Historical & Political Biographies

One thing that you can say about military life is that it is different. Here one day, half-way around the world the next. So, you do get to travel, maybe not first class... but travel.Sometimes the duty is hard, sometimes not so much. My biggest learning experience was that if I kept my sense of humor, there was never a location or a situation that didn't have a lighter side.This little offering is a collection of snapshots of my and my sailor's journey through that life, starting from the time that I was born-into a military family-until I retired from my own service of over thirty-five years.

In Honor and Memory of Fitz Lee 1866-1889"On June 30, 1898, Cuban freedom fighters and some American volunteers aboard the U.S.S. Florida attempted an amphibious landing at Tayabacoa, Cuba. The landing party immediately engaged with Spanish soldiers from a nearby blockhouse. The Cubans and Americans retreated, leaving behind a group of wounded comrades. A call for volunteers to rescue the wounded soldiers on the U.S.S. Florida began to make the rounds. After several unsuccessful rescue attempts Private Lee, Corporal George H. Wanton, Private Dennis Bell, Sergeant William H. Thompkins, and Lieutenant George P. Ahern stepped forward and offered to rescue their wounded comrades. The five soldiers went ashore and surprised the Spanish holding their comrades. The rescuers were able to free all the wounded soldiers, and everyone returned safely to the U.S.S. Florida. Lee, Wanton, Bell, and Thompkins were awarded the Medal of Honor in the summer of 1899 for their actions at Tayabacoa. Lee received his Medal of Honor while he was in the hospital at Fort Bliss, Texas. His health declined quickly after the rescue mission, with severely limited vision, swollen limbs, and abdominal pain that left him bedridden for three months. Lee was medically discharged from the Army on July 5, 1899, a few days after receiving the Medal of Honor. Lee moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, after discharge to live with fellow retired Buffalo Soldiers. His comrades took care of him while he awaited his disability benefits from the War Department. In constant pain and totally blind, Fitz Lee died at the home of a friend in Kansas on September 14, 1899. He was buried with full military honors at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Section G, Site 3183."Medals are awarded for acts of valor, and we can all agree with what we know of Fitz lee is that he possessed valor as he was awarded the highest recognition of his uncommon valor: the 'Medal of Honor".That is all we know about Fitz Lee, Buffalo Soldier. The time has come that we learn more.In this book we will be looking at what information has been found regarding Fitz Lee's genealogy paper trail and what has been pieced together in hopes that somehow, we can find the answer to his mysterious life, tell his life story, give Fitz the peace and recognition as the person he was. To give Fitz the closure he deserves. Perhaps with public help through this book someone may recognize something that just may well be the missing piece of the puzzle that will tell Fitz Lee's full life story.That is our hope.This book Proudly Supports the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Fitz Lee 1866-1889 as I am fundraising for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) so that I can make a difference in the lives of America's injured veterans and their families. Please see the Wounded Warrior Project Page fundraiser in honor of Fitz Lee 1866-1889 to make a donation.Every day, 58 injured veterans and their families sign up to receive critical services and support offered by WWP. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, warriors and their families will never pay a penny for these life-changing programs.Will you join me in supporting WWP's mission to honor and empower wounded warriors by making a gift to my fundraising efforts?Together, we can show warriors that they aren't alone.Thank you,Jacqueli Finley

A biography of Elizabeth Choy, who had, by any standard, an extraordinary life, including her incarceration by the Japanese military police for 193 days, during which she was subjected to extreme deprivation, physical abuse and torture.

A fascinating insight into the complexity, history and unpredictability of Iraq.By September 2003, six months after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the anarchy had begun. Rory Stewart, a young Biritish diplomat, was appointed as the Coalition Provisional Authority's deputy governor of a province of 850,000 people in the southern marshland region. There, he and his colleagues confronted gangsters, Iranian-linked politicians, tribal vendettas and a full Islamist insurgency. Occupational Hazards is Rory Stewart's inside account of the attempt to rebuild a nation, the errors made, the misunderstandings and insurmountable difficulties encountered. It reveals an Iraq hidden from most foreign journalists and soldiers. Stewart is an award-winning writer, gifted with extraordinary insight into the comedy, occasional heroism and moral risks of foreign occupation. 'Beautifully written, highly evocative . . . a joy to read' John Simpson 'A marvellous book . . . a devastating narrative' Simon Jenkins 'Absolutely absorbing' Ken Loach 'Strikes gut and brain at once' James Meek 'Wonderfully observed, wise, evocative' Observer

"e;Brandreth is the true Samuel Pepys of our day."e; Andrew Neil, BBC Radio Five Live "e;Brandreth, for my money, offers about the most honest, and the most amusing, account of the demented, beery futility of the Tory-ruled Commons in the 1990s."e; Boris Johnson, Daily Telegraph "e;Hilariously acute ... Irresistible."e; Matthew d'Ancona, Sunday Telegraph "e;Extremely touching ... Brandreth emerges as a decent, amusing, talented and charming man."e; Simon Heffer, Daily Mail "e;As a witty and insightful chronicler ... Brandreth is unsurpassed."e; Michael Simmons, The Spectator Gyles Brandreth's revealing journal paints an extraordinary portrait of Whitehall and Westminster in our time - warts and all. Brandreth - MP for Chester and government whip - enjoyed a ringside seat at the great political events of the 1990s, from the fall of Margaret Thatcher to the election of Tony Blair. With candid descriptions of the key figures of the era, from the leading players to the ministers who fell from grace, and a cast that includes the Queen, Bill Clinton and Joanna Lumley, these widely acclaimed diaries provide a fascinating insight into both the reality of modern government and the bizarre life of a parliamentary candidate and new MP. Controversially, Breaking the Code also contains the first ever insider's account of the hitherto secret world that is the Government Whips' Office. This new, complete edition features material previously excised for legal reasons, as well as additional diaries that take the story on another ten years to the departure of Tony Blair and the arrival as Tory leader of David Cameron - a bright young hopeful when Brandreth first meets him in 1993.

An extremely timely reevaluation of the "lost" Labour Prime Minister. The man who set the course for the last Labour government, and in whom many see the future of the next.

This first book on Kim Jong Uns powerful sister, tipped to be his successor, is a readable, jaw-dropping insight into a secretive and murderous dynasty.

Denis Bradley was born and raised in Buncrana, just 12 miles from the border with Northern Ireland. On joining the priesthood he found himself assigned to the cathedral parish in Derry city, arriving in the summer of 1970 as the streets were descending into chaos with the outbreak of the Troubles. An eyewitness to the wanton violence of Bloody Sunday, Bradley was spurred to become involved in the ' backchannel' as one of three men who would provide a secret link between the IRA and the British government for thirty years. Fervent in their belief that dialogue would bring peace, they brokered the crucial 1993 meeting between IRA men Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly and a British Intelligence agent codenamed ' Fred' . This was a vital step on the road to negotiations which would lead to the ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement. Throughout it all, Bradley worked to combat addiction and homelessness in his adopted community, and made the difficult decision to leave the priesthood to marry. Once played out in the shadows, Bradley's pivotal role in Northern Ireland's peace process is finally illuminated in this engrossing memoir.

Quest for Peace takes you behind the scenes in some pivotal negotiations between the USA and North Korea in recent decades. With personal stories woven throughout, the author explains his motivation for transforming conflict and details his decades' long journey of seeking to understand the political systems and mindsets of the USA, South Korea, and North Korea. He paints a vision for a united Korea and proposes steps to make that dream a reality.

This is the memoir of Roger Darlington and covers his life so far from 1948 to 2023. He has had a varied career in the political arena, the trade union movement, and the consumer world. Now retired and living in London, he has a website, a blog and a page on Facebook and he has written a biography of a fighter pilot, a collection of short stories, and now this memoir. The memoir is written primarily for family, friends and former colleagues, but will be of interest to anyone who has lived for any part of the past 75 years.

Our 45th President is an amazing accomplished man that God has blessed. This book is written to help people have a deeper understanding of Mr. Trump's heart. Here is a man who has been very successful in life and yet carries a deep Compassion for everyday hard-working men and women. These are stories I have gathered of his great acts of kindness and generosity, most of them to strangers. There are also stories of him turning impossible situations into success stories!

When war broke out between Great Britain and the United States in 1812, Sir George Prevost, captain general and governor in chief of British North America, was responsible for defending a group of North American colonies that stretched as far as the distance from Paris to Moscow. He also commanded one of the largest British overseas forces during the Napoleonic Wars. Defender of Canada, the first book-length examination of Prevost's career, offers a reinterpretation of the general's military leadership in the War of 1812. Historian Tanya Grodzinski shows that Prevost deserves far greater credit for the successful defense of Canada than he has heretofore received.Earlier accounts portrayed Prevost as overly cautious and attributed the preservation of Canada to other officers, but Grodzinski challenges these assumptions and restores the general to his rightful place as British North America's key military figure during the War of 1812. Grodzinski shows that Prevost's strategic insight enabled him to enact a practicable defense despite scarce resources and to ably integrate naval power into his defensive plans.Prevost's range of responsibilities in British North America were daunting. They included overseeing joint endeavors with Indian allies, managing logistical matters, monitoring naval construction and personnel needs, supervising colonial governments, and commanding the defense of Canada. Tasked with protecting an extensive and complex territory, Prevost employed a mix of soldiers, sailors, locally raised forces, and indigenous people in taking advantage of the American military's weaknesses to defeat most of its plans.Following his recall to Britain in 1815 after the defeat at the Battle of Plattsburgh, Prevost would have been court-martialed had he not died unexpectedly. In carefully examining the charges leveled against Prevost, Grodzinski shows the general to have preserved the integrity of Canada, allowing diplomats to ensure its continued existence.

Embark on a journey through time with Ron Schaper's memoir, Setting Leaders, and discover the beauty and challenges of a life lived on the water and what it meant to be the son of a fisherman.Step back into a simpler time when families relied on the ocean for their livelihood, and the leaders they set were the difference between a good catch and a bad day. Follow the story of Schaper's father, uncles, and other seasoned fishermen as they teach the author about more than just fishing. Through their guidance, he learns about honesty, self-reliance, and the intricacies of the ocean.Schaper's vivid descriptions transport readers to the water's edge, where the salt air fills your lungs, and the gentle rocking of the waves soothes your soul. Experience the back-breaking labor required to set up a pound trap, and the thrill of the catch.Setting Leaders is more than a fishing memoir. It is a celebration of a way of life that has been passed down through generations, and the lessons learned from the sea. For those who appreciate American stories, the water, and the art of fishing, this book is a must read. Join Ron Schaper as he takes you on a voyage through the past, and reminds us all of the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance.

This book is Volume -5 of "Books In a Nutshell". It contains key information in 87 non-fiction books on the topics of People, Politics, and Presidents."Books in a Nutshell" -Topic Series is published on five separate volumes. Each volume includes key information from numerous non-fiction books on specific topics. The topics are- Volume 1. Ancient History/ History, Volume 2. Finance/Money/Economics, Volume 3. Sports-Individuals/Groups, Volume 4. Medical/Food/Plants, Volume 5. People/Politics/Presidents.These books help one become knowledgeable on topics that are often discussed. and keeps you in the loop of people in the know. They are a great educational tool in related school projects.

Few people don't have an opinion of President Donald Trump; either you love him or hate him. No matter your political stripes, President Trump is a force to be reckoned with. Growing up in a wealthy New York family, Donald Trump took over his father's real estate business and turning it into a world wide real estate empire. Wanting more recognition and to build the Trump brand, in 2004 Trump began staring in The Apprentice reality television show. Here he was able to mentor young entrepreneurs with the promise of an executive position in the Trump empire while at the same time show-casing his many properties.In 2015, Donald Trump decided to take the plunge and run for the highest office in the land, the presidency of the United States. After his announcement, few political pundits gave Trump any chance of winning the election, most thought it was a stunt to boost the sagging rating of his show The Apprentice. With support from his family and millions of Americans, Trump won a hard fought campaign against the former Senator Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States.Once in office, Donald Trump has been anything but a passive president. Quickly taking on the sticky issues of immigration, tax reform, and health care. His policy initiatives have met with some success and some failure. His unorthodox style as president is a big change from former president Obama. Take the time to read this short biography of Donald Trump and see his tumultuous rise to power.

Here it is, "God, Country and Telepathy" has the answers for what everyone has been asking about the United States and the strange new mystery government that has taken hold of the nation. You will find out who is in charge, why and what is the purpose of it all especially the destination for the population. You will be given explanations for the increasing toxicity of the food, soda and water, the medical preference for pharmaceutical drugs to "manage" diseases both mental and physical, the real purpose of the Patriot Act and Homeland Security, why events that are horrible are often described by onlookers as not real but "surreal" or abstract, why marijuana was made illegal, why despite numerous wars on Poverty, Drugs, Discrimination nothing ever gets better. You will find out why the government is so concerned about so called "man made global warming" but is indifferent to man made contamination of food and soil. It looks like "Terra-forming" the planet.Terrorism, political intrigue, world economic convulsions and mistrust of government form the backdrop for my life in New York. From out of nowhere intelligent beings from another dimension contacted me with important news about America. This is my story over several decades and collected from saved journals, notes and recollections. The message for America is contained in this book alongside the catalog of incredible psychic experiences that often saved my life or proved illuminating in some way. They concluded that I might be able to make a difference in a leadership role and insisted I write a book to share my discoveries. If there was ever an unbelievable story to tell, this is the one. I can't imagine what I would think if I read this book unprepared; that is, not having had any personal experience with these kinds of spiritual forces. But then again, some people sky dive or swim with sharks.But I was subconsciously expecting this from a young age. I don't see things the way most people do. I sense a hidden meaning wherein lays the truth. I look for the connections to everything else, the whole fabric of existence. My mind was processing so fast everything was a blur; no time for elementary school topics or lessons. As a teenager I eagerly devoured every book I could lay my hands on concerning the occult, superstitions, magic, herbal lore, religious practices, spiritualism, astrology, numerology, psychology, mind reading, extrasensory perception and secret societies.I could have called this book "Report on the New Age" but it might not have had the same broad appeal.

Plongez dans l'histoire extraordinaire de Raymond Heymann avec "Témoignage d'un Résistant". Ce récit captivant nous transporte dans le parcours héroïque de l'auteur, marqué par sa lutte contre l'oppression durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.Dès les premières pages, "Témoignage d'un Résistant" nous emmène au c¿ur des événements, nous faisant vivre les défis et les moments décisifs de ce combat pour la liberté. Raymond Heymann partage avec une sincérité bouleversante les récits de courage, de sacrifice et de solidarité, qui ont marqué sa vie et celle des résistants qui l'entouraient.C'est au travers de ces pages que nous découvrons l'évolution de Raymond dans sa quête de liberté et de justice. Son témoignage évoque les sombres réalités de l'occupation, la détermination des résistants et leur lutte pour préserver l'identité et les valeurs fondamentales face à l'oppression nazie.Mais "Témoignage d'un Résistant" est bien plus qu'une simple chronique historique. Au-delà des faits, ce récit nous entraîne dans les profondeurs de l'âme humaine. Raymond Heymann nous fait partager ses émotions, ses doutes, ses peurs, mais aussi sa foi en un avenir meilleur. Son récit poignant nous pousse à réfléchir sur la résilience, la solidarité et le pouvoir de l'espoir dans les moments les plus sombres.La force de "Témoignage d'un Résistant" réside dans la voix authentique et humble de son auteur. Raymond Heymann nous livre son histoire avec une sincérité profonde, nous transportant au plus près des événements vécus. Son récit rappelle l'importance de se lever contre l'injustice et l'oppression, et fait de lui un témoin précieux de cette époque tumultueuse de notre histoire.Ce livre offre aux lecteurs une expérience unique et captivante. Au fil des pages, on ressent l'urgence et la nécessité de la résistance, ainsi que l'espoir qui émerge de l'adversité. "Témoignage d'un Résistant" est un appel à l'action, à ne jamais oublier les leçons du passé et à continuer à défendre nos valeurs communes.Plongez dans ce récit poignant, laissez-vous emporter par les mots de Raymond Heymann et rejoignez cette communauté de résistants qui ont marqué l'histoire de notre pays. "Témoignage d'un Résistant" est un livre que vous ne pourrez pas lâcher, une histoire qui vous hantera longtemps après avoir tourné la dernière page.Préparez-vous à être inspiré, ému et à ressentir la puissance du courage humain face à l'adversité. Lisez "Témoignage d'un Résistant" dès maintenant et témoignez de l'héritage inestimable des résistants qui ont façonné notre histoire.

Roland Bergeys (1954) is een gevierd (theater)auteur en gastheer met vele talenten.'De verdwijning van Anna Verduyn' is de derde druk en werd in een nieuw jasje gestoken.Het boek beschrijft het relaas van zijn moeder tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog én van zijn grootmoeder in '14-'18. hij goot hun beide levens in dat van één personage: Anna Verduyn.Een spannend en ontroerend mooi boek dat met veel vertelkunde wordt voorgesteld.

"Our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I don't care what it is. With us, of course, it is the Judeo-Christian concept, but it must be a religion that all men are created equal." So said Dwight D. Eisenhower shortly after being elected president of the United States in 1952. Although this statement has been variously interpreted, it reflects one of his fundamental guiding principles: that for a country to thrive, it needs a shared identity, formed through common values, history, and purpose. For Eisenhower, this could be found most distinctly in shared faith--a concept that came to be known as American civil religion, which defined and drove much of the cohesion of the 1950s under Eisenhower's leadership. This biography tells the story of how deeply religious convictions ran through every aspect of Eisenhower's public life: his decision to become a soldier, his crusade against fascism and communism, his response to the civil rights movement, his belief that only he as president could lead America through the Cold War, and his search for nuclear peace. Having been brought up in a devout family--first as part of the River Brethren and later Jehovah's Witnesses--Eisenhower continued to see the world in terms of a dialectical struggle between divine and demonic forces throughout his life, even after joining the Presbyterian church. This perspective shaped his public image as a general in World War II and as president during some of the coldest years of the Cold War, when cultural differences between the atheistic Soviet Union and the religiously grounded United States began crystallizing. As Eisenhower's historical standing continues to rise, and his contrast with the modern Republican Party deepens, Jack Holl's study of this consequential figure of twentieth-century American history shines a spotlight on what has changed in the intervening years. What can be learned from the religious outlook of a public servant who embraced moderation instead of partisan division? Which beliefs and convictions led a former general to a position of skepticism against the military-industrial complex? With the role of faith in American political life still a hotly debated topic today, Eisenhower's religious journey is worth renewed attention.

In this 1902 work, teacher, historian and archivist James Bonwick (1817-1906) recalls a long life's contribution to the fields of education and historical writing. More than sixty publications can be attributed to Bonwick, who was elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1865. He traces his life from boyhood to the many years he spent in Australia, establishing, managing and inspecting schools. Bonwick stressed the need for observation and experimentation by the pupil rather than rote learning. He was also involved in the temperance movement, and was a sympathetic champion of the near-extinct Tasmanian aborigines. Upon returning to England in the early 1880s, Bonwick immersed himself in transcribing Australian source material, archived in London, that chronicled the British settlement in Australia. Many of his transcripts were subsequently used as the basis of works on the early history of Australia both by Bonwick himself and by others.

Lorenzo Sabine (1803-77) worked as a trader, in customs and for the Treasury Department before he was elected to the United States Congress in 1852. This work, published in 1847, is a series of biographical sketches (some very short, others extensive) of the American Loyalists - those men and women who took the British side during the American Revolution. The alphabetically arranged biographies are preceded by an essay in which Sabine describes the background to the War of Independence, examining geographical and economic as well as political factors. He argues that the documentary evidence from the period demonstrates that the arguments in favour of independence at the time were practical, and not simply the ideologically driven desire for 'liberty' which the founding myth of the United States had since proclaimed. The work is a fascinating reminder that large numbers of Americans stayed loyal to the Crown in 1776.

The Upstate D.A. sets forth the recollections of the Steuben County Prosecutor about his three years as the county's chief law enforcement officer. They were busy and exciting times, coming at the beginning of the Great Depression and at the end of the Great Experiment - National Prohibition.Among the 400 crimes he prosecuted in those three years were murders, robberies, arsons, assaults, extortions, and many lesser crimes. On the occasion of his death, thirty-five years later, the local paper described George W. Pratt as "a fighting district attorney who took a lead in stamping out crime rather than following after-the-fact. He was the key force in the prosecution or investigation of 11 murders during his tenure as prosecutor. He smashed an arson ring threatening the whole county. * * * Few Steuben County attorneys * * * were as colorful and aggressive as the white-maned lawyer whose vitality added strength to whatever pursuit in which he engaged." His stories accurately reflect the difficult economic times, the division in the country over prohibition, and the inner workings of a small-town law enforcement effort. At the time, an upstate D.A. was a one-man operation. He had no assistants, and personally investigated many of the crimes, and with all that went to trial, he prepared the cases and tried them, usually to a jury. In many of the cases described, the reader gets an inside view of the strategies and maneuvering of opposing counsel, and yes, even of some of the tricks they try to spring on each other.

Henry Duff Traill (1842-1900) was a prolific journalist, satirist and author. The son of a magistrate, he was called to the Bar in 1869 but began working as a journalist at the Yorkshire Post soon afterwards. He contributed to several newspapers, acting as chief political leader writer at The Daily Telegraph from 1882 to 1897 and editing The Observer for two years. He later became the editor of Literature, holding this post until his death. Among his diverse published works were six biographies, of which the most in-depth was that of Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin. Published in 1896 and drawing on personal documents provided by the Franklin family, it provides a picture of Franklin's character and personal life, alongside a detailed account of his career. Written fifty years after Franklin's presumed death, this work also covers the aftermath of his final ill-fated voyage in search of a north-west passage.

An excellent biography not just of Julius Caesar but of the times he was born into, raised during, and which ultimately lead to his ascension and demise. I've read more than a few books regarding this time period and this is the most excellent and the most concise. Anyone curious of the rise and fall of the man should not miss out on this one. (Will Arbaugh) About the author: Jacob Abbott (November 14, 1803 - October 31, 1879) was an American writer of children's books. On November 14, 1803, Abbott was born in Hallowell, Maine to Jacob Abbott II and Betsey Chandler. He attended the Hallowell Academy. Abbott graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820. At some point during his years there, he supposedly added the second "t" to his surname, to avoid being "Jacob Abbot the 3rd" (although one source notes he did not actually begin signing his name with two t's until several years later).Abbott studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824. He taught in Portland academy and was tutor in Amherst College during the next year. From 1825 to 1829 Abbott was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He wrote 180 books and was a coauthor or editor of 31 more. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and The Parent's Assistant. To follow up his Rollo books, he wrote of Uncle George, using him to teach the young readers about ethics, geography, history, and science. He also wrote 22 volumes of biographical histories and a 10 volume set titled the Franconia Stories. (wikipedia.org)