A Boy and His Comet: Dancing Through the Rain

In A Boy and His Comet: Dancing Through the Rain, we meet a young man facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Dismissed and discouraged by his high school counselor, he’s told that college is a far-fetched dream. His senior year becomes a survival challenge, living alone in the woods without basic amenities, grappling with the shame of his situation and the painful legacy of parental abuse he’s forced to keep hidden.

At 17, free from the constraints of his tumultuous home life, he is confronted with temptations — drugs, alcohol, and sex — testing his resolve to maintain his personal values. This book is a poignant tale of an American boy who, against all odds, breaks free from a cycle of dysfunction to chart his own course to extraordinary success, ultimately becoming a self-made millionaire.

A Boy and His Comet is an emotional journey that will take you through the full spectrum of feelings. You’ll share in his laughter and tears, marvel at his resilience, and cheer as he navigates the trials of his youth, self-finances his college education, finds love with a kindred spirit, and together, they build their own version of the American Dream. This story is more than a read; it’s an experience of hope, perseverance, and the unyielding power of the human spirit.

A Day of Infamy Revisited

Tragic events can often be the catalyst and inspiration for the creation of meaningful works of art. In this case, it was the September 11th catastrophe of 2001 which provided the stimulus that would ultimately lead me down a totally unforeseen path, revealing an attitude never previously observed. Other than a proclivity for drawing geometric shapes, no artistic tendencies had even been evident.

The one constant theme in my work is the recurring use of nines and elevens to generate images. Other symbols and characters are also employed; sometimes intentional, sometimes not.

People who have explored my world have seen different things. Take the journey and see what you can uncover. Remember, in the future, be open to the possibility that sometimes unexpected abilities can appear anytime in one’s life. Be ready to embrace the opportunity these possibilities present and take them down your own personal road of discovery.

A Girl's Memoir

If you are looking to learn more about perspective then this is the book for you. It shows the point of view of life through a young girl. A lot of people do not like to hear the truth so she decides to tell it anyway. You may begin to question yourself the further you get into the story. Some things may even sound familiar or seem relatable. Being both sympathetic and an empath is a gift and a curse and you will learn more about that. The truth did not set her free but it did give her a reason to write. The purpose of this story is to help others understand the perspective and how different it is for each and every individual.

A Guide to Writing a Capstone Public Policy Report

In my 10 plus years of teaching, I have found that students struggle with two major challenges in writing a quality capstone paper. First, they have difficulty creating a rigorous analytical framework. Too often, the papers tend to be more descriptive in nature, which means that the final policy recommendation may be flawed. This book attempts to fill that gap by discussing in detail the various components of the framework as well as their interdependence. Second, most public policy books are theoretical or conceptual, but it is difficult for students to make the transition from understanding the concepts to performing the actual quantification of the metrics so necessary to do the analysis. This book provides detailed instructions on how to do the quantification.

A Man's World

A Man’s World tells the tragic story of the Martins, a family destroyed by domestic abuse and its shattering consequences. This vivid portrayal of domestic turmoil illustrates how dysfunction can rob even the most innocent of fulfilling lives, asking where the bystanders were who could have made a difference.

It opens as teenagers Janet and Craig find young love before Craig shows his dark side at the senior prom. Their toxic relationship spirals into a marriage as cruel and domineering as Janet’s own parents. The story bears witness to the terror in which Janet, Craig, and their three children live under Craig’s dictatorship. They could have been a family who played ballgames and went on picnics; instead, they endured Craig’s insatiable thirst for control until it ultimately killed him.

Emerging from the wreckage is a very different Katie than the carefree little girl she once was. Tormented by her father and neglected by her mother, Craig’s behavior molded Katie into a resentful woman obsessed with revenge against domineering men. To prevent others from suffering her mother’s fate, Katie will go to any length necessary… even kill.

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

A Way to Wisdom

In our age of endless quest for timeless truths about life amidst numerous fronts of worldly endeavors and crises, this publication is timely. This is an inspiring and educative treatise by its own right for the rapidly increasing global adults, men and women of all walks of life with inquiring minds seeking for an attractive read which relates to the essence of our lives on earth. The book exposes the knowledge gaps to build on for self-fulfillment before the sunset of one’s life. The author, Cletus N. Chukwu, is a professional philosopher, mystic, theologian, and prolific writer. He has earlier published three philosophical books and several articles. From the author’s exalted encyclopedic mind, he masterfully takes all categories of readers and audiences on board in this book in an intelligible way into the multifaceted nature of what we are, the dynamics and nature of our cosmos and spirituality. He elucidates the nature and approaches to spiritual enlightenment and its purpose. Being mindful of the issues about God’s existence in our times he writes in a manner that transforms one’s curiosity into inspiration, motivation and hope for human beings.

The book presents a unified approach encompassing and synthesizing science, philosophy, arts, mysticism, and inspired religions of Western and Eastern traditions geared towards expansion of our consciousness or awareness of universal reality. The author points the way for all God seekers and people of goodwill to that exalted state of mystical consciousness, which breeds virtuousness, wisdom, humanism, and environmental stewardship to enhance the pedestal of global civilization. He brings meaning into human life and stirs courage and aspiration to know thyself and its potential benefits to individual and global wellbeing as we strive to live in harmony with God or Universal Divine Logos. The author shows how our thoughts and inner desire vibrate to shape our future in accordance with Divine Will and universal cosmic laws. The book is replete with intrigues of life that are fascinating, yet they are at hand not afar.

A Year of Engineering Fun for Beginning Classroom STEM

A Year of Engineering Fun For Beginning Classroom STEM is the ultimate resource for teachers seeking to engage their students in exciting and educational STEM challenges throughout the year. With seven thrilling categories, including towers, cars, boats, and solar cookers, this book caters to students from second to sixth grade, providing them with hands-on activities that foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Each category offers variations in materials, encouraging students to engage in repeated iterations – the essence of the engineering design process. As they tackle these challenges, students will not only deepen their understanding of science and math concepts but also develop crucial skills in collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking, known as the four Cs. The book includes handouts for each lesson, helping students organize their ideas and better understand the design process.

Whether you are a seasoned STEM educator or just starting out, this comprehensive resource is perfect for you. Packed with easy-to-use, hands-on activities that are both educational and fun, A Year of Engineering Fun For Beginning Classroom STEM will help teachers and students alike gain confidence with each challenge.

Actualitas: Philosophy-Art for the 21st Century

Philosophy offers more than a momentary diversion; it provides valuable insights for gaining personal control and making important decisions. Imagine a lone leaf drifting in an autumn breeze, coasting on an updraft before floating to the ground, eventually broken down by the elements and recirculated into the soil. Embracing personal responsibility without scapegoats exemplifies the essence of carpe diem – seize the day.

Throughout history, philosophy has grappled with the concept of fear, though modern times have seen this domain largely conceded to pseudosciences, often offering solutions through natural and synthetic drugs.

Aristotle had much to say about fear: ‘…the things we fear are fearful and such things are, broadly speaking, evils: e.g. disgrace, poverty, sickness, friendlessness, death… Probably one ought not to fear poverty or disease, nor in general anything that is not… one’s own fault…’

Addiction: From the Other Side

Have you ever felt like you are all alone and like no one understands what you are going through? I have felt this way for my entire adult life because I have been dealing with a loved one being addicted to opiates. Out of nowhere, the love of my life, the man I had been with for 12 years died multiple times in front of my eyes. I had no understanding of why. I thought, “why me?” I have repeatedly asked myself, “If I had known the signs, would it have changed the outcome?”

Life is short, and trying to understand and be open to the idea that this epidemic is still around us may just save somebody’s life and help others. It is time to speak out and not be silent anymore. This does not have to be the end. It just has to be the end of the problem, and the beginning of the solution. I want to help people who are also battling opiate addiction in a loved one, and to let them know that they are not alone. There are many ways to get through it.

African Financial Ecosystem

Historically and contextually, various integration models were experimented with by colonial powers, but these systems largely collapsed post-independence. For instance, the French attempted to maintain cohesion but prioritized their own interests, leading to fragmentation.

Efforts in East and West Africa similarly faltered, as each nation pursued its own agenda without a unified political will. South Africa made a notable attempt, but integration never materialized; it would have required a different approach, such as the adoption of a SADC currency.

The recent endeavors of AES countries and Zimbabwe’s new currency inject fresh dynamics into this ecosystem. Concurrently, the rise of new technologies presents both challenges and opportunities for financial integration.

Public organizations and pan-African institutions play crucial roles in navigating this journey, where the political dimension holds significant sway. Additionally, international dynamics, exemplified by initiatives like those of the BRICs, further influence the landscape.

Taken together, these elements paint an intriguing picture, fostering discussions on the African ecosystem and brainstorming plausible solutions. The ultimate aim is to achieve, within a reasonable timeframe, a monetary union and a common African currency.

Afrikan Ancestral Manuscript

The Afrikan Ancestral Manuscript revitalises the honour and amplifies the influence of our great global Afrikan ancestors in our lives. It ensures their legacies are not forgotten, urging us to ‘Know Ourselves’ and to honour our ancestors as we do our elders in Afrikan culture.

It’s vital to remember that our ancestors are the elders of our elders, and that the Creator/Creatress is the ancestor of all ancestors. Spanning from January to December, this book allows us to explore, in chronological order, ancestors born on specific days or months, helping us to recall and uplift their missions throughout the year. We are our ancestors, and this tool aids in remembering the path forward. Additionally, it can be used as a divining method to seek guidance from an enlightened ancestor on a specific day.

This manuscript makes it clear that we must narrate our ancestors’ experiences in the first person, tapping into their wisdom to enlighten our daily practices.