"American Historical and Literary Curiosities: Second Series, Complete" by J. Jay Smith is a fascinating exploration of unique and lesser-known aspects of American history and literature. This work delves into intriguing anecdotes, rare documents, and the lives of notable figures, providing readers with a rich tapestry of cultural insights. Smith's meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a treasure trove for history buffs and literary enthusiasts alike, inviting them ...

Platitudes, cliches and adages are pervasive in almost every part of our everyday lives and in every part of our culture. Every day we either hear them or use them ourselves, often without thinking about them. These "words of wisdom" express our feelings about love, time, money, health, wealth, humor and every aspect of life in general. Usually, they are a shorthand way of expressing an idea. The words used, in most cases, are not meant to be taken literally. Because of their common usage ...

Recent scholarship on process-driven utopia exhibits two startling omissions. The first is a lack of practical methodology proposed. The second elision is more serious. Without a way to discriminate between utopian hope and ideological agendas, the target for utopia's pursuit becomes equally suspect. In this groundbreaking, interdisciplinary investigation of processual theory and methodology, Jay Burkette argues that while situating utopia within prefigurative performance remains the best ...

Our world presents daily distractions that can easily displace Christ as the center of a man’s heart and life. The goal of the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible is to strengthen and encourage men through the life-giving Word of God and sound devotional content aimed at nurturing godliness.With 365 theologically rich and gospel-centered devotions drawn directly from the Bible, this all-new resource was created under the editorial oversight of Dr. Sam Storms with contributions from...

"Istanbul Crossing" is not just a thriller but a powerful exploration of identity, courage, and the human spirit. Smith's ability to weave a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply humane makes this novel a standout read.— Alan Warren, bestselling author and host of House of Mystery and Inside Writing radio shows.In this coming-of-age literary thriller, Ahdaf, a gay Syrian refugee, after watching his c...

A Love Affair Inspiring the World's Most Unforgettable OperasExperience the intense, lifelong love affair between Giuseppe Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi, the brilliant and seductive soprano who shaped his legacy. As his muse, lover, and wife, Strepponi was the inspiration behind Verdi's most iconic works, including La Traviata and Aida. Her influence was pivotal, as she became the architect of his creative triumphs and the heart of his operatic genius.Set ...

It is 1992 in Warsaw, Poland, and the communist era has just ended. A series of grisly murders suddenly becomes an international case when it's feared that the victims may have been couriers smuggling nuclear material out of the defunct Soviet Union. The FBI sends an agent to help with the investigation. When he learns that a Russian physicist who designed a portable atomic bomb has disappeared, the race is on to find him—and the bomb—before it ends up in the wrong hands. Smith’s depiction...

Conflict is the very heart and soul of drama, and Smith's latest work explores character conflict and the various ways to portray it both in scripts and on the stage.

The Complete Works of John Jay SmithThis Complete Collection includes the following titles:--------1 - American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 11.2 - American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 12.3 - American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 13.4 - American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 14.5 - American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Part 15.6 - American Historical and Literary Curi...

To most people, he's cold. Aloof. Unreachable.He's the alluring, strange guy with striking features, but endless mystery. His family just relocated to a foreign country. Now he's navigating uncharted territory on top of his demons. He seeks to blend in, avoid drawing attention and speaks very little.Eva is the warm, bubbly neighbour from across the street with a killer smile and undeniable persuasion. From day one, she's enchanted by his presence, yet he seems to live in hi...

Set against the very real refugee crisis on the beautiful, sun-drenched Greek islands, Fire on the Island paints a nuanced and loving portrait of a community in crisis while shedding light on the challenges of life in contemporary Greece.After a string of mysterious fires breaks out on a small Greek island, undercover FBI agent Nick Damigos arrives to investigate, showing up just in time to save a beloved truffle-sniffing dog from the most recent inferno. ...

Navigating constantly changing social and familial relationships, the characters in M. Jay Smith’s stories strive to hold everything together and stay true to their convictions in the process.Cantaloupe! brings us nine juicy stories about trying (and failing) to do the right thing – about yearning to stay true to yourself in a culture that demands compromise. With razor-sharp prose and a bit of slapstick humour, M. Jay Smith contemplates how identities smudge into each oth...