Other books that might interest you

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  Hans-Ulrich Rudel: The Life and...

  Editors Charles River

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  Few people personified the advancements, abilities, and tactical adeptness of the Luftwaffe like Hans-Ulrich Rudel, the most successful dive bomber in the history of warfare. Like hundreds of millions of others born in the early 20th century, his life was shaped by the Second World War, which started when he was just 23. He was born into and shaped by one of the most brutal and infamous regimes in history, and once indoctrinated, he fought determinedly and with real commitment in support of that regime. He flew over 2,500 combat missions, reportedly destroying over 500 Soviet tanks, 170 artillery pieces, 800 other vehicles, and a battleship on the way to becoming the highest-decorated Nazi soldier of World War II, receiving the Knight’s Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. He was shot down, or crash landed, multiple times, and even after having reportedly been told by Hitler to stop flying on several occasions, he insisted on returning to the front to fight with his comrades. He lost a leg to gunfire in early 1945 but carried on with his combat missions despite the pain and the practical difficulties of flying with one leg. There is no denying his bravery, however unpleasant the cause for which he fought. 
  Hans-Ulrich Rudel is therefore a challenging character to analyze. His autobiography, Stuka Pilot, was originally entitled Trotzdem (“In spite of everything”), pointing strongly to his continuing support, post-war, for the Nazi ideology. But his book remains a detailed, fascinating, largely credible (and mostly ideology-free) account of his wartime experiences, even as his final pages include references to his proud insistence on performing the Nazi salute in front of the American soldiers who had taken him prisoner and who were providing medical care to his amputated stump.

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  The True History of Merlin the...

  Anne Lawrence-Mathers

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  A medieval historian examines what we really know about the man who was "Merlin the Magician" and his impact on Britain. 
   
   
   
  The historical Merlin was no rough magician: he was a learned figure from the cutting edge of medieval science and adept in astrology, cosmology, prophecy, and natural magic, as well as being a seer and a proto-alchemist. His powers were convincingly real—and useful, for they helped to add credibility to the "long-lost" history of Britain which first revealed them to a European public. Merlin's prophecies reassuringly foretold Britain's path, establishing an ancient ancestral line and linking biblical prophecy with more recent times. Merlin helped to put British history into world history. 
   
   
   
  Anne Lawrence-Mathers also explores the meaning of Merlin's magic across the centuries, arguing that he embodied ancient Christian and pagan magical traditions, recreated for a medieval court and shaped to fit a new moral framework. Linking Merlin's reality and power with the culture of the Middle Ages, this remarkable book reveals the true impact of the most famous magician of all time.

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  The Greatest Band That Ever...

  Barrett Martin

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  In 1992, the Screaming Trees were expected to become the next big band to come out of the Seattle music scene during the heyday of grunge. Except it never happened. It wasn't because the band didn't have great songs-indeed, the Trees were revered for their ability to write a great song that was both artistically original and commercially viable, which is no easy task. Other Seattle bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden were fans of the Screaming Trees, playing shows with them and collaborating on albums, long before their own bands broke through into the mainstream. That kind of success eluded the Screaming Trees, and it seemed as if there were more demons than angels in the band's corner when it came time for the Trees to make their mark. Their songwriting skills, however, remain as their greatest legacy.Written by Screaming Trees long-serving drummer, Barrett Martin, The Greatest Band That Ever Wasn't reads like a Greek comedy or tragedy, depending on your viewpoint. Each of the three acts contained in this book features 11 short stories, for a combined total of 33 stories. These tales will make you laugh and perhaps even cry, which is why the saga of the Screaming Trees reads more like a great myth-one that is incredible, at times unbelievable, yet still contains volumes of humor and wisdom.

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  Zelensky - A Biography of...

  Steven Derix

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  A vivid, up-to-date biography of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, covering his humble background and successful TV career to his corruption-dogged first years in office to Russia's invasion.Told with flair and authority, it is the gripping story of one of the most admired and inspirational leaders in the world.An action-packed biography of Ukraine's comedian-turned-PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky's life to date has been packed with drama and action.By the age of 20, the Jewish boy from the provincial town of Kryvyi Rih had become a star of the stage.At 30, he headed a multimillion-dollar TV company.At 40, he took on Ukraine's corrupt political and business elite in a TV drama, playing a history teacher who becomes President. Then he launched a real-life political party named after the TV show, won a landslide victory and became Ukraine's real President.When Russian troops flooded across the border, Zelensky refused Western offers to leave Kyiv. He has marshalled Ukraine's resistance and successfully obtained Western missile systems and anti-tank weapons. Zelensky said: 'If I am elected, they will first sling mud at me. Then they will learn to respect me. And finally cry when I leave.'Zelensky is written by a long-standing Russia and Ukraine reporter and a Russian- and Ukrainian speaking researcher. It's a pithy biography of Zelensky for anyone who wants to understand Ukraine's charismatic head of state, his complex country, and its vexed relationship with Russia.Covering Zelensky's life from his childhood to the Ukrainian presidency, Zelensky deals with his background in a Russian-speaking region of Ukraine, his early career in TV taking part in KVN talent competitions, and his rise through the Ukrainian and Russian television industry.Then it deals with Zelensky's breakthrough moment in the TV series Servant of the People playing a teacher who dreams of reforming Ukraine and ending its corruption. The show becomes a reality and Zelensky's party, Servant of the People, takes power.Zelensky's presidency is marred by his attempts to curry favour with the US President Donald Trump and the offshoring of millions of dollars.Nonetheless, Zelensky battles political rivals and takes on powerful vested interests in Europe's second-largest country. Then with his doggedness, speeches and strategy, he marshals Ukraine's staunch resistance to a superpower – a fight that most analysts assume Russia will quickly win. But they do not - and Ukraine starts to turn the tide of the war.Zelensky and his country become symbols of defiance against Vladimir Putin's aggression. Zelensky: A Biography of Ukraine's War Leader is both an uplifting story and an urgent message from Ukraine.ExtractIn April 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected as the sixth President of Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.One month later, the Russian President attended the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. It had been five years since Russia's annexation of Crimea but daily skirmishes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists were still commonplace in eastern Ukraine.'Why did you not congratulate Volodymyr Zelenksy when he became President?' asked the interviewer.Putin breathed a heavy sigh. The Russian officials and business magnates in the room playfully nudged one another: this was going to be good...Putin gave the enormous hall an almost pitying look and waited until the sniggering had died down... 'Listen, I do not know this man. I hope that we can meet one day. As far as I can tell, he's amazing at what he does, he's a marvellous actor.'Putin continued: 'But seriously: it's one thing to play a person, but quite another thing to be that person.'Laughter and generous applause filled the room.Buy the book to carry on listening

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  Memoir of Adoniram Judson -...

  J. Clement

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  Adoniram Judson, a figure of intimidating success and legacy, receives a worthy telling of his story in this memoir by J. Clement.  Clement describes Judson’s thirst for theological knowledge, his understanding and acceptance of salvation, and his journey into and on the mission field.  It is detailed how he listened to the Holy Spirit’s call for him to heed the Great Commission and how, despite all legal and practical obstacles, he secured his way into the field as the first American foreign missionary.  After inspiring the creation of America’s first Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and after struggling through the great pains of requesting aid and support from multiple countries, Judson then faced even greater challenges and dangers after arriving in the country of his calling.  Clement uses extracts from Judson’s own writing to reveal the man, his love for Christ, and the unimaginable sacrifices he suffered for the unreached and lost souls of Burma.This series, published by ONE audiobooks, seeks to produce Classic Christian titles read by well known and loved Christian audiobook narrators.  ONE takes great care to cast these titles with readers who will provide an unmatched listening experience for these important works.Graham Geisler brings his passion to every performance and is considered to be one of the top audiobook narrators in the industry.

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  Honest Thief An - A Tale of...

  Fyodor Dostoevsky, Tim Zengerink

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  What if a thief turned out to be the most honest man of all? 
  An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a short story packed with emotional depth, moral tension, and haunting confession.  
  When a kind-hearted narrator takes in a struggling drunkard as a tenant, a story of loss, guilt, and quiet nobility unfolds.  
  Through simple dialogue and profound emotion, Dostoevsky invites us to reconsider what makes a person truly honorable. 
  What you'll discover inside: 
  - A Portrait of a Haunted Soul – The strange case of a man whose petty crime masks deeper wounds. 
  - A Tale of Unexpected Redemption – A moving revelation that challenges ideas of morality and worth. 
  - A Timeless Moral Dilemma – The story forces us to ask: Can there be honesty in wrongdoing? 
  - A Modern Adaptation – Carefully translated and reformatted for today’s listener without losing its philosophical weight. 
  Perfect for fans of thought-provoking literature, this audiobook delivers a stirring reflection on what it means to be human.

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