Heroism and betrayal are two concepts explored in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. Two reminder the reader that America’s founding and growth was only made possible because of heroes and visionaries. The other nonfiction selections tell the stories of military heroes who were later betrayed by the very people they took an oath to protect. And for fiction, there is the latest mystery in a series by a New York Times bestselling author.
“Think Twice,” by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing)
This is the 12th in Harlan Corben’s thrillers centered on sports agent Myron Bolitar. In this one, a famous basketball coach and former Bolitar business associate, who was presumed dead, is now wanted for a double homicide. As Myron attempts to ferret out the truth, his own world becomes more dangerous. “This book was an intense page turner, and I stayed up all night to finish it,” wrote Mandy White for GoodReads. “Oh my goodness, the ending!! When you read it, please message me as I need to talk about it to somebody!! It was emotional, it was funny. The banter between Myron and Win is still there, still sharp as ever.” [Fiction]
“Domestic Enemies: The Founding Fathers' Fight Against the Left,” by Daniel Greenfield (Bombardier Books)
American leftists are nothing new — they’ve existed from the start of our country, calling for the rejection of the U.S. Constitution, collaborating with our enemies, and even calling for the arrest and execution of George Washington. Once that is understood, it becomes clear that the left’s attempt to divide by race, wealth and income, its promotion of socialism, and its call to give up national sovereignty in favor of globalism is nothing new, according to the author. “(Daniel) Greenfield offers an upbeat conclusion: The Left eventually overreaches, and its plans fall apart. Let’s hope we are seeing some of that falling apart nowadays,” wrote Leslie Eastman in her review for Legal Insurrection. “Greenfield, who is a Shillman Journalism Fellow, is clearly passionate about history and liberty, and that comes across every page in this wonderful book. I give the book 5 stars out of 5, for the brilliant writing, detailed information, and skill at how conveying how the past seems to be repeating itself in the present.” [Nonfiction]
“A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America,” by Major Fred Galvin USMC (Ret.), with Sal Manna (Post Hill Press)
Described by the publisher as a “cross between ‘A Few Good Men’ and ‘American Sniper,’’ this is the true story of an elite Marine special operations unit that was ambushed in Afghanistan and then unjustly charged with war crimes. The Marines were accused of firing on innocent Afghan civilians, and their leader, Maj. Fred Galvin, the author, was summarily relieved of his command. This tells their story. “‘A Few Bad Men’ should become an American War Classic,” wrote kug for Amazon. “The writing is crisp and to the point and tells a horrific tale of deceit at the highest level of our military. As a Marine, I have to say it pained me to read how far we've fallen, but I am not surprised. I'm from the Vietnam Era and if you thought we were treated badly, what Major Galvin and the MARSOC7 endured at the hands of our own government is treason in high places.” [Nonfiction]
“Profiles in Freedom: Heroes Who Shaped America,” by Carl Higbie (Humanix Books)
Former U.S. Navy SEAL and Newsmax’s host of “Frontline” Higbie tells the stories of America’s heroes before the intolerant left writes them out of history. Former President Ronald Reagan once observed that “If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are.” Higbie said “I’m warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit.” The author rejects the left’s promotion that America’s history was built by plunderers and racists, and counters that it was shaped by people of courage and vision. “This book is 'not another' personal account of war with attendant details of horrors of war. Carl treats such experiences with dignity and respect for the casualties,” wrote Ken Thompson in his Amazon review. “The book is a refreshing balance of salient experiences during his pre-military life, SEAL training and deployments to Iraq with some unexpected twists that, to me at least, are shocking.” [Nonfiction]
“The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” by Pete Hegseth (Broadside Books)
While “A few Bad Men” recounts the betrayal of a unit of Marines in Afghanistan, “The War on Warriors” argues that it’s been ongoing since at least the Vietnam War. After fighting America’s battles overseas, the very people who ordered them into harm’s way reward them by betraying them. “As a Vietnam combat veteran, I was greatly disturbed by the candidness of Pete's experience and observations,” wrote Mike Duffy for GoodReads. “The failures of Vietnam are directly attributable to the leadership. They sent us trained warriors on a social work mission to win the hearts and minds of the people. How foolish then, and how foolish now. This book should be a wake-up call to any American who has not had the first-hand taste of war! It is real, not reality TV.” [Nonfiction]