Overview
An extensively published author and a seasoned editor, I am a collaborator and ghostwriter who works in non-fiction, both book-length and short form, including opinion editorials, articles, and blogs. My specialty is helping clients structure their message and find their voice. I make complex and technical material accessible to the general reader.
My services range from editing, book doctoring, proposal writing, and collaboration to full ghostwriting. Most of my clients ask that I remain with their project from inception through publication and, often, post-publication promotion. I often work with clients by letting them "talk" their book, interviewing and recording them to capture their story in their voice.
I have worked with a wide range of publishers from the Big 5 to more niche houses, including Macmillan, Wiley, Chronicle Books, Penguin, Simon and Schuster, McGraw Hill and DK, to name just a few. I also have experience working directly with organizations of all sizes, including AVG Technologies, Bank of America, DMG Global, RedSeal Security Analytics and many more global organizations.
No project is too big or too small and I’d love to hear from you.
My services range from editing, book doctoring, proposal writing, and collaboration to full ghostwriting. Most of my clients ask that I remain with their project from inception through publication and, often, post-publication promotion. I often work with clients by letting them "talk" their book, interviewing and recording them to capture their story in their voice.
I have worked with a wide range of publishers from the Big 5 to more niche houses, including Macmillan, Wiley, Chronicle Books, Penguin, Simon and Schuster, McGraw Hill and DK, to name just a few. I also have experience working directly with organizations of all sizes, including AVG Technologies, Bank of America, DMG Global, RedSeal Security Analytics and many more global organizations.
No project is too big or too small and I’d love to hear from you.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Management
Career Guides
Education & Reference
History
Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (US)
Awards
- BusinessWeek Bestseller, "Patton on Leadership"
- "Business Week Bestseller, "Elizabeth I, CEO"
- Audie Award (Audio Publishers Association)
- Awarded Best Western History Book of 1991 by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum
Work experience
Self-employed
Jan, 1997 —
Present
Writer, ghostwriter, and editor.
Turner Publishing
Jan, 1993 —
Jan, 1997
(about 4 years)
Acquiring and developmental editor.
Abbeville Press
Jan, 1984 —
Dec, 1992
(almost 9 years)
Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum
Jan, 1981 —
Jul, 1983
(over 2 years)
Furman University
Aug, 1980 —
Jul, 1982
(almost 2 years)
Lake Forest College
Aug, 1979 —
Jun, 1980
(10 months)
Portfolio
Immediately after the armistice was signed in November, 1918, an American journalist asked Paul von Hindenburg who won the war against Germany. He was the chief of the German General Staff, co-architect with Erich Ludendorff of Germany’s Eastern Front victorie... read more
Meet 50 women and men who broke the rules . . . and changed the world. What does Charles Darwin have in common with Johannes Gutenberg—or with Jackson Pollock, Martin Luther, Betty Friedan, Steve Jobs, and DJ Kool Herc? They were the disruptors, upending cultu... read more
offensive to be waged against Germany even as France poured incredible numbers of men into the slaughterhouse that was the desperate defense of Verdun. élan vital” of the French people, a quality, he argued, that set the Gallic race apart from the rest of the ... read more
Extraordinary images, never before published in book form, of the forgotten American WWII Airplanes at the bottom of the Kwajalein Atoll lagoon, from award-winning underwater photographer Brandi Mueller.At the end of WWII, around 150 American airplanes, all ve... read more
Discover the stories that shaped our nationSure, you know that America's colonists won our independence from Great Britain, that Washington became our first president, and that Lincoln freed the slaves. But these key events merely scratch the surface of our na... read more
100 Turning Points in American History is the first in a series of books about the critical decisions, events, inventions, and discoveries that shaped our nation, our world, and our civilization. Each volume presents the stories of 100 decisions/events/ breakt... read more
Few leadership titles have been written on the lives of women. Alan Axelrod, noted historian and business management expert, reveals how Elizabeth I overcame daunting obstacles to win intense loyalty and lead England to greatness. The queen's long reign offers... read more
Eyewitness to America's Wars features dramatic accounts of life and death during the ferocious battles experienced by our nation's men and women. This new two-volume set offers unprecedented insight into such conflicts as the Civil War, the Indian Wars, World ... read more
Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlighting/notes, may not include CDs or access codes. 100% money back guarantee.
Describes the military aspect of wars - the causes of conflict, an enumeration of battles, and a summary of the outcome(s); also the social and political context in which the wars occurred. In three comprehensive volumes and approximately 2,000 A-to-Z entries ... read more
Recent Issues and Advances in Astronomy explores the most important developments in astronomy over the last decade, including the results of recent investigations on extrasolar planetary systems, black holes, and the existence of water in space. Besides explor... read more
Now in paperback!Military Book Club® Main Selection History Book Club® Featured Alternate*The battle that transformed a group of common soldiers into the modern-day Marine CorpsMiracle at Belleau Wood begins in June 1918 at Les Mare Farm in France with just 20... read more
Charles Brockden Brown: An American Tale is the first comprehensive literary, biographical, and cultural study of the novelist whom critic Leslie Fiedler has dubbed "the inventor of the American writer."The author of Wieland, Arthur Mervyn, Ormond, and Edgar H... read more
"A highly readable chronology…one of those rare books that readers will enjoy having close at hand." Tulsa World For some, patriotism means flags and parades, for others it's "my country right or wrong." But it's much more than that, and, as Alan Alexrod obse... read more
The most comprehensive one-volume scientific desk reference available Based on the new 4,000-page, two-volume Van Nostrand's Science Encyclopedia, Ninth Edition, the best scientific encyclopedia available according to the Library Journal, this authoritative, c... read more
Harry Truman had been vice president for less than a year when he inherited the White House in 1945. With little preparation, he masterfully guided the nation through the last days of World War II, the Marshall Plan, and the war in Korea. The humble, plainspok... read more
The Great War ate men, machines, and money without mercy or remission. At the end of 1915, the German army chief of staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, believed he knew how to finally kill the beast and win the war. On Christmas day, 1915, Falkenhayn sent a letter to... read more
In excellent condition
Based on the findings in recently released archive papers and letters, as well as extensive library and historical resources, Alan Axelrod offers a compelling profile of the remarkable leadership discipline of a general often called a "military CEO." In fascin... read more
A book of inspirational wisdom from the author of Elizabeth I CEO and Patton on Leadership-lessons in leadership, courage, and responsibility.. Alongside Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. Elec... read more
In this thought-provoking and highly entertaining book, noted historian Alan Axelrod (The Real History of World War II) takes readers on a journey through some of the lesser-known aspects of military history. In chapters such as Personality Parade ("Facts abou... read more
For the first title in this series, Künstler’s paintings bring history to life with vivid, high-action portrayals of the primary events that won Americans their freedom from Britain: the Boston Tea Party, the Siege of Yorktown, Paul Revere’s ride, and the sign... read more
This is the first book to not only select the events that most influenced the causes and outcome of America’s Civil War, but also to rank them in order of significance. In each of the book’s 20 detailed essays, author/historian/speaker Alan Axelrod presents an... read more
What is the national debt? Who loses from it? Who profits from it? Why is it a greater threat to America than international terrorism? In direct, non-partisan language, this book follows the money and finds the answers. Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democ... read more
A surprising and sweeping history that reveals the fur trade to be the driving force behind conquest, colonization, and revolution in early AmericaCombining the epic saga of Hampton Sides's Blood and Thunder with the natural history of Mark Kurlansky's Cod, po... read more
Ever since the Dominican missionary Bartolme de Las Casas (1476-1566) first raised civil and minority rights in an American context, questions of rights have figured prominently among some of the most profound and trying moments in American history. With 725 e... read more
Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to the mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations that are a major component of warfare today. Security, military advice, training, logistics... read more
John Adams did not hesitate to lead his countrymen into revolution, but when other advocates of American independence focused solely on tearing down British tyranny, Adams kept asking, “Then what?” Asking—and answering—this question was for him the key to mana... read more
At a time when the question of war and what it means to serve our country is especially relevant, this essential reference provides a comprehensive, authoritative look at the American armed forces. Written by a well-known military historian, this two-volume se... read more
In this sixth volume of Alan Axelrod's popular CEO series, he dispenses the wisdom of a female monarch for the first time since his Businessweek bestseller Elizabeth I, CEO. Catherine the Great traveled from Germany to Russia at only 14 years of age, and rose ... read more
When Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, he pitted his small vanguard against the larger legions of Rome. His act was so momentous that 'crossing the Rubicon' became synonymous for making any decision of high importance from which there is no turning back, but w... read more
Gandhi, a CEO? Absolutely—and an incomparable example for our uncertain times, when we need leaders we can trust and admire. Not only was he a moral and intensely spiritual man, but also a supremely practical manager and a powerful agent for change, able to nu... read more
Patton’s Drive tells the story of how a young man born to warwho believed himself the literal incarnation of all great warriors pastbecame a modern American general: in terms of enemy killed or captured, territory taken, and people liberated, the greatest fi... read more
The compact history of a giant country. American history is one of those subjects that students frequently labor over and can seem like a random collection of names, dates, and events. Understood as a collective biography and free of the cheerleading found in ... read more
The good, the bad, and the ugly behind the NWO.The "New World Order" (NWO) is a conspiracy theory; describing the evolution, or existence of one-world government administered by the powerful elite. Now Alan Axelrod offers an understandable look at what the NWO... read more
The next in Alan Axelrod's engaging and popular CEO series spotlights a perfect subject: Napoleon, the brilliant military strategist who also laid the administrative and judicial foundations for much of Western Europe. Axelrod looks at this much-studied figure... read more
Using the same engrossing anecdotal format that proved so popular in Profiles in Audacity, bestselling author Alan Axelrod turns to the dark side of audacious decision-making and explores history's most tragic errors. While Axelrod looks at the hopelessly dumb... read more
Includes entries such as: Belleau Wood; Gregory Pappy Boyington; Cuban Rebellion; Guadalcanal; Inchon; Landing craft; Navajo Code Talkers; Lewis B Chesty Puller; Sniper team; Ruth Cheney Streeter; US Marine Corps Women's Reserve; War of 1812; and more.
The story of one of the most violent yet least-known episodes of the Civil War — the daring excavation of the longest military tunnel in history.
Alan Axelrod applies his signature insight and compelling prose to the life, strategy and legacy of the general who remains the model for all commanders today as the man who revolutionized the National Guard, shaped the US army's focus on the individual soldie... read more
From George Washington to George W.In the course of the 2008 presidential campaigns, Americans became involved in the political process at a level rarely seen in modern history. But even before the historic race, George W. Bush's tenure had left many Americans... read more
A journey of exploration through history’s great decisions and those who had the courage to make them. In brief, compelling, and inspiring vignettes, bestselling historian Alan Axelrod pinpoints and investigates the make-or-break event in the lives and careers... read more
The Cheaper the Crook, the Gaudier the Patter: Forgotten Hipster Lines, Tough Guy Talk, and Jive Gems explores the rich vocabulary of gangsters, hipsters, jazz musicians, and military personnel of the 1930s and ’40s. Entries include definitions, etymology, and... read more
The newest in Alan Axelrod's celebrated CEO series examines Theodore Roosevelt--typically ranked among the top five US presidents by historians. Following in the vein of his popular Winston Churchill, CEO and Gandhi, CEO, Axelrod provides an unprecedented look... read more
Released in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the escalation of the Vietnam War, this fifth volume in the Real History series draws parallels between contemporary international conflicts and what occurred in Vietnam half a century ago.Events since 2001 ... read more
In a refreshingly fearless, colloquial voice, acclaimed historian Alan Axelrod recounts the key events of World War II with unflagging humanity, drama, and straightforward explanations of their significance, weaving a story as engrossing and multifaceted as a ... read more
Explores the legislative, social, and policy aspects of AmericaAcentsi 1/2i 1/2's major wars, rebellions, and insurrections. This volume weaves together documents, informative biographies, and in-depth essays to provide coverage of the political antecedents, e... read more
With April 12, 2011, set to mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War at Fort Sumter, the time is ripe for a new assessment of the conflict’s most influential and controversial military leaders. Generals South, Generals North highlights twenty-f... read more
Ask most Americans why their forefathers started the Revolution, and they’ll likely mention no taxation without representation” or the belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights. But that’s just the start of the story, as hist... read more
The riveting, untold story of George Creel and the Committee on Public Information -- the first and only propaganda initiative sanctioned by the U.S. government.When the people of the United States were reluctant to enter World War I, maverick journalist Georg... read more
The Gilded Age is in the air! This beautifully designed, fully illustrated, insightful book by noted historian Alan Axelrod provides a vivid view of American life and thought during that era. The Gilded Age—the name coined by Mark Twain to refer to the period ... read more
Alan Axelrod's Lost Destiny is a rare exploration of the origin of today's controversial military drones as well as a searing and unforgettable story of heroism, WWII, and the Kennedy dynasty that might have been.On August 12, 1944, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kenned... read more
Fought during 1916, the Battle of the Somme was conceived by the French and British as a great offensive to be waged against Germany even as France poured incredible numbers of men into the slaughterhouse that was the desperate defense of Verdun. The French ge... read more
George S. Patton embodied contradiction: a cavalryman steeped in romantic military tradition, he nevertheless pulled a reluctant American military into the most advanced realms of highly mobile armored warfare. An autocratic snob, Patton created unparalleled r... read more
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