A portrait of one of the founding fathers of Western religious philosophy, challenging misconceptions concerning his early hedonistic life and his influential interpretations of Christian doctrine
Penguin LivesReeks
Deze serie biedt boeiende biografieën van iconische figuren die een onuitwisbare stempel op de geschiedenis hebben gedrukt. Van kunstenaars en wetenschappers tot politici en avonturiers, elk deel duikt in de levensverhalen van fascinerende individuen. Lezers zullen zich onderdompelen in hun prestaties, worstelingen en nalatenschappen die de wereld hebben gevormd. Het is ideale lectuur voor iedereen die geïnteresseerd is in geschiedenis en inspirerende levensreizen.
Aanbevolen leesvolgorde
Branch Rickey's journey from humble beginnings in the Midwest to becoming the legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers is vividly portrayed in this biography. Author Jimmy Breslin highlights Rickey's pivotal role in integrating baseball by signing Jackie Robinson, showcasing the transformative impact on the sport and American society. The narrative captures the excitement of baseball's rise as a national pastime, illustrating Rickey's dual nature as both a schemer and a visionary who sought to change the game and the country.
'You cannot find peace by avoiding life' Virginia WoolfAn intimate portrait of Virginia, the best-known and most influential Bloomsbury author of them all - 'All you need to know about the modernist, feminist icon' TIME OUT
Exploring the life of Jane Austen, this biography delves into her early family life in Steventown, her tumultuous engagement, and her deep bond with her sister Cassandra. Carol Shields artfully reveals the private individual behind the celebrated author of classics such as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. The narrative offers unique insights into the writing process, blending personal history with an exploration of the creation of great fiction, making it a captivating read for both Austen fans and aspiring writers.
Boeddha
- 270bladzijden
- 10 uur lezen
Beschrijving van het leven van de historische Boeddha in de culturele en spirituele omgeving waarin hij leefde.
Focusing on Rosa Parks' remarkable journey, this biography explores her life from her childhood in Jim Crow Alabama to her pivotal act of defiance and her enduring legacy as a civil rights icon. Historian Douglas Brinkley delves into her early involvement with the NAACP and the complexities of her role in the movement, providing a well-researched and empathetic portrayal. The narrative captures both her personal struggles and the broader societal challenges of her era, offering a profound insight into the life of an American heroine.
Mary Gordon gelingt es meisterhaft, die heldenhafte Geschichte der Jungfrau von Orléans auch nach über 500 Jahren in ihrer Widersprüchlichkeit spannend darzustellen. Jeanne d'Arc, Tochter eines reichen Bauern aus Lothringen, hört mit 13 Jahren plötzlich > Stimmen<, die ihr befehlen, den französischen König aufzusuchen und die Engländer aus Frankreich zu vertreiben. Es gelingt ihr tatsächlich, eine Audienz bei Karl VII. zu bekommen. Kurz darauf befreit sie mit der französischen Armee Orléans, das damals von den Engländern belagert wurde. Jeanne d'Arc wird jedoch gefangengenommen, der Ketzerei angeklagt, und schließlich bei lebendigem Leibe verbrannt. Mary Gordon betont in dieser Biographie den Aspekt Jeanne d'Arcs als weltweit positiver Identifikationsfigur. In der Auseinandersetzung mit dem jungen Mädchen, das für seinen Glauben und seine Überzeugung alles aufs Spiel setzt, zeichnet die Autorin ein ungewöhnlich differenziertes Bild.
Jane Smiley presents a refreshingly unpretentious portrait of the great English writer Charles Dickens.
The author explores the lives of six remarkable women through the lens of their culinary choices, revealing how food reflects their personal stories and historical contexts. Each woman's relationship with food serves as a narrative device, illuminating their experiences and the societal influences of their time. This upcoming work promises to intertwine biography and gastronomy, offering readers a unique perspective on how meals can define identity and legacy.
Churchill
- 192bladzijden
- 7 uur lezen
The greatest politician and statesmen of the twentieth century by Britain's leading military historian. schovat popis
Crazy Horse
- 160bladzijden
- 6 uur lezen
Legends cloud the life of Crazy Horse, a seminal figure in American history but an enigma even to his own people in his own day. This superb biography looks back across more than 120 years at the life and death of this great Sioux warrior who became a reluctant leader at the Battle of Little Bighorn. With his uncanny gift for understanding the human psyche, Larry McMurtry animates the character of this remarkable figure, whose betrayal by white representatives of the U.S. government was a tragic turning point in the history of the West. A mythic figure puzzled over by generations of historians, Crazy Horse emerges from McMurtry’s sensitive portrait as the poignant hero of a long-since-vanished epoch.
Der Sohn eines Kaufmanns, der sein Glück als Matrose an Bord eines Walfängers suchte, die Südsee bereiste und auf abenteuerlichem Wege desertierte, wagte den Beruf des freien Schriftstellers, nachdem seine Bücher über die literarisch noch unerschlossene Südsee Anklang fanden. Aus Sorge ums tägliche Brot zu populären Stoffen gezwungen, schockierte er Gesellschaft und religiöse Kreise durch Angriffe auf Missionare und Lob der Primitiven, flammte gegen Unterdrückung und die Prügelstrafe, bis ihm mit "Moby Dick" die größte symbolistische Prosadichtung Amerikas und die wohl reichste Seegeschichte der Welt gelang. Mit stilistischer, ja poetischer Eleganz fängt Elizabeth Hardwick die Höhen und Tiefen eines Lebens ein, das ebenso abenteuerlich begann, wie es in stiller Verborgenheit endete: Herman Melville starb als einsamer Zollinspektor von der Welt vergessen, bevor er als Schöpfer eines unsterblichen Meisterwerks in den Kanon der Literaturgiganten Eingang fand.§
The book offers an in-depth exploration of Mao Zedong, utilizing the author's extensive understanding of Chinese politics and culture. It presents a nuanced portrayal of Mao, highlighting his complexities and the impact of his leadership on China. The insightful analysis is praised for its clarity and depth, making it a valuable resource for those interested in Chinese history and political figures.
Andy Warhol
- 208bladzijden
- 8 uur lezen
Painter, filmmaker, photographer, philosopher, all-round celebrity, Andy Warhol is an outstanding cultural icon. He revolutionised art by bringing to it images from popular culture - such as the Campbell's soup can and Marilyn Monroe's face - while his studio, the Factory, where his free-spirited cast of 'superstars' mingled with the rich and famous, became the place of origin for every groundswell shaping American culture.In many ways he can be seen as the precursor to today's 'celebrity artists' such as Tracey Emin and Damian Hurst. But what of the man behind the white wig and dark glasses?
Abraham Lincoln
- 192bladzijden
- 7 uur lezen
This concise biography offers a compelling look at an American icon, celebrating his life and achievements. Released in paperback to mark the bicentennial of his birth, it distills key moments and contributions, making it an accessible and engaging read for both new and longtime fans. The book highlights the significance of his legacy and provides insight into the historical context of his era.
Karen Armstrong, autorka bestsellerów poświęconych historii rozmaitych religii, w Buddzie opisuje postać, której myśli po 2500 latach wciąż poruszają świat. Wielu zna Buddę tylko jako zażywnego, pogodnego mężczyznę z jego ikonicznych wizerunków. Ale kim był naprawdę i w jakim świecie przyszło mu żyć? Co zdołał osiągnąć w ciągu osiemdziesięciu lat, które zrodziły jedną z największych religii świata? Autorka odpowiada na te i wiele innych pytań we wciągającej biografii. Łącząc ze sobą historię, filozofię, kulturę i mitologię, pokazuje fascynujący portret mężczyzny, którego przebudzenie nadal inspiruje miliony. Siddhartha zostaje tu ukazany na wielu poziomach czysto ludzkim i osobistym, duchowym, społecznym i historycznym. Armstrong opowiada o życiu człowieka gotowego do największych wyrzeczeń w poszukiwaniu prawdy, odnajdywaniu własnej drogi, dążeniu do kompromisu pomiędzy tradycją a własnymi doświadczeniami i przekonaniami. Na ścieżce, którą Budda dąży, nieraz się potyka i to sprawia, że po tylu latach historia ta nadal ma wymiar uniwersalny. Autorka skupia się również na tle społeczno-gospodarczym życia Buddy. Pokazuje warunki życia na Półwyspie Indyjskim, rozwój ośrodków miejskich, społeczeństwo wędrownych mnichów, a także przemiany cywilizacyjne i religijne zachodzące w Europie i Azji. Podążamy za Siddharthą krok po kroku, dostrzegając w Oświeconym nie boga, ale bliskiego nam człowieka.
Bestselling, award-winning novelist writing about one of the most popular and enduring English novelists of all time. 'Splendid ... a gem' LITERARY REVIEW
Robert E. Lee: A Life
- 224bladzijden
- 8 uur lezen
A “witty, lively and wholly fascinating” (The New York Times) portrait of an iconic Southern hero With lively storytelling and full-hearted Southern directness, Roy Blount, Jr., presents a unique portrait of Robert E. Lee. Fascinated by the qualities that made Lee such a charismatic, though reluctant, leader, Blount vividly conveys Lee’s audacity and uncanny successes in battle, as well as his humility, his quirky sense of humor, and the sorrowful sense of responsibility he felt for his outnumbered, half-starved army. The first concise biography of this American legend, Robert E. Lee will appeal to history and military buffs, students of Southern culture, and every reader curious about the makeup of a man who has become an American icon.
Lincoln
- 160bladzijden
- 6 uur lezen
Most people know little more about the US President Abraham Lincoln than how he met his end - assassinated in a theatre box by a gunman. But as Thomas Keneally, Booker prizewinning novelist for Schindler's Ark, shows in this short, but enthralling life that Lincoln's origins, his early life, his self-taught lawyer's career and how he became a politician and ultimately US president, is an epitome of the American dream. If Lincoln - without any benefits of class, wealth or contacts - could reach the pinnacle of US life then so might anyone else. Keneally has long been absorbed by Lincoln's life and letters, upon which he draws for his biography.
Winston Churchill
- 208bladzijden
- 8 uur lezen
One of the greatest historians writing today gives us a defining portrait of the incomparable Winston Churchill In his landmark biography of Winston Churchill, acclaimed historian John Keegan offers a very human portrait of one of the twentieth century's enduring symbols of heroic defiance. From Churchill's youth as a poor student to his leadership during World War II, Keegan reveals a man whose own idea of an English past—eloquently embodied in his speeches—allowed him to exhort a nation to unprecedented levels of sacrifice. The result is a uniquely discerning look at one of the most fascinating personalities in history. “The best military historian of our generation.” –Tom Clancy
Mozart
- 176bladzijden
- 7 uur lezen
In this volume in the Lives series, Peter Gay, author of the bestselling Freud: A Life For Our Time, presents his appreciation of the life and work of Mozart, revealing truths more fascinating than the myths that have long shrouded the maestro's life.
Elvis Presley: A Life
- 178bladzijden
- 7 uur lezen
A vibrant, sympathetic portrait of the once and future king of rock 'n' roll by the award-winning author of Shiloh and In Country To this clear-eyed portrait of the first rock 'n' roll superstar, Bobbie Ann Mason brings a novelist's insight and the empathy of a fellow Southerner who, from the first time she heard his voice on the family radio, knew that Elvis was "one of us." Elvis Presley deftly braids the mythic and human aspects of his story, capturing both the charismatic, boundary-breaking singer who reveled in his celebrity and the soft-spoken, working-class Southern boy who was fatally unprepared for his success. The result is a riveting, tragic book that goes to the heart of the American dream.
Offers a profile of Dickens's life, interpretations of his major works, and a study of his narrative techniques, themes, characters, and style.
Napoleon
- 224bladzijden
- 8 uur lezen
A short and vivid biography, which deconstructs the Napoleonic myth and reveals the reality of his rule. Written with great wit and panache, this biography also has a serious purpose: to make us face up to the moral bankruptcy of Napoleon�s dictatorship. Johnson tells the whole story: his astonishing gift for figures and calculation, his mastery of cannon; his audacious, hyperactive and aggressive generalship and his simple battle tactics; his complete control of propaganda and the success of the cultural presentation of the Empire; the Code Napoleon; his failure as an international statesman, as Europe grew to hate him; his marshals and ministers; his wives, mistresses, personal style and working methods; the British blockade and the Continental System; the mistakes in Spain and Russia. The escape from Elba, the events leading up to Waterloo and the battle itself, which gets a full treatment, is particularly riveting.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life
- 224bladzijden
- 8 uur lezen
"a quick introduction to the life of a great American" -- The New York TimesAn inspiring portrait of the incredible life and lasting influence of Dr. Martin Luther KingMarshall Frady, the reporter who became the unofficial chronicler of the civil rights movement, here re-creates the life and turbulent times of its inspirational leader. Deftly interweaving the story of King’s quest with a history of the African American struggle for equality, Frady offers fascinating insights into his subject’s magnetic character, with its mixture of piety and ambition. He explores the complexities of King’s relationships with other civil rights leaders, the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover, who conducted a relentless vendetta against him. The result is a biography that conveys not just the facts of King’s life but the power of his legacy.
Exploring the life of a revolutionary composer, this biography delves into the genius behind some of the most significant musical works in Western history. It highlights the individual's innovative techniques, profound influence on music theory, and enduring legacy. Through detailed anecdotes and analysis, the book reveals the personal struggles and triumphs that shaped a remarkable career, offering insights into the creative process and the historical context of the composer's groundbreaking contributions to the world of music.
The biography explores the life and work of America's greatest architect, highlighting his innovative designs and lasting impact on architecture. Through detailed analysis and personal anecdotes, it reveals the architect's creative process, challenges, and triumphs. The narrative also delves into the cultural and historical context of his era, showcasing how his vision transformed urban landscapes and influenced future generations. Huxtable's insightful critique and appreciation provide a comprehensive portrait of a pivotal figure in American architecture.
Penguin Lives: Herman Melville
- 161bladzijden
- 6 uur lezen
The life story of the author of Moby-Dick furnishes an analysis of all of Melville's writings and depicts his days as a whaleship deckhand and his bitterness over the public's failure to embrace his master work, Moby-Dick. 25,000 first printing.
Edmund White crafts an intimate biography of Marcel Proust, illuminating the complexities of the reclusive genius behind Remembrance of Things Past. The narrative reveals Proust's dual existence as a prolific writer and a prominent figure in Parisian society, while also delving into his struggles with sexuality, an aspect previously unexplored. Balancing light-hearted gossip with profound emotional depth, this portrait offers a compelling introduction to Proust's life and legacy, making it a valuable read for fans of literary history.
Mao
- 256bladzijden
- 9 uur lezen
Der Autor, einer der renommiertesten Sinologen der Gegenwart, hat die neueste Literatur über Mao Zedong zusammengefasst und einer sehr pointierte und flüssig geschriebene Biografie vorgelegt.
Martin Luther explores the records left by Luther of his inner struggles and his conflicts with the papacy, the Holy Roman Empire, leaders of the emergent Protestant movements, and, in the greatest stains on his reputation, peasants in their uprising and Jews. This is also a portrait of a man of conscience and courage who risked death to witness to his beliefs and whose arguments drew fellow believers who together created changes that altered the destiny of Christendom, the shape of Christianity, and the rise of new freedoms in church and state.
A biography of the great medieval Italian poet and historian examines his life from his youth in Florence to his creation of "The Divine Comedy," his masterful allegorical poem of redemption and self-discovery.
The book presents a fresh and insightful portrayal of a legendary saint, highlighting the complexities and nuances of their life and legacy. Through a masterful storytelling approach, the author delves into the saint's experiences, beliefs, and impact, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their significance. This revealing account invites exploration of the saint's character and the historical context surrounding their life.
Proust
- 160bladzijden
- 6 uur lezen
This literary biography of Marcel Proust provides readers with an insight into the recluse who lay all night long in his cork-lined room, obsessively rewriting his one massive work. It also shows the yearning lonely boy, the brilliant wit - and the miserably closeted homosexual.
The book offers an in-depth exploration of a century's most influential political strategist, delving into their innovative tactics and pivotal decisions that shaped global events. It highlights key moments in their career, revealing the complexities of their character and the impact of their leadership on both allies and adversaries. Through detailed analysis and rich historical context, the narrative examines how this mastermind navigated the political landscape, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate today.
An illuminating biography of Marlon Brando, a cultural icon and one of the most legendary American actors of all time In 1948 Marlon Brando stunned audiences and critics alike with his revolutionary, raw, and improvisational approach to acting. He became a symbol of a new, rebellious generation that was sick of conventions and committed to genuine emotion and unvarnished truth. From his breakout role as Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" to his mesmerizing portrayal of Don Corleone in "The Godfather," he created some of the most memorable characters in American cinematic history. Brando was a paradox--intensely private but using his fame to promote worthy causes, a womanizer who clung to his childhood friends and animals. He was one of the most fiercely independent stars ever. In this book, acclaimed biographer Patricia Bosworth peels away Brando's many layers, revealing the struggles, triumphs, and relentless ambition that transformed the irrepressible farm boy from Nebraska into a legend of American cinema.
