Book Review: The Fixer

Full disclosure: The author of The Fixer (Gary R. Hamilton) is my brother-in-law.

The Fixer is the second published book by Gary R. Hamilton but he wrote it before he wrote Daydreamers which I reviewed last year. Like Daydreamers, The Fixer is an action-packed crime thriller with a nice flow that leaves just enough time to introduce you to the characters. And that’s a good thing as Mr. Hamilton has a gift for delivering characters that the reader really cares about, while putting them in just enough trouble to keep things interesting. After reading The Fixer, I hope there are plans for a sequel as what is overall a good book leaves many (perhaps too many) questions about why certain characters do the things they do but those questions do not detract from what is a very good book.

After their daughter goes missing, and after concluding that the authorities might be involved, Donald and Catherine Martin turn to Kenneth Johnson for help. Kenneth agrees to help only to discover that there is more to this case than meets the eye and the reader gets to tag along as he, along with his family and friends, stumbles into a hornet’s nest of corruption that puts them all in danger.

I enjoyed reading The Fixer but, as I said before, I feel left with several questions which lead to feeling a little less fulfilled than I did with Daydreamers. The plot is easy enough to follow but, in a way, it is hard to tell who the true hero of the story is. It also seems as if the real villain has little to do with the story, although not unusual for a crime story, especially if there is going to be a sequel and this book begs for a sequel.

I recommend The Fixer for anyone who enjoys reading crime dramas and for those who are not real strict on the rules for story development. My recommendation does come with a language warning as Mr. Hamilton gives us real world characters with real world and colorful language. My recommendation also comes with the warning that I suspect (and hope) that Mr. Hamilton is setting us up for an investment of time that will go beyond this first book.

The Fixer by Gary R. Hamilton, Published by CITIOFBOOKS Inc., Copyright 2025

Book Review: Daydreamers

Full disclosure: The author of Daydreamers (Gary R. Hamilton) is my brother-in-law.

Daydreamers is the first book written by new author Gary R. Hamilton and while there are times in the book where you can tell that it was written by a rookie, those moments do not detract from a very compelling story.

Crime is up on the Caribbean Island of Acia Maj and a local news reporter thinks he has a lead on who is behind the violence. With the support of his family and help from a family member with whom he shares a special gift, David Kennington risks his life (and his family) to save the nation that he loves. And while this may sound like standard fare, a number of small twists (including the mystery behind the daydreams) are enough to make this story slightly different. Plus, Mr. Hamilton’s descriptions of the island and its people work to take you on a journey, holding your attention as if you had stumbled into a mystery while on vacation or even while visiting family.

My only knock on the story is that early on it is hard to tell who the story is really about but that is a minor quibble as things become very clear as the story progresses. I give Mr. Hamilton credit for exploring his characters' gifts in a way that allows them to contribute to the story as opposed to becoming a distraction. This makes for a good read and I recommend it for anyone who likes mystery and drama with a touch of travel to far away places.

Daydreamers by Gary R. Hamilton, Published by Austin Macauley Publishers Copyright 2024

Book Review: Driving While Black

During the days of the horse and buggy the ability to travel was limited for everyone simply because it took too much time to go any great distance. The train helped, giving those who could afford to do so the ability to travel beyond their own surroundings. However, for African-Americans neither option afforded much of an opportunity for travel. Horse and buggy left African-Americans exposed to all sorts of dangers, especially in the south. Riding a train left African-Americans exposed to a number of Jim Crow Laws and various attitudes which could make travel down right unpleasant. This would all change when the car became something that the average person could afford. Car ownership opened the door to travel for many blacks and in Driving While Black Gretchen Sorin tells us the story of how being able to take road trips changed African-American culture while helping drive the civil rights movement forward.

I have mixed feelings about Driving While Black. The information, a mix of historical record and anecdotal evidence, is very interesting, revealing a part of our history which for the most part remains buried. Even with my family background, and with knowing some of what my past relatives faced, there is a lot that I learned from reading this book. However, there is something about the writing that caused me to struggle when it came to focusing on what I was reading. It doesn’t quite read like a textbook but there was just something that I can’t pinpoint that didn’t allow me to read for longer than a few minutes at a time. As a result I cannot give a full endorsement of this book.

If you enjoy history, this book is one you should consider reading. If you want a perspective that the majority of history books are unable to give, this is definitely a book you should read. If you read only for entertainment this might not be the right choice. I can only give one thumb up for this book, recommending it for those who truly enjoy history and for those who are open to walking (or riding) in another person’s shoes.

Driving While Black by Gretchen Soring, Published by Liveright Publishing Corporation

Book Reviewed: The Golden 13

 Prior to World War II the Navy’s record when it came to race relations was…well…dismal. Opportunities for blacks within the service were very limited in part due to a major written report that warned of what might happen if African-Americans were allowed to serve onboard a Navy vessel alongside a white crew. These attitudes were a reflection of what was going on in the nation outside of the service. So as the nation fought for freedom overseas, blacks were not afforded the same here at home.

The Golden 13 describes a major change within the Navy. Under pressure to change, this branch of the military would create a test program in which 13 men would become the Navy’s first black officers. Based in part on personal interviews, this book tells why these men joined the service in the first place and describes what they faced as they worked their way up the ranks. Dan C. Goldberg gives us a good mix of historical background along with the personal stories of these men, leaving the reader with a view of what was at stake and why these men were the right group to face the challenge.

The Golden 13 is well written and fun to read. The writing is unbiased, a simple telling of a story that should not be forgotten. The narrative covers a topic that must be acknowledged as we cannot run away from the fact that racism is a part of our history and in some areas is still an issue today. But in acknowledging the problem we must also acknowledge situations where people of both races worked towards change. This book is a record of just such a situation, revealing a major step towards this nation fulfilling its promise.

I give The Golden 13 two thumbs up, recommending it to anyone who enjoys history and to those who are interested in learning about where the United States used to be and how we got to where we are today.

The Golden 13: How Black Men Won The Right to Wear Navy Gold by Dan C. Goldberg. Published by Beacon Press Books.

Book Review: Blessed By The Best

Blessed By The Best is a must read for any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and suggested reading for all NFL fans, giving a glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. The full title of the book is Blessed By The Best, My Journey to Canton and Beyond and it is written by Michael Bradley who worked with Brian Dawkins to put together an inspiring book about overcoming physical circumstances as well as emotional turmoil. The book reads as if Dawkins is in the room with you, telling you his life story.

From a writing standpoint this book almost seems as if it is unedited, as if a recording of Dawkins was transcribed word for word. I think this adds to the charm of the book as I really felt that I got to know the character of the man who spent 235 pages telling me about himself, his family, his teammates and most of all about his God. This makes it a fun read which left me looking forward to what Dawkins will do with the rest of his post football life.

I give Blessed By The Best two thumbs up, recommending it for sports fans and for anyone who needs the inspiration of learning from someone who overcame a number of obstacles. I also recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about one man’s spiritual journey, delivered with honesty about his ups and downs as he continues to learn to trust in God.

Blessed By The Best: My Journey To Canton and Beyond by Brian Dawkins with Michael Bradley. Published by Camino Books, Inc. Philadelphia

I Love Old Books

I love old books. Yes, I do occasionally read e-books but there is nothing like the cover of a physical book nor the feel of turning the page. And I prefer an older page, one that has yellowed a little with the passage of time, over the feel of one hot off the presses. Oh, don't worry my fellow writers, when applicable I do buy new in order to support all of you who make a living with the printed word. But when I can, I buy old.

When I can, I also buy hardcover. There is some sort of tactile appreciation that comes with holding a hardcover book that I just can't get from an e-book or even a paperback. By the way, I hide the dust jacket until I finish reading. (Am I the only one who does that?) I prefer the look and feel of the actual cover. Dust jackets often slip and slide, rubbing on the cover and making the book uncomfortable to hold. Give me a hardcover and the older the copyright the better.

I only recently started collecting old books, spurred on by something I found while at work. While helping a retiring colleague clean out her office, I found an old Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. The copyright is 1971 which I guess is not real old by book standards but considering this came out before my first year of elementary school it seems old to me.

This is a handsome book with its black cover simulating leather. One look and I knew I needed to take it home. Then I read its table of contents which listed a "Proof of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." Finding this treasure made it a keeper in my...um...book. I doubt it is worth very much and likely never will be, but it will hold a prominent place in my library. That is, it will hold that place once I finish remodeling that room in my house.

I did have a shot at a book that one day might have been of some value. It was a rare version of a Sherlock Holmes book. This version had pictures in it from one of the movies. Online I found hints that it was worth more than the asking price at the vendor where I usually buy old books. I hesitated, thinking I was missing something and taking time to gather more information. I guess my loss is now someone else's gain. That's fine with me. I'm not in it for the money. I simply love old books.

Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See

When I see "Pulitzer Prize Winner" on a book cover I open with high expectations and in "All The Light We Cannot See," Anthony Doerr delivers as promised. Set during World War II, Doerr lets us see through the "eyes" of three people drawn to the port city of Saint-Malo in France. Once there the the characters decide the fate of a valuable artifact: a mythical stone said to protect bearer from illness and danger.

The structure of this story reminds me of the classic western, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." In both we have three different stories told in the same time frame with the characters coming together in conflict near the end of the story. In "All the Light..." each chapter brings us up to date with one of the main characters as they approach their clandestine meeting in Saint-Malo. Marie-Laure (blind from the age of 6 years old), Werner Pfennig (educated in one of Germany's best military schools but questioning the cause) and Reinhold von Rumpel (an expert in rare artifacts) carry us along on their journeys while each plays their part in the war.

When reading a story I want to care about the characters. If I don't, I am not interested in what happens to them. Doerr gives us characters worth caring about with story lines that work well together. He pulls the subplots together without losing sight of the story's main conflict giving us heroes, villains and support characters who flow following the development curve we were taught in school.

I give "All The Light We Cannot See," two thumbs up recommending the story for anyone who has a passion for reading as well as those looking to develop a love for books. By the final page you will understand why this book can proudly wear its Pulitzer badge.

A warning for sensitive readers: There is a chapter in the story where a group of soldiers assault a group of teenage girls and their guardian. The scene is not graphic but may be difficult for some. The story is peppered with occasional foul language, what might be expected from soldiers in a war. There also seems to be an odd fascination with going to the toilet.

Book Review: 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness

In my review of "7 Men" I spoke of how the book was "...an introduction to people we may think we already know." I have a confession. While I knew a little about the men, I knew next to nothing about the women whose lives are detailed in "7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness." As a result just about every fact and every facet of their lives was new to me as Eric Metaxas once again delivers on his promise of challenging our definition of what makes a person great.

Like their counterparts in the previous book these are people who followed their convictions. In so doing they withstood trials that might have crushed many men. They saved lives, restored kingdoms and helped restore dignity to those who were helpless. Their life stories inspire and just might make you question what you are doing with your time here on earth.

With its bite sized biographies "7 Women" is good for many different audiences, including those who normally avoid nonfiction. Metaxas gives us a wealth of details with a delivery that is entertaining though at times a bit uneven. (One or two of the biographies seem to shift to another style in a way that feels sort of like a speed bump.) Still this is a good read and a great introduction to some of history's most impressive but perhaps overlooked people. I highly recommend "7 Women," a book that will change your perspective of women while challenging us all to give our best during our time here on earth.

So, GQ Magazine Says No to the Bible?

GQ Magazine recently printed their list of "21 Books You Don't Have to Read." These are considered

the "Great Books" read by those who are "well read." The magazine's editors offer up alternatives while explaining why the books made the list. I remember a few of these as being ones I was forced to read in high school, like "The Old Man and the Sea." Others I chose to read later, like "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." GQ's alternatives are intriguing and I might check a few of them out. One of the don't have to reads is causing quite a stir among Christians. Some are offended, wondering how the editors of GQ see reading the Bible as a waste of time.

The recommendation to not read the Bible is being challenged as believers rush to defend the scriptures against this apparent attack. Having read the GQ list I think both sides have missed the point. While dismissing the Bible based on their own literary standard the editors at GQ miss the impact this book has on the lives of Christ's followers and even on some who don’t believe. It is via these ancient texts that God offers enlightenment to those who come honestly seeking him. At the same time those who rush to defend the Bible seem to forget that we fight not against flesh and blood, as we are taught in the Bible. As such our goal first and foremost is to reflect the light of salvation into a darkened world. Arguing the literary merits of the Bible will not accomplish this goal.

Those who denounce the Bible as boring and contradictory are not going to change their minds just because we tell them they are wrong. Instead of fighting back we need to use the tools given us by our Father for changing hearts. Only as the work of the Bible becomes evident in our lives will those around us truly see the unique value of scripture. Instead of responding to the opinions of a handful of non-believers, let us live as examples demonstrating why the Bible is still the most important book everyone should read.

Book Review: 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness

I knew I would like this book by the second paragraph of its introduction, which I found hard to put down. In describing the goal of his book, Eric Metaxas promises something different: a book of biographies written to challenge our current definitions of “What is a man?” and “What makes a man great?” Metaxas tells us the stories of seven great men (eight if you count his mention of the Duke in the introduction). In the process he delivers on his promise, asking the reader to see masculinity through a different pair of glasses.

As promised in its title, this book is an introduction to greatness. It is a reminder that by developing and following the right convictions people (men in this book, women in the companion book which I am reading next) have achieved great things. Each of these men are known for the impact they had on the human story. What is often overlooked is how the faith which was at the core of their beings lead them in a lifetime of making the world a better place. They did not set out to be great. They set out to follow their callings. By reading their stories we are encouraged to follow their examples.

With enough facts to feed those who love reading biographies and yet light enough to entertain those who normally run from non-fiction, “7 Men” is a book that I recommend for all types of readers. While the target audience appears to be people of faith, as well as those seeking to find lives that were changed by their faith, this is at its core an introduction to people we may think we already know. I give two thumbs up with an exclamation mark to “7 Men,” a book that both informs and enriches the lives of its readers.

Eric Metaxas’ web page: http://ericmetaxas.com/

7 Men: http://ericmetaxas.com/books/7-men/

Book Review: The Wisdom of Your Heart

Are you ready to confront your anger? Marc Alan Shelske thinks you should. In fact he thinks we need to examine all of our feelings, assessing our own emotional health. As we do so Pastor Shelske suggests that our feelings are not the slippery slope often portrayed in church. Instead our emotions tell us something about ourselves and our environment, that is if we are willing to learn how to listen.

Part personal reflection, part Bible study "The Wisdom of Your Heart" is aimed at Christians, challenging commonly held beliefs about emotions. Pastor Shelske asks us to re-examine what the Bible tells us about emotions and the believer's relationship with our feelings. While doing so Shelske shares how his own emotional growth freed him from the bondage of past experience. By sharing his journey Shelske encourages his readers to actively seek emotional growth, offering thought provoking questions to guide us along our way.

On the surface this might appear to be just another self help book but it is not. This is Shelske's personal testimony through which he offers a glimpse of something different. While followers of Christ will likely get the most out of this book, anyone who is open to personal examination and growth will find Shelske's writing thought provoking and different. Men will likely find this a challenge to how they were taught, especially if they were brought up in the church. Because of its value as a tool for personal growth, I recommend "The Wisdom of Your Heart": A quick read with a powerful message.

Update 3/27/2019 - The Wisdom of Your Heart is now an audiobook. For more information visit http://www.marcalanschelske.com/the-wisdom-of-your-heart/

War of the Worlds and How I Learned to Love Reading

On 30 October 1938, a peaceful Sunday evening was upended when Martian invaders began vaporizing everyone they could. As listeners turned to their radios for information, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre repertory company put together a powerful and convincing performance of "War of the Words" by H. G. Wells. Forty years later I opened to that story in my fifth grade reading book: a discovery that forever changed my opinion of reading.

Like just about every other boy in fifth grade I read when and what I was told to read. Even our "free" reading time was limited to what we could find in our reading textbook. It was there during one of our reading sessions that I discovered an adaptation of the text of Welles' radio program. Thinking the story might involve tanks and airplanes I started reading and was instantly sucked into a different time. Intrigued by Welles' script, I did not notice the rest of the class lining up to go to art.

I was not aware of my teacher calling my name nor did I notice the laughter as my classmates assumed I had lost my mind. The sudden tap of a hand on my shoulder was quite jarring, catapulting me from the 1930's back to the reality of the 70's. While making an effort to avoid eye contact with the other students I reluctantly put down my book and joined the line. It was the first time a story had so captured my imagination that I became unaware of all that was happening around me. At that point I understood the allure of reading: of getting lost in another time or in another place. I had finally found the joy that comes with opening a great book.

While I understand the need to expose students to different styles of writing and to certain standards of literature,  I wish schools would schedule more time for free reading. Schools should offer more time of discovery where students find and read stories they find interesting without having to answer questions or putting together reports. This free time might open the door to a love of reading, giving more children an opportunity to lose themselves in the pages of a good book. Free reading time could become a step forward towards the U.S. becoming a more literate nation.

Book Review: Walking to Listen

"Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins." From “Judge Softly”* by Mary T. Lathrap, 1895.

In Walking to Listen Andrew Forsthoefel lets us walk in his shoes for over 4000 miles. Along the way we get to know him as he gets to know himself. We also get to know a country as Mr. Forsthoefel describes a number of interactions and interviews conducted during his journey: conversations with ordinary Americans who took him up on his offer to listen.

Forsthoefel gives an honest and raw account of his journey, describing his inner conflict while staying out of the way of the story. As a result this becomes an entertaining twist on a coming of age narrative, filled with real life characters who challenge the reader to embrace the diversity of the melting pot that is the United States. At the same time we are challenged to examine how the past impacts our view of the present as Forsthoefel describes his own struggle with the event by which he defined his own existence.

Forsthoefel's writing is not as polished as normally found in the publishing world. He seems to dwell on certain events longer than necessary. And because he relates real life events, the language is at times very colorful (a warning to those who are offended by foul language or by negative statements about race). By no means is this a masterpiece but it is an entertaining walk. I applaud Forsthoefel's courage in sharing his story. I give this book three out of four stars, recommending ir for readers who are interested in learning about culture from the real people who make this country what it is.

*The poem “Judge Softly” also known as “Walk A Mile in His Moccasins,” can be found at aaanativearts.com.

Book Review: The Bully Pulpit

They were best friends. Then politics got in the way. Drawing from numerous personal accounts Doris Kearns Goodwin takes us inside the White House and into the relationship shared by Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. We see how, with support from the press and a new form of reporting called "muck raking," the two men worked to change the course of our nation only to see a bitter political campaign leave them and their political party deeply divided. For those who love history The Bully Pulpit is a treasure trove of stories, delivering an up close and personal view of the two men and of the establishments of government and of the press.

I suspect Goodwin might spend a little too much time in the weeds for all but the biggest fans of U.S. history and/or fans of old style storytelling. As a narrative The Bully Pulpit is as much about character development as it is about history. Facts are delivered in a context that helps the reader get to know the people involved in taking us to the historical outcome. As a result The Bully Pulpit tells a true story without becoming a textbook. That being said, The Bully Pulpit is a very long book, best suited for patient readers who enjoy giving a story time to unfold.

Both educational and entertaining, I recommend this book to anyone who loves history. It's size and depth make it a book that can't be rushed but with Goodwin's very detailed research this book is full of historical treasures waiting to be unearth. I give The Bully Pulpit a very high recommendation for those who love history and for those who enjoy a well developed story line. Overall it's a solid one and a half thumbs up for a book that will change how you see Roosevelt, Taft, and the relationship between the White House and the press.

The Bully Pulpit available at Barnes and Noble

For information on Doris Kearns Goodwin

What I Am Reading: In Golden Splendor

Whatever happened to Seamus Hanley? Seamus was introduced in Flight of the Earls as one many who left Ireland in hopes of finding a better life in the United States. His sister Clare, who traveled with Seamus, overcame many obstacles including a devious plot by their crooked uncle. Seamus was forced into exile after attempting to double cross this same uncle. In In Golden Splendor we join Seamus on the run, leading to a story that is even more engaging than its predecessor.

Like the first book in the "Heirs of Ireland" series, In Golden Splendor is a work of historical fiction, taking us back to the time of the Gold Rush and the San Francisco fire of 1849. Author Michael K. Reynolds gives us a mix of old and new characters who are every bit as compelling as the historical events to which we are given a front row seat. These characters work with history to build an entertaining, unpredictable and at times tragic story with reminders that being an immigrant to the U. S. was often very difficult.

As with the first book of the series, characters are well developed, not coming across as if they are forced fit into their historical backdrop. In support of those characters Reynolds does a good job of weaving a story that can stand on its own while seamlessly connecting to the first book. The characters that carry over into this story grow without becoming stale. New characters add to and compliment, helping the reader see new dimensions in the lives those who are the focus of the story.

There is an art to telling a good story. In the first two books of the series Reynolds has proved his value as a growing artist. I recommend both books and look forward to reading the final installment.

My review of Flight of the Earls

For more on In Golden Splendor and the Heirs of Ireland series see michaelkreynolds.com. Follow Michael K. Reynolds on twitter: @M_K_Reynolds.

Repost: My Review of Flight of the Earls

Having set out on a journey of change in my life, I opened a book for the first time in months. At one time I was an avid reader, but lately…well…I will spare you the excuses. After being called out by my son for no longer showing a dedication to the written word, I decided to keep a promise I made to myself back in 2013.

Michael K. Reynolds’ book Flight of the Earls left me wanting to know more about the Hanley family. The book also left me wanting more information about life in the mid 1800’s and about the struggles faced by immigrants to the U. S. as they worked to become a part of their new nation. I promised myself I would read the rest of the Heirs of Ireland series. So far the book two has delivered, reaching the bar set by the first book. I will write a review once I have finished reading. Until then, here is a repost of my 2013 review of Flight of the Earls.

What I Am Reading: Flight of the Earls

There are three ways for a book to hold my attention. The first is to deliver characters in whom I want to invest my time. If I care about the people in the book I want to find out what happens in the end. In his first novel Michael K. Reynolds delivers characters who held my attention from start to finish.

Part one of the Heirs of Ireland series, Flight of the Earls takes us back to 1846. Ireland is in the second year of a famine which would last until 1849, during which the nation would see crop failures caused by a Phytophthora infestation. Once thought to be a form of mold the recently reclassified organism is, under the right conditions, capable of destroying an entire field of potatoes or tomatoes in a matter of days. Its assault on Irish potato crops caused a million people to die of starvation. Another million would migrate to America in hopes of finding work. Reynolds introduces us to the Hanley family just as they begin to suffer the effects of the Great Potato Famine.

The blight has just started to affect the Hanley fields, yet another burden weighing on the family. The decision is made to send daughter Clare and son Seamus to follow their older sister’s path to America. The plan was for the two to send money home to keep the family afloat until the end of the famine. Through their eyes we experience the difficult journey made by many past immigrants. We see a side of immigration which is rarely ever spoken of, obstacles and plot twists which beg us to ask if the journey was worth the effort. From the potato fields of Ireland to the streets of New York Mr. Reynolds weaves a story that is as compelling as the characters he uses to take us back in history.

As the first of a series this book leaves me wanting more but I must wait until July for book two. I suspect the continuation of the story will be well worth the wait. If you love learning about the past or if you just love a good story you will find Flight of the Earls well worth your time.

For more on Flight of the Earls and the Heirs of Ireland series see michaelkreynolds.com. Follow Michael K. Reynolds on twitter: @M_K_Reynolds.