Review: The Middle East And The Latter Days

 

 

The Middle East And The Latter Days by Victor L. Ludlow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever wanted to know just a bit more about the Middle East and the significance of the wars and turmoil that have been that area of the world's long-held history? Not too much, because you're not THAT into it, but enough to understand what and why of the continued unrest and how it affects the world?

Then read this book. Fascinating! Starting from Abraham and his sons Isaac and Ishmael, to today - you will better understand how things got heated in the beginning, and why they continue so today. An accurate look at all sides without any bias for either.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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Review: The Magic of Starlight

 

 

The Magic of Starlight by Anita Stansfield

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was ok.

It was a bit cheesy. It was quite predictable. It is clean romance. I found I had to somewhat make myself finish it, just because I hate not finishing what I start; yet it was not unpleasant in any way. it was just slow, predictable and a little boring because of that.

That said, it is a good book to read quickly just to "veg."

I read it once, I likely won't read it again. Take that as you wish.

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Review: Into the Flames Vol 6

 

 

Into the Flames by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The last of the series - Excellent book. Highly recommend.

This entire series is great. Factually accurate when it comes to history, engaging when it comes to the fictional families and protagonist. Causes the reader to pause and think and compare to what is happening in America and the world today - SO many similiarities to 2019-2021. I fear what lies ahead for my beloved republic, but only for the sadness it will bring, not for the hope which i believe is still very much there, if we will turn from our ways.

This series follows the protagonist (son of a German family) and his life-long friendship with an American and how their families all interact and how they each react and behave in relation to events that surrounded the end of WWI and the rise of Hitler, just as WWII was about to begin. You get to see the various personalities and how they each see Hitler and the rise of the Third Reich, etc. Fascinating how we each *choose* our own paradigms in life.

I think for those who naturally like psychology, these books will also give psychological insight into personalities and characters, we the author's main stated purpose in writing these books is to show the various manners in which people react to certain given circumstances, such as the rise of Hitler. Each was unique.

After finishing this book I was left wanting 6 more books!

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Review: Out of the Smoke Vol 5

 

 

Out of the Smoke by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yet again - I love each book more than the previous. Read my other reviews on these books. Highly recommend - especially if you want accurate, true history, an engaging story, to understand what is happening in America and around the world today, and how to recognize the signs of a tyrant. Love these books. They seriously need to be made in to a movie.

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Review: The Proud Shall Stumble Vol

 

 

The Proud Shall Stumble by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Each of the books in this series gets better and better.

I have found some people like Gerald N Lund, and some don't. I like him. he does a smash up job of being historically accurate.

With each book, I learned more and more, as well as being reminded of what I already knew, of what all was entalied in the rise of Hitler. These books primarily show how different characters and personalities deal with the same issue: the rise of a tyrant. (most people today has a mistaken understanding of what the political spectrum is, but the true political spectrum, as understood by the American Founding Fathers is tyranny on the far left and anarchy on the far right, with the U.S. Constitution being the "chains" by which America is tied to the center of the spectrum and therefore her political pendulum cannot swing from side to side, causing chaos, as it has always done in the history of all other nations. Therefore, fasicms, communism, socialism, naziism, democratic socialism, all stand between the center (federal republican constitutionalism) and the far left (tyranny). Liberalism, as original understood, stands to the right of federal republican constitutionalism but not far enough to be anarchy.)   

It is amazing to see how some people saw what Hitler was inching toward, others were fully ignorant (from being uneducated and having too much blind trust in their leaders), and yet others were willfully ignorant who just turned a blind eye because of the good things Hitler did accomplish as well.

All of this taking place in a very realistic relationship between two families - one German, one American, and their interelationships and day-to-day lives being carried out.

I don't want to share spoilers, so I'll just say that I highly recommend these books - ESPECIALLY if one wishes to see and understand what is happening in America (and many parts of the world) today. The same old demonic plan that Hitler was "inspired" with (which "inspiration" came directly from Satan, I believe), is "inspiring" our world leaders today. Beware.

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Review: The Shadow Falls - Fire & Steel Vol 3

 

 

The Shadow Falls by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A big part of why I love this series of books by GNL is that the history fills in so much I didn't know before. We all know about WWI and WWII - at least we think so. We now the little bullet points that seems to be on a circle conveyor belt that keeps going round and round - more and more books, more and more movies, more and more telling of the same information.

However, in these books, particularly this one, Lund describes more of the details - how inflation went up, and what amounts/percentages, how the INSANE GENIUS of Hitler started to "snowball", and why so many people fell for it, etc. It is amazing to just read/listen to this information.

I couldn't help but compare so much of the rise of the Third Reich/Nazi Germany to what is currently taking place in the U.S. and across the world.

A great example is a quote by C.S. Lewis: "Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exervised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

That PERFECTLY describes Hitler and this book describes this process of how it came to be and why people AIDED him in rising to such power. "It's for the greater good!" they say. Yet, there is a fine line between protecting "The greater good" and protecting "Individual rights." I fear we have lost total sight of that line and we area plunging in a downward spiral into another "Nazi abyss".  But I digress - the book is excellent, full of historical details and yet also fun fiction. Lund is a master story teller that draws you into the world of his books.


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Review: The Storm Descends - Fire & Steel Vol 2

 

 

The Storm Descends by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's hard to beat Gerald N. Lund when it comes to historical fiction. Love his books. This series is wonderful and truly makes the reader feel like they are right the, at the center of the action!

This is the second book in the series and I highly recommend the entire series if you like History, the rise of the Third Reich, WWI, and some Latter-day Saint stories thrown in. No, it's not a thickly religious book. Just so happens that Latter-day Saints do make up a small portion of the larger story, though that is not at any time the main focus of the book. Rather history and "what would it have felt like to live back in those days" kind of thinking, IS.

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Review: A Generation Rising - Fire & Steel Vol 1

 

 

A Generation Rising by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gerald N. Lund does it again. Fantastic, historical-fiction author! You always feel like you are right there, inside the story, as you read or listen to Lund's books. This series is no different.

If you like WWI and WII type stories, if you enjoy History, if you enjoy great movies, then this book series is for you!

I've enjoyed learning more about WWI history through this book, along with German geography and stories, and the interwining of people's lives, including Latter-day Saint missionaries. I enjoy reading about the experiences people lived through during "the great war" and what that must have been like. I enjoy the interpersonal relationships and development of character that Lund is so talented in describing. He keeps it real, down to earth, not exaggerated and fake. It's so realistic!

Would highly recommend this series - especially if you love to "watch movies in your head"! That's pretty much what these books are like!

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Review: 1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction

 

 

1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction by Joseph M. Spencer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There are a few items in this booklet that are good to know and good to ponder. However, the majority of this book really had a "progressive Mormonism" twist to it and I did not appreciate that one bit.

For anyone who isn't aware, there is currently (since late 1990's to current) an effort being pushed in scholarly and historical circles to "reconstruct" Mormon History, culture, and even the gospel knowledge.

While I do believe there are several items in Mormon Culture that need to be addressed and improved upon, LDS History and the gospel iteself do not fall into that category in my opinion.

This book is full of "undercurrents" that are not "undercurrent", like:
- Nephi was racist and that is what really caused the division between Lamanites and Nephites, more than anything else.
- Nephi had a huge ego, and had to be "knocked down" by the Lord/Spirit over a period of years before he caught on, and accepted his "humanity"
- Nephi did not believe/trust in Lehi's vision, *that* is why he asked the Lord to show him the dream too.. THEN be believed
-Laman and Lemuel were good, and not as "bad" as Nephi paints them out to be
- and so much more garbage!

I kept listening to the end, thinking the author would remdeem himself, but nope. At the end, he simply tried to state how much he admired Nephi, for all his humanity and weaknesses, because that shows the author that he, too, can still be "chosen" by the Lord.

I regret wasting the time to read this book. The author is a progressive Mormon, along the lines of Richard L. Bushman, who has led *many* people away from the Church through his writings, while at the same time trying to proclaim their faith.

Just, no.


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Review: Visions of Glory: One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days

 

 

Visions of Glory: One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days by John Pontius
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Would discourage others from reading this.

Why? Because of the spirit's whispering to me, personally, when I read this. I feel that while there are some things in this book that are true and accurate, the majority of it felt to me like "stories." There are some things in this book that are doctrinally incorrect and/or contrary. How? Read on.

I have heard from several people about this book and how great it is. Many have been touched by the book and feel inspired by it. I would be dishonest if I said that myself, and if I didn't add that I feel that these well-meaning, honest seekers of the Spirit were being deceived, in my opinion. That being said, there's a certain amount of "Well, if it leads them to Christ, then it's good, right?" Mostly, yes. But sometimes humans have been lead "to Christ", only for the length of time it takes to hook them on that path. Once hooked, the path takes turns that lead down to the darkness of falsehoods and turning away from Christ, if followed long enough. So really, that path and those decisions must be made by each individual. No one can make those choices for them. So, as a loving 'heads-up', I offer my advise: Don't read this book. It has too many falsehoods and is doctrinally opposite to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lastly, we do not even need to know of such things in order to better live this life. I personally feel that reading these kinds of books are more about our incessant desire to "know the future", and that is a human folly that amounts to no good.

I read this book so that I would be informed about it, and know what I'm talking about when and if someone wants to talk with me about it. I had a hard time finishing the book. After reading it, I did a quick search for the book and came across this great article, that pretty much describes my thoughts better than I could. So I'll share the link here. (If Goodreads doesn't allow the link, then do an internet search for D. Kelly Ogden (someone I have come to doctrinally trust over the past 25 years) article on ldsmag(dot)com titled "Concerns about the book Visions of Glory".

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-13817/


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