Craig A. Leisy

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Selected Works

Nonfiction

Transportation Network Companies and Taxis: The Case of Seattle

An economic history of the competing Seattle taxicab and Transportation Network Company (e.g., Uber, Lyft) industries including an analysis of the impact of market disruption by the TNC industry on the taxicab industry.

Nonfiction/Religion/Philosophy

The Influence of Epicurean Thought on the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

This book explores the evidence that the Persian poet Omar Khayyam (1048-1123 CE), and other poets in the medieval Islamic world, were influenced by the freethinkers in ancient Greece, the source of the conflict between science and religion.

The Origins of the Conflict between Science and Religion in Ancient Greece

The modern conflict between science and religion had its origins in ancient Greece. Science irrevocably changed the way man thought about himself and his world. With each new discovery, the power of the gods was diminished and the stature of man was elevated.

Fiction

On Trial for Blasphemy: The State of New Jersey v. Charles B. Reynolds

A historical play, based upon true events, about the blasphemy trial of ex-minister Charles B. Reynolds in Morristown, New Jersey during May 19-20, 1887. The narrator and central character was created as Gertie Morrison, a reporter for The New York Times. Her character was inspired by the famed reporter Nellie Bly at the New York World.

Nonfiction/History/Biography/Religion

The Blasphemy Trial of Charles B. Reynolds: Morristown, New Jersey, May 19-20, 1887

An ex-minister named Charles B. Reynolds was put on trial in 1887 by the State of New Jersey for violating the colonial-era blasphemy law by ridiculing the Christian god and the Bible in a pamphlet he wrote and distributed. His famed attorney, Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll, argued that Reynolds engaged in free speech protected under the U. S. Constitution.

Nonfiction/Biography/History

Sergeant Phillip McHugh, U.S. Cavalry: Indian Fighter

A biography of Sergeant Phillip McHugh who immigrated from Donegal, Ireland in 1839 then worked briefly in a Pennsylvania coal mine before enlisting in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry regiment to fight Comanches in Texas. There, he fought indians in hand-to-hand combat and was wounded twice. Later, he fought in and survived the Battle of the Little Big Horn River in 1876 between the 7th Cavalry and about 2,500 Cheyenne and Sioux warriors.

Poetry Collection/Literary Essays

rain's only wet if you're in it

This collection of poetry spans 50 years and includes experiments with many styles and subjects. The collection features whimsical verse as well as serious poems. Opposite each poem is commentary about the poem providing background. Following the poetry, there are three literary essays regarding the author's favorite poems.

NonFiction

Modern Weights and Measures Regulation in the United States: A Brief History

A concise history of weights and measures regulation in the United States from the early 20th century up to the present day. Topics include: weights and measures laws, the economics of regulation, key enforcement cases, landmark legal decisions, the effects of public policy and the future of weights and measures regulation.

Home

My most recent book is little truths in broken lines: a collection of poetry 1971-2023. It should be available from Amazon and other online booksellers in April 2024. Prior to that, Routledge, a large publisher of professional and academic books, published two books that I wrote after I retired from a career as a regulatory manager for the City of Seattle in 2017: Modern Weights and Measures Regulation in the United States: A Brief History (Routledge, 2022), Transportation Network Companies and Taxis: The Case of Seattle (Routledge,2019).

Previously, I self-published six fiction and non-fiction books as print-on-demand. All titles are available through online booksellers. I am currently pursuing a third career as a full-time writer. I have retired from two careers already: (1) U. S. Coast Guard officer specializing in commercial vessel safety regulation (23 years) which included a 3-year assignment as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Management at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT; and (2) City of Seattle where I was the Manager of the Consumer Protection Unit and responsible for regulating taxicabs, flat-rate for-hire vehicles, limousines, transportation network companies (Uber, Lyft), towing, as well as weights and measures (22 years).

I hold a Bachelor's degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (1972), a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Puget Sound (1978) and a Master of Marine Affairs (ports and marine transportation) degree from the University of Washington (1988). I am married with two adult children and I reside in Fort Collins, CO.

I have always been interested in history and my choice of writing projects reflects that. My goal is to write books that I'd like to read on subjects that are rarely written about. Several of my books are a combination of history, biography, and philosophy. One of my favorite themes is the conflict between science and religion. I wrote three books in a series on that theme: science v. pagan religion (The Conflict Between Science and Religion in Ancient Greece [2012]); science v.Christian religion (The Blasphemy Trial of Charles B. Reynolds: Morristown, New Jersey, May 19-20, 1887 [2011]); and science v. Islam (The Influence of Epicurean Thought on the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam [2015]). I used one of my books as the basis for a theatrical play (On Trial for Blasphemy:The State of New Jersey v. Charles B. Reynolds [2017]). Another book is a biography of my great, great, great uncle, a career cavalryman who fought in several engagements against the Comanche in Texas before the Civil War then saw a lot of action in Virginia during the Civil War. Following that, my ancestor fought Cheyenne, Sioux and Nez Perce on the frontier (Sergeant Phillip McHugh, U. S. Cavalry: Indian Fighter [2017]). Sgt. McHugh knew Buffalo Bill and he survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn River even though his company was massacred. I also published a collection of poetry (rain's only wet if you're in it [2016]). The book provides commentary and background opposite each poem and includes three literary essays.

I have several writing projects in progress including: (1) The Unconventional Memoir of an Ordinary Person - the first draft manuscript is completed and I am currently making final edits; (2) Essays on Everything: Micro-Essays for the Oddly Curious Reader - the first draft manuscript is approximately one-half complete; and (3) Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn River Reconsidered: The Principal Reasons for the Defeat of the Seventh Cavalry - the research is nearly complete.

Longer term, I have started chapter outlines and research on other writing projects: (1) Honest Doubter: Missionary Bishop John William Colenso v. the Church of England in South Africa - research is nearly finished; (2) Enewetak Atoll - my first novel (murder mystery/suspense)- research is nearly finished; (3) Mysterious Cargo - my second novel (murder mystery/suspense), If it appears that my mind is all over the place, that is because it is. In the more distant future, I am planning the following books: (1) an annotated version of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edward FitzGerald (1859), (2) a commentary on The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, and (3) a commentary on The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce (19th c.).

If you would like to comment on any of the published books, books in progress or proposed books, please use the message blank on this web site or send an email. I will reply if you wish. Thanks for your interest.