On January 30, 1889,at the champagne-splashed height of the Viennese Carnival, theHandsome and charming Crown Prince Rudolf fired a revolver at histeenaged mistress and them himself. The two shots that rang out atMayerling in the Vienna Woods echo still.

Bill Bryson is one of the world’s most beloved and bestselling writers. In A Short History of Nearly Everything, he takes his ultimate journey–into the most intriguing and consequential questions that science seeks to answer. It’s a dazzling quest, the intellectual odyssey of a lifetime, as this insatiably curious writer attempts to understand everything that has transpired from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. Or, as the author puts it, “…how we went from there being nothing at all to there being something, and then how a little of that something turned into us, and also what happened in between and since.” This is, in short, a tall order. To that end, Bill Bryson apprenticed himself to a host of the world’s most profound scientific minds, living and dead. His challenge is to take subjects like geology, chemisty, paleontology, astronomy, and particle physics and see if there isn’t some way to render them comprehensible to people, like himself, made bored (or scared) stiff of sc

We were in the closet. We all had our weapons loaded. We sat there and waited for the doorbell to ring," said Salvatore Vitale, a slender New York mobster known as Good-Looking Sal. "We left the door open a smidge to look out." The ringing of the bell at the private social club’s entrance signaled the arrival of the first of the invited guests. Vito Rizzuto crouched low, peeking out from his vantage point. Through the swelling crowd and loud chatter from tough men all accustomed to having their say, Vito kept his eyes on one man, Gerlando Sciascia, a fellow Sicilian who was a long-time Rizzuto family friend. Breathing deeply beneath his mask, Vito watched for the secret signal that would draw him from the closet, a signal that came when Sciascia slowly ran the fingers of his lean, right hand through the silver hair on the side of his head. That simple act of preening brought mayhem to the social club and radically changed the balance of power. "Don’t anybody move. This is a holdup," V

Now at last in a single, abridged paperback - the definitivelife. Ian Kershaw's two-volume biography of Hitler was greeted withuniversal acclaim as the essential work on one of the most malignfigures in history. Now this landmark biography is available in onesingle, abridged edition, tracing the story of how a bitter, failedart student from an obscure corner of Austria rose to unparalleledpower, destroying the lives of millions and unleashingArmageddon.

THIS UNIQUE TIMECHART CELEB RATES THE 100 YEAR LEGEND OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES 11-foot foldout chronological Timechart showing a full color illustrated history of Harley-Davidson.

Now revised — the easy-to-understand guide to the story ofAmerica Want to better understand U.S. History? This friendly book servesas your tour guide through the important events of America's pastand present, introducing you to the people who helped to shapehistory. From pre-Columbus to the American Revolution, fromWatergate to Iraq to Barack Obama, you'll discover fascinatingdetails that you won't find in dry history texts! They're coming to America — explore early civilizations, meetNative Americans, and see how the development of the Englishcolonies led to slavery and the American Revolution From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln — examine thecontributions of great Americans as well as the discovery of gold,the birth of California, the Civil War, and Manifest Destiny America grows up — be there during the conquering of the West,industrial development, and the invention of the light bulb and thetelephone The impact of the World Wars — understand the sweeping

Acclaimed historian Niall Ferguson ranges across the entirehistory of America’s foreign entanglements and delves into all thedimensions of American power—military, economic, cultural, andpolitical. The result is a book whose conclusions are asconvincing, and troubling, as they are original. Fergusondemonstrates that America has always been an empire in denial andshows the fateful consequences of its special brand of imperialism.He examines the challenges to the United States from its principalrivals, the European Union and China, and offers a compellinganalysis of the connection between the country’s domestic economichealth and its foreign affairs—the bottom line of imperialism,American style. Colossus is a peerless reckoning withAmerican power that should be read by any thinking citizen of thisunspoken empire.

A groundbreaking book, this unprecedented study is theauthoritative account of the best-known intelligence organisationin theworld. Essential reading for anyone interested in the historyof espionage, the two world wars, modern British government and theconductof international relations in the first half of thetwentieth century, MI6:The History of the Secret IntelligenceService 1909-1949is a uniquely important examination of the roleand significance of intelligence in the modern world.

Leading a Learning Revolution tells the compelling story of a learning revolution that took place within the U.S. Department of Defense. Written by practitioners who actually walked the walk, this account of the creation of Defense Acquisition University (DAU) provides a clear blueprint that others can follow. It shares, in detail, the best practices they developed, so that the thousands of training organizations worldwide striving to create premier corporate universities can catapult forward. Offering an insider s look at the process, the authors clearly explain how they transformed an outdated training provider into a world-class university. Step-by-step the book outlines the enduring principles that were pivotal to Defense Acquisition University s success and describes the environment, early victories, current methods, and subsequent results. The authors discuss how to establish a mission and vision, develop a performance-based strategic planning process, and tackle change initiative. They also expl

A valuable contribution to the growing field of historical research on immigra-ion...oncentrating on the demographics and everyday lives of immigrants to America in three periods: colonial times, 1820-1924, and the modern era A solid volume for readers in search of their roots. Perhaps the most authoritative and readable single-volume history of immigra-tion yet written. Nationality by nationality, Daniels traces the migration of refugees to this country as far back as the year 1500.Substantial, impressive. This book provides the first comprehensive history of immigration to the United States in twenty years [Coming to America] utilizes nearly all the existing scholarship on the topic to create a readable synthesis. It provides a quick reference source for nonspecialists and general readers From almost every comer of the globe, in numbers great and small, America has drawn people whose contributions are as varied as their origins. Historians have spent much of the tgeneration investigating the

In October 1942, a panzer officer wrote Stalingrad is no longer a town... Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure . The battle for Stalingrad became the focus of Hitler and Stalin's determination to win the gruesome, vicious war on the eastern front. The citizens of Stalingrad endured unimaginable hardship; the battle, with fierce hand-to-hand fighting in each room of each building, was brutally destructive to both armies. But the eventual victory of the Red Army, and the failure of Hitler's Operation Barbarossa, was the first defeat of Hitler's territorial ambitions in Europe, and the start of his decline. An extraordinary story of tactical genius, civilian bravery, obsession, carnage and the nature of war itself, Stalingrad will act as a testament to the vital role of the soviet war effort.

A military leader of legendary genius, Caesar was also a greatwriter, recording the events of his life with incomparableimmediacy and power. "The Civil War" is a tense and grippingdepiction of his struggle with Pompey over the leadership ofRepublican Rome - a conflict that spanned the entire Roman world,from Gaul and Spain to Asia and Africa. Where Caesar's own accountleaves off in 48 BC, his lieutenants take up the history,describing the vital battles of Munda, Spain and Thapsus, and theinstallation of Cleopatra, later Caesar's mistress, as Queen ofEgypt. Together these narratives paint a full picture of the eventsthat brought Caesar supreme power - and paved the way for hisassassination only months later.

Following the enormous success of "Hitler: Hubris" this booktriumphantly completes one of the great modern biographies. Nofigure in twentieth century history more clearly demands a closebiographical understanding than Adolf Hitler; and no period is moreimportant than the Second World War. Beginning with Hitler'sstartling European successes in the aftermath of the Rhinelandoccupation and ending nine years later with the suicide in theBerlin bunker, Kershaw allows us as never before to understand themotivation and the impact of this bizarre misfit. He addresses thecrucial questions about the unique nature of Nazi radicalism, aboutthe Holocaust and about the poisoned European world that allowedHitler to operate so effectively.

With a flaming holographic cover, the new GWR 2011 edition explodes with new and updated records. There's 100% new photography and hot new categories and features including TV's 75th anniversary, eye popping 3-D cinema, the historic Space Shuttle and a 270 city record-breaking GPS World Tour.

Tanks and armored fighting vehicles have dominated the battlefield in all conflicts all over the world. Their amazing firepower, armor, and mobility has lead to most countries maintaining a fleet of these versatile and fearsome machines. Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles features the best of these vehicles.Entries are listed chronologically from 1915 to the present day. Each entry is accompanied by a de*ion of its development and service record, and a full specification table is included, detailing all the essential data:armament, crew, dimensions, speed,range, engine types, and power utput. Specifications are given with both imperial and metric measures listed. Among the vehicles featured in the volume are the British Mk I tank of World War I, the German Panther, and the American M4 Sherman of World War II, and the MI Abrams seen in battle today. All of the major manufacturers in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Russia are covered, alongside the smaller nations to present a global commentary on the

More than fifteen million Americans currently practice yoga (according to Yoga Journal ), but how many of them know the true story of how Downward Dog first captivated America? Resurrecting a fascinating and forgotten tale, journalist Robert Love returns to the Gilded Age, when Dr. Pierre Bernard (n Perry Baker in Iowa) revived a discipline banned in Victorian India, packaged it for Americans, and taught legions of followers, who bankrolled his luxurious Hudson River ashram- the first in the nation. Filled with Jazz Age celebrities, heiresses, spies, and outraged clergy, The Great Oom is the enthralling life story of the unlikeliest of gurus, and a stunning saga of mysticism, intrigue, and the American dream.

An epic history of a doomed civilization and a lostempire. The devastating struggle to the death between theCarthaginians and the Romans was one of the defining dramas of theancient world. In an epic series of land and sea battles, bothsides came close to victory before the Carthaginians finallysuccumbed and their capital city, history, and culture were almostutterly erased. Drawing on a wealth of new archaeological research, Richard Milesvividly brings to life this lost empire-from its origins among thePhoenician settlements of Lebanon to its apotheosis as the greatestseapower in the Mediterranean. And at the heart of the history ofCarthage lies the extraordinary figure of Hannibal-the scourge ofRome and one of the greatest military leaders, but a man who alsounwittingly led his people to catastrophe. The first full-scale history of Carthage in decades, CarthageMust Be Destroyed reintroduces modern readers to thelarger-than-life historical players and the ancient glory of thisalmost forgotten civili

Provides an accessible introduction to 28 0f the most important actions of World War ll,including Dunkirk，the Battle of Britain，Operation Barbarossa，Pear Harbor,El Atamein．the siege of Leningrad，Kursk，Monte Cassino，the D-Day landings，Battle of the Bulge，lwo Jima，the Battle for Berlin，and many，many more. Includes full-color tactical maps that allow the reader to grasp at a glance the decisivemoves of the battle. Features rnore than 250 color and black,and—white photographs and artworks illustrating the soldiers,uniforms,and military technology of the era.

Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, published between 1776 and 1788, is the undisputed masterpiece of English historical writhing which can only perish with the language itself. Its length alone is a measure of its monumental quality: seventy-one chapters, of which twenty-eight appear in full in the edition, With style, learning and wit, Gibbon takes the reader through the history of Europe from the second century AD to the fall of Constantinople in 1453-an enthralling account by ‘the greates of the historians of the Englightenment'. This edition includes Gibbon's footnotes and quotation, here translated for the first time, togerther with brief explanatory comments, a precis of the chapters not included, 16 maps, a glossary, and a list of emperors.

In The War with Hannibal, Livy (59 BC AD 17) chronicles theevents of the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, until theBattle of Zama in 202 BC. He vividly recreates the immense armiesof Hannibal, complete with elephants, crossing the Alps; the panicas they approached the gates of Rome; and the decimation of theRoman army at the Battle of Lake Trasimene. Yet it is also theclash of personalities that fascinates Livy, from great debates inthe Senate to the historic meeting between Scipio and Hannibalbefore the decisive battle. Livy never hesitates to introduce bothintense drama and moral lessons into his work, and here he brings aturbulent episode in history powerfully to life.

A concise introduction that gives readers important background information. A chronology of the author's life and work. A timeline of sinificant events that provides the book's historical context. An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations. Detailed explanatory notes. Critical analysis,including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work. Discussion questions to promote l\ively classroom and bood group interaction. A list of recommernded related books and films to broaden the reader's experience. Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary.The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate,understand,and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.

One of the most gifted and influential American journalists ofthe 20th century, A. J. Liebling spent five years reporting thedramatic events and myriad individual stories of World War II. As acorrespondent for The New Yorker , Liebling wrote with apassionate commitment to Allied victory, an unfailing attention totelling details, and an appreciation for the literary challengespresented by the “discursive, centrifugal, both repetitive anddisparate” nature of war. This volume brings together three booksalong with 26 uncollected New Yorker pieces and two excerptsfrom The Republic of Silence (1947), Liebling’s collectionof writing from the French Resistance. The Road Back to Paris (1944) narrates Liebling’sexperiences from September 1939 to March 1943, including his shockat the fall of France and dismay at isolationist indifference inthe United States; it contains classic accounts of a winter voyageon a Norwegian tanker during the Battle of the Atlantic, visits tofront-line airfields in

A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year A Washington Post Best Book of the Year A Businessweek Best Business Book of the Year A Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year In this brilliant, essential book, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas L. Friedman speaks to America's urgent need for national renewal and explains how a green revolution can bring about both a sustainable environment and a sustainable America. Friedman explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the expansion of the world’s middle class through globalization have produced a dangerously unstable planet--one that is "hot, flat, and crowded." In this Release 2.0 edition, he also shows how the very habits that led us to ravage the natural world led to the meltdown of the financial markets and the Great Recession. The challenge of a sustainable way of life presents the United States with an opportunity not only to rebuild its economy, but to lead the world in radically innovating toward cleaner energy.

A delightful treasury of observations and insights into the lives of all sorts of creatures -- from jackdaws and water-shrews to dogs, cats and even wolves -- this is a wonderfully written introduction to the world of our furred and feathered friends!