Michael Johnston
@threecs.bsky.social
Political Independent; former Foundation CEO; democracy defender, grandfather; cancer survivor; dog lover and book reader. Curiosity, compassion, and courage are my bywords, hope is my calling card.
“Trying times are not the times to stop trying.” Ray Owen
February 16, 2026 at 11:43 PM
“Trying times are not the times to stop trying.” Ray Owen
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Ralph Waldo Emerson
February 8, 2026 at 12:44 AM
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Ralph Waldo Emerson
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A prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy that explores how President Snow became the villain. Not as compelling as the trilogy, but an interesting read.
A prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy that explores how President Snow became the villain. Not as compelling as the trilogy, but an interesting read.
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February 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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A prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy that explores how President Snow became the villain. Not as compelling as the trilogy, but an interesting read.
A prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy that explores how President Snow became the villain. Not as compelling as the trilogy, but an interesting read.
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A complex, very personal telling of the history of the State of Israel. Not pure history, but an interesting read.
A complex, very personal telling of the history of the State of Israel. Not pure history, but an interesting read.
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February 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM
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A complex, very personal telling of the history of the State of Israel. Not pure history, but an interesting read.
A complex, very personal telling of the history of the State of Israel. Not pure history, but an interesting read.
I’ve met a lot of these kinds of friends in the last four years. It has been a deep blessing.
February 6, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I’ve met a lot of these kinds of friends in the last four years. It has been a deep blessing.
“The way to move out of judgement is to move into gratitude.” Neale Donald Walsh
February 5, 2026 at 11:41 PM
“The way to move out of judgement is to move into gratitude.” Neale Donald Walsh
"We are here to make a difference, a day at a time, an act at a time, for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice and compassion." Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
February 4, 2026 at 1:19 AM
"We are here to make a difference, a day at a time, an act at a time, for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice and compassion." Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
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An odd, but lighthearted look at the science of the afterlife. The book dragged at times, but Roach’s humor never fails.
An odd, but lighthearted look at the science of the afterlife. The book dragged at times, but Roach’s humor never fails.
Michael Johnston's review of Spook
3/5: Mary Roach is a science writer, but also one of the funniest people I've ever read. She tends to write about strange and uncomfortable things (e.g. The physiology of dead bodies), but does so wit...
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January 31, 2026 at 9:54 PM
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An odd, but lighthearted look at the science of the afterlife. The book dragged at times, but Roach’s humor never fails.
An odd, but lighthearted look at the science of the afterlife. The book dragged at times, but Roach’s humor never fails.
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An excellent, tense courtroom drama filled with ethical complexity and fascinating characters. The 2nd book in The great Lincoln Lawyer series.
An excellent, tense courtroom drama filled with ethical complexity and fascinating characters. The 2nd book in The great Lincoln Lawyer series.
Michael Johnston's review of The Brass Verdict (The Lincoln Lawyer, #2; Harry Bosch Universe, #19)
4/5: As The Brass Verdict opens, Mickey Haller, an unorthodox, but brilliant criminal defense attorney is planning his return from a self-imposed one-year sabbatical. The year off gave him time to wre...
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January 31, 2026 at 9:22 PM
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An excellent, tense courtroom drama filled with ethical complexity and fascinating characters. The 2nd book in The great Lincoln Lawyer series.
An excellent, tense courtroom drama filled with ethical complexity and fascinating characters. The 2nd book in The great Lincoln Lawyer series.
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A fascinating spy story involving retired spies and revenge for a long-ago op gone bad. A Thursday Murder Club for spies and a fun start to a new series.
A fascinating spy story involving retired spies and revenge for a long-ago op gone bad. A Thursday Murder Club for spies and a fun start to a new series.
Michael Johnston's review of The Spy Coast (The Martini Club, #1)
3/5: Maggie Bird retired as a CIA operative 16 years ago after tragedy and an operation gone bad. Looking for peace and quiet, she finds a group of fellow retired spies who have found a home in Purity...
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January 25, 2026 at 4:15 PM
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A fascinating spy story involving retired spies and revenge for a long-ago op gone bad. A Thursday Murder Club for spies and a fun start to a new series.
A fascinating spy story involving retired spies and revenge for a long-ago op gone bad. A Thursday Murder Club for spies and a fun start to a new series.
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4 1/2 stars for this extraordinary, revelatory biography of the making of one of the great albums of a generation - Born to Run. There were at least two “wow” moments for me. An exceptional read.
4 1/2 stars for this extraordinary, revelatory biography of the making of one of the great albums of a generation - Born to Run. There were at least two “wow” moments for me. An exceptional read.
Michael Johnston's review of Tonight in Jungleland
4/5: For Bruce Springsteen fans, Tonight in Jungleland is an extraordinary fan journey into the heart of making the Born to Run album. Even for non-fans, it’s an exceptional look into the making of ar...
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January 21, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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4 1/2 stars for this extraordinary, revelatory biography of the making of one of the great albums of a generation - Born to Run. There were at least two “wow” moments for me. An exceptional read.
4 1/2 stars for this extraordinary, revelatory biography of the making of one of the great albums of a generation - Born to Run. There were at least two “wow” moments for me. An exceptional read.
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Another great Lt. Eve Dallas crime thriller, this time with a fascinating Agatha Christie-like murder mystery. Scintillating and thrilling with a classic reveal at the scene of the crime. Great read.
Another great Lt. Eve Dallas crime thriller, this time with a fascinating Agatha Christie-like murder mystery. Scintillating and thrilling with a classic reveal at the scene of the crime. Great read.
Michael Johnston's review of Witness in Death (In Death, #10)
4/5: It’s easy for any author to fall into a pattern when writing a long series starring one primary character and sometimes that pattern takes a toll on the quality of the stories. While I’m only on ...
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January 20, 2026 at 8:14 PM
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Another great Lt. Eve Dallas crime thriller, this time with a fascinating Agatha Christie-like murder mystery. Scintillating and thrilling with a classic reveal at the scene of the crime. Great read.
Another great Lt. Eve Dallas crime thriller, this time with a fascinating Agatha Christie-like murder mystery. Scintillating and thrilling with a classic reveal at the scene of the crime. Great read.
"There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies." Martin Luther King Jr.
January 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
"There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies." Martin Luther King Jr.
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A classic novella of gothic horror, the story introduced to modern literature the concept of the duality of human consciousness (good and evil in one person).
A classic novella of gothic horror, the story introduced to modern literature the concept of the duality of human consciousness (good and evil in one person).
Michael Johnston's review of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
3/5: Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic horror novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is an allegorical tale of the duality of human nature and to some extent the dangers of scientific experim...
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January 14, 2026 at 9:12 PM
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A classic novella of gothic horror, the story introduced to modern literature the concept of the duality of human consciousness (good and evil in one person).
A classic novella of gothic horror, the story introduced to modern literature the concept of the duality of human consciousness (good and evil in one person).
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A brilliant and concise analysis of one key sentence in the Declaration of Independence, what it meant to the nation’s founders and what it means to our modern day democracy. Five stars.
A brilliant and concise analysis of one key sentence in the Declaration of Independence, what it meant to the nation’s founders and what it means to our modern day democracy. Five stars.
Michael Johnston's review of The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
5/5: The second sentence of the Declaration of Independence the founders wrote “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with cer...
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January 12, 2026 at 5:16 PM
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A brilliant and concise analysis of one key sentence in the Declaration of Independence, what it meant to the nation’s founders and what it means to our modern day democracy. Five stars.
A brilliant and concise analysis of one key sentence in the Declaration of Independence, what it meant to the nation’s founders and what it means to our modern day democracy. Five stars.
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For the first time in the series, Lt. Eve Dallas is faced not with an individual murder, but a fanatical terrorist group bent on anarchy, destruction, and mass murder. A fantastic and enthralling thriller.
For the first time in the series, Lt. Eve Dallas is faced not with an individual murder, but a fanatical terrorist group bent on anarchy, destruction, and mass murder. A fantastic and enthralling thriller.
Michael Johnston's review of Loyalty in Death (In Death, #9)
4/5: As Loyalty in Death begins, Lt. Eve Dallas and her trusty aid Officer Delia Peabody are called to the home of the wealthy Co-Owner and President of Branson’s Toys and Tools. On site, J. Clarence ...
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January 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
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For the first time in the series, Lt. Eve Dallas is faced not with an individual murder, but a fanatical terrorist group bent on anarchy, destruction, and mass murder. A fantastic and enthralling thriller.
For the first time in the series, Lt. Eve Dallas is faced not with an individual murder, but a fanatical terrorist group bent on anarchy, destruction, and mass murder. A fantastic and enthralling thriller.
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3 1/2 stars for this fascinating look at what life is and the key chemical and biological processes that define life as we know it.
3 1/2 stars for this fascinating look at what life is and the key chemical and biological processes that define life as we know it.
Michael Johnston's review of What Is Life?
3/5: Paul Nurse, a Nobel Prize Winning geneticist, has taken on a task both simple and exceptionally complex. He seeks to define life – something that scientists, philosophers, and poets have been deb...
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January 9, 2026 at 8:27 PM
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3 1/2 stars for this fascinating look at what life is and the key chemical and biological processes that define life as we know it.
3 1/2 stars for this fascinating look at what life is and the key chemical and biological processes that define life as we know it.
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A collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. A mixed bag at best. Four solid stories starring classic Christie detectives, several others which don’t fit in the collection. A weak 3 stars.
A collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. A mixed bag at best. Four solid stories starring classic Christie detectives, several others which don’t fit in the collection. A weak 3 stars.
Michael Johnston's review of Double Sin (The Hercule Poirot Mysteries Book 38)
3/5: Double Sin is a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie of mixed quality. There are two classic (although brief) stories centered on Hercule Poirot and two more starring Miss Marple along ...
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January 8, 2026 at 9:48 PM
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A collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. A mixed bag at best. Four solid stories starring classic Christie detectives, several others which don’t fit in the collection. A weak 3 stars.
A collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. A mixed bag at best. Four solid stories starring classic Christie detectives, several others which don’t fit in the collection. A weak 3 stars.
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A fun and entertaining mystery/spy thriller with a holiday theme. Part of a series of Christmas mysteries from author Anne Perry.
A fun and entertaining mystery/spy thriller with a holiday theme. Part of a series of Christmas mysteries from author Anne Perry.
Michael Johnston's review of A Christmas Gathering
3/5: Every year during the holiday season I’ve had a tradition of picking up one of Anne Perry’s Christmas series novels. The books are typically set in different times and with different characters, ...
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January 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
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A fun and entertaining mystery/spy thriller with a holiday theme. Part of a series of Christmas mysteries from author Anne Perry.
A fun and entertaining mystery/spy thriller with a holiday theme. Part of a series of Christmas mysteries from author Anne Perry.
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3 1/2 stars for this classic novella of science fiction and social commentary.
3 1/2 stars for this classic novella of science fiction and social commentary.
Michael Johnston's review of The Time Machine
3/5: H. G. Wells classic The Time Machine is most often thought of as a work of science fiction. In fact, Wells is credited with creating the concept of a time machine that is now widely used in specu...
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January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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3 1/2 stars for this classic novella of science fiction and social commentary.
3 1/2 stars for this classic novella of science fiction and social commentary.
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A powerful book of life lessons from the clients of an “end of life doula” (a companion for the terminally ill). The stories are often sad, but remind us how precious life is. A great read, but may not be best for those currently grieving. Four stars.
A powerful book of life lessons from the clients of an “end of life doula” (a companion for the terminally ill). The stories are often sad, but remind us how precious life is. A great read, but may not be best for those currently grieving. Four stars.
Michael Johnston's review of What Matters Most
4/5: Author Diane Button is an “end of life Doula”. In essence, someone who provides companionship and emotional and spiritual support to individuals who are dying. It is complex and difficult work (I...
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January 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
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A powerful book of life lessons from the clients of an “end of life doula” (a companion for the terminally ill). The stories are often sad, but remind us how precious life is. A great read, but may not be best for those currently grieving. Four stars.
A powerful book of life lessons from the clients of an “end of life doula” (a companion for the terminally ill). The stories are often sad, but remind us how precious life is. A great read, but may not be best for those currently grieving. Four stars.
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A fantastic, fun, and revelatory look at Michael J. Fox’s time working on the hit sitcom Family Ties during the day and filming Back to the Future at night. Learned things about the film and Fox I never knew. Great read, 4 stars.
A fantastic, fun, and revelatory look at Michael J. Fox’s time working on the hit sitcom Family Ties during the day and filming Back to the Future at night. Learned things about the film and Fox I never knew. Great read, 4 stars.
Michael Johnston's review of Future Boy
4/5: In 1984, Michael J. Fox was the unexpected star of a popular sitcom called Family Ties. Although his character wasn’t intended as the lead, his portrayal of the quick-witted, conservative, and ar...
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January 4, 2026 at 5:53 PM
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A fantastic, fun, and revelatory look at Michael J. Fox’s time working on the hit sitcom Family Ties during the day and filming Back to the Future at night. Learned things about the film and Fox I never knew. Great read, 4 stars.
A fantastic, fun, and revelatory look at Michael J. Fox’s time working on the hit sitcom Family Ties during the day and filming Back to the Future at night. Learned things about the film and Fox I never knew. Great read, 4 stars.
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3 1/2 stars for this intriguing time travel/science fiction story with a message about censorship and history that is particularly relevant for today. Worth the read.
3 1/2 stars for this intriguing time travel/science fiction story with a message about censorship and history that is particularly relevant for today. Worth the read.
Michael Johnston's review of The Book of Lost Hours
3/5: In 1938 Nuremberg Lisavet Levy’s life is upended when the Nazis come after her clockmaker father on Kristallnacht. To protect Lisavet, her father opens a portal to a magical library in “time spac...
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January 4, 2026 at 5:09 PM
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3 1/2 stars for this intriguing time travel/science fiction story with a message about censorship and history that is particularly relevant for today. Worth the read.
3 1/2 stars for this intriguing time travel/science fiction story with a message about censorship and history that is particularly relevant for today. Worth the read.