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Separating fact from fiction, truth from lies, is a common thread in many of this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestseller offerings. In one, conflicting accounts of whether a group of shipwreck survivors are heroes or mutineers is left to an 18th century British court. In another, the reader is told of a young Dutch woman who was able to repeatedly deceive the Gestapo and save hundreds of Jews during World War II. And moreover, a conservative bestselling author describes how using false criteria in hiring decisions leads to bad results. The fiction suggestion week is even called “Simply Lies.” First up is a game plan to counter the political agenda public school educators are teaching children.
“Parents of the World, Unite!: How to Save Our Schools from the Left’s Radical Agenda,” by Ian Prior (Center Street)
Parents send their children to school each morning with the expectation that they’re going to learn skills that will help them during their adult lives. Instead, they’re taught critical race theory, which claims America is systemically racist and they are oppressed or part of the oppression simply by birth. Additionally, sex is subjective and that it can be changed at will. This can result in girls in a changing room with boys who claim, “It’s OK, I’m trans.” Ian Prior liberally uses humor as well as his experience as one of the most articulate and successful parent-activists to bring sanity and common sense back to public education with the help of with 12 inspiring battle-tested rules. The publisher describes “Parents of the World, Unite!” as “an indispensable book for American families who believe they should be able to raise their children without government interference in their moral, religious, and ethical choices — and are ready to join a revolution of parents.” (Nonfiction)
“Simply Lies,” by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing)
No. 1 New York Times bestselling novelist Baldacci’s latest work is described as a “psychological thriller,” in which two women — one a single mom and former detective, the other a brilliant but ruthless con artist — are locked in an electrifying life and death battle. Before long the detective-turned-remote working mom is framed for murder in a scenario where no one is who they say they are. Wrote What’s Better Than Books, “Overall, ‘Simply Lies’ is an exceptionally menacing, intricately woven, highly entertaining mystery that has a nice amount of suspense, good character development, and great pace. It’s currently a standalone novel by Baldacci, but something tells me this could quickly turn out to be another must-read series I need to add to my list.” (Fiction)
“The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder,” by David Grann (Doubleday)
Taken from an 18th century British warship at a time when England was at war with Spain, “The Wager” chronicles the demise of its namesake vessel on the rocks off the coast of Patagonia while it was on a secret mission. The surviving crew ate boiled seaweed and even resorted to cannibalism to survive. Many of the crew blamed their fate on the ship’s captain, David Cheap, an authoritarian officer who ascended to his position when the initial captain died at sea. Many of the crew eventually mutiny, led by gunner John Bulkeley. Bulkeley and the mutineers made it to Brazil aboard another vessel, and eventually to England where they were hailed as heroes. Six months later Cheap and his loyal remaining crew arrive with an entirely different story, prompting a naval court martial. “The Wager” is “A tour de force of narrative nonfiction,” according to The Wall Street Journal. (Nonfiction)
“The Watchmaker’s Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom,” by Larry Loftis (William Morrow)
New York Times bestselling author Larry Loftis adds to a reputation made by writing engrossing nonfiction spy thrillers. His latest chronicles the life of a Dutch watchmaker, who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during WWII. Although the Gestapo knew what Corrie ten Boom and her family were up to, they were unable to discover where they hid the refugees. She was eventually arrested and sent to a German concentration camp. Upon her release after the war, she forgave her Nazi captors and became a Christian missionary. Said Barbara Bamberger Scott, reviewing for Book Reporter, “Loftis successfully brings Corrie ten Boom to a new generation, skillfully and aptly providing daily happenings, lively dialogue and inner thought to this well-researched history. Her achievements and courage as arrayed by Loftis will offer hope and a renewed sense of resolve to all who labor in good cause.” (Nonfiction)
“When Race Trumps Merit: How the Pursuit of Equity Sacrifices Excellence, Destroys Beauty, and Threatens Lives,” by Heather Mac Donald (DW Books)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become quite the rage as a basis for hiring employees and appointing officials instead of the old tried and true “the best and the brightest.” Not coincidentally, the U.S. secretary of transportation focuses on “racist” highways while news of train derailments and supply chain issues mount, and an ATF director wants to ban “assault weapons” but can’t define what they are. Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a contributing editor of City Journal, and a New York Times bestselling author, argues that we have to get back to the basics. She described how the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 accelerated this process and how to return to sanity. (Nonfiction)