Coda: American Politics, Personal Loss, and Recovery

A Novel by Dick Bishirjian

CODA Gallery, which provides one of the scenes for this book, was founded by Connie and David Katz in 1987. For a virtual tour, click here. Special thanks to Samuel Heaton, its current owner, for his providing the photograph (shown here on this page and included in the book) of David Katz.

CODA Gallery
73400 El Paseo, Suite B1
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.346.4661
800.700.4661
760.776.4010 fax

INTERVIEWS

TESTIMONIALS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

​Dick Bishirjian’s career was shaped by the influence of William F. Buckley, Jr., Dr. Russell Kirk, and Libertarian economist, Friedrich Hayek. That led him to work on three Presidential campaigns, on the staff of a U.S. Senator, and in the Reagan Administration. He earned a Ph.D. in Government at Notre Dame.

Writing a sequel! For the story, see Dick’s website.

• A Public Philosophy Reader
• The Development of Political Theory
• The Conservative Rebellion
• The Coming Death and Future Resurrection of American Higher Education
• The Imaginative Conservative

The Redemption of San Isidro: A Tale of Mercy and Love

by Fr. Lawrence Tucker, SOLT

TESTIMONIALS

STUDY QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

While reading this novel, Catholic students may reflect on the following questions for discussion. Note that the following are just some of the questions that are addressed in this intriguing, action packed story that takes place in the mysterious and vast, Chihuahuan Desert of Northern Mexico. Students will surface others as they engage the book. 

• “When man misuses his free will and brings serious damage into the world around him, does God respond in any way other than the exercise of his permissive will?
• Is God not also free to exercise his love in the world?
• Is God passive in the face of his children’s weaknesses and sufferings?
• Does God just sit back and watch the world ‘go down the tubes’ as his creation… humanity… pollutes the human environment and consequently the natural environment by embracing moral evil?
• Human freedom, and God’s respect for that freedom, is a reflection of the great depth and authenticity of God’s love for his children. So why does man act as if he was ‘on his own’?
• Can he… should he… ‘go it alone’ to resolve the brokenness within himself, the human environment, and the natural environment?
• Is there any hope for man and the world?

“I lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence shall come my help. My help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and Earth!” (Psalm 121 1-2)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Tucker was born on May 26th, 1955, in Manhattan, New York City. He is a bilingual missionary priest in The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and has served in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, England, Texas, and New York.

Fr. Tucker holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY; a B.A. in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue, NY; and a Master of Divinity, as well as an M.A. in Theology, From Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT.

The Rebirth of Nicodemus

by Rick Akins

TESTIMONIALS

“THE REBIRTH OF NICODEMUS…AND ME? I found resonance in Rick Akin’s Rebirth of Nicodemus, a novel, imaginatively put together and chastely written. Akin presents the spiritual struggle of Nicodemus, trying to reconcile the Pharisaic way with the madness of one whom some saw as the Messiah. Jesus had said that he needed to be born again! Madness. It was a madness that in a strange way pointed to a higher truth and challenged the sanity of the Law that governed his life as a member of the Sanhedrin. As a reader, one cannot help but join in that struggle, the journey into that ‘womb’; the spiritual passion, death and eventual resurrection, the re-birth that Jesus talked about. We see Nicodemus not just as another minor actor in the theatre of redemption but as a mirror reflecting one’s own journey — from the sanity of tradition and the world to that divine madness of the Christ’s teaching; from the dictates of the Decalogue to the luminescence of the Beatitudes.” – Ivan Arthur, author of Saynt Lachmi

“I really enjoyed getting to know Nicodemus’s character and found it quite creative how the author had him, in some way, involved with all the critical stages of Christ’s life. Through Nicodemus’s perspective, we see the landscape, learn of the political struggle, and experience life as a Jewish person in this first century. This was particularly evident when Nicodemus takes John to the Temple the first time to tell him about meeting Jesus when he was 12. Those descriptions, smells, details….all well done. I pray this book finds its way into the hands of thousands of people. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful story that I would recommend to any of my friends and family.” – Natalie Hanemann, Owner and Editor, Hanemann Editorial

“The Rebirth of Nicodemus is a story takes you in and takes you back, being a part of the troubled times which include the destruction of the temple. It is one family’s story of being caught up in the violence and finding hope in Jesus the Son of God. Their company and guide is St. John the Beloved. The characters whose names we know from history are made vivid, living, walking souls and we become their contemporaries. It is good company I recommend you walk with them.” – Rev. Dr. Balluff S.T.D., Vicar for Priests Diocese of Joliet

“I will say I was entertained, and it was a powerful finish for sure. I found The Rebirth of Nicodemus an intriguing story which captured my imagination. I could not help but think how many of us are on similar journeys of faith. Many clinging to the past, clinging to possessions, clinging to worldly desires and our pride like an old tradition or faith. Knowing that the joy of our Lord Jesus and God is right in front of us, many times we are too afraid to take the steps forward and truly trust in Christ and his promise to us. I pray we all have this ‘Nicodemus moment.’ ‘Send your Spirit, send your Spirit like the wind Lord, forgive me, take me back!'” – Tim Botka, Director, Fishers of Men, Diocese of Joliet

“The Rebirth of Nicodemus not only gives new life to Nicodemus, it brings back to life on earth to a host of first century Jews and Christians, the beloved disciple John, and Jesus Christ, Who loved him and loves us all. This book is masterful historical and biblical fiction. I can only imagine how many hours Rick Akins spent in research and in weaving this story together, but I know he has provided every reader a few hours of inspiration and delight.” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., Author of 12 Eternal Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas

“In The Rebirth of Nicodemus, Rick Akins give us a unique and reverent take on a story of a turbulent time – and the timeless story of Jesus – a devotional speculation of beautiful connections told through the conversations of beloved Gospel characters, against the backdrop of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. A worthy addition to the tradition of biblical historical fiction!” – Jim L. Papandrea, M.Div., Ph.D., Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and author of The Squire’s Journey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Akins is a father of three and currently lives in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was born and raised Catholic in upstate New York and has an electrical engineering degree and MBA from the University of Illinois.

Rick has been widely published in the technology field and owns six patents in fiber optics. In 2004, he began attending an evangelical church every other weekend for family reasons and wrote several books about the experience.

OTHER CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS

Children of the Breath: A Dialogue in the Desert

by Martin Chervin

BOOK CLUBS

For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.

TESTIMONIALS

Readers of Children of the Breath will doubtless be reminded of other writers who have tackled the great scriptural themes. The formidable Satan of Milton’s Paradise Lost and the silent loving Christ of Dostoevsky’s The Grand Inquisitor come easily to mind. – Gabriel Meyer, National Catholic Register

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Chervin, author of Children of the Breath, and two plays: Born/Unborn and Myself: Alma Mahler, was born in 1918 on the Lower East Side of New York City to a Polish Jewish family. His fascination with Jesus began as a boy reading a New Testament he found in the public library. Later as a sea man and then as an international bookseller, Martin pondered the claim of the Jewish prophet to be the Son of God and the Saviour of all mankind. At forty-three, Martin married Ronda, a zealous Hebrew-Catholic philosopher. Fathering Carla, Diana and Charles, raised as Catholics, intensified his interest in the figure of Christ.

OTHER CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS

Ties that Bind: The Story of a Marriage

by Ronda Chervin

BOOK CLUBS

For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronda Chervin has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. She is a convert to the Catholic faith from a Jewish but atheistic background. She has been a professor at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and presently teaches at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut. More than fifty books of hers have been published by Catholic presses in the area of philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Ronda presents on EWTN and Catholic radio. Her many books include Quotable Saints, Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging, Catholic Realism and Voyage to Insight. This is her first novel.

OTHER CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS

Sisters Karamazov

by Natalie Karamazov

TESTAMONIAL

“What would it be like to take a delightful, leisurely stroll through the 19th and 20th century with a wonderful, new friend… philosophy professor, Natalie Karamazov? Read The Sisters Karamazov, and you will find out. If ever there was such a thing as a companion literary work to Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov…especially with regard to its prophetic quality… The Sisters Karamazov would be that book!” –  Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker, SOLT… award winning author of The Prayer of Jesus Crucified, Adventures In The Father’s Joy!, To Whom The Heart Decided To Love, The Redemption of San Isidro, andMasters of Interior Space.

“A delightful, witty, sardonic-yet-hopeful narrative that captures readers from the first page and grips them till the last. Dostoevsky never saw it coming!” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS