In July 1979, Saddam Hussein became the President of Iraq. His dictum was simply expressed--power through terror. During the first decade of his presidency, Saddam engaged in three wars: the Iran-Iraq War, the invasion of Kuwait, and the Gulf War of 1991. After September 11th, the war on terrorism led to the war against Iraq that began in March 2003 and the eventual capture of Sadddam Hussein effecitively ending his rule over the Iraqi people. On April 9, 2003, a handful of U.S. Marines helped a small crowd of Iraqis gathered in Firdos Square to tear down a statue of Saddam Hussein. Since...

Albert Einstein remains one of most famous scientists in world history. His image is instantly recognizable by even the most scientifically uninformed person--for many people, Einstein personifies genius. But who was Einstein really? What was he like as a person? What did his science actually mean? This fresh biography of Albert Einstein provides students and general readers a concise, accessible introduction to the life and science of this revolutionary man. Underneath his genius, Einstein was an ordinary person, with human frailties and weaknesses, but also with charm, modesty, a wry...

As a student of life and basketball, as a basketball player and coach, as an African-American, a businessman, a lecturer, and a man, Bill Russell projects the same single image of a man committed to understanding, improvement, and teamwork in the constant pursuit of new and ever-greater heights. And as his 2 NCAA titles, his Olympic gold medal, and his 11 NBA championships clearly show, the heights towards which Bill Russell most often strove were athletic, and in these athletic contests he was rarely to be denied. As a coach--the first black coach in NBA history--and general manager in...

At the pinnacle of his boxing career during the 1960s and early 1970s, Muhammad Ali seemed to be a cultural symbol of the times. He has been viewed by some as a hero and by others as a rebel, but either way he is arguably the most famous American in the world. In this volume, Ali's life is described from his birth to the present, with an emphasis on his career through 1975. The work covers such topics as his various boxing matches including The Thrilla in Manilla, his religious conversion to the Nation of Islam, the Vietnam War, and his efforts to promote world peace.

Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition, as well as his own candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor. This biography traces his rise from his single-parent upbringing in Greenville, South...

Even as a young girl, Jane Goodall was fascinated with animals. As she grew older, she would have the opportunity to begin her research on chimpanzees under the guidance of notable anthropologist Louis Leakey. With Leakey's encouragement and support, Goodall pursued her Ph.D. and began research at the Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania. It was there that she would make significant discoveries regarding chimpanzee behaviors. These discoveries, along with her tireless efforts for conservation, have led to numerous awards during her career of over 40 years.

Goodall's life is...

One of the most widely read writers in the high school curriculum, F. Scott Fitzgerald is the author of the great American novel, The Great Gatsby. While other biographies provide extensive information about Fitzgerald's life and achievements, this volume meets the need of high school students for a concise, accessible, and informative discussion of Fitzgerald and his works. Chapters survey the various periods in his career, and the volume closes with a timeline and bibliography.

Probably the best candidate for the author of the great American novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald...

The author shares the life stories of Venus and Serena Williams, who charged onto center court in professional tennis at the end of the 20th century with a force never before seen in the sport. No other women tennis players have matched their strength, their speed, or their overall athleticism, and none have achieved the status and celebrity they have gained on and off the court as they powered to the number one and two rankings in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Venus and Serena Williams represent in many ways a shift in attitudes concerning women in sports, particularly African...

An astute politician, dedicated feminist, and champion of the rights of minorities, Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most powerful women in 20th-century America. In an age when proper ladies were expected to supervise the household, dine with the right people, and entertain elegantly, she established careers as a teacher, social worker, and reformer, started a furniture factory, and became a successful journalist. Forming a unique political alliance with her husband, she played a key role in the Democratic party and shaped many of the programs of the New Deal. She later became an official...

The poet Sylvia Plath has been a cultural icon since 1963 when she took her own life on a cold winter morning at the age of 30. This up-to-date biography explores the nature and sources of the mythology that has surrounded the poet's life by presenting a balanced account of her own life and the many significant people and events that influenced her.

This outstanding biography presents the facts of Plath's life as they are known in the 21st century. The research for this biography uitilizes the latest updated scholarship including new information released in the unabridged...