Marian Leighton Books

The story of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse only to be taken in by a den of thieves, shocked readers when it was first published. Dickens’s tale of childhood innocence beset by evil depicts the dark criminal underworld of a London peopled by vivid and memorable characters – the arch-villain Fagin, the artful Dodger, the menacing Bill Sikes and the prostitute Nancy. Combining elements of Gothic Romance, the Newgate Novel and popular melodrama, in Oliver Twist Dickens created an entirely new kind of fiction, scathing in its indictment of a cruel society, and pervaded by an unforgettable sense of threat and mystery.

This book offers a comprehensive analysis comparing U.S. policies during the Cold War and the Global War on Terrorism, highlighting their similarities and differences. It challenges the conventional approach of treating these significant conflicts in isolation, providing insights into how historical precedents shaped contemporary strategies. By examining the motivations, decisions, and outcomes of U.S. actions in both eras, the author sheds light on the evolving nature of American foreign policy and its implications for future conflicts.

The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of international terrorism, detailing its timeline and the key players involved throughout various phases. By examining historical contexts and the factors influencing terrorist activities, it provides valuable insights and analyses of the challenges posed by terrorism over time.