Before I Forget

Before I Forget is more of a medley than a memoir. It chronicles the affairs of the American University of Beirut during an under studied period comprising and following the Lebanese civil war. In recording his perception of selective periods in his lifetime the author focuses on his AUB experience and documents his text with email exchanges with university officials.

He exposes his personal experience as a student, an administrator and faculty member of AUB during a period that spans over the administration of fourteen presidents (from John Paul Leonard to Fadlo Khuri), several of whom he was closely associated with. During this period, he served in central capacities including: president of the Faculty Association, President of the Worldwide Alumni Association, Assistant Dean and chair of the Senate Steering Committee. In his engaging style the author draws attention to what he considers an association of AUB with US interests.

The book also chronicles the difficulties and strivings the author faced since his family was forced to leave his homeland. It discusses the changes the author experienced moving from Lebanon to the US as a foreign student as well as the lifestyle adjustments he had to undergo when returning to Lebanon after graduation.

Behind the Crime

Whatever the crime, there is a human story behind it, and though many crimes are frightening and even horrifying, most of them are a story of human failure. In this book, Colin tells about his journey into crime from the safe environs of the Bank of England into the chaos of disordered lives. The book is full of people with whom he worked from the late 1960s to his move-on promotion to Reading in 1979. It was South London reeling from the power of the Krays and Richardson gangs and the coming of young children to join parents who had come to England from the Caribbean ten years before. For over two years it was the desperation of Holloway prison. They are only pen pictures and are not meant to go into great depth neither do they excuse the crimes that brought them to court. They are simply a look-behind the crime to meet the people. The events may be historical, but they are still being relived today.

Behind the Lines

The year 2020 marks the 75^th anniversary of the German surrender in World War II. The 10^th Mountain Division, the army’s first mountaineering unit, led the Allies to victory in Italy in 1945. Their soldiers are often celebrated for their heroism and ingenuity and remembered for their steep losses in the campaign to defeat Nazi Germany. Yet it has been estimated that no more than 14% of troops overseas in World War II ever saw combat.

Behind the Lines is the story of a 10^th Mountain Division soldier from the other 86%, someone who toiled to deliver munitions and supplies to troops on the battlefront and who documented his experiences in letters home to his wife in Minnesota. Narrated by the soldier’s daughter who, some 70 years later, finally read the correspondence between her parents and became acquainted with them as they were when she was a baby, the experiences of this soldier and of the wife he left behind reveal the day-to-day challenges of their plight, the tensions but also the unexpected rewards of their situation, and the all-too-common prejudices of a tumultuous era often dubbed ‘heroic’. Behind the Lines mines the correspondence to describe the anguish and the longing of a young couple separated by a war that would change the course of modern civilisation.

Behind the Mask I Wear

The NHS is a jewel in our crown, cherished by the British and envied globally, yet there’s a shadow lurking behind the gleam. This book unfolds the journey of a singular nurse and the alarming challenges she confronted. Encountering bullying, fraud, and sexual harassment, alongside profound sadness and personal loss, she navigated through the mental and physical turmoil to shield not only herself but also the patients and staff entrusted to her care. Spanning a career of over forty years, the adversities she faced will both astonish and shock you. This unspoken aspect of the NHS is brought to light, revealing moments that will make you smile amidst others that will tug at your heartstrings. This valiant nurse, now proudly bearing the title ‘Doctor’, continues to practice today, her remarkable journey showcasing the profound highs and lows nestled within the heart of the NHS.

Being Me

A true story of a woman with Asperger’s syndrome struggling to make sense of the world. A powerful and moving memoir of upheaval, renewal, and self-acceptance. Sad and inspirational, it will give hope to many. A good read that will be hard to put down. You will be wanting more. It is emotive and evokes a strong sense of empathy in the reader. The author has given honest description of incidences that have happened throughout her life and how they have impacted her due to Asperger’s syndrome. She reached the darkest depths but managed to overcome problems and move forward with life. She sees life in a positive way, even though she is still healing. Some people will relate to it and realise they are not on their own. There are others experiencing the same. Diversity should be celebrated and not denied. A must-read for those that are interested in learning the truth.

Beneath the Filters

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. While they offer a way to stay connected with others and access information, they can also have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly for young people.

In Beneath the Filters: The Dangerous Effects of Social Media on Mental Health, author Francesca Salierno explores how the beauty standards perpetuated by social media can lead to a distorted sense of self-worth and body image issues.

Drawing on research and real-life stories, including her own, Francesca uncovers the toxic nature of social media and its impact on mental health. Through practical advice and guidance, readers will learn how to take control of their social media use and promote a healthier relationship with themselves and others.

This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the value of real beauty beneath the filters.

Beneath the Shelter of an Ancient Tree

A voyage of family discovery reveals poverty and imprisonment in the West Country; the development of new trades in the industrial revolution; a Rabbi who doubles up as a pawnbroker; and middle-class prosperity and tragedy in the Birmingham jewellery trade. Starting with only minimal knowledge of widely dispersed ancestors this journey tracks down ancient relatives from Wales, the West Riding of Yorkshire, Somerset, Dorset, Poland and Russia. Two mayors make fleeting appearances (one in Gloucester, the other in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne). One great uncle is found to have designed the iconic gantries in the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast where the Titanic was built. A great, great, great grandfather has questions to answer about the treatment of child labour in his Calderdale spinning mill.

Starting in the late 18th century Beneath the Shelter of an Ancient Tree catalogues how and where these diverse characters lived, how they made their living, and the ups and downs of family fortunes. It comments on some of the pivotal moments that affected their progress, and draws on contemporary sources, some family memoirs, and genealogical records to build a picture of how working people and artisans gradually – throughout the Victorian era – improved their lot in life.

Beyond Belief – Faith That Works

“If the gospel changes everything, why is there so little change in my life? Why do I struggle so much with sins that are debilitating, those that knock the wind out of me and deplete me emotionally? Where can I find hope to experience the freeing beauty of following Jesus?”

Many Christians are frustrated over the disconnect between faith and lifestyle. Beyond Belief bridges the gaping chasm between belief and behavior. In so doing it exposes the short-circuits in how we view what the gospel is and how it practically changes us.

If you are looking for a faith that works, especially in daily living, Beyond Belief is for you. As you apply the principles in Beyond Belief those around you will notice the change. And so will you.

Beyond the Dragon’s Mouth to the Land of Milk and Money

Embark on an extraordinary memoir that chronicles the remarkable odyssey of a man determined to transcend adversity, conquer racial prejudice, and fulfil his dream of becoming a Chartered Engineer. This captivating narrative traces a history that stretches back to the 1840s when his forefathers, descendants of indentured laborers from India, were brought to toil in the sugar cane fields of a British colony after the abolition of slavery. From this rich tapestry of ancestry to the present day in England, the author’s life unfolds as a testament to resilience.

Spanning continents and centuries, this memoir offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a young boy growing up on a British island colony in the mid-twentieth century. It vividly contrasts the stark realities of a tropical upbringing with the challenges of adapting to life in a temperate climate, from fog and snow to relentless drizzling rain. The simple act of donning thick clothing becomes a novel experience, as does huddling by a Valor paraffin stove in a quest for warmth and cocooning beneath scratchy wool blankets.

As the narrative unfolds, you’ll witness the profound transformation of a penniless immigrant who, against all odds, blossoms into a prosperous family man. His journey is a testament to unwavering determination, resilience, and a remarkable integration into British society, providing an intimate and insightful perspective on the trials and triumphs of one man’s quest for excellence.

Beyond the Flames

As a teenager at a South London comprehensive school, young David Pike is advised by his careers master to seek employment at a local engineering factory. Determined not to do so, 'Pikey' first considers the Metropolitan Police; disappointed at their rejection, he sees an advertisement for the London Fire Brigade, who at sixteen offer him a place as a Junior Fireman.
From those early days in the 60s as a Junior Fireman, Pikey's career spans four decades and numerous jobs as he climbs the career ladder in the London Fire Brigade. On the way he undertakes a wide variety of roles, as well as organising several high profile charity events and official Fire Brigade commemorations.
David Pike's enthralling book is his own account - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but never dull - of his career in, and dedication to, fire fighting in the capital city. The reader will gain a fascinating insight into the workings of the London Fire Brigade and the firefighters who keep us safe.

Big Brain Revolution

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) changing the world? Is AI updating the human brain? Can AI help to solve complex problems baffling scientists and politicians? The answer is yes. This book offers unique insights into the consequences of mixing psychology with technology. It takes you on a journey of discovery, stripping AI and the human brain back to basics. It's not academic, keeps knowledge simple and questions if humans can be manipulated by machines. Big data is already monitoring human movements. So imagine future powers of information gathering on an even bigger scale - including brain waves, emotions and inner thoughts. AI could personalise messages back to the brain and update love, desires and our destiny. Now is the time to be curious and to question. We must not hesitate. History will not forgive us. This is our common purpose. Our mission is to bequeath ethical AI advancements to the next generation. Humility tells us how working together is the secret sauce to guide AI to help mankind. It must help untangle collective problems such as climate change - bigger than the individual. This book is for everyone. So read it, pass it on and discuss how AI is impacting your brain and our futures.

Bill Tutte Codebreaker

BILL TUTTE CODEBREAKER 'THE GREATEST INTELLECTUAL FEAT OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.' … a testimonial to Bill Tutte and his codebreaking discovery in 1942 at Bletchley Park. Bill Tutte was a young, gauche PhD student, yet his remarkable breakthrough and continuing endeavour against a German cipher machine more complex than Enigma led to the development of the world's first programmable computer, Colossus. Colossus allowed top-secret messages between Hitler and his generals to be read within hours, contributing significantly to the success of the D-Day landings and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. So secret were the functions performed by Colossus that the work of Bill Tutte and his colleagues was classified for more than 50 years after the end of the Second World War. This novel not only explores Bill Tutte's codebreaking, but also examines his 'autistic' character, his background and close relationships all woven into the pressures and diversions of life at Bletchley Park. Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in 2012: We should never forget how lucky we were to have men like William 'Bill' Tutte in our darkest hour and the extent to which their work not only helped protect Britain itself but also shorten the war by an estimated two years, saving countless lives. … I can say without doubt that Bill Tutte deserves the thanks of the British people.