The Great Rupture Explores Impact of Information Age on Humanity
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Imagine that by the 2040s, Harvard College is shuttered, its hallowed halls impenetrably overgrown with miles of vines — closed for lack of demand in Ivy-League education. It’s just one jarring possibility suggested in Viktor Shvets’ thought-provoking deep-dive into the challenges facing today’s world: The Great Rupture – Three Empires, Four Turning points and the Future of Humanity – Do we need to be free?
“The lessons of the last five centuries were unequivocal — without freedom, there could be no prosperity or happiness. However, does this still hold true in the Information Age?” Shvets asks.
He expertly and compellingly distills the lessons learned over the last five centuries, and projects these into the future. Could the Information Age be rewriting the recipe for individual and national success?
According to Shvets, modern technologies are disrupting the structure of our societies, altering every facet of our lives, from the nature of work and what we intrinsically value to how we are informed, entertained and educated — it promises to be a far deeper disruption than Industrial Revolutions. Humanity is at a major turning point, and how we respond to the merger of technology and financialization will decide our future. Will it be capitalism or communism, feudalism or despotism?
The Great Rupture explores the weakening nexus between freedom and prosperity and what that means for the future of humanity. From the birth of our modern world, pivotal events have led to the collapse of non-Western civilizations — Mongol warriors sweeping across Eurasian steppes; the Black Death and a re-awakening of human spirit; Zheng He’s voyages and the collapse of Novgorod republic; and finally, the ban on printing in Arabic. What can we learn from these historical events to better prepare ourselves for the future?
As we hurtle toward that uncertain future, Shvets writes we must decide whether our cherished individual freedoms are still necessary for success and prosperity, or if in adapting to new technologies, non-Western civilizations are now better positioned for this new world, creating highly illiberal and possibly brutal orders that might no longer suffer from stagnation of ideas or wealth. For the first time in at least five centuries, we have an opportunity and tools to build a different society and economy. The book explores specific policy choices that might help us navigate this treacherous transition. Will we embrace the challenge?
Author Viktor Shvets is a global strategist at Macquarie Bank. In his almost four-decades-long investment banking career, he worked in Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, London, New York and Moscow at a number of global investment banks, such as Baring Securities, Deutsche Bank, DLJ, Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse. Over the years, he has been a highly rated analyst across various disciplines, head of research and is now recognized as one of the more innovative global market strategists, working on the intersection between finance, technology, politics and history. He is a prolific writer on key global trends and is a frequent commentator on CNBC, Bloomberg and other media outlets.
Viktor was born in Kiev, which at the time was the capital of the Soviet Ukraine. He attended Kiev University of Trade before immigrating to Australia, where he completed a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney and a Master of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales. He is married with two sons and currently resides in Hong Kong.
The Great Rupture – Three Empires, Four Turning points and the Future of Humanity – Do we need to be free? Publisher: Boyle & Dalton ISBN-10: 163337386X ISBN-13: 978-1633373860 Available from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Kobo.com and iTunes
Trish Stevens Margot Cunningham Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
Urban Blight and Struggle for Power Fuel Tale of Political Tug-of-War
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Democratic President Bob Jordan and Republican House Speaker Mitchell Lawrence have known each other for years and share the philosophy that collaboration between the parties is the best way to govern. Their view, however, isn’t as popular as they’d hoped.
After 50 years of failed governmental attempts to improve failed inner-cities, Jordan and Lawrence choose a private development as the mechanism to institute change.
The project, dubbed A Hand Up, has an ambitious vision: transform the inner-cities that are beset with urban blight into safe, vital municipalities with great schools, thriving businesses and other options for recreation. In other words, give people a reason to want to be there.
Recreating a “new” city from the ashes of urban squalor, however, requires the cooperation of and support from government and the loss of power and control is more than current leaders are willing to abide.
Money and power are vested in the status quo. Politicians from both parties, big companies, unions, and the media thrive in this environment. Changes in approach threaten their power and they must do all they can to stop them. Out of this need for the status quo a plot to assassinate begins to grow.
While first and foremost a novel written to entertain, A Hand Up from Martin Laurent resonates with real-world problems that plague big-city projects and the political divide that prevents progress. Laurent’s narrative compellingly underscores the critical need for government entities to collaborate on even the most fundamental challenges. Perhaps a novel that supports neither (or both) sides of the political divide offers the best chance for building bridges.
Author Martin Laurent worked for General Motors for 32 years. With an educational background in mechanical engineering and business. Practical experience in facilities engineering, industrial relations and corporate strategic planning, and manufacturing management, Laurent’s expertise in change management lends authenticity to A Hand Up, in which he skillfully describes a common sense process for inner-city improvement.
Since his retirement, he consulted for a time before deciding to simply concentrate on life in Santa Fe, where he lives with his wife of over 50 years, Keren. The couple has travelled extensively.
Laurent has also served on the board of the Santa Fe Recovery Center since 2008. When he began, the center was a 23-bed residential treatment facility that provided a 30-day recovery program. Today, the center has expanded its capacity by five times and offers a wider array of services. The center has been recognized by the State of New Mexico for its excellence. Additional expansions are planned.
Laurent is also the author of The Third Bounce and Pray for Rain, a series that centers on these same two politicians and their wives.
For more information, please visit www.martylaurent.com.
A Hand Up Publisher: Lithe Excel Release Date: August 3, 2020 ISBN-13: 978-1-944293-51-2 Available from Amazon.com and www.martylaurent.com
Trish Stevens Maria Jenson Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone 800.854.2207 Fax
Theology and Politics Collide in Reality-Inspired Cold War Thriller
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When Pope John Paul I died of an apparent heart attack in September 1978—just 33 days after his election—the United States and the Soviet Union went on high alert.
The United States could loosen communism’s stranglehold on Eastern Europe if a non-Italian successor is chosen to lead the Catholic Church. Conversely, the Soviets are determined to keep an Italian in the papacy. A dangerous competition ensues as the two countries aim to further their own interests while limiting those of the other party. CIA and KGB agents infiltrate the Vatican as Cold War tensions mount amid the backdrop of a hastily arranged conclave to elect a successor.
Meanwhile, back in the states, army officer Carter Caldwell is sent to persuade American cardinals to wield their influence in the conclave. He meets beautiful CIA analyst Katherine O’Connor. Carter can’t get her out of his mind, although plenty of problems demand his attention.
Before the conclave is over, the Sistine Chapel will be bugged, a spy in the Vatican’s kitchen will be murdered, and CIA and KGB operatives will exchange gunfire. As the most important figure in the Catholic world is finally chosen, one question remains: Will he survive long enough to become pope?
Conclave from Tom Davis weaves an in-depth thriller where Catholic theology and Cold War politics collide. The result is a gripping, fictionalized retelling of what might have happened as these real-world events unfolded.
Was the election of non-Italian Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II in October 1978 somehow orchestrated through the US’s covert influence on the papal conclave? Today, his election is viewed as a turning point in the Cold War—just 13 years later, the Soviet Union collapsed, and the Warsaw Pact disintegrated.
Author Tom Davis is a retired army officer and corporate executive. After graduating from West Point, he had numerous assignments and experiences in the army, including commanding an artillery battalion in Operation Desert Storm, being a key advisor to a Secretary of the Army and several Army Chiefs of Staff, and serving as an Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at West Point, where he taught International Relations, Political Science, Economics and Middle Eastern Affairs. He served a brief tour in the Department of State as part of the Palestinian Autonomy negotiating team, where he heard a story that inspired Conclave.
After retiring from the army, Davis had a successful career with General Dynamics Corpora-tion. He has written numerous articles and editorials for major newspapers on a wide range of topics, and has published major studies on federal budgeting and the management of the nation’s national security programs. His previous book, 40 Kilometers Into Lebanon, analyzes the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. He holds degrees from the US Military Academy at West Point and Harvard University. He retired from General Dynamics in 2013, and is currently the Forrestal-Richardson Industry Chair at Defense Acquisition University and an adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Walsh School.
Conclave has captured the attention of an independent film company based in Germany and has been converted into a screenplay for future development into a six-episode mini-series.
Conclave Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN-10: 1534706615 ISBN-13: 978-1534706613 Available from Amazon.com and www.tomdavisauthor.com
Trish Stevens Anna Jones Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone 800.854.2207 Fax
Humane Policing Outlines Groundbreaking Approach To Widespread Police Reform
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The days since George Floyd’s death have simultaneously united and divided communities all over the world. “I can’t breathe” has become a battle cry; 8:46 an unsettling reminder of how long Floyd struggled for air. Is there any way to rebuild a system that has collapsed under the weight of its own power?
Former marine and one-time sheriff’s deputy Darron Spencer offers hope for police departments and the communities they serve. His revolutionary approach to law enforcement, called “humane policing,” aims to help officers diffuse dangerous situations, induce cooperation, preserve lives, and ultimately enjoy long and fulfilling careers protecting and serving the public.
Spencer’s book, Humane Policing: How Perspectives Can Influence Our Performance, shares his insightful, experience-based techniques for those in law enforcement while also enlightening the public about the complexities of the job and the balancing act undertaken by the men and women in uniform every day.
The book demonstrates — through real-life-inspired examples — how self-control and understanding can mitigate potentially dangerous situations and save lives.
Humane Policing explores the changes that law enforcement needs to make, chronicles the experiences that shaped Spencer’s personal perspective, and offers life-changing tools to help officers everywhere better serve their communities.
Author Darron Spencer worked in a patrol division for just 20 months before a debilitating condition ended his career. As a deputy, Spencer oversaw more than 250 cases that resulted in 40 felony and 74 misdemeanor arrests. He assisted in four death investigations and booked in more than 150 pieces of evidence. He was awarded Deputy of the Year and received the Ribbon of Merit.
He achieved tremendous success gaining cooperation from individuals, suspects and even career criminals while investigating cases. In fact, 90% of those he arrested actually thanked him for his service. When Spencer’s police work was cut short, he sought a new avenue to public service.
Now he travels the country to meet with local police departments and share his approach to policing. His goal is to improve the relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve and ultimately the public image of law enforcement officers on a national scale.
For more information on Spencer and his approach to humane policing, please visit www.humanepolicing.com.
Trish Stevens Senior Publicist Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 832.334.2733 Direct 832.569.5539 Fax 281.333.3507 Main [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
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Tom Del Beccaro, The Divided Era Author, Long Ago Predicted Sanders’ Rise And Strong Super Tuesday Performance
Acclaimed author, speaker and former California Republican Party chair Tom Del Beccaro made a bold prediction almost exactly one year ago: Bernie Sanders would be the Democrat-ic nominee in 2020. In our country’s current anti-establishment, divided era, Sanders has gained momentum since 2016, and Del Beccaro expertly outlined five key differentiators that could very well propel Sanders to the 2020 Democrat nomination: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/bernie-sanders-will-be-the-democratic-nominee-here-are-five-reasons-why.
“Going into Super Tuesday, of all the Democrats running right now, Sanders has the most committed supporters and the largest number of volunteers,” according to Del Beccaro.
Best known for his insightful commentary and public speaking on topics ranging from for-eign policy to economic reform, Del Beccaro has the unique ability to place our current times in the broader sweep of American and world history.
He does exactly that in his latest book, The Divided Era: How We Got Here and the Keys to America’s Reconciliation. That our country has become one obsessed with choosing sides is nothing new, he explains. Del Beccaro examines the three most divisive periods of our past and contrasts those eras with our country’s two most unifying periods. The result is a fasci-nating study of the history of political unity and division in the U.S., from the Revolution to the adoption of the Constitution; the Civil War through Reconstruction; and The Gilded Age to our present Divided Era.
By using the country’s past to inform a path forward, Del Beccaro is no stranger to seeing his predictions in the political arena become reality. In 2012, Tom correctly predicted the Demo-crats would lose over 60 House seats when others predicted more than 30 seats lost. He is poised to make hundreds of appearances on news programs as the 2020 election unfolds, sharing his insights and outlook on one of the most divisive, hotly contested elections in our nation’s history.
Thomas Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker and columnist for Fox News, Fox Business and the Epoch Times. The former Chairman of the California Republican Party and former U.S. Senate Candidate from California, Del Beccaro is also the author of The New Conservative Paradigm and is the publisher of PoliticalVanguard.com, where he and other columnists publish daily commentaries.
He makes hundreds of radio and TV appearances each year across the country that are heard and seen by millions. He has appeared on Fox & Friends, Fox Business News, Newsmax, OAN, the Wall Street Journal’s Opinion Journal and on KRON4 in the San Fran-cisco Bay Area. He has also appeared on the Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Trish Stevens Maria Jenson Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
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Crisis Of Purpose Hinders Humankind’s Efforts To Resolve World’s Biggest Challenges
The defining crisis of our time isn’t growing authoritarian regimes, economic uncertainty or even climate change. It is a crisis of purpose. Our hope for the future will ultimately depend on how we best conceive of progress if our actions are to result in real human advancement.
In Hope and the Future: Confronting Today’s Crisis of Purpose, the first of a three-part series, Dr. Charles M. Johnston contends that much of civilization lacks a narrative, a compelling human story that can propel us forward. The challenges we face require that we think, act and relate in new ways, he says, and the critical questions before us require that we “grow up” as a species in order to deal with these challenges effectively.
Among the critical questions the book tackles are: How do we best ensure a safe human future in a world filled with weapons of mass destruction? How do we address inevitable environmental catastrophes? How do we make love endure in the future with gender roles in flux today? How will we deal with important challenges that require global cooperation, such as terrorism and the need for a stable economic infrastructure? How do we make moral choices, given their growing complexity and the weakening of cultural guideposts? And finally, how do we best determine if our actions result in real human advancement?
Dr. Johnston’s book distills 30 years of work by the Institute for Creative Development, a Seattle-based, non-partisan think tank and center for leadership training. It introduces the “creative systems” concept of cultural maturity and provides a compelling guiding story for going forward.
Author Charles M. Johnston is also a psychiatrist and futurist, and is best known for founding and directing the ICD and is the originator of Creative Systems Theory, a comprehensive framework for understanding purpose and change in human systems. He is the author of 10 books and numerous articles on the future and how we can best prepare to meet it.
Hope and the Future: Confronting Today’s Crisis of Purpose
Publisher: ICD Press
ISBN-13: 978-1732219007
Available from Amazon.com, www.hopeandthefuture.com/hope and www.ingramcontent.com
Trish Stevens Terri Lynn Polk Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
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Drugs, Money And Cancer Challenge Ultimately Transform Texas Woman
Amy Herrig loves dogs, the Dallas Cowboys, her husband and, of course, her family. You might find her cooking up a gourmet meal, reading a good book or discussing the latest movie she’s seen. She’s as American as apple pie, and one would assume that her life has been a series of successes. Except it hasn’t.
In her memoir No More Dodging Bullets, Herrig recounts her struggle with heroin addiction during her teenage years and, as an adult, an addiction to money. She and her father were the successful owners of a number of businesses, raking in the profits and enjoying all that it could buy when the government slapped them with a lawsuit that threatened to strip them of everything, including their freedom. During that four-year battle, she was served with another notice: she had breast cancer.
Her struggles, she says, have served to provide her with a new perspective and have deepened her faith. “All the bullets I’ve dodged and all the things that have happened made me realize how lucky I am to be alive,” she says.
Today, Herrig volunteers regularly and has founded the nonprofit, Hopeful Tuesdays, to assist the homeless in her community. She and her family enjoy spending time in Alaska, helping to run the family business there and spending time hiking and fishing. A self-professed foodie, she’s frequently hosting dinner parties and delving into meaningful conversations with her close circle of friends.
No More Dodging Bullets
Publisher: Inspired Forever Book Publishing
Available from Amazon.com
ISBN-13:978-1-948903-17-2
ISBN-10:1-948903-17-2
