Published books

Outback Australia

The Outback is less a location and more a vast, sunburnt heartbeat stretching across the continent’s interior. Covering most of inland Australia, it is defined by arid plains, red deserts, and a horizon that seems to dissolve into heat haze. Iconic landmarks like Uluru rise from the earth with a quiet, ancient authority, holding deep spiritual meaning for Aboriginal Australians, whose connection to the land spans tens of thousands of years. Life in the Outback is shaped by extremes. Temperatures soar, water is scarce, and towns are often separated by hundreds of kilometres. Yet, resilience thrives here. Remote communities, cattle stations, and mining operations form the backbone of human activity, supported by ingenuity and a strong sense of independence. The kangaroo, emu, and other uniquely adapted wildlife roam this rugged environment. Despite its harshness, the Outback holds a magnetic allure. Its silence is profound, its night skies blaze with stars, and its scale reshapes perspective. It is a place where isolation meets beauty, and where the land itself feels timeless, whispering stories older than history.

The Case of The Mary Celeste

The mystery of the Mary Celeste remains one of the sea’s most haunting riddles, a ghost story written in salt and silence. In December 1872, the vessel was discovered adrift in the Atlantic Ocean by the Dei Gratia, sailing aimlessly between the Azores and Portugal. Strangely, the ship was in good condition, its cargo of industrial alcohol largely intact, and there were no signs of violence. Yet the crew of ten, led by Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs, had vanished without a trace. Personal belongings, navigational instruments, and even valuables were left behind, as though the crew had stepped out briefly… and never returned. The only clue was a missing lifeboat and a logbook that ended abruptly ten days earlier. Theories have drifted through time like debris: piracy, mutiny, a sudden seaquake, or fumes from the alcohol cargo causing panic. Some even whisper of sea monsters or the supernatural. Modern historians tend to favor a more grounded explanation, suggesting Briggs may have feared an explosion and ordered a temporary evacuation. If so, something went tragically wrong. The Mary Celeste sails on in legend, a vessel abandoned not just by its crew, but by certainty itself.

The Mole People of New York City

Beneath the roaring arteries of New York City lies a shadow world few commuters ever see. In the tunnels of the New York City Subway, some of the city’s homeless have carved out a hidden existence, far from the neon glare of Times Square. These underground dwellers, sometimes called “mole people,” create makeshift shelters from discarded wood, tarps, and scavenged materials, building fragile communities in the darkness. Life below ground is harsh and unpredictable. The constant rumble of trains, poor air quality, and the ever-present danger of flooding or electrocution make survival precarious. Yet for some, the tunnels offer a form of refuge from the violence, exposure, and scrutiny of street life above. There is a strange rhythm to this subterranean existence, where survival depends on resourcefulness, cooperation, and an intimate knowledge of the labyrinth. Public awareness of these hidden communities grew with works like The Mole People, which brought their stories into the light. While city authorities and outreach programs have since worked to relocate many individuals, homelessness remains a persistent issue. Above and below ground, the struggle continues, echoing through the tunnels like the distant thunder of passing trains.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic architectural achievements in human history, stretching across northern China like a stone dragon coiled through mountains and deserts. Built and rebuilt over centuries from the 7th century BCE through the Ming dynasty, it was not a single wall but a vast network of fortifications designed to protect Chinese states and empires from northern invasions. The Great Wall of China winds over rugged terrain, demonstrating extraordinary engineering adapted to cliffs, ridges, and deserts, with watchtowers serving as communication and defense points. Today it stands as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful symbol of perseverance, cultural identity, and human ingenuity that continues to attract millions of visitors each year. Its construction relied on millions of workers, including soldiers, peasants, and prisoners, many of whom labored under harsh and dangerous conditions that gave rise to countless legends and folk tales. In modern times, preservation efforts continue to stabilize crumbling sections and manage the impact of tourism, ensuring that this ancient marvel remains visible for future generations. It remains a powerful reminder of ambition carved into stone. Few structures in history match its scale or enduring mystique. A true wonder.

Islam

Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic faith founded in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Its followers, known as Muslims, believe that there is one God, Allah, who is the same deity worshipped by earlier prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, who is regarded as a prophet rather than divine. The central holy book of Islam is the Qur’an, believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. Alongside it, the Hadith—recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet—help guide religious practice and daily life. Islam is built around five pillars: the declaration of faith (Shahada), daily prayers (Salah), giving to charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) if physically and financially possible. These practices shape both spiritual devotion and community life. Muslims worship in mosques and face the city of Mecca during prayer. The religion has two major branches, Sunni and Shia, which differ in historical leadership succession but share core beliefs. Today, Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, with followers across every continent. It has deeply influenced art, science, philosophy, and culture throughout history, leaving a lasting global legacy.

Ireland - A History

Ireland’s history reads like an ancient manuscript written in rain, stone, and rebellion. Human presence stretches back over 10,000 years, with early hunter-gatherers followed by Neolithic farmers who raised monumental stone sites like Newgrange, older than the pyramids and still aligned with the winter solstice like a cosmic clockwork relic. By the Iron Age, Celtic culture had woven itself across the island, shaping language, art, and myth. Ireland’s early medieval period saw a patchwork of small kingdoms and a flourishing of monastic learning, with illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells shimmering like inked galaxies. From the 8th century, Viking raids carved coastal settlements, eventually blending into Irish society and founding cities like Dublin. Later came the Norman invasion in the 12th century, layering new power structures over existing Gaelic lordships. Centuries of English and later British rule followed, marked by land dispossession, uprisings, and cultural suppression. The Great Famine of the 1840s devastated the population, triggering mass emigration that reshaped the Irish diaspora across the world. The 20th century brought revolution, independence, and partition. Today, the Republic of Ireland stands as a modern European nation, while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom. Ireland’s story is one of endurance, identity, and a voice that never quite stopped singing through history’s noise. ☘️

Lord Lucan - Missing ?

Lord Lucan (Richard John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan) was a British aristocrat who became one of the most notorious missing persons in modern history. In November 1974, he vanished after the murder of his children's nanny, Sandra Rivett, and the attack on his estranged wife, Veronica Duncan, at their London home. Lucan was suspected of the killing but was never formally tried. He disappeared the same night, leaving behind an abandoned car and a trail of conflicting sightings and rumours. His case quickly captured public imagination, blending elements of high society scandal, violent crime, and mystery. Despite extensive police investigations and global searches, Lucan was never found. Over the decades, alleged sightings have emerged from Africa, Australia, and South America, but none were confirmed. In 1999, he was legally declared dead, though debate about his fate continues. The story has inspired books, films, and theories ranging from suicide to escape and survival under assumed identities. The disappearance of Lord Lucan remains one of Britain’s most enduring unsolved mysteries, symbolising the dark undercurrents that can exist beneath aristocratic privilege and privilege’s sudden collapse into infamy. It continues to fascinate historians and true crime writers alike today across generations worldwide.

MONA -- Tasmania

Perched on the banks of the Derwent River near Hobart, the Museum of Old and New Art, better known as MONA, is one of Australia’s most provocative cultural landmarks. Opened in 2011 by wealthy collector David Walsh, MONA was designed to challenge traditional museum experiences and expectations. Visitors descend into a subterranean labyrinth carved from sandstone, where ancient artifacts sit alongside confronting contemporary works. MONA’s collection spans thousands of years, featuring everything from Egyptian antiquities to cutting-edge installations that explore themes of sex, death, and human nature. The museum is deliberately unconventional: there are no wall labels. Instead, visitors use a handheld device called “The O” to navigate and interpret exhibits, creating a highly personal journey. Beyond the art, MONA is also known for its vibrant cultural events, including the MONA FOMA and Dark Mofo festival, which transform the site into a hub of music, performance, and spectacle. Its bold approach has made MONA both controversial and celebrated, attracting visitors from around the world. Ultimately, MONA is less a museum and more an immersive experience, where curiosity is rewarded and convention is left at the door.

Pope Leo the XlV

The current Pope is **Pope Leo XIV**, elected on **8 May 2025**, and serving as the 267th Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church. Born **Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955**, he is the **first pope from the United States** and also spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, giving him strong ties to both North and South America. He chose the name **“Leo”** in honour of earlier reforming popes such as Leo XIII, signalling an interest in **social teaching, justice, and engagement with modern global issues**. From the start of his papacy, Leo XIV has been closely associated with themes like **peace, migration, climate responsibility, and dialogue between cultures and religions**. His leadership style has been described as pastoral but increasingly outspoken. In 2026, during a major tour of Africa, he delivered strong speeches against inequality, corruption, and global conflict, positioning the Church as a moral voice in international affairs. Leo XIV also emphasises **synodality**, meaning shared decision-making within the Church, and has continued reforms begun by his predecessor Pope Francis. He is seen as a figure trying to balance tradition with modern challenges such as **artificial intelligence, migration pressures, and geopolitical instability**. Overall, Pope Leo XIV represents a relatively new papal era: globally connected, socially engaged, and more openly vocal on world affairs than many of his predecessors.

Who or What is GOD

“God” is one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful ideas, but it isn’t a single definition so much as a vast constellation of meanings shaped by culture, philosophy, and faith. In many religious traditions, God is understood as the supreme being: eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and the creator of the universe. In Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, God is personal and relational, a moral authority who guides, judges, and sustains existence. In Hinduism, divinity can appear in many forms, from a singular ultimate reality (Brahman) to many gods representing different aspects of life and nature. Other belief systems, like certain strands of Buddhism or philosophical naturalism, may not focus on a creator God at all, instead emphasizing enlightenment, consciousness, or the laws of reality. Philosophically, God has also been discussed as a necessary being, the grounding cause of existence, or even as a metaphor for ultimate truth or meaning. Beyond doctrine, “God” often functions as a language for what feels infinite: love, mystery, order, or the raw fact that anything exists at all. Whether seen as a conscious being or an abstract principle, the idea of God continues to shape art, ethics, and human wonder across every known civilization.