Richard Castagner

Richard Castagner, Born 1944 in upstate New York, European and American Indian heritage. Enjoyed my childhood and by nature I have always been an independent thinker and wanderer. I moved to California in my early 20s where I finished college, worked in high tech, Silicon Valley and enjoyed my life to the fullest. I have always lived each day in my life like it is my last day, I hope that never changes. I now live as an expat in my Camelot, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Great weather, friends, beaches and sunsets.

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My 14th book (A Fabulous Three Month New Zealand and Australia Adventure)

I wanted to see the heart and soul of the New Zealand and Australia in a road trip adventure. I explored both countries in three months and, in this book, will provide the reader with some history, humor, good stories, and a little philosophizing about the trip.

The land down under is truly a wonder filled land that leaves a strong impression in the mind that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. While it is a land of raw beauty, it’s the people of the land that is its true treasure. As you will see in this book, my impressions of New Zealand and Australia are good ones.

I try to transport my readers into another world they may or may not ever occupy themselves; take them on a road trip they may only dream about. I tried to keep my book positive, adventuresome, humorous, and fun to read.

This was one of the best road trips of the many I have taken in my life. I was a different and a much better person at the conclusion of my road trip, and I learned a lot about New Zealand and Australia, the people and myself.

I hope you enjoy reading about my down under adventures as much as I enjoyed living them.

My 13th book (A Fabulous Ten Year Baja Adventure)

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off your bowlines, sail away from your safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.

Mark Twain

I wanted to see the heart and soul of the Baja in a road trip adventure. I explored the whole peninsula during ten years on six different road trips and, in this book, provide the reader with some history, humor, good stories, and a little philosophizing about the trip.

Baja California is truly a wonder filled land that leaves a strong impression in the mind that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. While it is a land of raw beauty, it’s the people of the land that is its true treasure. As you will see in this book, my impressions of Baja California are good ones.

Baja California is a land rich with cultural treasures, natural landscapes, and exhilarating adventures. With its dramatic terrain ranging from picturesque turquoise waters and white-sand beaches to rugged desert mountain ranges, it’s a region that leaves a long-lasting impression on those who journey through it. Baja shares the same warm and colorful culture of the rest of Mexico, but due to its isolated peninsular geography, it has a spirit and manner unique to itself.

One of the most popular ways to explore the Baja peninsula is a road trip down Mexico 1. Driving the full length of Mexico 1 from Tijuana to Los Cabos is a rite of passage memorable for its diverse landscapes, scenic small towns, historical and archaeological sites, and friendly people.When you hear about spicy foods, salsa and Frida Kahlo, there is only one thing that should pop up in your mind: the Baja! It is a colorful and beautiful country that can satiate your senses, enhance your intellect and simply leave you with a nourished soul.

I try to transport my readers into another world they may or may not ever occupy themselves; take them on a road trip they may only dream about. I tried to keep my book positive, adventuresome, humorous, and fun to read.

I have been an explorer and a wanderer all of my life. I have always wanted to live every day to its fullest. The harsh reality of life is that we do not make it out alive.

I made many new friends on this trip thru the Baja Peninsula who I still keep in touch with to this day. It is so easy to socialize when your days revolve around beaches and sunsets.

Travels, even if along the same path, are all different and they all have their own personalities. What you have to accept in order to enjoy traveling to the max is that you do not take a trip—a trip takes you. I have always been very good at understanding and accepting this.

It’s also important to consider the lifespan of your journey. This seems to be variable and unpredictable. Who has not known a journey to be over and dead before the traveler returns? The reverse is also true; many a trip continues long after the journey has ended. My ten year Baja experience is always with me—you will know why by the final page of this book.

These were some of the best road trips of the many I have taken in my life. I was a different and a much better person at the conclusion of my Baja road trips, and I learned a lot about the Baja, the Baja people and myself.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Baja adventures as much as I enjoyed living them.

My 12th book (A Fabulous Six-Month island-Hopping Adventure)

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off your bowlines, sail away from your safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.

Mark Twain

I wanted to see the heart and soul of the Caribbean in a fabulous six-month island-hopping adventure. I explored over forty islands from the Bahamas to the Grenadines and, in this book, provide the reader with some history, humor, good stories, and a little philosophizing about the trip.

I try to transport my readers into another world they may or may not ever occupy themselves; take them on a road trip they may only dream about. I tried to keep my book positive, adventuresome, humorous, and fun to read.

I have been an explorer and a wanderer all of my life. I have always wanted to live every day to its fullest. The harsh reality of life is that we do not make it out alive.

I made many new friends on this trip thru the Caribbean who I still keep in touch with to this day. It is so easy to socialize when your days revolve around beaches and sunsets.

Travels, even if along the same path, are all different and they all have their own personalities. What you have to accept in order to enjoy traveling to the max is that you do not take a trip—a trip takes you. I have always been very good at understanding and accepting this.

It’s also important to consider the lifespan of your journey. This seems to be variable and unpredictable. Who has not known a journey to be over and dead before the traveler returns? The reverse is also true; many a trip continues long after the journey has ended. My 2000 six-month Caribbean trip has always stayed with me—you will know why by the final page of this book

I backpacked on the trip for flexibility, I even beach camped a few times. My transportation between islands was mostly by ferry and my transportation on the islands was mostly scooter or good old-fashioned shoe leather. I stayed predominately at B&Bs when I could although some island locations mandated different lodging requirements like Mustique and the Canouan Islands.

This was one of the best trips of the many I have taken in my life. I was a different and a much better person at the conclusion of the trip, and I learned a lot about myself, the Caribbean and the Caribbean people.

I hope you enjoy reading about my island-hopping adventure as much as I enjoyed living it.

My 11th book (A Fabulous One-Year, Fifteen Country Europe Road Trip! Europe in the ‘80s!)

This book chronicles a one year Road Trip in the ‘80s when I explored Europe. In the book I transport my reader into another world where they may or may not ever be, a Road Trip they may only dream about. I try to keep the book positive, adventuresome, humorous and fun to read.

I have been an explorer and a wanderer all of my life. I have always wanted to live every day to its fullest; the harsh reality of life is that we do not make it out of life alive. Mentors assured me I would grow out of this state; maturity would turn me into a stable asset to society. When I felt the same at middle age, I was confidently told that old age would take care of this problem. When I reached old age, I am now seventy three, nothing has changed. In fact, I just went on a two week California Road Trip a few months ago and had an awesome time. My conclusion, this disease is happily incurable.

Travels, even if the same path, are all different and they all have their own personalities. What you have to accept to enjoy traveling to the max is that you do not take a trip, a trip takes you. I have always been very good at understanding and doing this.

The next stage in traveling is the life span of the journey. This seems to be variable and unpredictable. Who has not known a journey to be over and dead before the traveler returns. The reverse is also true; many a trip continues long after the journey has ended. This 1973 Road Trip by me has always stayed with me, you will know why at the final page of this book.

Do not take this book too literally; I have added many touches to the Road Trip that one associates more with fiction than nonfiction. The book remains “true” in the way all good novels or narratives are true. That is, it mainly provides an authentic vision of America at a certain time (the ‘70s) but combined with many references to today (the ‘10s).

This journey described in this book might be considered a classic example of the heroic journey, the myth that lends an essential structure to so much narrative literature. In the traditional myth, a hero—whoever he might be—abandons his safe haven and pushes forward into the wilderness in order to test himself against the odds; in the course of this testing, he discovers his own rich resources and strengths. The story inevitably involves a returning, which completes the cycle: the point being that, upon returning, the hero has been immeasurably strengthened and enlightened by the knowledge gained in the course of his or her difficult journey.

This was the best Road Trip of many I have taken in my life. I was a different and a much better person at the conclusion of this trip and I learned a lot about myself, Europeans and Europe.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Road Trip as much as I enjoyed living it.

Regards,

Richard Castagner, author

My 10th book (A Fabulous One-Year, Thirty-Five-Thousand-Mile USA, Canada, and Mexico Road Trip! America in the ‘70s!)

This book chronicles a one year Road Trip in the ‘70s when I explored America, Canada, and Mexico. In the book I transport my reader into another world where they may or may not ever be, a Road Trip they may only dream about. I try to keep the book positive, adventuresome, humorous and fun to read.

I have been an explorer and a wanderer all of my life. I have always wanted to live every day to its fullest; the harsh reality of life is that we do not make it out of life alive. Mentors assured me I would grow out of this state; maturity would turn me into a stable asset to society. When I felt the same at middle age, I was confidently told that old age would take care of this problem. When I reached old age, I am now seventy three, nothing has changed. In fact, I just went on a two week California Road Trip a few months ago and had an awesome time. My conclusion, this disease is happily incurable.

Travels, even if the same path, are all different and they all have their own personalities. What you have to accept to enjoy traveling to the max is that you do not take a trip, a trip takes you. I have always been very good at understanding and doing this.

The next stage in traveling is the life span of the journey. This seems to be variable and unpredictable. Who has not known a journey to be over and dead before the traveler returns. The reverse is also true; many a trip continues long after the journey has ended. This 1973 Road Trip by me has always stayed with me, you will know why at the final page of this book.

Do not take this book too literally; I have added many touches to the Road Trip that one associates more with fiction than nonfiction. The book remains “true” in the way all good novels or narratives are true. That is, it mainly provides an authentic vision of America at a certain time (the ‘70s) but combined with many references to today (the ‘10s).

This journey described in this book might be considered a classic example of the heroic journey, the myth that lends an essential structure to so much narrative literature. In the traditional myth, a hero—whoever he might be—abandons his safe haven and pushes forward into the wilderness in order to test himself against the odds; in the course of this testing, he discovers his own rich resources and strengths. The story inevitably involves a returning, which completes the cycle: the point being that, upon returning, the hero has been immeasurably strengthened and enlightened by the knowledge gained in the course of his or her difficult journey.

This was the best Road Trip of many I have taken in my life. I was a different and a much better person at the conclusion of this trip and I learned a lot about myself, Americans and America.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Road Trip as much as I enjoyed living it.

Regards,

Richard Castagner, author

My 9th book (Saving America)

This book provides an important look at the well-being of the United States of America. It is broken into five parts: a brief history of the frameworks and foundations of our constitutional republic, an analysis of the major changes that occurred in the last fifty years, a look at where the United States of America is now, recommendations for saving America, and a look at what awaits us in the future of our nation.

So what is an accurate picture of America today? In the history of the world, only two nations have been founded entirely upon a monotheistic religion: Israel and the USA. In examining the history of both nations, many parallels are evident; both were settled by those freed from a land of slavery and oppression, both were founded on a set of ideals based upon the rule of law rather than the rule of men (or kings), and both were greatly blessed and soon grew incredibly prosperous.

However, after achieving prosperity, both nations became deeply divided between the pagans (or seculars) and those who held to the faith and principles of their founders, especially in the USA. After becoming divided, America lost its place of prominence and is now mocked and ridiculed from within and by all her neighbors.

Why must we fight? Why must we win, beyond the need to maintain the trust delivered to us? We have no place left to go.

In past times, there were places in the wilderness to flee to. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . . I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Remember those words inscribed on our Statue of Liberty? We came here for many reasons, among which were the many forms of freedom: freedom to work for yourself and your family, not the government; freedom of religion; freedom of expression; freedom from want; etc. Now, there is no undiscovered place on Earth left to go.

We as a nation are being pushed toward one of three ultimate endgames: the imposition of a socialist nation, a conservative reversal of the nation at the ballot box, or another civil war.

Per the 2016 election, our nation has been given a chance to reverse the socialist movement by electing a conservative populist president with a mandate in Congress. The challenge comes from the fact that socialism has had fifty years to establish itself in our nation. How much can be done in four or eight years to reverse this movement? My fear is that the Trump presidency is being set up by the globalists to usher in a long-overdue economic meltdown that the liberals can then blame on Trump and the Republican Party. The Democrats would then be able to pursue the socialist goal again. The fight to regain our constitutional republic will be difficult, but hope springs eternal.

There is also a fourth endgame that could come into play if the socialists maintain control of our country. Liberal socialists, per multiculturalism, open borders, and basic naivety are enabling the Islamification of our country. Europe is lost, but our nation is still savable.

“There is a dark cloud looming on the horizon of America. I do not pretend to be able to see beyond the looming dark cloud. I do know that a field of battle is before us. Our young people may not want to die on fields drenched red with blood, but they must battle in the classroom, in the lecture halls, at the ballot box, on Wall Street, in mass media, in the newsrooms, in the hospitals, and in the churches. They must battle at home and abroad and we must help them. We must battle not just for the finances of this nation, but for its soul.

What shall be our future? We are coming, potentially, to a crossroad in our nation’s history: either socialism, capitalism, or civil war. It may be that we shall end our forefathers’ experiment of a constitutional democracy based on a strong religious foundation.

Only time and the American people can tell.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 8th book (The Evolution of the United States of America)

This book provides an important look at the evolution of the United States of America. It is broken into five parts: the prehistory and history of our country, an analysis of the major changes in the last 50 years, where the United States of America is now, and what the future will be for our nation.

Since the early 1960s, something has dramatically changed in the deepest levels of American society. After the brief period of Pax Americana in the 1950s, it seemed as if some invisible switch was flipped in the heart of the United States, and the very fabric of the nation began quickly unraveling. Almost overnight, we went from light to darkness, from optimism to pessimism, and from America the Great to America the Guilty.

Today in America, we face a crisis, but one which has been slowly constructed by the hands of our own public trustees – and our own negligence – over the last century: exploding public debt, vast government regulations/bureaucracy, and the trampling of the Rule of Law by our officials in the highest offices of the land. And while those challenges are daunting, there is really no reason why they cannot be overcome. America has faced and defeated similar challenges before – she only needs the will and the vision.

A marvelous trust, a country like no other in the history of mankind has been entrusted to us. A country where we have had the freedom to grow and thrive, to be free to achieve our full potential, to shape the futures of our children and grandchildren — that is what is at stake. Freedom of speech, one of our most sacred trusts, is already being taken from us; in its place is politically correct speech, where some minorities can say anything they want without censure or condemnation. A country where all members of mankind are recognized as equal, but certain minorities are protected and have heightened rights — is this the intended heritage of our Founders? If we fail to do our duty, we shall be judged much more harshly than any other country in existence, because we have had so much more delivered to us for which we will be held accountable.

There is a dark cloud looming on the horizon of America. I do not pretend to be able to see beyond the looming dark cloud. I do know that a field of battle is before us. Our young people may not want to die on fields drenched red with blood, but they must battle in the classroom, in the lecture halls, at the ballot box, on Wall Street, in mass media, in the newsrooms, in the hospitals, and in the churches. They must battle at home and abroad and we must help them. We must battle not just for the finances of this nation, but for its soul.

The time has come for Americans to decide whether the United States becomes a full-fledged socialist democracy (like the ones that are imploding in Europe), or returns to being a constitutional republic based on limited government and a religious foundation, managed by common-sense citizen statesmen rather than professional politicians.

What shall be our future? We are coming, potentially, to a crossroad in our nation: either socialism or revolution. It may be that we shall end our forefathers’ experiment with a Constitutional Democracy based on a strong religious foundation.

Do we love our children and grandchildren enough to say what our Founders once did, that if trouble must come, then let it happen in our day that they might have better lives? Do we love our country and our heritage enough to suffer for it, enough to make those tough, uncomfortable, painful decisions? Are we willing to be like our early American Founders and lay down our lives as stepping-stones across a raging river, so that our children may safely cross over onto the other side into the Promised Land?

Those are the decisions that turn ordinary men and women into founding fathers and founding mothers. Self-sacrifice and courage are what transform ordinary Americans into American heroes.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 7th book (The Evolution of the Christian Religión in America)

This book provides an important look at the history associated with the Catholic Religion in America. It is broken into six parts: the early history of world religions, the world and the American history of Christianity, the current state of American Christianity, and the future of Christianity in America and the world.

So what is an accurate spiritual picture of America today? In the history of the world, there have been only two nations that have been founded entirely upon a monotheistic religion: Israel and America. In examining the history of both nations, there appear to be many parallels, namely that both nations were settled by those freed from a land of slavery and oppression, both were founded by a set of ideals based upon the Rule of Law rather than the rule of men (or kings), and both were greatly blessed and soon grew incredibly prosperous.

However, after achieving vast prosperity, both nations became deeply divided between the pagans (or seculars) and those that held to the faith and principles of their founders. After being divided, both lost their place of prominence and became mocked and ridiculed by all her neighbors, which is what America has been experiencing in recent years.

There is a dark cloud looming on the horizon of America. I do not pretend to be able to see beyond the looming dark cloud. I do know that a field of battle is before us. Our young people may not want to die on fields drenched red with blood, but they must battle in the classroom, in the lecture halls, at the ballot box, on Madison Avenue, in mass media, in the newsrooms, in the hospitals, and in the churches. They must battle at home and abroad and we must help them. We must battle not just for the finances of this nation, but for its soul.

What shall be our future? We are coming, potentially, to a fork in the road: either socialism or revolution. It may be that we shall end our forefathers’ experiment with a Constitutional Democracy based on a strong religious foundation.

Only time and the American people can tell.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 6th book (The Evolution of the American Liberal)

This book provides an important look at the history associated with the current Liberal movement in America.

The socialism (Marxist) movement in the 1800s evolved into the progressive movement in the 1900s, and ended up being called the liberal movement for the last 50 years.

This book presents the founding principles and the history of Liberalism, including the influences of socialism and progressivism; the state of our Republic, why we are there and how we can change our path to get our Constitutional Republic back again.

Sadly, on its current course the Liberal movement is probably going to destroy the American Constitutional Democracy.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 5th book (The Evolution of the Islamic Religión)

This book provides an important look at Islam. It is a review of the history of Islam combined with hard-hitting analysis coupled with a sober realism about the struggle the world is in.

This book is broken into six parts: the founding principles and the history of Islam, including the influence of Christianity and jihad; a lengthy examination of the crisis in Europe; an assessment of conditions in America; the global situation; a series of proposed solutions; and conclusions.

Taken together, these six sections offer a comprehensive and informed overview of the nature of Islamic jihad and the response of the West. The book offers, in short, a workable understanding of, and plan for, an effective response to the global war on terrorism. I am not advocating the destruction of Islam, just containment. Western Nations must defend their borders and protect the integrity of their societies within these borders.

A good deal of the problem lies in the fact that many Westerners refuse to even admit that there is a problem, or are much more inclined to blame the West for the current crisis.

My next book in my "Evolution Series" is going to explore the history of Christianity. Christianity has also been good and bad for the world. I will try to be as honest and fair with Christianity as I have tried to be with Islam.

In this book, we are beginning an exploration of the largely uncharted history associated with the Islam religion.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 4th book (The Evolution of the American Democracy)

As things now stand, we are living in the last days of the great American experiment, of that there can be little doubt.

At this point, the only question is what, if anything, can be done to salvage a little of the greatness that was once America.

In this book, I trace the history of world democracy, explore the formation of America's democracy, discuss the issues we are facing today and present solutions.

Economic inequality will become the major issue of our time and a major cause of our Great Republic's death. This inequality will fall most heavily on those young people of the early twenty first century as they are crushed by unemployment, high taxes to pay the government debt (incurred by their parents, not them) and the increasing costs associated with a liberal socialist "Entitlement Doctrine".

No modern society can function for very long without a healthy middle class or at least the promise that one is quickly developing. When a majority of people decide that tomorrow will not be as good as today, the system is doomed.

Without some constructive changes, faith in the American Dream will die; so will the Republic's future. It is only a question of time.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

My 3rd book (The Evolution of the American Black)

This book will hopefully bring some closure to a racial problem in America that will not go away.

The study of Black history in the New World has to be seen primarily in the context of American history. It was in the US that slavery and the fight for civil rights had its most profound effect.

The American Civil War in 1865 and the liberation of the slaves, although a triumph, was merely the end of the first chapter in American Black history.

Ahead lay a struggle of epic proportions, as American Blacks fought deep-seated discrimination, violence, and intimidation to assert their political, cultural, and economic identity.

Black prehistory is rich and glorious. When Blacks know more of their prehistory, hopefully, they will love and respect themselves. When Black contributions to world civilization are truthfully revealed, it will be realized that African Blacks, in prehistory, made major contributions to the development of the world.

The prehistory "African" mind is alive and well for a large percentage of Black people today.

My hope is that the remainder of Black people who are still of slavery generated "Negro" mind will decide to rise up and see themselves in a new light. Their new perception of blackness will be based on spiritual and mental enlightenment, rather than on victimization, violence, negativity and racism. They will reclaim their history. They will reappoint themselves to positions of royalty and once again become real kings and queens. In this book, we are beginning the exploration of the American Blacks deeper, uncharted history.... The history that the American Black has lost.

Billions and billions of dollars have been poured into our Black communities with no real positive effect on Black family structure, economy, jobs, poverty, crime or education. A copy of this book provided to every Black family in our Black communities in the US would have a very positive effect at a fraction of the cost. The problem would be addressed from the family level, bottom to top changes, rather than the top to the bottom changes the government is trying unsuccessfully to implement.

The book is available at my book blog. http://rcccabo.wix.com/richardcastagner

or directly at Amazon.com.

Regards,

Richard Castagner

Author

A professional review:

Completed on:

05/07/2015

Review Rating:

4 stars.

Reviewed By Deepak Menon for Readers' Favorite

The title of this little book - The Evolution of the Modern American Black - seems indicative of what it is about: the lost heritage of the modern American Black and their evolution to their present role in American society. The 94-page count of this book is deceptive. Between the lines, Richard Castagner has interwoven many facts and historical perspectives, requiring the serious critical reader to crosscheck by referring to highly researched texts, books and published papers on the subject. At the beginning of the book, there is a little sentence which I will quote: "History is thus written by winners." This thought alone is gripping. As an author, I wondered who was fighting the battle for the redemption of the lost history of the 'American Black,' and who were the ultimate winners?

Richard Castagner's book throws up interesting observations, such as the quest for equal legal and political rights giving way to efforts that resulted in actually increasing, rather than eliminating Black under-achievement and dependency because of what he calls "welfare plantations." The book delves into prehistory with a timeline of over 5000 years. It examines the differences arising in the Americas because of immigration, as well as slavery, where people of different cultures and races were brought to America. This led to ultimately swamping the nation with diversity and erasing indigenous as well as imported culture. The treatment of a premise that blacks in prehistory were the first to occupy America, long before the Spanish and other nations, is very illuminating. Castagner writes that Blacks also had a profound influence on the culture, religion and evolution of many nations of the world including India, China and the Mediterranean, which is fascinating. This book has a profound message about the dignity inherent in personal moral responsibility and the dignity inherent in freedom.

My 2nd book "The Evolution of the Modern American Indian"

History is written by winners--a fact that has been proven in all history books for generations. The fact is that millions of people were already living in North America when C