THE JANSON EQUATION by Douglas Corleone #FridayReads

The Janson Equation tackles the “what if” of a contrived war between North and South Korea, set off by a faction in the USA. Sort of ripped from the headlines of today’s current events.

The Janson Equation
by
Douglas Corleone

North Korea adamantly aims to become a super nuclear power. For a hermit country, the madness equates to an internet hacker believing he/she has the ability to bring down the infrastructure of the world with one well-placed virus. 

Wait. . .considering our self-inflicted dependence on electronics, the world as we know it could drastically change in the push of a button. Whoever is behind the plot to ignite a second Korean war has set in motion events that would change the face of the earth in Southeast Asia, and politics around the world. 

Corleone’s strong knowledge of history and world events keeps this thriller moving at a rapid pace and held my attention throughout. When Mr. Corleone spoke at the 2015 Hawaii Book and Music Festival, he mentioned that his name is billed on the cover after that of the Jason Bourne creator, Robert Ludlum. While I am a decades’ old fan of Mr. Ludlum’s high-concept thrillers, I told Doug the main reason I planned to read The Janson Equation was because he wrote it. I came away from the reading more informed, and definitely entertained.

 

 

Other novels by Douglas Corleone:

 

Kevin Corvelli Mystery Series (set in Hawai'i)

The Simon Fisk Novels (International thrillers)

 

 

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING: #8 To Remain Still

8

To Remain Still

 

Imagine

sinking
into steaming water.
So relaxed you cannot move.

Egrets

turn the air white

with swirling feathers.

Ever moving, while you remain still.

Fearful

of sprouting roots,

you ask forgiveness

And vow to stop the madness.* 

*Does the madness represent society’s expectation that one must always be actively productive? (Or could it be your expectation of yourself?) 

 

In this world of perpetual motion, taking a break to relax and revitalize has become a forbidden fruit picked from the tree of technology. Wireless frequencies branch out to claim our attention and steal our time. Alarms awaken us to each frenetic new day. Beeping announces a caller on line-one while pulsing sounds alert us to a caller on line-two. Buzzers remind us of scheduled meetings and lunch teleconferences. Emails and text messages update our agenda by the minute. 

It is difficult to imagine taking time to sink into a soothing bath. Or even a few extra moments to allow a refreshing shower to relieve tension and wash away the ravages of our frenzied pace. Is the madness out of our hands? Do others dictate the use of our time? 

No. 

Knowing that goals and purpose are important, we’ve made our own decisions. The pace we set can be regulated according to needs. But there is danger in the conviction that activity itself is what makes the goal or purpose important. 

Balance career with spurts of relaxation and recreation. Allow the madness within your personal space to fade. Will that alleviate the madness around you? Not necessarily. 

But it could make it easier to accept or ignore those who thrive on chaos and drama. With your iPhone ringer turned off, your computer shut down, and your e-Reader charging in airplane mode, you might even come to pity those who can’t stop to appreciate the silence.