Bono, much like Bruce Springsteen, can sell a ton of records and tour stadiums around the world, but is maligned by many for his views and activities. Is he just another rich, liberal rockstar whose solution is to throw other people’s money at countries that can’t solve their own problems? Bono is certainly an activist … More Bono: Surrender, 40 Songs, One Story (book review)
The anxiously awaited book by Pulitzer Prize winning, White House correspondent Maggie Haberman, who covered the subject of this book for years writing for various New York publications. She interviewed more than 200 sources, and the subject himself several times. He called her his psychiatrist; later, he referred to her as a third-rate journalist. If … More Confidence Man (2022), by Maggie Haberman (book review)
Mark T. Esper was the Defense Secretary under the Trump. His memoirs are quite interesting for several reasons. Esper, a former Army officer, served as Secretary of the Army and held other jobs in and outside of the Pentagon. While Secretary of the Army, Esper writes that he began a series of actions to streamline … More A Sacred Oath, Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times (Review)
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most celebrated and revered persons, certainly ranked in the shortlist of greatest American presidents. Abe, since he and I are on a first name basis, is also one of the most written about men in history. During the past few years, I have to confess, Abe has been on … More Young Abe Lincoln: Lessons
In 1980, the Clash released a song called “Ivan Meets G.I. Joe” on their stunning Sandinista album. At the time, U.S. – Soviet relations were at a low point. The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan and the U.S. was sending arms to Afghan fighters, particularly Stinger surface to air missiles that fell many Soviet helicopters … More Ivan Meets G.I. Joe
Only one of two Attorney Generals to serve multiple times, William Barr looks back on his long legal and government service career in One Damn Thing After Another. The title of the book should be, William Barr: A Privileged, Trump Apologist. I have read a number of Trump-era looks; some good, some bad. Barr’s book … More William Barr: One Damn Thing After Another
I just finished reading Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior by Ric Prado. A couple of weeks ago I saw a feature on Prado on CBS Sunday Morning. I was interested enough to find a copy of his new book. As a Boomer, I grew up during the Cold War, which seems … More The CIA and Other Stories
These are my opinions. I find the events of the past days horrifying and yet familiar. Maybe I should stick to music, films and poetry. I’ll return to that soon, a reflection of my own safe and free existence. For a moment, I will howl at the moon. Why should Americans care about the invasion … More Meet the New Boss, Same As the Old Boss
I promoted myself to retiree Life is a whole new dance card Suddenly I’ve misplaced my purpose Rudderless, with no on-duty lifeguard — Mondays, just another free day Fridays, part of the perpetual weekend Adrift in a sea of vacation Calm, absent any wind — What will I do today? Same as the day before … More Captain of the Gravy Boat
U.S. Presidents have different plans after that final exit from the White House. For some, a quiet life of golf and writing memoirs, for others it means speeches and staying in the public eye. The presidential memoir is a lucrative endeavor and also an opportunity to “set the record straight” so to speak. Each president … More After the White House
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