Johnny Yesno

There are certain people in life who cannot be denied success, regardless of the conditions of their birth or the circumstances of their upbringing. They just seem to rise to the top of whatever they are doing, somehow defying the odds and using their innate skills as a pathway to success. They also have the ability to utilize the fortuitous circumstances that they find themselves in to their advantage. All in all, such people just seem destined to rise to the top.

This book is about one of these people named Johnny Yesno. While the name Johnny Yesno may not be identifiable among movie buffs, his life is nonetheless worthy of wider recognition. Johnny Yesno went on to star in several movies, most notably the Walt Disney classic King of the Grizzlies; hosted a popular radio program on CBC Radio entitled Our Native Land; and, among other distinctions, was awarded the Order of Canada in 1976.

Taiki Bansei

What an incredible journey! But just how much more can it possibly entail?

I hope my autobiography will captivate you, offering both entertainment and insight. So, join me on this remarkable voyage – one that has been fun, peculiar, overwhelming at times, but always deeply educational. Life has taught me plenty, and along the way, I’ve encountered unforgettable characters – some amusing, some obscure, but all leaving their mark. Their names have been changed to protect both the innocent and those who will never be innocent.

To be brief: I was born in England, raised in northern Italy and Sicily, then found myself in the Bronx. My journey took me across vast oceans, through the war in Vietnam, into the depths of drug addiction, and finally, toward a steady path of rehabilitation. And there is still so much more to tell.

So, ride with me. And don’t let the Japanese title baffle you – believe me, it will all make sense in the end.

Brancusi Biography

Constantin Brancusi, the renowned sculptor from Romania, found a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Among his admirers were prominent collectors such as John Quinn, the Arenbergs, the Meyers, the Speisers, Katherine Dreier, Mary Harriman Rumsey, Peggy Guggenheim, and others. These individuals not only collected his works but also developed personal relationships with the artist, drawn to his unique approach to art and life.

Brancusi’s interactions with American collectors were marked by mutual respect and admiration. His presentation of his sculptures, his adept negotiation skills, and his unwavering dedication to his craft earned him a reputation as a master artist among his American patrons. His innate tradesman’s spirit, shaped by his upbringing in the Oltenia region of Romania, added an authentic and grounded quality to his work that resonated deeply with his American audience.

What truly captivated Americans was Brancusi’s pragmatic philosophy, which was firmly rooted in his ancestral faith, traditions, customs, education, life experiences, and extensive readings. His aphorisms, reflecting his profound insights into art and existence, were widely circulated in publications and exhibition catalogues, further solidifying his status as a visionary artist and thinker.

Despite his humble origins, Brancusi developed a deep affection for America and its culture, and this sentiment was reciprocated by his American admirers. Throughout his lifetime, he held a special place in the American art scene, with eight personal exhibitions organized in his honor. The first seven took place in the United States, where his sculptures captivated audiences and critics alike. The eighth exhibition, held in Romania shortly before his death, marked a poignant homecoming for the artist and served as his first major showcase in Europe.

Brancusi’s enduring legacy in America is a testament to the lasting impact of his work and his personal connections with American collectors. His ability to bridge cultural divides through art and his profound understanding of the human experience continue to inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts around the world.

Film Festival Junkie

As an astute reporter of the film festival scene, Laszlo Kriston sheds light on the making and unmaking of Harvey Weinstein (he first heard rumors about him back in 2004); charts the rise of the festival goodie bags and the Oscar gift bags; looks back at the day during the Toronto Film Festival when the attack on the Twin Towers unfolded; chronicles the biggest scandals of Cannes when films were roundly booed; narrates the closure of the Cannes Film Festival during the 1968 student riots; looks back on the Mubarak years that served as a backdrop to the Cairo Film Festival; chronicles the biggest biddings wars—for distribution rights—that studios engaged in; examines the closing day blues (a common festival malady); muses about a pee stain on Nick Nolte’s pajamas (his garment for the interview); and reveals how Bill Murray traumatized a young Scarlett Johansson on the set of Lost in Translation.

Film festivals are vanity fairs and highly competitive, ego-driven showbiz events, and Laszlo Kriston chronicles them with a healthy dose of humor – it’s an often hilarious, tongue-in-cheek book.

Raised by Children

Raised by Children is a story about the impact of childhood trauma and PTSD, and a young woman’s resilience as she finds her voice and carves her own path.

Stepping beyond the suffocating backyard of her factory town in Kentucky, she discovers just how vast the world can be.

When There Are Two Patients in One Body

In When There Are Two Patients in One Body, an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse shares a collection of birth stories, some joyful and others harrowing, that reveal profound life lessons from one of the most intense human experiences. While babies arrive either by vaginal delivery or caesarean section, each birth unfolds uniquely, whether as a momentous and thrilling event or an unexpected and life altering ordeal.

This book follows the author’s career, presenting a chronological journey through a diverse array of births, from routine and uneventful to tragic, each story interwoven with her personal reflections. Readers are drawn into the delivery room to witness the intimate details and drama of the birthing process, revealing the complexities of patients’ lives and circumstances.

As these stories unfold, readers gain insight into how factors such as healthcare access, race, culture, socioeconomic status, and education profoundly shape each birth experience. Beyond the joys and challenges, the author reveals that being a Labor and Delivery nurse is far more than just ‘a great job where you get to cuddle babies.’ It is a vocation that demands resilience, empathy, and an unflinching dedication to supporting patients through life’s pivotal moments.

Endorsement:

“Twenty-six years ago I was a brand-new intern on labor and delivery. The nurses rightfully didn’t trust us newbies.

Over the next four years, I became an OB/GYN under the direction of the attending doctors and hands-on nurses. In our first two years as fledgling doctors, we quickly learned that the nurses knew more than we did, and could make or break our experience. As we became part of the team, we all supported one another through the best days and the worst, for our patients and for us. I still hear some of their voices and advice.

Steph’s is one of them. Her stories are written just as they would sound over a beer or cup of coffee.”

– Jeanette Thomas, MD. Author of the blog Healing Is Hard. (www.healingishard.net)