Dagbøker og memoarer

In Taxi Vignettes: Scenes from a San Francisco Cab Driver 1977-1989, Bill Dietch offers an unforgettable expedition into the heart of San Francisco's past. His cab, a stage to the diverse cast of city's inhabitants, echoes with stories that are funny, moving, eccentric, and always authentic.From the ebullience of joyrides to the intensity of emotional sagas, each vignette peels back a layer of the city's vibrant culture, exposing the vast array of human experiences that filled Dietch's cab. You're invited to traverse the unpredictability of urban life, revealing the spirit of San Francisco one fare at a time.This collection is not just a memoir of cab driving; it's a celebration of a city's diversity and soul. Every story encapsulates the essence of a fare, a passenger, a shift, delivering unexpected encounters and poignant moments.Step into Dietch's cab and travel back in time with this compelling anthology that explores the gritty yet charming realities of San Francisco's past.

In Walking through Fire, Nawal El Saadawi, author of Woman at Point Zero and one of the Arab world's greatest writers, tells the story of the later years of a life which shaped an iconic voice in global feminism. Covering her life in Nasser's then Sadat's and Mubarak's Egypt, we learn about Saadawi's experience of marriage and motherhood, and we travel with her into exile after her life was threatened by religious extremists. Filled with warmth as well as critical reflection, this book reveals the later years of a remarkable life dedicated to the fight for justice and equality.

In A Daughter of Isis, Nawal El Saadawi, author of Woman at Point Zero and one of the Arab world's greatest writers, tells the story of the formative years which shaped an iconic voice in global feminism. In poignant and moving prose we learn about her relationships with her family, her traumatic experience of female genital mutilation at seven years old and escaping suitors at ten and her journey from the rural Egyptian village of her birth to metropolitan Cairo to study medicine. Filled with warmth as well as critical reflection, this book reveals the early years of a remarkable life dedicated to the fight for justice and equality.

A TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEARWhen everyday life becomes a state of emergency, how can yesterday's words suffice?'We were so happy and didn't know it...'A thirty-three-year-old writer lives in a quiet European suburb with his wife and his dog. His parents have bought an apartment nearby. On weekends they go out for brunch, cook and see friends. Life is good; it is normal. Then the invaders come.The Language of War is about what happens when your world changes overnight. When you wake up to the sound of helicopters and the smell of gunpowder. When your home is hit by shells or broken into by gunmen, and you spend another night in a basement-turned-bomb shelter. When, even though you've never held a weapon before, you realise the only choice is to fight back. It is about things one can never forget, or forgive.Bringing together Oleksandr Mykhed's vivid day-by-day chronicles of the invasion of Ukraine with a chorus of other voices - his family, friends in exile, those who have fought and have witnessed unimaginable atrocities - this book is both a record, and a reckoning. Haunting and timeless, it asks how it is possible to find the words to describe a new reality; how you can still make sense of the world when the only language you can speak is the language of war.

Have you ever felt like "getting it right" is always just out of reach? Too many of us feel we need to put on a show for those around us. Whether it's due to pressure from friends and family or demands we place on ourselves, we can feel too vulnerable to reveal our true nature to the world.It may seem like everyone has it together but you. But behind the Instagram filters and public appearances, no one is perfect. And that's OK.Jean Soares has discovered the secret: what we might consider our "imperfections" are really just the qualities that make us unique. Throughout Jean's transformative journey, you'll learn how to reset your life and discover tools to help you fight through the negative feelings keeping you from embracing your authentic self.In this book, you'll learn:How to develop healthy coping mechanismsStrategies for dealing with a parent with schizophreniaHow to advocate for yourself and accept help where it's offeredImportant tips on overcoming personal challenges and reaching for your goalsHow to stop blaming yourself and give yourself permission to leaveWhen to stop and smell the roses (or play with the ants)Why it's OK to be unpolishedUnpolished is equal parts memoir about overcoming drug addiction, self-help book for coping with abuse, and love letter to anyone who has ever felt unworthy of true happiness after enduring hardships. Through humor, unwavering hope, and the insight that comes only through personal triumph, Unpolished will help you recognize that your flaws aren't really flaws at all-they're what make you you.

Dave Potter grew up at the end of the Great Depression_ He learned to appreciate the woods and waters in the little town of Roxbury, Vermont, where he spent as much of his free time as possible. He was fly fishing by the time he was seven and packing a camera with him by age eleven. He wanted to anywhere but a school classroom.He enlisted the help of five good friends to also share their experiences growing up. He shared many of the adventures he and his friends had, including many that were almost too funny to be true. His true stories span over seven decades.Dave also struggled to answer a question his mother asked him when she was in her seventies. The reader will have to decide if he did.

Anneliese Schmidt erzählt in ihren Erinnerungen von ihrer Kindheit in einer kinderreichen katholischen Familie in der Nazizeit, von ihrer Schulzeit, den Bombennächten im Keller, dem Verlust ihrer geliebten großen Brüder, der Bombardierung Bocholts und dem Hunger danach. Sie entschließt sich, als Magd auf einen Bauernhof zu gehen und lässt ihre Leser noch einmal teilhaben an einem Landleben, das es so nicht mehr gibt, einem Hof voller Menschen mit Knechten, Mägden und Flüchtlingen, mit Pferdefuhrwerken und Erntefesten. Sie lernt dort ihren Mann kennen und erlebt trotz harter Arbeit eine wunderschöne Zeit.

¿Burn it!" schrieb Leonard Bernstein in das Gasteig-Gästebuch des Verfassers. Wie es zu dieser Empfehlung und deren Fehlinterpretation durch die Medien der Musikwelt kam, schildert Eckard Heintz im bunten Kaleidoskop seiner Tagebuch-Aufzeichnungen. Zwischen diesem sarkastischen Eintrag und der im Buchtitel postulierten Entgegnung entsteht ein Spannungsfeld, dessen Kräfte Anhänger und Gegner der Gasteig-Philharmonie seit Jahren mobilisieren und die damit immer wieder verbundene Frage aufwerfen, ob München einen weiteren Konzertsaal erhalten soll oder muss. Kulturmanager Eckard Heintz zeichnet seine vielfältigen Begegnungen mit Künstlern, Politikern und Sponsoren mit einer Mischung aus sachlich-fachlicher und auch sehr persönlicher Handschrift. Er lässt uns teilhaben an so manchen Auseinandersetzungen mit rivalisierenden Akteuren, die für das Werden und Bestehen eines der größten Kulturzentren der Welt Verantwortung tragen.

SEALs are notorious for telling riveting stories without a shred of emotion. There's a good reason for that. They've been trained to keep their emotions at bay-to be hard-so they can accomplish seemingly impossible missions. Rarely do you find a Navy SEAL who is willing to be vulnerable and share from the heart. Mark Greene is one of those SEALs. For years, he didn't understand how emotions played a part in decision-making. He had trained and worked under such extreme conditions that there was no room for subjectivity. Logic dominated his thoughts.That is, until he suffered an accident that ripped away his outer seal of protection. What he experienced was unparalleled. As a result, Mark became unsealed.The transition from college athlete to college dropout, then from SEAL training to enlisted SEAL, and from sniper to civilian proved more painful than exciting. But one thing remained constant ... Mark never suffered alone.Through the process of navigating his own difficult transitions and helping other veterans with theirs, Mark has discovered that there are six phases of transition, and each phase follows a predictable pattern. ¿ ISOLATION¿ INDULGENCE¿ COCOONING¿ EMERGENCE¿ GRIEF¿ RESOLUTIONBy embracing these phases, locking in your anchor points, and adapting each one to your own specific situation, you can ease the pain of change, knowing that the next phase is coming soon. Everything you want-life-giving relationships, genuine happiness, a successful business, peace of mind-awaits on the other side of the struggle. UNSEALED will light the path.

A compilation of letters written for two teenage grandsons getting ready to embark on their journey into adulthood. Practical and sage advice for people of every age.For those who have them, grandparents are often regarded as an incredible source of advice and wisdom. In this book, author Mike Andes has compiled a series of causal and heartfelt letters to his 17-year-old twin grandsons. His letters contain his thoughts, memories, and musings from years of reflection. Many of these life lessons he feels that he did not have the opportunity to learn from his parents and some lessons he feels he did not start to learn until he was 43 years old and divorced. As he did not have the chance to teach these things to his own children, he now shares his advice openly with his grandsons. His aim is to teach his grandsons how to arm themselves with the tools and attitudes that will empower them to lead better lives than he did. Letters to My Grandsons acts as both a memoir and a source of practical life advice to anyone at any age interested in a friendly grandfather's hopeful thoughts to his grandchildren. The book will appeal to anyone who appreciates advice delivered in love by those who have lived through failures and learned from them.

National Bestseller A lyrical coming-of-age story set in the projects of Toledo, Ohio, Animals I Want To See explores themes of identity, ambition, religion, and friendship—often across racial and social lines—as it spotlights a family of fourteen and tracks a boy’s journey from a child janitor with big dreams to a teenage petty criminal to a student at Yale and Harvard.

When an Academic's Brain Becomes her Worst EnemyAnn Jeffers has it all-a devoted partner, a child who adores her, and a successful career as a tenure-track professor in a top-ranked engineering program at the University of Michigan. But when she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she can't help but feel she is losing her most valuable asset: her mind. The bipolar disorder is complicated by the trauma she carries from the Virginia Tech shooting, resulting in a perfect nightmare each time she steps foot in the classroom. Ann embarks on a journey in search of the right medications and therapy, holding on to the hope that something must be able to help her feel normal again. But despite her best efforts, she suffers debilitating depressions and dangerously high manias peppered with delusions and hallucinations. In a race against time, Ann strives to attain stability before her illness consumes her. Can You Hear the Music? is a story of perseverance and love, and it highlights the healing that can take place when the stigma of mental illness is overcome.Praise for Can You Hear the Music?"This book will become a classic-a must-read for licensed mental health professionals, for family doctors, for parents who really care, for anyone who needs to know the truth about serious mental health injury. Professor Ann Jeffers has a condition known as Bipolar I. While most of us have heard the term Bipolar Disorder, many of us have not had the privilege of learning the impact of this condition from a survivor like Jeffers. She bravely explains her euphoric highs and her suicidal lows in a way that really lets you in, which at times can be hard for the reader. Few people with this condition have the nerve and the brilliance to tell their life story and to do it as clearly, accurately and, at times, enjoyably as this author has done. It takes guts to read this book, and it is well worth the emotional investment."--Frank Ochberg, M.D., is a retired professor of psychiatry who previously served as the Mental Health Director of the State of Michigan and the Associate Director of the National Institute of Mental

"I think you will be blessed by Other Side of This Trial written by my dear friend Billy Gaines. The event-by-event evidence of the hand of God working on his behalf clearly illustrates the fruit of a life yielded and trusting in the goodness, mercy, guidance, and power of God."-Kathie Lee Gifford, Emmy-award winning host, actress, singer, and songwriterThrough triumph, tragedy, and near-death experiences, Billy Gaines' life is marked by divine intervention. Growing up during the Jesus Movement, Billy came from a talented, faith-filled family in Richmond, Virginia. From there, he went on to success in Contemporary Christian Music in Nashville, and most recently to playing the character of Moses in Kathie Lee Gifford's film The Way. Other Side of This Trial gives undeniable evidence of the hand of God at work, even in life's most difficult moments, and reveals the legacy we are promised when we trust in God."This book is not a full autobiography, but rather a memoir of miraculous interventions that defy statistical probability. It is a chronicle of gratitude, born out of reminding myself daily of the goodness of God. My life story is filled with instances of unimaginable protection, provision, and guidance that might lead someone to think it's fictional. It is also an account of sorrows so deep it would seem there was a cosmic conspiracy to destroy me with sadness. But in the good times as well as the sorrowful times, I have found the pleasantly surprising and unforeseen purpose of the mighty and loving hand of God."

As a child in an orphanage in the Soviet Union, Ruben Gallego dreamed of becoming a kamikaze. He knew he could never be a pilot, because cerebral palsy disabled his hands and feet, but he thought he might become a guided torpedo filled with explosives. I dreamed of stealing up to an enemy aircraft carrier very quietly and pressing the red button. Unable to walk, hidden away, Gallego dreamed of a useful death, because the only fate that seemed likely for him was a useless one. Instead, Gallego has triumphed over his disability and circumstances to write White on Black, a novelized memoir that is itself a kind of torpedo against mistreatment of the handicapped. In addition to his cerebral palsy, Gallego had the ill-luck to have a grandfather who cared more about politics than about his family. Ignacio Gallego, exiled secretary general of the Spanish Communist Party in the 1960s, saw to it that his infant grandson was shut away and told his daughter that the boy was dead. Little Ruben was left entirely to the mercies of a series of underfunded, badly run institutions. As he and the other severely disabled children became too old for orphanages, they were put in old-age homes, where most quickly died. Remarkably, in this collection of vignettes he calls collective images, Gallego focuses not on the horrors, but on what he calls the heroes the children and caretakers who were able to express their humanity despite the tremendous obstacles. In spare prose that underlines the tale's universality, Gallego tells us of the tough, but warm peasant attendants, the mother of a friend who cut through the bureaucratic red tape to provide decent food, the child who smuggled out a letter asking for help.Most of his caretakers assumed Ruben was stupid because he couldn't walk. But Ruben had a sharp brain, and eventually he was able to make a living as a computer specialist, to find women who would love him and to reunite with his long-lost mother. There's no need to die a useful death when you can live a useful life.Anne Bartlett is a journalist in Washington, D.C.

A Relentless Pursuit: One Woman's Fight for the Rights of Disabled Children in Apartheid's Dark Days.Amidst the shadows of apartheid's oppressive regime, a fierce beacon of hope emerged. Dr. Lorna Swartz, a passionate medical professional and mother, embarked on an unyielding journey against a backdrop of prejudice and systemic discrimination. Educating Tammy: Fighting for apartheid's disabled children chronicles Lorna's inspiring story as she battles for the rights of disabled children, including her daughter Tammy.Growing up during the tumultuous transition to apartheid, Lorna's early experiences would shape her life's trajectory. Embracing her calling in medicine, she remained a medical student when marrying and graduated. Yet, the universe had a challenging path in store for her. Tammy's developmental challenges posed a puzzle that the South African medical community couldn't or wouldn't solve. Undeterred, Lorna, Morrice, and Tammy ventured to Purdue University's renowned child clinic in the U.S., finding not only answers but a new purpose.Returning home, Lorna ignited an exceptional educational experiment, gaining government endorsement. But as the endeavor flourished, it drew the ire of state officials, leading to years of conflict and threats against Lorna. After emigrating to the United States, Dr. Swartz continued to expand her profound impact on the medical field. She completed a fellowship in Psychiatry and established a private practice in San Diego. Her practice became a haven for a diverse clientele, approximately half of whom were children, while the remainder were adults grappling with untreated issues that persisted from childhood. Dr. Swartz encountered adults facing a gamut of challenges: pervasive high levels of anxiety, moodiness, low self-esteem, social isolation, failures in their professional lives, impulsivity coupled with distractibility, and a host of social difficulties. This memoir not only tells the story of her relentless advocacy during apartheid but also extends into her enduring commitment to mental health in her practice, showcasing the indelible mark she has made on countless lives.

2024 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award winner (Independent Book Publishers Association award of excellence)Editor's Pick, BookLife Reviews by Publishers WeeklyIndie Books We Love selection, LoveReading, The UK's Leading Book Recommendation WebsiteAfter the fairy tale of Happily Ever After ends in heartbreak, what then? From award-winning author River Faire comes an inspiring account of second chances, healing, inexplicable magic, and following the soul's compass.River, an alternative healer and Paris-trained chef-a decidedly reluctant mystic-returns to England from America to help his ex-partner, back from the brink of death. Stepping into a London life he left behind, haunted by ghosts, he finds himself on an unanticipated journey of the heart. When the two men relocate to the English countryside, he discovers more than a charming pastoral landscape, he unexpectedly glimpses the fabric of life itself.With disarming honesty and a searching, lyrical voice, Where Two Worlds Touch is a transcendent narrative about navigating the intricacies of the human heart, no matter whom we love. An invitation to say yes to uncertainty and vulnerability, to trust the unknowable mystery of life, while seeking the place we belong and what is uniquely ours to bring. A genre-defying memoir-one part love story, one part celebration of the table, one part ode to nature, and one part soul guide-woven as an indelible offering that lingers long past the final page.

This book was in manuscript form when Hari passed away, and was finalized for publication by Ravi Vasudevan.

Covering the period between the two world wars, the Second World War itself and the fifteen years that followed, The Deaf Doctor focuses primarily on Marian's formative years along with an account of her father, his pre-war way of life and his experiences in the Far East as an army doctor during the Second World War.

Lakeland Larks, Laughter and Lunacies is a quirky memoir poking fun at the travails and tribulations of Anna Nolan‿s car-less exploration of the Lake District, her home and playground, and reflecting her Polish ebullience.

Welcoming though Thai people are in many ways, the Orient still has its subtleties and surprises that can leave wayworn backpackers, sexual adventurers, or the badly briefed business visitor at a disadvantage. Underestimating the role that 'face' plays in Oriental societies is a common mistake, and exaggerated ideas about the 'sex scene' is a common mistake made about Thailand.Luckily, John Morgan's many years living and working in Thailand, teaching English to young and old, makes Same Same but Different as useful as it is entertaining, especially at the ground-truth level of interpersonal relations. Greater Bangkok never stops growing and now has an overhead Skytrain to connect it, but finding your way round the Land of Smiles need not be an ordeal now you have found a source of advice you can trust, from holidaymakers who want to land on their feet to professional visitors anxious to avoid culture clashes.

There is no book in English about the wartime Berlin 'salon' run by Kitty Schmidt under the secret control of Reinhard Heydrich, one of the architects of the Final SolutionSalon Kitty was the most notorious brothel in the decadent Berlin of the Weimar Republic - the city of Cabaret. But after the Nazis took power, it became something more dangerous: a spying centre with every room wired for sound, staffed by women agents specially selected by the SS to coax secrets from their VIP clients. Masterminded by Reinhard Heydrich, the spymaster whom Hitler himself called 'the man with the iron heart', the exclusive establishment turned listening post was patronised by the Nazi leaders themselves, not knowing that hidden ears were listening. One of the last untold stories of the Second World War, Salon Kitty's sensational true history is now revealed by historians Nigel Jones, Urs Brunner and Dr Julia Schrammel. After years of painstaking research and investigation, the story they tell sheds new light on Nazi methods of control and coercion, and the way that they used and abused sex for their own perverse purposes.

'Lara Pawson's writing is brilliant, unnerving and shockingly alive.' - TLS / 'Wild, bold writing in league with perfectly clear thinking, and while disturbing it is also, in a satisfyingly dark way, comic. Shelve it with Lucy Ellmann, Miriam Toews, Jenny Offill; brilliant, disillusioned women in absolute control of glorious prose.' - Guardian

Bound by a shared love for the outdoors and fishing, this book is a testament to enduring friendships and the countless laughs that come with them. Dive into a world where the weight of everyday anxieties lifts and is replaced by light-hearted tales and memories. While the backdrop might often be fishing, this narrative isn't about the catch. It's about how shared passions shape bonds and how humour becomes life's most treasured anchor. It's a reminder to find joy in the little things and never let life weigh too heavily on your shoulders. Whether you're tickled by quirky tales, or find mirth in the mundane, this collection of escapades - from Irish adventures to misadventures on boat trips - is bound to resonate. Settle in with a warm drink and let these stories reel you into a world of laughter and camaraderie.

The cover of this autobiography shows I.R. Dujon at the time of publication mothering her younger, 6-year-old self. I Will Protect Her details the adolescent years in which Ingrid was subject to tragic child abuse, while the people in charge of her welfare and safety neglected their most basic responsibilities at every point possible. This led to a prolonged period of suffering for her and for so many others. After years of fighting, a full criminal investigation into the crimes was relaunched. Victims were able finally to expose the police and local authorities for their systematic failure to recognise, report, and act upon avoidable and life-altering abuse. The collation of notes, factual evidence, dates and times as recorded by herself and supported by many others affected, led to the prosecution of one of London's most notorious paedophiles, who was convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison. Only now, after years of counselling, therapy, and personal development, Ingrid has managed to finally close this chapter of her life for good. Today Dujon is a proud mother of five children, all now adults. Dujon's goal is to share her story and inspire any and everyone who has ever been subject to any form of abuse. Ingrid hopes to educate a wider audience who may not be familiar with the patterns and signs of child abuse, and to paint a detailed picture of how people who are external to an abusive situation can still do so much to prevent or change things for the better.