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Battles Within: My Journey of Self & Service
Battles Within: My Journey of Self and Service by Adam DeMarco is an inspiring journey through one man’s surprisingly remarkable life. Adam grew up on the coast of Florida as a headstrong young boy. In 2001, two events would change his world forever: his parent’s divorce and the destruction of the World Trade Center. In a thoughtful exploration of trauma, Adam relates how he spiraled in the wake of both tragedies, which led to a life-changing decision when his high school coach pulled him aside one day, asking him, “Why not join the army?”
Adam’s life-changing choice leads him to West Point, followed by multiple deployments overseas, a stint as a politician, and rejoining the military, which later leads to unexpected changes, including becoming a whistleblower. Readers will find the story incredible, with a rollercoaster of highs, life-altering experiences, heartaches, and lessons learned alongside many achievements. While the book may seem overwhelming at times, it’s an exciting, inspirational read that I enjoyed.
The book offers a fascinating historical and cultural background about the military, woven between personal anecdotes, political events, and unique perspectives. DeMarco’s writing takes on a casual, conversational tone, which gives readers a sense of familiarity. The book is rich in poignant introspection regarding the author’s childhood, his relationship with the United States military, and the people who shaped him into the man he is today.
I appreciated the author’s writing style and how he addresses many aspects of his life and experiences, including mental health, which he covers with great care and consideration. He also acknowledges the trauma that comes from experiencing combat and violence and less visible tragedies such as divorce and bullying.
Battles Within: My Journey of Self and Service by Adam DeMarco is an extremely exciting and engaging read with the potential to change how readers view the military and the broader political context of the past few decades.
ASIN 1955026408 | Pages
My Maril
Terry Karger and Jay Margolis have written the mesmerizing story, My Maril, in memory of Marilyn Monroe, Jane Wymann, and Ronald Raegan, three of her confidantes and Hollywood stars. This unfiltered story contains stories that no one has heard about these three legendary figures, who, despite their fame, were humble and down to earth. Her father, Fred, began dating Marilyn when Terry was just six years old. However, Marilyn remained a family friend even after the affair ended. Of the three superstars, Marilyn is the main focus, and Karger goes into detail about the beautiful relationship their “Maril” had with this family. In addition, the author shares unseen pictures and stories about Marilyn’s sweet nature along with the sorrowful events that occurred after her unfortunate passing.
The authors have written an unfeigned memoir that displays the intensity of their feelings toward Marilyn Monroe. Karger and Margolis have reawakened Marilyn Monroe’s legacy by sharing these personal and intimate stories. Readers get an insight into Marilyn Monroe’s life from someone who saw her as an elder sister and a mother figure. Furthermore, they talk about her stepmother Jane Wymann, her ex-husband Ronald Reagan, and their children, Maureen and Michael.
Despite being surrounded by celebrities her entire life, Karger always saw them as ordinary, and she has shared some of her engrossing encounters with other Hollywood stars. As a foster child, Marilyn regarded the Kargers as her adopted family. In spite of her admiration for Marilyn, Karger has also spoken of the superstar’s insecurity as a young actress who struggled in the spotlight. Several people believe that Marilyn did not commit suicide but was murdered, and Terry Karger supports that claim by sharing numerous pieces of evidence.
My Maril: Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Hollywood, and Me is a beautiful and heartfelt biography and memoir that humanizes Marilyn Monroe and honors her in a way readers have not seen before. This passionate telling of her life and the impact she had on the writers is something readers will remember and hold onto. The emotions and motivation behind writing this story come from someone who knew and loved Marilyn as if she were her own family.
Pages: 292 | ASIN : B0B3LNLBVJ
Experiences of a Lifetime
Donald Brown’s book Experiences of a Lifetime is a memoir of his life. At the age of 88, he wrote a book that tells the stories he has experienced since his childhood as a farm kid living in New Mexico to various places not only in the USA but also in Europe and elsewhere in the world. He studied at Eastern New Mexico University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and worked in several different positions, including president of a pharmaceutical company, national sales director, director of missions, and pastor.
All the stories and experiences that the author of the book shares with the reader are not chronological, but it does not affect the quality of the content in any way; in fact, it gives you a greater picture of his life when you finish the book and reflect on it. Experiences such as being assaulted by thieves in Egypt while visiting the pyramids, which eventually led to a new opportunity, helping people who survived hurricanes in several places, watching the sun ceremony of the Ute tribe, educational Hawaiian experience, and ordinary daily situations that will convince you that even in the little things there are hidden strong messages. The experiences that Brown shares are sometimes breathtaking. Each of his stories has a reference to the holy scriptures, as the author says, “in the hope that the reader will receive a practical benefit,” and in several cases, a powerful lesson.
Experiences of a Lifetime is a poignant memoir and inspirational story. It is written in an engaging but light style; quotations and references to holy scriptures do not feel like a sermon but rather like the narration of an acquaintance who tries to advise you in various situations and directs you more toward God. If you like traveling and short stories and are open to perceiving the world in a way other than logic, it is worth reading this book.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B07Q5LXCKC
Literary Titan Gold Book Award Feb 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award February 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Scars of Gold
Scars of Gold is Sharon Stoliar’s true story of giving birth in the hands of a system that failed her and the long-lasting effects it has had on her life. In November 2011, Sharon Stoliar became a mom for the first time. After a fairly unproblematic pregnancy, she was sent off to an emergency cesarean section due to her posterior-facing baby. However, instead of getting to heal and enjoy the precious first moments of her baby’s life, she was faced with the fact that she had developed acute compartment syndrome, a rare complication in the postpartum period that requires urgent decompressive surgery (a fasciotomy) to prevent permanent damage and amputation. Sharon’s case, however, was not handled as it should have been despite her being a midwife herself and trying to open the medical staff’s eyes in order to treat her properly. The poor care she obtained left her with immense problems in her right leg that continue to cause physical challenges in her daily life.
This eye-opening book left me speechless reading the author’s story. Why is the most beautiful thing in the world handled so poorly? Another thing I thought of while reading is all the women whose healthy babies die during birth due to various causes; I can’t even imagine the pain these women face. And finally, the fact that this doesn’t just happen during childbirth; it occurs in all aspects of seeking medical help and all around the world. People end up with a worse prognosis, are severely injured, or even die because of the lack of medical attention or the carelessness of the medical practitioners they relied on to help them.
Sharon is truly a hero and inspiration both as a mother who went through a horrible experience leaving her with lifelong health issues and as a midwife who is passionate about making a change. And on top of that, she doesn’t put the blame on anyone, knowing that there was nothing they could do to prevent her syndrome, but rather encourages her colleagues to listen because if they did, she might have ended up with fewer consequences now.
I genuinely applaud the author for sharing her experience, no matter how painful it is for her, and how time doesn’t heal everything. I commend her for dedicating her life to helping better a somewhat broken system, and I think that this book should be a conversation starter for people who have been wronged and scared by the hands who were supposed to heal them, no matter if it was new moms or patients suffering from anything else.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0BLWCVRTL
I Am Why They Killed Diana
This captivating and detailed piece tells the story of an American girl with Scottish roots named Cynthia. In this diary-like memoir, Cynthia takes you through her mostly abusive but sometimes beautiful childhood that turns into an even more tragic but still sometimes beautiful adulthood. Follow along on this journey with her as she takes readers through the twists and turns of her friendships, family members, lovers, jobs, and a secret heritage that no one seems to know about.
This shocking and captivating read is set up like a journal with entries from the author that contain dates, times, places, and even images making this an authentic read. The author manages to weave her experiences, adventures, tragedies, and love all in about 150 pages. Cynthia Gunn takes us on the crazy journey that is her life, and if it’s anything like the writing, it truly was a chaotic love story to herself. Jumping around and going off topic sometimes, you can see the passion and fever that Cynthia was writing within every word. The author speaks directly to the reader, and I can sense her heart and the truth that lies in these pages.
I AM WHY THEY KILLED DIANA The Secret of The Red String… is Cynthia’s story and is a fascinating and intriguing account. However, she jumps from one subject to the next and then back to the other, sometimes making it a little difficult for me to keep up with it all. Nevertheless, I feel this is a style choice, and combined with the author’s passion and dedication to her history, it works. I would recommend this riveting read to those who enjoy history, drama, and memoirs, as this book has it all.
Pages: 144 | ASIN : B0026MS6U6
Being Transparent
In Being Transparent, Wilda Rodriguez tells the heartbreaking story of how she dealt with her son’s drug addiction. This emotional book is a collection of journal entries that she wrote over the years, and it depicts the raw and honest nature of her emotions. Rodriguez struggles to cope with the most challenging season of her life, unsure of where she went wrong as a mother. In her hopelessness, she finds refuge and relief in religion. Wilda focuses on reminding people that there is a God out there. You also gain internal peace and tranquility by being transparent with him and trusting him to do the right thing.
Wilda Rodriguez has bared herself in front of her readers by sharing her brutally honest story in Being Transparent. Her intimate thoughts are openly written so that people can connect with them and feel less isolated. Through this inspirational book, she illustrates how being transparent with herself, God, and others gave her journey a head start and eventually led her to heal. Furthermore, Rodriguez has shared in-depth the steps she took that gradually helped her gain inner peace and acceptance. Finally, she has written her realistic experience in a raw and honest tone which exhibits how discombobulated and tangled she really was.
Rodriguez has written this book authentically from the core of her heart in hopes of reaching out and helping those in similar situations. The author also discusses how addiction affects not only the victims but those around them too. She narrates the events that took place over the years while offering truth, answers, and comfort as well. People usually feel suffocated and helpless in such situations, which is why she advises them to embrace reality and trust in God’s plan; by doing so, she rekindles their hope and helps them through an impossible time.
Being Transparent: My Story: Facing my son’s drug addiction is Wilda Rodriguez’s heartbreaking and inspiring memoir. Her true story shares the pain she experienced the questions she had no answers to, and the path she took to self-healing and acceptance.
Pages: 57 | ASIN : B0BMRVVBZ1
LITERARY TITAN 