Sex

Sex is not just a biological drive; it’s a powerful force that has shaped human evolution, relationships, and social dynamics for millennia. From ensuring the survival of our species to influencing social norms and cultural beliefs, sexual behavior plays a crucial role in our lives. Darwin’s theory of sexual selection highlights how humans, driven by the need to choose the right mate, have shaped the course of evolution. But sexuality has always been a subject of conflict. Religious and regulatory institutions have worked tirelessly to control it, often turning sex into a “problem” rather than understanding its vital role in our development. These efforts have reached deep into our personal lives, attempting to regulate even the most private aspects of human existence.

This book delves into the complexities of sex, exploring its impact on human psychology, mental health, and social order. It looks at how centuries of influence and restriction have left an imprint on our collective unconscious, embedding themselves into the very fabric of our being. By understanding sex through the lens of science rather than restriction, we can uncover a deeper truth about its role in human life. Drawing from evolutionary psychology, sociology, history, and beyond, this book offers a fresh perspective on a subject that has been both celebrated and censored. The journey of understanding sexuality, and its place in human progress, is far from over. This book serves as a preface to the conversations and deeper research that must follow.

Brancusi Biography

Constantin Brancusi, the renowned sculptor from Romania, found a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Among his admirers were prominent collectors such as John Quinn, the Arenbergs, the Meyers, the Speisers, Katherine Dreier, Mary Harriman Rumsey, Peggy Guggenheim, and others. These individuals not only collected his works but also developed personal relationships with the artist, drawn to his unique approach to art and life.

Brancusi’s interactions with American collectors were marked by mutual respect and admiration. His presentation of his sculptures, his adept negotiation skills, and his unwavering dedication to his craft earned him a reputation as a master artist among his American patrons. His innate tradesman’s spirit, shaped by his upbringing in the Oltenia region of Romania, added an authentic and grounded quality to his work that resonated deeply with his American audience.

What truly captivated Americans was Brancusi’s pragmatic philosophy, which was firmly rooted in his ancestral faith, traditions, customs, education, life experiences, and extensive readings. His aphorisms, reflecting his profound insights into art and existence, were widely circulated in publications and exhibition catalogues, further solidifying his status as a visionary artist and thinker.

Despite his humble origins, Brancusi developed a deep affection for America and its culture, and this sentiment was reciprocated by his American admirers. Throughout his lifetime, he held a special place in the American art scene, with eight personal exhibitions organized in his honor. The first seven took place in the United States, where his sculptures captivated audiences and critics alike. The eighth exhibition, held in Romania shortly before his death, marked a poignant homecoming for the artist and served as his first major showcase in Europe.

Brancusi’s enduring legacy in America is a testament to the lasting impact of his work and his personal connections with American collectors. His ability to bridge cultural divides through art and his profound understanding of the human experience continue to inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts around the world.

What Will the Neighbors Think?

There are so many people who still suffer, just like we did so many years ago. They suffer from feelings of pain and fear that people won’t like them or accept them because they are different. They suffer because they are born a different color or religion from the majority. They suffer if they think they are not smart enough, good enough or successful enough. They suffer from the fear of not fitting in, or not being liked. They ask themselves over and over again, “What will the neighbors think?”

And then of course are lesbians, gays, transvestites, and transgenders. Although we have come a long way, there are still many who suffer the pain of being different, many who are still hiding their homosexuality or religion for fear of what people would think.

This book is for all the people who still fear…

WHAT WILL THE NEIGHBORS THINK?

So they will therefore have the courage to…

SAY YES WHEN THE WORLD SAYS NO.

Around the World Not Counting Days

Having graduated without distinction in 1958 from Fresno State College, 22-year-old John Kessell had no job interviews lined up, no letters of acceptance from grad schools, so the natural course seemed what’s called these days a “gap year.” Why shouldn’t he travel to Australia, his father’s native land, and get to know his Aussie kin?

When these generous Australians refused to let the young American spend any money, he still had so many unspent travelers’ checks that he was able to trade his round-trip Sydney-San Francisco for a one-way Sydney-Gibraltar. Why not go on around the world, not his original plan?

John Kessell had no idea in 1958 what sailing on an ocean liner from San Francisco to Sydney might be like. Those were still the days when people took a boat to get somewhere, not just an over-hyped “cruise” on a floating amusement park. So let’s step back sixty-five years, retrofit our passports, and join John on a boat to somewhere!

Sister Water, Brother Sultan – Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is considered the patron saint of ecology because of his love of all creation - “Be praised, my God, for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Sister Water, Sister Mother Earth...”

From kissing a once-feared leper to forming a deep friendship with Sultan Malik al-Kamil during a horrific war between Muslims and Christians, Francis invites us to live “perfect joy!”

“Sister Water, Brother Sultan is a warm and deeply loving introduction to the life of Francis of Assisi and a useful devotional resource for all practitioners of spiritual nonviolence.”

- Rabia Terri Harris, Muslim editor of Fellowship, a multi-faith magazine of peacemaking published by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA.

“Very powerful while being very accessible to virtually anyone.”

– Jeff Feldman, hermit.

“This is a greatly needed book for all in the world today, so impacted by violence of many kinds. It is also an essential companion to all who desire deep spiritual growth.”

– Mary-Ellen Francoeur, Sisters of Service, Pax Christi.

“I have come to know Leonard as one of the greatest teachers of nonviolence of our time. He brings the mystical mind of a contemplative master to his work.”

– Gregory J. Gillis, retired secondary schoolteacher.

Impact

This easy-to-read book offers solace for navigating life’s tender and heart-wrenching moments, while reminding us that others share similar experiences. We are not alone; we are connected. We learn how to overcome challenges through creativity and, more importantly, by seeing others through compassionate eyes. Knowing that we live with hope and purpose, the Spirit guides us on our journey, which at times may seem mundane. Yet, when we are open to receiving, our creative spirit emerges from the depths of our soul, heightening our awareness and healing our innermost being. Ultimately, we find peace in serving and encouraging others through their trials and losses. Self-reconciliation is essential for reaching out and reconciling with those around us. The examples of historical figures, saints, and anyone we admire and respect provide courage and strength to endure and move forward.

Red Warriors: Tushka Homma

History casts a long, bloody shadow. For Native women, violence is a devastating reality; murder rates are ten times the national average, making it the third leading cause of death for young women and girls. This brutal truth haunts the Chickamauga people, whose history includes a forgotten 1777 massacre near Nickajack where women and children were slaughtered. In 2024, the echoes of this past resurface as four Chickamauga women, the Tushka Homma (Red Warriors), find themselves linked by disturbing dreams of the massacre.

Their spiritual journey takes a dark turn when a Cheveyo (Spirit Warrior) calls upon them. This spirit is the restless soul of Pauline Adair Walker, a fellow tribal member murdered in 2017, another victim of the violence plaguing Native women. The Red Warriors must confront this legacy of violence, both past and present, to unmask Pauline’s killer and expose a truth buried for centuries.

The ancestors are watching. The Cheveyo has returned. Justice awaits.

Tayoltita, las Minas de San Luís

Fresh out of the University of Colorado with a degree in geology, the author found himself embarking on an adventurous first job as an exploration geologist for Minas de San Luís, situated in the quaint pueblo of Tayoltita in Durango, Mexico. Nestled under Bolaños Peak and in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental, the mine was a remote gem accessible only by a solitary road winding 3,000 feet up the mountain.

Beyond his duties at the mine, he was charged with the thrilling task of scouting the surrounding wilderness for new gold or silver deposits, offering potential expansion for the company. It’s in these explorations, traversing rugged terrains always on muleback, never horse, where the story truly unfolds.

His narrative richly details the culture, courage, intrigue, superstitions, wisdom, and escapades of the local inhabitants he met along the way. These encounters add a colorful depth to his experiences in Tayoltita.

Set against the backdrop of the early days of the drug cartels, this memoir not only recounts geological explorations but also captures a pivotal moment in history. After his return to the United States, the role of Exploration Geologist at Minas de San Luís remained unfilled, marking the end of an era in this secluded part of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Call of the Raven

This true story takes readers on an unforgettable journey into the untouched wilderness of southern Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska – a land of breathtaking beauty, where towering mountains meet the vast expanse of the North Pacific Ocean.

It offers a rare glimpse into Haida culture and the experiences of a young white couple from the Midwest as they navigate life in a Native American community. Arriving in Hydaburg as teachers, they soon realize that they are the ones being taught.

Through their experiences, they learn profound lessons – patience, the value of listening over speaking, what it truly means to be a minority, and how to let the word honkey roll off their backs like the ever-present rain. Most importantly, they come to understand the power of accepting people for who they are, rather than who we expect them to be.

You are invited to share in the trials and tribulations that changed their lives forever.

Highway to Holiness

For God and country, after trying holiness in the seminary, I enlisted in the Navy. There, I protected others and my country while serving God. I discovered that both serving God in the seminary and serving my country in the military could lead me to heaven after my life here on earth. Both taught me about loyalty, courage, discipline, and putting the needs of others before oneself. At my old age, nothing stops me from finding my destiny with my Lord Jesus Christ as long as I follow my Highway to Holiness.

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.

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.