#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER. The definitive insider's account of American policy making in Vietnam. "Can anyone remember a public official with the courage to confess error and explain where he and his country went wrong? This is what Robert McNamara does in this brave, honest, honorable, and altogether compelling book."—Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Written twenty years after the end of the Vietnam War, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's controversial memoir answers the lingering questions that surround this disastrous episode in American history. With unprecedented candor and drawing on a wealth of newly declassified documents, McNamara reveals the fatal misassumptions behind our involvement in Vietnam. Keenly observed and dramatically written, In Retrospect possesses the urgency and poignancy that mark the very best histories—and the unsparing candor that is the trademark of the greatest personal memoirs. Includes a preface written by McNamara for the paperback edition.

From Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, comes the captivating sequel to the Renaissance France–inspired epic fantasy The Queen’s Rising. Finally, Brienna is a mistress of knowledge. But now, she faces a new challenge: In her role as the daughter of lord Davin MacQuinn, she must win the approval of the other MacQuinns. Additionally, as Queen Isolde’s closest confidant, Brienna is responsible for balancing her role in her father’s House with serving her country. And then there’s Cartier. Aodhan Morgane, formerly Cartier Évariste, is slowly adjusting to his role as lord of a fallen House. After he and Brienna discover a mysterious boy who captures their hearts, he starts to wonder what it would be like if he didn’t have to raise the boy—or his House—by himself. But, for now, Brienna and Cartier must put their feelings aside, as resistance is rumbling among the old regime’s supporters. Any weakness will be exploited, and love is the greatest liability of all.

Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, delivers a thrilling new romantasy about a girl who partners with an unlikely ally to save her sister’s life. Perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter, Dance of Thieves, and Warrior of the Wild. After eight years apart, Evadne can’t wait to see her older sister, Halcyon. But, when Halcyon returns from the queen’s army a day early, Eva knows something is terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run and being chased by her commander after being charged with murder. Though Halcyon’s life is spared, her punishment is heavy— five years hard labor, five years imprisonment, and five years serving the house she has wronged. Suspicious of the circumstances, Eva volunteers to take part of Halcyon’s sentence. She’s sent to serve in the commander’s house, where she meets Damon, a handsome and intriguing mage. Eva must work with Damon on a potentially deadly mission to retrieve a powerful relic that could save the kingdom—and clear her sister’s name. But as the sisters continue to serve each of their sentences, they quickly learn that there are fates worse than death.

This book outlines with theoretical and literary historical rigor a highly innovative approach to the writing of Russian literary history and to the reading of canonical Russian texts. "Anticipatory plagiarism” is a concept developed by the French Oulipo group, but it has never to my knowledge been explored with reference to Russian studies. The editors and contributors to the proposed volume – a blend of senior and beginning scholars, Russians and non-Russians – offer a set of essays on Gogol, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy which provocatively test the utility of AP as a critical tool, relating these canonical authors to more recent instances, some of them decidedly non-canonical. The senior scholars who are the editors and most of the contributors are truly distinguished. The volume is likely to receive serious attention and to be widely read. I recommend it with unqualified enthusiasm. William Mills Todd III, Harry Tuchman Levin Professor of Literature, Harvard University As the founder of the notion of "plagiarism by anticipation", which was stolen from me in the sixties by fellow colleagues, I am delighted to learn that my modest contribution to literary theory will be used to better understand the interplay of interferences in Russian literature. Indeed, one would have to be naive to think that the great Russian authors would have invented everything. In fact, they were able to draw their ideas from their predecessors, but also from their successors, testifying to the open-mindedness that characterizes the Slavic soul. This book restores the truth. Pierre Bayard, Professor of Literature, University of Paris 8 This edited volume employs the paradoxical notion of ‘anticipatory plagiarism’—developed in the 1960s by the ‘Oulipo’ group of French writers and thinkers—as a mode for reading Russian literature. Reversing established critical approaches to the canon and literary influence, its contributors ask us to consider how reading against linear chronologies can elicit fascinating new patterns and perspectives. Reading Backwards: An Advance Retrospective on Russian Literature re-assesses three major nineteenth-century authors—Gogol, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy—either in terms of previous writers and artists who plagiarized them (such as Raphael, Homer, or Hall Caine), or of their own depredations against later writers (from J.M. Coetzee to Liudmila Petrushevskaia). Far from suggesting that past authors literally stole from their descendants, these engaging essays, contributed by both early-career and senior scholars of Russian and comparative literature, encourage us to identify the contingent and familiar within classic texts. By moving beyond rigid notions of cultural heritage and literary canons, they demonstrate that inspiration is cyclical, influence can flow in multiple directions, and no idea is ever truly original. This book will be of great value to literary scholars and students working in Russian Studies. The introductory discussion of the origins and context of ‘plagiarism by anticipation’, alongside varied applications of the concept, will also be of interest to those working in the wider fields of comparative literature, reception studies, and translation studies.

A novus hit squad is chasing you, and they are getting closer... In the year 3421, human, novus, and alien races coexist through political strife perpetuated by daily United Planetary Congress interactions, the foundation of political theater. An encrypted code, capable of crippling a newly developed artificial earth planet, is stolen from an atmospheric control outpost orbiting Atlas. Agent Jonah, Galactic Interpol Society top-priority agent, must immerse himself within the violent shadows surrounding his new mission as he enters the Revised Washington District. A novus crime lord leading a reputable novus terrorist organization lends aid to a powerful political figure pulling the strings. To further complicate Jonah's investigation, a rogue galactic agent bites at his heels every step of the way. Follow Agent Jonah through vivid action sequences and futuristic locales to find out if he can overcome all obstacles and save Atlas from an evil politician's plot for power dominance in the galaxy. Army combat veteran Bryan DeMinico gives readers a Sci-Fi world full of hi-tech spy activities, sleek technologies, socio-political interactions spanning across two earth planets, mix in a new humanoid race, colonized space worlds, and add a dash of discovered aliens on Planet Amephirous.

Even before A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin had already established himself as a giant in the field of fantasy literature. The first of two stunning collections, Dreamsongs: Volume I is a rare treat for readers, offering fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master. Gathered here in Dreamsongs: Volume I are the very best of George R. R. Martin’s early works, including his Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker award–winning stories, cool fan pieces, and the original novella The Ice Dragon, from which Martin’s New York Times bestselling children’s book of the same title originated. A dazzling array of subjects and styles that features extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs, Volume I is the perfect collection for both Martin devotees and a new generation of fans. “Fans, genre historians and aspiring writers alike will find this shelf-bending retrospective as impressive as it is intriguing.”—Publishers Weekly “Dreamsongs is the ideal way to discover . . . a master of science fiction, fantasy and horror. . . . Martin is a writer like no other.”—The Guardian (U.K.) PRAISE FOR GEORGE R. R. MARTIN “Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best. In fact . . . this is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien.”—Time “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times “I always expect the best from George R. R. Martin, and he always delivers.”—Robert Jordan

In today's fast paced world, the internet can provide quick answers to personal questions. But when an individual raised by society to live, breathe and look at the world with female eyes transitions to male, some of the most enlightening, helpful and profound advice can only come in retrospect. Letter to my Brothers, features essays from respected transmen mentors who share the wisdom they wish they would have known at the beginning of their journey into manhood.