Lokpanta

Lokpanta is compilation of short stories inspired by true events all set in the unique little town of Lokpanta located in the middle of three Southeastern states of Nigeria. Readers will be left with the nostalgic feeling of childhood memories, and the intrigues of village life. The stories are told in a way that makes it relatable to the reader. Be prepared to binge on the book till the very last page.

Season of Need

Some stories spring from pure imagination, mere reflections of an author’s perception of reality. Others, like this one, are forged in the mud and misery of actual conflict. In the decaying jungles and fetid rice paddies of South Vietnam, a diverse band of soldiers and civilians endures a harrowing year of combat that will continue to haunt them for more than three decades. Their season of need reveals not only the horror of war, but also the possibility of finding solace and purpose in the most unlikely of places.

In 1970, Captain Book arrives in Ba Xuyen Province of the Mekong Delta, supremely confident in his mission to help bring the Vietnam War to a swift conclusion. There, he meets his Vietnamese counterpart, Captain Nguyen Van Tranh, and a bond forms between them as they work side by side to restore public confidence in the South Vietnamese government. Surrounded by a unique cast of allies, they confront violence, heartbreak, and moments of profound humanity that lay bare the fragile fabric of human relationships. In the crucible of combat, their friendship becomes a testament to selflessness and sacrifice. Even in the darkest moments, solidarity and hope can rise from the ashes of war.

Journey to Freedom

Journey to Freedom is the compelling true story of a family’s quest for prosperity across three continents. First, as refugees from Indonesia, an island chain in Southeast Asia, to Holland, a tiny country on the continent of Europe, and finally as immigrants to the United States, a world power country in North America. These exceptional people, made strong by the horrors they survived during Indonesia’s War for Independence, passionate by their optimism and fearlessness to create new beginnings, were the backbone of my Dutch-Indonesian family and the significant influence of my childhood and identity as an adult.

Journey to Freedom is a tribute to my mother and grandmother whose sacrifices and bravery gave my sister and me resilience, determination, and the best of everything in life.

Although the dates may sometimes not be historically accurate, the experiences are true, and consequently, the deep emotion with which I composed these chapters was genuine and gut-wrenchingly heartfelt.

Perspective

Perspective: Wouldn’t you rather live in more than three dimensions?

There has to be more, right? A way to do it all, have it all, be it all – and, most importantly, to smile at the true beauty of life as you discover your unique place within it.

The key lies in understanding perspective: its definition, application, and significance in every situation you encounter. Life is a delicate balance, and finding that balance in how we interpret, establish, and maintain perspective can transform everything. A shift in perspective might just be the key to unlocking a better, more fulfilling life. No downside to that, is there?

Join me as we explore the pervasive role of perspective in the pursuit of the good life.

Cook'n With Nana 2

Cookin’ With Nana 2 is more than just a cookbook – it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and the simple joy of gathering around the table. Passed down through generations of country living, these recipes capture the essence of fresh, wholesome ingredients – straight from the garden, farm, or local market.

From the rich flavors of garden-fresh vegetables and home-raised meats to the comforting aroma of time-honored herbs, this collection brings the heart of country cooking to your kitchen. Crafted over decades by three generations of farm homemakers, each dish is a loving tribute to the warmth and care that make family meals unforgettable.

Whether you’re reaching into your backyard garden or selecting the finest produce from the store, these recipes promise to fill your home with the tastes and traditions of a simpler time – fresh, healthy, and made with love.

Welcome to the table. Welcome to Cookin’ With Nana 2.

Eyes Shut, Mouth Closed

This is the true story of my two-year journey to escape Vietnam, seven years after the end of the Vietnam War. At just nine years old, I was a naive village boy, knowing little beyond the only home I had ever known. Along with 27 others—including my father and older sister—I set sail on a small, overcrowded fishing boat, embarking on a perilous voyage that would ultimately lead me to America. The journey was marked by immense hardship, uncertainty, and sacrifice.

Our family was torn apart. My mother and two younger siblings remained in Vietnam, separated from us for 15 long years before we were finally reunited. The pain of that separation shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. Though I did not endure it alone, I learned to transform hardship into resilience, using each challenge as a stepping stone toward a better future. Along the way, strangers—some of whom I will never forget—offered help in ways I could never have expected.

My father’s courageous decision to flee with my sister and me was driven by hope—a belief in the promise of greater opportunities and a brighter future. But even after reaching America, our struggles were far from over. We battled language barriers, cultural isolation, and economic hardship, fighting to rebuild our lives from nothing. And after years of longing, we finally pieced our family back together.

I invite you to join me on this journey—a story of perseverance, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit. Through these pages, I seek to honor the voices of the countless Vietnamese "boat people" who perished at sea, never reaching their destination.

In sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to keep moving forward, to grow stronger with each challenge, and to uplift those who can no longer speak for themselves. No matter the obstacles, we must press on, turning pain into purpose and hardship into hope.

Nature, History, and the Fish Paradise of Anatolia – Türkiye

12,000 years ago, people living in the southeastern region of Türkiye developed a building system that was the first of its kind in the world. Today, scientists have made great efforts to make sense of this structure and the reliefs drawn on the stones that make up the structure. This is the Göbeklitepe archaeological site located within the borders of Şanlıurfa. The history known in the world is being rewritten with Göbeklitepe. Would you like to witness this historical event? This book offers you this suggestion.

I have compiled information about what happened in the mysterious geography where history began. I wanted to share my own feelings and thoughts. I wanted the readers to witness a moment in the common march of humanity by touching their hearts and souls.

Türkiye’s southeastern geographical region corresponds to the northern region of Mesopotamia, known in history. The Euphrates and Tigris rivers that make up the geography of Mesopotamia are rivers of Anatolian origin, and in this book, I have tried to tell you about the Euphrates River and the fish that inhabit it, as well as the historical and cultural assets created by the Euphrates.

To put it in the language of philosophy, which flourishes and develops in Anatolia, my primary goal is to invite people to friendship and brotherhood. And I say come, see, and feel what you are experiencing.

Would you like to fish for the god fish Enki from Sumerian mythology and the sacred Shabut fish from Hebrew mythology? Then I would like to invite you to my country.

Rethinking Race

Rethinking Race: A Memoir was written as an act of compassionate antiracism. The book invites people to better understand their role in fighting racism by calling them into the struggle rather than calling them out. It is the true story of everyday challenges and triumphs that an African-American mother and her husband, who is identified by most as white but is a citizen of an Indigenous tribal nation, encounter as they try to help their son develop a positive multiethnic identity. Rethinking Race illustrates how one person’s thinking evolved from taking race for granted, as an immutable part of our identity, to seeing it as a very impactful illusion. It is a story of how we can move beyond the false dichotomies of black and white, shaming and blaming to better articulate our rich individual uniqueness while acknowledging our common humanity. The book raises the possibility of becoming aracial, not through colorblindness, but rather by examining racism more closely and coming to understand how each of us creates race every day.

Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage

What happens when yesterday’s winning formula becomes today’s liability?

In this bold and thought-provoking book, Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage, the triumphs of Western democracies are reexamined as the seeds of their current struggles. Once hailed as the pinnacle of governance, freedom, and prosperity, the West now faces mounting challenges: unsustainable welfare states, deindustrialization, entrenched interest groups, and a paralyzing inability to adapt to shifting global dynamics.

Meanwhile, China has risen as a global powerhouse by learning from—and improving upon—the West’s model. By blending state-led planning with market innovation, China has avoided the pitfalls of short-termism and systemic inertia. Its unparalleled adaptability and strategic foresight have propelled it to the forefront of technology, infrastructure, and economic development.

But this isn’t just a story about decline or rivalry. It’s a call to action. The book argues that for Western democracies to remain relevant, they must rediscover the innovative spirit and pragmatism that once defined their success. It also challenges long-held assumptions about U.S.–China relations, proposing a future of collaboration over confrontation in addressing global challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic inequality.

Compelling, provocative, and deeply insightful, Western Democracy: The First Mover Disadvantage will change how you think about the past, present, and future of global power. Will the West cling to its outdated playbook or dare to weave a new path forward? The answer may shape the 21st century.

The Mind Boggling Discovery of a Difference

In this little book, I hope to shed a little light on the shadowy subject of, having a relationship with someone with Asperger’s Syndrome. I won’t advise anyone, warn anyone, or provide any contingency plans. My life with Rosa was fascinating. She dragged me kicking and screaming out of my past and into my present. I had issues before meeting her and she allowed me to work some of them out.

Discovering Rosa was also a magical journey of self-discovery. It has been a privilege to know her and if I found the relationship difficult, it was because of us both. We both loved and we both wanted. And we both benefitted and suffered. I believe that any relationship with a lover, is a case of, ‘it takes two to tango.’ We grow and learn if we are wise. As a couple, we have run our race. Now we are friends and Bem’s mums. I am still me and Rosa is still she, but after five years of separation, she is still by my side and I am still learning to be with her.

The Ultimate Home Office Design Guide

In The Ultimate Home Office Design Guide, discover the secrets to transforming your home office into a dynamic and efficient workspace that unleashes your full potential.

With the unprecedented rise of remote work, the home office has become more than just a luxury—it’s a necessity, even considered a new lifestyle. However, without the right environment, distractions and inefficiencies can hinder your productivity and creativity. That’s where this indispensable guide comes in. Whether you’re new to working from home or seeking to revamp your existing setup, The Ultimate Home Office Design Guide is tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving work landscape.

Drawing upon years of research and experience, renowned designer Lucia Gruber takes you on a transformative journey through five simple steps to create the ultimate home office. From optimizing your physical space to enhancing your psychological well-being, each step is carefully crafted to maximize your productivity and ensure peak performance.

Learn how to choose the ideal location within your home, harness natural light, and utilize ergonomic furniture to create a comfortable and inspiring workspace. Discover the secrets of effective storage solutions, organizing techniques, and how to minimize distractions to maintain focus and flow.

Uijongbu

Uijongbu unfolds in the wake of the Korean War, in a town left ravaged and rebuilding just beginning got recover. At the U.S. Army Base in Uijongbu, just south of the Demilitarized Zone, an unplanned economy emerges, intertwining the lives of American GIs and young Korean women. This delicate and complex connection fuels both romance and disaster, creating a tapestry of relationships that are as hopeful as they are heartbreaking.

Through a series of stories that vary from humorous to heartrending, the author captures the resilience, warmth, and humanity of the Korean people. The novel paints an intimate portrait of a time and place marked by love, loss, and cultural connection. Uijongbu is a haunting reminder of war’s lasting impact, and a poignant testament to the indomitable human spirit.