Christian F. Burton
During my lifetime, the United States has supported the Shah of Iran, Afghan rebels, and Saddam Hussein, all to disastrous effect. Over and over again, we make dubious foreign policy decisions in the name of Middle East stability instead of preparing our nation for the inevitable instability. When Iran's monarchy fell, the United Sates was caught unawares. Will we be any better prepared when the Saudi monarchy crumbles. I graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1992. As a member of the Air Force intelligence community, my military service included stops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Korea, Japan, and Germany. I leveraged my experiences overseas in crafting this novel.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
The book provides a window into part of the world that many Americans know little about. I was intrigued by the novel because it showed the complexities that we face when trying to implement policy in the region. In my mind, it certainly brings into question the United State government's penchant for supporting the lesser of two evils. Moderate voices tend to get squeezed out by either government corruption or religious extremism, and the people who really need the help never get any. I enjoyed Malala's descriptions of her homeland and heritage. These excerpts are where her voice really shines through.
"Burton creates a deep-hearted novel that serves as a refreshingly unbiased examination of political and social conflict between the Middle East and the United States." - Red City Review
Conspiracy of Angels
Conspiracy of Angels is a fast-moving adventure with a bit of a sci-fi twist. Set in Denver, Mitch, an ex-con, is surprised by a girl in his backyard, accusing him of being the head scientist for a secret project. She gets his attention by referring to his now-deceased daughter. Mitch's desire to find answers about his daughter leads him deeper into the mystery.
The writing is brisk, comfortable, and engaging. The reader cares about the characters and reaching the final resolution. Definitely a good read!
