Douglas R. Brown honors first responders in his book 'A Firefighter Christmas Carol And Other Short Stories'

Posted: 19-Oct-2021   Reposted: 03-Jun-2022

"The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men." (Quote by Minot Judson Savage.) That's how our brave first responders(*), some of whom have selflessly laid down their lives to defend and protect us in the line of duty, live on in our hearts and continually inspire us to do the same should the need arise at any time in our lives.

This book is a collection of six great stories celebrating the lives of first responders and their circumstances. As we know, their fearless actions in the face of extreme dangers leave many scarred with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), and PTSD. It's permanent and they have to live with it for life! And some lapse into other mental illnesses in the process.

Let's remember and be grateful to them for their brave and selfless lives.

(*) First responders are police, firefighters, 911, rescue and emergency services staff, etc. who are the first to attend to us in emergencies. We love them!

See if these stories inspire you?

Review of the book 'The Printed' by Cameron Fitzgerald posted

Posted: 14-Oct-2021   Reposted: 04-Jun-2022

All the signs of the world's decline and decay are around us: the lost battle to global warming, natural resources (particularly drinking water) becoming scarce, many kinds of environmental pollution, a rash of pandemics and killer diseases occurring at frequencies never heard before, and so on. Govs are finding it hard to cope and are trying desparate measures to stem the speed at which were plunging into destruction. (Note: Destruction cannot be averted, it's only the speed at which we are approaching it that Govs are trying to contain!).

Religions, have been proclaiming the doom of the world for long. Now scientists and rational thinkers agree. In this scenario, can we expect the Bible's predictions about religious persecution to begin in the not-too-distant future? The author believes it's true.

In this book, in a fresh, surprisingly beautiful story form, the author portrays what he envisions the religious, particularly Christians, will have to suffer in future at the hands of an anti-religion world.

See the review now?

Book review of 'The Hidden Delight of God: How to Kill Your Fear' by John Hever added

Posted: 02-Oct-2021   Reposted: 03-Jun-2022

Christianity is unique among world religions on account of some of its teachings. For example, its teaching "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) exceeds the highest teachings of other religions in the matter of loving others. The Hidden Delight of God is a spiritual book that discusses and lays emphasis on another: Jesus, as a living, supernatural power who alone breaks sins fetters and sets free those who believe and accept him. Let me explain it with an example: If you are addicted to something destructive like drugs or sex (or just anything else that has begun to control you like a slave-driver) and you can't break free, Jesus can by his supernatural power. Other religions only teach/warn you not to indulge in drugs but are powerless to set you free. Jesus welcomes you to listen to him like your doctor and try his redemptive power to set you free!

Dive in now?

Bring Back the Poll Tax! The GOP War on Voting Rights' by Earl Ofari Hutchinson reviewed

Posted: 26-Jul-2021   Reposted: 03-Jun-2022

If one is to go by this book, the political tactics of the Grand Old Party (GOP, or the Republicans) are shameful to say the least. Deeply entrenched in racist politics, though covertly, they deny American Blacks, Hispanics, and minorities the right to vote by employing clever schemes. Although the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) was introduced to address disparity in alleged voting rights issues, GOP found ways to bypass and void it by clever tactics and tricks. In summary, despite the VRA, they keep large numbers of Blacks and minorities out of voting and fashion victories by leveraging the balance (favorable) votes.

Bring Back the Poll Tax! The GOP War on Voting Rights is a rip-off of the GOP’s false mask. It goes deep into the corrupt workings of the Republicans, exposes their ploys and discusses searing counter-attacks to contain them and bring them down to their knees. Presidents Joe Biden and Obama showed how to fight back and prevail in the 2008 and 2012 elections. The same fight needs to be sustained into the future to beat an unrelenting GOP.

Glimpse the review now?

Meet the 'Queens of Violin' on the MUSIC page

Posted: 16-Jul-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

This distinguished duo of Indian, lady musicians (or better, violinists) have taken the world by surprise in recent times!

Meet violin maestros Dr. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini (a.k.a. 'Queens of Violin') and sample their great renditions of some unforgettable western classics.

Proceed to the Music Page now?

Review of Chef Rus-Records' 'The Zurich Conspiracy' posted on the 'BOOKS' page

Posted: 15-Jul-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

Is the Crime, Thriller, Mystery & Horror (C/T/M/H) book genre your cup of tea? If yes, you should check this modern thriller out! Although it sticks to the standard Thriller format, it's a new story and its components are very modern. It has action, murder, high-profile actors like Presidents and heads of state, intelligence agents, computers, hi-tech, wealthy conspirators, wily Chinese operators, etc.—and gripping tension! So if you are looking for a modern thriller, you surely won’t be disappointed!

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Dan Assisi's book 'Our Road to Damascus' wins the 15th NIEA 'Religion and Nonfiction' award!

Posted: 07-Jul-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

'Our Road to Damascus' by Dan Assisi, a book that I reviewed in November, 2020 was recently adjudged winner of the (U.S.) 15th National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) in the 'Religion and Nonfiction' category.

I heartily congratulate the author, Dan Assisi on this occasion and share in the celebration of this well-deserving and uplifting book!

Read the book's review now?

Enjoy this book on Counterfactuals by Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Posted: 30-Jun-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

Counterfactual thinking might come as a big and pleasant surprise to you! I'll tell you why. Counterfactuals are fun, speculative exercises on interesting events in the past. We take some turning-point of history and ask the purely theoretical question, what if the event that, in fact, changed history hadn't happened? What would have been the impact? For example, the invention of the mobile phone revolutionized the world in recent times. Thinking counterfactually, we might ask "What if it hadn't been invented?"

You could think out some interesting alternatives and keep yourself amused! Better still, it's an excellent topic for an absorbing debate if you are with a group of friends. most importantly, please note that you don't need ANY SPECIAL BACKGROUND to enjoy all this fun — basic knowledge and an inquiring mind are all that's required!

'How World War II Changed America,' a book by Earl Ofari Hutchinson that I reviewed, is an interesting analysis sparked by the counterfactual "What if Japan hadn't attacked Pearl Harbor (America) in 1941 (and started WW II)?" Read it to engage in some enjoyable and entertaining speculation about what WW II did to America.

Go to the review now?

Book review of Margaret Stevenson's 'The COVID-19 Pandemic of fear' posted

Posted: 24-Jun-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

I reviewed the book 'The COVID-19 Pandemic of fear' by Margaret Stevenson (that launched today on Reedsy Discovery) some time back. It's a book that systematically exposes the harsh truth behind COVID-19. No, sir! COVID-19 isn't 'accidental and natural,' as it's made out to be! It's a clear betrayal of trust by those in Gov, Medicine, and Hi-tech whom we look up to. A colluding team of ultra-elites worldwide have plotted to become even more rich and powerful than now at the expense of human lives and freedom!!

Read this explosive book that has full details.

View the review now?

Violinists Taryn Harbridge and Taylor Davis added to the 'MUSIC' page

Posted: 23-Jun-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

My latest music finds are violinists Taryn Harbridge and Taylor Davis. Of course, both play only instrumental music, but what they play sounds bewitching! Some of Taylor's songs are so gentle and soothing that I was able to fall asleep hearing them.

Ready for some ecstasy now?

Best cover of "Blowin' in the Wind?" Decide for yourself after hearing Jessica Rhaye's version!

Posted: 08-Jun-2021   Reposted: 02-Jun-2022

This one is a rare find indeed! I've heard countless versions of this Bob Dylan classic—the original by Dylan, and covers by ever so many other artists like Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Brothers Four, The Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, and many more. The Brothers Four version was the best I'd heard till recently. But suddenly, just a couple of days back, this little-known artist swept past all of them with this stunningly beautiful cover and equally brilliant choreography.

Hear Jessica Rhaye and her band sing it, now?Then give them a big 'hats-off!'