Books by Paul B

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Sonnets of Love and Joy

 

Voted Book of the Year by the Illinois State Poetry Society

 

A collection of sixty sonnets, organized into sections on

love, family and friendship, nature, seasons,

and the joy of being a child.

 

                                                          Link to Reviews         Purchase Book          Link to Trailer

 

 

 

 

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Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey

 

Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey relates the epic story of Milton’s Paradise Lost as a narrative poem, with numerous variations in meter and rhyme and the utilization of various classical poetic forms. Although a poem, the text reads much like prose. The nar­rative itself is updated to comprehensible modern language while retaining the spirit and essential detail of Milton’s work.

 

 

 

Link to Reviews         Purchase Book          Link to Trailer

 

 

 

 

 

Alice’s Adventures

 

The classic story Alice in Wonderland

is presented in a modern version,

with unique patterns of rhythm and rhyme

that should make it appealing to both children and parents.

 

Link to Reviews     Link to Book

 

 

 

1871: Rivers on Fire

 

2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Finalist

 

1871: Rivers on Fire is set at the time of the deadliest fire in the recorded history of the world -- on the same night as one of the most infamous destructions of a city by means of fire. The book is part historical novel, and part a love story with interweavings of triumph, treachery, and heartbreak. It tells of two young lovers who come to America with the intention of promoting new findings in neuroscientific research. But in their coast-to-coast journey through the country, they encounter challenges that test their commitment to science, turning them instead to issues of social justice. Ultimately they face the fiery, life-threatening tragedies of Chicago and the upper Midwest.

 

                                                                 Link to Reviews     Link to Book     Link to Trailer

 

 

 

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Sonnets of Inhumanity

The Quest for Understanding

 

A collection of sonnets that describe the suffering of human beings

and seek some degree of meaning and redemption for our treatment of each other.

The book is organized into sections on

Human Rights, War and Death, Inequality, Depression, the Reasons for Suffering, and Existence.

 

 

Not Yet Published

 

 

 

 

Children’s Verses

Lessons from Aesop’s Fables

 

50 Aesop's Fables in poetic form, with lessons for children.

 

 

 

Not Yet Published

 

 

Disposable Americans: Extreme Capitalism and the Case for a Guaranteed Income (Critical Interventions) by [Paul Buchheit]

 

 

Disposable Americans

 

More Americans have become "disposable"

as middle-class jobs have disappeared at an alarming rate.

Buchheit presents innovative proposals that could quickly begin to reverse these trends,

including a guaranteed basic income drawn from new revenues,

such as a Financial Speculation Tax and a Carbon Tax.

Discussing the challenges and obstacles to such measures,

he finds optimism in past successes in American history.

 

Link to Reviews     Link to Book

 

 

 

 

Dante’s Inferno

A Modern Rendition

 

This poetic interpretation of Dante's Inferno

seeks to maintain much of the original intent of the work

while updating it with carefully veiled references to

current-day political and economic issues.

It is written in classical poetic form.

 

 

Link to Reviews     Link to Book

 

 

The Best of All Netherworlds: A Contemporary Techno-Fantasy by [Paul Buchheit]

 

 

The Best of All Netherworlds

 

What Happens When Artificial Intelligence Gets Out of Control?

This techno-fantasy novella follows two men whose sense of adventure

takes them “down the rabbit hole” of curiosity

into a terrifying mythical country overrun by technology.

This disturbing and highly-unsettling kingdom is one in which people have

foolishly and dangerously rushed headlong into allowing artificial intelligence (AI)

to run rampant with devastating consequences for humanity…

This cautionary tale acts as a looking glass for our real world

 

 

Link to Reviews     Link to Book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sonnets of Love and Joy:

 

All the sonnets from this collection highlight the many joys found in everyday life, from the people we interact with to the natural world that surrounds us. They are as uplifting to read as they are tantalizing when recited aloud..

 

..this collection is a soothing experience sure to bring a smile to the face of any readers in need of a reminder that life is filled with promise.

 

--RECOMMENDED by the US Review

 

 

 

This thoughtful and beautifully written collection of sonnets virtually jumps off the page and into your head and heart.

 

Redolent with emotion and keen observation, each section can stand alone in strength and sagacity. But together in one book, this collection of sonnets is graceful and creatively contemplative.

 

The writing style is intelligent, sensitive, and incandescent. Coupled with a robust vocabulary and a knack for creating vivid word pictures that virtually jump off the page and into your head and heart, this collection of sonnets is quite an achievement.

 

It’s a thoughtful work that’s meant to be sipped and savored slowly, like fine wine. Indeed, readers are likely to return again and again for additional helpings of this finely crafted collection.

 

--Reedsy

 

 

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy, a collection that is a welcome uplift for these..times, when the effort to capture joy and love is too often replaced by angst and a sense of doom.

 

Here lies respite from the modern crisis that provides existential relief and a sense of well-being. Here, too, is relief from the less seasoned free verse format, returning stricter rules to the poetic effort while demonstrating that it can remain accessible to contemporary audiences.

 

..each poem contains a grounding in landscape and a heart throb of emotional connection that inspects the various facets and incarnations of love and joy in the world.

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy's diverse, spirited life connections reach out to readers to capture and describe moments of harmony, awakening, and interconnectedness with life and nature...the perfect example of how poetry's forms and rules remain relevant to modern living.

 

--Midwest Book Review

 

 

 

Buchheit sets himself up against some of the literary greats. It’s a difficult task but there are moments of great beauty and exquisite insight in SONNETS OF LOVE AND JOY for which Buchheit should be applauded.

 

SONNETS OF LOVE AND JOY collects beautifully crafted and unapologetically old fashioned poems on a variety of subjects. Paul Buchheit’s skills as a poet are clear and traditionalists will find much to treasure in this contemporary call back to the poetry of the past.

 

--Indie Reader

 

 

 

Buchheit combines excellent imagery with graceful structures and original ideas in subjects such as nature, seasons, love, family, friendship, and parenthood. The result is a package of deep, inventive, and dazzling anthologies that offers a luxurious repast for the mind, body, and soul...Buchheit writes with enticing intimacy bringing into his collection the emblem of traditional lyrics that revel in intricacy and formal order.

 

The poet is such an adroit and keen observer of slight changes in seasons, people, time, and the world in general...mystifying yet elucidating in the manner of a true minstrel...beautiful surreality...[the book] not only desires to be read out loud but also invites reflectivity and heart-searching.

 

Cruising through this collection is similar to a sumptuous meander through one's favorite gallery linking the distinctive and historical, turning the glass inside and outside, and showcasing Buchheit's masterstroke in his art.

 

Quill says: Powerful as it is impassioned and forthright, Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit flags off the advent of an imperative voice.

 

--Feathered Quill

 

 

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit shares a collection of poems that reminds us of the beauty of life. The author conjures images that create incredible visuals, whether a storm, sunrise, or other scenes that encourage the imagination.

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit is a beautiful read that will engage readers with vivid imagery and captivating prose. It’s a book of beautiful moments that life gives us..

 

--Literary Titan

 

 

 

This technically polished gathering of sonnets is broad in subject and scope, but consistent in its quality. There is a playful element to the linguistic tangles of this poetic form, and Buchheit leans into that whimsy, particularly in the latter half, with vivid lines and memorable wordplay. This well-curated collection is an emotion-stirring pleasure.

 

--Self-Publishing Review

 

 

 

In this collection, the author will captivate readers with deep and refined sonnets in which vivid images and evocative words abound. There are poets who know how to touch the hearts of their readers with their verses, and this is what happens when one reads Sonnets of Love and Joy. Paul Buchheit..masterfully uses words and images to convey emotions a reader rarely feels.

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy by Paul Buchheit gave me a lot of the joy that is implied in the title. The writing is clean and engaging, with some excellent moments of levity to balance out some of the heavier wording.

 

Sonnets of Love and Joy..is everything its title suggests and more. The poet has a strong command of the English language and, like Shakespeare, weaves his magic through words, metaphors, and similes. This collection of sonnets is pure joy to read and savor many times over.

 

--Readers' Favorite

 

 

 

Upon reading Sonnets of Love and Joy, the reader is immediately drawn into the beauty of the language. Paul Buchheit seems to choreograph with the words. His steps perfectly fit the form. The sonnet form can feel constricted and confining for some readers, but Mr. Buchheit seems to be well-suited to convey these vignettes in this form.  

 

Each of the sections of this well-organized and artfully done book has its unique joys. In the first section, Love of Another, the poem, As I See You, is striking. The simplicity it expresses is subtle but layered.

 

Lovers of the sonnet form will be delighted with the more modern language used throughout.  At 85 pages, Sonnets of Love and Joy is well worth the read. There are epiphanies and joys inside.

 

--Windy City Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Paradise Lost:

 

Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey (PL: APJ) mirrors the original to a great extent, maintaining the 12-book structure and enlivening the story with captivating illustrations. The core storyline is intact. The only difference is the heft is gone! It’s poetry for poetry between the books, but PL: APJ is a delightful summary that ordinary readers like you and me will certainly enjoy while the original might leave us utterly overwhelmed!

 

In essence, this book stands as a condensed alternative to Milton's mighty PL. If you are a commoner (not a theologian, philosopher, poet, playwright, etc.) who wants to familiarize yourself with/enjoy this classic, this is just the right version to read! It will treat you to some fine poetry and allow you to enjoy the complete story without missing any important detail. So, without any hesitation, I recommend you read it!

 

--Reedsy

 

 

 

Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey ... offers a marvelous retelling of the Fall of Man and his eventual redemption through salvation by Christ.

 

The poet weaves each story into a larger one exploring the characters and the scenes in an abstract and accessible way, an aspect so unique and rarely seen in traditional poetry. Told in long, fierce, staccato narrative verse, the poems begin with the story of Satan's banishment to hell after being cast out of Heaven by God along with his fallen angels. Buchheit goes further to tell the story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in great detail and the terrible consequences of this sin. There is, however, hope for humankind, as the poems expound, and the possibility of redemption placed upon Christ's ultimate sacrifice through His death and resurrection.

 

Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey easily manages to bend its genre in an even more remarkable way, and its poetic entries will easily resonate with readers from all walks of life and ages. The skillfully delivered dialogues and the wily changes in tone laud the key message that the poet seeks to deliver, and that rings true throughout. Through these complex and wonderful poems, God's unyielding love for humankind shines, and Milton's previous work that these poems are based upon receives much justice.

 

Quill says: Paul Buchheit's work is comprehensible, modern, and does not disappoint. It tells an important story that carries along with it pearls of truth.

 

--Feathered Quill

 

 

 

As readers traverse Heaven, Hell, and Earth, they are reminded of one of the most prolific creation stories, which has shaped numerous faiths and ideologies over the course of history. These verses also create a meditation space in which readers can contemplate the morality lessons about choice and free will and how each individual must realize the consequences of wielding that power. These poems depict Adam and Eve’s existence and actions with great emotion, which makes these well-known biblical characters come across as even more human.

 

Vivid illustrations accompany the poems, portraying the clear divisions between good and evil, Heaven and Hell, demons and angels. This gray-scale artwork allows readers to visually access the poems, giving the collection a unique duality that mirrors the philosophical and spiritual conflicts that emerge. Those who like horror-themed poetry and fiction will appreciate this book. Additionally, those who are intrigued by the philosophical elements of the original Paradise Lost and similar works will likely enjoy the journey this book offers.

 

--TheUSReview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alice’s Adventures:

 

In an age where rhyme seemingly has fallen out of vogue, Paul Buchheit has just revived it. Alice in Wonderland is an artistic fairyland, written in Alexandrine rhyming couplets...Buchheit transports himself seamlessly into a child’s world...[The book] will make you shudder with delight! Your reviewer got so involved he had to remind himself that this is merely fantasy!...In an age of 'brutal' realism and 'brazen' presentation of life, the world of Alice in Wonderland, is a welcome and delightful respite.

 

--Quill and Parchment (Reviewed by Michael Escoubas)

 

 

This innovative version will delight readers and listeners alike...Buchheit is to be praised for his ability to maintain the rhythmic verse while relating the story in prose style. Both adult readers and listening children will enjoy this tale...This version or adaptation of the classic Alice in Wonderland tale would be an excellent addition to a comparative literature class. It is much easier to understand and enjoy.

 

--Authors Reading

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

1871: Rivers on Fire:

 

 

...an engaging, heartwarming and well-researched story of evolution: that of science, relationships, a people, and a nation...it’s Robert and Liz’s relationship and the events around the fire that shine. There is a tenderness, and a depth of connection so rare that it’s impossible to not feel for them...Liz travels to Peshtigo to look for him. This is, perhaps, the most poignant part of the book, where emotion, rather than observation, begin driving the plot. These pages portray a heart-wrenching picture of the terrible landscape of loss and grief left behind after the fire.

 

--IndieReader

 

 

An inherently absorbing, deftly crafted, and impressively original novel, "1871: Rivers on Fire" is one of those books that will linger in the mind and memory long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf.

 

--Midwest Book Review

 

 

The author manifests his ability to skillfully weave many aspects of life and perspective into the book. There are keen observations about class and ethnic prejudices and exclusions...Love, hope, work, and the forces of nature are entwined throughout, as is the ability to experience destruction at the most visceral level. Ultimately, societies recover from catastrophes, learn and change somewhat, and, ultimately, adapt in order to survive. The author deftly shows that thought, love, and care are a part of that adaptation.

 

--RECOMMENDED by the US Review

 

 

1871: Rivers on Fire is filled with romance, tons of historical references during a complex time in U.S. history, and a lot of theory in neuroscience.

 

--GoodReads.com (Heather Barksdale)

 

 

Danger, adventure, romance, and sweeping social commentary are all part of the dramatic meld in the novel 1871: Rivers on Fire by progressive author and thinker Paul Buchheit...One fascinating element of Buchheit's highly complex tapestry is the injection of real people, such as Dr. Bain, into the mix...What readers will find in Buchheit's elaborately conceived, assiduously researched work are enticing clues to follow regarding our American heritage - both the hidden agenda of racial and social inequality that has marred it, and the courage of those who spoke, and continue to speak and act, against injustice.

--Self Publishing Review

 

 

Paul Buchheit's 1871: Rivers on Fire is a work of historical fiction based on a real-life event...The book's leisurely pace contributed to its overall enjoyment. The facts in the book weren't made up; they could only have been discovered after extensive research...The author did a good job of explaining the scientific concepts so that the reader could grasp them, and the plot was well thought out...This novel would appeal to readers who like romance and historical fiction.

 

--Online Book Club (5 out of 5 Stars)

 

 

From science, philosophy, and social issues to heroism, greed, and loss, 1871 is filled with ideas and themes that prompt awareness and deep thoughts about different aspects of life...Buchheit narrates his story meticulously and inclusively, immersing readers completely in the lifestyle of the people of the era. Expect your heartstrings to be tugged by this powerful and touching story.

--Foluso Falaye for Readers’ Favorite

 

Buchheit has cleverly combined history with a love story, and the results are not only entertaining but informative...This author has conscientiously crafted characters that you will care about, and a compelling plot that is grounded in fact. The descriptions are visceral, the situations heartbreaking at times. The themes of this book go beyond research; they reach into your heart and mind, making you think about the value we place on life, property, and ideals we hold dear.

--Tammy Ruggles for Readers’ Favorite

 

This is a must-read novel that reminds us to recall the things that an individual and society as a whole have learned from a tragic past.

--Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite

 

The author does a wonderful job of combining the love story narrative with cutting and perceptive analysis of social conditions, politics, economics, and science in such a way that the narrative never becomes tedious or bogged down in scientific analysis. His descriptive prose especially of the desolation and beauty of the American West but more importantly the fire and its aftermath were absolutely compelling and chilling reading.

--Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

 

Paul Buchheit’s 1871: Rivers on Fire is a stunning kaleidoscope of stark imagery, extracted from the incredibly diverse histories of two worlds: the 1800s of England and America...Rivers on Fire is quite simply one story everyone should read. It is a living history, given breath by a few fictional characters that are crafted to become as real as the experiences they negotiate. There were many times my jaw literally dropped from the impact of the accounts I was reading, and many more set me on a course of research, hungry to acquire additional details of these actual events from the past..

--Steven Robson for Readers’ Favorite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disposable Americans: Extreme Capitalism and the Case for a Guaranteed Income (Critical Interventions) by [Paul Buchheit]

 

 

Disposable Americans:

 

"In Disposable Americans, Buchheit does more than simply reveal the many changing facets of inequality, he also presents a series of innovative policies that both challenge its many ravages while offering hope for a better society. His critique is wide ranging, historical, and utterly convincing. Disposable Americans is as eloquent as it is convincing. Buy this book and give copies to everyone you know." Henry A. Giroux, The Paulo Freire Distinguished Scholar in Critical Pedagogy, McMaster University

 

"As our modern capitalist system periodically crashes, taking with it vast swaths of the middle class (while producing billionaire eruptions), many Americans are wondering: 'Is there a better way?' In this brilliantly written, clearly articulated, and diligently documented book, Paul Buchheit offers a practical real-world solution to our out-of-control political/economic system. Read this book and share it far and wide!- Thom Hartmann, author of The Last Hours Of Ancient Sunlight

 

"In light of the presidential results of the 2016 election, Buchheit's exploration of the increasing number of Americans who are economically disposable becomes a vital read. This book enlightens readers into how so many people in the United States have fallen into an financial crater." - Mark Karlin, Editor of BuzzFlash at Truthout

 

"In this beautifully-written, moving, and powerful book, Paul Buchheit demonstrates convincingly that an out of control economy is destroying the lives of most Americans. Fortunately, he also provides an antidote to the widening misery and economic inequality that plague this nation, and shows how it can be implemented. - Lawrence S. Wittner, Professor of History Emeritus, University at Albany, SUNY

 

 "Nearly half the people of the United States live in or perilously close to poverty. Yet the bulk of our tax dollars go, directly or indirectly, to benefit America’s most affluent. In Disposable Americans, Paul Buchheit puts real faces on the numbers that define our staggeringly unequal social order and gives us the information--and inspiration―we need to forge a new and better future for us all." - Sam Pizzigati, co-editor of Inequality.org and author of The Rich Don't Always Win

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best of All Netherworlds: A Contemporary Techno-Fantasy by [Paul Buchheit]

 

 

The Best of All Netherworlds:

 

This book is dressed in the garb of fanciful science fiction and poetry but is very much a non-fictional and insightful assessment of the current state of the American union. The prose is superb...each and every word, in whatever form expressed, is a nugget of practical everyday wisdom.

 

Buchheit clearly knows his way around computers and the worlds of logic and cognitive science. His unique contribution in these areas, however, is his understanding of the importance of context—both the duality of all reality and the interconnectedness of every aspect of life and the universe.

 

Few writers are as capable as Buchheit of bringing together the disciplines of science and technology, philosophy, and the social and political sciences into such a quick, magical tale that will make you think at every unexpected turn along the journey. I highly recommend it.

 

--Gary Moreau

 

 

 

The Best of All Netherworlds is a delightful little book with the flavor of Alice in Wonderland and a touch of Dr. Seuss. I especially enjoyed the chapter titled Quest VII – Logic Class where the author creates amusing and playful poetry based on De Morgan's Laws.

 

--Book Buyer

 

 

 

What a marvelous fictional romp through a potential future paradise or dystopia. Paul is such a brilliant writer; he brings alive all these possibilities, through an absolutely compelling story. You'll love this book!

 

--Thom Hartmann