What is real or unreal? If one looks close, things may not be what they appear to be. In his second collection of plays set in the 1980s, Michael JP Williams takes a look back at a time when Ronald Reagan's Hollywood glamour sparked the American spirit and prosperity graced many homes-even as the AIDS crisis quietly intensified in the shadows. In "Skin Savers," Key West, Florida, a mecca for artists, writers, transplanted New Yorkers, seves as the setting and as a perfect place for Hank and Beau, two businessmen who have been trying for years to make their fortunes at their fabric firm. Discouraged by a recent chain of events, they are thrilled when they receive the resume of a young talented artist. But as they recruit him to work at their company, they have no idea that Mickey D'West is battling his own issues. In the second play "Old Tavern Tales," Paul and Mickey fall in love and soon become immersed in a bizarre relationship where neither has respect for the other-or themselves. "Baptism by Green Fire" highlights a time when Key West was abruptly changed with the arrival of a horrifying disease that robbed the world of many beautiful, vibrant, and talented men.

It was a time when personal exploration was a way of life-a time when it was still okay to hitchhike, grow your hair long, and be carefree. But during the 1970s and early 1980s, it still was not okay to be gay. In "Complex, " the first of the two plays presented in "Baby Crib, " author Michael J.-P. Williams introduces Mickey, a man haunted by guilt-and a dark secret. Just as a new consciousness is lighting the way for those who wish to escape the closet, artist wannabe Mickey is battling internal demons. Ashamed that he is homosexual and even more ashamed that he is still alive after his twin brother dies from cancer, Mickey must struggle to accept himself and his desires. In the second play, "I Ski Maybell, " Paul West is on the road to success. With a newly acquired MBA in hand and a good job in a new city, Paul's fresh start in life suddenly goes awry when he allies himself with Nova McWorth. Unfortunately, she is his boss. Williams interweaves multifaceted characters within poignant storylines that prove that perhaps life really is too short to worry about what we cannot control.

"Rare talent is like a black orchid Painted in every color bright alive ..." As evidenced in his first compilation of poetry, author Michael JP Williams is not afraid to constantly re-evaluate his life. While drawing on inspiration from traumatic past events as well as biblical themes, Williams illustrates his poignant personal struggle through lyrical verse that poses-and attempts to answer-his many introspective questions. Williams carefully explores the human condition, emotions, and passions that accompanied him on a journey of self-exploration. In "Evolution: Mark of Cain, " Williams reexamines the biblical tale of Cain and Abel and adds his own creative twist. While wondering if Cain really killed his brother or simply watched him die from cancer, Williams contemplates whether the blame of Cain was justifiable. In "Dissolution: Lazarus Arising, " Williams speculates why the Savior waited until Lazarus died before performing a miracle. Finally in "Revolution: BIB RIB, " Williams shares his most revolutionary work that takes a poignant look at life, its beauty, and heartbreak. The poetry in "Evolution: Dissolution: Revolution" encourages deep reflection on why the past will always have the power to affect the future.

Subcultural phenomena continue to draw attention from many areas of contemporary society, including the news media, the marketing and fashion industries, concerned parents, religious, and other citizen groups, as well as academia. Research into these phenomena has spanned the humanities and social sciences, and the subcultural theories that underlie this work are similarly interdisciplinary. Subcultural Theory brings these diverse analytic issues together in a single text, offering readers a concise discussion of the major concepts and debates that have developed over more than eighty years of subcultural research, including style, stratification, resistance, identity, media and "post subcultures". The text emphasizes methods, concepts, and analysis rather than mere descriptions of individual subcultures, all the while ensuring readers will gain insight into past and present youthful subcultures, including mod, punk, hardcore, straightedge, messenger, goth, riot grrrl, hip-hop, skinhead, and extreme metal, among others. The book closes with an assessment of the subculture concept as a viable and useful sociological tool in comparison with other fields of study including social movements and fandom.

Denying Divinity examines the 'negative theologies' of Christianity and Zen Buddhism. Using classic texts of both traditions, it argues that 'negative theology' is a form of spirituality with powerful contemporary appeal, offering an integration of traditional religious practices with an openness to experience beyond the limits of doctrine and rational thought.

Apophatic theology, or negative theology, attempts to describe God, the Divine Good, by negation, to speak only in terms of what may not be said about the perfect goodness that is God. It is a way of coming to an understanding of who God is which has played a significant role across centuries of Christian tradition but is very often treated with suspicion by those engaging in theological study today. Seeking the God Beyond explores the difference a negative theological approach might make to our faith and practice and offers an introduction to this oft-misunderstood form of spirituality. Beginning by placing apophatic spirituality within its biblical roots, the book later considers the key pioneers of apophatic faith and a diverse range of thinkers including CS Lewis and Keats - to inform us in our negative theological journey.

Subcultural phenomena continue to draw attention from many areas of contemporary society, including the news media, the marketing and fashion industries, concerned parents, religious, and other citizen groups, as well as academia. Research into these phenomena has spanned the humanities and social sciences, and the subcultural theories that underlie this work are similarly interdisciplinary. Subcultural Theory brings these diverse analytic issues together in a single text, offering readers a concise discussion of the major concepts and debates that have developed over more than eighty years of subcultural research, including style, stratification, resistance, identity, media and "post subcultures". The text emphasizes methods, concepts, and analysis rather than mere descriptions of individual subcultures, all the while ensuring readers will gain insight into past and present youthful subcultures, including mod, punk, hardcore, straightedge, messenger, goth, riot grrrl, hip-hop, skinhead, and extreme metal, among others. The book closes with an assessment of the subculture concept as a viable and useful sociological tool in comparison with other fields of study including social movements and fandom.

What is real or unreal? If one looks close, things may not be what they appear to be. In his second collection of plays set in the 1980s, Michael JP Williams takes a look back at a time when Ronald Reagan's Hollywood glamour sparked the American spirit and prosperity graced many homes-even as the AIDS crisis quietly intensified in the shadows. In "Skin Savers," Key West, Florida, a mecca for artists, writers, transplanted New Yorkers, seves as the setting and as a perfect place for Hank and Beau, two businessmen who have been trying for years to make their fortunes at their fabric firm. Discouraged by a recent chain of events, they are thrilled when they receive the resume of a young talented artist. But as they recruit him to work at their company, they have no idea that Mickey D'West is battling his own issues. In the second play "Old Tavern Tales," Paul and Mickey fall in love and soon become immersed in a bizarre relationship where neither has respect for the other-or themselves. "Baptism by Green Fire" highlights a time when Key West was abruptly changed with the arrival of a horrifying disease that robbed the world of many beautiful, vibrant, and talented men.

It was a time when personal exploration was a way of life-a time when it was still okay to hitchhike, grow your hair long, and be carefree. But during the 1970s and early 1980s, it still was not okay to be gay. In "Complex, " the first of the two plays presented in "Baby Crib, " author Michael J.-P. Williams introduces Mickey, a man haunted by guilt-and a dark secret. Just as a new consciousness is lighting the way for those who wish to escape the closet, artist wannabe Mickey is battling internal demons. Ashamed that he is homosexual and even more ashamed that he is still alive after his twin brother dies from cancer, Mickey must struggle to accept himself and his desires. In the second play, "I Ski Maybell, " Paul West is on the road to success. With a newly acquired MBA in hand and a good job in a new city, Paul's fresh start in life suddenly goes awry when he allies himself with Nova McWorth. Unfortunately, she is his boss. Williams interweaves multifaceted characters within poignant storylines that prove that perhaps life really is too short to worry about what we cannot control.

"Rare talent is like a black orchid Painted in every color bright alive ..." As evidenced in his first compilation of poetry, author Michael JP Williams is not afraid to constantly re-evaluate his life. While drawing on inspiration from traumatic past events as well as biblical themes, Williams illustrates his poignant personal struggle through lyrical verse that poses-and attempts to answer-his many introspective questions. Williams carefully explores the human condition, emotions, and passions that accompanied him on a journey of self-exploration. In "Evolution: Mark of Cain, " Williams reexamines the biblical tale of Cain and Abel and adds his own creative twist. While wondering if Cain really killed his brother or simply watched him die from cancer, Williams contemplates whether the blame of Cain was justifiable. In "Dissolution: Lazarus Arising, " Williams speculates why the Savior waited until Lazarus died before performing a miracle. Finally in "Revolution: BIB RIB, " Williams shares his most revolutionary work that takes a poignant look at life, its beauty, and heartbreak. The poetry in "Evolution: Dissolution: Revolution" encourages deep reflection on why the past will always have the power to affect the future.