Selvbiografier

From Rhodes Scholar to union leader to political powerhouse: how Bobbie became Bob, the iconic PM. The new biography from award-winning historian David Day sheds fresh light on the formative years of Australia's most charismatic leader, who became a political legend. David Day's biography of the young Bob Hawke takes readers on a journey, from his humble beginnings as the often-neglected son of religious zealots on the South Australian frontier to his wild ways at a succession of universities and his eventual rise as the country's most powerful union leader. Day provides a new perspective on a larrikin who was known for his overweening self-confidence and charm. A skilled negotiator with a drive to bring Australians together, he would go on to become our most popular and accomplished prime minister. Drawing on a decade of extensive research and interviews with those who knew Hawke best, this ground-breaking biography by an acclaimed writer reveals how Hawke's difficult childhood shaped him into someone who was also known for his uncontrollable bouts of anger and notorious for his alcoholism, obsessive womanising and close links with some of Australia's more shadowy characters. This gripping biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the first fifty years of Bob Hawke, our last truly colourful political leader. 'David Day's biography ... brings fascinating new dimension to this complex and deeply flawed man ... [a] fascinating, elegantly written account' Guardian

The mirror has no preferences. Whoever peers into that pool of light sees a faithful image, albeit laterally inverted. The young boy had looked into the bathroom mirror perhaps a thousand times with casual confidence, but today, the reflection felt surprising and strangely alien. It had to mean something. Thus began a quest that spanned his entire life, filled with many kinds of adventures, both external and internal. His journey crossed continents and led him to explore the deepest places of the mind and heart. It required keen observation and demanded ultimate honesty. Sometimes he stumbled; other times, he rejoiced. Ultimately, his goal was to answer that age-old question: who am I and where do I fit into the scheme of things? This question is everyone's question, and it suggests that by polishing our own mirrors, we might discover something wholly renewed.

This outstanding, inspiring new narrative of the first woman to serve in a president’s cabinet reveals the full, never-before-told story of her role in saving Jewish refugees during the Nazi regime.She was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, the longest-serving Labor Secretary, and an architect of the New Deal. Yet beyond these celebrated accomplishments there is another dimension to Frances Perkins’s story. Without fanfare, and despite powerful opposition, Perkins helped save the lives of countless Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.“Immigration problems usually have to be decided in a few days. They involve human lives. There can be no delaying,” Perkins wrote in her memoir, The Roosevelt I Knew. In March 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Perkins was appointed Secretary of Labor by FDR. As Hitler rose to power, thousands of German-Jewish refugees and their loved ones reached out to the INS—then part of the Department of Labor—applying for immigration to the United States, writing letters that began “Dear Miss Perkins . . .”Perkins’s early experiences working in Chicago’s famed Hull House and as a firsthand witness to the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist fire shaped her determination to advocate for immigrants and refugees. As Secretary of Labor, she wrestled widespread antisemitism and isolationism, finding creative ways to work around quotas and restrictive immigration laws. Diligent, resilient, empathetic, yet steadfast, she persisted on behalf of the desperate when others refused to act.Based on extensive research, including thousands of letters housed in the National Archives, Dear Miss Perkins adds new dimension to an already extraordinary life story, revealing at last how one woman tried to steer the nation to a better, more righteous course.

A country at war is very different from one at peace, a range of social changes quickly emerge. Men are conscripted into the armed forces and are replaced by women. The economy is rebalanced towards defence, and towards the production of war materials. Food and all basic commodities are controlled, and their consumption is rationed. The national culture changes. The second World War which engulfed the UK and indeed many other countries had all these features, and much is known about the political, social and economic changes of those years in the UK from the adult perspective. Less is known about their effect upon children, and children's perception of the times. So how did youngsters adapt to the outbreak of war in September 1939, and what did they make of all the changes? Which were the most significant for them and what attitudes and activities continued as before? The author of this brief account was seven years old in 1939, and with his younger brother lived through the war years in London. The book provides vivid descriptions of life in wartime London as experienced by these two young South London boys, with their fears and excitements, their mischief, and what they made of the changing social environment.

Mining magnate, politician, and imperialist, Cecil Rhodes had a larger-than-life impact on the development of Southern Africa and the extension of British imperial power. This critical biography of Rhodes elaborates his life and times, showing how his racist politics impacted mining, industry, transportation, warfare, and society, while discussing his controversial and enduring legacies.

Gospel singer and seven-time Grammy winner Andraé Crouch (1942-2015) hardly needs introduction. His compositions--"The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," "Through It All," "My Tribute (To God be the Glory)," "Jesus is the Answer," "Soon and Very Soon," and others--remain staples in modern hymnals, and he is often spoken of in the same "genius" pantheon as Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey and the Rev. James Cleveland. As the definitive biography of Crouch published to date, Soon and Very Soon celebrates the many ways that his legacy indelibly changed the course of gospel and popular music.

The second edition of Frederick Ashton's Ballets: Style, Performance, Choreography adds two further ballets to this ground-breaking study of Frederick Ashton's choreography. It not only examines the contribution these ballets made to twentieth century dance art, but also presents a detailed account of Ashton's work and dances, demonstrating his remarkable choreographic and artistic talent. Having danced with the Royal Ballet Company during the years Ashton was Director, author Geraldine Morris also draws on her years as an academic in the field.

The story of a road trip undertaken in early summer 1791 through upstate New York and New England by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. A Journey North opens a window onto the post-revolutionary landscape, illuminating the origins of the remarkable bond between two founding figures--one that endured for fifty years and remains one of the most consequential and significant friendships in American political history.

Every night when I turn the lights out in my sixteenth-floor living room before I go to bed, I experience a shock of pleasure as I see the banks of lighted windows rising to the sky, crowding round me, and feel myself embraced by the anonymous ingathering of city dwellers.

In this pacy and colourful new book, seasoned political journalists Tim Ross and Rachel Wearmouth use new interviews and candid private accounts from key players to take the reader behind the scenes of one of the strangest but most consequential elections in recent history.

The Madness of Courage describes how, shot down behind French lines, Group Captain Gilbert Insall ignored intensive German shelling in order to repair his aircraft overnight and return to base.

Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration salutes the men, the fan culture, and the music they created through interviews, photos, and more.

Black History's Power to Combat RacismHow Black History Can Save Your Life by Ernest Crim III, a hate crime survivor and Anti-Racist Educator, is an essential guide for anyone seeking to combat interpersonal racism, understand the roots of discrimination, and gain actionable strategies through Black historical narratives. This black history book for adults book empowers individuals, parents, and educators with tools to challenge racism and foster equity in their communities.Using Black history to fight racism. This book builds on Crim's personal experiences, including a viral 2016 hate crime incident that profoundly shaped his career. During a night out, Crim was targeted with racial slurs, but instead of letting it defeat him, he used the situation to highlight the pervasive nature of racism in America. He captured the moment on video, sparking a national conversation about the importance of confronting and addressing discrimination.Reclaiming the stories of Black history. Crim delves deep into the stories of Black excellence, resistance, and perseverance. He equips families, parents, and educators with the tools they need to combat racism in everyday life and within schools. Through his lens as a parent and former teacher, Crim demonstrates how the untold stories of Black history hold the keys to understanding the roots of racism and how it can be untaught. Drawing on his two bestsellers—Black History Saved My Life and The ABCs of Affirming Black Children—Crim teaches readers how to deconstruct racist systems and foster equitable practices in their communities.Inside, you’ll find:Strategies to de-escalate and combat interpersonal racism in everyday situations.Tools for parents and educators to address racism in schools and educate children through an equitable lens.Inspiring Black history stories that provide a blueprint for resilience and empowerment in the face of discrimination.If you liked The Color of Law, Stamped from the Beginning, or Seven Sisters and a Brother, you’ll love How Black History Can Save Your Life.

In John Shuttleworth Takes The Biscuit, English song-writer and presenter John Shuttleworth presents a crumbly selection of songs and stories.This new book boasts many original and hilarious stories about John Shuttleworth's life in and around Sheffield. There are also lots of his song lyrics reproduced with his kind permission (although permission didn't need to be sought, he really wouldn't have minded them being included. In fact, he would have been devastated if they hadn't been!).Colourful and eye-catching cartoons by long-time friend and collaborator Kevin Baldwin illustrate some of the songs.There is even a short story - a cautionary tale starring sleazy salesman, Peter Cornelious, called 'Peeping Peter'.

The rollicking autobiography of the iconic guitarist who took thrash metal behemoths Megadeth from the edge of collapse to their highest peak before departing to Japan for the joy of J-Pop. “The story of how he got where he is is fascinating. The Megadeth years have been well documented, but there’s so much more to Marty Friedman’s story and it’s well worth reading about in Dreaming Japanese.” —Decibel Magazine

A hilarious and inspiring memoir from one of Ireland's most popular comedians.

A frank account of what it takes to reach the top from one of hurling's all-time greats.

Elizabeth's tale begins in the colonial embrace of British India, 1936, where she was cradled in privilege and steeped in Christian tradition. At nineteen, she veered from the path expected of her, embarking on a bohemian chapter that defied her upbringing. Yet, the winds of change ushered in a period of stability when she married her soulmate. Embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, Elizabeth raised eight children, overturning the preconceived notion ingrained since childhood that she would never work. Her life's journey defied expectations, from a teenager's rebellion to a dedication to family and work that spanned from the tender age of 16 to the seasoned age of 70.