or hijab, which is compulsory for women in Iran.Masih''s self-portrait sparked ''My Stealthy Freedom'', a social media campaign that went viral. An enlightening, intimate invitation into a little-known world, this is the extraordinary memoir of a woman who overcame poverty, prison, and exile and encourages others to do the same.''A must-read for anyone who cares about women''s equality and autonomy'' SHERYL SANDBERG''Masih Alinejad is a flame-thrower for the rights of all women'' TINA BROWN''Passionate, riveting'' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewShe's been sentenced to prison, fled her native Iran and is unable to see her family. All she wants is to give women the choice to wear the hijab or not... Courageous * Guardian *With mighty righteousness on her side and bravery in her heart, Masih Alinejad is a flame-thrower for the rights of all women who live under the thumb of repression and injustice * Tina Brown *The Wind in My Hair paints a vivid portrait of modern Iran and chronicles her journey from Iran to Britain and finally the United States * New York Times *Masih Alinejad is a fearless champion for women's rights. She built her career as a reporter uncovering powerful truths and writing passionately in support of human rights in a country where doing so meant risking one's freedom and safety. Her book is a must-read for anyone who cares about women's equality and autonomy-in Iran, the United States, and everywhere * Sheryl Sandberg *Told poignantly and with a blunt honesty that seems a characteristic of Alinejad's life and writing, here is a gripping tale that permits us to peek at the inner workings of the Iranian Revolution and consider the question of its health and longevity... a prescient exposé of the cruelty of paradigms, the constrictions of the Muslim woman liberation tale and the often maddening centrality of the veil within it * New York Times Book Review *Masih Alinejad's personal story is intriguing and inspiring. For her freedom is not just political but existential, which is why Masih's voice is so important to Iran's civil society and the Iranian people's struggles for freedom and democracy * Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran *Masih Alinejad's inspiring journey from an ordinary working-class village girl in Iran into a transnational activist-journalist is a testimony to not only her talents and passionate dedication to equal rights, but also to the aspiration and determination of many Iranian women whose stories are recounted by her. Masih's courageous journey is part of a growing women's rights movement that resonates with women everywhere * Nayereh Tohidi, Director, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at California State, Northridge *[Alinejad's] descriptions of life as a journalist and activist will captivate readers interested in Iran, international affairs, gender equality, and human rights * Booklist *'The road to expulsion is paved with scoops,' she writes. It's the content of those scoops, along with the graft and corruption underlying a regime that is still made up of politicians, that will be of interest to readers... Alinejad's account provides a timely glimpse behind the Iranian curtain * Kirkus *Gutsy Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad tells her life story in a chatty, confiding tone . . . Alinejad's experiences make for a compelling and eye-opening read * Christian Science Monitor *Women all over Iran risked imprisonment and even their lives and safety to post pictures. Alinejad's stories of her illustrious career as a groundbreaking journalist challenging the Islamic Republic make for a fascinating narrative * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThor Heyerdahl is one of the greatest explorers of our day. At the age of 84 he has chosen to take a journey through his memories. This is not a chronological autobiography but rather an epic exploration of the world and the amazing events that Heyerdahl has pioneered, participated in and observed. IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ADAM is an account of life where personal experiences of a dramatic and emotional nature - secret missions during the war and near-fatal accidents - are woven together with his views on religious fatih politics and ecology. It is a book that focuses on the author''s own remarkable life, and also brings us back to the dawn of civilization and out into the future. Thor Heyerdahl has spent a long lifetime wandering in the footsteps of mankind. He invites the reader to participate in that journey by sharing generously the details of his private and public life, his accumulated wisdom, and his friendships with a wide range of influential world leaders such as FidelTrade ReviewCompletely beguiling- unconventional...utterly charming. It conveys faithfully Heyerdahl's continuing sense of wonder, his appreciation of so-called primitive cultures, his suspicion of Western civilisation and his conviction that people should work with nature rather than against it... captivating. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *[A] compendium of adventure, history and philosophy by a man who knows arguably as much about the planet as anyone alive * SCOTSMAN *The compelling life story of one of the great explorers of all time * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisIn this Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling memoir that ''reads like a thriller'', (Joanna Lumley) Colour-Sargent Kailash Limbu shares a riveting account of his life as a Gurkha soldier-marking the first time in its two-hundred-year history that a soldier of the Brigade of Gurkhas has been given permission to tell his story in his own words.In the summer of 2006, Colour-Sargeant Kailash Limbu''s platoon was sent to relieve and occupy a police compound in the town of Now Zad in Helmand. He was told to prepare for a forty-eight hour operation. In the end, he and his men were under siege for thirty-one days - one of the longest such sieges in the whole of the Afghan campaign.Kailash Limbu recalls the terrifying and exciting details of those thirty-one days - in which they killed an estimated one hundred Taliban fighters - and intersperses them with the story of his own life as a villager from the Himalayas. He grew up in a place without roads or elTrade ReviewI was completely bowled over by Kailash's book and read it with a beating heart and dry mouth. I felt as though I was at his side, hearing the shells and bullets, enjoying the jokes and listening in the scary dead of night. The skill with which he has included his childhood and training is immense, always discovered with ease in the narrative: it actually felt as though I was watching, was IN a film with him. It brought me nearer than I have ever been not only to the mind of the universal soldier but to a hill boy of Nepal and a hugely impressive Gurkha. I raced through it and couldn't put it down: it reads like a thriller. If you want to know anything about the Gurkhas, read this book, and be prepared for a thrilling and dangerous trip -- Joanna Lumley

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Book SynopsisWhen George Mitchell described his time helping broker peace in Northern Ireland, he said, We had 700 bad days and then one good day, which changed the course of history.'One Good Day is the fascinating insider account of those negotiations from diplomat David Donoghue, who was then Irish head of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast. It explores the complex, delicate and often frustrating series of talks that drew the Troubles to an end.April 2023 marks the 25-year anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, hailed internationally as a near-miracle of collective collaboration, compromise and diplomacy. One Good Day offers an absorbing perspective on the drama of the negotiations from someone who was right at the centre of the action, alongside all the key players such as Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams, John Hume, Bill Clinton, Bertie Ahern and Mo Mowlam.Incisive and compelling an insider's story of the negotiations which

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Book SynopsisA delightful memoir of Mary Elizabeth Lucy and her life at Charlecote.

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Book Synopsis_____________________An intimate telling of the wild days of the 2011 Egyptian RevolutionAhdaf Soueif was born and brought up in Cairo. When the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 erupted on January 25th, she, along with thousands of others, called Tahrir Square home for eighteen days. She reported for the world''s media and did, like everyone else, whatever she could.Cairo tells the story of the Egyptian Revolution, of how on the 28th of January when The People took the Square and torched the headquarters of the hated ruling National Democratic Party, The (same) People formed a human chain to protect the Antiquities Museum and demanded an official handover to the military; it tells how, on Wednesday, February 2nd, as The People defended themselves against the invading thug militias and fought pitched battles at the entrance to the Square in the shadow of the Antiquities Museum, The (same) People at the centre of the square debated political structures and laughed at stanTrade ReviewCaptures the intoxicating romance of the weeks when anything seemed possible. Souief writes with verve and passion, offering the authentic voice of the liberal Egyptian who risked everything because she wanted her country to have freedom and democracy * Daily Telegraph *Should serve as a heartening reminder of what people are capable of achieving when united and courageous * The Economist *There's a passionate immediacy to Soueif's febrile descriptions of those halcyon first days of revolution ... Soueif is an excellent observer * Metro *Soueif is a political analyst and commentator of the best kind * London Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisArman is just a boy when he is forced to leave his home and embark on the most extraordinary journey. Separated from family and friends, he travels across mountains, land and sea to find refuge. After encountering bandits, war and wolves, and surviving a hazardous boat crossing, he arrives at Dover, clinging to the underside of a lorry. Little did he know, his journey had just begun.Unable to speak English, Arman battles loneliness, despair and the reawakening of his traumas in this new strange place. Memories of his family haunt him. The dark clouds almost consume him. And still he persists, step-by-step.What follows is a struggle for self-understanding, and the great strength it takes to overcome the trauma we carry. Running through is the long journey to find peace, and how education is the most powerful tool to seeing one''s life through new eyes.This is the unforgettable, heartfelt and transformative story, from a child who

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Book SynopsisA female focused NF memoir from a model who disrupted the whole ethos of the football patriarchy.

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Book SynopsisRetracing my mother’s footsteps in search of women’s freedom 1974. A 22-year-old Jacqui French stands for a photograph in Omaha, Nebraska, thousands of miles from home. Trade Review‘Powerful… a brilliant storyteller.’ Laura Bates, founder of The Everyday Sexism Project ‘Interweaving the personal with the political, Wild Hope lyrical and rousing.’ i Culture “Blends personal and political insights to show why feminism matters more than ever.” Harper’s Bazaar ‘A book that leaves its reader with something priceless: a fresh, fierce determination to hope.’ Natasha Lunn ‘Marisa Bate is a richly talented writer and Wild Hope bursts with fury, passion and love. It's hard to put down and even harder to forget.’Will Storr ‘Bate takes us on an ambitious journey that captures the spirit of the 1970s, and reminds us that we still have much to fight and hope for.’Helena Lee

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Book SynopsisThe son of one of the greatest writers of our timeNobel Prize winner and internationally best-selling icon Gabriel García Márquezremembers his beloved father and mother in this tender memoir about love and loss.It enthralled and moved me.' Salman RushdieIn March 2014, Gabriel García Márquez, one of the most acclaimed writers of the twentieth century, came down with a cold. The woman who had been beside him for more than fifty years, his wife Mercedes Barcha, was not hopeful; her husband, affectionately known as Gabo, was then nearly 87 and battling dementia. I don''t think we''ll get out of this one, she told their son Rodrigo.Hearing his mother's words, Rodrigo wondered, Is this how the end begins? To make sense of events as they unfolded, he began to write the story of García Márquez's final days. The result is this intimate and honest account that not only contemplates his father's mortality but reveals his remarkable humanity.Both an illuminating memoir and a heartbreaking work of Trade Review‘a powerfully written memoir…García Márquez maintained that his novels were inspired not by magic but by reality. His son’s memoir shows that, when it comes to his father’s life, it is impossible to separate the two.’ Daniel Rey, Spectator ‘Rodrigo Garcia finds the words that cannot be said, the moments that signal all that is possible to know about the passage from life to death, from what love brings and the loss it leaves. With details as rich as any giant biography, you will find yourself grieving as you read, grateful for the profound art that remains a part of our cultural heritage’ Walter Mosley, New York Times bestselling author of Down the River Unto the Sea ‘You read this short memoir with a feeling of deep gratitude. Yes, it is a moving homage by a son to his extraordinary parents, but also much more: it is a revelation of the hidden corners of a fascinating life. A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes is generous, unsentimental and wise.’–Juan Gabriel Vásquez, author of The Sound of Things Falling ‘Garcia’s limpid prose gazes calmly at death, registering pain but not being overcome by it … the result is a moving eulogy that will captivate fans of the literary lion’ Publishers Weekly “A warm homage filled with both fond and painful memories.” Kirkus ‘This is a beautiful farewell to two extraordinary people. It enthralled and moved me, and it will move and enthrall anyone who has ever entered the glorious literary world of Gabriel García Márquez’ Salman Rushdie

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Book SynopsisNo American leader has accomplished more for his state than Governor Ron DeSantis. Now he reveals how he did it.He played baseball for Yale, graduated with honours from Harvard Law School and served in Iraq and in the halls of Congress. But in all these places, Ron DeSantis learned the same lesson: he didn't want to be part of the leftist elite.His heart was always for the people of Florida, one of the most diverse and culturally rich states in the union. Since becoming governor of the Sunshine State, he has fought and won battle after battle, defeating not just opposition from the political left, but a barrage of hostile media coverage proclaiming the end of the world. In 2022, the governor delivered a historic, record-setting victory, winning by nearly 20 points and more than 1.5 million votes.A first-hand account from the blue-collar boy who grew up to take on Disney and Dr Fauci, The Courage to Be Free is a rallying cry for everyone who wishes to preserve their liberties

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Book SynopsisFor over sixty years now, Manna Dey has been synonymous with music and melody. Excelling across a variety of genres - film songs, ghazals, bhajans, classical and pop - he has regaled generations of listeners with his romantic ballads, zany rock 'n' roll numbers, playful qawwalis and intricate raga-based songs.

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Book SynopsisA powerful, intimate memoir of Eritrean-British journalist, Hannah Azieb-Pool, who returns to Eritrea at the age of 30 to meet her family for the first time.What a story. So vivid, honest and moving'' Andrea Levy, author of Small Island''When I stepped off the plane in Asmara, I had no idea what lay ahead, or how those events would change me . . .''In her twenties, Hannah-Azieb Pool is given a letter that unravels everything she knows about her life. She knew she was adopted from an orphanage in Eritrea, and as her adoptive family brought her to the UK, they believed she did not have any surviving relatives.When she discovers the truth in a letter from her brother - that her birth father is alive and her Eritrean family are desperate to meet her - she is faced with a critical choice.Should she go?In this intimate memoir, she takes us with her on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, as she travels to Eritr

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A distinguished and invaluable collection. Labor historians would be well advised to clear shelf space for it." -- Bruce Laurie, Industrial and Labor Relations Review

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Book SynopsisA renowned scientist and environmental advocate looks back on a life that has straddled the worlds of science and politicsTrade Review“[A] frank, polyphonic autobiography.”—Nature“More gripping than a thrilling novel, Paul Ehrlich’s autobiography beats novels by being true. Colorful and no-holds-barred, it’s what you’d hope from the greatest living population biologist, who has thrived in science and policy controversies for 70 years.”—Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel “Paul Ehrlich is one of the supreme citizen-scientists of our time. His eventful and exemplary life is an inspiration not only for a new generation of scientists, but for citizens everywhere.”—Partha Dasgupta, author of Time and the Generations: Population Ethics for a Diminishing Planet, and Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Cambridge “Paul Ehrlich has stirred up plenty of controversy over the decades and remains one of the world’s most provocative thinkers and truth-tellers. In this compellingly readable, rich book, a great human being takes us on the road that led to his view of life.”—Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild “An irresistible read. Paul Ehrlich captivates us with his adventures and his love for butterflies, biology, family, and humanity, all interwoven with his irrepressible passion to defend nature—and us.”—Diana Wall, Colorado State University“Two books sat side by side on our family bookshelf while I was growing up in the early 1970s, alerting me to the growing threat to our environment. One of them was Paul Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb—a prescient, early warning of our collision course with environmental sustainability. It is a delight, a half century later, to read Paul’s wide-ranging, wondrous, and pleasantly amusing account of his amazing life—as a scientist, thinker, communicator, influencer, and champion for a sustainable world. Read Life and be emboldened to join the defining battle of our time—the battle to preserve a livable planet.”—Michael Mann, author of The New Climate War“In this adventure-filled book, one of the leading biologists of the last hundred years shares the stories of his fully lived life, a life in which he discovered many new details of the obscure biology of butterflies, reshaped the fields of evolutionary biology and conservation, and unapologetically sought to remake the world. It is a fascinating, funny, provocative book about a fascinating, funny, provocative man.”—Rob Dunn, author of A Natural History of the Future

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Book SynopsisFrom one of Britian's best-loved journalists writes about living with a life-threatening disease to give us an intelligent and passionate look at the way we can approach disappointment and trouble, friendship and love - every day.Trade ReviewThere is a rare honesty and rawness to Figes's writing that makes tears jump into your eyes * Sunday Telegraph *her descriptions of the moments of euphoria induced by an acceptance of life's transience . . . have a sharp sweetness that stays with you long after you stop reading * Big Issue *A valuable and immensely moving account of the small pleasures and substantial attachments that enrich our appreciation of life * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisAn Economist Best Book of 2023 One of The New York Times? 33 Nonfiction Books to Read This Fall Named a most anticipated fall book by the Chicago Tribune and Bloomberg Finalist for the 2024 Hayek Book Prize?Wherever you sit on the political spectrum, there?s a lot to learn from this book. More than a biography of one controversial person, it?s an intellectual history of twentieth-century economic thought.? ?Greg Rosalesky, NPR?s Planet Money The first full biography of America?s most renowned economist.Milton Friedman was, alongside John Maynard Keynes, the most influential economist of the twentieth century. His work was instrumental in the turn toward free markets that defined the 1980s, and his full-throated defenses of capitalism and freedom resonated with audiences around the world. It?s no wonder the last decades of the twentieth century have been called ?the Age of Friedman??or that analysts have sought to hold him responsible for both the rising prosperity and the social ills of recent times.In Milton Friedman, the first full biography to employ archival sources, the historian Jennifer Burns tells Friedman?s extraordinary story with the nuance it deserves. She provides lucid and lively context for his groundbreaking work on everything from why dentists earn less than doctors, to the vital importance of the money supply, to inflation and the limits of government planning and stimulus. She traces Friedman?s long-standing collaborations with women, including the economist Anna Schwartz; his complex relationships with powerful figures such as the Federal Reserve chairman Arthur Burns and the Treasury secretary George Shultz; and his direct interventions in policymaking at the highest levels. Most of all, Burns explores Friedman?s key role in creating a new economic vision and a modern American conservatism. The result is a revelatory biography of America?s first neoliberal?and perhaps its last great conservative.

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Book SynopsisNeena Gupta's memoir 'Sach Kahun Toh' delves into her journey from Delhi to Bollywood, highlighting her personal struggles, unconventional choices, and successful comeback. It offers a candid look at her life, challenging stereotypes and revealing the person beyond the public image.

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Book SynopsisWhen Sophie Walker''s daughter Grace was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, her world unravelled. Her high-powered job was in disarray, she couldn''t sleep, often woke in tears and felt hopeless and useless in her role as a mother.One day she realised she hadn''t done any exercise for months - neglecting her physical health as well as her mental wellbeing. Previously a keen runner, she set herself the challenge of running the London Marathon to raise awareness of Asperger Syndrome and make herself physically strong enough to support her daughter.Invigorated by the physical challenge she had set herself, Sophie began a blog - ''Grace Under Pressure'' - writing about both day-to-day life raising Grace alongside training for the marathon. The combination caught the imagination of readers and the blog took off, garnering praise from a wide range of sources.Now transformed into a book, Grace Under Pressure is a moving story that charts the highs and lows of raising a cTrade Review'Very powerful, very moving, and an important contribution to better understanding of a much misunderstood condition' * Alastair Campbell *This is a book about Asperger's Syndrome and a book about running, but it's so much more than that. It's at heart a love story, testament to the power of a parent's fierce devotion to their child. Any parent will see in it something of themselves * Gaby Hinsliff, journalist and author of Half a Wife *Incredibly moving and inspiring. A mother always wants what's best for her daughter, but this mum has to really fight -- and run -- to get it * Ruth Field, bestselling author of Run Fat Bitch Run *A powerful account of how exercise can restore you physically and mentally * Top Santé *Grace Under Pressure is a beautiful book. It tugged on my heart strings in the most orchestral fashion. Well done * Kathy Lette *extraordinary reading * mumsnet.com *London-based Walker, a Reuters reporter, marathon runner, and popular Asperger's and parenting blogger, offers an honest and inspiring portrait of parenting a child with the disorder . . . In the midst of her struggles, the author begins running for her own health and sanity as well to raise money for the U.K.'s National Autistic Society. As she trains, Walker's setbacks and triumphs are mirrored by Grace's parallel journey. Parents of children with Asperger's or other spectrum disorders will find information, validation, and hope in Walker's detailed and moving portrait of a mother/ "Aspie" daughter relationship * Publishers Weekly *

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Book Synopsis''I believe in grafting hard, training right, eating well . . . and having a good time!''WORK HARDVicky Pattison knows that achieving your dreams takes hard work, hustle, a sense of humour and a killer outfit. And now she''s sharing her insider secrets for the first time: how to dress for success, how to eat well and keep healthy on the go and how to stay true to yourself when the going gets tough.PLAY HARDBut Vicky wouldn''t be Vicky if she didn''t also know how to cut loose and have fun. The Real Me has everything you and your squad need for an epic night out or the ultimate girls'' night in. And for the morning after, there''s honest and hilarious advice on curing a hangover . . . and a broken heart.The Real Me is packed with recipes, fashion and beauty tips, training programmes and straight-talking advice on dealing with everything from job interviews to first dates. This is the ultimate guide to living l

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times BestsellerTHIS BOOK WON''T CHANGE YOUR LIFEBut it might just help you change it yourselfOnly you can take the steps you need to help yourself become the strong, independent, fearless person you dream of being. It took me a long time - and a lot of real lows, excruciating heartaches and countless mistakes - to get there. The sole purpose of this book''s existence is the hope that it may speed up that journey to happiness for you.In FEEL GOOD 101, YouTube''s most outspoken star Emma Blackery is finally putting pen to paper to (over)share all her hard-learned life lessons. From standing up to bullies and bad bosses to embracing body confidence and making peace with her brain, Emma speaks with her trademark honesty about the issues she''s faced - including her struggles with anxiety and depression. This is the book Emma wishes she''d had growing up . . . and she''s writ

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Book SynopsisA stunning new book about the role of animals in our lives, by a popular and acclaimed writer From the time she is nine years old, biking to the farmland outside her suburban home, where she discovers a disquieting world of sleeping cows and a “Private Way” full of the wondrous and creepy creatures of the wild—spiders, deer, moles, chipmunks, and foxes—Lauren Slater finds in animals a refuge from her troubled life. As she matures, her attraction to animals strengthens and grows more complex and compelling even as her family is falling to pieces around her. Slater spends a summer at horse camp, where she witnesses the alternating horrific and loving behavior of her instructor toward the animals in her charge and comes to question the bond that so often develops between females and their equines. Slater’s questions follow her to a foster family, her own parents no longer able to care for her. A pet raccoon, rescued from a hole in the wall

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Book SynopsisFrom growing up amidst poverty and racism to preaching from the Ebenezer pulpit for forty years, King, Sr., reveals his life inside the civil rights movement—illustrating the profound influence he had on his sonBorn in 1899 to a family of sharecroppers in Stockbridge, Georgia, Martin Luther King, Sr., came of age under the looming threat of violence at the hands of white landowners. Growing up, he witnessed his family being crushed by the weight of poverty and racism, and escaped to Atlanta to answer the calling to become a preacher. Before engaging in acts of political dissent or preaching at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he would remain for more than four decades, King, Sr., earned high school and college diplomas while working double shifts as a truck driver—and he won the heart of his future wife, Alberta “Bunch” Williams.In Daddy King, King, Sr., recalls the struggles and joys of his journey: the pain of leaving his parents an

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Book SynopsisBetween the Brown and the Red captures the multifaceted nature of church-state relations in communist Poland, relations that oscillated between mutual confrontation, accommodation, and dialogue. Ironically, under communism the bond between religion and nation in Poland grew stronger.Trade Review“Employing excellent archival research and deft writing, Kunicki weaves the complex saga [of Boleslaw Piasecki’s career] into an analysis of the relationship between authoritarianism, nationalism, communism, and religion in Poland over the decades to the present postcommunist nation…. Summing Up: Highly recommended.” * Choice *“Mikołaj Stanisław Kunicki has written a magnificent political biography of Bolesław Piasecki…. This book will be required reading for any historian of modern Poland and should also appeal to anyone interested in nationalism, communism, the political Right in the twentieth century, the nature of totalitarianism in postwar Eastern Europe, and the persistence of prewar fascist strands in the communist East (hence the book’s title)…. This is an extremely well-researched, wellconceptualized, and original work.” * American Historical Review *“This is an original, thought provoking, often deliberately provocative book, based on a wealth of archival and published sources. It is, as well, a pleasure to read. Between the Brown and the Red takes its place as one of the best studies of the complex relationship of Catholicism and politics in recent Polish history.” * Cosmopolitan Review *“Kunicki provides a concise political history of Poland and its significant leaders. Piasecki, while not a major leader, contributed from the very beginnings of Poland’s turbulent times with a taste of freedom following World War I up to his death in 1979…. This biography, one of the few in English, will be a welcome addition to Polish American historians.” * Polish American Journal *

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Book SynopsisStolen, beaten, deprived of his liberty and used as child labour, Bill Simon''s was not a normal childhood. He was told his mother didn''t want him, that he was the scum of the earth'' and was locked up in the notorious Kinchela Boys Home for eight years. His experiences there would shape his life forever. Bill Simon got angry, something which poisoned his life for the next two decades. A life of self abuse and crime finally saw him imprisoned. But Bill Simon has turned his life around and in Back on the Block, he hopes to help others to do the same. These days Bill works on the other side of the bars, helping other members of the Stolen Generations find a voice and their place; finally putting their pain to rest. He works on the streets, in jails, in churches and his home in Redfern is a drop-in centre for anyone in need. From his home on The Block in Sydney''s Redfern, one of the most contentious and misunderstood places in Australia, Bill Simon tells the truth about life in one of A

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Book SynopsisLife in the city of Brighton can sometimes resemble that of a situation comedy...a formula that only requires three walls, one at the back and one each side with the action in the middle and the audience watching. Brighton's audience is the vast openness of the English Channel which washes its shore and watches its lives. Life in Brighton sometimTrade Review"Brighton Babylon is a sharp enjoyable page turner with Peter Jarrette pulling no punches with his rapier wit and stories of our city's uber-colourful lifestyles. No matter where in the UK you live, you'll no doubt see hilarious glimpses of yourselves and your friends in this fab roller-coaster novel. Already Brighton Babylon reads like a TV mini-series and you'll be gagging for the sequel!" Marc Abraham, Author and TV Vet "Set though it is in Britain's provincial capital of seediness and sleaze, Brighton Babylon reflects the desires and distractions, afflictions and addictions of city dwellers everywhere. Featuring tramps, trolley dollies, transients and possibly Triazepan, Peter Jarrette's is a shockingly fresh voice offering a modern social commentary poured with humour and served with a splash of poignancy. A Sex and The City for a fresh and funky century."...Julie Burchill: Writer "A knowing romp through the bawdy back alleys of Brighton. Great fun, witty and full of the complicated characters that lurk below the surface of this fine city" ...Martin Webb: Entrepreneur, Freelance Contributor Daily Telegraph, Presenter Risking It All Channel 4 TV "Peter Jarrette's new book takes you on a tour of the hidden almost seedy underbelly of Brighton, often obscured by the town's beautiful facade. Peter is great at captivating his audience with a plethora of motley city characters, and opening a window in to their unusual lives. Let's hope Peter follows in the footsteps of Brighton's array of successful authors!" ...Verity Craig: Editor Absolute Media "A veritable romp of a novel showcasing the vibrancy and general nuttiness of the City of Brighton and Hove and Peter himself. A well-written page turner, guaranteed to tickle your ribs with every chapter." ... Briggy Smale: Music Entertainment Correspondent & Author

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA History of Irish Autobiography is the first ever critical survey of autobiographical self-representation in Ireland from its recoverable beginnings to the twenty-first century. The book draws on a wealth of original scholarship by leading experts to provide an authoritative examination of autobiographical writing in the English and Irish languages. Beginning with a comprehensive overview of autobiography theory and criticism in Ireland, the History guides the reader through seventeen centuries of Irish achievement in autobiography, a category that incorporates diverse literary forms, from religious tracts and travelogues to letters, diaries, and online journals. This ambitious book is rich in insight. Chapters are structured around key subgenres, themes, texts, and practitioners, each featuring a guide to recommended further reading. The volume''s extensive coverage is complemented by a detailed chronology of Irish autobiography from the fifth century to the contemporary era, the firTrade Review'The Irish genius for life-writing, anguished, resilient and invariably eloquent, is captured here in all its stunning variety. Ranging from St Patrick's Confessio to contemporary travel, abuse and celebrity memoirs and the fictional self-portraits that revolutionized modern literature, this absorbing History traces the indelible features of the Irish autobiographical imaginary: the religious, political and emotional turmoil; the defiant humour; the struggle against entrenched forces that oppress or mock the self, including Irishness itself.' Maria DiBattista, Charles Barnwell Straut Class of 1923 Professor of English, Princeton University'Liam Harte, in his lucid introduction to A History of Irish Autobiography, points out that this genre has been underexplored and undervalued by scholars despite its pervasive influence on Irish literature, most notably on James Joyce's Ulysses. Harte's multi-authored volume more than makes up for this critical neglect. Reaching back to St Patrick and forward to the recent torrent of Irish memoirs about child abuse, this History offers the most comprehensive and readable overview to date of autobiographical writing in Ireland, making a compelling case for the intrinsic value of the genre and its multiple ramifications.' Maud Ellmann, Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin Professor of the Development of the Novel in English, University of Chicago'… not only a good book that should be read by everyone who wants to know more about Irish history and literature, but also by the researchers interested in philology, history, religion and philosophy. The pleasant and uniform stile of the text and the scientific skills used, important qualities of this book should surely be part of each good library that is concerned with this topic.' Iuliu-Marius Morariu, Astra Salvensis'A History of Irish Autobiography … provides a valuable introduction to the topic. It is as wide-ranging as the editor's twenty-five contributors can make it … [the] book also comes complete with a chronology of notable works from c.450 to 2016.' Patricia Craig, The Times Literary Supplement'Harte (Univ. of Manchester, UK) gathers 24 essays that together present a rich, multivalenced portrait of the evolution of Irish life writing from c. 450 to 2016, from St. Patrick's Confessio to the digital age. … Harte's collection should interest not only scholars of Irish literature and culture but also students of autobiography in general and those interested in the relationship between place and identity. Recommended.' M. F. McClure, Choice'Liam Harte's most recent edited collection, A History of Irish Autobiography, cuts an impressive critical swathe through Irish life writing in its multifarious forms, from Saint Patrick's Confessio to medieval Celtic poetic narratives to contemporary digital forms of Irish autobiography.' Taura Napier, Biography'Spanning seventeen centuries of life writing, this is a wonderful, wide-ranging introduction to the field, with twenty-five chapters covering oral narratives, letters, folklore, diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, and autobiographical novels. Harte's introduction clearly delineates the main trends in the scholarship of Irish life writing. With a helpful select chronology at the beginning of the book and a comprehensive introduction outlining major theoretical trends, this is essential reading for any life-writing scholar.' Muireann Leech, Oxford Bibliographies'A History of Irish Autobiography is a wide-ranging and critically engaged interdisciplinary publication. It is accessible and readable, giving it an appeal to a wider range of readersbeyond the academy. As editor, Harte makes an excellent case for the potential of further readings of Irish autobiography to open up exciting and rich avenues of scholarly enquiry. … It is easy to see the potential for myriad branches of enquiry to flourish from the foundation of this collection.' Rebecca d'Arcy, Irish Studies Review'… had Harte made available only the invaluable timeline of Irish autobiography that begins the book, A History of Irish Autobiography would have been enormously helpful to scholars. On the whole, this anthology is an authoritative and essential volume for Irish studies scholars in multiple fields … I predict that Irish studies scholars will look back on the publication of this volume as a catalyst for a great many rich and long-lived scholarly conversations.' Jane Elizabeth Dougherty, Journal of British Studies'… impressively comprehensive survey of autobiographical prose writing in Ireland … The editor Liam Harte provides an intelligently argued introduction to the critical history of this genre and to the collection of engaging essays that he has assembled here.' Emer Nolan, James Joyce QuarterlyTable of Contents1. Introduction: autobiography theory and criticism in Ireland Liam Harte; 2. Writing in medieval Ireland in the first-person voice Máire Ní Mhaonaigh; 3. Early modern Irish autobiography Marie-Louise Coolahan; 4. Irish Protestant life-writing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Elizabeth Grubgeld; 5. Irish women's spiritual and religious life-writing in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Maria Luddy; 6. Spiritual and religious life-writing in Ireland since 1900 Louise Fuller; 7. Irish political autobiography from Wolfe Tone to Ernie O'Malley Matthew Kelly; 8. The memoirs of male politicians in independent Ireland Eoin O'Malley and Kevin Rafter; 9. Women's political autobiography in independent Ireland Margaret O'Callaghan; 10. Autobiography and the Irish literary revival Nicholas Allen; 11. Irish literary autobiography since the Revival Christina Hunt Mahony; 12. The Irish autobiographical novel Jonathan Bolton; 13. Memoirs of Irish rural life George O'Brien; 14. The autobiography of the Irish working class Emmet O'Connor; 15. Irish-language autobiography Bríona Nic Dhiarmada; 16. Orality and life-writing in modern Ireland Kelly Fitzgerald and Mary Muldowney; 17. Southern Irish Protestant autobiography since partition Robert Tobin; 18. Northern Irish autobiography since 1960 Barry Sloan; 19. The Irish travel memoir I: journeys within Ireland Glenn Hooper; 20. The Irish travel memoir II: journeys beyond Ireland Michael Cronin; 21. Life-writing and diaspora I: the autobiographical writings of the Irish in the USA and Latin America Laura P. Z. Izarra and James Silas Rogers; 22. Life-writing and diaspora II: the autobiographical writings of the Irish in Britain and Australia Patrick Buckridge and Liam Harte; 23. The Irish abuse survival memoir Moira J. Maguire; 24. Irish celebrity autobiography Anthony P. McIntyre and Diane Negra; 25. Irish life-writing in the digital era Claire Lynch.

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