Norman James Leite

Sometimes when you think it is all over it is actually a new beginning. And many get left behind but those who count follow. Even your friends in fiction. And your long gone pets. And even material things that once grabbed your heart. This true life story of near death and a reevaluation of illusions is an inspirational read with a message in the bottle. Never give up

The story of Judges chapter 11 is one of sadness and desperation. A rejected man, Jephthah, is then called upon by those who made him flee from his house to lead them in a war against the Ammonites. Vain man that he is, he asks his God to grant him victory and flippantly offers his daughter as a sacrifice if he wins the war. Which he does. So daughter, you are dead! He “gracefully” grants her her wish to wander in the mountains for two months before he slits her throat and burns her. Pretty sick, huh. After two months she returns to her father who does the dirty deed. The custom in Israel after this was that virgin daughters spent 4 days a year mourning the daughter (with no name) of Jephthah. Litore captures the horror of the daughter’s mountain retreat in a moving narrative. She spent her time with the living dead because, although still alive in the hills, she was already dead. Moral of the story is don’t make vows you may be forced to keep because you are virtuous

When I first saw the letter writing format I put the book down and moved on to another. In time, with my non ebook stash being depleted I decided to punish myself. I am so glad for making that masochistic decision! What an enjoyable read. Informative vis-a-vie WWII and the impact on the Channel Islands but entertaining with the well structured characterisation of island people surviving a debilitating war. The Society of reluctant book worms makes for a great laugh and an occasional tear, with a bit of romance thrown in for a happy ending. It was a quick page-turning two day read, and I was sorry to see it go. If you want an uplifting dabble in a time of bleak world news give yourself a treat. You won’t be sorry!

Other than “God Bless America” the common chorus in the USA is “IT’S THE LAW!”. Resultantly the USA has the highest number of lawyers per capita in the world. Look at the news; you don’t want to break the law, unless you have protection (if you know what I mean). Piper, in her silly girl days, did a stupid thing and years later it found her by surprise. She got a plea deal of fifteen months imprisonment of which she served thirteen for being a good girl. However, the DOJ kept her on tenterhook stress for six years before instituting due process. Sound familiar? This is American justice - you will always be a victim, unless….. “Lucky” Piper got off lightly. The prison was stacked with low impact criminals, mostly in need of rehab, who were hammered much harder than her. Rich lady had good lawyering; the lesser privileged rely on overextended state provided representation. For example, she had a sixty-nine year old nun friend imprisoned for non-violent peaceful protest who had a long federal sentence, a seventy year old with a four year sentence for taking telephone messages for a drug dealing relative, and a woman rapped with fifty-seven months for eBay fraud - so watch your Facebook Marketplace dealings! The American prison population exploded from 500,000 in 1980 to 2.3 million in 2008, driven ferociously by the failed War on Drugs that used an axe to chop off limbs instead of a feather to focus on counselling and rehabilitation. Most perpetrators are low income down and outers who fight to survive and don’t have Piper level legal representation. At this time there were already seven million people on parole or probation. Prison is big business in the USA, even exported now to El Salvador (with or without due legal process). So if you don’t want time don’t do crime (no matter how soft), or just run for President. A well written and flowing narrative, surprisingly positive given the subject matter. Piper focuses on the bright side of making mistakes and the powerful tool tolerance and empathy serve to survive the dire straits of low life experiences. A major learning experience for Piper. Piper also had another significant outcome; she found her body again with the hard work, exercising and yoga. Six years of DOJ “justice” had taken a toll on her life (a silent prison term) before due process led to incarceration. Read this book - it is an inspiration!

An enjoyable, entertaining read, informative, educational and thought provoking. A must read for conservatives (who conserve nothing) and believers in “God helps those who help themselves” so one can learn to help others, and help the planet we live on to survive. It is unfortunate that Hoff withdrew from publishing in 2006 because the world needs his brain. In any event, read this tale and enjoy

An excellent read - informative, educational, thought provoking and entertaining. Follow it with The Te of Piglet, another inspiring, timeless reading journey

If you are looking to read a thriller go find another book. This highly readable story hinges around jurisprudence, legal structures, processes and procedures, and the intricacies of a jury trial. It also reels around redneck racism and the evil that bred, and breeds, there. A gripping read for deep thinking, with poignant moments balanced with just outcomes. The only criticism is the truncated ending, but then one can only polish marbles for so long. All in all, a five star read!

An entertaining, enjoyable and ofttimes sad read, a flowing narrative smacking with a possible bio touch. Linking two great cities, London and Cape Town, the latter more dominant, the storyline sometimes jumps between the two to amplify a point. A focused reader will easily get the drift. The story is focused on James’ time in South Africa, and the painting of the society and culture in the post-Apartheid era is spot on. It becomes clear that Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Rainbow Nation is anything but a pot of gold, but sadly a fractured society fraught with conflicts that will challenge generations to come. However, a delightful and engrossing read possible to do in one absorbing sitting.

Most gripping narrative, great characterisation, clever plot with relevant cross plots and a excellent and poignant ending. My reading took one sitting. Highly recommended

FLESH IN STONE If you enjoyed Game of Thrones then this book will grab you! The same mystical drama and romance, just with more magic. I have not read any of the other books in the Sword of Truth series (yet) but this episode stands on its own. The fact that Goodkind is a fan of Ayn Rand’s theory of Objectivism comes out clearly, and he covertly has a good punt at the downside of communism, socialism, organised religion and (yes) modern day tainted democracy. A clear message in the bottle is that selfless sacrifice is the work of demons. “Under the direction of the brothers, the collective of the Order, like any autocratic ruler, ultimately ruled only by the acquiescence of the people, who were controlled either by moral intimidation, or by physical threat, or by both”. Although Rand was an atheist, there is a relevant biblical scripture; James 2:17-26 - Faith without works is dead. The ending has a soppy but sweet twist to it, and seems to leave the gate open for another book in the series A highly recommended read!