Tasting Victory

This the memoir of Gerard Basset, OBE, the greatest wine professional of his generation. A school dropout, Gerard had to come to England to discover his passion. He threw himself into learning everything he could about wine, immersing himself in the world of Michelin star restaurants and beginning the steep climb to the top of the career ladder. Tasting Victory charts his business successes: co-founding and selling the innovative Hotel du Vin chain and founding, with his wife Nina, the much-loved Hotel TerraVina. It recounts in detail just how he managed to earn his unprecedented sequence of qualifications; Gerard is the first and only individual to hold the famously difficult Master of Wine qualification simultaneously with that of Master Sommelier and MBA in Wine Business. But it is his pursuit of the most important award of all that forms the core of this book – how, at his seventh attempt, and after a training regime that would shame most Olympic athletes, the fifty-three-year-old Gerard Basset was finally crowned the Best Sommelier of the World, and acknowledged as the greatest sommelier of his generation. Gerard's memoir is not only the story of how a champion is made, but also a record of how fine dining and hospitality changed in England, going from stale and unexciting to the world-leading sector it is today. Above all, it’s a book about succeeding against great odds: in typical fashion it was when he was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus that Gerard responded by deciding to write Tasting Victory, which he completed shortly before his death in January 2019.

Today’s Struggles Build Tomorrow’s Strength In life’s difficult moments, we find refuge when we remember that the God we serve fights our battles alongside us. Though we face moments when we feel we can’t carry on, we take heart knowing that in times of turmoil, God equips us to grow in our faith and draw closer to Him. In Fighting Your Battles, author, speaker, and former NFL chaplain Jonathan Evans shows how you can face every hardship with strength and hope, confident that God will always use your trials for His glory. You’ll understand what it means to evaluate the “giants” in your life from God’s point of view relinquish self-reliance and depend completely on the Lord progress toward the purpose you were created to fulfill God has new ground for you to gain, and often the land, promises, and experiences He wants for you are discovered as you endure life’s struggles. Fighting Your Battles will give you biblical encouragement, support, and perspective, empowering you to follow God into victory.

The Canadian Federal Election of 2006 is a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of the campaign and election that ended the 12-year Liberal reign in Canadian politics and saw the House of Commons shift from one minority government to another. The chapters, composed by leading political writers, commentators, and pollsters, examine the strategies, successes, and blunders of the major players — the Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats, Bloc Québécois, and Greens — and also explore the role of the media coverage and the performance and influence of public opinion polls. Special features in this definitive volume explore the way candidates are nominated and the changes in the legislation governing Canadian federal elections. Finally, the book includes a detailed analysis of voting patterns and the rate of voter participation.

Has populism won? Two experts show us how and why this disturbing global political trend has taken root and what it will take to turn the tide From Trump’s America to Putin’s Russia, and from Poland to the Philippines, rapid change and rising inequality have fueled a retreat into tribalist nationalism fed by a fear of being left behind. Populist leaders tap into this fear, with empty promises of looking out for the little guy and promising a return to national greatness. This is happening in countries across the globe and the political spectrum, arising in the right and the left alike. So why are we so susceptible to this pernicious political style at this moment? How did we get here? Will we get back to more even-handed governments? And more importantly, how has the global insurgency captured high offices across the globe, winning election after election? And more importantly, if Putin is defeated in his unprovoked war on Ukraine, will vociferous publics turn against the insurgency? Liberal democracy is at a turning point, as system smashers aren’t about to go quietly into the night, and there are few viable alternatives in the wings. Political scientists Drache and Froese have turned original research into a compelling analysis of the rise of populism and reveal what it will take to douse the flames. This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the encroachments on freedom and the rule of law around the world.

This is the definitive history of thoroughbred racing's three premier events, which have never before been explored in such detail. This book gives the history of America's classic races from the inaugural Belmont Stakes in 1867 through 2013, identifying which equine participants were truly worthy of lasting acclaim and which were one-hit wonders. Perhaps even more compelling are the stories of the men and women who rode, trained, owned, or bred classic winners, including their exploits on the turf and their triumphs and failures in arenas far removed from horse racing.

Renowned for his "brilliant legislative mind" and political oratory—as well as for bicycling to Congress in a rumpled white linen suit and bow tie—U.S. Congressman Bob Eckhardt was a force to reckon with in Texas and national politics from the 1940s until 1980. A liberal Democrat who successfully championed progressive causes, from workers' rights to consumer protection to environmental preservation and energy conservation, Eckhardt won the respect of opponents as well as allies. Columnist Jack Anderson praised him as one of the most effective members of Congress, where Eckhardt was a national leader and mentor to younger congressmen such as Al Gore. In this biography of Robert Christian Eckhardt (1913-2001), Gary A. Keith tells the story of Eckhardt's colorful life and career within the context of the changing political landscape of Texas and the rise of the New Right and the two-party state. He begins with Eckhardt's German-American family heritage and then traces his progression from labor lawyer, political organizer, and cofounder of the progressive Texas Observer magazine to Texas state legislator and U.S. congressman. Keith describes many of Eckhardt's legislative battles and victories, including the passage of the Open Beaches Act and the creation of the Big Thicket National Preserve, the struggle to limit presidential war-making ability through the War Powers Act, and the hard fight to shape President Carter's energy policy, as well as Eckhardt's work in Texas to tax the oil and gas industry. The only thorough recounting of the life of a memorable, important, and flamboyant man, Eckhardt also recalls the last great era of progressive politics in the twentieth century and the key players who strove to make Texas and the United States a more just, inclusive society.

Still, Tougher Than Woodpecker Lips Al Rudolph can best be described as a student of life and a teacher at heart. He is the youngest of twelve children that grew up on a small farm in southern Indiana, and he knows what he's talking about when he says, "Life can be tough." He still resides within miles of his home-place where he lives with his beautiful wife of 40+ years, Linda. They have one daughter, Stephanie, who lives in New York City. Al enjoys traveling, reading, teaching, and public speaking. He is an active member in Sunnyside Toastmasters and has achieved Toastmaster's highest level of achievement, the DTM award. Al is also a shepherd at First Capital Christian Church where he teaches and leads classes on pertinent issues. His enthusiasm for living is contagious and evident in both his oral and written words. This book is a must read for anyone looking for practical ways to not only fight the battles of everyday living, but to come out the victor. It offers matter-of-fact advice interwoven with humor and wit that is certain to give you the boost you need to endure the pressures of simply being human. Sure, life is tough but we can be Still, Tougher Than Woodpecker Lips. To get in touch with Al on the possibility of him speaking to your church or organization: Al Rudolph Phone: 812-366-3553 Fax: 812-366-3345 Cell: 502-396-0125 E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: www.alrudolph.com

When she is assigned to cover the high-profile trial of a woman accused of murdering her wealthy husband, a news journalist decides to search for her birth mother.