Bøger af Ann Bridges

ANN BRIDGES exposes the Achilles' Heel of the 21st century-a lifestyle and national security wholly reliant on China's willingness to process and manufacture critical rare earth metals for Silicon Valley's breakthrough technologies. (Also available in special edition set: "The Silicon Valley Novel Series" in both softcover and collectible hardcover.)The sequel to her acclaimed debut novel, Private Offerings, Rare Mettle is based on exhaustive research and insider disclosures about this obscure issue, with the power to undermine suddenly America's military readiness and economic might.When China threatens to withhold critical rare earth metals from U.S. defense contractors and high-tech firms, American military veteran and staunch patriot Paul Freeman refuses to give up the search for an undercover agent with key intelligence, missing in the bowels of China's bureaucracy. An ominous warning from a retired Pentagon advisor alerts him to exercise unorthodox methods to procure the needed components--or risk America's military power.Treated as a pawn in a global game of chess, the missing agent is entrapped by China's decades-long strategy to exploit rare earth resources for geo-political gain. Paul joins forces with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, cutting-edge technologists, and elected officials to plan a rescue unlike any other against a backdrop of the looming embargo. His team forces him to face past ghosts, current enemies, and future desires, in a courageous hero's journey from Washington D.C. to China, and home to Silicon Valley.

California's government officials clash with unreasonable edicts from Washington DC over the state of its innovative, economic powerhouse headquartered in San Jose. Who will win this war of words? This story and accompanying lesson on critical thinking raises challenging questions about reading and interpreting narratives put forward in the media, by friends, and by final chroniclers of choices. "A devilishly clever tall tale with a surprise ending that will leave you speechless."

Is America in jeopardy?Any day, America could be held hostage over critical minerals used in all advanced technologies due to the decades-long shunning of domestic mining. Groundbreaking! describes the all-too-real consequences of misguided policy decisions and environmental alarmism, and recommends 21st-century solutions to sustainable self-reliance by leveraging the wealth right under our feet.By importing 100% of key minerals from China, Russia, and third world dictatorships, we face an ongoing risk of losing the technology behind everything from smartphones to "green" technology. The recent requirements put into place by our legislators and regulators literally require tons of minerals for batteries and magnets to run electric cars and trucks; to support advancements in medical equipment such as dental drills and MRIs; and to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines for alternative energy sources. Advanced weaponry and defensive equipment for our troops requires critical minerals, too, yet we are reliant on getting that gear from countries who at best could be called allies, and at worst are outright hostile to America's values.Our policies must acknowledge the reality that critical minerals, or more accurately the lack thereof, often play a key role in dictating foreign policy and national security decisions.Planning to adapt before a problem occurs must become a national goal. This means reversing dangerous import trends and exploring for domestic minerals-the two major policy goals explained in this book.With a Foreword by Paul Driessen, Senior Policy Advisor, Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow"EVERYONE in government & industry should endorse this PLAN"ENDORSEMENTS: Groundbreaking! is the culmination of sharp-eyed insight into the decades-long erosion of U.S. mining and the need to reverse this self-imposed economic and national security vulnerability...Mamula and Bridges have woven together myriad threads to give us the startling implications of our failed minerals policies. National Mining AssociationAmerica is sitting on a multi-trillion dollar treasure chest of minerals and valuable resources... Why aren't we benefiting from these riches buried right below our feet?Steve Moore, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Institute for Economic Freedom, The Heritage FoundationMamula and Bridges have succeeded in delivering a very complete narrative of where we are, how we got there, and what to do about fixing it. This book should reside in the library of every national security professional and be used as a major reference work.Dean Popps, Former US Army Acquisition Executive & Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and TechnologyThis was a fascinating read, and compelling... [T]his should serve as a wake-up call to legislators and the general public. Our exposure to seriously restrictive policies by China could be the Sputnik Moment of our generation.John Keating, Venture Advisor, Silicon Valley, Former VP Government Programs & Discoveries Business Unit, Intermolecular, Inc.Groundbreaking! is a book that all Americans who care about our national security should read. It is a call to action to restore our mineral independence. Mamula and Bridges' book is both a readable narrative and a skilled study by two expert authorities on our mineral resources.John Adams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Ret.), President, Guardian Six LLCIf you care about technological vulnerability in an interdependent world-and you should-Groundbreaking needs to be front and center on your bookshelf.Patrick J. Michaels, author of Lukewarming: The New Climate Science that Changes EverythingCongressman Jim Santini (R-NV) and Governor and later President Ronald Reagan knew all this and much, much more but few listened to them back then. Perhaps they will listen today.William Perry Pendley, Esq., President, Mountain States Legal Foundation, Author, Sagebrush Rebel