J Harrison (1952–)

I give this book 3.5/5 phoenix.

I actually had a hard time starting this post. It's not that I don't know what to say about the book but it's more of saying something that will eventually lead to the story. What recent event would somehow relate to the story? I could actually think of one. The recent incident in the sea involving a local fishing vessel that was allegedly intentionally hit by another fishing vessel but albeit bigger and belongs to a foreign nation who's not supposed to be fishing within our territorial waters. This is currently a very hot issue since our head of the nation clearly stated in his interview that we should just let them be if we don't want another world war. Who wants one, right? But there should be other ways in which we can insist our sovereignty and rights without resulting to firearms and violent means. It doesn't have to end in a war. Anyway, there's a lot that could still be said about this topic but it's also causing me headaches. So, I'd rather not delve deeper into it and it's probably more suited to another platform. But I am thankful to those who are standing up and protesting in front of the embassy of that foreign nation. Go on and never stop until they hear our voices. We are done being ignored and treated like we are insignificant. And to all those lawmakers who are also fighting for our government to make a stand. Please don't ever tire of fighting. If there's a need for every Filipino to rally and make a stand, then let's do that.

Chronicles of the Anti-Christ, how does the above relate to this book? Well, it's about fighting for what's right and just. Fighting for what's good, even if you are pitted against a very powerful opponent. Never lose hope. Just keep fighting!

This book talks about the anti-Christ. And guess where that anti-Christ would come from? From whose seed would that person rise from? Make a guess. If you thought of Hitler, then you are on the right track. From all the conquerors, dictators and villains that have ever lived, I think Hitler is hailed the most vicious, greedy and evil. He killed millions of Jews and more. So, this story's proposition that the next anti-Christ would likely come from his bloodline is not too far out. It's actually the mostly likely possibility. I do agree.

I can't exactly remember if I read this book in one go or I stopped somewhere. All I could remember was how the story held some truth and the likelihood of it really happening. I hope never. That possibility ever becoming a reality is very grim, even if this was set in the US. The likelihood of another dictator and lunatic plotting world domination as his life goals is a very dark future. I hope it doesn't ever come true even if it won't happen in this lifetime. I hope the world would never again know of any dictator or megalomaniac dead set on having the world for his own or for any other self-serving purpose. It's dreadful to just event think of it and this story clearly paints that horrible picture.

But with the way things are happening, especially with my country, it's not going to surprise me if another dictator comes into the open and proclaim his life's mission. At the same time, I'm also hopeful that there will be brave men and women, just like in this story, who will resist and find ways to outwit the Goliath and foil his grand plans. There will always be people who will risk their lives to expose the conspiracies and evil plans just to save many more. My country is a land of heroes, from Lapulapu to Dagohoy to Bonifacio to modern nameless Filipinos who are fighting for justice and equality every day. This little and may be insignificant country to some, will never run out of fearless men and women who will risk everything to keep our freedom and sovereignty. Even if we are beset by countless problems from all directions, our faith, our hope even in the hopeless will continue to give us the strength of character to fight. Don't ever underestimate your enemy. Remember, the littlest ants sting the most.

So, again, this story painting the possibility of an anti-Christ is not far from reality. It's very believable. Harrison paints a dystopian America in this book but also very remarkable and very brave characters who will also stop at nothing to keep this new anti-Christ's plan from ever coming true. This is a very engaging story which will make you fear the worst but also hopeful because there are people who will save the day. And like most stories, the good always wins. No matter how battered and wounded, the hero will keep rising to his feet. He will fight to his last breath. This story also illustrates that no matter how formidable the enemy could be, but if all people, no matter how common or lowly, if they band together and stand up for one common goal, then the possibility of defeating the enemy is not impossible. There is always strength in numbers. And when more than two heads are working, then better and bright ideas are likely to come out.

I give this book 3.5/5 phoenix. The two main characters here - Jacob and Arianna represent real people. Jacob, who's too close to Martin Voors refuses to believe that he could be the evil incarnate hiding behind a very charismatic persona. Arianna, a fearless reporter who survived a rape and still, she never let that deter her from getting to the truth. These two characters made the story hopeful and I root for them. Sometimes, beating the enemy also requires beating him at his own game, breaking the rules and sometimes even a gentle persuasion or blackmail would do. Desperate situations call for even desperate and crazy measures.

I cannot consider myself a true Christian. I have done too many things that cannot be forgiven even by Christ, but I sympathize with them.
- J.M. Harrison, Chronicles of the Anti-Christ -

Thank you again, J.M. Harrison for the paperback copy. Sorry, it took 48 years to post this review.… (meer)

When I saw the title “Chronicles of the Anti - Christ” I thought this book might be too sinister to read and then I read the prologue and threw caution to the wind as I wondered what the final piece of the puzzle would be.

Harrison begins this thrilling tale in 1945 Berlin and immediately we are in a state of shock and suspense.

Kunst Hauptman is a prideful German with a heavy German accent. He is taken to a location and moved into a room and sitting there is Joseph Goebbels. Hauptman salutes him by extending his right arm from the neck into the air with a straightened hand. Joseph salutes back. Heil Hitler is exchanged.

Hauptman is then asked to carry out a special mission for Germany and he is warned it could be suicide. Placed into his hand is an envelope containing The Messiah Project.

Thereafter, Hauptman boards a train and travels to the Spanish Coast to Costa Del Sol for an arranged meeting with a person who goes by the name M.

Hauptman waits almost 2 weeks with the satchel which holds contents which could save the Reich, during this time he learns the distressing news that Adolf Hitler is dead and Germany surrenders.

Eventually, Hauptman meets up with M.

Going forward, Jacob Black had been a senior aide to Governor Martin Voors and a member of the secret society, which basically owns the police. Jacob teams up with the reporter, Arianna Newton who has been investigating the secret society and we see a mounting trust issue between these two.

In the midst of the tale, we learn of implanted devices, cybersecurity, government raids, and suspicious deaths.

The suspense grows throughout this past-present tense political thriller that has biblical verses mixed in and one constantly wonders what will happen next.

I found the history and story characterization intriguing and the dialogue and descriptions work well. It's been raining much of the day and this is one great rainy day read.

I received this book through the generosity of the author.… (meer)