Elvis Presley was much more than a cultural icon; he was a reliable barometer of the world he grew up in. Long before the cultural revolutions of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Elvis was sparking a dynastic change of hands in American society. And by his own admission, much of it was by accident. Whenever his […]
Eleanor of Aquitaine became the queen of both France and England, the wife of two kings, and later the mother of two kings. Heiress to the rich French provinces of Aquitaine and Poitou, she was undoubtedly one of medieval Europe’s most powerful and wealthy women. Inside you will read about… ✓ Duchess of Aquitaine, Queen
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In 1888, between August and November, the women of London’s East End were terrorized by a deranged serial killer called Jack the Ripper. A man was stalking the streets at night, seizing random women who worked those streets and killing them. This man mutilated his victim’s bodies after death, removing body parts, taking organs. Inside
Florence Nightingale is usually thought of for her work in the Crimean War, where, as the “Lady with the Lamp,” she tirelessly nursed wounded soldiers at all hours of the night and day. But while these two years were a significant part of her life, she was also much more. She was a daughter and
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The name Walt Disney is celebrated throughout the world because of its association with blockbuster animated films and most especially iconic cartoon characters. Just about everyone on the planet, regardless of time, place, or culture, has at one time or another become acquainted with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and everybody’s favorite anthropomorphic dog, Goofy. These
This book provides an introductory text on the Boer War, one of the most intriguing wars of modern times—a war that saw several innovations, like the use of heliography and indirect fire, and caused the complete overhaul of the great Imperial British fighting machine in its aftermath. It also tells of the first example of
The name George Patton has almost become synonymous with “General,” the words have become nearly interchangeable in American history. When the name General Patton comes to mind we are automatically inundated with themes of strength, and tough resolution. George Patton was a man who seemed to embody the old American ethos’ of the rugged individual who
Ancient Egypt has mystified and entranced generation after generation. Their mastery of architecture, their complex religious ideologies, and their peculiar views on death have given modern-day readers much to ponder. Few, if any, of their remaining relics have produced the awe and spectacular wonder of the Great Pyramids of Giza. These three architectural masterpieces have
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A small man with wild, matted hair, wide eyes, and a swastika tattooed on his forehead, Charles Manson is instantly recognizable as the deranged cult leader who was responsible for the deaths of nine people in the late 1960s. Manson was a career criminal who got his education in the U.S. prison system and learned
James Dean is known as the first rebel. He was a ‘50s-styled, leather-clad biker rebuking authority. With his black turtleneck and a penchant for bongo drums and poetry, he could also easily be a kind of forerunner to the beatniks. And with his unkempt, wild hair and far-reaching philosophies, he is often cited as a
