Edwards contends that Afghanistan's troubles derive less from foreign forces and the ideological divisions between groups than they do from the moral incoherence of Afghanistan itself.
Every hero has a beginning. So does every villain. When the world's greatest superhero is found murdered, new threats emerge. And three lives are forever changed. From the ashes rises a new generation of superheroes. But with immense superpowers, and a history of tragedy, the line between right and wrong blurs. Will they become protectors of justice, or agents of chaos? Choose your side in Age of Heroes, the first book of The Pantheon Saga superhero series. Start reading today. WARNING: This novel contains moderate swearing and big damn superhero action. If you're not a fan of moderate swearing or big damn superhero action, this novel might not be for you.
The Kingdom of Duranthia has long romanticized heroism and adventure. Powerful warriors called heroes are idolized by the public for their strength and their deeds. Robert Bunker is one such person, long dreaming of journeying the lands as a hero. Unfortunately, his lack of confidence had prevented him from pursuing his dream. However, when a dragon threatens his home, Robert is forced to journey to find a hero to save it from certain destruction. Fate proves to be kind to Robert when he meets the famed "Cheapest Hero in the Kingdom", an eccentric man by the name of Simon, who quickly saves his home.Simon's "ideal" heroism inspires Robert, who joins Simon on his travels as his apprentice in heroism. Robert is in for the adventure of a lifetime as he journeys across Duranthia, striving to learn everything he knows from his new mentor about heroics. The only question now is, can the two hope to survive the journey ahead?
This volume explores the relationship of hero to celebrity and the changing role of the hero in American culture. It establishes that the nature of hero and its function in society is a communication phenomenon, which has been and is being altered by the rapid advance of electronic media.
Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men explores the changing depiction of superheroes from the comic books of the 1930s to the cinematic present. In this anthology, scholars from a variety of disciplines including history, cultural studies, Latin American studies, film studies, and English examine the superheros cultural history in North America with attention to particular stories and to the historical contexts in which those narratives appeared. Enduring comic book characters from DC and Marvel Comics including Superman, Iron Man, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Avengers are examined, along with lesser-known Canadian, Latino, and African-American superheroes. With a sweep of characters ranging from the Pulp Era to recent cinematic adaptations, and employing a variety of analytical frameworks, this collection offers new insights for scholars, students, and fans of the superhero genre.
Gods and Heroes is the first volume of the Itan—Legends of the Golden Age trilogy about the thousand-year story of the Yoruba people. It starts with the establishment of Ile-Ife by Oduduwa and the great sacrifice of the heroine Moremi. The ancient gods of Yorubaland, Obatala, Orunmila, Ogun, and Olokun all play their part, as well as the great heroes and heroines of antiquity—Oranmiyan, Sango, Oya, Oba Esigie of Benin, and Obanta of Ijebuland. The author uses the genre of the historical novel in a refreshing and imaginative fashion to present the whole tableau of Yoruba history. The result is a vast and rich panorama enlivened with traditional myths and legends seen through the eyes of a single Yoruba family and the Old Woman, the fabled storyteller.
In the tradition of his own bestselling masterpieces The Story of Civilization and The Lessons of History, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Will Durant traces the lives and ideas of those who have helped to define civilization, from its dawn to the beginning of the modern world. Heroes of History is a book of life-enhancing wisdom and optimism, complete with Durant's wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple, exciting terms. It is the lessons of our heritage passed on for the edification and benefit of future generations—a fitting legacy from America's most beloved historian and philosopher. Will Durant's popularity as America's favorite teacher of history and philosophy remains undiminished by time. His books are accessible to readers of every kind, and his unique ability to compress complicated ideas and events into a few pages without ever "talking down" to the reader, enhanced by his memorable wit and a razor-sharp judgment about men and their motives, made all of his books huge bestsellers. Heroes of History carries on this tradition of making scholarship and philosophy understandable to the general reader, and making them good reading, as well. At the dawn of a new millennium and the beginning of a new century, nothing could be more appropriate than this brilliant book that examines the meaning of human civilization and history and draws from the experience of the past the lessons we need to know to put the future into context and live in confidence, rather than fear and ignorance.
Award-winning science writer Rod Pyle profiles the remarkable pilots, scientists, and engineers whose work was instrumental in space missions to every corner of our solar system and beyond. Besides heralded names like Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and Gene Kranz, the author highlights some of the "hidden figures" who played crucial roles in the success of NASA, Soviet, and international space exploration. For example, Joe Engle, was a daring test pilot who set multiple records in the dangerous X-15 rocket plane and later commanded the space shuttle three times. John Houbolt was an engineer who convinced NASA leadership that the most effective way to land on the moon was to use a seemingly risky technique called "Lunar Orbit Rendezvous," which worried NASA planners but was the only way to make the landing possible by 1969. Margaret Hamilton was an accomplished mathematician and one of the first female software engineers to design programs for spaceflight software that proved critical to the success of the moon landing. John Casani was a brash young engineer who took over the struggling Voyager program to reconnoiter the outer planets at a time when success was far from certain. And Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel into space aboard Soviet spacecraft Vostok 6. Complemented by many rarely-seen photos and illustrations, these stories of the highly talented and dedicated people, many of whom worked tirelessly behind the scenes, will fascinate and inspire.
Profiles admirable men from around the world and throughout history, including Socrates, Prince Taishi Shotoku, Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare, Jorge Luis Borges, and Martin Luther King.