McFall's Book on PTSD A Must-Read

I’ve just finished reading a short book by E. Everett McFall—short in volume but not short in message! I Can Still Hear Their Cries: Even in My Sleep is a very personal story. If you read nothing else but the two pages, “The Valley of Despair, aka PTSD, you will come face to face with a man’s deepest despair! “So I kissed steel and suckled on a cold blue tube, waiting, anticipating and preparing to welcome the unforgiving flaming messengers of death.” (p. 37)

When you have considered suicide, as Everett McFall has, you may realize that there is only one solution and bow your head to call out for help, “Bless me with enduring strength as I struggle to find my way back to sanity...” (p. 38)

This is a portion of Everett’s personal walk through the valley of despair and depression called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He never knew what he would face when, prior to joining the service, he believed as some others that, “a man ain’t a real man until he’s been tested under fire in combat.” (p. 1) Unfortunately, the war at that time was the one in Vietnam—the longest war ever and the one that many refuse to discuss! Those who do, like Everett, are selective because “most of us have locked those traumatic events deep within the recesses of our minds for safe-keeping and well-being, OUR OWN.” (p. 40) Even as he says this, he mentions that his novel, Dancing with Death—All Gave Some, Some Gave All reveals much more, but not all—he can’t tell it all!

Indeed, I am not sure that any caring individual is ready to know all that takes place when a loved one is sent into war. However, as with most of us, we do need to share with others and Everett has written or gathered from friends many beautiful but relevant poems that reflect upon the Vietnam War. One of the most heartbreaking is one in which he writes, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you” to beloved members of his family who died while he was overseas. (p. 5)

I think the ones that struck me the hardest were related to the title of this book. “I Can Still Heard Their Cries” speaks out of the horrors of so much death that comes into his dreams—nightmares—at night! “Little Tiny Faces” talks about the children ravaged by the war. Then, there is “Purple Heart,” which expresses how the wounds for which they gave him the ribbon are now long healed... “except the scars in my mind called PTSD.” (p. 15)

The concluding message, however, struck me from a totally different perspective. Everett McFall is writing to his sons, his brothers, his friends’ children and he’s saying “Gang Bangers that wage war...are like young children playing nursery games...” He wants them to realize that life and death is not a game and he wants them to realize that, before they find themselves caught in a war where losing your life is a second-by-second probability.

The author has also provided an excellent Veterans Resource Guide and Directory as the last part of his book.

While this book may not be for everybody, it is definitely a must-read for individuals that may or have been affected through a war, PTSD or other disability directly attributable to participation in the military service. Thank you, Everett McFall, for opening your wounds and your heart and allowing us to share them with you! God Bless you and your family! 

Tags: PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, E. Everett McFall, Vietnam War, suicide, Depression, Disabilities

Journey to Another Place

I have just finished a delightful and heartwarming book entitled Journey to Another Place by Inez S. C. Laurie-Douglas. This is a "coming-of-age novel," a type of book I had never read before, so I was happy for the opportunity! Normally I parcel time to books I am going to review; however, I was enjoying this story so much that I just kept on reading...until I finished! It's the story of a young girl; perhaps I saw myself in the book, or perhaps I saw friends or relatives there--no matter--I can tell you it is the perfect gift for a young girl so, parents or other relatives...be on the look for this book as a nice gift addition to any celebration for your children! Adults will also enjoy!

The novel centers on the life of Catherine Lawson and begins when she is a child of 9 and is staying with her grandparents to help gather mangos, red cherries and other produce, which was grown on their ten acres of land. I was caught there right at the beginning as I was drawn back into my childhood of picking strawberries, peas, etc., on my grandparents' farm! The difference--I was in Pennsylvania and Catherine was in Trinidad!

Catherine had a few more siblings than myself; however, just as we did, we were assigned tasks and duties to help at home--but there was always time to play! Indeed Catherine, even at that early age, had the ambition and energy and intelligence that both drove her to work for what she wanted in life...and sometimes get her into trouble. I thoroughly enjoyed her twisting words within conversations with her mother, in particular, and then somehow feel quite justified spending the day playing rather than washing the dishes! Of course, as good parents are, Catherine never got away with it--still it was fun to see her try and then good-naturedly accept punishment when she got caught.

It was very clear that Catherine had a loving family life with supportive parents. Her father, in particular, soon recognized his daughter's intelligence and drive for schooling. Even as he supported all of his children, he allowed Catherine to receive extra attention as he recognized her capabilities and desire for a solid education. Indeed, it was very interesting to me to read about the educational system there in Trinidad--it seemed much more strict and structured than here in America! I'll let readers decide whether that was good or bad. I found that it seemed to reinforce educational requirements much more fully than our own. Oftentimes, children like myself who do have the drive and interest in educational activities receive no extra support here in America--this impressed me that I could readily see teachers, parents and other students supporting the entire process!

There was also heartache in Catherine's family and during the time period, her oldest brother was diagnosed as schizophrenic and two other siblings died. "I wanted to be someone even doctors would recognize as important, someone who couldn't be ignored or whose questions couldn't be swept to one side." (p. 80) Yes, poverty was a constant burden and fear for the Lawson family; however, even in these situations, Catherine realized that part of the medical issues for her family was based upon their inability to receive the proper, available care for her brother and sister.

In fact, at one point Catherine feared that she would not be able to finish her education, when a small miracle happened. She was able to travel to the United States--Pennsylvania, in fact, and work to make enough money to meet her needs.

Yes, Catherine's "love life" was also a major part of her story...but, even there, we are able to see that her personal goals were weighed against decisions regarding intimacy and possible marriage. I must admit I enjoyed her somewhat "intended blindness" to the fact that she had many young boys interested in her so that she didn't get rushed into a relationship she wasn't willing to have!

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Catherine's story, especially as she closed with, "Over the years, as I had skipped grades, earned top marks and garnered praise from my superiors, I had become overconfident. I was so sure of my intelligence, so confident in the strength of my ambition and my will to succeed, that I had forgotten that I was not the only master of my fate, that there was a greater power that also had guided me and helped me succeed at every step along the way." (p. 183)

This book is exceptionally well written and flows smoothly and quickly through to the end. Read this story--and share it with your children! Help show them that if a young woman from an impoverished family in Trinidad can achieve her dreams...that there are indeed ways for them to reach their own as well!

Tags: Trinidad, Inez Laurie-Douglas, personal profile, personal story, coming-of-age novel

A Must-Read for America!

Defeating IslamicTerrorism:  The Wahhabi Factor 

By Father Patrick Bascio C.S.Sp

BrandenBooks

ISBN:  13: 978-0-8283-2152-5

256 Pages

 

You may have recently read my review of Priest to Mafia Don by Father Patrick Bascio. In the same year, Father Bascio has also published Defeating Islamic Terrorism: The Wahhabi Factor. I don’t think I have read two such different books by the same author and yet, both are excellent in presentation and fascinating in covering their subject.

 

Father Bascio professionally has acted as Director of the PhD program for American and Allied personnel at the United States Naval War College. During his years as a priest, he became a member of the General Assembly of the United Nations. There, he had the distinction of having been the only priest ever to be a Permanent Delegate to that august body. Through his professional involvement, he gained the knowledge and experience used in writing this book. Normally I wouldn’t include coverage of an author’s credentials within a review, but I believe that those who will consider reading this book will want to know the author’s background. Terrorism has become a household word for most people these days. We need and want to know more! I found that the information presented in this book was very comprehensive, for Father Bascio has much to share with Americans.  Please consider reading this book in the near future!

 

No, I had never heard of the word Wahhabi—just as the author predicted! “Wahhabism is the angry form of Islamism...the soil in which anti-Western and anti-American terrorism grows,” according to Ex-CIA Director, R. James Woolsey. “Never before in history have so many been so fearful of so few because Islamic terrorism plagues a very large section of the world’s population.” (p. 7) As I read, I had to agree with the author that, “there is something wrong with a foreign policy that is so lacking in knowledge of the Wahhabi that the average American citizen, upon hearing the term, has no idea what it means.” (p. 11)

 

For me, I felt it was important that the author included references to the many atrocities of the past, done in the name of Christianity. Just as at that time, it is important that we realize that the Islamic terrorists are not representatives of all Islamic nations, but rather of those that are of the Wahhabi sect from Saudi Arabia. A key issue, though, is that these terrorists are being funded and children throughout the world are being taught at newly built schools and mosques the basic tenets and principles of Wahhabism through that funding! “Saudi money spending frenzy has resulted in the construction of 1500 mosques, 210 Islamic centers, 202 colleges and nearly 2000 schools spread across the globe.” (p. 53) So, the breadth of exposure and expansion of this group is far above anything seen in the past. “Saudi connections to terrorism continue to appear.” (p. 58)

 

Indeed, the author notes “Wahhabism’s intimate relationship with the Saudi government presents American officials with a unique dilemma, in that it is the only foreign government that directly uses religion as a cover for its political activities in the United States” (p. 30). This is especially ironic when the United States monitors and mandates a strict separation of church and state for its own citizens. “Regrettably, religiously inspired or pseudo religiously inspired terrorist groups are the fastest growing form of terrorism.” (p. 101)

 

Bascio hones in on another little-known issue. There is little known about the history of the Central Asian republics’ successful struggle with our enemy or their willingness to help us defeat them. Why is that? Perhaps because “when Uzebekistan, in July, 2005, ordered the eviction of U. S. Military personnel from the Karshi-Khanabad airbase, the dimensions of our loss of face and influence in Central Asia became evident.”

 

The author discusses each of the countries involved in Central Asia and demonstrates how each of three major countries—Russia, China and the United States—are working to gain a relationship. Russia and China are doing much to increase their interaction while the United States still has not gotten over what happened in the past. Are we able to become humble and recognize our mistakes and approach the Islamic issue with understanding and patience? Because no matter what, the “United States and Central Asian governments share a common enemy – Wahhabism.” (p. 161)

 

In-depth reviews of specific events, the identification of “Peshawar as the Heartland of Islamic Terrorism,” (P. 145) specific people of influence, such as “Euvgeny Primakov” (p.234), as well as specific recommendations make this book one of the most unbiased, informative books available, in my opinion. There is much to be considered here; there is much to be learned.

 

The United States has made mistakes in decisions made from time to time. Can we acknowledge and move on to discussing options that will allow us to work with the majority of Islamic people who lives in accordance with the Koran, which speaks out against violence? Perhaps as we learn more through books such as Defeating Islamic Terrorism, we can become better informed and help toward making sound decisions that will indeed defeat the acts of terror now feared by all. The reality of today in America makes this a Must-Read Book!

 

 

G. A. Bixler For IP Book Reviewers

 

Tags: Islamic Terrorism, Wahhabi, Islam, Patrick Bascio, Central Asia, US Policy

While Waiting - Interesting Life and Ghost Stories!

While Waiting

By L. Ray Born

AuthorHouse

ISBN:  1-4259-6034-0

118 Pages

  

On the back cover of While Waiting by L. Ray Born, I read, “He’s having fun writing these stories and hopes someone, somewhere will find them enjoyable.” Well, this author found that someone with me!  I was smiling while I read the majority of these stories, pausing only once in awhile to decide whether this story or that one was true or not! I admit I’m still not sure about some of them! But I am sure that was part of the fun for the author. While Waiting was “mostly written so that his Grandchildren and/or Great-Grandchildren might have something to remember Grandpa by.” What a wonderful goal for any book!

 

Most of the stories are short and, as intended by the title, can be read While Waiting—for an appointment with your doctor, while riding the bus, or just, like I did, to stop for a cup of tea and enjoy.  The stories reminded me of those that would be told in my family, about this person or that doing something that was funny or that should be remembered and carried forward for all family members to enjoy.  In fact, I felt like I was hearing the author tell these stories, sitting around a large fire, and roasting the marshmallows, just liked he shared was the best way to do it!

 

While each of the stories provided a tale to be enjoyed, I especially liked the following ones:

 

·        Fred and the Summer of ’37. Now the interesting part of this for me was taking us back to a time when two young boys, on bikes, could safely go off on their own, to have an adventure, to visit with relatives. I may not have traveled as far as these  boys, but I remember many days in my youth when I would take off by myself, maybe carrying something for a lunch, and I would go sit by the river nearby, or on a huge rock somewhere amongst the trees...just to glory in God’s beauty and the silence of exploration.  Thanks to this story, I was able to relive some of my own memories!

 

·        Cliff. Now this was one of the stories I wasn’t sure was true...but I wanted to believe it!  You see Cliff became a hero, I think...  Cliff had been left at home while his family went on a camping trip, much to his disappointment—he needed to be where his family was in order to protect them. Nevertheless, the family went off without him. They were having a wonderful time while camping, until a mountain lion came visiting! As the big cat sprang, mid-air, a reddish-gold flash hit the lion and took it quickly to the ground. Cliff downed that cat, whimpered to ask if the family was all right and then was gone. Was it a dream?  Did he really travel to save the family? You’ll have to decide for yourself!

 

·        Real Men Don’t Scream. Or do they, if your new house is haunted? Have you ever wondered if someone or something is there, watching you sleep?  I especially liked this one...and, yes, men do scream...sometimes!

 

·        What a Man Has To Do. And then there was the man--no, this one is very special and you’ll just have to read it!  I’ll give you a couple of hints, model trains, a special love for them and a desire to spend your life driving those engines every day!  Can you even guess?

 

·        Sunset. Did you ever spend a night—in a cabin that wasn’t there? Or have you had a delicious meal—in a restaurant that had burned down? Now, this one, I thought, was probably a very good ghost story, made up by a wonderful man who wanted to share a story with his family.  I think...

 

Hey, this neat little book, with a beautiful scenic cover can fit in your pocket or purse and will certainly keep you entertained While Waiting any time you just want to stop, relax, and smile from a memory or a good tale.  And, if you need a good story to tell the kids, pick this one up for a family-oriented ghost story!  You’ll love it!

Tags: L. Ray Born, book review, reviews, books, life stories, ghost stories

Ruth of Moab - A Special Book!

Ruth of Moab: Triumph of a Daughter’s Love

By Author O. Wright

219 Pages  

After I had read Ruth of Moab: Triumph of a Daughter’s Love, by Author Wright, I pulled out one of my Bibles and found the Book of Ruth.  It was told in three pages. Yes, all of the basics were there; the story was the same. 

However, Wright has provided us with so much more! Clearly Wright has been led in this creative fictional novel based upon the original story!  He states that he has read and studied the Biblical version well over 500 times; however, he has done more than that, in my opinion.  I believe he has traveled into that time in his mind and has actually lived amongst the people there.  His characters are richly drawn, speaking in a language that must have been used then, and he has made them come alive as we read and get to know them.

 During a long and desperate famine in Judah, Elimelech decided to leave his homeland. Naomi, whose faith in God’s promise to provide, quickly tried to persuade her husband not to leave, to depend upon God until the land was once again fruitful.  Elimelech feared for his family, however, and believed that they must travel to another land where he had heard there was food in abundance for everyone. 

I must admit that one of the scenes I especially thought provocative was the attempt by Naomi to dissuade her husband from leaving home. Without raising her voice and in humble supplication, Naomi literally begs her husband to stay in their promised land and depend upon God for their care. But it was to no avail, and with the decision made, Naomi played the role of the submissive wife and followed her husband. 

And so Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons traveled four long days, until they reached the land of Moab. The people there were friendly and welcomed the family and soon they were settled into their new lives. Mahlon and Chilion, especially, found many with whom they could become friends and more and more they began to live the lives of the Moabites.  Indeed, they even grew accustomed to the gods that were worshiped there and found no fault in anything.   

At the same time, Elimelech watched as his sons grew away from their faith, their religion and he realized what he had done. There in the land where he had brought them, there was no place to worship their God; indeed, there were no others that claimed their God as their own. Elimelech admitted his mistake to Naomi.  Soon after, Elimelech fell ill and died, possibly from his sorrow--possibly from shame. 

Naomi grew closer to her two sons as they grieved for their father. She strived to move them back toward their precious God and talked to them of returning to Judah one day so that they could find wives. Neither Mahlon nor Chilion felt they needed to wait; they felt they could find wives there in Moab. Though Naomi continued to promote their waiting until they returned, Mahlon, the oldest, soon looked favorably upon a local woman. Her name was Ruth. Naomi saw that Mahlon was committed to marrying and when she discovered the sweetness and beauty of Ruth, she blessed their marriage.  

And then, happily married to Mahlon, Ruth introduced her best friend to Chilion and he too feel inlove with a Moabite. In the closeness of the family, Naomi came to love both of her daughters-in-law very much, and was especially gratified when they were willing to learn about the God of Judah.  Indeed, both of the women soon became followers of Naomi’s God.  

And then death came again. Both sons and husbands were lost to fever.  

The drama of the story has just begun, though, as Naomi decides that she must now return to her homeland.  Many of us have been drawn to the story of Ruth through the words, “Whither Thou Goest, I will Go...” For Ruth decided to leave her parents, her homeland, and her friends to follow Naomi and her God, into the land of Judah. 

This is a love story like no other, for Ruth had become totally loyal to the God of Judah and as her faith grew, she followed the steps that were placed before her to remarry and become an ancestress mother for the long-awaited Messiah.  

Wright has a sensitivity in his writing that becomes almost poetic as we read.  His love for humanity is clearly projected into his characters and his fervent majesty of praising God is unparalleled in my experience. If you, too, enjoy experiencing the world of God through fictional interpretations, you may find a wonderful “keeper” for your library with Author Wright’s Ruth of Moab: Triumph of a Daughter’s Love. 

 

Tags: Author Wright, Ruth of Moab, Biblical, Historical Fiction

Latest Deception Book Best So Far!

 Deception’s Legacy By Jacqueline G. Randolph 

Randolph’s latest book in her “Deception” series, Deception’s Legacy, is a stunning complementary addition!  In fact, in many ways, it surpasses her first two books, Deception’s Guard and Deception’s Fury, in this reviewer’s opinion.  And that is saying something! 

In addition to action-packed adventure, Deception’s Legacy, brings us significant historical information and a major surprise in the life of one of our main characters, Skye, who, even in her 70s is actively involved in her family and in her former career as a DEA agent. Set in two primary time periods—1966 and 2030—the story also takes readers back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition. And there is where I would like to begin in sharing the story. 

Evil people use whatever they can to justify hatred and prejudice.  During the Spanish Inquisition, which was instigated by Queen Isabella and sanctioned by Pope Sixtus IV, in 1483, theft, torture, and murder were routinely committed against all those in Spain whose only crime was that their faith and belief was not sanctioned by the Catholic Church! In Palomares, Spain, these outrages were planned and executed by “Don Cristobal,” which represented both a family as well as the nobility who held the title at any given time.  These men were thrilled to use religion to cover their lusts and they were quite willing to choose Marranos--Jews and Muslims especially--as their victims.  Each generation excitedly considered how to “improve” and “surpass” the atrocities of the previous Don Cristobal. Using this background, Randolph moves between 1966 and 2030, presenting two exciting storylines, separately but ultimately connected in an explosive confrontation that is truly unforgettable! Jim, a training instructor, was commanded to fill a last-minute staffing problem and fly as standby pilot on a nuclear airlift mission—Chrome Dome. In 1966 the last missions were flown which carried nuclear bombs over Palomares, Spain.  This novel recounts the horrific nuclear accident that occurred during the ill-fated mid-air refueling. But there in the midst of tragedy, a wondrous love story began.

Rosita had found Jim after he had parachuted/crashed; using that parachute, she was able to finally pull him into a cave in which she had been hiding.  When Jim finally awoke, dazed, he saw her—she was bruised and bleeding, almost as badly hurt as he was.  His first thought was that one of the nuclear bombs had exploded and it was already too late—she was evidence of what had happened.  Rosita cradled the black man in her arms.  She did not know that Jim was one of the few African-American pilots; all she knew was that he was hurt and she tried to comfort him.  As time passed, a young boy, Rosita’s friend, came to bring food to her.  Finding the stranger, he stayed and when the man awoke, he used what little English he knew to try to communicate. The nuclear bombs had not exploded; Don Cristobal, to whom she belonged, had hurt Rosita.  She was pregnant, her third, for Rosita was a Marrano, and Don Cristobal could not allow another Marrano to be born, so he would beat her until each baby died!  He was looking forward to killing her third child, still joyously following the commands established so long ago.  Rosita had escaped to protect her baby.   

Jim knew, however, that neither he nor Rosita would live if they didn’t get help. Finally, he was able to make Rosita understand that she must go for help; he sent her with evidence of his existence and she looked until she finally found the one other black man who was stationed in Spain, thinking that would be who would help them.   Knowing that Rosita would be killed if he didn’t further help her, Jim claimed that Rosita was his wife and that she was carrying his child.  What appeared to them to be a miracle resulted in Rosita later being on the plane that was carrying Jim back to the States.  Decades passed before how they escaped was revealed—what a story!  

Although Skye had tried to dissuade him, her son Tristan had followed in her footsteps and joined the DEA.  In 2030, Tristan was assigned to Spain and was quickly immersed in a major effort to trace drug smuggling activities.  The assignment required Tristan’s search of the ruling Don Cristobal’s castle.  There he found the hideous evidence of what these men had done, and were still doing, in the name of the Catholic Church.  Unbelievable perversions had been documented--each generation trying to be more heinous than the one before!  Now they were using drugs as one of the latest methods by which Marranos were murdered. Now they were not really too careful whether it was just Marranos that were affected! 

Tristan encounters include fun impersonations, exciting near-death experiences (when his parents come to his rescue) and, finally, in his finding his own soul mate. Surprise after surprise keeps the reader turning pages, striving to keep up with what is being revealed!  There is NO way I’m going to even hint at what happens at the end!

 

Needless to say, Randolph gets better and better!  Her third novel in the Deception series is excitingly new and historically significant.  Randolph continues as one of my favorite and MUST-READ authors.  If this book sounds interesting, trust me...get the first two books and start at the beginning of this unique family saga!  

Tags: Jacqueline Randolph, Book Reviews, Series, Drama