An acclaimed historian offers an optimistic view of the futureof the United States in the light of Roman history Maybe the end of the American ascendancy is not upon us. Maybethe U.S. will continue to dominate the world for centuries. Nowaward-winning historian Thomas Madden delivers an optimistic viewof our nation's future. Madden shows that the power of the ancient Roman republic and theU.S. was built on trust between allies, not the conquest ofenemies. The far-reaching implications of this fact are essentialreading for anyone who cares about the challenges we face now andin the years ahead. Packed with stories from Roman history that offer amazinglyobvious and explicitly stated parallels to our recent history,Empires of Trust is a narrative pleasure and a hopefulinspiration.

The publication of 'Vision and Difference' marked a milestone in the development of modern art history. Its introduction of a feminist perspective into this largely male-oriented discipline made shockwaves that are still felt forcefully today. Drawing upon feminist cultural theory previously little applied to the visual arts, Pollock offers concrete historical analyses of key moments in the formation of modern culture to reveal the sexual politics at the heart of modernist art. Crucially, she not only provides a feminist re-reading of the work of canonical male Impressionist and Pre-Raphaelite artists including Edgar Degas and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, but also re-inserts into art history their female contemporaries - women artists such as Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. Casting her critical eye over the contemporary art scene, Pollock discusses the work of women artists such as Mary Kelly and Yve Lomax, highlighting the problems of working in a culture where the feminine is still defined as the object of

In this "informative and inspiring volume" (Chicago Tribune),Robert Harvey reconstructs in vivid detail the gripping story ofLatin America's independence and those who made it possible.Treated with contempt by their Spanish overlords, given todissipation and grandiose proclamations, these fearless mennonetheless achieved military feats unsurpassed elsewhere inhistory. The aristocratic Simón Bolívar led his guerilla armiesthrough swamp, jungle, and Andean ice to surprise his enemies andliberate most of northern South America. The inarticulate SanMartín joined Bernardo O'Higgins, illegitimate son of a Spanishviceroy, to do the same in the south. These and five others wagedthe war for freedom against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars,the American Revolution, the collapse of the Spanish Empire, andthe revolutionary ferment of the nineteenth century. Despite thesuccess of their revolutions, all seven liberators died in poverty,disgrace, or oblivion. This fascinating and dramatic story takes in a

Book De*ion Nathaniel Philbrick became an internationally renowned authorwith his National Book Award– winning In the Heart of the Sea,hailed as “spellbinding” by Time magazine. In Mayflower, Philbrickcasts his spell once again, giving us a fresh and extraordinarilyvivid account of our most sacred national myth: the voyage of theMayflower and the settlement of Plymouth Colony. From theMayflower’s arduous Atlantic crossing to the eruption of KingPhilip’s War between colonists and natives decades later, Philbrickreveals in this electrifying history of the Pilgrims afifty-five-year epic, at once tragic and heroic, that stillresonates with us today. From Publishers Weekly In this remarkable effort, National Book Award–winner Philbrick(In the Heart of the Sea) examines the history of Plymouth Colony.In the early 17th century, a small group of devout EnglishChristians fled their villages to escape persecution, going firstto Holland, then making the now infamous 10-week voyage to

From the Gracchi to Nero is an outstanding history ofthe Roman world from 133 BC to 68 AD. Fifty years since publicationit is widely hailed as the classic survey of the period, goingthrough many revised and updated editions until H.H. Scullard’sdeath. It explores the decline and fall of the Roman Republic andthe establishment of the Pax Romana under the early Principate. Insuperbly clear style, Scullard brings vividly to life Gracchi’sattempts at reform, the rise and fall of Marius and Sulla, Pompeyand Caesar, society and culture in the late Roman Republic, theAugustan Principate, Tiberius and Gaius, Claudius and Nero, andeconomic and social life in the early Empire.

From Publishers Weekly In her latest, well-informed author and Ohio native Rossi (WhatEvery American Should Know About the Rest of the World) might bewriting an irreverant "Cliff's Notes" for American geographystudents who have difficulty finding Europe on a map, were it notfor her opinionated voice and her commitment to "European historyand culture that we rarely learn in school." Deliberately playingto the Ugly American vantage point, Rossi divides the book into twoparts, "Old Europe" and "New Europe," though, in characteristicfashion, she efficiently delineates the real-world differencesbetween "Western Europe and Greece" (the Old) and the largelypost-Communist eastern counterparts (the New) without losing herplayful attitude. In 28 entries, Rossi has created an engagingtravel guide complete with the basics-demographics, history, hotspots and notable natives-as well as numerous digressions,including the significance of Ireland's groundbreaking televisioncomedy Father Ted; Poland's answer to the Olsen twin

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.

The Canadian escort group C 2 was comprised of the RCN destroyers Gatineau and Chaudiere, the frigate St. Catharines, the Corvettes Chilliwack and Fennel, and the RN destroyer Icarus. these six and the RN corvette Kenilworth castle combined to sing U-744 in the North Atlantic in a prolonged drama on March 5 and 6, 1944. At 32 hours, this the second-longest successful hunt of the war. Chilliwack able seaman Ralph Chartrand recalls the action: When the sub started to surface, everything that could shoot went into action and we fired all we could. While the crew of U-744 was jumping out of the conning tower, St. Catharines was closing in, but our captain outmanoeuvred Chilliwack in front to make sure that this was our sub. He gave the order "Prepare to ram," but soon the sub was empty, so we didn't ram. We lowered a lifeboat with a boarding party and they proceeded to U-744. While the lifeboat was tied to the sub, some members boarded the sub. then a big wave hit our lifeboat and flipped the crew i

In this well-written and well-researched social history F.R.Cowell succeeds in making Life in Ancient Rome alive and dynamic.The combination of acute historical detail and supplementaryillustrations makes this book perfectly suited for the studentpreparing to explore the classics, as well as the tourist preparingto explore twentieth-century Rome. Lucid and engaging, Life InAncient Rome is for anyone seeking familiarity with the greatnessthat was Rome.

The Soldiers' Tale is the story of modern wars as told by themen who did the actual fighting. Hynes examines the journals,memoirs, and letters of men who fought in the two World Wars and inVietnam, and also the wars fought against the weak and helpless inconcentration camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and bombed cities.Interweaving his own reflections on war with brilliantly chosenpassages from soldiers' accounts, he offers vivid answers to thequestion we all ask of men who have fought: What was it like? Inthese powerful pages the experiences of modern war, which seemunimaginable to those who weren't there, become comprehensible andreal. The wide range of writers examined includes both famousliterary memoirists like Robert Graves, Tim O'Brien, and ElieWiesel, and unknown soldiers who wrote only their war stories.Using these testimonies, Hynes considers each war in terms of itsspecial circumstances and its effects on men who fought. Hisunderstanding of the psychology of warfare--and of each war's rolein his

The story of Captain D. Michael Abrashoff and his command of USS Benfold has become legendary inside and outside the Navy. Now Abrashoff offers this fascinating tale of top-down change for anyone trying to navigate today's uncertain business seas. When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of USS Benfold, a ship armed with every cutting-edge system available, it was like a business that had all the latest technology but only some of the productivity. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he realized he had to improve his own leadership skills before he could improve his ship. Within months he created a crew of confident and inspired problem-solvers eager to take the initiative and take responsibility for their actions. The slogan on board became "It's your ship," and Benfold was soon recognized far and wide as a model of naval efficiency. How did Abrashoff do it? Against the backdrop of today's United States Navy-Benfold was a key player in our Persian Gulf fleet-Abrashoff

A new and utterly surprising look at the history behind thebirth of the United States The United States is a nation that touts its diversity, but thereis one tradition that Americans love to share. Every year on theFourth of July, Americans celebrate (and, in effect, re-enact) thefounding of their country. Independence Day is one of our favoritetraditions-but much of the inherited lore that surrounds thisholiday is mythological, not historical. In this book, Peter deBolla teases out the true story of the Fourth of July. De Bollatraces the holiday's history from 1776 through the Civil War, theCold War, and the present. This enlightening exploration ofAmerica's birthday offers a fascinating window into the history ofthe nation and its people.

Although written over four hundred years after Alexander'sdeath, Arrian's account of the man and his achievements is the mostreliable we have. Arrian's own experience as a military commandergave him unique insights into the life of the world's greatestconqueror. He tells of Alexander's violent suppression of theTheban rebellion, his defeat of Persia and campaigns through Egyptand Babylon - establishing new cities and destroying others in hispath. While Alexander emerges as a charismatic leader, Arriansucceeds brilliantly in creating an objective portrait of a man ofboundless ambition, who was exposed to the temptations ofpower.

The popular primer to Latino life and culture—updatedfor 2008 Latinos represent the fastest-growing ethnic population in theUnited States. In an accessible and entertainingquestion-and-answer format, this completely revised 2008 editionprovides the most current perspective on Latino history in themaking, including: ? New Mexico governor Bill Richardson’s announced candidacy for the2008 presidential election ? Ugly Betty —the hit ABC TV show based on the Latinotelenovela phenomenon ? The number of Latino players in Major League baseball surpassingthe 25 percent mark ? Immigration legislation and the battle over the Mexicanborder ? The state of Castro’s health and what it means for Cuba More than ever, this concise yet comprehensive reference guide isthe ideal introduction to the vast and varied history and cultureof this multifaceted ethnic group.

From the end of the Roman Empire the knight emerged to rule the battlefield for almost 1,000 years. Only in the early 1500s, with the development of firearms, did the knight cease to play such a central military role. But despite being extinct for around 500 years, the legacy of the knight survives to this day. The idea of chivalry, which was so central to the concept of knighthood, lives on; the honour of knighthood still exists in military orders; and the tradition of bravery and sacrifice are still held in high regard in the 21 st century. In addition to the enduring principles of knighthood, we have also inherited a stunning architectural legacy from the knights of past centuries, with castles surviving in fields, villages and cities throughout Europe. With over 140 stunning, high-quality maps and illustrations The Historical Atlas of Knights and Castles brings the subject to life, revealing all aspects of knights and castles, mapping the spread of the Norman influence, the crusades and other imp

Newly revised edition of Professor Crowe's accessible, enlightening book re-creates the change from an earth-centered to a sun-centered conception of the solar system. The work is organized around a hypothetical debate: Given the evidence available in 1615, which system (Ptolemaic, Copernican, Tychonic, etc.) was most deserving of support?

A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It is the story of Paul Kagame, a refugee who, after a generation of exile, found his way home. Learn about President Kagame, who strives to make Rwanda the first middle-income country in Africa, in a single generation. In this adventurous tale, learn about Kagame’s early fascination with Che Guevara and James Bond, his years as an intelligence agent, his training in Cuba and the United States, the way he built his secret rebel army, his bloody rebellion, and his outsized ambitions for Rwanda.

The 2007–08 subprime financial crisis is the jumping-off point for Smick's (Johnson Smick International) examination of current threats to global prosperity. He explains that although the subprime losses are small in the context of world financial markets, a lack of transparency has diminished investor confidence, dried up financial liquidity, and threatened the very foundations of our world financial system. He says that the growth of global financial markets has made it more difficult for central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve to intercede effectively in times of crisis. Smick compares the subprime crisis to past events like the UK's forced devaluation of the pound in 1992 and Japan's economic stagnation in the 1990s. He warns of pending dangers like an overheating of the Chinese development juggernaut and the present calls for protectionism by U.S. politicians. He favors a global financial system built on transparency and trust. Smick's role for some 30 years as an economic adviser to central banker

Josephus' account of a war marked by treachery and atrocity isa superbly detailed and evocative record of the Jewish rebellionagainst Rome between AD 66 and 70. Originally a rebel leader,Josephus changed sides after he was captured to become aRome-appointed negotiator, and so was uniquely placed to observethese turbulent events, from the siege of Jerusalem to the finalheroic resistance and mass suicides at Masada. His account providesmuch of what we know about the history of the Jews under Romanrule, with vivid portraits of such key figures as the EmperorVespasian and Herod the Great. Often self-justifying and divided inits loyalties, "The Jewish War" nevertheless remains one of themost immediate accounts of war, its heroism and its horrors, everwritten.

Upon its publication in 1845, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself became an immediate best-seller. In addition to its far-reaching impact on the antislavery movement in the United States and abroad, Douglass's fugitive slave narrative won recognition for its literary excellence, which has since earned it a place among the classics of nineteenth-century American autobiography This Norton Critical Edition reprints the 1845 first edition of Douglass's compelling autobiography Explanatory annotations accompany the text. A rich selection of "Contexts" provides readers with contemporary perspective. Included are the little-known preface that Douglass wrote in 1846 expressly for the second Irish edition of his Narrative; a public exchange of letters between A. C. C. Thompson, a former slaveholder, and Douglass; three autobiographical portraits of Douglass's parents; Douglass's account of his escape from slavery which he chose not to include in the 1845 Narrative; sample

Essential passages from the works of four "fathers ofhistory"-Herodotus's History, Thucydides' History of thePeloponnesian War, Xenophon's Anabasis, and Polybius's Histories.--This text refers to the Kindle Edition.

A "compact, engrossing narrative"* that vividly reimagines theevents that led to the outbreak of the Civil War What separates historian Nelson D. Lankford's engagingexamination of the causes of the Civil War from other books on thesubject is its willingness to consider the alternativepossibilities to history. Cry Havoc! recounts in riveting detailthe small quirks of timing, character, and place that influencedthe huge trajectory of events during eight critical weeks fromLincoln's inauguration through the explosion at Fort Sumter and theembattled president's response to it. It addresses the what-ifs,the might-have-beens, and the individual personalities that playedinto circumstances-a chain of indecisions and miscalculations,influenced by swollen vanity and wishful thinking-that gave shapeto the dreadful conflict to come.

Did Eisenhower avoid a showdown with Stalin by not takingBerlin before the Soviets? What might have happened if JFK hadn'tbeen assassinated? This new volume in the widely praised seriespresents fascinating "what if..." scenarios by such prominenthistorians as: Robert Dallek, Caleb Carr, Antony Beevor, JohnLukacs, Jay Winick, Thomas Fleming, Tom Wicker, Theodore Rabb,Victor David Hansen, Cecelia Holland, Andrew Roberts, Ted Morgan,George Feifer, Robert L. O'Connell, Lawrence Malkin, and John F.Stacks. Included are two essential bonus essays reprinted from theoriginal New York Times bestseller What If? (tm)-DavidMcCullough imagines Washington's disastrous defeat at the Battle ofLong Island, and James McPherson envisions Lee's successfulinvasion of the North in 1862.