Lenin Biography

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin (April 22, 1870 - January 21, 1924) was a Russian revolutionary, and the leader of the Bolshevik party. He was the first leader of the USSR and the Communist government that took over Russia in 1917. Lenin is also known as the creator of Leninism a version of Communism that Lenin adapted for the Soviet Union.

"We want to achieve a new and better order of society: in this new and better society there must be neither rich nor poor; all will have to work. Not a handful of rich people, but all the working people must enjoy the fruits of their common labour. Machines and other improvements must serve to ease the work of all and not to enable a few to grow rich at the expense of millions and tens of millions of people. This new and better society is called socialist society."

Lenin's Collected Works, Vol 6, p.366  

Early Life - Lenin

leninLenin was born in the town of Simbirsk in the Russian Empire. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father was an education official.

Lenin was an able student, learning Latin and Greek. In 1887, he was thrown out of Kazan State University because he protested against the Tsar who was the king of the Russian Empire. He continued to read books and study ideas by himself, and in 1891 he got a license to become a lawyer.

In the same year that Lenin was expelled from University, his brother Alexander was hanged for his part in a bomb plot to kill Tsar Alexander III, and their sister Anna was sent to Tatarstan. This made Lenin furious, and he promised to get revenge for his brother's death.

Before the Revolution

Whilst studying law in St. Petersburg he learned about the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, both radical Marxist philosophers from Germany. Lenin developed a lifelong philosophy of seeking to overthrow Capitalist society and replace it with a fairer Communist society. He saw existing Capitalist society as inherently unjust.

"Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in the ancient Greek republics: freedom for the slave-owners. "

For becoming involved and writing about Marxism Lenin was arrested sent to prison in Siberia. Leni

In July 1898, when he was still in Siberia, Lenin married Nadezhda Krupskaya. In 1899 he wrote a book he called The Development of Capitalism in Russia. In 1900, Lenin was set free from prison and allowed to go back home. He then traveled around Europe. He began to publish a Marxist newspaper called Iskra, the Russian word for "spark" or "lightning". He also became an important member of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, or RSDLP.

In 1903, Lenin had a major argument with another leader of the party, Julius Martov, which divided the party in two. Lenin wanted a strict system where power would only be given to the government. Martov disagreed, and wanted the government to give power to ordinary people. People who agreed with Martov were called Mensheviks (meaning "the minority"). The people who agreed with Lenin were called Bolsheviks ("the majority").

In 1907 he traveled around Europe again, and visited many socialist meetings and events. During World War I he lived in big European cities like London, Paris and Geneva. At the beginning of the war, a big left-wing meeting called the Second International included the Bolsheviks. The meeting shut down when a lot of the groups argued whether or not to support the war. Lenin and the Bolsheviks were one of only a few groups who were against the war because of their Marxist ideas.

1917 Revolution

In 1917, people started rumors that Lenin had received money from the Germans. That made him look bad because a lot of Russians had died fighting Germany in the war. The rumors were so bad he was afraid he could get arrested or even killed. He left Russia and went to Finland, a country right next to Russia, where he could hide and carry on with his work on Communism.

After Tsar Nicholas II gave up his throne during the February Revolution, Lenin went back to Russia where he was still a very important Bolshevik leader. He wrote that he wanted a revolution by ordinary workers to overthrow the government that had replaced Nicholas.

In October 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky, headed the Petrograd Soviet and other Soviets all over Russia in a revolution against Kerensky's government, which was known as the October Revolution. They won, and announced that Russia was a Communist country. In November, Lenin was chosen as its leader.

Because Lenin wanted an end to World War One in Russia, he signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in February 1918. While the treaty ended the war with Germany, Russia paid a high price in terms of lost land. But, to Lenin ending the war was critical.

"The government considers it the greatest of crimes against humanity to continue this war over the issue of how to divide among the strong and rich nations the weak nationalities they have conquered, and solemnly announces its determination immediately to sign terms of peace to stop this war on the terms indicated, which are equally just for all nationalities without exception."

Report on Peace (8 November 1917), Lenin's Collected Works, Volume 26  

The treaty also made Germany's other enemies angry, and together with Russian people who supported the Tsar or Kerensky's government, they attacked Russia. Lenin made rules that as much food as possible was to be given to Communist soldiers in Russia's new Red Army. This meant that they won the war, but ordinary people were starving, and many died of hunger or disease.

After the war, Lenin brought in the New Economic Policy to try and make things better for the country. Some private enterprise was allowed, but not much. Businessmen, known as nepmen, could only own small industries, not factories.

After a woman named Fanny Kaplan shot Lenin in 1918, he started having strokes. By May 1922, he was badly paralysed. After another stroke in March 1923, he could not speak or move. Lenin's fourth stroke killed him in January 1924. Just before he died, Lenin had wanted to get rid of Stalin because he thought he was dangerous to the country and the government.

The city of St. Petersburg had been renamed Petrograd by the Tsar in 1914, but was renamed Leningrad in memory of Lenin in 1924.

Before Lenin died, he said he wished to be buried beside his mother. When he died, Stalin and his communists let the people in Russia look at his body. Because people kept coming they decided not to bury him, and preserved his body instead. A building was built in Red Square, Moscow over the body so that people could see it. It is called the Lenin Mausoleum. Many Russians and tourists still go there to see his body today.

Michael Jordan Biography

Michael Jordan (MJ) is considered the greatest basketball player of all time. He was voted NBA most valuable player a record five times. Playing most of his career for the Chicago Bulls, he won six NBA Championships. Michael Jordan also became one of the most marketed sportsmen, with lucrative endorsements with Nike, helping to make the Nike Air shoe one of best known trainers in the world. His career and high profile, coincided with a rapid growth in the popularity of NBA basketball, and his personal achievements are considered a major factor in boosting the popularity of basketball. The NBA Website says of Michael Jordan:

“A phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire, Jordan single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar.” (NBA)

Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. But, his family moved to North Carolina where he grew up. As a sophomore, at times, he struggled to get in the High School Team due to his low height. Instead he concentrated on other sports, such as baseball. But, as a late developer, he grew to 6 foot 3 inch and this helped him to dominate the junior court. Michael Jordan attended the University of North Carolina where he was named College Player of the Year but the Sporting News. In 1984, he was picked in the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.

In 1984, he was also selected to be in the US Olympic basketball team, where, with the team, he won the gold medal.

The 1984 season saw the emergence of Michael Jordan as a supreme player. Crowds at the Chicago Bulls increased as people came to see this exciting new talent. Jordan had excellent shooting statistics, but, he also had a distinct and rare ability to excite the crowds with his great dexterity, acrobatic dunks and dives. He seemed to float around the court with effortless ease. Jordan became more than just the best player on the pitch, he exuded something unique and stylish. He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball. He managed to combine this athletic excellence with a humility that endeared him to the public even more. He later said that what he achieved was only possible because of former great players who taught and helped him to evolve.

In the late 1980s, Jordan led an increasingly successful Chicago Bulls team. They won their first championship in 1991 and went on to win six titles in the space of nine years. Along the way, Jordan broke many of the long standing NBA records. In 1988-89, he led the league with 32.5 points per game.

michael-jordanIn 1992, Jordan again returned to the Olympics. This time as a full professional - Jordan was part of the ‘Dream Team’. The US easily won the Olympic gold - with their opponents often admitting they felt honoured to be on the same court as Michael Jordan and the 'dream team'.

However, in 1993, a series of personal difficulties caused him to temporarily retire from the game. His father was murdered during an armed robbery, devastating Jordan who saw his father as his closest confident. He was also struggling with his own gambling issues.

For a short time, he made a foray into baseball, playing the 1994 season for the Birmingham Barons. But, in the 1994-95 season he came back to his primary love - basketball. Despite losing some of his youthful speed, Jordan still had the magic touch and led the Chicago Bulls to the semi finals with some stellar performances. The next year, 1995-96, he led the Chicago Bulls to another title.
Jordan continued to play until past his 40th birthday in the 2002-03 season.

After he finally retired, he had played a total of 1,072 games, with a points per game average of 30.1 and a total of 32,292 points.

After making his final retirement, Jordan has concentrated on management and ownership.

In June 2006, he bought a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats and later gained outright ownership, becoming the first former NBA star to become the majority owner of a league franchise.

In June 2010, Jordan was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 20th-most powerful celebrity in the world with $55 million earned between June 2009 and June 2010. According to the Forbes article, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.

"Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion"

- Michael Jordan 2009

In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press's list of athletes of the century. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Michael Jordan Career Highlights

6× NBA Champion (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991–1992, 1996, 1998)
14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003)
6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
10× NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
3× NBA steals champion (1988, 1990, 1993)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)

Lord Baden Powell Biography

Lord Baden Powell (1857-1941) was a British general and founder of the modern Scouting movement.

He studied at Charterhouse school and served in the British army from 1876 -1910. He became a national hero during the Boer war of 1899-1900 when, with a small garrison, he commandered the defence of Mafeking.

It was during the Boer war that Baden Powell wrote down a guide to Scouting. Initially meant for military purposes, after the war he felt it could be used as a focus for young boys to give them more meaning in life.

First Scout Camp and Foundation of Scouting Movement

In August 1907, Baden Powell organised a trial scouting camp to be made up of 20 boys from a diverse social background. They spent a week on Brownsea island and it proved to be a great success.

From this initial starting point, the scouting movement soon blossomed and within a few years had become a national institution. In 1910, a parallel organisation, Girl Guides, was founded and later run by his sister. The Scouting movement also became an international phenomena with scouting groups forming around the world. Unfortunately, the First World War temporarily destroyed much of this international feeling; instead the Scouts used much of their training in the trenches on the Western Front. However, in 1920, two years after the end of the First World War, an international scouting convention was held in Olympia where Baden Powell was declared Chief Scout.

Personal Life of Baden Powell

Baden Powell met his future wife, Olave St Clair Soames, on the ocean liner, Arcadian, in 1912. She was 23, he was 55. The marriage gained a lot of media publicity due to the high profile nature of Baden Powell. They were married in secret and later had three children.

Some biographers, such as Tim Jeal, have argued Baden Powell was a repressed homosexual being attracted to young men and boys, although never acting out on his tendencies. Other biographers such as William Hillcourt found no evidence of this.

Baden Powell also held some pro fascist sympathies. He read Mein Kampf in 1939 and said there were some good ideas in it. He also admired the Italian dictator Mussolini. It is said his fascism was rooted in a steep anti communist bias. His scouting movement was also black listed by Hitler and the Nazi party as a 'dangerous spy organisation'

Legacy of Baden Powell

In 2007, during the centenary of Scouting it was estimated that their were 38 million members of the Scouts and Guides in over 216 countries.

Joseph Stalin Biography

Perhaps no other person has been so committed and so successful in achieving total power and control. Stalin was paranoid and power hungry - ruthlessly ordering the murder of millions of his own subjects on the slightest pretext of disloyalty or even threat of disloyalty.

StalinYet, despite being utterly ruthless and vindictive against his own population, Stalin was viewed as a great war leader, who heroically stood up to the advancing Nazi war machine - finally inspiring a complete and total destruction of the most threatening war machine and totalitarian state in the history of the world.

His death in 1953, was mourned by millions who saw Stalin as a champion of Communism and hero of the Second World War. But, even the next Russian Premier - Nikita Khrushchev, later went onto denounce the 'cult of personality' that surrounded Joesph Stalin.

Short Bio Joseph Stalin

Stalin was born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili on 18 December 1878 but later adopted the name of Stalin - which in Russia means man of steel.

In his early life, he was drawn Communist ideology and became involved in robberies and violence against Tsarist sympathisers. Stalin was frequently captured and sent to Siberia, but, he managed to escape.

In 1917, Stalin played a key role in the Russian revolution he gained control over the party newspaper Pravda and helped Lenin to escape to Finland. Stalin was one of the five member politburo whom Lenin appointed in the Russian civil war against anti-Bolshevik policies.

Stalin frequently clashed with Leon Trotsky and Stalin advocated harsh measures to ensure discipline and loyalty.

In 1922, Lenin fell ill and Stalin became one of the main links between Lenin and the outside world. Lenin became increasingly distrustful of Stalin, disliking his arrogance and love of power. In Lenin's testimony he wanted Stalin removed from power. However, with great skill Stalin formed alliance's with other key Communist party members, He outmanoeuvred Trotsky and had him expelled from the Soviet Union.

On the death of Lenin, Stalin was able to assume the position as leader of the Soviet Union. He quickly strove to consolidate his power removing anyone he suspected of being disloyal.

In the 1930s, he unleashed a great wave of purges which led to the capture, torture and execution of many prominent members of the party, army and society. These purges went far beyond suspected disloyal members but became increasingly random - as if to strike fear into the heart of anyone in society.  It is estimated In light of revelations from the Soviet archives, historians now estimate that nearly 700,000 people (353,074 in 1937 and 328,612 in 1938) died during these purges.



In 1939, Stalin shocked the world with the signing of the Nazi - Soviet pact which agreed non aggression and also in secret agreed to carve up Poland. When Germany attacked Poland on 1st September 1939, the Soviet Union also attacked in the East.

When Stalin was warned of an impending invasion in 1941, Stalin couldn't believe that Adolf Hitler would attack the Soviet Union. When German forces streamed over the border, the Soviet Union was almost defenseless and German forces swept through the country reaching almost the outskirts of Moscow by 1942. However, at Stalingrad the tide of battle was turned and slowly Russian forces pushed back the Germans beginning the long push back into Germany.

Stalin took close command of the war and went to great lengths to portray himself as the heroic war leader. He was ruthless as Supreme military commander, often having Generals shot if they lost a battle. He also made armies dig in and refuse to retreat. However, with great loss of life, the Soviet Union were finally able to prevail. When the German army was at the gates of Moscow in 1942, Stalin refused to leave, and his presence in the city, helped to maintain hope.

The Germany occupation of Western Soviet Union was brutal with millions being killed by the occupying forces. As the Russian army liberated their own country and saw numerous accounts of atrocities, they in turn committed atrocities in their conquest of Germany. Even Soviet citizens who survived the German occupation, were often arrested and deported on Stalin's orders. He believed that many in the occupied zone had collaborated with the Germans.

After the end of the Second World War, Stalin became desparate to get the Nuclear bomb, after seeing its devastating effects in Japan. This became more important as the end of the Second World War gave way to the Cold War between the US and Soviet Block.

Stalin died in 1953 after suffering a stroke.

Haile Selassie Biography

Haile Selassie (23 July 1892 – 27 August 1975), born Tafari Makonnen, was Ethiopia's regent from 1916 to 1930 and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Haile Selassie was emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974.

Haile Selassie was known to his people through many titles from 'Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah' to 'Emperor of the Nation'.

His most testing moment came, when the much better equipped army of Mussolini's Italy invaded in 1935. Given the overwhelming might of the Italian army, the Ethiopians put up stern resistance and held back the Italians for longer than expected.

Nevertheless, he was deposed and forced to leave the country. However, he triumphantly returned in 1941 (with help from Great Britain) and went onto become a prominent symbol of African independence.

Haile Selassie was the only statesmen to address both the League of Nations and United Nations. In 1936 he addressed the League of Nations criticising the use of chemical weapons in the invasion of his country. Ethiopia was a charter member of the United Nations and Haile Selassie expounded themes of multi lateralism and collective security.

"Apart from the Kingdom of the Lord there is not on this earth any nation that is superior to any other. Should it happen that a strong Government finds it may with impunity destroy a weak people, then the hour strikes for that weak people to appeal to the League of Nations to give its judgment in all freedom. God and history will remember your judgment."

— Address to the League of Nations, 1936.

Henry Ford Biography

Henry Ford was born in 1863 on a farm in rural Michigan - near Detroit. From an early age he expressed an interest in mechanical devices. He was given a pocket watch at the age of 15 and he developed a reputation for being an experienced watchmaker.

Shortly after his mother passed away, Henry left the family farm to gain employment in Detroit. He worked his way up to becoming an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company. By 1893 he had become chief engineer and gained the recognition and encouragement of Thomas Edison. Henry Ford retained a deep affection for Thomas Edison throughout his life.

It was working as chief engineer at Edison's that he was able to work on a petrol drive quadricycle. His testing was successful and this enabled him to develop this into a small car. This proved the basis for the famous Model T motor car introduced in 1908. The Ford motor company was formed in 1903 with backing of $28,000 from various investors.
Working Practises of Henry Ford

Henry Ford astonished the industrial world by offering a daily wage of $5 a day. Even by today's prices that is a very good salary. This wage was far above what anywhere else offered. At a stroke it solved the problem of labour turnover and encouraged the best workers to come to Ford. Through paying high wages, Ford was able to encourage the highest level of labour productivity. Although many criticised his seemingly over generous pay, he also pointed out, that the high wage helped the workers to be able to afford the cars they were making.

However, Henry Ford was hostile to the role of trades unions. For a long time he battled against the trades unions refusing to have anything to do them. However, by 1941, with the workers on strike, his wife encouraged him to finally capitulate to the United Auto Workers UAW.

It was Henry Ford who also revolutionised the production line processes. He helped to develop the assembly line method of production and was always seeking to cut costs. Although he did not 'invent' the assembly line he did make one of the most successful commercial applications of its potential. This led to his famous decision to give customers any colour they choose so long as it was black.

Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black. - My Life and Work (1922) Chapter IV, p. 71

This was because black was the quickest colour to dry and therefore the cheapest.

The impact of the assembly line was to help reduce the cost of the Model T Motor car. It helped Ford become the dominant motor car. In 1932, it was estimated Ford were producing 33% of the world's automobile production.

Henry Ford had a strong dislike of war. He helped to fund a peace ship to Europe in 1915. He spoke out against the 'vague' financiers who encourage war'. He never really got involved in the Second World War effort, though he allowed other officials in the Ford company to transform Ford into one of the biggest military plane builders in the war.

Henry Ford also subscribed to various anti semitic pamphlets. Although he later apologised for some of his anti semitic views, he was deeply admired by Hitler. Ford is the only foreigner mentioned in Mein Kampf and it is said, Hitler had a photograph of Henry Ford. Hitler wanted Volkswagen to mirror the production techniques and philosophy of Ford motor company.

Henry Ford was also noted for some of his inspirational self-improvement' quotes - emphasising hard work and self-sufficiency.

You will find men who want to be carried on the shoulders of others, who think that the world owes them a living. They don't seem to see that we must all lift together and pull together.

As quoted in Wisdom & Inspiration for the Spirit and Soul (2004) by Nancy Toussaint, p. 85



Towards the end of his life he became friendly with Thomas Edison, who moved into West Orange, New Jersey.

John Lennon Biography

John Lennon was born, October 1940, during a German air raid in Oxford Street Maternity hospital, Liverpool. During his childhood, he saw little of his father, Freddie, who went AWOL whilst serving in the navy. For several years, John was brought up by his mother’s sister Mimi.

In his early years John was a mischievous students, who would be quick to take the micky out of teachers and other student. Whilst in his early teens he got his first guitar and would spend many hours playing. His aunt Mimi, used to regularly say:

“The guitar's all very well, John, but you'll never make a living out of it."

After, the Beatles were famous John presented Mimi with a silver platter out of this.

In the late 1950s John formed a rock group called the Quarry Men Skiffle Band. This was the precursor to the Beatles. In 1957, he met and formed a successful musical partnership with Paul McCartney. They complemented each other very well. Lennon focused on the more satirical aspects and McCartney veered towards the more optimistic cheerful qualities. Lennon was considered the leader of the Beatles, due to his superior age and also his musical abilities. It was, however, McCartney who persuaded Lennon to allow George Harrison to enter the band as lead guitarist.

The first concert of the Beatles was at the Cavern club in Liverpool on 21st March, 1961. After being rejected by many music labels, they eventually signed an agreement with Parlophone in 1962. During the great success of the Beatles, during the 1960s John Lennon would often be the figurehead for the group, although, they maintained that the decisions of the group were democratic.

John Lennon was no stranger to controversy. In the early 1960s, he made an off the cuff remark about Jesus that landed the group in a mire of controversy. John Lennon said that “the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ.” He claimed this was a mere observation, which was probably true in England. Nevertheless, it led to a boycott in the US, especially in the deep south. There was also a wave of record burnings, although Lennon wryly remarked that to burn them they had to buy them first.

John Lennon and Meditation

During the late 1970s John Lennon and the Beatles became interested in meditation. They spent several weeks in the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Although, John later broke ties with the organisation, he continued to advocate meditation.

"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong. "

- John Lennon

John Lennon Solo Career

john-lennonIn 1969 the Beatles had started to split up; it was John Lennon who was the main factor behind this. After 1970, John Lennon created a very successful solo career, often with the help of his second wife, Yoko Ono.  In the early 1970s John Lennon also became a figurehead for the anti war Movement. His song “Give Peace a Chance” became an anthem for the anti-war movement. Due to his anti war stanc,e the Nixon administration tried to have him deported, but after a long struggle he was able to gain a green card in 1976. His song “Imagine” has also become a tremendously influential song; it was voted 'most popular song' by the British public.

John Lennon was shot dead in 1980, by David Chapman – an obsessed fan. The death shocked the world, both musical and non musical.

Ernest Hemingway Biography

Ernest Hemingway (July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961) was an American author and journalist whose unique writing style had a strong influence on 20th century fiction and culture. Many of his books are considered classics of American literature.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”

— Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. After leaving school he worked as a journalist for the Kansas City City Star. However, after a few months, he enlisted with the Red Cross to volunteer as an ambulance driver. He was sent to the Italian front where he saw the horrors of the trench war. In 1918, he was seriously wounded from mortar fire and he was sent home to recuperate. He was awarded the Italian Silver Medal of bravery for helping an Italian soldier – despite his injuries. He later wrote a fictional book, based on his experiences in the 1922 novel – A Farwell to Arms. The main character in the book, is an ambulance driver who becomes disillusioned with the war.

After recovering from his injuries he moved to Chicago and then Paris, where he spent much of the inter-war years. He worked as a correspondent for the Toronto Star, and became acquainted with many modernist writers, such as James Joyce, Gertrude Stein and Erza Pound who lived in Paris at the time.

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”

— Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

In 1937, he went to Spain to cover the Spanish civil war. He advocated international support for the Popular Front - fighting the fascists led by Franco. He later wrote a book – For Whom the Bell Tolls, which captures the struggles and brutality of the Spanish civil war. During the Second World War he continued to work as a foreign correspondant. He was present at the Normandy landings and the liberation of Paris.

In the 1950s, Hemingway was involved in two plane crashes which left him seriously injured and in pain for the rest of his life. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1953, and in October 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for.

"his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary style."

Hemingway’s style had some similarities to other modernist writers. It was a reaction action the more elaborate, turgid style of the nineteenth century. It was direct, minimalist often leaving things unstated, but at the same time profoundly moving for bringing the reader into the heart of the story and experience.

“All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you: the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was. If you can get so that you can give that to people, then you are a writer.”

— Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway termed his style the Iceberg theory.

If a writer of prose knows enough of what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an ice-berg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing.

—Ernest Hemingway in Death in the Afternoon
Hemingway said the facts float above the water, but the structure is kept out of sight. Behind the minimalist prose is great effort, but the result is simplicity, immediacy and clarity.

In 1959 he moved from Cuba to Ketchum Idaho. However, tragically tormented by the pain of the plane crashes, he committed suicide in the summer of 1961.

Jesse Owens Biography

Jesse Owens was born in Alabama and aged 9 the family moved to the Granville section of Cleveland. His early life was marked by poverty and he was forced to take many menial jobs such as delivering goods and working in a shoe repair shops. However, he was able to develop his passion for running and athletics; from an early age he was marked as having great potential talent. In later life he gave much credit to Charles Riley, his high school coach who encouraged him and made allowances for his difficulty in making evening training sessions because Jesse had to work in a shoe repair shop.

Jesse Owens rose to national prominence in 1933, when he equalled the world record (9.4 seconds) for the 100 yard dash. He attended Ohio State University, but without a scholarship he had to continue working part time. At the time, America was a highly segregated society and when travelling with the team, Jesse had to suffer the indignities of eating at separate restaurants and staying at different hotels.

One of his great athletic feats occurred in 1935, where in one track meet he broke three world records. This included the long jump (record stood for 25 years), 220 yards and 220 yards hurdles. He also equalled record for 100 yard.

Jesse Owens at 1936 Olympics

Jesse Owens finest moment came in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He won Olympic gold in the 100m, long jump, 200m and 4* 100 metres relay. (An achievement not matched until Carl Lewis in 1984). It was a powerful rebuttal to the Nazi's hopes of displaying 'Aryan superiority'. Hitler gave medals to German athletes on the first day, but, after that decided not to give any medals. Albert Speer later wrote that Hitler was annoyed that the 'negro, Jesse Owens had won so many gold medals.

"....but he was highly annoyed by the series of triumphs by the marvelous colored American runner, Jesse Owens. People whose antecedents came from the jungle were primitive, Hitler said with a shrug; their physiques were stronger than those of civilized whites and hence should be excluded from future games."

Yet, with great irony, Jesse Owens was treated well during his stay in Germany, he didn't experience the segregation that he did back home in United States and many Germans sought his autograph.

During the games Jesse Owens displayed the sportsmanship that he became renowned for. During the long jump final, he found time to massage his German rival Lang. Lang later acknowledged the great spirit of sportsmanship that Jesse Owens embodied. Jesse Owens was grateful for the friendship that Lang displayed. Later, Jesse Owens remarked:

"It took a lot of courage for him (Lang) to befriend me in front of Hitler... You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-karat friendship I felt for Lutz Long at that moment. Hitler must have gone crazy watching us embrace. The sad part of the story is I never saw Long again. He was killed in World War II."

Despite, achieving a remarkable athletic achievement, Jesse Owens was denied the commercial or praise that he might have expected. He was never given a reception by F.D. Roosevelt or future US presidents. In 1936, the American olympics association rescinded his Olympic status after he refused to travel to Sweden to try and cash in on some commercial enterprises back in America.

Jesse was forced to take part in various 'athletic showcases' such as racing against horses, or racing against local runners with a 10 yard head start. As Jesse Owens wryly remarked

"After I came home from the 1936 Olympics with my four medals, it became increasingly apparent that everyone was going to slap me on the back, want to shake my hand or have me up to their suite. But no one was going to offer me a job."

He moved into business but it was not successful and it ended in bankruptcy in the 1960s. He was even prosecuted for tax evasion. However, in 1966, with the civil rights movement gaining impetus, Jesse Owens was given the opportunity to act as a good will ambassador speaking to large corporations and the Olympic movement.

Pele Biography

Pele is the most iconic footballer of the twentieth Century. He epitomised the flair, joy and passion the Brazilians bought to the game.

Pele's career spanned throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

In his early career, the young and unknown Pele helped inspire Brazil to victory in the 1958 World Cup. In 1962, Brazil retained the World Cup. In 1966, Brazil were hot favourites, but, lost out to the home nation England.

His crowing glory was the Brazilian victory in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. In this world cup, some of the football played by Brazil and Pele was sheer class. Brazil won the final 4-1 against Italy; it was a genuine advertisement for the 'beautiful game' and a fitting pinnacle of Pele's international career.

Pele went on to score over 1,000 goals in professional games. (The 1000th goal coming as a penalty in the US league sparking celebrations around the world). His strike rate in international games was one of the highest ever. In 92 appearances, he scored 77 goals.

peleIn the domestic league, Pele made his debut for Santos aged just 16. He played for Santos in the Brazilian league from until the 1972-73 season..

Pele finished his career in the lucrative US league. In 1975, he signed for New York Cosmos and played three seasons. He led the New York Cosmos to the US title in 1977 - the year of his retirement.

After retiring has gone onto be a great ambassador for football and sport in general. In 1992, Pelé was appointed a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment. He was also appointed a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. He is not only one of the most gifted footballers of his generation, but, also a mild mannered man who used his fame and prestige for a positive effect.

Richard Branson Biography

Richard Branson is an entrepreneur and businessman, who founded the Virgin group of more than 400 companies. The Virgin group grew from a small record shop he founded in 1972, to become a major multinational company including interests in transport, media, and entertainment. Richard Branson is also a flamboyant character and has taken part in a number of gruelling adventure challenges, such as sailing across the Atlantic and taking part in round the world hot air balloon journeys.

My general attitude to life is to enjoy every minute of every day. I never do anything with a feeling of, “Oh God, I've got to do this today.”

Richard Branson, The Guardian newspaper, 20th September 2008

Short Biography Richard Branson

Richard Branson was born in Blackheath, London 18 July 1950. His father was a barrister. Branson attended Scaitcliffe School and later Stowe school. Suffering from dyslexia, Branson did not excel at studies; he was more interested in extra curricular activities, such as football and cricket. At the age of 15, he had started to try his first business ventures, which included trying to grow trees and another raising budgerigars.

On one occasion, he was caught leaving the bedroom of the headmaster's daughter, and Branson was expelled from school. This left him devastated and he wrote a suicide note, suggesting he couldn't cope. When the note was discovered, he was forgiven, but failing at his studies, Branson left school at 16 - an early high school drop out.

Virgin Records

richard-bransonAfter quitting school, he moved back to London, where he began his first successful business. He started a magazine about youth culture, called The Student. It was produced by students, for students and was launched in 1966. Branson was able to attract significant advertisement from firms wishing to tap the student market; this enabled him to distribute the first 50,000 copies for free.

The 1960s in London, was known as the 'swinging sixties' And Branson admits he was living the life of a hippy, in a London commune - a large shared house, surrounded by the music and drugs of the age. However, although he may have been a hippie, Branson also had a keen business sense, and he set up a mail order record company, called Virgin to complement the student magazine. Virgin was suggested by one of Branson's workers - who suggested the name because they were all new at business. Branson later said he got into business out of accident - not to make money, but out of frustration things weren't better.

I became an entrepreneur by mistake. Ever since then I've gone into business, not to make money, but because I think I can do it better than it's been done elsewhere. And, quite often, just out of personal frustration about the way it's been done by other people. (interview with Martyn Lewis in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)

With modest profits from his magazine and mail order business, he was able to get a record shop on Oxford Street, London. Undercutting other High Street retailers, Virgin experienced good growth. Though, on one occasion, due to an unpaid tax bill, Branson's mother Eve had to re-mortgage her house to help Branson stay afloat.

As the record business expanded, Branson created his own record label, with Nik Powell - Virgin Music in 1972. Within a year, Branson had a great stroke of luck. His first artist, Mike Oldfield, recorded the album 'Tubular Bells' and this proved a smash hit, staying in the charts for over four years. This high profile and earnings, helped Branson to sign up some of the top bands of the era, including Culture Club, the Rolling Stones, Genesis, and controversial bands such as the Sex Pistols.
In 1984, Branson branched out into his biggest business venture - forming Virgin Atlantic Airways, and started competing in a market dominated by big national carriers, such as British Airways. At times this rivalry was intense, with Virgin accusing British Airways of dirty tricks in poaching customers. British Airways eventually settled out of court. However, in 1992, Branson had to sell Virgin records to EMI for £500m to help keep a struggling Virgin Atlantic afloat.

Other big business ventures of the Virgin group include Virgin Mobile in 1999 and entering into British railways with Virgin Trains in 1993. In 2007, he created Virgin Money. Less successful ventures include Virgin cola, and Virgin vodka. He also failed to win a contract to run the National Lottery - even though he offered to do it not for profit.

My philosophy is that if I have any money I invest it in new ventures and not have it sitting around. (Interview, Sunday Times, 16th January, 2000

Richard Branson has sought to cultivate a different approach to running a business. He says the ethos of his businesses is to build from the bottom up - taking into account the feedback from all staff, and not just top down hierarchy.

'As much as you need a strong personality to build a business from scratch, you also must understand the art of delegation. I have to be good at helping people run the individual businesses, and I have to be willing to step back. The company must be set up so it can continue without me.' (Virgin Quotes)
He has also been willing to take risks, setting up unconventional business plans. In his autobiography, he also says that having fun, is an important element of his approach to life and business:

“Fun is at the core of the way I like to do business and it has been key to everything I've done from the outset. More than any other element, fun is the secret of Virgin's success. I am aware that the ideas of business as being fun and creative goes right against the grain of convention, and it's certainly not how the they teach it at some of those business schools, where business means hard grind and lots of 'discounted cash flows' and net' present values'.”

— Richard Branson, Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

richard-branson-boat

Environment

Branson states that after meeting Al Gore, he became concerned about the issue of global warming. He has founded Virgin fuels to promote alternative to fossil files. He has also promised to use profits from his transport business to develop more environmentally friendly fuels. In 2007, he set up the Virgin Earth Challenge which offers a reward of $25 million to the best commercially viable design for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, without negative effects.

World Record Attempts

Richard Branson has undertook many endurance world record attempts. He set the fastest transatlantic sailing record in 1986. He also made several record attempts in hot air balloons. In 1998, he failed in a bid to make a global flight in a hot air balloon.
Charity

With Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel, Branson formed a new group 'The Elders', which seeks to find peaceful resolutions to long standing conflicts and global problems. Other members included Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Mohammed Yunus. Branson is also involved in a variety of other charities, such as education in Kenya, Soldiers for Peace and has served on the global commission on drug policy.

Wealth

The Sunday Times estimate the wealth of Richard Branson at £3,065 billion, making him the fourth richest person in the UK. Much of this is invested in off-shore havens.

J.K.Rowling Biography

J.K Rowling was born in Chipping Sodury, July 31st 1965. Her childhood was generally happy, although she does remember getting teased because of her name, “Rowling” – She recalls often getting called “Rowling pin” by her less than ingenious school friends. J.K. Rowling says she never really warmed to her own name, although, she does remember having a fondness for the name Potter from quite an early age. J.K.Rowling studied at St Michael's Primary School in Gloucestershire, before moving to Chepstow, South Wales at the age of nine.

From an early age, J.K. Rowling had an ambition to be a writer. She often tried her hand at writing, although little came from her early efforts. Aged six she wrote a book about a rabbit with measles. After her mother praised her effort. Rowling replied 'well get it published then.' She admits it was a 'Bit of an odd thing for a child of six to think. I don’t know where it came from…”

In her own autobiography she remembers with great fondness, when her good friend Sean became the first person to give her the confidence that one day she would be able to make a very good writer.

“he was also the only person who thought I was bound to be a success at it, which meant much more to me than I ever told him at the time” (1)

Sean was also the owner of a battered old Ford Anglia, which would later appear in one of the Harry Potter series as a flying car.

After finishing school, her parents encouraged her to study French at the rowlingUniversity of Exeter. She slightly regretted choosing French, saying she would have preferred to study English. However, it was her parents wish that she study something “ more useful” than English.

After having spent a year in Paris, J.K.Rowling graduated from university and took various jobs in London. One of her favourite jobs was working for Amnesty International; the charity, which campaigns against human rights abuses throughout the world. Amnesty International, is one of the many charities, which J.K.Rowling has generously supported since she attained a new found wealth.

It was in 1990, that J.K.Rowling first conceived of the idea about Harry Potter. As she recalls, it was on a long train journey from Manchester to London when she began forming in her mind, the characters of the series. At the forefront, was a young boy, at that time not aware that he was a wizard. The train was delayed for over four hours, but she didn’t have a pen and was too shy to ask for one nothing,

"To my immense frustration, I didn't have a pen that worked, and I was too shy to ask anybody if I could borrow one."

But she remembers being very enthusiastic, and excited about the ideas which were filling her mind.

On arriving at her flat in Clapham Junction, she began work on writing the book immediately, although, it would take several years to come to fruition.

It was also in December of 1990 that J.K.Rowling lost her mother, who died of Multiple Sclerosis. J.K.Rowling was very close to her mother, and she felt the loss deeply. Her own loss gave an added poignancy to the death of Harry Potter’s mother in her book. She says her favourite scene in the Philosopher’s Stone is, The Mirror of Erised, where Harry sees his parents in the mirror.

In 1991, J.K.Rowling left England to get a job as an English teacher in Portugal. It was here that she met her first husband, Jorge Arantes - and together they had a child Jessica. However, after a couple of years, the couple split after a fierce argument; where by all accounts J.K.Rowling was thrown out of the house.

In Dec 1993, Rowling returned to the UK, moving to Edinburgh where she tried to finish her first book. She was surviving on state benefits and bringing up her daughter as a single parent. She would often go to Edinburgh cafes to work on the book whilst her child had a nap.

Eventually, she finished her first copy of the Philosopher's Stone', and sent it off to various agents. She found an agent, Christopher, who spent over a year trying to get a publisher. It was rejected by 12 major publishing houses. But, eventually, a quite small publisher, Bloomsbury agreed to take the book on. The editor Barry Cunningham also agreed to pay her an advance of £1500. The decision to take on the book was, in large part, due to his eight year old daughters enthusiastic reception of the first chapter (However she was advised to continue her training as a teacher because she was told writers of children’s books don’t tend to get very well paid.)

Within a few weeks of publication, (1996) book sales really started to take off. The initial print run was of only 1,000 – 500 of which went to libraries. First editions are now said to be worth up to £25,000 each. She also received a grant from the Scottish arts council, which enabled her to write full time. After the books initial success in the UK, an American company Scholastic agreed to pay a remarkable £100,000 for the rights to publish in America. In 1998, Warner Bros secured the film rights for the books, giving a seven figure sum. The films have magnified the success of the books, making Harry Potter into one of the most recognisable media products. Under the close guidance of J.K.Rowling, the films have sought to stay close to the original plot; also at J.K.Rowling’s request all the actors are British and are filmed in Britain.

On the 21st December 2006, J.K.Rowling finished her final book of the Harry Potter Series – "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". The book was released in July 2007, becoming one of the fastest selling books of all time. J.K.Rowling has said the book is her favourite, and it makes her both happy and sad. She has said she will continue writing but there is little chance of continuing the Harry Potter Series. She however, may release a dictionary of things related to Hogwarts and Harry Potter, that were never published in other books.

Since the end of her Harry Potter series, she says she has finished some short stories, she also hinted on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1st October, 2010, that an 8th book in the Harry Potter series is a possibility.

On 27 September 2012, Rowling released the 'Casual Vacancy' an adult novel. In 2013, The Cuckoo's Calling was published. Initially, the author was stated as being Robert Galbraith. But, this was a pseudonym used by J.K.Rowling. After her authorship was discovered, sales went through the roof.

J.K.Rowling and Media

J.K.Rowling has sought to protect her children from media intrusion. In 2011, she gave testimony to the Leverson enquiry about how unscrupulous reporters sought to intrude into her family's privacy. After her books became best-sellers, reporters would often be camped outside her home. J.K. Rowling said:

"However, as interest in Harry Potter and myself increased, my family and I
became the target of a different kind of journalistic activity. The effect on
me, and our family life, truly cannot be overstated. We were literally driven
out of the first house I had ever owned (which faced almost directly onto
the street) because of journalists banging on the door, questioning the
neighbours and sitting in parked cars immediately outside the gate. Old friendships were tested as journalists turned up on their doorsteps, and
offered money for stories on me. (J.K.Rowling's Testimony to Leveson Enquiry Nov 2011.)

After finding a letter from a journalist in her child's satchel, she remarked:

"It's very difficult to say how angry I felt that my 5-year-old daughter's school was no longer a place of complete security from journalists."

J.K.Rowling currently lives in Scotland, on the banks of the river Tay, with her 2nd husband Neil Murray; J.K.Rowling has 3 children, two with husband Neil.

Wealth of J.K.Rowling

In 2011, her estimated wealth stands at £530 million, according to Sunday Times Rich List. The global Harry Potter brand is estimated to be worth £7 billion.

Charity Work of J.K.Rowling

J.K.Rowling has contributed considerable sums to charities she supports. This includes:

Anti-Poverty. She is President of the Charity - One Parent Families
Multiple sclerosis. She has contributed money to the research and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, which her mother suffered from.
Lumos - helping institutionalised children in Eastern Europe
Political Views

She has publically supported the Labour party. In 2008, she donated £1 million to the Labour party, saying she felt vulnerable families would be better off under a Labour government. She describes her political hero as Robert F.Kennedy.

Religious Views

J.K.Rowling states that she considers herself a Christian, and attends a local Church of Scotland congregation. She said, that unlike other members in her family, she often had a deep interest in religion, and would go to churches alone. However, she also says that although she believes in God, at times she doubts her faith.

"I feel very drawn to religion, but at the same time I feel a lot of uncertainty. I live in a state of spiritual flux. I believe in the permanence of the soul."

Malcolm X Biography

"It is incorrect to classify the revolt of the Negroes as simply a racial conflict of black against white.. Rather we are today seeing a global rebellion of the oppressed against the oppressor, the exploited against the exploited..."

- Malcolm X

Malcolm X was an influential and controversial figure in the American civil rights movements of the 1960s. He preached a radical philosophy of racial equality.

"Let the government know that if they don't stop the Klan, we'll stop it ourselves.. by any means necessary... Now.. the press calls us racist and people who are violent in reverse... Well, if a criminal comes around your house with his gun, brother.. it doesn't make you a robber because you grab your gun and run him out."

malcolm xMalcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska, May 19, 1925. His father was a Baptist preacher and staunch supporter of Marcus Garvey - a radical exponent of black rights. Later, Malcolm's father was murdered by locals.

As a youngster he was shocked when he told his teacher he wished to become a lawyer. His teacher responded.

"Lawyer, that's no realistic goal for a nigger... Why don't you plan on carpentry?"

Malcolm says after that his attitude to the white establishment soured.

As a teenager, Malcolm became heavily involved in selling drugs in Harlem's criminal world. He was often on the run from the police and at age 21 he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years at Charlestown State prison. He gained a nickname 'Satan' for his antireligious attitude. However, during his time in prison he become increasingly receptive to the message of Islam brought to him by his brother Reginald.

On release from prison he become closely involved with the Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad. Possessing great skills of oratory and persuasion, Malcolm X was made ministry of the Nation of Islam's New York Temple.

The Nation of Islam became an important faction in the civil rights movement. They were more militant than the non-violent civil rights movement and were often criticised for being unpatriotic.

Malcolm X said On being American.

"Sitting at the table [with nothing to eat] doesn't make you a diner. Being here in America doesn't make you an American"

In 1963, Malcolm X split from the Nation of Islam after revelations of the leader Elijah Muhammad having fathered children with former secretaries. His split created great animosity and he received many threats in the next few years.

He made a pilgrimage to Mecca and travelled around the world becoming an international celebrity. He was struck by the evidence of greater interracial harmony in the rest of the world.

On February, 21, 1965 he was assassinated in New York, by rival Black Muslims though there remains controversy over who his real killer was.

Malcolm X, undoubtedly had a powerful impact on influencing American society and attitudes to race. He was instrumental in forging the movement of black power and radicalism that departed from the more non-violent approach of Martin Luther King

malcolm x

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X briefly meet in 1964 before going to listen to a Senate debate about civil rights in Washington. (image Wikicommons)

Barack Obama Biography

Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

— Barack Obama

Barack Obama was born 4 Aug 1961 in Hawaii. His father was a Kenyan intellectual. His mother a white teenager from Kansas. When Barack was still young, his father abandoned the family and Barack would only meet his father on a few future occasions. After a brief spell living in Indonesia, he moved back to Hawaii where he was raised by his grandparents.

For some years, Obama’s nationality was the subject of intense speculation by the right wing media suggesting Obama was not American and was a secret Muslim. Obama later produced two birth certificates to prove his nationality.

After studying law at Harvard he worked as a civil rights lawyer in Chicago. It was here in Chicago that he met his future wife Michelle. They married in 1992 and had two children.

“I believe in evolution, scientific inquiry, and global warming; I believe in free speech, whether politically correct or politically incorrect, and I am suspicious of using government to impose anybody's religious beliefs -including my own- on nonbelievers.”

— Barack Obama, The Audacity of Hope:

In 1996, he gained his big political breakthrough serving in Illinois state senate until 2004. In 2004, he was elected to the US senate where he gained a reputation as one of the Democrats brightest potentials. His book ‘The Audacity of Hope’ became a best seller and increased his profile. In the aftermath of the Iraq war, his reputation was enhanced by his previous opposition to the war.

Despite a lack of political experience, he put forward his name for the Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. Against the stiff opposition of Hilary Clinton, Obama ran a near perfect campaign. His campaign generated a flood of popular grassroots support, making use of social media and internet networking.

Against the much older Republican candidate Senator John McCain, Obama won a hard fought contest taking the 2008 presidential election. His victory was greeted with an unusual degree of enthusiasm and excitement – not just in America, but around the world. After decades of racism and segregation blighting American society, the election of the first black American president was hugely symbolic.
On becoming President, he found the political environment very hostile. The Republican dominated congress was able to block much of Obama’s key legislation. However, with considerable modifications, he was able to pass a health care bill which went a considerable way to ensuring greater universal provision.

Obama was elected on a liberal platform. Before the election he promised to close down Guantanamo bay and improve America’s image abroad.

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

Barack Obama

He is perceived as less accommodating to Israel and more sympathetic to the Palestinian position. However, in 2011, the US was the only country to veto a Security Council resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlements. A year into his presidency, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for this promise to promote world peace. Many thought this somewhat premature and so far Obama hasn’t been able to close down Guantamo Bay due in part to Congress’ refusal to give required funds. In 2011, he ordered the assassination of Osama Bin Laden – the person blamed for 9/11 and a target who had evaded Bush. Obama pleged to end American troops involvement in Iraq and by 2011 could announce all troops would be leaving Iraq. However, troops have remained in Afghanistan.

Obama also inherited an economy struggling to overcome the deepest recession since the 1930s. Though recovery was better in the US than Europe, Obama was still blamed for high unemployment, large debt and a weak economy.

However, despite the economy, in 2012, Obama was able to win re-election, defeating the Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Obama describes himself as Christian, despite not being raised as a regular church goer – saying that he made the choice in adult life.

Peter Sellers Biography

Richard Henry "Peter" Sellers, was born on 8th September, 1925. He was brought up by his parents, who were both vaudeville entertainers. Thus, as a young child he used to travel frequently with his family. Peter became intrigued in observing the behaviour of other people he used to meet. This helped him develop his observational humour and skills for mimicry. His family were musical and Peter was encouraged to learn different musical instruments including the banjo, ukulele and drums. Peter picked up these instruments quickly, demonstrating his versatile artistic and musical capacities. At one time he considered a career as a jazz drummer.

peter-sellersDuring the Second World War, Peter joined the RAF. Due to his bad eye sight, he couldn’t fly as a pilot, and instead spent much time working as an entertainer on the gang shows that used to travel around military bases. Peter would often impersonate Senior Officers, often risking a court martial. Friends said he seemed impervious to the threat of being caught dressed up as a senior officer.

After the end of the Second World War, Peter struggled to develop a career in show business. He applied for various shows appearing in several BBC auditions. On one occasion, he had been waiting for a long time to hear from the BBC, so Peter Sellers decided to take matters into his own hands. He rang the producer, Roy Speers and pretended to be a renowned entertainer giving a glowing reference for a young actor called Peter Sellers. Whether Roy Speers was taken in or not, Peter was given his first major break. Soon after breaking into radio, Peter joined the highly popular and zany comedy “The Goons” (originally called The Crazy Show) In this show Peter was in his element and was perfectly suited to his impersonations and zany characters that he created. The Goons pioneered a new style of offbeat comedy, which would have a significant influence on Monty Python's Flying Circus a decade later.

Gaining a reputation on the radio, Peter was able to make his first break into film. He first film was the low key "Penny Points To Paradise". But later on he appeared in several influential and popular films such as “The LadyKillers” (1955) (with Alec Guinness, an actor he admired a lot) and “The Mouse that Roared” (1959) In The Mouse that Roared he showed his versatility by playing a couple of characters. As an American film, this also helped raise his profile in Hollywood, leading to some key roles shortly after.

In 1963 director Blake Edwards was given the job of directing a new series of films called The Pink Panther. Peter Sellers proved to be an inspired choice for the cleauseaudimwitted and hapless French police inspector. There was mutual appreciation between Sellers and Edwards. In Sellers, Edwards found an actor who had the initiative and natural talent to make a character his own. Peter Sellers also warmed to Edwards because he was able to bring his own ideas and suggestions to the role. The film and subsequent follow ups were released to both popular and commercial acclaim.

“What do we know..

ONE.. That the professor and his daughter have been kidnapped

TWO... That someone has kid-nap-ped them and 

THREE..... MY HAND IS ON FIRE!!!” (from: The Pink Panther)

 

In 1964, Peter Sellers starred in arguably his finest film, “Dr Strangelove” or How I sellersLearned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) . The Director of Columbia Movies insisted on Peter Sellers on playing the lead role. In fact Peter went on to play three characters in the film, including U.S. President Merkin Muffley, Dr. Strangelove, and British RAF officer Group Captain Lionel Mandrake. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and 3 BAFTA's. It regularly appears in lists of the top 100 films of all time. (It was voted to be number number 26 by the America film institute’s 100 years 100 Films)

It was also in 1964 that Peter Sellers suffered a near fatal heart attack. He only just survived with his heart stopping completely. There followed a less successful period in which many of Peter Seller's films failed to be successful. By the mid 1970s, Peter Sellers reputation had taken a definite fall. However, another successor to the Pink Panther series (The Return of the Pink Panther, 1974) had a galvanising effect on his career, firmly cementing his position as one of the all time greats of cinema. As well as comedy, it is worth noting that Peter Sellers was very versatile as an actor. One of his finest films was an understated film about a simple gardener, mistaken for an Economic Guru. His carefully balanced role in playing the gardener, Chance, earned him a second Oscar nomination for the film “Being There” in 1979.

His private life was not always so successful. He was married four times and could often  be difficult to get on with. This quote from The Life and Death of Peter Sellers may not have been entirely without meaning.

“Peter Sellers: Your father is a useless, talentless, empty man. Did you know that? 

Sarah Sellers: Yes, Daddy.”

 

 Peter Sellers suffered a fatal heart attack on July 24th, 1980. At his funeral he asked to have the entirely inappropriate “In the Mood” by Glen Miller played. This was one of Peter’s least favourite songs and a fitting comic twist to his own funeral.

Peter Sellers is fondly remembered for his unique characterisations and comic performances that have stood the test of time very well.

“ Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" – Dr Strangelove

“Monsieur..Don't try to be funnayyyy with me” – Pink Panther

Walt Disney Biography

Walt Disney was a film producer, media magnate, and co-founder of the Walt Disney Company. He was an iconic figure in the Twentieth Century media and entertainment industry, helping to produce many films. With his staff, he created famous cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; his name was also used for the successful Disney Theme Parks. During his lifetime, he received a record 59 Nominations for the Academy Awards, winning 22 Awards.

walt disneyWalt Disney was born on 5 December, 1901, in Chicago. His parents were of German/English and Irish descent. As a child, the Disney family moved between Marceline in Missouri, Kansas City and back to Chicago. The young Walt Disney developed an interest in art, and took lessons at the Kansas City Institute and later Chicago Art Institute. He became the cartoonist for the school magazine.

When America joined the First World War, Walt dropped out of school and tried to enlist in the army. He was rejected for being underage, but he was later able to enlist in the Red Cross and in late 1918 was sent to France to drive an ambulance.

In 1919, he moved back to Kansas City where he got a series of jobs, before finding employment in his area of greatest interest - the film industry. It was working for the Kansas City Film Ad company that he gained the opportunity to begin working in the relatively new field of animation. Walt used his talent as a cartoonist and drawer to begin his first work.

The success of his early cartoons enabled him to set up his own studio called Laugh-O-Gram. However, the popularity of his cartoons was not matched by his ability to run a profitable business. With high labour costs, the firm went bankrupt. After his first failure, he decided to move to Hollywood, California which was home to the growing film industry of America. This ability to overcome adversity was a common feature of Disney's career.

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

- The Story of Walt Disney (1957)

With his brother, Roy, Walt set up another company and sought to find a distributor for his new film - Alice Comedies - based on the adventures of Alice in Wonderland.

In 1927, the Disney studio was involved in the successful production of 'Oswald the Lucky Rabbit', distributed through Universal Pictures. However, with Universal Pictures controlling the rights to 'Oswald the Lucky Rabbit', Walt was not able to profit from this success. He rejected an offer from Universal and went back to working on his own.

It was at this point, that he created the character - Mickey Mouse (originally called Mortimer Mouse). Ub Iwerks drew Mickey Mouse, and Walt gave a voice to the character.

The Mickey Mouse cartoons with sound tracks became very popular and cemented the growing reputation and strength of Disney Productions. The skill of Walt Disney was to give his cartoons believable real life characteristics. They were well drawn and captured the imagination of the audience through his pioneering use of uplifting stories and moral traits.

In 1932, he received his first Academy Award for Best short subject: Cartoons for the three coloured 'Flowers and Trees' He also received a special Academy Award for Mickey Mouse.

In 1933, he developed his most successful cartoon of all time 'The Three Little Pigs' (1933) with the famous song 'Whose afraid of the Big Bad Wolf"

In 1924, Walt Disney began his most ambitious project to date. He wished to make a full length animated feature film of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' Many expected it to be a commercial failure. But, using new techniques of filming, the production was met with glowing reviews. It took nearly 3 years to film - coming out in 1937, after Disney had run out of money. But, the films strong critical reception, made it the most successful film of 1938, earning $8 million on its first release. The film had very high production values, but also captured the essence of a fairy tale on film for the first time. Walt Disney would later write that he never produced films for the critic, but the general public. Replying to criticism that his productions were somewhat corny, he replied:

"All right. I'm corny. But I think there's just about a-hundred-and-forty-million people in this country that are just as corny as I am."

Disney always had a great ability to know what the public loved to see.

After the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , the studio produced several other successful animations, such as 'Pinocchio', 'Peter Pan', 'Bambi' and 'Wind in the Willows'. After America's entry into the Second World War in 1941, this 'golden age' of animation faded and the studio struggled as it made unprofitable propaganda films.

Political and religious views

In 1941, Disney also had to deal with a major strike by his writers and animators. This left a strong impression on Disney. He would later become a member of leading anti-Communist organisation 'Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals' (the right-wing organisation was also considered to be anti-semitic. At one point, he (unsuccessfully) tried to brand his labour union organisers as Communist agitators.

However, in the 1950s, Disney distanced himself from the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals. However, by associating with the organisation he was often associated with the anti-labour and anti-semitic philosophy it expressed. Disney was a Republican, though was not really involved in politics. It is often asked whether Walt Disney was anti-semitic.

His biographer, Neal Gabler stated:

...And though Walt himself, in my estimation, was not anti-semitic, nevertheless, he willingly allied himself with people who were anti-semitic, and that reputation stuck. He was never really able to expunge it throughout his life.

Walt Disney believed in the benefits of a religious approach to life, though he never went to church and disliked sanctimonious teachers.

I believe firmly in the efficacy of religion, in its powerful influence on a person's whole life. It helps immeasurably to meet the storms and stress of life and keep you attuned to the Divine inspiration. Without inspiration, we would perish.

Ch. 15 : Walt Lives!, p. 379

He respected other religions and retained a firm faith in God.

Post war success

During the war, there was much less demand for cartoon animation. It took until the late 1940s, for Disney to recover some of its lustre and success. Disney finished production of Cinderella and also Peter Pan (which had been shelved during the war) In the 1950s, Walt Disney Productions also began expanding its operations into conventional action films. They produced several successful films, such as 'Treasure Island' (1950), '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' (1954) and 'Pollyanna' (1960)

In another innovation, the studio created one of the first specifically children's shows - The Mickey Mouse Club. Walt Disney even returned to the studio to provide the voice. In the 1960s, the Disney Empire continued to successful expand. In 1964, they produced their most successful ever film 'Mary Poppins'

Disneyland

In the late 1940s, Walt Disney began building up plans for a massive Theme park. Walt Disney wished the Theme Park to be like nothing ever created on earth. In particular, he wished it to be a magical world for children, and surrounded by a train. Disney had a great love of trains since his childhood when he regularly saw trains pass near his home. It was characteristic of Walt Disney that he was willing to take risks in trying something new.

Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually it implies some risk — especially in new undertakings. Courage to initiate something and to keep it going, pioneering and adventurous spirit to blaze new ways, often, in our land of opportunity.

- The Disney Way Fieldbook (2000) by Bill Capodagli

After several years in the planning and building, Disneyland was opened on July 17, 1955. Disney spoke at the address.

"To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past .... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

The success of Disneyland encouraged Walt to consider another park in Orlando, Florida. In 1965, another theme park was announced.

Walt Disney died from lung cancer on December 15, 1966. He had been a chain smoker all his life. An internet myth suggest Walt Disney had his body cryonically frozen, but this is untrue. It seems to have been spread by his employers, looking for one last joke at the expense of their boss.

After his death, his brother Roy returned to lead Disney Company, but the company missed the direction and genius of Walt Disney. The 1970s were a relatively fallow period for the company, before a renaissance in the 1980s, with a new generation of films, such as 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988) and The Lion King (1994)

Dalai Lama Biography

The 14th Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Döndrub, the 5th child of a large family in the farming village of Qinghai, China. At the age of 2, he was picked out as the rebirth of the thirteenth Dalai Lama and sent for formal monastic training to become a Buddhist monk and eventually become the spiritual head of the Tibetan people.

He was formally enthroned as the Dalai Lama in 1950, shortly after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. He was thrust into a position of immense significance becoming both spiritual and political leader to a country under invasion and occupation.

dalai-lamaAfter several years of Chinese occupation, the Dalai Lama escaped the country into India. He feared capture by the Chinese so reluctantly decided to leave, setting up a government in exile. After meeting with the prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, Nehru allowed the Dalai Lama and up to 80,000 Tibetan exiles to set up a government in exile in Dharamshala, India.

The Dalai Lama has followed a long campaign of non-violent resistance to the Chinese occupation. He has frequently called on the Chinese to respect the basic human rights of the indigenous Tibetans and end the migration of the ethnic Han Chinese into Tibet. In 1987 he proposed a five point peace plan about the future of Tibet and called Tibet to be made into a zone of peace. He also secured United Nations resolutions to support the right for Tibetan self-determination.

As well as being the leader of the political struggle for Tibet, he has taught extensively on Buddhist philosophy, and in particular his teachings of loving kindness and the spiritual practise of Dzogchen.

Interfaith Meetings

The Dalai Lama has met with many representatives of different religions. The Dalai Lama has been keen to stress the underlying unity of different religions; he has even said he is not keen to convert people to Buddhism

"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness ... the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives." - As quoted in Especially for Christians: Powerful Thought-provoking Words from the Past (2005) by Mark Alton Rose, p. 19

"I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion."

"I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good." - from Nobel prize acceptance speech 1989

He said Pope John Paul II was sympathetic to his plight, even though he was reluctant to antagonise the Chinese because of the plight of Catholics in China.

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1989.

Selected Quotes from the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama wrote frequently about the way to inner peace and happiness. He said

* Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself. It is wrong to expect some final satisfaction to come from money or from a computer.

-The Path to Tranquility: Daily Wisdom (1998) edited by Renuka Singh"

"I feel that the essence of spiritual practice is your attitude toward others. When you have a pure, sincere motivation, then you have right attitude toward others based on kindness, compassion, love and respect. Practice brings the clear realisation of the oneness of all human beings and the importance of others benefiting by your actions. "

- Dalai Lama

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

- Dalai Lama

“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways--either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”

- Dalai Lama

“Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don't usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.”