ASCENSION by Brandi Lynn Smith

In the second book in the ALPHA UNITS series, ASCENSION, author Brandi Lynn Smith continues the adventures of Kate and her friends in the Alpha Units. Kate’s life has been fairly quiet since rescuing her friends from Blade, but the short reprieve doesn’t last. Kate finds her powers increasing and she is seeing strange symbols. Could the pendant she obtained have anything to do with what’s happening? Why was it coveted by Blade? Kate knows where to turn for help, but getting that help means returning to the one place she never planned on every going back to.

THE VERDICT OF HISTORY: THE GREAT TRIALS FROM ANTIQUITY TO THIS DAY by Virginia Lalli

“An injustice to one is a threat made to all”
-Montesquieu

The book documents and analyzes some of the greatest legal trials in history, from ancient times to the present day. The defendants include Socrates, Galileo, Sacco and Vanzetti, as well as Oscar Wilde. If you are a careful reader, you might naturally wonder, “How fair were these trials?”

The book narrates the trials and provides an original historical account of the evolution of human civilization from a range of different perspectives. Indeed, the author posits that from the various charges, exchanges between prosecution and defense and intentions expressed in the cases, the great existential values of humanity are revealed. Each of the defendants embodies ideals that remain current to this day and each of them has left a message for us to reflect upon.