Driving to Distraction

Literature & Fiction

Allen, Gilbert

Poetry

Orchises Press

In Everything

Reference

Broadside Lotus Pr

An affectionate satire of the culture of self-indulgence, The Final Days of Great American Shopping exposes the American obsessions with money, mass marketing, and material objects. In Belladonna, a gated subdivision in upstate South Carolina, readers meet acolorful cast of characters doing their best to buy happiness in a series of sixteen closely linked stories from the past, present, and future. Whether speed dating, test driving cars, upsizing to dream houses, flying helicopters, or lusting after designer shoes, these small-town spenders have good intentions that often go hilariously awry as they search for emotional and spiritual comfort. Gilbert Allen is a master at character development and the individuals in this collection are no exception. Among them are the childless, emotionally distant couple Butler and Marjory Breedlove; the harried appliance salesman John Beegle and his precocious, pole-dancing daughter Alison; and the one-handed soccer wunderkind Amy Knobloch. Also featured are Ted Dickey the mastermind of the Mental Defectives self-help book series and the undefeated Speed Dating Champion of the World; Jimmy Scheetz, the pragmatic philanthropist behind Ecumenical Bedding; Ruthella Anderson, a retired first-grade teacher addicted to Star Trek and to extreme couponing; and the mysterious Gabriella, an aging Italian beauty who presides over Doumi Shoes. Arranged chronologically, the stories span nearly a century. While most are set in the recent past or in the immediate future, the book's title story is set in 2084. It depicts a dystopian shopping mall worthy of George Orwell, John Cheever, or Flannery O'Connor, and raises the question, "Can America survive international terrorism, ecological apocalypse, and demographic disaster to morph triumphantly into the USAARP?"

The Final Days of Great American Shopping: Stories Past, Present, and Future

Humor & Entertainment

Humor

University of South Carolina Press

Dr. Michael Allen and Gilbert D. Allen come from extreme poverty. Their parents battled drug addiction. Their siblings were homeless and displaced at various points during their childhood. Gilbert is five years younger than Michael-and the youngest. Gilbert was living between multiple places when Michael went to college. Michael had just finished football practice and a team dinner when he received a call from his brother Gilbert in the fall. Gilbert said there was a void he was feeling. It was a hard conversation for Michael; his brother was sobbing. Michael's college football team was having a magical championship season winning but his baby brother was hurting.Ultimately Michael consoled his brother, connected to his brother. Still, it got worse. Michael decided to go get his brother and take him with him to college. Gilbert finished high school while Michael was in college. Gilbert was reading at the fourth-grade level as a sophomore in high school. They had to navigate his readiness (in the northwestern part of Indiana at a majority white school). There was segregation within the community. Very few people thought Gilbert would finish high school-now he has his master's degree in social work and is working on a doctorate in counseling, community care, and trauma. Gilbert works as a social work supervisor; Michael has a doctorate in educational leadership and is an elementary school principal. This book is about bonds-especially their bond as brothers, and the importance of mentors, related or not. This book is a glimpse into the collective political correctness eroding genuine connections. It also is much about love, fond dreams, and what it means to give back to marginalized people. Their goals are to encourage people to believe and hope.They give insight, perspective, and share their journey within these pages. "It would be disrespectful to the journey if we don't give back," Michael said. "We have lessons to give back to humanity." The voices of Gilbert and Michael make it clear society is ill-equipped. It's a beautiful struggle. Diversity is good. They hope you'll read this-and participate by reaching out to someone.

Brotherly Love

Children's Books

Allen, Michael

Action & Adventure

Tgosketch Illustration

All about Apples

Gazelle Distribution Trade

Citrus

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Gardening & Landscape Design

Hyland House Publishing Pty Lt

Create beautiful, productive garden walls and fences, and optimise space in small gardens, patios and balconies with Allen Gilbert's innovative espalier techniques. The book covers: forms, trellis systems and designs; selection - including flowering plants, fruit trees, and native Australian plants; and, shaping, pruning, maintenance and care.

Espalier

Grafting and Budding for Australian Gardeners

Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd

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Books by Allen, Gilbert