War Novels for the War on Terror Thirteen years ago Sunday former President George Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq. Over his head a massive banner proclaimed, “Mission Accomplished.” What followed this publicity stunt—he arrived on an aircraft carrier off the coast of California riding in a Navy jet—were years of insurgency … Continue reading Mission Accomplished
Month: April 2016
Nice Bump for Two Pumps
Robert Bruce Cormack penned a few kind thoughts on Two Pumps for the Body Man. Read more about his hilarious satire You Can Lead a Horse to Water (But You Can't Make It Scuba Dive). Ben East has created a wonderfully wacky consular bash in a place called The Kingdom, a nightmarish place straight out of Catch-22 where bureaucrats … Continue reading Nice Bump for Two Pumps
Get Pumped–The Cover Issue
I never pictured myself a graphic designer. But in putting out Two Pumps for the Body Man, I had the chance to try my hand. Here are a few samples I drew up before arriving at the finished product. Classic cover sheet for SDDTS material. Wait, SDDTS material? Too racy. Too much desert. Creepy in a … Continue reading Get Pumped–The Cover Issue
Review: The Brothers Connolly
Ted Prokash employs a rich, poetic voice to tell his story of middle America, giving The Brothers Connolly the quality of an epic. His narrator breaks this novel free of its small-town confines. The writing, here, is the main event. Prokash is skillful and convincing in his portrayal of life in Napawaupee, Wisconsin. He renders with equal … Continue reading Review: The Brothers Connolly
The Well-Dressed Reader
Contrary to the rumors being spread by Amazon, no Ben East apparel is currently available at the B.A. East author page. Sorry to disappoint loyal readers. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00N1YVQOG
A Catch-22 for Diplomacy
Two Pumps for the Body Man Set in Saudi Arabia, Two Pumps does for American diplomacy and the War on Terror what Catch-22 did for military logic during the Second World War: The enemy can’t kill us if our institutions kill us first. Jeff Mutton walks the diplomatic beat protecting American officials in Saudi Arabia. … Continue reading A Catch-22 for Diplomacy
baseball and birthdays
Back in January my son asked me to write him a story for his birthday. Three months later I’ve put the finishing touches on a 32k-word novel, my first in the lit-for-kids line. Vikram turns 8 next week. Among the themes (friendship, family, dreams) is baseball. With MLB opening day upon us, I thought I’d share a chapter. … Continue reading baseball and birthdays
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