Biography: historical, political and military Books
Rowman & Littlefield The Presidency in Black and White
Book Synopsis2016 NAACP Image Award Nominee, Essence Top 10 books of 2015, African American Literary Show Inc. 2015 Best Non Fiction AwardIn The Presidency in Black and White, journalist April Ryan gives readers a compelling and personal behind-the-scenes look at race relations in contemporary America from the epicenter of American power and policy makingthe White House, her beat since 1997. On behalf of the American Urban Radio Networks, and through her Fabric of America news blog, she delivers her readership and listeners (millions of African Americans and close to 300 radio affiliates) a unique urban and minority perspective in news. Her position as a White House Correspondent has afforded her unique insight into the racial sensitivities, issues, and attendant political struggles of our nation's last three presidents. In Bill Clinton, Ryan saw both a savvy politician who did his best to stay above the racial fray in public, and a man privately pained from the wrongs done to African-Americans tTrade ReviewFrom her Unique vantage point as the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), Ryan has had the immense pleasure of witnessing history in the making through three presidential administrations. As an African American woman in a field dominated by white males, however, Ryan has brought a perspective to her coverage that both stems from her personal background and reflects the wider concerns of her urban radio audience. From her days as a rookie reporter in the Clinton White House to her tenure as a veteran journalist during the Obama administration, Ryan analyzes each president's time in office in terms of his commitment to and success in addressing issues that bridge the country's racial divide. Transcripts of press conference Q&As and exclusive interviews provide crucial insight into how each president fared on issues of domestic initiatives, administration diversity, and acknowledgment of racial inequities. Forthright and formidable, open and appreciative, Ryan delivers a no-holds-barred evaluation of the country's chief executives on matters of race and equality. * Booklist *[This book] gives readers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at race relations from the epicenter of American power and policy making—the White House—April Ryan’s beat since 1997. Ryan tells us what it was like for a pioneering African American female reporter to become a respected member of the White House Press Corps, one of the greatest old boy networks in the nation’s capital. . . .With humor, grace, and determination, Ryan shares the highs and lows of a sometimes lonely battle, to keep questions of race and the lives of her inner-city listeners on the national stage. * African American Literature Book Club *April Ryan has taken the mystery out of the White House. She tells the story in black and white. This is a rare story, but more importantly a story about America. This is a very valuable contribution to the American history zeitgeist, and a story all Americans need to experience. -- Ernest Green, "Little Rock Nine"Despite the bland menu press officers often serve reporters who cover the White House, April Ryan has always been someone who insists on spice. Her questions, sassy probing, and good humor force a predominantly white culture in that most exclusive of places to confront uneasy questions of race, equality, and discrimination. She made the scales fall from my eyes, and her work—reflected in this marvelous volume—will one day change the heart of a president she covers. -- Mike McCurry, White House Press Secretary, 1995–98April Ryan’s long service in the White House press corps has given her an intimate understanding of the value of political leverage, for presidents and the American public alike… The Presidency in Black and White is an important contribution toward achieving that political leverage—that place for us to stand from which we can move our nation toward the society it is meant to become. For that, April Ryan deserves our gratitude and support. -- Hon. Elijah Cummings, United States House of RepresentativesMost people just talk about “being in the room.” April Ryan not only is in the room, but also grabs your attention in a fascinating, personal, and yes, “insider’s” look at The Presidency in Black and White. April brings us inside the Oval Office as she recounts with humor and poignancy her observations and encounters with three American presidents as they have tackled the often slippery and dangerous slopes of race and racism in America. -- Michael Steele, first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee (2009–2011), MSNBC political analystA revealing and important look at the presidency—and the press—by a veteran journalist who’s been on the inside for two decades. With often surprising details that defy the conventional views of the Clinton, Bush, and Obama presidencies, April Ryan takes the reader to state dinners, aboard Air Force One, and into press conferences to explore the role of race in the White House and press corps. -- Steve Thomma, Chief White House Correspondent for McClatchy
£18.04
Rowman & Littlefield The Strong Gray Line
Book SynopsisThe Strong Gray Line profiles members of the West Point class of 2004 who fought and died in service to their country. Alongside these commemorative stories, surviving members describe some of the most brutal combat of the Iraq and Afghanistan war in vivid and stirring vignettes.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary set of stories. Graduating from the orderly world of West Point into the violent complexity of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Class of 2004 earned a special place in The Strong Gray Line – and paid dearly for it. Like their predecessors who fought at Shiloh, the Argonne, and the Ia Drang Valley, these cadets-turned-officers tell the story of West Point, warfare, and what living West Point’s motto of Duty-Honor-Country looks like up close. -- General Stan McChrystal, US Army (Retired)In citing West Point's contributions to this great country, General MacArthur told the Corps of Cadets in the spring of 1962 "The Long Gray Line has never failed us!" It never has, and thanks to the heroism and sacrifices of West Point's young graduates, it never will. The moving tributes offered by members of West Point's Class of 2004 to their deceased classmates who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan remind Americans again of this timeless truth. -- Daniel W. Christman, Lieutenant General (Retired), USA; 55th Superintendent, West PointThe West Point Class of 2004 has a story to tell that is unique in the 21st century history of the United States Military Academy. For the first time in many generations, a class entered the Academy when the Nation was at peace but was destined to spend the entirety of their time there in training and preparation for wartime leadership. The Strong Gray Line tells this story extraordinarily well, in a way that only those who experienced it first-hand can. From inauspicious beginnings during a rain-soaked first summer of initial training and through the myriad challenges that cadet life entails, that story has now become one of battle-hardened, experienced professionals who are doing the Nation’s work in a way that brings distinction to a Class that has earned an honored place in West Point’s illustrious history. Told through the eyes — and the lives — of several of the men and women of the Class, The Strong Gray Line resonates for all of us that have served through the years, and encourages all Americans to live lives that are worthy of the sacrifices of the graduates of the Class of 2004. -- Eric T. Olson, US Army (Retired); Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point from 2000-2002As has happened to any number of West Point classes over the past two centuries, the world changed dramatically from the day the Class of 2004 arrived at West Point in June 2000 to the day the class graduated in May 2004. This volume is the chronicle of a class called to duty leading American soldiers during the longest period of sustained combat operations in the nation’s history. The story is at once inspirational as well as heart-rending. It vividly recounts the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the young warriors from the Class of 2004. Conversely, it illuminates the human toll of America’s longest war, a toll whose cost will continue to grow for decades. The record of service and sacrifice compiled by the West Point Class of 2004 compels our attention as American citizens, even if that record is far from complete. In the end, their story is America’s story, for the generation serving today already deserves a place of honor alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices they have made and continue to make every day. -- Daniel J. Kaufman, Brigadier General (Retired), Dean of the Academic Board 2000-2005Remembrance has always been one of the duties of the soldier, and The Strong Gray Line is in keeping with that vital tradition. With this book the West Point class of 2004 honors their fourteen members who have fallen in service to their country, and they provide us a window into the diverse experiences of one class during the past decade of war. In that regard, this books stands as a further act of service to their country. -- Phil Klay, Author, RedeploymentWhile you will likely never walk a mile in their dusty boots, reading The Strong Gray Line will help you understand, and certainly respect, the courage, sacrifice, and leadership of the West Point Class of 2004. -- Craig Mullaney, New York Times bestselling author of The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s EducationIn The Strong Gray Line, members of West Point’s class of 2004 reflect on their trials and triumphs during the last ten years of fighting the nation’s wars. Their moving stories give the reader insight into the human experiences behind the headlines – what it actually feels like to lead soldiers in Iraq, lose comrades in Afghanistan, or return home with injuries both visible and not. We can better understand the complexities of war as experienced through the eyes of young leaders – stories of valor, sacrifice, and loss that need to be heard. -- Jake Tapper, author of the New York Times bestseller The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor; anchor of CNN’s The Lead with Jake TapperThe men and women of the West Point Class of 2004 have proven themselves under fire on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the Army they have served with such distinction, they have adapted to the hard demands of counterinsurgency warfare, and written with their sweat and blood a proud page in military history. -- John A. Nagl, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired); author of Knife Fights: A Memoir of Modern War in Theory and Practice and Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and VietnamA truly riveting read. The Strong Gray Line captures vividly the experiences of the members of the USMA Class of 2004, the West Point class that sustained the highest losses since the Vietnam era. I addressed them at West Point and later led many of them during the surges in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they were magnificent. Indeed, few classes experienced the challenges, complexities, successes, and setbacks on the battlefields of our post-9/11 wars as the members of the Class of 2004 did. And through it all, their valor, their selflessness, their professional competence, and their devotion to their soldiers and to each other were awe-inspiring. The Strong Gray Line recounts all of that -- and more -- brilliantly. -- General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army (Retired), Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq (2007-2008), U.S. Central Command (2008-2010), International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (2010-2011)"These heartfelt memorials include 19 pages about Capt. Daniel P. Whitten, an artistic soul with 'unconditional love'. .. .T.J. Root’s staccato 'All the Pieces Matter' is a narrative that makes you hope the helicopter pilot keeps writing." * Marine Corps Times *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction The Fallen Interlude The War Hope Anger “Hier kannst du nur Krieg fuhren” (Here you can only wage war) Love Dismay Epilogue: The Long Gray Line Continues Glossary and Terms Bibliography Endnotes
£30.49
Rowman & Littlefield A World Erased
Book SynopsisThis poignant memoir by Noah Lederman, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, transports readers from his grandparents' kitchen table in Brooklyn to World War II Poland. In the 1950s, Noah's grandparents raised their children on Holocaust stories. But because tales of rebellion and death camps gave his father and aunt constant nightmares, in Noah's adolescence Grandma would only recount the PG version. Noah, however, craved the uncensored truth and always felt one right question away from their pasts. But when Poppy died at the end of the millennium, it seemed the Holocaust stories died with him. In the years that followed, without the love of her life by her side, Grandma could do little more than mourn. After college, Noah, a travel writer, roamed the world for fifteen months with just one rule: avoid Poland. A few missteps in Europe, however, landed him in his grandparents' country. When he returned home, he cautiously told Grandma about his time in Warsaw, fearing that the past wouTrade ReviewAs a youth, Lederman was only vaguely aware of the history of his grandparents as Holocaust survivors. In Lederman’s close, loving extended family in America, questions to his grandparents on the topic were usually deflected. As an adult, a trip to Holocaust-related sites in eastern Europe triggered an intense interest in Lederman for his family’s experiences. His now-widowed grandmother, perhaps as a form of therapy, slowly but with vivid detail finally revealed her story, and the result is this harrowing and deeply shocking if sometimes uplifting account. This is a wide-ranging memoir, covering the vibrant, prewar Jewish life in Poland, the Nazi-imposed Jewish ghetto and subsequent extermination camps, the postwar confinement in displaced person camps, and the move to America. In passionate and sometimes hate- filled invective, his grandmother lashes out at her Nazi persecutors but also at many goyim, Poles whom she describes as viciously anti-Semitic. If there is a hero here, it is Lederman’s grandmother, who consistently displays remarkable courage and resilience in the face of horrible traumas. This is a vital contribution to Holocaust collections. -- Jay Freeman * Booklist *Noah Lederman . . . offers a compelling third-generation perspective on the Holocaust, the survivors, and their families. He craves the details about death camps and ghettos that gave his grandparents nightmares. Part travelogue into the Europe of former concentration camps and his grandparents’ native Poland, part quest for the ugly truths he was shielded from as a child, Lederman’s narrative opens with the death of his grandfather, and the urgent need to learn, delicately, from his grandmother what he can before her stories die with her. * The Philadelphia Inquirer *Have you ever read a memoir that you couldn't put down? They are rare, but I've found one: A World Erased.... Noah Lederman is an excellent writer, and not only shares family memories, but his journey to understand the lives of his grandparents—what they survived during the Holocaust—and how that affected the rest of their lives. It is powerful, moving, and I have never read a memoir that held my attention so much that I couldn't sleep; turning out the light at 6am when the sun was rising, as I turned the last page, I felt bereft at finishing, awe at Lederman's words and story, and love for his family.... Highly recommended. * Wandering Educators *In A World Erased, author Noah Lederman seeks to find for himself the stories of his survivor grandparents who are reluctant to tell him anything but the most gentle versions of what occurred. After a fact-finding trip to Europe, what transpires unlocks the full narrative: the unrelenting horror during that period but also the extreme resilience which gives the author a whole new context to his family. * Southern Jewish Life Magazine *Lederman makes us both laugh and cry as we read, and this may very well be the Holocaust book of the year. * Reviews by Amos Lassen *Lederman’s dogged persistence in getting his grandparents to recount their memories of the Holocaust pays off brilliantly. In A World Erased, he rescues their stories—and the stories of so many who survived, and so many who didn’t—and turns their experiences during the Holocaust into an enduring monument for his own generation and those to follow. -- Wayne Hoffman, executive director, Tablet Magazine, and author of Sweet Like Sugar and An Older ManNoah Lederman’s superbly written memoir has the emotional impact of a great novel but resonates with the truth of his own experience as the grandson of Holocaust survivors. It’s the story of a young man coming to terms with familial memory as he travels the world and finds his own place in it. This is a moving and important book. -- Phyllis T. Smith, Author of I Am LiviaA World Erased is a book of dark tales that is suffused with tenderness on every page. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, Lederman's journey of remembrance makes for urgent reading. -- Sam Apple, author of Schlepping through the AlpsThis gripping book traces the evolution of a young man's quest to uncover the stories of his grandparents’ harrowing past—a riveting journey through repressed memory, unspeakable trauma, and the landmarks of European genocide that lead the author to a fresh understanding of his family's wartime past and his own identity. A determined historian, dogged sleuth, and gifted storyteller, Lederman flecks his memoir with black humor and refreshing candor, illuminating how the horrors of the Holocaust are transmitted through the generations. -- Andrew Jacobs, director of Four Seasons LodgeTable of ContentsChapter 1 The Holocaust through Nightmares Chapter 2 Super Poppy and the Meshugge Grandma Chapter 3 The Hospital Chapter 4 Keys to the Holocaust Vault Chapter 5 Adrift Chapter 6 Death in the Czech Republic Chapter 7 The E-mail Chapter 8 Otwock Chapter 9 From Night to Dawn Chapter 10 Peering into the Vault Chapter 11 The Tapes Chapter 12 Panama Chapter 13 Escape from Warsaw Chapter 14 Revision Chapter 15 A Box of Photos Chapter 16 The Four Questions Chapter 17 Israel Chapter 18 Research at Yad Vashem Chapter 19 Poisonous DNA Chapter 20 The Boy at the Gates of Warsaw Chapter 21 Lightning Lad Chapter 22 Escape from Treblinka Chapter 23 The Liquidation Chapter 24 Grandma’s Determination Chapter 25 Get Well Soon Chapter 26 The Bronze Arm Chapter 27 Bergen-Belsen Chapter 28 Better and You Better Chapter 29 Umschlagplatz Chapter 30 The Mystery Camp Chapter 31 A Return to the Camps Chapter 32 Majdanek Chapter 33 Birkenau Chapter 34 Auschwitz Chapter 35 The Buna Chapter 36 Liberation Chapter 37 In Search of New Beginnings Epilogue Acknowledgments Sources About the Author
£18.04
Amberley Publishing Julius Caesar
Book SynopsisA monumental new life of Ancient Rome's most illustrious complex and legendary leader - Julius Caesar.
£20.00
Simon & Schuster Where They Stand The American Presidents in the
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£17.10
Little, Brown & Company The Brothers Bulger
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£16.99
Pelican Publishing Co Maxims of General Patton The
Book SynopsisGen. George S. Patton was one of the most tenacious, unstoppable players in the United States' European Campaign of World War II. A contemplative side of this dynamic man is displayed in this collection of poems, journal entries, quotations, and speeches. This in-depth journey through the mind of a truly remarkable American is accompanied by period photographs.
£12.59
James Lorimer & Company Ltd Old Enough to Fight
Book SynopsisBetween 15,000 and 20,000 underage youths, some as young as ten, signed up to fight in Canada's armed forces in the First World War. They served in the trenches alongside their elders, and fought in all the major battles: Ypres, the Somme, Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, and the rest. Many were injured or suffered psychological wounds. Many died.
£21.79
Formac Publishing,Canada Halifax Explosion
Book SynopsisAn extensively illustrated short account of the moments before and after the largest man-made explosion to date, all in the bustling harbour city of Halifax
£999.99
HarperCollins Publishers Tobruk
£17.80
Arcadia Publishing (SC) John F Kennedy at Rest in Arlington Images of
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£19.99
Arcadia Publishing (SC) Madison County Images of America
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£21.24
Arcadia Publishing (SC) Famous People of Queens
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£20.39
Arcadia Publishing (SC) The Lincoln Funeral Train
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£20.39
Arcadia Publishing John F Kennedy in New England Images of Modern
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£20.69
History Press Lakeview Cemetery of Burlington Vermont Landmarks
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£18.69
History Press Honoring World War Casualties of Madison County
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£20.39
History Press The Campaign for Woman Suffrage in Virginia
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£20.39
History Press Confederate General Stephen Elliott Beaufort
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£20.39
History Press Dallas Tough Historic Tales of Grit Audacity and
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£18.69
History Press Unforgettable New Jersey Characters
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£18.69
History Press Historic Tales of Long Island City
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£18.69
History Press Naming Gotham
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£20.39
History Press The Valley of Hearts Delight
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£18.69
History Press True Tales of Prescott
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£20.39
History Press Civil War Generals of Indiana
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£20.39
History Press Virginias Presidents
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£20.39
History Press Hidden History of Grand Rapids
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£20.39
History Press Northern Virginia Luminaries
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£20.39
History Press Historic Lakeview Cemetery of Cheyenne
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£20.39
History Press James Harrod
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£20.39
History Press A Brief History of Greenlee County
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£19.99
Amazon Publishing St. Paul
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£11.66
Sourcebooks, Inc Proud to Be a Marine Stories of Strength and
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£17.09
Tyndale House Publishers Unified
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£14.24
Simon & Schuster Suzannes Children A Daring Rescue in Nazi Paris
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£17.10
Amazon Publishing The Honor Was Mine
Book SynopsisWinner of the Nautilus Book Award and the Military Writers Society of America Gold Medal. A young combat veteran hides in his closet under a pile of clothes on bad nights. Another, home for five days, can’t figure out how to talk to his wife. And a commander’s spouse recounts the soul-draining effect of attending nearly one hundred memorial services… When therapist Elizabeth Heaney left her private practice to counsel military service members and their families, she came face-to-face with unheard-of struggles and fears. Emotions run deeply—and often silently—in the hearts of combat veterans in this eye-opening portrait of the complex, nuanced lives of service personnel, who return from battling the enemy and grapple with readjusting to civilian life. Presenting the soldiers’ stories—told in their own words—as well as her own story of change, Heaney offers an intimate perspective, not of war itself but of its emotional aftermath. Some of these stories scrape the bone; others are hopeful, even comical. Every one reveals the sacrifices of those on the front lines and the courage, grace, and honor with which they serve.Trade Review“In this deeply moving book, Elizabeth Heaney gives voice to war veterans and their families who otherwise would keep painfully hidden what she recognizes as their ‘terrible knowledge.’ Listening to their stories is an essential first step toward healing the wounds of 15 years of war.” —David Wood, Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent and author of the forthcoming book What Have We Done: the Moral Injury of our Longest Wars “The Honor Was Mine is not a book about war; it’s a book about humanity—an enlightening, powerful treatise of one person’s struggle to help a generation of warriors and their families as they face the effects of a battle that doesn’t end when they come home. If you’ve ever worn the uniform, are family of those who have or will, or simply a human being who needs to understand the price of war and those who sacrifice so much to help, read this book. The Honor Was Mine will help you understand.” —Danny Johnson, author of The Last Road Home and a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient “Elizabeth Heaney writes with humility and sincere compassion about the men and women who are continuing to pay the price for America’s wars. She paints a moving portrait of the challenges they face and the triumphs, sometimes small but never minor, that come from doing hard emotional work. She writes from a place of genuine empathy, never condescension. This book is sure to become an essential building block in the bridge across the military-civilian divide.” —LCDR Jerri Bell, USN (Ret.)
£12.06
Amazon Publishing We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and
Book SynopsisThe inspiring true story of the tragic loss and triumphant resurrection of a basketball team and its coach at the heart of a small Indiana town. By 1977 the University of Evansville’s Purple Aces basketball team had won five small-college national championships. With a charismatic young coach and a freshman phenom, this small Indiana city hoped to see its team shine in the national spotlight. Then, on a foggy night, after just four games, the plane carrying the team and its coach crashed after takeoff, killing everyone on board. The tragedy seemed insurmountable, a devastating blow to the identity of a fading factory town. But, with the support of a city in mourning, ambitious new coach Dick Walters promised to rebuild the cherished institution. Assembling a team of castoffs, walk-ons, and overachievers, Walters restored the legacy of the team and its fans. Against all odds, his young men made history. A tribute to those who were lost, and to those who carried on, We Will Rise is the rich and powerful story of an underdog team and its fans and the spirit of a resilient community.Trade ReviewAn Amazon Best Book of the Month: Biographies & Memoirs “This story of [the] Evansville men’s basketball team’s rebirth after the 1977 plane crash is tragic and inspiring.” —Sports Illustrated “The best stories about sports are about life, too…Beaven, who grew up in Evansville, crafts a beautiful story.” —Washington Post “This is a story of community resilience and a tribute not only to those who were lost but those who carried on.” —Courier & Press “We Will Rise is a heartwarming story of the spirit of this team, its fans, and a resilient community.” —Brooklyn Digest “Such was the rallying cry that propelled one of the most stirring comeback stories in recent history, a story being remembered and retold this season thanks to a new book. In We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and Resurrection in the American Heartland, journalist and Evansville, Indiana, native Steve Beaven recounts the disaster that befell the University of Evansville men’s basketball team in 1977: a plane crash that killed players and their coach and devastated a basketball-crazy community that took great pride in their Purple Aces.” —USA Today “This story exemplifies the resilience of the American heartland, where God-fearing people bear unspeakable pain and tragedy with grace and depth most of us cannot comprehend. The heart of Evansville beats like a basketball on hardwood with every word. You can almost hear the squeaking of high-top sneakers on the floor, the ear-splitting chirp of whistles and the quiet, gut-wrenching sobs of those who grieve. We Will Rise joins the pantheon of great sports books for one simple reason: it has very little to do with sports.” —Steve Eubanks, New York Times bestselling author of All American: Two Young Men, the 2001 Army-Navy Game and the War They Fought in Iraq “Riveting and very personal…Steven Beaven has written the last word on the tragic crash of the University of Evansville basketball team. More, though, he celebrates the rebirth rise of the program after the devastating events of that winter day in 1977. A must-read.” —Bob Kravitz, senior staff writer for The Athletic and former columnist for The Indianapolis Star “We Will Rise is an ode to spirit, to hope, to somehow carrying on after the greatest of heartbreaks. Steve Beaven’s masterful work is a true must-read.” —Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author and former senior writer for Sports Illustrated “Growing up in Indiana, I heard the stories about the crash that destroyed the young team at the heart of We Will Rise. But I learned so much more reading this book. Steve Beaven honors the players and coaches who lost their lives and tells the stories of their families trying to move forward in the face of unthinkable grief. Here is the best of what sports can mean to a community.” —Brad Stevens, head coach of the Boston Celtics
£12.52
Amazon Publishing Obama: An Oral History
Book SynopsisThe first ever comprehensive oral history of President Obama’s administration and the complex political machine that created and powered a landmark American presidency. In this candid oral history of a presidential tenure, author Brian Abrams reveals the behind-the-scenes stories that illuminate the eight years of the Obama White House through more than one hundred exclusive interviews. Among those given a voice in this extraordinary account are Obama’s cabinet secretaries; his teams of speechwriters, legal advisers, and campaign strategists; as well as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who fought for or against his agenda. They recall the early struggles of an idealistic outsider candidate and speak openly about the exacting work that led to cornerstone legislation. They share the failures and dissent that met Obama’s efforts and revisit the paths to his accomplishments. As eyewitnesses to history, their accounts combine to deliver an unfiltered view of Obama’s battle to deliver on his promise of hope and change. This provocative collage of anecdotes, personal reminiscences, and impressions from confidants and critics not only provides an authoritative window into the events that defined an era but also offers the first published account into the making of the forty-fourth president of the United States—one that history will soon not forget.
£13.23
Open Road Media Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the
Book SynopsisIn this New York Times bestseller, the White House chief usher for nearly three decades offers a behind-the-scenes look at America’s first families. J. B. West, chief usher of the White House, directed the operations and maintenance of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—and coordinated its daily life—at the request of the president and his family. He directed state functions; planned parties, weddings and funerals, gardens and playgrounds, and extensive renovations; and, with a large staff, supervised every activity in the presidential home. For twenty-eight years, first as assistant to the chief usher, then as chief usher, he witnessed national crises and triumphs, and interacted daily with six consecutive presidents and first ladies, as well as their parents, children and grandchildren, and houseguests—including friends, relatives, and heads of state. J. B. West, whom Jackie Kennedy called “one of the most extraordinary men I have ever met,” provides an absorbing, one-of-a-kind history of life among the first ladies. Alive with anecdotes ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt’s fascinating political strategies to Jackie Kennedy’s tragic loss and the personal struggles of Pat Nixon, Upstairs at the White House is a rich account of a slice of American history that usually remains behind closed doors. Trade Review“I think he is one of the most extraordinary men I have ever met.” —Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis “If he were at court he would be called Head Chamberlain. . . . He finds solutions to so many problems with quiet efficiency.” —Lady Bird Johnson in A White House Diary\ “This memoir by the former Chief Usher (i.e. majordomo) of the White House is several Truman-balconies above all those others.” —Kirkus Reviews
£999.99
Open Road Media Gloria Steinem: Her Passions, Politics, and Mystique
Book SynopsisIncludes a new afterword: A “richly detailed” biography of the iconic feminist based on interviews with friends, family, colleagues, and Steinem herself (The Washington Post). Going beyond Gloria Steinem’s public persona, this biography provides an in-depth portrait of the famed activist—covering her family of origin, Smith College education, travels in India, founding of Ms. magazine, and much more—drawn from fifty hours of interviews with Steinem, as well as conversations with more than two hundred people in her life.Trade Review“Stern’s biography is sympathetic but critical about the woman who was once perhaps the foremost figure of American feminism. . . . Follows its subject from her childhood with a mentally ill mother and ne’er-do-well father through her rise in the women’s movement.” —The New York Times Book Review “Feminist icon, goddess, social climber, bunny—who is Gloria Steinem? All of the above, according to [this] serious new biography. . . . A real look at Steinem off the public platform.” —Kirkus Reviews “Avoiding esoteric psychological or feminist theorizing, Stern still provides a clear context for Steinem’s development both as a public figure and as an exemplar of the movement that seeks to have women define themselves as autonomous individuals.” —Library Journal
£26.06
Saint Benedict Press Blessed Charles of Austria: A Holy Emperor and
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£25.16
University of Minnesota Press The War Came Home with Him: A Daughter's Memoir
£999.99
Penguin Books Ltd Churchill & Son
Book SynopsisThe intimate, untold story of Winston Churchill''s enduring yet volatile bond with his only son, Randolph“Ireland draws unforgettable sketches of life in the Churchill circle, much like Erik Larson did in The Splendid and the Vile.”―Kirkus • “Fascinating… well-researched and well-written.”—Andrew Roberts • “Beautifully written… A triumph.”—Damien Lewis • “Fascinating, acute and touching.”—Simon Sebag MontefioreWe think we know Winston Churchill: the bulldog grimace, the ever-present cigar, the wit and wisdom that led Great Britain through the Second World War. Yet away from the House of Commons and the Cabinet War Rooms, Churchill was a loving family man who doted on his children, none more so than Randolph, his only boy and Winston''s anointed heir to the Churchill legacy.Randolph may have been born in his father''s shadow, but his father, who had been neglected by his own parents, was determined to see him go far. For decades, throughout Winston''s climb to greatness, father and son were inseparable—dining with Britain''s elite, gossiping and swilling Champagne at high society parties, holidaying on the French Riviera, touring Prohibition-era America. Captivated by Winston''s power, bravery, and charisma, Randolph worshipped his father, and Winston obsessed over his son''s future. But their love was complex and combustible, complicated by money, class, and privilege, shaded with ambition, outsize expectations, resentments, and failures.Deeply researched and magnificently written, Churchill & Son is a revealing and surprising portrait of one of history''s most celebrated figures.
£16.15
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Napoleon's Downfall: Madame Recamier and Her
Book SynopsisNapoleon Bonaparte and Juliette Recamier were both highly influential and well-known in France, yet they were often at odds with each other. Their story played out on the European stage during a period of political upheaval and new political ideas. Napoleon gained power in the aftermath of the French Revolution, and he would go from spectacular victories to dismal failure. His defeat in the early nineteenth century would result in Europe acquiring new national borders and with that Britain, Russia, and the United States would gain greater international influence. Juliette, on the other hand, wielded her own power. Because of the tumultuous French Revolution, noble and aristocratic landowners were being replaced by a new wealthy class in the private sector. Juliette and her husband were among the beneficiaries of this growing affluence and influence, and her power came from her new-found position in society. Juliette also viewed life differently than Napoleon. She saw life from the standpoint of a wealthy socialite whereas Napoleon's desires were always shaded by his military experiences and his meteoric rise to power. Along the way, Juliette would have to face the testy Emperor, and she would find that his own brother would fall for her. Even some of Napoleon's greatest enemies would woo her.
£23.83
Pen & Sword Books Ltd A Peer among Princes: The Life of Thomas Graham,
Book SynopsisSir Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, is best known for his exceptional military career. He was one of the Duke of Wellington's ablest lieutenants during the Peninsular War - he won a great victory against the French at the Battle of Barrosa, conducted the siege of San Sebastian and acted as the duke's second in command. But he was much more than a soldier - he had broad interests as a wealthy and innovative Scottish landowner, politician, sportsman and traveller. He was a remarkable man of his age, and Philip Grant's biography, the first to be published in recent times, does justice to his remarkable life and reputation. Graham only took up his military career in 1792 when he was outraged by the violation of his wife's coffin by French revolutionaries. He determined to fight them and he raised his own regiment to do so, soon establishing himself as an outstanding leader and field commander. He saw action at Toulon, made a daring escape from the siege of Mantua, served in Malta and Egypt and with Sir John Moore during the Corunna campaign. He eventually rose to the highest rank. Philip Grant describes Graham's long and varied life in absorbing detail, often quoting from his vivid letters and diaries.
£999.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Duke of Wellington in 100 Objects
Book SynopsisArthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was the outstanding British individual of the nineteenth century. His victories at Seringapatam and Assaye extended British control in India and his famous campaign in Spain and Portugal helped to drive Napoleon into exile. Wellington is, of course, mostly remembered for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo and his prestige after that epoch-changing event saw him becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain on two occasions. These are the commonly-known facts about the Iron Duke, but in this remarkable investigation into the life of Britain's greatest general, we learn so much more about Wellington as a person, through the objects, large and small, that marked key episodes in his personal, military and public life. Renowned historian Gareth Glover details Wellington's family background in Ireland, his early military career, his one-and-only meeting with Nelson, his campaigns in Flanders, the Iberian Peninsula and Waterloo. What we also learn is of his difficult marriage - and his scandalous womanising, even bedding the same woman as Napoleon - and his strained relationship with his two boys. His political career was a controversial one, including his fight to pass the Catholic Emancipation Bill and of a period of three months when he ran the government by himself because he refused to appoint any Cabinet ministers! Packed with more than 200 full-colour photographs, _The Duke of Wellington in 100 Objects_ will show the world the objects he touched, or which touched him, in the life of one of the most outstanding characters Britain has ever produced.
£30.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Sniper Anthology: Snipers of the Second World
Book SynopsisRevered by some as the ultimate warrior, and condemned by others as ruthless assassins, the combat sniper is more than just a crack shot. These are highly disciplined individuals, calm professionals skilled in marksmanship, reconnaissance and camouflage. During the Second World War these lethal fighters were deployed by all sides to deadly effect. This collection of biographies written by sniper experts from around the world explores the careers of the top marksmen between 1939 and 1945. As well as providing incisive technical information, each author offers a glimpse of the character and personality of their chosen sniper, giving them a human face that is often missing in standard portrayals. These gripping, in-depth narratives go beyond the cursory treatment in existing histories and will be essential reading for anyone wanting to learn about the role and technique of the sniper during the Second World War. The impressive list of contributors to The Sniper Anthology includes Mark Spicer writing on Harry M. Furness, the last surviving British sniper who went ashore on D-Day; Martin Pegler, who details the famous Soviet sniper Vassili Zaitsev; Adrian Gilbert on the Wehrmacht sharpshooter and lone wolf Sepp Allerberger; and Roger Moorhouse on Simo Hayha, the man with the most confirmed kills in any major war.
£13.75
