Blog Archives
Washington Post Is Switching Off Lights
Piotr Bardzik’s Washington Post Is Switching Off Lights is a strange, witty, and razor-sharp collection of aphorisms that reads like a cocktail of philosophy, satire, and self-therapy. It’s not a novel, not quite poetry either, but something in between, an endless stream of short, punchy reflections on politics, ego, human nature, and absurdity. The book feels like flipping through the diary of a man who sees the world too clearly to take it seriously. From politics to death to dopamine, Bardzik fires off truths and contradictions at lightning speed. You don’t read this book to follow a story. You read it to be jolted awake.
I’ll be honest, reading this felt like watching fireworks. Every line bursts for a second, then vanishes, leaving an echo. Some aphorisms are funny and wickedly sharp, others hit hard because they’re too true to laugh at. The writing is stripped bare, almost surgical, but it carries an undercurrent of despair and amusement that feels very human. I loved that it didn’t try to be lofty. It’s smart but never pretentious, bitter but never cynical. There’s something deeply personal here, too. Bardzik pokes at himself as much as he pokes at everyone else, which makes it feel authentic and weirdly comforting.
Still, it’s not a book you can swallow in one go. The tone swings from irony to sadness to hilarity in a heartbeat, and that constant shifting keeps you on your toes. There are a lot of ideas in this book. Yet that’s part of its charm. It’s a modern kind of chaos, crafted into small, perfect fragments. The language crackles with energy, and the humor often cuts deep enough to sting. It made me laugh, then wince, then think, and that’s not something I can say about many books lately.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves wordplay, irony, and truth disguised as jokes. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy thinkers like Wilde, Cioran, or Vonnegut, but want something more contemporary and raw. It’s one of those rare reads that makes you want to put it down every few pages just to let the thought sink in, and maybe laugh at how much it hits home.
Pages: 59 | ASIN : B0FSYG8G8C
The World of Extremism
So You Want to Be an Extremist is a satirical guide that traces the origins and evolution of conspiracy theories from ancient Rome to modern-day social media. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I think people know bits and pieces, but there wasn’t a full picture of extremism in one place. I wanted to create a single piece of content that anyone could pick up and easily learn about the world of extremism, from its humble origins to a major part of society today. And also laugh a bit at the horrors they learn along the way because it is a dark, scary place. Whether we like it or not, these people, these products, these movements are affecting all of us in some fashion.
Did you learn anything during your research that surprised you?
How truly ubiquitous this level of extremism and conspiracy thinking has become, particularly among the younger generation. Twenty years ago it was your crazy uncle sending emails. A decade ago it was older people falling for Facebook memes, believing anything that was written online. Now, it is a younger, seemingly displaced generation, who are very tech-savvy, failing at even baseline critical thinking on many topics.
Why was it important for you to take the satirical approach with this book?
For me, satire has always been a way to convey certain ideas and vices as laughable, but also reprehensible. I have a penchant for poking fun at the horrible people that take advantage of others: dictators, oligarchs, and now, extremists. I like to strike a balance between comedy and learning, and I do think they can complement each other. So, I wanted to give the audience that same balance. Plus, they don’t have to read a 400-page academic paper to learn about this stuff. I suffer for them.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from So You Want to Be an Extremist?
Extremism isn’t fringe anymore! It has been normalized to the point that it is a part of everyday media, politics, religion, business, and society. This isn’t going away anytime soon. These ideas and movements are only becoming more prevalent and worse, more accepted.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
With Extremism, explanations can be simple – and exciting. You’re not a “loser.” Nope, It’s just an international cabal of lizard people holding you back from greatness.
In this satirical leadership guide for oven-ready radicals and greedy grifters, uncover a mind-blowing myriad of crazy conspiracies, insane ideologies, and meet the fabulous fanatics who promote them.
Join former government lackey turned humorist, C.T. Jackson as he takes you from the quiet corners of sanity to the far fringes of social implosion, as you learn to reach your full radical potential.
So You Want To Be An Extremist? Well, This Book Is For You! (And The Voices In Your Head.)
Bad Boys, Bad Boys: What Does A Lawyer Do?!
Wegman’s Bad Boys Bad Boys is part courtroom confessional, part social satire, and part philosophical musing—seasoned heavily with gallows humor and a splash of heartfelt introspection. The book is split into two sections: the first filled with hilarious, bizarre, and occasionally touching anecdotes from his long career as a criminal defense attorney; the second a freewheeling mix of commentary on language, politics, and modern culture. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to defend the indefensible—or you just want a brutally honest glimpse into the absurdity of both the justice system and humanity itself—this book delivers.
What hit me right away was Wegman’s comedic timing. The man knows how to tell a story. In Happy Birthday To Me (Chapter 2), he recounts with surgical precision how a single moment of inattentiveness during voir dire turned into a masterclass in foot-in-mouth lawyering. When he chirped, “Oh, September 2nd—what a great day. That’s my birthday,” right after a grieving widow said her husband died that day, I cringed so hard I nearly dropped my Kindle. That scene is a perfect example of what Wegman does best: turn his own blunders, and his clients’ downright legendary stupidity—into vivid, laugh-out-loud tales that reveal deeper truths about how fragile the line is between ordinary life and legal chaos.
But it’s not all jokes. Some stories really get under your skin. In It Wasn’t Me (Chapter 3), Wegman walks through a court-martial rape case where the accused was found guilty but sentenced to only 90 days. That paradox—the brutal charge against the surprisingly lenient sentence—throws a wrench into everything we assume about guilt, truth, and justice. Wegman doesn’t moralize; he lays out the tension and lets you sit with it. His reflection on how credibility, not truth, is often what wins in court made me pause and stare at the wall for a bit. I’ve felt that same frustration in my own work. Court isn’t about justice; it’s about persuasion. His honesty about that, and about how easy it is to get swept up in your own client’s story (Davey and Gravy Train, Chapter 5), made me feel like I was having a late-night drink with a colleague who’s been in the trenches.
If you’re looking for legal theory or a polished ABA how-to, this ain’t that. But if you’ve got any experience in the justice system, especially defense work, you’ll find yourself nodding, laughing, maybe wincing a bit. This book is perfect for law students who need a reality check, burned-out attorneys who need a laugh, or just anyone with a dark sense of humor and an interest in courtroom drama. Wegman’s style is unfiltered but never mean-spirited. He’s that rare kind of lawyer who can take the darkest parts of the job and still find a human (and often hilarious) angle.
Pages: 221 | ASIN : B0DZ7Y3RCX
Making Vespuccia Great Again
Ray Sweatman’s Making Vespuccia Great Again is a sharp, fearless, and at times laugh-out-loud political satire that imagines a dystopian America rebranded as “Vespuccia.” Set in a twisted mirror of our current socio-political climate, the novella follows the rise (again) of President O.J.C. McDonald, a grotesque caricature of a certain orange-hued reality TV personality. Through absurd characters, biting dialogue, and a surreal plot that includes everything from sentient fish Founding Fathers to LGBTQ revolutionaries called “The Pronouns,” Sweatman delivers a fiery send-up of authoritarianism, fake news, and cultural division in America.
From the very first chapter, Sweatman goes full throttle, skewering the January 6th insurrection with the same kind of commentary you’d expect from The Onion if it took acid and watched Idiocracy on repeat. The fake news anchors Donna Dumay and Don Drapery narrating the Capitol attack like a sports event? Genius. “Oh my, this is better than Getflix!” Donna chirps as democracy crumbles. I was equal parts horrified and laughing out loud. Sweatman walks that tightrope masterfully, never letting the humor soften the blow of the real critique.
One of my favorite arcs was Reverend Swindlemore and his daughter-turned-nonbinary-hacktivist Bucky (aka They/Them). The Reverend is a grotesque blend of fire-and-brimstone televangelists with just the right dose of unhinged righteousness. His hell-obsessed sermons feel ripped from real-life absurdities, and when Bucky forms a rebel group of queer hackers, I was all in. It’s outrageous, it’s camp, but there’s heart. You get the sense that Sweatman deeply respects those fighting for justice, even while cranking the satire up to eleven.
And then there’s the Founding Fathers. Literal fish-people who rise from the sea, transform into Jefferson and Hamilton, and get swept into a costume shop where they breakdance to Rick James’ “Super Freak.” It sounds insane because it is, but somehow it works. These absurd moments don’t just entertain, they hammer home Sweatman’s larger point: when truth dies, history becomes theater, and we’re all stuck on stage, flailing. Watching Jefferson defend his slave-owning past while Hamilton snarks and George Washington threatens to shoot him with a shotgun? That’s satire doing its job, shining light through the madness.
Making Vespuccia Great Again isn’t for everyone. It’s blunt, crude at times, politically fiery, and proudly liberal. But if you’re the kind of reader who enjoys Dr. Strangelove, South Park, or Vonnegut on a rampage, you’ll eat this up. Making Vespuccia Great Again is for the disillusioned, the politically exhausted, the angry, and the hopeful. It’s for anyone who still believes words have power, humor can cut deep, and that fighting back might look a little ridiculous but is still necessary. I laughed, I cringed, I shook my head. And I’d read it again in a heartbeat.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0DY4T96PV
Circumstances and Opportunity
In Paths Not Yet Taken, a middle-aged warehouse worker hiding a secret life of his own discovers someone unexpected in his garage. What inspired the setup of your story?
Paths Not Yet Taken was a slow burner. Covid caused many things including – way down the list – yours truly deciding to write a novel. The question was, what to write?
It was during the first lockdown and my fourth weekly tidy-up of the garage (anything to get out of the house). I opened the side door and stepped into the already immaculate space and thought: What if I’d opened the door and somebody was already in here? A few moments into sweeping the already pristine floor: What if it was the prime minister? Then, seconds later: What if it was the prime minister having a nervous breakdown? I grabbed my laptop and started writing.
A couple of years, two or three vaccinations, and just eighteen thousand words later, I gave up.
There was no point. The poor decision-making, the corruption, the sheer stupidity, and the arrogance of those in power superseded any crazy satirical notion I had planned for the novel. The UK government was beating me at my own game, without even realising it.
I wanted to write a book that exposed the weakness at the heart of power, but there had to be something positive at the end at least and I couldn’t find anything to be positive about. Instead, I played golf, read books, and walked the dogs. I gave myself time, and that gave me hope.
Generally speaking and despite their tiresome frequent examples of stupidity, arrogance, and greed, politicians don’t set off with a dream of destroying the economy, tearing apart the fabric of the nation, or jeopardising lives and futures.
At all levels of society, life gets in the way of what we hope to do and where we plan to be. Circumstances and opportunity can be way beyond our control. Seemingly innocuous decisions we make can result in significant unforeseen consequences (good and bad).
Some may well be content with the hand dealt to them. Others less so. Whatever the case, we each have a choice – to accept our norm or to change it; to stay on the current path, or to choose another.
That became the focus of the novel. I fired up the laptop once more. The plot changed dramatically; the characters not so much – although more were introduced. The result, I hope, is something dramatic, humorous in places, and ultimately uplifting.
My book is meant to entertain, amuse, and to give people something to think about. Hopefully, their own reflections will give them a better sense of the meaning and purpose in their own lives. Whether they choose a different path; decide to change nothing, but are more content with their lot in life; or simply finish the novel with a smile on their face – then the book’s job is done.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Paths Not Yet Taken is a breezy satire about life and the individual’s place within it.
We live in an age where it is very easy to become enraged, to overreact, to abdicate responsibility, and to be apathetic. Much of that is down to the media and our exposure to the internet. While the latter has a great deal of value, it makes it easy to have a lazy opinion about something on the basis of very little evidence or fact. It also dilutes our responses to events by turning raging anger and a desire to take action into the sharing of a meme or pressing a Like button.
We need to make time to take a step back, to communicate better with each other, and to consider each others’ perspectives rather than rushing to superficial, ill-informed judgments.
Sounds great, but if we are to change the status quo, we need to look at ourselves first. I wanted to explore our ability to do that through the action of one man who, the reader may think, would be the last person on earth to require such a change in direction – and the implications of that action on individuals and on society as a whole.
I also wanted to touch on the perception of power and to show how fragile that concept is, how dependent we all are on events and decisions outside the control of ourselves or those we rely on to make huge decisions on our behalf.
At all levels of society, life gets in the way of what we hope to do and where we plan to be. Circumstances can be way beyond our control. Seemingly innocuous decisions we make can result in big unforeseen consequences further down the line – good and bad.
Some may well be content with the hand dealt to them. Others less so. Whatever the case, we each have a choice – to accept our norm or to change it; to stay on the current path, or to choose another.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your novel?
It certainly has some points to make! By the end of the story, I’d like readers to recognise there can be two or more sides to every story and to realise that your life is not set in stone. You have the power to change or not to change it and to influence the lives of those around you and even further afield by doing so. Maybe the change needed is simply to better appreciate what you already have. Whatever it is, it starts with you.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I’m currently writing a second novel, which is a sequel to this one and involves some of the same characters on a short trip to a small town in Ireland. I’m having fun with the plot as I go along and have no idea how it will end – much the same as when writing Paths Not Yet Taken! This should be published by the first quarter of 2025.
I’m also working on outlines and ideas for a third and a possible fourth book, where other characters from Paths Not Yet Taken will reappear and play prominent roles.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
A breezy satire that offers hope to us all… eventually.
In a Midlands food warehouse, a Government visit goes badly wrong. The prime minister vanishes without trace before he’s had the chance to wave his German sausage at the gathered media. The consequent nationwide search creates massive issues for government, the security services, a local police force, and for a keyboard terrorist who finds the missing man.
Chaos ensues involving drink, dogs, guns and golf. And that’s just at one small end-of-terrace house. Elsewhere, a van explodes, a prospective leader loses it before he’s even started leading, and an assassination attempt goes badly wrong. Twice.
Ultimately, one man’s spur-of-the-moment decision is the catalyst for others to reflect on their own lives and to consider decisive actions of their own.
Just try not to think about the sausage.
Paths Not Yet Taken
Paths Not Yet Taken, by Philip Rennett, is an exhilarating and witty novel that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Set over five tumultuous days in late summer, the story masterfully intertwines crises, action, and emotional drama with a dry, observational wit that makes for an incredibly enjoyable read.
The narrative centers on Simon Pope, a middle-aged Midlands warehouse worker who discovers someone very unexpected in his garage. During a press visit to the warehouse where Pope works, the Prime Minister suddenly vanishes, throwing the entire UK into chaos. As the security services and police launch a frantic search for the missing PM, the government scrambles to maintain its composure and manage the situation. Simon Pope harbors a secret life, spending his evenings on the dark web platform @TheTrth, where he voices his disdain for the political establishment, particularly the now-missing Prime Minister.
Paths Not Yet Taken is a thoroughly entertaining read. Rennett skillfully makes both the Prime Minister, who confides in Pope his desire to return to a normal life, and Pope, who has a surprisingly dark past, immensely likable characters. The author reserves his critique for the bureaucrats running the government, extracting comedy gold from their antics. This is especially evident when these bureaucrats attempt to scapegoat Pope, adding a realistic and humorous twist to the story.
The novel is a true page-turner with tight pacing, witty writing, and a perfect balance of action and drama. It is genuinely funny without being mean-spirited, offering a refreshing change of pace in today’s often cynical political landscape. Paths Not Yet Taken has real heart and comes highly recommended for anyone looking for a smart, engaging, and humorous read.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B0D1GMJZ4M
So You Want To Be An Oligarch: A Go-Getting Guidebook For The Purposeful Plutocrat
In So You Want To Be An Oligarch, author C. T. Jackson offers a simultaneously sarcastic and enlightening perspective on the mechanisms of wealth and power among the world’s elite. The book thoroughly explores oligarchy, tracing its roots from the early principles of capitalism to the exploits of historical figures such as Roman general Marcus Crassus and Chinese Empress Wu Zetian. Jackson adeptly combines historical narrative with modern examples, including insightful case studies of major corporations like Apple and The Shell Corporation.
Jackson’s distinctive voice shines throughout the book, employing a unique approach that blends direct address with a humorous tone. This narrative style effectively conveys a range of thought-provoking truths backed by meticulous research. The book is as much an academic endeavor as it is a creative one, inviting readers to ponder complex economic, philosophical, and political themes. This work delves into various relevant topics, from the ethics of greed and exploitation to practical discussions of lobbying, offshore banking, and tax avoidance. It includes compelling examples of corporate behavior, such as Nestle’s water usage and Shell’s resource exploitation in Nigeria, framing them within a broader critique of materialistic and exploitative ideals.
So You Want To Be An Oligarch is a captivating blend of in-depth essays, evocative language, thoughtfully selected images, sharp wit, and pertinent quotations. Whether the reader’s interest lies in critiquing the realities of oligarchy and capitalism or in understanding the tactics employed by the wealthiest to maintain their status, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging experience. It invites readers to peek behind the curtain of the world’s wealthiest, providing insights into the ever-growing wealth disparity gap. This book promises not only to inform and entertain but also to stimulate thoughtful consideration and discussion.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0CPJKR5XN
Pigs In Paradise
Pigs in Paradise is in the author’s own words, an absurd portrayal of reality. In author Roger Maxson’s satirical imaginary world, there are talking animals, and these animals are very serious about their religion. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader will find the influence of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, a fact that the author acknowledges in the preface. The entire work is an exercise in favor of freedom of expression. The author heavily criticizes the tenets of American evangelicalism, as well as the actions of religious leaders who are deeply embroiled in corruption and politics.
The story begins with the birth of Lizzy, a red calf, who is proclaimed by both Jews and Christians as their Messiah. After a series of incidents the talking animals are brought to America, where their ultimate destination is a Christian farm.
Steeped in political and religious symbolism, the story utilizes the trope of talking animals to depict harsh truths about how religion operates in the modern world. It goes on to pose valid questions about the involvement of politics in religion.
Initially, readers may be intimidated by the length of this thought-provoking novel, however, they will be captivated by the dramatic plotline and the seamless flow of language. The author writes at a good pace, keeping the action moving without being overwhelming. The dialogue is presented in a conversational manner, without any ornamentations or pretensions, allowing the reader to feel as if they are there listening to the character’s interactions.
Pigs in Paradise is a riveting political satire colored with magical realism elements. Readers that enjoy this kind of humor will find this novel entertaining.
Pages: 456 | ASIN : B09HN4VHF8
LITERARY TITAN 