History probably not taught in school

 

AMERICA

It Was Just An Idea

Written by Dr. Rayna Gangi

A Book Review by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, August 20, 2020

It is rare when you read a book where it becomes obvious that you, the reader, and the author, Dr. Gangi, are both on the same page.  The author, Dr. Rayna Gangi and I were born and grew up in the same time frame and that may contribute to the recreation of our American history so eloquently described in her book beginning with WWII through the end of the Obama Presidency.  We are on the same page.

Dr. Gangi viewed America through different eyes than my own and yet we both saw the same things throughout this period in America’s history.  This IS a history book.  It is also about opinions, Dr. Gangi’s and mine as well as many Americans.  The one message that becomes so evident to me is that a great many Americans either were not taught American history and/or they just haven’t been paying attention.

As Dr. Gangi described our Presidents another truth became evident and that truth is that every President is flawed, some far more than others.  All Presidents have lied to the American people, again, some far more than others.  Our Founding Fathers created this wonderful country and provided all of us with freedoms and liberties that other nations could only dream of.  Who among us are willing to fight to preserve the nation those Founders created?  Who is willing to stand up for what is right?  Millions have already died to preserve our country and our way of life.  Now it appears millions are willing to just give it away to the highest bidder.

The last paragraph sums up the book very nicely:

"We have a choice, and it is this choice, this election, this year, that will determine if our children, our grandchildren, will ever have a choice again, will ever know what freedom is, will ever know what a glorious idea it was to form the greatest country in all history, in all the world, the United States of America."

Who should read this book?  Everyone would benefit from reading Dr. Gangi’s book.  Everyone!

Would I read it again?  No, no need to.

Would I give it as a gift?  Absolutely! 

Conspiracy

 

CONSPIRACY

A true story of

Power, Sex and a Billionaire’s Secret Plot to Destroy a Media Empire

Written by Ryan Holiday

A Book Review by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, August 12, 2020

Ryan Holiday’s book Conspiracy has it all.  It’s the stuff Hollywood movies are made of to capture people’s attention.  Millionaires, lawyers, gay lifestyles, unscrupulous writers and bloggers, sex on tape, Hulk Hogan, vengeance, the Constitution and of course a conspiracy wrapping up all the various aspects of the book.  Aside from that, it is a true story.

The author’s writing style and the content holds your attention even though you know what the outcome is because it was disclosed in the very beginning of the book.  The remainder of the book describes how the outcome was achieved.  Intertwined in the book the author inserts facts from historical figures and events to help the reader understand the thought processes involved and the possible multiple outcomes that could happen as a result of actions being taken or not being taken.

In just a few words, it is a remarkable book to read.  As public as the trial must have been and as readily accessible as the sex tapes must have been, I personally had not heard of it and that made it that more interesting at least for me.

Who should read this book?  I think everyone would find the book compelling but you would have to have an interest in reading about a conspiracy in the making, current events and a court case.

Would I read it again?  No, no need to.

Would I give it as a gift?  Probably not.  As interesting as the book is, it is not for everyone but probably should be.  The results have long term ramifications on future free speech legal issues and court cases. 

The Iron Triangle

 

THE IRON TRIANGLE
How Democrats Are Using Race to Divide Americans In Their Quest For Power. 
And How We Can Stop Them.
By Vince Everett Ellison
A book review written by Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, August 7, 2020
Anything appearing in BLUE is a link to a web site

Disclaimer:  I am a White man reviewing a book written by a Black author about serious issues within the Black communities in America, just so you know.

I once had (past tense) Martin Luther King’s “I Had A Dream” speech framed and hanging on my office wall.  I thought it was a remarkable speech, that is until I read The Iron Triangle.  Ellison dissected the speech and he explains how several of the key phrases of the speech were actually sending the wrong message to people like himself in the 1960s.  When you read his explanation, you realize just how right he is and how wrong Dr. King was to say some of the things he said and why he most likely said them.

The key difference for me was that Ellison spoke from the viewpoint of a Black man growing up about the same time that I did.  At some point during the reading of this wonderful book I actually began to see and better understand his viewpoint.  I totally agreed with his interpretation of events then and more importantly the events we see now on the evening news every day of the week.

If you want to understand why upwards of 90% of all Blacks vote the same way in EVERY election, you really need to read The Iron Triangle.  Then you only need to “follow the money.”  Once Ellison puts forth the facts, the “why” becomes easier to understand but more difficult to accept because continuing down the same path decade after decade and not realizing any positive improvement, is the definition of insanity.

 Regardless of your skin color, everyone can benefit by reading Ellison’s book!  If everyone did, I think America would become a better place.  The book is that powerful, at least in my mind, maybe in yours as well; you will receive a great insight for your efforts.

Who should read this book?  Without a doubt – EVERYONE!

Would I read it again?  Certainly, parts of it for sure

Would I give it as a gift?  Yes, to anyone who I thought would actually read it, absolutely!