The Promises

I have struggled with alcoholism and addiction for nearly over 50 years and I had searched the corners of the earth for the solution to my living hell. Yet, the solution to my malady was right in front of me. As Bill W. wrote in Bill’s Story, “But my friend sat before me, and he made the point-blank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself. His human will had failed. Doctors had pronounced him incurable. Society was about to lock him up. Like myself, he had admitted complete defeat. Then he had, in effect, been raised from the dead, suddenly taken from the scrap heap to a level of life better than the best he had ever known!” 

Bill goes on to write, “Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now.” (BB p.16). Yes, I have found the solution to my alcoholism, my living hell, my malady. I have found my “heaven on earth” – The Fellowship of AA! If I learned one thing in my lifetime it is that wisdom is not the art of intelligence, it is the art of living. Life is not an endgame, there is not a finish line – life is an infinite journey! 

The Qara-Daghian

“Is it appropriate to recite ‘Shema Israel’ in this place?”

In a dreamlike moment, I found myself in the synagogue, surrounded by people wrapped in prayer shawls and the thrilling voice of the cantor, Hakham Abdullah. I imagined my grandfather, Hakham Nissim, hovering beside me, whispering verses with his angelic voice, encouraging me to pray in this place that was once ours. Inspired by his presence, I set my heart on righting the insult to my grandfather’s memory. With permission granted, I prepared to pray, facing Jerusalem as is the Jewish tradition, stunning those around me.

Born in Halabja, the gas-hit city of Kurdistan, the writer recounts the tribulations of an Aramaic-speaking Qaradaghian Jewish tribe spanning five generations. This poignant memoir weaves together fascinating family stories, some tragic and others filled with love and heroism. The climax of the book is a nostalgic visit to the landscapes from which the author was uprooted as a child. His 2018 visit, published in the Kurdish media under the headline ‘The first Jew to return to Halabja since 1950,’ reveals the harsh reality of the Muslims rushing to build a mosque on the ruins of the synagogue.

In the city of Slemanyia, the writer visits the Great Synagogue where his grandfather served as rabbi, now converted into a mosque. Here, he sets a precedent by praying in a place where no Jewish prayer had been held for 67 years, a testament to the enduring spirit of the lost people in the land of Assyria. The hardships that began 2,700 years ago continued in the Land of Israel, where the writer undergoes immigration experiences until his successful integration into the New-Old Land.

The Reflections

This book offers a faithful English translation of An-Nazarat (‘The Reflections’) by Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti, a distinguished essayist from the era of the Nahda, or the Modern Arabic Literary Renaissance in Egypt. Al-Manfaluti’s magnum opus, first published in 1910, is a rich collection of short stories, essays, and a few adapted translations, originally featured in Egypt’s al-Mu’ayyad newspaper.

With a sharp, reflective eye, al-Manfaluti captures the vibrant tapestry of life, inviting readers to explore the intricate interplay of cultural identity and the dynamic evolution of society. His works, which John A. Haywood describes as spanning the ‘whole gamut of current ethical and social problems,’ offer a glimpse into the early 20th-century Egyptian zeitgeist, touching on themes of political nationalism, pan-Islamic aspirations, and religious reform.

Al-Manfaluti’s unique, almost highbrow style, with its distinct lustre, sets his writings apart. Abdul-Sattar Jawad compares him to the Romantic essayist Lamb, noting al-Manfaluti’s use of personal reminiscences, stories, interest in the natural past, and prose poems, often reinforced with verse quotations.

Hailed as a genius in the art of literary composition and prose-writing, and a leader in pure stylistic diction, al-Manfaluti’s An-Nazarat remains a seminal work for those interested in the Middle East and the Nahda period, a melting pot of social and literary significance.

The Rice Tree Chronicles

A friend once asked the author how many countries I had visited and what was on my bucket list, and his reply was that it wasn’t filled with things or places, but with people like “The Walnut Man” or “The Albeeno Aborigine” and the Ladyboy in “Bangkok Confidential” that he had met along the way and the stories that they shared about themselves. If anything, a little bit of luck, patience, and an ear for listening have made all the difference in seeing the world through a different set of lenses.

The richness of travel is in each footstep taken like walking el Camino de Santiago in Spain, where each day is a new adventure along an 800-kilometer trail filled with stories of personal challenge, hardships overcome, immense satisfaction, and a bookmark in the lives of people from all corners of the world.

Each story, each memoir is merely a point in time in someone’s life and the reward was having it handed to you as a gift.

The Sexpert

If your intimacy has stalled, this book offers passionate possibilities. Gain insight into techniques that attract partners as you discover adventurous positions for deeper satisfaction.

Delve into the keys to compatibility and learn how to better understand and communicate attraction with a lover. Whether you want to boost a committed bond or relay interest to someone new, these tips help bring relationships to thrilling new heights.

Enjoy exercising erotic expertise as you and your special someone read together. Let steamy stories and scenarios richly illustrated within these pages stimulate excitement and inspires exploration between the sheets.

Give your sex life a boost while getting in sync with a partner like never before. The Sexpert has the passion and power to transform lulls into lust.

The Soul of an Unwanted Child

In Soul of an Unwanted Child, David Bailey shares a poignant and powerful journey of survival and self-discovery. Born in rural North Carolina to a teenage mother in a Baptist sharecropper family, Bailey’s narrative begins with a life marked by rejection and invisibility. His story unfolds in the tumultuous 1960s and 70s, where he struggles with the emotional and physical scars left by an upbringing filled with neglect and abuse. Despite these challenges, Bailey’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and determination.

As Bailey navigates through a hostile and uncaring environment, he confronts deep-seated issues of identity, belonging, and self-worth. From the painful realities of a broken family to the harsh discipline of military life, Bailey’s path is fraught with obstacles that test his spirit and will. Yet, it is through these very trials that he begins to forge his own identity and find a sense of purpose.

Soul of an Unwanted Child is more than a memoir. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Bailey’s story is a vivid reminder that our beginnings do not define us, and that with courage and perseverance, we can overcome the most daunting challenges. This book is a compelling read for anyone who has ever felt overlooked or underestimated, offering hope and inspiration to find light in the darkest of circumstances.

The Street Church Movement

Shishyashram, a community of Christians stewarding their skills and minds to glorify God, has the unique opportunity of reaching out to the red-light district of GB Road in New Delhi to share the love of Christ with the women who reside there. The Holy Spirit led us to go there and revealed to us how our Lord Jesus walked on this earth, choosing to meet people no one else wanted to see. If we were to follow in the steps of Jesus, then our path was destined to cross GB Road.

The red-light district is associated with violence, abuse, organized crime, and human trafficking. While many have given up on people who live there or are trapped there, we know full well that the Lord has not given up on them. He takes His love to them in revealing to them the kingdom of God.

Our faith in Jesus gives us hope for the deliverance of the captives of GB Road. When Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost, He went and met the people in the places where they lived.

The incarnation of the Son of God did not complete in His birth as a human but found its fulfilment when He humbled Himself and served the most despised, rejected, poor, sick and oppressed, and those who were captives and lived on the other side of the wall—those who were slaves to crime, injustice and the flesh trade.  He wants believers to follow Him in such places too.

John 12:26, Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

The Sweet Pain of Being Alive

In the highly anticipated sequel to her award-winning memoir, Daring to Date Again (She Writes Press, 2014), The Sweet Pain of Being Alive is the second in Ann Anderson Evans’s memoir trilogy. It follows her heartbreaking journey as she seeks to uncover why her beloved husband killed himself. As her agonizing search deepens, her views on gender, sex, marriage, right, wrong, good, and bad start to shift.

“Ann Anderson Evans is a fearless, fierce, divine, and wise woman who has dared to take a huge bite from Eve’s apple and has the guts to share the insights, fights, and delights she has met head-on.”

– M.J. McDermott, Emmy award-winning broadcaster.

“This book reveals a widow’s gut-wrenching process of scrutiny. In the aftermath of her beloved’s suicide, Ann Anderson Evans asks the questions all suicide survivors must ask: Why? Was his life really so bad? How could I have saved him? Futilely searching for answers to this inexplicable tragedy, Ann has beautifully, painfully dissected her relationship, her husband’s life, and his enduring struggles with depression and transgenderism. Ann is left to find acceptance and peace on her own. This is compelling reading.”

– Leslie Hilburn Fabian, Author of My Husband’s a Woman Now: A Shared Journey of Transition and Love.

“‘People are not always, maybe not ever, what they seem,’ writes Ann Anderson Evans. She thought she knew her husband Terry. What she didn’t know – the secret he only partially shared and his anguish about not claiming his authentic self – led him to suicide. ‘This book is stark, unflinching, intensely personal, and powerfully written. I loved the book, and I’m grateful to Ann Anderson Evans for having the courage to write it.’”

– Joan Price, author of Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved.

The Top Ten Historical Locations of the Old West

Wyatt Earp and Tombstone, Wild Bill Hickok and Deadwood, George Custer and the Little Big Horn, Davy Crockett and the Alamo, Bat Masterson and Dodge City; Names and locations forever linked to the legacy and myth of the Old West.

Through hundreds of photographs and illustrations, O’Connor delivers a concise, light-hearted yet accurate depiction of a pivotal event in the settlement of the American frontier, and what the location offers today’s visitor, with particular attention devoted to surviving structures, including authentic saloons!

Whether planning a road trip, or simply interested in America’s Old West history and culture, the reader is provided an entertaining, and informative look into the locations that shaped the history and myth of the Wild West.

The Truth About Tennis

Recreational players today are bombarded with ‘revolutionary approaches,’ ‘secrets to success,’ and ‘play like the pros’ techniques all promising to take their game to the next level. Award winning teaching professional Greg Moran says, ‘No!’

“There are no revolutionary approaches or secrets to success, and trying to play like the pros is the worst advice a recreational player can be given. That’s why I had to write this book,” says Greg.

The Truth About Tennis is a unique instruction book written specifically for the millions of recreational players around the globe. Greg has been playing, teaching, studying, and writing about tennis for over 50 years. He’s spent more than 100,000 hours on the court helping thousands of players from ages 3 to 93 improve their tennis. Quite simply, he knows what works and, equally important, what doesn’t.

The Truth About Tennis will help you cut down on your inner chatter and information overload to reboot your path to improvement. It will refocus your attention on the techniques and tactics that will truly make you a more intelligent, confident, and winning player.

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.

The Warren Buffett Paradox and Its Solution

Taxation isn’t just a technical matter; it’s primarily a political and philosophical question. Justice in taxation leads to social justice.

The tax avoidance of the wealthy was notably highlighted by billionaire Warren Buffett in 2007, and his insights continue to influence discussions on solutions. However, previous proposals have faced legal conflicts.

Now, a realistic proposal is available! The author convincingly demonstrates that all conditions are in place to address this tax inequity effectively. He outlines a detailed plan for implementation, with a clear and engaging writing style that will captivate readers of all levels. This work should be essential reading for the IRS!