Dropping the Torch: Jimmy Carter, the Olympic Boycott, and the Cold War offers a diplomatic history of the 1980 Olympic boycott. Broad in its focus, it looks at events in Washington, D.C., as well as the opposition to the boycott and how this attempted embargo affected the athletic contests in Moscow. Jimmy Carter based his foreign policy on assumptions that had fundamental flaws and reflected a superficial familiarity with the Olympic movement. These basic mistakes led to a campaign that failed to meet its basic mission objectives but did manage to insult the Soviets just enough to destroy détente and restart the Cold War. The book also includes a military history of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which provoked the boycott, and an examination of the boycott's impact four years later at the Los Angeles Olympics, where the Soviet Union retaliated with its own boycott.

With a thorough exploration of the political climate of the time and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, this book describes the repercussions of Jimmy Carter's American boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Despite missing the games they had trained relentlessly to compete in, many U.S. athletes went on to achieve remarkable successes in sports and overcame the bitter disappointment of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity dashed by geopolitics.

THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time Book two in the New York Times bestselling series A USA Today bestseller A Wall Street Journal bestseller “Spectacular.”—Entertainment Weekly “Fresh and exciting...Tahir has shown a remarkable talent for penning complex villains.”—A.V. Club "Even higher stakes than its predecessor… thrilling." —Publishers Weekly, starred review “[An] action-packed, breathlessly paced story.” —Booklist, starred review Set in a rich, high-fantasy world inspired by ancient Rome, Sabaa Tahir's AN EMBER IN THE ASHES told the story of Laia, a slave fighting for her family, and Elias, a young soldier fighting for his freedom. Now, in A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT, Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars' survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike. Bound to Marcus's will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape...and kill them both.

A collection of three epic fantasy novels by Kathryn Rossati, Xan Kaplan & Neil O'Donnell, now available in one volume! The Curse Of Earthias: Accused of her mentor's murder, Yusumi must escape the royal city with Jidan, her loyal wolf-lion companion. Their path crosses with Xanna and Kai, Earth Healers seeking a cure for their cursed Wise Woman. However, lurking in the shadows is a darker power, as forces both demonic and undead pursue them. Can they uncover the truth, find answers, and vindicate Yusumi's name? The Length of Years: Falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit, Vallon Steere is trapped in a prison cell with his once-promising future reduced to nothing more than a distant dream. In a desperate bid to prove his innocence Vallon turns to the court clerk, hoping she'll believe his story. And what a story it is. From his privileged childhood as the son of a rural duke to his time in the King's Army, Vallon has led a life less straightforwardly noble than he'd like to admit. His quest for revenge and his search for a missing sister have taken him down a dark and dangerous path. As Vallon lays bare his past, he's forced to confront some uncomfortable truths. He may not have committed the crime he's accused of, but his actions have consequences. And as war looms on the horizon, Vallon realizes that his past may be the key to securing his future. The Keep In The Marsh: Thomas, a village blacksmith seeking adventure, embarks on a journey eastward following his father's guidance. Along the Queen's Road, he becomes entangled in a series of attacks by the notorious thieves' guild, Neydis. Joined by other adventurers, they strive to break free from Neydis' clutches while seeking adventure, fame and riches.

Throughout the world of Gandril, there are dozens of small, peaceful villages like Geddington. Tucked away in the countryside, far from the affairs of kings, queens, and politics, the people of Geddington are safe from the dangers and hostilities of the world-or so they believe. Soldiers serving the Twilight Union come to Geddington in search of a mysterious man named Dristlemore, keeping their reasons private. But Dristlemore is sought by the powerful sorcerer Lord Mydoc for a far more sinister purpose-to be eliminated by whatever means necessary. In a vicious raid, Geddington is burned to the ground, and its people are butchered like livestock. When the horror finally ends, only three survivors and one cryptic letter remain. Alone and with nowhere to go, the three survivors follow their only clue in the mysterious letter, hoping to find answers and learn the identity of Dristlemore.

Sometimes the greatest evil lies within. When Prince Gerin, King Quentin's son, is kidnapped, the kingdom is thrown into chaos and Quentin is forced to search inward for faith and hope. But is faith enough? At the dawn of a new era, where religious unrest is rampant and uncertainty of the kingdom’s future threatens everyone, it takes courage to stand. From an orphaned servant to a war hero, respected leader, and a fierce man of faith, Quentin has slowly transformed into The Dragon King. But even the powerful can fall prey to weakness.? The world is turned upside-down when the dark sorcerer Nimrood--long thought dead after a battle with the previous Dragon King--returns with a fearsome plan.? Shattered by the death of a dear and trusted friend, the abduction of his beloved son, and the loss of his enchanted sword, Quentin finds his faith tested like never before. At the dawn of a new era, where faith clashes and old evils rear their heads, Quentin and his friends must lead the way despite their own flaws and uncertainty. With the fate of the world hanging on by a thread, their decisions slice through religious unrest and restore hope in what is to come. In The Sword and The Flame readers will find: Christian allegory and themes A sweeping Arthurian styled epic fantasy about hope, destiny, and faith Crossover appeal for young adult and adult readers In?The Sword and the Flame, the final volume of Stephen R. Lawhead's captivating Dragon King Trilogy, the fate of the entire world depends on the outcome of this climactic battle between good and evil.