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Conversations with Jerry W. Ward Jr. (Literary Conversations Series)
by John ZhengJerry W. Ward Jr. (b. 1943) has published nonfiction, literary criticism, encyclopedias, anthologies, and poetry. Ward is also a highly respected scholar with a specialty in African American literature and has been recognized internationally as one of the leading experts on Richard Wright. Ward was Lawrence Durgin Professor of Literature at Tougaloo College, served as a member of both the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Mississippi Advisory Committee for the US Commission on Civil Rights, and cofounded the Richard Wright Circle and the Richard Wright Newsletter. He has won numerous awards, and in 2001 he was inducted into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. Conversations with Jerry W. Ward Jr. aims to add an indispensable source to American literature and African American studies. It offers an account of Ward's intelligent and thoughtful responses to questions about literature, literary criticism, teaching, writing, civil rights, Black aesthetics, race, and culture. Throughout the fourteen interviews collected in this volume that range from 1995 to 2021, Ward demonstrates his responsibilities as a contemporary scholar, professor, writer, and social critic. His charming personality glimmers through these interviews, which, in a sense, are inner views that allow us to see into his mind, understand his heart, and appreciate his wit.
Conversations with Sterling Plumpp (Literary Conversations Series)
by John ZhengConversations with Sterling Plumpp is the first collection of interviews with the renowned poet of Home/Bass and other much-admired works. Spanning thirty years and drawn from literary and scholarly journals and other media, these interviews offer insights into his poetic innovation of blues and jazz and his mastery of black vernacular in poetry. This collection seems fundamental to an understanding of the life and work of an African American poet who has been innovative in fusing blues and jazz rhythms with poetic insight and in vivifying the vernacular landscape of African American poetry.Born in 1940 in Clinton, Mississippi, Plumpp has been living in Chicago since 1962. Home/Bass received the 2014 American Book Award. The finest blues poet of his generation, Plumpp became a model for contemporary poetry and poetics and a leading figure in the tradition of blues/jazz poetry. He continues to reinvent the language while exploring the registers of individual and communal memory and of local, national, and global history. His poetry is important in attempts to define the black aesthetic from the era of the Harlem Renaissance to the seminal Black Arts Movement. It is also important for its re-articulation of the Great Migration, especially expressed by blues musicians who left Mississippi for Chicago.
Carl Schmitt, Mao Zedong and the Politics of Transition
by Qi ZhengThis book develops a new way of reading and benefiting from Schmitt's legal and political theories. It explores Schmitt's theories from the perspective of what I refer to as the politics of transition. It also contributes to identifying the real theoretical relationship between Schmitt and Mao.
Around The World On Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride (Playaway Adult Nonfiction Ser.)
by Peter ZheutlinPeter Zheutlin's thoroughly researched account will make you wish you'd been around to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary woman as she went wheeling by. --Bill Littlefield, National Public Radio's Only A GameUntil 1894 there were no female sport stars, no product endorsement deals, and no young mothers with the chutzpah to circle the globe on a bicycle. Annie Londonderry changed all of that. When Annie left Boston in June of that year, she was a brash young lady with a 42-pound bicycle, a revolver, a change of underwear, and a dream of freedom. She was also a feisty mother of three who had become the center of what one newspaper called "one of the most novel wagers ever made": a high-stakes bet between two wealthy merchants that a woman could not ride around the world on a bicycle. The epic journey that followed took the connection between athletics and commercialism to dizzying new heights, and turned Annie Londonderry into a symbol of women's equality. A vastly entertaining blend of social history, high adventure, and maverick marketing, Around the World on Two Wheels is an unforgettable portrait of courage, imagination, and tenacity. "Annie was a remarkable woman and well worth getting to know." --Booklist"A wonderful telling of one of the most intriguing, offbeat, and until now, lost chapters in the history of cycling." --David Herlihy, author of Bicycle: The History "A pleasant, affectionate portrait of a free spirit who pedaled her way out of Victorian constraints." --Kirkus Reviews"[A] charming and informative book." --Cape Cod Times"[An] incredible story. . .[a] fascinating book." --NextReads "[A] stirring tale. . .not only a must read, but a must have." --Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine"[A] remarkable saga." --The Winston-Salem (NC) Journal"[R]ead[s]. . .like a novel." --The Columbia (SC) State"[M]eticulously researched. . .illuminat[es] the feeling of a bygone era." --The Portsmouth (NH) Wire Peter Zheutlin has been chasing the story of his great-grandaunt Annie Londonderry for more than four years. He is an avid cyclist and a freelance journalist whose work appears regularly in the Boston Globe and the Christian Science Monitor. He has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, AARP Magazine, Bicycling, the New England Quarterly, and other publications. He lives in Needham, Massachusetts.
Spin: A Novel Based on a (Mostly) True Story
by Peter ZheutlinRide away on a 'round-the-world adventure of a lifetime—with only a change of clothes and a pearl-handled revolver—in this trascendent novel inspired by the life of Annie Londonderry.&“Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.&”—Susan B. Anthony Who was Annie Londonderry? She captured the popular imagination with her daring &‘round the world trip on two wheels. It was, declared The New York World in October of 1895, &“the most extraordinary journey ever undertaken by a woman.&” But beyond the headlines, Londonderry was really Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, a young, Jewish mother of three small children, who climbed onto a 42-pound Columbia bicycle and pedaled away into history. Reportedly set in motion by a wager between two wealthy Boston merchants, the bet required Annie not only to circle the earth by bicycle in 15 months, but to earn $5,000 en route, as well. This was no mere test of a woman&’s physical endurance and mental fortitude; it was a test of a woman&’s ability to fend for herself in the world. Often attired in a man&’s riding suit, Annie turned every Victorian notion of female propriety on its head. Not only did she abandon, temporarily, her role of wife and mother (scandalous in the 1890s), she earned her way selling photographs of herself, appearing as an attraction in stores, and by turning herself into a mobile billboard. Zheutlin, a descendent of Annie, brilliantly probes the inner life and seeming boundless courage of this outlandish, brash, and charismatic woman. In a time when women could not vote and few worked outside the home, Annie was a master of public relations, a consummate self-promoter, and a skillful creator of her own myth. Yet, for more than a century her remarkable story was lost to history. In SPIN, this remarkable heroine and her marvelous, stranger-than-fiction story is vividly brought to life for a new generation.
The Private Life of Chairman Mao
by Li Zhi-SuiFrom 1954 until Mao Zedong's death 22 years later. Dr. Li Zhisui was the Chinese ruler's personal physician. For most of these years, Mao was in excellent health; thus he and the doctor had time to discuss political and personal matters. Dr. Li recorded many of these conversations in his diaries, as well as in his memory. In this book, Dr. Li vividly reconstructs his extraordinary time with Chairman Mao. NOTE: This edition does not include a photo insert.
Be Not Afraid of Love: Lessons on Fear, Intimacy, and Connection
by Mimi Zhu&“Radical and revolutionary.&” —Jonny Sun, New York Times bestselling author of Goodbye, Again A collection of powerful interconnected essays and affirmations that follow Mimi Zhu&’s journey toward embodying and re-learning love after a violent romantic relationship, a stunning and provocative book that will guide and inspire readers to lean into love with softnessIn their early twenties, Mimi Zhu was a survivor of intimate-partner abuse. This left them broken, in search of healing and ways to re-learn love. This work is a testament to the strength and adaptability all humans possess, a tribute to love. Be Not Afraid of Love explores the intersections of love and fear in self-esteem, friendship, family dynamics, and romantic relationships, and extends out to its effects on society and the greater political realm. In sharing their own intimate encounters with oppression, healing, joy, and community, Mimi invites readers to reflect deeply on their own experiences as well, with the intention of acting as a guide to undoing the hurt or uncertainty within them. In this heartrending and revolutionary book, Mimi reminds us, be not afraid of love.
Marshal of Victory: The Autobiography of General Georgy Zhukov
by Geogry ZhukovThe complete and unredacted autobiography by Stalin’s star general, chronicling his many campaigns throughout WWII.At Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Kursk and Berlin—as well as virtually all the principal battles on the Eastern Front during the Second World War—Georgy Zhukov played a major role. He was Stalin’s pre-eminent general throughout the conflict, and he chronicled his brilliant career as he saw it in this essential text.Here, Zhukov reveals intriguing insights into who he was, both as a man and as a commander. He also delves into the military thinking and decision-making at the highest level of the Soviet command—making this volume essential reading for anyone studying the conflict in the east.This edition of the memoirs, which were first published in heavily censored form, features an introduction by Professor Geoffrey Roberts in which he summarizes the additional material omitted from previous editions. He also provides, in an appendix, a translation of Zhukov’s account of the 1953-7 period as well as an interview with Zhukov that has previously not been available in English.
Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles
by Georgi K. Zhukov Theodore Shabad Harrison E. SalisburyHistory of 4 of Zhukov's battles during WWII: The Battle of Moscow, the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, and the Battle of Berlin
Girl With A Sniper Rifle: An Eastern Front Memoir
by Yulia ZhukovaA memoir of a graduate of Stalin&’s Central Women&’s Sniper School and her experience during World War II. Yulia Zhukova was a dedicated member of the Soviet communist youth organization, the Komsomol, and her parents worked for Russia&’s secret police, the NKVD. Yulia started at the sniper school near Podolsk in western Russian and eventually became a valued soldier during operations against Prussia. In this powerful account, she shares firsthand knowledge of the machinations of the NKVD, as well as the bravery of a female sniper and the grueling toll of war. Yulia persevered through eight months of training before leaving for the Front just days after qualifying. Joining the third Belorussian Front, her battalion endured rounds of German mortar, as well as loudspeaker announcements beckoning them to join the German side. She spent days in the field undergoing regular, terrifying one-on-one encounters with the enemy. Eventually she felt the euphoria of her first hit—while reflecting on ending a life. These feelings fade as Yulia recounts the barbarous actions of Hitler&’s Nazi Germany. She recalls how the women were once nearly overrun by Germans at their house when other Red Army formations had moved off and failed to tell them. She also details a nine-day standoff they endured encircled by Germans in Landsberg. Regularly suffering ill-health, she took a shrapnel injury and underwent surgery without anesthetic. Eventually she would see the end of the war. Like her famous counterpart Pavlichenko, Zhukova gained recognition but struggled to come to terms with war service . . . Includes notes by John Walter and an introduction by Martin Pegler
Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution
by Helen ZiaThe dramatic real life stories of four young people caught up in the mass exodus of Shanghai in the wake of China’s 1949 Communist revolution—a heartrending precursor to the struggles faced by emigrants today. “A true page-turner . . . [Helen] Zia has proven once again that history is something that happens to real people.”—New York Times bestselling author Lisa See Shanghai has historically been China’s jewel, its richest, most modern and westernized city. The bustling metropolis was home to sophisticated intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and a thriving middle class when Mao’s proletarian revolution emerged victorious from the long civil war. Terrified of the horrors the Communists would wreak upon their lives, citizens of Shanghai who could afford to fled in every direction. Seventy years later, members of the last generation to fully recall this massive exodus have revealed their stories to Chinese American journalist Helen Zia, who interviewed hundreds of exiles about their journey through one of the most tumultuous events of the twentieth century. From these moving accounts, Zia weaves together the stories of four young Shanghai residents who wrestled with the decision to abandon everything for an uncertain life as refugees in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. Benny, who as a teenager became the unwilling heir to his father’s dark wartime legacy, must decide either to escape to Hong Kong or navigate the intricacies of a newly Communist China. The resolute Annuo, forced to flee her home with her father, a defeated Nationalist official, becomes an unwelcome exile in Taiwan. The financially strapped Ho fights deportation from the U.S. in order to continue his studies while his family struggles at home. And Bing, given away by her poor parents, faces the prospect of a new life among strangers in America. The lives of these men and women are marvelously portrayed, revealing the dignity and triumph of personal survival. Herself the daughter of immigrants from China, Zia is uniquely equipped to explain how crises like the Shanghai transition affect children and their families, students and their futures, and, ultimately, the way we see ourselves and those around us. Last Boat Out of Shanghai brings a poignant personal angle to the experiences of refugees then and, by extension, today. “Zia’s portraits are compassionate and heartbreaking, and they are, ultimately, the universal story of many families who leave their homeland as refugees and find less-than-welcoming circumstances on the other side.”—Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club
Padre Ignacio: Pasión por curar
by Jorge ZicolilloLa historia del cura de Rosario que llegó de Sri Lanka y miles depersonas que lo visitaron aseguran que tiene dotes de sanador y lescambió la vida para siempre. Un cura moreno, de Sri Lanka, se instala en Rosario como misionero y alpoco tiempo miles de personas comienzan a viajar desde distintos lugaresdel país hasta su parroquia, Natividad del Señor. Aseguran que tienedotes de sanador, que es capaz de diagnosticar un mal con solo tocar alenfermo, que les concedió milagros y que sus consejos y apoyo espiritualfueron suficientes para curar. ¿Quién es el Padre Ignacio? Este librocuenta por primera vez su maravillosa historia, la fundamental tareasocial que realiza, y recoge además los testimonios de quienes seacercaron a él en busca de ayuda y cuyas vidas cambiaron para siempre.
Padre Mario: El cura de las manos milagrosas
by Jorge ZicolilloEl padre Mario fue más que un sanador. Fue un trabajador social en toda la extensión del término. Transgresor, rebelde e infatigable, el padre Mario pasó de ser perseguido por su supuesta condición de "manosanta" a ser reconocido y respetado por médicos y sacerdotes. José Mario Pantaleo, conocido como el legendario padre Mario, es uno de los personajes más notables de las últimas décadas. Nacido en Italia, tuvo desde chico una fuerte vocación religiosa y una profunda conexión con la Argentina. Tanto fue así que a los treinta y tres años, ya ordenado sacerdote, se instaló definitivamente. Desde joven comenzó a descubrir en sus manos el poder de la sanación, que aceptó como la misión que Dios le había encomendado. En su condición de sanador, fue durante toda su vida una verdadera incógnita para los profesionales de la medicina. Capaz de practicar la bilocación (estar en dos lugares al mismo tiempo) y de diagnosticar enfermedades solo con la imposición de manos o con su péndulo, Mario llegó a adquirir una estela tan genuina de «milagroso» que cada vez que viajaba a Alemania, por ejemplo, los mismos sacerdotes germanos lo paseaban por los hospitales para que asistiese a los enfermos. Amante y estudioso de la filosofía, fue amigo personal de políticos, empresarios, líderes mundiales y consagrados escritores. Pero Mario Pantaleo no fue solamente un sorprendente sanador. Fue un trabajador social en toda la extensión del término. Su obra en González Catán, declarada de interés nacional por el gobierno argentino, y que hoy brinda casi todos los servicios que requieren los vecinos de la zona, nació desde un terreno vacío que Mario compró con sus pocos ahorros.
Padre Mario: Revelaciones finales
by Jorge ZicolilloUn libro que cuenta la obra del Padre Mario con sencillez y calidez. En un vertiginoso y mágico viaje hacia el fondo del alma humana, JorgeZicolillo revela en este libro los aspectos más profundos y desconocidosdel «sacedorte de las manos milagrosas», tal como definió la prensaitaliana al Padre Mario.Los fenómenos de «bilocación» o «traslación» -la posibilidad de estar endos lugares al mismo tiempo- que produjo José Mario Pantaleo y que porfalta de datos confiables hasta ese momento Zicolillo no pudo incluiren el libro «Padre Mario. Sanar por la fe», aquí se describen con totaldetalle.A estos fenómenos se suman nuevas e increíbles experiencias de sanación,recogidas por el autor y su equipo de investigación, que convierten aeste libro en una pieza de singular valor histórico testimonial.«Padre Mario. Las revelaciones finales» ilumina un terreno de milagroscotidianos que la ciencia aún observa con estupor e incomprensión.
Padre Mario: Sanaciones desde el cielo
by Jorge ZicolilloJorge Zicolillo, auténtico biógrafo de la vida y obra del cura de lasmanos milagrosas, nos entrega un perfil único, acabado y necesario, deuno de los seres más tenaces y sorprendentes del siglo XX. «El Padre José Mario Pantaleo fue un ejemplo de vida y, para muchos, unsanto. Había decidido entregarse por entero a Dios y a los hombres comouna sincera ofrenda de amor. Indudablemente, el Padre Mario, ese pequeñogran hombre, sigue viviendo en el recuerdo de aquellos que lo conocierony brindando su mano cálida a quien, en nombre de Dios, le pide susiempre generosa ayuda».
Wild and Precious Life
by Deborah Ziegler"When twenty-nine-year-old Brittany is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, she thinks almost immediately about ending her life with dignity...In this painfully honest memoir, Deborah, Brittany's mother, records the surgeries, treatments, and soul-searching that went into honoring Brittany's path...Brittany's story...will have a ready audience, and Deborah's frank account of their struggles will be comforting to others facing this difficult decision." --Booklist (starred review)Written by Deborah Ziegler, the mother of Brittany Maynard--a twenty-nine-year-old woman with a terminal brain tumor--this touching and beautiful memoir captures and celebrates her daughter's spirit and the mostly untold story of Brittany's last year of life as she chose her right to die with dignity, a journey that inspired millions. On October 6, 2014, a video of my daughter, Brittany Maynard, was posted on YouTube. Brittany asked me to do the video with her, to support her. The first words my daughter uttered on the film were, "The thoughts that go through your mind when you find out you have so little time is everything you need to say to everyone that you love." Wearing a simple black sweater, her face already rounded and puffy from taking prescribed steroids, her once waist-length hair now grazing her shoulders after a craniotomy, Brittany described why she was choosing to end her life by her own hand rather than waiting for her brain tumor to rob her of everything that defined who she was. In this poignant, powerful book, Deborah Ziegler makes good on the promise she made to her only child: that she would honor her daughter and carry forward her legacy by sharing their story and offering hope, empowerment, and inspiration to the growing tens of millions of people who are struggling with end-of-life issues.
Kenzie's Rules For Life: How to be Healthy, Happy and Dance to your own Beat
by Mackenzie ZieglerAn inspirational, upbeat collection of relatable lessons from the teen sensation, Mackenzie Ziegler - an award-winning dancer, singer/songwriter and actress.Growing up is hard, but growing up in the spotlight is even harder. However, Mackenzie Ziegler is taking it all in stride, thanks to her positive attitude on life. From getting her start on Dance Moms, to her sold-out tour alongside Johnny Orlando, there’s nothing that she can’t do. In Kenzie’s Rules for Life, the dance prodigy, singer/songwriter, actress and model offers her advice on friendship, family, fitness, style and positivity. For anyone who enjoyed her sister’s Sunday Times bestselling book The Maddie Diaries, this will be the perfect accompaniment. She shares lessons drawn from her own experiences for those navigating through their tween years on how to be happy, healthy and confident in all aspects of their lives.
The Maddie Diaries: My Story
by Maddie Ziegler<P>Teen dance prodigy, breakout Dance Moms star, and judge on So You Think you Can Dance: The Next Generation, Maddie Ziegler presents her uplifting coming-of-age memoir about following her dreams and working hard to achieve success in both the dance world and in life. <P>Maddie Ziegler had hoped to become a star - she just didn't know how soon that day would come. At just eight years old, she was cast on the hit reality TV show Dance Moms and quickly won the hearts of fans everywhere with her natural talent and determination. Soon, she was catching eyes all over - including those of pop superstar Sia, who handpicked her to star in the incredibly popular music video 'Chandelier'. The rest, as they say, is history. <P> In this inspirational memoir, Maddie explains the hard work she put in to her rise to stardom and how she keeps her balance along the way - starring in music videos, going on tour and becoming an actress in The Book of Henry, with Naomi Watts and Jacob Tremblay. She also answers her fans' burning questions with wise advice she's learned on her journey. With honesty, charm and humour, Maddie offers her unique perspective on making her way in the world as a young teenager, reflecting on the lessons she's learned - and preparing for the exciting road ahead. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Maddie Diaries: A Memoir
by Maddie ZieglerIn this New York Times bestselling memoir, the incredibly talented breakout star of Dance Moms and judge on So You Think You Can Dance brings her uplifting coming-of-age story about following her dreams and working hard to achieve success in both the dance world and in life.Maddie Ziegler knew one day she&’d be a star—she just didn&’t know how soon that day would come.At just eight years old, she was cast on Lifetime&’s hit reality show Dance Moms and quickly won the hearts of fans everywhere with her natural talent and determination. Soon, she was capturing attention from all over—including pop superstar Sia, who cast her as her dance double in the incredibly popular music video for her hit song &“Chandelier.&” The rest, as they say, was history.In this inspirational memoir, Maddie explains the hard work she put into her rise to stardom and how she keeps her balance along the way—starring in music videos, going on tour, and becoming an actress in The Book of Henry with Naomi Watts and Jacob Tremblay. She also answers her fans&’ burning questions with wise advice she&’s learned on her journey. With honesty, charm, and humor, Maddie offers her unique perspective on making her way in the entertainment world as a young teenager, reflecting on the lessons she&’s learned—and preparing for the exciting road ahead.
Kenzie's Rules for Life: How to Be Happy, Healthy, and Dance to Your Own Beat
by Maddie Ziegler Mackenzie ZieglerAn inspirational, upbeat collection of relatable lessons from the teen sensation, Mackenzie Ziegler—an award-winning dancer, singer/songwriter, and actress.Growing up is hard, but growing up in the spotlight is even harder. However, Mackenzie Ziegler is taking it all in stride, thanks to her positive attitude on life. From getting her start on Dance Moms, to her sold-out tour alongside Johnny Orlando, there’s nothing that she can’t do. In Kenzie’s Rules for Life, the dance prodigy, singer/songwriter, actress, and model offers her advice on friendship, family, fitness, style, and positivity. She shares lessons drawn from her own experiences for those navigating through their tween years on how to be happy, healthy, and confident in all aspects of their lives.
Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic
by Mel Ziegler Patricia ZieglerIn the tradition of Pour Your Heart Into It and How Starbucks Saved My Life, a surprising and inspiring memoir from the founders of Banana Republic.With $1,500 and no business experience, Mel and Patricia Ziegler turned a wild idea into a company that would become the international retail colossus Banana Republic. Re-imagining military surplus as safari and expedition wear, the former journalist and artist created a world that captured the zeitgeist for a generation and spoke to the creativity, adventure, and independence in everyone. In a book that&’s honest, funny, and charming, Mel and Patricia tell in alternating voices how they upended business conventions and survived on their wits and imagination. Many retail and fashion merchants still consider Banana Republic&’s early heyday to be one of the most remarkable stories in fashion and business history. The couple detail how, as &“professional amateurs,&” they developed the wildly original merchandise and marketing innovations that broke all retail records and produced what has been acclaimed by industry professionals to be &“the best catalogue of all time.&” A love story wrapped in a business adventure, Wild Company is a soulful, inspiring tale for readers determined to create their own destiny with a passion for life and work and fun.
Palmerston (British History In Perspective Ser.)
by Paul R. ZieglerIn serving more than fifty years in public life, Palmerston placed his stamp upon nineteenth-century Britain. Born and bred an eighteenth-century aristocrat, he initially seemed out of place in a world stirred by the twin forces of the French and Industrial Revolutions, and more suited to the dandified life of the beau monde. As a conservative politician, he appeared ill fit for an age of reform, and as Foreign Secretary his gunboat diplomacy courted war and revolution at a time when European diplomats were seeking peace and stability. However, as Paul R. Ziegler's compelling biography shows, the 3rd Viscount Palmerston was a man of contradictions. Despite his aristocratic roots and playboy image, Palmerston was a tireless public servant and a meticulous planner, who identified himself with the people and became their natural spokesperson - a role which culminated in his eventual election as Prime Minister. Whilst fearing the advent of democracy, he was willing to experiment with reform; and although seemingly averse to the onrush of modernity, he nevertheless seized the initiative both at home and abroad in leading his nation into the future. Taking into account recent scholarship and revisionist approaches, Ziegler authoritatively reviews the life of this well-known political figure and reassesses his contribution to the nineteenth century - demonstrating that, in facing new challenges, Palmerston adjusted himself to the times and helped to usher Britain into the modern age.
George VI: The Dutiful King (Penguin Monarchs)
by Philip ZieglerWritten by Philip Ziegler, one of Britain's most celebrated biographers, George VI is part of the Penguin Monarchs series: short, fresh, expert accounts of England's rulers in a collectible formatIf Ethelred was notoriously 'Unready' and Alfred 'Great', King George VI should bear the title of 'George the Dutiful'. Throughout his life, George dedicated himself to the pursuit of what he thought he ought to be doing rather than what he wanted to do. Inarticulate and loathing any sort of public appearances, he accepted that it was his destiny to figure conspicuously in the public eye, gritted his teeth, battled his crippling stammer and got on with it. He was not born to be king, but he made an admirable one, and was the figurehead of the nation at the time of its greatest trial, the Second World War. This is a brilliant, touching and sometimes funny book about this reluctant public figure, and the private man.Philip Ziegler is the author of the authorised biographies of Mountbatten, Harold Wilson and Edward Heath. His other books include The Duchess of Dino, William IV, The Black Death and most recently Olivier. Initially a diplomat, he worked for many years in book publishing before becoming a full-time writer.
Olivier
by Philip ZieglerA finalist for the Sheridan Morley Prize that has been called "probably the best Olivier book for general readers" (Kirkus Reviews), Philip Ziegler's Olivier provides an incredibly accessible and comprehensive portrait of this Hollywood superstar, Oscar-winning director, and one who is considered the greatest stage actor of the twentieth century. The era abounded in great actors--Gielgud, Richardson, Guinness, Burton, O'Toole - but none could challenge Laurence Olivier's range and power. By the 1940s he had achieved international stardom. His affair with Vivien Leigh led to a marriage as glamorous and as tragic as any in Hollywood history. He was as accomplished a director as he was a leading man: his three Shakespearian adaptations are among the most memorable ever filmed. And yet, at the height of his fame, he accepted what was no more than an administrator's wage to become the founding Director of the National Theatre. In 2013 the theatre celebrates its fiftieth anniversary; without Olivier's leadership it would never have achieved the status that it enjoys today. Off-stage, Olivier was the most extravagant of characters: generous, yet almost insanely jealous of those few contemporaries whom he deemed to be his rivals; charming but with a ferocious temper. With access to more than fifty hours of candid, unpublished interviews, Ziegler ensures that Olivier's true character--at its most undisguised--shines through as never before.
Olivier
by Philip ZieglerHollywood superstar; Oscar-winning director; greatest stage actor of the twentieth century. The era abounded in great actors - Gielgud, Richardson, Guinness, Burton, O'Toole - but none could challenge Laurence Olivier's range and power. By the 1940s he had achieved international stardom. His affair with Vivien Leigh led to a marriage as glamorous and as tragic as any in Hollywood history. He was as accomplished a director as he was a leading man: his three Shakespearian adaptations are among the most memorable ever filmed. And yet, at the height of his fame, he accepted what was no more than an administrator's wage to become the founding Director of the National Theatre. In 2013 the theatre celebrates its fiftieth anniversary; without Olivier's leadership it would never have achieved the status that it enjoys today. Off-stage, Olivier was the most extravagant of characters: generous, yet almost insanely jealous of those few contemporaries whom he deemed to be his rivals; charming but with a ferocious temper. With access to more than fifty hours of candid, unpublished interviews, Philip Ziegler ensures that Olivier's true character - at its most undisguised - shines through as never before.