Tagebücher & Memoiren

These stories offer a profound exploration of the human condition when subjected to adversity, discrimination, and injustice. Within the pages of this collection, readers will discover tales of resilience, courage, and hope, as well as the enduring spirit that drives individuals to survive, resist, and rebuild their lives even in the most challenging circumstances. These narratives illuminate the power of the human spirit to overcome, inspire change, and serve as a testament to the universal values of compassion, justice, and the pursuit of a brighter future.

There is a certain magic that comes from falling asleep in the backseat and waking up far away. Like fairies, we were transported to a new world and when that world ended a short time later, we found another one to take its place. When we saw the familiar orange and white U-Haul trailer parked outside our house, we knew it was time to leave. Like an echo of times past, all five of us would jam into the car, our familial womb, along with our bewildered pets, awaiting the next stop.Riding in the Backseat with My Brother takes readers through a journey beginning in the '50s steered by a dad who had wanderlust, and a nervous mother who gave her third child away following a nervous breakdown after his birth. Our lineage of distant relatives some called gypsies, wanderers, or Irish Travelers, had not skipped this generation altogether. "As we bounced across the country, sucking up the sounds, smells, and sights of new places, the events along the way formed us, making imprints in our hearts and minds forever."

Before Instagram or TikTok or Twitter, Brad Johns was one of the most famous hair colorists in the world with an opulent salon on Fifth Avenue in New York City. His clientele was a veritable "who's who" of fabulous females, from beauty editors and celebrities to socialites and CEOs. Known for his buttery blondes and a groundbreaking technique called "chunking" that he created for model Christy Turlington, the poor kid from the projects in Pittsburgh was living the American Dream.As sparkling as his success was, Johns was also struggling with crippling depression and suicidal ideation that had begun in childhood. Growing up, music and his grandmother's unconditional love had sustained him. Later he used drugs to keep the demons at bay. Then came an astonishing revelation that sparked a spiritual journey from darkness into light.

Let's hear it for the baby boomer generation. They were born between the years 1946 and 1964. Travel back in time to the fifties and sixties with this book. Experience the birth of rock and roll, the British music invasion, and the sounds of Motown. With no video games, internet, cable television, or cell phones, how did teenagers spend their time? Do you remember those awkward high school years? Fitting in and being popular were priority number one. Who can forget that first love and heartache? Spend a day exploring the forest, streams, and fields, just beyond your housing development. There were fatal accidents and near-death experiences. Baby boomers experienced segregation and assassinations.Read about a remarkable treasured high school artifact buried for thirty-five years until a lady discovered it planting tulip bulbs. Vietnam was a constant reminder of war possibilities in their lives. What was the military draft law and how did it affect eighteen-year-old teenagers? How are baby boomers coping with all the new technology? This book will take you down memory lane. It will be quite a ride.

Competitiveness, like all things, is a practice. But I was born with it baked in, a head start, a small beast locked in a too-small cage, snarling at the bars whenever there was a task at hand. My mother started feeding it young. Maybe she'd learnt what my father had always known: that I might have to work twice as hard to have half as much.Rebecca was born a ?freedom baby', a child whose birth coincided with the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa, to a white mother and Black father. She was in-between, a breathing blend of her parents' skin, well-acquainted with that unsettling sense of non-belonging from an early age. But the water welcomed her strong body and she caught the eye of coaches at swimming schools in the UK. Fuelled by a natural competitiveness honed on the sharp edge of her mother's love, Rebecca plunged into the hothouse of British swimming, and soon was persuaded to swap sporting nationalities, leaving Kenya behind to pledge allegiance to Great Britain. Rebecca learns that training is designed to be punishing - to break down, excoriate, and puncture pain barriers. She learns that to swim a perfect race is to experience a sort of ecstatic communion between body and liquid world. And she also learns that her body, her Black body, is a commodity that other people feel entitled to, whose performance is constantly scrutinised, debated, and subjected to a racism both universal and endemic to the white world of swimming.

Berlin, 1942. Max and Mally, two out of millions murdered in the Holocaust, are deported to Theresienstadt where they will starve to death.Decades later, on a whim, their granddaughter Jackie googles their names to find two commemorative stones recently placed outside their old home. The discovery compels her to open a long-closed cupboard of haunting family papers, piece together the story of the family she never knew and find her place in it.With searing prose and meticulous detective work, Jackie Kohnstamm offers a gripping and poignant portrait of an ordinary family and reveals a remarkable story of loss, discovery and memory.

Her name is Xiao Jing, an exceptional masseuse. This authentic story of her and her sisters represents a social phenomenon. Initially an innocent girl from Chongqing, China, she ventured into the dazzling world outside and became a massage therapist, showcasing her skills while occasionally finding herself in compromising situations. She once fell victim to a man's persuasive words, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. Despite realizing the true nature of men and society's harshness, she still yearns for a better life.An individual embarked on a journey across Zhejiang and Suzhou in China with a specific aspiration. Over three years working as a masseuse, this person underwent significant personal growth and development, ultimately becoming highly respected. Their achievements garnered genuine empathy, admiration, and introspection from others. Recognizing that seemingly insignificant individuals are part of our community is essential. By embracing and supporting them, we promote social cohesion and compassion, which has more advantages than excluding or disregarding them.

Extreme Sulfur Habitat Exploration" is an intriguing book written by Piyush Mandal that delves into the fascinating world of extreme environments where sulfur dominates. With a blend of scientific expertise and a passion for exploration, Mandal takes readers on a captivating journey to some of the most extreme sulfur-rich habitats on Earth.The book provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse sulfur ecosystems found in places such as volcanic landscapes, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and sulfur-rich caves. Mandal's meticulous research and vivid descriptions bring these unique environments to life, painting a vivid picture of their otherworldly beauty and the extreme conditions in which life manages to thrive.Through his in-depth exploration, Mandal uncovers the extraordinary adaptations of organisms to the challenges posed by sulfur-rich environments. He highlights the interplay between geology, chemistry, and biology, revealing the intricate web of life that exists in these seemingly inhospitable settings."Extreme Sulfur Habitat Exploration" also offers insights into the potential applications of sulfur-adapted organisms and their metabolites in fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and environmental remediation. Mandal's book serves as a valuable resource for scientists, students, and anyone with a keen interest in the wonders of extreme environments and the secrets they hold.In sum, "Extreme Sulfur Habitat Exploration" is a captivating exploration of the hidden world of sulfur-rich environments, written by Piyush Mandal, a renowned expert in the field. It unveils the marvels of life's resilience in extreme conditions and provides a compelling glimpse into the potential benefits these habitats offer to humanity

A Merchant Marine's Life, Loves and LawBy: Bengt C. Nyman, PHDWhen Bengt was sixteen years old, his mother finally agreed to sign the authorization for him to join the Merchant Marine. Bengt was hired as a cook/sailor on the ship M/S Tuna, a 200-ton Swedish coastal runner, where he learned the rules and regulations of being a sailor. For the next four years, he sailed the seven seas with M/S Kirribilli, M/S Sabang, and M/S Parrakoola through dangerous seas, hostile shipmates, and even an engagement with a beautiful Japanese girl. During some home visits between the ships, Bengt needed to protect his mother from her alcoholic ex-husband and was in a serious car accident.Bengt's mandatory military service was in the Swedish Navy. After eighteen months, he applied and was accepted to the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces and was assigned to the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. This was a thrilling time when the Greek armada was on its way to attack the island of Cyprus.After the UN, Bengt became a family man in Sweden. He purchased a tractor trailer business that caused him financial difficulties because of a tax increase of 1000% that was added on his business. He filed bankruptcy, and then went on to fulfill his dream to become an attorney. He moved to the United States, married his wife, Diane, and became a U.S. citizen 1991.He continued his law practice in the U.S., helping European clients while continuing to educate himself. He became a Florida Supreme Court mediator until he had to discontinue the practice because of medical reasons.About the AuthorBengt was born during World War II to a Swedish soldier and a young woman. When the war was over, his parents divorced, and he was raised by his mother and paternal grandparents. His grandfather, the mayor of Brunflo, Sweden, was a strong role model for Bengt.During his travels as a Merchant Marine, Bengt met many interesting people and had many exciting adventures exploring the seven seas. He continued his adventures during his time as a Corporal in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces on Cyprus.Bengt earned his PHD as a Swedish attorney, eventually moved to the United States and became a citizen in 1991 where he resides with his wife of nearly 30 years.