Enemy Of The People: Book Review

The Enemy of the People
By Jim Acosta
Purchased copy from Kindle


I was excited to learn Jim Acosta was publishing his memoir about covering the president since 2016. I don't know what I was expecting. I was a bit disappointed. The book seemed to re-hash everything I knew about. I found the book dry in parts and not too interesting. If you are a political hound like me. I recommend you don't buy it. You can find everything about his experiences on CNN, and Youtube.



Mr. Acosta talks about some friendships he has lost because of the political climate we are in now. He talks about rallies and tactics that Mr. Trump uses to rile up his base.  Some of it is frightening to think a President can do, or say anything without consequences to the audience. The Journalists and reporters become the center of attention at his rallies to rile up the audience. What CNN did to protect Mr. Acosta when he was sued by the President



Thank you, Mr. Acosta, for standing up for the PEOPLE. You are not the Enemy of the People, The President of the United States is. Thank you, and others like you that stand up to his lies and make him accountable. You put the pressure on him, and others in his cabinet. Unfortunately, Mr. Acosta has become the news. That is one thing a reporter is taught in Journalism. You don't want to make yourself part of the story. Unfortunately, with this president, you don't have a choice.



The only way you make the President accountable. Is to question him. When you question him, you will be attacked by what is not favorable to him. Instead, he spits nails and fights back. We need more journalists to fight back for Freedom of the Press. Unfortunately, there are journalists that are competitive and want to win favors to the president and has sold out journalism. Just to get the story for fame. Thank g-d, some like Mr. Acosta, and Ms. Ryan stand up for the people, and our constitution.

Love Mayor Pete: Book Review-Shortest Way Home

Shortest Way Home
By Pete Buttigieg



I remember the first time I saw this young man on TV. I didn't like him too much. I thought he was smug and conceited. I thought he was saying that the older folks don't matter. I thought he felt we were infallible and insignificant. After I watched him more and more at other town halls and TV appearances. I realized I didn't give him a chance. I like what he has to say. Mayor Pete as he likes to be called. Has lived in South Bend all his life in Indiana. He is a very intelligent young man. He is a Rhodes Scholar, He was in the Navy Reserves in Afghanistan. All at the age of 37. And of course, he is a Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He has been elected two times. He is a gay man, happily married about a year ago to Chasten with two dogs.

Mayor Pete is well qualified with being a mayor and serving in the military. He seems to be believable, good character, good morals, honest, good character, well mannered, and humble.  After watching him more and more for the last few months.  I am behind Mayor Pete.

What else can be added that hasn't been said. He is magic to my ears. He is a breath of fresh air. He is very unique than the rest of the pack( up to 20 I think) He has a great love for his city, as mayor of South Bend.

Besides his political aspirations. There is a man. He is totally opposite of any politician I have heard before. He is genuine, he has character.

His religion does play a part in his genuineness. You can hear it when he speaks. He does not push his belief on others. Which is one subject I wish he wrote in his book.

He has demeanor without anger. Which is what attracted me to him at first.  Then the other qualities accentuated everything else. Besides at the age of 37. He is an old man living in a young man's body. Perhaps it has to do with his parents being academics, an only child.

He has all the traits our current president doesn't. He is college educated, Rhode Scholar, served as mayor in South Bend. Served in the Navy as a reservist for seven months. He also ran for head of DNC. All of this before the age of 40.

At the beginning of his book. I wasn't thrilled with the writing. He kept jumping around. Then after a while, he seemed to get his footing.

I enjoyed reading his book because he gave me hope for our country. I actually wanted to buy Audible to listen to his words, as well as reading. I felt it would have brought his emotions to his book.

 I have seen him in all the town halls since he has announced he is running for president. I enjoy listening to his hope and aspirations for this country.

I am not only reviewing the book. But, also what I think of Major Pete. He can hold his own. He knows how to defend his character as well as what he wants for our country to lead as a young man.

At first, I wasn't thrilled with him. I felt he was isolated us older folks behind. Feeling like we were irrelevant. After I got past that. And realized that wasn't what his intention was. I was all in for Pete.

What he has is he is a young, innovative, data-driven, and new ideas, business-oriented young man. He worked as a data-driven consultant. Which I think will bring new ideas to government. I am tired of the old stuffy old men running our country. They are old fashioned and keeping us behind. Its time for a change. The old men think we think like they do, no! They are behind the times. (BTW, I'm in my early  60's).

The other subject, I don't sway for just to pigeon hole a person. If the person is a man, woman, gay, straight, African-American, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, etc. I vote for the person. If he can do a good job.

There are many more candidates I am leaning toward him, and Elizabeth Warren. I will see what others bring to the table in a couple of weeks.

Book Review: Furious Hours

Furious Hours
By Casey Cep
Review copy from Random House


First, let me explain the controversy about Harper Lee, and To Kill a Mockingbird. The book was a heartwarming novel about a little girl named, Scout. Her father was a lawyer in a small town. He was trying a case against a black man. The book was adapted into a movie as the same name. As far as anyone knew To Kill a Mockingbird was her first, and only novel.

There were many stories out there about Harper Lee. But, no one knew for sure. In 2015 the speculation was over. She published her novel. It is said this was actually her prequel to Kill a Mockingbird.

I had wanted to read Furious Hours for months when I first heard about it. I didn't know what to expect. All I knew it was in connection with Harper Lee and a crime, Wow! That intrigued me

 I thought to myself why would she go from writing literary fiction to crime non-fiction. I totally forgot that her father worked for a newspaper in Alabama. Also, she helped her friend the famous writer, Truman Capote write in Cold Blood. I realized she does have the expertise. There has been so much speculation for years why she never wrote another book.


Here is the murder article from the NYT.


The book, Furious Hours does open the door to some unanswered questions. But, still, at the end, you realize nobody really knows why she never published" The Reverend". She had done her research and gathered so much information. There was no reason she didn't publish it.

The book opens up to three parts, the actual crime. The second part was the lawyer who tried the case. And the third was Harper Lee herself. The first part felt like I was reading a John Grisham novel.


SPOILER **************SPOILER*************************SPOILER***************

 In the 1970s a serial killer was on the loose. A suspected Afro-American Preacher named, Reverend Willey Maxwell. He was accused of murdering his family, but why??

After killing many different people in town who actually felt that he put a hex on people because of voodoo. He Apparently had killed several people for insurance money. He collected several thousands of dollars. And he's lawyer helped him get away with the murders. He also tried the man who killed Rev. Maxwell.  Apparently back then you could insure anyone. It didn't have to be a relative. He got away with it for years. No one was interested in a black man committing several crimes. At least that is the way Casey Cep portrays the town and the criminal system in Alabama.

Several times the preacher, Reverend Maxwell was tried. Several times he was acquitted. When the trial opened up for Mr. Burns trial. Who was sitting in the audience at the courthouse of the trial of Mr. Burns? None other than Harper Lee. She thought she could write a book about the crime. Not the way Truman Capote wrote In Cold Blood. Apparently, the book was full of holes. She wanted to write a book full of truths, not made up facts. She accused Truman of not being truthful. She had left NYC to her native Alabama.  She stayed in Alabama digging up and gathering research for her book.

Casey Cep was writing a story for the Atlantic. It was here, she went to Alabama to write a piece about Harper Lee's last novel, Go Set The Watchman. It is also here where she got the idea for a book. Where she learned about the murder case Harper Lee was working on for years and never published.

I enjoyed reading the book. The way it is written. It is like three stories in one. The author you can tell was obsessed with Harper Lee's work. She did a lot of research. At first, I didn't understand why the author was talking about insurance. As you get further in the book it does make it interesting. Especially when she talks about the area where the crime happened. Background info.  about the Reverend, and the history of the industry of insurance. The author writes so much background info. concerning the case( why, where, when, and how). I don't think I ever read a book like this one before. With such detail. You can tell she put her whole heart into the book because of her love of Harper Lee. You can also say the book is a biography of Harper Lee. Some details are answered. But, some are still unanswered questions about the author will never be known.

I recommend Furious Hours to anyone that is a Harper Lee fan. Also, anyone that loves true crime, and loves research. You will enjoy reading, I guarantee you.

The Gown: Book Review

The Gown
By Jennifer Robson
ARC from Harper Collins









I picked The Gown after an ARC came to my mailbox for our book club. Our book club will be discussing the book in June.

 It was ironic I picked the novel before Prince Harry and Princess Meghan delivered their first child.  We have been reading very serious books lately. I wanted us to read something a bit lighter. I enjoyed reading, The Gown. The book if you think is about Princess Elizabeth you will be disappointed. The book is about the relationship of two ladies that worked at the famous fashion house called Hartnell. The fashion house was picked by the monarchy to make Princess Elizabeth's gown.

The book drew me in from the first page. It has fashion, mystery, suspense, and romance rolled into one. In 1947 after the war, when England and Europe are picking up the pieces. English monarchy has a wedding to plan for their daughter, Elizabeth, and Phillip. The monarchy decides to use the fashion house, Hartnell. The book starts at present in 2016. Something is left for Heather by her Grandmother. Heather picks up and leaves for England. To find out what the connection is to her Grandmother and the gown.

I picked The Gown hoping it would be light reading. Getting away from WW2, and the Holocaust. Wouldn't you know? One of the characters was a camp survivor. But, luckily it wasn't heavy-handed.

The story is divided from past and present. Also divided by the three people, Anna, Mariam, and Heather. I think the author did a wonderful job setting up the book and the writing technique that kept you captivated to almost the end of the book.  I always check out books after I read. To research and find out the actual events, and people. 📚

The best part of the book was the description of the Cathedral, the wedding ceremony, the description of the gown. I could actually feel like I was there.👰

SPOILER ALERT

The two characters Anna, and Miriam are not real characters. My cyberfriend was so upset about it she let me know how she felt. I agreed. After I post I'm certainly going to do research on the fashion house, the gown, and the seamstress that is mentioned in the book. Now, Betty Foster is real. She did work at the fashion house. At the end of the book the author has a Q\A.

 I don't want to set up the story because I'm afraid I will spoil it for you.

I don't usually read women's fiction, or a beach read. I think the book had more meat to it than other novels that are called Women's fiction. I was fascinated and loved the book. Perhaps more so because I love historical fiction, specifically, British. Also, I was watching the Netflix series, The Crown in my head while reading. I haven't watched the third season yet. So, here is my excuse.

Book Review: Truth in our Times

Truth in Our Times
By David E. McCraw


Complimentary Copy from:
Netgalley, All Points Books
(St. Martin)


The book gave me insight into what a lawyer actually does for a newspaper. If you work for one of those newspapers, NYT, Washington Post, etc. It is a good idea to have a lawyer to back you up. What is important that a lawyer is used for is the first amendment( right of free speech). One thing that is challenged by our President, and the DOJ on a daily basis.

The author, David E. McCraw is a good lawyer to have at your side. When you work for the paper. There are many dangerous situations you may find yourself, as a journalist. You are kidnapped by terrorists, the government wants to sue for leaked info. How is that handled? The information act, the government refuses to release the info. Lawyers must take it to court because the government refuses to release the papers. 

The most important info brought in the book. How much our President has challenged the first amendment. How very important free speech, and freedom of the press is. If we don't have newspapers, and journalists to challenge our government. The most important, the local newspapers are gone. The local papers are no longer needed financially. Corruption is easy to take over in the local governments. Since newspapers aren't around for transparency and accountability.

The book is not a fun book to read of course. It is dry for the common reader. If you were aware of the examples of the first amendment under fire. You could relate to what the author was talking about. There were several situations the author used examples. Where I didn't know what he was talking about. If I had, I think I could relate better. If you are a lawyer. I recommend the book anyone who wants to know about the law and the first amendment. 

At times the book is dry. But, that could be because I don't have a real understanding of the law.At times the book was a bit confusing what was going on. But, I got the main objective. The author is the same author that wrote an op-ed to President Trump.  I am an advocate of free speech and freedom of the press. The book just added my core values of freedom of both. We must continue not allowing the president to call the press, enemy of the people. that is a dangerous thing to say in our divisive country. Yes, there is definitely fake news. Which I call it out, and say lies. But when news report you question. Do your own research. President Trump lies all the time. Fox News has become Mr. Trump's mouthpiece. When something doesn't sound right to you, check it out first and don't spread the news that you know is false. Check it first before posting.