Debt To Pay (Jesse Stone series) by Reed Farrel Coleman

Robert B. Parker's Debt to Pay by Reed Farrel Coleman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that this was the best story in the Jesse Stone series. The return of " Mr. Peepers" who is a cold-blooded, sadistic killer seeking revenge on Jesse and Suit brought a level of tension not found in the earlier books. Jesse faces many complications. He has stopped drinking and is struggling to stay sober. He has met a woman who he has fallen in love but is unsure of their future. To complicate matters, he experiences mixed emotions about the pending wedding of his ex-wife, Jenn. The reappearance of the evil Mr. Peepers thrusts Jesse into a deadly chess match trying to match move by move with his protagonist. Jesse tries to protect all those he loves and cares for – – unfortunately the ending leaves him devastated as his best laid plans come short.


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The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston

The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I choose to avoid books about political candidates published in an election year. Most books tend to be written by hacks and are not worth the time to read them. However "The Making of Donald Trump" is written by a respected investigative journalist who has credibility for his integrity. If you are a supporter of Donald Trump who has no interest in hearing bad news about him, you will not like this book. If you do not like Donald Trump, this book will provide additional ammunition for you to dislike him further and work against his opportunity to be President.

I can't say that there were many surprises for me in the book, though I did not know the backgrounds of his father and grandfather or their motivations in life. To coin a phrase, looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Basically Donald Trump is portrayed as a very selfish and vain man focused on making money at any cost. He has very few friends and his poor treatment of people is detailed in the book.

The book is well researched and documented. It is very depressing that this man has gotten this far in business, media and in politics. I think this says more about the deterioration of our culture and judgment then Trump himself.


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Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year: The Beginning of the End, or the End of the Beginning?" by Ian Brown

Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year: The Beginning of the End, or the End of the Beginning? by Ian Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When I read the preview for this book, I thought I would like it. I am slightly older then the author and was curious about his experiences and perspectives given that we are both in our 60s. To be honest, the book was rather depressing to me. I did not need to know that our best days are behind us, women no longer find us attractive and that friends and people we know in our age group die or suffer from illness or other injuries. We also begin to lose our memory and our judgment is not as sharp as it used to be. This book may be an interesting read for those who are in their late 40s and 50s as they will be able to see what their imminent future holds.

I can't say that I learned anything new from reading this book – – maybe that was not the author's intention. It certainly wasn't a book that uplifted my spirits – – that's for sure.


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Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-41

Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-41 by William L. Shirer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read and reread Shirer book three or four times during different periods in my life. While his own personal story as a journalist is very compelling, because of his adventures and experiences in Nazi Germany, even more interesting to me was the reaction of the German people to Hitler. It's hard to believe that a civilized and cultured nation would allow a mediocre man to be the leader of their country and to plunge them into war and self-destruction.

The reader wonders if something like that could happen in the United States. Until this election cycle, I would have said no – – there are more smarter and wiser people than dumb and evil ones in this country. Now I'm not so sure…

I would list this book as one of the most influential ones in my lifetime. It is a long book – – over 600 pages but the story is very compelling and needs to be shared.


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Yuge: 30 Years of Doonesbury on Trump by G.B. Trudeau

Yuge!: 30 Years of Doonesbury on Trump by G. B. Trudeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Doonesbury and G.B. Trudeau since the 1970s when the cartoon was first published. If you want to understand the history, politics, and culture of the past 45 years and you don't want to suffer through college courses or books in history, then skim through Doonesbury's cartoon strips. Yuge is a collection of Doonesbury's strips about Donald Trump from the past 30 years. As a caveat, please note that Trump is no fan of Trudeau's work. Trudeau skewers Trump as a businessman, self-professed icon, playboy, reality star, and now pseudo-politician. I enjoyed the book as it was very entertaining and funny.

Trudeau introduced his book with a defense and a warning..."You can't make this stuff up, so why try? Some people feel that Trump is beyond satire, but we professionals know he is satire, pure and uncut, free for all to use and enjoy, and for that we are not ungrateful. For our country, though we can only weep."

Agreed!


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The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity by Nancy Gibbs

The Presidents Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity by Nancy Gibbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Presidents Club represents membership in a very exclusive club---all you have to do is be President of the United States. Its origin goes back to the Truman Administration where Harry Truman solicited the help of Herbert Hoover to assist with the feeding of the hungry and homeless after World War II. Gibbs also provides additional examples and stories where a current President reached back and asked for guidance or help from one or more of his predecessors. The book covers the relationships between and among the Presidents. It seems the most helpful ex-President may have been Nixon who consulted with Reagan, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. If you are interested in the American Presidency or American History, you will enjoy this book. Excellent read.


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Raw: My 100% Grade A Unfiltered Inside Look at Sports by Colin Cowherd

Raw: My 100% Grade-A, Unfiltered, Inside Look at Sports by Colin Cowherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy Cowherd's sports show on FS 1. He offers perspective, primarily on sports, that I may not have thought about. He also blends in a little history, culture, psychology and politics into his thinking. He's not afraid to name some names – – for example, he said that Bobby Knight treated his ESPN staff the way that he treated some referees. He also has some interesting things to say about other high profile athletes like Aaron Rogers, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Pete Carroll and others that the reader may find interesting. Very enjoyable read. Looking forward to future books by Colin.


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