Historical & Political Biographies

Read this book after watching the better than Game of thrones HBO series Rome, I was suprised to learn this book is written almost 170 years ago, it's a fun read if you like Roman history and the time when Rome used to rule most of Europe and Asia Minor and Africa, it features well known personalities like Mark Anthony, Caesar, Pompey, Octavian, Cleopatra, Ptolemy. (Mario A.) 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)

Abbott is an excellent story teller and historian. Though short, his series on history serves as an excellent primer. (Patrick Trester)About the authorJacob 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)

Reveals how the European travels of John and Abigail Adams helped define what it meant to be an AmericanFrom 1778 to 1788, the Founding Father and later President John Adams lived in Europe as a diplomat. Joined by his wife, Abigail, in 1784, the two shared rich encounters with famous heads of the European royal courts, including the ill-fated King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette, and the staid British Monarchs King George III and Queen Charlotte. In this engaging narrative, A View from Abroad takes us on the first full exploration of the Adams‿s lives abroad. Jeanne E. Abrams reveals how the journeys of John and Abigail Adams not only changed the course of their intellectual, political, and cultural development‿transforming the couple from provincials to sophisticated world travelers‿but most importantly served to strengthen their loyalty to America. Abrams shines a new light on how the Adamses and their American contemporaries set about supplanting their British origins with a new American identity. They and their fellow Americans grappled with how to reorder their society as the new nation took its place in the international transatlantic world. After just a short time abroad, Abigail maintained that, “My Heart and Soul is more American than ever. We are a family by ourselves.â€? The Adamses‿ quest to define what it means to be an American, and the answers they discovered in their time abroad, still resonate with us to this day.

A fascinating historical memoir from a Royal Air Force pilot detailing his personal experiences serving in the RAF during World War II and beyond, up until the early 1970s. A beautifully produced, full-colour coffee-table-sized volume, the book will be richly illustrated with numerous photographs, paintings, diagrams, maps and logbook entries ‿creating an incredible visual compendium. A tribute to a whole generation, part of the proceeds of the book will be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Following an unrivalled political career that spanned a remarkable sixty years and reached both the heights and the depths of political fortune, Sir Winston Churchill undoubtedly became the world's most caricatured politician of all time. From entering Parliament in 1900 through to his retirement in 1964, Winston Churchill in Cartoons will chart Churchill's illustrious and tumultuous political career through the work of leading cartoonists from around the world.Through these cartoons there developed very contrary views of Churchill; the glorious cigar-chomping wartime leader and the flawed politician. In America he was adored by cartoonists, while in Nazi Germany and in the post-war Soviet Union he was, unsurprisingly, painted as a bumbling buffoon. After his passing in 1965, great contemporary cartoonists including Peter Brookes, Steve Bell, Matt and Gerald Scarfe, continued to use him as a benchmark for the world leaders that followed.Featuring the work of the some of the greatest cartoonists of all time and providing a new perspective of an iconic figure, Winston Churchill in Cartoons will include the very best and wittiest portrayals of Churchill the glorious wartime leader, controversial politician, and emblematic British statesman.

A rebel and risk-taker from childhood, John McCain-son and grandson of admirals-nevertheless chose to follow the traditional path marked out for him in the military.

A new memoir from renowned political activist and author of Street Fighting Years: An Autobiography of the Sixties

A Good Fight, first published in 1960, is the story of Franklin D. Roosevelt from the onset of his polio at Campobello, New Brunswick, to his death at Warm Springs, Georgia, on April 12, 1945. Author Jean Gould's contention is that difficult as were his political battles, so much more arduous were his victories over his physical impediments. Here, in a view rarely given of F.D.R., is a moving account of his struggles and the agonizing exercises he endured which allowed him to function effectively on the campaign trail, in office, and in the critical years of the Great Depression and the Second World War.

" ... Mme de Chevreuse en effet a possédé presque toutes les qualités du grand politique ; une seule lui a manqué, et celle-là précisément sans laquelle toutes les autres tournent en ruine : elle ne savait pas se proposer un juste but, ou plutôt elle ne choisissait pas elle-même ; c'était un autre qui choisissait pour elle. Mme de Chevreuse était femme au plus haut degré ; c'était là sa force et aussi sa faiblesse. Son premier ressort était l'amour ou plutôt la galanterie, et l'intérêt de celui qu'elle aimait lui devenait son principal objet. Voilà ce qui explique les prodiges de sagacité, de finesse et d'énergie qu'elle a déployés en vain à la poursuite d'un but chimérique qui reculait toujours devant elle, et semblait l'attirer par le prestige même de la difficulté et du péril. La Rochefoucauld l'accuse d'avoir porté malheur à tous ceux qu'elle a aimés ; il est aussi vrai de dire que tous ceux qu'elle a aimés l'ont précipitée à leur suite dans des entreprises insensées..."

" ... Née en 1619 dans le donjon de Vincennes, pendant la captivité de son père, Henri de Bourbon, prince de Condé, avec lequel était venue s'enfermer sa jeune femme, cette beauté célèbre, Charlotte-Marguerite de Montmorency, on voit d'abord Mlle de Bourbon croissant en grâces auprès d'une telle mère, partageant ses journées entre le couvent des Carmélites et l'hôtel de Rambouillet, nourrissant son c¿ur de pieuses émotions et de lectures romanesques, allant au bal, mais avec un cilice, confidente d'un héros, le duc d'Enghien, son frère, compatissante à ses amours avec la belle Mlle du Vigean, et tout à coup les traversant et entraînant son amie dans le cloître où elle-même ira mourir. Elle est mariée à vingt-trois ans à M. de Longueville, qui en a quarante-sept, qui n'est pas tout-à-fait de son rang, et qui, au lieu de réparer ces désavantages par une tendresse empressée, suit encore le char de la plus grande coquette du temps, la fameuse duchesse de Montbazon..."

Dans ce livre, Cousin retrace la vie de Marie de Hautefort (1616 - 1691). Surnommée par la Cour l'Aurore , elle une dame de la cour de Louis XIII de France. Fille d'honneur de Marie de Médicis et présentée à Anne d'Autriche par sa grand-mère Catherine Le Voyer de Lignerolles (la Dame de la Flotte ), elle devient dame d'honneur de la reine et l'objet des amours platoniques du roi Louis XIII.

... Je suis une de ces âmes ; mes relations avec Santa-Rosa ont été bien courtes, mais intimes. Plus d'une fois j'ai été tenté d'écrire sa vie, cette vie moitié romanesque, moitié héroïque ; j'y ai renoncé. Je ne viens point disputer à l'oubli le nom d'un homme qui a manqué sa destinée; mais, plusieurs personnes, et vous en particulier, qui portez un intérêt pieux à sa mémoire, vous m'avez souvent demandé de vous raconter par quelle aventure moi, professeur de philosophie, entièrement étranger aux évènements du Piémont, j'avais été lié si étroitement avec le chef de la révolution piémontaise, et quels ont été mes rapports véritables avec votre cher et infortuné compatriote. Je viens faire ce que vous désirez. Je m'abstiendrai de toutes considérations générales, politiques et philosophiques. Il ne s'agira que de lui et de moi. Ce n'est point ici une composition historique, c'est un simple tableau d'intérieur tracé pour quelques amis fidèles, pour réveiller quelques sympathies, réchauffer quelques souvenirs, et servir de texte à quelques tristes conversations dans un cercle de jour en jour plus resserré...

This Book contains the genealogies and biographies of all Bridghams descended from Henry Bridgham, who immigrated from England in 1641.

In the Shade of the Olive Tree is the true story of young love during the tumultuous era of World War II and the aftermath six decades later. It is a compelling story that will be remembered long after the last page is turned. Here, adventure, tragedy, and poignant moments intertwine to create a fascinating tale. Readers-young and old-will learn of the courage and selflessness of the young men of the war years, as well as the determination of a woman searching for answers.

Del prólogo... "La voz de esta narración es feroz. También es profética en su súplica para que abramos los ojos a la dura realidad de los militares, el arrepentimiento y la redención de nosotros mismos. Del mismo modo que tuve que bloquear los ataques de pesadilla de Rubicón y gritarle que parara, el autor, que representa la voz de mi Amado, nos grita que despertemos y paremos la matanza innecesaria de nuestros enemigos imaginarios, de los veteranos que enviamos irrespetuosamente al matadero y de las familias que luego tienen que hacer frente al caos. La voz de Sean es tan aguda como cortante es la experiencia de Rubicon. Rubicon es una persona muy apasionada e intensa, como verán a medida que sigan leyendo. Sean está a la altura de esta pasión e intensidad. Para hacer frente a la intensidad de este sufrimiento, necesitamos una voz muy feroz que nos señale con rapidez y fuerza la verdad de lo que está sucediendo. Lo necesitamos porque hemos estado enredados taaaanto tiempo en el engaño y hay mucho en juego."Mientras continúo procesando el sufrimiento que mi Amado ha causado y el sufrimiento que él ha soportado, es como caminar a través de un infierno enfurecido. El fuego tiene dos capacidades. El fuego puede simplemente quemar y destruir dejando sólo destrucción y cenizas. El fuego también puede purificar y abrir un espacio para que florezca una nueva vida. Durante 40 años, Rubicón se ha visto envuelto en un infierno de fuego inextinguible. Sólo gracias a la gracia y a la fortaleza no se ha convertido en un montón de cenizas. Al permitirse ser lo suficientemente vulnerable como para contarme la verdad de su experiencia, comenzó la purificación. Trabajar en este libro le ha proporcionado una doble dosis de vulnerabilidad. Ha tenido que revivir de nuevo cada misión y cada angustia al volver a contar su historia. Este libro es crudo en su honestidad y vulnerabilidad. Por favor, trátelo con la misma honestidad y franqueza con la que se lo ofrecemos. Su comprensión de la humanidad se transformará. Respétalo e invítalo a quemar cualquier resistencia en ti que te impida recibir su verdad para purificarte"."Este libro es un relato de primera mano del viaje de experiencia militar de Rubicon en las guerras por delegación de la CIA. La profundidad de su dolor y experiencia, de la que he sido testigo personalmente, me movió a convencerle, junto con su esposa, para que se abriera y detallara los acontecimientos que le cambiaron a lo largo del tiempo. La ignorancia del pueblo estadounidense (y de otros pueblos coloniales) está en el centro de gran parte de las causas y efectos. Siento un gran respeto por todos los que deben enfrentarse a los males de su vida o de su pasado y comprometerse realmente a examinarlos y cambiarlos."

Creating AmeriCorps is Catherine H. Milton's first-person account of the shaping and launching of AmeriCorps. Her story traces the emergence of the national service movement and how she and other social entrepreneurs from across the country joined with Washington policy makers, putting aside party affiliations, to create AmeriCorps. Since AmeriCorps was created 30 years ago, more than 1.2 million Americans have served in it, demonstrating how to move our nation forward through collaborative action.

Discover the secrets of the Gurkha mindset and learn how to live courageouslyCaptain Kailash Limbu has been on five tours of active service in Afghanistan with the Gurkhas. Over more than two decades in the British Army, he has been on the front line of the fighting in Helmand Province, on risky resupply missions and operations in Sierra Leone, and shared moments of peace and happiness with his brothers in the mess. All these experiences have shaped a man of rare honesty, courage and humility. In The Gurkha Way, he shares the moments that made him, the lessons he has learned and the principles at the heart of the Gurkha mindset, so that readers too can conquer adversity, find their inner strength, embrace life's challenges and lead with honour.

Although Che Guevara was murdered almost sixty years ago, the famous red-and-black image of him is still widely seen around the world: at leftist political demonstrations and, ironically - given his strong opposition to capitalism - on many commercial products. However, he was a controversial figure during his lifetime - and remains so today. On both the political left and the political right, attitudes to him vary widely: while some see him as a romantic, highly-principled and legendary fighter for the world‿s poor and exploited masses, others depict him either as an unrealistic and thus irrelevant adventurer, or even as a ruthless and cold-blooded butcher. Consequently, biographies about him over the decades have ranged from the overly sympathetic, to the extremely hostile. As well as covering aspects of his family life and his loves - and his early, sometimes less-than-revolutionary, attitudes - this biography, as expected, deals with those areas for which Che is best known. These include his adventurous explorations, as a young man on a motorbike, of Latin and Central America; his leadership and bravery during Cuba‿s Revolutionary War; his practical and theoretical contributions to the conduct of guerrilla warfare; and his emergence as an international revolutionary legend who inspired radical young people in the 1960s, and who continues to inspire rebellious people around the world today. However, this biography also explores other aspects of Che‿s life which are not so well-known. From an early age, he developed a keen love of reading, covering an eclectic mix of adventure stories, poetry, history and philosophy - and, from his teens, he began a lifetime habit of making notes on what he read. He also became a strong chess player, able enough to draw with one of the world‿s leading grandmasters. Even during guerrilla campaigns, he managed to maintain those loves. Since his murder, he has emerged as an original contributor to Marxist economics and philosophy. It was his wide-ranging studies that led him to become an outspoken opponent of the ‿orthodox‿ communism followed in the Soviet Union - and of its Cold War foreign policy of ‿peaceful coexistence‿. His tolerance of, and willingness to work with, those having different views saw him accused of Maoism - and even Trotskyism. More accurately, Che has bequeathed the unique strand of revolutionary socialism known as ‿Guevarism‿.