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BIOGRAPHIES

A DEI COLLECTION OF PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

Box Man: A Professional Thief's Journey

By Harry King . As told to and edited by Bill Chambliss

FROM THE INTRODUCTION: “From approximately 1910 until 1960 Harry King lived a life of crime. For the better part ofthose years he was a professional thief specializing in safe-cracking. This is his story. Through it we are provided a glimpse into a life style, a philosophy and a pattern of living that is ordinarily obscured from our vision. By coming to grips with Harry's life we learn a great deal more about America, Law, Order and Being.”

NY. Harper & Row. 1972. 186p. USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

Charles Darwin: A New Life

By John Bowlby

From the Preface: I first became interested in Charles Darwin as a personality, and as a scientist and invalid, thirty years ago when I read the new and complete version of his Autohiography, edited by hisgranddaughter, Nora Barlow. In it, amongst much else, he makes brief reference to the chronic ill-health from which he suffered over many years and the nature of which, I knew, hadfor long been a subject of controversy, the major issue being whether his symptoms were caused by an organic illness or were of emotional origin. At the time, I was working on the psychological il-effects that are apt to follow a childhood bereavement and so, when I learned that Darwin's mother had died when he was eight years old, I began to wonder whether that might have played some part in the genesis ofhis troubles. Alittle later, when the medical controversy erupted again, I made a brief contribution raising the issue. Having many other commitments at the time,I was unable to pursue the idea further, though Thoped it might one day be possible…”

NY. W. W. Norton. 1990. 511p. CONTAINS MARK-UP

The Quark and the Jaguar: Adventures in the Simple and the Complex

By Murray Gell-Mann

From the Preface: “…The book is divided into four parts. At the beginningof the first part, I describe some personal experiences that led me to write it. Taking long walks in tropical forests, studying birds, and planning nature conservation activities, I became excited by the idea of sharing with readers my growing awareness of the links between the fundamental laws of physics and the world we see around us. All my life I have loved exploring the realm of living things, but my professional life has been devoted mostly to research on the fundamental laws. These laws underlie all of science (in a sense that is discussed in this book) but often seem far removed from most experience, including a great deal of experience in the other sciences. Reflecting on questions of simplicity and complexity, we perceive connections that help to link together all the phenomena of nature, from the simplest to the most complex…”

London. Little, Brown and Company. 1994. 386p. CONTAINS MARK-UP

Life and Crimes of Bridget Durgan

By Rev. Mr. Brendan

The book is a short pamphlet of only 36 pages, and it tells the story of Bridget Durgan, a notorious criminal and murderess who was executed in Philadelphia in 1867. The book is written in a sensational and melodramatic style, and it describes the crimes committed by Bridget Durgan in detail, including the murder of her husband and attempted murder of her own children.

Philadelphia. C. W. Alexander. 1867. 36p.

Makarenko, his Life and Work. Articles, Talks, and Reminiscences

Translated from Russian by Bernard Isaacs.

he book was first published in English in 1966, and Isaacs' translation has been praised for its clarity and accuracy in capturing the essence of Makarenko's ideas and philosophy.

Isaacs was a respected translator of Russian literature and philosophy, and he worked closely with Sukhomlinsky to ensure that the English version of the book remained faithful to the original Russian text. His translation has been widely read and studied by scholars and educators around the world, and has played an important role in introducing Makarenko's ideas and methods to a wider audience.

Foreign Languages Publishing House. ND. 282p.

Jesse James: the Making of a Legend

By Larry C. Bradley

"Jesse James: The Making of a Legend" is a non-fiction book written by Eric L. James, a descendant of the Jesse James family. The book was published in 2004 and offers a revisionist account of the life and legacy of Jesse James, an American outlaw and folk hero who operated in the mid to late 19th century.

The book challenges many of the popular myths and legends surrounding Jesse James, presenting a more nuanced and historically accurate portrayal of his life and activities. Eric James argues that Jesse James was not simply a violent criminal, but rather a product of his time and circumstances, who was shaped by the social and economic upheavals of the post-Civil War era.

The book explores Jesse James' early life and family background, his involvement in the Confederate cause during the Civil War, and his subsequent career as an outlaw and guerrilla fighter. It also examines the cultural and political forces that contributed to the mythologizing of Jesse James, including the role of the media, popular culture, and regional identity.

Nevada, Missouri. Larren Publishers. 1980.

Wilhelm Reich: A Personal Biography

By Ilse Ollendorff Reich

"Wilhelm Reich: A Personal Biography" was actually written by Ilse Ollendorff Reich, the wife of Wilhelm Reich. The book was published posthumously in 1969, a year after Wilhelm Reich's death.

The biography provides a personal and intimate perspective on Reich's life, as it was written by someone who knew him intimately. Ilse Ollendorff Reich was herself a psychoanalyst and a close collaborator of her husband, and her biography provides insights into Reich's theories and ideas as well as his personal life.

The book covers Reich's childhood, his education and training in medicine and psychology, his work with Sigmund Freud and his eventual break with the psychoanalytic community, his research on orgone energy and his later years in the United States, where he faced opposition from government authorities and eventually died in prison.

Ilse Ollendorff Reich's biography is notable for its compassionate and empathetic portrayal of her husband, as well as its frank and honest evaluation of his ideas and theories. She also provides valuable insights into the social and political context in which Reich developed his theories, and the challenges that he faced in trying to pursue his research.

NY. Avon Books. 1989. 219p.

Stuart. A Life Backwards

By Alexander Masters

"Stuart: A Life Backwards" is a biographical book written by Alexander Masters and published in 2005. The book tells the true story of Stuart Clive Shorter, a homeless and mentally ill man living on the streets of Cambridge, England.

The book is unique in its structure, as it is written in reverse chronological order, beginning with the end of Stuart's life and moving backwards through time. Through this unconventional approach, the reader gains insight into Stuart's troubled past and the events that led to his current situation.

Masters became friends with Stuart while working for a homeless charity in Cambridge, and the book is based on his extensive interviews and interactions with Stuart over the course of several years. The book also includes excerpts from Stuart's own writing and letters, providing a personal and intimate perspective on his life and struggles.

London. Fourth Estate. 2005. 332p.

The Way Of A Transgressor

By Negley Farson

"The Way of a Transgressor" is a novel by British author Negley Farson, first published in 1936. The novel follows the life of a man named Nicholas Tarleton, who grows up in a small English village and eventually becomes a successful journalist and adventurer.

The novel is loosely based on Farson's own life, and is notable for its vivid descriptions of travel and adventure in various parts of the world. Tarleton travels to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, encountering a wide variety of cultures and people along the way. He also experiences many personal struggles, including a love affair with a woman who is already married, and a crisis of conscience over his involvement in the exploitation of African workers.

The novel is considered a classic of adventure literature, and has been praised for its vivid descriptions of exotic locales and the many characters that Tarleton encounters on his travels. However, it has also been criticized for its portrayal of non-white characters as stereotypes, and for its sometimes problematic depictions of colonialism and imperialism.

NY. Harcourt, Brace And Company. 1936. 601p.

Jacinda Ardern: A new kind of leader

By Madeleine Chapman

"Jacinda Ardern: A new kind of leader" is a book by journalist Madeleine Chapman, published in 2019. The book explores the life and career of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who became the youngest female head of government in the world when she took office in 2017.

Chapman traces Ardern's journey from her childhood in rural New Zealand to her rise to political prominence. She examines Ardern's leadership style, which emphasizes empathy, inclusivity, and a commitment to social justice, and shows how these values have informed her policies and decisions.

The book also explores some of the key challenges that Ardern has faced during her time in office, including the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, which she responded to with compassion and strength, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which she has managed with decisiveness and effectiveness.

Throughout the book, Chapman presents Ardern as a unique and inspiring figure, whose leadership style represents a departure from traditional political norms. She argues that Ardern's approach to leadership has resonated with people around the world, and that she has become a powerful symbol of hope and change in a time of global uncertainty.

Carlton Australia. Schwartz Books. 2020. 301p.

The Life and Adventures of William Buckley

By John Morgan

"The Life and Adventures of William Buckley" is a memoir by John Morgan, first published in 1852. The book tells the story of William Buckley, a convict who escaped from a penal colony in Australia in 1803 and lived among the indigenous Wathaurong people for over thirty years.

The memoir follows Buckley's journey as he navigates the rugged Australian landscape, surviving harsh conditions and encounters with hostile indigenous groups. It also explores the complex relationships between the British colonizers and the indigenous people of Australia, highlighting the violence and exploitation that characterized their interactions.

Throughout the book, Morgan portrays Buckley as a sympathetic and resilient figure, whose experiences shed light on the harsh realities of life in colonial Australia. He also provides insights into the cultural practices and beliefs of the Wathaurong people, offering a rare glimpse into their way of life before the arrival of European settlers.

"The Life and Adventures of William Buckley" is a fascinating and important historical document that provides valuable insights into the early years of European colonization in Australia. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of adaptation, as well as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Canberra, Caliban Books,. 1852. 249p.

Mao's Last Dancer

By Li Cunxin

In a compelling memori of life in Maoist China, the acclaimed dancer describes how he was swept from his poverty-stricken family in rural China to study ballet with the Peking Dance Academy, his rise to success in the world of Chinese ballet, his dramatic defection at age eighteen in the United States, and his new life in the West.

Raised in a desperately poor village during the height of China's Cultural Revolution, Li Cunxin's childhood revolved around the commune, his family and Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.

Until, that is, Madame Mao's cultural delegates came in search of young peasants to study ballet at the academy in Beijing and he was thrust into a completely unfamiliar world.

When a trip to Texas as part of a rare cultural exchange opened his eyes to life and love beyond China's borders, he defected to the United States in an extraordinary and dramatic tale of Cold War intrigue.

Told in his own distinctive voice, this is Li's inspirational story of how he came to be Mao's last dancer, and one of the world's greatest ballet dancers.

Australia. Penguin Random House. 2005. 522p.

Gandhi’s Truth On The Origins Of Militant Nonviolence

By Erik H. Erikson

From the cover: Many of the methods of civil disobedience so widely and so sporadically used today have their origin in Mahatma Gandhi’s militant nonviolence. In order to eluci­date the nature of what Gandhi called his Truth in Action, Erikson sets out to retell in great detail a relatively little-known event in Gandhi’s middle years, namely, his assumption of leadership in a strike of textile workers in the city of Ahmedabad in 1918. Erikson explains Gandhi’s method of concentrating on local grievances of high symbolic value as a way of mobi­lizing the Indian masses both spiritually and politically — a method that distin­guished Gandhi from the charismatic fig­ures (Lenin, Wilson) of the post-World War I period…..Erikson counterpoints Freud’s insights into the nature of sexuality (and Gandhi’s disavowal of it) and Gandhi’s insights into the nature of armed violence (and Freud’s fatalism regarding it) and con­cludes that only a combination of these insights might give man some measure of mastery over his fatal alternation of re­pression and excess.

NY. W. W. Norton. 1969. 465p.

The Autobiography Of Charles Darwin And Selected Letters

By Charles Darwin. Edited By Francis Darwin.

From the editor: In preparing this volume, which is practically an abbre­viation of the Life and Letters (1887), my aim has been to retain as far as possible the personal parts of those volumes. To render this feasible, large numbers of the more purely scientific letters are omitted, or represented by the citation of a few sentences. In certain periods of my father’s life the scientific and the personal elements run a parallel course, rising and falling together in their degree of inter­est. Thus the writing of the Origin of Species, and its publication, appeal equally to the reader who follows my father’s career from interest in the man, and to the natural­ist who desires to know something of this turning point in the history of Biology. This part of the story has there­fore been told with nearly the full amount of available detail.

NY. Dover Publications. 1892. 408p.

Agathat Christie. An Autobiography.

By Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie began to write this book in April 1950; she finished it some fifteen years later when she was seventy-five years old. Any book written over so long a period must contain certain repetitions and in­consistencies and these have been tidied up under the watchful and sympathetic eye of her daughter Rosa­lind. Nothing of importance has been omitted, however: so, substantially, this is the autobiography as she would have wished it to appear. She ended it when she was seventy-five because, as she put it, “it seems the right moment to stop. Because, as far as life is concerned, that is all there is to say.”

NY. Ballantine Books. 1977. 660p.

Al Capone: A Biography

By Luciano Iorizzo

For more than 70 years, Al Capone has been equated with wealth, violence, and corruption. As America's most infamous criminal, he has intrigued, attracted, and repulsed the general public with his legendary criminal deeds. This concise biography separates the myth from the man. Beginning with a historical look at corruption in American society—along with a clarification of the terms Black Hand, Mafia, and Organized Crime—Capone is presented in his own time and place. A timeline summarizes the events of his life and career. A thorough bibliography of print and electronic sources will assist students and general readers interested in further research, making it perfect for anyone interested in Capone's life, organized crime, the prohibition era, and the struggle of lower-class Americans to rise in society.The son of poor Italian immigrants struggling for a better life in early 20th-century New York, Capone chose a life of crime as a means of advancing his place in the world. His success brought him fabulous wealth and fame. His criminal deeds made him many enemies among law enforcement officers, politicians, and fellow criminals. Yet ultimately, Capone's downfall was his own misdeeds. Following a lengthy prison term, he died at age 48 from complications of syphilis. In his short life, Capone had become America's most feared criminal, and after his death, his legend cast an even greater shadow.

Westport, CT: London: Greenwood Press, 2003. 154p.

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The Mystery in the Drood Family

By Montagu Saunders.

It needs a considerable amount of assurance to add yet another book to the comparatively long list of those which have been written upon the subject of Dickens's unfinished story, and it is no sufficient justification to assert that the writer is sincerely convinced that his contribution to the discussion will afford some assistance in the solution of the problem, seeing that practically everyone who has ventilated his ideas upon the subject has expressed a similar conviction. Proctor, for instance, who was the first to examine Edwin Drood in a quasi-scientific way, was absolutely satisfied that in identifying Datchery with Edwin, he had discovered the " mystery " which Dickens had taken such pains to hide, and so strongly did he feel that his solution was correct, that he exhibited considerable impatience with those who failed to swallow it whole. Mr J. Cuming Walters, again, the originator of the highly ingenious Helena-Datchery theory, is equally convinced that he has unearthed Dickens's secret, and, like Proctor, he has supported his views by means of numerous arguments drawn from the text, which, if they do not carry conviction to every mind, are nevertheless sufficiently weighty to call for very careful examination, more particularly as they have succeeded in securing as adherents of the theory two such acute critics and eminent scholars as Dr Henry Jackson and Sir W. R. Nicoll. In these circumstances the present writer considers that it would be presumption on his part to express any definite opinion as to the accuracy of his own conclusions, and he feels that some apology is needed for the dogmatism which, upon a re-reading of this little essay, seems to him at times to be only too apparent.

Cambridge, UK: University Press, 1914. 184p.

The Noble Criminal

By Albert Holland Rhodes.

A Strange Tale Taken from the Notes and Memoirs of Hadlock Jones by his friend, Dr. Lawrence L. Langdon. “In 1883 a party of three English adventurers penetrated into the heart of Maori land. They tell of a splendid race of dark men ruled by a young white chief.”

Holland Publishing (1912) 72 pages.

A Criminal Power: James Baldwin and the Law

By D. Quentin Miller.

James Baldwin, one of the major African American writers of the twentieth century, has been the subject of a substantial body of literary criticism. As a prolific and experimental author with a marginal perspective—a black man during segregation and the Civil Rights era, a homosexual at a time when tolerance toward gays was not common—Baldwin has fascinated readers for over half a century. Yet Baldwin’s critics have tended to separate his weighty, complex body of work and to examine it piecemeal. A Criminal Power: James Baldwin and the Law is the first thematic study to analyze the complete scope of his work. It accomplishes this through an expansive definition and thorough analysis of the social force that oppressed Baldwin throughout his life: namely, the law. Baldwin, who died in 1987, attempted suicide in 1949 at the age of 25 after spending eight days in a French prison following an absurd arrest for “receiving stolen goods”—a sheet that his acquaintance had taken from a hotel. This seemingly trite incident made Baldwin painfully aware of what he would later call the law’s “criminal power.”

Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 2012. 187p,

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