In His Irish Eyes

As a counterpoint to the death and destruction of war and to the stress and structure of being a US Navy test pilot, a corporate executive, and a successful business entrepreneur, Bob Touhey writes poems that celebrate the lives and lessons of the quietness of life, the comfort of family and friends, and the unbridled loyalty of animals. Bob's poems span the decades from a New Year's celebration in Times Square during his final year at the US Naval Academy to the recent death of several of his domestic animal friends. They span the globe from the foothills of Virginia to the teaming life of Bratislava, Slovakia, in Eastern Europe. Former university professor and Bob's friend, Steve "Doc" Troxel, has written short explanations to help the reader understand the context for each of Bob's poems so that the reader can better understand the gentler side of this decorated Vietnam War hero. Doc, who helped Bob get his wartime memories out of his head and onto paper in Seawolf, Where You From? uses his knowledge of the darker times of Bob's life to present a more well-rounded view of this American patriot and hero.

This historically accurate novel deals with the love that the Irish have for family and homeland and of the tremendous sacrifice they make so future generations can have a better life. It follows Elizabeth OMalley, as a child, from Ireland at the height of the "potato famine," through the growth of America, to the time when, as an old lady, she returns to unite her family in Ireland. To escape the devastation caused by the "potato famine," Elizabeths family pools their resources in order to provide passage for her and her mother and father to sail to America, the "land of milk and honey." After enduring many hardships on the crowded, storm tossed ship, they arrive in New York and much to their surprise, they encounter tremendous prejudices against the Irish. After working in the smelly tanneries, Elizabeths father is bitten by "gold fever" as word comes that the precious metal has been discovered in California. Their trip west is fraught with many dangers including Indian attacks and sand storms. However, friendships are formed with other family groups and Elizabeth finally finds happiness as the wife of one of these fellow travelers. Work in the mines is hard and dangerous and when she finds herself a widow with a small child, she migrates to Montana. She again finds happiness as the wife of a wealthy copper mine owner. However, she always has a yearning to return to her homeland, so when she finds herself old and alone again, she makes arrangements to gather the remains of her deceased family members together and unite them in the rocky soil of her beloved Ireland.

A private tour through the world of Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize winning memoir.

Ex-cop Callahan Garrity was more than happy to leave the Atlanta P.D. behind her to start her own business -- the House Mouse cleaning service -- and to indulge in a bit of freelance private investigation on the side. However, she owes too much to her former partner, Bucky Deavers, to refuse his request that she accompany him to the department's annual St. Patrick's Day bash. But the celebrating ends abruptly -- and badly -- when Bucky is shot during an apparent liquor store robbery while they're on the way home. Callahan is devastated -- and the talk that perhaps Bucky was dirty only intensifies her pain. Now, with the help of her feisty Mice, she's determined to find the culprit and clear her friend's name, even if it means piercing the veil of secrecy surrounding an Irish fraternal police organization that might be brewing up something far more lethally potent than green beer.

... A young boy learns to appreciate both sides of his cultural identity.

We are what we listen to. That's the premise of this study of 100 songs that have shaped and defined the American experience, from the Colonial period to the present. Well-known music author James Perone looks at 100 songs that helped tell America's story. He examines why each song became a hit, what cultural and social values it embodies, what issues it touches upon, what audiences it attracted, and what made it such a definitive part of American history and popular culture. The chart-topping singles presented here crossed gender, age, race, and class lines to appeal to the mass American audience. The book discusses patriotic songs, minstrel music, and sacred songs and hymns as well as music in the broad categories of pop, rock, hip hop, jazz, country, and folk. An introduction provides an overview of the history and significant issues raised by the songs as a whole. Individual songs are then presented chronologically, based on when they were written. The revealing commentary for each "hit" is not only interesting and fun, but reveals what it was like to live in the United States at a particular time by unveiling the social, economic, and political issues—as well as the musical tastes—that made life what it was.