Western Biography

"The Mezzatestas, David Alexander's fictitious crime family in The King of West Brooklyn, are the new Corleones." -- USA Today. "If mob-related hits haven't already put Gravesend, the crime capital of West Brooklyn, on the map, The King of West Brooklyn is destined to do so." -- Daily News. Dominick "Dee" de Venise's textile warehouse has been in the family for generations, but he'll have to torch it for the insurance money. De Venise has no other choice. The Mezzatesta family is into him for boo-koo bucks and if he doesn't pay off, he's history. The only other option de Venise has is to ...

Benjamin Franklin was first and foremost a public servant, but he was also a prolific writer, humorist, musician, inventor, businessman, and scientist. He was always working to improve civic society. Among many other things, he organized the first volunteer fire department and established the first lending library in America. In the 18th century, he was celebrated as a scientist, inventor, and innovator who somehow emerged from the obscurity of his modest birth to prominence.

Stalking the streets of 19th-century London, Jack the Ripper left a gruesome trail of terror in his wake—and then slipped away. Now, this riveting true-crime book peels back the myths and mysteries, providing a gritty and detailed exploration of the clues and theories that have plagued this long-dead criminal investigation. Retracing his most infamous murders, this book will take listeners on a thrilling journey back in time, drawing on the accounts of eyewitnesses, reporters, and detectives to paint a compelling picture of the monster who hunted in the shadows of Victorian London.

Do you want to learn about King Herod but don’t have the time or patience to read a thick book? Then this short and concise book “King Herod the Great: A Short Biography” is for you!! During King Herod’s life he has been credited with many great accomplishments and many horrendous acts, including the following: Prince of Galilee at the age of 25, Married the 17-year-old Hasmonean princess Mariamne for political gain, Along with the Romans, he drove out the Parthians when they invaded Judea and the region in 40 B.C., Killed the high priest of the Jews and his brother-in-law, ...

In the movies we often see a scientist portrayed as a quiet and pious man or woman dressed in a white lab coat engrossed in deep thought. This image surely fits some; however, not the twentieth-century New Zealander Ernest Rutherford, or Lord Rutherford as he would be known later in life. He was born into a large family living in the frontier country of New Zealand with the nearest town thirteen miles away by horseback. This young man would earn a scholarship and travel to Great Britain to study at the world-famous Cambridge University. There this boisterous country boy would come into his ...

Buffalo Bill was an American soldier, bison hunter, and showman. He thrilled audiences far and wide with his Wild West shows, and he showed the world that the characters they read about in dime novels and magazines were real flesh and blood people. For many, Buffalo Bill has become the embodiment of the wild frontier, and both his legacy and his spirit continues to live on.

من أهل حماة (بسورية) ولد ونشأ ومات فيها، زار القاهرة والتقى بعلمائها واتصل بملوكها، وكان طويل النفس في النظم والنثر، حسن الأخلاق والمروءة، فيه شي من الزهو والإعجاب.

Running Away from Cancer is a symphony of inspiration, an anthem of triumph over adversity. The narrative invites listeners to embrace their challenges, to confront fear with courage, and to harness their inner strength to rewrite the narrative of their lives. As the author crosses finish lines and defies odds, he reminds us all that the human spirit is unbreakable, that adversity can be transformed into opportunity, and that within every step lies the promise of a new beginning.

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

After first meeting over sixty years ago while filming a costume drama for the BBC, Prunella Scales and Timothy West have enjoyed a partnership like no other. In this book, Tim traces their united steps through life professionally and personally, and covers the highs and lows of caring for Pru since her dementia diagnosis, twenty years ago. As with all things in life, she and Tim have tackled it together, often with a glass of wine in hand and almost always with a smile.

With China’s history unfolding around her, this is the true story of how Frances channeled her unique talents and connections to unite people in our shared humanity.

Don't form a personal opinion and don't get involved. The editors recommended a 'just the facts' focus for this cub reporter...For his first few years on the job, journalist Tom Rivers did his best to heed that advice. But living and working in a small town, it's hard to stay out of the story. So when the editors offered him a bi-weekly column 10 years ago, Rivers jumped at the chance to share some his own ideas, adventures, and the occasional off-beat story that just didn't fit the news-article form.

Thomas Jefferson is known by most as the third president of the United States, but his legacy extends much further than that. Born to a wealthy plantation owner, Thomas was the third of nine children. When he was just 14, his father died, leaving him half his land, slaves, and wealth. These circumstances allowed Thomas to attend college at the age of 16, and later on, to study under one of the top lawyers of the time. His political history is one of great triumph and struggle.

Do you want to learn about the astronomer Tycho Brahe but don’t have the time or patience to read a thick book? Then this is the short and concise book for you! Some of the interesting accomplishments of Tycho Brahe covered in the book are: Developed a series of accurate astronomical instruments predating the invention of the telescope. Developed the Tychonic system of the Solar System were the Moon orbits the Earth and the planets orbit the Sun, erroneously he determined the Sun orbited the Earth. From his observations of the supernovae of 1572, he refuted the belief of the ancient Greek...

Bill Clinton knew at an early age that he wanted to be in politics. Over time, his dream would become reality as he moved up the political ranks to become the 42nd President of the United States. During his college years, starting at Georgetown, then at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, and completing his law degree at Yale, Bill Clinton proved to be a quick study. While at Yale, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, who would become his closest adviser. As a member of the Democratic Party, he began his political career in Arkansas, where he was elected as attorney general and later governor. ...

A fierce personality with an iron will, Andrew Jackson was an important statesman who left a historic mark on the expansion and consolidation of the United States. Known among both his friends and his enemies as “Old Hickory,” after the hardwood tree, he rose to fame during the War of 1812, where his victories revealed the tenacity and courage that would later transform him into one of the most influential and controversial American presidents. Andrew Jackson was a self-made man who was born on the frontier and grew up to become one of Tennessee’s first and most important political ...

The son of devout Quakers, Richard Nixon grew up in the shadow of an older brother and thrived on struggle and opposition. -- Through high school and college, in the Navy and in politics, Nixon was constantly leading crusades and fighting off “enemies,” either real and imagined. -- He possessed the plainspoken eloquence to reduce American television audiences to tears with his career-saving “Checkers” speech, yet Nixon’s darker side hatched schemes designed to take down his political opponents which earned him the infamous nickname, “Tricky Dick.” -- This is the classic story ...

When Jenny Jones and her three children move from their Washington home to that of Jenny's in-laws in the West Bank, the village of Safa seems like a haven. Sheltered from much of the area's troubles, Jenny considers the village to be the ideal place for her children to explore a part of their identity they deserved to know more about. In spite of its pastoral charm, Safa is far more complex than Jenny had imagined.

How could Annie Oakley, a woman of barely 110 pounds with a childlike beauty, beat so many of the greatest sharpshooters with her skill and talent? The name is probably familiar to most people, but not many know about her early life or her great love for her husband, who was also a sharpshooter. We are taking you back more than a century to meet one of the greatest American folklore heroines who ever existed.

The practice of piracy has been with us since human beings first sailed into open waters. Pirates, in fact, are still a phenomenon to this very day. From pirates of the Caribbean to the modern-day pirates of Somalia - there have always been those who would engage in acts of both banditry and bravado on the high seas. This book follows the exploits and dastardly deeds of these crooked sailors. Here you will learn about pirates like Captain Morgan, Blackbeard, a Pirate Queen, and many more infamous figures.