America's Blair House welcomes the most powerful diplomatic and political officials in the world through its doors to enjoy its comforts and historical surroundings during their stay in Washington, D.C. Built in 1824 and purchased by the Blair family in 1836, it long served as a home-away-from-home for American presidents, such as Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. In 1942, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States government purchased the house and its historic contents for use as a guest house for official visitors to the White House. Since then the federal government and private contributors have made this a retreat of special charm and beauty, “very American,” as its visitors often say. This book takes you through the long history of the house, now a complex of buildings, and inside its rooms today, with their elegant mingling of antiques and present-day furnishings. Illustrated throughout with newly commissioned photography of objects and interiors by Bruce M. White and Durston Saylor. Published by the White House Historical Association.
This is the story of a renegade medical doctor who fought the old school medical establishment, lawmakers, and bureaucrats who absolutely did not want the paramedic and emergency medical services programs to exist. Prior to December 1, 1972 there was no such thing as emergency medical technician, paramedic, or a fire department that operated ambulances that actually treated and transported sick or injured people. Prior to that cold December day in 1972 in ten northwest suburban cities of metropolitan Chicago these services were nonexistent. The heroic efforts of Dr. Stanley M. Zydlo Jr. M.D., and a rag tag band of renegade firemen and fire chiefs changed all that and American medicine would never be the same again. In spite of overwhelming odds and the power of an entire national medical community, the modern paramedic is responsible for saving the lives of tens of millions of people in the last 44 years. Dr. Zydlo's genius and incredible ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles places him at the top of American achievement in the last century. The modern paramedic is perhaps the most valuable public asset ever created.
Imagine you are a Regimental Personnel Officer for the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II. You are charged with the delivery of hundreds of replacements to the front lines. On occasion, you are required to drive blackout over miles of heavily mined, shell-torn roads that are subject to sniper fire. On top of these challenging and dangerous responsibilities, you and your men are required to transport, pack, assemble, and dismantle almost two tons of office equipment for a personnel office in a field setting—during a war. At the same time, you must keep your office running efficiently. Such was the experience of Captain E. J. McCully, as described in Journals of War.
The Billy Gogan story is a fictional memoir told by an old Army general of his adventures as a young man. Billy Gogan, American, opens with recently orphaned Billy Gogan fleeing Ireland on the eve of the Great Hunger — either because he is the son of a dangerous revolutionary, or because his cousin doesn't trust him around his daughter. Billy befriends a destitute Irish peasant named Máire and her young daughter Fíona, and together they endure a harsh passage to New York, America's greatest city. They get separated as they debark, and Billy searches tirelessly for them in the dangerous Five Points, ground zero in the collision of Americans, ex-slaves, and Irish refugees.
Here, Billy completes his education. Already able to declaim Cicero and construe Aristotle, he learns voting fraud from Bill Tweed, the future head of Tammany Hall, and the numbers game from Charlie Backwell, Tammany's top bookie. Finally, Brannagh O’Marran, the beautiful mulatta daughter of the Irish madam of Gotham’s finest brothel, teaches him about love.
Billy eventually finds Máire and Fíona, and the three of them plan their future together. But that future is taken in a cruel stroke, and nothing will ever be the same.
WILLIAMSBURG - The College of William and Mary has been associated with the military since its earliest years. This new book by historian and William and Mary alumnus Wilford Kale takes a look at the military from pre-French and Indian Wars military activity to the present day Reserve Officers' Training Corps on campus. For nearly three hundred and twenty five years William and Mary has fostered civil service along with high academic standards. One of the clearest indications of this commitment is the long-standing military tradition. Through countless military activities, including a World War II Chaplains' School to modern-day military volunteers, college students and faculty have prepared to defend their country and beliefs. Well known for its alumni who rose to political and judicial prominence, the college can also take pride in the number of graduates who have become high-ranking and influential military officers. These included generals, admirals and a secretary of defense-all dedicated to the service of their country. In this illustrated volume, Wilford Kale melds the strands of administrative challenges, military strategy, and educational theory into a cohesive account that keeps individuals at the forefront. Throughout the book, insightful vignettes explore the stories of men and women who bravely served. Kale deftly traces the development of the citizen-soldier-from military to active duty to reservist-and analyzes the college's response to war-related challenges it has faced over the centuries. Although most colleges and universities experienced declining enrollment during the conflicts of the twentieth century, no other suffered similar 18th- and 19th-century destruction. No other school was successively occupied by both armies during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Ultimately, From Soldier to Warrior is a uniquely American story of the blending of education and public service.
In this magnificent new book, Stephen G. Yanoff offers a fresh and compelling portrait of William Henry Seward, one of the most important Americans of the nineteenth century. Seward, best known for the purchase of Alaska, also served as governor of New York, United States senator, and Lincoln's secretary of state during the Civil War.
Exhaustively researched, drawing on hundreds of sources, TURBULENT TIMES sheds new light on this complex historical figure and the crucial role he played in shaping the fate of our nation. Most enlightening, the William Henry Seward who comes into focus in this superb narrative is a person of great intellect and curiosity, comfortable with ambiguity in his personal and private life.
Amidst the unspeakable horrors of Hitler’s Concentration Camps, a young German girl finds beauty and love for a man that will span a lifetime.
This story is the true account of Inge Katz; the striking daughter of a successful businessman who meets and falls in love with a handsome fellow inmate. But when he gets shipped “Out East” to a Death Camp, she goes years not knowing if he is alive or dead. Her love for this man endures against all odds – from Nazi rifles, to starvation, to disease, to assaults of allied fire.
But as time passes without word or confirmation of his survival, should she remain loyal, or, as everyone suggests, move on with another?
James Ernest Brown has been a general contractor for more than fifty years. He is a practical thinker and at each step along the way of the journey of research that led to Electric Ancient Egyptians he has insisted that the evidence he uncovered had to make logical sense. His interest in Egypt began in 1978, and he has traveled there photographing and documenting physical evidence to support his ground-breaking hypotheses. He has studied the 15,000 photographs that he has taken on his trips to Egypt, gaining many insights and revelations over time.
Electric Ancient Egyptians has more than 460 images, mostly in color, that illustrate his points. Often, he refers to these pictures as "smoking guns." Brown offers interpretations for objects that he believes have been incorrectly identified. The reader will come away from this book with a new understanding of the knowledge and uses of electricity possessed by the ancient Egyptians, including their knowledge of electricity for energetic healing. it is the author's hope that the rediscovery of this ancient information will help modern people regain a knowledge of free and non-polluting energy.
If the veterans of The Second Korean War (1966-69) hadn't pushed back and stopped all the assaults, North Korea would have attacked in mass. They would have done it with the Soviet Union’s and China's blessing and support. The communist thought the United States was overcommitted to Vietnam (which we were). These veterans kept the border secured and hid the truth of our shortages from them.
Here's what people don't realize- If the communist would have found our border defenses weak, there would likely be no South Korea. Success on the Korean peninsula would have emboldened the Soviets and their desire to spread communism. Europe would have been next.
We would be looking at a completely different world if not for the brave veterans of The Second Korean War. Book 5, The Second Korean War- The DMZ Conflict provides a very good snapshot of what those veterans went through.
Are you searching for comfort and wondering, “Where is God?” amidst terror and turmoil?
The day that changed the world—September 11, 2001—propelled America into the long war, the Global War on Terror. Like many Americans who serve our country, Chaplain Bob Ossler donned his firefighter turn-out gear, boarded a plane, and made his way to Manhattan to help in any way possible. He was escorted onto the smoldering, quaking heap, dubbed “The Pile.” Entering into the Gates of Hell—the crematorium and morgue for nearly 3000 beloved souls—an electrifying chill of horror shot through him.
The original Republican Party, often referred to as the “Party of Lincoln,” is most often associated with bringing an end to slavery. This book examines the true motives of Abraham Lincoln and other Republican leaders. Although the primary focus is on the period between July of 1863 and November of 1864, when Lincoln had been abandoned by Republicans, it also details their plan to establish a “White Christian Dynasty” in the Western Territories of the United States. In addition, it explains how after a decade of defending slavery in the South, the Party adopted a new platform which proclaimed that they were motivated by God’s anger to perpetuate a war against evil. While pointing out the numerous failures by the nation’s founders to address the issue of slavery, this book dispels several myths which have become popular in today’s society. It also shows how the Republican’s complete control of the Federal government for more than a quarter century has impacted the country. Most importantly, it shows how the continued struggle over the power of government has defined American politics; liberal ideologies which contend that the government can solve all the problems of the people and conservative ideologies which contend that the people can solve all the problems of the government. This incredible story is both revealing and shocking. It highlights issues in America’s past that few historians have ever focused on.
Have you wondered what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD symptoms really are and how you or a loved one can help get treatment? There are over 20 suicides per day in the United States due to military-related PTSD, and it does not need to be this way, in this book, you'll learn why... Retired Major Marc Raciti and International Book Award finalist writes his story through P.T.S.D. as a veteran of the U.S. Army. This story is about his journey, from the very first time he realized there was a problem, to the moment he found the courage to get well. It was not an easy thing to accomplish, but somehow he managed to cross this abyss that defined his struggle and journey. His hope is that he will be able to inspire others to want to get well, and to help those who continue to suffer and may never completely heal. The concept is simple: It’s about paying it forward - to help veterans and others with PTSD make it across the abyss. Once on the healing side, his wish is that they, in turn, will start helping others who are lost, and thus establish a culture of understanding and compassion for our PTSD population. If you feel like you may have symptoms of PTSD or know a loved one who does, click order now and read this book to learn how to begin the healing process.
You are about to eavesdrop on conversations between two brothers, ages 19 and 30, during World War II. Prepare to journey within their family life and experience their frustration, happiness, and sadness. These two brothers have a story to tell. "LETTERS lost then found" was designed to engage you in a number of different ways. The letters themselves can be read sequentially from cover to cover, but there are also brief excerpts next to each letter that form a sort of poetic series when read one after the other. Freddie had served in the China Burma India Theatre, often referred to as the war's forgotten theatre, and the 'Day in History' section on each page gives you a glimpse of what was happening in World War II at the time each letter was written. Then a ticker tape, reminiscent of the Western Union Telegram, runs across the bottom of the pages, explaining why the China Burma India Theatre was such an important part of the larger conflict.
A Miracle at Attu: The Rescue of CG-1600 is an historic nonfiction account documenting the phenomenal rescue of nine survivors from a U. S. Coast Guard HC-130H that crashed on a logistics mission to the remote Coast Guard Long Range Navigation Station on Attu Island Alaska. Be prepared as you are transported back in time to a cold isolated mountain on Attu for a truly remarkable rescue. It is an inspiring and emotional story of human error, courage, bravery, and survival. It takes a special mindset to go into harm's way and fly into the storm so others may live. You will come to know and see the many perspectives of the rescue through the eyes of the survivors, and the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, LORAN Station Attu, Rescue-1602, and Rescue-1425.
The author guides the reader to feel the tension, risk, and danger to locate and rescue the downed crew. Alaska and particularly the remote Western Aleutian Islands pose a unique and unforgiving operating environment. Weather is constantly poor with high winds, poor visibility, low clouds, precipitation, and high sea states. High speed vessel transits are extremely risky as there are no navigational aids and near shore nautical charting is unreliable. Helicopter operations are always risky due to low ceilings, limited visibility, high gusty winds, and steep mountains right down to the water's edge. You will feel as if you are right in the cockpit, on the side of the mountain, on the Mellon flight deck and bridge as the rescue team works against all odds to save their fellow aviators and shipmates.
Flying SO High epitomizes Amelia Earhart's cutting-edge courage as she bursts into the 20th century with style, humility and accomplishment.
Circling the Earth from a higher window, uniting colleagues intensify the momentum. Earhart, Lindbergh, Admirals Byrd and Peary, Presidents Teddy and Franklin Delano Roosevelt open brand-new realms--from the top of the world to the deepest oceans. Reaching the farthest destinations, Alexander Graham Bell unites us once again through the invention of the telephone.
The explosion of technology catapults humanity toward the space age. Most importantly, we are invited!
Raising the bar, they pave the way for us to believe in ourselves, grow and develop individually and collectively, while understanding the sky is no limit. These incredibly talented individuals whisper, "When I Fly SO High, please follow me!" Imagine yourself in the pilot's seat!
Billy McDonald of Birmingham, Alabama, had an adventurous and dangerous career as a pilot in the Golden Age of Flight, and into World War II.
He jumped from military cadet to wingman in Chennault’s famed aerobatic flying group Three Men on a Flying Trapeze. In China, he moved from instructor for the Chinese Air Force to combat pilot flying Chennault’s legendary Hawk 75 Special against the Japanese over Nanking in 1937.
He began by ferrying world-famous passengers like Hemingway and high-value cargo like gold for the China National Aviation Corporation and then flew gasoline and gunpowder over The Hump (Himalayas) for Chennault’s Flying Tigers and the Chinese Army. Through it all, controversial and legendary aviator Claire Lee Chennault remained his mentor, often his boss and always his friend, indelibly shaping his life. This is the story of a remarkable career, and a man who bore witness to some of the twentieth century’s historic events and pivotal characters. Mac tells us the tale in his own words through newly-discovered photos, correspondence and manuscripts.
Through the stories of their ancestors Bush and Kemp take us on a compelling journey through African American history into the hearts of individual lives. In tracing their ancestral roots, these family historians discover their connections to some of the South’s most powerful men, both famous and forgotten. The community at the heart of this historical study is Edgefield, South Carolina, yet the stories in this book form a microcosm of events experienced by black communities throughout the South. An enslaved maternal line is traced to 1799; hopes are raised, then dashed, when a family of freedmen acquire land after the Civil War, only to later lose it; the “Dark Corner” of Edgefield is exposed. Shining a bright, sometimes uncomfortable light, deep truths are unearthed through DNA results and new family is found. Follow the authors through years of meticulous genealogical research, historical settings, and DNA testing as they reclaim their family stories and inspire others to embark on their own journeys of discovery. By leaving no stone unturned, these family historians show how they overcame the brick walls of slavery.
While the official government story has always been that no Allied POWs were held in German concentration camps, 168 Allied airmen were beaten, experimented on, and otherwise mistreated in Buchenwald, where the famous rocket scientist Wernher von Braun obtained slave labor for his V-2 factory, the Mittelwerk.
After the war, the US Army brought von Braun and his associates to America, as part of the ultra-secret Project Paperclip. The US government concealed von Braun’s wartime activities, and promoted an alternate history that sheltered him from prosecution for war crimes. This involved suppressing information about Buchenwald, Dora-Mittelbau, and the Mittelwerk. In the process, the records of the Buchenwald airmen were classified, and they would be inaccessible for decades. While the government was endorsing a fabricated history for von Braun, it treated the accounts of the Buchenwald airmen as delusions or attempts to obtain undeserved benefits from the VA.
The author didn’t intend to write a book about a massive government cover-up. He simply wanted to honor his father, Frederic C. Martini, an American airman who was shot down over occupied France in World War II and then imprisoned in Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Over seven years of research, an even darker picture emerged: that an unconstrained military intelligence operation disrupted the lives of American ex-POWs.
