[ad_1]
The theme in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers is war, large and small, foreign and domestic. In one, a teen tells his experience of being thrust in the spotlight for defending himself during a riot, and a second tells the story of the aftermath of the mid-20h century war in the Pacific. We’ve all heard of the Mafia wars in New York during prohibition, but did you know there was one being waged further north in Massachusetts that was just as deadly, just as brutal? And in 1987 another type of war was being fought — on the basketball court. Then there are the fictional tales of conflict, including a novel where the protagonist-CIA operative is fighting a battle within his own agency.
“Enemies Among Us,” by Jeffrey S. Stephens (Post Hill Press)
In Jeffrey S. Stephens’ latest Nick Reagan series, Nick and his team of CIA operatives try to hunt down a criminal mastermind known only as The Handler. In the process, he uncovers corruption within his own agency, going right to the very top. As Nick is getting closer to uncovering his adversary, he gets orders from his superiors to call off the chase, suggesting he’s also facing enemies from within. This forces him to expand his investigation. “A great thriller and a cautionary tale for our time. Nick Reagan is a great addition to the genre – brainy and deadly at the same time,” said Bruce Miller, reviewing for Amazon. “I looked forward to my evening’s reading of Stephens’s latest but then stayed up way too late each night. And, as a consequence, read the book way too quickly and now lament its ending. Can’t wait to see what villainy Reagan faces next.” [Fiction]
“Acquitted,” by Kyle Rittenhouse and Mark Richards (Independently published)
In August 2020, then-17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was asked to come to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help defend local businesses during racially initiated mayhem. When he arrived, he was handed a rifle and asked to protect a local car dealership. He was ultimately attacked by three men within minutes of one another. He killed two and injured the third. “In less than three minutes, the direction of my life was horribly altered when I was forced to defend myself with deadly force,” Rittenhouse said. “So much was said and written about me that was not true.” He wrote this book to set the record straight. “I followed this trial all the way through, watched the media tell all the lies!” wrote Stephanie for Amazon. “This kid is innocent and should have never been charged, it was a total witch hunt! I can’t wait to read more about his heroic story! He had no choice but to do what he had to do.” [Nonfiction]
“Judgment at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia,” by Gary J. Bass (Knopf)
The Tokyo trials were to World War II’s Pacific theater what the Nuremberg trials were to its European theater. Japan’s unprovoked and surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, its atrocious treatment of prisoners of war, as well as its shocking treatment of civilians in China, the Philippines and elsewhere, demanded that the wrongdoers be tried for war crimes. “Judgment” was named one of The Washington Post’s 10 best books of the year, and The New Yorker’s 12 essential nonfiction books of 2023. “Too many history books are called “magisterial,” but that word accurately describes this book,” wrote Galina98, reviewing for Amazon. “While Nuremberg gets praise, the Tokyo (trial) is rightly viewed as less than what it could have been. Profess(or) Bass explores the underbelly of law, politics and war.” [Nonfiction]
“Mafia Confession,” by Nicholas Anthony Parisi (Independently published)
This tells the story of the Mafia wars in Springfield, Massachusetts, as described by a direct descendent of one of the crime families at the center. During prohibition years, crime bosses found profits in bootlegging, and rival crime families turned to murder and turf wars to gain control if this enterprise. “This is a very compelling and captivating read about prohibition life in the Springfield, MA, area and the real and often dangerous struggles to survive during those times,” said Christine Parisi, reviewing for Amazon. “Kudos to Nick for the incredible amount of time and effort to research and document the happenings of the times and to bring it all together to write this fascinating family story. Salute!” [Nonfiction]
“When the Game Was War: The NBA’s Greatest Season,” by Rich Cohen (Random House)
In 1987, competition on the professional basketball court became an all-out, no-holds-barred struggle. That conflict was centered on four teams and four giants of the game: Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers), Larry Bird (Boston Celtics), Isiah Thomas (Detroit Pistons), and Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls). This book tells the story of that war. “This book is cool, brilliant, funny, alive, very human, and just plain thrilling. No one writes about sports the way this author does,” said Helen S. for Amazon. “It’s a brilliant story being lived by these superheroes: we learn from both their cape selves and the alter egos. And in both guises, Cohen relates, they are versions of us. It’s us out there, learning how much we can take, and how much we can give.” [Nonfiction]