Above is a photograph of Oberhofen Castle where at least three generations (circa 1585 to 1650) of Ritschards served as castle baliff. The photo was taken by the author during a visit in October 2004. This is the village where Christian Ritschhart, his family and 80 year old mother-in-law lived before emigrating to America in 1750.

This is the story of Condoleezza Rice that has never been told, not that of an ultra-accomplished world leader, but of a little girl--and a young woman--trying to find her place in a sometimes hostile world, of two exceptional parents, and an extended family and community that made all the difference. Condoleezza Rice has excelled as a diplomat, political scientist, and concert pianist. Her achievements run the gamut from helping to oversee the collapse of communism in Europe and the decline of the Soviet Union, to working to protect the country in the aftermath of 9-11, to becoming only the second woman--and the first black woman ever--to serve as Secretary of State. But until she was 25 she never learned to swim, because when she was a little girl in Birmingham, Alabama, Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor decided he'd rather shut down the city's pools than give black citizens access. Throughout the 1950's, Birmingham's black middle class largely succeeded in insulating their children from the most corrosive effects of racism, providing multiple support systems to ensure the next generation would live better than the last. But by 1963, Birmingham had become an environment where blacks were expected to keep their head down and do what they were told--or face violent consequences. That spring two bombs exploded in Rice’s neighborhood amid a series of chilling Klu Klux Klan attacks. Months later, four young girls lost their lives in a particularly vicious bombing. So how was Rice able to achieve what she ultimately did? Her father, John, a minister and educator, instilled a love of sports and politics. Her mother, a teacher, developed Condoleezza’s passion for piano and exposed her to the fine arts. From both, Rice learned the value of faith in the face of hardship and the importance of giving back to the community. Her parents’ fierce unwillingness to set limits propelled her to the venerable halls of Stanford University, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the university’s second-in-command. An expert in Soviet and Eastern European Affairs, she played a leading role in U.S. policy as the Iron Curtain fell and the Soviet Union disintegrated. Less than a decade later, at the apex of the hotly contested 2000 presidential election, she received the exciting news--just shortly before her father’s death--that she would go on to the White House as the first female National Security Advisor. As comfortable describing lighthearted family moments as she is recalling the poignancy of her mother’s cancer battle and the heady challenge of going toe-to-toe with Soviet leaders, Rice holds nothing back in this remarkably candid telling.

Cranes Among Chickens is a compelling memoir about a Taiwanese family, with tales of immigrants and pioneers, of ambition and rebellion, of three generations spanning one hundred years, two continents, five countries, and three wars. This family saga mirrors a tumultuous period in history as Taiwan transitioned from a 19th century backwater to a 21st century economic powerhouse. These collected stories drawn from diaries, letters, oral accounts, and the authors recollections of his own journey to American citizenship and professional acclaim provide a candid portrait of a remarkable family that has endured great change and overcome numerous challenges.

This is a story of two families ? ordinary people intertwined with the dates, places, and extraordinary events of world history. Their names are not found in history books. Many, in the 18th century, could neither read nor write their names, but the Neeses and Falcons, despite any illiteracy, were part of the great movement of peoples from around the world who came to the New World to build the most powerful country on this planet. They established freedom as the bedrock upon which America stands. Our people endured much hardship and privation, but they did not give up in their determination to build America. Our people were among the pioneering immigrants who laid the foundation of our country ? the ideals of our country are steeped in the sweat and blood of these early Americans ? the Neeses and Falcons.

Start discovering your Scottish ancestors today! Turn your research into results with the help of genealogists Linda Jonas and Paul Milner! Their invaluable instructions and problem-solving advice makes tracing your Scottish family history easier and more efficient.You'll learn how to: • Discover who your family was, where they came from, and how they lived. • Maximize your research results by using the Internet, visiting local libraries and Family History Centers - even traveling to Scotland. • Master the differences between Scottish and U.S. research, including geographic and political terms, names and naming patterns, clans and tartans, religion, record keeping and languages. • Use the most important resources for tracing one's Scottish family history. Most of these records are readily available outside of Scotland. Your research opportunities are virtually unlimited.

Who are "The Legal Warriors" in this book? Some might think these are lawyers. But that is wrong. The real Legal Warriors in this book are the poor individuals and families who daily struggle to gain their rights. The real Legal Warriors are their community groups fighting for justice and improvements in society. These fighters include families struggling to save their homes from foreclosure. They are the neighborhood organizations combatting the industrial polluters who poison our water and air. They are the soldiers who skirmish to keep their gas and lights on. They are newcomers who come to our region to seek a "fresh start in life." These are only some of the legal warriors that I have been privileged to serve in my fifty years of legal work. To all of them I say thank you for sharing your battles with me. This book is dedicated to you. I pray and hope that the Good Lord blesses you and your communities with many well-deserved legal victories in all of your struggles.