We Won

In February 1989, the CIA's chief in Islamabad famously cabled headquarters a simple message: "We Won." It was an understated coda to the most successful covert intelligence operation in American history. In What We Won, CIA and National Security Council veteran Bruce Riedel tells the story of America's secret war in Afghanistan and the defeat of the Soviet 40th Red Army in the war that proved to be the final battle of the cold war. He seeks to answer one simple question—why did this intelligence operation succeed so brilliantly? Riedel has the vantage point few others can offer: He was ensconced in the CIA's Operations Center when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on Christmas Eve 1979. The invasion took the intelligence community by surprise. But the response, initiated by Jimmy Carter and accelerated by Ronald Reagan, was a masterful intelligence enterprise. Many books have been written about intelligence failures—from Pearl Harbor to 9/11. Much less has been written about how and why intelligence operations succeed. The answer is complex. It involves both the weaknesses and mistakes of America's enemies, as well as good judgment and strengths of the United States. Riedel introduces and explores the complex personalities pitted in the war—the Afghan communists, the Russians, the Afghan mujahedin, the Saudis, and the Pakistanis. And then there are the Americans—in this war, no Americans fought on the battlefield. The CIA did not send officers into Afghanistan to fight or even to train. In 1989, victory for the American side of the cold war seemed complete. Now we can see that a new era was also beginning in the Afghan war in the 1980s, the era of the global jihad. This book examines the lessons we can learn from this intelligence operation for the future and makes some observations on what came next in Afghanistan—and what is likely yet to come.

Since 1994, the UK's National Lottery has created 2,300 millionaires. Expensive cars, big houses and dream holidays are all top of the wish list for those ordinary people whose lives are changed with a winning lottery ticket. But what about buying a boob job for your sister, giving away holidays to children with cancer or hiring a private helicopter for the school prom? For the first time five winners share the details of their shopping sprees and the highs and lows of their lives once they became millionaires. "We Won The Lottery" also goes behind the scenes at the National Lottery to reveal funny facts, the luckiest numbers, the unusual purchases and exactly what happens when you win. "Quick Reads" are exciting, short, fast-paced books by leading, bestselling authors, specifically written for emergent readers and adult learners.

Writings from over 2,000 years of tax resisters and tax resistance campaigns, covering both tax resistance as an act of individual conscience and revenue refusal as a technique of nonviolent resistance.

The War We Won By: L W Swartz At the age of twenty, L W Swartz enlisted in the United States Army. He was motivated by a desire to become a pilot and to serve and protect his country. Little did he know that he would be thrust into the middle of the Viet Nam War, a conflict condemned by the public and neglected by politicians. After saying goodbye to his family, unsure if he would ever see them again, L W set out for training and his eventual deployment. His experiences in the war are described in raw detail: from the few moments of humor and companionship to the all too frequent moments of sorrow that come from losing a fellow soldier. The War We Won sheds light on what the Viet Nam War was really like for the young men who fought in it and gave their lives for it.

Women marched for equal pay, the President of the United States advocated an anti-immigration policy, and the income gap between the rich and poor continued to grow. And it was just the beginning of the 20th century. As a girl growing up in Italian Harlem, Angela Bambace needed answers. How could it be acceptable for women not to earn equal pay for equal work? Why were immigrants relegated to the factory jobs no one else would take and working under such dangerous and inhumane conditions? And why were the businessmen at the top getting richer and richer while the poor who worked for them struggled to provide for their own families? How could any of this be okay? But perhaps Angela’s most consequential question was If not me, then who? Born to a father and married to a man who both believed a woman’s place was in the home, Angela Bambace defied her family and social expectations to lead a labor union—organizing women’s marches, strikes, and protests “to build a better world, a better place for everybody.” Today, Angela’s story might be more significant than ever as others continue her fight and call to action.

Only one thing stands between you and victory: faith and relationship with God in Jesus Christ. What is the world coming to? The economy is hurting, layoffs are prevalent, and society is anxious. Natural disasters continue to multiply. The home is crumbling. War is killing its thousands. Terrorism is terrifying! Satan is filling religion with dogmatism and pessimism. Sickness and death are marching forward with intensity. Depression is stealing the joy of many people. Wouldnt it be great to walk out by claiming the victory that is in Christ? God is worthy of our praise. In the Bible believers lived shouting, Hallelujah, while celebrating Gods deliverance over Satan and ultimately over sin at the coming of Christ. Praise (glory, honor, commendation, and joy) is ascribed to God in respect of His glory exhibited in the character and victory operations of Christ. The Revelation celebrates victory in all ages while looking to a prevailing life with Christ in the present age and in heaven. Praise God, We Won magnifies the story of praise and victory in reality to every believer in Christ. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

The Ryder Cup battle between Europe and the USA is one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar and in 2006, the former underdogs showed they are now the dominant force in the biennial matches. It was another marvellous example of teamwork, and the caddies have played no small part in Europe overcoming the odds. The players hit the shots; their trusty caddies share the hopes, the glory and, occasionally, the misery. What was it like being beside Sam Torrance when he holed the winning putt and shed his tears on that historic moment at The Belfry in 1985? Fast forward to 2006 and a highly emotional appearance by Darren Clarke. What was it like being by his side? What was the story behind Colin Montgomerie's right-hand-man returning to his bag to help lay to rest the ghost of 1999? How do you cope when Seve Ballesteros is in full cry against the 'old enemy', especially when you are an American yourself? In 1991, a spike mark cost Europe the tournament, but what really happened behind the ropes? Who knew his man had had a vision he would beat Tiger Woods in 1997 - and saw it come true? What was it like witnessing those awful scenes at Brookline up close and personal in 1999? Who knew exactly which line to take when Paul McGinley sank his memorable winning putt in 2002? How We Won the Ryder Cup covers all the drama that has unfolded in the competition over the years and includes the action from the 2006 tournament at The K Club, County Kildare in Ireland, which saw Europe storm to a third successive victory.

One of The Telegraph's Top 50 Books of 2019! When Luna's family win an island, Luna thinks it will solve everything AND she can finally get a donkey! But things don't go entirely to plan - no one expects Luna's younger brother to win a Sheep Pageant, for example - and the secret festival they hold soon spirals out of control. But the island is beautiful, and the family are happy, and maybe Luna will get her donkey after all... "...this book is definitely a bask in the sun" - Emily Bearn, Telegraph "Watching the family band together and find a new community makes for a funny, heart-warming read." - Scotsman