Political figures gifts

The Immortal Irishman is a gripping narrative by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Timothy Egan that vividly brings to life the epic journey of Thomas Francis Meagher, a dashing orator and leader during Ireland's Great Hunger of the 1840s. Meagher's story begins with his valiant but doomed attempt to ignite a revolution against British rule, an effort that leads to his exile...

Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik is an inspiring and captivating biography that delves deep into the life and achievements of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice whose legacy has left an indelible mark on history. This book is not merely a biography; it is a compelling narrative that charts Ginsburg's journey from her early struggles against...

The Path to Power by Robert A. Caro is a spellbinding and meticulously detailed biography that vividly chronicles the early years of Lyndon B. Johnson, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the making of a future President and his insatiable thirst for power. This first instalment in Caro's celebrated series sets the stage for Johnson's complex journey, beginning with his humble...

Illuminating -- Elizabeth Beller 'A meticulous feat of research and reporting' -- Kate Storey The story of two iconic dynasties—the Kennedys and the Windsors—whose glamour and ambition defined an era. Reveals never-before examined stories about Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princess Diana, Prince Harry, JFK, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Robert Kennedy Jr., and many others. For fans of...

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans inspired a generation of questioning and evolving believers. This book offers a collection of her most impactful essays—in print for the first time. For a generation finding their footing in life after evangelicalism, Rachel Held Evans was one of the most trusted and beloved voices of our time. Stubborn in her hope,...

A fascinating look at the recent history of the beautiful but troubled Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia “A richly detailed study that goes a long way toward explaining the contradictions, corruption and complexity of Cambodia.”—Ron Gluckman, Wall Street Journal To many in the West, the name Cambodia still conjures up indelible images of destruction and death, the legacy of the...

An extensively researched, comprehensive biography of Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek, one of the twentieth century’s most powerful and controversial figures. Victorious in Defeat explores the life of Chiang Kai-shek (1887–1975), who led the Republic of China for almost fifty years, starting in 1926. He was the architect of a new, republican China, a hero of the Second World War,...

The definitive biography of Soviet Jewish dissident writer Vasily Grossman, called “gripping" and "fascinating" by William Taubman in the New York Times “[Popoff] tells Grossman’s story with sensitivity and a keen understanding of his world, drawing on little-known archival collections to produce what must be considered the definitive biography.”—Douglas Smith, Wall Street Journal Longlisted for the 2019 Cundill History Prize...

2024 Independent Publisher Book Awards Winner – Silver Medal, World History Nadia Comaneci is the Romanian child prodigy and global gymnastics star who ultimately fled her homeland and the brutal oppression of a communist regime. At the age of just 14, Nadia became the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games...

Criminal justice systems are not designed to seek the truth. In places like Australia, court proceedings remain an adversarial blood sport at times distorted by smoke and mirrors or failed by individual shortcomings. Navigating it is difficult and uncertain for any one of us but more so if you are poor, not white – or not white enough – not...

Michael Sheridan is one of the best informed and wisest writers on China - Chris Patten, last governor of Hong Kong The Red Emperor presents an eye-opening portrait of Xi Jinping, the man who presides over 1.4 billion people and the second largest economy on earth. Born a 'princeling' to one of Communist China's ruling families, the young Xi was...

This is a handbook for change. Because we all know ways in which life could be better. And it can be better. We can make it better. We don't need to wait for a leader or saviour. We don't need to limit ourselves to comments and clicks. In this stunningly original comic-book tour of a serious topic, Jeff Sparrow and...

A WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 A century ago, a Labour government took power for the first time. Meet the "Wild Men" who led the way... 'Superb' -- New Statesman 'Fascinating' -- The Sunday Times. In 1923, the passing of the Act which gave all men the vote opened the door for a radically different sort of government: men...

The acclaimed book Oliver Stone called “the best account I have read of this tragedy and its significance,” JFK and the Unspeakable details not just how the conspiracy to assassinate President John F. Kennedy was carried out, but WHY it was done…and why it still matters today. At the height of the Cold War, JFK risked committing the greatest crime...

A riotous biography of the charismatic ruler of eighteenth-century Poland and Saxony, and his catastrophic reign. Both King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Augustus is one of the great what-ifs of the 18th century. He could have turned the accident of ruling two major realms into the basis for a powerful European state—a bulwark against the Russians and a...

The first-person chronicle of a legendary journalist at the flashpoint of the Russian Revolution. Ten Days That Shook the World is John Reed's eyewitness account of the Russian Revolution. A contemporary journalist writing in the first flush of revolutionary enthusiasm, he provides a gripping record of the events in Petrograd in November 1917, when Lenin and the Bolsheviks finally seized...

An immersive reconstruction of the life of the most feared and powerful man of the sixteenth century, from the author of The Lion House. Istanbul, 1538. The greatest of the Ottoman Sultans is at the pinnacle of world power, while his family and future are at the mercy of their own dynastic law—whichever of his five sons succeeds him must...

"Ricks knocks it out of the park with this jewel of a book. On every page I learned something new. Read it every night if you want to restore your faith in our country." -- James Mattis, General, U.S. Marines (ret.) & 26th Secretary of Defence Now in paperback, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author Thomas...

The Last Lion Box Set delves deep into the life and times of Winston Churchill, offering a sweeping and intimate view of a man whose actions shaped the course of history. This box set encompasses the comprehensive narrative crafted by William Manchester and later completed by Paul Reid, presenting history enthusiasts with three enthralling volumes that delve into Churchill's multifaceted...

The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a compelling exploration of a pivotal era in American history, vividly detailing the entwined narratives of two of its most influential figures, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Set against the backdrop of the Progressive era—a period marked by rapid change and sweeping reform—Goodwin masterfully chronicles the dynamic friendship and subsequent rivalry...

Immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of leadership, politics, and human nature with Doris Kearns Goodwin's acclaimed work, Team of Rivals. This seminal book delves into the transformative presidency of Abraham Lincoln, a figure who forever changed the trajectory of American history. Goodwin meticulously narrates the rise of Lincoln from a relatively obscure lawyer to one of the most iconic...

Kissinger by Walter Isaacson is a meticulous exploration of one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in American diplomacy, Henry Kissinger. This authoritative biography unfolds the extraordinary journey of Kissinger, from his humble beginnings in Nazi Germany to his ascendancy as a pivotal player on the world stage. As Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford, Kissinger's tenure...

Anthony Fauci is arguably the most famous—and most revered—doctor in the world today. His role guiding America sanely and calmly through Covid (and through the torrents of Trump) earned him the trust of millions during one of the most terrifying periods in modern American history. However, this was only the most recent of the global epidemics in which Dr. Fauci...

A powerful, candid, and richly detailed memoir from an American icon, revealing what life looks like after the presidency—triumphs, tribulations, and all. On 20th January 2001, after nearly thirty years in politics—eight of them as President of the United States—Bill Clinton was suddenly a private citizen. Only fifty-four years old, full of energy and ideas, he wanted to make meaningful...

'Few ministers have such influence and make the impact and contribution Steven Joyce did. We knew him as Mr Fix-It; the press gallery called him the Minister for Everything; but the public saw it more simply. He was the guy who got the stuff they wanted done, and he did it in spades and with style.' - Sir John Key...

The Outlier by Kai Bird is an essential re-evaluation of Jimmy Carter's complex presidential legacy, masterfully penned by the expert biographer and Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of American Prometheus. This engrossing narrative delves deep into the triumphs and tragedies of Carter's time in the White House, offering a nuanced portrait of a man whose presidency is often misunderstood and undervalued. In...

The Notes by Ronald Reagan offers an intimate glimpse into the mind of one of America's most beloved presidents. This unique compilation showcases Reagan's personal reflections, favourite quotes, and cherished jokes, all meticulously preserved on a set of personal note cards he maintained throughout his life and career. Editor Douglas Brinkley, renowned for his work on the #1 New York...

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling author of American Lion and Franklin and Winston, Jon Meacham presents Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, a richly detailed and unprecedented biography that delves into the life of one of America's most iconic Founding Fathers. Jefferson, an original thinker and a master politician, played a pivotal role in creating and sustaining the American republic....

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Christian Science Monitor • St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Magisterial.”—The New York Times In this extraordinary volume, Jean Edward Smith presents a portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower that is as full, rich, and revealing as anything ever written about America’s thirty-fourth president. Here is Eisenhower the young dreamer, charting a course...

From the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and recipient of France's Legion of Honour, Nadia Murad reclaims the story of her life in this profoundly moving memoir introduced by Gloria Steinem. 'Nadia is a fierce warrior for justice and a beautiful human being I feel privileged to know. She will inspire women for generations' Amal Clooney In 2014, Nadia Murad was...

A rich and fascinating biography of an extraordinary man. Statesman, political thinker, orator and ardent campaigner, Edmund Burke was one of the greatest minds of the 18th century. His ideas and principles were expressed in the great debates over liberty, the rights of man and the American and French Revolutions, and are among the most important in modern history. Edmund...

'Masterly.' - Daily Mail 'Stunning.' - History Today 'Magnificent.' - Literary Review Napoleon's life reached its most extraordinary stage between 1805 and 1810. At war with Britain, Russia, and Austria, he unleashed his magnificent Grande Armee. The first resounding victory at Austerlitz was followed by a whirlwind of campaigns, and by 1810 he had divorced Josephine in order to marry...

The last diary of Che Guevara, with entries going up until two days before his death—the final, blazing record of a true revolutionary. In 1967, Che Guevara left Cuba to lead the Bolivian Liberation Army. In the jungles of Bolivia, they attempted to initiate a revolution like that in Cuba, in which Che had played such a central role. The...

From a pioneering Black feminist and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, an urgent and exhilarating memoir-manifesto-handbook about how to rein in the excesses of cancel culture so we can truly communicate and solve problems together. In 1979, Loretta Ross was a single mother who had to drop out of Howard University. She was working at Washington, DC’s Rape Crisis Center when she...

The incredible memoir of Elaine Brown - the first female leader of the Black Panthers. "I have all the guns and all the money. I can withstand challenge from without and from within. Am I right, Comrade?" So said Elaine Brown on becoming the first female leader of the Black Panther Party in 1974. By that time, the group had...

The bestselling biography of the new British Prime Minister A Times Book of the Year; A Telegraph Book of the Year; A Daily Mail Book of the Year; A Waterstones Book of the Year ‘Required reading for anyone who has an interest in who governs Britain' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL ‘This will be the most important political book of the year’ MATTHEW...

A must-read for anyone with an interest in history, politics, or the fascinating story and enduring legacy of an extraordinary figure: Winston Churchill. Widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, Sir Winston Churchill was a central figure in shaping British and global politics throughout his momentous career and more than six decades in the...

From America's "Historian-in-Chief" (New York magazine), The Presidential Biographies boxed set—featuring the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's beloved and bestselling biographies No Ordinary Time, Team of Rivals, and The Bully Pulpit. After five decades of acclaimed studies of the presidency, Doris Kearns Goodwin stands as America's premier presidential historian. Now, for the first time, her three most esteemed books are collected in...

Becoming FDR is an illuminating account of how Franklin D. Roosevelt's struggles with polio steeled him for the great challenges of the Depression and World War II. "A valuable book for anyone who wants to know how adversity shapes character. By understanding how FDR became a deeper and more empathetic person, we can nurture those traits in ourselves and learn...

Shake Hands with the Devil is a haunting memoir by Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, offering a gripping account of his harrowing experience during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. Tasked with leading the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), Dallaire quickly discovered that his role was not merely to mediate between two factions seeking peace but to confront an unimaginable horror,...

Robert Morris by Charles Rappleye offers an engrossing and meticulously detailed exploration into the life of one of the most instrumental but often overlooked figures of the American Revolution. As a captivating narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into the tumultuous era when the fate of a burgeoning nation hung precariously in the balance, and financial acumen proved just as critical...

Power to Win by Lyndy McIntyre explores the compelling story of the Living Wage Movement in Aotearoa New Zealand—a movement built on the fundamental principle that every New Zealander deserves to earn enough to meet their needs, enjoy life, and fully participate in society. At the heart of this groundbreaking narrative is the relentless drive to address and rectify the...

In just six years, ACT UP, New York, a broad and unlikely coalition of activists from all races, genders, sexualities, and backgrounds, changed the world. Armed with rancour, desperation, intelligence, and creativity, it took on the AIDS crisis with an indefatigable, ingenious, and multifaceted attack on the corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals who stood in the way of AIDS treatment...

To most Americans, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. represent contrasting ideals: self-defence versus nonviolence, Black Power versus civil rights, the sword versus the shield. The Sword and the Shield by Peniel E. Joseph delves deep into the complex relationship between these two towering figures and the movements they represented. This is not merely a recounting of their biographies...

"A heart-piercingly brilliant book about a woman whose personal life put her in the cross-hairs of history" HADLEY FREEMAN "Totally riveting. I couldn't put it down" VICTORIA HISLOP "Ethel sings out for all women who have been misunderstood and wronged, and refuse to bow down" NICHOLAS SHAKESPEARE "A shocking tale of betrayal, naivety, misogyny and judicial failure" SONIA PURNELL "A...

Big Caesars and Little Caesars by Ferdinand Mount is an enlightening and provocative examination of the allure and peril of authoritarian leadership throughout history. From the grand ambitions of Julius Caesar to the modern idiosyncrasies of political figures like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, this book delves deeply into the mechanisms and motivations that drive strongmen to seize control and...

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and a Sunday Independent Book of the Year A deeply researched, superbly crafted biography of America’s most complex president. In Richard Nixon, acclaimed biographer John A. Farrell delves into the life of one of America's most enigmatic political figures. From his modest beginnings in Yorba Linda, California, to his rise through the ranks of American...

The Achilles Trap masterfully untangles the people, ploys of power, and geopolitics that led to America's disastrous war with Iraq and, for the first time, details America's fundamental miscalculations during its ruinous, decades-long relationship with Saddam Hussein. Beginning with Saddam's rise to power in 1979 and the birth of Iraq's secret nuclear weapons programme, Steve Coll traces Saddam's motives by...

Spider Woman describes Lady Hale's unlikely journey from a little village in North Yorkshire to becoming the most senior judge in the United Kingdom; it is the story of a pioneer, a reformer, and a living legend. Lady Hale is an inspirational figure admired for her historic achievements and for the causes she has championed. Spider Woman is her story....

“Richard Norton Smith has brought a lifetime of wisdom, insight, and storytelling verve to the life of a consequential president—Gerald R. Ford. Ford’s is a very American life, and Smith has charted its vicissitudes and import with great grace and illuminating perspective. A marvelous achievement!” -- Jon Meacham From the preeminent presidential scholar and acclaimed biographer of historical figures, including...

The Passage of Power, the fourth instalment in Robert A. Caro's critically acclaimed and bestselling biography series on Lyndon B. Johnson, covers the transformative period between 1958 and 1964. This volume delves into one of the most turbulent and pivotal eras in American political history, shedding light on the triumphs and tribulations that defined Johnson's career and reshaped the nation....

American Ulysses by Ronald C. White offers a profound examination of Ulysses S. Grant, a man whose legacy as a Civil War general and American president has often been misunderstood and undervalued. White meticulously unravels Grant's intricate life story, starting from his early struggles, through his rise as one of America's greatest military leaders, to his presidency marked by efforts...

The real political mission of Malcolm X, and why it needs resurrecting now — 100 years after his birth. Malcolm X is a titanic figure in political history, but he is also one of the most misunderstood. So much of what we know about his life and politics is from books, films and documentaries that are all guilty of peddling...

A landmark survey of how textiles have been used for political protest in the 20th and 21st centuries, including banners, flags, clothing and pieces from the world of fine art. Textile Protest showcases the richness and diversity of textiles that have been used to express resistance in its many forms. Protest textiles can be confrontational and explicit, satirical and subversive...