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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Tracy Kidder

Home Town

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In this fascinating book, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder takes us inside the everyday workings of Northampton, Massachusetts -- a place that seems to personify the typical American hometown. Kidder unveils the complex drama behind the seemingly ordinary lives of Northampton's residents. And out of these stories he creates a splendid, startling portrait of a town, in a narrative that gracefully travels among past and present, public and private, joy and sorrow.A host of real people are alive in these pages: a tycoon with a crippling ailment; a criminal whom the place has beguiled, a genial and merciful judge, a single mother struggling to start a new life at Smith College; and, at the center, a policeman who patrols the streets of his beloved hometown with a stern yet endearing brand of morality -- and who is about to discover the peril of spending a whole life in one small place. Their stories take us behind the town's facades and reveal how individuals shape the social conscience of a community. Home Town is an unflinching yet lovingly rendered account of how a traditional American town endures and evolves at the turn of the millenniums.

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Martin Gilbert

Churchill and America

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Named Churchill's official biographer in 1968, renowned historian Sir Martin Gilbert has amassed exclusive archival and personal documentation to explore the statesman's famed affinity for and relationship with the United States. Churchill and America tells the intensely personal story of Winston Churchill's profound connection to America, which resulted in an Anglo-American alliance that has stood at the center of international relations for more than a century. Drawing on this extensive store of Churchill's own words -- his private letters, his articles and speeches, and press conferences and interviews given to American journalists on his journeys throughout the United States -- Gilbert paints a rich portrait of the Anglo-American relationship, illuminated by its most famous proponent.

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Tom Plate

Conversations With Lee Kuan Yew - Citizen Singapore: How To Build A Nation

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"Conversations With Lee Kuan Yew" is a must-read for those interested in learning about Singapore's development as a modern nation. Through candid interviews with Lee Kuan Yew, readers gain insight into his uncorrupted, modern, and almost scientific approach to leadership. The book includes previously unreleased interviews and offers a unique perspective on one of the most unforgettable political figures of modern times. Overall, a great read for those interested in politics, leadership, and nation-building.

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Thant Myint-U

The River of Lost Footsteps : Histories of Burma

from RM36.66 MYR

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For nearly two decades Western governments and a growing activist community have been frustrated in their attempts to bring about a freer and more democratic Burma--through sanctions and tourist boycotts--only to see an apparent slide toward even harsher dictatorship. But what do we really know about Burma and its history? And what can Burma's past tell us about the present and even its future?In "The River of Lost Footsteps," Thant Myint-U tells the story of modern Burma, in part through a telling of his own family's history, in an interwoven narrative that is by turns lyrical, dramatic, and appalling. His maternal grandfather, U Thant, rose from being the schoolmaster of a small town in the Irrawaddy Delta to become the UN secretary-general in the 1960s. And on his father's side, the author is descended from a long line of courtiers who served at Burma's Court of Ava for nearly two centuries. Through their stories and others, he portrays Burma's rise and decline in the modern world, from the time of Portuguese pirates and renegade Mughal princes through the decades of British colonialism, the devastation of World War II, and a sixty-year civil war that continues today and is the longest-running war anywhere in the world."The River of Lost Footsteps" is a work both personal and global, a distinctive contribution that makes Burma accessible and enthralling. Thant Myint-U, educated at Harvard and Cambridge, has served on three United Nations peacekeeping operations, in Cambodia and in the former Yugoslavia, and was more recently the head of policy planning in the UN's Department of Political Affairs. He lives in New York City.

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Peter Popham

The Lady And The Peacock : The Life of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma

from RM27.98 MYR

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Peter Popham's major new biography of Aung San Suu Kyi draws upon previously untapped testimony and fresh revelations to tell the story of a woman whose bravery and determination have captivated people around the globe. Celebrated today as one of the world's greatest exponents of non-violent political defiance since Mahatma Gandhi, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize only four years after her first experience of politics.In April 1988, Suu Kyi returned from Britain to Burma to nurse her sick mother but, within six months, found herself the unchallenged leader of the largest popular revolt in the history of Burma. When the party she co-founded won a landslide victory in Burma's first free elections for thirty years, she was already under house arrest and barred from taking office by the military junta.Since then, 'The Lady' has set about transforming her country ethically as well as politically, displaying dazzling courage in the process. Under house arrest for 15 of the previous 20 years, she has come close to being killed by her political enemies and her commitment to peaceful revolution has come at extreme personal cost.In November 2010, after fraudulent elections in which she played no part, Suu Kyi was again freed. She was greeted by ecstatic crowds but only time will tell what role this remarkable woman will have in the future of her country.

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Åsne Seierstad

With Their Backs To The World : Portraits from Serbia - from the bestselling author of the Bookseller of Kabul

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This book offers a unique perspective on daily life under the Milosevic regime and in post-Milosevic Serbia. It focuses on the individual stories of Serbs from various walks of life, giving readers a glimpse into the complex hopes, dreams, and viewpoints of a nation in transition. If you're interested in understanding the human impact of political turmoil, this book is for you.

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Daniel Klein

Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It : Wisdom of the Great Philosophers on How to Live

from RM14.19 MYR

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A humorous and philosophical trip through life, from the New York Times–bestselling coauthor of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . Daniel Klein’s fans have fallen in love with the warm, humorous, and thoughtful way he shows how philosophy resonates in everyday life. Readers of his popular books Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . and Travels with Epicurus come for enlightenment and stay for the entertainment.As a young college student studying philosophy, Klein filled a notebook with short quotes from the world’s greatest thinkers, hoping to find some guidance on how to live the best life he could. Now, from the vantage point of his eighth decade, Klein revisits the wisdom he relished in his youth with this collection of philosophical gems, adding new ones that strike a chord with him at the end of his life. From Epicurus to Emerson and Camus to the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr—whose words provided the title of this book—each pithy extract is annotated with Klein’s inimitable charm and insights. In these pages, our favorite jokester–philosopher tackles life’s biggest questions, leaving us chuckling and enlightened.

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Alan Greenspan

The Age of Turbulence : Adventures in a New World

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The Age of Turbulence could be a great read for those interested in exploring the workings of the global economy in a post-9/11 world. Alan Greenspan offers a unique perspective and a wealth of experience working in the command room of the world economy, making this a reliable and informative book. The book also explores the flexible and fast-changing nature of the modern economy, making it a great read for those intrigued by current affairs and the ever-changing landscape of the global financial scene.

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Robert Service

Trotsky : A Biography

from RM25.96 MYR

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In the first full biography of Trotsky in English for over fifty years, Robert Service draws on hitherto unexamined archives from Moscow and the Hoover Institution and on his deep understanding of Russian history to draw a fresh portrait of the man, his times and his legacy. In this compelling biography, Service offers an honest summary of his difficult character and questions the image of Trotsky as a pure humanitarian soul and powerful intellect martyred by Stalin. Among other things the points to the ways in which Trotsky and Stalin were in agreement. The result is a study which is bound to become the authoritative biography.

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Arthur Grimble

A Pattern of Islands

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This remarkable book is the story of those dramatic and romantic atolls in the Central Pacific - the Gilbert and Ellice Island - woven into the travel-autobiography of the author, who, the day after his wedding in 1913, left England with his wife for the remotest corner of the British Empire where a 'cadet' of the Colonial Administration Service has never before been seen.

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Václav Klaus

Renaissance

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Renaissance could be a good read for those interested in political biographies and economic systems. This book provides an inspiring true story of a leader who transformed a nation's economy and political system after communism. As one of the most effective spokesmen for classical liberal ideas in the world, Klaus's speeches and essays in this book serve as a rallying cry for revitalizing democratic principles and free markets.

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Nader Mousavizadeh, Kofi Annan

Interventions : A Life in War and Peace

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Interventions: A Life in War and Peace is the story of Annan’s remarkable time at the center of the world stage. After forty years of service at the United Nations, Annan shares here his unique experiences during the terrorist attacks of September 11; the American invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan; the war between Israel, Hizbollah, and Lebanon; the brutal conflicts of Somalia, Rwanda, and Bosnia; and the geopolitical transformations following the end of the Cold War. With eloquence and unprecedented candor, Interventions finally reveals Annan’s unique role and unparalleled perspective on decades of global politics.

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Noah Feldman

Scorpions : The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices

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A tiny, ebullient Jew who started as America's leading liberal and ended as its most famous judicial conservative. A Klansman who became an absolutist advocate of free speech and civil rights. A backcountry lawyer who started off trying cases about cows and went on to conduct the most important international trial ever. A self-invented, tall-tale Westerner who narrowly missed the presidency but expanded individual freedom beyond what anyone before had dreamed. Four more different men could hardly be imagined. Yet they had certain things in common. Each was a self-made man who came from humble beginnings on the edge of poverty. Each had driving ambition and a will to succeed. Each was, in his own way, a genius. They began as close allies and friends of FDR, but the quest to shape a new Constitution led them to competition and sometimes outright warfare. SCORPIONS tells the story of these four great justices: their relationship with Roosevelt, with each other, and with the turbulent world of the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. It also serves as a history of the modern Constitution itself.

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Peter Matthiessen, Kenneth Garrett

End of the Earth

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"End of the Earth" could be a good read for nature lovers who are interested in exploring the world's most unforgiving and remote locations. It provides a unique and informative insight into the wildlife and history of the region, while also showcasing Matthiessen's excellent lyrical writing style. Readers will enjoy going on a journey with the author and the crew of Akademik, as they discover the incredible creatures and landscapes of these far-flung places.

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Pu Yi, W.J.F. Jenner

From Emperor to Citizen : Autobiography of Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi

from RM29.31 MYR

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It is a great read for history enthusiasts who want to know about the last emperor of China's life. The book covers his life as a puppet emperor of "Manchukuo", his journey of being in war criminal prisons, and his life after his pardon as an ordinary citizen of People's China. The book offers a unique perspective on Chinese history and the remoulding of a person through political and social changes.

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Simon Sebag Montefiore

Speeches That Changed the World

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Comprehensively updated with many new speeches including Earl Spencer's lament to 'The extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana', Nikita Khrushchev's secret speech of 1956 signalling the beginning of the end of Stalinist Russia, Patrick Pearse's rousing funeral oration that fanned the flames of the Easter Rising, Kevin Rudd's historic apology to Australia's mistreated Aborigines and Barack Obama's momentous US election night victory speech. Alongside these are the finest war cries of Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King's prophetic 'I have a dream' and 'I've seen the promised land' speeches, the inspiring words of JFK and impassioned pleas from Nelson Mandela - the first at his trial in 1964 and the second on his election as president of South Africa in 1994. In addition are historic speeches from Elizabeth I, Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Abraham Lincoln, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mahatma Gandhi, Vladimir Lenin, Neville Chamberlain, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, General George S. Patton, J Robert Oppenheimer, Mao Zedong, Malcolm X, Richard M. Nixon, Pope John Paul II, Vaclav Havel, Elie Wiesel, Mikhail Gorbachev and many other great historical figures. Speeches that Changed the World presents over 50 momentous and thought-provoking speeches from throughout history. Complete with a potted biography of each speaker, and telling the story of why each oration was significant and what happened as a result, this is a gripping history of the world told through its greatest and most impassioned speeches.

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Elizabeth Wolf, Who H.Q., Gare Thompson

Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?

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This book could be a good read for a user interested in learning more about how Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of the First Lady and became an influential champion of human rights and social justice. It captures the essence of her life and legacy, highlighting her passion, energy, and charismatic leadership. Reading this book could inspire readers to use their own voices to effect positive change in the world.

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Aung San Suu Kyi, Fergal Keane

Letters From Burma

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Letters from Burma - an unforgettable collection from the Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi In these astonishing letters, Aung San Suu Kyi reaches out beyond Burma's borders to paint for her readers a vivid and poignant picture of her native land. Here she celebrates the courageous army officers, academics, actors and everyday people who have supported the National League for Democracy, often at great risk to their own lives. She reveals the impact of political decisions on the people of Burma, from the terrible cost to the children of imprisoned dissidents - allowed to see their parents for only fifteen minutes every fortnight - to the effect of inflation on the national diet and of state repression on traditions of hospitality. She also evokes the beauty of the country's seasons and scenery, customs and festivities that remain so close to her heart. Through these remarkable letters, the reader catches a glimpse of exactly what is at stake as Suu Kyi fights on for freedom in Burma, and of the love for her homeland that sustains her non-violent battle. Includes an introduction from Fergal Keane 'Aung San Suu Kyi has become a global symbol of peaceful resistance, courage and apparently endless endurance' Guardian 'A real hero in an age of phony phone-in celebrity, which hands out that title freely to the most spoiled and underqualified' Bono, Time Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of Burma's National League for Democracy. She was placed under house arrest in Rangoon in 1989, where she remained for almost 15 of the 21 years until her release in 2010, becoming one of the world's most prominent political prisoners. She is also the author of the collection of writings Freedom from Fear.

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Bob Woodward

Maestro : Alan Greenspan and the American Economy

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Who is responsible? From the President to the Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, to Wall Street to the role of emerging technologies, this book investigates the ideas and politics that have established the USA as a pre-eminent economic power.

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Tony Blair

A Journey : My Political Life

from RM61.19 MYR

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Tony Blair is a politician who defines our times. His emergence as Labour Party leader in 1994 marked a seismic shift in British politics. Within a few short years, he had transformed his party and rallied the country behind him, becoming prime minister in 1997 with the biggest victory in Labour’s history, and bringing to an end eighteen years of Conservative government. He took Labour to a historic three terms in office as Britain’s dominant political figure of the last two decades.A Journey is Tony Blair’s firsthand account of his years in office and beyond. Here he describes for the first time his role in shaping our recent history, from the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death to the war on terror. He reveals the leadership decisions that were necessary to reinvent his party, the relationships with colleagues including Gordon Brown, the grueling negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, the implementation of the biggest reforms to public services in Britain since 1945, and his relationships with leaders on the world stage—Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, George W. Bush. He analyzes the belief in ethical intervention that led to his decisions to go to war in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and, most controversially of all, in Iraq.A Journey is a book about the nature and uses of political power. In frank, unflinching, often wry detail, Tony Blair charts the ups and downs of his career to provide insight into the man as well as the politician and statesman. He explores the challenges of leadership, and the ramifications of standing up, clearly and forcefully, for what one believes in. He also looks ahead, to emerging power relationships and economies, addressing the vital issues and complexities of our global world.Few British prime ministers have shaped the nation’s course as profoundly as Tony Blair, and his achievements and his legacy will be debated for years to come. Here, uniquely, we have his own journey, in his own words.

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Harold C. Schonberg

The Lives Of The Great Composers : Third Edition

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This book would be a great fit for anyone with an interest in classical music and the lives of those who created it. The author provides a unique perspective by presenting these legendary composers as real people with relatable experiences. Its extensive coverage and rich detail would make it an excellent addition to any music lover's library.

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Ronald Reagan, Annelise Anderson, Kiron K. Skinner

Reagan, In His Own Hand : The Writings of Ronald Reagan that Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America

from RM51.81 MYR

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Hidden in the archives of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for more than a decade, the writings contained in Reagan, In His Own Hand redefine the way we think about American history of the past quarter century and about the fortieth American president. By revealing an active mind wrestling with the problems of a sluggish economy, social pathologies, welfare reform, and the Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union, these never-before-seen documents, many reproduced in his own handwriting, prove Reagan to be both the visionary and intellectual powerhouse behind his administration's landmark policies.

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Christopher Hudson

The Killing Fields

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This book is a powerful and moving account of the Cambodian genocide, providing a firsthand account of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about this dark chapter in history and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horrors.

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Tom Watt, David Beckham

Beckham : Both Feet on the Ground: An Autobiography

from RM26.75 MYR

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Beckham's autobiography is an insightful and exposed view of his life as a professional soccer player and his journey to becoming an international icon. Readers will appreciate his honesty about his personal life, including fame's difficulties and his struggle to be a present father and husband. This book provides a unique perspective on the life of a celebrity athlete, identifying its challenges and rewards.

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Michael Walsh, Alban Butler

Butler's Lives of the Saints

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For more than two centuries, Butler's Lives of the Saints has been hailed as the authority on the Christian patron saints. Now, in this new edition of the original classic, Michael Walsh has culled the ruch resources of earlier editions to accentuate the more modern and best-documented saints. Echoing the charm and style of the eighteenth-century edition, Walsh's volume has been edited to make the fascinating and inspiring lives of the saints easily accessible to readers today. This edition features saints from many nations and backgrounds and includes new articles on recently canonized saints. The index offers the list of saints from the complete edition, and includes all new canonizations and new dates, making it eh most up-to-date listing of saints available. Butlter's Lives of the Saints remains a remarkable reference source and, through its comprehensive biographies, a valuable aid to devotion and a rich source of historical information.

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Thant Myint-U

The River of Lost Footsteps : Histories of Burma

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Recommendation: The River of Lost Footsteps is a mesmerizing exploration of Burma's complex past, taking readers on a captivating journey through the country's rich history. Thant Myint-U weaves personal narratives with historical accounts, providing an intimate and insightful perspective that brings Burma to life. With lyrical prose and a meticulous attention to detail, this book offers a profound understanding of the country's struggles, triumphs, and the enduring resilience of its people. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply seeking a compelling tale, The River of Lost Footsteps is a must-read that will leave a lasting impression.

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Thant Myint-U

The River of Lost Footsteps

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Burma is currently ruled by a harsh dictatorship unmoved by Western activists and sanctions. It is also the sight of the longest-running conflict in the world. Drawing both on his own family's stories and his years of hands-on political experience working with the United Nations, Thant Myint-U has written an illuminating account of how Burma's rich past informs its violent present, and of how the world might transform the country's future. In The River of Lost Footsteps , Thant Myint-U tells the story of modern Burma, in part through a telling of his own family's history, in an interwoven narrative that is by turns lyrical, dramatic, and appalling. His maternal grandfather, U Thant, rose from being the schoolmaster of a small town in the Irrawaddy Delta to become the UN secretary-general in the 1960s. And on his father's side, the author is descended from a long line of courtiers who served at Burma's Court of Ava for nearly two centuries. Through their stories and others, he portrays Burma's rise and decline in the modern world, from the time of Portuguese pirates and renegade Mughal princes through the decades of British colonialism, the devastation of World War II, a sixty-year civil war that continues today, military repression and the emergence of Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The River of Lost Footsteps is a work both personal and global, a distinctive contribution that makes Burma accessible and enthralling. Thant Myint-U is the author of Where China Meets India and has written articles for the New York Times , the Washington Post and the New Statesman.

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David Mendell

Obama - From Promise to Power : From Promise to Power

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David Mendell has covered Obama since the beginning of his campaign for the Senate and as a result enjoys far-reaching access to the new Senator--both his professional and personal life. He uses this access to paint a very intimate portrait of Obama and his life pre and post Senate, including Obama's new status as a sex symbol now that going into a crowd to shake hands with constituents carries the added concern of being groped by women, and the toll this has had on his marriage. Mendell also describes the dirty tactics sanctioned by Obama--who has steeped his image and reputation on the ideals of clean politics and good government--to win his Senate seat by employing David Axelrod, a Chicago-based political consultant (consultant to the John Edwards's campaign) with what the author describes as "an appetite for the Big Kill." Mendell also positions Barack Obama as in fact the Savior of a fumbling Democratic party, who is potentially orchestrating a career in Senate to guarantee him at the very least a vice presidential nod, if not a nod for the top job in 2008. The dream ticket would be Hilary Clinton-Barack Obama given his reception at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Because he enjoys popularity among Whites (particularly suburban White women) and Blacks, it might not be such a far-fetched idea.

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Jay Wurts, Le Ly Hayslip

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

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This book could be a good read for you if you want to gain a deep understanding of the human spirit and the devastating consequences of war. Through Le Ly Hayslip's powerful storytelling, you will be transported to Vietnam during the war, experiencing the unimaginable hardships she endured. But amidst the darkness, you will also witness her unwavering faith in humanity and her determination to overcome adversity. This is a deeply inspiring and unforgettable story that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the strength of the human spirit.

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Jon Stewart

Naked Pictures of Famous People

from RM27.12 MYR

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Recommendation: Naked Pictures of Famous People is a must-read for those seeking a satirical take on contemporary society. Jon Stewart's unique brand of humor shines through in these irreverent essays that cover a wide range of topics, from fashion to politics. Readers will appreciate how Stewart brilliantly uses humor to expose the absurdities of modern life.

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Robert Martin, Robert Winter

The Beethoven Quartet Companion

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While the Beethoven string quartets are to chamber music what the plays of Shakespeare are to drama, even seasoned concertgoers will welcome guidance with these personal and sometimes enigmatic works.This collection offers Beethoven lovers both detailed notes on the listening experience of each quartet and a stimulating range of more general Who has the quartets' audience been? How were the quartets performed before the era of sound recordings? What is the relationship between "classical" and "romantic" in the quartets? How was their reception affected by social and economic history? What sorts of interpretive decisions are made by performers today?The Companion brings together a matchless group of Beethoven experts. Joseph Kerman is perhaps the world's most renowned Beethoven scholar. Robert Winter, an authority on sketches for the late quartets, has created interactive programs regarded as milestones in multimedia publishing. Maynard Solomon has written an acclaimed biography of Beethoven. Leon Botstein is the conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra as well as a distinguished social historian and college president. Robert Martin writes from his experience as cellist of the Sequoia Quartet. And the book is anchored by the program notes of Michael Steinberg, who has served as Artistic Advisor of the San Francisco Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra.

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Jonathan Fenby

Generalissimo : Chiang Kai-shek and the China He Lost

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If you're intrigued by the titanic shifts in 20th-century geopolitics, "Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the China He Lost" could be a fascinating read. Jonathan Fenby offers a masterclass on Chiang Kai-shek, a figure pivotal to understanding how China transitioned from a feuding republic to Communist rule. As you immerse yourself in the complexities of pre-Communist China, you might appreciate the rich narrative that feels almost novelistic, despite its firm roots in detailed historical research.

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Chris Salewicz

Bob Marley : The Untold Story

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This book would be a great read for anyone who wants to dive deep into the life and legacy of the legendary Bob Marley. Through never-before-heard interviews and a comprehensive narrative, Chris Salewicz captures the spirit of Marley, taking readers on a journey through his humble beginnings, his musical genius, and his impact on the world. This book is not just a biography, but a testament to the power of music, faith, and activism. Get ready to be inspired by the untold story of a true icon.

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Orhan Pamuk, Maureen Freely

Istanbul

from RM37.36 MYR

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A shimmering evocation, by turns intimate and panoramic, of one of the world’s great cities, by its foremost writer. Orhan Pamuk was born in Istanbul and still lives in the family apartment building where his mother first held him in her arms. His portrait of his city is thus also a self-portrait, refracted by memory and the melancholy–or hüzün– that all Istanbullus share: the sadness that comes of living amid the ruins of a lost Ottoman Empire.As he companionably guides us across the Bosphorus, through Istanbul's historical monuments and lost paradises, its dilapidated Ottoman villas, back streets and waterways, he also introduces us to the city's writers, artists and murderers.Like the Dublin of Joyce and Jan Morris' Venice, Pamuk's Istanbul is a triumphant encounter of place and sensibility, beautifully written and immensely moving.

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Thomas Hauser

Muhammad Ali

from RM31.94 MYR

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In the words of more than 200 of Ali’s family members, opponents, friends, world leaders, and others who have known him best, the real Muhammad Ali deeply religious, mercurial, generous, a showman in and out of the ring.Thirty years after he burst onto the scene as a gold medal light-heavyweight at the Rome Olympics, Muhammad Ali is still a magical figure. His accomplishments in the ring were the stuff of legend—the two fights with Sonny Liston, when he proclaimed himself “The Greatest” and proved he was; the three epic wars against Joe Frazier; the stunning victory over George Foreman in Zaire; and the shocking loss and final win that made him the first man to win back the heavyweight crown twice, fourteen years after he had first claimed it.Ali’s life has been played out as much on the front pages as on the sports pages. With brilliant immediacy and unprecedented candor, bestselling author Thomas Hauser recreates this extraordinary man.

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Malika Oufkir, Ros Schwartz, Michèle Fitoussi

Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail

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Recommendation: Stolen Lives is a compelling memoir of survival, depicting the powerful will of human beings against unjust imprisonment. The book highlights the brutal realities of a family's twenty-year incarceration in the desert, through the eyes of Malika Oufkir, the author. Her vivid storytelling is a testament to the power of the human spirit and its resilience in the face of tragedy. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of surviving injustice.

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Emma Larkin

Finding George Orwell in Burma

from RM30.68 MYR

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Recommended as a must-read for those interested in Southeast Asian politics and culture. Emma Larkin offers a unique perspective on Burma through the lens of George Orwell's experiences in the country. Her political travelogue is captivating and eye-opening, shedding light on the brutal realities of living in an oppressive military regime while also highlighting the resilience and strength of the Burmese people. Larkin's writing is both clear and engaging, making this book an accessible and insightful read for anyone looking to understand Burma's complicated history and current struggles.

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Bob Woodward

After Watergate

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"After Watergate" provides an in-depth account of how the presidency has been permanently altered following the Watergate scandal. It delves into the subsequent presidencies of Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton and how each administration failed to handle the inquisitorial environment of the media and Congress. Using presidential documents, interviews, and prosecutorial records, Woodward shows the impact of the new ethics laws on presidents and the country. This book is a must-read for those interested in the history of the presidency and the consequences of unchecked power.

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Joseph Lelyveld

Great Soul - Mahatma Gandhi And His Struggle With India

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Recommendation: Great Soul by Joseph Lelyveld is a must-read for those interested in the complex and inspiring life of Mahatma Gandhi. Lelyveld's in-depth exploration of Gandhi's political and personal struggles offer unique insights into his fight for India's liberation. This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of one of history's most important figures.

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Boris Hembry

Malayan Spymaster : Memoirs of a Rubber Planter, Bandit Fighter and Spy

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This is a true story of 1930s Malaysia, of jungle operations, submarines and spies in WWII, and of the postwar Malayan Emergency, as experienced by an extraordinary man. Boris Hembry went out to Malaya as a rubber planter in 1930 to work on estates in Malaya and Sumatra. Following the Japanese invasion in December 1941 he volunteered for Freddy Spencer Chapman's covert Stay Behind Party and spent a month in the jungle behind enemy lines before escaping by sampan across the Malacca Strait to Sumatra. Hembry returned to Singapore shortly before its surrender then escaped to Java and subsequently to India, where he joined V Force, a clandestine intelligence unit operating in Burma. In 1943 Hembry was recruited into the Secret Intelligence Service - given the bland cover name Inter-Services Liaison Department (ISLD) - and returned to Sumatra and Malaya several times by submarine on intelligence-gathering missions. He became Head of Malayan Country Section ISLD in 1944, liaised with Force 136, and was responsible for the most successful intelligence coup of the Malayan war. After WWII, Hembry returned to planting at Sungei Siput, Perak, where the murder of three colleagues on 16 June 1948 signalled the start of the Malayan Emergency. Assuming the leadership of the local planting community, he formed the first Home Guard unit in Malaya, was an early proponent of squatter control (later incorporated into the Briggs Plan), served on district, state and federal security committees, and survived several attempts on his life.

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Benazir Bhutto

Reconciliation : Islam, Democracy, and the West

from RM34.80 MYR

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Recommendation: - If you're interested in understanding the complex relationship between Islam, democracy, and the West, "Reconciliation" is a powerful and insightful book that offers a fresh perspective. Benazir Bhutto, a courageous woman tragically killed, provides a gripping account of her final months in Pakistan and presents a bold agenda for tackling Islamic radicalism. Her message of tolerance, justice, and the need for global unity is both thought-provoking and inspiring. By reading this book, you'll gain a deeper understanding of modern Islam and the urgent need for reconciliation in our world today.

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Lawrence Osborne

The Accidental Connoisseur - An Irreverent Journey Though the Wine World

from RM9.51 MYR

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What is taste? Is it individual or imposed on us from the outside? Why are so many of us so intimidated when presented with the wine list at a restaurant? In The Accidental Connoisseur , journalist Lawrence Osborne takes off on a personal voyage through a little-known world in pursuit of some answers. Weaving together a fantastic cast of eccentrics and obsessives, industry magnates and small farmers, the author explores the way technological change, opinionated critics, consumer trends, wheelers and dealers, trade wars, and mass market tastes have made the elixir we drink today entirely different from the wine drunk by our grandparents.In his search for wine that is a true expression of the place that produced it, Osborne takes the reader from the high-tech present to the primitive past. From a lavish lunch with wine tsar Robert Mondavi to the cellars of Marquis Piero Antinori in Florence, from the tasting rooms of Chateau Lafite to the humble vineyards of northern Lazio, Osborne winds his way through Renaissance palaces, $27 million wineries, tin shacks and garages, opulent restaurants, world-famous chais and vineyards, renowned villages and obscure landscapes, as well as the great cities which are the temples of wine New York, San Francisco, Paris, Florence, and Rome. On the way, we will be shown the vast tapestry of this much-desired, little-understood who produces it and why, who consumes it, who critiques it? Enchanting, delightful, entertaining, and, above all, down to earth, this is a wine book like no other.

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Madeleine K. Albright

Madam Secretary - A Memoir

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This book would be a good read for someone interested in gaining insight into the life of a powerful woman who made history. Madam Secretary combines personal anecdotes with a broader view of world events, providing a unique perspective that allows readers to witness the intersection of personal and public life. With its captivating storytelling, this memoir will leave you inspired and in awe of Madeleine Albright's journey.

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Nelson Mandela, Richard Stengel

Mandela's Way : Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage

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Recommendation: - This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance in life. Through Richard Stengel's intimate conversations with Nelson Mandela, the book captures the essence of Mandela's wisdom and courage. It not only shares his remarkable life story but also teaches valuable life lessons such as the importance of courage, resilience, and finding happiness within ourselves. Mandela's Way is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can make in the world and encourages us to reflect on our own choices and legacy.

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Said Zahari

Dark Clouds at Dawn : A Political Memoir

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Dark Clouds at Dawn is a must-read for those interested in political history and the ever-changing landscape of politics. The book offers insight into Said's personal experiences, as well as the political climate of the time, making it a fascinating and informative read. Said's unique perspective is the most distinctive feature of this book and sets it apart from other political memoirs. Overall, Dark Clouds at Dawn is a captivating and thought-provoking memoir that is both informative and entertaining.

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Bob Woodward

Plan of Attack : The Road to War

from RM38.59 MYR

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Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward is a must-read book if you are interested in the decision-making and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that led to the Iraq war. Woodward provides an enriching account of the top players involved in the war, examining the causes and consequences of the most controversial war since Vietnam. This book is highly recommended for those who want an insightful, close-up, and authoritative narrative of this turning point in history.

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George Goodwin

Fatal Colours - The Battle Of Towton

from RM41.01 MYR

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Taking its title from Henry VI's lament at the Battle of Towton in Shakespeare's play, this book examines Henry's disastrous reign and the personal failings of the king, then describes the events leading up to Towton and the battle itself – the first savage clash of arms between Lancastrians and Yorkists in the Wars of the Roses. In his introduction, David Starkey sketches the evolution of English kingship, providing the background to 1461.

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Ian Baker, Dalai Lama XIV

The Heart Of The World - A Journey To Tibet's Lost Paradise

from RM37.02 MYR

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The myth of Shangri-la originates in Tibetan Buddhist beliefs in beyul, or hidden lands, sacred sanctuaries that reveal themselves to devout pilgrims and in times of crisis. The more remote and inaccessible the beyul, the vaster its reputed qualities. Ancient Tibetan prophecies declare that the greatest of all hidden lands lies at the heart of the forbidding Tsangpo Gorge, deep in the Himalayas and veiled by a colossal waterfall. Nineteenth-century accounts of this fabled waterfall inspired a series of ill-fated European expeditions that ended prematurely in 1925 when the intrepid British plant collector Frank Kingdon-Ward penetrated all but a five-mile section of the Tsangpo's innermost gorge and declared that the falls were no more than a "religious myth" and a "romance of geography."The heart of the Tsangpo Gorge remained a blank spot on the map of world exploration until world-class climber and Buddhist scholar Ian Baker delved into the legends. Whatever cryptic Tibetan scrolls or past explorers had said about the Tsangpo's innermost gorge, Baker determined, could be verified only by exploring the uncharted five-mile gap. After several years of encountering sheer cliffs, maelstroms of impassable white water, and dense leech-infested jungles, on the last of a series of extraordinary expeditions, Baker and his National Geographic-sponsored team reached the depths of the Tsangpo Gorge. They made news worldwide by finding there a 108-foot-high waterfall, the legendary grail of Western explorers and Tibetan seekers alike. The Heart of the World is one of the most captivating stories of exploration and discovery in recent memory--an extraordinary journey to one of the wildest and most inaccessible places on earth and a pilgrimage to the heart of the Tibetan Buddhist faith.

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Wong Kim Hoh

A Life Less Ordinary

from RM14.19 MYR

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A Life Less Ordinary made its debut in The Sunday Times in May 2003 and immediately captured public imagination. In this volume, veteran journalist Wong Kim Hoh shares with us the triumphs, joys, heartaches and struggles of ordinary Singaporeans who have, by sheer force of will, lived their lives in ways that make them extraordinary. This book offers a glimpse into the colourful world of some Singaporeans. Read about the real life stories * the eccentric ex-commando who eats out of a maggot-infested pot of rice * the woman who specialises in make-up for the dead * the man who almost became a woman * the ex-convict turned scholar * and many more ...

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Meher McArthur

Confucius

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Confucius is a must-read for anyone interested in the most influential person in Chinese culture. Meher McArthur's engaging writing style and extensive research provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Confucius and his teachings. The book delves into the life, philosophy, and legacy of the ancient Chinese scholar in a way that is both accessible and enlightening.

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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.