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Hatred of America's Presidents: Personal Attacks on the White House from Washington to Trump
by Lori Cox HanThis work examines expressions of personal hostility and animosity toward presidents—even beloved ones—throughout American history and their impact on policymaking, politics, and culture.People involved or simply interested in politics often ask whether today's political environment is more toxic than ever before. Hatred of America's Presidents: Personal Attacks on the White House from Washington to Trump presents an impartial and authoritative history of invective toward the White House so readers can determine the answer for themselves.The book focuses on the most representative and commonplace attacks of a vitriolic and personal nature, detailing who instigated and trafficked in the attacks and how presidents, administrations, and political parties defended themselves. It also illustrates how honest disagreements about policy—such as FDR's New Deal, Ronald Reagan's Central America policies, George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq, and Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act—fueled expressions of hatred and condemnation. Finally, the book includes perspectives from both the right and the left on the legitimacy of these attacks and the victims' defenses as well as their impact on American politics and policy.
Helen Keller: A Life in American History (Women Making History)
by Meredith EliassenThis book provides new and exciting interpretations of Helen Keller's unparalleled life as "the most famous American woman in the world" during her time, celebrating the 141st anniversary of her birth.Helen Keller: A Life in American History explores Keller's life, career as a lobbyist, and experiences as a deaf-blind woman within the context of her relationship with teacher-guardian-promoter Anne Sullivan Macy and overarching social history. The book tells the dual story of a pair struggling with respective disabilities and financial hardship and the oppressive societal expectations set for women during Keller's lifetime. This narrative is perhaps the most comprehensive study of Helen Keller's role in the development of support services specifically related to the deaf-blind, as delineated as different from the blind.Readers will learn about Keller's challenges and choices as well as how her public image often eclipsed her personal desires to live independently. Keller's deaf-blindness and hard-earned but limited speech did not define her as a human being as she explored the world of ideas and wove those ideas into her writing, lobbying for funds for the American Federation for the Blind and working with disabled activists and supporters to bring about practical help during times of tremendous societal change.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Meg GreeneThis full-length biography explores the multifaceted—and altogether fascinating—life, opinions, and accomplishments of African American scholar and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr.Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: A Biography is the first comprehensive volume about a man hailed as one of America's most influential scholars. Tracing Gates's life from his West Virginia birth, the book follows him through his undergraduate education at Yale and then to Cambridge, where he became the first African American to receive a doctorate. His current activities as a Harvard University professor, director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, and editor-in-chief of TheRoot.com, a daily, online magazine focusing on issues of interest to the African American community, are explored as well.The biography also provides insights into Gates's groundbreaking work as a critic, scholar, and author, probing his wide-ranging interests, his many accomplishments, and his invaluable revelations about the contributions of African Americans to the nation's literature and history. Most important, the book provides readers with a fuller understanding of African American history and literature—and of the nature of today's racial politics.
Hillary Clinton: A Life in American History (Women Making History)
by Kathleen GronnerudThis single-volume resource for students and general audience readers provides an in-depth overview of the life experiences, influences, and personal views of Hillary Clinton from her childhood in 1950s suburban Chicago to her presidential run in 2016.While numerous volumes have been written about Hillary Clinton, many authors have devoted entire books to just one aspect of Clinton's public or private life. Yet few, if any, single volumes have provided a comprehensive look at her life in public service from an objective, scholarly viewpoint.Designed both for students doing research and general readers wanting to know more about Clinton's life and career, this book not only offers an overview of her education, family, career, and political views, but also provides historical context to her choices, accomplishments, and defeats. The volume's chapters present a chronological telling of her life story thus far including key experiences, influences, and the development of her political views. The volume also includes photographs and short sidebars, which help to tie Clinton's personal experiences to the contemporaneous culture of the nation. A lengthy bibliography provides assistance to readers interested in further research or reading.
The Historian's Narrative of Frederick Douglass: Reading Douglass's Autobiography as Social and Cultural History (The Historian's Annotated Classics)
by Robert FelgarTo celebrate the bicentenary of Frederick Douglass's birth in 2018, this new annotated edition of his classic autobiography shows how his insights on slavery, racism, and the pursuit of self-reliance are still highly relevant today in 21st-century America.Frederick Douglas was a slave, then a free man. He was an abolitionist, a writer, and an orator who became a great social reformer and statesman. Perhaps even more important, he served as a powerful counter-example to white Americans who believed black people could not be their equals. Douglass dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom and equality for not just African Americans, but for all people, of all races, male and female.The Historian's Narrative of Frederick Douglass: Reading Douglass's Autobiography as Social and Cultural History covers the first decades of Frederick Douglass's life, from his childhood through his escape from slavery in 1838 and his early years as a fiery abolitionist speaker in the North. The book provides readers with the necessary biographical and historical context to better understand and fully appreciate the Douglass's classic memoir. Readers will learn about slavery, the abolitionist movement, efforts of resistance to slavery and escape from it, and the great importance of literacy in combating slavery. The book is written in accessible language that will engage high school and college students as well as general readers, but deals with challenging and provocative concepts.
Hooligans, Harlots, and Hangmen: Crime and Punishment in Victorian Britain (A Criminal History of Britain)
by David TaylorThis detailed study of the criminal justice system in Victorian Britain highlights the dilemmas facing those responsible for administering justice and protecting society from "the criminal."Encompassing the crimes of the never-identified Jack the Ripper, as well as many other equally intriguing criminals, Hooligans, Harlots, and Hangmen: Crime and Punishment in Victorian Britain is a detailed study of the criminal justice system as it evolved from the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837 to the outbreak of the "Great War" in 1914. The first section of the book considers crimes and criminals, while the second looks at the ways in which the Victorians sought to explain this deviant behavior. The third section focuses on the creation of criminals through the work of the constabulary and the courts. The final section considers the changing ways in which criminals were punished as the scaffold gave way to the prison as the dominant means of punishment. A brief introduction and conclusion set Victorian crime into its broader sociopolitical context and relates the issues society grappled with then to those of the present day.
Howard Stern: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Rich MintzerThis revealing look at the life and career of Howard Stern examines his role as a champion of free speech and his amazing success at bringing his own unique brand of "reality" radio to the airwaves.First Amendment rights, particularly freedom of speech, play an integral part in all modern means of communication. Howard Stern has tested the limits and pushed the boundaries of freedom of speech to the delight of some and the disgust of others. Howard Stern: A Biography explores this long-debated topic and sheds light on how one media star has made a significant difference.Offering an engaging and insightful look at the life and career of radio's leading Shock Jock, the book explores Stern's youth, his first forays into radio, and his desire to move up in a competitive medium. Of course, it also covers his battles with the Federal Communications Commission, how he was finally able to sidestep the censors, and the significant changes the battle brought about in what is deemed acceptable on radio.
Icons of African American Comedy (Greenwood Icons)
by Eddie M. TafoyaThis in-depth compilation of the lives, works, and contributions of 12 icons of African-American comedy explores their impact on American entertainment and the way America thinks about race.Despite the popularity of comedic superstars like Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg, few books have looked at the work of African-American comedians, especially those who, like Godfrey Cambridge and Moms Mabley, dramatically impacted American humor. Icons of African American Comedy remedies that oversight. Beginning with an introduction that explores the history and impact of black comedians, the book offers in-depth discussions of 12 of the most important African-American comedians of the past 100-plus years: Bert Williams, Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Godfrey Cambridge, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Damon Wayans, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle. Each essay discusses the comedian's early life and offers an analysis of his or her contributions to American entertainment. Providing a variety of viewpoints on African-American comedy, the book shows how these comedians changed American comedy and American society.
In Search of the Sacred: A Conversation with Seyyed Hossein Nasr on His Life and Thought
by Seyyed Hossein Nasr Professor Ramin JahanbeglooIn this book, a series of interviews offers an accessible, revealing, human and intellectual biography of leading Islamic scholar Seyyed Hossein Nasr.Seyyed Hossein Nasr is one of the preeminent philosophers writing today. Sure to be a key resource for decades to come, In Search of the Sacred: A Conversation with Seyyed Hossein Nasr on His Life and Thought illuminates Nasr's experiences and shares his insights on topics from religion and philosophy to science and the arts.Based on a series of interviews, the book combines traditional autobiography with an exploration of the intellectual and spiritual trajectories of the author's thought during key periods of his life. In doing so, it presents a fascinating panorama, not only of the life and ideas of one man, but also of major events ranging from intellectual life in Iran during the Pahlavi period and the Iranian Revolution to some of the major religious and intellectual debates between Islam and modernism. Nasr writes that his "whole life has been a quest for the sacred." This work connects that quest with some of the most important issues of the day in encounters between Islam and the West.
Jackie Robinson: A Life in American History (Black History Lives)
by Courtney Michelle SmithJackie Robinson: A Life in American History provides readers with an understanding of the scope of Robinson's life and explores why no Major League Baseball player will ever again wear number 42 as his regular jersey number.This book captures Robinson's lifetime, from 1919 to 1972, while focusing on his connections to the unresolved promise of the Reconstruction Era and to the civil rights movement of the 20th century. In addition to covering Robinson's athletic career with the UCLA Bruins, the Kansas City Monarchs, the Montreal Royals, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the book explores sociopolitical elements to situate Robinson's story and impact within the broader context of United States history. The book makes deliberate connections among the failure of Reconstruction, the creation of the Negro Leagues, the rise and decline of legalized segregation in the United States, the progress of the civil rights movement, and Robinson's life.Chronological chapters begin with Robinson's life before he played professional baseball, continue with an exploration of the Negro Leagues and Robinson's career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and conclude with an examination of Robinson's post-retirement life as well as his influence on civil rights. Supplemental materials including document excerpts give readers an opportunity to explore contemporary accounts of Robinson's career and impact.
Jerry Garcia: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Jacqueline EdmondsonThis biography offers students and general readers an insightful look into Jerry Garcia's creative genius as a founding member of The Grateful Dead and the various influences on his work as he contributed to the countercultural movement in the United States.As a founding member of The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia became famous for his work as a key creative force in this band. Known for free flowing jam sessions, psychedelic drug use, and a loyal fan base, The Grateful Dead combined a variety of genres, including blues, folk and country rock to create new and different sounds than those used by other popular bands at the time, including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Garcia contributed significantly to an era in American music that was influenced by social changes, war, and political strife. Yet Garcia's creative genius expanded beyond the fame that came as lead guitarist and vocalist for the Dead. From the time he was a young boy learning to play the piano in the Excelsior district of San Francisco, Garcia explored various genres and forms of music and visual art. This biography offers students and general readers an insightful look into Garcia's creative genius and the various influences on his work as he contributed to the counter-cultural movement in the United States.
Jesse Owens: A Life in American History (Black History Lives)
by F. Erik Brooks Kevin M. Sr.A compelling resource for sports enthusiasts, Jesse Owens: A Life in American History places the life and athletic accomplishments of Jesse Owens within the context of race and American history in the early 20th century.The year 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest track and field athletes in intercollegiate and Olympic history. This book examines Jesse Owens' upbringing, religious and spiritual life, and collegiate years and includes an examination of race, politics, and Nazi Germany as a backdrop to the 1936 Olympics. It also considers Owens' personal economic hardships after his triumph at the Olympic Games, his death, and his legacy. This biography series title will appeal to general readers, history buffs, and sports enthusiasts. Chapters are organized around the major developments in Jesse Owens' life, from his birth in Oakville, Alabama in 1913 to his death in Tucson, Arizona in 1980, and all of his groundbreaking athletic achievements in between. Primary source documents, sidebars, a timeline, and a bibliography provide valuable additional information for readers. The final chapter, "Why Jesse Owens Matters," explores his cultural and historical significance.
John Lennon: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Jacqueline EdmondsonThis biography tells the complete story of John Lennon's life, including the controversial influence of his music, art, and philosophy upon the world.John Lennon was a singer, songwriter, activist, artist, and writer whose life and work left an indelible mark on rock music and the world. Lennon first became famous as the founding member of The Beatles, and his songwriting partnership with bandmate Paul McCartney remains legendary in the history of pop music. Lennon's creative work, which extended well beyond his years as a Beatle and lasted until his final days, still provides enjoyment and inspiration to millions around the world.This biography provides a comprehensive account of John Lennon's life for students and general readers, integrating information from interviews conducted during his life with published accounts of Lennon from a range of perspectives. It covers the time from his birth in Liverpool in 1940 to his murder in New York City in 1980.
John McCain: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Elaine S. PovichA rebel and risk-taker from childhood, John McCain—son and grandson of admirals—nevertheless chose to follow the traditional path marked out for him in the military. Nearly six years in a North Vietnamese prison tested his resolve and proved his extraordinary resilience and will to survive. Coming to Congress, McCain found that making his way in politics demanded a different set of survival skills, and he grew accustomed to the corridors of power while striving to keep his independence. This lively biography traces McCain's unlikely ascent to the verge of attaining the nation's highest office while never ceasing to challenge himself and others to serve a cause greater than self-interest.
Justin Timberlake: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Kimberly Dillon SummersThis revealing biography of pop star Justin Timberlake documents his background, childhood career, achievements, and disappointments.From his first taste of fame as an 11-year-old contestant on the TV show Star Search to making it big with the boy-band 'N Sync and his subsequent solo career to the notoriety following the 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance "incident" with Janet Jackson, this biography presents an accurate overview of Justin Timberlake's life and impact on popular culture.Justin Timberlake: A Biography gives students access to unbiased insight into how Timberlake achieved stardom. The narrative tone and manageable length make this book easy to read, while the accurate presentation of the historical context of his life's events makes it engaging and relevant for young readers. This title will appeal to teen readers due to their natural interest in pop icons. In addition, the enviable success of Timberlake's career path can serve as a source of inspiration and hope for young adults.
Kanye West: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Robert C. Jr.A revealing biography of Kanye West explores the artist—and the man.Kanye West is a star. His music has jumped from sensation to staple in the rap industry, while his personality, his philosophies, and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in regularly place him at the center of controversy. Kanye West: A Biography traces the star's life from his birth through the present day to paint a detailed picture of the artist and the man.Raised by a single mother who was an English professor in Chicago, West admits he came from "the wrong side of the mall" rather than the wrong side of the tracks. His name, his style, and the way he conducts his business are unique. His thoughtful reflections in interviews reveal a complex man few have taken the time to understand. This biography looks at that multifaceted star, exploring his career as singer and producer, but also looking at the forces that prepared him to chase his dreams—and chase off anyone who stood in his way.
Katy Perry: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Kimberly Dillon SummersThis biography reveals the life story, musical style, personality, lyrics, and fashion of Katy Perry—the elements that have catapulted her to stardom and made her a 21st-century pop music icon.Katy Perry: A Biography examines who the young woman behind the hit songs, explicit lyrics, racy album covers, unconventional dress, and sometimes odd behavior really is. Through this nine-chapter narration of Perry's life, readers will gain insight into all stages of her development as a person and as a performer, from her early childhood, to her attempts to break out within the Christian music genre, to her pop music stardom and acting career.The book can be used as both a source of information for an essay or report, and as an easy-to-use guide to find answers to specific questions. It will also be of great interest to any reader who appreciates pop music and wants to know more about Katy Perry—where she came from, who she is today, and the fascinating journey and inspirational tale of her rise to becoming one of the hottest female pop stars of the 21st century.
Killing the President: Assassinations, Attempts, and Rumored Attempts on U.S. Commanders-in-Chief
by Willard M. Oliver Nancy E. MarionThis book offers an analysis of every American presidential assassination and various attempted assassinations, examining the events surrounding each event and the people involved.The assassinations and attempted assassinations of American presidents were pivotal events that reverberated throughout the nation, even in cases where the murder was botched. The individuals behind each plot are often fascinating studies in obsession and distorted perception of reality—like President James Garfield's assassin, who spent an extra dollar on the gun he chose for the act simply because it would look better in a museum display after the event.For the first time under one cover, this text offers a concise study of every presidential assassination, attempt, and rumor. Each chapter focuses on a single American assassination, providing an analysis of the president, the assassin, and the events that shaped their arrival at that place in time. The chapter then describes the assassination or attempt itself and the long-term impacts of the crime. Accounts of the more contemporary incidents involving Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush especially demonstrate the evolution of the monumental task of protecting the U.S. president in a free and open society.
Lady Gaga: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Paula JohansonThis biography details Lady Gaga's life from all angles, documenting her family background; the events before and during her meteoric rise to success as a songwriter, singer, and performance artist; her deft use of social media; and her political commentary.Lady Gaga: A Biography details Lady Gaga's life from birth to 2011. Readers will learn about her personal background—where she was born, who her parents were, what her early school years as a "weird girl" with "rabbit teeth" were like—as well as her pre-fame years where she gained an education in music and "paid her dues" as a small-time professional in small performance venues. The many milestones of her wildly successful career so far are documented in detail, as are Haus of Gaga, the artistic collective that supports her performances; her ongoing activities as a performer; her presentation in couture and accessories; and her stated intentions for the future.This book will be an engrossing read for fans of Lady Gaga as well as anyone interested in popular culture or the entertainment industry. Its inclusion of chapter endnotes containing quotations and controversial points along with a bibliography of print and electronic resources make it an authoritative research tool for students as well.
The Life and Work of John Edgar Wideman
by Keith E. ByermanChallenging. Successful. Controversial. All terms used to accurately describe African American novelist and autobiographer John Edgar Wideman. This book examines his life and work—and the connections between them.The Life and Work of John Edgar Wideman is ideal for readers who might not be familiar with Wideman's work or those who may have been intimidated by descriptions of his writings. Through its coverage of Wideman's life from several generations back to the present and explanations of how Wideman makes use of life experiences, this book breaks down barriers for new readers and enables them to better relate and connect to his writing. Author Keith E. Byerman discusses Wideman's book-length works of fiction and nonfiction, as well as some of his shorter, journalistic pieces. The book emphasizes how Wideman integrates family and personal experience into what is typically labeled postmodern writing, and explains how he has evolved as a public intellectual who supplies shrewd commentary on subjects such as the prison system, terrorism, and the role of sports in American society.
Listen to Punk Rock!: Exploring a Musical Genre (Exploring Musical Genres)
by June Michele PulliamListen to Punk Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre discusses the evolution of punk from its inception in 1975 to the present, delving into the lasting impact of the genre throughout society today.Listen to Punk Rock! provides readers with a fuller picture of punk rock as an inclusive genre with continuing relevance. Organized in a roughly chronological manner, it starts with an introduction that explains the musical and cultural forces that shaped the punk genre. Next, 50 entries cover important punk bands and subgenres, noting female punk bands as well as bands of color. The final part of the book discusses how punk has influenced other musical genres and popular culture. The book will give those new to the genre an overview of important bands and products related to the movement in music, including publications, fashion, and films about punk rock. Notably, it pays special attention to diversity within the genre, discussing bands often overlooked or mentioned only in passing in most histories of the movement, which focus mainly on The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Ramones as the pioneers of punk.
Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud–Minna Bernays Affair
by Barry G. GaleFor many decades, critics and supporters of Freudian theory have debated the exact nature of Freud's relationship with his sister-in-law. This book examines the arguments pro and con in light of recently exposed evidence—the first study to do so in depth.For many decades, controversy has surrounded the exact nature of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's relationship with Minna Bernays, his sister-in-law. Why did Freud and Bernays travel alone together on many occasions? Why did she seem to be so much closer to Freud than his own wife, Martha? The idea that Freud and Minna Bernays had a long-standing affair—an allegation that Freudians typically deny—was first mentioned by Carl Gustav Jung, an early supporter of Freud's and later a critic. Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud–Minna Bernays Affair provides the first comprehensive look at the relationship and offers conclusions as to its nature and the implications for Freud's life and work.Organized logically, the book provides background information regarding the two chief antagonists in the story, Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. It then presents and critically analyzes arguments for and against there having been an affair. Finally, it looks closely at Freud's relationships with both Minna Bernays and his wife Martha, Minna's sister, and offers conclusions as to the exact nature of Freud's relationship with Bernays.Beyond fascinating those studying Freud or his theories, this work's subject matter and insights will appeal to readers interested in the history of psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychiatry; the intellectual history of Europe; the history of sex and manners; the history of ideas; the fin de siècle period in Vienna; and the history of medicine.
Michelle Obama: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Alma Halbert BondThis book details the fascinating life story of Michelle Obama, emphasizing her own personal and professional accomplishments, her life partnership with President Barack Obama, and her distinctive approach to the role of First Lady.Independent and supportive, elegant and down-to-earth, an accomplished professional and family anchor as her husband rose to the presidency, Michelle Obama is to many the consummate life partner in politics and the epitome of the 21st-century working mom. Michelle Obama: A Biography offers an unprecedented look at one of the most captivating women of our time, one who is sure to add her own distinctive legacy to the tradition of presidential wives.Ranging across the full arc of Michelle Obama's life, this revealing biography tells the story of her family background—her great-great-grandfather was a slave—her modest Chicago upbringing, her education and well-established legal career, and her relationship with her husband before, during, and after he reached the pinnacle of American politics.
Miley Cyrus: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
by Kimberly Dillon SummersThe enchanting story of the real life Hannah Montana and her stunning success as a film, television, and music superstar.This biography tells the story of the real-life Hannah Montana, the daughter of country music superstar Billy Ray Cyrus, who has become an international phenomenon in her own right.Miley Cyrus details the star's life from her Franklin, Tennessee, childhood to snagging the role of Hannah Montana from over 1,000 other hopefuls. The book also follows Cyrus' transition from a wholesome Disney icon to a more mature actress and musician, covering both her efforts to be a positive teen influence, and controversies such as Cyrus' photo shoot for Vanity Fair with her father. As an added bonus, the book offers a complete Hannah Montana episode guide as well as a complete discography of Cyrus' recordings as both Hannah and Miley.
Napoleon Against Great Odds: The Emperor and the Defenders of France, 1814
by Ralph AshbyThis revisionist history offers a fresh analysis of Napoleon and the French army as they defended their empire against the massive Coalition invasion of 1814.French defeat in 1814 is too often shrugged off as the result of obvious and understandable factors. Napoleon Against Great Odds: The Emperor and the Defenders of France, 1814 challenges the widely accepted notion that war-weariness and internal political opposition to Napoleon were the decisive and direct causes of French defeat. At least as important, it argues, were material shortages, diplomatic missteps, and even faulty strategic planning on Napoleon's part. The book not only traces the narrative of Napoleon's 1814 Campaign in France, but explores the formation of the French army tasked with defending France against the Coalition invasion. Diplomatic, political, and social factors are taken into account and the issue of war-weariness is analyzed carefully and critically. Each branch and arm of the French forces is examined, as are military mobilization under difficult circumstances and partisan and guerilla warfare. Designed to encourage fresh debate about the 1814 campaign, the book offers thought-provoking reading for scholars and general readers alike.