Dorothy Markey's family and culture prepared her to be a proper southern lady. Yet Markey broke free of her cultural bonds and became, instead, a feminist, a communist, and, under the pen name Myra Page, a radical journalist and novelist. Her activism on behalf of social justice, racial equality, and women's rights spanned the 1920s through her death in 1993. Page's work carried her far from her Virginia home to Moscow, Mexico, the rural South, and New York. As a journalist she wrote for the Daily Worker, the New Masses, Working Woman, and Southern Worker. Her novels captured workers' struggles in an authentic voice: The Gathering Storm, Daughter of the Hills, and Moscow Yankee. With consummate skill, Christina Baker weaves together historical research, her own and others' conversations with Page, and Page's letters and other writings. The resulting narrative is a vivid recreation of the life of an uncommon woman and her more than seventy years of striving for the things she believed in.
This novel offers a powerful account of family life and labor conflicts, told through the eyes of a tough, resilient Appalachian woman who is, according to Richard Wright, "one of the most impressive proletarian characters in our literature." Daughter of the Hills exposes the economic conditions of the working class and the scarcity of opportunities for working-class women, but also tells the story of a loving marriage that endures despite severe hardships.
The Depression era closing of a Ford plant sends Andy and two companions to Moscow to find work in a Soviet automotive plant, where he meets Natasha, an exemplar of the "new Soviet woman." Based on Myra Page's own experiences in Moscow during the first Five-Year Plan, Natasha is a portrait of women's contradictory social position in the early periods of socialist construction. At the core of this novel is a firsthand look at the developing forces and changing relations of production forces that bring about the conversion of Andy into a "Moscow Yankee." While revealing the political and economic policies that would inevitably lead to the demise of Soviet-style socialism, Moscow Yankee refutes the notion that egalitarian societies cannot succeed because they fail to take into account the individualism and greed of "human nature." Barbara Foley's introduction analyzes the Soviet Socialist construction in Page's novel and the politics of the novelistic form in relation to Moscow Yankee. Originally published in 1935 "A picture of Americans lured to Moscow by hope in the 'great experiment, ' and of others driven there by the depression, and of still others attracted by the simple desire to get good engineering jobs, Moscow Yankee; has a decided value . . . a sense of life, stirring in the chaos of destruction and reconstruction." -- The New York Times Book Review
Boasting equal parts scholarship and style, "All Governments Lie" is a highly readable, groundbreaking, and timely look at I. F. Stone -- one of America's most independent and revered journalists, whose work carries the same immediacy it did almost a half century ago, highlighting the ever-present need for dissenting voices. In the world of Washington political journalism, notorious for trading independence for access, I. F. "Izzy" Stone was so unique as to be a genuine wonder. Always skeptical -- "All governments lie, but disaster lies in wait for countries whose officials smoke the same hashish they give out," he memorably quipped -- Stone was ahead of the pack on the most pivotal twentieth-century trends: the rise of Hitler and Fascism, disastrous Cold War foreign policies, covert actions of the FBI and CIA, the greatness of the Civil Rights movement, the horror of Vietnam, the strengths and weaknesses of the antiwar movement, the disgrace of Iran-contra, and the class greed of Reaganomics. His constant barrage against J. Edgar Hoover earned him close monitoring by the FBI from the Great Depression through the Vietnam War, and even an investigation for espionage during the fifties. After making his mark on feisty New York dailies and in The Nation -- scoring such scoops as the discovery of American cartels doing business with Nazi Germany -- Stone became unemployable during the dark days of McCarthyism. Out of desperation he started his four-page I. F. Stone's Weekly, which ran from 1953 to 1971. The first journalist to label the Gulf of Tonkin affair a sham excuse to escalate the Vietnam War, Stone garnered worldwide fans, was read in the corridors of power, and became wealthy. Later, the "world's oldest living freshman" learned Greek to write his bestseller The Trial of Socrates. Here, for the first time, acclaimed journalist and author Myra MacPherson brings the legendary Stone into sharp focus. Rooted in fifteen years of research, this monumental biography includes information from newly declassified international documents and Stone's unpublished five-thousand-page FBI file, as well as personal interviews with Stone and his wife, Esther; with famed modern thinkers; and with the best of today's journalists. It illuminates the vast sweep of turbulent twentieth-century history as well as Stone's complex and colorful life. The result is more than a masterful portrait of a remarkable character; it's a far-reaching assessment of journalism and its role in our culture.
Of the few historical shortlists women make as influencers in the arts; the same few names are recognized; making the catalogue of powerful and gifted females feel like an small and exclusive club. The truth is; however; that far more women than we know can be credited with contributions to the industries in which they honed their crafts. In 1940; when the world was at war and the Civil Rights Movement had yet to turn the page of history; Hattie McDaniel became the first black woman to win an Academy Award. She and Anna May Wong fought hard to pave the way for actresses of color and fight against racial stereotypes. Maria Tallchief was the first; and one of the only; Native American prima ballerinas to push past the stage wings toward the limelight. More than just performers; these women were people as well. In Hidden in History: The Untold Stories of Female Artists; Musicians; and Writers; the lives of many of these artists are explored; from Edmonia Lewis' wrongful expulsion from higher learning to the boundary-breaking talents of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and their untraditional start as a school band. This book is an open door to the lives of 10 female artists; wordsmiths and performers whose work has often been overlooked in the dusty pages of an often male-dictated narration.
Themes: Biography, Inspiration. After a difficult childhood, Chris Gardner promised he would be a good father. He also vowed to become successful. When he found himself homeless as a single dad, Gardner didn't give up. Instead, the Navy veteran put all his energy into becoming a stockbroker and building a happy life. Today Gardner inspires people to keep reaching for their dreams. Blue Delta BooksTM, a Hi-Lo BooksTM biography series, tell the stories of people who have changed our world in profound ways. This series features a diverse group of people. Some are more well-known than others, but all deserve to be highlighted for the positive impact they have had. Each Blue Delta Book features full-color images on every page and tells the person’s story from childhood throughout their life. These books are sure to inspire young teen readers. Each book is 48 pages long.
WARRIOR By Marilyn Garrison & Myra Foster As we wrote this book, It was our goal that you see Sawyer on every page... hear his laughter... taste his music... feel his heartbeat... see his spirit. Most know he fought against ‘demons,’ but not all know he won. This book is about Sawyer Grooms, fallen firefighter, son, grandson, brother, friend, musician, encourager, amazing and awesome man. “With a heavy heart and sick stomach I am letting you know we lost an Awesome Firefighter; on the morning of May 2, 2016, Sawyer Grooms, age 26, passed away. Sawyer became a firefighter at the age of 19 and worked with us here at Great Lakes Agency. We knew what a beautiful, humorous, kind and talented man he was. –Dave Pergolski, Fire & Fuels Manager, BIA, GLA This book walks the steps of a proud, self-reliant man being transformed into a humble servant who learned total reliance upon God. “He was doing what his heart led him to do, a simple act where many of us fail. He loved his fire!! I recall many times telling him it was a dangerous job and he might want to rethink his choices. But for him, being outdoors, hiking, working hard, and the camaraderie... that was what it was all about. I know for a fact he loved the Lord, and has been fighting the ‘good fight’ for years, and has a relationship with God. It showed in his tats, his music, his demeanor, and his heart. I WILL see him again. I thank you all for being a part of his life. God bless!” –Ernie Grooms, Sawyer’s adoptive dad THOSE WHO KNEW HIM BEST DESCRIBE HIM BEST “Sawyer was always brutally honest and full of love. He brought me out of some pretty dark places just by being there.” —C. Pratt “The world lost an amazing man today. His heart was so big, his laugh so outrageous, his talent so profound.” –M. Elizabeth “He spoke seven words to me, ‘Don’t ever stop, don’t ever give up!’ He was never lazy and didn’t let opportunities lapse. That wasn’t who he was. He gave me something I often lose—hope.” –D. Bonney “I’ll never be able to thank him enough for what he did for me.” –J. Williams “You loved everyone around you and made them feel they were worth something.” –B. Panek “Every day I got to spend with Sawyer Grooms was a lucky day.” –D. Pergolski
Themes: education, technology, innovation, biography, inspiration, changemaker, role model. When his cousin struggled in school, Salman "Sal" Khan decided to help. Since they couldn't get together, Khan tutored her by computer. Soon he posted lessons online for others too. Seeing the need for online learning, he started the Khan Academy. Through the academy, Khan continues his quest to provide a world-class education to anyone who wants one. Blue Delta Books, a Hi-Lo Books biography series, tell the stories of people who have changed our world in profound ways. This series features a diverse group of people. Some are more well-known than others, but all deserve to be highlighted for the positive impact they have had. Each Blue Delta Book features full-color images on every page and tells the person’s story from childhood throughout their life. These books are sure to inspire young teen readers. Each book is 48 pages long.
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