Following their helicopter evacuation during the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge communists, Sam Bristol and his bride, Beth, returned home to the United States. Following an excruciating illness, Beth dies, leaving Bristol a sad, disgruntled Army colonel assigned to a sensitive position in the Pentagon. Sams work, particularly his writing a highly classified nuclear manual, makes him the prime target of several foreign attempts, led by two voluptuous females, to filch the manual from the distraught widower. Sam is duped, eventually realizing the depth of his near-treasonous dilemma, and asks for agency assistance to extricate him. How the agency plan enables his escape from the Pentagon--requiring vast personal changes in Sam--and an awesome climax vastly different from his previous flight from Phnom Penh. Can he ever revert to his old self after this latest escape?
“Mayaguez and the Murder Ship” trace the marine exploits of First Mate, later Captain, Casey Flynn. Aboard the container ship Mayaguez, he was First Mate during the surprise capture of that vessel and crew by Cambodian communists in 1975. During the four days between their capture and release to the U.S. Navy, Flynn acted as calm intermediary with his crew’s communist captors. The Americans were fearful of being summarily shot, ransomed or tried before a Cambodian court, then imprisoned. Once U.S. aircraft appeared overhead firing and bombing, their captors became hysterical and unpredictable, making Flynn’s protection of his crew even more difficult. Promoted to captain for his performance on the Mayaguez, Flynn’s trials had just begun. His first command, an old oil tanker, was beset with problems: a dispirited crew, several of whom mysteriously and regularly disappeared. The anxious, short-handed, double-dutied crew labeled their vessel the “Murder Ship.” To help him solve the mysterious disappearances or murders, an inexperienced Security Officer (who happened to be the transport lines owner’s beautiful daughter) was added to assist Flynn in this his new command. What could possible go wrong on Casey’s maiden voyage of the “Murder Ship”?
Most Americans are aware that Texas gained its independence from Santa Annas Mexico in the 1840s. Mention of the Alamo evokes the familiar names of heroes like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis. All too often another group of heroes, heroines and patriots who fought and died for the independence of Texas is overlooked. The sacrifices, bravery and valor of that group--the Tejanos, Texans of Hispanic ancestry--are the focus of The Texas Revolution: Tejano Heroes. It was not just at famous battles such as Agua Dulce, Bexar, Goliad, the Alamo and San Jacinto that Tejanos made their mark on Texas history, often giving their lives and fortunes. Long before the arrival of Stephen F. Austin and settlers from the east, Tejanos were fighting for the independence of Tejas or Texas. The first declaration of Texas independence from Spain was issued in April 1813 by Bernardo Guiterrez de Lara. The first, and bloodiest, battle for Texas independence was fought at the battle of the Medina in August 1813. The first formal list of grievances against the Mexican government was issued by several Tejanos, including Juan Seguin and Gaspar Abrego de Flores, in October 1834. Recognition of the courage, abilities and endurance of Tejanos as major emancipators in the Texas Revolution is long overdue, hence this book.
The ruins of Adobe Walls, one-time saloon, fort, and trading post with the Plains Indians was the 1864 site of the largest battle between the Indian and the U.S. Army. Some three hundred army troops, mostly cavalry, were led by famous western explorer, Indian agent, fighter and trapper Christopher (Kit) Carson. Not only was it the largest battle between the Indian and U.S. Army, it was the only time the army was forced to withdraw. Why withdraw? Because Carson and his New Mexico and California volunteers were outnumbered ten to one by their combined Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho enemy. Had it not been for Carson's command ability, a greater massacre than the Little Big Horn would have occurred.
In his latest exploit, larger-than-life Curacao private investigator Jan Kokk is hired to unravel a 126-year-old mystery. Who killed Van Gogh, the famous Dutch painter? At the time, popular rumor insisted van Gogh shot himself while painting in the picturesque village of Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris. With passing time, the rumor became legend. Kokk’s job was to find the truth. As usual, Kokk teamed with an attractive, talented young lady for help as interpreter and assistant sleuth. As usual, teamwork turned tender. Once the strange case ended, Kokk found himself alone without the young lady. Had Kokk’s famed charm with the ladies failed, or was there yet another mystery?
Father Murphy, an Irish priest in the city of Mallow, Cork, is the rector of Saint Timothys Church contending with much more than the normal pastoral headaches. There is a murder in his church, a recalcitrant vestry that prefers meeting in the local bar, assorted criminals, a wealthy matriarch with her own church agenda, plus an attractive young church administrator who wants Father Murphy married offto her! Murphy also contends with a police inspector whod like the priest confined to the church confessional instead of solving crimes.
How Did Texas Survive The Civil War? More specifically, how did Texas manage to repulse invading Union armies? And why were there no major battles like Antietam, Shiloh or Gettysburg fought in Texas? Answers include that Texas was too far, too large and that Texans (over 80,000 fought in that terrible struggle) were too feisty. The Civil War in Texas and the Southwest answers the above while shedding new light on Texan audacity, bravery and just plain luck. Part one of the book provides a chronology of the tragically unsuccessful 1861-1862 invading expedition of Confederate General Sibleys Texas volunteers into New Mexico and Arizona. Sibley grandiously called his brigade the Confederate Army of New Mexico. Of the 3,700 Texans who left San Antonio on this campaign, only 2,000 stumbled back the next year. Part two contains little-known stories about failed Union efforts to conquer southern and eastern Texas between 1863-1865. For example, Galveston was occupied by Union forces in 1862, then recaptured during a six hour battle on New Years Day 1863. Further up the Texas coast at Sabine Pass, a Union flotilla of four warships, twenty-two troop transports loaded with 5,000 invasion troops was defeated by a young red-headed Irish Texan lieutenant and his 40 immigrant cannoneers from Eire. And who knows that 300 Texans repulsed 500 better-armed and provisioned Union troops at Palmito ranch in the southern tip of Texas? Palmito was the last battle of the war and was actually fought after Lees surrender. Author Sullivans previous, acclaimed book, Scattered Graves: The Civil War Campaigns of Confederate General and Cherokee Chief Stand Waitie, depicts Waties leadership and hit-and-run tactics. He was the only Indian to be promoted to general on either side and was also the last Confederate general to surrender. Both books are available through Authorhouse.
This comprehensive textbook covers both classical and geometric aspects of optimization using methods, deterministic and stochastic, in a single volume and in a language accessible to non-mathematicians. It will help serve as an ideal study material for senior undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of civil, mechanical, aerospace, electrical, electronics, and communication engineering. The book includes: Derivative-based Methods of Optimization. Direct Search Methods of Optimization. Basics of Riemannian Differential Geometry. Geometric Methods of Optimization using Riemannian Langevin Dynamics. Stochastic Analysis on Manifolds and Geometric Optimization Methods. This textbook comprehensively treats both classical and geometric optimization methods, including deterministic and stochastic (Monte Carlo) schemes. It offers an extensive coverage of important topics including derivative-based methods, penalty function methods, method of gradient projection, evolutionary methods, geometric search using Riemannian Langevin dynamics and stochastic dynamics on manifolds. The textbook is accompanied by online resources including MATLAB codes which are uploaded on our website. The textbook is primarily written for senior undergraduate and graduate students in all applied science and engineering disciplines and can be used as a main or supplementary text for courses on classical and geometric optimization.
Jan Kokk, famous investigator from Curacao, finally comes to Texas. Not by design, the visit is caused by the emergency landing of his California flight in Texas. Once landed in Kerrville, Kokk is the star witness to a bomb threat during the flight. If that isnt enough, a wealthy Hollywood magnate is found dead in the planes rest room. While assisting the FBI, Homeland Security, Texas Rangers and the local sheriff, Kokk falls in love with a flight attendant. Will Kokk, the famous, scrupulous investigator, allow love to interfere with--even override--the law?
Abbie Brown calls her old high school flame, Bruno, to help her brief a rich client on Abbie’s extensive design and decoration project for the client’s already elegant home. The client is Lois, Abbie’s close friend and former college roommate. Before Abbie and Bruno arrive in Canyon Lake to conduct their briefing, Lois’ husband, Hugh, goes missing. Lois insists Abbie and Bruno stay at her home and find her husband. Abbie’s design and decoration project is on hold until Hugh is found. Meanwhile, a red bikini and bra-clad female is found dead on a nearby beach. Local newspaper dubs the dead girl ‘The Lady in Red.’ Police Chief Rogers of Canyon Lake can’t identify the girl, so focuses his investigation on her, rather than the missing Hugh Grimes. Wealthy Hugh Grimes is best known for his speeding around town in his bright red sports car. A fire on the north shore of the lake, a burned male corpse found in that fire and a third murder--a well-known female who recently dyed her hair fiery red--is linked to the previous two ‘red’ deaths. Chief Rogers is unable to solve either case. Can Abbie and Bruno--increasingly interested rekindling their old relationship--restore peace and quiet to this rural Texas Hill Country community, despite the three murders?
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