Geoffrey Girard

AFRICAN SAMURAI
by Thomas Lockley and Geoffrey Girard
Hanover Square Press (HarperCollins)

The remarkable life of history’s first foreign-born samurai, and his astonishing journey from Africa to the heights of Japanese society.

When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he'd already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, and trained into a boy soldier in India, he was now bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia.

Among those drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan. Soon, Yasuke was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts, fighting in battles, and ascending to the upper echelons of Japanese society as samurai.

African Samurai presents the never-before-told true story of this unique figure, whose astonishing journey offers a new perspective on world history and a vivid portrait of life, faith, and war in medieval Japan.



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Praise for AFRICAN SAMURAI:
"Lockley and Girard deftly survey the cultural and geopolitical aspects of feudal Japan... make excellent use of primary sources, creating an engaging narrative. An exciting illuminating tale of action and intrigue."
Booklist
[★ Starred Review ★]
"With fast-paced, action-packed writing, Lockley and Girard offer a new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan... Highly recommended."
Library Journal
[★ Starred Review ★]
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"Eminently readable...The solid scholarship on and imaginative treatment of Yasuke’s life make this both a worthwhile and entertaining work."
Publishers Weekly
  "A fast-paced novelistic history of Japan’s feudal past; a panoramic view of politics, sex, religion, and war. A rich portrait of a brutal age."
Kirkus
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"AFRICAN SAMURAI is phenomenal. The afterword alone is a history buff’s dream, laying out an encyclopedic knowledge of important figures of history as they relate to Yasuke’s world. A tremendous nonfiction book that rivals any high fantasy novel out."
The Houston Chronicle
  "Vast, comprehensive and enlightening. The narrative style is as razor-sharp and captivating as a katana's blade, drawing in the reader and giving a 'first-hand' account of an extraordinary life."
Chris Bradford
author of the Young Samurai series
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"Gripped me from the opening sentence... Yasuke emerges as an important and incredibly overlooked force in history.”
Jack Weatherford
author of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
African Samurai sounds like a novel, a freaking amazing novel. But Yasuke is real, and Lockley and Girard bring him and his world to life with incredible research and style."
Bret Witter
#1 New York Times bestselling
co-author of The Monuments Men


UK Edition
Sphere (Little, Brown & Co.)

Polish Edition
Kirin Publishing House

Italian Edition
Newton Compton Editori


MEMOIRS/Etc.
Often, someone needs a little help telling their story. In the process, I meet interesting people who do/did cool stuff, and they get the book they always imagined. Several projects in the works in this space.

The Midwest Survival Guide

[ order here ]


"...a gripping page-turner that reads more like a script for a movie than a political treatise, but that’s what it is. It’s important, new, fascinating and fun. We’d live in a better world if there were more books like this."
- Ann Coulter

"...a must-read for all Americans seeking to better their lives."
- Ben Shapiro

”...a fresh, thought provoking voice that is important and inspirational. His take on the obstacles facing urban communities, and how he beat the odds, is a must read.”
- Newt Gingrich


[ order here ]

The Midwest Survival Guide - Berens

"An excellently written guide to the Midwest that is not only hilarious, but also incredibly informative."

"Hilarious.
Informative.
Well written.
Surprisingly educational."

"...genius at capturing the Midwest lifestyle in a very humorous way."

 
[ Amazon ]
[ BooksaMillion ]


"The scope of the book is ambitious. Knowledgeable, propulsive, and a bit terrifying..."
- Kirkus

"Paints a frightening portrait... A necessarily unsettling book that is recommended for all libraries."
-
Booklist

"Riveting, enlightening..."
- KATU: Portland News

"Matt Browning speaks in a voice that is conversational and his story-telling range is impressive."
-
Dr. Jane Caplan
     
 
[ order here ]

"This fusion of eco-thriller, New Age–powered speculative fiction, brutal social commentary, and comedic SF à la Douglas Adams offers sagacious solutions to the present-day climate crisis... A strange little gem of a tale...An odd but thematically profound and engrossing cli-fi tale." - Kirkus

"...a rollicking commentary."

"highly entertaining romp through galaxies, Starseed civilizations, and magical universes...
"
[ order here ]  
     

 
TheTales Of series from Middle Atlantic Press is a collection of books for readers 9-90. Each book includes thirteen original short stories based on American history and folklore with tales that combine facts, fantasy, adventure and frights suitable for younger readers (Harry Potter aged) as well as adults looking for a fun read and anyone hoping to find some exciting new surprises and magic throughout 500 years of American history.
 

Tales of the Eastern Indians by Geoffrey Girard (Middle Atlantic Press, 2008)
A haunted hill with a terrifying secret... The young mammoth hunter who becomes the hunted... Five ancient travelers trapped in the City of the Dead... A modern chief joins Elvis to help save his tribe... The storyteller who lures nightmares to life... Take an unforgettable journey through the history, myths, and wonder of the eastern American Indians. Within the pages of these thirteen original and unique tales, you will meet an unforgettable cast of timeless heroes and fantastic beings, dreamers and adventurers, daughters and brothers. For readers of all ages to discover, remember and celebrate this unique culture and its storied people of both yesterday and today.
[Order from Amazon.com]                


 

Tales of the Atlantic Pirates by Geoffrey Girard (Middle Atlantic Press, 2006)

Cannon fire, swordplay and the ruthless pursuit of gold have stalked the high seas from the decks of black-flagged ships for centuries. Here be thirteen original tales based on the real-life pirates who once sailed and hunted along America's coast. From ghostly crews and cursed islands to the capture of Blackbeard and modern-day treasure hunts, join these seafaring outlaws for more than three hundred years of history, folklore, and adventure.

"Enthusiastically recommended and thoroughly entertaining reading, Girard combines meticulous historical detail with an imaginative story-telling ability." (Midwest Book Review)

"This book is nothing short of brilliant. Tales of the Atlantic Pirates is an absolute page turner. Each story was grippingly entertaining, while also being surprisingly educational to the genuine historical accounts that inspired them. A smashing job!"  (Bilgemunky.com Pirate News)

[Order from Amazon.com]                 Click here for free online sample chapter


Tales of the Jersey Devil by Geoffrey Girard (Middle Atlantic Press, 2005)

The legend of the mysterious and terrifying Jersey Devil, a unique American myth that has terrorized and captivated the mysterious New Jersey Pine Barrens for more than two hundred years, collected in thirteen original tales. From the creature's birth in 1735 to a modern-day Jersey Devil hunt, dare to follow this monster and those who have faced its terror through more than two hundred years of American history, folklore, and horror.
A fun, informative book… But read it with all the lights on!” (Brian Keene Author of THE RISING)

“Chills the blood as it provides fascinating insights into this particularly spooky legend. Girard is a writer to watch.” (Bryan Smith - Author of FREAKSHOW)
[Find Used copies at Amazon.com]                 OUT OF PRINT [1/1/12]


Getting to Know HTML  by Jeff Pratt (Rosen Central, 2019)

HTML is the perfect language for teens ready to say hello to the world via code used to build websites, blogs, games, e-books, apps for smartphones, and more. Find step-by-step directions, hands-on exercises, and expert tips to learn more about this powerful code in just a few hours. Readers will learn about controlling text, images, and links, page design, and the next steps for advanced programming or a career in software development.


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