Duel of Wits, first published in 1953 (and including the earlier published book Of Their Own Choice) is Peter Churchill's account of his experiences with the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.) in France during World War II. The S.O.E., similar to the American O.S.S. (predecessor of the C.I.A.) was formed to conduct espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe, and to aid local resistance movements. The book describes Churchill's training in England and his four missions into occupied France, including two harrowing night-time parachute drops and two submarine landings. Notable too is the underlying love story with Odette Sansom, another Allied agent (code-named Lise), who along with Churchill were captured, imprisoned, and tortured for two years until the war's end. Churchill's narrative ends with their capture by the Germans; his prison experiences are related in The Spirit in the Cage, published in 1954.
Defeat in the West, first published in 1948, is a well-documented, comprehensive account of Germany's loss in World War Two, based on author Milton Shulman's interviews with top German generals, corroborated by his fact-checking research (Shulman was an officer on the Intelligence Staff of the Canadian Army). As stated in the Introduction, the book's objectives were to tell the story of the defeat of the German Wehrmacht (Armed Forces) in western Europe, to investigate the causes that brought about that defeat, and to show how soldiers, from commanders to foot-soldiers, reacted to the bitter experience of defeat. Defeat in the West, unlike many books in the genre, succeeds in making this important topic understandable and is a true pleasure to read. Included are 7 maps.
Deliver Us From Evil, first published in 1956, is Dr. Tom Dooley's moving account of his humanitarian work in the newly divided Vietnam aboard U.S. Navy refugee ships and in refugee camps in the turbulent years of 1954-55. The book focuses on American efforts to evacuate Vietnamese from Communist-controlled areas, and Dooley's work in camps, hospitals and orphanages with those needing medical care. Included are 32 pages of photographs. Dooley, born in 1927, passed away in 1961 from cancer at the age of 34. Deliver Us From Evil was the first of 3 books he wrote about his experiences in Vietnam and Laos. Thomas Dooley's too-short life remains an inspiration, and was cited as an example by President John F. Kennedy during the formation of the Peace Corps. Dooley's work with orphaned children continues today via the Dooley Foundation-Intermed International.
I wrote this book for my family. It is about Angela's Life from birth to the present. How Angela managed to survive it all and came out on top.
The book covers Jim's activities when he was 19 to 22 or 23 from Los Angeles to China where he flew with the flying Tigers then the Philippines where he worked on a local paper after crashing the one plane of his illegal airline then back to California.
This book traces the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), who is rightly revered as one of the greatest of all engineers. His leading role in the transport revolution of the nineteenth century, and especially in the building of the Great Western Railway, left an indelible mark on the British landscape. His achievements captured the imagination of his contemporaries and subsequent generations, whilst his colossal energy and determination to carry out projects on the largest scale and to an extremely high standard set him apart from his rivals. Brunel tells the story both of the engineer, who followed his father Marc into what was then a new profession, and of the man. It explores his successes and failures, at home and abroad, including both the broad gauge GWR and the SS Great Eastern, as R. Angus Buchanan expertly brings out Brunel's imagination, drive and inventiveness. Above all, it sets him in the context of his times, showing both what made him who he was and how he made the most of the great opportunities offered to him.
Ice & Oil is indeed a biography of an unlikely titan. Meet Dan Murphy, the man who shaped Los Angeles as the 19th century turned into the 20th century Murphy and his endeavors parallel the history of California. But, because he's shunned renown his name is virtually unknown. Author Joseph Francis Ryan delves into the complex life of Dan Murphy, businessman-turned-tycoon: Mentored by Southern Pacific's Charles Crocker, he built the town of Needles the transfer point for a second transcontinental railroad. His ingenuity made it possible to transport citrus across the country. He honored Mojave culture in and the Native American's respect. He saved the day when Edward Doheny needed money for his oil company. His California Portland Cement Company provided cement for Los Angeles just as it was becoming a 20th century metropolis and for the construction of Boulder dam. "Another important piece of California history has emerged."
Conquer: The Story Of Ninth Army 1944-1945, first published in 1947, is a comprehensive history of the U.S. 9th Army from September 1944, to the end of the war in Europe and the unit's occupation of Germany. Detailed are the 9th Army's activities in Brest and Brittany, the November Offensive, and crossings of the Rhine, Ruhr and Elbe Rivers. Included are numerous photographs and maps, a chronology of events from May 22, 1944 to October 10, 1945, listings of key Headquarters personnel, officers and enlisted men, and unit statistics.
C. Blaine Hyatt spent hours in his father's repair shop as a boy, listening to others tell fascinating stories.Fascinated by their strategies for navigating challenges-and the times in which they lived-he set about writing this collection of stories to preserve their collective history.One lesson he hopes readers will take away is that the things of this world do not matter in the big picture. No one cares what kind of car you have or what position you held. None of the things of this world that we often place so much value on matter much, if at all.When all is said and done, there are really only two things that last: What we have become and the legacy we leave-as in the effect, either good or bad, we have had on others.As you read these stories, the author hopes you will be aware that the water in your life is still flowing under your bridge. Take the time to become who and what you want to be and consider what legacy you will leave with others.
The Coastwatchers, originally published in 1946, is the story of the brave men and women who served behind enemy lines as observers and reporters of enemy movements in the South Pacific during Wold War II. Their dedication in the face of numerous daunting challenges - betrayal by natives, capture by the Japanese, and isolation and loneliness - remains inspiring to this day. Their efforts were critical to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.The Coastwatchers was written immediately after the war by Eric Feldt, the first commander of the operation code-named Ferdinand. His intimate knowledge of the operation, and his familiarity with the islands and their people, provide a unique perspective on this important piece of military history. Included in this edition are the original maps, plus a new Introduction by Steve W. Chadde and several pages of photographs.
Jane Eyre is a classic Gothic novel by Charlotte Brontë, published in 1847 under the pseudonym Currer Bell. The novel tells the story of Jane Eyre, an orphaned girl who is raised by her cruel aunt and then sent to a harsh boarding school. After years of suffering, Jane takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall, the home of the brooding and mysterious Mr. Rochester. Jane and Mr. Rochester fall in love, but their happiness is short-lived when Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester is already married to a mentally ill woman who is hidden away in the attic. Torn between her love for Mr. Rochester and her moral principles, Jane flees Thornfield and begins a new life for herself. Jane Eyre is a powerful and moving story of love, loss, and redemption. It is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows. Here are some of the things that make Jane Eyre so special:The compelling characters: Jane Eyre is a strong and independent heroine who is not afraid to stand up for herself. Mr. Rochester is a complex and fascinating figure who is both passionate and flawed.The gothic atmosphere: Thornfield Hall is a dark and mysterious place that is full of secrets. The novel is full of suspense and surprises.The timeless themes: Jane Eyre explores themes of love, loss, faith, and identity that are still relevant today. If you are looking for a classic novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, Jane Eyre is the perfect book for you.
Can Do!, first published in 1944, is a fascinating account of the formation and Second World War activities of the U.S. Navy 'Seabees' (from 'C.B.' - construction battalion). The book covers projects of the Seabees throughout the South Pacific, the Aleutian Islands, and in Italy, as well as numerous personal stories of the men as they faced enemy attacks, for example, while attempting to construct vital island runways. Their skill and competence in critical trades such as construction, engineering, pipe-laying, electricity, and plumbing, and their positive 'Can Do!' attitude in the face of danger and difficult conditions were critical in the Allied effort to win the war and remain an inspiration to younger generations. This unabridged reprint edition includes 70 pages of drawings and photographs of Seabee activities throughout the world.
"We Can Take It", first published in 1935, is an early history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.). The C.C.C., considered one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's most successful New Deal programs, operated from 1933 to 1942 and provided natural resource-related work for young men, ages 18-25, during the Great Depression. In the program's nine years, 3 million young men participated in the C.C.C. In return for their work, the men received training in a variety of skills, living quarters, clothing, and food, and a small wage of $30 a month ($25 of which had to be sent home to their families). The accomplishments of the C.C.C. remain evident today in the nation's national forests, parks, roads and trails. Included are 10 pages of well-executed pen and ink illustrations.In "We Can Take It", author Ray Hoyt provides an on-the-scene look at the C.C.C. several years after its formation. He was with the men in camp, ate at their mess tables, and read thousands of letters describing their work, their play, their reactions to camp life and their officers, and their thoughts about their families at home and about their government. The book attempts to capture both the tangibles of the program - what the men achieved - as well as the "spirit" of the C.C.C. As the author states, "It is hoped that this short story of the C.C.C. will call general attention to a nation's great attempt to conserve the 'national resources' of the country; to the thousands of young men who are participating in this gigantic 'experiment' in natural and human conservation and rehabilitation; and to the new patriotism that has sprung from their contact with nature, government, and the need of a job."
Berlin Command, first published in 1950, is Brig. General Frank Howley's account of his four-year tenure in post-World War II Berlin with the U.S. Military Government. Filled with stories of Soviet complicity in undermining Allied efforts to rebuild the city, the book is throughout a testament to the ideals of freedom and democracy and the American determination to remain in Berlin, even though surrounded by a hostile opponent willing to lie, cheat, kidnap, rape, and steal to achieve its ends. Howley oversaw Allied efforts to counter the Soviets, and was instrumental in organizing massive airlifts of food, heating fuel, and other supplies that meant survival for the hungry, cold Berliners. General Howley was an unsung hero of the early Cold War period, and Berlin Command is a fascinating account of this historic period when Europe's fate was still being decided.
This book tells the story of how a Swedish diplomat who saved the lives of thousands of Jews in Hungary became a symbol after his disappearance in January 1945. A variety of aspects are analysed, including secret diplomacy and representations of Wallenberg on film and television as well as in monuments. -- .
This first volume presents the lives and careers of 13 men who held the two highest ranks in Hitler's Sturmabteilung from its inception in 1920 until the defeat of the Third Reich in 1945. It is the first and only comprehensive examination of the senior SA leadership. Sir Ian Kershaw writes of the series: "I know of no comparable compilation."
'A thrilling biography, filled with the imperial ambitions and merciless intrigues' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORECleopatra: lover, seductress, and Egypt's greatest queen.A woman more myth than history, immortalized in poetry, drama, music, art, and film.She captivated Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, the two greatest Romans of the day, and died in a blaze of glory, with an asp clasped to her breast - or so the legend tells us.But the real-life story of the historical Cleopatra VII is even more compelling. She was the last of seven Cleopatras who ruled Egypt before it was subsumed into the Roman Empire. The seven Cleopatras were the powerhouses of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the Macedonian family who ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great. Emulating the practices of the gods, the Cleopatras married their full-blood brothers and dominated the normally patriarchal world of politics and warfare. These extraordinary women keep a close grip on power in the wealthiest country of the ancient world.Each of the seven Cleopatras wielded absolute power. Their ruthless, single-minded, focus on dominance - generation after generation - resulted in extraordinary acts of betrayal, violence, and murder in the most malfunctional dynasty in history. Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones offers fresh and powerful insight into the real story of the Cleopatras, and the beguiling and tragic legend of the last queen of Egypt.Praise for The Cleopatras:'A real treat for those who relish epic histories of family power' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE'Admirably readable' ROBIN LANE FOX'Unlocks the fascinating history of many queens' KARA COONEY 'A vivid account' ADRIAN DODSON
A biography of the remarkable, and in her time scandalous, seventeenth-century writer Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle.
Sniper Jackson, first published in 1919, is a first-hand account of trench fighting in Belgium and France in World War One. The book, although somewhat fictionalized, details the activities of a group of British soldiers facing the Germans across a deadly No Man's Land. One soldier, "Sniper Jackson", is a keen marksman and his role and importance in the skirmishes are well-described, a rarely described aspect of most books on World War One. The book also details the close-knit camaraderie among the soldiers, a factor which helped them survive the miserable conditions of the trenches, and the dangers they faced from artillery attacks and enemy advances.
Air Base, first published in 1941 by aviator Boone Guyton, is a fascinating look at the U.S. Navy's flying fleet shortly before Pearl Harbor and America's entry into the Second World War. In a style ranging from amusing to tragic and harrowing, Guyton describes his experiences as a Navy flyer. Following a year of flight-training at Pensacola, Guyton is based in San Diego with a carrier squadron aboard the Lexington and Saratoga. He describes the training cruises of the ship, the patrol flights, dive bombers, and war games, providing insight into the prewar Navy air force. Included are 8 pages of photographs. Following his naval service, Boone Guyton (1913-1996) worked as a test pilot in France until 1940. He returned to the U.S. and continued his work as a test pilot for Vought with the F4 Corsair. Following the war, Guyton settled in Connecticut and continued working as an executive for several aviation companies.
This is the biography of Australia's first naval architect, Walter Reeks (1861 - 1925). A man who produced innovative, sometimes unorthodox designs across a broad range of vessels, from commercial craft to recreational yachts. Best known as the pioneer of the Sydney fleet of ferries, Reeks rose to prominence immediately after his arrival in Sydney from Liverpool in 1885. He went on to design more than 300 vessels up until his death in 1925 at the age of 64. Clients included the well-heeled to those with less resources. Craft were built throughout Australia and New Zealand, many becoming stalwarts of local, regional, state and national trading routes and industries. Others went on to win coveted yachting titles, some with Reeks at the helm. Despite these professional successes and his wide-reaching acclaim, this is also the story of sorrow and tragedy, the death at a young age of his first wife Mary in 1895, and the murder of his son Kent in 1914 casting large, grieving shadows on Reeks' family life. Yet, this is the story of a man who not only achieved so much professionally but was a dedicated supporter and protagonist of maritime pursuits throughout Australia, as well as to engineering, education and volunteering more generally. Reeks was a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for over 40 years, being made a life member in 1900, serving as vice-commodore between 1906 and 1910, and notably being its official measurer for an unsurpassed stint of 39 years. During this period, Reeks also designed many of Sydney's leading yachts and investigated the potential for an Australian challenge to the America's Cup, a dream he was still chasing some four decades later. A life of serving, adventure, cutting-edge innovation, risk-taking and saying 'Yes!' are highlights of Reeks' journey. While his achievements, as we reflect back on his career, are immense, their collective weight and worthiness would likely not have been realised by Reeks himself. They were just the next project, the next step forward, the next outcome, the next compromise between the practical and the ideal, between his design parameters and his client's needs. It was definitely a life well lived and one worth telling.
The Crucible: An Autobiography by "Colonel Yay", first published in 1950, is the dramatic firsthand memoir of Filipina-American Yay Panlilio's (1913-1978) time in the Philippines with the resistance group known as "Marking's Guerrillas." The book includes descriptions of encounters with the Japanese army, espionage, sabotage, constant moving to avoid capture, torture and execution, communication with Allied forces, the struggle to obtain adequate food and medical supplies, and also the romance between Yay Panlilio and former boxer Marcos Augustin, the determined leader of the guerrilla force (and Yay's future husband). In 1945, Ms. Panlilio returned to the U.S. With her children. Overall, an insightful and moving account of the day-to-day struggles of a brave band of Filipino fighters against a brutal, uncompromising opponent.
"Becoming A Better You: Know Plato and How to Use His Wisdom" by Elliot Hawthorne is a transformative journey into the philosophy of Plato, tailored for the modern reader. It presents 80 of Plato's most impactful quotes, offering a practical, easy-to-read format that demonstrates their relevance in today's world. This book is essential for anyone seeking self-improvement and a deeper understanding of life, providing invaluable insights into self-mastery, character development, and personal responsibility. Hawthorne's interpretation of Plato's teachings is not just a study of ancient philosophy, but a guide to living a purposeful, informed life in our fast-paced world.
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