Lance Morcan

If you read only one book from the Underground Knowledge series, make sure it’s this one. It’s the best of the series so far by a long shot.

In the first chapter, you’ll find this quote: “(Banks use) your money to invest then (give) you a fraction of what they make in interest. Sometimes that interest can actually end up being nothing due to the "fees" they actually charge that are excessive and fraudulent in most cases.”

That would seem like a fair and objective analysis of show more describing the banking system, which we all know – if we stop to think about it – is set up to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

So, that’s what we all know already, and yet that’s just the tip of one mother-effin’ iceberg of deceit. So why don’t we change it? After all, it is OUR money. Oh, but economics is such a vast subject which most laymen won’t fully grasp, so how could we ever change a system that seems to be so inbred in our society and which we’re sold as serving us? Well, this book manages to identify major concerns, relying heavily on quotes and sources, to show just how the banking system has duped us all. This isn’t about conspiracies or anarchism or anything like that, because in this book you’ll find simple, easily digestible, objective FACTS. And the upshot is: we’re being screwed. This book tells you how.

So, that’s one reason why this book is the best of the series so far – because money is at the root of all problems. Solve that and you solve a hell of a lot of the world’s major issues (crime, funding for terrorists, hunger etc.) If everyone who cared about social justice put ‘reorganizing the economy’ at the top of their agendas, surely everything else would follow. Ending poverty should be our number one priority.

This is also the best of the series because it doesn’t just outline the problems, it also highlights some very viable and simple solutions. As much as I like to rant about toppling power structures and the like, I don’t believe there’s any particular point in doing so unless some sort of plan is put in place first. Occupy and other movements know what they want but they don’t really know how to get it. Making a fairer society means changing the system not eliminating it. It just needs to be ‘a system’ rather than ‘The System’, if you see what I mean.

Amongst the solutions put forward in International Banksters, I particularly like the example of the little-known story of Dauphin in Manitoba in the 1970s. The town received a basic welfare income for five years and practically eradicated poverty. Such things are possible. show less

An ARC was gifted to me by the authors.

This is a short read, quick and direct but filled with empowerment for all women around the world. When Suzie Fox decides to stand up for herself women cheered her on.
This is a subject that is very important to all womenfolk. Through Suzie's story, we say, this is enough.
The fact that the case never went to court did leave with a bitter taste but at least one culprit is off the street while other women in similar situations are set free.
An show more impressive story of hope and survival. Women are not defined by their past but by standing against that past and become powerful.
Well done to the authors for highlighting this story to all.
It is a must-read. show less

The first book in The Orphan Trilogy was great, but this one's better. In fact, it's easily one of the best books I've read in the thriller-type genre. From the first page to the last, I was utterly absorbed in this ambitious story of twenty three genetically super-enhanced orphan children, being prepared for a life of conspiratorial espionage at the top levels that go beyond the law. This work simply doesn't put a foot wrong.

Perhaps surprisingly, this feels like a coming of age book more show more than anything else, as we follow Nine, the main protagonist, from childhood to the beginnings of adulthood; but it's a coming of age book of a boy living in a dark, extreme, secret, isolated world- and that makes all the difference.
There's so much depth to all the characters and their interactions, the various geographical locations and settings like the orphanage are all vibrant and expertly detailed, and the structure and story of the book weaves together in a fascinating, page turning frenzy which builds and builds throughout. I was just as captivated by such everyday characters like the homeless Ace or by the scenarios of teenage first love yearnings, as I was by the gripping action finale chapters in Guyana.
I don't want to give away too much of what actually occurs in this tale, as that's for the reader to discover- I want you to experience the spellbinding freshness of this book for yourself.

I'm not hugely into the thriller category, but this book transcends the genre. It's simply a damn great read, regardless of classification. And I already can't wait to read the last instalment in this brilliant trilogy. show less

Fiji is written by the father son combination, Lance and James Morcan. This is an adventure story that includes a father and daughter missionary team and a young American trader. A mediocre read at best, just about every cliché you can imagine was included in the story. Although the father tries his hardest to keep his daughter away from the trader, they somehow manage to fall in love. Having only spoken about three words to each other, she has nevertheless changed the young man into a show more sincere, caring person, even his bigotry has dropped away. When the young woman is kidnapped by a group of natives called the Outcasts, it is up to the trader to track them down and rescue her. Of course his efforts are impaired by a beautiful but wicked slave girl who wants the trader for herself.

Much eye rolling and snickering accompanied my reading of this book, and when, about to be attacked, the young man yells out the very modern phrase of Holy Sh-t, I just about threw the book across the room. (It was saved by the fact that it was my Kindle.) This was almost so bad that it was good. I kept thinking what a great 1940 Maria Montez /Jon Hall movie this would have made.

The authors crammed in everything possible from human sacrifice to cannibalism. Fiji, the book, was filled with one dimensional characters and over-the-top writing which did nothing to help the hackneyed plot. One thing this book did teach me, however, is to stop and think about it, before filling my Kindle with these unknown 99 cent deals. show less