Discusses and exemplifies the importance of relating to others in ways that involve mutual acknowledgment and respect.

As an author, Henry Miller (1891–1980) was infamous for his explicit descriptions of sex, and many of his novels, from The Tropic of Cancer to Black Spring, were banned in the United States on grounds of obscenity. But his books—frequently smuggled into his native country—became a major influence on the Beat Generation of American writers and would eventually lead to a groundbreaking series of obscenity trials that would change American laws on pornography in literary works. In this new critical biography, David Stephen Calonne goes beyond Miller’s notoriety to take an innovative look at the way in which the author’s writings and lifestyle were influenced by his spiritual quests. Charting Miller’s cultivation of his esoteric ideas from boyhood and adolescence to later in his career, Calonne examines how Miller remained deeply engaged with a variety of philosophies, from astrology and Gnosticism to Eastern thinkers. Calonne describes not only the effects this had on Miller’s work, but also to his complex and volatile life—his marriages and love affairs with Beatrice Wickens, June Mansfield, and Anaïs Nin; his years in Paris; and the journey to Greece that resulted in the travelogue The Colossus of Maroussi, the book Miller considered to be his greatest work. After discussing Miller’s final residences in Big Sur and the Pacific Palisades in California, Calonne considers the author’s involvement in the arts, love of painting and music, and friendships with a number of classical musicians. Miller, Calonne reveals, was a quirky, charismatic man of genius who continues to influence popular culture today. Highlighting many areas of the author’s life that have previously been neglected, Henry Miller takes a fascinating revisionary approach to the work of one of American’s most controversial and iconic writers.

This book is one mans attempt to make peace with a world that was on the brink of mutually agreed upon destruction. He chose a bicycle as his medium of expression and named it Friend. His intent was to go from California and head east until going to The Soviet Union. He wanted to meet Soviets and show others that they were alright. He made it as far as East Germany but was not allowed travel any farther east. From there the traveling cyclist heades for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. And then onward around the world. He ran out of money after one year of traveling. He traveled across large continents like Australi and China and circumvented the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. In all he comes away with a world experience and a new way of looking at the planet.

Leo remembers the first time he met Sophie. When Leo first approached her, she was so focused on the book in front of her that she didn’t even notice him. Now, as Leo grows closer to Sophie, he begins to appreciate this aspect of his friend’s personality. Sophie possesses a sense of pride and determination that can take her far in life, but the actions of a conniving adult may ruin everything. Sophie is hiding a secret. She and her mother are illegal immigrants from Syria. Sophie learned the American ideals of independence and perseverance from her wise grandfather, and she is determined to find a way for her family to stay legally. She and Leo start a business together to raise money so Sophie can hire an immigration lawyer. But can one thirteen-year-old girl really keep her family safe? When Ingrid Sanders, a local politician who knows about Sophie’s secret, begins using the girl for her own ends, Sophie is faced with an enormously difficult decision. Should she go along with Ingrid’s schemes, or should she stand up for what she believes in? The decision will have a major impact on Sophie, her mother, and Leo himself!

Destiny By: Michael Torres Destiny is a riveting tale about the life of Michael Angel Torres Sr. who, by the grace of God, has survived numerous life-threatening situations that enabled him to tell the world about them. As a soldier (medic) in the U.S. Army, Michael braved the land of Vietnam without so much as a firearm, solely trusting in the Lord for protection. If you believe cats have nine lives, then so far he has had triple that amount. And if you trust in the Lord Almighty, He will never let you down.

The national bestselling author of A Natural History of the Senses tackles the realm of creativity, by exploring one of the most essential aspects of our characters: the ability to play. "Deep play" is that more intensified form of play that puts us in a rapturous mood and awakens the most creative, sentient, and joyful aspects of our inner selves. As Diane Ackerman ranges over a panoply of artistic, spiritual, and athletic activities, from spiritual rapture through extreme sports, we gain a greater sense of what it means to be "in the moment" and totally, transcendentally human. Keenly perceived and written with poetic exuberance, Deep Play enlightens us by revealing the manifold ways we can enhance our lives.