This week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers span 500 years of world history, beginning with a little-known tale of an adventurer who traveled from Japan to be presented to the court of Queen Elizabeth. Two others are lessons worth heeding, one from a popular radio host who got into an on-air squabble with President Joe Biden, and the other the advice that the 40th president gave his son. There is also a tale of the enemy from within, how insiders attempted to topple President Donald Trump’s administration. For fiction, there is a cyber-adventure from the authors of a popular series centering on military special-ops.

“Four Minutes,” by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Blackstone Publishing Inc.)

The authors of the “Sons of Valor” series have come up with a new techno-thriller, in which the protagonist is given an awesome military advantage after the loss of a SEAL team — the ability to glimpse into the future for a brief period. This advancement leads to the launch of a new counter-terrorism task force that looks into the future to prevent current-day attacks. “This sci-fi/military thriller gives the reader a lot to think about. How much of this is actually possible and when can it happen?” said Teresa Brock, reviewing for GoodReads. “Don’t let science/science fiction/facts bog you down. Don’t spend time trying to undo what has been done and fact check. Enjoy the ride. Imagine possibilities of world altering, action packed military filled sequences of events……and don’t blink!” [Fiction]

“A Gentleman from Japan: The Untold Story of an Incredible Journey from Asia to Queen Elizabeth’s Court,” by Thomas Lockley (Hanover Square Press)

For the first time, the story of a 16th century explorer and “Gentleman from Japan,” who was known by the name Christopher, is fully told. He made a treacherous voyage halfway around the world and was eventually presented to Queen Elizabeth’s court. The publisher describes it as “a fast-paced, historical narrative of adventure, cross-cultural endeavor, intellectual exchange, perseverance, espionage and conflict in the Age of Exploration.” Readers tend to agree. “Fascinating investigation of one of those corners of history that has farther ranging consequences than it appears at the time,” wrote Ernest Spoon in his GoodReads review. “I recommend this book for anyone interested in obscure history and tales of seafaring survival. It is suitable for readers as young as middle school as well as geezer, such as myself.” [Nonfiction]

“Get Honest or Die Lying: Why Small Talk Sucks,” by Charlamagne Tha God (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing)

Radio talk-show host Charlamagne famously got under the skin of then-presidential hopeful Joe Biden during a 2020 radio interview on “The Breakfast Club.” It ended when Biden snapped, “if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.” He submits, that in an age where we need big conversations to crawl our way out of the abyss, we’re instead plagued with a world consisting of small talk between small minds. Charlamagne concludes that many of the ills of the world, the nation, and harboring within ourselves can be attributed to our failure to have meaningful conversations with one another. “The book has a lot of practical advice for success. Namely, put in the work and stop talking and thinking about things that don’t matter. Has some good bible quotes like ‘There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty,’” wrote L. Lopez in his Amazon review. “Overall, the book was entertaining and informative, even eye-opening for a person who had never heard of Charlamagne tha God before seeing him on Fox News a few weeks ago. I listened to his podcast this week for the first time. He is definitely very intelligent and will be successful for a long time, even though he may have occasional doubts of being an ‘imposter.’” [Nonfiction]

“Lessons My Father Taught Me: The Strength, Integrity, and Faith of Ronald Reagan,” by Michael Reagan (Humanix Books)

In an age marked by divisiveness and political squabbling, this book takes us back to the man who brought the nation together as no one has since — Ronald Reagan. And Reagan’s success in uniting the country can be attributed to his belief in the fundamental goodness of the human race. “I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.” This is just one of the lessons he taught his son Michael, today a respected political commentator and Newsmax columnist. “As I read through this book I wished every father would read it,” said Ann Neckley in her Amazon review. “Lessons every father should pass down to their sons. Daughters alike. Ronald Reagan was a very spiritual man, very optimistic, which made his life and those around him better. Including America. God bless him, we need him again.” [Nonfiction]

“Masters of Corruption: How the Federal Bureaucracy Sabotaged the Trump Presidency,” by Mark Moyar (Encounter Books)

The “deep state” is real, comprised of the bureaucracy that’s meant to help the president fulfill his constitutional duty to execute the laws enacted by Congress. But as the 45th president discovered, it can just as easily work against the administration. “Mark’s book is an intriguing look into the federal bureaucracy during the Trump presidency. The book explores the administrative state, revealing how entrenched bureaucrats, often Democrats, wield significant influence,” said Scott in his Amazon review. “I highly recommend this book for individuals wanting to understand the inner workings of the federal bureaucracy, the challenges of combating entrenched corruption, and the complexities of whistleblower retaliation.” [Nonfiction]

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