The History Of Afghanistan History Essay

The History Of Afghanistan History Essay After the September 11th attacks on America, many nations were drawn into the War on Terror. With this escalating conflict came the names of many countries that the American public knew little about. Prior to 9/11, Americans knew Afghanistan simply as a country in the Middle East. In the aftermath of 9/11, Americans now associate Afghanistan with words like Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Despite the recent press coverage on this land-locked nation, few understand the history of Afghanistan, including the rich cultural aspects, political climate, and society of this country. As the future of Afghanistan is being lived and written right now, a clear understanding of the countrys history is imperative in understanding the new global circumstances. It is for this reason that Meredith L. Runion has written this book, published by Geenwood Press. The author is a Program Manager in the Directorate of Science and Technology for the U.S. Federal Government and has been involved in several efforts regarding the Middle East. She is regarded as a specialist in the history of Afghanistan. The author has produced a volume that reflects her current research on Afghanistan. In addition to writing several articles on the subject, The History of Afghanistan, is her first published book. Meredith is a native of the Washington D.C. area, and holds advanced degrees in Decision Science and Business. The book is intended for students and general readers. It is also serves as an appropriate starting material for researchers trying to find concise yet all-inclusive text on the entire history of Afghanistan and the rulers that have governed it. The United States, being a superpower which attacked Afghanistan and is now embroiled in the War Against Terror in this region, shares a special relationship with this country. Yet, many Americans know very little about Afghanistan, its history and the people who occupy this region. Therefore the author has made special effort to keep the book simple, concise and easy to follow for the American readers. Among the many other questions the writer addresses some are as given: How did Afghanistan get to be the way it is? What kind of political systems have evolved there? What kind of influence does it have in the region? What are the dominant political, religious and cultural forces that move its leaders? These and many other questions have been answered in this volume. The book under review is a nonfiction account of the history of Afghanistan. It provides an abridged history of Afghanistan, from the emergence of civilization to the United States overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001. The history is almost entirely political and military in nature, recounting shifting dynasties and governments and successive invasions by empires and great powers. Major points in the book describe how modern Afghanistan is a melting pot of a multitude of cultures, tribes, and political influences all under the guiding belief of Islam. The author repeatedly stresses that due to the countrys strategic location along the crucial trade routes between Central Asia and the Middle East, Afghanistan has suffered repeated conquests throughout its tumultuous history. In spite of this, Afghanistan has proven to be a resilient force in the face of long term conquests, as the United States is experiencing today. It starts with an introduction to the country, focusing on its geography and people. It discusses its location in the region, its physical features and agricultural potential. It also discusses its economy and the ethnic groups inhabiting the country. It is interesting to note that the author has devoted a complete chapter to Afghanistans prehistory. While libraries and bookstores are filled with a multitude of works on the early life of Mesopotamia and Persia, very little can be found about Afghanistans prehistory. Further, most books provide only one or two paragraphs on the early civilization era of Afghanistan, usually after Alexander the Great conquered this region. By including a complete chapter on the countrys prehistory the writer has made the book appealing to general public as well as students of history. The next chapter discusses the early civilizations which flourished in this area. Brief yet informative material has been presented about the Aryan Civilization, the Medes Empire, the arrival of Alexander the Great in the region and the Greco-Bactrian rule in Afghanistan. Most books on the subject ignore the intermediate period between the early civilizations and the arrival of Islam in Afghanistan. However, the writer has discussed the Greek-Hellenistic culture prevailing in the area till the conquests led by Muslim invaders. The Macedonian Empire, the division under Seleucid and Mauryan Rule, the Greco-Bactrian and Parthian eras, The Kushan Empire and the Sassanid Dynasty have been dealt with by the author in this chapter before moving on to the advent of Muslim conquerors. Conspicuous, however, is the authors lack of attention to the rule of Islamic Empires in Afghanistan. The Islamic Empires of this region were some of the most powerful and influential ones during the period extending from 10th century A.D., and played a significant role in shaping the history of Central Asia, Persia and India. The indisposition of the author to handle this period of history in greater detail will come as a surprise to researchers and historians. The following chapter discusses the Mongolian Invasion, the Timurid Empire and Safavid Rule leading up to the creation of the first Afghan state under Ahmed Shah Durrani in 1747. A complete chapter has been written by the author detailing the Anglo-Afghan Wars from 1839 to 1919. Once again the author very concisely narrates the history of Afghanistan during this period ensuring that no important event is left out. Events leading up to the Soviet Invasion, Retreat of Soviet forces and the Afghan Civil War have been described by the author in a succinct manner. Since the history of Afghanistan during this period has been covered by a significant number of books, and that too in great detail, it is relieving to note that the writer has not presented extensive material reproducing the same events in the book. Instead the author sticks to presenting the events briefly. The next chapter in the book discusses the rise of fundamentalism in Afghan society. This covers the role of the Mujahideen, the rise of the Taliban, their war with the Northern Alliance and finally the advent of Osama bin Laden on the global scene. This chapter will be of particular interest to Western readers, especially those in the United States who are not clear about the origin of the Taliban. Afghanistan is a nation about which Western readers knew very little about till the events of 2001. Overall, Runion gives an insightful overview of such a country. In general, the book lays greater stress on the historical events occurring in the past 30 years. According to Frank W. Thackeray and John E. Findling, both professors at Indiana University and foreword-writers for the book, the past 30 years have been witness to a great deal of historical change, and it is to this change that this book is primarily addressed. The material in the book has been presented in an orderly manner, with the author focusing on the chronological order of the historical events. The language used is simple and helpful for students wishing to acquire knowledge about the subject matter in a short time duration. However it must be noted that the book presents a very brief overview of the history of Afghanistan, with the overly plain language at times becoming simple even for high school students. As the reader moves towards the more modern history of Afghanistan, it becomes perfectly clear that this book was written for Americans who wanted to know more about Afghanistan after 2001. If that is the only purpose of the readers, this book will prove fine. But if the readers are history students or researchers, they will find vast other eras of history getting ignored. The book contains additional chapters that add useful detail to the historical narrative. One chapter is a thorough chronology of important historical events, making it easy for readers to follow the flow of Afghanistans history. Another chapter features biographical sketches of the nations most important figures who have contributed to the historical development of the Afghan nation. The book also contains a comprehensive bibliography, so that those readers interested in the subject matter can find more about the nation and its history. Each chapter is followed by detailed notes explaining the contents of the chapter, making extensive references to works of other writers and historians on Afghanistan. Included alongside these items is a glossary of frequently used terms, and a guide to further readings. The author apparently did a great deal of research and references multiple sources to provide an unbiased look into Afghanistan. It was noted that the chronology of this book moves in a haphazard fashion, and the areas the author chooses to focus on are sometimes puzzling. Even though Afghanistan was a neutral nation during WWI and WWII, those wars are discussed in a paragraph. The authors style of narrating the events which have not yet occurred in a specific section becomes irritating at times. For example, the author writes: That king ruled until the war was over in 1967 Then the next section will begin: The war of regicidal independence began in 1960 This is fairly common, and has the readers sometimes struggling to put their mindset back into chronological order. The absence of maps was greatly felt, which could have assisted in explaining the historical contents of the book. Similarly, the book contained no illustrations or images, making it a tiresome and unamusing read at times. Inclusion of maps and illustrations could have added to the appeal and quality of the book Overall, the book makes a satisfactory attempt to explain the major historical events of Afghanistan very briefly. Some historical details have been ignored by the author. For an introductory history to Afghanistan, this serves its purpose, but it will probably pique rather than satiate the readers search for knowledge, which may have been the authors point all along. The book has about 150 pages, so if the readers want an in depth material this probably isnt recommended. However, this is a great starting material for those wanting to gain more understanding on the country and the current focus on modern events and conflicts It is recommended for general public wishing to acquire elementary knowledge and background information about the history of Afghanistan in a concise manner. Students of history and researchers looking for in-depth material on the subject however will be disappointed.

The Genre Cycle Essays -- Film, Movies

Film scholars around the world agree that all genres of film are part of the â€Å"genre cycle†. This cycle contains four different stages that a specific genre goes through. These stages are: primitive, classic, revisionist, and parody. Each stage that the genre goes through brings something different to that genre’s meaning and what the audience expects. I believe that looking at the horror genre will be the most beneficial since it has clearly gone through each stage. The first stage of the genre cycle is called the primitive stage. During this stage of the cycle, the genre of horror is very new. Filmmakers are trying to decide what makes a horror film a horror film, while audience are figuring out what they should expect every time they see this kind of film. For example, Todd Browning’s Dracula is the basic, stripped down blueprint for many monster-horror films today. It features the â€Å"bad guy† accompanied by the â€Å"good guy†. After several horrifying events, Van Helsing kills the vampire, Dracula, and good prevails, again. Thus, establishing that in horror films no matter how grue...

Post-Modern Scene of Hong Kong Society from Food Literature

The characteristic of Hong Kong culture, the identity of Hong Kong citizen is always a hot topic. In the decade, post-modern has become a new verb to describe Hong Kong. So, this treatise is going to find out if Hong Kong is in post-modern period and emotions of authors and citizens, through the picture of Hong Kong society in food literatures. Methodology This treatise alms to find out the picture of Hong Kong post-modern society from Hong Kong Diet Literature. In this treatise, the definition of â€Å"diet literature† Is generalized to all texts using â€Å"Food† as the theme of literary writing.And the narrowed definition of â€Å"Hong Kong Diet Literature† is all texts using â€Å"Food† as the hem of literary writing, which written and published in HOOK by Hong Kong authors, writing Hong Kong places. By observation, Hong Kong diet literature is absented in the study of Hong Kong literature history. The phenomenon, â€Å"Food† is being popular as a theme in HOOK literature, Is worth to be concerned; it Is proved by using the record from the categories of food culture In the online bookstore, Hong Kong Cookbooks Ltd..As the study Is to find out the picture of Hong Kong post-modern society, post-modern theories by Jacques Deride and Jean-Franà §ois Leotard are used. In this treatise, first, would describe the characteristics of postmodern and a city in post-modern period. Second, shows the velveteen of Hong Kong literature and the relationship with the society. Then show the change of the writing methods and styles in Hong Kong food literatures, by the comparison of the most representative and popular authors in different decades. Thirdly, shows the analysis of post-modern phenomenon shown in literatures. At the end, a respond will be made in conclusion. . Theories of Post-modernism First of all, we should definite clearly about the term â€Å"Post-modern† and â€Å"Post- dermis†; † ‘Post-modern' Is a historic concept, slaying the post-industrial society or the era of Information In the postwar period of World War II. â€Å"; † ‘Post- modernism' is a cultural ideological trend of western society†¦ It is an offspring of morels anon Leganes Walt mayoralty Ana auto It † (Roding, 1 differences between Modernism and Post-modernism are, modernism advocates rationality, eccentricity of metaphysics, integrity; Post-modernism is the opposite of modernism.Theories of Post-modernism are based on two important philosophers: Jacques Deride (1930 – 2004–), â€Å"There is nothing outside of the text. (Deride, 1965), his idea means written text, also everything beside text owns and exhibit their meanings in context; also he advocates â€Å"There is nothing outside context†, means text would have different meaning interpreted by different contexts, and the context would interpreted by another context; which means there is no truth, or only one trea tise to explain a thing, nothing is immobile.It is a critique of modern rationalism empire. Jean-Franà §ois Leotard (1925 – 1998) â€Å"Under this modern society and culture-?post-industry and post-modern culture, the legitimacy of science are questioned in different ways. Meta-narration has lost its credibility, whether it is a unified approach adopted. ‘ (Williams, 1998) In the post- modern society, there are no â€Å"only truth† (meta-narrative), only mint-narratives, language games which have their own rules, vales; it is full of differences.Science, emphasizing evidence, rationality, and accuracy is not a meta-narrative anymore, it is only a small-narrative, as the others. Everything is uncertain, â€Å"Emotion is evidence or a description of incomplete-events in any kind of language games or 1998) also it is evidence to determine â€Å"the boundary between two language games. (Williams, 1998) II. Delimiting meta-narrative in Hong Kong On society aspect After 1 July 1997, meta-narrative â€Å"one country, two systems† has been intervened by China; lots of historical buildings had been broken down; also, financial tsunami, CARS led to great unemployment.In 1 July march in 2003, a large public had attended to the march, opposing the legislation of the Basic law Article 23; over million people were protesting for liberty and democracy. Protestors were come from different social communities, such as businessmen, retired people, young couples and democrats, with anger and anxiety. â€Å"Hong Kong people march†, 2003) Different communities–language games, march in 1 July continually each year; the false utopian meta-narrative and the disappearance of memorable buildings and places create a crake between modern society, which bring Hong Kong in to a post-modern period.On literature In ass's, ass's, there are binary oppositions in Hong Kong literature, they are: rightist/ leftist, elegance/earthliness, realism [moderni sm. (Lung,2008); The concept of the binary between elegance and earthliness of popular culture, high-end and low-end is stall De accuses In Hong Kong, alter literature(cueing ) Nine concept Is developed by a group of intellectual, who brought it to the organizational structure. Besides, traditional study of literature and the study of culture are opposed to each other. In this recent decade, literature becomes important in cultural studies under a multicultural society.The boundary between two studies has become vague; the argument between elegance and earthliness is doubted in cultural studies, while there are different groups of people in popular, the studies would be confined by the boundary. (Chemung & Chug, 2007) Ill. Picture of post-modern society from food literature Development of food literature The change of Hong Kong food literature is very significant, but did not be noted by cultural scholars. In the past, food literature is published in the form of recipes, which is in struction of cooking without author's feelings; the most famous and representative author is called Chain Mongo Yang (1910 – 1997).His prose published in a book â€Å"Bible of Eat†, first posted in newspaper column, got popular because of the principle and stories of food and cooking. (Chain, 2007) Authors' feelings and his/her point of views are reflected in nowadays food literature using colloquial language; ampere with literature written by Chain Mongo Yang, the tone of voice is more casual nowadays, and the main purpose is to express authors' feelings rather than instructing reader. â€Å"There is nothing outside of the text. † Each author is a small- narrative, part of Hong Kong; the study of their works can help to make a more holistic picture of Hong Kong culture.A. The past is always better Nostalgic â€Å"Nostalgic describes an emotional structure. In the formation of a larger cultural context, nostalgic has social and psychological stability and re-ne gotiation function on human cognition and position on the world. (Lie, 2004) â€Å"It's feeling more than ‘substantial old†. In Haying Au Youngest (Ar J) and Lung Aka Skunk's(Lung) writings, they recall the past by using a lot of food symbols, like stall, hot pot, herbal tea; to express their helpless feelings about the current social changes, and cherish the past as the past is always better. Then his eyes with a bit confused, winked his eyes, again, even shook his head unconsciously. Oh, no, this is not a (dish of) â€Å"salt and pepper fresh squid† I used to. Of course we cannot go back, especially when we are fortunately living in this era of horn-sighted speeding, among the personnel of social blundering. We proved impossible to preserve landmarks around the streets, only some vague shadows, distracting thoughts; it is only an echo of a particular verbose complaint which has just finished. † (Au Young, 2007) Ar J saw disappointment from his friend's ey es and actions, because the taste can no longer be reproduced.The evaluation of taste may be affected by personal feelings. Ar J and his friend got emotion in this rapid changeable era. â€Å"In the last day of the old Star Ferry Pier, I parked my car especially at the Central Star Ferry Car Park for the sake to take Star Ferry at the old Star Ferry Pier. It's still in Green Ana went colors, out I Tell strange suddenly, sort Ice-cream was gone, Toulouse ending of the ride was doomed†¦ Finally the new Star Ferry Pier was opened, more food stores opened than before, but they all can be bought in Central Airport Railway Station, soft ice-cream will not come back.I am not nostalgia whether the building of Star Ferry Pier is old or new, I would like to keep the way we were. † (Lung, 2005) The 48-years-old old Star Ferry Pier had been destructed by government under Hong Kong citizens' dissatisfaction and opposition, which increased public awareness of local culture conservatio n, also undermined public trust in government. Lung deliberately took a ride in the last operation day of the old Star Ferry Pier, the new ferry pier was built, but the absence of soft ice-cream, Lung was lost in the imagination of the old days.Emotion is the only evidence â€Å"Emotion is evidence or a description of incomplete-events in any kind of language games or girds. â€Å"(Williams, 1998) The destruction of old buildings, reconstructed by new commercial buildings shows the opposition between Ar J , his friend and the immemorial world; Lung and the government. Old building is a signifier which has an inter subjectivity function, representing the intercommunicate and sharing, and is the common knowledge and experience in a group of people with same cultural background can cognizance.Roland Berates reported â€Å"For many individuals who are there, so in itself contains 1999) However, those â€Å"stable† signifier are erased; Flattened and oversimplified signifier ar e only plays and unstable in this rapid consumerism era. Sense of loss, the emotions expressed is the only articulate evidence. B. Contradiction between language games Western and Local † I have not eaten traditional pancake (Boo-change) for a long time. Thought it had been lost, and no one will do; because today pizza is much popular†¦ Pancake' sounds old, outmoded, who will to eat? Also, nowhere sell. Fast-food chain restaurants launched nostalgic tea meals: fried sweet potato, red and white-steamed clay-pot cake, four stuffed treasures, and salt pancake†¦ Their salt pancake of course does not as delicious as childhood, perhaps its deliciousness is scored by memories†¦ Pan cake has a tenacious 2008) Under the influence of western fast-food culture, western fast-food becomes the main stream; the raise of sense of local identity, create a wave of nostalgia in Hong Kong food industry.Pack Way Lee used salt pancake-?†Boo Change† which means â€Å"thin - support† as a signifier, to signify the tenacious vitality of local culture, which would not be buried so easy. The legislation of western culture has been doubted, the wave of nostalgic tea meal is a way to decentralized the eccentricity of western fast-food. Commerce and Culture In the era of globalization and the development of high-technique, the exchange of economy, culture has become easier and faster; boundaries between countries are Duller c, local culture Decodes ten capital In ten commercial game. Across the road in front of Lung Fun Restaurant, is King Way restaurant, introduced red bean paste moon cake, which is regarded as exceptional alternative moon cake. But in these last ten years, moon cake has dazzling means. Moon cake is getting more and more unlike moon cake. Crystal moon cake is glutting in the market, now chocolate is used as a moon cake, I very much doubt it is moon cake or cake (xi being). Cakes are supplied over 365 days; Moon cake, the real role in legend is, as a media to pass the message of uprising when full moon.

A Biography of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

A Biography of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel Erwin Rommel was born at Heidenheim, Germany on November 15, 1891, to Professor Erwin Rommel and Helene von Luz. Educated locally, he displayed a high degree of technical aptitude at an early age. Though he considered becoming an engineer, Rommel was encouraged by his father to join 124th WÃ ¼rttemberg Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet in 1910. Sent to Officer Cadet School in Danzig, he graduated the following year and was commissioned as a lieutenant on January 27, 1912. While at school, Rommel met his future wife, Lucia Mollin, who he married on November 27, 1916. World War I With the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Rommel moved to the Western Front with the 6th WÃ ¼rttemberg Infantry Regiment. Wounded that September, he was awarded the Iron Cross, First Class. Returning to action, he was transferred to the WÃ ¼rttemberg Mountain Battalion of the elite Alpenkorps in the fall of 1915. With this unit, Rommel saw service on both fronts and won the Pour le MÃ ©rite for his actions during the Battle of Caporetto in 1917. Promoted to captain, he finished the war in a staff assignment. After the armistice, he returned to his regiment at Weingarten. The Interwar Years Though recognized as a gifted officer, Rommel elected to remain with the troops rather than serve in a staff position. Moving through various postings in the Reichswehr, Rommel became an instructor at the Dresden Infantry School in 1929. In this position, he wrote several notable training manuals, including Infanterie greift an (Infantry Attack) in 1937. Catching the eye of Adolf Hitler, the work led the German leader to assign Rommel as a liaison between the War Ministry and the Hitler Youth. In this role, he provided instructors to the Hitler Youth and launched a failed attempt to make it an army auxiliary. Promoted to colonel in 1937, the following year he was made the commandant of the War Academy at Wiener Neustadt. This posting proved brief as he was soon appointed to lead Hitlers personal bodyguard (FÃ ¼hrerBegleitbataillon). As the commander of this unit, Rommel gained frequent access to Hitler and soon became one of his favorite officers. The position also allowed him to befriend Joseph Goebbels, who became an admirer and later used his propaganda apparatus to chronicle Rommels battlefield exploits. With the beginning of World War II, Rommel escorted Hitler at the Polish front. In France Eager for a combat command, Rommel asked Hitler for command of a panzer division despite the fact that the Chief of Army Personnel had rejected his earlier request as he lacked any armor experience. Granting Rommels request, Hitler assigned him to lead the 7th Panzer Division with the rank of general-major. Quickly learning the art of armored, mobile warfare, he prepared for the invasion of the Low Countries and France. Part of General Hermann Hoths XV Corps, the 7th Panzer Division advanced boldly on May 10, with Rommel ignoring risks to his flanks and relying on shock to carry the day. So rapid were the divisions movements that it earned the name the Ghost Division due to the surprise it frequently achieved. Though Rommel was achieving victory, issues arose as he preferred to command from the front leading to logistical and staff problems within his headquarters. Defeating a British counterattack at Arras on May 21, his men pushed on, reaching Lille six days later. Given the 5th Panzer Division for the assault on the town, Rommel learned that he had been awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross at Hitlers personal behest. The award annoyed other German officers who resented Hitlers favoritism and Rommels increasing habit of diverting resources to his division. Taking Lille, he famously reached the coast on June 10, before turning south. After the armistice, Hoth praised Rommels achievements but expressed concern over his judgment and suitability for higher command. In reward for his performance in France, Rommel was given command of the newly formed Deutsches Afrikakorps which was departing for North Africa to prop up Italian forces in the wake of their defeat during Operation Compass. The Desert Fox Arriving in Libya in February 1941, Rommel was under orders to hold the line and at most conduct limited offensive operations. Technically under the command of the Italian Comando Supremo, Rommel quickly seized the initiative. Beginning a small attack on the British at El Agheila on March 24, he advanced with one German and two Italian divisions. Driving the British back, he continued the offensive and re-captured all of Cyrenaica, reaching Gazala on April 8. Pressing on, despite orders from Rome and Berlin ordering him to halt, Rommel laid siege to the port of Tobruk and drove the British back to Egypt (Map). In Berlin, an irate German Chief of Staff General Franz Halder commented that Rommel had gone stark mad in North Africa. Attacks against Tobruk repeatedly failed and Rommels men suffered from severe logistical issues due to their long supply lines. After defeating two British attempts to relieve Tobruk, Rommel was elevated to lead Panzer Group Africa which comprised the bulk of Axis forces in North Africa. In November 1941, Rommel was forced to retreat when the British launched Operation Crusader which relieved Tobruk and compelled him to fall all the way back to El Agheila. Quickly re-forming and resupplying, Rommel counterattacked in January 1942, causing the British to prepare defenses at Gazala. Assaulting this position in classic blitzkrieg fashion on May 26, Rommel shattered the British positions and sent them in headlong retreat back to Egypt. For this, he was promoted to field marshal. Pursuing, he captured Tobruk before being halted at the First Battle of El Alamein in July. With his supply lines dangerously long and desperate to take Egypt, he attempted an offensive at Alam Halfa in late August but was halted. Forced on the defensive, Rommels supply situation continued to deteriorate and his command was shattered during the Second Battle of El Alamein two months later. Retreating to Tunisia, Rommel was caught between the advancing British Eight Army and Anglo-American forces which had landed as part of Operation Torch. Though he bloodied the US II Corps at Kasserine Pass in February 1943, the situation continued to worsen and he finally turned over command and departed Africa for health reasons on March 9. Normandy Returning to Germany, Rommel briefly moved through commands in Greece and Italy before being posted to lead Army Group B in France. Tasked with defending the beaches from the inevitable Allied landings, he worked diligently to improve the Atlantic Wall. Though initially believing that Normandy would be the target, he came to agree with most German leaders that the assault would be at Calais. Away on leave when the invasion began on June 6, 1944, he raced back to Normandy and coordinated German defensive efforts around Caen. Remaining in the area, he was badly wounded on July 17 when his staff car was strafed by Allied aircraft. The July 20 Plot Early in 1944, several of Rommels friends approached him regarding a plot to depose Hitler. Agreeing to aid them in February, he wished to see Hitler brought to trial rather than assassinated. In the wake of the failed attempt to kill Hitler on July 20, Rommels name was betrayed to the Gestapo. Due to Rommels popularity, Hitler wished to avoid the scandal of revealing his involvement. As a result, Rommel was given the option of committing suicide and his family receiving protection or going before the Peoples Court and his family persecuted. Electing for the former, he took a cyanide pill on October 14. Rommels death was originally reported to the German people as a heart attack and he was given a full state funeral.

5 Non-Fiction Writing Tips for Authors - Writing Tips with Proofed

5 Non-Fiction Writing Tips for Authors - Writing Tips with Proofed 5 Non-Fiction Writing Tips for Authors It’s a little ambitious to talk about â€Å"non-fiction writing† in general. After all, â€Å"non-fiction† technically covers everything from school textbooks to deeply personal memoirs. But we’ve come up with a few tips that we think can help anyone who wants to become a non-fiction author. 1. Read, Read, Read! As with any kind of writing, the first step to becoming an author is to become a voracious reader. Heres a few books to get you started. Think about your favorite non-fiction books and what makes them great. Dip into some of the classic non-fiction works to expand your horizons. Find out what you enjoy reading, then use that as a starting point to develop your own authorial voice. 2. Types of Non-Fiction There are many different types of non-fiction. Some major varieties include: Academic textbooks Biographies and memoirs Manuals and technical guides Travelogues Recipe books Self-help guides Popular history and science books This isn’t a complete list by any means! If you want to write a dictionary, for example, you can do that too. The point is that, once you know the type of non-fiction you want to write, you should check out how other books in the same genre are written so you know what you’re up against! 3. Pick a Topic and Do Your Research Eventually, you’ll have to pick something you want to write about. Ideally, this will be something that you already know or care passionately about. This will make it easier once the hard work of doing research begins (e.g., reading existing books, searching news archives, interviewing people). But maybe you’ve always known that you want to write a book about toasters. And maybe you’re already an expert on heating bread. That’s a great start! But you still need to check your information and organize your research so you know what to include in your book. A basic model. Uneven browning. 4 out of 10. 4. Getting Creative? Non-fiction doesn’t have to be dry in order to be factual. In fact, some of the best non-fiction is exciting and emotive, making the reader feel like they are part of the action! The key to this is sticking to the facts, but also using a literary style to engage your reader. And you can apply creative non-fiction techniques to any genre, so if you want to style yourself as the Hunter S. Thompson of vegan recipe books, go for it! 5. Keep It Simple Unless you’re writing for a specialist audience, try to keep your language easy to understand. You might be an expert on your chosen topic, but the average reader won’t be. Think about who you’re writing for before you begin. And don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from non-experts while you’re working. It will make sure you get your ideas across effectively!

Intellectual Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Intellectual Autobiography - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that as well, mother taught the reporter that he could develop intellectually through questioning what he never understood, but it sometimes never worked for people who never liked being questioned. The author had to do, experiment, copy, talk, listen, play and experience as a child in the attempt of enhancing his intellectual development. His mother told him as a child that sometimes trial and error could make the author develop intellectually when doing things he was not sure of. He remember mother teaching him to speak Chinese as a little child as way of boosting his communication skills with friends and everybody heI interacted with. She as well taught the reporter on using his mind to organize his thinking in the attempt of understanding the world around him.This essay stresses that the reporter came to realize that mother wanted him to develop in some specific areas that include learning to read, learning to speak, learning to solve problems and making decisions of his own. He had to do several things to order to boost his intellectual development such as identifying a problem by himself, working out a solution and predicting what may happen after the author decided on the solution. In addition, he came to realize that crying sometimes serves as a way of taking bitterness and sadness away from our minds. He can reflect on times he used to cry when he was a child and he could feel the pain go away.  

Finding and Expert and Interviewing Expert Effectively Essay

Finding and Expert and Interviewing Expert Effectively - Essay Example Reviewing the phone book and yellow pages directory can be a good option while searching for experts. Going through the faculty directory can allow the researcher to know about the different expert research studies conducted and therefore can easily find the one most suitable for his or her research. Internet is a vast database of getting out all the available and accessible contacts of the experts. The encyclopedia is another good database for knowing about the relevant organizations and the experts present in them (Ballenger 2009). Once an expert has been found, the researcher or interviewer needs to carefully devise the interview mode so that maximum amount of useful information can be gathered from the experts accordingly and conveniently. The interview mode needs to be decided to find out the best mode of interviewing the expert candidate, the interview modes can be personal interviews, telephonic interviews or email interviews. After deciding upon the interview mode, the interviewer needs to carefully design the questions that will be posed towards the expert for gaining the information. Questions need to be designed systematically and should be made sure that all important aspects are covered for the research. Open ended questions tend to provide more in-depth information and clarification about any certain area. Close ended questions do not provide much detail. Personal experiences of the expert and their reflection are highly important to be incorporated in the research as it gives the study more weight and authenticity. Interview sessions should be regarded as conversations rather than surveys and during these interview conversations the researcher can get maximum detail about his questions. At times informal behavior may be required so as to get maximum details. The researcher needs to make a note of all the information being gathered during the interview session and this can be done