100 Famous and Obscure Phobias and Obsessions" is an entertaining and disarming portrayal of anxieties, fears, terrors and insecurities as visual artwork. This edition identifies sourcing, examples and definitions of social anxiety, panic attack symptoms and eccentric behavior by symbolic photography. Phobias, obsessions, panic attacks and social anxiety can be paralyzing, irrational, profoundly debilitating and not particularly amusing for those afflicted. While steering clear of malice and mockery, Vickers pictorial reference directory is humor and satire intended. His stated objectives include elevating the range of cocktail exchange vocabulary and informing readers which real or perceived maladies they may be suffering from. "This edition will neither alter, nor cure phobic and obsessive behavior, "notes Vickers in his Preface." It promises no tactical reinforcement skills, zero practical advice and is clinically useless. The contents may prove entertaining."His listings range from tangible terror such as savage animals, death, night insecurities and body extremities to more abstractive insecurities including symmetry, religion and the opinions of others. Most readers should find at least one appropriate category consistent with their beliefs. The photography spans over three decades of visual impressions extracted from the author's travels and whimsical interpretations. "An individual is not necessarily crazy or abnormal because of their fears and neuroses," observes Vickers. They are merely human. Phobias, obsessions and their accompanying stressors and can be serious matters but are often universally shared. These perceptions need not paralyze you emotionally. A sense of acknowledgement and humor is sometimes the most affordable outlet for dealing with frightening, compulsive and sometimes irrational anxieties. An analyst's hourly fee is not always a practical option."
About the Author: Visual Artist, Writer and Photographer Marques Vickers re-established his Pacific Coast art and creative operations following a five-year residence in southern France between 2005-2009. His figurative painting, photography and sculptural works have been sold and exhibited internationally since 1986 (MarquesV.com). Born in 1957, Vickers grew up in Vallejo, California. He is a 1979 Business Administration graduate from Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area. Following graduation, he became the Executive Director of the Burbank, California Chamber of Commerce between 1979-84. He later served as Vice President of Sales for AsTRA Tours and Travel in Westwood, California between 1984-86. Following a brief residence in Dijon, France, he began Marquis Enterprises in 1987 until 2004 in northern California. His company operations have included sports apparel exporting, travel and tour operations and fine wine brokering. In 2005, he relocated to southern France where he refurbished and flipped two different 19th century stone village houses. Returning in 2009, he began the Marquis Gallery (ArtsInAmerica.com) and (InsiderSeriesBooks.com) focused on reselling rare books, collectibles, fine art and wine through online marketplace stores and barter trade exchanges. He has published numerous e-book and paperback works on the fine arts and auction industry, Southern France, notorious murder crime sites, wine, architecture, his poetry and short stories, phobias and obsessions, photography themed editions and photojournalism projects. He has two daughters, Charline and Caroline who presently reside in Europe.