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Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography
Nomasomali – Ubomi bam is the life story of an extraordinary South African woman.
Born in 1941 in Bizana in the former Transkei, Marjorie Nomasomali Goniwe Nkomo seems to have lived many lives – as wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, nurse, activist and social worker – Before apartheid, During apartheid and After apartheid. In just 138 pages, the author seamlessly presents her history with the touch of a master storyteller and the universal voice of grandmothers everywhere.
From the first line, we are engaged with her back in time, walking among her childhood friends following Nkosi Ndunge, the village traditional leader, as he strides through the streets proclaiming his authority. We are taken back to the homestead and the fields and the hearth, where meals are made and stories are brewed, along with the tea. Divided into three Parts – Before, During, After – the story moves from the innocence of the homestead and tales of growing up among a community of nurturing adults to Nomasomali’s rise to adulthood, marriage, family and the ravages of apartheid. As the history of that period is well documented, it is refreshing to experience it from the perspective of a life moving forward in spite of the events swirling around it.
Part 3, ‘After’, is a bittersweet reflection on what has become of our country since South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994. One is left in catharsis, wishing for a return to the innocence of a bygone era but knowing it is gone forever. A sad fact that makes stories like this one such treasures.
Dana Snyman sien dinge op sy eiesoortige, aweregse manier. In deel
een is hy op pad saam met die TV-span van Op pad met Dana. Soos
hulle die land deurkruis op soek na stories, beleef Dana nie net
die lief en leed van die mense met wie hy gesels nie, maar ook sy
eie innerlike reis. Hy kom huistoe met 'n optelhond -- en met 'n
nuwe manier van kyk. In deel twee kyk hy rugby. In kroee,
township-huisies, saam met oom Frik du Preez en Joost van der
Westhuizen. Snaaks, skerp en onthutsend eerlik.
Recounting the life and times of one of the most respected men in
the world, The Snowball is the most fascinating financial success
story of our time. Warren Buffett, the legendary Omaha investor has
never written a memoir, but finally has given Alice Schroeder
unprecedented access to him and all those closest to his work,
opinions, struggles, triumphs, follies and wisdom. The result is
this personally revealing and complete biography of 'The Oracle of
Omaha', indispensable reading for those who wish to know the man
behind the outstanding achievements.
Revered by some as the Arab Garibaldi, maligned by others as an
intriguer and opportunist, Fawzi al-Qawuqji manned the ramparts of
Arab history for four decades. As a young officer in the Ottoman
Army, he fought the British in World War I and won an Iron Cross.
In the 1920s, he mastered the art of insurgency and helped lead a
massive uprising against the French authorities in Syria. A decade
later, he reappeared in Palestine, where he helped direct the Arab
Revolt of 1936. When an effort to overthrow the British rulers of
Iraq failed, he moved to Germany, where he spent much of World War
II battling his fellow exile, the Mufti of Jerusalem, who had
accused him of being a British spy. In 1947, Qawuqji made a daring
escape from Allied-occupied Berlin, and sought once again to shape
his region's history. In his most famous role, he would command the
Arab Liberation Army in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. In this
well-crafted, definitive biography, Laila Parsons tells Qawuqji's
dramatic story and sets it in the full context of his turbulent
times. Following Israel's decisive victory, Qawuqji was widely
faulted as a poor leader with possibly dubious motives.The
Commander shows us that the truth was more complex: although he
doubtless made some strategic mistakes, he never gave up fighting
for Arab independence and unity, even as those ideals were
undermined by powers inside and outside the Arab world. In
Qawuqji's life story we find the origins of today's turmoil in the
Arab Middle East.
Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty delivers a powerful combination of
memoir, leadership lessons, and big ideas on how we can all drive
meaningful change. Ginni Rometty led one of the world's most iconic
companies, and in Good Power she recounts her groundbreaking path
from a challenging childhood to becoming the CEO of IBM and one of
the world's most influential business leaders. With candor and
depth, Rometty shares milestones from her life and career while
redefining power as a way to drive meaningful change in positive
ways for ourselves, our organizations, and for the many, not just
the few-a concept she calls "good power." Rometty's "memoir with
purpose" combines the experiences that defined her life-personal
hurdles, high-stakes decisions, passionate advocacy-with the
actionable advice of a coaching session to highlight lessons that
shape authentic leadership. Behind-the-scenes stories and practical
guidance offer us a blueprint for how we can all use good power to
advance our careers, inspire our teams, improve our companies, and
create healthier societies. The book begins with raw, vivid
memories from Rometty's youth and early professional years as she
recalls the trauma and the role models that formed her belief that
how we lead is as important as what we achieve. She learns early on
that good power is a choice available to everyone, even to those
without money, status, or impressive titles. Rometty then shows us
how her concept of good power evolved as she grew from a first-time
manager to a transformative CEO. Stories told through the lens of
five principles-be in service of others; build belief; know what
must change and what must endure; steward good tech; be
resilient-reveal tools that anyone can apply to achieve real change
at any stage of their life and work. Rometty also encourages us to
use good power at scale to bring about urgent societal change. She
shares insights from her own journey to create a more equitable
world by leading the SkillsFirst movement, which connects
underserved populations with family-sustaining jobs by transforming
hiring, education, and training. With heart, humility, and
conviction, Good Power offers an inspiring, compelling guide to
creating meaningful change in our lives.
One of the most visible, popular, and significant artists of his
generation, William Hogarth (1697-1764) is best known for his
acerbic, strongly moralising works, which were mass-produced and
widely disseminated as prints during his lifetime. This volume is a
fascinating look into the notorious English satirical artist's
life, presenting Anecdotes of William Hogarth, Written by Himself-a
collection of autobiographical vignettes supplemented with short
texts and essays written by his contemporaries, first published in
1785.
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Peril
(Paperback)
Bob Woodward, Robert Costa
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Humorous, illuminating, poignant and sad anecdotes, illustrate the
life of a family doctor working when general medical practice was
very different from today. The GP cared for patients night and day,
every day of the year and personal and professional lives
intertwined. Colourful personalities, conniving rogues, the
deceitful and the desperate, saint and sinner pass through the
consulting room to provide fascinating glimpses of individuals, the
doctor's life and the vagaries of human existence. Their tales are
fascinating and a record of the social and medical fabric of the
time.
Father Nicolas Taylor (a Just call me Nick') is a complete contrast
to the dour Father O'Donnell. Naive and impressionable, he readily
accedes to Nadina's request for a recommendation to attend the
prestigious Convent School of the Holy Name. Fergus accosts Nick on
his first Sunday to tell him of the cover-up but the new priest is
unmoved, convinced of the absurdity of the allegations. Seeking
advice from the wily Monsignor O'Shea as to how to deal with the
unstable Irishman for a time he is reassured. However, when fellow
priest and friend, Guy Holdcraft hints that there may be some truth
in the assertions Nick is deeply troubled. Disturbing dreams
interrupt his sleep and he begins to doubt the Monsignor's
explanation of his predecessor's hurried visit to a dying mother in
Ireland. Rabid anti-cleric Superintendent Robertson is eager to
investigate the Irishman's claims and sends devout Catholic Chief
Inspector Charles Harris to investigate. Despite the ruthless
questioning of his colleague, sergeant Penhaligon. Nadina continues
to deny anything at all improper took place. Fergus decides to take
matters into his own hands and travels to O'Donnell's new parish to
kill him. However, the gun jams, O'Donnell kicks and beats him and
he is left unconscious in the churchyard. Struggling home and close
to death he is nursed back to health by the local GP with Ryan at
his side. News of the death of seventeen year old Foureyes further
illustrates Ryan's compassion when he gives the homily at the
funeral. Deeply angered by the injustice Fergus accidentally lets
slip to his son that Nadina was indeed abused by O'Donnell. Yet
Ryan is unwilling to believe that Nadina was the unwilling victim.
Enraged, he takes up with the provocative June Greengage. Bored
with June and missing Nadina, Ryan asks her to forgive him and the
couple are engaged. Temporarily, both now go their separate ways.
Nadina to Oxford University and Ryan, a soldier in Germany with the
Occupying British army for two years.
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Spare
(Hardcover)
Prince Harry The Duke Of Sussex
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R849
R645
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Aan die begin van 2015 was bekroonde Weg!-joernalis Erns
Grundling oorwerk, oorstuur, oorgewig, beseer – en pas
gediagnoseer met slaapapnee. Vanselfsprekend was ál ding
om te doen om die ellelange Camino-staptog in Spanje aan te
pak – g’n selfoon, g’n makkers, net dapper en stapper. Kom
stap saam!
These are the memoirs of a long, eventful and unusual life,
recounted with interesting details, humour and enthusiasm. Ian
Ainsley was a professional actor, artist and tour guide. He also
played the classical guitar and practiced yoga until shortly before
his death at over 100 years old.
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Freedom
(Paperback)
Sebastian Junger
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R426
R345
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Our lives are filled with mountains to conquer. No matter our age
or experience, we all have issues, obstacles, opportunities, and
challenges that dominate our landscapes and force us to climb
whether we're ready or not.Making the Climb is a riveting
first-person account of one man's attempt to climb to the top of
Mt. Kilimanjaro and the life-changing lessons learned along the
way. John Bowling describes the challenges and difficulties he
encountered during the nine days it took to reach the peak of
Africa's tallest mountain and the highest free-standing volcano in
the world. With wisdom and fortitude, he shares how this
exhilarating adventure has equipped him to face and overcome other
personal challenges and mountains in his life. He illustrates how
this physical challenge impacted and transformed his spiritual life
and shares observations, principles, and insights to help others
overcome and conquer the challenges of life—no matter how
difficult they might seem. Making the Climb: What a Novice Climber
Learned About Life on Mount Kilimanjaro invites you to follow John
Bowling up one of the world's most magnificent peaks. With intrigue
and reflection, he'll lead you on a challenging journey toward the
life-changing reward that awaits you at the top. He offers one
caution—'Don't look down '
Why was Jesus, who said 'I judge no one', put to death for a
political crime? Of course, this is a historical question-but it is
not only historical. Jesus's life became a philosophical theme in
the first centuries of our era, when 'pagan' and Christian
philosophers clashed over the meaning of his sayings and the
significance of his death. Modern philosophers, too, such as
Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche, have tried to retrace the
arc of Jesus's life and death. I Judge No One is a philosophical
reading of the four memoirs, or 'gospels', that were fashioned by
early Christ-believers and collected in the New Testament. It
offers original ways of seeing a deeply enigmatic figure who calls
himself the Son of Man. David Lloyd Dusenbury suggests that Jesus
offered his contemporaries a scandalous double claim. First, that
human judgements are pervasive and deceptive; and second, that even
divine laws can only be fulfilled in the human experience of love.
Though his life led inexorably to a grim political death, what
Jesus's sayings revealed-and still reveal-is that our highest
desires lie beyond the political.
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