{"title":"Echo Point Books \u0026 Media","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781648371554","title":"Stephen Girard","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Inspiring and Insightful Life of an American Legend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike a mirror of the young America he thrived in, Stephan Girard (1750-1831) displayed inexhaustible initiative, courage, tenacity, foresight, and compassion. Reflecting his creed of valuing deeds over words, he was in many ways the American Dream personified. George Wilson, a former columnist and editorial writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, presents the inspiring true story of Girard's epic journey from ship captain to mercantilist to philanthropist-a genuine rags-to-riches tale in which Girard became one of the wealthiest Americans of all time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn to a French sea captain, the self-educated Girard went to sea as a cabin boy on a merchant vessel when he was just 14. He later spent several years trading in the West Indies as a ship captain. In 1776, a British naval blockade drove him to dock in Philadelphia. Destitute and in debt, Girard settled there and opened a small store. It was here that his financial acumen and novel business methods shined, and his wealth grew. He sold supplies during the Revolutionary War and founded his own mercantile fleet after the war. By 1807 he'd become America's first millionaire. Girard earned praise and respect for selflessly remaining in Philadelphia to help nurse victims of several yellow fever epidemics, even as most other prominent figures fled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite his extraordinary achievements, Girard faced significant challenges and hardships: born with a deformity that left him blind in one eye he persevered without the aid of family support, and he had the financial and emotional burden of caring for his mentally ill wife. Yet, in the face of these difficulties, he prospered and helped others. Following his death in 1831 most of Girard's vast fortune was left to philanthropic causes, including support for Girard College (initially a school for poor orphan boys) to provide educational opportunity for those in greatest need. Today Stephen Girard is remembered for his generous legacy of humanitarian public service and charity as much as his extraordinary financial success; a shining example of a truly great American. Wilson's \u003cem\u003eStephen Girard\u003c\/em\u003e is the definitive biography of Girard's compelling life story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is also available from Echo Point Books as a paperback (ISBN 1648371566).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56303145288053,"sku":"9781648371554","price":25.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781648371554_679483a2-4196-43b4-a8c6-3bd833e77738.jpg?v=1786024946"},{"product_id":"9781635617870","title":"Mobile Mansions","description":"\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback \/ softback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304449978741,"sku":"9781635617870","price":23.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781635617870_a186218a-3379-4c2a-a1b4-18e13d2888d7.jpg?v=1786023263"},{"product_id":"9781635618471","title":"Calling of an Angel","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor over 50 years, a Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse treated thousands of cancer patients with her own secret herbal tea named Essiac - Caisse spelled backwards. She originally obtained the natural formula from native Ojibway Indians and brewed the remedy herself in her kitchen. Caisse was a devoted healer and tireless champion of using her nontoxic treatment for cancer as an alternative to destructive radiation and chemotherapy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCaisse fought for decades to have Essiac recognized and accepted by the broader medical community, but - constantly challenged by large powerful pharmaceutical companies with political influence - the treatment continued to remain controversial and illegal. Believing that promoting and using her cure to be her true calling, she continued to treat patients for free despite threats of imprisonment. Her patients, many of whom believe that Essiac helped drive their cancer into remission or cured them entirely, spoke passionately about her and came to think of her as an angel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eCalling of an Angel\u003c\/em\u003e, Dr. Gary L. Glum tells Caisse's inspiring story and presents the argument for allowing this long-suppressed treatment as an option for patients and families currently battling cancer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304450634101,"sku":"9781635618471","price":17.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781635618471_282f8bc2-429f-458c-ae24-a28cc947ee03.jpg?v=1786023264"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/publisher-echo-point-books-media.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}