Editorial: Charles River Editors
William Somerset Maugham was a popular British writer and playwright in the 20th century. Maugham was a prolific writer and his classic novels, Of Human Bondage and The Moon and Sixpence, are still widely read today. This edition of The Land of the Blessed Virgin includes a table of contents.
Questioning popular belief, a historian and re-examines what exactly led to the British Empire’s loss of the American Revolution.The loss of America was an unexpected defeat for the powerful British Empire. Common wisdom has held that incompetent military commanders and political leaders in Britain must have been to blame, but were they? This intriguing book makes a different argument. Weaving together the personal stories of ten prominent men who directed the British dimension of the war, historian Andrew O’Shaughnessy dispels the incompetence myth and uncovers the real reasons that rebellious colonials were able to achieve their surprising victory. In interlinked biographical chapters, the author follows the course of the war from the perspectives of King George III, Prime Minister Lord North, military leaders including General Burgoyne, the Earl of Sandwich, and others who, for the most part, led ably and even brilliantly. Victories were frequent, and in fact the British conquered every American city at some stage of the Revolutionary War. Yet roiling political complexities at home, combined with the fervency of the fighting Americans, proved fatal to the British war effort. The book concludes with a penetrating assessment of the years after Yorktown, when the British achieved victories against the French and Spanish, thereby keeping intact what remained of the British Empire.“A remarkable book about an important but curiously underappreciated subject: the British side of the American Revolution. With meticulous scholarship and an eloquent writing style, O'Shaughnessy gives us a fresh and compelling view of a critical aspect of the struggle that changed the world.”—Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of PowerVer libro
“An expert account of Nazi war strategy that concludes that Hitler was not without military talent.”(Kirkus Reviews) After Germany’s humiliating World War II defeat, numerous German generals published memoirs claiming that their country’s brilliant military leadership had been undermined by the Führer’s erratic decision making. The author of three highly acclaimed books on the era, Stephen Fritz upends this characterization of Hitler as an ill-informed fantasist and demonstrates the ways in which his strategy was coherent and even competent. That Hitler saw World War II as the only way to retrieve Germany’s fortunes and build an expansionist Thousand-Year Reich is uncontroversial. But while his generals did sometimes object to Hitler’s tactics and operational direction, they often made the same errors in judgment and were in agreement regarding larger strategic and political goals. A necessary volume for understanding the influence of World War I on Hitler’s thinking, this work is also an eye-opening reappraisal of major events like the invasion of Russia and the battle for Normandy. “Perhaps the best account we have to date of Hitler’s military leadership. It shows a scrupulous and imaginative historian at work and will cement Fritz’s reputation as one of the leading historians of the military conflicts generated by Hitler’s Germany.” —Richard Overy, author of The Bombing War “Original, insightful and authoritative.” —David Stahel, author of The Battle for MoscowVer libro
"Prepare to embark on a breath-taking emotional voyage as you dive into the enchanting world of 'On Many Melancholy Moons,' a poetry collection like no other. With each page turned you'll be swept away on a rollercoaster of feelings, accompanied by a captivating ambient soundtrack that elevates the entire reading experience. This collection is not just words on paper; it's a profound exploration of the intricacies of human existence. From heartache to love, pain to humor, trauma to depression, these poems craft an evocative tapestry of emotions that will strike a chord with every reader. As you lose yourself in these verses, you'll become part of a journey that embraces the bitter and sweet moments of life. The author's expertly crafted words capture the very essence of the human soul, encouraging you to savor life's sweetness even in its inevitable sorrows. In 'On Many Melancholy Moons,' emotions are interwoven like a masterful symphony, offering a poignant reflection of our shared human experience. Get ready to be moved, enlightened, and inspired as you traverse the beautifully raw and intricate landscapes of life's ever-evolving emotions, all set to the harmonious backdrop of an ambient soundtrack that will immerse you in every sentiment." *AMBIENT ALBUM--https://thespeakers1.bandcamp.com/album/on-many-melancholic-moonsVer libro
What's wrong with black women? Not a damned thing!The Sisters Are Alright exposes anti–black-woman propaganda and shows how real black women are pushing back against distorted cartoon versions of themselves. When African women arrived on American shores, the three-headed hydra—servile Mammy, angry Sapphire, and lascivious Jezebel—followed close behind. In the '60s, the Matriarch, the willfully unmarried baby machine leeching off the state, joined them. These stereotypes persist to this day through newspaper headlines, Sunday sermons, social media memes, cable punditry, government policies, and hit song lyrics. Emancipation may have happened more than 150 years ago, but America still won't let a sister be free from this coven of caricatures.Tamara Winfrey Harris delves into marriage, motherhood, health, sexuality, beauty, and more, taking sharp aim at pervasive stereotypes about black women. She counters warped prejudices with the straight-up truth about being a black woman in America. “We have facets like diamonds,” she writes. “The trouble is the people who refuse to see us sparkling.”Ver libro
Year Up, a career development program for urban young adults, starts with a six-month crash course in job skills like accounting and the value of self-presentation, followed by a paid internship designed as entree to a secure, well-paying job. Economics correspondent Paul Solman revisits the program to see how trainees have fared during the recession.Ver libro
With this famous speech, Daniel Webster joined the nineteenth-century debate over slavery in the US. While personally opposed to the practice, Webster argued that allowing the South to continue using slave labor was essential to maintaining unity of the states. This middle-ground opinion won him support of some Southerner moderates but also lost him the respect of some Northerners. Though it became the subject of much controversy, “The Constitution and the Union” showcases Webster’s unmatched skill as an orator.Ver libro
