Biography

Scam Goddess

Background

Published in September of 2024, “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes” is a humorous essay collection by Laci Mosley, host of the award-winning “Scam Goddess” podcast. The book delves into various frauds, cons, and schemes, examining how the scammer mindset has influenced Mosley’s upbringing, career, relationships, and more. Through personal anecdotes and true-crime scam stories, Mosley offers insights into navigating a complex and often unjust world.

Scam Goddess
Scam Goddess

My Thoughts

I had never heard of Laci Mosley before reading this book. I had to Google “Florida Girls” and realized there really wasn’t any way I would stumble across her work thus far. (Till now!) I enjoy reading a random new book release in a failing attempt to diversify my interests and keep me current. I say failing because I seem to slide further into my “get off the lawn” phase in life. I love the quote from the Simpsons (Abe Simpson Season 7, Episode 24), “I used to be with it, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it,’ and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary to me. It’ll happen to you!”

Anyway, I enjoyed the book. I certainly don’t agree with the main premise that everyone is a scammer and trying to get one over on everyone. In fact, it saddens me to think there are so many people out there with the same perspective. Mosley mentions in the book how she stole food from a hotel because she didn’t want to wait in line. No apology, no shame, just a passing mention that it was their fault for not having enough attendants. That is full on self centered entitlement. She not only doesn’t see that behavior as wrong, she honestly believes she was being the moral actor as she was engaged in what she deemed as a good cause at the time. Plus, and as a bonus, it is the fault of institution that allowed it to happen. To use the classic phrase, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”

Oh yeah, back on track. I enjoyed the book. Mosley is very open with her thoughts and feelings has she shares her story. Her words are alive with energy and enthusiasm and she almost made me forget that most of what she shared was morally reprehensible. I have almost nothing in common with an attention seeking, actress, female, black, millennial and even less with a self described “Scam Goddess”, but I appreciate the window into her story.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence here. I’d imagine if you know and love Laci Mosley, you would likely love this book. However, even though I enjoyed the read and specifically enjoyed the alternate perspective, reading it hurt my heart and may have dimmed my perspective on humanity. The reader will have make up their own mind on this one.

Marine Sniper

Background

Published in 1986, “Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills” is a biography by Charles Henderson that chronicles the life and military career of Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, a legendary Marine sniper during the Vietnam War. Born in 1942, Hathcock developed exceptional marksmanship skills from a young age, which he honed throughout his service in the United States Marine Corps. During his deployment in Vietnam, he achieved 93 confirmed kills and numerous unconfirmed ones, earning him a formidable reputation among both allies and adversaries. Hathcock’s missions were marked by extraordinary feats, including a 2,500-yard shot that set a record for the longest sniper kill at the time, and a perilous solo mission to eliminate a high-ranking North Vietnamese general. Beyond his combat achievements, Hathcock contributed significantly to sniper training and tactics, leaving a lasting impact on military marksmanship. His career was cut short after sustaining severe injuries while rescuing fellow Marines from a burning vehicle, an act that exemplified his bravery and dedication.

Marine Sniper
Marine Sniper

My Thoughts

This book was recommended by a coworker and is part of the lore surrounding the Marine Corps. I hadn’t heard of this one before, but I was glad to get the chance to read it. Carlos Hathcock is the personification of the classic hero. He is humble, modest, honorable, got the job done and doesn’t need to tell you all about it.

Recommendation

A good read if you enjoy military books. There are some moments that aren’t for kids.

Killing Jesus

Background

Published in 2013, “Killing Jesus” written by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, provides a historical account of the life and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The book explores the political, social, and religious dynamics of the Roman Empire and Jewish leadership, setting the stage for the events that culminated in Jesus’s execution. Drawing from historical sources, the authors detail the intersections of power, betrayal, and faith, presenting the crucifixion not only as a pivotal religious moment but also as a political event shaped by the tensions of its time.

Killing Jesus
Killing Jesus

My Thoughts

O’Reilly and Gugard tried to only use information they were able to cite from specific contemporary sources. However, there simply isn’t many contemporary sources and so they used the four gospels as well. Of course, there are some minor differences in the narrative such as the final words on the cross, Matthew (27:46) & Mark (15:34), “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Luke (23:46), “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” John (19:30),”It is finished.” The latter being used by the authors. (Unfortunately, they didn’t include the phrase from Luke, (23:34) “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” I love that line. Even the movie “Ben Hurr” makes a big of it!)

Regardless, I think they did a good job of putting forth a decent secular narrative of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. However, for roughly a third of the world, Jesus is more than a man. He is the Christ, the Son of God, our Redeemer, and Savior. I tip my hat to the authors for the sheer gall of writing the book as it is riddled with opportunities to offend someone. (Perhaps that’s merely a 2024 way of thinking about it.)

Recommendation

Not bad. It helped by keeping in mind, the authors did their best with what they had.

Old Breed General

Background

Published in 2022, “Old Breed General”, written by Amy Rupertus Peacock and Don Brown, explores the life and military career of Major General William H. Rupertus, a key figure in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the author of the Marine Corps Rifleman’s Creed. The book covers Rupertus’s leadership in crucial battles against Japanese forces, including Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu, where his strategic decisions were instrumental in the Pacific theater. Drawing from Rupertus’s wartime diaries and firsthand accounts, the authors detail his commitment to his troops, his resilience, and the legacy he left for future Marines. This biography also delves into the personal side of Rupertus, providing insights into his character, relationships, and the challenges he faced both on and off the battlefield.

Old Breed General
Old Breed General

My Thoughts

The book was written in a first person narrative form that was very effective in bringing the feel of the people and the peril on both sides of the war. Unlike the standard war movie, the book would endeavor to show the Japanese side of the engagement along with some of their ups and downs. In war, it is very easy to demonize the other side and is even helpful to dehumanize both the people and their culture. This was certainly the case on both sides of the war, but I appreciate the attempt at unbiased perspective given in the book. I learned quite a bit.

Recommendation

A good entry into the pacific theater.

Bradley

Background

Published in 1971, “Bradley” by Charles Whiting is a detailed biography of General Omar Bradley during World War II. Whiting explores Bradley’s rise from a quiet, unassuming West Point teacher to the leader of the Twelfth United States Army Group, the largest force commanded by an American general. The book covers his involvement in significant battles, including the defeat of the Afrika Korps, the invasions of Sicily and Normandy, and his leadership across the Rhine. It also discusses his post-war role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff​

Bradley
Bradley

My Thoughts

This book was fairly underwhelming, which I imagine was the point of the book. According to the book, General Bradley wasn’t someone who liked to pander to the press. That alone impresses me. He seems like a man with morals, which is also impressive. However, the book also details a few times where Bradley or “Brad” was jockeying for position and worried about his reputation. That was less impressive. In short, I am conflicted on my mental image of him and will have to seek out another source.

Recommendation

I appreciated the read.

Counting the Cost

Background

Published in 2023, “Counting the Cost” by Jill Duggar and co-written with her husband Derick Dillard and Craig Borlase, offers an unfiltered look into Jill’s life growing up in the Duggar family, who were featured on the reality show 19 Kids and Counting. Jill shares her experiences of living under the strict rules of her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and the pressures and manipulation she faced while being part of the reality TV world. The memoir details the control her father exerted, including contract disputes and financial injustices, as well as her and Derick’s struggle to break free from the family’s influence to build a life of their own. Jill also explores the impact of her brother Josh Duggar’s scandals on her life and mental health, revealing how the public release of her traumatic experiences affected her and her family.

Counting the Cost
Counting the Cost

My Thoughts

I never saw the show, but even I had heard of the Duggar family and would occasionally would be asked if they were “Mormon”. Spoiler, no, they are not. They are a fundamentalist Christian family who was led by an extremist group called the Institute in Basic Life Principles or the IBLP. IBLP’s leader, Bill Gothard, stepped down due to a sexual misconduct scandal while the Duggars were still on TV. IBLP’s teachings include the superiority of the father figure, no consumption of media or internet, the wearing of dresses for females, no dancing and so on.

Much like the book Educated by Tara Westover, this is a story of someone finding life outside of the bubble created by their parents and adapting to it. In that sense, it is an almost universal narrative as we all leave the nest and figure out how to become members of a productive society. Of course, this is an extreme example and the Duggar family are certainly not the norm. I resonated most with Derrick Dillard who truly has the patience of Job as he is portrayed in the book. He seems to have his head on straight as he slowly guided his family away out of, “the umbrella” of her parents. Even the cover photo shows him staring directly at the reader while his wife looks off to the right in the distance.

Recommendation

If you enjoyed the reality show, I’m sure you’d like the book.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Background

Published in 2022, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Matthew Perry is a candid memoir, where Perry, best known as Chandler Bing on Friends, opens up about his decades-long battle with addiction, the impact it had on his career, and his personal life. Perry details his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, offering a raw and honest account of his experiences, including multiple rehab stints and a near-death health crisis in 2019. The memoir also explores his childhood, relationships, and how fame both fueled and complicated his path to recovery.

Friends, Lovers, and the BIg Terrible Thing
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

My Thoughts

This book was painful going through, particularly when his addiction finally took him such a short time later. It hurts to see people we know and love in pain and while I never knew him, I certainly watched Friends and saw his movies. The story was certainly raw and honest even to the point of showing his selfish side. In short, his life was tragic and it will be hard to watch those shows and movies again knowing the back story.

I’ve seen what drugs and alcohol can do to people and yet they are still everywhere. Perry’s story is an outlier, but no one wants that to happen to anyone. I don’t know the answer, but I for one, intend to stay as far away from it as possible.

Recommendation

I don’t know if I can recommend this or not.

Life as We Know It (Can Be)

Background

Published in April of 2024, “Life as We Know It (Can Be)” by Bill Weir (CNN’s chief climate correspondent), reflects on his life including decades of reporting and speculates on the future for his children. Written as a series of Earth Day letters to his son, the book explores ideas, communities, and various solutions in energy, food, and sustainability. Weir weaves together personal reflections, stories of resilience, and a call to action to build a more hopeful and sustainable future​.

Life as We Know It (Can Be)
Life as We Know It (Can Be)

My Thoughts

Though the book was interesting at times, I can’t say it was unbiased and objective. He constantly referred to President Trump as “The President in the red hat” and his stories consistently showed his bias as a climate activist. (His story about Al Gore was the most flattering of the former Vice-President that I’d ever seen.)

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.

Operation Jacknap

Published in 2020, “Operation Jacknap”, Jack Teich recounts his experience of being kidnapped at gunpoint outside his home in Long Island, New York, in 1974. These kidnappers demanded a record-breaking $750,000 ransom, which his family raised and paid under the guidance of the FBI. The book details the Teich’s week in captivity, his interactions with his kidnappers, and the nationwide manhunt that followed. Although one kidnapper was caught, many details remain unresolved, including the whereabouts of most of the ransom money. Teich’s memoir offers a narrative of survival and the impact the ordeal had on his family and community, while also delving into the larger social issues surrounding crime and justice at the time​.

Operation Jacknap
Operation Jacknap

My Thoughts

This was a surprisingly good read. Much of this case would have been completely different if it had occurred today, which might be something in favor of modern credit card transactions and cameras. It was of particular interest how the defense lawyer immediately tried to politicize the trial and make the issue about race. Ironically, the fact Mr. Teich was Jewish was a reason given as to why he was targeted.

There really is so much hate in the world and this book serves as a reminder of what could happen. “Trust but verify”, is one of my favorite phrases as is, “have your head on a swivel.”

Recommendation

A good read

Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family

Background

Published in 2024, “Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family” by Mark Daley is a candid and emotional journey through the U.S. foster care system. Daley and his husband, Jason, embark on a quest to become parents, navigating the often broken and bureaucratic world of foster care. Their experiences highlight the complexities and challenges of adopting children who have faced severe trauma and instability. Daley’s narrative also reflects on the broader issues within the foster care system, while providing a personal look at love, resilience, and the lengths people will go to create a family. The memoir serves as both a critique of the system and a hopeful story of the transformative power of parenthood.

Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family
Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family

My Thoughts

This book was hard to get through the beginning, as Daley centered largely on his own issues and early marriage. I imagined this served as the platform as to why they wanted to foster children, but it came across like overcompensation for coming out as gay or like he was trying to force acceptance or validation from the reader. For example, there were a number of very specific physical descriptions like kissing, “on the lips” which felt like the author desperately wanted the reader to know they are actually gay. It felt out of place and unnecessary given the topic at hand.

Thankfully, when the book starting getting better when it dealt with the issues of the children. The foster system has a lot of problems and this book highlighted a few of them. The book is anecdotal to their experience, yet it showed how easily children can be lost in the system. This was an issue of interest to me some time ago and more particularly for those who are aging out of the system. At age 18, the funding for this population dries up completely, making them high risk for crime, drugs, homelessness, and so on. I’m personally thankful for all those people who open their homes to those that need it.

Recommendation

I’d steer clear of this book. It puts a human face on the problem, but there are better books that do the same.