Revolutionary Sparks

Margaret Blanchard has had experience as a newspaper reporter as well as a teacher of journalism. Her book is a broad-gauged discussion of freedom of expression in America - that is, the right of Americans to speak their minds and to have access to a variety of information necessary for informed self-government. Subjects discussed range from questions of national security to those of public morality, from loyalty during times of national stress to the right to preach on a public street corner. The book also includes controversies involving the press, the national government, the Supreme Court, and civil liberties and civil rights concerns. Many famous incidents and doctrines will be discussed, including Watergate and secrecy in government.

The governmental pledge to the American people is found in the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Written more than two hundred years ago, these words now protect a wide range of expressive activity. A broad-gauged discussion of freedom of expression in America, this book begins by studying the period after the Civil War and Reconstruction when new and unsettling ideas appeared with great regularity on the American scene. So many of these ideas were floating around during this period that the nation's leaders often joined forces to repress aberrant notions. In response to such suppression, individuals seeking to better their lives through the expression of new ideas began to demand their rights to speak, write, and associate together to advance their points of view. Blanchard traces this contest for control through the Watergate scandal of the 1970s and the Reagan and early Bush administrations. Blanchard presents a lively discussion of freedom of speech ranging from questions of national security to those of public morality, from loyalty during times of national stress to the right to preach on a public street corner. Including examinations of controversies involving the press, the national government, the Supreme Court, and civil liberties and civil rights concerns, Revolutionary Sparks presents a strong case for the right of Americans to speak their minds and to have access to knowledge necessary for informed self-government.

Bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Ratey presents a groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain.

At a time when Democracy is under attack, the riveting new novel, Sparks of the Revolution, is a vibrant reminder of where our Democracy was born and the people and principles that brought it to life. A small group of patriots, first sparked by a lawsuit James Otis brought and then argued, led Boston and, ultimately, the 13 colonies to move from resistance to revolution. Otis argued against allowing arrogant customs officials to enter, without warning, into Boston's homes and businesses, supposedly in search of smuggled goods. He popularized the phrase "a man's house is his castle."Sparks of the Revolution brings to life the people and events that ultimately led to a painful and bloody separation from Great Britain. England's thirst for revenue led to attempts to tax Americans without allowing any voice or representation of those being taxed. The brave citizens of Boston said "NO" to the most powerful country on earth. "Sparks of the Revolution made me feel like I was right there in pre-Revolutionary Boston, both emotionally and intellectually. This book brings that town to life in the period from 1760 to 1775. The author animates leaders like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, James Otis, Mercy Otis Warren, and Crispus Attucks. They and their allies brought forth a new epoch in history. Todd Otis describes the key events like the Boston Tea Party, and the personalities that shaped them, in an engrossing way. The book is readable, informative, and insightful. As our nation approaches the sestercentennial in 2026, Sparks of the Revolution gives us a chance to reflect on the foundation of our Democracy. What an opportunity to see our common roots and move us toward a more unified America! This is a must-read book for patriots of today, whether liberal or conservative." - Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security "Sparks of the Revolution does a terrific job bringing to life the key leaders in Boston who led America into the Revolutionary War. The historic scenes and larger-than-life figures that Todd Otis describes are vivid and engaging. Most importantly, the book reminds us that the ideals such as truth, justice, and freedom that were the bedrock of our fight for independence are still relevant today as we work to preserve and protect our democracy." - Amy Klobuchar, US Senator, Minnesota "Sparks of the Revolution is a riveting historical novel that offers engaging portraits of key leaders like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and James Otis, as well as other American and British leaders in pre-Revolutionary Boston. Reading the scenes Todd Otis wrote made me feel like I was there. His description of the planning and execution of the Boston Tea Party was superb. As a history buff, I enthusiastically recommend this book!"- Dr. Arthur Rolnick, Retired Director of Research, 9th Federal Reserve District "As the descendant of seven soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Sparks of the Revolution. I had heard of James Otis and Mercy Otis Warren before, but somehow I did not know very much about them. Todd Otis has brought these historical people to life as fully-developed characters in this novel. We see their motivations, passions, fears, and shortcomings here, making them real people to us. Most importantly, we come to understand the integral role they played in the events leading up to the American Revolution, and we see how closely connected they were to other patriots like James Hancock and Samuel Adams. The inclusion of Crispus Attucks, the first martyr of the Revolution and an African American at that, into the story highlights the book's relevance to today, showing how we must continue to protect the freedom our ancestors achieved." - Tyler R. Tichelaar, award-winning author of When Teddy Came to Town and Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, The Man "As a former history teacher and Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, I know the importance of place and history, and how the intersection can instill in students their sense of identity and the formation of their democratic values. These are fundamental to the function of public education and the creation of an informed citizenry. Sparks of the Revolution does that and excites the imagination. It shines light on the leaders who helped lay the foundation of our democratic values. This is the kind of book that should fill our school libraries and elicit classroom discussion and debate, and even inspire students to shape the future for the better." - Dr. Brenda Casselius, former Superintendent of Boston Public Schools and former Minnesota Commissioner of Education From Modern History Press

Offers readers a captivating look into the Thirteen Colonies' struggle against Great Britain. Learn about how the Boston Tea Party was carried out and why it was a pivotal moment in establishing the United States of America. Additional features include a Fast Facts spread, a timeline, critical-thinking questions, primary source quotes and accompanying source notes, a phonetic glossary, resources for further study, information about the author, and an index.

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin visited London on six occasions at the beginning of the twentieth century and it was in this city, where Marx wrote Das Kapital, that the roots of Lenin's political thought took shape. This book, from a former curator of the Russian collections at the British Library, tells the story for the first time of Lenin's intriguing relationship with the enigmatic Apollinariya Yakubova – a revolutionary known to her comrades as the 'primeval force of the Black Earth'. The book reveals Lenin's London-based accomplices and political rivals, and sheds new light on his world-view – one which would have such a crucial impact on the twentieth century. This is the first full exploration of the formation of one of the leading political visionaries of his age. Henderson has made a series of stunning archival discoveries, published here for the first time, as well as photographs and details of the Russian revolutionaries (and indeed international police spies) who congregated in the east end of London - known then as the 'Little Russian Island'. Featuring an extraordinary amount of new archival material, this is an essential addition to our knowledge of Lenin the man and of the roots of the Russian revolution.