Books with author Doug West

Mike Pence is an American politician who has been serving as the fiftieth governor of Indiana since January 2013. He is currently the vice president-elect of the United States and will take office in January 2017, entering history as the forty-eighth vice president of the United States. In 2008, Esquire magazine included Pence on its list of the ten best members of the Congress, after Pence had positioned himself among conservatives as an ideologue with strong principles. He was considered a viable Republican candidate for the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012. In September 2010, Pence was voted the top choice for president in a straw poll run by the Values Voter Summit.Mike Pence is considered the most conservative vice president-elect of the past forty years, and his name has often garnered nationwide attention due to several controversies. This short book covers the life of Mike Pence from his early years growing up in Indiana and chronicles his rise to power through the political ranks to become the vice president-elect of the United States.

Serving the shortest presidential term in American history, William Henry Harrison never had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as the chief executive. Like Andrew Jackson, Harrison was elected largely on the basis of his reputation as an Indian fighter and a successful major general in the War of 1812. When Harrison ran for president in 1840, his campaign was like no other—parades, slogans, whiskey, and songs rallied the populace to come out and vote for the old frontiersman and war hero. In the presidential campaign, he carefully avoided taking a stand on important national issues, rather, “Old Tip,” as he was known, ran a campaign based on the themes the common man could relate to. The public shouted the campaign slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” and turned out in record numbers, and General Harrison and his running mate John Tyler won by a landslide over the incumbent president Martin Van Buren. For a reason not known to history, William Henry chose not to wear an overcoat on the cold March day of his inauguration. After a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol, he then delivered one of the longest inaugural speeches in presidential history. That evening was filled with inaugural balls and by the end of that long day, the sixty-eight-year-old president was worn out. There was no time for rest as he was barraged with people looking for a government job, and his political cronies had a long list of favors for the new president to fulfill. After a few busy weeks, the cold he had been fighting off turned into pneumonia and he became bedridden. Just a month after being sworn in as the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison died, going down in history as the president with the shortest term in office. Though his term in office was short, he had accomplished much for the public good in his long military and political career leading up to the presidency.“William Henry Harrison: A Short Biography” reveals the life and times of the ninth president of the United States. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 37th book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Galileo Galilei grew up in a time when nearly everyone thought the Earth was the center of the universe and the Sun and the planets revolved around the Earth. His intellectual world was dominated by the work of the ancient philosopher Aristotle. Science as we know it today was just starting to emerge from the dark ages and it was blended with religion so that the two at were hard to distinguish between. Galileo’s work included a radial improvement in a parlor toy called a spyglass, which he turned into a working instrument of astronomy, the military, and mariners. With his small telescope he opened up the night sky and discovered the Moon isn’t smooth but rather covered with peaks and valleys similar to the Earth, that the planet Jupiter had moons that orbited the planet, and that the planet Venus showed phases as it orbited the Sun — similar to the phases of the Moon. Though his discoveries in astronomy were transformative, they spelled trouble for Galileo. Once the local clergy got wind of Galileo’s heretical views that the Earth was not the center of the universe, he was under intense scrutiny from the Church. He traveled to Rome, not once but twice, to defend his views on the cosmos. Escaping the penalty of imprisonment or being burnt at the stake, he was given house arrest for the remainder of his life. Working under house arrest, he was able to complete some the most important work of his life and he had his work smuggled out of Italy to be published without censorship. Take a short journey into the world of this amazing man and understand how he changed the world.30 Minute Book SeriesWelcome to the first book in the 30 Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast paced, well written, accurate, and covers the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can read or listen to the book — a perfect companion for a lunch hour or a nice distraction for a train ride home from work. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer, small business owner, and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in science, biographies, numismatics, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

John Adams was in some form of service to America for most of his adult life - serving as a representative to the Continental Congress, envoy to European nations, vice president and, finally, ending his political career as the second President of the United States. At only five foot seven, nearly bald, a little overweight, occasionally cranky, and without most of his teeth, John Adams was not an Adonis, but through is intellect, force of will, and dogged determination, he would become one of the founding fathers of America.The years leading to the Revolutionary War and independence from Great Britain pushed John Adams into fighting for the cause of liberty. As a delegate to the Continental Congress, he was a member of the team in 1776 that drafted one of America’s most important documents, the Declaration of Independence. His service to the country was not limited to roles within the borders of the country; for ten years, he represented America as a diplomat to France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. He helped draft the State of Massachusetts Constitution and served under George Washington as the first Vice President of the United States. After Washington’s retirement, Adams ran for president, and in a close presidential election with Thomas Jefferson, he narrowly won the presidency. His one term as president was marked by considerable strife within the country. America was engaged in a quasi-war with the country’s oldest ally, France. The conflict with France did not escalate to a full blown war, but it did threaten to tear the young country apart, as pro-British and pro-French factions within the political establishment and the general population were ardent in their positions, which great animosity between the groups. Spend some time with this distinguished American and buy the book, John Adams – A Short Biography. 30 Minute Book SeriesWelcome to the ninth book in the 30 Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast-paced, well-written, accurate, and covers the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can read or listen to the book; it is a perfect companion for a lunch hour or a nice distraction for a train ride home from work. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer, small business owner, and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Bill Clinton knew at an early age that he wanted to be in politics. Over time, his dream would become reality as he moved up the political ranks to become the 42nd President of the United States. During his college years, starting at Georgetown, then at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, and completing his law degree at Yale, Bill Clinton proved to be a quick study. While at Yale, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, who would become his closest adviser. As a member of the Democratic Party, he began his political career in Arkansas, where he was elected as attorney general and later governor. Though Clinton was a brilliant politician with several noteworthy accomplishments during his two terms as president, he had bitter enemies who would stop at nothing to destroy him—which they nearly did. He did bring the Democratic party back into the White House for two successive terms, a feat which hadn’t been accomplished since Franklin Roosevelt guided the nation through the Great Depression and much of World War II. His political life didn’t end with the presidency, as he was closely involved in his wife’s two failed bids for the highest office in the land.Bill Clinton is a man of great contrasts and contradictions, a man whose presidency was disgraced by impeachment, but who remains one of the most popular presidents of the modern era. Read this short biography and see his journey unfold.

Alexander Hamilton, born in the British West Indies, was an outsider from the very beginning. His illegitimate birth drove him to prove his worthiness to others throughout his life. His quest for honor was one of the defining characteristics that colored his decisions. Hamilton was a small man with a large ambition, and this would drive him to greatness and create some powerful enemies in his wake. Alexander Hamilton’s life was not without its share of tragedy. Before his fifteenth birthday, his father had abandoned the family and his mother had died of yellow fever. Luckily for young Alexander, a group of benefactors realized his potential and paid to have him sent to the British colony, America, for an education.After serving as General Washington’s aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton returned to his law practice and soon entered politics. In 1787, he would help draft the Constitution of the United States and then write a series of critical essays, called the Federalist Papers, which were key to ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton’s position on the role of government was for a strong Federal government.President Washington nominated Hamilton to become the first Secretary of the Treasury. During his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, he set the nation on a sound fiscal footing, established the first national bank, and a mint to produce coinage. Hamilton was a master of setting up institutions within the government and making bitter enemies of powerful men, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr. One of Hamilton’s political rivalries would turn very personal as Aaron Burr, the sitting Vice President of the United States, was seeking retaliation for Hamilton’s disparaging remarks. Hamilton’s honor would not let him decline Burr’s challenge to a duel. The outcome of the duel was fatal for Alexander Hamilton — dead at age forty-nine, leaving behind a wife, seven living children, and a legacy that would survive the centuries Spend some time with this distinguished American and buy the book, Alexander Hamilton – A Short Biography. 30 Minute Book SeriesWelcome to the ninth book in the 30 Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast-paced, well-written, accurate, and covers the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can read or listen to the book; it is a perfect companion for a lunch hour or a nice distraction for a train ride home from work. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer, small business owner, and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

The twenty-five-year old Charles A. Lindbergh climbed into his single-engine monoplane, Spirit of St. Louis, and took off for Paris determined to win the $25,000 Orteig Prize promised to the first pilot to fly nonstop between New York and Paris. For the next thirty-three hours, he navigated through storms across the perilous Atlantic Ocean, news of his attempt had circled the globe, making him an international celebrity by the time he reached Paris. He returned to the United States a national hero, with a ticker-tape parade that drew millions, awarded every possible award from the Medal of Honor to Time’s "Man of the Year", commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp within months, and celebrated as the embodiment of a modern American. Follow the story of this bold young man as he journeys into manhood and the controversies that would cloud he sterling “hero” image.

John Tyler holds the distinction of being the first president to take office due to the death of a sitting president. Tyler was thrust into office on the death of President William Henry Harrison in 1841 after being vice president for only a month. He was at home in Richmond when he got word of Harrison’s death. Immediately he rushed to Washington, D.C., to be embroiled in a Constitutional crisis over the secession of power.The Whig Political Party had chosen Tyler as Harrison’s running mate in the election of 1840, primarily because he was from the very populous state of Virginia and it was hoped he could bring in the Southern vote. The Whigs were shocked when Tyler became president and didn’t fall in line with the party. He vetoed much of their legislation, so they kicked him out of the party!After his one term in office, he was relegated to political obscurity. As the tensions grew between the North and South leading up to the Civil War, Tyler and his new wife, thirty years his junior, became outspoken advocates for slavery and Southern plantation life. Just before his death he was elected as a representative to the Confederate States of Amercia and would be buried in a coffin draped with a Confederate flag. To the Northerners, John Tyler was considered a traitor to the Union cause, making him one of the most controversial presidents in United States history. “John Tyler: A Short Biography” reveals the life and times of the tenth president of the United States. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 38th book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Serving the shortest presidential term in American history, William Henry Harrison never had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as the chief executive. Like Andrew Jackson, Harrison was elected largely on the basis of his reputation as an Indian fighter and a successful major general in the War of 1812. When Harrison ran for president in 1840, his campaign was like no other—parades, slogans, whiskey, and songs rallied the populace to come out and vote for the old frontiersman and war hero. In the presidential campaign, he carefully avoided taking a stand on important national issues, rather, “Old Tip,” as he was known, ran a campaign based on the themes the common man could relate to. The public shouted the campaign slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” and turned out in record numbers, and General Harrison and his running mate John Tyler won by a landslide over the incumbent president Martin Van Buren. For a reason not known to history, William Henry chose not to wear an overcoat on the cold March day of his inauguration. After a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol, he then delivered one of the longest inaugural speeches in presidential history. That evening was filled with inaugural balls and by the end of that long day, the sixty-eight-year-old president was worn out. There was no time for rest as he was barraged with people looking for a government job, and his political cronies had a long list of favors for the new president to fulfill. After a few busy weeks, the cold he had been fighting off turned into pneumonia and he became bedridden. Just a month after being sworn in as the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison died, going down in history as the president with the shortest term in office. Though his term in office was short, he had accomplished much for the public good in his long military and political career leading up to the presidency.“William Henry Harrison: A Short Biography” reveals the life and times of the ninth president of the United States. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 37th book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Both Jesse Owens and Adolf Hitler grew up in poverty, and each of the two men struggled to find their footing later in life. Owens represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics, after which he found it difficult to sustain a well-paying job. In turn, Adolf Hitler moved to Vienna as a teenager, following his parents’ death, but he never found the financial success he so desperately craved as an artist. He spent most of his time in the city a penniless, unemployed young man.The similarities between the two men end there. While Adolf Hitler became angered and enraged by his circumstances, and by the fate of Germany following the First World War, Jesse Owens went out of his way to help people. Even when he faced the cruelty of racism in the United States, Owens saw the best in others. He spent most of his days working with children and teenagers, making a conscious effort to give them the guidance and support they needed to enact positive change in the world. In contrast, Hitler turned to hatred, divisiveness, and conflict in his attempts to change the world in his image.Owens was an open-minded man who spent his life bettering the lives of his family and the community at large. Even when others asked him to denounce the racist tendencies of Adolf Hitler, he chose to grudgingly respect the German leader. Meanwhile, Hitler’s experiences only fueled his hatred of anyone who was not Aryan and German.In this book, we will explore the lives of both men leading up to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Then, we will take a closer look at the effects of that summer on the rest of their years.30 Minute Book SeriesWelcome to the ninth book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast-paced, well-written and accurate, covering the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can read or listen to the full book. The text is a perfect companion for your lunch hour, or perhaps a nice distraction on your train ride home from work. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer, small business owner, and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in science, biographies, and “How-To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Alexander Hamilton, born in the British West Indies, was an outsider from the very beginning. His illegitimate birth drove him to prove his worthiness to others throughout his life. His quest for honor was one of the defining characteristics that colored his decisions. Hamilton was a small man with a large ambition, and this would drive him to greatness and create some powerful enemies in his wake. Alexander Hamilton’s life was not without its share of tragedy. Before his fifteenth birthday, his father had abandoned the family and his mother had died of yellow fever. Luckily for young Alexander, a group of benefactors realized his potential and paid to have him sent to the British colony, America, for an education. After serving as General Washington’s aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton returned to his law practice and soon entered politics. In 1787, he would help draft the Constitution of the United States and then write a series of critical essays, called the Federalist Papers, which were key to ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton’s position on the role of government was for a strong Federal government. President Washington nominated Hamilton to become the first Secretary of the Treasury. During his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, he set the nation on a sound fiscal footing, established the first national bank, and a mint to produce coinage. Hamilton was a master of setting up institutions within the government and making bitter enemies of powerful men, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr. One of Hamilton’s political rivalries would turn very personal as Aaron Burr, the sitting Vice President of the United States, was seeking retaliation for Hamilton’s disparaging remarks. Hamilton’s honor would not let him decline Burr’s challenge to a duel. The outcome of the duel was fatal for Alexander Hamilton — dead at age forty-nine, leaving behind a wife, seven living children, and a legacy that would survive the centuries Spend some time with this distinguished American and buy the book, Alexander Hamilton – A Short Biography. 30 Minute Book Series Welcome to the ninth book in the 30 Minute Book Series. Each book in the series is fast-paced, well-written, accurate, and covers the story in as much detail as a short book allows. In less than an hour, you can read or listen to the book; it is a perfect companion for a lunch hour or a nice distraction for a train ride home from work. About the Author Doug West is a retired engineer, small business owner, and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in science, biographies, and “How To” topics. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Mike Pence is an American politician who has been serving as the fiftieth governor of Indiana since January 2013. He is currently the vice president-elect of the United States and will take office in January 2017, entering history as the forty-eighth vice president of the United States. In 2008, Esquire magazine included Pence on its list of the ten best members of the Congress, after Pence had positioned himself among conservatives as an ideologue with strong principles. He was considered a viable Republican candidate for the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012. In September 2010, Pence was voted the top choice for president in a straw poll run by the Values Voter Summit. Mike Pence is considered the most conservative vice president-elect of the past forty years, and his name has often garnered nationwide attention due to several controversies. This short book covers the life of Mike Pence from his early years growing up in Indiana and chronicles his rise to power through the political ranks to become the vice president-elect of the United States.