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History and Current EventsNovember 2014
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"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." ~ Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English writer
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New and Recently Released!
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| An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America by Nick BunkerIn this balanced and well documented account, historian Nick Bunker lays out the economic, social, and political issues that led to the American Revolution. Emphasizing the factors that contributed to Parliament's failure to understand the politics and economic growth in the North American colonies, and explaining the impact of Britain's monetary crisis of 1772, Bunker demonstrates the historic complexities of the Revolution. Engaging and accessible, An Empire on the Edge includes informative portraits of key leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. Especially for those not already familiar with movements in England at the time, this book offers an eye-opening perspective on the events leading to the Boston Tea Party. |
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| Rickey & Robinson: The True, Untold Story of the Integration of Baseball by Roger KahnIn Rickey & Robinson, award-winning sports reporter Roger Kahn draws on his detailed notes from the 1940s and '50s to create a vivid portrait of Brooklyn Dodgers' General Manager Branch Rickey and black baseball player Jackie Robinson, who brought about the integration of Major League Baseball. Though the story of baseball's integration is well known, Kahn, who was a close friend of both men, adds a personal touch to this account, in addition to details drawn from his records and his extensive research in Rickey's archives. Anyone interested in the history of integration, sports history, or the lives of Robinson and Rickey will find this a compelling and informative dual biography. |
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| The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan by Jenny NordbergIn traditional Afghan culture, families rejoice when a boy is born, while the arrival of a baby girl may provoke mourning -- especially if the family has no male children. In order to raise a family's status, as well as for practical reasons, a girl may be dressed and live as a boy according to a custom called bacha posh. Investigative journalist Jenny Nordberg details this practice -- and its effects on the girls -- in this account, which focuses on the experiences of several different bacha posh women. The Underground Girls of Kabul provides a gripping narrative that highlights the importance of women's rights for promoting peace. For a well-researched novel featuring this subject, read Nadia Hashimi's The Pearl That Broke Its Shell. |
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| Thirteen Days in September: Carter, Begin, and Sadat at Camp David by Lawrence WrightIn September 1978, President Jimmy Carter brought representatives of Israel and Egypt together at Camp David (the U.S. president's retreat in Maryland) and persuaded them to sign a peace treaty. In this detailed, authoritative account, author Lawrence Wright provides a compelling day-by-day chronicle of the two weeks in which President Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat negotiated the historic agreement, which prepared the ground for subsequent progress in Middle Eastern peace. Providing character profiles of the participants and commentary on how Judaism, Islam, and Christianity influenced the negotiations, Wright vividly dramatizes and humanizes the momentous conference in Thirteen Days in September, offering a "quite moving testament" (Booklist) to the achievement. |
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I am Malala : the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban
by Malala Yousafzai
Documents the educational pursuits of the Nobel Peace Prize nominee who became an international symbol of hope and inspiration when she challenged the traditions of her Pakistan community, offering insight into the influential role of her courageous father. 125,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
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Killing Patton : the strange death of World War II's most audacious general
by Bill O'Reilly
The anchor of cable's The O'Reilly Factor and a best-selling historian explore the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of General George S. Patton after the war and describe the powerful people who may have wanted him out of the way. By the best-selling authors of Killing Jesus.
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| With Wings Like Eagles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain by Michael KordaThis in-depth history of World War II's Battle of Britain draws on the firsthand perspectives of pilots, ground crews, and commanders, but although author Michael Korda details the fighting from both British and German viewpoints, he emphasizes the period leading up to the 1940 battle. Central to the RAF's readiness to defend Britain was the work of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, who spent years building an integrated air defense system for England, training his pilots, and preventing the politicians from diverting his resources to France. If you're interested in the preparations that assured British success, as well as a thrilling account of the air battle, try With Wings Like Eagles. |
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Tudors : the history of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I
by Peter Ackroyd
This richly woven tapestry of the English Reformation, the making of the Anglican Church and the age of the Tudors follows Henry VIII's relentless pursuit of both the perfect wife and the perfect heir, the brief reign of teenage king, Edward VI and the long reign of Elizabeth I. 40,000 first printing.
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Foundation : the history of England from its earliest beginnings to the Tudors
by Peter Ackroyd
The award-winning author of Thames: Sacred River presents a first entry in a best-selling six-volume epic tracing the birth of England, documenting the region's primeval origins through the death of Henry VII to provide coverage of such topics as the construction of Stonehenge, the establishment of common law and the roles of successive invasions. 40,000 first printing
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