Fakhr Din II the Father of Modern Lebanon

 Renaissance Emir : A Druze Warlord in the Court of Medici

By T.J. Gorton

Some historians hail Fakhr al-Din II as the father of modern Lebanon—a visionary Druze warlord who forged an unlikely alliance between the Maronite Christians and the Druze, consolidating control over the regions of Sidon, Beirut, and Safed. Others dismiss him as merely another ambitious local governor clashing with rivals under the Ottoman Empire. Regardless, his success in uniting these fractious communities has cemented his legacy as a founding figure of the Lebanese state. Known as the paramount prince or emir in Arabic, Fakhr al-Din ruled from around 1590 until his death in 1635. Born in 1572 in Lebanon's Shouf Mountains, he was the son of Korkmaz (often associated with Fakhr al-Din I) and grandson of the dynasty's founder. The Ottomans had executed both his father and grandfather, leaving young Fakhr al-Din to inherit a precarious throne amid constant intrigue.

What truly sets Fakhr al-Din apart is his progressive vision for economic development and religious tolerance. He welcomed Christians, Muslims, and Jews into his domain, fostering trade and cultural exchange—though, to be candid, his trust ranked the Maronites highest, followed by Sunnis, with Shiites at the bottom of his preferences. In the Ottoman system, aspiring governors secured their posts by bribing the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. Once installed, they ruled autonomously as long as they remitted taxes and avoided challenging imperial authority. Fakhr al-Din played this game masterfully at first, but his expanding power soon alarmed the Turks, who saw him as a direct threat.

To bolster his position, Fakhr al-Din cultivated alliances with European powers, initially for trade but increasingly for military aid and weapons. These pacts—most notably with Tuscany's Medici family—directly undermined Ottoman suzerainty, enraging Constantinople. In 1613, Ottoman forces invaded, forcing him to flee to the Italian Peninsula. He found refuge in Tuscany at the Medici court, where he spent about five years in exile. This interlude proved transformative: Fakhr al-Din studied European governance, absorbed advanced economic principles, and marveled at Renaissance architecture, sketching ideas to modernize his mountain strongholds upon return. Eventually forgiven (or at least tolerated), he sailed back to Lebanon in 1618, resuming his rule with renewed vigor.

Yet the fragile peace didn't last. His European ties continued to rankle the Ottomans, who viewed them as outright rebellion. In 1633, a massive Ottoman expeditionary force crushed his defenses, capturing Fakhr al-Din and his sons. Imprisoned in Istanbul, he endured two years of captivity before his execution in 1635. His brother and nephews later reclaimed control of the Shouf, preserving the Ma'n dynasty's influence.

Gorton's book is a riveting deep dive into this enigmatic figure, piecing together a narrative from scant primary sources—a testament to the author's archival sleuthing. Fakhr al-Din belonged to the Ma'n dynasty of Druze emirs, and the text weaves in a fascinating primer on Druze origins. Widely regarded as an offshoot of Ismaili Shia Islam, the faith emerged in 1017–1018 CE under the eccentric Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. Blending elements from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism, it spread rapidly through the efforts of missionaries like Hamza ibn Ali and Muhammad al-Darzi. By 1043, the Druze faith closed its doors to converts, emphasizing secrecy and esoteric knowledge. Al-Hakim mysteriously vanished in 1021, fueling divine myths that persist today.

To appeal to his European patrons, Fakhr al-Din claimed Druze descent from ancient Christians who fought alongside Godfrey de Bouillon during the Crusades. Many Druze, however, trace their roots to pre-Islamic antiquity, viewing themselves as heirs to Jethro (Yitro), the Midianite priest from the Bible. Scholars note the community's ethnic mosaic—Arab, Kurdish, Armenian, Persian, and more—reflecting centuries of migration and intermarriage.

Gorton also illuminates Druze social customs, contrasting them sharply with mainstream Islam. While Islamic law permits polygamy (up to four wives) and unilateral male divorce (pronounced thrice before witnesses), Druze marriage is strictly monogamous: one man, one wife, both must be Druze. For a child to inherit Druze identity, both parents must belong to the faith. Notably, either spouse can initiate divorce, promoting greater equity. Fakhr al-Din himself flouted these norms, taking four wives from diverse faiths—a rare indulgence for a Druze leader, as Gorton wryly observes.

The Druze have long been renowned as fierce warriors, and Fakhr al-Din's end exemplifies their unyielding spirit. When informed of his impending execution after two years in chains, he didn't plead for mercy but demanded the chance to die in battle. Kneeling in a manner reminiscent of Christian martyrs, he further incensed the sultan, who ordered his immediate beheading. As Gorton chronicles, life in the Middle East has always been brutal—a timeless truth that makes Fakhr al-Din's story all the more poignant. This slim volume punches above its weight, offering a vivid portrait of a Renaissance prince in an unforgiving age. Highly recommended for anyone intrigued by the tangled roots of the Levant.

Israeli Fitness Tactics

 

Fighting Fit: The Israel Defense Forces Guide to Physical Fitness and Self-Defense

(1983, by Col. David Ben-Asher)

Wondering how Israeli soldiers stay so fit and ready for combat? This book provides a glimpse into IDF-inspired training methods from the early 1980s. It’s quite dated now (Israel’s military fitness programs have evolved since then), but the basics are still practical and accessible for civilians looking for no-equipment workouts or self-defense skills.

The book is divided into three main sections:

1.  Calisthenics and Home Exercises
Focuses on bodyweight exercises you can do anywhere using household furniture like chairs and tables. It covers classics such as push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other strength-building moves. This is the core of how the book explains soldiers maintaining fitness without fancy gyms.

2.  Combat and Self-Defense Basics
Teaches fundamental techniques for defending against attacks, including blocks against punches, kicks, knives, or guns, plus simple holds like arm locks. It’s straightforward and beginner-friendly, though not advanced martial arts.

3.  Training Variations and Physiology
Includes ideas for creating your own obstacle courses at home to simulate military prep. There’s also a section on basic physiology, covering vitamins, nutrition tips, and health factors to watch out for.

Overall, it’s inexpensive (often found used for cheap), practical for average people wanting functional fitness or basic self-defense, and emphasizes real-world applicability—no gym required. The dated aspects (like some exercise recommendations) mean it’s not cutting-edge, but the principles hold up well for home training.

I’d recommend it to anyone interested in old-school, military-style conditioning or Krav Maga-style self-defense roots. Solid 4/5 for timeless basics with a historical twist!

Surviving When it all Hits the Fan

 Alone and Unafraid: Patriot Defense and Survival Guide 

by Jason Hanson

What would you do if everything hit the fan? Are you prepared for a natural disaster like a flood or earthquake? What if civil unrest, riots, or widespread chaos erupted across the country? In Alone and Unafraid: Patriot Defense and Survival Guide, former CIA officer Jason Hanson delivers a comprehensive, no-nonsense manual to help everyday people survive and thrive in crisis situations.

This 520-page guide covers a wide range of practical topics, from building bug-out and bug-in bags to fortifying your home against intruders. It includes spy techniques (such as lock-picking, avoiding scams like “wine, dine, and duped,” and maintaining situational awareness), online security tips (including setting up secure apps and preventing hacks), personal defense strategies (firearms, combat tactics, and home protection), disaster preparedness, emergency medicine, and survival skills for when the grid goes down.

One of the standout sections details a five-step plan for creating an “invasion-proof” home:

1.  Identify tells that signal vulnerability — Things like an unkempt yard, overflowing mailbox, or overly friendly dogs can tip off burglars that no one is home or the house is an easy target.

2.  Know your neighborhood — Stay aware of your surroundings, as wealthier areas can sometimes attract more crime.

3.  Use deterrence signs — Posting notices for a guard dog, alarm system, or security service can make intruders think twice.

4.  Install security cameras and adequate lighting — Modern options allow remote monitoring via your computer or phone, while bright lights expose anyone approaching your property.

5.  Upgrade your locks — Replace cheap hardware with high-quality options like Schlage deadbolts for better protection.

The book goes beyond basics, offering recommendations for self-defense tools, first-aid kits, and other gear to turn you into a well-prepared “prepper.” Hanson draws from his CIA experience to provide real-world, actionable advice without unnecessary alarmism.

While the content is packed with valuable insights and specific brand recommendations, note that some readers have pointed out issues like typos, formatting inconsistencies, and a structure that feels like a compilation of blog posts or contributions from others. It reads more like a practical reference guide than a narrative page-turner.

Overall, if you’re serious about personal security, home defense, and being ready for emergencies, Alone and Unafraid is a solid resource. It empowers you to take control of your safety and protect your family in an unpredictable world. Highly recommended for anyone looking to build resilience and preparedness.

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.