Lights Out: A Review

When one thinks of terrorism, one probably thinks of angry Muslim men bombing or shooting up crowded areas and high-profile targets in an effort to inflict as many infidel casualties as possible. However, while that threat is certainly very real and extremely effective, there is a much more sinister, but equally plausible menace: our nations's electrical grid and computer system. True, an attack on our nation's power infrastructure may not bring a large body count the way that "traditional" terrorism does with bombs and guns, but the true goal of any terror act is to bring panic and fear. In his book, Lights Out, investigative journalist Ted Koppel brings to us a doomsday scenario, the one in which both non-state actors such as ISIS or Al-Qaeda as well as hostile state actors such as China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia armed with advanced knowledge of cybersystems launch highly skilled hacking attacks on America's power grid. If successful, it would bring a black out that would last months or even years. Food supplies would run out, and as a result, there would be mass looting and unrest with innocent people being injured or killed. There are several ways to do this, with the most menacing being an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) attack in which a brief but extremely powerful burst from a satellite would render anything with a circuit board permanently useless. In his book, Ted Koppel describes how unprepared America is from such an attack, and how heavy government regulation of the power grid gets in the way of preventive solutions from being implemented.

Lights Out is a very informative book. The author writes in an accessible and engaging manner. Koppel hopes that his book will spur government leaders into taking the threat seriously and ultimately securing our power grid from hackers as well as putting preventive measures in place against EMP attacks.

Disclaimer; I received a free copy of the book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Performing Under Pressure

We all face pressure in our daily lives. Whether we're at a job or at home, pressure gets in the way of working efficiently and thinking rationally. Thankfully, a new book by a world-renowned psychologist and a business coach entitled Performing Under Pressure deals with this problem. In their book, the authors go into detail on what pressure is and ways to deal with it. They provide case studies that illustrate their examples to better reinforce the concepts. They write in a simple layperson-friendly language which is another plus of this book.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anybody from high school students to experienced employees and managers of multinational corporations. 

Disclaimer: I received this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Near Enemy

Near Enemy is the second installment in the Spademan series written by Adam Sternbergh. In Sternbergh latest book, the main character Spademan, a contract killer is sent to kill a virtual reality avatar. While on his quest, Spademan gets into all sorts of trouble and mishaps.

Although the plot was rather interesting and suspenseful, and characters had quite good development, Sternbergh's writing style of short sentence fragments and dialogue without quotations is a definite turn-off. While some people may find this style acceptable, I don't think this novel will resonate with the wider public. Therefore, I don't recommend this book to the general reader.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Tsar of Love and Techno

The Tsar of Love and Techno is a wonderful collection of short stories by Anthony Marra about daily life in the Soviet Union and Russia. The book begins in Leningrad in 1937, an extremely dark and violent time in modern Russian history, when Joseph Stalin brutally executed or exiled most of the government elite and Soviet citizens. The first short story sets the stage for later stories in Marra's book, as the characters are interconnected in their own peculiar ways. 

I felt a deep connection to the book, because I was born in Russia, and know its rich history. I felt that Marra researched the topic well before writing The Tsar of Love and Techno. Marra has an uncanny ability to engage the reader and make him/her think. In addition, the author's use of literary devices is phenomenal, which makes this book really shine. I really recommend Marra's book for anybody who's interested in Russia's history and wants a glimpse at an ordinary Russian's daily life. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Arab and Jew

Arab and Jew by David Shipler is an account of a long and violent Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his book, Shipler says that he's neither Arab nor Jewish which means he offers an objective view. He goes into great detail describing the prejudices on both sides: how the Arabs view Jews and how Jews view Arabs. Each page is filled with personal anecdotes that details his experiences of listening to both sides.
Arab and Jew was first published in 1987, but this edition has been revised to bring the reader up to speed with the developments that happened since the publication of the first edition. Now, Shipler's book is more relevant than ever before.

Disclaimer: I received this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Amen Does It Again!

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life was first published in 1998 and has remained among the top bestsellers. Fast forward 17 years, later, and Daniel G. Amen, MD thoroughly revised his book taking into account new research on the topics of neuroscience and psychology. In addition, unlike in the first edition, Amen shies away from psychiatric medications, which can have a number of bad side effects, choosing instead to "first do no harm and use the least toxic, most effective treatments." Indeed, as the current research shows, people "choose more natural ways to heal and support the brain, such as supplements and lifestyle interventions." The mere fact that the book focuses on natural ways to change your brain is a big step forward from the first edition.

The author does a great job explaining difficult to grasp neuroscience and psychology concepts in plain language easy enough for a layperson to understand. In addition to his explanation, Amen provides countless anecdotes from his practice as a physician to further connect with the reader and make the book fun and interesting to read. Finally, he provides the reader with an action plan to change their brain and their life.

Overall, I found this book to be an extremely interesting read. It's an invaluable resource to anybody looking to improve themselves and those around them.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Without You There Is No Us

Without You There Is No Us is a memoir by South Korean author Suki Kim that details her job as a Christian missionary teaching English to the sons of North Korean government bigwigs. The account she gives is worthy of praise. Her writing is explosive yet concise.

Suki Kim's memoir definitely connects with the reader. At around 300 pages, the book makes for easy reading, and there's even a reader's guide in the end with questions for discussion in a class or a book club.

The Other Son

The Other Son is the second book in an exciting crime trilogy by Alexander Soderberg. The first book, The Andalucian Friend introduced us to the main character.Sophie Brinkmann, who is a nurse in a Stockholm hospital. Hector Guzman, a Spanish criminal kingpin falls in love with Sophie while recovering from a hit by a rival crime syndicate,

The Other Son takes place after the events of the first novel. The characters are pretty much the same. Sophie is already part of the Guzman crime family. She is now heavily involved in its business dealings. This is a great novel that has all the elements of a great suspense read, such as loyalty and betrayal. Also, while action packed, the story still has great character development. We see the relationship between Sophie and her son as well as Hector Guzman.

I strongly recommend you read the first novel, The Andalucian Friend as it is difficult to grasp the full picture if you just read The Other Son. All in all, it's a great read and I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Black Earth: A Review

Timothy Snyder gives a fresh account of the Holocaust through the prism of Hitler's worldview. He starts out in the introduction explaining Hitler's reasoning for the extermination of Jews and subsequently creating what he called Lebensraum or "living space" for the Aryan race. Hitler's sick and twisted worldview hinged on science and politics, or rather them being combined into one whole. Hitler viewed science through the prism of politics, and viewed politics through the prism of science. It was precisely this combination of science and politics that fueled Hitler's genocidal quest to dominate the world. According to Snyder, when there is no distinction between science and politics, the state institutions become irrelevant, taking away order, and paving the way for monsters like Hitler to come to power and advance their sick agenda.

Through the prism of Snyder's thesis we can see the motivations of key players during that period. The author masterfully weaves the perspectives of different countries' leaders whether Allied or Axis, and their policies toward Jews. He then explains the reasoning behind their motivations for either collaboration or resistance. Towards the end of the book, Snyder argues that we must not take the lessons of the Holocaust lightly. While we might not see a second Holocaust, the fact that science is dependent on politics is a recipe for disaster whether it is climate change or overpopulation.

Although this book is not dry with historical facts, reading it is hard. It really makes you think about Snyder's point. 

Masterful Account of Brave American in the French Resistance

Alex Kershaw's new book Avenue of Spies tells a little known story about an American named Sumner Jackson who was in Paris when the Nazi army occupied France. To make things even worse, he, his wife, and son lived next door to the Gestapo headquarters. Nevertheless, when Americans were evacuated, he chose to stay in France and help the resistance fight the Nazis as well as save Jews from their ultimate demise.

As it can be inferred from the title, Kershaw's book is a story of espionage. Granted, it has classic elements of a good spy novel, namely loyalty, trust, and betrayal. We see a man devoted to the free world who absolutely would not stand for what Hitler and the Nazis stood for, and who would actually do something about it instead of being an armchair warrior. Sumner Jackson is a true hero worthy of praise.

Avenue of Spies is not a particularly lengthy book. At 230 pages of text, Kershaw definitely gets the job done without boring the reader with unnecessary details.

Patriot by Ted Bell

Ted Bell has written yet another thriller masterpiece, this time more closely resembling current events. In Patriot, we follow the story's protagonist, a MI6 agent Alex Hawke as he investigates the deaths of CIA agents in different parts of the world. Being a smart operative, he links these deaths to a rogue CIA operative who fell out with the Agency and is now on a path of blood. Not only that, but Putin's Russia has set its sights on world domination.

Ted Bell is a master storyteller. Reading this book, I could not help but imagine myself being a part of the story. I could feel the bullets whizzing by, I could feel the wind in my hair during chase scenes, and I could sense the villain's knife slicing into my flesh. Bell's Patriot is what you would expect from a spy thriller novel with loyalty, betrayal, and love all being key elements of the book. I don't think I can compare Alex Hawke to any one hero from other novels, indeed, Patriot has elements of James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan, Bob Swagger, and Gabriel Allon combined to form one superspy that we see in Alex Hawke.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

End of Discussion

End of Discussion is a timely book written by conservative bloggers Mary Katharine Ham and Guy Benson. It describes how America has become less free due to the policies of the left. There is a common misconception that conservatives are most commonly found among older people, but as Ham and Benson demonstrate, conservative ideals can appeal to the younger population.

Ham and Benson do a brilliant job of describing how the liberal policies have undermined American freedoms and ideals. For example, we cannot make a certain comment without the left coming at us full force because it deems that comment offensive. Indeed, in the age of social media, speaking the truth can get your life ruined because of the ridiculous non-sequitur beliefs and convictions held by liberals.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Ham and Benson tell the story with bits of humor, while not losing the seriousness of the topic. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is tired of the left's manipulation of American freedoms to suit their agenda, and who truly believes in the America like our Founding Fathers had envisioned.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Objectively Researched

Objective Troy by Scott Shane is the story of the philosophy and morality of current war on terror told through the prism of Anwar al-Awlaki. The author chose al-Awlaki as his subject because to the terrorists, he was extremely influential. He had an uncanny ability to connect through social media with the modern Muslim youth who found the twisted idea of jihad appealing. This is not only a biography of al-Awlaki (who was killed by an American drone strike), but a story of morality and war ethics as well. Should the US conduct a targeted strike against its own citizen, even though he betrayed all what America stands for and joined the dark side?

Shane leaves no stone unturned. The book is meticulously researched, yet very straightforward and easy to read. I highly recommend it for anybody who is interested in war ethics and how they apply to the war on terror.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Quantum Biology in Plain English

Life on the Edge is a book about quantum biology. Quantum biology is a relatively new field that uses quantum physics and mechanics to explain biological processes. The authors of the book are established researchers at a world-renowned university (University of Surrey), so they are extremely qualified in writing the book.

Each chapter of the book opens with a specific biological puzzle, such as migration and the copying of genes. The authors then explain difficult-to-grasp mechanisms that govern these processes in a language that is understandable to the layperson. They then explain how quantum mechanics play a role in each of these processes.

Life on the Edge is an excellent book for anybody who is curious about how the world works, who asked questions such as "how do the birds know where to go for the winter?" or "how our mind works?" The book answers those questions plus many more. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The Best Job Search Manual

What Color Is You Parachute? by Richard Bolles is by far the best job-search guide for those entering the workforce for the first time as well as experienced employees who are thinking about changing jobs. It is written in clear and detailed language and thus very easy to understand. At more than 300 pages, the book deals with anything from how to effectively search for jobs to salary negotiations and career changes. It is filled with helpful tips as well as exercises that can be helpful in securing your dream job.

What I found about this book is that it can, and is intended to be, read in any order. For example, if your interviewing skills are lacking, you can read the chapter on interview tips. Likewise, if you need tips on how to write a resume that will get on the hiring manager's desk, you can read the corresponding chapter. If you are a looking for your dream job, this book is definitely for you.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A Review of Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Injustice

Our criminal justice system is imperfect. Oftentimes, we put blame on the actors of the system such as police officers, prosecutors, judges, etc. However, very often this is not the case. The new book by Adam Benforado sheds light on this problem. Benforado rightfully argues that humans are very judgmental. For example, we tend to cross the street when they see a person of African-American descent walking towards them because we associate this race with higher crime rates. 

This book is not about the criminal justice system itself, per se, but about the psychology of it. 

There are three parts to the book, each dedicated to a specific process in the criminal justice system from investigation to punishment and reform. Moreover, each chapter in those parts to a particular player of the criminal justice system, starting from the victim and ending with the prisoner. Most chapters start with an account of a specific case study, where the author provides the reader with all the details. Later on, he delves into deep analysis using neuroscience and psychology. Lastly, the final chapter is where the author makes conclusions and offers ways to reform our criminal justice system.

Overall, I found the author's writing to be rather clear and concise. Benforado does a great job weaving together the stories and the science. Hopefully, this book will give us new perspectives in reforming our criminal justice system. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A Spy Among Friends

A Spy Among Friends written by Ben Macintyre tells the story of one of Britain's most famous spies, Kim Philby, who sold intelligence secrets to the Soviet Union and was ultimately granted asylum there and buried with full honor. In Macintyre's book, Philby is presented through the prism of his friends and acquaintances, such as Nicholas Elliott who worked together with Philby in the MI6. Therefore, Macintyre not only presents Philby's biography but that of his friends as well, each of whom were very loyal to him and stood by him until the very end.

I found the book to be very thoughtful and engaging. Macintyre does a great job of covering almost every aspect of Philby and his circle of friends' lives. He is very methodical in telling his story from all angles and leaves no stone unturned. While this book is entertaining, the storyline really makes you think. I really recommend this book if you like reading spy novels.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

A Review of Legend by Eric Blehm

Eric Blehm tells a story of Roy Benavidez, a Special Forces staff sergeant who risked his life to rescue a squad of his Fellow Special Forces troops who were stranded in Cambodia and suppressed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Roy Benavidez was a true American hero who refused to abandon his fellow soldiers.

At first, I thought that it was just another book about the Vietnam War, but when I started reading it, I couldn't stop. Blehm's writing style resembles a novel, and I instantly found a connection to the book. The way that Blehm tells the story, you could almost sense the battle. I felt the bullets whizzing by, and grenades hurtling through the air as the main subject of the book, Roy Benavidez held up his section of the jungle. As bayonets tore into Benavidez's body, I found myself wincing in pain. The story is just that good.

I recommend this book to anybody interested in military history. America should never forget its heroes. They have served and continue to serve valiantly and with great honor so that future generations can appreciate the values that America stands for.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames. A Review

The Good Spy is a tragic account of a CIA operative named Robert Ames. The author of the book, Kai Bird was Ames' childhood neighbor, so he provides a brutally honest account of his life and work. Like most biography books, it starts out with an outlook on Ames' childhood life with the chapter called The Making of a Spy. In this chapter, Bird tells what made Ames become a CIA case officer. Later on, he gives an account of Ames' spy work in the Middle East as the chief of the Near East and South Asia Division of the Directorate of Intelligence. He was truly a great spy who knew the ins and outs of all the nuances in espionage and built common ground between the CIA, Mossad, and various Middle Eastern intelligence agencies. Tragically, however, Ames' life was cut short on April 18, 1983 when Islamic terrorists bombed the American embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. There is an entire chapter devoted to this terrorist attack where the author follows Ames minute by minute. Finally, he provides an account of the aftermath of the event, and in the epilogue, we see what happened to Ames' wife and six children and how they coped with their loss.

As someone who likes spy novels, I found The Good Spy a very informative and enjoyable read. Bird's writing style was very clear and easy to follow along. As for the rating, I would give this book a 9.5/10.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Review of Making the Case: How to Negotiate Like a Prosecutor in Work and Life by Kimberly Guilfoyle

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693263-making-the-case" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Making the Case: How to Negotiate Like a Prosecutor in Work and Life" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416177000m/22693263.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693263-making-the-case">Making the Case: How to Negotiate Like a Prosecutor in Work and Life</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6086950.Kimberly_Guilfoyle">Kimberly Guilfoyle</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1311688806">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.<br>Kimberly Guilfoyle is a prosecutor and host of various Fox News show. In her book, she uses her negotiation skills honed as a prosecutor to describe how to make a case and ultimately maximize the benefits out of life. Her book is an invaluable resource to anybody who wants to live life to the fullest.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/15086762-michael-shulman">View all my reviews</a>

Confederate Flag Controversy

So the South Carolina State Senate signed a bill to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol. This is setting a dangerous precedent. From its founding, America has been the bastion of freedom and democracy. The Founding Fathers valued individual freedoms, the kind of freedoms that you just couldn't get in Britain, France, Russia, etc.  To truly enjoy these freedoms you needed a strong faith in God. As we were all taught in school, one of the main reasons America wanted independence from Britain is because Britain has been very oppressive. Americans were taxed like crazy by the Crown and after a while they got tired and said it was time for change. The rest is history. Fast forward 239 years later, and our inalienable rights are being infringed upon by the state. Removing the Confederate flag is rewriting history. To many, the flag symbolizes its true meaning which is Southern pride, not slavery, hate, and racism. When the flag was originally commissioned which was not the Confederate flag, but rather the battle flag of the Northern Virginia army, it served as a symbol of patriotism and belonging. Only later did groups such as the KKK hijacked and co-opted the flag for their own nefarious purposes. 

Yes what Dylann Roof did on that day was completely reprehensible and there is no justification for this heinous and cowardly act of racial violence. However, I also believe the government shouldn't tell us what to do and what not to do; we should decide for ourselves. In my opinion, the whole controversy over the flag is a knee-jerk reaction to an act of violence, just like gun control was a knee-jerk reaction after the Sandy Hook massacre. Today we take down the Confederate flag, tomorrow we'll take down the American flag for the sole reason that certain groups deem it offensive.