Learning at our libraries
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New and Recently Released!
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| The dog who could fly: the incredible true story of a WWII airman and... by Damien LewisThe Dog Who Could Fly describes how Czech airman Robert Bozdech survived a crash in France in 1939 and saved his pilot's life. The two men then rescued a German Shepherd puppy, which became Bozdech's constant companion, even in the air. As Bozdech flew for both France and the RAF, his dog, Antis, saved his life several times, and the airman also saved the dog. Mining Bozdech's memoirs and other papers, author Damien Lewis relates the enthralling, heart-stopping story of Antis' and Bozdech's adventures throughout the war. For another fascinating account of a dog's bond with his soldier -- from 2004 in Iraq -- read Sergeant Rex, co-authored by Lewis and Mike Dowling. |
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Female tommies: the frontline women of the First World War
by Elizabeth Shipton
This book tells the story of women in the First World War at the front line, under fire, and in combat. Through their diaries, letters and memoirs, meet the women who defied convention and followed their convictions to defend the less fortunate and fight for their country.
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Operation Tabarin: Britain's secret wartime expedition to Antarctica, 1944-46
by Stephen Haddelsey
Based upon contemporary sources, including official reports and the diaries and letters of the participants, Operation Tabarin tells for the first time the story of this, the only Antarctic expedition to be launched by any of the combatant nations during the Second World War and one of the most curious episodes in what Ernest Shackleton called 'the white warfare of the south'.
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The darkest days: the truth behind Britain's rush to war, 1914
by Douglas J. Newton
A critical account of the radical and influential opposition to World War I draws on personal sources by key figures on both sides of the debate to chronicle the frenetic weeks between the Sarajevo assassination and Britain's declaration of war, citing the roles of leaders and the press in the failures of diplomatic measures.
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The new emperors: power and the princelings in China
by Kerry Brown
China has become the powerhouse of the world economy and home to 1 in 5 of the world's population, yet we know almost nothing of the people who lead it. How does one become the leader of the world's newest superpower? And who holds the real power in the Chinese system? In The New Dragons, the noted China expert Kerry Brown journeys deep into the heart of the secretive Communist Party. China's system might have its roots in peasant rebellion but it is now firmly under the control of a power-conscious Beijing elite, almost half of whose members are related directly to former senior Party leaders.
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| A spy among friends: Kim Philby and the great betrayal by Ben MacintyreThe revelation in 1963 that British MI6 agent Kim Philby had betrayed Britain to the Soviets for decades, rocked the Western intelligence community. In A Spy Among Friends, acclaimed journalist Ben Macintyre portrays Philby's extensive career and analyzes both his motives for selling out his country and why his treason went undetected for so long. This fascinating account delves into the gentlemen's club that was MI6 at the time Philby worked there - upper-crust acceptance of a man who was "one of us" protected Philby from exposure. Anyone interested in Cold War history or the annals of spycraft will find Macintyre's account both riveting and chilling. |
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Inside Syria: the backstory of their civil war and what the world can expect
by Reese W. Erlich
Through his many contacts inside Syria, the author reveals who is supporting Assad and why; he describes the agendas of the rebel factions; and he depicts in stark terms the dire plight of many ordinary Syrian people caught in the cross-fire. The book also provides insights into the role of the Kurds, the continuing influence of Iran, and the policies of US leaders who seem interested only in protecting US regional interests. As Erlich shows, current events in Syria can be best understood by looking at Syria's recent history, especially the roles of key historic figures.
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| Virtual unreality: just because the internet told you, how do you know it's true? by Charles SeifeThe Internet disseminates facts, opinions, and outright fraud, and its questionable reliability has become a significant concern in public discourse. In Virtual Unreality, journalism professor Charles Seife describes in detail how information on the Internet can be falsified, manipulated, and perpetuated. Providing concrete examples of Internet fakery, Seife serves as an engaging and witty guide through the wilderness of digital information, both reliable and fraudulent. Virtual Unreality doesn't suggest that people avoid using the Internet for research, but does provide techniques for identifying the useful and verifiable sites and services - how to find the wheat amid all that chaff. |
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"Haiti should remind us all that there is an immediate need to invest in and promote long-term development projects that are sustainable, scalable, and proven to work." ~ Bill Gates, American entrepreneur
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| A.D.: New Orleans after the deluge by Josh NeufeldIn A.D., author and artist Josh Neufeld mines blogs and interviews to weave together multiple accounts of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Most of the people whose stories he includes in this graphic format account stayed in the city through the flood, though a few were evacuated. All but one lost everything, and that resident, a doctor whose house was above flood level, opened a clinic in his home. Neufeld's drawings and the comments he transcribes - occasionally including strong language - powerfully represent both the emotional impact and the material losses of the disaster. |
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| Ghosts of Vesuvius: a new look at the last days of Pompeii by Charles PellegrinoWhen Mt. Vesuvius destroyed the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, people had little understanding of volcanoes. The doomed citizens went about their business until they succumbed to the eruption's rain of hot ash and gasses. Since then, scientists have learned much more about volcanoes and the causes of other catastrophes - such as the collapse of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Keeping the Vesuvius disaster as his focal point, author Charles Pellegrino engagingly discusses the science of various catastrophes and identifies information that could prove helpful in preventing or recovering from future disasters. "A compelling fusion of pioneering science and poignant reflection," declares Booklist in a starred review. |
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| A sea in flames: the Deepwater Horizon oil blowout by Carl SafinaIn A Sea in Flames, world-renowned oceanographer (and MacArthur "Genius Award" recipient) Carl Safina discusses the 2010 Gulf of Mexico BP oil-spill disaster, including the shoddy work and safety rules that caused the event and the ineffective responses by big business and government officials after it happened. He addresses the spill's environmental impact on the many animals and people nearby, as well as the negative effects on tourism and fishing that resulted from publicity. He also points to an ongoing disaster: the global effects of other environmental pollution sources, including farm and industrial runoff and water control measures such as levees. A passionate and sobering chronicle of man-made destruction leading to natural degradation. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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