A hilariously funny satire of life in Alaska as seen through the misadventures of a warm-hearted but bumbling neophyte.

Presenting a new volume of poetry from the pen of Thomas William. His previous volume, Poems on Alaska and Other Planets, was very well received both here and abroad, and this new volume, Chant of the Gemini, will certainly further and enhance his growing reputation as an important American poet. Dr. William is versatile and finds inspiration in the nooks and crannies of life, his own and others. He certainly shoots a straight, direct arrow into the heart of his poetic matter, a matter of direct truth overcoming extraneous verbosity. He is a poet more concerned with the vegetables of daily living, the potatoes and peas of life, than with its exotic orchards. Read, and you will surely enjoy.

Perils of Wisdom is a compilation of wise and witty maxims, spanning the gamut from Philosophy, Religion, Politics, Education, and Success, to Friendship, Love, Marriage, Ambition, Money, and Old Age. It is a delightfully perspicacious panorama of aphoristic insights by Thomas William on all aspects of life that will make you smile at their clever genius and exclaim, “How true!” You can turn to any page and enjoy these polished gems of encapsulated acumen. These are the observations of a man who has “been there, done that, got the T-shirt.” With this volume, Dr. William joins the ranks of Oscar Wilde and Ambrose Bierce. Truly, a book for every library, coffee table, and night stand—and certainly for every mind.

Dr. Thomas William is a retired psychotherapist and educator; however--as his latest volume of poetry will amply demonstrate--he will never retire from being an avid student of the human condition. Nolo Contendere brings us yet another collection of brilliant insights spanning the gamut from amusing wit to tragical poignancy. Dr. William's other published works include three other volumes of poetry, Poems on Alaska and Other Planets, Chant of the Gemini, and Cryogenic Suspension; two novels, The Alaskan Saga of Thomas Churchill O'Brien and Placida House; and four books of aphorisms, Perils of Wisdom, Books I, II, III, and IV.

What do we, as a society, do with our aged and ailing? A fortunate few spend their last years in small, caring rest homes like Placida House, where each resident is lovingly treated like a member of the family. Baby Dog Benji rules the roost, lavishing canine warmth and affection. Lee and Svea are the expert cook and housemother, absolutely indispensable and adored by all. Henry does the maintenance and takes care of the grounds and occasionally saves somebody's life. And Dr. William is the all-wise father figure who patiently steers Placida House safely through many a storm and keeps things running on an even keel. Set aside the cares of the day for a moment, and enter the safe haven of Placida House, where there's plenty of laughter, good spirits, comic absurdity, and heartwarming spiritual growth. Here it is that men come to grips with their mortality and their prejudices, and try to answer the questions of what's it all been about and what's it all for. But mostly, here is where they at last find peace, protection, happiness, and sincere acceptance.

A must-read collection of the author’s delightfully witty and profound original aphorisms, a continuation of his previously published Perils of Wisdom. It spans the full spectrum of human experience, offering insight into Philosophy, Religion, Politics, Education, Success, Friendship, Love, Marriage, Ambition, Money, and Old Age. You can open it up anywhere at random and read it for a minute or two, or you can indulge in it for an entire evening. Either way, a perusal of this collection is guaranteed to both amuse and challenge you. It will offer you the patience to endure the travails of the journey through life, as well as uplift your spirits with mischievous new ways of looking at old comedies and tragedies—both in your own life and the lives of others. It can provoke excellent dialogue between you and your friends as you examine each jewel within, or merely give you a little “snack” for thought as you go about your daily affairs. It is an excellent gift for loved ones and a must for every library, coffee table, and night stand.