A River That is Congo-Of Rulers and Ruled

http://www.amazon.com/River-That-Is-Congo-ebook/dp/B009WR25QO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1356468395&sr=1-3

Available from Amazon in both print and for Kindle

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A River That Is Congo-Of Rulers and Ruled 

is a historical novel of one man’s heroic struggle against the greed, cruelty, and terror of a corrupt government in colonial Africa. 

The protagonist in Of Rulers and Ruled is Pierre d’Entremont, a Frenchman who because of the collapse of the La Banque de d’Entremont, must earn a living. With his military training his best option is to enter King Leopold’s military service in the Congo. He has been told that one can make a fortune quickly in Leopold’s Congo Free State.

Raised in an environment of affluence, gentility and with a deep sense of honor, Pierre is appalled by the atrocities perpetrated on the natives by the colonialist. Pierre went to Africa to make a fortune and stayed to fight an evil system. 

Synopsis of Of Rulers and Ruled

Within the first month in the Congo: Pierre becomes sick and nearly dies, makes an enemy of Harou, the most powerful man in the Congo, and on the way to his posting must always keep his gun nearby because the captain has said, “Dead or alive you will get off my boat.”

His first post is at the trading post of Bombula where the garrison commandant has recently died. When he gets to Bombula he discover that the sadistic Claude Armonde has murdered the former commandant and has taken control of the garrison and makes Pierre his prisoner. In order to put an end to Armonde’s maiming and killing of the natives, and to get away himself, he has to kill Armonde.

Armonde was Harou’s friend and Harou suspects Pierre killed Armonde. The natives know what happened, but the word of a native cannot be used in the Congo court against a white person.

After killing Armonde he finds Armonde’s journal, which records the atrocities he and other agents and soldiers have committed. Pierre makes a copy of that journal and turns it over to Roger Casement who is a member of the British consulate sent there for the express purpose of verifying the alleged atrocities committed by King Leopold’s agents and military. 

*****

Amazon Reviews

"Only someone from this time period and region could portray the Congo and its inhabitants in such exquisite detail. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down!"  

"Paul's book gives a on-site feel for those who want to understand what happened in the worst history of colonial Africa. You will be transported back in time to feel, smell, and see the treatment of the natives in the hands of their colonial rulers"

 *****

Paul Stam

"Having grown up in the Congo in the 30s-40s I have a special interest in, and concern for that country. The current events in the Congo are heart wrenching."

About the Author

Paul J. Stam, was born in the northeast corner of the Belgian Congo where he grew up listening to the accounts of the old timers, some of whom were the first whites in that part of Africa. Just before the end of World War II, when he was 15, Paul came to the United States with his parents. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. His tour of duty completed, Paul attended the University of Minnesota and later joined the staff. Among other things, Paul has been a foundry worker, salesman, university teacher and administrator and sailboat skipper. Paul is now retired and lives in Hawaii.

Paul's blog Paper, Mud and Me
Pauls website www.paulsbooks.net

paul@paulsbooks.net

Other great titles from ATTMP authors are available at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=%22all+things+that+matter+press%22

Don't Mess With A Sharp Police Officer!

If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. :)

He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer's credibility .....

Q: 'Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?'

A: 'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.'

Q: 'Officer, who provided this description?'

A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.'

Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?'

A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.'

Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?'

A: 'Yes sir, we do!'

Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?'

A: 'Yes, sir, I do.'

Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?'

A: 'Yes, sir.'

Q: 'Now, why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?'

A: 'You see, sir, we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.'

The courtroom exploded with laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback' line -- and I think he'll win.

Remember Those Who Gave Us An Incredible Gift

PLEASE REMEMBER

Disabled American Veterans

Never forget the sacrifice they made for us.

www.dav.org/

"It’s what’s really at the heart of all the holiday hustle and bustle – a deep desire to make the holidays memorable and meaningful.

But no amount of sparkling lights or pretty bows could ever compete with the satisfaction you’ll feel when you 
make a difference in a hero’s life this holiday season!"

Tails Of Rescue For All Animal Lovers

The perfect Christmas gift for all animal lovers who love to read.

PROFILE OF:  BEBE & FRIENDS-TALES OF RESCUE

Published  Dec. 5, 2012

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

Meet the formerly unwanted, abandoned, and abused who, through the miracle of human love, found their forever homes. Jean Rodenbough, retired Presbyterian minister, former English and ethics teacher, poet and critically acclaimed author ~ and confirmed lover of animals of all kinds ~ presents a collection of "tails" that are poignant, inspiring, smile-provoking, and, in some cases, tearful; but they all carry the message: 

"All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man ... all things are bound together. All things connect." (Chief Seattle, chief of the Suquamis)

Jean Rodenbough grew up loving animals of all kinds. Later, she wrote stories about animals and people, poems about everything, and trained for several different careers. She is a retired Presbyterian minister, serving mostly as a chaplain with hospice and with hospitals. She also has taught both English and ethics in secondary school and college. She earned several degrees in the process: BA, MA, M.Div., and D.Min, but her focus now is on her writing of both poetry and prose. This book is her second with All Things That Matter, the first one Rachel’s Children: Surviving the Second World War. She and her husband Charles live in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Bebe-Friends-Rescue-Jean-Rodenbough/dp/0988542730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355148533&sr=1-1&keywords=jean+rodenbough

*****

Below is the review I wrote on Amazon for Rachel's Children last year.  

Jean Rodenbough is a very caring, poignant, and excellent author. 

"I ordered Rachel's Children because I remember extremely well how World War II affected me as a child and I wanted to read a personal account of someone who had experienced what I had been terrified of the four+ years the war lasted. I lived in a small town in Texas that was fortified during that war with barbed wire and guards in tall towers at the entrance holding machine guns over the railings as we checked into town. I remember how scared I would get when the practice air raid sirens would go off in the middle of the night, never knowing if the bombers were really coming this time. I have retained an on going interest in things written about the war but I have never read such a personal and extremely well written explanation of how other children of the 1940's felt about it until I read Rachel's Children. Anyone interested in World War II or how horrific warfare affects everyone involved should read this brilliant book!

The author was a young child living in Pearl Harbor during the initial attack and I can't imagine how she must have felt when she found out the island was being bombed. Jean admitted it left indelible impressions on her psyche, the kind one never forgets. Her father was an Army doctor immediately called to help treat the wounded.

Jean has done a magnificent job writing vivid images of the horrors of World War II and how they affected her, her family, and many others. This book should be required reading in our schools so that our children can know what sacrifices men, women, and children all over the world had to make. Congratulations Jean!...you have written a historical masterpiece that is going to be appreciated for a long time!"

Anna Mullins

http://www.amazon.com/Rachels-Children-Surviving-Second-World/dp/0984621660/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355148623&sr=1-3&keywords=jean+rodenbough

The True Story Of An American Patriot

The Official Website Of The Author

www.bertiemac.com/

I listened to a blog radio interview with the author of Back Channel-The Kennedy Years and became fascinated with William Bertram MacFarland. (Bertie Mac) I highly recommend you listen to a rebroadcast of the interview on the It Matters blog talk radio show and check this book and it's reviews out on Amazon. I'm certain any American interested in history and politics will come to appreciate this remarkable man, as I have, who describes himself as a, "Patriot, a Soldier, a Spy, and an Assassin."  

The radio interview can be found at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/itmatters/2012/11/30/back-channelthe-kennedy-years-pianist-cristian-monti 

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Back-Channel-ebook/dp/B005WJX2WW/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1354553330&sr=1-1

Book Description On Amazon

"This is the first book of a remarkable memoir of a Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy. Known familiarly as Bertie Mac, he reported directly to the President and his office was in the West Wing of the White House. Prior to achieving that position, he had been betrayed by his own government - the United States - and handed over to the Soviets. He was tortured in the Lubyanka Prison in Moscow before being covertly rescued by two high ranking Soviet Generals (at great risk to themselves) who wanted to convey information directly to the White House to try to avert a nuclear confrontation they believed to be imminent. They believed that he would be a uniquely reliable conduit of information between the U.S. and the Soviet Union as he deeply mistrusted both governments and therefore had absolutely no motivation to "color" any information he might transmit. Bertie Mac coined the term "Back Channel" and served as a direct communication link between the White House and the Kremlin during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bertie Mac is a patriot, a soldier, a spy and an assassin. He served in all four roles during his time under President Kennedy - who became his friend and confidant. You will see the Soviet Union, the White House, Camelot, Vietnam and the conspirators behind the assassination of the President in a very new light and watch history as it was being made.

Bertie Mac served under and reported to nine U.S. Presidents. This book is the first in the series. It is heavily documented with photocopies of documents which, though now declassified, originally bore the very highest of security classifications - Top Secret/ Sensitive/ Eyes Only. The documents are indisputably authentic and reveal the real facts that the American (and world) public never knew. Back Channel recounts the first stage of a totally fascinating journey."

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I sincerely believe this is a exciting and intriguing story every American should read. It explains what the cost of our freedom is all about at the highest levels of government.

Happy Holidays To You & Yours

May Your Holidays 

Be Filled With Blessings!