The bigger the government the more deleterious it can be is the subject of two of the selections in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. The first decries the growth of America’s administrative state, and the second illustrates how that monster corrupted America’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. A third pick is a welcome biography of one of America’s most beloved 20th century presidents, and the final nonfiction choice describes the disastrous response to Maui’s Lahaina fires and why they happened. And for fiction, there are the latest adventures of an old literary friend, brought to life again by a new author.
“Clive Cussler Desolation Code (The NUMA Files),” by Graham Brown (G.P. Putnam's Sons)
After Clive Cussler’s death, Graham Brown has kept the adventures of Kurt Austin and his NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency) files alive and kept readers on the edge of their seats. This one takes Austin and his crew to the Indian Ocean to investigate stranded aquatic mammals. They then stumble upon a deeper mystery. Their research thus far is stolen, which results in a high-speed chase. What is there about the floundered whales that others want hidden? Add to that a cryptic message transmitted through the NUMA satellite network and there is a real mystery brewing. “‘Desolation Code’ has cloned humans, a psychopathic billionaire, the psychopathic computer he has created, and computers becoming sentient,” wrote “J” in his GoodReads review. “As always, the story is a fun read, full of action. was drawn into the story from the very beginning and found it hard to put down. Graham Brown does an excellent job of continuing the NUMA Files series.” [Fiction]
“American Leviathan: The Birth of the Administrative State and Progressive Authoritarianism,” by Ned Ryun (Encounter Books)
The unelected employees of the administrative state are responsible for enacting the vast majority of federal law, making life for Americans and U.S. businesses in all sectors difficult and expensive. President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directed jointly without pay by businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, already is engaged in ferreting out waste, fraud and abuse within the federal bureaucracy, and that scares the left beyond measure. This is the story of how the country got where it is with this unwieldy behemoth. “Outstanding historical summary of the roots and (now, not-so-secret) pernicious intentional growth of the administrative state,” said Edward S. Crooks for Goodreads. “Creative executive branch remedies are suggested but likely not achievable unless there is a broad conservative election mandate for at least 8 years.” [Nonfiction]
“Dateline COVID Crisis: How Democrats and America's enemies seized COVID to create crisis in 2020,” by John Ransom (Independently published)
The COVID pandemic is over, but, in some respects, you wouldn’t know it. Only about 6% of the federal administrative workforce returned to the office. The other 94% are purportedly working remotely from home. The COVID “crisis that wasn’t” also added trillions to the national debt, which will take us decades to dig out of. The only people to benefit, the author contends, were the drug companies who manufactured ineffective vaccines that some sectors of the workforce were ordered to take or lose their jobs — including men and women in the military. “I love reading John Ransom's articles, commentary, and analysis. He has a keen mind, sharp wit, and well-tuned nose to find the story behind the story,” wrote AWM for Amazon. “If you want to know more about how liberals and our foreign adversaries used the pandemic as a means to gain and consolidate power, this is a must read.” [Nonfiction]
“Reagan: His Life and Legend,” by Max Boot (Liveright)
After beached whales, bureaucratic giants, and medical scares, this offering goes back to a happier and simpler time — the administration of Ronald Reagan, America’s 40th president, as described in one of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2024. His administration was one of good humor and hope at home, and peace through strength abroad. Accordingly, he only lost one state in his reelection — Minnesota, his Democrat rival’s home state. He also lost the District of Columbia — the home of the administrative state. “For a modern president who loomed so large in his time, relatively few compelling, comprehensive biographies of Ronald Reagan have been written. (Max) Boot, a Russian-born naturalized American and self-identified conservative, has long been fascinated by Reagan and his presidency,” wrote Steve, in the Best Presidential Biographies. “Overall, Max Boot’s ‘Reagan: His Life and Legend’ is a welcome addition to the body of work devoted to the life and legacy of Ronald Reagan. This biography adds a unique voice to Reagan’s biographical library and offers much to the curious reader.” [Nonfiction]
“Sound The Alarm: The Maui Disaster That Sparked A Global Awakening,” by Stephanie Pierucci, Shane Buell, & Traci Derwin (Pierucci Publishing)
Written as a sequel to "Burn Back Better,” the authors conducted thousands of hours of interviews to assemble the pieces of the puzzle surrounding the devastating and deadly Lahaina fires on Hawaii’s island of Maui. It’s the Aug. 8, 2023, inferno that never should have happened, and once it did, the official response was purposely incompetent with, the writers suggest, the goal toward grabbing land and extinguishing private property rights. Described as “part true crime, part thriller, part historic investigation,” this is the book that will open readers’ eyes as to the length globalists will take to achieve “a new world order.” "I couldn't put the book down; it's written like a suspenseful detective novel that relies on public information, not unfounded rumors,” wrote documentary producer and director Matt Weinglass. “For that, I am astounded. The information is presented clearly and logically without rehashing the news we've already heard about the Lahaina fires. I didn't just learn something, my entire world changed by reading this book. This book is for Maui, but it is an urgent warning for the entire world, too." [Nonfiction]
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