Biographies & Memoirs

Explore the stories of remarkable lives in our Biographies & Memoirs section at Thryft. Discover firsthand accounts of influential figures and captivating memoirs that'll inspire and educate. Our collection is carefully curated to ensure you find the perfect narrative to delve into.

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Jane Ridley

The Heir Apparent : A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Prince

from RM13.43 MYR

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King Edward the VII, affectionately called Bertie, was fifty-nine when he took the throne in 1901, upon the death of his mother Queen Victoria. To everyone's great surprise, this playboy prince sobered up and became an extremely effective leader and the founder of England's modern monarchy. For readers of Sally Bedell Smith's Elizabeth the Queen and Robert K. Massie's Catherine the Great."This is not only the best biography of King Edward VII; it's also one of the best books about royalty ever published." So began the London Independent's review of this wonderfully entertaining biography of Britain's playboy king-a Prince Charles of the Victorian age, only a lot more fun-who waited for nearly six decades to get his chance to rule. A notorious gambler, glutton and womanizer (he was dubbed "Edward the Caresser"), the world was his oyster as this aging Prince of Wales took advantage of his royal entitlements to travel, hunt, socialize, over-indulge-he smoked a dozen cigars a day-and bed a string of mistresses and married women in addition to his own wife. His mother Queen Victoria despaired: "Bertie, I grieve to say, shows more and more how totally, totally unfit he is for ever becoming king." And yet by the time he died in 1910, after only nine years on the throne, he had proven to be a hard working, effective king and an ace diplomat, at home and abroad.A bestseller in the UK, this "exhaustively researched, richly colorful and wittily observed biography" (the London Sunday Times) is a tremendously entertaining read for history buffs and royal watchers.

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Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich

The Play of the Diary Of Anne Frank

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"The Play of the Diary of Anne Frank" is a must-read for those who want to delve deeper into Anne Frank's life. The play is an active introduction to the original diary and is faithful in its dramatization of the events that occurred during that time. It provides a powerful portrayal of the struggles and hardships that Anne Frank faced during World War II. This play is perfect for those who enjoy historical or biographical dramas and those who want to learn more about Anne Frank and her story.

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Sarah Churchwell

Careless People : Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby

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A fascinating look at the autumn of 1922, when F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda returned to New York and the seeds for The Great Gatsby were sownSince its publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby has become one of the world's best-loved books, delighting readers across the world. Careless People tells the true story behind F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, exploring in newly rich detail the relation of Fitzgerald's classic to the chaotic world he in which he lived. Fitzgerald set his novel in 1922, and Careless People carefully reconstructs the crucial months during which Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald returned to New York in the autumn of 1922 - the parties, the drunken weekends at Great Neck, Long Island, the drives back into the city to the jazz clubs and speakeasies, the casual intersection of high society and organized crime, and the growth of celebrity culture of which the Fitzgeralds themselves were the epitome. And for the first time it returns to the story of Gatsby the high-profile murder that provided a crucial inspiration for Fitzgerald's tale.With wit and insight, Sarah Churchwell traces the genesis of a masterpiece, discovering where fiction comes from, and how it takes shape in the mind of a genius. Blending biography and history with lost and forgotten newspaper accounts, letters, and newly discovered archival material, Careless People is the biography of a book, telling the extraordinary tale of how F. Scott Fitzgerald created a classic and in the process discovered modern America.

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Simon Sebag Montefiore

Jerusalem : The Biography

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Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet verdens bedste bog om den mest omstridte, elskede, ombejlede, kontroversielle by - og har gjort det med så stor indlevelse, grundighed og overbevisning, at det er en af de mest roste biografier over en hel by nogensinde. Det gør bogen til et must for alle, der bare er det mindste interesseret i, hvor vores holdninger, overbevisninger, tro (eller mangel på samme) kommer fra, og hvorfor der er så store spændinger mellem kristne, jøder og muslimer i verden i dag."Simon Sebag Montefiore har skrevet en stakåndet og vidunderlig bog om verdens mest omstridte by." *****- Berlingske Tidende"En bog man bliver klogere af." *****- Jyllands-Posten "Et brag af en bog om de seneste tre tusind år i den hellige by." *****- Politiken"En levende og velresearchet bog fra bibelske David og frem til i dag." *****- Ekstra Bladet "Vellykket kæmpeværk med bud til alle, der har interesse i kulturhistorie."- Kristeligt DagbladSimon Sebag Montefiore er historiker og uddannet ved Cambridge University. Han har tidligere skrevet to internainale anerkendte og kæmpe biografier om Potemkin og Stalin.

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Jonathan Allen, Amie Parnes

HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton

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This book offers an in-depth look into the career of acclaimed politician Hillary Clinton, detailing the ups and downs of her political career. Readers will appreciate the behind-the-scenes accounts of the strategies, machinations and decision-making that contributed to one of the greatest political comebacks in history. Recommended for fans of political memoirs and those interested in first-hand insights leading up to a historical moment.

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Isabel Sun Chao, Claire Chao

Remembering Shanghai : A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels

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Winner of over 20 awards including Rubery Award BOOK OF THE YEAR and Writer’s Digest GRAND PRIZE ... An Extraordinary Multigenerational Saga.A high position bestowed by China's empress dowager grants power and wealth to the Sun family. For Isabel, growing up in glamorous 1930s and '40s Shanghai, it is a life of utmost privilege. But while her scholar father and fashionable mother shelter her from civil war and Japanese occupation, they cannot shield the family forever.When Mao comes to power, eighteen-year-old Isabel journeys to Hong Kong, not realizing that she will make it her home--and that she will never see her father again. Meanwhile, the family she has left behind struggles to survive, only to have their world shattered by the Cultural Revolution. Isabel returns to Shanghai fifty years later with her daughter, Claire, to confront their family's past--one they discover is filled with love and betrayal, kidnappers and concubines, glittering pleasure palaces and underworld crime bosses.Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, Remembering Shanghai follows five generations from a hardscrabble village to vibrant Shanghai to the bright lights of Hong Kong. By turns harrowing and heartwarming, this vivid memoir explores identity, loss and the unpredictable nature of life against the epic backdrop of a nation and a people in turmoil.

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Sebastian Junger

The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Man Against the Sea

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"Takes readers into the maelstrom and shows nature's splendid and dangerous havoc at its utmost".October 1991. It was "the perfect storm"--a tempest that may happen only once in a century--a nor'easter created by so rare a combination of factors that it could not possibly have been worse. Creating waves ten stories high and winds of 120 miles an hour, the storm whipped the sea to inconceivable levels few people on Earth have ever witnessed. Few, except the six-man crew of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing boat tragically headed towards its hellish center.

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John Berendt

The City of Falling Angels

from RM22.27 MYR

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The City of Falling Angels is a great read for anyone interested in Venice's rich history and complex society. John Berendt beautifully captures the city's architecture and art while investigating a dramatic fire at the Fenice opera house. With a cast of intriguing characters, including a Venetian painter and the master glassblower, readers are drawn into the fascinating and mysterious world of Venice.

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Ben Macintyre

Agent Zigzag - The True Wartime Story Of Eddie Chapman: The Most Notorious Double Agent Of World War II (Reissued)

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Agent Zigzag is an incredible true story of Eddie Chapman, the infamous double-agent, and his numerous adventures during World War II. With twists and turns at every corner, readers will be hooked by his daring missions and unexpected loyalty. Chapman's captivating story of espionage and treachery will appeal to anyone interested in history or thrilling tales of adventure.

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Ben Macintyre

The Spy and the Traitor : The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

from RM28.58 MYR

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A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians - now with a new afterwordOn a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.The man was a spy. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB. The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of spying. Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever...

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Ruud van der Rol

Anne Frank

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Anne Frank is a timeless classic that provides a personal and insightful look into the atrocities of the Holocaust. The book's unique feature is its perspective, told from the eyes of a young girl who faces unimaginable circumstances. Recommended for readers interested in historical events, or fans of memoirs and biographies.

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Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes

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Angela's Ashes is a beautifully written memoir that gives readers an inside glimpse into the harsh realities of poverty, alcoholism, and discrimination. The author's ability to inject humor and compassion into his story makes it a truly unique and memorable reading experience. This book is perfect for those who enjoy memoirs that are both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Readers will come away feeling inspired by the author's courage, resilience, and perseverance.

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Dava Sobel

Longitude

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Longitude could be a great read for those interested in history of science and navigation. The book explores the challenges of calculating longitude and how clockmaking was used to solve this problem. It provides a fascinating insight into the way scientific knowledge was advanced over centuries.

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Thomas Keneally

Schindler's Ark

from RM24.33 MYR

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Schindler's Ark could be a good read for history buffs interested in World War II and the Holocaust. The book captures the essence of how Oskar Schindler risked his life to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland, and how he transformed from a flamboyant industrialist into a compassionate angel of mercy. The book provides an insider's view of the life of Jews during the Holocaust, and how one man's determination and courage made a difference in the lives of many.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin

Team of Rivals : The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

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This book is a captivating exploration of the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, showcasing his ability to bring together a team of rivals and unite the country during one of its most tumultuous times. Through Doris Kearns Goodwin's expert storytelling, you will not only gain insight into the brilliant mind of Lincoln but also be inspired by his leadership qualities. A must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, and the power of effective leadership.

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Lady Hyegyeong, JaHyun Kim Haboush

The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong : The Autobiographical Writings of a Crown Princess of Eighteenth-Century Korea

from RM69.03 MYR

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The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong offers a fascinating glimpse into Korean court life of the eighteenth-century. The book's unique feature is its depiction of a deeply intelligent and articulate woman amidst conflicting passions, political intrigue, and daily concerns. Readers interested in historical and cultural perspectives will find this autobiography a worthy read.

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Laurence Bergreen

Over the Edge of the World : Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

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Recommended for history buffs and adventure-seekers, this book provides an in-depth account of Magellan's iconic journey, including his ambitions, conflicts, and discovery of the Spice Islands. The author's use of first-person accounts and vivid descriptions gives readers a personal insight into the dangers faced by Magellan and his crew.

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Julia Cooke

Come Fly the World : The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am

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Come Fly The World is a captivating and inspiring read for those who are interested in the untold stories of female pioneers who overcame the societal norms of their time to break into a male-dominated industry. The author, Julia Cooke, takes readers on a journey through the lives of memorable characters, such as Lynne Totten, a small-town girl who became a stewardess to escape the confines of the lab, and Hazel Bowie, one of the few black stewardesses of the era. The book sheds light on the real-life experiences of stewardesses and their role in the Vietnam War – from transporting soldiers to R&R destinations to aiding in the dramatic evacuation of children during the fall of Saigon. It is a reminder of the bravery and determination of women in a time when societal expectations were very different.

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David E. Hoffman

The Billion Dollar Spy : A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year • Drawing on previously classified CIA documents and on interviews with firsthand participants,  The Billion Dollar Spy  is a brilliant feat of reporting and a riveting true story of intrigue in the final years of the Cold War. It was the height of the Cold War, and a dangerous time to be stationed in the Soviet Union. One evening, while the chief of the CIA’s Moscow station was filling his gas tank, a stranger approached and dropped a note into the car. The chief, suspicious of a KGB trap, ignored the overture. But the man had made up his mind. His attempts to establish contact with the CIA would be rebuffed four times before he thrust upon them an envelope whose contents would stun U.S. intelligence. In the years that followed, that man, Adolf Tolkachev, became one of the most valuable spies ever for the U.S. But these activities posed an enormous personal threat to Tolkachev and his American handlers. They had clandestine meetings in parks and on street corners, and used spy cameras, props, and private codes, eluding the ever-present KGB in its own backyard—until a shocking betrayal put them all at risk.

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Sonia Purnell

A Woman Of No Importance - The Untold Story Of WWII's Most Dangerous Spy, Virginia Hall

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The never-before-told story of one woman's heroism that changed the course of the Second World War In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: "She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her."This spy was Virginia Hall, a young American woman--rejected from the foreign service because of her gender and her prosthetic leg--who talked her way into the spy organization deemed Churchill's "ministry of ungentlemanly warfare," and, before the United States had even entered the war, became the first woman to deploy to occupied France.Virginia Hall was one of the greatest spies in American history, yet her story remains untold. Just as she did in Clementine, Sonia Purnell uncovers the captivating story of a powerful, influential, yet shockingly overlooked heroine of the Second World War. At a time when sending female secret agents into enemy territory was still strictly forbidden, Virginia Hall came to be known as the "Madonna of the Resistance," coordinating a network of spies to blow up bridges, report on German troop movements, arrange equipment drops for Resistance agents, and recruit and train guerilla fighters. Even as her face covered WANTED posters throughout Europe, Virginia refused order after order to evacuate. She finally escaped with her life in a grueling hike over the Pyrenees into Spain, her cover blown, and her associates all imprisoned or executed. But, adamant that she had "more lives to save," she dove back in as soon as she could, organizing forces to sabotage enemy lines and back up Allied forces landing on Normandy beaches. Told with Purnell's signature insight and novelistic flare, A Woman of No Importance is the breathtaking story of how one woman's fierce persistence helped win the war.

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Solomon Northup

Twelve Years a Slave

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Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in New York state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in Louisiana before the American Civil War. He provided details of slave markets in Washington, DC, as well as describing at length cotton cultivation on major plantations in Louisiana.

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Jim Lovell, Jeffrey Kluger

Apollo 13

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This book is an incredible testament to human courage and grit during a crisis. You will be swept up in the suspenseful and harrowing story of the astronauts' bravery in the face of danger. Lovell's personal insights make this a must-read for fans of space exploration and true life stories.

from RM23.23 MYR

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David McCullough

Truman

from RM51.81 MYR

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An alternate cover edition of this ISBN can be found here.The Pulitzer Prize–winning biography of Harry S. Truman, whose presidency included momentous events from the atomic bombing of Japan to the outbreak of the Cold War and the Korean War, told by America’s beloved and distinguished historian.The life of Harry S. Truman is one of the greatest of American stories, filled with vivid characters—Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Wallace Truman, George Marshall, Joe McCarthy, and Dean Acheson—and dramatic events. In this riveting biography, acclaimed historian David McCullough not only captures the man—a more complex, informed, and determined man than ever before imagined—but also the turbulent times in which he rose, boldly, to meet unprecedented challenges. The last president to serve as a living link between the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, Truman’s story spans the raw world of the Missouri frontier, World War I, the powerful Pendergast machine of Kansas City, the legendary Whistle-Stop Campaign of 1948, and the decisions to drop the atomic bomb, confront Stalin at Potsdam, send troops to Korea, and fire General MacArthur. Drawing on newly discovered archival material and extensive interviews with Truman’s own family, friends, and Washington colleagues, McCullough tells the deeply moving story of the seemingly ordinary “man from Missouri” who was perhaps the most courageous president in our history.

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Ben Macintyre

Operation Mincemeat - The True Spy Story That Changed The Course Of World War II

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This book is a gripping account of a real-life espionage operation during World War II. It unveils the incredible true story of Operation Mincemeat, a daring and game-changing deception that played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the war. Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary ingenuity and audacity of the individuals involved in this high-stakes mission. A must-read for history enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.

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Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger, George Takei

They Called Us Enemy

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The New York Times bestselling graphic memoir from actor/author/activist George Takei returns in a deluxe hardcover edition with bonus material! Experience the forces that shaped an American icon -- and America itself -- in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love.Now with sixteen pages of bonus content from George Takei and his co-creators: a new afterword plus a behind-the-scenes tour of the process of researching, writing, drawing, and promoting They Called Us Enemy, featuring historical documents, scripts, sketches, photos, and more!George Takei has captured hearts and minds worldwide with his magnetic performances, sharp wit, and outspoken commitment to equal rights. But long before he braved new frontiers in Star Trek, he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's -- and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future.In 1942, at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten "relocation centers," hundreds or thousands of miles from home, where they would be held for years under armed guard.They Called Us Enemy is Takei's firsthand account of those years behind barbed wire, the terrors and small joys of childhood in the shadow of legalized racism, his mother's hard choices, his father's tested faith in democracy, and the way those experiences planted the seeds for his astonishing future.What does it mean to be American? Who gets to decide? When the world is against you, what can one person do? To answer these questions, George Takei joins cowriters Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker for the journey of a lifetime.

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Corrie Ten; Sherrill Boom

The Hiding Place

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"The Hiding Place" is a powerful testament to the strength of faith and the courage to stand up for what is right. This book is perfect for those who enjoy true stories of heroism amidst the darkest of times. Corrie Ten Boom's unwavering faith and dedication to helping those in need is truly inspiring, and her story is one that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

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Bret Witter, Robert M. Edsel

The Monuments Men : Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History

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The Monuments Men is a must-read for history buffs, art lovers, and anyone interested in World War II. The book provides a fascinating account of a group of Allied soldiers who risked their lives to save some of the world's greatest artworks from the Nazis. The most unique and distinctive feature of the book is the focus on the Monuments Men and their dangerous and daring mission, making this an exciting and compelling read. You'll be impressed by the bravery and determination of these artistic war heroes, who refused to let the Nazis destroy thousands of years of culture.

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Paul Brickhill

The Great Escape

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Recommended for history buffs interested in WWII. The book gives a detailed account of the ingenious planning and execution of the escape plan. It also sheds light on the experiences of PoWs during the war. The most unique feature of the book is the intricate details of the various skills utilized by the prisoners for the successful execution of their escape.

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Vincent Bugliosi

Parkland

from RM37.32 MYR

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Parkland would be a good read for those interested in the historical event of JFK's assassination. It presents well-documented and compelling evidence that Oswald acted alone, countering various conspiracy theories. Additionally, for those who enjoy watching movies based on books, the movie adaptation of Four Days in November has been titled Parkland.

from RM37.32 MYR

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James Berger, Helen Keller

The Story of My Life : The Restored Edition

from RM31.04 MYR

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The Story of My Life by Helen Keller is an inspirational memoir that tells the story of a woman who overcame the challenges of being both deaf and blind. It provides an honest and straightforward insight into her extraordinary mind and her unquenchable hope. Readers who are searching for an uplifting and motivational read will find this book to be a perfect fit. The restored edition also includes letters Keller wrote during her childhood and adolescence, which chronicle her intellectual and sensory progression, providing readers with a deeper understanding of her life and experiences.

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Alison Weir

Henry VIII - The King And His Court

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This book is an insightful look into the reign of one of England's most famous monarchs. Weir's detailed examination of Henry VIII's impact on the court, law, and culture provides readers with a profound understanding of the Tudor era. Readers who are interested in Tudor history, court politics, and royal drama will thoroughly enjoy this book.

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Jung Chang, Jon Halliday

Mao: The Unknown Story

from RM32.04 MYR

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Jung Chang's "Wild Swans" was an extraordinary bestseller throughout the world, selling more than 10 million copies and reaching a wider readership than any other book about China. Now she and her husband Jon Halliday have written a groundbreaking biography of Mao Tse-tung. Based on a decade of research, and on interviews with many of Mao's close circle in China who have never talked before - and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him - this is the most authoritative life of Mao ever written. It is full of startling revelations, exploding the myth of the Long March, and showing a completely unknown he was not driven by idealism or ideology; his intimate and intricate relationship with Stalin went back to the 1920s, ultimately bringing him to power; he welcomed Japanese occupation of much of China; and he schemed, poisoned and blackmailed to get his way. After Mao conquered China in 1949, his secret goal was to dominate the world. In chasing this dream he caused the deaths of 38 million people in the greatest famine in history. Combining meticulous history with the story-telling style of "Wild Swans", this biography makes immediate Mao's roller-coaster life, as he intrigued and fought every step of the way to force through his unpopular decisions. The reader enters the shadowy chambers of Mao's court, and eavesdrops on the drama in its hidden recesses. Mao's character and the enormity of his behaviour towards his wives, mistresses and children are unveiled for the first time. This is an entirely fresh look at Mao in both content and approach. It will astonish historians and the general reader alike.

from RM32.04 MYR

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Amity Shlaes

The Forgotten Man : A New History of the Great Depression

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The Forgotten Man would be a good read for history buffs looking for a fresh interpretation of the Great Depression. The book's unique feature is the spotlight it shines on individual citizens and their struggles during that time. This personal touch helps to bring to life an otherwise well-trodden period of history. Readers have praised the book for its in-depth research and compelling storytelling.

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Adeline Yen Mah

Chinese Cinderella : The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter

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Jung-ling's family considers her bad luck because her mother died giving birth to her. They discriminate against her and make her feel unwanted yet she yearns and continuously strives for her parents' love. Her stepmother is vindictive and cruel and her father dismissive. Jung-ling grows up to be an academic child, with a natural ability for writing. Only her aunt and grandfather offer her any love and kindness. The story is of survival in the light of the mental and physical cruelty of her stepmother and the disloyalty of her siblings. Jung-ling blossoms in spite of everything and the story ends as her father agrees to let her study in England.

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Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes : A Memoir of a Childhood

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Imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's astounding humor and compassion. This is a glorious book that bears all the marks of a classic."When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." So begins the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir of Frank McCourt, born in Depression-era Brooklyn to recent Irish immigrants and raised in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. Frank's mother, Angela, has no money to feed the children since Frank's father, Malachy, rarely works, and when he does he drinks his wages. Yet Malachy—exasperating, irresponsible and beguiling—does nurture in Frank an appetite for the one thing he can provide: a story. Frank lives for his father's tales of Cuchulain, who saved Ireland, and of the Angel on the Seventh Step, who brings his mother babies. Perhaps it is story that accounts for Frank's survival. Wearing rags for diapers, begging a pig's head for Christmas dinner and gathering coal from the roadside to light a fire, Frank endures poverty, near-starvation and the casual cruelty of relatives and neighbors—yet lives to tell his tale with eloquence, exuberance and remarkable forgiveness. Angela's Ashes, imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's astounding humor and compassion, is a glorious book that bears all the marks of a classic.

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Jung Chang

Empress Dowager Cixi : The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

from RM43.01 MYR

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A woman, an Empress of immense wealth who was largely a prisoner within the compound walls of her palaces, a mother, a ruthless enemy, and a brilliant strategist: Chang makes a compelling case that Cixi was one of the most formidable and enlightened rulers of any nation. Cixi led an intense and singular life. Chosen at the age of 12 to be a concubine by the Emperor Xianfeng, she gave birth to his only male heir who at four was designated Emperor when his father died in 1861. In a brilliant move, the young woman enlisted the help of the Emperor's widow and the two women orchestrated a coup that ousted the regents and made Cixi sole Regent. Untrained and untaught, the two studied history and politics together, ruling the huge nation from behind a curtain. When her boy died, Cixi designated a young nephew as Emperor, continuing her reign till her death in 1908. Chang gives us a complex, riveting portrait of Cixi through a reign as long as that of her fellow Empress, Victoria, whom she longed to meet: her ruthlessness in fighting off rivals; her curiosity to learn; her reliance on Westerners who she placed in key positions; and her sensitivity and desire to preserve the distinctiveness of China's past while overturning traditions (she, as Chang reveals--not Mao, as he claimed--banned footbinding) and exposing its culture to western ideas and technology.

from RM43.01 MYR

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Donnie Eichar

Dead Mountain - The Untold True Story Of The Dyatlov Pass Incident

from RM23.17 MYR

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This book is perfect for the mystery enthusiast who loves diving deep into true events. With access to personal journals, government records, and interviews, the author skillfully weaves together the hikers' story, the investigators' efforts, and his own investigations. Prepare to be captivated by the eerie details and the author's journey into the heart of the Russian winter.

from RM23.17 MYR

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Jonathan Harr

The Lost Painting : The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece

from RM31.08 MYR

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The Lost Painting tells the story of an Italian graduate student Francesca Cappelletti, who discovers a clue that leads to the search for a lost painting. This book is perfect for art enthusiasts who love a good mystery and want to learn about Caravaggio's life and paintings. Harr's narrative style creates suspense and adventure that keep readers hooked until the very end.

from RM31.08 MYR

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Bela Shayevich, Svetlana Alexievich

Secondhand Time - An Oral History Of The Fall Of The Soviet Union

from RM14.19 MYR

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The magnum opus and latest work from Svetlana Alexievich, the 2015 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature—a symphonic oral history about the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the emergence of a new RussiaWhen the Swedish Academy awarded Svetlana Alexievich the Nobel Prize, it cited her for inventing “a new kind of literary genre,” describing her work as “a history of emotions—a history of the soul.” Alexievich’s distinctive documentary style, combining extended individual monologues with a collage of voices, records the stories of ordinary women and men who are rarely given the opportunity to speak, whose experiences are often lost in the official histories of the nation.In Secondhand Time, Alexievich chronicles the demise of communism. Everyday Russian citizens recount the past thirty years, showing us what life was like during the fall of the Soviet Union and what it’s like to live in the new Russia left in its wake. Through interviews spanning 1991 to 2012, Alexievich takes us behind the propaganda and contrived media accounts, giving us a panoramic portrait of contemporary Russia and Russians who still carry memories of oppression, terror, famine, massacres—but also of pride in their country, hope for the future, and a belief that everyone was working and fighting together to bring about a utopia. Here is an account of life in the aftermath of an idea so powerful it once dominated a third of the world.A magnificent tapestry of the sorrows and triumphs of the human spirit woven by a master, Secondhand Time tells the stories that together make up the true history of a nation. “Through the voices of those who confided in her,” The Nation writes, “Alexievich tells us about human nature, about our dreams, our choices, about good and evil—in a word, about ourselves.”

from RM14.19 MYR

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Pierre Rigoulot, Kang Chol-Hwan

The Aquariums of Pyongyang

from RM27.25 MYR

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The Aquariums of Pyongyang is a must-read for those interested in learning about the atrocities that occur in North Korean concentration camps. Kang Chol-Hwan's account of his personal suffering is a moving and eye-opening insight into the horrors faced by thousands of detained individuals in North Korea's gulags. This book serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship and provides an important historical and political perspective on the country's regime.

from RM27.25 MYR

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Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

The Daughters Of Kobani - A Story Of Rebellion, Courage, And Justice

from RM23.17 MYR

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This book is a captivating and empowering account of the courageous women who defied all odds to stand up against ISIS. It not only sheds light on the terrifying reality of war but also celebrates the power of women as leaders and fighters. Through their unwavering determination and sacrifice, these women not only fought for their own liberation but also became a symbol of hope for women everywhere. Prepare to be inspired by their remarkable journey of resilience and the unwavering pursuit of justice.

from RM23.17 MYR

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Władysław Szpilman

The Pianist

from RM19.14 MYR

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Recommendation: The Pianist is a poignant reminder of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. Through Szpilman's firsthand account, readers are taken on a gripping journey of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors. The book's power lies in its simplicity and rawness, with Szpilman's understated writing style allowing the events to speak for themselves. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history or personal memoirs.

from RM19.14 MYR

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Ben Macintyre

Double Cross - The True Story Of The D-Day Spies

Regular price RM14.19 MYR from RM9.94 MYR Save up to 30%

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This book is an engaging portrayal of the secret lives of the D-Day spies, with a focus on their major contribution towards the success of D-Day. The author's vivid account of the spy's secret strategies, betrayals and close encounters with danger make it a thrilling read.

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Le Ly Hayslip, Jay Wurts

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places : A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace

from RM23.83 MYR

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“One of the most important books of Vietnamese American and Vietnam War literature...Moving, powerful.” —Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of  The SympathizerIn these pages, Le Ly Hayslip—just twelve years old when U.S. helicopters landed in her tiny village of Ky La—shows us the Vietnam War as she lived it. Initially pressed into service by the Vietcong, Le Ly was captured and imprisoned by government forces. She found sanctuary at last with an American contractor and ultimately fled to the United States. Almost twenty years after her escape, Le Ly found herself inexorably drawn back to the devastated country and loved ones she’d left behind, and returned to Vietnam in 1986. Scenes of this joyous reunion are interwoven with the brutal war years, creating an extraordinary portrait of the nation, then and now—and of one courageous woman who held fast to her faith in humanity. First published in 1989, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places was hailed as an instant classic. Now, some two decades later, this indispensable memoir continues to be one of our most important accounts of a conflict we must never forget.

from RM23.83 MYR

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Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken

Regular price RM30.81 MYR from RM21.57 MYR Save up to 30%

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Product Description The new book from the author of the bestselling and much-loved Seabiscuit. On a May afternoon in 1943, a bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, who struggled to a life raft and pulled himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War. The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been an incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channelled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and adrift into the unknown. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humour; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will. The long-awaited new book from Laura Hillenbrand, ‘Unbroken’ is a gripping account of human endurance and the resilience of one remarkable individual.

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John R. Bolton

The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir

from RM71.49 MYR

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As President Trump’s National Security Advisor, John Bolton spent many of his 453 days in the room where it happened, and the facts speak for themselves.The result is a White House memoir that is the most comprehensive and substantial account of the Trump Administration, and one of the few to date by a top-level official. With almost daily access to the President, John Bolton has produced a precise rendering of his days in and around the Oval Office. What Bolton saw astonished him: a President for whom getting re-elected was the only thing that mattered, even if it meant endangering or weakening the nation. “I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasn’t driven by re-election calculations,” he writes. In fact, he argues that the House committed impeachment malpractice by keeping their prosecution focused narrowly on Ukraine when Trump’s Ukraine-like transgressions existed across the full range of his foreign policy - and Bolton documents exactly what those were, and attempts by him and others in the Administration to raise alarms about them.He shows a President addicted to chaos, who embraced our enemies and spurned our friends, and was deeply suspicious of his own government. In Bolton’s telling, all this helped put Trump on the bizarre road to impeachment. “The differences between this presidency and previous ones I had served were stunning,” writes Bolton, who worked for Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43. He discovered a President who thought foreign policy is like closing a real estate deal - about personal relationships, made-for-TV showmanship, and advancing his own interests. As a result, the US lost an opportunity to confront its deepening threats, and in cases like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea ended up in a more vulnerable place.Bolton’s account starts with his long march to the West Wing as Trump and others woo him for the National Security job. The minute he lands, he has to deal with Syria’s chemical attack on the city of Douma, and the crises after that never stop. As he writes in the opening pages, “If you don’t like turmoil, uncertainty, and risk - all the while being constantly overwhelmed with information, decisions to be made, and sheer amount of work - and enlivened by international and domestic personality and ego conflicts beyond description, try something else.”The turmoil, conflicts, and egos are all there - from the upheaval in Venezuela, to the erratic and manipulative moves of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, to the showdowns at the G7 summits, the calculated warmongering by Iran, the crazy plan to bring the Taliban to Camp David, and the placating of an authoritarian China that ultimately exposed the world to its lethal lies. But this seasoned public servant also has a great eye for the Washington inside game, and his story is full of wit and wry humor about how he saw it played.

from RM71.49 MYR

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M.J. Carter

George, Nicholas and Wilhelm : Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I

from RM32.90 MYR

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In the years before the First World War, the great European powers were ruled by three first King George V of Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Together, they presided over the last years of dynastic Europe and the outbreak of the most destructive war the world had ever seen, a war that set twentieth-century Europe on course to be the most violent continent in the history of the world. Through brilliant and often darkly comic portraits of these men and their lives, their foibles and obsessions, Miranda Carter delivers the tragicomic story of Europe’s early twentieth-century aristocracy, a solipsistic world preposterously out of kilter with its times.

from RM32.90 MYR

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Henry Louis Gates Jr., Ira Berlin, Solomon Northup

12 Years a Slave (Movie Tie-In)

Regular price RM32.54 MYR from RM17.91 MYR Save up to 51%

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"12 Years a Slave" isn't just a recount of a free man's forced descent into the abyss of slavery; it’s a masterful and poignant narrative that offers a rare and educated perspective, bridging the gap between freed people and slaves. Imagine feeling Solomon Northup's piercing struggle against dehumanization while grasping the quintessence of courage in adversity. This book doesn’t just paint a picture of history; it immerses you in the raw truth of human strength and resilience.

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Eric Lomax

The Railway Man

from RM25.92 MYR

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The Railway Man is a powerful memoir of Eric Lomax's experience as a prisoner of war in WWII, and his journey decades later to confront one of his captors. The book is recommended for those interested in stories of resilience and forgiveness after trauma.

from RM25.92 MYR

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Lomax Eric

The Railway Man (Vintage War) Exp

from RM23.10 MYR

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Recommendation: "The Railway Man" is a gripping tale of wartime suffering and the courage to face and ultimately overcome torment. Lomax's story of intense physical and emotional pain offers an unflinching look at the brutality of war, but also a glimmer of hope in the form of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. This book is a must-read for those interested in the impact of war on individuals and society alike.

from RM23.10 MYR

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Dive Into Real-Life Stories

Biographies and memoirs offer unparalleled insights into the lives and minds of individuals who've shaped our world. Be it political icons, celebrities, or unsung heroes, Thryft brings you a rich assortment of stories that reveal extraordinary experiences and life lessons. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the personal tales that have influenced history and culture.