Without Fear or Favor

Without Fear or Favor
Robert K. Tanenbaum
Gallery Books
Simon and Schuster, Inc.
New York, New York
ISBN: 978-1-4767-9322-1
Hardcover
August 15, 2017
$ 27.00
384 pages

The black community vs. the police is not a new idea in today's social environment.
Tony Cippio is an ideal New York Police Officer who attempts to create positive relationships between the community and law enforcement.   This white policeman enjoys playing basketball with neighborhood teens.
Tyrone Greene is a thirteen-year-old with basketball skills that surpass the officer's successful high school and community college recognition.   Tony sees the possibilities for this talented youngster with dreams of playing professional ball.   Considering how well Tyrone could play with an old over-inflated ball, the teen was thrilled with the gift of a new ball.
Unfortunately the game is witnessed by three black men seated nearby.   As the three approach, Officer Cippio, his partner is still resting  by the car.   First they inform Tony that he is not welcome in this neighborhood and shows his intent by pulling a gun pointing at the poiceman's chest, shooting a bullet both in his chest and head.
This incident begins the reign of the black terrorist movement in New York by their leader Nat X propelling animosity between law enforcement and the black community.
Although personal prejudices greatly influence their perceptions of reality, the truth seems more difficult to uncover.
Robert Tanenbaum is an extremely successful trial lawyer who has never lost a felony case.  He has been Chief Council to the Congressional Committee investigations into the death of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as being the Bureau Chief of the New York Criminal Courts, worked with the Homicide Bureau for the New York District Attorney's Office as well as teaching at the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.

Encompassing the issues of black vs. white, homelessness, justice, reputations , survival skills, threats, lifestyles, and right vs. doing what is best for your family and yourself.

Without Fear or Favor is the 29th book in Tanenbaum's Butch Karp/ Marlene Ciampi thriller series. With superb characterization, non-stop action, and realistic present day problems and social challenges, Without Fear or Favor is an enthralling experience keeping the reader completely engaged to the last word.

Giant of the Senate

Giant of the Senate
Al Franken
Twelve
Hatchette Book Group
New York, New York
ISBN: 978-1-4555-4041-9
Hardcover
2017
$ 28.00

Senator Al Franken of Minnesota has quickly become one of the most well-known U.S. Senators of the United States of America.
Giant of the Senate is an autobiography of Al Franken beginning his journey as a child growing up in Minnesota, to becoming a writer of Saturday Night Live and finally becoming a respected Democratic U.S. Senator.
"Here in America, of course, we're all immigrants.  Except, of course, for Native Americans against whom we committed genocide."
With the present policitical leadership in Washington, this quote is gutsy.  Remember, he is a reflection of the Democratic Party.
Who could imagine a comedy writer being the unlikely Democratic candidate for a congressional seat?  
Being a child of typical middle-class America from the liberal state of Minnesota gives a young Al Franken a strong, independent foundation for his future life choices.  When his older brother became the first in the family eventually graduating from MIT with a degree in physics, Al made his own way  by attending Harvard.   Surprising, his brother became a photographer and Al, a comedian.  How would your parents feel about those outcomes from a college education?
After becoming part of a comedy team, Franken and Davis, perceived as an updated Bob and Ray Radio Show, both were asked to submit a writing sample which was considered for a new comedy show being created and  produced by Lorne Michaels in becoming Saturday Night Live.  
Franken and Davis became part of the original show along with Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, and John Belushi.  Combining the current day news and politics into a comedy show pushing the limits of political correctness with a multitude of social challenges.
After being in comedy for thirty-five years, Al Franken made the choice to enter into politics.
The book concentrates on this unlikely candidate into along his journey to being a United States Senator.    Now, he is unquestionably memorable with a strong contributing social agenda, into being a possibly Giant of the Senate.
Giant of the Senate is a fabulous book to read.  It combines Franken's humor, family, passions, dreams, and ambitions perfectly reflecting the author's personality as monitored through his staff.  His unlikely journey to success has made Franken a legend, now for the Senate.
Whether or not you are a Democratic, Republican, or Independent, Al Franken's Giant of the Senate is a story for every American.