Blog
THE MAPMAKER, coming in July
Happy New Year! Here’s a preview of my new World War II novel THE MAPMAKER, coming your way this summer: Resistance operative Charlotte Denneau has critical targeting information for the Allies, and the Gestapo knows it. On the run across occupied France, she must prioritize her mission over the lives of the agents and civilians…
Read MoreInterview with American Warrior Radio
Honored to share some thoughts with American Warrior Radio on military life and my new World War II novel RED BURNING SKY. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Ben about Operation Halyard, the inspiration for the novel. Halyard is the greatest military rescue you’ve never heard of. Here’s a link to the podcast.
Read MoreNew Podcast Interview
Very honored to speak with Jason Piccolo about my upcoming World War II novel RED BURNING SKY. The book’s inspired by the greatest military rescue you’ve never heard of. Jason does a great podcast series about “those who run toward danger.” Click here to listen.
Read MoreIMAGINING IRAQ: Stories
“An intelligent, moving collection that honors both those who serve and those left behind at home.” I had the honor of reviewing IMAGINING IRAQ, a collection of stories by Barbara Mujica. Barbara is the mother of a Marine officer, and she’s a professor emerita of Spanish Literature at Georgetown University. Click here for the full…
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 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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