“How did we ever get here, and how do we find our way back” is a concept that echoes throughout the selections in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. One describes the disintegration of the Judeo-Christian values that formed the basis for the nation’s founding documents and the religious freedom enshrined in the First Amendment. Another explains how some of our U.S. presidents tackled crises in the past. Still another discusses free speech — a right the author declares “indispensable” to a free society and yet one that we may be in danger of losing. A final nonfiction selection reveals the plan to save Western Civilization from the rise of “wokeism.” In fiction, the novel of the week is a murder mystery taking place in a dark time and place in history.
“Some Murders in Berlin: A WWII Historical Novel,” by Karen Robards (MIRA)
In September 1943, Denmark is under Nazi control, so when Dr. Elin Lund, Copenhagen’s foremost expert in psychological profiling, is summoned to Berlin to assist in the investigation of the gruesome murders of eight young women, she reluctantly agrees to protect her son. As the investigation progresses, Erin becomes the next target of the serial killer. “It has been a long time since I’ve read a Karen Robards book – too long. I love historical fiction and adding in a mystery with the best parts of a thriller, and you have an amazing story. This book is excellent,” wrote Becky in her GoodReads review. “I absolutely loved this book. The history was incredibly well-written and full of suspense. Elin and Kurt are fully realized characters that the reader really gets an opportunity to know. I flew through the pages. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.” [Fiction]
“Cultural Meltdown: The Secular Roots of Our Moral Crisis,” by Bill Donohue (Sophia Institute Press)
Catholic League President Bill Donohue has told Newsmax that two “competing and irreconcilable visions” — the religious and the secular — are leading to the “cultural meltdown” he describes in his book. “[Karl] Marx wanted an economic revolution,” he said on Newsmax’s “America Right Now.” “Then you have Antonio Gramsci, the Italian Marxist, who said ‘We’re going to take care of the universities, the command center, the communication. We’re going to change the culture in a Marxist way.’” Sound familiar? Marxist professors at our universities inflict their dogma on their students, he notes, and the Democratic Party has become so leftist that some of its most recognizable members, including former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, have left. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the most recognizable name associated with the Democratic Party, suspended his own presidential bid and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Donohue explained that the two societal views — the Judeo-Christian view and the secular view — are polar opposites and are in competition with one another. “Even if you are a secular-progressive type, this book is worth the read. It will provide perhaps the most orderly examination of this ideology that has ever been put into print,” wrote John, reviewing for Amazon. “It is a deep dive that you are unlikely to find anywhere else, and it is perhaps the best book on the market that explains the ultimate question ‘how has it come to this?’” [Nonfiction]
“How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents,” by Talmage Boston (Post Hill Press)
America is known for having some great presidents, despite the few lemons. In this book, presidential historian and lawyer Talmage Boston reveals the leadership traits of eight of who are considered America’s finest, beginning with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln — traits that all can all learn from (and with any luck, our current crop of government leaders will take to heart). “Boston takes time at the end of each chapter to note the flaws — personal and professional — in his subjects but makes clear, none of those faults prevented the men from reaching exemplar status,” said Andrew Mayer, writing for the Washington Independent. “He is to be commended for making great use of many works by esteemed longtime presidential historians, as well as select primary sources, to create here a volume that will be useful both in the classroom and as a primer for future leaders in Washington, D.C., and beyond.” [Nonfiction]
“The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” by Jonathan Turley (Simon & Schuster)
George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley argues that freedom of expression — guaranteed by the First Amendment — is the most fundamental and indispensable right for a free society. And it’s under attack. It’s been under attack by the Biden administration’s flagging “problematic” post on social media platforms, and it’s under attack by rating operations such as NewsGuard. It rates an outlets’ “credibility and transparency” and warns users, advertisers, educators and investors away from any media outlet they find irresponsible. In short, they tell you what and who to believe and what who not to believe. Turley recently wrote that “the most chilling words today: I’m from NewsGuard and I am here to rate you.” “The author parses recent events through the lens of free-speech absolutism, concluding, for instance, that Trump was within his rights to call for his supporters to march on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 … ‘We have a right to rage,’ Turley insists. However — and he might have emphasized this more — we also have the duty to keep speech from crossing into violence,” wrote Kirkus Reviews. “A smart book that invites argument — civil argument, that is, with good faith and tolerance.” [Nonfiction]
“Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West,”
by Charlie Kirk (Winning Team Publishing)
The issues addressed by the authors previously mentioned are among those being fought by conservatives and liberals in a culture war. And at the tip of the right wing’s spear is Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Kirk argues that the freedoms that Americans enjoy in the United States, which have made it a world power, are under attack by the woke left, and society has to put on its game face, join the “right wing revolution’ and fight back before they’re lost forever. “I dig Charlie Kirk’s philosophy, energy, and patriotism,” wrote z for Amazon. “This is an awesome piece of writing in my opinion. It’s easy to read and gives a passionate explanation into the future of conservatism. I found these ideas very moving as they rekindled how happy I am to be an American. Great book Charlie! Fair warning: anyone with TDS will likely be sent into a violent, hateful rage after reading this book.” [Nonfiction]© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.