Just a Plain Old Joe


Book Description

Just a Plain Old Joe is a collection of poems that was primarily written between the late 2008 and the autumn of 2009. The content incorporates humorous rhyme, devotional verse and more reflective material that has been inspired by the people, places and events that have shaped the life of the author.




Old Joe


Book Description

Most folks that knew Old Joe didn't have too much bad to say on his behalf. He was mostly average in height and weight, a man who walked with purpose. Joe's integrity was beyond question and his reputation for being a good hand was well documented. Joe didn't say much, but his actions spoke volumes, all except for the strange nightly ritual he engaged in...




Just Plain Joe


Book Description

Joe Everett Starns was born in Ada, Oklahoma in 1918. In his 83 years, he saw and experienced several lifetime's worth of adventure, good times, and hard knocks.He started writing his story in the mid-80's as a labor of love for his children and grandchildren.The original manuscript was written as time permitted, on an old manual typewriter, and later on an electric typewriter. He went through reams of paper and untold quantities of correction fluid. Even when computers became fairly easy to own and operate, he stayed with his typewriter, set up on a big metal desk in the family room in the home he and my mother purchased in the late 1950's.Although the story only covers the first twenty-three years of his life, it is packed full of historical anecdotes, down-home humor, and heart-warming moments.




Circles


Book Description

BOOK DESCRIPTION FOR BOOK’S PAGE ON THE XLIBRIS WEB SITE In 2003, William Oscar Jones had become totally dissatisfied with the senseless and no thrilling productions of Hollywood. Time and time again he had watched movies with senseless scenes and non-dramatic endings. So William set out in the spring of 2003 to produce a better movie by writing a book that he felt would reflect the true qualities of a satisfactory movie. First of all, William desired to write a book where every scene would relate to the theme, title, and ending. He wanted a book that would convey moral principles and teach valuable lessons. As a man of little income, William was very familiar with the day to day difficulties of the common man. So he wanted to write a book that would appeal to the common man as well as the rich. The idea for William’s book Circles started in January of 2003, while William and his fellow security officer were conversing in front of the home of the World Bank president. William and his associate were parked in a security vehicle guarding the president’s house when William made the statements, “The president could at least send his maid to us with glasses of water or food. I wonder how he would feel if he were out here in this cramped vehicle and we showed no concern for his welfare?” From those statements developed the theme for William’s book Circles—a rich man replacing the position of a poor man. The thoughts of that conversation had disappeared by spring of that year, until William saw his fifth and final dissatisfying movie. After seeing that movie, William became frustrated and thought to himself, “If Hollywood can’t produce a movie decent enough to satisfy me, then hell, I will satisfy myself.” William knew that he could write a better movie than the ones he had witness. So in the spring of 2003, William set out to write a book, and as he thought about various themes, the conversation he had had in January came back to mind and the theme for Circles was born. William had interacted with many wealthy people through his job at World Bank and as a caterer for a popular Indian restaurant in Washington, DC, and he had developed a strong dislike for them. He did not dislike wealthy people simply out of envy, but through his interactions with them, William discovered that most people of wealth have very little moral character and concern for people less fortunate than they. He discovered that most wealthy people are proud and arrogant and feel that they are better than the average person. So, after experiencing both sides, rich life and poor life, William decided to write a book that would appeal to both readers, rich and poor. So came Circles. Circles is a story about a young man name John Sellers, who by nature is a kind and caring kid. But due to the effects of his racist father, who is a member of Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, John grows to become a cruel and racist young man. John’s biological father eventually dies, and John’s mother Kate remarries to an extremely moral man name Peter Braxton. Peter takes on the task of trying to reverse the racist and cruel ways of John, but Peter would eventually learn that John is too deeply rooted into the racist ways of his father. After training and instilling in John all the moral principles that he could, Peter gave up on what seemed to be a hopeless effort, and he warned John that one day his evil ways would come back to haunt him. John’s last name became Braxton after his adoption by Peter Braxton, and later in life he becomes a billionaire, the world’s third wealthiest person. John would eventually encounter a tragedy that would reduce him to the level of a bum, and the only people who would be willing to assist him are the very people that he had once abused and despised. After being redeemed by this experience, John would ultimately become the truly kind person that he really is and




David's Song


Book Description

Based around a true story, Davids Song portrays a time in the life of a teenage girl growing up in Southern England during World War 2. It touches upon the hardship both she and her family faced at a time of war. Surrounded by military training camps, Ina sees the effect American allied troops have on everyday life. The privileges the soldiers have and the hostilities they face. She learns firsthand how cruel people, including her own family, can be when an English girl falls in love with an American soldier. Inas determination to stay true to her love wins through, but at what cost?




Skippy's Rescue


Book Description

A vacation adventure to Easter Island, Chile, turns into a dog rescue when a stray puppy is placed on the lap of a dog lover. Ed's story of his trials and tribulations in rescuing the puppy is a riveting tale of grit, grace, and luck, and one man's stubborn determination to find a way to bring two hearts together. From one side of the world to the other, Skippy's rescue takes Ed on a daunting task of reuniting Skippy with Ed's wife, Angelique. The ultimate must read for anyone who has ever l




Sultans of Swat


Book Description

Traces the careers of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle from a perspective of their love of the game and their significant contributions to Yankee history and tradition.




C'mon, Get Happy


Book Description

In their third and final screen teaming, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly starred together in the MGM musical Summer Stock. Despite its riveting production history, charismatic lead actors, and classic musical moments, the movie has not received the same attention as other musicals from MGM’s storied dream factory. In C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of “Summer Stock,” authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson present a comprehensive study of this 1950 motion picture, from start to finish and after its release. The production coincided at a critical point in the careers of Kelly and an emotionally spent Garland. Kelly, who starred in An American in Paris just one year later, was at the peak of his abilities. On the other hand, Summer Stock was Garland’s final film at MGM, and she gamely completed it despite her own personal struggles. Summer Stock includes Kelly’s favorite solo dance routine and Garland’s signature number “Get Happy.” The authors discuss in rich detail the contributions of the cast (which included Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and Marjorie Main); the director (Charles Walters); the producer (Joe Pasternak); the script writers (George Wells and Sy Gomberg); the songwriters (which included Harry Warren and Mack Gordon); and top MGM executives (Louis B. Mayer and Dore Schary). The volume features extensive interviews, conducted by the authors, with Kelly, Walters, Warren, and others, who shared their recollections of making the movie. Deeply researched, C’mon, Get Happy reveals the studio system at work during Hollywood’s Golden Era. Additionally, the authors have written a special section called “Taking Stock” that buttonholes numerous contemporary dancers, singers, choreographers, musicians, and even Garland impersonators for their take on Summer Stock, its stars, and any enduring legacy they think the film might have. Artists from Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ben Vereen, and Tommy Tune to Garland’s and Kelly’s daughters, Lorna Luft and Kerry Kelly Novick, respectively, offer their unique perspective on the film and its stars.




Lizzy's Bridge


Book Description

Deep in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, the fictional small coal mining towns held many secrets during the post World War II era. Centered in the tiny village of Gunther, PUDDIN FOR BREAKFAST masterfully described a childs transcendence from a dysfunctional familys cruelty. KISS THE FLY GOODBYE brilliantly set the wheels of vigilantly justice into motion. Now LIZZYS BRIDGE completes the trilogy to tell the story of Lizzy Wickett. This young woman had only one secret...her son, Rayn. Exaggerated tales of Lizzys traumatic experience fed the gossipers and created a mystery, while the reality behind Rayns conception remained a secret. Seventeen years after Rayns birth, Lizzy finds herself facing repressed emotions. Can Lizzy muster the courage to face the past and cross her emotional bridges? Can she face the demons that have lain dormant for so many years? Will those who are intertwined in Lizzys circle be able to face facts that threaten to disrupt, or possibly destroy, their lives. Learning the truth about Lizzys attacker only forces more truths to surface creating situations that could affect many in the community, including her attackers sons. Reunited with love, Lizzy understands the need to allay her anxieties. Intrigue and romance seemingly swim against the current throughout the story. Will love and trust be enough for Lizzy to bridge her fears? Can she successfully tread a life of deserved happiness when she crosses Lizzys Bridge for the last time? Will Lizzys truths prove triumphant? Dare to cross Lizzys Bridge with her and discover a tale of invigorated strength.




Learning to Live


Book Description

In Learning to Live, Douglas Palermo takes us on his personal journey for meaning, purpose, and enlightenment in an otherwise meaningless, fragmented, post-modern world. Through his personal writings (short stories, essays, articles, poems, etc.) we follow Doug from being an 8th grade student all the way to being a teacher of 8th grade students--covering over twelve years in the process. We see Doug the high school student developing his writing skills and using them for fun and humor in the classroom and on the internet. We see Doug the college student using his writing to tackle issues of politics and self-identity in his essays and short stories. We see Doug the young adult yearn for spiritual enlightenment in his metaphysical notebook and fictions. And we see Doug the teacher synthesizing all he learned and sharing it with the world through his journal entries and rap songs. Take the journey through the writings of Douglas Palermo and you will find his soul and the soul of the Universe.