MSI Press Blog

  At midnight, everything resets—without fanfare, without finality. July 18 arrives bearing borrowed weight: the birthday of John Glenn (1921-2016), first American to circle the earth and US Senator from the great state of Ohio. I remember John Glenn—not in conversation or collaboration, but in presence. He was around NASA when I was there, preparing for his celebrated return to space at age 77. The headlines called it history. The internal atmosphere? Not quite celebratory. The flight, while advertised as an experiment to learn about the effects of space on older people (a worthy topic), it was seen by many as a publicity play. Moreover, it took a rarely available seat from younger astronauts needing experience to rise through the ranks. Glenn had already reached the stars; the rest of them were still climbing. And while his contributions were vast—undeniable—it was hard not to notice the friction. Legacy, it turns out, can be both earned and inconvenient. That year (1998), Ho...

  Every once in a while, a book comes along that isn’t splashed across every headline — but quietly shines with rare insight, lasting impact, and the power to stay with you long after the last page. We call these  book jewels . Each month, we spotlight one remarkable publication—a book that deserves far more attention than it gets. Through short, punchy reviews (each just a 1–2 minute read), we share what makes this month's jewel worth your time. You’ll hear from reviewers whose voices matter — people whose words are thoughtful, sharp, and well worth listening to. In just a few minutes, you might discover more wisdom, beauty, and brilliance than you find in an hour elsewhere. We'll leave it to you to decide — but we think you'll agree: some treasures are too good to keep hidden. This month's book jewel is  Rainstorm of Tomorrow  by Renyuan Dong. Book Description Rainstorm of Tomorrow: The Ever-Flowing Banquet of Philosophy  is a mind-bending journey through the ...

  This month's featured author is Gennaro Anthony (Jerry) Aveta, Jr., pastor and "historian" (though he claims not to be the latter). His book,  When Liberty Enslaves ,  is an inspired eye-opener about issues related to the 2024 Election that parallel those surrounding the 1960 (Civil War era) election and has received four reviews--all stellar, 5 stars--and an award. In the space of six weeks! Bravo, Jerry!  Want to know more about Jerry? Check out his biography:             Born in Philadelphia, PA, Jerry was raised in Flemington, New Jersey.  After parochial grammar and public high school, Jerry graduated from Virginia Military Institute in May 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.              Jerry had a successful career as a Civil servant in the Department of Defense holding various engineering, program management, and ex...

Book description: Posing for a picture at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, a long-eared jackrabbit hop from Mexico and 2,650-some miles from Canada, your stomach churns and your mind reels. The air is dusty. A morning desert wind feels oddly cold. No amount of preparation is sufficient for the starkness of your decision. In this beginning, something has ended. Something practiced and old and broken-in has faded. In its place enters immediacy and relevance and sharp possibility. Plans and spreadsheets become paper prayer flags fluttering in a past mind, useless tributes to linear pretense. You catch yourself thinking that it feels like the first day of school. But there are no teachers, no classmates, no classrooms, no halls, and no walls. There is only one choice that yields results: to turn and to walk, to follow the well-worn trail North. With each step, you lose a little more of the other-world, the un-PCT. All you have is what you need. All you need is what you hav...