Biography: historical, political and military Books

Book SynopsisSam Steele, “the man who tamed the Gold Rush,” had a high-profile public career, yet his private life has been closely protected. Sam Steele: A Biography follows Steele’s rise from farm boy in backwoods Ontario to the much-lauded Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele. Drawing on the vast Steele archive at the University of Alberta, this comprehensive biography vividly recounts some of the most significant events of the first fifty years of Canadian Confederation—including the founding of the North-West Mounted Police, the opening of the North through the Klondike, and Canada’s participation in the South African War—from the perspective of a policeman who became a military leader. Impeccably researched and accessibly written, Sam Steele is perfect for anyone interested in Canada’s early decades.Trade Review"...Steele owed much of his career success to his simple approach to life—see what must be done, find the most practical way to do it, apply yourself with full energy and dedication.... Steele played a considerable role in a time full of huge change.... It’s a story worth telling. Macleod’s solid research and clear writing also make it a story worth reading." January 30, 2019 [Full article at https://www.edmontonprimetimes.com/article/the-original-man-of-steele-20190130] -- Mark Lisac"This book is a detailed treatment of the entire life of Sam Steele, informed and enhanced by new information held within the Steele collection. The breadth of Steele’s accomplishments encompass the opening of the west and north as Canada grew into nationhood after confederation." -- Michael Gates"...Steele emerges as a three-dimensional character, much more lively and realistic, than the self-portrait earnestly provided in his autobiography, Forty Years in Canada.... Rod Macleod is to be warmly congratulated for his excellent biography of an important Anglo-Canadian public figure in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries." -- Donald B. Smith"Rod Macleod has been thorough in his research, making extensive use of Samuel's diaries and personal papers now housed at the University of Alberta. The book is well written and places Steele in his proper role as Mounted Police frontiersman.""This is a fine work that sheds light on many important events in the early decades of Canada. There is impressive nuance and detail here which show the diligent effort and dedication of the author. This is a good introductory book for those unfamiliar with Sam Steele and key episodes of Canadian national history after Confederation. It is a useful volume for those exploring the early days of the NWMP or the founding campaigns of the Canadian military. It is a revealing story of a talented, dedicated Canadian who always strove to do his best for his country." [Full review at https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2008&context=cmh] -- Richard Roy * Canadian Military History vol. 29, no.1 *"The life and times of Sam Steele are once again captured in a well-written and fast-paced book. A pleasure to read, it was difficult to close once I began reading Rod Macleod’s contribution to Canadian history as revealed through the letters and diaries of this interesting figure…. [This] welcome addition to any Canadian Studies, police, or military history library is sure to develop interest in a number of episodes in Canada’s history between 1832 and 1919…. Macleod organises his material into eleven convenient chapters covering Steele’s life from his childhood years in Ontario until his last days in London, UK, and funeral in Winnipeg.” [Full review at https://doi.org/10.3828/bjcs.2021.7] -- Mark Minenko, King’s College London * British Journal of Canadian Studies, vol. 33, no. 1 *"Macleod’s focus on Steele and his personal experiences is effectively used to paint a thorough and detailed picture of the man. Throughout the book, Macleod provides succinct, informative background sections on the North-West Rebellion, the Klondike gold rush, the origins of the Boer War, and other topics.... [The biography] will be approachable to general readers and valuable to scholars examining the events Steele participated in." [Full review at https://thenorthernreview.ca/index.php/nr/article/view/917/957] -- Scott Dumonceaux * The Northern Review 51 *"Focusing on its subject’s life and career, Sam Steele paints a thoughtful portrait of an interesting and important man that, like any good book, raises interesting and important questions.... [T]his biography is likely to remain the definitive work on Steele’s life." -- Daniel R. Meister * Canadian Historical Review *Table of Contents1 || Early Life: Orillia and the Red River Expedition, 1848–1873 2 || The North-West Mounted Police, 1873–1885 3 || Steele’s Scouts in the Rebellion, 1885 4 || Frustrated Ambition, 1886–1888 5 || The Love of His Life: Marie Harwood, 1888–1890 6 || Fort Macleod and Family, 1890–1898 7 || The Klondike Gold Rush, 1898–1899 8 || Fighting for Queen and Country: Lord Strathcona’s Horse, 1899–1901 9 || Imperial Interlude: The South African Constabulary, 1901–1907 229 10 || Preparing for War, 1907–1914 11 || An Old Soldier Fades Away: General Steele, 1914–1919

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Book SynopsisWinner, Evelyn Richardson Award for Non-Fiction and Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award for Historical WritingFinalist, Dartmouth Book Award for Non-Fiction, and the Margaret and John Savage Award for Best First Book (Non-fiction)A Hill Times' 100 Best Books in 2020 SelectionOn Canada's History Bestseller ListGrowing up on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Tyler LeBlanc wasn’t fully aware of his family’s Acadian roots — until a chance encounter with an Acadian historian prompted him to delve into his family history. LeBlanc’s discovery that he could trace his family all the way to the time of the Acadian Expulsion and beyond forms the basis of this compelling account of Le Grand Dérangement.Piecing together his family history through archival documents, Tyler LeBlanc tells the story of Joseph LeBlanc (his great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather), Joseph’s ten siblings, and their families. With descendants scattered across modern-day Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the LeBlancs provide a window into the diverse fates that awaited the Acadians when they were expelled from their homeland. Some escaped the deportation and were able to retreat into the wilderness. Others found their way back to Acadie. But many were exiled to Britain, France, or the future United States, where they faced suspicion and prejudice and struggled to settle into new lives.A unique biographical approach to the history of the Expulsion, Acadian Driftwood is a vivid insight into one family’s experience of this traumatic event.Trade Review"Tyler LeBlanc takes readers on a quest to uncover his family’s forgotten history, a journey into the horrors of the eighteenth-century deportations that scattered his Acadian ancestors and almost destroyed their culture. Deeply researched and honestly told, Acadian Driftwood is a gritty, gripping account of a dark chapter in Canada’s history and an uplifting tale of discovery — discovery of heritage, of family, and, ultimately, of identity." -- Dean Jobb, author of The Acadians: A People’s Story of Exile and Triumph"With great care and an eye for well-researched details, Tyler LeBlanc tells a story of trauma by making room for personal and historical insights into the lives of the Acadians who survived the Expulsion. A tapestry of 250-year-old threads, Acadian Driftwood is stronger and more resilient than one would ever expect, let alone woven in such a careful and vibrant manner." -- Simon Thibault, author of Pantry and Palate: Remembering and Rediscovering Acadian Food"The Acadian Expulsion may be an unlikely choice for a summer read, but Tyler LeBlanc’s Acadian Driftwood was so engaging I blew through it like it was a summer blockbuster." -- Cathy Carter * Grid City Magazine *"Acadian Driftwood wraps readers in the severity of Acadian suffering and the strength of the Acadian soul." -- Micaela Cockburn * The East Mag *

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Book SynopsisWinner, Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction AwardFinalist, APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award and George Borden Writing for Change AwardAlexa McDonough’s impact on Canadian politics cannot be measured solely by election victories or seat tallies. As the first female leader of a mainstream Canadian political party, she helped transform Nova Scotian and Canadian politics. In the process, she transcended party affiliation and gender to become simply "Alexa" to Canadians across the country. In this authorized biography, veteran author Stephen Kimber chronicles Alexa’s life and political career and with it, weaves a narrative of the changing attitudes towards women in politics, from her early battles as the lone female MLA in a hostile Nova Scotian legislature to her leadership of the federal NDP to her role as senior stateswoman in Jack Layton’s shadow cabinet. Along the way, Kimber delves into McDonough’s personal life to uncover the origins of her political career: her upbringing in a wealthy family committed to progressive politics, her tightknit circles of female friends, her personal metamorphosis from "wife-of" to "leader-of," and her emergence as a political leader whose importance goes beyond partisan politics. The result is an engrossing story of one of Canada’s most beloved politicians, whose common touch and lifelong advocacy of progressive causes made her a significant player in Canadian public life.Trade Review“From the very first page of Alexa!, we’re given a look into the motivating forces that inspired her life and her work to make people’s lives better. From bringing awareness to the challenges faced by Black people in Africville and overhauling Halifax’s welfare system to her important role in advancing women’s rightful place in Canadian politics, this biography chronicles Alexa’s growing determination to build a better Canada.” -- Jagmeet Singh“A deeply personal, yet objective, informative, and thought-provoking account of the life of one of Canada’s most inspiring parliamentarians. Alexa McDonough not only changed the face of politics in Canada and her beloved Nova Scotia, but she transformed lives and political processes. Alexa! offers readers a documented legacy of a political leader we could emulate. This book will inspire generations to continue the work she started.” -- Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard“Excellent and highly recommended ... Alexa! is a compelling and well-written portrait of a trailblazing, influential politician.” -- Scott Costen * The Sidebar *

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be exiled? For the landmarks of your past to disappear?In 1943, Wanda Gizmunt was ripped from her family home in Poland and deported to a forced labour camp in Nazi Germany. At the end of the war, she became one of millions of displaced Europeans awaiting resettlement. Unwilling to return to then-Soviet-occupied Poland, Wanda became one of 100 young Polish women brought to Canada in 1947 to address a labour shortage at a Quebec textile mill. But rather than arriving to long-awaited freedom, the women found themselves captives to their Canadian employer. Their treatment eventually became a national controversy, prompting scrutiny of Canada’s utilitarian immigration policy. Wanda seized the opportunity to leave the mill in the midst of a strike in 1948. She never looked back, but she remained silent about her wartime experience. Only after her death did her daughter-in-law assemble the pieces of Wanda’s life in Poland, Nazi Germany, and finally, Canada. In this masterful account of a hidden episode of history, Faubert chronicles the tragedy of exile and the meaning of silence for those whose traumas were never fully recognized. Trade Review“With so many refugees facing similar hardships today, Wanda’s War sheds light on past periods of turmoil and dislocation. As survivors pass away it falls on this generation to recover and bear witness. Faubert is a witness to the witnesses, to the many who could not speak or chose not to speak. A powerful and moving story.” -- Gwen Strauss, author of The Nine

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Book SynopsisThis biography of Tariana Turia sees family members, iwi leaders, social justice advocates and politicians share their experiences of this remarkable woman.While parliament was not part of her life plan, Tariana Turia was involved in many community initiatives. A turning point came in 1995, when Tariana’s leadership was evident in the reoccupation of Pakaitore. Here was a woman with the courage to care, the determination to speak up and a deep commitment to whanau. Inevitably, she was invited to stand in the 1996 general election. In her eighteen years as an MP, she advanced thinking in the disability area, advocated for tobacco reform and spoke out about sexual abuse, violence and racism. She also led the Whanau Ora initiative. In 2004, she crossed the floor, leading to the birth of the Maori Party.

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Book SynopsisWhy has the month of November had a special significance – a month in which I seem to have often experienced some particular, even notable, event, change, or development? Chalk it up to chance? Difficult to be sure about that.Sir Patrick Nairne led a remarkable life with a ringside view of history in the making. He fought with the Seaforth Highlanders in North Africa; worked in the post-war Admiralty and Ministry of Defence; organised the first EU Referendum in 1975; led the Department for Health and Social Security; contributed to the Falkland Islands Review Committee; monitored the consultation process in Hong Kong before the territory was handed back to China; and served as the first Chair of the Nuffield Council on bioethics.Patrick was one of the most notable British civil servants of the twentieth century, and in his later years, after being master of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, began to write about his fascinating life and career.In The Coincidence of Novembers, Patrick’s son – curator and writer Sandy Nairne – assembles his father’s writings, including autobiographical pieces from his papers, into a volume which offers a snapshot of the range of his thinking and creativity: his first-hand experience of significant events in public affairs, his watercolours, and his meditations on a life spent working for the public good.

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Book SynopsisOn 15 April 1989, ninety-six spectators lost their lives at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium as they gathered for an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The events of that spring afternoon sparked a controversy that continues to reverberate through British football and policing to this day.Norman Bettison, a Chief Inspector in the South Yorkshire Police at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, witnessed the tragedy as a spectator at the match. Since then, he has found himself one of the focal points of outrage over the actions of the police. Comments he made in the wake of the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012 stoked further criticism in the press and in Parliament and, in October 2012, he resigned from his job as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.This personal account describes how the Hillsborough disaster unfolded, provides an insight into what was happening at South Yorkshire Police headquarters in the aftermath, and gives an objective and compassionate account of the bereaved families' long struggle for justice, all the while charting the author's journey from innocent bystander to a symbol of a perceived criminal conspiracy.

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Book SynopsisHe is a most unlikely revolutionary: a middle-aged, middle-class former grammar schoolboy who honed his radicalism on the mean streets of rural Shropshire. Last summer, this little-known outsider rode a wave of popular enthusiasm to win the Labour Party leadership by a landslide, with a greater mandate than any British political leader before him.One year on, as Corbyn struggles to retain his grip on the leadership amid open revolt from his own MPs, this new edition of the critically acclaimed biography brings the Jeremy Corbyn story fully up to date, setting out how this very British iconoclast managed to snatch the leadership of a party he spent forty years rebelling against ...and how the party has rebelled against him in turn.Engaging, clear-sighted and above all revealing, Comrade Corbyn explores the extraordinary story of the most unexpected leader in modern British politics.Trade Review"Fascinating and forensic - a real insight into the making of Labour's accidental leader. Meticulously researched and always even-handed, this is a very human portrait of a figure who has become a byword for controversy. Essential reading for anyone who follows politics." - Mary Riddell, Daily Telegraph; "Comrade Corbyn is a real political thriller with a revolutionary ending. This is British politics' most incredible political journey. Ever." - Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror; "Rosa Prince's explosive new biography reveals why the Labour leader has not changed with the times." - The Telegraph; "Comprehensive and forensic." - Progress; "An accomplished study and the most lucid explanation yet of the Labour Party's present state." - New Statesman; "A clear, well-researched and fair-minded account." - Daily Mail; "[Rosa Prince] has described in extraordinarily close detail exactly how, methodologically, it happened that Corbyn became leader." - David Sexton, Evening Standard; "An affectionate portrait of a man that Prince obviously thinks has landed himself in the wrong job." - The Independent; "(An) engaging and accomplished analysis." - Jason Cowley, Sunday Times; "Prince has produced a well- researched and balanced account of the rise of this most unlikely politician." - The Spectator

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Book SynopsisMargaret Thatcher’s premiership changed the face of modern Britain. Yet few people know of the critical role played by Jews in sparking and sustaining her revolution. Was this chance, choice, or simply a reflection of the fact that, as the Iron Lady herself said: `I just wanted a Cabinet of clever, energetic people and frequently that turned out to be the same thing’? In this book, the first to explore Mrs Thatcher’s relationship with Britain’s Jewish community, Robert Philpot shows that her regard did not come simply from representing a constituency with more Jewish voters than any other, but stretched back to her childhood. She saw her own philosophical beliefs expressed in the values of Judaism – and in it, too, she saw elements of her beloved father’s Methodist teachings. Margaret Thatcher: The Honorary Jew explores Mrs Thatcher’s complex and fascinating relationship with the Jewish community and draws on archives and a wide range of memoirs and exclusive interviews, ranging from former Cabinet ministers to political opponents. It reveals how Immanuel Jakobovits, the Chief Rabbi, assisted her fight with the Church of England and how her attachment to Israel led her to internal battles as a member of Edward Heath’s government and as Prime Minister, as well as examining her relationships with various Israeli leaders.Trade Review"Meticulously researched and skilfully written, this book delivers something that's very difficult to do these days - namely to provide a genuinely fresh perspective on one of Britain's, indeed the world's, most talked-about political icons." - Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London; "We all think we know about Maggie - and especially her relationship with the Jewish community and Israel. Robert Philpot's brilliantly readable book shows just how superficial the received wisdom is. Anyone who wants to understand what made Baroness Thatcher tick needs to read this." - Stephen Pollard , Editor of the Jewish Chronicle; "An original and important contribution to works on Thatcherism. This well-researched book is filled with fresh insights into the rapport the Prime Minister had with her circle of energetic Cabinet Ministers and No. 10 advisors from Jewish backgrounds. Philpot's revealing portraits of Keith Joseph, Nigel Lawson, Malcolm Rifkind, David Young, Alfred Sherman, Stephen Sherbourne and other key figures are particularly perceptive." - Jonathan Aitken

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Book SynopsisKatharine Campbell's father Sholto Douglas was the hero of her childhood, an unconventional senior commander in the Royal Air Force, described as 'a gloriously contentious character'. Following childhood abandonment and poverty, Sholto rose through the ranks of the fledgling RAF in the First World War before taking on a crucial role in the Second as head of Fighter Command and going on to serve as military governor in Germany in the war's devastating aftermath. But when Katharine was five years old, he began to be stolen away by strange night-time wanderings and daytime distress - including vivid flashbacks to his time signing death warrants in post-war Germany. The doctors called it dementia, but decades later, Katharine started researching her father's story and realised that she had observed the undiagnosed consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a hot topic today. We're aware of the front-line soldier suffering from 'shell-shock' - but what about the senior officer giving the orders, who may be carrying hidden wounds accumulated over many years? We don't expect our military leaders to have PTSD, nor is it something they often recognise or acknowledge in themselves, yet this secret burden likely affects a surprising number of those making important tactical decisions. A thought-provoking insight into the damage done by military conflict, Behold the Dark Gray Man is the story of a daughter's search to understand the impact of war upon one of its most charismatic senior commanders.Trade Review"Hugely powerful. An exploration of fatherhood, heroes, war and trauma from an intensely personal point of view." - Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster "A fascinating and humbling account, lovingly written by his daughter, of the life of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sholto Douglas, a truly inspiring and compassionate man. Katharine's narrative interweaves the story of Sholto's achievements as a high-ranking military officer with his battle with what we now recognise as post-traumatic stress disorder. Although Sholto's story illustrates how far we have progressed in our understanding of mental health both within the Services and in society in general, it also underlines why we must continue to work to reduce the stigma of mental illness - a burden which can affect the best of us, at any time, and for reasons which might not always be apparent." - Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston KCB CBE ADC, Chief of the Air Staff "Through the fierce battles in the skies of the First and Second World Wars, to the traumatic signing of death sentences at Nuremberg and then onto the chairmanship of BEA, Sholto Douglas knew the highs and depths of professional and family life. Katharine Campbell's brilliant book is a most compelling account of her father's battles with the enemy without and the enemy within." - General Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, former Chief of the General Staff

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Book SynopsisImagined by one of the world's foremost JFK scholars, this fictionalised conversation presents the essential biography of America's most glamorous and mythologised president. For many, the presidency of John F. Kennedy was a magic interlude in American history. His admirers saw him as a leader of intelligence and imagination, who wielded power with grace, courage and verve - although detractors have questioned the depth of his convictions and drawn attention to his serial philandering. Kennedy's rise also marked the beginning of modern "celebrity" politics - a politician with film star charisma who proved ideally suited to the new age of television. Meet the man himself and he'll tell you how it felt to have his finger on the red button when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. The book is divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of JFK's life, achievements, scandals and controversies; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating JFK's actual spoken or written words whenever possible, along with rigorously researched biographical interpretations of his various views and positions. Here you will find all the key moments in JFK's life and career: his early days at Harvard and the US Navy; his family background and the importance of his Catholic faith; running for office against Richard Nixon; his clashes with communist power in Berlin and Cuba; the Civil Rights movement; Vietnam; and the president's often scandalous personal life that was carefully concealed from an adoring public. Kennedy's assassination on 22 November 1963 marked the beginning of a tumultuous and bitterly divided decade, and birthed countless conspiracy theories that thrive to this day. These legacies of polarisation and suspicion of established authority have assumed particular salience in the 21st century.

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Book SynopsisShinzo Abe entered politics burdened by high expectations: that he would change Japan. In 2007, seemingly overwhelmed, he resigned after only a year as prime minister. Yet, following five years of reinvention, he masterfully regained the premiership in 2012 and, until his resignation in 2020, dominated Japanese democracy as no leader had done before. Abe inspired fierce loyalty among his followers, cowing Japan’s left with his ambitious economic programme and support for the security and armed forces. He staked a leadership role for Japan in a region being rapidly transformed by the rise of China and India, while carefully preserving an ironclad relationship with Trump’s America. The Iconoclast tells the story of Abe’s meteoric rise and stunning fall, his remarkable comeback, and his unlikely emergence as a global statesman who laid the groundwork for Japan’s survival in a turbulent century.Trade Review‘Comprehensive and engaging.’ -- The Economist‘In exhaustive detail, [Harris] describes a career of setbacks, half-successes and frustrated ambitions.’ -- The Times‘The Iconoclast is a definitive, must-read biography of Abe, and will be the standard English-language work on his life and times for years to come.’ -- The Japan Times‘Journalists, scholars – anyone interested in the political evolution of the leading democracy of East Asia – will need to add The Iconoclast to the reading pile.’ -- Asia Times'Offer[s] in non-specialized language accessible to a general reader detailed coverage of Abe’s family ties to politics, entry into politics, rise to the premiership, and style and substance of governing.' -- Pacific Affairs‘Reflecting on the past and speculating the future, the book contains rich insight about Japan under Abe’s government as well as in the coming post-Abe era, which will help us envision Japan’s future.’ -- Nikkei Asian Review‘For more than a decade, Shinzo Abe has been the doorknob of international politics – largely unnoticed but functionally crucial. Throughout a period of tumult, both international and domestic, he has remained a grimly determined steady hand, a conservative force in a world of radical uncertainty. In translucent prose, Tobias Harris is a subtle commentator on Japan and a remarkably sure-footed guide to the inner workings of its longest-serving prime minister in history.' -- David Pilling, Financial Times, author of Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival‘Harris has very skilfully told one of the great political comeback stories of our era – the fall and rise of not just Abe Shinzo, but Japan itself. With colourful anecdotes and insightful analysis, the author shows us how Abe, a political blue-blood, pulled off the most remarkable second act in modern Japanese history by being an iconoclast. Harris tells how Abe challenged taboos and broke the mould to help Japan reclaim its confidence, and its rightful place in the world.’ -- Martin Fackler, former Tokyo bureau chief, New York Times'A superb biography of Abe Shinzo, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, as well as a remarkably detailed political history of Japan, from Abe’s grandfather Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke (1957-60) to Prime Minister Abe. Thoroughly researched, lucidly written. A great achievement.’ -- Ezra Vogel, Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences Emeritus, Harvard University‘The Iconoclast is a well written and comprehensive chronicle of the politics and policies of Japan’s longest serving prime minister.’ -- Gerald L. Curtis, Burgess Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Columbia University

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Book SynopsisBook of the Week on Radio 4, and in the Observer, Sunday Times, Daily Mail and The Week 'Riveting, and immaculately written' Sunday Telegraph 'A superb psychological study of a literary genius' Business Post 'A rounded picture... and gets to Dahl's flawed, human core' Country Life 'Crisply done and well-judged' TLS Roald Dahl was one of the world's greatest storytellers. He conceived his vocation as one as intrepid as that of any explorer and, in his writing for children, he was able to tap into a child's viewpoint throughout his life. He crafted tales that were exotic in scenario, frequently invested with a moral, and filled with vibrant characters that endure in public imagination to the present day. In this brand-new biography, Matthew Dennison re-evaluates the received narrative surrounding Dahl – that of school sporting hero, daredevil pilot, and wartime spy-turned-author – and examines surviving primary resources as well as Dahl's extensive literary output to tell the story of a man who identified as a rule-breaker, an iconoclast and a romantic, both insider and outsider, hero and child's friend.Trade ReviewDevotes a large chunk of his book to Dahl's Norwegian family and schooldays; their combination of warmth, tragedy, inspiration and savagery is brilliantly evoked... [His account] makes you feel grudging admiration for a bully whose self-belief was, in a way, heroic * Sunday Times *Superb psychological study of a literary genius... Matthew Dennison's biography of Roald Dahl manages to peel back the layers of an infamously complex man * Sunday Business Post *Matthew Dennison's streamlined text clips along with an economy befitting Dahl's brusque manner... Dennison presents a rounded picture [...] and gets to Dahl's flawed, human core * Country Life *A well-researched, compact book * Observer *This book is riveting, and immaculately written * Sunday Telegraph *Brace yourself for Dahl mania... Documenting the multi-layered life of Roald Dahl as a creative maverick who created some of the most well-loved characters in literature, this biography reevaluates Dahl by examining his surviving relics * Tatler *A crisply done and well-judged survey of the outline of the life * TLS *[An] impeccably balanced new biography * Mail on Sunday *An intriguing read about a vastly talented but morally weak man * The Anglo-Celt *Dennison recasts the narrative of the daredevil pilot and spy-turned-author as a rule-breaker, romantic and ultimately a child's friend * School House *An elegant new biography... capturing [Dahl’s] grandiose, tragedy-specked life. * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA Daily Telegraph History Book of the Year 'An astonishing story... brilliantly told' Antony Beevor'Gripping... Will appeal to anyone who relishes Ben Macintyre's tales of wartime espionage and cryptic codes.' Sunday Telegraph'A detailed and meticulously researched tale about a pair of young German resisters that reads like a thriller.' New York Times'Deeply engaging, enticingly written and extremely affecting.' Philippe Sands, SpectatorSummertime, 1935. On a lake near Berlin, a young man is out sailing when he glimpses a woman reclining in the prow of a passing boat. Their eyes meet - and one of history's greatest conspiracies is born.Harro Schulze-Boysen had already shed blood in the fight against Nazism by the time he and Libertas Haas-Heye began their whirlwind romance. She joined the cause, and soon the two lovers were leading a network of antifascists that stretched across Berlin's bohemian underworld. Harro himself infiltrated German intelligence and began funnelling Nazi battle plans to the Allies, including the details of Hitler's surprise attack on the Soviet Union. But nothing could prepare Harro and Libertas for the betrayals they would suffer in this war of secrets - a struggle in which friend could be indistinguishable from foe. Drawing on unpublished diaries, letters and Gestapo files, Norman Ohler spins an unforgettable tale of love, heroism and sacrifice.Trade ReviewThe Infiltrators is an astonishing story of the anti-Nazi resistance - a story of love, incredible bravery and self-sacrifice, which could end only in death - and it is brilliantly told. -- Antony Beevor, bestselling author of THE SECOND WORLD WARDeeply engaging, enticingly written and extremely affecting... Original and fascinating... This is a remarkable story, powerfully told, of love and courage and of the balance in the relationship between a couple... A timely reminder of what some citizens are willing to do in the face of autocracy and oppression that once again haunts our times. -- Philippe Sands * Spectator *Gripping... Will appeal to anyone who relishes Ben Macintyre's tales of wartime espionage and cryptic codes, underpinned by terrifying risk, desperate courage, and double dealing... Moving at a cracking pace through a succession of snapshot cross-cut chapters, it is ripe for transformation into a film or television series. But great heroism is properly honoured here: Ohler has done his research diligently and he has an enthralling story to tell. * Sunday Telegraph *The Infiltrators describes an idealistic young German couple, Harro Schulze-Boysen and Libertas Haas-Heye who set up an anti-fascist network that burrowed deep into Nazi society and leaked to the Allies. With depressing inevitability, betrayal and merciless punishment intervened - but this is nonetheless an uplifting tale of heroism. * Simon Heffer, 'History Books of the Year', Daily Telegraph *Ohler masterfully establishes his trustworthiness as a narrator, which is crucial as we travel with him back to the 1930s and then on through the war. He weaves a detailed and meticulously researched tale about a pair of young German resisters that reads like a thriller. * New York Times *Lively... Ohler has given vim to the historical narrative, restored humanity and a genuine love story to the communist canonisation of Schulze-Boysen. * The Times *An unforgettable portrait of two young lovers and their circle of friends in the anti-Hitler resistance, The Infiltrators offers a fascinating glimpse of life in Nazi Germany, where the simple self-assertion of youth was a political act, and daily life was a minefield where missteps could have fatal consequences. -- Joseph Kanon, bestselling author of LEAVING BERLINA thrilling and urgent true story. Inside Nazi Germany, as tyranny spreads, a few friends decide to resist, and a secret circle of anti-fascists starts to grow. They are not mythic heroes but instead flawed humans struggling for meaning in a time of terror: writers, artists, a fashion designer, a dentist. With skill and passion, Norman Ohler brings these remarkable men and women back to life. The Infiltrators is a gift of a book - one I feel a little stronger, a little braver, after reading. -- Jason Fagone, bestselling author of THE WOMAN WHO SMASHED CODESOhler creates a taut, absorbing tale of anti-Nazi resistance. Told in the present tense, the narrative conveys a sense of immediacy and encroaching terror... Sharply drawn characters enliven a tragic history. * Kirkus Reviews *The fascinating and tragic tale of a ragtag, idealistic crew of nonconformists hiding in plain sight while secretly working to fight the Nazis from within... This unbelievable yet true story is richly detailed thanks to the participation of descendants of these courageous resistance fighters; with their help, Ohler succeeds in vividly thwarting the Nazis' attempts to erase these heroes from history. * Booklist *This deeply researched and stylishly written account unearths an appealing yet overlooked chapter in WWII history. Espionage enthusiasts will be riveted. * Publishers Weekly *The Infiltrators paints a picture of a marriage of intellectual equals who are driven by a single shared cause: to bring down the Nazis from within. In telling this story the book draws on diaries, letters and Gestapo files, many of which are previously unpublished, bringing much greater detail to an otherwise known but under-reported story... Gripping. * All About History *Remarkable... Vivid and engaging * TLS *Table of Contents0: The Thick of I 1: Adversaries 2: Work and Marriage (1933-39) 3: Resistance and Love (1939-42) 4: The Black Curtain (Fall 1942) 5: Restitutio Memoriae

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Book SynopsisSt. George is a figure that bridges many worlds. At the heart of the myths and legends surrounding this English icon lies the story of an Early Christian Martyr persecuted by the Roman Empire around the third century AD. But England is only one country to have adopted this legendary soldier saint as their patron. Other countries including Germany, Armenia, Hungary, Portugal and Malta have all claimed him as their own. The cult of St. George is astonishingly widespread with churches being dedicated to him in Ethiopia, Egypt, Greece and France. His heroic struggle and victory against the dragon can be interpreted as representing the bravery of an individual Christian or as the eternal battle been good and evil. But closer examination of the cult of St. George yields unexpected results. There are clear parallels between his legendary battle and that of earlier pre-Christian heroes such as Perseus and Beowulf. St. George is also identified with the Islamic hero Al Khidr who is said to have discovered the fountain of youth. He has been associated with the coming of spring and has functioned as fertility symbol and been closely linked to the Green Man of Pre-Christian Myth. St. George has also acted as a symbol of chastity and served as a healing saint. His flag has been appropriated by the far right but in recent times come to identify a multi-cultural England. David Beckham arguably embodies many of the contradictory aspects of St. George as sex symbol, multi-racial icon and national hero.Trade Reviewfascinating...Well written and meandering delightfully, Morgan held my attention more than I had anticipated -- Bob Rickard * Fortean Times *

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Book SynopsisWhat makes a man put politics and ambition before family? Ed Miliband is perhaps the least understood political leader of modern times. This book reveals where he has come from and where he is going. It charts his unique upbringing, against the backdrop of tragedy and with a prominent Marxist thinker for a father. But Ed's story cannot be fully understood outside the context of his struggle to emerge from the shadow of his elder brother, David. Ed followed David to the same college at Oxford, into Parliament and into the Cabinet before, at the eleventh hour, snatching away David's dream of the leadership.Trade Review"Well written and expertly researched, this book is essential reading for anybody wanting to understand either Ed Miliband or the modern Labour Party." Peter Oborne "Exhaustively researched and written with unflagging energy ... may prove to be the definitive account of the formative years and rise to power. "John Gray, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisWhat would you do if you lived under the ugliest of regimes, a byword for repression and injustice? What would you do if you knew that you could stay safe only if you stayed quiet? Most of us like to think we'd stand up to fight against evil, and yet the vast majority of white South Africans either stood by and said nothing or actively participated in the oppression and carnage during apartheid. Ad & Wal is the story of two modest people who became notorious, two survivors who did what they thought was right, two parents who rebelled against the apartheid regime knowing they were putting themselves and their family in grave danger. Ad & Wal is the story of an ordinary couple who did extraordinary things despite the odds. How did they come to their decision? What exactly did they do? What can we learn from them? Peter Hain, MP and former Cabinet minister, tells the story of his parents - campaigners, fighters, exiles - in this searing and inspiring account.Trade Review"This book is a fascinating inside account of some of the key events and players of the apartheid years." Sian Griffiths, Sunday Times "Hain, a former Labour Cabinet Minister, gives himself a minimal role in the book, referring to himself in the third person and giving all the credit to his extraordinary, ordinary parents." Richard Dowden, The Times "The cover of Peter Hain's biography of his parents, Adelaine and Walter, shows a couple who appear utterly typical English-speaking white South Africans of the 1950s - yet somehow they lacked the willful blindness of all but a handful of their peers to the injustice on which their privilege rested." The Independent "There is much to like about this book and its stories of resistance among the white South African community, both in South Africa and in exile...a particularly interesting first-hand insight into the UK's vibrant anti-apartheid movement." Progress "[A] powerful tale of a couple who fought to make the world a better place." Port Talbot and Neath Courier "[T]his is a beguiling book that casts a light not just on the politics of the time but on human motivation - It is the small acts of cruelty and kindness that make this narrative so captivating." The Observer, John Kampfner "Much of the detail of this period, by the way, is based on Walter's own accounts in his diary. This is a diary that he wasn't supposed to keep, an order that he ignored in an early act of rebellion. Thank goodness he did, because not only is the first-hand account compelling, but his sketches are exquisite and would be impressive in any context, let alone having been drawn while on active service. Their inclusion in this volume is inspired - Ad and Wal has the strong dramatic structure of a novel - Hain writes in a fluid and unadorned style - He has a good eye for telling details - This is a very personal story, as much a love story as one of protest and politics." Wales Art Review, Adrian Masters "A revealing story about a couple who lived under the ugliest of regimes and were shocked by repression and injustice, galvanised by their own humanity to speak out." Daily Post "He (Hain) makes their day-to-day struggles much more personal than anything I recall hearing or reading myself." Interlib

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Book SynopsisDespite his tenure of three of the four Great Offices of State, his popularity with the electorate and the truly revolutionary 1944 Education Act that bears his name, Richard Austen 'Rab' Butler narrowly missed out on the premiership on three separate occasions during his political career, earning him the sobriquet that has attached to his name ever since - The Best Prime Minister That Britain Never Had.Banished from the inner council of the War Cabinet for his support of appeasement, Butler used his time as Education Minister wisely to emerge as the progressive face of the post-war Tory Party, going on to spend four years at the Treasury before the gradual but relentless eclipse of his career after Anthony Eden's accession.Was Butler an over-ambitious, condescending intellectual who had antagonised enough colleagues in the course of his career to ensure he would ultimately be thwarted? Or did he simply not want the leadership enough? Could this liberal Tory, in tune with the electorate, have led the Conservatives to victory in the 1964 election?In this robust and insightful biography of the great nearly-man of British politics, bestselling author Michael Jago looks to answer whether Rab Butler really was 'The Best Prime Minister We Never Had'.Trade Review"[An] excellent political biography ... well worth reading." - The Spectator; "[An] excellent, insightful biography of Rab Butler, ... a thoughtful, liberal Conservative whose time never seemed to come."- Choice

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Book SynopsisThis is the true story of Louisa Carolina Colleton, whose tale could have flown from the pages of a gothic novel. In 1777, at the age of fourteen, after many adventures, the beautiful heiress inherited valuable estates on two sides of the Atlantic. As in every good gothic novel, Louisa's father died, and having been deserted by her mother, she went to live with her maternal uncle in his early Tudor manor in the depths of the Devon countryside. Eight years later she left England to salvage her inheritance, a journey which took her to the Bahamas, and then to South Carolina. On her return to England she married a dashing naval officer, with whom she had ten children. Her affairs were much commented on at the time by relations and friends: we can occasionally be privy to the chaos around her dining table, or her distress at the death of one of her children. She had another traumatic adventure on the Atlantic at the age of thirty-five, when her ship was captured by French privateers. Over the years, despite her best endeavours, her fortune was demolished by the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, corrupt lawyers, fraudulent deeds, a spendthrift husband and profligate son.Table of Contents1. The Sovereign Lords Proprietors 2. Tell Mamma 3. Spurious Issue 4. Blue Gold 5. Mournful Event 6. It is all Over 7. Perfectly Fruitless 8. Hands of Kings 9. Our Little Queen 10. A Stranger in My Native Land 11. A Poor Match 12. Disallowed 13. 'Artillery of tears' 14. Cargo of Rice 15. Captured 16. Joy to Agony 17. Dark Scene 18. Upon Velvet 19. Corrupt Jobs 20. Trammels of Debt 21. Impossible 22. Forgery 23. Verses on the Cat 24. Heap of Dust Epilogue Postscript - The Yellow Portrait Acknowledgments Family Trees Select Bibliography

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Book SynopsisDom Felice Vaggioli wrote this autobiography between 1909 and 1911, after the publication in Italy of his History of New Zealand and its Inhabitants. One of the first Benedictine monks to be sent to New Zealand, he arrived in 1879 and returned home in 1887, having worked in Gisbourne, Auckland and the Coromandel. A Deserter's Adventures is Vaggioli's title, as he was a concientious objector, or "draft-dodger," as a young monk and so termed himself "a deserter." This is typical of the individual who emerges from these pages: always questioning, and always applying a strong sense of justice and fine logic to the many dilemmas he found himself in as a missionary priest in New Zealand.

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Book SynopsisWiremu Pere (Wi Pere) lived from 1837 to 1915, leading his tribes of Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga a Mahaki through some of the most turbulent chapters of New Zealand history. He stood resolute against colonialism and entered parliament to stand up for his East Coast people, yet was astute in his business dealings and was compromised in the views of many Pakeha and Maori. This handsome book, illustrated with numerous photographs, whakapapa and maps, sets out the many sides Wi Pere''s life and times with a particular focus on his family life, parliamentary career and contributions to the East Coast.

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Book SynopsisSir Peter Blake was a New Zealand hero -- sailor, adventurer, leader and environmentalist. Competing in ocean races, he clocked up as many sea miles as any seafarer in history, with some epic victories. Then he led his small country to win the America''s Cup (twice!), and gave his last years to helping the environment. Award-winning author Tessa Duder tells the gripping story of Sir Peter''s life for teenage readers, revealing what made him an inspirational leader. The book features boxes backgrounding sailing skills, the America''s Cup and other key points, and is richly illustrated with photos from his life (including 8 pages of colour).

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Book SynopsisThe incredible, moving story of Wiremu Maopo, the last of his line in a large South Island family, who joined the second Maori Contingent and went off to fight in the First World War. Wiremu writes regularly to his friend Virgie, and the story of Wiremu''s life is woven around 40 letters that he penned during the War. All of Wiremu''s siblings died of illness either in childhood or later in life and when he returns from the war ironically he is the only surviving member of the once large family. Wiremu was unaware during and after the war that his girlfriend Phoebe had given birth to a daughter who would carry on his line. The Last Maopo also follows Phoebe''s story and reconnects the Maopo line with the author, Wiremu''s great-granddaughter.

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Book SynopsisIn this collection of firsthand accounts by those who knew Cesar Chavez best, a portrait of an uncommonly complex man, both driven and focused, yet humble, empathic and exceedingly principled, emerges. The reader gains an understanding of the yoke Chavez chose to place upon his own shoulders, as well as the ideals he employed to accomplish for the migrant farmworkers what many predicted would be impossible. The 45+ contributors range from the famous -- Edward James Olmos, Henry Cisneros, Martin Sheen, Coretta Scott King, Jerry Brown and others -- to members of the Chavez family, to UFW staff, to the farmworkers themselves. Illustrated by the compelling black and white photographs of George Elfie Ballis, who began photographing the farmworker movement in the 1950s.

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Book SynopsisCalifornia Gold Country historian George Hoeper reveals what promises to be the final piece to the 100-year-old puzzle of the infamous stagecoach robber Black Bart. For over eight years the mysterious and very polite Charles Boles (alias Black Bart) plagued Wells Fargo & Co. with a string of at least 28 stagecoach robberies. During theis time, Bart, who operated on foot with an unloaded shotgun and never robbed stagecoach passengers or drivers, soon became something of a folk legend. Between robberies Bart would live the life of a boulevardier in San Francisco, hobnobbing with the city''s best. In 1888 he disappeared from the Palace Hotel in Visalia, CA, never to be heard from again. Speculation has placed Bart in many places, including the Eastern Seaboard, Mexico and Japan, but according to information Hoeper has uncovered, it is more likely the legendary Black Bart met his demise in the dry Nevada wasteland and today rests in a sandy, unmarked grave.

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Book SynopsisThis is a testimony of intricate detail that describes a young girl''s survival in ghettos and concentration camps between 1942 and 1945. Readers follow her heart-breaking journey from Vienna to the Theresienstadt Ghetto to Auzchwitz to a labour camp near Breslau, followed by the alienation she feels upon returning to Vienna, her subsequent journey to Prague, and finally the realization of her dream to immigrate to Palestine. Chava Kohavi Pines was born Eva Hirsch in 1927 in Vienna, Austria, to a middle-class Jewish family. Since immigrating to Palestine in 1946, the author has resided in Kibbutz Dorot in the northern Negev where she worked as a teacher and counsellor for years. Only with forty years'' distance from the trauma of her youth has she been able to write an account of some of her experiences under Hitler.

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Book SynopsisChristina Isajiw's book Negotiating Human Rights: In Defence of Dissidents during the Soviet Era. A Memoir chronicles the activities of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians (WCFU) during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly this NGO's defense of Ukrainian dissidents and human rights activists within the context of the so-called Helsinki Process that followed the signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975. The author recounts the courage and dedication of human rights activists in the former USSR and the efforts on the part of their supporters in the West to lobby Western governments to pressure the political establishments of the USSR and other Eastern bloc countries to implement the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Final Act. In describing the many international conferences and intergovernmental negotiations that provided the framework for these activities, the author provides insight into the evolution of the Helsinki Process and the development of Western commitment to human rights, all of which contributed to the revolutionary changes in Eastern Europe of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The book includes a CD with relevant documentation.

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Book SynopsisHighway 97 winds its way from the high desert plains of northern California to the Yukon-British Columbia border, making it North America''s longest north-south road. Author Jim Couper takes you on a spectacular guided tour from one end of this unsung highway to the other, mixing historical anecdotes with information on colourful local events and must-see points of interest. From hot springs to volcanoes, dynamic cities to ghost towns, Highway 97 holds surprises and charms at every turn. Take in the lava beds and deserts, arid uplands and giant cedars, and orchards and vineyards of Oregon and Washington. Above the border, cruise through BC''s sunny Okanagan, famous for its roadside fruit and vegetable stands and 60 outstanding wineries. Marvel at pristine lakes, mighty rivers and marble canyons in Cariboo ranch country, where gold-rush lore and friendly people make it a land for all seasons. End your tour in the northern wilderness, where untamed nature still holds sway. This entertaining, practical guide is invaluable to anyone interested in travelling all or part of this fascinating road.

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Book SynopsisHow the city reporters of the 1950s must have loved Major Matthews. Eminently quotable, forthright and provocative in speech . . . his mere presence at any discussion of a contentious nature would be enough to ensure a wealth of good copy, and a strong, catchy headline as well. So writes Daphne Sleigh in her compelling biography of controversial archivist Major James Skitt Matthews, whose dedication, dogged persistence and guerrilla tactics were instrumental in preserving the history of Vancouver, British Columbia. One of the city''s great "characters," Matthews was as noted for his fiery nature as he was for his obsession with collecting artifacts and oral histories. In founding the City of Vancouver Archives, the prickly Major ensured that the history of his beloved "magic city" would be available to future generations. By the time Matthews took up the heritage cause, he had already lived an adventurous, action-packed life. Sleigh''s portrait of the Major covers his unique background and the unusual experiences that shaped the man and set the stage for a remarkable future.

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Book SynopsisThis is a delightful collection of tales by authors from British Columbia''s rugged Cariboo-Chilcotin region, and a few "outsiders." Joining well-known Cariboo favourites Rich Hobson, Paul St. Pierre and Eric Collier are Barry Broadfoot and his touching tribute to Cariboo legend Fred Lindsay; historian/journalist Bruce Ramsey and his description of Barkerville''s Chinatown; and pioneer Bill Hong and his account of what was done with the buried remains of Barkerville''s Chinese residents. From Edith Beeson''s Dunlevey comes a gripping eyewitness account of a near-fatal Aboriginal wrestling match in 1859. Other stories include pioneer and wilderness lover Lutie Cochran''s tale of her mischievous pet weasel, and a tender vignette about a loon family by Will D. Jenkins Sr. New stories by old favourites Irene Stangoe, Hilary Place and Eldon Lee mingle with gems of wry Cariboo wit by Doc Holley, Chilco Choate and Fred Lindsay.

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Book SynopsisThe blossoming of Métis society and culture in the 19th century marked a fascinating and colourful era in western Canadian history. Drawing from journals and contemporary sources, Irene Ternier Gordon presents a vivid account of Métis life in the area that is now Saskatchewan and Alberta. Here are the stories of the masters of the plains--Métis buffalo hunters, traders and entrepreneurs like Louis Goulet, Norbert Welsh and the legendary Gabriel Dumont. Many enjoyed lives of freedom and adventure, yet also faced heartbreak as their way of life came to an end. From the delightful details of marriage customs, feasts and fancy clothing to the sad consequences of the events of 1885, this book is a vivid chronicle of Métis life.

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Book SynopsisBronc Busters and Hay Sloops tells the story of ranching in the West from the beginning of the Great War until 1960. Cowboy soldiers, bronc busters, First Nations, upper-crust Englishmen and the strong, capable women of ranching country . . . theirs are the stories told in this book. Some of these characters are larger than life, such as: Joe Coutlee, cow boss of the Douglas Lake Ranch, whose booming voice gave him the nickname "Roaring Bill"; Grover Hance, who roped one of his men and tied him to a tree until he sobered up; Florence "Bunch" Trudeau, whose pet moose got a little too big for comfort; Ollie Matheson, one of the only women to ride in the Williams Lake Stampede''s death-defying Mountain Race; Anne Paxton, who tended cattle, guided big-game hunters, ran pack horses and a ranch; Bill Arnold, who could ride "anything that wore hide." Ken takes readers inside sprawling ranches, which were self-contained communities in themselves, and small family-run homesteads scratched out of the wilderness. Like his first book on ranching history, Buckaroos and Mudpups, this is an engaging look at fascinating times and the people who made them so.

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Book SynopsisIn 1993 Mary Kiyooka sat with her son Roy Kiyooka, one of Canada’s most important avant-garde painters, and a tape recorder and in her native Japanese shared her memories with him—her childhood in Japan, her arrival as a married woman in Canada, and her family’s experience in Alberta during the Japanese internment period.

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Book SynopsisThe Canadian media were the first to bring Master Corporal Paul Franklin''s story to the public, and it is only fitting that award-winning journalist Liane Faulder brings the full account of his return from a war zone. The Long Walk Home: Paul Franklin''s Journey from Afghanistan documents the recovery of a soldier injured in a 2006 suicide bombing that left one Canadian diplomat dead, and two comrades in arms wounded. Although Franklin made a promise to his wife that he would come home alive, he needed the heroic help of soldiers on the scene and a medical team abroad to keep his word. He lost both of his legs above the knee as the result of his injuries, but returned home determined to walk again. Within four months of his injury, and against the odds and predictions of doctors, Franklin learned to walk on artificial legs. He continues to represent the courage of Canadian troops overseas as he rebuilds his life at home with his wife Audra and their young son, Simon. As a family on a journey to recovery, they are determined to stand, and walk, together. The Long Walk Home: Paul Franklin''s Journey from Afghanistan is a story of loss, courage, love and hope. It inspires all of those -- military and civilians alike -- who wonder how they will take that next step when tough times challenge the body and the spirit.

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Book SynopsisThe eponymous pearl, Martinha Rozells, embodies the rich and diverse heritage of the Straits in the 18th century. Her husband, Captain Light, is the dragon in search of his elusive pearl: a British settlement on the Straits of Malacca. Through their eyes we experience the rich culture of the region and its tumultuous politics.

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