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Checkpoint Charlie : the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, and the most dangerous place on earth / by MacGregor, Iain,author.;
Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-326) and index."Checkpoint Charlie is the story of the men and women - from both sides of the Cold War's political divide - who lived, served on, or escaped through the Berlin Wall during its life span (13th August 1961 - 9th November 1989). This physical monstrosity created by the East German communist state was to divide one of the most beautiful and by 1961, ruined cities of the world; dividing families, friends and lovers. Its creation, and its sudden collapse twenty-seven years later, were the key moments of the Cold War. Checkpoint Charlie was the one place in a paranoid continent where East faced West across one hundred yards of No Man's Land. Where soldiers served, spies watched through trained binoculars, escapees fled, politicians made speeches, people died and, mothers wept. The Wall was seen by many as permanent as the Himalayas. Across the Wall's almost three decades of existence, over two hundred people died trying to escape through it to the West, and these are just the recorded deaths. Many more who attempted and failed to break to freedom, would later die of their wounds in an East German hospital or prison. Historian Iain MacGregor travels to America, Britain, Germany and France to talk to the many people the Berlin Wall affected and who found themselves at the gates of Checkpoint Charlie - either on the Allied, or Soviet side. He interviews soldiers, politicians, journalists, spies, policemen, refugees and escapees to build a picture of what life was like in the city that was universally seen as the "hot spot" of the Cold War for four decades"--
Subjects: Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989; Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989; Cold War;

The peace : a warrior's journey / by Dallaire, Roméo,author.; Humphreys, Jessica Dee,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."In The Peace, Roméo Dallaire shows us the face of war through the prism of his own life in the military. His has been the journey of a man raised as a Cold Warrior, who became a New World Order warrior after the Berlin Wall fell. That man believed in the mandate of the UN to reinforce peace in Rwanda in 1994, only to see his mission collapse and the country descend into the hell of genocide. The battered, tortured person who emerged from that catastrophe grew determined to become a warrior who now fought against the new world disorder--to prevent genocide, to find ways to intervene in conflicts in defence of humanity. Dallaire helped craft doctrines called the "will to intervene" and "the right to protect," and then witnessed those initiatives fail to be deployed because of the same old power politics, national self-interest and general indifference that allowed the Rwandan genocide to unfold. Now in his final act, Dallaire has become a warrior working towards a better future in which those old paradigms are cracked. In The Peace he names all the things that undermine true peace and security because they reinforce the dangerous, self-interested belief that "balance" of power is the best we can do. Too often we settle for a definition of "at peace" that means we are content to stand by when the bombs are falling elsewhere because we ourselves are not under attack. Drawing on his own experience and witness, Dallaire shows us a path to what he calls "the peace," a state where, above all else, humanity values the ties that bind us and the planet together--and acts accordingly. The Peace is the cri de coeur of a warrior who has been to hell and back, and hopes to guide us to a better place."--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Dallaire, Roméo.; International relations.; Peace.; Security, International.;

The island / by Coes, Ben,author.;
"CIA operative Dewey Andreas is America's last line of defense when terrorists take over Manhattan, targeting the U.N. and the President himself in The Island, the latest in this New York Times bestselling series by Ben Coes. America is about to face the deadliest terrorist attack on it's soil since 9/11. Iran has been planning a revenge attack for years, with three goals in mind. Bring America to its knees. Assassinate the popular U.S. President J. P. Dellenbaugh. And neutralize their most successful agent, Dewey Andreas. The first pre-emptive attack against Dewey Andreas fails but it worries the head of the CIA enough that he sends Dewey out of town and off the grid. But as intelligence analysts work as fast as they can to unravel the chatter on terrorist networks, Muhammed el-Shakib, head of Iran's military and intelligence agency, launches a bold strike. When the President arrives in New York to address the U.N., embedded terrorist assets blow up the bridges and tunnels that connect Manhattan to the mainland. Taking control of the island with it's hidden forces, they race to the U.N. in search of Dellenbaugh and to launch an even deadlier attack that will wreak unimaginable destruction on the country itself. While a shocked country struggles to mount a counter-attack, a hopeless, outmanned and outgunned Dewey Andreas sneaks onto the island of Manhattan to fight a seemingly impossible battle"--
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Spy fiction.; Andreas, Dewey; Intelligence officers; Terrorists;

Madness : race and insanity in a Jim Crow asylum / by Hylton, Antonia,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."On a cold day in March of 1911, officials marched twelve Black men into the heart of a forest in Maryland. Under the supervision of a doctor, the men were forced to clear the land, pour cement, lay bricks, and harvest tobacco. When construction finished, they became the first twelve patients of the state's Hospital for the Negro Insane. For centuries, Black patients have been absent from our history books. Madness transports readers behind the brick walls of a Jim Crow asylum. In Madness, Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton tells the 93-year-old history of Crownsville Hospital, one of the last segregated asylums with surviving records and a campus that still stands to this day in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She blends the intimate tales of patients and employees whose lives were shaped by Crownsville with a decade-worth of investigative research and archival documents. Madness chronicles the stories of Black families whose mental health suffered as they tried, and sometimes failed, to find safety and dignity. Hylton also grapples with her own family's experiences with mental illness, and the secrecy and shame that it reproduced for generations. As Crownsville Hospital grew from an antebellum-style work camp to a tiny city sitting on 1,500 acres, the institution became a microcosm of America's evolving battles over slavery, racial integration, and civil rights. During its peak years, the hospital's wards were overflowing with almost 2,700 patients. By the end of the 20th-century, the asylum faded from view as prisons and jails became America's new focus. In Madness, Hylton traces the legacy of slavery to the treatment of Black people's bodies and minds in our current mental healthcare system. It is a captivating and heartbreaking meditation on how America decides who is sick or criminal, and who is worthy of our care or irredeemable"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Crownsville State Hospital; African Americans; African Americans; Mentally ill; Psychiatric hospitals; Racism in medicine.;

The off-limits rule : a novel / by Adams, Sarah,1991-author.;
"From the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect comes an expanded edition of The Off-Limits Rule - a heartwarming romance about new love and fresh beginnings, with a never-before-seen chapter. Rules are made to be broken - especially for love, right? Lucy Marshall has found rock bottom. After failing to succeed as a single mom in Atlanta, she's back home and moving in with her older brother Drew. Reconnecting with her support system is the right thing to do, but Lucy can't help but feel like a failure. Her four-year-old son deserves the world, and all she can give him is a spare bedroom. But Drew is the sweetest uncle, and some quality time might be exactly what they need to start fresh. That is until she meets Cooper, her brother's incredibly hot best friend. When Drew senses something between the two of them, he puts his foot down on any shenanigans. According to him, Cooper is everything Lucy should stay away from: flirtatious, adventurous, and especially non-committal. But Lucy has been getting the opposite impression so far; Cooper is a genuinely great guy, and she's starting to catch real feelings. Her whole life, Lucy has tried to do everything right, and look where that's gotten her - so what if she were to try something wrong?"--
Subjects: Romance fiction.; Humorous fiction.; Novels.; Best friends; Man-woman relationships; Siblings; Single mothers;

How big things get done : the surprising factors that determine the fate of every project, from home renovations to space exploration and everything in between / by Flyvbjerg, Bent,author.; Gardner, Dan,1968-author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."Nothing is more inspiring than a big vision that becomes a triumphant reality. Think of how the Empire State Building went from sketch to the jewel of the New York skyline in twenty-one months; how Amazon started in a garage and became a global retail giant in five years; how, when coronavirus broke out in the city of Wuhan, the Chinese goverment built a 1,500-room hospital in under a week. These grand visions make for inspiring stories. But even for endeavors of far smaller and more modest scales, turning a vision into a plan and a plan into reality isn't easy. Whether it's delivering a key report to a client, organizing a big event, implementing a department-wide process, launching a small business, inventing a product, or renovating a home, many of our everyday projects are in fact complex feats of planning and coordination. Understanding what distinguishes the triumphs from the failures has been the life's work of Oxford professor Bent Flyvbjerg, dubbed "the world's leading megaproject expert" by KPMG. In Big Plans, he identifies the errors in judgement and decision-making that lead projects to fail, and offers research-based strategies for avoiding common pitfalls. For example: Think slow, act fast: It may seem obvious that we should spend less time planning and more time executing, but in practice this is exceedingly difficult. Plan backwards: Start with your goal, then identify the steps to get there. Eliminate the unpredictable: when a project gets derailed, we often cite "unforeseen problems." However, most problems can be foreseen, through a method called reference-class forecasting. Full of vivid examples ranging from the building of the Sydney Opera House to the making of Pixar's first film, Big Plans reveals how to get any ambitious project done: on time and on budget"--
Subjects: Project management; Project management;

One jump at a time : my story / by Chen, Nathan,1999-author.; Park, Alice,author.; Wang, Vera,writer of foreword.;
"In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, reflecting on his life as a Chinese American figure skater and the joys and challenges he has experienced-including the tremendous sacrifices he and his family made, and the physical and emotional pain he endured. When three-year-old Nathan Chen tried on his first pair of figure skates, magic happened. But the odds of this young boy-one of five children born to Chinese immigrants-competing and making it into the top echelons of figure skating were daunting. Chen's family didn't have the resources or access to pay for expensive coaches, rink time, and equipment. But Nathan's mother, Hetty Wang, refused to fail her child. Recognizing his tremendous talent and passion, she stepped up as his coach, making enormous sacrifices to give Nathan the opportunity to compete in this exclusive world. That dedication eventually paid off at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, where Chen-reverently known as the "Quad King"-won gold, becoming the first Asian-American man to stand at the highest podium in figure skating. In this moving and inspiring memoir Chen opens up for the first time, chronicling everything it took to pursue his dreams. Bolstered by his unwavering passion and his family's unconditional support, Chen reveals the most difficult times he endured, and how he overcame each obstacle-from his disappointment at the 2018 Olympic Games, to competing during a global pandemic, to the extreme physical and mental toll the sport demands. Pulling back the curtain on the figure skating world and the Olympics, Chen reveals what it was really like at the Beijing Games and competing on the US team in the same city his parents had left-and his grandmother still lived. Poignant and unfiltered, told in his own words, One Jump at a Time is the story of one extraordinary young man-and a testament to the love of a family and the power of persistence, grit, and passion"-Publisher description.
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Chen, Nathan, 1999-; Chinese American figure skaters; Figure skaters;

Sisters in resistance : how a German spy, a banker's wife, and Mussolini's daughter outwitted the Nazis / by Mazzeo, Tilar J.,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."In 1944, the war had reached its climax in continental Europe. News of secret diaries kept by Italy's former Foreign Minister, Galeazzo Ciano, had permeated public consciousness. What wasn't reported, however, was how three women-a Fascist's daughter, a German spy, and an American socialite-risked their lives to ensure the diaries would reach the Allied forces, who would use the papers as key evidence against the Nazis at the Nuremberg Trials. Just a year earlier, Edda Mussolini, Benito Mussolini's daughter, had given Hitler and her father an ultimatum: release her husband, Galeazzo Ciano, from prison, or risk her leaking her husband's journals to the press. Knowing the diaries will expose Nazi lies and create a foundation for a criminal war crimes prosecution, Hitler and Mussolini vow to do everything in their power to see the diaries destroyed-even if it means liquidating Mussolini's daughter. To do this, they ordered Hilde Beetz, a German spy, to seduce Ciano in prison in order to learn the diaries' location. As the seducer becomes the seduced, however, Hilde shifts her loyalties and becomes a double agent, joining forces with Edda to save Ciano from execution. When this fails, Edda flees to Switzerland with Hilde's daring assistance to keep Ciano's final wish: to see the diaries published for use by the Allies. When the head of United States' intelligence, Alan Dulles, learns of Edda's escape, he sends in socialite Frances De Chollet, an "accidental" spy, assigned by chance to a mission that would change her life. Her task is to find Edda, gain her trust, and, crucially, hand the diaries over to the Americans. Against all expectations, what develops is a rich and humanizing friendship between the two women. One step ahead of the Gestapo agents who are hunting Edda, together they succeed in preserving one of the most important historic documents of the Second World War. Drawing from in-depth research and first-person interviews with people who witnessed parts of this true story, Mazzeo gives readers a riveting look into this little-known moment in cultural history and shows how, without Edda, Hilde, and Frances's involvement, certain convictions would never have been possible at Nuremberg. Sisters in Resistance is a powerful look at women's intelligence work during WWII, a moving story of unlikely wartime friendships, and an inspirational investigation into three people who, navigated the place where truth, loyalty, justice, and betrayal collide"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Ciano, Edda Mussolini, Contessa.; Ciano, Galeazzo, conte, 1903-1944; Ciano, Galeazzo, conte, 1903-1944.; Purwin, Hilde, 1919-2010.; Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei. Schutzstaffel. Reichssicherheitshauptamt. Amt VI.; Espionage, German; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945;

Star wars. by Lucas, George,1944-; Hales, Jonathan.; McCallum, Rick,1952-; Tattersall, David,1960-; McGregor, Ewan,1971-; Portman, Natalie,1981-; Christensen, Hayden,1981-; Oz, Frank.; McDiarmid, Ian.; August, Pernilla,1958-; Best, Ahmed,1973-; Davies, Oliver Ford.; Morrison, Temuera.; Daniels, Anthony.; Carson, Silas,1965-; Baker, Kenny,1934-2016.; Jackson, Samuel L.; Lee, Christopher,1922-2015.; Bocquet, Gavin.; Burtt, Ben.; Biggar, Trisha.; Williams, John,1932-; Lucasfilm, Ltd.; Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation.; Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc.;
DVD; region 1, NTSC; Dolby 5.1 surround EX, Dolby 2.0 surround, digitally THX mastered.System requirements for enhanced features: A DVD-ROM drive and an Internet connection on a PC with Windows 95 or higher. Some features will not work on a Mac.Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, Pernilla August, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson, Kenny Baker, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee.Production designer, Gavin Bocquet ; editor and sound design, Ben Burtt ; costume designer, Trisha Biggar ; casting by Robin Gurland ; music by John Williams ; visual effects supervisors, John Knoll, Pablo Helman, Ben Snow, Dennis Muren ; animation director, Rob Coleman.MPAA rating: PG; sustained sequences of sci-fi action/violence.Ten years after the events of Phantom menace, Senator Padme Amidala survives an assassination attempt as she returns to Coruscant for an important vote. The Jedi Council send Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to protect her. After tracking the assassin, but failing to get any information from her, Obi-Wan is sent to Kamino to continue their investigations while Anakin is sent with Amidala to Naboo. While Anakin and Amidala are falling in love on Naboo, Obi-Wan is investigating the connection between the assassination attempt and a growing separatist movement, which could bring the Republic to the brink of civil war.Special features (Disc one): Commentary by George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll and Ben Snow.Special features (Disc two): Eight deleted scenes created just for this release, with introductions from George Lucas, Rick McCallum and Ben Burtt -- witness the revolution in digital character animation in the all-new, full-length documentary, "From puppets to pixels" featuring the creation of digital Yoda, Dexter Jettster and more -- exclusive documentary, "State of the art: the previsualization of Episode II" ; follow Ben Burtt and his team as they explain the process of creating the sound for Episode II in the all-new documentary, "Films are not released; they escape" -- three featurettes explore Attack of the clones' general storyline, action scenes and love story ; comprehensive award-winning twelve-part web documentary series -- "Across the stars" music video featuring John Williams ; theatrical teasers and launch trailer, and twelve TV spots -- theatrical posters and print campaign from around the world -- "R2-D2: beneath the dome" mockumentary trailer -- never-before-seen production photo gallery with special caption feature -- Episode II visual effects breakdown montage -- DVD-ROM weblink to exclusive Star Wars content.
Subjects: Science fiction films.; Feature films.; Video recordings for the hearing impaired.; Feature films.; Science fiction films.; Feature films.; Drama.; Feature films.; Films for the hearing impaired.; Science fiction films.; Feature films.; Star Wars films.; Kenobi, Obi-Wan (Fictitious character); Attempted assassination; Star Wars films.; Science fiction films.; Feature films.; Kenobi, Obi-Wan (Carácter ficticio); Homicidio político; Attempted assassination.; Feature films.; Kenobi, Obi-Wan (Fictitious character); Science fiction films.; Star Wars films.;
© ©2002., 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment,

The beautiful dream : a memoir / by Hutchinson, Atiba,author.;
"Out of the Toronto suburb of Brampton comes an irresistible story of trials, perseverance, the limelight of professional and international soccer, and -- above all -- heart. Despite debuting on Canada's senior national soccer team 20 years ago, scarce is known of Atiba Hutchinson. We've watched him win Canadian Men's Player of the Year six times; celebrated his club team championships; and mourned his injuries. We've lamented the state of Canadian soccer and cursed the lost potential -- and years. Yet, we know not of Atiba's personal life, or how he rose from small-town (and not soccer-crazy) Brampton to becoming Canada's most-capped national men's team player. For the first time, Atiba is ready to share the extraordinary story of his ascent to the heights of professional soccer, nationally and internationally, and what he believes makes a true champion. The Beautiful Dream is an intimate account of Atiba's awe-inspiring career, from his humble beginnings to playing across Europe; the crushing disappointment of failing national team competitions in the 2010s that nearly lead to his resignation from the national program; all the way to his triumphant arrival in Qatar to face off against 31 other nations at the world's most pre-eminent soccer competition. He has strived to better not only his own game but the landscape of Canadian soccer for over two decades, culminating in Canada's first trip to the FIFA World Cup since 1986. Yet, as the reflective midfielder shows, this isn't just his story: The Beautiful Dream is the story of countless Canadians, who strive and scrape for a seemingly unreachable dream -- until their fingertips finally graze the surface. Atiba's journey mirrors the progression of Canadian soccer, and the story of Canada itself: dreams that may begin as outsized but as we work towards them, our world changes with us. Hutchinson's journey of hope, belief, and resilience connects the country's modest soccer past to a bold, exciting future in the game. It's a story that transcends the pitch, exploring what it means to be a kid who dares to dream of achieving the impossible, and the man who perseveres to get there."--
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Hutchinson, Atiba.; Soccer players;

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