audiobook Reflecting Mirrors: Perspectives on Huayan Buddhism (ASIATISCHE FORSCHUNGEN) by From Brand: Harrassowitz Verlag in History

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In this gripping; page-turning account; Sam Moses has told a story in the tradition of Sebastian Junger’s A Perfect Storm; Robert Kurson’s Shadow Divers; and Hampton Sides’s Ghost Soldiers. It’s a story about the heroism of two men in battle at sea during World War II; and one woman fleeing Nazi Norway with her child. It’s about how courage can change the course of history. AT ALL COSTS: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Marines Turned the Tide of World War II is the astonishing untold account; with original historical reporting; of how two men faced unfathomable danger to help save the island of Malta; Churchill’s crux of the war. In 1942; the tiny island of Malta was the most heavily bombed place on earth. Hitler needed Malta as a stepping-stone to get to the oil in Iraq and Iran (Persia at the time). Blockaded by sea; Malta was running on empty; in food; fuel and ammunition. Axis U-boats and dive-bombers made supply convoys to Malta more like suicide missions. In this last-hope convoy; 50 warships escorted 13 freighters carrying aviation fuel; and a single critical tanker; the SS Ohio; with 107;000 barrels of oil from Texas. Winston Churchill had traveled to Washington and asked FDR for the tanker–his prime ministership was at stake over this mission to Malta. Relentlessly dive-bombed and repeatedly torpedoed; the Ohio suffered huge hits and was abandoned. Two young American merchant mariners–pulled from the sea after their own ship went down in flames–boarded the ravaged tanker; repaired her guns and fought off German and Italian dive-bombers; as the sinking Ohio was towed at 4 knots toward Malta with a tiny crew of volunteers. Sam Moses’ AT ALL COSTS is a triumphant story of human bravery: fearless; selfless acts by men determined to save a ship and win a war; profound communal courage from an island under brutal siege; and leaders who understood the cause of freedom. Kirkus (starred review)A historical footnote provides a riveting tale of true American grit during World War II.In 1942; the island of Malta was the primary launching point in the Mediterranean for Alliedaircraft and submarine attacks against Axis supply convoys. At the height of the North Africancampaign; Rommel’s tanks prepared to sweep into Egypt; Iran and Iraq. The only thing they lacked wasthe fuel to get there; and the shortage was equally desperate on Malta. The Allies launched OperationPedestal; a last-ditch effort to re-supply the base by sending a convoy from Britain through the GibraltarStrait to the beleaguered island. The convoy; which included the American tanker Ohio and the U.S.freighter Santa Elisa; was anything but a milk run. Vietnam vet Moses (Fast Guys; Rich Guys andIdiots; not reviewed) crafts a thrilling adventure on the high seas; though it takes a while to get started.The book’s first third juxtaposes Malta’s plight against the stories of two American merchant seamenon the Santa Elisa: Lonnie Dales and Fred Larsen; through whose eyes the battle will be viewed in bluecollardetail. Once Operation Pedestal begins; the narrative is all action. The convoy comes underrepeated attack; lives are lost; the Santa Elisa is sunk. Dales and Larsen find themselves aboard thewounded Ohio; full to the brim with Texas crude. If they can hold off Nazi attacks and keep their newship afloat long enough to reach Malta; the operation will be a success. Moses takes readers directlyinto the heat of battle; demonstrating a strong command of historical detail.Highly recommended for fans of naval adventure. (Agent: Peter Riva/International Transactions; Inc.)"At All Costs is an extraordinary work of research and an exciting read that pays tribute to a crucial enterprise taken against incredible odds. Sam Moses has brought the ghastliness of war and the beauty of heroism together; in jarring union." –Frank Deford“This book tells a great story. But Sam Moses is not just sharing a gripping tale. He is sharing an important and oft neglected story about a battle that played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of WW II. You will meet people who will linger in memory for their bravery; foolishness; or wisdom.” –Ken Auletta; author of Backstory“Thrillingly told and beautifully researched; At All Costs is not just the against-all-odds story of the saving of Malta; but also of how the fate of nations can turn on the personal bravery of two ordinary men.”–Robert Kurson; author of Shadow Divers“Sam Moses has skillfully blended the vivid recollections of many eyewitnesses with a wealth of original documentary research to produce an immensely readable and authoritative account of this crucial operation.” –Mark Whitmore; Director of Collections; Imperial War Museum; London; EnglandFrom the Hardcover edition.