SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
Wisdom by Jason A. Merchey
A canny blend of expert quotations, insightful observations, and personal anecdotes, Jason A. Merchey’s Wisdom: A Very Valuable Virtue That Cannot Be Bought is an intensive, yet highly readable, study of the concept of wisdom across history.
Merchey’s work springs from the idea that wisdom is currently underappreciated, particularly in the United States. The text highlights the necessity of balancing the American tendency to focus on individual exceptionalism with concern for the collective common good. Drawing on the importance of “the wisdom of crowds,” Merchey ends each chapter with an extensive list of quotes aimed at provoking questions from readers.[…]
Poet Andrew Chiniche celebrates the concepts of magick and sensuality in the embrace of the goddess in his tranquil collection of poems, Eternal Seconds.
A rarely told chapter in the life of an American legend, Thomas Jefferson: Family Secrets by William G. Hyland Jr. is a revelatory look into post-presidential life – a detailed and enthralling peek at the man and his experiences, but also the ongoing state of the young nation.
Author Alex Grass fuses mythology and magic with the gritty modern world in A Boy’s Hammer, a witty, immersive, and mystical adventure that will leave you laughing and thoroughly hooked.
Jeff Chaussier faces an unimaginable loss in New York City and a new tangled chapter of grief in A Slow Trek by George Sanchez, a vulnerable adventure of self-discovery and strength.
A few words can say a great deal, as D.M. Ross masterfully proves in his thoughtful collection of wise mantras, Anatheum, a unique work of self-help aimed at a young adult audience. Though it can be read in a single sitting, this is the type of pocket-sized book that will be continually reopened for a dose of guidance.
An interstellar odyssey across time and space, The Nomad by Debra J. Tillar is a bold and adventurous vision of humanity’s future history, tapping into elements of sci-fi, philosophy, and pop culture.
A thought-provoking collection of well-crafted essays exploring the dynamic and intimate philosophy of existence, Matters of Life… by Norman Weeks is a wise and gentle manifesto.