An enthralling tale, divided between China and America, of two friends inspired by radically opposed idealsThis deeply felt novel tells the story of William Lane and Clem Miller, Americans who meet in China as youths at the end of the nineteenth century. Separated by the Boxer Rebellion, they're destined to travel wildly different courses in life. From a background of wealth and privilege, William becomes a power-hungry and controlling media magnate. By contrast, Clem, whose family survived on charity growing up, is engrossed by a project—which he works on ceaselessly, perhaps naively, together with his chemist wife—to eliminate world poverty. The two wind up in America and meet again, each successful in his own area, and as similar in their intensity as they are different in their values. God's Men is a rich and layered portrayal of lives set alight by ambition. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from the author's estate. Views: 57
The case for paring diplomacy back to its essential elements. Stripped of the paraphernalia, what is it really about, and why does it still matter? The essential attributes are now thick skin, an open mind and a smart phone.In next century we will need to deal with equivalent in social development of last 43 centuries: like the change from cave paintings to the atom bomb. We will see the arrival of the digital native; the rebirth of the city state; the battle for new energy; disappearing borders; disruption and diplomacy. So who will really be in charge of the 21st century? Will Google be the new emperors? How do you influence the future?In 'The Naked Diplomat', Tom Fletcher – an experienced foreign representative – explores the core principles of a progressive 21st century foreign policy: how to balance interventionism and national interest, use global governance structures to achieve national objectives and explore representative international systems. Re-evaluating the core... Views: 57
Who was the real Atticus Finch?The publication of Go Set a Watchman in 2015 forever changed how we think about Atticus Finch. Once seen as a paragon of decency, he was reduced to a small-town racist. How are we to understand this transformation?In Atticus Finch, the historian Joseph Crespino draws on exclusive sources to reveal how Harper Lee's father provided the central inspiration for each book. A lawyer and newspaperman, A. C. Lee was a principled opponent of mob rule, yet he was also a racial paternalist. Harper Lee created the Atticus of Watchman out of the ambivalence she felt toward white southerners like him. But when a militant segregationist movement arose that mocked his values, she revised the character in To Kill a Mockingbird to defend her father and to remind the South of its best traditions. A story of family and literature amid the upheavals of the twentieth century, Atticus Finch is essential to... Views: 57
Under any other circumstances it would have been cause for celebration when Nick Carter’s three friends showed up in the States—• the cross-eyed Egyptian criminologist Hakim Sadek, who had so often used his devious talents and hideous appearance to such devastating effect.• the jolly peasant woman Valentina Sichikova, the Russian agent who was built like a tank but had a heart as big and warm as the sun• and the beautiful Julia Baron with whom Nick Carter is as much in love as his dangerous profession permits . . .—but their reunion is not to celebrate mutual admiration, friendship or love—it is a “nightmare party’, an assignment so perilous that the foundations of the free world will crumble into radioactive dust if they do not succeed. Already the whole of the United States has been gripped with panic under the terrifying rumours of drugs added to drinking water, poisons in the air—an invasion from outer space! Views: 56
When an unrelenting terrorist campaign pushes Moscow into chaos, Russia exacts revenge on those supporting the terrorists, conflict with NATO almost inevitable. In England, Michael Anderson investigates two deaths, both supposed accidents, and with hardliners and dissidents vying to turn Moscow's crisis to their advantage, Anderson's quest becomes a crucial element in deciding Russia's fate. Views: 56
Uncovering the truth Marissa finds herself back home for her sister’s funeral, ready to support her brother-in-law for the difficult goodbye. But as time goes by, she can’t help but think that the hiking accident death, might have actually been a murder. Luckily she has the help of local detective Sam Milner, but will that be enough to keep her safe as she digs into the truth of her sister’s death? Or will the next funeral she attends be her own? Views: 56
Arduino Gherarducci is the latest in the family line of bald men with ornate combovers. Some combed their hair from one side of the head to the other, some weaved the remnants of their hair together in the middle, but Arduino favors the imperial style of Julius Caesar: forwards, with a fringe. Although fiercely proud of his combover, it has some serious drawbacks. A sudden gust of wind, or a malevolent prankster, could ruin it at any moment. When the worst happens, Arduino decides to abandon his comfortable university life, as a professor of bibliographic data exchange formats, and he heads toward freedom: Lapland. But he only makes it as far as a mountaintop in Le Marche, where he sets himself up as a hermit and his life takes an unexpected turn... A hilariously dark tale in the tradition of César Aira, The Combover confirms Bravi's unique status among Italian contemporary writers. Views: 56
Stevie Nicks is a legend of rock, but her energy and magnetism sparked new interest in this icon. At 68, she's one of the most glamorous creatures rock has known, and the rare woman who's a real rock 'n' roller.Gold Dust Woman gives "the gold standard of rock biographers" (The Boston Globe) his ideal topic: Nicks' work and life are equally sexy and interesting, and Davis delves deeply into each, unearthing fresh details from new, intimate interviews and interpreting them to present a rich new portrait of the star. Just as Nicks (and Lindsay Buckingham) gave Fleetwood Mac the "shot of adrenaline" they needed to become real rock stars—according to Christine McVie—Gold Dust Woman is vibrant with stories and with a life lived large and hard:—How Nicks and Buckingham were asked to join Fleetwood Mac and how they turned the band into stars—The affairs that informed Nicks' greatest songs—Her relationships with the Eagles'... Views: 55
