ONE OF BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2022 One of Bill Gates’s “5 books to read this summer,” this New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller shows us that America’s political system isn’t broken. The truth is scarier: it’s working exactly as designed. In this “superbly researched” (The Washington Post) and timely book, journalist Ezra Klein reveals how that system is polarizing us—and how we are polarizing it—with disastrous results. “The American political system—which includes everyone from voters to journalists to the president—is full of rational actors making rational decisions given the incentives they face,” writes political analyst Ezra Klein. “We are a collection of functional parts whose efforts combine into a dysfunctional whole.” “A thoughtful, clear and persuasive analysis” (The New York Times Book Review), Why We’re Polarized reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America’s descent into division and dysfunction. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump’s rise to the Democratic Party’s leftward shift to the politicization of everyday culture. America is polarized, first and foremost, by identity. Everyone engaged in American politics is engaged, at some level, in identity politics. Over the past fifty years in America, our partisan identities have merged with our racial, religious, geographic, ideological, and cultural identities. These merged identities have attained a weight that is breaking much in our politics and tearing at the bonds that hold this country together. Klein shows how and why American politics polarized around identity in the 20th century, and what that polarization did to the way we see the world and one another. And he traces the feedback loops between polarized political identities and polarized political institutions that are driving our system toward crisis. “Well worth reading” (New York magazine), this is an “eye-opening” (O, The Oprah Magazine) book that will change how you look at politics—and perhaps at yourself.

Why We're Polarized

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The thrilling true story of one man who risked his life to infiltrate the most dangerous neo-Nazi group in the United States, an “urgent and exciting look into the life of an FBI undercover agent” (Joe Pistone) by “one of the top undercover agents in the Bureau” (Joaquin “Jack” Garcia). When Scott Payne was growing up, an ‘80s kid with a big attitude and a taste for sleeveless shirts, he could never have envisioned where he’d find himself on Halloween night 2019. Having transformed into “Pale Horse” and infiltrated the nation's most dangerous, fastest-growing white supremacy group, The Base, he was huddled with a cell of neo-Nazis in the backwoods of Georgia as they slaughtered a goat and drank its blood in a ritual sacrifice. A decorated agent dubbed the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco,” Payne takes readers along with him on some of the most terrifying and riskiest assignments in FBI history. He went deep undercover with the lethal Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Massachusetts; to the front lines of the opioid epidemic in Tennessee; and infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama. Through it all, he stayed married to the love of his life, raised two girls, and spent his Sundays at church, sustained by family and faith. Timely and unputdownable, Code Name: Pale Horse is a hard look a some of the most pressing threats facing America today. Honest and inspiring, it’s the story of a hero determined to take down a hateful army—before the unthinkable could come to pass.

Code Name: Pale Horse

È ora che qualcuno lo dica: «Grazie, Occidente!». Ma sono due parole che non incontrerete altrove. Tutto il bene che abbiamo fatto, a noi stessi e agli altri, è il supremo tabù di questa epoca. Nelle scuole non si insegna più la storia vera del progresso, che è nato a casa nostra e dove ha avuto un ruolo anche l'Italia. Invece nelle piazze e nella cultura contemporanea siamo sotto un processo permanente. È ora di ribellarsi, in nome della verità. Cinesi o indiani, brasiliani o africani, il mondo è popolato da miliardi di persone che devono la loro stessa esistenza... a noi. La scienza occidentale, pensiamo alla nostra medicina e alla nostra agronomia, è stata copiata e applicata dal resto dell'umanità con benefici immensi. Se la longevità è aumentata, la mortalità infantile è crollata, il livello d'istruzione è cresciuto nel mondo intero, è perché l'Occidente ha esportato progresso. Dove si combatte per migliorare i diritti umani - per esempio la condizione della donna - il paradigma da emulare siamo noi. Il nostro modello industriale ha sollevato dalla miseria grandi nazioni. La sfida per un'economia più sostenibile e per decarbonizzare l'ambiente sarà vinta grazie alla ricerca scientifica e all'innovazione tecnologica dell'Occidente. Viviamo in un'epoca in cui pronunciare queste verità è scandaloso, è proibito. Il conformismo dominante impone una versione bugiarda della storia, in cui la «razza bianca», europea o nordamericana, ha seminato solo distruzione, oppressione, sofferenze. L'idea stessa di progresso è disprezzata, siamo sottoposti a un lavaggio del cervello quotidiano per inculcare la certezza che l'Apocalisse è dietro l'angolo (per colpa nostra). In questo viaggio tra la storia degli ultimi secoli e la geopolitica del mondo contemporaneo, Federico Rampini approfondisce quel che l'Occidente è stato davvero per l'umanità. Quali tratti originali della nostra civiltà hanno fatto sì che da mezzo millennio il progresso nasca qui e non altrove? Perché la Cina e l'Iran oggi si definiscono «repubbliche», un concetto che non esiste in Confucio o nel Corano? Una lezione di onestà storica è urgente per le nuove generazioni, aiuta a ricostruire la nostra autostima e a vedere il futuro con più fiducia.

Grazie, Occidente!

"Being a refugee is not a choice. Our choice is to die at home or risk death trying to escape." - Yusra Mardini Yusra Mardini fled her native Syria to the Turkish coast in 2015 and boarded a small dinghy full of refugees bound for Greece. When the small and overcrowded boat's engine cut out, it began to sink. Yusra, her sister and two others took to the water, pushing the boat for three and a half hours in open water until they eventually landed on Lesbos, saving the lives of the passengers aboard. Butterfly is the story of that remarkable woman, whose journey started in a war-torn suburb of Damascus and took her through Europe to Berlin and from there to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Yusra Mardini is an athlete, one of People magazine’s twenty-five women changing the world, a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and one of Time Magazine’s thirty most influential teens of 2016.

Butterfly

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. ‘Il Duce’, Benito Mussolini, was one of the key figures in the creation of fascism. Famed for his dictatorial style, his political cunning and admired – initially – by Hitler, Mussolini led the National Fascist Party and ruled Italy as Prime Minister from 1922 until his ousting in 1943. In so doing, he paved the way towards Italy’s defeat in World War Two, and some of the 20th century’s most destructive ideologies and practices. Following expulsion from Italian Socialist Party, Mussolini denounced all efforts of class conflict, and instead later commanded a Fascist March on Rome to become the youngest Prime Minister in Italian history. Thereafter he set about dismantling the apparatus of democracy and initiated what would become known as the one-party totalitarian state. With World War II came defeat, humiliation and his bloody deposing. Explaining his ideologies, policies, actions and flaws, ‘Mussolini: History in an Hour’ is the concise life of the man whose ideas helped create some of the worst horrors of the modern history. Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour…

Mussolini: History in an Hour

Recent acts of terrorism and the current unrest in the Middle East remind us how important it is to understand the relationship between violence, peace and democracy. In a challenging and insightful essay, Amartya Sen explores ideas around 'organised violence' (such as war, genocide and terrorism) and violence against the individual. Highlighting the inadequacies of some of the widely accepted explanations for violence—including the idea that the world is experiencing a 'clash of civilisations'—Sen makes a plea for a global, multilateral debate on the causes of conflict, and an understanding of the multiple identities of the individuals involved. The introductory essay draws on the findings of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding, which was chaired by Sen, and established to promote mutual communication and understanding among all faiths and communities in the Commonwealth. Its timely report, "Civil Paths to Peace", suggests that governments, media and educators—indeed, everyone—must take the time to understand the complexities around violent behaviour and its causes, without prejudging what these might be.

Open Reports Series

Peace and Democratic Society

The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus is a monumental historical narrative that intricately weaves the late Roman Empire's political, military, and social landscapes into a compelling tapestry. Written in elegant and sophisticated Latin prose, Ammianus transcends mere chronicle to provide penetrating insights into the complexities of imperial governance and the enduring legacies of Hellenistic history. His unique literary style employs vivid descriptions, dramatic episodes, and philosophical reflections, capturing not only events but the psychological dimensions of those involved. This work covers the era from the reign of Nerva (96 AD) to the death of Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, making it one of the few extant primary sources from this turbulent period. Ammianus Marcellinus was a Roman soldier and historian, born around 330 AD in Antioch. Having served under the emperor Constantius II, he witnessed significant military campaigns and court intrigues, which undoubtedly shaped his desire to document his times comprehensively. His background enriched his narrative with firsthand experience and a nuanced understanding of the sociopolitical dynamics at play, allowing him to critique the decline of Roman morals and military efficacy while echoing the sentiments of a waning empire. For readers interested in classical antiquity, The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus is an essential text that offers an unparalleled window into the last days of imperial Rome. This work is not only a historical account but also a reflection on the human condition in the face of socio-political upheaval, making it a timeless read for historians, scholars, and anyone intrigued by the roots of Western civilization.

The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus

At a time of alarming global instability, amid shocking terrorist attacks in Europe and mounting tensions between the USA and North Korea, a clear and focused foreign and defence policy is now more critical than ever. Now that departure is under way, what happens next? Against this unpredictable geopolitical backdrop, Britain's position in the world needs to be recalibrated to take account of a range of new realities. Now is the time to move forward, to define a positive, outward-looking role in this post-Brexit world. British Foreign Policy after Brexit examines what lies ahead, encompassing a diplomatic, security, development and trade agenda based on hard-headed realism. Former Foreign Secretary David Owen and former diplomat David Ludlow, who backed opposite sides in the referendum, together argue that Britain's global role and influence can be enhanced, rather than diminished, post-Brexit.

British Foreign Policy After Brexit

In the late 1960s, at the age of eighteen and living far from home amidst the thriving counterculture of Ottawa, Marilyn Churley got pregnant. Like thousands of other women of the time she kept the event a secret. Faced with few options, she gave the baby up for adoption. 		Over twenty years later, as the Ontario NDP government’s minister responsible for all birth, death, and adoption records, including those of her own child, Churley found herself in a surprising and powerful position – fully engaged in the long and difficult battle to reform adoption disclosure laws and find her son. 		Both a personal and political story, Shameless is a powerful memoir about a mother’s struggle with loss, love, secrets, and lies – and an adoption system shrouded in shame.

Shameless

In "The Prince," Niccol√≤ Machiavelli delves into the complex dynamics of power and leadership during the tumultuous Renaissance period. With a pragmatic and often starkly realistic approach, Machiavelli articulates strategies for rulers to maintain control and safeguard their states. His work blends political theory with anecdotal evidence, drawing on historical examples and classical philosophy to present a guide that eschews moral righteousness in favor of effectiveness and stability. The literary style is clear, concise, and often provocative, marking a departure from the idealistic views of governance prevalent in previous writings, thereby situating Machiavelli as a pivotal figure in the foundation of modern political thought. Machiavelli, a diplomat and political theorist from Florence, wrote "The Prince" following a period of political upheaval that left a profound impact on him. His background in the intricacies of Florentine politics, coupled with his experiences of exile and observation of the Italian city-states, led him to formulate a realistic narrative of power and its often ruthless pursuits. This contextual backdrop informs the unflinching advice he gives to rulers, seeking not to promote virtue, but to navigate the complexities of human nature and societal structures. Readers looking to grasp the intricacies of political strategy and the often uncomfortable truths of leadership will find "The Prince" essential. Machiavelli's insights remain extraordinary not only for their historical significance but for their enduring relevance in contemporary political discourse. This short yet profound treatise is recommended for anyone seeking to understand the darker yet essential facets of governance and the nature of power.

Machiavelli: The Prince

In this book Russell weighs the respective advantages and disadvantages of socialism, marxism, anarchism, and democracy. Roads to Freedom is a fascinating glimpse of progressive intellectual politics. Written at the end of the first world war in the midst of great and rapid world change, the book is an historical analysis and criticism of the dominating political systems.

Proposed Roads to Freedom

This exciting essay focuses on the explanation and analysis of the first volume of Capital, by Karl Marx, one the most influential works in history and whose understanding, due to its complexity and depth, escapes comprehension on a first reading. Whether you have already read the first volume of Capital or not, this essay will allow you to immerse yourself in each and every one of its meanings, opening a window to Marx's philosophical thought and his true intention when he created this immortal work.

Das Kapital Series

J.D. Ponce on Karl Marx: An Academic Analysis of Capital - Volume 1

On 18th March 2011 the United Nations passed Resolution 1973 allowing the establishment of a No Fly Zone above the towns and cities of Libya to defend civilians from the oppressive regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. With NATO planes now patrolling the skies over Libya's main cities, the country faces an uncertain future: Revolution? Civil War? Partition? Only one man holds the answer, and he is not going to give up power easily. Seeking Gaddafi is a fascinating portrait of one of the most controversial figures in modern history. Gaddafi has, for four decades, been absolute ruler of Libya, a country where basic civil iberties are virtually nonexistent, and opposition not tolerated. For much of his reign he has been implicated in subversion and terrorist activities throughout the world and regarded as a patron of international terrorism. Of late, he had been seeking a more open relationship with the West, a courtship that ended abruptly with the events of spring 2011. As the UK is drawn into yet another overseas conflict, Daniel Kawczynski, advisor on Libyan affairs to William Hague's Foreign Office team, examines the persona and career of one of the world's most enigmatic and bizarre leaders and looks at what it would take to unseat him, and what happens next.

Seeking Gaddafi

From the horrors on the frontline and the suffering and despair, hope and strength, ""WWI - The War to End All War"" gives you the experience of the world's first modern, mechanized war in an entirely new light! A unique look at the war that shaped the 20th century. Chapter One: End of The Dynasties Chapter Two: The Yanks are Coming Chapter Three: The Beginning of the End Chapter Four: Armistice

WWI: The War to End all War, Part III

Darryl Cunningham's latest investigation takes us to the heart of free-world politi and the financial crisis, as he traces the roots of bankrupt countries to the domination of right-wing policies and the people who created them. Cunningham draws a fascinating portrait of the New Right and the charismatic Ayn Rand, whose soirees were attended by the young Alan Greenspan. He shows how the Neo-Cons hijacked the economic debate and led the way to a world dominated by the market. Smaller countries, such as Greece, have paid the price for joining a club that held impossible membership rules. He examines the neurological basis of political thinking, and asks why it is so difficult for us to change our minds - even when faced with powerful evidence that a certain course of action is not working. Cunningham's spare yet eloquent prose, perfectly complemented by the beauty and clarity of his artwork, delivers a devastating analysis of our economic world.

Supercrash

America was the shining city on a hill. It was the country at the forefront of the world democratic order, the global policeman, the might of its military matched only by the depth of its financial reserves. America was the one the world listened to, whether it wanted to or not. So, what happened? Well, a lot of things. In this searing account, Alan Friedman shows how, from the disastrous Vietnam War to Barack Obama's bungled response to the Arab Spring, American intervention has ceased to be the decisive action it once was. And now, with the rise of China and Russia, coupled with America's prostration of itself following the election of Donald Trump, the decline of its authority is only hastening. We move now, Friedman argues, into the New World Disorder. In this dangerous and unstable world, the Washington-enforced liberal order is receding, and a new set of alliances and anxieties are in ascendence. What is America's place in this? Which powers are going to emerge as the leaders? Will the European Union count at all? One thing is for sure: the effects of the New World Disorder will challenge our Western values to breaking point.

The End of America?

Unveil the ideas that shaped the modern world. The Communist Manifesto, a revolutionary text by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, continues to spark debate and inspire movements. Inside, you'll discover: The foundational principles of Communism: Explore the theories of class struggle, historical materialism, and the dictatorship of the proletariat.A critique of capitalism: Gain a deeper understanding of the inequalities inherent in capitalist systems.A vision for a new social order: Delve into the proposed communist society based on collective ownership and worker control.The Communist Manifesto is not just a historical document; it's a thought-provoking exploration of social justice, economic inequality, and the future of society. A cornerstone of political theory, featured in countless universities around the world."A powerful and influential work that continues to be relevant today." - The Guardian Expand your understanding of the world and its political systems. Download your copy of The Communist Manifesto today! Scroll up and click "Buy Now" to embark on this intellectual journey.

The Communist Manifesto

A major international bestseller. The little-known true story of a Nazi plot to kill Winston Churchill, President Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin at the height of World War II, and how it was averted. In 1943 only three men stood in Hitler's way; Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. As the war against Nazi Germany raged, the Allied leaders desperately needed to meet face-to-face and discuss their strategy. Facing extreme danger, they travelled to Tehran to meet in secret. Yet when the Nazis found out about the meeting, their own covert plan took shape-an assassination plot. A true story filled with daring rescues, body doubles, and political intrigue, The Nazi Conspiracy details this pivotal meeting of the Big Three and the deadly Nazi scheme that could've changed history. In page-turning detail, it shows the greatest political minds of the twentieth century at work and reveals how they strategized to defeat the enemy, all whilst coming close to world-shattering disaster.

The Nazi Conspiracy

This unique audiobook from historian and author Geoffrey Giuliano chronicles the life, times, trials, and triumphs of the remarkable scholar, activist, feminist, teacher, and reformer Angela Davis, using informed commentary, but most significantly, the words and wisdom of Ms. Davis herself. Forget the rhetoric, rumors, and urban legends surrounding this polarizing figure and listen directly to Ms. Davis. Prison reform, civil rights, racial equality - all these topics are presented by author and producer Giuliano. Icon Audio Arts is privileged to present the important, liberating teachings of the dame of American civil rights and a tireless lifetime champion of the poor and oppressed. This audiobook is a must for all university library collections and institutions. Edited by Macc Kay Production executive Avalon Giuliano ICON Intern Eden Giuliano Music By AudioNautix With Their Kind Permission ©2020 Icon Audio Arts (P) 2020 Icon Audio Arts LLC Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of over thirty internationally bestselling biographies, including the London Sunday Times bestseller Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison. He can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced over seven hundred original spoken-word albums and video documentaries on various aspects of popular culture. He is also a well known movie actor. Geoffrey has been collecting and trading in Beatles and other rock memorabilia since 1968. Two coffee table books of his extensive world class collection have been published by Penguin Books.

The Wisdom of Angela Davis; Revolutionary Icon

On August 6, 1945, 22-year-old Kaleria Pachikoff was doing pre-breakfast chores when a blinding flash lit the sky over Hiroshima, Japan. A moment later, everything went black as the house collapsed on her and her family. Their world, and everyone else's, changed as the first atomic bomb was detonated over a city. From Russian nobility, the Palchikoff's barely escaped death at the hands of Bolshevik revolutionaries until her father, a White Russian officer, hijacked a ship to take them to safety in Hiroshima. Safety was short lived. Her father, a talented musician, established a new life for the family, but the outbreak of World War II created a cloud of suspicion that led to his imprisonment and years of deprivation for his family. After the bombing, trapped in the center of previously unimagined devastation, Kaleria summoned her strength to come to the aid of bomb victims, treating the never-before seen effects of radiation. Fluent in English, Kaleria was soon recruited to work with Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s occupation forces in a number of secretarial positions until the family found a new life in the United States. Heavily based on quotes from Kaleria's memoirs written immediately after World War II, and transcripts of United States Army Air Force interviews with her, her story is an emotional, and sometime chilling, story of courage and survival in the face of one of history’s greatest catastrophes.

Surviving Hiroshima

The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli. Although it was written as if it were a traditional work in the mirrors for princes style, it is generally agreed that it was especially innovative. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider politics and ethics. Although it is relatively short, the treatise is the most remembered of Machiavelli's works and the one most responsible for bringing the word "Machiavellian" into usage as a pejorative. It also helped make "Old Nick" an English term for the devil, and even contributed to the modern negative connotations of the words "politics" and "politician" in western countries. The descriptions within The Prince have the general theme of accepting that the aims of princes—such as glory and survival—can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends.

The Prince

EBOOK, Epub2 format ISBN 9789188755995 This is a collection of the most influential vegan voices of our time. Read and feel strengthened to continue the quest for an animal cruelty-free world.

*FAMOUS

*FAMOUS VEGAN QUOTES

'From beak to tail feather and from flipper to fin, this is a book that will long be known, read and savoured.' James W. Muller, Chairman of the Board of Academic Advisers of the International Churchill Society Winston Churchill was known for his great love for and admiration of animals. In fact, one of Churchill's key characteristics was his fascination with the animal kingdom - creatures of all sorts were a crucial element in his existence. He was amused, intrigued and enchanted by, sometimes even besotted with a vast menagerie, from his pet budgerigar, dogs, cats, fish, butterflies, to his own lion, leopard and white kangaroos kept at London Zoo, and even more unusual species. Dwelling amid flora and fauna was Churchill's ideal form of existence - 'The world would be better off if it were inhabited only by animals' - and he signed his letters home as a boy 'The Pussy Cat'. In this fascinating book, Dr Piers Brendon looks deeper into Churchill's love of the animal kingdom, and at how animals played such a large part in his everyday life. We encounter the paradox of the animal-loving-hunter: he hunts foxes yet keeps them as pets, he likes fishing but loves fish; along with the man who used analogies to animals time and time again in his speeches and writings. The picture that emerges shows another side to the great man, showcasing his wit, wisdom and wayward genius from a different perspective and shedding new and fascinating light on the man voted The Greatest Briton.

Churchill's Bestiary

A comprehensive and engaging oral history of the decade that defined the feminist movement, including interviews with living icons and unsung heroes—from former Newsweek reporter and author of the “powerful and moving” (The New York Times) Witness to the Revolution. For lovers of both Barbie and Gloria Steinem, The Movement is the first oral history of the decade that built the modern feminist movement. Through the captivating individual voices of the people who lived it, The Movement tells the intimate inside story of what it felt like to be at the forefront of the modern feminist crusade, when women rejected thousands of years of custom and demanded the freedom to be who they wanted and needed to be. This engaging history traces women’s awakening, organizing, and agitating between the years of 1963 and 1973, when a decentralized collection of people and events coalesced to create a spontaneous combustion. From Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, to the underground abortion network the Janes, to Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign and Billie Jean King’s 1973 battle of the sexes, Bingham artfully weaves together the fragments of that explosion person by person, bringing to life the emotions of this personal, cultural, and political revolution. Artists and politicians, athletes and lawyers, Black and white, The Movement brings readers into the rooms where these women insisted on being treated as first class citizens, and in the process, changed the fabric of American life.

The Movement

This unique audiobook from historian and author Geoffrey Giuliano chronicles the life, times, trials, and triumphs of the remarkable scholar, activist, feminist, teacher, and reformer Angela Davis, using informed commentary, but most significantly, the words and wisdom of Ms. Davis herself. Forget the rhetoric, rumors, and urban legends surrounding this polarizing figure and listen directly to Ms. Davis. Prison reform, civil rights, racial equality - all these topics are presented by author and producer Giuliano. Icon Audio Arts is privileged to present the important, liberating teachings of the dame of American civil rights and a tireless lifetime champion of the poor and oppressed. This audiobook is a must for all university library collections and institutions. Edited by Macc Kay Production executive Avalon Giuliano ICON Intern Eden Giuliano Music By AudioNautix With Their Kind Permission ©2020 Eden Garret Giuliano (P) Eden Garret Giuliano Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of over thirty internationally bestselling biographies, including the London Sunday Times bestseller Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison. He can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced over seven hundred original spoken-word albums and video documentaries on various aspects of popular culture. He is also a well known movie actor.

Angela Davis; Listen Humanity

The stage crew at St. Genesius Prep—or Backstagers, as they like to call themselves—are ready for whatever the theater world can throw their way: the madness of tech week, inevitable prop malfunctions, and all the paranormal activity that goes on behind the scenes. Luckily Jory, Hunter, Sasha, Beckett, and Aziz are up for the job! But lately, someone—or something—seems set on ruining their production of Phantasm. It all started when an actor brought a Spirit Board to the cast party, and the ghost light blew out. Every good theater kid knows that a ghost light must be left on to keep ghosts from moving in the shadows of an empty theater. To figure out what’s haunting the theater and save the show, the Backstagers will have to use their smarts, bravery, and a little bit of magic!

The Backstagers

The Backstagers and the Ghost Light

Over the centuries there have been people able to influence the course of events to the point of changing history. Sometimes they are bulky personalities who have directed the course of events, changed economies, or evolved entire generations; or sometimes they're great statesmen who have been able to bring politics to a level of world power. In this audiobook, we will analyze some figures who, each in their own sphere, have changed the future and whose names will echo over the centuries. In this book, we will meet Theodore Roosevelt, his life, his visions, and his dreams.

Theodore Roosevelt - The Youngest American President

In "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783," Alfred Thayer Mahan meticulously articulates the pivotal role maritime dominance has played in shaping global politics and warfare. Through a blend of historical analysis and strategic theory, Mahan examines the interplay between naval power and national prosperity. His eloquent prose weaves a narrative that spans significant naval battles, geopolitical tensions, and the implications of sea trade routes, while drawing connections to the expansionist policies of major 17th and 18th-century powers. The text stands as a foundational work in naval strategy, influencing military thought and the geopolitical landscape for decades to come. Mahan, a U.S. Naval officer and historian, emerged as a preeminent theorist of sea power during a period marked by the ascension of maritime empires. His personal experiences and observations during his naval career, including his service during the Spanish-American War, informed his beliefs about the essential nature of sea power as an instrument of national strength. His insights resonated with contemporary policymakers and military leaders, underlining maritime supremacy's significance in global affairs. This seminal work is indispensable for readers interested in military history, international relations, or maritime studies. Mahan's compelling arguments not only illuminate past conflicts but also provide strategic insights relevant to contemporary geopolitics. Engaging and thought-provoking, this classic text serves as a critical resource for understanding the enduring significance of naval power.

The Influence of Sea Power upon History

Complexity, Security and Civil Society in East Asia offers the latest understanding of complex global problems including nuclear weapons, urban insecurity, energy, and climate change in the region. Detailed case studies in China, North and South Korea, and Japan demonstrate the importance of civil society and 'civic diplomacy' in reaching shared solutions to these problems in East Asia and beyond. Each chapter describes regional civil society initiatives that tackle complex challenges to East Asia’s security. In so doing the book presents key pressure points at which civil society can push for constructive changes ― especially ones that reduce the North Korean threat to its neighbors. Unusually, this book is both theoretical and practical. Complexity, Security and Civil Society in East Asia identifies strategies that can be led by civil society and negotiated by its diplomats to realize peace, security and sustainability worldwide. It shows that networked civic diplomacy offers solutions to these urgent issues in ways that official ‘complex diplomacy’ cannot. By providing a new theoretical framework based on empirical observation, the book is a must read for diplomats, scholars, students, journalists, activists and individual readers seeking insight into how to solve the crucial issues of our time.

Complexity, Security and Civil Society in East Asia

Una lucha feroz contra la camisa de fuerza impuesta a las mujeres por el patriarcado y las religiones Valiente, lúcida y sincera, Joumana Haddad aborda en El tercer sexo su obra más ambiciosa: un ensayo en el que apuesta por deconstruir la sociedad actual, asentada en valores y medidas artificiales como el dinero, la raza o el género, para reconstruirla a partir de aquello que es inherente al ser humano y que nos hace auténticos: nuestra humanidad. "Es sólo nuestra humanidad, es decir, nuestro 'núcleo' lo que hace que la comparación (e incluso la discriminación, me atrevería a decir) entre nosotros sea aceptable, en lugar de adoptar nuestras 'cortezas' como base para la evaluación. Con mucho gusto aceptaría vivir en un mundo en donde dijéramos: 'Esta persona es más humana que esa persona', pero no en uno en donde decimos: 'Esta persona es más blanca que esa persona'".

El tercer sexo

The world has too many governments that misunderstand and miscalculate the conditions of the poor. Poverty destroys everything that psychologically and physically makes a person whole and induces them to commit a crime for survival. Across the United States, we have citizens that cannot feed themselves or their children. The Republican politicians have lethargically responded to Americans living in abject conditions, by reducing their benefits and threatening them with joblessness. Republicans seem to worry about the federal deficit than about the poverty deficit that is leaving many Americans to suffer and die. Across America, politicians are asking Americans for their votes while their children are going to bed hungry at night.

ONLY IF THEY COULD HEAR ME CRY: A Personal Reflection of Poverty and Homelessness In America

In "Some Principles of Maritime Strategy," Julian Stafford Corbett presents a foundational analysis of naval warfare that transcends the tactical to explore the broader strategic implications of maritime power. Written in the early 20th century, Corbett's work is distinguished by its scholarly rigor and a nuanced understanding of the interplay between sea and land power. He advocates for a maritime strategy that emphasizes the importance of sea control, logistics, and the psychological dimensions of naval engagement, positioning maritime strategy as an essential pillar of national policy in an imperial context. Julian Stafford Corbett (1854-1922) was a British naval historian and theorist whose deep-seated interest in maritime affairs stemmed from his maritime heritage and education. As a close observer of contemporary naval developments, particularly during the age of imperialism, Corbett sought to articulate a framework that transcended the prevailing doctrines of his time. His perspectives were shaped by the geopolitical realities of his era, which underscored the critical role of naval power in securing national interests and maintaining global influence. This seminal work is highly recommended for scholars, military professionals, and enthusiasts of maritime history alike. Corbett's insights remain particularly relevant in today's geopolitical landscape, where naval strategy continues to evolve in response to new threats. Readers will find in Corbett's text both a historical perspective and timeless principles that illuminate the art of maritime strategy.

Some Principles of Maritime Strategy

Written in response to the devastation of World War I, Why Men Fight lays out Bertrand Russell's ideas on war, pacifism, reason, and personal liberty. Russell argues that when individuals live passionately, they will have no desire for war or killing. Conversely, excessive restraint or propaganda causes us to live unnaturally and with hostility toward those who are unlike ourselves.

Why Men Fight: A Method of Abolishing the International Duel

In Barack Obama, David Maraniss has written a sweeping narrative which reveals the real story of Obama's beginnings: child of a black man from Luoland and a white woman born in Kansas. He charts the fortunes of the two disparate families, polar opposites in every way, which produced these two extraordinary individuals, who met briefly in Hawaii, never cohabited, and married only to legitimize the child born of that union. At the heart of Obama's psyche and his political beliefs - and therefore his presidency - is his life-long struggle to understand the extreme duality of his identity. Maraniss explores his extraordinary journey from a mixed race boy raised by white grandparents in laid-back Hawaii to an African America with a burning political vision and vocation. Barack Obama contains a wealth of new material. Maraniss reveals here previously unpublished love letters written by Obama as a young man in a search of an identity: black or white, writer or a man who could lead. He also includes the journal entries of Obama's first significant (white) girlfriend, which chart their intense relationship and the moment when young Barack realized that he must leave everything behind him and set out for Chicago in order to 'become' an African American. The story wrought here is one of fierce ambition, survival, and love.

Barack Obama

New York Times bestselling author of The Wordy Shipmates and contributor to NPR’s This American Life Sarah Vowell embarks on a road trip to sites of political violence, from Washington DC to Alaska, to better understand our nation’s ever-evolving political system and history. Sarah Vowell exposes the glorious conundrums of American history and culture with wit, probity, and an irreverent sense of humor. With Assassination Vacation, she takes us on a road trip like no other—a journey to the pit stops of American political murder and through the myriad ways they have been used for fun and profit, for political and cultural advantage. From Buffalo to Alaska, Washington to the Dry Tortugas, Vowell visits locations immortalized and influenced by the spilling of politically important blood, reporting as she goes with her trademark blend of wisecracking humor, remarkable honesty, and thought-provoking criticism. We learn about the jinx that was Robert Todd Lincoln (present at the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley) and witness the politicking that went into the making of the Lincoln Memorial. The resulting narrative is much more than an entertaining and informative travelogue—it is the disturbing and fascinating story of how American death has been manipulated by popular culture, including literature, architecture, sculpture, and—the author’s favorite—historical tourism. Though the themes of loss and violence are explored and we make detours to see how the Republican Party became the Republican Party, there are all kinds of lighter diversions along the way into the lives of the three presidents and their assassins, including mummies, show tunes, mean-spirited totem poles, and a nineteenth-century biblical sex cult.

Assassination Vacation

A vivid and original reconstruction of the Battle of Waterloo. On the afternoon of 1 March, 1815, a fleet of ships dropped anchor off the southeast coast of France. After ten months in exile on the island of Elba, the Emperor Napoleon had returned to reclaim his throne. European chancelleries responded by immediately preparing for war. Only one year earlier, four great powers - England, Austria, Russia and Prussia - had combined to defeat Napoleon and now, these four countries made a pledge to invade France from all sides. Napoleon's only recourse was to rearm, and he quickly marshalled his forces: mobilized the National Guard, began mass production of muskets and bought or confiscated all available horses. On the Allied side, by the end of spring, only the Duke of Wellington's troops and the Prussian army, under the command of Field Marshal Blucher, were prepared. The Emperor knew that by attacking the two armies separately, his Armee du Nord stood a good chance of winning. He planned a surprise strike, to destroy the first army he encountered before the other could intervene. Maintaining complete secrecy over his tactics, he manoeuvred the Armee du Nord close to the Belgian border and at dawn on 15 June, sent the first cavalry patrols over into enemy territory, followed immediately by columns of infantry. Thus begins The Battle, a thrilling new account of the great Battle of Waterloo, which survivors from all sides deemed, in the words of an English officer 'a terrible fight for a terrible stake: freedom or slavery to Europe.'

The Battle

A classic exposé in company with An Inconvenient Truth and Silent Spring, The Story of Stuff expands on the celebrated documentary exploring the threat of overconsumption on the environment, economy, and our health. Leonard examines the “stuff” we use everyday, offering a galvanizing critique and steps for a changed planet. The Story of Stuff was received with widespread enthusiasm in hardcover, by everyone from Stephen Colbert to Tavis Smiley to George Stephanopolous on Good Morning America, as well as far-reaching print and blog coverage. Uncovering and communicating a critically important idea—that there is an intentional system behind our patterns of consumption and disposal—Annie Leonard transforms how we think about our lives and our relationship to the planet. From sneaking into factories and dumps around the world to visiting textile workers in Haiti and children mining coltan for cell phones in the Congo, Leonard, named one of Time magazine’s 100 environmental heroes of 2009, highlights each step of the materials economy and its actual effect on the earth and the people who live near sites like these. With curiosity, compassion, and humor, Leonard shares concrete steps for taking action at the individual and political level that will bring about sustainability, community health, and economic justice. Embraced by teachers, parents, churches, community centers, activists, and everyday readers, The Story of Stuff will be a long-lived classic.

The Story of Stuff

From the horrors on the frontline and the suffering and despair, hope and strength, ""WWI - The War to End All War"" gives you the experience of the world's first modern, mechanized war in an entirely new light! A unique look at the war that shaped the 20th century. Chapter One: The War in the East Chapter Two: The Ottoman Empire and Gallipoli Chapter Three: The War at Sea Chapter Four: Those Daring Young Men and Their Flying Machines

WWI: The War to End all War, Part II

Schools and universities support misleading notions of 'progress' and development, fostered by the belief that ever-increasing production, consumption and profit are proper yardsticks for measuring the quality of human life. Our universities are the recruitment centres for the personnel of the consumer society, certifying citizens for service, while at the same time disposing of those judged unfit for the competitive rat race. In this bold and provocative book, Illich suggests some radical and exciting reforms for the education system.

Deschooling Society (Unabridged)

Poland was the 'tripwire' that brought Britain into the Second World War, but it was largely the fear of the new Nazi-Soviet Pact rather than the cementing of an old relationship that created the formal alliance. But neither Britain, nor Poland's older ally, France, had the material means to prevent Poland being overrun in 1939. The broadcast, 'Poland is no longer alone' had a distinctly hollow ring. During the next four years the Polish Government in exile and armed forces made a significant contribution to the allied war effort; in return the Polish Home Army received a paltry 600 tons of supplies. Poland Alone focuses on the bloody Warsaw Uprising of 1944, when the Polish Resistance attempted to gain control of their city from the German Army. They expected help from the Allies but received none, and they were left helpless as the Russians moved in. The War ended with over five million Poles dead, three million of whom died in the concentration camps. Jonathan Walker examines whether Britain could have done more to save the Polish people in their crisis year of 1944, dealing with many different aspects such as the actions of the RAF and SOE, the role of Polish Couriers, the failure of British Intelligence and the culpability of the British Press.

Poland Alone

From Romulus to Caesar: Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic Oliver J. Owen Delve into the tumultuous history of the Roman Republic in Oliver J. Owen's masterful retelling of its rise and fall. From the legendary foundations laid by Romulus, the first king of Rome, to the gripping power struggles that paved the way for Julius Caesar's unprecedented ascent, this book offers a riveting exploration of Roman political, military, and cultural transformations. "From Romulus to Caesar" brings to life the heroes and villains whose ambitions fueled the expansion and eventual demise of the Republic. Journey through the heart of Rome's most defining moments—the conquests, the betrayals, and the battles that forged an empire and ultimately led to its disintegration. With meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Owen provides not just historical facts but a poignant narrative that reflects on the themes of power, corruption, and the shifting tides of governance. This is an essential read for anyone fascinated by ancient history, political intrigue, and the enduring legacy of one of civilization's most intriguing empires. Step back in time and witness the epic saga from its mythic beginnings to the dramatic end. "From Romulus to Caesar" is not just a historical account—it is a story of a republic that dared to reach for unprecedented heights, offering lessons that resonate even today.

From Romulus to Caesar

Dive into the timeless classic "The Wealth of Nations" and uncover the secrets to prosperity and economic wisdom. This captivating read will take you on a journey through the fundamentals of economics, offering unparalleled insights that have shaped the world we live in today. With a perfect blend of historical significance and modern relevance, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and understanding of economics. Join countless readers who have been inspired and enlightened by the profound wisdom found within these pages. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your perspective on wealth and prosperity. Order your copy of "The Wealth of Nations" today and embark on a transformative reading experience!

The Wealth of Nations

The explosive new book from longtime royal journalist Omid Scobie and author of the international blockbuster Finding Freedom, Endgame a penetrating investigation into the current state of the British monarchy.An unpopular king, a power-hungry heir to the throne, a queen willing to go to great lengths to preserve her image, and a prince forced to start a new life after being betrayed by his own family. Queen Elizabeth II’s death ruptured the already-fractured foundations of the House of Windsor – and dismantled the protective shield around it. With an institution long plagued by incidents involving antiquated ideas around race, class and money, the monarchy and those who prop it up are now exposed and at odds with a rapidly modernizing world. Relying on his vast experience as a royal reporter and over a decade of conversations and interviews with current and former Palace staff, trusted friends of the royals and even the family members themselves, Scobie pulls back the curtain on an institution in turmoil to show what the monarchy must change in order to survive. This is the monarchy’s endgame. Do they have what it takes to save it?

Endgame

Are you shy? Do you feel that your conversations tend to be awkward? Do you want to change and improve your social skills, but you don’t know how, right? Well, you are not alone. Millions of people struggle and find it hard to be social. The good news is that being social is a learned skill and you have the ability and power to transform into a confident individual. Take a look around you and realize that you can become socially comfortable like everyone else once you conquer your fears that hold you back and by applying what you will learn in this book. In this book, you will learn: Insights into your struggles and behaviors Ways to make great impressions Steps to improve your emotional intelligence Tips on building rapport with others The importance of listening to others and ask questions Ways to respond appropriately Steps to harness your persuasive power Methods to develop solid communication skills Social skills needed for job interviews And so much more...

Social Skills:  How to Reduce Shyness, Insecurity, and Improve Your Communication Skills with Step by Step Strategies

War and Peace (Pre-reform Russian: Война и миръ, Voyna i mir) is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in its entirety in 1869. Epic in scale, it is regarded as one of the central works of world literature. It is considered Tolstoy's finest literary achievement, along with his other major prose work, Anna Karenina (1873–1877). War and Peace delineates in graphic detail events surrounding the French invasion of Russia, and the impact of the Napoleonic era on Tsarist society, as seen through the eyes of five Russian aristocratic families. Portions of an earlier version of the novel, then known as The Year 1805, were serialized in the magazine The Russian Messenger between 1865 and 1867. The novel was first published in its entirety in 1869. Newsweek in 2009 ranked it first in its list of the Top 100 Books. In 2003, the novel was listed at number 20 on the BBC's survey The Big Read.Tolstoy himself, somewhat enigmatically, said of War and Peace that it is "not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less a historical chronicle". Large sections of the work, especially in the later chapters, are philosophical discussion rather than narrative. He went on to elaborate that the best Russian literature does not conform to standards and hence hesitated to call War and Peace a novel. (Instead, Tolstoy regarded Anna Karenina as his first true novel.) (font: Wikipedia)

War and Peace

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2017 #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘The best political book of the year’ Andrew Marr ‘A superb work of storytelling and reporting. Sets new benchmark for the writing of contemporary political history’ Guardian The only book to tell the full story of how and why Britain voted to leave the EU. This is the acclaimed inside story of the EU referendum in 2016 that takes you behind the scenes of the most extraordinary episode in British politics since the Second World War. With unparalleled access to all key players, this is a story of calculation, attempted coups and people torn between principles and loyalty. It is a book about our leaders and their closest aides, the decisions they make, how and why they make them and how they feel when they turn out to be so wrong. In All Out War, Tim Shipman has written a political history that reads like a thriller, exploring how and why David Cameron chose to take the biggest political gamble of his life, and why he lost.

All Out War

The Mohawk phrase for depression can be roughly translated as ""a mind spread out on the ground."" In this urgent and visceral work, Alicia Elliott explores how apt a description that is for the ongoing effects of the personal, intergenerational, and colonial traumas she and so many Native people have experienced. Elliott's deeply personal writing details a life spent between Indigenous and white communities—a divide reflected in her own family—and engages with such wide-ranging topics as race, parenthood, love, art, mental illness, poverty, sexual assault, gentrification, and representation. Throughout, she makes thrilling connections, both large and small, between the past and present, the personal and political. A national bestseller in Canada, this updated and expanded American edition helps us better understand legacy, oppression, and racism throughout North America and offers us a profound new way to decolonize our minds.

A Mind Spread out on the Ground

An intimate account of the Israel-Palestine conflict and beyond, from one of Australia's most experienced foreign correspondents. Now updated with a foreword by Stan Grant and a new author's note. 'Lyons knows if you stand with the suffering, you're closer to the truth' Stan Grant, award-winning journalist and bestselling author 'A penetrating analysis of power with empathy for the human story' Sarah Ferguson, presenter of 7.30 Leading Australian journalist John Lyons takes readers on a fascinating personal journey through the wonders and dangers of the Middle East. In this updated edition, Lyons draws from his years living in Jerusalem to give context to the devastating war between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza and gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Having reported on the Middle East for three decades, Lyons has interviewed everyone from senior Israeli military and intelligence figures to key leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. He's witnessed the brutal Iranian Revolutionary Guard up close, was kidnapped by Egyptian soldiers, and was one of the last foreign journalists in Iran during the violent crackdown on the 'Green Revolution'. He's confronted Hamas officials about why they fire rockets into Israel and Israeli soldiers about why they fire tear gas at Palestinian schoolchildren. Beyond the politics and headlines, Lyons explains the Middle East through everyday life and experiences: his son's school, the markets, and the conversations with friends on their balcony overlooking it all. Through Lyons' incisive reporting, you will develop an empathetic understanding of what brought us to this tragic impasse - and where it's headed next.

Balcony Over Jerusalem

AN EXTRAORDINARY AND UNFORGETTABLE NEW FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF D-DAY Seventy-five years ago, he hit Omaha Beach with the first wave. Now Ray Lambert, ninety-eight years old, delivers one of the most remarkable memoirs of our time, a tour-de-force of remembrance evoking his role as a decorated World War II medic who risked his life to save the heroes of D-Day. At five a.m. on June 6, 1944, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert worked his way through a throng of nervous soldiers to a wind-swept deck on a troopship off the coast of Normandy, France. A familiar voice cut through the wind and rumble of the ship’s engines. “Ray!” called his brother, Bill. Ray, head of a medical team for the First Division’s famed 16th Infantry Regiment, had already won a silver star in 1943 for running through German lines to rescue trapped men, one of countless rescues he’d made in North Africa and Sicily. “This is going to be the worst yet,” Ray told his brother, who served alongside him throughout the war. “If I don’t make it,” said Bill, “take care of my family.” “I will,” said Ray. He thought about his wife and son–a boy he had yet to see. “Same for me.” The words were barely out of Ray’s mouth when a shout came from below. To the landing craft! The brothers parted. Their destinies lay ten miles away, on the bloodiest shore of Normandy, a plot of Omaha Beach ironically code named “Easy Red.” Less than five hours later, after saving dozens of lives and being wounded at least three separate times, Ray would lose consciousness in the shallow water of the beach under heavy fire. He would wake on the deck of a landing ship to find his battered brother clinging to life next to him. Every Man a Hero is the unforgettable story not only of what happened in the incredible and desperate hours on Omaha Beach, but of the bravery and courage that preceded them, throughout the Second World War—from the sands of Africa, through the treacherous mountain passes of Sicily, and beyond to the greatest military victory the world has ever known.

Every Man a Hero

The widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle shares their private story: an unforgettable testament to the power of love and faith in the face of war and unimaginable loss--and a moving tribute to a man whose true heroism ran even deeper than the legend In early 2013, Taya Kyle and her husband Chris were the happiest they ever had been. Their decade-long marriage had survived years of war that took Chris, a U.S. Navy SEAL, away from Taya and their two children for agonizingly long stretches while he put his life on the line in many major battles of the Iraq War. After struggling to readjust to life out of the military, Chris had found new purpose in redirecting his lifelong dedication to service to supporting veterans and their families. Their love had deepened, and, most special of all, their family was whole, finally. Then, the unthinkable. On February 2, 2013, Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed while attempting to help a troubled vet. The life Chris and Taya fought so hard to build together was shattered. In an instant, Taya became a single parent of two. A widow. A young woman facing the rest of her life without the man she loved. Chris and Taya’s remarkable story has captivated millions through Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster, Academy Award-winning film American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris and Sienna Miller as Taya, and because of Chris’s bestselling memoir, in which Taya contributed passages that formed the book’s emotional core. Now, with trusted collaborator Jim DeFelice, Taya writes in never-before-told detail about the hours, days, and months after his shocking death when grief threatened to overwhelm her. Then there were wearying battles to protect her husband’s legacy and reputation. And yet throughout, friendship, family, and a deepening faith were lifelines that sustained her and the kids when the sorrow became too much. Two years after her husband’s tragic death, Taya has found renewed meaning and connection to Chris by advancing their shared mission of “serving those who serve others,” particularly military and first-responder families. She and the children now are embracing a new future, one that honors the past but also looks forward with hope, gratitude, and joy. American Wife is one of the most remarkable memoirs of the year -- a universal chronicle of love and heartbreak, service and sacrifice, faith and purpose that will inspire every reader.

American Wife

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