M G Crisci

By 23, the supremely confident Mary Jackson-Peale had become one of the most influential theatrical agents on London's prestigious West Side. But her self-indulgent lifestyle, which included a string of bi-sexual relationships, endless cocktails of booze and drugs, and the accidental manslaughter of her sex-craved boss, made her a felon on the run.To escape Scotland Yard's dragnet, Mary created a new identity and fled to America with no money, no contacts, and the guilt that her mother's partner had been imprisoned for her indiscretions. Slowly but surely, she overcame these obstacles -- and a few new ones -- to regain her mojo and become one of Broadway's most sought-after theatrical agents. Now, 37, and at the top of her theatrical game, she fell deeply in love with a handsome, romantic Venetian vintner. Ironically, her world would collapse with a bang that could be heard around the world.

By 23, the supremely confident Mary Jackson-Peale had become one of the most influential theatrical agents on London's prestigious West Side. But her self-indulgent lifestyle, which included a string of bi-sexual relationships, endless cocktails of booze and drugs, and the accidental manslaughter of her sex-craved boss, made her a felon on the run.To escape Scotland Yard's dragnet, Mary created a new identity and fled to America with no money, no contacts, and the guilt that her mother's partner had been imprisoned for her indiscretions. Slowly but surely, she overcame these obstacles -- and a few new ones -- to regain her mojo and become one of Broadway's most sought-after theatrical agents. Now, 37, and at the top of her theatrical game, she fell deeply in love with a handsome, romantic Venetian vintner. Ironically, her world would collapse with a bang that could be heard around the world.

AWESOME, INSPIRATIONAL COLLECTION OF IMAGES THAT REFLECT THE PANOPLY OF EMOTIONS ON OUR EXTRAORDINARY PLANET.One man lives seven decades, resides on three continents, visits 217 countries, and capture his life journey in 150+ breathtaking 4-color images, each telling a story that can be interpreted by the reader in a number of ways.It's a Wonderful Place is an award-winning, soul-searching work of photojournalism filled with unforgettable images catalogued by the colors of the rainbow.Everything about Wonderful World has been developed by the author/creator to insure the reader discovers something new and exciting with each subsequent read. Regardless of whether it's New Zealand, Australia, France, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, the Caribbean, New York City, or other points of call."Captivating and life affirming. This is visual poetry that uplifts on every page," Laurence O'Bryan, author.

38 WILDLY ENTERTAINING, HIGHLY PERSONAL ROLLER COASTER RIDES THAT HIGHLIGHT NEW YORK'S UNIQUE DNA.38 more humorous, poignant, entertaining, and powerful short stories about a New York that is almost gone, chronicled by Manhattan-born M.G. Crisci, the critically acclaimed author of 18 books based on true events.This final volume of the popular series again exposes New Yorkers as arrogant, confident, aloof, and insular yet surprisingly self-effacing, thoughtful, sensitive, and willing to offer kindness and a helping hand to those in need. Among the memorable stories, you'll learn how a heavyweight boxing champion fell victim to a salacious rumor created by a cub reporter, how a high-powered New York executive lost his shirt negotiating with an Arab vendor, how an aging Walter Cronkite came to lead the UNLV marching band, and why the Russians and Chinese butted heads at the United Nations.

WIT AND WISDOM FOR THE HEART AND SOUL.BECAUSE SOMETIMES LIFE IS SO DIFFICULT YOU WANT TO SCREAM.Life was never that way for Arthur Mercado, a humble, ordinary man who survived an astounding 51 heart procedures, Stage 4 Parkinson's, a few outer-body experiences, and more. He had the ability to use his gentle wit and uncanny wisdom to see humor, insight, and inspiration in life's darkest moments.Before he died, we agreed to capture some of his commonsense thoughts in an unassuming, but powerful little pocketbook written in Arthur's unique voice. A book that readers could easily reread and/or pass on to friends who might be a little down.

Among these 37 unforgettable short stories, you will learn how a school's Mascot Ram was accidentially murdered and Why Chiquita Bananas CEO jumped out a 44th Floor window on Park Avenue, .You'll also discover how a stoned Neil Young perfomed in Milkwuakee, Joan Rivers sent up her husband at the Four Seasons Restaurant, and a group of mulit-millionaires consumed a prodigious amount of high fat Jewish comfort food at a landmark restaurant in a Bowery basement.These are poignant, entertaining, and powerful stories about a Manhattan that is almost gone. Chronicled by a native New Yorker, with 37 original illustrations, Only in New York Vol 1 and 2, are must reads.

Among these 37 unforgettable short stories, you will learn how a school's Mascot Ram was accidentially murdered and Why Chiquita Bananas CEO jumped out a 44th Floor window on Park Avenue, .You'll also discover how a stoned Neil Young perfomed in Milkwuakee, Joan Rivers sent up her husband at the Four Seasons Restaurant, and a group of mulit-millionaires consumed a prodigious amount of high fat Jewish comfort food at a landmark restaurant in a Bowery basement.These are poignant, entertaining, and powerful stories about a Manhattan that is almost gone. Chronicled by a native New Yorker, with 37 original illustrations, Only in New York Vol 1 and 2, are must reads.

HOW CHINA'S MOST CELEBRATED VIOLIN PRODIGY BECAME AN ENEMY OF THE STATE.The King of Violins is the heartbreaking story of China's most celebrated violin prodigy, Ma Sicong, who composed his first concerto at the age of 12.During his career, this gentle, dignified man composed 57 of the world's best-known symphonies and concertos and performed in front of hundreds of sold-out audiences across the globe.Chairman Mao Zedong declared Ma Sicong "a national treasure" and nicknamed him The King of Violins. Soon, Chairman Mao's brutal Cultural Revolution distorted the truth of Ma's life and work. He is forced to wear a dunce cap, and is publically humiliated and physically abused by cadres of Red Guards as "a vile product of bourgeois thinking."Ma and his family make a breath-taking escape in the darkness to America. After Chairman Mao died in 1976, the real circumstances of Ma's poignant, bittersweet life were buried in the pages of history by an embarrassed Chinese government. Eleven years later, Ma died at the age of 76 in Philadelphia.The King of Violins, written in cooperation with all of Ma's remaining family members, and is the first politically-balanced life story about this generous, conflicted musical genius.

Raw Emotion. Life or Death. Truthfully Delivered. Vicki was 28 when her neat world crumbled. Her moral compass--beloved Gramps--died suddenly, leaving Vicki depressed and insecure. Despite a series of poor choices in men and life, by 24, Vicki had built a career as a noted crime reporter, wife, and mother. But success led to disaster. Vicki's perfect world crumbled with bitter family upheaval, leading to multiple suicide attempts. Now 38, Vicki lays her soul bare and shares the pivotal moments of her roller-coaster life: depression, grief, heartache, trauma, drugging, and suicide, truthfully, and candidly. Her story is heartbreaking, inspiring, and unexpectedly witty. Most of all, "Still Standing" is a remarkable story of resilience and survival --an honest portrayal of one woman's life and her determination for a new beginning.

A MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT EXPLAINS "HIS VERSION OF THE TRUTH." A senior corporate executive in a failing marriage flirts with a twice-divorced female senior company executive who initially appears to respond to his advances. After a number of romantic dinners, after-hour phone calls, and gifts willingly accepted, two very different realities unfold. The man believes he is well on the way to a promiscuous affair. The woman, under financial pressure from her demanding children and their father, a man with a drug dependency, envisions a large insurance payoff to silence her formal sexual harassment suit. Soon, the harassment claim turns into a "she said-he said" survival of the fittest which the reader witnesses up-close and personal. In the end, there are surprising consequences for both the accuser and the accused, and unimagined collateral damage to the all the unwillingly participants drawn into the tawdry affair.

DONNY AND VLADDY. THE WORLD'S TWO MOST CONTROVERSIAL LEADERS ATTEMPT TO SOLVE ALL OF THE WORLD'S MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS.Imagine Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin holding a series of top-secret meetings, absent of cumbersome staff, unqualified translators, superfluous press conferences, and the FBI and KGB.Imagine the men sharing a Papa John's pepperoni pizza with extra cheese as they negotiate nuclear arms reductions on Putin's presidential plane, idling on an isolated Alaskan runway.Imagine a JELL-O factory production floor in Indianapolis where Trump guarantees Putin's legacy if Russia transitions from state-dominated economic socialism to American free-market capitalism. Imagine 10 more witty, wacky, curiously candid conversations that include NATO encroachment in Trump's opulent New York apartment and resolving the crisis in Ukraine at the bomb-ridden Donetsk International Airport.

An accomplished storyteller with a New York accent, M.G. Crisci portrays his experiences with people, their struggles, triumphs, loves and jealousies that meandered through his extraordinary life.It is said that you can't take New York out of a New Yorker. Only in New York is a collection of short stories that are steeped with the richness of the author's skill in depicting his ethnic heritage, colorful neighborhoods, and childhood friends, along with a tapestry of clients and colleagues that were central to his New York-based career.Throughout each of the individual narratives, readers will become acquainted with local restaurants, favorite Italian dishes, adventures in advertising, and misadventures on Wall Street. In the end, it is the author's self-effacing humor that communicates his enjoyment of these twists and turns on the road of his colorful life.

Little Italy, New York City. 1920.An 8-year-old boy and girl become best-friends. As teenagers, their friendship turns to love. By the age of 20, they are one -- soulmates, sharing their hopes, dreams, and wishes. Despite these unconditional pledges, life gets in the way during the next 79 years.He becomes a famous musician, battles substance abuse, has a nervous breakdown, and marries two other women (one commits suicide).The girl lives a roller coaster of her own. She marries a businessman who dies in his sleep at 60, leaving a tangled web of bankruptcy and IRS demands for millions in back taxes.Despite all the broken promises and shattered dreams, the boy and girl find proper ways to stay connected until they die. Fittingly, they are buried in the same cemetery, not far from each other.

Little Italy, New York City. 1920.An 8-year-old boy and girl become best-friends. As teenagers, their friendship turns to love. By the age of 20, they are one -- soulmates, sharing their hopes, dreams, and wishes. Despite these unconditional pledges, life gets in the way during the next 79 years.He becomes a famous musician, battles substance abuse, has a nervous breakdown, and marries two other women (one commits suicide).The girl lives a roller coaster of her own. She marries a businessman who dies in his sleep at 60, leaving a tangled web of bankruptcy and IRS demands for millions in back taxes.Despite all the broken promises and shattered dreams, the boy and girl find proper ways to stay connected until they die. Fittingly, they are buried in the same cemetery, not far from each other.