The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst by Kenneth Whyte Counterpoint (8 December 2009) Amazon What's it about?: Kenneth Whyte's biography of William Randolph Hearst, focusing on the years of his takeover of New York magazine. It attempts to challenge the popular image of Hearst as a ruthless mogul and media tycoon, … Continue reading The Uncrowned King
War Is a Racket
War Is a Racket by Smedley D. Butler Dauphin Publications Inc. (7 May 2018) Amazon What's it about?: The famous speech and short book published in 1935 by United States Marine Corps major general Smedley D. Butler (1881-1940), on why wars are conducted. Butler describes the commercial relationship we call the military-industrial complex. He defines … Continue reading War Is a Racket
Trust Me, I’m Lying
Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday Portfolio (29 July 2012) Amazon What's it about?: Trust Me, I'm Lying is a breakdown of the economics of online media, and a warning about the dangers of fake news and traffic worship. Drawing on author Ryan Holiday's time in marketing, as well … Continue reading Trust Me, I’m Lying
Morning in the Burned House
Morning in the Burned House: Poems by Margaret Atwood Ecco Press (5 September 2023) Amazon What's it about?: A collection of poems by legendary novelist, poet, and literary critic Margaret Atwood. The subject matter and themes have to do with grief, growth, and the loss of innocence, themes that are often found in her works. … Continue reading Morning in the Burned House
Be Like the Fox
Be Like the Fox: Machiavelli's Lifelong Quest for Freedom by Erica Benner Penguin (28 May 2018) Amazon What's it about?: A biography of Florentine statesman, diplomat, historian, and political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli. In this text, Erica Benner sets out to counter some of the common misconceptions of the man as a ruthless amoralist, shedding light … Continue reading Be Like the Fox
American Kingpin
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton Portfolio (2 May 2017) Amazon What's it about?: The story of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who - under the moniker "Dread Pirate Roberts" - operated the online drug bazaar Silk Road, from 2011 until his arrest in 2013. … Continue reading American Kingpin
The Secret War with Germany
The Secret War with Germany: Deception, Espionage, and Dirty Tricks 1939-1945 by William B. Breuer Presidio (1 January 1988) Amazon What's it about?: Soldier, journalist, and military historian William Breuer's account of espionage and counter-espionage between the Allied and Axis powers during World War II. Not war fought on the battlefield, but behind the scenes. … Continue reading The Secret War with Germany
Bodyguard of Lies
Bodyguard of Lies: The Extraordinary True Story Behind D-Day by Anthony Cave Brown Lyons Press (1 November 2007) Amazon What's it about?: A detailed account of the deceptive strategies and tactics of the Allied Forces during World War II. Its name is derived from the (in)famous Winston Churchill wartime quote, "In wartime, truth is so … Continue reading Bodyguard of Lies
To My American Friends
Might delete later, but here goes. If your preferred party or candidate loses an election, that sucks. However, it does happen, and will happen around fifty percent of the time in politics. That's basically what democracy is. If you're Gen Y or Z, and you've got it in your head that the "good guys always … Continue reading To My American Friends
The Years of Lyndon Johnson (4 Volumes)
The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Path to Power, Means of Ascent, Master of the Senate, The Passage of Power by Robert A. Caro Knopf Publishing Group (9 April 2013) Amazon What's it about?: Robert Caro's epic four-volume biography of 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. The Path to Power chronicles the … Continue reading The Years of Lyndon Johnson (4 Volumes)
Lawrence Deveney 