Defying odds is a common thread in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. From a description of the lengths to which leftists, federal and state governments and legacy media took to scuttle Donald Trump’s chances of being reelected as president to how an ailing composer with a declining audience wrote what many consider the most enduring orchestral-choral piece of the last three centuries, this week’s offerings tell of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. There is also the selection offering instructions on using one’s inner Green Beret warrior to meet any challenge, and another on the what the author says is an assault on America’s foundational principles launched by the government. The fiction choice is set in Liverpool, England.
“GREY HOOD,” by James Davidson (The Book Folks)
This latest installment of the Detectives Kush and Rose crime series opens with a wealthy amnesiac property manager wandering out of a tunnel holding a lady’s shoe. His wife is missing. The case, assigned to Detective Beth Kush, appears to be open-and-shut, until a crime boss is found dead, clutching an identical lady’s shoe. That case is assigned to Kush’s estranged half-sister, Detective Eleanor Rose. The cases are clearly related and may force the two to work together to solve their cases. “This is another excellent title in this series,” wrote Emily Gaynor for Amazon. “The world James Davidson constructs is fantastically dark, filled with grimy backstreets and claustrophobic underground spaces. The characters, too, are expertly rendered. It's all woven together with a brilliant storyline all told through bewitching prose. I was transfixed throughout and what an ending!” [Fiction]
“Disappearing the President: Trump, Truth Social, and the Fight for the Republic,” by Lee Smith (Encounter Books)
While the left preaches ad nauseam about preserving “democracy,” it was determined not to allow democracy to elect Donald Trump as president a second time — fair or foul.
“Disappearing the President” describes how Big Tech, U.S. intelligence services, and a shadow network of powerful partisan activists relentlessly worked for years to erase the 45th president from the political landscape. They were successful in 2020; not so last year. “Smith draws upon interviews with politicians, journalists, scientists, an FBI leaker, and a family member of a Jan. 6 protester driven to suicide, as well as previous works of investigative journalism,” wrote Katya Sedgwick for Legal Insurrection. “He explains how, before leaving the office in 2017, (then-President Barack) Obama made sure to weaponize intelligence agencies against Trump. Having got away with Russiagate — election interference by intelligence services — Obama operatives realized they were above the law.” [Nonfiction]
“Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah,” by Charles King (Doubleday)
This New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice is bestselling historian Charles King’s description of the era and the locale that contributed to the greatest, most joyous piece of participatory art ever created: George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” After beginning his career as a composer in his native Germany, Handel settled in London in 1712, the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment. Thirty years later when he composed “Messiah,” he was in poor health and his popularity was waning. This became his greatest and most enduring work. “For lovers of 18th century history and music, this is a must read. But be warned that it's not ‘just’ about the creation of Handel's Messiah – it's a wide-ranging look at the age, and it's amazing how so many famous 18th century characters find their connection to Handel and his work,” wote Christina Dudley in her Goodreads review. “At times moving, always fascinating. You'll want to read with the Messiah playing in the background.” [Nonfiction]
“Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret,” by [former] Congressman Mike Waltz (St. Martin's Press)
Former Florida Republican Rep. and current National Security Advisor Mike Waltz didn’t begin his career in the political arena. He started out as an officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces — a.k.a. the Green Berets. And it was as a Green Beret, with tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa, that he learned how to meet any challenge and come out ahead. “Excellent! This book gives great insight into the in depth training of Green Berets and how they operate differently than other special forces,” wrote Laura Wiegand for Goodreads. “We need more leaders — and people in general — who think and lead like Green Berets. Thank you, Mike Waltz, for such an informative and well-written book. And thank you for your service! We need more people in Congress who think and lead like you do! God bless you!” [Nonfiction]
“Unprecedented Assault: How Big Government Unleashed America’s Socialist Left,” by J.T. Young (RealClear Publishing)
On the list of National Review's “Books of 2024,” J.T. Young describes in “Unprecedented Assault” how the federal government has been chipping away at America’s freedoms and foundational principles for decades — a process that went into overdrive during the Biden-Harris administration. A government of, by, and for the people was becoming a government of, by, and for the government. This was made possible by a huge, unwieldy federal administrative state. “The book analyzes the reasons why socialism has a uniquely difficult time competing in the political marketplace in the United States,” said a Kindle customer for Amazon. “The analysis of post-WWII developments in the Socialist Left was particularly enlightening and relevant in the context of the current political climate, including the recent presidential election and its aftermath.” [Nonfiction]