Russian Roulette by Michael Isikoff and David Corn

It is a very current event. It concerns a larger radius of personal than we are being told.
It is the current subject of Russia and the tampering with the 2016 election for President of the United States.
A book like this covering the subject in a calm journalistic way is needed. Years from now when the historian looks back to see what legacy has been left by Trump, he will need this.
Putin did attack and try to influence the outcome of the election. But he did not do it directly or through his business relationship with Trump.
It is true, Trump needed Putin when it came to access to real estate in Moscow.  Trump Towers was expanding.  To let you know, Trump did not get his Moscow location.
Meanwhile, elections were coming up. The DNC started a file on Trump and how to exploit him. Clinton's E-mail files were attached. Even cyberspace was searched to keep up with the information.
And through malware released by the Russians and downloaded by one of the handlers of Hilary Clinton the files were duped into the Russian data base.
You may think I am making this up to excuse Trump. No. It is detailed in this investigative book.
Also recorded in this report is the part Obama had in not protecting our elective system from being tampered with.
It was a pure case of political espionage. In essence no one has clean hands.
It is subtitled, The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump.
I recommend this book . It is an interesting tale that held my interest and I am sure will hold yours. I don't know the investigative reporters but am informed that Isikoff has worked for the Washington Post and NBC News. Corn is the Washington bureau chief of Mother Jones magazine and an analyst for MSNBC.
Stay informed by reading. Maybe if you don't want this in your permanent collection, you can find it in your local library. But do read it.

A Higher Loyalty by James Comey

Now that Comey is no longer with the FBI he is free to tell the truth as he perceived it. What happened that Trump decided to fire him? How much truth is there in the last election? What was it like working under Obama?

Why did he decide to get into politics?

Back in 1992 he was the U.S. Attorney in New York City. He was confronting Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano as a federal witness. Because of what Gravano told him then about the life of lies “Men of honor may only lie about the most important things.”  Comey felt he had made the right career choice.

“I once questioned another government witness, Sicilian Mafia Killer Francesco Marino Mannoia about this rule.

“Franco,” I said, “that means you can trust me unless we are about to kill you.”

“Yes,” he replied.

No one is about to kill Comey. So, there is no reason for him to lie. I get the feeling no one can push Comey around.

He joined the United States Attorney’s office in Manhattan in 1987, so he has quite a history as a lawyer.

He was put in the place as FBI Director by Obama who he reports saying, “I don’t want help from the FBI on policy. I need competence and independence. I need to sleep at night knowing the place is well run and the American people protected.”

As a writer, Comey is okay. Not a powerful wordsmith, but when you are dealing with a slice of history you just must be adequate. In this respect he passes.

Since no doubt he had to keep quiet while in government this is a welcome look at the facts. Years from now when the historian looks back he will have a document that will help them parse the details.

The book is published by Flatiron books and retails for  $29.99.

HRC by Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes

She may try for the nomination again in 2016. Therefore you should know what you are going to be voting for.

Reading this book you come away with the feeling Hillary has a vindictive streak.  She keeps records of wrongs done her and seeks to repay.

 She is a type A personality and a choleric. She can make quick decisions and stick with them.  She will listen to you but her mind is already made up.

 “None can predict the future, and promises in Washington have a way of vanishing into the humid air, but to a remarkable degree, throughout her tenure at State, Hillary would stick to the philosophy and agenda she outlined in her confirmation hearing. Whether that’s a sign of a sound strategy or stubbornness, the continuity is undependable.” The authors point out.

She has accomplished great things in her years in politics that will portend her future activities.

The authors major on Hillary’s term as Secretary of State under Obama. They detail the decisions she make working with him and how she handled herself under pressure. After all, she may run in 2014 and you want to know what she may be like if elected to office

What drew me to this book is firstly that it isn’t written by Hillary. Therefore the facts can’t be bent to whitewash reality. Secondly the writers, Allen and Parnes, are newspaper reporters who cover this area normally. They can present facts that can be verified.  

I recommend this book for the general information it gives.

This book was sent to me gratis from bloggingforbooks.org for the purpose of review. I was not required to give a positive review. The opinions offered are those of the reviewer and do not reflect those of the publisher.

For copies of this book please use the link below.

HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton