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  Muqtada - Muqtada al-Sadr the...

  Patrick Cockburn

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  Whatever else the United States intended when it invaded Iraq in the spring of  2003, it was not to hand the country over to a 32-year-old militant cleric who fought against their presence from the start and whom former Iraqi administrator L. Paul Bremer III described as a "Bolshevik Islamist." Yet, as the occupation steadily disintegrates, the likelihood grows ever stronger that Muqtada al-Sadr, the black-turbaned leader of Iraq's poor Shiites, will take power when the Americans finally leave.In this compelling and narrative-driven account, Patrick Cockburn, one of the bravest and most experienced correspondents reporting from the war, tells the story of Muqtada and his extraordinary rise to become what Canadian journalist Naomi Klein described as "the single greatest threat to U.S. military and economic control of Iraq." In these pages, Cockburn looks at the young cleric's family background, in particular the assassination of his father and two brothers by Saddam's hit men, his leadership of the 70,000-strong Mahdi army, the links between his movement Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Iranian leadership, and his frequent confrontations with the American military, including the pitched battle in the cemetery of Najaf and the recent mass demonstrations demanding an end to the occupation.This is no dry, academic treatise. Cockburn's account draws on dramatic, firsthand dealings with the Mahdi army, including a tense encounter at a roadblock outside Najaf in which he was nearly killed. However, although it often reads like an adventure story, Muqtada! provides a vital analysis of a movement that will be critical to the future of Iraq after the Americans leave.

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  Without a Trace - The Life of...

  Danielle Nadler

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  From World War Two veteran to legendary American mountain man: The “mesmerizing tale . . . [of] a 20th century Kit Carson” (The Winchester Star).   Orphaned as a young child during the Great Depression, he was called John P. Glover. No one at the boys’ schools in which he grew up knew much about him. The boy himself hadn’t even a clue what the “P” stood for. Seventy years later he was known as the Sierra Phantom, a blissful, solitary modern frontiersman who’d finally found a place to call home in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada. Then, after decades of surviving off the land, the local legend who lived in the shadow of the small mountain town of Bishop, California, was tracked down by journalist Danielle Nadler.   Through their weekly conversations, the mountaineer shares his years of outdoor survival, his need to be free, and eventually the personal tragedies that drove him to a life in the wild—from his hardscrabble childhood to his service fighting the Japanese during the Second World War. With each new revelation behind his personal, spiritual, and emotional journey, the Sierra Phantom himself comes to discover the importance of human connections, and a renewed sense of purpose that could change his life yet again.

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  Qissat - Short Stories by...

  Jo Glanville

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  These fascinating and diverse stories reflect the everyday concerns of Palestinians living under occupation. Writers who were children during the first intifada appear alongside those who remember the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war. They offer compassionate, often critical, insight into their society in times of hardship and turmoil, drawing upon the warmth of human relations and the hope that better times will come. Qissat is a rare showcase of Palestinian women writers across generations and places, including Gaza, Ramallah, the United States and the Gulf. 'Raw and honest ... lyrical and beautifully written' -- Sunday Times 'Layered, haunting, sensuously rich' -- The Times 'In turn lyrical, sensuous, comic and ironic ... it is the quality of subtle, evocative writing here that makes Qissat remarkable.' -- Independent

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  On Call in Hell - A Doctor's...

  Thomas Hayden, Richard Jadick

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  A riveting memoir from the Navy doctor praised as "Hero, M.D." on the cover of Newsweek. Cdr. Richard Jadick's story is one of the most extraordinary to come out of the war in Iraq. At thirty-eight, the last place the Navy doctor was expected to be was on the front lines. He was too old to be called up, but not too old to volunteer. In November 2004, with the military reeling from an acute doctor shortage, Jadick chose to accompany the First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment (the "1/8") to Iraq. During the Battle of Fallujah, Jadick and his team worked tirelessly and courageously around the clock to save their troops in the worst street fighting Americans had faced since Vietnam. It is estimated that without Jadick at the front, the Marines would have lost an additional thirty men. Of the hundreds of men he treated, only one died after reaching a hospital. This is the inspiring story of his decision to enter into the fray, a fascinating glimpse into wartime triage, and a compelling account of courage under fire.

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  Views from the Spectrum - A...

  Ron Sandison, Darold A. Treffert MD

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  Raising a child with autism is both a challenge and an adventure—and sometimes parents need to know there can also be wonderful potential for blessings. Views from the Spectrum shares the inspiring stories of twenty amazing young adults with autism and how each of their family's unwavering support and faith in God led them to accomplish what was thought impossible.While it is primarily a much-needed how-to guide for parents of children with special needs, this book is also a stunning view into the world of autism. Listeners will witness the courage of Tyler Gianchetta, who rescued his mother from a burning vehicle. They'll marvel at the artistic talent of nonverbal poet and artist Kimberly Dixon, admire the determination of Armani Williams, competing as a NASCAR driver, and find encouragement in the many other stories within these pages. In addition to these experiences, Sandison has also interviewed top experts in the autism field and shares their insights here.Sandison weaves narrative with Scripture, sharing his own journey with autism throughout the book. Full of anecdotes, scientific research, parenting tips, prayers, devotions, and more, Views from the Spectrum is a celebration of autism, faith, and the possibilities at their intersection.

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  Hunter Boys - True Tales from...

  Richard Pike

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  “Entertaining and informative tales of success, heroics, fear, relief and exhilaration in and around the Hunter cockpit” (Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal).   From the author of Lightning Boys, this is a fascinating look at the experiences of those who flew the iconic Hawker Hunter.   Fifteen aircrew relate their individual recollections of the highs and lows, the dramas and demands of this incredible aircraft, which came into service in July 1951 and changed the future of fighter development. Included are a chapter by Neville Duke, Hawker Aircraft’s chief test pilot, and other tales recounting the Aden emergency, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, and a race against the odds in Gibraltar.   These true stories demonstrate the exceptional performance of this aircraft and illustrate its renowned lengthy service with the RAF and internationally—brought to life with original photographs plus paintings by acclaimed aviation artist Chris Stone.    

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