Addressing disasters is this week's priority for Newsmax Rising Bestsellers.
The first teaches that one must confront evil in order to overcome it, and the second covers a disaster in disguise that has led to the end of history's golden ages.
The third is a bit of a palette cleanser: the uplifting story of one man's three-decade journey of bringing aid to disaster victims around the world.
Newsmax's novel of the week is another page-turner filled with plot twists.
"Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst," by Bill O'Reilly and Josh Hammer (St. Martin's Press)
Evil is as old as the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible's Book of Genesis.
But it becomes worse, and causes greater suffering, when evildoers attain power over others.
Bill O'Reilly and Josh Hammer's latest book describes "the worst of the worst" throughout history, from Genghis Khan and Roman Emperor Caligula to Ayatollah Khomeini and Vladimir Putin, and all those in between.
And when we don't actively confront evil, evil builds and more people are affected.
"Great book," wrote Henry L Homrighaus III in his Amazon review. "Rich in history and truth. I learned about things I didn't know happened. Great author and very informative book. Captivating as well." [Nonfiction]
"Peak Human: What We Can Learn From History's Greatest Civilizations," by Johan Norberg (Atlantic Books)
A quote often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville goes, "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."
This refers to entitlement spending, which led to the fall of golden ages throughout history — like the golden age that America is living through today.
"Why did Rome fall?" commentator John Stossel asked. "There were lots of reasons… disease … barbarian invaders. ... But also a reason modern societies should worry about: entitlement spending! Yes, really."
Historian and author Johan Norberg confirmed that "Rome could conquer the world, but they couldn't do entitlement reform."
"More than anything, 'Peak Human' will make you want to read 'more' and know 'more' about past civilizations, their golden age, and their fall," wrote Rolland Florence for GoodReads. "Thank you, Johan Norberg, for this nugget of knowledge and wisdom, complete with generous notes, catering to the voracious reader." [Nonfiction]
"Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus' Name," by Ken Isaacs & Robert Noland (David C. Cook)
This begins with a foreword by Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, a faith-based international relief organization.
The book tells the story of Ken Isaacs and his work with Samaritan's Purse, answering God's call to render aid to disaster victims around the world.
Isaacs' three-decade, boots-on-the-ground journey with Samaritan's Purse began when he was just a small-town boy with big dreams, eventually becoming the "Indiana Jones of global relief."
"Kenny is the most fascinating person I have ever met and has helped thousands and thousands of people," Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren wrote. "I have traveled with him and have seen the work firsthand. This book powerfully tells much of the story. Fabulous, so beautifully written." [Nonfiction]
"Cry Havoc: A Tom Reece Thriller," by Jack Carr (Atria/Emily Bestler Books)
In 1968, while America is deeply committed to the Vietnam War, the highly classified and shadowy Military Assistance Command, Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group assigns Navy SEAL Tom Reece to engage in an official mission — but it comes with an unofficial mission that might get him killed.
The mission comes after a spy ship is captured by communist forces off the coast of North Korea, on which the crew thought they had destroyed everything of intelligence value — but they were wrong.
"The pacing is blistering, the action cinematic, and the stakes — both moral and personal — cut right to the bone," said The Real Book Spy. "'CRY HAVOC' isn't just the best book of the year ... it's the kind of story that'll remind you why you fell in love with thrillers in the first place." [Fiction]
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