Henry Villard was one of the most remarkable and important figures to shape the tumultuous history of nineteenth -century America. A preeminent Civil War journalist, an industrialist, and a financial maverick, his courage, perseverance, and farsightedness made him the equal of such titans of his day as J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie. Penniless and not speaking a word of English, Villard emigrated in 1853 from Germany at the age of eighteen, leaving behind the privileges and expectations of his affluent, stifling parentage. Within five years of arriving on American soil, he had mastered the language and was covering the events of the day for the nation's top newspapers. Villard reported firsthand on the Lincoln-Douglas debates and later, from the front lines of the Civil War, filed graphic, hard-hitting reports that earned him the admiration of the newspaper community. His circle of acquaintances included President Lincoln, General Grant, and the famed abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, whose daughter he married. When the Civil War ended, Villard's penchant for risk-taking and adventure and his uncanny business acumen led him to become a restless innovator, breaking new ground in many areas. In journalism, he launched the first news syndicate in the United States; in the world of finance, he was a pioneer of venture capitalism and one of the first to employ the leveraged buyout. He catapulted himself into presidency of the Northern Pacific Railroad and shared with Thomas Edison the vision of an electrified nation. His investment in Edison's electrical enterprises eventually paved the way for Villard to mastermind the consolidation of what is now known as the General Electric Company. In 1883, triumphantly driving the last spike himself, he completed the nation's second transcontinental railroad. Later that year a financial panic nearly ruined him, but within a few years he made a phenomenal comeback based on his faith in Edison and the future of electricity. Throughout his life, Villard's unfailing ability to impart his convictions to others, his talent for meeting the right people and gaining their confidence, enabled him to conquer adversity. Drawing on unpublished letters, Henry Villard's German and English memoirs, and many other sources, Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave's and John Cullen's fast-paced, absorbing biography vividly re-creates Villard's times and tells the rags-to-riches story of a German immigrant who made major contributions to his adopted homeland.

Villard: The Life and Times of an American Titan

Biographies & Memoirs

Alexandra Villard De Borchgrave

John Cullen

Professionals & Academics

Nan A. Talese

Inspirational spiritual poetry, accompanied by beautiful Moghul paintings from India.

Healing Light: Thirty Messages of Love, Hope, and Courage

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

GLITTERATI, INC.

The third book in this author's series of inspirational poems that were initiated after the tragedy of 9/11 in New York City and Washington, DC in conjunction with The Freer Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution. "Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave's response to the events of 9/11 was to turn to poetry as both catharsis and communication. Determined to spread a message of hope in a bleak world, she formalized that communication in her first book, and now, less than a decade later, she has produced three books. In each she has made her own journey in words, but she was equally determined to find a visual complement. The first book was illustrated with figural images drawn from Indian and Persian manuscripts, the second with Japanese calligraphy and decorative designs. In this third book she has excerpted details from one of the most famous illustrated Persian manuscripts, in a manner that discards the literal or the descriptive in favor of mood. In moving from her first book to her third, she has abandoned narrative for spirit. Yet the images form a sequence that has an over-arching narrative, as they follow the light and shades of a passing day, reminding us that, like all creatures, we are in this world for a fleeting moment." Julian Raby Director, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery "Each page of Beloved Spirit sensitively juxtaposes a detail, whether a light soaked cloud, a tender sprig, or a lush blossoming flower, with a poem, subtly alternating rhythms of word and image and creating a harmonious whole." Massumeh Farhad Chief Curator and Curator of Islamic Art, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Beloved Spirit: Pathways to Love, Grace and Mercy

Religion & Spirituality

While mankind continues to struggle with adversity, an amazing spirit of forgiveness continues to persevere in this increasingly complex and unpredictable world. Inspired by a modest prayer to provide comfort to those suffering from the tragedies of 9/11, Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave first wrote Healing Light: Thirty Messages of Love, Hope, and Courage, and continued her poetic musings in Heavenly Order: Twenty Five Meditations of Wisdom and Harmony. Beloved Spirit: Pathways to Love, Grace and Mercy, the highly anticipated final volume, completes her trilogy of acclaimed poems; published for the Ten-Year Anniversary of 9/11.

Beloved Spirit Trilogy Boxed Set

Arts & Photography

This unique poetry collection of Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave's three books will inspire and uplift with its beautiful accompanying 16th and 17th century Asian artworks. The enclosed DVD comes alive with classical music, including moving works by Handel, Mozart, and Mahler, set to the artistry of the author's voice reading her inspirational poems. The Healing Notes booklet allows readers to share their personal reflections."Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave's response to the events of 9/11 was to turn to poetry as both catharsis and communication. Determined to spread a message of hope in a bleak world, she formalized that communication in her first book, and less than a decade later, she produced three books. In each she has made her own journey in words, but she was equally determined to find a visual complement. In moving from her first book to her third, she has abandoned narrative for spirit. Yet the images form a sequence that has an over-arching narrative, as they follow the light and shades of a passing day, reminding us that, like all creatures, we are in this world for a fleeting moment."Julian Raby, Dame Jillian Sackler Director, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art

Healing Courage: Messages of Love, Hope, and Strength

Light of Healing Hope Foundation

Catch a Happy Thought

Jennifer Camel-Toueg

Children's Books

Step into beautiful images and poetic paths that take you on a spiritual journey of self reflection. Find peaceful repose in soothing meditations meant to inspire hope and healing.

REVERIES: In Search of Love, Hope, & Courage

Healing Light THIRTY MESSAGES OF LOVE HOP COURAGE

Healing Light

Poetry

MJF_Books

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Books by Alexandra Villard De Borchgrave