Friday, December 28, 2018

Review of The Virtue of Nationalism

The Virtue of Nationalism
Yoram Hazony

Review by Author Roy Murry

The book I read before this was UNITING KINGDOMS by Oran Thaller which promotes a kind of Utopian Globalism. This book, as noted by the title, encourages Nation-States to stay individual countries opposing a kind of Kant's 'enlighten imperialism' - the European Union, an example.

Hazony: Nation-State - its internal cohesiveness, and its unique cultural inheritance - all of which must diligently be tended to if the nation is to grow strong, becoming a blessing to its own and a model and inspiration to others - neighbors. This situation cannot happen when another appointed controls the states as an empire controlling economics and the borders of those states, my interpretation of his original presentation. 

In THE VIRTUE OF NATIONALISM, Hazony makes an essential argument for Nation-States that Thaller does not in Uniting Kingdoms for Globalist controlling humanity. Attempting empires have been tried and failed - Last time it was Hitler.

Mr. Hazony's writing is to the point of using history, which many forget, to present his positions. I felt his book was a little boring at times and I had to reread some parts, but I believe he made his point -uniting Europe under one union is an error, considering what I have seen with the refugee problem put on the joined countries at the orders of the Central Imperial Government in Brussels.

I believe - The USA should not be the policemen for the EU government, NATO nor the United Nations and that Nation-States should be free to decide their future.


An essential read if you care about Humanity. 


Sunday, December 23, 2018

Review of Uniting Kingdoms

UNITING KINGDOMS
ORAN THALLER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Uniting the Kingdoms around Israel or the entire world on a philosophical basis, mano-a-mano is a gigantic undertaking. Oran is on his journey of self-reflection, using a divinity named Arthur as his conduit to what is or is not the proper way to live.

The Kingdoms are the difference we have in the physical world. During Oran's wandering with Arthur, he reaches into the spiritual side of humanity, and how coming together on many different levels, the world will be a better place.

Overcoming common fear of another's religious prodigious or way of living is a beginning, I believe, the author is trying to say. When we do, all avenues of joining together as one world (Globalism) under G-d humanity will follow.

The story is followable but sometimes strange; there are many platitudes delved into, and moral conclusions he examines. The read is enjoyable.


A journey worth taking with an open mind.


Thursday, December 20, 2018

Review of the Pink Panther, the novel

The PINK PANTHER

Max Allan Collins' novelization of the screenplay by Len Blum and Steve Martin


Review by Roy Murry

You most likely saw the movie but reading the print version is a hoot and a half. The screen characters come alive in your mind again reading Mr. Collins' novel.

ENTER INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU is a chapter that I read twice because it was so funny. The humor continued to the end even though two people are murdered in the mystery plot.

Clouseau, played by Steve Martin in the movie, comes alive in print to another level. I love words, and the way they were used in Panther made for an enjoyable afternoon.

The plot is simple - murder is committed; the Chief Inspector picks an idiot (Clouseau) to solve a crime he intends to clear up himself; and each proceeds - the Chief with many detectives and Clouseau with a hand-picked informer by his boss.

There is no clarity in the way Clouseau unravels the crimes, and the Chief thinks he has the murders solved. To see how newly made Inspector Clouseau detects is mind-boggling and un-Sherlockian, but he has the answers in the end.

I can't say this enough, a book you must read for the humor.  Oh yes, there is a mystery, but it is fun reading the events that lead to the conclusion.



Sunday, December 16, 2018

Review of One O'Clock Hustle

One O'Clock HUSTLE
JOANNE PENCE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Not what I expected of a Mystery, and I have read many; the genre I love. 

A Criminal and the Inspector are too close for comfort. Inspector Mayfield has a murder to solve and relies on Richard, a businessman with dubious credentials for guidance.

This novel is a setup for a cheesy romance story albeit there are some clues to decipher and the two (More him than her) proceed to solve the murder of one of Richard's pickups. Rebecca Mayfield is a pushover and puts herself in legal limbo by listening to Richard's story.

Their investigative conversations in her apartment (His hideout) and his two-man gang get to the route of the matter, while Rebecca's partner and lieutenant are not involved. Some suspense and a few conflicts are thrilling but, not a series I will follow.

However, Pence's characters are entertaining if you're looking for a continuing romance to read a la Crime. I was Hustled a bit for 99 cents.

A disappointing mystery read from a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTOR. 

Friday, December 14, 2018

Review of Storm Sail

STORM SAIL
A Connie Barrera Thriller

CLR DOUGHERTY


Review by Roy Murry, Author

The Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are the backgrounds of Captain Connie's thriller. She and her soon to be hubby Paul, pick up shipwrecked castaways on their way to the Caribbean islands.

The new guests, Gina and Dalton, are not what they seem. A psychological war to maintain control or takeover of the ship begins after one guest breaks into a box.

From there on, this thriller intensifies each day at sea, matching wits of the crew with some absurdities of their guests. The drama builds up to a surprising confrontation when Gina and Dalton find out the boat is near St. Thomas, keeping the reader on edge the whole voyage.

Dougherty's writing is always worth the "Dime" - enjoyable and all page-turners. This read was my second of the series.



Sunday, December 9, 2018

Review of DRAIN THE SWAMP

DRAIN the SWAMP
How Washington Corruption
is Worse Than You Think

Congressman KEN BUCK
with Bill Blankschaen

Review by Roy Murry, Author

After reading this book twice, I will continue to post my mantra ‘TERM LIMITS’ on Social Media until the end. BUCK, a Congressman, agrees with that policy which will never be proposed by the Congress.

Those limits and a Balance Budget must come from the PEOPLE via States’ vote at a Constitutional Convention for Amendments. But I feel, and I think this congressman agrees, unfortunately, will not happen because of the 'Making Congress a life profession' in Washington. 

BUCK has upset his cohorts in Congress with his PEOPLE FIRST attitude which comes across in his writing of various contra acts by the members. He gives the reader short explanations as to the character crisis of members in general, corporate welfare through lobbies, the government in a zombie state, and other oddities of the USA stagnant government.

DRAIN THE SWAMP is published in 2017 as President takes office, and BUCK makes his recommendations. It is interesting how little the American people are fooled by the ones they voted to send to represent them. 

The writing is clear and understandable giving the reader a shock of reality. I recommend the book for anyone who is interested in helping to DRAIN THE SWAMP.

Here is the interview that helped me to decide to buy this book. Interview of Congressman Ken Buck by Sharyl Attkisson on Full Measure.






Sunday, December 2, 2018

Review of Lady of Conquest

Lady of Conquest

TAMARA LEIGH

Review by Roy Murry, Author

 "Keep Your Friends Close, But Your Enemies Closer," is a saying that is appropriate to describe the Lady of Conquest's main character, a Norman knight who was part of the invasion of 1068 Saxon's England. Knight Maxen keeps Lady Rhiannyn, a Saxon, close until he can find out who killed his brother. He died in her arms, and she doesn't know who threw the knife that did the deed.

The crux of the story is how close they get after many conflicts and disputes they and their countrymen have. Maxen and Rhiannyn learn that their people, as well as themselves, have common ground that can be built on.

Rhiannyn's beauty and her ability to sway Maxen’s strong-minded ebullient positions to do the right thing on many levels bring the two together over a period. Killings stopped, and a bright future is over the horizon happens when they bond to change the King's mind.

This medieval romance is not a normal one with its culture conflicts. I believe that the proper English language and decorum are used but not overwhelmingly.

Lady of Conquest is an enjoyable love story to read.