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From humor to sentimentality, these stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald are set against a backdrop of jazz, flappers, and the changing mores of American society. In “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” wallflower Bernice is taken in hand by her more popular cousin, whose motives are not entirely altruistic. In “Benediction,” a young woman visits her brother in seminary. A camel goes to a party in “The Camel’s Back.” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a poignant fantasy about a man who ages backward. Finally, tragedy befalls a young couple in “The Lees of Happiness.” The stories in this collection are from the books Flappers and Philosophers and Tales of the Jazz Age. 

Gautama became known as the Buddha or “Awakened One”. The title indicates that unlike most people who are “asleep”, a Buddha is understood as having “woken up” to the true nature of reality and sees the world ‘as it is’ . A Buddha has achieved liberation, also called Nirvana, which is seen as the extinguishing of the “fires” of desire, hatred, and ignorance, that keep the cycle of suffering and rebirth going. According to various early texts, a Buddha has achieved three higher states: Remembering one’s former abodes (or past lives), the “Divine eye” ), which allows the knowing of others’ karmic destinations and the “extinction of mental intoxicants” This is his life and teachings.

Vedic wisdom is the supreme wisdom. All existing religions are offshoots of this Eternal Truth passed on from master to master for ages. Time changes, people come and go but the Truth stays. You are here because of your past karma and unless you transcend the cycle of Birth and Death, you will have to come again and again. Our sole purpose is to grow together in this great knowledge. The Vedas are tools given to mankind by the ancient seers to help us grow in consciousness. We must turn our focus inward and use these sacred sciences to know ourselves and the world around us. In this way, we can help others and ultimately become liberated from all birth and death.

Ginger Baker was, without question, the foremost drummer of his generation, having formed supergroups Cream and Blind Faith. In the early 1990s, author Geoffrey Giuliano received a call from Baker asking if he would be interested in writing his autobiography. From there, a turbulent, yet fruitful relationship ensued between the two. While the book they wrote together has yet to be published, here, at last, are the exclusive, in-depth, upfront, and highly personal conversations the two unlikely friends recorded in a Clarence, New York studio all those years ago. Ginger speaks his mind, holding forth on the particulars of his amazing life and work and in so doing reveals something he has always ardently tried to hide – that he is really a lovely, caring, sensitive man. For everyone interested in the history, art, and cultural significance of the popular music of the 20th century, this bold series is a once in a lifetime, must have audio event. Perfect for universities and all educational media as well as music fans everywhere, Contains adult language and mature themes. Not recommended for children. Parental warning – graphic content.