Biographies
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Charles Taylor and Liberia
Ambition and Atrocity in Africa’s Lone Star State
Colin Waugh
Campaigner, insurgent, arms dealer, warlord, commodity trafficker, elected president, international fugitive and finally prisoner, Charles Taylor sought to lead his native Liberia to change but instead destroyed it in a frenzy of violence, greed and uncontrolled personal ambition. In the process he threw much of Liberia’s neighbouring region into turmoil for over a decade, finally facing judgment in The Hague for his role in the Sierra Leone conflict. In this remarkable and eye-opening book… (more information)
Rise of Evo Morales and the MAS
Sven Harten
Evo Morales is one of the world’s most controversial political leaders. His story is extraordinary: poor shepherd-boy, persecuted coca grower, self-professed admirer of Ché Guevara, hero of the anti-globalization movement, and first indigenous president of modern Latin America. The story of the social movement turned political party he is a part of — the Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) — is also exceptional: originally founded as a splinter of an ultra-right party, it was… (more information)
A Legacy of Love
Remembering Muriel Duckworth, Her Later Years, 1996-2009
Marion Douglas Kerans
Muriel Duckworth passed away August 22, 2009 in her one hundred and first year. In the weeks that followed memorial services were held in Austin Quebec, Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. People from across Canada recognized that her passing marked the end of an era and they wanted to not only remember her but to come together to be a part of her ongoing legacy of love. This book brings together stories from Muriel’s family and close friends from the past dozen years… (more information)
Africa’s Liberation
The Legacy of Nyerere
Edited by Chambi Chachage, Annar Cassam
The death in 1999 of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania, left a cavern in the consciousness and conscience of the people of Tanzania and Africa.Nyerere was not simply a player on the national terrain. He was a Pan-Africanist and an internationalist – in thoughts, writings and, crucially, in his practice. A unique advocate, strategist and leader, Nyerere spoke out loud against injustices across the world. A decade later, his words, actions, achievements and shortcomings… (more information)
Maternity Rolls
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Disability
Heather Kuttai
Heather Kuttai is a 40-year-old white, heterosexual woman. She is married and is the mother of two children. Living in a quiet, middle-class neighbourhood, her life is, in many ways, seemingly the quintessential picture of what many consider to be traditional. However, her life is not as conventional as it appears: she is a paraplegic and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Her disability dramatically changes the picture. Much of the writing about the experiences of women and mothers excludes the stories… (more information)
The Guy in the Green Truck
John St. Amand – A Biography
James N. McCrorie
Few mature men and women choose to abandon secure employment with handsome health and retirement benefits for a cause and an uncertain future. This biographical memoir is about a man who did just this, abandoning a promising career as a sociologist at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, for the turbulent life of union organizer in Nova Scotia. In one of his first organizing campaigns, John St. Amand crisscrossed industrial Cape Breton signing up workers to the new Canadian Miner’s Union… (more information)
Accidental Opportunities
A Journey Through Many Doors, An Autobiography
Bridglal Pachai
Bridglal (Bridge) Pachai, a life long advocate of social justice, was born in a thatched roof cottage in Umbulwana, South Africa. His journey has taken him from South Africa to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Along the way he has taught history at universities in South Africa, Malawi, The Gambia and Halifax. He has also served as director of the Black Cultural Centre in Nova Scotia and as director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. In the words of Tom McInnis, his senior when Bridge was director… (more information)
A Sense of Themselves
Elizabeth Murray’s Leadership in School and Community
Carol E. Harris
“Thanks to Ms. Harris for her care in making Miss Murray live for those of us who care about women’s lives and community in Atlantic Canada.” —reviewer “Presents an excellent picture of pioneer and modern efforts in Nova Scotia’s adult education activities and, in the process, constitutes a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman/” —Herman Timmins, former Director of the Adult Education Division, N.S. Department of Education This vivid portrayal… (more information)
Muriel Duckworth
A Very Active Pacifist
Marion Douglas Kerans
”Muriel is an extraordinary woman whose life and work has enriched many–through her faith and her practice. A feminist, a pacifist and a compassionate Canadian, her life is an example of what love and selfless intelligence can do.”–Ursula M. Franklin C.C. FRSC ”Muriel Duckworth inspires me. She is living, walking proof that age need not destroy one’s commitment to progressive social ideals. Muriel is a true humanitarian who freely gives herself to others regardless… (more information)