Critical acclaim for Waterloo: New Perspectives The Great Battle Reappraised. "[T]he most important study of the Waterloo Campaign to have appeared in print for 150 years." —The Napoleonic Society of America. "A meticulously detailed account of the Battle of Waterloo that sets right some of the errors and omissions of facts committed by earlier contemporary authors —recommended." —Library Journal. "A superior account of the campaign—free of nationalist bias; thoroughly researched; and clearly written."—Booklist "A thoughtful and dispassionate examination of the battle that brought Napoleon's power to an end ...a valuable addition to anyone's Napoleonic shelf." —The Washington Times.
#77631 in Books Johnny Smith Randy Roberts 2016-11-01 2016-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.13 x 5.63l; .0 #File Name: 0465093221400 pagesBlood Brothers The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A turbulent timeBy J. K. CampbellThose of us who lived through the Sixties can remember the chaos which ensued as the federal government began to intervene in the segregation and racial discrimination which still existed in the American South. The Nation of Islam was a more militant response to the racial divide than the non-violent methods employed by Martin Luther King. Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X were the "true" names adopted by the two men as they entered the Nation of Islam and both were initially vilified by the white media. As historians; the authors extensively document the brief; but true friendship which existed between the men before Malcolm's assassination in 1965. Ali; of course; got the chance to completely redeem his image before his death this year. Sadly; Malcolm never got this chance. This excellent book provides a window into the character of each man without the veneer which acolytes are wont to provide.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Show me someone with Heroes; and I'll show you Someone in the Third GradeBy ReviewerSomeone once said words to the effect of "Show me someone with heroes; and I'll show you someone in the third grade." That's a bit harsh; but there's more than a kernel of truth to the statement.For the last thirty years or so (since pugilistic dementia/Parkinson's had him in its grip); Muhammad Ali's handlers have been speaking for him. Randy Roberts and his co-author take us back to a time when Ali could speak for himself; and; more importantly; act for himself. Ali; like any other man saddled with the label of "greatness" didn't always act like a great or even a good guy.The book does a good job of chronicling the two separate lives of men born Cassius Clay and Malcolm Little; respectively. The work charts; in strong journalistic fashion; the rise of one man through the ranks of the heavyweight boxing circuit; and the course of another man through the echelons of the Nation of Islam.At a certain point in the book; Malcolm X discovers that the man he worshiped and obeyed; Elijah Muhammad; was a serial adulterer; embezzler; and all around conman. It was at this point that X's life was in danger; and also at this juncture that Muhammad Ali was forced to choose between the Nation and Malcolm. He chose the former; and (the author argues credibly) helped seal the fate of his one-time friend and mentor; who was gunned down in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem shortly after Ali defected from his friend's side.There are no heroes in this book; and the honor of now-canonized figures is even challenged at points. Malcolm used Muhammad to a certain extent; just as callously as perhaps Ali threw his old blood brother under the bus.I came away from this book with a better understanding of the black nationalist history of the turbulent 1960s; as well as with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The book is good; but it's not necessarily the kind of thing you want to read in the wake of Ali's death. Recommended; although be prepared to lose a little more faith in the American project and humanity in general.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An In-Depth Analysis of One of the Most Significant Friendships of the 1960'sBy Diahann 713Most history books can be boring if you do not have a vested interest in the topic. Blood Brothers is a well written and researched narrative of how Cassius Clay evolved into Muhammad Ali. We know about the influences of Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X - these relationships have been well documented. What I found interesting was the relationship with his father; Cassius Clay Sr.; and Gorgeous George; the famed wrestler.The book covers the period of the 1960's from the conclusion of the Rome Olympic Games to the assassination of MalcolmX. To document the life of Muhammad Ali would take volumes. The sports media plays a pivotal component in the persona of Ali. This books mentions journalists who are not as famous as Howard Cosell; but superstars of the written word. While Ali single-handedly resurrected the sport of boxing when it was on support life; he was in search of his true self. He was learning to differentiate between the man and the myth; the athlete and the entertainer. With Malcolm as his mentor; teacher; and brother; Ali was set on a path to become a worldwide icon. The postscript is not to be missed. While time heals wounds; it is the words of Malcolm's daughter; Attallah that ties everything together.Do not get caught in the trap of seeing Black Muslims and assuming negativity. Focus on the growth and change in the mind set of Malcolm X and eventually Muhammad Ali.A Must Read for Black History Month.
