Taking accepted tenets of history, science and geopolitics and proposing alternative theories is a common idea explored in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. The first combines Scripture with other sources to promote alternative biblical interpretations, while another “follow[s] the science” to suggest that some of our most respected institutions are not to be trusted. One author challenges readers to throw away their old college freshman Western civilization texts, while still another submits that a two-state solution for Israel is unworkable. And for fiction, there’s the 13th adventure of an old fictional friend.
“Crime Unraveled, A Buck Taylor Novel,” by Chuck Morgan (Charles E Morgan)
When the murder of a local geologist comes on the heels of a devastating landslide obliterating a canyon highway and altering the flow of the Colorado River, what was believed to be a natural disaster begins to look like the work of a diabolical person or group. The death of another geologist’s wife adds fuel to that theory in this unlucky 13th volume in Chuck Morgan’s series of Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Buck Taylor series of novels. As the body count rises, Taylor realizes that someone is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to keep the truth behind the catastrophe hidden. “Chuck Morgan took me on a roller coaster ride with ‘Crime Unraveled.’ The action started on the first page and continued until the last. The story was filled with mystery, danger, murder, and suspicions. The suspense kept me glued to my seat, eagerly turning the pages,” said Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite. “According to the way the story ends, there must be a sequel. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to the next one.” [Fiction]
Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters and the World Before the Flood: How the Events of Noah's Ark and the Flood Are Relevant to the End of the Age,” by Rick Renner (Harrison House)
Biblical scholar and historian Rick Renner corrects some long-held theories while introducing some new ones. He does it with a combination of sources, including:
- Scripture and writings of church leaders;
- Historical documents; and,
- Archeological discoveries.
The author combines these with photos from his own expeditions to the Ararat mountain range in eastern Turkey, believed to be the location of Noah’s Ark, to bring the Bible to life. “I have been reading this book for several hours. Every page is packed full with well-researched information as well as illustrations and photos to verify the collection of historical facts and modern day finds,” said a Christianbook reviewer. Framed upon a biblical foundation of scripture, Rick Renner ties all of this deep study material together in an easy-to-follow format.” [Nonfiction]
“Follow the Science: How Big Pharma Misleads, Obscures, and Prevails,” by Sharyl Attkisson (Harper)
Award-winning investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson exposes the corruption under which Big Pharma has conducted business for decades, by following the science rather than the money. The New York Times bestselling author uses meticulous research to reveal the industry’s shocking lies, coverups and collusion with media and government public health officials — first suspected during the COVID-19 “scamdemic.” She reports how officials within the public health sphere — once among the most trusted institutions — have preyed upon America’s most vulnerable population in order to protect huge profits. “Once I started reading ‘Follow the Science’ I could not put it down. It is well written, meticulously researched, clearly presented, and infinitely compelling and interesting,” wrote Lori L in her GoodReads review. “It is well written, meticulously researched, clearly presented, and infinitely compelling and interesting.” [Nonfiction]
“How the World Made the West: A 4,000 Year History,” by Josephine Quinn (Random House)
Josephine Quinn, an award-winning Oxford history professor, challenges the reader to rethink how geographic civilizations were created. Rather than evolving distinctly from one another, she submits that all civilization has common roots. She challenges the traditional thinking that that “Greece and Rome are the roots of Western civilization” by noting, for example, that many ideas and technologies we associate with Greece and Rome were borrowed from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, Africa, and East Asia. How does she explain that? By the human desire to see what lies beyond the horizon — explorers, traders, even hunter-gatherers in search of game. And they traded not just in commodities but also in ideas. “This is a thoroughly comprehensive book that describes the interactions between what we think of as ‘Western civilization’ and the rest of the world, going back thousands of years,” said Dan Trefethen for GoodReads. “The book is remarkably well sourced, as might be expected by the person who in January 2025 will become the chair of ancient history at Oxford University. What really impressed me was how readable it was, despite the fact that almost every sentence has a source footnoted in the back section of references.” [Nonfiction]
“One Jewish State: The Last, Best Hope to Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with a Foreword by Mike Pompeo,” by David Friedman (Humanix Books)
The Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Jewish civilians of all ages brought into question the validity of what was thought to be a fundamental truth — popular for decades: a two-state solution can coexist peacefully between Israel and Palestine. Oct. 7 proved that although Israel was more-than-willing, Palestinians were not. Therefore, we must try something new: A “One Jewish State.” The author outlines how Israel can reclaim its historical homeland, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, despite the obvious objections from Palestinians. “‘One Jewish State’ is a must read in order to understand the current situation in the Middle East and how Oct 7 was actualized,”
wrote Tilly Feldman for Amazon. “Thank you, Ambassador David Friedman, for writing ‘One Jewish State’ and leading this amazing movement that everyone is proud to be a part of.”
[Nonfiction]