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According to an old saying, the very rich are different from you and me because they have more money. According to The Wall Street Journal senior editor Cynthia Crossen, the very rich are different because they often cross into unknown territory to obtain their great wealth--and regularly presage significant changes in society and culture while doing so. Crossen profiles 10 of these notable magnates in The Rich and How They Got That Way, focusing on a truly unorthodox assortment from a thousand-year period that fit this dual definition. The result is novel, engaging, and instructive.

Much of this stems from the choices that Crossen has made, which range chronologically from military leader Machmud of Ghazni of the 10th century to technology leader Bill Gates of the 21st. In between, there's Genghis Khan (who went "beyond simple robbery" to "taxing a conquered people"); Mansa Musa (a master of early worldwide trade routes through Africa); Pope Alexander VI (who managed to "rule the spiritual world and manipulate the political"); Jacob Fugger (a 15th-century German moneylender); John Law (who refashioned France's treasury during the late 1600s); Richard Arkwright (a forefather of the 18th-century British industrial revolution); Howqua, (a Chinese trader at the tail end of his country's global isolation); and Hetty Green ("the early 20th-century queen of the stock market"). Students of both business enterprise and world history will appreciate how these stories tie together the surprisingly parallel development of each discipline. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Of Historical Interest
With the rise of internet and multi-media fortunes, this book is a little dated, even though Bill Gates *is* still one of the most wealthy individuals on planet Earth. I found value in reading the histories of the earlier people: Ghengis Khan, Jacob Fugger, et al., and how wealth generation moved from a "conquer and plunder" scenario to one of capital and industry. The book is a bit of a struggle to get through and I hoped for a more insightful look into both the people and the history of wealth. It's an OK read for a quick and broad history lesson but don't expect depth or analysis of "the rich and how they got that way".

banal writing
There are a number of books out today on this topic - there has to be one where the writing is much more interesting - a high school student could have written this....

Highly Recommended!
Cynthia Crossen presents a one-thousand-year pageant of fortune, focusing on how nine wealthy men - and one woman - gained and kept their wealth. Each person symbolizes an era, and a means of amassing money. Crossen combines their biographies with a discussion of the historical trends that contributed to the changing sources of wealth - from the ancient days when thievery and conquest were the way to riches to the times when trade, manufacturing and new technologies provided the roads to wealth. The book provides a fascinating and leisurely overview of history, as well as a glimpse of the lives of these wealthy people. The discussion sometimes wanders in time and place, with asides comparing different time periods. We [...] recommend this engaging, briskly written book to executives, managers and anyone fascinated by wealth, history or both.

Basically a history book...An easy read
This book is basically a history book with mini-biographies of 10 different people. It was not an insightful guide into how you can use proven techniques to reach the same heights. It was, however, interesting to read profiles on some famous people through history. Many of those documented I previously knew nothing about.

In reading the individual stories, I was able to grasp the progression of the global economy although this was not explicitly explained. This was a good pre-bedtime or a bathroom read. I say this because you can read a chapter and pick it up a month later and read another chapter. SInce the chapters are basically separate biographies, you do not have to finish this one at once.

I would recommend this boojk for anyone who enjoys historical stories about business people and events. However, this is not a guide in any way that can be used to help you improve your business skills.

Little truth in this title
I bought this book because I saw it mentioned in Barron's as containing a chapter on Hetty Green, "the Witch of Wall Street". I knew a little of her story, how she bought cheap and sold dear, and was a famous miser.

So I bought the book. It turns out to be more a collection of magazine article length peices about what these people were like, not how they got rich.

For example, after describing how Hetty inherited some money, married and moved to England, says:"Hetty eagerly bought up US government bonds, which, in the years after the civil war were being sold for as little as forty cents on the dollar. Most investors thought they would never be redeemed at full value. Hetty also began buying American railroad stocks and bonds. In one year in London, she made more than $1.25 million on her investments."

That's it. Nothing about how she chose to buy that particular investment, nothing about the other choices she rejected. Also nothing about how, when, or for how much she sold the bonds. Nothing at all useful to today's investor trying to choose what to buy cheap and when to sell dear.

My advice to you: don't invest in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Major collection of Gandhi's writings, used widely as introduction ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The power of pacifism
This book is a testament of Gandhi's words. It helps show the reader the difficult times of colonialism in India. If anyone wants to hear a hero and his philosophies of how to lead a nation out of imperialization, this is a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the years I have discussed Gandhi with many Americans, both formally and informally. . . .What continues to irk me is the amount of Gandhi "propaganda material" that has flooded our libraries and bookstores.For an unsuspecting Westerner, the reading of Gandhi as he is portrayed on these shelves can bring about the intended result.That is understandable.This book is an attempt to close the gap between the popularized Gandhi and the historical Gandhi.This book will incite readers to be more open-minded and to seek to validate the "truths" presented.My hope is that it will provoke honest, healthy, and open dialogue and foster more critical scrutiny about him. . . .

Years of dedicated research on Gandhi convinced me that our hero was fundamentally a racist.In this book, I present the facts.The evidence presented here is not a matter of speculation or distorted interpretation.Much of the irrefutable evidence lay buried beneath a mountain of Gandhi's own writings - in his own words, which I have uncovered - comments that will be difficult to dispute once they are read.In this book you will read the evidence in its entirety.My primary intention is to untangle the web that Gandhi weaved - and his followers are still weaving - for many years.Only through a methodical probing can we expose Gandhi's campaign of deception: the lies, the propaganda, the misinformation, the half-truths, and the efforts to hide behind religion.Where Gandhi left off, his followers have picked up, and they continue their own sophisticated campaigns, both in India and abroad.This book should not be looked upon as another Gandhi biography.Rather, it should provide a standard by which to weigh the Gandhian literature for accuracy and objectivity.Also this book, though narrowly focused, should stand as a guide alerting us to how thoroughly the Gandhi propagandists and others have succeeded in deceiving us. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Don't need to read the book
I didn't read the book, but I understood what the author is upto and I don't need to read it. The author wants 'cheap' popularity. What else is the best way to get it, by throwing mud on such a great person as Gandhi? We have to remember, Gandhi is not a god, he is only a man, but a great man with far more great qualities and less weaknesses than the rest of us. Since he is a man, he didn't show any miracles like Lord Krishna or Rama, instead he acquired the wisdom and just did his best to remove unjustices perpetrated by his fellow human beings on others. So he just did what is humanly possible. So criticizing him as racist for not helping some people doesn't make sense. If he is not the ideal human being, then no other 'man' is born on the earth till date (Lord Krishna and Jesus are gods).

Gandhi: The Racist Under the Cloak of Ascribed Divinity
Singh's book, Gandhi: Behind the Mask of Divinity is a courageous rendition. I'm surprised at the audacity of this author to coin such a despicable portraiture of a popular Mahatma. That such a characterization of Gandhi as a racist is not so palatable. In stead of posting my opinion right away, however, to be honest to my self and the author, I had to read the book with a great deal of initiative, and admit that such vast evidence as Singh has incorporated and more particularly in parts 2, 4, 6 of his book cannot be overlooked. The evidence seems to suggest, rahter substantiate taht Gandhi - although born in a merchant caste (not a ruling class), a third ranking tier in the caste system - has adopted the mindset of a racist. To the extent Gandhi demonstrated his approach towards blacks in South Africa and untouchables in India, he comes across as a Hindu fundamentalist and racist. In not the author himself a racist? He states on p. 15 that he was born in an upper caste. Caste system is the most insidious form of racism existing today. Sikhism does not officially recognize caste. Yet Singh mentioned his caste despite the context. Are not all those people racists who silently seek to claim or maintain their status quo in some form or other? The author says that he was unveiling a "new" Gandhi (Part 5)? Unveiling a new Gandhi? In what way is he a new Gandhi if he were a racist and a Hindu fundamentalist? Is that not an old Gandhi with caste all over his face? What does the author mean here? Does he mean that a new Gandhi is a kind of racial bigot underneath the ascribed cloak of divinity? I believe this book requires further investigation as to its historical accuracy.

A timely subject, superficially addressed
The author links Gandhi with 4 offenses: 1) India's development of nuclear weapons; 2) the murder of a white American; 3) the habit of some writers to accept Gandhi uncritically; 4) Gandhi's failure to resist additional injustices during his active career.

As to the first, the link is really too preposterous for discussion. As to the second, that would be a matter for the appropriate authorities, if there were any truth to it.
As to the third, Gandhi himself often cautioned people not to accept his ideas unless they made sense, and certainly not on his authority only. As to the fourth, it is true that Gandhi began his career in South Africa where his fellow Indians were part of an oppressive social structure, with white settlers at the top, Indian indentured workers and merchants in the middle, and black natives at the bottom. Gandhi identified with the Indians and struggled to improve their condition; and he did not address the problems of the black natives. In this sense, one could call Gandhi a "racist". Also, Gandhi was born into the ruling class of India, and did not immediately renounce all privilege. Gradually he gave up worldly power and wealth, but it is possible to say he was not completely consistent about it. Personally, I find such criticism silly.

Historical Revision at its worst
I have no problem reading criticisms of gandhi and his ideas, but this book goes beyond that. It denies the very escence of gandhis teachings for no other purpose than to do just that. The Historian who wrote this is a revisionist. While at times, Revisionism can be helpful in understanding characters-this is revisionism for revionism sake. The claim of the book that gandhi was a racist and hindu fundamentalist is absolutly absurd when one reads gandhis writings on religion and truth, "differen't roads converging at the same point," is not a mark of fundamentalism. I found this book to be very poor in trying to be overly critical, and took many parts of gandis life out of context

"Gandhi Behind the Mask" is a unique book of its kind.
G.B. Singh's "GANDHI BEHIND THE MASK OF DIVINITY" appears as an unprecedented historical investigative work. In my survey of Gandhian literature published since 1919, I have not come across a book of such magnitude. The author's comprehensive and detailed portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi as a racist and a militant Hindu fundamentalist is indeed a radical deviation from the popular image of Gandhi. Such a controversial rendition of Gandhi is bound to generate further research. No human being should be beyond controversy. In that sense, the author's immense contribution is highly commendable.

In Singh's view, Gandhian social philosophy of racism is either directly derived or synonymous with the teachings of Hinduism.
The author appears to substantiate his view from several angles. As a practicing Hindu, Gandhi could not be otherwise.

Singh's intricate hermeneutics of multiple issues about India, and Gandhi demands careful historical analysis. I do not claim to have fathomed the depths of his insight. One thing I am sure, Gandhian scholars cannot afford to bypass this book. The luxury of stereotyping has apparently ended. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent introductory biography on Grant for young kids
For young readers who want their biographies filled with lots of pictures, the Profiles of the Presidents series seeks to oblige. This look at Ulysses S. Grant by Jean Kinney Williams contains historical illustrations on every single page. However, the strength of this particular juvenile biography is that it provides not only the basic biographical details of Grant's life, but it also covers the significant aspects of his administrations as President, much more so than similar volumes I have read. Williams begins the book with Grant's transition from General to President and then looks at how his early successes and failures set the stage for becoming the general that President Lincoln finally found to lead the Union armies to victory in the Civil War. Each book in the Profiles of the Presidents series features a glossary, fast facts about the president, a parallel timeline of world and presidential events, resources to help young readers understand the president's life and times better, and an index. Consequently, this is an excellent first biography for younger kids to read as a way of finding out more about Ulysses S. Grant. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very rewarding read
I enjoyed this book very much. The contrast between Grant (who led a hard scrabble life, even resorting to selling firewood by the side of the road to make a living) and Lee (perhaps the greatest man of the South) and Grant's triumph was a great story. You get a great introduction to the Civil War, even though there is a focus on the Virginia campaign because this is a biography of these two men, not an overall history of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Lee and Grant
Gene Smith's Lee And Grant was a well-written documentation of the lives of these Civil War generals. The way the book was set up kept it interesting and almost fun to read. The format was such that consecutive chapters paralleled each man's life. For instance the first chapter pertained to Lee's father and his childhood while the second chapter was about Grant's Father and childhood. One warning I have to potential readers: this is a great book for those interested in the Civil War and these two men. If one doesn't have any interest in the topic, then this book is not for them. There aren't and underlying driving plots or surprises that make the book suspenseful. This is a historical piece highlighting two great men in our country's history. It's a great book for those who want to read specifically about these two men, not for a reader just looking for a book to read.

Outstanding history of the Civil War and two great men
I was enthralled by the unique view that this book afforded. I have read many histories of the Civil War from many perspectives. This is the first time that I was introduced to these two pivotal historical figures from the human side. The juxtaposition of each of them to the other was very helpful to put the time and sequences of the war into perspective and give true scale to all that happened.

Scottish Generals
The genealogical material included in this book allows the reader to see that both of these generals were of Scottish extraction, both raised with honor, and both excellent examples of Scottish-American heroes.

A Highly Readable History of the Civil War !
In telling the stories of Lee and Grant, Smith is really writing a neat book on the Civil War. I found this book to be very informative and highly readable. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Chancellorville. This is a pretty basic book. A good starting point for anyone interested in the Civil War or just looking for a good basic overview. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

THE BOOK HAS NO PEERS
I bought it during Christmas in 1992... And u know what; It`s the definitive book on Judy!!!It really is an open love-letter 2 the Great 1 From 1 Of Her Fans....At times u might say that John Fricke is glorifying Judy - but I don`t mind... It`s the kind of book u would want if u were on a desert island(with the CD`s "Judy at Carnegie Hall", "The London Sessions" and the "25th Retrospective"(compiled by Fricke) and the films "The Wizard Of Oz", "Meet Me in St. Louis", "The Pirate", "Easter Parade", "In the Good Old Summertime", "Summer Stock", "A Star is Born"(just 4 the musical scenes) and "I Could Go On Singing" - her BEST dramatic performance!! And The DVD collection of her 1963-64 TV-series...

Come 2 think of it... With THIS book and her music and films... I THINK I wouldn`t have noticed the palms, animals and ocean surrounding me on that island hehehehe

One of the all-time great books about the magnificent JUDY!
Along with Gerold Frank's 1975 biography "JUDY", John Fricke's book THE WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER is the definitive book about the sensational talent and fascinating life of the legendary lady. Fricke has done the research that no one before him could do to really give a broad insight into the career that has made Garland an icon. Beautifully written and handsomely illustrated, this is a book for the ages, and a must-have for any Garland fan. Anyone who doesn't love this book clearly hasn't a clue what great books are all about.

Judy: The World's Greatest Entertainer!
This book is simply marvelous!This book has hundreds and hundreds of crisp, clear pictures of Judy, many not previously published!
This book covers Judy's entire carear, from her first performace at age two until her death on June 22, 1969!This book is packed full of both black and white and color pictures!
All of her movies are covered in this book, as well as her hundreds of concerts particually the landmark concert on April 23, 1961 at Carnigie Hall! Also covered is her 1963- 1964 television show on CBS: The Judy Garland Show!
If your looking for information on Judy's career, this definatly is the right book for you! Or if your looking for lots and lots of pictures of Miss Garland and all her movies, this is still the right book for you!
If you just love Judy in any way at all, and want more information on her life, this is the book to buy!

If you love Judy Garland than this is a must!
If you just love Judy Garland, then this is a "must have" book. Refreshingly, Judy Garland-World's Greatest Entertainer is not written inthe tabloid style of many of the prolific biographies about Judy.

This isan open, honest almost scholarly look at Judy's life. It spans hertheatrical career from age two until her tragic death at ageforty-seven.

The text is a rich and lavish exposition that has beenwritten by a man who obviously loves Judy's talent and his admiration showsin his thoughtful manner in which he presents the great legacy that wasJudy's life.

If "a picture is worth a thousand words" then this book hasto be one of the richest in publishing history. There are dozens of blackand white stills but also the book contains more color photographs than Ihave ever seen on Judy.

This book is of the quality in a book that wecall "coffee table" eye catchers. When you buy this book, do yourself afavor and read it from cover to cover.It belongs in every library of Judylovers.Then if you wish, put it on the coffee table.

It is thisMunchkin's opinion that John Fricke is the world-leading expert on the lifeand times of Judy Garland.

One more "albeit" and I'll scream
I am horrified by the poor quality of writing in this work. In particular, the tedious use of the word "albeit" reflects a poverty of vocabulary rare for authors or journalists. Mr. Fricke would much benefitfrom a Thesaurus. ... Read more

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Reviews (15)

The Most Enjoyable of Che's Biographies
In the US, Paco Taibo II is better known within the mystery readers' crowd for his accomplished police stories with a touch of irony and a shrewd writing style. For this reason with certain apprehension I started reading this biography. In fact it was the first complete and serious Che's bio I have ever read. Later I grabbed Jon Lee Anderson's one... Of all Che's bios Paco's is the most enchanting one. It may lack the huge documention of Anderson's book, but it compensates it with an amazing style. Paco cannot divorce his own admiration of Che from his subject, but, hey, that is exactly why this book becomes so much enjoyable. I still recall grabbing the book (700 hundred pages!) one morning and going that same night to bed with the book in my hands! I couldn't stop reading it! Che's story is reflected under the light of an amazing storyteller. The episodes of Che's story are exquisitely threaded together in a masterful way. His life becomes flesh and blood in Paco's hands. The icon, the symbol of rebellion and struggle for social justice turns a man, an incredible, passionate and admirable human being throughout the book. The end cannot be better: it is ghostly but hopeful with a lot of energy and sadness and beauty: a song to Latin American history of struggle.

A Collective Missed Opportunity
Of two most recent books on the life and death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, this is the most personal and personable. Paco Taibo's translated writing touches the reader with the untouchable moments of Che's life, leaving behind the hype, the political interventions and propositions, and the devious subterfuge of reading into or out of events the vision of Che as a misguided revolutionary. Taibo tells us about a naive man who only near the end came to the beginnings of understanding how revolutions cannot be institutionalized. However, this excellent book is one star shy of perfect because of numerous typos and misspellings as well as horrible mix-ups of words and phrases in the middle of what would have been otherwise a seamless joy to read. Buy the book and read it, but have a blue pencil in hand so that, once you find the butchery of the text, you can excise it in true revolutionary fashion, so that others who come to read later will not have to suffer the confusion of trying to understand a very understandable man. Para que el Che viva, lo podremos creer.

Great book, horrible editing
I read this more because I am a fan of Taibo than because of Che, but I have read other biographies of Che and this is clearly the best I've seen - one of the best biographies I have read, in fact. He makes you feel as though you knew him yourself.

This edition, at least, misses getting a five-star rating from me, however, due to the perfectly atrocious editing! There are literally hundreds of typos, misspellings, poorly phrased sentences, etc. It is very distracting.

BUY IT!
I was walking around wearing one of those 'Che' T-shirts and a guy asked me some questions about him. I felt pretty stupid not knowing more than I did. So I started reading about Che. That was 3 years ago.
I have read his diaries, speeches, FBI files, everything I could find....THIS was the BEST.
The author is truly a Che fan, but he still points out mistakes Che made, but the best thing is he provides everything in its context. He builds the background of where Che came from, what his life was. The reader FEELS 50's 60's Latin America so you can really emphasize with the actions and emotions of the integral characters.
Sum it up, even though it was a factual biography I still was totally engrossed reading 500 some pages in about 3 days, and still re-reading it.
A pleasure.

Alive.
Che Guevara was here before he was born. Che Guevara is still here after his assasination. He represents the highest feelings andconcepts on justice, rebellion and freedom against any kind of tirany. That's why his photo is world-spread by palestinians, puertoricans, cubans, mexicans, germans, koreans. That's why his life of sacrifice and example can't never be erased.

VOS SOS EL CAMINO, NOSOTROS LOS CAMINANTES. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A masterful achievement
"The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant" is a project begun in 1962 for the purpose of publishing all the known letters written by Ulysses S. Grant. Volume one was published in 1967 and there are now twenty-four volumes in the series. People who follow Grant's career are aware of the inestimable value of this project. The Papers contain all known correspondence written by Grant and letters received by him. The editing of the series is unparalleled and the volumes represent primary source material at its apex.

Those who believe Grant was a "drunkard" or a "butcher" should read his own words, which show Grant's humor, pathos and unique personality. Masterfully edited by John Y. Simon, these volumes are a "must have" for anyone with an interest in U.S. Grant as a general, a politician and as a man ... Read more

Book Description

Critically acclaimed from coast to coast, Pride Before the Fall is the definitive account of the trial that shook an economy: United States v. Microsoft. Award-winning journalist John Heilemann uncovers the explosive truth behind the headlines: how the high-tech kingpins Bill Gates had tried to destroy, together with a motley crew of anonymous crusaders, worked in secret to help the government take down the most powerful empire of the information age. As colorful and riveting as a detective novel, Pride Before the Fall is an unforgettable tale of human ambition and human frailtya timely saga of arrogance, hubris, ruthlessness, and revenge.

Reviews (12)

A Clear (and Witty) Showing
This brilliant and thorough account of the complicated dynamics of US
v. Microsoft ought to be read by everyone who uses a computer. Despite
its unfortunate and misleading title, this is a book that first and
foremost explains in detail what Microsoft did that was unlawful and
what was done about it. Heilemann introduces individual after
individual on the many sides of the case - Bill Gates, Joel Klein,
David Boies, Steve McGeady, Bill Neukom, Garth Saloner and the rest
- offering a critical picture of motive, drive, method, and
specific contribution to the outcome (as of November 2000). The book
succeeds by its resistance to the usual (and in this case wrong) David
v. Goliath or organizational determinism metanarratives. Instead, it
is a story of a loose-knit organization of Davids fighting the Borg
that chronicles the complicated reasons that the Davids themselves
never became a Borg. Heilemann's achievement is no less extraordinary
because it is done simply and adroitly through his choice of language.
First, his folksy style (tangling "like a pair of scorpions in a
sock") sustains his focus on the organic even while he walks us
through the technological specificities of integrated browsers,
operating systems, and platforms: a tale peopled with pudding-bowl
bangs and cowlicks refuses to be intimidating. Second, the comingling
of earthy figures of speech and and computer-speak (an acronym such as
API is simply a metaplasmus, while the product name 'Windows' is
patently metaphoric) serves to remind the reader that while the market
circuitry is new, the human story is not. Heilemann's book is an
excellent read.

Engrossing, thoroughly informative, very well-written
This is an extraordinarily lucid, crisply-written account of the Microsoft trial and the circumstances leading up to it. Heilemann sets the scene with masterful depictions of the environment in Silicon Valley and especially at Microsoft, as well as of the various characters involved. Be aware, however, that this fascinating charting of Microsoft's rise to power and the complicated road to eventual government prosecution takes up almost 2/3 of the book. The subsequent trial scenes, while highly entertaining, may seem short by comparison.

Heilemann covered the case as a reporter and interviewed practically all the major players. The result is a balanced, even tale in which Heilemann remains mostly objective but is still able to comment critically and insightfully on the happenings. The story, even with its high level of depth, is propelled quickly by Heilemann's sophisticated writing, replete with erudite metaphors and colorful quotations.

Any recent books about the Microsoft case are handicapped to a certain degree because the appeals process is not over and a final remedy, yet to be determined. Still, this book provides an excellent foundation for understanding future developments in the case, as well as simply a great read. Heilemann truly makes the trial, and the world, of Microsoft, come alive.

An excellent analysis of the case
Heilemann has done a fabulous job with this book. The Wired article was really gripping and the full length book is just as difficult to put down! It really makes you wonder what they're thinking in Redmond - at the end of the book I couldn't help feeling that Gates (as Heilemann presents him) seems a lot like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons episode where Lisa teaches him about recycling and he ends 'recycling' all the fish in the sea for livestock feed. He couldn't figure out why he was wrong and Gates seems to have the same difficulty.

whiny
This book is more of a whine session than an informative look into the microsoft case. Poor writing and questionable facts make this book impossible to read. Save your money!

Save Your Money
This book was more than "based on" the Wired article, it was the Wired article. I read both the article and the book, and in my opinion there was very little added to the book. I would suggest buying the Wired Magazine that had this article, ... .

Excluding that, the book was well written and entertaining, but somewhat disappointing. The amount of access the author had provided great visibility into the trial, but I felt the author squandered that information. There was very little analysis, and often the author missed humorous/interesting snippets that other books/articles had picked up (e.g. in "The New New Thing" and Upside's news coverage of the trial).

This book felt more like a synapse or a chronology, and it left me wanting more... ... Read more

Book Description

Even though his parents took him to church, he didn't know God's plan for his life.God had chosen Billy Graham to serve Him like few others! ... Read more

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To proclaim the Christian faith to non-believers remains his focus. Known around the world as the great evangelist. ... Read more

Book Description

This colorful book offers you a window into the world of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most amazing people of the twentieth century. You will learn about Gandhi’s life--from his time as a student in London to his work for equality in South Africa and India--and his methods of peaceful, but not passive, resistance to injustice.

Through engaging biography, activities inspired by Gandhi’s values and beliefs, and the words of Gandhi himself, Gandhi: India’s Great Soul will show you how to achieve your goals through persistence and persuasion rather than through violence and fighting. ... Read more

Book Description

Mohandas Gandhi grew up in India at a time when it was ruled by a foreign power--Great Britain. Gandhi fought against the injustice of British people by leading peaceful marches and protests. Many times he was imprisoned for his beliefs, but through his leadership, Britain was finally forced to hand over power. Gandhi became leader of India, and "father of his people." ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant Tells All
Julia Dent Grant is sadly an almost forgotten figure in American history, but her book is a fascinating, intimate journey into the heart and soul of a 19th century woman. Julia and Ulysses Grant shared a mythical love which transcends time and retains an uncommon vibrancy. The book was written in the 1890's but was never published until 1975, yet the narrative is surprisingly modern and engaging. No shrinking violet, Julia wrote as she lived: with an open intensity and irreverence which is oftentimes hilarious. She rarely masks her feelings and says exactly what she thinks. The most engrossing portions of her book relate to her life with General Grant. Their courtship had been strained by a 4 year separation, followed by another 2 year period when Grant was stationed alone in California. When the Grants were together all was merry, but when apart, his spirits hit the skids. Grant was emotionally beholden to his wife to a rare degree and she gaily capitalized on his need. Julia herself was exceedingly plain and knew it. It pained her that her unfortunate physical appearence allowed her scant latitude in society and others gossiped about her defects. Incredibly, General Grant never seemed to notice or care that his wife was a plain Jane and behaved in a most uxorious manner when in her company. Whatever complexes Julia had about her appearence, she reveled in Grant's fame and the reflected glory it cast upon her. Julia's book is entertaining and significant for all history buffs and it is a notable addition to women's literature of the 19th century. It is as if she was sitting in a rocking chair, sewing basket on her lap, chatting informally about the Union's greatest General and America's most underrated hero. Truly a grand book.

Wow! A Great Boook for Fans of Ulys
I finally bought this book of which I'd hear so much and I was not disappointed. For those of you who enjoy true romances, here is a real life romance of the highest and most passionate order. As a scholar of the Victorian era in the United States, most women of that era did not write like Julia Dent Grant, or express themselves in such tones. Her great love and attraction for her 'hero husband' is made evident throughout and in a most delightful way. The faults of the book are that she concentrates a little too much on their trip after he left the Presidency, and also I would have liked to have heard more about the Presidency itself. She rather glosses over that. Of course she is partial for her husband and makes plain they enjoyed each other thoroughly in wartime, peactime and in the bedroom. I really liked this book and for all fans of Ulys... RUN, don't walk to buy this superlative look into his life/

An Essential Work For Students of Grant
This fascinating autobiography is a must-read for anyone wanting a personal view not only of Ulysses Grant, but of his all-too-often ignored and underrated wife. Julia Grant's memoir is an unusually frank and entertaining visit with her unique, delightfully engaging personality--she was a far cry from the rather sour-looking, unprepossessing image one gets from her photographs.

One thing I found particularly fascinating about her book--something previous reviewers have strangely overlooked--is the inadvertent way she reveals not only Grant's many virtues, but his faults as well. Grant's cold, affection-starved upbringing left him emotionally immature in certain ways. Julia's candid style depicts her husband as sometimes capable of being pig-headed, uncommunicative, and remarkably insensitive to her feelings, while his usually charming sense of humor could take on a childishly cruel edge. This warts-and-all look at the man is a refreshing change from the uncritical, unbelievable hagiography found in most contemporary accounts of Grant. In short, this book is a psychological gold mine!

Julia Dent Grant-Loving Wife of U.S. Grant
I was thrilled to discover the existence of this book and equally thrilled at the opportunity to see into the lives of the Grants from Mrs. Grant's point of view.

Throughout her Memoirs, Mrs. Grant's love and devotion to her husband and family are apparent. Equally apparent is the evidence that her affection was completely reciprocated. Not highly educated by modern standards, Mrs. Grant's sharp perception provides a unique glimpse into the personal life of her family and the issues that shaped her destiny. She was born the daughter of a Missouri planter, raised among slaves and southern society belles. Yet, during the Civil War, her devotion to her husband led her to become one of the most vocal proponents of preserving the Union among all her aquaintances. Amazingly, she was with the general during much of the war; in St. Louis before Vicksburg and in Virginia prior to the surrender of Lee at Appomatox Courthouse. Her presence helped ease the extreme pressure placed on her husband from Washington demands for quick victory in Virginia.

The memoir also describes the Grant's occupation of the White House during the Grant Administration and the world tour of the Grants following her husband's presidency. Many details describe table linens and ladies fashion of the time, an important concern for a woman of Mrs. Grant's position, but not so for the woman of today. Still, this memoir is a wonderful addition to my library and will be a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in understanding the views of nineteenth century women and Mrs. Grant in particular.

I loved this book
I really recommend this book to anyone who likes US Grant or the civil war. I didn't think Mrs. Grant's book would be interesting, but I could not put it down. The way she describes her husband shows a very deep love and attraction for him. I didn't think people of that age were as open with their feelings, but this gal sure was. She was so frank in expressing her feelings for Grant, no wonder he followed her around like a lovesick calf.

She even hints about the physical side of their union, which was incredible since she wrote it 100 years ago. I think anyone would love this book, Mrs. Grant writes well and is quite funny and entertaining. I give this book a solid "10." ... Read more

Book Description

Garbo and Crawford. Ava, Hedy, Judy, Liz. They epitomized Hollywood’s golden era. With a trembling lip or sultry eye, with a tear or song or husky whisper, they held moviegoers across America in their sway from the hard times of the 1930s through the booming postwar years. They were royalty, they were box office. They led pampered public lives—furs, jewels, limos, designer gowns, handsome escorts—that captured the national imagination. They also signed seven-year contracts with a morals clause, and the more they slipped, the more the secret abortions, efficient cover-ups, legal legerdemain, and dropped charges bound them to the wizard in their Oz, Louis B. Mayer. The slips are here, and the successes, the personal triumphs as well as the private tragedies. Here are the Blonde Bombshell Jean Harlow, who made movie history (at nineteen) with the line "Do you mind if I slip into something more comfortable?"; Sweater Girl Lana Turner, whose career spanned four decades even if "she couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag"; and bad girl Ava Gardner, whose screen test prompted Mayer to say, "She can’t act. She can’t talk. She’s terrific." From Jeanette MacDonald and Norma Shearer to Princess Grace, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, and Million Dollar Mermaid Esther Williams, the sixteen portraits in this lively volume, each accompanied by the star’s filmography, tell the tales that lay hidden behind the gossip and the glories of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s glamorous golden girls. 16 pages of photographs enhance these intimate insider biographies of the most radiant stars in movie mogul Louis B. Mayer’s galaxy. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Revealing
I loved this book. I felt that I got ten and more biographies of the most famous actresses in the world.It's well researched, and it's fun to read. The author emphasizes the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. I've read all of Jane Ellen's books and enjoy her style. The Golden Girls of MGM is one of her best.

Biased and uninteresting
I bought this book at a local bookstore and I'm grateful because it'll be much easier to return there than on Amazon. Some reviews said that this author didn't say much about anyone but I disagree. I found her bias towards and against some actresses obvious. This leads me to believe that we are only getting half of the story. I mean calling Joan Crawford a "victim" is laughable to me. If you know anything about Joan, you know that she was no one's victim.
Also, many of the conversations that Wayne quotes have no source. How do we know that they were real or just garbage that she made up? Either she stole some of these quotes from other books or they existed in her head. We don't know because she rarely explains where she got her information.
This is like a one-sided Cliff's notes version of the lives of these fabulous women. And if anyone would like to use this as source material, may I suggest using it to solve the mystery of how so many beautiful, fascinating, sexy women fell for Mickey Rooney? I would really like an explaination on that!!

How did this author ever get published?
Ms. Wayne is one of the worst writers I have ever read. Not only is her writing amateurish and ungrammatical, it is downright annoying. Your average seventh grader is probably a better writer.

I could put up with her writing if the book did not have numerous other faults.

One example of this book's many faults is that in the chapter on Hepburn, the decade between 1928 and 1938 -- when Hepburn started in the movies and achieved stardom -- is not even mentioned. I don't know if this is Wayne's fault or simply an editing glitch.

I bought this book because I am a fan of several of these actresses, but I was disappointed that most of the information on them appeared to have been stolen from other sources. Including conversations at which the author could not possibly have been present is the height of bad journalism and a hallmark of sleazy biographical writing. In addition, I didn't learn anything new about any of the actresses whom I had already read a lot about, and I tired of the sensationalistic recounting of their affairs, abortions, tantrums, divorces, drunkenness, and so forth. How about mentioning something positive about them? Surely there was something. But wait. I guess that doesn't sell books.

If you want to learn about these stars, there are bound to be well-researched, balanced, in-depth books about each one, particularly Crawford and Hepburn. So don't waste your money on this crapfest.

All glitz, no glamour
In their own time, these "golden-age Hollywood" stars were protected by ruthless P.R. men and a media veil of silence. Now most of their failings are common knowledge. And in "Golden Girls of MGM : Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, and Others," Jane Ellen Wayne only soils their names more by making them dull.

Wayne opens each chapter with a coyly feeble teaser. She then gives a brief description of the women's lives and how they got into the movie biz, and what they did when they got there. Among these actresses: much-married Elizabeth Taylor, deceptively icy Grace Kelly, busty Lana Turner, fiery ex-Sinatra wife Ava Gardner, mysterious Greta Garbo, tragic Judy Garland, and some weren't quite so juicy (Katherine Hepburn, Hedy Lamarr, Esther Williams).

Why bother with one trashy biography when you can have a bunch all in one book? Be assured that Wayne will give you a detailed description of every lover, abortion, suicide, police-cover up and failed marriage that went on under Louis B. Mayer. Despite all this dirt, Wayne seems to be scared to have any strong opinions about anything (Joan Crawford is painted very blandly). You'll find every rumor -- true or not -- reported in various other trashy bios. Insights? New information? Decent writing? Not a trace.

"Golden Girls" fails even as a guilty pleasure. In a word, it's boring. Very boring. Gossip about stuff like affairs, abortions, failed marriages and massive scandals are related in the driest prose that Wayne can manage. She glosses over major events in these actresses' lives, but gives detailed transcripts of uninteresting personal conversations. It only makes her inept attempts at being coy painful. And it takes a special kind of ineptitude to make Katherine Hepburn so boring.

The worst kind of trashy biography is a dull one. And "Golden Girls of MGM : Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, and Others" is very boring indeed. Wayne can't even manage to make this a naughty pleasure.

Trashy and Sloppy
The content was trashy, and the writing was sloppy. If you like trashy and you can tolerate sloppy for a few hours, this book will give you the worst highlights of the lives of the stars discussed. On the other hand, if you want to know the truth about these women in depth, you should search for individual, well-researched, well-written books on these subjects' lives.

If you like to read bad writing, this book is a treat. Misplaced modifiers can be especially mirth provoking, and this writer is an adept in the genre. Other grammatical errors and plenty of typos add to the fun. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

THIS BIOGRAPHY STINKS!
I have to go with the general consensus on this biography.Mr. Shipman has his details muddled and inaccurate in many aspects.How he can go into such detail about Judy's private life, sexual deviances, etc. is astonishing....was HE actually present during the actions he describes??That's the only way he could be so "forthright and honest"....hah!!Also, it seems Mr. Shipman thinks that everyone with whom Judy was involved was homosexual or bisexual.Heck, he goes on to state that nearly everyone in Hollywood is homosexual.Obviously, Mr. Shipman himself would qualify in this category as he seems obssessed with the subject.It is inferred to in every chapter of this non-sensical biography.We know Judy had problems, no one is denying that.Fans can accept the truth about her but have something substantive with which to back up your claims.....not just hearsay.This biography stinks and is an insult to the memory of Judy Garland.As someone else suggested, read "Rainbow...the Stormy Life of Judy Garland"......that is the best Garland biography ever and does not shortchange or mislead the reader in any way!

Judy Garland: The Life on an American Legend - Yeah Right!!!
This book is utter CRAP to be frank. The writing is fine,and easy to follow, but there are MAJOUR problems with this book. The facts are wrong - at the end he states "At 46...Judy Garland was dead" Correct me if Im wrong, butJudy Garland was 47 when she died. He also seems ro have a dislike of Judy, by calling her "Garland" when refering to her.

Take my advice go with World's Greatest Entertainer of Judy, to get a good bio of Miss Show Biz: Judy Garland

I hated this book
Although Shipman was quite good when writing about her performances when it got to her as a person he seems to hate her.Just a few examples which got me shaking my head and saying how stupid does he think we are, is his version of her reason for not showing at Liza's off-broadway debut.He wants to imply it is her selfishness and jealousy of her daughter, (how stupid can you get, Shipman).Anyone really understanding the enormous heart of Judy Garland knows she didn't want to draw attention away from her daughter's debut, which of course she would have been unable to avoid, and suffered for her daughter's sake missing what she would have absolutely loved to have been able to attend. There are so many of these examples throughout the book.When before an interview with Jacqueline Suzanne before the making of 'Valley of the Dolls' she insists Suzanne proceed her, he again wants to say it was to draw attention to herself.As if she needed to draw attention to herself!Of course that was just what she was trying not to do but of course couldn't stop it.There are so many good books about Judy, don't read this one, unless you want to just concentrate on Shipman's good reviews and ignore is absolutely stupid interpretations of her motives.

Disgustingly Disrespectful to a Legend!!
One reviewer states this book to be "The truth"! Ha! Hey, how about actually reading other books written on Judy Garland, (as I have), and you will see the error of your convictions.
This piece of filth has so many entirely erroneous facts! What is it with English writers hating Judy Garland?! This book even asserts Judy was bisexual! She may have had many sexually alternative persons in her life, but she was not! Yes, Judy was by no stretch perfect! She was a smoker, but she was no alcoholic! She did have problems with perscription drugs, but that wasn't etirely her falt! She was given medications by her mother before she could talk, to wake up, to sleep, whatever she felt they needed to "get these girls moving". Yes, Judy Garland was addicted to "pep-up" pills, and "downers", but she did try various times in her life to get off them, but she never quite could. Her body simply needing astronomical amounts as her life progressed, due to an ever growing tolerance.
Contray to manys' beliefs, Judy did not commit suicide, or intentionally overdose on sleeping pills. She had said herself in life that sometimes it was hard to remember what pills she had taken when, and would on occasion accidently overdose, which is what happened on the night/morning she died.
She had said, just days before her death, how she utterly feared death, thinking of it often. If anything, Judy wanted to live, she was always making plans for the future. At the time of her death, she was thinking of going to Paris, to the Olympiad. She would never make it to Paris...
This book, should be titled "The Totally False Rumors of Judy Garland", because that is what it is! It is just as much a piece of tawdry trash as Gerold Clark's "Get Happy."
If you want the truth of Judy Garland's life, I recommend "Judy" by Gerold Frank or "Me and My Shadows: Living with the Legacy of Judy Garland" by Judy's daughter Lorna Luft. Buy one of those!
Don't waste your time with this waste!

the truth
Although this book is well written and endearing, i have readthat shipman wa sued by a few people in contrast to trhe contents. if you aree a judy fan to my extent then you will realise that some of the points in the bookare muddled or untrue. It displays a bad example of the relationshipbetween her and her children, which infact is untrue.i would read it ifyou are a fan, but dont take it as gospel. ... Read more