"It is hard to imagine this magnificent biography ever being superseded . . . It is a stylish, splendidly erudite work." —Terry Eagleton, The Guardian"More than any other public figure of the eighteenth century, Tom Paine strikes our times like a trumpet blast from a distant world." So begins John Keane's magnificent and award-winning (the Fraunces Tavern Book Award) biography of one of democracy's greatest champions.Among friends and enemies alike...

The full chronological sweep of democracy, from the assemblies of ancient Mesopotamia and Athens to present perils around the globe. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.This compact history unspools the tumultuous global story that began with democracy's radical core idea: We can collaborate, as equals, to determine our own futures. Acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces how this concept emerged a...

A disturbing in-depth exposé of the antidemocratic practices of despotic governments now sweeping the world.One day they’ll be like us. That was once the West’s complacent and self-regarding assumption about countries emerging from poverty, imperial rule, or communism. But many have hardened into something very different from liberal democracy: what the eminent political thinker John Keane describes as a new form of despotism. And one day, he warns, we may be more ...

Accessible eBook: Sive is a young and beautiful orphan who lives with her uncle Mike, his wife Mena and his mother Nanna. A local matchmaker, Thomasheen Seán Rua, wants Sive to marry an old man called Sean Dóta. Thomasheen convinces Mike and Mena to organise the marriage. They will receive a sum of two hundred pounds as soon as she marries him. However, Sive is in love with a young man, Liam Scuab. But Liam is not suitable and is refused permission to marry Sive. Sive is distraught but is ...

A Moggy for MichaelOriginally published in Reader's Digest and delivered to 40 million readers worldwide in 13 languages across 40 countries. Also featured in Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul.When ten-year-old Mike Cunningham's cat disappears, he does something most kids wouldn't dare—he calls a pet detective, even though his father says it's a waste of time.Sam wasn't just a cat. He was a gift from Mike's mother before she died six mo...

When love took flight, a miracle followed.Flight of a Dog's Soul is a true story blending memoir and spiritual inspiration. It was born from the grief of losing a beloved companion—and the extraordinary miracle that followed. When Clouseau, the author's cherished dog, passed away, sorrow filled the home—until, within hours, a mourning dove appeared in a way that felt like more than coincidence. Landing on a shoulder, walking gently up an arm, and pressing its cheek...

We live in troubled times, marked by a sinister trend gaining the upper hand everywhere: a new despotism for the twenty-first century. John Keane's latest book rings out boldly with a powerful warning: the keyword for understanding the new threats to democracy is despotism. This peril arises not only from regimes as different as Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, but also from popularly elected demagogues opposed to power-sharing, from Orbán's Hungary and Sheinbaum's Mexico to Netanyah...

The Field is John B. Keane's fierce and tender study of the love a man can have for land and the ruthless lengths he will go to in order to obtain the object of his desire. It is dominated by Bull McCabe, one of the most famous characters in Irish writing today. An Oscar-nominated adaptation of The Field proved highly successful and popular worldwide, and starred Richard Harris, John Hurt, Brenda Fricker and Tom Berenger.

"I'd recommend this book to anyone, whether beginner or expert." --From the Foreword by Peter Buck of R.E.M."Because everything is explained so concisely, you spend less time wading through pages and more time recording music." --Sound on Sound magazine"An excellent book for any engineer or home recordist just getting into Pro Tools." --Tape Op magazine

A short story collection epitomizing the late Irish author's folkloric imagination and storytelling arts.In these tales, literary legend John B. Keane views the foibles and fallibilities of Irish country folk with abundant compassion as well as a shrewd, sometimes sardonic eye. Add to that his glorious sense of fun and roguery that will make readers relish all the more how and why, in "Fred Rimble," Jim Conlon kills the best friend he ever had. Or how Willie Ramley...

Books of great political insight and novelty always outlive their time of birth and this reissued work, initially published in 1985, is no exception. Written shortly after the formation of Charter 77, the essays in this collection are among the most original and compelling pieces of political writing to have emerged from central and Eastern Europe during the whole of the post-war period. Václav Havel’s essay provides the title for the book. It was read by all the contributors who in turn r...

Durango is an adventure story about the great October cattle drive of Tubberlick. Set in rural Ireland during the Second World War, this novel features the themes of love, sex, money and betrayal. Durango has been produced as a film starring Brenda Fricker, Patrick Bergin and Pat Laffin.