Review of Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America by Jack Barsky

Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America

by Jack Barsky

  This is the story of Jack Barsky, the autiobiography of a KGB agent living in America under an entirely false name and background. Whether you already heard about this man from the CBS 60 Minutes special in 2015 or, like me, became aware of this remarkable story after seeing the book Deep Undercover, you will be thrilled by this story. From the first chapter, I was an eager audience to this unique life story. My desires to finish reading the book in order to see how the tale culminated battled with my wish for the book to never end. I truly, truly enjoyed reading this lengthy autobiography. Not once was I bored, and I can say that in all honesty! I am sure most readers will agree with me. Who isn't intrigued by the subject: a KGB agent living in the United States under a false identity....? I promise you will not be disappointed by the story. Of course I absolutely loved how the importance and victory of salvation is emphasized near the end of the book. A honest witness of what salvation does to an individual was presented in this autobiography. On that topic, I didn't agree with every Christian view in this book but it is up to the reader to discern for himself. One thing which should bother Christians is the statement made by Jack Barsky's spiritual mentor (and later something more important) Shawna before he became a Christian. She told him, after observing how other-centered he was that he was ''already a Christian and just didn't know it''. According to Scripture that is wrong. John 14:6 states ''Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'' Jack Barsky didn't have anything to do with Jesus at that point so there is no way he was a Christian.  However, what is true is that although Jack wasn't a Christian at that moment as Shawna said, he WAS chosen by God, elect; so I think maybe that is what Shawna meant. What was encouraging was Jack's story of conversion. He read and listened to the Bible, attended church, showed interest and accepted the prayers of the pastors...and later one day by himself out on the golf field God revealed Himself to Jack! That sounds like a very true and Biblical conversion. I loved the obvious change between Jack Barsky as a non-believer and him now as a child of God. For example, although an extremely good spy, the man had a history of failed relationships/marriages with women besides having the beliefs and mindset which were ingrained in him as a youth growing up in communist and anti-Christian East Germany! Compare that to the redeemed Jack Barsky who sought to establish relationships with his scattered children and who was honest about his past... I was pleased with how the comparison was emphasized. This book is great for both men and women as well teenagers both girls and boys!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Cup of Dust: a Novel of the Dust Bowl by Susie Finkbeiner

A Cup of Dust: a Novel of the Dust Bowl

by Susie Finkbeiner

   A gripping story; believable and heart-wrending, A Cup of Dust is set in Oklahoma, 1935. The authro, Susie Finkbeiner does an extraordinary job of melding fiction with history- the result, a realistic account of a young girl growing up in the difficult time of the dust bowl.  This is such an interesting book for those -like me-who have never studied this difficult time period of the American west. The author brings it vividly to life; as I read this book I felt the pain and burden of the living in such a dying region. Simultaneously, as if that era wasn't hard enough, the author weaves a different tale concerning the young girl Pearl. Your interest will be captured early on in the book as confusing and mysterious characters start coming on the scene and disrupting Pearl Spence's relatively happy life with her loving family. Only reading this book will reveal the truth behind this sweet young girl's existence....From start to finish, author Susie Finkbeiner presents a work which will touch your heart. I especially admire how the themes of love and loyalty were played out- excellent job!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion- thank you!

Where you come from isn’t who you are
Ten-year-old Pearl Spence is a daydreamer, playing make-believe to escape life in Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl in 1935. The Spences have their share of misfortune, but as the sheriff’s family, they’ve got more than most in this dry, desolate place. They’re who the town turns to when there’s a crisis or a need—and during these desperate times, there are plenty of both, even if half the town stands empty as people have packed up and moved on.
Pearl is proud of her loving, strong family, though she often wearies of tracking down her mentally impaired older sister or wrestling with her grandmother’s unshakable belief in a God who Pearl just isn’t sure she likes.
Then a mysterious man bent on revenge tramps into her town of Red River. Eddie is dangerous and he seems fixated on Pearl. When he reveals why he’s really there and shares a shocking secret involving the whole town, dust won’t be the only thing darkening Pearl’s world.
While the tone is suspenseful and often poignant, the subtle humor of Pearl’s voice keeps A Cup of Dust from becoming heavyhanded. Finkbeiner deftly paints a story of a family unit coming together despite fractures of distress threatening to pull them apart

Great book! The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

The First Principle

Author: Marissa Shrock

This book is a winner! It makes my top 10 of 2014, I think (having read it in December 2014)!

I casually started it one afternoon and could not put it down! I completed it the following morning (it was hard to stop reading it just to go to bed, but I mastered that difficult task)! This futuristic novel is absolutely amazing. The author is not only an excellent writer, but she has this stellar story line which I am just blown away by. 

As I finished this book I realized I was left with some questions; not too many as to be confused and dissatisfied, but rather enough that I really hope the author is planning a sequel! (please!!!) 

Without life, there can be no liberty or pursuit of happiness. In this futuristic novel, changes have occurred to North America which are -unfortunately- imaginable. The United States of America has become the United Regions of North America in which many of our worst dreams have come about. The government has more control than ever, including the power to decide who can have children and who can't. Population management includes the rule that underage pregnancies be terminated immediately. Birth control for girls under 18 is mandatory and since teenage sex hasn't diminished but rather increased by this futuristic year, abortions are constant. There is, however a remnant of people fighting against all this wrong. They are known as the Emancipation Warriors who are primarily Christians. Vivica Wilkins, the main character in this book has no idea what she will be getting into when she starts forming personal convictions against the Population Management law. Ironically, Vivica is the daughter of the governor of her territory and, as you can imagine, is in a far-from-ideal situation for expressing opinions opposing that of the government. 

I have no desire to give the storyline away, so all I will say is that things progress rapidly in this novel! Vivica finds herself swept into a world of danger. Should she rely on the Emancipation Warriors in her time of need? Should she trust a group of people she formerly thought of as rebellious? Should she stand up against her own mother? 

This book is a strong stand against the evils a government can inflict. Well-written and exciting, the reader will not be disappointed. I was brought to tears at some points by the all-too-realistic situations. Most of all, I was inspired and convicted. This is a powerful book with a strong message and I can't wait to read a sequel!

For conservative readers: This book may not be appropriate for younger readers. 

Teenage sex is a major, although discreet, topic in this book. 

There are some violent and graphic moments in this book which may be too much for younger readers. However, I think it is excellent for teenagers on up!

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I received this book from Kregel publications in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!