Author: John H Manhold

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AFRICA BITES

AFRICA BITES Scrapes and escapes in the African bush ISBN 9781515015987 Lloyd Camp Consulting Surrey, UK written by Lloyd Camp.

The book opens with a helpful comparison of distances and weights and closes with a similarly helpful epilogue, glossary and About the Author. Between, the story is presented in PART I Safari Scrapes and Part II. Early Escapes. The stories included in the first are a collection of delightful, but often seemingly somewhat foolhardy, encounters between humans and wild animals, beautifully arranged by the author who depends upon his knowledge of these creatures of the wild to satisfy a long-held desire of visiting travelers that they have mentioned or he  empathetically has discerned. All are fascinating and most poignant, but one particularly in this reviewer’s opinion, particularly long will be remembered.

Part I presents a collection of the author’s coming-of-age perilous activities as a young boy growing up in South Africa.

Discussion: An Epilogue and About the Author are quite informative about the status of Safaris and the amazing individuals who presently function in the capacity of guides these days. The difference between today and those of previous times is quite remarkable as no doubt, are the pictures conjured-up by the thoughts provided by the individual giving such a trip passing thought, or perhaps actually considering such a journey.  One feature which may be somewhat annoying to some readers is the amount of descriptive redundancy.

4* but highly recommended for readers who enjoy described features.

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Rise of the Tiger

Rise of the Tiger a modern air combat novel published, copyright and written by Mike Solyom.

The story is set largely in the eastern Malaysian peninsula ending with the city of Singapore as the Caliphate’s assembled mighty army descends to capture and control the city and eventually entire world. Still worse is his anticipated employment of a potent nerve attacking chemical to effect this ultimate control beginning with Singapore. The only true source of defense against the oncoming monster is the presence of semi-modern military aircraft, and these provide an almost non-existent threat once Lt. Col. Alexander Kui of the Royal Malaysian AF is shot down and captured. At this point, the reader is introduced to American Fighter Pilots Lee Chennard and Danny Hilton, who are assigned to a covert CIA unit where pilots who have made blunders against important controlling individuals in Washington. Lee’s offense was by reporting a clandestine act detrimental to the U.S. by a senior advisor to the President. Other new assignees were because of similar activities. Anyway, it’s a manner of chastisement until the lesson had been learned and they could return to active duty. The trouble with the unit was that they had no planes to fly. That is until Lee Chennard went to work. This material gradually is revealed and a fascinatingly conceived plot with numerous turns and twists begins to be delivered and appears to be on its way to providing the initiation of another series of thrillers now directed toward revelation of the many complicated and spectacular events associated with modern air combat.

Discussion: The author, as a twenty plus Air Force Pilot followed by other stints of government programming for flyers, perhaps has set forth a tale which is a little slow beginning, and retains considerable redundancy and repetition, but appears again to have provided the basis for another fascinatingly enjoyable series.

4* But highly recommended.

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Weird True Stories From World War 1&2

Weird True Stories From World War 1&2 copyright by Sea Vision Publishing, LLC written by Kimberly Miller, History Compacted.

The author has combined with the interestingly presented and seemingly lesser known History Compacted Series to provide significant facts with respect to WW I and II, their development and the interrelating features causing the two. Further described is the truly world-wide envelopment that developed with reasons for this expansion. It also describes in detail the German Reich’s development of the concentration camps and removes any of the questions relatively recently raised about the Holocaust and the atrocities committed. There may be some question about the author’s selection of what are “’Weird’ true stories”, as well as a certain amount of unneeded redundancy in presentation of the Question and Answer chapters following those preceding, but generally considered, this book is well-written and should be a boon to any reader who should like to know answers to the many questions and reasons for the tremendous impact these wars have had on subsequent generations of so many countries. Highly recommended.

5* essential socio-economic world impact knowledge.

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Ruby Roy and Murder in the Falls

    Ruby Roy and Murder in the Falls, ISBM: 9798985878219 copyright and written by Rima Ray.

This book initiates a series by the author that follows the activities of the unusually mixed heritage protagonist as she discovers the murdered body of the dean of the Business College at which she has reached close-to-tenured status. The student body appears to be from many parts of the world, as are much of the faculty at the young school with a number of original faculty in responsible positions at the school situated in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Ruby, as discoverer of the murdered man, becomes involved with the police and eventually proves to be a very tenacious sleuth.

Discussion/conclusion: generally considered, the author has set forth a most intriguing murder mystery with a surprisingly difficult to discern murderer. The story is much delayed in beginning and becomes ‘bogged-down’ in several places in her story because of indulging in her flights of fantasy and need to present many of the episodes in detail. Granted, these are the activities of the well-developed presentation of such a ‘scatter-brained’ individual and do provide much of the humorous content the author has stated she wished to present. They also more thoroughly define the character, as portrayed. Thus, any fault suggested well may be attributed to this reviewer’s dislike of being provided with often lengthy interruptions in the plot’s flow, and the author appears to successfully have accomplished her mission.

4* 5-1* for as suggested ‘over-presentation’ of details of imaginative occurrences

 

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The END of an ERA

This is NOT a review, but rather an Addendum that has been added to the recently published book – The END of an ERA

     Note! So much has occurred within the relatively few months since delivery of The END of an ERA to the publisher (Nov. 2021 to now Feb. 2022) with respect to the direction the U. S. appears to be heading. The long associated attendant politics to decide who is to direct the country’s direction has always been regrettable, but particularly if rising to a position of dominance. Today, those dwelling in the U.S. constantly are assailed not only by the obvious differences exhibited within the party handling the direction the country is heading but also by chaotically diverse ideas on what to do to correct concerns exhibited by the entire population of the country with respect to a number of subjects – civic matters, policing within cities, inflation and shortage of gas, food and other supplies, the lack of enforcement of existing immigration rules along with associated policing problems, voting rights, education, and even a large amount of distrust of the country’s legal system and its practitioners all of the way up to and including the Supreme Court. Health experts including those of the CDC and World Health Organization seem to fare no better. Worst of all perhaps, is that much of the unrest and actual fear seem to be generated and even exacerbated by the open discord so prominently displayed by members of the political party in charge of the direction the country now is headed.

The way of life that has been forged within the United States of America is too valuable to allow to disappear.  BUT, to regenerate its health, it may well be necessary to reexamine and even reinstall much of the thought and activity patterns that brought the country to the pinnacle of success it had reached. And yes, the thought of any regression to these “ancient” patterns of the beginning of the last century certainly are an anathema to the more recently arrived generations and their newly invented utensils that already they have ‘set in stone’ as the way to proceed. And yes, the ‘old’ mores are antiquated and require modifications, but certainly should not be rigidly denied a consideration when attempting to find a solution.

Why not at least reexamine some of the ideas set forth and utilized by the dwellers of the early part of the last century?  A brief “Addendum” to this book “End of an ERA is offered here to suggest a few features that in the first third of the preceding century appeared to be very effective to produce a most satisfying result for the ‘good of the country as well as for the individual’.

The book’s Introduction sets forth several examples of activities that are heralded as some of the problems “for which no one seems to be able to find an answer”.  Could simply adopting the mannerisms (manners?) of members of those who dwelled in the earlier days of the last era do wonders at correcting many? Let us look briefly at just one, the irritatingly dismissive attitude of large store workers purportedly hired specifically to be helpful to the shopper, or the AI chip incorporated to aid the telephone caller. What has happened to empathy? Are there any true professionals in today’s workforce? A true Professional is anyone professing an ability to perform a specific function in a particularly adept manner for compensation. Many claim this title but perhaps could use another observation.  Would not he/she gain immensely if exhibiting a better work ethic that will demonstrate an ability to perform at his/her top level in a disliked position until able to reach the level/type of work wished to be performed? If the situation includes dealing with people, courteously listening with empathy and understanding, if necessary, and not only listening but hearing what is being said. Actually it may go far in gaining the time and importance of the bottom line that has become the Holy Grail of the business world.

Readers should give serious thought to the existent possibilities because simple changes could provide answers to todays searched for questions and aid in restoring the States as “One great Nation under God with Liberty and Justice for All” as it was known in the first third and somewhat beyond, of the last century and envied by the world.

(Book submitted to publisher, and published in July 2021.  Addendum written February 2022 and recently published. John H. Manhold.)

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A Death at the Potawatomi Club

A Death at the Potawatomi Club published by Durance, copyright and written by Stephen Timbers.

The author has written a suspense mystery that deals with the complicated subject of investment and banking houses and their inner interactivities including suggested selective locations in the Cayman Islands. The story centers on Charlie Bailey, who has ‘grown-up’ as part of the prestigious ‘upper crust’ of Chicago. Now owner and CEO of one of the most prestigious of these investment organizations, he has a large group of friends and acquaintances, and a new possible replacement for his beloved wife who died a couple of years previously in an auto accident. Also included are the police and a number of criminals, the latter both hired and business associates.

Discussion: The story is well-paced with significant periods of action as well as provision of fascinating material on the interactivity within the various trading houses and banks by their lawyers and other employees as well as independent brokers and traders. Added and interwoven is a running description of the detailed activity of the police, and their helpful relationship with the FBI, SEC and associated institutions when there are business irregularities, as well obviously,  as when a murder is to be investigated. Unfortunately, there were a number of proofing errors that were slightly annoying and the ultimate culprit was not particularly difficult to discern but generally speaking, the author has provided a most interesting, as well as highly entertaining, book.

4*  5*-1 as described in the discussion.

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Airplane Stiories and Histories

Airplane Stories and Histories ISBN 9781524588274, Xlibris. Copyright and written by Norman Currey.
Book Contents/Discussion: The author has set forth an unexpectedly interestingly readable history of airplanes and their development from the very inception. Additionally, he has supplied profoundly interesting history and anecdotes with respect to little known, as well as prominent, individuals associated with their development and with numerous individuals who piloted them. It is written by an original resident of Great Britain who participated in making much of this change come about and placed him in a position to move to other parts of the world to do so. This reviewer is of one of the generations who witnessed much of this transition, but actually had not acquired the deep interest exhibited by others of the era. Rather, his peripherally gained respect for the development was acquired by lengthy participation as a frequent passenger. Thus, witnessing the title, generated enough interest to purchase and surprise when the tale began to unfold blossoming to a fascination as gradual progression in reading the contents revealed the answers to the many questions that had developed through the years.
Summary: This is a book that I believe thoroughly will be enjoyed. It does not matter whether you are a passenger, or see a notice about a plane on which you might soon be a passenger, interested in the occasional media announcement with respect to new types of aircraft in today’s headline developing warfare, or perhaps the even less frequent story about former flyers who may or may not still be with us, all are stimulating to read. Currey has provided

5* Well researched and recommended reading.

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Our Journey

 

     OUR JOURNEY The life and Times of You and Me as seen Through THE EYES of ME TO YOU ISBN: 9781647396081 assumed published, copyright and written by G. Eric Miles.

This lengthy title serves to present a description of an unusual collection of poems introduced, supported by and interspersed with sections of prose. It is written by a man who began writing poems because it was an enjoyable experience and only now has been turned into something others also can read. It opens with a listing of the contents that include individual sections thereof that speak with regard to his thought patterns at various periods in his life. Included are; “A Proper Introduction.” A Second Section: And Away (Back) we go! Section Three; Four: Know Thyself; Five: The Freedom Trail; Six: Appearances; Seven: Wee The People and Eight: Crazy Talk. Basically, the theme is that the world has changed little, if at all. Those within it have been distracted by the immense influx of technology but have accomplished little in the way of actually providing the much-discussed equality and ridding the world of the long-existent inequities.

Discussion: The author is a man born in the late 1950’s in Washington, D.C. into a family that respected education and the ‘proper use of words’ as he personally experienced the chaotic subsequent years. His inter-positioning of easily read poetry with his equally well-written prose and introspective ability makes his message a most interesting unit to read. Further, his discussion on the emergence of technology and what it has done for the population is indisputable. Thus, it provides a most prominent and pertinent question for each and every reader – what personally are you willing to do about the advantages and disadvantages offered? The author, a man who quite obviously loved composition and literature throughout his schooling and life and was a model of introspective axtivity simply suggests: “May you find clarity, insight, and self-awareness from your venture down the road you travel with my life experience and poetry. Happy trails.”

5* for reasons described

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Teddy Lancaster and the Eye of Naroshi

 Teddy Lancaster and the Eye of Naroshi ISBN: 9798985573503 assumed published, copyright and written by Johnny Rapp.

Teddy Lancaster, is a young somewhat withdrawn boy progressing through the usual coming-of-age experiences. He lives with his mother, a healthcare worker employed at a near-by facility having just lost Teddy’s father whom they both miss greatly. Teddy also is a dreamer whose nightly series takes him on trips where he visits and actually lives in a waking state (during the time he is supposed to be sleeping) inside the kingdom of Egaria which is magically enchanted with an ancient protection spell. He also becomes enrolled as a student in Zarmore, the local school where he will be taught how to make his own world a better place along with various magical activities. During one of these dream sessions he befriends one of a colony of Goblins that includes farmers and this state of coexistence has been in effect for thousands of years. Teddy, under pressure of capture by the Goblins whom he believes he had insulted, steals one particular farmer’s greatest possession, a horse – Naroshi – to escape.  (This Goblin-Farmer group lives in a border city next to where Teddy lives when at home. It is a place that is half dream world and half real world. It is called Slaybethor.)

Actually he wasn’t in danger, but the ‘friend’ was having fun with him after he found him too near the area’s Castle. However, the old man does not take the theft lightly and has a magic staff with which he can blow things apart and when Teddy stole his horse, he went on a rampage looking for it and wrecked large portions of the surrounding village. From this beginning activity, the story continues, expanding as it proceeds.

Discussion: The author has set forth an interestingly plotted fantasy with its usual collection of goblins and animals cleverly assuming human roles. All are well characterized allowing an interest and even empathy to develop, and although fundamentally a story directed to the tean and pre-teen reader, no doubt well written enough to have appeal for the fantasy reader, similarly to others of note, at more advanced ages.

5* Teen/pre-teen; also probably advanced level fantasy devotees

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ARTWORDS

ARTWORDS ISBN: 9781643145198 AuthorsPress, copyright and written by Beatriz M. Robles.

The author’s opening words of dedication well-describe the intent of her book “As my father, Rene Robles, has always said when describing the meaning of his art Assertionism, “Art that has power—asserts, transforms, and transcends,” Under his influence in art, and my mother, Emilia Robles’ poetic influence in writing, we have Artwords, “Writing that asserts, transforms, and transcends to become art.””

Discussion/conclusion: I was impressed by the reviews of other of this author’s books and was looking forward to reading it. To be totally frank, I spent a considerable amount of time attempting to figure out what I was reading. And yes, it is that different. Once you begin to understand, it is possible to attain some feeling for the reviews others have written for her other books from the structure of the material she has supplied and her photographs, and certainly she, as well as both her mother and father, are held in high regard by a seemingly large number of inhabitants of the Philippines from reviews offered by the media there. Additionally, the author is well-know and highly respected, especially in Asia and Europe as a classical musician, as well as recognized artist with a number of exhibitions as well as an author of a number of well-received books. So to return to Artwords, from the material offered and total contents, it is possible for a reader to ‘feel’ or ‘sense’ what the author is attempting to provide – a use of words that provide an image and is a most interesting concept. Granted, a complete evaluation regrettably and apologetically could not be provided by this viewer, because some of the material provided a dark shading of sections, notations, and the letters themselves were unable to be raised to a size font sufficient to be completely comprehended. However, a ‘sense’ of her intent easily was discernable. So, to conclude: the author successfully has accomplished her purpose. But again apologetically for a caveat – although a fascinating, well-formulated and presented concept, this book is not particularly one for the more pragmatically inclined reader.

3* 5* concept; – 2*(?) readers’ choice – see discussion/conclusion.