By Dan Brown (New York: Doubleday, 2009, 509 pages)

Another fast paced Robert Langdon novel by Dan Brown. This time the focus is on Washington DC and Freemasonry. Professor Langdon produces under pressure and threat once more to solve every clue and symbol put before him. The life of a close friend, Peter Solomon, is in jeopardy and Robert works overtime in a pursuit all over the District to find the need clues that would save him.

The perpetrator is ruthless and someone with a major grudge against Peter who is wealthy and a major leader in the Masonic lodge. The participants in this scenario include major players from the Intelligence community, politics, the police, religious leaders, and prominent masons. Peter’s sister who is a major scientist on the brink of a major break through is also involved and in danger.

Of course there are several twists and turns in the story that keep you on your toes and begging for more. At one point Langdon is even killed? The evil terrorist/bad guy in the book is chilling to the bone to say the least and his origins are surprising. The inter workings of several government agencies also lend an interesting backdrop to the whole affair.

The parade through Washington DC’s famous buildings, monuments, and artifacts that have some kind of Masonic tie is interesting. This will probably increase the tourist trade at the Capitol seeking out the particular symbols and landmarks portrayed in the book. Folks will now want to take a second look at the famous painting- “The Apotheosis of Washington” in the rotunda of the Capitol building and maybe gander at any visible symbols on Washington’s Monument.

Philosophical and Religious Underpinnings

Christians will find this novel to be far more comfortable than the last two since the focus is on Freemasonry. However there is a prevailing view supported in the novel that there are hidden ancient secrets yet to be revealed that will take humanity to another level. Secrets that will also surpass any current scientific, philosophical, and religious understandings and render all traditional religions like Christianity as passe’.

The philosophical underpinnings of the work are rather ‘new age’ and feature the idea of ‘apotheosis’, that humanity with the proper knowledge can be transformed into a form of godhood. It is that legendary special knowledge that is sought after by the evil bad guy in this novel.               *Top

By Michael Crichton (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009, 312 pages)

The last novel of Michael Crichton published posthumously. I received the book as a Christmas gift and couldn’t put it down until the last page.

Typical of any Crichton book, a lot of research must have gone into the work. The story is real and based up actual historical events as are most of the major characters. It gives you a real feel for what life must have been like in that time and far away place.

The setting is 17th century Caribbean and the Island of Jamaica. A time when the Spanish dominated the whole region while the English governor was left to depend upon ‘privateers’ who were really not much more than pirates depending upon ones point of view.

If the Spanish caught them they were hung as pirates, however they received a heroes welcome back in Port Royal Jamaica if they succeeded in a raid against the Spanish as long as they were attacked first and carried English papers.

The story is based upon Captain Charles Hunter’s innovative successful raid upon the Spanish port of Matanceros and the capture of a Spanish treasure filled galleon—El Trinidad.

There are a number of twists and turns in the story and enough action and adventure to keep you glued to the pages till the very end. It starts off slow but picks up after Captain Hunter and his group leave for Matanceros—it is non-stop from there.

By Vince Flynn (New York: Atria Books, 2009, 431 pages)

A brilliant continuation of the story line that started in the previous book of this series: Extreme Measures. The story left of with al Qaeda terrorists devastating Washington DC with a series of explosions and then directly attacking the Counterterrorism Center itself killing 185 people. Mitch Rapp and Mike Nash were the heroes of the day stopping the attack and literally saving the lives of thousands including a congressional delegation.

Three terrorist leaders are still at large. Unfortunately the slow and methodical way that the FBI is handling the investigation will probably lead to their escape. The President appoints Mitch Rapp to find and eliminate the final three.

Rapp not only has to worry about finding the terrorists but also a Congressional investigation that is targeting him for brutally killing the terrorists who attacked the Center. Rapp battles it out with several Washington bureaucrats before he can go after the terrorists.

Fortunately the terrorists have their own trouble and fight among themselves.

Finally Mitch is able to get out of trouble and take down the al Qaeda guys. Another fast and furiously fun read by Vince Flynn.

By Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett (Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008, 220 pages)

The ultimate book on how to make money while blogging. Both of the writers are successful bloggers who make a 6 figured income doing what they love to do best.

Darren and Chris map out a number of different strategies that work in bringing more traffic and authority to a blog. They key in on the importance of producing and consistently posting good content. Then how to promote and market a blog. Finally, they list a number of  different ways to make money blogging.

This is a valuable book even for folks who just want to make a better blog. But it is particularly useful for those of us who would like to at least produce a blog that will pay for itself or even make a second income. For those who would like to be blogging fulltime, it is essential.

Besides, the book is full of personal experiences from two guys who have made it all work and on top of it all it is actually fun to read.            *Top

By Brad Thor (New York: Pocket Books (Simon & Shuster), 2008, 480 pages)

Scot Harvath was in Paris with his girl friend Tracy Hastings recovering from his last assignment. Scot, a Navy SEAL who was assigned to the President’s Secret Service detail had been released by the President to seek and destroy terrorists wherever he could find them. Now that part of his life was over and he just wanted to have a regular life as a family man. Soon however the vacation was over as a bomb exploded near by and roped Scot and Tracy into a new anti-terrorist adventure.

This non-stop thriller involves the historical writings and residences of Thomas Jefferson, the ‘last revelation’ of Mohammed (Prophet of Islam), and American Muslim leaders and terrorists who are dedicated to do anything to keep the final revelation from coming to light.

A can’t put down book with a plausible plot that is destined to keep you reading and keep you up at nights. Way too real for mere fiction.

By Susan Gunelius (Hoboken,NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2009, 362 pages)

The coming of this book is long overdue—a definitive manual on using Blogger. This is bound to become the essential book for those using the Blogger program whether one is starting out in the blogosphere or has been around a while. There is something for everyone in this volume—if you now use Blogger or intend to in the future.

The book is particularly helpful for those starting out giving detailed help on how to set up your Blogger blog. The writer also gives excellent advise in how to grow a blog and increase readership. I found some of her suggestions to be helpful even though I use WordPress for most of my blogs and have been around for close to four years now.

Even if you have been using Blogger for some time now I believe that the book is full of good information that would be useful for even intermediate bloggers. Ms. Gunelius give detailed info on where to find new Blogger Templates and the procedure for installing them on a Blogger blog. She also gives able advise for those who would like to make some money and monetize their blogs using not only Google’s AdSense but she has a survey of all the different options available.

She also goes into using all the different Google Gadgets and includes a section how to create and publish podcasts and video on Blogger. At the end of the book is a chapter on the “Ten common Blogger Problems and Possible Solutions”—this section might be worth the price of the book by itself if you have ever experienced any of the problems listed here. Also at the back is a very helpful Glossary which features most of the common internet and blogging terms that can be so confusing to those starting out.

Overall, an excellent book on Blogger but also on blogging itself. The initial price ($24.95 US) might be steep but well worth it in the long run.

By Craig A. Evans and N.T.Wright (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009, 116 pages)

A scholarly examination of the last events in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ by two able New Testament scholars. Evans and Wright take a look at all of the current historical and archeological evidence and theories pertaining to the trial, crucifixion, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus.

This is an excellent apologetical source with new and solid reasons to accept the Gospel accounts of the events rather than all of the theories which have been floated to discount the historicity of the N.T. documents. While this is primarily a scholarly work rather than a book written for popular or general readers, it should be readable and valuable study for most Bible students.        *Top

By Eric Flint (Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing, 2000, 597 pages)

1632 actually begins in the year 2000 with a wedding in a small town mining in West Virginia—Grantville. Through an inexplicable event referred to later as the ‘ring of fire’, Grantville and the entire valley was transported to the middle of Germany and the year is 1632.

Soon the modern Americans find themselves in the middle of the 30 years war whether they want to be or not. Mike Stearn is the leader of the United Mine Workers local and assumes control of the town after a town meeting vote. His mine workers form the nucleus of a new army to protect Grantville from the marauding armies that seem to be plaguing the country side at the time.

Soon folks from the neighboring areas are looking to Grantville for protection. Those mountain boys and mining workers have far superior weapons on the racks in their pickup trucks than those carried by the regular armies of that time.

The 17th century is a time of war, chaos, religious conflict, and disease. It is interesting to see how 21st century folks adapt to their new reality and become a powerful new force in the midst of Europe. Oh yes, there are a few love stories along the way to keep it interesting. A fascinating story and book indeed. Also note: there is a whole series that follows and continues to expand.

By Lisa Sabin-Wilson (Hoboken,NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2009, 394 pages)

Second Edition is quite an improvement over the already excellent original. It is the essential book for those using WordPress in publishing a blog. This edition is updated to feature version 2.7+ which reflects the last major program change.

The writer introduces one to the basic WordPress blogging program. Then follows with a section covering the WordPress hosted service, next a section on how to set up a ’self-hosted’ blog with the WordPress.org program, and finally, a chapter covering the WordPress MU program used in setting up and hosting entire blogging communities.

<<Read the Rest of the Review>>             *Top

By Aaron Allston (New York: Random House Pub., 2009, 318 pages)

“Outcast” is the first book in the new Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series. The war is over, Jacen Solo is dead and gone, and the Galactic Alliance is expanding under leadership of Natasi Daala.

In a move to consolidate her power and to control even the Jedi, Chief of State Daala unleashes a media witch hunt against the Jedi and has Jedi Master Luke Skywalker arrested and charged with negligence for not controlling Jedi Jacen and for standing by and allowing him to rise up and become a Sith lord- Darth Caedus. Luke accepts exile rather than watch the entire Jedi order be disbanded.

Luke does extract a legal right to come back from exile if he is able to account for and explain why he is not responsible for Jacen’s turn to the dark side. This launches Luke and Ben on a journey to seek out and retrace Jacen’s 5 year odyssey seeking alternate force traditions and force users—hoping to find evidence and reasons for Jacen’s change.

Their first stop is the Temple of the Baran Do at Dorin.  At the same time, the Solos along with Allana are having an adventure of their own helping old friend Lando Calrissian save the mining planet of Kessel. Meanwhile, back at Coruscant, Master Kenth Hamner is now in charge of the Jedi order and must deal with a new government order that all Jedi are to be monitored personally by an assigned ‘observer’.

It is an interesting read. Luke and Ben learn a few secrets while with the unwilling Baran Do leaders. Allana is spooked by a force presence from near space trying to communicate with her while on Kessel with the Solos. The Jedi try and cope with tag along observers shadowing their every move and reporting back to the government. Jaina Solo and others find ways to ditch their shadows and get the job done anyway–unobserved.

“Outcast” is the first installment in a series which promises to highlight an on-going struggle between Galactic Chief of State Daala and the Jedi. The Solos will continue to be uncontrollable ‘loose cannons’ in the continuing cold war between the government and the Jedi. Meanwhile, Luke and Ben Skywalker will continue their exiled quest for evidence to exonerate Luke and the rest of the Jedi.  It should be interesting to say the least!