Newsmax Rising Bestsellers – Week of Sept. 30, 2024

Biographies of Americans, lesser known perhaps but with intriguing stories, comprise the bulk of this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. There is the tale of America’s No. 1 Cold War warrior throughout most of the post-WWII, U.S.-Soviet period, from 1947 to the fall of what Ronald Regan dubbed the “Evil Empire” in 1991. The second is a woman’s memoir of her tumultuous 27-year marriage into an American dynasty, and yet another describes the too-short life and times of the son of a famed U.S., president, told by those who knew him best. A final nonfiction offering describes former President Donald Trump’s policy blueprint to make America great again … again. And for a fictional diversion, there is the latest installment of America’s most lethal CIA agent.

“Shadow of Doubt: A Thriller,” by Brad Thor (Atria/Emily Bestler Books)

This is installment 23 by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series of CIA spy thrillers. It begins with a mysterious cargo plane that departs from a remote airstrip accompanied by a protective squadron of Russian jet fighters. Also in play are a Russian defector with a boatload of secrets who is seeking asylum in Norway, and a startling conspiracy uncovered by a French agent, resulting in a choice Harvarth must make between conscience and country. “Brad Thor, who has long been considered the gold standard in today’s thriller genre, delivers another heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller with his latest Scot Harvath adventure, ‘Shadow of Doubt,’ an easy front-runner for best book of the year,” wrote Ryan Steck’s on The Real Book Spy. “Thor … cements his place as one of the greatest authors the thriller genre has ever known with yet another tale of high-stakes adventure packed with relentless suspense and bone-crushing action.” [Fiction]

“America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan,” by James Graham Wilson (Cornell University Press)

Paul Nitze served eight U.S. presidents from the beginning of the Cold War by drafting NSC-68, implemented by Harry S. Truman in 1950, until he advised Ronald Reagan, who set into motion the events that ended the Soviet Union and the simmering conflict with communism’s biggest proponent. The national security positions he held throughout his career included deputy secretary of defense, secretary of the navy, director of policy planning at the state department, and arms control strategist and negotiator. “Because of Nitze’s reach, the book is more than just a biography but a summary of U.S. national security deliberations from the lead-up to World War II through the end of the Cold War and into the challenges of this century,” wrote John A. Lauder for The Cipher Brief. “Wilson delivers a highly readable book that one can peruse at the beach or on an airplane. The author keeps the story moving but reminds the reader of the key points of the narrative at the beginning and end of each chapter.” [Nonfiction]

“Hammered,” by Dru Hammer (Druville)

In this memoir that was 10 years in the making, Dru Hammer writes about the rock- bottom times she experienced during her marriage with and divorce from Michael Hammer, heir to the Armand Hammer dynasty — and how her faith and trust in God saw her through it. On the surface her marriage was a fairy tale existence that included hobnobbing with world leaders and royalty, but behind closed doors it was filled with emotional trauma, survived through faith. “Dru does not hold back in her memoir. She covers all the highs and lows and is unadulterated in telling her testimony,” wrote Ruth Boyd Robins for Amazon. “It is clear that in all of it she understands The Great Commission and lives that out in the world in which the Lord placed her. Hammered is an easy book to read and once started is not easy to put down, so block out a few hours when you pick it up!” [Nonfiction]

“JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography,” by RoseMarie Terenzio & Liz McNeil (Gallery Books)

This oral biography of the late John F. Kennedy Jr. was an instant New York Times bestseller and describes the man through anecdotes recalled by his close friends and classmates, teachers, lovers and colleagues, as well as media figures. America still recalls the sharp salute he gave at the age of three as his father’s funeral procession passed by, as well as his death at the age of 38 as he piloted a private plane off Martha’s Vineyard. This book describes his life in between those events through the memories of those who knew him best. “‘JFK JR.’ offers a collection of little-seen, often poignant photographs. Contributors featured in this dynamic overview include well-known names like Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg, Edward Kennedy, Jay Leno and Bill Clinton,” wrote Book Reporter. “Terenzio and McNeil are to be commended for having diligently delved into the public and private life of a man who Garth Brooks heralded after his passing as someone who ‘just seemed to wear his life right in front of you.’” [Nonfiction]

“The New Maga Deal: The Unofficial Deplorables Guide to Donald Trump’s 2024 Policy Platform,” by Peter Navarro (Winning Team Publishing)

We’ve all heard of Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for a conservative renewal for a responsive government that has become the Democrat Party’s No. 1 boogeyman. “The New Maga Deal,” however, is the real deal, written by one of former President Donald Trump’s closest advisors. “While many don’t agree with the MAGA conservative movement and the players who were/are involved, this book does give insight into Peters unique view and insight to not only a White House administration, it gives an inside look of what it takes to run and be part of our government in Washington D.C.,” wrote H. Oldenburg for Amazon. “It kept my interest throughout and ma(d)e for a good read.” [Nonfiction]