(30) From Woodward and Bernstein to Donald Trump: A Career

This book is a recounting of a profession that is on the downhill side of history. It's far too fashionable today for front offices to tell us that all we need is a better use of white space, color graphics, more features, and online bells and whistles to slow the decline. They seem impervious to the fact that there is nothing online that wasn't first gathered and compiled by a journalist. But the individuals preaching these tactics are not newspaper people. Newspapers today are run by ad and circulation department execs, "Bean Counters," whose first and only allegiance is to the bottom line and certainly not to the primary product of a newspaper, which is THE NEWS. The bean counter approach is, and always has been, to turn the newspaper business into just that--A BUSINESS--which according to the Constitution it was never meant to be. Bean counters' priority, as is their wont, is always the bottom line. And their adherence to that principle has surely adversely compromised the newsroom, causing staff to be cut to the bone and leaving journalists little more time than rewriting "news releases." The bean counters further compromise the product by stunting any attempt at newsgathering with a very real conflict of interest that comes from the advertising department personnel far too close and protective of those who are the subject of much of that news and who also contribute to that all-powerful bottom line.

A Sword Over the Nile: A Brief History of the Copts Under Islamic Rule

“With Egypt’s Copts targeted as part of a bloody and systematic campaign of genocide against the ancient churches of the Middle East, Adel Guindy has produced a timely and authoritative account of their story. It deserves to be widely read.”

• — Professor Lord Alton, Professor of Citizenship at Liverpool John Moores University

Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification

Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification offers an in-depth exploration of Aristotle’s central metaphysical concepts. This scholarly work meticulously reconstructs Aristotle’s theories, presenting them through the rigorous lens of analytic geometry and metaphysics. Fortin successfully bridges ancient philosophical thought with modern scientific inquiry, making complex ideas accessible and relevant for contemporary scholars.

In this treatise, Fortin delves into the intricate relationship between form and matter, which lies at the heart of Aristotelian ontology. He thoroughly examines Aristotle’s notions of substance, expanse, and quantity, elucidating how these foundational principles underpin existence and change. The text traverses various dimensions of being, from the indivisible unity of numbers to the tangible perceptions of visual and auditory experiences, offering a comprehensive understanding of Aristotle’s enduring impact on both ancient and modern science and philosophy.

Fortin’s focus on the dynamic nature of human intellect underscores the timeless relevance of Aristotelian thought. Aristotle: Form and Matter Edification is an essential read for serious students of philosophy and science, providing a rigorous and thoughtful analysis of Aristotle’s work. This volume not only pays homage to Aristotle’s intellectual legacy but also invites readers to engage with the perennial questions of existence, substance, and the nature of reality.

Aristotle: Physical Force of Time

This book presents an inquiry into the physical dimensions of time as well as its effects on human interiority. It proposes a philosophical model which makes use of Aristotle’s own philosophy of time. This compelling work traverses a rich tapestry of concepts including the power of Being, the acts of individual subjective drives, distinctions between mobility and rest, the general structure of the forms, change, the existential determination, final causes, and the destiny of time.

By meticulously reconstructing the treatise on time, this analytical work opens its doors to citizens of all ages who yearn to acquaint themselves with ancient wisdom. Unbound by boundaries, its accessible nature welcomes a diverse range of readers. On one hand, it provides a methodical approach for those seeking to cultivate their capacity for critical thinking, directly aligned with the principles of this physical inquiry. On the other hand, for those stepping into or returning to the era of Aristotle, it serves as an inventory of perennially relevant categories. Moreover, it offers profound insights for those intrigued by the origins of our geometry and the genesis of the universal ‘geo physic,’ as illuminated through the prism of Aristotelian intellectual thought.

Bihar Days

Prior to 1947, the Maithil Brahmans dominated North Bihar culturally, politically, and economically. Darbhanga Raj, the richest zamindari estate in British India, was owned by a family of the elite sub-group of Brahmans, the Srotriyas. The high prestige of this elite was based on a lifestyle prescribed by ancient law codes involving simplicity of life, daily Vedic rites, and intermarriage within a small network of lineages 24 generations deep. It was a highly conservative, inward-looking, isolationist community.

In 1980, anthropologist Carolyn Brown Heinz was privileged to see inside this elite community with a one-year grant from the Indo-US Subcommission and return trips over the next two decades. Independence had brought elimination of royal titles and dismantling of the vast Darbhanga Raj estate. The last king had died. These changes upended the old order, and she was able to observe the fall-out at close range. Told in first person, this is a highly personal account, told with grace and compassion.

An unexpected development during the same period was the emergence of a women’s art form known as Mithila or Madhubani Art, which Heinz was also able to observe at first hand and describe in this work.

Child Protection in America

Child abuse and neglect are tragically common. Each year, more than 1,000 American children die due to maltreatment. Thousands more suffer physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Across the country, every community has a system of government-operated and funded child protective services (CPS). But given that social workers of CPS have the authority to remove children from unsafe parents, it is no surprise that CPS is controversial. Does CPS protect children? Does CPS do more good than harm? Is CPS fundamentally racist, as some critics argue? Should CPS be abolished? To answer these questions, it is essential to understand the origins of child protection in America. How did we arrive at the child protection system in place today? This book traces the history of child protection from colonial times to the present and provides the most in-depth analysis ever published of the origins of child protection.

Empowered Ladies

Empowerment doesn’t always follow a fairy-tale script. Neither its beginnings nor its journeys are always paved with acceptance. Women who dared to don trousers lived with the tremor of discovery, particularly those who veiled themselves as men to enlist in early wars, when only men were permitted to serve. Their fear was not just the battle cries, but the disgrace of being unmasked and sent home.

The world paused in disbelief when, upon the death of jazz musician Billy Tipton, it was revealed that he was a she. Similarly, when Dr. James Barry, who ascended to the zenith of medical ranks in the British Army, was uncovered as a woman posthumously, the army swathed the truth in secrecy.

Not all were ‘ladies’ in the conventional sense, but they were undeniably women - women who defied the societal mold. They sometimes cloaked themselves in trousers or other male disguises, challenging the expectations of their eras.

Their ranks encompassed saints and sinners, queens, countesses, and commoners. While names like Joan of Arc and Calamity Jane might ring familiar, their tales, along with those of others, are captivating in Empowered Ladies. This book unearths the narratives of these audacious women, weaving a tapestry of resilience and defiance that continues to inspire the quest for empowerment.

Gen. Park Chung-Hee and South Korea's Han River Miracle

Gen. Park Chung-Hee was born to a poor family in rural Korea when Japan ruled the nation as a colony. After teaching at a rural elementary school for three years, he studied at three different military academies to become an army officer in the liberated Korea. Although he encountered a career-threatening crisis right before the outbreak of the Korean War, he returned to the service and served many key staff positions during the war and important command positions after the war with devoted professionalism. When the nation drifted rudderless in the 1960s, he led the military revolution as the last resort. Hence forth he headed the government that was steadfastly focused on rebuilding the nation. His administration laid the extensive, future-oriented foundation for the nation’s industrial development and advanced defense capability. Gen. Park lived his life aligned with, to the letter, his personal motto: ‘My Whole Life to Fatherland.’

Getting It Wrong

In Getting It Wrong, Edwin Dean embarks on a compelling exploration into the fading realms of an elite class and its tightly held worldview, juxtaposing it against his own grounded perspective of the world we inhabit. This thought-provoking journey forms the crux of the narrative, unearthing the nuanced layers of understanding that often elude the grasp of conventional thought.

Dean’s incisive dissection shines a light on the perilous journey historians embark on in their earnest quest to unravel the intricacies of human narrative. With a candid acknowledgment of the elusive nature of clear answers, Dean lauds the humble scholars who embrace the ambiguity inherent in the pages of history, urging the fraternity to delve into the less apparent yet profound dimensions to better comprehend our existence.

While not a historian, Dean’s unquenchable thirst for books has led him through a myriad of intellectual realms, enriched by the inspiring mentors who fueled his enduring quest for knowledge. His insightful critique extends to the polar ends of political ideology, advocating for a more collaborative discourse and a keen ear for the diverse voices that echo through the corridors of debate.

At the heart of Getting It Wrong lies a fervent call for a reinvigorated approach to education, recognizing it as the linchpin in our collective journey towards enlightenment. Dean’s narrative invites a discourse enriched by diverse perspectives, welcoming the echoes of disagreement, provided they resonate through calm and constructive channels. Through the lens of candid reflection and earnest discourse, Getting It Wrong challenges us to re-examine the frameworks through which we perceive our shared history and our place within it.

Roma in Canada (1997-2020)

If you’ve ever been curious about the mystique of the Roma, pejoratively called Gypsies, this book is an excellent guide to their culture and customs as well as explaining the difference between the various Romani groups, their fascinating origins and their precarious place in society.

Focusing on the Roma’s experiences with the Canadian immigration and refugee process, the author, an immigration counsellor, tells a riveting story, using many of their personal anecdotes of why they came and how they were treated. Despite being one of the most welcoming countries for refugees in the world, this book explores a somewhat secretive system of determining who deserves Canada’s protection that puts into question the system’s reputation for equality. Canada’s fairness and compassion has let the Roma down, leading to many failed claims and deportations that were later found to be unjustified and in some cases, illegal. Facing a life of brutal prejudice and even violence, if returned to Europe, the Roma’s heartbreaking story is a glimpse into the complex world of refugees.

Stolen Inheritance

Stolen Inheritance has a universal appeal, but should prove to be of particular interest to those who are looking to connect or re-connect with the peoples of Africa and Eurasia. Peoples of these two largest and one of the most populous continents have traded, fought, and inter-bred since the first recording of human existence. Older readers may find some of the evidence provided difficult to accept, as it challenges some of their own taken-for-granted understanding of racial thinking, whilst young readers may be encouraged to explore the value of human diversity. But, whoever you are, it is hoped that you will enjoy reading this book, as you travel from Ancient Khemet (Egypt), through western and northern Eurasia, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the lands of the Americas.

The 2,003-Yard Odyssey

“It was a season where the impossible became possible. It was a season where the hard to believe became believable.”

--Marv Levy, Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach.

The 1973 Buffalo Bills made pro football history. They had an offense that broke several important rushing records during that memorable year. And they had a superstar running back by the name of O.J. Simpson, who broke a glass ceiling of sorts by becoming the first man -- and indeed the only man -- to ever rush for more than 2,000 yards in one 14-game regular season. That glory-filled accomplishment provided the celebrated culmination to this epic tale of a week-by-week journey from an initial goal to its triumphant ending.

In The 2,003-Yard Odyssey: The Juice, The Electric Company, and an Epic Run for a Record, several members of that Buffalo Bills team recall their memories of that year. They discuss how that 1973 season began with a bunch of question marks, then how a boast by one of their offensive linemen led to a challenge for the whole squad to address. A major focus in this book are the feats of the incomparable O.J. Simpson, who earned pro football fame and glory with his record-breaking 1973 performance. This story recounts how Simpson set a mark that was thought of by most people to be impossible to achieve. It was an odyssey unlike any other in NFL annals, and it is explored in concentrated depth and detail within these pages.

Joe Zagorski is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Pro Football Researchers Association. He has written several previous books about various teams and players of the NFL. He is also a contributing writer to the website Pro Football Journal and the administrator of the Facebook page, The NFL in the 1970s. He resides in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Marv Levy, who wrote the foreword for this book, is a coaching legend in both the United States and in Canada. He led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993. He is also an honored member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.