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  Quakers and the Amish The: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  Few today know much about the Quakers. Whenever the subject of Quakerism slips into conversation, most picture a rosy-cheeked fellow in a simple black overcoat, and a wide brim hat atop his thick, cloud-white hair, inspired by the famous logo of the Quaker Oats company. In spite of the stereotype, Quakers today come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, with the more liberal folk sporting trendy haircuts, tattoos, and various piercings. They call themselves “Friends,” a starkly different but very devout following of God. They strive for a world empowered by peace and acceptance, an ambitious mission fueled by diversity, blind to race, gender, or creed. 
  Buggies, straw hats, long and plain dresses in shades of blue and black, charming log cabins reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie – this is often the mental image that comes to mind when one thinks of the Amish. Nowadays, many have become accustomed to being within a 10 foot radius of at least 3 pieces of technology every hour of the day. World news and current events has never been more readily available, accessible by just a touch of a fingertip. Yet there exists a collection of cultures worldwide that steer clear of contemporary society for a range of reasons. 
  Americans have heard of the Amish, but most know little about them. They are often seen as unconventional and strictly religious, but quiet, calm folk who keep to themselves. Those who have heard of them know of their rejection of electricity and most, if not all modern aspects of life. Those who have taken a gander at the dozens of “reality shows” that have sprung up over recent years may have even heard of the ever-so-famous – but often inaccurately depicted – Rumspringa. But beyond the buggies and prayer bonnets lies an intriguing culture that has remained strictly loyal to its roots.

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  The History of France Under...

  Editors Charles River

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  Emerging from France's catastrophic 1940 defeat like a bedraggled and rather sinister phoenix, the French State – better known to history as “Vichy France” or the “Vichy Regime” after its spa-town capital – stands in history as a unique and bizarre creation of German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler's European conquests. A patchwork of paradoxes and contradictions, the Vichy Regime maintained a quasi-independent French nation for some time after the Third Reich invasion until the Germans decided to include it in their occupation zone. Headed by a French war hero of World War I, Marshal Philippe Petain, and his later Prime Minister Pierre Laval, Vichy France displayed strong right-wing, conservative, and authoritarian tendencies, though it never lapsed fully into fascism until the Germans arrived to reduce its role to little more than a mask over their own dominion. Petain carried out several major initiatives in an effort to counteract the alleged “decadence” of modern life and to restore the strength and “virtues” of the French “race.” Accordingly, he received willing support from more conservative elements of society, even some factions within the Catholic Church.  
  Of course, not all French people proved willing to surrender to the Nazi invaders, however. While large numbers “collaborated” – working for German or Vichy companies to provide for themselves or their families – and some wholeheartedly backed the new regime out of opportunism, fascist conviction, or other motivations, many courageous French resisted the Nazis and the quisling Vichy state. At the same time, despite the legends, the French Resistance never grew into a single unified organization. Rather, it remained divided in several major and numerous minor factions, each with their own philosophy and agenda. While these factions all shared the same goal – opposition to the Germans their Vichy pawns – they viewed each other with some suspicion and sometimes cooperated only grudgingly.

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  Revisiting the Titanic: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  In the over 100 years since it sank on its maiden voyage, the Titanic has been the subject of endless fascination, as evidenced by the efforts to find its final resting spot, the museums full of its objects, and the countless books, documentaries, and movies made about the doomed ocean liner. Thanks to the dramatization of the Titanic’s sinking and the undying interest in the story, millions of people are familiar with various aspects of the ship’s demise, and the nearly 1,500 people who died in the North Atlantic in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912. The sinking of the ship is still nearly as controversial now as it was over 100 years ago, and the drama is just as compelling.  
  	In the century since the Titanic sank, public interest in the ship and its history has waxed and waned on a regular basis. There was a flurry of activity right after it went down, as people tried to wrap their minds around what happened, but the World Wars pushed attention elsewhere. Then, during the 1950s, scientists had the time and money to become interested in it again. While there were numerous attempts to find that ship during the 1970s, the mighty ship still kept her secrets, her dead and their possessions safely at the bottom of the sea, where only strange creature comfortable in the depths could disturb them. 
  	As it turned out, the most famous wreck in the world would not be located until 1985, over 70 years after the ship sank that fateful April night. The discovery ignited a new flurry of interest in Titanic, including an interest in what the wreck still held, who those items belonged, to and what should be done with them. The 1997 blockbuster movie about the ship only stirred up more interest and controversy, both of which continue to this day. 

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  Ikigai

  Jim Colajuta

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  The day you decide that your life is your own is the best day of your life. There will be no apologies or excuses. There was no one to lean on, rely on, or point the finger at. The gift is yours, it's an incredible journey, and you're solely responsible for its quality. This is the first day of your life. Having a purpose in life is one of the most fundamental human needs. Ikigai, a Japanese concept, means "a reason for being." It refers to living a fulfilling life. Many different activities can provide people with a sense of purpose in life. These activities can range from volunteering to providing social support to the elderly and even caring for pets, all linked to increased happiness, better health outcomes, and longer lifespan.Everyone is equipped with an ikigai. Your ikigai is the reason you get up in the morning, the reason you want to live fully and cheerfully. Your ikigai isn't something your makeup; it's something you're born with. The Japanese believe that discovering one's ikigai necessitates a long, contemplative search that can lead to life satisfaction and meaning. All you have to do is dig far enough to locate it. Your ikigai lies at the crossroads of four circles: what you enjoy, what the world requires, what you can be compensated for, and what you're skilled at.

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  Hidden Mercy - AIDS Catholics...

  Michael J. O'Loughlin

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  The 1980s and 1990s, the height of the AIDS crisis in the United States, was decades ago now, and many of the stories from this time remain hidden: A Catholic nun from a small Midwestern town packs up her life to move to New York City, where she throws herself into a community under assault from HIV and AIDS. A young priest sees himself in the many gay men dying from AIDS and grapples with how best to respond, eventually coming out as gay and putting his own career on the line. A gay Catholic with HIV loses his partner to AIDS and then flees the church, focusing his energy on his own health rather than fight an institution seemingly rejecting him. 
   
   
   
  Set against the backdrop of the HIV and AIDS epidemic of the late twentieth century and the Catholic Church's crackdown on gay and lesbian activists, journalist Michael O'Loughlin searches out the untold stories of those who didn't look away, who at great personal cost chose compassion. 
   
   
   
  This is one journalist's—gay and Catholic himself—compelling picture of those quiet heroes who responded to human suffering when so much of society told them to look away. These pure acts of compassion and mercy offer us hope and inspiration as we continue to confront existential questions about what it means to be Americans, Christians, and human beings responding to those most in need.

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  Italy's Hidden Gems - A Tour of...

  Daniel Cornwallis

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  Unearth the Undiscovered Beauty of Italy 
   
  Imagine yourself strolling through the cobblestone streets of an enchanting Italian town, untouched by the rush of modern tourism. Italy's Hidden Gems: A Tour of the 25 Most Mesmerizing Vacation Spots is your passport to these unexplored corners of Italy. 
   
  This is not your typical travel guide. This book takes you off the beaten path, revealing the secret locales only locals know about. From the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the serene canals of Venice, each page is a discovery. 
   
  Authored by seasoned traveler Daniel Cornwallis, this book culminates years of exploration and a deep love for Italy. Cornwallis's vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling will transport you to these hidden gems, making you feel like you're already there. 
   
  Each location is accompanied by a comprehensive guide, including the best times to visit, local cuisines to try, and unique cultural experiences to indulge in. This book is more than just a travel guide—it's a journey that inspires the desire to pack your bags and embark on your own Italian adventure. 
   
  So why wait? Start your journey today with Italy's Hidden Gems: A Tour of the 25 Most Mesmerizing Vacation Spots. Experience Italy like never before, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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