Western Biography

For every child who has ever looked up at the stars and asked, "What are they?" comes the story of a curious boy who never stopped wondering: Carl Sagan. When Carl Sagan was a young boy he went to the 1939 World's Fair and his life was changed forever. From that day on he never stopped marveling at the universe and seeking to understand it better.

A “long-shot” or “underdog” would best describe the former governor of Tennessee, James Knox Polk, who had lost two reelection bids and now sought his party’s vice-presidential nomination. Events unfolded rapidly at the Democratic convention in the warm summer of 1844. James Polk had hoped to be his party’s choice as front runner Martin Van Buren’s vice presidential nominee going into the fall general election. Seven ballots into the nomination process the convention was hopelessly deadlocked, then Polk’s friends began spreading the word that “Young Hickory” was Andrew ...

Between 1941 and 1944, sixteen thousand plucky homing pigeons were dropped in an arc from Bordeaux to Copenhagen as part of 'Columba' – a secret British operation to bring back intelligence from those living under Nazi occupation.

Francis of Assisi has inspired the church for centuries. Francis took the gospel literally, following all that Jesus said and did without limit, and his devotion led to a life filled with miracles and wonders. Born to a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis didn’t seem destined for the life of prayer and poverty that he chose. Bankrolled by his father, and with natural good looks and personality, Francis indulged in worldly pleasure. He had a ready wit, sang merrily, and delighted in fine clothes and showy display.

Question: What do you do when the kitchen wall collapses into the vat of beans being cooked for a horde of hungry schoolboys? Answer: You serve it up anyway! Why let a few lumps of clay and the odd metal screw spoil a decent meal? When Bunmi Asaolu arrived at the grand gates of St. John/Mary's Unity Secondary School (SAJOMACO) as a first-year student, you'd be forgiven for assuming he was swapping life on the serene university campus he grew up on for another of equal civility. Wrong! Behind the gates of SAJOMACO lay a world of contradictions.

Because of the painstaking work of this tireless American astronomer, we were given a clearer picture of our place in the universe. Shapley was a prodigious astronomer who completed significant work on globular clusters, Cepheid variables, as well as key aspects of cosmology and stellar astronomy, including nebular and stellar spectroscopy and photometry.

A gripping work of reportage that, for the first time, tells the story of "Chucky" Taylor, a young American who lost his soul in Liberia, the country where his African father was a ruthless warlord and dictator.

Serving the shortest presidential term in American history, William Henry Harrison never had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as the chief executive. -- Like Andrew Jackson, Harrison was elected largely on the basis of his reputation as an Indian fighter and a successful major general in the War of 1812. -- When Harrison ran for president in 1840, his campaign was like no other—parades, slogans, whiskey, and songs rallied the populace to come out and vote for the old frontiersman and war hero. -- In the presidential campaign, he carefully avoided taking a stand on important ...

In Jerry West: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball’s Greatest Point Guards, you'll learn the inspirational story of one of basketball's greatest of all time, Jerry West. Jerry West is one of the few individuals in the game of basketball who has seen success both as a player and as an executive. A 14-time All-Star, West won an NBA Championship in 1972 as a player, and has also won eight titles as an executive at the time of this writing.

There happens to be certain parts of an individual’s life that they possess a soft spot for. Music had been the one thing in my life that I had always treasured and wanted to pursue. I have been engrossed in the different genres of music that have been introduced since the beginning, and I have wanted to be a musician since childhood. But fate had other plans when the circumstances of my life prevented me from pursuing a career in music. But he never let these trivial setbacks bring him down. Instead, he pursued his dream and started a recording studio of his own.

Graham Greene's account of a five-year personal involvement with Omar Torrijos, ruler of Panama from 1968-81 and Sergeant Chuchu, one of the few men in the National Guard whom the general trusted completely. It is a fascinating tribute to an inspirational politician in the vital period of his country's history and to an unusual and enduring friendship.

Tales of a Westside Chicago Girl Letting Go of Perfectionism: A Memoir of Faith and Perseverance is author Jamese Dunlap’s inspiring story about a first-generation career professional, born into a single-parent household. Determined to build a stable financial future, the recent college graduate accepts a job offer at a major financial firm, which increases her understanding of investment topics, but along the way she unexpectedly gains an awareness of undiscovered parts of herself.

Do you want to learn about Abigail Adams but don’t have the time or patience to read a thick book? Then this short and concise book “Abigail Adams: First Lady of the United States” is for you!! During Abigail Adams’ long and productive life, she had many interesting adventures and made many contributions to the young American republic, including the following: One of the “founding mothers” of the United States of America. Acted as a political advisor to her husband while he served as ambassador, vice president, and president, for the United States. An early advocate for the ...

Remington’s name remains recognizable today, and his work continues to impress viewers more than a century after he was active. From the bronze statuettes of anonymous Western heroes in crisis to large-scale actions set against vast backdrops, his works found their form through mythology and by "merging his experiences and memories." Both commercially and nostalgia-driven, the dualistic personality of Frederic Remington as a person is at times a problem for modern sensibilities.

Kanye West is a diverse and complicated figure who has made an everlasting imprint on the realms of music, fashion, and society. His rise from humble beginnings in Chicago to global prominence is a monument to his brilliance, perseverance, and unflinching faith in himself. This book digs into this enigmatic artist's life, music, and legacy, providing a detailed and informative look at the man and his impact on the globe. It recounts West's journey from a young producer to a pioneering artist through painstakingly researched and entertaining text, delving into the musical influences that ...

Comedian and best-selling author Tony Hawks is embarking on his greatest adventure yet - moving from city life in London to deepest Devon in the West Country. You can take the man out of the city, but is the countryside ready for him? Comedian and born-and-bred townie Tony Hawks is not afraid of a challenge - or indeed a good bet. He's hitchhiked round Ireland with a fridge and taken on the Moldovan football team at tennis one by one.

ESTE É UM EPISÓDIO DA OBRA "CARTA PARA O MEU JOVEM EU", DE JANE GRAHAM, QUE APRESENTAM CARTAS PARA DOMINIC WEST E HARRY SHEARER MAIS JOVENS. SE QUISER LER TODAS AS CARTAS LEIA A OBRA COMPLETA. Se a viagem no tempo fosse uma possibilidade, o que você diria ao seu eu adolescente, caso o encontrasse? Em Carta Para Meu Jovem Eu, personalidades das mais diversas áreas refletem sobre o que teria sido bom saber antes. Elas também lembram aqueles momentos mágicos que gostariam de reviver. O livro inclui a participação especial de personalidades brasileiras.

Encounters in Avalanche Country tells the story of mountain communities' responses to disaster over a century of social change and rapid industrialization. As mining and railway companies triggered new kinds of disasters, ideas about environmental risk and responsibility were increasingly negotiated by mountain laborers, at the elite levels among corporations, and in socially charged civil suits.

Born of humble beginnings, Ronald Reagan came into the world as the son of working class parents in Illinois. During his youth, he wasn't a particularly gifted student, but he did graduate from college. A Hollywood actor and union leader turned politician, he served as the 33rd governor of California during the tumultuous period from 1967 to 1975. Though his hard work, determination, and a bit of good luck, Ronald Reagan became the 40th president of the United States, in office between 1981 and 1989.

In a compilation of fascinating stories, Dr. Jim Webb shares a view of visionary leaders who defied the odds to create extraordinary, lasting results in diverse environments. While guiding listeners on a journey through some of the world’s finest institutions and the influencers who produced and directed radical improvements, he shines a light on a variety of these exceptional leaders. Innovators Who Changed the World profiles the history of those who created, built, and guided organizations and people through transformation and changed the world in the process.