Newsmax Rising Bestsellers post-Christmas offerings include a definitive account of the greatest commercial maritime disaster on the Great Lakes and three others that are stories of success.
The first of the successes is a story of survival of more than a year in brutal captivity, the second how to achieve financial success no matter what the market is doing, and the third a memoir of one man's rise from the projects to sports stardom.
The novel of the week is the second volume of a new legal thriller series that's taking off, coming from the imagination of a talented father-son writing team.
"The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald," by John U. Bacon (Liveright)
The book's title is taken from the first verse in Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."
While Lightfoot's haunting lyrics paint the tale of the freighter's final hours with a broad brush, Bacon's book adds depth, clarity, and derail to the 1975 tragedy.
"The Gales of November" arrived 50 years ago on Lake Superior with a vengeance, in a perfect, hurricane-strength storm, bringing 100 mph winds and 50-foot waves.
The "Mighty Firz" was right in the thick of it, and the 729-foot ship, the largest on the Great Lakes, was tossed like a child's toy.
This New York Times bestseller is the definitive story of that legendary disaster and was named by the Smithsonian as one of the 10 Best History Books of 2025.
"Bacon builds a vivid, suspenseful lead-up to the tragedy through a forensic accounting of environmental and mechanical factors. He avoids sensationalism, letting the cold realities of nature, steel, and human resilience carry the weight," wrote Doug Marrin of the Sun Times News. "It's not just a history lesson. It's an immersive experience, one that leaves you breathless, as if you were aboard the ship yourself." [Nonfiction]
"Hostage," by Eli Sharabi (Harper Influence)
When Hamas stormed Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the terrorists raped. murdered, burned, and beheaded civilians.
They also took 251 hostages, including author Eli Sharabi, who was dragged out of his home in Kibbutz Be'eri that day and held captive in the dark, dank tunnel system under the Gaza Strip for 491 days.
This is his raw and unfiltered account of those tortuous days that was declared by Time magazine as a "Must-Read Book of 2025" and made it a New York Times bestseller.
"'Hostage' by Eli Sharabi is one of the most powerful and emotional books I have ever read," wrote Rebecca Cohen for Amazon. "It is not just a memoir, it is a testament to faith, courage, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable darkness." [Nonfiction]
"How to Make Money in Any Market," by James J. Cramer (Simon & Schuster)
Author James J. Cramer, a former hedge fund manager and host of CNBC's "Mad Money," explains to every current and future investor how to succeed no matter what the conditions are — whether we're in a bull or bear market — in this Instant New York Times bestseller.
Cramer shows the reader how to identify the right growth and income stocks to meet his investment goals of building personal wealth.
"Say what you will about the guy, but Jim Cramer did run a very successful hedge fund and went from living in his car to being worth over a hundred million dollars." said Nicholas for GoodReads. "I really do believe he wants to help people build wealth, and I respect that. I recommend reading How to Make Money in Any Market." [Nonfiction]
"Misunderstood: A Memoir," by Allen Iverson (Gallery/13A)
In this New York Times bestseller, former NBA Rookie of the Year and later MVP Allen Iverson describes how his prowess on the court was his ticket out of the Virginia slums, into which he was born and raised, and eventually led to him becoming a misunderstood member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Iverson's star first shone as a high school athlete, where he was named High School Player of the Year in both football and basketball by The Associated Press.
From there he went to Georgetown University, where he played under coach John Thompson for two years before being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.
But behind the scenes, this ultra-talented player's ultimate goal wasn't the fame and fortune he deservedly earned, but rather to lift his family and the friends he grew up with out of the poverty and violence of the projects.
"A basketball superstar nicknamed 'the Answer' ducks no tough questions in this revealing self-portrait," wrote Kirkus Reviews. "This is a frank, powerful memoir of injustice, loss, and resilience." [Nonfiction]
"Gabriel Lock: Bound by Fate," by D. & H. Cancio (Atlas Elite Publishing Partners)
In this second book in the Gabriel Lock series, the young lawyer's adventure continues as his adherence to his faith and code of ethics clashes with the corruption and vice that have become a part of Miami.
He represents clients for his father's law firm in a manner that's relatable and aspirational.
"We set out to make up for lost time and ended up creating a series for a generation," co-author David Cancio explained.
The third book in the series is already written, and the four that follow are outlined.
The authors told Newsmax that, like the first and all projected books in the series, this episode was inspired by true-life events and cases, many litigated by co-author Humberto Cancio throughout his 40-year-plus career as a Miami civil attorney.
Humberto is David's father.
In this second book, the past repeatedly intrudes on the present, which adds personal dilemma to the suspense of the legal challenges that Gabriel faces.
"The reason why people gravitate to Gabriel Lock is because he's grounded in the truth, both in the law and in life," Humberto told Newsmax.
The proof is in the pudding. The book received a rare 4.9 (out of five) average customer rating from confirmed Amazon purchasers after having read it.
"This is the kind of book that makes you forget everything else," wrote Paul Ryan for Amazon. "The twists are satisfying, and Gabriel Lock's dilemmas feel authentic. I liked the balance between crime, suspense, and his personal life. A gripping read for fans of legal thrillers." [Fiction]
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