A Hostage’s Harrowing Captivity

 

Hostage

By Eli Sharabi

October 7, 2023, was a fateful morning for Eli Sharabi and many others. It was the morning of the devastating attack on his kibbutz, Be’eri. That day, countless rockets were launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip, and thousands of terrorists crossed the border by air, land, and sea.

Eli woke to the relentless notifications on his phone: incoming missile alerts and reports of terrorist infiltration into Israel. He, his wife, and their two young daughters barricaded themselves in the safe room, but safe rooms are designed to protect against rockets, not armed terrorists. They hid there for hours as gunfire and explosions drew closer. When the terrorists began setting houses on fire to smoke people out, Eli and his family realized they had no choice. Rather than risk being burned alive, they decided to surrender, hoping for mercy.

From the moment of his abduction, Eli was separated from his wife and daughters. He was forced into Gaza, surrounded by armed terrorists. As soon as he crossed the border, a frenzied mob surrounded him—people tried to grab him from his captors, lynching him, hitting him in the stomach with elbows and fists, beating and abusing him in every way imaginable.

At first, Eli was held in the home of a relatively wealthy Palestinian family with clear connections to Hamas. Despite knowing they were terrorists who could kill him at any moment, he managed to stay on civil terms with them. During conversations, he learned that many Palestinians genuinely believed Israelis wanted to kill them just for the sake of killing. They didn’t understand that most Israelis simply wanted to live in peace, raise their families, and build a good life.

After some time, Eli was transferred to the tunnels—his greatest fear. The conditions underground were inhumane: cramped, airless, and dark. Food was scarce from the beginning and became almost nonexistent as the war dragged on. At first, the hostages received the same meager rations as their captors; later, they were given barely anything at all.

Despite everything, Eli remained remarkably strong. While many hostages broke down under the strain, it was Eli who kept them together—telling stories, lifting spirits, even giving the guards nicknames to make the horror slightly more bearable. Some of the older terrorists occasionally showed flashes of humanity; the younger ones were consistently cruel.

Unbeknownst to Eli during his captivity, his entire family—his wife and both daughters—had been murdered on October 7. The hope that they were still alive was what kept him going.

This is a true story of extraordinary courage in the face of relentless terror and unimaginable darkness. A must-read.

The October 7th Flood

 

While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East

By Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot

October 7, 2023, marked a historic failure. Hamas, a terrorist organization, executed a devastating surprise attack on Israel—the region’s most powerful military. Thousands of terrorists breached the border under cover of intense rocket fire. Some sailed over the fence on hang gliders, landing behind Israeli lines to massacre civilians. Others stormed Zikim Beach in rubber dinghies (a few were intercepted by the Israeli Navy). Still more blasted through the border wall with explosives, speeding in pickup trucks to take hostages, kill indiscriminately, and commit atrocities.

How could this happen? That is the central question While Israel Slept rigorously examines.

The authors argue that Israel underestimated Hamas for years, fixating instead on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. After withdrawing from Gaza in 2005–2006, Israel dismantled settlements and human intelligence networks, relying heavily on technology: border sensors, drones, and software monitoring Gaza’s communications. The system flagged unusual activity—like Hamas turning on Israeli SIM cards—but terrorists routinely staged drills with rockets and cell phones, desensitizing Israeli analysts. Like the frog in slowly heating water, Israel grew complacent.

Warning signs were ignored. Software monitoring Gaza malfunctioned in the months before the attack. Hamas planted explosives along the border wall during protests, undetected. Intelligence dismissed reports of Palestinians training to overrun homes and take hostages. Even when rocket alerts spiked on October 7, many in the IDF assumed it was another drill.

The book traces Hamas’s evolution from its 1980s origins as a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated charity, founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (with Yahya Sinwar among its early members), into a full-fledged terror group. Israel initially tolerated it, seeing it as a counterweight to the PLO. Sinwar, who spent 22 years in Israeli prisons, studied his enemy closely—learning Hebrew and IDF tactics. He repeatedly warned of an “Al-Aqsa Flood,” a mass infiltration to kill, kidnap, and force prisoner releases. These threats were dismissed.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies also contributed. To stabilize Gaza, he facilitated Qatari funds, believing economic incentives would reduce violence. Instead, the money fueled Hamas’s military buildup. The group raised millions through U.S.- and Europe-based “charities,” dummy companies, and a dedicated Mossad unit (Harpoon) struggled to disrupt the flow.

Hamas built an extensive tunnel network beneath Gaza, but on October 7, they attacked overland—exploiting Israel’s overconfidence in its border defenses.

The authors conclude with sobering lessons: intelligence must prioritize human sources over tech, threats cannot be downplayed for political convenience, and complacency is fatal. To prevent another October 7, Israel must relearn vigilance.

A gripping, meticulously reported account—essential reading for understanding one of the greatest intelligence failures in modern history.

The Land of Big Foot

 Bigfoot Nation by David Childress

Lately I’ve had an obsession with Bigfoot, the big hairy giant, who supposedly lives in the north western part of the United States of America the areas that would be included in his roaming territory or Washington state, Oregon and parts of Northern California however, Bigfoot or Bigfoot like creatures have been observed all over the entire company of the United States of America, and even other parts of the world Some state as a species that came before humanity. Some people say they’re connected with aliens as they are often observed near orbs of light or near UFO sightings. I would make a rough comparison between this book and the other one by David Pauly‘s both of these books give you stories about people who have sided Bigfoot or I’ve seen the big man David Childress is booked the one I’m reviewing right now seems to have more stories about people who have observed Bigfoot the other book by David Pauly’s on the other hand, had a bunch of stories, but it also gave a little bit of factual information about what was learned about the Bigfoot in this book. I learned that older Bigfoot, especially older males, get driven from the family or pack by younger males who overcome them in battle, which is why you see some gray haired Bigfoot dumpster diving in civilization, trying to get a little bit of food by learn Bigfoot run away from people. The book title is called Bigfoot nation for a reason first off. It recognizes that the Bigfoot nation might be inhabiting our forest, but also Bigfoot is becoming an obsession for a lot of people. I mean this memorabilia movies you name it they got that’s also part of the Bigfoot nation.  You also have to remember that we are cutting into their forest and give them lesson less territory with which they can roam around him. The book is divided into the parts. The first part of the book goes into time periods when Bigfoot was observed this goes all the way back from the frontier days, all the way to the present time with the present time being in the heyday when everyone is seeing Bigfoot Now, Bigfoot has been seen in Florida where he called a stump skunk ape, and Bigfoot is also been seen in New Mexico and Arizona and other areas of the southwest so he lives in a lot of different areas of. It’s all the same species. There’s a nice second bibliography at the end.  The term Bigfoot was coined in 1958 by a man named J.Crew, who was operating a bulldozer at a construction site where they tore down a bunch of forestry the native Americans used to call them, wild men or hairy men, sometimes calm them which Sasquatch come from and people used to call them wild men before they got the name Bigfoot. Overall, a good book very entertaining to read very interesting to see the stories and how Bigfoot interacts differently with different people. Hope you enjoy reading this one.

The Soldier and Assyrian Queen

 

The Thread that Held by Shawn and Nahrain Taylor is a poignant memoir that weaves together two distinct yet intertwined stories of resilience, love, and perseverance. Through alternating perspectives, the authors recount their challenging upbringings, their serendipitous meeting in war-torn Baghdad, and their journey to build a life together against all odds.

Shawn's story begins in the foster care system, where he landed after enduring abuse from a brutal stepfather and neglect from an overworked mother pursuing a nursing career. Labeled a troublemaker for longing to return home, Shawn bounced between foster homes, eventually accepting that he had to forge his own path. His time in the system instilled a fierce work ethic and unyielding determination, qualities that propelled him through life's challenges. Joining the military, Shawn methodically built a stable future, overcoming obstacles with patience and grit.

In contrast, Nahrain's early life was filled with warmth and laughter in a tight-knit Assyrian Christian family in Iraq. However, growing up as a religious minority in a volatile region brought danger. At 13, Nahrain was forced to leave school due to threats from terrorists targeting young Christian girls, a stark reminder of the perilous environment she navigated.

Their paths converged in Baghdad, where Shawn, stationed to set up a military base, needed someone to manage the base's internet café. Nahrain, with her experience selling clothes and antiques, took the job. Their relationship began tentatively—Shawn, reserved, would stop by for a soft drink, exchanging few words. Over time, their conversations deepened, fostering a connection that blossomed into love. But their budding romance faced a harsh interruption when Shawn's unit was redeployed, and shortly after, Nahrain was severely injured in a devastating van explosion that killed most of her companions. Shawn, believing her dead, was heartbroken.

Two years later, a chance message on Yahoo Messenger revealed Nahrain's survival. After enduring poorly executed surgeries in Iraq and fleeing to Jordan for safety, she faced further medical challenges with inadequate procedures. Eventually, an uncle's help enabled her to emigrate to Australia, where she continued her recovery. Shawn, undeterred by distance, relocated to Australia, though his military deployments briefly kept them apart. The couple married, and Shawn established a computer repair business, laying the foundation for their shared future. After a series of twists and turns, they settled in America, where they now raise their two children.

The Thread that Held is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome adversity. The authors' contrasting backgrounds—Shawn's solitary struggle in the foster system and Nahrain's communal yet threatened upbringing—highlight their remarkable resilience. While the narrative occasionally lingers on logistical details, the emotional core of their story shines through, offering readers an inspiring tale of hope and connection forged in the unlikeliest of circumstances. This memoir will resonate with those who appreciate stories of triumph over hardship and the enduring bonds that hold us together.

The Witches Place in the Resistance

A Resistance of Witches: A Novel

By Morgan Ryan

 Set against the backdrop of World War II, The Witches of World War II weaves a captivating tale of magic, intrigue, and resistance. The novel imagines a secret magical academy in Britain, training witches in high magic and housing a powerful coven. Rumors of historical figures like Gerald Gardner or Aleister Crowley leading rituals to thwart Nazi invasions inspire the story, but this narrative takes a unique approach.

The story begins with Winston Churchill enlisting the academy’s witches to protect a mystical artifact, the Grimorium Verum, a book that could grant the Nazis world domination if seized. The mission falls to Lydia, a young witch with the rare ability to astral project and locate hidden objects. Opposing her is a formidable Nazi coven, escalating the stakes of this magical arms race.

As the coven performs a ritual to locate the Grimorium Verum, they are ambushed by Nazi witches, resulting in devastating losses, including the death of their leader. Lydia, thrust into the role of grand mistress, must navigate her new responsibilities while grappling with personal tensions. Her mother, a hedgewitch, disapproves of Lydia’s pursuit of high magic, creating a compelling mother-daughter conflict that enriches the narrative.

Lydia’s quest takes her to the Louvre, where the grimoire is rumored to be hidden. There, she meets Henry, an African American witch from New Orleans with the power to see the dead. Together, they track the grimoire to a museum curator’s home, only to discover the curator has been killed by Nazis. Captured by the enemy coven, Lydia and Henry ally with Rebecca, a Jewish woman resisting the Nazis’ attempts to extract information from her. Through courage and cunning, Rebecca frees herself, and the trio unites to secure the grimoire.

Lydia returns to Britain to regroup before launching a daring rescue of her captured allies. The novel brims with suspense, unexpected plot twists, and richly drawn characters. The blend of historical fiction and fantastical witchcraft feels authentic, immersing readers in a world where magic shapes the course of war.

For fans of historical fantasy and intricate magical systems, The Witches of World War II is a thrilling read that balances high-stakes adventure with emotional depth. Highly recommended for those who enjoy speculative fiction with a touch of truth.

Legend of the Hairy Man

 

Tribal Big Foot

By David Paulides

Introduction

Since the 1850s, both settlers and Native Americans have reported sightings of giant human-like or apelike creatures in the forests of North America. These beings, often referred to as wildmen, Hermit of Siskiyou, or hairy men, are commonly known today as Bigfoot or Sasquatch. Standing approximately 8 feet tall, these creatures are described as having massive, hairy bodies with minimal facial hair, revealing a human-like face beneath. The term "Bigfoot" was coined in the mid-1950s, but sightings predate this label. The creature gained widespread attention after the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film, which captured a purported Bigfoot crossing a riverbed. While some dismiss the film as a hoax, others consider it authentic, and the debate continues. Notably, many reported encounters describe creatures that differ from the one in the film, suggesting variations in appearance or behavior.

Preferred Habitats

Bigfoot is said to inhabit remote, forested areas with sparse human populations. These creatures are often found near water sources such as rivers and creeks, which provide drinking water and fish. They are frequently reported along ridgelines, offering vantage points to monitor the valleys below for predators or prey. Additionally, Bigfoot sightings are common near caves or abandoned mines, which may explain the sulfurous odor sometimes associated with them. The creature appears to be comfortable around women and young children and is reportedly fond of horses but hostile toward dogs and adult males. Bigfoot sightings are also noted near Native American reservations.

Native American Perspectives

Many Native American tribes view Bigfoot positively, often considering it a guardian of nature or an elder brother figure. Some tribes describe historical relationships where Bigfoot and humans coexisted as neighbors. However, these relations are not always harmonious. There are accounts of conflicts, including rare instances of Bigfoot abducting women or children, with some reports suggesting forced reproduction, raising the possibility of human-Bigfoot hybrids. Bigfoot is also said to treat deer and horses like pets, showing a gentle side in certain contexts.

Encounters and Behaviors

The book documents numerous Bigfoot encounters, most of which involve the creature observing humans briefly before retreating. Bigfoot has been known to kill livestock, harvest crops, or rummage through trash cans, though these actions are typically non-aggressive and sometimes playful. While the creature’s appearance can be frightening, reports of aggression are rare. Some witnesses describe experiencing headaches or temporary paralysis during encounters, possibly due to infrasound or a strong odor emitted by the creature. The majority of sightings documented in the book occur in Northern California.

Connection to Previous Work

Tribal Bigfoot is a follow-up to David Paulides’ earlier work, The Hoopa Project, which also explores Bigfoot phenomena, particularly in the context of Native American experiences. This book expands on those themes, offering a detailed look at encounters and cultural perspectives.

Conclusion

Tribal Bigfoot is a compelling exploration of Bigfoot lore, blending historical accounts, Native American perspectives, and modern encounters. Its detailed documentation and engaging narrative make it a standout in cryptozoology literature. The book earns a 5-star rating for its thorough research and captivating storytelling.

The Great Jewish Encyclopedia

 

The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism

By Geoffrey W. Dennis

The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism by Geoffrey W. Dennis is a comprehensive reference work presented in an A-to-Z format, defining key terms and concepts related to Jewish mysticism as found in texts like the Torah, Mishnah, Talmud, Kabbalah, and Zohar. While not designed for casual reading, this encyclopedia serves as an invaluable resource for those exploring Jewish mystical traditions, opening doors for further research. Its dense, academic style can feel dry and challenging at times, but its depth makes it an essential tool for understanding complex ideas.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from angels and demons to sacred texts and rituals. Below are a few highlighted terms that stood out as particularly fascinating and memorable:
• Angel of Death: Known by names like Malach HaMavet, the Destroyer, or the Angel of the Lord, this figure is responsible for guiding souls to the underworld. Described with varied appearances, from seven dragon heads to the queen of demons, the Angel of Death is sometimes conflated with Satan or the Yetzer Hara (the evil inclination inherent in humanity). It is also distinguished from fallen angels like Samael or Sariel, who led the Watchers.
• Sefer Bahir (Book of Illumination): An influential medieval Kabbalistic text, written in a cryptic, Midrashic style and attributed to early mystics. It introduces concepts like reincarnation and the Sefirot (the Tree of Life), portraying Abraham as an embodiment of the divine attribute of love.
• Cemetery (Beit HaKevorot): Described as a community repository for the dead, the cemetery is considered ritually impure, requiring those who visit to wash afterward. In mystical literature, it is a place where demons and spirits may gather. The encyclopedia also details practices like grave incubation, where a righteous person lies on the grave of a sage or prophet to commune with their spirit, uniting souls to gain Torah insights.
• Devekut: This term refers to a mystical state of communion or clinging to God, achieved through meditative prayer or spiritual exercises. The book includes a prayer for devekut, which praises God’s greatness, wisdom, and dominion over creation, describing luminaries radiating divine brilliance.
These examples reflect the encyclopedia’s depth and utility as a reference. It functions like a dictionary, not a novel or narrative, so don’t expect an engaging, easy read. Instead, it excels as a tool for looking up unfamiliar terms while studying Judaism or delving into its mystical traditions. For anyone researching Jewish myth, magic, or mysticism, this book is an indispensable resource, offering clarity and context for complex spiritual concepts.

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