It's a quiet day here in the old homestead. I went out and got some bread and a few other items this morning. I finished my 8th book of August; I'll provide my review shortly. I won't start another yet as I've got a couple of extras on the go. I'll continue with my look at my favorite authors as well, this time one of the more successful thriller writers.
Just Finished
1.
Too Much and Never Enough by
Mary L. Trump.
"I've read a few books on Donald J. Trump since he assumed power in 2016. Since then I have avoided any others as I tend to get depressed or angry when I read them. However, I decided to try his niece, Mary L. Trump's first book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man. So did I enjoy it? Did I learn anything new about Mr. Trump? Two qualified yes's.
Everything I read about Trump is depressing. Let's get that fact out of the way immediately. So the book was depressing but also very well-written. Mary Trump has a way with words and logically present her story. In many ways it's more about her father, Fred Trump Jr, and how he couldn't cope with the pressures of his father and his family. So, before I continue, did I learn anything new? Well, Trump is in the news constantly and there are new revelations daily. While I personally think Trump plays a somewhat secondary role in this story (even though it's about him... does that make sense?), we do get a look at maybe why he is the way he is. Why he is a bully, why he prefer to attack and demean and show any empathy or emotion.
Fred Jr, the 2nd child and oldest son of Fred and Mary (Gam) Trump, was to inherit his father's successful real estate business. Fred had difficulties living up to his father's image of him. He was ridiculed for his perceived weakness. That was his father's way. The other children; Maryanne, Elizabeth, Donald and Robert saw this and knew they would get the same if they showed weakness. In fact, the girls weren't important in Fred Sr's perceptions, just Fred Jr and the other boys.
Mary Trump portrays this family dynamic excellently, the ridicule and ultimate demise of her father, due to drink and how Don became a bully and liar and cheat to win his father's approval. It's an excellent portrait of two men, one trying to prove to his father that he could be successful on his own, as a commercial pilot, but instead only gaining his father's mockery and disapproval, the other, loud and brash, living off of his father's money and work ethic to make himself appear a self-mad success story.
In many ways, I think Mary glosses over events. They are often little portraits of scenes of a family's life and how each person reacted. It is definitely a dysfunctional family, every one, even divorces spouses seeming to be forced to attend family function, all wandering off to their own corners. It's not a perfect book (how many are?) but it provides a portrait of an unqualified, childish, petty, bully of a man who is unfit to hole the highest office in America. I believe it should be read by as many Americans as possible before Nov 2020 (3.5 stars)"
Now do I want to read
Michael Cohen's book,
Disloyal? Yes, I think I do. Will have to hint to the missus. She bought me Mary Trump's book. Thanks for that, Jo.
My Favorite Authors - Lee Child
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Lee Child
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James Dover Grant (aka Lee Child) has written one of the most popular thriller series of the late '90s and 2000's. Child was born in 1954 in Coventry, England. The fact that he's one year older than I am and has been more successful (in a writing sense and monetary sense of course) than I am has nothing to do with the fact that it took me so long to try one of his successful Jack Reacher series. Since I broke down and decided to try the series in 2012, I've read six books so far. All entertaining and exciting. I'm now venturing into other thriller authors; Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, etc. So let's look at Lee Child.
1.
61 Hours (#14 / 2010).
"A bus crashes in a savage snowstorm and lands Jack Reacher in the middle of a deadly confrontation. In nearby Bolton, South Dakota, one brave woman is standing up for justice in a small town threatened by sinister forces. If she’s going to live long enough to testify, she’ll need help. Because a killer is coming to Bolton, a coldly proficient assassin who never misses.
Reacher’s original plan was to keep on moving. But the next 61 hours will change everything. The secrets are deadlier and his enemies are stronger than he could have guessed—but so is the woman he’ll risk his life to save." (3 stars)
2. Killing Floor (#1 / 1997).
"A solid 3 and a half star thriller, an excellent introduction to Jack Reacher's world. Very entertaining, action-packed and interesting plot involving counterfeiters and a small town in Georgia. Reacher has come through on a whim during his travels to find out the story of a long-time dead blues singer. Instead he finds himself thrown into a complex at times scary situation that also involves his brother. Who to trust, how to resolve the situation and how to stay alive. Excellent stuff! (3.5 stars)"
3. Running Blind (#4 / 2000).
"Running Blind is the 4th Jack Reacher thriller by Lee Child. Like the other Reacher stories I've read, it's definitely long, but like the others, as well, it is eminently readable, moving along at a nice pace.
There were things that irritated me about the story; how the FBI coerces Reacher into helping them, Reacher's negative attitude to helping them (both somewhat related of course). But it was an interesting case and I really liked Harper, his FBI partner; intelligent, attractive and a strong character.
A number of women, ex of the Army, have been murdered in strange circumstances (very strange). They were all involved in sexual harassment cases while in the military. FBI profilers feel it's someone 'like Reacher' and force him (almost blackmail) into helping them.
The killer leaves no clues and there are no signs of violence. The murders take place in all parts of the country. Reacher and Harper work as a team to try and find clues and try to catch the killer before anymore women die. Complicating the case is that Reacher knows one of the women as he investigated her rape case while he was an MP and he wants to keep her safe. Reacher must also decide if the wants to live a more settled life with his girl friend Jodie, introduced in the previous story.
It's a fast-paced story with a fair bit of action; nothing excessive mind you. I had an idea about the killer about half way through the story. I wasn't totally correct but had the gist of the solution. I can't say I was totally satisfied with the ending; it was a bit pat and seemed a bit of a throw away, but all in all it was still an entertaining story. Echo Burning is the next Reacher story. (3.5 stars)"
4. Without Fail (#6 / 2002).
"I've read 4 or 5 of the Jack Reacher thriller series now and Without Fail (Reacher #6) by Lee Child is one of the better ones so far. The story starts with Reacher in New Jersey, helping an old couple, both jazz musicians, get out of the clutches of an unscrupulous (mob-associated) club owner. He is approached by M.E. Froelich, a Secret Service agent and ex-girlfriend of Jack's older brother. Joe, also a Secret Service agent, was murdered years ago. Froelich is the head security chief for the new, incoming VP and she has received threats against him. She wants Reacher to test the Secret Service coverage and find weaknesses.
This begins a very tense, fast-paced thriller as the threats become more concrete, not just correspondence but displays the enemies capabilities. Reacher brings in an acquaintance from his military days, Neagley, to help him with both the tests and the follow-on investigation. She is a fantastic character, strong, smart and with issues of her own. (Maybe deserves her own series).
It's a long story but seems to flow quickly. We learn about Reacher's brother, their similarities and differences. The case is interesting as they try to ascertain who would want to assassinate the VP and also keep him safe. Reacher is a great character and I also liked Froelich.
It has an exciting climax with sufficient action to satisfy readers who like that and a satisfying ending. I've been enjoying the Reacher series very much and this has kept my interest up in continuing to follow his adventures. (4 stars)"
"A fast-paced, action-packed thriller featuring Jack Reacher. I thought it would be too long, but even at 500+ pages, it was an easy, exciting read. Suspend disbelief somewhat and you'll enjoy thoroughly. Follow Reacher from his part-time job digging pools in the Florida Keys, to New York as he searches for the truth about a helicopter pilot who may or may not have died in the Vietnam War and at the same time follow the villain of the story as he tries to rush through various deals so he can escape the hunt that is on for him. Interesting characters and lots of excitement. 3.5 stars."
6. Die Trying (#2 / 1998).
"A tense, fast-paced, at times threatening thriller. While it can be far-fetched at times, it still keeps you on the edge of your seat. The second Jack Reacher thriller, it continues Reacher's adventures very nicely. This time we find Reacher in Chicago, accidentally caught up in the kidnapping of a female FBI agent, Holly Johnson. They are taken to Montana and find themselves being held prisoner/ hostage by right wing extremists. While a small group of FBI and military try to find out where they are and how to save them, Reacher and Johnson try to survive amidst this group, who have other plots in mind. There were times when I felt a cold chill run down my spine as Jack found himself in some very tight tense situations. All in all, just what you want from a thriller. (3 stars)"
So there you go. I started off trying this series out of sequence, but I've been working my way in sequential order since. The complete list of Child's books can be found at this link.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. We're treating ourselves to fast food tonight, so I'm heading out to pick it up. Take care and wear your MASK!
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