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David, this is your thread for 2020. I have included the link to the required format thread and an example. If you had a 2019 thread - it will be archived so when you get the opportunity move over your completed books and formats to the 2020 thread - but we will allow time for you to do that.

Please follow the standard required format below - I hope you enjoy your reading in 2020. Here is also a link for assistance with the required guidelines:

Link: /topic/show/...

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

IMPORTANT - THE REVIEW SHOULD BE SHORT AND SWEET - THERE ARE NO LINKS OF ANY KIND IN THE BODY OF THE REVIEW ALLOWED. NONE. DO NOT REFER TO ANY OTHER BOOK IN YOUR BRIEF REVIEW. THE ONLY BOOK CITED IN YOUR REVIEW IS THE ONE YOU ARE REVIEWING - NO OTHERS. ALL LINKS TO OTHER THREADS OR REVIEWS ARE DELETED IMMEDIATELY - THERE WILL BE NO WARNING. WE CONSIDER THIS SELF PROMOTION AND IT IS NOT ALLOWED AND IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR RULES AND GUIDELINES

David, you are ready to go for 2020. We now have a special perk where we can list the books we want to read for the 50 Books Read in 2020. You also now have a Personal Reading List thread where you can keep track of what you want to read; and/or what you have completed etc for the challenge. These of course can be carried over to the next year's personal reading list if you do not complete your 2020 To Be Read list. You would simply do an edit, copy and paste.

JANUARY

1. by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: I decided to read this book before watching the TV Series and it really helped to make my enjoyment of the viewing of the series. I was able to notice the items that the actors chose to display on their uniforms and equipment mentioned in the novel. The story was fast-pace and exciting. As the team got closer to finding Rip Taggart, their former commander, things got more tense and the book became harder to put down. The book rang very true keeping in line with what I've read of other non-fiction books by Navy Seals. Sasser writes very well and develops the characters enough that you care about them. Even the villains are developed so you understand their point of view and their ideology.

David - here you will have to review the how to's thread to help yourself out.

Here is the link:
/topic/show/...

First, there is a standard format which must be followed absolutely on this thread and if you are patient - you will get the hang of it in no time. I am going to assign some assisting moderators to help you get to that point.

Message box one has that format.

Here it is: (always ask yourself - does my citation match this one absolutely which is the standard or not. You will be of course adding a different box but the set up and the standard should be exactly the same.

FIRST MAJOR CORRECTION - ONLY ONE BOOK PER COMMENT BOX - YOU ARE TRYING TO DO TWO FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IN ONE BOX. SEPARATE THEM OUT.

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

NEXT,

1. The month only has to be placed once above the first book for that month. The word of the month is all caps and bolded - you have the first part correct but it is not all caps like the standard - and drop the 2020. You do not need to add that.

You then skip one blank line under the month and not two.

So your month should look like this:

JANUARY

Now remember - you skip one blank line before the citation.

2. You do not add the title of the book above the citation. Take that out. Your citation is perfect.

Now you should have this so far:

JANUARY

by Charles W. Sasser

3. Finish date: is next not genre. You capitalize the F in Finish but not the d in date. Your standard should now look like this so far.

JANUARY

by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020

4. Next under Finish date: - you would add the word Genre:
and in this case Fiction - you have that right aside from the order.
Now you entry should look like this:

JANUARY

by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020
Genre: Fiction

5. Next you add your rating. I am sorry but we do not use 4 out 5. That is not our standard - but let me explain it this way.
5 - could be A+, A or an A-
4 - could be B+, B or B-
3 - could be C+, C or C-
4 - could be D+, D or D-
5 - could be F

So adjust your number to letters in other words. So I will for the purposes of this exercise say that for the purposes of this exercise - you want to give this book a B

Now your standard would look like this at this point

JANUARY

by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B

6. You now have only your review to add. There is no synopsis here whatsoever - just incorporate it into your review. The word Review: goes on the next line and you add Review: and then two spaces over on the same line - you start your Review: So what you should end up with is this:

JANUARY

by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: Review: I decided to read these books before watching the TV Series and it really helped to make my viewing of the series that much better. I was able to notice the deeper character traits that the actors wore on uniforms or decisions they took in their acting that I would have missed had I not read these books.

The show followed the scripts very closely so reading these books was very close to what you saw on TV. I really enjoyed these two novels and wished that they had continued the novels through season two. The novels were well written with fast-paced action.

These books are in line with the non-fiction books I've read written by seals. Sasser has written many non-fiction books about seals so he knows what he is talking about. These books were very enjoyable novels for those that want to factual details but do not want to read fiction over non-fiction or in addition to the many non-fiction books available. Please note that these books are based on the scripts written for the History Channel TV Series SIX's first season. This series follows the missions of Seal Team Six.

So in the next two comment boxes are what your postings should look like following our "required" standard. You have choices in the rating because any number can be at least three letters - for example - a 4 could be translated to either a B+, a B or a B- (you get to choose) but the remainder of the formatting cannot be altered. And remember one book is reviewed per box. And you only put the month above the first book for that month. Here is what you have done should look like.

7. ONE OTHER THING - NOTICE THE NUMBER IN FRONT OF THE CITATION - THAT IS HOW YOU NUMBER THE NUMBER OF THE BOOKS YOU HAVE READ FOR THE YEAR.

8. We have a different review per book - but I have simply copied your text for both and changed it slightly to fit our standard. The Reviews do not have to be long - in the directions (the how to's) - I have said to keep them short and sweet. Some folks get carried away in terms of length and if they have followed the standard (which is required and NOT OPTIONAL - then I let the length of the review be up to them. This thread has absolute formatting rules - whereas the staging area - the list thread has many more options and choice. Folks who have signed up to adhere to the standards on this thread and challenge get the other thread as a perk. So this is the main challenge and the other thread is the staging area. I am assigning some moderators to give you some hand holding until you get this.

What I would do first is to try to copy the examples that I have below on your own and get them "perfect" with our help. After we have told you that you have done that - you can then delete message 3 which is not right - we would delete it anyway. Once you have both of them perfect as your examples mirroring what I have done with your two books as examples and they are signed off by the assisting moderators - then I will delete my examples.

JANUARY

1. by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: I decided to read these books before watching the TV Series and it really helped to make my viewing of the series that much better. I was able to notice the deeper character traits that the actors wore on uniforms or decisions they took in their acting that I would have missed had I not read these books.

The show followed the scripts very closely so reading these books was very close to what you saw on TV. I really enjoyed these two novels and wished that they had continued the novels through season two. The novels were well written with fast-paced action.

These books are in line with the non-fiction books I've read written by seals. Sasser has written many non-fiction books about seals so he knows what he is talking about. These books were very enjoyable novels for those that want to factual details but do not want to read fiction over non-fiction or in addition to the many non-fiction books available. Please note that these books are based on the scripts written for the History Channel TV Series SIX's first season. This series follows the missions of Seal Team Six.

2. by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 3rd, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: I decided to read these books before watching the TV Series and it really helped to make my viewing of the series that much better. I was able to notice the deeper character traits that the actors wore on uniforms or decisions they took in their acting that I would have missed had I not read these books.

The show followed the scripts very closely so reading these books was very close to what you saw on TV. I really enjoyed these two novels and wished that they had continued the novels through season two. The novels were well written with fast-paced action.

These books are in line with the non-fiction books I've read written by seals. Sasser has written many non-fiction books about seals so he knows what he is talking about. These books were very enjoyable novels for those that want to factual details but do not want to read fiction over non-fiction or in addition to the many non-fiction books available. Please note that these books are based on the scripts written for the History Channel TV Series SIX's first season. This series follows the missions of Seal Team Six

2. by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 11th, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: As the team gets closer to finding Taggart, the families begin to feel the effects of the War and all are impacted by it. As the story progresses, the team soon learns that the enemy they are fighting is not only overseas but also at home. The conclusion comes to a shocking end that affects each member differently and cause some of them to reevaluate their decisions.

David this is vastly improved but this looks to be your third book. So if it is in January - you would not have the month at the top because that would be the third book in the month of January you have read rather than the first. And you only place the month above the citation for the first book in any given month.

These are the edits that need to be made to the one you have just posted.

It is your third book so change the 2 to a 3
On Finish date: I told you that the F in Finish is capitalized but not the D in date - so instead of Finish Date: you should have Finish date:
So delete the month on this one (which by the way is still not capitalized which is our standard) - and move up your work and do the edits and this example is tremendously better but you still have to do the edits of the ones you did not do correctly or you can use the ones that I added for you showing you how to do it and edit this one. About 90% improvement. You are beginning to get the idea.

Message 8 should look like this: - you at least need to edit this one!!! Because I need to delete the ones that are incorrect.

3. by Charles W. Sasser
Finish date: January 11th, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: As the team gets closer to finding Taggart, the families begin to feel the effects of the War and all are impacted by it. As the story progresses, the team soon learns that the enemy they are fighting is not only overseas but also at home. The conclusion comes to a shocking end that affects each member differently and cause some of them to reevaluate their decisions.

Bentley wrote: "David this is vastly improved but this looks to be your third book. So if it is in January - you would not have the month at the top because that would be the third book in the month of January you..."

This was my second book of the year.

Hello David,

Message 8 is vastlly improved.

Only one edit needed. You have Finish Date - it should be Finish date: The d in date is not capitalized.

Message 3 has the same minor problem.

Bentley wrote: "Hello David,

Message 8 is vastlly improved.

Only one edit needed. You have Finish Date - it should be Finish date: The d in date is not capitalized.

Message 3 has the same minor problem."

Corrected!

Bentley wrote: "Message 8 is now perfect David - the only suggestion I have for you is to add a photo to your avatar - it can be anything you like - a photo of you with a coffee mug in front of your face so you ar..."

Will do!

Thanks!

And there you are in front of one big freakin eagle - awesome.

Bentley wrote: "And there you are in front of one big freakin eagle - awesome."

Thanks!

FEBRUARY

3. by Robert O'Neill
Finish date: February 1st, 2020.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This book is a well-written readable book of O'Neill's Seal Team missions including the one that killed Bin Laden. The book was very similar in style to other Seal biographies like Lone Survivor, etc. Having read other Seal books, the training section did feel repetitive, but once O'Neill began detailing his missions the book got very interesting. You soon realize how many high-profile missions he was actually a part of.

Excellent Dave

4. by Gregg Jarrett
Finish date: February 25th, 2020.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This was a very interesting read about the details of the Russia Case, much of which was not covered by the mainstream media. If you are on the right and you are a Fox News viewer, you heard more of this information, but not all of it in the detail given here. Gregg Jarrett, a Fox News reporter, details each aspect of the hoax that led up to the Mueller Investigation. As he details the issues with Hillary and her Email Server, he notes the laws and statues broken or violated in the case. Jarrett's book appears, to me at least, to be a factual statement of facts and not politically biased. It's hard to see how there was no prosecution brought in the Hillary case after reading this book.

Your format is great. Congrats, Dave. I also want you to know that I am reading your reviews - in fact the number at the top of your thread will always tell you how many unique IP addresses are reading them (different people) and right now 172 have!

I have a question. Since even a bi partisan group of lawmakers and the entire intelligence community have stated that the Russians are indeed trying to hack our elections and to sow disconnect among us all (even though we are all in the same boat and on the same team) - why do folks like Jarrett keep beating this drum. Putin is not our friend - period and Russia and other countries are still trying to hack into our systems as we speak. As a disclaimer - I have not read the book but the title seemed to make me ask. And I do agree that none of these folks should be using personal email servers or phones which can be hacked and many are guileless as to the inherent dangers; including the Trump administration and many more even before Obama's. Nowadays you have to be mighty careful with identity theft, etc.

Bentley wrote: "Your format is great. Congrats, Dave. I also want you to know that I am reading your reviews - in fact the number at the top of your thread will always tell you how many unique IP addresses are rea..."

Jarrett does not deny that the Russians attempted to manipulate our elections and are bad actors. Any reasonable person should agree that the Russians, the Chinese, and others have been attempting to influence our elections. I do not know what he has said in interviews so I cannot speak to it.

The book only begins with Hillary's email situation in order to show how different the FBI acted with her case than in Flynn's.

The best protection our election system has is that it's controlled by 50 different systems and numerous county systems. While the Russians got in, they couldn't actually change the vote. I'm sure fraud happens in every election, but I don't imagine it's more than 2%, probibly less, and most elections don't come within that margin. I like New York's system which has a paper back-up system if there is any question or challenges to the vote accuracy.

In the book Jarrett does cover every claim of collusion, etc., brought up by the impeachment investigation. This book was published before the Mueller Report was completed. We are just now seeing that much of what we were told was not the case as the closed-door testimonies, the FISA applications, and other documents are being released. Legislators are protected from defamation as long as they say it on the floor and not in public, for example, in an interview or speech. This is why Harry Reid could not face consequences for saying that he "knew" Romney didn't pay his taxes, then later admitted in an interview that he had no knowledge of Romney's taxes. Schiff can say anything on the floor, but in closed-door testimony you have to tell the truth under penalty of perjury.

I wish more politicians were punished even for minor offenses rather than being allowed to resign quietly. They should be held to a higher standard because they are public officials, but they protect each other.

Jarrett I guess I figure if folks just go away quietly - I am not for trying to destroy anyone. Having said that I do not think that they should be pardoned either for these situations unless it can be proved that they did not do it and the documentation proves it.

It seems that they do cover for each other and that is wrong too.

I happen to like Romney and any politician should not be lying or making things up as they go along and that includes Harry Reid who I always thought was a strange individual; but having said that along comes Mitch McConnell and there is a new kind of strangeness as the Senate leader. As an aside - I think he is ruining the Senate as a whole. Maybe Senate leaders from both parties should be held more to account.

Getting back to the Russians - we still do not know what the Russians were able to do and not able to do so that is why we needed to take these attacks seriously and protect the integrity of our elections as best we can - so that is why for me seeing a book titled The Russia Hoax had me scratching my head and saying to myself - you must be kidding.

I agree with you about the paper back up system that New York has. You have to be able to validate if it comes to that. I understand better the timing of the book and your explanation was extremely helpful.

Jarrett has a sequel book that was published late last year which is post Mueller Report that I've not read yet called "Witch Hunt".

I am on the Conservative side so I am not the biggest fan of McConnell. But, he is doing pretty much same thing that Reid did when he was in charge of the Senate and used the "Nuclear" option which McConnell warned him would not be good. Almost all of them are hypocrites, Schumer would likely be doing the same if the positions were reversed.

This is why I wished we had term limits for all federal offices. The average age of the legislators is in the 60's or higher. I would like to see Congress do more to protect our infrastructure from cyber attack. I've heard talks from experts that say the electrical grid could be hardened with $2 Billion. But, instead they waste billions elsewhere. These power plants built in the seventies are really exposed to a cyber attack. But, these legislators are so old they don't even understand this technology. They cannot even ask intelligent questions of Mark Zuckerberg without reading from notes prepared by their staff. Some of the younger members are really good, but they are too few and not in leadership.

The Republican leadership has been getting younger in the House, whereas the Democrat leadership is all over 70, so I don't see anything changing anytime soon. In about 10 years the older members will have to give up their power just due to the fact of their age. Pelosi is 80, Schumer is 70-ish, McConnell is 78, and McCarthy is 55!

These seats have become dynasties, where if a member dies, his son or daughter just inherits the seat forever. I could go on about redistricting, but that's a longer conversation. Many problems to fix with not enough time to do it and now COVID complicates matters.

by Gregg Jarrett

I think you mean the above - don't forget to cite it at the bottom on your comment box.

One thing that I have to add was that from my perspective this was no witch hunt. The current White House has common refrains - fake news (not true) - Russia hoax (it wasn't a hoax) - witch hunt (it wasn't a witch hunt) - the virus will be gone by Easter (it wasn't) and the list goes on and on.

I just wish that the house and senate would be locked in rooms and not let out until they came up with bipartisan solutions for the country and stop the theatrics and that includes the White House. We have a real problem on our hands right now and over 100,000 Americans have died in 2.5 months due to their inability to manage the crisis (all of them).

However, at least the Democrats came up with solutions to help ordinary Americans and the Republicans have tried to block it every single time (they did however get one bill through finally - bipartisan) - and then there is Rand Paul (who was walking around with the Covid 19 virus in the Senate) and isn't he a doctor (he should know better) and he is always the one who tries to hold all bills hostage.

You have to scratch your head and wonder - how do these folks get re-elected - what have they done for their constituency?

The Citizens United case and outcome has really made things worse I am afraid. And Republicans right now are afraid of standing up for anything in fear of getting "primaried" which has now become a noun. I think I will read Jarrett's book because I like hearing all sides.

Yes, the electrical grid needs a lot of work - and I think Reid was wrong to use the option just like I think that McConnell has been wrong on many things including the Supreme Court fiasco with poor Merrick Garland. And he is so smug about all things. It is power (I am afraid) and he has a great deal of it; and can determine what even comes up for a vote.

Mark Zuckerberg was flabberghasted I am sure by some of the ridiculous questions that he was asked - not that he shouldn't be answering some tough questions because he should be - but those were not it.

Sooner or later all things come to an end.

And this is from a Lexington, Kentucky newspaper (you have to smile) - even in Kentucky - they are not in love with either of them - and Pandemic Paul (love it - lol)

Update: Nice chatting with you! And it was a great exchange - enjoyed the back and forth - will let you know what I think of the Jarrett book. I am certain that I will find some points of disagreement (lol).

I think Jarrett chose those book titles to increase the visibility and sales of the book, they certainly seem to be targeted to entice an audience to pick up the book. I picked up The Russia Hoax from a used book sale, and was curious about what I didn't already know. I think the "Russia Hoax" title is more about the allegation that Trump was actually working hand-in-hand with the Russians as their puppet which was not true.

Everybody would love to see these politicians locked up until they come up with a workable solution, but it will never happen. I disagree that the Democrat solution was free of politics. There was a lot of money for personal pet projects that had nothing to do with the virus. Money for the Arts, Planned Parenthood, and other Democratic donors. Some of that was removed in the final bill. Now we are at a point where the fourth bill is $3 Trillion dollars and they want monthly payments to every citizen including illegal aliens. I believe it's time to re-open safely, and let the States deal with the problems that arise. They are closest to the problem and better equipped to handle it and more accountable to the people.

I am a big fan of Rand Paul as I am split between Conservative and Libertarian beliefs. I agree with Paul on most of his decisions and he has responded to the Covid criticism on Fox News and I don't believe he put anyone at risk.

I'd be interested in hearing an opinion of the book from a different perspective. I've read some of the reviews on the book page. Before I read the book, I had an idea what it's main points were and conclusions would be and I was mostly correct. There is a lot of law cited to back up the assertions made. The book goes deep into the law, statutes and regulations.

by Gregg Jarrett

APRIL

5. by Dinesh D'Souza
Finish date: April 11th, 2020.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: B
Review: This book continues D'Souza's case that racism began with the Democratic Party, which birthed the KKK, and still lives with the modern Democratic Party that began with Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party in 2015. In this book, he details the Democratic Party's political machines showing how the Plantations of the Antebellum South operated like a political machine in order to maintain the Democratic Party's power. He details in the book how machines like Tammany Hall and other urban machines were used to keep people voting for the Democratic party in every election. He details how these political machines were modified by people like LBJ and others as the Democratic sought ways to secure more of the vote and to keep people voting for them in perpetuity. He cites many progressive thought leaders to build his case throughout the book using both early twentieth-century thought leaders and today's progressive, liberal and Democratic thought leaders.

This was an interesting book which covered a lot of history and made an intersting case connecting modern political activities as part of a coordinated political "machine". He attempts to lay the groundwork that everything done by the Democratic Party today is part of a plan to build a nationwide political machine to replace the Antebellum South's Plantation machine. If you been reading his books, this book ties together all of the pieces laid out in his prior books.

by Dinesh D'Souza

6. by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Finish date: April 24th, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: This book continues the adventures of Gideon Crew. Gideon goes on a quest to find an ancient cure-all that was lost since the time of ancient Greece. In addition to the reasons his employer wants this found, Gideon has very personal reasons to succeed on this mission! This book was a great read that involved a lot of fascinating Greek history. This wasn't the best of the Crew series so far, but it was another great entry continuing this new series by Preston & Child.

Yes, I agree - marketing and building the hype (stirring the base for more sales - smile).

I am not sure that Trump wasn't doing just that - but the proof of the conspiracy was the gist - even though Mueller found 10 incidents of obstruction (or potential obstruction of justice) since he said he could not indict. And don't forget at least 17 Trump associates had contacts with Russians or Wikileaks, which released hacked documents, during the campaign or transition, according to an analysis of public records by the New York Times, with at least 100 face-to-face interactions, phone calls or electronic messages with Russians or Kremlin-linked figures and at least 51 individual communications. And never mind the 69 indictments. There was a lot of "there" there.

Many Trump aides were also known to have had contact with Russians including the president's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, his son Donald Trump Jr, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former personal lawyer Michael Cohen and the list went on. And of course - there were 69 people charged during the investigation and now we have released what Flynn actually did and said that he lied about.

So whatever the "what" was - something was going on. We will probably never know the extent.

Back to the current issue. Yes, money was supposed to keep everyone afloat but it was not sorely enough and a second amount is needed from the federal government because right now the states are broke from all this. There is nothing going to be coming from the states period and you will find that services will be affected including teachers, healthcare, police, fire, etc.

On Rand Paul we have a major disconnect (smile).

I am sure that Jarrett cherry picks those statutes that sort of agree with him but I will let you know. Obviously I would be reading it from a different perspective and viewpoint. There are very few moderates left at Fox now that Shepherd Smith took off - I think Chris Wallace is still telling truth to power but he has a tough road ahead of himself - and Cavuto tries.

You are doing great with the formats!

Well on the Mueller issue and the Impeachment, we see things very differently. I followed both closely and heard a lot of analysis and I think if Mueller had actually found anything that merited impeachment he would have recommended it. If I recall most of the 10 occurrences were all tied to one event. It's just their attempt to overcharge to make it appear worse. The Government does this all of the time at all levels. Multiple misdemeanors don't make a felony, but it does scare the individual targeted into pleading to a lesser crime.

I have come down on the side that Obama officials targeted Trump officials for destruction at all costs and used every element of the Government they could to achieve that goal. Everything was an attempt to get Trump to resign and go away without continuing to fight.

I wish that Trump would release and declassify everything that was done behind closed doors. Publish all of the FISA records, all of the secret testimony and anything else remotely connected. Sunlight is the best disinfectant! The Government still is blocking the release of documents from the JFK Assassination and that was over fifty years ago. We won't know the full truth for at least fifty years at this rate. I could go on in way more detail, but I'd rather not. Both sides have their facts that fit their narrative. And, no one trusts the media anymore to look any deeper than the surface.

He did provide a roadmap for the 10 instances of obstruction of justice and the house did impeach. Mueller could not indict - because if he could - he would have. I do not agree on that point and frankly how many indictable offenses do you need - one is enough. There were many indicted and the only protection individual number one has is that he is in office and he has money to fight charges when he gets out. I think they should just let him leave like Nixon rather than have some drawn out retaliatory battle.

I sense that you believe that Obama targeted Trump and that has been disproven. However, Trump daily is targeting and attacking Obama with untruths - just like he did with members of his own party who countered him like John McCain. Prior office holders including Obama and George W, Bush Sr., Clinton (Republicans and Democrats) had a generosity of spirit and an authentic empathetic nature - we do not have that now.

Sometimes things are not made better by sunlight. But I can assure you that his lawyer Michael Cohen was paying off many folks to cover up for his client and he was indicted, went to jail for that and for lying. I think due to Covid 19 he is out now.

Some folks are just not up to the job to be a leader of the free world. They just do not have what it takes. I am not sure what kind of man you believe he is but truth and selflessness are not his strong suits. It is not the media's fault that they reveal inconvenient truths about the White House. Thank goodness we have them - that is what a democracy is all about. Fox news has an unbelievable spin on things but it was occasionally refreshing to have a Shepherd Smith or a Chris Wallace speak truth to power even from Fox news - but then of course they face the same wrath as others. David, it is OK - I will always listen (smile) but for me the present occupant is not cut from the same cloth as a Hamilton, Jefferson or Madison or even a Reagan or a Bush or a McCain. But he does have a base. You have the right to your opinions and we all have our vote and that is what this nation is about and that we can agree on (smile).

MAY

7. by Vince Flynn & Kyle Mills
Finish date: May 31th, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: Another great entry in the Mitch Rapp series. I waited about four years before picking this up because after Vince Flynn's death, I was hesitant that another author could continue his character. Finally resumed the Mitch Rapp franchise and I really enjoyed this book as it further Rapp's journey after the shocking events of the prior book. A fast paced read that got harder and harder to put down the more you get into the book.

How do you like this series after Flynn's passing. I read a couple way back when. They were quick reads for sure. Has the new author the same pace and style?

Vince Flynn

Bentley wrote: "How do you like this series after Flynn's passing. I read a couple way back when. They were quick reads for sure. Has the new author the same pace and style?


I was hesitant when I started this, but it does seem to follow the same style. Flynn's books always ramp up to the end with the climax at the very end of the book. The fallout of the events of the book are always left to the next book. So far, this did seem to have Vince's voice. I'm a big fan of Vince Flynn and hope Mills is able to continue the series. I'm also a big fan of Brad Thor's series.

Brad Thor

Brad Thor

There appears to be a photo and link for Brad Thor.

That is good - sometimes this does not work out; but in this case there seems to be a style match. You may have to see how the next one picks up and unfolds. But that is refreshing.

Bentley wrote: "Brad Thor

There appears to be a photo and link for Brad Thor.

That is good - sometimes this does not work out; but in this case there seems to be a style..."

I added it, but it wouldn't come up... Every time I tried it failed, so I put no photo for the time being. I'll try it now. It still will not show the photo for some reason. I had the book search Vince Flynn, but searched on the author to add Brad Thor. When I added Thor's picture, nothing came up. But, If I search Thor's book then add Brad Thor's picture under the existing entry (that doesn't work), the second link does work. But if I remove the one that doesn't work, the second one now does not work.

At first I saw two - one with and one without - I chose the one with the photo - make sure your harvey ball is selecting photo and choose the one without the blank icon. I would report it to goodreads. It has something to do with your html because it is working for me. Just move on from it.

Brad Thor

Bentley wrote: "At first I saw two - one with and one without - I chose the one with the photo - make sure your harvey ball is selecting photo and choose the one without the blank icon. I would report it to goodre..."

It was the partial comment of yours included in the message that was the problem, the ..." broke in the middle of the Vince Flynn image so the tag never closed. Fixed it!

Thanks!

It appeared to me to be an html problem. That is why I encourage folks not to use the reply function. Just post in the next comment box - something strange always happens when you try to add html and you used reply - there is that carry over on the top which messes things up.

JUNE

8. by Lincoln Child
Finish date: June 9th, 2020.
Genre: Fiction
Rating: C+
Review: Another entry in the Jeremy Logan series. This book was another fast-paced adventure that did not disappoint in the action department. The story did resolve a little predictably at the end, so I was a disappointed by the book. I enjoyed the book, but it was not the strongest effort.

9. by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Finish date: June 28th, 2020
Genre: Fiction
Rating: C+
Review: A disappointing entry in the Pendergast Series. This book wasn't as good as the other books I've read in this series. Usually, the Pendergast series is my favorite of the Preston & Child books. But, I'm tiring of the Constance Green and other character who was the main villain in this book's storyline. Fans will know who I'm referring to. This book started out well and interesting, but the Proctor story line seemed to be dropped way too soon in the book and wrapped up far too quickly.

Well that is a bummer - two books in a row. It is time to change series I would assume.

I'm not ready to give it up on them, yet. I think the Pendergast story will finally pause the brother vs brother storyline for awhile and the next book will be better. But, I've switched to history for my next read.

That is good! (smile)

JULY

10. by Sean Parnell
Finish date: July 23th, 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: A
Review: This was a great book. The book makes you happy and proud at times and sad and angry at times. Some of the decisions by the upper command are baffling and leaves you wondering what they were thinking. But, as you follow the men of the Outlaw Platoon, you experience their highs and lows as they continue their tour of duty in the "graveyard of empires" in Afghanistan. A very good book about the war in Afghanistan. Parnell's writing almost made this book feel like you were reading a novel at times, it was that engrossing a book!

Good Heavens, David that sounds like an interesting read, and as pertinent as this morning’s New York Times! My TBR List thanks you!
Regards,
Andrea

I think the New York Times has lost it's relevance when they bowed to public pressure from a Twitter mob. They used to be the paper of record, but the old gray lady's time has passed. RIP.

David, everyone has their weaknesses including The New York Times ... perhaps you should read the Times in conjunction with The Wall Street Journal as I do ... that way you get a balanced picture ... personally I thought the front page of this morning’s Times to be incredibly interesting!
Regards,
Andrea

David you may want to place this book and its review on the Afghanistan thread. Here is the link: /topic/show/... I know I told you that I would get back to you with what is involved with being a thought leader. Well here is the format that we use for the books we add to the threads. We place the title of the book in bold, skip one line, then add the citation, skip a line, add the word Synopsis: (with a colon at the end) - in bold, skip a line and then add the review (your own) or synopsis by the publisher.

We use this Moderator or Thought Leader's format for all of the books added - one per comment box:

Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

by Sean Parnell

Synopsis:

This was a great book. The book makes you happy and proud at times and sad and angry at times. Some of the decisions by the upper command are baffling and leaves you wondering what they were thinking. But, as you follow the men of the Outlaw Platoon, you experience their highs and lows as they continue their tour of duty in the "graveyard of empires" in Afghanistan. A very good book about the war in Afghanistan. Parnell's writing almost made this book feel like you were reading a novel at times, it was that engrossing a book!

Thanks!

I plan to expand a longer detailed review on the Afghanistan thread as I've now read numerous books on the Afghanistan and this one ranks near the top of the ones I've read!

David, that is great - I will converse with you via PM. I will add you as the thought leader for the Afghanistan thread.

However, follow the format above for each book. And only one per comment box similar to the way we do this thread where we only discuss one book per comment box.

Update: Did send you a PM and added you to the Thought Leader thread.

AUGUST

11. by Larry Schweikart (no photo)
Finish date: August 18th, 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: A
Review: I was looking for a book that would give me more information about each President as I'm interested in reading more about quite a few of them. I then discovered The Presidents Part 1: from Washington to Taft. This book was very easy to read and a great starting place to which Presidents you may want to read more about. It dispelled many myths that I learned about some of these presidents in school.

The book has a Conservative, small Government viewpoint and grades the Presidents as to how well they adhered to the Constitution and resisted the urge to expand the Federal Government.

One of the major myths dispelled in this book that I was told in High School was that Ulysses S. Grant was a drunkard on the battlefield and during his Presidency and was not a successful President. Here, they admit Grant did drink, but he was never drunk while on the field of battle and was a very successful President. There are quite a lot of fascinating facts about the first 26 Presidents here.

This book provides a great fair review of the first 26 Presidents that only criticized where the Presidents improperly expanded their role or that of the Federal Government. Knowing that going in, the book provides a short biography of each Presidnet and the high and low points of their administrations.