Rebel Leaders focuses on the world-shaping, powerful arena of politics and warfare, looking at those revolutionaries throughout the centuries who have changed the course of history. Since ancient times, rebel leaders have fought against oppressive colonial masters, autocratic tyrants, crushing military regimes or rule by supreme monarchs and emperors. Other rebels have fought for causes less noble. Some of them have succeeded in overthrowing their enemy and establishing themselves and instituting their political vision—sometimes only briefly, sometimes for their lifetime, as in the case of Fidel Castro. Some, like George Washington, have been handed ultimate power yet refused the temptation of absolute rule. Rebel Leaders examines seventeen intriguing figures who have fought the state and won.

A Left-Handed History of the World has now been updated to include a chapter on President Obama. About 10 per cent of the general population is left-handed. However 16 per cent of American presidents have been lefties and a disproportionately high number of left-handers feature in influential moments through history, from Julius Caesar to Bill Gates. Through fascinating case studies of notables from ancient to modern times, Ed Wright explains the secret of lefty success. Psychology meets history in this fascinating and popular look at being left-handed and its effects on our world.

Ed Wright presents some of the most respected members of society, politics, business, sports and the arts in a new and disturbing light to reveal the dark side of driven personalities. The narratives reveal clandestine affairs, underhand political dealings, blatant criminal activity, and other dramatic episodes.

The stories in this book are tragic, mysterious, thrilling and rip-roaring and their subjects include heroes, villains and misguided innocents. It features approximately 80 adventurers who gave their lives in the cause of discovery. Each chapter discusses the adventurers chronologically and covers their career up to their end.

Focuses on the worldshaping, powerful arena of politics and warfare, looking at those revolutionaries throughout the centuries who have changed the course of history. Since ancient times, rebel leaders have fought against oppressive colonial masters, autocratic tyrants, crushing military regimes or rule by supreme monarchs and emperors.

By exploring the defining characters traits of these and other famous lefties, we uncover what the world can learn by viewing life from another angle.

"If you thought the rich and famous were weird, wait till you meet their relatives"--Back cover.

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"Jocelyn Brooke is a great writer. . . . If you care enough for literature, seek out The Scapegoat."--Elizabeth Bowen "Brooke marked out his magical, personal kingdom, different from any other writer."--Anthony Powell

When Australia was first settled by Europeans in 1788, the worldwide railway boom was still 40 years away. When the railways finally came to Australia, they helped create new towns and alleviate the isolation of the outback. Communities began to consolidate in places where the rail came. In the cities the railway enabled the growth of commuter belt suburbs. They have been crucial to the development of Australian industry. Railways and associated industries were the biggest employers in Australia. The railways reached their pinnacle in the 1950s, but they have been disadvantaged by Australia’s sparsely distributed population and low density cities, the advancement of the motor vehicle, and air travel. Nonetheless, the future for our railways is not completely grim. While the romance of the long-distance passenger journey seems to have more tourist than utilitarian value, the growing population in Australia’s major cities, as well as the traffic and environmental problems caused by cars, means that urban railways are more vital than ever to the effective operation of cities. The railways also continue to play an important part in freighting the produce of Australia’s primary industries as well as in agriculture. Combined with the large number of heritage and tourist trains, these ensure that even today some of the romance of the railways remains.