Political leaders and leadership Books
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Margaret Thatcher
Book Synopsis
£20.69
Little, Brown Book Group David Lloyd George
Book SynopsisA Welshman among the English, a nonconformist among Anglicans and a self-made man in the patrician corridors of power, David Lloyd George, the last Liberal Prime Minister of Great Britain, was the founding father of the Welfare State and was as great a peacetime leader as Churchill was in war. In this fascinating biography of an authentic radical, Roy Hattersley charts the great reforms - the first old age pension, sick pay and unemployment benefit - of which Lloyd George was architect, and also sheds light on the complexities of a man who was both a tireless champion of the poor, and a restless philanderer who was addicted to living dangerously.
£15.29
Cambridge University Press ProLife Activists in America
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.
£31.34
The University of Chicago Press Transformative Political Leadership Making a
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)"
£26.60
Vintage Publishing The Myth of the Strong Leader
Book Synopsis* UPDATED WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR *CHOSEN BY BILL GATES AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016Archie Brown challenges the widespread belief that ''strong leaders'', dominant individual wielders of power, are the most successful and admirable. Within authoritarian regimes, a collective leadership is a lesser evil compared with a personal dictatorship. Within democracies, although strong leaders' are seldom as strong or independent as they purport to be, the idea that just one person is entitled to take the big decisions is harmful and should be resisted.Examining Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mikhail Gorbachev, Deng Xiaoping and Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair amongst many others, this landmark study pinpoints different types and qualities of leadership. Overturning the popular notion of the strong leader, it makes us rethink preconceptions about what it means to lead.Trade Review"An important and unusual read... Brown does a wonderful job of showing how the same qualities that can seem so appealing in strong leaders can lead, in the mildest cases, to bad decisions - and, in the most extreme cases, to death and suffering on a massive scale... Though The Myth of the Strong Leader is about political leadership, you come away from Brown's book with a deeper understanding of leadership in general" -- Bill Gates "A profound, and wise, book - one of the most important works on politics for a long time. On the basis of penetrating, wide-ranging analysis, traversing democratic and authoritarian systems, Archie Brown clearly demonstrates the commonly held belief in strong leadership as the answer to political problems to be completely, often disastrously, misplaced." -- Sir Ian Kershaw "A brilliant exploration of political leaders in democratic, authoritarian and totalitarian regimes... Brown's excellent book stresses the importance of the context for the appearance of effective leaders and, when dealing with democratic regimes, the importance of the institutions" Political Quarterly "The best analysis of the nature of true leadership I have read." -- Gary Hart, Former United States Senator "This book badly needed to be written, and only Archie Brown - with his unique breadth of scholarly knowledge combined with a finger-tip feel for real-world politics - could possibly have written it. It turns out that there are fewer strong leaders in the world than is often supposed and that many of them, far from being desirable, are positively dangerous. Perhaps the best political systems are those that are effectively "leader-proofed"." -- Anthony King, Professor of Government at the University of Essex and co-author of The Blunders of Our Governments
£11.69
Yale University Press Léon Blum
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 *
£16.14
HarperCollins Publishers Harold Wilson
Book SynopsisReissued with a new foreword to mark the centenary of Harold Wilson's birth, Ben Pimlott''s classic biography combines scholarship and observation to illuminate the life and career of one of Britain''s most controversial post-war statesmen.Harold Wilson is one of the most enigmatic personalities of recent British history. He held office as Prime Minister for longer than any other Labour leader, and longer than any other premier in peacetime apart from Mrs Thatcher. His success at winning General Elections four in all has so far not been matched. His grasp of economic policy was better than that of any other Prime Minister, and he enjoyed a high reputation among foreign leaders. Yet, in retrospect, he seems a master tactician rather than a strategist and he is regarded today with more curiosity than respect, when he is not treated with contempt.Trade Review‘One of the great political biographies of the century’ A.N. Wilson, Evening Standard ‘Admirable and engrossing … Professor Pimlott’s picture of life at Number 10 and the strife within is vivid and unforgettable’ Daily Telegraph ‘A masterly piece of political writing’ New Statesman ‘The narrative gallops along, sweeping the reader with it in a rush of excitement. A mass of complex detail is marshalled with the art that conceals art’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Fascinating … Pimlott the X-ray has produced a work of formidable penetration’ Observer ‘His narrative is quite outstanding – clear, thoughtful and gripping … Some biographies enter the political discourse at once, thanks to their innate qualities and lucky timing. There are so many echoes of the Wilson years in the politics of today that this happy fate must surely belong to Pimlott’s book’ Andrew Marr, Independent
£17.09
Penguin Books Ltd Team of Rivals
Book SynopsisThe bestselling and prize-winning study of one of the most legendary American Presidents in history, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is the book that inspired Barack Obama in his presidency.When Barack Obama was asked which book he could not live without in the White House, his answer was instant: Team of Rivals. This monumental and brilliant work has given Obama the model for his presidency, showing how Abraham Lincoln saved America by appointing his fiercest rival to key cabinet positions. As well as a thrilling piece of narrative history, it''s an inspiring study of one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen.''A wonderful book . . . a remarkable study in leadership'' Barack Obama''A portrait of Lincoln as a virtuosic politician and managerial genius'' The New York Times''I have not enjoyed a history book as much for years'' Robert HarrisDoris Kearns Goodwin is the doyenne of US presidential historians, and one of Trade ReviewA wonderful book ... a remarkable study in leadership -- Barack ObamaThe most uplifting book that I have read in the last two decades. Sensational -- Jon SnowI have not enjoyed a history book as much for years -- Robert Harris * The Observer (Books of the Year) *A fabulously engrossing, exciting narrative in the grand old style ... overflowing with colour and character -- Dominic SandbrookA brilliant book ... I couldn't get enough of it -- Alex FergusonGoodwin's narrative abilities are on full display here. A portrait of Lincoln as a virtuosic politician and managerial genius -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *
£14.24
Edinburgh University Press Eleftherios Venizelos
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
£27.90
Headline Publishing Group First Lady An unputdownable thriller of politics
Book SynopsisMichael Dobbs, author of the No. 1 bestseller that inspired the hit Netflix series House of Cards, returns to the subject that made him a household name - the human drama and scandal in Westminster. First Lady is a compelling and witty novel of power, seduction and revenge, perfect for fans of John Grisham and Philip Kerr.Virginia Edge: mid-thirties, attractive, self-sufficient, ambitious. This is the story of her transformation from dutiful political wife to masterful manipulator of the entire political process at Westminster. She is a woman who is driven by the failings of men and the greed of others to take over their system and undermine it, to repay them in kind. In this battle she has two great allies - the intuition and determination of a wronged wife, and the blind ineptitude of Westminster men.Praise for Michael Dobbs:''Brilliant... Full of magnificently dark political characters'' Daily Mail<Trade Review'Dobbs' writing is highly polished and divertingly sophisticated' * Sandra Howard, Spectator *'It's barbed and breakneck, often very funny and hugely entertaining' * The Times *'It is brutal, coruscating stuff' * Sunday Telegraph *
£9.49
Rowman & Littlefield In Defense of Israel
Book Synopsis
£18.99
McFarland and Company, Inc. How Roosevelt Failed America in World War II
Book SynopsisFocusing on the period from 1940 to 1945, this work examines political maneuvers and events, which the author sees as Franklin D Roosevelt's blatant attempt to propel the United States into an active role in WWII. The addendums contain 1940s documents, such as the Atlantic Charter, the United Nations Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration.
£27.54
Globe Pequot Press The Cowboy President
Book SynopsisThe Cowboy President: The American West and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt reveals how his time spent in the Western Dakota Territory helped him recover from an overwhelming personal loss, but more importantly, how it transformed him into the man etched onto Mount Rushmore, a man who is still rated as one of the top five Presidents in American history. Unlike other Roosevelt biographies, The Cowboy President details how the land, the people and the Western code of honor had an enormous impact on Theodore and how this experience influenced him in his later years.
£11.69
Haus Publishing Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader
Book SynopsisPatrice Lumumba (1925-61) is perhaps the most famous leader of the African independence movement. After his execution in 1961, when he had been prime minister of the newly-liberated Congo for only seven months, he became an icon of anti-imperialist struggle. As the news came out, his picture was brandished in demonstrations in capitals around the world, along with Che Guevara and Mao Zedong. His life and the independence that he sought for the Congo made him a pivotal figure of the 20th century, highlighting ongoing Western colonialism and the problematic nature of the independence granted to huge swathes of the globe after 1945. In this book, revised and updated to include new thinking on the Congo crisis and incorporating material recently released from British intelligence archives, Leo Zeilig tells the story of the Congo in the dying days of colonialism, and of Lumumba's transition from nationalist to revolutionary to international symbol of African liberation.
£11.69
Vintage Publishing The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson
Book SynopsisHailed as 'the greatest biography of our era' (The Times) this is the fourth part of Robert Caro's multi-award-winning best-selling work on American President Lyndon Johnson.The Passage of Power, 'the series' crowning volume' (Economist), spans the years 1958 to 1964, arguably the most crucial years in the life of Johnson and pivotal years for American history. This era saw some of the most frustrating moments of Johnson's career, but also some of his most triumphant. His battle with the Kennedy brothers over the 1960 Democratic nomination for president was a bitter one, and the ensuing years of Johnson's vice-presidency were marked with humiliation. But, thrust into power following the assassination of J. F. Kennedy, Johnson grasped the presidential role with unprecedented skill. Caro also provides a fresh perspective on Kennedy’s assassination from Johnson's viewpoint, and penetrates deep into what it was like for him to assume a position of such power at a time of national crisis. The Passage of Power documents Johnson's extraordinary early presidency, forcing previously abandoned bills on the budget and civil rights through an uncooperative Congress and striving to achieve what he saw to be the highest standard of office.In The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Caro shows a delicacy of touch and a profoundness of insight into the state of a nation under the hand of a political master. Collectively these volumes constitute a major history of America in the first three-quarters of the twentieth century.Trade ReviewMonumental… For many politicians it is the finest book on politics… Magnificent…the tension between the fraud and ruthlessness that repulsed political liberals and the reaction of voters to whom he delivered, make Caro’s book the ultimate political story -- Daniel Finklestein * The Times *This extraordinary work will remain essential reading for decades to come -- Richard Lambert * Financial Times *A true story of huge personalities, bloody assassinations, loves, hatreds and betrayals (and the Kennedy family) that renders it by turns gripping, sensational and immensely depressing… A white-knuckle rollercoaster ride… Magisterial -- Andrew Roberts * Telegraph *A work of pure genius -- Steve Akehurst * Huffington Post UK *A work of greatness, of such acute observation of politics that its insights are applicable far beyond [its] time and place * Independent *Caro’s strength as a biographer is his ability to probe Johnson’s mind and motivations… Riveting… A rollercoaster tale * The Economist *Brilliant... Important... Remarkable... With this fascinating and meticulous account of Lyndon Johnson, Robert Caro has once again done America a great service -- Bill Clinton * New York Times Book Review *As riveting as a thriller… The next book will crown an achievement in presidential biography unmatched among presidential histories -- David Hendricks * Houston Chronicle *Caro sets the gold standard for modern political biography ... we can only hope we are fortunate enough to see this monumental work reach its long-awaited conclusion -- Tim Soutphommasane * New Statesman *One of the most ambitious single-handed literary enterprises in our time -- James M. Murphy * TLS *Long live Robert Caro… Truly epic political history and character study… Riveting…it elevates Caro’s tale to Shakespearean drama, as the coldhearted, Machiavellian maneuvering and hot-blooded rivalries of supremely ambitious men play out the fate of the free world at stake -- Dan DeLuca * Philadelphia Inquirer *A tremendous story, bursting with colour and character…the sheer wealth of political details keeps you turning the pages…gargantuan but brilliant -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *It is not often that I have muttered, “Astonishing”, to myself as I close a book. But I see what people were on about now. Caro is a brilliant narrator of recent history… It is a work of greatness, of such acute observation of politics that its insights are applicable far beyond the time and place of the United States, 1960-64 -- John Rentoul * Independent *Riveting reading from beginning to end... The real tour de force in this stunning mix of political and psychological analysis comes in the account of the transition between administrations... An utterly fascinating character study, brimming with delicious insider stories... Unquestionably, one of the truly big books of the year * Booklist (starred review) *An addictive read, written in glorious prose that suggests the world’s most diligent beat reporter channeling William Faulkner. Passage is an essential document of a turning point in American history. It’s also an incisive portrait of one great, terrible fascinating man suddenly given the chance to reinvent the country in his image -- Darren Franich * Entertainment Weekly *My book of the year, by a landslide majority... Caro marries profound psychological insight with a brilliant eye for the drama of the times -- Robert Harris * Guardian *A breathtakingly dramatic story [told] with consummate artistry and ardor... It showcases Mr Caro's masterly gifts as a writer: his propulsive sense of narrative, his talent for enabling readers to see and feel history in the making and his ability to situate his subjects’ actions within the context of their times… Taken together the installments of Mr Caro’s monumental life of Johnson so far not only create a minutely detailed picture of an immensely complicated and conflicted individual, but they also form a revealing prism by which to view the better part of a century in description of Johnson – and those of John and Robert Kennedy – have novelistic depth and amplitude… Mr Caro uses his storytelling gifts to turn seemingly arcane legislative maneuvers into action-movie suspense, and he gives us unparalleled understanding…of how Johnson used a crisis and his own political acumen to implement his agenda with stunning speed… Engrossing -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *It is the mismatch between Johnson’s fate prior to the assassination and his fate in its aftermath that gives this book, the fourth volume of Caro’s monumental biography, its compelling but also unfathomable flavor… Caro’s account of the day of the assassination… is a magnificent piece of writing. What might have seemed familiar becomes startlingly fresh, because it is seen from the perspective of the man whose destiny suddenly came back into focus as the world of those around him was falling apart. -- David Runciman * London Review of Books *Riveting... Shakespearean... It’s a rollercoaster narrative as Johnson plummets from the powerful Senate majority leader post to vice-presidential irrelevance, hated and humiliated by the Kennedy brothers, then surges to presidential authority with the crack of Lee Harvey Oswald’s rifle and forces a revolutionary civil rights act through a recalcitrant Congress... Caro’s tormented, heroic Johnson makes an apt embodiment of an America struggling toward epochal change, one with a fascinating resonance in our era of gridlocked government * Publisher's Weekly (starred review) *Caro has once again shown that he might well be the greatest presidential historian we’ve ever had… Although the amount of research Caro has done for these books is staggering, it’s his immense talent as a writer that has made his biography of Johnson one of America’s most amazing literary achievements… Caro’s portrayal of the president is as scrupulously fair as it is passionate and deeply felt… The series is a masterpiece, unlike any other work of American history published in the past. It’s true that there will never be another Lyndon B. Johnson, but there will never be another Robert A. Caro, either. By writing the best presidential biography the country has ever seen, he’s forever changed the way we think, and read, American history -- Michael Schaub * NPR *The years of Lyndon Johnson, when completed, will rank as America’s most ambitiously conceived, assiduously researched and compulsively readable political biography… When Caro’s fifth volume arrives, reader’s gratitude will be exceeded only by their regret that there will not be a sixth -- George F. WillA great work of history… A great biography… Caro has summoned Lyndon Johnson to vivid, intimate life * Newsweek *The fourth volume of one of the most anticipated English-language biographies of the past 30 years... A compelling narrative...that will thrill those who care about American politics, the foundations of power, or both * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *Political biography of the highest quality… An unmatched psychological portrait of Johnson as John F. Kennedy’s assassination catapults him into the presidency -- Tony Barber * Financial Times *Robert Caro’s biography of Lyndon Johnson is said to be on William Hague, George Osborne and Jeremy Hunt’s summer reading list * Guardian *This book shows the mastery of Johnson in politics, and also the mastery of Caro in biography -- David M. Shribman * Bloomberg/BusinessWeek *A great and occasionally astonishing biography -- John R MacArthur * Spectator *One of the greatest biographies in the history of American letters -- Bob Hoover * Cleveland Plain Dealer *The latest in what is almost without question the greatest political biography in modern times… Nobody goes deeper, works harder or produces more penetrating insights than [Caro] -- Patrick Beach * Austin American-Statesman *A major event in biography, history, even publishing itself… Caro has once more combined prodigious research and a literary gift to mount a stage for his Shakespearean figures: LBJ, JFK, LBJ’s nemesis Robert F. Kennedy * Library Journal (Starred) *A masterly how-to manual, showing Johnson’s knowledge of governing, his peerless congressional maneuvering and effective deal-making. The Years of Lyndon Johnson is a compact library: brilliant biography, gripping history, searing political drama and an incomparable study of power. It’s also a great read… And, after thousands of pages spent with Lyndon Johnson, one of Caro’s singular achievements is that you want more -- Peter Gianotti * Newsday *Brilliant… Riveting reading from beginning to end… The real tour de force in this stunning mix of political and psychological analysis comes in the account of the transition between administrations, from November 23 1963 to January 8, 1964… An utterly fascinating character study, brimming with delicious insider stories… Political wonks, of course, will dive into this book with unbridled passion, but its focus on a larger-than-life, flawed but fascinating individual – the kind of character who drives epic fiction – should extend its reach much, much further. Unquestionably, one of the truly big books of the year * Booklist (Starred) *The series’ crowning volume * The Economist *This pile-driving book has all the ingredients of a great drama, the humiliating childhood breeding a lifelong desire (to be president), the failure (to gain the Democratic nomination), the humiliation (almost constant, by JF Kennedy) the sudden change of fate (the assassination), and the vindication (when Johnson drives through key bills that Kennedy couldn’t, and proves himself the most astute of politicians). Totally compelling -- Biography of the year * Sunday Times Ireland *It is an extraordinary story of a deeply flawed character, told with such verve, such command of the facts, and such an understanding of power -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *A major work of history and biography -- Annie Proulx * Guardian *The fourth installation of Caro’s masterwork came out this year and, cheeringly, there is no slackening of plot or pace -- Kathryn Hughes * Guardian *It is a profound portrait of two men, Johnson and John F. Kennedy, and the relationship between them -- Sarah Stands * Evening Standard *A fascinating story, Shakespearean in its passion and fury, as well as darkly comical -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *This pile-driving book has all the ingredients of a great drama, the humiliating childhood breeding a lifelong desire (to be president), the failure (to gain the Democratic nomination), the humiliation (almost constant, by J. F. Kennedy) the sudden change of fate (the assassination), and the vindication (when Johnson drives through key bills that Kennedy couldn’t, and proves himself the most astute of politicians). Totally compelling * Sunday Times Ireland *The fourth volume of Caro’s magisterial work spans the five years that end shortly after Kennedy’s assassination, as Johnson prepares to push for a civil rights * New York Times *A meticulous dissection of political and economic structures in the US… a riveting read by one of the modern masters of historical writing * Morning Star *
£25.50
Lit Verlag And No One Will Keep That Light from Shining:
Book Synopsis
£19.76
Harvard University Press The Decline and Fall of the American Republic
Book SynopsisBruce Ackerman shows how the institutional dynamics of the last half-century have transformed the American presidency into a potential platform for political extremism, and proposes a series of reforms that will minimize, if not eliminate, the risks going forward.Trade ReviewAckerman makes a powerful case that the Executive’s reach has expanded by leaps and bounds over the last half century, due to factors internal and external to the presidency itself… The questions he raises regarding the threat of the American Executive to the republic are daunting. This fascinating book does an admirable job of laying them out. -- Bezalel Stern * The Rumpus *The nature of the power embodied in the U.S. presidency has evolved over the years, and if Bruce Ackerman’s The Decline and Fall of the American Republic is right, the results of that evolution are unfortunate. The contemporary view that tends to see the president as the center of our country’s government and the locus of its political power is something new and quite different from what was intended by the founders. Ackerman, a professor of law and political science at Yale who has written more than a dozen books on American politics, makes clear that his fear is not that the nation is in imminent danger of ceasing to exist as a country. What seems more likely is that its distinctively republican form of government could be lost, crushed under the weight of an unbalanced political structure. In particular, Ackerman worries that the office of the presidency will continue to grow in political influence in the coming years, opening possibilities for abuse of power if not outright despotism. -- Troy Jollimore * Boston Globe *Ackerman must be commended for the honesty and directness of his defense of constitutionalism, irrespective of the ‘sensitivities’ he quite obviously offends… The book has already made a significant impact in America where it has generated a robust debate over the ‘renewal’ of U.S. constitutionalism. -- Emilios Christodoulidis * Modern Law Review *The persuasiveness of [Ackerman’s] individual points varies, but the overall view is rather compelling. -- Matthew Yglesias * American Prospect *In his extraordinary new book, The Decline and Fall of the American Republic, Bruce Ackerman begins, quite literally, by condemning the ‘triumphalism’ that surrounds most discussion of the Constitution… I certainly agree that he has identified a genuine problem with our polity, and I admire him, not for the first time, in having the willingness to speak in tones that many of his more moderate and ‘reasonable’ colleagues in the legal academy will undoubtedly dismiss as overwrought. -- Sandy Levinson * Balkinization (blog) *Bruce Ackerman’s The Decline and Fall of the American Republic is a profoundly important constitutional wake-up call. It presents a powerful, multi-layered, yet highly accessible argument that the body politic faces the serious and unprecedented structural risk of presidential extremism and lawlessness—and a series of new checks and balances that offer the rare combination of pragmatism and originality. One hopes that the book will receive its just deserts by provoking a vigorous new constitutional debate not only among fellow academics but also, more importantly, among We the People. -- Stephen Gardbaum * Balkinization (blog) *Ackerman’s central contention is right on target—our constitutional system is in grave difficulty. He points to the right evidence, a recurrent series of crises linked to the exercise of presidential power: Watergate, Iran-Contra, and the illegalities of the Bush II administration. These crises must be taken seriously as objects of analysis as they are central to a proper understanding of where we stand. Ackerman is also right to claim that the constitutional triumphalism so pervasive in our political culture has gone stale. -- Stephen Griffin * Balkinization (blog) *Alarmist or alarming, The Decline and Fall of the American Republic is a serious attention-getter. Bruce Ackerman has adroitly woven recent changes in our institutional arrangements into a provocative argument that the expanding powers of the twenty-first-century presidency have put our constitutional order at risk. -- Joyce Appleby, University of California, Los Angeles, author of The Relentless RevolutionAt once audacious and plain spoken, Ackerman offers a fierce critique of democracy’s most dangerous adversary: the abuse of democratic power by democratically elected chief executives. -- Benjamin R. Barber, Demos, author of Jihad vs. McWorld and ConsumedIn The Decline and Fall of the American Republic, Bruce Ackerman, one of our nation’s most thoughtful and most influential constitutional theorists, sounds the alarm about the dangers posed by our ever-expanding executive authority. Those who care about the future of our nation should pay careful heed to Ackerman’s warning, as well as to his prescriptions for avoiding a constitutional disaster. -- Geoffrey R. Stone, University of Chicago Law School, author of Perilous Times
£24.26
Dorling Kindersley Ltd The Little Book of Politics
Book Synopsis
£8.99
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Founding the American Presidency
Book SynopsisAt a time when the institution of the presidency seems in a state of almost permanent crisis, it is particularly important to understand what sort of an institution the framers of the Constitution thought they were creating. Founding the American Presidency offers a first-hand view of the minds of the founders by bringing together extensive selections from the constitutional convention in Philadelphia as well as representative selections from the subsequent debates over ratification. Organized topically, the book focuses on those issues of executive power that most deeply concerned and often sharply divided the founders, including the electoral college and impeachment, the presidential term and reeligibility, the veto power and war powers, the power of appointment and the power of pardon. EllisO judicious selections mean that teachers and students no longer need to settle for the meager rations of a Federalist paper or two supplemented by a quick summary of the founders'' thoughts befoTrade ReviewThe author has done an excellent job of conveying the fact that there was a real debate over the presidency specifically and the Constitution in general in which reasonable arguments could be found on both sides. Few texts accomplish this feat. -- Andrew Busch, University of DenverAbsolutely first rate—Richard Ellis is a superb writer and a thorough and original scholar. Founding the American Presidency is well conceived and well executed, perfect for any course on the presidency. -- Michael Nelson, Rhodes CollegeTable of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: Prelude to the Presidency Part 2 Part I: Constituting the Executive Chapter 3 One President or Many? Chapter 4 An Executive Council? Part 5 Part II: Selecting the President Chapter 6 The Long and Tortuous Debate Chapter 7 Term of Office and Reeligibility Chapter 8 The Electoral College Part 9 Part III: Empowering the President Chapter 10 To Veto or Not to Veto Chapter 11 War and Peace Chapter 12 The Power of Appointment Chapter 13 Pardon Power Part 14 Part IV: Removing the President Chapter 15 Impeachment Part 16 Debating Presidential Power Chapter 17 Goldilocks and the Three Branches: A President Too Strong, Too Weak, or Just Right?
£43.20
Ohio University Press Kwame Nkrumah The Father of African Nationalism
Book SynopsisThe first African statesman to achieve world recognition was Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972), who became president of the new Republic of Ghana in 1960. He campaigned ceaselessly for African solidarity and for the liberation of southern Africa from white settler rule.Trade Review“This is a biographical study of one of the most complex African leaders of the twentieth century colonial era. The book admirably traces the problems Nkrumah faced as a student and aspiring politician…. The book is a colorful biography and assists the reader in understanding the tribulations and aspirations of Third World leaders in guiding their countries through the uncertain transition from colonialism to independence.” * African Studies Quarterly *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Kwame Nkrumah: A Transnational Life 2. Empire and a Colonial Youth 3. Diasporic Connections and Anticolonial Experimentation 4. Between Nation and Pan-Africanism: Part I 5. Between Nation and Pan-Africanism: Part II 6. Exile and an Era of Reinvention 7. Remembering Nkrumah Notes Bibliography Index
£14.24
Ohio University Press Patrice Lumumba
Book SynopsisPatrice Lumumba was a leader of the independence struggle in what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the country’s first democratically elected prime minister. After a meteoric rise in the colonial civil service and the African political elite, he became a major figure in the decolonization movement of the 1950s.Trade Review“Lumumba…was a pivotal player in the history of African nationalism, in the same league as Mandela in terms of his influence. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja provides an excellent short introduction to Lumumba’s life and historical significance.”“The contribution [Nzongola-Ntalaja makes] to the literature of Patrice Lumumba, and the Congo, is ironically not concentrating on Lumumba’s iconic Cold War death but instead placing his life and words into the proper cultural, economic, and historical context of Congolese history. …I would highly recommend [Patrice Lumumba] for students in African or Congolese politics. …[It challenges] us not to dwell on his death but breathe life into his words, because the questions Patrice Lumumba raised about self-determination then are still relevant for all of us today.” * African Studies Quarterly *
£12.99
Ohio University Press Thomas Sankara
Book SynopsisThomas Sankara, often called the African Che Guevara, was president of Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in Africa, until his assassination during the military coup that brought down his government. Although his tenure in office was relatively short, Sankara left an indelible mark on his country’s history and development.Trade Review“Thomas Sankara: An African Revolutionary will serve as an excellent introduction to Sankara and the revolution in Burkina Faso and explain why Sankara continues to be so widely admired throughout Africa and beyond.”“…[A] fascinating read about a leader who not only led a revolution to free his people … but also lived a simple and humble life, uncorrupted by the power of the office he held.” * Africa Renewal *“Harsch’s book helps us understand why [Sankara's] ideas are still very much alive. It's a good read and well worth the price.” * The Bullet *
£12.99
Rosetta Books The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
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£10.44
Simon & Schuster Nomad
Book Synopsis
£15.30
St. Martins Press-3PL Escape from Slavery The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and My Journey to Freedom in America
£15.19
Pan Macmillan How to be a Leader
Book SynopsisNo one is born to lead. This is the idea at the heart of this thoughtful book on leadership. Popular culture feeds us images of the square-jawed, strong-armed leader - charismatic, powerful, decisive - but the truth is, with the right amount of self-knowledge and authenticity, anyone can be a good leader, even those who don't fit the stereotype.There are countless courses and books available on leadership technique, decision-making and public speaking, but How to Be a Leader aims to give you the tools to understand and bring out your own leadership style. With an in-depth look at what it really means to lead, and the difference between being a manager and being a leader, How to Be a Leader invites you to explore - and accept - the unique leader in you.Trade ReviewThe School of Life is dedicated to making our lives clearer, less puzzling and more enjoyable - by studying the big themes of life with the help of culture. This new series of self-help books continues to reinvent the genre, making it into something more serious, profound and genuinely helpful. * Alain de Botton *
£9.49
Random House USA Inc American Lion
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£27.20
Yale University Press Disraeli
Book SynopsisA fresh, vivid look at Disraeli's life, achievements, and temperament that casts doubts on his much-touted commitment to Jewish rightsTrade Review"Superb."—Benjamin Balint, Wall Street Journal -- Benjamin Balint * Wall Street Journal * "A focused biography that derives its excellent specificity from Disraeli's writings."—Kirkus Reviews * Kirkus Reviews *“A lively, original, and revisionist account of Disraeli.”—Todd Endelman, University of Michigan -- Todd Endelman"Cesarani, the late noted Holocaust historian and award-winning author, succinctly tells the complex story of Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) . . . . This readable portrait is a great addition to European history, biography, and Jewish collections."—Dan Kaplan, Booklist -- Dan Kaplan * Booklist *“… [an] absorbing study of Disreali the Jew”—Daniel Finkelstein, The Times -- Daniel Finkelstein * The Times *“This groundbreaking biography is a passionate and stimulating account of Disraeli as both man and myth. With pace and clarity the author, writing at the height of his powers, skillfully and intelligently unravels the enduring mystery of Disraeli's Jewishness.”—Bryan Cheyette, author of Diasporas of the Mind -- Bryan Cheyette“A vivid and illuminating new biography… [and] a crisp persuasive book.—Jonathan Freedland, the Guardian -- Johnathan Freedland * The Guardian *“This well-researched new biography uses Disreali’s wide range of novels to address fascinating questions about him and provide a close reading of his political career and shifting loyalties… Cesarani doesn’t gloss over Disreali’s weaknesses: his numerous affairs, profligacy and constant debt (only parliamentary immunity kept him out of prison). Yet his portrait of this complex figure remains sympathetic…”—Sara Jo Ben Zvi, Segula -- Sara Jo Ben Zvi * Segula *
£18.04
Nova Science Publishers Inc President Zachary Taylor: The Hero President
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£39.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Gerald R Ford: The All-American President
Book SynopsisIt is beyond question that Gerald R Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States, brought honesty and integrity back into the White House at a time when the country needed those qualities and, in doing so, he restored a sense of calm to a troubled and anxious country. He embodied the qualities and virtues of the American heartland and put these into practice in his public life. Gerald Ford was the All-American President. This book places President Gerald Ford in his proper position within the American pantheon and concentrates on Ford as a solid Midwesterner who fairly radiated integrity and used his talent to earn high political office.
£166.49
HarperCollins Publishers William Wilberforce The Life of the Great
Book SynopsisWilliam Hague has written the life of William Wilberforce who was both a staunch conservative and a tireless campaigner against the slave trade.Hague shows how Wilberforce, after his agonising conversion to evangelical Christianity, was able to lead a powerful tide of opinion, as MP for Hull, against the slave trade, a process which was to take up to half a century to be fully realised. Indeed, he succeeded in rallying to his cause the support in the Commons Debates of some the finest orators in Parliament, having become one of the most respected speakers of those times.Hague examines twenty three crucial years in British political life during which Wilberforce met characters as varied as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Tsar Alexander of Russia, and the one year old future Queen Victoria who used to play at his feet. He was friend and confidant of Pitt, Spencer Perceval and George Canning. He saw these figures raised up or destroyed in twenty three years of war and revolution.Hague preTrade Review'The author has produced a splendid read for which he deserves the utmost credit. He tells Wilberforce's story with such enthusiasm and narrative skill that, in this bicentennial year, his book seems assured of bestsellerdom. I put it down liking Hague as much as I was moved by his tale, one of the most remarkable in British political history.' Sunday Times 'An authoritative account of a remarkable life.' Sunday Times 'A fine, informative tribute.' Observer 'A superb biography.' Daily Express 'An enthusiastic and balanced portrayal of an appealing figure.' Sunday Telegraph 'Gripping…absorbing…the definitive biography.' Daily Mail 'Informed by a nuanced sense of what was and was not politically possible at that moment…lucid and convincing…gripping.' Daily Telegraph ‘William Hague has assumed from Roy Jenkins the mantle of Britain's foremost politician-biographer. This magnificent biography of William Wilberforce succeeds his good debut life of William Pitt…his achievement goes far beyond an attractive prose style and meticulously accurate historical re-recreation. The insights drawn from a wide parliamentary and political experience bring to life the genius of the great anti-slave trade campaigner in a wholly new and vivid way.’ Evening Standard
£15.29
Penguin Putnam Inc Washington: A Life
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£32.80
Penguin Putnam Inc Kissinger 19231968 The Idealist
Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Ascent of Money and The Square and the Tower, the definitive biography of Henry Kissinger, based on unprecedented access to his private papers.Winner of the Council on Foreign Relations Arthur Ross Book AwardNo American statesman has been as revered or as reviled as Henry Kissinger. Once hailed as “Super K”—the “indispensable man” whose advice has been sought by every president from Kennedy to Obama—he has also been hounded by conspiracy theorists, scouring his every “telcon” for evidence of Machiavellian malfeasance. Yet as Niall Ferguson shows in this magisterial two-volume biography, drawing not only on Kissinger’s hitherto closed private papers but also on documents from more than a hundred archives around the world, the idea of Kissinger as the ruthless arch-realist is based on a profound misunderstanding.The firs
£22.50
Imprint Academic Sortition: Theory and Practice
Book SynopsisThis volume reflects the up-and-coming academic interest in sortition. It is based on contributions to the first international conference dedicated to the subject held at the University of Political Science (Sciences-Po) in Paris in November 2008. The papers explore important theoretical questions such as how we should recognise and define differing lottery forms; the relationship between sortition and different aspects and forms of democracy; and its potential benefits to current political and commercial practice. Contributors Hubertus Buchstein, Gil Delannoi Oliver Dowlen, Gerhard Göhler Barbara Goodwin, Michael Hein Yves Sintomer, Peter Stone Antoine Vergne Gil Delannoi is Research Director at Sciences-Po Paris (Centre de recherches politiques). Oliver Dowlen is an independent scholar and a founder member of the Society for Democracy including Random Selection (SDRS).
£17.63
Fonthill Media Ltd Adolf Hitler: The Curious and Macabre Anecdotes
Book SynopsisAdolf Hitler was born in Austria in April 1889, and shot himself in a bunker in Berlin in April 1945 with Russian soldiers beating at the door, surrounded by the ruins of the country he had vowed to restore to greatness. Adolf Hitler: The Curious and Macabre Anecdotes - part biography, part miscellany, part historical overview - presents the life and times of der Fuhrer in a unique and compelling manner. The early life of the loner son of an Austrian customs official gave little clue as to his later years. As a decorated, twice-wounded soldier of the First World War, through shrewd manipulation of Germany's offended national pride after the war, Hitler ascended rapidly through the political system, rousing the masses behind him with a thundering rhetoric that amplified the nation's growing resentment and brought him the adulation of millions. By the age of 44, he had become both a millionaire with secret bank accounts in Switzerland and Holland, and the unrivalled leader of Germany, whose military might he had resurrected; six years later, he provoked the world to war. Patrick Delaforce's book is a masterly assessment of Hitler's life, career and beliefs, drawn not only from its subject's own writings, speeches, conversation, poetry and art, but also from the accounts of those who knew him, loved him, or loathed him. The journey of an ordinary young man to callous dictator and architect of the 'Final Solution' makes for provocative and important - thought not always comfortable - reading.
£11.69
University of Texas Press Bol237var and the War of Independence Memorias
Book SynopsisOne of the most important historical sources for a major part of Simón Bolívar’s life.Trade ReviewThese Memoirs of O'Leary ... are without a doubt the best work ever published in the English language on the life and deeds of Simón Bolivar, the great Liberator of five South American countries.... The book is full of interesting vignettes, where O'Leary with great candor and sincerity virtually takes the reader by the hand into the inner sanctum of the great Liberator... a thoroughly enjoyable, condensed version. * Inter-American Review of Bibliography *Table of Contents Translator’s Foreword Preface Introduction Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-one Chapter Twenty-two Chapter Twenty-three Chapter Twenty-four Chapter Twenty-five Chapter Twenty-six Index
£27.90
HCI Press Trump Bubbles: The Dramatic Rise and Fall of
Book Synopsis Trump Bubbles: The Dramatic Rise and Fall of High-Conflict Politicians is the first book to really explain the rise and fall of Donald Trump, candidate for President of the United States of America.What’s a trump bubble? It’s when emotions trump thinking in politics. When fear trumps facts. When leader love trumps logic. Donald Trump is the most recent trump bubble, but trump bubbles have occurred before and will again.Remember the dot.com bust of 2000? The housing and stock market bubbles that burst in 2008? They were held up by irrational exuberance. Now there’s the Donald Trump Bubble. People love him or hate him or are totally confused. However, he is quite predictable, if you understand high-conflict personalities.Trump Bubbles explains the rise-and-fall pattern of high-conflict politicians, focusing on the case of Donald Trump and the questions people ask: Why do people compare him to Adolf Hitler in the 1920’s? Why do people defend him despite his outrageous statements and beliefs? Will he become reasonable if he ever becomes President? Does he have narcissistic personality disorder? Will he settle on a set of policies, or will he keep changing impulsively? Could he be a good thing for American politics? Would he start World War III? How do you stop trump bubbles once they start? What happens when a trump bubble bursts?To answer these questions, award-winning author, Bill Eddy, relies on social science, psychology and history, as well as his years of training professionals in dealing with high-conflict personalities and situations. It’s a beautiful thing!
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Amazing Grace
Book SynopsisAmazing Grace tells the story of the remarkable life of the British abolitionist William Wilberforce (1759-1833). This accessible biography chronicles Wilberforce''s extraordinary role as a human rights activist, cultural reformer, and member of Parliament. At the center of this heroic life was a passionate twenty-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807, as well as efforts to abolish slavery itself in the British colonies, a victory achieved just three days before his death in 1833. Metaxas discovers in this unsung hero a man of whom it can truly be said: he changed the world. Before Wilberforce, few thought slavery was wrong. After Wilberforce, most societies in the world came to see it as a great moral wrong.To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade, HarperSanFrancisco and Bristol Bay Productions have joined together to commemorate the life of William Wilberforce with the feature-
£13.59
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Reagan
Book SynopsisFrom the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, bestselling historian, and author of Our First Civil War?and the rare academic historian who can write like a bestselling novelist (USA Today)?comes an irresistible portrait of an underestimated politician whose pragmatic leadership and steadfast vision transformed the nation.In his magisterial new biography, H. W. Brands brilliantly establishes Ronald Reagan as one of the two great presidents of the twentieth century, a true peer to Franklin Roosevelt. Reagan conveys with sweep and vigor how the confident force of Reagan?s personality and the unwavering nature of his beliefs enabled him to engineer a conservative revolution in American politics and play a crucial role in ending communism in the Soviet Union. Reagan shut down the age of liberalism, Brands shows, and ushered in the age of Reagan, whose defining principles are still powerfully felt today.Employing archival sources not available to previous biographers and drawing on dozens of interviews with surviving members of Reagan?s administration, Brands has crafted a richly detailed and fascinating narrative of the presidential years. He offers new insights into Reagan?s remote management style and fractious West Wing staff, his deft handling of public sentiment to transform thetax code, and his deeply misunderstood relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, on which nothing less than the fate of the world turned.Look for H.W. Brands''s other biographies: THE FIRST AMERICAN (Benjamin Franklin), ANDREW JACKSON, THE MAN WHO SAVED THE UNION (Ulysses S. Grant), and TRAITOR TO HIS CLASS (Franklin Roosevelt).
£19.55
Haus Publishing Major
Book SynopsisJohn Major succeeded Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister, but his initial popularity soon faded with the devaluation of the sterling, his achievement at Maastricht which brought division to his party and he oversaw the longest recession since WW2.
£8.99
Haus Publishing Salisbury
Book SynopsisThis is a biography of the first Prime Minister of the 20th Century during the height of the British Empire.
£9.99
Haus Publishing Campbell-Bannerman
Book SynopsisRoy Hattersley brings the politician's to this concise history of the life of Henry Campbell-Bannerman, widely considered to be an ineffective Prime Minister; he was in fact the liberal of the 20th century to occupy the post.
£8.99
Farrar, Straus and Giroux Oblivion
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£14.40
Harvard University Press Makers of Modern Asia
Book SynopsisThe twenty-first century has been dubbed the Asian Century. Highlighting diverse thinker-politicians rather than billionaire businessmen, Makers of Modern Asia presents eleven leaders who theorized and organized anticolonial movements, strategized and directed military campaigns, and designed and implemented political systems.Trade Review[An] entertaining and illuminating collection of essays… The chapters on Sukarno, by James Rush, and on Bhutto, by Farzana Shaikh, are exceptional. * The Economist *Biographies of 11 galvanizers of modern Asian nationalism, from Gandhi to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, underscore the importance of politics before economics… Editor Guha reminds Western readers in his introduction that to concentrate on Asia’s stunning recent economic rise without studying the nationalist developments that preceded it is to ignore (again), at our great loss, the essential makeup and character of these nations. He argues that through understanding the lives of these founders, many of whom—Zhou Enlai and Ho Chi Minh, for example—gleaned their first political understanding from the West, we can grasp the wider political and social processes they effected in their own countries. Composed by various Western and Asian scholars and writers, these essays offer pithy highlights of each individual’s early life and political development, followed by delineation of how each applied his or her beliefs (for good or ill) to anti-colonial campaigns. * Kirkus Reviews *A much-needed collection… Compared to many biographies of Western political leaders, these stories lack the commercial drama and overheated sensationalism of the bestselling variety, but that characteristic may be a welcome respite for many readers. * Publishers Weekly *It is all too easy to forget the volcanic history that lies just beneath Asia’s recent economic boom. Makers of Modern Asia reminds us of the immediacy of this history by bringing together biographies of eleven national leaders of the 20th century whose ruthless pursuit of modernity and power must continue to shape Asia’s course in the future. -- Timothy Brook, author of Mr. Selden’s Map of China
£24.26
Penguin Books Ltd Leaders Eat Last Why Some Teams Pull Together and
Book SynopsisLeadership is not a rank, it is a responsibility. Leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in your charge.When we take care of our people, our people will take care of us. They will help see that our cause becomes a reality.In Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek, internationally bestselling author of Start With Why, investigates these great leaders from Marine Corps Officers, who don''t just sacrifice their place at the table but often their own comfort and even their lives for those in their care, to the heads of big business and government - each putting aside their own interests to protect their teams.''Simple and elegant, it shows us how leaders should lead'' William Ury, co-author of Getting to YesTrade ReviewAs refreshingly simple and easy to follow as it is thought-provoking * Management Today *
£10.44
Georgetown University Press Spy Chiefs: Volumes 1 and 2
Book SynopsisSave when you purchase Volumes 1 and 2 in a bundle! The first volume of Spy Chiefs broadens and deepens our understanding of the role of intelligence leaders in foreign affairs and national security in the United States and United Kingdom from the early 1940s to the present. The figures profiled range from famous spy chiefs such as William Donovan, Richard Helms, and Stewart Menzies to little-known figures such as John Grombach, who ran an intelligence organization so secret that not even President Truman knew of it. The volume tries to answer six questions arising from the spy-chief profiles: how do intelligence leaders operate in different national, institutional, and historical contexts? What role have they played in the conduct of international relations and the making of national security policy? How much power do they possess? What qualities make an effective intelligence leader? How secretive and accountable to the public have they been? Finally, does popular culture (including the media) distort or improve our understanding of them? Many of those profiled in the book served at times of turbulent change, were faced with foreign penetrations of their intelligence service, and wrestled with matters of transparency, accountability to democratically elected overseers, and adherence to the rule of law. This book will appeal to both intelligence specialists and general readers with an interest in the intelligence history of the United States and United Kingdom. The second volume of Spy Chiefs goes beyond the commonly studied spy chiefs of the United States and the United Kingdom to examine leaders from Renaissance Venice to the Soviet Union, Germany, India, Egypt, and Lebanon in the twentieth century. It provides a close-up look at intelligence leaders, good and bad, in the different political contexts of the regimes they served. The contributors to the volume try to answer the following questions: how do intelligence leaders operate in these different national, institutional and historical contexts? What role have they played in the conduct of domestic affairs and international relations? How much power have they possessed? How have they led their agencies and what qualities make an effective intelligence leader? How has their role differed according to the political character of the regime they have served? The profiles in this book range from some of the most notorious figures in modern history, such as Feliks Dzerzhinsky and Erich Mielke, to spy chiefs in democratic West Germany and India.Trade ReviewEvery chapter is in and of itself factual, well researched, interesting, and well written. The chapters, while reviewed here sequentially, need not be read in sequence. All are in themselves worthwhile. * International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence *
£43.20
Princeton University Press Garibaldi
Book SynopsisWhat adventure novelist could have invented the life of Giuseppe Garibaldi? This title tells the story of Garibaldi's public and private life, separating its myth-like reality from the outright myths that have surrounded Garibaldi since his own day.Trade Review"Hailed as 'the Hero of Two Worlds' for his exploits in South America and in Europe, Garibaldi must have become the most famous person on the planet. Alfonso Scirocco has written an old-fashioned biography with a strong narrative, vivid battle scenes, and confident characterization. Scirocco's portrait of Garibaldi, 'an idealist without ideologies,' is attractive and fair...detailed and useful."--David Gilmour, New York Review of Books "Alfonso Scirocco's Garibaldi is distinctly old-fashioned in approach. But as a traditional biography it is very good, and has the traditional virtues. It is well written and extremely well translated by Allan Cameron, it is up to date on the huge Garibaldi literature, it has plenty of illuminating detail, and it pays a proper regard to his early life and South American experiences."--Martin Clark, Times Literary Supplement "Alfonso Scirocco's Garibaldi: Citizen of the World...[is a] standard biography...Scirocco reminds us that the man behind the myth generally lived up to his billing in a manner that was matched by few of his counterparts--then or now."--Dianne N. Labrosse, Montreal Gazette "A fine biography for all drawn to Garibaldi's heroic role in Italy's Risorgimento."--Gilbert Taylor, Booklist "Garibaldi: Citizen of the World, by Italian historian Alfonso Scirocco, is the traditional bio that tells you who Garibaldi was, what he did, and why he is revered...Scirocco narrates Garibaldi's life with appropriate respect, if not reverence...After finishing Scirocco's account of Garibaldi's life, the great insurgent emerges as traditionally understood: enormously admirable, patriotic, nonmaterialistic, generous, a charismatic leader who typicallly refused honors."--Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer "[An] enthralling biography...[Garibaldi's] story remains remarkable and inspiring."--Allan Massie, Spectator "Since his death in 1882, Giuseppe Garibaldi has been portrayed as a heroic military leader, a man who shaped his own image, and, of course, [w]as the guiding spirit behind the unification of Italy. Scirocco has added to the work of previous scholars with this biography, in which he shows that Garibaldi remained true throughout his life to the ideals of Saint-Simon. Faithfulness to a utopian philosophy did not, however, mean political consistency... Scirocco is scholarly and lucid in explaining [Garibaldi's] inconsistencies, and he is equally impressive in showing how Garibaldi navigated his way between his allies (who were at the same time his rivals), especially Camillo Benso (conte di Cavour) and Giuseppe Mazzini. A magisterial work of history."--S. Bailey, Knox College, for CHOICE "Scirocco's book ... is notable for its emphasis on parts of [Garibaldi's] biography that are not generally accented and because it provides the facts of an uncommon life in one convenient source more than do existing, older biographies in English."--Spencer M. Di Scala, Journal of Military History "Anyone unfamiliar with Garibaldi will find Scirocco's book a useful place to start."--Mark I. Choate, HistorianTable of ContentsIntroduction ix Chapter 1: Sailing the Mediterranean 1 Chapter 2: From Conspiracy to Exile 17 Chapter 3: The Rio Interlude 27 Chapter 4: Privateer 39 Chapter 5: In Rio Grande 54 Chapter 6: Loves, Friendships, and Amusements 74 Chapter 7: The Costa Brava Expedition 82 Chapter 8: Montevideo 95 Chapter 9: San Antonio de Salto 108 Chapter 10: His Fame Spreads 125 Chapter 11: Italy in 1848: The General Call to Arms 138 Chapter 12: The Rome Events of 1849 151 Chapter 13: The Bold Defi ance of 1849 168 Chapter 14: The Gray Years 182 Chapter 15: In the King's Ser vice 203 Chapter 16: Po liti cal Frustrations and Disappointments in Love 221 Chapter 17: The Epic Campaign of the Thousand 236 Chapter 18: The Dictator of Sicily 263 Chapter 19: Master of a Kingdom 287 Chapter 20: From the Solitude of Caprera to the Drama of Aspromonte 309 Chapter 21: Triumph in London 331 Chapter 22: Bezzecca, Mentana, and Dijon 343 Chapter 23: Pacifi sm, Socialism, and Democracy 364 Chapter 24: The Final Years: Family, Literary Activities, and Financial Concerns 388 Chapter 25: Epilogue 400 Chronology of Events 411 Bibliography 417 Index 431
£38.25
Cornell University Press In the Words of Theodore Roosevelt
Book SynopsisDistilled from Roosevelt's voluminous writings and speeches, In the Words of Theodore Roosevelt is a discerning collection of quotations by this American icon who continues to inspire and captivate an extraordinary array of twenty-first-century Americans.Trade Review"In the Words of Theodore Roosevelt is an indispensable reference book we sorely need and is worthy of a broad readership. Of U.S. presidents only Abraham Lincoln is more often quoted than T.R. Highly recommended!" -- Douglas G. Brinkley, Rice University, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America"Theodore Roosevelt remains a figure of great personal inspiration to many, many Americans, young and old. This fascinating work new collection of quotations will be entertaining and useful for serious students of TR's life and times." -- Kathleen Dalton, Phillips Academy, author of Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous LifeTable of ContentsIntroduction: While Daring GreatlyTheodore Roosevelt ChronologyThe Words of Theodore Roosevelt Action – America – Americans – Archaeologists – Army – Art – Authors – The Big Stick – Books – Bullies – Business – Character – Children – Citizens – Class Conflict – Commonweal – Community – Conduct – Conservation – Constitution – Criticism – Defense – Democracy – Determination – Education – Equality – Experimentation – Extremism – Family Life – Fatherhood – Governing – Government – Great Nations – Historians – History – Human Nature – Hunters – Hunting – Ideals – Immigrants – Individualism – Industrial Relations – Industry – International Relations – Justice – Kings – Labor – Law – Lawsuits – Leadership – Legislation – Liberty – Life – Lincoln, Abraham – Literature – Lynching – The Man in the Arena – Marriage – Monopoly – Motherhood – Nationalism – National Parks – Natural Resources – Navy – Panama Canal – Peace – Philanthropy – Politicians – Political Campaigns – Political Parties – Politics – Pollution – Posterity – Power – Presidency – Press – Progressive Party – Progressivism – Promises – Prosperity – Public Life – Reactionaries – Reading – Reform – Reformers – Religion – Religious Freedom – The Rich – Roosevelt on Roosevelt – Roosevelt's Contemporaries on Roosevelt – Rough Riders – Scholarship – Science – Self-Discipline – Senate – Special Interests – Sports – Square Deal – Strenuous Life – Success – Tolerance – Veterans – Vice – Vice Presidency – Victory – Virtue – Voting – War – Washington, Booker T. – Wealth – The West – The White House – Wildlife Photography – Wilderness – Women – Women’s RightsA Note on Editorial MethodSelected Bibliography Index
£19.94
