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7 ratings | 3 reviews | avg rating:4.29

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Michael T. Lester

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Genre

History, Nonfiction

Member Since

January 2022

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Michael Lester is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat pilot and cybersecurity executive. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School, he has served across Asia and the Middle East, gaining a firsthand view of U.S. foreign policy in action. After his military career, he rose to senior leadership roles in the technology and security sectors and now teaches graduate-level cybersecurity as an adjunct professor. A member of MENSA with degrees in history, engineering, and leadership, Lester brings both rigor and lived experience to his unflinching examination of American power.

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Michael T. Lester’s books

Average rating: 4.01 · 150 ratings · 26 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power

4.01 avg rating — 150 ratings — 4 editions

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Michael T. Lester's Blog

Giveaway follow-up

If you received 𝑾𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒅 𝑮𝒖𝒚𝒔 through the Goodreads Giveaway, thank you for taking the time to read it.

For independent books, reviews are not cosmetic. They determine whether the book is even surfaced to other readers.

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Published on January 16, 2026 05:00

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Michael is Currently Reading

Michael T. Lester is currently reading

Gaza's Gravediggers: An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places

by Norman G. Finkelstein

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Sep 18, 2026 03:59PM

Michael T. Lester is currently reading

The Truth About Camp David: The Untold Story About the Collapse of the Middle East Peace Process (Nation Books)

by Clayton E. Swisher

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Apr 07, 2026 09:18PM

Michael T. Lester is currently reading

Betrayal of Command: My Marine Corps Journey (Afghanistan 2001-2004) through War, Betrayal and the High Cost of Failed Military Leadership

by Asad Khan (Goodreads Author)

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Jan 01, 2026 01:36PM

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Michael’s Recent Updates

Michael T. Lester is currently reading Gaza's Gravediggers: An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places by Norman G. Finkelstein	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 18, 2026 03:59PM · like
Michael T. Lester finished reading The Day Childhood Died: A True Story of an Afghan Boy's Losses, Love, and the Will to Survive by Sajjad Noor (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 01, 2026 07:20AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Day Childhood Died by Sajjad Noor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Day Childhood Died by Sajjad Noor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael T. Lester is currently reading The Day Childhood Died: A True Story of an Afghan Boy's Losses, Love, and the Will to Survive by Sajjad Noor (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 31, 2026 04:22AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Day Childhood Died by Sajjad Noor. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Day Childhood Died by Sajjad Noor <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael T. Lester is currently reading The Truth About Camp David: The Untold Story About the Collapse of the Middle East Peace Process (Nation Books) by Clayton E. Swisher	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 07, 2026 09:19PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Truth About Camp David by Clayton E. Swisher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Truth About Camp David by Clayton E. Swisher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael T. Lester made a comment on William Morris’s review of We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power " Thank you, William. I'm glad you enjoyed it! ...more "
Mar 07, 2026 05:42AM · see review
Michael T. Lester made a comment on Jeff’s review of We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power " I always went with "Those who cannot remember history are condemned to repeat it." Sometimes it's almost like a feeling of deja vous. ...more "
Feb 28, 2026 09:08AM · see review
Michael T. Lester made a comment on Elliot Chassey’s review of We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power " Thank you, Elliot! I'm glad you found it useful and informative. I had a backlog on books that is currently getting cleared out. If you don't have you ...more "
Feb 28, 2026 09:06AM · see review
Michael T. Lester made a comment on Matt Boardman’s review of We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power " Hi Matt, I appreciate you taking the time to write such a thoughtful review, and I’m glad the book resonated with you. My goal was exactly what you des ...more "
Feb 28, 2026 09:04AM · see review
Michael T. Lester made a comment on Darren Bourn’s review of We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power " Thanks for the long review, Darren. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and depth you put into it! "
Feb 28, 2026 08:30AM · see review
Michael T. Lester is now following Kaseadillla's reviews
Jan 16, 2026 05:28AM · like

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Quotes by Michael T. Lester (?)

“The "thin blue line" narrative of officers standing between civilization and chaos simply doesnt match the statistical reality of police work.”
― Michael T. Lester, We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power

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“International Reality check Freedom of Speech? A study in 2025 concluded that the United States ranked 9th in personal freedom of speech with Norway and Denmark taking the number 1 and 2 positions.[7]”
― Michael T. Lester, We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power

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“Americans live inside carefully constructed bubbles of manufactured reality that obscure how information and power operate in our society. The Information Bubble ensures citizens receive carefully constructed narratives rather than factual analysis.”
― Michael T. Lester, We Are The Bad Guys: The Global Cost of American Power

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