#2307 - Tim Dillon

In 'Hidden War,' Lt. John Nores chronicles his time leading the California Special Operations Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET). The book details the development and effectiveness of the nation's first dedicated wildlife officer special operations units and the ongoing battle against thousands of Mexican drug cartel members who operate illegal marijuana grows on U.S. soil. Nores describes the environmental devastation, the use of banned poisons, and the extreme danger faced by game wardens in this hidden war. The book provides a firsthand account of the struggles and successes of these unsung heroes in protecting America’s wildlands from criminal activities.

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.

The book examines the 1960s music scene in Los Angeles' Laurel Canyon, proposing unconventional theories about its artists' ties to military-intelligence networks. McGowan analyzes the sudden emergence of iconic bands and musicians, suggesting possible covert influences behind the era's cultural revolution.