I have been fortunate to write and publish three books on America’s service academies: two on the U.S. Naval Academy, and one on the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The two nonfiction books were appealing photographic and narrative presentations of academy life at Navy and West Point. The third, my debut novel happening at the Naval Academy, is an inspiring tale of moral courage and dedication to duty with war and peacetime conflicts. Each book was a rewarding creative project.
A dramatic contemporary story of moral and physical courage, vigilant dedication to duty, selfless character, and the military code of honor happening on three fields of conflict—aboard a U.S. Navy nuclear fast attack submarine… with infantry Marines under fire on a mission in Africa … and at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. We never leave our sailors and Marines behind!
Matterhornis one of the most memorable works of realistic fiction written about The Vietnam War.The author and a Marine infantry officer, decorated for valor during combat several times in duty tours in Vietnam, presents a striking story about the true nature of warfare. The Marines of Bravo Company with whom his protagonist serves present the sheer toil, strength of character, the cost of lost and wounded brothers, unique personalities, moments of weakness and courage, laughter and sadness, brothers-in-arms’ trust, and the will to literally survive until the battle ends and the next one begins. Matterhorn inspired me while I wrote my debut military novel.
Fire Support Base Matterhorn: a fortress carved out of the grey-green mountain jungle. Cold monsoon clouds wreath its mile-high summit, concealing a battery of 105-mm howitzers surrounded by deep bunkers, carefully constructed fields of fire and the 180 marines of Bravo Company. Just three kilometres from Laos and two from North Vietnam, there is no more isolated outpost of America's increasingly desperate war in Vietnam.
Second Lieutenant Waino Mellas, 21 years old and just a few days into his 13-month tour, has barely arrived at Matterhorn before Bravo Company is ordered to abandon their mountain and sent deep in-country in…
In his first-person account of US Marines fighting the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan, Frank Biggio writes a stimulating story of American service members improving the conditions and hopes of the Afghan people. There are skirmishes with Taliban forces, and some brave Marines make the ultimate sacrifice. Yet readers also follow Major Biggio and his brother Marines breaking bread with tribal leaders so each respects the other’s needs and dreams. The author’s personal journey as a retired Marine officer turned civilian lawyer who returns to active duty is a powerful tale. His book influenced my military novel on moral courage and dedication to duty.
At turns poignant, funny, philosophical, and raw—but always real—The Wolves of Helmand is both a heartfelt homage to the Marine brotherhood with whom Biggio served and an expression of respect and love for the people of Afghanistan who ultimately trusted, shared, and appreciated their purpose.
Ten years after serving his country as a U.S. Marine, Captain Frank “Gus” Biggio signed up once again because he missed the brotherhood of the military. Leaving behind his budding law career, his young wife, and newborn son, he was deployed to Helmand Province—the most violent region in war-torn Afghanistan—for reasons few would likely understand…
Nelson DeMille has written one of the finest fictional works about America’s military justice system operating sometimes fairly, sometimes not to address crimes during war. A riveting present-day story where former U.S. Army lieutenant Ben Tyson is charged with allowing soldiers under his command, years ago in Vietnam, to commit alleged murderous atrocities against innocent civilians. The plot’s general court-martial and backstories are compelling. Lieutenant Tyson and his men’s conduct reveal complex decisions made during combat when taking an individual’s life is either justified or it’s cold-blooded murder. DeMille, a decorated Army officer who deployed for combat tours in Vietnam, knows this firsthand. His book inspired my own military novel presenting questions of moral and ethical courage.
Read the gripping story of a Vietnam vet whose secret past threatens his family, career, and honor, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide, and is "a true master" (Dan Brown).
He is a good man, a brilliant corporate executive, an honest, handsome family man admired by men and desired by women. But sixteen years ago Ben Tyson was a lieutenant in Vietnam.
There, in 1968, the men under his command committed a murderous atrocity-and together swore never to tell the world what they had done. Not the press, army…
This book is one of the finest resources presenting the unusual experience of midshipmen life at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. In a conversational, informative, and warmly-written style, AN Shine helps parents and family members to learn—and admire—the military, institutional, cultural, academic, and social traditions their midshipmen follow for four years. The author certainly knows. Her father and also two of her children are Naval Academy graduates. This outstanding book about one of America's historic service academies is a pleasure to read.I had the privilege to work with her as a fellow Naval Academy author.
A USNA Mom's Journal - From Appointment through Commissioning and Beyond! What you Need to Know, is an invaluable resource full of up-to-date information, useful tips, insights, and advice that is helpful even for military families that may not be familiar with the inner workings of USNA. This book is a must read for new and not-so-new U.S. Naval Academy parents and families alike.
I have Included everything that our family learned from our many wonderful mentors and our personal experience through our seven year journey with our two Midshipmen, from my Dad (USNA '59), from counseling other parents, as…
I was aware Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath was the first female U.S. Marine Corps aviator in history selected to pilot the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet warplane; and to fly combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I learned and admired much more reading her compelling biography of a life devoted to family, community, and service to the country. A childhood interest in military aircraft led her to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy and become a commissioned officer who earned and wore the gold wings of a Marine Corps pilot. She successfully changed a federal law that had prohibited women from flying in combat; now they do. Today she promotes greater citizen participation by Americans for their communities and our nation.
The inspiring story of the first female Marine to fly a combat mission in an F/A-18—and the transformative events that led to her bold decision to take on the most powerful man in the U.S. Senate.
Amy McGrath grew up in Edgewood, Kentucky, a childhood shaped by love of country, baseball (the Cincinnati Reds), and, from the age of twelve, a fascination with fighter jets. Her devastation at learning that a federal law prohibited women from flying in combat fueled her determination to do just that--and then, to help change the laws to improve the lives of all Americans.
When King Priam's pregnant daughter was fleeing the sack of Troy, Stan was there. When Jesus of Nazareth was beaten and crucified, Stan was there - one crossover. He’s been a Hittite warrior, a Silk Road mercenary, a reluctant rebel in the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381, and an information peddler in the cabarets of post-war Berlin. Stan doesn't die, and he doesn't know why. And now he's being investigated for a horrific crime.
As Stan tells his story, from his origins as an Anatolian sheep farmer to his custody in a Toronto police interview room, he brings a wry, anachronistic…
When King Priam's pregnant daughter was fleeing the sack of Troy, Stan was there. When Jesus of Nazareth was beaten and crucified, Stan was there - one cross over. Stan has been a Hittite warrior, a Roman legionnaire, a mercenary for the caravans of the Silk Road and a Great War German grunt. He’s been a toymaker in a time of plague, a reluctant rebel in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, and an information peddler in the cabarets of post-war Berlin. Stan doesn't die, and he doesn't know why. And now he's…