The memories and impacts of war dominate this week’s selections in the Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. From a noted historian and Newsmax TV contributor, we are given a description of how wars have actually led to the total destruction of once-great civilizations, while another recounts one man’s experiences in a famous World War II fighting unit. The third depicts war’s ultimate victims — the civilian populations — resulting in the migrations of three generations of one Jewish family. Another offering is a primer on the art of parenting in this modern age, which some likened to as nonlethal form warfare. For fiction readers, there’s the latest page-turner from a No. 1 international bestselling novelist.

“The Wild Side,” by Fern Michaels (Kensington)

In what may be the start of a new series, a school guidance counsellor is dragged back into her former life in covert operations for the U.S. Office of Special Investigations. Her former boss tells her that only she is capable of infiltrating an international cabal of ruthless billionaires who meet regularly. What are they up to? That’s what she must find out. “A fun adventure by one of my favorite authors,” said Joanne, reviewing for GoodReads. She added, “if you want a book with no blood and guts or gratuitous sex, this will fit into your reading schedule nicely. In fact, I am hoping this might end up a series, as I’d like to see more of Mel and Gilmour.” [Fiction]

“The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation,” by Victor Davis Hanson (Basic Books)

New York Times–bestselling historian and political commentator Victor Davis Hanson looks at how wars have led to the demise of four great civilizations from our cultural past: classical Thebes, Carthage, Constantinople, and the Aztec-Tenochtitlan empire. This is ultimately a warning directed at governments of the world to consider the lessons of the past lest we repeat them in the future. “The respective tales are written with the verve and mastery of his research materials characteristic of this distinguished historian, and they make, collectively, for a sad tale of human folly,” wrote William Harris, in his GoodReads review. “There is a lot to learn from Hanson’s treatise with immediate applications in our increasingly violent world; there are clear implications for the Ukraine and Israel; and we ignore them at great peril.” [Nonfiction]

“Into the Cold Blue: My World War II Journeys with the Mighty Eighth Air Force,” by John F. Homan & Jared Frederick (Regnery History)

This is the author’s first-hand account of flying missions deep within Nazi Germany while serving as co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. John Homan entered the service at the age of 19 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, rose to the rank of first lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The book was described by the publisher as “one of the last great memoirs of World War II,” and given that the war ended 80 years ago, this could very well be the last. “Author John Homan and historian co-author Jared Frederick tell a fascinating story that will make you laugh, cry, and ponder the folly of war and the bravery and resourcefulness of those thrust into it,” wrote John Frederick for GoodReads. “But it is not just a war story, it is about living through that quarter century book-ended by the Great Depression and the Second World War. A well-told first-hand account of the good and bad of the era is a treasure.” [Nonfiction]

“Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family,” by Jordan Mechner (First Second)

This beautifully written memoir depicts three generations of a family spanning Europe during WWI and WWII, Cuba, and ending in modern-day California and France. Each chapter begins with selections from family photo albums, and the author also refers to excerpts lifted from his grandfather’s own memoirs, which filled four looseleaf notebooks. “Though ‘Replay’s’ many twists and turns underscore the pervasive impact of the past, including painful traumas and unbearable losses, the emphasis is ultimately on the connectedness that remains in the present,” said Tahneer Oksman, reviewing for NPR. [Nonfiction]

“Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow: Forming Deeper and More Joyful Connections with Yourself and Your Children,” by Holly Swenson (Burning Soul Press)

In this age of single-parenthood and marriages where both parents work outside the home, today’s moms and dads can use all the help they can get. Enter Holly Swenson. But this isn’t mere theory. Swanson backs her parenting advice and lessons up with actual personal experiences. And the book isn’t limited to just the author’s advice. One section shares the experiences of other parents and what they learned from raising their kids. “This book gives a great overview of the wild world of parenting, and just of life in general! Even if you don’t have kids, there are so many gems of wisdom,” wrote Ack for Amazon. “The reflections at the end of each chapter are very helpful to summarize the ideas presented and give a chance for an honest internal check-in. Overall, a great book for new and experienced parents alike!” [Nonfiction]

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