National Network for Equitable Library Service

Historian Albert Hourani provides a panoramic view covering twelve centuries of Arab history and culture. He looks at all sides of this rich, venerable civilization, from the beauty of the Alhambra to internal conflicts, poverty, and the Palestinian question.

The legendary annihilation in 1883 of the volcano-island of Krakatoa was followed by an immense tsunami that killed nearly forty thousand people. Beyond the purely physical horrors of an event that has only very recently been properly understood, the eruption changed the world in more ways than could possibly be imagined. Winchester's long experience in the world wandering as well as his knowledge of history and geology give an entirely new perspective on this fascinating and iconic event as he brings it telling back to life.

Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. In 1941, after training as a German spy in occupied France, Chapman was parachuted into Britain with orders to blow up an airplane factory. Instead, he contacted MI5, the British Secret Service. For the next four years, he worked as a double agent, a British spy at the heart of the German Secret Service.

Describes how the American Army crew of a B-24 bomber, shot down over Japanese-occupied Borneo in November 1944, were rescued by native Dayak tribesmen, one-time headhunters who returned to their long-renounced ritual in order to protect the airmen.

A concise summation of years of thinking and writing about the world's fastest growing religion, by one of the foremost international scholars on religious affairs.

The Odyssey of the West series concludes with a fascinating look at the twentieth century and a discussion of the major works and strains of thought that ushered in the modern age and shaped Western culture.

Hannah Arendt's authoritative report on the trial of Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann is a classic examination of evil from one of the great philosophers of the twentieth century.

A remarkable look at the day-to-day lives of the codebreakers whose clandestine efforts helped win World War II.

Blackhawk presents a history of Native America from the time shortly before the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to the present. Focusing on the Columbian Exchange, Indians and the American Constitution, American Indian Removal, the Civil War, and the modern age, Blackhawk concludes his revealing course by addressing the issues that continue to affect Native Americans today.

Polelle examines great military leaders in history, beginning with George Washington and moving on to Napoleon, U.S. Grant, Pershing, MacArthur, and Schwarzkopf, among others. The course also addresses the politics of military history and leadership and illustrates the circumstances that enable the rise of great leaders. Perhaps most importantly, Professor Polelle raises and answers that essential question: What is it that makes a good leader?