Thrust into the Pacific cauldron during the dark days of 1942 as a young, raw second lieutenant, John Earl Edwards arrived as a boy, becoming a man on the long, bloody road to Tokyo. To Edwards, New Guinea, Saipan, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa were no mere place names on a map, but locations paid for in blood and sweat! In semi-documentary style, we follow Edwards as he plays the hand dealt him by fate, learning about love and survival in a world at war while the fate of the nations was still undecided. Edwards is determined the deadly, fanatical enemy lurking in the endless vermin-infested jungles would not keep him from returning to the arms of the young woman who taught him what love really was! Petite, blonde Susan was the beacon in Edward’s harbor, her kisses meaning more to him than medals! Facing a determined foe willing to die for their emperor, taking you with, just staying alive itself became a skill, one that could only be learned on the job!

Under the Southern Cross, the eighth book in the Brothers Series and the fourth in the Shamrocks Saga, continues the story begun in Shamrocks in the Heather with the adventures of the rapidly maturing younger members of the Quigley clan. World War II is now in full swing and the Quigley cousins (by whatever name they're known) volunteer for duty in the armed forces: Andrew, Finn and Doug in the RAF, Dennis in the Royal Navy and Geordie in the Army. Roarke, trapped in Australia by the outbreak of war, joins the coastwatchers in the Solomon Islands. This job, vital to the war effort and extremely dangerous, keep Martin, Anne and the twins on tenterhooks. Whether due to old age or the toll taken by the stress of war, the family suffers many deaths. The younger generation suffers greatly as well as they perform their various stints in the military. In the meantime, the demon inhabiting the soul of Adolph Hitler is beginning to believe the Nazis are no longer going to win the war. He takes desperate and sometimes foolish measures to try to rectify the deteriorating situation. Lucifer, ever practical, decides to hedge his bet by looking at Stalin as a new would-be ally in his war to establish the Rule of Chaos. The Spear of Destiny will play a role in the outcome of the war and many forces are determined to gain control of the mystical weapon. What no one counts on is the interference of the Quigley twins. Dora and Dosia are set on reclaiming the Spear for its original owner. While a vicious war turns London into matchsticks and mainland Europe into hell-on-earth, a semi-normal life goes on. People, Quigleys included, marry and have children. Their traveling is curtailed by shortages of fuel; their gatherings are more subdued with less food and fewer gifts but a semblance of normalcy is stubbornly adhered to. So, the battle between good and evil goes on. On one side is the Prince of Hell and his faithful (?) Lieutenant Beelzebub. Or is he faithful? He's beginning to develop a reluctant admiration for the twins and even begins to like them. On the other side are the Quigleys, their Angels and the two wild-cards: Dora and Dosia. What happens to the Spear will have great bearing on the future of mankind although no one really realizes that and the twins want to keep it that way. They know this is not the last time they'll have to face and fight Lucifer and his minions but they take one day at a time, one challenge at a time while whispering the "Quigley lullaby" "Whisht now, whisht." This is not a religious book nor meant to endorse or promote any type of belief. It is intended to provide a verbal roller-coaster ride. Plus, I've grown to quite like The Old Man. Enjoy!

"Under the Southern Cross: Emily's Perspective," is a captivating journey that unfolds under the vast expanse of the southern hemisphere. In this poignant tale, Emily, a young Canadian backpacker, shares her personal odyssey through the heart of Central Australia, exploring the unique landscapes, forging deep connections, and navigating the complexities of love and self-discovery. As we delve into Emily's world, guided by the iconic Southern Cross constellation, we witness the transformative power of the Australian outback. From the crimson hues of Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the rugged beauty of Watarrka, each page resonates with the echoes of a profound experience that goes beyond geographical exploration. Join Emily as she retraces her steps, capturing the essence of her days under the Southern Cross. This is more than a travelogue; it's an intimate reflection on love, loss, and the indelible marks left by a fleeting connection. As the Southern Cross watches over, Emily's perspective unfolds, inviting you to share in the beauty and complexity of her unforgettable Australian sojourn.

"Embark on a thrilling adventure through the Southern Hemisphere with Maturin Murray Ballou in 'Under the Southern Cross.' Penned in the 19th century, this travel narrative is a captivating account of Ballou's exploration of the exotic landscapes, cultures, and wonders found beneath the Southern Cross. As Ballou journeys through South America, Australia, and the islands of the South Pacific, he unfolds tales of diverse civilizations, natural marvels, and the unique allure of the Southern Hemisphere. 'Under the Southern Cross' is more than a travelogue; it's a vivid exploration of the uncharted territories and hidden gems of the southern part of the globe. Join Ballou on this literary expedition where each page unveils a new chapter of discovery, making 'Under the Southern Cross' an essential read for those captivated by tales of Southern Hemisphere exploration and the timeless mystique of faraway lands."

From August 7, 1942 until February 24, 1944, the US Navy fought the most difficult campaign in its history. Between the landing of the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal and the final withdrawal of the Imperial Japanese Navy from its main South Pacific base at Rabaul, the US Navy suffered such high personnel losses that for years it refused to publicly release total casualty figures. The Solomons campaign saw the US Navy at its lowest point, forced to make use of those ships that had survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other units of the pre-war navy that had been hastily transferred to the Pacific. 140 days after the American victory at Midway, USS Enterprise was the only pre-war carrier left in the South Pacific and the US Navy would have been overwhelmed in the face of Japanese naval power had there been a third major fleet action. At the same time, another under-resourced campaign had broken out on the island of New Guinea. The Japanese attempt to reinforce their position there had led to the Battle of the Coral Sea in May and through to the end of the year, American and Australian armed forces were only just able to prevent a Japanese conquest of New Guinea. The end of 1942 saw the Japanese stopped in both the Solomons and New Guinea, but it would take another 18 hard-fought months before Japan was forced to retreat from the South Pacific. Under the Southern Cross draws on extensive first-hand accounts and new analysis to examine the Solomons and New Guinea campaigns which laid the groundwork for Allied victory in the Pacific War.

The special work to which I had been appointed at Fair View was the school work; although my instructions given by Superintendent Roberts on the eve of my departure for Africa gave full liberty to evangelize as well as to teach. My manual read something like this: "Do not be satisfied to be merely a school teacher. Be an evangelist. Go out to the kraals, preaching as you go. Make the salvation of souls your one and only business." -from "Chapter XIII: My School" The missionary work of Westerners in Africa is long and storied-here's another tale of the long-term attempts to convert a continent. Privately published, this is one woman's account of her Christian work in Zulu country, from her childhood-she was born in 1863-on farms in Iowa and Kansas, where she had a youthful brush with death that led to her conversion to an active Christianity, to her return home after long years doing the Lord's work. The time in between is fraught with culture shock: her difficulties in learning the Zulu language, her disdain for Zulu tradition and mythology, even a particular scorn for the food she found unpalatable. Stolid and unbending, this is a curious document of a less enlightened time, a firsthand look at the mindset of a bygone time.

The unforgettable events witnessed by an impressionable young Georgian originally found their way into print, piecemeal fashion, courtesy of the Confederate Veteran magazine. Long buried in the pages of this magazine's volumes, Bradwell's engaging and readable story is finally told in its entirety.

"This is the story of two Canadian naturalist observers enjoying the birds, beasts, weather and stars in New Zealand and Australia in the 1950s. While traveling by motorcycle and camping rough, they meet Kiwis and Aussies and try various temporary jobs in order to keep alive and healthy"--Publisher's description.