In the critically acclaimed page-turner, "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free," the author thrusts readers into the intricate world of Martin, a charismatic politician who champions a pro-life agenda while grappling with a private struggle that threatens to unravel his carefully crafted campaign. As Martin publicly advocates for the sanctity of life, he finds himself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions when his wife, a victim of sexual assault, becomes pregnant. Caught between his political convictions and personal turmoil, Martin must confront the darkest corners of his soul when he demands that his wife end the pregnancy. As the relentless pressure of his public image builds and veiled lies unravel, "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free" pulls readers into the intricate dynamics of family, love, and personal identity in the face of racism and mental health challenges. "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free" delves deep into the complexities of morality and resilience, challenging readers to confront their perceptions of truth and deception in a world where the line between the two is blurred. Carlos Wallace's contribution to literature deserves high praise for its insightful exploration of the human condition and its potential to impact readers in a profound and transformative manner. - Dr. Cherry Sawyerr, Psy.D (Prairie View A&M University) Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free? Carlos Wallace, Liz Faublas-Wallace Million Dollar Pen, Ink. (2024) ISBN: 979-8988903369 Reviewed by Justin Gaynor for Reader Views (08/2024) 4*- A Complex Life Laid Bare The first thing I noticed when I picked up Carlos Wallace's "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free" was how beautiful it was to look at. The mix of photos, drawings, and short chapters, highlighting various fonts according to importance, was not like anything I'd seen before. The story seems to be a memoir, at first, but we learn the narrator's name is Marty Ruane and he is a white man from Paducah, Kentucky. (The author is from Texas.) The book lays bare the struggles he has with his family legacy as well as those of his wife, a Black woman from Chicago named Alicen. The physical layout of the book, in addition to being pleasing to the eye, actually enhances the reading experience. The chapters are short and easily digested. There are significant jumps in time from chapter to chapter, but the illustrations and photos help us fill in the blanks. Variations in font size and heaviness point out the most important points to carry into the next chapter, and each chapter heading contains an appropriate quote from a well-known thinker. The total effect is epigrammatic - the story can almost be understood as a series of photographs, leaving the reader to puzzle out the relationship between them and fill in the missing pieces. For me, the approach lent the text an emotional punch that standard text cannot match. I didn't just read about betrayal; I felt it deep in my guts. The sweet feeling of falling in love is equally well presented, and fear, confusion, and contentment are handled just as effectively. Marty and Alicen met in a psychology class, and I laughed out loud when one of this author's earlier books was slyly mentioned as an indispensable psychology text! On a more serious note, both inside the classroom and beyond it, they learn the importance of truth - the entire truth. While they are studying it theoretically in class, being a mixed-race couple on a Southern university campus brings the lessons up front and center in their lives. It wouldn't be much of a story without conflict, and there's plenty of them here - conflicts between parents and children, husband and wife, brother, sister, half-siblings... There aren't many heroes and villains here simply people with different goals. In some ways, coming into conflict with those you love and respect is more painful than having enemies. "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster...for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." --Friedrich Nietszche. Both main characters want nothing more than to break the cycle of violence and hatred that they grew up with, but it's easier said than done, especially when deep, life-changing secrets are being thrown at the two of them in chapter after chapter. Carlos Wallace's "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free?" is a great book for the more adventurous and open-minded reader. "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." --Lyndon B. Johnson In writing "Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free," I knew I was venturing into controversial territory. Delving into topics that often spark heated debates and challenge societal norms, I embraced the opportunity to push boundaries and provoke thought. From the outset, I understood the potential for backlash. Yet, I believe that true progress arises from uncomfortable conversations. By daring to confront issues l