Historical & Political Biographies

Jaanbaz was an itinerant door-to-door salesman from Afghanistan, one of many from that country who, have over the twentieth century, been known as Kabuliwallahs in India

Like the millions it affected, for Indira Varma too, the Partition was a scar that would remain, even as the wound healed with the passing of time.

The larger-than-life story of Britain's foremost writer on intelligence and espionage.

Stories about Indian indenture often resonate with suffering and shame. The system that was introduced in the 1830s to replace slavery across the British Empire came with its share of hardship. Yet, there is the story of one man who sheds a different light on this episode of British and Mauritian history. Mauritius in the early twentieth century was an emerging nation, with different peoples looking to forge a sense of identity and belonging. It was a country built by immigrants who faced countless challenges. And amid all of this, one individual stood out from the rest. The story of Dookhee Gungah is about a man''s rise from poverty and misfortune to become a symbol of hope and benevolence for the community. His success was more than personal for the people whose lives he touched also benefitted. As the son of an Indian indentured labourer, his achievements are truly unique across the entire indentureship diaspora, and his influence reached far beyond the shores of Mauritius. He made

The definitive biography on Meriwether Lewis by Thomas C. Danisi and John C. Jackson now in paperback for the first time.October 11, 2009 marks the bicentennial of Meriwether Lewis's death. As the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition, an epic exploration of uncharted territory west of the Mississippi, Lewis has been the subject of several biographies, yet much of the published information is unreliable. A number of myths surrounding his life and death persist. Now independent scholars Thomas C. Danisi and John C. Jackson have written this definitive biography based on twelve years of meticulous research. They have re-examined the original Lewis and Clark documents and searched through obscure and overlooked sources to reveal a wealth of fascinating new information on the enigmatic character and life of Meriwether Lewis. Instead of focusing on the Lewis and Clark expedition, the authors concentrate on what Lewis was doing immediately before and after the journey through Western territory. They assess his role as a natural scientist and as governor of the Louisiana Territory. His lifelong mentor, Thomas Jefferson, thrust the latter role upon Lewis during a time of crisis. As Danisi and Jackson reveal, he would much rather have devoted this time compiling his notes and scientific findings into a vivid narrative of the expedition's adventures. Finally, using medical documentation, the book reveals the actual cause of Lewis's untimely death. The authors address both the conspiracy theories regarding murder as the cause of Lewis's death and the longstanding belief that he committed suicide. The Meriwether Lewis that emerges from this thoroughly researched biography is a man of honorable intentions who met severe challenges and handled difficult confrontations with patience and diplomacy. Both professional historians and armchair devotees of American history will want to add this important new work to their libraries.

What does it take to report from conflict zones? What good is neutrality in the face of suffering, and how much difference can one person make?From her first journalistic assignment in Gaza to covering the Arab Spring in Egypt, Sherine Tadros searched for ways to change people's lives for the better.It wasn't until her life fell apart that she found the courage to pursue her true purpose. With compassion and verve, Tadros now shares her remarkable journey, from witnessing injustice to fighting it in the corridors of power. In probing the line between journalism and activism, her memoir Taking Sides demonstrates why stories matter - and how we can all use our voices to inspire meaningful change.

Published in 1923, Vanished Arizona offers a vivid glimpse into a frontier world that has long since disappeared. Author Martha Summerhayes draws readers into the remote outposts and rugged landscapes of Arizona's territorial years through her captivating firsthand account of life as an army wife. Accounts of danger, lawlessness, and the untamed environment are balanced with charming portraits of fellow pioneers, creating a fascinating look at life on the western frontier.Summerhayes' flair for detail and storytelling brings this colorful era to life. She takes readers bumping along in dusty stagecoaches to recount harrowing tales of Apache raids and bandit threats. We can nearly smell the smoke of campfires where she cooked under the stars while stationed at remote forts. Her prose invites us into the cramped quarters she transformed into homes. Throughout, Summerhayes' wit and wisdom shine through, making even the harsh conditions sometimes described vivid yet enchanting.With insightful observations and poignant anecdotes, Summerhayes captures the vanished world of frontier army outposts and fledgling mining towns. She chronicles characters like the legendary Lieutenant Cushing who swore to vanquish the Chiricahua Apache threat, only to meet a tragic end. Details on vanished landscapes, battles, mining camps, settlements, and soldiers grant future generations a treasured window into Arizona's past.Part memoir and part history, Vanished Arizona brings to life a disappeared time and place through the eyes of a pioneering woman who lived it. Summerhayes' engaging account grants us the chance to experience the Old West as the army wives knew it - with grit, grace, terror and triumph.

Our Founder's Wisdom explores the people in our lives that we trust for information, the people that we elevate to expert status whether they deserve it or not. If we are honest, we find that many maybe even most fail us at some point because they are fallible and cannot know everything. The Founding Fathers of our nation knew that they could not rely on mankind to always do right. They saw the shortcomings in each other, the changeable nature of man, the tendency toward pride, greed, anger, mob mentality and so forth. They chose a less volatile, more consistent, more solid foundation. They chose to seek God and the Bible for guidance for our nation. They had their differences, but they generally respected the Bible. They felt it was the best source of information about God and His creation. Was their choice real Wisdom?

The Achiever: The Story of Mayor Norman S. Edelcup and the City of Sunny Isles Beach chronicles the life and contributions of a small Florida beach town's longest-serving and most-impactful mayor. A former Chicago native who moved to Sunny Isles Beach in 1968, Norman S. Edelcup witnessed a slow decline for decades as tourists moved on to greener pastures. With a lifetime of knowledge and experience as a successful accountant, businessman, banker, and philanthropist, Norman became determined to turn his adopted hometown into a grand coastal city. One of Sunny Isles Beach's founding fathers, he served first as a city commissioner, and then as the city's second mayor, ushering in spectacular citywide transformations. A meticulously researched biography and historical record, The Achiever is an inspiring testament to the visionary power of genuine civic leadership.

Everything you need to know about the greatest conqueror!There are a number of historic people who have lead a life of power and impact. They have contributed so much in history that up until now, their accomplishments resound in our ears very well, and remain unforgettable.One of the greatest people to ever live is the famous alexander the great, well known as the conqueror of persian empire and considered to be one of the most significant military geniuses of all time. Inside you will read about...IntroductionThe genius of philip of macedonAlexander, king of macedonConquest of persiaGaugamela and king of asiaThe death of alexanderAnd much more!This biography takes you on an exhilarating adventure, delving into the triumphs and trials of a leader who conquered empires, but whose vision extended far beyond mere conquest. Alexander believed in the unifying power of hellenistic culture, fostering cultural exchange and dialogue among diverse peoples under his rule. His legacy would shape the course of history, leaving an indelible mark on politics, philosophy, and culture.

In A Story Worth Fighting For, the granddaughter of a Japanese WWII heroine fights to keep her family's legacy of resilience alive, grappling with adversity while holding tightly to the enduring bond that unites them.As Jennifer faces her own share of hardships and challenges, she draws inspiration from her grandmom's unwavering spirit. Through their intertwined narratives, this memoir explores the timeless themes of survival, hope, and the profound impact of family and friendship.This book is an inspiring testament to the human spirit, reminding us all that even in our darkest hours, our own stories are worth the fight.

Late U.N. Sinha was a freedom fighter who fought against the Britishers for the independence of India. He was sent to jail several times where he used to write poetries. These poems are compiled by his daughter Anubha Varma and edited by Dr. Joohi Samarpita.This book - Smriti Shesh is in memory of the freedom fighter Upendra Narayan Sinha which consists of glorious tributes paid by his family and friends who have also shared some interesting stories of the British days.

Philippa Bridges crossed Australia one hundred years ago, supported by an Aboriginal Tracker, Macumba Jack and a Lubra named Topsy. Over 600 of those miles, from Macumba Station in South Australia, to Darwin, she travelled by camel.Her most ambitious undertaking was to cross Australia from south to north, approximately along the route of the transcontinental telegraph line. Her companions were an aboriginal boy and lubra. She was profoundly impressed by the loneliness of the great empty spaces, but even more so by the courage and kindliness of those who dwell in these solitudes. Darwin has a somewhat invidious reputation, of which Miss Bridges was not unaware, but she has a good word for the town. "Certain it is," she writes, "that one hears the worst of it, but none of the best of it, long before may arrives there." But she can only speak of it as she found it like other parts of Australia. a place of real hospitality and pleasant friendships."Sydney Morning Herald, 1926

"A remarkable, never disclosed story..." Peter Hennessy"A must-read book for those interested in a personal drama at the frontline of international relations"Dr Calder Walton, author & historian"A rare look behind the scenes of British intelligence... this story is not only well-told but also true" Nicholas Reynolds, former CIA officer, New York Times bestselling authorDrawing on previously undisclosed personal papers, this biography of Walter Bell gives a remarkable insight into the working of British Intelligence. He was at heart of the emerging intelligence special relationship between Britain and America before, during and immediately after WW2 - the very time that MI6 had been penetrated by Russian intelligence. He was acquainted with Philby, Burgess and Maclean.Moving to MI5 Bell had postings in Kenya, India, and the West Indies, playing a crucial role in the passing power of power to newly independent governments, and developing close ties with agents of influence at the highest levels in the former colonies, from journalists and judges to generals and independence heroes.Back home he was intimately involved in operations to limit the reputation damage provoked by the media outcry over the Cambridge Five affair and suspected KGB misinformation about further alleged Soviet agents at the highest level of the British state.He was rewarded for his service with a CMG and the US Medal of Freedom.

La Lanterna è il romanzo di un Uomo. Fin da piccolo voleva vivere in un'idea di universo e di umanità certa, stabile, duratura,è per non averla trovata che matura un nuovo originale sapere. Emerge da pensieri e passioni sparsi in mezzo secolo di storia d'Italia tra repubblica, cattolici, comunisti, boom e contestazione, tramonto della cultura tradizionale, modernità e crollo delle ideologie. Come tutti nato in un dato luogo e tempo della specie umana, con la famiglia e la ristretta cerchia sociale che lo impronta al Pensiero Locale. Da giovane ne emerge per confrontarsi col pensiero dell'umanità finché il dubbio perenne mostra la Caducità delle Ideologie e lo lascia all'attuale vuoto di idee, di valori e certezze nel religioso, nel sociale, nelle persone. Vuoto vissuto, sofferto, meditato e superato per approdare all'attuale soddisfacente concezione del cosmo, del sociale e di ognuno di noi, in un Pensiero Universale perché scientifico. Desiderata Sapienza riassume il percorso di una vita, il lettore può affiancare il suo, vederne parallelismi, similitudini e diversità: ci si può confrontare. Per capire, un poco anche per crescere.

The memoirs from three prominent men are presented here unabridged. The impeccable General Mossolov of the Imperial Court, the unwavering and very determined Prince Felix Youssoupoff, and the Bolshevik official Pavel Bykov.

One of the most celebrated sources of information about life in rural Australia in the 19th Century. .Biography of Swagman Joseph Jenkins (1818-98).

Most of the fifteen men and one woman chronicled in this work did not achieve the pinnacle of the hopes they held dear and may be looked upon as mere anecdotes in the larger scheme of history and the era in which they lived. But, for their very real everyday lives they advanced the possibilities of the world to which they were born. What was unapparent at the time, but manifest later, was that their attempts, their labors for something better, benefited the community in which they lived even without their understanding and even if it did not elevate substantially their own lives. Progress, whether personal or larger, is incremental. What often seems just a moment in time in historical review, is often the movement of change on a grander scale. Such it was for the men who brought their wealth, whether great or small, and their experiences back with them from the frozen north to the small town along the shores of the Stillaguamish River where they lived out their days.

The Original My Friend Churchey and His Sunken Island of Mu is the unpublished biography of James Churchward (1851-1936,) author of the Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Men (1926,) Lost Continent of Mu (1931,) Children of Mu (1931,) Sacred Symbols of Mu (1933,) Cosmic Forces of Mu (1934,) Second Book of the Cosmic Forces of Mu (1935) by Percy Tate Griffith, a long-time friend.This volume contains the scanned images of the original typewritten pages and supplants a previously released highly edited version.

Be inspired by this grassroots civil rights lawyer's quest for democracy, equality, and justice Born in 1947 and raised in rural South Carolina, Lewis Pitts grew up oblivious to the civil rights revolution underway across the country. A directionless white college student in 1968, Pitts committed to military service and was destined for Vietnam. Five years later--after a formative period in which he underwent an intellectual and moral awakening, was discharged as a conscientious objector, and graduated from law school--he embarked on an unlikely forty-year career as a crusading social justice attorney. The Life of a Movement Lawyer: Lewis Pitts and the Struggle for Democracy, Equality, and Justice chronicles how Pitts positively affected thousands of lives and communities, while working in various social movements and then for legal aid. These grassroots efforts included fights to end nuclear proliferation; seeking justice for victims and survivors of the Greensboro Massacre; restarting the local government in Keysville, Georgia; preserving Gullah culture on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina; and ending corruption in Robeson County, North Carolina. Beyond documenting a life well-lived and shedding light on lesser-known activists and movements, Langberg, in this thoroughly researched biography, explores problems that continue to afflict the United States today: poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, racism, police misconduct, voter suppression, child maltreatment, and corporate power. The Life of a Movement Lawyer will energize, inspire, and compel action by those who seek to continue the pursuit of justice for all.

This is the first book to tell the story of Margaret Heckler's remarkable life and the behind-the-scenes details of her biggest accomplishments. It is a thoroughly researched tribute to a woman who helped break the glass ceiling and the remarkable battles she fought to provide equality and justice for many.

Go back to a time of innocence and read about this Canadian French family that lived through the Great Depression with too many kids and an alcoholic father. Meet Memere Larose who helped to keep the family fed and told fortunes by tea leaves. Read of the humor and practical jokes that were sustaining factors in their survival. Picture some of the characters that were part of the ''Society'' in the little town of Blackstone, i.e.: Lukie and Billy C., along with some of the events that took place, such as the Horribles Parade and the ''Bonfires'' on the night before the Fourth of July.You are sure to have a laugh or two and perhaps shed a tear, but you will most likely remember this book for awhile.

Queen Katherine Parr presents a detailed and impressive portrait, not only of Katherine, but of the whole tortuous, dangerous, treacherous yet brilliant Tudor age in which she lived. An impressive portrait of Henry VIII's brilliant, but often overlooked, sixth and last wife. Perfect for fans of Tracy Borman, Alison Weir and John Guy. A devotee of Renaissance humanism, Protestant firebrand, political intriguer, wily survivor, and early campaigner for the rights of women; there are few figures in Henry VIII's court who had a greater legacy than Queen Katherine Parr. Born into an ancient and wealthy family of Northern gentry, Parr received a thorough introduction into the New Learning advocated by Erasmus and Sir Thomas More before being married off at twelve to a sixty-year-old noble who would die only three years later. She and her second husband, John Latimer, somehow managed to escape condemnation and execution when they flirted dangerously with the rebels in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Yet, it was after Latimer's death that Katherine took the greatest risk by catching the eye of that brutal monarch, Henry VIII. Antony Martienssen utilises a huge assortment of sources to illuminate the dangerous world of Henry's court, exploring how Katherine was able to stay alive and survive when so many others found their necks upon the chopping block. What makes this biography remarkable is the fact that Martienssen demonstrates that Parr was not simply a passive pawn, but a skilled navigator through the dangerous shoals of Tudor politics. Outwitting her arch-enemy, Thomas Cromwell, she was the prime factor in his disgrace and execution. As Henry's final Queen it fell to her to oversee the education of her step-children, the future Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Tutors were chosen steeped in humanism and her brand of Protestantism which particularly shaped Edward and Elizabeth's reigns. Martienssen even shows how it was through Parr's influence that Mary and Elizabeth were restored to the line of succession. 'A biography of King Henry VIII's sixth and last wife, who had the acumen to survive that formidable monarch with her neck intact. Mr Martienssen sees this much-married lady as a woman of character and intellect, a devotee of Humanism in her early life and of the Reformation in her maturity. A pioneer in the growth of feminine influence in affairs of state, Katherine, in his view, was the prime agent of Thomas Cromwell's fall, and played a leading part in moulding the character of the future Queen Elizabeth I' Sunday Telegraph Queen Katherine Parr should be essential reading for all interested in learning more about this remarkable woman, charting the course of her life as she rose from being a young northern gentlewoman to the sixth wife of Henry VIII and ending with her final years spent as guardian to her stepdaughter, Elizabeth.