Charles River

Includes an introduction with a short biography about Ayn Rand. Comprehensively explains Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, and the plots, characters, themes, symbols, and philosophy of Rand's classic novels. Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "Government 'help' to business is just as disastrous as government persecution... the only way a government can be of service to national prosperity is by keeping its hands off." - Ayn Rand The seminal events in Ayn Rand's life occurred when she witnessed firsthand the Bolshevik Revolution and the ultimate Communist victory as a teenager. Rand's experience with the maelstrom of this revolutionary zeal and cultural breakdown greatly contributed toward the formation of Rand's philosophy of objectivism, individualism and anti-religious ideas. During her last year of high school, she was introduced to the history of the United States and immediately decided to make America her model of what an ideal society should look like. Rand came to the United States as a young woman for a visit in 1925, and, as fate would have it, she never returned to Russia. When Rand first embarked on writing The Fountainhead, her first major literary success, she intended to deliver a book that incorporated her philosophies on 20th century society while telling a story that was less politically inclined than her initial novel, We the Living, which was set in post-revolutionary Russia and promoted her tough, unwavering stand against communism. In The Fountainhead, Rand took many of the seeds of individualism that she sowed in We the Living, enhancing and heightening them into her new book's dominant theme. The Fountainhead clearly represents Rand's disdain for and rejection of the notion of collectivism, and holds not merely individualism but also objectivism, a philosophy attributed to the writer herself, as components critical to man's ideal state. Her objectivist posture, given its basic foundation in self-service and the belief that the pursuit of one's own happiness alone reigns supreme over any other human activity, was certainly polarizing. Supporters claimed that it was a natural progression from existentialism, while opponents asserted that it was systematically self-interested and therefore bordered on amorality. Rand began her most famous novel, Atlas Shrugged, in 1946. The novel consumed her, and in 1951, she moved back to New York City to devote herself to its completion. Atlas Shrugged was published in 1957 and is still considered her greatest work, as it touches upon a variety of social and philosophical topics such as metaphysics and epistemology while addressing the more "pop culture" areas of sex and politics. The book also sealed her association with the philosophical concept of Objectivism, which she called a methodology for "living on earth." The Objectivism movement caught fire, inspiring Rand to establish Objectivist periodicals from 1962 to 1976. Though Atlas Shrugged had been a popular title when Ayn Rand published it in 1957, it's quite possible that the only reference to it that many Americans heard before 2009 came from the hit series Mad Men. However, this staple of conservative and libertarian reader took on new life as the new Obama Administration sought to use government resources to fix financial problems. In 2009, with the global economy hemorrhaging jobs, and Western governments pouring hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer money to "bail out" troubled financial firms and large companies, frustrated people and political analysts turned to a book written over 50 years earlier as a guide out of the abyss. With Ayn Rand and her work as relevant as ever, Everything You Need to Know About Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead will get you caught up quickly on Rand's classic novels.

*Includes pictures of Early and important people, places, and events in his life. *Includes excerpts from Early's autobiography discussing battles like Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and more. *Discusses Early's influence on the Lost Cause and Civil War history. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. Jubal Early (1816-1894) fought two big wars during his life. About 150 years ago, Early played an important role as a general for the Confederacy, fighting his way up the ranks until he was eventually given an independent command by Robert E. Lee in late 1864. Early served under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, rising from regiment commander to Corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia, and he played crucial roles in key battles like Gettysburg and in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns. During his raid toward Washington D. C., his forces nearly killed President Lincoln during a battle at Fort Stevens, making Lincoln the only sitting president to come under live fire. However, it was Early's writing that truly changed history. During the 1870s, Early was one of the writers for the Southern Historical Society who helped establish the Lost Cause, a cultural phenomenon that dominated the writing of Civil War history for a century and is still a widely held view today. His autobiography, Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early, Confederate States of America, is a perfect example of Lost Cause writing, in which the Confederacy is unable to overcome the North's vast advantage in men and resources. At the same time, the Lost Cause was primarily a creation of men from Virginia, so in turn they deified Lee and are widely responsible for Lee's immense popularity today. And since Lee could do no wrong in their eyes, writers like Early looked for others to blame for the South's loss, especially at Gettysburg, which was widely viewed then and now as the chief turning point of the war. For years, Early and James Longstreet argued in writing over who was to blame for the loss at Gettysburg, leading both men to attack each other in print. Those who personally knew Early wouldn't have been shocked by his writing. Though Lee admired Early and playfully referred to him as his "Bad Old Man" due to Early's short temper, that same temper crossed many of Early's subordinates. Early also alienated subordinates by being quick to point the finger at them for mistakes, even if they were his fault. Nevertheless, Early's biography is a great read not just for the story it tells but also as one of the best examples of Lost Cause writing, and how the Lost Cause was developed in the years after the war. Fighting for the Lost Cause: The Life and Career of General Jubal Early chronicles the life and career of Early and analyzes his war record, but it also looks at the critical role he played in creating and perpetuating the historiography of the Civil War. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about General Early like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Includes famous art depicting Antony, Cleopatra, and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Discusses the mysteries still surrounding the suicides of Antony & Cleopatra. He was one of the most unique and best known figures of antiquity, a man whose relationships with some of history's giants ensured his own legacy. She was a legendary figure even to contemporary Romans and the ancient world, a controversial figure who was equally reviled and praised through the years, depicted as a benevolent ruler and an evil seductress, sometimes at the same time. Together they created one of history's most famous and tragic love stories, all while shaping the fate of the ancient world. A prot g of Julius Caesar's, a sworn enemy of Cicero's, and a foil for Octavian, Mark Antony has long been remembered for the role he played in others' lives more than for his own accomplishments. While Antony's relationships with Rome's most famous leaders and history's most famous woman were central components in his lives, the fact that his legacy has been intertwined with them belies the fact that he was a powerful man in his own right. Coming up as a capable and competent military man who Caesar trusted as his right hand, Antony parlayed that into governing Rome itself while Caesar fought Pompey. After Caesar's assassination in 44 B. C., Antony deftly navigated from tenuous footing as a declared enemy of the state to become one of Rome's two most powerful leaders, arguably its most powerful, in just a matter of years, outmaneuvering and getting the best of enemies like Brutus and Cicero. At the same time, Antony was notorious in his own time for his voracious appetite for vice, and the branding of him as a boor has persisted for over 2,000 years. Over 2,000 years after her death, everything about Cleopatra continues to fascinate people around the world, from her lineage as a Ptolemaic pharaoh, her physical features, the manner in which she seduced Caesar, her departure during the Battle of Actium, and her famous suicide. And despite being one of the most famous figures in history, there is still much mystery surrounding her, leading historians and archaeologists scouring Alexandria, Egypt for clues about her life and the whereabouts of her royal palace and tomb. Of course, Antony & Cleopatra has become the stuff of legends and countless plays, movies, and art, with their romance continuing to endure as history's most famous love story. Antony & Cleopatra: History's Most Famous Romance provides an entertaining and informative look at the facts and myths surrounding history's most famous lovers and their tragic story. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Antony & Cleopatra like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Discusses common myths and legends surrounding the lives of Caesar & Cleopatra. What were Caesar's last words? Was Cleopatra actually Egyptian? How did she die? What did she look like? *Includes pictures of busts of Caesar, Cleopatra, and depictions of important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "I would rather be the first man in a humble village, than the second man in Rome" - Caesar "Her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her; but converse with her had an irresistible charm, and her presence, combined with the persuasiveness of her discourse and the character which was somehow diffused about her behaviour towards others, had something stimulating about it. There was sweetness also in the tones of her voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings, she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased..." - Plutarch Possibly the most important man of antiquity, and even all of history, was Julius Caesar. Alexander Hamilton, the famous American patriot, once remarked that "the greatest man who ever lived was Julius Caesar". Such a tribute, coming from one of the Founding Fathers of the quintessential modern democracy in reference to a man who destroyed the Roman Republic, is testament to the enduring mark that Caesar left upon the world. The ultimate conqueror, statesman, dictator, visionary, and opportunist, during his time in power Caesar expanded the borders of Rome to almost twice their previous size, revolutionized the infrastructure of the Roman state, and destroyed the Roman Republic for good, leaving a line of emperors in its place. His legacy is so strong that his name has become, in many languages, synonymous with power: the Emperors of Austria and Germany bore the title Kaiser, and the Czars of Russia also owe the etymology of their title to Caesar. His name also crept further eastward out of Europe, even cropping up in Hindi and Urdu, where the term for "Emperor" is Kaisar. Cleopatra was a legendary figure even to contemporary Romans and the ancient world, as Plutarch's quote suggests, and she was a controversial figure who was equally reviled and praised through the years, depicted as a benevolent ruler and an evil seductress, sometimes at the same time. Over 2,000 years after her death, everything about Cleopatra continues to fascinate people around the world, from her lineage as a Ptolemaic pharaoh, her physical features, the manner in which she seduced Caesar, her departure during the Battle of Actium, and her famous suicide. And despite being one of the most famous figures in history, there is still much mystery surrounding her, leading historians and archaeologists scouring Alexandria, Egypt for clues about her life and the whereabouts of her royal palace and tomb. Caesar & Cleopatra chronicles the amazing lives of both famous leaders and lovers, and it explores some of the mysteries and legends surrounding their lives while also analyzing their long-lasting legacies, which has only grown larger over 2,000 years and promises to last many more. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Caesar & Cleopatra like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Analyzes the themes and progression of the composers' most famous works, comparing and contrasting them to each other and other composers' great works. *Includes pictures of important people and places. *Includes a bibliography on each composer for further reading. *Includes a list of both composers' works. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), baptized Johannes Chrysostom Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, is widely considered to be the culminating figure of the Classical Period in music, which spanned much of the 18th to early 19th centuries. As such, he is remembered as one of Western Civilization's most prodigious and spontaneous natural talents, on par with Leonardo da Vinci and Johann Sebastian Bach. Mozart once called music "my life", and indeed few were as naturally gifted at it. Mozart's memory and genius for music allowed him to compose lengthy works, even full-length operas, without transferring them to paper until he had fully visualized and retained them. He regarded copying as a tedious task, and this caused no small amount of consternation among performers, in particular the orchestra, some of whom received their parts minutes before curtain. This was said to be the case for the premiere of Don Giovanni, where Mozart was furiously scrawling and handing out parts to the overture with the audience in attendance. Surprisingly, these entire works, sometimes hundreds of pages, not penned until they were complete in his mind, usually arrived to the manuscript without a single blemish or change of heart. Mozart's eccentricities are remembered centuries after his death, to the point that much of his life, illnesses and death have been mythologized, and today a lot of his legacy has been shaped by the manner in which his personality has been depicted in biographical works like Amadeus. Among all of history's greatest musicians, few have been as admired or influential as Ludwig van Beethoven, whose name remains synonymous with composing. Works like his Fifth and Ninth symphonies remain instantly recognizable over 200 years after they were composed, and their sweeping and grandiose nature are made all the more amazing by the fact that their author was gradually going deaf and couldn't hear music very well by the time he was composing them. Similarly, the "Moonlight Sonata" and "F r Elise" are renowned across the world and are some of the most famous piano pieces of all time. At the same time, Beethoven's work ushered in a new era in art, helping the transition from the Classical era to the Romantic era. In the 180 years since his death, Beethoven has been enshrined by modern society as one of the most esteemed classical composers in the history of civilization, but he had a profound and immediate influence on the German musical lineage that would pass through Robert Schumann, Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss all the way to composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. At a time when music was very much viewed as science, Beethoven was a giant in the field, and as such he was viewed as a genius. As Beethoven himself once put it, "Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend." Mozart and Beethoven comprehensively analyzes the themes and revolutionary advancements of both composers' music, looking at their most famous works and comparing and contrasting them. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Mozart and Beethoven like never before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures of Lenin, Stalin, and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Discusses the conspiracy theories surrounding Stalin's death and how Stalin came to power against Lenin's wishes. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. "We want to achieve a new and better order of society: in this new and better society there must be neither rich nor poor; all will have to work. Not a handful of rich people, but all the working people must enjoy the fruits of their common labour." - Vladimir Lenin "It is time to finish retreating. Not one step back Such should now be our main slogan." - Joseph Stalin Among the leaders of the 20th century, arguably none shaped the course of history as much as Vladimir Lenin (1870-1942), the Communist revolutionary and political theorist who led the Bolshevik Revolution that established the Soviet Union. In addition to shaping the Marxist-Leninist political thought that steered Soviet ideology, he was the first Soviet premier until his death and set the Soviet Union on its way to becoming one of the world's two superpowers for most of the century, in addition to being the West's Cold War adversary. As it turned out, the creation of the Soviet Union came near the end of Lenin's life, as he worked so hard that he had burned himself out by his 50s, dying in 1924 after a series of strokes had completely debilitated him. Near the end of his life, he expressly stated that the regime's power should not be put in the hands of the current General Secretary of the Communist Party, Joseph Stalin. Of course, Stalin managed to do just that, modernizing the Soviet Union at a breakneck pace on the backs of millions of poor laborers and prisoners. If Adolf Hitler had not inflicted the devastation of World War II upon Europe, it's quite likely that the West would consider Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) the 20th century's greatest tyrant. Before World War II, Stalin consolidated his position by frequently purging party leaders (most famously Leon Trotsky) and Red Army leaders, executing hundreds of thousands of people at the least. In one of history's greatest textbook examples of the idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Stalin's Soviet Union allied with Britain and the United States to defeat Hitler in Europe, with the worst of the war's carnage coming on the eastern front during Germany's invasion of Russia. Nevertheless, the victory in World War II established the Soviet Union as of the world's two superpowers for nearly 50 years, in addition to being the West's Cold War adversary. By the time Stalin died in 1953, it was written that he "had found Russia working with wooden ploughs and is] leaving it equipped with atomic piles." Of course, he was reviled in the West, where it was written, "The names of Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler will forever be linked to the tragic course of European history in the first half of the twentieth century." The Fathers of the Soviet Union explores the lives and legacies of Lenin and Stalin before the Bolshevik Revolution, as well as the crucial roles they played in establishing the Soviet Union and turning it into a modern superpower. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Lenin and Stalin like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures of Robespierre, Marat, and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes quotes from Marat's fiery journals and Robespierre's most famous and controversial quotes about the French Revolution, Louis XVI, and more. *Includes detailed descriptions of the deaths of Marat, Robespierre, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette *Includes Bibliographies on both leaders for further reading. "Citizens, did you want a revolution without a revolution?" - Maximilien Robespierre "People, give thanks to the gods Your most redoubtable enemy has fallen beneath the scythe of Fate." - Jean-Paul Marat In many ways it is fitting that Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794) is one of the best known figures of the French Revolution, if not its most famous. The early years of the Revolution were fueled by Enlightenment ideals, seeking the social overthrow of the caste system that gave the royalty and aristocracy decisive advantages over the lower classes. Few were as vocal in their support of Enlightenment ideals as Robespierre, who was heavily versed in Rousseau and Montesquieu, a champion of the bourgeoise, and an advocate of human rights who opposed both slavery and the death penalty. But history remembers the French Revolution in a starkly different way, as the same leaders who sought a more democratic system while out of power devolved into establishing an incredibly repressive tyranny of their own once they acquired it. For that reason, the Reign of Terror became the most memorable aspect of the Revolution, and at the head of it all was Robespierre, whose position on the Committee of Public Safety made him the Reign of Terror's instrumental figure, until he himself became a victim of the Revolution's extremism. King Louis XVI gave the French Revolution a scapegoat. Robespierre gave the French Revolution a leader. And Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793) gave the French Revolution a voice. One of the most memorable and notorious revolutionaries, Marat became one of the Revolution's best known figures through his speeches, writings, and scathing attacks on everyone he perceived as "enemies of the revolution". It's possible that the Jacobins might not have come to power in 1793 without Marat's fiery work championing the lower classes and branding his political foes with the harshest demagoguery. No revolutionary was more passionate, determined and willing to die for the cause. Marat's work during the French Revolution and his notorious death at the height of it remain the best known details of his life. Indeed, the image of the Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David is one of the most commonly associated with the Revolution. But those facts have obscured what the man himself was really like. A trained scientist who served as a doctor before the Revolution, Marat counted among his acquaintances luminaries like Goethe and Benjamin Franklin. At the same time, Marat was an Enlightened political philosopher who advocated for basic human rights and reforms such as fair trials by jury. Leaders of the Jacobins chronicles the lives and legacies of Robespierre and Marat in one gripping narrative, explaining their rise within the Jacobins, the political struggles among the French revolutionaries, and the turmoil that ensued. With quotes, pictures, a bibliography, and a Table of Contents, you will learn about Robespierre and Marat like you never have before.

*Includes pictures of Stalin and important people, places, and events in his life. *Discusses conspiracy theories surrounding Stalin's death "It is time to finish retreating. Not one step back Such should now be our main slogan." - Joseph Stalin A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' Russian Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of Russia's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. If Adolf Hitler had not inflicted the devastation of World War II upon Europe, it's quite likely that the West would consider Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) the 20th century's greatest tyrant. A Bolshevik revolutionary who played a crucial role in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union, Stalin was one of the Communist regime's earliest leaders and went about consolidating power after the death of Vladimir Lenin, whose final wishes were that Stalin be removed from his post as General Secretary of the Communist Party and not be given the ability to take power. Of course, Stalin managed to do just that, modernizing the Soviet Union at a breakneck pace on the backs of millions of poor laborers and prisoners. Before World War II, Stalin consolidated his position by frequently purging party leaders (most famously Leon Trotsky) and Red Army leaders, executing hundreds of thousands of people at the least. In one of history's greatest textbook examples of the idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Stalin's Soviet Union allied with Britain and the United States to defeat Hitler in Europe, with the worst of the war's carnage coming on the eastern front during Germany's invasion of Russia. Nevertheless, the victory in World War II established the Soviet Union as of the world's two superpowers for nearly 50 years, in addition to being the West's Cold War adversary. By the time Stalin died in 1953, it was written that he "had found Russia working with wooden ploughs and is] leaving it equipped with atomic piles." Of course, he was reviled in the West, where it was written, "The names of Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler will forever be linked to the tragic course of European history in the first half of the twentieth century." Russian Legends: The Life and Legacy of Joseph Stalin explores Stalin's life and work before the Bolshevik Revolution, as well as the crucial role he played in establishing the Soviet Union and turning it into a modern superpower. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Stalin like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures. *Includes ancient accounts of gladiatorial games and other spectacles. *Explains how the Colosseum was designed and built, as well as how seating was arranged. *Describes the different classes of Roman gladiators and the armor and weaponry they used. *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. "He vows to endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten, and to be killed by the sword." - The gladiator's oath, according to Petronius in the Satyricon. When the Colosseum was built in the late 1st century A. D., the Romans, a people known for their architectural acumen, managed to amaze themselves. Martial, a Roman poet writing during the inauguration of the Colosseum, clearly believed the Colosseum was so grand a monument that it was even greater than the other Wonders of the Ancient World, which had been written about and visited endlessly by the Romans and Greeks in antiquity. Indeed, although the Wonders were wondrous to behold, the Colosseum was a spectacular achievement in architecture, something new and innovative, and therefore an amazing "Wonder" in its own way. The Colosseum was designed to be both a symbol and show of strength by the famous Flavian emperors, most notably Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. Vespasian had started the construction of the Colosseum shortly after becoming emperor in 69 A. D., but he died before he could present any spectacles in his giant amphitheatre. That honor went to his son Titus, who celebrated the inaugural opening in 80 A. D. with 100 days of games, despite the fact that the Colosseum was not completely finished. When his brother Domitian came to power in 81 A. D., he finished the amphitheatre, but not without making some changes to the overall design. By the time it was truly finished, the Colosseum stood about 150 feet tall, with the oval in the center stretching nearly two football fields long and over 500 feet across. The Colosseum is a large stadium even by today's standards, and its great size conveys the power of the empire as it dominates the landscape and towers over nearby buildings. Of course, the main events in the Colosseum were gladiator fights. Gladiators are somewhat synonymous with ancient Rome, and even thousands of years after they performed on the sands, when people are asked about Roman culture, many think about and refer to the bloody spectacles of men fighting to the death in the arena. Gladiatorial combat is often regarded as barbaric, and most find it very difficult to comprehend how people could have enjoyed watching something so violent, but nevertheless, the spectacle still intrigues and fascinates people today, whether in movies like Gladiator or television shows about Spartacus. Each match usually pitted one type of gladiator against a different type of gladiator, with each having their own kind of armor, weaponry and fighting style. For example, the retiarius was a gladiator that used a net, dagger and trident as his offensive weapons, while only wearing a protective guard over his left arm for protection. The retiarius would typically fight against the secutor, a gladiator armed with a sword, large shield, helmet and protective covering on his right arm and left leg. Therefore, a retiarius sacrificed armor for quickness in battle, while the secutor did the opposite. Although people often think of gladiators fighting to the death, the outcome of gladiatorial combats was not always fatal for one of the participants. If a gladiator fought well, the sponsor of the show could spare him, particularly if the crowd desired it. The fact that the outcome of matches was never the same and the crowd could help determine the result of the match certainly added to the Roman public's pleasure, making it a lot less surprising that such an abhorrent spectacle still fascinated the modern world.

*Discusses some of the legends and controversies surrounding Bowie's life, including the origins of the Bowie knife and Bowie's fate at the Alamo. *Includes pictures of Bowie and other important people and places in his life. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "I'll wage they found no bullets in his back." - Jim Bowie's mother after hearing of his death at the Alamo. A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. Jim Bowie is one of 19th century America's most famous names, even if what's known about the man is more legend than fact. Like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, Bowie has come to represent the pioneering spirit of the frontier, along with the masculinity, machismo and swagger that earned him a reputation for fighting. And like any good legend, he is perhaps best remembered for his death at the Alamo than for any aspect of his life. Bowie's death and the defenders' defeat at the Alamo did not have a decisive impact on Texas' War for Independence, but it became a poignant rallying cry in the immediate aftermath of the battle, and to this day Americans associate it with patriotism, bravery and determination. "Remember the Alamo" is still a widely used part of the English lexicon today, and the Alamo is a cherished piece of Americana. Much of Bowie's participation in the Alamo is still controversial, and fittingly he was known across America before that for another controversy. In what became known as the notorious Sandbar Fight of 1827, a duel between two men turned into a large fight that included Bowie, who was shot and stabbed during the melee but still managed to stab to death the sheriff of Rapides Parish in Louisiana with a large knife that has since become universally known as the Bowie knife. Between that fight and his death, Bowie became one of the Western frontier's most celebrated folk heroes. American Legends: The Life of Jim Bowie chronicles the life, myths and legends of the frontier folk hero, examining the known and unknown in an attempt to separate fact from fiction. Along with pictures of important people and places, you will learn about Bowie like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Analyzes the themes and progression of Mozart's most famous works, comparing and contrasting them to each other and other composers' great works. *Includes pictures of important people and places in Mozart's life. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. *Includes a list of Mozart's works. "It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied." - Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), baptized Johannes Chrysostom Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, is widely considered to be the culminating figure of the Classical Period in music, which spanned much of the 18th to early 19th centuries. As such, he is remembered as one of Western Civilization's most prodigious and spontaneous natural talents, on par with Leonarado da Vinci and Johann Sebastian Bach. Mozart once called music "my life", and indeed few were as naturally gifted at it. Mozart's memory and genius for music allowed him to compose lengthy works, even full-length operas, without transferring them to paper until he had fully visualized and retained them. He regarded copying as a tedious task, and this caused no small amount of consternation among performers, in particular the orchestra, some of whom received their parts minutes before curtain. This was said to be the case for the premiere of Don Giovanni, where Mozart was furiously scrawling and handing out parts to the overture with the audience in attendance. Surprisingly, these entire works, sometimes hundreds of pages, not penned until they were complete in his mind, usually arrived to the manuscript without a single blemish or change of heart. Mozart's eccentricities are remembered centuries after his death, to the point that much of his life, illnesses and death have been mythologized, and today a lot of his legacy has been shaped by the manner in which his personality has been depicted in biographical works like Amadeus. In addition to a large and consistently high-level body of work, Mozart represents for some the real beginning of the German lineage to the 20th century, although Ludwig Beethoven, greatly under Mozart's influence, created much of that transition's reality. Three of Mozart's operas are continually in the top 10 works performed around the world, his piano concerti and symphonies are all in the standard repertoire (save for some of the earliest), and his choral works are treasures of the West. The bulk of his reputation was not garnered by breaking with tradition and destroying it but rather by fulfilling it with a greater beauty and naturalness than was possible for any other artist of the time. Mozart was perhaps the world's greatest master of the modern melody, coming onto the scene after centuries of rule-laden, pedantic and convoluted procedures dominated by the Catholic Church, and he certainly possessed one of the most astonishing levels of intelligence in European history. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Life and Music of the Great Composer comprehensively analyzes the themes and revolutionary advancements of Mozart's music, looking at his most famous works and comparing and contrasting them. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Mozart and his music like never before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures of Machiavelli and some of the rulers he discusses throughout the book. *Explains the historical background of Machiavelli's life and the political context within which he wrote The Prince. *Summarizes each chapter of The Prince and explains the overarching themes presented within the famous treatise. *Discusses lingering controversies surrounding Machiavelli and The Prince, including whether the book was intended as a satire or an effort to spark a rebellion. "He who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it, may expect to be destroyed by it." - Machiavelli, The Prince Niccol Machiavelli was born in Florence on May 3, 1469, as Florence was undergoing its transition into the Renaissance, guided by the Medicis. Machiavelli was a public servant during the Republic, losing his office when the Medicis returned to power. Despite that, Machiavelli dedicated The Prince to the ruling Medici of the time, leading some today to still speculate whether the book was a satire. Regardless, The Prince remains one of the most influential political philosophies of history, and Machiavelli himself will forever be associated for the "ends justify the means" philosophy that he wrote about and which even today is called Machiavellian. The Prince was eventually published in 1532, though evidence exists that the manuscript was circulated before this point, which was deemed more polite than physical publication. 27 years later, in 1559, the text was, unsurprisingly, registered to the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (the Catholic Church's list of banned books) on the grounds of immorality. The text can generally be divided into four parts. Chapters 1-11 outline the different types of principalities, and the benefits and drawbacks of each, to "discuss how such principalities are to be ruled and preserved" (II.1). Chapters 12-14 discussed military force, including how to amass and maintain an army. But it is Chapters 15-23 that make the book infamous. In these chapters Machiavelli discusses the importance (or unimportance) of morality, claiming, "it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity" (XV.2). Thus, the "ends" justify the "means." The Prince is just as notorious today as it was nearly 500 years ago, and Machiavelli's political philosophy has never been more relevant. Everything You Need to Know About The Prince is the perfect resource for understanding Machiavelli's seminal treatise, explaining the historical context within which Machiavelli wrote it, its philosophy and historical examples, its major themes, and its influential and enduring legacy. With The Prince and its underlying themes as relevant as ever today, get caught up quickly with this resourceful guide.

*Discusses the origins of Hezbollah and important leaders like Nasrallah. *Explains Hezollah's regional relationships with various nations in the MIddle East. The phrase "east meets west" is a worn clich , but it is entirely appropriate for Lebanon, which is situated at the western end of the trade routes from Asia and the eastern end of the sea routes to Europe through the Mediterranean. It has thus bred seafarers and traders, and even today there is a widespread Diaspora of Lebanese merchants. As one of the most diverse nations in the Middle East, Lebanon has at times enjoyed a strong reputation for its cultural history (with Beirut often being compared to Paris), but it has also experienced destructive conflicts sown by social, political and religious divides, both within itself and among its neighbors. All of these factors would ultimately contribute to the formation of Hezbollah ("The Party of God"), the Shi'ite militia that is now widely considered one of the most powerful non-state groups in the world. Though their name is instantly recognizable across much of the globe, the history of Hezbollah is extremely complex. The various interests in Lebanon led to the eruption of civil war in the country in 1975, which included the participation of Syria, and the fighting was compounded when Israel invaded and occupied the southern part of Lebanon to combat members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and other Palestinians who had taken refuge in camps there. The result was a witch's brew of inter-connected alliances between forces in Lebanon, which consisted of Shiite militias, Sunni militias, Christian militias, Druze militias, Syria and Israel. In the early 1980s, Hezbollah formed with the goal of ending Israeli occupation of Lebanon, which would not fully occur until 1999, when Israel began a unilateral withdrawal from the security zone in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah filled in the vacuum in southern Lebanon and took credit for forcing Israel out, thus bolstering their standing in Lebanon, especially among the Shiite community. Far from being a local militia, however, Hezbollah has spent the past decade expanding its geopolitical influence across the Middle East. In addition to playing an important role in Lebanese politics (and recently becoming part of the government), Hezbollah cultivated ties with Syria, Iran and Hamas in opposition to Israel, which fought a controversial and deadly summer war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in 2006 but failed in their mission to destroy or severely damage them. And with the Arab Spring having consequences across the region and particularly in Syria, the ties between the different state and non-state actors are constantly evolving. A Timeline History of Hezbollah chronicles this complex state of affairs, charting the rise of the organization to power, the influential leaders behind it, the group's fighting against Israel, and what the future might hold. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, This history will bring readers up to speed on one of the world's most important groups today.

*Includes pictures. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. "You will be home before the leaves fall from the trees." - Kaiser Wilhelm II to German troops leaving for the front at the start of World War I. Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm II, who occupied the throne of the German Empire for more than 30 years from June 1888-November 1918, remains as much an enigma in death as he was in life. Over 70 years after his death in 1941, the mention of his name still sparks unsettled debates among historians. Was he the duty-bound, hands-on leader and passionate pro-British reformer who ruled in challenging times, seemingly mild by comparison with Hitler? Or was he an inept, mentally imbalanced and reckless seeker of attention? Was he even possibly a tragic hero that could only fail at his task given the complexities of his age? At the core of such diverse opinions are the contradictory assumptions found within the vast amount of scholarship that exists on the emperor and his era. On one point, however, there is agreement: his influence on imperial Germany was enormous. The earliest writings on Wilhelm II tended to treat him either bitterly as the most hated man in Europe and an out-of-touch autocrat who mismanaged his government and left the world embroiled in the greatest war it had ever seen, or as a respectful and loyal servant of the state and faithful husband. But in the past 50 years, historiography has favored a dispassionate approach that has transcended the earlier writings' depiction of the Kaiser either slavishly or as the cause of the age's tribulations. This dispassionate trend in scholarship originated with a seminar on "Kaiser Wilhelm II as a Cultural Phenomenon", given in 1977 at the University of Freiburg by Professor John R hl and based on his discovery of new archival materials. Two years later, R hl and others met in Corfu and presented a series of pioneering studies about the influence of the Kaiser on German politics. R hl believed he found in Wilhelm II the key to understanding the recklessness and downfall of Imperial Germany. The Kaiser, according to R hl's theory, promoted the policies of naval and colonial expansion so extensively that they inevitably caused a sharp deterioration in British relations before 1914. Given that he was a longstanding emperor of one of World War I's major combatants, it seems odd that it would take 50 years of research to come to the conclusion that the Kaiser played a major role in the march to war. But the early exculpatory research also had its arguments. In 1919, German diplomat Bernhard von B low removed from German archives any documents that might support the view that Germany was responsible for the war, so only documents which lessened Germany's role in bringing about World War I could be seen by researchers. From 1923-1927, the German Foreign Ministry published dozens of volumes from the archives and carefully edited them to make it appear that the war was the result of a breakdown of international relations. Holger Herwig has concluded that most if not all research on Germany's role in the First World War prior to Fritz Fischer's book Griff nach der Weltmacht is little more than an ideologically-driven "sham". Kaiser Wilhelm II: The Life and Legacy of Germany's Emperor during World War I examines the life of one of the 20th century's most important rulers, and the debates over his legacy. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Germany's most famous Kaiser like you never have before.

*Includes pictures. *Includes dozens of Will Rogers' quotes about life, politics, and more. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." - Will Rogers A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. Biographers of Will Rogers are always faced with a tough task, because the list of things Will Rogers didn't do is a much shorter one than the list of things he did. By the time he died in 1935 in a plane crash in Alaska, he was one of the most famous men in the world, and one of the most versatile celebrities. With a career spanning several decades and most of his life, Rogers not only dabbled in vaudeville, film, writing, and politics but reached the pinnacle of most of those professions, even if they were more like hobbies to him. By the 1930s, he was not only a syndicated columnist but also the highest paid actor in Hollywood and widely considered an important voice in the Democratic Party. Rogers was also frequently on the radio and frequently on the move, traveling around the world several times and traveling when he died. While he was famous among his contemporaries for a wide variety of things, Will Rogers is still a household name nearly 80 years after his death. Even those who don't recall everything that he packed into his 55 years - the live shows, the movies, the radio broadcasts, and the 4,000 newspaper columns that were read by nearly a full third of the population - remember what Rogers stood for. While it was true that he came from a privileged background, he made his own way in the world, relying on a genuine style of honesty and approachability that made him popular even with those he teased. Politicians mostly accepted the barbs that came their way from Rogers' great wit, and it was part of the territory of being a public servant in his lifetime. Rogers was no backwoods hayseed though. He was an insightful man who found a way to capitalize on the American love for the nostalgia of the West and become the voice for many who did not have the same platform that he did. Noted satirist H. L. Mencken said that Rogers was "the most dangerous man alive" because of the length of his reach, and he used that power to speak out on issues such as freedom of religion and speech, child labor reform. He even raised money for relief for poor African Americans affected by floodwaters in Mississippi. American Legends: The Life of Will Rogers examines the life and career of one of America's most famous and beloved celebrities. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Will Rogers like never before, in no time at all.

*Covers the history and culture of Ancient Egypt from 3,000-30 B. C. *Covers the history and culture of Modern Egypt from 1800-2012. *Includes pictures of famous people, places, art, and events in Egypt. Africa may have given rise to the first human beings, and Egypt probably gave rise to the first great civilizations, which continue to fascinate modern societies across the globe nearly 5,000 years later. From the Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria to the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Ancient Egyptians produced several wonders of the world, revolutionized architecture and construction, created some of the world's first systems of mathematics and medicine, and established language and art that spread across the known world. With world-famous leaders like King Tut and Cleopatra, it's no wonder that today's world has so many Egyptologists. What makes the accomplishments of the Ancient Egyptians all the more remarkable is that Egypt was historically a place of great political turbulence. Its position made it both valuable and vulnerable to tribes across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and Ancient Egypt had no shortage of its own internecine warfare. Its most famous conquerors would come from Europe, with Alexander the Great laying the groundwork for the Hellenic Ptolemy line and the Romans extinguishing that line after defeating Cleopatra and driving her to suicide. About 2,050 years after Cleopatra's death, Egypt still remains a volatile hotspot. In the last year, Egypt has undergone a revolution that expelled its authoritarian leader of nearly 30 years and implemented elections that have pitted the Egyptian military in a power struggle with the Muslim Brotherhood, the long-time Islamic opposition group with ties to Hamas and elements of al-Qaeda. Making everything that much more surreal, the events have played out before well placed television cameras with continuous "real time" coverage of the revolution and ongoing turmoil, and foreign nations around the world eagerly await or dread the end result. The situation in Egypt sounds messy today, but strife in Egypt is hardly a new occurrence. In fact, conflict has been more of a rule than exception since the end of the 18th century, when Western powers, beginning with Napoleon and the French, got involved in the territory that was at that point a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Since then, European powers came into conflict with each other and local Egyptian officials in their imperialistic efforts, Egyptian nationalists tried to do away with foreign interference, and the critically important Suez Canal became a geopolitical hotspot. And when Egypt finally did receive full independence and sovereignty from the British, it was subjected to conflict between religious extremists, secular forces, pan-Arab nationalists, and oppressive strongmen. The History and Culture of Ancient and Modern Egypt comprehensively covers the history and culture of Ancient Egypt, looking at its religious, political, foreign and military past, and examining all the architectural and artistic achievements from 3,000-30 B. C. It also comprehensively covers this turbulent history, helping to explain and sort through all the different forces at play in Egypt over the last 215 years. Along with maps and pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Ancient and Modern Egypt like you never have before.

*Includes pictures of Stanton and important people in her life. *Includes Stanton's most colorful quotes on religion, abolition, and women's rights. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls." - Elizabeth Cady Stanton A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. Elizabeth Cady Stanton is something of an unsung hero in the history of the feminist movement. Though she is still primarily known as an advocate of women's suffrage and is closely linked to the better known Susan B. Anthony, Stanton was shunned by many of her fellow suffragists because her ideas seem too radical and because many were disturbed by her barely Deist view of religion. Over a century after her death, modern feminists tend to overlook Stanton in favor of Anthony, while remembering that Stanton enjoyed taking on the traditional 19th century gender roles of being the mother of a large family and remaining devoted to her husband throughout her life. And while Anthony's comments about abortion are still fiercely debated by pro-life and pro-choice crowds, Stanton held conservative views toward abortion. It's clear that Elizabeth Cady Stanton was very much her own woman, certainly a fitting description that she would not have wanted any other way. Though she is not as well known or fondly remembered as her closest counterpart, Stanton preceded Anthony as an advocate of women's rights. It was Stanton who issued the Declaration of Sentiments at the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, touching off the organized movement that worked toward suffrage and equality. At the same time, Stanton was an ardent abolitionist, and she focused on progressive issues like custody rights, divorce, women's property rights, employment issues, and even birth control. American Legends: The Life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton chronicles the amazing life and work of one of America's best known suffragists, examining her ideology and the controversies she generated. Along with pictures, you will learn about Elizabeth Cady Stanton like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures of Anthony, Stanton, and other important people in their lives. *Includes Anthony's and Stanton's comments on social issues like education, employment, suffrage, abolition, abortion, and more. *Includes bibliographies of each woman for further reading. "The true woman will not be exponent of another, or allow another to be such for her. She will be her own individual self... Stand or fall by her own individual wisdom and strength... She will proclaim the 'glad tidings of good news' to all women, that woman equally with man was made for her own individual happiness, to develop... every talent given to her by God, in the great work of life." - Susan B. Anthony "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls." - Elizabeth Cady Stanton Together, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed the most important partnership in the history of women's rights in America. The women worked seamlessly, with Stanton providing the forceful ideology and Anthony providing the tireless advocacy. Stanton would later characterize their relationship, ""It is often said, by those who know Miss Anthony best, that she has been my good angel, always pushing and goading me to work, and that but for her pertinacity I should never have accomplished the little I have. On the other hand it has been said that I forged the thunderbolts and she fired them. Perhaps all this is, in a measure, true." Despite their partnership, the two women are often remembered quite differently. Stanton is something of an unsung hero in the history of the feminist movement. Though she is still primarily known as an advocate of women's suffrage and is closely linked to the better known Susan B. Anthony, Stanton was shunned by many of her fellow suffragists because her ideas seem too radical and because many were disturbed by her barely Deist view of religion. Over a century after her death, modern feminists tend to overlook Stanton in favor of Anthony, while remembering that Stanton enjoyed taking on the traditional 19th century gender roles of being the mother of a large family and remaining devoted to her husband throughout her life. And while Anthony's comments about abortion are still fiercely debated by pro-life and pro-choice crowds, Stanton held conservative views toward abortion. It's clear that Elizabeth Cady Stanton was very much her own woman, certainly a fitting description that she would not have wanted any other way. Meanwhile, over the last 100 years, Susan B. Anthony has become one of the most venerated women in American history, even though she was one of the most hated women in American history during her lifetime. Anthony took note of her contemporaries' distaste for her but remained defiant, asserting, "I have encountered riotous mobs and have been hung in effigy, but my motto is: Men's rights are nothing more. Women's rights are nothing less." Today, of course, every American is taught about their nation's most famous suffragist, who tirelessly advocated and lobbied for women to be granted the right to vote. Though it wouldn't become legal until 14 years after Anthony's death, Anthony took it upon herself to illegally vote in 1872, which initiated one of the late 19th century's most famous political court cases. Fighting for Women's Suffrage chronicles the lives and partnership of the two women, examining their ideologies, advocacy, and writings. Along with pictures, you will learn about Stanton and Anthony like you never have before, in no time at all.