Alan Axelrod

Generals South, Generals North highlights twenty-four commanders—twelve each from the Confederacy and the Union. Best-selling author and military historian Alan Axelrod presents a biography of each, narrates the major engagements in which each fought (emphasizing tactical leadership and outcome produced), and explores each man’s ever-controversial reputation. His consequent rankings are based on both historical and modern-day sources.

For the first title in this series, Kunstler's paintings bring history to life with vivid, high-action portrayals of the primary events that won Americans their freedom from Britain: the Boston Tea Party, the Siege of Yorktown, Paul Revere's ride, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The epic artworks faithfully chronicle these moments from history and encourage children to look again and again for special details--from the number of stars on George Washington's flag to the style of a soldier's uniform. Together with text by award-winning historian Alan Axelrod, these brilliantly explicit paintings engage a young reader's attention and introduce them to American history through the visual arts. Known for his vivid use of colour, light, and shadow, Kunstler is one of the most widely exhibited artists documenting American history today. His graphically detailed work and skillful portrayals have been lauded for its accuracy by historians and admired by curators in museums around the globe. From a frozen post-battle landscape to a weary Union soldier's facial expression, he captures, in beautifully rendered detail, the geographical setting and the human spirit in each painting. Adults and children alike will see the story of the American Revolution unfold before their very eyes.

Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to the mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations that are a major component of warfare today. Security, military advice, training, logistics support, policing, technological expertise, intelligence, transportation—all are outsourced to a greater or lesser degree in the U.S. military—while countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Australia rely on privatization in one form or another. This comprehensive one-volume work covers the full range of mercenaries active on the international military scene today, including a concise history of mercenaries and private armies on land, sea, and in the air. Key Features Illuminating sidebars include biographies of major figures, key statistics, historical and current documents, contracts, and legislation on private armies and outsourced military services. Each chapter includes a bibliography of books, journal articles, and web sites. A general bibliography concludes the entire work. Mercenaries is a must-have reference for academic libraries, public libraries, and any social science, governmental, or non-governmental reference collection.

A surprising and sweeping history that reveals the fur trade to be the driving force behind conquest, colonization, and revolution in early America Combining the epic saga of Hampton Sides's Blood and Thunder with the natural history of Mark Kurlansky's Cod, popular historian Alan Axelrod reveals the astonishingly vital role a small animal--the beaver--played in the creation of our nation. The author masterfully relays a story often neglected by conventional histories: how lust for fur trade riches moved monarchs and men to launch expeditions of discovery, finance massive corporate enterprises, and wage war. Deftly weaving cultural and military narratives, the author chronicles how Spanish, Dutch, French, English, and Native American tribes created and betrayed alliances based on trapping and trade disputes, producing a surprisingly complex series of loyalties that endured throughout the Revolution and beyond.

General George C. Marshall was a skillful and compassionate leader with a unique legacy. He never fired a shot during WWII and led no troops into battle - his brilliance was purely strategic and diplomatic, and incredibly effective. He was responsible for the building, supplying, and, in part, the deployment of over eight million soldiers. In 1947, as Secretary of State, he created the Marshall Plan, a sweeping economic recovery effort that pulled the war-shattered European nations out of ruin, and gave impetus to NATO and the European Common Market. It was for the Marshall Plan that he won the Nobel Peace Prize - the only time in history a military commander has ever been awarded this honor. Marshall's skilled combination of military strategy and politics, emphasis on planning as well as execution, and his expertise in nation-building holds lessons for military and civilian leaders today.

Patton's Drive tells the story of how a young man born to war-who believed himself the literal incarnation of all great warriors past-became a modern American general: in terms of enemy killed or captured, territory taken, and people liberated, the greatest field commander of World War II.

Based on the findings in recently released archive papers and letters, as well as extensive library and historical resources, Alan Axelrod offers a compelling profile of the remarkable leadership discipline of a general often called a "military CEO." In fascinating detail, Axelrod reveals that Ike was more than a great military leader; he was also a great executive who could—and did—write a reassuring letter to the mother of a solider one moment and make decisions impacting millions of lives the next. Follow Ike's path as Supreme Commander from the invasion of North Africa to victory in Europe and learn the lessons of great leadership along the way, including: The nature of leadershipManaging detail without sacrificing the “big picture”Ensuring follow-through to executionBuilding a teamConverting conflict into common causeGetting the facts and making plansMentoring, motivating, and inspiring

In this fascinating exploration of one of the most celebrated and innovative minds, best-selling author Alan Axelrod cuts through the myths and reverence surrounding Edison’s “genius” to show how the inventor was, in fact, an ordinary man who created extraordinary work. While many of us believe that creativity, like genius, is something that just happens by chance or destiny, Edison’s life demonstrates that creativity of the very highest order can indeed be summoned up at will, and even reduced to a reliable working method and set of principles.

Political History of America's Wars is the first reference work to explore the legislative, social, and policy aspects of America's major wars, rebellions, and insurrections. This new volume weaves together important primary source documents, informative biographies, and in-depth essays to provide coverage of the political antecedents, events, and consequences of America's wars, from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Political History of America's Wars features: Chronological chapters on each of America's approximately fifty wars, rebellions, and insurrectionsIn-depth essays discussing America's colonial period and the Indian Wars, the imperialist era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the modern era of America as global policeman, and morePrimary source documents and materials on relevant legislation and congressional resolutions, executive orders, proclamations, court cases, and constitutional amendmentsVital coverage of war-time events and trends including elections and political parties, public opinion, propaganda, media coverage, foreign relations, diplomacy, and treaties and alliances A helpful glossary, a comprehensive table of laws and treaties, and an index make Political History of America's Wars a valuable research tool that will serve researchers in political science, U.S. history, sociology, journalism, geography, and more.

Recent Issues and Advances in Astronomy explores the most important developments in astronomy over the last decade, including the results of recent investigations on extrasolar planetary systems, black holes, and the existence of water in space. Besides exploring the societal implications of recent developments, the book also addresses the philosophical questions raised by recent advances, such as whether or not we are alone in the universe. Other chapters offer biographies of prominent astronomers, discussions of important current investigations, summaries of astronomical funding and career statistics, and a glossary of terms. The book also provides an annotated listing of relevant organizations and bibliographies of print and nonprint information resources.The book is illustrated and extensively cross-referenced, and includes a detailed subject index. A special chapter comprises narratives written by four trained astronomers, each of whom describes the particular career path he or she has chosen, both inside and outside the field of astronomy itself.

Ever since the Dominican missionary Bartolom de Las Casas (1476-1566) first raised civil and minority rights issues in an American context, they have figured prominently among some of the most profound and trying moments in American history. Minority Rights in America consists of approximately 600 engagingly written alphabetically arranged entries on civil rights, political rights, and social rights in America since the days of Christopher Columbus. The rights of all Americans are included, with particular attention to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, women, and other minority groups. Many of the entries include suggested readings to facilitate additional research and understanding. Entries include: Biographical sketches of important historical figures who participated in the struggle to advance minority rightsImportant topics, organizations, and critical eventsSupreme Court cases, federal laws, and governmental agencies. Rounding out this comprehensive reference are three useful appendixes and a consolidated bibliography. Appendixes include: Excerpts of more than seventy-five important documents organized logically in six parts: historic documents, historic speeches and writings, historic legislation, Supreme Court decisions, rights activism documents, and documents from U.S. government agenciesContact information for more than sixty associations and civil rights organizationsA list, with full citations, of the court cases mentioned in the volume. Sample of encyclopedic entries: Jane Addams, Affirmative action, AIDS and rights, Antisemitism, Ross Barnett, Bonus Army, Chicano studies, Shirley Chisholm, Clayton Act, Congress of Racial, Equality (CORE), Conscientious objectors, Crazy Horse, Defense of Marriage Act, Employment at will, Medgar Evers, Farm labor rights, Orval Faubus , Gerrymandering, Gray Panthers, Angelina Grimke, Haymarket Riot, J. Edgar Hoover, Langston Hughes, Indian Citizenship Act, Japanese internment, Jim Crow laws, Bartolom de Las Casas, Loving v. Virginia, Megan's Law, Million Man March, Ralph Nader, National Immigration, William Penn, Puritan Separatist, Rap music, Right to die, Margaret Sanger, Smokers' rights, Southern Governors, Association Trail of Tears, Voting Rights Act of 1965, Harold Washington, Youth Law Center, John Peter Zenger.

Few leadership titles have been written on the lives of women. Alan Axelrod, noted historian and business management expert, reveals how Elizabeth I overcame daunting obstacles to win intense loyalty and lead England to greatness. The queen's long reign offers lessons on: developing a leadership attitude and image enhanced by personal dynamism; becoming an effective coach and mentor skilled at nurturing creativity; manipulating others--subtly and ethically--and knowing and anticipating the "enemy."How did Elizabeth meet the challenges that faced her, managing not only to stay alive and keep her imperiled nation afloat, but also to win the intense loyalty of her people and lead England to greatness? Historians and biographers have offered many explanations. Elizabeth I, CEO takes a fresh view, exploring issues that are relevant to leaders--especially business leaders--of today.

Astronomy is an ancient science on the cutting edge. Although it's been around for over 5,500 years, astronomers say that we have learned more than 90 percent of what we know in only the last 50 years--a disproportionate amount in just the past decade. Each new year seems to yield more information than the last, not to mention advances in the technology for acquiring it.

Drawing on General George Patton s decisive moves and distinctive style, Alan Axelrod'sPatton on Leadership gives executives and managers straightforward, practical lessons in dynamic, results-oriented management. This guide covers how to develop a leadership attitude, communicate effectively, inspire others, and more, with period photographs of the Patton throughout his career. What can a civilian corporate leader learn from the combat tactics of General George S. Patton Jr.? Find out by reading Alan Axelrod s Patton on Leadership. He takes leadership wisdom of one of America s greatest and most colorful combat generals and applies it to contemporary civilian corporate organizations. Organized around Patton s quotations and writings, each being related to specific corporate situations, Axelrod presents an in-depth understanding into the general s leadership style and demonstrates that Patton s genius was being able to capitalize on his own intuitive notion of leadership. This book provides a perspective insight of a leadership methodology that may be a valuable asset to many corporate executives. Rutherford B. Johnson, commander, Georgia Chapter, George S. Patton Jr. Historical Society I have no doubt that the leadership skills and personal attitude practiced by General Patton can be used effectively in both corporate and government managerial positions. Current and future leaders would do well to master those skills and to practice the vital requisities of honesty and integrity for which General Patton was noted and without which, leadership is highly suspect. William A. Burke, Major General (Ret.)"

Whether studying a particular time period, a general subject area, or a specific treaty or alliance, American Treaties and Alliances is the new one-stop resource. ''Organized both thematically and chronologically, and illustrated with maps and tables throughout, this reference helps students and researchers find the particular information they need, or explore whole issue areas, such as human rights and genocide, and the pertinent treaties throughout our history. Most useful to students researching foreign policy, the documents in American Treaties and Alliances are arranged by the following subjects: ''''Settlement, Union, Expansion, and Boundaries ''Wars and Military Alliances ''Diplomacy and International Organizations ''Trade, Commerce, and Transportation ''Human and Political Rights ''Science and Environment ''''

"Ace Your Midterms and Finals" is a new concept in test prep for a new generation of students. These class-tested guides feature: midterms and final examinations-one from each of the top universities throughout the country; an introductory essay defining the nature and scope of the course, including its goals and what instructors expect students to learn; and a step-by-step guide to writing the essay and fully explained answers to essay questions-complete with discussion and notes from the professor.

Hours. There aren't enough of them. Succeeding in business has always been tough. These days, it's downright brutal. What do you need most? All the help you can get. What do you need even more? Time. The Quick-Tip Survival Guides put the two together, giving you all the help you need--without taking all the time you have. Focusing on the personal and interpersonal skills crucial to success, the Quick-Tip Survival Guides mine and refine the nuggets of essential business know-how: time-tested truths, as well as savvy from the cutting edge. 201 Ways to Deal with Difficult People looks at real-world situations you face every day and provides no-nonsense strategies for turning close encounters of the worst kind into civil, sane, productive, and profitable exchanges.

Charles Brockden Brown: An American Tale is the first comprehensive literary, biographical, and cultural study of the novelist whom critic Leslie Fiedler has dubbed "the inventor of the American writer." The author of Wieland, Arthur Mervyn, Ormond, and Edgar Huntly, Charles Brockden Brown (1771-1810) is considered the first American professional author. He introduced Indian characters into American fiction. His keen interest in character delineation and abnormal psychology anticipates the stories of Poe, Hawthorne, and later masters of the psychological novel. Brown was eager to establish for himself an American identity as a writer, to become what Crèvecoeur called "the new man in the New World." It is especially this intimate identification of writer with country that makes Brown a telling precursor of our most characteristic authors from Poe, Hawthorne, and Cooper to Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner. To understand its significance, Brown's work must be examined as both art and artifact. Accordingly, Charles Brockden Brown: An American Tale is literary history as well as criticism, embued with insights into a writer's sources and influences and the psychology of literary composition. It is also a fascinating examination of a nation's emotional and intellectual impact on a young man in search of his identity as creative artist.