A View from the Minesweeper's Bridge

Commander Richard J. G. Goodwin’s A View from the Minesweeper’s Bridge: A Royal Navy Officer’s World War II Memoir is a posthumous remembrance. It was originally intended as a family keepsake, but after Goodwin’s death, his children were compelled to share the manuscript and its engrossing account of their father’s life – a legacy of service and achievement that played out against pivotal events of the twentieth century that still inform the world we live in today.

As a World War II Royal Naval Officer, he participated in numerous missions, including the top-secret testing of cutting-edge minesweeping technology aboard the first coastal commercial vessel to be fitted with a four-hundred-ton magnet. This was to protect Britain’s coastline as Germany was laying magnetic mines in and around British waters – aiming systematically at starving the nation. He participated in missions including the invasions of Sicily and Normandy and the decisive victory at the Battle of Britain. Most compelling is his riveting account of dangerous assignments in support of the Eighth Army’s advance on North Africa as he participated in the longest recorded minesweeping mission across the Mediterranean.

Edmund Burke once noted that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. While Goodwin may have lived in a bygone era, his journey as an ordinary person doing the right thing for the greater good in extraordinary times of political uncertainty, social upheaval, and rapidly changing cultural mores is timeless – and never more relevant.

A Walk with Buddy

This is a story of a man and his dog hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Readers will immediately connect to Jimmy Doug and his relationship with Buddy. Filled with exciting adventure and challenging moments, theirs is a trying but rewarding journey together, and we get to go along for the ride. This book serves not only as an inspiration to readers facing struggles and difficulty in their lives, but also as a reminder that we are never truly alone in this world.

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…’

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.

All I Know to Be True

We are all faced with suffering at some point in our life. This is an insightful look at trauma, addiction, faith, and politics. What could one man’s suffering mean in our daily struggle to attain serenity or purpose? This is not just another reality type of disclosure, wherein there is a preachy or judgmental condemnation of a way we should live. This is one man’s account of where his personal faith has led him, as a minority within a minority, in one of the greatest countries in the world. This is not a condemnation of the way anyone lives their lives, as we are so apt to do in this modern way of being brutally honest and judgmental. This is an honest account of one man’s journey while struggling to find meaning in a convoluted, pressure-filled society where we all struggle with some form of suffering.

This is a unique look at trauma and addiction that will make you giggle and stir an emotional response to a journey that will inspire compassion, love, and understanding for one another. All I Know to Be True will illustrate that love and mercy are at the heart of all matters. As this book will illustrate, it is never too late to change.

America's First Soldiers

America’s First Soldiers unfolds with the critical events and people that lead Massachusetts to initiate the American Revolutionary War. These first soldiers were the catalyst for the skirmish at Lexington Green, the battle of the Old North Bridge, and the life and death struggle along a 16-mile road, passing through six Massachusetts towns in a violent, running battle of fire and maneuver.

Dig in on the deadly struggle for a Boston hilltop, Breed’s Hill, known as Bunker Hill. For the British Army, it was the deadliest battle of the American Revolutionary War. This battle, more than any other event, created the moment Massachusetts and the other colonies realized the American Revolution had begun.

Meet a young Boston bookseller who believed he could bomb the mighty British army out of Boston. He became Washington’s Yankee, standing with him from Boston to victory at Yorktown.  He was the man General Washington personally chose to succeed him as the Continental Army’s commanding general.

America’s First Soldiers is the account of extraordinary men whose defeat of the British was so thorough, that during the eight-year struggle of the American Revolutionary War the British never again fought in Massachusetts.

Part 1 of this book chronicles America’s First Soldiers. Part 2 visits some of the well-preserved and fascinating sites in Massachusetts as a 21st-century historical tourist.

This book uncovers the hidden story of the men from Massachusetts—America’s First Soldiers.

An Illustrative Dictionary of Semantics

The significance of “meaning” goes beyond the word-level. Few disciplines, if at all, would do away with the knowledge and principles of semantics in their spoken and written discourse. ILLUDS is an illustrative dictionary of semantics aiming to provide language researchers with the key terms, terminologies, and phrases with even slight or indirect relation to semantics that appear in linguistics coursebooks and reference books. About 150 references have been used to compile this dictionary, one feature among several others that makes this book the first of its kind in content, approach, and scope.

Angel and the Orphan

From eating raw potatoes in abandonment to being personally served cake by a future African President, experience the extraordinary life of an orphan child through a tapestry of divine interventions and mystical adventures. Driven by his quest to understand the enigmatic voice that has persistently guided and saved him from the jaws of death, each chapter unfolds a series of astonishing true stories.

Witness harrowing accounts of kidnapping, murder, and suicide, juxtaposed against uplifting moments, like growing up as a white child in an Aboriginal orphanage, miraculously surviving an Al-Shabaab terrorist attack, and working as a compassionate paramedic. Journey alongside him as he solves the 110-year-old mystery of a missing police officer and champions the cause of Albino children targeted by witchdoctors in Africa.

Spanning continents – from Northern Ireland and Austria to the USA, Africa, and Canada – these magical yet deeply human stories are not just a testament to one man’s resilience but also an exploration of the unseen forces that guide us all. Take this global odyssey and witness the miraculous in the mundane, the divine in the everyday.

Are We Worthy?

Are We Worthy?

It is a question that haunted Jake and Joey for over a month as they struggled to accomplish what so many people had told them was impossible.

For a whole year leading up to the trip, people had gone out their way to tell Jake and Joey, “People don’t hitchhike anymore, morons! You’re gonna die out there if you really go through with this.”

The boys just gritted their teeth and held their tongue, for it wouldn’t be long until they flew across the country with a one-way plane ticket and a goal to hitchhike almost 3,000 miles back to their hometown.

It turned out to be harder than they ever expected...

From swerving cars to paranormal experiences in the night, Jake and Joey had their eyes opened to a world of suffering they never knew existed.

But every time they starved in the woods, every time they experienced hate, every mile their legs felt like giving out, the same mantra would ring through their minds.

“Are… We… Worthy…?”

“Are we worthy of success?”

“Are we worthy to make it home?”

And on the darkest days, “Are we worthy to make it out alive?”

This book is a story of vulnerability, heartbreak, and struggle, but through it all, there is a consistent pattern of hope and persistence, even in the darkest of times. We can all relate to the feeling of worthlessness or wonder whether or not we should give up. But if there is anything you can take from this book, it is that you are worthy to rise up and accomplish the impossible, just like Joey Oler and Jake Blue did in the summer of 2018.

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.

At Home Abroad: Friendship First

The authors of this book – judges, lawyers, educators, researchers, and administrators – provide personal insights into international cooperative efforts to promote the rule of law in emerging democracies throughout the world. The progress made and the challenges ahead are described with equal doses of idealism and reality. It has been said of many reform efforts that they are not for the faint of heart. Readers will soon discover that the authors of this book are of stout heart. With more than one hundred and fifty years of combined experience, the writers’ accounts serve as a roadmap for those who wish to follow in their footsteps and will truly help them to feel at home abroad.