Biography Books

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Book SynopsisFirst Across the Continent, by Noah Brooks, is an enthralling historical narrative of the extraordinary trip of the United States' first transcontinental railroad. Brooks takes readers on an enthralling journey through the challenges, achievements, and personal tales that shaped this massive project. The book digs into the bold idea of uniting the United States' East and West coastlines via a single continuous railroad line. Brooks eloquently depicts the visionaries, engineers, laborers, and financiers who helped to make this huge endeavor a reality. He highlights the enormous physical challenges faced, such as dangerous terrain, adverse weather conditions, and the vast distance that had to be overcome. Brooks mixes personal histories of those involved among the technical intricacies of construction, providing insight into the lives of the people who worked relentlessly to make the dream of a transcontinental train a reality.

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Book SynopsisFrom Ferdinand Dennis, the critically acclaimed author of the novel Duppy Conqueror, comes The Black and White Museum, a collection of both highly personal and universal short stories. These at their heart reveal the emotional drama of faded love, the loss of individual and shared memory and the wistful longing for home. His stories powerfully portray the black presence in post-Windrush London, with its hurtling gentrification and everyday racism. Ferdinand's characters gain wisdom and maturity with age but become powerless, as they are less able to change the course of their lives. For some there is the temptation of a return "home" but home, like London, has also moved on and is not the paradise of their memories. 'I first encountered the short story form during my West London Comprehensive schooldays in Doris Lessing's Nine African Short Stories. Since then I have devoured short stories from de Maupassant, Joyce, Somerset Maugham, Flannery O'Connor, Marquez, John Cheever and William Trevor, as well as collections from the Caribbean, North and South America and Britain'. Ferdinand DennisTrade Review'A writer inspired by the idea and realities of African and the African diaspora, which he has explored in novels, short stories and travelogues, creating a unique body of work that deserves greater recognition' [Margaret Busby] ; An elegant writer, both in fiction and non-fiction who deftly weaves the takes of the diaspora into his work' [Gary Young]; 'Dennis does not disappoint with memories "rushing forward like volunteers for a good cause". Riveting, sensitive snapshots of inner city London Life'[Yvonne Brewster, author and founder of Talawa Theatre Company] '15 short stories written over five decades, confirms Ferdinand Dennis as a flâneur and urban philosopher exploring territory he first began to map in his now classic novels' [GUARDIAN]

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Book SynopsisA heartbreaking account of a poor and illiterate young West African’s odyssey to Europe, translated by one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights. Ibrahima, whose family live in a village in the West African country of Guinea, helps his father sell shoes at a street stall in the capital, Conakry. At the sudden death of his father, he becomes the head of the family and picks up various skills, always alone and away from home, although his dream is to be a truck driver in his country. But when his little brother, Alhassane, suddenly disappears, heading for Europe in a bid to earn money for the family, Ibrahima leaves everything behind to try to find him and convince him to go back to their village and continue his education. In an epic journey, Ibrahima risks his life many times searching for his little brother. Each waystation that Ibrahima passes through takes him to another world, with different customs, other languages, other landscapes, other currencies, and new challenges to overcome. His willpower is astonishing, and the friendship and generosity of strangers he encounters on the way help him to keep going. After enduring many trials and tribulations, he learns of Alhassane’s fate. Unable to return home, he embarks on the journey to Europe himself. Little Brother is a testimonial account that gives a voice, heart, and soul, and flesh and bones to the seemingly nameless masses of people struggling and dying, trying only to achieve a better life for themselves and their families.Trade Review‘The charm of this wonderful book is both in the simplicity and the innocence of the storytelling. Ibrahima’s quest is at times heartbreaking, at times amusing, but steadfastly fascinating and admirable. His stream-of-consciousness delivery, with no detail too small to omit, will captivate readers and keep them turning the pages. This inspirational book should be mandatory reading at every school in the country.’ -- Robin Yocum, award-winning author of The Essay‘Who among us could have walked half so far, survived half so many perils, as Ibrahima Balde? Told with innocence and honesty, his is an astounding story of kindness, cruelty, and everything in between.’ -- Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee‘A deeply moving novel that reminds us of the power of perseverance and love in the face of violent borders. This is an important book.’ -- Reece Jones, author of White Borders‘A breathtaking and eye-opening account in the best tradition of storytelling, where a true story is told simply and without embellishment, for Balde's painful journey needs none. Along the way, we are brought into a world where, despite unimaginable cruelty and violence, compassion is found in the slightest of places and where people who have so little to give always find a way to do so. Above all, perhaps, it is an incredible story of dedication, loyalty, and one boy's determination to do the right thing, despite all odds.’ -- Mark R. Thornton, author of Kid Moses‘A heartbreaking account of a poor West African's journey to Europe, prompted by the disappearance of his younger brother who had gone ahead. From a remote village in Guinea, Ibrahima's journey takes in a range of cultures, languages and dangers in a story that says far more than dehumanising statistics ever could.’ * The New European *‘Balde’s narration is concise and unemotional, but its lightness of touch belies the weight of worry and expectation he has carried since the age of 13.’ * New Internationalist *

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Book SynopsisMy Life, Volume 2, penned by the renowned composer Richard Wagner, offers a compelling autobiographical narrative that delves into the continued journey of his life and creative endeavors. This book has been deemed a classic and has been a great collection of ideas that are comprehended into a single draft to read by readers of several age groups. This volume provides a detailed account of Wagner's experiences and thoughts, and also reflections during a pivotal phase of his existence. The book chronicles Wagner's artistic evolution, shedding light on his compositions, operatic works, and the challenges he encountered in his pursuit of artistic excellence. It offers insights into his relationships, including his complex interactions with fellow artists, patrons, and critics. Wagner's deep passion for music and his relentless determination to reshape the world of opera are evident throughout the narrative. Volume 2 also provides a window into Wagner's personal life, revealing his thoughts on philosophy, society, and politics. The author's candid reflections on his struggles and triumphs add a layer of authenticity to the narrative, giving readers a profound understanding of the man behind the music.

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Book SynopsisA shocking depiction of one of the world’s most ruthless regimes — and the story of one woman’s fight to survive. I will never forget the camp. I cannot forget the eyes of the prisoners, expecting me to do something for them. They are innocent. I have to tell their story, to tell about the darkness they are in. It is so easy to suffocate us with the demons of powerlessness, shame, and guilt. But we aren’t the ones who should feel ashamed. Born in China’s north-western province, Sayragul Sauytbay trained as a doctor before being appointed a senior civil servant. But her life was upended when the Chinese authorities incarcerated her. Her crime: being Kazakh, one of China’s ethnic minorities. The north-western province borders the largest number of foreign nations and is the point in China that is the closest to Europe. In recent years it has become home to over 1,200 penal camps — modern-day gulags that are estimated to house three million members of the Kazakh and Uyghur minorities. Imprisoned solely due to their ethnicity, inmates are subjected to relentless punishment and torture, including being beaten, raped, and used as subjects for medical experiments. The camps represent the greatest systematic incarceration of an entire people since the Third Reich. In prison, Sauytbay was put to work teaching Chinese language, culture, and politics, in the course of which she gained access to secret information that revealed Beijing’s long-term plans to undermine not only its minorities, but democracies around the world. Upon her escape to Europe she was reunited with her family, but still lives under the constant threat of reprisal. This rare testimony from the biggest surveillance state in the world reveals not only the full, frightening scope of China’s tyrannical ambitions, but also the resilience and courage of its author.Trade Review‘The Chief Witness is a deeply disturbing insight into the dark heart of the Chinese Communist Party and its reign of terror in Xinjiang. It will rank historically along with the great literary exposés of the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps and the Soviet gulag. If you thought another Holocaust could never happen, pick up this book. Told with an aching honesty, Sayragul Sautbay’s account of her experience in China’s concentration camps in Xinjiang wounds the soul.’ -- Clive Hamilton‘An extraordinary testament to Sauytbay’s bravery.’ -- Edward Lucas * The Times *‘A remarkable story of a woman’s pride, suffering, and resilience … It is only through accounts such as this one … that the world can sift the evidence.’ -- Michael Sheridan * The Sunday Times *‘Stunning.’ -- Ed Needham * Strong Words *

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Book SynopsisFrom an acclaimed British author, a sharply focused, riveting account — told from inside the White House — of the crucial days, hours, and moments when the Watergate conspiracy consumed, and ultimately toppled, a president. In January 1973, Richard Nixon was inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. But by April his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasised into what White House counsel John Dean called ‘a full-blown cancer’. King Richard is the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate burglars and their handlers in the administration turned on one another, revealing their direct connection to the White House. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly released taped recordings, Michael Dobbs takes us into the very heart of the conspiracy, recreating these dramatic events in unprecedentedly vivid detail. He captures the growing paranoia of the principal players, and their desperate attempts to deflect blame, as the noose tightened around them and the daily pressures became increasingly unbearable. At the centre of this spellbinding drama is Nixon himself, a man whose strengths — particularly his determination to win at all costs — were also his fatal flaws. Structured like a classical tragedy with a uniquely American twist, this is an epic and deeply human story of ambition, power, and betrayal.Trade Review‘The book is excellent at painting the scene … I’ve often been asked to recommend a good, brisk and readable single-volume account of Watergate. I think in future I will recommend this one.' -- Daniel Finkelstein * The Times *‘Donald Trump had tweets but Nixon had tapes: 3,700 hours of them … They have proved a goldmine for Michael Dobbs … whose elegantly written book, King Richard — Nixon and Watergate: an American tragedy, zooms in on the hundred days that followed Nixon’s second inauguration and led to his downfall.’ -- David Smith * The Guardian *‘Rich and kaleidoscopic … In [Dobbs'] wry and absorbing narrative I sensed an ironic dimension … A portrait of a petulant, insecure man who fancied himself king, or something like it … King Richard distinguishes itself in part by limiting its narrative mostly to the first hundred days after Nixon’s second inauguration … This circumscribed frame allows Dobbs to deploy his observational gifts to full effect … Out of this raw material, Dobbs has carved out something intimate and extraordinary, skilfully chiseling out the details to bring the story to lurid life.’ -- Jennifer Szalai * The New York Times *‘Michael Dobbs is a master at narrative history. By focusing on the most critical 100 days of Watergate, and by sticking closely to the written and spoken record, Dobbs is able to bring to life the tragedy of Richard Nixon in a way no one else has. A truly gripping read and a moving portrait.’ -- Evan Thomas, author of Being Nixon‘The potent research and narrative skills of Michael Dobbs reach new heights in King Richard, his Shakespearean study of the endlessly compelling self-inflicted fall of Richard Nixon. Here again, as he did in his study of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dobbs applies his signature technique of revealing character through the dramatic compression of time. It makes for illuminating and addictively readable history.’ -- David Maraniss, author of Barack Obama: the story‘Highly readable … If All the President’s Men was the first rough draft of Watergate history, this is the polished rewrite. Older readers will enjoy its deft mix of personality, history, and politics — and younger ones can spare themselves from ploughing through the dustier volumes on the Watergate shelf.’ -- Colin Freeman * The Telegraph *‘The tale of the two-bit break-in at Washington’s Watergate building and its monumental consequences is complex and labyrinthine, but Dobbs manages to tell it with sparkling clarity … he tells the story amazingly well.’ -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *‘This beautifully written and stunningly detailed portrait of one hundred essential days at the beginning of Nixon’s second term brings the Watergate scandal, its colourful cast of characters and Nixon himself to life in a way we’ve never before seen. Dobbs’s deep dive into the conversations that Nixon obsessively recorded … gives the book amazing authenticity. … King Richard’s vivid characterisations, novelistic detail and universal human themes make this a work of our time and for all time.’ -- Greg Garrett * The Spectator *‘The unraveling of Richard Nixon’s presidency plays out in intimate detail in this vivid recreation of a key period in the Watergate scandal … An indelible study of a political antihero.’ * Publishers Weekly, starred review *‘Spellbinding … Masterful … The author delivers an intimate, engrossing picture of Nixon as a visionary man “obsessed with privacy and solitude,” an affectionate husband and father, and a gut-fighting outsider mystified by power and all its trappings, styling himself as a kind of blend of Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Disraeli, and Charles de Gaulle. A riveting portrait of ambition, hubris, betrayal, and the downfall of an American president.’ * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *‘This is a compelling, moment-by-moment narrative, psychological as much as political, offering a sense of intimacy with the beleaguered Nixon without mawkishness.’ * Booklist, starred review *‘The strength of the work stems from Dobbs’s bringing lesser-known events into clear focus … Spanning biography and history, this is a gripping narrative and a fine account of events in the presidency. Recommended for readers unfamiliar with Watergate or in need of a refresher.’ * Library Journal *‘A balanced but frank account of a critical period in Richard Nixon’s downfall and a valuable addition to the literature of this dramatic era in American political history … Engrossing.’ * BookPage *A fascinating and informative read. -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Times *‘Dobbs’ book does a remarkable job of following the chronology briskly while making tight diversions to fill in the back story and relate biographies of the main characters.’ -- Nick Mattiske * Insights *‘Does the world need another history of the Watergate scandal? If it’s this good, yes.’ -- Tim Stanley * Literary Review *‘This fast-paced opus would be a rollicking fun read, a beach book even, if it weren’t so doggone real – and if it wasn’t so reminiscent of recent machinations in our nation’s capital. But fun or not, this is an important book at this moment in our tortured political history.’ * USA Today, starred review *‘Engrossing … a gripping psychological portrait.’ -- Andrew Lynch * The Sunday Business Post *‘Richard Nixon, who’s own naughty mouth, blind spots and pathetic unraveling gets a renewed intimacy in Michael Dobbs’ surprisingly riveting King Richard: Nixon and Watergate. Like a great curse word, you have heard it endlessly, but told through a fresh voice, it’s as fun as it is lurid.’ -- Christopher Borelli * Chicago Tribune *‘Smart and highly readable … Dobbs has a talent for you-are-there description … Vivid and fun.’ -- David Greenberg * New York Times Book Review *‘Dobbs … has a keen sense of drama. And, by focusing on the 100 days after Nixon’s triumphant second inauguration, he provides a clever lens for viewing most all of the president’s disastrous decisions, with an intimacy — due to Dobbs’s subtle choice of extracts from the tapes — that is stunning … The story Dobbs tells is, by turns, hilarious, pathetic and infuriating.’ -- Joe Klein * Washington Post *‘Brings the semi-tragic Nixon story to life in a form which has the same breathless pace and thrill-ride drama of a 1995 Oliver Stone blockbuster biopic. But it’s even more rewarding for fans of American political history, with additional depth and analysis, more richly drawn characters, and the kind of authenticity only access to real documentary evidence can bring.’ * Big Issue *‘Vivid … King Richard [has] a better shot than most histories have at reaching younger readers. At the same time, it gives a (much) older generation of Watergate junkies a way to rediscover the dark intrigues of Nixon and his entourage — with notes of relief that we all survived, and perhaps a touch of nostalgia as well … Dobbs achieves something of a cinematic effect … Whether you lived through the Watergate years, or have studied them since, Dobbs’ book hearkens back to an era when even a president elected in a landslide could be held to account by the system itself.’ -- Ron Elving * NPR *‘Fresh … Ingenious … It is Dobbs’s ability to use the techniques of fiction — getting inside the characters’ heads and reconstructing their interactions scene by scene — that gives this book its page-turning power.’ -- Charlotte Allen * Washington Examiner *‘A rollicking narrative history of the first 100 days of Nixon’s second term — the break-in, the cover-up, the investigation — that manages to be searing, humane, and addictive.’ -- Alessandra Stanley * Air Mail *‘With access to thousands of hours of released tapes, as well as other primary sources, Dobbs offers cogent detail and individual anecdotes about Nixon and his co-conspirators … With cohesion of purpose, command of subject, wealth of specificity and precision of prose, Dobbs fashions an absorbing narrative. A capital work of history rendered with Dobbs’ ability to convey immediacy, King Richard adds welcome clarity and nuance to the Watergate story.’ * The Free Lance-Star *Praise for Six Months in 1945: ‘[S]uperbly evocative … So vivid is the writing that you can practically feel the shuddering vibration and turbulence in what was then the state-of-the-art aircraft carrying Roosevelt on the first visit by an American president to the Soviet Union.’ * San Francisco Chronicle *Praise for Six Months in 1945: ‘Elegant and convincing … Dobbs's description of the fledgling relationship between the two superpowers is unerringly fascinating.’ * The Washington Post *Praise for Six Months in 1945: ‘Elegantly written … Dobbs delivers engaging portraits of the national leaders … A confident and rewarding survey of a hinge point in 20th century history.’ * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for One Minute to Midnight: ‘A book with sobering new information about the world's only superpower nuclear confrontation — as well as contemporary relevance … Filled with insights that will change the views of experts and help inform a new generation.’ -- Richard Holbrooke * The New York Times Book Review *Praise for One Minute to Midnight: ‘Did we need another book on the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? Anyone reading One Minute to Midnight will quickly realise that we did need another — and that this is it. This is unquestionably the most complete and accurate account of the crisis that we have, and will no doubt long remain so. Michael Dobbs has managed to combine the careful and thorough research of a scholar into the ability of an able journalist to bring his findings to life in a dramatic story that illuminates the historical events it examines with lively characterisation of the people who made up the cast of the drama. It is first rate great history and a great read!’ -- Ambassador Raymond Garthoff, former intelligence analyst and author of Reflections on the Cuban Missile CrisisPraise for One Minute to Midnight: ‘At a time of danger for a nation it is important for political leaders first to think, then to think more and try avoid shooting. This book gives a day by day perspective on how two world leaders, John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev, showed their ability to manage a crisis. Thanks to them, humanity survived and we are able to read this book.’ -- Sergei KhrushchevPraise for Winston's War: ‘An author who can bring historical happenings so vitally back to life and made all the more impressive by being historically accurate in every respect.’ * Times of London *Praise for Winston's War: ‘Dobbs takes us so far inside the mind of Winston Churchill that we feel as though we actually are him.’ * Booklist *Praise for Winston's War: ‘Dobbs infuses dramatic tension, inventive plots, and heady pacing in the narration of a British icon's noblest hours.’ * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisAn Account of the Conquest of Peru by Pedro Sancho is an ancient narrative that offers a comprehensive take a look at the conquest of the Inca Empire by Spanish conquistadors for the duration of the sixteenth century. Sancho, a Spanish conquistador and eyewitness to those events, presents a brilliant and special account of the day trip led by using Francisco Pizarro and the dramatic downfall of the Inca civilization. Sancho's paintings are a precious historical record that falls into the genre of historic chronicles and firsthand bills. He skillfully describes the motivations, strategies, and demanding situations faced by means of the Spanish conquistadors as they ventured into the coronary heart of the Inca Empire, culminating in the capture of the Inca ruler Atahualpa and the subsequent Spanish domination of Peru. The narrative explores the conflict of civilizations, with the Spanish wielding superior weaponry and technology at the same time as the Inca Empire possessed excellent wealth and cultural complexity. Sancho's writing captures the brutality of the conquest, the interactions among the Spaniards and the indigenous peoples, and the profound cultural and social adjustments added approximately by means of Spanish rule. An Account of the Conquest of Peru is an enormous historical supply, losing mild on the conquest's geopolitical, social, and monetary implications.

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Book SynopsisNo one grows up dreaming of becoming an economist. Until the late nineteenth century, economics couldn't even be studied at university and was the preserve of polymathic figures whose radical curiosity drew them to an evolving discipline that was little understood and often derided. Each of the thirteen chapters of this book tells the story of just such a figure. Each of their extraordinary lives is worthy of fiction, and the manner of their deaths, oddly, often illuminates their work. In the Long Run We're All Dead shows us how these economists developed the theories for which they became famous, even if, tragically, much too late for them to enjoy their fame. And these often-complex ideas - of Utilitarianism, of Social Costs, of the Endowment Effect, to name just a few - are explained here with reference to the lives of their creators in a style that is engaging, irreverent, and comic. Though Frank tells us about these lives is true, this is also a book of imaginative speculation that considers how economist's principles might be applied to problems of today and of the future. 'In the long run', said John Maynard Keynes, 'we are all dead.' A blandly straightforward statement but one, when uttered by perhaps the greatest economist of the twentieth century, intriguingly gnomic too. Keynes is but one of the eccentrics, radical, unconventional, and often revolutionary thinkers who lives Frank entertainingly recounts.Trade Review‘This is a fascinating, readable, and quirky set of mini-biographies of some leading, and more obscure economists, united in having interesting lives and deaths. [Frank] manages to tell us something new about Keynes, List, Schumpeter and Thunen; and introduces us to the innovative Schmolder, the Nazi economist Stackelberg, the brave Soviet agricultural economist Chayanov and Richard Cantillon whose sophisticated monetary economics dates from three hundred years ago.’ Vince Cable; ‘This is a gem of a book. Engaging and short biographies of famous and not so famous economists whose death can illuminate their life and work. Full of economic insights explained in plain prose that will appeal to anyone interested in the dismal science. A thoroughly enjoyable read.’ Dr Toke Aidt, University of Cambridge; ‘Björn Frank has written an ingenious and darkly humorous set of portraits of seminal economic thinkers. Weaving together ideas and biography, he includes stories of economists who have been neglected in the English-speaking world while finding a fresh take on the well-known giants. Elegant, original and highly entertaining.’ Niall Kishtainy, author of A Little History of Economics; ‘By using their death as a lens through which to examine their lives, Björn Frank has created a novel, entertaining, and informative way to introduce readers to the work of almost twenty economists from the past two centuries. This compact work melds economic analysis with biography to shed new light on some of the discipline’s most influential research and theories. While several famous figures appear – Keynes, Marx, Coase – the book also includes many who will be new to non-economists. Newly-published from the German, In the Long Run We’re All Dead also has the merit of bringing to people’s attention several of that country’s economists whose reputation has undeservedly faded over time.’ Phil Thornton, author of The Great Economists: Ten Economists Whose Thinking Changed the Way We Live; A good dozen elegant and entertaining miniatures. (...) Bjoern Frank uses a pointed, ironic pen and has a loving eye for bizarre or even tragi-comic details - CATHERINE NEWMARK, DEUTSCHLANDFUNK KULTUR; It's entertaining and enlightening NZZ STORY

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Book SynopsisFrom the brilliantly original novelist and cultural critic Lynne Tillman comes Mothercare, an honest and beautifully written account of a sudden, drastically changed relationship to one's mother, and of the time and labor spent navigating the American healthcare system When a mother's unusual health condition, normal pressure hydrocephalus, renders her entirely dependent on you, your sisters, caregivers, and companions, the unthinkable becomes daily life. In Mothercare, Tillman describes doing what seems impossible: handling her mother as if she were a child and coping with a longtime ambivalence toward her. In Tillman's celebrated style and as a 'rich noticer of strange things' (Colm Toibin), she describes, without flinching, the unexpected, heartbreaking, and anxious eleven years of caring for a sick parent. Mothercare is both a cautionary tale and sympathetic guidance for anyone who suddenly becomes a caregiver. This story may be helpful, informative, consoling, or upsetting, but it never fails to underscore how impossible it is to get the job done completely right.Trade Review'A true force in American literature.' - George Saunders; 'A new thought in every sentence.' - Lydia Davis; 'Lynne Tillman has always been a hero of mine.' - Jonathan Safran Foer

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Book SynopsisA Dark Chapter from New Zealand History by James Hawthorne unfolds as a literary masterpiece that intricately weaves historic drama into the tapestry of New Zealand's past. In this compelling paintings, Hawthorne demonstrates his prowess as a terrific writer, creating a story that now not only delves into ancient occasions but additionally engages readers on an emotional and intellectual degree. The book, considered one among Hawthorne's crowning achievements, gives a brilliant exploration of a specific, perhaps tumultuous, bankruptcy in New Zealand's history. Through the lens of historic drama, the writer skillfully brings to life the characters, events, and landscapes that formed the state's trajectory. Hawthorne's writing is characterized by creativity and passion, infusing the narrative with a sense of vibrancy that transports readers to extraordinary eras and emotional landscapes. The work's brilliance lies no longer best in its historical accuracy but in its ability to attach human beings thru shared reports and information. With a fashionable but handy prose fashion, James Hawthorne invitations a numerous target audience to immerse themselves within the complexities and nuances of New Zealand's beyond. A Dark Chapter from New Zealand History stands as a literary gem, imparting each an insightful historical account and a charming exploration of the human revel in.

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Book Synopsis'To say this [book] is "empowering" doesn't do it justice. Buy a copy for your daughters, sisters, mums, aunts and nieces - just make sure you buy a copy for your sons, brothers, dads, uncles and nephews, too.' - indy100'Here's to no more forgotten women.' - Evening StandardForgotten Women reaches around the world and its history to rediscover, retell and reinstate the lives of over 190 important and significant women. From Neolithic times to modernity, Zing Tsjeng has traced the women who have shaped their age and revolutionised society. In this book lies the strength, lives and sacrifices of women who have refused to accept the hand they've been dealt and have changed the course of our futures accordingly.

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Book SynopsisRobert Lynd's collection of memories, The Book of This and That, is a deliberate compilation of his numerous essay thoughts, skillfully condensed right into a single on hand volume, designed to be low cost for readers of every age. The memories within this anthology captivate with a mix of fascination and quiet attraction, a few unfolding in ways that surprise and others lightly drawing readers into their narratives. Regarded as a classic, this book stands as a repository of Lynd's profound ideas, seamlessly woven collectively for readers to explore. This version of The Book of This and That now not only preserves the timeless essence of Lynd's reflections but additionally introduces a present day contact with an attention grabbing new cowl and a professionally typeset manuscript. The cautious presentation complements the clarity of the gathering, making it inviting for a contemporary target market. Whether readers searching for intriguing testimonies or concept-provoking insights, Lynd's paintings on this edition promises a literary adventure that spans generations, offering something for anybody and reaffirming its repute as a classic for readers to cherish.

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Book SynopsisA young Chinese girl forced to work in a New York sweatshop calls child services on her mother in this powerful memoir about labour and self-worth, economic revolution and cultural dislocation. As a teen, Anna Qu is sent by her mother to work in her family’s garment factory in Queens. At home, she is treated as a maid and suffers punishment for doing her homework at night. Her mother wants to teach her a lesson: she is Chinese, not American, and such is their tough path in their new country. But instead of acquiescing, Qu alerts the Office of Children and Family Services, an act with consequences that impact the rest of her life. Nearly twenty years later, estranged from her mother and working at a Manhattan start-up, Qu requests her social services report. When it arrives, key details are wrong. Faced with this false narrative, and on the brink of losing her job as the once-shiny start-up collapses, Qu looks once more at her life’s truths, from abandonment to an abusive family to seeking meaning in work. Travelling from Wenzhou to Xi'an to New York, Made in China is a fierce memoir unafraid to ask thorny questions about trauma and survival, capitalism, and the struggle for individual dignity.Trade Review‘Made in China capture[s] the confusion and wonder of lives spent looking … Qu’s narrative is laced with bitterness and aching … The struggle … seems to be holding all of these conflicting emotions at once … Qu honour[s] these complexities, tell us we were not meant to swallow our pain and survive in this world without support systems.’ -- Chanel Miller * New York Times Book Review *‘Qu’s debut memoir untangles the knots of her complicated, traumatic past as she learns the truth about her own history and reckons with the hopes and constraints of the immigrant experience.’ * Time *‘With quick, vibrant prose, Qu’s memoir is absorbing and disturbing in equal measure.’ -- Christiana Bishop * New Statesman *‘Qu writes with clarity and restraint about her Cinderella-terrible childhood … Qu’s indelible account of her lonesome childhood should gain her everything she lacked then — confidants, witnesses, and fans — who will cheer when she finally reconnects with a long-lost beloved.’ -- Jenny Shank * Star Tribune *‘Anna Qu has written a thoroughly engrossing and nuanced memoir about triumph over trauma and the meaning of home. Made in China brings the immigrant experience to life and makes you root for Anna. A must read.’ -- Sopan Deb, author of Missed Translations‘Made in China is an important story told with intelligence and heart, and a study of discipline as a form of devotion — devotion to a mother, to a legacy, to our own dreams and to those of others, to being good. So much of American rhetoric is about what we are owed. This graceful memoir is about the much trickier problem of what we deserve. Which is, in the end, brightest love.’ -- Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing‘Anna masterfully evokes her childhood with a power and grace that speak of an experience that no one should ever have to endure. This moving and unforgettable memoir needs to be read by everyone.’ -- Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of Patsy‘Made in China is a sympathetic, brave portrayal of the confusions, difficulties, and hurts that come with growing up between worlds. Anna Qu’s writing about her journey as an immigrant deftly shows how our origins — of economic status, of country — have lasting effects on the ways we approach family, work, and self. I was captivated and moved by her story.’ -- Alexandra Chang, author of Days of Distraction‘Qu rewrites the bootstrap narrative of immigrants building a better life for their children in her grim and entrancing debut. Her “path to the American dream” amounts to a devastating story of abuse and abandonment … Even in revisiting her harrowing memories, Qu writes from a place of empathy, transcending pain to embrace hope … This marks the arrival of a promising new voice.’ * Publishers Weekly, starred review *‘A nuanced examination of complicated ripple effects of intergenerational emigration. A powerful memoir of finding self-worth.’ * Library Journal *‘A grim yet gripping memoir of an unhappy, nearly loveless childhood and the author’s determined escape to a better adulthood … Well written … Brilliantly insightful … A simultaneously powerful and depressing latter-day Dickensian story sure to elicit sympathy from readers.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘Poignant … Vividly narrated and psychologically perceptive, Qu’s story uses family trauma to find perspective on immigration and perhaps even America itself.’ * Booklist *‘What will haunt readers are the indelible feelings — of loss, fear, anger, and devastation, but, by book’s end, somehow, she has love … Anna Qu’s unflinching memoir recalls the love of her earliest years and the labour she endured to survive into adulthood.’ * Shelf Awareness *‘Lively … Qu presents her recollections in a precise, distressing chronology that sheds light on both the strictures of her Chinese cultural heritage and the sometimes arbitrary carelessness of the American social system meant to protect youngsters from neglect and mistreatment … Qu writes with great fluidity, giving her memoir a novelistic reach that speaks of a new career path in the realm of words and their truest meanings. Her mastery of English and her memory of several Chinese dialects will give her gritty memories a special punch for those trapped in similar circumstances, whether as immigrants, sweatshop workers, survivors of childhood abuse, or simply strong young women overcoming the odds to gain the best that life has to offer.’ -- Barbara Bamberger Scott * bookreporter *‘Made in China is a fierce, provocative look at the sacrifices made by immigrants in a new country, and the sacrifices they pass down to the next generation. It’s a story of family and trauma, resilience and collapse, and Qu is dazzling as she dismantles the mythologies surrounding the immigrant work ethic, making clear that a person’s humanity should never be connected with how “productive” they are.’ -- Kristin Iversen * Refinery29 *‘A heartbreaking reflection of the ripple effects of immigration.’ -- Katherine Ouellette * WBUR *‘A harrowing memoir about the indifference we show toward children, especially those who emigrate to the United States.’ -- Evette Dionne * Bitch *‘A deeply honest rendering of domestic conflict … Made in China is dynamic, a subversive and yet inherently personal piece of work … In this memoir, Qu doesn’t conform to labels. She rips off the tags others have created for her and creates her own.’ -- Valerie Wu * Asia Pacific Arts *‘Anna’s story shares a similar arc to the likes of Educated and The Glass Castle — memoirs with heroines who overcome seemingly insurmountable disadvantages through education and sheer will.’ -- Yoojin Na * BOMB *‘Unravels larger assumptions about immigration, labour, and trauma at both the personal and collective level, demonstrating how many seemingly disparate elements of our lives are deeply connected … It is a clear-eyed look at a reality that many in the United States would otherwise look away from … Remarkable.’ -- Julia Shiota * Ploughshares *‘Anna Qu has a tough story to tell, and she tells it with graceful candour … Made in China isn’t always an easy read, but it will make you examine the intricacies of mother-daughter love and the indelible influence of intergenerational trauma.’ -- Megan Vered * The Rumpus *‘A skillful and emotive excavation of a traumatic childhood split between China and the United States.’ -- Jonathan Chatwin * South China Morning Post *‘There are no easy answers here, and that’s what makes this memoir so absorbing.’ -- Elayna Trucker * Napa Valley Register *‘This candid, heartbreaking story centres on an uncommon immigrant narrative featuring a complicated mother-daughter relationship intermingled with the dark side of the pursuit of opportunity in America.’ * Oprah Daily *‘An emotionally-charged memoir about migration, belonging, and family-based abuse, Made In China is a confronting read. Ultimately, though, readers are left with a profoundly enlightening experience, owing to the skill that Qu applies when unpacking the various details of her experience. A profound story whose impact can be felt on a personal and societal level.’ * Happy Mag *‘[Made in China] vividly and poignantly documents [Anna Qu's] childhood, the darkness, occasional glimmers of light and, eventually, coming through.’ * The Sydney Morning Herald *

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Book SynopsisWhen I've been overtaken, I have stood and watched the water in my porridge simmer away into the air, and then the oats turn black and crackle with dryness, and my ears fill with the smoke alarm's shriek. When Adele Dumont is diagnosed with trichotillomania compulsive hair-pulling it makes sense of much of her life to date. The seemingly harmless quirk of her late teens, which rapidly developed into almost uncontrollable urges and then into trance-like episodes, is a hallmark of the disease, as is the secrecy with which she guarded her condition from her family, friends, and the world at large. The diagnosis also opens up a rich line of inquiry. Where might the origins of this condition be found? How can we distinguish between a nervous habit and a compulsion? And how do we balance the relief of being seen' by others with our experience of shame?The Pulling is a fascinating exploration of the inner workings of a mind. In perfectly judged prose, both probing and affecting, Dumont

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Book SynopsisUnravelling the threads of Sicilian history, Sartorius explores the city's mingling of ancient and modern, Greek and Arab, medieval and baroque, creating a portrait of a city inseparably entwined with its past.

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Book SynopsisPart of the Hero Classics series?Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.?Douglass cultivated himself to such an extent that the listeners of his lectures doubted if his narratives were true. His autobiography is both a compelling tale of a slave and a contribution to the public discourse on slavery. His language is poetic and precise honed in its simplicity as if something artificially put together but immensely natural at the same time. Opening this book is opening the door into Douglass''s consciousness and tracking his inner journey of finding himself in the world: a story of his childhood and youth ? a long and laborious path to freedom. Douglass talks about the explicit punishments and tortures that slaves were exposed to. Despite the suffering, he emphasizes the power of self-education and continuous resistance that pushes one to fight their predicament. The publication of this book was such an unprecedented event that the author had to leave the US for Europe for about two years. The fact that Douglass''s experience and meditations were issued in print gave him a wider audience, not restricting dissemination of his beliefs to those who could physically come to his public speeches.The Hero Classics series: Meditations The Prophet A Room of One?s Own Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl The Art of War The Life of Charlotte Bronte The Republic The Prince Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

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Book SynopsisIn Unbelievable Underdogs and Rebellious Role Models, James Stafford takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through some of the greatest upsets and shocks in the history of world sport.It features incredible true tales of athletes who have overcome poverty, racism, injury, disability and even shark attacks to reach the top against all odds. Sports featured include football, basketball, baseball, surfing, athletics, rugby, ice hockey, American football, wheelchair racing, cricket, tennis, speed skating and boxing.Teams and athletes include Leicester City (football), Jackie Robinson (baseball), Kurt Warner (American football), Tatyana McFadden (wheelchair track and field), Siya Kolisi (rugby), Caron Butler (basketball), Emil Zatopek (running), Emma Raducanu (tennis), Steve Bradbury (speed skating), Wilma Rudolph (athletics), Japan (rugby), Muggsy Bogues (basketball), Kathrine Switzer and Bobbi Gibb (marathon running), Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (cricket), Team USA (ice hockey), Bethany

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Book SynopsisGrove chronicles not only his own fascinating Anglo-Argentinian background growing up in Buenos Aires but also the political history of the tango. He writes, In the troubled times of Juan and Evita Peron, the middle classes detested the music and dance so adored by porteños, the ordinary people of Buenos Aires. Too proletarian, sexy and subversive. These days the tango has enthusiasts worldwide, from Finland to Japan, but I didn't see anyone dance it until I was 18 and didn't attempt it myself until I was nearly 60.' He also details the terrifying moment his father was kidnapped by urban guerrillas and his anguish over the Falklands war.

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Book SynopsisWhat does it take to report from conflict zones? What good is neutrality in the face of suffering, and how much difference can one person make?From her first journalistic assignment in Gaza to covering the Arab Spring in Egypt, Sherine Tadros searched for ways to change people's lives for the better. It wasn't until her life fell apart that she found the courage to pursue her true purpose. With compassion and verve, Tadros now shares her remarkable journey, from witnessing injustice to fighting it in the corridors of power. In probing the line between journalism and activism, her memoir Taking Sides demonstrates why stories matter and how we can all use our voices to inspire meaningful change.

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Book SynopsisNarratives of the body are versatile and From the Body demonstrates this.Here, there are confessions, recollections, and love letters, all dealing with topics as wide-reaching as eating disorders, disability, and gender dysphoria. In this collection of personal essays and creative nonfiction, its contributors have responded to food and the body in intimate but universal ways, sharing experiences that will resonate with readers.Featuring the award-winning poet Andrew McMillan and dedicated mental health campaigner Cara Lisette, From the Body is a tender and honest discussion of how we feed and fuel our bodies and how we may, in time, come to treat them a little kinder.

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Book SynopsisWhen singer, musician, and broadcast journalist Malka Marom was asked to interview Joni Mitchell in 1973, she eagerly accepted the opportunity to converse with the performer she'd first met late one night in 1966 at an open mic in Yorkville. More conversations followed over the next four decades of friendship, and it was only after Joni and Malka completed their last recorded interview, in 2012, that Malka discovered the heart of their discussions: the creative process. In Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now, Joni and Malka follow this thread through seven decades of life and art, discussing the influence of Joni's childhood, love and loss, playing dives and huge festivals, acclaim and criticism, poverty and affluence, glamorous triumphs and tragic mistakes... This riveting narrative, told in interviews, lyrics, paintings, and photographs, is shared in the hope of inspiring others.Trade Review'There's more than two sides to every story and this charming dialogue will show you that providing a special insight into not just Joni Mitchell but the nature of art itself'.' - Louder Than War; 'Malka Marom's conversations with Joni Mitchell provide an illuminating, candid and sometimes startling insight into the life and work of one of the most remarkable artists of the 20th Century'.' - Record Collector; '......enlightening and candid. A mutual respect floods the pages as Malka gets Joni to open up on a manner of all topics.'' - Gigslutz; 'The pleasures and the pleasures of being a fly on the wall.' - Arts Fuse; 'In the rare interviews she gives, Joni Mitchell doesn't hold back. Mitchell comes across as more candid and outspoken than usual, likely due to the fact that Marom is part of Mitchell's inner circle of friends.' - Quill & Quire

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Book SynopsisSet around a small family farm on the edge of a bog, a few miles from the river Shannon, Minor Monuments is a collection of essays unfolding from the landscape of the Irish midlands. Taking in the physical and philosophical power of sound and music, and the effects of Alzheimer's disease on a family, Ian Maleney questions the nature of home, memory and the complex nature of belonging. A thought-provoking and quietly devastating meditation on family and loss, and with echoes of Tim Robinson and Tara Westover, Minor Monuments is a beautiful and unique literary experience.Trade ReviewSALLY ROONEY 'Minor Monuments is a beautiful, touching, and extraordinarily intelligent book. I loved every page.’ FINTAN O’TOOLE ‘Minor Monuments is beautifully poised between the vivid recollection of experience and subtle reflections on the nature of memory itself. Ian Maleney writes with both a poetic serenity and a startling immediacy, a combination as rare as it is absorbing.’ EMILIE PINE ‘Honest, thoughtful, ambitious - a portrait of the essayist as a young man.’ LISA MCINERNEY ‘Minor Monuments is brilliant, pulsing with intellect and insight, with each observation composed so beautifully as to be deeply moving. This is the kind of book that changes its reader.’ KEVIN BARRY ‘These essays are thoughtful, precise, beautifully controlled, and with a nicely wry humour helping us along the way - this is an extremely fine debut.’

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Book SynopsisA collection of personal essays examining relationships, whiteness, and masculinity. Nicholas Ward’s debut essay collection, All Who Belong May Enter, centers on self-exploration and cultural critique. These deeply personal essays examine whiteness, masculinity, and a Midwest upbringing through tales of sporting events, parties, posh (and not-so-posh) restaurant jobs, and the many relationships built and lost along the way. With a storyteller’s spirit, Ward recounts and evaluates the privilege of his upbringing with acumen and vulnerability. Ward’s profound affection for his friends, family, lovers, pets, and particularly for his chosen home, Chicago, shines through. This collection offers readers hope for healing that comes through greater understanding and inquiry into one’s self, relationships, and culture. Through these essays, Ward acknowledges his position within whiteness and masculinity, and he continuously holds himself and the society around him accountable. All Who Belong May Enter was selected by Jaquira Díaz as the winner of the 2020 Autumn House Nonfiction Prize. Trade Review“Well observed and curious, these essays will appeal to readers who, like Ward, are sensitive to inequality but unsure how to combat it.” * Publishers Weekly *“In All Who Belong May Enter, Ward thoughtfully and honestly interrogates aspects of masculinity and how it affects his relationships and how he moves through the world. He expands his personal story to explore how gentrification has changed cities like Detroit and Chicago, considering white silence and complicity. An introspective, beautifully written work.” -- Jaquira Díaz, author of Ordinary Girls

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of the beloved New York Times bestsellers Marley and Me and Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love, “a beautiful, inspiring” (Laura Schroff, New York Times bestselling author) memoir about empathy, resilience, kindness, and an adorable deaf blind pink dog.When veterinarian Melissa Shapiro gets a call about a tiny deaf blind puppy rescued from a hoarding situation in need of fostering, she doesn’t hesitate to say, “yes.” Little does she know how that decision will transform her, her family, and legions of admirers destined to embrace the saga of the indomitable pink “puppy with a purpose” (Good Morning America). The anxious and traumatized Piglet weighed under two pounds upon his welcome into the Shapiro household—which included Melissa’s husband Warren and their three college-aged kids, plus six other rescued dogs. After weeks of reassurance, and lots of love, Piglet connected, gained confidence, and his extraordinary spirit emerged. Melissa soon forged a powerful bond with Piglet, allowing the two to communicate without sound or visual cues. Two months later, when the day arrived to say goodbye to the now dashing, six-pound pink dog with the larger-than-life spirit, Melissa faced a heart-wrenching decision. Could she hand him over to someone willing to give Piglet full-time attention or could she adapt her life to make a permanent place for him? Of course, the answer was simple: love would find a way. Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family fully illustrates this heartwarming story of one special little puppy who teaches the power of empathy, love, and kindness. “Feeling hopeless? Pick up this book, savor its heartwarming messages, and share it widely. It is that good” (Marc Bekoff, PhD, author of Canine Confidential).Trade Review“A puppy with a purpose, Piglet teaches us the power of love and kindness.” -- Good Morning America“Piglet is just getting started on his quest to make the world a better place.” * People.com *"Shapiro’s personal tale will inspire even the most time-pressed among us to take time out for the pups — and people — that matter." -- Zibby Owens * The Washington Post *“A little dog with a big following,helping students learn a powerful lesson about acceptance.” -- Lester Holt * NBC Nightly News *"Such a beautiful, inspiring story of Piglet, and his loving, patient human mom and veterinarian, Melissa Shapiro. This story will warm your heart and brings to life how this beautiful dog came into the Shaprio family with his own purpose. Through sheer love and dedication, Piglet no longer lives in a world of total darkness. This story touched my heart and soul in such a profound way, as it reminded to me how my sweet, blind, and deaf 5-pound poodle, Emma, is happy, content, and loves her precious life too." -- Laura Schroff, #1 internationally and bestselling author of An Invisible Thread“I never thought I would call a book about a dog and their caring and compassionate humans a page-turner. However, I was wrong and pleasantly surprised that Melissa Shapiro's riveting Cinderella story of a tiny deaf blind pink pup called Piglet, who surely would have died had not human hands and hearts intervened, took me on this unexpected joyride. Suffice it to say, Piglet is a beautiful and inspirational story about a beautiful and inspirational dog and his beautiful and inspirational humans who all can be viewed as poster beings who enrich our lives by embracing kindness, compassion, and love when the easy way out would have been to say something like, "This is hopeless." Feeling hopeless? Pick up this book, savor its heartwarming messages, and share it widely. It is that good.” -- Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What they Do and A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs In a World Without Humans (with Jessica Pierce)“Piglet—a pink, blind, and deaf puppy—inspires others to overcome the odds.” * CBSnews.com *“Sometimes we need a little inspiration to remember to never give up. . . . And a little deaf and blind puppy named Piglet is just that inspiration.” * theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com *“Educators and their students, animal advocacy groups, his legion of social media friends, and now readers of this book, will continue to be inspired by Piglet and his pack face each new challenge with resilience. Including serious factual details as needed while creating an emotional bond with touches of sorrow and joy, this book will rightly gain its canine influencer new followers.” * Booklist *"The heartwarming journey of how Piglet gained confidence and now helps others face their own challenges. Each page of Piglet’s story shows the power of empathy, love and kindness—it’s a joyful respite that is certain to inspire." * Woman's World Magazine *Shapiro and Piglet’s uplifting odyssey, cowritten by Eichler-Rivas (The Pursuit of Happyness), is touching, emotional, and not to be missed.” * Library Journal (starred review) *“Shapiro's inspirational memoir—candid details of her veterinary career, her family, lovable Piglet and his incredibly sweet, resilient spirit—will win hearts.” * Shelf Awareness *I worked with Lassie for many years, one of the most heroic dogs the world has known. I never thought a profoundly disabled, one-pound pink puppy could rival her. But little Piglet does just that, overcoming enormous obstacles to raise awareness for fellow animals in need of rescue, Vet Melissa Shapiro's story of adopting and training Piglet is sweet, funny and very emotional...and above all, entertaining. And just like my adventures with Lassie, Piglet's tale is a love story. Knowing him will enrich your life. -- Jon Provost, Timmy on Lassie and author of Timmy's in the Well

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Book SynopsisWe meet Andrew Leland as he''s suspended in the liminal state of the soon-to-be blind: he''s midway through his life with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that ushers those who live with it from sightedness to blindness over years, even decades. He grew up with full vision, but starting in his teenage years, his sight began to degrade from the outside in, such that he now sees the world as if through a narrow tube. Soon - but without knowing exactly when - he will likely have no vision left. Full of apprehension but also dogged curiosity, Leland embarks on a sweeping exploration of the state of being that awaits him: not only the physical experience of blindness but also its language, politics, and customs. He negotiates his changing relationships with his wife and son, and with his own sense of self, as he moves from his mainstream, ''typical'' life to one with a disability. Part memoir, part historical and cultural investigation, The Country of the Blind represents Leland''s determi

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Book SynopsisAged 15 and on track to be an Olympic gymnast, Lucia Osborne-Crowley was violently raped on a night out. The injuries she sustained that evening ended her gymnastics career, and eventually manifested in life-long chronic illnesses, which medical professionals now believe can be caused by untreated trauma. In a brilliantly researched and deeply affecting essay, Osborne-Crowley invites the reader to her on decade-long journey to recovery: from the immediate aftermath of the assault, through years of misdiagnosis, to the solace and strength she found in writers like Elena Ferrante. The author’s investigations reveal profound societal failures – of law, justice, education and the healthcare system. An essential contribution to the field of literature on assault and trauma, I Choose Elena argues that it is only through empathy than we can begin to address the self-perpetuating cycle of sexual violence.Trade ReviewMention of the book in ‘Women essayists shift the rules and boundaries in the literary world’ https://www.ft.com/content/e8126aec-b1e3-11e9-bec9-fdcab53d6959 * Financial Times *Review: I Choose Elena by Lucia Osborne-Crowley ‘a thoroughly researched and deeply affecting essay . . . In the age of #MeToo and Harvey Weinstein allegations this essay is an essential contribution to the field of literature on assault and trauma’ https://thefountain.scot/reviews/2019/09/review-i-choose-elena-by-lucia-osborne-crowley/ -- Keira Brown * The Fountain *‘How Bibliotherapy Helped Me To Deal With Trauma’ ‘There is nothing more comforting than having someone bear witness to your suffering. It is the only thing, I believe, that allows us to feel pain instead of trying to escape from it. It is knowing the writer has felt how you feel, and has done the kindness of putting it into words.’ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-bibliotherapy-helped-me-to-deal-with-trauma-ptwdfhhln * The Sunday Times *‘Write what you want to forget’ ‘Honesty is why I started. So I have accepted the fact that this story is imperfect, that people might try to destroy me in the details. It will not be an easy ending, or a pleasant one, but it will be, for the first time, one that I have chosen.’ http://bookanista.com/write-forget/ * Bookanista.com *‘Love After Abuse’ ‘What I have been able to do is accept the truth of my intimate self. I know now that she is bloodied and broken, and perhaps damaged beyond repair. But I am trying, and will keep trying, because whoever was buried under the weight of abuse is worth fighting for.’ https://granta.com/love-after-abuse/ * Granta.com *‘The Paradox of Dependence’ ‘To keep becoming a woman is so much self-erasing work. I will not be the cool girl, the dream girl, the crane-wife, because she is a lie. She is a straw-woman in a field full of hungry ravens, and I am done with her. She’s not worth it, and neither is he.’ https://meanjin.com.au/blog/the-paradox-of-dependence/ * Meanjin Quarterly *‘Two years on, the literature of #MeToo is coming of age’ ‘A masterful examination of trauma and finding solace in literature.’ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/14/literature-metoo-writing-power-gender-relations-men * Guardian *‘A Cure of One’s Own’ ‘In the past couple of years more than a dozen books have been published by women about women’s pain conditions … including Lucia Osborne-Crowley’s I Choose Elena’ https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2019/11/womens-chronic-illness-pain-conditions-endometriosis-vaginismus-vulvodynia-literature -- Imogen West-Knights * New Statesmen *‘Frozen’ ‘For anyone who has ever doubted a rape story, demanding, “Why did you wait so long before you told anyone?”, Lucia Osborne-Crowley’s short memoir is essential reading.’ https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/i-choose-elena-by-lucia-osborne-crowley-book-review-terri-apter/ -- Terri Apter * The TLS *‘Is it messed up?’ ‘On the surface, I Choose Elena is an exploration of trauma – of the debilitating and disabling physical and mental impact of the author’s rape as a teenager. The way trauma can turn your body against you; the way you think you can outrun or ignore it, but you never can.’ Summer Issue -- Alice Wickenden * Brixton Review of Books *‘It is a ground breaking approach to discussing issues that we know are so often hidden’ https://twitter.com/SLTNorfolk/status/1339189801195630592 -- Sonia (manager) * Sue Lambert Trust *CRÍTICA A DOS VOCES DE ‘ELIJO A ELENA’, DE LUCÍA OSBORNE- CROWLEY (Joint review of I Choose Elena) Tensi: ‘Todo esto lo cuenta en este libro, que huye de eufemismos y cuenta la realidad sin matices, quizás por eso se debe leer sosegadamente, pues el dolor se puede palpar muy adentro.’ (All of this is recounted in this book, which shuns euphemisms and tells reality without nuances, perhaps this is why one should read it gently, because one can feel the pain deep inside.’ Miriam: ‘Yo elijo a Lucía. Ella me ha liberado. Me ha ayudado a encontrarme.’ (I choose Lucia. She has freed me. She has helped me find myself.’ https://lecturafilia.com/2020/12/21/critica-a-dos-voces-de-elijo-a-elena-de-lucia-osborne-crowley/ -- Tensi Gesteira and Miriam Beizana * Lecturafilia *Shameful: Women who write about their pain suffer a double shaming: once for getting injured, twice for their act of self-exposure ‘In her memoir I Choose Elena (2019), Lucia Osborne-Crowley gives a moving account of a violent sexual assault she underwent as a teenager, and its ensuing aftermath in the form of chronic physical illness.’ https://aeon.co/essays/shame-heaps-upon-shame-in-womens-memoirs-of-suffering -- Katherine Angel * Aeon *

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