Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
"It's really quite good." - Elon Musk

Twelve Against the Gods was an instant bestseller when it first published in 1929. In his trademark journalist style, author William Bolitho details the lives of twelve great adventurers--Alexander the Great, Casanova, Christopher Columbus, Mahomet, Lola Montez, Cagliostro (and Seraphina), Charles XII of Sweden, Napoleon I, Lucius Sergius Catiline, Napoleon III, Isadora Duncan, and Woodrow Wilson. Bolitho shines light on both the struggles and successes that made these figures so iconic, and demonstrates how they all battled convention and conformity to achieve enduring fame and notoriety.

"We are born adventurers," Bolitho writes, "and the love of adventures never leaves us till we are very old; old, timid men, in whose interest it is that adventure should quite die out. This is why all the poets are on one side, and all the laws on the other; for laws are made by, and usually for, old men." Though his essays are nearly one hundred years old, they encompass the timeless values of perseverance, bravery, and strength of spirit that have proven to resonate with the pioneers and thought leaders of today.
"1125660647"
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
"It's really quite good." - Elon Musk

Twelve Against the Gods was an instant bestseller when it first published in 1929. In his trademark journalist style, author William Bolitho details the lives of twelve great adventurers--Alexander the Great, Casanova, Christopher Columbus, Mahomet, Lola Montez, Cagliostro (and Seraphina), Charles XII of Sweden, Napoleon I, Lucius Sergius Catiline, Napoleon III, Isadora Duncan, and Woodrow Wilson. Bolitho shines light on both the struggles and successes that made these figures so iconic, and demonstrates how they all battled convention and conformity to achieve enduring fame and notoriety.

"We are born adventurers," Bolitho writes, "and the love of adventures never leaves us till we are very old; old, timid men, in whose interest it is that adventure should quite die out. This is why all the poets are on one side, and all the laws on the other; for laws are made by, and usually for, old men." Though his essays are nearly one hundred years old, they encompass the timeless values of perseverance, bravery, and strength of spirit that have proven to resonate with the pioneers and thought leaders of today.
18.99 In Stock
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure

Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure

by William Bolitho
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure

Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure

by William Bolitho

Paperback

$18.99 
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Overview

"It's really quite good." - Elon Musk

Twelve Against the Gods was an instant bestseller when it first published in 1929. In his trademark journalist style, author William Bolitho details the lives of twelve great adventurers--Alexander the Great, Casanova, Christopher Columbus, Mahomet, Lola Montez, Cagliostro (and Seraphina), Charles XII of Sweden, Napoleon I, Lucius Sergius Catiline, Napoleon III, Isadora Duncan, and Woodrow Wilson. Bolitho shines light on both the struggles and successes that made these figures so iconic, and demonstrates how they all battled convention and conformity to achieve enduring fame and notoriety.

"We are born adventurers," Bolitho writes, "and the love of adventures never leaves us till we are very old; old, timid men, in whose interest it is that adventure should quite die out. This is why all the poets are on one side, and all the laws on the other; for laws are made by, and usually for, old men." Though his essays are nearly one hundred years old, they encompass the timeless values of perseverance, bravery, and strength of spirit that have proven to resonate with the pioneers and thought leaders of today.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781635765397
Publisher: Diversion Books
Publication date: 09/25/2018
Pages: 302
Sales rank: 427,353
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

William Bolitho Ryall (1891-1930), aka William Bolitho, was a South African journalist and writer who was a valued friend of the eminent writers Ernest Hemingway and Noël Coward.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

I Alexander the Great 17

II Casanova 49

III Christopher Columbus 75

IV Mahomet 103

V Lola Montez 131

VI Cagliostro (and Seraphina) 155

VII Charles XII of Sweden 179

VIII Napoleon I 202

IX Lucius Sergius Catiline 222

X Napoleon III 242

XI Isadora Duncan 261

XII Woodrow Wilson 281

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