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Brothers for Life: Hoosiers at the Crossroads

M. Franklin Parrish’s Brothers for Life is a heartfelt family memoir that traces over a century of American history through the eyes and lives of two remarkable brothers, Richard and Myles Parrish. The book weaves together tales of grit, sacrifice, family bonds, and small-town values. Spanning from the Civil War to post-World War II America, it shows the deep imprint that hardship leaves on generations. Rooted in Decatur, Indiana, it chronicles the Parrish family’s journey through war, poverty, loss, and triumph. It also offers a broader commentary on what it means to endure and thrive in the face of both historic and personal adversity.

The storytelling is deeply personal, almost confessional, like sitting across from a wise, soft-spoken elder who is sharing memories. The writing itself isn’t flashy or literary. It’s straight talk, steeped in emotion and thick with detail. That’s part of its charm. It’s not trying to impress; it’s trying to remember, and in doing so, it invites the reader to feel a connection. I teared up more than once, moved by the quiet beauty of brotherhood and unspoken family devotion. When Richard gives his car to Myles for a honeymoon or when young boys lead their blind father door-to-door to sell brooms, it struck an emotional chord I didn’t see coming.

What impressed me most wasn’t the history lessons or the political tidbits, though those were fascinating too, but the way the book unpacks the idea of legacy. These men weren’t just living for themselves. They were laying down stepping stones for others, holding up their whole family like scaffolding. The book doesn’t pretend they were perfect. They were opinionated, scarred, and even eccentric at times. But they were fiercely loyal, and that loyalty shows up again and again in small moments that feel big because they’re real. At times, the book dips into family record-keeping, and some chapters lean into formality, but the heartbeat always comes back strong.

I’d recommend Brothers for Life to anyone who wants a story that feels lived-in. If you’ve ever cared deeply about your family or tried to understand where you came from, this book will speak to you. It’s for history buffs. But more than that, it’s for people who believe character matters and small-town stories can carry the weight of a nation’s soul. It reminded me that our past isn’t just in textbooks, it’s alive in the choices we make, the people we love, and the stories we choose to tell.

Pages: 149 | ASIN : B0F251CZYZ

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White Lies Matter Too

In White Lies Matter Too, author John A. O’Connor presents a compelling exploration of American history, interweaving conceptual art with well-researched narratives. Each section of the book is structured around a series of plates that delve into varied aspects of American historical narratives, illuminating marginalized perspectives and critiquing entrenched national myths. Through his analysis of presidential legacies and the global ramifications of recent events, O’Connor challenges readers to reassess their grasp of historical realities.

Utilizing a combination of visual symbolism, engaging storytelling, and academic thoroughness, O’Connor crafts a narrative that scrutinizes accepted truths and advocates for a deeper, more layered understanding of history. His critical approach to sources and distrust of official narratives enhances the book’s identity as both an art piece and a scholarly work. O’Connor reflects on the transformative power of art and history, encouraging readers to question dominant narratives and adopt a more critical view of past events.

White Lies Matter Too asserts itself as a notable addition to both contemporary art and historical analysis, posing a compelling challenge to the oversimplifications prevalent in mainstream historical portrayals. O’Connor’s methodical research and analytical perspective utilize visual and narrative elements to provoke thought and broaden the reader’s historical insight. The book’s detailed citations underscore its scholarly merit, inviting readers to critically evaluate the information presented by traditional sources.

This work serves as a vital catalyst for reflection and discussion, enriching readers’ understanding of American history and prompting them to scrutinize the stories that shape their views of the world. White Lies Matter Too is indispensable for those intrigued by the convergence of culture, politics, and history.

Pages: 158 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D25DK59C

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Reclaiming The American Democratic Impulse

Laurie Thomas Vass’s book, Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse, presents a comprehensive analysis of the political climate in the United States, past and present, and the nation’s future. The author offers an unfiltered and unbiased view of the Constitution, laws, policy-making, and the legacy left by politicians. In the introduction, Vass discusses President Obama, providing highlights from Mark Levin’s book, The Liberty Amendment, which offers a fascinating discussion on socialism. Throughout the subsequent chapters, Vass tackles every critical topic related to democracy, including political parties, collectivism, anti-individualism, the presidency, the rule of law, and the origins of Madison’s British Social Class.

The author presents a fair and professional outlook on American democracy, highlighting the importance of exercising rights and fulfilling responsibilities at the political table. Vass’s approach is even-handed and straightforward. The language used is accessible, and the author’s arguments are supported by significant reference materials. Chapter six, in particular, is a standout chapter, where Vass offers a comprehensive breakdown of why she wrote the book, what it means to reclaim the American democratic impulse, its components, and how it affects the political climate. The final chapter is equally thought-provoking and summarizes the author’s thoughts on democracy in America.

After reading Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse, readers will have a sober understanding of the Obama legacy, be able to analyze constitutional amendments and comprehend why representation from impartial figures matters. This book is excellent for patriotic individuals and those interested in matters of public leadership.

Pages: 200 | ASIN : B00IRGCC78

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Camp David Conspiracy

The war on drugs in America is raging. Everyone, from low-income communities to the high-end politicians, lawyers, and doctors, enjoys the hard-hitting high that comes from cocaine, heroin, and other recreational drugs. Unfortunately, federal government organizations like the DEA and FBI are at a loss on how to stop this profitable and overly active industry. It is not until President Osbourne’s best friend loses his son to a mugging gone wrong by a drug addict looking for cash to pay for his next hit that he takes the war on drugs seriously. Too seriously. Casualties on both sides of this war reveal corruption and conspiracies from every angle. Author Antim Straus writes a fictional piece based on the history of the War on Drugs in Camp David Conspiracy.

The author has a solid understanding of politics and the war on drugs, and it is clear the author has done his research. Character development is one of the highlights of this novel. The story follows several characters from the White House, the Cartel, reporter Wines, drug dealers, and many more. I really enjoyed this approach because I was able to see from each character’s perspective how drugs personally affected their lives. The author’s ability to create a wide cast of characters is one to be applauded, as each character was very different and believable.

The author seamlessly changes perspectives between characters within each chapter; I always knew who was talking and whose thoughts readers were listening in on. In addition, the author explains in detail concepts like buyers, sellers, dropping packages, runners, etc., which allows the reader to understand the criminal side of drug dealing. I felt like I was watching a crime show, and I found it hard to put this book down. I also liked how pieces of the news articles were inserted into the book, fully immersing the reader in the drama.

I feel this book is more of a crime thriller than a political thriller, and I only mention this as it may deter other readers from picking up this enticing book. Camp David Conspiracy is a raw, gritty, and intense read that takes the reader into a deep dive into the drug operation and the war on drugs. This is the first book in Antim Straus’s Geoffrey Wines Series. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Disorder.

Camp David Conspiracy is a riveting political thriller novel that will have readers on edge with each suspenseful chapter. This crime fiction book is filled with intimate details of how drug rings are conducted and the conspiracy of those in high political places.

Pages: 335 | ASIN : B07KDW9L9Z

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Different Essays: (They’re Certainly Different)

What will intrigue readers from the start of Charles Pinwill’s book is the title; it is fascinating and straightforward. Different Essays: (They’re Certainly Different) may have a simple title, but the stories in the book are more than captivating. Charles Pinwill is an exciting author. He is engaging, and his way of thinking is appealing. The author also displays a charismatic and charming side throughout the book. Moving from one chapter to the next gets interesting with every new story as the author knows how to entertain his readers.

Apart from the exciting, refreshing, and entertaining texts, readers will find a lot of quotable material in Charles Pinwill’s enthralling book. One notable quote is, ‘We all appear to be trained to vote for one set of politicians because we fear the others more.’ With the current state of politics, there is a lot of truth in this statement. The chapter on ‘Slavery, Work, and Service: The Three Ages of Man’ is especially illuminating. There are solid points raised in the text and one cannot help but think of the status quo.

This book is eye-opening and enlightening. Charles Pinwill is an excellent author and one is able to easily follow his thoughts. His style is objective and skilled at ensuring that the reader remains engrossed in the main topic even when he introduces a new subject. Readers will find his writing is encouraging as well. The author uses historical references when starting to discuss a specific matter. He also uses data from proven statistics to support his arguments. Every essay or chapter is expressly written, with the author focusing on critical topics and giving great points. The writing is generally exceptional. By the end of this revealing novel, readers will have learned about capitalism, free markets, world politics, the art of policymaking, democracy, world unity and many other crucial subjects. The author has done extensive research and compiled the essays, which despite being different, are linked thoughtfully. As a reader, you will become enlightened on how the Global North operates. Furthermore, you will discover the countries’ role in shaping the world.

Different Essays: (They’re Certainly Different) is a must-read for those interested in historical and political pieces. This thought-provoking book will appeal to lovers of history and readers who want to change their communities through literature.

Pages: 544 | ASIN : B093KCZD4W

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White Lies Matter: Decoding American Deceptionalism

It’s always intriguing to find that you only need a few tricks blended with the effects of time to erode and modify people’s memory and appraisal of events or individuals. With a couple of white lies, cover-ups, and take backsies; you can make anyone see what’s not there or ignore what’s in plain sight. But John O’Connor isn’t an easy prey for deception.

In White Lies Matter: Decoding American Deceptionalism, artist and art professor John A. O’Connor points out the historical and contemporary inconsistencies plaguing American society. From issues on social justice to political matters, tainted historical accounts to double-mouthed American sweethearts, our author leaves no stone unturned in his attempt to set the records straight. He aims to uncover the long queue of American hypocrisy on display. To do this, he digs into both American systems and notable figures across several historical points.

O’Connor’s book will prompt you to question your knowledge of the world’s greatest country. The book – created as a set of digital art plates paired with explanatory text – is as visually stimulating as it’s mentally arousing. The author casts a wide net, and you’ll find many issues caught in it. He begins by punching holes in the claims that Columbus discovered America. Then he slowly works his way up to more sensitive matters. For instance, he contests America’s validity as a Christian nation since evidence from the earliest historical documents negates this notion. Past leaders aren’t spared, too, as O’Connor challenges their sainthood by revealing situations where they displayed conflicting values. You might be shocked at what you’ll learn about your favorite American heroes.

O’Connor’s concerns aren’t only with the past, though. He touches on contemporary issues that aren’t discussed enough, like the adverse effects of drilling for oil. He then shows that the public’s rating of the United States’ performance in critical areas like healthcare and law enforcement is inflated. You can be sure that the media gets a good beat down, too, for the recent flurry of fake news or “yellow journalism”. You’d expect a professor to write well, but O’Connor’s writing isn’t merely academic; it’s creative and engaging. He argues using metaphors and other storytelling elements that make his work very appealing yet easy to grasp.

This book’s arguments are unlike typical claims usually steeped in bogus conspiracy theories. O’Connor presents actual names of people, places, events, and dates, which anyone can quickly lookup. At other times, he simply helps us to connect dots that have always laid around. While there are speculations one might deem to be a stretch, his work is credible enough to provide a reasonable starting point on our quest to find the truth. Based on the research that went into it and the author’s delivery, I found the book to be a great read. O’Connor’s work might send you burrowing furiously down the holes of history to sate your curiosity. So, brace yourself.

Pages: 138 | ISBN: 1663210950

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Literary Titan Book Awards November 2020

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 imagination of these talented authors.

Gold Award Winners

   

The Enigma Threat by Roxanne Burkey and Charles Breakfield

Silver Award Winners

The Touring Pro: A Person of Interest by Frederick L Malphurs

 

Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information and see all award winners.

 

The Hainan Conflict

The Hainan Conflict (The Net Book 2) by [DM Coffman]

The Hainan Conflict by D.M Coffman, is a fast paced thriller with incredible and fascinating adventures combined with fast-paced action, and traces of romance. The shadowy hidden cave reckons to end the military conflict of the loyal troops, the island hosts some wicked organization. U.S attorney, and undercover detective YI along with Sarah, a Tibetan judge, are on a mission on the Hainan Island, all are in pursuit of clues relating to the discovery of a refined computer system, concealed in the heart of this aboriginal village. As Sarah, is recovering from an attack, Yi realizes the operations of the internet along with other bio –weapons, all in the underground cave.

D.M Coffman, has used engaging and descriptive language along with intense imagery that clearly reveals the essence of intelligent and brave, but sometimes manipulative, characters. The tension is set high early on in this book and explodes every time the tension breaks with fast action scenes. The mystery of the dynamic personalities of the characters is what intensifies the essence of conflict since every moment brings new discoveries.

As a thriller fanatic, I am particularly impressed with D.M Coffman’s style of delivery, the intrigue that comes along with divided interests even among the inner circle of main characters. So amazing, that there is a heightened tension between Sarah and Yi, yet they have to resolve their differences fast and amicably lest they are defeated by their mysterious enemies.

I liked the turn of events from the time Yi, the undercover detective discovers the enemy’s plan to attack. How he quickly needs to form a secretive military conflict whose fundamental requirement is to be in sync with the US-Sino collaboration. These calculated series of events are the real grounds of the Hainan conflict which eventually result into a forced landing on the island.

The conspiracy among individual characters which pops us in every chapter only heightens the suspense and curiosity. The Hainan Conflict is a captivating political thriller that fans of a Tom Clancy or Robert Ludlum will heartily enjoy.

Pages: 254 | ASIN: B082WMGYF9

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