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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Bob Woodward

Maestro : Alan Greenspan and the American Economy

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Who is responsible? From the President to the Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, to Wall Street to the role of emerging technologies, this book investigates the ideas and politics that have established the USA as a pre-eminent economic power.

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Joyce Purnick

Mike Bloomberg : Money, Power, Politics

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This book would be a great read for those interested in the life of an unconventional businessman. It offers a unique perspective on how Mike Bloomberg's problem-solving abilities and unconventional approach led him to great success. The book highlights his rise from a childhood in the suburbs of Boston to becoming a self-made billionaire through his creation of Bloomberg L.P. It also delves deep into his successful mayoral career and controversial campaign for a third term. Overall, this book is a great read for those wanting to gain insight into the life of an individual who forged his way through his abilities rather than societal norms.

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Tony Blair

A Journey : My Political Life

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Tony Blair is a politician who defines our times. His emergence as Labour Party leader in 1994 marked a seismic shift in British politics. Within a few short years, he had transformed his party and rallied the country behind him, becoming prime minister in 1997 with the biggest victory in Labour’s history, and bringing to an end eighteen years of Conservative government. He took Labour to a historic three terms in office as Britain’s dominant political figure of the last two decades.A Journey is Tony Blair’s firsthand account of his years in office and beyond. Here he describes for the first time his role in shaping our recent history, from the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death to the war on terror. He reveals the leadership decisions that were necessary to reinvent his party, the relationships with colleagues including Gordon Brown, the grueling negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, the implementation of the biggest reforms to public services in Britain since 1945, and his relationships with leaders on the world stage—Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, George W. Bush. He analyzes the belief in ethical intervention that led to his decisions to go to war in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and, most controversially of all, in Iraq.A Journey is a book about the nature and uses of political power. In frank, unflinching, often wry detail, Tony Blair charts the ups and downs of his career to provide insight into the man as well as the politician and statesman. He explores the challenges of leadership, and the ramifications of standing up, clearly and forcefully, for what one believes in. He also looks ahead, to emerging power relationships and economies, addressing the vital issues and complexities of our global world.Few British prime ministers have shaped the nation’s course as profoundly as Tony Blair, and his achievements and his legacy will be debated for years to come. Here, uniquely, we have his own journey, in his own words.

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George Soros

Soros on Soros : Staying Ahead of the Curve

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Recommended for those interested in finance and politics. The book provides insights into Soros's investment strategies, his perspectives on global finance and politics. The book also details the author's journey from a Holocaust survivor to a philosophy student and then to the world's most successful trader.

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Ronald Reagan, Annelise Anderson, Kiron K. Skinner

Reagan, In His Own Hand : The Writings of Ronald Reagan that Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America

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Hidden in the archives of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for more than a decade, the writings contained in Reagan, In His Own Hand redefine the way we think about American history of the past quarter century and about the fortieth American president. By revealing an active mind wrestling with the problems of a sluggish economy, social pathologies, welfare reform, and the Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union, these never-before-seen documents, many reproduced in his own handwriting, prove Reagan to be both the visionary and intellectual powerhouse behind his administration's landmark policies.

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Thant Myint-U

The River of Lost Footsteps : Histories of Burma

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Recommendation: The River of Lost Footsteps is a mesmerizing exploration of Burma's complex past, taking readers on a captivating journey through the country's rich history. Thant Myint-U weaves personal narratives with historical accounts, providing an intimate and insightful perspective that brings Burma to life. With lyrical prose and a meticulous attention to detail, this book offers a profound understanding of the country's struggles, triumphs, and the enduring resilience of its people. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply seeking a compelling tale, The River of Lost Footsteps is a must-read that will leave a lasting impression.

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Thant Myint-U

The River of Lost Footsteps

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Burma is currently ruled by a harsh dictatorship unmoved by Western activists and sanctions. It is also the sight of the longest-running conflict in the world. Drawing both on his own family's stories and his years of hands-on political experience working with the United Nations, Thant Myint-U has written an illuminating account of how Burma's rich past informs its violent present, and of how the world might transform the country's future. In The River of Lost Footsteps , Thant Myint-U tells the story of modern Burma, in part through a telling of his own family's history, in an interwoven narrative that is by turns lyrical, dramatic, and appalling. His maternal grandfather, U Thant, rose from being the schoolmaster of a small town in the Irrawaddy Delta to become the UN secretary-general in the 1960s. And on his father's side, the author is descended from a long line of courtiers who served at Burma's Court of Ava for nearly two centuries. Through their stories and others, he portrays Burma's rise and decline in the modern world, from the time of Portuguese pirates and renegade Mughal princes through the decades of British colonialism, the devastation of World War II, a sixty-year civil war that continues today, military repression and the emergence of Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The River of Lost Footsteps is a work both personal and global, a distinctive contribution that makes Burma accessible and enthralling. Thant Myint-U is the author of Where China Meets India and has written articles for the New York Times , the Washington Post and the New Statesman.

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James McFarlane

The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen

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In the history of modern theater Ibsen is one of the dominating figures. The sixteen chapters of this Companion explore his life and work. The plays are grouped and discussed chronologically; among the thematic topics are discussions of Ibsen's comedy, realism, lyric poetry and feminism. Substantial chapters account for Ibsen's influence on the international stage, including an interview with ex-RSC director John Barton and an essay by Arthur Miller exploring Ibsen's challenge to contemporary theater and film. Essential reference materials include a full chronology, list of works, and essays on twentieth-century criticism and further reading.

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David Mendell

Obama - From Promise to Power : From Promise to Power

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David Mendell has covered Obama since the beginning of his campaign for the Senate and as a result enjoys far-reaching access to the new Senator--both his professional and personal life. He uses this access to paint a very intimate portrait of Obama and his life pre and post Senate, including Obama's new status as a sex symbol now that going into a crowd to shake hands with constituents carries the added concern of being groped by women, and the toll this has had on his marriage. Mendell also describes the dirty tactics sanctioned by Obama--who has steeped his image and reputation on the ideals of clean politics and good government--to win his Senate seat by employing David Axelrod, a Chicago-based political consultant (consultant to the John Edwards's campaign) with what the author describes as "an appetite for the Big Kill." Mendell also positions Barack Obama as in fact the Savior of a fumbling Democratic party, who is potentially orchestrating a career in Senate to guarantee him at the very least a vice presidential nod, if not a nod for the top job in 2008. The dream ticket would be Hilary Clinton-Barack Obama given his reception at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Because he enjoys popularity among Whites (particularly suburban White women) and Blacks, it might not be such a far-fetched idea.

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Jay Wurts, Le Ly Hayslip

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace

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This book could be a good read for you if you want to gain a deep understanding of the human spirit and the devastating consequences of war. Through Le Ly Hayslip's powerful storytelling, you will be transported to Vietnam during the war, experiencing the unimaginable hardships she endured. But amidst the darkness, you will also witness her unwavering faith in humanity and her determination to overcome adversity. This is a deeply inspiring and unforgettable story that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the strength of the human spirit.

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Jon Stewart

Naked Pictures of Famous People

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Recommendation: Naked Pictures of Famous People is a must-read for those seeking a satirical take on contemporary society. Jon Stewart's unique brand of humor shines through in these irreverent essays that cover a wide range of topics, from fashion to politics. Readers will appreciate how Stewart brilliantly uses humor to expose the absurdities of modern life.

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Jonathan Fenby

Generalissimo : Chiang Kai-shek and the China He Lost

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If you're intrigued by the titanic shifts in 20th-century geopolitics, "Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the China He Lost" could be a fascinating read. Jonathan Fenby offers a masterclass on Chiang Kai-shek, a figure pivotal to understanding how China transitioned from a feuding republic to Communist rule. As you immerse yourself in the complexities of pre-Communist China, you might appreciate the rich narrative that feels almost novelistic, despite its firm roots in detailed historical research.

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Matthew Smith

The Men Who Murdered Marilyn

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It was not until 20 years after her death that the notion that Marilyn Monroe did not take her own life gained widespread scrutiny. Since then, many theories have been propounded. This volume draws on friends and associates of Marilyn and the surviving doctors, lawyers and policemen involved in the case. They are growing old and have been persuaded to talk to investigative journalist Matthew Smith. Matthew Smith is the author of " The Second Plot" and " The Kennedys".

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Howard Brenton

#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei

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On 3 April 2011, as he was boarding a flight to Taipei, the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was arrested at Beijing Airport. Advised merely that his travel “could damage state security”, he was escorted to a van by officials, after which he disappeared for eighty-one days. On his release, the government claimed that his imprisonment related to tax evasion.Howard Brenton's play is based on Ai Weiwei's account in Barnaby Martin's book Hanging Man, in which he told the story of that imprisonment - by turns surreal, hilarious, and terrifying. A portrait of the artist in extreme conditions, it is also an affirmation of the centrality of art and freedom of speech in civilised society.

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Malika Oufkir, Ros Schwartz, Michèle Fitoussi

Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail

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Recommendation: Stolen Lives is a compelling memoir of survival, depicting the powerful will of human beings against unjust imprisonment. The book highlights the brutal realities of a family's twenty-year incarceration in the desert, through the eyes of Malika Oufkir, the author. Her vivid storytelling is a testament to the power of the human spirit and its resilience in the face of tragedy. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of surviving injustice.

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Emma Larkin

Finding George Orwell in Burma

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Recommended as a must-read for those interested in Southeast Asian politics and culture. Emma Larkin offers a unique perspective on Burma through the lens of George Orwell's experiences in the country. Her political travelogue is captivating and eye-opening, shedding light on the brutal realities of living in an oppressive military regime while also highlighting the resilience and strength of the Burmese people. Larkin's writing is both clear and engaging, making this book an accessible and insightful read for anyone looking to understand Burma's complicated history and current struggles.

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Bob Woodward

After Watergate

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"After Watergate" provides an in-depth account of how the presidency has been permanently altered following the Watergate scandal. It delves into the subsequent presidencies of Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton and how each administration failed to handle the inquisitorial environment of the media and Congress. Using presidential documents, interviews, and prosecutorial records, Woodward shows the impact of the new ethics laws on presidents and the country. This book is a must-read for those interested in the history of the presidency and the consequences of unchecked power.

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Joseph Lelyveld

Great Soul - Mahatma Gandhi And His Struggle With India

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Recommendation: Great Soul by Joseph Lelyveld is a must-read for those interested in the complex and inspiring life of Mahatma Gandhi. Lelyveld's in-depth exploration of Gandhi's political and personal struggles offer unique insights into his fight for India's liberation. This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of one of history's most important figures.

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Boris Hembry

Malayan Spymaster : Memoirs of a Rubber Planter, Bandit Fighter and Spy

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This is a true story of 1930s Malaysia, of jungle operations, submarines and spies in WWII, and of the postwar Malayan Emergency, as experienced by an extraordinary man. Boris Hembry went out to Malaya as a rubber planter in 1930 to work on estates in Malaya and Sumatra. Following the Japanese invasion in December 1941 he volunteered for Freddy Spencer Chapman's covert Stay Behind Party and spent a month in the jungle behind enemy lines before escaping by sampan across the Malacca Strait to Sumatra. Hembry returned to Singapore shortly before its surrender then escaped to Java and subsequently to India, where he joined V Force, a clandestine intelligence unit operating in Burma. In 1943 Hembry was recruited into the Secret Intelligence Service - given the bland cover name Inter-Services Liaison Department (ISLD) - and returned to Sumatra and Malaya several times by submarine on intelligence-gathering missions. He became Head of Malayan Country Section ISLD in 1944, liaised with Force 136, and was responsible for the most successful intelligence coup of the Malayan war. After WWII, Hembry returned to planting at Sungei Siput, Perak, where the murder of three colleagues on 16 June 1948 signalled the start of the Malayan Emergency. Assuming the leadership of the local planting community, he formed the first Home Guard unit in Malaya, was an early proponent of squatter control (later incorporated into the Briggs Plan), served on district, state and federal security committees, and survived several attempts on his life.

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Rodney King

Harry Lee Kuan Yew : A Pictorial Account of His Life and Times

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This book would be a great read for anyone interested in the life of Harry Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore. The book uses pictures to portray his life and times, offering a unique insight into his visionary leadership and the transformation of Singapore. Users would appreciate the concise yet vivid portrayal of his life, as well as the informative and well-curated collection of images.

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Mano Sabnani

Marbles, Mayhem and My Typewriter : The unfadable life of an ordinary man

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"Marbles, Mayhem and My Typewriter" is a highly inspiring memoir that shares the incredible journey of an ordinary man, Mano Sabnani, who achieved extraordinary success by following ethical principles. This book is ideal for readers looking for a motivational and insightful read that delves into a variety of topics, including leadership, friendship, and the role of man in nature. Mano's unique stories and profound insights are sure to leave a lasting impact on readers and inspire them to strive for success in their own lives.

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Benazir Bhutto

Reconciliation : Islam, Democracy, and the West

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Recommendation: - If you're interested in understanding the complex relationship between Islam, democracy, and the West, "Reconciliation" is a powerful and insightful book that offers a fresh perspective. Benazir Bhutto, a courageous woman tragically killed, provides a gripping account of her final months in Pakistan and presents a bold agenda for tackling Islamic radicalism. Her message of tolerance, justice, and the need for global unity is both thought-provoking and inspiring. By reading this book, you'll gain a deeper understanding of modern Islam and the urgent need for reconciliation in our world today.

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Madeleine K. Albright

Madam Secretary - A Memoir

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This book would be a good read for someone interested in gaining insight into the life of a powerful woman who made history. Madam Secretary combines personal anecdotes with a broader view of world events, providing a unique perspective that allows readers to witness the intersection of personal and public life. With its captivating storytelling, this memoir will leave you inspired and in awe of Madeleine Albright's journey.

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Said Zahari

Dark Clouds at Dawn : A Political Memoir

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Dark Clouds at Dawn is a must-read for those interested in political history and the ever-changing landscape of politics. The book offers insight into Said's personal experiences, as well as the political climate of the time, making it a fascinating and informative read. Said's unique perspective is the most distinctive feature of this book and sets it apart from other political memoirs. Overall, Dark Clouds at Dawn is a captivating and thought-provoking memoir that is both informative and entertaining.

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Bob Woodward

Plan of Attack : The Road to War

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Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward is a must-read book if you are interested in the decision-making and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that led to the Iraq war. Woodward provides an enriching account of the top players involved in the war, examining the causes and consequences of the most controversial war since Vietnam. This book is highly recommended for those who want an insightful, close-up, and authoritative narrative of this turning point in history.

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Anderson Cooper

Dispatches from the Edge : A Memoir of War, Disasters and Survival

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This book is a gripping memoir that takes readers on a whirlwind journey through some of the world's most dangerous crises. Anderson Cooper's personal experiences as a journalist provide a unique perspective, making this book an intense and captivating read. From covering political battles to natural disasters, Cooper's emotional storytelling will leave readers on the edge of their seats, gaining a rare insight into the chaos and conflict that shapes our world. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled adventure unlike any other.

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Kim (editor) Depaul

Children of Cambodias Killing Fields: Memoirs by Survivors

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This book would be a good read for anyone interested in gaining a deep understanding of the devastating events that took place in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime. The personal memoirs shared by survivors offer a unique and powerful perspective on the atrocities that occurred in the Killing Fields. Through their firsthand accounts, this book provides an immersive and emotional experience, shedding light on a dark chapter in history that should never be forgotten. Reading this book offers a chance to honor the resilience and strength of the survivors, and to gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of human rights and justice.

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John Maher, Judy Groves, Richard Appignanesi

Chomsky For Beginners

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Chomsky for Beginners could be a good read for those interested in understanding language and the way it is used as a tool of power. The book offers an introduction to Chomsky's theories on language and his criticism of institutions such as media and government. Its approachable style and use of visual aids make it a great resource for beginners. Users could review it as a unique and eye-opening perspective on language and power.

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Debbie Levy, Elizabeth Baddeley

I Dissent - Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

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Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable!Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements.

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Niall Ferguson

The World's Banker

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1st complete history of the Rothschild banking dynasty with full access to worldwide archives. Ever since the Rothschild's spectacular rise to preeminence in European finance during the last, turbulent years of the Napoleonicwars, a mythology has grown up around the family and it's firms. It is no exaggeration to say that the Rothschilds became 1 of theliving legends of the 19th century: the personfication of a new era in which money determined status and power, an era in which 5 Jewish brothers born into the wretchedness of the Frnakfurt Ghetto could rise by their own ingenuity to become ' the worlds bankers' - dominating the international financial markets, rubbing shoulders with the social elite, patronising the great artists and architects of the era and above all exerting a decisive, if veiled, influence over the world's monarchs and statesmen. Using a wealth of archival sources as well as a vast amount of little known contemporary and more recent secondary literature, Niall Ferguson's definitive study will finally hold the mirror of reality up to the face of myth. The result promises not only to do justice to the history of Rothschilds, but to revolutionise the history of the years of their rise and preeminence, and to reveal fascinating continuities from the 19th century to our own time.

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S. Jayakumar

Diplomacy: A Singapore Experience

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If you're intrigued by the art of international relations and the nuanced power dynamics between nations, "Diplomacy: A Singapore Experience" would be an enlightening read. Authored by a seasoned diplomat, Prof S Jayakumar, it gives a firsthand account of how a small state like Singapore navigated its foreign policy through complex geopolitical landscapes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sovereign respect and adherence to international law. Not just a historical account, but a manual of Singapore's pragmatic approach to diplomacy.

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Slavenka Drakulić

Cafe Europa : Life After Communism

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Croatian journalist, novelist, and essayist Slavenka Drakulić notes that Eastern Europeans are so anxious to become like their Western counterparts that every city and town has a Cafe Europa that is a pale imitation of similar establishments in cities like Paris and Rome. She presents here a collection of essays that explore life in various Eastern European countries since the fall of communism. As a citizen of Croatia (formerly part of Yugoslavia) living now in Vienna with her Swedish husband, she writes knowingly as a survivor of a communist regime, as one who realizes that pitfalls still lie ahead for nations emerging from the Soviet yoke. In Albania, she observes rage everywhere in people who seem to want to smash all vestiges of the Hoxha regime. In Romania, she comments on the execrable state in which public toilets are maintained: "[T]he standard of Romanian toilets reflects the nature of the communist system of which it is a legacy"; "the absence of any improvement is... a warning for the future of democracy" there. Drakulic's pungent and insightful ruminations not only describe life in her part of the world?she makes us feel it as well.--Publishers Weekly

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Kim (editor) Depaul

Children of Cambodias Killing Fields: Memoirs by Survivors

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This book is a heart-wrenching account of the Cambodian Genocide and its aftermath, as told by survivors who recount their experiences of unimaginable horror. It provides a chilling reminder of the atrocities that took place in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, and serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Those interested in learning about the Cambodian Genocide and its impact on survivors would find this book highly insightful and informative.

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Hannah Arendt, Heinrich Blucher, Pete Constantine

Within Four Walls - The Correspondence Between Hannah Arendt and Heinrich Blücher, 1936-1968

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This book provides a unique glimpse into the personal lives of two brilliant thinkers during a tumultuous period in history. The letters are filled with profound and thought-provoking insights, making it a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, politics, and history. The deep love and respect shown between the writers is truly inspiring.

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Lijia Zhang

Socialism Is Great - A Worker'S Memoir O

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A spirited memoir by a former Chinese factory worker who grew up in Nanjing, participated in the Tianamen Square protest and ended up as an international journalist. Lijia Zhang worked as a teenager in a factory producing missiles designed to reach North America, queuing every month tog ive evidence to the 'period police' that she wasn't pregnant. In the oppressive routine of guarded compounds and political meetings, Zhang grew disillusioned with 'The Glorious Cause' and set out to learn English. She flaunted her intellectual independence from wearing bright, Western style clothes to organizing the largest demonstration by Nanjing workers in support of Tiananmen Square protest in 1989. By narrating the changes in her own life, Zhang chronicles the momentous shift in China's economic policy: her factory, still an ICBM manufacturer, won the bid to cast a giant Bronze Buddha as the whole country went crazy for profit.

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Sherard Cowper-Coles

Cables from Kabul : The Inside Story of the West's Afghanistan Campaign

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A frank and honest memoir by Britain's former ambassador to Kabul which provides a unique, high-level insight into Western policy in Afghanistan. The West's mission in Afghanistan has never been far from the headlines. For Sherard Cowper-Coles, the former Ambassador, Britain's role in the conflict - the vast amount of money being spent and the huge number of lives being lost - was an everyday reality. In Cables from Kabul, Cowper-Coles takes the reader on a journey through the backstreets of Afghanistan's capital to the corridors of power in London and Washington. He pays tribute to the tactical successes of our soldiers but asks whether these will be enough to secure stability. Nobody is better placed to tell this story of embassy life in one of the most dangerous places on earth. Powerful and astonishingly frank, Cables from Kabul explains how Great Britain got into the quagmire of Afghanistan, and how Great Britain can get out of it.

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Sujata Anandan

Samrat : How the Shiv Sena Changed Mumbai Forever

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Full of anecdotes and pulling no punches, Samrat explores the life and times of Bal Thackeray and attempts to bring to the readers a unique insight into how a rather timid man from the working classes was shaped by his circumstances-and certain vested interests-into becoming a demagogue with the kind of success and following few could either dream of or replicate in the future. Thackeray not just changed the name of Bombay to Mumbai but quite altered the character and fabric of the city even though he was driven not by ideology, as might have seemed to most outsiders, but by his own pragmatism and personal interests. As Vir Sanghvi says in the forward, 'The book is an attempt to understand the milieu that Thackeray operated in and to capture the essence of his style amidst the shifting stands and the politics of pragmatism'.

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Ikuro Kamimura, Steven Hunziker

Kakuei Tanaka: Political Biography of Modern Japan

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This book offers a comprehensive political biography of Kakuei Tanaka, providing readers with a unique insight into the rise and fall of one of Japan's most influential politicians. With a focus on Tanaka's personal experiences, the book sheds light on the human side of Japanese politics, providing a fresh perspective on the nation's history. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Japanese politics and modern history.

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Jon Swain

River of Time

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"River of Time" is a captivating personal account of the five years Jon Swain spent living in the lands of the Mekong river. Readers who enjoy personal narratives about adventure and self-discovery in exotic locales will appreciate this book. Swain does an excellent job of portraying the region’s incredible natural beauty while also delving deeply into the violence and corruption that plagued the area. He writes with a poignant honesty that resonates long after the final page is turned.

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Lou Cannon

President Reagan : The Role of a Lifetime

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This book will be a good read for those interested in political biographies and American history. The author provides critical insight into Reagan's presidency, highlighting his successes and failures, and delving into his economic policies and the Iran-contra scandal. The book is praised for its masterful depiction of Reagan's legacy and its incisive analysis of one of America's most important presidents.

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Peter Day

The Bedbug : Klop Ustinov - Britain's Most Ingenious Spy

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Klop ('Bedbug') Ustinov (1892–1962) was an MI5 secret agent tasked, not with killing, but with bemusing and beguiling his enemies into revealing their deepest, darkest secrets. Through the Russian revolution, two World Wars and the Cold War, Klop bluffed and tricked his way into the confidence of everyone from Soviet commissars to a Gestapo Gruppenführer. Journalist Peter Day tells the epic tale of an agent whose missions remained obscured by his socializing and womanizing.

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Nien Cheng

Life and Death in Shanghai

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The book conveys with power and impact the horrors faced by one brave Chinese woman during the cultural revolution.

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Audre Lorde, Sonia Sanchez, Jen Keenan

A Burst of Light : and Other Essays

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A great American theorist of race, sexuality, gender, living, and dying, poet and activist Audre Lorde (1934–1992) created a body of work that was ahead of its time in its embrace of intersectionality. Her powerful collection of essays is a call to action for the social justice movement. Discover her inspiring words on intersectionality, lesbian sexuality, African-American identity, self-care and more."Lorde's words — on race, cancer, intersectionality, parenthood, injustice — burn with relevance 25 years after her death." — O, The Oprah MagazineWinner of the 1988 Before Columbus Foundation National Book Award, this path-breaking collection of essays is a clarion call to build communities that nurture our spirit . Lorde announces the need for a radical politics of intersectionality while struggling to maintain her own faith as she wages a battle against liver cancer . From reflections on her struggle with the disease to thoughts on lesbian sexuality and African-American identity in a straight white man's world, Lorde's voice remains enduringly relevant in today's political landscape .Those who practice and encourage social justice activism frequently quote her exhortation , "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." In addition to the journal entries of "A Burst of Living with Cancer," this edition includes an interview , " Not About Condemnation," and three essays , "I Am Your Black Women Organizing Across Sexualities," "Apartheid U.S.A.," and "Turning the Beat Lesbian Parenting 1986," as well as a new Foreword by Sonia Sanchez . "You don't read Audre Lorde, you feel her." — Essence"Lorde's timeless prose in this collection provides contemporary social justice warriors the language, strategies, and lessons around resistance, through the power of intersectionality, a Pan-African vision, and — ultimately — through the power of love and radical self-care." — NBC News"When I don't know what to do, I turn to the Lorde." — Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Bitch Media"Whenever my mind is heavy with questions and my heart thirsts for nourishment, I turn to the writing of Audre Lorde. Every time I revisit the words of Audre Lorde, I marvel over how relevant they continue to be." — AfterEllen.com"The self-described black feminist lesbian mother poet used a mixture of prose, theory, poetry, and experience to interrogate oppressions and uplift marginalized communities. She was one of the first black feminists to target heteronormativity, and to encourage black feminists to expand their understanding of erotic pleasure. She amplified anti-oppression, even as breast cancer ravaged her ailing body." — Evette Dionne, Bustle Magazine"This was my first time reading Audre Lorde (finally!) and now I can't wait to devour everything she ever wrote. This was the kind of book that you end up highlighting so many great quotes, words you want to memorize, apply, breathe. Empowering read." — Litsy

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LeUyen Pham, Michelle Markel

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead

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This book would be an excellent read for anyone looking for inspiration and motivation. It highlights Hillary Clinton's immense achievement as a woman in a male-dominated world and showcases her bravery, brilliance, and determination, leaving an indelible mark on history. The book also contains a timeline, artist's note, and bibliography and is suitable for children aged 4 to 6.

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Karien van Ditzhuijzen

Our Homes, Our Stories - Voices Of Migrant Domestic Workers In Singapore

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Our Homes, Our Stories is a compelling anthology of migrant women's experiences in Singapore. It provides a gut-wrenching account of their struggles in a foreign country - rogue agents, unforgiving bosses and broken trust. The book delves deep into the lives of women who sacrifice everything, including their families, to earn a living. Nevertheless, it also offers moments of hope and inspiration - supportive employers, loving families - and highlights how migrant workers are not just labourers but human beings. The book offers an important corrective to the perception of migrants as faceless and interchangeable and will surely leave readers more sensitive to the workers' plight.

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Marco Politi, William McCuaig

Pope Francis Among the Wolves : The Inside Story of a Revolution

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Marco Politi takes us deep inside the power struggle roiling the Roman Curia and the Catholic Church worldwide, beginning with Benedict XVI, the pope who famously resigned in 2013, and intensifying with the contested and unexpected election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, now known as Pope Francis. Politi's account balances the perspectives of Pope Francis's supporters, Benedict's sympathizers, and those disappointed members of the Catholic laity who feel alienated by the institution's secrecy, financial corruption, and refusal to modernize.Politi dramatically recounts the sexual scandals that have rocked the church and the accusations of money laundering and other financial misdeeds swirling around the Vatican and the Italian Catholic establishment. Pope Francis has tried to shine a light on these crimes, but his work has been met with resistance from entrenched factions. Politi writes of the decline in church attendance and vocations to the priesthood throughout the world as the church continues to prohibit divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving the communion wafer. He visits European parishes where women now perform the functions of missing male priests--and where the remaining parishioners would welcome the admission of women to the priesthood, if the church would allow it.Pope Francis's emphasis on pastoral compassion for all who struggle with the burden of family life has also provoked the ire of traditionalists in the Roman Curia and elsewhere. He knows from personal experience what life is like for the poor in Buenos Aires and other metropolises of the globalized world, and highlights the contrast between the vital, vibrant faith of these parishioners and the disillusionment of European Catholics. Pope Francis and his supporters are locked in a battle with the defenders of the traditional hard line and with ecclesiastical corruption. In this conflict, the future of Catholicism is at stake--and it is far from certain Francis will succeed in saving the institution from decline.

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Vinod Rai

Not Just an Accountant : The Diary of the Nation's Conscience Keeper

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Not just an accountant is an incisive, no-holds-barred account of Indias eleventh comptroller and auditor general and a symbol of the anti-corruption movement, Vinod Rai.Through a narrative, rich in anecdote and inside information, Rai sheds light on the major scams that shook the country. Among the case studies-chosen for the diversity of failures they highlight are - the procedural irregularities in the issuance of licenses for second generation spectrum allotment, the last minute quick-fixes in the conduct of the XIX commonwealth games, the loss of national resources while allocating coal blocks, the flouting of systems and the clear display of crony capitalism in the exploration of hydrocarbon and the tragic tale of civil aviation in India.Through these illustrations, Rai wishes to not only expose government malfeasance, but also probe the mandate of the CAG as a watchdog. Equally, he hopes to push for long-term solutions to corruption and bring home the urgent need for ethics-for the pursuit of excellence, accountability, probity and transparency within governments, the bureaucracy, corporate enterprises and public life.Interesting facts1. A blow-by-blow, explosive, yet thoughtful account that sheds new light on the scams that shook India - 2G, coalgate, civil aviation, the conduct of the XIX commonwealth games and hydrocarbon contracts.2. Explodes the myth of accountability in contemporary Indian governance.3. Written by the eleventh CAG of India and a symbol of the anti-corruption movement, Vinod Rai.4. Presents long-term solutions for the future, so as to contain procedural irregularities within the government and corporate enterprises.5. Provides a roadmap for good governance, important for the growth of the nation.6. Exhorts younger professionals / administrators to strive for excellence.

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John Dickie

Cosa Nostra - A History Of The Sicilian Mafia

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The Mafia has been given many names since it was founded in the mid-19th century - the Sect, the Brotherhood, the Honoured Society, and now Cosa Nostra. This book reconstructs the history of the Sicilian Mafia from its origins to the modern day.

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Miguel Serrano

C G Jung & Hermann Hesse : A Record of Two Friendships

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This book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the profound philosophical connection between C.G. Jung and Hermann Hesse. Through the letters and conversations captured in this book, readers will gain deep insights into the thoughts and beliefs of these two great minds. The intimate details shared by Jung shortly before his death add a poignant and personal touch, making it a truly unique and captivating read.

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Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore Story : Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew

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Lee Kuan Yew's personal perspective adds depth and authenticity. 3. Reveals the challenges and strategies behind Singapore's transformation. 4. Offers valuable insights for leaders and policymakers.

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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.