The Extravagant Fool is an underdog narrative. Readers will have a front row seat to Kevin Adams s breathtaking story---one that builds chronologically through a very difficult four-year period. At the height of financial success, Kevin Adams had it all. A thriving business with more work than he could get to, investments spread out between luxury homes, commercial real estate, and new business ventures. However, by January 2009, over the course of the last 100 days of 2008, Kevin watched in silent amazement as he lost it all. His house of cards came tumbling down. Kevin had a choice: Do what he had always done---work harder. Or, let go of conventional thinking and learn to live by absolute faith in God. With foreclosures, lawsuits, potential homelessness, and his family looking to him for immediate answers, Kevin took the radical position of stopping every effort to survive and resting instead at the feet of Jesus. The process of living literally by faith is a gamble and one that only The Extravagant Fool for God is willing to take. The Extravagant Fool is about encountering God with an uncommon intimacy. Intimacy increases our ability to discern His voice, which leads to the revelation of who we are, what we are to do for Him on earth, and finally, the provision to carry it out. Yet none of this really takes hold without first hearing the kind of living, breathing, testimony offered by The Extravagant Fool, a man who staked his welfare---and future---entirely on the goodness of God."

A hiking guide and photography book on North Carolina's lookout towers. In the 1920s and 1930s, forestry organizations built dozens of lookout structures in Western North Carolina as the backbone of a firefighting system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today- they represent some of the best destinations for hikers who want to see the incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Part hiking guide and part photography collection, this book contains wonderful stories about the history and folklore of the lookouts and their fire lookout inhabitants, a detailed guide of hikes to each, and details about the views at the top-all provided by a local, long-term land preservationist and lookout fanatic, Peter J. Barr. Barr's text is augmented by the amazing full-color photographs of well-known nature photographer Kevin Adams (North Carolina Waterfalls).

A hiking guide and photography book on North Carolina's lookout towers. In the 1920s and 1930s, forestry organizations built dozens of lookout structures in Western North Carolina as the backbone of a firefighting system. Many of these lookouts survive in North Carolina today- they represent some of the best destinations for hikers who want to see the incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Part hiking guide and part photography collection, this book contains wonderful stories about the history and folklore of the lookouts and their fire lookout inhabitants, a detailed guide of hikes to each, and details about the views at the top-all provided by a local, long-term land preservationist and lookout fanatic, Peter J. Barr. Barr's text is augmented by the amazing full-color photographs of well-known nature photographer Kevin Adams (North Carolina Waterfalls).

Historians have long assumed that ethnic and racial divisions in post–Civil War America were reflected in the U.S. Army, of whose enlistees 40 percent were foreign-born. Now Kevin Adams shows that the frontier army was characterized by a “Victorian class divide� that overshadowed ethnic prejudices.Class and Race in the Frontier Army marks the first application of recent research on class, race, and ethnicity to the social and cultural history of military life on the western frontier. Adams draws on a wealth of military records and soldiers’ diaries and letters to reconstruct everyday army life—from work and leisure to consumption, intellectual pursuits, and political activity—and shows that an inflexible class barrier stood between officers and enlisted men. As Adams relates, officers lived in relative opulence while enlistees suffered poverty, neglect, and abuse. Although racism was ingrained in official policy and informal behavior, no similar prejudice colored the experience of soldiers who were immigrants. Officers and enlisted men paid much less attention to ethnic differences than to social class—officers flaunting and protecting their status, enlisted men seething with class resentment. Treating the army as a laboratory to better understand American society in the Gilded Age, Adams suggests that military attitudes mirrored civilian life in that era—with enlisted men, especially, illustrating the emerging class-consciousness among the working poor. Class and Race in the Frontier Army offers fresh insight into the interplay of class, race, and ethnicity in late-nineteenth-century America.

In this third edition of his classic photography/ hiking guide, Adams showcases his own beautiful color photographs. This complete compendium lists 1,000 waterfalls, and Adams specifically highlights more than 300 of the best waterfalls found in North Carolina with full descriptions, comprehensive directions, and four-color photographs. Since the first edition of Kevin Adams’s North Carolina Waterfalls in 1994, this book has sold almost 65,000 copies. In that time, Adams has established a widespread and well-respected reputation as a photographer, naturalist, writer, and teacher. From its comprehensive coverage and detailed trail directions, to its helpful photography tips and beauty ratings, the new North Carolina Waterfalls remains the definitive guide to its subject. In addition to North Carolina Waterfalls, Kevin Adams is the author of seven additional books and their numerous revisions. He has taught nature photography seminars since the early 1990s and leads popular tours in the N.C. mountains to photograph waterfalls. He is the man behind Digital After Dark blog and the free Night Photography News e-newsletter. He lives in the mountains of North Carolina. "Readers will appreciate Adams’ comprehensive coverage, his concise driving and hiking directions, his helpful photography tips, and his emphasis on stewardship of natural resources. North Carolina Waterfalls remains the definitive guide for its subject and a must-have for nature loving natives and visitors."—Internet Brothers: Meanderthals Hiking Blog

Historians have long assumed that ethnic and racial divisions in post-Civil War America were reflected in the U.S. Army, of whose enlistees 40 percent were foreign-born. Now Kevin Adams shows that the frontier army was characterized by a "Victorian class divide" that overshadowed ethnic prejudices.

"Class and Race in the Frontier Army" marks the first application of recent research on class, race, and ethnicity to the social and cultural history of military life on the western frontier. Adams draws on a wealth of military records and soldiers' diaries and letters to reconstruct everyday army life--from work and leisure to consumption, intellectual pursuits, and political activity--and shows that an inflexible class barrier stood between officers and enlisted men.

As Adams relates, officers lived in relative opulence while enlistees suffered poverty, neglect, and abuse. Although racism was ingrained in official policy and informal behavior, no similar prejudice colored the experience of soldiers who were immigrants. Officers and enlisted men paid much less attention to ethnic differences than to social class--officers flaunting and protecting their status, enlisted men seething with class resentment.

Treating the army as a laboratory to better understand American society in the Gilded Age, Adams suggests that military attitudes mirrored civilian life in that era--with enlisted men, especially, illustrating the emerging class-consciousness among the working poor. "Class and Race in the Frontier Army" offers fresh insight into the interplay of class, race, and ethnicity in late-nineteenth-century America.

North Carolina is a traveler's dream, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks' historic lighthouses, wildhorses, and charming fishing villages; from battlegrounds of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to the "heart of motorsports"; from rolling wine country and golf courses to stately plantations and rustic settlements.Whether you travel North Carolina for its historic treasures or natural beauty, this handy guide will help you find the Old North State's most spectacular sites and secret treasures.The book charts weekend adventures and day trips along back roads and scenic routes, into the state's many mist-shrouded mountains--the Black, the Blue Ridge, and the Great Smokies--and down to its ever-changing shores.Sumptuously illustrated, with maps and all manner of interesting detail, Backroads of North Carolina" is a page-by-page pleasure, as well as a passport to the more off-beat delights of the Tar Heel State.

This guide features 82 hikes within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park. It is completely revised and updated.

The world we live in sometimes appears chaotic, and the events often seem to lack meaning and purpose. In A Different View of the World, you'll learn about the origin of our universe and why it's important to you. You'll learn about the true nature of time, how negative thoughts work against us, and how our choices affect our lives. You'll learn about our Soul and its energy form, and, most importantly, you'll learn how to apply this knowledge and new perspective to reach spiritual mastery. It's all presented in a clear, easy to understand manner, and it's information you can apply to your life right now to enrich your relationships and understanding. Here are the section titles: The world as it appears The importance of consciousness God and creation Time The spiritual structure of the universe The spiritual worlds The structure of Soul Spiritual principles and spiritual law Heart, Will, and Fate Integrity and truthfulness Religion Negative emotions and negative events Greed Health Our environment Thoughts on fixing our social and governmental problems How to deepen your spiritual understanding What is beyond the universe? As more people join on this journey, we'll become better able to stem the negative tide flowing through our world and turn the Earth into a world of peace and harmony. It can really happen, and the basic blueprint is in this book. Come join those of us already on this journey, and help us create a tranquil world for us, our children, and grandchildren.

When college student Aiden Carraway visits his hometown to confront an unfaithful girlfriend, his drug-addicted twin brother forces him to rethink his priorities.

Despite choosing the right path in life--namely the attainment of a snotty girlfriend and a college education--Aiden harbors a secret crystal meth addiction. Unlike his twin brother Calvin, a junky occultist who openly embraces a slacker lifestyle, Aiden is obsessed with success, terrified of failure, and goes to great pains to hide his vice from everyone, including himself.

As Aiden verges on losing everything to drugs--his girlfriend, his education, his life--Calvin dies. His sudden and unexpected death prompts Aiden to attempt quitting all drugs. In this newfound state of lucidity, Aiden pieces together Calvin's final days, learning more about the private life of his twin brother in one week than he has in the previous twenty years. What he discovers about Calvin is as shocking as it is profound. This newfound knowledge impels Aiden on a quest, an unfinished mission his brother had set into motion, and one which Aiden must see through to the end, no matter the cost.

On the world of Namorganda, in the city of Avendis, Yadin Forsythia becomes King after the assassination of his father. As if this tragedy isn't bad enough, his wife goes into premature labor. A self-proclaimed wizard, Merik Ladien, offers to save her and the child for a price. King Yadin has no choice but to accept the proposal. Little does he know that Merik plans to use him to force an ancient prophecy into fulfillment. The achievement of his goal promises to grant him unlimited power. And he will stop at nothing to make his dream come true. The prophecies foretell of the Black Rising. If not stopped, the ominous Dark Age that follows will result in war between the race of men and dragons. A legendary hero, the Jharis, may be the world's only hope of bringing peace to both sides. This champion will bear a powerful weapon, known as the Verax, a sword forged by the Creator Himself. Ths holy blade can appear only after the Black Rising has begun. And that's exactly what Merik Ladien is counting on. "Page turning fantasy with a dramatic flair. I loved it " Jennifer Seet, Author of Borderland Our novel is a fresh new tale of high fantasy and grand adventure that contains quality black and white interior illustrations. Please e-mail us at [email protected] for questions or to schedule signings.

On the world of Namorganda, in the city of Avendis, Yadin Forsythia becomes King after the assassination of his father. As if this tragedy isn't bad enough, his wife goes into premature labor. A self-proclaimed wizard, Merik Ladien, offers to save her and the child for a price. King Yadin has no choice but to accept the proposal. Little does he know that Merik plans to use him to force an ancient prophecy into fulfillment. The achievement of his goal promises to grant him unlimited power. And he will stop at nothing to make his dream come true. The prophecies foretell of the Black Rising. If not stopped, the ominous Dark Age that follows will result in war between the race of men and dragons. A legendary hero, the Jharis, may be the world's only hope of bringing peace to both sides. This champion will bear a powerful weapon, known as the Verax, a sword forged by the Creator Himself. Ths holy blade can appear only after the Black Rising has begun. And that's exactly what Merik Ladien is counting on. "Page turning fantasy with a dramatic flair. I loved it " Jennifer Seet, Author of Borderland Our novel is a fresh new tale of high fantasy and grand adventure that contains quality black and white interior illustrations. Please e-mail us at [email protected] for questions or to schedule signings.