“It’s not easy to stay alive with a $1,000 bounty on your head.” In 1967, a bullet cost thirteen cents, and no one gave Uncle Sam a bigger bang for his buck than the 5th Marine Regiment Sniper Platoon. So feared were these lethal marksmen that the Viet Cong offered huge rewards for killing them. Now noted Vietnam author John J. Culbertson, a former 5th Marine sniper himself, presents the riveting true stories of young Americans who fought with bolt rifles and bounties on their heads during the fiercest combat of the war, from 1967 through the desperate Tet battle for Hue in early ’68. In spotter/shooter pairs, sniper teams accompanied battle-hardened Marine rifle companies like the 2/5 on patrols and combat missions. Whether fighting their way out of a Viet Cong “kill zone” or battling superior numbers of NVA crack troops, the sniper teams were at the cutting edge in the art of jungle warfare, showing the patience, stealth, combat marksmanship, and raw courage that made the unit the most decorated regimental sniper platoon in the Vietnam War. Harrowing and unforgettable, these accounts pay tribute to the heroes who made the greatest sacrifice of all–and leave no doubt that among 5th Marine snipers uncommon valor was truly a common virtue.
Morning was always a welcome sight to us. It meant two things. The first was that we were still alive. . . ." In 1967, death was the constant companion of the Marines of Hotel Company, 2/5, as they patrolled the paddy dikes, mud, and mountains of the Arizona Territory southwest of Da Nang. But John Culbertson and most of the rest of Hotel Company were the same lean, fighting Marines who had survived the carnage of Operation Tuscaloosa. Hotel's grunts walked over the enemy, not around him. In graphic terms, John Culbertson describes the daily, dangerous life of a soldier fighting in a country where the enemy was frequently indistinguishable from the allies, fought tenaciously, and thought nothing of using civilians as a shield. Though he was one of the top marksmen in 1st Marine Division Sniper School in Da Nang in March 1967--a class of just eighteen, chosen from the division's twenty thousand Marines--Culbertson knew that against the VC and the NVA, good training and experience could carry you just so far. But his company's mission was to find and engage the enemy, whatever the price. This riveting, bloody first-person account offers a stark testimony to the stuff U.S. Marines are made of.
Miracle of the Angels is an eye-opening account of the wonderful ways in which people and actions affect us. An eminently enjoyable read, the appeal of this short story by John Culbertson lies in the unobtrusive way in which it makes you reflect upon your own life, and how you interpret experiences. Through seemingly normal occurrences such as vivid dreams, casual conversations and chance encounters with people, the writer paints a poignant tapestry of premonitions, near mishaps, prevented accidents, misunderstandings, second chances and reconciled relationships in Miracle of the Angels. Every day we witness miracles and we live in the midst of angels. Our failure to recognize these miracles and the messengers of an omniscient being is perhaps the reason why despite our expanding knowledge and information, most of us are still lacking in the wisdom which is essential to feel contented and at peace with ourselves. There are many ways to read and interpret this book and therein lies its appeal. On one level, Miracle of the Angels could be seen as a series of conversations between the writer and God, sometimes through angels and sometimes through miracles. It would be hardly surprising therefore if you found similar parallels between your life and the events described or the characters delineated in the story. We are constantly questioning and expecting answers when everything is already as clear as daylight. This could well be what John Culbertson is expressing through Miracle of the Angels. Reading this short story is akin to having a revelation, an epiphany of sorts, just like the myriad experiences that the protagonist has during the course of a very intense period in his life. The incidents go from the deeply moving to the light-hearted while the characters portrayed range from the passionately sincere to the almost bathetic. Despite the unnatural ways in which they occur, none of the events described come across as contrived nor do the characters appear anything other than real. This is definitely an amazing feat by the writer considering the not so regular subject of the story which is about angels and miracles. On the practical side, the short story can be a great source of solace for everyone. Anyone who has lost someone dear and near will be able to relate to it. For who hasn't grieved the passing away of a relative, friend or mentor and found it difficult to come to terms with the seeming cruelty or unfairness of it? Miracle of the Angels shows the reader the impracticality of finding fault or playing the blame game when something goes wrong or we lose someone. Instead it awakens in us the ability to find the wisdom to see the true meaning of loss and the transient nature of things.
The small town of Elroy, South Carolina is thrust into the evangelical spotlight when what seems to be the image of Jesus appears on a refrigerator in a trailer park. The discovery by Lou Ann Hightower, her husband Dwayne, and her best friend Betsy, sets into motion a frenzy of conflict, communion and good old fashioned commerce. When the National Investigator turns the appearance into front-page headlines, their trailer park becomes a Mecca for miracle seekers, soul searchers and disciples with a decidedly political agenda. At the urging of the towns business leaders, Betsy pretends to get messages from the appliance-based apparition, and the crowds multiply like loaves and fishes. Through the ordeal, the three undergo an evolution in their relationships with each other, and they are forced to come to grips with their lowly status in the caste system of the rural south. In a region where religion is as much a part of life as grits and cotton fields, God surely moves in mysterious ways."--Publisher's website.
“Improve Your Intuition” – the latest new age, spiritual awakening book by John Culbertson. If you want to learn simple practical exercises to improve your intuitive skills and achieve a better understanding of your inner energy and the energy that surrounds you, then “Improve Your Intuition” shows you how. If you are skeptical about how spiritual energy works, then you are the kind of reader that John Culbertson perhaps has in mind when he says, “You are not being asked to blindly accept these beliefs; you are merely being called and challenged to explore them. This doesn't mean you have to give up your current set of beliefs, but it does require an open mind.” In this practical and sensible how-to manual that reveals simple techniques to energize and enrich your life, John Culbertson draws upon his abundant experience of interacting with different kinds of spiritual energy and simplifies esoteric subjects in an easily comprehensible manner. “Success with your intuition or the psychic sciences is like singing. Most everyone has a voice, and most everyone can use it to sing, but some people are just naturally better at it than others; however, everyone can learn to improve what is already there through study and practice.” This is the kind of refreshingly simple and candid manner in which John unravels complex concepts. The tone of voice is so evocative that it infuses confidence and enthusiasm even in a novice who is coming across these concepts for the first time. Generously embellished with mythological anecdotes, rational explanations and metaphorical descriptions, “Improve your Intuition” takes the reader on an incredibly fascinating journey that leaves refreshingly vivid impressions on the mind. Written with a depth of understanding that belies the simple, commonsensical manner in which he explains esoteric concepts like Energy Chakras, Auras and Scrying, John has achieved a great breakthrough in illuminating and clearing the cobwebs from some hitherto obscure and obtuse practices and rituals. He hit the proverbial nail on the head when he says at the outset of the book, “You can't expect to master the material in this book by simply reading, however. A wide gulf exists between understanding concepts and practicing what you've learned.” The information contained in each chapter is intelligently fused with practical advice and a simple set of how-to instructions, which John calls exercises, to follow in order to apply the lessons in the book. The power of positive thinking, meditation and relaxation techniques, energy rituals to maximize their benefits, practical advice on how to eliminate your fears and realize your full potential – these are just some of the highly beneficial lessons that “Improve Your Intuition” offers. A remarkable aspect of the book is the straightforward manner in which it is constructed. The information contained in each chapter is intelligently fused with practical advice and a simple set of exercises to follow. Some of the exercises are complemented by variations which enables the practitioner to try out different options according to their suitability and convenience. A fascinating read the first time you go through, the appeal of “Improve Your Intuition,” continues to increase as you return to refer to the techniques mentioned in the book. The depth and abundance of wisdom that resides within the book reveals new meanings every time you read it and contributes to your enlightenment. Unlike other books which preach about doctrines and dogmas, “Improve Your Intuition” has a refreshingly different approach which bestows on you the freedom to choose what you want to accept and what you don't. John Culbertson expresses his respect for the reader's ability to discern what is suitable to their own individual requirements when he says, “Life is ultimately about your own journey. No one besides you should dictate where this journey
With "A Cajun Family Cookbook", John Gravois spreads the joy of regional cuisine as practiced by his relatives. It starts with recipes his mother taught him and Gravois ladles in more family favorites from generous southern Louisiana relatives. ? Gravois provides a primer on Cajun cooking techniques, including the best way to make perfect roux. Aside from familiar favorites, such distinctive fare as armadillo fricassée, stuffed quail, and venison stew are offered up along with sumptuous desserts like sweet potato pudding and pralines. If you grew up in Cajun country – the book will recall memories of raucous family reunions and other gatherings with aunts bearing her proudest dish. For non-Cajuns, it's a chance to eat very, very well. Again and again. This highly affordable, 96-page cookbook, $5.95, is produced in the United States by a small family-run printer. Savory House Press, is an imprint of a boutique, socially conscious publishing house that donates a portion of proceeds from several of its titles to non-profit groups including Habitat for Humanity.
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