Political leaders and leadership Books

Book SynopsisIn Volume Three of this four-volume series, we examine the rhetorical development that occurred during the first two terms of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as president of the Russian Federation. Initially, Putin appeared to follow in the path set by his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, vowing that Russia was, at heart, a European nation and would be a westward facing democracy going forward. He even mentioned partnering with the EU and NATO. Eight years later, at the 2007 Munich Security Conference, Putin excoriated the West for, in his words, attempting to create a “unipolar world” in which NATO expansion threatened Russia’s security, the United States acted as the world’s sole “hegemon,” and Europe simply followed orders, relinquishing any sense of agency in its own affairs.

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Book SynopsisMasterfully told and compellingly reinterpreted. The Moscow TimesStalinism at War tells the epic story of the Soviet Union in World War Two. Starting with Soviet involvement in the war in Asia and ending with a bloody counter-insurgency in the borderlands of Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltics, the Soviet Union's war was both considerably longer and more all-encompassing than is sometimes appreciated. Here, acclaimed scholar Mark Edele explores the complex experiences of both ordinary and extraordinary citizens Russians and Koreans, Ukrainians and Jews, Lithuanians and Georgians, men and women, loyal Stalinists and critics of his regime to reveal how the Soviet Union and leadership of a ruthless dictator propelled Allied victory over Germany and Japan. In doing so, Edele weaves together material on the society and culture of the wartime years with high-level politics and unites the military, economic and political history of the Soviet Union with broader popular hisTrade ReviewA true tour de force, this single book weaves together Soviet grand strategy; World War II era geopolitics; and social, economic, and of course military history all together ... Mark Edele has made a considerable contribution to scholarship regarding the Soviet Union during World War II as well as the Stalinist period of Soviet history. It is highly recommended for specialists in these areas, as well as those seeking a decent introduction. Its comprehensive weaving together of various strains of history of the time period is a true model for future scholarship. * Journal of Slavic Military Studies *Anyone looking for a readable and thought-provoking primer about the Second World War need look no further. * European History Quarterly *[A] superb account of the Soviet Second World War, one the present reviewer will be assigning to classes for a long time to come. * Russian Review *Stalinism at War is a fine, detailed general history of the USSR in 1937–49. In particular, it successfully argues that the Soviet participation in World War II included Asia, starting in the 1930s, and was extremely destructive owing to the actions of both the Axis and the Stalin regime. This longer and larger framework better fits the domestic history of the USSR than do previous works on the subject. * Michigan War Studies Review *The work is chocked full of valuable comprehensive statistical data ... Stalinism at War is the most authoritative and comprehensive short work on the Soviet Union in World War Two. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Soviet history or the Second World War and would be suitable assigned reading for courses on those topics. * Slavonic & East European Review *A vividly written account of the conflict that comes equipped with a raft of compelling yet counterintuitive conclusions on the conflict… It’s a refreshing break with tradition given — as Edele is careful to note — the vast numbers who fought and died in these otherwise neglected theaters of conflict… Edele writes with a lively elegance that makes his narrative a genuine pleasure to read. His reluctance to get bogged down in the minutiae of war or to take sides in obscure historiographical debates keeps the text fresh and readable… What [the chapters] deliver is the richly human story of an inhuman conflict, masterfully told and compellingly reinterpreted. -- Felix Light * The Moscow Times *Edele offers a provocative new interpretation of the central event of Soviet history – and the greatest war in the historical record – challenging the very chronology and geography that typically frame it. He weaves a highly readable narrative that toggles between the personal and epic without skipping a beat. * Brandon Schechter, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, Columbia University, USA *Edele delivers plentiful bang for his reader’s buck – or rather, ruble. And his work is recommended reading. For students of history and strategy, Stalinism at War broadens our perspective of the vastness and multiplicity of timelines and front lines the Soviets fought over during the mightiest war, ever. For students of the human condition, Edele’s saga of oppression, deportation, massacre and battle makes clear how facile our Covid-era woes are compared to the staggering sufferings endured by a generation whose last, few survivors still share the earth with us. -- Andrew Salmon * Asia Times *This vivid, clear-eyed, and accessible new history reconceives Soviet involvement in WWII as a Eurasian cataclysm that began the east in 1937 and ended with the cessation of postwar insurgencies only in 1949. Sure-footed in military, international, political, and social history, Mark Edele incorporates his own landmark contributions into a synthesis of a vast new body of scholarship. This fresh vision, brought to life through a kaleidoscope of biographical accounts, is essential for everyone interested in Stalinism and World War II—both of which even today haunt Russia and the post-Soviet world. * Michael David-Fox, Professor of History, Georgetown University, USA *For a period we thought we knew so well, Edele's Stalinism at War opens up a much broader conversation on Soviet military activity in the Second World War. A delightfully accessible read, backed by dense research and insightful judgements. Highly recommended. * David Stahel, Researcher, University of New South Wales, Australia *This thought-provoking book, based on fresh sources, contributes two important elements to our understanding of the conflict: it shows how Soviet citizens were affected by developments, and it provides a context which is broad, both geographically and in terms of time. * Evan Mawdsley, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow, University of Glasgow, UK *The author has made a significant contribution to the history of World War II and Stalinism in the Soviet Union and provided important insights into the impact of Stalin’s policies. This book can be recommended for those interested in issues related to Soviet World War II politics and the impact of total war on a society. * International Journal of Russian Studies *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations List of Maps List of Tables and Charts Acknowledgements Introduction: Stalinism at War, 1937-49 1. Preparing for War 2. The War begins in the East, 1937-39 3. War in the West, 1939-40 4. Armageddon, 1941-42 5. Recovery, 1941-42 6. Triumph, 1943-45 7. War of Ideologies 8. The War after the War, 1944-49 9. Impact and Aftermath Appendix: Maps Notes Index

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Book SynopsisAn unprecedented look at the central role one man played in the transformation of New York City

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Book Synopsis'Clear-eyed and illuminating.’ Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor 'A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency ‘Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.’ Ambassador Chas Freeman, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assistant Secretary of Defense 'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.' Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of H.M. Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? David Rundell - one of America’s foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World.Trade ReviewA book of staggering breadth and depth. * The Wall Street Journal *Rundell covers the kingdom from top to bottom with vast wisdom, depth and understanding … It provides a superb overview of the kingdom’s political, economic and social landscape, but it goes well beyond that. Rundell explains, clearly and concisely, the special dynamics that drive the kingdom and render it so alien from our own society ... I wish that every United States diplomat, military officer and journalist would read this book before deploying there. I wish that every member of Congress would read it before voting on any measure related to Saudi Arabia. I wish every American pondering the frictions of our long relationship with the Saudis would read it simply to understand. * New York Times Book Review *At once modern and theocratic, reserved and assertive—Saudi Arabia’s paradoxes defy easy comprehension. For those seeking to understand the Kingdom and its role in the world, longtime observer David Rundell has distilled his experience into a clear-eyed and illuminating explanation. -- Henry A. Kissinger‘Excellent… analytically rigorous… exceptional…’ * Financial Times *[T]he author hits all the necessary benchmarks in his assessment of the Kingdom’s development. The book must also be regarded as a great accomplishment in the study of the Kingdom and its new leadership. * Middle East Journal *Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads is a book that will prove incredibly illuminating to the average Westerner, who probably only thinks of sexism, theocracy and oil when he thinks about Saudi Arabia. Rundell uses history, theology, politics, economics and sociology to explain the current complexities and challenges of the Arabian Peninsula’s most dominant nation. -- Russell A Whitestone, Eurasia ReviewVision or Mirage is destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom. It will be a long time, if ever, before it is bettered. -- Chas Freeman, Former U.S Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Assistant Secretary of Defense, President of the Middle East Policy CouncilSaudi Arabia has always been difficult for outsiders to understand, but it will be much less so now thanks to David Rundell. With insightful analysis of the roles of the ruling family, the tribal structure, the merchant class and the religious leadership, he forges all the pieces into a coherent whole that will enlighten specialists and novices alike. -- Thomas W. Lippman, author of Saudi Arabia on the EdgeA rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. David Rundell was one of the State Department’s pre-eminent authorities on Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, one on whom those of us working in the region depended heavily, and this history reflects his decades of experience in the region, his eye for nuance and detail, his deep understanding of the culture and relationships in the kingdom, and his exceptional ability to distill and present all of that brilliantly. -- General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), former Commander of the US Central Command and the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, and former Director of the CIAThis is a rare and important work on Saudi Arabia. Any diplomat, military official, policy maker or businessperson whose portfolio touches the kingdom will make far better decisions for having read it. I had the pleasure of working with Diplomat David Rundell during my service in the KSA. He provided sage advice and observations then, just as he will do for you in this splendid and useful book. -- Ambassador James Oberwetter, Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi ArabiaDavid Rundell is America’s most knowledgeable diplomat on Saudi Arabia. This book, Vision or Mirage, is a deeply learned and nuanced account of the kingdom’s history, politics and economics. Without illusions or an ideological axe to grind, Rundell offers acute observations about the strengths and weaknesses of the country, based on nearly two decades of having lived and served in Saudi Arabia. He brings the country’s remarkable story up to the present and explains the important transformations taking place under King Salman and his son crown prince Muhammad (MBS) and what is at stake in their success or failure. You will not find a better book on the kingdom. -- Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near East Studies, Princeton University; Co-Author Saudi Arabia in TransitionThe author of this book is "pro-Saudi", and at the same time he is entirely objective. He reconciles direct opposites not by fudging the differences, but by offering us his uniquely deep knowledge of a country and a state that remain poorly documented. This is a very valuable book. -- Edward Luttwak, , Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.CWhenever I landed in Jeddah or Riyadh and wanted to discover what was really going on, the ‘man-in-the-sand’ whose expertise I always sought out first was David Rundell, the Quiet American who had the ‘ inside scoop’ on the politics, the business and, above all, the people of the ever-challenging Kingdom — the ‘Rundell Rumble’. Dave was always just back from some oasis or tribe or border territory where secret things were happening, or heading for the desert to pow-wow with the king. So pow-wow now with Dave as his brilliant book generously discloses a lifetime of wisdom and insights that take the reader inside one of the world’s most enigmatic and crucially important of lands. Saudi Arabia? It’s all in here . . . Whenever I landed in Jeddah or Riyadh and wanted to discover what was really going on, the ‘man-in-the-sand’ whose expertise I always sought out first was David Rundell, the Quiet American who had the ‘ inside scoop’ on the politics, the business and, above all, the people of the ever-challenging Kingdom — the ‘Rundell Rumble’. Dave was always just back from some oasis or tribe or border territory where secret things were happening, or heading for the desert to pow-wow with the king. So pow-wow now with Dave as his brilliant book generously discloses a lifetime of wisdom and insights that take the reader inside one of the world’s most enigmatic and crucially important of lands. Saudi Arabia? It’s all in here . . . -- Robert Lacey, author of The Kingdom and Inside the Kingdom‘A thorough historical and contemporary guide to the enigma that is the House of Saud, to its Kingdom and to its latest political intrigues. A great single read on a complex subject, key to understanding the Arab World’s likely evolution. Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.’ -- Sir Richard Dearlove, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of London; Former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6); Former Master of Pembroke College, CambridgeAmidst an array of parabolic pressures ranging from geopolitical forces to economic uncertainty and domestic instability, the House of Saud has long been one of the most powerful families in the Middle East. In spite of this, it faces a number of existential challenges as it moves into the 21st century. Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads offers a fascinating and timely exploration of how the Al Saud dynasty has retained power which is essential in understanding how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may evolve in the coming years. -- Simon Mabon Senior Lecturer, Lancaster University; author of Houses Built on Sand, The Origins of ISIS and Saudi Arabia and IranA readable and breezy account of recent developments in Saudi Arabia as well as the author’s interpretation of the transformational and polarizing trends during the last several years. It is a noteworthy contribution to the field. -- J. E. Peterson, historian and political analyst, author of Saudi Arabia Under Ibn Saud and Historical Dictionary of Saudi ArabiaDavid Rundell has more experience in Saudi Arabia than any living American diplomat. I relied upon his experience and insight during my time as ambassador to the Kingdom. Rundell’s eye for detail and meticulous research provide the reader with a compelling story of initial conquest and generations of stability followed by a tectonic rupture in the social contract among the ruler, the royal family, and the population. -- Robert W. Jordan, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Diplomat in Residence, John G. Tower Center at Southern Methodist UniversityThis is a scholarly and expertly crafted practitioner’s account borne of deep familiarity with Saudi Arabia. David Rundell’s remarkable book artfully weaves together the Saudi past and present--deftly analyzing both continuity and change while providing sorely needed context for understanding today’s unprecedented developments. -- Joshua Teitelbaum, Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Visiting Scholar, Center for International and Security Cooperation, Stanford University; Author of Saudi Arabia and the New Strategic LandscapeA very balanced account of what Saudi Arabia got right, which is often overlooked, and the accumulating challenges the country faces today. Carefully researched, it is neither all gloom and doom nor all-praising. -- John Sfakianakis, Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge; Co-author of The Saudi Economy in the Twentieth CenturyA most impressive account of the cunning manner in which King Salman is attempting to secure his family’s place in the 21st century by establishing the fourth kingdom through his son Muhammad bin Salman. David Rundell's insights into historical precedents and personal knowledge of the personalities of the individuals involved is compelling and provides a far more credible narrative of Saudi developments since the death of the late Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz than other current analysis . -- Ambassador Mark G. Hambley, Former American Consul General in Jeddah and Ambassador to Qatar and LebanonTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: HISTORIC LEGITIMACY Chapter 1: The House of Saud Chapter 2: The Wars of Unification Chapter 3: The Ikhwan Revolt Part II: MANAGING SUCCESSION Chapter 4: Kings Saud and Faisal Chapter 5: Kings Khalid, Fahd, and Abdullah Chapter 6: King Salman and MBS Part III: BALANCING STAKEHOLDERS Chapter 7: The Tribes Chapter 8: The Clergy Chapter 9: The Merchants Chapter 10: The Technocrats Chapter 11: The Royal Family Part IV PROVIDING COMPETENT GOVERNMENT Chapter 12: Providing Internal Security Chapter 13: Promoting Rapid Economic Development Chapter 14: Foreign Policy: Keeping Powerful Friends Chapter 15: Foreign Policy: Deploying Oil and Islam Chapter 16:Promoting Gradual Social Change Part V ADAPTING TO CHANGE Chapter 17: Economic Challenges: Oil Prices, Diversification and Jobs Chapter 18: Security Challenges: Deploying Oil, Allies and Islam Chapter 19: Political Challenges: Pluralism, Corruption, and Participation Chapter 20: Evolving Arabia

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating biography of the late Colin Powell brings to light his towering achievements and errors in judgment during a lifetime devoted to public service.Until he passed away in 2021, Colin Powell was revered as one of America's most trusted and admired leaders. This biography demonstrates that Powell's decades-long development as an exemplary subordinate is crucial to understanding his astonishing rise from a working-class immigrant neighborhood to the highest echelons of military and political power, including his roles as the country's first Black national security advisor, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and secretary of state.Once an aimless, ambitionless teenager who barely graduated from college, Powell became an extraordinarily effective and staunchly loyal subordinate to many powerful superiors who, in turn, helped to advance his career. By the time Powell became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he had developed into the consummate fTrade Review“This work should be read by all national security professionals, uniformed service members, or any other governmental agency including the department of state and the intelligence community.” —The Strategy Bridge"This is no hagiography. Consisting of equal parts admiration and critical scrutiny, it is a tough and insightful portrayal of a commanding personality who was capable of both towering professional achievements and astonishing failures of judgment and ethics. Beyond pure biography, Matthews has produced a fascinating case study of the human elements of public service and leadership.” —Malcolm Byrne, deputy director, National Security Archive"Jeffrey Matthews's excellent biography rightly praises Colin Powell's distinguished service over the past half-century, while also delineating how Powell faltered at crucial moments while serving as George W. Bush's secretary of state. This is a comprehensive and compelling analysis." —Walter LaFeber, the Andrew and James Tisch University Professor Emeritus, Cornell University"At its base is a very well-written story about Colin Powell as fallible everyman. It is an almost existential portrait of the human condition. We all make choices every day; some are good, but some are grave errors in judgment that can have disastrous consequences for a family or for a nation. In my opinion, this book is the most important of the publications focusing on this turbulent period of American political and military history." —Howard Ball, author of Bush, the Detainees, and the Constitution"This work . . . covers the lofty career of Powell, who eventually became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. The author highlights both the successes and failures of his subject, revealing a human being navigating the complexities of leadership and power at the highest levels. It showcases the difficulties and consequences of decision making at the strategic level." —Military Heritage"Colin Powell was a good soldier all his life. Trustworthy, loyal, he obeyed orders while exercising a measure of judgment and initiative within the scope of his authority. . . . Powell’s judgment and initiative went only so far, Jeffrey Matthews writes in his biography. . . . Matthews examines Powell’s formative experience and finds the key to his success as well as his limitations." —Shepherd Express"The consummate general, national security advisor, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of State and Patriot is profiled and on full display in Matthews’ work. Well-researched and full of rich detail, the book seems to be a balanced, albeit critical, review of Powell’s 40+ years of service. . . . Matthews makes note of Powell’s followership as an ‘assistant’ and ‘deputy’ in many of his duties throughout his career, contributing to why he was a great leader. Yet ultimately, even the best leaders make mistakes and are fallible, and we can all learn from that." —Brigadier General Chad Manske, Commandant of the National War College"A captivating and balanced story of Powell’s remarkable career, and of what we can learn from both his good and bad followership. . . . The book is of special interest to readers of military history, political biography, and leadership." —Northern Kentucky Tribune“Jeffrey Matthews . . . offers a well-constructed, well-written . . . biography of Colin Powell, who was born in 1937 and remained a popular public figure long after his retirement from government in 2005. . . . Powell comes alive in these pages.” —Law and Liberty“Jeffrey Matthews’ Colin Powell: Imperfect Patriot is a thorough biography of Powell. . . . Relying on government documents and first-hand accounts, including a four-hour interview with Powell, Matthews presents a chronological appraisal of Powell’s life that is comprehensively researched and readable.” —The VVAA VeteranTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction Part I – The Military Years 1. Obedient Son (1937-1957) 2. Dutiful Soldier (1958-1969) 3. Follower and Commander (1970-1982) 4. Loyalist (1983-1988) 5. Chairman (1989-1993) Part II – The Civilian Years Chapter 6: Most Trusted Man (1993-2000) 7. Leader, Follower, and Odd Man Out (2001-2004) 8. Counselor – Iraq and the Rush to War (2002-2003) 9. Defender-in-Chief – Iraq and the Search for WMD (2003-2004) Epilogue Endnotes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBy early 1787, John and Abigail Adams, anticipating a quiet retirement from government in Massachusetts, were quickly pulled back into the public sphere by John's election as first vice president under the Constitution. The Adamses thoughtfully observe the world around them, from English court manners to the politics of the new federal government.

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Book SynopsisA collection which includes important letters, speeches, interviews, press conferences, and public papers on Woodrow Wilson. This volume includes materials essential to understanding Wilson's personality, his intellectual, religious, and political development, and his careers as educator, writer, orator, and statesman.Trade Review"An essential purchase for college libraries."--Library Journal "... an unprecedented illumination of Wilson's activities and ideas."--The Journal of American History "... Arthur Link and his associates ... set a high standard indeed both for productivity and editorial excellence."--North Carolina Historical Review "Every college library should plan to acquire the entire series."--Choice

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Book SynopsisA collection which includes important letters, speeches, interviews, press conferences, and public papers on Woodrow Wilson. This volume includes materials essential to understanding Wilson's personality, his intellectual, religious, and political development, and his careers as educator, writer, orator, and statesman.Trade Review"An essential purchase for college libraries."--Library Journal "... an unprecedented illumination of Wilson's activities and ideas."--The Journal of American History "... Arthur Link and his associates ... set a high standard indeed both for productivity and editorial excellence."--North Carolina Historical Review "Every college library should plan to acquire the entire series."--Choice

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Book SynopsisIncludes the important letters, speeches, interviews, press conferences, and public papers on Woodrow Wilson. This collection contains materials to understand Wilson's personality, his intellectual, religious, and political development, and his careers as educator, writer, orator, and statesman. It also reveals the era in which he lived.Trade Review"An essential purchase for college libraries."--Library Journal "... an unprecedented illumination of Wilson's activities and ideas."--The Journal of American History "... Arthur Link and his associates ... set a high standard indeed both for productivity and editorial excellence."--North Carolina Historical Review "Every college library should plan to acquire the entire series."--Choice

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Book SynopsisThe period between September 6 and December 31, 1914, was a time when President Wilson, having recovered from the shock of the outbreak of the war in Europe and his wife's death, set about to lay the foundations of American neutrality. This book contains documents that illustrate that effort.Trade Review"An essential purchase for college libraries."--Library Journal "... an unprecedented illumination of Wilson's activities and ideas."--The Journal of American History "... Arthur Link and his associates ... set a high standard indeed both for productivity and editorial excellence."--North Carolina Historical Review "Every college library should plan to acquire the entire series."--Choice

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Book SynopsisVolume 13 of the ""Revolutionary War Series"" documents a crucial portion of the winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, when the fate of Washington's army hung in the balance. It begins with Washington's soldiers hard at work erecting huts and preparing for the next campaign.

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Book SynopsisThe death of a chief executive, regardless of the circumstances is always a moment of reckoning and reflection. This volume brings together renowned and emerging scholars to examine how different generations and communities of Americans have eulogized and remembered US presidents since George Washington’s death in 1799.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive biography of a distinguished public servant, who as US Secretary of Labor, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State, was pivotal in steering the great powers toward the end of the Cold War. Deftly solving critical but intractable national and global problems was the leitmotif of George Pratt Shultz's life. No one at the highest levels of the United States government did it better or with greater consequence in the last half of the 20th century, often against withering resistance. His quiet, effective leadership altered the arc of history. While political, social, and cultural dynamics have changed profoundly since Shultz served at the commanding heights of American power in the 1970s and 1980s, his legacy and the lessons of his career have even greater meaning now that the Shultz brand of conservatism has been almost erased in the modern Republican Party. This book, from longtime New York Times Washington reporter Philip Taubman, restores the modest Shultz to his central place in American history. Taubman reveals Shultz's gift for forging relationships with people and then harnessing the rapport to address national and international challenges, under his motto "trust is the coin of the realm"—as well as his difficulty standing up for his principles, motivated by a powerful sense of loyalty that often trapped him in inaction. Based on exclusive access to Shultz's personal papers, housed in a sealed archive at the Hoover Institution, In the Nation's Service offers a remarkable insider account of the behind-the-scenes struggles of the statesman who played a pivotal role in unwinding the Cold War.Trade Review"This is a masterpiece. Philip Taubman, one of the great reporters and editors from The New York Times, has dug forever and found the real, authentic George Shultz, one of the true peacemakers of the 20th century. Essentially positive but not avoiding some well-documented criticisms, this biography reminds me of David McCullough's classic biographies of Presidents John Adams and Harry Truman—defining and sure-footed in every paragraph."—Bob Woodward, #1 bestselling author of Peril and Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate"The nuanced diplomacy of George Shultz at the end of the Cold War was a major reason that 45-year conflict ended with a whimper rather than the nuclear bang we had all feared. In his biography about Shultz, Philip Taubman masterfully explains the many keys to Shultz's success, including his giant intellect and understated ability to build personal relationships with his interlocutors in the Soviet Union. In the Nation's Service is a must read for those interested in the life and times of one of our nation's foremost secretaries of state."—James A. Baker, III, 61st U.S. Secretary of State"Philip Taubman has written an outstanding book about the extraordinary life and public service of Secretary Shultz. As Taubman describes in these pages, Shultz possessed the rare ability to build consensus among people with diverse and sometimes deeply opposing views, exhibiting an agile diplomacy that allowed him to aid in the peaceful end of the Cold War. Taubman's account deftly captures the character of this American icon, the halls of power in which he served the nation, and the consequential one hundred years in which he lived."—Condoleezza Rice, 66th US Secretary of State, Tad and Dianne Taube Director, Hoover Institution"Taubman makes a persuasive case that Shultz was one of the most distinguished American officials of the last half century."—H.W. Brands, author of The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo and the War for America and Reagan: The Life"Philip Taubman's new biography of Shultz, In the Nation's Service, offers a more complicated assessment of the well-known government official and of the modern history of the GOP. Shultz's saga of triumph and turmoil offers a reminder that the brutal moral conditions Republican administrations impose on those who work in them were not just confined to Trump, but have been manifest all along."—Washington Monthly"Philip Taubman's In the Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz adds a surprising new dimension to the Reagan saga. Through the eyes of Shultz, the secretary of state, Taubman portrays the Reagan administration as swamped and nearly paralyzed by disorganization and infighting. Cabinet members and White House aides were constantly at each other's throats. This will come as no surprise to students of the Reagan presidency, but Taubman, a longtime reporter and editor at the New York Times, introduces a new and highly credible source. [Taubman's research] provides valuable new insight into the Reagan years, and he gives Shultz credit for holding things together."—David E. Hoffman, The Washington Post"Taubman's book is remarkable in many ways. [I]t gives Shultz the credit he deserves in guiding Reagan's foreign policy, especially in ending the Soviet empire, that had been reserved for just Reagan, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, President George H.W. Bush, and his top diplomat James Baker."—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner"The humanity and human touch of Shultz and his biographer emerge on nearly every page."—Walter Clemens, New York Journal of Books"Taubman has written an outstanding biography of George Shultz, both comprehensive and consistently engaging. Taubman's biography excels at conveying Shultz's human characteristics—trustworthiness, solidity, fortitude, plain-spoken directness, quick intelligence, ambition—which brought him to the summit of the American political system and made him such an invaluable player in it."—Gabriel Schoenfeld, The American Purpose"Mr. Taubman has given us a distinctly American story: A young man from a middle-income family in New Jersey, refined by education at Princeton and early service in uniform, comes to help guide U.S. foreign affairs through a perilous world moment. Shultz's spirit of service and loyalty is regrettably no longer dominant in American diplomacy or bureaucracy."—Kate Bachelder Odell, Wall Street Journal"As capably captured by Philip Taubman in his official biography of the 60th secretary of state, In the Nation's Service, Shultz had a front-row view of both the Reagan administration and the end of the Cold War. Indeed, he was an active player in it, instrumental in directing Reagan's more cooperative approach to the Soviet Union and helped along by a willing partner in Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev."—Samuel Sweeney, Foreign Policy"Taubman's excellent biography deserves great praise for highlighting the enormous debt of gratitude the country owes to George Shultz, not only for his herculean efforts to bring an end to the Cold War but also his many other achievements 'In the Nation's Service.'"—Ambassador Gary Grappo, The Cipher BriefTable of Contents01. "Grow Up a Real Man" 02. No Empty Threats 03. The Real Economy 04. Pathway to Power 05. Equal Opportunity 06. Treasury Travails 07. Odd Man Out 08. A Common Foundation 09. Stumbling Start 10. Soviet Policy Standoff 11. Nancy Reagan to the Rescue 12. Shultz's Opponents Strike Back 13. A Test of Loyalty 14. Hitting Bottom 15. The Target Is Destroyed 16. Combating Terrorism 17. Reelection and Renewed Hope 18. Sea Change in the Kremlin 19. The Fireside Summit 20. Battles That Never End 21. Implosion of a Presidency 22. Back on Track 23. Encore in Moscow 24. Epilogue

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Book SynopsisAuthor Roman Popadiuk served in the Bush White House from 1989 to 1992 as deputy assistant to the president and deputy press secretary for foreign affairs. In that capacity, he was closely involved with many of the day-to-day decisions of the administration during a momentous period that saw the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the rise of a new global coalition, the curbing of a dictator’s expansionist policies in the Middle East, and shifting domestic, economic, and political currents. In this important volume, Popadiuk examines the ways in which the personal leadership style of George Bush influenced the formation and execution of policy. Popadiuk composes a mosaic of events, quotations, and observations that yield a broad view of the ways in which a president’s personal qualities and philosophies impinge upon leadership options. General readers and public service professionals will find The Leadership of George Bush informative and enlightening, and scholars of the presidency and public policy will discover new avenues for research on both the Bush administration and executive leadership and policy.

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Book SynopsisAn insightful study of the inner life of the Zionist leader responsible for the creation of the state of IsraelTrade Review"The most intimate yet unflinching portrait to date of a man revered and reviled. . . . Shapira may be the last truly qualified person to unpack some of the mysteries of Israel’s George Washington."—Ilene Prusher, New York Times Book Review"Keenly observed . . . Ms. Shapira tries to shed light on the inner life of the man whom fellow Zionist leader Berl Katznelson called 'history’s gift to the Jewish people.'"—Liel Leibovitz, Wall Street Journal"This is an interesting addition to Yale’s Jewish Lives series —and Shapira rightly characterises the enigmatic Ben-Gurion as both a revolutionary Jacobin and 'the helmsman of the state.'"—Colin Schindler, Jewish Chronicle"Anita Shapira’s concise biography of Ben-Gurion reminds us that the complex issues and factionalism of modern Israeli politics have deep roots."—David Conway, Jewish Renaissance2015 Silver Medal Winner for the Washington Institute Book Prize given by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy"Anita Shapira portrays David Ben-Gurion as a man who, at some of the most crucial junctures in the whole of Jewish history, led his people, almost alone, by his prophetic foresight, his iron resolution and his fierce sense of reality. Yet, Shapira does not idealize her protagonist: he is portrayed in her brilliant book as a man who was often insensitive to others, ferociously stubborn and incredibly lonely. I read this fascinating book with both intellectual and emotional thrill."—Amos Oz, author of A Tale of Love and Darkness"A beautiful portrayal of a man of exceptional character, whose transcendent love of his people informed his vision."—Shimon Peres, former President of Israel"Shapira unearths new archival sources and provides fresh perspectives. A tour de force and a must read."—Jehuda Reinharz, Brandeis University

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Book SynopsisA political biography of one of the 20th century's most emblematic political figures.Trade Review'A much-needed account of Allende's life, showing the consistency of his political project and arguing persuasively that he was always at heart a revolutionary' -- Diana Raby, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Liverpool'An excellent book on a very interesting Latin American political figure that deserves to be recuperated' -- Jorge Arrate, Chilean presidential candidate for the left, 2009Clark ... writes with clarity and breadth about a revolutionary figure, from his last dramatic moments backwards, to unravel an exceptional life. A book that is as moving as enlightening.The book improves our understanding of the Chilean politics between 1930 and the coup of 1973, by providing a wealth of information and analysis of principal political events of the period.Well written and thoroughly researched, Salvador Allende: Revolutionary Democrat is an important contribution to a crucial debate and pays due tribute to a great leader of the left.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Early Life and Youth 2. Reaching Political Maturity 3. Becoming the Leader of the Left 4. Between Revolutions 5. The Popular Unity 6. The Coup 7. What followed Allende? 8. Life and Legacy Notes Index

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Book SynopsisIn Means of Ascent, Book Two of The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Robert A. Caro brings alive Lyndon Johnson in his wilderness years. Here, Johnson’s almost mythic personality—part genius, part behemoth, at once hotly emotional and icily calculating—is seen at its most nakedly ambitious. This multifaceted book carries the President-to-be from the aftermath of his devastating defeat in his 1941 campaign for the Senate-the despair it engendered in him, and the grueling test of his spirit that followed as political doors slammed shut-through his service in World War II (and his artful embellishment of his record) to the foundation of his fortune (and the actual facts behind the myth he created about it).   The culminating drama—the explosive heart of the book—is Caro’s illumination, based on extraordinarily detailed investigation, of one of the great political mysteries of the century. Having immersed himself in Johnson’s life and world, Caro is able to reveal the true story of the fiercely contested 1948 senatorial election, for years shrouded in rumor, which Johnson was not believed capable of winning, which he “had to” win or face certain political death, and which he did win-by 87 votes, the “87 votes that changed history.”   Telling that epic story “in riveting and eye-opening detail,” Caro returns to the American consciousness a magnificent lost hero. He focuses closely not only on Johnson, whom we see harnessing every last particle of his strategic brilliance and energy, but on Johnson’s “unbeatable” opponent, the beloved former Texas Governor Coke Stevenson, who embodied in his own life the myth of the cowboy knight and was himself a legend for his unfaltering integrity. And ultimately, as the political duel between the two men quickens—carrying with it all the confrontational and moral drama of the perfect Western—Caro makes us witness to a momentous turning point in American politics: the tragic last stand of the old politics versus the new—the politics of issue versus the politics of image, mass manipulation, money and electronic dazzle.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A labor of love.... These letters are gold, the richest Machiavelli vein there is for mining the life and the ideas."—Colin Walters, Washington Times "A marvelous book that gives us, for the first time in English, all the extant personal letters that Machiavelli exchanged with his friends and associates over thirty years.... A major event."—John M. Najemy, Cornell University "Bravo!' to the superb edition Atkinson and Sices have produced.... Should be required reading."—Peter Bondanella, Indiana UniversityTable of ContentsTable of Contents Preface Introduction Letters 1497-1498 1499 1500 1501 1502 1503 1504-1505 1506 1507-1508 1509 1510-1512 1513 1514 1515-1519 1520 1521 1522-1524 1525 1526 1527 Appendix Notes Abbreviations Works Cited List of Correspondence Subject Index

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Book Synopsis''Ferrazzi is breaking new ground in defining what leadership can mean in the emerging world of work'' -Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global''Ferrazzi has gone into the trenches to figure out what it really takes to empower people and make teams more than the sum of their parts. This book will be a staple in every leader''s library'' -Adam Grant, host of the TED podcast WorkLife, bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals Long-listed for the CMI Management Book of the Year 2021 The world of work is changing at an unprecedented rate leaving many organisations struggling to cope. At a time when constant innovation, agility, and speed often mean the difference between success and failure, we can no longer afford to waste time navigating the complex bureaucracy present in most companies. The #1 New York Times bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi argues that in times like these the ability to lead without authority is the essential workplace competency. Leading Without Authority reveals the secret to getting those around you to collaborate and cooperate to reach their full potential, whatever your title. The answer involves a shift in mindset that Ferrazzi calls co-elevation - working to elevate those around us. And you don''t have to have formal authority, or direct reports, to utilize the co-elevation process. In fact, you can take initial steps forward without the other person even being aware of your efforts.Drawing on a decade of research and over thirty years helping CEOs and senior leaders drive innovation and build high-performing teams Ferrazzi reveals how we can all transform our business and our relationships with the people around us. The result is a new roadmap for thriving amid the disruptive pressures afflicting every industry.Trade ReviewThe must-read guidebook for radical transformation. Keith Ferrazzi's concept of co-elevation provides an actionable methodology for any team to thrive during the decade of exponential change ahead * Peter H. Diamandis, founder of XPRIZE and Singularity University, bestselling co-author of Abundance, Bold, and The Future Is Faster Than You Think *Ferrazzi is breaking new ground in defining what leadership can mean in the emerging world of work. He shows that humility, curiosity, and candor can serve as the connective tissue binding us to our mission, to one another, and to a sense of purpose larger than ourselves * Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global *I'm excited to bring 'co-elevation' (as a new word, as a new book, and as a concept) to Zappos to help bring our culture and our business to the next level * Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, New York Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness *Ferrazzi brilliantly shows how building mutually beneficial partnerships marks the future of all work, and demonstrates how anyone can lead if they're willing to make themselves vulnerable and put the project mission and their partners first, turf and hierarchy last * Kristin Yetto, chief people officer at eBay *A brilliant, unique approach to building relationship capital by creating trusting and lasting human connection, not merely digital contact-inside and outside your company * Peter Guber, co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles FC *A masterful guide to thriving in today's very weird workplace . . . Get this right, and it doesn't matter that the business world is roiled by change and disruption * Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof, New York Times bestselling author of The Bulletproof Diet *Ferrazzi has gone into the trenches to figure out what it really takes to empower people and make teams more than the sum of their parts. This book will be a staple in every leader's library * Adam Grant, host of the TED podcast WorkLife, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals *

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Book SynopsisCharles Hornsby holds a D.Phil on Kenyan politics from St Antony's College, Oxford and has combined a professional career in information technology with a deep engagement with Kenya. He is the co-author of Multi-Party Politics in Kenya (1998).Trade ReviewMagisterial * Richard Waller, Africa *...the definitive work on modern Kenya * Miles Osborne, International Journal of African Historical Studies *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Independence! 3: Struggle for the State, 1964-1965 4: Multi-Party, but not Democracy, 1966-1969 5: Golden Years, 1970-1974 6: Rigor Mortis, 1975-1978 7: Too Many Cooks, 1978-1983 8: Heavy Footsteps, 1984-1989 9: A Second Liberation? 1990-1992 10: Conflict and Change, 1993-1997 11: Unnatural Succession, 1998-2002 12: Back to the Future, 2003-2008 13: Epilogue: Cold War, 2008-2009 14: Conclusions Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA classic work of political theory and practise, this book makes available an account of the modern Machiavellians, a remarkable group who have been influential in Europe and practically unknown in the United States: Gaetano Mosca, Georges Sorel, Robert Michels and Vilfredo Pareto. In addition, there is a long section on Machiavelli himself. James Burnham contends that the writings of these men hold the key both to the truth about politics and to the preservation of political liberty.Trade Review'The stoic, detached, empirical, hard-boiled, penetrating, realist mind of James Burnham is something to behold, to admire, to emulate' - National Review

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Book SynopsisAfter two years of nonstop negotiations with the Russian authorities, Jean-Christophe Brisard and Lana Parshina were granted access to secret files detailing the Soviets'' incredible hunt to recover Hitler''s body: the layout of the bunker, plans for escaping, eyewitness accounts of the Führer''s final days, and human remains-a bit of skull with traces of the lethal bullet and a fragment of jaw bone. For the first time, the skull, teeth and other elements were analysed by a medical examiner with cutting edge forensics equipment. The authors use these never before seen documents and research to reconstruct the events in fascinating new detail.Trade ReviewA thrilling investigation * L'Express *The text holds onto its historical thriller qualities and makes for a gripping read * Le Monde *Orchestrated like a spy novel, this fascinating piece of work weaves the highs and lows of the journalists's investigation with an edge-of-your-seat tale of Adolf Hitler's last days * Journal Du Dimanche *

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Book SynopsisCallaghan term in office was dominated by industrial unrest, culminating in the Winter of Discontent', laying the foundations for Margaret Thatcher's election victory in 1979

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Book SynopsisModern biographies of Richard Nixon have been consumed with Watergate. All have missed arguably the most important perspective on Nixon as California’s native son, the only U.S. president born and raised in California. In addition, Nixon was also a son, brother, friend, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. By shifting the focus from Watergate and Washington to Nixon’s deep, defining roots in California, Paul Carter boldly challenges common conceptions of the thirty-seventh president of the United States. More biographies have been written on Nixon than any other U.S. politician. Yet the territory traversed by Carter is unexplored, revealing for the first time the people, places, and experiences that shaped Richard Nixon and the qualities that garnered him respect from those who knew him well. Born in Yorba Linda and raised in Whittier, California, Nixon succeeded early in life, excelling in academics while enjoying athletics through high school. At Whittier College he graduated at the top of his class and was voted Best Man on Campus. During his career at Whittier’s oldest law firm, he was respected professionally and became a chief trial attorney. As a military man in the South Pacific during World War II, he was admired by his fellow servicemen. Returning to his Quaker roots after the war, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and the vice presidency, all within six short years. After losing to John Kennedy in the 1960 presidential campaign, Nixon returned to Southern California to practice law. After losing his gubernatorial race he reinvented himself: he moved to New York and was elected president of the United States in 1968. He returned to Southern California after Watergate and his resignation to heal before once again taking a place on the world stage.Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son is the story of Nixon’s Southern California journey from his birth in Yorba Linda to his final resting place just a few yards from the home in which he was born. Trade Review“After decades of pretentious psychobiographies of Richard Nixon’s ‘darkest side,’ Paul Carter has produced a tour de force that is the definitive portrait of Nixon’s life from his childhood until the end of his career.”—Irwin Gellman, author of Campaign of the Century: Kennedy, Nixon, and the Election of 1960“Paul Carter is the first person to comprehensively review the records of Richard Nixon’s formative years. The result is a book that shines. It is a feat that will never be repeated.”—Luke A. Nichter, author of The Year That Broke Politics: Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968“Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son is remarkably well done and is the best biography of my brother that I have read. . . . Paul Carter has crafted a fascinating, lawyerly narrative, scrupulously following the evidence in his research. By shifting the focus of Dick’s life from Washington, DC, to Southern California for the very first time, the true Dick Nixon is revealed. For those who have not yet made up their mind about my brother, this will provide revelatory reading.”—Edward C. Nixon, brother of Richard Nixon“Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son is superb—there’s really nothing like it in the Nixon literature, or even in the literature of the American presidency. Ed Nixon refers to Paul Carter’s work as ‘lawyerly,’ and that captures a lot of what makes the book invaluable: the careful assembling of masses of material after exhaustive research, presented with the clarity of style and directness of argument that the best lawyers command. I’m wowed by the whole thing.”—Andrew Ferguson, author of Land of Lincoln: Adventures in Abe’s America and former speechwriter for President George H. W. Bush“Paul Carter has done a brilliant job of providing an insightful and revealing portrait of Richard Nixon. Starting from his roots in Southern California and proceeding through his life in the public arena, Carter makes Nixon’s life come alive. Using source materials that have never been assembled so completely, coupled with meticulous attention to detail, the author has put together a compelling and important depiction of the life and emergence of Richard Nixon. . . . A superb portrait.”—John F. Rothmann, host of The John Rothmann Show on KGO 810 AM and lecturer on American politics at the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco“Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son is a deeply researched, highly readable account of President Richard Milhous Nixon’s life from a distinctly Californian point of view. . . . By showing that Nixon was a product of both his time and his birthplace, Carter retells this very American story in a unique way. Destined to become a classic within Nixon literature, this is a must-add to the presidential bookshelf as well as a must-read for those studying native sons of the Golden State.”—Heather Hardage Lee, author of The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home“A highly readable examination of Richard Nixon’s character and career. This story is impeccably detailed, with the author utilizing a wide variety of primary historical sources to illuminate Nixon’s rise, fall, and ultimate redemption on the grandest stage of American politics. Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son portrays the highest highs and the deepest lows that any American politician ever experienced. Paul Carter’s outstanding coverage of Richard Nixon’s remarkable journey stands in a class by itself.”—Joseph Dmohowski, Whittier College librarian and Nixon family author and historianTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword by Tricia Nixon Cox Preface 1. New Beginnings: 1908–22 2. Early Success: 1922–26 3. Nixonville: 1926–30 4. Depression-Era Education: 1930–37 5. Service to Community and Country: 1937–45 6. Congressional Race: 1945–46 7. National Prominence: 1947–49 8. Senator: 1949–51 9. Vice-Presidential Campaign: 1952 10. Vice President: 1953–56 11. Preparation: 1957–60 12. Presidential Campaign: 1960 13. Welcome Home: 1961 14. Governor’s Race: 1961–62 15. Wilderness Years: 1963–68 16. President: 1968–74 17. Exile and Rehabilitation: 1974–80 18. Evening: 1980–94 Notes Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis'The task of all who believe in multiracialism in this country is to survive. Quite inevitably time is on our side...' Helen Suzman was the voice of South Africa's conscience during the darkest days of apartheid. She stood alone in parliament, confronted by a legion of highly chauvinist male politicians. Armed with the relentless determination and biting wit for which she became renowned, Suzman battled the racist regime and earned her reputation as a legendary anti-apartheid campaigner. Despite constant antagonism and the threat of violence, she forced into the global spotlight the injustices of the country's minority rule. Access to Suzman's papers, including her unpublished correspondence with Nelson Mandela, was granted by her family to the author, former British ambassador to South Africa Robin Renwick, who has penned a book rich with examples of her humour and political brilliance. This first full biography goes beyond her famous struggle against apartheid into her criticisms of the post-apartheid government. It is a fascinating insight into the life of a truly great South African and her role in one of the most important struggles in modern history.Trade Review"Helen Suzman was sharp, incisive, principled and loads of fun. So is this biography... Brings Helen Suzman to life." John Carlin, Author of Invictus "Robin Renwick was British Ambassador in the 1980s, and writes lucidly and carefully as both friend and historian, taking us through the years of tightening apartheid and its educational, social and domestic repressions. It covers Sharpeville, Soweto, Robben Island and the atrocities and injustices which Suzman fought... as a character she emerges superbly." Libby Purves, The Times "[T]he truest of liberals... this crisp, lucid account is persuasive in presenting her as the doughtiest of fighters for human rights anywhere and one of the finest parliamentarians." The Economist "Robin Renwick's biography brims with anecdotes. In an era of overlong biographies, it shares her fondness for clarity, concision and humour. It is also exquisitely timed... and relevant today." Alec Russell, FT "The new insights that Robin Renwick brings to the extraordinary life and achievements of the late Helen Suzman will help to ensure that this exceptional South African and universally acknowledged human rights campaigner is accorded her rightful place in history." John Battersby, former editor of the Sunday Independent "Wonderfully readable story of someone I think of every day." Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape "Lord Renwick has done us all a great service." FW de Klerk "A wonderful book." Peter Bruce, Financial Mail "Timely, easy to read, elegant biography of the redoubtable Helen Suzman." Business Day "This well told story of Lord Renwick's old friend, revered by a whole generation of Robben Islanders, is also the history of the rise and fall of apartheid... brilliant use of vignettes and anecdotes." City Press "A fascinating insight into the life of a truly great South African... Former British Ambassador to South Africa Robin Renwick has penned a book rich with examples of her humour and political brilliance." The South African "A story of sheer political grit, courage and conviction, proving that even in the darkest hour there remain people loyal to their principles." South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe "Brilliantly written portrait of an inspiring figure." Mamphela Ramphele "An admirable and affectionate portrait of a remarkable woman." David Welsh, author of The Rise and Fall of Apartheid "A remarkable biography about a memorable woman. As British ambassador to South Africa, Lord Robin Renwick established a lasting friendship with Helen Suzman. Hence the excellence of this biography: the clarity of language, grasp and depth of issues, the human touch that pervades every chapter, and the deceptively easy readability. Coming at a time when liberalism has again come to the forefront of the national debate, it could not have appeared at a better moment." Stanley Uys, veteran South African journalist and political commentator

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Book SynopsisInvestigative journalist Lee Smith's The Plot Against the President tells the story of how Congressman Devin Nunes uncovered the operation to bring down the commander-in-chief. While popular opinion holds that Russia subverted democratic processes during the 2016 elections, the real damage was done not by Moscow or any other foreign actor. Rather, this was a slow-moving coup engineered by a coterie of the American elite, the "deep state," targeting not only the president, but also the rest of the country. The plot officially began July 31, 2016 with the counterintelligence investigation that the FBI opened to probe Russian infiltration of Donald Trump's presidential campaign. But the bureau never followed any Russians. In fact, it was an operation to sabotage Trump, the candidate, then president-elect, and finally the presidency. The conspirators included political operatives, law enforcement and intelligence officials, and the press.The plot was uncovered by Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and his investigative team. They understood that the target of the operation wasn't just Trump, but rather the institutions that sustain our republic. A country where operatives use the intelligence and security services to protect their privileges by spying on Americans, coordinating with the press, and using extra-constitutional means to undermine an election then undo a presidency is more like the third world than the republic envisioned by the founding fathers. Without Nunes and his team, the plot against the president -- and against the country -- never would have been revealed. Told from the perspective of Nunes and his crack investigators -- men and women who banded together to do the right thing at a crucial moment for our democracy -- the story of the biggest political scandal in a generation reads like a great detective novel, feels like a classic cowboy movie. The congressman from the cattle capital of California really did fight corruption in Washington. Devin Nunes took on the "deep state."

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] beautifully constructed, lucid, and brief new life of the dictator. . . . Written with fluent sobriety and humour the book is a constant pleasure to read. No book of history is ever definitive: new facts trickle out, new writers bring new perspectives to bear. This is the charm of the genre. But some history books can become classics for later generations. Khlevniuk’s Stalin is likely to be one of them."—Rodric Braithwaite, Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies"Authoritative, fluently written. . . . The pinnacle of current scholarship on its subject."—Charlotte Hobson, Spectator"This brilliant, authoritative, opinionated biography ranks as the best on Stalin in any language. Khlevniuk’s research is prodigious and covers a plethora of primary and secondary sources."—Martin McCauley, East-West Review"A historiographical and literary masterpiece, which undoubtedly will remain the standard biography of Stalin for decades to come."—Mark Edele, Australian Book ReviewWon the 2016 PROSE Award in Biography & Autobiography. The Prose Awards recognize the very best in professional and scholarly publishing. Presented by the Professional Schoarly Publishing (PSP) Dision of the Associaton of American Publishers (AAP)Awarded second prize for the Pushkin House Russian Book Prize for the Best Russian book in translation"Oleg Khlevniuk is incontestably the best Russian student of Soviet history. In this biography, he uses his experience and talents to give us an innovative and convincing portrait of the Soviet 'micromanaging' despot. The chapters dealing with the Terror, war, victory and the tragic postwar years break new ground. Stalin’s political and private life, his relationships with his immediate circle, his family and the 'Soviet people,' his intellectual capacities and his way of leading the country, as well as his cruelty and the system of power he built, come vividly to life, and one leaves the book with a much more profound understanding of some of Europe’s darkest decades."—Andrea Graziosi, author of the Histoire de l'URSS"Oleg Khlevniuk, master of the Russian archives, provides a fresh and acute analysis of Stalin the destroyer to confound revisionists who portray him as a state builder and modernizer."—Alfred J. Rieber, author of Stalin and the Struggle for Eurasia"Khlevniuk is one of the most knowledgeable historians of Stalin and his era. This excellent biography of Stalin represents the current state of scholarship, and should be read widely."—Hiroaki Kuromiya, author of Stalin: Profiles in Power"A superb account by the eminent scholar who pioneered the opening of the Soviet archives. Oleg Khlevniuk summarizes a lifetime of research, eschewing unsubstantiated anecdotes and tales and sticking to the documentary record, to produce an authoritative narrative of Stalin’s life and times."—Paul Gregory, Hoover Institution"No one in the world knows the inner workings of Soviet power in Stalin’s time better than Oleg Khlevniuk. Beautifully and artfully composed, deeply moral, and supremely readable, Stalin: New Biography of a Dictator will become the benchmark against which all future biographies of Stalin will be measured. A masterpiece."—Jan Plamper, author of The Stalin Cult: A Study in the Alchemy of Power

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Book SynopsisIn a democracy, we have come to assume that people know the policies they prefer and elect like-minded officials who are responsible for carrying them out. But does this actually happen? This book looks at citizens' views on candidates both before and after periods of political upheaval, including campaigns, wars, and natural disasters.Trade Review"Gabriel S. Lenz addresses the central question of how voters make use of the information around them to form evaluations of elected officials. Examining the impact of processes like priming and position changing, Lenz argues that there are also substantial effects working in the opposite direction - and that who voters support affects their views on the issues. There is much to ponder here for scholars interested in voter behavior and representation." (Thomas M. Carsey, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)"

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Book SynopsisMaxwell offers an oral history of pro-life activism in America from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. Through the stories of leaders and followers, men and women, Catholics and evangelicals, Carol Maxwell explores the complex beliefs and desires that gave rise to this activism, sustained, and eventually undid it.Trade Review"...a book that offers much that students of movements in all disciplines will find useful." Mobilization, Myra Max FerreeTable of ContentsAcknowledgments; 1. Choosing incivility; 2. Pro-life direct action in St Louis 1978 to 1983: young liberals and middle-aged mainstreamers; 3. Variations in the sources of commitment; 4. Coping with bereavement through activism: real grief and imagined death; 5. Abortion experiences; 6. Pro-life conviction; 7. Persistence: a qualitative analysis; 8. Gender differences in motivation; 9. Individual choices within the shifting social, legal, and political environments; Appendix; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisFocuses on the role of leadership in politics and argues that accomplished leaders demonstrate a particular set of skills. Through case studies of leaders who have performed ably in the developing world - among them Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Kemal Ataturk in Turkey, the author examines how these leaders transformed their countries.Trade Review"Compelling, straightforward, and accessible, Transformative Political Leadership brings the insights of leadership studies to bear on the challenges of nation builders in the developing world. The result is a very thought-provoking addition to the field of development that is sure to stimulate healthy controversy." (William Ascher, Claremont McKenna College)"

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Book SynopsisA new appreciation of the extraordinary life and legacy of Leon Blum, the first Jewish prime minister of FranceTrade Review“Twenty years ago, Pierre Birnbaum wrote a brilliant Political History of State Jews in France, and now he has written a beautiful biography of the greatest of the state Jews. Léon Blum has never gotten the recognition he deserves as a French statesman, a socialist leader, and a proud Jew. That will change with this book.”—Michael Walzer, author of The Paradox of Liberation: Secular Revolutions and Religious Counterrevolutions -- Michael Walzer“A succinct, interesting, and compelling overview of the life of French politician and former Prime Minister Léon Blum. Pierre Birnbaum draws on a rich series of primary sources that bring Blum and his adversaries to life.”—Maud S. Mandel, author of Muslims and Jews in France: History of a Conflict -- Maud S. Mandel“…a surprisingly human portrait of the Zionist socialist and three-time prime minister of France.”—Melody Amsel-Arieli, Segula -- Melody Amsel-Arieli * Segula *

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Book SynopsisEleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece 1910-1920 and 1928-1932, is regarded by many as the creator of contemporary Greece and one of the main actors in European diplomacy during his time in office.This book draws on considerable new research and places the study of Venizelos'' leadership in the broad setting of twentieth-century politics and diplomacy. The complex and often dramatic trajectory of Venizelos'' career from Cretan rebel to an admired European statesman is charted in a sequence of chapters that survey his meteoric rise and great achievements in Greek and European politics amidst violent passions and tragic conflicts. Further chapters appraise in depth some critical aspects of his policies, while a conclusion offers a glimpse into a great statesman''s personal and intellectual world.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Note on transliteration Introduction. Perspectives on a Leader I: SETTING THE STAGE 1. A Century of Revolutions. The Cretan Question between European and Near Eastern Politics 2. Venizelos' Early Life and Political Career in Crete (1864-1910) II: THE DRAMA OF HIGH POLITICS 3. Venizelos' Advent in Greek Politics, 1909-1912 4. Protagonist in Politics,1912-1920 5. Venizelos' Diplomacy 1910-1923: From Balkan Alliance to Greek-Turkish Settlement 6. Reconstructing Greece as a European State: Venizelos' Last Premiership, 1928-1932 7. I. S. Koliopoulos: The Last Years, 1933-1936 III: THE CONTENT OF POLITICAL ACTION 8. Eleftherios Venizelos and the Experiment of Inclusive Constitutionalism 9. Venizelos and Civil-Military Relations 10. Venizelos and Economic Policy 11. Modernisation and reaction in Greek education during the Venizelos era 12. Andreas Nanakis: Venizelos and Church-State Relations 351 IV: OFFSTAGE 13. Venizelos' Intellectual Projects and Cultural Interests Contributors

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