Biography: historical, political and military Books

Book SynopsisBasil Davidson's Black Star remains one of the most thoughtful and insightful views into the life and times of Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972)'.- Emmanuel Akyeampong, from the book's new Foreword Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah seized opportunities to lead the countries of sub-Saharan Africa away from colonialism. In 1957, he became the first Prime Minister of Ghana. By the time he was overthrown in a coup in 1966 most African countries, outside the settler-dominated South, had also achieved independence. ' As a visionary Nkrumah was ahead of his times, with an astute understanding of colonialism that made the twin goals of socialism at home (Ghana) and African unity the abiding principles of his work and life.... Nkrumah's monumental role and place in modern Ghana's history mystifies him as a national hero; Black Star humanizes Nkrumah in important ways, and the reader gains a new understanding of a great man, but still a man.' - From the new Foreword by Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong, Professor of History, Harvard UniversityTrade ReviewNone of the biographies and other writings on Nkrumah are as eloquent, detailed and critical yet balanced as Basil Davidson's Black Star. [It] is indeed one of the most insightful assessments of the life and political role of a visionary who was far ahead of his time. [...] In this reader-friendly, thought-provoking book, Davidson deals very comprehensively with the life of a truly African revolutionary. [It] will no doubt remain a veritable goldmine of useful information for anyone interested in the life and times of this great African son of the twentieth century. * AFRICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisEva Figes and her family fled the horror of Nazi Germany when Eva was only six, forced to leave behind them friends, relatives and their housemaid, Edith. Ten years later, Edith suddenly re-enters their lives. Having miraculously survived wartime Berlin, she had reluctantly emigrated to hostile, volatile Palestine. Recounting Edith's story, Figes boldly argues that Israel was a product of US foreign policy and continuing and widespread anti-Semitism. Part memoir, part brave polemic, Journey to Nowhere is both a moving account of post-war displacement and a fierce attack on America's role in the Middle East.Trade Review'Fusing history and memoir, Eva Figes's polemical account of the creation of Israel is bewitchingly told - [a] luminously personal chronicle' Sunday Times 'A brave book. It is Figes's status as a victim of persecution that gives her the courage and authority to condemn Israel's treatment of the Palestinians' - Observer 'An impassioned memoir and an inspired polemic' - Scotland on Sunday 'Eva Figes is essentially a novelist, one whose characteristic clarity makes her tales both engaging and piquant - unforgettable and profound' - Scotsman 'Figes is unflinching in her discussion of Israel and America - Her judgement on the occupation is spot on' - Guardian

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Book SynopsisNapoleon''s lightning conquest of Prussia, accomplished within a month in the autumn of 1806, was perhaps his most spectacularly successful campaign. The twin battles of Jena and Auerstadt, won on the same day, October 14th, by Napoleon himself and his most able Marshal, Davout, annihilated the Prussian army and on 25th October, exactly a month after invading Prussia, Napoleon entered Berlin and enforced a humiliating peace on his beaten enemy. In his classic account of the campaign, published exactly 100 years ago, F. Loraine Petre explains how Prussia''s once vaunted military might ossified in the twenty years after Frederick the Great''s death, leading to timidity and political paralysis. What Field-Marshal Roberts in his foreword calls ''a selfish and suicidal policy'' of ignoring France as she picked off neighbouring Austria led to defeat and occupation, but ultimately to much needed reform and the re-birth of the Prussian army with its ultimate revenge on Napoleon at Leipzig and Waterloo.

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Book SynopsisWladyslaw Gomulka was a key player within Polish politics for over four decades and one of the most influential of the East European Communist Party leaders. As the architect of the 'Polish road to socialism', he claimed for Poland the right to define its own model of economic and political development, yet he was nevertheless committed to Poland's membership of the Soviet bloc. Anita Prazmowska here traces Gomulka's progression from a poorly educated worker in the Krosno district of Poland, to his election as First Party Secretary in 1956 and finally to his forced resignation in 1970. She considers Gomulka's pivotal role in building a communist-led resistance in occupied Poland during World War II as well as the critical part he played in post-war Polish politics and the 'de-Stalinization' process. Incorporating recently released and previously unpublished sources, this book provides a vivid picture of how Communism functioned in Poland and an original analysis of Poland's international role in the Cold War era.Table of ContentsAbbreviations Introduction 1 Family and Early Childhood 2 Political Maturing 3 The 1930s and entry into national politics 4 The Reconstruction of the Polish Communist Party during the Second World War 5 From conspiracy to power in post war Poland 6 The Establishment of Communist power in Poland 1944-48 7 1948-56 The Dark Years 8 The People’s Secretary 9 The Polish Road to Socialism 10 Nemesis Epilogue Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAt its height, the Napoleonic Empire spanned much of mainland Europe. Feted and feared by millions of citizens, Napoleon was the most powerful and famous man of his age. But following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo the future of the one-time Emperor of France and master of Europe seemed irredeemably bleak. How did the brilliant tactician cope with being at the mercy of his captors? How did he react to a life in exile on St Helena - and how did the other inhabitants of that isolated and impregnable island respond to his presence there? And what tactics did he develop to preserve his legacy in such drastically reduced circumstances? Tracing events from the dramatic defeat at Waterloo to his death six years later, this is the first modern comprehensive account of the last phase of Napoleon's life. Drawing on many previously overlooked journals and letters, Brian Unwin has pieced together a remarkably vivid account of Napoleon's final years which also offers fresh insights into the character of this giant of European history. "Terrible Exile" brilliantly evokes the claustrophobic atmosphere of life on St Helena, offering a colourful and original history of the period as well as a persuasive psychological portrait of a great man in reduced circumstances. It will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in Napoleonic history and is an important addition to our understanding of the subject.Trade Review'A masterpiece of historic tragedy. Every one of the hundred French and English emerges clearly, including Napoleon himself, revealing fresh details about his lone affair.' - Vincent Cronin, author of 'Napoleon'; 'A work of impeccable fairness. Without rehabilitating Lowe, Brian Unwin points out the extreme difficulties faced by the British general, dismisses the complex conspiracy theories of a plot to murder Napoleon by degrees, and points out the intransigence of a man who had thought he possessed a destiny to rule the world, only to discover that, at the end, he was no better than ordinary mortals. A refreshingly objective account of a subject much perverted by myth, anti-Anglicism and daft conspiracy.' - Richard Woodman, author of the 'Nathaniel Drinkwater' Naval History seriesTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE: FROM WATERLOO TO ROCHEFORT CHAPTER TWO (FROM ROCHEFORT TO PLYMOUTH) CHAPTER THREE: THE VOYAGE TO ST HELENA CHAPTER FOUR: ARRIVAL AT ST HELENA CHAPTER FIVE: LONGWOOD HOUSE CHAPTER SIX: THE ARRIVAL OF SIR HUDSON LOWE CHAPTER SEVEN: CAPTIVITY AND CONFRONTATION CHAPTER EIGHT: NAPOLEON’S CONTINUING PROBLEMS CHAPTER NINE: SIR HUDSON LOWE’S PROBLEMS CHAPTER TEN: THE ROAD TO THE END CHAPTER ELEVEN: A JUDGEMENT EPILOGUE

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Book SynopsisThe Spanish Armada conjures up images of age-old rivalries, bravery and treachery. However the same Spanish monarch who sent the Armada to invade England in 1588 was, just a few years previously, the King of England and husband of Mary Tudor. This important new book sheds new light on Philip II of Spain, England's forgotten sovereign. Previous accounts of Mary's brief reign have focused on the martyrdom of Protestant dissenters, the loss of English territory, as well as Mary's infamous personality, meaning that her husband Philip has remained in the shadows. In this book, Harry Kelsey uncovers Philip's life - from his childhood and education in Spain, to his marriage to Mary and the political manoeuvrings involved in the marriage contract, to the tumultuous aftermath of Mary's death which ultimately led to hostile relations between Queen Elizabeth and Philip, culminating in the Armada. Focusing especially on the period of Philip's marriage to Mary, Kelsey shows that Philip was, in fact, an active King of England and took a keen interest in the rule of his wife's kingdom. Casting fresh light on both Mary and Philip, as well as European history more generally, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the Tudor era.Trade Review"Philip as King of England has hitherto been a rather overlooked figure in English history. This book is a timely attempt to place him centre stage." - Anna Whitelock, author of "Mary Tudor: England's First Queen"Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1: A Spanish Prince and an English Princess Chapter 2: Training a Prince to Rule an Empire Chapter 3: Training a Princess to be a Wife Chapter 4: The Grand Tour Chapter 5: Mary the Queen Chapter 6: The Reluctant Bridegroom Chapter 7: The Marriage of England and Spain Chapter 8: Philip of Spain, King of England Chapter 9: Expecting an Heir Chapter 10: Leaving a Kingdom, Gaining an Empire Chapter 11: War and Death Chapter 12: King of Spain Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis is a comprehensive study of the life of Nasir-Khusraw, one of the foremost poets of the Persian language and a major Ismaili thinker and writer. Celebrated for a poetry that combines art with philosophy, trusted for the details of his travels throughout the Middle East, revered and criticized for his theological texts, he remains one of the most fascinating figures in Islamic history and literature. This volume also includes sections of his work.Trade Review'Here, at last, is a book that succinctly introduces the Ismaili poet and da'I (missionary) Nasir-I Khusraw to the general reader, to his students, and to academics.' -Edebiyat: Journal of Middle Eastern Literatures '...Hansberger's book maintains the balance between being highly informative and pleasantly readable.' -Middle East Studies

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Book SynopsisThis is the first biography of the Albanian national hero Scanderbeg (1403-1468), published in England for more than four hundred years. The son of a prince of N Albania, he was educated in the Muslim faith as a hostage at the court of Sultan Murad II. The sultan showered favors on him and gave him the title bey and an army command. In 1443, when the Ottomans indicated they would attack Albania, Scanderbeg escaped to his homeland, abjured Islam, and formed a league of princes among the Albanian chieftains. He proclaimed himself prince of Albania. To resist the Ottomans under Sultan Muhammad II, Scanderbeg received aid at various times from Venice, Naples, Hungary, and the pope. Written by the late Harry Hodgkinson, a former naval intelligence officer who served under Ian Fleming, this engrossing and elegantly crafted book is an attempt to bring the reader closer to this famous historical figure and to set him in the dramatic context of Albania and its history.

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Book SynopsisThe Austro-Hungarian Empire dominated central Europe until 1918, when the last Habsburg Emperor, Karl, fled into exile. Karl's death in 1921 made his nine-year-old son Otto head of the Hapsburg family, a position he has now held for over eighty years. Born heir presumptive to an empire that stretched from the Tyrol to Transylvania, and from Poland to Sarajevo, Otto von Habsburg's life has both affected and been reflected in some of the most dramatic and historic events of the twentieth century. As a four year old in 1916, he walked in the funeral procession of the Emperor Franz Josef. Otto von Habsburg later became the focus of royalist loyalty, a Habsburg restoration attracting considerable political support until the Second World War. Refusing any contact with Hitler (whose code name for the Anschluss was Operation Otto), he fled first to France then America, where he formed a friendship with F.D. Roosevelt. Never living in the past, he later became a highly respected Member of the European Parliament.Table of ContentsIllustrations; Introduction; 1. A Shaky Inheritance; 2. The Perfect Match; 3. Collape: A Child's Eye View; 4. Exile at Home: Eckartsau; 5. Swiss Dramas; 6.. 'Your Majesty'; 7. The Conundrum of the Crown; 8. Meltdown in Vienna; 9. Fatal Encounter; 10. Takeover by Telephone; 11. Hoecoming; 12. New Horizons; 13. Across the Water; 14. Dropping Anchor; 15. Mr Europe; 16. Balance Sheet; 17. Royal Endgame; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis edition, one of the BCP Classics Companion Series, provides a translation and detailed commentary of the Greek and Macedonian narrative of Diodorus Book XVI. An outstanding general, statesman and diplomat, Philip II inherited a kingdom near collapse and transformed it into the greatest power in the Mediterranean world. But for all its significance, his reign is badly served by the surviving writers of Greek literature. The loss of the major contemporary historians has left us dependent for our knowledge on the speeches of the Attic orators, especially the hostile Demosthenes, and on the 16th Book of Diodorus Siculus, who though he lived some 300 years later, has bequeathed the only detailed account of Philip's reign in Macedonia and the Greek mainland.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1 The Life and Works of Diodorus 1 2 Diodorus' Purpose in Writing 3 3 Diodorus' Chronological Scheme 8 4 The Sources of Diodorus in the Sixteenth Book 8 5 Diodoius' Portrait of Philip 14 6 Inaccuracies in Diodorus 16 16 Book Sixteen: Greek and Macedonian Narrative 19 Commentary on the Text 61 Appendix A: Philip ll and the Transformation of Macedonia 182 Appendix B: The Death of Philip 189 Bibliography

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Book SynopsisTom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter chronicles the action-packed life of the Commander of the Third West Cork Flying Column, including the decisive Kilmichael ambush and the controversy regarding sectarianism during the 1920–22 period. Author, Meda Ryan, details his involvement on the fringes of the Treaty negotiations; his Republican activities during the Civil War; his engagement in the cease-fire/dump-arms deal of 1923; his term as the IRA’s Chief of Staff and his participation in IRA conflicts in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and right up to his death in 1980. Includes an extensive body of primary source material, including Tom Barry’s papers,

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