Growing up in New Jersey as the only African American Muslim at school, Ibtihaj Muhammad always had to find her own way. When she discovered fencing, a sport traditionally reserved for the wealthy, she had to defy expectations and make a place for herself in a sport she grew to love. From winning state championships to three-time All-America selections at Duke University, Ibtihaj was poised for success, but the fencing community wasn't ready to welcome her with open arms just yet. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on Team USA's saber fencing squad, Ibtihaj had to chart her own path to success and Olympic glory. Proud is a moving coming-of-age story from one of the nation's most influential athletes and illustrates how she rose above it all.
The inspiring and critically acclaimed all-American story of faith, family, hard work, and perseverance by Olympic fencer, activist, New York Times bestselling author, and Time "100 Most Influential People" honoree Ibtihaj Muhammad At the 2016 Olympic Games, Ibtihaj Muhammad smashed barriers as the first American to compete wearing hijab, and she made history as the first Muslim American woman to win a medal. But before she was an Olympian, activist, and entrepreneur, Ibtihaj was a young outsider trying to find her place. Growing up in suburban New Jersey, Ibtihaj was often the only African American Muslim student in her class. When she discovered and fell in love with fencing, a sport most popular with affluent young white people, she stood out even more. Rivals and teammates often pointed out Ibtihaj's differences, telling her she would never succeed. Yet she powered on, rising above bigotry and other obstacles on the path to pursue her dream. Ibtihaj's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to the international stage is told in her own words and enhanced with helpful advice and never-before-published photographs. Proud is an all-American tale of faith, family, hard work, and self-reliance.
Early morning steam rises from the pier pilings of the Subic Bay Naval Base as the shore patrol escorts a handcuffed Fatty Fitzgerald to the quarterdeck of his new ship, the U.S.S. Dermody. Instead of a uniform, Fatty is clothed in a soiled bed sheet. From that moment, life changes for the men aboard the Dermody, especially Larsen, a young sailor fresh from electronics school. The year is 1973, the dog days of the Vietnam War, and the Dermody is beginning her WESTPAC cruise. With no enemy to fight, the ship ́s crew turns on itself in fits of racial tension, drug use and insubordination. Enforcing his will with his massive belly, Fatty Fitzgerald brings his spit and polish "rules" to the ship, intent on instilling the discipline of the "old navy" upon his electronics division. Larsen must decide whether to bend to Fatty ́s indomitable will, or experience the revolution with Goat, a fellow technician and self-proclaimed hippie. Other influences are Sonny, the emotional leader of the ship ́s blacks, and Nettles, the bible-thumping corpsman who attempts to save Larsen ́s soul, but loses his own. To complicate things, Larsen falls for Juliet, the Chinese bargirl who steals his heart-for a price. This 157,000-word novel takes place at sea and in the exotic ports of the Orient. Larsen loses his money on the muddy streets of Olongapo, is chased back to his ship by a typhoon in Hong Kong, and endures the Shellback initiation at the equator. By the time the Dermody arrives in Singapore, Larsen has made a decision that will change his life forever. "Steve McQueen Would be Proud" is a coming-of-age story that explores a world that no longer exists, except in the memories of thousands of sailors who served in the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War.
Whether it's cartwheeling naked across a rugby field in front of an audience of one billion (including your dad); playing eleven-minute soft rock tracks on night-shift radio as cover for some adult magazine fumblings; getting your appendix removed to avoid an English lesson; or stealing KISS's groupies and charging the champagne to Gene Simmons'...
365 Reasons To Be Proud To Be Scottish is a year-long scenic route of jollyness taking in the quirky events, inventions, traditions, people, places and characters that make Scotland a country worth celebrating every day of the year. Has there ever been a more eccentric, creative, inventive and passionate race than the Scottish? We don't think so and 365 Reasons To Be Proud To Be Scottish proves it brilliantly. In the book you'll find a historical year's worth of the discoveries, delights and derring-do that make Scotland a place to love and cherish, a place of wonder and a country that attracts 13 million people through its doors each year. From the hallowed halls of St Andrews University – the first in Scotland (and, in 2013, celebrating its 600th birthday!) – to the glorious slopes of Edinburgh’s streets; from the magical monster myths of loch landscapes to the ancient highland whisky makers; from inventors Alexander Graham Bell to brave knights such as William Wallace – Scotland is amazing, every single day of the year.
However well our boys do in the 2014 World Cup, we can be sure that English pride will be riding higher than ever. So it's time to celebrate our Englishness! Take a year-long stroll around the joys of English inventiveness, eccentricity and fighting spirit with this fascinating collection of stories, anecdotes and fun. Within these pages you'll find tales of innovative discoveries, historical victories and iconic sporting successes, one for every day of the year, all of which will make any Englishman or woman beam with pride. It's the perfect gift for English people everywhere.
365 Reasons To Be Proud To Be Irish is a year-long scenic route of jolliness taking in the quirky events, inventions, traditions, people, places and characters that make Ireland a country worth celebrating every day of the year. Within this humorously illustrated and entertaining book you'll find a historical year's worth of the discoveries, delights and derring-do that make Ireland a place to love and cherish, a place of wonder and a country that attracts 6 million people through its doors each year. From the beautiful streets of Dublin’s city centre to the craggy scrapes of Galway; from the magical myths of Dearg Due (the Irish vampire!) to the legendary pint-pullers at Guinness; from scientists Francis Beaufort to ejection-seat inventor James Martin (plus many more!), Ireland is outstanding in every way, every single day of the year.
London – one of the world's most exciting cities. Teeming with life, bursting with history, it houses over 8 million people, and has thousands of stories to tell. 365 Reasons to be Proud to be a Londoner is a quirky, fun exploration of the people and events that make London so special, with an entry for every day of the year. From the building of London's frankly awe-inspiring sewer system to the founding of the iconic Abbey Road recording studios, from the diary of Samuel Pepys to the invention of the World Wide Web, this fascinating book provides 365 compelling reasons why every Londoner should be proud of their wonderful city. Maybe it's because you're a Londoner...that you'll love this book! Word count: 30,000 Related titles: 365 Reasons to be Cheerful (9781906032968) 365 Reasons to be Proud to be British (9781907554391) 365 Reasons to be Proud to be English (9781909396715) 365 Reasons to be Proud to be Irish (9781909396401) 365 Reasons to be Proud to be Scottish (9781907554872) 365 Reasons to Look on the Bright Side (9781907554681)
