Books published by Beckham Publications Group

Michael Maiello's new work is published at the height of the April tax season-an appropriate time for a collection of poetry that is tax-free, without any extra cost for the reader. His verse is cheaper than usual, expurgated of any added governmental tariffs.

Linda Washington is a story stalker. Employed as a court security officer, she travels on her own time throughout Washington, DC to observe, report, and reflect on what she sees and thinks about. Her ponderings are collected here in her first publication consisting of prose, poetry, and illustrations. Readers will welcome her sincere personal reminiscences. By appreciating her observations about residents, co-workers, sports teams and even philosophies found in the nation's Capitol, readers come to value the spiritual and material moments in their own lives. She invites you to take the jaunt with her and join in her story stalking.

Most of the world has seen pictures of the devastation of New Orleans after being hit by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. But few know about the storied history of that famed city. And yet fewer are aware of the complicated and fascinating connection that black Americans have had with the celebrated town. James B.Borders IV has compiled a chronological history disclosing the pivotal African-American names, events and locations in "Marking Time, Making Place: An Essential Chronology of Blacks in New Orleans Since 1718." According to Borders, New Orleans' African influence has blanketed the city culturally, spiritually, and psychically. Considered the birthplace of jazz and gumbo, and habitat of the fascinating blend of black and European blood called creole, New Orleans is the site of historical and cultural contributions that include music, cuisine, architecture, and politics. "New Orleans is one of the most Africanized spaces in North America," says Borders, adding, "it's a fascinating repository of black life." Named in honor of the Duke of Orléans, who was governing France on behalf of the boy king, Louis XV, New Orleans will celebrate its 300th year of founding in 2018. Although Borders' chronology describes specific events by year, he often expands it with narrative touches featuring real personalities and scenes. He begins in 1718 with the fact that among the first black people known to live in New Orleans are a couple of enslaved Africans named Jorgé and Marie. The author elaborates frequently on events of special significance. For example, in 1736, Charity Hospital was founded to care for the indigent and became the nation's second oldest continually operating public hospital, after New York's Bellevue Hospital. It closed in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. In 1803 after the Louisiana Purchase, the city developed into the country's largest marketplace for the sale of enslaved people. And in 1903, "Buddy" Bolden started band battles by setting up in Johnson Park and blowing his trumpet in the direction of Lincoln Park to draw the crowd over to his side of the street. He won so many of the street battles that he earned the nickname "King Bolden." Repeating a phrase from the Haitian historian Michel-Rolph Trouillot, Borders says, "The history of New Orleans is filled also with moments of retrospective significance of which we all should be cognizant, especially as the city heads toward the 300th anniversary of its founding."

Spencer Lee Duffy, the first of his parent's 13 children, hails from Augusta, Arkansas. But his African roots go back to the Cameroon and Sierra Leone. As a child, Duffy cherished the Chinaberry tree in the front yard. It spoke to him both of strength and peace. Those two qualities resonate throughout his autobiography as the tidbits of his life form a narrative filled with humor and wisdom. Beginning with scenes of his daddy and momma, Duffy entertains us through his years in elementary school, high school, the loves of his life, his military service in Taiwan, and building his own house after retirement. In the final analysis, readers will appreciate Duffy's life story as a compellingly joyful chronicle that testifies to the importance of strength, peace, humor and wisdom in what he identifies as "this wonderful journey called life."

VFW Post 8195 in West Park, Florida, through the Stone of Hope Program, organized services and programs to help Vietnam and other military veterans and their families who had special needs. "The Vietnam War was physically, spiritually and emotionally exhausting for us," says post commander Bobby White. In this unique collection, he has brought together the words of 23 veterans who witnessed the war's cruelty and brutality. Through their testimonies, White reminds us that the war's impact has been long-lasting, with both negative and positive results. Readers will be riveted by their narratives of racism, hostile battlefields, ambush zones, fire fights, land mines, flashbacks, search-and-destroy missions, military police

Born in the district of Cumbria in northwest England almost a century ago, Arthur Porter describes a remarkable life with eloquent sensitivity and charming candor. This memoir by a major contributor to modern science is filled with vivid accounts of both his personal experiences and professional accomplishments. As a third-year student at the University of Manchester, Porter worked with Douglas Hartree, one of the most influential computer pioneers of his day. Porter was also a colleague of Marshall McLuhan. His faculty assignments have taken him to the University of Toronto, the University of London, the University of Manchester, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Royal Military College of Science. A scientist yes, but with catholic interests: He has chaired a Royal Commission, a World's Fair Advisory Committee and several advisory bodies on topics like environmental protection, nuclear power and automation and employment. Professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, Porter was recently awarded an honorary degree from the University of Manchester. Arthur Porter is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He and his wife Patricia are residents of Bermuda Village, North Carolina.

Dr. Virgil A. Wood's call to action is based on the tenets of one of thegreatest orators and peaceful warriors of our time, Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr. Wood rekindles the fundamental passions and beliefsof King who preached that trusting in God and trusting in love areone and the same.Wood continues the trailblazing path of his mentor, bringing to uspractical doctrines for living in today's world. His concepts aboutSoulscope, educational reform, and reversing the jail trail throughJubilee are exciting notions that have galvanized Dr. Wood's audiencesthroughout the country. Finally his philosophies have been collectedhere so that readers can enjoy the full dimension of his thinking.

Ron Richardson has written a cogent, well-reasoned, scriptural account of purpose lost and purpose regained in the human community. In Oneness With God he makes the case for God's plan to bring mankind full circle, and back to Himself. If you've struggled with meaning in your life, this book will help you find plenty of meaning in your connection to the Creator.