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Master Your Voice: My Personal Approach to More Skill and Depth in Singing - Beyond Perfect Technique!
by Freya CaseyIf singing is your passion, you're always on the lookout for anything that can help you stay inspired and motivated on your quest to become the best singer you can possibly be. Becoming a world-class singer doesn't just mean you have a solid technique, but mastering your mind as well as your body are also key elements for success. In my personal experience of being a professional singer on stage for a few decades, having performed in opera theatre as well as cover bands all over the world, I have learned what it takes to stand out and how to find my identity as a singer. I share my story and want to help you write your own success story. No more struggles with technique, mindset, and staying on the ball! <P><P>Your voice is more than an instrument. It's a reflection of your personality, hopes, dreams, and fears. This book will help you get one step closer to finding your uniqueness as a singer and having more confidence in the beauty of your voice.
Sweet Feet: Samantha Gordon's Winning Season
by Samantha Gordon Ari BrueningTen-year-old Samantha "Sweet Feet" Gordon isn't just a girl who plays football. She's also the best player in a league full of boys and has become an online sensation. Known for flying past the defense to reach the end zone 35 times while racking up almost 2,000 yards in one season, Sam's YouTube highlight reel made her an overnight sensation. <P><P>Appearing in her own Super Bowl commercial and on ESPN, Good Morning America, and Cartoon Network, Sam's attitude that girls can do anything, has inspired people across the world, from the U.S. women's soccer team to NFL greats to other kids just like her. She even got her own Wheaties box--the first one to ever feature a female football player. Sam's courage on and off the football field has lead her to greatness, but there were times when it wasn't easy. Readers will hear Sam Gordon's take on her love of football, her rise to fame, and her hopes for the future in this exciting autobiography full of stories and photos that will inspire all kids to go for their dreams.
Exploring Haydn: A Listener's Guide to Music's Boldest Innovator (Unlocking the Masters #6)
by David HurwitzNo composer has ever achieved the amazing progression that Haydn has. He invented the string quartet as we know it today, became “the Father of the Symphony ” and founded the greatest school in the history of music. His life was one of ceaseless experimentation and invention, of problems surmounted and challenges met. In this book, No. 6 in the Amadeus Press Unlocking the Masters series, David Hurwitz acquaints readers with Haydn's innovative melodic creativity, his revolutionary use of musical form, and important characteristics of his personal style, including his genius for writing in minor keys and creating comedy in his music. In addition to Haydn's principal instrumental works, Hurwitz explores Haydn's vocal music and instrumental masterpieces that fall outside the mainstream. Four appendixes list all of his symphonies, string quartets, piano sonatas, and piano trios. Over two and a half hours of music keyed to pieces described in the book are available online using the unique code in each book.
Todo marcha sobre ruedas: Testimonio de un renacer
by María Paz DíazTestimonio de superación de la ex tenista paralímpica y modelo María Paz Díaz. A los dieciocho años, cuando regresaba de una fiesta, María Paz Díaz recibió un impacto de bala a la altura de la cintura que dañó parte de su médula espinal. El autor del disparo fue un gendarme que portaba su arma de servicio. «¿Por qué lo hizo?» es la gran pregunta que ella y sus familiares se hicieron, y que hasta el día de hoy se mantiene sin respuesta. Esa misma noche, y mientras luchaba por mantenerse con vida en el hospital de Talca, Marita supo que no volvería a caminar. Pese al dolor y a la impotencia, pese a las innumerables dificultades y sinsabores que tuvo que enfrentar, esta mujer, que ahora tiene 31 años, no se rindió y luchó cada día por tener una existencia luminosa y cumplir sus sueños. Con esfuerzo y tenacidad recobró su independencia, fue tenista paralímpica, modelo sobre ruedas y logró viajar por el mundo recogiendo experiencias. Ahora, a trece años de su accidente, ha decidido contar toda su verdad en este libro.
Memoir of an Imam: The Extraordinary Spiritual Journey of Moussa Kone
by Moussa Kone“One day I asked my father, a respected Imam, a question: ‘If, this evening, you or I died, would we go to heaven?’ He replied: ‘Son, I don’t know, and we cannot know before our deeds, good and evil, are weighed on the scale of deeds.’ Thus stirred by an ardent desire for certitude for the fate of my soul, I threw myself into a thorough study of both the Koran and the Bible, the results of which I recount in this book.” Follow Moussa as he relates the turbulent and supernatural events that led to his meeting with Almighty God. His inspiring journey testifies to the extraordinary manner in which the Creator reveals Himself to each and every person who searches for Him sincerely and with all their heart.
Scars Don't Hurt: A Story of Triumph Over Sexual Abuse
by Blake DavidsonBased on the author&’s compelling true story of being freed from years of sexual abuse by her brother and forgiving him, Scars Don&’t Hurt chronicles Davidson&’s battle and ultimate victory over tragic circumstances. Born into a Mennonite family and defiled from the ages of 4 to 13, Davidson writes: &“The greatest gift God has ever given me in my life is a healing so perfect, so miraculous and so complete, that I can rejoice that my abuser&’s been forgiven…There are many people in the world who would wish someone like him a spot in the hottest of hell, but I am glad to know a God who will forgive sins as grave as this.&” Written in an easy-to-read style, Scars Don&’t Hurt is not only the author&’s story of redemption from sexual abuse, it also tells the stories of three generations&’ victory through faith in Jesus Christ over broken relationships, financial ruin, and emotional upheaval. Scars Don&’t Hurt is a must-read for anyone who has faced sexual abuse, childhood trauma or insurmountable odds and looked to overcome them through the power of forgiveness and redemption. About the author: Margaret Davidson lives in St. Catharines, Ontario. Married since 1963, she and her husband, Bill, have three children. Her message is one of love and total forgiveness.
Rescatados del Leviatan: Conquistando Tu Libertad Del Trauma Emocional A Través De La Palabra De Dios
by Amanda Mendez¿Te has encontrado atrapado en las mentiras del enemigo y su encarcelamiento mental? ¿Luchas con el abuso emocional o físico o el abandono? Al confiar en Jesús, puedes vencer la vergüenza y la culpa que han gobernado tu vida por años. Por medio de su propia historia en Rescatados del Leviatán, y con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, Amanda Méndez te muestra cómo matar al monstruo que intenta destruirte. Comienza a asesinar a la bestia de la condenación, y descubre la paz y la liberación de Leviatán hoy.
Portraits from the French Renaissance and the Wars of Religion (Early Modern Studies #3)
by André ThevetAvailable for the first time in English, these thirteen selections from André Thevet’s Les vrais pourtraits et vies des hommes illustres offer a glimpse of France during a time of great upheaval. Originally published in 1584, Thevet’s collection contains over two hundred biographical sketches, detailing the lives of important persons from antiquity to the sixteenth century. Edward Benson and Roger Schlesinger have translated and annotated Thevet’s portraits of his contemporaries, and divided them into three categories: monarchs, aristocrats, and scholars. Additionally, an extensive introduction places the work in context and describes the critical attention that Thevet and his writings have received. Together these portraits provide a history of sixteenth-century France as the country underwent tremendous change: from an intellectual renaissance and its first encounter with the New World to the Protestant Reformation and the Wars of Religion that followed. France was irrevocably altered by these events and Thevet’s account of the lives of individuals who struggled with them is indispensable.
Starting From Home: A Writer's Beginnings
by Milton MeltzerThe noted author discusses his life, recalling his family's history in Poland, New York, and Massachussetts, and providing details of the Depression, labor riots, and his growing awareness of anti-Semitism and how this shaped his writing
Thrifty Green: Ease Up on Energy, Food, Water, Trash, Transit, Stuff—and Everybody Wins
by Priscilla ShortHow one woman&’s year living off the grid made her think about conservation in a whole new way—and how to apply what she learned to your own lifestyle. Priscilla Short lived off the grid for a year in a strawbale house in Taos, New Mexico, with no electricity, no running water, and a wood-burning stove for heat. At the end of the year, Short returned home to Denver committed to making a smaller ecological footprint by consuming less and conserving more. In Thrifty Green, Short offers a unique, resource-by-resource approach that shows us that the best way to practice conservation, the real win-win, involves saving money as we lighten up. This book will help you make crucial decisions about transportation, heat, power, light, water, food, and garbage. Peppered with examples of people living both on and off the grid, eccentric and ordinary, who are deliberately making choices to live with less, Thrifty Green is much more than a how-to book. It is a conscientious guide to the art of going green that includes a wealth of terrific tips, fun facts, and straightforward strategies that will make you think about conservation in a whole new way.
The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance
by Josh WaitzkinJosh Waitzkin knows what it means to be at the top of his game. A public figure since winning his first National Chess Championship at the age of nine, Waitzkin was catapulted into a media whirlwind as a teenager when his father's book Searching for Bobby Fischer was made into a major motion picture. After dominating the scholastic chess world for ten years, Waitzkin expanded his horizons, taking on the martial art Tai Chi Chuan and ultimately earning the title of World Champion. How was he able to reach the pinnacle of two disciplines that on the surface seem so different? "I've come to realize that what I am best at is not Tai Chi, and it is not chess," he says. "What I am best at is the art of learning." In his riveting new book, The Art of Learning, Waitzkin tells his remarkable story of personal achievement and shares the principles of learning and performance that have propelled him to the top -- twice. With a narrative that combines heart-stopping martial arts wars and tense chess face-offs with life lessons that speak to all of us, The Art of Learning takes readers through Waitzkin's unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process. Rather than focusing on climactic wins, Waitzkin reveals the inner workings of his everyday method, from systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs, to honing techniques into states of remarkable potency, to mastering the art of performance psychology. Through his own example, Waitzkin explains how to embrace defeat and make mistakes work for you. Does your opponent make you angry? Waitzkin describes how to channel emotions into creative fuel. As he explains it, obstacles are not obstacles but challenges to overcome, to spur the growth process by turning weaknesses into strengths. He illustrates the exact routines that he has used in all of his competitions, whether mental or physical, so that you too can achieve your peak performance zone in any competitive or professional circumstance. In stories ranging from his early years taking on chess hustlers as a seven year old in New York City's Washington Square Park, to dealing with the pressures of having a film made about his life, to International Chess Championships in India, Hungary, and Brazil, to gripping battles against powerhouse fighters in Taiwan in the Push Hands World Championships, The Art of Learning encapsulates an extraordinary competitor's life lessons in a page-turning narrative.
Rompe tu círculo: Por que tú eres el autor de tu destino
by Raúl Molinar Univision Interactive MediaA través de las ondas radiales Raúl Molinar #El Bueno#, del popular show matutino #El Bueno La Mala y El Feo# ha podido formar parte de la vida de sus oyentes. #Cada día me levanto con el ánimo y la disposición de colaborar de alguna forma para que esta vida sea un poquito más llevadera. Pero sentía que faltaba algo, que todavía podía hacer más# Y ése es el objetivo de este libro#. A través de las páginas de Rompe tu círculo el lector descubrirá anécdotas de la vida de #El Bueno#, así como algunos de los métodos que ha utilizado para alcanzar su objetivo, desde la pareja ideal, hasta la estabilidad económica. El autor revela cómo, gracias a una aventura prohibida, encontró al amor de su vida. Habla sin tapujos de los malabares que tuvo que hacer antes de convertirse en locutor# y de seguir adelante con su sueño. #Seguramente te vas a identificar con algunas historias, te reirás con otras y en ciertos casos, puede que te sorprendas descubriendo mis flaquezas. Pues soy como tú, con mis luces y mis sombras#, confiesa. Raúl ha vivido momentos de gloria y otros que han sido un verdadero calvario. Ha tenido aciertos y ha cometido muchos errores. Pero la gran lección que comparte es que siempre hay luz al final del túnel. Siempre hay una nueva oportunidad para romper esos círculos que nos hacen daño, que envenenan el alma y nos impiden ser feliz. En Rompe tu círculo Raúl te invita a que cambies las excusas y tragedias del pasado por la esperanza en el futuro. #Espero que estas líneas te sirvan de compañía para esas noches más oscuras y esos días grises. Te den la motivación para ir por tus sueños, por más locos que parezcan #dice el autor#. Espero que este libro te sirva de inspiración al darte cuenta de que, si un morrito de Chihuahua pudo hacerla, ¡pos, tú también puedes! La llave maestra del éxito la tienes en tus manos. Acuérdate que a cada puerco le llega su Navidad#.
Desde el país de los blancos
by Ousman UmarTras un duro viaje de cinco años cruzando el continente africano y el mar, Ousman relata la segunda parte de su historia, y quizá la más dolorosa y difícil: sobrevivir en el País de los Blancos. A los trece años partí desde la selva de Ghana hacia el País de los Blancos. Tras cinco años, en los que crucé el desierto y después el mar en patera, llegué a Barcelona. No imaginaba que entonces iba a empezar lo peor y, tiempo después, lo mejor. Viví en la jungla de cemento e indiferencia, dormí en la calle, pasé hambre, frío y miedo y me enfrenté al racismo. Pero también viví la feliz acogida de mi familia catalana. Aprendí a leer y escribir, me puse a estudiar y comencé a trabajar. Incluso fui a la universidad. Pero cuanto más sabía, más interrogantes me surgían. ¿Por qué se ha congelado la montaña?,me pregunté al ver la nieve por primera vez. ¿Entonces Dios no creó el mundo en siete días?, me planteé cuando me explicaron la teoría del Big Bang. Cuando iba al supermercado no veía comida, sino una sucesión de objetos de colores vivos alineados, pero ¿dónde se podía coger una cabra? He explorado muchos puntos de vista a lo largo de todo este tiempo: el chamanismo, el cristianismo, el islam y la ciencia. Y he aprendido que, al final, todos los seres humanos somos iguales: no hay nada más importante que el amor y disfrutar de la vidasin hacer daño a los demás. Y que el éxito no es más que una acumulación de fracasos sin perder la ilusión. Reseñas:«Un duro viaje de ida y vuelta que migrantes y sociedades de acogida deben conocer.»Ana Pastor «La historia de Ousman Umar es una de las más hermosas que la radio me ha permitido compartir. Sé que muchos oyentes han estado al borde de las lágrimas. Yo, también. Ya les aviso que se van a emocionar con su historia.»Julia Otero «Ousman era un niño que un día, en su Ghana natal, vio volar un avión. Desde entonces la curiosidad le empujó a cruzar el Mediterráneo y viajar hasta el País de los Blancos. Esta es su historia: la historia de un superviviente.»Gemma Nierga «El relato de Ousman comparte con los miles de migrantes que cada año se la juegan para llegar a Europa el dolor, el miedo, la injusticia, el racismo y el sufrimiento. Sentimientos provocados por situaciones que narra con una naturalidad pasmosa.»Antònia Justícia, La Vanguardia
Des del país dels blancs
by Ousman UmarDesprés d'un viatge dur de cinc anys travessant el continent africà i el mar, Ousman relata la segona part de la seva història, i potser la més dolorosa i difícil: sobreviure al País dels Blancs. Amb tretze anys vaig marxar de la selva de Ghana cap al País dels Blancs. Després de cinc anys, en els quals vaig creuar el desert i tot seguit el mar en pastera, vaig arribar a Barcelona. No imaginava que aleshores començaria el pitjor i, passat un temps, el millor. Vaig viure a la jungla de ciment i d'indiferència, vaig dormir al carrer, vaig passar fam, fred i por i em vaig enfrontar al racisme. Però també vaig viure el feliç acolliment de la meva família catalana. Vaig aprendre a llegir i a escriure, em vaig posar a estudiar i vaig començar a treballar. Fins i tot vaig anar a la universitat. Però com més sabia, més interrogants m'apareixien. "Per què s'ha congelat la muntanya?", vaig preguntar-me en veure la neu per primera vegada. "Llavors Déu no va crear el món en set dies?", vaig plantejar-me quan em van explicar la teoria del big-bang. Quan anava al supermercat no veia menjar, sinó una successió d'objectes de colors vius alineats, però on es podia agafar una cabra? He explorat molts punts de vista al llarg de tot aquest temps: el xamanisme, el cristianisme, l'islam i la ciència. I he après que, al final, tots els éssers humans som iguals: no hi ha res més important que l'amor i el gaudi de la vida sense fer mal als altres. I que l'èxit no és res més que una acumulació de fracassos sense perdre la il·lusió.
Madre Irlanda
by Edna O'BrienEl retrato de una vida y un país, por «la escritora de lengua inglesa con más talento de nuestros días» (Philip Roth); «simplemente, una de las mejores de nuestro tiempo» (John Banville) «Edna O’Brien escribe las historias más bellas. Ningún escritor puede compararse a ella, en ningún lugar.»Alice Munro Irish Pen Award * American National Arts Gold Medal * Ulysses Medal * Bob Hughes Award * Prix Spécial Femina Étranger * David Cohen Prize * PEN/Nabokov Award Irlanda siempre ha sido mujer, útero, cueva, vaca, Rosaleen, marrana, novia, ramera... La multipremiada autora de Las chicas de campo entreteje su autobiografía —su infancia en el condado de Clare, los días en la escuela de monjas, su primer beso o su huida a Inglaterra— con la esencia de Irlanda, una tierra de mitos,poesía, supersticiones, costumbres ancestrales, sabiduría popular y extrema belleza. Madre Irlanda es, según The Guardian, «Edna O’Brien en su máximo esplendor. Un relato evocador y elegante de un entorno natural y de quienes lo habitan, lleno de audacia e ingenio». La crítica ha dicho...«O'Brien levantó la viga de su poderosa escritura aprovechando su relación de amor/odio con su país, Irlanda. Denostada, prohibida y, hoy, celebrada, ahora publica sus memorias inflamables. [...] Uno de sus libros más celebrados: un texto intenso en el que entrelaza su biografía desobediente con la evocación de una tierra de mitos, poesía, supersticiones, costumbres ancestrales, sabiduría popular y extrema belleza. Su país.»Antonio Lucas, El Mundo «Edna O’Brien mueve montañas tanto líricas como políticas a través de su escritura.»Jurado del Premio David Cohen «No he conocido a nadie que viva, escriba, piense, provoque, se atreva, se emocione y crezca como Edna.»Richard Ford, The Irish Times «Ligando su historia personal con la de Irlanda, O’Brien trenza con gracia las costumbres locales y antiguas tradiciones con los fascinantes eventos y personajes que poblaron su juventud. [...] Una narración colorida y atempora.»The Sunday Times «Una de las primeras mujeres que mostró la verdadera Irlanda: política, social, sexual y espiritualmente.»Liadan Hynes, The Independent «Su ficción no representa una mera conmemoración de la pérdida de valores pasados, ni una vuelta a la nostalgia como estrategia estética, sino la celebración de una nueva Irlanda y de la mujer en la Irlanda del siglo veintiuno, ahondando en una representación sociológica de este nuevo país.»Asier Altuna-García de Salazar, RIULL «Su genialidad procede del dolor mismo de la memoria.»John Berger «La escritora de lengua inglesa con más talento de nuestros días.»Philip Roth «Simplemente, una de las mejores escritoras de nuestro tiempo.»John Banville «Irlanda es su paisaje y, [...] a pesar de ser la fuente de buena parte de su material, ha sido dura con ella, salvaje.»Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times «Edna O'Brien en su máximo esplendor. Un relato evocador y elegante de un entorno natural y de quienes lo habitan, lleno de audacia e ingenio.»William Trevor, The Guardian «Una maestra de la palabra y una confesora seductora y sincera de sus sueños, anhelos y pecados. [...] Una joya: éxtasis, remordimiento, humor y una escritura bellísima.»Paul Baumann, Commonweal «La literatura de Edna O'Brien está atravesada por una forma piadosa de rencor. [...] O'Brien cierra heridas, pero no hiere.»Ricardo Martínez Llorca, Revista de Letras «Ningún autor inglés es tan bueno poniendo al lector en la piel de una mujer.»Evening Standard «Edna O'Brien ha a
Asi lo recuerdo
by Rudolf HommesCargado de imágenes, humor y sexo, Rudolf Hommes consigue un valiente autorretrato en el que dialogan la vida pública y la privada, y una historia que se lee con avidez Como una confesión que libera, Rudolf Hommes narra su propia vida. En ella redescubre a su padre, un refugiado alemán perseguido por sus ideas políticas y cuya pronta partida dejó un gran vacío y una fascinante historia que debía reconstruirse. Hecho de la materia de los recuerdos, en el relato de Hommes aparecen los entrañables personajes de su infancia y juventud, las radicales experiencias de los años sesenta y las anécdotas detrás del poder cuando lideró la apertura económica como ministro de Hacienda, fue rector de la Universidad de Los Andes y más tarde candidato a la Alcaldía de Bogotá.
When We Were Young & Brave: A Novel
by Hazel Gaynor"Gaynor's story of courage and strength will make you believe in the heroic spirit in each of us." —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were YoursThe New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home sets her unforgettable new novel in China during WWII, inspired by true events surrounding the Japanese Army’s internment of teachers and children from a British-run missionary school.Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them them for war. China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge. Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety. Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await . . . Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.
The Other Worlds: Offbeat Adventures of a Curious Traveler
by Tom Mattson“None of it was meant to be: the stories and anecdotes that appear in this book, my travels to far-flung other worlds, being face-to-face with hundreds of strangers. Yet here we are, and there I’ve been, and somehow, strangers became friends.” From the Introduction Meet Tom Mattson’s friends including Maribel, on a park bench in Havana; Braulio, a silver miner in Bolivia; Chema, a Guatemalan fisherman —- and dozens more around the world. Discover the stories of their lives, their experiences, and their histories, so different from your own. Be charmed by the Minnesota storyteller who draws you into The Other Worlds with ease and who delights in sharing the sights, sounds, smells, and serendipities of his adventures with armchair - and active - travelers everywhere.
No Excuses: The Story of Elite Gymnast Aimee Walker-pond
by Adam KemplerThis biography traces the gymnastics career of a girl - Aimee, born deaf and blind in one eye and describes how she overcame her health struggles, learned American Sign Language, succeeded in gymnastics, enjoyed social activities, acted in movies, traveled to Hawaii and Russia, worked hard in school, competed in college, and found romance. Bruno Grandi, President of the International Gymnastics Federation, said, “Aimee has filled our hearts with the fire of warmth and love and inspired us all to become better.” Valorie Kondos Field, head women’s gymnastics coach at UCLA and winner of six NCAA National Championships, said, “Aimee’s not deaf. She just can’t hear. Why would she need two eyes, when she has one? She has no excuses.”
41: A Portrait of My Father (A\vintage Español Original Ser.)
by George W. BushGeorge W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, has authored a personal biography of his father, George H. W. Bush, the 41st President. Forty-three men have served as President of the United States. Countless books have been written about them. But never before has a President told the story of his father, another President, through his own eyes and in his own words. A unique and intimate biography, the book covers the entire scope of the elder President Bush's life and career, including his service in the Pacific during World War II, his pioneering work in the Texas oil business, and his political rise as a Congressman, U.S. Representative to China and the United Nations, CIA Director, Vice President, and President. The book shines new light on both the accomplished statesman and the warm, decent man known best by his family. In addition, George W. Bush discusses his father's influence on him throughout his own life, from his childhood in West Texas to his early campaign trips with his father, and from his decision to go into politics to his own two-term Presidency.
Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors
by Laura Bush George W. Bush Peter Pace<P>A vibrant collection of oil paintings and stories by President George W. Bush honoring the sacrifice and courage of America’s military veterans. With Forewords by former First Lady Laura Bush and General Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. <P>Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. <P>Our men and women in uniform have faced down enemies, liberated millions, and in doing so showed the true compassion of our nation. Often, they return home with injuries—both visible and invisible—that intensify the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. In addition to these burdens, research shows a civilian-military divide. Seventy-one percent of Americans say they have little understanding of the issues facing veterans, and veterans agree: eighty-four percent say that the public has "little awareness" of the issues facing them and their families. <P>Each painting in this meticulously produced hardcover volume is accompanied by the inspiring story of the veteran depicted, written by the President. Readers can see the faces of those who answered the nation’s call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians. <P>It is President Bush’s desire that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our veterans and empower them to succeed. <P>President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way
by Jesse ThistleIn this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead. From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up. Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, whose tough-love attitudes quickly resulted in conflicts. Throughout it all, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling with all that had happened, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. Finally, he realized he would die unless he turned his life around. In this heart-warming and heart-wrenching memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful past, the abuse he endured, and how he uncovered the truth about his parents. Through sheer perseverance and education—and newfound love—he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family. An eloquent exploration of the impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help us find happiness despite the odds.
This I Believe: Life Lessons
by John Gregory Dan Gediman Mary Jo GedimanInspiring life wisdom from people of all ages—based on the This I Believe radio program The popular This I Believe series, which has aired on NPR and on Bob Edwards' shows on Sirius XM Satellite and public radio, explores the personal beliefs and guiding principles by which Americans live today. This book brings together treasured life lessons of people from all walks of life. Whether it's learning the power of saying hello or how courage comes with practice, their intimate reflections will inspire, move, and encourage you. Filled with the valuable insights distilled from a wide range of personal experiences, This I Believe: Life Lessons is a perfect gift—for others or for yourself. Includes extraordinary essays written by "ordinary" people who share the story of an important lesson they have learned about life Shares a wide range of beliefs and experiences from a diverse group of contributors, including a physician, a roller derby queen, a corporate executive, and a homeless person Based on the popular This I Believe radio series and thisibelieve.org website No matter what your age or circumstances, this book will give you valuable food for thought and important new insights on how others have learned from life's challenges.
The Sanest Guy in the Room: A Life in Lyrics
by Don BlackTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'. . . a compelling memoir. Breezy and unpretentious, The Sanest Guy in the Room is a delightful collection of memories, insider information and after-dinner anecdotes' The Times'Brilliant stories and wonderful behind-the-scenes glimpses of a life and career in show-business . . . It's bloody brilliant . . . Read it!' Michael BallDon Black is the songwriter's songwriter, a composer's dream collaborator, and the man behind some of the twentieth century's greatest musical numbers.Black made his first foray into the glittering world of showbiz as a stand-up, before realising his error and focusing on his lifelong passion instead - music. Shirley Bassey, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini and Barbra Streisand are just some of the artists Black has worked with over the years - not to mention his frequent collaborator, West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber - in what can only be described as a remarkable musical career. Yet, never one to court fame, Black has always remained what Mark Steyn coined as 'the sanest guy in the room'.Interwoven with the stories behind songs such as 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'Born Free' are vignettes of Black's life with his beloved wife Shirley, who died in March 2018, after almost sixty years of marriage. Black writes movingly about how the enormity of his grief changed his life, and how the dark days are slowly turning into dark moments.The Sanest Guy in the Room is a rich and delightful paean to a life lived through song. It reveals the essence of Black's craft, looks at those who have inspired him and allows us to understand what made those icons tick. It is also a poignant tribute to Shirley, his biggest inspiration. Told with wit, warmth and great humour, this is Don Black's astonishing musical journey and an insight into a life behind the lyrics.
Decision Points
by George W. BushPresident George W. Bush describes the critical decisions of his presidency and personal life. Decision Points is the extraordinary account of America's 43rd president. Shattering the conventions of political autobiography, George W. Bush offers a strikingly candid journey through the defining decisions of his life. In gripping, never-before-heard detail, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor's Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11, in the hours after America's most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; at the head of the table in the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century. President Bush writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his accomplishments reforming education, treating HIV/AIDS in Africa, and safeguarding the country amid chilling warnings of additional terrorist attacks. He also offers intimate new details on his decision to quit drinking, discovery of faith, and relationship with his family. A groundbreaking new brand of memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on one of the most consequential eras in American history - and the man at the center of events.