Tag Archives: politics

A Simple Tale of Soviet Armenia

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

I think this my favorite of my novels. It is not the most elaborate, that would go to “The Unraveling.” Nor is it the best researched, that would go to “Lords of Misrule.” But my novel about Armenia, called “An … Continue reading →

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“Adam and Eve” by the Afghanistan National Institute of Music

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

Five years ago I was involved in a pretty crazy adventure, lending a hand to a diverse group of people which included Juilliard Music School, the Estonian Intelligence Minister, the Portuguese Defense Minister, the Qatari Royal Family, and Yo Yo … Continue reading →

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Mi Épica Sobre La Venezuela Chavista

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

La revolución socialista sudamericana más significativa de nuestros tiempos, es contada desde varios puntos de vista, con humor e intimismo. El peligro de la utopía, cuando se apodera de los corazones y las mentes, termina por incendiarlo todo. Sus personajes … Continue reading →

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The Unraveling — My Dystopian Novel

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Joel D. Hirst

Nobody really reads anymore, the statistics are pretty grim. Pew Research suggested last year 40% of Americans read no book at all, 27% read up to four books and 19% — what Pew called “Heavy Readers” (no irony alas) read … Continue reading →

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The Suicide of Venezuela

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Joel D. Hirst

I never expected to witness the slow suicide of a country, a civilization. I suppose nobody does. Let me tell you, there’s nothing epic about it. We who have the privilege of travel often look down in satisfaction at the … Continue reading →

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