Böcker av Alex Cook

Contrary to popular belief, managing money is simple. Most people struggle with money at some point in their lives and sadly too many never stop struggling. For couples, money problems are the most common source of disagreement. Whilst many people may desire financial freedom, few find it. There is good news. A few simple changes, based on biblical wisdom, and you can be on a clear path to financial freedom. This book will help you get there.

These are stories of events in a fictitious university community in the Rocky Mountain foothills. They are loosely woven about the life of a ''Model University Professor'', environmental scientist Paul Mandryka, affectionately known simply as Prof by students and friends. Fellow faculty member, Jedediah Williams, has chosen him for the ''professor I would have liked to have become'', and has asked for descriptive contributions from other faculty members, students, and friends. Immersed in these chronicles is a continuing concern of Mandryka''s that he lacks the suitability to be a loving mate for a desirable woman. Numerous contributions from Prof''s environmental liaison assistant, Chris Baldwin, describe a variety of events in university community life, frequently humorous, sometimes provocative. Prof has become concerned with the public misinformation about climate change. He has become increasingly active in communicating the science facts and warning of the danger to future generations. Finally, we find the potential for Chris to become an influential participant in constructive solutions to the human-caused climate change that threatens to become the most damaging environmental problem in human history.

Professor John Orbatz, outspoken critic of South Florida's record of environmental degradation, has departed from Key West on a motor-sailer for a secret Sabbatical. His subsequent activities are designed to avoid harassment by those he has identified as responsible for the wanton destruction of the Everglades environment and its unique wildlife. Professor Russell Fairchild has taken early retirement from Golden West University in Colorado to Everglades City, Florida. The seafood and tidal river attractions of the Island Seafood Market lead to frequent social activities with Island Woman Krista and bewhiskered John, gentleman friend of Luisa, owner of the mystery-laden Glades Lady motor-sailer. Fairchild's social activities and introduction to the unique Everglades are interspersed with a family-requested search for the elusive Orbatz. Climate change mitigation in Florida has been stalled by a policy of business as usual, supported by the propaganda of the political party of science deniers. Orbatz is inspired to emerge from his secretive Sabbatical to communicate a series of website lectures on the natural laws and the planet's response to the greenhouse effect amplified by human activities. This has awakened the younger generation in Everglades City to the need for a grassroots transition to renewable energies, which leads to Orbatz' suggestion and support of a New Generation Climate Corps. Still, public apathy to the extreme environmental danger of global warming continues as our planet responds to the human-caused energy imbalance.

Carlos Martinez, self-proclaimed third generation wetback descendant, has earned engineering and business degrees at Golden West University. He first enters the realty profession in New Jersey, functioning with business respectability as Arthur Van Porter. Discouraged with eastern pollution and culture, he yearns to return to the West. The move is accelerated by the realization that some of his realty transactions have inadvertently been facilitated with large amounts of drug money. Threats of deeper involvement by the drug kingpin and the assignment to launder a briefcase full of drug money inspire a hasty departure. The gangster and his thugs are soon in full pursuit for the cash and revenge. Resuming his boyhood name, Carlos travels about the West of his youth in a quest for a new livelihood and a safe haven from the bad guys. He discovers the Community of Love in the Front Range of the Rockies, a product of Utopian idealism and early Hippy culture. It has matured into a village with a strong environment ethic and responsible social customs. The small Victorian houses indicate a lack of interest for material exhibition of wealth; the emphasis is on the advanced elements of civilized culture. The unique structure of health and welfare is defended by a close-knit attitude of preservation. Carlos finds this pleasant and soon establishes a niche in the Saloon and begins an active life caring for the land and forest. His hard-earned membership entitles him to some unusual perks of Community culture and the potential affection of Nancy in nearby Paradise Valley. Carlos joins the Community activity in broadening its environmental attention to the threat to the planet of global warming and climate change. He quickly progresses to a leadership role in establishing Community as a model village in responsible energy use and adaptation - and the formidable protection of Community. Although this is a work of fiction, the climate science is consistent with the scientific publications of leading researchers in the field.

JASON AND THE GRIZZLY Silvertip, the old grizzly bear, discouraged with human encroachment of his habitat in the Canadian Rockies, responds to a genetic map in travel to his ancestral home in Colorado. Jason Atwater, retired business executive recovering from a disappointing life in eastern society, becomes inspired to repay a debt to the land in Colorado, the state of his childhood. Jason will reinvest his wealth using the mechanism of conservation easements in returning unprofitable ranchland and forest to its natural state. The grizzly discovers the nearby Flat Tops Wilderness to be a welcome habitat for coexistence with human neighbors respectful of the spiritual value of the wild land. And there is Chipeta, the beautiful descendant of Mountain Utes who begins to recover from personal grief in the natural setting of the managed Habitat where Jason and Silvertip are destined to meet. In this project to live in harmony with the mountain land, Jason experiences an extraordinary bond with the grizzly, and discovers a responsive and abiding personal love with Chipeta.