Author: Allan Scarfe Publisher: Orient Blackswan ISBN: 9788125010210 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 310
Book Description
This revised edition brings to a close the fascinating life story of Jayaprakash Narayan, one of the last outstanding moral and political figures who carried forward Gandhi s legacy of non-violent mass struggle and village self-sufficiency into post-Independence India. The biography vividly illustrates JP s infinite capacity for reflection and change, working relentlessly as he did for issues as varied as the freedom struggle, panchayati raj, worker s rights, and collective self-help.
Author: Bimal Prasad Publisher: Penguin Random House India Private Limited ISBN: 939091406X Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 306
Book Description
Few figures in modern India have enjoyed such acclaim and adoration as Jayaprakash Narayan. And yet, he has been equally vilified for all that went wrong in the unfinished post-colonial movement for freedom and democracy. Jayaprakash Narayan, or JP as he was universally known, epitomized the Marxian and Gandhian styles of political engagement, and famously brought a powerful government to its knees. Throughout his life, he channelled an emotional hunger for transformative politics, jettisoned easy options, shunned power and incubated revolutionary ideas. A comprehensive study of JP's life and ideas-from the radicalism of his thought process at American university campuses in the 1920s to his political coming of age in the 1930s and subsequent disenchantment with Gandhi's leadership; from his infectious confidence about the future of socialism to his seemingly naive plans to outmanoeuvre powerful forces within the Congress; from his fractious friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru to his relentless crusade against the stifling of dissent-The Dream of Revolution, Bimal and Sujata Prasad's rigorously researched biography of JP, dispenses with clichés, questions commonly held perceptions and pushes the limits of what a biographical portrait is capable of. Rich in anecdotes and never-before-told stories, this book explores the ambiguities and ironies of a life lived at the barricades, and one man's unremitting quest to usher in a society based on equality and freedom.
Author: Mark Panek Publisher: University of Hawaii Press ISBN: 9780824830434 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 322
Book Description
At the age of eighteen, Chad Rowan left his home in rural Hawai'i for Tokyo with visions of becoming a star athlete in Japan's national sport, sumo. But upon his arrival he was shocked less by the city crowds and the winter cold than by having to scrub toilets and answer to fifteen-year-olds who had preceded him at the sumo beya. Rowan spoke no Japanese. Of Japanese culture, he knew only what little his father, a former tour bus driver in Hawai'i, had been able to tell him as they drove to the airport. And he had never before set foot in a sumo ring. Five years later, against the backdrop of rising U.S.–Japan economic tension, Rowan became the first gaijin (non-Japanese) to advance to sumo's top rank, yokozuna. His historic promotion was more a cultural accomplishment than an athletic one, since yokozuna are expected to embody highly prized Japanese values such as hard work, patience, strength, and hinkaku, a special kind of dignity thought to be available only to Japanese. He was promoted ahead of his two main rivals, the brothers Koji and Masaru Hanada, who had been raised in the sumo beya run by their father, the former sumo great Takanohana I. Perhaps the defining moment of the gaijin's unique success occurred at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, when Rowan, chosen to personify "Japanese" to one of the largest television audiences in history, performed a sacred sumo ritual at the opening ceremony. Gaijin Yokozuna chronicles the events leading to that improbable scene at Nagano and beyond, tracing Rowan's life from his Hawai'i upbringing to his 2001 retirement ceremony. Along the way it briefly examines the careers of two Hawai'i-born sumotori who paved the way for Rowan, Jesse Kuhaulua (Takamiyama) and Salevaa Atisanoe (Konishiki). The author shares stories from family members, coaches, friends, fellow sumo competitors, and of course Rowan himself, whom he accompanied on three Japan-wide exhibition tours. The work is further informed by volumes of secondary source material on sumo, Japanese culture, and local Hawai'i culture.
Author: Stephen Large Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 1134968760 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 282
Book Description
Emperor Hirohito reigned for more than sixty years, yet we know little about him or the part he really played in the turbulent history of Showa Japan. Stephen Large draws on a wide range of Japanese and Western sources in his study of Emperor Hirohito's political role in Showa Japan (1926-89). This analysis focuses on key events in his career such as the extent to which he bore responsibility for Japanese aggression in the Pacific in 1941, and explains why Hirohito remains such a contested symbol in Japanese post war politics.
Author: A K Gandhi Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan ISBN: 8184303963 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 132
Book Description
Welcome to the inspiring world of "Biography of Loknayak JP" by A K Gandhi, a compelling portrait of one of India's most revered leaders and freedom fighters. Prepare to be moved by the remarkable life and legacy of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan as you journey through the pages of this insightful biography. Join A K Gandhi as he traces the extraordinary journey of Loknayak JP, from his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in India's struggle for independence and his relentless pursuit of social justice and political reform. Through meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Gandhi illuminates the life of a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the service of others. As you delve into the pages of "Biography of Loknayak JP," you'll discover the untold stories and lesser-known aspects of JP's life, from his early days as a student activist to his emergence as a towering figure in India's political landscape. Gandhi's insightful analysis and intimate portrayal offer readers a deeper understanding of JP's character, ideals, and enduring impact on Indian society. With its engaging narrative and rich historical detail, "Biography of Loknayak JP" brings to life the passion, courage, and conviction that defined JP's remarkable journey. From his role in the Quit India Movement to his leadership of the Bihar Movement, Gandhi chronicles the highs and lows of JP's life with sensitivity and reverence. Since its publication, "Biography of Loknayak JP" has been hailed as a definitive account of JP's life and legacy, earning acclaim for its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis. Its portrayal of JP as a man of principle and integrity continues to inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds. As you journey through the pages of "Biography of Loknayak JP," you'll be inspired by JP's unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and nonviolence in the face of adversity. Gandhi's biography serves as a testament to JP's enduring legacy and his timeless message of hope, courage, and social change. In conclusion, "Biography of Loknayak JP" is more than just a biography—it's a tribute to a visionary leader who dedicated his life to the service of humanity. Whether you're a student of history, a lover of biographies, or simply someone who admires courage and conviction, this book offers valuable insights into the life of one of India's greatest sons. Don't miss your chance to explore the life and legacy of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan with "Biography of Loknayak JP" by A K Gandhi. Join the countless readers who have been inspired by JP's remarkable journey and discover the enduring power of his vision and ideals. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey of inspiration, enlightenment, and transformation.
Author: George Weigel Publisher: Zondervan ISBN: 0061758647 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 1228
Book Description
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER "A remarkable book. Weigel's biography is likely to remain the standard one-volume reference on John Paul II for many years to come." — Pittsburg Post-Gazette ?“Fascinating. . . sheds light on the history of the twentieth century for everyone.” —New York Times Book Review The definitive biography of Pope John Paul II that explores how influential he was on the world stage and in some of the most historic events of the twentieth century that can still be felt today Witness to Hope is the authoritative biography of one of the singular figures—some might argue the singular figure—of our time. With unprecedented cooperation from John Paul II and the people who knew and worked with him throughout his life, George Weigel offers a groundbreaking portrait of the Pope as a man, a thinker, and a leader whose religious convictions defined a new approach to world politics—and changed the course of history. As even his critics concede, John Paul II occupied a unique place on the world stage and put down intellectual markers that no one could ignore or avoid as humanity entered a new millennium fraught with possibility and danger. The Pope was a man of prodigious energy who played a crucial, yet insufficiently explored, role in some of the most momentous events of our time, including the collapse of European communism, the quest for peace in the Middle East, and the democratic transformation of Latin America. With an updated preface, this edition of Witness to Hope explains how this “man from a far country” did all of that, and much more—and what both his accomplishments and the unfinished business of his pontificate mean for the future of the Church and the world.
Author: Herbert P. Bix Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 0061860476 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 832
Book Description
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize In this groundbreaking biography of the Japanese emperor Hirohito, Herbert P. Bix offers the first complete, unvarnished look at the enigmatic leader whose sixty-three-year reign ushered Japan into the modern world. Never before has the full life of this controversial figure been revealed with such clarity and vividness. Bix shows what it was like to be trained from birth for a lone position at the apex of the nation's political hierarchy and as a revered symbol of divine status. Influenced by an unusual combination of the Japanese imperial tradition and a modern scientific worldview, the young emperor gradually evolves into his preeminent role, aligning himself with the growing ultranationalist movement, perpetuating a cult of religious emperor worship, resisting attempts to curb his power, and all the while burnishing his image as a reluctant, passive monarch. Here we see Hirohito as he truly was: a man of strong will and real authority. Supported by a vast array of previously untapped primary documents, Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan is perhaps most illuminating in lifting the veil on the mythology surrounding the emperor's impact on the world stage. Focusing closely on Hirohito's interactions with his advisers and successive Japanese governments, Bix sheds new light on the causes of the China War in 1937 and the start of the Asia-Pacific War in 1941. And while conventional wisdom has had it that the nation's increasing foreign aggression was driven and maintained not by the emperor but by an elite group of Japanese militarists, the reality, as witnessed here, is quite different. Bix documents in detail the strong, decisive role Hirohito played in wartime operations, from the takeover of Manchuria in 1931 through the attack on Pearl Harbor and ultimately the fateful decision in 1945 to accede to an unconditional surrender. In fact, the emperor stubbornly prolonged the war effort and then used the horrifying bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, together with the Soviet entrance into the war, as his exit strategy from a no-win situation. From the moment of capitulation, we see how American and Japanese leaders moved to justify the retention of Hirohito as emperor by whitewashing his wartime role and reshaping the historical consciousness of the Japanese people. The key to this strategy was Hirohito's alliance with General MacArthur, who helped him maintain his stature and shed his militaristic image, while MacArthur used the emperor as a figurehead to assist him in converting Japan into a peaceful nation. Their partnership ensured that the emperor's image would loom large over the postwar years and later decades, as Japan began to make its way in the modern age and struggled -- as it still does -- to come to terms with its past. Until the very end of a career that embodied the conflicting aims of Japan's development as a nation, Hirohito remained preoccupied with politics and with his place in history. Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan provides the definitive account of his rich life and legacy. Meticulously researched and utterly engaging, this book is proof that the history of twentieth-century Japan cannot be understood apart from the life of its most remarkable and enduring leader.
Author: Tobias Harris Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 1787385124 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 492
Book Description
Shinzo Abe entered politics burdened by high expectations: that he would change Japan. In 2007, seemingly overwhelmed, he resigned after only a year as prime minister. Yet, following five years of reinvention, he masterfully regained the premiership in 2012, and now dominates Japanese democracy as no leader has done before. Abe has inspired fierce loyalty among his followers, cowing Japan's left with his ambitious economic program and support for the security and armed forces. He has staked a leadership role for Japan in a region being rapidly transformed by the rise of China and India, while carefully preserving an ironclad relationship with Trump's America. The Iconoclast tells the story of Abe's meteoric rise and stunning fall, his remarkable comeback, and his unlikely emergence as a global statesman laying the groundwork for Japan's survival in a turbulent century.
Author: Allan Scarfe
Author: Bimal Prasad
Author: Mark Panek
Author: Stephen Large
Author: A K Gandhi
Author: Anthony Reynolds
Author: George Weigel
Author: Herbert P. Bix
Author: Sandip Das
Author: Tobias Harris