Monday, December 30, 2019

The Testament By: John Grisham

This book started great, then slowed down to the point that I was going to give up. However I was already invested into it so I pushed through. It then got better. Sadly, as I have found with the last few Grisham books, it was a bit anticlimactic. This story is about a rich old guy that leaves a will that causes a ruckus between his kids. The fortune (11Billion) is left to someone that is unexpected by any of the ex-wives or degenerate kids.  As I most Grisham books you have multiple story lines taking place. I wanted to love the book but it was hard. And the ending was very disappointing.  As I was finishing the book, I was pinching the remaining pages as I do to see how much "runway" is left for a good ending.  I did not see there was enough runway in this book and when you get to the end, you will agree that it was in fact anticlimactic.



**Spoiler**
I really wish it would have ended differently. Dam-it Grisham, come on. Couldn't you have hooked up Nate and Rachel?  She saved him.  It could have been a great relationship where Nate and Rachel wed and since he was leaving law, he could have gone with her to the place that saved him by almost killing him.

Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (February 2, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385493800
ISBN-13: 978-0385493802

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Trump vs. China: Facing America's Greatest Threat By: Newt Gingrich

This book is surprisingly nonpartisan insomuch as Gingrich gives Trump credit for taking corrective steps as opposed to his predecessors. Gingrich gives a litany of sensible changes that need to be done and many not so popular changes. I read this book as a follow up to "Stealth War". Gingrich's book definitely contains more information and you will come away with a far deeper understanding of the risk of China.
This books is scary on so many levels. It has a great lite history lesson on China and gives you a detailed view into the Chinese mindset. I cannot believe that Biden said China is not a threat. China is a larger threat than Russia and all other countries combined. Climate change is ridiculous compared to China. China has not heretofore, nor does it plan to comply with any Global Warning / Climate Change treaty et al. Even at our current level, we are getting our asses handed to us, I can only imagine when we bring the "New Green Deal". We might as well commit mass suicide.

Gingrich calls out the media for purposely not informing the public about the danger of China. Hollywood and media carry water for China. Not only that but we sadly saw how the NBA capitulated to China and the very same folks who purport to support free speech and that recently have embraced the Constitution in its "traditional meaning" turned their backs on Hong Kong. I think both putrid parties are part of the problem. As I mentioned in the “Stealth War” review, Mitch McConnell, Biden, The Clinton’s and so many more are guilty.

You hear the left now saying that the Senate is a rubber stamp for the POTUS, well this is the same issue with the Dems and the media and law enforcement. If the investigators are corrupt, how can we expect the guilty to be brought to justice. How can we expect authorities holding these China enablers accountable when many of them are as, if not more corrupt than the aforementioned.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly. It should be read by anyone looking to understand what China's game plan is.

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Center Street; 1st edition (October 22, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1546085076
ISBN-13: 978-1546085072

Friday, December 13, 2019

Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept By: Brigadier General Robert Spalding

This book is extremely eye opening.  I alas y knew China was engaging in corrupt tactics from a technology IP perspective because that is the business I am in.  When Huawei first developed their routers, it was literally the Cisco Systems operating system.  When I worked at a distributor of computer parts and equipment, people were arrested for writing down serial numbers as they were being used for fake China created fakes.  But economic warfare was way more than I expected.  Also appalling was the chapter on "law-fare".




The author seems to be non-partisan as he criticizes both majority parties of the US. He is critical on Mitch McConnell for his wife's unholy alliance with the CCP as well as Obama and Biden. Although I disagree on some of the author's recommendations for rectifying the China problem, I do believe it is worth looking into.

At a minimum, the author does praise President Trump on his efforts and sees them as a positive step forward. However when I hear Biden come out and say "China is going to eat our lunch?" It gives me pause.  How can a man in the VP seat for 8 years and still either be ignorant or complicit to what is going on there?  It is not a long book, but very concise.

I was recently in Jamaica and saw a brand new highway that was fabricated by China for Jamaica.  Reminded me of the chapter on Shri Lanka

Here is the story of Shri Lanka
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/asia/china-sri-lanka-port.html

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Portfolio (October 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593084349
ISBN-13: 978-0593084342
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches


Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley Jr. & Tanner Colby

A very sad book.. Chris Farley was one of my favorites.  Farley and Kinnison, sadly both taken too soon.  This is a book told by the many people in his life.  The authors compiled memories and moments by many of the special people around Chris.  He was such and amazing comedian and for his size, surprisingly nimble and athletic.




Chris Farley struggled with sobriety since early on.  He was also addicted to food and struggled with weight; something I know all too well.  Although everyone knows what the outcome of his life was, I found myself wanted to continue to read and hear more things about it. 

Chris was a cast member of SNL and went on to star in many number 1 movies, Tommy Boy being one of my favorite movies today.  SO SO Sad.  Chris' family was very important to him.  However his father was painted in this book as being an enabler and did so to Chris since he himself struggled from some of the same demons as his son.  His father died a year later. 



Chris Farley During SNL

Baby Chris Farley
Chris and his father Tom Farley

Chris' last picture

In his last picture shown above, taken by the prostitute he was spending the evening with was taken as she was leaving the room and after she stole his watch.  His last words were “Please don't leave me."  Still chokes me up after so many years.  If she had called Fire Rescue, he might still be with us today.  R.I.P. Big Guy.  You will be forever missed.  Often imitated, but never, ever duplicated.  

Check out the Chris Farley foundation
http://www.chrisfarleyfoundation.com/

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st edition (May 6, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780670019236
ISBN-13: 978-0670019236
ASIN: 0670019232




Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Guardians: A Novel By: John Grisham

I usually like Grisham books and was looking forward to "The Guardians".  However the book was a bit anticlimactic.  The book is about a burned out public defender that leaves the public defenders office and becomes a minister.  During his ministry, he becomes a crusader for exonerating innocent prisoners.  I won't give it away but there is some happy moments but he leaves a lot open.  I would have loved to see him maybe focus on one case and follow through on the apprehension of the guilty parties.


I liked the book though, hopefully the movie will be a little better and it will be "Based" on this book but not follow it that close.  


Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (October 15, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385544189
ISBN-13: 978-0385544184

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Jay Z: Made in America By: Michael Eric Dyson

Not my cup of tea. Was looking for a book on the life and success of a great musician and business man. I am a big fan of Jay Z and have been since his early work in music, clothing, liquor, and record empire. I bought this book because it was 2019 and wanted to get the most updated book. However this book turned out to be what I perceived as a politically, racially charged book I did not want to read. I did not finish it so I may have acted in haste, but I really did not feel the content. I read all kinds of books and I do not shy away from books pertaining to race and the like. It may be a good book for someone looking for a Apotheosis of Jay Z where they compare him to a god and talk about how there is a curriculum of Jay Z in universities. I wanted more about the man not the myth. Just my $0.02



Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us By: Donal Trump Jr.



Donald Trump Jr is a funny guy. This book starts off with his upbringing. Many will criticize this book, his dad, and his success but the reality is, Trump is known for not coddling his children and being tough on them. What I found surprising was how Jr. Spent weeks hunting or fishing completely off the grid and not on his family yacht or G6. That says a lot about him. He talks about working for his father but not in a well placed managerial role but rather as a laborer.  JR. Had to earn his keep.





JR is on the money when he talks about hypocrisy. The kids in cages and the wall was something Obama, Clinton and the Democrats were for. Now that Trump championed it, they are against both. Not to mention the gender situation in college sports. It is absolutely unfair for women to lose scholarships to male born athletes.

I admire how he was brought up and had to work. His father did a good job in showing them the value of a dollar and what it takes to make it. Although his dad could have coddled his kids like a lot of the kids I watch on one of my favorite shows, Growing Up Hip-Hop (don’t judge me).

The book calls out the hypocrisy on the left as well as the Trump Haters. I hate to say this for the sake of the aforementioned, but you absolutely will see him again running for politics and maybe, probably another Trump presidency.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Center Street (November 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 154608603X
ISBN-13: 978-1546086031