Joe Cuhaj

Smashing through the Glass Ceiling Women in Alabama have made an outsized contribution to both the state and the nation. Before Rosa Parks, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin challenged segregation laws on a bus in Montgomery. Georgia Gilmore used her cooking skills to empower and support protestors during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Singer "Big Mama" Thornton became the bridge between rock 'n roll and the blues. After being crowned Miss America 1951, the "Basque Spitfire," Yolande Betbeze, took a defiant stand for women forcing changes in the pageant industry. Author Joe Cuhaj profiles the unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs of these and many more women who help shape the cultural and social landscape of not only Alabama but the world as well.

The Pig War and the Pelican Girls is a riveting and well-researched collection of little-known and obscure tales from history. This page-turner unearths the stories of men and women who strove to save their country from aggressors or better the lives of others or simply survive under mysterious and extraordinary circumstances.From 897 AD when Pope Stephen VI dug up former Pope Formosus’ body and placed him on the witness stand to answer questions in a strange trial, to the tale of the Pelican Girls, a group of women deemed “of virtuous character” by the Catholic church and sent to the first French colonies in the New World in an attempt to re-create the Garden of Eden, to the young woman who acted as Canada’s own Paul Revere by walking 20 miles through dangerous and rugged wilderness to warn British troops that “the Americans are coming!” during the war of 1812, the story of “The Limping Lady, ” declared the most dangerous of all Allied spies by the Germans in World War II, the true tale of Pan American Airlines signing up passengers for a flight to the moon when mankind had barely left Earth orbit, and many, many more, Joe Cuhaj reveals real-life history that has been buried for centuries. Whether you’re an armchair historian or a lover of all things unusual and astonishing, this collection of obscure history shows that life surely is stranger than fiction.

Much has been written about the legendary flight of Apollo 11 and mankind’s first tentative steps into deep space. It’s often said that the world stopped, watching in awe as the crew of Apollo 11 completed their mission. It is true that in that moment, almost everyone had virtually gone to the moon as people around the world gazed in wonderment at the grainy black-and-white images of Neil Armstrong taking that first step onto the surface of another world. But that was a fleeting moment and just as quickly, the moment was gone– wars raged on, protestors filled the streets, and average Americans went back to their daily lives. Everyone’s Gone to the Moon is a week-by-week journey through July 1969, one of the most pivotal months in human history – in space and here on Earth. This unique book follows the crew of Apollo 11 and NASA as they prepare for the historic first lunar landing alongside the major global events buried beneath headlines covering the historic space mission. Interwoven with the story of Apollo 11 are the events on our home planet that made an equally important impact on who we were then and who we are today: the Life of Prince Charles was threatened by a terrorist attack in Wales; the storm dubbed the Ohio Fireworks Derecho ripped through the Midwest, killing dozens; the assassination of Kenyan Economic Minister Tom Myoba (of which Barack Obama Sr. was a key witness) undercut a nation just learning to stand on its own; Senator Ted Kennedy was involved in a mysterious accident in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts; ARPANET, the first real “Internet” was unveiled; Monty Python was born; John Lennon and Paul McCartney released “Give Peace a Chance” during escalated Vietnam War tensions; Midnight Cowboy stunned the Academy Awards; and much more. Meanwhile, NASA was still scrambling. Everyone’s Gone to the Moon features little known behind-the-scenes stories of the moon landing like how NASA had to grapple with media, the technical issues that still plagued the lunar module, and how the prior crew of Apollo 10 suffered incredible itching from their spacesuits that needed correcting before Apollo 11 could even be launched. This deep dive into the Apollo 11 mission’s most crucial weeks and the little-known and rarely remembered events occurring simultaneously back on Earth gives a vivid new perspective to the month that launched humanity into the future.

Best Easy Day Hikes Birmingham presents approximately twenty easy-to-follow, accessible, and scenic trails in and around Birmingham, Alabama.Written by an expert local hiker, this guide describe the best hikes for those who have limited time or abilities, without missing out on the area’s scenic splendors. Look inside to find:Half-hour strolls to full-day adventuresAccurate, easy-to-follow directions to the trailhead Hikes for everyone, including families with young children.Unique and compelling hike descriptionsClear, accurate, and concise mile-by-mile directions for each hikeTrailhead GPS coordinates and compatible trail maps

Located almost dead center along the Gulf Coast, Mobile has seen a thing or two in its long history. The Port City has survived the ravages of hurricanes and yellow fever epidemics. It has been handed down from one nation to another not once but several times. The last major battle of the Civil War roared only miles away across its namesake bay, a few short years after the last slave ship, the Clotilda, arrived with its human contraband. But this city has had much to celebrate, as well. Mobile gave our nation its greatest party--Mardi Gras. It was also the birthplace of five Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famers. Author Joe Cuhaj serves as docent to the twists and turns of Mobile and the Alabama Gulf's fascinating past.

Nothing captivates the human imagination like the vast unknowns of space. Ancient petroglyphs present renderings of the heavens, proof that we have been gazing up at the stars with wonder for thousands of years. Since then, mankind has systematically expanded our cosmic possibilities. What were once flights of fancy and dreams of science fiction writers have become nearly routine – a continuous human presence orbiting the Earth, probes flying beyond our solar system, and men walking on the moon. NASA and the Russian space program make traveling to the stars look easy, but it has been far from that. Space travel is a sometimes heroic, sometimes humorous, and always dangerous journey fraught with perils around every corner that most of us have never heard of or have long since forgotten. Space Oddities brings these unknown, offbeat, and obscure stories of space to life. From the showmanship and bravado of the earliest known space fatality, German Max Valier, to the first ever indictment under the Espionage Act on an Army officer who leaked secrets concerning the development of early U.S. rockets; and the story of a single loose bolt that defeated the Soviet Union’s attempt to beat America to the moon. Author Joe Cuhaj also sheds light on the human aspects of space travel that have remained industry secrets – until now: how the tradition of using a musical playlist to wake astronauts up began, fascinating tales about inventions like the Fischer Space Pen, Omega watches, and even Tang breakfast drink. In addition to fun and entertaining space trivia, Space Oddities also features stories of the profound impact that space travel has had on challenges right here at home, like the effort by civil rights leaders and activists in the 1960s to bring the money from the space program back home to those in need on Earth; NASA’s FLATs (First Lady Astronaut Training) program and the 25 women who were selected to become astronauts in 1960, but were denied a chance at flying even after successfully completing the rigorous astronaut training program; and, the animals who many times sacrificed their lives to prove that man could fly in space.Filled with rare and little-known stories, Space Oddities will bring the final frontier to the homes of diehard space readers and armchair astronauts alike.

From the Appalachian highlands to the Gulf Coast, this updated and revised guide offers opportunities for kayakers, canoers, rafters, rowers, and water-adventurers of every interest and ability-level. Each paddle destination is described in detail, with maps for specific routes, waterway overviews, and paddle descriptions to prepare paddlers for whatever is just beyond each river bend.

Hiking Waterfalls Alabama includes detailed hike descriptions, maps, and color photos for approximately 50 of the most scenic waterfall hikes in the area. Hike descriptions also include history, local trivia, and GPS coordinates. Hiking Waterfalls Alabama will take you through state and national parks, forests, monuments and wilderness areas, and from popular city parks to the most remote and secluded corners of the area to view the most spectacular waterfalls. Features • Hikes suited to every ability • Detailed maps and clear driving directions from multiple starting points • GPS coordinates for both trailheads and waterfalls • Comprehensive trail descriptions with mile-by-mile directional cues • Waterfall height and beauty rating • Many easily accessible roadside falls; hikes include average hiking time and difficulty rating • Trail Finder including best hikes for backcountry camping, swimming holes, and the least (and most)populated trails • Information on fees and permits, contacts, and more

It was an unlikely place for a city, scourged by disease-ridden mosquitos and pummeled by hurricanes. But for more than three hundred years, Mobile has thrived on the unlikely and endured the unimaginable. Mobilians love their gumbo but are likely unaware that it was first served up here by women sent from France to foster population growth. Times were once so dire for free blacks that a shocking number petitioned the courts to become slaves. The city witnessed the first operational submarine, the first Mardi Gras celebration and the last major battle of the Civil War. Author Joe Cuhaj navigates the backwaters of Mobile's fascinating history.

Best Dog Hikes Alabama details the best dog friendly hiking trails in the Heart of Dixie. From mountain views to the coveted coast, there’s a trail for you and your trusty companions. Throughout are full-color photos and maps, helpful tips, and tailored hike specs with information on leash requirements, trail surface, other trail users, and more. You’ll also find important advice about hiking with dogs and preparation before you hit the trail. Grab the leash, don your pack, and get ready for an adventure that will have tails wagging for days to come.

Best Tent Camping: Alabama is your guide to the 50 best tent-camping sites in the Heart of Dixie. Whether you prefer the pristine white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. or the mountains and canyons of the Tennessee Valley, or something in-between. Alabama has it all. The guide takes you to the most beautiful, yet lesser known, of the state's campsites, guaranteeing you a peaceful retreat. Each guidebook entry provides the latest maps of the grounds; each entry also alerts you to the best sites within the facility to ensure a rewarding and relaxing visit. The guidebook's campsite ratings on beauty, privacy, spaciousness, quietness, security, and cleanliness let you know whether or not each campground is the one you seek at any particular time. In addition, each site entry has complete contact and registration information, operating hours, and a list of restrictions. Directions to the site come complete with GPS coordinates to put you at the main gate.

Whether you're a curious tourist or a local history buff, this guidebook contains all the tools you'll need to explore the Heart of Dixie's history. From ruins to battlefields, each of the 40 featured hikes comes with helpful maps and directions, as well as a carefully researched impression of the trail, and a comprehensive guide to the area's natural and human history.

Best Tent Camping: Alabama is your guide to the 50 best tent-camping sites in the Heart of Dixie. Whether you prefer the pristine white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. or the mountains and canyons of the Tennessee Valley, or something in-between. Alabama has it all. The guide takes you to the most beautiful, yet lesser known, of the state's campsites, guaranteeing you a peaceful retreat. Each guidebook entry provides the latest maps of the grounds; each entry also alerts you to the best sites within the facility to ensure a rewarding and relaxing visit. The guidebook's campsite ratings on beauty, privacy, spaciousness, quietness, security, and cleanliness let you know whether or not each campground is the one you seek at any particular time. In addition, each site entry has complete contact and registration information, operating hours, and a list of restrictions. Directions to the site come complete with GPS coordinates to put you at the main gate.