The Noble Path by Peter May

 The Noble Path is a thriller set in Cambodia and Thailand amid the bloody reign of the Khmer Rouge. A rescue mission turned to an escape mission amid suffering and betrayal.

EMPTY CRADLES by Margaret Humphreys

 

"Empty Cradles" is a non-fiction book written by Margaret Humphreys, originally published in 1994. The full title of the book is "Empty Cradles: One Woman's Fight to Help Britain's Forgotten Children." The book tells the true story of Humphreys' efforts to reunite thousands of British children who were forcibly separated from their families and sent to Australia and other Commonwealth countries.

During the mid-20th century, thousands of children, known as the "Child Migrants," were taken away from their families under various circumstances, including poverty, single parenthood, or being born to unmarried parents. These children were promised a better life and opportunities in countries like Australia, but they often ended up facing neglect, abuse, and exploitation in their new environments.

Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, England, discovered the truth about these forced child migrations and decided to take action. She started researching and locating the lost children, many of whom had grown up without knowledge of their true identities or families. Humphreys faced numerous challenges and obstacles, including bureaucratic resistance and hostility, but she persevered in her mission to reunite these "lost children" with their families.

"Empty Cradles" chronicles Humphreys' journey as she travels across the world, tracks down the now-adult child migrants, and exposes the truth behind this hidden chapter of British history. The book sheds light on the emotional toll suffered by the children and their families, the long-lasting effects of forced separation, and the struggle for justice and recognition.

Margaret Humphreys' work eventually led to a public apology from the British government in 2010, acknowledging the suffering and injustices inflicted upon the child migrants. The story of "Empty Cradles" has also been adapted into a television drama titled "Oranges and Sunshine" in 2010, starring Emily Watson as Margaret Humphreys.

"Empty Cradles" is a powerful and moving account of a woman's determination to expose a dark chapter in history and seek justice for those who suffered. It highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit and serves as a reminder of the importance of family and belonging.

ICON

Watched the mini-series ICON written in 1996. Everyone had to be vaccinated against a virus.

The Traveling Man (The Travelers #1) by Michael P. King

The Travelling Man is the second book in the series although the first one written. The con artists are a husband and wife team and the story takes place 20 yrs. after the first one. Still a team and still not trusting each other. They are ready to con one other and any passing mark, especially if the mark is dishonest. In this mode of operation they usually make more enemies while putting their lives in danger. The book is fast paced from beginning and throughout the story. To con is their way of life and they are not above murder to fill their pockets and keep them out of jail. 

Edge of Eternity (The Century Trilogy, #3) by Ken Follett

I am always glad to read a Follett epic, this one especially so since I lived through most of it and the events are familiar. To tell the story, he has taken the characters, their relatives, acquaintances and ancestors and woven it into the fabric of world changing and everyday events. I have a better understanding of the period when all the events are tied together. It is unfortunate that his political leanings sometimes take precedence over unbiased writing. At times his writing slipped into the area of  descriptive porn which was unnecessary. 

Traitors of Rome (Eagle #18) by Simon Scarrow

 Another saga in the lives of Cato & Marco. For the most part it is two concurrent stories. The book seems to have taken on the appearance of a diary as far as the actions of Cato is concerned. Marco on the other hand has come more to the forefront, bringing out his finer points. It is almost like introducing a new character and a way of prolonging the series. Marco can now take on a life of his own. 

Darkest Corners of Texas (An Al Quinn Novel Book 7) by Russ Hall

 I started reading this book and the first three chapters were all about his dog. I felt that the author was having trouble finding a story and was dragging this part out. Reading farther along, I got the impression that everyone carries a gun. In pockets, purses and tucked into their belts. I've been to Dallas and never saw a pistol tucked into anyone's belt. It is not a style of writing that I like so I never finished the book. 

I can't understand why people doing a review have to do a summary. You can find that on the back of the book. Probably it's to make the review appear longer. In a lot of reviews that I have read I have noticed that the actual review might be only one or two sentences. If so, let the review be one or two sentences. It's a waste of time reading the synopsis over and over. A rant, after reading the reviews of all seven books.

Winter Territory (Get Jack Reacher, #2) by Scott Blade

 This is a Reacher story that one could mistake for a young Jack Reacher although he might appear a bit naïve and immature. The series is an attempt to copy the style of Lee Child but falls short. At times the sentences are short and sharp but for the most part they revert to normal information. Parts of the story are inconsistent, the author forgetting former remarks. Some sentences are just plain silly while others are absurd.

The Double Cross (The Travelers #0.5) by Michael P. King

This is a story of a con man and his student and the training involved for the purpose of taking revenge on his former partners. It looks like the first book in the series but it is actually the fifth book written. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. It was non stop action with a bit of violence. Since it is the fifth book and practice makes perfect, I am hoping the first books are just as good. 

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger (Richard Bolitho, #2 by Alexander Kent

The second in the Bolitho series. Home on a short leave, Bolitho is suddenly called back to serve on a small ship where his brother happens to be Captain. You would expect rivalry between the two brothers but that doesn't happen. This seems to break away from what usually happens in these kind of stories. This is the only surprise as the story falls into the type that I have seen a dozen times, a routine story with a lack of imagination.

Richard Bolitho — Midshipman (Richard Bolitho, #1) by Alexander Kent

This is the first of the Bolitho series. It is more of a short story than a novel. Being short, it doesn't waste a lot of time on dressing, although some explanations seem to be left out, making you wonder. As the story starts he already has a four year career behind him. A career that seems to have been easy going as it now takes a turn for the worse. He suddenly becomes aware of the prejudices and cruelty that surround him. The story seems to lack strength.   

For those who don't know it, Don Juan is a work of fiction.

“The Future of Life” – Jacques Attali,

 “In the future it will be about finding a way to reduce the population. We will start with the old, because as soon as he is over 60-65 years of age, man lives longer than he produces and costs society dearly. Then the weak and then the useless who do nothing for society because there will be more and more of them, and especially finally the stupid ones.

Euthanasia targeting these groups; euthanasia will have to be an essential instrument of our future societies, in all cases. Of course, we cannot execute people or set up camps. We will get rid of it by making them believe it is for their own good. Too large a population, and for the most part unnecessary, is something economically too expensive.

Socially, it is also much better for the human machine to come to a screeching halt rather than gradually deteriorating. We won’t be able to give intelligence tests to millions and millions of people, you can imagine!

We will find something or cause it, a pandemic that targets certain people, a real economic crisis or not, a virus that will affect the old or the big, it doesn’t matter, the weak will succumb to it, the fearful and the stupid will believe it and ask to be treated.

We will have taken care to have planned the treatment, a treatment that will be the solution. The selection of idiots will thus be done by themselves: they will go to the slaughterhouse on their own. “

Winter of the World (The Century Trilogy #2) - Ken Follett

 

I love history and reading these books by Follett is like reading a history book but better. The characters are woven into the actual events bypassing the cold hard facts of history and making them come alive. Through the eyes of the  characters we see the events as if they are happening now. Well written and hard to put down.

West to Bravo: A Western Novel - Eric H. Heisner

 

I was looking for a change from my usual reading
but found this was not my style of writing. It would
make a decent movie.

Fair Warning (Jack McEvoy #3) - Michael Connelly

 

A crime story that has us believing that and old reporter is a seasoned member
of the information highway. The book has great flow and holds us from beginning
to end. It leaves us with the belief that there are more stories to come.

Death in Zanzibar

 

A novel of young love and murder written before the time of political correctness. With this group of misfits, this book could be an ad for any type of alcoholic drink. We are teased by the naïve love of our teen age heroine, which turns out to be a red herring. She eventually falls for the other young man, who seems to face the possibility of becoming an alcoholic. 

Suspense

 

I like suspense in a book but not in real life.

Dolphin Dreams by Lyle Nicholson

 

Rating

Gone to Darkness (Sydney Rose Parnell, #4) by Barbara Nickless

It was a great story. Too bad the author had to resort to such vulgar language. The vulgarity in the banter was unnatural. You don't need it when the story is good. You have to stay away from this book if foul language offends you. Four stars instead of five.