On September 4, 1965, Albert Schweitzer died in Lambaréné in Central Africa. The founder of what is known today as the Albert Schweitzer hospital was the recipient of the Noble Peace Prize in 1952. Today, little is spoken of him and in most classrooms his name is unknown. But this religious scholar and doctor was one of the most influential and respected individuals of his time. This is his autobiography, about the life he lived up until several years after he returned to Lambaréné to continue his missionary aid to the people of the Central African nation. Born in the German occupied territory of Alsace in 1875, Schweitzer began his training in theological studies before making the decision to become a doctor which forever changed his life. His discussions about the Old and New Testaments are thought-provoking and encourage the reader to ask pertinent questions as to what we believe and know about Christianity, the Bible and Jesus. The writings reveal a brilliant mind, always seeking the truth but remaining a steadfast proponent of analytical and profound thought.
His writings on colonization are those of an individual committed to freedom, prosperity and equality and he holds nothing back in his criticism of the colonial system and its barbaric effects upon the people within its control. Written many years before the civil rights movement, his words serve as a predecessor to subsequent writings and speeches on colonialism penned by such authors as the late Franz Fanon and Huey P. Newton. Although not as fierce in his rhetoric as the latter two mentioned, his words are just as straightforward and as can be imagined, controversial at the time. Nonetheless, he would remain in Lambaréné until the end of his life. Prior to reading this book, my knowledge of Albert Schweitzer was limited and I was unaware of his thoughts, writings and contributions. Having now read this autobiography and learning more about this iconic figure, I can fully appreciate his contribution to society and the importance of his place in history.
ASIN: B00N04PC9W
Fifty-One years ago, a mother of two was brutally murdered in broad daylight in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. For several hours her identity remained a mystery to investigators. When her identity was revealed, it as sent shock-waves through the political and intelligence circles of Washington and raised the eyebrows of researchers of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Mary Pinchot-Meyer, the estranged wife of Cord Meyer, Jr., was only 44 when she was murdered, leaving behind sons Quentin and Mark. Peter Janney, a friend of the Meyer family and best of friend of the Meyer’s late and middle son Michael, presents to us his investigation into her murder and why it remains a crucial part of the investigation into the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
Interestingly, the term “Camelot” was never used by President Kennedy or his family. And according to Author M. Schlesinger, Jr., it was a term coined by the press to described the Kennedy legacy. The President’s death still remains one of the most shocking moments in U.S. history. Thousands of pages of documents relating to his administration and murder still remained classified as do numerous documents relating to the then Attorney General and President’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy. In recent years, more information about the inner workings of the Kennedy administration have come to light. And the number of books written by people who knew the President or are investigation his murder is nothing short of staggering. To my knowledge, there is no other President in history about which, so many books have been written. The prevailing image of JFK is that of a young President, murdered by a lone assassin, leaving two children and a grieving widow behind. However, the further we explore his murder, administration and personal life, the more we will come to realize that there was indeed a very dark side to Camelot.
Political dynasties are as American as apple pie. We all know the names Bush, Clinton, Rockefeller, Roosevelt and Kennedy. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (1888-1969) and Rose Kennedy (1890-1995) produced nine children together and helped create a legacy that continues to this day. Tragically they lost four of their nine children to violent deaths. Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy (1932-2009) carried the touch for the family for many years until his own death in 2009. In death, they became larger than life figures who became staples of American politics. But behind the historical speeches, money, looks and fame was a Kennedy whose life took a tragic course of its own. She is nearly forgotten in history books about the Kennedys but her story is one that must be told. And here, Kate Clifford Larson tells the sad story of Rose Marine “Rosemary” Kennedy (1918-2005).
The fallout from the arrest and subsequent conviction of Warren Jeffs shocked the Fundamental Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and its contingent of believers. The man who proclaimed himself to be the prophet has been revealed to be nothing more than a pedophile with a talent for extreme rhetoric. He and many other powerful men, kept the members of the FLDS in an iron grip was they exploited them for their own personal gain. Child labor, sexual abuse and underage marriage have resulted in infamy and the interest of State and Federal authorities. Defectors from the church have become testifying witnesses and told their stories on television and in books. Among these heroic individuals if Carolyn Jessop, whose own story of escape and survival is just as moving and shocking as many others. In confluence with ‘
On June 4, 1994, Greg “The Grim Reaper” Scarpa died of AIDS related complications at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The former mobster is known as one of the most feared killers in mafia history. Joseph Valachi is thought to be the first made member of a La Costra Nostra family to shed light on the dark secrets held by the mafia. Following Scarpa’s death, it came to light that he had been an informant for the FBI as early as 1953 preceding Valachi by ten years. Unlike Valachi, he never testified and while an informant he continued to operate on the streets of New York with sometimes very deadly consequences. From all accounts, he took part in or played a supporting role in dozens of murders, some of which remained unsolved. His son, Greg Scarpa, Jr., is still incarcerated but has renounced his former life as a mobster and continues his quest to have his conviction reviewed and his jail time reduced. I was previously familiar with the author Peter Lance, having read his book ‘A Thousand Years For Revenge’ as a sophomore at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. This book on Scarpa came as a recommendation from Amazon and I jumped at the chance to read this engaging and shocking expose. And while the cover of the book is highly enticing on its own, what’s contained is the pages of this book is nothing short of mind-boggling and will make you question everything you thought you knew about the trials and convictions of mobsters, most notably, John Gotti, Vic Orena, Sr., Sammy “The Bull” Gravano and Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso. And next to Scarpa, Casso figures prominently throughout the book and his relationship with the government is just as fascinating.
It’s often said that everyone comes into your life for a reason. Fairly recently, I became acquainted with a lovely young woman who has since become a very close friend. She was born in El Salvador and forced to flee her home with her family during one of the worst civil wars in modern history. Because I was quite young at the time of the conflict, my knowledge of the situation and the experiences of the survivors was severely limited, making it difficult for me to offer any meaningful comments to her story. However, I listened thoroughly and have never forgotten what she’s told me and it was through her stories that I began to further understand the turmoil that continues to plague Latin America to this very day. Recently I read the autobiography of retired marine Oliver North. Most readers will remember him from the Iran-Contra scandal in the mid 1980s during President Regan’s administration. Forced to be the scapegoat following congressional hearings into the intelligence activities to free hostages in Libya and fund the contras in Nicaragua against the Sandinista National Liberation Front, North faded into the background and now lives a quiet life far removed from his former activities. It was in this book that I began to understand the events that occurred in El Salvador, why they happened, who is to blame and why they should never be forgotten.
Defiance is one of the most powerful actions that can be taken by a person. The ability to stand up in the face of adversity tests our courage and in some cases our morale fiber. Rebecca Musser exemplified both as she faced former tormentor and leader of the Fundamental Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), Warren Jeffs. Musser is the former wife of Jeffs’ father Rulon and a major defector from the FLDS church. As she testified, she say stoically in a stunning red dress that surely drew the ire of the once powerful Jeffs. Today Jeffs continues to serve a life sentence at the Louis C. Powledge Unit in Anderson county, Texas. The FLDS continues to operate under the watchful eye of State and Federal authorities in Utah and Texas. Their investigations have shed light on the behind the scenes movements of the secretive and secluded religious faction. Assisted by defectors from the FLDS, authorities pieced together a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse of both children and adults and forced child labor. Their efforts culminated in the conviction of Jeffs.
FREETHINKING BIBLIOPHILE 
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