This book was inspired by the tenacious efforts of the handful of professional field archaeologists over the last few decades in the inhospitable barrens of Africa. Their discoveries of the ancient fossil records have advanced our knowledge back millions of years. Bokuru is an archaeological mystery based in a remote region of East Africa. The story is seen through James Henderson, a young Chicago attorney, who is retained to go to Africa to investigate the mysterious death of Dr. Richard Bronston. The world famous archaeologist died at his remote excavation site. Dr. Bronstons daughter, Nancy, an executive officer at the Chicago museum, is responsible for Jims selection to act as detective in spite of his lack of directly related experience. Neither Nancy, nor the museum staff believe Dr. Bronston committed suicide as stated on the death certificate sent from Africa. Is Jims limited experience as an amateur archaeologist and trial preparation attorney sufficient to solve the puzzle? The museum has sponsored Dr. Bronstons excavation work and holds a million dollar life insurance policy to cover their funding. The policy excludes coverage if his death is suicide. On the way to the airport Jim learns that the cause of Dr. Bronstons death is not their only concern. Dr. Bronston told no one what he found at his excavation. The museum must decide whether Nancy Bronston should complete her fathers field work, or close the field camp. Jims assignment is suddenly expanded. He must learn what was found along the ancient bank of the Bokuru River, at the location the natives call the place of the ancient past. Jim flies to Africa where Nancy Bronston has preceded him to attend her fathers funeral. He begins his African adventure unprepared for the twists and turns he will face on a journey into both modern and ancient death as well as the origins of mankind. The story ends with a surprise ending not even he could anticipate.

Steve Andrews had it made, a successful law practice in Miami, a young, beautiful wife and a sailboat to enjoy his leisure time. Then one day he woke up to find his world turned upside down. His law practice was failing and he was informed his wife was not legally his wife. To make matters worse, his wife had emptied all of his escrow and trust accounts, turned the money over to her real husband who had exchanged the funds for gold, and the authorities wanted to talk with him. In a desperate attempt to recover some money, Steve contracted to sell his sailboat to a buyer in Key West. The adventure begins when Steve decides to deliver the boat to Key West by sailing down the Intercoastal Waterway, passing through the protected area known as the backcountry on the Gulf side of the Florida Keys. Beginning his journey, Steve meets Shoestring, a common cormorant who stands as sentry on the bow of his sailboat. As he passes through natures country, Steve shares his desires and fears with Shoestring. Complicating his goal to reach Key West safely and transfer ownership of his cherished sailboat, he is informed that the missing gold is hidden on his sailboat and his wifes real husband is tracking him to recapture the missing gold.

During the past thirty years, we have experienced what is probably the most significant social revolution ever in the history of mankind. The effects have had long reaching impact on our personal relationships, financial affairs, families, friends and work environments. Beginning with the womens movement in the late 60s and early 70s, this social revolution was supported and propelled by federal legislation as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. As a result, men and women in America and around the world have found themselves in a new culture where women have established careers and personal status beyond the home and family life. In addition, our culture has found itself in the middle of a transition, including the great divide fueling the war or battle of the sexes. Relationships between the sexes have been polarized with women coming into their own as individuals expanding beyond the traditional roles of their mothers. This handbook provides the insight for examining the underlying cultural biases that cause the individual to make important personal decisions automatically, without thinking, and providing knowledge for the individual to use for personal benefit in making important decisions. The historical, legal and personal aspects of this handbook can provide valuable insight for both men and women in handling important issues in their lives today.

The growth and development witnessed today in modern science, engineering, and technology owes a heavy debt to the rare, refractory, and reactive metals group, of which niobium is a member. Extractive Metallurgy of Niobium presents a vivid account of the metal through its comprehensive discussions of properties and applications, resources and resource processing, chemical processing and compound preparation, metal extraction, and refining and consolidation. Typical flow sheets adopted in some leading niobium-producing countries for the beneficiation of various niobium sources are presented, and various chemical processes for producing pure forms of niobium intermediates such as chloride, fluoride, and oxide are discussed. The book also explains how to liberate the metal from its intermediates and describes the physico-chemical principles involved. It is an excellent reference for chemical metallurgists, hydrometallurgists, extraction and process metallurgists, and minerals processors. It is also valuable to a wide variety of scientists, engineers, technologists, and students interested in the topic.

This book is the fictional story of one mans journey from agnostic concerning unusual phenomena into the realm of belief in the existence of the Big Foot in the swamps of West Florida. Inspired by the natural beauty of present day Myakka River State Park, not far from Sarasota, Florida, the story deals with human vulnerability to belief and how our natural propensity to adopt beliefs without scientific proof of their validity can be manipulated and used by others for their own purposes. The story is mostly seen through the eyes of Mike Byrne, a member of the local Palmetto County Historical Society, as he volunteers to interview the oldest known citizen of the county, Sadie Sutton. He gradually becomes convinced there is more to her distant past than what she is willing to disclose for the society records. He becomes open to the ideas of the speaker at a presentation sponsored by the local Almas Association where his suspicions quickly evolve into the belief that Sadie carries the blood of the DeBosi in her veins. As he struggles with his desire to prove his belief is true, Mike is drawn into the carefully structured snare of those who seek to use his belief for their own purposes. In this story, the end justifies the means in the name of a noble cause, and the swamp where Sadie has lived all her life is preserved. However, there is concern that belief, once encouraged and nurtured, may put in motion forces that will destroy the objectives of those who seek to take advantage of others. Jon C. Hall