Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, & technology book reviews, plus social, political, & economic commentary
I have reached four conclusions after reading Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. Conclusion one: Our system of government is much more fragile than I realized. The Founding Fathers had no way to anticipate all of the guardrails that would be needed in the 21st century, nor how easily American democracy could be wrecked … Continue reading America is in ‘Peril’ – #bookreview
It’s not your imagination: America really is awash in conspiracy theories. Trump, UFOs, the JFK assassination, Elvis, “crisis actors,” Obama, Hillary, George Soros (or was it George Clooney?) grabbing for your guns — take your pick. The current warning shouts of the looney toons can keep you on edge and looking over your shoulders 24/7 … Continue reading Why Do We Have So Many Ridiculous Conspiracy Theories?
Yes, Americans need to work, and businesses of all sizes now claim they are desperate to hire. So why are we quitting jobs, refusing employment offers we supposedly “can’t refuse,” resisting orders to return to previous workplaces, and generally just mad as hell at those who employ us or beg to hire us? A few … Continue reading The Great Resignation. Why Is Anyone Surprised?
The Many Lives of Andrew Young Ernie Suggs NewSouth Books, ISBN: 978-1-58838-474-4 U.S. Ambassador Andrew J. Young’s high-profile career in public service is not quickly nor easily summed up. Nonetheless, The Many Lives of Andrew Young, by Atlanta writer Ernie Suggs, has delivered an important, celebratory touchstone while preparations are underway to celebrate Andrew Young’s 90th … Continue reading Celebrating a Man of Many Lives
Rod Davis’s New Addition to his ‘Jack Prine’ Private Investigator Series Offers Plenty of Action, Gunplay, and Southern Geography Labels can be attached to this new novel, the second book in Rod Davis’s “Jack Prine” private investigator series. For example, you might call it “Southern noir” or perhaps “grit lit.” Whatever. I call it “good … Continue reading East of Texas, West of Hell
Guess which book, as yet unreleased, is pre-selling at #1 in Amazon’s “Corruption & Misconduct in Politics” category? P.S., I possibly may earn a few helpful cents as an Amazon affiliate bookseller if you follow this link to the book. But only if you actually buy it or something else. Otherwise, bupkis. No soup for … Continue reading Just One of the Ways Political Crime Pays?
The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir John Bolton Simon & Schuster I confess. I haven’t read all of John Bolton’s book, The Room Where It Happened. And I likely won’t read all of it, to be honest. I’d rather page through John Milton before I’ve had my morning caffeine than wade through … Continue reading Bolting Through the Bolton Book
Homestead Steel Mill: The Final Ten Years USWA 1397 and the Fight for Union Democracy Mike Stout PM Press Now more than ever, with some 40 million Americans unemployed, the nation’s economy stalled by protests and a deadly pandemic, and federal leadership failing, we need to review and draw again from hard lessons learned during … Continue reading Hard Lessons Learned Inside a Steel Union’s Battles to Save Jobs and Benefits
“The Book Artist,” the eighth book in Mark Pryor’s Hugo Marston mystery series, is entertaining, absorbing–and paced a bit slower than some detective/police procedurals. That’s because it offers readers a nice mixture of Paris atmosphere and American diplomats and others living, working and partying in Paris. The novel’s law-enforcement angles also require some slower pacing. … Continue reading ‘The Book Artist’ is Mark Pryor’s eighth Hugo Marston mystery – #bookreview
Betrayal at Iga A Hiro Hattori Novel Susan Spann Seventh Street Books, paperback In this fifth novel in Susan Spann’s Hiro Hattori series, danger starts on page one and doesn’t let up until almost the very end. Set in 16th-century Japan, the series focuses on Hiro Hattori, a master ninja from the Iga province who … Continue reading Want some enlightening escapism? Try this ninja detective thriller set in 16th-century Japan
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