Books in Extraordinary series

Everyone knows that Wilfrid Laurier was a great prime minister, an astonishing speaker, and a survivor. But nobody has looked at him as more than a mythological figure for a very long time. André Pratte, chief editorial writer of La Presse, uncovers Laurier's full complexity amid the charged political circumstances of the early 20th century. Laurier tried to unite a country deeply divided in the wake of the First World War, grappling with the thorny questions of minority rights, multiple cultures, and regional tensions. A superb orator—his defence of Louis Riel established him as perhaps Canada's greatest speaker—he talked to his listeners as if they were as intelligent and well-read as he. Pratte reveals a Laurier who did not have to create a special political strategy in order to deal with the complexities of Canada. His personality, in and of itself, was a mirror of that complexity. Pratte's Laurier affirms our long and stable history, while recognizing that events are never predictable. Like Laurier, great leaders must accept both to govern Canada successfully.

Women of the World looks at eight women whose heroic journeys added to the world's geographic knowledge: Ida Pfeiffer, an 19th century women with "an insatiable desire to travel" who circled the world--twice, Fanny Bullock Workman, the world's foremost woman moutaineer, an early feminist, and one of the most controversial figures in modern geography, and Alexandra David-Neel, the first western woman to enter Lhasa, the Forbidden City of Tibet.

More profiles from this popular series!High-interest/low-readability biographies Covers influential contemporary and historical figures, such as Gloria Estefan and Bill Richardson Inspiring examples of success and overcoming challenges Includes background notes, vocabulary lists, answers, and a bibliography Biographies included:Guy Gabaldon, US MarineNicholasa Mohr, artist/writerIsabel Allende, writer Mario Molina, scientist Bill Richardson, politicianCarlos Santana, musician Antonia Hernandez, civil rights lawyerGloria Estefan, singer Edgar Prado, jockeySalma Hayek, actress/producerChristy Turlington, model Rebecca Lobo, basketball playerAlex Rodriguez, baseball player Scott Gomez, hockey player Joseph Unanue, businessman Franklin Chang Diaz, astronaut