Political leaders and leadership Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA biography of the second Earl of Liverpool, revealing a highly capable leader who laid the foundations for nineteenth-century Britain's prosperity.Trade Review"Martin Hutchinson, one of the rarest of Wall Street's birds of plumage - a true original thinker - here makes the persuasive case that the greatest of Britain's prime ministers is a man whose name perhaps few Americans have ever heard. This splendid, erudite, fast-moving biography assures Lord Liverpool of the recognition he so richly deserves." James Grant, Founder and Editor, Grant's Interest Rate Observer "Meticulously researched, beautifully written and enlivened by the author's mischievous wit, Britain's Greatest Prime Minister is a tour de force in political biography and provides a deep sense of the tumultuous and challenging times in which Lord Liverpool lived. An added bonus is Hutchinson's unconventional assessment of the good, the bad, the mediocre and the dregs among UK prime ministers." Kevin Dowd, Durham University "Martin Hutchinson has written a masterly biography rooted in political economy that promotes the once-despised Lord Liverpool to the first rank of prime ministers. He demonstrates how Liverpool's shrewd financial policy laid the foundations for defeating Napoleon, restoring post-war stability at home and in Europe, and strengthening Britain's economic and strategic world dominance. It's an impressive story, still largely unknown, and Hutchinson's telling is powerful and readable in equal measure." John O'Sullivan, Editor-at-large of National Review and author of The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister "Hutchinson writes clearly and briskly, making even minor matters interesting... a remarkable book." Lord Lexden, The House Magazine Jan 2021, pp.39 "He has written a first-rate political biography which is essential reading for all who are interested in the period." Michael Arnold, Historical Association, 26th January 2021Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Note on Nomenclature Note on Money I. Introduction II. Early Years until the Death of Pitt, 1770-1806 III. De Facto Primus inter Pares, 1806-11 IV. Year of Destiny, 1812 V. Years of Victory, 1813-15 VI. Penury and Progress, 1815-19 VII. Challenges, Recovery and Transition, 1820-23 VIII. Bubble, Reform, Death and Oblivion, 1824-28 IX. Conclusion Appendix: Liverpool's letter to the Bank of England Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of the enduring friendship between David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, Britain's two greatest statesmen in peace and warTrade Review'A splendid book' -- The Spectator 'Tells the story of the rare affinity between two Prime Ministers from wholly differing backgrounds' -- Literary Review 20050508 'The author carves out a book that does its job with both grace and verisimilitude' -- The Sunday Times, Peter Clarke 20050508 'Lively and readable' -- Mail on Sunday 20050508 'Recommended in particular for those seeking fresh light on Asquith's government' -- The Liberator 20060801

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Critics have repeatedly underestimated Morrison''s political skill and overplayed the impact of his missteps. But Morrison seems to understand, more than most, what gets through to mainstream Australians and what they ignore.'' Nine months after the spill that catapulted Scott Morrison to the top job, he won the 2019 election, surprising politicians and pundits throughout the nation. Yet, little was really known about the former marketing man whose hard-nosed political instincts and ''daggy dad'' persona took him all the way to Kirribilli House.A devout Christian family man on one hand, ambitious and poll-obsessed on the other, the seemingly blunder-prone Morrison has surpassed expectations of his tenure and voter popularity more than once, making him one of Australia''s most underestimated modern political figures.In this first biography of the thirtieth prime minister of Australia, multi-award-winning political journalist Annika Smethurst examines

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith its cold war enemies led by dictators who promoted the myth of their heroic leadership, how might democratic America respond?Trade ReviewServeral broad themes weave their way through Roper's lively and imaginative narrative ! The American Presidents is a provocative intellectual romp through recent history ! Roper's take on Modern American presidents is a valuable contribution to the study of the way we and they perceive their roles. Serveral broad themes weave their way through Roper's lively and imaginative narrative ! The American Presidents is a provocative intellectual romp through recent history ! Roper's take on Modern American presidents is a valuable contribution to the study of the way we and they perceive their roles.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn authoritative critical introduction to the way the event of JFK's assassination has been represented in a range of discourses.Trade Review'Peter Knight has done the impossible - he has written a very interesting and readable book on the Kennedy Assassination. Comprehensive though never obsessive, sharply analytic but not cranky or opinionated, and written in a lively yet authoritative style, The Kennedy Assassination will prove indispensable not only to students and researchers of American politics and culture over the last half century, but also to the general reader.' Richard H. King, School of American and Canadian Studies, University of Nottingham 'Peter Knight's book on the Kennedy assassination is the best available source we have on the most symptomatic event of postwar American history. Encyclopedic in scope, elegant and clear in its execution, wide-ranging in its assessment of the history and representational aftermath of that dark day in Dallas, this will be the "go-to" book on the Kennedy assassination for some time to come.' Patrick O'Donnell, Chair of the Department of English, Michigan StateTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Journalism; 2. History; 3. The Official Version; 4. The Unofficial Version; 5. Literature; 6. Visual Culture; Conclusion.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece, 1910-1920 and 1928-1932, could be considered from many points of view the creator of contemporary Greece and one of the main actors in European diplomacy in the period 1910-1935. Yet the last book-length study discussing the man, his politics and his broader role in twentieth-century history has appeared in English more than fifty years ago. The aspiration of the present book is to fill this lacuna by bringing together the concerted research effort of twelve experts on Greek history and politics. The book draws on considerable new research that has appeared in Greek in the last quarter century, but does not confine the treatment of the subject in a purely Greek or even Balkan context. The entire project is oriented toward placing 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 chartered out in a sequence of chapters that survey his meteoric rise and great achievements in Greek and European politics in the early decades of the twentieth century, amidst violent passions and tragic conflicts. Five further essays appraise in depth some critical aspects of his policies, while a final chapter offers some glimpses into a great statesman''s personal and intellectual world. The book is based on extensive scholarship but it is eminently readable and it should appeal to all those interested in twentieth-century history, politics and biography, offering a vivid sense of the hopes and tragedies of Greek and European history in the age of the Great War and of the interwar crisis.Trade ReviewPaschalis Kitromilides' edited volume is ! extremely timely in making the most recent scholarship on Venizelos widely available. It is all the more welcome because the portrait provided is rounded and mature ! Venizelos was always driven relentlessly by "the intense politicization of life", and it is the politics which comes alive in this indispensable book. This book makes a mejor contribution to the literature on a subject about which very little exists in English or in other international languages...Venizelos's unfluence in the shaping of Greek and Balkan history has been immense, and the volume certainly should be considered compulsory reading for the student of Greece and of Southeastern Europe. -- Evanthis Hatzivassiliou, University of Athens European Journal of Cultural Studies Paschalis Kitromilides' edited volume is ! extremely timely in making the most recent scholarship on Venizelos widely available. It is all the more welcome because the portrait provided is rounded and mature ! Venizelos was always driven relentlessly by "the intense politicization of life", and it is the politics which comes alive in this indispensable book. This book makes a mejor contribution to the literature on a subject about which very little exists in English or in other international languages...Venizelos's unfluence in the shaping of Greek and Balkan history has been immense, and the volume certainly should be considered compulsory reading for the student of Greece and of Southeastern Europe.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.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn one of the first volumes assessing the full two terms of the George W. Bush presidency, Wroe and Herbert have gathered the work of leading American and European scholars. In fifteen succinct and incisive chapters, authorities such as Jim Pfiffner, John Maltese, Graham Wilson and Alan Gitelson offer assessments of the Bush administration''s successes and failures. Extensive attention is paid to Bush''s foreign policy, including ''The War on Terror'' but the focus is broadened to absorb not only the Bush Doctrine and its repercussions, but also his trade and homeland security policies. The president''s domestic leadership in economics and social policy is investigated, as are his dealings as president with the other institutions of the U.S. political system. The result is a comprehensive guide to the Bush presidency and its legacy.Table of Contents1. Introduction: A Tale of Two Terms, Andrew Wroe (University of Kent) and Jon Herbert (Keele University); Part I: Institutions and Structures; 2. George W. Bush and the US Congress, Robert Singh (Birkbeck College, University of London); 3. George W. Bush as Chief Executive, James P. Pfiffner (George Mason University); 4. George W. Bush and the US Supreme Court, Emma Long (University of Kent); 5. Federalism in the Bush Era, M.J.C. Vile (University of Kent); Part II: Foreign Policy Leadership; 6. To Usher in a New Paradigm? President Bush's Foreign Policy Legacy, Jason Ralph (University of Leeds); 7. Reforming the National Security Apparatus, Steven Hurst (Manchester Metropolitan University); 8. Bush and Europe, David Patrick Houghton (University of Central Florida); 9. International Trade Policy Under George W. Bush, Nitsan Chorev (Brown University); Part III: Domestic Policy Leadership; 10. President Bush and the Economy, Graham Wilson (Boston University); 11. The Politics of Aging, Alex Waddan (University of Leicester); 12. No Child Left Behind: The Politics and Policy of Education Reform, Jonathan Parker (Keele University); 13. The Bush Administration and the Politics of Sexual Morality, Edward Ashbee (Copenhagen Business School); 14. Communications Strategies in the Bush White House, John Anthony Maltese (University of Georgia); 15. A Lasting Republican Majority? George W. Bush's Electoral Strategy, Kevin Fullam (Loyola University) and Alan R. Gitelson (Loyola University); 16. Conclusion: The Legacy of George W. Bush, Jon Herbert and Andrew Wroe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn one of the first volumes assessing the full two terms of the George W. Bush presidency, Wroe and Herbert have gathered the work of leading American and European scholars. In fifteen succinct and incisive chapters, authorities such as Jim Pfiffner, John Maltese, Graham Wilson and Alan Gitelson offer assessments of the Bush administration''s successes and failures. Extensive attention is paid to Bush''s foreign policy, including ''The War on Terror'' but the focus is broadened to absorb not only the Bush Doctrine and its repercussions, but also his trade and homeland security policies. The president''s domestic leadership in economics and social policy is investigated, as are his dealings as president with the other institutions of the U.S. political system. The result is a comprehensive guide to the Bush presidency and its legacy.Trade ReviewThe editors of Assessing the George W. Bush Presidency have done a brilliant job in assembling a book which will be of great value to all commentators on, and students of, the contemporary presidency ! The essays are all distinguished by high quality, while the editors add additional coherence by outlining in their introductory and concluding chapters a theory of George W. Bush's presidency ! This is a fine collection, the best available account of the presidential politics of the day before yesterday. -- John Dumbrell, Durham University Journal of American Studies The editors of Assessing the George W. Bush Presidency have done a brilliant job in assembling a book which will be of great value to all commentators on, and students of, the contemporary presidency ! The essays are all distinguished by high quality, while the editors add additional coherence by outlining in their introductory and concluding chapters a theory of George W. Bush's presidency ! This is a fine collection, the best available account of the presidential politics of the day before yesterday.Table of Contents1. Introduction: A Tale of Two Terms, Andrew Wroe (University of Kent) and Jon Herbert (Keele University); Part I: Institutions and Structures; 2. George W. Bush and the US Congress, Robert Singh (Birkbeck College, University of London); 3. George W. Bush as Chief Executive, James P. Pfiffner (George Mason University); 4. George W. Bush and the US Supreme Court, Emma Long (University of Kent); 5. Federalism in the Bush Era, M.J.C. Vile (University of Kent); Part II: Foreign Policy Leadership; 6. To Usher in a New Paradigm? President Bush's Foreign Policy Legacy, Jason Ralph (University of Leeds); 7. Reforming the National Security Apparatus, Steven Hurst (Manchester Metropolitan University); 8. Bush and Europe, David Patrick Houghton (University of Central Florida); 9. International Trade Policy Under George W. Bush, Nitsan Chorev (Brown University); Part III: Domestic Policy Leadership; 10. President Bush and the Economy, Graham Wilson (Boston University); 11. The Politics of Aging, Alex Waddan (University of Leicester); 12. No Child Left Behind: The Politics and Policy of Education Reform, Jonathan Parker (Keele University); 13. The Bush Administration and the Politics of Sexual Morality, Edward Ashbee (Copenhagen Business School); 14. Communications Strategies in the Bush White House, John Anthony Maltese (University of Georgia); 15. A Lasting Republican Majority? George W. Bush's Electoral Strategy, Kevin Fullam (Loyola University) and Alan R. Gitelson (Loyola University); 16. Conclusion: The Legacy of George W. Bush, Jon Herbert and Andrew Wroe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Falklands War, the US invasion of Grenada, the Anglo-Guatemalan dispute over Belize and the US involvement in Nicaragua - in the 1980s, these crises threatened to overwhelm a renewal in US-UK relations. US President Ronald Reagan and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher''s efforts to normalise relations, during and after these crises, reveal a mutual desire to strengthen Anglo-American ties and safeguard individual foreign policy objectives. At the same time, they cultivated a close political and personal bond that lasted well beyond their terms in office. Sally-Ann Treharne vividly portrays the role of personal diplomacy in overcoming obstacles to Anglo-American relations emanating from the turbulent Latin American region in the final years of the Cold War. Drawing on recently declassified documents and candid interviews with key protagonists, she highlights the pivotal moments in Reagan and Thatcher''s shared history from a new vantage point. Interviewees include: Lord Geoffrey Howe, Lord Michael Heseltine, Lord Cecil Parkinson, Sir John Nott, Sir Bernard Ingham, Lord Charles Powell, Baroness Gloria Hooper, Sir Adrian Beamish, Lord Peter Carrington, Lord Neil Kinnock and Lord Timothy BellTable of ContentsList of Figures; Acknowledgements; List of Acronyms and Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The 1970s: A Decline in Anglo-American Specialness and US-UK Relations with Latin America; 2. The Special Relationship and the Falklands War; 3. Friend or Foe? The US Invades Grenada; 4. Vested Interests: US Involvement in the Anglo-Guatemalan Dispute; 5. Nicaragua: The Allies Stand Together; Conclusion; Appendix: Interviewees; Select Bibliography; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCarol Thatcher has one of the most famous surnames in the world.The daughter of former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher, Carol is a national treasure with a unique story to tell. Her remarkable mixture of bravery, honesty and humour won her a place in the nation''s hearts on ITV''s I''m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here...! when millions of viewers voted her the second ''Queen of the Jungle''.In this candid memoir, she tells us about what it was like to grow up as the ''Milk Snatcher''s'' daughter, sister of the infamous Mark, living a life she describes as a ''swim-on part in the goldfish bowl''.Her tales of behind-the-scenes at Number 10, her extraordinary travels, and dinners with world leaders, are both rivetingly funny and refreshingly revealing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExcellent. The Economist A gripping account. South China Morning PostWell worth reading. The Morning StarA persuasive and readable narrative. History TodayElegantly written. The Tablet An excellent study. The Chartist Engaging. Asia Times The events of 1949 in China reverberated across the world and throughout the rest of the century. That tumultuous year saw the dramatic collapse of Chiang Kai-shek's pro-Western' Nationalist government, overthrown by Mao Zedong and his communist armies, and the foundation of the People's Republic of China.China 1949 follows the huge military forces that tramped across the country, the exile of once-powerful leaders and the alarm of the foreign powers watching on. The well-known figures of the Revolution are all here. But so are lesser known military and political leaders along with a host of ordinary' Chinese citizens and foreigners caught in the maelstrom. TheyTrade ReviewAdds to our understanding of the rise of Chairman Mao. * The Independent *An excellent new book about the founding year of the People’s Republic. * The Economist *China 1949: Year of Revolution is a gripping account... the book answers in meticulous detail the big question: why did the Communists win?... an excellent record of one of the most important historical events of the 20th century. * South China Morning Post Magazine *An excellent book, which confines its focus to the pivotal year which ended 30 years of chaos and civil conflict and opened a new chapter in China’s history — and the world’s. Well worth reading. * Morning Star *A persuasive and readable narrative of that critical year, accurately emphasising the catastrophic shortcomings of the Nationalists and of Chiang Kai-shek that contributed to their defeat… China 1949 brings this critical year to life and is a good starting point for understanding how the People's Republic of China developed. * History Today *Well researched and elegantly written. * The Tablet *Provides an engaging day-by-day account of those momentous events … For those wishing to pursue the subject in greater detail, this volume lays an excellent foundation. * Asia Times *This is an excellent study and highly recommended. * The Chartist *This book offers an accessible, authoritative account that provides orientation on where things were at the very start of the great Communist project, and some way of understanding better where they stand today. * Asian Affairs *‘A wonderful read for students and general readers why 1949 was a fateful and pivotal year that changed the fate of the most populous country in the world. It shows vividly that the Communist Party did not come to power riding on the tide of a great revolution that swept across China but it seized the mandate of Heaven as successive imperial dynasties had done in the past – by military conquest.’ * Steve Tsang, Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the China Institute, SOAS University of London, UK [and author of A Modern History of Hong Kong] *China 1949 is a compelling achievement. First, Hutchings gives a clear, balanced account of the titanic forces that brought to power one of the most important political movements of the 20th century, the Chinese Communist Party. But then, he gives the book a deeply humane and moving heart with accounts of the emotions and dilemmas felt both by those who supported the revolution and those who opposed it. This is history on the grand scale but with a brilliant, observant eye for the complexities that underpin this pivotal event. * Rana Mitter, Director of the University China Centre, University of Oxford, UK, and author of China's Good War: How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism *‘The Chinese have recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of a revolution which changed the course of world history. Graham Hutchings reveals the extent of the Communist triumph in that epoch-making year, and the countervailing humiliation of the Nationalists. The book is well researched, tells a fascinating story with pace and elegance, and illuminates what is happening in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong today.’ * Simon Scott Plummer, Feature Writer on East Asia for The Times, Diplomatic Correspondent and Chief Foreign Leader Writer for The Daily Telegraph, and frequent reviewer for Times Literary Supplement and The Tablet *An interesting aspect for today's readers is the book's contribution to understanding current issues surrounding China and its place in the world. * China2025.nl (Bloomsbury Translation) *The victory of Chinese Communist forces over those of China’s Nationalist Government in 1949 is one of the great climacterics of the twentieth century. Not only did it define China’s subsequent political trajectory, but it also shaped the futures of Taiwan and Hong Kong. China 1949 provides a vivid picture of the final act in the long-drawn-out struggle for power in China. Drawing on a wide range of private papers, archival and Chinese-language sources, Graham Hutchings has achieved the difficult feat of producing a scholarly history that is also a real page turner. He has an unerring ear for the arresting phrase, and writes with elegance and élan. His pacy narrative, viewed through multiple prisms of a varied cast of protagonists ranging from political and military leaders to ‘ordinary’ individuals, is peppered with piquant detail that brings the unfolding events of 1949 vividly to life. * Bob Ash, Emeritus Professor, SOAS, University of London, UK *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. Adversaries 2. “The event on the horizon” 3. Peace postures 4. ‘Offshore China’ 5. Crossing the river 6. Taking the cities 7. Parallel worlds 8. Mao’s new world 9. Endgames 10. Afterwards

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere’s the office: President of the United States. And then there’s the man in the office—prone to temptation and looking to unwind after a long day running the country. Celebrating the decidedly less distinguished side of the nation’s leaders, humor writer Brian Abrams offers a compelling, hilarious, and true American history on the rocks—a Washington-to-Obama, vice-by-vice chronicle of how the presidents like to party. From explicit love letters to slurred speeches to nude swims at Bing Crosby’s house, reputations are ruined and secrets bared. George Washington brokered the end of the? American Revolution over glasses of Madeira. Ulysses S. Grant rarely drew a sober breath when he was leading the North to victory. And it wasn’t all liquor. Some presidents preferred their drugs—Nixon was a pill-popper. And others chased women instead—both ?the professorial Woodrow Wilson (who signed his love letters “

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"This political biography of the current Indonesian President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, explains why his style is so successful and what his major undertakings as president have been. The stated aim of Jokowi and the New Indonesia by Darmawan Prasodjo with assistance from Tim Hannigan, is to give a full picture of the man and his presidency in English." —Asian Review of Books

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe long-awaited insider's look at one of the design milestones of the twenty-first century: Michael S Smith's celebrated decoration of the Obama White House, featuring a foreword by Michelle Obama.2020 HONORABLE MENTION FOR THE FOREWORD INDIES AWARD IN HOBBIES/HOMECreated for design enthusiasts, political aficionados, and students of Americana, Designing History documents Michael Smith's extraordinary collaboration with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Not since Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic work on the White House has a designer of Michael Smith's stature been commissioned to bring a new design spirit to the mansion. Through extensive photography, behind-the-scenes stories, and rich archival material, the book places the Obama White House within the context of the building's storied past and its evolution over the past two centuries. The book beautifully documents the process of updating the country's most symbolic reTrade Review"Smith's modern designs for the White House made history, just as the Obamas' presence was, in itself, trailblazing. Further, all changes to the White House's private residences were added to the 250-year-long history in every room—a place where layers of wallpaper tell a story of past administrations." — OPRAH.COM"Michelle Obama provides the foreword to this insider’s look at interior designer Michael S. Smith’s decoration of the Obama White House. Created for design enthusiasts, political aficionados, and students of Americana, the book documents Smith’s collaboration with the Obamas. With 230 photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and archival material, Designing History places the Obama White House within the context of the building’s storied past and its evolution over the past two centuries." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"In 2008, designer Michael S. Smith got the commission of a lifetime: designing the interiors for the Obama White House. In this book, the designer takes readers inside the process of decorating for the First Family and shares the illustrious history of interior design in the People's House. Oh, and there's a foreword by Michelle Obama." —HOUSE BEAUTIFUL "The decorator Michael Smith, who has transformed interiors for the Obamas, Rupert Murdoch and Cindy Crawford, is spilling paint in a new book." —NEW YORK TIMES"Decorators often lament the fact that once a room is redone, nobody remembers their work. For Michael S. Smith, documenting his design of the Obama White House—and processing the eight years he shuttled back and forth to Washington, D.C., for the first family after an introduction from Obama’s social secretary, Desirée Rogers—became a personal mission. 'It was important to kind of take a moment and not just let history flow by,' he says. The result is Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House, a monograph out now from Rizzoli that situates the Obamas’ friendly, unpretentious décor within the snow globe of White House style." —WSJ. MAGAZINE"Smith offers readers an inside look at his work ushering in a new era of decor at the historic residence." —IN STYLE"...by far the most comprehensive illustrated record of the executive mansion and Smith's deep dive into the history of the white house, as he helped the Obamas update the stolid mansion with a more contemporary and open aesthetic, easing the burdens of a young family living in the White House." — TOWN & COUNTRY"Smith shares everything from the advice he got from Nancy Reagan to the secret code his staff used to refer to the Obamas." —BUSINESSOFHOME.COM"'Designing History,' the new publication by Michael S Smith, is about the world's most famous house and its continuous design legacy. But it is much more than a document on decorating the White House, the mansion which continues to fascinate and inspire all Americans. It is about a relationship forged between a client and a decorator, a connection crucial to the success of any project. 'Designing History' provides a glimpse into the private lives of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their eight years in office (2009-17). The text and wonderful photographs bring to life the spaces hosted their legacy and achievements – being the first African American president in US history, the Affordable Care Act, or the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals – through the décor they chose to live in." —DANIELLAONDESIGN.COM"Created for design enthusiasts, political aficionados, and students of Americana, Designing History documents Michael Smith’s extraordinary collaboration with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama."—LOVE HAPPENS "In Designing History, Smith catalogs his collaboration with the First Family with behind-the-scenes photos, design schemes, room renderings, and more, documenting the artists and craftspeople integral in the reimagining of the home. Interestingly, the White House’s storied decorative past—as Smith, a self-described student of history, discovered through letters written by Mary Todd Lincoln, archival records of Jackie Kennedy, and present-day calls with Nancy Reagan, a friend—helped inform the Obama-era design plans." —ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST.COM "Reading this book was a joy. I spent the better part of a day and a half reading its 300+ pages and hated that it came to an end. I was hungry for even more."—COTE DE TEXAS"...full of behind-the-scenes insight...takes readers room by room through Smith’s overhaul of the former First Family’s private residence." —WASHINGTONIAN"But the book chronicles much more than the Smith’s reservedly-polished interiors for the first family; it’s an important historical volume highlighting the fabled rooms and furnishings of America’s most famous mansion. Written and produced in conjunction with legendary design editor Margaret Russell, this is a book to savor slowly to fully appreciate the arc of the White House from past to present. And if you’re looking for inspiration, you’ll be thrilled to see story boards of the paint colors, fabrics and wallpapers, and furniture designs." — INTERIORDESIGNMASTERCLASS.COM "Written alongside journalist Margaret Russell, the book provides a detailed history of the White House's layout and contents." — CNN"Through photography, archival materials and behind-the-scenes stories, this book documents the history of the White House and designer Michael Smith's collaboration with the Obamas to decorate and update the residence to reflect the First Family's youthful spirit." —COTTAGES & GARDENS"Despite the pressure that inevitably comes with redesigning the White House, interior designer Michael S. Smith’s priority for the Obama family’s tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as with any residential project, was to create a home for the family to thrive. In Designing History, Smith catalogs his collaboration with the first family with behind-the-scenes photos, design schemes, room renderings, and more, documenting the artists, craftspeople, and historical findings integral in the reimagining of the home." — ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST.COM

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is the best book about Obama I've ever read. It's totally objective but beautifully written and filled with new little nuggets that even I, who covered the Administration from start to finish, never knew." * Mary Hager, Executive Producer of "Face the Nation" *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceAn innovative account of Abraham Lincoln, constitutional thinker and doer.When Abraham Lincoln assumed the presidency in 1861, the United States' constitutional arrangements were not the ones we know today. It was widely believed that the federal government could not use armed force to prevent a state from seceding. It was also assumed that it had no authority over slavery in states where the institution existed and that basic civil liberties could not be suspended during a rebellion without the consent of Congress. As president, Lincoln broke decisively with all these precedents, deliberately and repeatedly violating the United States' founding principles. To what end? How did Lincoln understand the Constitution and how did he transform it?In The Broken Constitution, Noah Feldman tells the full story of how Lincoln tore up the Constitution in order to save it. Prior to the Civil War, the docume

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis philosophical Mao is a fresh portrait of the mind of the ruler who changed the face of China in the twentieth century. The book traces the influences of both traditional Chinese and traditional pre-Marxist Western philosophy on the early Mao and how these influences guided the development of his thought. It reveals evidence of the creative dimensions of Mao's thinking and how he wove the yin/yang pattern of change depicted in the Yijing, the Chinese Book of Changes, into the Marxist dialectic to bring ancient Chinese philosophy to mark changes in twentieth century thought. Mao's lifetime philosophical journey includes his interpretations of and comments on both Chinese and Western philosophers. His deep, metaphysical reflections, uncanny prognostications and pensive speculations from his early pre-Marxist period to his later philosophical years prove to be as startling as they are thought-provoking.Trade ReviewMao Ze Dong is celebrated (or cursed) as a revolutionary leader, but the philosophical foundation of his activity is largely ignored. In his superb study, Allinson fills in this lack. Mao’s thought is not just located in its historical context; its complex references to the Chinese traditional thought, to Marx and Western philosophy, but also to modern sciences (quantum physics), are explored and documented. A new Mao thus emerges, a Mao whose radical acts are grounded in a thick texture of philosophical reflections. Allinson’s Mao is indispensable for everybody who wants to understand not just Mao but the concatenation of philosophy and politics that characterized the twentieth century. * Slavoj Žižek, International Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, University of London, UK *Through extensive research, involving not only Mao’s writings themselves but also the marginal notes he made on books he read, Allinson is able to trace the development of Mao’s thinking over the course of his lifetime and to demonstrate the degree to which he was actively engaged with both the Chinese and Western philosophical traditions throughout. This is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the intellectual history of China. * Michael Puett, Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard University, USA *Has it ever occurred to you to associate Mao with Aristotle or with the ancient Chinese Book of Changes, the Yijing? If you find it hard to believe, read this book by Robert Allinson who, in his own philosophical way, manages to inject new life and revived interest in this highly controversial but iconic figure which is still looming large behind the giant video screen of present day China. * Anne Cheng, Chair of Chinese Intellectual History, Collège de France, Paris, France *This is a most exciting and fascinating enterprise. A magnificent statement on behalf of East-West philosophy. * Irene Eber, Former Director and Louis Frieberg Professor Emerita of Chinese History and Philosophy, Louis Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and Former Senior Fellow, Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel *As Irene Eber writes in her foreword to this book, “This is a ground breaking work”. She is right, for it is indeed a work of utmost importance. In addition, the book is essential because it deals with a highly topical issue, one that can certainly help us to improve our understanding of contemporary China . . . Allinson achieves his goals in this book by clearly demonstrating a thoughtfully elaborated case of a truly intercultural, and, at the same time, truly intersubjective philosophy with widely influential connotations. This volume will be of great value to anyone interested in Chinese or cross-cultural philosophy, political theory and recent history. * Jana Rošker, chief editor of Asian Studies and the founder and first president of the European Association of Chinese Philosophy (International Communication of Chinese Culture) *Table of ContentsForeword, Irene Eber, Louis Frieberg Professor Emerita of Chinese History and Philosophy and Senior Fellow, Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction to the Philosophical Mao 2. Mao’s Youthful Philosophical Development 3. Mao in the Margins: Mao’s Philosophy of Egoism 4. Mao’s Early Philosophical Influences and Reflections 5. The Blend of the Influence of Chinese and Western philosophy on Mao’s Thought and Parallels in China’s Social and Economic Development 6. Mao’s Marxist Thought and the Yijing 7. Mao as Metaphysician and Literatus 8. Mao’s Contributions to Philosophy Notes Selected List of References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisMasterfully told and compelling 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 histoTrade ReviewA 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 compelling reinterpreted. -- Felix Light * The Moscow Times *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 *A 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 *[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 *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 *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 *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

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresenting a superb account of a man characterized by his reticence, this biography offers rare and thorough insight into the life of one of South Africa's most powerful men: Kgalema Motlanthe. This account traces Motlanthe's political path to becoming the third president of the Republic of South Africa.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe 1976 Soweto uprising represented a real turning point in South Africa's history. Even to contemporaries it seemed to mark the beginning of the end of apartheid. This short history brings alive the sequence of events and delves into the significance the uprising had on South African politics.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe women's league has played a large but little understood role in the history of the ANC. Over the years it has been headed by some powerful women including Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Mandela and has often gained public and media attention.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThabo Mbeki is the most important African political figure of his generation and a dominant figure in South African politics for 14 years. A pan-African philosopher-king who spent two decades in exile, as president of Africa's most industrialised state, he set out a sweeping vision of an African Renaissance.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJack Simons: Teacher, Scholar, Comrade is a pocket biography informed by personal knowledge of its subject, and firsthand experience of the ANC in exile in Zambia, as well as by research in the archives. Born in 1907, Jack Simons was one of the leading left-wing intellectuals - and one of the greatest teachers - in 20th century South Africa.Trade Review"Jack Simons was much more than a romantic revolutionary and public intellectual. He was interested in art, literature and religion. He was a walker and a lover of nature and the great outdoors. He was a good father, to many more than his own children, a gardener, and a cook. Above all, he was, as Nancy Gordon recalls, a 'warm mensch', who was totally committed to his vision of a non-racial, and ultimately socialist, South Africa". - Hugh Macmillan

Read more less

Book SynopsisZapiro comes of age in this 21st annual. Zuma once again takes centre stage for all the wrong reasons along with his cronies the Guptas and his nemesis Malema. It's the year of the hashtag. Each cartoon is worth a thousand words and helps us make sense of this crazy, beautiful country where fact is indeed stranger than fiction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSol Plaatje is celebrated as one of South Africa's most accomplished political and literary figures. A pioneer in the history of the black press, editor of several newspapers, he was one of the founders of the African National Congress in 1912 and twice travelled overseas to represent the interests of his people.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn intimate, inside look at the life of Sarah Palin as told by those who know her best.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs President Obama's time in the White House draws to a close, this celebratory book documents his transformative accomplishments.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor nine years, Carwyn Jones was at the helm of Welsh politics. As First Minister from 2009 to 2018, he led the governance of an increasingly devolving Wales through turmoil and success.Not Just Politics follows Carwyn from his roots in a small corner of Wales and childhood brought up as a Welsh speaker in Bridgend, to the 1980s miners'' strike which inspired a career in politics. After graduating with a degree in law from Aberyswyth, Carwyn juggled being a barrister and local councillor while also caring for his wife Lisa, who was diagnosed with leukaemia shortly after their marriage. As part of the first cohort of Welsh Government Ministers, Carwyn has been at the heart of the growing shift from Westminster to Cardiff, and as First Minister he oversaw landmark moments that put Wales firmly on the world stage.Trade ReviewThe must read life story of Carwyn Jones and his nine years as Wales' First Minister when he brilliantly led Welsh Labour to election victories and presided over major social reforms. * Gordon Brown *Candid and timely * Penarth Nub News *Few political autobiographies contain actual revelations...Which is why the one which comes in the memoirs of Carwyn Jones comes as almost a lightning bolt * The New European *

Read more less

Book SynopsisEncompassing a variety of cultural and institutional settings, these essays examine how state secretaries, prime ministers and favourites managed diplomatic personnel and the information flows they generated. They explore how these officials balanced domestic and international matters, and state and personal amitions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTraces, contextualizes, and analyses the making of the late President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser's image(s) in creative productions including novels, short stories, autobiographies and film.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWorld-leading experts take a multi-disciplinary approach to explore how presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Eisenhower, Reagan, Obama and Trump, are remembered in film, museums, public art, political invocations, pop culture, literature and evolving technological advancements.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy drawing on previously unseen primary source material and exhaustive archival research, this book reveals the largely untold and fascinating narrative of the development of the The Freedom of Information Act, and demonstrates how this single policy issue transformed presidential behaviour.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book determines what can legitimately be regarded as the legacy of the Obama presidency and investigates how far the Trump administration has reversed it.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book evaluates the presidency of Donald Trump from a comparative, historical approach to connect his populist style to his predecessors.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDavid G. Lewis explores the transformation of Russian domestic politics and foreign policy under Vladimir Putin. Using contemporary case studies including Russia's legal system, the annexation of Crimea and Russian policy in Syria he critically examines Russia's new authoritarianpolitical ideology.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFeaturing a range of experts on the American presidency, this book offers both European and American perspectives on both the successes and failures of President Obama's tenure in the White House. Focusing primarily on domestic policy, these essays explain why Obama's widely anticipated moment of change did not fully materialise.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDonald J. Trump's presidency has delivered a seismic shock to the American political system, its public sphere, and to our political culture worldwide.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less