This week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers includes subjects across a variety of topics: from faith and football to medicine. The first submits that there’s a connection between faith and science, while there also is a personal remembrance of a man whose name has come to mean football — from his coaching days on the sidelines to his colorful commentary in the announcer’s booth. Yet another describes what the author believes will be the next chapter in the COVID-19 debacle, and finally there is an explanation of how the world’s museums acquire their exhibits — both fair and foul. And, as always for fiction enthusiast, the latest entry from America’s most prolific master of suspense.
“The House of Cross: Meet the hero of the new Prime series Cross―the greatest detective of all time,” by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Company)
In this 30th installment of James Patterson’s Alex Cross series of novels, Cross, the FBI’s top expert in criminal behavior — along with his partner John Sampson, are hot on the trail of a ruthless murderer, who is killing the nation’s best legal minds. And the victims have one more thing in common: They’re all on the president-elect’s confidential list of names under consideration for Supreme Court appointments. Making the case more difficult, each victim is murdered in a different manner. “One of the best of the series!” wrote Sandra Hoover in her review for GoodReads. “Explosive action, high stakes, twisted plot line! It's got it all!! Highly recommended!” [Fiction]
“Light of the Mind, Light of the World: Illuminating Science Through Faith,” by Spencer Klavan (Regnery)
For centuries, science and religion have been treated as two very different subjects, often at odds with one another, with science rooted in reason, religion in faith. But what if they’re not so different after all? What if mankind wasn’t the product of an accidental evolutionary progression? The author argues that as science progresses, as it seeks to discover more about the natural world, it’s actually leading us back to the divine, to God, to the Creator. “I bought this book because of a favorable mention by Ross Douthat in a recent column of his. The book is both very easy to read and understand, yet challenging and educational in its content,” said Hugo Furst for Amazon. “Very entertaining and enlightening.” [Nonfiction]
“Mornings With Madden,” by Stan Bunger (Triumph Books)
When one thinks of football, at least in a contemporary context, one name comes to mind: John Madden. After retiring as the winningest coach for the Oakland Raiders, Madden brought his knowledge of the game to the broadcasting booth for TV and radio.
And when it came time to convert football into an ultimate electronic game, only one name came to mind — and John Madden Football was born. “Morning With Madden” is written by Stan Bunger, the morning anchor at news radio station KCBS in San Francisco for more than two decades where native son Madden would regularly call in to chat. He offers his biography of the man both through cherished memories sharing the mic with him as well as Madden’s own words. “‘Mornings With Madden’ is more than just a biography; it’s a tribute to a man who deeply influenced not only the world of football but also the lives of those who listened to his morning musings,” wrote Oakland Magazine. “Stan Bunger’s book is a heartfelt, beautifully written account that offers a unique look at an NFL legend. It is an essential read not only for sports fans but for anyone interested in the reflections of a man who spent his life analyzing and enjoying every aspect of the human experience.” [Nonfiction]
“The Pfizer Papers: Pfizer's Crimes Against Humanity,” edited by Naomi Wolf & Amy Kelly (War Room Books)
“The Pfizer Papers” is the product of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial documents that were released under court order. They demonstrate, according to authors Naomi Wolf and Amy Kelly, that the company knew the vaccine was flawed — at least as early as November 2020. The pharmaceutical giant, they write, was aware that the miracle vaccine was neither safe nor effective, but they continued nonetheless to market it to an unsuspecting public. The problems included damage to the heart, and (especially among women) to the reproductive system. Even more chilling, the Food and Drug Administration, which is supposed to protect Americans, was itself aware of the issues associated with the vaccine, but continued to recommend it. “The book is full of slide graphics showing aortic deterioration, myocarditis and other symptoms related to the vaccines, mostly from autopsy samples,” wrote Patrick Duran for GoodReads. “Naomi Wolf does an excellent job of compiling the information in a concise report that will leave you shaking your head in despair, frustration or apprehension.” [Nonfiction]
“Plunder?: How Museums Got Their Treasures,” by Justin M. Jacobs (Reaktion Books)
It’s been long accused that for the last two-and-a-half centuries, Western museums have primarily relied upon theft and plunder to acquire their collections of antiquities — especially those from Egypt and China. But as historian Justin Jacobs learned, that’s not necessarily the case. In actuality, most items that were preserved and placed on display were done so with the assistance of officials from the donor countries. “Sophisticated, scholarly, discourse on the acquisition of materials for museums,” wrote Timothy for GoodReads. “As the title suggests, plunder? questions the knee-jerk belief that museums are chock full of material stolen by greedy curators. The history is more nuanced and interesting.” [Nonfiction]