February 25, 1986-Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and wife Imelda, relinquish power and flee into exile in fear of prosecution for embezzlement and election fraud. The former first couple were airlifted from the presidential palace due to growing crowds of demonstrators intent on the removal of the despotic couple. Their reign of power is still one of the most infamous in modern history and the effects of their tyrannical and avaricious administration are still being felt today in the Philippines as the country still struggles with the remnants the Marcos’ rule. Myles A. Garcia, a native of the Philippines who relocated to the United States revisits the rule of the couple and the staggering amount of corruption that occurred under their rule.
I remember as a child when the two fled as it was all over the prime time news. Even today, jokes are still told about the mind-boggling amount of shoes that Imelda Marcos once possessed. But as we see in Garcia’s expose, shoes were just the tip of the iceberg. A direct path to the coffers of the Philippine government allowed the duo to amass a fortune that was both absurd and criminal. And while all of the financial details of their dealings may never be fully known, the details that Garcia does provide are mind-blowing. Lavish jewelry, designer clothing, trips around the world to shop and real estate holdings in multiple cities and countries are just some of the many material assets consumed by the power-hungry duo. But as we also learn as we make our way through the book, they had help and plenty of it.
No ruler last without those under him willing to help him control and expand his empire. In Marcos’ case, there was no shortage of people willing to get their proverbial piece of the pie. All of the major players involved with the Marcos administration are examined in the book revealing their complicity in the theft of millions of dollars from the people of the Philippines. Their unwavering loyalty and willingness to defraud the general public raises awareness to the deep level of corruption that prevailed throughout the country. The money was spent high and wide stretching all the way to the shores of the United States. In fact, it stretched so far that some of it may never be located. Numerous cases were brought against the two after they flex in exile, in the Philippines and even Hawaii. Multiple judgments are still pending but to date, the overwhelming majority of them have never been paid. Almost all of the major players from that era are long gone. Ferdinand is no longer here to defend himself, having been gone for almost 30 years since his death on September 28, 1989 after a long bout with lupus and kidney issues. But Imelda is still here and still has aspirations to reclaim the throne she once sat upon. In denial about her past actions, she continues to portray herself as a savior of the Philippines. Her son Bongbong and many others still allied to the notorious regime have a vested interested in Filipino politics. It is hoped that the new generation of Filipinos have not forgotten a time in the nation’s history where everything was for the taking and a husband and wife used the wealth of the nation for their own personal benefit. Murder, theft, greed and scandals are all throughout the book showing the real face of an infamous ruling family and the devastating effects of their dictatorial rule.
ISBN-10: 0578175606
ISBN-13: 978-0578175607
October 8, 2017 will mark 50 years since Ernesto “Che” Guevara died in the jungles of Bolivia as he attempted to spread revolutionary ideology throughout Latin America. The legendary and iconic symbol for revolution around the world became a martyr in the process and to this day, his image can be found on posters, hats, shirts and even coffee mugs. His final campaign to bring revolution to Bolivia and the tragic fate that awaited him is one of the defining stories of the 20th century. Guevara, the razor-sharp Argentine intellectual, posed a threat to the dominance of imperialism throughout Latin America and in particular was a deadly threat to the business interests of United States businessmen. His death brings a sigh of relief to many governments around the world and deals a devastating blow the Castro regime in Cuba. Che, although no longer legally a citizen of Cuba at that point, is finally returned home 30 years after his death, when he is returned with several other revolutionaries in 1997 and buried in Santa Clara.
As November slowly approaches this year, the anniversary of one of America’s darkest moments will be upon us once again as we remember the tragic death of the late John F. Kennedy. His murder continues to stay with us and to this day it is technically an unsolved murder in that his alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was never convicted in a court of law. He had been accused of murdering both President Kennedy and Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, and convicted in the court of public opinion through misstatements and so-called evidence that wouldn’t hold up in a court of law. And as author Gary Fannin points out, for over 50 years, lies, deception and deceit continue to be propagated making the truth of the matter seemingly harder and harder to unravel.
In modern history, the Holocaust ranks among the worst atrocities committed against a group of people by another. The systematic segregation and later extermination of over 6 million Jews throughout Europe brought shame, anger and retribution upon Germany. Today the Holocaust is a distant memory and survivors of the crime are now in their advance years with the number of living survivors declining each year. Recently, Elie Wiesel, the best-selling author of the classic ‘Night’ died at the age of 
On more than one occasion during my trips abroad, I came to the realization that I had been blessed to have been born in Brooklyn, New York in the United States of America. And while my country has its share of issues that plague the nation, I do enjoy a level of freedom many people around the world would die to have. Because I was born here, it is far to easy to take for granted the rights and privileges that I enjoy as an American citizen both here at home and when I travel outside the country. I’ve always been fond of personal stories of triumph for they remind me that outside of the borders of the place I call home, many people do not have the luxuries or lifestyle that I do. In fact, in many nations in this world, there is next to nothing for millions of men, women and children.
This book is not by any means, an investigative report into Scarpa’s activities. For the full story on his crimes, relationship with the FBI and its aftermath, the best book that comes to mind is Peter Lance’s ‘
On January 19, 2013, Hans J. Massaquoi, the former editor of Ebony magazine and writer for Jet magazine, died at his home in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 
Recently, I re-watched President Kennedy’s peace speech at American University on June 10, 1963. The speech is considered to be one of Kennedy’s shining moments. In the speech, he called for a new vision of peace in the face of the escalating conflict in Vietnam and continuing aggression with the Soviet Union and its Cuban ally, Fidel Castro. Researchers into Kennedy’s administration and his murder have often said that this is the speech that served as the final straw for those surrounding him wishing to have him removed from office. Tragically, several months later, after this speech, that’s exactly what happened as he was murdered in broad daylight on the streets of Dallas, Texas. Two days later, his alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald was also murdered raising more questions that have yet to be answered to this very day.
The 20th Century was filled with some of the most earth-shattering events the world has ever seen. The home video shot by Abraham Zapruder that recorded the assassination of John F. Kennedy stands as one of the most important pieces of motion picture ever captured. During that film, as former Firs Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy reaches to the trunk of the car to retrieve a portion of JFK’s skull, a secret service agent can be seen leaping on the trunk of the car as the motorcade sped down the Stemmons Freeway en route to Parkland Hospital. The agent, Clint Hill stands out in the film as only one of two agents to make any major movement to help the fatally wounded Kennedy and Gov. John Connally. Hill would go on to serve three more presidents and today is a best-selling author with several books published about his time working in the United States Secret Service.
In New York City history, the Italian-American mafia has always captured the public spotlight in regards to organized crime headlines. The five families, filled with larger than life characters, captivated the American public becoming glorified in films and music. But at one time in New York City, in a small neighborhood known as Hell’s Kitchen, the Irish mafia controlled the streets. T.J. English takes us back in time to when Hell’s Kitchen was one of the most dangerous parts of New York City. Today the area has changed substantially. The faces have changed and the area once known to harden criminals, has seen a surge in gay and lesbian residents. The bars are still there but the area has become a focal point for New York City nightlife. The violence is long gone but some of the remnants from the past will always remain.
FREETHINKING BIBLIOPHILE 
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