Missive #491 Published 6 May 2025
For all those who adore Joanna Trollope's cool, honest writing style comes the fifth novel in the hugely popular "Caper Court" series. Leo Davies QC - charismatic, attractive and sexually ambiguous - inspires powerful feelings. Feelings that sometimes border on obsession.
This book was more 'Chick Lit' than the previous books in the series. I didn't like it as well. There are three more books in the series that I'll read hoping that this one was an outlier.
Missive #490 Published 4 May 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.46
The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared
Author: James Madison
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #489 Published 2 May 2025
85. Nasruddin Rewards His Son
Nasruddin’s son received a good report from his teacher at school.
“Son, I’m proud of you,” said Nasruddin. “You may make a request of me, and I will grant it.”
The son was taken aback by this generous offer. “May I have a day to think about it?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Nasruddin.
The boy came back the next day and said, “Father, I want a donkey.”
“Well, that would be two requests now, wouldn’t it? I already granted your request for a day to think things over.”
Nasruddin’s son was disappointed, but not surprised: he should have known better!
Missive #488 Published 29 April 2025
This edited customer review is just the beginning of one of the many one and two star reviews the book received at goodreads.com. "What is it that compels authors to end their careers preaching to the masses? This boring and tendentious piece of propaganda should never be mistaken for an act of fiction or competent literature." — Edited customer review
I might add that the last chapter in the book can be skipped if you make it that far or perhaps your are one of those readers that would give the book five stars, there were some.
Missive #487 Published 27 April 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
Centinel I
by Samuel Bryan
To the Freemen of Pennsylvania.:
Missive #486 Published 25 April 2025
84. Nasruddin and the Philosopher’s Questions
A renowned philosopher traveled to Nasruddin’s town to challenge him in a contest of wisdom. Everyone gathered to see the show, hoping that Nasruddin would uphold the honor of their town.
To begin the contest, the challenger asked if Nasruddin wanted to answer one hundred easy questions or just one hard question.
“I’ll take the one hard question,” Nasruddin said.
“Which came first: the chicken or the egg?”
“The chicken,” replied Nasruddin confidently.
The philosopher was surprised by Nasruddin’s answer. “How can you be so sure?”
“Ah,” said Nasruddin, “that is your second question. I agreed to answer only one.”
Missive #485 Published 24 April 2025
Beginning with Into the Darkness , Darkness Descending , and Through the Darkness , bestselling author Harry Turtledove ("The master of alternative history"- Publishers Weekly ) has been telling an epic the story of a world war, comparable to the terrible world wars of our own 20th century, in a world where magic works.
Imagine the drama and terror of the Second World War-only the bullets are beams of magical fire, the tanks are great lumbering beasts, and fighters and bombers are dragons raining fire upon their targets. Welcome to the world of the Derlavaian War, a world that is slowly but surely being conquered, mile by bloody mile, by the forces of the Algarvian empire … forces whose most terrible battle magics are powered by the slaughter of innocent people, the Kaunians, whom Algarve-like much of the world-holds in disdain.
Missive #484 Published 21 April 2025
Richard Sharpe is sent to Copenhagen to deliver a bribe to stop the Danes handing over possession of their battle fleet to the French.
It seems very easy. But nothing is easy in a Europe stirred by French ambitions. The Danes possess a battle fleet that could replace every ship the French lost at Trafalgar, and Napoleon's forces are gathering to take it. The British have to stop them, while the Danes insist on remaining neutral.
Missive #483 Published 20 April 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.45
The Alleged Danger From the Powers of the Union to the State Governments Considered
Author: James Madison
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #482 Published 19 April 2025
Stories depict the struggle for survival on Earth after it is devastated by war, as mutants prowl the ruins and new powers arise to challenge the survivors.
This is volume number nine in the ten book series. I'll finish the last one soon, they have all been good as short story reads.