Five by Five—Showing the power of love and unity

By Max Bowen 

In her debut book, “R.A.T.S: Revolutionary Army of Teens, We Are One,” Claudia Daher shares a genuine desire to “lift the spirit instead of bringing it down.”

The book follows a diverse group of teenagers who discover they are Earth’s last line of defense against an alien race determined to steal Earth’s water. Secretly training in a high stakes alternate reality game called R.A.T.S, David and his allies work to hone their skills to fight real-world ecological and extraterrestrial threats. 

In this Five by Five, Claudia shares the book’s origin, introduces us to the diverse cast, and shares her message for readers.


I really like the story. Where did the idea come from and how did you develop it?
The idea came to me in 2012, when my children were still teenagers. I felt a deep concern for the new generation — so many young people were losing touch with family values, social awareness and even with the beauty of our planet. Technology was advancing quickly, but human connection seemed to be fading.

I would turn on the TV and see nothing but violence, low language, families fighting, promiscuity, and stories about drugs and crime. And I thought, “What kind of world are our children growing up in?” That question stayed in my heart. I wanted to write something completely different — a story with no negativity, no bad language, no darkness — something that could lift the spirit instead of bringing it down.

So, little by little, I began. It all started with a simple desire: to imagine a better world for all our children — a world where love, respect, and unity could still shine. From that dream, R.A.T.S: Revolutionary Army of Teens, We Are One was born.

Who are the group of teens?
The R.A.T.S are a group of extraordinary teens between the ages of 15 and 18, coming from very different parts of the world — Aruba, the United States, India, Dubai, Israel and beyond. Each of them has a unique background, nationality and faith—yet when humanity becomes threatened and the world begins to fall into an apocalyptic state, they are mysteriously brought together through what they believe is just a virtual game.

But this “game” is much more — it is actually a secret training program designed to prepare them to pilot real spacecrafts and defend the planet. They are led by David, a young man with a noble and pure heart. He doesn’t follow trends or social pressure; he is authentic, charismatic, and just — a true leader of light.

Each teen has a mother, a father, a grandmother, a grandfather, an aunt, an uncle, or a tutor — because, in the end, no matter our religion, nationality or social class, families are always part of the story. Our children and teenagers are the light of the world. Without them, life would simply have no color, no joy and no purpose.

When the teens finally realize that the game was real, they choose to rise together. Despite their differences in culture, religion, and social status, they unite with courage and purpose to protect Earth and restore hope to humanity. They discover that helping one another doesn’t diminish our own light — like a candle lighting another, we don’t lose our flame by sharing it; on the contrary, the light grows stronger, and together, we make the world brighter. 

What kind of worldbuilding did you have to do?
I created a world that reflects the one we live in — a planet in crisis, where values, compassion and family ties are fading. The young generation is growing up witnessing wars, sadness, and hunger, while the sense of unity and purpose seems to be slipping away.

In this story, the teens are our future. Through them, I wanted to show that there is still hope — that even in the darkest times, love, forgiveness, and faith can rebuild what has been lost. The book became a way to bring these essential topics back into the conversation: family, mutual respect, and emotional connection.

After all, we live in two worlds — our inner world and our social world. If we are not strong, peaceful, and loved within, it becomes difficult to make the right choices outside. The story reflects this balance — that healing the world begins with healing ourselves.

As a debut writer, what led you to write a book in the first place?
Writing this book was not just an artistic project — it was a calling of the soul. For many years, I have been involved in community work, supporting families, immigrants and humanitarian causes. I have seen how much the world needs messages of kindness, understanding and purpose.

I wanted to create a story free from negativity — no drugs, no violence, no vulgarity — something that schools, parents, and young readers could embrace with pride. R.A.T.S was my way of offering light, of reminding people that goodness and faith are not outdated — they are essential. It was time to give this generation a story that shows that love and unity are still the most powerful forces on Earth.

Is there a message for the readers?
Yes. The message is simple but powerful: We are one. We belong to the same world, and we are responsible for one another. Even a small act of goodness can change everything. Faith, love, and respect can rebuild the future — and it all begins within each of us.

I truly believe that together we can still change our destiny for the better and create a brighter world. We are all tired of bad news — it is time for good news, for peace and for health. This book is an invitation to believe again — to believe in goodness, in light, and in the beauty of a world where we care for each other.

Because if God is One, then We Are One.

Five by Five—A hollow life finds new meaning

By Max Bowen

What would you do to escape a hollow, go-nowhere life?

For Cole, the protagonist in T.J. Derry’s book, “Carried Away,” that means heading to the Indonesian islands, chasing silence, clarity, and something real. There, he reconnects with old friends and sparks a relationship with someone who sees through his detachment. But after a catastrophic tsunami, the laid-back surf trip quickly turns into a violent fight for survival.

In this Five by Five, T.J. introduces us to Cole and where his life is (and isn’t) and what awaits in the Indonesian islands. He talks about what inspired the story and his support of the Sungai Watch through the proceeds of book sales.

Let’s begin with Cole. Who is he, and why does he make this move?
Cole wants what everybody wants—to wake up next to the love of his life, hear the songbirds outside, and look in the mirror and feel like his life means something. But instead, he’s caught in the rot of modern adulthood: working a hollow job, renting a shoebox in a city where lattes cost ten bucks, contributing nothing of substance. And I think a lot of people feel that—like existence has been boiled down to one hedonic pursuit after the next. Now, on the wrong side of 30, his identity as ‘young’ has all but atrophied away.

His hope was that something would snap into place—the career, the girl, the accomplishment that proves there’s some kind of point to it all. And rattling around in his head is the frustration of a generation promised the world—told they’d be something more, someone more. Instead, they’re stuck paying rent, scrolling social media, nursing hangovers and learning that promise was hollow.

To him surf trips are an escape hatch, a way to dodge winter and feel like an individual. But this trip feels different. The Mentawais are the top of the heap—emblematic of the ultimate escape into adventure, maybe even a shot at feeling connected to the world—to other people—to himself. He doesn’t know exactly what he’ll find there, only that the usual escapes aren’t cutting it anymore.

What’s the effect of being in the Indonesian islands?
I guess by the time Cole gets to the Ments, he’s running on fumes. The trip over is long, often harrowing, full of moments where he’s anxious, but also amused by how absurd it all is. He steps off the plane into this completely different world—new air, new language, no familiar anchor—and almost right away he meets Kendal, who, for all he can tell, might be the perfect woman. That’s part of the shock: the place, the people, the timing and the circumstances. It all throws him off balance, in exactly the way he needs.

What follows isn’t just a surf trip; it’s long days in the sun and nights under the stars, reconnecting with nature, camaraderie with old friends, laughter and that connection with Kendal—open in a way he hasn’t seen in years, untouched by the cynicism he’s used to back home. The islands don’t just give him escape; they give him a jolt of life. Heaven at first…

How does Cole handle the tsunami and what comes after?
Well, I wouldn’t say he handles much—a tsunami like this is untameable. At first he doesn’t even know what’s happening. They’re surfing a remote reef when the earthquake hits, so they have no idea anything’s wrong until the ocean starts dragging them out to sea. At first you think it’s just a current, maybe it’ll let up—but it doesn’t. It only builds. And then they see the wave on the horizon. Panic sets in, and from there it unravels into pure chaos—physical and emotional torture as he stares down his own death. It’s hell.

When the waves finally let him go, he’s severely battered, exhausted, barely keeping himself afloat—and then he sees his friends are still alive too. That moment is loaded: relief that he’s not alone, colliding with dread, because they’re together but stranded—no land in sight, no clue which way to go, no help coming. And that’s when survival shifts. It’s not just about him anymore—it’s about holding the others together, whether he’s ready for it or not.

From there it’s endurance. They scrape together debris for a raft, just enough to keep them afloat through the night. Darkness brings its own kind of terror—sharks in the water, nerves unraveling—but they cling to each other and push through. By the time they finally drag themselves onto a small island, they’re in bad shape, but alive. And for Cole, that changes everything: the guy who left New York feeling aimless now knows how lucky he is just to have what he has—a heartbeat.

What inspired the story?
One of the things that inspired it was just wanting to read it. I’ve always been fascinated by natural disasters—forces so powerful that they make you feel small in a way nothing else can. As a kid I remember learning about tsunamis and thinking how wild it would be to see one in real life…of course, that was before I understood they leave bodies and sorrow in their wake.

Years later I was stuck in an airport, scrolling for something to read, and nothing felt right. So I figured—why not write the book I was looking for? Which sounds simple, but it wasn’t. I carried that idea around for a while without writing a single word—until one night, in the middle of a reckless 1 a.m. cab ride through the Nicaraguan jungle, I pulled out my phone to journal. Maybe to calm myself down, maybe just to leave a last note if things went sideways. That entry ended up leading off the second chapter and gave me something to build from.

After that, I leaned on what I knew—traveling, surfing, spearfishing, trying to fold myself into nature—and built a story out of it. That was the start. What came next was messy, grueling, nothing like the romantic notion I’d had at the beginning—but maybe that’s the only way to write a book like this.

I read that you’re donating a portion of the proceeds to Sungai Watch. What is this organization and why do you want to donate to them?
Sungai Watch is this grassroots group in Indonesia, founded by Gary Bencheghib and his siblings. I’d been following them for years on social, inspired by how they grew it from nothing into a team of more than 150 people out there every day—pulling plastic from waterways, building barriers, recycling what they can, and educating local communities. I related to it—I’ve spent plenty of time picking trash off beaches myself, just on a smaller scale. So donating a portion of the proceeds felt obvious. The book’s set in Indonesia, and so much of it is about our fragile relationship with the ocean. If the story is about surviving in the water, Sungai Watch is about making sure the water survives us. And to me, that’s work worth backing.

Ink and Riffs: Epic adventures and honest explorations

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com.

Not Your Type (Music)
Having heard her recent single, “Villain 2.0,” I wanted to check out the rest of the music from singer-songwriter Leanne Galatti, and her latest EP is a great listen. “Not Your Type” brings a seasoned sound, a blend of folk, rock and a bit of pop sounds, with Galatti’s powehouse vocals a solid accompaniment.

The aforementioned single is among the four track in the EP, a realistic look at relationships and being honest about your role and what you did. I really liked this take on the love song and feel it as something different to offer.

One cool aspect is the varied instrumentation, with “Villain 2.0” featuring a great piano track and the opening song “Standoff” giving a kickass saxophone player. Definitely something cool to hear.

Outer Lands (Comic)
What begins as a historical epic unexpectedly turns into a post-apocalyptic thriller. When a young prince living in a seemingly Ancient Grecian world is exiled to a prison isle to keep him from assuming the throne, he unintentionally discovers a massive global conspiracy in this science-fiction fantasy mash-up.

This has been such a great comic, and I can safely say I’ll be reading it again. The story by writer Matthew Arnold kept me hooked and I read the whole thing in a couple of hours. It takes a twist that I did not see coming, and the worldbuilding shows a lot of work and research. The art by Davide Gianfelice is incredibly detailed, and adapts well to both daylight and evening scenes, really bringing the tale to life.

Witness Titanic (Podcast)
I’m a huge fan of the history of the Titanic, having read books and visited museums. Following my visit to the Titanic museum in Cobh, Ireland, I knew I wanted to learn more, and this podcast, hosted by Titanic researcher James Penca, has a lot to offer.

The series takes the form of a formal inquiry, with interviews with Titanic researchers and experts, to reading statements made by the survivors of the sinking. It covers a lot, from what it means to see the ship today, to uncovering the truth about what caused this maritime tragedy in 1912.

Five by Five—The story of a nontraditional traditional relationship

By Max Bowen 

Over 40 years, Marsh Rose and Jack shared a relationship living in separate homes but with a bond that ran deep. When Jack passed from a stroke, Marsh was encouraged to turn a column she was working into a memoir, “A Version of the Truth,” set to be released in October.

Set in the famed Northern California wine country, the book explores themes of feminism, sexuality, identity, love and loss, inviting readers to think about the search for truth and the ways in which we must confront its mystery to find a version we can live with.

In this interview, Marsh talks about how she and Jack met and the nature of their relationship. She talks about the grieving process after Jack passed and how she turned that story into this new memoir.

Let’s begin with how you and Jack met and how the relationship began.
We bonded over DIY projects. Jack was a neighbor when I lived in a decrepit rental in northern California. The landlord was upset about rent control (he deemed it “socialism”), he wouldn’t make repairs and the place was falling apart. Jack was a construction worker and helped keep the place from collapsing around me. We developed a routine of two nights a week together and daily phone calls. Neither of us wanted to get married or live together.

Can you talk more about the unique nature of your relationship?
We had little in common, superficially: no shared upbringing, lifestyle, interests or friends. But we both craved intimacy while also protecting our privacy and independence. This foundation helped me to allow our differences to inform my own life and perspectives over the years.

What was your grieving process, after so many years together?
I relied on two special friends, my journal which always helps anchor me to sanity, and the need to stay grounded so that I could keep working, remain healthy and possibly write about it.

What inspired you to share yours and Jack’s story?
I was working with my mentor, Marion Roach Smith, to develop an essay I hoped to submit to the New York Times’ “Modern Love” column, about helping a partner with health problems in a nontraditional relationship. When I was a few weeks away from finishing the essay, Jack had a stroke and…the ending happened, to my ultimate surprise. Marion and I decided to turn the essay into a full-length memoir. I see it less as a story about the relationship, which is just the vehicle, and more as the discovery that we don’t always get the answers we need.

Any messages that you hope the readers take from it?
These days, especially as AI becomes more and more prevalent in our lives, we’re led to believe we can have all the answers to all our mysteries. We can’t, but we can find a way to live with unanswerable questions. I hope the readers get that message. To abuse the wise words of Mick Jagger, we can’t always get what we want but maybe, in this story, some readers may get something they need.

Five by Five—Magic series focuses on the story of tarot

Susan Wands

By Max Bowen 

Susan Wands’ Arcana Oracle Series was inspired by the story of Pamela Colman Smith, who co-created her tarot deck in 1909, and would go on to become the best-selling deck worldwide. Now three books in, the story is set in Gothic London and has its own system of magic. In this Five by Five, Susan talks about Smith’s story, her own experience in tarot and how she built the series around this.

Let’s begin with who Pamela Colman Smith is and how she inspired the book.
Pamela was born in London to American parents in 1878, and lived in Manchester, Jamaica and New York City, and returned to London at the age of 20 to work at the Lyceum Theatre. Pamela was a child prodigy, a natural artist, storyteller, and published author before the age of 19, and the first artist exhibited by Stieglitz in NYC. Mentored by Bram Stoker, she was introduced to the Golden Dawn, a magician’s group. With member A.E. Waite, she co-created her tarot deck in 1909, which eventually went on to become the best-selling deck in the world.

What is your interest/experience in tarot and how does this factor into the book?
I was a tarot reader for decades, and when I first started researching, Pamela’s name wasn’t even on her tarot deck! For 100 years, it was known as the Rider Waite tarot, not the Waite Smith. But I started researching her before the advent of the internet, so finding out about Pamela’s background required requesting materials through libraries and handwritten letters to museums. I finally tracked down a number of Pamela’s artworks and celebrated Pamela’s name on her tarot deck in 2009, 100 years post-publication of her first deck.

I love the idea of Gothic London as a setting. Have you been to London before? What kind of research did you do need to do?
I lived in several London neighborhoods when my husband was acting on the West End. Since Pamela was first hired by Bram Stoker to work at the Lyceum Theatre, I spent a lot of time there and took the tube to her different residences. Two bookstores, Watkins and the Atlantis, feature heavily in my books, as she was a patron at both shops, and I went there frequently as well as to the British Museum, where she researched tarot cards. I also walked Pamela’s paths from Chelsea to the Lyceum Theatre and across the Thames to last known addresses.

How did you develop the system of magic used in this book?
I studied the Golden Dawn’s degrees of study, Pamela’s group, to understand what kind of magic they practiced and why. The Golden Dawn had two women leaders, Annie Horniman and Florence Farr. Florence developed a secret method of astral projection, outside the auspices of the Golden Dawn, and W.B. Yeats and others were not in favor of her methods of channeling magical resources. The idea that women could belong to a club in the Victorian Era was challenging enough, but that women presidents and leaders insisted on their own formulas for magical practice was a huge inspiration for my series.

What can we expect in the rest of the series?
Each book pairs Pamela with tarot muses. In the first book, “Magician and Fool,” Pamela bases the Magician on the owner of the Lyceum Theatre, Sir Henry Irving, and the Fool on William Terriss, a matinee idol. “High Priestess and Empress” brings in Florence Farr and Dame Ellen Terry, to guide her to own her cards, and the third book, “Emperor and Hierophant,” has Bram Stoker and Ahmed Kamal help her battle ownership for her magic. The next books will follow the 22 card archetypes of the Major Arcana in Pamela’s tarot deck. Next up: Lovers and Chariot!

Five by Five: Writer says ‘not again’ in new book

By Max Bowen

Anna argues with her mom about a school science award. Ben discovers in his seventh decade that he is Jewish. Chester searches for his little sister in a snowstorm. Dixie is pregnant with her second child.

Inspired by the ongoing wave of school shootings in this country, “Shot” by Jude Berman collects 26 fictional short stories of gun violence, each featuring a different person from a different place in the U.S.

In this Five by Five article, Jude talks about the different characters in the collection, how the stories came to her, and the message for the readers.

What inspired this book?
“Shot” was inspired by yet another school shooting. I saw it on the news. I read about it. I wept about it. I was angry about it. Like everyone else, I said “not again.” I also wondered how it is that we don’t know better, that we can’t figure out how to stop this from happening. “Thoughts and prayers” clearly don’t make a difference. So I was inspired to use the power of storytelling as one small way to make a difference.

How did you go about creating the different challenges that each character faces?
“Shot” is a collection of 26 fictional short stories; any resemblance to real-life people is a coincidence. Yet I don’t feel like I created these characters. Rather, they came to me. When I was taking a walk, or just at some random moment during the day, I would feel them sitting on my shoulder, whispering, “Tell my story.” Each story is unique. The specific challenges each one faces are unique as well. So all I did was listen, and then I told the stories.

Is there something that ties these stories together?
All of the stories are tied together by the theme of gun violence. In one way or another, each character faces an incident of gun violence. For most, it comes at a completely unexpected moment. That moment is different in each story, yet the stories are united by the universality of the experience.

Why the decision to organize this in the ABC format?
The first character who came to me told me her name was Anna. The next one was Ben. Then it occurred to me there were stories for every letter of the alphabet, and that that was a good way to illustrate the diversity of people who encounter gun violence. However, it’s not the only way. The 26 characters are all from different US states. They range in age from four to eighty and are diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, profession, and more.

What do you hope readers take from these stories?
Very simple: death by gun violence can happen to anyone. It can happen to your loved ones. It can happen to you. At any moment. Most likely, you won’t see it coming. So, understanding that, what do you want to do about it?

Ink and Riffs: Murders, music and magic

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (comic)
Without a doubt, this has been one of the best comics I’ve read in some time. Here’s the story:

Don’t. Murder. The locals.

This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm decor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.

So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.

This was the original graphic novel debut by writer-artist Patrick Horvath, and I gotta say, he’s off to a hell of a start. The story was dark, tense and kept me guessing until the twist (and twisted) ending. The art reminds me of the books I read as a kid, which really just serves to make the whole thing even more surreally creepy. Read this one and then check out the new sequel series.

Work in Progress (music)
I’ve been a huge fan of the music of gavn! for some time, and this new album, “Work in Progress,” is a great example of his skill with music and vocals. The flow of the seven-track EP is powerful and passionate, from the opening track, “Eventually,” and continues throughout.

“Dead to Me” really stood out to me, with a story of the challenges of moving on from a person that needs to be left behind. I’ve been there a time or three and know firsthand how hard this can be.

The album shifts around a bit, with the more mellow “Shame” that slows things down a bit but maintains that same strength. The vocals are a real high point for me, with an intensity that draws you right in with a shared emotional experience.

This album is a high recommendation from me. You’re going to find yourself immersed in the stories and with this delivery, it’s sure to be a favorite.

Island Eight (Book)
Written by M.Z. Medenciy, “Island Eight” is the first in the Ataraxia Series and from what I have read so far, is one to be watched. Here’s a look at the story:

In a world on the verge of repeating a cataclysmic history, Sophia, an entertainer from the town of Salinas, unknowingly holds the keys to the world’s salvation. Yet, she turns a blind eye to their king’s tyranny to ensure her happiness. But not even the gods can protect her when the eyes of the castle shift directly to Salinas. After narrowly escaping death with the aid of a mysterious man who whisks her away to once forbidden lands, Sophia is unwillingly sucked into the brewing war with which she wanted nothing to do.

One thing that I really liked about the story is that it balances the seriousness with a good dose of humor and personality. There’s plenty of light-hearted moments that break up the tension and M.Z. weaves these different parts together perfectly. The result is a very organic tale with very realistic characters.

I can see that a lot of world-building went into this, not just the different cities, magical beings and legends, but the people themselves. Even if they’re not the main characters, each person has something that makes them unique and keeps the story moving forward. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this book and the series as well.

Five by Five: New book touches on workforce realities

By Max Bowen

Labor organizer and author Yvonne Martinez’s latest book, “Scabmuggers” (She Writes Press, September 16, 2025), is based on true events that occurred during her time at Harvard’s Trade Union Program in the 1990s.

An allegory for the way racism and misogyny have historically divided the labor movement, “Scabmuggers” shows how marginalized workers have to fight for their rights both within their union and without, and explores what it would take for us to unify under a common cause.

In this Five by Five, Martinez talks about the real-life inspiration for Ana, her own experience at the race union, and the challenges of marginalized workers and what they can do


Let’s begin with your time at the Harvard Trade Union and what you experienced there. What was that like?
Exhilarating at first. And it was really, really cold. I’m a working-class nerd woman of color; had to work my way through college and would now at Harvard, mid-career as a labor negotiator/organizer be able to have time to read, study and reflect with other labor leaders about the state of the labor movement. I looked forward to lectures from Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, James Green and others and discussions with labor leaders from all over the world.

Who is Ana and what is her role in the story?
Ana was my classmate, one of six women in a class of 30. She was from Rhode Island and went away on the weekends. She was a secretary for a teacher’s union and her dorm was across the hall from mine. A white woman, she was being stalked by a black classmate. She wouldn’t name names because she didn’t want to get anyone kicked out of the program. A group of us organized to protect her, including some sympathetic men. She played a key role in bringing us together. At the end of the program, she thanked me for teaching her how to fight. I thanked her for teaching me how to win.

What are the challenges facing marginalized workers today?
Less than 10% of the entire US workforce is organized into a union, down from a peak of near 40% during the 40s post-war boom. Each year that number gets smaller. The NLRA, National Labor Relations Act, was set up 90 years ago to protect American workers. However, it specifically excluded agricultural workers and domestic workers; jobs historically held by women and people of color, in a concession to the racist South; yet another legacy of slavery. It is no accident that it is still nearly impossible to organize in the South. The system was set up to protect white males in craft jobs.

How can workers "find a way out of no way"?
They can do what we have always done; find ways to resist and to build community at the same time. That’s what was remarkable about Ana, she, like our Scabmugger foremothers during turn of the century textile strikes used their wits to baffle police, hide weapons and protect one another. Ana kept finding ways to bring us together, with food and the award at our graduation when the white men in an effort to silence us, decided that there would be no class speaker. She was the everywoman worker. Her leadership grew as we fought back during the campaign. In the end she saw to that we had the last word at our graduation when the right-wing racists tried to silence us.

Is there a message you hope readers take from "Scabmuggers"?
I’d say it’s a message of hope. Anything is possible if you organize. What we face is a crisis and an opportunity to rebuild our institutions from the bottom up to reflect the multi-racial base of American workers. “In political life under Apartheid,” Kenny, our South African colleague said at our Harvard graduation, “We had no voice. In the union, we did. The union was the training ground where the disenfranchised learned to fight for democracy.”

In the worst conditions, they built power based on the only thing they had, their labor power. We can too.

Five by Five: Tragedy leads to expose of aviation industry

By Max Bowen 

When Rossana D’Antonio’s brother was killed in the 2008 TACA 390 plane crash, that loss led to a lengthy research effort that incorporated her experience as an engineer and strategic communicator to expose the shortcomings in the aviation industry, captured in her book, “26 Seconds.” 

In this article, Rossana talks about what was learned and her take on the aviation industry, as well as the call to action embedded in the story.


What inspired you to write this book?
“26 Seconds” was borne out of a personal tragedy. Fueled by heartbreak and driven by my expertise in civil infrastructure, I set out on a quest for answers. The loss of my brother in the TACA 390 plane crash wasn’t just personal—it exposed systemic gaps in aviation safety that demand accountability. As an engineer and public advocate, I wrote this book to challenge assumptions, question industry practices, and empower readers to think critically. Part memoir, part exposé—it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a deeply human story. I want people to see how one life lost can lead to broader change.

How did you go about trying to learn what happened?
As an engineer and a strategic communicator, I leveraged every tool in my arsenal to uncover what really happened, not only with TACA 390 but with other parallel aviation accidents here in the US and abroad. I pored over public records, interviewed aviation insiders, analyzed technical reports, and asked the hard questions the industry doesn’t want us to ask. Interestingly, the TACA 390 accident investigation report was never made public which, to me, screamed of a cover up. As if living a true crime story, I managed to get a copy of the report through indirect means which ultimately exposed the smoking gun.

What did you find out?
In my search for the truth, I discovered the crash wasn’t simply a tragic accident—it was the result of systemic failures that were predictable and preventable. My investigation uncovered flawed engineering, regulatory blind spots, and a pattern of corporate avoidance. I discovered an aviation industry that experiences systemic weaknesses, chooses profits over safety, withholds the truth from its customers, and is willing to risk lives to get its planes back up in the sky. “26 Seconds” reveals that what happened to my brother wasn't an outlier event but part of a troubling pattern that affects each one of us as consumers.

What’s your take on the aviation industry? Is it safe?
It depends on how you define “safe.” Statistically, flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation. But beneath the surface, “26 Seconds” reveals cracks in the aviation system. It seems that not a day goes by when the news isn’t reporting on unattended risks, overlooked warnings, and a regulatory system that too often prioritizes profit over prevention. My purpose is to spotlight the human stories, the accountability gaps, and the urgent need for reform. The real question isn’t whether the system is safe—it’s whether those in power are doing enough to keep it that way. That’s my call to action embedded in my book.

What do you hope people take from this book?
“26 Seconds,” at its core, is a challenge to look at deficiencies more deeply, question the status quo, and recognize the power of our voice. I hope readers walk away not just moved by my story but awakened to the vulnerabilities in systems we’ve always trusted. It’s a call to action—for change, for oversight, for justice. I want people to realize that every life lost in a plane crash is more than a statistic but represents a human story. And that story could be theirs. If this book sparks conversations, drives reforms, and empowers others to speak truth to power, then I’ve accomplished my mission.

Five by Five—Take a ‘Chance’ with this legal thriller

Richard Danzig

By Max Bowen

Meet Chance Cormac, a litigator, boxer and lapsed Catholic who confronts hard facts about the law and himself. There’s a lot to learn about Chance and the cases he takes on over the three book series by Richard Danzig, with a fourth to be released next year.

In the newest book in the series, “The Collectors,” Chance is retained by a client who believes that he has been the victim of fraud when he purchased a valuable abstract painting that may be a forgery. Chance soon learns that both the painting and his client, might not be what they seem.

In this interview, Richard talks about the character and the cases he takes on, as well as some big news regarding the series. 

Pre-order the book here: https://tinyurl.com/5zs6upu9  

For those new to the Chance Cormac series, what is this all about?
There are three Chance Cormac legal thriller books; “Facts Are Stubborn Things,” “Punch Line” and “The Collectors.” Chance is a trial attorney who practices out of a brownstone, where he lives, in Brooklyn, New York.

Who is Chance Cormac and how did you create the character?
Chance is a former boxer, lapsed Catholic and zealous advocate for his clients. He represents the best lawyers I have met.

What inspired this newest part of the series?
“The Collectors” is based upon cases involving art fraud in the sale of fine art. It also involves the black market sale of human organs. Recently there have been articles about the removal of transplant organs before a patient has died.

I read that there is a potential TV adaptation. What can you tell us about this?
There is a pilot script for a TV show based upon the Chance Cormac books titled “Brooklyn Law.” It is presently being considered by various producers.

Will there be more books in this series?
Yes. The fourth book in the series, “Against All Odds,” will be published in 2026.

Five by Five—The harsh impacts of phone obsession

By Max Bowen

It’s no surprise that our phone fixation has some dangers associated with it.

Whether it’s ignoring the people around us or spending hours focused on the latest drama, society’s obsession with what’s on our screens can have both emotional and physical impacts and in her new book, “Stuck in our Screens,” Kathleen Allen does a deep dive into those effects.

In this article, Allen talks about what inspired the book, those it applies to, and her takeaways for the readers.

As someone who remembers a time before social media, this book is really appealing. What inspired you to write this?
It began with my own research on adolescent social drama… the kind of interaction characterized by overreaction to something trivial, that gets blown out of proportion and causes a flurry of outrageous behaviors played out in grand fashion over social media. Adolescents who “do drama” are often trying to find themselves and create an identity that fits them. While I thought I would be writing a book about teens, it became clear that there are many adults, influential and powerful ones, who are behaving worse than adolescents and are doing social drama au extraordinaire. For example, recall the June 5, 2025, public X posts between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. It was a perfect example of what I write about in the book, and really a quite terrifying one.

Is this geared more to the current generation, or does it apply to the previous ones?
This is for everyone who spends too much of their life living it through a screen. Everywhere I go, I see people ignoring those who are physically around them while they escape into a screen… couples at dinner, families at a social gathering, students in classrooms. Screens have taken a huge toll on our social communication skills, and hence, on our humanity. Our relationships are falling apart. Our civil society is unhealthy.

What kind of research was done and what were the paths it took you down?
As I mentioned, my research was on adolescent social drama, and I thought that was what the book was going to be about, but in the end, I had to write about adult social drama. I began with my work on teens but then expanded it to research on adult behavior. I am a human developmentalist by training, so the transfer was smooth, but I ended up being very concerned about a society where too many powerful adults are failing to mature beyond the social drama of the teen world. What seems relatively normal for adolescents is not healthy for adults. The world is not a reality TV show, but many people behave as if it is.

How has social media changed our social interactions?
We’ve lost our sense of where to draw the line. In our quest for connections with one another, we put our thoughts on display for consumption by the masses. Yet, the more we live through our screens, the lonelier and more isolated we have become. We tell our online “friends” all kinds of intimate information about ourselves and our families, but hardly look at our neighbors as we pass them on the street because our faces are buried in a screen.

What’s your hope for the impact that this book will have?
I hope my book helps people see that it is time for a social and relational reset. Our needs for human connection are not being met. Our political discourse is hostile. Our fixation on the absurdities that play out on social media are making it harder for us to understand what is real and what is not. We need to get out of the screen and reengage with each other in the real world. My hope is that we could begin an honest conversation about how to restore the humanity that we lose when we live through screens.

Five by Five—Sarah May begins a new life in “She Journeys”

By Max Bowen

In “She Journeys,” (Sept. 9) author Sarah May embarks on a profound journey to reconcile the wounds of her young marriage: infidelity, abuse, and assault. Personal transformation meets adventure, spirituality, and love in this inspirational testament to rebuilding after ruin. Eventually selling everything to live in a van, Sarah is now one half of the Authors on Wheels duo.

In this Five by Five interview, Sarah talks about the choice to publish this decision, the relationship she left behind, and the journey that followed.

What led you to share your story in this way?
I’ve kept a daily journal since I was a teenager, so writing has long been my way of processing, reflecting and making meaning. The desire to write a whole book was approached as an act of self-love to heal more deeply. But writing required me to ask the hardest questions I’ve ever asked myself, to get vulnerable, messy and brave as I came face to face with my own shadows. The process was radically transformative, rage inducing and ultimately, revolutionary.

How were you able to get out of this relationship?
Leaving was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I was only 23, but I thought my life was over. I stayed too long in a marriage that was poison. The longer I stayed, the more I harmed myself. I have so much compassion for that girl who thought that was love. I tolerated betrayal, lies and abuse all culminating in a night that could have ended with one or both of us dead. After that, even though I was devastated, I realized leaving was my only option. I saved my own life when I left that one behind.

What’s your advice for others in your situation?
What I would tell my younger self: I’m so sorry for your pain and heartbreak. To love so much is a sign of your big heart. But darling, love shouldn’t hurt like this, shouldn’t render you hollow from the inside out. Leaving is not betrayal, it’s the first step of honoring yourself. This pain won’t last forever, a life can be rebuilt, often more wonderful than you can imagine. To see the situation with clear eyes you have to stop lying to yourself. If you had a daughter and she was in your position, what would you want for her?

What was your healing journey, and how are you today?
My journey has been long, winding, challenging, and glorious. I buried the trauma and pain for years only to realize it was critical to revisit. There was spirituality, therapy, breath-work, ancestral unpacking, a plant medicine ceremony, a divorce ritual, and finally writing the book. I fell in love again with a man of incredible integrity. Together, we bought a van, sold our belongings, and hit the road. Life has turned out so much more achingly beautiful than that girl who had her heart shattered could have imagined. Every step, every act of reclamation, it was all so, so worth it.

Looking back, do you have a different perspective on what you went through?
Of course, healing does that. It gave me so much more compassion and understanding of why things fell apart the way they did, of my own faults, of my ex’s wounds that drove his behavior. In so many ways we were just children playing adults, thinking we could “fix” one another, be “enough” for one another when we weren’t even enough for ourselves. While what unfolded was traumatic and painful and devastating, ultimately I’ve chosen to make the experience one of my greatest teachers. It made the life that I am living now, a life I absolutely love, all possible.

Ink and Riffs: Daydreams and doomsday scenarios

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

Jadelyn, “Daydream Diaries” (music)
I first heard Los Angeles-based Jadelyn’s music when she released “Throw it Back,” and was immediately hooked. When I came across her recent LP, “Daydream Diaries,” I immediately gave it a listen.

The five tracks cover a lot of ground, from “Throw it Back,” a tribute to the best times of yesterday and “Halfway Out the Door,” which touches on love lost that is made all the more painful for all the memories made.

The album title really encompasses the different tales—a musical journal remembering what came before, the things from the past we sometimes think about when something from the present reminds us.

The sound of the album is a slick pop style that shifts around from song to song. The core sound remains in the same lane, but weaves around with a mellow sound to one song and into a real foot-tapper in the next.

I really enjoyed Jadelyn’s vocals—a skillful, melodic voice that’s easy to enjoy. Looking at her discography, she’s been very active since releasing “Hard” in 2020, and her vocals have an essence of experience and passion for the music.

The Sacrificers (comic)
Imagine a world where the sun, moon, water, and more are all kept going by a pantheon of god-like beings. But these are not meant to be immortal dietitians. No, they’re meant to bond, have children, and die, leaving the next generation to take over.

Now imagine how these beings could throw off the shackles of mortality, and what—or who—it would take to make this happen, and what transpires when one supposed sacrifice says “No.”

That’s the world of “The Sacrificers,” an ongoing series from Image Comics, by New York Times-bestselling writer Rick Remender (LOW, DEADLY CLASS, Uncanny X-Force) and artist Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man, FOUR EYES, Lucifer).

I was immediately drawn into this comic by Fiumara’s engaging artwork. The world he creates is powerfully emotional and diverse in its design. From the different forms of the pantheon that we’re introduced to, to the many races of the world, each page has something new and interesting to offer.

But let’s not forget the imaginative story that Remender has given us. The protagonist Pigeon is broken by the world, but still determined to keep moving to protect those most precious to him. The twists and turns are organic and keep the story moving at a strong pace.

Give this one a read—you won’t be disappointed.

Burn to Shine (audiobook)
The latest chapter in the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry continues in his unique nail-biter of a writing style. I’ve been a fan since the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the new release. Here’s a look at the story that awaits:

A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.

Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.

Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.

I opted for the audiobook, though the physical book was also purchased, because Ray Porter is an absolute legend in the world of voice acting. He captures the complex emotions of the story, from the more lighthearted moments to when all seems lost and the darkness is closing in.

One things I’ve loved about Porter’s work is how he does the different voices, which range in tone, race, and gender. He does it all well and it’s clear he spends a lot of time crafting the real-life sound of each character. Check out the entire series, it’s an amazing listen.