ARC Review: Code Name Edelweiss Book Review

History is full of lessons that are there for us to learn from. The question is, can we learn from the past or are we too stubborn/afraid to see it?

Code Name Edelweiss, by Stephanie Landsem was published this month.  Liesl Weiss is a single mother living in Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Without her husband, she is the sole caretaker of the young children and aging mother. Though her younger brother lives with them, he cares more about himself that the family. When she loses her job, everything goes to pieces.

A wanted ad leads her to Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer who believes that Nazis have infiltrated Hollywood and are planning to use it to spread their message. But the powers that be are putting their focus elsewhere. Without any other options in sight, Liesel accepts his offer to spy on her friends and neighbors. What starts out as a mere paycheck turns into a realization that there is a dangerous undercurrent that could destroy the country.

Based on a true story, this book is amazing. Part spy thriller and part historical fiction, it is one hell of a ride. From the word go, the danger is in the reader’s face. I love Liesel as the main character. She is a woman walking a tightrope that could tear at any moment. Torn between her conscience and doing what she needs to do to keep her family afloat, Liesel has to make a choice that could put everyone she loves in danger.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely. I would even go as far as to say that it is one of my favorite books of 2023 so far.

Code Name: Edelweiss is available wherever books are sold.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC review copy.

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Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra Podcast Review

January 6th, 2021 was an extraordinary day in American history. It is one of those moments that I don’t think anyone over a certain age will ever forget. Up until recently, it appeared to be the only event of this nature in recent memory.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tells us otherwise. Her new limited podcast, Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra tells the story of a failed coup led by prominent Americans to overthrow the US government in the 1940s. Among them are members of Congress and notorious antisemite Father Charles Coughlin.

Though only two episodes have aired, the parallels between then and now are hard to ignore. I got chills listening to it. There are too many similarities to January 6th. Though the names have obviously changed, the basics remain the same.

For that reason alone, this should be required listening for every American and a reminder of how delicate our democracy is.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

New episodes of Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra are released every Monday.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House Book Review

Anyone with a basic knowledge of American political history knows something of Watergate. It is one of the few events that is known by a singular name.

But Richard Nixon was not the only one doing the country dirty while in office. His Vice President, Spiro Agnew was also taking advantage of his position and his power. Angew’s rise and fall is chronicled in the new book, Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House. Written by MSNBC headliner Rachel Maddow and TV Producer Michael Yarvitz, it was published last December.

The book tells the story of how the Vice President was able to execute a bribery and extortion ring before and during his time in the White House. When it became obvious that Nixon’s time as President was growing short, three young lawyers took it upon themselves to stop Agnew before he could ascend to the Oval Office.

Based on the podcast of the same name, this book is brilliant. It was both a throwback to the past and a light shining on our current political situation. I knew about Watergate, but I had no idea that Agnew had his own political baggage. It reads like a fictional thriller, even though the events that take place are certainly non-fiction.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.