V2: A Novel of World War II
The new novel V2, by Robert Harris, delves into the moral compromises made by German rocket engineers during World War II. Terrific book. Click here to read my full review in the Washington Independent Review of Books.
Read MoreA Ghost from the Battle of the Atlantic
Diving on World War II shipwrecks off the Outer Banks of North Carolina fired my interest in the Battle of the Atlantic. Years later, the Battle of the Atlantic figured in my novel, Silver Wings, Iron Cross. One of the most fascinating wrecks off the NC coast is the U-352, a German U-boat sunk by the…
Read MoreFolding Fact Into Fiction
My thanks to David Stewart, Eric Dezenhall and Roger Williams for a fine evening of literary discussion on the latest edition of History Author Talks. In case you missed the live show, click here to watch. Our topic: Folding Fact Into Fiction.
Read MoreFact into Fiction: The Historical Novel
Life doesn’t always follow a perfect narrative arc. So, when authors write historical novels, they can’t just make up everything. They have to stay within at least the broad guardrails of history. How do authors thread that needle? I’ll discuss how writers meet that challenge with my friend and fellow author David O. Stewart on…
Read MoreThe Magnificent Rescue
It’s been great to hear from all the folks who’ve enjoyed my World War II novel, Silver Wings, Iron Cross. Just to keep you updated, I’m working on another WWII story, tentatively titled The Magnificent Rescue. And it’s based on a true story. It’s inspired by Operation Halyard, the rescue of more than 500 downed…
Read More“Birds Fly. Men Drink.” The Man Will Never Fly Memorial Society
My novel Silver Wings, Iron Cross sprang from a lifelong interest in World War II. I grew up hearing my grandfather’s stories from his service with the legendary Eighth Air Force. Without a doubt, he provided the primary inspiration that led me to fly in the military and eventually to write this novel. But I…
Read MoreChurchill’s Writings: Essential Background for a WWII novel.
Winston Churchill’s writings became an important part of the background research for my World War II novel, Silver Wings, Iron Cross. I’ve always admired Churchill, so I was honored to get a chance to share some thoughts in an article for the International Churchill Society. Click here to read the full article.
Read MoreDiving Into the Past for a Historical Novel
Twenty-six miles off Morehead City, NC, the dive boat pitched and rolled. I fought seasickness as I pulled on my scuba gear. Everything gets harder when you’re trying not to lose your lunch; even strapping on fins becomes a struggle. I screwed the regulator onto my air tank. Cracked open the valve and watched the…
Read MoreBe Like Bob, Know Your History
One of the smartest guys I ever knew was an old squadron mate. He was an enlisted man, a loadmaster on the C-130 Hercules. He had no formal education beyond high school and his training in the Air Force and Navy. But his hobby was reading history. Every time you saw him, he had a…
Read MoreSilver Wings, Iron Cross
Dear friends and readers, Near the end of World War II, a downed American pilot and a deserting German officer try to survive as the Third Reich collapses around them. That’s the heart of the action in my upcoming novel, Silver Wings, Iron Cross. I grew up hearing my grandfather’s stories of his service with…
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