Murder on Shades Mountain

One August night in 1931, on a secluded mountain ridge overlooking Birmingham, Alabama, three young white women were brutally attacked. The sole survivor, Nell Williams, 18, said a black man had held the women captive for four hours before shooting them and disappearing into the woods. That same night, a reign of terror was unleashed on Birmingham's black community: black businesses were set ablaze, posses of armed white men roamed the streets, and dozens of black men were arrested in the largest manhunt in Jefferson County history. Weeks later, Nell identified Willie Peterson as the attacker who killed her sister Augusta and their friend Jenny Wood. With the exception of being black, Peterson bore little resemblance to the description Nell gave the police. An all-white jury convicted Peterson of murder and sentenced him to death.

Most students of southern history are familiar with the Scottsboro Boys, but few are familiar with Willie Peterson, the murder of Shades mountain, and the trials.  The involvement of the Communist party in Jim Crow South was very involved.  I was not aware of this until reading this book.  This book on the history of the murders on Shades mountain is eye-opening and engaging.  It is both enjoying and disturbing to read.  I read this book every time I had a moment.  I knew the ending but was still hopeful for Peterson.

The Mafia's President

Unbeknownst to most people even now, the election of 1968 placed the patron saint of the Mafia in the White House. In other words, Richard Nixon would go on to not only lead a criminal presidency; he would be totally indebted to our nation’s top mobsters.

By 1969, thanks in large part to his long-time campaign manager and political advisor Murray Chotiner, a lawyer who specialized in representing mobsters, Nixon had participated in secret criminal dealings for more than 20 years with sketchy figures such as Mickey Cohen, Mob financial guru Meyer Lansky, Teamsters union chief Jimmy Hoffa, and New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. And with Chotiner as one of his key behind-the-scenes advisors in the White House, Nixon's ties to the Mafia didn't end there. The Mafia’s President reveals a mind-blowing litany of favors Nixon exchanged with these sinister characters over decades, ranging from springing Jimmy Hoffa from prison to banning the federal government from using the terms “Mafia” and “La Cosa Nostra.”

Drawing on newly released government tapes, documents, and other fresh information, The Mafia’s President offers a carefully reported, deeply researched account of Richard Nixon’s secret connections to America’s top crime lords.

Author Don Fulsom has written an excellent history of Richard Nixon, the Mafia, Nixon's political career, and his connection to the Mafia.  I was amazed reading it.  Given the now known connections and even connections known at the time; If the 24-hour news cycle existed in the 60's, Nixon would never have been elected president or vice-president.  It is surprising to me that it took until 1973 before an illegal event was finally connected to Nixon for his removal from office.

I am very questioning of Nixon's involvement in the JFK assassination, but his tight connections with the Mafia makes for a compelling argument.  No matter the often repeated phrase of Nixon's, "I'm not a crook," it seems to me that he was a perfect example of a political crook.

It is interesting to me that I was born in 1974; the year a president resigned in disgrace to avoid impeachment.  Then, my son was born in 1998; the year a president was impeached but not removed from office.  I wonder if I will have a grandson born the year a president is removed from office.  I know; I know.  Correlation does not mean causal.

The Wishsong of Shannara

An ancient evil is stirring, intent on the complete destruction of all life. The Druid Allanon sets out on a dangerous journey to save the world, reluctantly aided by Brin Ohmsford, daughter of Wil Ohmsford—for she alone holds the magic power of the wishsong. But a prophecy foretells doom, as evil nurses its plan to trap the unsuspecting Brin into a fate far more horrible than death.

Brooks's last book of his original Shannara trilogy.  It is evident from his writing of this book that he had honed his craft.  The character development is better in my opinion.  The story is broader, making the book more encompassing, but at the same time a little more confusing.  Brooks does run back to his Lord of the Rings roots with a few characters.  I still believe the best book of this trilogy is the Elfstones of Shannara.  The Wishsong is not necessary to understand the totality of the tale.  People desiring to read this trilogy, I would recommend reading the Elfstones and then the Wishsong without ever reading the Sword.