Rick McBee's Writings
Explore the magic of new ideas and books to read as well as see what books I have written, my favorite photos, my opinions on may subjects, including Science, Africa, the Caribbean, the Civil War, my Book Reviews, and Much More!
Book Review: Evan Help Us by Rhys Bowen
Evan Help Us by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the nice things about reading one of Rhys Bowen’s Constable Evans books is that you pick up a lot of Welsh country lore. When a book is set in a tiny inbred village where half of the people are cousins and may have the same surname if not the same first name, it becomes important to identify personalities by their tasks in the village so it can be Evans “the butcher”, or Evans “the policemen” that distinguishes the characters rather than some unique first and second name as seen in the more cosmopolitan parts of the British Isles. Of course, this also means that outsiders like Annie Pigeon and Ted Morgan are always objects of comment and perhaps suspicion when it comes to murder and solving the mystery. I certainly enjoyed the easy read about the tiny village of Llanfair nestled in the shadows of Mt. Snowdon. Pay attention to the characters, the culprit can be deduced from the story, but it’s a canny novel.
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Book Review: RESOLUTION by Robert B. Parker
Resolution by Robert B. Parker
As you can see from this review, I have had two books going at once, the serious History from WW2 in “Sea Cobra as reviewed by me in my last posting and by bedtime story reading which is generally an escape from the real world in order to have sweet dreams. So here is your recommended next bedtime story for “those trying times”.
Resolution, a town just waiting to be taken over by someone who feels the need to own their world. A fellow named Wolfson owns the Blackfoot Saloon and has that kind of ambition. But of course he needs a little more back-up to accomplish his life goal. So when Everett Hitch rides into town looking for a place to rest his saddle sores, Wolfson hires him right then and there to be the saloon lookout and keep the peace, there being no marshal or sheriff within a day’s ride. It’s a typical set-up for a former West Pointer and Civil War veteran with a Wells Fargo background. Hitch sits in the high chair cradeling his sawed off eight guage and watchs the fun, until it isn’t. Then Hitch makes his point about where the power in the saloon sits. After a set-to with a local gunney, it’s only a matter of time before some power struggles take place between the local miners and their boss, the homesteaders arriving to take over new land, the cattlemen and of course the man who really wants it all, Wolfson. Wolfson begins to hire more gun slingers so about this time Hitch’s friend and partner in legalized crime, Virgil Cole arrives. As locals are shot or run out of town and gangsters brought in by Wolfson take charge of the town it becomes time for a bit more law and order to protect the common citizen. Virgil and Everett eventually have to take a stand with the local citizenry to stop a man who will only respect the law of the gun to check his greed and averice.
Once again, Author Robert B. Parker, R.I.P., has written a fast reading book that is just what you need to end the day’s worries and anxietes about the world we live in. Enjoy the ride, Virgil Cole still hasn’t been beaten when it comes to a shootout. That’s why he keeps coming back.
Book Review of Sea Cobra by Buckner F. Melton Jr.
Sea Cobra: Admiral Halsey’s Task Force and the Great Pacific Typhoon by Buckner F. Melton Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you want to understand the power of a Mother Nature when she comes at you with the fury of a Typhoon, then this is the book that really sets forth the whole picture in a well laid-out fashion for those of us who are not hardened sailors as well as for those who may have captained or voyaged on their own ships through major storms. Admiral Halsey was already a seafaring legend by the time he took his task force 38 north from the East Indies to support General Douglas McArthur in his 1944 invasion of the Phillipine Islands. Yet weather predictions during that time in history were hardly much better than they had been back at the time of Admiral Nelson, some one-hundered and fifty years previously. In fact, the addition of modern radio transmissions and the infantile profession of weather predictions in 1944 actually put Halsey’s military task force at a disadvantage with regard to some foul weather because reliance was placed on distant transmissions of fragmentary information from Hawaii and Guam, to Admiral Halsey more than a thousand miles away. Thus, instead of relying on the local wind direction and the fact that the local barometer reading was falling very rapidly, the weathermen aboard the Admiral’s fleet chose to predict that a major typhoon was hundereds of miles away when their old fashioned charts would have indicated a severe storm in under 24 hours. Consequently, the efforts of the fleet to avoid the storm resulted in their passing almost directly into its center. The descriptions of the damage that was done to Admiral Halsey’s destroyers, battleships and aircraft carriers and their superstructures is almost beyond comprehension. Author B.F. Melton Jr. has taken original reports from the commanders of the various ships, the survivors of sinkings and the final navil inquiry into this naval disaster and let the facts speak for themselves rather than trying to be an armchair admiral. Totally engrossing reading and lessons for the modern world about remembering how to use old fashioned technology when the modern techno-world fails us.
Book Review: The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen, MD with A.E. Nutt
The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. Jensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Here is an book that should be required reading for all Parents at the point their children are reaching the age of about 12 and certainly before they really hit their teens! Author Jensen who is a single mother as well as a neuroscientist tells it like it is, worldwide with the development of the teenage brain, key information to know about how your child’s learning, emotiions, sleep habits and risk taking will change as that childhood brain which you thought you had so well trained, clicks into a new growth spurt of neuron growth and connections that in a period of approximately 6 years will change you adolescent into a largely functional adult – OR NOT! The temptations that arrive with sexual development and awareness, peer group emotional stresses, the pressures of society and the internet world of Facebook, Twitter, TicTok and online gaming, to name a few are mind boggling. Parents need to be aware of how the developing brain picks up on stimuli, how parents can best inform or share their own concerns and worries, how best to approach giving advice and when to seek help with a behavior that might be antisocial, violent, depressive, etc. I’m a retired biologist, teacher, secondary school principal and career educator. How I wish we had had, all of this knowledge over 40 years ago when I began my career and being married and having children of my own was raising them in my world of ignorance. Right to the final pages on sports, crime and punishment and movinginto adulthood, this book will keep you absorbed. It’s my pick for the best book I’ve read this year.
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In times of Unrest and Stress! Listen to a Captivating Music of “Ukuthula!” (Peace! in Zulu) Pronounced: “Ooo-koo-thoo-lah!” Then read my books!
Amazing! Ukuthula – Hlumelo’s Swansong! Performed by the Cape Town Youth Choir as part of STBB s 121 year birthday celebrations Solo by Hlumelo Marepula Conducted by Leon Starker Watch this great piece of music performed Ukuthula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C2fJKBmKFk
The Zulu Word “Ukuthula!” When shouted out by a melodious African voice and followed by ullulations from high pitched female voices or when sung by a youth choir epitomizes the feelings of reaching out to the world and others with words of Peace! Love! and Hope! Enjoy!
Here’s My Novel : An African Hero works towards Liberation and Peace in Southern Africa: The Ghosts of Ukuthula (pronounced like Ooo-Coo-Thoo-Lah! as in the song above)! Check out my author site Link ! https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8HIXI
Africa is predominatantly a Christian based society like the United States everywhere South of the Sahara. It also has a strong intellectual Muslim History from the Central Sahara which believed strongly in coexistence with Christian and Jewish Communities and published amazing works of thought which are written about in the Great Non-fiction book The Bad-ass Librarians of Timbuktu. If you haven’t read it, you really should.
We in our isolated American culture often forget that there are hundreds, if not thousands of other religious traditions throughout the world that have their own traditionals around the themes of childbirth, health, well-being, meditation, the winter and summer solstice, as well as thanksgivings for good harvests. which contrasts with the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and the first fruits of the spring harvests. Look up world religions and you will find that every day in December has some sort of religious celebration!
All of these traditions focus on the celebration of Joy, Peace, Light, Freedom, Seeking the Devine, and Spiritual Awakening. Peace! Ukuthula!
<Rick McBee.me>
Reminder! Free Kindle Giveaway of “Rough Enough” Ends Tomorrow, Nov. 29, 2022 at Midnight! Some Highlights!
Here’s Richard Headley Clow. At 17 years of age he enlisted in the Union Army to fight at Petersburg and the final battles of the Civil War. Stationed at Fort Hayes outside of Petersburg, Richard Clow was in the first troops to enter Petersburg when it fell. The fort is long gone, but a few ramparts remain under the blackberries.
Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HCQNBB0?tag=sa-sym-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
If you were with the Union Troops, your view from Fort Hayes would have been much like this. With a clear swath of killing ground in front of the fort. Remeber that most of the trees were long gone al around Petersburg by the beginning of 1865 due to cutting for firewood, blasting to clear ground and constant cannonades.
Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HCQNBB0?tag=sa-sym-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
Hope you enjoy the book! Happy Holidays!
Don’t Forget – Starts Today! 25 Nov. 2022! Free – Civil War and Frontier History – “Rough Enough”
Are you a history buff? Like the Period 1860 – 1885? Montana Indian Wars? Dakota Territory Gold Rush? Ordinary Soldier Tales from the Civil War?
” Rough Enough” It’s free – 25 Nov. 2022 to 29 Nov. 2022
Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HCQNBB0?tag=sa-sym-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
“Rough Enough” the fascinating and amazing story of Richard Headley Clow during that period is now Free in electronic version from Amazon Kindle for your PC, Android, Kindle, Iphone… reader. It will keep you interested for days. learning about Clow’s upbringing in Boston, travels by ship to the front lines in Petersburg, The 56th Mass. Volunteers, The 13th Infantry in Montana and Dakota Territories and more.
Free fromNovember 25 through Nov. 29, 2022
Enjoy your Holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving – 2022! – Free 5 Day – Civil War Book Deal – Rough Enough!
Life was tough in the 1860’s, but the youth of that time had ambitions and dreams! 
Free from Kindle Books: 11/25/2022 until 11/29/2022 GO – Get the Kindle Book here: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B001K8HIXI SEE: 3 Minute Read with Accompanying Photoes Below!
Rough Enough is a work of historical non-fiction detailing ten years in the life of Richard McBee’s great grandfather, a teenager who goes off half cocked to fight the Civil War!
Richard Clow, age 17 is caught up in the fervor of the final year of Civil War conflict. Although underage, he goes off to enlist in the Union Army.
He quickly
He quickly finds that even getting to the battle front can have its own challenges: two weeks in a thug-dominated holding camp followed by the ship voyage from Hell finally gets him from Boston to the front lines of Petersburg Virginia.
Clow’s thirteen letters home to his sisters describe for us his military experiences, bloody battles to take Petersburg, close calls, and the stresses of war. These are mingled with his daily observations of the Virginian countryside, hardships and small joys by a young man who has a flair for description.
The text documents how a young snotty nosed youth looking for fun and action morphs into a blooded infantryman. It describes battle events and beneath the surface we see how the stresses of battle lead Richard Clow towards a “Soldier’s Heart” PTSD type syndrome.
The joys of the end of the war and reunion with family are not lost in the telling, but one must ponder what drives this young man reenlist two years later to join the 13th Infantry fighting in the mountains and plains of Montana and the Dakotas, while living in ill-designed stockades and forts.
As his heart grows weary of battles, Clow shares his dreams of married life with his sister as he describes yet another ambush oo travelers through Indian territory.
Clow’s post military marital bliss is cut short by the specter of disease and death which nearly wipes out his immediate family. With a heavy heart he seeks solace in the wilderness and the cold creeks and gun ruled world of 1877 Deadwood in the heart of the Sioux sacred grounds, the Black Hills and the gold rush.
As he strikes it rich and then goes on to live out his dreams of being a farmer, rancher and Oregon hotelier, we see how perseverance in the face of overwhelming life struggles led to a family and forty more years of productive life on the waning frontier.
Enjoy the Book!
“YES WE CAN!” But – Only if We VOTE! For Solutions!
This was the THEME of former President Barak Obama’s Campaign!
America can have whateveer it wants, But – Only if we stand up for what we want and VOTE! For Soutions!
American’s Issues:
- Home and Personal Security: Mass Murderers and Safety:
America Doesn’t have to put up with mass murders with Automatic Weapons and Drive-by Shootings and Armed Robberies! We can do it all without taking away our Second Ammenment Rights to have Well regulated Militias and our right to Bear Arms. All we have to do is get out and VOTE! Right now! All we have with Automatic Weapons in the hands of Anybody, is No Control! Over This issue! If we VOTE we can put into office a Senate and House that will begin to work on sensible controls to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of criminals and crazies and to put those who do acts of violence with deadly weapons go to prison for a long-long period of time. Nobody has ever or will ever take away our Right to Bear Arms, so quit belly aching and get out and VOTE! for a Solution! - Financial Security:
A livable minimum wage: America Doesn’t have to put up with two people in a family needing to work full-time jobs and still having to live in a tent and not being able to afford food, clothing and shelter. There is a 2 part solution which Congress can implement NOW – called – A. making the richest members of our society and corporations pay the same minimun tax as the lowest level of tax payer. That is 15% of What ever they make before paying any dividends or bonuses to stock holders and executives! and B. By raising the minimum wage so that a single wage earner can take home enough pay in a 40 hour week to afford no-frills food, clothing and rent in their Community as calculated for that area. All our Children and their children deserve the right to earn a living wage in what has become the 40 hour per week and become financially secure. If you get out and VOTE – there can be long terms solutions to Family Financial Security! - Cut Waste of taxpayer $$ in Governmen waste:
Congress controls the purse strings on the American Budget. They can solve the massive waste of our tax money by A.Requiring all government purchasing to be put out on bid for all purchases from the private sector including : Presidential, Congressional, Military, Medicines, vehicles, Health Care, Health Insurance, Retirements, Military, etc…. B. Require all congressional and government and military travel, junkets office refurbishing and trips and hotels and food to be put out on bids andto pay only a per diem amount of Govt. Dollars to reimburse any expenses by government officials. C. Require all military gasoline and other purchases for transports to be bought only once out af any section’s budget. Additions outside budget need to be authorized individually by Congress. D. Cut all pork barrel deals and regulat Lobbying activities and contributions to politicians. We can get the graft and financial corruption out of our Politics by getting out and – VOTING! - Take the big money pressure and graft out of Campaigns for Political Office: Get Back to One Adult Human – One Vote for our elections by Congress Making Laws Prohibiting Any Corporation, Person, PAC, or group from giving to Political Campaigns any amount larger than what he average American Citizen individually gives. IF we really believe in a Democracy of the Ordinary People controlling government, then we need to get out and Vote!
- Regulate Immigration: America needs workers to keep out economy going, both high paying wage earners and farm and domestic workers. Many of these workers need to be on Temporary or annual Visas instead of allowing them to immigrate. Congress must make laws that allow ample temporary visas for all sectors of our worker needs and also have strict penalties for individuals, including domestic household employers who violate immigration rules by hiring illegal aliens. Congress must also allocate $$ and incentives to other countries to have them remain stable and keep their people at home!.. You can do this if you get out and VOTE!
I have already VOTED in this election! I hope you ave or will VOTE also!
Significance – Next Time You Think You’re the Most Important Thing on the Planet
Size, Strength, Life-span, Contributions to Earth’s Well-being, Species Time on Earth: Next Time you feel so Grand, just contemplate a few other inhabitants on Earth – For Instance, Redwoods. 
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Rick McBee's Writings 