The Dictionary of Midwestern Literature, Volume One, surveys the lives and writings of nearly 400 Midwestern authors and identifies some of the most important criticism of their writings. The Dictionary is based on the belief that the literature of any region simultaneously captures the experience and influences the worldview of its people, reflecting as well as shaping the evolving sense of individual and collective identity, meaning, and values. Volume One presents individual lives and literary orientations and offers a broad survey of the Midwestern experience as expressed by its many diverse peoples over time.Philip A. Greasley's introduction fills in background information and describes the philosophy, focus, methodology, content, and layout of entries, as well as criteria for their inclusion. An extended lead-essay, "The Origins and Development of the Literature of the Midwest," by David D. Anderson, provides a historical, cultural, and literary context in which the lives and writings of individual authors can be considered.This volume is the first of an ambitious three-volume series sponsored by the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature and created by its members. Volume Two will provide similar coverage of non-author entries, such as sites, centers, movements, influences, themes, and genres. Volume Three will be a literary history of the Midwest. One goal of the series is to build understanding of the nature, importance, and influence of Midwestern writers and literature. Another is to provide information on writers from the early years of the Midwestern experience, as well as those now emerging, who are typically absent from existing reference works.

The Republic of Mexico was shakily emerging from its most recent civil war which finally established the primacy of its new Liberal Constitution. Burdened by crushing debt, much of which was the fault of the previous Conservative Government which borrowed from Europe to prosecute the war, President Benito Juarez refused to repay.It was 1862 and United States was fully engaged in its own civil war. Ruthlessly, Napoleon III of France saw his opportunity to force repayment of the debts to France as well as to strike a blow against Western Democracy. The perfect moment came when the defeated Mexican Conservatives offered the Imperial Throne of Mexico to Austrian Prince Maximilian. Promising his complete support, and promoting the lie that the Habsburg Prince would be welcomed with open arms, Napoleon plotted to seize Mexico and reestablish a European Power in The New World, violating the United States' long standing Monroe Doctrine.The French Army invaded Mexico and brought in Allied forces from Austria, Belgium, and even Egypt! The next five years saw sieges and battles of all scales in a war reminiscent of the Great Napoleon's in Spain, and presaged French and US involvement in Southeast Asia a century later.Not a general history of that war, "Viva Juarez!" is a two volume reference book on all military aspects of the conflict, especially intended for historical miniatures war gamers, but which speaks to the serious student of military history, as well. "Volume 1-The Armies," (62 pages) provides the most complete collection of uniform information for all combatants ever assembled in one source. Second Empire French, Austrian, Belgian, Egyptian, and even late American Civil War uniforms are all part of the historical mix. Lavishly illustrated plates by contemporary artists and modern ones, including Knötel, Hefter, and Boissellier are provided. Completing the collection, former Disney artist, Nick Stern, has provided more examples in his own style. Besides details of dress, Readers will find full organizational data for all combatant armies is included, with illustrated sections on weaponry and their details."Volume 2-The Battles" (208 pages) provides all available information for refighting thirty-one of the most important actions of that bitter war. All engagements appear in chronological order, with descriptions of the action, thorough Orders of Battle, and at least one period battlefield map printed in color, full page size for maximum accessibility. Previous works on the subject have been based on the limited English language sources. But more than two years research with previously unused sources in contemporary French, German, and Spanish books, periodicals, and museum map collections, have resulted in a unique contribution to the historical literature. "Viva Juarez!" is now the "go to" source for one of the pivotal military campaigns in Mexican history and that of the Americas.

In this book, the Bush administration's war in Iraq is assessed using an interdisciplinary approach and historical analysis that will help readers better understand the results of the U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine from 2003 to the present. Contesting History: The Bush Counterinsurgency Legacy in Iraq uses a comparative analysis of history to assess the Bush administration's actions in Iraq, focusing specifically on the policy of counterinsurgency. Insurgency exists within an extended timeframe and exhibits a global reach, argues comparative warfare expert Matthew J. Flynn. Therefore, understanding this phenomenon is best realized through an examination of guerrilla conflicts around the world over time; this book provides that approach. The work analyzes U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine during the Iraq War from 2003 to the present, and offers relevant historical comparisons to conflicts dating back to the mid-19th century, in which a nation enjoyed marked military superiority over their enemy. In doing so, it encourages readers to link the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in the broad context of the utilization of counterinsurgency operations to achieve policy objectives. Ultimately, the book illustrates how the tactical "military" success of the U.S. surge in Iraq still nets a strategic failure.

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The burgeoning field of political anthropology has as its essential purpose examining the relationship between the exercise of power and the uniqueness of cultural forms. Culture and Political Change emphasizes interdisciplinary semiotic and phenomenological approaches to the relationship between political change and the durability of such cultural forms as drama, symbol, myth, ritual, and religion. Leading anthropologists and political scientists present case studies illuminating the complex causes and nature of political change.

"Overturns conventional thinking that the Western genre is essentially conservative. Instead, Brode demonstrates that Hollywood liberals used Westerns to espouse a progressive agenda on a range of issues, including gun control, environmental protection, respect for non-Christian belief systems, and community cohesion versus rugged individualism. Doug Brode takes a new look at dozens of Westerns, including Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Red River, 3:10 to Yuma (old and new), The Wild Ones, High Noon, My Darling Clementine, The Alamo, and No Country for Old Men"--

This book features biographies of 32 of the most notable figures in Latin American history. To the 23 individuals from the first edition, consisting mostly of revolutionary, political, and military figures of the past, are added nine new biographies of contemporary Latin American presidents, providing an updated view of the region's leadership. Several patterns run through the individual biographies. The concept of native identity is an important aspect in the stories of Malinche, Juarez, Sandino, and Zapata--profoundly affecting the politics of modern Brazil, Mexico, and Nicaragua. One also sees a continuing compulsion to rebel against overwhelming odds in the cases of Manuela Saenz, Che Guevara and Daniel Ortega.

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