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Rare Bird: A Memoir of Loss and Love
by Glennon Melton Anna Whiston-DonaldsonI wish I had nothing to say on the matter of loss, but I do. Because one day I encouraged my two kids to go out and play in the rain, and only one came home. . . . Now a New York Times bestseller! On the other side of heartbreak, a story of hope rises. On an ordinary September day, twelve-year-old Jack is swept away in a freak neighborhood flood. His parents and younger sister are left to wrestle with the awful questions: How could God let this happen? And, Can we ever be happy again? They each fall into the abyss of grief in different ways. And in the days and months to come, they each find their faltering way toward peace. In Rare Bird, Anna Whiston-Donaldson unfolds a mother's story of loss that leads, in time, to enduring hope. "Anna's storytelling," says Glennon Doyle Melton, "is raw and real and intense and funny. " With this unforgettable account of a family's love and longing, Anna will draw you deeper into a divine goodness that keeps us--beyond all earthly circumstances--safe. This is a book about facing impossible circumstances and wanting to turn back the clock. It is about the flicker of hope in realizing that in times of heartbreak, God is closer than your own skin. It is about discovering that you're braver than you think.
Rare Birds: The Extraordinary Tale of the Bermuda Petrel and the Man Who Brought It Back from Extinction
by Elizabeth GehrmanThe inspiring story of David Wingate, a living legend among birders, who brought the Bermuda petrel back from presumed extinction David Wingate is known in Bermuda as the birdman and in the international conservation community as a living legend for single-handedly bringing back the cahow, or Bermuda petrel—a seabird that flies up to 82,000 miles a year, drinking seawater and sleeping on the wing. For millennia, the birds came ashore every November to breed on this tiny North Atlantic island. But less than a decade after Bermuda’s 1612 settlement, the cahows had vanished. Or so it was thought until the early 1900s, when tantalizing hints of their continued existence began to emerge. In 1951, two scientists invited fifteen-year-old Wingate along on a bare-bones expedition to find the bird. The team stunned the world by locating seven nesting pairs, and Wingate knew his life had changed forever. He would spend the next fifty years battling natural and man-made disasters, bureaucracy, and personal tragedy with single-minded devotion and antiestablishment outspokenness. In April 2009, Wingate saw his dream fulfilled, as the birds returned to Nonsuch, an island habitat that he had hand-restored, plant-by-plant, giving the Bermuda petrels the chance they needed in their centuries-long fight for survival.
Rarely Pure and Never Simple: Selected Essays of Scott O'Hara
by Scott O' HaraA follow-up to O’Hara’s steamy and provocative book Autopornography: A Memoir of Life in the Lust Lane, Rarely Pure and Never Simple: Selected Essays of Scott O’Hara shares with you more intimate stories from former porn star Scott O’Hara. You’ll gain an even deeper sense of the man behind the “Biggest Dick in San Francisco” and come to understand his take on porn, sex, life, and loss. Discussing his ventures as a writer, playwright, and editor of the popular but short-lived journal Steam, Rarely Pure and Never Simple includes poems and stories by O’Hara that express his opinions and feelings about monogamy, safe sex, male beauty, morality, social politics, and “being queer.” O’Hara also relates his childhood experiences to his adult life and uses many examples to link the past to his actions and thoughts concerning his sexuality.Bold, personal, and honest, Rarely Pure and Never Simple gives you an inside look into the life of this controversial author, who died in February 1998 of AIDS-related complications. O’Hara challenges the “norms” of society as he discloses intimate thoughts and details about his sex life and fantasies that are guaranteed to arouse your . . . curiosity.
Rascals in Paradise: Turbulent Adventures and Bold Courage on the South Seas
by James A. Michener A. Grove DayIn a thrilling collection of nonfiction adventure stories, James A. Michener returns to the most dazzling place on Earth: the islands that inspired Tales of the South Pacific. Co-written with A. Grove Day, Rascals in Paradise offers portraits of ten scandalous men and women, some infamous and some overlooked, including Sam Costock, a mutinous sailor whose delusions of grandeur became a nightmare; Will Mariner, a golden-haired youth who used his charm to win over his captors; and Captain Bligh, the notorious HMS Bounty captain who may not have been the monster history remembers him as. From lifelong buccaneers to lapsed noblemen, in Michener and Day's capable hands these rogues become the stuff of legend. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener's Poland. Praise for Rascals in Paradise "The best book about those far-scattered islands that has appeared in a long time . . . a portfolio of rare and ruthless personalities that is calculated to make the curliest hair stand straight on end."--The New York Times "[Combines] research and scholarship (A. Grove Day was a professor at the University of Hawaii) with a gift for spinning a yarn and depicting character (Michener, journalist and novelist, needs no introduction)."--Kirkus Reviews
Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui
by Suleiman Akhtar Javed Rakhshanda JalilOn the life and works of Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui, 1894-1977, Urdu writer.
Rashi
by Elie Wiesel Catherine TemersonFrom Elie Wiesel, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, comes a magical book that introduces us to the towering figure of Rashi--Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki--the great biblical and Talmudic commentator of the Middle Ages. Wiesel brilliantly evokes the world of medieval European Jewry, a world of profound scholars and closed communities ravaged by outbursts of anti-Semitism and decimated by the Crusades. The incomparable scholar Rashi, whose phrase-by-phrase explication of the oral law has been included in every printing of the Talmud since the fifteenth century, was also a spiritual and religious leader: His perspective, encompassing both the mundane and the profound, is timeless.Wiesel's Rashi is a heartbroken witness to the suffering of his people, and through his responses to major religious questions of the day we see still another side of this greatest of all interpreters of the sacred writings. Both beginners and advanced students of the Bible rely on Rashi's groundbreaking commentary for simple text explanations and Midrashic interpretations. Wiesel, a descendant of Rashi, proves an incomparable guide who enables us to appreciate both the lucidity of Rashi's writings and the milieu in which they were formed.From the Hardcover edition.
Rasplata (The Reckoning) by Commander Vladimir Semenoff.: His Diary During The Blockade Of Port Arthur And The Voyage Of Admiral Rojestvensky's Fleet
by Vladimir SemenoffImmerse yourself in the dramatic and harrowing events of the Russo-Japanese War through the firsthand account of Commander Vladimir Semenoff in "Rasplata (The Reckoning)." This gripping diary offers an unparalleled glimpse into the life of a naval officer during one of the most significant conflicts of the early 20th century, capturing the intense emotions and strategic complexities of wartime.Commander Vladimir Semenoff, a distinguished officer of the Russian Imperial Navy, chronicles his experiences during the protracted siege of Port Arthur and the perilous voyage of Admiral Rojestvensky's fleet. His detailed and candid entries provide a vivid portrayal of the hardships faced by the sailors, the strategic maneuvers employed, and the personal sacrifices made during the conflict."Rasplata (The Reckoning)" is more than a military diary; it is a deeply human story of resilience, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of duty amidst overwhelming odds. Semenoff’s narrative brings to life the daily struggles and extraordinary events that defined the blockade of Port Arthur, offering insights into the tactical decisions and the relentless pressure faced by the fleet.Semenoff’s reflections on the epic voyage of Admiral Rojestvensky's fleet from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean highlight the logistical challenges and the morale of the crew as they navigated treacherous waters and prepared for battle. His account of the climactic Battle of Tsushima, a pivotal moment in naval history, provides a firsthand perspective on the strategies, heroism, and tragic outcomes of the engagement.This book is an essential read for military historians, naval enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the personal experiences of those who lived through the crucible of war. Semenoff’s meticulous documentation and evocative storytelling offer a rare and compelling window into a tumultuous period of history.Join Commander Vladimir Semenoff on his remarkable journey through the trials of war, and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and human elements of naval warfare in "Rasplata (The Reckoning)." This powerful diary stands as a testament to the courage and determination of those who served in the face of adversity.
Rasputin
by Brian MoynahanGrigory Efimovich Rasputin came to St. Petersburg from his Siberian cabin in 1903 like a projectile from the medieval past, tattered, black-clad, muttering. By the time he was murdered thirteen years later, the peasant was the "beloved" Friend of Tsar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra and the sponsor of the most powerful officials in Russia. He had become, a society lady wrote, "a dusk enveloping all our world, eclipsing the sun. How could so pitiful a wretch throw so vast a shadow? It was inexplicable, maddening, almost incredible. "Rasputin's name has become synonymous with evil, but his legend has obscured the facts of his life. In this evocative biography, Brian Moynahan presents us with a flesh-and-blood Rasputin, more fascinating than the myth--a man in whom debauchery coexisted beside a real (if erratic) spiritual sense, a man whose coarseness hid a savvy awareness of human psychology. Drawing on confidential police reports, cabinet meeting memos, and other documents, some available only since the fall of the Soviet Union, Moynahan sheds new light on Rasputin's life and disputes some of the widely held details of his death. The young Rasputin was a drinker, thief, and womanizer. He claimed to have religious visions and became a wandering holy man, preaching that exposure to sin could drive out sin. He stormed the fashionable salons of St. Petersburg, and in 1905 he met Nicholas and Alexandra, who, increasingly despised by the sophisticated, found in Rasputin reassurance that the "real Russia, the simple and pious peasantry, loved them. Rasputin's mysterious ability to stop the bleeding attacks of their hemophiliac only son, Alexis, sealed the approval of the domineering Alexandra. With royal patronage, Rasputin became increasingly reckless, partying with prostitutes, peddling influence, plotting the disgrace of those who crossed him. Ever contradictory, he was also a devoted family man, a defender of the poor, and a figure of immense charisma. As Germany battered Russia during World War I, as Nicholas's ineptitude as a leader became ever more rampant and the masses went hungry, Rasputin seemed to monarchists to be the cause, and not just the symptom, of corrupt government. A group of conspirators gathered--among them a grand duke and a scion of the richest family in Russia--and one of the most famous murders in history was planned. Set against the vivid backdrop of prerevolutionary Russia, Rasputin is a portrait of an age as well as of a man.NOTE: This edition does not include photographs.
Rasputin
by Frances WelchTold with humor, intrigue, and a shrewd eye for detail, this riveting short biography sheds much-needed light on the life of nineteenth-century Russian icon Grigory Rasputin.Grigory Rasputin, a Siberian peasant turned mystic and court sage, was as fascinating as he was unfathomable. He played the role of the simple man, eating with his fingers and boasting, "I don't even know the ABC." But, as the only person able to relieve the symptoms of hemophilia in the Tsar's heir Alexei, he gained almost hallowed status within the Imperial court. During the last decade of his life, Rasputin and his band of "little ladies" came to symbolize all that was decadent, corrupt, and remote about the Imperial Family, especially when it was rumored that he was not only shaping Russian policy during the First World War, but also enjoying an intimate relationship with the Empress... Rasputin's role in the downfall of the tsarist regime is beyond dispute. But who was he really? Prophet or rascal? A "breath of rank air...who blew away the cobwebs of the Imperial Palace," as Beryl Bainbridge put it, or a dangerous deviant? Writing for historical aficionados and curious readers alike, Frances Welch turns her inimitable wry gaze on one of the great mysteries of Russian history.
Rasputin and His Russian Queen: The True Story of Grigory and Alexandra
by Mickey MayhewRasputin’s relationship with Russia’s last Tsarina, Alexandra, notorious from the famous Boney M song, has never been adequately addressed; biographies are always for one or the other, or simply Alexandra and her husband Nicholas. In this new work, Mickey Mayhew reimagines Alexandra for the #MeToo generation: ‘neurotic’; ‘hysterical’; ‘credulous’ and ‘fanatical’ are shunted aside in favor of a sympathetic reimagining of a reserved and pious woman tossed into the heart of Russian aristocracy, with the sole purpose of providing their patriarchal monarchy with an heir. When the son she prayed for turns out to be a hemophiliac, she forms a friendship with the one man capable of curing the child’s agonizing attacks. Some say that between them, Grigori and Alexandra brought down 300 years of Romanov rule and ushered in the Russian Revolution, but theirs was simply the story of a mother fighting for the health of her son against a backdrop of bigotry, sexism and increasing secularism. Bubbling with his trademark bon mots, Mickey Mayhew’s new book breathes fresh life into two of history’s most fascinating - and polarizing - figures. She liked to pray and he liked to party, but when they found themselves steering Russia into the First World War, her gender and his class meant that society simply had to crush them. This is the real story of Rasputin and his Russian queen, Alexandra.
Rasputin: A short life
by Frances WelchGrigory Rasputin, the Siberian peasant-turned-mystic, was as fascinating as he was unfathomable. He played the role of the simple man, eating with his fingers and boasting, 'I don't even know my ABC...' But, as the only person able to relieve the symptoms of haemophilia in the Tsar's heir Alexis, he gained almost hallowed status within the Imperial court. During the last decade of his life, he and his band of 'little ladies' came to symbolise all that was decadent and remote about the royal family.His role in the downfall of the tsarist regime is beyond dispute. But who was he really? Prophet or rascal?In this eye-opening short biography, which draws on previously unpublished material, Frances Welch turns her inimitable wry gaze on one of the great mysteries of Russian history.
Rasputin: An Introduction (Essential Biographies)
by Harold ShukmanGregory Rasputin features in Russian history as a malign and destructive force, a man with an unhealthy influence on the Empress Alexandra and undue power in Russian politics. Yet his purposes were ostensibly beneficent. An uneducated peasant, he left Siberia to become a wandering 'holy man' and soon acquired a reputation as a healer. The empress was desperate to find a cure for haemophilia from which her son Alexei suffered, and in 1905 Rasputin was presented at court. His positive effect on the heir's health made him indispensible. But his religious teachings were unorthodox, and his charismatic presence aroused in many ladies of the St Petersburg aristocracy an exalted response, which he exploited sexually. Shady financial dealings added to the atmosphere of debauchery and scandal, and he was also seen as a political threat. He was assassinated in 1916.
Rasputin: Neither Devil Nor Saint
by Elizabeth JudasElizabeth Judas was the widow of an officer who served in the Imperial Secret Police. She knew Rasputin since childhood. She tells a different story from that usually told of him and a different story of the Imperial Family from that usually believed.
Rat Bastards: The Life and Times of South Boston's Most Honorable Irish Mobster, A Memoir
by John "Red" SheaIn this true crime memoir, a former member of the Irish mob under Whitey Bulger details his criminal exploits in 1980s and ‘90s Boston.An ice-cold enforcer with a red-hot temper, John “Red” Shea was already a top lieutenant in the South Boston Irish mob at the young age of twenty-one, a protégé of the notorious Irish godfather James “Whitey” Bulger. Brutal and ruthlessly ambitious—a loan shark, money launderer, and multimillion-dollar narcotics kingpin—Shea was at the pinnacle of his power when the feds came knocking and obliterated the mob in a well-orchestrated sweep of arrests. Bulger’s other top men turned informant to save their own hides, but Shea alone held to his code of honor and kept his mouth shut—earning a dozen years of hard time as his reward. Even Bulger, the man She was protecting, turned out to be a rat who had been tipping off the feds for decades while continuing to operate one of the most murderous and profitable organized crime outfits in America.Harrowing and unflinching, Rat Bastards brings the gritty world of the Irish mob into sharp focus—the no-holds barred memoir of a former gangster who makes no excuses for the life he chose. Intense, compelling, and in your face, it is a remarkable story from a dying breed: a true stand-up guy.
Rat Girl
by Kristin HershThe founder of a cult rock band shares her outrageous tale of growing up much faster than planned. In 1985, Kristin Hersh was just starting to find her place in the world. After leaving home at the age of fifteen, the precocious child of unconventional hippies had enrolled in college while her band, Throwing Muses, was getting off the ground amid rumors of a major label deal. Then everything changed: she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and found herself in an emotional tailspin; she started medication, but then discovered she was pregnant. An intensely personal and moving account of that pivotal year, Rat Girl is sure to be greeted eagerly by Hersh's many fans.
Rat Pack Confidential: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Show Biz Party
by Shawn LevyFor the first time, the full story of what happened when Frank brought his best pals to party in a land called VegasJanuary 1960. Las Vegas is at its smooth, cool peak. The Strip is a jet-age theme park, and the greatest singer in the history of American popular music summons a group of friends there to make a movie. One is an insouciant singer of Italian songs, ex-partner to the most popular film comedian of the day. One is a short, black, Jewish, one-eyed, singing, dancing wonder. One is an upper-crust British pretty boy turned degenerate B-movie star actor, brother-in-law to an ascendant politician. And one is a stiff-shouldered comic with the quintessential Borscht Belt emcee&’s knack for needling one-liners. The architectonically sleek marquee of the Sands Hotel announces their presence simply by listing their names: FRANK SINATRA. DEAN MARTIN. SAMMY DAVIS, JR. PETER LAWFORD. JOEY BISHOP. Around them an entire cast gathers: actors, comics, singers, songwriters, gangsters, politicians, and women, as well as thousands of starstruck everyday folks who fork over pocketfuls of money for the privilege of basking in their presence. They call themselves The Clan. But to an awed world, they are known as The Rat Pack.They had it all. Fame. Gorgeous women. A fabulouse playground of a city and all the money in the world. The backing of fearsome crime lords and the blessing of the President of the United States. But the dark side–over the thin line between pleasure and debauchery, between swinging self-confidence and brutal arrogance–took its toll. In four years, their great ride was over, and showbiz was never the same. Acclaimed Jerry Lewis biographer Shawn Levy has written a dazzling portrait of a time when neon brightness cast sordid shadows. It was Frank&’s World, and we just lived in it.
RatSnakes: Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover Agents and How We Changed the Game
by Vincent A. CefaluGet ready to infiltrate the dangerous, secret world of criminals and cover identities by way of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)—where the world's greatest undercover agents are known as RatSnakes. RatSnakes are rarely, if ever, visible to the public they move among and risk their lives to protect. In fact, thanks to their cover personas, they're often assumed to be members of the clandestine criminal world they investigate. Real-life undercover work is a far cry from the sexy, candy-colored world you've seen in Hollywood movies. Only those strong and clever enough get inside and survive. Vincent A. Cefalu would know. He spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides a transparent look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life. Part field guide, part heart-pounding thrill-ride, Cefalu takes readers on a tour of what it's like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, he gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating "street theater" to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have readers laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad. Immersive and brutal, RatSnakes offers an in-depth and eye-opening look into the lives of an elite group of men and women who volunteer to do things most couldn't and wouldn't stomach. Civilians with common sense and good judgment run from danger, while RatSnakes sprint toward it—smiling.
Ratanbai: A sketch of a Bombay high caste hindu young wife
by Shevantibai M. NikambeLife of Ratanbai, a high caste hindu young wife.
Rate of Climb: Thrilling Personal Reminiscences from a Fighter Pilot and Leader
by Air Commodore Rick Peacock-EdwardsA veteran RAF fighter pilot reflects on his service in the sky during the Cold War, the Gulf War, and more in this exciting memoir.Rick Peacock-Edwards has led different lives at different times, but through it all, he has consistently enjoyed himself. One of three sons of outstanding South African Battle of Britain pilot F/O S R “Teddy” Peacock-Edwards, Rick has a compassionate regard for a generation of wartime aircrew: “As the proud son of one of the “Few,” their selfless daring has inspired me throughout my life. Importantly, they influenced my decision to become an airman in the Royal Air Force, to become a fighter pilot like my father, and to live life with spirit as they had lived their lives. It is essential that their experiences live on.” Rate of Climb, his original and entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, shows Rick in complete command of his primary subject: flying. A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, he flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career, he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere. A past master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer. This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer’s life with endless good stories, and a colourful cast of characters to match. Rick’s compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.
Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood
by Maitland WardA celebrity memoir unlike any other, this is an empowering, sex-positive, behind-the-scenes look at both Hollywood and the porn industry. Perfect for fans of Pleasure Activism and How to Make Love Like a Porn Star.Maitland Ward got her start in acting as a teenager when she was cast in The Bold and the Beautiful, but it wasn&’t until she joined the later seasons of the sitcom Boy Meets World that she got her first taste of fame. As the loveable co-ed Rachel McGuire, Ward soon found herself being typecast as the good girl next door and was repeatedly denied darker, more intriguing roles. So she made a career change—one that required her to turn away from the Disney universe—and eventually established herself as one of the most-respected actresses in the porn industry today. Now, Ward reveals the ups and downs of her fascinating career, including personal stories from her time on one of the most beloved shows of the 1990s, in this anything but a run-of-the-mill memoir. By showing Hollywood and triple-X stardom in a whole new light, she offers a fresh and stirring perspective on the sex industry and &“champions the discovery of freedom in sexuality&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Ultimately a story of hope and triumph, this is a sharp and provocative look at a former Disney princess who found her fairy tale in porn.
Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News
by Dan Rather Digby DiehlThis memoir by Dan Rather -- one of the most pre-eminent journalists of our time -- is told in a straightforward and conversational manner so that you hear his distinctive voice on every page. Rather, -- who has won every prestigious journalism award in his distinguished career -- discusses all the big stories from his decades of reporting. This very personal accounting includes (but is certainly not limited to) his dismissal from CBS, the Abu Ghraib story, the George W. Bush Air National Guard controversy, his coverage of the JFK assassination, the origin of "Hurricane Dan" as well as inside stories about all the top personalities Dan has either interviewed or worked with over his remarkable career. The book will also include Dan's thoughts and reflections on the state of journalism today and what he sees for its future, as well as never-before-revealed personal observations and commentary.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: It Works for Me - It Can Work for You
by Albert EllisEllis points out that when one is faced with a problem, we had better realize that we have a choice to think rationally or irrationally about the problem.
Rattled!: A Memoir
by Christine CoppaWarm, honest, funny, and empowering, Rattled! is an unforgettable memoir of a life that takes an unexpected turn,and a brave young woman who decides to follow where the road leads. Everything in twenty-six-year-old Christine's life was going as planned -- great friends, a promising job as a magazine assistant, New York City at her feet . . . even a cute guy. Until the fateful day she realizes she's pregnant by said cute guy, whom she'd only been dating for a few months. The next thing you know, he bails and Christine is left to wonder, What now? Trading Manhattan for the suburbs, skinny jeans for sweatpants, and all-nighters with the girls for 3 a.m. feedings with a restless infant, Christine chooses to live a life that honors what's important to her -- and finds strength she didn't know she had in the process.
Rav Chaim The Life and Legacy of the Sar HaTorah Rav Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky
by Naftali WeinbergerRav Chaim Kanievsky was the Sar HaTorah, master of every area of Torah knowledge and author of dozens of Torah works on topics ranging from the basic to the arcane. He was a fount of guidance, comfort, and blessing to tens of thousands. His diligence in Torah was legendary, yet he opened his home and his heart to all who sought him. But despite all the stories we have heard, there is so much more. And Rabbi Naftali Weinberger is the perfect person to give us the rest of the story. Rabbi Weinberger has had a uniquely close relationship with Rav Chaim Kanievsky and his family for nearly thirty years — so much so that Rav Chaim authorized him to write the bestselling biography Rebbetzin Kanievsky. His unparalleled access to Rav Chaim and his family enabled him to produce this fascinating biography, giving us an insider’s view of the Sar HaTorah’s remarkable life and achievements, including warm and personal stories heard directly from the family and rare photographs appearing in print for the very first time. In these pages, we will come know the Torah aristocracy that was Rav Chaim’s family — the Chazon Ish, the Steipler, Rav Elyashiv, and others — from the family’s unique perspective. We will encounter the Torah giants and “simple” Jews who were part of Rav Chaim’s life, and see how he interacted with them. The Prince of Torah gave our People so much in his lifetime, and through this extraordinary volume his memory and example will continue to inspire us. We will aspire to emulate his diligence and love for Torah, his shalom bayis, and the chinuch he instilled in his family. We will learn to care for and welcome every Jew. And we will see how a Torah giant who valued every moment of Torah study freely gave of his time for others.
Rav Gifter: The Vision, Fire and Impact of an American Born Gadol
by Yechiel SperoBorn in Portsmouth, Virginia. Attended public school in Baltimore. Knew only one blatt Gemara at his bar mitzvah. Was this a Jewishly deprived American youngster? Not at all. It was the world renowned gaon and rosh yeshiva Harav Mordechai Gifter, Rosh Yeshivah of Telz and one of the world's greatest Torah scholars and revered leaders! In this warm and anecdote-filled biography, Rabbi Yechiel Spero introduces us to one of the most fascinating Torah giants of recent times. Rabbi Spero's best-selling "Touched by . . . " series has earned him many thousands of admiring readers. In this, his first biography, he outdoes himself. To Rav Gifter, every minute of Torah was a precious gift. His intense and successful effort to master the Torah was phenomenal. All his life he carried with him - and personified -- the memories of his mentors and his years in the Telz Yeshivah in Lithuania. He was a peerless orator, who moved listeners to tears and inspired them to scale heights. He had an awesome sense of responsibility to the yeshivah, the community, and even to the youngest talmid and most humble petitioner -he made time for everyone. Most of all, he loved Torah. It was his life's goal - and his contagious zeal for learning created legions of talmidei chachamim in his image. He interacted with the greatest sages of the era and was a fearless champion in the intellectual battles for the truth of Torah. And he was tender and understanding with the Jewishly unlearned US Navy veteran who stumbled into Telz, and the college girl searching for an Orthodox prayer experience. Students were awed by his intensity, but warmed by his tender and loving embrace. He described himself as a "simple melamed" a teacher. His mission was to master Torah and transmit it in all its grandeur. He succeeded. The book is lavishly illustrated , including many never-before published photographs. And it is filled with Rav Gifter's ideals, teachings, perspectives, and classic orations, in his own words. When he was a teenager, his wall was adorned with pictures of Torah giants - and there was one empty frame with the words "What about you?" The youngster from Portsmouth answered the question with his own magnificent life. Read about him. You'll be thrilled and your aspirations will be elevated.