Maltese Prehistory

Malta’s history stretches back into the ages as far back as 5000 BC and radiocarbon dating has proved this. Scattered all over the Maltese Islands one comes across evidence of Malta’s prehistory. The most important being a series of temples which have been termed to be the oldest free-standing stone structures exceeding even the earliest stone constructions of Egypt – the Pyramids; and older even than Stonehenge. Prehistory remains in Malta are unique and nothing is remotely comparable anywhere in the world. Prehistory is divided into three phases Neolithic (5200 – 4100 BC), Temple Period (4100 – 2500 BC), Bronze Age (2500 – 800 BC). The book Malta Before History published by Miranda Publishers and written by a number of authors gives an in-depth study of the Malta’s prehistory.

Malta Before History is an archaeological, academic and pictorial analysis of Malta’s pre-history embodied in the oldest freestanding stone buildings in the world on the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo.

Malta Before History explores the stone structures, known locally as ‘the temples’ that are older than the pyramids in Egypt, the sites of Mesopotamia and Stonehenge in England. This unique publication, with a foreword by renowned historian Lord Colin Renfrew, brings the Maltese Islands to the attention of new generations of historians and academics as well as readers and travellers who enjoy the uniqueness of history and have never before discovered Malta was the home of such superb ancient sites. To quote Lord Renfrew, ’something exceptional took place in Malta more than 5,000 years ago and there is nowhere else in the world that can boast of great stone monuments at so early a date’. Two of the locations examined in this publication, the megalithic temples and the Saflieni Hypogeum were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.

Extraordinary facts unfold about the mysterious origins of prehistoric Maltese man and how he constructed such unmatched architecture. Chapters include studies on The Building of Megalithic Malta and The Bronze Age as well as the enigma of the Cart Ruts and whether the ‘Fat Lady’ was really a god or a goddess. Equally important is a chapter showing how recent radiocarbon dating has proved that Malta’s prehistory and its standing stone monuments are much older than archaeologists had first assumed. Authors include David Trump, Anthony Pace, Anthony Bonanno, Ann Monsarrat, Daniel Clarke, Michael Hughes Clarke, Alex Torpiano, Frank Ventura, Reuben Grima and Richard England.

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Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction (Book Review)

Most of us are familiar with the bleakness and the general connotation of Kristallnacht. It takes some courage, however, to face the poignant, agonizing, and tragic personal stories of the survivors of that “night of the broken glass.”

This book has put humanity’s face on the history of one of the most atrocious nights of the world’s recent past with the startlingly detailed accounts of those who lived it. The author, through his microscopic focusing ability, has amassed eye-witness accounts and has told the history of a horrifying night and its repercussions through the several years that followed it.

At least for me, “Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction” was very difficult to read without getting profoundly moved and deeply saddened; however, I read the book to the end without putting it down and without losing attention, because this book proved to be much more significant than any other piece of writing I had come across on the subject.

Kristallnacht occurred while people in the world watched powerlessly, although they understood what was happening. Some recorded the details; others shrugged it off; and most, even if threatened by it, froze in action. “Night of the broken glass” was mob behavior encouraged and abetted by the Third Reich.

The anti-Jew sentiment or rather the actions stemming from that sentiment had begun as early as 1933 at the onset of the Nazi Germany and grew to monstrous dimensions by November,1939. The German nation’s each imperfection was blamed on its Jewish population with an attempt to swing the public opinion against the Jews. Thus, the deportation of the Jews from Germany had begun quite a few years before November 10, 1939, the date of the Kristallnacht.

The impossibility for all the Jews to leave Germany had many reasons. Some thought the homeland they fought for in World War .I. would never betray them. Others could not find passage to other countries. Most countries had immigration quotas and they allowed only so many people. The Jews, therefore, found themselves locked in a threatening situation and in a dangerous place they had come to love and respect as their homeland.

During these forced deportations of the Semites, Herschel Grynszpan, a seventeen year-old Jewish boy–after getting word of his family’s plight–shot and mortally wounded the Third Secretary to the German Ambassador in Paris. This became the spark to inflame the hatred of the German masses against the Jews.

On the “night of the broken glass,” almost every synagogue was burned; Jewish cemeteries were desecrated; private homes and stores belonging to Jews were broken into and every single item demolished or confiscated; and men and women–rich or poor, young or old, healthy or infirm–were beaten, killed, or terrorized. Vienna, known as the “Jewish City,” was mostly burned, and in other cities, all Jewish neighborhoods were wrecked.

In one of the personal stories, then-six-year old Lea Weems remembers, after the Nazis came in and broke everything her family owned, “they pushed my father and grandfather down the stairs. I was screaming and pulling on my father’s sleeve trying to keep him from leaving.”

The book is made up of similar hair-raising remembrances of the survivors of Kristallnacht through their escape or destiny. The writer has also noted the generous and kind actions of the few Germans who were human enough to see the wrong in their fellow citizens, for some of them helped the Jews as much as they could.

The writer, Sir Martin Gilbert, is a British historian with more than seventy volumes and Kristallnacht is his seventy-seventh book. He is well known as Churchill’s historian. Among his other works are: The Churchill Biography, Jerusalem, Holocaust, British History, European History, Atlases, World History, Jewish History and several ‘Books on Tape’ like Aushwitz. the Allies, In Search of Churchill, Israel and Zionism.

The book, Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction, is 314 pages, in hardcover and with ISBN:0060570830.

The lessons to be learned from Kristallnacht is best said in Sir Martin Gilbert’s words as: “It taught those who were the source of prejudice that a whole people can be demonized; that a whole nation can be turned totally and obscenely against a decent, hard-working, creative, loyal and integral part of its own society. This point was made on 19 August 2005 when Pope Benedict XVI, on his first visit to his native Germany after becoming Pope, went to the Roonstrasse synagogue in Cologne…”

Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction is an irreplaceable book and it deserves a good deal of attention from history buffs and all readers alike.

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Ice Cream: The Delicious History-Book Review

In the White House what was often on the menu that George Washington was wild about and Presidents Madison, Andrew Jackson, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon would not do without? The answer is ice cream, without a doubt. Ice cream was also declared “morale food” by the US army during World War I. These tidbits of information I learned from Marilyn Powell’s book, “Ice Cream: The Delicious History.”

Powell must have a true passion for ice cream to have gone to such great lengths to bring her readers the history and the legends of ice cream with so much enthusiasm. The book is as tasteful as the frozen dessert of cream, sugar, and eggs most of us enjoy, and the author’s writing style is not frozen at all, but warm, animated, and engaging.

The history of ice cream is universal, and it starts with the oldest of times, Biblical maybe, when snow was a precious item and people collected it. There were ice pits in ancient Britain dating to Iron Age. Then in old Greece, Hippocrates, father of medicine, warned people against eating it, because the stuff suddenly threw “the body into a different state,” but people ate it anyway. Even Marco Polo might have seen it sold on the streets in China.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, stern Europeans had to be cajoled to let the cold stuff enter into their bodies, since most illnesses were blamed on the ice cream. Yet, convincing the Europeans proved not to be too difficult, given the flavor of the dessert.

Elaborating on the stories of ice cream and its variations like the banana split, Powell carries the history of the dessert through Europe and the United States to Andy Warhol’s ice cream cone paintings to our day.

To adorn all these embellished facts, “Ice Cream: The Delicious History” has delightful drawings of old ice-cream makers and contraptions, old and new ice cream recipes, President Jefferson’s Vanilla Ice Cream recipe, and another one for the Black Cow Soda.

According to the book’s publisher, the author, Marilyn Powell has taught at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. An award-winning writer, broadcaster, and producer, her work has been published in Saturday Night, The Canadian Forum, and Books in Canada. Her short stories have appeared in Toronto Short Stories and Aurora III. Powell has a Ph.D. in English literature from Harvard University.

The book is in hardcover with 256 pages and ISBN: 1585677973.

It is quite fitting to end this article with Powell’s own words in the epilogue. “Ice cream is a pleasure, a triumph, a treasure of invention. As Voltaire is said to have remarked, ‘Ice Cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn’t illegal.”

Enjoy the book. I did.

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Poisonwood Bible Review

This is simply one of the best books I have ever read. It will stay a treasured part of my home library. After I put this book down and reflected on it a bit, I headed to my computer to find out all I could about the Congo. I wanted, no desired, to learn all I could about the land and people. I wanted to help those who lived under such harsh conditions every day, and knew no easier way of life. It gave me a new admiration for the ministries who choose to do their work over there, as well as for all the others who volunteer to live in this harsh environment, helping those who reside there.

The novel takes place in the late fifties, and spans for a duration of over thirty years. A hard, harsh, unbending missionary brings his wife and four daughters to a remote village, only reachable by plane. Not only does the family have to worry about hostile neighbors who don’t agree with the missionary’s way of preaching, they also have to worry about all the illnesses that plaque the area, along with poisonous snakes and insects. The humidity is horrid and if that all weren’t enough, there’s a threat of war in the air. Most of the novel follows each of the daughters lives well into their adulthood. You are able to see how just a couple of traumatic years in the Congo affected each one of them for the rest of their lives.

Each character in the second half of the novel tells the history of the Belgean Congo. It is sure to move you, and at times make your eyes mist up and your mouth drop open.

Barbara Kingsolver is at her best. Her vivid descriptions will have you experiencing the trials of the family and village. When you’re not reading the book, you’ll find your mind drifting to the family and citizens of the Congo, as if they were your true life friends.

The father’s self-righteous, abusive behavior will make you steam. He won’t take anyone else’s beliefs seriously and thinks his way is the only way.

The emotional writing is sure to grip you – but her political writing is a bit strained and is not her creative forte. Though this bothers a few readers, I found it easy to forgive, as the rest of the book is deeply moving and well written.

Orleanna Price, the mother, does her best to keep her family going and together. With no electricity, no running water and horrible living conditions, she tries to stay strong and make it as gracefully as she can through all of the hardships; not to mention the abuse of her husband. Finally, after the heart-rendering loss of one of her daughters she finds the strength to leave him, but sadly the damage is too deep and she is forever scarred.

Poisonwood (based on the Poisonwood tree which grows next to their house) Bible will proudly remain in my home library, and will sure to become a proud addition to yours.

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Russian Spies in America – A Book Review

Cold War spying is well-documented, but have you ever wondered just how bad it was? Have you ever considered how long it has gone on? Would you like to take a gander into history and see for yourself? If so, I’d sure like to recommend a very good book to you. The name of the book is;

“Techno Bandits; How the Soviets Are Stealing America’s High-Tech Future” By Linda Melvern, Nick Anning, David Hebditch, and Mark Hosenball, 1984.

The Cold War was one of spies and military espionage and it was waged all over the world. Not only did Russia and the US prevent each other from expansionism and from gaining headway with client nations, but the Russians stole us blind when it came to technology. And even if one is oblivious to the realities of the time, one cannot but smile in amazement of how many super technological advances happened in Russia and the US at exactly the same time; coincidence? Doubtful.

“Ronald Reagan called it a hemorrhaging of technology,” and “A multimillion dollar underground trade in the theft of technology.”

The examples in this book are too numerous to mention. It is absolutely undeniable that the Russians have stolen more technology from the United States of America than any other group of foreign spies in history. They stole even more than the Japanese. Although the Chinese industrial espionage spies are now catching up with the Russians now and should surpass their technological theft over the last six decades, it is amazing how much did this cost our country. And the Russians technology thievery goes on today. Indeed, I hope you will read this book, so that you understand the truth.

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South Pacific WWII History – Book Review

In World War II, the United States Navy did an incredible job in the South Pacific, but at times the chaos turned to crisis and there were casualties. The Imperial Japanese were systematic planners and thinkers and they executed their strategy as best they could, luckily for us, the Western way of thinking provided us with the agility, tenacity, and will to win.

Most people today would like to put the World War II battles between the Japanese and Americans behind them. After all, the Japanese are one of our largest trading partners, and we are now friends. 50% of all Americans drive Japanese cars, and each one of us has Japanese products in our home. The Japanese also buy American products, and the United States military has a major base there.

Nevertheless, you must never forget your history or you are doomed to repeat it, or so someone once said. And therefore, I’d like to recommend a very good book to you on South Pacific World War II History, and things you probably don’t know. This is a book I have on my bookshelf along with a huge collection of World War II books, and one I’d recommend that you read, the name of the book is;

“Operation Bismarck Sea,” by Lawrence Cortest, 1977

“The incredible story of a patchwork allied air force that took on a Japanese naval armada and saved Australia from invasion.”

In this book you will learn about MacArthur’s “Operation Elkton” and Imaura “Operation 157″ and how historians tell us that weather, luck, skill, and will help does prevail in

New Guinea
Guadalcanal
Eel of the Pacific
Rabaul

Too many Americans do not know the history, of their grandfathers, and all they did in the Pacific, and how what they did change the world forever. Indeed, I hope you will please consider this, and consider reading this book, and other books like it. We should never let this history die. Think on it.

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Book Review – Don’t Drink the Punch, by Kamala Devi

Let’s face it, who is not at least mildly intrigued by the word: Tantra?

I saw the book, was intrigued by the title and that word Tantra in the subtitle, and truly did not know what to expect when I picked this book up to read it. The cover managed to capture my attention, even though it’s not a genre I would typically read.

Several pages into the book, I knew I would not be disappointed! I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t stop reading it until I finished it, even fighting sleep to stay up late into the night to read the rest of the story.

Don’t Drink the Punch is well written, but in a style that is rather unexpected–first person, present tense! There are very few authors who have the capacity and talent to write in present tense, first person, and draw the reader into the story. Typically, we read in third person and/or past tense, more like reading a ‘movie’ that we play out the scenes in our own minds. First person present tense requires precisely written scenes that keep the reader captivated as though they are inside the story, as it is happening, part of it.

Don’t Drink the Punch achieves this requirement and then some! I found as I read Kamala Devi does this expertly, by making the reader feel completely connected and involved in the story, and I could identify with the main character on a personal level, and he is a MAN (I’m not!)

The story begins with the lead male character, Sal, in the Bangkok International Airport, where he spots a redheaded woman who captures his attention, so much so that he had to follow her and initiate conversation. Little does he know that this innocent conversation would lead him down a path with the beautiful and free-spirited redhead, Sara, through the streets and back-alley sex commerce of Bangkok, to the ancient cemeteries of India, with several stops in between.

Readers experience first hand Sal’s experiences from body massages (where the masseuse uses their entire body to massage, not just their hands), dealing drugs, life threatening illness, participating in a sex cult and questioning every belief he’s ever held dear to him, to experiencing the emotion of painful decision to choose between true love and sanity, and eventually to experiencing and understanding loss, remorse and guilt. Readers will learn in the end whether or not Sal learns from these experiences, how they change him-for better or for worse-and the fate of his love for Sara.

With steamy, erotic and sensual scenes interspersed with romance and affection, friendship and understanding, and plenty of adventure to keep it all exciting, it’s no wonder I had trouble putting down this book.

Hidden in the pages of a fantastic fiction story readers also find historic information about specific locations and inside information to the inner workings of certain religious and spiritual beliefs in different parts of the world, without any judgment or attempts to preach or sway anyone’s opinions.

It was a real page turner and a beautifully written story about love, passion, Tantra, obsession… and ultimately about personal fulfillment and finding one’s own true path in this world, and not blindly following someone else down a path not their own. Steamy and sensual but also light and humorous, I found it both sad and uplifting at the same time, something that takes a talented writer to accomplish effectively, and Kamala Devi does not disappoint.

I have already recommended this book to several friends to read, because it is just that good. Highly recommended.

Don’t Drink the Punch

By Kamala Devi

Book Specifications:

* Paperback: 303 Pages

* Publisher: Zendow Press

* ISBN-10: 1879097990

* ISBN-13: 978-1879097995

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Top 10 Best Science Fiction Books

#1: Dune (Frank Herbert)

Science Fiction doesn’t get much better then this. Dune is every Science Fiction aficionado’s wet dream. Many people claim Dune is Science Fiction’s answer to “Lord of the Rings” and I have to agree: it sure is. There are many good science fiction books, but Dune is indeed a giant among giants. It truly is a pinnacle of Science Fiction literary achievement. If you haven’t read Dune, doesn’t waste any more time. Read it now!

# 2: Starship Troopers (Robert Heinlein)

War is beautiful according to Robert Heinlein. This is a novel about the glorification of war. The premise: space-marines wearing special armor battle vicious alien insect aliens. This is classic “old school” science fiction at it’s best. It’s a rip-roaring ride through the galaxy that you don’t want to miss.

#3 : Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)

This is one of the corner stones of science fiction and one novel that you shouldn’t miss. A critique on society, the story of a boy who refuses to give up, a battle to save the fate of mankind – this science fiction book combines them all into one addictive and compelling mix that shouldn’t be missed.

#4: Foundation (Isaac Asimov)

This is undoubtedly on of the finest works of science fiction ever written. If you a fan of science fiction with grandiose and epic storylines, get your hand on this book.

A corollary: Foundation is a series for people who love grand and complex ideas. If you are looking for a book heavy on the action but thin on concepts, this may not be the book for you. The strength of the ideas presented are the focus of this story, not the characterization. Regardless, this is one of those Science Fiction books that you just need to read. You will never think about Science Fiction the same way after reading the Foundation series.

#5: Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson)

Part-time hacker and pizza delivery boy and full time samurai swordsman, meet Hiro Protagonist. Snow Crash is breath taking novel with action and pacing thick enough to drown in. Snow Crash redefined and rejuvenated the Cyberpunk genre. If you want a novel with bucket loads of action, futuristic technologies ala The Matrix, and the gritty futuristic dystopia of the Blade Runner world, Snow Crash is the perfect recommendation.

#6: Forever War (Joe Haldeman)

The Forever War is pretty much The Vietnam War in space. It’s brutal and bloody and makes a strong case that war really is pointless. Don’t let the strong political statement of the novel deter you, however; this is Science Fiction at its finest: a complex, disturbing novel that makes you think…and feel. It’s a great science fiction story that you don’t want to miss, a true masterpiece of the genre.

#7: The Night’s Dawn (Peter Hamilton)

This is space opera science fiction done right: Massive space battles, a large cast of compelling characters, political tension between planets, and an all out grand adventure. There is a good deal of space opera in the science fiction genre already, but Peter Hamilton is one of the best character writers in the genre and his plots are just so damn interesting. He really knows how to write a rip-roaring adventure that keeps you up into the late hours of the morning. Those in the mood for something big with lots of action, both in and out of space, Night’s Dawn trilogy delivers.

#8: Gap (Steven R. Donaldson)

This disturbing series is a dark ride into hell that you don’t want to miss. It’s one of the darkest set of books I’ve read, period. But the world that Stephen Donaldson draws is superb. Stephen Donaldson is an author that cares deeply about characterization, and he excels at crafting anti-heroes. If you are looking for some dark space opera, I highly recommend the Gap series.

#9: Otherland (Tad William)

Those looking for something like the Matrix in written form need look no longer. Otherland is about as close as you’ll get. With less mumbo jumbo psycho babble and more realism, Otherland makes for a really compelling read. Otherland starts slow, but those willing give it a chance will be greatly rewarded.

#10: Altered Carbon (Richard Morgan)

This is one dystopian cyberpunk with a lot of style and some seriously punishing action. I guarantee that once you start reading this novel, you won’t be putting it down. Morgan is a man with some visionary ideas; he always has interesting characters, twisting plots, and heart-pounding action. Those that love Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Neuromancer are in for a treat.

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Working With Major Publishing Houses

Publishing a book is one of the best ways to build credibility and gain exposure. Not only can it position you as an expert in your field but it could also open the door to entirely new opportunities just because you are now an author. Indeed, almost any author will tell you the best thing they ever did was publish their first book.

There are three primary options for getting your book published. The easiest way is to self-publish the book yourself, meaning you complete the work and send it to a printer. Done. The second option is to use an independent publisher. These are legitimate publishers but they’re smaller than the big boys and tend to specialize in one area or another. The last option is the most ambitious and it involves the industry majors like Penguin and Random House.

Any aspiring author would prefer to get their book published by a major publishing house. It gives you far more credibility and enhances your chances of selling the book once it’s on retail shelves. But getting one of the big publishers to publish your book is no easy task. There are a number of things you need to keep in mind before you even get started.

Most importantly, the big publishing houses only work with proven authors. That means it’s extremely difficult to get them to work with you on your first book. They want to know you’ve successfully sold books before. And if it’s your first book, you better have an impressive platform and an audience you can easily tap into to promote sales. Bottom line; they don’t really care what your book is about. Their top priority is your ability to sell it.

The big publishers generally don’t deal directly with the author anyway. They prefer to deal through Literary Agents. These are basically screeners who receive hundreds of book proposals each month and sift through them looking for those with real potential. Getting a Literary Agent is step one if you hope to get your book published by one of the big publishing houses.

A great way to find Literary Agents is to go to a book store and find books similar to the one you’d like to write. Then look at the acknowledgements. In most cases, the authors will thank their agents in that section and you can simply make note of their names and then look them up on Google. Then contact them and see if they’re accepting new proposals.

Book proposals for the big publishing houses are generally quite large. It’s not unusual for the proposal to be 100 pages long. In fact, you’re almost better off writing the entire book ahead of time and then putting the proposal together afterwards. You’ll end up including a sample chapter in the proposal anyway and there are plenty of other things it should include. You can find more information about what needs to be included by doing a Google search for book proposal.

Getting your first book published by one of the industry majors is difficult but it’s not impossible. Do your research on the front end and learn how the system works. That will be your greatest asset when starting the process. You can find a lot more tips and tricks for getting books published on my website and I hope you take advantage of the free information available there.

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Soft IVF – Cheaper and More Natural

A new form of cheaper, more natural IVF that could beat infertility and make you a mum? Where do I sign up? Oh, that’s right, I no longer have a uterus but if I did I’d be looking into this.

I’ll take the Soft IVF please. It’s about half the price of the conventional IVF we know and dislike and it uses far less drugs.

Dr Geeta Nargund, Head of Reproductive Medicine at St George’s Hospital, London, and Medical Director of Create Health Clinic, is one of a handful of UK doctors offering the new treatment.

Her theory is that it is safer for the mother’s health, eggs and any embryos that are created if there are no drugs or they are minimized. And the good news is that any woman recommended for IVF can use it, including those with blocked fallopian tubes – it’s not discriminatory.

Whereas with IVF there is four weeks of drug-taking, first to down-regulate hormones then to stimulate egg production, with the new technique there is only up to a week of ‘gentle drug-taking’ in small quantities and not by injection, before egg pick up. And in this way the most common side-effect, ovarian hyperstimulation, is avoided.

How about success rates? While early days, compared to a success rate in the UK of 27% using conventional IVF, the success rate in the Netherlands where Professor Bart Fauser, head of Reproductive Medicine in Utrecht, The Netherlands, has been recommending it over conventional IVF for the past three years, is 43%.

It is particularly promising for older women, whose ovaries don’t respond well to high levels of drug stimulation. In addition Spanish scientists believe that stimulatory drugs affect the quality of the lining of the womb and even increase the risk of miscarriage.

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