Blog Archives
Random Musings of the Left Hemisphere
Random Musings of the Left Hemisphere by Mike Joyner serves as a comprehensive anthology of his reflective insights on a myriad of political and social issues currently permeating the United States. Joyner critically examines the cultural trend of “woke-ism” and the embracement of progressivism, contending that such movements are, paradoxically, regressing American society towards historic European models of governance that our nation’s founders fervently resisted.
The book casts a wide net, exploring topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic, gun violence, the controversial Florida voting incident, impeachment, perceived leftist privilege, the Black Lives Matter movement, and even personal anecdotes like ‘Grandpa’s dating rule.’ By incorporating elements from his personal life, Joyner forges a human connection with his readers, fostering a relatable and engaging atmosphere.
True to its title, the book is a rich tapestry of diverse thoughts, presented in succinct chapters that streamline reader comprehension while maintaining their engagement. Joyner’s profound passion for the well-being of his country and its citizens is palpable in each chapter. His candid and bold commentary, driven by his desire for a safer and fairer nation, is both refreshing and thought-provoking.
One particularly poignant chapter sees Joyner express a deep-seated protective instinct, asserting that as a father, grandfather, and husband, he would courageously place himself between a child and danger, mirroring the heartbreaking sacrifice made by teachers during the tragic incident in Florida.
Readers concerned about the future trajectory of the United States will find Joyner’s book an enlightening and conversational read. Amid an era characterized by cancel culture and a lack of tolerance for divergent views, Joyner fearlessly articulates his perspectives on where he perceives the nation is faltering and how it can strive toward improvement.
Random Musings of the Left Hemisphere offers an insightful exploration of contemporary American issues. While Joyner’s views might not resonate with everyone, they undeniably provoke thoughtful consideration. Regardless of one’s political orientation, this book provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance understanding of current American challenges and the complexities of its political landscape.
Pages: 122 | ASIN : B0C2WMQNHH
A Walk In The Turkey Woods
A Walk in the Turkey Woods: Wandering Thoughts and Revelations by Mike Joyner is a charming and delightful read that blends whimsical prose and verse with evocative photographs. Divided into small, titled sections, Joyner’s writing provides a vivid sense of the turkey woods as a place of communion with oneself and a higher power rather than simply a hunting ground.
Through richly detailed descriptions of the scenery, rituals, and emotions of turkey hunting gatherings, Joyner creates a strong bond with the reader, conveying the depth of his personal connection to the woods and the gratitude he feels for the good health that allows him to enjoy them. Joyner’s intimate reflections on life, death, and the passage of time add a profound depth to the narrative, illuminating the precious moments and lessons learned throughout his experiences. Despite being dedicated to Joyner’s mother, who has passed away, the book is not solely about the death of a loved one. Rather, death serves as a thematic anchor, reminding Joyner to be grateful for the moments he has lived and inspiring him to maintain a journal of his thoughts and reflections to ensure that none are left unsaid.
A Walk in the Turkey Woods is a charming and intimate work of life-writing. Joyner’s verse is unpretentious yet touching, and the photographs, while ordinary, invest the narrative with a poignant sense of continuity and tradition. This book is a compelling entryway into Joyner’s thoughts and reflections on life and a reminder of the power of nature to inspire gratitude and reflection.
Pages: 104 | ASIN: B0BWYTSXR7
Ten To Life
In this book, Ten to Life: Delirium Tales of a Covid-19 Survivor, author Mike Joyner contracts COVID-19 and recounts his days in the ICU during the pandemic. Joyner was sedated for 18 days, experiencing multiple delirious dreams; some quite terrifying, some strange, and some fairly light-hearted and fun. Joyner’s intention in writing this book is to give comfort and hope to the people infected by this traumatic pandemic, to know that we are not alone in this struggle and will face the future together.
This is a difficult book to review emotionally and in the technical sense. This book is entirely based on the author’s experiences and dreams, which does not leave much room for a critique of the book’s contents. Was this book captivating and interesting? Absolutely. Were the book’s grammar and punctuation impeccable? Undeniably so. Joyner has done an amazing job writing this book. There is not a single flaw I could point out or a comment I could make to suggest improvements.
This book has a sort of Alice in Wonderland kind of feeling. The author takes us down one rabbit hole after another, into dream after dream, and as time becomes unpredictable like most dreams, things slowly stop making sense. A very relatable feeling, however, unlike waking up once or twice from one dream after another, the author experienced this over and over for 18 days. A terrifying thought.
But not only is the author trapped in their own head, but they are being hunted in their dreams. After a misunderstanding with a man named Jesse, the author is relentlessly pursued in his own mind by guns for hire. It’s a disturbing thought, especially compared to how many times Joyner “died” in his dreams, but I would hate to think that every time the author “died,” this could have possibly meant the author had needed to be resuscitated in the waking world.
I know very little about treating Covid, but from what I understand, patients need to be closely monitored while sedated in case liquid pools in the lungs. In addition, patients are rotated constantly to prevent liquid from pooling and drowning patients in their sleep. Still, with staffing shortages and the multiple people needed to flip a person over, there are higher chances of a code blue.
This would also explain why the doctors in Joyner’s dream warned him to be more careful and not “die” again. Resuscitating a person does a lot of damage to the body, and there are only so times a person can be resuscitated, only so much trauma the body can take. This book is a testament to the trauma and pain Covid inflicts on a person. I’m sorry to hear about what Joyner has been through, but I’m glad something beautiful could come out of it. This book was immaculately written and was a captivating read.
Pages: 259 | ASIN : B0B3LP45XD
LITERARY TITAN 