Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever By: Bill O'Reilly & Marting Dungard

Aside from numerous inaccuracies and "bold fresh" (pun intended) lies coupled with the selective blindness by the author; the book was OK.  O'Reilly suffers from what so many today suffer; he suffers the apotheosis of Lincoln syndrome.  To O'Reilly, Lincoln can do no wrong.  I have read numerous books on this subject and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the "Civil War" was indeed not fought for the purpose of freeing slaves.  Anyone that does not call out Lincoln for being a racist of the highest order has not done the most basic research on the subject.  

The first 5-6 chapters reads more like a Civil War book than that of a Lincoln assassination book.  Then, the author takes off touching on Mary Sarat's involvement and painting the conspirators web.  O'Reilly leaves much of the details out and on NUMEROUS occasions, leaves facts out or adds theories and conjecture which have already been disproved and presents them as fact.

O'Reilly is wrong on his assertions that presidential assassins plan their "hits" for a long period of time.  This is not the case of any of the book I have read regarding such Presidents as McKinley, Garfield, Lincoln, Jackson and even Kennedy.   

I enjoyed the book because I happen to love the subject matter, however there are better books (Please see my review of American Brutus by: Michael Kaufman)

The book is fairly safe for a young reader 12 and over.

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.; First Edition edition (September 27, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805093079
ISBN-13: 978-0805093070

The Litigators By: John Grisham

A bit anti-climactic.  The book is well written however the story takes you down this long drawn out mass tort case about a drug names Kraoxx that is suposed to be causing death and heart attacks.

David Zinc is a well paid attorney for a big "hordy-tordy" law firm in Chicago.  He is making $300,000.00 a year but works way too many hours.  He finally snaps and suffers a meltdown causing him to quit the firm unexpectedly.  In his new found freedom of the morning he quit, he stumbles into a bar and gets sauced all day avoiding calls from him co-workers and his wife.  He finally leaves the bar and ends up in a law office far from the heavy hitting downtown firm he left.  He finds his way to Law Offices of Finley and Figg; a motley crew of ambulance chasers and divorce attorneys.  Wally Figg ends up finding a mass tort case that is about to take them to the big times and away from the divorce and personal injury cases. 

The problem with this book is that it takes you into the world of mass tort law suits explaining in details the trial proceedings.  Then proceed to wrap everyting up in two chapters (out of ~49).  ****SPOILER ALERT**** I have to say though, I found myself on the tip of my seat when David did the cross-examination on the clinical testing practices of Varrick, however I was let down quickly by the loss of the case.  Then the actual case they [David] win, without a trial mind you, is quickly glossed over.  I think the title of the book should have been placed in "" since they obviously did not show any skill in litigating save that of David cross-examination.

I will give Mr. Grisham another chance.  This is the first Grisham book I read.

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (October 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385535139
ISBN-13: 978-0385535137

Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? By. Patrick Buchanan

This book was not what I expected.  Although I find myself agreeing with him on points such as how the US' population is shifting from Anglo-Saxon to other "minorities" such as Blacks and Hispanics, the book is not clear on what we do if in fact this is a problem.  Aside from eugenics of the African-American, Hispanic, Korean and other communities and the promotion of childbearing in the Anglo communities I see nothing that CAN be done nor do think SHOULD be done.

I agree with Buchanan that "Affirmative Action" is offensive to those who benefit from it.  If the requirements for the Naval Academy is a 4.0 GPA average, I find it insulting that Hispanics, African-Americans etc are only required to have a 3.5 GPA.  Why is this?  Am I not capable of getting a 4.0 that I need special help?  It perpetuates the myth that non-Anglo-Saxons are less intelligent.  Additionally, it discriminates the Anglo that indeed has gotten the required 4.0 GPA that will not be picked because someone less prepared (GPA wise) is going to take their spot.  Ironically, when writing this review, my son from Middle School showed me HIS report card and he received a 4.0 for the year.  I know how hard he worked.  Could I tell him that even though he met the requirements and worked real hard, it was still not good enough because he is 2nd generation American but has a Hispanic last name and the diversity police require an African-American or Korean, or %enter your race/color/creed/sexual orientation%?  I cannot.

Mr. Buchanan is obviously against free trade.  I disagree with him, however I believe that the problems that exist today and the reason we continue to experience them is not that China is less expensive to manufacture, albeit true; the issues are that the US' economy has been so bloated and distorted that today a salary in the US due to Unions and inflationary steps taken by the "Fed" require companies to be beholden to the unions.  Not that the unions are solely to blame, but they are a big peace of it.  I do not believe that closing off trade with the world will do the trick.

Mr. Buchanan comes off extremely racist.  I know that many liberals will say "of course, he is Republican".   Although only part of that is true, he DOES have and interesting chapter regarding the Democratic Party and their roots.  Not so squeaky clean as they portray themselves to be.

I did find some interesting subject matter to do further research, however I do not necessarily recommend this book.

Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (October 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312579977
ISBN-13: 978-0312579975

Forgotten Conservatives in American History By Brion McClanahan

Really enjoyed the book.  The book covers many of the distant and not so distant "conservatives" of American history.  This book is not an exhaustive biography of these individuals but does serve to whet your appetite to further research these interesting individuals.  Obviously the term "conservative" will not pass the smell test for the Hannity / O'Reilly enthusiasts, but it does remain true to its original meaning.  The interesting thing about some or most of the individuals is that the "left" thought they were right-wingers and the "right" thought they were liberals (what ever the terms for the present day understanding for the respective times).  Some of the individuals covered in the book would not have made it on my radar for "must reads".  I will try to find some good books on Calhoun, John Taylor of Caroline, Cleveland, Sam Irvin, and H.L. Menken.

I must admit, I am not too familiar with the co-author Clyde Wilson, but have subsequently researched a bit and have heard Mr. McClanahan tell the story of how they met and eventually collaborated.

Mr. McClanahan is a great author.  I read his previous book "Founding Father's Guide to the Constitution" and it was equally informative and much more.  I am also a member of LibertClassroom dot com where he has lectures as well.

I recommend this book to any liberty warrior that is interested in the real heroes of liberty throughout our history. 


Hardcover: 200 pages
Publisher: Pelican Publishing (April 16, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 145561579X
ISBN-13: 978-1455615797

No They Can't By: John Stossel

In the spirit of disclosure, I align to a higher degree with the Libertarian party.
John Stossel, a Libertarian, is, as always, right on mark.  His sensible way of looking at issues make it painfully obvious that the two party dictatorship attempts to purposely confuse things and provide straw-man arguments.

Stossel tackles all the "hot topics" in a sensible, intelligent, logical and concise manner.   Stossel covers everything from the "WAR" on drugs to health care.  Stossel addresses the economic issues today with his "Laissez-faire" view.  I love his cool, demeanour and the way he explains things in a very simple understandable and most importantly, non emotional manner.  Anyone who knows me knows that I always say, "If you remove emotion from the argument, you are left with nothing but facts".

The chapter on education was incredibly informative.  He explains how "Intuition" would lead you to believe things in a certain way, but then he gives you the "reality" view of the problem.

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Threshold Editions (April 10, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451640943
ISBN-13: 978-1451640946

No Higher Honor By: Condoleezza Rice

FINALLY.  This book was long and hard to get through.

Condoleezza Rice is an interesting person.  She is a very religious, intelligent, and dare I say it...., articulate women.  This book is her memoirs of her tenure in the White House with both Bush administrations.  This book is not a short book.  It is over 700 pages and covers the many challenges this country, the administrations and herself faced during her time as National Security Adviser and eventually Secretary of State.

She is critical of herself, not missing an opportunity to admit where she mis-spoke, mis-stepped and plain old screwed up.  However she was not as critical on George W. Bush, when I think he deserved it.  This books covers from the contested election, to 911, to Afghanistan and Iraq to Katrina and everything in between. Rice is a master of the idiom, peppering this book with enough idioms to fill a separate book.

As America’s chief diplomat, Rice traveled almost continuously around the world, seeking common ground among sometimes bitter enemies, forging agreement on divisive issues, and compiling a remarkable record of achievement. Although I do not agree with her on many issues, I believe she acted honestly based on her beliefs as to what was right and wrong.
 No Higher Honor takes the reader into secret negotiating rooms where the fates of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Lebanon often hung in the balance, and it draws back the curtain on how frighteningly close all-out war loomed in clashes involving Pakistan-India and Russia-Georgia, and in East Africa.

I think the most disturbing part of this book is that you walk away dumbfounded and the level of intervention the US practices.  Some of the foreign countries committing atrocities just so the US could step in and pay them off.  I believe 'blow back' is real and is caused by the aforementioned.  Its time we walk away.

Hardcover: 784 pages
Publisher: Crown; 1 edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030758786X
ISBN-13: 978-0307587862

Throw Them All Out By: Peter Schweizer

If I had only one word to describe this book, it would have to be "shocking".  It is no wonder why people are dying to get in the race.  The level of corruption taking place in Washington D.C. is absolutely shocking.  If just a fraction of this book is factual, it is a painfully obvious why the Legislative branch has dismal support.

Schweizer  touches on the many ways (scams) the Political Class game the system to their advantage.  Politicians like Harry Reid, Nancy Peloci and Dennis Hastert have all used federal earmarks to enhance the value of their commercial properties.  Is there instances when some of the politicians invest in companies as any other private citizen and enjoys a windfall gain?  Sure, but just the examples in this book make the odds against someone picking the winners a few days before major legislation is passed or sold the day before some negative bill or regulation was passed defies all sanity. 

Schweizer, the author of another book of the same genre, "Do As I Say Not As I Do" pulls no punches and does not dwell on partisan bull.  It is painfully obvious in this book that the problems that exists today are ironically "bipartisan".  This Political Class protect each other and give the illusion that there is partisan bickering taking place.  Both sides benefit from the insider trading.

Once again, the Political Ruling Class have shown that they are out of touch with the real world.  Reminds me of the following:

If this spirit is ever corrupted to the point that it will tolerate a law which does not apply to both the legislature and the people, then the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty. —James Madison, Federalist No. 57

Some notable quotes from the book:

Regarding the access by oversubscribed IPOs by politicians

Companies recognize the importance of having friends in powerful places, and granting them access to an IPO is one way to reward them. Members of Congress often participate in IPOs that are difficult, if not close to impossible, for ordinary Americans to join. Pelosi and her husband have been involved in no less than ten lucrative IPOs during her congressional career.  Pg 58

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Regarding Warren Buffet and how he benefited from the bail-outs and stimulus-

September 23 that he became a highly visible player in the drama, when he invested $5 billion in the investment house of Goldman Sachs, which was over-leveraged and short of cash.


Great book.  Not long but very informative.  I recommend it.


Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547573146
ISBN-13: 978-0547573144