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Army Life in a Black Regiment and Other Writings
by Thomas Wentworth HigginsonA stirring account of wartime experiences from the leader of the first regiment of emancipated slavesThomas Wentworth Higginson, a Unitarian minister, was a fervent member of New England's abolitionist movement, an active participant in the Underground Railroad, and part of a group that supplied material aid to John Brown before his ill-fated raid on Harpers Ferry. When the Civil War broke out, Higginson was commissioned as a colonel of the black troops training in the Sea Islands off the coast of the Carolinas. Shaped by American Romanticism and imbued with Higginson's interest in both man and nature, Army Life in a Black Regiment ranges from detailed reports on daily life to a vivid description of the author's near escape from cannon fire, to sketches that conjure up the beauty and mystery of the Sea Islands. This edition of Army Life features as well a selection of Higginson's essays, including 'Nat Turner's Insurrection' and 'Emily Dickinson's Letters. ''Has some claim to be the best written narrative to come from the Union during the Civil War. '- Henry Steele CommagerIntroduction and Notes by R. D. MADISON
Facundo
by Domingo F. SarmientoOstensibly a biography of the gaucho barbarian Juan Facundo Quiroga, Facundo is also a complex, passionate work of history, sociology, and political commentary, and Latin America's most important essay of the nineteenth century. .
Una forta abraçada: Sis-cents quaranta-cinc dies i nits
by Sandro Rosell«Després de passar 645 dies tancat he decidit compartir el meu dia a dia a la presó, on m'he adonat de l'enorme valor d'una forta abraçada.» Sandro Rosell Moltes persones a qui estimo i que m'estimen m'han desaconsellat publicar aquest llibre. Un llibre escrit en present, dia a dia, i per ordre cronològic. He volgut deixar testimoni de les experiències, les reflexions, els pensaments, els somnis i els malsons que vaig tenir durant 645 dies i nits a la presó, i parlar de les persones, innocents o culpables, amb qui vaig compartir els gairebé dos pitjors anys de la meva vida i en qui em vaig recolzar per passar els moments de més feblesa personal. El títol del llibre descriu, simplement, allò que més anheles dins la presó quan et priven de llibertat. No hi ha res que necessitis més que... una forta abraçada.
The Making of Auschwitz: The Largest Killing Factory of all time
by Ian Baxter"A chilling blueprint for genocide, The Making of Auschwitz uncovers the deadly architecture behind the largest mass murder factory in history."Commemorating 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, The Making of Auschwitz reveals the chilling construction of the largest mass murder factory in history. Drawing from hundreds of captured German documents, architectural plans, and key records from the Building Office archive, this book provides a unique historical source detailing the architectural and operational planning behind the genocide. It explores how the SS relied on civilian expertise to install crucial systems like electricity, sewage, and heating, and how external contractors eagerly participated for financial gain. From the earliest days of Birkenau's construction in 1941 to the inclusion of crematoria and gas chambers by 1943, the book traces the evolution of the camp into an industrial killing machine. Despite Himmler&’s order in 1944 to dismantle the extermination facilities, many structures remained intact when the Red Army arrived on January 27, 1945. The discovery of crucial construction blueprints, untouched by the SS&’s attempt to destroy them, offers an undeniable record of the atrocities planned and executed at Auschwitz. With rare photographs, detailed captions, and a comprehensive analysis, this book provides an essential study of those responsible for the murder of over 1 million people.
Through the Rubble: From Earthquakes to War Zones. A Story of Survival and Service
by Alan Playford Penny KeoghAn unforgettable life of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience.In Through the Rubble, Alan Playford recounts his extraordinary life, marked by the dramatic moment he emerged from the wreckage of the Newcastle Workers Club during the 1989 earthquake. Alan became a national hero after rescuing Norm Duffy from beneath the rubble. In news coverage that circled the globe, Alan embodied the courage and determination of paramedics whose lives inspire admiration. For the paramedic known as 'Scoop,' this was simply another day on the job. To those who know him best, it was his destiny. Alan has been at the heart of defining moments in Australian history and global conflict, moments that forever changed the practice of paramedicine and saved millions of lives. This gripping memoir traces Alan&’s remarkable career, from his early struggles to modernise the ambulance service and launch helicopter rescue in Australia, to his life-saving work in global conflict zones. Alan served on the frontlines in Rwanda, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands, providing aid in dangerous environments and rescuing countless lives from the brink of death. A pioneer in the field, in 1989 Alan founded the Westpac helicopter service, which has since been integral in saving lives nationally. His bravery continued during domestic crises like the 2003 Canberra bushfires, where his calm under pressure earned him Australia&’s highest honours. Alan shares dramatic moments of heroism and the emotional toll of a career spent on the frontlines. He reveals the psychological burdens borne by those who serve, offering a deep look into the personal sacrifices made to protect others. This memoir is both a thrilling account of one man&’s life of service and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds. Alan Playford&’s Through the Rubble offers an unforgettable portrait of a true hero—someone whose courage, compassion, and determination have shaped paramedicine and saved countless lives, both in Australia and around the world.
Stay Loose: 30 Years – An Infantry Soldier's Story, Somalia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq
by Adrian Hodges"Your past doesn&’t define you—it teaches you. Every experience is a lesson, not a life sentence."In Stay Loose, Adrian Hodges delivers a candid reflection on three decades of service in the Australian Army, from navigating the dangers of war to the challenges beyond the battlefield. Adrian chronicles both the highs and lows. From his battalion's deployment to Somalia's famine-stricken chaos—Australia's first major overseas operation since the Vietnam War—to participating in the nation&’s first lethal firefight in decades, he offers harrowing frontline insights. His memoir covers a military exchange in Malaysia, as well as service in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing an intimate view of the physical and psychological tolls faced by soldiers. But this memoir isn&’t just about combat. Adrian reflects on his struggles after leaving the Army, battling uncertainty and searching for direction. His post-military career led him to work as a court recorder on several high-profile legal cases, including the investigation into the Black Hawk helicopter crash that claimed 18 military lives. He also recounts backpacking through North Africa and the Middle East, contrasting his military service with personal discovery. Eventually re-enlisting, Adrian&’s return to operations and military exchanges weaves themes of brotherhood, resilience, and the strength found in family. Now a private military contractor in the UAE, he explores how his past shaped his future.Stay Loose is a deeply personal journey of finding humour and catharsis in extraordinary circumstances, proving that past experiences offer lessons, not life sentences.
The Vandemonian: Wall Street and Silicon Valley Collide
by Allan Charles Branch"A memoir that is as much about human frailty as it is about achievement." In his remarkable memoir, Allan Charles Branch invites readers on an unpredictable global journey from an &‘unremarkable&’ Tasmanian boy to a revolutionary force in multiple industries. He defied the odds to innovate technologies and resurrect failing companies worldwide. Allan's early years in Tasmania were spent navigating government, business, and education as he sought to discover who he wasn&’t. This journey led to a bold leap into entrepreneurship, where he established Tasmania&’s first high-tech company. Relocating to Silicon Valley, he mingled with industry legends like Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, pushing the boundaries of robotics and business. By the time he stepped away, he had possibly designed, built, and sold more intelligent robots than anyone else, redefining his identity as an inventor and entrepreneur. But Allan&’s journey didn&’t end there. He embarked on a new chapter as a transformational leader, traveling the globe to rescue seemingly irredeemable companies using innovative problem-solving techniques honed through years of experience. Along the way, he not only revived businesses but also saved countless jobs and livelihoods. Through these experiences, Allan reflects on the personal toll of his relentless career, navigating the complexities of success, loneliness, and self-discovery. Told through vivid vignettes, The Vandemonian captures Allan&’s extraordinary journey of invention and transformation—revealing the man behind the robots. Blending the introspective depth of Paul Auster&’s Winter Journal with the transformative arc of Frank McCourt&’s Angela&’s Ashes, The Vandemonian is a compelling narrative of human ingenuity and perseverance.
The Impossible Survivor: From stockyard to the Great Escape
by Jeff SteelNothing can prepare a man for the horrors of war, nor the haunting memories that linger long after the battle is over. In The Impossible Survivor, Jeff Steel invites readers into the life of Neil Lindsay, a retired RAF Bomber Command veteran, as he confronts the shadows of his past. On a seemingly ordinary day in 1995, Neil and his daughter Margaret visit a memorial honouring the fallen soldiers of the Goulburn Valley. What begins as a simple outing soon unravels the buried truths of Neil&’s harrowing experiences during World War II. An ambitious young man, Neil's fate intertwined with the legendary figures of the RAF, including the celebrated Wing Commander Guy Gibson. He bravely flew perilous missions over Nazi Germany, becoming the sole survivor of a downed bomber and enduring two years of torment in a German prisoner-of-war camp. As he stands before the memorial stone he provides a glimpse into his past, sharing the first fragments of the extraordinary story that had been hidden for so long.The Impossible Survivor is a powerful tribute to those who fought bravely, capturing the essence of ordinary men faced with extraordinary circumstances. These men did not seek out the risk of death or the challenges of war; they volunteered out of a sense of duty and courage. They faced life-or-death situations with a blend of character, training, determination, and a touch of luck, fully aware of the slim chances of returning home. Neil Lindsay&’s story stands as a powerful testament to their extraordinary resolve.
Under the same Moon: An Australian Battalion at War and a Family at Home
by Peter Mitchell&“A moving and intimate portrait of two brothers at war.&” Michael McKernanUnder the same Moon intricately weaves together the lives of a family, their sons, and the men of the battalion they join, all set against the backdrop of a bygone Australia during World War II. This compelling historical narrative breathes life into the people and places of the era, immersing readers in a vivid sense of immediacy and intimacy. Drawing extensively from unpublished and previously unseen written accounts, oral histories, letters, and archival materials, Under the same Moon offers a deeply personal exploration of the lesser-known Australian campaign in the Middle East. It captures the dramatic separation of a group of men from their Australia-bound convoy and their arrival in Java, teetering on the brink of collapse. The narrative also illuminates the fears and anxieties of families left in the dark. This unforgettable story of love, camaraderie, bravery, and courage is laced with humour, suffering, and beauty. Through its rich narrative, Under the same Moon invites readers to experience the profound human connections forged in times of turmoil.Praise for the Book&“A vivid portrait of the most desperate chapter in our nation's history.&” Michael Veitch &“Touching and horrifying, galvanizing and tragic.&” Don Watson &“A compelling, highly engaging and thrilling history.&” Professor Joy Damousi &“A story of war and peace - of love and separation, combat and capture, anxiety and hope.&” Professor Alistair Thomson
The Bank Robber's Boy: Born into crime, scarred by violence—one boy's heartbreaking journey.
by Peter NorrisThis is the against-all-odds story of Peter Norris, the son of one of Australia&’s most wanted criminals, and his struggle to escape his father&’s shadow. Born into a life of crime, Peter&’s earliest memories are shaped by the chaos of his father&’s criminal exploits. Torn from home to home and running from heist to heist, his childhood was marked by violence, betrayal, and upheaval. In this compelling memoir, Peter exposes the truth of his turbulent upbringing. As the youngest son of Clarence &“Clarry&” Norris, a notorious bank robber, Peter recounts the powerful love and loyalty that bound him to his father, creating a profound inner struggle between the allure of the underworld and the desire for normalcy. Faced with a heart-wrenching decision at just 12 years old, Peter had to choose between following his father's criminal path or seizing a lifeline. The memoir moves from the underbelly of 1970s Sydney to the outskirts of Melbourne, highlighting a troubling chapter in Australian history when Peter and other innocent children were sent to abusive institutions. Ultimately, Peter rises from the ruins of his troubled past, embarking on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and growth. He defies the odds to become a successful CEO, world-class athlete, and motivational speaker.The Bank Robber&’s Boy is the unfiltered account of innocence on the edge of law and a young boy&’s unyielding determination to overcome his past. &‘Extraordinary, shows how one man can defy his destiny – not despite the odds, but because of them.' &‘A powerful testament to resilience, hope, and one man&’s determination to break free from the shadows of his past.&’
"I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer": Letters on Love and Marriage from the World’s First Personal Advice Column
by Mary Beth NortonA fascinating collection of questions and answers—about courtship, marriage, love, and sex—from a seventeenth-century periodical The Athenian Mercury—a one-page, two-sided periodical published in 1690s London—included the world&’s first personal advice column. Acclaimed historian and Pulitzer Prize–finalist Mary Beth Norton&’s &“I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer&” is a remarkable collection of questions and answers drawn from this groundbreaking publication.In these exchanges, anonymous readers look for help with their most intimate romantic problems—about courting, picking a spouse, getting married, securing or avoiding parental consent, engaging in premarital sex and extramarital affairs, and much more. Spouses ask how to handle contentious marriages and tense relationships with in-laws. Some correspondents seek ways to ease a conscience troubled by romantic and sexual misbehavior. The lonely wonder how to meet a potential partner—or how to spark a warmer relationship with someone they already have an eye on. And both men and women inquire about how to extract themselves from relationships turned sour. Many of these concerns will be familiar to readers of today&’s advice columns. But others are delightfully strange and surprising, reflecting forgotten social and romantic customs and using charmingly unfamiliar language in which, for example, &“kissing is a luscious diet,&” a marriage might provide &“much love and moderate conveniency,&” and an &“amorous disposition&” can lead to trouble.Delightful and entertaining, &“I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer&” provides a unique, intriguing, and revealing picture of what has—and hasn&’t—changed over the past three centuries when it comes to love, sex, and relationships.
18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference: Proceedings of IB2MaC 2024—Volume 2 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering #614)
by Gabriele Milani Bahman GhiassiThis book highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of masonry structures and constructions, as presented by leading international researchers at the 18th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference (IB2MaC), held in Birmingham, UK, on July 21–24, 2024. Conference topics include architecture with masonry, analysis of masonry structures, bricks and blocks, mortars, repair, strengthening and retrofitting, conservation of historical heritage, new construction techniques, seismic engineering, durability and deterioration of materials, energy efficiency, AI, and masonry. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration among different specialists.
1945: War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World
by Phil CraigAs the fate of the world is decided, so too is that of the British, Dutch and French empires. In India a generation committed to independence must decide whether to support 'the Raj' or fight alongside the Japanese. One military family is bitterly divided. Will it be the brother who serves under British command, or the one who follows Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army, who goes on to help build a new and free India? In Borneo a little known Australian special forces campaign - secretly controlled from London - goes horribly wrong as questions are asked about whether its true purpose is military or imperial. And in Indochina and the East Indies British Generals free and arm Japanese prisoners of war and use them in savage campaigns that aim to put colonial rulers back into their palaces.Clearing away the haze of nostalgia, many uncomfortable truths emerge - but so too does a humane and balanced exploration of what victory in the Second World War truly means.
1945: War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World
by Phil CraigAs the fate of the world is decided, so too is that of the British, Dutch and French empires. In India a generation committed to independence must decide whether to support 'the Raj' or fight alongside the Japanese. One military family is bitterly divided. Will it be the brother who serves under British command, or the one who follows Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army, who goes on to help build a new and free India? In Borneo a little known Australian special forces campaign - secretly controlled from London - goes horribly wrong as questions are asked about whether its true purpose is military or imperial. And in Indochina and the East Indies British Generals free and arm Japanese prisoners of war and use them in savage campaigns that aim to put colonial rulers back into their palaces.Clearing away the haze of nostalgia, many uncomfortable truths emerge - but so too does a humane and balanced exploration of what victory in the Second World War truly means.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; or, David Copperfield
by Robert BenchleyRobert Benchley’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; or, David Copperfield is a delightful and whimsical collection of essays that showcases the humorist’s unparalleled wit and absurdist charm. A master of satire and wordplay, Benchley takes readers on a hilarious journey through a wide range of topics, blending the everyday with the bizarre in his inimitable style.From musings on modern inconveniences to absurd reinterpretations of literary classics, Benchley’s essays are a brilliant exploration of the human condition, laced with a sharp yet lighthearted critique of contemporary society. Whether he’s poking fun at the complexities of technology, lampooning societal norms, or crafting nonsensical literary mashups (as the title itself suggests), Benchley’s humor is as clever as it is timeless.This collection captures Benchley at his best, combining his keen observational skills with his penchant for the ridiculous. His ability to find humor in the mundane and elevate it to high comedy has cemented his place as one of America’s most beloved humorists.20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; or, David Copperfield is a must-read for fans of sharp, intelligent humor and anyone in need of a good laugh. Whether you’re familiar with Benchley’s work or discovering him for the first time, this collection promises to entertain, surprise, and delight.
26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash
by Rossana D'AntonioMuch as Eric Schollsberg&’s Fast Food Nation made people think about the way we eat, this provocative memoir and exposé challenges readers to question why, given its long history of cover-ups and systemic safety gaps, we continue to trust the aviation industry. On a stormy late May morning in 2008, TACA Airlines Flight 390 crashes at one of the most dangerous airports in the world, Honduras&’s Toncontin International Airport. Five people die in the crash—among them Rossana D&’Antonio&’s brother, pilot Cesare D&’Antonio. Suspecting Cesare will be made a scapegoat for the accident, as so often happens to pilots, Rossana decides to leverage her decades of experience as an engineer and set out in search of the truth. Part memoir, part exposé, 26 Seconds interweaves Rossana&’s research regarding other parallel accidents with her own story. Six months after the TACA crash, Captain Sully Sullenberger lands his plane on the Hudson River. Although authorities call his landing a miracle, they also blame him for its necessity. One year after the TACA 390 tragedy, Air France 447 falls from the sky. Again, pilot error. As Rossana digs deeper, she exposes a culture that is too quick to conclude pilot error and an industry that experiences systemic weaknesses, chooses profits over safety, lies to its customers, and is willing to risk lives to get its planes back up in the sky. Ultimately, she uncovers the smoking gun she&’s been looking for—revealing the truth about TACA 390, exposing aviation cover-ups, and challenging us all to question the very systems we&’ve been told we can trust with our lives.
90 Seconds to Midnight: A Hiroshima Survivor's Nuclear Odyssey
by Charlotte DeCroes Jacobs90 Seconds to Midnight tells the gripping and thought-provoking story of Setsuko Nakamura Thurlow, a thirteen-year-old girl living in Hiroshima in 1945, when the city was annihilated by an atomic bomb. Struggling with grief and anger, Thurlow set out to warn the world about the horrors of a nuclear attack in a crusade that has lasted seven decades. In 2015 Thurlow sparked a rallying cry for activists when she proclaimed at the United Nations, &“Humanity and nuclear weapons cannot coexist.&” With that, she shifted the global discussion from nuclear deterrence to humanitarian consequences, the key in crafting the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Regarded as the conscience of the antinuclear movement, Thurlow accepted the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. With the fate of humanity at stake and with the resolve of her samurai ancestors, Thurlow challenged leaders of the nuclear-armed states. On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons went into effect, banning nuclear weapons under international law. Critical historical events need a personal narrative, and Thurlow is such a storyteller for Hiroshima. 90 Seconds to Midnight recounts Thurlow&’s ascent from the netherworld where she saw, heard, and smelled death and her relentless efforts to protect the world from an unspeakable fate. Knowing she would have to live with those nightmares, Thurlow turned them into a force to impel people across the globe to learn from Hiroshima, to admit that yes, it could happen again—and then to take action.
A Better Ending: A Brother's Twenty-Year Quest to Uncover the Truth About His Sister's Death
by James Whitfield Thomson&“Haunting and heartfelt...Thomson&’s memoir is meticulously recounted with powerful suspense and hard-earned wisdom.&” —Robert Kolker, author of Hidden Valley Road A propulsive and moving memoir about a brother&’s decades-long investigation into the circumstances surrounding his sister&’s tragic death—and his own journey to forgiveness and closure.On a summer evening in 1974, Jim Thomson arrived home from a baseball game to the news that his younger sister, Eileen, had taken her own life. To Jim, his parents, and his brother, Keith, the loss was unexpected and devastating. Only twenty-seven years old, Eileen had been living in California with her high school sweetheart, Vic, a cop, surrounded by a circle of close friends and working at a job she loved. It seemed unfathomable that she would kill herself, but as the family gathered in Pittsburgh to say goodbye, more details emerged that seemed to explain the tragedy: Eileen had confided in her parents that she had been suffering from depression, and her storybook marriage had been plagued by bitter fights, infidelity, and guilt. When Jim eventually sat down with his brother-in-law to talk about the final hours of Eileen&’s life, Vic looked him in the eye and explained that he had stormed out of the room in the midst of a volatile argument. Moments later, a gunshot went off. Sensing no lies or evasion, Jim believed him. He recounted the story to the rest of the family, and they got on with their lives as best they could. Twenty-seven years later, with all of his family passed away, Eileen&’s death began to nag at Jim. Now a writer, he wanted to fill in the blanks of her story and answer the questions that were plaguing him. What had the final months of Eileen&’s life been like? Why had she not told him about her troubles? How had the infidelity in her marriage brought her and Vic to that fateful day, and who else had been a part of it? What other demons had she been battling? Determined to uncover the truth, Jim hired a private investigator to help him. Together, they tracked down Eileen&’s old friends and clandestinely obtained copies of police reports, which revealed that Vic and Eileen&’s relationship—and the sheriff&’s investigation that followed her death—was much darker and more complicated than they had imagined. Torn by doubt, Jim began a two-decade journey that took him from the streets of Pittsburgh to the hills of San Bernardino, leading him into a tangled web of secrecy, deception, and shifting stories that forced him to reconsider everything he thought he knew about Vic, Eileen, and himself—and to confront the chilling question of whether his sister had really taken her own life. Told with the precision and pace of a whodunit and the searing emotion of a family saga, A Better Ending is an unforgettable tale about the love between siblings, the murkiness of truth and memory, and the path to acceptance.
A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory
by Dr. Jagadish ShuklaThe amazing true story of the man behind modern weather predictionConsider a world without weather prediction. How would we know when to evacuate communities ahead of fires or floods, or figure out what to wear tomorrow? Until 40 years ago, we couldn’t forecast weather conditions beyond ten days. Renowned climate scientist Dr. Jagadish Shukla is largely to thank for modern weather forecasting. Born in rural India with no electricity, plumbing, or formal schools, he attended classes that were held in a cow shed. Shukla grew up amid turmoil: overwhelming monsoons, devastating droughts, and unpredictable crop yields. His drive brought him to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, despite little experience. He then followed an unlikely path to MIT and Princeton, and the highest echelons of climate science. His work, which has enabled us to predict weather farther into the future than previously thought possible, allows us to feed more people, save lives, and hold on to hope in a warming world.Paired with his philanthropic endeavors and extreme dedication to the field, Dr. Shukla has been lauded internationally for his achievements, including a shared Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore for his governmental research on climate change. A Billion Butterflies is a wondrous insider’s account of climate science and an unbelievable memoir of his life. Understanding dynamical seasonal prediction will change the way you experience a thunderstorm or interpret a forecast; understanding its origins and the remarkable story of the man who discovered it will change the way you see our world.
A Brave and Lovely Woman: Mamah Borthwick and Frank Lloyd Wright
by Mark BorthwickMamah Borthwick was an energetic, intelligent, and charismatic woman who earned a master’s degree at a time when few women even attended college, translated writings by a key figure of the early feminist movement, and taught at one of Germany’s best schools for boys. She is best known, however, as the mistress of the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and for her shocking murder at the renowned Wisconsin home he built for her, Taliesin. A Brave and Lovely Woman offers an important corrective to the narrative of Wright and Borthwick, a love story as American in character as it is Shakespearean in conclusion. Little of Wright’s life and work has been left untouched by his many admirers, critics, and biographers. And yet the woman who stood at the center of his emotional life, Mamah Borthwick, has fallen into near obscurity. Mark Borthwick—a distant relative—recenters Mamah Borthwick in her own life, presenting a detailed portrait of a fascinating woman, a complicated figure who was at once a dedicated mother and a faithless spouse, a feminist and a member of a conservative sorority, a vivacious extrovert and a social pariah. Careful research and engaging prose at last give Borthwick, an obscure but crucial character in one of America’s most famous tragedies, center stage.
A Bright Cold Day: The Wonder of George Orwell
by Nathan WaddellA pioneering biography of George Orwell told through moments of everyday life 'A clever, offbeat history of mid-century Britain through George Orwell&’s eyes.' Helen Lewis When we think about Orwell, we imagine an angular, moustachioed sceptic crouched over a typewriter, who – between puffs on his cigarette – composes effortless streams of prose, unadorned but explosive. We see a man with &‘Important Things to Say&’ about: the slow creep of authoritarianism; the consequences of all-seeing tech; the fragility of truth. Much less often do we see him as a person caught up in the business of everyday life. And yet Orwell&’s work thrums with the quotidian: the smell of boiled cabbage, the chill of an unheated flat in early spring, the rumbling of old pipes. A Bright Cold Day reveals how the principles that govern us begin in the mundane. From waking and showering to breakfast, work, lunch, the pub, sleep and dreaming, Orwell was never dulled to the routines of living. And in the details of the day, we can understand how power, money, freedom and choice play out, not just for Orwell&’s literary characters, but for us all. *** 'An astute and intimate portrait of George Orwell.' Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry of Truth 'Beautifully written... urgent and compelling.' Emma Smith, author of Portable Magic
A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun
by Sister Monica ClareThe soulful, hilarious memoir of a chronic people pleaser who surprised everyone in her life by abandoning an unfulfilling career and marriage to join a convent—and learned how much we stand to gain when we fully embrace our authentic selvesIn her twenties and thirties, Monica Clare was a talented but exhausted photo editor who spent her days getting yelled at by clients who were often strung out on cocaine and megalomania. For years, the voice calling her to a simpler, quieter life had been getting louder. As a little kid, she&’d seen Audrey Hepburn in The Nun&’s Story and thought: That&’s me. That&’s how she found herself straightening her habit nervously as she walked into a convent, preparing to live alongside eleven other sisters who&’d taken the same vow of poverty and celibacy . . . indefinitely. Could a chronically fidgety, pop culture–obsessed woman of the world ever fit in? she wondered. And why did the other nuns seem so cold and disapproving?As the months went on, she realized the other nuns were shy, not unfriendly—much like herself. The culture at the convent discouraged giving compliments or even saying &“please&” or &“thank you,&” since acts of generosity were to be freely given and received. But when Monica rose to the role of Sister Superior, she got the policy against compliments changed. Relationships started to blossom, first awkwardly and then more easily. Who would have predicted that Sister Christina, the one she thought had deeply disliked her from the start, would turn out to be a huge hugger? Or that they&’d spend entire afternoons trying to keep a wild turkey from running amok in their community garden?Equal parts tell-all and rallying cry, A Change of Habit reveals how much we can say yes to when we stop laboring to prove our worth to ourselves and others. In her role as a spiritual counselor, Sister Monica guides people from all walks of life toward resisting the false promises of capitalism, finding healing in small acts of nurture and connection, and ultimately, restoring themselves to a place of wholeness, all while living in this gorgeously messy world of ours.
A Clean Mess: A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb
by Tiffany JenkinsThe bestselling author of High Achiever chronicles life after addiction—the raw, the dark, and the hilarious—from setting out with nothing but a backpack to discovering her marriage was built on a shakier foundation than she&’d ever imagined to staying sober when life fell apart.&“Tiffany Jenkins illustrates that recovery is not just about sobriety, but about learning to live and feel again. Her compelling story is a testament to the power of resilience, humor, and hope.&”—Sarah Levy, author of Drinking GamesA Clean Mess opens with the moment that changed everything. Tiffany is about to go on stage when she receives an odd message from her husband: &“Hey Babe, some of the guys here are making some stupid decisions. Not me. But I just wanted to let you know in case you heard it from some of the other wives.&” By the end of the night, Tiffany knew her life would never be the same.This wasn&’t the first time she had to start over. After the opioid addiction and jail sentence that she chronicled in her bestselling memoir, High Achiever, Tiffany was ready for a fresh start. A chance to try life again, this time without drugs coursing through her veins. In A Clean Mess, she takes us back to those early days of recovery, and the whirlwind that she entered the moment she was out of prison. In just two years, she went from inmate to married and sober mom of three. Told with humor and honesty, A Clean Mess is Tiffany Jenkins&’s story of how she learned to live and feel for the first time without numbing herself with drugs—and how she discovered inner reserves of strength she didn&’t know she had. From her tentative first days of sobriety, to seeing two pink lines on a pregnancy test weeks later, to navigating anxiety, a new marriage, and motherhood at the same time, to surviving betrayal and divorce, Jenkins shows how she got through it all when her crutches and Band-Aids were taken away from her. An inspiring memoir that reads like fiction, A Clean Mess is a book that will buoy anyone seeking a life raft in hard times.
A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir
by Jacinda ArdernFrom the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders. <P> “Ardern’s insightful and inspiring memoir challenges old definitions of strength and power by emphasizing the urgency of compassion and kindness.”—Melinda French Gates, author of The Moment of Lift. <P> What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer in small-town New Zealand, but as the 40th Prime Minister of her country, she commanded global respect for her empathetic leadership that put people first. This is the remarkable story of how a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt made political history and changed our assumptions of what a global leader can be. <P> When Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister at age thirty-seven, the world took notice. But it was her compassionate yet powerful response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, resulting in swift and sweeping gun control laws, that demonstrated her remarkable leadership. <P> She guided her country through unprecedented challenges—a volcanic eruption, a major biosecurity breach, and a global pandemic—while advancing visionary new policies to address climate change, reduce child poverty, and secure historic international trade deals. She did all this while juggling first-time motherhood in the public eye. <P> Ardern exemplifies a new kind of leadership—proving that leaders can be caring, empathetic, and effective. She has become a global icon, and now she is ready to share her story, from the struggles to the surprises, including for the first time the full details of her decision to step down during her sixth year as Prime Minister. Through her personal experiences and reflections, Jacinda is a model for anyone who has ever doubted themselves, or has aspired to lead with compassion, conviction, and courage. A Different Kind of Power is more than a political memoir; it’s an insight into how it feels to lead, ultimately asking: What if you, too, are capable of more than you ever imagined? <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way
by Gary HoltFrom prolific metal guitarist and songwriter for Exodus (and formerly Slayer) Gary Holt comes a deeply personal memoir of his "destruction-laden" life, along with a firsthand account of the genesis of the Thrash Metal scene, from its origins in the Bay Area to its world domination. As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus and one of the originators of heavy metal, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus' albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners—but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decisions. A Fabulous Disaster follows our narrator through the highest of highs and lowest of lows as he and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the loss of key founding members. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt decides to save himself. Newly sober and determined to resurrect his career, he commits himself to Exodus, pushing the band to new heights. An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A Fabulous Disaster is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.