The End of the Ancient World and the Beginning of the Middle Ages by Ferdinand Lot

4 out of 5 stars  ****

Copious and comprehensive describes Ferdinand Lot's The End of the Ancient World and the Beginning of the Middle Ages. The scope of information over hundreds of years reaches back into ancient history to compare the advancements, artistry, and lack thereof through the ages among many civilizations in the known world; basically Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Charlton Griffin, the narrator, uses just the right amount of snobbery in his articulation of events and the arts that demarcate the Ancient from the Middle Ages.

A great historian fascinated with the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of Medieval times, Lot, for the first time, reveals the reasons Rome fell other than political and military. With perfect diction and pronunciation, Griffin explains that the mere size of the Roman Empire, with its asymmetrical demands, lead to the wealth transferring from the West, the needy, to the East, the providers. To meet the needs of the poor, increased taxation of that population only leads to despair and hopelessness. Suffice it to say, such a civilization is depressed and vulnerable to barbarian invasion.

Lot describes the barbarians and the existing empire through their architecture, literature, paintings, sculpture, geography, politics, social structure, linguistics, belief systems, as well as military prowess. A marked erosion of the pure art form becomes evident when a practical approach to life becomes more universal as wave after wave of marauders disturb the establishments of an anemic society. In some cases, the conquerors allow the existing social structures to remain for better compliance by subjects to their reign. In many other cases, the invaders impose their own customs upon the people and this change is responsible for furthering the distance between progress and stagnation.

This reader finds the subject of this book most interesting because the details of past civilizations are repeating in today's world. The trend of blossoming in a free society is evident more than it is in a suppressed one. Even in a strong, stable society, there are pitfalls that slowly wear away the best accomplishments. The characteristics about which Lot writes are prone to the flaws of man. The arts suffer, the military weakens, the economy is filtered through the greedy, and individuals are taxed into despair. The government must assert more power over the governed in order to make ends meet in the meantime. The powers that be in the realms of religion act in the same manner as the secular powers for preservation's sake. 

A book that eloquently shows the reader outcomes from past mistakes is necessary if a society desires to prevent complacency and rigidity in the extremes that lead to darker ages in the future.

The Call To Follow Christ by Claude V. King

5 of 5 stars  *****

This devotional I read and studied over seven weeks with a men's ministry, The Herd, at my church. The Herd met to discuss each chapter and its significance every Wednesday evening. The rest of the week was spent devoting a portion of each day reading the chapters and suggested scriptures after praying to establish a connection with God. This practice helped me walk with the Holy Spirt on a daily basis. The outcome gave me a peace of mind that I could not achieve had I not prayed. The trials and tribulations still occurred but I tolerated and faced those moments without the resistance and friction that usually accompanied them.

I pulled another book off of my "unread" bookshelf as I was in the middle of this devotional reading and it turned out to be another devotional series, A Call to Christian Patriotism; only this book's subtitle was, A Weekly Devotional Essay Series. The daily and the weekly devotionals supported each other as I put action to the assignments that I created. My daily prayer focused my weekly Christian patriot application as I engaged in Gospel conversations with people spreading the Word which included America's foundation documents, The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

The Call to Follow Christ came with a CD, music by Damaris Carbaugh, to enhance the book's messages. Music expressed each lesson so beautifully with its lyrics and melody. The experience was one I enjoyed so much that I noticed my interests changed over the seven weeks toward supportive choices that maintained a practice yielding a more joyous life and fuller relationship with God. 

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins, Carolyn McCormick (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

This third book of the Hunger Games holds my interest to the end. I watch The Hunger Games on TV the day before I finish this novel and it refreshes my memory about certain qualities the characters possess. Suzanne Collins has a way of making the reader feel for her characters. This book is darker than the other two and it surprises me when a touching moment arises in the end. 

The gist of Mockingjay is struggle after achievement of the impossible only to be faced with despair pre-renewal. The dystopian genre is fraught with young heroes who experience death of family and friends throughout the story. The heroes, themselves, then prepare for their own demise in a realistic, practical frame of mind. It is cold and so different from the Romance novels that are so popular. The thread of a romance appears in this trilogy but one would not call it romantic. The end is a well crafted reflection of the story that evokes an honest range of emotions from those rapt by the tale.

The New Terrorism: How to Fight It and Defeat It by Van Hipp

4 out of 5 stars  ****

An intelligent account of who we are as America compared to the rest of the world. The greatest nation on Earth on a decline related to politics, economics, and military strength is also subject to the heart of its people; the soul of America. This slip in world stature is due to many variables and this author astutely describes America's situation.The New Terrorism is not a negative book, even though the current trends of change suggests that to be the case. On the contrary, the subtitle suggests optimism, How to Fight It and Defeat It. 

Van Hipp, the author, is fully capable of writing such a book because of his position as Chairman of American Defense International, Inc., and accomplished history over the past 25 years that involve him in American security and international policy at the highest levels. The End Notes at the back of the book reveal the comprehensive research that back up every statement made throughout the book. This lends credence to the veracity of each scenario in all the chapters. A glance at the table of contents tells the reader that he/she is about to embark on a significant education about matters that keep America free and prosperous; but more importantly, Van Hipp truthfully explains just who America is in this day and age of challenges from foreign ideologies and manipulated information. A cogent approach to meet these challenges starts with the common sense approach that utilizes the best of America, its freedom-loving people.

My First Edition, Feb. 25, is published by Countinghouse Press, Inc.. I notice a few errors in the editing and format spacing. These inconsistencies, in no way, detract from the message of this book. The information on its pages is most current and worthy to update everyone to the threats which America faces, now, and in the future.

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth (Goodreads Author), Emma Galvin (Narrator), Aaron Stanford (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

The dystopian trilogy of Divergent concludes with Allegiant, the sequel to Insurgent. The factions in this world unravel while chaos blossoms in the human qualities necessary for survival. Families are torn, heroes and heroines emerge out of tentative trust, and sacrifice becomes commonplace as the elusive truth becomes known; but not by all, and not all at once. 

Veronica Roth keeps the reader interested along daring episodes of life and death chapters. Somehow, a love story exists on a thread sewn throughout the trilogy, and the climactic ending hinges on this relationship. The yearning to be normal is also a common thread throughout Allegiant and this bonds many of the characters who change their allegiances because of it.

Explore the Bible Adults Minor Prophets Spring 2015 by George Guthrie (Editor)

5 of 5 stars  *****

The Explore the Bible series is such a penetrating dive into the meaning of the Word. The Minor Prophets, the subject of this book, are brought to life as they warn and teach, the people of their day, about their relationships with God, themselves, and each other. The warnings and teachings are not just relegated to those ancient times. Typical of the Bible, the Minor Prophets' writings are applicable to today's issues and today's population. Mankind eventually reverts to its fallen ways and requires the wisdom of the prophets, who predict the Christ Jesus, to repent and obey the laws of God. Even after the sanctifying gift from the blood of the cross, the arrogance of today's leaders mimic the behavior of those in the days of these prophets. The inspired words of these Minor Prophets explain the hope as well as the tragedy concerning the eternal soul. The lesson is that God's mercy and grace warrants daily effort to walk with His Holy Spirit.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Scott Brick (Narrator)

5 of 5 stars  *****

A deeper understanding and respect for Alexander Hamilton is the result of listening to this Audiobook, expertly narrated by Scott Brick. The scope of Alexander's life is comprehensive in this rendition educating this reader to the man's humble beginnings and his thirst for knowledge and stature. 

At such a young age, Hamilton reveals an uncanny gift for absorbing whatever he reads and possessing insight into using that information. He is also a remarkable judge of character at an early age. These qualities, recognized by his elders, transport him off of St Croix, where he discovers, first hand, the brutality of slavery, to America's northeast. Once in America, Alexander's burgeoning life links him to the very best this country offers in gentlemen, leaders, educators, lawyers, and politicians. Alexander proves himself to be one of the best, hard working intellectuals and charming gentlemen of his era. 

The Revolutionary war campaign teaches him about courage, honor, leadership, and decisive decision-making while being George Washington's right-hand man. Before the Revolutionary War ends, Hamilton has the foresight to design a solvent plan for recovery and growth immersing himself in every detail of the undertaking. He is responsible for so much of America's infrastructure concerning its economy, military, foreign policy, and trade protocols to make the new government self-sufficient.

This biography also shows the tender side of Alexander Hamilton with his family, devotion to friends, especially George Washington, and his social prowess to converse with nobility and the average citizen. Hamilton trusts the government and upper class more than he trusts the average man, however. This leads to his notorious battles with Thomas Jefferson, who thinks quite the opposite and is most wary of the government. This causes Hamilton to appear like an elitist; but the fact is, Hamilton trusts neither group; he just thinks the upper class in government are the best chance to deliver stability in society. 

Alexander Hamilton's demise occurs in America's most famous duel, an outlawed behavior that is still practiced circa 1800s. He is shot and killed by Aaron Burr, the Vice-President of the United States at the time. The body of this biography explains the intricacies leading up to this infamous duel before revealing the repercussions that ensue. 

Ron Chernow masterfully interweaves the significant people and events into Alexander's life. His style makes for an engaging account of a truly great mind who is partly responsible for the construction and survival of young America. Society owes so much to this man with a rarely-seen work ethic, intellect, ambition, and keen insight, who dies in his prime.