Books published by Sunstone Press

There is no necessary relationship between fame and power, and great influence is often wielded in willful obscurity. So it was with the irascible, indomitable Eugene Fubini. A physics prodigy who fled Italy when the fascists came to power, his searing intelligence and relentless determination lifted him from obscurity to the highest levels of the Pentagon. Indifferent to anything but results, Fubini worked behind the scenes to shape the strategy and substance of his adopted country's post-World War II defense. Along the way he exerted enormous influence over the development of radar, the rise of the military-industrial complex, the Space Race, and many of the other signature events and movements of mid-twentieth-century American geopolitics. But even as his unbending determination to do things his way earned him the admiration of his colleagues, it left him feared and isolated within his own family. "Let Me Explain" is a portrait of a man whose unwillingness and inability to compromise paid enormous rewards, and extracted a heavy emotional price.

Melanie is a dancer--the most unlikely dancer in the world, a woman who has had a hard life, waitressing, raising a son alone, putting up with an abusive husband. Late in life, she decides to pursue one dream, a dream she can't afford, which her husband opposes: she will become a skilled ballroom dancer, moving to the old love songs that have never applied to her life. And she wants to learn to lead! As she takes lessons, scrapes up the money to pay for costumes, and prepares for her first competition, she faces increasing opposition. But she persists, entering the glamorous, demanding world of professional dancing with an innocence and a determination that will change her life. Sallie Bingham's first novel was published shortly after she graduated from Radcliffe, followed by six more novels and three collections of short stories celebrating the lives of women and focusing on adventurous women whose challenges and choices illustrate the social changes of the twenty-first century. Her short stories and poetry have been widely published and her plays have been produced both off-Broadway and around the country. She has received fellowships from Yaddo, the MacDowell Colony and the Virginia Center, and is the founder of The Kentucky Foundation for Women. Her other books from Sunstone Press include "Cory's Feast," a novel, and "Hub of the Miracle," a collection of poetry.

How can a lone female of "e;a certain age"e; take her last stand on a stony wedge of land in the mountains of Northern New Mexico? Will she find a job, learn to chop wood, be eaten by a bear or give it up and fall in love again? "e;Beside the Rio Hondo"e; is a memoir that explores in depth Phaedra Greenwood's connection with the natural world and simultaneous need for community. Her ex-husband gives her a year to live in the old adobe where they raised their children; then he plans to sell it so they can split the proceeds. But she wants to stay in the house forever. She has a year to come up with her own financing to buy out his half of the property or negotiate a deal with the neighbors. The house is falling apart, her money is running out and she has never applied for a loan in her life. It's a hell of a time to decide to have an epiphany. "e;For over three decades I have made my home in the Taos area of Northern New Mexico,"e; the author says, "e;not just because I love the spare and dramatic landscape, but also because I am intrigued by the complex layers of history and culture. I admire the devotion of the artists and craftsmen to their work, the loving care New Mexicans bestow on their churches and the close family ties that bond them in community. As I struggle with my garden, my orchard and old adobe casa, I absorb with gratitude my neighbors' rural savvy and the skills these tenacious hunters, fishermen, and ranchers have developed over the centuries to survive and thrive in the high mountain desert. Life here is hard, but often delicious. The energy, exotic flavors and bright colors of Taos are unique."e; PHAEDRA GREENWOOD Greenwood is a freelance writer/photographer whose poems, essays and stories have appeared in many local newspapers, magazines and anthologies. She has won numerous literary prizes including the Katherine Anne Porter Award. As a journalist and columnist for "e;The Taos News,"e; she received two first place awards in 2000 from the New Mexico Press Association for Best Review and Columns. In 1995 she won the PEN New Mexico Award for a short story included in this book: "e;Dogs and Sheep."e;

Nina Otero-Warren's book, Old Spain in Our Southwest (1936), recorded her memories of the family hacienda in Las Lunas, New Mexico.

In this first published collection, Peter Dechert makes a statement that deserves and rewards study. Composing his poems in many forms, he matches form to content with unexpected and striking results. His book is the essence of a lifetime of thought-provoking productivity. Although not widely known as a poet, Dr. Dechert served for several years as president of the then-nascent New Mexico Poetry Society and some of his poems have been published over the years in magazines and anthologies. Peter Dechert earned his doctorate in English Literature in 1955, and is probably best known for his five books and many articles on photographic subjects, especially the historical development of varying makes of cameras. For more than ten years he wrote monthly articles about cameras for "Shutterbug Magazine." Also an active professional photographer for many years, he has been named an honorary life member of the American Society of Media Photographers.

In the author's 1924 introduction, titled "A Retrospect," he says that the story "of old Santa Fe embraces a period of more than three hundred years." He further states that "it was the farthest north established seat of government of the Spanish crown in the New World during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries." And with that, this remarkable book unfolds a detailed and thoughtful history beginning in 1598 and continuing through 1924. Chapters are devoted to events preceding the founding of the city; the Pueblo Revolution; the reconquest of the city by General Diego de Vargas; its twenty-five years as a Mexican provincial capital; the city during the military occupation period; and includes stories about Billy the Kid, Governor Samuel B. Axtell and the Santa Fe Ring. With many illustrations, this book is a valuable resource for everyone interested in the history of the American Southwest. Ralph Emerson Twitchell was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on November 29, 1859. Arriving in New Mexico when he was twenty-three, he immediately became involved in political and civic activities. In 1885 he helped organize a new territorial militia in Santa Fe and saw active duty in western New Mexico. Later appointed judge advocate of the Territorial Militia, he attained the rank of colonel, a title he was proud to use for the rest of his life. By 1893 he was elected the mayor of Santa Fe and, thereafter, district attorney of Santa Fe County. Twitchell probably promoted New Mexico as much as any single New Mexican of his generation. An avid supporter of New Mexico statehood, he argued the territory's case for elevated political status, celebrated its final victory in 1912, and even designed New Mexico's first state flag in 1915. In the apt words of an editorial in the "Santa Fe New Mexican" at the time of Twitchell's death in 1925: "As press agent for the best things of New Mexico, her traditions, history, beauty, glamour, scenery, archaeology, and material resources, he was indefatigable and efficient."

Historians have long admired Ralph Emerson Twitchell's "The Leading Facts of New Mexican History," considered the first major history of the state. Put succinctly by former State Historian Robert J. Tórrez, Twitchell's work (of which this is one of the first two volumes Sunstone Press is reprinting in its Southwest Heritage Series) has "become the standard by which all subsequent books on New Mexico history are measured." As Twitchell wrote in the preface of his first volume, his goal in writing "The Leading Facts" was to respond to the "pressing need" for a history of New Mexico with a commitment to "accuracy of statement, simplicity of style, and impartiality of treatment."Ralph Emerson Twitchell was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on November 29, 1859. Arriving in New Mexico when he was twenty-three, he immediately became involved in political and civic activities. In 1885 he helped organize a new territorial militia in Santa Fe and saw active duty in western New Mexico. Later appointed judge advocate of the Territorial Militia, he attained the rank of colonel, a title he was proud to use for the rest of his life. By 1893 he was elected the mayor of Santa Fe and, thereafter, district attorney of Santa Fe County. Twitchell probably promoted New Mexico as much as any single New Mexican of his generation. An avid supporter of New Mexico statehood, he argued the territory's case for elevated political status, celebrated its final victory in 1912, and even designed New Mexico's first state flag in 1915. Just as Twitchell's first edition in 1911 helped celebrate New Mexico's entry into statehood in 1912, the newest edition of the text and illustrations, including the "Subscriber's Edition" page of Number 1,156 of 1,500, serves as a tribute to the state's centennial celebration of 2012. In the apt words of an editorial in the "Santa Fe New Mexican" at the time of Twitchell's death in 1925: "As press agent for the best things of New Mexico, her traditions, history, beauty, glamour, scenery, archaeology, and material resources, he was indefatigable and efficient."

In the antebellum American South, a family who were among the first to enter east central Mississippi in the 1830s are forced into the Civil War despite their opposition to slavery. Many hardships in the unspoiled wilderness, their unusual friendship with the native Choctaws, and extreme trials following the crushing events of defeat in the war are woven into this story that takes the reader back into an era when a society that supported slavery as an institution was considered both moral and necessary. JOHNNY NEIL SMITH has always been interested in history and as an educator in Mississippi and Georgia, has taught Mississippi, Georgia, American and World History. He is now retired as headmaster of Piedmont Academy in Monticello, Georgia. Over the years, he has spent numerous hours reading about the War Between the States and visiting battlefields where his great-grandfathers fought. The main character, John Wilson, was named after his grandfather and many of the accounts of battle and prison life relate to his great grandfather, Joseph Williams, who lost an arm in the battle for Atlanta and was sent to a Federal prison in Illinois. Smith has tried to recapture the emotion that existed during this time in history as was told to him by people who lived during that era. In one sense, this is their story.

Twenty-one year old George Cabbot, astoundingly handsome, precociously intellectual yet naïve to the point of stupidity has come to Italy work at a world famous music festival. The strength of his erotic aura in a notoriously louche society inflames even the weariest libidos (male and female) unsettles several internationally-famous egos, and upsets the fragile intimacy of a group of old friends. Ricardo Ricci, éminence grise of the festival, and his love, Katherine Campbell, struggle to overcome pressures that batter their vulnerable relationship. George's disturbing presence and Katherine's suspicion of Ricardo's reaction to it, increase possibilities for their separation. Their friends recognize the danger and in spite of George's obvious sexual involvement with the voracious Duchess of Ashringford, Charity Cheltenham, the infamous composer, Gianfranco Connery and the distinguished tenor, Thomas Darden, the group holds George responsible for Katherine's and Ricardo's problem. In reality, George is only a manifestation of it, but the friends believe he is culpable and that he is determined to seduce Ricardo. To frustrate George's plan they decide he must be removed from the scene. Their search for a reasonable way to accomplish this eludes them, until Jillian and Tasha (Ricardo's assistants), using first-hand knowledge of the sexual preferences and practices of everyone concerned, find the solution. This novel has been described as serio-camp, as a comedy of manners, even as Jane Austen with explicit sex. Set in 1969--a reasonably carefree time--and though it is concerned more with the characters who create or frequent the festival than with the festival itself, it does capture the nuttiness and the underlying tribulations of all multifaceted artistic organizations. PAUL WOLFE first came to the public's attention as a harpsichordist, and as a harpsichordist wants his tombstone to read: "He was a pupil of Wanda Landowska." After studying with her from 1955 until her death in 1959, he had an active solo career, winning acclaim in America and Europe through his recordings and concerts. Wolfe was born in Texas, lived many years in New York and Rome, and now lives in Santa Fe. This is his first published novel.

"SETTLING SCORES: A Life in the Margins of American Music" details one life lived in the margins of America's musical consciousness. From a working-class background in gritty North Philadelphia to the sanctity of European concert stages, from imagined dangers lurking along the waterfronts in mysterious Asian cities to the real dangers lurking in the narrow minds of those who uphold the status quo in American music, this book reveals the life of one who embraced change, and, in the process, gained political leverage and intellectual freedom. It is the story of Joseph Franklin and a legion of collaborators, and it is a snapshot view of a slice of America's musical landscape in the final quarter of the 20th century, including a history of Relâche and The Relâche Ensemble. Born in Philadelphia, Joseph Franklin is a graduate of the Philadelphia Musical Academy and Temple University's Graduate School of Music. He has composed works for mixed instrumental/vocal ensembles, film, video, theater and dance. In 1977 he co-founded The Relâche Ensemble, which evolved into Relâche, Inc. a presenting and producing organization in support of the Relâche Ensemble. He served as founding executive and artistic director of Relâche until 1998. Independently, and as Director of Relâche, he has been a producer of concerts, festivals, recordings, radio programs, residency programs, international tours and other related music events, including the NEW MUSIC AMERICA 1987 Festival, NEW MUSIC AT ANNENBERG at The University of Pennsylvania and MUSIC IN MOTION, a nationwide audience development project. He formerly served as Artistic Director for Helena Presents--The Myrna Loy Center, a performing arts and film center located in Helena, Montana. He has published criticism and book reviews in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia City Paper. While living in Louisiana he developed and taught courses in arts administration and an overview of 20th century music at the University of New Orleans while serving as an independent consultant to arts organizations. He currently serves as executive director for Chamber Music Albuquerque, a presenting organization dedicated to presenting world-class chamber music ensembles in concert.

Perhaps like you, I am someone who always longed for something that seemed to be always just beyond my reach. I waited for sixty-five years before I discovered the Source of my longing. It wasn''t another relationship, recognition as an artist; it wasn''t a journey to a foreign country or living in exotic Hawaii, or (although this is a source of great pleasure) watching my grandchildren grow up. What I longed to experience (not in the abstract, intellectual, "skim milk" way, but as a visceral, organic, sweet-clover cream Presence of the REAL) was the Treasure of Divine Love, that Grace longing to be unveiled, and made actively conscious in the hearts of all human beings. Alicia Otis is a Sufi, a grandmother, a mystical poet and a photographer. She and her dog live outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. The natural world is where she feels most at home. Her website: www.NewRiverDancer.org.

The phrase, There is no "I" in team, is certainly one of the most exalted of all sports clichés--a glorious ode to the sanctity of a winning team. However, clichés do not produce superior team performance in the sports world any more than in the world of business. Only committed leaders, motivated to deliver outstanding results, make the real difference in sustained excellence. In his book, Jeffrey McCreary shows you how to build a more energized, more productive and more enjoyable team. His focus is on three crucial "I''s" that should be a part of every team: Intelligence, Initiative, and Integrity. Through concrete examples, anecdotes, and a wealth of inspiring words, Jeff guides you on a pragmatic journey that will improve your performance as a leader. The principles and guidelines that he discloses are the same ones he used successfully in his twenty-seven years of corporate leadership experience. This book should be required reading for leaders committed to continuous improvement who need simple, practical, and effective guidelines for building superior teams. Readers will learn how to raise the intelligence of their team, how to create an initiative based culture, and how to establish an environment of uncompromised integrity. If building better teams is your quest, this book will become a powerful tool as it informs and inspires you to change the world for the better. After all, that''s what powerful teams do.

One of the joys of going on a trip is coming home to share with others your adventures and experiences. Mary Austin felt that way, so when she took an extended trip through an area of the American Southwest, she recorded her impressions in The Land of Journeys'' Ending. This is no ordinary travel book and she was no ordinary tourist. Her book goes beyond the descriptions of flora and fauna of the land between the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. It also covers the history, culture and customs of the area. Austin includes not only figures from the past but people she met on the trip. While the book is now decades old, it is timeless and still valid. Humorously, in the author''s preface to "The Land of Journeys'' Ending" Austin said, "If you find holes in my book that you could drive a car through, do not be too sure they were not left there for that express purpose." Her statement rings true today as much as it did back in 1924.

In two widely disparate novellas, Muriel Maddox explores different times and different settings as she takes us from the present in Switzerland where a past secret endangers the present to the 1930s in Rio de Janiero as the threat of war in Europe creates only one of the dilemmas for an American Navy wife. In "Noela," Paul Sanderson, a Los Angeles lawyer, and his wife Liz are vacationing at a Swiss hotel in Vevey on Lake Geneva. As Paul glances across the lake to France he suddenly realizes that he is opposite the village of Saint-Gingolph where his plane was shot down during the Second World War and where he was hidden by a French family. He wonders what has happened to Noela, with whom he had a brief love affair, and also the priest, Andre Romelin, who helped him escape. Paul had promised to return, but never did. When his wife runs into an old friend and makes a lunch date with her, he quickly takes a steamer across to Saint-Gingolph. The secret he discovers there threatens to destroy the present. In "That Man in Rio," an American Navy couple is stationed in Rio de Janeiro during the 1930s as war clouds are gathering over Europe. A former Southern belle from Raleigh, North Carolina, Lila Townsend loves the glamour of Rio but is bored with her life as a wife and mother of two small children. She becomes involved with a dashing German diplomat, whom she meets at a polo match. Their affair escalates and Kurt asks her to leave her husband and return to Germany with him. As she is torn about what to do, fate steps in bringing a tragedy Lila could not foretell. Muriel Maddox spent her childhood in Rio de Janeiro and has drawn on those early memories for "That Man in Rio." A tour guide''s tale about the brave priest of Saint-Gingolph who helped downed American and British fliers escape the Nazis led her to that village and inspired the story of "Noela." Muriel Maddox is the author of "Llantarnam," "Love and Betrayal" and "Captain from Corfu," all from Sunstone Press. She has also written screenplays and published poetry and short stories. "Booklist" said: ".captivating, written with great depth of feeling and a clear understanding of the impact of loss on the human psyche."

In 1903 when "The Land of Little Rain" was first published it became an instant success. It has continued to attract and enchant readers ever since that time. It was one of the first books to be written in a popular style about the animals, plants and people of a Southwest desert area. Mary Austin wrote it from her own observations and experiences in the field. She lived the book. It is also one of the first to express the need for the conservation of our natural resources. Carl Van Doren once wrote that Austin should have the degree M.A.E.--Master of American Environment. The book, a work of authenticity and originality still has meaning for twenty-first century readers.