Throughout Western history, the societies that have made the greatest contributions to the spread of freedom have created iconic works of art to celebrate their achievements. Yet despite the enduring appeal of these works—from the Parthenon to Michelangelo’s David to Picasso’s Guernica—histories of both art and democracy have ignored this phenomenon. Millions have admired the artworks covered in this book but relatively few know why they were commissioned, what was happening in the culture that produced them, or what they were meant to achieve. Even scholars who have studied them for decades often miss the big picture by viewing them in isolation from a larger story of human striving. David’s Sling places into context ten canonical works of art executed to commemorate the successes of free societies that exerted political and economic influence far beyond what might have been expected of them. Fusing political and art history with a judicious dose of creative reconstruction, Victoria Coates has crafted a lively narrative around each artistic object and the free system that inspired it. This book integrates the themes of creative excellence and political freedom to bring a fresh, new perspective to both. In telling the stories of ten masterpieces, David’s Sling invites reflection on the synergy between liberty and human achievement.

The CIA and its top agent, Dave McClure, have their hands perilously full. Franz Altmann, a vicious killer and a member of the German terror group Red Storm Movement, has slipped unseen into America. He intends to bring the U.S., the world’s epicenter of capitalism and finance, to its knees in a horrendous attack. If that isn’t enough, Vassily Krasnoff, a Russian believed fatally wounded in the Alaskan wilderness by McClure’s rifle shot, didn’t die as intelligence indicated. Krasnoff has emerged from a coma, and now he wants revenge for the death of his brother, Leonide. Someone Dave McClure loves dearly must die—in the most gruesome fashion imaginable—if McClure doesn’t find and kill Krasnoff first.

2011 Updated Reprint. Updated Annually. Jewish Lobby in the United States Handbook: Organization, Operations, Performance

Unwilling to risk the use of nuclear weapons, the U.S. and Russia try to develop the ultimate in computer-controlled smart weapons

Military Industry and Regional Defense Policy re-examines military industrialization in the developing world, focusing on policy-making in producer states and the impact of security perceptions on such policy-making.Timothy D. Hoyt reassesses the role of regional state sub-systems in international relations, and recent historical studies of international technology and arms transfers. Looking at Israel, Iraq and India, the three most powerful regional powers in the Cold War era, he presesnts an expert analysis of the three-sided phenomena of the regional hegemony, the regional competitor and the small over-achiever.This new book breaks away from existing literature on military industries in the developing world, which has focused on their economic and development costs and benefits. These past studies have used primitive methodologies that focus on the production of complete weapons systems - a misleading gauge in a world of growing international defense cooperation. They have also ignored empirical evidence of the impact of local military industrial production on Cold War regional conflict, and of the defence planning and concerns that drove development of indigenous military industries in key regional powers. This new text delivers an incisive new perspective.

The story of David and Goliath existed in antiquity in two variant literary editions, a short version found in the Greek tradition of Codex Vaticanus (LXXB) and a longer version found in the Hebrew tradition of the MT. Benjamin J. M. Johnson proposes that each version is worthy of study in its own right and offers a close literary reading of the narrative of David and Goliath in the Greek text of 1 Reigns 16-18. The author explores a method for reading the Septuagint that recognizes it is both a document in its own right and a translation of a Hebrew original. In offering a reading of the septuagintal version of the David and Goliath narrative, the literary difference between the two versions of the story and the literary significance of the Greek translation are highlighted.

David is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in all of literature. His story exists at a crucial point in the biblical narrative where God turns toward committing to monarchy in Israel. He is the slayer of Goliath, the hero of Israel, and God's chosen king. Yet, he is also a manipulator, adulterer, and murderer. This book provides a broad audience of students, lay readers, and scholars with a close reading of David's story, presenting scholarly study of this fascinating and crucial character in an accessible and engaging manner. By carefully presenting David's story, this book addresses how it is possible to consider a flawed and imperfect character like David as a man after God's own heart.

The purpose of Understanding the Volatile and Dangerous Middle East is to assist the general public to obtain a deeper comprehension of this bewildering region. Middle East issues can become muddled and confusing, particularly since the mainstream news media, editorials, and popular literature on this highly-controversial subject are often plagued by inaccurate information, or even disinformation. They often commit biased omissions-leaving out important information that can help the public comprehend the true entire picture. Understanding the Volatile and Dangerous Middle East seeks to counteract these inaccuracies. It will prevent readers from making common and not so common mistakes for lack of adequate knowledge. Additionally, there are 78 maps-a built-in Middle East historical atlas-and numerous tables that enhance the text, which is thoroughly indexed. The author presents this information in a clear, comprehensive, understandable, and insightful manner. Understanding the Volatile and Dangerous Middle East is a Middle East library rolled into one volume. For anyone who seeks the truth based on facts, this definitely is one book to keep handy on your library shelf.

This work covers major weapons throughout human history, beginning with clubs and maces; through crossbows, swords, and gunpowder; up to the hypersonic railgun, lasers, and robotic weapons under development today. Weapons and Warfare is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and highly informative overview of weapons and their impact on the course of human history. In addition to providing basic factual information, this encyclopedia will delve into the greater historical context and significance of each weapon. The chronological organization by time period will enable readers to fully understand the evolution of weapons throughout history. The work begins with a foreword by a top scholar and a detailed introductory essay by the editor that provides an illuminating historical overview of weapons. It then offers entries on more than 650 individual weapons systems. Each entry has sources for further reading. The weapons are presented alphabetically within six time periods, ranging from the prehistoric and ancient periods to the contemporary period. Each period has its own introduction that treats the major trends occurring in that era. In addition, 50 sidebars offer fascinating facts on various weapons. Numerous illustrations throughout the text are also included.

The volume begins with overviews of Michelangelo's life and work and contains more focused essays on the artist's political thought and his chief biographers, Ascanio Condivi and Giorgio Vasari. Other articles survey Michelangelo's early career and principal works, including the Rome "Piet," the "David, " the "Doni Tondo," and his commission to paint the "Battle of Cascina" in competition with Leonardo da Vinci.