Biography: general Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmong them are a politically incendiary prophet, a self-proclaimed hermaphrodite, and a morisco, an Islamic convert to Catholicism.Trade Review"A highly readable account... provides a very useful look into the lives of individuals whose activities brought them before the Inquisition." (Sixteenth Century Journal) "The authors have edited and translated the original documents with skill and sensitivity and accompanied each testimony with useful explanatory notes." (History)"Table of ContentsList of MapsPrefaceIntroduction1. Renegade Jews: Luis de la Ysla2. A Protestant Threat? Esteban Jamete3. Sexuality and the Marriage Sacrament: Elena/ Eleno de Céspedes4. Miguel de Piedrola: The "Soldier-Prophet"5. The Price of Conversion: Francisco de San Antonio and Mariana de los Reyes6. A Captive's Tale: Diego Díaz7. Keeping the Faith: Doña Blanca Méndez de RiveraGlossaryIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the thoroughness and resourcefulness that characterize the earlier volumes, she recounts the rich history of the courageous and resolute women determined to realize their scientific ambitions.Trade Review"A full, complex picture of the marginalization of American women scientists in this era... I recommend this book to anyone involved in science: the questions about the sexual politics of science it tackles and provokes are too important to be ignored." (New Scientist)"Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsList of TablesAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: The New EraList of Abbreviations1. From "Sisterhood" to Interest Group: Learning to Lobby2. Taking on Academia: Tokenism, "Revolving Doors," and Lawsuits to 19853. Taking Advantage of Undergraduate Openings: Impetus to Ever-Broadening Reforms4. Innovative Outreach: Expanding Girls' Options and Opportunities5. Using Science to Fight Back: Equal Opportunity at the Women's Colleges6. Surviving the "Minefields" in Graduate School7. Postdoctoral Pathways: Preparation, Holding Pattern, or Jumping-Off Point?8. Industrial and Self-Employment: Entering Wedges and Entrepreneurs9. Federal Employment: Lawsuits and Presidential Appointees10. Nonprofit Alternatives: Speeding Up, Moving In, On, and Even Up11. Academia after Rajender: Programs, Publicity, and Pressures12. Taking the Scientific Societies beyond RecognitionEpilogue: A New Era of Institutional Contrition and "Transformation"NotesSelected BibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisUncompromising Activist is a lively tale that will interest anyone curious about the human elements of the equal rights struggle.Trade ReviewThe greatest strength in Chaddock's account is that it is driven by context. Although Uncompromising Activist focuses on the life of one man, it is a case study in how an individual’s life is defined as much by temporal circumstance as by individual choice.—History: Reviews of New BooksMrs. Chaddock does a fine job in the short space she has to examine Mr. Greener’s life, accomplishments, and disappointments, something that he had to always struggle with. For bringing back to life a voice that has been lost and forgotten, this book does a good job.—San Francisco Book ReviewUncompromising Activist is a lively tale that will interest anyone curious about the human elements of the equal rights struggle.—Mixed Race StudiesHistorians of education and of postbellum Black history will, of course, want to read this book. But so will many others. Chaddock deftly uses Greener's life as a window into each of the times and places in which he lived and into each of the debates in which he engaged. Uncompromising Activist thus would fit nicely into an undergraduate course on either African American or nineteenth-century U.S. history. Readers outside academia would find it a coherent and ample introduction to Black history after the Civil War—a surprising and rare accomplishment for a scholarly book, let alone a scholarly biography . . . Chaddock has written a fascinating account of a man and a world that helped shape our own and that deserve rediscovery.—Michael David Cohen, University of Tennessee, Black PerspectivesAn important addition to the growing corpus of African American biography, this slender volume resurrects to historical memory Richard Theodore Greener (1844-1922), a semi-obscure figure best known for being the first black graduate of Harvard College. Katherine Reynolds Chaddock, a distinguished professor emerita of education at the University of South Carolina, shows in this clear and straightforward narrative that Greener actually deserves recognition for several other important contributions to civil rights in the early Jim Crow era as well. Readers may even come away wondering why Greener is not placed alongside his more famous contemporaries Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and W. E. B. Du Bois in the pantheon of great black leaders of his generation.—T. Adams Upchurch, East Georgia State College, Journal of Southern HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Boyhood Interrupted2. Being Prepared3. Experiment at Harvard4. An Accidental Academic5. Professing in a Small and Angry Place6. The Brutal Retreat7. Unsettled Advocate8. A Violent Attack and Hopeless Case9. Monumental Plans10. Off White11. Our Man in Vladivostok12. Closure in Black and WhiteEpilogueAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1970. This is a study of one of the most highly respected tribunals in the history of the English-speaking worldthe United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Situated in Manhattan, the Second Circuit Court, serving New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, is the most important commercial court in the country. But, like other inferior courts, it has never been studied in depth. Marvin Schick provides a comprehensive analysis. From 1941 to 1951, Learned Hand presided over the Second Circuit as chief judge, and the court bore his stamp. But on its bench sat other men of great competence, judges Thomas W. Swan, August N. Hand, and Harrie B. Chase, as well as Charles E. Clark and Jerome N. Frank, whose constant disagreement characterized much of the court's work. Schick studies the Second Circuit Court from several angles: historical, biographical, behavioral, and case analytical. He tells a history of the court from its origins in 1789. He provides biograTable of ContentsList of TablesList of AbbreviationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1. Learned Hand's CourtChapter 2. A Brief HistoryChapter 3. The Decision-Making ProcessChapter 4. Judicial RelationsChapter 5. The Obedient JudgeChapter 6. Three Quiet and Sometimes Conservative JudgesChapter 7. The Battling New DealersChapter 8. Judges Frank and Clark and the Law of the Second CircuitChapter 9. The Business of the CourtChapter 10. The Second Circuit and the Supreme Court: 1942-51Chapter 11. The Stature of a CourtBibliographyIndexIndex of Cases

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewLerner's approach succeeds in giving a well-rounded view of World War II that looks at both military and medical strategy alongside a human story that shows some of the best and worst of humanity . . . Lerner effectively balances two very different accounts surrounding a traumatic time in history. For fans of both military history and biography.—Library JournalBernice Lerner has provided us the opportunity to see what results when one woman's will to survive and one man's humanity are combined.—Thomas McClung, New York Journal of BooksAll the Horrors of War is a valuable addition to the body of Holocaust histories and memoirs for shining a light on a not well-known historical figure . . . The alternating structure of the book, where the narrative moves back and forth between the lives of the rescued and the rescuer, enables the author to tell both a deeply personal story, as well as a profoundly important historical one, reminding us that history is, ultimately, always personal.—Amelia Katzen, Jewish News SyndicateA thoroughly-research, poignant book.—Sheldon Kirshner JournalDr. Lerner masterfully combines the fruits of her scholarly research with gripping and engaging storytelling.—History News NetworkLerner . . . has written a treatise of astounding depth.—Hadassah MagazineAll the Horrors of War is a compact, matter-of-fact account that skillfully interlaces disparate yet related threads into a seamless story, and the juxtaposition of its protagonists provides readers with a novel and holistic perspective on historical events. In honoring her indomitable mother, Lerner likewise pays homage to a righteous gentile and an ethical exemplar who has hitherto lacked the popular awareness that is his due; in so doing, the authoress helps ensure that Hughes' sterling service and compassion remain timeless lessons to us all.—TheJ.caIt is both a story well told and one that needed to be told.—Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish WorldAn engaging and worthwhile read.—ShofarTable of ContentsPrologueFirst Witness, The Belsen Trial (Fall 1945)Spring (March, April, May) 1944Summer (June, July, August) 1944Fall (September, October, November) 1944Winter (December, January, February) 1944-1945Spring (March, April, May) 1945Seasons After: Healing and RedemptionEpilogue

Read more less

Book SynopsisA rip-roaring read.NatureFresh out of college in the 1960s, Mary Guinan aspired to be an astronautuntil she learned that NASA's astronaut program wasn't recruiting women. Instead, Guinan went to medical school and became a disease detective with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service. Selected to join India's Smallpox Eradication program, Guinan traveled to remote villages to isolate smallpox cases and then vaccinate all uninfected persons within a ten-mile radius. By May 1975, the World Health Organization declared Uttar Pradesh smallpox-free. During her barrier-breaking career, Dr. Guinan met arms-seeking Afghan insurgents in Pakistan and got caught in the crossfire between religious groups in Lebanon. She was one of the first medical detectives on the ground in San Francisco at the start of the AIDS crisis. And she served as an expert witness in a landmark decision that still protects HIV patients from workplace discrimination. Randy Shilts'Trade ReviewA rip-roaring read. As a 'medical detective,' Guinan presents a series of case studies in explicit homage to super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes.—NatureA frank and illuminating look at how scientists—female scientists in particular—actually work to combat disease.—The Washington PostAuthor Mary Guinan is a true pioneer, and the stories she tells of her early career are jaw-dropping. In every job-related battle she fought, Guinan's tenacity is impressive and empowering.—Bookworm SezA punchy whodunnit.—Times Higher EducationLight-hearted and easy to read. Guinan's stories embody the modesty and humor inherent in the culture of epidemiology as practiced by the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—Emerging Infectious DiseasesTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. My First Outbreak Investigation2. Something to Believe In: Operation Smallpox Zero3. A Gift of an Elephant4. Dr. Herpes5. Healthcare Workers and Enemy Information in a War Zone, Pakistan, 19806. An AIDS Needlestick at a Rundown Hotel in San Francisco, 19827. ACT UP Acts Up at CDC over the Definition of AIDS for Women8. The HIV-Infected Preacher's Wife9. Few Safe Places10. Expert Witness for John Doe, the Pharmacist, 199111. The Milk Industry Challenges CDC over the Source of a Listeriosis Outbreak12. On Getting AIDS from a Toilet Seat and Other STD Myths and TaboosReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most remarkable education leaders of the late nineteenth century and the creator of the modern American research university finally gets his due. Daniel Coit Gilman, a Yale-trained geographer who first worked as librarian at his alma mater, led a truly remarkable life. He was selected as the third president of the University of California; was elected as the first president of Johns Hopkins University, where he served for twenty-five years; served as one of the original founders of the Association of American Universities; andat an age when most retiredwas hand-picked by Andrew Carnegie to head up his eponymous institution in Washington, DC. In Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University, Michael T. Benson argues that Gilman's enduring legacy will always be as the father of the modern research universitya uniquely American invention that remains the envy of the entire world. In the past half-century, nothing has been written about Gilman that takTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction Chapter 1. Yale and the Life-Giving Springs of New HavenChapter 2. The House of Our Expectations in CaliforniaChapter 3. The Three Great AdvisersChapter 4. Gilman the RecruiterChapter 5. Launching Our Bark upon the Patapsco Chapter 6. Advancing Knowledge Far and WideChapter 7. The Slater Fund and Attempts to Integrate HopkinsChapter 8. Allies, Not RivalsConclusionNotesWorks CitedIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJames Robert Brown is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto, Canada. His previous publications include The Rational and the Social (Routledge, 1989), Smoke and Mirrors: How ScienceReflects Reality (Routledge, 1994), Philosophy of Mathematics (Routledge, Second Edition 2008) and The Laboratory of the Mind (Routledge, Second Edition 2009), Who Rules in Science: A Guide to the Wars (Harvard 2001), and Platonism, Naturalism, and Mathematical Knowledge (Routledge 2011).Trade ReviewThis book delivers twice on its title: it offers a comprehensive discussion of key thinkers in philosophy of science of the past 150 years and the authors are a dozen of their most distinguished and innovative successors at work today. The result shows a vibrant discipline in which each generation reflects on—and moves beyond—the classic debates. An insightful and inspiring survey of philosophy of science, its history, and its progress. -- James W. McAllister, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Leiden, The Netherlands and Editor of International Studies in the Philosophy of ScienceTable of Contents1. Introduction James Robert Brown; 2. Experience and Necessity: Whewell and Mill Laura Snyder; 3. Conventionalism: Poincare, Duhem, Reichenbach; 4. The Vienna Circle: Carnap and Neurath Alan Richardson; 5. Logical Empiricism: Hempel and Quine Martin Curd; 6. Induction and Falsification: Popper Steve Fuller; 7. Historical Approaches: Kuhn, Lakatos and Feyerabend Martin Carrier; 8. Sociology of Science: Bloor, Collins, Latour Martin Kusch; 9. Realism: Putnam and van Fraassen Stathis Psillos; 10. Beyond Theories: Hacking and Cartwright; 11. Feminist Critiques: Harding and Longino Janet Kourany; 12. Current Trends James Robert Brown; Further Reading; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIn this military memoir, Marine lieutenant Blair, who served in an aerial reconnaissance unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003), ably depicts the chaotic and often disillusioning experiences of modern warfare. Laced with observations on the challenges facing women in the Marines, Blair's account provides a compelling behind-the-scenes description of how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, were used to gather crucial intelligence during the first weeks of the invasion of Iraq. Tracing the emotional roller coaster of her own challenges during the conflict, Blair's narrative is especially effective at depicting how the intensity and deprivations of war permanently changed her and her fellow marines. VERDICT Blair's . . . eloquence in examining the grim emotional costs of military service makes this a timely, moving, and eye-opening work. Best suited to readers interested in women in the military, UAVs, the Marine Corp, or Operation Iraqi Freedom. * Library Journal *My son and Jane were in boot camp together. Our shared 'Marine family' history means that I truly understand the remarkable insight found in this wonderfully engrossing book. Jane brings a clear eye to her subject and offers a unique and deep insight into both war and the role of women in the American war machine that rings true. -- Frank Schaeffer, author of Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine CorpsFresh out of officer’s training, Blair, a second lieutenant with the U.S. Marines, was deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her aerial reconnaissance unit was often on the leading edge of battle, making her one of the few women in the combat zone. In recounting the run-up to the invasion and the first chaotic weeks of the war, Blair offers a bird’s-eye view of military operations and a window into the life and mindset of a soldier. Describing chemical warfare drills, near-ambushes, and what it’s like to order an air strike, Blair gives civilians, if not the actual experience of war, then an understanding of it. A thoughtful guide, she admits to her struggles with boredom, loneliness, and fear not just for her own life but for that of her husband, a fellow marine. Though support for and interest in the war has long since waned, Blair, forever changed by her time in Iraq, reminds readers of the sacrifices soldiers make on our behalf. * Booklist *Jane Blair is an extraordinary example of the passionate modern-day Marine leader and female warrior. The pipe hitters I rolled with typically roped and breached in unisex fashion, but Hesitation Kills makes me wonder if we might have been underequipped. Not only can 'Boots' Blair write like a seasoned and inspiring author, she could whip GI Jane's butt! -- Dalton Fury, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Bin LadenBeginning in 2003 with her squadron landing in Kuwait, Marine Major Blair (then a lieutenant) reflects positively on her experience in Iraq. Her unit provided backup for army troops, and she was in charge of deploying unmanned planes to bomb suspected enemy emplacements without hesitation. As a new officer she had to face fellow officers who tried to push her to the sidelines, but with the support of her superiors these conflicts faded into the background. 'Marines made war an art form' she writes, describing an incident of friendly fire, 'I knew no matter how much the plan was screwed up . . . the infantryman's decisive actions would win this war.' Blair writes with honesty as she describes feeling fear during her first experiences in battle, but the greater challenge for her turned out to be the hardship of poor quality MREs (military 'meals ready to eat'), months without access to showers, and sheer boredom. . . . This is one marine's on-the-ground account of her pride in being part of a military history. Likely of greatest interest for someone—male or female—contemplating a career in the military. * Publishers Weekly *In her new memoir, Hesitation Kills, [Blair] tells of her transformation from a sheltered, privileged daughter of a Manhattan lawyer and an artist who were members of Andy Warhol's social circle to a steel-nerved combat veteran. * New York Post *Blair brings to life the drama and chaos of wartime Iraq, in combat, in camp and on the streets of the cities where part of her mission was to connect with civilians who had been seen as the enemy. * The San Diego Union-Tribune *Lt. Blair writes in a very clear and engaging manner, never forgetting to translate milspeak and acronyms for the civilian reader. (There is also a handy index in the back.) Her descriptions of what life was like during the hectic and dangerous initial days of the invasion and the Thunder Run are gripping and vivid, and she does an excellent job of giving the reader a 'you are there' experience of her unit, the good and the bad. I enjoyed reading of her delight in seeing the ancient Gates of Babylon through the eyes of the UAV, and the puzzlement of some Iraqi prisoners who were not only confused by a female officer, but one who spoke Arabic with an Egyptian accent. * The Armorer *[A] precise and accurate account of the day-to-day operations of a front-line unit and the significant toll it takes on leaders at all levels of command. The fact that the author was a woman, and a respected officer, makes the important observations about the best and worst of our officer corps in combat scenarios highly relevant and important for both public understanding and the education of young officers. The author pulls no punches in naming names and explaining the failures and successes—including her own—of commanders in maintaining the support and commitment of subordinates and peers in the planning and execution of not only those combat operations critical to a unit's success, but in taking care of the troops on a day-to-day basis. . . . The ultimate value of this book is the sincere and accurate portrayal, from a very personal level, of those who serve and what their experience on a daily basis as they prepare for war and then deploy with very little clear understanding of what their fate will be. * Joint Force Quarterly *Allowing women to serve in combat always has been a contentious issue, but retired Marine Corps Maj. Jane Blair reveals what it really means in her perceptive and ‘unladylike’ memoir of her wartime experiences in the Iraq War in 2003. . . . Blair describes the technology, operational uses, and battlefield value of UAVs; the harsh conditions of desert living; gender discrimination; the real threats of enemy attack; the humor of fellow Marines; and the positive combat leadership of her commander and senior NCOs. * Military Officer *Maj Blair’s memoir is a well-written and powerful account of her experience in Iraq in 2003 and of her experience being apart from her husband. . . . Hesitation Kills is a female Marine officer’s account of life on the front lines in Iraq, and a book that all Marines should read. It is not a glorification of combat, nor is it a book with a political or social agenda. Her book is a straightforward tale of a Marine officer in combat, who happens to be female. The book is important because it examines the intensity of combat, the anxiety of separation from family, and the powerful sense of isolation and solitude upon leaving the combat zone. Hesitation Kills is a literary milestone in the history of the United States Marine Corps. * Leatherneck *Table of ContentsChapter 1: A Home and a Country Chapter 2: The Call Chapter 3: Matilda Chapter 4: The War Plan Chapter 5: Countdown Chapter 6: Dread Silence Reposes Chapter 7: Uncertainty and Human Factors Chapter 8: Red Ink Chapter 9: Time on Target Chapter 10: On the Shore, Dimly Seen Chapter 11: A Dangerous Position Chapter 12: A Fiery Crash Chapter 13: Garden of Eden Chapter 14: Killbox Chapter 15: National Geographic Chapter 16: A Turning Point Chapter 17: Their Blood Had Washed Out Chapter 18: Star Spangled Banner Chapter 19: Ashura Chapter 20: Occupation Chapter 21: When Free Men Shall Stand Chapter 22: Mortars in the Garden Chapter 23: Strategic Corporal Chapter 24: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy Chapter 25: Ribbons Chapter 26: The Twilight's Last Gleaming Chapter 27: Home of the Brave

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe life of Princess May of Teck is one of the great Cinderella stories in history. From a family of impoverished nobility, she was chosen by Queen Victoria as the bride for her eldest grandson, the scandalous Duke of Clarence, heir to the throne, who died mysteriously before their marriage. Despite this setback, she became queen, mother of two kings, grandmother of the current queen, and a lasting symbol of the majesty of the British throne. Her pivotal role in the abdication of her eldest son, the Duke of Windsor, is just one of the events that provide the backdrop for both thrilling biography and for narrating the splendors and tragedies of the entire house of Windsor.Trade ReviewThis is a first-class piece of research and reconstruction graced by a first-class writing talent, with a startling royal family scandal buried at the heart of the story. -- Barbara TuchmanA clever and stylishly written biography. . . . For pure glitz and glitter, Matriarch beats anything to be seen on the soaps. * Chicago Sun-Times *Anne Edwards is a magnificent storyteller. . . . [Matriarch is] a vivid and memorable tapestry overflowing with pageantry and fascinating characters. -- Robert A. CaroA magnificent portrayal of majesty. . . . Edwards depicts the whole panorama, from pageantry and protocol to small private detail, with superb narrative finesse, psychological insight, and impressively far-ranging and scrupulous research. * Chicago Tribune *Anne Edwards never disappoints. . . . A fascinating portrait of an impoverished ‘Cinderella’ princess who became a dedicated, powerful, and indomitable queen, and who was indeed a woman of substance. -- Barbara Taylor Bradford

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn W. Dafoe was a dominant figure in western Canadian political history during the first half of the twentieth century. As editor of the Winnipeg Free Press from 1901 to 1944, he gained an international reputation for his perceptive analysis of the issues facing Canada and the world. He was at the centre of almost every major political development of his time: he advised prime ministers, was deeply involved in organizing the Progressive party, and was a member of the crucial Rowell-Sirois Commission on federal-provincial relations. His influence was enormous, and at the time of his death he was widely regarded as the nation's most distinguished editor. This book is a study at close quarters of Dafoe, the man of politics.It focuses on the Dafoe who read and studied and the Dafoe who observed  men and events; on Dafoe in his centre of operation and at the Free Press and Dafoe moving watchfully about the country and abroad when critical decisions were in the

Read more less

Book SynopsisNatalie Taylor, newly married to her childhood sweetheart and expecting their first child, is suddenly widowed in a senseless accident. Her journey from wife to widow to mother is a story of sadness, hope and inspiration.Trade Reviewnever before have I felt so changed by a book. The world looks more inviting after reading Signs of Life, as if I am suddenly seeing it the way Josh might have seen it. . . For all its strengths, Signs of Life is also one of the most candid books that I have ever read and for this reason alone I would urge anybody reading this piece to buy a copy of Signs of Life this instant * Vulpes Libris *Profound yet funny, painful yet hopeful. I couldn't put it down. * Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project *This is a really good book. Smart and honest * Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place and Lift *Sit down with this book. See if you can stop after page one * Elizabeth Berg, author of Talk Before Sleep *Some writers have a compelling story; others have an original voice. But it is the rare writer who has both. Natalie Taylor is one of those writers * Laura Zigman, author of Her and Dating Big Bird *With wit, gutting honesty, and a modicum of self-pity, Natalie Taylor gives us permission to cry the necessary gamut of tears that healing requires... and that includes tears of joy * Laura Munson, author of This Is Not the Story You Think It Is *A touching, hopeful memoir * Sainsbury Magazine Hot Summer Reads *Young women and solo mothers everywhere will find a new best friend in Natalie Taylor, who meets the challenges of her life with grace and humor. * Julie Metz, author of Perfection *This candid memoir of a journey into and out of darkness has a full quota of humor and ends on a note of hope * Kirkus *More than a grief memoir, this is about the triumph of imagination and the role that time plays in healing. * Better Homes and Gardens *Raw, honest . . . touching and funny. * Sunday Herald Sun *Natalie's hard-won lessons remind us that whatever the circumstances we face in life, there is a warrior in all of us with the strength to persevere. * Senior Lifestyle Southern Highlands *Josh died when Natalie was just five months pregnant and never met his son. For the first year after his death, Natalie kept a diary and eventually that diary became this book, a witty, heartbreaking and deeply personal one you'll want to share with friends. * Image Magazine *a searingly honest look at the journey from wife to widow - and the trials of becoming a mother. Natalie's writing style is fluid and yet simple, letting events speak for themselves . . . And because she doesn't hid anything, you'll find yourself rooting for her * News of the World *the book deftly sidesteps the tag of misery memoir - from her pain, the irrepressible Taylor contrives to mine nuggets of pure humour * WHO Magazine (Winter Reading Guide) *It's hard to believe that Signs of Life is Natalie Taylor's first book . . . Whether you've lost someone close to you or not, this heart-rending book will make you appreciate how important loved ones are and the healing power of time * Press Association *Tissues at the ready! This true story is a definite weepy. An account of her struggle with grief, the entries are intensely moving and inspirational and is a worthwhile read for anyone, whether you have lost loved ones or not * U *Compelling * Working Mother *An absorbing memoir about sorrow and growing up handled with such dignity and grace that you will forgive Ms. Taylor for making you cry. * New York Review of Books *Yes, I cried. Yes, I laughed. And yes, books have had this effect on me before. But never before have I felt so changed by a book. * Lisa Glass, Vulpes Libris *Buy it, read it, love it. * Claire Maxwell, I Think I Just Blogged Myself *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPart biography, part literary memoir, Dead Men's Wages is, like Lorna Sage's Bad Blood, a stunning book to inspire, haunt and move you.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first full-length biography of Richard Titmuss, a pioneer of social policy research and an influential figure in Britain's post-war welfare debates.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part 1: Early Life and Career to the End of 1941; ‘As the Son of a Farmer…’: Origins, Early Employment, and Personal Life; Politics: The Liberal Party, the ‘Fleet Street Parliament’, and Forward March; The Eugenics Society, Poverty and Population, and ‘Manpower and Health’; The Titmuss Gospel and Progressive Opinion; Part 2: From Problems of Social Policy to the London School of Economics; Problems of Social Policy: Researching and Fire-Watching; Titmuss and the Eugenics Society in War; Titmuss and the Media in the 1940s – a Growing Reputation; Population and Family: Parents Revolt and the Beginnings of Social Medicine; The London School of Economics and ‘Social Administration in a Changing Society’; Part 3: First Decade at the LSE; 1Setting Out His Stall; The Guillebaud Committee and the Early Years of the National Health Service; Pensions and Old Age; ‘We Have Our Differences and Do Not Always See Eye to Eye’: Social Work and Social Work Training; Essays on ‘The Welfare State’ and The Irresponsible Society; Part 4: Power and Influence: Titmuss, 1960 to 1973; ‘The Apostle of Equality’: Titmuss and R.H. Tawney; Mental Health, Community Care, and Medical Education; Mauritius, Tanzania, and Israel; Scottish Social Work and the Seebohm Committee; Commitment to Welfare and the Finer Committee on One-Parent Families; Titmuss and North America: Early Encounters and First Visit; Helping American Scholars on British Topics; Titmuss and President Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty’; ‘One of the Greatest Human Beings of Our Time’: Titmuss’s Influence on North American Thinking on Social Welfare; Part 5: Troubles?; The Labour Government, Social Policy, and the Supplementary Benefits Commission; A Public Figure in Turbulent Times: Vietnam, Race Relations, and the Common Market; Health Care, the Market, and the Institute of Economic Affairs: the Making of The Gift Relationship; ‘It Really Is Hell’: Disruption at the LSE; ‘A New Prophet Had Appeared in Our Midst’: Final Illness, Death, and Memorial Service; Part 6: Conclusion; A Commitment to Welfare: The Life and Work of Richard Titmuss.

Read more less