LITMIR.BIZ

Collected in this edition is the early autobiographical fragment written by Charles Darwin in 1838 along with his official autobiography which was first published in 1887, five years after his death. His controversial theory of evolution, which asserted that all of life on earth descended from common ancestors through a process of natural selection, subjected him to much criticism in his lifetime but would ultimately place him amongst the most important figures in the history of science. «Autobiographies» gives a personal insight into the life of Charles Darwin from his time at Cambridge University, to his landmark naturalist expedition during the voyage of the «HMS Beagle», and his life that followed in England. This document of one the world's most important naturalists is a must read for any student of the history of science and gives a firsthand account of the impact that a truly revolutionary theory can have.

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A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, «Story of My Life,» Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that «I can say I have lived.» In this edition you will find the first of twelve volumes of «The Complete Memoirs.»

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Zitkala-Sa (1876-1938) was a pioneering voice in the movement for Native American rights. Born on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota, she spent her life as an activist working to bring the history and cultural concerns of Native Americans to the broader public. In «American Indian Stories» (1921), her most famous work, Zitkala-Sa draws upon her experience as a Native American child faced with the reality of cultural submission. A collection of fiction and non-fiction, «American Indian Stories» explores the pressures Native Americans faced to assimilate to white American culture. Zitkala-Sa later established and presided over the National Council of American Indians, helping to further the interests of American Indians. These stories and tales create an intimate portrait of the rich cultural history of the American Indian, and double as source material from one of America's most successful Native American activists.

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A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, «Story of My Life,» Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that «I can say I have lived.» In this edition you will find the second of twelve volumes of «The Complete Memoirs.»

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A Venetian adventurer, author, and lifelong womanizer, the name of Casanova has become interchangeable with the art of seduction since the 18th century. In his most notable book, «Story of My Life,» Casanova narrates countless tales of the people with whom he interacted: lovers, European royalty, clergymen, and artists such as Goethe, Voltaire, and Mozart. His writing demonstrates his talent for dialogue, while his life seems an inadvertent testament to skill in plot development. Casanova gambled, spied, translated, dueled, schemed, traveled, and observed people of all levels of society, having been born of two actors and becoming a self-made gentleman. He writes of his life without regret, recalling his adventures, from necromancy to imprisonment, with general honesty and the occasional embellishment, and always with a good humor. In this remarkable celebration of the senses, Casanova proves his talent for storytelling by revealing a refreshingly authentic view of the customs and everyday life of social 18th century Europeans, ultimately proving his claim that «I can say I have lived.» In this edition you will find the tenth of twelve volumes of «The Complete Memoirs.»

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William Edward Burghardt Du Bois grew up in a poor but loving home in the small, rural town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He graduated from Fisk University, and from there attended Harvard to earn his doctorate in history. Throughout his life he acted as a teacher, writer, editor and activist, contributing immensely to the African American cause and cofounding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Du Bois wrote three autobiographies, the first of which, «Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil», examined racism around the world. In this work, Du Bois hoped to lift the metaphorical veil between white and black readers to reveal the distorted viewpoints of each side. It contains a series of essays, each followed by a short fictional story or poem, which address issues of gender oppression, the idea of whiteness, and democracy along race, class and gender lines.

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"Mary Chestnut's Diary" is a vivid first hand narrative of the Civil War. Written between 1861 and 1865, Mary Chestnut (1823-1886) was married to James Chestnut, Jr., an important Confederate general. Her diaries offer some of our most detailed and personal accounts of one of America's most troubling and conflicted eras. The diary spans the entirety of the war, allowing readers to witness battles both small and large; political, military, and domestic life; and the dynamic conflicts that ensued between race, class, and democracy. Chestnut was one of the rare few who witnessed the first shots of the war, and her diary takes us through the hills and homes of the war—from Alabama to Virginia. We see the emotional energy created by such a conflict with an intimacy only to be read in a diary. Always aware of the historical significance of her surroundings, the journals read as great journalism and reportage. Chestnut's entries skillfully capture a nation finding its voice amidst great turmoil. Essential reading for any Civil War buff or student of American History «Mary Chestnut's Diary» is an invaluable and classic read.

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"A Texas Cowboy" was one of the first true looks into life as a cowboy. Its author, Charles A. Siringo, was born in Dodge City, Kansas and at the age of 15 started working on local ranches as a cowboy and participated over the course of his ranching career in many cattle drives. A highly influential work that romanticized the life of a cowboy and the Old West, Siringo's book tells an autobiographical account of riding the famous Chisholm Trail and driving 2500 head of cattle from Texas to Kansas, of leading a posse of cowboys in pursuit of Billy the Kid and his gang, and of life in general as a cowboy in the great plains during the 19th century. As the first chapter in the life of Siringo, who would later seek further career adventure as a Pinkerton detective, we find in «A Texas Cowboy» a hugely influential autobiography that gives the reader great insight into this period of time and this type of lifestyle from one of the most interesting characters to have lived it.

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Captain Robert F. Scott's famed expedition to the South Pole from 1910-1912 propelled him in the international spotlight. Scott quickly ascended the ranks in the Royal Navy, becoming a master. His harrowing journey to Antarctica is presented in these journals with unprecedented realism and lucidity. The toils, the troubles, and the successes are brought to life through Scott's pen. His journals create a vivid narrative of his Terra Nova trek—the scientific findings, the nautical strategy, the social dynamics are all recounted in colorful prose. Though Scott's journey ended in tragedy, the inspiring expedition made him a national hero.

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From his boyhood in Ohio to his graduation from West Point, and then into detailed accounts of his service in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and his presidency, Grant gives a full report of his life and career in this excellent autobiography. Written in the last year of his life as he battled throat cancer and poverty, «Personal Memoirs» was published by Mark Twain shortly after Grant's death, less than a week after he completed his work. An instant success and praised by admirers, critics, and people throughout the country, this autobiography was a critical and financial success. Grant was praised both for the clarity and succinctness of his writing, and the royalties of the book provided for his family and firmly re-established their financial stability. A model of autobiography to this day, «Personal Memoirs» is a remarkable work of literature, reflecting the man and ideal commander largely responsible for the welfare of his country throughout his life.

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