Writing has been my life and my work for the last 26 years. During that time, I've had the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, researching many of them on travels to over 70 countries. I've produced nearly 4,000 articles and 14 books. My friends call me a Renaissance man and perhaps that's so, for I relish in exploring new things. I write non-fiction because I feel that fact is infinitely more interesting than fiction. However, in my latest book, Shipwrecks and Buried Treasure: The Outer Banks from Globe Pequot Press, I crossed the boundary between nonfiction and fiction, writing an historical narrative of the harrowing disasters in the seas off North Carolina. My other love is photography. Eight years ago, I embraced digital photography. At the time, it was young technology. Today, it has reached unbelievable goals and, using it, my photography has improved greatly. So much so, that now I teach others to not only to use their digital cameras, but also to learn to compose real photographs--photographs of their loved ones, nature, and the world around them.I've authored 14 books, four in 2006 alone. One of them, The Everything Family Guide to Mexico, is the result of over 20 years of travel to all but five states in Mexico. Another, How to Recognize and Refinish Antiques for Pleasure and Profit, defines my love of antique collecting. My second book devoted to antiques, it helps readers to take care of their collections. In addition to my books, my articles have appeared in many national and international publications, including Adventure West, Delta Sky, Business Traveller(UK), British Heritage, Discover Mexico, AntiqueWeek, and Executive Traveler. I've also been a regular contributor to such business publications as The Philadelphia Business Journal and Operations Management, a financial newsletter. And for my travel writing, I've received Mexico's prestigious La Pluma de Plata Award and the Real Award from Westin Hotels, as well as awards from the National Association of Hispanic Publishers for my excellent writing on Mexico.