Imagine being trapped with thousands of sharp objects in a giant washing machine spinning at high speed and being forced to hold your breath until your lungs threaten to burst. That's what it is like to experience the effects of a tsunami firsthand. In Rising Above the Wave, author and sailor Ed Muesch chronicles his and his wife Helen's terrifying experience resulting from the tsunami on December 26, 2004, at Phi Phi Don Island in Thailand. Ed and Helen were walking the beach that fateful day when they spotted a white foam line on the horizon. Unable to outrun the wave, they stood firm and bear hugged until they were buried beneath it. Swept underwater, across the island, and out to sea, they were miraculously rescued by a Thai fisherman. Helen was unconscious after the first wave and barely survived. Their survival on Black Sunday is overshadowed by Ed's guilt over his inability to save those struggling in the sea around him. Hearing them calling for help and watching them die haunts him daily. Relive this unforgettable experience and Ed's ongoing effort to overcome the effects of this life-changing event, estimated to have taken the lives of 3,000 people.

"Ahmed from America" is my account of visiting countries considered a threat to the West. The truth behind the news Are we the "Ugly Americans?" News reports paint a discouraging picture but can't the average citizen separate the government from the governed? Although not a journalist but a seasoned traveler turned circumnavigator, I intend to seek the truth by asking questions. This is a story of how traveling and listening contributes to better understanding and empathy for those least understood. The story begins in Eastern Turkey along the Iraq, Syrian, and Iranian borders where the PKK is threatening to establish a Kurdish homeland in Turkey. Our next stops are Syria and Lebanon where we travel to Hezbollah controlled areas and talk with militants and others to better understand their intimate thoughts. We met Egyptians, Iranians, and others who contributed to a better understanding of how the U.S. is viewed today not just by fanatical fundamentalists but by moderates who feel forced to realign their political allegiances.

Imagine being trapped with thousands of sharp objects in a giant washing machine spinning at high speed and being forced to hold your breath until your lungs threaten to burst. That's what it is like to experience the effects of a tsunami firsthand. In Rising Above the Wave, author and sailor Ed Muesch chronicles his and his wife Helen's terrifying experience resulting from the tsunami on December 26, 2004, at Phi Phi Don Island in Thailand. Ed and Helen were walking the beach that fateful day when they spotted a white foam line on the horizon. Unable to outrun the wave, they stood firm and bear hugged until they were buried beneath it. Swept underwater, across the island, and out to sea, they were miraculously rescued by a Thai fisherman. Helen was unconscious after the first wave and barely survived. Their survival on Black Sunday is overshadowed by Ed's guilt over his inability to save those struggling in the sea around him. Hearing them calling for help and watching them die haunts him daily. Relive this unforgettable experience and Ed's ongoing effort to overcome the effects of this life-changing event, estimated to have taken the lives of 3,000 people.

"Personal Best: Chasing the Wind Above and Below the Equator" is more than a sailing adventure. It's the story of one man's drive to realize his dream. Finally it is time for his dream to be realized. Ed and his wife will sail around the world. Sail with them as they experience the wonders, triumphs, and difficulties of living their dream. Storms, breakdowns, personal loss, and a miraculous escape from drowning in the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand serve as the backdrop to seeing the wonders of the world and meeting the people who are a part of it.

"Ahmed from America" is my account of visiting countries considered a threat to the West. The truth behind the news Are we the "Ugly Americans?" News reports paint a discouraging picture but can't the average citizen separate the government from the governed? Although not a journalist but a seasoned traveler turned circumnavigator, I intend to seek the truth by asking questions. This is a story of how traveling and listening contributes to better understanding and empathy for those least understood. The story begins in Eastern Turkey along the Iraq, Syrian, and Iranian borders where the PKK is threatening to establish a Kurdish homeland in Turkey. Our next stops are Syria and Lebanon where we travel to Hezbollah controlled areas and talk with militants and others to better understand their intimate thoughts. We met Egyptians, Iranians, and others who contributed to a better understanding of how the U.S. is viewed today not just by fanatical fundamentalists but by moderates who feel forced to realign their political allegiances.