Tag: nonfiction

The Focused AI Captain by Rene Esteban Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Rene Esteban shows the steps CEOs and leaders to successfully integrate AI into long lasting businesses in the book “The Focused AI Captain.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Master the Art of Leading AI Transformations for Lasting Business Success

Only 5% of enterprise AI initiatives succeed.

Are you ready to be among the elite few who truly transform their organizations? In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face a common enemy—AI initiatives that fail to deliver real impact. Millions are spent on pilots that never scale. But the true obstacle isn’t the technology itself; it’s how organizations are structured, aligned, and led. In The Focused AI Captain, René Esteban, CEO of FocusFirst, reveals why most AI transformations stall—and what leaders must do differently to succeed. Grounded in real-world enterprise experience, this book provides a clear, practical roadmap to turn AI ambition into measurable business results. In this book, you will learn how to:

  • Master the 10-20-70 Rule to allocate resources effectively and maximize AI ROI
  • Apply the 3D Framework to Diagnose challenges, set Direction, and Deliver results
  • Bridge the Trust Gap and turn employee skepticism into active AI adoption
  • Move beyond pilots and confidently lead AI initiatives at scale


This book is written for CEOs, executives, and decision-makers who refuse to let their organizations fall behind in the AI revolution. Whether you’re leading large-scale transformation or preparing your organization for the next wave of AI adoption, you’ll gain practical frameworks, leadership insights, and execution tools you can apply immediately.

Get your copy now and start leading your organization to AI-driven success.

The Review

The straightforward, almost conversational tone the author took on from the first chapter of this book onward was a breath of fresh air in the nonfiction business genre. The exploration of AI not from a technical or critical point of view, but instead from a business and human perspective was a great direction to not only make the book stand out but the message as well. The research and knowledge the author took on and imparted to the reader was so insightful, and gave the readers a fresh new perspective on the topic.

The exploration of AI in business is a great direction to follow, and the author’s ability to highlight their experience in technology integration helped cement the knowledge that was being passed on. The failure of any technology, especially from a business perspective, is usually not the tech itself, but the lack of human integration with the tech. Training people and helping people to understand how the tech works often allows human resistance to change and fears of being replaced to become prominent, and keeps any company from growing in the right direction. This added an emotional and societal insight that is needed for both the technology and business as a whole to grow.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and compelling, author Rene Esteban’s “The Focused AI Captain” is a must-read nonfiction book that will stay with readers and give leadership a fresh new direction to help in the integration of this technology. The fast pacing of the book and the ability for readers to be able to return to this book time and time again for reference make this an essential read for business leaders looking to better understand how AI can be used in the coming years. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

“Inspiring and focused. René Esteban shows how big goals are actually achieved in corporations.”

– Brian Tracy

New York Times Bestselling Author of “Goals”

René Esteban brings unwavering passion to making big goals tangible and inspiring people to achieve them.

As Founder and CEO of FocusFirst, Keynote Speaker, and Senior Advisor to top executives, he has made it his mission to accelerate transformations in organizations. He firmly believes that complex change succeeds best through clear focus on a single goal, excellent communication, and active involvement of all stakeholders.

René began his career at Merck, where in his mid-20s he led the global build-out of the e-commerce division, today a billion-dollar business. This experience taught him that successful transformations depend not only on the right strategies, but critically on early and open communication with key stakeholders. His insights led to the development of the award-winning PEAK Method, with which FocusFirst has already guided more than 250 transformations.

René is a passionate entrepreneur with several companies alongside FocusFirst.

He cherishes inspiring moments of exchange over Italian wine and loves traveling the world with his family – especially to Italy.

AI AND I BY EDUARDO ARROYO REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Eduardo Arroyo shares how AI can be used to unlock humanity’s potential and not replace it in the book “AI And I.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

When intelligence becomes abundant, the human mind becomes the point of differentiation.

Are you using AI, or is AI using you?

We are standing at the edge of the greatest technological shift since the steam engine. The cost of “intelligence”—writing, coding, reasoning—has dropped to near zero. For many, this is terrifying. If the machine can do the work, what is left for us?

In AI and I, systems engineer and strategic consultant Eduardo M. Arroyo offers a provocative answer: Everything.

This is not a technical manual for prompt engineering. It is a manifesto for human sovereignty. It is a guide for leaders, creatives, and professionals who refuse to be replaced by an algorithm and instead choose to become the Architects of the new era.

Move Beyond the “Oracle Trap” Too many users treat AI like a magic 8-ball, asking it for answers and outsourcing their judgment. This leads to intellectual atrophy. Arroyo introduces the concept of Co-Engineering : a method where you stop “leaning back” (abdicating thought) and start “leaning on” (using AI as a cognitive exoskeleton).+4

Inside, you will discover:

  • The FIRRST Mindset: A battle-tested framework (Foresight, Innovation, Reasonable Resilience, Strategy, Teamwork) to navigate the VUCA world without burning out.+1
  • The “Decision Engine” vs. The Chatbot: How to stop treating AI as a conversation partner and start treating it as a high-velocity motor for your own intent.
  • The Copyright Victory (Case Study TX 9-455-371): The true story of how the author secured a copyright registration for an AI-assisted work by using the “Limitation of Claim” strategy—proving that you own the structure, even if the machine lays the bricks.+1
  •  How to use AI to bypass “low-value struggle” and trigger the high-performance states where creativity and productivity soar.
  •  Why the future isn’t just about chatbots, but about managing a digital workforce of Agents, Sensors, and Robots.

The Evolution of the “I” Arroyo argues that we are witnessing the birth of Homo Sapiens Technologicus. By engaging in “High-Value Struggle” with these systems, we aren’t just getting faster; we are expanding our cognitive capacity.

The machine has data, but it lacks scars. It has speed, but it lacks context. It has intelligence, but it lacks Intent.

That remains yours.

AI and I is your blueprint for the next decade. Stop worrying about the robot taking your job. Start building the future where you lead the robot.

AI does not define who you are. It reveals it.

The Review

This was such an insightful and engaging nonfiction read on AI and humanity’s relationship to it. The author managed to put together a wealth of information and insight into a quick and fast-paced read, and the way the author was able to find a balance between personal, real-life experiences with the AI applications and learning that was able to connect to those experiences made this a compelling and engaging read.

The heart of the book, AI, was given the respect and caution that it deserves. Like most technologies throughout human history, this technology was not the root cause of the fear people should have, but instead was the tool that people fear others will wield unwisely. The insights that the author provides are invaluable, such as the Oracle Trap theory, exploring why tools like ChatGPT and other AI are often treated as authority figures in their own right instead of tools to be wielded by humans. The theories and ideas presented in this book help readers understand AI for the tool that it is instead of something that could replace us in the future.

The Verdict

Engaging, insightful, and memorable, author Eduardo Arroyo’s “AI And I” is a must-read nonfiction tech book with an AI focus. The experiences and way readers are able to connect with the author while gaining important knowledge on how AI works and how humanity should approach the technology to ensure it doesn’t replace humanity in the future made this a compelling read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Eduardo M. Arroyo – A Journey of Experience and Expertise

In this section, we delve into the remarkable journey and expertise of Eduardo M. Arroyo, a trailblazing strategist, consultant, and innovator in strategic planning and execution. His extensive background and achievements provide a solid foundation for understanding the methodologies and principles that will guide the planning process with ChatGPT.

A Distinguished Academic Path

Eduardo M. Arroyo’s academic journey is characterized by excellence and dedication. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management with a minor specialization in Industrial Psychology. His thirst for knowledge and determination led him to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Strategic Planning —a remarkable achievement accomplished within four calendar years at the esteemed Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

The Birth of a Visionary Leader

Arroyo’s leadership journey began at a young age. At the age of 25, he assumed the role of President and General Manager of Microdata, Puerto Rico, Inc., overseeing the production of cutting-edge computers. His visionary approach and drive for success caught the attention of Emulex Caribe, where he served as Vice President and General Manager for a decade, further solidifying his expertise in international business competition.

Founding Arroyo & Associates – A Vision for Success

In 1992, Eduardo M. Arroyo established Arroyo & Associates, a premier Management Consulting group based on the belief that organizational success hinges on three critical factors—happiness, knowledge, and effectiveness in strategic, team, and operational efforts. As a result of his expertise in leadership, strategy, and execution, Arroyo has directly impacted over 300 organizations, with tangible benefits amounting to several hundred million dollars.

A Focus on Strategic Planning

Eduardo M. Arroyo’s specialization lies in Strategic Planning, an area to which he has made significant contributions. In 2008, he became the first Latino to participate in Blue Ocean Strategy public training with the Blue Ocean Strategy Centre in New York City. Blue Ocean Strategy revolutionized strategic thinking by offering a method to create uncontested market spaces where competition becomes irrelevant. This methodology forms one of the cornerstones of his strategic thinking approach.

Authorship and Recognition

Eduardo M. Arroyo has authored several acclaimed books throughout his career, sharing his insights and methodologies with the global business community. His book “Ejecución Orientada a Resultados” received the prestigious ASIEMA award for the best contribution from Latin America to management literature. In 2010, he presented his fourth book, “The Good, The Bad and the Troubled: A Leadership Guide for Effective and Painless Performance Management.”

His passion for empowering leaders and optimizing performance extends to academia, where he offers leadership academies in both physical and online formats, catering to executives and family successors alike. He also mentors and coaches numerous executives and provides families guidance and support for achieving peak performance.

A Wide-Ranging Impact on Family Businesses

Eduardo M. Arroyo’s expertise extends to working closely with various family corporations, providing extensive guidance in many phases of development. His unique insights into professionalizing family business dynamics and governance have profoundly impacted their success and continuity.

Innovating in the Tech World

Beyond his achievements in consulting and academia, Eduardo M. Arroyo also embraces innovation in the tech industry. As a founding team member of PapEasy Innovations, he contributed to developing the first medical device in Puerto Rico. Additionally, he co-founded RAS-SaaS (Results Accountability Systems – Software as a Service https://ras946.com ), a state-of-the-art online platform for managing organizational talent execution.

The Journey Continues

Eduardo M. Arroyo’s journey is one of continuous growth and evolution. As he keeps innovating and impacting organizations worldwide, his commitment to helping others succeed remains steadfast. Through his vast experience and expertise, we gain a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration as we embark on our strategic planning journey with ChatGPT by our side.

In the following chapters, we will explore Eduardo M. Arroyo’s time-tested methodologies and the integration of ChatGPT, empowering us to create effective strategic plans that maximize results and propel organizations toward a better future. Let us draw inspiration from his journey and begin our strategic planning expedition enthusiastically and purposefully.

*For more information please visit www.arroyoint.com

 & www.e-arroyo.com

Interview with Author Doug Lawrence 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

My writing started at the suggestion of a troopmate of mine from Royal Canadian Mounted Police days. He would write inspirational messages to his children on a daily basis. I had been writing articles for a blog that dealt with mentoring. He suggested bringing all that together in a book. That was the beginning of “The Gift of Mentoring”.

Doug Lawrence is the founder of TalentC® and is focused on all things mentoring as a solution provider. Doug Lawrence is an International Certified Mentor and holds two Mentor Certifications; Certificate of Practice – Mentor and the Certificate of Practice – Journey Mentor from the International Mentoring Community. Doug is the only one to hold the Certificate of Practice – Journey Mentor in the world today.

He has over 30 years of mentoring and leadership experience and is recognized as a thought leader in the mentoring space. Doug authored the book entitled, “The Gift of Mentoring” and his second book entitled, “You Are Not Alone” became an Amazon #1 Best Seller in North America and the UK and is a  Bronze medal recipient in the Global Book Awards. Doug’s third book, “Grief, The Silent Pandemic) was published April 20th, 2025 and was the recipient of two bronze and one silver Global Book Awards. Doug is an International Best – Selling Author.

Doug’s Practice of Mentoring continues to grow and has resulted in his accumulation of 3,400 hours of mentoring (in person and virtual), 235 hours of speaking opportunities and 672 hours teaching others how to effectively mentor. Doug has been the guest on approximately 200 podcasts in the past year on the topics of mentoring, mental health and grief. 

Advertisements

2) What inspired you to write your book?

My book entitled “Grief – The Silent Pandemic” was my dealing with the loss of my wife, Debra to cancer and the grieving process. 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That it is okay to reach out for help. There is no need to go on your healing journey on your own.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I want to make the world a better place to be and when I look at the number of people that are grieving there are lots of cries for help. There is a shortage of help for those that are struggling. 

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I have found that LinkedIn has been the best so far.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Know why you are writing and to whom. If you are focused you can and will make a difference in the world as we know it today.

Advertisements

About the Author 

Doug Lawrence is the founder of TalentC® and is focused on all things mentoring as a solution provider. Doug Lawrence is an International Certified Mentor and holds two Mentor Certifications; Certificate of Practice – Mentor and the Certificate of Practice – Journey Mentor from the International Mentoring Community. Doug is the only one to hold the Certificate of Practice – Journey Mentor in the world today.

He has over 30 years of mentoring and leadership experience and is recognized as a thought leader in the mentoring space. Doug authored the book entitled, “The Gift of Mentoring” and his second book entitled, “You Are Not Alone” became an Amazon #1 Best Seller in North America and the UK and is a  Bronzemedal recipient in the Global Book Awards. Doug is an International Best – Selling Author.

Doug’s Practice of Mentoring continues to grow and has resulted in his accumulation of 3,400 hours of mentoring (in person and virtual), 235 hours of speaking opportunities and 672 hours teaching others how to effectively mentor. Doug has been the guest on approximately 150 podcasts in the past year on the topics of mentoring, mental health and grief.

https://amzn.to/4rReEKq

Interview with Author Alan Warren

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

  •  After being interviewed on the radio alongside several crime reporters, a few magazines took notice — and that unexpected exposure marked the beginning of my writing journey. About a year later, Toronto publisher RJ Parker approached me with an opportunity to contribute four titles to a 22-book short-read series. One of those books became a hit, and I haven’t stopped writing since.
Advertisements

2) What inspired you to write your book?

  • I’ve always been a history enthusiast, and my writing tends to focus on specific places and time periods. With Peace, Love, & Murder, that meant immersing myself in the mid-to-late 1960s — a cultural moment unlike any other. Charles Manson’s crimes didn’t happen in a vacuum; they were deeply tied to the atmosphere, attitudes, and social upheaval of that era. To tell the story honestly, the book had to explore the culture and daily life of that time and place, because the setting was as much a part of the story as the people themselves.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

  • There wasn’t an intentional message when I started the book, but one emerged naturally as I wrote. History, especially within our culture, has a way of repeating itself. During my research, I was struck by how many of the social issues people were protesting and debating in the 1960s are still at the center of conversations today. The parallels were impossible to ignore, and that realization quietly shaped the tone of the story.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

  • I tend to immerse myself deeply in the history of a particular place and time, and often a murder or major event rises to the surface — something that left a lasting mark on society and is still felt today. The true crime element isn’t something I force; it’s simply part of the human story, a reflection of what people do and how those actions echo through history.

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

  • I am not sure if there is one in particular, as they all seem to capture a different audience. So, books that I have written on cults or conspiracies, such as the JFK Assassination, do really well on YouTube or X, while True Crime or History have a better following on Instagram or Facebook. 

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

  • Avoid as much of the noise out there as you can. Today is especially worse than years ago because of social media. There’s always somebody watching you, or so it seems. There will end up being so many comments made about you or what you’re trying to do, and if you get caught up in the noise, it’ll take you off the track and your goals. 
Advertisements

About the Author

Alan R. Warren is a Canadian bestselling true crime author, producer, and lead host of the internationally syndicated radio show and podcast House of Mystery. The show airs across North America on multiple stations, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma, and Phoenix, reaching a wide audience of mystery and true crime listeners.

A respected authority in true crime nonfiction, Warren has authored 38 books covering serial killers, cults, human trafficking, history, and memoir. His work is published by major true crime publishers including RJ Parker/Vronksy Publishing (Canada) and WildBlue Press (USA). He has been a contributor to True Case Files Magazine since 2013 and continues to write for Serial Killer Magazine.

Warren’s bestselling titles have been featured on major television networks, including CNN, Oxygen, Reelz, Vice TV, and Sundance Channel documentaries. Notable works include Beyond Suspicion: The True Story of Colonel Russell Williams, The Killing Game: Serial Killer Rodney Alcala, and Doomsday Cults: The Devil’s Hostages. In 2024, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Writing from Reader’s House in London, UK.

Alan R. Warren is frequently sought out by media outlets for expert commentary on true crime cases, serial killers, cult behavior, and criminal psychology.

HYPERSCALE: AI, Data Centers, and the Next Great Expansion of Global Energy Capacity by Todd Thomas Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Todd Thomas explores how AI Data Centers are changing infrastructures and the power they produce in a positive way in the book “HYPERSCALE: AI, Data Centers, and the Next Great Expansion of Global Energy Capacity.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy at unprecedented speed. But behind every breakthrough in AI lies a far bigger challenge and opportunity: energy.

In Hyperscale, Todd Thomas, Best Selling Author of The Unleashing Abundant Energy Trilogy, pulls back the curtain on one of the most important and least understood transformations of our time. As hyperscale AI data centers grow to gigawatt scale, they are no longer passive consumers of electricity. They are becoming power producers, grid stabilizers, and central drivers of economic expansion.

“We’re proving that sustainability and strong economic growth can go hand in hand. We don’t have to choose between what’s right for the environment and what’s good for our communities. We can and must do both.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

Hyperscale explores how data centers are evolving into power-positive infrastructure through innovations such as virtual power plants, landfill mining, advanced nuclear and fusion energy, battery intelligence, waste-heat reuse, and renewable integration that scales without sacrificing reliability.

Grounded in real-world projects and industry data, this book provides a clear blueprint for how AI infrastructure can grow without breaking the grid or the planet. It connects the digital economy to the physical systems that sustain it and shows how abundance, resilience, and sustainability can advance together.

For leaders in technology, energy, finance, policy, construction, and infrastructure, Hyperscale is essential reading.

The digital economy and the energy economy are now the same economy.

Those who understand this shift will help build what comes next.

The Review

This book was very detailed and well written. The author writes in a clear, concise voice that outlines the growth of not only AI but the data centers that are powering these systems and how much power that utilizes. The sheer volume of gigawatts and overall power that these centers produce per second, let along per hour, are astonishing, and showcase how delicate and outdated the current electrical grid is to handle such power, and yet the author does a remarkable job of outlining the innovative solutions many companies are taking to become self reliant and build their own energy sources to power these data centers. 

The book definitely speaks to the technical minded readers of the world who share a passion for AI, energy distribution and the science behind energy overall. The author touches on several approaches to this topic, one of which was very interesting, Helion Energy and the process of ignition. The level of detail the author goes into and the exploration of thermonuclear fusion, deliverable electricity and so much more expands on the ways in which the need for energy is being met at a staggering rate. 

The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and engaging, author Todd Thomas’s “Hyperscale” is a must-read nonfiction book on AI and energy infrastructures. The author is able to pull in a lot of information and detail into a fast-paced book, and the knowledge readers gain speaks to the growing advancement of not just AI, but the way energy is produced and how the world itself, including humanity, must evolve and rise to meet these needs head on. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Todd Thomas is a recognized voice in AI, energy, innovation and entrepreneurship. Todd is the best selling author of Hyperscale and the Unleashing Abundant Energy Trilogy. Todd has built his career harnessing emerging technologies to drive efficiencies and create new commercialization opportunities across industries.

Todd is the Founder & CEO of Woodchuck, a climate impact startup dedicated to transforming waste into value, reducing landfill usage, and unleashing an abundant energy future!

Todd has an Economics degree from Claremont McKenna College and has studied Strategy Execution at the Harvard Business School. Todd holds a Masters degree in Education from the Claremont Graduate School and has an MBA and a Masters in Economics from the WP Carey School of Business, ASU.

www.woodchuck.ai

The Skincare Journal by Linley Ennen and Miranda Promes

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Authors Linley Ennen and Miranda Promes bring their skills and knowledge as estheticians to create an interactive skin journal to life in “The Skincare Journal.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Immerse yourself in the transformative journey of skincare with THE Skincare Journal. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you cultivate a deeper understanding of your skin, moving beyond fleeting trends and quick fixes to foster a connection rooted in awareness and consistency. The journal provides a dedicated platform to monitor not only your skincare routine but also lifestyle habits, nutrition, stress levels, and overall well-being, reflecting the intrinsic link between your skin and your internal health. By documenting your experiences, you’ll establish a potent mind-body connection, enabling you to identify patterns, triggers, and progress, thereby laying the foundation for long-term skin health.

THE Skincare Journal features daily tracking pages, weekly check-ins, monthly reflection prompts, and ample space for notes and self-reflection. It’s designed to support consistency without the pressure of perfection, meeting you wherever you are on your skincare journey. More than just a journal, it’s a self-care ritual, an educational tool, and a sanctuary for reconnecting with your body. With THE Skincare Journal, understanding your skin becomes an empowering process, allowing you to care for it confidently. And remember, consistency yields results. This vibrant and engaging journal also serves as a joyful reminder of the colorful aspects of life, making skincare not just a routine, but a fun and fulfilling experience.

The Review

A truly engaging and memorable read, the authors doe a wonderful job of creating a book that feels interactive and engaging. The experience and authority the authors bring to the subject allow the reader to feel at ease and invested in the long-term commitment to documentation that this book promises.

Each page takes the time to give readers a chance to document several things that contribute to skincare every day. These include workout routines, morning routines, a person’s mood each day and how much sleep a person gets each night, on top of many others. The balance between mental and physical health and how they contribute to skincare is emphasized as well, and each weekly check-in engages the reader to explore a new topic of thought, like what are 3 things a person loves about themselves and why. The authors also lay out routines and practices each month as the journal progresses as well. 

Advertisements

The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, authors Linley Ennen and Miranda Promes The Skincare Journal is a must-read and must-use skincare and health journal that will inspire and encourage people to better understand their skin health and how to maintain it. The interactive nature of the book and the way the journal encourages readers to think deeply on their daily routines and experiences will keep readers invested each and every day. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinsistency.co?igsh=ajF5OXYzanJnYzFx

Website: https://skinsistencyco.com/home

Pinterest: https://pin.it/5JhHZWklH

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skinsistency.co?_r=1&_t=ZT-93IgQyA5R5T

Press Release: Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story by Alan R Warren!

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment

Peace, Love, & Murder

The Charles Manson Story

 

An investigative account of one of the darkest times of the 1960’s by best-selling True Crime Novelist and radio personality, Alan R. Warren

 

Released by House of Mystery

The book is available worldwide in paperback and e-book format

 

 

 

In the late 1960s, America’s promise of peace, love, and freedom collided with a nightmare that would forever change the nation. At the center of it was Charles Manson—failed musician, self-styled guru, and one of the most infamous figures in criminal history.
Peace, Love, and Murder: The Charles Manson Story goes beyond the familiar headlines to reveal untold details about Manson, his followers, and the culture that allowed him to thrive. Alan R. Warren explores how the chaos and counterculture of San Francisco and Los Angeles in the 1960s created the perfect storm for Manson’s rise.

Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Warren also shines a light on the lives of Manson’s “Family.” Each member’s background is explored, showing how personal struggles, vulnerabilities, and the allure of belonging drew them into Manson’s orbit—and into history’s most shocking crimes.


This is more than a true crime story. It’s the unsettling account of how an era built on dreams of love and freedom gave rise to murder and madness.

Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story: Warren, Alan R.: 9781998680122: Books – Amazon.ca

 ​​ 

 

 

 ​​ 

 

 

 

 

 

About Alan R. Warren:

 

Alan R. Warren is a Canadian bestselling true crime author, producer, and lead host of the internationally syndicated radio show and podcast House of Mystery. The show airs across North America on multiple stations, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma, and Phoenix, reaching a wide audience of mystery and true crime listeners.

A respected authority in true crime nonfiction, Warren has authored 38 books covering serial killers, cults, human trafficking, history, and memoir. His work is published by major true crime publishers including RJ Parker/Vronksy Publishing (Canada) and WildBlue Press (USA). He has been a contributor to True Case Files Magazine since 2013 and continues to write for Serial Killer Magazine.

Warren’s bestselling titles have been featured on major television networks, including CNN, Oxygen, Reelz, Vice TV, and Sundance Channel documentaries. Notable works include Beyond Suspicion: The True Story of Colonel Russell Williams, The Killing Game: Serial Killer Rodney Alcala, and Doomsday Cults: The Devil’s Hostages. In 2024, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Writing from Reader’s House in London, UK.

Alan R. Warren is frequently sought out by media outlets for expert commentary on true crime cases, serial killers, cult behavior, and criminal psychology.

 

Confessions of a Problem Seeker by Howard Steinberg Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Howard Steinberg shares the powerful journey of confronting past traumas to find a brighter future in the book “Confessions of a Problem Solver.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Confessions of a Problem Seeker is a raw and unflinchingly honest memoir of one man’s midlife reckoning and search to find his soul. As a childhood shaped by trauma and illness gave way to an illusion of adult success and purpose—marriage, fatherhood, entrepreneurial achievement—the author finds himself grappling with the unshakable feeling that he has lived a life shaped more by fear and survival instincts than by inner truth. Triggered by divorce, professional loss, and a deep inner emptiness, his search for peace leads him to psychedelics and a spiritual awakening as he begins to heal old wounds, including the lingering shadows of his Holocaust-survivor parents. He offers a compassionate invitation for others—particularly those in the second half of life—to question who they really are beneath their busy identities and to reclaim the joy and stillness of an authentic, present life.

The Review

This was an insightful and engaging read. The author’s honesty and ability to embrace past events not only becomes the cornerstone of the book, but elevates the reading experience entirely. The balance the author found in personal storytelling about their life with the lessons and experiences that became the foundation of their outlook on life and the blueprints that would develop in this book as a result was astonishing, and the way the author brought authenticity to the discussion surrounding diabetes and living with chronic illness from a young age was something so many readers will be able to relate to.

What stood out was the author’s ability to confront the trauma of his past and touch upon the way those traumas impacted his identity over time. For many people, they find themselves living a life inauthentic to who they are due to one reason or another, be it family pressure or self-sabotage or some sort of trauma impacting their life. The impacts of the author’s parents surviving the horrors of the Holocaust and the expectations he had put upon him and he put upon himself led to the choices he made early in life, but through challenging those choices later in life the author shows how anyone can make changes for the better and find an inner peace and a connection to that missing identity that they lost so long ago.

The Verdict

Honest, compelling, and engaging, author Howard Steinberg’s “Confessions of a Problem Seeker” is a wholly unique and enthralling nonfiction memoir meets inspiration story and a must-read book. The balance the author found in personal storytelling and motivational insight was superb, and the heartfelt, almost conversational style of writing allowed readers to connect to the author’s story in a meaningful way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Howard Steinberg is a New York City-based entrepreneur, writer, mentor, and advocate. The son of Holocaust survivors, Steinberg was the solo founder of three companies before dedicating himself to exploring personal and spiritual growth. He has been a passionate voice for improved diabetes care and supply access. He finds joy in walking his dog Tico through Greenwich Village, kayaking off the Connecticut shoreline and cherishes time with his three daughters and two beautiful granddaughters. Steinberg is a graduate of both the undergraduate and graduate business schools at New York University.

SCORE! By Jeroen Derwort Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Jeroen Derwort shares the way his passion for Soccer turned into an online empire in the book “SCORE!”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

One attic. One idea. A hundred million players.

Jeroen Derwort was just a teenager when he started coding Online Soccer Manager (OSM) from his bedroom in The Netherlands. His dream? To let football fans experience the thrill of managing their favorite club.

He didn’t know he was building a global empire.

SCORE! takes you behind the scenes of a startup that exploded from a hobby project into a tech giant with fifty employees and millions of obsessed users worldwide. It is a candid, unfiltered account of the chaos behind the success: the high-stakes encounters with corporate giants, the fight against digital hooligans, and the boardroom clashes with the world’s biggest football clubs.

But this is more than a business book. It is the personal journey of a shy nerd who had to learn to lead, negotiate, and survive in the Champions League of the gaming industry.

From a lonely attic to the “Top 100 Self-Made Millionaires” list—this is the ultimate playbook for anyone who dares to dream big.

The Review

This was such a heartening and empowering read. The author found a great balance of passion for soccer, the gumption to strive out on his own to create a business for that passion, and the power that comes from finding your own community in the process. The insight into the lessons the author learned from a business perspective and the attention to detail the author poured into the book while maintaining a fairly fast pace was the perfect reading experience.

The heart of the story was in the author’s honest and personal writing style and the heartfelt connection the author made with readers. Many readers, especially those growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, will recognize the author’s feelings as they struggled with having a mind for education and what today is celebrated as nerdom, and yet back in the day was an isolating thing that kept most people alone amidst their student peers. The way the author used that feeling to not only find a community but build a business around it and the way each chapter also showcased how the author learned from each failure and venture into this online world made for a brilliant read.

The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and thoughtfully written, author Jeroen Derwort’s “SCORE!” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and empowerment. The entrepreneurial spirit courses through every chapter of this book, and yet retains the heart and passion for the author’s special interest in soccer and the rich and recent history of online business building that allowed the author’s personal experiences to come across to readers in an impactful way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Jeroen Derwort is a tech entrepreneur who turned a childhood passion into a global phenomenon. In 2001, while still a computer science student living with his parents, Jeroen launched Online Soccer Manager (OSM). Critics were skeptical, but twenty years later, his “attic project” had evolved into a powerhouse with 50 employees and millions of players worldwide. After securing partnerships with top-tier international football clubs, Jeroen successfully sold the company to Miniclip (a Tencent subsidiary).

https://www.jeroenderwort.com