Biographies & Memoirs

Explore the stories of remarkable lives in our Biographies & Memoirs section at Thryft. Discover firsthand accounts of influential figures and captivating memoirs that'll inspire and educate. Our collection is carefully curated to ensure you find the perfect narrative to delve into.

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John Carlin, Rafael Nadal

Rafa: My Story

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This autobiography gives Nadal's millions of fans what they've been waiting for - a glimpse behind the racquet to learn what really makes Nadal - an intensely private person who until now has never talked about his personal and family life - tick.

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Bill Clinton

Back to Work : Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy

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This book offers insights from a former President of the United States on how government and private sector can work together towards restoring economic growth, job creation, financial responsibility, and pursuing strategies for the future. It provides specific recommendations on how to increase bank lending and corporate investment, double exports, and restore the manufacturing base to create new businesses. One of the recommended strategies is to adopt green technology, which can create both fast-growing economy and national security. Overall, the book stresses on the need for cooperation between government and the private sector in restoring prosperity.

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Michael Lewis

Liar's Poker : From the author of the Big Short

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Liar's Poker is a witty and eye-opening memoir that delves into the nitty-gritty world of Wall Street's brokers and traders in the mid-80s. Michael Lewis narrates his rise from trainee to bond salesman, offering an exciting and hilarious glimpse into the high-stakes world of finance. With insightful observations about the culture of greed and ambition that surrounds the business, this memoir is a valuable and entertaining read for anyone looking to understand the powerful forces that drive Wall Street.

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Suzy Welch

Winning : The Ultimate Business How-to Book

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The ultimate business how-to book by the icon of American business and one of the world's most revered and respected leaders, Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric.Jack Welch knows how to win. During his 40-year career at General Electric, he led the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition. His honest, be-the-best style of management became the gold standard in business, with his relentless focus on people, teamwork and profits.Since Jack retired in 2001 as Chairman and CEO of GE, he has travelled the world, speaking to more than 250,000 people and answering their questions on dozens of wide-ranging topics. Inspired by his audiences and their hunger for straightforward guidance, Jack has written both a philosophical and pragmatic book, which is destined to become the bible of business for generations to come. It clearly lays out the answers to the most difficult questions people face both on and off the job.Jack’s objective is to speak to people at every level of an organization, in companies large and small. His goal is to help everyone who has a passion for success, from assistants to project managers to senior executives.Winning is devoted to the real “stuff” of work, looking both inside the company, from leadership to picking winners to making change happen, and outside the company, at competition, strategy and mergers. And it focuses on managing your career – from finding the right job to achieving work-life balance.Jack’s optimistic, no excuses, get-it-done mind-set is riveting. Packed with personal anecdotes and written in his distinctive no-nonsense voice, Winning offers deep insights, original thinking and solutions to nuts-and-bolts problems that will change the way people think about work.

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J.D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy - A Memoir Of A Family And Culture In Crisis

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If you want to understand the challenges faced by the white working class in America, "Hillbilly Elegy" is a must-read. J.D. Vance takes you on a deeply personal journey through his upbringing in a poor Rust Belt town, painting a vivid picture of the struggles and complexities of his family and community. This powerful memoir offers valuable insights into a often overlooked segment of society and provokes necessary reflection on the state of working-class America.

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Christopher Hibbert, James Boswell

The Life of Samuel Johnson

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The most celebrated English biography is a group portrait in which extraordinary man paints the picture of a dozen moreAt the centre of a brilliant circle which included Burke, Reynolds, Garrick, Fanny Burney and even George III, Boswell captures the powerful, troubled and witty figure of Samuel Johnson, who towers above them all. Yet this is also an intimate picture of domestic life, which mingles the greatest talkers of a talkative age with the hero's humbler friends in a picture which is, before all things, humane.As a young man about London, James Boswell was obsessed by literature, and, on a fateful day in 1763, he attached himself with unswerving tenacity to the dominant literary figure of his age—the splendidly rotund, articulate, and humane Dr Samuel Johnson. What followed was the most famous of friendships between writers and the bais for the remarkable documentation contained in Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson , the greatest and most compelling of all biographies.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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Sarah Churchwell

Careless People : Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby

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A fascinating look at the autumn of 1922, when F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda returned to New York and the seeds for The Great Gatsby were sownSince its publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby has become one of the world's best-loved books, delighting readers across the world. Careless People tells the true story behind F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, exploring in newly rich detail the relation of Fitzgerald's classic to the chaotic world he in which he lived. Fitzgerald set his novel in 1922, and Careless People carefully reconstructs the crucial months during which Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald returned to New York in the autumn of 1922 - the parties, the drunken weekends at Great Neck, Long Island, the drives back into the city to the jazz clubs and speakeasies, the casual intersection of high society and organized crime, and the growth of celebrity culture of which the Fitzgeralds themselves were the epitome. And for the first time it returns to the story of Gatsby the high-profile murder that provided a crucial inspiration for Fitzgerald's tale.With wit and insight, Sarah Churchwell traces the genesis of a masterpiece, discovering where fiction comes from, and how it takes shape in the mind of a genius. Blending biography and history with lost and forgotten newspaper accounts, letters, and newly discovered archival material, Careless People is the biography of a book, telling the extraordinary tale of how F. Scott Fitzgerald created a classic and in the process discovered modern America.

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Simon Sebag Montefiore

Jerusalem : The Biography

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Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet verdens bedste bog om den mest omstridte, elskede, ombejlede, kontroversielle by - og har gjort det med så stor indlevelse, grundighed og overbevisning, at det er en af de mest roste biografier over en hel by nogensinde. Det gør bogen til et must for alle, der bare er det mindste interesseret i, hvor vores holdninger, overbevisninger, tro (eller mangel på samme) kommer fra, og hvorfor der er så store spændinger mellem kristne, jøder og muslimer i verden i dag."Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet en stakåndet og vidunderlig bog om verdens mest omstridte by." *****- Berlingske Tidende"En bog man bliver klogere af." *****- Jyllands-Posten "Et brag af en bog om de seneste tre tusind år i den hellige by." *****- Politiken"En levende og velresearchet bog fra bibelske David og frem til i dag." *****- Ekstra Bladet "Vellykket kæmpeværk med bud til alle, der har interesse i kulturhistorie."- Kristeligt DagbladSimon Sebag Montefiore er historiker og uddannet ved Cambridge University. Han har tidligere skrevet to internainale anerkendte og kæmpe biografier om Potemkin og Stalin.

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Bear Grylls

A Survival Guide for Life

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"A Survival Guide for Life" by Bear Grylls could be a good read for individuals looking for inspiration and guidance on how to succeed in the face of adversity. Grylls shares his personal experiences in various extreme environments and offers practical advice on how to remain resilient and motivated during tough times. The book's most distinctive feature is Grylls' unique perspective on using survival skills to thrive in everyday life, making it a must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and inspiration.

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Tom Clynes

The Boy Who Played with Fusion : Extreme Science, Extreme Parenting and How to Make a Star

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By the age of nine, Taylor had mastered the science of rocket propulsion.At eleven, his grandmother's cancer diagnosis inspired him to seek new ways to produce medical isotopes.And by fourteen, Taylor had built a reactor which produces temperatures hotter than the sun, becoming the youngest person in history to achieve nuclear fusion.How did Taylor manage all this? And how did his parents find the courage to give their son the support and freedom he needed to succeed? Here is an astonishing story of audacity, perseverance and passion -- and a boy whose world seems to have no limits.

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Peter Sagan

My World

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From 2015 to 2017, Peter Sagan achieved the seemingly impossible: he won three road race World Championships in a row, ensuring his entry into the history books as one of the greatest riders of all time.But to look at Peter’s record in isolation is to tell only a fraction of his story, because Peter doesn’t just win: he entertains. Every moment in the saddle is an opportunity to express his personality, and nobody else has succeeded in making elite cycling look so much fun. From no-hands wheelies on the slopes of Mont Ventoux to press conference mischief with clamouring journalists, Peter exudes a passion for the sport and a lovable desire to bring smiles to the faces of his fans.So, for the very first time, you will have the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of Peter’s world. You will discover the gruelling training programmes necessary for success, and how Peter copes with the pressure of high expectation. You will feel that sense of elation when crossing the line ahead of the pack, and moments of desperation, like in 2017 when Peter realised he wouldn’t be allowed to challenge for his sixth Tour de France green jersey. But what better tonic than to ensure a third year in rainbow – an achievement which may never be repeated again.

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Jonathan Allen, Amie Parnes

HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton

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This book offers an in-depth look into the career of acclaimed politician Hillary Clinton, detailing the ups and downs of her political career. Readers will appreciate the behind-the-scenes accounts of the strategies, machinations and decision-making that contributed to one of the greatest political comebacks in history. Recommended for fans of political memoirs and those interested in first-hand insights leading up to a historical moment.

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Dylan Evans

The Utopia Experiment

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The Utopia Experiment is a great read for individuals who are interested in thought-provoking accounts of real-life scenarios. The book stands out for its unique blend of adventure, self-discovery, and mental health themes. It offers a captivating and harrowing account of how an ambitious vision can turn into a psychological nightmare. Ultimately, it's an introspective journey that will leave readers wondering how they may fare in a catastrophic scenario and how mental health support can be crucial in such situations.

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Salman Rushdie

Joseph Anton

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On February 14, 1989, Valentine’s Day, Salman Rushdie received a telephone call from a BBC journalist who told the author that he had been “sentenced to death” by the Ayatollah Khomeini. It was the first time Rushdie heard the word fatwa. His crime? To have written a novel called The Satanic Verses, which was accused of being “against Islam, the Prophet, and the Quran.” So begins the extraordinary story of how a writer was forced underground, moving from house to house, with the constant presence of an armed police protection team. Rushdie was asked to choose an alias that the police could call him by. He thought of writers he loved and various combinations of their names. Then it came to him: Conrad and Chekhov—Joseph Anton. How do a writer and his family live with the threat of murder for more than nine years? How does he go on working? How does he fall in and out of love? How does despair shape his thoughts and actions, and how does he learn to fight back? In this remarkable memoir, Rushdie tells that story for the first time; the story of the crucial battle for freedom of speech. He shares the sometimes grim, sometimes comic realities of living with armed policemen, and the close bonds he formed with his protectors; of his struggle for support and understanding from governments, intelligence chiefs, publishers, journalists, and fellow writers; and of how he regained his freedom. Compelling, provocative, and moving, Joseph Anton is a book of exceptional frankness, honesty, and vital importance. Because what happened to Salman Rushdie was the first act of a drama that is still unfolding somewhere in the world every day.

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Isabel Sun Chao, Claire Chao

Remembering Shanghai : A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels

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Winner of over 20 awards including Rubery Award BOOK OF THE YEAR and Writer’s Digest GRAND PRIZE ... An Extraordinary Multigenerational Saga.A high position bestowed by China's empress dowager grants power and wealth to the Sun family. For Isabel, growing up in glamorous 1930s and '40s Shanghai, it is a life of utmost privilege. But while her scholar father and fashionable mother shelter her from civil war and Japanese occupation, they cannot shield the family forever.When Mao comes to power, eighteen-year-old Isabel journeys to Hong Kong, not realizing that she will make it her home--and that she will never see her father again. Meanwhile, the family she has left behind struggles to survive, only to have their world shattered by the Cultural Revolution. Isabel returns to Shanghai fifty years later with her daughter, Claire, to confront their family's past--one they discover is filled with love and betrayal, kidnappers and concubines, glittering pleasure palaces and underworld crime bosses.Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, Remembering Shanghai follows five generations from a hardscrabble village to vibrant Shanghai to the bright lights of Hong Kong. By turns harrowing and heartwarming, this vivid memoir explores identity, loss and the unpredictable nature of life against the epic backdrop of a nation and a people in turmoil.

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Jack Welch, Suzy Welch

Winning

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A champion manager of people, Jack Welch shares the hard-earned wisdom of a storied career in what will become the ultimate business bible With Winning, Jack Welch delivers a wide-ranging, in-depth, no-holds-barred management guidebook about the tough strategic, organizational, and personal challenges that face people at every stage of their careers. Loaded with candid personal anecdotes, hard-hitting advice, and invaluable dos and don’ts, Jack explains his theory of business, by laying out the four most important principles that form the foundation of his success. Chapters include: How to Get Promoted, How to Think about Strategy, How to Write a Budget that Works, How to Work for a Jerk, How Find Work-Life Balance and How Start Something New. Enlivened by quotes from business leaders that Welch interviewed especially for the book, it’s a tour de force that reflects Welch’s mastery of execution, excellence and leadership.

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Indra Nooyi

My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future

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If you're navigating the crossroads of career and personal life, Indra Nooyi's "My Life in Full" is a particularly resonant read. With Nooyi's unique perspective as a former CEO and her emphasis on the advancement of women, the book offers practical wisdom and inspiration for those looking to balance professional achievements with their family commitments.

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Steve Harvey

Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success : Discovering Your Gift and the Way to Life's Riches

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In his phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve Harvey told women what it takes to succeed in love. Now, he tells everyone how to succeed in life, giving you the keys to fulfill your purpose. Countless books on success tell you what you need to get that you don’t already possess. In Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success , Steve Harvey tells you how to achieve your dreams using the gift you already have. Every one of us was born with a gift endowed by our creator—something you do the best at with very little effort. While it can be like someone else’s, your gift is yours alone. No one can take it away. You are the only one who can use it—or waste it. Steve shows how that gift holds your greatest chance at success, and the fulfillment of your life’s mission and purpose. He helps you learn to define your gift—whether it’s being a problem solver, a people-connector, a whiz with numbers, or having an eye for colors. He makes clear that your job is not your gift; you may use it in your work, but it can also be used in your marriage or relationship, your community, and throughout every aspect of your life. Throughout, he provides a set of principles that will help you direct your gift. “The scriptures say your gift will make room for you and put you in the presence of great men,” Steve reminds us. This book is your roadmap to identifying your gift, acknowledging it, perfecting it, connecting it to a vehicle, and riding it to success. Because Success is the gift you already have.” Funny yet firm, told in Steve’s warm and insightful voice, and peppered with anecdotes from his own life, practical advice, and truthful insights, this essential guide can help you transform your life and achieve everything you were born to.

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Michael Dunlop

Road Racer : It's in My Blood

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Recommendation: This book is a must-read for all fans of motorsports and anyone looking for a thrilling and inspiring story. Michael Dunlop's autobiography provides a unique perspective on what it takes to become one of the greatest road racers in the world. Through his personal experiences, he shares the highs and lows of racing, the family legacy that shaped him, and his unwavering determination to overcome tragedy. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, feeling the adrenaline and proving that passion and resilience can triumph against all odds.

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Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat Pray Love : One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (internation al export edition)

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The celebrated author of The Last American Man creates an irresistible, candid, and eloquent account of her pursuit of worldly pleasure and spiritual devotion.

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Marcus Aurelius, Maxwell Staniforth

Meditations

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Written in Greek, without any intention of publication, by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Ranging from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the nature of moral virtue, human rationality, divine providence, and Marcus' own emotions. But while the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation and encouragement, in developing his beliefs Marcus Aurelius also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a timeless collection of extended meditations and short aphorisms that has been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and readers through the centuries.

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Nick Vujicic

Unstoppable : The Incredible Power of Faith in Action

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New York Times  bestsellerBeing unstoppable is about believing and achieving. It’s about having faith in yourself, your talents and your purpose and, most of all, in God’s great love and His divine plan for your life. Millions around the world recognize the smiling face and inspirational message of Nick Vujicic. Despite being born without arms or legs, Nick’s challenges have not kept him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that no matter the despair and hard times in life, God is always present. Nick credits his success in life to the power that is unleashed when faith takes action . But how does that happen? In Unstoppable Nick addresses adversity and difficult circumstances that many people face today, including:   • Personal crises• Relationship issues• Career and job challenges• Health and disability concerns• Self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and addictions• Bullying, persecution, cruelty, and intolerance• Balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit  • Service to othersThrough stories from his own life and the experiences of many others, Nick explains how anyone wanting a “ridiculously good life” can respond to these issues and more to become unstoppable. What’s standing in your way?  Are you ready to become unstoppable ?

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Tom Wright, Bradley Hope

Billion Dollar Whale : The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World -- Paperback / softback [Paperback]

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This book is a rollercoaster ride of astounding schemes and unbelievable audacity. It unravels the captivating story of a man who managed to fool the world's biggest institutions, leaving behind a trail of corruption and deceit. If you're looking for a gripping non-fiction that will keep you hooked from start to finish, this is it. Prepare to be shocked and amazed by the sheer audacity of this real-life con artist.

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Luke Harding

The Snowden Files - The Inside Story Of The World's Most Wanted Man

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"The Snowden Files is a gripping account of Edward Snowden's journey from being a contractor to the most wanted fugitive after leaking highly sensitive information about the US government's surveillance program. This book offers a unique perspective on the events that unfolded, revealing the lengths to which the state will go to silence those who challenge its power. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and politics."

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Sebastian Junger

The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Man Against the Sea

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"Takes readers into the maelstrom and shows nature's splendid and dangerous havoc at its utmost".October 1991. It was "the perfect storm"--a tempest that may happen only once in a century--a nor'easter created by so rare a combination of factors that it could not possibly have been worse. Creating waves ten stories high and winds of 120 miles an hour, the storm whipped the sea to inconceivable levels few people on Earth have ever witnessed. Few, except the six-man crew of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing boat tragically headed towards its hellish center.

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The Try Guys

The Hidden Power of F*cking Up

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The Hidden Power of F*cking Up is an inspiring book that encourages readers to embrace failure and use it as a tool to achieve success. Through entertaining anecdotes and personal challenges, The Try Guys demonstrate how tackling our fears and flaws head-on can lead to personal growth and a stronger sense of self. This book will appeal to anyone looking for a humorous and relatable guide to self-improvement.

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Jamie Heaslip

All In

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Jamie Heaslip is one of the most decorated players in the history of Irish rugby. Over the course of a thirteen-year career, during which he amassed 229 appearances for Leinster and 100 international caps, his name became synonymous with both the Irish No 8 jersey and the values that have propelled the growth of professional rugby in diligence, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement. Here, in a frank and stirring account of his years on rugby’s front line, Heaslip recalls the events, wisdom and personalities that helped craft his winning mindset and vault Ireland to the summit of world rugby. An inspiring personal memoir and insider account of Ireland’s transformation from amateur backwater to professional powerhouse, All In is also a profound meditation on sport, leadership and what it takes to succeed in the harshest of environments.

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Sarah Wilson

First, We Make the Beast Beautiful : A new conversation about anxiety

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If you struggle with anxiety, this book offers firsthand experience, worldly advice, and a fresh perspective, providing readers with a deeper understanding of anxiety and guiding towards richer, kinder, and wiser conversations about it.

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Robert Capa, Susan Shillinglaw, John Steinbeck

A Russian Journal

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Steinbeck and Capa’s account of their journey through Cold War Russia is a classic piece of reportage and travel writing.Just after the Iron Curtain fell on Eastern Europe, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and acclaimed war photographer Robert Capa ventured into the Soviet Union to report for the New York Herald Tribune. This rare opportunity took the famous travelers not only to Moscow and Stalingrad – now Volgograd – but through the countryside of the Ukraine and the Caucasus. Hailed by the New York Times as "superb" when it first appeared in 1948, A Russian Journal is the distillation of their journey and remains a remarkable memoir and unique historical document.What they saw and movingly recorded in words and on film was what Steinbeck called "the great other side there … the private life of the Russian people." Unlike other Western reporting about Russia at the time, A Russian Journal is free of ideological obsessions. Rather, Steinbeck and Capa recorded the grim realities of factory workers, government clerks, and peasants, as they emerged from the rubble of World War II—represented here in Capa’s stirring photographs alongside Steinbeck’s masterful prose. Through it all, we are given intimate glimpses of two artists at the height of their powers, answering their need to document human struggle. This edition features an introduction by Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw.

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Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project (Revised Edition) : Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

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Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

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Eva Hagberg

How To Be Loved - A Memoir Of Lifesaving Friendship

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A luminous memoir about how friendship saved one woman’s life, for anyone who has loved a friend who was sick, grieving, or lost—and for anyone who has struggled to seek or accept helpEva Hagberg Fisher spent her lonely youth looking everywhere for drugs, alcohol, therapists, boyfriends, girlfriends. Sometimes she found it, but always temporarily. Then, at age thirty, an undiscovered mass in her brain ruptured. So did her life. A brain surgery marked only the beginning of a long journey, and when her illness hit a critical stage, it forced her to finally admit the long-suppressed she was vulnerable, she needed help, and she longed to grow. She needed true friendship for the first time.       How to Be Loved  is the story of how an isolated person’s life was ripped apart only to be gently stitched back together through friendship, and the recovery—of many stripes—that came along the way. It explores the isolation so many of us feel despite living in an age of constant connectivity; how our ambitions sometimes pull us apart more than bring us together; and how a simple doughnut, delivered by a caring soul, can become the essence of what makes a life valuable. With gorgeous prose shot through with empathy, pain, fear, and the secret truths inside all of us, Eva writes about the friends who taught her to grow up and open her heart—and how the relentlessness of suffering can give rise to the greatest joy.

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John Grogan

Marley & Me

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"Marley and Me could be a read for dog lovers who want to experience the joy and chaos of raising a dog. It depicts the ups and downs of owning a pet, showcasing Marley's mischievous nature and the unconditional love that comes with having him in the family. The book teaches us that life's imperfections can be beautiful and that pets are more than just animals - they are family."

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Ben Macintyre

Agent Zigzag - The True Wartime Story Of Eddie Chapman: The Most Notorious Double Agent Of World War II (Reissued)

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Agent Zigzag is an incredible true story of Eddie Chapman, the infamous double-agent, and his numerous adventures during World War II. With twists and turns at every corner, readers will be hooked by his daring missions and unexpected loyalty. Chapman's captivating story of espionage and treachery will appeal to anyone interested in history or thrilling tales of adventure.

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Steve Friedman, Scott Jurek

Eat And Run - My Unlikely Journey To Ultramarathon Greatness

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Eat and Run could be a good read for someone who is interested in long-distance running and veganism. The book details the journey of ultrarunner Scott Jurek, who has won some of the world's most grueling races, and his adoption of a vegan lifestyle. The book is an inspiring tale of determination, perseverance, and the power of a plant-based diet.

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Anthony Bourdain

Kitchen Confidential

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Kitchen Confidential would be a great read for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the culinary world. Bourdain's raw and honest storytelling makes for a captivating read, and his vivid descriptions of his experiences in the industry will leave readers feeling like they've been given the inside scoop. This book is particularly appealing to those who enjoy memoirs, food writing, or true crime.

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Primo Levi

The Periodic Table

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Azoto, carbonio, idrogeno, oro, arsenico… Sono ventuno gli elementi chimici che dànno il titolo ai racconti di questo libro, e ventuno i capitoli di un'autobiografia che per affinità e accostamenti corre sul filo di una storia personale e collettiva, affondando le radici nell'oscura qualità della materia, raccontando le storie di un mestiere «che è poi un caso particolare, una versione piú strenua del mestiere di vivere». È questo il gigantesco minuscolo gioco che lega osservazione, memoria, scrittura: ne esce ricostruita la vicenda di una formazione maturata negli anni del fascismo, poi nelle drammatiche vicende della guerra: di chi, partendo dalla concretezza del lavoro, impara a capire le cose e gli uomini, a prendere posizione, a misurarsi con ironia e autoironia.

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Madeleine Trebenski

Do I Feel Better Yet?: Questionable Attempts at Self-Care and Existing in General

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This book is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the constant flood of self-help advice. Madeleine Trebenski takes a humorous and honest approach as she delves into the world of popular self-care practices, exposing the absurdity and unattainable promises they make. Through witty essays, she offers readers a sense of camaraderie, making them feel less alone in their search for genuine well-being. So if you're tired of the endless suggestions and looking for a good laugh, this book is for you. It's a refreshing reminder that self-care doesn't always come in a fancy package but rather through genuine connection and self-acceptance.

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Michelle Hamilton, Deena Kastor

Let Your Mind Run : A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory

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From an Olympic medalist runner and the record-holder in the women's marathon and half-marathon, a vividly inspirational memoir on using positive psychology and brain science to achieve unparalleled athletic success The day Deena Kastor became a truly elite runner was the day she realized that she had to ignore her talent--it had taken her so far, but only conquering the mental piece could unlock higher levels of achievement. In Let Your Mind Run, the vaunted Olympic medalist and marathon and half-marathon record holder, will reveal how she incorporated the benefits of positive psychology into her already-dedicated running practice, setting her on a course to conquer women's distance running. Blending both narrative running insights and deep-dive brain science, this book will appeal to and motivate steadfast athletes, determined runners, and tough-as-nails coaches, and beyond. This memoir, written by perhaps the most famous American woman active in the competitive world of distance running, will appeal to the pragmatic athletic population, and jointly to fans of engaging sports narratives, inspirational memoirs, and uplifiting biographies.

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Karl Pilkington, Freddie Claire

The Moaning of Life : The Worldly Wisdom of Karl Pilkington

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Recommended for those seeking light-hearted wisdom.

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Elizabeth Gilbert

Committed : A Love Story

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Committed could be a good read for someone who is feeling unsure about entering into marriage or simply wants to learn more about the institution. The book provides historical research, personal reflection, and debunks myths surrounding marriage. This clear-eyed celebration of love highlights the complexity and responsibility of adulthood, making it a cherished handbook for any thinking person.

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Vivian Gornick

The Odd Woman and the City : A Memoir

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A memoir of self-discovery and the dilemma of connection in our time, The Odd Woman and the City explores the rhythms, chance encounters, and ever-changing friendships of urban life that forge the sensibility of a fiercely independent woman who has lived out her conflicts, not her fantasies, in a city (New York) that has done the same. Running steadily through the book is Vivian Gornick's exchange of more than twenty years with Leonard, a gay man who is sophisticated about his own unhappiness, whose friendship has "shed more light on the mysterious nature of ordinary human relations than has any other intimacy" she has known. The exchange between Gornick and Leonard acts as a Greek chorus to the main action of the narrator's continual engagement on the street with grocers, derelicts, and doormen; people on the bus, cross-dressers on the corner, and acquaintances by the handful. In Leonard she sees herself reflected plain; out on the street she makes sense of what she sees.Written as a narrative collage that includes meditative pieces on the making of a modern feminist, the role of the flaneur in urban literature, and the evolution of friendship over the past two centuries, The Odd Woman and the City beautifully bookends Gornick's acclaimed Fierce Attachments, in which we first encountered her rich relationship with the ultimate metropolis.

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Jessica Pan

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come : An Introvert's Year of Living Dangerously

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'Painfully hilarious' RedWhat would happen if a shy introvert lived as an out-and-out extrovert for one year? Jessica Pan is about to find out…*When she found herself jobless and friendless, sitting in the familiar Jess-shaped crease on her sofa, she couldn't help but wonder what life might have looked like if she had been a little more open to new experiences and new people, a little less attached to going home instead of going to the pub.So, she made a vow: to push herself to live the life of an extrovert for a year. She wrote a list: improv, a solo holiday and... talking to strangers on the tube. She regretted it instantly.Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come follows Jess's hilarious and painful year of misadventures in extroverting, reporting back from the frontlines for all the introverts out there.But is life actually better or easier for the extroverts? Or is it the nightmare Jess always thought it would be?*‘In a world of self-care and nights in, this book will inspire and remind you to do some things that scare you every so often.’ Emma Gannon‘Tender, courageous and extremely funny, this book will make us all braver.’ Daisy Buchanan‘A chronicle of Pan’s hilarious and painful year of being an extrovert.’ Stylist

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Ben Macintyre

The Spy and the Traitor : The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

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A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians - now with a new afterwordOn a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.The man was a spy. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB. The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of spying. Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever...

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Mary Laura Philpott

I Miss You When I Blink : Essays

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I Miss You When I Blink is a relatable and insightful memoir-in-essays about Mary Laura Philpott's journey to rediscovering herself and her purpose. Philpott shares her own stories to show that identity crises are normal and necessary. She humorously captures the conflicting pressures of modern adulthood and how personal re-inventions are possible. Readers will find comfort in knowing they're not alone and be inspired to embrace their imperfections and figure out where they belong.

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Ryszard Kapuściński, Klara Glowczewska

The Shadow of the Sun : My African Life

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"The Shadow of the Sun" by Ryszard Kapuscinski could be a good read for those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of post-colonial Africa. Kapuscinski provides a unique perspective on the continent, focusing on the mosaic of different peoples and practices that make up what we call "Africa." Through his impassioned writing, he addresses the struggles of humanity to escape foreign domination, wars, politics, and seek freedom. The book is perfect for those who want to learn more about Africa beyond what is shown in the media.

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Donovan Campbell

Joker One : A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood

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After graduating from Princeton, Donovan Campbell, motivated by his unwavering patriotism and commitment, decided to join the service, realizing that becoming a Marine officer would allow him to give back to his country, engage in the world, and learn to lead. In this immediate, thrilling, and inspiring memoir, Campbell recounts a timeless and transcendent tale of brotherhood, courage, and sacrifice.As commander of a forty-man infantry platoon called Joker One, Campbell had just months to train and transform a ragtag group of brand-new Marines into a first-rate cohesive fighting unit, men who would become his family: Sergeant Leza, the house intellectual who read Che Guevara; Sergeant Mariano Noriel, the “Filipino ball of fire” who would become Campbell’s closest confidant and friend; Lance Corporal William Feldmeir, a narcoleptic who fell asleep during battle; and a lieutenant known simply as “the Ox,” whose stubborn aggressiveness would be more curse than blessing. Campbell and his men were assigned to Ramadi, that capital of the Sunni-dominated Anbar province that was an explosion just waiting to happen. And when it did happen–with the chilling cries of “Jihad, Jihad, Jihad!” echoing from minaret to minaret–Campbell and company were there to protect the innocent, battle the insurgents, and pick up the pieces. After seven months of day-to-day, house-to-house combat, nearly half of Campbell’s platoon had been wounded, a casualty rate that went beyond that of any Marine or Army unit since Vietnam. Yet unlike Fallujah, Ramadi never fell to the enemy.Told by the man who led the unit of hard-pressed Marines, Joker One is a gripping tale of a leadership, loyalty, faith, and camaraderie throughout the best and worst of times.

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Marshall Ulrich

Running On Empty : An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record Setting Run Across America

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Running On Empty could be a good read for someone who is interested in long-distance running or for those looking to find inspiration in overcoming emotional and physical obstacles. This book is a gripping and emotional journey of an ultramarathon runner, highlighting the grueling reality of being an endurance athlete and the human struggles that often come with it. Ulrich's personal story of grief and healing adds a relatable, emotional aspect to the book, making it a must-read for anyone looking to push their limits.

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Gerald Durrell

My Family and Other Animals

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My Family and Other Animals is a great read for nature lovers who enjoy humorous anecdotes. Gerald Durrell's witty storytelling and fascination with the local fauna on the island of Corfu make for an enchanting read. The book is a unique perspective on childhood, offering insight into how a young boy viewed the world around him. Overall, readers will appreciate the book's ability to transport them to another time and place, immersing them in a world filled with exotic creatures and family hijinks.

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T.E. Lawrence

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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Recommendation: - If you are seeking a thrilling and immersive journey through the complex world of war and revolution, Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the perfect read for you. T.E. Lawrence's autobiographical account of his service in the Arab Revolt during World War I is not just a military chronicle; it is a profound exploration of human emotions, philosophies, and dreams. With extraordinary vividness, Lawrence recreates epic events and offers unparalleled portraits, descriptions, and adventures that will leave you captivated from beginning to end. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure and discover why Lawrence is one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century.

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C.S. Lewis

Surprised by Joy : The Shape of My Early Life

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"A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere . . . God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." This book is not an autobiography. It is not a confession. It is, however, certainly one of the most beautiful and insightful accounts of a person coming to faith. Here, C.S. Lewis takes us from his childhood in Belfast through the loss of his mother, to boarding school and a youthful atheism in England, to the trenches of World War I, and then to Oxford, where he studied, read, and, ultimately, reasoned his way back to God. It is perhaps this aspect of Surprised by Joy that we—believers and nonbelievers—find most compelling and meaningful; Lewis was searching for joy, for an elusive and momentary sensation of glorious yearning, but he found it, and spiritual life, through the use of reason. In this highly personal, thoughtful, intelligent memoir, Lewis guides us toward joy and toward the surprise that awaits anyone who seeks a life beyond the expected."Lewis tempered his logic with a love for beauty, wonder, and magic . . . He speaks to us with all the power and life-changing force of a Plato, a Dante, and a Bunyan."— Christianity Today "The tension of these final chapters holds the interest like the close of a thriller."— Times Literary Supplement C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898–1963), one of the great writers of the twentieth century, also continues to be one of our most influential Christian thinkers. He wrote more than thirty books, both popular and scholarly, including The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters , The Four Loves , Mere Christianity , and Till We Have Faces .

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Dive Into Real-Life Stories

Biographies and memoirs offer unparalleled insights into the lives and minds of individuals who've shaped our world. Be it political icons, celebrities, or unsung heroes, Thryft brings you a rich assortment of stories that reveal extraordinary experiences and life lessons. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the personal tales that have influenced history and culture.