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The Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson
by Philosophical LibraryA fascinating look inside the mind of an American Renaissance man Statesman. Diplomat. Politician. Scholar. Inventor. Architect. President. Few men exemplify the Enlightenment ideal more than Thomas Jefferson. In this comprehensive collection of quotations from Thomas Jefferson's letters, official communications, and other writings, the dynamic personality and insatiable curiosity of this brilliant man jump off the page and draw us into the young country he so greatly influenced. Whether writing about the right to freedom or the future of Native Americans, the westward expansion or the political climate in France, his personal impressions of historical luminaries or his architectural preferences, his financial troubles or his feelings about religious freedom, Jefferson's convictions are brilliantly explained and often ahead of their time. With seventeen chapters arranged chronologically to highlight the evolution of his thought, as well as a timeline and a cross-section of his finest works, The Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson paints a detailed and revealing portrait of this great man.
The Wisdom of William Shakespeare
by Philosophical LibraryHundreds of ideas and quotations from the pillar of Western literature The playwright Ben Jonson said William Shakespeare was not "of an age but for all time." The most influential and oft-quoted figure in English literature, Shakespeare reveals an uncanny understanding of human behavior, and he imparts his wisdom through the varied voices of his characters. His thoughts on love, friendship, power, politics, injustice, education, humanity, life, death, and grief, here organized by subject, collectively demonstrate that no writer before or since has captured so well the motivations that drive our behavior. In this invaluable collection, scholars and enthusiasts alike will find an easy-to-use and comprehensive guide to the Bard of Avon.
The Wisdom of FDR (Wisdom)
by The Wisdom SeriesHow a great American president communicated a changing worldview What made Franklin Delano Roosevelt an effective leader? His policies and decisions changed our nation&’s and the world&’s history. But more than his skill as a savvy politician and progressive thinker, FDR&’s ability to directly and eloquently voice his thoughts on national concerns, social change, and humanity spoke to and reached the hearts of his people. In this selection of quotes drawn from his speeches and papers, FDR&’s observations and opinions cover everything from faith, war, and peace, to religion, freedom, and the very definition of what it is to be an American. Essays include &“The Four Freedoms,&” &“We Belong to Many Races,&” &“True Education,&” &“The Rights of the Common Man,&” &“Dynamic Democracy,&” and &“Government with a Soul.&”
The Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln
by Philosophical LibraryOne of America's most important presidents and great communicators Remembered for his leadership during the dark years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most studied and intriguing figures in American history. Collected from his letters, documents, and speeches, The Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln examines the sixteenth president's statements on politics, the Civil War, slavery, education, law, Reconstruction, and his private life, and offers readers both his most notable remarks in their original context and insight on a variety of earlier and less explored historical events. His wry and self-deprecating humor comes through whether he is speaking of his own election or writing to his wife. Arranged chronologically, Lincoln's quotes reflect his evolution from humble small-town politician to a leader facing his nation's greatest internal crisis and massive social change.
William Styron: A Life
by James L. West IIIA &“mesmerizing&” biography of the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Sophie&’s Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner, and Darkness Visible (Entertainment Weekly). William Styron was one of the most highly regarded and controversial authors of his generation. In this illuminating biography, James L. W. West III draws upon letters, papers, and manuscripts as well as interviews with Styron&’s friends and family to recount in rich detail the experiences that shaped each of his groundbreaking books. From Styron&’s Southern upbringing, which deeply influenced the Pulitzer Prize–winning The Confessions of Nat Turner and National Book Award–winning Sophie&’s Choice, to his feud with Norman Mailer and the clinical depression that led to his acclaimed memoir Darkness Visible, West&’s remarkable biography provides invaluable insight into the life and works of a giant of American literature.
Ahead of Time: My Early Years as a Foreign Correspondent
by Ruth GruberThe renowned journalist and Jewish activist looks back on her first 25 years in &“one of the most evocative journalistic autobiographies to appear&” (Publishers Weekly). In this fascinating memoir, Ruth Gruber recalls her first twenty-five years, from her youth in Brooklyn to her astonishing academic accomplishments and groundbreaking journalistic career. She shares her experiences entering New York University at fifteen and just five years later becoming the world&’s youngest person to earn a PhD. She recounts her time in Cologne, Germany, studying during Hitler&’s rise to power, and her adventures in Europe and the Arctic as a reporter for the New York Herald Tribune. Spirited and compelling, Ahead of Time is a striking account of the early years of a woman at the center of the twentieth century&’s turning points.
Leigh Bowery
by Sue TilleyThe definitive biography of one of modern art's most provocative vanguards Leigh Bowery was one of the most controversial and avant-garde performers of his generation. In this fascinating biography, author Sue Tilley, one of Bowery's closest friends, lays bare the extravagant life of the trendsetting entertainer. From Bowery's groundbreaking costumes and performance art, to his notoriety in London's 1980s nightclub culture, to his role as a favored model for painter Lucian Freud, Tilley's engrossing portrait offers insight into the outrageous world of 1980s modern art and the man who came to embody it. This ebook features a new postscript by Sue Tilley and an illustrated biography including rare photos from the author's personal collection.
The Life & Times of Chaucer
by John GardnerThe pinnacle of Gardner&’s medieval scholarship: a fascinating re-creation of the world of one of history&’s greatest writers In this exquisite biography, John Gardner brings to life Geoffrey Chaucer, illuminating his writings and their inspiration like never before. Through exhaustive research and expert storytelling, Gardner takes readers through Chaucer&’s varied career—from writing The Canterbury Tales to performing diplomatic work at the Parliament—and creates a fully realized portrait of an author whose work would remake the English language forever. Written with passion and insight, this a must-read for those interested in Chaucer and the medieval time period. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.
The Water Is Wide: A Memoir
by Pat ConroyThe bestselling Pat Conroy memoir--now available as an ebookThe moving story of a young teacher's experience on an island forgotten by the worldThough the children of Yamacraw Island live less than two miles from the coast of South Carolina, they can't name the president or the ocean that surrounds them. Many can't sign their names. Most can't read or write--they're unable to reach their potential to grow and learn because they have been failed by their school district and handicapped by their poverty and isolation. But with the arrival of an eager young teacher, their prospects begin to brighten.Based on Pat Conroy's experiences teaching elementary school for a year on South Carolina's Daufuskie Island, The Water Is Wide is a revealing portrait of the inequalities of the American education system and a powerful story of the group of children that changed one man's life forever.
Letters on Wave Mechanics: Correspondence with H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, and Erwin Schrödinger (Paperback Ser.)
by Albert EinsteinA lively collection of Einstein&’s groundbreaking scientific correspondence on modern physics Imagine getting four of the greatest minds of modern physics in a room together to explain and debate the theories and innovations of their day. This is the fascinating experience of reading Letters on Wave Mechanics, the correspondence between H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, and Albert Einstein. These remarkable letters illuminate not only the basis of Schrödinger&’s work in wave mechanics, but also how great scientific minds debated and challenged the ever-changing theories of the day and ultimately embraced an elegant solution to the riddles of quantum theory. Their collected correspondence offers insight into both the personalities and professional aspirations that played a part in this theoretical breakthrough. This authorized ebook features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Letters on Wave Mechanics: Correspondence with H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, and Erwin Schrödinger
by Albert EinsteinA lively collection of Einstein&’s groundbreaking scientific correspondence on modern physics Imagine getting four of the greatest minds of modern physics in a room together to explain and debate the theories and innovations of their day. This is the fascinating experience of reading Letters on Wave Mechanics, the correspondence between H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, and Albert Einstein. These remarkable letters illuminate not only the basis of Schrödinger&’s work in wave mechanics, but also how great scientific minds debated and challenged the ever-changing theories of the day and ultimately embraced an elegant solution to the riddles of quantum theory. Their collected correspondence offers insight into both the personalities and professional aspirations that played a part in this theoretical breakthrough. This authorized ebook features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Letters to Solovine, 1906–1955: 1906–1955 (Paperback Ser.)
by Albert EinsteinA provocative collection of letters to his longtime friend and translator that spans Einstein&’s career and reveals the inner thoughts and daily life of a transformative geniusFrom their early days as tutor and scholar discussing philosophy over Spartan dinners to their work together to publish Einstein&’s books in Europe, in Maurice Solovine, Albert Einstein found both an engaged mind and a loyal friend. While Einstein frequently shared his observations on science, politics, philosophy, and religion in his correspondence with Solovine, he was just as likely to express his feelings about everyday life—his health and the effects of aging and his experiences in the various places where he settled and visited in his long career. The letters are both funny and frank, and taken together, reflect the changes—large and small—that took place over a half century and in the remarkable life of the world&’s foremost scientist. Published in English alongside the German text and accompanied by facsimile copies of the original letters, the collected Letters to Solovine offers scholar and interested reader alike unprecedented access to the personal life of Albert Einstein. This authorized ebook features a new introduction by Neil Berger, PhD, and an illustrated biography of Albert Einstein, which includes rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Letters to Solovine, 1906–1955
by Albert EinsteinA provocative collection of letters to his longtime friend and translator that spans Einstein&’s career and reveals the inner thoughts and daily life of a transformative geniusFrom their early days as tutor and scholar discussing philosophy over Spartan dinners to their work together to publish Einstein&’s books in Europe, in Maurice Solovine, Albert Einstein found both an engaged mind and a loyal friend. While Einstein frequently shared his observations on science, politics, philosophy, and religion in his correspondence with Solovine, he was just as likely to express his feelings about everyday life—his health and the effects of aging and his experiences in the various places where he settled and visited in his long career. The letters are both funny and frank, and taken together, reflect the changes—large and small—that took place over a half century and in the remarkable life of the world&’s foremost scientist. Published in English alongside the German text and accompanied by facsimile copies of the original letters, the collected Letters to Solovine offers scholar and interested reader alike unprecedented access to the personal life of Albert Einstein. This authorized ebook features a new introduction by Neil Berger, PhD, and an illustrated biography of Albert Einstein, which includes rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher, and Man Portrayed Through His Own Words
by Albert EinsteinAn inspiring collection of essays, in which Albert Einstein addresses the topics that fascinated him as a scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian Divided by subject matter—&“Science,&” &“Convictions and Beliefs,&” &“Public Affairs,&” etc.—these essays consider everything from the need for a &“supranational&” governing body to control war in the atomic age to freedom in research and education to Jewish history and Zionism to explanations of the physics and scientific thought that brought Albert Einstein world recognition. Throughout, Einstein&’s clear, eloquent voice presents an idealist&’s vision and relays complex theories to the layperson. Einstein&’s essays share his philosophical beliefs, scientific reasoning, and hopes for a brighter future, and show how one of the greatest minds of all time fully engaged with the changing world around him. This authorized ebook features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher, and Man Portrayed Through His Own Words
by Albert EinsteinAn inspiring collection of essays, in which Albert Einstein addresses the topics that fascinated him as a scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian Divided by subject matter—&“Science,&” &“Convictions and Beliefs,&” &“Public Affairs,&” etc.—these essays consider everything from the need for a &“supranational&” governing body to control war in the atomic age to freedom in research and education to Jewish history and Zionism to explanations of the physics and scientific thought that brought Albert Einstein world recognition. Throughout, Einstein&’s clear, eloquent voice presents an idealist&’s vision and relays complex theories to the layperson. Einstein&’s essays share his philosophical beliefs, scientific reasoning, and hopes for a brighter future, and show how one of the greatest minds of all time fully engaged with the changing world around him. This authorized ebook features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The Work Is Innocent
by Rafael YglesiasA funny, candid look at the beginning of a promising literary career launched remarkably earlyBeing a teenage literary prodigy is hard. Richard Goodman may have a book contract at seventeen, but his parents don&’t respect his opinions, he can&’t lose his virginity, and his ego inflates and deflates with every breath. Even when Richard receives the attention he craves, he finds that fame and fortune can&’t deliver him from his own flaws. The Work Is Innocent is Yglesias&’s fictional take on his own freakishly precocious literary coming-out as a teen. Written with startlingly self-assured prose and unflinching self-awareness, this novel explores the hilarious and harrowing complications of youthful success. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of Rafael Yglesias, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author&’s personal collection.
The Cannibal Queen: A Flight Into the Heart of America
by Stephen CoontsThe New York Times–bestselling icon of the techno-aviation thriller takes to the skies in this memoir of a great American adventure in an open-cockpit biplane. It was a bird&’s-eye view of America—and the trip of a lifetime for author Stephen Coonts and his fourteen-year-old son. But even for Coonts, who had clocked 1,600 hours as a naval aviator and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross commendation, this was a first. He&’d be flying closer to the earth than he ever had before. His big yellow wood-and-canvas bird was the Cannibal Queen, a Stearman open-cockpit biplane built in 1942. Destined for the scrap yard, it was rescued and restored for what Coonts would call his &“Stearman summer.&” On a clear June afternoon in 1991, Coonts and his son took off to see the country the same way the barnstormers flew their Jennys: with a map and a compass. Coonts followed highways, railroad lines, back roads, mountains, rivers, and landmarks. For the next three months, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, he touched down on the diverse landscapes of each of the forty-eight contiguous states to record the stories of the American countryside, its spirited people, and its rich history. Soaring from big cities to the heartland, experiencing everything from Bourbon Street jazz and small-town barbershop quartets to greasy spoons and backyard barbeques, the author of Flight of the Intruder and The Art of War captures not only the singular thrill of biplane aviation, but a nostalgia for the simple pleasures of an America thought lost and forgotten. Stephen Coonts found it, and in The Cannibal Queen he shares every exultant moment. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Stephen Coonts, including rare photos from the author&’s personal collection.
Inside of Time: My Journey from Alaska to Israel
by Ruth GruberThe unforgettable story of Ruth Gruber's rugged travels through Alaska and years spent helping refugees escape to Israel in the nation's turbulent early days Drawing from hundreds of notebooks accumulated throughout her career, Gruber's breathtaking memoir spans some of the most significant events of the twentieth century, covering the years 1941 to 1952. She details her eighteen months spent surveying Alaska on behalf of the United States government, her role assisting Holocaust refugees' emigration from war-torn Europe, and her relationships with some of the most important figures of the era, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Golda Meir.Gruber describes these eleven years of her inspiring life with clarity and insight, providing an extraordinary inside look at some of the twentieth century's turning points.
Raquela: A Woman of Israel
by Ruth GruberA National Jewish Book Award–winning biography: A look at the early years of Israel&’s statehood, experienced through the life of a pioneering nurse.During her extraordinary career, nurse Raquela Prywes was a witness to history. She delivered babies in a Holocaust refugee camp and on the Israeli frontier. She crossed minefields to aid injured soldiers in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and organized hospitals to save the lives of those fighting the 1967 Six-Day War. Along the way, her own life was a series of triumphs and tragedies mirroring those of the newly formed Jewish state.Raquela is a moving tribute to a remarkable woman, and an unforgettable chronicle of the birth of Israel through the eyes of those who lived it.
Raquela: A Woman of Israel
by Ruth GruberA National Jewish Book Award–winning biography: A look at the early years of Israel&’s statehood, experienced through the life of a pioneering nurse.During her extraordinary career, nurse Raquela Prywes was a witness to history. She delivered babies in a Holocaust refugee camp and on the Israeli frontier. She crossed minefields to aid injured soldiers in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and organized hospitals to save the lives of those fighting the 1967 Six-Day War. Along the way, her own life was a series of triumphs and tragedies mirroring those of the newly formed Jewish state.Raquela is a moving tribute to a remarkable woman, and an unforgettable chronicle of the birth of Israel through the eyes of those who lived it.
Family Memories: An Autobiographical Journey
by Rebecca WestPublished posthumously, this wise and entertaining family history and memoir offers keen insight into the origins of Rebecca West and her work Working on Family Memories for over twenty years, West set out to narrate the story of her mother&’s, father&’s and husband&’s unique and talented families. As in her novels, the richly drawn characters of her heritage and childhood traverse a diverse landscape, from Scotland to Australia to Africa, encountering love, loss, and a panoply of challenges. Although fans will recognize many settings, characters, and themes from her novels, West&’s exploration of her family stands on its own as an engaging narrative. Told with her compelling voice, West&’s chronicles reflect not only the importance of family to identity, but to the way one relates to the larger world.
Predators I Have Known
by Alan Dean FosterAn adrenaline-fueled travel memoir of life in the wild among the planet&’s most ferocious and fascinating predators.Over the last forty years, New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster has journeyed around the globe to encounter nature&’s most fearsome creatures. His travels have taken him into the heart of the Amazon rain forest on the trail of deadly tangarana ants, on an elephant ride across the sweeping green plains of central India in search of the elusive Bengal tiger, and into the waters of the Australian coast to come face-to-face with great white sharks. Packed with pulse-pounding adventure and spiked with rapier wit, Predators I Have Known is a thrilling look at life and death in the wild.
Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman
by James GleickNew York Times Bestseller: This life story of the quirky physicist is &“a thorough and masterful portrait of one of the great minds of the century&” (The New York Review of Books). Raised in Depression-era Rockaway Beach, physicist Richard Feynman was irreverent, eccentric, and childishly enthusiastic—a new kind of scientist in a field that was in its infancy. His quick mastery of quantum mechanics earned him a place at Los Alamos working on the Manhattan Project under J. Robert Oppenheimer, where the giddy young man held his own among the nation&’s greatest minds. There, Feynman turned theory into practice, culminating in the Trinity test, on July 16, 1945, when the Atomic Age was born. He was only twenty-seven. And he was just getting started. In this sweeping biography, James Gleick captures the forceful personality of a great man, integrating Feynman&’s work and life in a way that is accessible to laymen and fascinating for the scientists who follow in his footsteps.
Madboy: Beyond Mad Men: Tales from the Mad, Mad World of Advertising
by Richard KirshenbaumA thrilling and irreverent memoir about the transformation of the advertising business from the 1980s to todayRichard Kirshenbaum was born to sell. Raised in a family of Long Island strivers, this future advertising titan was just a few years old when his grandfather first taught him that a Cadillac is more than a car, and that if you can&’t have a Trinitron you might as well not watch TV. He had no connections when he came to Madison Avenue, but he possessed an outrageous sense of humor that would make him a millionaire. In 1987, at the age of twenty-six, Richard put his savings on the line to launch his own agency with partner Jonathan Bond, and within a year, had transformed it from a no-name firm into the go-to house for cutting-edge work. Kirshenbaum and Bond pioneered guerilla marketing by purchasing ad space on fruit, spray-painting slogans on the sidewalk, and hiring actors to order the Hennessy martini in nightclubs. They were the bad boys of Madison Avenue—a firm where a skateboarding employee once bowled over an important client—but backed up their madness with results. Packed with business insight, marketing wisdom, and a cast of characters ranging from Princess Diana to Ed McMahon, this memoir is as bold, as breathtaking, and as delightful as Richard himself.
Anthony Burns: The Defeat and Triumph of a Fugitive Slave
by Virginia HamiltonThe &“unforgettable&” novel from the Newbery Medal–winning author tells the true story of a runaway slave whose capture and trial set off abolitionist riots (Kirkus Reviews).Anthony Burns is a runaway slave who has just started to build a life for himself in Boston. Then his former owner comes to town to collect him. Anthony won&’t go willingly, though, and people across the city step forward to make sure he&’s not taken. Based on the true story of a man who stood up against the Fugitive Slave Law, Hamilton&’s gripping account follows the battle in the streets and in the courts to keep Burns a citizen of Boston—a battle that is the prelude to the nation&’s bloody Civil War.