Battles, great and small, are a major subject in this week’s Newsmax Rising Bestsellers. There is the history of battles that everyone has engaged in: board games, and then there is the more serious description of how the country spent more than 40 years battling for equality in higher education using the wrong strategy. Moreover, there is the story of one woman’s battle to dominate the competition on the basketball court, and the still another about the United States’ struggle to achieve independence from British rule. The fiction offering is set 80 years ago, in wartime London.
“Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel,” by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing)
No. 1 New York Times bestselling novelist David Baldacci’s latest tale is set in London during the Blitz of 1944, and centers on three characters: Charlie and Molly, two orphaned teens who find solace in a bookstore, and a sense of direction from Ignatius, its owner. Ignatius is recently widowed, and the three form a family of sorts, taking comfort in each other during uncertain times. “Baldacci weaves the trio’s lives together seamlessly, even though each comes from a different stratum of society,” wrote Kirkus Reviews. “Hope, excitement, and tragedy will keep rapt readers reaching for their tissues.” [Nonfiction]
“Across the Board: How Games Make Us Human,” by Tim Clare (Abrams Press)
Tabletop games aren’t merely sources of entertainment and ways to combat boredom on rainy days, they bring us together and sharpen our intellect. They’re also universal — found in every civilization, whether it’s chess, Monopoly, or a game of cards. “Across the Board” takes the reader through the history of tabletop games from one civilization to the next, and how they’ve evolved and spread. Even something as simple as tic-tac-toe is one more thing that separates humans from lesser animals. “Things I already knew were discussed in an entertaining enough way for me to enjoy reading about them again, and the things that I didn’t know fascinated me,” wrote Liz Davidson for GoodReads. “If you want to feel like part of a long chain of humans who have enjoyed games for centuries, then this book will satisfy you.” [Nonfiction]
“The Affirmative Action Myth: Why Blacks Don’t Need Racial Preferences to Succeed,” by Jason L Riley (Basic Books)
Affirmative action was first approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1978 with Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, and by the summer of 2023 the high court had had enough. It declared that the use of race in college admissions was unconstitutional. Jason Riley argues that, not only is affirmative action unconstitutional, but that it failed the very population it was designed to help — minorities and disadvantaged students in their struggle to get ahead. Calling the book “not just a critique of policy but a clarion call for a new approach to racial equality,” Leslie Eastman wrote in Legal Insurrection that “Riley’s optimism is infectious, leaving readers with a sense of hope that a future free from racial preferences can foster genuine progress. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of race, policy, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. It is a landmark contribution that will resonate for years to come.” [Nonfiction]
“Caitlin Clark Biography: The Record-Breaking Journey of a Basketball Phenomenon,” by Paul Leon (Independently published)
The WNBA will never be as exciting as the NBA. That’s been the accepted line of thought until Caitlin Clark hit the boards. She’s a one-woman quest to reverse that accepted line of thought by electrifying her every appearance on the court. This inspiring story will offer proof that talent, confidence, and hard work have no limits — they can develop a gifted young athlete into an irrepressible national icon. “This bio is so great for the sports fan and for those who may be curious about this incredible athlete!” wrote Barbara for Amazon. “Caitlin’s life experiences and the highlights of her career are so inspirational and shared so well in this story. It’s such a good read, for getting to know the “human side” of Caitlin and how she was inspired and was able to overcome obstacles that were in her way.” [Nonfiction]
“From Subject to Citizen: What Americans Need to Know about Their Revolution,” by Nancy Bradeen Spannaus (Independently published)
A refreshing look into the United States’ origins is offered as the country approach the 250th anniversary of our founders’ decision to shed themselves from British rule and go it alone. The author challenges the reader to understand the story of the struggle to establish a unique political experiment called the United States — an trial-and-error system where the people are no longer subjects of the government, but rather the government is the subject of the people — to form a government of, by and for the people. The author divides the book into three sections: The Growing Revolt against the British Empire, the Declaration of Independence from English rule, and the Fight for the Constitution as a framework for the new government. “Americans preparing for the commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States should find this book particularly useful,” wrote American System Now. It’s “written in a crisp journalistic style accessible to the general public. Readers can pick and choose among the articles in any order they wish. All will illuminate some aspect of the founding which will be enlightening and relevant to our crisis today.” [Nonfiction]
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
