Taken for Granted: How Conservatism Can Win Back the Americans That Liberalism Failed By: Gianno Caldwell

A refreshing view of the Conservative movement through the eyes of an African-American young Republican. Caldwell comes from the inner-city in Chicago, Il. His mother dealt with drug addiction and he was raised by his grandmother. He comes with a level of street cred you don't get from other authors.

Although I do not agree with 100% of what he writes, I do consider it and can agree to disagree. Regarding Charlottesville, I cannot in good faith, broadly paint all protesters as racists or anti-racist gods. I do believe that I can protest the taking down of a Civil War statue and not be a White Supremacist. As a matter of fact, I do not agree with White Washing history. But make no mistake, if KKK and Real White Supremacists has their way, me, the black person and the Jew would all be hanging from the same tree. I never get how that can be. Candice Owens, a Black Woman is called a racist because she supports Trump. I have a friend of mine that is married to a beautiful dark skin, black woman. He is white. He is also a Trump supporter. I am shocked to see how quick they call him a racist. It's preposterous.

Regarding Kaepernick, I say he has the right to take a knee if he wants. I support his right to do it, however I am disrespected by it because I served in the military. Maybe if he was a vet I would see it differently, although I doubt it. I choose not to watch or attend the NFL games. I also have taken my own stance against Nike. I will not spend a single cent on anything Nike. They have decided to take a politics stance. Ironically, the left rail about "Citizens United" yet is fine with Nike taking a stance politically as long as it's advancing their agenda. Chick-Fil-A did not get afforded the same level of free thought and 1st amendment.

I found the book refreshing and very apropos. I recommend this book to anyone with an open mind willing to listen to someone outside of your echo chamber. Caldwell calls out Democrats, Republicans, Whites and Blacks. Caldwell is a smart, tenacious and driven individual. He definitely motivated me.

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Crown Forum (November 12, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593134923
ISBN-13: 978-0593134924

Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage By: Dan Crenshaw

What a great book.  One would think this is a completely partisan book, those assuming that would be wrong.  What it actually is, is a book with a perfect title "Fortitude".  I have both my sons reading this book.   I am not saying I want them to become seals, although that was my plan (believe it or not), but I do want them to embrace their dreams and aspirations in the same fervor Crenshaw writes about.

This man's journey is an amazing one.  If you were to just take into account becoming a Navy Seal, which by itself is an amazing feat, he would be impressive.  He was blown up, lost an eye and almost lost the other, went back to the teams, graduated from Harvard and became a Congressman.  Any single one is extremely impressive.

It is a book you should really consider reading.  It is not an overly political book as I mentioned before.  You do have politics since he IS a Congressman.

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Twelve (April 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1538733307
ISBN-13: 978-1538733301

Revolution: Trump, Washington and "We the People" By: KT McFarland

This is a great book; probably the best political book I have read in the last couple of years.  McFarland describes her time at the White House with President Donald Trump.  She is neither a cheerleader or TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) SJW.  She explains how Trump operates, his thinking and his approach.  

With her past experience with other White House Administrations, McFarland has unique view and can be a good judge of how this Administration is doing.  I enjoyed her perspective on how the White House had bed set up for the anticipated Hillary Clinton.  Equally interesting is the approach Trump has in meetings.  He does not allow others to dictate the agenda nor control the narrative in meetings.  I have always found that to be disheartening when the people elect a POTUS, and you have a bunch of puppeteers pulling the strings behind the scenes.

McFarland describes his decision making process and how he wants to be the one to make the decisions not one of his handlers.  I find that refreshing.  Love him or hate him, apparently those are the only positions allowed today, Trump is an amazing businessman and has brought the knowhow of the board room into the situation room and from what we can see, absent the Coronavirus, he has done amazing things for the economy, for jobs, and in spite of all the accusations, has done more for Hispanics and African-Americans (Even though I hate using hyphens) than any other POTUS in the last hundred years.

McFarland discusses that absolute war the media has towards Trump.  Again, wether you love, hate or love to hate him, you have to see that the media is 1000% (yes I know it says 1,000 and that 1,000% is impossible) is an arm of the Democratic Party and that they will NEVER give Trump an "L" regardless of what he does or does not do.  Just yesterday I was reading how Deblagio is installing fences on NY Beaches to keep people out, yet when Trump mentioned the wall, the Left lost their heads saying, "walls, fences or barriers or racist".  We see it with Joe Biden and his son, Joe Biden and rape allegations, Biden and the Quid Pro Quo with Ukraine.  We see it with Secretary Clinton and her crimes, and YES they are 100% crimes.  As any of us reading this review would be under the jail for less that what she has gotten away with.  Despite the constant investigations, impeachments, rhetoric, fear mongering, et al, the POTUS has STILL done some amazing things for this country that previous Administrations had told us, and we believed that would never get better; "The new normal".  I wonder, how much better would this country be if only the media were "fair" (ironically they throw that word around a lot) and the House were not in a constant "impeach" witch hunt.  You can still hate Trump.  I hate Obama as a President, but like him from a personal basis, even though I of course do not know him.  But I can separate the two.

McFarland also discusses the MO of our top LEA and how they royalty screw people.  Even powerful people; people connected must beware.  She discussed the FBI investigation and the Mueller investigation she was thrown into.  She wrote these chapters before the information recently revealed about how the FBI and other Intelligence Agencies use their power to attack and take out their perceived foes. She wrote about Flynn, which again, if you turn a blind eye to the tactics the left has used against the Republicans, then you need to be accepting when it turns on you.  Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Finally, she is rightfully critical on China and their plans to overtake the US regarding super power and Worldwide influence. Sadly, we can see how the WHO was either negligent at best, complicit at worse in allowing the Coronavirus to take hold worldwide in the greatest "pandemic" this planet has seen.  Yes China gets a pass.  No one wants to say anything negative about them.  Even the NBA and other US companies are terrified as is Hollywood to criticize China.  If the aforementioned were as open to criticize China as they are to criticize Trump, China would be less bold to do what they do.

I recommend this book for anyone looking to understand the POTUS.  She has a unique perspective since she has served in multiple administrations.  

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Post Hill Press (February 25, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1642934046

ISBN-13: 978-1642934045

Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches

The Final Day: A John Matherson Novel By: William R. Forstchen

The third and final book of the John Matherson series by Willam Forstchen.  I enjoyed this series.  I normally don't do series, but in this case, the dystopian theme called my attention.  This book takes place after the demise of the overzealous Dale Fredericks.  John gets word from an old friend, Bob  and so begins the whirlwind of ups and down Forstchen is known for.  Just when you think you have the plot rolled up in a neat little package, the story shifts and all that was up, was now down.

In this book, Matherson and Makala are expecting a child although she was not as prevalent in this book as the other two.  John is on the run from the new government in Bluemont.  John is put in situations where he needs to make choices that will affect his wife & unborn child, daughter, and fellow towns people.  Obviously, you will want to read "One Minute After" and "One Year After" first or you would be lost.

**SPOILER**
The irony is that some of the government folks moved their families prior to the EMP.  Fast forward to today when we had members of congress that divested themselves of their stock portfolio prior to the pandemic crash, makes you think this book series was used as a manual and not a novel.  Matherson thwarts an attempt to attack our country and ensures that a new government be properly constituted.

I think this would make a great TV series.  There is a lot of in-between content that could spread to multi-seasons.



Series: A John Matherson Novel (Book 3)
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Forge Books (January 3, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765376733
ISBN-13: 978-0765376732

Hurricanes: A Memoir By: Rick Ross

This was a great book.  Rick Ross grew up in Miami and a lot of the places he frequented are places I did as well.  I was never a huge fan of Rick Ross, however after reading his book, I certainly understand his music much more.  There was a lot of talk about Ross being a Freemason due to his song by the name "Freemason".  However he is not.  Ross has become a huge presence in the hip hop/rap world.  It is incredible to see how a person can turn their life around. 

In one of the chapters, Ross wrote about driving by Evander Holyfield mansion and parking where it was visible with his friend.  He was impressed at the accomplishment of Holyfield.  At one point, Holyfield filed for bankruptcy and Ross immediately purchases the property.  

Ross and I share a similar thought process.  In his book, he mentions how he thrives in the face of adversity and nothing drives him more than someone saying you can't do it.  I find myself at this point in a similar way as Ross did where his villain was himself.  That chapter was actually inspirational.

His mom and his sister are a big part of his life and his longevity.  It is great to see that someone that has been extremely street wise and exposed to so much crime and death, still looks to his mother and his family for support.   



Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Hanover Square Press; Original edition (September 3, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335999280
ISBN-13: 978-1335999283

One Year After: A John Matherson Novel By: William R. Forstchen

Another great, post apocalyptic book by Mr. Forstchen.  This book is the second in the series and follows One Second After by the same.  This book picks up with book 1 in the series leaves off. In this book, John meets with part of the newly formed US government after the EMP or "The Day" as they call it.

John Matherson again proves that he is a man of integrity and his historical knowledge, since his last job was as a history professor in Black Mountain, NC.  The book is somewhat slow but when you get to chapter 11, you cannot put it down.  John's ultimate villain is an overzealous politico that is trying to run NC as his own empire.  He tries to tempt John by offering him positions and rank but did not expect John to be as principled as he was.

Great, action packed book.  Can't wait to read the next one.

Series: A John Matherson Novel (Book 2)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (September 15, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765376709
ISBN-13: 978-0765376701

Guilt by Accusation: The Challenge of Proving Innocence in the Age of #MeToo By: Alan Dershowitz

This is an interesting book.  Dershowitz attempts to set the record straight from his perspective.  Dershowitz makes a compelling argument against his accuser and her attorneys. With the creation of the cancel culture, #MeToo and other movements and organizations, we have seen a devolvement of the legal system once founded and rooted in "innocent until proven guilty".  It has now been turned on its head.  It is now guilty until proven innocent, proof be damned.  

Dershowitz walks you through the evidence and is able to show exculpatory documents, recording, and fillings that exonerate him.  He even requested that FBI investigate him.  He initiated it, not the accuser.  However, it seemed that the accuser's attorneys refuse to do the right thing and have the accuser testify under oath and threat of perjury what her story is.

I do believe women should report sex crimes against them.  There have been too many victims of such crimes.  However I do NOT ascribe to the new legal system where all it takes is a woman to accuse you of something and destroy your life regardless of it being true or not.  I am positive that if the shoe were on the other foot and the US adopted some of the Sharia type beliefs where women need to have four male witnesses to prove rape, the "movement" would take on a different role with different goals.

The book is not his best work.  It is short coming in at 168 pages including the table of contents. And quite frankly did read a little whiny, but the content was interesting despite that.  It shows the sleaziness of the profession.  Hopefully it is the exception and not the rule; although I believe its the latter and not the former.

What I found appalling is how someone can make accusation about you and then when you come out and call them a lier, they can sue you for defamation.  It is a lose-lose scenario.  Thankfully for him, he is an attorney and can fight the fight better and cheaper than others.

Hardcover: 168 pages
Publisher: Hot Books (November 19, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1510757538
ISBN-13: 978-1510757530