It's an America that doesn't exist anymore – one where men made their living in the darkest recesses of the Earth while their wives worked in the home from sunup to sundown and children helped with the chores from the time they could walk. But growing up as a coal miner's son wasn't all work and no play, as C. Don writes in Memories of a Coal Miner's Son, My Grandpa, My Dad, and Me, his poignant yet light-hearted memoir of growing up in the hills of eastern Tennessee in the 1940s and 1950s. Byrd, a retired insurance executive, decided to record his memories so his children and grandchildren could learn more of their family history – while also gaining awareness of the hard-working men and women who shaped the Byrd family. Some of Byrd's stories have been excerpted in Tennessee Ancestors and in the Des Moines Register. You don't have to be Southerner or a miner's descendant to enjoy Memories of a Coal Miner's Son. You just need to remember a time when people put in a good day's work, feared the Lord, and maybe broke away for a little fishin' on a Sunday afternoon.
The mini-series "Valley of Death" continues the acclaimed and awarding Vietnam Journal book saga. In "Blood Stripe" we are taken to the A Shau Valley near the Laotian border where creator, writer, and artist Don Lomax continues to chronicle an embedded journalist's eye-opening experiences of the events during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Journal series has drawn raves and recommendations from Military Book Club, Entertainment Weekly, Library School Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Part 1 of 4.
The story opens with panoramic scenes of Richard Blast making his way through the dense Thai jungle to destroy a secret airfield. Captured before being able place the explosives, he is murdered by Tanaka, the Chinese operative responsible for the construction of the airfield and the evil conspiracy that threatens all of mankind. Robert Tokor, Assistant Director of the CIA, learns of Richard's death in a hastily called meeting in Langley. Oddly enough, Director Byrd allows Jonah, the Israeli Director to inform Robert via video conference. Robert's temper flares as he swears vengeance on those responsible. The same day Director Byrd gives in to Robert and allows him to proceed with bringing Oscar on line, a so-called new system Robert had been perfecting since 2008. Robert and a select few comrades from Langley jet away to a secret mountain installation hidden within the Cherokee National Forest. Ms. Reed, Robert's leading lady, is at first skeptical of Oscar. Oscar appears to the Langley group in the form of a grandfatherly Roman Senator complete with toga and sandals. Oscar is forced to demonstrate his unusual capabilities, conjuring up other images and offering intimate details into the lives of some of the group which ordinarily even the CIA would not know or have access to. Within hours Oscar's investigation is underway. Bits and pieces of the conspiracy begin to appear. Ms. Reed remains at the new facility with Oscar while Robert and a select assembly of commandos disembark to visit first hand the Thai airfield. Their raid is successful. All but one Iraqi soldier was killed while guarding the secret Chinese airfield. During the interrogation being performed by Robert and his men US Navy Tomcats swarm in and destroy what's left of the field, killing their only prisoner in the process. Robert and his men find themselves in bewilderment, seemingly targeted by their own forces. Robert brings up and image of Oscar there in the jungle and learns that an unknown super computer had invaded Langley and the Pentagon and that it was responsible for the strike. Reluctantly, Robert allows choppers from the Enterprise to rescue them, the same carrier that launched the Tomcats. Robert is at first hostile towards Captain Reichenback. He explains to all within hearing distance there on the bridge that they had found Iraqis guarding a base in Thailand. Only when Robert brings up Oscar as an exact duplicate of the Captain and allows Oscar to forcefully take over the entire battle group do the sailors begin to understand and admit that Robert and Oscar must know something they don't. Back at the base Oscar and Tami (Ms. Reed) continue with the investigation. Tami begins to understand just how powerful and omnipotent Oscar really is. They become friends of sorts. Robert is paranoid of everyone. The Director isn't himself. Jonah, the Israeli Director seems to be withholding information. Oscar and Tami contact Robert and explain that Oscar has discovered a super computer called Armageddon is responsible for the air strike and that the Chinese probably created the computer. Oscar's investigation then directs Robert and his men to a pharmaceutical plant near Tokyo. It is learned that the Chinese operative, Tanaka, controlled the production of a genetic polymer created by the Japanese scientists against their will. The substance was being transported to the airfield in Thailand to be dispersed around the globe by a C-130 rigged with spray equipment. Before leaving Tokyo, Robert meets Gloria Yakmir, Jonah's stepdaughter. She convinces Robert to take her along to Washington to inform President Bratcher directly as to what they think is going on. Tami and Gloria meet during the meeting with the President, both jealous of the other. Robert explains his theory to the President. He theorizes, with Oscar's assistance, in the form of Abraham Lincoln, that the Chinese plan is to systematically eliminate all HIV carriers
When Don Rhodes took his seat not far behind Michael Jackson at the funeral of the “Godfather of Soul” on December 30, 2006, it marked the close of a forty-year friendship. In Say It Loud! Rhodes pays tribute to James Brown and his storied career, with a close and comprehensive look at the life of the legendary singer at his home in Augusta, Georgia, and the family he left behind. From the evolution of Brown’s fiery, uniquely rhythmic musical style to his social activism, world travels, run-ins with the law, and four marriages (and uncertain number of affairs), Rhodes provides a sensitive but candid look at the life of the man behind such hits as “I Feel Good,” “Please, Please, Please,” “Sex Machine,” and “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud.” He takes us back to the 1960s, when James Brown and other American soul and rock artists were relieved to find that they had nothing to fear from the Beatles and other British artists taking America by storm—indeed, as some of the Brits acknowledged, the Americans had inspired them. Mick Jagger, whose dance steps were influenced by Brown, once said of him, “His show didn’t just have to do with the artist but had to do with the audience. . . . Their reaction was always . . . like being in a church.” Unlike his friend Elvis Presley, James Brown went on to be a frequent global traveler, adored by fans throughout the world. Say It Loud! bears out the reputation of the man with the famous cape as “the hardest-working man in show business,” bringing us the full story of a conscientious performer and consummate professional with a fascinating and controversial personal life. Never-before-published photos, as well as anecdotes from an enduring friendship and details of Brown’s life at home, will further ensure that music fans of all ages will cherish this tribute to an American icon by a longtime friend.
Dedicated to everyone who has ever asked where the road will take them and then taken that first step towards the unknown. However, it takes an extremely strong person armed with a sense of humor to laugh at adversity and challenge. So now I have described the "Diana" series in totality: one is the writer and the other is the reader. Just remember to keep the dreams alive and let no one put them aside, they are way too important.
A gorgeous and surprising Father's Day gift book, this collection of photos and sassy commentary by radio star Don Imus and his brother, entrepreneur Fred Imus, offers a powerful and memorable work for lovers of the American West and for fans of Don's broadcasts. 70 photos, many in color.
Throughout long profiles and conversations--ranging from 1982 to 2001--the renowned author makes clear his distinctions between historical fact and his own creative leaps
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